6 What seraph of celestial birth

to vie with Israel's God shall dare? Or who among the gods of earth

with our Almighty Lord compare? 7 With reverence and religious dread,

his saints should to his temple press; His fear through all their hearts should spread, who his Almighty name confess.

8 Lord God of armies, who can boast

of strength or power like thine renown'd? Of such a numerous, faithful host,

as that which does thy throne surround? 9 Thou dost the lawless sea control,

and change the prospect of the deep;
Thou mak'st the sleeping billows roll;
thou mak'st the rolling billows sleep.
10 Thou break'st in pieces Rahab's pride,
and didst oppressing power disarm ;
Thy scatter'd foes have dearly try'd
the force of thy resistless arm.

11 In thee the sovereign right remains
of earth and heaven; thee, Lord, alone
The world, and all that it contains,

their Maker and Preserver own.

12 The poles on which the globe does rest
were form'd by thy creating voice;
Tabor and Hermon, east and west,
in thy sustaining power rejoice,
13 Thy arm is mighty, strong thy hand,
yet, Lord, thou dost with justice reign;
14 Possess'd of absolute command,

thou truth and mercy dost maintain. 15 Happy, thrice happy they, who hear thy sacred trumpet's joyful sound ; Who may at festivals appear,

with thy most glorious presence crown'd. 16 Thy saints shall always be o'erjoy'd, who on thy sacred name rely; And, in thy righteousness employ'd, above their foes be raised on high.

17 For in thy strength they shall advance, whose conquests from thy favour spring; 18 The Lord of hosts is our defence,

and Israel's God our Israel's King.

19 Thus spak'st thou by thy Prophet's voice, "A mighty champion I will send; "From Judah's tribe have I made choice "of one, who shall the rest defend, 20"My servant David I have found, "with holy oil anointed him;

21 "Him shall the hand support that crown'd, "and guard, that gave the diadem.

22 "No prince from him shall tribute force, "no son of strife shall him annoy; 23"His spiteful foes I will disperse,

1

"and them before his face destroy, 24" My truth and grace shall him sustain ; "his armies, in well-order'd ranks, 25" Shall conquer, from the Tyrian Main "to Tigris'and Euphrates' banks. 26" Me for his father he shall take,

"his God and Rock of safety call; 27"Him I my first-born son will make, "and earthly kings his subjects all. 28 "To him my mercy I'll secure, " mv covenant make for ever fast.

29" His seed for ever shall endure;

"his throne, till heaven dissolves, shall last. ᏢᎪᎡᎢ II.

30 "But if his heirs my law forsake,
"and from my sacred precepts stray;
31"If they my righteous statutes break,
"nor strictly my commands obey;
32 "Their sins I'll visit with a rod,

"and for their folly make them smart; 33 "Yet will not cease to be their God, "nor from my truth, like them, depart. 34"My covenant I will ne'er revoke,

"but in remembrance fast retain ;
"The thing that once my lips have spoke
"shall in eternal force remain.

35 "Once I have sworn, but once for all,
"and made my holiness the tie,
"That I my grant will ne'er recall,

"nor to my servant David lie

36"Whose throne and race the constant sun "shall, like his course, establish'd see ; 37" Of this my oath, thou conscious moon, "in heaven my faithful witness be.”

38 Such was thy gracious promise, Lord; but thou hast now our tribes forsook, Thy own Anointed hast abhorr'd,

and turn'd on him thy wrathful look. 39 Thou seemest to have render'd void the covenant with thy servant made; Thou hast his dignity destroy'd,

and in the dust his honour laid. 40 Of strong holds thou hast him bereft, and brought his bulwarks to decay; 41 His frontier coasts defenceless left, a public scorn, and common prey. 42 His ruin does glad triumphs yield

to foes, advanced by thee to might;

43 Thou hast his conquering sword unsteel'd, his valour turn'd to shameful flight.

44 His glory is to darkness fled,

his throne is levell'd with the ground; 45 His youth to wretched bondage led,

with shame o'erwhelm'd and sorrow drown'd.

