5 For God, who hears the suffering poor, and their oppression knows, 6 The word of God shall still abide, 7 The promise of his aiding grace His servants from this faithless race he ever shall defend. 8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd, nor know which way to fly; When those whom they despised and vex'd, shall be advanced on high. 2 How long shall anxious thoughts my soul, and grief my heart oppress? How long my enemies insult, and I have no redress? 3 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes restore thy wonted light, And suddenly, or I shall sleep 4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast 5 Since I have always placed my trust Thy saving health will come; and then my heart with joy shall spring. 6 Then shall my song, with praise inspired, to thee my God ascend, Who to thy servant in distress such bounty didst extend. URE PSALM 14. wicked fools must needs suppose, that God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows; no breast is warm'd with holy flame. 2 The Lord look'd down from Heaven's high and all the sons of men did view, To see if any own'd his power; if any truth or justice knew. [tower, 3. But all, he saw, were gone aside, all were degenerate grown and base; None took religion for their guide, not one of all the sinful race. 4 But can these workers of deceit be all so dull and senseless grown, That they, like bread, my people eat, and God's almighty power disown? 5 How will they tremble then for fear, when his just wrath shall them o'ertake? For to the righteous God is near, and never will their cause forsake. 6 Ill men, in vain, with scorn expose those methods which the good pursue; Since God a refuge is for those whom his just eyes with favour view. 7 Would he his saving power employ to break his people's servile band, Then shouts of universal joy should loudly echo through the land. LORD, who's the happy man that may to thy blest courts repair, Not stranger-like, to visit them, but to inhabit there? 2 'Tis he, whose every thought and deed by rules of virtue moves; Whose generous tongue disdains to speak the thing his heart disproves. 3 Who never did a slander forge, his neighbour's fame to wound; Nor hearken to a false report, by malice whisper'd round. 4 Who vice, in all its pomp and power, 5 Who to his plighted vows and trust And though he promise to his loss, 6 Whose soul in usury disdains 7 The man, who by his steady course When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand, by providence' secured. PSALM 16. PROTECT me from our forms, ROTECT me from my cruel foes, Because my trust I still repose on thy Almighty arm. 2 My soul all help but thine does slight, all gods but thee disown; Yet can no deeds of mine requite the goodness thou hast shown. 3 But those that strictly virtuous are, and love the thing that's right, To favour always, and prefer, shall be my chief delight. 4 How shall their sorrows be increased, who other gods adore! Their bloody offerings I detest, their very names abhor. 5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land 6 In nature's most delightful scene The place of my appointed reign all other lands outvies. 7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord, whose precepts give me light; And private counsel still afford in sorrow's dismal night. 8 I strive each action to approve to his all-seeing eye; No danger shall my hopes remove, because he still is nigh. 9 Therefore my heart all grief defies, my glory does rejoice; My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise, waked by his powerful voice. 10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath, my soul from hell shalt free; Nor let thy Holy One in death the least corruption see. 11 Thou shalt the paths of life display, PSALM 17. To my just plea and sad complaint attend, O righteous Lord; And to my prayer, as 'tis unfeign'd, a gracious ear afford. 2 As in thy sight I am approved, so let my sentence be; And with impartial eyes, O Lord, my upright dealing see. 3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day, and visited by night; And, on the strictest trial, found its secret motions right. Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone my heart's designs acquit ; For I have purposed that my tongue shall no offence commit. 4 I know what wicked men would do, their safety to maintain; But me thy just and mild commands from bloody paths restrain. 5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs, O guide me in thy righteous ways, 7 The wonders of thy truth and love Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints from their oppressor's rage. PART II. 8, 9 O! keep me in thy tenderest care ; 10 O'ergrown with luxury, enclosed And, with a proud blaspheming mouth, both God and man defy. 11 Well may they boast, for they have now my paths encompass'd round; Their eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd, and couching on the ground; 12 In posture of a lion set, when greedy of his prey; Or a young lion, when he lurks within a covert way. 13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots, their swelling rage control; From wicked men, who are thy sword, deliver thou my soul: 14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge, whose portion's here below; Who, fill'd with earthly stores, aspire no other bliss to know. 15 Their race is numerous, that partake 16 But I, in uprightness, thy face No PSALM 18. "O change of time shall ever shoek my firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been my rock, a fortress and defence to me. Thou my deliverer art, my God; my trust is in thy mighty power; Thou art my shield from foes abroad, at home my safeguard and my tower. 