Psalm 69 Part 1

v.1-14 C. M. The sufferings of Christ for our salvation. "Save me, O God, the swelling floods Break in upon my soul; I sink, and sorrows o'er my head Like mighty waters roll. "I cry till all my voice be gone, In tears I waste the day: My God, behold my longing eyes, And shorten thy delay. "They hate my soul without a cause, And still their number grows More than the hairs around my head, And mighty are my foes. "'Twas then I paid that dreadful debt That men could never pay, And gave those honors to thy law Which sinners took away." Thus in the great Messiah's name, The royal prophet mourns; Thus he awakes our hearts to grief, And gives us joy by turns. "Now shall the saints rejoice, and find Salvation in my name; For I have borne their heavy load Of sorrow, pain, and shame. "Grief, like a garment, clothed me round, And sackcloth was my dress, While I procured for naked souls A robe of righteousness. "Amongst my brethren and the Jews I like a stranger stood, And bore their vile reproach, to bring The Gentiles near to God. "I came in sinful mortals' stead, To do my Father's will; Yet when I cleansed my Father's house, They scandalized my zeal. "My fasting and my holy groans Were made the drunkard's song; But God, from his celestial throne, Heard my complaining tongue. "He saved me from the dreadful deep, Nor let my soul be drowned; He raised and fixed my sinking feet On well-established ground. "'Twas in a most accepted hour My prayer arose on high; And for my sake my God shall hear The dying sinner's cry.