On VI
k- (>
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
VERSION OR PARAPHRASE
OF THE
PSALMS,
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
BY THE
EV. JAMES MERRICK, A.M.
DIVIDED INTO STANZAS,
AND
ADAPTED TO THE PURPOSES
O F
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE DEVOTION,
By the Rev. W.D. TATTERSALL, A.M.
Vicar of Wotton under Edge, GLOUCESTERSHIRE,
and Chaplain to the Hon. Mr. Juftice BULLER.
LONDON:
Printed for THOMAS PAYNE and SON, at the MewsGate;
BENJAMIN WHITE and SON, Fleet Street; ROESON
and CLARKE, New Bond Street; G. G. J. and J.
ROBINSON, Paternofter Row; Mr. FLETCHER and
M. PRINCE, Oxford; Mr. MERRILI, Cambridge!
and JOSEPH BENCE, Wotton under Edge.
M.DCC.LXXXIX.
BS
T O
THE KING.
SIR,
f | AHE following work, the refill t
"* of much application, was at
firft undertaken, and has been com-
pleted folely from a defire to promote
the caufe of Religion, and the credit
of the Efiabliihed Church.
In this point of view, I trail-, it
may not appear unworthy the regard
of a Monarch, who has uniformly
fhewn himfelf the firm fupporter of
that Church, and gracioufly exprefTed
his conviction of its intriniic purity,
and
85G863
DEDICATION.
and infeparable connection with our
excellent Conftitution.
That the Church of England may
continue to flourifh, and preferve its
accuftomed mildnefs and moderation,
under the happy government of Your
Majefty and Your illuftrious defcend-
ants, to the latefl ages, is the earned
prayer o
SIR,
YOUR MAJESTY'S
Mod dutiful, and
moft obedient Servant,
W. D. TATTERS ALL.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THIS alteration of Mr. MERRICK's learned
and truly Poetical Verfion of the Pfalms
would have been too prefumptuous an undertaking,
if its aim had not been to improve that part of our
Church Service which has long been the fubjecl of
the moft fevere animadverfions. Although it has
been printed nearly two years, the Editor was unwil-
ling to offer it to the Public, till he had collected
the fentiments of the Rulers of our Church, and
of thofe friends whofe abilities are well known,
and on whofe judgment he could fafely rely. He
has the greateft pleafure to perceive that the
principal objection to its admiffion into parifh
churches appears to be the difficulty of adapting
feveral of our beft old tunes to a metre differing
from the ancient verfion. Some tunes have been
varied in his mufical collection *, whence an opinion
may be formed of farther improvements : and if this
objection fhould be done away, the Editor will have
reafon to entertain hopes that his undertaking may,
at fome future period, obtain a proper fanction for
* To be had at B LAND'S Mufic- T vVarehoufc, N" 45,
Ilolborn ; and of all Bookfellers in tc\vn and country.
its
ADVERTISEMENT.
its general introduction into churches. He has
therefore taken fome pains to felecl; a number of
tunes more than fufficient toanfvver the defign of hav-
ing one to each pfalm, and intends to fubmit them to
the infpeclion of the beft judges of mufic, that he may
retain thofe only which mail be eftcemed molt likely
to do credit to the fervice, and which he intends
publifhing hereafter, in addition to the prefent
work. Dr. CCOKE, Dr. HAYES, Dr. PARSONS,.
Mr. CALLCOTT, the Rev. OSBORNE WIGHT,
Mr. WEBBE, Mr. SHIELD, Mr. STEVENS, and
many other perfons of mu/ical fkill and eminence,
have kindly promifed him their afliilance ; and, as it
is his earneft wiih to bring forward fuch a work as .
may be an ornament to our Liturgy, he folicits the
like affiilance from the Profeflbrs of Mulic in ge-
neral, and will think himfelf extremely obliged to
any gentlemen, who will favour him with tunes,,
either of their own compofition, or fele&ed from old
melodies, that may be adapted to the purpofes of
Pfalmody, or calculated to employ the leifure hours
of a Sunday evening.
Wotton under Edge,
May 1791.
THE AUTHO R'
PREFACE.
THE following attempt on the Pfalms,
though a mixture of Tranflation and
Paraphrafe, will, I hope, be found to contain
little more of the latter kind than what may
be ufeful either in opening the fenfe, or in
pointing out the connexion, of the Original.
The defects of it, great as they muft be,
would probably have been much greater,
had it not been favoured with a revifal by a
gentleman, whofe various and well-known
abilities, together with his fingular acquaint-
ance with the Hebrew Poetry, rendered him
peculiarly qualified for the office. The Re-
A 2 ye rend
THE AUTHOR'*
verend Doctor LOWTH, Prebendary of Dur-
ham, having read a part of the work, was
pleafed to exprefs a defire of feeing the
whole : The Author of it was too fenfible
of the advantage which was likely to re-
fult from his infpetion of" it, to decline
fuch an offer j and takes this opportunity
of publicly acknowledging the very great
fervice which he has received from this gen-
tleman's afliftance ; who, after having in a
moft friendly and candid manner propofed
his objections where he judged them ne-
ceflary, was pleafed to encourage and advife
the publication of the work. My thanks are
alfo particularly due to my very worthy and
learned neighbour JOHN LOVEDAY, Efq; to
whofe perufal the feveral parts of the work
were fubmitted, almoft as foon as compofed,
and whofe accurate criticifms have rendered
it lefs unworthy of the public light ; to
which, without confulting fuch judicious
friends as himfelf and the gentleman above-
mentioned, it had been prefumption to ex-
pofe it : As the latter of thefe gentle-
men (whofe fon Mr, JOHN LOVEDAY, of
Magdalen
PREFACE. v
Magdalen College, Oxford, a young gen-
tleman of diftinguifhed abilities and learning,
has feconded him in every office of friendihi.p
and humanity towards me) has moft readily
afliftcd me in confidering the fenfe of the
Original whenever I have applied to him, fo
the former has favoured me with a great
number of obfervations on the Hebrew Text j-
which I may hereafter (if God give me
health) commit to the prefs, together with
many others communicated to me by perfons
of very great learning and eminence, and
with fuch remarks as have occurred to
myfelf in comparing my Verfion or Para-
phrafe with the Original. Though the an-
notations which I have received from Dr..
LOWTH were written in a, very expeditious
manner, without confulting many commen-
tators, yet the fingular attention which" that
learned gentleman appears (in his admirable
lectures on the Hebrew Poetry) to have paid
to the Pfalms, as well as to the other poeti-
cal parts of Holy Scripture,, had fo prepared
him for the work which he has thus obligingly
taken upon him, that they will, I am per-
A 3 fuaded,.
v! THE AtJTHOR's
fuaded, be found worthy of their author. As
thofe annotations which have been put into
my hands are (many of them nt leaft) fuch
as will not be underftood by any perfons
who have not applied themfelves to the
ftudy of the learned languages, I have ra-
ther chofen to referve them for a feparate
volume than to fubjoin them to the Ver-
fiori or Paraphrafe which is here prefented
to the reader. The inconveniences arifing
from my fituation, remote from any of the
moft public libraries, have been in a great
rneafure remedied by mysccefs to the large
and well-chofen libraries of a gentleman be-
fore mentioned, and of my late pious, learn-
ed, and ingenious friend, the Reverend
Do&or BOLTON Dean of Carlifle, as alfo
by the favour of the moft Reverend the
Lord Arehbiftiop of CANTERBURY j who
has (in addition to the many other inftances,
which I have experienced, of his Grace's
goodnefs and condefcenfion) been pleafed
to honour me, on this occafion, with the
voluntary offer, and the ufe, of fome of the
moft confiderable expofitions of the Pfalms ;
fuch
PREFACE. vil
fuch as thofe of Geierus, Michaelis, and
Houbigant ; together with Celfius's Hie-
robotanicon, Hillerus's Hierophyticon, and
feveral new Verfions of the Pfalter in dif-
ferent languages. As the communication
of thefe valuable helps demands my hum-
bleft gratitude, fo it likewife encourages
me to hope (though my own incapacity
and a long courfe of ill health will fcarce
allow me to think of attempting a regular
Comment on the Pfalms) that it may be
in my power, in fome inftances, to confirm
by fufficient authorities fuch interpretations of
feveral difficult texts as I have followed, and,
in others, to difcover the errors which I
have committed.
It may be proper to advertife the reader,
that The Verfion or Paraphrafe of the
Pfalms now put into his hands has not
been calculated for the ufes of public Wor-
Ihip. The tranflator knew not how, with-
out neglecting the Poetry, to write in fuch
language as the common fort of people
would be likely to underftand : For the
fame reafon he could not confine himfelf
ia
viii THE AUTHOR'S
in general to ftanzas, nor, confequemly,
adopt the meafures to which the tunes
ufed in our Churches correfpond. How-
ever, as his meafures are all of the Lyric
kind, his work may, he hopes, anfwer the
purpofes of private devotion. Two of the
Pfalms, the hundred and eleventh and the
hundred and twelfth, have indeed been
purpofely tranflated or paraphrafed in the
meafure which anfwers to the tune of
the hundredth Pfalm, as it is fung in the
Church, on account of its known excel-
lence.
The judicious reader will not, .it is
hoped, be offended, if he rinds the fame
phrafes, and even the fame lines, fome-
times occur in different Pfalms, when he
confiders what liberty of repetition the He-
brew Poetry admits in one and the fame
Poem, and, confequently, how often the
fame expreffions are likely to be found in
a collection of many Hebrew Poems com-
pofed on fimilar fubjets. The candid
Critic may the better judge what degree
of indulgence the tranflator of fuch a work
may
PREFACE. ix
may ftand in need of, if he knows to how
great difficulties no lefs able a writer than
CORNEILLE was reduced on a like occa-
fion : whofe words, in the Preface to his
poetical Verfion and Paraphrase of Thomas
a Kempis, are as follows: Sur tout les
rcdites y font Jl frequentes^ que quand nojlre
Langue feroit dix fois plus abondante qu* elle
n * iftt J e F aurois epuifee fort alfement^ et j*
avoiie que je ' ay pu trouver le fecret de di-
ver/ifier mes exprejjions> toutes les fois que f ay
eu la mefme chafe a exprimer.
Whatever imperfelions may be difco-
vered in the following .performance, when
examined with a critical view, I fhall by "no
means think my labour either ufelefs or un-
recompenfed, if any pious perfons (hall find
their devotion affifted and improved by it,
or their love more ftrongly excited towards
the great Author of our Salvation, fo evi-
dently pointed out in the courfe of thefe
divine Compofitions^
June 5, 1765,
THE
( * )
THE EDITOR'S
PREFACE.
THE Liturgy of the Church of England'
is allowed, by the moft learned and
devoyt of the reformed churches abroad, as
well as by the moil candid and liberal of all
religious fes among ourfelves, to contain a
judicious compilation of fublime and admir-
able compofitions. Probably it is altogether
the beft that ever'^was formed for the uie
of any Chriftian community, except perhaps
in the apoftolic age. It has, therefore, been
often lamented, that the poetical verfion of the
Pfalms, by Sternhold and Hopkins, fhould be,
on the whole, fo unfuitable to it; that the part
of the fervice, which confifts in finging the
praifes of our Creator, has confequently fufFer-
ed a {hameful neglect; and that, from the fame
caufe, various abufes have gradually arifen,
which it requires a very careful interference
to correct. For the removal of thefe com-
plaints, it appeared to the Editor, that the
verfion
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE, xl
verfion competed by the late Mr. Merrick
was peculiarly fitted, excepting only that it
was not divided into ftanzas throughout; an
objection which it has coft him fome time
and attention to obviate. Frequent endea-
vours have indeed been ufed to render the
old verfion lefs objectionable, by feleHng
from it certain portions of the Pfalms; but
thefe well-meant defigns, from fome defefl
or other, have generally failed of producing
the defired effect. As a more complete re-
medy, Brady and Tate employed themfelves
in forming an entire new verfion, which
they obtained permifiion to introduce among
thofe congregations who were inclined to
receive it. This performance did indeed
deferve confiderable approbation when pro-
duced, but appears to come far (hort of
that fmce made by Mr. Merrick, both
in perfpicuity and fublimity of expreflion.
Yet the utmoft hcpe of this excellent
Author, refpedling the practical ufe of his
verfion, feems to have been that it might be
found to ferve the purpofes of private devo-
tion. He has even afligned a reafon why
he could not make it fit for public worfhip ;
namely, " that he knew not how, without
" neglecting the poetry, to write in fuch lan-
w guage as the common fort of people would
* be likely to underftand. And for the fame-
" reafon,"
xii THE EDITOR'S
<c reafon," he adds, " he could not confine
" himfelf in general to ftanzas, nor confe-
" quently adopt the meafures to which the
u tunes ufed in our churches correfpond.'*
He has, however, with a view to the former
purpofe, compofed Doxologtes adapted to his
own metre?, and that even where he has not
divided the Pfalm into ftanzas : a circum-
ftance very favourable to the defiga of intro-
ducing his verfion into general ufe.
Many perfons indeed have thought with
the Author himfelf, that Mr. Merrick's ver-
fion is entirely above the capacity of the
loweft clafs of people; and perhaps it is hardly
pofiible to write any thing, which, to perfons
fo uninftruc~t.ed, fhall be in all refpe&s intelli-
gible : but whoever compares it with the
verfion of Stemhold and Hopkins, or the
later production of Brady and Tatc, will cer-
tainly difcover that this objection holds not
lefs ftrongly againft them : and that, in the
work before us, the exprellions which convey
the fentiments of the Royal Prophet, are for
the moft part clear, as well as poetical, and
fublime But though the Author found it
not convenient to divide the Pfalms in gene-
ral into ftanzas, a difficulty has arifen to fome
readers from that very circumftance : for ift
long-continued fentencqs they have feemed to
3 . want,
PREFACE. xiii
want, notwithffanding the punctuation, fome
guide to direct and fix their attention, and to
{hew them where to reft. In the form now
given to thefe compofitions, befides that they
are thereby fitted for parochial ufe, the reader
v/ill be enabled to dwell upon each verfe at
pleafure, and digeft the fenfe, without fear of
error, as he proceeds.
The two former verfions, allowing for
the times in which they were made, may
certainly be regarded as efforts greatly laud-
able ; but when we confider to what de-
gree of perfection our language has now ar-
rived, and with what propriety and elegance
Mr. Merrick has exprefled, and often ex-
plained the fenfe of his infpired Author, it is
no unfair derogation from them to point out
where the preference muft unavoidably be/gi-
ven. The luftre of Mr. Merrick's performance
will perhaps be found in fome meafure di-
minimed in thofe places where the Editor
has been obliged to make a few alterations :
but when his motive for the undertaking
iliall be fairly confidered, he flatters himfelf
that not many will cenfure him for the li-
berty, which, through neceflity, he has taken.
As Mr. Merrick has declared that he was
particularly attentive to the poetry in his
verfion, and as the fuccefs of that atten-
a lion
xiv THE EDITOR'S
tion is univerfally allowed, the Editor has
been always on his guard to vary from him
as little, and as fcldom as poiTible : and, to
render the performance free from all ma-
terial exceptions, whenever an addition was
necefTary, he has preferred, almoft conftantly,
the introduction of lines written by Mr.
Merrick himfelf, in fome other part of the
verfion, to fupplying the deficience by his
own pen. 'Where this could not conveniently
be done, he has carefully endeavoured to
imitate Mr. Merrick's ftyle. He has alfo paid
great attention to the Bible tranflation, and
has been guided and directed by the beft com-
mentators.
Some perfons, on being confulted,havcfug-
gefted, that by leaving out certain lines which
appear rather redundant, the necefTary altera-
tions would frequently have been made with
greater eafe. The aflertion perhaps is jufl ;
but, unwilling to omit any part of compo-
iitions fo defervedly admired, the Editor
has generally put himfelf to difficulties to
preferve as many as poflible of the original
lines. In fome paflages however he found ornif-
fion altogether unavoidable : he was necefli-
tated alfo in a few inftances to alter the tenfes,
the perfons, and the flops, that the fenfe in
each verfe might be clear and diftincl. This
liberty
PREFACE. xv
Irberty he thought himfelf fully warranted to
take, upon the authority of that very worthy
and judicious critic, Dr. Lowth, the late Bi-
fhop of London, who, in one of his remarks
on the eighteenth Pfalm, has delivered his
fentiments to Mr. Merrick in this manner :
" You feem in doubt here about the Time.
" You fee the Paft and the Future are all
" along very much confounded in the He-
" brew ; and, I believe, the beft direction will
" be, to fuit the Time as well as you can to
" the context and courfc of your verfion."
The Ffalms are divided into flanzas of
from four to twelve lines, by which means
the purpofe of variety is fully anfwered. The
fhorteft ftanza has been in general preferred.
The Editor, fome few years fince, formed a
portion of Mr. Merrick's Pfalms into ftanzas
for the ufe of his own church j and at the
fame time, with the aid of feveral ingenious
profefibrs of mufic, adapted to the words fome
of the choiceft tunes he could obtain, which
he has now published as a fpecimen of what
may be effected : from that partial attempt
he has been led on imperceptibly through
the whole work. It is certain he met with
many difficulties at the firrr, in removing the
prejudices of his congregation, who were-
ftrongly attached to the verfion they had been
a. 2 fo
xvi THE E D I T O R's
fo long accuftomed to ufe, and were little
difpofed to admit of any innovation : yet he
has the fatisfation to obferve, that, by per-
feverance, every obftacle has been overcome;
that his parifhioners now, fo far from objecl:-
ing to the change, are highly pleafed with if,
and give it every encouragement. It is, in-
deed, the general remark, that there are few
churches, where the pfalmody is more de-
cently and folemnly performed, and, on the
whole, more juftly admired.
There can be little occafion further to de-
tain the reader with remarks, either on the
prefent imperfections of our pfalmody, fince
they are very generally acknowledged, or
on the means of removing them, among
which, the prefent publications, afliftcd by
the attention of the clergy and others, will,
it is hoped, be found efficacious. Should any
thing further be thought necefiary to illuf-
trate either of thefe pointf, it may be given
under the authority of names that carry
with them the utmoft weight. Dr. Brown,
in his Difiertation on the Rife, &c. of Poetry
and Mufic, obferves, that C in the Pfalms as
" they are'verfified by Sternhold and Hopkins,
" there are few ftanzas which do not prefent
** expreflions to excite the ridicule of fomc
41 part
PREFACE. xvii
" part of every congregation." "Thisver-
" lion," he adds, u might well be abolifhedy
" as it expofeth one of the nobleft parts^ of
" divine fervice to contempt. Efpecially' as
** there is another verfion already privileged,
" which, though not excellent, is not intole-
w rable. The parochial Mufic feerns to need
M no reform: its fimpiicity and foiemnity fuit
a well its general deftination, and it is of
a power, when properly performed, to raife
" affections of the nobleft nature." And
Dr. Vincent *,. in his excellent treatife,-inti-
tled,. " Confiderations on Parochial Mufic,?
after citing the above obfervations, declares,
that " if from the improvement of our lan-
u g ua g e > or t^ 6 refinement of our knowledge,
** the whole is become unfit for its office ;
" the dictates ofreafon, and the -fervice of re T
" ligion, require that it fhould now- be - diC-
" carded, and fome fubftitute prepared to fup.-
" ply its place." He further remarks, that
" if pfalmody were once reftored to its origi-
u nal rank and eftimution, it would become
" an object of regard to the ruling powers to
u have this whole matter re-confiderad and
J< revifed. In that cafe it would not be diifi^-
* Head Mafter of Weftminfter School, Sub-alnj.->nerand
Chaplain to the-King, and Reftor of Allfiallowsf tl-.e Great
s, London. .
a-3- ; "'cult
xviii THE E D I T O R's
lc cult to form a collection from different au-
u thors, which might carry this point as near
** perfection as is requifite. There is a ver-
<c fion by King James the Firft, which Mr.
" Pope commends, and is worthy his com-
u mendation ; there is another by Sandys ;
" an excellent one by Mr. Merrick ; there
" are detached pfalms in Milton, and other
" authors ; all which might be examined and
<c appreciated, and a whole formed which
" would do honour to our own or any other
** church ; and if fuch a fele&ion were once
" fan&ior.ed by Epifcopal and Royal Autho-
** rity, it would come to the people with every.
" profpecl of producing all the reformation
** that is defired. Such a work as this, would
*' contribute to form a national tafte, as well
" as promote the rational religion, nor is it
14 impoflible, that, with fuitabie encourage-
w ment, religious mufic fhould again enter
u into the recreation of domeftic leifure, and
u revive the fentiments of primitive religion.
u Then alfo an opportunity might offer for
u once more calling in the aid of frelh mu-
" fical composition, which new metres might
**' require, or the firaplicity cf the prefent
4< metres could admit; but nothing of thb
" fort can be attempted till many of the pre-
44 vious points are eftabliflied."
It
PREFACE. xix
It appears indeed highly defirable, that the
poetical verfion of the Pfalms fhould be render-
ed as pleafmg as poflible to every perfon who
is a member of the church, whether he be em-
ployed as a performer, or only as a reader and
hearer ; for it frequently happens that many
in our congregations, without being much
attracted by the mufic, will take up their
prayer-books to follow the fingers in the
words. But fuch perfons, though ferioufly
difpofed, have feldom been able, where the
old verfion was ufed, to forbear fmiling
at the quaint and injudicious exprefiions
which there continually prefent themfelves :
nor can it be expected that many readers
of this age will be induced to look more
than once into the verfion of Sternhold and
Hopkins, with the view of deriving any ra-
tional fatisfadion from the perufal. Thip, it
may fafely be afferted, can never be the cafe
with the work of Mr. Merrick, which, on a-
variety of accounts, muft, to every judicious
mind, afford the trueft fatisfa&ion and de-
light. The following quotation from the po-
etical Preledlions of the late Bifhop of Lon-
don, would be alone fufficient to recommend
that verfion to public notice: " Vtr dofiijfi-
" mus JACOBUS MERRICK, Verfwnem Pfalmo-
** rum carmine vernaculo jam atfohit ; opus
xx THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
tc cximiurn^ multis eruditianis^ artis, ingenil lu
u minibus diftinfium* ."
Should the ftanzas in this Edition ap-
pear to be arranged with fufficient fkill and
judgment to deferve the fuffrage of the pub-
lic ; and fliould Mr. Merrick's work, in this
form, be confequently annexed, by perrniffion
or authority, to our book of common prayer,.
it might foon, inftead of lying hid in the libra~
ries of the learned, become a very pleafmg
and improving help to religious meditation
and praife. The devout member of the
church, having poured out his foul in prayer
with zeal and fervency, would naturally be
inclined to clofe his addrefs with the pious
effufions of the infpired Pfalmift ; which,
when expreffed as they are in this verfion,
with a dignity and. energy proportioned to
their original excellence, would be found to
fupply a variety of hymns,. the moft animating-
that religion can employ, and adapted to every
pofiible ftate and condition of human life,
* " Mr. Jt\mes Merrick, a man of- great learning, has
" lately finifljed a verfion of the Pfalms in Engii/b ; r.a
" admirable work, diilinguiihed by many fpkndid marks
" of learning, art, and genius. " Lcwth Pfcl,. 26. p. 347.
Not,.
INDEX,.
N D X.
A. Page
A RACE by God unbleft who rear 349
Arife, ye People, clap the hand 116
As pants the Hart for cooling fprings - 103
Awake, my Soul, to hymns of praife - 268
B.
Behold, my God, what numerous foes -- 4
Behold- my griefs} my Soul prefer ve - 339
Behold the Fool, whofe heart denies 25-132
Behold the wretch, in error loft - - 85
Behold, while wearied with delay - 329
Be Thou my Judge : thy fearching eyes 57
Bleft be the Lord my ftrength, whofe aids 376
Bleft Object of my foul's defire - 32
Bleft, who with gen'rous pity glows - joo
By thy unwearied ftrength upheld - 44
C.
Come, celebrate your God and King - 274
D.
Defender of my rightful caufe - - 6
Do Thou,.jufl God, my caufe defend - 80
E. Earth,
xxii INDEX.
E. Page
Earth, big with Empires, to thy Reign - 52
F.
Far hence each Siiperftition vain - 333
Father of All ! my foul defend - 28
Fix'd in the Heav'ns, eternal Lord, - 330
Fix'd is thy bafe : throughout its coafts 224
G.
God my Strength, to Thee I pray - 61
God of my health ! to Thee by day - 226
God of my praife, thy iilence break - 298
God the Heav'ns aloud proclaim - - 39
Great is our God : With warmeft zeal 117
Great Ruler of this earthly Ball - 353
H.
Had God abandon'd from his care - 346
Hail, Arbiter fupreme ! thy Will - - 337
Hafte to my aid, my Saviour, hafte - 173
Hear, Lord, my pray'r, and let my cries 260
How bleft the Man his God who fears 305
How bleft the Man, whofe confcious grief 71
How bleft the fight, the joy how fweet 356
How bleft the Souls, their God who fear 349
How bleft the tafk, with fervent heart 241
How bleft who Thee, great God, obey 319
How early wife, fhall Youth, O fay - 320
How glows with grateful Love my breaft 311
How long {hall I, my God, in vain 24
How fweet thy Dwelling, Lord, how fair 218
I. Jeliwab
INDEX. xxiii
I. Page
Jehovah reigns : Ye Nations own - 256
Immortal King ! thro' Earth's wide frame 13
Inftrud, great God, the kingly heart 178
Is this a Dream ? amaz'd we cried - 3^8
L.
Let God arife, and let his foes - 161
Let not the Sinner's wealth or might - 87
Let fongs of joy to God afcend - - 282
Let thy various Realms, O Earth - 314
Lift your voice, and thankful fing 314-360
Lo ! from the Hills my help defcends 343
Lo, my Shepherd's hand divine 51
Lord (for on Thee fupported (land - 67
Lord ! to my wants thine Ear incline 222
Low in the duft my foul is laid - - 322
M.
May God his fav'ring ear incline - 160
May He whom Heav'n and Earth obey 42
Mercy, Judgment, now my tongue - 258
My God, my God, O tell me why - 46
My God, no longer filent ftand - - 215
My grateful heart thy Love has known 327
My grateful tongue, immortal King - 228
My heart is fix'd, eternal Sire - - 295
My heart its nobleft Theme has found j n
My heart's beft portion, Lord, art Thou 326
My impious foes, great God, repel - 369
My Soul in God its reft has found - 149
My
INDEX.
Page
My Soul, throughout thine inmoft frame 265
My Soul with facred zeal infpir'd - 304
My fleps Difcretion's rules fhall guide 95
O.
O blefs Jehovah : Sweet the Joy - - 383
O come, and to th' eternal King - 248
Oft from my youth, may Ifrael fay - 351
O hear my voice, All -potent Sire - 134
O help me, Lord : For none I fee - 22
O how bleft the Man whofe ear i
O how the Wonders of thy Law - 336
O Ifrael's Father, King, and God - 206
O Maker, Guide, and Judge of All 338
O let me, Lord, thy Mercy know - 324
O let my Cries thy heav'nly feat - 341
O let not Us, thou God of Hofts - - 308
O Lord, whofe Mercies vaft amount - 127
On God my ftedfaft Hopes rely - 21
On Thee, great Ruler of the Skies - 114
On Thee, O God, with fteady frame 1 74
Opprefs'd with grief, in exile loft - 148
O reach me, Lord, thy aiding Pow'r - 137
O fave me, Lord, and to my foes - 1 1
O fpare me, Lord, nor o'er my head - 9-92
O Thou, whofe hand has Ifrael led - 186
Our Eyes, great God, have feen thy grace 220
O weigh me, Lord, in equal fcale - 106
P.
Praife, O praife the Name divine - 390
Praife,
I N D E X. xxv
Page
Praife, praife thy God, my Soul ; his
Name - 381
R.
Repuls'd, difpers'd, chaftis'd by Thee - 146
S.
Say, Lord, why thus thy aiding pow'r - 18
Shepherd of Ifrael, bow thine ear - 209
Sing to our God the new-form'd lay - 388
Sing to the God whom we adore - 254
Sing to the Lord fome new-taught Song 250
Sing, ye Sons of Might, O fing - 63
T.
Taught by our Sires, great God, our ear 107
Teach me, O teach me, Lord, thy Way 323
TV Almighty Lord, beneath whofe feat 302
Thee^ Lord, my harp's awaken'd ftrings 365
Thee, Lord, their dwelling, Thee alone 236
Thee Sion's praife, O Lord, attends - 155
Thee .will I blefs, my God and King - 379
Thee will I thank, and day by day - 77
The feftal Morn, my God, is come - 343
The Lord, th' Almighty Monarch, fpake 123
The Lord th' eternal fcepter rears - 244
The words that from my lips proceeds - 7
Th' impending itorrn, my God, affuage 144
They, who with holy confidence - 347
Thine ear, my God, propitious lend - 374
Thjrie ear, thou Majefty divine - 153
Thine Eyes, my God, nor lofty Mind 353
b Thou
xxvi INDEX.
Page
Thou art my God ; to Thee my eyes - 151
Thou, Lord, haft fearch'd me out i thine
Eyes - - - 366
Thou, God, with vengeance arm'd ap-
pear 245
Thou, Lord, my fafety, Thou my light 58
Thy Confines, Judak^ God have known 192
Thy Law, from Sinai's mount reveal'd 332
Thy Mercy let thy Servant fee - 321
Thy Mercy, Lord, amidft my woes - 139
Thy Name, immortal God, thy name 190
Thy Name my ftedfaft heart avows - 133
Thy plaftic art, throughout my frame - 328
Thy promifes, Almighty Sire - - 325
To God above, from all below - 289
To God belongs th' eternal Sway - 252
To God I cried, with anguifh ftung - 342
To God I cry ; to Him my pray'r - 373
To God my fuppliant voice I rear - 194
To God our Strength exalt the fong - 212
To Thee, above the ftarry Spheres - 345
To Thee from out the Deeps I pray - 352
To Thee, great God, my foul (hall rife 54
To Thee, great Ruler of the fides - 65
To Thee I call, O hafte thee near 168-371
To Thee, the Judge inthron'd on high 29
W.
Warm'd to its inmoft depth, my breaft - 14
When Jacob's Sons through paths un-
known - - 307
Where
INDEX. xxvii
Page
Where Babylon's, proud water flows - 363
While, cloth'd with pow'r divine, their
bar - - 214
While Juftice o'er my life prefides 335
While princely Pow'r without a caufe 340
Who makes Omnipotence his Aid - 239
Who mall tow'rd thy chofen feat - 26
Why thus enrag'd, ye Tribes profane - , 2
Why, Tyrant, boafts thy Heart the pow'r 1.30
With patient hope my God I fought - 97
With what defire, great God, I burn - 331
Y.
Ye bleft Inhabitants of Heav'n - - 386
Ye faithful Servants of your God 306-357
Ye Nations, hear : Ye Sons of Earth - 120
Ye Nations, to my Law give ear - 197
Ye Saints (to you the talk belongs - 74
Ye Servants of th' eternal King - - 356
Yes : mightieft Lord ! My foul has known 181
Ye Sons of Men, in God rejoice - 157
Ye Tribes of Earth, in God rejoice - 257
Ye whofe lips the caufe decide 141
P S A L M.
5
|
E R R A
T
IV
7
5
" i.
for fhall *</ /halt
X
XXII
XXIV
7
3
4
4
3
fcr vengance read vengeance
at the end, for ? put .
for Then ** There.
XXXI
4
3
dek the two ( )
XXXVIi
at the end, fcr . put ,
LXXIV
c
a
for his read its
JyXXV
-
4
at the end, for : put ?
Cl
3
for O come mzrf Come
-
2
at the end, /s;- ?/af j
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4
at the end,/o;-? put .
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6
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CX XXV
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/cr Thy rrorf His
AVER.
A
VERSION or PARAPHRASE
OF THE
PSALMS.
PSALM I.
i.
OHow bleft the Man, whofe ear
Impious counfel fhuns to hear,
Who nor loves to tread the way
Where the Sons of Folly ftray,
Nor their frantic mirth to fhare,
Seated in Derifion's chair;
But, to Virtue's path confm'd,
Spurns the men of finful mind,
And, poflefs'd with facred awe,
Meditates, great God, thy Law ;
This by day his fix'd employ,
This by night his conftant joy.
2.
Like the Tree that, taught to grow
Where the ftreams irriguous flow,
Oft as the revolving Sun
Through the deftin'd Months has run,
Regular, its feafon knows,
Bending low its loaded bough?,
B He
2 PSALM I.
He his verdant branch (hall fpread,
Nor his fick'ning leaves (hall fhed ;
He, whate'er his thoughts devife,
Joyful to the work applies,
Sure to find the wim'd fuccefs
Crown his hope, his labour blefs.
3-
See, ah! fee a different fate
God's obdurate foes await ;
See them, to his wrath confign'd,
Fly like chaff before the wind.
When thy Judge, O Earth, fhall come,
And to Each aflign their doom,
Say, fhall then the impious Band
With the Juft aflembled ftand ?
Thefe th' Almighty, Thefe alone,
Obje&s of his Love fhall own,
While his vengeance who defy
Whelm'd in endlefs ruin lie.
PSALM II.
i.
WH Y thus enrag'd, ye Tribes profane ?
Why ftrive the Gentiles thus in vain ?
Why, rouz'd by Difcord's fierce Alarms,
Do headlong Nations rufh to Arms ?
2.
Earth's fcepter'd Lords rebellious rife
Againft the Ruler of the Skies,
And Him on whofe diftinguifh'd head
His hand the facred oil has flicd.
3. In
P S A L M II. 3
3-
In factious Counfels thus they join,
And vaunting brave the Povv'r divine ;
i; Quick let us each renounce their Sway,
u And cafl their hated bands away.'*
4-
God from on high their threats (ball hear,
Laugh, as the tumult meets his ear,
And, arm'd with vengeance, thus aloud
Superior quell the frantic Croud :
5-
" Yet, Mortals, yet your Monarch fee,
" And bow to Him the humble knee ;
" His throne on Sion's hill my hand
" Has built, and what I build mall ftand."
6.
Thy Will, great Father, I obey ;
Pleas'd I accept the offer'd Sway,
And through the Earth's extended frame
The Counfels of thy Love proclaim.
7-
Thou art my Son, on this bleft Day
" Begotten ; (thus I hear thee fay;)
" Prefer thy wiih, and to thy hand
" Lo ! I confign each heathen Land.
8.
" I bid thee rule the Nations round,
" Far as to Earth's remotefr bound j
" Though join'd in firmeft league, thy foes
u With vain attempt thy pow'r oppofe.
B a 9. "Thy
4 P S A L M II.
9-
" Thy arm the iron rod extends ;
*' Behold them, as the ftroke defcends,
" Crufh'd like the potter's brittle ft ore,
" And fcatter'd, to unite no more."
10.
Ye Kings, from Error's fleep arife,
Ye Judges of the Earth, be wife ;
And, warm'd with duteous zeal, conrpire
To ferve with joy th' eternal Sire.
n.
O, left Ye perifh from the way
That leads to realms of endlefs day,
With awful love, with holy fear,
His Son, the World's great Hope, revere,
12.
If yet but kindling in his hand
The vengeful bolt uplifted ftand,
Thrice happy, who on Him depend,
And thankful own th' almighty Friend.
PSALM III.
i.
BEHOLD, my God, what num'rous foos
With dire intent my fteps inclofe,
While, flufh'd with hope, the impious Band
In haughty triumph round me ftand :
" Lo ! there," they cry, " our obvious prey,
" The wretch whom God has caft away.'*
2. But
PSALM HI.
2.
But fee Omnipotence my fhield !
My head aloft by Thee upheld,
Thy fav'ring beams around me fhine ;
Thou, Lord, from Stan's hallow'd fhrine
With kind regard fhalt hear my cry,
And inftant grant the wifh'd reply.
3-
Opprefs'd with toil, I fought repofe,
I laid me down, I flept, I rofe j
For Thou, my God, wert waking ftill,
To guard my flumb'ring head from ill :
Though Myriads, leagu'd, againft me rife
My heart fecure their rage defies.
4.
Thy aid, bleft Lord, indulgent yield :
Oft, as I trod the doubtful field,
Each hoftile cheek has felt thy ftroke ;
Thy rod their teeth vindictive broke j
O yield (nor (hall I afk in vain,)
That oft experienc'd aid again.
5-
Th' impending ftorm, my God, afiwage^
'Tis thine to quell their impious Rage,
*Tis thine, great God, 'tis thine to fave
Thy Servants from th' expecting grave,,
'Tis thine to blefs them from above,
And crown them with eternal Love*
B 3 PSALM
PSALM IV.
i.
DEFENDER of my rightful caufe,
While anguifh from my bofom draws
The deep-felt figh, the ceafelefs pray'r,
O make thy fervant ftill thy care ;
That aid, which oft my griefs has heal'd,
That aid again, intreated, yield.
2.
How long, ye fons of pride, how long
Shall falfhood arm your impious tongue ?
How long (hall fecret love of ill
To wretched malice ur^e your will,
And erring rage your breaft inflame,
My pow'r to thwart, my acts defame r
3-
To God my heart (hall vent its woe,
Who, prompt his bleffings to beftow
On each whofe breaft has learn'd his fear,
Bows to my plaint the willing ear :
Him woXildft thou pleafe ? With rev 'rent awe
Obferve the dictates of his Law.
4.
In fecret on thy couch reclin'd
Search to its depth thy reftlefs mind,
Till hufti'd to peace the tumult lie,
And wrath and ftrife within thee die :
With pureft gifts approach his fhrine,
And fafe to Him thy care refign.
4 5-1
P S A L M IV. 7
5-
I hear a hopelefs train demand,
" Where's now the wifh'd Deliv'rer'shand ?'*
Do Thou, my God, do Thou reply,
And let thy prefence from on high
In full efuiiion o'er our h^ad
Its all-enliv'ning influence (bed.
6.
What joy my confcious heart o'erflows I
Not fuch th' exulting lab'rer knows,
When to his Iong-expe6ting eyes
The vintage and the harvefts rife,
And, fhadowing wide the cultur'd foil,
With full requital crown his toil.
7-
My weary eyes in fleep I clofe,
My limbs, fecure, to reft compofe ;
For Thou, great God, {halt fcreen my head,
And plant a guard around my bed,
Thy choiceft Gifts mail bid me (hare,
And make my fafety ftill thy care.
PSALM V.
i.
f I "^ H E words that from my lips proceed,
A My thoughts (for Thou thofe thoughts
canft read,)
My God, my King, attentive weigh,
And hear, O hear me, when I pray.
2.
With earlieft zeal, with wakeful care,
To Thee my foul fliall pour its pray'r,
Ancf,
9 P S A L M V.
And, ere the dawn has ftreak'd the fky,
To Thee direct its longing eye :
3-
To Thee, whom, nought obfcur'd by ftain
Can pleafe ; whofe doors to feet profane
Inexorable ftand ; whofe Law
Offenders from thy fight fhall awe.
4-
Let each whofe tongue to lies is turn'd,.
Who leflbns of deceit has learn'd,
Or thirfts a brother's blood to fhed,
Thy hate and heavieft vengeance dread.
5-
But I, whole hope thy Love fupports,
( How great that Love ! ) will tread thy Courts,
My knees in lowlieft rev'rence bend,
And tow'rd thy fiirine my hands extend.
6.
Do Thou, juft God, my path prepare,
And guard me from each hoftile fnare ;
O lend me thy conducting ray,
And level to my fteps thy way.
7-
Behold me by a troop inclos'd,
Of hatred and of guilt compos'd,
Nurs'd in deceit, in fin allied,
Nor faith nor truth their actions guide :
8.
Their throat a fcpulchre difplays,
Deep, wide, infatiate ; in their praife
Lurks flatt'ry, and with fpecious art
Jklies the purpofe of their heart,
9. O
P S A L M V. 9
9-
O let the mifchiefs they intend
Retorted on themfelves defcend,
And let thy wrath correct their fin,
Whofe hearts thy mercy fails to win.
10.
May All who truft in Thee, employ
Their grateful voice in fongs of joy,
And (hare the gifts on thofe beftow'd,
Who love the name of Jacdfs God.
ir.
To each, who bears aguiltlefs heart,
Thy grace its blefling mail impart ;
Strong as the brazen fhield, thy aid
Around him cafts its cov'ring (hade.
PSALM VI.
i.
O Spare me, Lord, nor o'er my head
The fulnefs of thy vengeance fhed ;
With pitying eye my weaknefs view,
Heal my vex'd Soul, my ftrength renew,
And O, if yet my fins demand
The wife corrections of thy hand,
Yet give my pains their bounds to know,
And fix a period to my woe.
Return, great God ? return, and fave
Thy fervant from the greedy grave,
2.
Shall Death's long-filent tongue, O fay,
The records of thy pow'r difplay,
Or
jo PSALM VI.
Or pale Corruption's (larded ear
Thy praife within its prifon hear ?
By languor, grief, and care, opprefs'd,
With groans perpetual heaves my breaft,
And tears, in large profufion (hed,
Inceflant lave my fleeplefs bed.
Return, great God, return, and fave
Thy fervant from the greedy grave.
3-
While clouds of grief around me roll.
And hoftile florins invade my foul,
My life, though yet in mid career,
Beholds the winter of its year
Relentlefs from my cheek each trace
Of youth and blooming health erafe,
And fpread before my wafting fight
The (hades of all-obfcuring night.
Return, great God, return, and fave
Thy fervant from the greedy grave.
4-
Hence, ye profane : My Saviour hears ;
While yet I fpeak, he wipes my tears,
Accepts my pray'r, and bids each foe
With (hame their vain attempts forego,
His vengeance whelms their fouls in dread,
And burfts in tempefts o'er their head,
While, (truck with horror from on high,
In wild amaze they backward fly.
My Saviour hears ; and deigns to fave
His fervant from the greedy grave.
PSALM
Jt
PSALM VII.
i.
OSave me, Lord, and to my foes
Do Thou (in Thee I truft) oppofe
Thy pow'r, and let the arm divine,
Stretch'd in my caufe, befpeak me thine :
2.
Left, while I mourn thy abfent aid,
The Lion fierce my foul invade,
Pleas'd, with my blood his thirft allay,
And rend the unrefifting prey.
3-
My God, if truth their cenfure guide,
If guilt be in my fa&s defcried,
If e'er from my diffembling heart
My Friend has found the hoftile part,
4-
If, gracious Lord, with ftubborn mind
To wrathful violence inclin'd,
Impell'd by wrongs, I taught my Foe
The terrors of my hand to know,
5-
That Foe's worft vengeance let me-meetj
Till trampled underneath his feet
Low in the duft my life be laid,
And Earth's dark womb my glory (hade.
6.
Rife, mightieft Lord, triumphant rife
O'er each whofe hand thy pow'r defies j
O let thy wrath chaftife my Foes,
Hear, an4 relieve thy Servant's woes.
7. Judge-
12 PSALM VII.
7-
Judgement is thine : In awful (rate,
While circling crouds the doom await,
Afcend thy throne, great God, again,
And juftify thy ways to Men.
8.
O Thou, on whom our fates depend,
My caufe, my guiltlefs caufe, defend j
Awake, thy aiding ftrength excite,
Awake and vindicate my right.
9-
Sin's baneful growth do Thou controul,
And guard from ill the upright foul ;
For Thou, juft Lord, with fearching eye
The heart and inmoft reins canft try.
10.
To God, my Soul, for help repair,
Who makes the faithful heart his care,
TV impartial Judge! whofe eyes each day,
Indignant, fcenes of guilt furvey.
II.
If Man his Law rcfufe to know,
He whets his fword, he bends his bow,
He tips with fire the fatal dart,
Ordain'd to pierce th' OppreiTor's heart.
12.
With mifchief teem their breafts, but woe
And fruftrate hope attend the throe;
They dig, and with exaclefl care
A pit, but for themfelves, prepare.
13. They
PSALM VII. 13
*3-
They toil, and each, condemn'd to gain,
The lucklefs harveft of his pain,
Ills for a brother's head defign'd
Retorted on his own fhall find.
14.
Thy jufHce, Lord, fliall on my breaft
In fure remembrance ftand imprefs'd,
With grateful joy my heart infpire,
And wake to ceafelefs praife ray lyre.
PSALM VIII.
i.
IMmortal King! Thro' Earth's wide frame
How great thy honour, praife, and name '
Whofe reign o'er diftant worlds extends,
Whofe glory heav'n's vaft height tranfcend-.
2.
From infants Thou canft ftrength upraifr,
And form their lifping tongues to praife,
That ftruck with awe, each wrathful band
In mute aftonifhment may Hand.
3-
When, rapt in tliought, with wakeful ere
I view the wonders of the fky,
Whofe frame thy fingers o'er our head
In rich magnificence have fpreiid, -
4-
The filent Moon, with waxing hora
Along th' ethereal region borne,
The Stars with vivid luftre crown'd,
That nightly walk their deftin'd round,
c --ordr
14 P S A t M VIII.
5-
Lord ! What is Man, that in thy care
His humble lot fhould find a fhare,
Or what the Son of Man, that THOU
Thus to his wants thy ear {houldft bow ?
6.
His rank awhile, by thy decree,
Th' Angelic Tribes beneath them fee,
Till round him thy imparted rays
With unextinguim'd glory blaze,
7-
S'ubje&ed to his feet by Thee
To Him all Nature bows the knee ;
The beafls in Him their Lord behold,
The grazing herd, the bleating fold, -
8.
The fowl?, of various wing, that fly
O'er the vaft dcfert of the fky,
And all the watry tribes, that glide
Through paths to human fight denied,
9-
Immortal King ! Thro' Earth's wide frame
How great thy honour, praife, and name !
Thy reign o'er diitant worlds extends,
Thy glory Heav'n's vaft height tranfccnds.
P S A L M IX.
WARA4'Dto its inmoft depth my breaft
Thanks, not by words to be exprefs'ci,
Conceives, nor fhall my grateful tongue
E'er leave thy wondrous acts unfung.
2. Thee,
PSALM IX. 15
2.
Thee, Lord, I boaft my blifs fupreme,
Thy praife my long's exhauftlcfs theme ;
O higher than the higheft, hail !
Thou, Thou haft bid my caufe prevail.
3-
Lo ! from the terror of thine eye
My foes with {tumbling ftep (hall fly,
Or, (truck by thy refiftlefs hand,
In heaps promifcuous ftrew the Land.
4-
Strict Juftice, Lord, fupports thy throne,
And Her decrees and Thine are one ;
Thy ftern rebuke the Heathen feel,
Their name Oblivion's {hades conceal.
5-
See, o'er their guilt-polluted plain
Destruction, Death, and Horror reign ;
While, where the rural wafte extends,
No more the village fmoke afcends :
6.
No more their cities brave the fky^
But (ras'd by Thee,) forgotten lie,
Scarce ev'n in fhapelefs ruins view'd,
That mark where once the Wonder flood-.
7-
But Thou, when Time mail reach its end,
Unchang'd the fcepter (halt extend j
Then fill thy Throne in awful State,
While Man's whole Race thy Judgment waif.
C 2 8. Come
i6 P S A L M IX.
8,
Come Ye, who in the dang'rous hour
Wifh for your guard the ftrong-built tow'r j
Each terror to the winds refigu'd,
In God a furcr refuge find.
9-
The fouls, that erfl opprefs'd with woe
Have learn'd thy name, great God, to know,
Their hope on Thee (hall ftill/uftain,
Whom none has fought, and fought in vain*
10.
In Sion God has fix'd his reft ;
O be his praife aloud confeft;
His Ach through ev'ry clime refound,
Far as to Earth's extremeft bound.
II.
He from the proud Oppreflbr's hands
The poor man's guiltlcfs blood demands,
And (nor with unregarding ear,)
His juft complaint from heav'n fhall hear,
12.
O Thou, whofe care prolongs my breath.
And lifts me from the gates of death,
Thy fervant's woes attentive view,
While impious men my fteps purfue:
13-
So (hall thy praife employ my tongue,
And o/'<?'s portals hear my fong,
While with experienc'd heart Ifhow
What joys from thy Salvation flow-
14. Low
PSALM IX. 17
14.
Low in the pit for others made
Th' artificers of death are laid,
And, {truck with dire amazement, find
Their nets around themfelves intwinM.
15.
His juftice thus our God difplays,
And mifchief with itfelf repays
On thofe who thus their Arts prepare,
And for the guiltlefs plant the Snare.
16.
Behold the grave its jaws extend,
While to its depths the crouds defcend,
"Who dare in lawlefs counfels join,
Forgetful of the will divine.
*7f
For think not, O ye Good diftreil,
That in the all-remembring breaft
Your woes and wrongs unnotic'd rife,
That Virtue's hope for ever dies.
18.
Up, Lord, nor let the impious foul
Build fin on fin without controul ;
Thy balance, mightieft Judge, aflame,
Pafs on the heathen race their doom.
19.
O let thy terrors, fcatter'd wide,
Correct them, till each fon of pride,
By Thee convinc'd, his weaknefs fcan,
And humbled own himfelf but Man.
C 3 PSALM
PSALM X.
i.
SAY, Lord, why thus thy aiding pow'r
Deferts us in the needful hour,
Why clouds impervious, round thee roll'd.
Thy prefence from our fight withhold.
2.
Shall impious men efcape thy view,
While thus the guiltlefs they purfue ?
O let them, by themfelves chaftis'd,
The ills fuftain for Him devis'd,
3-
No longer boaft their mad defires,
And acts which headlong rage infpires,
Or joyous grafp their lawlefs gain,
And Thee, the foul's beft wealth, difdain.
Proud Wretch ' who fhuns o'er Nature's face
The footfteps of thy care to trace,
And Thee, th' all-potent Monarch, Thee
Denies, who gav'ft himfelf to be.
