Psalm Xlh, Part 1

As the hart, with fleeing faint.
For the cooling stream doth pant.
So my soul, by sin pursued,
Pants for Thee, the living God!

See my soul, in pity see,
Thirsting, gasping after Thee;
When shall I with faith draw near.
Righteous in Thy sight appear?

Tears have been my daily bread,
Tears have wash'd my sleepless bed,
While they ever cry aloud,
"Where is now thy pardoning God?"

Musing on the former days,
Stripp'd of that ecstatic grace,
Pouring out my soul, I moan.
All my joys and comforts gone!

Once I could in God rejoice,
Praise Him with a tuneful voice.
Find Him in His house of prayer.
First of those who worshipp'd there.

Why art thou, my soul, oppress'd?
Why so troubled and distress'd?
Cast away the heavy load,
Hope thou, against hope, in God.