Religion
Psalm 17
Translated by George Wither (1632) · From The Psalmes of David Translated into Lyrick-Verse (1632)
LOrd, hear my cause, my suites, my cries.
Which from vnfained lipps do flowe;
To rightfull things decline thine eyes,
And, from thy self, let sentence goe.
My secret thoughts are in thy sight;
Thou vew'st them, in the darkest night.
Thou trid'st my fault, & foundst it none;
For, from offence I kept my tongue:
And (as for things by others done)
My words preserved me from wrong.
Oh! be thou pleasd, my course to guide;
And stay my feet, lest els they slide.
On thee I call; for thou wilt hear:
Lord, hear, & my complaint attend.
Let thy great love to me appeare,
And thy right-hand my life defend;
Ev'n that right-hand which from their foes,
Gards them, who trust in thee repose:
From Tiraunts, me beseiging-round,
From Sinners, who my harme assay,
Lord, as thine eye-ball keep me sound;
And, over me, thy wings display.
For, they with fatt, quite round are clad;
And, haughtie braggs, their mouths have made,
Me, in my waies, they have withstood,
And sought about with downe-cast eyes,
Like lions (when they hunt for food)
Or lions whelp, which lurking lies.
But, rise, resist; & foile them Lord:
From Sinners, gard me, by thy sword.
Lord, from those world-lings gard thou me,
Who in this life, their lot receive;
Who full of wealth, & children be,
And for their babes large portions leave.
To wake from sinn, & looke on thee,
In thine owne forme, cententeth mee.
Cite this poem
MLA
Wither, George. “Psalm 17.” Translated by George Wither. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wither/44/.
Chicago
Wither, George. “Psalm 17.” Translated by George Wither. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wither/44/.
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