5-
Behold, while, high above all height,
Thy Judgements, Lord, his diftant fight
Elude, this Minifter of woe
Blaft with his breath each obvious foe j
6.
" See, proof to each aflault I ftand :
'< What pow'r fhall e'er my fear demand?
* What ill, to life's remoteft day,
' Obftrudl the tenour of jny way ?"
7. His
P S A L M X. 19
7-
His venom'd lips, with curfes fraught,
Words ill according to his thought
Have utter'd, and beneath his tongue
Lurk fraud, and violence, and wrong.
8.
Beftde the folitary way,
Intent the helplefs poor to flay,
He waits, and with malignant eye
Infidious marks each pafier by.
9-
As, couch'd within his bufhy lair,
The lion fierce with hideous glare
Around him cafts his wide furvey,
And meditates the future prey,
10.
So longs the man of blood to feize
The Souls that own thy juft Decrees 5
When planted with fuccefsfutrare,
His nets their captive feet infnare :
ii.
What, Lord, his fury (hall withiland,
Or fave them from the murth'rous Band,
That, leagu'd in fin, aiiift his toil,
And fliare with him the guilty fpoil ?
12.
" Shall Heav'n's high Lord, he cries, defcend
" The human adieus to attend ?
" The paths by Me at will purfu'd
" His mem'ry and his thought elude."
13. Rife,
23 P S A L M X.
'3-
Rife,.mightieft Lord, and lift thy hand,
Nor let the injur'd poor demand
Thy faving Aid with fruitlefs Pray'r,
But guard them by thy foft'ring Care.
14.
Why fhould the fouls, who Thee defy,
With impious Tongue reproachful cry,
" 'Tis not within th' Almighty's plan
To fcrutiniae the as of Man ?"
15-
What eye?, like thine, eternal Sire,
Through fin's obfcureft depths inquire ?
What Judge, like Thee, on Virtue's foes
The needful vengance can impofe ?
16.
The meek obferver of thy Laws
To Thee commits his injur'd caufe ;
In Thee, each anxious fear refign'd,
The fatherlefs a Father find.
17-
O, break the arm of impious might ;
So (hall their threats no more excite
Our dread, nor thy offended eye
The triumphs of their guilt deicry.
18.
Thine is the throne : Beneath thy reign,
Immortal King ! the tribes profane
Behold their dreams of conqueft o'er,
And yanifh to be feen no more.
19, Thou,
P S A L M X. 21
19.
Thou, Lord, thy People's vvifii canft read,
Ere from their lips the pray'r proceed ;
*Tis thine their drooping hearts to rear,
And when they call incline thine ear ;
20.
'Tis Thine the Orphan's cheek to dry,
The guiltlefs SufPrer's caufe to try,
To rein each earthborn Tyrant's will,
And bid the Sons of Pride be ft ill.
PSALM XI.
ON God my ftedfaft hopes rely :
Why urge ye then my foul to fly,
And fwift on trembling wings convey'd
To feek the mountain's cov'ring (hade ?
See, prompt to ill, th' infidious foe
Now couch'd in fecret bend the bow,
Now to the firing adjuft the dart,
That thirds to wound the guiltlefs heart :
While Juftice mourns her Bafe o'erthrown,
Say who the injur'd caufe fhall own ?
2.
Thou, Lord, that caufe wilt ftill fuftain ;
Thou, thron'd amid thy heav'nly fane,
Shalt caft, regardful, from on high
On fufPring innocence thine eye,
Eack
%* P S A 1 M XT,
Each human heart intent to prove,
And bid the fouls that feek thy Love,
Bleft objects of thy conftant care,
The -fulnefs of thy bounty fhare;
While lawlefs hands and hearts impure
Thy wrath and ftedfaft hate endure.
3-
Behold the lightnings wing their way,
Behold the fires vindictive ftray ;
While from thy hand the baleful draught,
W^ith ftorm and mingled fulphur fraught,.
In wild amaze the impious Train
Low to its titmoft dregs (hall drain :
For (juft himfelf,) where'er it (bines
To Juftice God his Love inclines,
Delighted in the upright mind
His own reflected beams to find.
PSALM XII.
i.
OHelp me, Lord : For none I fee,
Whofe a&s conform to thy Decree j
Nor truth nor faith my fearch can trace
Amid the fons of human race. :
2.
New Plans of fraud each Mind has known,
And fpeaks a language not its own ;
Their Lips have learn'd with fpecious Art
To veil the Purpofe of the Heart;
3. But
;P S A L M XII. as
3-
But God with vengeance arm'd fiiall rife,
The tongue of Flatt'ry to chaftife,
And Juftice to the lip of Pride
Its ftroke with aim unerring guide.
4-
What force, exclaims the impious Band,
Shall eloquence like ours withftand ?
And fay, to whom the tafk belongs
7"o fix the bridle on our tongues.
5-
" Enough (th 5 eternal Sire has cried)
" Enough my fuff'ring Saints have figh'd,
" To Me difclos'd their ceafelefs fear,
<c And pour'd their forrows in mine car :
6,
" My hand (hall fee their wrongs redreft,
" And footh to peace their troubled breaft,
<c Its faving Aid around them throw,
" And guard them from th' infulting Foe x>
7-
Pure are thy words, almighty Lord,
As Silver, that, by art explor'd,
Has feen the fev'nth tonnenting fire
Around th' inclofmg vafe afpire,
8.
Thy Love thy Servants, Lord, fhall (hare,
And, fafe in thy protecting care,
Behold, unmov'd, an impious Age
Aim at their life its fruitlefs rage,
9, When
2* PSALM XII.
9-
When Men, by ev'ry Crime debas'd,
In Seats of fov'reign Rule are plac'd,
Then wrong and fraud the Earth o'erfpread,
And Vice triumphant lifts the head.
PSALM XIII.
i.
HOW long fhall I, my God, in vain,
Preft by a weight of griefs, complain?
Say, {hall I fink in deep defpair,
For ever baniih'd from thy care ?
2.
Condemn'd thy abfent beams to mourn
Still to divided counfels turn
My lab'ring thought, and hear the foe
Exulting triumph in my woe ?
3-
Thy Suppliant's voice attentive weigh,
And bid, O bid, thy heav'nly ray
With healing influence o'er me rife,
Ere death's dark fl umber clofe my "eyes.
4-
What Tranfport would my Fall impart,
To each incens'd Oppofer's Heart,
Who would his utmoft Art addrefs
The Friend of Peace and Truth t* opprefs !
5-
" Behold," the hoftile tongue would cry,
" Beneath my feet behold him lie,
" The wretch that, hafting to his end,
" With pow'r fuperior durft contend."
8 6. But,
PSALM XIII. 25
6.
But, while their ceafelefs threats I hear,
Thy mercy, Lord, difpels my fear ;
My hopes on thy Salvation reft,
And fill with confcious joy my breaft.
Well pleas'd that mercy to proclaim,
To Thee, inftinft with holy flame,
To Thee my tongue from day to day
Shall meditate the grateful lay.
PSALM XIV.
i.
BEHOLD the Fool, whofe heart denies
The God who form'd the Earth and Skies :
While, fearlefs, fin's worft paths he treads,
Mark how the dire example fpreads.
2.
Of Man's whole race not one we find
To Virtue's Heav'n-taught rules inclin'd,
Who 'midft infectious times has flood
Unftain'd, and obftinately good.
3-
Th* eternal Monarch from on high
Caft on the fons of Earth his eye,
If haply fome he yet might fee
True to their God, from Error free.
4-
He look'd : but ah ! not one could find
To Virtue's Heav'n-taught rules inclin'd :
Each, led from Wifdom's path aftray,
Purfues the tenour of his way.
D 5.0
26 P S A L M XIV.
5-
O fay, what frenzy thus could blind
Their fouls, that with remorfelefs mind
As bread my People they devour,
Nor fuppliant own their Maker's pow'r.
6.
Yet fee their thoughts tumultuous roll,
See various terrors (hake their foul :
For God amidft the Righteous dwells,
And each invading foe repels.
7-
And what are Ye, who thus deride
The fouls that in their God confide,
With wife fimplicity of mind
To his all-juft Decrees refign'd ?
8.
Who, mightieft Lord, to Ifrael's eyes
Shall bid the wifh'd Salvation rife,
From Sion's hill its healing ray
Extend, and round us pour the day ?
9-
When Thou thy captives fhalt reftore
Thy praife fhall found through Judah's fhore,
And ceafelefs fhouts, thro' heav'n's wide frame
Loud-echoing, Jacob's joy proclaim.
PSALM XV.
i.
WH O fhall tow'rd thy chofen feat
Turn in glad approach his feet ?
Who fhall at thine Altars bend ?
Who to S ion's Hill afcend ?
Who,
PSALM XV. 27
Who, great God, a welcome Gueft,
On that hallow'd Mountain reft ? -
He whofe heart thy Love has warm'd,
He whofe Will, to thine conform'd,
Bids his Life unfullied run ;
He whofe word and thought are one.
2.
He who ne'er with cruel aim
Seeks to wound an honeft fame,
Nor with gloomy joy poiTefs'd
Can a Brother's peace mole ft,
Or to Slander's tongue fevere
Stoops with eafy faith his ear :
Who from fervile terror free
Spurns at thofe who fpurn at Thee,
And to each who Thee obeys
Love and lowlielt rev'rence pays.
3-
What he fwears, with ftedfaft will
To his lofs he fliall fulfil,
Nor by avaricious loan
Make the poor man's bread his own ;
Nor can bribes his fentence guide
'Gainft the guiltlefs to decide.
He who thus, with heart unftain'd,
Treads the path by Thee ordain'd,
He, great God, (hall own thy care,
And thy conftant blefling fhare.
D 2 PSALM
28
PSALM XVI.
i.
FATHER of All ! my foul defend ;
On Thee my ftedfaft hopes depend.
" Thou, mightieft Lord, and none befide,
" Thou art my God," my heart has cried :
2.
In vain, with grateful zeal, I burn
Thy boundlefs goodnefs to return ;
In vain would gifts by Me beftow'd
Augment! the treafures of my God.
3-
Yet fhall my love on All defcend,
Whofe Souls to thy Decrees attend,
My heart's defire to each incline,
Whofe faintlike Virtue marks him Thine.
4-
The Wretch, who madly ftrays from Thee,
And bows to Gods mifcall'd the knee,
Shall find new forrows round him roll
And whelm in dread his confcious foul.
5-
Be witnefs to my guilt, if e'er
Their draughts of ofter'd blood I fliare,
If, while thy breath my life fuftains,
Their name my hallow'd lip profanes.
6.
Thee, Lord, my patrimony, Thee
The portion of my cup I fee :
Thy care my envied lot fecures,
And. life's belt gifts around me pours.
7. Thee
PSALM XVI. 29
7-
Thee let me blefs, the faithful Guide,
Whofe counfels o'er my life prefide,
And wifdom to my wakeful breaft
At midnight's filent hour fuggeft.
8.
In all my ats, in each intent,
Thee to my foul my thoughts prefent,
Whofe fure defence my gate has barr'd,
And planted on my .right a guard.
9-
For this my heart, for this my tongue,
Shall meditate the joyful fong ;
Hope ev'n in death {hall be my gueft
And fmooth the pillow of my reft.
10.
Thou from the grave my foul (halt free,
Nor leave thy Holy One to fee
Corruption's pow'r : before my eyes
The op'ning paths of life (hall rife j
II.
Thofe paths that to thy prefence bear ;
For plenitude of Blifs is there :
And pleafures, Lord, unmix'd with woe,
At thy right hand for ever flow.
PSALM XVII.
i.
TO Thee, the Judge inthron'd on high,
Shall injur'd Innocence apply :
O let my pray'r by Thee be heard,
From undiiTembHng lips prefer'd j
03 Olct
30 P S A L M XVIf.
O let my Doom from Thee proceed,
And gracious mark the upright deed.
2<
When night's dark (hades were round mfi
pour'd,
Thy thoughts my fpidt have explor'd j
Say, to thy all-difcerning uyes
If aught of guilt within me rife,
If offer'd violence and wrong
Have urg'd to Sin my thoughtlefs tongue.
3-
Taught by thy Word my ftedfaft mind
Has each nefarious path declin'd j
O ftill my Guardian, ftill my Guide,
Forbid my wav'ring feet to flide ;
To Thee (for Thou the pray'r canft hear,)
To Thee my fuppliant voice I rear j ,
4-
O treat me not with cold difdain,
Nor let my vows return in vain :
O Thou, whofe hand th' oppreflbr quells,
And each invading pow'r repels
From him whofe hopes on Thee repofe,
To Me thy wondrous grace difclofe.
5-
What care (he pupil of the eye
Demands, that care to Me apply j
Let thy prevailing beams difpel
The clouds of grief that o'er me dwell,
* c And k6ep, O keep me, King of Kinr
*' Beneath thy own almighty wings."
2 6. Rich
PSALM XVII. 31
6.
Rich in my fpoils, with murth'rous hate
A pamper'd croud around me wait }
Their heart, with impious fury ftung,
To mad prefumption prompts their tongue,
Pride on their neck its chain has bound,
And Violence invefts them round.
7-
With watchful look they mark my way,
As lurks, expectant of the prey,
The Lion, or his tawny Brood
To rapine born, and nurs'd in blood ;
Rife, Lord, and let me, by thy aid
Preferv'd, their threatning jaws evade :
8.
With fword unftieath'd, and lifted hand,
Preventive crufh the lawlefs Band,
WhofeDays, with Life's full bleffings fraught,
To Earth's low fcene confine their thought j
Whofe eyes- a num'rous race behold,
To heir their heaps of treafur'd gold.
9-
Far other blifs my foul fhall own,
A blifs to guilty minds unknown
O ! when, awaken'd by thy care,
Thy face I view, thy image bear,
How fhall my breaft with tranfport glow,
What full delight my heart o'erflow !
PSALM
P S A L M XVIII.
i.
BLEST Objeft of my foul's define,
To Thee my grateful thoughts afpire ;
On Thee my ftedfaft hope I build ;
My God, my Reft, my Rock, my Shield :
2.
The Strength of my Salvation Thee,
And Tow'r of fure defence, I fee ;
Protected by thy pow'rful arm,
No danger can my foul alarm :
3-
What foe mail e'er my terror raife,
While thus I pay my debt of praife,
And, as the doubtful field I tread,
To God my fuppliant hands outfpread ?
4-
Woes heap'd on woes my heart deplor'd,
While Sin's tumultuous torrents roar'd,
And, fpreading wide before my view,
Their gloomy horrors round me threw.
5-
The Sepulchre's extended hands
Had wrapt me in its ftrongeft bands,
And Death, infulting, o'er my head
Th' inextricable toils had fpread.
6.
My words, as griev'd to God I pray,
Wing to his heav'nly fane their way,
Through adverfe clouds their pafTage clear,
Nor unaccepted reach his ear ;
7. With
PSALM XVIIT. 33
7-
With ftrong convulfions groan'd the ground,
The hills, with waving forefts crown'd,
Loos'd from their bafe, their fummits nod,
And own the prefence of their God :
8.
Collected clouds of wreathing fmoke
Forth from his angry noftrils broke,
And orbs of fire, with dreadful glare,
Rufh'd onward through the glowing air.
9-
Incumbent on the bending fky
The Lord defcended from on high,
And bade the darknefs of the pole
Beneath his feet tremendous roll.
10.
The Cherub to his car he join'd,
And on the wings of mightieft wind,
As down to Earth his journey lay,
Refiftlefs urg'd his rapid way.
II.
Thick- woven clouds, around him clos'd,
His fecrel residence compos'd,
And waters high-fufpended fpread
Their dark pavilion o'er his head.
12.
In vain relutant to the Blaze
That previous pour'd its flreaming rays,
As on he moves, the clouds retire,
Diffolv'd in hail and rulhing fire :
13. His
34 P S A L M XVIII.
*3-
His voice th' almighty A4onarch rear'd,
Thro' heav'n's high vault in thunders heard,
And down in fiercer conflict ccrne
The halftones dire and mingled flaine.
14.
With aim dire his fhafts were fped,
In vain his foes before them fled j
Now here, now there, his lightnings ftray,
And fure dellruclion marks their way :
15-
Earth's bafis open to the eye,
And Ocean's fprings, were feen to lie,
As, chiding loud, his fury pafr,
And o'er them breath'd the dreadful Waft.
16.
God in my refcue from the fkies
His arm extends, and bids me rife
Emergent from the flood profound,
Whofe waves my ftruggling foul furround,
*7-
His hand my ftrongeft foes repell'd,
Their force by force fuperior quell 'd,
And I, unequal to the fight,
Ev'n I have triumph 'd in his might.
18.
Opprefs'd with languor, grief, and pain,
Ere yet my nerves their ftrength regain,
His fierce aflault th' Invader gave ;
But Thou wert prefent, Lord, to fave :
19. My
PSALM XVIII. 35
19.
My fpacious path by Thee outfpread,
With courfe fectire behold me tread ;
From Thee, when terrors clos'd me round,
My foul its fulleft fuccour found.
20.
Bleft in the favour of my God,
I fpeak the grace on all beftow'd,
Who guiltlefs hands to him can raife,
And offer unpolluted praife.
21.
His precepts, fix'd before my view,
My thoughts with ftedfaft aim purfue,
Nor error's cloud nor arts of fin
My foul from his obedience win.
22.
Thou feeft, eternal Judge, my breaft
Each taint of inward guilt deteil ;
Thine eye my innocence furveys,
Thy pow'r with fulleft blifs repays,
23-
Thy ways to ours conform : in Thee
The Holy fhali the Holy fee,
The Pure theP ure ; the Perfect Mind
In Thee Perfection's fclf (hall find :
24.
Their arts the men of froward turn
Surpafs'd by deeper art fhall mourn,
Wh li They their po ,v'rs with effort vain
Unite againft thepious Train.
25. By
36 PSALM XVIII.
25.
By Thee their Guardian, ever nigh,
The poor are fav'd ; the haughty eye,
Chaftis'd by thy abiding ftroke,
Bends to the earth its humbled look.
26.
While night's thick (hades around me ftand,
My lamp, illumin'd by thy hand,
Pours through the gloom its fteady ray,
And turns my darknefs into day.
27.
My arm, if Thou thine aid fupply,
Shall bid whole hofts before me fly ;
My feet, if Thou my finews ftring,
High o'er the wall exulting fpring.
28.
Author of Good ! nor fin, nor guile
The purenefs of thy path defile ;
On thy tried Word who build their trufl,
Shall find their confidence was juft.
29.
What God but Thee fhall Ifrael know,
Or Who, O Who can fave but Thou ?
'Tis God that arms me for the fight,
'Tis God that girds my foul with might ;
?*
Upheld by Him, in air fublime,
Swift as the hind, the rock I climb,
Girded with ftrength, there fix my {land,
Safe from each proud Invader's hand.
PSALM XVIII. 37
3I<
By Him inform'd, with fureft art
My hands diredl the pointed dart,
And forceful break the ileely bow,
-New wrefted from the ftruggling foe.
3 2 '
Thou, mightieft Lord, haft o'er my head
The fliield of thy Salvation fpread ;
Thee its defence my Soul has found,
And gratefully thy fuccour own'd.
33-
By Thy right hand I walk'd upheld,
Great in thy mercy trod the field
With ftepenlarg'd, and, Thou my Guide,
Nor fear'd to fall, nor knew to flide.
34-
With fierce purfuit my foes I prefs'd,
Beheld my fpear their flight arreft,
Nor bade my fword its fury ftay,
Till proftrate on the earth they lay.
35-
They bow'd, they fell, diftain'd with gore;
They bow'd, they fell, and rofe no more :
My foes, beneath my feet o'erthrown,
The terrors of my hand have known.
36.
Bleft Lord ! 'Twas Thy refiftlefs pow'r
That arm'd me for the dreadful hour,
Their backs expos'd to many a wound,
And ftretch'd them breathlefs on the ground.
E 37. Aloud,
38 PSALM XVIII.
37-
Aloud, opprefs'd with horror, cried
The rebel Throng ; but None replied :
To God they call ; but God th.eir pr*y>,
Abhorrent, fcattcrs to the air.
38- .
Behold their troops before me chas'd,
As duft before the driving blail,
And trampled, as the yielding clay
Extended o'er the beaten way.
39-
When factious Crouds againfl me rofc,
How prompt thy hand to interpofe !.
O'er realms, that have but heard my name,
Through Thee the juft command I claim j
40.
The Tribes, that from their God eftrang'd
Through climes to Me unknown had rang'd,
\Vith flatt'ring lip their homage pay,
And trembling own a foreign fway.
41.
In vain they feek themfelves to hide
In v/alis and forts their ftrength and pride,
Each dreads my vengeance to fuftain,
Nor walls nor forts their fears reftrain.
42.
Bleft be the living God, whofe aid,
When impious foes my peace invade,
Their rage inftru&s me to decline,
And makes his wifli'd Salvation mine ;
43. His
PSALM XVIII. 39
43-
His pow'r inflicts th' avenging ftroke,
And bends the Nations to my yoke,
Eaeh ; force, that durft my reign conteft,
By His refiftlefs ftrength fupprefs'd.
44.
For this, thy pow'r my fong (hall claim,
And diftant regions hear thy fame,
Whofe hands thy David to the throne
Have rais'd j. whofe oil his temples own.
45-
Profperity and fair fuccefs
His counfels and his arms fhall bJefs,
Thy Love on him and on his Line
With unextinguifh'd luftre fiiine.
PSALM XIX.
j.
GOD the Heav'ns aloud proclaim
Through their wide-extended frame,
And the Firmament each hour
Speaks the wonders of his pow'r :
2.
Day to the fucceeding day
Joys the notice to convey,
And the Night?, in ceafelefs round,
Each to each repeat the found :
3-
Prompt, without or fpeech or tongue,
In his praife to form the fong,
To the Lord they raife the theme,
Who of Gods is God Supreme.
E2 4. Pleas'd
40 PSALM XIX.
4-
Pleas'd to hear their voice extend
Far as to her utmoft end,
Earth the Heav'n-taught knowledge boafts
Through her many languag'd coafts j
5-
While the Sun above her head
Sees his tabernacle fpread,
And from out his chamber bright
Like a Bridegroom fprings to fight ;
6.
See him with gigantic pace
Joyous run his deftin'd race,
See him, ev'ry breaft to chear,
Pafs through Heav'n in fwift career j
7-
Now to fartheft regions borne
Onward fpeed, and now return,
And to All, with welcome ray,
Life and Denial warmth convey,
8.
Warmth and life each thankful heart
Feels thy Law, great God, impart ;
Clear from ev'ry fpot it (bines,
And the guilt-ftain'd Thought refines ;,
9-
Truth's firm bafe its frame upholds,
While it Myfteries unfolds,
Which the childlike mind explores,
And to heav'nly fcience Coars.
10. Preg
PSALM XIX. 41
10.
Preft with forrows, doubts, and fears.
What like this the fpirit chears,
Big with a&s that {hall fuggeft
Lafting joy to ev'ry breaft ?
II.
What fo perfect, what To pure ?
What to Reafon's eye obfcure
Can fuch wondrous light afford
As the dilates of thy Word ?
12.
Where thy Fear its fruit matures,
(Fruit, that endlefs years endures)
There the mind, with ftedfaft trult,
Owns thy ftatutes wife, and juft.
13-
Nor can Gold fuch worth acquire
From the fev'nth exploring fire,
Nor the labour of the bees
E'er in fweetnefs vie with Thefe :
14.
Taught by Them, thy Servant's breaft
Joys the Bleffings to atteft
Heap'd on thofe whofe hearts fmcere
Learn thy Precepts to revere.
15.
Beft Inftructor, from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he ftrays ?
Save from Error's growth my mind,
Leave not, Lord, one root behind :
E 3 16. Purge
42 PSALM
16.
Purge me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's difguife >
Let me thence, by Thee renew'd,
Each prcfumptuous fm exclude :
ir-
So my lot (hall ne'er be join'd
With the Men whofe impious mind y
Fearlefs of thy juft command,
Braves the vengeance of thy hand.
18.
Let my tongue, from error free,
Speak the words approv'd by Thee >
To thy all-obferving eyes
Let my thoughts accepted rife :
19.
While I thus thy name adore,.
And thy healing grace implore,
Bleft Redeemer, bow thine ear,
God my 'Strength, propitious hear.
PSALM XX.
i.
MAY He whom Heav'n and Earth obey
Regard thee in the dreadful day,
May Jacob's Lord above thy head
His own victorious banner fpread.
2.
May He from out his hallow'd (brine
Reach to thy aid the hand divine,
And ftrength into thy foul inftill
From beauteous Sign's fayour'd hill.
3, There
? S A L M XX. 43
3-
There may thy incenfe to the Ikies
In fweet memorial ever rife ;
Thy vi(5tims there in fmoke afpire,
Touch'd by his own celeftial fire.
4-
May He thy ev'ry wifli approve,
May He indulgent from above
His wonted benefits impart,
And grant the wiflies of thine heart j
5-
May He in dangers intervene,
While We, his great Salvation feen,
Affift thy joy, thy triumphs (hare,
And blefs the God who hears thy pray'r.
6.
I fee, I fee th' Almighty (hed
His bleffings on th' anointed head,
Attentive from his holy Heav'n
Protect the crown Himfelf has giv'n.
7-
I fee th' Almighty to thy foes
His all fubduing ftrength oppofe,
And, cloth'd with mercy, reach his hand.
To fave Thee from the impious band.
8.
Thefe urge to Fight the rattling Car,
And Thofe the fiery Steed prepare,
Unenvied Both by Us, who fee
Our fure defence, great God, in Thee.
7 9. Driv'n
44 PSALM XX.
9-
Driv'n by fuperior force they fly,
Or, fain, in heaps promifcuous lie,
While We our heads exulting raife,
And fing our great Deliv'rer's praife.
10.
O, when we praife, and when we pray,
Do Thou, whom Heav'n and Earth obey,
Accept the praife, confirm the pray'r,
And make our fafety ftill thy care.
PSALM XXI.
i.
BY Thy unwearied ftrength upheld
To Thee the King his thanks fhall yield,
And, taught by bleft experience, know
What joys from Thy falvation flow.
2.
Thy cares his heart's deftre complete ;
His pray'r from Thy eternal feat,
As low to Thee his knees he bends,
In full acceptance back defcends.
3-
Thou, Lord, preventive of his want,
The bleffings of thy Love wilt grant,
And bid the golden circlet fpread
Its pureft fplendors round his head.
4-
He afk'd thee Life, and finds it giv'n,
Life, Lfting as the days of heav'n ;
The conquefts, which thy hands beftaw,
With grace and glory bind his brow.
5. He,
PSALM XXI. 43
5-
He, crown'd with blifs perpetual. He
Thy face in full difplay fhall fee,
And (for on Thee his hopes rely,)
Unmov'd each adverfe fhock defy.
6.
Thy hand fhall find each latent foe,
And vengeful ftrike th' unerring blow,
Mark as their crimes for juftice call,
And teach thy Terrors where to fall.
7-
Fierce as the kindled furnace glows,
Whofe fides the crackling thorns inclofe,
Thy wrath its flames fhall round them pour,
And quick their boafted ftrength devour.
8.
Their fruit, a lucklefs progeny,
Uprooted from the ground fhall die,
And Earth their tribe no more behold
Amidft her families inroll'd.
9-
In vain each hoftile art they try;
Behold, as trembling back they fly,
Thy fhafts, adjufted to the firing,
Impatient wait upon the wing.
10.
Maker of All, through Earth and Skies
O let thy pow'r confpicuous rife,
And furnim to our grateful lays
A. theme of cverlaiting praife.
PSALM
PSALM XXII.
i.
MY God, my God, O tell me, why-
Unheeded ftill afcends my cry,
Why thus from my afflicted heart
Thy prefence and thy health depart.
2.
Eternal Lord, throughout the day
With fruitlefs plaint to Thee I pray ;
Nor fleeps the anguifh of my foul,
When night's dark fhades involve the pole,
3-
Yet unimpeach'd thy Faith appears,
Thy Sanctity my heart reveres,
O Thou,, to whom in homage join
The Sons of Jacob's chofen line.
4-
Thee, Lord, our Sires their ftrength confeft,
And fouad thee, as their ftedfaft breaft
To Thee its full affiance gave,
Nor flow to hear, nor weak to fave.
5-
Lord, what am I ? A Man in form,
Yet brother to the trampled worm 3
An outcaft from the human kind,
To fierce derifion's rage confign'd :
6.
They fhake the head, they fhout, they gaze 4
Each eye, each lip, contempt betrays :
" On God, they cry, thy hope was ftaid j
" Be God, if His thou art, thy aid."
7. Thine,
S A L M XXIL 47
7-
Thine, mightieft Father, thine I am ;
By Thee from out the womb I came,
From Thee my ev'ry comfort fprung,
While yet upon the breaft I hung.
8.
Hail, from my birth and to my end
My God, my Guardian, and my Friend j
O hafte, thy needful help beftow,
And fave me from th' invading foe.
9-
O view me not with diflant eye,
While various griefs av/ait me nigh :
Thy aid withheld, what friendly pow'r
Shall fhield me in the dang'rous hour ?
10.
See Bafan's bulls around me roar,
Nor rage the famifh'd Lions more,
XVhen nightly through the ftarlefs gloom
Along the howling Wild they roam.
n.
My frame, disjoin'd, in fvvift decay
Waftes like the running frream away ;
My heart in groans its grief proclaims,
And melts, as wax before the flames.
12.
Faft to my jaws my tongue is chain'd,
My fiefh its vital moifture drain'd,
While, Lord, thy chaftifement it bears
Dry as the clayform'd vafe appears ;
13. O how
48 PSALM XXII.
'3-
Yet, patient ftill of ev'ry pain
Unerring Wifdom can ordain,
I wait till Thou refume my breath,
And lodge me in the duft of death.
14.
A hoftile throng who Thee defpife,
Dogs fierce of kind, againft me rife j
And, while faft-ifluing ftreams the gore,
My hands and feet relentlefe bore.
IS-
My ftarting bones to ev'ry eye
Expos'd, O Ye that, pafling by,
In wonder (not in pity) join,
O fay, was ever grief like mine ?
16.
My raiment each with each divides,
My vefture, as the lot decides,
Becomes fome new poflefTor's fpoil,
The prize that crowns his impious toil.
17-
My God, my Strength, recede not far,
But hafte, and make my foul thy care,
My foul, purfu'd by hoftile hate,
Affliaed, helplefs, defolate?
18.
My God, (for Thou their rage haft feen)
With timelieft fuccour intervene,.
And turn th' impending fwords away,
Nor yield me to the Dog a prey.
19. The
PSALM XXII. 49
19.
The foaming Lion's wrath afTuage,
Nor let the Oryx, in his rage,
With headlong force againft me borne,
Aim at my life the pointed horn.
20.
So will I joy thy honour'd name
Amidft my brethren to proclaim,
And gath'ring Crouds fhall hear my tongue
Thus to my God awake the fong.
21.
<c Exalt, ye Saints, the Pow'r divine,
Exalt him, All of Jacob's line,
u And let each tribe with duteous fear
" His boundlefs Majefty revere.
^22.
" 'Tis not in Him, with cold difdain
" To hear the helplefs Poor complain ;
" He kindly fees their wrongs redreft,
u And foothes to peace their troubled brcaft ;
23-
<c He (nor with unrelenting eye)
" Each falling tear, each heaving figh,
" Regards, attentive to perceive
u Their wants,and faithful to relieve."
24.
Such Strains thy Mercy {hall infpire,
While in the full-aflembled Choir
To Thee the votive Song I raife,
And thankful pay my debt of praife.
F 25. To
50 P S A L M XXII.
25.
To You, ye humble, meek, and good,
Who afk from Ifrael's Lord your food,
His hand indulgent from on high
Shall yield at full the wifh'd fupply :
26.
Who feek like You their God, like You
To Him their praiies {hall renew,
Whofe Love immortal life imparts,
And fwells with joy their confcious hearts.
27.
Maker of All ! through ev'ry Land
Thy Deeds in full record fhall {land,
And fartheft Realms converted join
In homage to the Name divine ;
28.
Kings fhall in Thee their Mightier greet,
And lay their fcepters at thy feet :
(Thy grace by facrifice implor'd,)
Earth's tribes fhall fpread the feital board :
29.
And All Mankind, whofe mortal frame
Th' infatiate Grave prepares to claim,
Thy Pow'r, immortal Judge, fhall own,
And proftrate kneel before thy Throne.
30-
See, while by Thee redeem'd I live,
A Race from Me their birth derive,
A Race by juft pofTeffion thine,
Whofe hearts infpir'd, to truth incline :
31. Whofe
P S A L M XXII. 51
3*-
\Vhofe tongue thy glory (hall difplay,
Jnftruci the world thy will t ? obey,
And bid thy righteous Acts engage
The wonder of the future Age.
PSALM XXIII.
i.
LO, my Shepherd's hand divine !
Want (hall never more be mine.
In a paflure fair and large
He fliall feed his happy Charge,
And my couch with tend'reft care
'Alidft the fpringing grafs prepare :
When I faint with fummer's heat,
He fliall lead my weary feet
To the ftreams that ftill and flow
Through the verdant meadow flow.
2.
He my foul anew fhall frame,
And, his mercy to proclaim,
When through devious paths I ftray,
Teach my fteps the better way :
Though the dreary vale I tread
By the (hades of death o'erfpread,
There I walk from terror free,
While my ev'ry wifh I fee
By thy rod and ftafFfupplied,
This my guard, and that my guide.
3-
While my foes are gazing on,
Thou thy fav'ring care haft fhown;
F 2 Thou
52 PSALM XXIII.
Thou my plenteous board haft fprtad,
Thou with oil refrefh'd my head :
Fill'd by Thee my cup o'erflows,
For thy Love no limit knows j
Conftant, to my lateft end
This my footfteps fhall attend,
And (hall bid thy hallow'd Dome
Yield me an eternal home.
PSALM XXIV.
i.
EARTH, big with Empire?, to thy Reign
Submits, great God, its wide domain ;
Whate'er this Orb's vaft bounds confine,
By juft pofleilion, Lord, is thine :
2.
That Orb amid the watry wafte
Thy hands, beft Architeft, have plac'd,
And bid th' unfathomable Deep
Beneath its firm foundations flecp.
3-
Lord, who (hall to thy Hill afcend ?
Who fuppliant at thine altars bend,
Then joyful find a fure abode,
And own the prefence of his God ?
4-
Whofc hands and heart from guilt are free,
Who ne'er to idols bovv'd the knee,
Nor, ftudious of deceit, would try
By oaths to confecrate a lye.
5. On
PSALM XXIV. 53
5-
On fuch th' Almighty from above
Shall heap the bleffings of his Love,
And, purg'd from fin's tranfmiffive ftain,
Admit them to his facred Fane.
6.
Such only form the chofen Choir,
Whofe feet, with licens'd ftep, afpire
To vifit Sistis bleft Abode ;
Who feek the face of Jacob's God.
7-
lift, lift your heads, each hallow'd Gate,
Aloft, with fudden fpring, your weight,
Ye everlafting Portals, rear ;
Behold the King of glory near !
8.
And who this King of glory ? fay.
That Lord who bears th' eternal fway j
Who, cloth'd with ftrength, to war defcends
And conqueft on his Iword attends.
9-
Lift, lift your heads, each hallow'd Gate,
Aloft, with fudden fpring, your weight,
Ye everlafting Portals, rear ;
Behold the King of glory near !
10.
And who this King of glory ? fay.
The God, whom Heav'n's high Hofts obey :
In him that King of glory view,
And yield to Him the homage due.
F 3 PSALM
PSALM XXV.
i.
TO Thee, great God, my foul mall rife ;
On Thee my ftedfaft mind relies ;
O fave me, Lord, from fhame and woe,
And blaft the triumphs of my foe.
2.
Nor fhame nor woe the heart attends^
Whofe trufl on Jacob's God depends : .
But -grief, confufion, doubt, and fear
The fouls that rafhly fin {hall tear.
3-
*Thy paths, bleft Source of light, difplay,
And teach my doubting fteps thy way.
God of my health, from morn to eve
In Thee my hopes have learn'd to live :
4-
O lead me in thy truth, and fcore
My heart with thy celefiial lore ;
Thy mercy, Lord, recall to mind,
Whofe beams from earlieft age have {hin'd.
O let oblivion's thickeft veil
Th' offences of my youth conceal,
That I with Them my lot may bear,
Whofe fouls thy kind remembrance fhare.
6.
Good, Lord, and juft art Thou ; thy Love
Returning Sinners joy to prove,
And led by thy aufpicious ray
Correct the error of their way,
7 . In
P S A L M XXV. 55
7-
In Thee (hall each of humble mind
The Friend and fure Inftructor find,
And each, whofe truft on Thee is plac'd,
Shall happinefs perpetual tafte j
8.
Thus, while the dictates of thy Law,
His thoughts 10 full obedience awe,
With joy thy paths the Juft fhall tread,
By iVL rcy and by Truth outfpread.
9-
Thy wonted pity, Lord, impart,
While in the anguim of my heart
The burthen of my guilt I own,
And humbled bow before thy Throne.
10.
Ye Souls that to his fear incline,
Secure to God your fteps refign,
And learn from his directing hand
What path may beft your choice demand.
ir.
How bleft, thy precepts, Lord, who knows !
As o'er Life's pilgrimage he goes,
See Peace and Safety nightly fpread
Their tent around his favour'd head :
12.
See, rang'd in fair defcent, his line
The lot which thy Decrees affign
Divide, and, long as time mail laft,
The bleffings of thy Bounty tafte.
13. Who
56 PSALM XXV
13-
Who bow to Thee th' attentive ear,
The fecrets of thy will fhali hear ;
Thy Compact, Lord, to fuch reveal'd,
Shall light and heav'nly tranfport yield.
14.
Wrapt in the hoftile fnare I lie,
Yet lift to Thee th' expelling eye,
Till thou my full relief decree,
And bid my captive foul go free.
IS-
O turn thee, Lord, in pity turn,
Behold me hclplefs and forlorn }
See various griefs my heart opprefs ;
My wants fupply, my wrongs redrefs ;
16.
O let me thy attention win,
And feal the pardon of my fin ;
For who like Thee with quick'ning ray
Can chafe each cloud of grief away.
Xb
While'fa&ious Crouds around me wait,
Inflam'd with rage, and impious hate, -.
Stretch to my aid the arm of pow'r,
And guard me in the dang'rous hour.
18.
Let not my foul, on Thee reclin'd,
Its forrows utter to the wind ;
Let Truth and fpotlefs Innocence
Their fuccours to my heart difpeufe.
19. Indulgent
PSALM XXV. 57
19.
Indulgent to my pray'r, with Mine
My Country's wifh'd deliv'rance join ;
God of my hope, thy Love difclofe,
And heal, O heal, thy People's woes.
PSALM XXVI.
i.
BE Thou my Judge : thy fearching eyes
My guiltlefs life have known :
On Thee my ftedfaft foul relies,
Nor fear of lapfe (hall own,
2.
O fearch me ftill ; my heart, my reins,
With ftricteft view furvey:
Thy Love, great God, my hope fuftains,
Thy Truth directs my way.
3-
The houfe of guile, and feat of lies,
With ftudious care I fhun :
From Crouds that impious deeds devife
My fteps abhorrent run.
4-
In innocence I wafti my hands,
Thy altar compafs round,
And grateful lead the facred Bands,
Whofe hymns thya&s refound.
5-
How oft, inftincT: with warmth divine,
Thy th remold have I trod !
How lov'd the Courts whofe walls inmrine
The Glory of my God !
6. O let
53 PSALM XXVI.
6.
let me not the vengeance {hare,
That waits the guilty Tribe,
Whofe murth'rous hands each mifchief dare,
And grafp the offer'd bribe :
7-
Rut pour, O pour, while thus I tread
The path by Thee prepar'd,
1 hy beams of mercy on my head,
And round me plant a guard.
8.
Thou, Lord, my fteps haft fix'd aright,
And pleas'd (halt hear my tongue
With Ifrael's thankful Sons unite
To form the feftal Song.
PSALM XXVII.
i.
THOU, Lord, my fafety, Thou my light,
What danger fhall my foul affright ?
Strength of my life ! What arm {hall dare
To hurt whom Thou haft own'd thy care ?
2.
When erft, impatient to devour,
Againft me rcfe each hoftile pow'r,
Their fierce attempts fuccefslefs found,
They {tumbled, fell, and bit the ground.
3-
Though adverfe hofts the ftandard rear.
Thy ferva'nt {hall without a fear
The gath'ring War around him fee,
And fix, fecure, his truft on Thee.
4. One
PSALM XXVII. 59
4-
Onc wifh, with holy tranfport warm,
My heart has form'd and yet lhall form ;
That in thy Prefence I may ftand,
And fnare the bleffings of thy hand.
5-
One gift I afk ; that to my end
Fair Sion's Dome I may attend,
There joyful find a fure abode,
And view the beauty of my God.
6.
For He within his hallow'd fhrinc
My fecret refuge (hall afiign,
And, while the ftorms around me beat,
Fix on the rock my ftedfaft feet.
7-
My heart fecure to God refign'd
In him its fafety boafts to find,
For he, his arm beneath me fpread,
High o'er my foes exalts my head.
8.
For this, with grateful joy beftow'd,
My ofPring fhall his altar load,
My tongue its note exulting raife,
And dictate to the harp his praife.
9-
O hear me, Lord ; on Thee I call,
And proftrate at thy footftool fall :
Propitious in my caufe appear,
And bow to my requeft thine ear.
4 JO. "Seek
6o PSALM XXVII.
10.
" Seek Ye my face with duteous care,
" And frequent to my Throne repair,"
Thus to my heart I hear thee fpeak ;
Thy face, my heart replies, I feek :
u.
Look down, my only Hope ! look down,
Behold me, but without a frown,
And ne'er to my defiring eye
Thy prefence, heav'nly Lord, deny :
12.
O let me, on thy aid reclin'd,
Thee ftill my great .Salvation find,
Nor leave me, helplefs and forlorn,
The ab fence of thy grace to mourn.
*3-
When, doom'd the Orphan's lot to bear,
No Father's kind concern I (hare,
Nor o'er me wakes a Mother's eye,
My wants attentive to fupply.
14.
Adopted by thy care, in Thee
The Parent and the Friend I fee,
And nourifh'd by thy foft'ring hand,
Within thy courts 'fecure I ftand.
15-
InftruiSl me, Lord, thy path to know,
And, while with fecret art the foe
My doubting fteps would turn afide,
Be Thou my Guardian and my Guide.
16. O
PSALM XXVII. 6 1
16.
O fave me from the hand of wrong ;
My foul by each malignant tongue
With caufelefs infult loaded view,
And charg'd with guilt it never knew.
17-
O how had grief confum'd my frame,
But that I hop'd, while yet my name
Amidft the living ftands inroll'd,
Thy boundlefs Mercy to behold.
18.
With patient hope, with mind fcdate,
On Ifrael's God expectant wait ;
Be ftrong, be ftedfaft : So thy heart
Shall feel his grace its aid impart.
PSALM XXVIII.
GO D my Strength, to Thee I pray;
Turn not Thou thine ear away ;
Left, while to thy Suppliant's cry
Thou thy anfwer (halt deny,
Sudden I my place aflame
'Midft the tenants of the tomb :
Gracious to my vows attend,
While the humble knee I bend,
And, infpir'd with holy fear,
Tow'rd thy flirine my hands uprear.
2.
Give me not thy wrath to know,
Nor to feel the vengeful blow
Q By
fa PSALM XXVIII.
By thy juft decrees affign'd
To the Men of impious mind,
Who, their hearts intent on wrong,
Smooth with lies their venom'd tongue.
Let whate'er their thoughts devife,
Thus aloud thy Juftice cries,
What their ruthlefs arm has dar'd,
Meet from Thee its full reward :
3-
While thy wrath with fteady pace
Step by ftep their feet fhall trace,
And, though now their ftubbprn ear
Shun thy wondrous ac"ls to hear,
Teach them to confefs thy pow'r,
Shatter'd like fome Heav'n-ftruck Tow'r,
That before th' aftonifti'd fight,
Stooping from its airy height,
'Midft the thunder's awful roar,
Falls, to be rebuilt no more.
4-
Let me (for with pitying ear
God my pray'r has deign'd to hear,)
Let me thanks perpetual yield;
He my Strength, and He my Shield,
On his long-experienc'd aid
See my hope for ever ftay'd,
While my heart, with joy pofTefs'd,
Dances in my throbbing breaft,
And my tongue in grateful lays
Confecrates to Him its praife,
'
Thou
P S A L M XXVIII. 63
5-
Thou whofe arm is o'er us fpread >
Prompt to guard th' anointed head,
And from each invader's hand
Vindicate thy chofen Land,
Save thy People from diftrefs,
And thy Patrimony blefs !
Give them, Lord, thy Love to (hare,
Feed them with a Shepherd's care,
And their pow'r to lateft days
O'er their foes triumphant raife.
PSALM XXIX.
i.
SI N G, ye Sons of Might, O ilng
Praife to Heav'n's eternal King ^
Raife to Him fome new-taught fong,
To his praife the note prolong.
2.
Pow'r and ftrength to Him affign,
And before his hallow'd (hrine
Yield the homage that his Name
From a Creature's lips may claim,
3-
Hark ! his voice in thunder breaks j
Hufli'd to filence, while he fpeaks,
Ocean's waves from pole to pole
Hear the awful accents roll :
G 2 4, Sc*
64 PSALM XXIX.
4-
See, as louder yet they rife,
Echoing through the vaulted Skies,
Loftieft Cedars lie o'erthrown.
Cedars of fteep Lebanon.
5'
See, uprooted from its feat,
Lebanon itfelf retreat ;
Trembling at the threat divine,
Sirion haftes its flight to join ;
6.
See them like the heifer borne,
Like the beaft whofe pointed horn
Strikes with dread the fylvan train,
Bound impetuous on the plain.
I-
Now the burning clouds give way,
And the vivid lightnings play,
And the wilds by Man untrod
Hear, difmay'd, th' approaching Gccf.
8.
Cadet) o'er thy lonely wafte
Oft the dreaded founds have paft :
Oft his flrolce the Wood invades,
Widow'd of its leafy fhades.
'. 9-
Mightieft oaks its fury know ;
While the pregnant Flind her throe
Inftant feels, and on the earth
Trembling drops th' uniinifli'd birth.
ic. Proftrate
PSALM XXIX. 65
10.
Proftrate on the facred floor
IfraePs Sons his name adore,
While his acls to ev'ry tongue
Yield its argument of fong.
II.
He the fwelling furge commands ;
Fix'd his Throne for ever Hands ;
He his People ftiall increafe,
Arm with ftrength, and blefs with peace.
PSALM XXX.
i.
TO Thee, great Ruler of the fides,
Whofe arm its conftant aid fupplies,
While vanquifli'd foes confefs my fway,
My heart its ready vows fliall pay ;.
My grateful tongue, immortal King,
Thy mercy fhall for ever fing.
2.
As, prefs'd with woe, to Thee I cried,
Thy hand its healing pow'r applied,
And, while increafing languors gave
The fignal to th' expecting grave
This mortal fabrick to receive,
Revers'd the doom, and bade me live.
3-
Ye faithful Sons of IfraeFs name,
Your Maker's fanclity proclaim,
And, while his mercies on your breaft
In fweet memorial ftand imprefs'd,
G 3 To
66 PSALM XXX,
To him in joyful accents raife
The fong of gratitude and praife.
4-
How well our great Prefer ver knows
To weigh and to relieve our woes !
JBehold his Wrath's avenging blaft,
How flow to rife, how foon o'erpaft,
How prompt his Favour to difpenfe
Its life-imparting influence.
5-
How fpeedy his paternal love
Our deep afflictions to remove !
Grief for a night, obtrufive Gucft,
Beneath our roof perchance may refr,
But Joy, with the returning day,
Shall wipe each tranfient tear away.
6.
As pleas'd I caft my eyes around,
And view'd my life with bleflings crown'cl,
(While, fafe in thy protecting hand,
High on the rock I took my ftand,)
In confidence of foul I faid,
" What ills fhall e'er my peace invade ?"
7-
But* inftant, Thou thy face hadft turn'd,
And proftrate on the earth I mourn'd :
I mourn'd, and, O my Guard, my Guide,
(With humbler fpirit thus I cried,)
Shall aught of profit, if the ground
My blood abforb, to Thee redound ?
8, Shall,
P S A L M XXX. 67
8.
Shall, vocal in thy praife, the Duft
Proclaim thy Counfels wife and juft,
And wake thy wondrous Ac~ls to tell
Amid Corruption's dreary cell ?
Thy aid, my God, in pity lend,
And gracious to my plaints attend.
9-
Again the face of joy I wear j
Thy hand, indulgent to my pray'r,
The fackcloth from my loins unbound,
With mirth's fair cinclure wraps me round:
Thy ftrength my fainting fpirit chears, -
And checks my griefs and calms my fears*
10.
For this, with facred tranfport fill'd,
To Thee my foul its praife fhall yield,
My thankful heart with zeal fhall burn,
My tongue the bands of filence fpurn,
And pleas'd, through life, in grateful verfe
Thy Love, eternal Lord, rehearfe.
PSALM XXXI.
i.
LO R D (for on Thee fupported Hand
My hopes,) O let thy aiding hand
The juftice of my caufe proclaim,
Arid fcve me from impending flume.
2. Thy
68 PSALM XXXL
2.
