In mercy, not in wrath, rebuke

Thy feeble worm, my God!

My spirit dreads thine angry look,

And trembles at thy rod.

Have mercy, Lord, for I am weak,

Regard my heavy groans;

O let thy voice of comfort speak,

And heal my broken bones!

By day my busy beating head

Is filled with anxious fears;

By night, upon my restless bed,

I weep a flood of tears.

Thus I sit desolate and mourn,

Mine eyes grow dull with grief;

How long, my LORD, ere thou return,

And bring my soul relief?

O come and show thy pow’r to save,

And spare my fainting breath;

For who can praise thee in the grave,

Or sing thy name in death?

Satan, my cruel envious foe,

Insults me in my pain;

He smiles to see me brought so low,

And tells me hope is vain,

But hence, thou enemy, depart!

Nor tempt me to despair;

My Savior comes to cheer my heart,

The Lord has heard my prayer.