L. M.

Hearing of prayer.

O God of grace and righteousness,

Hear and attend when I complain;

Thou hast enlarged me in distress,

Bow down a gracious ear again.

Ye sons of men, in vain ye try

To turn my glory into shame;

How long will scoffers love to lie,

And dare reproach my Savior's name?

Know that the Lord divides his saints

From all the tribes of men beside;

He hears the cry of penitents,

For the dear sake of Christ that died.

When our obedient bands have done

A thousand works of righteousness,

We put our trust in God alone,

And glory in his pardoning grace.

Let the unthinking many say,

|Who will bestow some earthly good?|

But, Lord, thy light and love we pray;

Our souls desire this heav'nly food.

Then shall my cheerful powers rejoice,

At grace and favors so divine;

Nor will I change my happy choice

For all their corn, and all their wine.