1 Thessalonians 5

Lord hear my prayer, hearken to the plea that I do make to you: Lord in your native truth, and in your justice answer me.

Regard, O Lord, for I complain, and make my suit to you: Let not my words return in vain, but give an ear to me.

Behold, in wickedness my kind, and shape I did receive: And lo, my sinful mother also, in sin did me conceive:

And I with evils many one, am sorely beset about: My sins increase, and so come on, I cannot spy them out.

For why, in number they exceed the hairs upon my head: My heart does faint for very fear, that I am almost dead.

Thus in me in perplexity, is mine encumbered spirit: And in me in my troubled heart, amazed and afraid.

The wicked works that I have wrought, you set before your eye: My secret faults, yea also my thoughts, your countenance does espy.

O Lord my God, if you should weigh my sins, and them peruse: What one shall then escape and say, I can myself excuse?

In judgment with your servant, Lord, oh enter not at all: For justified in your sight, not one that [reconstructed: lives] shall.

And for your pity plentiful, O Lord, I you entreat: To grant me pardon for my sin, for it is wondrous great.

O Lord, what earthly man does know, the errors of this life? Then cleanse me from my secret sins, which are in me most rife.

And keep me, that presumptuous sins prevail not over me: And then I shall be innocent, and great offenses flee.

To you, O Lord my God, loe I do stretch my craving hands: My soul desires after you, as does the thirsty lands.

As handmaids watch their mistress's hands, some grace for to achieve: So I behold you, Lord my God, till you do me forgive.

Lord turn you to your usual grace, my helpless soul uptake: O save me not for my deserts, but for your mercy sake.

My soul why does you faint and quail? so sorely with pain [reconstructed: oppressed]: With thoughts why does yourself assail? so sore within my breast.

Trust in the Lord your God always, and you the time shall see: To give him thanks with laud and praise, for health restored to you.

For his anger but a space does last, and slack again: But in his favor and his grace, always does life remain.

Though gripes of grief and pangs full sore, do lodge with you all night: The Lord to joy shall you restore, before the day be light.

The Lord is kind and merciful, when sinners do him grieve: The slow to conceive a wrath, and ready to forgive.

And look what pity parents dear, to their children bear: Like pity bears the Lord to such, as worship him in fear.

The Lord that made me knows my shape, my mold and fashion just: How weak and frail my nature is, and how I am but dust.

O God create in me a heart, unspotted in your sight: And also within my bowels, Lord, renew a stable spirit.

With your free spirit confirm you me, and I will teach therefore sinners your ways, and wicked shall be turned to your teaching.

My soul is ravished with desire, and never is at rest: But seeks to know your judgments high, and what may please you best.

O would to God it might you please, my ways so to address: That I might both in heart and voice, your laws keep and confess.

In righteousness I do intend, my time and days to serve: have mercy Lord and me defend, so that I do not swerve.

And with your saving health, O Lord, vouchsafe to visit me: That I the great felicity, of your elect may see.

And with your people's joy I may, a joyful mind possess: And may with your inheritance, a glorying heart express.

The Lord the God of Israel, be blessed evermore: Let all the people say Amen, praise you the Lord therefore.

FINIS.