Psalm 143 (Domine, exaudi)

Heare my entreaty Lord, the suite I send,
With heed attend,
And as my hope and trust is
Reposed whole in thee;
So in thy truth and justice
Yeeld audience to me.
And make not least beginning
To judge thy servants sinning:
For Lord what living wight
Lives synnlesse in thy sight?

O rather look with ruth upon my woes,
Whom ruthlesse foes
With long pursute have chased,
And chased at length have caught,
And caught in tomb have placed
With dead men out of thought.
Ay me! what now is left me?
Alas! all knowledge reft me,
All courage faintly fledd,
I have nor hart nor head.

The best I can is this, nay this is all
That I can call
Before my thoughts surveyeng,
Tymes evidences old,
All deedes with comfort waighing,
That thy hand-writyng hold.
Soe hand and hart conspiring
I lift, no lesse desiring
Thy grace I may obtayne,
Then drought desireth raine.

Leave then delay, and let his cry prevaile,
Whom force doth faile:
Nor lett thy face be hidden
From one, who may compare
With them whose death hath bidden
Adiew to life and care.
My hope, let mercies morrow
Soone chase my night of sorrow.
My help, appoint my way,
I may not wandring stray.

My cave, my closett where I wont to hide
In troublous tyde:
Now from these troubles save me,
And since my God thou art,
Prescribe how thou wouldst have me
Performe my duties part.
And lest awry I wander,
In walking this meander,
Be thy right sprite my guide,
To guard I go not wide.

Thy honor, justice, mercy crave of thee.
O Lord, that me
Reviv'd thou shouldst deliver
From pressure of my woes,
And in destructions river
Engulph and swallow those
Whose hate thus makes in anguish
My soule afflicted languish:
For meete it is so kind,
Thy servant should thee find.