Scripture Verse

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

Introduction

Words: From The Psal­ter (Pitts­burgh, Penn­syl­van­ia: Unit­ed Pres­by­te­ri­an Board of Pub­li­ca­tion, 1912), num­ber 111.

Music: Dun­stan Jo­seph Barn­by, 1893 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Joseph Barnby (1838–1896)

Lyrics

I waited for the Lord most high,
And He inclined to hear my cry;
He took me from destruction’s pit
And from the miry clay;
Upon a rock he set my feet,
And steadfast made my way.

A new and joyful song of praise
He taught my thankful heart to raise;
And many, seeing me restored,
Shall fear the Lord and trust;
And blest are they that trust the Lord,
The humble and the just.

O Lord my God, how manifold
Thy wondrous works which I behold,
And all Thy loving, gracious thought
Thou hast bestowed on man;
To count Thy mercies I have sought,
But boundless is their span.

Not sacrifice delights the Lord,
But he who hears and keeps His Word;
Thou gavest me to hear Thy will,
Thy law is in my heart;
I come the Scripture to fulfill,
Glad tidings to impart.