023) The Third Part.

The Third Part.

16 The Lord did on my side engage from heav’n, his throne, my cause upheld; And snatched me from the furious_rage, of threat’ning waves that proudly swelled.

17 God his resistless pow’r employed, my strongest foes’ attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroyed the weak defense that I could make.

18 Their subtle rage had near prevailed, when I distressed and friendless lay; But still, when other succors failed, God was my firm support and stay.

19 From dangers that enclosed me round, he brought me forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, that moved him to delight in me.

20 Because in me no guilt remains, God does his gracious help extend; My hands are free from bloody stains, therefore the Lord is still my friend.

21,22 For I his judgments kept in sight, in his just paths I always trod;

I never did his statutes slight, nor loosely wandered from my God.

23,24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, did e’en from darling sins refrain; His favors, therefore, yet endure, because my heart and hands are clean.