Psalm 16
Words: Isaac Watts
Note: there is also a Common Metre version on this page
Part 1. Confession of our poverty.
1 Preserve me, Lord, in time of need;
For succor to thy throne I flee,
But have no merits there to plead:
My goodness cannot reach to thee.
2 0ft have my heart and tongue confessed
How empty and how poor I am;
My praise can never make thee blessed,
Nor add new glories to thy name.
3 Yet, Lord, thy saints on earth may reap
Some profit by the good we do;
These are the company I keep,
These are the choicest friends I know.
4 Let others choose the sons of mirth
To give a relish to their wine;
I love the men of heav'nly birth,
Whose thoughts and language are divine.
PART 2. Christ's all-sufficiency.
1 How fast their guilt and sorrows rise
Who haste to seek some idol god!
I will not taste their sacrifice,
Their off'rings of forbidden blood.
2 My God provides a richer cup,
And nobler food to live upon;
He for my life has offered up
Jesus, his best-beloved Son.
3 His love is my perpetual feast;
By day his counsels guide me right;
And be his name for ever blessed,
Who gives me sweet advice by night.
4 I set him still before mine eyes;
At my right hand he stands prepared
To keep my soul from all surprise,
And be my everlasting guard.
Part 3. Courage in death, and hope of the resurrection.
1 When God is nigh, my faith is strong;
His arm is my almighty prop:
Be glad, my heart; rejoice, my tongue;
My dying flesh shall rest in hope.
2 Though in the dust I lay my head,
Yet, gracious God, thou wilt not leave
My soul for ever with the dead,
Nor lose thy children in the grave.
3 My flesh shall thy first call obey,
Shake off the dust, and rise on high;
Then shalt thou lead the wondrous way
Up to thy throne above the sky.
4 There streams of endless pleasure flow;
And full discov'ries of thy grace
(Which we but tasted here below)
Spread heav'nly joys through all the place.
Part 1. v 1-8 Support and counsel from God, without merit.
1 Save me, O Lord, from ev'ry foe;
In thee my trust I place,
Though all the good that I can do
Can ne'er deserve thy grace.
2 Yet if my God prolong my breath,
The saints may profit by't;
The saints, the glory of the earth,
The men of my delight.
3 Let heathens to their idols haste,
And worship wood or stone;
But my delightful lot is cast
Where the true God is known.
4 His hand provides my constant food,
He fills my daily cup;
Much am I pleased with present good,
But more rejoice in hope.
5 God is my portion and my joy,
His counsels are my light;
He gives me sweet advice by day,
And gentle hints by night.
6 My soul would all her thoughts approve
To his all-seeing eye;
Not death, nor hell, my hope shall move,
While such a Friend is nigh.
Part 2. The death and resurrection of Christ.
1 "I Set the Lord before my face,
He bears my courage up;
My heart and tongue their joys express,
My flesh shall rest in hope.
2 "My spirit, Lord, thou wilt not leave
Where souls departed are;
Nor quit my body to the grave,
To see corruption there.
3 "Thou wilt reveal the path of life,
And raise mc to thy throne;
Thy courts immortal pleasure give,
Thy presence joys unknown,"
4 Thus, in the name of Christ, the Lord,
The holy David sung;
And Providence fulfils the word
Of his prophetic tongue.
5 Jesus, whom ev'ry saint adores,
Was crucified and slain:
Behold, the tomb its prey restores!
Behold, he lives again!
6 When shall my feet arise and stand
On heav'n's eternal hills?
There sits the Son at God's right hand,
And there the Father smiles.
