DEFENCE.
Be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.—Psalm xxxi. 2.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.—Psalm lix. 1.
Who trust in thee, O let not shame deject!
Thou ever just, my chased soule secure:
Lord lend a willing eare, with speede protect;
Be thou my rock; with thy strong arme immure.
My rock, my fortresse, for thy honour aid,
And my engaged feet from danger guide,
Pull from their subtile snares in secret laid,
O thou, my only strength, so often try’d.
O let thy face upon thy servant shine;
Save for thy mercies sake, from shame defend.
Shame cover those who keepe no lawes of thine,
And undeplored to the grave descend!
Sandys.
How are thy servants blest O Lord!
How sure is their defence!
Eternal wisdom is their guide,
Their help omnipotence.
In midst of dangers, fears, and death,
Thy goodness I’ll adore;
And praise thee for thy mercies past,
And humbly hope for more.
My life, if thou preserv’st my life,
Thy sacrifice shall be;
And death, if death must be my doom,
Shall join my soul to Thee.
Addison.
From common accidents of life
His care shall guard thee still;
From the blind strokes of chance, and foes
That lie in wait to kill.
At home, abroad, in peace, in war,
Thy God shall thee defend;
Conduct thee, through life’s pilgrimage,
Safe to thy journey’s end.
Brady and Tate.