Scripture Verse

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave ear unto me. Psalm 77:1

Introduction

portrait
Maurice Greene
1696–1755

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719. Me­lan­cho­ly as­sault­ing, and hope pre­vail­ing.

Music: St. Ni­cho­las (Greene) Mau­rice Greene (1696–1755) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

  • St. Mary, ar­ranged from Prys’ Welsh Psal­ter, 1621 (🔊 pdf nwc)
  • Walsall, at­trib­ut­ed to Hen­ry Pur­cell in An­chor’s A Choice Col­lec­tion, cir­ca 1721 (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Lyrics

To God I cried with mournful voice,
I sought His gracious ear,
In the sad day when troubles rose,
And filled the night with fear.

Sad were my days, and dark my nights,
My soul refused relief;
I thought on God the just and wise,
But thoughts increased my grief.

Still I complained, and still oppressed
My heart began to break;
My God, Thy wrath forbade my rest,
And kept my eyes awake.

My overwhelming sorrows grew,
Till I could speak no more;
Then I within myself withdrew,
And called Thy judgments o’er.

I called back years and ancient times
When I beheld Thy face;
My spirit searched for secret crimes
That might withhold Thy grace.

I called Thy mercies to my mind
Which I enjoyed before;
And will the Lord no more be kind?
His face appear no more?

Will He for ever cast me off?
His promise ever fail?
Has He forgot His tender love?
Shall anger still prevail?

But I forbid this hopeless thought;
This dark, despairing frame,
Remembering what Thy hand hath wrought;
Thy hand is still the same.

I’ll think again of all Thy ways,
And talk Thy wonders o’er;
Thy wonders of recovering grace,
When flesh could hope no more.

Grace dwells with justice on the throne;
And men that love Thy Word
Have in Thy sanctuary known
The counsels of the Lord.