Ach Gott, wie lang wird mir die Weil

 Psalm LXX.
A Psalm of David to precent in remembrance.

¶ It is a psalm of supplication against the persecutors and enemies of the truth, who by fist and deed, advice and injunction, word and work, that is, earnestly and with all their means seek the life of the godly on account of God’s Word. Here he prays that God will quickly save and deliver;  then prophesies what disgrace will come upon the ungodly; and finally wishes joy and consolation to all believers, with a brief confession of faith appended.

Confusio inimicorum. [The confounding of enemies]

The godly here much suff’ring bear, 

Yet they for help to God repair,

  Who putteth all their foes to shame, 

 And all the lowly praise His name.

Mel.: Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn.

O GOD, how long I wait in need!

Therefore make haste, and help with speed,

And from distress relieve me!

Yea, let them all confounded be

In utter shame, who hunt for me

And would of life bereave me!

2 Let them be turned back, or convert,

Who without cause desire my hurt,

To me no good thing granting.

Let them be put to shame again,

Who always sing their foul refrain,

Aha! against me chanting.

3 But let all those right joyful be

And in the Lord sing joyfully,

Who seek Thy name sincerely,

In troubles Thy salvation love

And ever bless their God above
Who loves His Christians dearly.

4 But I am wretched, poor, and low!

Dear God, to me Thy mercy show!

To Thee I haste and hurry;

Thou art my help in all distress,

My true deliv’rer, Thee I bless!

Dear Lord, no longer tarry!

Text: C. Spangenberg, 1582.
Translation © 2026 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Ach Gott, wie lang wird mir die Weil,

darum zu retten bald hereil,

zu helfen mir aus Nöthen!

Solchs müssen meine Feinde sehn,

mit Scham und Schanden schaal bestehn,

die mich suchen zu töten.

2 Laß sie mit Hohn zurücke kehrn,

die mich ohn Ursach so beschwern,

und mir kein Guts nicht gönnen.

Sie müssen wiederum zu Schand

werden, die nur da, da zu Hand

über mich schreien können.

3 Es müssen aber fröhlich sein,

und in dem Herrn sich freuen fein,

die nach dem Namen fragen,

und dein Heil lieben in der Noth,

stets sprechen, Hochgelobt sei Gott,

so solln all Christen sagen.

4 Ich aber bin elend und arm.

Ach lieber Gott, dich mein erbarm,

der ich zu dir thu fliehen.

Denn du bist mein Heiland in Noth,

mein Erlöser und treuer Gott,

dein Hülf wüollst nicht verziehen!