How Often?: Psalm 118

How often will you hear my cry
    And save me from distress,
And tolerate my life’s great lie
    And clean up my life’s mess?

How often can I come to you
    When into sin I’ve gone?
How often will you make me new
    With punishment withdrawn?

Will still you let me trust your hand
    To keep me from my foes?
And will you lead me to your land
    When sin within me grows?

I long for you to be my strength,
    For I am weak indeed.
In struggles through life’s breadth and length
    Your help I ever need.

My foes I cannot battle long
    Before I fall in sin,
Then if to you I still belong,
    Such question burns within.

But even in my darkened state,
    I know your saving grace
Will wipe my sins from dirty slate
    When held in love’s embrace.

So, Lord, into my dismal days
    When sins I often fight,
Let holy Word shine clear its rays
    My darkened path to light.

And let my tongue bring forth your praise,
    Your steadfast love to sing.
New songs to you through all my days
    Forever to you bring.