1 O God, my refuge, hear my cries, Behold my flowing tears, For earth and hell my hurt devise, And triumph in my fears.
2 Their rage is levell'd at my life, My soul with guilt they load, And fill my thoughts with inward strife To shake my hope in God.
3 With inward pain my heart-strings sound, I groan with every breath; Horror and fear beset me round Amongst the shades of death,
4 O were I like a feather'd dove, And innocence had wings, I'd fly, and make a long remove, From all these restless things.
5 Let me to some wild desert go, And find a peaceful home, Where storms of malice never blow, Temptations never come.
6 Vain hopes, and vain inventions all To 'scape the rage of hell! The mighty God on whom I call Can save me here as well.