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BLEST is the man who hath not walked astray

In counsel of the wicked, and in the way

Of sinners hath not stood,

Of scorners hath not sat.

and in the seat

But in the great

Jehovah's law is ever his delight,

And in his law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree, which planted grows
By watery streams, and in the season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall;
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked; but as chaff which fanned
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor sinners in the assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows the upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

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PSALM II.

Done Aug. 8, 1653.

TERZETTE.

WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations
Muse a vain thing, the kings of the earth upstand
With power, and princes in their congregations
Lay deep their plots together through each land
Against the Lord and his Messiah dear?

Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand

Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear

Their twisted cords: He who in Heaven doth dwell Shall laugh; the Lord shall scoff them; then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell

And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) On Sion, my holy hill. A firm decree

I will declare: the Lord to me hath said, Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day: ask of me, and the grant is made;

As thy possession I on thee bestow

The Heathen; and as thy conquest to be swayed
Earth's utmost bounds; them thou shalt bring full low
With iron sceptre bruised, and them disperse
Like to a potter's vessel shivered so.
And now be wise at length, ye Kings averse;
Be taught, ye Judges of the earth; with fear
Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse
With trembling; kiss the Son, lest he

In anger, and ye perish in the way,

appear

If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere. Happy all those who have in him their stay!

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20

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,

No help for him in God there lies.
But thou, Lord! art my shield, my glory,
Thee, through my story,

The exalter of my head I count;
Aloud I cried

Unto Jehovah; he full soon replied

And heard me from his holy mount.

ΤΟ

I lay and slept; I waked again;

For my sustain

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
Hast smote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes;

Of men abhorred

Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV.

Aug. 10, 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,
God of my righteousness!
In straits, and in distress,
Thou didst me disenthrall

And set at large; now spare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer.
Great ones! how long will ye

My glory have in scorn?
How long be thus forborn

Still to love vanity?

To love, to seek, to prize

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 cry.

Be awed, and do not sin;

Speak to your hearts alone,

Upon your beds, each one,

And be at peace within.

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20

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;
But, Lord! thus let me pray,

On us lift the light,

Lift up the favour of thy countenance bright.
Into my heart more joy

And gladness thou hast put,

Than when a year of glut

Their stores doth overcloy,

And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

In peace at once will I

Both lay me down and sleep;

For thou alone dost keep

Me safe where'er I lie;

As in a rocky cell

Thou, Lord! alone in safety makest me dwell.

PSALM V.

Aug. 12, 1653.

JEHOVAH! to my words give ear,

My meditation weigh;

The voice of my complaining hear
My God and King! for unto thee I pray.
Jehovah! thou my early voice

Shalt in the morning hear;

In the morning I to thee with choice

Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear.

For thou art not a God that takes

In wickedness delight:

Evil with thee no biding makes;

Fools or bad men stand not within thy sight.

All workers of iniquity

Thou hatest; and them unblest

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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,

Will towards thy holy temple worship low.
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 faltering mouth unstable

No word is firm or sooth;

Their inside, troubles miserable;

An open grave their throat; their tongue they smooth.
God! find them guilty; let them fall

By their own counsels quelled;

Push them in their rebellions all

Still on; for against thee they have rebelled.
Then all who trust in thee shall bring

Their joy; while thou from blame

Defend'st them, they shall ever sing

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.

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PSALM VI.

Aug. 13, 1653.

LORD! in thine anger do not reprehend me,
Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct;
Pity me, Lord! for I am much deject,

And very weak and faint; heal and amend me:
For all my bones that even with anguish ache,

Are troubled; yea, my soul is troubled sore;

And thou, O Lord! how long? Turn, Lord! restore My soul; O, save me for thy goodness' sake:

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