Hymns

How long wilt thou conceal thy face?

by Isaac Watts·1719·Meter 8.6.8.6 (CM)

Based on Ps 13

1

How long wilt thou conceal thy face?
My God, how long delay?
When shall I feel those heav'nly rays
That chase my fears away?

2

How long shall my poor lab'ring soul
Wrestle and toil in vain?
Thy word can all my foes control,
And ease my raging pain.

3

See how the prince of darkness tries
All his malicious arts
He spreads a mist around my eyes,
And throws his fiery darts.

4

Be thou my sun, and thou my shield,
My soul in safety keep;
Make haste, before mine eyes are sealed
In death's eternal sleep.

5

How would the tempter boast aloud
If I become his prey!
Behold, the sons of hell grow proud
At thy so long delay.

6

But they shall fly at thy rebuke,
And Satan hide his head;
He knows the terrors of thy look,
And hears thy voice with dread.

7

Thou wilt display that sovereign grace,
Where all my hopes have hung;
I shall employ my lips in praise,
And victory shall be sung.

AfflictionsComplaintDeliveranceDesertionHope