Plung’d in the Confines of Despair, Z. 142
Redemption's Cry: A Soul's Plea for Mercy and Trust
Lyrics
Plung'd in the confines of despair,
Feeling deeply immersed in the confines of hopelessness or extreme sorrow.
To God I cried with fervent pray'r
Expressing a fervent prayer to God.
O, lend to me a gracious ear
Pleading for God to listen and respond with favor.
Not sunk so low but thou can'st hear.
Assuring that the despair is not so overwhelming that God cannot hear the plea.
Should'st thou against each evil deed
Reflecting on the strictness of God's judgment against every evil deed.
In strict severity proceed,
Questioning how anyone could endure God's judgment and be justified if strictness prevails.
Who would be able to abide
Contemplating the challenge of facing God's censure and being deemed righteous.
Thy censure, and be justified?
Recognizing the need for divine forgiveness to escape condemnation.
But thou forgiveness dost proclaim
Acknowledging God's proclamation of forgiveness, allowing people to repent and fear His name.
That men may turn and fear thy name.
Turning to God's rich grace and relying on His promises for salvation.
To thy rich grace, O Lord, we fly,
Seeking refuge in God's abundant grace and expressing reliance on His promises.
And on thy promises rely.
Expressing impatience with the apparent delay in divine intervention compared to guards awaiting dawn.
My soul less brooks thy seeming stay,
Desiring a swift response from God, emphasizing impatience over seeming delays.
Than guards that wait th'approach of day.
Comparing the soul's discomfort to guards anticipating the arrival of daylight.
O, therefore let the good and just
Encouraging the good and just to place their trust exclusively in God.
In God alone repose their trust.
Acknowledging God's awareness of human frailty and emphasizing His ever-flowing mercy.
The frailty of our state he knows
Recognizing God's graciousness to humble souls and His willingness to pardon their mistakes.
His plenteous mercy ever flows.
Highlighting the abundance of God's mercy, which is always available to those in need.
To humble souls he gracious is,
Emphasizing God's gracious nature, especially towards humble individuals.
And pardons what they have done amiss.
Stressing God's readiness to forgive the wrongdoings of those who repent.
Comment