Thy ear, thou Majefty divine,
Propitious to my pray'r incline :
Hafte to my help, and let thy pow'r
My rock prefent and brazen tow'r :
3-
That rock, that tow'r, my God, in Thee,
Snatch'd from furrounding ills, I fee j
Shew me thy path, and fo thy Name
Shall praife and thanks perpetual claim.
4-
O let me, by thy counfel led,
That path with ftep unerring tread,
And, fav'd by thy preventive care,
Shake from my feet the broken fnare.
5-
God of my ftrength, the Wife, the Juft,
To Thee my fpirit I intruft ;
From Thee, when terrors clos'd me round,
My foul its full redemption found.
6.
My thoughts the felf-deceiving train,
Enflav'd to fuperftitions vain,
Abhor, and 'midft increafing woes
Their confidence on Thee repofe.
7-
Thy Mercy (hall my thanks employ^
My conftant theme, my higheft joy ;
For Thou, my foul by griefs purfu'd,
My ftatc with pitying eye haft view'd.
8. Thy
F S A L M XXXI. 69
8.
Thy hand, while rang'd in clofe array
Intuiting hofts around me lay,
Gave to the wind their vain defign,
And made the paths of freedom mine.
9-
Once more, my fight with inward grief
Confum'd, vouchfafe me thy relief,
Confefs me thine, difpel the fighs
That in my heaving bofom rife ;
10.
For while my foul its ceafelefs pains
Deep through its inmoft frame fuftains,
Life's noon for eve exchang'd I bear,
And Age invited on by Care.
1 1.
The guilt that in my thought revolves
My ftrength impairs, my joints diflblves>
The fcorn of Foes, and, keener yet,
The fcorns of Friends, my foul befet :
12.
My former guefts, if in their way
My wafted form they now furvey,
With horror ftruck the fight forego,
And ftiun th' infection of my woe.
With lonely ftep the earth I tread,
Forgotten as the filent Dead,
Or as the vafe of meaneft clay,
In ufdefs fragments caft away.
14. Mv
7 o PSALM XXX*L
J 4-
My fame opprobrious tongues invade,
While terrors wrap me in their fhade,
And crouds with meditated rage
Againft my life their pow'rs engage, '
IS-
Yet fee me, Lord, in Thee confide ;
Thou art my God, my heart h?.s cried ;
From Thee my time its limit knows ;
O fave me from devouring foes.
16.
O let thy prefence on me beam,
Thy clemency my life redeem,
Nor let me, Lord, the ihame fuftain,
Thy aid to afk, and afk in vain.
J 7-
Theirs be the fhame, thy pow'r. who brave,
Nor ceafe their infults, till the grave,
Abforbing quick the guilty throng,
In endlefs filence feal their tongue :
18.
Such filence on their lips impofe,
Whofe words their pride-fwoln heart difcloft|
AtWifdom's Sons their malice aim,
And blaft with lies the guiltlefs name.
19.
O, how {hall All who feek thy Love
The fulnefs of thy bounty prove !
And teach th' admiring World to fee
How b!eft the fouls that truft in Thee !
20. Thy
P . S A L M XXXI. 71
20.
Thy Saint?, while breath their life prolongs,
Sav'd by thy care from ftrife of tongues,
Shall fee thy tabernacle fpread
Its awful fplendors o'er their head.
21.
Bleft be the name of Jacob 's God,
Whofe Love, in happieft hour beftow'd,
Has giv'n within my lot to fall
The ftrong-built City's guarding wall.
22.
Awhile, with uncolle6ted mind,
As banifh'd from thy fight, I pin'd ;
But Thou thy Servant's pray'r haft heard, '
In anguifn of my heart prefer'd.
23-
Ye Souls devoted to his fear,
With thankful love your God revere,
f '
Who wakes your chofen Train to guard.
And deals to Pride its juft reward.
M.
Be ftrong, be ftedfaft : So your mind
From Him its full fuppbrt (hall fine],
(Ye Saints that in his care connJe,)
Nor own nor afk a help beftde.
r
P S A
\
HOWbleft the Man, whofeconfcious grief
FromThee, great God, has found relicfj
Whofe guilt thy boundlefs L'OVC has veil'd,
His fears compos'd, his weaknefs heal'd ;
2. To
72 PSALM XXXII.
2.
To whom th' offences of his hand
No longer now imputed (land,
Who learns thy precepts to revere,
Whofe heart is pure, whofe tongue fincere.
3-
While deep within ray lab'ring bread
My mind its dire difeafe fupprefs'd,
Inceflant groans, that fhun'd controul,
BetrayM the anguifh of my foul.
_ . . \ ''
See Age-anticipating Care
My joints diflblve, my ftrength impair,
Relentlefs from my cheek each trace
Of youth and blooming health erafe.
5-
When Night extends its dufky cone,
Beneath thy terrors, Lord, I groan ;
The fhades anon retreating fee ;
And Day to All reftorM, but Me.
6.
Behold my frame with drought confumV
That late with youthful vigour bloom'di
Such drought the blafted fields betray,
Beneath the dog-ftar's rjurning ray.
7- A 2
My humblecl Soul its crimes fhall (
Behold me bow before thy Throne,
Dt:noiu me uuw uciurc u^y i m unc,
To Thee my inmoft guilt difclofe,
Andinthyboforhp Wl -mywocs.
jb'Lr 8>
PSALM XXXII. 73
8.
But lo ! while yet my hands I rear,
The voice of Mercy to my ear
Defcends, and whifp'ring peace within
Confirms the pardon of my fin.
9-
For this {hall All who Thee adore,
Ere yet the day of grace be o'er,
To Thee with ftedfaft hope repair,
To Thee prefer th' unwearied pray'r :
10.
So, when affii&ion's tempefts rife,
And heave the billows to the fkies,
They, fafe in Thee, the ftorm fhall brave,
And diftant view the madding wave.
II.
When various griefs my foul furround,
In Thee my fure retreat is found ;
Thy wim'd Salvation meets my eyes,
And fongs of triumph round me rife,
12.
Come, from thy God inftruction learn;
While, prompt from error's path to turn
Thy feet, thy ev'ry ftep I fcan,
Let Reafon's ufe befpeak thee Man $
13-
Nor imitate the Steed and Mule,
Whofe brutal mouth, averfe to rule,
To guard thee from their rage, muft feel
The forceful rein, and curbing fteel.
H 14. What
74 PSALM XXXII.
14.
What pangs the impious Tribe await,
While hope and joy his heart dilate,
Who trufts in Thee, O King of Kings,
And Mercy round him fpreads her wings !
15-
Ye Saints, exulting lift your voice,
Ye pure of mind, in Him rejoice,
Whofe prefence on the foul imprefs'd
With heav'nly tranfport fills the breaft.
PSALM XXXIII.
I.
YE Saints (to you the tafk belongs,
And Praife fits comely on your tongues j)
Blefs, blefs Jehovah ! fweet the joy
When tafks like thcfe the voice employ;
Wake to Jehovah's name the lute,
Nor let the ten-ftring'd lyre be mute.
2.
O fing, in accents loud and ftrong,
O fing fome new-invented fong ;
And let the finger's artful ftroke
The pfalt'ry's various pow'r provoke,
And teach the praife of Ifrael's Lord
To vibrate on the founding chord.
3-
His words eternal Truth has feal'd;
His promifes in at fulfill'd
Shall Equity and Judgement prove
The changlefs obje&s of his love,
And
PSALM XXXIII. 75
And bid the Earth's wide confines know
The gifts that from his bounty flow.
4-
His Word yon a?ure vault outfpread,
Ere Time the Seafons onward led ;
Form'd by his breath the ftarry hoft
Their unextinguifh'd luftre boaft;
While in their cavern'd ftorehoufe fleep
The treafures of the watry deep.
5-
Thy Maker's name, O Earth, revere ;
And let thy Son's with holy fear
To Him in low proilration bend,
And duteous his decrees attend.
He fpake : And Heav'n, and Seas, and Land y
Appear'd. He bade: And lo, they ftand.
6.
Their counfels vain the Heathen Tribes
Unite ; but God th' event prefcribes,
And blafts at will each hop* that fprings
Within the breaft of haughtieft Kings ;
His counfel, from controul fecure,
His counfel only (hall endure.
7-
His thoughts to Time's remoteft bound
With fure effecl (hall e'er be crown'd :
How bleir. the People that have known
Him for their God, and Him alone j
The Flock His heritage declar'd,
And objects of His fix'd regard !
H 2 8. Wide
76 PSALM XXXIII.
8.
Wide o'er the Sons of Earth his eye
The Pow'r eternal from on high
Extends, (that Pow'r, whole hand, with art
Myfterious, forms the human heart,)
Through life's wild maze their fteps puifues,
Each at, each thought, attentive views.
9-
Think not, ye King?, (His aid refign'd,)
In wdl-arm'd Hofts your help to find :
In vain the Warrior bold and young
Exults, his arm with vigour ftrung :
In vain, his Lord to fave, the fteed
Vaunts in the fight his ftrength and fpeed.
10.
Hail, fure Proteaor of the Jufl !
From Him who builds on Thee his truft
Thy arm averts with ftudious care
Each death that viewlsfs wings the air j
Thy hand with food his life fuftains,
When drought infefts the blafted plains.
II.
Our Souls by Thee, their Help and Shield,
With patient hope have flood upheld j
Thy facred Name our truft, each mind
From Thee (hall joy perpetual find :
In mercy give us, Lord, to fee
How juft the hope that refts on Thee.
PSALM
77
PSALM XXXIV.
i.
THEE will I thank, and day by day
Form to thy praife the joyful lay ;
From morn to eve the fong extend,
Thee boaft my Father, Thee my Friend :
2.
While pleas'd each heart of humble frame
Shall wake, great God, to hear thy fame j
His voice let each triumphant raife,
And fing with Me your Maker's praife.
3-
To Him my Soul difclos'd its care ;
He heard, and prefent to my pray'r
(His faithful buckler o'er me held,)
Each terror from my bread difpell'd.
4-
The fouls, that his decree regard,
Like Me his chearing light have (har'd,
And fearlefs of repulfe or fhame
The promife of his mercy claim.
5-
Behold a heart with woes opprefs'd ;
Behold, its vows to God addrefs'd,
His hand its healing pow'r difplay,
And chafe each cloud of grief away.
6.
His Angel, nigh the juft man's tent
Encamp'd, each danger to prevent,
His fure protection round him throws,
Though harnefs'd Hofts his peace oppofe.
H 3 7, Hail,
?g PSALM XXXIV.
7-
Hail, Saviour of the human race !
Hail, Fountain of exhauftlefs grace !
Thrice huppy, who on Thee reclinej
Nor own nor alk a help but thine.
8.
O tafte with me ; O tafte and prove
The bleiTmgs of his boundlefs love i
His fear preferve, ye juft and pure,
And live from dread of want fecure.
9
The ftrengthful Lion's tawny brood
With thirft and penury of food
Are flung ; but who in God confide
Shall find their ev'ry wifh fupplied.
10.
Ye Children^ come ; my precepts hear,
And learn the dictates of his fear :
O come; if long extent of days,
With bleffings crown'd, thy hope can raife :
II.
Averfe from each injurious art,
Let falfehood from thy lips depart ;
Be Good thy choice j from Evil ceafe ;
And plight the ready hand to peace.
12.
Him ferve, whofe fav'ring eyes furvef
The hearts that his commands obey ;
Him ferve, whofe ever open ear
With juit regard their pray'r ihall hear.
13. But
PSALM XXXIV. 79
*3-
But terrors planted on his brow
Inftruft the ftubborn foul to bow,
And vengeance, kindled to a flame,
Blots from the earth the impious name.
14.
With fuppliant voice, in each diftrefs,
His fole fupport, his fole redrefs,
From God the Man of faithful mind
Shall feek, and what he feeks {hall find.
IS-
A fpirit griev'd is facrifice
Delightful to th' all-feeing eyes 5
God, ever watchful, ever near,
The meek and contrite foul flaall chear 5
16.
What though the Juft, by his decree,
Awhile a Man of griefs we fee,
His Love (hall foon its aid beftow,
Relieve his cares, and foothe his woe.
17-
To violence expos'd, his frame
Thy fix'd attention, Lord, fhall claim j
Nor Hell's worft rage one bone fhall dare
To break, when Thou haft bid to fpare.
18.
But ill on All who ill intend
In full proportion fhall defcend :
Who tow'rd the Juft in hatred join,
Shall feel, great God, the weight of thine.
19. 'Tis
8o PSALM XXXIV.
19.
'Tis thine thy Saints from woes to free ;
Nor Time throughout its courfe (ball fee
The foul, whole hope on Thee is ftaid,
Neglected mourn thy abfent aid.
PSALM XXXV.
i.
DO Thou, juft God, my caufe defend,
O let thy pow'r its aid extend,
And make my quarrel thine ; my foes
Let thy refiftlefs arm oppofe j
Arife thy fpeedieft help to yield,
And reach the corfler, reach the fliield,
Grafp in thy hand the glitt'ring lance,
And obvious in the breach advance ;
Say to my- troubled Soul ; " In Me
" Thy ftrength and fure falvation fee."
2.
Let fhame their glowing cheeks o'erfpread,
Whofe ceafelefs threats excite my dread - y
And let them, ftruck with wild afFr..,,ht,
Inglorious backward urge rheir flight,
Difpers'd, as chaff before the wind,
Thy Angel preffing clofe behind,
Along the dark and flipp'ry way,
Whofe paths their ftagg'ring fteps betray ;
And from the arm ethereal find
The vengeance to their guilt affign'd.
3-
Thou feeft them, Lord, with caufelefs hate,
Befide my path infidious wait,
With
PSALM XXXV. 81
With caufclefs hate the pit ^prepare,
And plant before my fteps their fnare.
O let (ieftru&ion's fudden ftroke,
While thus thy juftice they provoke,
Defcend, vindictive, en their head j
Faft in the net for Me outfpread
Involv'd, let each repentant groan,
And reap the mifchiefs he has fown.
4-
But Thou, my Soul, with awful joy
On God thy ftedfaft thought employ,
And, his Salvation taught to prove,
Record the wonders of his Love :
Each bone whofe flrength fupports my frame
With grateful tranfport {hall exclaim,
Lord ! whom like Thee fhall Mortals find,
For ever juft, for ever kind,
Like Thee prepar'd th' afflicled poor
From ftern Opprefllon to fecure.
5-
Thus poor and thus opprefs'd with wrong
Awhile was I : a hoftile Throng
(Whofe Tongue to fraud has loos'd the reins
And lie with lie connected feigns)
Againft me urg'd, to fcandal prone,
The guilt my breaft had never known,
And left me helplefs and forlorn
The friendfhip ill repay'd to mourn,
That, when AfHi6Hon's weight they bare,
Had taught my heart their woes to (hare :
6. While
82 PSALM XXXV.
6.
"While ficknefs wrapt them in its chain,
And fix'd them on the bed of pain,
My heart, that no affrJVion ow'd,
With fympathizing pity glow'd,
I knew their fuff'rings to bewail,
And funk with grief, with farting pale,
To God, in forrow's garb array'd,
With humbleft interceflion pray'd,
And found the pray'r their pride has fpurn'tl
With bleflings on my head rcturn'd :
7-
Diflblv'd in tears, with languor worn.
What mifery my foul has borne !
Nor Friend for Friend fincerer woes,
Nor Brother for a Brother, knows ;
Nor feels the Son his melting breaft
With deeper fenfe of grief imprefs'd,
That grafps a dying Mother's hand,
And waits to take her laft command,
Or o'er her lofs in ftcret pines,
And wraps the fackcloth round his loins.
8.
Not fuch the pity mown to Me :
Ev'n abjets my abje&ion fee
With fcornful gaze, as round me (land,
In adverfe league, a lawlefs Band,
Thefe taught with well-diflembled art
To veil the purpofe of their heart,
While Thofe in open hate engage,
And ceafelefs vent their murth'rous rr.ge,
Now
PSALM XXXV. 83
Now furious grind their teeth, and now
Infulting aim the deathful blow.
9-
How long wilt Thou, my God, how long
With patient eye behold my wrong ?
How long (hall I, with anguifh torn,
Thy face, my God, averted mourn ?
With vain and fruitlefs hope attend
Till Thou, my Guardian and my Friend,
The Lion's dreaded rage controul,
And refcue my deferted foul,
That, 'mid th' afTembled Tribes, my tongue
May raife to Thee the thankful fong ?
10,
O let not my uninjur'd foes,
With fpeaking eye, amidft my woes,
As round they ftand in clofe array,
The triumphs of their heart betray :
Behold them, Lord, their arts addrefs,
The friends of peace and truth t' opprefs,
But chief my name with infults load :
" Thou wretch abandon'd of thy God,
u In vain," they clamour, " what our eyes
tc Atteft, thy confcious tongue denies."
ii.
My God, (for Thou their rage haft feen,)
With timelicil fuccour intervene,
Nor filent long, Almighty Sire,
Remain, nor diftant far retire ;
Arife, thy faving pow'r dilclofe,
.And heal with pitying Hand my woes ;
84 PSALM XXXV.
Awake, thy aiding ftrength excite,
Awake, and vindicate my right ;
Let Juftice teach them, by thy ftroke,
Their frantic triumphs to revoke,
12.
Let not their heart, its wifli complete,
With fecret joy tranfported beat,
Orboafting hail th* expe&ed hour,
That gives me to the Murth'rer's pow'r;
But back my threaten'd life demand
From ftern Oppreflion's iron hand : -
Let All who make my grief their fcorn
Their blafted hopes aftonifli'd mourn ;
Let ftern rebuke and foul difgrace
With fhame perpetual clothe their face.
'3-
Lo, nigh me rang'd, with thankful voice,
The friends of innocence rejoice,
And " Bleft," they cry, be Jacob's Lord,
" The God by Heav'n and Earth ador'd,
" Who joys his Servant's caufe to plead,
" And crowns with peace his favour'd head."
While, loudeft in the choir, my tongue
To notes of praife fhall tune its fong,
And pleas'd through each revolving day
Thy Juftice, mightieft Lord, difplay.
PSALM
85
PSALM XXXVI.
i.
E H O LD the wretch, in error loft,
\Vhofe ft ubborn heart with impious boaft
His Law rejefts, his fear denies.
Who form'd the earth, and feas, and flues ;
2.
He ne'er repentant looks within,
To view the meafure of his fin ;
His tongue to falfehood train'd, his mind
No more to a&s of good inclin'd ;
3-
Concerted mifchiefs croud his breaft,
And rob his midnight hours of reft i
Nor Wifdom to her paths his will
Can turn, or wean his foul from ill.
4-
Thy Mercy, Lord, to Heav'n extends,
Thy Truth the lofty clouds tranfcends ;
Fix'd as the Mountain's folid bafe
Thy righteoufnefs maintains her place.
5'
Who feeks to trace the Will divine
By Reafon's aid, with {canty line
(Prepoft'rous,) would the Deep explore,
And meafure with his fpan its more.
6.
Nor reft ihy cares alone confm'd
To \Js t the Sons of human kind ;
Thy hand th' unconfcious Brute fuftains,
And fpreads his pafture on the plains :
.1 7. But
S6 PSALM XXXVL
7-
But We, with pious truft, who know
What gifts we to thy Mercy owe,
(O, what that Mercy can excel ?)
Beneath thy foft'ring wings fhall dwell.
8.
To each who feeks thy name behold
Thy Houfe its richeft ftores unfold,
And blifs unintermix'd with woe
In fulleft ftreams their breaft overflow.
9-
From out thy Seat, immortal King,
Forth iflues Life's perennial fpring ;
Thy light with unextinguifh'd rays
Shall o'er our heads auspicious blaze.
10.
Still may the fouls who Thee have known
The BlefTmgs of thy Mercy own,
And each who bears a fpotlefs mind
His refuge in thy Juflice find.
II.
Me let thy care, Almighty Friend,
From Pride's injurious foot defend ;
Each impious hand that feeks my hurt
Let thy fuperior ftrength avert.
12.
O bid before my fight each foe
The terrors of thy vengeance know ;
Lo, there they fall, their triumphs o'er,
And proftrate lie, to rife no more.
PSALM
8?
PSALM XXXVII.
i.
LE T not the Sinner's wealth or might
The envy of thy foul excite :
Ancn thine eye {hall fee him fade
Quick as the flow'r or vernal blade,
That now rejoicing lifts the head,
Now with'ring on the earth is fpread.
2.
But Thou thy will to Heav'n's high Lord
(His Faith thy truft, thy rule his Word,)
Submit, and nourim'd by his hand
Inherit from his gift the Land :
In Him delight, on Him depend ;
Him chufe thy Guide, thy Way, thy End.
3-
So (hall his Love thy wifhes grant,
His Care anticipate thy want,
And bid thy ats in light ferene
Fair as the rifmg morn be feen,
Thy Janice as the noon of day
DifTuhve pour its cloucflefs ray.
4-
With patient hope await his will,
Nor let the fight of profp'rous iii
Impel thee with difquiet vain
His wife difpofals to arraign,
Lei wrath and doubt thy confcienCe blind,
And urge to atts of guilt thy mind.
5-
See, from their dwelling torn, th' unjuft
To thofe who fix on God their truft
1 2 (So
&8 PSALM XXXVIL.
- (So wills the Majefty divine,)
Their forfeit heritage refign :
Wait but awhile, then look around ;
No more the impious race are found.
6.
But fee the meek and pious Band
(Advanc'd by God's almighty hand
The pow'r among them to divide,
To fierce Ambition's fword denied,)
Earth's bounds poffeff, and, Peace their care>
The fuJnefs of its bleflings fhare.
7-
Gnafhing his teeth the fool prepares
To catch the upright in his fnares ;
But God his frantic rage derides,
And fees the Day, as on it glides,
Whofe beams, with wrath uncommon red,
Shall ftream in vengeance o'er his head.
8.
On You, ye Poor, with vain intent,
The fword is drawn, the bow is bent ;
The fword, with better aim imprefs'd,
Defcends into its Owner's breaft ;
Reluctant to the Archer's will
Burfts the tough bow, and mocks his fkill.
9-
Exchange not Ye your fcanty ftore
For heaps of guilt-polluted ore :
That God, ye Saints, whofe Love ye feek.
The arm of lawlefs pow'r fhall break,
And bid the Juft prote&ed ftand
Beneath the fhadow of his hand.
10. By
PSALM xxxvn. 89
10.
By Him your years determin'd flow ;
The Lot, which his Decrees beftow,
From Sire to Son, till time mall end,
In lure fucceffion fhall defcend ;
No diftant time {hall fee his love
Its bleffings from his Saints remove.
ii.
When War's dire flames around you burn,
From You the darts their points (hall turn ;
Each blaft that taints the red'ning fky
From Your exempted fields fhall flv j
Nor ftiame nor want the heart attends
Whofe truft on Jacob's God depends.
12.
Who know not Thee, great God, to dread,
As Victims for the flaughter fed,
Confum'd by Heav'n's avenging fire
Shall perilh and in fmoke afpire :
How fwift how fudden is their fate,
What horrors, Lord, their death await!
13-
While faithlefs Thefe th' intrufted loan
With bafe ingratitude difown,
His plenteous alms the Juft can give,
And pleas'd a Brother's wants relieve ;
Earth's goods thy Blefling to the Pure
Shall grant, and what it grants infure :
14.
While guilty fouls the Curfe divine
To full excifion fhall confign j
I 3 The
90 P-S A L M XXXVII.
The Juft, bleft object of thy Love,
Thou, Lord, wilt lead, his path approve,
Thy faithful hands his fteps fuftain j
Nor falls he, but to rife again.
*5-
Once was I young, and now am old,
Yet ne'er the Righteous could behold
By God deferted, nor his feed
Requeuing at my gate their bread :
Secure he lives, and for his heirs
Profperity and peace prepares.
16.
From 111 recede ; to Good incline
Thy thought; and endlefs life be thine.
Delighted whom his Laws delight
Th' Almighty views ; nor Day nor Night
The foul that bows to his Decree
Abandon'd from his Love ihall fee.
17-
Behold, ye Juft, th' eternal Doom
The Sinner's fhort-liv'd days confume :
His fruit a lucklefs progeny
Uprooted from the ground fhall die ;
While happier Ye to Yours affigivd
A heritage perpetual find.
18.
How bleft whomThou, great God, haft taught!
His lips, with facred fcience fraught,
Theleffons of thy truth impart ;
And, gray'd within his inmoft heart,
Thy Law, the ever faithful Guide,
Forbids his ftedfaft feet to flide.
x JQ. Each
PSALM XXXVII. 9*
19.
Each art the murth'rous tribe eflay,
And mark the guiltlefs for their prey ;
But God his refcue has decreed ;
Himfelf will rife his caufe to plead,
Refute th' Accufer's perjur'd tongue,
And fave him from the hand of wrong..
20.
Wait on thy God ; obferve his ways :
His pow'r aloft thy head fhall raife ;
Exerted in thy right his hand
Shall vindicate to Thee the Land,
And bid, before thy fight, his foe
The terrors of his vengeance know.
21.
The profp'ring Sinner once I view'd ;.
Strong as the healthful Tree he flood,
That, fhadowing wide its native foil,
Nor knows, nor a(ks, the planter's toil :
I went, I came, and look'd again j
I look'd, but fought his place in vain.
22.
Behold the Juft, and mark his end ;
See Peace his eve of life attend :
But fee, ah ! fee a difPrent fate
The Sinner's wretched courfe await ;
For lo, upon his lateft hour
The ftorms of heavieft vengeance low'r.
23-
To God the Juft his fafety owes,
Him owns his Strength amidft his woes,
Aflur'd
9 z PSALM XXXVII.
Aflur'd that He fhsl! each defend
Whofe conflant hopes on Him depenc?,
And, while his foes their peace invade,
Reach, in their caufe, his promis'd aid.
PSALM XXXVIII.
O Spare me, Lord, nor o'er rny head
The fulnefs of thy vengeance fhed :
Pierc'd by thy {hafts, great Got), I ftanc!,
And feel the preflure of thy hand,
2.
Thou feeft, from health eftrang'cf, my frame
The terrors of thy v, rath proclaim,
While corifcious guilt alarms my breaft,
And robs my tortur'd joints of reft.
3-
Whelm'd with a weight of fins I mourn,
A weight too heavy to be borne ;
Mv wounds, whofe fmart thofe fins repays,
The wide-infeted air betrays.
4-
See ! bow'd, from morn to eve, with woe.
And wrapt in faclccloth drear, I go ;
My reins with hidden torments wrung,
Each limb difeas'd, each nerve unftrung.
5.
Aloud my fufPrings I bemoan,
And fainting pour the frequent groan ;
But Thou, ere yet my groans proceed^
My griefs and inmofl wilh canft read
6. Behold
PSALM XXXVIII. 93,
6.
Behold my heart with anguifh torn,
My ftrength with long affliction worn,
And ftretch'd before my wafted fight
The madows of approaching night.
7-
Each kind confoler of my care,
Who wont my plenteous board to (hare,
With pitying eye, with filent gaze
My alter'd lineaments furveys.
8.
My Friends, and next Allies by birth,
(Once dear Companions of my mirth,
When wing'd with health the moments flew)
My griefs with diftant horror view.
9-
With fnares my foes befet my way,
Intent on death throughout the day
With fierceft rage my name revile,
And difcipline their thoughts to guile :
10.
Invented crimes, and taunts fevere,
With fteadieft patience, Lord, I hear^
Unmov'd, as One who deaf and mute
Nor cenfure feels, nor can refute :
ir.
For Thou, beft Advocate, art nigh ;
On Thee, great God, my hopes rely ;
O vindicate my fame from wrong,
And filence the reproachful tongue.
j2. Thou,
94 P S A L M XXXVIII.
J2.
Thou know'ft the tenour of my pray'r ;
O let me not their infults bear:
But hear, and to my foul difp!ay
Thy Mercy's all-enliv'ning ray.
13-
Mark, when my fteps have chanc'd to flide,
The fhouts that rife on ev'ry fide,
And, echoing through the wounded air,
The triumphs of their heart declare.
14.
Thou feeft how prone to lapfe my feet,
What woes my eyes inceflant meet ;
Nor fhuns my foul its guilt to own,
But forrowing bows before thy throne.
15-
How ftrong, how num'rous, are the foes
That unprovok'd my peace oppofe,
Their veins with health's full current warm,
And fining with active might their arm !
16.
Ill for my Good return'd I find,
Nor know from aught (but that, incT'n'd
To Good, their deeds I flum,) to c'ate
The ground of their prepoft'rous h;ue.
17-
O let me, rais'd by Thee, no more
The abfence of thine aid deplore ;
God of my life, recede not far,
But haftc, and make,that life thy care.
PSALM
95
PSALM XXXIX.
MY fteps Difcretion's rules fhall guide ;
- Nor error from my lips fhall Hide,
(Thus to myfelf refolv'd I faid ;)
Nor word, in Wifdom's fcale unweigh'd j
2.
While lawlefs crouds attend me nigh,
And mark me with infidious eye,
Behold me with the fteady rein
Each effort of my tongue reftrain.
3-
Awhile my foul its purpofe keeps ;
A ftubborn filence feals my lips :
But O ! from themes of good withheld,
How oft my full-fwoln heart rebeli'd !
.4'
My thoughts in various tumult roll ;
At length, impatient of controul,
Forth from my ftruggling bofom brake
The kindled flame ; and thus I fpake :
*
Taught by thy Wifdom, let me learn
How foon my fabric fhall return
To Earth, and in the filent tomb
Its feat of lafting reft aiTume.
6.
O let me, heav'nly Lord, extend
My view to life's approaching end ;
What are my days ? (a fpan their linej)
And what my age compared with thine ?
7. Our
96 PSALM XXXIX.
7-
Our life advancing to its clofe,
While fcarce its earliefl dawn it knows,
Swift through an empty lhade we run,
And Vanity and Man are one :
8.
With anxious pain this Son of care
Toils to inrich an unknown heir,
And, eying oft his heapy {tore,
With vain difquiet thirfls for more.
9-
Where, Lord, fhall I my refuge fee ?
On whom repofe my hope but Thee ?
purge my guilt, nor let my foe
Exulting mock my heighten'd wor.
10.
Convinc'd. that thy paternal hand
Inflicts but what my fins demand,
1 fpeechlefs fate ; .nor plaintive word,
Nor murmur, from my lips was heard,
n.
But.O, in thy appointed hour
Withdraw thy rod ; left Nature's pow'r,
While griefs on griefs my heart aflail,
Unequal to the conflict, fail.
12.
O, how thy chaftifements impair
The human form, however fair !
How frail the flrongeft frame we fee,
If Thou the Sinner's fate decree !
13. As
PSALM XXXIX. 97
'3-
As when the fretting moths confume
The labour of the curious loom,
The texture fails, the dyes decay,
And all its luftre fades away.
14.
Such, Man, thy ftate ! then, humbled, own
That Vanity and Thou are one ;
Thyfelf when in the balance weigh'd
A Nothing, and thy life a made.
15-
To Thee, great God, my knees I bend ;
To Thee my ceafelefs pray'rs afcend ;
let my forrows reach thine ears,
And mark my fighs, my groans, my tears.
1 6.
God of my Fathers ! Here, as They,
1 walk the Pilgrim of a day;
A tranfient Guefc, thy works admire,
And inftant to my home retire.
I 7-
fpare me, Lord, awhile, O fpare,
And Nature's ruin'd ftrength repair,
Ere, life's fliort circuit wander'd o'er,
1 perifhj and am feen no more.
w
PSALM XL.
ITH patient hope my God I fought ;
He to his Suppliant's want his thought
In happieft hour applied :
K He
g8 P S A L M XL.
He from the dark and miry pit
High on the rock has rais'd my feet ;
Nor fear my fteps to flide.
2.
His praife infpires my grateful tongue,
And diftates to my lips a fong
In drains unheard before.
Admiring crouds his work (hall fee,
Their ftrength on Him repofe with Me,
With Me his name adore.
3-
Bleft, who in Thee, great God, confide,
Nor madly truft the arm of pride,
And helps that but betray.
Thy Mercies, Lord, all praife furmount,
Nor numbers can their fum recount,
Nor words their worth difplay.
4-
Nor Sacrifice thy Love can win,
Nor OfPrings from the ftain of fin
Obnoxious Man fhall clear :
Thy hand my mortal frame prepares,
(Thy hand, whofe fignature it bears,)
And opes my willing ear.
5-
And, fince the Blood of Victims flain,
And hallow'd Gifts, attempt in vain
T' avert th' Offender's doom,
Myfelf th' atonement will provide ;
Lo ! (touch'd with pity thus I cried,)
I come, my God, I come.
6. Thy
P S A L M XL. 99
6.
Thy Book, by facred Bards unroll'd,
My full obedience has foretold
To Thy myfterious Will.
His juft aflent thy Servant gives,
Thy words my Breaft with joy receives,
My Hands with zeal fulfil.
7-
The faithful Witnefs to thy fame,
Aloud thy Juftice I proclaim
To Abraham's chofen Race :
My lips, Thou know'ft, have ne'er declin'd
To preach the Theme by Thee injoin'd,
The Wonders of thy Grace.
8.
With ftrong defire my bofom glows
Thy Truth and Mercy to difclofe,
In Man's relief difplay'd :
O let that Truth difpel my woe,
That Mercy, Lord, around me throw
Its all-protecting ftiade.
9-
While griefs on griefs my cup have mix'd,
On earth my downward looks are fix'd ;
The Sins whofe weight I bear,
(Thofe Sins, that number 'd by the eye
The hairs that {hade my head outvie,)
My heart with anguifh tear.
10.
Hafte to thy Servant's refcue, hafle ;
My Soul, by hoitile numbers chas'd,
To Thee directs its pray'r.
K 2 To
TOO PSALM XL.
In wild confufton backward borne
Their wifh defeated let them mourn,
And loft in empty air.
il.
Be fhame their juft reward aflign'd,
Wliile round me with relentlefs mind
Derifion's fhout they raife :
Thy Blifs let All who feek thee fiiare,
And, taught thy Love,' that Love declare
In fongs of ceafelefs praife.
12.
While Thefe in thy Salvation joy,
Increafing griefs my thought employ,
And fpeedieft aid demand :
My Helper and Redeemer, hear ;
O, inftant in my caufe appear,
And reach thy faving band,
P S A L M XLL
i.
BLEST, who with gen'rous pity glows,
Who learns to feel another's woes,
Bows to the poor man's want his ear,
And wipes the helplefs Orphan's tear :
2.
Who to th' afHiled gives relief,
And kindly foothes each anxious grief;
In ev'ry want, in ev'ry woe,
Himfclf thy pity, Lord, (hall know ;
3. Thy
PSALM XLI. joi
3-
Thy Love his life (hall guard, thy hand
Give to his lot the chofen land,
Nor leave him in the dreadful day
To unrelenting foes a prey.
4-
* When languid with difeafe and pain,
Thou, Lord, his fpirit wilt fuftain,
Prop with thine arm his finking head,
And turn with tend'reft care his bed.
5-
O let me, Lord, thy mercy (hare,
(Thus to my God I form'd the pray'r,)
Health to my fainting foul difpenfe,
That humbled owns its dire offence.
6.
" When (hall he perifli ?" Thus my foes
With ruthleis tongue their wifh difclofe.j
c< Why lingers Death's appointed hour
" Oblivion on his name to pour ?"
7-
The hoflile vifitants appear
Be fide my couch, and drop the tear,
Though, feigning, o'er my griefs they mourn
Their hearts with fecret malice burn.
8.
See them, fcarce parted from my gate,
Aloud proclaim their fettled hate j
Now pleas'd they form fome dark defign,
Now whifp'ring thus in curfes join :
K 3 9. Still
102 P S A L M XLI.
9-
<( Still may the guilt unpurg'd remain,
" That binds him on the bed of pain j
" Nor let him from that bed arife,
" But clofe in endlefs fleep his eyes."
10.
Yea Thou, the friend to whom my heart
Its inmoft counfels wont t' impart,
Ev'n Thou, in fubtlety difguis'd,
Thi Man whom chief of friends I priz'd ;
ii.
For whom the focial board I fpread,
And broke with lib'ral hand my bread,
With lifted heel, (fevere return!)
The partner of thy bread couldft fpurn.
I2
Maker of All ! be Thou my guard :
Give me, (my ftrength by Thee repair'd,)
Give me to teach the faithlefs band
To own the jullice of thy hand.
'3-
So, while my pray'rs indulg'd approve
My Soul the object of thy Love,
My foes, with inward anguifti torn,
Shall each his blafted triumphs mourn ;
14.
And I (for Thou thy aid fhalt yield,)
In innocence of heart upheld
Thy Courts uVll ever tread, and there
The fulnefs of thy prefence fhare.
I 5 .0
PSALM XLI. 103
1 5>
O thankful blefs th' Almighty Lord,
The God by Jacob's Sons ador'd ;
With joyful hearts his Love proclaim,
And praife, O praife, his holy name.
16.
His fame, ere Time its courfe began,
O'er Heav'n's wide region echoing ran ;
To Him through endlefs ages raife
One fong of oft-repeated praife.
PSALM XLII.
i.
AS pants the Hart for cooling fprings,
So longs my Soul, O King of Kings,
Thy face in near approach to fee,
So thirfts, great Source of Life, for Thee.
2.
With ardent zeal, with ftrong defires
To Thee, to Thee my Soul afpires j
When (hall I reach thy bleft abode ?
When meet the prefence of my God ?
3-
Tears, Lord, Thou know'ft, have been my
bread,
By day, by night, profufely fhed,
While thus they urge me to defpair :
" Where's now thy God, thou Outcaft,
where f"
4. While
104 PSALM XLII.
4-
While griefs like thefe befet my Soul,
While thus my thoughts tumultuous roll,
To Thee my heart afcends in pray'r,
And in thy bofom pours its care.
5-
Oft, Lord, in luxury of woe
Back to thofe happier hours I go,
When up fair &'<?'shigh afcent
The Tribes in long proceffion went ;
6.
There, while thy praife in grateful fongs
Refounded from a thoufand tongues,
I, rank'd amid the feftive Train,
Exulting trod thy hallovr'd Fane.
7-
Why thus, my Soul, with care opprefs'd ?
And whence the woes that fill my breaft ?
In all thy cares, in alj thy woes,
On God thy ftedfaft hope repofe ;
8.
To Him my thanks {hall ftill be paid,
My fure Defence, my conftant Aid ;
His Name my zeal fhall ever raife,
And dictate to my lips his praife.
9-
When griefs like thefe befet my foul,
My thoughts with vain impatience roll,
Thy mercies, Lord, before my eyes
Shall yet in fweet remembrance rife ;
10. Though
PSALM XLII. 105
10.
Though now with mournful ftep and flow
O'er Jordan's lonely banks I go,
And, exil'd from thy much-lov'd Dome,
On diftant Herman penfive roam.
U.
Deeps to confed'rate Deeps aloud
Have call'd, and from the burfting cloud
Their licens'd rage the ftorms have flied,
And heap'd the billows o'er my head.
12.
Yet 'midft the ftorm, and 'midft the wave,
Thy Love the beams of comfort gave ;
Thy name by day employs my tongue,
By night infpires my pray'r, and fong.
1 3-
God of my ftrength, attend my cry,
Say why, my great Preferver, why,
Excluded from thy fight I go,
And bend beneath a weight of woe ?
14.
Why (harper than the biting fteel
Th' infulting Foe's reproach I feel,
While thus they urge me to defpair:
" Where's now thy God, thou Outcaft,
where ?"
I5>
Why thus, my Soul, with care opprefs'd ?
And whence the woes that fill my bread ?
In a!l thy cares, in all thy woes,
On God thy ftedfaft hope repofe j
16. To
io6 P S A L M XLII.
16.
To Him my thanks fhall ft ill be paid,
My fure Defence, my conftant Aid ;
His Name my zeal (hall ever raife,
And dictate to my lips his praife.
PSALM XLIII.
i.
O Weigh me, Lord, in equal fcale,
And let my injur'd caufe prevail :
fave me from an impious Throng,
The Sons of Violence and Wrong.
2.
God of my ftrength, to Thee I cry ;
Say why, by Thee rejected, why,
1 bend beneath a weight of woe,
And bear the infults of the Foe.
3-
O let thy Light attend my way,
Thy Truth afford. its fteady ray,
To Sioa's Hill dired my feet,
And bring me to thy hallow'd Seat :
4-
Admitted to thy Altars there,
My hands to Thee the gift (hall bear,
Whofe Mercies, to my heart reveal'd,
A theme of endlefs tranfport yield.
5-
Thy praife, O God, my God, the lyre
Shall wake, thy Love its fong infpire,
And thankful teach the rapt'rous lay
Thy bounteous goodnefs to difplay.
6. Whv
PSALM XLIII. 107
6.
Why thus, my Soul, with care opprefs'd ?
And whence the woes that fill my brcaft ?
In all thy cares, in all thy woes,
On God thy ftedfaft hope repofe ;
7-
To Him my thanks (hall flill be paid,
My fure Defence, my conftant Aid ;
His Name my zeal {hall ever raife,
And dictate to my lips his praife.
PSALM XLIV.
i.
T Aught by our Sires, great God, our ear
Thy wondrous Acls has wak'd to hear,
The Mercies to their Tribes reveal'd,
When Ages long o'erpaft beheld
By Thee diflodg'd an impious race
Yield to their chofen Seed a place ;
2.
When IfraeFs Sons, thy foes o'erthrown,
Obtain'd pofleJlions not their own;
Where, planted by the hand divine,
With large increafe their profp'ring Line
Are blefs'd, and nourifh'd by thy care
The fulnefs of thy bounty (hare.
3-
For not the arm of human might,
Nor fword of fteel, upheld their right ;
Thy pow'r exerted in their aid,
Thy prefence o'er their heads difplay'd,
Proclaim'd
io8 PSALM XLIV.
Proclaimed them favour'd from on high,
And bade each force before them fly.
4-
Thee, Lord, our King, and Thee alone,
Attentive to thy Laws we own ;
Indulgent ftill, Almighty Friend,
Thy Arm in Ifrael's caufe extend,
And let us, on thy aid reclin'd,
Thee ftill our great Salvation find.
5-
Through Thee our Hofts unmov'd fhall {land,
Strike with the horn each adverfe band,
Thy name invok'd, their fury meet,
And tread them breathlefs at their feet :
Not from our fword or from our bow
Our fouls fuch confidence fhall know ;
6.
Thou, Lord, each adverfe pow'r fhalt quell,
Thy ftrength their gath'ring tioops difpel :
That ftrength our buaft, thy hallow'd name,
Our hymns of loudeft praife ihall claim,
While Time fhall roll its rapid tide,
And Day and Night thy works divide.
7-
But now, thy wonted aid withheld,
Repuls'd, amam'd, we quit the field j,
No more we fee, to battle led,
Th' Almighty Conqu'ror at our head,
But quick retreat in wild difmay,
Abandoned to our foes a prey.
8. Beneath
F S A JL M JCLIV. i of
8.
Beneath thy anger, Lord, we groan,
The flock whom thou hadft feal'd thine own,
As Beafts for food decreed we die,
Or, fpar'd, as worthlefs in thine eye
See ! fold for nought our Lords we change,
And loft through diftant climates range.
9-
Each neighb'ring Realm with fcornful gaze
Thy People's ruin'd ftate furveys ;
Our name, amid the Nations round,
A proverb in eaclv mouth is found;
AiTembled Crouds infulting ftand.
And fierce Derifion claps the hand.
10.
How fecis my heart the dire difgrace !
How glows with ceafelefs Ciame my face,
While thus, diverted of thy fear,
With keen reproach they wound my ear.
And with revengeful hand falfil
The di&ates of their lawlefs will !
n.
Yet, torn with grief, with dread opprefs'd,
Thy eyes can witnefs that our breaft
Its truft from Thee has ne'er remov'd,
Nor faithlefs to thy Compact prov'd,
For lo ! the dictates of thy Law
Our thoughts to full obedieace awe:
12.
No Lord but Thee thy Servants grecf,
Nor wander from thy paths our feet,
L Though,
no PSALM XLIV.
Though, fir'd with ceafelefs rage, a croud
Advance, and round us roar aloud,
.Though 'midft the dragon's haunts we tread.
And death's dark fhades are o'er us fpread.
'3-
If, ever, of the name divine
Forgetful, we our faith refign,
Or if, averfe to thy command,
To Stranger-Gods we lift the hand,
Say, fhall our crime thy fearch elude,
Whofe eyes our inmoft thoughts have view'd ?
14.
Thy Caufe we (till avow ; thy Caufc
The hoftile fword againft us draw?,
And numbers to the death our train,
As Sheep, whofe blood the hallow'd fane,
Before the altar's kindled flames,
By regular allotment claims.
15-
A rife, eternal God, arifej
Why fits this fl timber on thine eyes ?
Awake, nor from thy care expel
Thy once regarded Ifrael :
Say why from our afflicted race,
Why veils th' impervious cloud thy face ?
16.
O tell us why thine ear denies
To heai< thy captive People's cries,
As funk with forrow's weight we bend,
And proftrate in the duft defcend :
Arife, thy faving pow'r difclofe,
And heal with pitying hand our woes.
PSALM
Ill
PSALM XLV.
i.
MY heart its nobleft Theme has found :
O Thou, with regal fplendor crown'J,
Thy pow'r, thy greatnefs taught to know,
How fhall my lips with praife o'erflow !
2.
To Thee the grateful ftrains belong ;
Thy Worth (hall hid my willing tongue,
Quick as the pen of readied art,
^The dictates of my foul impart.
3-
Hail, fairer than the Sons of Men !
Grace on thy lips and Beauty reign,
That fpeak th^ee honour'd from above,
And bleft with God's eternal Love.
4-
Hail, Thou whom Nations own their Lord !
Gird on thy thigh the glitt'ring fwordj
By Mercy, Truth, and Juftice led,
Ride glorious on, thy ccnquefts fpread :
5-
Thy ftubborn foes, a guilty race,
Thy hand with faithful fcarch fhall trace,
Mark, as their crimes for vengeance call,
And teach thy terrors where to fall :
6.
While, edg'd with wrath, thy ev'ry dart
Shall pierce fome proud Oppofer's heart,
Aflert the caufe ofjfudab's King,
And dip in impious blood its wing:
L 2 7. O
112 P S A L M XLV.
7-
O God, through ages lafls thy Throne,
Thy Scepter Juftice calls her own,
Thy heart th' all perfect Law purfues,
And guilt with fix'd abhorrence views :
8.
For this thy God, who rules the fkie,
Has o'er thy^e Equals bid thce rife,
And, pleas'd, the oil of gladnefs fhcd
In large prorufion on thy head.
9-
Myrrh, Aloes, Caflia, to the fenfe
Their all-reviving fweets difpenfe,
While, recent from the iv'ry cell,
Their mingled odours round thee dwell,
10.
Their Daughters mightieft Kings behold
Amid thy Virgin Train inroll'd j
And, feated on thy right, the Queen
Array'd in robes of gold is feen.
ii.
Hear, Daughter, and attentive weigh
The precepts of the Heav'n- taught Lay ;
Within thy thought retain no more
Thy Father's houfe and native fhore ;
12.
So fhall the King delighted fee
Thy fpotlefs Form j and O, be He,
That Lord whom Heav'n's high hofts revere,
Thy only Love, thy only Fear.
13. Im~
PSALM XLV. 113
J3-
Imperial Tyre, that, thron'd on high,
O'er fubjeer, feas extends her eye,
Her Gifts, O Prince, (hall bring to Thee,
And fuppliant Nobles ftoop the knee.
14.
The Virgin (Offspring of a King,)
Whom now thy happy Choice we fing,
(Herfelf with each perfection bleft)
Ere Thee fhe greets, afliimes the vcfl j
15-
That veft, where 'mid th' inwoven gold
A thoufand colours we behold,
That, kindled by the beams of day,
The needle's utmoft art difplay.
1 6.
By eminence of beauty known
Amidft her fair AfTociates, on
She moves, and joys with them to tread
The paths that to thy prefence lead.
I 7-
No more the Patriarchs of thy line
In Time's long records chief fhall Ibine^
Thy greater Sons, to Empire born,
Its future annals fhall adorn.
1 8.
Thy Pow'r to Them deriv'd difplay,
And ftretch thro' Earth their boundlefs fway ;
O'er fubjecl: realms their wide command
Through diftant times confirm'd fhall ftand.
L 3 19. Thofc
H4 PSALM XLV.
19.
Thofe realms, while thus to Thee I raife
A lafting Monument of praife,
With thankful voice {hall join the ftrain,
And own the BleiTings of thy Reign.
PSALM XLVI.
i.
ON Thee, great Ruler of the Skies,
On Thee our ftedfaft hope relies :
When hoftile pow'rs againft us join,
What Aid fo prefent, Lord, as thine ?
2.
By Thee fecur'd, no fears we own,
Though Earth, convuls'd, beneath us groan,
Though tempefts o'er her furface fweep,
And whirl her hills into the Deep :
3-
Though, arm'd with rage, before our eyes
That Deep in all its horrors rife,
While, as the tumult fpreads around,
The mountains tremble at the found.
4-
Behold fair Sion's bleft retreat,
Where God has fix'd his awful Seat ;
Whofe walls to heav'n's Almighty Lord
His chofen reudence afford :
5-
No Tempefts there licentious ftray,
But foft along their level way
The facred Streams their courfe maintain,
And crown with health her happy plain,
2 6. God,
PSALM XLVI. 115
6.
God, ever watchful, ever nigh,
Bids ftorms around her harmlefs fly ;
His early care each foe withftands,
And backward turns the yielding Bands.
7-
See, rous'd by Difcord's fierce alarms,
The headlong Nations rufh to arms ;
But God aloud aflerts his fway,
And Earth's whole fabrick melts away.
