Firm Was My Health

Firm was my health

my day was bright

And I pre­sumed ’twould ne’er be night;

Fondly I said with­in my heart

Pleasure and peace shall ne’er de­part.

But I for­got Thine arm was strong

Which made my mount­ain stand so long;

Soon as Thy face be­gan to hide

My health was gone

my com­forts died.

I cried aloud to Thee

my God

“What canst Thou pro­fit by my blood?

Deep in the dust can I de­clare

Thy truth

or sing Thy good­ness there?

Hear me

O God of grace

I said

And bring me from among the dead:

Thy Word re­buked the pains I felt

Thy par­don­ing love re­moved my guilt.

My groans

and tears

and forms of woe

Are turned to joy and prais­es now;

I throw my sack­cloth on the ground

And ease and glad­ness gird me round.

My tongue

the glo­ry of my frame

Shall ne’er be si­lent of Thy name;

Thy praise shall sound through earth and Heav’n

For sick­ness healed and sins for­giv’n.