Heavenly Help

Tune: Franconia

('Blest are the pure in heart')

Psalm 54

*******

Save me, O God, by your

Strength, it be ever sure

And judge me by your strength, hear my

Prayer, and me not deny

Give ear, O God, to my

Words, I unto you cry

For enemies are risen to

Oppress, and me harm do

They have not, O God, set

You before their face yet

But, behold, God my helper be

Shall come to my aid free

The Lord is with them who

Uphold my soul, it true

He shall reward* my enemies

From me oppression frees

I will freely praise your

Name, O Lord, from your store

You have delivered me from all

My troubles, heard my call

And my eyes they have seen

How your** desire has been

Carried out on my enemies

You from each me them frees

--------

* The idea of 'rewarding enemies' here is that

they will be judged and repaid for the troubles they caused the Psalmist.

** The Psalmist, often King David, but not in every Psalm, leaves it to God to

repay his enemies.