8.
On Heav'n's high Lord our truft we build $
The God of Jacob is our Shield ;
His arm, exerted in our right,
Shall turn each adverfe pow'r to flight.
9-
O come, behold a fcene of dread,
Behold a World with flaughter fpread ;
And know, 'tis God who bids each Land
Thus feel the terrors of his hand.
10.
'Tis His, again the Earth to chear,
To break the bow, to fnap the fpear,
To wrap in flames the glitt'ring car,
And hufh the tumult of the war.
ii.
Be ftill, ye Sons of Pride, and own
That I am God, and I alone :
Exalted o'er each heathen Land,
Exalted o'er the Earth I ftand 3
12. Oil
n6 PSALM XLVI.
12.
On Heav'n's high Lord our truft we build j
The God of'' Jacob is our Shield,
His arm, exerted in our right,
Shall turn each adverfe pow'r to flight.
PSALM XLVII.
i.
AR I S E, ye People, clap the hand j
Exulting ftrike the chord :
Let ev'ry Ifle, and ev'ry Land,
Confefs th' Almighty Lord.
2.
How awful his myfterious Name !
How high advanc'd his Seat !
Who bids the Nations own our claim,
And cafts them at our feet.
3-
He to bur lot a Land affign'd,
His favour'd Jacob's boa(r,
And bleft with gifts of various kind
Her health-incircled coaft.
4<
Hear, while the (bouts wide-echoing round
Th' afcending God proclaim,
The anfw'ring trump through Heav'n refound,
And ihake its vaulted frame.
5-
Sing to our God ; in loudeft ftrain
Perpetual praifes fmg :
O'er Earth's wide bounds extends his reign ;
O praife our God and King.
6. Prepare,
? S A L M XLVII, 117
6.
Prepare, prepare, with tuneful art,
In one adernbled throng,
Your {hares of harmony to part,
And raife thaHeav'n-taught Song.
7-
His fway the Sons of human kind
With humbled homage own ;
And Sanctity' with powV combin'd
Supports his lading throna.
8.
Kings from afar coriven'd behold,
Whofe breads with 2eal have glow'c^f
Among the tribes to {land inroll'd,
That bow to Abraham's God.
9-
For He, whofe hands amid the fkies
Th' eternal fcepter wield,
To Earth's whole race his care applies r
And o'er them fpreads the (hield.
PSALM XLVIII.
i.
GREAT is our God : With warmed zeal
O let his name be bleft,
Within the precincts of his Hill,
And City of his reft.
2.
Fair is that Hill ; how wondrous fair !
Imperial Sign's Seat :
There centers, Earth, thy Joy, and there
Its meafure owns complete.
3. Her
ii8 PSALM XLVIIL
3-
Her Walls, while there his lov'd reccfs
The Northern Heav'n furveys,
With fafety God vouchfafes to blefs,
And pleas'd her fcepter fways.
4-
Earth's haughty Monarchs thither came ;
They came, they faw, they fled,
Amazement fhook their inmoft frame,
And undiflembled dread.
5-
Such fears they (hare as Matrons find
. That feel th' increafing throe,
Struck by that God, whofe matt'ring wind
Thy Ships, O Tharfa know.
6.
Lord ! what our ears long fmce have known.
Our eyes delighted trace,
Thy Love in long fucceffion mown
To Saltm's chofen race.
7-
Thrice bleft Abode ! whofe ev'ry tow'r
By Thee fupported {lands,
That God whofe wide-extended pow'r
Th' ethereal Hoft commands.
8.
When, proflrate at thy hallow'd Shrine,
Thy mercies each furveys,
Tranfported with the view, we join
In wonder, love, and praife.
9. Thy
PSALM XLVIII. 119
9-
Thy Name, through Earth's wide confines
fpread,
Eternal honours crown ;
Each fentence by thy hand decreed
Fair Juftice {lamps her own.
10.
Let Sion's Heav'n-devoted Mount
With ftiouts of triumph ring,
And Judab's Daughters pleas'd recount
The Judgments of her King,
II.
Go, walk her facred ftreets along,
And let her tow'rs be told;
With curious eye her bulwarks ftrong
And beauteous domes behold.
12.
So (hall the -fair defcription laft,
Preferv'd in full record,
And tell what glories once have grac'd
The Seat of Jacob's Lord.
3
To Him our thankful hearts fhall bow,
Nor own a God befide ;
To life's laft period Him avow
The ever faithful Guide.
PSALM
P S A L M XLIX.
YE Nations, hear : Ye Sons of Earth,
Of higheft or obfcureft birth,
Ye who from wealth's full board are fed,
And Ye who eat with toil your bread.
2.
My words with juft attention weigh,
And liften to the hallow'd Lay ;
While, touch'd with holy fire, my tongue
Forms to the harp the myftic fong.
3-
My lips fhall Wifdom's leflbns yield,
My heart, with nobleft fcience fill'd,
Shall prompt me with obedient ear
The Heav'n-defcending truths to hear.
4-
Why ihould my foul with anxious dread
Behold the foes around me (bread,
Who build on wealth their truft, and flore '
In boafted heaps the glit'ring ore ?
5-
Ceafe, Mortals, ceafe your pride ; nor dreani
That riches fhall from death redeem,
Or from the all-difpofing hand
A Brother's forfeit life demand.
6.
In vain would Friendship's zeal eflay
The full equivalent to pay,
In vain the flitting breath to fave,
And plead exemption from the grave;
7. !
PSALM XLIX. 121
7-
In vain, though Opbir's wealthieft mine
Its treafures to the purchafe join ;
Then, taught the Soul's beft price to know>
At once the frantic thought forego.
&
Thou feeft the Man in Wifdom's fchool
Long tutor'd, like the untaught fool
To death fubmit, and leave his heir
His heaps of gather'd wealth to fhare.
9-
What though they build the Dome fublime,
Proof to the rage of eating Time,
While Lands fubje&ed to their claim
Take from their haughty Lord a name,
10.
Yet Man, with erring pride elate,
And high in pow'r, in honour great,
Shares with the Brute an equal doom,
And fleeps forgotten in the tomb.
u.
Their hope, thus fond thus faithlefs found,
Their Sons aflume ; in endlefs round
Another and another race
Their Fathers' wayward fteps mall trace.
12.
Together now behold them laid,
As Sheep, when Night extends her fhade^
While Death within the vaulted rock,
Stern Shepherd, guards the flumb'ring flock :
M 13, Corruption
122 PSALM XLIX.
13-
Corruption there its work fhall ply,
And, wrapt in darknefs as they lie,
Each feature fair, each boafted grace,
With unrelenting hand efface.
14.
Ye Juft, exulting lift your eyes ;
Behold the promis'd Morn arife,
That bids you, o'er each haughty foe
Exalted, endlefs triumphs know :
IS-
My Soul, amidft your happy train,
The wifti'd redemption fhall obtain,
By God adopted, Death fhall brave,
And mock the difappointed Grave.
16.
Let not the Sight thy heart difmay,
If Man's proud Offspring thou furvey
With growing wealth incircled round,
Or mark his houfe with honours crown'd :
17-
Think not his treafures, at his end,
Shall with him to the grave defcend,
Or the vain pomp, that ftrikes thy view,
Through Death's dark (hade its Lord purfue,
1 8.
His life with each delight was fraught,
How blefs'd his pamper'd Soul its lot !
Thee too, while pleafure crowns thy days,
Admiring Crouds perchance may praife;
5 19. Yet
PSALM XLIX. 123
19.
Yet Thou, like Him, the way fhalt tread,
Which, one by one, thy Sires have led,
And 'midft th' impenetrable gloom
Shalt find with Them thy lafting home.
20.
For Man, with erring pride elate,
And high in pow'r, in honour great,
Shares with the Brute an equal doom,
And fleeps forgotten in the tomb.
PSALM L.
i.
THE Lord, th' Almighty Monarch, fpake,
And bade the Earth the fummons take,
Far as his eyes the realms furvey
Of rifmg and declining day.
2.
Reveal'd from Sion's facred bound,
The Seat with matchlefs beauty crown'd,
Our God his courfe fhall downward bend,
Nor filent to his Work defcend.
3-
At his approach the fire fhall blaze,
And kindled pour its ftreaming rays ;
Devouring flames fhall march before,
And mightieft tempefls round him roar.
4-
Heav'n from above fhall hear his call,
And Thou, the vaft terreftrial Ball ! [meet,
While Man's whole race their Judge fhall
In countlefs throngs before his Seat.
M 2 5. My
124 P S A L M L.
5-
<c My Saints colle6t from diftant Poles,
" Collea the juft and faithful Souls,
*' With whom my compact firm has flood,
" Seal'd with the fpotlefs Viaim's blood."
6.
Th' applauding Heav'ns the changelefs Doom,
While God the balance (hall aflame,
In full memorial (hall record,
And own the Juflice of their Lord.
7-
With humbleft awe, my People, hear ;
For God, thy God, his voice fhall rear :
Myfelf, O Ifraely will atteft
The guilt that flains thy erring breaft.
8.
Though at the Altar's kindled fire
No bleeding Vitim fhould expire,
Not ritual Sacrifice withheld
My theme of juft complaint fhall yield :
9-
Still let thy Stall the Steer detain,
Still let thy Goat untouch'd remain
Amidft his herd-mates : from thy hands
Nor Goat nor Steer thy Lord demands :
10.
Mine are the Beafts that range the wood,
Mine all the tame or favage Brood
Whofe train the Earth's wide pafture fills,
And wanders o'er her thoufand hills.
xi. Each
P S A L M L. 125
n.
Each fowl, that from its airy flight
Defcends upon the mountain's height,
Each brute, that o'er the champaign flrays,
My all-obferving. eye furveys.
12.
Admit, I hunger; fhall thy God
Defcend from Thee to aik his food,
Lord of the World and all its Store
Thy aid, thou Child of Earth, implore ?
J 3-
Shall Bulls to eafe my want be flain,
Or blood of Goats my thirft reftrain ?
Go, fuppliant at my altar bow,
And pay thy thanks, and pay thy vow :
14.
(Be this thy Off'ring :) In thy woes
On Me with ftedfaft hope repofe ;
So fhall my ear receive thy pray'r,
And, grateful, Thou my mercy fliare-
15-
Thou Wretch by difcipline unaw'd,
(Thus to the Impious fpeaks my God,)
Thy fecret crimes to Me are known j
I fee my Laws behind thee thrown:
1 6.
And Thou, doft Thou with lips profane
The precepts of my will explain,
And, rank'd thyfelf amid my foes,
My terms of offer'd grace propofe ?
M 3 17. Say,
126 P S A L M t.
17-
Say, has the Thief to Thee applied,
And Thou thy wanted aid denied ?
Or fa'il'd th' Adult'rer e'er to fee
A partner of his guilt in Thee ?
18.
Train'd in each well-diflembled art
To veil the purpofe of thine heart,
Thy tongue to fraud has loos'd the reins,
And lye with lye connected feigns.
19.
Haft thou not fat, with cruel aim
Reflecting on a Brother's fame,
And with invented fcandal ftain'd
Whom erft one womb with Thee contain'd ?
20.
While yet my anger I fupprefs'd
Within the fecrets of my breaft,
And filent deign'd thy crimes to fee,
Thy folly pitfur'd Me like Thee :
ar.
But foon my op'ning lips fhall yield
The j uft rebuke fo long withheld,
And bid, before thy confcious eyes,
Thy guilt in all its horror rife*
22.
Ye Souls forgetful of my fear,
With full regard my dictates hear ;
Left, at my word, your life the Grave
Demand, and none be nigh to fave.
23. Who
P S A L M L. 127
23-
Who yields the Sacrifice of praife,
His beft-accepted homage pays :
Who forms his fteps aright, fliall know
What Joys from my Salvation flow.
PSALM LI.
i.
OLord, whofe Mercies vaft amount,
Nor words nor numbers can recount,
Let now thy clemency divine
Confpicuous in my pardon fhine :
2.
O let the fulnefs of thy grace
Each error of my life efface,
Its influence to my foul convey,
And warn my ev'ry ftain away.
3-
My confcious heart its guilt fhall own ;
My Deed to Thee, and Thee alone,
Obnoxious, nor the day nor night
Conceals from my abhorring fight.
4-
Right is thy fentence, holieft Lord,
(God of my hope) thy ev'ry word
In truth's unvarying balance weigh'd
Thy ev'ry a6l by Juftice fway'd.
5-
Thou from the birth my foul couldft view>
As ftiap'd in fin my breath I drew,
And feeft me guilt's tranfmiflive ftain
Through life's revolving courfe retain.
6. But
128 PSALM LI.
6.
But thy decrees, Almighty Sire,
Integrity of heart require;
Thy hand, corrective of my will,
Shall wifdom in my breaft inftill :
7*
With hallow'd hyflbp fprinkled o'er,
My foul its fpots fhall mourn no more,
But, cleans'd by Thee, the white.iefs know
That clothes the new-defcended fnow.
8.
How fhall my ear thy pard'ning voice
Tranfported welcome! How rejoice
My bones, with vital moifture fill'd,
That, crufh'd by Thee, by Thee are heal'd !
9-
O turn, great Ruler of the Skies,
Turn from my Sin thy fearching eyes^
Nor let th' offences of my hand
Within thy book recorded ftand.
Give me a will to thine fubdu'd,
A confcience pure, a foul renew'd,
Nor let me, wrapt in endlefs gloom,
An outcaft from thy prefence roam.
II.
O let thy Spirit to my heart
Once more his quick'ning aid impart,
My mind from ev'ry fear releafe,
And footh my troubled thoughts to peace.
12. So
P S A L M LI. 129
12.
So fliall the Souls, whom Error's fway
Has urg'd from Thee, bleft Lord, to ftray,
From Me thy heav'nly precepts learn,
And humbled to their God return.
O would thy healing grace beftow'd
Abfolve me from my debt of blood,
How ftiould my breaft with tranfport glow,
What Gratitude my heart o'erflow !
14.
How ftiould my tongue thy Juflice fing,
Invifible, Immortal King,
And, long as breath extends my days,
The God of my Salvation praife 1
Not Victims, Lord, in folemn rite
Prefented, thy defire excite ;
Elfe fhould my hand with zealous care
Th' exacted holocauft prepare.
16.
Prompt is thy pow'r, when ills invade,
The meek and contrite foul to aid j
A Spirit griev'd is facrifice
Delightful to th' all-feeing eyes j
The heart, that, taught its guilt to know,
Repentant heaves with inward woe,
Shall find its pray'r, its groans, its fighs,
To Thee in full acceptance rift.
18. Thy
130 PSALM LI.
18.
Thy grace to Sion^ Lord, extend,
And bid fair Salem's walls afcend :
So (hall the Sons of Jacob's line
With pureft ofPrings load thy Shrine ;
19.
And, while in many a lengthen'd wreath
Their incenfe (hall its odours breathe,
Before thy altar doom'd to bleed
The flaughter'd fteer the flames {hall feedt
PSALM LII.
i.
WHY, Tyrant, boafts thy heart the
pow'r
To work a Brother's woe ;
While God his mercy bids each hour
In ftreams unmeafur'd flow ?
2.
With joy thy tongue, to falfehood prone,
Its venom deals around ;
Nor razor fharpen'd on the {tone
Inflicts io deep a wound.
3-
Thy lips far readier 111 than Good
^And Lies than Truth have fought ;
Nor e'er has word that aim'd at blood
UnwelcorrTd met thy thought.
4. But
PSALM LII. 131
4-
But God, whofe wrath thy crimes inflame,
Shall pluck, thee from thy home,
Root from the land of life thy name,
And feal thy changelefs doom.
5-
The Juft, with thankful awe pofiefs'd,
Shall view thy blafted pride,
And, from their fierceft foe releas'd,
Thy impious boafts deride,
6.
Lo there the wretch in trefpafs bold,
" Who God's fupport difdain'd,
" And on his heaps of treafur'd gold
" His frantic hope fuftain'd."
7-
Frefh as the verdant olive, I
Within thy Courts fhall ftand,
And, fix'd, indulgent Lord, rely
On thy protecting hand.
8.
Thy A6ls my praife fhall ever claim,
Thy Name, amidft my v/oes,
(How grateful to thy Saints that Name 1)
My ev'ry fear compofe.
PSALM
PSALM LIII.
BEHOLD the Fool, whofe heart denies
The God who fonn'd the Earth and
Skies :
While, fearlefs, fin's worft paths he treads,
Mark how the dire example fpreads.
2.
Of Man's whole race not one we find
To Virtue's Heav'n-taught rules inclin'd,
Who 'midft infectious times has flood
Unftain'd, and obftinately good.
3-
Th' eternal Monarch from on high
Caft on the Sons of Earth his eye,
If haply fome he yet might fee
True to their God, from error free.
4-
He look'd : But ah ! not one could find
To Virtue's Heav'n-taught rules inclin'd :
Each, led from Wifdom's path aftray,
Purfues the tenour of his way.
5-
O fay, what frenzy thus could blind
Their Souls, that with remorfelefs mind
As bread my People they devour,
Nor fuppliant own their Maker's pow'r.
6.
Yet fee their thoughts tumultuous roll,
See caufelefs terrors fhake their foul ;
By juft alarms of confcience driv'n
To tremble at the wrath of Heav'n !
7. W r ide
P. S A L M LIU. 133
7-
Wide o'er the field the bones are fpread
Of Chiefs who by thy fword have bled,
And fpeak the doom that All muft (hare,
Whom God abandons from his care,
8.
Who, mightieft Lord, to Jfraef^ eyes
Shall bid the wifh'd Salvation rife,
From Sion's. hill its healing ray
Extend, and round us pour the day ?
?'
When Thou thy captives (halt reftore,
Thy praife fhall found through jfo0$'s more,
And ceafelefs fhouts, through heav'n's wide
frame
Loud echoing, Jacob's joy proclaim.
PSALM LIV.
i.
THY Name my ftedfaft heart avows 5
Do Thou my mjur'd caufe efpoufe,
And be thy Strength my aid :
My plaints, eternal Monarch, hear,
And let them by thy pitying ear
With full regard be weigh'd.
2.
For Nations from thy fear eftrang'd,
With Tyrants fierce, againft me rang'd,
My guiltlefs foul purfue :
But 'midft my helpers Heav'n's high Lord
Shall ftand, and faithful to his word
Each adverfe pow'r fubdue.
N 3. O
134- PSALM LIV.
3-
O let my heart, their rage repell'd,
Itfelf a willing ofPrino; yield ;
To Thee its praife fhall flow,
While to my thought thy Mercies rife,
That gave me with exulting eyes
To fee my proftrate foe.
PSALM LV.
i.
OHear my voice, All-potent Sire,
Nor diftant from the pray'r retire,
Whofe accents to thine ear impart
The anguifli of my heaving heart.
2.
A Croud, whofc thoughts from Thee have
ftray'd,
With falfehood arm'd, my peace invade,
And, leagu'd in fin, reproaching foes
With fettled hate my fteps inclofe.
3-
Oppreflion's fhouts around me roar,
Death's blacked horrors whelm me o'er,
And griefs and fears, that fhun controul,
Shake to its inmoft depth my foul.
4-
O who fhall give me (thus my breaft
Its vain inquietude exprefs'd,)
The Dove's light wing, that through the air
My foul to peaceful reft may bear ?
5. How
PSALM LV. 135
5-
How would I mount the wafting wind,
How leave the wrathful ftorms behind,
And in the Defert's lone retreat
Contented fix my lafting Seat !
6.
Thy vengeance, Lord, inflict ; their tongue
Divide ; for Tumult, Strife, and Wrong,
Where'er I turn, before my eyes
In giant forms amid them rife j
7-
Within their wall's unhallow'd bound
By day, by night, they take their round ;
Nor ceafe their guilty ftreets to hear
The voice of falfehood, grief, and fear.
8.
If foes prcfeft had aim'd the wound,
My foul fome fafe recefs had found,
Or, difciplin'd by previous care,
Had learn'd th' expected ill to b'ear ;
9-
But Thou, 'twas Thou, the Friend difguis'J,
The Man, whom chief of Friends I priz'd,
To whom, its Counfellor and Guide,
My foul in ev'ry doubt applied :
JO.
Iri bands of fweteft union join'd,
Each wifli, each fecret of the mind,
We ftiar'd, and 'midft th' aflembled Train
Familiar trod the hallow'd r ane.
N 2 ii. Let
136 PSALM LV.
11.
Let Earth its op'ning jaws extend,
While living to the grave defcend
The lawlefs Throng ; whofe Land profane
Hell's worft-invented mifchiefs ftaim
12.
God, as with fervent lips I pray,
At dawn, at noon, at clofe of day,
Shall ftoop to my complaint his ear,
And inftant in my caufe appear.
13-
He, when the battle round me bled,
From hoftile myriads fcreen'd my head,
Gave to my pray'r the wifh'd-for peace,
And bade tha dreadful tumult ceafe.
14.
That Pow'r who reign'd thro' ages pafly
Whofe counfeJs mall for ever laft,
That Pow'r my conteft mall decide,
And humble to the duft their pride.
15-
See, unprovok'd, the reftlefs foe
Aim at thy Saints the deathful blow,
(Thy fear, great God, behind him thrown,)
And compacts oft confirm'd difown.
16.
While War's fierce flames within him burn,
As milk new foaming from the churn
Smooth are his lips ; as oil his words ;
Yet wound they deep as keeneft f\\ ords."
J7. O
P S A L M LV. 137
I 7-
O cafl thee fearlefs on thy God ;
He, prompt to fave, the grateful load
Within his foft'ring arms (hall bear,
And feed thee with "a parent's care.
18.
Author of good ! beneath thy hand
Secure from lapfe the Juft (hall ftand,
While (fuch thy Mandate !) on his foes
Deduction's pit its mouth fhall clofe.
19.
Who thirft for blood, who falfehoods raife,
To death fhall yield, ere half their days
Be numbered, while, exulting, I
On Thee with ftedfaft hope rely.
PSALM LVL
r.
O Reach me, Lord, thy aiding pow'r,
While hoflile troops my ftrength devour;
My ftrength devour, and day by day
With fierceft threats my heart difmay:
Yet Trufl in Thee my fpirit chears,
And checks my fighs, and wipes my tears.
2.
Thy promife, Lord, to notes of praife
In each diitrefs my fong (hall raife ;
Thy word my breaft with joy fhall fwell,
And all my anxious cares difpel:
God in my caufe his arm will rear ;
And Man, fhall Man excite my fear ?
N 3 " 3. My
138* PSALM LV1.
3-
My words they torture j and, their thought
Each hour with deepeft malice fraught,
In impious council nightly meet,
To watch, with murth'rous aim, my feet,
And guileful, onward as I tread,
Befide my path their nets outfpread.
4-
On wrong, and fuperftition vain,
Their hope the frantic tribe fuftain ;
But teach them, Lord, thy wrath to know,
And quell the infults of my foe ;
O let thine arm their crimes repay,
Who feek my footfteps to betray.
5
My grief to thine obferving eye,
As chas'd from realm to realm I fly,
In full difplay, great God, appears ;
O treafure in thy vafe my tears :
But fee ! already by thy hand
Recorded in thy book they {land.
6.
Whene'er to Thee, my God, I cry,
Secure of help the fight I try,
For thou thine aid, when afk'd, wilt give,
And teach my fainting hope to live;
While hofts beneath my falchion bleed,
And back with headlong flight recede.
7-
Thy promife, Lord, to notes of praife
In each diftrefs my fong (hall raifej
4 Thy
PSALM LVI. 139
Thy word my breaft with joy (hall fwell,
Thy promife, Lord, my woes difpel :
God in my caufe his arm will rear ;
And Man, (hall Man excite my fear ?
8.
Their thanks, their vow?, (thy juft demand,)
My lips fhall yield : Thy fiv'ring hand
My feet from error, from the grave
My fainting foul, has deign'd to fave,
And bids me ftill, to Thee allied,
Within the land of life rehde.
PSALM LVII.
THY Mercy, Lord, amidft my woes,
To my defiring eyes difclofe j
Propitious to thy fervant's heart
Thy wonted clemency impart :
2.
Let me, my hope on Thee reclin'd,
Beneath thy wings a refuge find,
Till thy prevailing beams difpel
The clouds of grief that o'er me dwell.
3-
To Thee, the God who reigns on high,
To Thee with fuppliant voice I cry,
Aflur'd that Thou, indulgent ftill,
My plaint (halt hear, my pray'r fulfil,
4. Thy
i 4 o PSALM LVII.
4-
Thy timelieft aid from heav'n extend,
My fame from obloquy defend,
And bid thy Truth and Mercy flied
Their kindeft influence on my head.
5-
The Lions round me roar aloud ;
And, fir'd with caufelefs rage, a Croud
Advance, (thy foes, eternal Lord,)
Whofe teeth are fpears, whofe tongue a fworcf.
6.
Inthron' d thyfelf above the ikies,
O bid thy fulleft glory rife,
And to the earth with cloudlefs ray
The wonders of thy pow'r difplay.
7-
Oft, as amid the fnares I tread,
Each hour by hoftile fraud outfprcad,
What clouds of grief around me roll,
What dreadful ftorms invade my foul !
8
What fears, what woes, my bofom prove !
Yet, fav'd by thy preventing Love,
Th' artificers of death I fee
Fall'n in the pit prepar'd for me.
9-
My heart is fix'd, Almighty Sire,
My heart is fix'd : to Thee afpire
My thoughts, and dictate to my lays
An argument of endlefs praifc.
10. Awake
PSALM LVII. 141
10.
Awake, thou glory of my frame,
Awake, my tongue, to loud acclaim ;
Pfalt'ry awake, and joyful pay
To God the tribute of the day j
n.
Awake my lute, and new-ftrung lyre j
Inftinft, myfelf, with holy fire
I wake j and lo, the dawning fun
Already hears the ftrain begun.
12.
From Me aflembling crouds fhall burn
The triumphs of thy Love to learn,
And, rapt with zeal, the Nations round
Cutchf rom my lips the facred found.
13-
Lo ! to the clouds thy Truth extends,
And Hcav'n's ftupendous height tranfcends j
Far as to earth's extremeft bound
In all thy works is mercy found :
14.
Inthron'd thyfelf above the fkies,
O bid thy fulleft glory rife,
And to the earth with cloudlefs ray
The wonders of thy pow'r difplay.
PSALM LVIII.
i.
YE whofe lips the caufe decide,
Say, does Truth your fentence guide ?
Are your thoughts by Juitice iway'd,
And in Reafon's balance weigh'd ?
Let
I 4 2 PSALM LV1IT.
Let your confcious tongues atteft
What ye harbour in your breaft.
2.
Hearts ye bear, that deep within
Cheriih each fug^efted fin,
While on fierce contention bent
Arts of mifchief ye invent,
And the dictates of your will
With remorfelefs hands fulfil.
3-
From the womb, in error's way
See the infant finner {tray :
Nurtur'd in deceit and wrong
See him with advent'rous tongue
(Prompt his earlieft (kill to try,)
Lifp the meditated lye.
4-
See their veins with venom fwell ;
Arm'd with fuch, the Adder fell
Stops her ear, in many a fold
'Mid the flielt'ring brake uproll'd,
While each note the Charmer tries,
And his utmoft art defies.
5-
Smite, great God, the Lions' cheek,
And their fangs indignant break.
While they arm them for the war,
And their quiver'd ftores prepare,
Let th' Oppreflbrs feel thy pow'r,
Let thy fword their flrength devour ;
6. Let
PSALM LVIII. 143
6.
Let them wade in fwift decay,
A> the Torrents pafs away,
As the earth-bred Snails confume,
As th' Abortions of the womb
(Life's fhort circuit fcarce begun,)
Perifli ere they fee the fun.
7-
Ere the Caldron learn to glow
From the kindling thorns below,
Let thy hotter wrath be (bed
Quick on each rebellious head :
Let thy whirlwinds, through the fky,
Minifters of vengeanc-e, fly.
8.
Let them, Lord, at thy beheft,
Sweep from earth the living Peft :
While the Souls that truft in Thee
Pleas'd their caufe aveng'd fhall fee,
And, the dreadful conflict o'er,
Waih their fleps in hoftile gore.
9-
" Doubtlefs," each convinc'd (hall cry,
cc Doubtlefs, there's a God on high,
" Who in awful Pomp array'd,
" Comes to judge the world he made,
" All who His commands regard,
" Reap at length their full reward."
P S A L M
144
PSALM LIX.
i.
TH' impending ftorm, my God, afiuage ;
High o'er the foes, that round me rage,
Exalt me, (foes, whofe fhibborn mind,
To wrong and violence refign'd,
Thy facred Laws has long withftood,)
And fave me from the Man of blood.
2.
Aflembling crouds the deadly fnare,
Without my crime, great God, prepare ;
Without my crime, in fin allied,
To difPrent paths their courfe divide :
O, obvious to my pray'r, arife,
Nor let their guilt efcape thine eyes.
3-
Leader of Hofts, and Ifrael's God !
Stretch o'er the Heathen tribes thy rod,
Nor let them vaxmtingly each hour
With mad prefumption br' e ;hy pow'r,
But inftant from thy feat arife
The proud tranfgrefTors to chaflife.
4-
When eve's dark fhades o'er heav'n are hung,
See ! as the Dog with fury ftung,
While hideous yells their wrath betray,
From ftreet to ftreet they urge their way ;
Swords in their lips, without a fear
Their threats they vent: for who (hall hear ?
5. Thou
P S A L M LIX. 145
5-
Thou, Lord, their menace fhalt deride,
And check with juft reproach their pride.
Rock of my ftrength ! to Thee on high
My Soul fliall'lift the ftedfaft eye,
Whofe aid, e'er yet invok'd, each foe
Beneath my conqu'ring feet (hall throw.
6.
Let not thy wrath, O God our fhield,
Their name to full excifion yield,
Left, vanifh'd from th' obferving eye,
Th' example of thy vengeance die ;
But, arm'd with pow'r, through foreign lands
Diftribute wide their vanquifh'd Bands.
7-
Such vengeance from thine arm, great Sire,
Their tongues repeated crimes require,
Their thoughts, inflam'd with impious pride,
Their oaths to guile's worft ends applied,
And urge thee with impartial doom
Each bold tranfgreflbr to confume :
8.
Strike, Lord, O ftrike the needful blow,
And teach an erring World to know,
How vain its efforts to withftand
The force of thy refiftlefs hand ;
While Jacob's Sons thy pow'r obey,
And Earth's wide confines own thy fvvay.
9-
When eve's dark (hades o'er heav'n are hung,
Still, as the Dog with fury ftung,
O Still
146 PSALM LIX.
Still let them clam'ring for their prey,
From ftreet to ftreet purfue their way,
Infatiate ; while their deftin'd fpoil
Elufive mocks their fruitlefs toil.
10.
I, Lord, fecure in Thee, thy might
Will praife, and with the rifmg light
Thy Love, that in the dreadful day
Redeemed me, on my harp difplay,
Thee own my refuge, (hcav'nly King !)
And Mercy's unexhaufted Spring.
PSALM LX.
i.
REPULS'D, difpers'd, chaftis'd by Thee,
O grant us, Lord, thy face to fee,
And let the People, once thy care,
Again thy fav'ring prefence {hare.
2.
How trembles this divided Land
Beneath the terrors of thy hand !
O Thou, the God whom we adore,
Its breaches heal, its peace reftore.
3-
Thy juft Decrees to Ifrael's eyes
Have bid a fcene of forrow rife,
And to his pallid lips the wine
Of dire Aftoniihment confign.
4-
Yet fee, thy hands a flandard rear ;
Beneath it Each, who owns thy fear,
Engag'd
PSALM LX. 147
Engag'd in Truth's neglected caufe,
His fword, fecure of conqueft, draws.
5-
Such, objects of thy tend'reft Love,
Defend propitious from above ;
Let Me with Them thy Mercy fliarr,
And hear, O hear, my ceafelefs pray'r.
6.
God's truth (hall ne'er forget to guard
The promife by his lips declar'd j
And what th' Almighty Monarch wills,
My ready hand with Joy fulfills.
7-
Behold me Sic/Jem's plain divide ;
My line, to Succoth's vale applied,
Its bound defcribes; Thee mine I fee,
O Gileady and, Manafle^ Thee.
8.
Thou, Ephralni) art my ftrong defence,
Thou, yudah) {halt my Law difpenie j
A diff'rent lot ftiall Moab find,
A Vafe to vileft ufe aflign'd j
9-
A doom like his (hall Edom meet,
And wipe the duft from ofFmy feet.
Philiftia fhall her tribute bring,
And own in Me her future King.
10.
Who, as our troops in clofe array
To V/2w's forts direct their way,
Arm'd with refiftlefs ftrength fhall bid
Her gates unfold, her bolts recede ?
Q 2 II. Behold
148 PSALM XL.
ii.
Behold us, Lord, opprefs'd with woe,
As exil'd from thy care we go :
Shall Ifrael's hofts, thy aid withheld,
Still unfuccefsful take the field ?
12.
Our hope, on Man repos'd in vain,
O let thy Strength, great God, fuftain,
And let us on thy aid reclin'd,
In thee our firm Protector find :
'3-
Thus arm'd, each adverfe pow'r we dare,
And daundefs meet the rufhing war,
While from thy fword our foes retire,
Or trampled in the duft expire.
PSALM LXI.
i.
OPPRESS'D with grief, in exile loft,
To Thee from Judah's utmoft coaft
My voice, eternal God, I fend :
O hear my plaint ; my pray'r attend.
2.
High on the rock my footfteps rear ;
There Jet me ftand unmov'd, and hear
The ftorms, that now around me beat,
At diftance roll beneath my feet.
3-
Thee, Lord, I feek, whene'er my foes
With dire intent my path inclofe,
And own thee in the dang'rous hour
My firmeft Hope, my ftrongeft Tovv'r.
4. Remote
PSALM LXI. 149
4-
Remote from fear, within thy ftirine
Thou, Lord, my dwelling {halt aflign ;
And, while the ftorms around me beat,
Fix on the rock my ftedfaft feet.
5-
Thy wings {hall wrap me in their {hade ;
Thou, Thou haft heard me when I pray'd,
And yielded to my wifti the joys
Of Thofe whofe care thy Will employs.
6.
Long Life {hall Ifrael's King behold,
And ages count on ages roll'd ;
With lading joy thy fervant's eyes
Shall fee his children's children rife :
7-
Safe in thy prefence let him ftand,
And {hare the bleffings of thy hand ;
His dwelling let thy Truth defend,
Thy Mercy on his fteps attend.
8.
So {hall thy Love awake my fong,
Thy Name the willing note prolong,
While warm'd with zeal, my vows I pay,
And blefs thee to my lateft day.
PSALM LXII.
i t
MY Soul in God its reft has found j
When various griefs befet me round,
His Love {hall fure deliv'rance yield j
By Him through life I walk upheld,
O 3 And
i 5 o PSALM LXII.
And fafe from lapfe my courfe maintain,
Or, falling, inftant rife again.
2.
How long, Artificers of ill,
Shall fchemes of death employ your fkill ?
Behold the mifchiefs ye intend
Retorted on your heads defcend :
Your femblance fee yon loofen'd Wall,
Yon Bulwark, nodding to its fall.
3-
Vain are the wiles for Him prepar'd,
Whom Heav'n's high Lord vouchfafes to
guard ;
See, vers'd in fraud, the impious Throng
With bleffings charge, their guileful tongue-,
While deep within the heart's difguife
The fecret curfe invelop'd lies.
4.
But Thou, my Soul, on God reclined,
In Him thy wifh'd for reft fhalt find ;
His Love (hall fure deliv'rance yield ;
By Him through life I walk upheld,
Superior brave the hodile Train,
And fafe from lapfe my courfe maintain.
Thee, Lord, my Glory, Thee alone
My Rock, my Health, my Strength, I own j
Ye Tribes, in God your help behold,
To Him, with me, your hearts unfold ;
Each want confefs, each grief reveal ;
For who,O who like Him can heal ?
6. O
PSALM LXH. i 5I
6.
O Vanity, thy Name is MAN :
Intent the human minj to fcan,
Come, try, if aught of weight there feem 5
Sufpend the balance, fix the beam :
In vain. With equal eafe were weigh'd
The flitting air, or empty fhade.
7-
Trufl not in Wrong and Fraud ; no more
On Hope's light wing prefumptuous foar j
Let gather'd wealth before thce lie
Beheld with unretorted eye,
Nor let the glitt'ririg heap impart
One wifh to thy deluded heart.
8.
Once from his throne th' Almighty fpake,
And forth again the accents brake :
" See Pow'r in Me with Mercy dwells,
" And where my fear the mind impels
11 Each aft I mark with kind regard,
" And pleas'd confer the juft reward."
PSALM
i.
TH OU art my God ; to Thee my eyes
I lift, e'er yet the dawn arife :
With facred thirft, O Lord, I burn,
My Heart, my Flefh, thy abfence mourn,
As o'er th' unhofpitable way
Amidft a barren wafte I ftray,
2, Yet
I 5 2 PSALM LXIII.
2.
Yet here, by heav'nly Wifdotn led,
Expedlant wait, till o'er my head
Thybeams in mild effulgence play,
And turn my darknefs into day ;
Thofe beams which oft my eyes beheld
From Satem's hallow'd Shrine reveal'd.
3-
Thy Love my lips fhall ever tell,
(Can Life itfelf that Love excell ?)
Nor ceafe, while breath prolongs my days,
In thankful notes the hymn to raife :
To Thee thy Servant, Lord, as now,
His hands fhall rear, his knees fhall bow.
4-
For nought like this my foul can chear ;
Nor marrow from the fatted fleer
Could e'er to the luxurious fenfe
Such full delight, my God, difpenfe,
As what my fatiate foul enjoys,
Whene'er thy praife my tongue employs.
5-
Thou Moon, be witnefs if my bed
Forgetful of my God I fpread ;
And Thou, revolving Sun, if e'er
I wake unconfcious of his care:
Each night and each returning day
To him my grateful vows I pay.
6.
Safe in the fhadow of thy wings,
In Thee I joy, O King of Kings j
When
PSALM LXIII. 153
When dangers threaten to devour,
Superior to each adverfe pow'r
Thy Arm extends the help divine,
And long Experience calls it mine.
7-
Behold my foes in dread retire,
Or proflrate at my feet expire :
While to my conqu'ring fword they yield,
The Beafts that nightly range the field
Amid the flaughter'd heaps fhall ftray,
And rav'nous feize their licens'd prey.
8.
By Thee exalted to the throne
Shall Judah's King thy mercies own ;
And bleft be Each, my God, whofe tongue
With Him fliall raife the grateful fong,
Who fuppliant at thy fhrine fliall kneel,
While fhame the Lyar's lips fhall feal.
PSALM LXIV.
i.
THINE ear, thou Majefty divine,
Propitious to my pray'r incline,
O hear, my voice in pity hear,
And fave my life from hoftile fear.
2.
Behold the men of impious mind,
Their pow'rs in fecret league combin'd,
With factious rage my foul purfue,
And hide, O hide me from their view.
3. Behold
154 PSALM LXIV.
3-
Behold the flaughter-breathing Throng
Whet as a fword their baleful tongue,
And words, as arrows keen, prepare,
That edg'd with death {hall walk the air.
4'
Conceal'd they ev'ry fear difclaim,
And level at the Juft their aim,
Nor reft, till in the blamelefs heart
Their hand has lodg'd the fudden dart.
5-
Their dire defigns, in guilt allied,
They form j fecure, their fnares provide ;
" And who our aim {hall thwart ? What ey
" (They afk,) the hidden death defcry ?"
6.
With future mifchiefs teem their breafts,
(As each to each new wiles fuggefts,)
And feek in art's obfcureft veil
Their guilty purpofe to conceal.
7-
Ah ! Wretches, whither will ye fly ?
Behold the arrow from on high
Defcend, that bears upon its wing
The wrath of Heav'n's offended King.
8.
Their tongue, that feeks another's hurt,
Itfelf their footfteps {hail fubvert,
And paflers by with inward dread
Behold them on the earth outfpread.
9. Each
PSALM LXIV. 155
9-
Each heart fhall own, with rev'rent thought,
That Thou the work, great God, haft wrought,
And, pleas'd, thy chaftifements fhall trace,
Inflicted on their guilty race j
10.
While, refcu'd from their rage, the pure
In peaceful reft (hall live fecure,
And with triumphant joy the juft
Exulting fix on Thee their truft.
PSALM LXV.
j.
THEE Sion's praife, O Lord, attends,
To Thee the frequent vow afcends
From each whom S-alem's walls behold
Among her faithful fons inroll'd :
To Thee, whofe ready ear the pray'r
Prevents, fhall Man's whole race repair :
2.
Behold, their Maker taught to own,
Behold them bow before thy throne,
Amidft them at thy footftool I,
Prefs'd with a weight of guilt, apply,
Aflur'd from Thy free grace to win
The wifh'd atonement of my fin.
3-
Blcflr, who by fvveet experience knows,
What Joys thy Prefence, Lord, beftows,
The Man, who, privileg'd by Thee,
Thy face in near approach fhall fee,
Behold
156 PSALM LXV.
Behold thy beams effulgent play,
And in thy Dwelling fix his ftay.
4-
Let Ifrael's Tribes, their foes o'erthrown,
The terrors of thy Juftice own,
O Thou, the Hope of human race,
Of all whom Earth's wide arms embrace,
Of all who toft by tempefts fwecp
The furface of the pathlefs Deep.
5-
In Thee they truft, who girt with pow'r
Haft bid the Mountains heav'nward tow'r,
And fix'd their Bafe ; who know'ft to rein
The infults of the foaming Main,
Check the brute waves that roar aloud,
And ftill the madnefs of the Croud.
6.
Remoteft Realms with dire difmay
Thy wonders, mightieft Lord, furvey^
Struck with furprize thy pow'r they own,
And humbled bow before thy throne ;
While, as they walk th' ethereal Round,
The Morn and Eve thy praife refound.
7-
Thy vifits teach the grateful foil
To recompehfe the tiller's toil :
By unexhaufted fprings fupplied
Thy River pours its copious tide,
And bids the ftrength-infufing grain
Earth's countlefs Family fuftain.
x 8. The
PSALM XXV. 157
8.
'The Clouds, in frequent fhowTS diftlll'dj
Drop fatnefs on the pregnant field,
Break, the tough glebe, the furrows cbear,
And crown with good the gliding year j
TV exulting Hills, th' extended Wnfte-,
Thy gifts in rich prqfufion tafte.
. 9.
Nurs'd by thy care the .-fleecy train
Inverts with white the rural plain,
While, as beneath the fav'ring fides-
In crouded ranks the harvefts rife,
TheJaughing ValeafTumes a tongue,
Andburfts triumphant into fong.
PSALM LXVI.
i.
YE Sons of Men, in God rejoice ;
Lift in one choir your thankful voicey
And fpread through Earth's extended frame
The honour of your Maker's name.
2.
Ye Nations round aflerribled meet !
Thus let your fong his praife repeat ;
Eternal Ruler of the fldes,
How awful are thy works, how wife !
3-
Thy late obdurate foes behold,
By thy fuperior ftrength corrtroul'd,
With flatt'ring lip their homage pay,
And Earth's whole empire own thy fwar.
F 4. Eacfi
J5 8 PSALM LXVI.
4-
Each tribe of human race to Thee
Shall fuppliant bend the humble knee,
Each tongue in hymns of praife {hall join,
And joyful bids the name divine.
5-
O come, and view with rev'rent thought
The als by Heav'n'shigh Monarch wrought,
His wonders fliown fince Time began.,
And fricndllke intercourfe with Mail.
6.
His word the Deep's vails channel dried.
And backward roll'd th' obedient Tides
Aw'd by his voice the briny flood
In liquid heaps fufpended ilod :
7-
Now fafe athwart its fandy bed
By Him our refcu'd troops are led,
N.ow lofl in grateful tranfport ftand,
And fhouts of triumph {hake ihe ftrand,
8.
Time's latcft period long o'erpafl,
His pow'r {hall felf-fupported laft ;
His eyes the earth furvey 5 in vain
Its rebel fons oppofc his reign.
9-
Ye Nations all of various tongue,
To Jacobs God exalt the fongj
Sing, fmg aloud, ehat Nature's ear
ilis praife through all her bounds may hear,
.8 10. Whofc
P S A L M LXVI. 159
10.
Whofe wakeful care within our bread
(Though counsels foes our peace infeft,)
Still gives the vital pulfe to beat,
And guards from dieacl of lapfe our feet.
ir.
Oft has thy hand, All-potent Lord,
By various proof our faith explor'd,
And bid the flame each heart refine,
As filver recent from the mine :
12.
Now round us waves the net, and now
Beneath OppremoiVs weight we bow,
'While o'er our heads the Sons of prJe.
With hoitile fcora exulting rixie.
13-
Through fires, through torrents, led' by Thee^
At length th' expected Land we fee,
Where ftrcams irriguous cleave the foil,
And crown with wealth the tiller's toil.
14.
Lo, to thy Dome, my God and King,
The facred Holocauft I bring,
That late, opprefs'd by forrow's cloud,
To Thee with fervent lip I vow'd :
V5-
Before thy Altar's kindled fire
The promis'd victims mail expire,
Here bleed the full-fed Goat, and here
The fleecy Ram, and ftubborn Steer.
e 2 16,0
jso ? S A L M LXVt;
16.
O come, Ye Souls that fear your
And learn his grace on Me beftow'd,
A?, fupplicating loud,, my tongue
Wak'd to his praife the hallow'd fong.
J7-
Had confcious guilt my bofom flain'd,
How had his ear my pray'r cfifdain'd,
That upward now through tracls of day
In fure acceptance wings its way !
18,'
Bled be my God, who, thron'd on high,
ejtc~ts not from his care my cry,
Nor, while afflictions round me rife,
His mercy to my foul denies.
PSALM LXVII.
ii
MAY God his fav'ring car inclincv
And bid. his face on Ifrael Ihinf,-
That All thy counfcls, Lord, .may know,
Where Earth extends, or Oceans flow,
And, thankful, to their wondring eyes
Behold thy wifh'd Salvation rife.
To Thee, of life th' eternal Spring,
Invifible, Allrpotent King,
One chorus let the. Nations raife,
One ihoul of univerfal praife.
2.
Yc-dinant;Realms your voice employ
hi fcn^s of gratitude and joy ;
Exuit
PSALM LXVII. r6r
Exult each Tribe, exult each Land ;
Heav'n's mighty Lord with equal hand
The balance holds, and Earth's domain-
Shall own to lateft age his reign.
To Thee, of life th' eternal Spring,
Invifible, All-potent King,
One chorus let the Nations raife,
One fhout of univerfal jpraife.
3-
So y warm'd by genial funs, the field
With full increafe its fruits fhall yield,-
And God, thy God, O Ifratl, fced
Ris choiceft bleffings on thy head;
God ftiall on us his bleflings fhow'r,
And Man's whole race revere his pow'r.
To Thee, of life tfc' eternal Spring,
Invifible, All-potent King,
One chorus let the Nations raife,
One fhout of imiver.fal praiie.
P S A L M LXVIII.
i.
LE T God arife, and let hkTfoes,
His arm unable to oppofc,
Back from the field, with wild affright
O'erwhelm'd, precipitate their flight.
2.
Behold, great God, the impious Hoft
Like finoke in quick difperfion loft :
Behold iheui, at thy look, expire,
Diflblr d, as wax before the fire ;
p 3 3. While
*6V ? ; A- L M'
3-
While all who own thyjuft command
Exulting in thy prefence ftand,
And bid the fliout of triumph rile
Loud echoing to the diftant fkies.
4-
You-r fongs for Ifrafi's God pfepare,>
Who, feated on lu$ regal Car,
Triumphant o'er the Defert wide
In foiemn ftate is feen to ride :
5-
His name JEHOVAH ; Theme of praile
Exhauftlefs !*in His prefence raife
The grateful ftrainj and joyous fing
The Mercies of your hcav'nly King.
6.
Their Parent Him the Orphans hail ;
He bids the Widow's caufe prevail,-
And, fhrin'd above th' empyreal fky,
Extejids to All his equal eye j
7-
A man f: on to theOutcafl gives,
The Captive from his chain relieves;
But bids the Sinner wear away
In barren wilds his fkorten'd day.
8.
When o'er the !ong- extended Wade
Thy Prefence be-fore Ifrael paflr,
And, beaming o'er thy. P-eople's head,
Their Bands to certain conqueft led,
9. Earth,
PSALM LXVIII. 165
9-
lurth, groaning to its centre, neel'd,
The Heav'ns, in clouds diflblv'd, beheld
The footfteps of th' approaching God,
Ev'n Sinai bow'd with lowly nod.
10.
While yet the burning fands they tread,
Thy kindlieft rains, around them (hed,
Befpeak them fav 'rites of thy care,
And Nature's wearied pow'rs repair,
II.
Thus joy the Tribes whom Thou haft lov'd^
Thus boaft their lot by. Thee improv'd,
Whofe aid the humble and the poor
Shall ne'er with fruitlefs v<3ws implore.
12.
Heav'n's mighty Monarch gave the word j
HHS mandate Sion's Daughters heard,
And thus in one afTembled throng
With fweet accordance form the Song:
13*
" Kings with their hofts have fled; and We,.
" Who fate- from toils of battle free,
<c (Content the houihold's care to guide,)
** The Victor's richtft fpoils divide."
14.
Again (iheir form obfcur'd a\vhi!e
By tafic c of fervitude and toil,)
Again the Sons of Graham's line
Array 'd in fpodefs iuftre (hinc 3
IS- AH
ify PSALM LXVIIi,
iS-
As Doves, while obvious to the Sun
From plume to plume the fplendors run,
Their wings in. lilver dipt unfold,
And necks that glow, with living gold.
