PSALM III. Aug. 9, 1653. WHEN HE FLED from ABSALOM. LORD, how many are my foes! How many those That in arms against me rise! Many are they That of my life distrustfully thus say. But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory, Th' exalter of my head I count; Aloud I cried Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied I lay and slept, I wak'd again, Was the Lord. Of many millions The populous rout I fear not, though encamping round about They pitch against me their pavilions. Rise, Lord, save me my God, for thou On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhorr'd 5 10 15 21 [Lord; Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Thy blessing on thy people flows. 14 my sustain] The verb converted into a substantive. So 'disturb,' in P. L. vi. 549. Todd. PSALM IV. Aug. 10, 1653. ANSWER me when I call, And set at large; now spare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest pray'r. Great ones, how long will ye My glory have in scorn, How long be thus forborne Still to love vanity, To love, to seek, to prize 5 10 Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chose, Chose to himself apart, The good and meek of heart; (For whom to choose he knows) Jehovah from on high Will hear my voice what time to him I Be aw'd, and do not sin, Speak to your hearts alone, Upon your beds, each one, And be at peace within. Offer the offerings just Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust. Many there be that say Who yet will show us good? Talking like this world's brood; cry. 15 23 25 But, Lord, thus let me pray, On us lift up the light, Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. Into my heart more joy And gladness thou hast put, Than when a year of glut Thou, Lord, alone in safety mak'st me dwell. PSALM V. AUG. 12, 1653. JEHOVAH, to my words give ear, My meditation weigh, The voice of my complaining hear My King and God; for unto thee I pray. Shalt in the morning hear, I' th' morning I to thee with choice Will rank my pray'rs, and watch till thou appear. For thou art not a God that takes In wickedness delight, Evil with thee no biding makes, Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight. 5 10 All workers of iniquity Thou hat'st; and them unblest Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie ; The bloody and guileful man God doth detest. But I will in thy mercies dear, Thy numerous mercies, go Into thy house; I in thy fear 15 Will towards thy holy temple worship low. 20 Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, Lead me because of those That do observe if I transgress, Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. For in his falt'ring mouth unstable No word is firm or sooth; Their inside, troubles miserable; 25 [smooth. An open grave their throat, their tongue they God, find them guilty, let them fall By their own counsels quell'd; Push them in their rebellions all Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd. 30 Defend'st them, they shall ever sing 35 And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name. For thou, Jehovah, wilt be found To bless the just man still, As with a shield thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 40 PSALM VI. AUG. 13, 1653. LORD, in thine anger do not reprehend me, And very weak and faint; heal and amend me: Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? 10 Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark I' th' midst of all mine enemies that mark. 15 Depart all ye that work iniquity, Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my My supplication with acceptance fair [prayer, The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. Mine enemies shall all be blank and dash'd With much confusion; then grown red with shame, They shall return in haste the way they came, And in a moment shall be quite abash'd. 21 blank] Comus, 452. that dash'd brute violence With sudden adoration and blank awe. Warton |