Happy the man, whose tender care

1 Happy the man, whose tender care
relieves the poor distress'd!
When troubles compass him around
the Lord shall give him rest.

2 The Lord his life, with blessings crown'd,
in safety shall prolong;
And disappoint the will of those
that seek to do him wrong.

3 If he in languishing estate,
oppress;d with sickness, lie;
The Lord will easy make his bed,
and inward strength supply.

4 Secure of this, to thee, my God,
I thus my pray'r address'd;
"Lord, for thy mercies, heal my soul
"though I have much trasgress'd."

5 My cruel foes, with sland'rous words,
attempt to wound my fame;
"When shall he die," say they,"and men
"forget his very name?"

6 Suppose they formal visits make,
'tis all but empty show;
They gather mischief in their hearts,
and vent it where they go.

7,8 With private whispers, such as these,
to hurt me they devise;
"A sore disease afflicts him now;
"he's fall'n, no more to rise."

9 My own familiar bosom-friend,
on whom I most rely'd,
Has me, whose daily guest he was,
with open scorn defy'd.

10 But thou my sad and wretched state,
in mercy, Lord, regard;
And raise me up, that all their crimes
may meet their just reward.

11 By this I know, thy gracious ear
is open, when I call;
Because thou suffer'st not my foes
to triumph in my fall.

12 Thy tender care secures my life
from danger and disgrace;
And thou vouchsaf'st to set me still
before thy glorious face.

13 Let therefore Israel's Lord and God
from age to age be bless'd!
And all the people's glad applause
with loud amens express'd.

Source: The Whole Book of Psalms: in metre; with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #XLI