1 6.
While back thy foes, O Ifrael^ turn,
Thy God amid thy gloom a morn
Prefents, unfullied as the mow
Diffused o'er Salmon's ample brow.
1 7-
No more, O Bafan^ vaunt thy height,-
That ftrikes with awe the diftant fight ;
No more, ye fwelling M.ountains 3 rife
In haughty triumph to the flues :
18.
On humbler Sion's favour'd hend
Hts tent th' eternal King has {prcad,
Her facred Hill his choice confeft,,
And lafting manfion cf his reft-.
19.
Ten thoufand Cars, and yet again
Ten thokifand Cars, in lengthen'd .train.
Along her hallow'd way proceed,
While God the Pomp vouchsafes to lead, -
20.
Thus Ifrael views within heffhrine
( Bleft feat of Majefty divine,)
The fcene that erft his Tribes beheld
On Sinai's myftic top reveai'd.
2J. Admiring
P S A L M LXVIII. 165
21.
Admiring Crouds with upcaft eye
Have feen thee, Lord, afcend on high :- %
Behind Thee move a captive Train,
Jaft fetter'd with the fervile chain,
22.
While gifts through Thee on All below
From Heay'n's high throne tranfmitted flow,
A Race, who fhun'd thy Laws to own,
Thy Prefence and thy Aid have known*
23.
To God, our ever-conftant Aid,
Be thanks and ceafelefs honour paid :
To whom belongs the pow'r to fave
His fervants from th' expedlipg grave*
24.
On Him thy wifh'd falvation refts ;
Him, lfrae\ prajfe ;. whofe high behefts
Death's dreaded march thro' Earth's domain
To paths by Him prefcrib'd reftrain.
25.
To Each whofe heart rejects his fvvay,
His terrors fhall their guilt repay ;
Deflruclion,- with unwearied pace,
ThroughSin's dark maze their path fhall trace;
26.
Intent on plans of future ill,
His ftroke the hairy fcalp {hall feel,
And (hare the vengeance, thus aloud
Denounc'd on the rebellious Croud.
27. <e Once
i66 P 8 A L M LXVIir.
27.
" Once more from Bafan^s fertile plain,,
*' Once more from the divided Main
44 Thee, Jacob, my refiftlefs hand
u Shall lead, and guard thy chofen Band.
28.
u When foes thy fword prefumptuous brave^.
** Thy feet the fanguine iiream fhall lave,
" Thy dogs devour the flaughter'cT throng,
u And tinge with impious gore their tongue.**
29.
My God, my King, with joyful view
Thy fteps our wond'ring eyes purfue^,
As on thou moveft to thy (hrine
Attended by thy chofen Line.
30-
Before the Singers walk ; behind
The Minftrels tread, in concert jnin'd.
While, in the midft, the Virgin tFain
Awake the trimbrel's loudeft flrain.
3^-
" Your praifes" (thus begins the lay,)
" To Heav'n's eternal Sov'rtign pay,
" Ye Tribes that boaft your hallow'd-Ract
From Ifrael's fruitful fource to trace."
3 2 -
Lead of that Race, Thou, 'Benjamin^
With mightier J.udab there art feen,
While Naphtkali's glad Chiefs confpire
With Tjtbulon to form the choir.
33. Strong.
PSALM LXVIII. 167
33-
Strong in thy God, O Ifraely rife ;
And Thou, great Ruler of the Skies,
Thy Work perpetuate ; and increafe
Thy People's ftrength by lafting peace*
34-
O let thy grace and boundlefs love,
Fair Salem' 's fhrine incircling, move
AfTembled Kings her Courts to greet.
And caft their gifts before thy feet.
35-
"The Beaft, that from his reedy bed
On Nile's proud .bank uplifts the head,
Rebuke, and check the impious band
Who lift to idol Gods the hand;
36.
From whom the Heifer, and the Steer,
The offer'd Vow unconfcious hear,
While to the filver's tinkling found
Their feet in folemn dance rebound.
37-
Their thirft of war, great God, reftrain,
And backward drive their fcatter'd train :
So, fummon'd from her fartheft end,
Shall Egypt's Lords to SaJem bend ;
38.
So fhall Arabia's fertile land
Extend to Thee the fuppliant hand :
The various Realms that Earth divide,
Shall fyig to Ifrael s God and Guide :
39* ^
.168 P S A L M LXVIU.
39-
He o'er the fkies, in awful ftate,
From earlieft age, exalted fate ;
His voice, in frequent thunders giv'n,
'Tremendous fhakes the vault of Heav'n.
40.
To Him the pow'r afcribe, whofe rays
To Jacob's view confpicuous blaze,
Who downward from th' ethereal height
'O'er fubjet Worlds extends his fight,
41.
What terrors from thy prefence flow !
O Thou, of Ifrael's foes the Foe,
Whofe ftrength his arm for toil prepares.
And crowns with fure fuccefs his wars.
42.
Bleft be the name of Ifrael's Lord,
The. God by Jacob's fons ador'd,
To Him, till Time fhall reach its end,
vLet fongs of higbeft praife afcend.
PSALM LXIX.
i.
TO Thee I call ; O hafte thee near,
My voice, great God, indulgent hearj
Extend thy powerful arm, and fave
My foul from the voracious wave.
2.
In depths of mire behold me bound;
In vain my finking feet the ground
Explore ; while high above my head
The whelming floods their billows fpread.
3. Faint
P S A L M LXIX. 16$
3-
Faint are my limbs, my palate dry,
While ceafelefs to my God I cry ;
With wafting orbs my eyes attend
To fee his promis'd grace defcend.
4-
Behold my Foes around me fpread,
The hairs that (hade my haplefs head
Outnumb'ring; Foes, that,. arm'd with pow'r,
My foul have labour'd to devour;
5*
Vet pure of each offence I fland,
Plight to their terms my willing hand,
Nor {him (Extortion's eafy prey,)
The wrong-imputed debt to pay.
6.
To Thee, my God, to Thee alone
The errors of my heart are known :
Thine eyes my inmofl guilt have view'd,
Nor can my thought thy fearch ehide.
7-
O let not, heav'nly Lord, thine aid
Thus long to my requeft delay'd
Their hope to hoftile fcorn confign,
Whofe hearts on Jfrael's God recline.
8.
Thy Caufe, by Me avow'd, my fame
To infult gives, my cheek to fhame :
The impious mockers on me gaze,
Each eye, each lip contempt betrays.
Q, 9. Domeilic
I 7 o PSALM LXIX.
9-
DomefHc Wrath and kindred Hate,
Jn thy defence, my foul await ;
The Brothers of my blood in Me
An Alien and an Outcaft fee,
10.
The zeal that to thy houfe I bear
My foul confumes ; each taunt fevere
That loud-tongu'd Rage for Thee intends,
On Me with fulleft weight defcends.
ii.
DiiTolv'd in tears, with fafting worn,
What obloquy my foul has borne !
My loins with forrow's garb o'erfpread
With jells their cruel fancy fed :
12.
I pafs the crouded gate, psurfu'd
By laughter and reproaches rude,
The proverb of the Drunkard's tongue,
And theme familiar of his fong.
13-
O let me in th' accepted hour
In pray'r to Thee my fpirit pour ;
Thine ear in full accordance bend,
And pleas'd thy promis'd help extend.
14.
Snatch from the miry depths my feet;
Back let my furious foes retreat,
Safe from their hate thy Servant keep,
Nor leave him finking in the deep.
7 15, O then
PSALM LXIX. 171
15-
then the fwelling ftorm afluage,
Ere yet the flood's remorfelefs rage
In dreadful whirlpools wrap me round,
And plunge me in the dark profound.
1 6.
Hear, Lord, and to my foul difplay
Thy Mercy's all-enliv'ning ray;
Look down, eternal God, look down,
Behold me, but without a frown :
I/-
Ne'er to thy Servant's longing eye
Thy face, amidfl my woes, deny,
Hafte to my aid, O hafte thee near,
Releafe my foul from hoftile fear.
18.
Thine ears have heard each infult keen,
Thine eyes, juft Lord, my fhame have feen,
And ftedfaft mark'd the adverfe Band,
That leagu'd in guilt around me ftand.
19.
My foul, by evil tongues aflail'd,
Unequal to the conflict fail'd :
1 wifh'd, in vain, fome friend to find,
Whofe voice might foothe my troubled mirul.
20.
Thefe, 'mid the Croud that wait me nigh,
Gall to my loathing lips apply ;
While Thefe my thirit's afflictive rage
With juice of fliarpeft tafte afluage.
2 21. While
172 PSALM LXIX.
21.
While pleasM the focial board they fhare,
Let Death around it plant a fnare,
And what fhould blifs and health bcflow
With aim inverted work their woe.
22.
Let blindnefs check their fell defigns,
Bow with affliction's weight their loins,
And let thy Wrath, with loofen'd rein,
Defcending erufli the rebel Train.
23-
Let Horror and Deftru&ion drear
Amid their tents the ftandard rear,
Nor human habitant be found
Within their dome's capacious round :
24.
Since, unprovok'd, with murth'rous view,
Whom, Thou haft fmitten they purfue.
And feek, inftinft with cruel joy,
The Man of forrows to deftroy.
25-
Let Each (for nought their hearts could bend)
From depth to depth in fin defcend,
Ne'er, touch'd by healing Mercy, fee
The path that leads to Blifs and Thee j
26.
Let vengeance, kindled to a flame,
Blot from the earth their hateful name,
Nor let them, 'mid thy chofen Band,
In lift's fa.ir page recorded ftand.
27, And
PSALM LXIX. 173
27.
And O ! while prefs'd with ills I lie,
Caft on my ftate a pitying eye,
And let thy Mercy to my grief
In full fufficience yield relief.
28.
For this to Thee rny voice I rear ;
Nor {hall the hoof'd and horned Steer,
New draughted from the fat'ning field,
A Sacrifice fo grateful yield.
29.
Ye humble Souls, that feek his aid,
His Love, in my rele:\fe difplay'd,
His Love your dying hearts fhall chear,
Who ftoops the captive poor to hear.
30-
O praife him, Heav'n, and Seas, and Earth,
And All whom Nature wakes to birth :
Him praife, who Sion deigns to fhield,
Whofe hand fhall Judah's Cities build :
31-
He bids her Sons the Land divide,
Where unmolefted fhall refide,
Through rolling Time's extended Year,
A Race devoted to his fear.
H
PSALM LXX.
ASTE to my aid, my Saviour, hafte 3
My Soul, by hoftile numbers .chas'd,
To Thee directs its pray'r :
0.3 I
174 PSALM tXX,
In wild confufion backward borne
Their wifh 'defeated let them mourn,
And loft in empty air.
2.
Be fhair.e their juft reward aflign'd,
While round me with relentlefs minJ
Derifion's (bout they raife :
Thy Blifs let All who feek thee fliare,
And, taught thy Love, that Love declare
In fongs of ceafelefs praife.
3-
XVhile Thefe in thy Salvation joy,
Jhcreafing griefs my thought employ,
And fpeedieft aid demand.
My Helper and Redeemer, hear j
O, inftant in my caufe appear j
And reach thy faving hand.
PSALM LXX1.
i.
ON Thee, O God, with fteady frame,
(O blaft not Thou my hope with (hame)
On Thee my Soul its truft has ftaid,
And afks thy Juftice to its aid :
2.
Thy Servant, God of Gods fupremCj
O hear, and haften to redeem ;
Be Thou my Rock, and fafe Refort ;
My Rock thou art, my ftrongeft Fort :
3. Thy
PS A L M LXXI. 175
3-
Thy lips my refcue have decreed,
And bid each threaten'd ill recede ;
O let thy promis'd help overthrow
Each impious and revengeful Foe.
4<
On Thee my hopes fupported fland ;
My Life from earlieft youth thy hand
(That Life which firft from Thee began,}
Preferv'd, and led me up to Man.
5-
When lodg'd within the womb I lay,
Thy Care produc'd me to the day,
And, while that Care my years prolongs,
Thy Name fliall animate my fongs.
6.
Though Crouds, with filent gaze, in Me
A fpeclacle of wonder fee,
Amidft my grief, amidft my pain,
Thy Love fhall ftill my faith fuftain.
. 7-
Thy arm in my relief employ,
That foon, my hope abforb'd in joy,
From op'ning dawn to clofing eve
Thy praifes on my tongue may live.
8.
O let me not, Almighty Friend,
While with a weight of Age I bend,
And wearied Nature's fuccours fail,
The abfence of thine aid bewail.
9. Behold"
I 7 6 PSALM LXXI.
9-
" Behold" (fuch words the ranc'rous heart
Suggefts, while, pleas'd, with fecret art
My foes the deathful fnare provide,)
" A Wretch whom God has caft afide :
10.
" Come" (thus, by lawlefs counfel led,
Aloud they cry) " deftruftion fpread ;
* 4 Purfue, and mark him for the grave j
<{ Purfue j for None is nigh to fave."
IT.
My God, my God, depart not far,
But hafte, and make my life thy care ;
O obvious to my pray'r arife ;
Nor let their guilt efcape thine eyes.
12.
Let Shame, let Death their deeds repay,
Who wifh my guiltlefs foul their prey,
And black Difgrace their name o'erfpread,
Who aim their mifchiefs at my head.
13-
My heart (hall ftill on Thee depend j
My thankful voice to Thee afcend,
And, through the day, my God and King,
Thy Juftice, thy Salvation, fmg.
14.
Thy Mercies, Lord, all praife furmount,
No numbers can their fum recount,
For ne'er can words in equal {train
The meafure of thy love explain.
15. Lo!
P S A L M LXXI. 177
15-
Lo ! in thy ftrength I take my way,
Thou art my God, and thou my flay ;
Thy righteoufnefs alone, and love
My heart fhall warm, my fong improve.
1 6.
Thy Leflbns on my youthful breaft
Fair Wifdom's facred lines imprefs'd,
And taught me, each advancing hour,
To fpeak the wonders of thy Poiv'r.
17-
Recede not now, while grey with years
His hands to Thee thy Servant rears,
Nor e'er thy wonted help withhold,
Till, pleas'd, my tongue thy Ats has tolJ ;
18.
Such Adls as fhall the ear invite
Of All who now th' ethereal light
Enjoy, and oft rehears'd engage
The wonder of each future age.
19.
How great thy pow'^ thy works how great f
Say, what in Earth, or Heav'n's high feat,
What (hall the fearching eye to Thee
Or equal, Lord, or fecond, fee ?
20.
How haft thou bid my foul to know
A long viciffitude of woe,
Yet, back return'd, with quick'ning ray
-Haft chas'd each cloud of grief away !
2f. Thy
j;& PSALM LXXf.
21.
Thy hand, when Earth had clos'd me rotincT,
Has fnatch'd me from the dark profound,
My head with endlefs honours blefs'd,
And iboth'd my anxious thoughts to reft.
22.
O Thou, whom, wrapt in holy fear,
The Sons of Ifrael's Line revere ;
Thy Pow'r, thy Mercy lhall my lay
In fweet harmonious founds difplay.
23-
Thy Truth my pfalt'ry fhall infpire,
And tune to loudeft notes, my lyre,
My willing lips with praife overflow,
My re feu* d foul with tranfport glow.
24.
From morn to night, indulgent Lord,
My tongue thy Juftice fhall record j
That gave the period to my woes,
And whelm'd in fhame my vaunting foes,
PSALM LXXII.
INSTRUCT, great God, the kingly hearf,
Nor ceafe thy guidance to impart.
Till, pleas'd, the Heir of Judah's throne
Thy precept's full extent has known.
2.
So fhall his hand difpenfe thy Laws,
Prompt to defend the poor man 's caufe,
In his protecting arm the meek
With fure fuccefs their aid fhall feek.
3. Peace
PSALM LXXII. 179
3-
Peace from the fort-clad Mountain's brow
Shall blefs the happy plains below,
And Juftice from each rocky cell
Shall Violence and Fraud expeL
4-
In Him the Souls to fcorn confign'd
The Advocate and Friend fhall find ;
His arm their injur'd race fhall right,
And crufh the proud OppreJTor's might.
5-
Thy' fear fucceeding Times fhall own,
Long as the Sun and waxing Moon,
With varied light, in fwift career,
Alternate guide the circling year.
6.
Behold his influence downward pour,
Delightful as the copious fhow'r,
Whofe drops refrefh the new-fhorn plain,
And fwell with life the foodful grain.
7-
His Care the Juft aloft fhall raife,
Nor fair Profperity his days
Defift to crown, till round the pole
The meafur'd Months fhall ceafe to roll.
8-
From Sea to Sea his wide Command
Shall reach, and from Euphrates' flrand
Through Realms of various tongue extend
Jar as to Earth's remoteft end.
9. To
180 P S A L M LXXII.
9-
To Him the Defert's Tribes fhall kneel j
His Foes, that on their conqu'ring ftcel
Repos'd erewhile their frantic truft,
Shall proftrate fall, and lick the duft.
JO.
Before his throne aflemblcd meet
The Chiefs, at whofe imperial feet
Arabia's far-divided fhores
Prolific fpread their richeft florcs
II.
See Kings from Tkarfis and each ifle,
Their prefents bring with willing toil ;
Each Prince to Him fhall homage pay,
Each Nation own his equal Sway.
12.
He, when the helplefs Poor fhall cry,
Shall hear propitious from on high,
Health to their fainting fouls convey,
And challenge from the Grave its prey.
13-
Nor Fraud, nor Rapine's iron hand
Shall dare to touch the pious Band ;
For facred is their blood, and high
Its price in his paternal eye.
14.
Long fhall he live, and Shela's gold
In tributary heaps behold
Difplay'd, while Crouds (hall fuppliant bo\v,
And thankful pay their daily vow.
15. Lift
PSALM LXXII. i8c
15-
Lift to the Mountain's height your eyes ;
And fee the yellow harvefts rife,
Wide- waving, as the verdure fpread
On Lebanon's exalted head.
16.
Behold his Cities o'er the plain
Pour from their gates a num'rous Traiil,
And healthful as the vernal Birth,
That (hades with green the joyous Earth.
17-
From age to age the Orb of day
His brighter glories (hall furvey,
While Man's whole Race his Love confefs,
And, bleft in Him, his Name (hall blefs.
18.
Exalt, exalt your heav'nly Lord,
In all his wond'rous acts ador'd :
To Him inloftieft praifes join,
And blefs the Majefty divine ;
19.
That Majefty whofe cloudlefs rays
O'er Earth's capacious round fhall blaze :
To Him again in praifes join ;
O, blefs the Majefty divine.
PSALM LXXIIL
i.
YES : mightieft Lord ! My foul has known
Thy Love to Ifrael's Offspring (hown,
And owns the Blifs by Thee brdain'd
To each who bears a heart unftain'd.
R 2. Yet
182 PSALM LXXIII.
2.
Yet griev'd awhile thy paths, my God,
With hefitating ftep I trod,
And, but for Thee, the faithful Guide,
My erring feet had fwerv'd afide.
3-
As fix'd in happieft ftate I fee
The foes to Virtue, Truth, and Thee,
Their Bleflings on my thoughts imprefs'd
With envy near had mTd my breaft :
4-
Health firings their nerves ; and Death, (their
hour
Approaching), with remitted pow'r
And flow advance his eafy doom
Inflicting, bows them to the tomb.
5-
Forbid the gen'ral lot to fhare
Of pain, affliction, want, and care,
The lawlefs Tribe with cruel fkill
Augment the woes that others feel.
6.
Pride on their neck its chain has bound,
And Violence invefts them round ;
Their fwelling eyes and pamper'd frame
Their boundlefs appetite proclaim :
7-
Their wifhes by fuccefs outrun,
Their headlong wills controulment fliun ;
And words with fury wing'd impart
The genuine dictates of their heart.
8. Lo,
PSALM LXXIII. 183
8.
Lo, tram'cl to infolence and wrong,
Againft the Heav'ns their impious tongue
Defiance and reproach has hurl'd,
And unrelifted walks the world.
9-
Untaught to fcan thy wife Decree,
With wonder, Lord, thy People fee
Life's choiceft gifts their want fupply,
Whofe breafts thy ev'ry threat defy :
10.
Who afk, " Shall He our afts furvey,
" Whofe hands th* ethereal fcepter (way ?
11 Shall He, inthron'd above the ftars,
u To Earth's low fcene extend his cares ?"
u.
Whife daring Mortals thus each hour
Thee, Lord", infult, and brave thy pow'r,
Yet, funk in eafe, and bleft with health,
Amafs in heaps their growing wealth ;
12.
In vain, (thy Servant cried,) in vain,
I purge my breaft from ev'ry {tain,
My ads conform to thy commands,
And wafh in innocence my hands.
13-
Each day opprefl with flerceft pains,
Thy fcourge my chaften'd Soul fuftains ;
Each Morn, that riiau ftreaks the fky,
Awakes me but to miiery.
R 2 14. My
1 84 P S A L M LXXIIL
14.
My her.rt, while thus by grief aflail'd,
In filence long its thought has veil'd,
Left Doubts like mine thy Saints betray
From thy Decrees, great God, to {tray.
15.
Thy Conduct weigh'd, awhile my mind
Its hidden Caufe eflay'd to find ;
That Caufe, as deeper it inquires,
Still farther from its fearch retires.
1 6.
Thy Fane at length I feek ; and there,
(My anxious foul effus'd in pray'r,)
Inftrucled by thy Spirit, read
The period to their guilt decreed.
17-
I fee Thee on the flipp'ry feat
Of high Ambition plant their feet,
Then mark them as they downward bend.
And headlong to the earth defcend.
1 8.
Thy hand in unexpected hour
Deftroys the phantom of their pow'r,
How fwift, how fudden is their fate !
What horrors, Lord, their death await !
19.
Wrapt in Oblivion's {hade they lie,
Their image vanifh'd from the eye,
As the light fabric of a Dream,
DifTolv'd by day's intruding beam.
20. Such
PSALM LXXIII. 185
20.
Such woes, in error's fetters chain'd,
Such heart-felt anguifh, I fuftain'd,
Infenfate, as the Brutes that rove
Th' extended Wild, or mady Grove :
21.
Yet ftill thy Care confefs'd me thine ;
My hand within the hand divine
Was lock'd j Thou, Thou, Almighty friend, .
Propitious {halt my caufe defend.
22.
By thy directive counfel led,
Life's maze I yet, fecure, (hall tread,
And wait till thy appointed hour
The promis'd Glory round me pour,
n-
O fay, in Heav'u's capacious round
What Friend like Thee my Soul has found;
Or who, great God, on Earth refides,
Whofe love with thine my breaft divides.
24.
My heart, my flefli, have fail'd ; but Thee
My lafting heritage I fee ;
Thy ftrength my fainting fpiri-t chear?,
And checks my grief, and calms my fears,
25.
Who, taught to fpurn his equal fway,
From Ip-aeT^ God adult'rous ftray,
His Juftice, with reverfelefs doom,
In Life's full vigour (hall confume :
R 3. 26. While,,
186 PSALM LXXfif f
26.
While^ warm with holy tranfport, I
To Him with fure fuccefs apply,
Him truft, and, guarded by his Care,
To Man's whole race his acts declare.
P S A L M LXXIV.
i.
OThou, whofe hand has Ifrael led,
His fold enlarg'd, his pafture fpread r
Why haft thou doam'd us thus to bear
A long eKclufion from thy care ?
2.
Why thus beneath thy anger groan
The Flock whomThou haft feal'd thine own 5
Call to thy thought the facred Band
Once own'd the pufchafe of thy hand :
3-
The Heritage by Thee redeem'd,
Fair Sun's Mount, where copious ftream'd
Th' eternal light, and fpoke her Shrine
The Seat of Majefty divine :
4-
Lift to that Seat thy fteps again j
See Defolation fpread her reign
Around it, and its wide extent
Each mark of hoftile rage prefent.
5-
With clamours fierce a lawlefs Train
The filence of thy Courts profane,
And bid their ftandard to the fldes
Aloft in haughty triumph rife*
6. As
PSALM LXXIV, 187
6.
As when the Woodman's ftroke invades
The lofty Grove's thick- woven fhades.
So through thy Temple's awful bounds,
Now here,- now there, the axe refounds ;
7-
Down, down in fhapelefs ruins~Yall
The fculptures fair that grac'd its wall,
Rich with the foreft's nobleft fpoil,
And wrought by Heav'n-directed toil.
8.
Along the violated Dome
Th' intruding flames licentious roajjiy
Swift, fwift the fiery deluge ftrays
And wraps thy Fabric in its blaze.
9-
Thy fpacious Courts, and Tow'rs fublime,
Whofe roofs through long-revolving time
With holy wonder ftruck each eye,
Now heap'd in dire confufion lie.
JO.
" Come," (thus th' infulting foe has cried,)
u Come, deal the vengeance far and wide j
41 And let the flames with equal doom
c Each Houfe of Ifrael's God confume."
ii.
They fpeak : and, inftant, all around
The blazing ruins ftrew the ground.
No more thy wonders to our eyes,
BJeft fignals of thy prefence, rile -,
4 12, No
1 88 PSALM LXXIV.
12.
No more the Prophet's lips thy will
In myftic Oracles reveal,
Or to thy People's view difclofe
The deftin'd period of their woes.
13-
But fay, O fay, great God, how long
Thus unchafKs'd the hoftile tongue
Shall mock thy pow'r, thy fear difclaim,
And load with loud reproach thy Name.
14.
While Crimes like thefe redrefs demand,,
Why in thy bofom ileeps thy hand ?
O pluck it forth, and let the foe
Repentant feel th' inflicted blow.
*5-
Thee from of old my King I fee,
Nor knows my heart a Friend but Thee :
Thine arm alone, in Jacob's right,
Has turn'd each adverfe pow'r to flight.
16.
At thy command, the vvatry Deeps
Sufpended flood, in liquid heaps ;
And fafe, as o'er the fandy wafte,
Th' admiring troops betwixt them paft^
The proud Leviathan, his head
Low to thy ftroke fubmitted, bled,
And, 'midft returning waves, his train-
Around their mighty King arc flain.
j 8,
PSALM LXXIV. 189
18.
While Rapine waits upon the ftrand,
And calls from far her hungry Band,
That fcatter'd range the Defert wide,
The promis'd banquet to divide.
19.
Thy ftroke the rock's dark entrails clave j
Forth from its depth the foaming wave
Sprang inftant, and with lengthen'd train
Irriguous lav'd the thirfty plain.
20.
Thy Mandate Jordan^ channel dried,
And backward roll'd his v/ondring tide j,
While IfraePs Sons, by Thee, O God,
Conduced, f a fe the channel trod.
21.
By Thee prepar'd, the Night and Day
Alternate walk th' ethereal way ;
Thy Art the Light's thin texture fpun,
And with it cloth'd the jocund Sun ;
22.
Thy hand the Earth's vaft fabric rounds,
Its balance fixes, marks its bounds,
With fummer's (how'rs its glebe unbind^
Or warps it with the wintry winds.
, 23 '
Parent of Nature ! God fupreme !
While Folly's Sons thy acts blafpheme,
O vindicate thy Name from wrong,
And filence the reproachful tongue.
24. Let
i 9 o PSALM LXXIV.
24.
Let not the fangs of cruel pow'r
Thy trembling Turtle's life devour,
Nor dark Oblivion's fhade our pain
For ever from thy thought detain.
25-
O give the Flock that bears thy Name,
Thy fed'ral mercy yet to claim :
Behold within each cavern'd cell
Fraud, Violence, and Rapine dwell.
26.
Behold ; and let th' affljaed Poor,
From terror and from fhame fecure,
With grateful heart, and joyous tongue,
Wake to thy praife the hallow'd fong.
27.
Rife, might! eft Lord, thy caufe defend :
Wide o'er a guilty Race extend
Thy rod, and let the needful blow
Reprefs the licenfe of the Foe.
28.
O let thy hand correct their fin,
Whofe hearts thy mercy fails to win,
Whofe mad prefumption ev'ry hour
With heighten'd rage infults thy pow r r.
PSALM LXXV.
i.
THY Name, immortal God, thy name
Our love and higheft praife fhall claim,
Whofe Acts atteft thee ever near,
And plant within each heart thy fear.
2. To
PSALM LXXV. 191
2.
To Me, to Me the hour is known,
When, feated on th' appointed Throne,
My Juftice (hall aflert its Laws^
And arbitrate each dubious caufe.
3-
Though all the Land before mine eye
DifTolv'd in wide confufion lie,
Secure from lapfe its pillars ftand,
And reft on my fupporting hand.
4.
Lift not the horn, ye Sons of pride,
(Aloud with fierce rebuke I cried,)
Lift not the horn ; nor thus in vain,
With ftubborn neck oppofe my reign.
5-
Shall pow'r, to Eaft or Weft inclin'd,
Float cafual on the wafting wind,
Or iflue from the Climes, that blaze
Beneath the Sun's meridian rays :
6.
That God, who erft the Heav'ns oudpread,
The regal crown from head to head
Transfers: Wealth^ Honour, Pow'r, his Doom
At will ihall grant, at will refume.
7-
His hand the full-charg'd cup prefents,
While red with wrath its wine ferments,
Whofe mixture Earth's rebellious Train
Low to its utmoft dregs (hall drain.
8. But
1 92 PSALM LXXV.
8. '
But I, with facred tranfport fill'd,
To Jacob's God my praife will yield}
Through Life's continu'd round, my tongue
Shall wake to Him the joyous fong.
9-
Behold me, conqu'ring in his right,
Now crufh the horn of impious Might,
Now bid the Juft, that proftrate lies,
With lifted head triumphant rife.
PSALM LXXVI.
i.
THY Confines, Judah, God have known,
His greatnefs Ifraefs Offspring own,
His glories 5 a/em's temple fill,
And reft' on Sign's facred hill.
2.
There broke his hand the fword and fhicld,
And caft them ufelefs on the field ;
There fnap'd the arrows wing'd with fire,
And bade the raging War expire.
3-
O cloth'd with Majefty divine,
O fay, what flrength (hall equal thine;
Not fuch the Mountains boaft, whofe feat
To robbers yield a fafe retreat.
4-
When erft, impatient to devour,
Infulting rofe each hoftile pow'r,
Who wont with fpoils the earth to heap,
Now fpoil'd themfelves have flept their fleep :
5. Amaz'd
PSALM LXXVI. 193
5-
Amazed the Chiefs were feen to {land ;
Nor knew the once refiftlefs hand
Its talk, but, fummon'd to their aid,
Shrunk trembling back and difobey'd.
6.
The Steed, the Car that o'er the plain
Rufh'd headlong on, nor heard the rein,
With horror ftruck confefs thee nigh,
And wrapt in iron flumbcr He.
7- .
Thou, Thou alone our fear /halt claim 1
O who, when, kindled to a flame,
Thy Vengeance {hall its debt demand,
Shall dare within thy fight to {land ?
8.
Earth heard, when God thejudgment gave.
And rofe his injur'd Saints to fave,
In filent dread beheld his look,
And inftant to her centre {hook.
9-
While impious Crouds oppofe thy Reign,
Thou, Lord, their fury {halt reftrain,
Thy ftroke corre their ftubborn will,
And teach them at thy {hrine to kneel.
10.
Low to our God, ye Nations, bow,
Yield to his Name the faithful vow,
Him ferve with fear, and duteous biing
Your prefents to the heav'nly King ;
-S ii. That
I 94 PSALM LXXVI.
ii.
That King, whofe fword, in wrath applied,
Lops in mid growth the Tyrant's pride,
Aid threatful bids each earthly throne
His mightier fway fubmiffive own.
PSALM LXXVII.
i.
TO God my fuppliant voice I rear,
With hojy violence his ear
Solicit, and expectant kneel,
Till He my inward anguifh heal.
2.
To Him with fervent zeal I cried,
In whom alone my hopes refide j
With ftretch'd-out hand, and reftlefs thought,
JBefetwith woes,lii*.aid I fought:
3-
When night's dark (hades the earth inveft,
And weary Nature finks to reft,
Still, deaf to comfort, I complain,
And give my ftruggling griefs the rein.
4-
Now fix'd on God, to Him in pray'r
My fainting fpirit pour'd its care,
And words, in artlefs form compos'd,
The tumult of my foul difclos'd :
5- .
Now, dumb with forrow while I weep,
My eyes their ceafelefs vigils keep :
Anon my mind its fearch began j
And back to diftant years I ran,
8 6. The
PSALM LXXVII. 195
6.
The years whofe wonders to my tongue
Yield fruitful themes of joyous fong,
And deep inquiry to my bread
At midnight's thoughtful hour fuggeft.
7-
Will God a heart opprefs'd as miner
For ever to its griefs refign ?
Has Mercy from his bofom fled?
My hope his promife vainly ted :*
8.
Forgets th' Almighty to be kind ?
And fhall his Love, in wrath confm'd,
No more its wonted aid bellow,
Or fix a meafure to my woe ?
9-
Now Reafon's pow'rs colle&ed rife,
And thus each anxious doubt chafthcj
Though preft with various ills I ftand,
And mourn the changes of his haruij.
JO,
His Works, atchiev'd in ages paft,
Shalf fix'd in my remembrance laft ;
His WonJers on my thought (hall dwell,
My tongue his Acts unwearied tell.
1 1.
For Sanctity thy counfel guides,
And o'er thy paths, Bled Sire, prefides :
Where finds, O where, the fearching eye
A God, with Ifrael's God to vie ?
82 12. Maker
J9 6 PSALM LXXVJT.
12.
Maker of All ! At thy command
Revers'd the Laws of Nature ftand j
Stupendous fcenes thy A6ls afford,
And bid the Nations know their Lord*
Let "jacol and let Jofeph fay,
How ftrong thy Arm ta chafe away
Each woe that waits thy People near,
Each danger that excites their fear.
14.
The Deeps beheld thee, heav'nly King \
The Deeps beheld thee; and each Spring,.
That rofe from out their fandy bed,
Tumultuous own'd its fudden dread.
15-
Jnceflant from the burfting cloud
Down flreani'd the bidden rain j aloud
Peal'd the big thunder; through the fky
Thy flaming (hafts were feen to fly j
16.
And, as thy voice around the pole
In awful threats was heard to roll,
Earth trembling groan'd, while o'er her head
Its livid fheet the lightning fpread.
17-
Wide yawn'd the Flood from fliore to (horc,
And op'd a path unknown before,
While Jfrael's Guardian and his God
With tracklefs flep its channel trod.
18. As
P S A L M LXXVII. 197
18.
As flieep to diftant paftures led,
Secure thy people march'd, convey 'd
By Mofe? and by Daren's hand
T-o promis'd Canaan's happy Land.
PSALM LXXVIII.
i.
YE Nations, to my Law give ear,
The dictates of my lips revere,
While Heav'n-taught Parables they yielJ,
And Truths in myftic fong conceal'd :
2.
Truth?, which, from earliefl ages hearJ,
To Us in facred truft transferred,
From Sire to Son fucccflive flow,
That lateft times our GoJ may know ;
3-
That lateft times in thankful verfe
Mis boundlcfs Mercies may rehcarfe,
And own the Wonders of his hand
Whofe pow'r prefidcs o'er Judah's land.
4-
He, bounteous Parent of mankind,
His Law to Jacob's race conilgn'd,
(Fit theme! and worthy to engage
Th' attention of each future age !)
5-
That Children, yet unborn, might leara
That Law, and yield the juft return ;
Truft in his aid, his works record,
And mark the precepts of his word :
8 6. Unlike
* 9 8 P S : A L M
6.
Unfike' the Fathers of their line,
Who, rebels to the Will divine,
Turn'd from that Word their ftubborn ear,
Nor fought his Love, nor own'd hrs Feaf,
7-
Such Ephrarm's fons ; a heartlefs train,
That, arm'd for war^ but arin'd in vain,-
With bows unbended from the fight
In wild diforder urg'd their flight.
8.
His facred League, and juft Decrees*
Th' Almighty Lord forgotten fees,
His wonders by their Sires beheld
On Nile's wide banks, and Zoan's field.
9-
What hand but His from fide to fide
Could bid the foaming Deep divide,
In liquid heaps fufpended ftand,
And fafe transmit the chofen Band ?
10.
That hand the cloud around them threw,
Day's kindled fervors to fubdue j
And, lit by Him, with friendly ray
The fire nocturnal led their way.
1 1.
To quench their thirft the copious wave,
Call'd from the rock, its waters gave,
And onward pour'd with headlong hafle
Luxuriant lav'd the burning Waire :
12. Strange
P S A L M LXXVin. 19$
12.
Strange to relate ! Yet, ftranger ftill,
Their Bands, rebellious to his Will,
In rafti and heigHten'd fin eonfpire,
And dare to wrath the heav'nly Sire,
'3-
As o'er the Wafte their courfe they held,
By lawlefs appetite impell'd,
Each, from th' Almighty's lib'ral hands,
Meat for his fancied want demands.
14.
* Will God, to give his People bread,
" A table in the Defert fpread ?
" Our eyes have own'd the flinty Rock
*' Obfequious to his mighty ftroke,
J5-
" Have feen the ftreams, with lengthen'd train,
" Run copious o'er the thirfty plain ;
<{ But can his ftores, exhauftlefs ftill,
** With flefli our hungring myriads fill i"
16.
He hearsj and now in kindling flames
His vengeance dire at Ifrael aims,
Whofe impious fpeech a heart betray 'd
Diftruftful of his promis'd aid.
J 7-
For them He opes the doors of Heav'n,
Back to their wifli the clouds are driv'n,
And, downward pour'd, th' ethereal grain
In wide profufion fills the plain.
18. Their
200 PSALM LXXVI1I.
1 8.
Their wants attentive to fupply,
He gives them Manna from on high :
His fulleft bounties they have known,
And angels food, and their's are one.
19.
The Winds, that o'er the Defert ffy,
New paths, by Him directed, try,
And onward, through th' aerial way,
In flocks the vagrant fowls convey.
20.
Till o'er their tents the cloud impends,
And down the living fhow'r defcends,
Thick as the duft, or as the fand
That lies upon the fea-beat ftrand.
21.
Fed to the full, th' infenfate throng
At will the joyous feafr, prolong,
No more their frenzy they reftrain,
But give their wild defires the rein :
22.
While o'er their heads the vengeful ivvord
Hangs viewlefs, and but waits the word
To fnatch their Princes to the tomb,
And Ifrael's choiceft ftrength confume.
23-
Yet fufPrings ftill to fuft'rings join'd
Fail to correct their faithlefs mind,
Though fhorten'd in duration flow
Their years, and meafur'd out by woe.
24. When
PSALM LXXVIII. 20*
24.
When ftruck by his refiftlefs hand,
Their Tribes lie fcatter'd o'er the land,
Thus fcourg'd his pow'r they humbly own,
And early bow before his throne.
25.
With feeming gratitude pofiefs'd,
His arm each tongue their ftiield confefs'd j
And " who fo ftrong to fave," they cry,
As Thou, great Rnkr of the Sky ?"
26.
Diflembling praife their lips prepare,.
And folemn mockery of pray'r,
While, deep- within, a mind they nurfe
To Truth and to his Laws averfe.
27.
Yet He their trefpafs can forgivr,
And bid th' obdurate Sinners live j
Oft arts of mild perfuaflon tries,
Nor lets his whole difpleafure rife-
28.
Indulgent He their frame furvey'd,
Of flefli and frailty knew them made,
A Wind, that life's fhort paflage o'er
Flits tranfient, and returns no more.
29.
The confcious Wildernefs fhall tell
How oft the thanklefs Race rebel ;
How oft, by mercies unfubdu'd,
They grieve their Maker, juft and good.
30. Yea,
302 PSALM LXXVIfl,
3-
Yea, frantic, to their will they bind
The Counfels of th' eternal mind,
And boldly challenge to the teft
His Pow'r, fo late their Aid confeft,
3'-
When Cham's proud offspring felt his Han<J
Diffufing vengeance through their Land,
And fcenes, each hour, to Nature new,
In dreadful feries met their view.
32-
Their Nile corrupted now they mourn,
And, though with fierceft thirft they burrtj-
Start bgck, affrighted, from the flood ;
For Ah ! its channel foams with blood.
33-
Athirft for human gore, the Fty
In countlefs legions fills the flcy,
And fwarming Frogs, where'er they tread,
With dire intrufion round them fpread.
34-
The Beetle, cluft'ring on their trees,
Now haftes the ripen'd fruit to feize,
While Locufts fell the tiller's toil
Confume, and riot in the fpoiL
35-
By furious Blafts deftroy'd, and torn,
Their fall'n lhades the forefls mourn ;
Their froft-burnt fig-trees fade and die y
Their vines by hailflones ruin'd lie :
36, The
PSALM LXXVIII, 203
3*.
The fturdy tenants of the ftall
Beneath the rattling tempefts fall ;
The flocks, by fire ethereal flain,
In heaps promifcuous ftrew the plain.
37-
Wrath, horror, trouble, at his word,
Quick on the guilty Race were pour'd,
And Angel-Forms with dreadful hafte
From door to door vindictive paft.
38.
With courfe direft his Vengeance flew,
Its path, by Him inftrucled, knew,
And Peftilence with noxious breath
Sow'd through the air the feeds of death;
39-
Now to the grave, with anguifh torn, -
Each Mother yields her eldeft-born,
And Egypt) through her wafted fhores,
The firft-fruits of her ftrength deplores.
40.
Now, Ifraely fliines the Day to Thee,
That bids thy captive Sons go free,
Safe as beneath the fhepherd's care
The flocks from wafte to wafte repair.
4fc
Each hoftile fear by Kim difpdl'd,
Their deftin'd courfe his People held,
While deep beneath the whelming wave
Their proud Purfuers found a grave.
42. Behold
04 PSALM LXXVIJI.
42.
Behold them, borne to feats of reft,
Seats by his hallow'd prefence bleft,
With joyful ftep the Mount afcend,
By his vi&orious arm obtain'd.
43-
Lo! thei'e, refiftlefs, Jacob's Line
The Tribes ^vhom Canaan's tents confine
By Heav'n's high Doom appointed quell,
And from their forfeit Lands expel.
44.
Yet, like their Sires, perverfe they prove,
Reject the offers of his Love,
And led from Wifdom's path aftray
Purfue the tenour of their way j
45-
As flarts aflant the Bow of fteel,
And faithlefs mocks the archer's fkill,
They, rebels to his juft command,
Elude the guidance of his hand.
46.
On interdied Hills uprais'd,
With impious flame their altars blaz'd,
While figures by the Artift made
Thy honours, mightieft Lord, invade.
47-
See, urg'd to wrath, th' eternal Sire
From Silo's hallow'd Tent retire,
And quit the feat fo lov'd before,
Refolv'd with Man to dwell no more.
48. His
P S A L M LXXVIII. 205
48.
His Ark, inviolated fhrine
Of Strength and Majefty divine,
Now wanders captive o'er the plains.
Where Guilt in all its horror reigns.
49.
Prevailing foes, conven'd from far,
On Jfrael pour the tide of war,
While God his Houfliold from on high
Beholds with alienated eye.
50. .
No Virgins to the nuptial band
AiTenting give the plighted hand,
While, fnatch'd by the devouring fire,
Their Sons in early youth expire.
5i-
The fword deftruclion round them fpread,
Nor fpar'd the Prieft's anointed head;
Nor lives the Widow to bemoan
Her Hufband's fate, but meets her own.
52.
His People's cry th' Eternal hears;
As wak'd from fleep, his ftrength he rears,
Shoutsjike a Giant chear'd with wine,
And wrathful lifts the Arm divine :
53-
Th' averted Foe that Arm confeft,
With fhame and dire difeafe opprefs'd,
Struck with furprize and wild affright
inglorious backward urg'd their flight.
T 54, But
ao6 PSALM LXXVIII.
54-
But where, O Ifrael^ fha>! thy God
Returning chufe his bleft Abode ?
Nor Epbraitn's Dwellings to his eyes,
Nor Thine, Manajfth^ grateful rife :
55-
On Judah's Tribe he plac'd his care j
Thy Temple, Sion^ founded there,
From age to age his Love demands,
Fix'd as the ground whereon it ftands.
56.
That Tribe his David's birth has known,
Rais'd from a fheep-fold to a Throne,
O'er Jacob's realms to ftretch the rod
And feed the heritage of God.
57-
As o'er the wafte the teeming ewes
His eye with wakeful care purfues,
A Voice arrefts the youthful Swain,
And calls him from the humble plain.
58.
Ha hears, and, while each kingly art
Thy fuccours to his breaft impart,
(All-potent Lord !) with faithful mind
Abfolves the charge by Thee affign'd.
PSALM LXXIX.
i.
Olfratfs Father, King, and God !
The Heathen Pow'rs thy lov'd abode
Rapacious feize ; the Heathen Pow'rs
Thy ihrine profane j and Salem's Tow'rs
5 That
P S A L M LXXIX. -207
That ftruck with facred awe the eye,
Now whelm'd in wide confufion lie.
2.
Beafts, and each Bird that wings the air,
Thy flaughter'd Saints infatiate tear,
Whofe blood beneath the Vigor's fword
In ftreams round Stfktns walls was pour'd j
None wept their fall, or pitying gave
The cheap indulgence of a grave.
3-
See on our heads each neighbour Foe
Reproach and fierce derifion throw ;
See, Lord, and fay how long thine ire
Shall blaze with unextinguifh'd fire,
How long thy Flock are doom'd to prove
The fad fufpenfion of thy Love.
4-
On Nations who thy Laws difown,
Nor yet, with humbled heart, have known
Thy Pow'r to fear, thy Name invoke,
On Thefe, great God, inflict thy ftroke ;
On Thefe, who Jacob's ftrength devour,
And ruin on his Dwelling pour.
5-
O let not our tranfgreffions pail
Within thy breaft remember'd laft,
But hafte, while helplefs thus we grieve,.
Thy long-loft People to relieve,
And IfraeFs trefpafs purg'd away
Thy boundlefs clemency difplay.
T 2 6. Bleft
208 PSALM LXXIX.
6.
Bleft Saviour ! Let thy pow'r divine
Confpicuous in our refcue (hine ;
Say, why fhould the reproaching Foe
His triumphs build on yudah's woe,
And afk, while thus thy fcourge we bear,
"Where's now your God,yeOutcafts, where? **
7-
Behold, behold thy Servants flain ;
Nor let their loud-tongued blood in vain
The vengeance of thine arm demand,
But give us o'er each hoftile Land
To fee thy Wrath terrific rife,
And Folly's impious Brood chaftife.
8.
O hear the wretched Captive's groan ;
The Souls whom Death hasm ark'd his own
Propitious fave ; the ceafelefs wrongs,
By hands profane, and daring tongues,
Repeated, in thy balance weigh,
And fev'nfold to thy foes repay.
9-
So fhall the Flock acknowledg'd thine
To Thee in grateful homage join,
To Thee their loudeft accents raiie,
With thankful voices fing thy praife ,,
And, long as Ifrael boafts a name,
From fire to fon tranfmit thy fame..
PSALM
209
P S A L M LXXX.
i.
SHEPHERD of Ifrael, bow thine ear j
O Thou our pray'r indulgent hear,
Who Jofepb''?, pafture haft prepar'd,
His Guide by day, by night his Guard.
2.
Betwixt the Cherubs feated high,
Glad with thy beams our longing eye :
Thine aid, great God, intreated give,
And teach our fainting hope to live.
3-
With All who from Manafles claim
Their birth, and All of Eporaito's name,
Each hoftile pow'r by Thee o'erthrown,
Let Benjamin thy prefence own ; .
4-
Leader of Hofts, Almighty Lord I
Extend thy fuccours oft implor'd ;
Turn us again, thy face difplay,
And grief and fear (hall fly away.
5-
How long (hall IfraeFs Offspring fee
Thy wrath (while thus with bended knee
Their fupplicating hands they fpread,)
Smoke unextinguilh'd o'er their head ?
6.
Her food the bread of tears, her draught
With forrow's largeft mixture fraught,
Sad Sien fees deriding foes
Her fons, their deflin'd prey, inclofe.
T 3 7. Leader
210 P & A L -VI LXXtf.
I-
Leader of Hofts, Almighty Lord F
Extend thy fuccours oft implor'd ;
Turn us again, thy face difplay,
And grief and fe'ar {hall fly away.
8.
Each pow'r in adverfe league combin'd,
To juft exciiion fuft confign'd,
Behold a Vine from Egypt's Land,
Tranfpianted by thy foft'ring hand :
9-
Behold in Canaan's fhore.?, her bed
By Thee prepar'd, her root outfpread
Far as the utmoft coaft extends ;
While o'er the Hills her fhade alcends,
10.
Her branches tow'ring to the fkies
With healthful ftem confpicuous rife,
And round the Cedar's loftieft boughs
Her cov'ring vci] intwin'd fhe throws*
li.
Long cherifh'd by thy care fhe flood i
Here, verging tow'rd th' Jjjyrian Flood,
Jn circuit wide the earth fhe crown'd,
And, There, the Ocean mark'd her bound*
12.
But now, in fad reverfe, (Ah ! why ?)
By Thee o'erthrown the fences lie,
The fruit expos'd befide the way,
To each papcious hand a prey.
13. The
PSALM LXXX. 211
13-
The favage Boar with reftlefs toil
Uproots it from the loofen'd foi],
And ev'ry Monfter of the wood
Crops from the branch his obvious food.
14.
Leader of Hofts, and IfraeFs Lord !
Return : Thy fuccours oft implor'd
Extend : from Heav'n's high feat incline
Thy eyes, and vifit this thy Vine.
