St. Ann.

WILLIAM CROFT, Mus. Doc.

GOD, my strength and fortitude, Of force I must love Thee: Thou art my castle and defence

In my necessity.

2 My God, my Rock, in whom I trust,
The worker of my wealth;
My Refuge, Buckler, and my Shield,
The Horn of all my health.

3 When I sing praise unto the Lord
Most worthy to be served,
Then from my foes I am right sure
That I shall be preserved.

4 The pangs of death did compass me,
And bound me everywhere:
The flowing waves of wickedness
Did put me in great fear.

5 I, thus beset with pain and grief,
Did pray to God for grace;

And He forthwith heard my complaint Out of His holy place.

6 The Lord descended from above,

And bowed the heavens most high, And underneath His feet He cast The darkness of the sky.

7 On cherubs and on cherubim
Full royally He rode,

And on the wings of mighty winds
Came flying all abroad.

8 He brought me forth in open space, That so I might be free;

And kept me safe, because He had
A favour unto me.

9 He did in order put my hands
In battle for to fight;

To break in sunder bars of brass
He gave my arms the might.

10 Thou teachest me Thy saving health,
Thy Right Hand is my tower;
Thy love and gentleness also
Doth still increase my power.

11 And under me Thou makest plain
The way where I should go;
So that my feet shall never slip,
Nor wander to and fro.

12 And fiercely I pursue and take
The foes that me annoyed:
And from the field do not return
Till they be all destroyed.

T. Sternhold (Old Version), 1562.