Richard St. Clair: Psalm 102 for Chorus

Friends, here is my music to Psalm 102. Enjoy!

Psalm 102

Hear me, O God, nor hide thy face, But answer lest I die; Hast thou not built a throne of grace To hear when sinners cry? Dark dismal thoughts and boding fears Dwell in my troubled breast; While sharp reproaches wound my ears, Nor give my spirit rest.

But thou for ever art the same, O my eternal God: Ages to come shall know thy Name, And spread thy works abroad. Thou wilt arise and shew thy face, Nor will my Lord delay Beyond th' appointed hour of grace, That long expected day.

Let Zion and her sons rejoice, Behold the promis'd hour; Her God hath heard her mourning voice, And comes t' exalt his power. Her dust and ruins that remain Are precious in our eyes; Those ruins shall be built again, And all that dust shall rise.

The Lord will raise Jerusalem, And stand in glory there; Nations shall bow before his name, And kings attend with fear. He sits a sovereign on his throne, With pity in his eyes; He hears the dying prisoners groan, And sees their sighs arise.

He frees the souls condemn'd to death, And when his saints complain, It shan't be said 'That praying breath' Was ever spent in vain.' This shall be known when we are dead, And left on long record, That ages yet unborn may read, And trust, and praise the Lord.

Amen. [Added by RSC]

—Isaac Watts (Adp.)

Blessings,
Richard St. Clair