Psalm 63

Words: Isaac Watts

There are also Long Metre and Short Metre versions of this Psalm on this page

Common Metre Tunes

PART 1. V. 1--5.
The morning of a Lord's day.
   1  Early, my God, without delay,
         I haste to seek thy face;
      My thirsty spirit faints away
         Without thy cheering grace.
   2  So pilgrims on the scorching sand,
         Beneath a burning sky,
      Long for a cooling stream at hand,
         And they must drink or die.
   3  I've seen thy glory and thy power
         Through all thy temple shine;
      My God, repeat that heav'nly hour,
         That vision so divine.
   4  Not all the blessings of a feast
         Can please my soul so well,
      As when thy richer grace I taste,
         And in thy presence dwell.
   5  Not life itself, with all her joys,
         Can my best passions move,
      Or raise so high my cheerful voice,
         As thy forgiving love.
   6  Thus till my last expiring day
         I'll bless my God and King;
      Thus will I lift my hands to pray,
         And tune my lips to sing.
v. 6--10. PART 2
Midnight thoughts recollected,
   1  'Twas in the watches of the night
         I thought upon thy power,
      I kept thy lovely face in sight
         Amidst the darkest hour.
   2  My flesh lay resting on my bed,
         My soul arose on high: ·
      "My God, my life, my hope," I said,
         "Bring thy salvation nigh."
   3  My spirit labors up thine hill,
         And climbs the heav'nly road;
      But thy right hand upholds me still,
         While I pursue my God.
   4  Thy mercy stretches o'er My head
         The shadow of thy wings;
      My heart rejoices in thine aid,
         My tongue awakes and sings.
   5  But the destroyers of my peace
         Shall fret and rage in vain;
      The tempter shall for ever cease,
         And all my sins be slain.
   6  Thy sword shall give my foes to death,
         And send them down to dwell
      In the dark caverns of the earth,
         Or to the deeps of hell.
Long Metre Tunes
Longing after God; or, The love of God better than life.
   1  Great God, indulge my humble claim,
      Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest;
      The glories that compose thy name
      Stand all engaged to make me blessed.
   2  Thou great and good, thou just and wise,
      Thou art my Father and my God;
      And I am thine by sacred ties;
      Thy son, thy servant, bought with blood.
   3  With heart, and eyes, and lifted hands,
      For thee I long, to thee I rook,
      As travelers in. thirsty lands
      Pant for the cooling water-brook.
   4  With early feet I love t' appear
      Among thy saints, and seek thy face;
      Oft have I seen thy glory there,
      And felt the power of sov'reign grace.
   5  Not fruits nor wines that tempt our taste,
      Nor all the joys our senses know,
      Could make me so divinely blessed,
      Or raise my cheerful passions so.
   6  My life itself without thy love
      No taste of pleasure could afford;
      'Twould but a tiresome burden prove,
      If I were banished from the Lord.
   7  Amidst the wakeful hours of night,
      When busy cares afflict my head,
      One thought of thee gives new delight,
      And adds refreshment to my bed.
   8  I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice,
      While I have breath to pray or praise;
      This work shall make my heart rejoice,
      And spend the remnant of my days.
Short Metre Tunes
Seeking God.
   1     My God, permit my tongue
         This joy, to call thee mine;
      And let my early cries prevail
         To taste thy love divine.
   2     My thirsty, fainting soul
         Thy mercy doth implore;
      Not travelers in desert lands
         Can pant for water more.
   3     Within thy churches, Lord,
         I long to find my place;
      Thy power and glory to behold,
         And feel thy quick'ning grace.
   4     For life without thy love
         No relish can afford;
      No joy can be compared to this,
         To serve and please the Lord:
   5     To thee I'll lift my hands,
         And praise thee while I live;
      Not the rich dainties of a feast
         Such food or pleasure give.
   6     In wakeful hours at night
         I call my God to mind;
      I think how wise thy counsels are,
         And all thy dealings kind.
   7     Since thou hast been my help,
         To thee my spirit flies,
      And on thy watchful providence
         My cheerful hope relies.
   8     The shadow of thy wings
         My soul in safety keeps;
      I follow where my Father leads,
         And he supports my steps..


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