15-
Behold the offspring of thy hand,
The Plant, which Thou hadft bid to ftand,
And ftrengthen'd by thy pow'r defy
Each florrn that rends the wintry fky :
16.
The gathering flames its trunk furround,
Its ruin'd honours ftrew the ground.
Beneath the terrors of thine eye
We tremble, Lord, we faint, we die.
*7-
O let the Man whom, arm'd with might,
Thy hand ordai-ns our caufe to right,
By Thee, great God, fupported ftand ;
And fave, O fave, a finking Land.
18.
So ne'er fhall Sin our fouls enflave ;
O fnatch us from th' expecting grave,
And ev'ry knee to Thee fhall bend,
Thy praife from ev'ry tongue afcend.
19. Leader
212 PSALM LXXX.
|f.
Leader of Hofts, Almighty Lord !
Extend thy fuccours oft implor'd j
Turn us again, thy face difplay,
And grief and fear fhall fly away.
P S A' L M LXXXI.
i.
TO God our Strength exalt the fong,
To Jacob's Lord the note prolong ;
Prepare, prepare with tuneful art
Your fhares of harmony to part :
2.
Come, take the Hymn, the timbrel ring,
Praife on the harp your heav'nly King ;
Strike into life the trembling wire,
With loudeft blafts the trump infpire ;
3-
For fee the Moon with recent horn
Lead joyous on the feftal Morn,
Whole hallow'd mirth to Ifrael's Tribes
Thy Mandate, mightieft Lord, prefcribes.
4.
Its juft obfervance Jofepb learn 'd,
When, pleas'd, with parting ftcp he fpurn'd
The ruthlefs foil, along whofe fhore
A voice he heard unknown before.
5-
Thus fpake th' Almighty I, his God,
I from his moulders took the load j
I from the clay his toiling hands
Releas'd, and burft his ftubborn bands.
6. O Thou,
PSALM LXXXI. 213
6.
O Thou, the voice of whofe diftrefs
From out the thunder's dark recefs,
Propitious to thy pray'r, I heard ;
In whofe defence my arm I rear'd ;
Whofe faith my light infli&ions tried
Near Meribah't contentious tide,
O Ifrael! with attentive ear
Thy Maker's juft injunction hear.
8.
Let none thy homage claim but Me,
Nor bow to foreign Gods the knee ;
Jehovah only be thy Dread ;
Thy footfteps He from Egypt letl ;
9-
He gracious bids thee wide extend
Thy lap, while down his gifts defcend,
And ftreaming copious from on high
Yield to thy wifh the full fupply.
10.
Thus fpake my Voice, but fpake in vain ;
Th' obdurate Race, with fierce difdain,
Refolv'd their error to purfue,
Back from my yoke their neck withdrew.
II.
No more their frenzy I reftrain,
But give their wild defires the rein,
And leave them, guidelefs, to fulfil
The dictates of a headlong Will.
12. O had
214 PSALM LXXXL
12.
O had my People in their breaft,
By heav'nlyDifcipline imprefs'd,
The leffonsof my Love retain'd,
And trcd the path by Me ordain'd !
13-
When forth to War thy troops were led,
Myfelf, O Jfrael, at their head
Had met the Battle on its way,
Thy Guide to Time's remoteft day ; -
14.
Each humbled foe had own'd thy pow'r,
To eafe thy want, its pureft flour
Th' augmented harveft had beftow'd,
And honey from the rock had flow'd.
PSALM LXXXII.
WHile, cloth'd with pow'r divine, their
bar
Earth's Lords have fix'd, a mightier far
Amidft the Confiftory {lands,
And juftice from their lips demands.
2.
How long (hall your unequal fcale
Thus bid the impious caufe prevail ?
Why are your thoughts by Falfehood fway'd,
And not in Reafon's balance weigh'd ?
3. L:t
PSALM LXXXII. 215
3-
Let Law the Orphan's claim fecure ;
Lend to the helplefs and the poor
Your willing ear; aflert their right,
And fave them from oppreffive might.
4-
In vain I call : Their flubborn mind
To blacked darknefs is refign'd,
While Earth the dire confufion feels,
And, groaning, to her centre reels.
5-
Gods Ye were nam'd ; Earth's tribes in You
The Sons of Heav'n's high Monarch view j
But Death your frailty {hall betray,
And mix with vulgar mould your clay.
6,
Rife, mightieft King, to judgment rife,
Th' opprefs'd redeem, the proud chaftifej
Till Man's whole offspring Thee alone
Their Lord and juft Pofleflbr own.
PSALM LXXXIIL
i.
MY God, no longer filent ftand ;
No longer Jet thy pow'rful hand
Withhold its oft-requefted aid,
While thus thy foes our peace invade j
2.
While flufh'd with hope the impious Band
In mingled tumult round usiland,
Exulting in our forrovvs rife,
And brave with lifted head the ikies.
3. Behold
2 i6 PSALM LXXXIII.
3-
Behold them, Lord, their arts employ,
The Heav'n-rais'd People to deftroy,
The Souls, whom with thy favour crown'd
Thy fecret prefence wraps around.
4-
" Come, (thus, by lawlefs fury led,
" Aloud they cry,) deftruclion fpread
" Along their defolated fhore,
*' Till Jfrael's name be heard no more."
5-
Their leagues, their plans, with frantic aim,
Againft Omnipotence they frame j
And, fir'd to rage, with fierce alarms
The headlong Nations rufh to arms.
6.
The tents of Edom o'er the plain
Here vomit forth their impious train,
While with the Sons of Ifmael's line
The harnefs'd Agaraam join.
7-
Here Gcbal y Moab^ Ammo* ftand,
With vengeance arm'd th' unconquer'd bann:
Of Arnalek in clofe array
The triumphs of their heart betray.
8.
See, fearlefs, with imperial Tyre
Pbtli/l'ut's habitants confpire ;
See Affur draw the hoftile blade,
And lend to e/'s vile race his aid.
9. But
P S A L M v LXXXIIL 217
9-
But give them, Lord, thine Arm to feel,
That Arm that made fierce Midlan reel,
And to th' expesfing Mother's pride
HerSifera's return denied ;
10.
That Jabin's warlike troops fubdu'd
Near ancient Kifon's purpled flood,
While Endor IfratT* foes beheld
Enrich with iLusghter'd heaps her field,
ir.
As Orel) and as Zeeb o'er thrown,
Beneath thy terrors let them groan ;
And feel that vengeance which thy fword
Oti Zcbah and Zalmunna pour'd.
12.
Such let their Princes, Lord, endure,
Who vaunting to their arms in-fure
The Land by holy Patriarchs trod,
The Heritage of Jacob's God ;
13-
Such let their Princes ever find ;
As thiftie-down before the wind,
As chaff, as bubble, let them fly,
That driv'n in air obfcure the fky.
14.
Swift as the fiery deluge ftrays,
And wraps the foreft in its blaze,
Or, furious, onward as it pours,
The mountain's ftiaggy wafte devour?,
U 15. Purfue
2i8 PSALM LXXXIII.
15-
Purfue them, mightieft Lord, purfue >
And let thy vengeance, to their view
P.rcfented, whelm their fouls in dread,
And burft in tempefts o'er their head.
16.
"With wild confufion clothe their cheek,
And tesch them, Lord, thy Name to feelc.
While ruin, death, .and fham<-, they fee
To each ordain'd that errs from Thee.
17.
Jtbwab," (hall the Rebels cry,
u "Jehovah only reigns on high,
u And o'er the Earth from day to day
<( Afferts hjs evejrlafting Sway."
PSALM LXXX1V.
i.
HOW fvveet thy Dwellings, Lord, how
fair'
What Peace, v.hat Blifc, inhabit there \
With ardent Hojpe, with ftrorig defire,
My heart, my ftcfli, to Thee alpire ;
1 burn to tread thy Courts, and Thee,
My God, the living God, to fee.
2.
Eternal King, within thy Dome
The Sparrow finds her peaceful home ;
With her the Dove, a licens'd Guefr,
Arduous tends her infant neft,
And
P S A L M LXXXIV. 219
And to thy Altar's fure defence
Commits th' unfcather'd innocence. ,
3-
Blefr, who, like thefe, from day to day
To praife Thee In thy Temple flay ;
Blefl, who, their ftrength on Thee reclin'd,
Thy Seat explore with coniiantmind,
And, Sti'cm's diftant tow'rs in view,
With active zeal their way purfuei
4
S'.-oure the thirfty Vale they tread,
While, call'd from out their fancy bed,
As grateful fhow'rs from Heav'n diftril'd
Which ftefheft, Iclndlieft moifture yield v
The copious fprings their fleps beguile,
And bid the chearlefs Defert fmile.
5-
From ftage to ftage advancing ..ft ill,
Behold them reach fair Sion's hill,
And proftrate at her hallo w'd fhrine,
Adore the Majefty divine,
W T here thy refulgent glory fpreads
Its pureft fplendors o'er their heads.
6.
O Thou, whom Heav'n's high Hofb revere
God of our Fathers, bow thine ear :
Look down, our only Hope ! look down j
Behold us, but without a frown ;
And let thy beams, in mercy {bed,
Stream copious on th' anointed head.
U 2 7, One
220 PSALM LXXXIV.
7-
One day if in thy Courts I dwell,
That day a thoufand (hall excel ;
Far happier lot on Thee to wait,
And guard th' approaches of thy gate,
Than with the impious fons of Pride
In rich pavilions to abide.
8.
Thou, Lord, r.rt Ifrael's Sun and Shield ;
Thy Love (hall grace and glory yieldj
"Nor e'er permit the pious train
Thy gifts to afk, and afk in vain.
Bleft, who in confidence of pray'r
To Thee, great God, refsgn their care.
PSALM LXXXV.
T.
OXJ R eyes> great God, have feenthy grr.ce
Its beams effufe on Jacob's race,
Loofe from their chains the captive Band,
And call them to trrir native land.
2.
Thy Mercy, Lord, their woes has henl'd,-
Their trefpafs hid, their pardon ical'd,
Check'd in mid courfe thy dreadful ire v
And bid its kindled flames expire.
3-
O grant us ftill thy Love to fhare ;
God of our health ! accept the pray'r,
That feeks thy clemency to win,
And cleanfe, O cleanfe us from our fin.
4. How
PSALM LXXXV". 221
4-
How long (hall Jacob's offspring prove
The fad fufpenfion of thy Love ;
Say, fhall thy Wrath perpetual burrr ;
And wilt thou ne'er, appeas'd, return ?
5;
Wilt thou thy quick'ning force impart,
And wake to mirth each grateful heart,
While Ifraefs refcu'd Tribes in Thee
Their Blifs and full Salvation fee .?
6.
No longer, heav'nly Sire, delay
Thy wonted Mercy to difplav,
But let thy All-difpofmg Will
Thy Peoph's ftedfaft hope fulfil.
7
Rev'rent I watt God's high Decree j
What (hall he fpeak, but peace, to Thee
O Ifraely and to each who learns
His Law, nor back to fin returns ?
8.
Behold, ye Souls that own his fear,
Behold your v/ifh'd Redemption near ;
See Glory make our Land her feat,
There Verity and Mercy meet.
9-
With mutual ftep advancing There
Shall Peace and Juftice, heav'nly Pair>
To lafting compact onward move,
Seal'd by the kifs of facred Love,
U 3 ic. Truth
222 PSALM LXXXVV
10.
Truth from thy furrows, Earth, mall fpring,
And Righteoufnefs on healing wing
From Heav'n defcend, while God our toil
Shall crown, and blefs our happy foil.
11.
She, as on earth thy feet fhall tread,
Shall march direct, with lifted head
Preceding, and with duteous care
Thy path, eternal King, prepare.
PSALM LXXXVI.
i.
LORD! to my wants thy ear incline ;
Behold me, as with grief J pine ;
My hope confirm, and guard from ill
A foul iubje6ted to thy Will.
2,
From rifing to declining day
To Thee with fervent lip I pray ;
Propitious, to thy fervant's heart
Thy chearing influence impart :
3-
To Thee, to Thee I vent my care;
I know thee, Lord, nor flow to fpare,
Nor weak to vindicate from harm
The Souls with pure devotion warm.
4-
My days with forrow clouded o'er,
Thy wonted fuccours 1 implore :
Regard me, gracious ; nor forbear
The voice -of my requeft to hear.
5. What
PSALM LXXXVI. 223
5-
What pow'r, great God, fhall boaft a name
Like Thine j like Thee our homage claim ?
Or who, among the feats divine,
Difplay fuch wond'rous Works as thine ?
6.
Behold, their Maker taught to own,
Earth's future Sons before thy Throne
In Slon fuppaant kneel, and raife
To I/roel's God their joyful Lays.
7-
Eternal Excellence ! Thy hand
At will fhall Nature's pow'rs command ;
Thy wonders, through her confines wide,
She fpeaks, nor owns a God befide.
8.
O give me, Lord, thy paths to tread,. v
And> while thy Truth my fteps {hall lead,
( The faithful Guide by Thee affign'd,)
Train to thy fear my willing mind.
9-
My heart, by facred zeal impell'dj
To Thee the grateful fong (hall yield j
My Tongue, the witnefs of thy Fame,
Thy boundlefs Glory fhall proclaim.
10.
Long as I breathe the vital air
Thy Love my loudeft praife fhall {hare,
Whofe aid my foul with health has crown'd,
And fnatch'd me from the pit profound.
8 ii. Thou
32 4 PSALM LXXXVI.
ir.
Thou feeft, my God, the Sons of Pride,
In leagues of violence allied,-
(Thy fear behind them thrown) my way
Surround, and mark me for their prey :
12.
But well my great Preferver knows
To weigh and to relieve my woes j
Suftain'd by his Almighty aid,
What danger can my Soul invade ?
13>
Long is thy patience, flow thine ire 5
Eternal Mercy, nrightieft Sire,
Thy word (on that my truft I build ;)
And unrepenting Truth have feal'd,
14.
My griefs with tend'reft pity view,
With- ftrcngth thy Servant's heart renew,
And inftant from th' expecting grave
The Offspring of thy Handmaid fave.
15-
O grant me, Lord, fome fav'ring fign,
Some pledge that may befpeak me Thine,
That, ftung with fhame, my foes may fee
What Aid, what Blifs, I boaft m Thee.
PSALM LXXXVII.
i.
FIX'D is thy bafe : throughout its coafts
No city Jacob's region boafts,
'Whofe gates, O Sion, fharc, like thine,
The favour of the hand divine.
2, Thee
PSALM LXXXVII. 22-5
2.
Thee God the Manfion of his reft,
And Seat of Empire has confefs'd,
While thus aloud to lateft days
His heav'nly Edict fpeaks thy praife v
3-
Arnkhl the Souls that own my fway r
And learn my precepts to obey,
Thy Sons, O Nlle y fhall find a place,
And Babylon' 's accepted Race j
4-
Nor thine, O Tyre, nor, Midian y thine,
Nor whom Philiftuft bounds confine,
Excluded from my thought fhall itanJ,.
But mix with Sions facred Band.
5-
Each tenant of the peopled Earth
Shall claim from Her his happy birth :
Aliens no more, within her Seat
Behold th' united Myriads meet :
'6.
Joyous they tread her bleft Abode,
The Ifrael and the Heirs of God :
'J 'hat God, whofe pow'r upholds her State,.
And feals to endlefs time her date.
7-
When on the page, whofe wide extent
Shall Adams num'rous Line prcfent,
Each Kindred, Family, and Tribe,
Th' eternal Cenfor (hall infcribe,
8. His
226 PSALM LXXXVIL
8.
His hand th' adopted Names (hall there
Thy Natives, Solyrna^ declare,
And bid them with thy Sons refide,
In concord's ftricteft bands allied.
9-
Hark, how the trump, and tuneful tongur,.
The facred Jubilee prolong,
To notes of loudeft triumph rife.
And echo to the diftant fkies :
10.
While I (thy Maker, God, and King,)
I, Saleni^ bid the living Spring
Amid thee yield its copious ftore,
And crown with health thy happy fhore.
PSALM LXXXVIIL
i. i
GO D of my health ! To Thee by day>
To Thee by night, aloud I pray :
bend thine ear, and let my cries
Accepted to thy throne arife.
2.
Satiate of griefs, with downward feet
1 feek the hollow grave's retreat,
And, ftrengthlefs, mingle with the train
That fill its melancholy reign.
3-
A Gueft familiar of the Dead,
Lo, in the duft I make my bed,
As One, on whom thy ftroke its aim
Directs, and blots from Earth his name.
4. As,
PSALM LXXXVIII. 227
4-
As, loft to ev'ry human eye,
Deep in the loweft pit I lie,
Thy wrath incumbent whelms me o'er,
And all thy billows round me roar.
5-
No friendly feet approach me nigh,
But backward all abhorrent fly ;
With horror ftruck, the fight forego,
And (hun th' infection of my woe.
6.
While, in my prifon faft immur'd,
My eye with forrow's mi(l obfcur'd,
With ceafelefs moan my fuppliant hand
T*o Thee, great Monarch, I expand.
7-
Shall, whom the bands of death infold,
The wonders of thy pow'r behold,
And, ftarting from the tomb, thy Name
In hymns of joyful praife proclaim ?
8.
Shall echo on thy Mercies dwell
Amid the dark fepulchral cell ?
Or through Deftruclion's vaults profound
Thy Truth, -eternal God, refound ?
9-
Shall regions that exclude the day
Thy miracles to view difplay,
And pale Oblivion's confines drear
The records of thy Juftice hear . ?
10. To
228 PSALM LXXXV-III.
10.
To Thee I call ; to Thee in pray'r
At earlieft dawn difclofe my care :
Lord ! why haft Thou my foul repell'd ?
Why thus thy quickening beams withheld?
II.
Ere yet to manly years I grew,
My fainting heart thy terrors knew,
And through fucceeding lifefuftaiire
A long viciflitude of pains.
12.
Keneath thy heavy hand I groan ;
Woes heap'd on woes come rolling on,
And o'er me hang, ordain'd by Thee,
Tremendous as a fwelling lea.
13-
Each Friend, that wont my board to fhare,
Each kind Confoler of my care,
As round I look, my fight evades,
And fceks conceal rr.ent's thickeft fhades.
PSALM LXXXIX.
i.
MY grateful tongue, immortal King,
Thy Mercy (hall for ever fmg,
My verfe to time's remoteft day
Thy Truth in facred notes difplay.
2.
That Mercy (thus thy Voice mine ear
Bcfpeaks,) on firmeft bafe I rear ;
That Truth in Heav'n my lips command
From age to age confirm'd to ftand,
'3-
PSALM LXXXIX. 12$
3-
My Love to Je/e's Son reveal'd
Th' irrevocable Oath has feal'd ;
Th' irrevocable Oath is fworn,
Nought (hall my fteady purpofe turn,
4-
Bleft Object of my choice ! Thy Line,
Protected by the Hand divine,
In long defcent thy Throne fliall heir,
Nor rolling years their pow'r impair.
5-
Thy Afts, great God, Heav'n's lofty Seat
With awful wonder (hall repeat ;
AiTembled Saints their voice fhall raife,
And ev'ry tongue proclaim thy praife.
6.
O fay, -what ftrength fhall vie with Thine. ?
What Name among the Seats divine,
Of equal excellence poflefs'd,
Thy fov'reignty, great God, contefl ?
7
Ye Tribes that form his chofen Choir,
Let -Ifraef^ God your fear infpire,
Ye Natives of each neighb'ring fiiore,
With proftrate hearts his pow'r adore.
8.
Thee,Lord, Heav'n's Hofts their Leader own;
Thee Might unbounded, Thee alone,
With endlefs majefty has crown'd,
And faith unfullied vefts thee round.
X 9. Ti s
S3Q PSALM LXXXIX.
9-
*Tis thine the Ocean's rage to guide,
And calm at will its fwelling tide :
From Thee the deep-in flited wound,
Her guilt's juft portion, Egypt found ;
10.
When, rang'd in fight, the lawlcfs Band
Thy pow'r, presumptuous, durft withftand,
Each foe thine Arm beheld with dread,
And back in wild confufion fled.
1 1.
The Heav'n above, and Earth below,
Thee, Lord, their great Pofieflbr know;
By Thee this Orb to being rofe,
And All that Nature's bounds inclofe.
12.
While Tabor's brow, with ev'ning red,
And Eaftern Herman's unfhorn head,
Wide through their echoing groves thy name
In fongs of grateful joy proclaim ;
13-
From Thee amid th'ethereal fpace
The North and South aflame their place;
Strong is thine Arm j thy ftedfaft Will
Thy Hands with fure effect fulfil j
14.
While Juft ice, 'mid th' ethereal plain,
And Equity thy Throne fuftain,
And white-rob'd Truth and Mercy fair
Thy fteps precede, thy path prepare.
15- O,
PSALM LXXXIX. 231
15-
O, Bleft the Tribes, whofe willing ear
Awakes the feftal fhout to hear ;
Who thankful fee, where'er they tread,
Thy fav'ring beams around them fpreavi.
16.
How (hall they joy from day to day
Thy boundlefs Mercy to difplay,
Thy Righteoufnefs, indulgent Lord,
With holy confidence record.
17-
By bleft experience taught to know
What blefTmgs from thy Bounty flow !
Thy Strength their fureft help they deem,
Thy Grace their dignity fupreme !
18.
Behold, ye Saints, behold a Shield
In Jfrael's aid by God upheld ;
Behold exalted to the Throne
A King, whom He has feal'd his own.
19.
Thy Vifion?, Lord, from Heav'n reveaJ'J,
The raptur'd Prophet has beheld ;
And thus thy Voice in awful {trains
The purpofe of thy Love explains.
20.
To One fele&ed from thy Lin
Thy fafety, Jaccb^ I confign,
And, cloth'd with ftrength, before thy eyes
High o'er his Equals bid him rife*
X z fti. Sec
2^2 PSALM LXXXDC
21.
See David, prompt my will t' obey :
On Him th' important charge I lay,
And copious on his favour'd head
The eonfecrating unclrion fhed.
22.
My hand" fhall hold him faft ; my care
From each a fTault,. from ev'ry mare,.
Shall guard him ; nigh me fhall he ftand
Safe from each proud Opprcfibr's hand.
23-
When hoftile Crouds his wrath provok^
Wrth certain and refiftlefs ftroke
My Arm fhall crufh the impious train,.
And load with flaughter'd heaps the plain.
24.
On Merey and on Truth divine
Behold him (nor in vain) recline
His truft, and, by my ftrength upborne^
Aloft, exulting, lift the horn j
25.
While (fuch my Will) o'er fubjea Lands
In wide extent are ftretch'd his hands \
Beneath his left the Ocean rolls,
His right th' AJfyrian Flood controuls.
26.
Thou art my Father, ( thus my Name
His lips, inftinft with grateful flame,
Aloud fhall hail ;) My God in Thee,
And Rock of fure defence, I fee.
27. Him
PSALM LXXXIX. 533
27.
Him, pleas'd, my Firftborn I avow,
Bid mightieft Kings before him bow,
And Bleffings to his reach expand,
Infur'd by Compaq's facred band.
28.
Transfer'd by Me from Sire to Son,
To Hcav'n's extremeft date his Throne
Shall laft ; if to my Laws his line,
With grateful zeal, their fteps incline-;
29.
But fhould their hearts reject my fway,
Fond in forbidden paths to ftray,
My rod their trefpafs (hall purfue,
My fcourge-their ftubborn will fubdue.
30.
Yet never, never, {hall my Love
From Him its fteady beams remove ;
Ne'er fhall my Truth forget to guard
The promife by my lips declar'd.
3'-
To Davi^ once, (nor need I more,)
Once by my Sanctity I fwore,
That, cherifli'd by my care, his Race
Thy Throne, O "Judab^ long fhall grace \
32-
Long as the Sun, with welcome ray,
Shall warmth and life to Earth convey,
Or Thou, O Moon, in circuit wide
The witnefs of my Compact glide.
x . Y
134 PSALM LXXXIX,
33-
Yet Ah ! repuls'd, contemn'd, by Thee,
Th' Anointed of thy hand we fee
No more thy p'ighted mercy fhare,
But, doom'd thy wrath, juft God, to bear.
34-
With countlefs woes he drives : His Crown
Low in the duft by Thee is thrown ;
No more his Forts afcend on high,
But, fall'n, in heapy ruins lie ;
35-
No more his Walls the War exclude ;
But paflers-by with infult rude
His rights invade, and Nations round
His ear with keen reproaches wound,
36.
Behold while rang'd in clofe array
'nfulting hofts around him flay,
Their hand by Thine uprais'd, each foe
Aims at his head the deathful blow ;
37-
With fierceft'joy their bofom burns,
While back with edge rebated turns
His fword, and, thy fupport withheld,
His vanquiih'd legions quit the field*
38.
His pow'r extinct, his luftre gone,
On earth, fubverted, lies his Throne :
Age on his Youth has ftoln ; and fhame
With thickeft cloud obfcures his fame.
39. How
PSALM LXXXIX. 235
39;
How long fhall I, with anguifti torn,
Thy face, my God, averted mourn ?
How long behold, in dire amaze,
Thy wrath with flames inceflant blaze ?
40.
O weigh within thy thought my State !
How frail my life ! how fhort its date !
Why is thine Art employ'd in vain,
Or Man created but to pain ?
41.
O leave not, Lord, my doubtful Mind
To fad inquietude refign'd,
While thus through varied fcenes of woe
With haft'ning ftep to death we go
42.
For who {hall boaft, of human frame,
Exemption from his doom to claim,
Or, arm'd with native might, withftand
The Sepulchre's rapacious hand ?
43-
Say, where is now the Love, O where,
Which erft thy lips to David fware ?
That Love, by Truth eternal feal'd,
Again to viewj great Father, yield :
44,
O think what wrongs thy Servants bear,
Wrongs pour'd on Me in largeft fhare,
As deep within my iilent breaft
Each offer'd infult I digeft.
45. Elate
236 PSALM LXXXIX,
45-
Elate with pow'r, the nations round
My Ear with keen reproaches wound,
And impious Crouds his fteps revile,
Whom Thou haft touch'd with facred oil,
46.
O wife in all thy Works ! thy Name
Let Man's whole Race aloud proclaim,
And, grateful, through the length of days,.
In ceafdefs fongs repeat thy praife.
PSALM XC.
i.
THEE, Lord, their dwelling, Thee alone
From earlieft age thy People own:
Thee, Lord, with fulleft confidence
They boaft their Refuge and Defence.
2.
Ere yet the Mountains rofe to birth,
Ere yet their form the Heav'ns and Earth
AfTum'd, Thou cloth'd in light divine
Haft (hone; and fhalt for ever fhine.
3-
Thou to the Sons of human kind
In fhort extenfion haft aflign'd
Their term, and bid them, at its end",
Low to their native dufr defcend.
4-
To Thee as Yefterday appears
The profped of a thoufand Years ;
And Ages, roll'd fucceflive on,
Quick as the circling Watch are gone*
5. As
PSALM XC. 227
5-
As plants that drink the nightly fliow'r,
Refrefli'd by fleep's irriguous pow'r
At, morn they flourifh: Ev'ning nigh
Crept like the plant, they fade and die.
6.
Thy hand with unremitted force
In mid progreffion flops our courfe,
While ftorms of vengeance round us roll,
And whelm in dread our confcious foul.
7-
Thy eyes our inmoft guilt can read ;
Thy prefence, Lord, on each mifdeed,
That ftudious fhuns the fight of day,
Refifllefs darts its fearching ray.
8.
See, fafl as words diflblv'd in air,
While crimes on crimes thy Juftice dare,
Our days in rapid flight confume,
And bear us onward to the tomb.
9-
Its date to fev'nty years confm'dj
If aught of life remain behind,
If Nature yet a ten years' day
Indulge us, ere her debt we pay,-
JO.
Our ftrength but weaknefs then we know,
And added Age but lengthen'd Woe ;
Stripp'd of our pride, we clofe our fpan,
And vanifh from the eye of Man.
,1.0,
2^8 PSA L M XC.
ii.
O, who thy terrors juftly weighs ?
Who to thy pow'r fubmiflive pays
The homage due ? Thy vengeance drear
They feel proportion'd to their fear.
12.
Teach us, kind Lord, O teach us Thou
To count life's moments as they flow,
And, while its end our thoughts furvey^
By Wifdom's line to guide our way.
Return, All-potent Lord, return :
How long (hall we thy abfence mourn I
Return,. and let thy wonted Love
With fpeedieft aid our griefs remove :
14.
Thy Mercy, to our Souls reveal'd,
Satiety of blifs (hall yield,
And, while thy breath our life prolongs,
With grateful mirth infpire our tongues r
That Mercy, mightielt Lord, difplay 5
And bid at length fome happier day
Compenfate with its joys the years
Confign'd to forrow, groans, and tears.
16.
Author of Good, thy Work mature 5
Let Ifrael's Tribes, in Thee fecure,
From age to age the Bleffings trace
Intail'd on their diftinguifti'd Race.
17. Q
PSALM XC. 239
O let thy Majefly divine
On us in perfect beauty fhine,
And ftreaming copious o'er our head
Its mildcft. beams around us fpread :
18.
And while, new Scenes of hope to view
Difclos'd, our labour we puriue,
O may thy hand with full fuccefs
That hope confirm, that labour blefs.
PSALM XCI,
i.
WH O makes Omnipotence his Aid,
Who refts beneath Jehovah's fhad^
And joyful cries, " My God in Thee
*' My Fortrefs and my Hope 1 fee,"
2.
How bleft that Man ! Thy Maker's care
Shall fnatch thee from the hunter's fnare :
When fick'ning Nature's pow'rs fhall fail,
No fatal ftroke (hall Thee afl'ail :
3-
His wings around; thee fliall be fpread,
His pinions guard thy favour'd head :
His Truth, thy, all-prote&ing fhield,
From hoftile rage a flicker yield.
4-
Hail, favour'd Man ! nor. terror pale
By night (hall o'er thy ibid prevail,
Nor (haft, that aims its flight by day,
Thy guiltlefs bofom fhall difmay;
5. Nor
40 PSALM XCI.
5-
Nor Plague, that with gigantic ftridc
In darknefs walks its circuit wide,
Nor fultry blaft, whofe dreaded breath
Taints the meridian air with death.
6.
Though thoufands by thy fide are flain,
And myriads round thee prefs the plain,
No dart {hall thy deftruftion dare,
Or wound whom God has bid to fpare.
7-
Behold him on each impious head
The fulnefs of his vengeance fried :
Thy foes before thine eyes o'erthrown,
Still (halt thou pafs in triumph on j
8.
And, fmce thy heart, to God refign'd,
In him its refuge boafts to find,
No dangers fhall thy path await,
Or touch thine interdicted gate.
9-
While, round thee plac'd, th' Angelic Train
Thy fteps with tcnd'reft care fuftain,
Safe fhak thou walk through ways unknown,
Nor ftrike thy foot againft the ftone.
10.
Go, fearlefs on the Dragon tread,
And prefs the proftrate Lion's head:
Behold the Tyrant of the wood
In vain with youthful ftrength indu'd ;
II. Behold
PSALM XCI. 241
IT.
Behold the Serpent (in his veins
Though half the poifon of the plains
Belodg'd,) before thee vanquifh'd lie^
And clofe in death his languid eye.
12.
Thy duteous Zeal, thy filial Love,
I mark, and all thy Acts approve :
For this, thy head aloft I rear,
And bow to thy requefts my ear.
Thy fears, thy forrows I attend,
Thy God, thy Guardian, and thy Friend j
Thy years prolong, and to thy heart
My health-difpenfing grace impart.
PSALM XCII.
i.
HO W bleft the talk, with fervent heart
To fummon from the tuneful Art
Its fuccours, and thy Name record,
O Thou whom Nature owns her Lord !
2.
Thy boundlefs Mercies, heav'nly King,
At morning's earlieft hour to fing,
And, rapt in praife, thy Truth to tell,
When night's dark fhades around us dwell.
3-
While with the ten-ftring'd inftrument
The pfaltry's meafur'd ftrains confent,
And o'er the harp each liquid note
With folemn found is taught to float.
Y 4. How
*42 PSALM XCII.
4-
How have thy Ats my wakeful breaft
"With rapt'rous gratitude imprefs'd !
How joys my tongue, with holy flame
Infpir'd, thy Wonders to proclaim !
5-
With what delight, great God, I trace
Each Act of thy ftupendous grace !
Great are the works thy hand has wrought.
And deep beyond all fearch thy Thought.
6.
Thy Acts the minds of brutifh mould
With unregarding eye behold,
And, ftrangers to thy wife defign,
In erring cenfure madly join;
7-
Nor know, that, when the impious Band,
Frefh as the flow'r, confpicuous ftand,
^Mature for death their heads they rear,
And fwift deftrucTtion waits them near.
8.
But Thou, above the ftarry plain,
In endlefs Majefty (halt reign :
And downward from th' ethereal height,
O'er fubjed worlds extend thy might.
9-
Thy foes, eternal God, thy foes
In death's long fleep their eyes (hall clofe,
And all, whofe hearts thy pow'r defy,
Jn wide difperfion backward fly :
While
PSALM XCII 243
10.
While I, by heav'nly Might upborne,
Strong as the Oryx lift the horn ;
Ando'er my head in copious (how'rs
Thy Oil its richeft fragrance pours.
u.
When factious Crouds againft me rife,
With fcenes of triumph Thou my eyes
Shalt fatiate^and their full defeat
My ears with bappieft tidings greet.
12.
Fair as amidol their native bed
The ftately Palms their branches fpread,
Or Cedars, tow'ring to the fkies,
On Lebanon'?, broad fummit rife j
I*
Within thy Courts the Juft fhall (land
And, nourilh'd by thy foft'ring hand,
Bleft Objects of thy conftant care,
The bounties of thy Love lhall ftiare.
14.
Their fruits, each blaft by Thee repeli'd,
To lateft age they ftill {hall yield
In large increafe, through life's whole round
With health and youthful verdure crown'd.. ; -
IS-
Thy Goodnefs fhall their lips record,
(God of my ftrength !) thy ev'ry Word
InTruth's unvarying balance weigh'd,
Thy ev'ry Act by Juftice fway'd.
Y 2 PSALM
244
PSALM XCHI.
I.
TH E Lord th' eternal fcepter rears,
And Nature Ypow'r obfervant hears
Whate'er his Will enjoins :
His head with pureft fplendors crown'd,
With Majefty he veils him round,
And girds with ftrength his loins,
2.
Encircled by th' ethereal fpace,
And fixM by Him on firmeft bafe,
The Earth's vaii Orb appears :
.From earlieft age, great God, thy Throne
Aloft in Heav'n prepar'd has fhone j
Nor numbers Time thy years.
3-
A fcene of horror ftrikes my eyes ;
The Floods, my God, the Floods arife,
And lift their voice on high :
What povv'r fhall curb the headlong tide ?
What bid the fwelling waves fubfide,
And clear the ftormy fky ?
4-
Thee o'er all height exalted, Thee
The Deeps revere ; at thy Decree
The Waves their rage refign :
Fix'd are the Laws by Thee ordain'd 5
And Truth and Sanciity unftain'd
Adorn thy awful fljrine.
PSALM
**
PSALM XCIV.
THOU God, with vengeance arm'd r
appear -,
Thou God, with vengeance arm'd, whofe fear>
The Earth (for Thee her Judge {he knows,)
Submiffive owns, thy pow'r difclofe.
2.
O inftant from thy feat arife,
Each bold tranfgreflbi to chaftife j
Let Juftice to the Sons of pride
Thy ftroke with aim unerring guide.
3-
How long fhall impious Crouds, how long,
With haughtieft infult arm. their tongue ?
How long in bitt'reft gall each word
Infufe, and boaft their conqu'ring fword ?
4-
Thy Flock, great God, their fury own ;
Beneath their ftroke thy People groan :
And long thy heritage have borne
Their keen reproach and hoftile fcorru
5
Their hands remorfelefs, to the tomb
The Widow and the Stranger doom;
Nor innocence nor tend'reft age
Can (hi eld the Orphan from their rage.
Y 3 6. Ne'e*
246 P S A L M XCIV
6.
" Ne'er (hall our deeds in Heav'n be known,
" Or reach (they cry,) the diftant Throne
" Or Ifrael's Lord." Ye fools and blind!
Return, and feek a better mind.
7-
Say when {hall Wifdom's light ferene
Your Souls from error's chidhood wean ?
Who knew to plant the ear, (hall HE
Not hear ? Who form'd the eye, not fee ?
8.
Shall aught of guilt his fearch evade,
Who bids the Nations he has made>
Inform'd by his paternal care,
The gifts of various Science (hare,
9-
Who Reafon in the boforn pours,
Jts growth improves, its fruit matures,.
ach counfel of the human brain
Weighs in his fcale, and {lamps it vain ?
10.
O, Bleft the man, for ever bleft,
Whofe faithful heart by thee iniprefs'd,
Eternal Teacher, from thy Laws
The leflbns of his conduit draws j
ii.
Who {helter'd from the evil day
Its diftant dangers {hall furvey,
And wait till Thou the pit prepare
Xor each whofe crimes thy vengeance dare.
A- 12, Ne'er
PSALM XCIV. 247
12.
Ne'er from the Children of his Love
Shall Heav'n's high Lord his care remove,
Or to the foes of IfraeFs Line
His purchas'd Heritage refign :
! 3 '
For Judgement (hall its feat aflume,
Triumphant ; while its equal doom
Each heart to Virtue's caufe a friend
With confcious tranfport fliall attend.
14-
Say, who with Me will plight the hand,
With Me the fons of guilt withftand ?
Had God his aiding pow'r withheld,
How had my foul in filence dwell'd !
15-
But when my foot with fault'ring tread
Suggefted to my thought a dread,
Thy Love, its fpeedieft care applied,
Forbade my dubious fteps to flide.
16.
While deepeft woe my bofom tries,
And thoughts with thoughts confli&ing rife,.
Thy comforts, Lord, my foul fuftain,
And calm my fears, and footh my pain.
17-
Shall proud Oppreffion's lawkfs Chair
In thy Alliance find a fhare,
Whofe Mandates to the impious Tribe
Their talks of cruelty prefcribe ?
jS. See
248 PSALM XCIY.
18.
See willing Myriads, at its word
Aflembled, grafp the hoftile fword,
In guiltlefs blood their thirft allay,
And mark the Righteous for their prey.
19.
But God,, my refuge and my fhield,
Firm on himfelf my truft fhall build;
To him, my foul, for help repair,
Who makes the faithful heart his care.
20.
That Lord, whom IfraeFs Sons adore,
Their fin fhall in their lap reftore,
Their fteps with certain vengeance trace,
And root from earth th' offending Race.
P S A L M X.CV.
OCome, and to th' eternal King
New. fongs of triumph let us fmg ;
With holy tranfport Him alone
The ftrength of our. Salvation, own ;
2.
Admitted to his prefence pay
The tribute of the grateful lay,
And, while his As our mirth infpire,
Wake to his praife the vocal lyre.
3-
Extended wide beyond all bound^
Beyond all height, his pow'r is found,
ISJar Lprd, with Him, nor Gods befide
The honours of his Throne divide.
4. Earth's
PSALM XCV. 249
4-
Earth's ftores, throughout its inmoft frame,
He, great Proprietor, fhall claim ;
Your Range, ye cloud-tranfcending Hills,
His pow'r commands, his prefence fills,
5-
Inrich'd by his prolific hand,
In Him the All-productive Land,
In Him the Sea > that rounds its fhore,
Their Maker and their Lord adore,
6.
O come, and let your knees with mine
To Him in lowlieft homage join ;
To Him, for He your pray'rs will hear,
To Him your fuppliant voices rear.
7-
In Him your God, your Father, fee,
The People of his pafture Ye,
The Flock that guided by his care
The bleflings of hi bounty fhare.
8.
O Judabj if in this thy day
My Will thou purpofe to obey,
Steel not thy breaft to truths divine,
As erft the Fathers of thy line j
9-
Whofe Bands th' inclofing Defert faw,
Rebellious to the Heav'n-taught Law,
With mad prefumption from my hand
The fignals of my pow'r demand ;
10. Their
250 PSALM XCV.
i a.
Their eyes, the wifh'd for fight obtain i
Indulg'd, require it yet again ;
Such their demand a heart betray'd
Diftruftful of my promis'd aid.
II.
Through forty years the circling fun
Beheld their date of mercy run,
A s, griev'd, I ftrove, but ftrove in vain,
Their growing frenzy to reftrain :
12.
Behold a Race, at length I cried,
Whofe heart from Me has fwerv'd afide,
(By Error's pow'r fubdu'd,) nor known
That Wifdom's paths and Mine are one.
13-
My Oath, for by Myfelf I fweaiy
My kindled anger fhall declare,
And bar them from my Reft, decreed
To faithful Abraham's chofen Seed.
PSALM XCVI.
i.
SING to.the Lord fome new-taught Song j
Earth, to his praife the note prolong :
With rapt'rous zeal, with holy flame
Infpir'd, his benefits proclaim*
2.
Blefs, blefs his Name ; from day to day
Let His Salvation prompt the lay,
Till Realms remote his Ads have known,
And Man's whole Race his Wonders own.
3. Great
PSALM XCVI. 251
3-
Great is the Lord, and great his Praife :
What God like Him our fear can raife ?
Not fuch as Heathen Lands afford,
Created firfr, and then ador'd :
4-
Creation Him its Lord avow'd,
When erft the arch of Heav'n he bow'd ;
And Light and Majefty divine
With fadelefs fplendor grace his {brine.
5-
Let ev'ry People, ev'ry Tribe,
Pow'r, glory, ftrength, to Him afcribe ;
Let fartheft realms converted join
In homage to the name divine*
6.
Yield to that Name the honours due ;
Oft to his Courts your way purfue
With folemn ftep, and joyful bring
The off'ring to your heav'nly King.
7-
Before the Beauty of his fhrine,
Ye Saints, in low proftration join :
Ye Natives of each diftant fhore,
His Pow'r revere 5 his Name adore.
8.
O tell to All whom Earth fuftains,
O tell them, that Jehovah reigns,
That, fix'd by His Almighty hand,
Its pond'rous Orb unmov'd (hall ftand,
. O tell
252 PSALM XCVI.
9-
O tell to all whom earth fuftalns,
O tell them, that Jehovah reigns,
And All who ifTue from its womb
Receive from Him th' unerring doom.
10.
Exult, ye Heav'n's ; exult, O Earth ;
And, partner in the facred mirth,
Let Ocean in its fulnefs rife,
And thunder to the diftant fkies.
II.
Rich in his gifts, ye Fields, rejoice ;
While in his praife the Woods their voice
Exalt, and hail with lowly nod
The prefence of th' approaching God.
12.
He comes, in awful pomp array'd,
He comes, to judge the World he made.
Truth (hall with Him the caufe decide,
And Equity his fentence guide.
PSALM XCVIL
I.
TO God belongs th' eternal Sway ;
Let Earth with joy his Will obey
Exult, ye Ifles that crown the Main,
Bleft in his mild aufpicious Reign.
2.
The ftation'd Clouds around him meet,
And Darknefs rolls beneath his feet j
While Equity and Truth combine
To rear aloft his awful fhriac,
3
PSALM XCVII. 253
3-
Before him walks the wafting Fire ;
Wrapt in the blaft his foes expire j
While Earth, convuls'd, in dire difmay,
Beholds the forky lightnings play,
4.
And down, like wax before the flame,
Down flows the Mountain's folid frame,
That late, ambitious, met the fky ;
For God, the World's great Lord, is nigh.
5-
His righteous A6ls the Heav'ns difplay,
His fame from pole to pole convey,
And bid the Majefty divine
To ev'ry eye confpicuous fhine.
6.
Shame to the Wretch that wood and ftones
The Objels of his homage owns,
And frantic to the Creature pays
The Maker's interverted praife.
7-
Ye Gods, his fov'reign Might avow,
And rev'rent at his footftool bow j
Submiffiveat the hallow'd Shrine
Adore the Majefty divine.
8.
Well-pleas'd thy Counfels, Lord, to hear,
Imperial Salem bows the ear j
And Judab's happy Daughters fing
The Mercies of th' eternal King.
Z 9. Thou
254 PSALM XCVII.
9-
Thou, Lord, in Majefty ferene
Exalted o'er the Earth art feen :
What Pow'r, great God, {hall boaft a Name
Like Thine : Like Thee our homage claim ?
10.
Ye Souls with Love divine imprcfs'd ;
Juft to its precepts, Sin deteft ;
Averfe from each injurious art,
Let evil from your thoughts depart :
II.
Each fear deliver'd to the wind,
In God your certain refuge find,
Whofe pow'r protects the pious Band,
Tho' Myriads, leagu'd, againft them ftand.
/onoloiq rinim 13$^ qi
To You, ye Good, to You alone
The feeds of heav'nly light are fown,
That wake within the human breaft
Joys ne'er by human tongue exprefs'd.
**
O crown'd with Mercies from above,
To God your grateful zeal approve :
His San&ity revere ; his Name
In hymns of loudeft praifc proclaim.
PSALM XCVIII.
i.
SI N G to the God whom we adore ;
O fing, in lays unheard before,
The Mercies {hown us from above,
The Wonders of redeeming Love :
I His
PSALM XCVIII. 255
His powerfal Hand Salvation fends,
And Conqueit on his Arm attends.
2.
His Juftice through the World has fhin'd ;
His Truth, with endlefs Mercy join'd,
Now Teals the promife of his Grace
To faithful Abraham's chofen Race j
And Earth, to jufl: obedience aw'd,
Has own'd her Saviour and her God.
3-
Ye diftant Realms, your voice employ
In fhouts of gratitude and joy :
Let hymns of rapture fwell each throat ;
Call from the harp th' according note ;
On the fhrill trump your mirth prolong,
And found the cornet to the fong.
4.
To Him who claims th' eternal fway,
To Him the vocal tribute pay :
Him let the hoarfe-refounding Tide,
With All that in its depths refide,
Praife, thank, and blefs, in loudeft ftrains ;
Him Earth, and All whom Earth fuftains.
5-
Ye Floods, triumphant clap the hand ;
Ye cloud-topt hills, exulting ftandj
See, thron'd aloft in awful ftate,
While Man's whole Race his fentence wait,
The Judge fupreme his fcale aflame ;
And Equity dire&s the Doom.
Z 2 PSALM
PSALM XCIX,
i.
gns: Ye Nations own,
J With proftrate hearts, his fway :
Betwixt the Cherubs ftands his Throne i
Earth ! tremble and obey,
*.
His Rule, in S'ion long confeft,
O'er All extends ; his Name
Shall hallow with its fear each breaft,
Each tongue with zeal inflame.
3-
Thy Pow'r with Equity allied
Through time's long courfe has flood :
Thy Judgements Jacob^ LorJ, has tried,
And knows them juft and good.
4-
Let Each, with humble joy elate,
Before thy footftool bow ;
Thee, ceafelefs, praife : For who fo great,
So holy, Lord, as Thou ?
5-
By God with facred honours crown'd,
See Mofes^ daron fee,
And Samuel^ ever faithful found,
To Him incline the knee.
6.
To Him the favour'd Three aloud
The frequent Vow prefer'd,
And inllant from the pillar'd cloud
His awful Anfwer heard.
7. With
PSALM XCIX 257
7-
With wakeful zeal their bofoms burn'd j
Obfervant of his Will,
With joy the heav'nly precept learn'd,
And haften'd to fulfil.
8.
To Thee, great God, their ev'ry pray'r
In full acceptance rofe :
Thy hand their weaknefs knew to fpare,
And, pitying, heal'd their woes.
9-
Yet could thy Wrath, when Sin had dar'd
Their erring breaft to flam,
Deal to their guilt its juft reward,
And vindicate thy Reign..
10.
Let Each, with humble joy elate,
On Sion's Mountain bow ;
Thee, ceafelefs, praife : For who fo great,
So holy, Lord, as Thou ?
PSALM C.
1.
YE Tribes of Earth, in God rejoice,
His prefence hail with thankful voice ;
To Him your wjlling homage pay,
And wake the tributary lay.
&
Submiffive to his Will, in Him
Behold the God of Gods fupreme ;
Nor Lords with Him, nor Gods befide
The Honours of his Throne divide.
Z 3 3. With
4 5 8 P S A L M C.
3-
With confcious wonder oft ftirvey'd,
He, not Ourfelves,our frame has made :
The fubjecls of his povv'r we ftand,
The fheep that own his guiding hand.
4-
O, enter then his gates with praifc,
To Him your loudeft accents raifc,
With grateful hearts his Love proclaim,
And blefs, O blefs, his awful Name.
5-
For Truth in Him and Mercy live :
That Truth fhall time itfelf furvive ;
That Mercy through the length of days
Unclouded pour its healing rays.
PSALM CI.
i.
MERCY, Judgement, now my tongue
Makes the fubject of its Song :
Lord ! to whom then (hall I fmg,
But to Thee, th' eternal King ?
2.
Wifdom {hall my footftep s guide,
Nor permit my feet to flide,
Or from thy All-perfecT: Way,
Loft in paths of Sin to ftray.
3-
O Come, O come, celeftial Gueft,
Let my roof with Thee be bleft ?
Let thy Beams effulgent play,
And within my ManJion ftay?
4, Lo!
PSALM' ci. 25?
4-
Lo ! my heart with ftudious care
For thy prefence I prepare,
And my Dwelling's full extent
Spotlefs to thy view prefent.
5-
Ne'er {hall my prefumptuous hand
Dare to break thy juft Command ;
Ne'er within me (halt thou find
Aught that fpeaks a faithlefs mind-
6.
Serv'd by none who ferve not Ther,
Let me not the Impious fee ;
Let the wretch of froward heart
From my gate repuls'd depart ;
7*
Let the Man of lofty eye,
Scornful mien, and ftomach high,
And the Tongue to flander bred,
Learn my heavieft wrath to dread.
