Psalm 116 EV

The Psalter; or Psalms of David, in English Verse by Keble
Psalm 116
1. How dear to me the bliss,
That God my voice should hear!
I asked Him not amiss,
2. For He bath bowed His ear,
And have sworn through all my days
To seek His aid, and sing His praise.
3. Around me, in the gloom,
Were bound the cords of death,
The languors of the tomb
Had chained my weary breath ;
4. When close to me sad anguish came,
I named aloud JEHOVAH’S Name;
“Now free my soul, O Lord.”
5. The Lord most true and kind,
The Just One, our Adored,
He bears a Father's mind.
6. The Lord preserves the simple soul :
I pined and shrank ; He made me whole,
7. Return unto thy rest,
Return, my weary heart,
With the Lord's bounty blest;
My rescue, Lord, Thou art.
8. My soul from death, mine eye from tears,
My feet from falling, God uprears,
9. Now in JEHOVAH’S sight
To walk at large I'll dare,
In fields of life and light
Speed fearless here and there.
10. I have believed: my words must flow :
"Twas mine but only to lie low,
“To cry in anguish sore,
“Mankind is but a lie."
11. Now, while His love runs o'er,
What offering meet have I?
12. The cup of blessing at Thy board
I lift, and name Thy Name, O Lord.
13. My vows to Israel's King
Make haste and let me pay;
His tribes shall see me bring
Mine homage due to-day.
The death His holy ones shall die,
Is precious to JEHVAH’S Eye,”
14. Thine am I; hear from Heaven
Thine own, Thine handmaid's son :
My fetters Thou hast riven,
My praises Thou hast won.
15. My sacrifice of thanks I frame,
And call upon JEVOHAH’S Name.
16. My vows to Israel's King
Make haste and let me pay,
"Mid all His people bring
Mine homage due to-day ;
In His own courts, His holy ground,
Thy bulwarks, Salem, glittering round.