tower, And all the sons of men did view, Be all so dull and senseless grown, And never will their cause forsake. 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. 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 Whose gen'rous tongue disdains to speak 4 Who vice, in all its pomp and power, 5 Who to his plighted vows and trust And though he promise to his loss, His treasure to employ; 7 The man, who by his steady course When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand, By providence secur'd. PSALM XVI. Pond shield me, Lord, from harm; ROTECT me from my cruel foes, Because my trust I still repose 2 My soul all help but thine does slight, The goodness thou hast shown. 3 But those that strictly virtuous are, 4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd, 5 My lot is fall'n in that biest land The place of my appointed reign 7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord, No danger shall my hopes remove, 9 Therefore my heart all grief defies, My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise, 10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath, 11 Thou shalt the paths of life display, T% PSALM XVII. O my just plea and sad complaint 2 As in thy sight I am approv'd, And with impartial eyes, O Lord, 3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day, And, on the strictest trial, found 4 I know what wicked men would do, But me thy just and mild commands 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 tend'rest care; 10 O'ergrown with luxury enclos'd 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 13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots, From wicked men, who are thy sword, 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 num'rous, that partake 16 But I, in uprightness, thy face 1, 2 PSALM XVIII. No change of time shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; My trust is in thy mighty power'; Be guarded from my treacherous foe. In death's unwieldly fetters bound; 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 dispers'd abroad, Ensigns of wrath before him came; Devouring fire around him glow'd, That coals were kindled at its flame. Was like a sable carpet spread. 11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspir'd, With thickest shades, his face to veil; But at his brightness soon retir'd, And fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Through heaven's wide arch a thund'ring peal God's angry voice did loudly roar; And flakes of fire was cover'd oe'r. 16 The Lord did on my side engage; Of threat'ning 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 enclos'd me round, He brought me forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, That mov'd 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. Because my heart and hands are clean. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous ways To various paths of human-kind; They who for mercy merit praise, Shall meet with due returns from thee. And did o'er num'rous foes prevail; And on his sure protection rest. 32, 33 'Tis God that girds my armour on, Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take, And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Fore'd by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health Protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still; my wealth And greatness from his bounty flows. 36 My goings he enlarg'd abroad, Till then to narrow paths confin'd; And, when in slippery ways I trod, The method of my steps design'd. Till I a final conquest make. 38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try Their vanquish'd heads again to rear; Spite of their boasted strength, they lie Beneath my feet, and grovel there. 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, Recruits my strength, my courage warms; He makes my strong opposers yield, Subdu'd by my prevailing arms. 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes My conqu❜ring 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; But none was able to defend; At length to God for help they cry'd; But God would no assistance lend. 42 Like flying dust, which winds pursue, Their broken troops I scatter'd round; Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw, Like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground. PART VI. '43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now, By God's appointment me obey; The heathen to my sceptre bow, And foreign nations own my sway. 44 Remotest realms their homage send, When my successful name they hear; Strangers for my commands attend, Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fear. 45 All to my summons tamely yield, Or soon in battle are dismay'd; For stronger holds they quit the field, And still in strongest holds afraid. 