Daniel in the Lions' Den.
Peter Paul Rubens, c1614-1616.

Psalm 57 Miserere mei Deus

Thy mercy Lord, Lord, now thy mercy show,           On thee I lie,           To thee I fly.      Hide me, hive1 me, as thine own,      Till these blasts be overblown, Which now do fiercely blow. To highest God I will erect my cry,           Who quickly shall           Dispatch this all.      He shall down from Heaven send      From disgrace me to defend His love and verity.2 My soul encaged lies with lion's brood,           Villains whose hands           Are fiery brands,      Teeth more sharp than shaft or spear,      Tongues far better edge do bear Than swords to shed my blood. As high as highest heaven can give thee place           O Lord ascend,           And thence extend      With most bright, most glorious show      Over all the earth below The sunbeams of thy face. Me to entangle every way they go,           Their trap and net           Is ready set.      Holes they dig but their own holes      Pitfalls make for their own souls, So, Lord, oh serve them so. My heart prepared; prepared is my heart           To spread thy praise           With tuned lays.      Wake my tongue, my lute awake,      Thou my harp the consort make, Myself will bear a part. Myself when first the morning shall appear,           With voice and string           So will thee sing,      That this earthly globe, and all      Treading on this earthly ball, My praising notes shall hear. For God, my only God, thy gracious love           Is mounted far           Above each star.      Thy unchanged verity      Heavenly wings do lift as high As clouds have room to move. As high as highest heaven can give thee place           O Lord ascend           And thence extend      With most bright most glorious show      Over all the earth below, The sunbeams of thy face. 1. hive  shelter. 2. verity  truth.

to Works of Mary Herbert

Site copyright ©1996-2025 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved.
Created by Anniina Jokinen on April 14, 2025.