3 To thee I will address my prayer, to whom all praise we justly owe; So shall I, by thy watchful care, be guarded from my treacherous foe. 4, 5 By floods of wicked men distress'd, with seas of sorrow compass'd round, With dire infernal pangs oppress'd, in death's unwieldy fetters bound; 6 To heaven I made my mournful prayer, and heard me from his lofty throne. 7 When God arose my part to take, nor could his dreadful fury bear. 8 Thick clouds of smoke dispersed abroad, ensigns of wrath before him came; Devouring fire around him glow'd, that coals were kindled at its flame. 9 He left the beauteous realms of light, whilst heaven bow'd down its awful head; Beneath his feet substantial night was like a sable carpet spread. 10 The chariot of the King of kings, which active troops of angels drew, On a strong tempest's rapid wings, with most amazing swiftness flew. 11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspired, with thickest shades his face to veil ; But at his brightness soon retired, and fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Through heaven's wide arch a thunderingpeal 14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw, By his avenging wrath exposed, PART III. 16 The Lord did on my side engage; of threatening waves, that proudly swell'd. 17 God his resistless power employ'd my strongest foes' attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroy'd the weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle rage had near prevail'd, when I distress'd and friendless lay But still, when other succours fail'd, God was my firm support and stay. 19 From dangers that enclosed me round, he brought me forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, that moved him to delight in me. 20 Because in me no guilt remains, God does his gracious help extend; My hands are free from bloody stains; therefore the Lord is still my friend. 21, 22 For I his judgments keep in sight, in his just paths I always trod; I never did his statutes slight, nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, because my heart and hands are clean. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous ways with thee shall wondrous mercy find. shall meet with due returns from thee. 27, 28 That he the humble soul will save, and crush the haughty's boasted might, In me the Lord an instance gave, whose darkness he has turn'd to light. 29 On his firm succour I rely'd, and did o'er numerous foes prevail; Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side, the best defended walls to scale. 30 For God's design shall still succeed, his word will bear the utmost test; He's a strong shield to all that need, and on his sure protection rest. 31 Who then deserves to be adored, but God, on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, can with resistless power defend? 32, 33 'Tis God that girds my armour on, and manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, forced by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health protects me from assaulting foes; hand sustains me still; my wealth and greatness from his bounty flows. 36 My goings he enlarged abroad, the method of my steps design'd. 37 Through him I numerous hosts defeat, 38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, subdued by my prevailing arms. 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes my conquering feet in triumph press; Aided by him, I root out those who hate and envy my success. 41 With loud complaints all friends they try'd, At length to God for help they cry'd; 42 Like flying dust, which winds pursue, 43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now, and foreign nations own my sway. the rock on whose defence I rest! from whom my lasting honours flow; shall thus be taught to sing his praise : "to David and his promised race." THE heavens declare thy glory, Lord, TH The firmament and stars express 2 The dawn of each returning day fresh beams of knowledge brings; And from the dark returns of night divine instruction springs. 3 Their powerful language to no realm or region is confined; 'Tis nature's voice, and understood Alike by all mankind. 4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense through earth's extent display; / Whose bright contents the circling sun does round the world convey. 5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day 6 From east to west, from west to east, PART II. 7 God's perfect law converts the soul; reclaims from false desires; With sacred wisdom his sure word the ignorant inspires. 8 The statutes of the Lord are just, and bring sincere delight; His pure commands in search of truth assist the feeblest sight. 9 His perfect worship here is fix'd, on sure foundations laid; His equal laws are in the scales of truth and justice weigh'd; 10 of more esteem than golden mines, or gold refined with skill; More sweet than honey, or the drops that from the comb distil. 11 My trusty counsellors they are,* and friendly warnings give; Divine rewards attend on those who by thy precepts live, 12 But what frail man observes how oft he does from virtue fall? O cleanse me from my secret faults, 14 So shall my prayer and praises be 15 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid we cheerfully repair, With banners in thy name display'd; "the Lord accept thy prayer." 