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.