Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PSALM: 4 by JOSEPH HALL

First Line: THOU WITNESS OF MY TRUTH SINCERE
Last Line: FROM DANGERS ALL SECURELY KEEP.
Subject(s): GOD; HEARTS; HOPE; PEACE; RELIGION; SOUL; TRUTH; OPTIMISM; THEOLOGY;

1 Thou witnesse of my truth sincere,
My God vnto my poore request
Vouch-saue to lend thy gracious eare:
Thou hast my soule from thral releast.

2 Fauour me still, and daigne to heare
Mine humble sute. O wretched wights,
3 How long will yee mine honour deare
Turne into shame through your despites?

Still will ye loue what thing is vaine,
4 And seek false hopes? know then at last,
That God hath chose & will maintain
His fauorite, whom ye disgrac't.

God will regard mine instant mone.
5 Oh! tremble then, and cease offending;
And, on your silent beds alone,
Talk with your harts, your waies amending.

6 Offer the truest sacrifice
Of broken hearts; on God besetting
7 Your only trust. The most deuise
The waies of worldly treasure getting:

But thou, O Lord, lift vp to mee
The light of that sweet lookes of thine;
8 So shall my soule more gladsome be,
Then theirs with al their corn & wine.

9 So I in peace shall lay me down,
And on my bed take quiet sleep;
Whiles thou, O Lord, shalt me alone
From dangers all securely keep.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net