6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord, our sovereign will defend; From heaven resistless aid afford, and to his prayer attend. 7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd; on chariots some rely; Against them all we'll call to mind the power of God most high. 8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown, behold them through the plain, Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down, whilst firm our troops remain. 9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed our rightful cause to bless; Hear, King of heaven, in times of need, the prayers that we address. PSALM 21. THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise shall in thy strength rejoice; With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise to heaven his cheerful voice. 2 For thou, whate'er his lips request, not only dost impart; But hast, with thy acceptance, blest the wishes of his heart. 3 Thy goodness and thy tender care have all his hopes outgone; A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear, and sett'st it firmly on. 4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord, didst to his prayer attend, And graciously to him afford a life that ne'er shall end. 5 Thy sure defence through nations round has spread his glorious name; And his successful actions crown'd with majesty and fame. 6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st, and makest his joys increase; Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st the brightness of thy face. PART II. 7 Because the king on God alone for timely aid relies; His mercy still supports his throne, and all his wants supplies. 8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes shall feel thy heavy hand; Thy vengeful arm shall find out those that hate thy mild command. 9 When thou against them dost engage, thy just but dreadful doom Shall, like a glowing oven's rage, their hopes and them consume. 10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease, or with their ruin end; But root out all their guilty race, and to their seed extend. 11 For all their thoughts were set on ill, their hearts on malice bent; But thou with watchful care didst still the ill effects prevent. 12 While they their swift retreat shall make to 'scape thy dreadful might, Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake, and gall them in their flight. 13 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous strength disclose, and thus exalt thy fame; Whilst we glad songs of praise compose to thy Almighty name. PSALM 22. MY God, my God, why leav'st thou me when I with anguish faint? O! why so far from me removed, and from my loud complaint? 2 All day, but all the day unheard, to thee do I complain; With cries implore relief all night, 3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge 4, 5 On thee our ancestors rely'd, but made the rabble's mirth. 7 With laughter all the gazing crowd my agonies survey; They shoot the lip, they shake the head, and thus deriding say: 8 "In God he trusted, boasting oft "that he was heaven's delight; "Let God come down to save him now, "and own his favourite." PART II. 9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womb a living offspring bear; When but a suckling at the breast, I was thy early care. 10 Thou, guardian-like, didst shield from wrongs my helpless infant days; And since hast been my God, and guide, through life's bewilder'd ways. 11 Withdraw not then so far from me, O send me help! thy help, on which 12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd, With strength proportion'd to their rage, 13 They gape on me, and every mouth 14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints 15 My strength, like potter's earth, is parch'd, my tongue cleaves to my jaws; And to the silent shades of death 16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they 17 My body's rack'd, till all my bones Yet such a spectacle of wo as pastime they behold. 18 As spoil, my garments they divide, lots for my vesture cast; 19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength, and to my succour haste. 20 From their sharp swords protect thou me, `, of all but life bereft ; Nor let my darling in the power of cruel dogs be left. 21 To save me from the lion's jaws, thy present succour send; As once, from goring unicorns, thou didst my life defend. 22 Then to my brethren I'll declare the triumphs of thy name; In presence of assembled saints thy glory thus proclaim: 23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God, "all you of Israel's line, "O praise the Lord, and to your praise "sincere obedience join. 24 "He ne'er disdain'd on low distress "to cast a gracious eye; "Nor turn'd from poverty his face, "but hears its humble cry." PART IV. 25 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I my cheerful thanks express; In presence of thy saints perform the vows of my distress. 26 The meek companions of my grief shall find my table spread; And all that seek the Lord shall be with joys immortal fed. 27 Then shall the glad converted world to God their homage pay; And scatter'd nations of the earth 28 'Tis his supreme prerogative 29 The rich, who are with plenty fed, With humble worship to his throne That power, which first their beings gave, can only them support. 30, 31 Then shall a chosen spotless race, devoted to his name, To their admiring heirs his truth, and glorious acts, proclaim. PSALM 23. HE Lord himself, the mighty Lord, Touchsafes to be my guide; |