8.
Come, ye faithful, juft and good,
Eager for the bright abode,
Come, ye pure in heart, O come,
Sure with me to find a home.
9-
Pleas'd I fee the pious Band
Round my throne attendant flandf,
And in facred homage join
To their own great Lord and mine.
jo, Hence
26o PSALM CI.
10.
Hence ye Children of deceit,
From my thrcfhold turn your feet :
Let the foul that dares a lye
Inftant from my prcfence fly.
li.
Soon, O Judah, fhall my hand
Root th' offenders from thy Land }
Soon my guilt-avenging rod
Purge the City of my God.
PSALM CIL
i.
HEAR, Lord, my pray'r, and let my cries
Accepted to thy Throne arife :
O turn not Thou thy face away,
Nor longer my relief delay j
2.
Lord, mark my forrows from on high^.
And pitying to my call reply ;
Faft as the mounting fmoke decays,
On times Hgfyt pinion flit my days :.
3-
My bones the hearth's fierce heat fuftain j
My heart the herbage of the plain
Refembles, o'er whofe leaves have paft
The fervors of the fouthern blaft.
*&4irtH
For ah ! forgetful of .my food,
Inceffant o'er my griefs I brood,
While ftruggling groans their weight proclaim,
And wafte with toil my languid frame.
5. Not
PSALM CII. 161
5-
Not the wide Defert's confines drear
Laments of louder accent hear,
When midil the folitary gloom
The Birds of Night their plaints refume 5
6.
When, 'midft its fens, with difrnal note
The Pelican diftends her throat,
Or to the winds in lengthen'd (trains
The felf-fequeftring Owl complains j
7-
Nor vents its fifter-bird a moan
So deep, when on the roof alone
She fits ; whofe woes, like mine, affright
The filence of the tedious night.
8.
From Morn, till Eve extend its vei!,
Reproaches keen my ears aflail ;
And, leagu'd by mutual oaths, my foes
With fierce intent my fteps inclofe.
9-
See afhes, fcatter'd o'er my head,
Mix, undiftinguifii'd, with my bread j
By Languor, Care, and Grief opprefs'd,
With groans perpetual heaves my bread.
10.
See mingled tears my cup fupply ;
Since firft thy wrathful Arm on high
Caught me amaz'd, and fwiftly round
Reverting hurl'd me on the ground.
II. Aj.
26* PSALM Oil.
n.
As fades the fhadow of the fun,
With quick decline my moments run,
My life, juft verging to its clofe,
With rapid courfe unheeded flows.
12.
My form is wafted, and my face,
Its vernal bloom and youthful grace
Extinguifh'd, withers on the eye,
As plants beneath a hoftile fky.
13-
But Thou, Bleft Guard of Ijraefs fold,
Shalt ages fee on ages roll'd,
Andj thron'd above, to endlefs days
Extend thy honour, name, and praife.
14.
O rife, (th* appointed hour is come;)
Rife, mightieft Lord, thy Charge aflume ;
And let fad Sinn's feat no more
The abfence of thine aid deplore.
15-
How lovely to thy Servants' eyes,
How lovely ev'n in ruin lies
Her hallow'd Wall, her facred Shrine,.
The Seat of Majefty divine!
16.
Thy fervants, Lord, a penfive Throng,.
Walk her defencelefs ftreets along,
And, as her fcatter'd waftes appear,
Drop on her dull the pitying tear*
17. How,
P S A L M CII. 263
'7-
How, Lord, (hall each from day to day,
The terrors of thy wrath difplay !
How fhali thy Name, great Sire, its dread
Through Earth's awaken'd regions fpread !
18.
How fhali her Kings with deep difmay
Thy boundlefs Majefty furvey,
When Salem 's ftruitures from their fall
Thy hand, propitious, fliall recal.
19.
While down th' eternal Glory pours,
Incircles with its blaze her tow'rs,
And fpeaks thy favour (oft implor'd,)
To Ifrael's exil'd Tribes reftor'd !
20.
Thy Ats the faithful pen fhali trace,
And Myriads of the human Race,
Yet ftrangcrs to the birth, thy fame
In Songs of loudeft note proclaim.
21.
For He, beneath whofe facred feat
The ftarry Orbs their courfe repeat,
Th' eternal Ruler of the fky,
* *
Has caft on Earth his equal eye.
22.
He deigns the injur'd caufe to own,
To hear the helplefs Captive's groan,
The Souls to death confign'd to fave,
And fnatch them from the greedy grave.
23. For
64 PSALM CII.
23.
For thi?, through S ion's ample bound
Jehovah's Name fhall oft refound,
Thy ftiouts, diftinguifh'd Salem^ raife,
And wake thy tongue to hymns of praife: '
24.
See to thy Courts the Nations flow,
His juft dominion taught to know,
And, Each v/ith Thee in compact join'd,
Their hearts to his obedience bind.
25.
5 Tv/as Hej wlio'fe unrefifted force
In mid progrefilon ftop'd my courfe j
My healthful vigour reft away ;
And haften'd to its eve my day.
26.
Spare, mightier!: Lord ! nor thus, I cried,
My brittle chain of years divide,
O Thou, of Life th' exhauftlefs Spring,
Inviflble, Immortal King !
27.
Thy hand the Earth's foundation laid,
Thy hand the Heav'n aloft difplay'd,
Ere yet along the vaft profound
The reftlefs Months began their round:
28;
That Earth, that Heav'n's ftupendous frame,
Corruption with permitted claim
Shall feize: But Thou, from Age fecure,
Shalt felf-exiftent ftill endure.
29. Thefc,
F S A L M CII. 265
29.
Thefe, as the labours of the loom,
Shall time with gradual force confume;
Till Thou again thy Hand apply,
And fold them up, and lay them by;
30-
Thou, Lord, whofe hand their texture fpun,
When Time its ftated courfe has run,
Shalt brighter Scenes difclofe to view,
And Nature's varied face renew.
3'-
But varyings Thou haft none: Thy rays
With undiminifh'd luftre blaze j
Thy years fhall circumfcription fpurn,
And back upon themselves return.
32-
Thee, Lord, their fure Protestor, Thee
Thy Saints their ftrong Support fhall fee i
And, rang'd in long fuccefllon, fhare
The gifts of thy paternal Care.
PSALM CIII.
I.
MY Soul, throughout thine inmoft frame,
Blefs, blefs the great Jehovah's Name;
Ceaie not with ftudious thought to trace
The Acts of his ftupendous Grace.
2.
He blots from Heav'n's record thy fin,
And, though thy paflions war within,
Affuafive calms their furious ftrife,
And refcues from the pit thy life;
A a 3. He
266 PSALM CHI.
3-
He bids his bleflings round thee rife j
Thy ev'ry wrfh with Good fupplics ;
Thy years renews in their decline;
And makes- the Eagle's vigour thine.
" nil nwo JiioT'/'j; Jsij
*Tis God's, the friendlefs and the poor
From proud Oppreflion to fecure,
Their wants- attentive to perceive,
And, ever faithful, to relief bfIB ^ m ^ luC
inql4woiin * oJ bsBsiJfKO
His ways to Mofes flood reveal'd j
Thou, Ifrael, haft his Works beheld,
His breaftwith mercy fraught haft known,
To anger flow, to pity prone.
moJ 3'ifi 2rngjofi grufkq y^d
He ne'er with erring mortals knew
A ceafelefs conteft to purfue,
But, when their crimes his vengeance raife>
His wrath in mid effufion ftays.
n filip^ :
If e'er our trefpafs he chaftife,
Not to its weight proportion'd rife
The juft corrections of his hand,
But bounded by his Mercy ftand :
^^312 13iJfiOW i)d^ii JIOCi Oilj j^.U* 370IIW
o
That M?rcy to the ftarry poje
Extends ; and, far as from his goal
The Sun in daily circuit roves,
The humbled finntr's guilt removes.
' 9
. -
P S A L M CIII. 267
i sVn 3ori3 bnSbi ggnilbld djrf afcid aH
What fondnefs for his infan,tjC^^ .j< V3 ^T
A Father's bofom leain$ to flwf,e^ 2 -i 9 y yrfT
Such from ih'. eternal
The Souls that rev'rent own his Name.
For well his eye our textare. ,know&; ,
Sees that the, duii's light grains, compose
Our framej and marks the days of Man
Contracted to a narro\jtfpani
ib'IcsvafBftoft Vi\\lv o? a^sw ziH
How ftiort, how tranfient is ks date !
As flow'rs, that in their vig'rous ftate, .^ 1( j g jjj
Exalted, now the. field adorn^, tWofl 132nB o ^
And now by pafling ftorms arc torn ;
wsnjt elf-i 1 ?^?! jn'iid riliw i^'an ?H
Behold the rip'ning.hexb 4eQay ?i; . );> ? Bf3!s^ A
Each flow'r, its vigour reft aw^g,jj fl9 ^ w ^ O 'g
At once its vernal pride r.efigps,, ., rf :filw f g jj|
And with'ring oil the earth reclines:
.fuflljfe sri alsqVaiJ luo is'a M
In fwift decay behold it v^ft^ bw Wl oi )O>T
Nor knows the foil, whofe bed :it,gr^c'd, : -
To witnefs to. th' -inquirer's vie w, , ,
Where late the fhort-liv'd wonder grew
But Thy Compafripns,',Iiord r the Juft
From age to age witji ^ledfaft tr.uft
Shall own, .^nd^fili'd with hoi )| flame,
Thy care an<T tendernefs proclaTm:
Aa2 15. Thy
.68
T-L n- t?niyxifi dlUftnb fft
Thy Righteoujnds their favoured Race,
In long defcent, {hall joy to trace,
While pleas'd. thy Compact they fulfil,
And -frame to thy Decrees their will.
l$-
His Seat ab'oye th' empyreal plain
Our God has. fix'dj his equal Reign
Creation's utmoft bounds confefs,
And, bleft in him, their Maker blcfc.
'Ho ^nfefrodi .tfols bio
O magnify your heav'nly King,
His praife, ye tribes augelic, ling,
Who, cloth'd-with might, his word obey,
And wing, as He directs, your way.
18.
Him praife, ye bright ethereal Band,
That rang'd beneath his banner ftand,
And Ye who round his Throne of State
With duteous zeal ininiftrant wait.
19.
Ye Works of God, where'er his fway
Extends,. your Maker's fame difplay;
Nor Thou 7 .my Soul, forget to fmg
The Merck, of th' eternal King. '^
torarf EWffo&vA :t M | CIV.
: b3iq> '*. :' If ,- gj, q-> 5 Q
A^A.^E, my Soul, to hymns, of praife j
TofG.od the,fong of triumph raife,..
, .|{nd;thankful htle^ fa almighty Lord,
The God in eV*ry act ador'd.
2. O
PSALM CIV. 260
w qp ?ni
2.
O cloth'd with Majefty divine,
What pomp, what glory, Lord, are thine
Light forms thy robe, and round thy head
The Heav'ns their ample curtain fpread.
uw mm 233i^j)Q T(rij 03 amtfiil unA
Thou know'ft amid the fluid fpace
The ftrong-compa&ed beams to placc>
That proof to wafting Ages lie,
And prop the chambers of the m 8 '" * 2 * 3 ^
4> mid A ibid t bnA
Behold, aloft, the King of Kings,
Borne on the Wind's expanded wings,
(His Chariot by the Clouds fupplied,)
Through Heav'n's wide realms triumphant
rid '* 8fi <S" 1V '
5.
Around him rang'd in awful ftate
Th' aflembled Storms miniftrant wait ;
And Flames, attentive to fulfil
The didates of his mighty Will.
6.
To Him the all-prolific earth,
From Chaos call'd, afcribes her birth
An,! fix'd by his Almighty hand - '9^
Has flood, and {hall for ages ftand.
He fpake ; and o'er each Mountain's head
The Deep its watry mantle fpread :
He fpake; and from the whelming flood
Again their tops emergent flood ;T jT\.
: fts vi*v3 nboO
i-jd PSALM GIV.
8.
Now faft adowojbeir bending fide
With refluenjfcjftfoam the Currents glide :
Aw'd by his frern rebuke they fly,
While peals, ,af thunder rend the iky;
9-
In mingled tumult backward led,
They h&ftei to their appointed bed, } -jriT
And, taught their deftin'd bounds to know,
No more th' affrighted Earth, o'erflow.
10.
The fprings, the rivulets (their courfe
By Nature's ever-copious fource
Supplied,) refrefli the hilly plain,
And life in all its forms fuftain.
ii.
Kere (looping o'er the river's brink
The herds and flocks promifcuous drink ;
There, 'mid the barren defrrt nurs'd,
The Wild-Afs cools his burning thirft :
J2.
While, faft befide the murm'ring fpring
The feather'd minftrels fit and fing,
And (helter'd in the branches fliun
The fervors of the mid-day fun.
His (how'rs with verdure crown the hills j
The earth with various fruits he fills :
Preventive of their wants, his aid
Yields to the Brute the fpringing bkufci ; ,i .
4 14. For
P S A L M CIV. 271
14.
For Man, chief ob)e& of his care,
His hands the foodful- herb f>pe-pare,
The glad'ning wine, refre$iing' oil,
And bread that firings his nerves for toil.
By Him with genial moifture fed xt ftl
The Trees t'.ieir flndis luxuriant fprea.l ,
The Cedarsy murtue'd by his hand,
On Libawns high fummit itand:
16.
They weave their fociai bough;, defign'd
A refuge for th' aerial kind :
While on the Fir-tree's fpiry top
The vagrant Stork is feen to ftop.
See from the hills the Goats depend,
Or bounding from the cliffdefcend :
The lefler tribes, in furry pride
Array'd, the rock's dark caverns hide.
18.
Her way by Him prefcrib'd, the Moon
Our feafons marks, and knows her own j
And, taught by Him, the Orb of day
Slopes in the Weft his parting ray.
Iff
Now Night from Ocean's bed afcends,
And o'er the earth her wings extends j
While favour'd by the friendly gloom
The fylv race licentious roam :
20. Th
272 PSALM CIV.
ad;
The Lions chfcf, i wfrh - 'hideous roaa# e jjo nfi
From God their needful food tmplore y
And eager fdNfce^wWited prey
Along the echomg Defer* An^ojnoJnt *
21.
Till now, as Morn approaches nigh,
Back to the-ir cavern'd haunts they fly;
Where, fa t&tt>W*Jfctbe -bloody feafly^ bnA
The Io/aif1tefe|^fiwk*.t6ii;ftu2rij w'stedW
22.
His care fufficient to the day, .rli uorTT"U
Man to his labour takes his way, ooii ita/iT
His tafk atearlieft dawn begun, ,)j uodT II
And ended with the fetring fun. .3ilj bforbS
Eternal Ruler of the Skies, rfjBjnd 3iH
How various are thy Works, how wife -JrfeS
How great the Wonders thou haft wrought,
And deep beyond all fearch of thought ! t-nA
24.
Nor Earth alone beholds her fhores f
Inrich'd from thy exhauftlefs (lores ;
Alike, throughout their liquid reign,
Th' extended Seas thy gifts contain:
25.
Beneath, unnumber'd reptiles fwarm,
Of difPrent fi^e^ f difPrent form ;
Above, the fhips enormous glide,
Incumbent on the burthen'd tide j
Jvl S 2$,
PSALM CiV, : 273,
26.
And oft, the rolling waves b?tw^^%i O iJ 3 rfT
The huge Leviathan is Teen, u^rf, bo Q
There privilcg'd by Thee t*$r$fl ^
And wantcn o'er the watry way S3 3r j,
27.
Thy care, great God, fuftains them Allj
By hunger urg'd, on Thee theya& OJ ^ }J . a
And reap from thy extended hand
Whate'er their various wants demand.^ J( ^
28.
If Thou thy face but turn away,
Their troubled looks their grief betray ;
If Thou the vital air deny,
Behold tHem ficken, faint, and die !
29.
His breath refign'd, on Earth's low. bed
Behold the Mortal reft his head ;
Daft to its kindred duft returns,
And Earth her ruin'd offspring mourns :
30.
But foon thy breath her lofs fupplies . ; . -j :0 ^
She fees a new-born race arife,
And, o'er her' regions fcatter'd wide, <
The bleflings of thy hand divide.
3*-
Thy Glory, fearlefs of decline, , {J f(
Thy G!oryyijofd,'fhill Mejb&iQfyrti
Thy Wor^iljchangdefs order % f , vodA
And giad-their^restC.^atoj's.ey^. ; ,,^j
32. Earth
J/0 M J A 4
274 PSALM CIV.
bntJ vi'^riauoiifo ',3i6to3b LuoIA
Earth at thy look {hall trembling {land, '
Confcipus pf fay 'reign pow'rat. hand,
And, touch M .by .^hee,, Almighty
Xhc cloud-topt Hills itvfmoke afpire.
,3-ICrft 13V&1p1l HDS3 {<* ^* rbi/2
To God in .ceafel.efs {trains my tongue
Shall meditate^b^^grfttpful fong, ; ^i^opaiTi O
And, long as breath informs my framC) O
The wonders of his Love proclaim.
InoJ vJdsnIA3
Affur'a that his paternal ear
With full regard my voice will hear 5
His Afts {haUbcjts^conftant themofr ^ [riJiW
His Favour my delight fupreme.
.ft a-.. 35- 'uoYoT
Behold his wrath on Sinners fhcd ;
Behold them number'd with the dead : 1 aiH
And, {truck by his refiftlefs hand,
In heaps promifcuous ftrew th*e land !
-
But Thou, my Soul, the hymn of prate
In loudeft notes triumphant raife ; a'^-^Ct oT
And let confenting Nations jeii^V oJ zurb bnA
To blefs with Me the Name divine.
yrii "io b'luov&l uorlj t slnA *
anoS ^rii bbriaa 5
trie fong, awake the ftring j
Witn awful rev'rence own his name ;
His pow'r invoke, his praife proclaim.
2. Aloud
PSALM CV. 275
M J > 8 4
Aloud declare, through^v'ry Land,
The Wonders of his 1 '
And let his Name your thought employ ;'
His Name, fit theme of higneft "j<&?^
,3-iiejk orfonfl^ii 8DiH IqoJ-buo
Such joy may each for -ever (hare, . r
Whofe fteps to Salem** Fane repair :
O frequent feek that bleft Abode,
O feek the race of JM&S God.
.misboiq 3iOwI sirilo zi^bnow an i
The Aas of Heav'n's Almighty Lord
Let IfraeFs thankful Sons record ;
Ye Seed of Abraham, his Friend,
With joy to his Commands attend.
To You his prefcnce ftands confeft ;
His judgments Earth's wide Realms atteft :
His Promife kind, and wife Decree,
Though Man forget, yet will not He j
U'.n 6 t*M
The Oath confirm'd through periods paft,
And doomed to lateft times to 1 aft ;
To Terah's Son, to Ifaat, made,
And thus to Jacob's hands convey'd:
. arneij sfa 3M 7 dJiw l-ld oT
" Arife, thou favour'd of thy God,
" And claim the Gift by Him beftow'd :
11 Behold thy Sons their tiride command
Extend o'er Canaan's, fertile Land."
nol artf s>i
airfnwo
276 PSALM CV.
8.
But when ? or how ? Their number view ;
(It afks no toil ;) a helplefs Few,
And Strangers there, doom'd long to roam.
And feek through diftant climes a home.
, 9 ',
Yet, privileg'd by Him from wrong,
Secure the Exiles march along :
Kings hear his dread reproof, nor dare
To hurt whom God has bid to fpare.
. 10.
" Touch, touch not Thefe ; for on their heads
" My hand the facred un&ion fheds :
" Your eyes in Them my Prophets fee;
" And what they fpeak, they fpeak from Me."
u.
He calls ; and on the cultur'd ground
Life's needful ftaffno more is found,
While Drought, incumbent o'er the plain,
Checks in mid growth the rip'ning grain.
12.
Yet Mercy ftill his Wrath outran ;
Thy fhores, O Nile^ receive the Man,
Ordain'd the chofen Race to fave,
Thy future Lord, though now thy Slave.
13-
What though, his feet in fetters bound,
His foul th' afflicting irons wound,
Though various griefs around him wait
Through kindred envy, wrath, and hate j
14. Yet,
P'*S A L M CV. 2-77
%**-. I4<
Yet, Jcfepb) patient bear thy lot :
Thy lips, with' heav*nlyfcience fraught,
Shall Toon the m'yflic Dream 'e'xplairt,
That ends thy woes, and breaks thy'chain.-"
15-
The Monarch bids ; the prifbn door
Detains the injured Saint' ho more;
But through fuccc'edni^ Life he cr.ins
A full e^rrf|>^rr'fromh^f^SSr Jl *
1 6.
New honours nownis wrongs repair ;
The regal Palace to his care
Its wealth configns ; and Egypt's land
Bows to her Captive's wife command.
!?
Ev'n Princes own'd with rev'rent aVrs
The cli&aU'S of his will tlieir Law,
And Senates on his youthful tongue
11 filent v/onder lift'nino; hung.
f8,
He fends ; and lo, opprefs'd with years,
"Jacob on 'Mizrainfs Coaft appear? ;
Th' illuftrious Pilgrim's wearied feet
In Egypt fix their laft retreat.
9 l-JL^-t
With Targe increr.fc his Line is bltf^,
And Zoan 'in th' acc-pted Gucft
With "hoftile ey- | ^-owi'i
A Hierigth fuperior to her own.
B b 20, See
278 PSALM C V.
20.
See hence the woes on Egypt pour'd !
(But Thou, O Monarch, fhouldft thy word
Abfolve, nor thus with impious rod
Opprcfs the Servants of thy God.)
21.
See Mcfa) pleading, ftretch the hand ;
See Aaron\\i\. the facred wand,
And lead th' invited vengeance on
In fcenes to Nature's Laws unknown.
22.
But O, what" terrors, Cbam^ are thine,
While quick on thy devoted Line,
Far as thy utmoft coafts extend,
Thou feeft the various pert defcend !
23-
If Fear their ftubborn hearts may melt,
Let Darknefs, Darknefs to be felt,
Inclofe their Land, and o'er their head
Its melancholy mantle fpread.
24.
Thus, thus th' Almighty Monarch fpake j
As forth the awful accents brake,
Darknefs the high beheft obey'd,
And round them wrapt its thickeft fhac'e.
25.
The Heav'n-ftruck Nile's extended flood
Now rolls a current black with blood :
While hreathlefs on their oozy bed
In heaps the finny tribes are fpread.
7,6. The
PSALM CV. 27
26.
The loathfome Frog a num'rous Birth,
Springs inftant from the teeming earth,
Nor walls that guard a Monarch's reft
Know to exclude the hideous gueft.
27.
He bids ; and through the darken'd nit
In troops th' affembling Flies repair,
And fwarms of Reptiles fcatter'd wide,
Rebuke the faithlefs Tyrant's pride
28-
In league agalnft them now confpire
The ruming Ha;l, and bick'ring Fire :
And, inftant by the tempeft torn,
Their ruin'd fhades the forefls mourn ;
29.
No more array r d in native green
The fig-tree and the vine are feen,
No more with flow'ring honours crown'd,
But ufelefs load th' incuinber'd ground
3'
He bids ; and join'd in clofe array
Th' embattled Locufts take their way:
Before them plains with verdure grac'd
Appear j behind a barren wafte :
3i-
While the dun Beetle through the fky
With eager fpeed is feen to fly,
And, partner in the ofFer'd fpoil,
Confumes th' aftonifli'd planter's toil.
Bb 2 32. Now
a8o PSALM CV.
3 2 -
Now to the grave with anguifh torn,
Each Mother yields her eldeit-born ;
And Egypt's land, along its fhores,
The firft-fruits of its ilrength deplores.
33-
Now, Ifraelj fhines the day to Thse
That bids thy captive Sons go free :
Rife, quickly rife ; for in their ear
Thy Sons the voice of Freedom hear :
34-
The wealth of their relenting foes
Earth's fov'reign Lord on Them bellows
And bids them leave the hoftile (oil,
Each ftrong for travel, ftrong for toil.
35-
As now their deftin'd path they tread,
Egypt, yet pale with recent dread,
Exulting fees the facred Band
With parting footfteps prefs her flrand.
36.
Expanded wide above their heads
The fhadowing Cloud its curtain fpreads ;
Before them walks th* embodied Fire,
And bids the fhades of night retire.
37-
Mis hand indulgent from on high
.Yields to their wants the wifli'd ftipply }
Qiiails on their appetite beftow'd,
And Bread ethereal, give them food ;
38. While
PSALM CV. a8i
38.
While, at his word, from out the rock
TV imprifon'd ftreams luxuriant broke,
And onward pour'd with lengthen'd train,
Ran murm'ring o'er the thirfty plain.
39-
Such Mercies, All-indulgent Lord,
Thy ch:;ngelefs promifes afford,
Such BlefSngs thy remembrance kind
Of Abrahams ever faithful mind.
40.
Redeem'd from ftern Opprefllon's feat,
With grateful joy their bofoms beat ;
With fuch as ev'ry heart o'erflows
When refcu'd from its cruel foes j-
41.
Joy, yet enlarg'd, when Canaan's Land
Refigns her fcepter to their hand,
And bids them reap from off her foil
The harveft of another's toil.
42.
Behold the Love to //"rWmowrij
That We, great God, thy pow'r might own,
And each with ftedfaft heart fulfil
The dictates of thy mighty Will.
43-
Awake the fong, awake the ftrrng,
And thankful praife th' immortal King,..
And, faithful Heralds to his fame,
To diftant Lands his praife proclaim*
B b 3 PSALM
2S2
PSALM CVI. Hallelujah.
i.
LET fongs of joy to God afcend,
Whofe Love nor limit knows nor end.
But O, what tongue in equal lay
His a6ls can fpeak, his praife difplay ?
2.
Thrice happy who with ftedfaft will
The diaates'of his Law fulfil!
With Thefe, thy chofen Flock, affign'd
May I my lot for ever find :
3-
O grant me, Lord, with Thefe to prove
The pow'r of thy redeeming Love,
The grace thy Saints are bleft to know
That Grace to me benignant (hew.
4-
* Too faithful followers of our Sires,
Our Life with theirs, great God, confpires
Thy wrath on Jttdah's Realm to call,
And teach thy terrors where to fall.
5-
O fay, thou Erythraean Main,
(Thy Waves beheld the rebel Train ;)
How foon Oblivion could efface
Each a<t of God's ftupendous Grace,
6.
How foon efface each al his hand
Performed in Cham's affrighted land;
Yet, ftill, that Man his pow'r might own,
Confpicuous in their aid it {hone :
7. AwM
PSALM CVI. 283,
7
Aw'd by his voice the briny Flood
In gath'ring heaps fufpended flood,
While, fafe as o'er the fandy wafte,
Th' admiring troops betwixt them paft :
8.
Soon as they reach the adverfe flrand
Th' impetuous wave the hoilile Band
C'erwhelms ; nor one exempted Man
Back with the dreadful tidings ran.
9>
Convinc'd they now (What could they lefs ?}
His words the words of truth confefs,
Yield to his Name th' extorted praife,
And fongs of grateful triumph raiie ;
10.
But foon rebellious as before
(His Works rememberd now no more,) '
To Times by Them prefcrib'd confine
The counfels of the Will divine.
n.
By lawlefs appetite impell'd,
As o'er the Wild their courle they held,
Fierce rife their Bands, in evil hour,
And challenge to the proof his Pow'r:
12.
That pow'r (while ev'ry eager eye
Rafhly demands the quick fupply)
Difpleas'd the wifli'd for ill fhall grant
And fatiate their imagin'd want :
13 That
484 PSALM CVI.
13-
That pow'r alone their outrage fell
From Thee, O Mofes^ could repel,
And uncontefted rev'rence claim
To confecrated jfaron's name.
14.
Wide, difcontinuous, yawn'd the ground,
And Datban in the dark profound,
With proud Abiram's frantic Train,
Receiving inftant, clos'd again ;
15-
The Almighty Lord, with wrath inflamM
His vengeance dire at Ifrael aim'd,
His Fires impetuous, roll'd along,
Wrapt in the blaze th' apoftate Throng.
16.
But Horeb ! What is wrought on Thee ?
Blufh, confcious Earth, O blufh to fee
A figure from the grazing herd
To God, the living God, prefer'd :
17-
That God, their Glory late confefl ;
But Ah ! within their thanklefs breaft
No longer now recorded fland
The wonders of his faving hand;
1 8.
No more with gratitude imprefs'd
His Miracles their hearts atteft
In vain on Egypt fliown, in vain
Repeated on the bord'ring Main :
rg. See
PSALM CVI. 285
19.
See, as in awful threatnings heard,
Eternal Juftice gives the word,
The fummon'd Storms the heav'nly Throne
Sarround, impatient to begone :
20.
But Mojes in the breach appears,
And, as his fuppliant voice he rears,
Averts, yet waiting on the wing,
The vengeance of th' Almighty King.
21.
As now in near approach they ftand
To promis'd, Canaan's fertile Land,
That promife, feal'd by Truth divine,
They doubt, and at the gift repine:
22.
From tent to tent the murmur runs,
While each the heav'nly counfel fhuns,
That .bids them fafe in Him confide,
Their God, their Guardian and their Guide
23-
Their guilt mature for vengeance found,
Th' uplifted fword, in act to wound,
Hangs imminent ; and myriads flain,
In heaps promifcuous load the plain.
24.
The conqu'ring Foe through unknown ways
The fcatter'd Fugitives conveys ;
Secluded from their promis'd home,
In foreign countries long they roam.
25. Their
286 PSALM CVI.
25.
Their names Bel-pbegor's fanes behold
Amidft his Votaries enroll'd,
While pleas'd, the impious board they fpread,
And eat the ofPrings of the Dead.
26.
New crimes new chaftifements provoke j
And forth the Fed wide-wafting broke,
Unfeen the furious onfet gave,
And fwept them to the crouded grave ;
27.
Till, Pbineasy thy prevenient care
Purg'd from its taint the deathful air r
The pious deed to lateft days
Shall confecrate the Hero's praife.
28.
Nor Aftrfta&'s yet thirfty ground*
Unconfcious of their guilt is found ;
Till, fummon'd from the rock, the wave
Her plain in full effufion lave.
20/
Nor He, who often mildly ftrove
To draw them with the cords of Love f
Not Mofes, Leader of their Bands,
From touch of blame exempted ftands :
3-
While murmurs heard on ev'ry fide,
And loud reproach, his patience tried,
Refentment quick his bofom ftung,
And words unweigh'd cfcap'd his tongue.
31. The
PSALM CVI. 187
3i-
The Nations round, with error blind,
To juft excifion long defign'd,
Rebellious to their God they fpare,
Nor fhun the heathen rite to {hare,
32.
Proftrate they fall to fculptur'd ftone,
And frenzy's deepeft influence own,
To Damons rear'd their altars (land,
And fcenes of blood pollute the Land.
33-
While with untrembling hands the Sires
Their Son, their Daughter, to the fires
A Victim yield, and, of their cry
Regardlefs, fee their offspring die.
34-
To images, to lifelefs Gods
(Such, Canaan, fhame thy dire abodes ;)
Streams on the knife the filial gore,
And, guiltlefs, ftains th' unhallow'd floor.
35-
What, Ifrael, now (hall wafh thee clean,
While LefTons of inventive Sin
Have prompted thy adult'rous heart
Thus from thy Maker to depart ?
36.
Fierce o'er thy head his anger burns ;
From his own Heritage he turn?,
Abhorrent : now let Jacob's foes
At will th' abandon'd race inclofe.
37. Behold
285 PSALM CVI.
37-
Behold them by oppreffion torn,
And fix'd the mark of hoftile fcorn,
With flatt'ring Lip their homage pay,
And trembling own tyrannic fway.
38.
Oft they were fav'd, and oft again
Rebellious ipurn'd his equal Reign,
Again their ruin'd ftate deplor'd,
And bow'd beneath a foreign Lord.
39-
Yet He with pity from on high,
True to his Compact, heard their cry,
His hand in their Defence he rear'd,
And gracious in their caufe appear'd.
40.
He faw them drag the fervile chain,
And, ftudious to relieve their pain,
Companion's tend'reft fenfe imprefs'd
On the ftern Vigor's iron breaft.
41.
O ftill our Father, ftill our Friend,
To Ifi-ad's woes, great God attend :
From diftant climes, and hoftile lands,
Collect once more our fcatter'd Bands ;
42.
That Sion with delighted ear
The hallow'd firains again may hear ;
Thy Name the fubjet of each fong,
Thy Praife the boaft of ev'ry tongue.
8 43-0
PSALM CVI; 289
43-
O thankful hail th' Almighty Lord,
The God by Jacob's Sons ador'd:
His fame, ere Time its courfe began,
O'er Heav'n's wide region echoing ran;
44.
To Him through endlefs ages raife
One fong of oft-repeated praife ;
And let conferring Nations join
To blefs with Us the Pow'r divine*
P S A L M CVIL
i.
TO God above from All below
Let hymns of praife afcend
Whofe Bleffings unexhaufted flow,
Whofe Mercy knows no end*
2.
But chief by Thofe his name be bleftj
To whom his aid he gave ;
Beheld them by the Foe opprefs'd,
And reach'd his arm to fave.
3-
To Eafls to Weft, to South, to North,
Condemn'd awhile to roam,
His hand in pity brought them forth,
And call'd the Wand'rers home.
C c 4. BehoH
290 PSALM CVI1.
4-
Behold them o'er the Defert ftray,
A helplefs, hopelefs, Train :
Some City, where their fteps to ftay,
They feek, but feek in vain.
5-
Ah ! what fhall chear their fainting mind,
Or what their woes afiuage,
To third's affli&ive pain confign'd,
And famine's fierceft rage?
6.
Diftrefs'd, to God they make their pray'r :
He guides, dire&s their feetj
And, fafe in his prote&ing care,
They reach their deftin'd feat.
7-
O then that All would blefs his Name,
Whofe Mercy thus they prove,
And pleas'd from age to age proclaim
The wonders of his Love.
8.
That Love, whofe gifts with thankful breail
The Sons of want divide,
And find their ev'ry grief redrefs'd,
Their ev'ry wifh fupplied.
9-
Thefe erft he bade th' Avenger's hand
In Death's dark /hades detain j
And added to the iron band
Affliction's heavier chain.
10. Such
PSALM CVII. 291
10.
Such is the Doom to thofe afilgn'd,
Who, frantic, durft withftand
The Counfels of th' Almighty Mind,
And fpurn his juft Command.
n.
O'erwhelm'd with deepefl woe they lie,
And finking to the grave :
No pitying ear attends their cry ;
No hand is nigh to fave.
12.
Diftrefs'd, to God they make their pray'r;
He, inftant, near them ftands,
Difpells the gloom of black Defpair,
And breaks their ftubborn bands.
13-
O then that All would blefs his Name,
Whofe Mercy thus they prove,
And pleas'd from r.ge to age proclaim
The wonders of his Love ;
14.
That Love, that oft its fuccour gives,
The Captive's woes to heal,
The gates of brafs in funder cleaves,
And burfts the bars of ft eel.
'5-
Beneath his terrors bid to groan,
Behold the impious Band
The fruits of Folly reap, and own
The Juftice of his hand.
C c 2 16.
29* PSALM evir;
16.
EftYang'd from foodj their languid foul
The needful meal foregoes :
Life feels ks current faintly roll,,
And haft ens to its clofc.
J 7-
Diftrofs'd, to God they make their pray 'r 3
And Nature, joyous, fees
His Word her ruin'd ftrength repair,,
Her fierceft tortures eafe*
1 8.
O then that All would blefs his Name,
Whofe Mercy thus they prove,
And pleas'd from age to age proclaim
The wonders of his Love :
19.
That Rsalms of various, tongue would flflg
His Acts in frequent lays,
And yield to Heav'n's eternal King
The facrifice of praife.
20.
Who o'er the Waves from fhore to fliore
The gifts of Commerce bearj
The wonders of the Deep explore,
And owa that God is there.
21.
By Thefe his Works are feen ; his Ways
By Thefe are underftood :
He fpeaks the word i the Storm obeys,
And riling lifts the Flood.
22. Now
PSALM CVII. 293
22.
Now high as Heav'n the Bark afcends,
Now feeks the depth below :
Each heart beneath the terror bends ;
And melts with inward woe.
*3-
As gorg'd with wine, in wild amaze
They reel from fide to Tide :
Nor Hope furvives, their fouls to raife,
Nor Reafon wakes to guide.
24.
Diftrefs'd, to God they make their pray'rj
Obedient to his Will,
The Storms that rag'd their rage forbear,,
The Seas that roar'd are ftill.
25-
Each grief, each fear, at once refign'd,
They fee their labour o'er j
Then led by Him their haven find,
And touch the wim'd for fhore.
26.
O then that All would biefs his Name,
Whofe Mercy thus they prove,
And plcas'd from age to age proclaim
The wonders of his Love :
27.
That Salem in her facred fhrine
His praife with thankful tongue
Would utter ; while her Elders join
To fwell the feftal fong.
C c 3 28. He
*94 PS A L M
28.
He bids-; and lo a Burning Wafte;
Where roll'd the floods before;
And, touched by the defcending blaft,
The fprings are feen no more.
29.
Sad witnefs of fome dire offence,
Behold the fertile foil
No more its wonted gifts difpenfe,
But mock the tiller's toih
SO-
He bids; and o'er the Defert wide
The liquid Lake is fpread:
New fprings the thirfty earth divide.
And murm'ring lift the head*
$*
There Myriads, late with hunger wan r
By Him aflembled, meet;
There pleas'd the future City plan,
Anil fix their fure Retreat;
32.
And now they fbw the foodful grain,'
The tender vine they rear ;
Now waves the hirveft o'er the plain, '
And plenty crowns the year.
33-
Bleft in his care, the Sires with joy
A mtm'rous race behold ;
Nor dares' Difeafe their herds annoy,
Or wafte the peopled fold.
34. Anon,
PSALM CVII,.
34-
Anony.ifi.funk with heavieft woe,,
They feel oppreflion's pow'r;'
If civil rage, or conquering foe,
Their boafted ftrength devour ;
35
Though,, humbled from their ftate, awhile
Their Princes feel his rod,
And wander o'er a barren foil,
By human ftep untrod,
36v
His hand affords the wifti'd releafe-;.
Colle&s their fcatter'd train;
And bids them like the flocks increafe,.
That fill the verdant plain. ,
37-
Such Truths his Servants {hall attefly
And, joyful, wake the fong ;
While fhame the impious fhall inveft, ;
And chain their fpeechlefs tongue^
38.
His Works attentive while it fees,
The Heav'n-irrftruted Mind
Shall own, how equal his Decrees,
His Providence how kind.,
PSALM CVIIL.
i.-
MY" heart is fix'd, eternal Sire ;
My heart is fix'd :. To Thee afpire
My Thoughts, and didate to my lays
An argument of eodlefs praife.
296 PSALM CVIII.
2.
To Thee, great God, my joyous tongue
Preluding forms the grateful fongt
That tongue, whofe higheft praife {hall be
The pow'r it boafts of praifing Thee.
3-
Awake, my lute, and new-ftrung lyre ;
InftincTt, myfelf, with holy fire
I wake ; and lo, the dawning Sun
Already hears the ftrain begun.
4-
From Me aflembling Crouds (hall burn
The triumphs of thy Love to learn,
And, rapt with zeal, the Nations round
Catch from my lips the facred found.
5-
Lo ! to the clouds thy Truth extends ;
And heav'n's ftupendous height tranfcends,
Far as to Earth's extremeft bound
In all thy Works is Mercy found .
6.
Inthron'd thyfelf above the fkies,
O, bid thy fulleft Glory rife,
And to the earth with cloudlefs ray
The wonders of thy pow'r difplay.
7
The Juft, bleft Objeas of thy Love,
Defend propitious from above :
Let Me with Them thy Mercy fhare,
And hear, O hear, my ceafelefs pray'r.
', God's
PSALM CVIIL
8.
God's Truth fliall ne'er forget to guard
The prormfe by his lips declar'd ;
And what th' Almighty Monarch wills,.
My ready hand with joy fulfills :
9-
Behoid- me Sichem's plain divide ;
My line, to Succoth's vale applied,
Its bound defcribes ; Thee mine I fee>
O Gilead) and, ManaJJe^ Thee.
10.
Thou, Ephraifii) art my firong- defence,
Thou, Judah^ (halt my Law difpenfer
A difPrem lot (hall Moab find,
A Vafe to vileft ufe afiign'd ;
ir.
A doom like his fhall Edetn meet^.
And wipe the duft from ofF my feet,
Philijlia fhall her tribute bring,
And own in Me her future King.
12.
Who, ae our troops in clofe array
To Edom's forts dire<5l their way,
Arrn'd with refiftlefs ftrength. (hall bid
Her gates unfold, her bolts recede ?
13-
Behold us, Lord, opprefs'd with woe,.
As exil'd from thy care we go :
Shall Ifraefs hofts, thy aid withheld,.
Still unfuccefsful take the field ?
14. QUIT
29? PSALM CVIII.
14.
Our hope, on Man repos'd in vain,
O let thy ftrength, great God, fuftain :
And let us on thy help reclin'd
In Thee our firm Protector find.
15-
Thus arm'd, each adverfe pow'r we dare,
And dauntlefs meet the rufhing war,
While from thy fword our foes retire^
Or trampled in the duft expire.
PSALM CIX.
i.
GO D of my praife, thy filence break ;
Thy timelieft aid my woes befpeak,
While tongues to falfehood train'd prepare
To wrap me in the deathful fnar :
2.
Now words of deepeft art they try ;
Now hoftile threats around me fly ;
And Crouds, inflam'd with caufelefs rage,
Wars, fierceft wars, againft me wage.
3-
While thus with Enmity profeft
My Fame they wound, my Peace moleft,
While ftedfaft Hate my Love repays,
To Thee my Soul inceflant prays :
4-
But O ! what anguifh rends my mind,
What keen regret ! condemn'd to find
(As gifts on gifts my hands beftow,)
In each expe&ed friend a foe.
5. On
PSALM CIX. 299-
5-
On Him whofe heart, with malice fraught,
Againft my peace has bent its thought,
Thus let thy Juftice, Lord, by Me
Aloud proclaim its fix'd Decree.
6.
Arraign'd atftern Oppreflion's bar,
Some dread accufer let him fhare,
That, planted on his right, may ftand,
And vengeance from his Judge demand:
7-
Nor let his deprecation win
The wifh'd for pardon to his fin,
But witnefs of his guilt become,
And feal, beyond reverfe, his doom.
8.
Let death's accelerated day
To worthier hands his Charge convey,
His roof a weeping Widow fee,
Her Orphans hanging at her knee ;
9-
While as from Morn to Eve they roam,
(Some ruin'd cell their cafual home,)
Let thefe, by pinching hunger led,
Seek at the rich man's gate their bread.
10.
His wealth let fell Extortion fpoil ;
The gather'd harveft of his toil
Let Rapine's greedy hand furprize,
While Each his woes unpitying eyes ;
8 If. And
JCO Vj-IX.
-And let his * ; fucco-jr near,
Corrected, leiTon in thy fear
This Age; and, one iucc-liion o'er,
Be feen by human eye no more.
12.
Let what of fin his Sires have done,
What guilt his Mother's heait has known,
In Heav'n be noted, and their Crime
Recorded ftap.d to endlefs Time.
13-
Let Wrath and Horror at thy word
Quick on th' abandon'd offspring pour'd,
(The meafure of their fins fulfill'd)
Their name to juft extinction yield,
14.
Such vengeance on the mifcreant reft,
Who, when with heavieft woes opprefs'd.
The helplefs innocent he view'd,
With murth'rous hate his foul purfu'd,
15-
In Curfes (tor in them his heart
Delighted,) let him bear his part,
Dread Spectacle ! a foe profeft
To Bleffing, and himfelf unbleft.
16,
Himfelf he veils in curfings dire,
That, fprung from Hell-enkindled fire j
Like water fhall his bowels rend,
Like oil into his bones defcend ;
17. Faft
PS A L M CIX. 301
17-
'Fad as his vefture to his fide
Still let them cleave, by Thee applied,
And, o'er his loyns for ever bound,
In painful cincture wrap him round.
18.
Such recompence my Foe fliall claim;
Such All who blaft with lies my fame - a
But let thy Grace on Me beftow'd
Thy Name exalt, immortal God.
19.
Thy Love (how fweet that Love !) reveal,
And ftretch the hand my heart to heal,
That fainting pours th' inceflant groan,
And forrows deepeft wounds has known.
20.
To Life's laft verge, impell'd by woe,
Faft as the flitting fliade I go ;
Chac'd as the Locuft fee me roam,
My ftrength by hunger's force o'ercome,
21,
While thus within my wafte-d frame
Sinks, half extinct, the vital flame,
Reproaching foes, around me fpread,
With haughtieft triumph {hake the head.
22.
Thy wonted Clemency beftow ;
And give them, mightieft Lord, to know
Thy Care extended to my aid,
Thy Pow'r in their repulfe difplay'd.
D d 23, Though
3 oz PSALM CIX*
*3-
Though curs'd by Them, yet blefs me Thou
O teach their ftubborn hearts to bow ;
And let their rage by Thee fupprefs'd
With grateful tranfport fill my breaft.
44.
On each who calls himfelf my foe
Let fliame its thicker! mantle throw ;
Let black difgrace their name o'erfpread,
Who aim their curfes at rny head :
25.
While I, amid th' aflembled Throng,
Raife to my God the ceafelefs fong,
Who, conftant at his fide, the Poor
From lawlefs judgment {hall fee u re.
PSALM CX.
i.
TH E Almighty Lord, beneath whofe feat
The ftarry Orbs their courfe repeat,
In awful Majefty array'd,
Thus to my Lord Mtjjiah faid
2.
Come feat thee at my own right hand,
Till, at my word, the hoftile Band,
As low with proftrate necks they lie,
A footftool to thy fteps fupply.
3-
Thy God from Sion's lofty tow'r
Shall bid Thee ftretch the rod of pow'r ;
Victorious o'er the rebel train,
Arife, and vindicate thy reign.
9 4. Behold
PSALM CX. 303
4-
Behold the long-expe&ed day,
When willing Crouds their homage pay;
To Thee their facred ofPrings bring,
And hail their Saviour and their King.
5-
Thy future Offspring view, a Birth
More num'rous than the Dews, on earth
(Beneath the twilight's dubious gloom)
DirTus'd from Mom's prolific womb.
6.
Th' irrevocable Oath is fworn :
My Beft-belov'd, my eldeft-born,
" Charg'd with th' eternal Priefthood fee,
And rank'd, Mekhizedec, with Thee."
7-
Thine arm th' anointed Prince fhall fhield,
Thou, Lord, befide him tread the field,
While Kings fhall feel th' infli&ed wound,
And hardieft Warriors prefs the ground.
8.
His Name the fubjedt World feall awe r
His fword to diftant Lands give law ;.
By him their fcepter'd Chiefs are (lain,
And heaps of carnage load the plain.
9-
The Streams, that glide along the way,
Shall to his heart new ftrength convey,
And bid him, 'mid the fcene of dread,
Secure of conqueft, lift the head.
Dd 2 PSALM
30*
PSALM CXI.
i.
MY Soul with facred zeal infpir'd,
Shall wake to God the thankful {train,.
In fecret with his Saints retir'd,
And 'midft fair S ion's crouded fane.
2.
Great.are his W T orks : With ftudious aim
Each faithful heart thofe Works has trac'd j.
His A61 mail higheft honour claim,
His Equity for ever laft..
3-
His Wonders to the grateful fenfe
In fvveet memorial ftand confeft ;
For boundlefs grace his hands difpenfe,,
And tend'reft pity, warms his breaft.
4-
His Love the Souls to Him allied
With food of heav'nly growth has fill'd,'
Nor {briers from his thought to flide
The Promife to his People feal'd.
5-
Thy Pow'r that People, Lord, have known,,
Bleft Heirs of Canaan's fertile Land :
Thy Precept Truth and Juftice own,
And bid thy Deeds reverfelefs ftand.
6.
Salvation from our God defcends ;
His Faith fliall IfraeFs blifs infure ;
Majeftic Awe his Name attends,
And Sanctity from blemifli pure.
7. His,
PSALM CXI. 305
7-
His fear th' obedient heart refines,
And Wifdom's path to view difplays :
In brighteft beams array'd it (bines,
And prompts each tongue with endlefs praife.
PSALM CXII. Hallelujah
I.
HOw bleft the Man, his God who fears !
Thy Precept, on hisThoughts imprefs'd,.
Eternal King, his Spirit chears,
And peace perpetual fills his breaftv
2.
His Sons the reins of pow'r (hall hold,
Tranfmiffive Bleffings on their Line
Be pour'd, his treafures fwell with gold^*
His Righteoufnefs for ever fhine.
3-
How to thy Saints, juft, kind, and good r
Has light amidft the gloom upfprung !
Their hands have ampleft gifts beftow'd,>
And fair Difcretion guides their tongue.
4-
Secure from fall the Juft {hall ftand,
Nor e'er from thy remembrance flide :
No rumour'd ills his fear demand^
Whofe hopes in Thee, great God, rcfide.
5-
Without a dread (Thy ftrength his truft,)
He meets the battle on its way,
Nor turns, till proftrate in the duft
His yes the vaunting Foe furvey.
D d 3 6, Inrich'd
3 o6 PSALM CXII.
6.
