Poems (Follen)/Part of the Forty-Second Psalm
PART OF THE FORTY-SECOND PSALM.
As the frightened, stricken deer Pants for cooling water-brooks, So my spirit thirsts for thee, So to thee, my God, it looks.
Night and day have seen my tears; I have felt thy chastening rod: When shall I be nearer thee; When behold the living God?
O'er departed hours I mourn, When I joyful sang thy praise With the grateful, happy throng, Who love to keep thy holy days.
Why art thou cast down, my soul? Why disquieted in vain? Hope in God; for thou shalt yet Praise his boundless love again.
O, my God, my spirit faints; Waves of sorrow o'er me roll; Terror, like a sullen deep. Overwhelms my sinking soul.
Yet thy loving-kindness, Lord, Smooths affliction's stormy sea: In the night I hear thy voice; Morning lifts my heart to thee.
Why art thou cast down, my soul? Faint not at the chastening rod!Hope in Him; He is thy friend; He 's thy Saviour and thy God.