Psalms 43-45

Psalm 43

1 JUDGE me, O Lord, to Thee I fly, New foes and fears my spirit try;

Plead Thou my cause, my soul sustain, And let the wicked rage in vain.

2 The mourner's refuge, Lord, Thou art;

Wilt Thou not take Thy suppliant's part?

Wilt Thou desert, and lay me low, The scorn of each insulting foe?

3 Send forth Thy light and truth once more, To Thy blest house my steps restore:

Again Thy presence let me see, And find my joy in praising Thee.

4 Arise, my soul, and praise Him now; The Lord is good, be faithful thou: His nature changes not like thine;

Believe, and Boon His face will shine.

Henry Francis Lyte, 1834.

Psalm 44

1 OUR ears have heard, O glorious God, What work Thou didst of old; And how the heathen felt Thy rod Our fathers oft have told.

2 'Twas not Thy people's arm or sword, But only Thy right hand, Which scatter'd all the race abhorr'd, And gave Thy tribes their land.

3 Thou hadst a favour to the seed Which sprang of Jacob's line, And still on men afore decreed Doth love electing shine.

4 These shall the heritage obtain, And drive out every sin E'en death and hell shall rage in vain, They must the conquest win.

5 From grace alone their strength shall spring, Nor bow nor sword can save; To God alone, their Lord and King, Shall all their banners wave.

6 Awake, O Lord, of Thine elect, Achieve Thy great design;

Thy saints from Thee alone expect Salvation's light to shine.

7 In Thee alone we make our boasts, And glory all day long;

Arise at once, thou Lord of hosts, And fill our mouth with song.

Charles H. Spurgeon, 1866.

Psalm 45 (1 of 4)

1 THOU that art the mighty One, Thy sword gird on Thy thigh;

Ev'n with Thy glory excellent, And with Thy majesty.

2 For meekness, truth and righteousness, In state ride prosp'rously; And Thy right hand shall Thee instruct In things that fearful be.

3 Thine arrows sharply pierce the heart Of foemen of the King; And under Thy dominion's rule The people down do bring.

4 For ever and for ever is, O God, Thy throne of might; The sceptre of Thy kingdom is A sceptre that is right.

5 Thou lovest right, and hatest ill; For God, Thy God, is He, Above Thy fellows hath with oil Of joy anointed Thee.

6 Of aloes, myrrh, and cassia, A smell Thy garments had, Out of the ivory palaces Whereby they made Thee glad.

Scotch Version, 1641, a.