O God, My God, Wherefore Dost Thou (EN 658)

1

O God, my God, wherefore dost Thou

Forsake me utterly?

And helpest not when I do make

My great complaint and cry?

2

To Thee, my God, e’en all day long

I do both cry and call;

I cease not all the night, and yet

Thou hearest not at all.

3

But Thou that in Thy holy place

For evermore dost dwell;

Thou art the joy, the comfort, and

Glory of Israel:

4

And Him in Whom our fathers old

Had all their hope and stay;

Who, when they put their trust in Thee,

Delivered’st them alway.

5

They were preserved ever when

They called upon Thy Name;

And for the faith they had in Thee,

They were not put to shame.

6

But I am now become more like

A worm than to a man,

An outcast, whom the people scorn

With all the spite they can.

7

All men despise as they behold

Me walking on the way:

They grin, make mouths, and nod their heads,

And on this wise do say.

8

This man did glory in the Lord,

His favor and His love:

Let Him redeem and help him now,

His pow’r if he will prove.

9

But from the prison of the womb

I was by Thee released;

Thou didst preserve me still in hope,

Whilst I did suck the breast:

10

I was committed from my birth

With Thee to have abode;

Since I came from my mother’s womb,

Thou hast been still my God.

11

Then, Lord, depart not now from me

In this my present grief,

Since I have none to be my help,

My succor and relief.

12

For many bulls do compass me,

That be full strong of head;

Yea, bulls so fat, as though they had

In Basan field been fed.

13

They gape upon me greedily,

As though they would me slay;

Much like a lion roaring out,

And ramping for his prey.

14

But I drop down like water shed,

My joints in sunder break,

My heart doth in my body melt

Like wax, I am so weak.

15

My strength doth like a potsherd dry,

My tongue it cleaveth fast

Unto my jaws, and I am brought

To dust of death at last.

16

For many dogs do compass me,

In council they do meet,

Conspiring still against my life,

Piercing my hands and feet.

17

I was tormented so that I

Might all my bones have told,

Whilst they do look and stare at me,

When they do me behold.

18

My garments they divided have

In parts among them all;

And for my coat they did cast lots

To whom it should befall.

19

Therefore, I pray Thee, be not far

From me at my great need,

But rather, since Thou art my strength,

To help me, Lord, make speed:

20

And from the sword save Thou my soul

By Thy might and Thy pow’r,

And ever keep my darling dear

From dogs that would devour;

21

And from the lion’s mouth that would

Me all in sunder tear;

From ’midst the horns of unicorns,

O Lord, Thou didst me hear.

22

When shall I to my brethren all

Thy Majesty record,

And in Thy church shall praise the Name

Of Thee the living Lord.

23

All ye that fear Him, praise the Lord,

Thou, Jacob, Him adore,

And all ye seed of Israel,

Fear Him for evermore.

24

For He despiseth not the poor,

He hideth not away

His countenance when they do call,

But hears them when they pray,

25

Among the folk that fear the Lord,

I will therefore proclaim

Thy praise, and keep my promise made

For setting forth Thy Name.

26

The poor shall eat and be sufficed;

Such as their minds do give

To seek the Lord, and praise His Name,

Their hearts shall ever live.

27

The coasts of all the earth shall praise

The Lord, and seek His grace;

The heathen folk shall worship all

Before His blessed face.

28

The kingdoms of the heathen folk

The Lord shall have therefore;

And he shall be their Governor

And King for evermore.

29

The rich men of His goodly gifts

Shall taste and feed also,

And in His presence worship Him,

And bow their knees full low.

30

And all that shall go down to dust,

Of life by Him shall taste;

A seed shall serve and worship Him,

Till time away shall waste.

31

They shall declare and plainly show

His truth and righteousness,

Unto a people yet unborn,

Who shall His Name confess.