John Milton
PSAL. IV. Aug. 10.1653
        ANSWER me when I call
         God of my righteousness;
        In straights and in distress
        Thou didst me disinthrall
        And set at large; now spare,
        Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r.

        Great ones how long will ye
        My glory have in scorn
        How long be thus forlorn
        Still to love vanity,
        To love, to seek, to prize
        Things false and vain and nothing else but lies?

         Yet know the Lord hath chose
         Chose to himself a part
        The good and meek of heart
        (For whom to chuse he knows)
        Jehovah from on high
         Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie.

         Be aw'd, and do not sin,
         Speak to your hearts alone,
         Upon your beds, each one,
         And be at peace within.
         Offer the offerings just
         Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust.

         Many there be that say
        Who yet will shew us good?
        Talking like this worlds brood;
         But Lord, thus let me pray,
         On us lift up the light
         Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.

         Into my heart more joy
         And gladness thou hast put
         Then when a year of glut
         Their stores doth over-cloy
         And from their plenteous grounds
        With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

        In peace at once will I
        Both lay me down and sleep
         For thou alone dost keep
         Me safe where ere I lie
        As in a rocky Cell
        Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.