HYMN: Hear Me, O God, My Righteousness

So it looks like I'm taking on the big project: the metric Psalter. Others have done it, and they've done it well. But the bug has bitten me, and I'm making slow progress. I think I'm about 1/15 into it after today's work on Psalm 4 (though I think Psalm 119 will turn into 24 hymns, so that number is probably off). I don't know if I'll continue in any sort of order or if I'll make progress on this quickly. But it gives me something to work on that doesn't require me to completely re-invent the wheel. I get to take someone else's words and put my spin on them. I've done that a lot with parody and canticles, and maybe that will help me as I seek to write my own words again at some point.

One note on Psalm 4: I've started reading John Kleinig's book, From Shame Into Glory. Though I haven't read the full book yet and don't know if he says so, the title seems like a play on Psalm 4:2a which says, "How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame?" This Psalm tells us how God takes what man throws at us and turns it on its head for us.

I've used this before, but for now I'm using the tune for Kurt Reinhardt''s beautiful "Baptismal Waters Cover Me" text, GOTTLOB, ES GEHT NUNMEHR ZU ENDE. It has the right feel to convey the text.

 Feedback is love. 

Hear Me, O God, My Righteousness

1. Hear me, O God, my righteousness,
Who has relieved my great distress.
When I cry out in deep despair,
Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer. 

2. O men, how long will you defame
And turn my honor into shame?
Why seek what has but little worth
And find in falsehood endless mirth? 

3. Know that the Lord has set apart
All who retain a godly heart.
In righteous anger do not sin.
Think on the Lord. Be still within. 

4.  Put your Old Adam to the sword
And place your trust in Christ the Lord,
For God will show His boundless grace
To all who seek His holy face. 

5. God gives me greater joy divine
Than all their store of wealth and wine.
I will lie down, content, and sleep,
For God in peace my soul will keep.
 

LM (88 88)
GOTTLOB, ES GEHT NUNMEHR ZU ENDE (LSB 618)
Psalm 4