Psalms 13-15

Psalm 13

1 HOW long wilt Thou forget me, Lord?

Must I for ever mourn?

How long wilt Thou withdraw from me, Oh! never to return?

2 Oh, hear, and to my longing eyes Restore Thy wonted light:

Revive my soul, nor let me sleep In everlasting night.

3 Since I have always placed my trust Beneath Thy mercy's wing, Thy saving health will come, and then My heart with joy shall spring.

4 Then shall my song, with praise inspired, To Thee, my God, ascend, Who to Thy servant in distress Such bounty didst extend.

Tate and Brady, 1696.

Psalm 14

(Verse 7.)

1 OH that the Lord's salvation Were out of Zion come, To heal His ancient nation, To lead His outcasts home.

2 How long the holy city Shall heathen feet profane?

Return, O Lord, in pity, Rebuild her walls again.

3 Let fall Thy rod of terror, Thy saving grace impart;

Roll back the veil of error, Release the fetter'd heart.

4 Let Israel home returning, Her lost Messiah see;

Give oil of joy for mourning, And bind Thy church to Thee.

Henry Francis Lyte, 1734.

Psalm 15

1 LORD, I would dwell with Thee, On Thy most holy hill:

Oh shed Thy grace abroad in me, To mould me to Thy will.

2 Thy gate of pearl stands wide For those who walk upright; But those who basely turn aside Thou chasest from Thy sight.

3 Oh tame my tongue to peace, And tune my heart to love; From all reproaches may I cease, Made harmless as a dove.

4 The vile, though proudly great, No flatterer find in me;

I count Thy saints of poor estate Far nobler company.

5 Faithful, but meekly kind;

Gentle, yet boldly true;

I would possess the perfect mind Which in my Lord I view.

6 But, Lord, these graces all Thy Spirit's work must be: To Thee, through Jesu's blood I call, Create them all in me.

Charles H. Spurgeon, 1866.