46 How long shall we thy absence mourn?
wilt thou ever, Lord, retire >
Shall thy consuming anger burn,

till that and we at once expire?
47 Consider, Lord, how short a space
thou dost for mortal life ordain;
No method to prolong the race,

but loading it with grief and pain. 48 What man is he that can control death's strict unalterable doom?

Or rescue from the grave his soul,

the grave that dost mankind entomb > 49 Lord, where's thy love, thy boundless grace, the oath to which thy truth did seal, Consign'd to David and his race,

the grant which time shall ne'er repeal? 50 See how thy servants treated are

with infamy, reproach and spite;

Which in my silent breast I bear, from nations of licentious might.

51 How they, reproaching thy great name, have made thy servant's hope their jest:

52 Yet thy just praises we'll proclaim, and ever sing, The Lord be blest. PSALM 90.

LORD, the Saviour and defence of us thy chosen race,

From age to age thou still hast been our sure abiding-place,

And to our offspring yet unborn

thy glorious power be shown. 17 Let thy bright rays upon us shine, give thou our works success; The glorious work we have in hand do thou vouchsafe to bless. PSALM 91.

or the earth and world didst frame, Thou always wast the mighty God, and ever art the same.

3 Thou turnest man, O Lord, to dust, of which he first was made;

And when thou speak'st the word, Return, 'tis instantly obey'd.

4 For in thy sight a thousand years
are like a day that's past,
Or like a watch in dead of night,

whose hours unminded waste.

5 Thou sweep'st us off as with a flood,
we vanish hence like dreams;
At first we grow like grass that feels
the sun's reviving beams:

6 But howsoever fresh and fair
its morning beauty shows;

'Tis all cut down and wither'd quite,
before the evening close.

7,8 We by thine anger are consumed,
and by thy wrath dismay'd;
Our public crimes and secret sins
before thy sight are laid.

9 Beneath thy anger's sad effects
our drooping days we spend ;
Our unregarded years break off,

like tales that quickly end.

10 Our term of time is seventy years, an age that few survive;

But if, with more than common strength, to eighty we arrivė,

Yet then our boasted strength decays, to sorrow turn'd and pain;

So soon the slender thread is cut, and we no more remain.

PART II,

11 But who thy anger's dread effects does, as he ought, revere ?

And yet thy wrath does fall or rise,

as more or less we fear.

12 So teach us, Lord, the uncertain sum of our short days to mind,

That to true wisdom all our hearts

may ever be inclined.

13 O to thy servants, Lord, return,
and speedily relent!
As we forsake our sins, do thou
revoke our punishment.

14 To satisfy and cheer our souls,
thy early mercy send;

That we may all our days to come in joy and comfort spend.

15 Let happy times, with large amends, dry up our former tears,

Or equal at the least the term

of our afflicted years.

16 To all thy servants, Lord, let this thy wondrous work be known,

Shall, under the Almighty's shade, secure and undisturb'd abide: 2 Thus to my soul of him I'll say, He is my fortress and my stay,

my God, in whom I will confide.

3 His tender love and watchful care Shall free thee from the fowler's snare, and from the noisome pestilence: 4 He over thee his wings shall spread, And cover thy ungarded head;

his truth shall be thy strong defence. 5 No terrors that surprise by night Shall thy undaunted courage fright,

nor deadly shafts that fly by day;

6 Nor plague, of unknown rise, that kills In darkness, nor infectious ills

that in the hottest season slay.

7 A thousand at thy side shall die,
At thy right hand ten thousand lie,
while thy firm health untouch'd remains;
8 Thou only shalt look on and see
The wicked's dismal tragedy,

and count the sinner's mournful gains.
9 Because, with well-placed confidence,
Thou mak'st the Lord thy sure defence,
and on the Highest dost rely;
10 Therefore no ill shall thee befall,
Nor to thy healthful dwelling shall

any infectious plagues draw nigh. 11 For he throughout thy happy days, To keep thee safe in all thy ways,

shall give his angels strict commands; 12 And they, lest thou should'st chance to

And to the harp, with solemn sounds, for sacred use design'd..