46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd, The rock on whose defence I rest! To highest heavens his name be rais'd, Who me with his salvation bless'd! 47 'Tis God that still supports my right; His just revenge my foes pursues; "Tis he, that, with resistless might, Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard he! From whom my lasting honours flow; Shall thus be taught to sing his praise: "To David and his promis'd race." PSALM XIX. HE heavens declare thy glory, Lord, The firmament and stars express 3 Their powerful language to no realm '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 No giant does like him rejoice 6 From east to west, from west to east, His restless course he goes; And, through his progress, cheerful light And vital warmth bestows. PART II. 7 God's perfect law converts the soul; Reclaims from false desires; With sacred wisdom his sure word 8 The statutes of the Lord are just, The ignorant inspires. And bring sincere delight; His pure commands in search of truth 9 His perfect worship here is fix'd, Of truth and justice weigh'd; 10 Of more esteem than golden mines, Or gold refin❜d with skill; More sweet than honey, or the drops. 11 My trusty counsellors they are, 12 But what frail man observes how oft He does from virtue fall? O cleanse me from my secret faults, Thou God that know'st them all! 13 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord, Dominion have o'er me; That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may The great transgression flee. 14 So shall my prayer and praises be With thy acceptance blest; And I secure on thy defence, My strength and Saviour, rest. PSALM XX. T HE Lord to thy request attend, And hear thee in distress; The name of Jacob's God defend, And grant thy arms success: 2 To aid thee from on high repair, And strength from Sion give; 3 Remember all thy offerings there, Thy sacrifice receive: 14 To compass thy own heart's desire Thy counsels still direct; Make kindly all events conspire To bring them to effect. 10 5 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 7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd; Against them all we'll call to mind The power of God most high. 8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown, 9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed Hear, King of heaven, in times of need, T PSALM XXI. HE king, O Lord, with songs of praise 2 For thou, whate'er his lips request, But hast, with thy acceptance, blest 3 Thy goodness and thy tender care A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear, 4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord, A life that ne'er shall end. 5 Thy sure defence through nations round 6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st, Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st PART II. 7 Because the king on God alone His mercy still supports his throne, 8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes Thy vengeful arm shall find out those 9 When thou against them dost engage, 10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease, But root out all their guilty race, 11 For all their thoughts were set on ill, But thou with watchful care didst still PSALM XXII. MY God, my God, why leav'st thou me When I with anguish faint? O! why so far from me remov'd, 3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge Of right to thee address'd. They shoot the lip, they shake the head, 8 "In God he trusted, boasting oft wrongs My helpless infant days; And since hast been my God, and guide, 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 Less dreadful is than theirs. 14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints My heart dissolves within my breast, 15 My strength, like potter's earth, is parch'd; And to the silent shades of death My fainting soul withdraws. 16 Like blood hounds, to surround me, they In pack'd assemblies meet: 12 While they their swift retreat shall make, They pierc'd my inoffensive hands; To 'scape thy dreadful might, Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake, They pierc'd my harmless feet. Yet such a spectacle of woe 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, Thou didst my life defend. 22 Then to my brethren I'll declare 23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God, "O praise the Lord, and to your praise 24 "He ne'er disdain'd on low distress PART IV. 25 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I 26 The meek companions of my grief 27 Then shall the glad converted world And scatter'd nations of the earth 28 'Tis his supreme prerogative 'Tis just that he should rule the world, Who does the world sustain. 29 The rich, who are with plenty fed, The sons of want, by him reliev❜d, With humble worship to his throne That power, which first their beings gave, 30, 31 Then shall a chosen spotless race, Devoted to his name, To their admiring heirs his truth, For there his aiding rod and staff 5 In presence of my spiteful foes He crowns my cup with cheerful wine, 6 Since God doth thus his wondrous love PSALM XXIV. HE spacious earth is all the Lord's, The world, and they that dwell therein,. 2 He fram'd and fix'd it on the seas; 3 But for himself, this Lord of ali O! who shall to that sacred hill Deserv'd admittance find? 4 The man, whose hands and heart are pure, Whose thoughts from pride are free; Who honest poverty prefers To gainful perjury. 5 This, this is he, on whom the Lord 6 Such is the race of saints, by whom 7 Erect your heads, eternal gates; The King of Glory: see! he comes 8 Who is the King of Glory? who? Eternal victor crown'd. 9 Erect your heads, ye gates; unfold The King of Glory: see! he comes Of Glory he alone is King, O God, in whom I trust, TI lift my heart and voice; O! let me not be put to shame, 4, 5 To me thy truth impart, For thou art he that brings me help; 6 Thy mercies, and thy love, |