O God be not far from me,
O Lord make haste for my aid;
Open my eyes as to see,
They are closed being afraid.
May my foes be put to shame,
Consumed with scorn and disgrace;
Tries to hurt as I proclaim,
I need to feel Your embrace.
I will continue to hope,
Praising You yet even more;
Through the torment I do cope,
Even on a far distant shore.
My mouth tells Your righteousness,
Acts of all of Your good deeds;
Of works that are so wondrous,
Catering to our needs.
I think of Your salvation,
Offering unto each one;
A gift of fascination,
Forgiving what we have done.
For the number in the past,
Too numerous for to count;
But the darkness does not last,
As You wipe clean my account.
I walk the path of the Lord,
Reminding others as taught;
For being in one accord,
In the direction You sought.
From my youth You have shown me,
And continue to proclaim;
Even with gray hairs You see,
I will not forsake Your name.
I teach the next generation,
All those who come Your power;
Let not Your condemnation,
If not prepared each hour.
You who have done such great things,
Who would ever be like You?
Because of what mercy brings,
Far beyond what I construe.
Your greatness has comfort me,
Through trouble and tragedies;
As You helped me to break free,
Cured me with Your remedies.
Copyright © 2018 Richard Newton Sherrer