4 For through thy wondrous works, O Lord, thou mak'st my heart rejoice;

The thoughts of them shall make me glad, and shout with cheerful voice.

5, 6 How wondrous are thy works, O Lord! how deep are thy decrees! Whose winding tracts, in secret laid,

no stupid sinner sees.

7 He little thinks, when wicked men, like grass, look fresh and gay,

How soon their short-lived splendour must for ever pass away.

8, 9 But thou, my God, art still most high; and all thy lofty foes,

Who thought they might securely sin, shall be o'erwhelm'd with woes.

10 Whilst thou exalt'st my sovereign power, and mak'st it largely spread;

And with refreshing oil anoint'st my consecrated head.

11 I soon shall see my stubborn foes to utter ruin brought;

And hear the dismal end of those who have against me fought.

12 But righteous men, like fruitful palms, shall make a glorious show;

As cedars that on Lebanon

in stately order grow.

13, 14 These, planted in the house of God, within his courts shall thrive; Their vigour and their lustre both

shall in old age revive.

15 Thus will the Lord his justice show;
and God, my strong defence,
Shall due rewards to all the world
impartially dispense.

PSALM 93.

W the Lord, that o'er all nature reigns, TITH glory clad, with strength array'd,

The world's foundation strongly laid,

and the vast fabric still sustains.

2 How surely 'stablish'd is thy throne, which shall no change nor period see! For thou, O Lord, and thou alone,

art God from all eternity!

3, 4 The floods, O Lord, lift up their voice, and toss the troubled waves on high; But God above can still their noise, and make the angry sea comply. 5 Thy promise, Lord, is ever sure; and they that in thy house would dwell, That happy station to secure, must still in holiness excel.

[The widow's and the stranger's blood, and helpless orphans kill.

7" And yet the Lord shall ne'er perceive," profanely thus they speak, "Nor any notice of our deeds

"the God of Jacob take."

8 At length, ye stupid fools, your wants endeavour to discern:

In folly will you still proceed,

and wisdom never learn?

9, 10 Can he be deaf who form'd the ear? or blind, who framed the eye?

Shall earth's great Judge not punish those who his known will defy?

11 He fathoms all the thoughts of men; to him their hearts lie bare;

His eye surveys them all, and sees how vain their counsels are.

PART II.

12 Bless'd is the man, whom thou, O Lord, in kindness dost chastise;

And by thy sacred rules to walk dost lovingly advise.

13 This man shall rest and safety find in seasons of distress;

Whilst God prepares a pit for those that stubbornly transgress.

14 For God will never from his saints his favour wholly take;

His own possession and his lot

he will not quite forsake.

15 The world shall then confess thee just in all that thou hast done;

And those that choose thy upright ways,
shall in those paths go on.

16 Who will appear in my behalf,
when wicked men invade ?
Or who, when sinners would oppress,
my righteous cause shall plead ?

17, 18, 19 Long since had I in silence slept, but that the Lord was near,

To stay me when I slipt; when sad,

my troubled heart to cheer.

20 Wilt thou, who art a God most just,
their sinful throne sustain,
Who make the law a fair pretence

their wicked ends to gain?

21 Against the lives of righteous men
they form their close design;
And blood of innocents to spill

in solemn league combine.

22 But my defence is firmly placed in God, the Lord most high:

He is my rock, to which I may for refuge always fly.

23 The Lord shall cause their ill designs on their own heads to fall:

He in their sins shall cut them off, our God shall slay them all.

To him address, in joyful songs,
The praise that to his name belongs.

3 For God the Lord, enthroned in state,
Is with unrivall'd glory, great:
A King superior far to all,
Whom gods the heathen falsely call.

4 The depths of earth are in his hand,
Her secret wealth at nis command;
The strength of hills that reach the skies,
Subjected to his empire lies.

5 The rolling ocean's vast abyss,
By the same sovereign right is his;
'Tis moved by his Almighty hand,
That form'd and fix'd the solid iand.
6 O let us to his courts repair,
And bow with adoration there;
Down on our knees devoutly all
Before the Lord, our Maker, fall.
7. For he's our God, our Shepherd he,
His flock and pasture sheep are we :
If then you'll, like his flock, draw near,
To-day, if you his voice will hear,
8 Let not your harden'd hearts renew
Your father's crimes and judgments too;
Nor here provoke my wrath, as they
In desert plains of Meribah.

9 When through the wilderness they moved,
And me with fresh temptations proved,
They still, through unbelief, rebell'd,
Whilst they my wondrous works beheld.
10 They forty years my patience grieved,
Though daily their wants relieved.
Then-Tis a faithless race, I said,'
Whose heart from me has always stray'd.
11 They ne'er will tread my righteous path ;"
Therefore to them, in settled wrath,
Since they despised my rest, I sware,
That they should never enter there.
PSALM 96.

ING to the Lord a new-made song; Let earth in one assembled throng her common patron's praise resound; 2 Sing to the Lord, and bless his name, From day to day his praise proclaim,

who us has with salvation crown'd: 3 To heathen lands his fame rehearse, His wonders to the universe.

4 He's great and greatly to be praised; In majesty and glory raised

above all other deities:

5 For pageanty and idols all

Are they, whom gods the heathen call ;

he only rules, who made the skies: 6 With majesty and honour crown'd, Beauty and strength his throne surround. 7 Be therefore both to him restored By you, who have false gods adored; ascribe due honour to his name: 8 Peace-offerings on his altar lay, › Before his throne your homage pay, which he, and he alone, can claim : 9 To worship at his sacred court, Let all the trembling world resort. 10 Proclaim aloud, Jehovah reigns, Whose power the universe sustains,

and banish'd justice will restore;

T

11 Let therefore heaven new joys confess; And heavenly mirth let earth express;

its loud applause the ocean roar;

Its mute inhabitants rejoice,
And for this triumph find a voice,
12 For joy let fertile valleys sing,
The cheerful groves their tribute bring,
the tuneful choir of birds awake,
13 The Lord's approach to celebrate;
Who now sets out with awful state,

his circuit through the earth to take: From heaven to judge the world he's come, With justice to reward and doom.

PSALM 97.

EHOVAH reigns, let all the earth
meat rejoice

Let all the isles with sacred mirth,
in his applause unite their voice.

2 Darkness and clouds of awful shade his dazzling glory shroud in state; Justice and truth his guards are made, and fix'd by his pavilion wait.

3 Devouring fire before his face,

his foes around with vengeance struck; 4 His lightnings set the world on blaze; earth saw it and with terror shook.

5 The proudest hills his presence felt, their height nor strength could help afford; The proudest hills like wax did melt

in presence of the Almighty Lord,

6 The heavens, his righteousness to show,
with storms of fire our foes pursued,
And all the trembling world below
have his decending glory view'd.

7 Confounded be their impious hosts,
who make the gods to whom they pray;
All who of pageant idols boast:

to him, ye gods, your worship pay. 8 Glad Sion of thy triumph heard,

and Judah's daughters were o'erjoy'd; Because thy righteous judgments, Lord, have pagan pride and power destroy'd. 9 For thou, O God, art seated high

above earth's potentates enthroned; Thou, Lord, unrivall'd in the sky,

supreme by all the gods art own'd. 10 Ye who to serve this Lord aspire, abhor what's ill, and truth esteem; He'll keep his servants' souls entire,

and them from wicked hands redeem. 11 For seeds are sown of glorious light, a future harvest for the just; And gladness for the heart that's right, to recompense its pious trust.

12 Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord; memorials of his holiness

Deep in your faithful breasts record, and with your thankful tongues confess.. PSALM 98.

SING to the Lord a new-made song, who wondrous things has done;

With his right hand and holy arm the conquest he has won.

2 The Lord has through the astonish'd world display'd his saving might,

And made his righteous acts appear

in all the heathen's sight.