Inrich'd by what he gives, his hands
Deal to' the forts of want his bread ;
His Innocence unfullied Hands ;
And lafting honours crown his head.
tj
His blifs Tranfgreflbrs (hall behold,
And grind their teeth, and inly groan,
Their impious toil by Thee controuPd,
Their ev'ry wifh by Thee o'erthrown.
P S A L. M CXIII. Hallelujah,
I.
Y" faithful Servants of your God,.
On Him be all your praife beftow'd 5
Through time's extended courfe his Name,
Shall praife, and thanks, ^and homage, claim,
2.
Its circuit from the Eaft begun,
To fartheft Weft his fame fhall run,
His glory, Earth's wide Realms o'erflow,
Nor higheft Heav'ns its limit know.
3-
Great is the Lord, and great his Praife j
What God like Him our Though tsc an raife?
O whom to Him mall Mortals dare.
To equal, whom to Him compare f
4, He
PS A L M CXIII. 307
4-
He fits- aloft, o'er Gods a God,
Eternity his dread Abode,
Yet ^loops to view, and, view'd, records
The fceues that Earth's low feat affords ;,
5-
He from the duft uplifts the Poor,
And gives the abje6t and obfcure,
The dunghill for a throne exchang'd,
To lit with mightieft Monarchs rang'd.
6.
3 Tis His the barren houfe to blefs ;
His gift let each the Babes confefs,
That, long to her requeft denied,
The joyful Mother's care divide.,
Hallelujah i,'
PSALM CXIV.
i.
WHEN Jacob's Sons through paths
unknown
From Egypt took their way,
In yudah's \ ribe his preience fhone, ,
And Ifrael own'd his fway.
2.
Old Ocean faw them as they came 1 ;
He faw, and backward fled :
Recoiling Jordan turn'd his ftreamy
And fought, his fountain-head.
3, The
3 o3 PSALM CXIV..
3-
The Mountains feel the fudden fhock;
As rams, from off the ground
They fpring : As younglings of the flock;
The Hills affrighted bound.
4-
Thou, Ocean, fay, why, as they came,
Thy billows backward fled :
And what, O Jordan^ urg'd thy ftream
To feek its fountain-head ?
5-
Ye Mountains, whence the fudden fhocfc?"
Why leap ye from the ground
As rams ? As younglings of the flock,-
Say why, O' Hills, ye bound.
6.
Earth, inftant, to thy loweft bafe
Convuls'd, avow thy fear,
While Heav'n's high Lord reveals his face.
While Jacob's God is near :
/
JDiflblv'd beneath whofe potent flroke
The flint a torrent gave ;
Who fpake; and from the yielding reck
Gufli'd forth the bidden wave.
PSALM CXV.
i.
OLet not Us, thou God of Hofts,
O let not Us, with frantic boafts,
The merit and the glory claim,
Due only to thy hallow'd name,
2, To
P S A L M CXV. 309;
2.
To Thee, great God, to Thee alone,
Thy Truth and Grace, to Ifrael known,
Shall ceafelefs honour yield, and raife
Each, heart to Love, each tongue to Praife v
3-
Why fhould the heathen tribes demand,
Where's now the God of IfraePs Land?"
In Heav'n our God has fix'd his throne,
That Lord whofe Will and Act are one.
4
Not fuch the Gods whom Ye adore,
That, once a mafs of fhapelefs ore,
Now crown'd with furtive honours (land,
The creatures of the Artift's hand -,
5-
Mouths have they, not for fpeech defign'd ;.
And ears and eyes, yet deaf and blind ;
Their noftrils, as along the fane
It breathes, the incenfe greets in vain t
6.
Their hands th' imprinted kifs ne'er feel,
While fuppliant crouds before them kneel ;
Their feet have never ttep efTay'd ;
Their throat has never found conveyed :.
7-
Unvifitcd by Wifdom's ray
Their bread : nor lefs infenfate They,.
Who made their mimic forms, or, made,
With .fr.uitle.fs pray'r invoke their aid.
8. Yftr
310 PSALM CXV.
8.
Ye happier Sons of IfraeFs Line,
Conduced by the Light divine,
On God your firm reliance build ;
Him own your refuge, Him your (hkkL
9-
Ye, who from vefted Aaron trace
The honours of your chofen Race,
On God your firm reliance build ;
Him own your refuge, Him your fhield*.
10.
Ye Souls, with pure devotion warm,
Whofe Lives to his Decrees conform,
On God your firm reliance build ;
Him own your refuge, Him your fliicld*
II.
Behold his beams around us fhine :
He, Jacob, He fliall blefs thy Line,
You, who from vefted Aaron trace
The honours of your chofen Race.-
12.
And You, with pure devotion warm,
Whofe Lives to his Decrees conform,
From Him whofe hand the fcepter guides^
To Him who in the cot refides.
I-3-
To You, to Yours, till time {hall end,
His Love it ^ ble>ffings {hall extend,
Heirs of the. changelefs promife giv'n
By Him who form'd the Earth and Heav'n :
14. That
PSALM CXV. 3 n
14.
That Heav'n, within whofe awful bound
Himfelf, with brighteft glory crown'd,
His Seat has rear'd ; while Adatrfs Sons
The Earth (his Gift) its tenants owns.
*5-
Not Thofc whom death has fnatch'd away
The debt of hallow'd praife fhall pay,
Or wake his wonders to difclofe,
But iilent in the duft repofe :
1 6.
'Tis Ours, who flill thofe wonders view,
The grateful labour to purfue ;
Nor ever (hall our lips decline
To crown with hymns the Name divine.
Hallelujah.
PSALM CXVI.
HOWglows with grateful Love my breaft!
For God the voice of my requeft
Accepts, and, while my hands I rear,
Bows to my plaint the willing ear :
For.thi?, to Life's extremeft hour,
My lips to Him the pray'r (hall pour.
2.
While Death its fnares around me threw,
The grave, its horrors to my view
Prefenting, prefs'd with heavieft grief,
From Thee, great God, I fought relief :
" O fave me, heav'nly Sire, 1 cried,
" And turn th' impending ftroke afide."
3. Great
312 P S A L M CXV-I,
3-
Great is our God, beyond all bound
His Providence and Pow'r are found-;
juft, -good, and kind, is Ifrael's Lord,
His b-reaft with tend'rcfl pity ftor'd,
And prompt his Arm, when Ills invade,
The guilckfs and the meek to aid.
4-
His Mercies, 'midft thy deepeft woe,
By bleft experience taught to know,
Turn, turn thce to thy reft, my Soul;
For He who fits above the pole
(Tremendous Name) has o'er thy head
The fulnefs of his bounty (hed.
5-
Thou, mightieft Father, Thou wert nigh,
To fave my foul from death, mine eye
From tears, to guard from lapfe my feet,
And bid me in this earthly Seat
(Life's wide dominion) ftill refide,
To Thee in -filial -fear allied.
6.
To God my heart refign'd its care ;
To Him my tongue addrefs'd its pray'r :
While, ftruck with terrors as I ftood,
A fea of forrows round me flow'd,
" No more, my Soul, no more, I cried,
" In Man's fallacious aid confide."
7-
O, what requital at my hand
Shall Mercies, Lord, like Thine, demand ?
By
PSALM CXVI. 313
By Thee from each diftrefs enlarg'd,
The Cup with benediction charg'd
I take, and, touch'd with holy flame,
Invoke my great Deliv'rer's name.
8.
Ev'n now, before th' afTembled Train,
Ev'n now, within thy facred Fane,
(That Fane, whofe Walls, on firmeft bafe
Uprear'd, fair Salem 1 ?, confines grace,)
Behold me at thine altar bow,
And, pleas'd, abfolve my offer'd vow.
9-
Who Thy Decrees, great God, obey,
Secure on Thee their hope fhall flay ;
Nor Fraud nor Rapine's iron hand
Shall dare to touch the pious Band,
For facred is their blood, and high
Its price in thy paternal eye.
10.
In Me thy Servant, Lord, in Me
The Offspring of thy Handmaid fee,
Releas'd by thee, from day to day
The facrifice of praife to pay
I joy, and, touch'd with holy flame,
Invoke my great Deliv'rer's Name.
u.
Ev'n now, before th' aflembled Train,
Ev'n now within thy facred Fane,
(That Fane, whofe walls, on firmeft bafc
Uprear'd, fair Salon's confines grace,)
E e BehoM
3i4 PSALM CXVII.
Behold me at thine altar bow,
And, pleas'd, abfolve my offer'd vow.
Hallelujah*
PSALM CXVII.
i.
LE T thy various Realms, O Earth*
Praifes yield to Heav'n's high Lord ;
Praife him All of human birth,
And his wondrous Acts record.
2.
See his Mercy o'er our Land
.Spread its ever-healing wing,
And his Truth through ages ftand j
Praife, O praifc, th' eternal King.
PSALM CXVIII.
i.
LIFT your voice, and thankful fing
Praifes to your heav'nly King j
For his Mercies far extend,
And his Bounty knows no end,
2.
/frael, thy Creator blefs,
And with joyous tongue confefs^
That his Mercies far extend,
And his Bounty knows no end.
3-
daron> let thy -chofen Line
Qrateful in th' avowal join,
That his Mercies far extend,
And Jbis Bounty knows no end,
5 4- Ye
PSALM CXVIII. 315
4
Ye who make his Will your carej
With aflenting voice declare,
That his Mercies far extend,
And his Bounty knows no end.
5-
To my plaint propitious, He
Bade my captive Soul go free ;
He (hall in my caufe appear;
Let not Man excite my fear.
6.
He amid my Helpers ftands ;
Struck by Him, th' oppofing Bands
Inftant from before mine eye
Back in wild retreat (hall fly.
7-
O, how fafe the Man, whofe mind
Refts on Jacob's God reclin'd !
Safer far then they who truft
On the help of breathing dufh.
8.
O how fafe the Man, whofe mind
Refts on Jacob's God reclin'd !
Safer far than they who deem
Kings on Earth their pow'r fupreme.
?'
Gather'd from each diffont Coaft
Round me prefs'd th' embattled Hoft ;
But my Arm, by God upheld,
Strew'd with flaughter'd heaps the field.
E e 2 10. Round
3i6 PSALM CXVIII.
10.
Round me, thirfting for my blood,
Round me adverfe myriads flood j
But my Arm, by God upheld,
Strew'd with flaughter'd heaps the field,
ii.
Round me, fee ! as Bees they dweil,
Bees,, that, ifluing from their cell,
Mix in fwarms, and on the wing
Arm'd with fury onward fpring :
12.
See their rage at once expire
Like the thorn-enkindled fire ;
While iny Arm, by God upheld,
Strews with flaughter'd heaps the field.
J 3-
Soon thy ftroke, relentlefs Foe,
Soon thy ftroke had laid me lo\r,
Had not God's fupporting hand
Bid my fault'ring feet toftand.
14.
He my Strength, and he my Song,
Lo ! my days I yet prolong,
And, each ho-ftile force o'erthrown>
Him my great Salvation own.
15-
Shouts of health and hymns of praife
Wifdom's faithful followers raife,
"VVhile amid their peaceful Seat
Thus the ear theix accents greet :
16. "O
PSALM CXVIII. 317
16.
<{ O how ftrong the hand divine !
cc O what wonders, Lord, are thine I"
See that hand, from Heav'n reveal'd,
Wonders yet on wonders yield.
17-
Vaunt thy terrors, Death, no more ;
He whom Ifrael's Sons adore,
He, each danger chac'd away,
Bids me ftill his Ads difplay.
18.
He indulgent, juft, and kind,
Trials to my lot affign'd,
Yet amidft the doubtful ftrife
Refcu'd from the fword my life.
19.
Ope the gates of Righteoufnefs j
Let my feet have full accefs ;
There I'll praife my Saviour's Namej
And his boundlefs Love proclaim.
20.
Here the hallow'd gate behold 5
See its valves at once unfold,
Pleas'd t' admit the chofen Train,
Pure from Sin's infe&ious ftain.
21.
Thee, the God inthron'd above,
Thee my lips mail fing, whofe Love
To my voice attention gave,
Prompt to hear, and ftrong to fave,
Ee 3 22, Sec
3 i8 P S A L M CXVIIL
22.
See the Stone, that, caft afide
By the Builders' erring pride,
In the Dome aflumes its place,
Own'd the Angle's nobleft grace.
23-
Thou the Work, great God, haft wrought ;
In its fcenes our wond'ring Thought
Joys thy clemency to trace,
Seal'd to Jacob's favour'd Race.
24.
Lit by thy aufpicious ray
Downward ftreams the wifh'd-for Day,
Big with Afts that (hall fuggeft
Endlefs mirth to IfraeFs breaft,
25.
Save, O fave, eternal Lord,
And thy profp'ring aid afford:
Bleft the Man, who, fent by God,
Vifits Salem'* lov'd abode.
26.
Come, ye Saints, and in his Train
Tread with licens'd ftep her Fane,
While from out her (acred Tow'r
Bleffings on your head we pour.
27.
Safe in IfraeFs Lord confide ;
He is God, and none befide ;
See his fav'ring beams arife
To his People's longing eyes.
28, Fair,
PSALM CXVIII. 319
28.
Fair, and innocent of fpot,
Let the victim Lamb be brought,
And befide his Altar ftand,
Fetter'd in the writhen band.
29.
Thee, my God, in lengthened lays,
Thee my raptur'd lips (hall praife ;
Thee, my God, aloud proclaim.
Zealous to exalt thy fame.
3-
Lift your voice, and thankful fing
Praifes to your heav'nly King ;
For his Mercies far extend,
And his Bounty knows no end.
PSALM CXIX.
A L E P H.
I.
HOW bleft, who Thee, great God, obey,
And ftedfaft walk th' all-perfea way !
How bleft, whofe hearts with will intire
Thy prefence feek, Almighty Sire ;
Whofe feet thy guidance own ; whofe mind
Has each nefarious a& declin'd.
2.
Thy voice has charg'd us to fulfil
The didates of thy heav'nly Will j
Such, Lord, thy charge ; and O may I
Attentive to the talk apply,
Truft
3 io PSALM CXIX.
Truft in thy Aid, thy Works record,
And mark the Precepts of thy Word.
3-
My fteps conform'd to thy Decrees,
Nor mame nor dread my Soul {hall feize j
Thy Precepts on my mind imprefs'd
Shall fwell with joy my faithful breaft,
Thy Juftice prompt my tongue to raife
The fong of gratitude and praife.
4-
Thy Law my love mail claim : Do Thou
Thy ear to my petition bow ;
O treat me not with cold difdain,
Let not my Vows return in vain,
Nor leave me, helplefs and forlorn,
The abfence of thy grace to mourn.
BETH.
i.
TTO W, early wife, mall Youth, O fay,
** * In Innocence direct its way ?
Thy Word its fteps, to Thee refign'd,
The ever faithful Guide fhall find.
2.
Hail, beft Inftruftor ! Thee my Thought
With full defire, great God, has fought i
O let me not, by Error's fway
Impell'd, from thy direction ftray.
3-
Thy Precept, in my breaft conceal'd,
From Sin's affault my heart fhall fhield :
Bleft is thy Name, eternal Lord !
O write within my mind thy Word :
4- That
PSALM CXIX. 321
4
That Word, whofe rules from day to day
Mylips with grateful zeal difplayi
Thefe, my beft wealth, my treafur'd ftore
I keep, and view them o'er and o'er.
5-
Thy Di&ates ftill, my conftantjoy,
My foul's attention fhall employ ;
Nor aught fliall from my fight withdraw
Thy path, or from my thought thy Law.
G I M E L.
H Y Mercy let thy Servant fee,
Grant me to live conform'd to Thee,
And let my Soul, each mift away,
The wonders of thy Law furvey.
2.
Behold me, abfent from my home,
Through Life's wild maze a Pilgrim roam,
Nor Thou to my defiring eye
Thy Word's directing beams deny.
3-
With ardent zeal, with ftrong defire,
My thoughts to thy Decrees afpire ;
V\ ith fervent hope thy paths I tread
By Mercy and by Truth outfpread.
4.
O Thou, whofe threat the proud fubdues,
Whofe wrath the finner's fteps purfues,
My foul, of each tranfgreffion pure,
From fcorn and fierce reproach fecure.
5. While
322 PSALM CXIX,
5-
While Princes with malignant aim
Aflembled wound my honeft fame,
My. Life, thy will its fix'd purfuit,
Shall each opprobrious tongue refutes
6.
Thy Laws my ev'ry thought controul r
While, fill'd with facred joy, my Soul
Its ever faithful Friends in Thefe
And inmates of its eounfel fees.
D A L E T H.
I.
T OW in the duft my foul is laid ;
O reach me, Lord, thy promis'd aid }
Thou, as my heart its guilt avow'd,
Thy pitying ear, great God, haft bow'd ;
Let thy Commands my footfteps lead i
O give me, Lord, thy paths to tread ;
And let me, leflbn'd in thy way,
The wonders of thy Grace furvey :
2.
While on my foul, that melts with woe,
That Grace its fuccours fhall beftow,
(Such hope thy Word has bid me form j)
Let me, with holy tranfport warm,
And privileg'd thy Law to learn,
From Error's path abhorrent turn ;
Averfe from each injurious art,
Let falfehood from my lips depart.
3. Truth,
P- S A L ML CXIX. 323
3-
Truth, Lord, my fteady thoughts purfue,
Thy Judgments fix'd before my view
In full difplay : Exempt from fhame
O give me Thou by Thefe to frame
My courfe ; and mark with what delight,
(As onward Thefe my fteps Jnvite,)
Its bands by Thee difTolv'd, my Soul
Anticipates the diftant goal.
HE.
i.
nTEACH me, O teach me, Lord, thy Way 5
So to my life's remoteft day,
By thy unerring Precepts led,
My willing feet its paths (hall tread,
2.
Inform'd by Thee, with facred awe
My heart (hall meditate thy Law,
And with celeftial Wifdom fill'd
To Thee its full obedience yield.
3-
<jive me to know thy Words aright,
(Thy Words, my foul's fupreme delight)
That, purg'd from thirft of gold, my mind
In Them its better wealth may find.
4-
O turn from Vanity mine eye,
To Me thy quick'ning ftrength fupply,
And with thy promis'd mercy chear
A heart devoted to thy fear,
5.0
324 PSALM CXIX.
5-
O vindicate my Name from wrong,
And filence the reproachful tongue ;
My dreaded fhame, great God, remove ;
Thy Judgments, Lord, my thoughts approve,
6.
Thy wife Commands my breaft inflame ;
O hafte, and to my inmoft frame
Permit thy Juftice to difpenfe
Its all-reviving influence.
V AU.
I.
f~\ LET me, Lord, thy Mercy know ;
^"^Thy promis'd health, great God, beftow j
So from my Soul, on Thee reclin'd,
Shall each reproach an anfwer find.
2.
My truft thy Judgments, mightieft Lord,
Support ; O let not then thy Word
(Thy Word, by Truth eternal feal'd)
Be ever from my lips withheld :
3-
That Word to Life's extremeft ftage
My juft remembrance fhall engage,
My Soul to thy Decrees incline,
And make the paths of freedom mine.
4-
The Heav'n-taught truths that warm my breaft
My tongue to Monarchs fhall fuggefly
And, rapt with zeal, each check difclaim
Of fervile dread, and infant fhame.
5. Thy
PSALM CX1X. 325
5-
Thy Di&ates on my Thoughts imprefs'd
With fweet delight (hall fill my breaft j
Thy Law, Jehovah^ ftill fhall fhare
My ardent Love, my conftant Care ;
6.
And, while from Thee with lifted hands
Pleas'd I receive its juft commands,
My Life, fubmitted to its rein,
Shall fpeak them not receiv'd in vain.
Z A I N.
I.
*'f* H Y promifes, Almighty Sire,
Accomplifh : Thefe my hope infpire ;
Thefe, when opprefsM with ills I lie,
With vital ftrength my foul fupply ;
Nor loud reproach nor hoftile fcorn
My heart from thy obedience turn :
Amid my woes, through ages paft
In long memorial backward trac'd,
Thy Judgments have my truft upheld,
And forrovv's heavieft cloud difpell'd.
2.
How trembles, Lord, my heart to fee
The fouls that err from thy Decree !
Long as within this feat of clay,
My houfe of Pilgrimage, I ftay,
Thy Statutes are my Song ; thy Name
Wakes in my breaft the holy flame,
F f ' That
3^6 PSALM CXfX.
That heav'n-ward lifts my thoughtful foul,
When night's dark fhades invert the pole.
What hopes, great God, are mine, what joy,
While thy Commands my care employ !
C H E T H.
1.
TV/I Y heart's beft portion, Lord, art Thou ;
"* ToThee my Thoughts obedience vow:
To Thee with ardent zeal I pray ;
Thy promis'd mercy, Lord, difplay.
2.
While back my yet unfinifh'd race
With fcrutiny fevere I trace,
Thy Law with full delight I greet,
And turn to Thee my willing feet.
3-
With ftudious hafte I ran, I flew,
Intent thy Dictates to purfue,
Nor Thefe forget, though troops of foes
Amid their fnare my fteps inclofe.
4'
Thy juft Decrees within my breaft
Revolv'd, I quit my bed of reft,
And pleas'd, at midnight's awful hour,
In thanks to Thee my fpirit pour.
5-
I mark where'er the fouls I find
To Thy Commands, great God, inclin'd ;
I mark them, and with fuch refide
In friendfhip's ftri&eft bands ally'd.
6. That
PSALM CXEX. 327
6.
That Mercy, Lord, whofe beams extend
Far as to Earth's remoteft end,
That Mercy to my Soul impart,
And grave thy precepts on my heart.
T E T H.
r.
"JV/TY grateful heart thy Love has known,
O Thou, whofe words and deeds are one >
O ftill that Love impart, and ftore
My Soul with thy celeftial Lore,
Whofe thought its full affent refigns
To what thy facred Will injoins.
2. x
In devious paths awhile I trod,
Ere yet corrected by thy rod;
But from thy juflr and perfefl Law
Fair Virtue's Leflbns now I draw,
And, difciplin'd, great Sire, by Thee,
Obfequious bow to thy Decree.
3-
Thy Mercies, Lord, exhauftlefs flow;
O give my Soul thy Will to know :
While Crouds, whofe hearts thy fear difclaim,
With ftudied falfehood blaft my fame,
Thee, Lord, I feek; by thy Command
My Acts, my Thoughts, dire&ed (rand.
4-
Amidft their rage, with joyful view
My heart thy Precepts can purfue,
While folly theirs from truth withholds,
And round them wraps its thickeft folds :
F f 2 Behold
328 PSALM CXIX.
Behold them, Lord, in Error loft,
Thy Law reje& with impious boaft.
5-
Bleft be thy hand, feverely kind,
Whofe ftroke recall'd my erring Mind,.
And urg'd me, as to Thee I turn,
Thy hallow'd Inftitutes to learn,
And, taught their worth, to prize them more
Than heaps of Ophir's richeft ore.
J O D,
I.
*T* H Y plaflic art, throughout my frame,
* Each limb, each nerve, great God, pro-
claim ;
O give me Thou with mind fmcere
To learn th' Inftru&ions of thy Fear :
2.
So (hall the Souls, that Fear who know,
With focial joy, my God, o'erflow,
And pleas'd my conftant heart approve,
That waits, with Them, thy plighted Love,
3-
Thy Judgments praife eternal claim,
Wife, juft, and good; with friendlieft aim
Thy faithful hand each woe I feel
Infli&s, and wounds me but to heal.
4-
O let thy promis'd mercy flied
Its quick'ning effluence on my head,
And comfort to my Soul inftil,
That loves the didates of thy Will.
4 5- ^t
PSALM CXJX. 329
5-
Let fliame th' Aggreflbrs proud repay,.
Who feek my footfteps to betray :
Thine aid I afk, eternal Lord,
And treafure in my heart thy Word^
6.
With Me infacred friendfhip join
The fouls that to thy fear incline,
And from the well-fpring of thy Law
Exhauftlefs ftreams of knowledge draw;
7-
O never from my conftant heart
Let thy Decrees, great God, depart^
So mall I thence, by Thee renew'd,
Guilty and its offspring Shame, exclude,
CAP H,
I-
T> EHOLD r while wearied with delay
My foul, my fight, confume away,
Thy Servant o'er th' ethereal plain
Send the long look, but fend in vain.
2.
O when y to my expecting eyes,.
When (hall thy wifh'd Salvation rife,
Through ftruggling clouds its promis'd ray
Tranfmit, and o'er me pour the day ?
3-
Faft as the wine-exhaufted hide
Amid the circling fmoke is dried,
I. wafte ; yet never from my heart
Shall thy Commands, great God, depart.-
F f 3 4. How
330 PSA L M CXIX.
4-
How long fhall I my days, O fay,
In fad fucceflion roll'd furvey j
How long to haughtieft infult yield,
Thy vengeance from my foes withheld ?
5-
The Proud, thy Precepts who defpife,
(Thy Precepts, Lord, how juft, how wife !}
With caufelefs rage their pits prepare j
O hafte, and make my life thy care.
6.
How nigh had Conqueft crown'd their aim,
And rooted from the earth my name !
While, ftill thy paths, eternal God,
With undiverted ilep I trod.
7-
O let thy Mercy to my heart
Its life-fuftaining pow'r impart ;
So mail my Soul with facred awe,
And juft obfervance, hear thy Law.
LAMED.
i.
T^ I X ' D in the Heav'ns, eternal Lord,
A On firmeft bafis refts thy Word j
Thy Truth, unconfcious of decay,
Sees wafting ages roll away.
2.
Pois'd on its centre by thy hand
Earth long has flood, and yet (hall ftand :
The whole Creation, ev'ry hour,
Subfervient owns thy fov 'reign Pow'r.
3. How
PSALM CXIX. 331
3-
How had I perim'd, 'midft my woes,
But that within my bofom rofe
The joys which thy Injunctions yield,
And each invading grief difpell'd !
4-
O never, never, fhall my heart,
Forgetful, from thy Law depart,
Which, inftant, kindlieft fuccour gave,
And wrought my refcue from the grave.
5
Behold me, Lord, behold me thine ;
Thy ear to my requeft incline,
And fave a Soul whofe wakeful Thought
With fervent zeal thy Troths has fought.
V ' 6-
And though with fecret art their fnare
The impious for my Life prepare,
Thy Precepts ftill, my conftant joy
My fix'd attention fhall employ.
7-
Mine eyes Perfection's limit fee
Through Nature's Works ; but thy Decree
No period, mightieft Monarch, knows,
Nor bounds of fpace its breadth inclofe.
MEM.
i.
\X7 I T H what defire, great God, I bum
Thy facred Oracles to learn!
Each day, each hour, with ftedfaft mind
Thy Truths I meditate, and find
The
332 PSALM CXIX.
The knowledge, to my foes denied,
To Me in fulleft weight fupplied.
2.
My Teachers, while from out thy Law
The lefTons of my life I draw,
My guidance afk ; the Aged Me
Their Elder in difcretion fee,
As, onward led, with {ready pace
The Heav'n-appointed paths I trace.
3-
O with what zeal my bofom burn'd,
With joy the heav'nly precept learn'd !
How have I kept my feet from ill,
Intent thy Mandate to fulfil,
My ear to difcipline refign'd,
Nor ever from its rules declin'd !
4-
In full fatiety of joy
Abforpt, thy Words my thought employ,
And fweeter on my palate dwell
Than honey dropping from its cell :
My Soul, by thy Inftrudion, wife,
From Error's path abhorrent flies..
NUN.
i
HP H Y Law, from Sinai's mount reveal'd,
* A lantern to my feet fhall yield,
A light, whofe beams fhall o'er me dwell,
And night's incircling fhades difpel.
2, Thy
PSALM CXIX. 333
2.
Thy Precepts (thus my tongue has fworn,
Nor aught my purpofe, Lord, {hall turn})
Thy Precepts, juft, and wife, and true,
My fteps, unwearied, (hall purfue.
3-
Beneath a weight of woes I bend ;
Thy promis'd aid, my God, extend :
My lips their willing offerings pay ;
Accept them, gracious Lord, I pray.
4-
Thy Judgments to my longing eyes
Difplay ; while dangers round rne rife,
My foul juft ready to rcfign,
To Thefe my thoughts I ftill incline.
5-
No impious force, or hoftile fnare,
Shall alienate from Thefe my care ;
Nor e'er fhall Sin my fteps betray
From thefe in devious Paths to ftray.
6.
Thefe, while their worth my Soul inflames,
Its lafting heritage it claims,
And pleas'd the dictates of thy Will
To life's laft period fhall fulfil.
S A M E C H.
I.
Tf A R hence each Superftition vain,
Wild offspring of the human brain ;
The Truths that fill thy hallow'd page
My happier choice, great God, engage j
Safe
334 PSALM CXIX.
Safe on thy Word my truft I build,
O Thou, my Refuge, and my Shield.
2.
Ye impious, from my fight away ;
My Soul (hall God's behefts obey :
ever faithful to thy Word,
Do Thou thy vital ftrength afford ;
Thy help impart, eternal Sire,
Nor let my hope in (hame expire.
3-
Suftain'd by thy Almighty aid,
What danger (hall my Soul invade ?
Nor error's cloud, nor arts of fin,
My foul from thy obedience win ^
In vain fhall thefe their force apply
To turn from thy Decrees mine eye.
4-
Subverted by their own deceit,
And fpurn'd beneath thy conqu'ring feet,
Thy wrath the rebel tribes deplore ;
Spurn'd, as the drofs, that from the ore
(Amid the glowing furnace caft)
Is fever'd by the fiery bla{K
5-
For this, with ardent Love thy Law
1 feek ; for this, while rev'rent Awe
And holy Horror fhake my frame,
Thy dreaded judgments I proclaim ;
And, wrapt in fear, moft mighty Lord,
Thy pow'r, thy righteoufnefs record.
A IN.
PSALM CXIX. 335
A i N.
I.
H I L E Juftice o'er my life prefides,
Each at,each word, each purpofe guides,
Friend of the guiltlefs ! nigh me ftand,
And fave me from, th' OpprefTor's hand.
2.
O ftill thy wonted grace difclofe ;
Still in my quarrel interpofe
Thine arm, nor let my haughty foe
Exulting triumph in my woe.
3-
My wafting eyes with earneft view
Thy promis'd health, my God, purfue :
Thy mercies to thy Servant fhow,
Give me each Heav'n-taught rule to know.
4-
Behold me, Lord, behold me thine,
And let thy influence on me (bine,
Till, each illufion purg'd away,
My Soul thy myftic Truths furvey.
5-
Thy wife Injunctions caft afide,
The fons of Infolence and Pride
With oft-repeated crimes demand
Th' unwilling vengeance from thy hand.
6.
Thy Dictates on my thought imprefs'd
With fweet delight lhall fill my breaft ;
Not Gold like Thefe my love fhall claim,
Gold fev'n times tortur'd in the flame.
7. Thefe,
336 PSALM CXIX.
7-
Thefe, Lord, I keep, thy Works record,
And mark the precepts of thy word,
Truft in thine aid, and, fix'd, decree
To fhun each path that leads from Thee.
PE.
i.
\ H O W the Wonders of thy Law
^"^ My heart to juft obedience awe !
What ftreams of pureft knowledge yield
Thy Words in full difplay reveal' J !
By Thefe the Souls untaught before
To heights of heav'nly fcience foar.
2.
With earneft zeal, and anxious thought
Thy words my panting bofom fought ;
With thirft, with facred thirft I burn'
To Thefe my op'ning mouth I turn'd,
And from thy Precept wife and true
Its life-imparting fpirit drew :
3-
What grace thy Saints are bleft to kfto'w,
That grace on Me, great God, befl jr;/ j
Thy Dictates to my foul convey,
And level to my fteps thy way ;
Redeem from Error's growth my mind,
Nor leave one baleful root behind.
4*
O fave me from Oppreffion's hand ;
So fhall my foul thy wife command
Obferve, and, leflbn'd inthy fear,
The precepts of thy law revere :
Indulgent
PSALM CXIX. 337
Indulgent on thy fervant fhine,
And make the paths of knowledge mine.
5-
My tears, great God, my zeal difclofe,
And down the copious torrent flows,
As oft, with inward anguifli torn,
Thy violated Laws I mourn
By guilty Souls, whofe Love of ill
To rafti Tranfgreflion prompts their will.
T S A D D I.
I.
TLJ AIL, Arbiter fupreme ! thy Will
Truth, Equity, and Juftice feal ;
Truth, Juftice, Equity, thy Voice
Prefcribes to favour'd Ifrael's choice ;
T u " r -"bile my foe prefumptuous fpurns,
w uu zeal confum'd my bofom burns.
2.
O how thy Precepts, in the fire
Long prov'd, thy fervant's Love infpirc !
To indigence and fcorn refign'd,
Thefe ft ; !1 I feek with ftudious mind ;
Nor ceafe with conftant thought to trace
The ails of thy ftupendous grace,
3-
Eternal Rectitude is thine ;
Truth to thy Laws adjufts its line ;
Thy Laws, my Soul's beft comfort found,
When pains and forrows wrapt me round :
Thy juft Decrees mall Time furvive ;
Them teach me, and my Soul ihall live.
G g K o p H.
33 8 PSALM CXIX.
K OP H.
J.
f\ Maker, Guide, and Judge of All '
With earneft voice to Thee I call ;
To Thee I call ; propitious hear;
So fhal! the Precepts of thy fear
My Soul inform, and, Thou my aid,
My ev'ry Adi: by Thefe be fway'd.
2.
Ere yet the dawn has ftreak'd the fky,
God of my Life, to Thee 1 cryj
My hope (nor (hall that hope be vain,)
Thy facred promifes fuftain :
On thy Decrees, great God, intent,
My Thoughts the early watch prevent.
3-
O let thy Mercy, while I pray,
My night illumine, guide my day,
Thy Word within my inmoft frame
Awake the everliving flame,
.And, inftant, to my breaft difpenfe
Its all-reviving influence.
4-
Behold a Croud, from Thee eftrang'd,
In dire alliance near me rang'd j
But Thou, my God, arc nearer ftill :
My Soul the didates of thy Will
Fix'd on eternal bafe has view'd,
And owns them wife, and juft, and good.
RE SH.
PSALM CXIX, 339:-
RES H.
i.
TVEHOLD my griefs ; my Soul preferve ;
"^ For ne'er from thy diretion fvverve
My thoughts : Do Thou my caufe defend;
O let thy word its aid extend.
2*
In vain thy grace the Souls would heal,
Whofe crimes their juft rejection feal j
Who, bold each impious deed to try,
Thy Laws oppofe, thy Pow'r defy.
3-
O let thy Mercy, Lord, (how great
That Mercy !) on thy Servant wait,
Its beams in full effufion give,
And teach my fainting heart to live.
4-
While hoftile Crouds around me {land,
My (reps I guide by thy Command
Unvarying, and indignant fee
The Souls whofe Will has err'd from Ther.
5-
Behold what love, what full delight,
Thy Precepts in my bread excite,
And let thy Favour o'er my head
Its vital pow'r incefTant filed.
6.
With truth thy Word, great God, was crown 'd,
Ere time began its reftlefs round :
Thy Laws through length of days extend,
Firft, midft, and laft, and without end.
G g 2 S c H I N.
340 PSALM CXIX.
S C H J N.
J.
\\/HILE princely Pow'r, without a caufe,
The threat'ning fword againft me draws,
My mind, to thy Commands applied,
Them fears, nor owns a fear be fide.
2.
My heart with fecret tranfport fwells,
While ftudious on thy Word it dwells j
Nor wealthieft fpoils fuch joy beftow,
New wrefted from the proitrate foe.
3-
To Lies averfe, thy Laws I love \
Thy juft Decrees my Thoughts approve >
And fev'n times, each revolving day,
To Thee my grateful vows I pay.
4-
Great is the peace prepar'd for A}!,
Whofe willing feet obey thy Call ;
Great is the peace for fuch prepar'd,
Nor aught their footfteps fhall retard.
5-
Thy health, my God, I wait,. thy Will
With unremitted zeal fulfil,
And wrapt in love and filial fear
The Heav'n-defcended Truths revere.
6.
Thy Truths my foul reveres : Each day,
Thy wife Infractions I obey,
Aflur'd that to thy fearching eyes
My life's whole path confpicuous lies.
TAU.
PSALM CXIX. 34 r
T A u.
f.
/"\ Let my cries thy heav'nly feat
7^ Approach ; my pray'r indulgent meet,
And give (for on thy Word relies
My hope j) O give me to be wife.
2.
Behold, (for Mercy lives in Thee ;)
Behold me fuppliant bend the knee,
And let thy promis'd aid difpel
The clouds of grief that o'er me dwell.
3-
Thy facred Precepts taught to know,
How fhall my lips, great God, o'erflow
With praife, and, touch'd with holy flame,
The juftice of thy Laws proclaim !
4-
While pleas'd I bow to thy Command,
Reach, in my refcue, reach thy hand ;
Do Thou, whofe Dictates warm my heart,
Thy long-expected health impart.
5-
O let my Soul, to life reftor'd,
Thy Love in lafting hymns record,
While o'er my head its beams fhall fhine,
And make thy great Salvation mine.
6.
Thine eyes in Me the Sheep behold,
Whofe feet have wander'd from the fold,
That, guidelefs, helplefp, ftrives in vain
To find its fafe retreat again;
G g 3 7. Now
342 PSALM CXX.
7-
Now liftens, if perchance its ear
The Shepherd's well-known voice may hear,
Now, as the tempefts round it blow,
In plaintive accent vents its woe.
8.
Great Ruler of this earthly Ball,
Do Thou my erring fteps recall :
O feek thou Him who Thee has fought,
Nor turns from thy Decrees his thought.
PSALM CXX.
r.
TO God I cried, with anguifti ftung,
Nor form'd a'fruitlefs pray'r.
O fave me from the lying tongue,
And lips that would infnare.
2.
Thou Child of Guilt, to falfehood bred,
Say, what fhall be thine end ?
See keeneft arrows o'er thy head,
And quenchlefs coals, impend.
3-
Ah ! Woe is Me, to Mefeck's feat
And Kedar's tents confln'd ;
Perpetual infult doom'd to meet
From Men of reftlefs mind.
4-
When offers mild of Peace I make,
And friendlieft terms prepare,
My words their flumb'ring rage awake,
And arm them for the War.
PSALM
343
PSALM CXXI.
i.
LO F from the Hills my help defcends ;
To Them I lift mine eyes :
My ftrength on Him alone depends,
Who form'd the Earth and Skies.
2.
He, ever watchful, ever nigh,
Forbids thy feet to flide ;
Nor fleep nor flumber feals the eye
Of IfraeFs Guard and Guide.-
3-
He at thy hand, array'd in might,
His fhield fhall o'er tbee fpread ;
Nor Sun by day, nor Moon by night,
Shall hurt thy favour'd head.
4-
Safe fhalt thou go, and fafe return,
While He thy Life defends,
Whofe eyes thy ev'ry ftep difcern,
Whofe Mercy never ends,
PSALM CXXII.
i.
THE feftal Morn, my God, is come,
That calls me to thy honour'd Dome,
Thy prefence to adore :
My feet the fummons fhall attend,
With willing ftep thy Courts afcend,
And tread the hallow'd floor.
X 2, Ev'fl
344 PSALM CXXII.
2.
Ev'n now to our tranfported eyes
Fair Sion's tow'rs in profpeft rife ;
Within her gates we ftand,.
And, loft in wonder and delight,.
Behold her happy Sons unite
In friendfhip's firmeft band.
3-
Hither from Judah's utmoft end
The Heav'n-protected Tribes afcend ;
Their offerings hither bring;
Here, eager to atteft their joy,
In hymns of praife their tongues employ,
And hail th' immortal King.
4-
By His Command impell'd, to Her
Contending Crouds their caufe refer ;
While Princes from her Throne
With equal doom th' unerring Law
Difpenfe, who boaft their birth to draw
From Jejfe's favour'd Son.
5-
Be Peace by Each implor'd on Thee,
O Salem, while with bended knee
To Jacob's God we pray :
How bleft, who calls himfelf thy Friend ?
Succefs his labour fhall attend,
And fafety guard his way.
6.
O may'ft thou, free from hoftile fear,
Nor the loud voice of tumult hear,
Nor war's wild waftes deplore :
May
PSALM CXXIIF. 345
May Plenty nigh thee take her ftand,
And in thy Courts with lavifh hand
Diftribute all her. ftore.
7-
Seat of my Friends and Brethren, hail !
How c"an my tongue, O Salcm^ fail
To blefs thy lov'd Abode ?
How ceafe the zeal that in me glows
Thy good to leek, whofe walls inclofe
The Manfion of my God ?
PSALM CXXIIL
i.
TO Thee, above the {tarry fpheres
Inthron'd, his look thy fuppliant rears
As tow'rds their Lord the menial Band,
As Maidens tow'rds their Miftrefs' hand
Obfervant caft th* expecting eye,
So lift we ours, great God, on high,
Till Thou thy mercy (halt difplay,
And chafe thefe clouds of grief away.
2.
Enough thy People, Lord, have borne
Of infult keen, and hoftilc fcorn :
O let thy clemency divine
Confpicuous in our refcue fliine,
And hear, in pity hear, the fighs
From our full hearts inceflant rife,
While, round us rang'd, the Sons of pride
Our name revile, our woes deride.
PSALM
PSALM CXXIV.
i.
HA D God abandon'd from his care
Our caufe, when adverfe hofts to war
Uprofe ; had God, may Ifrael fay,
Our caufe abandon'd, in the day
When o'er the plain their troops were pour'd,
Our tribes their fury had devour'd ^
2.
Down we had funk; and o'er our head
The fwelling floods their waves had fpread :
Down we had funk ; but bleft be God,
Whofe arm the timely help beftow'd,
And, each invader chas'd away,
Snatch'd from their jaws th' expe&ed prey*
3-
See ! as the Bird with fudden fpring
Exulting mounts upon the wing,,
Juft refcu'd from the fowler's art,
So triumph We, with thankful heart,.
And, fav'd by his preventing care,
Shake from our feet the broken mare.
4-
When woes, when dangers round us rife,
On Him alone our Hope relies,
To Him our Liberty we owe,
And own his ftrength againft the foe,
Whofe hand thy center fix'd, O Earth,
And gave th' enduring Heav'ns their birth.
PSALM
34-7
PSALM CXXV r .
i.
TH E Y, v ho with holy confidence,
Truft in the Lord for their defence,
Secur'd by his protecting hand,
Shall ftedfaft as Mount Si on ftand,
That, proof to Ages, meets the fkies,
And, fix'd, each adverfe (hock defies.
2.
Behold fair Salem's hallow'd ground,
By fhadowing hills encompafs'd round ;
Thy prefence thus, great God, we trace
Incircling Jacob's chofen Race :
Nor diftant times mall fee thy Love
Its bleffings from thy Saints remove,
3-
Ne'er on the lot by Thefe poflefs'd
Shall impious Pow'r its fcepter reft ;
Left Sin, eftablifh'd into Law,
Their hearts from thy obedience draw:
O ftill our Guardian, ftill our Friend,
Thy mercies to the Juft extend ;
4-
While All, whofe heart from Wifdom's way
Through paths perverie has lov'd to ftray,
In fuff rings, as in guilt, allied.
Shall fee the Peace to them denied
The fulnefs of its influence fhed
On happier Ifrad's favour'd head.
PSALM
343
PSALM 'CXXVI.
i.
IS this a Dream ? amaz'd we cried,
When, led by their celeftial Guide,
Fair Sicn's captive Tribes again
Beheld her late deferted -plain :
Then forth to laughter burfr. each tongue,
And fongs of loudeft triumph fung.
2.
The Nations round, with fecret awe,
The mighty work admiring faw ;
And, " Great (they cried,) the Gift beftow'd
" On Thefe, the favour'd of their God !"
" O, great the Gift !" Our hearts rejoin,
And joyful blefs the hand divine.
3*
Let thofe, whofe exile ftill we mourn,
Beneath thy conduct, Lord, return,
Faft as the copious torrents glide,
When, to its vacant bed their tide
Reftoring, o'er the waftes they run,
That burn beneath the fouthern Sun.
4-
Let fcenes of Hope our thought employ ;
Who fow in tears, fhall reap in joy :
The weeping Hind, whofe dubious hand
Now ftrews with grain the furrow'd land,
Shall homeward foon exulting bear
The Bleffings of the loaded year.
P S A L M
349
PSALM CXXVII.
i.
A Race by God unbleft who rear,
A fruitlefs toil fuflain ;
If God to fhield the Town forbear,
The Watchman wakes in vain.
2.
Why rife Ye early, late take reft,
And eat the bread of care ?
The balm of fleep, his gift confeft,
His Children only fhare.
3-
Know too thy Sons, that round thee ftand,
A gift by Him prepar'd ;
Nor arrows in the Giant's hand
Can yield fo fure a guard.
4-
Bleft, who his quiver ftores with Thefc :
When hoftile troops are near, '
His gate the ftorm approaching fee?,
Yet fees without a fear.
PSALM CXXVIII.
i.
HOW bleft the Souls, their God who fear,
His Pow'r confefs, his Layv revere !
Who ftedfaft walk th' all perfeft way,
Nor loft in paths of folly ftray.
Hh 2.O
350 PSALM CXXVIII.
2.
O happy Thou ! ordained to (hare
Thy Maker's ever conftant care ;
Thou privileg'd from want (halt ftand,
And eat the labour of thy hand.
3-
The Object of thy wedded Love
Prolific as the Vine fhall prove,
Whofe foliage o'er thy walls difplay'd
Spreads wide its amicable fhade :
4.
While, as the Olive-branches fair,
Around thy board thy infant Care
Shall croud, and bid thy heart o'erflow
With joys that only Parents know.
5'
Such Bleffings, Lord, thy hands provide
For all who make thy fear their guid;,
And fted&ft walk th' all perfeft way,
Nor loft in paths of folly ftray.
6.
Hailj favour'd Man ! From Sion's Tow'i'
Thy God on Thee his gifts {hall fhow'r :
Thou, thankful, to thy lateft day
Shalt Salem's profp'ring ftate furvey,
7-
With length.en'd joy, thine aged eyes
Shall fee thy Children's Children rife,
And Peace her healing wings expand
..O'er Judah's Heav'n-diftingutth'd Land.
PSALM
sf
PSALM CXXIX.
i.
OF T from my youth, may Ifrael fay,
Oft from my youth, in clofe array
Againft me rang'd, the hoftile train
My ruin fought, but fought in vain.
2.
My back with ftripes the ploughers tore ;
The lengthen'd furrows ft ream-' d with gore ;
But Thou, juft God, haft btirft their bands,
And fav'd me from their ruthlefs hands.
3-
Back let them fly in wild retreat,
Whofe rage fair Sion's hallow'd feat
Purfues : Let fliame their guilt repay ;
And let them like the grafs decay,
4-
That, on the houfe-top feen to rife,
Stops in mid growth, and fades, and dies ;
Nor fills the Mower's hand, nor gives
One grafp to him who binds the {heaves;
5-
Nor prompts th' obferving pafienger
To greet them with this friendly pray'r;
<c May Heav'n's high Lord your labours blefs,
<c And crown them with the wifh'd fuccefs."
Hh 2 PSALM
35*
PSALM CXXX.
i.
TO Thee from out the Deeps I pray,
With heavieft woes opprefs'd :
Lord, let thine ears attentive weigh
The voice of my requeft.
2.
If from the Sons of human birth
Thy wrath its debt demand,
O who, throughout the peopled earth,
Beneath that wrath fhall ftand ?
i-
But Sin's worft wounds thy Mercy heals :
As down its pow'rs defcend,
The grateful Soul their influence feels,
And trembles to offend,
4-
Thee, Lord, I feek, the Wife, the Juft j
My foul, by Thee upheld,
Expe&ant waits (thy Word its truft)
Till Thou thy beams fhalt yield,
5-
Not thus intent their longing fight
The wearied Watchmen rear,
Not thus intent the growing light
Obferve, when morn is near.
6.
O truft in God ; for Love in Him,
And Grace abundant, reign :
He, yacob^ fhall thy Sons redeem,
And purge their ev'ry ftain.
PSALM
353
PSALM CXXXI.
i.
THINE eyes, my God, nor lofty mind
Nor haughty look in me (hall find,
Nor Earth's vain pomp attra&s my view,
Nor Honour's prize my thoughts purfue,
2.
Behold me of affections mild,
Behold me humble as the Child,
That meek and filent finks to reft,
Wean'd from the tender Parent's breaft.
3-
O, fonder than that Parent, fee
Thy Maker, Ifrael^ cherifti Thee :
To lateft times on Him depend,
Thy Guide, thy Guardian, and thy Friend.
PSALM CXXXII.
I.
G RE A T Ruler of this earthly Ball,
Thy David to thy thought recall ;
O hear my voice, All-potent Sire,
Nor diftant from the pray'r retire.
2.
O think what pangs his bofom tore,
When to his God the Oath he fwore,
And thus, with various preflures bow'd,
To Jacob's Lord a Manfion vow'd.
H h 3 i. Be
354 PSALM CXXXI
3-
Be Witnefs, if my floor I tread,
Be Witnefs, if my couch I fpread,
If fleep thefe weary orbs fhall feal,
Or fl umber o'er mine eyelids fieal,
4:
Till to my fearch fair Judab's Land
Some place prefent, whereon may {land,
Through future age, thy fix'd Abode,
The Seat of Jacob's mighty God.
5-
To Thee, O Epbrata, we came,
Inquifitive, and, led by fame,
The hallow'd Tabernacle found
Within the forefts ample bound.
6.
Behold us. Lord, with willing feet
The manfion of thy prefence greet,
(Each heart inflam'd with grateful zeal,}
And proftrate at thy footftool kneel.
7-
Rife, Ifracfs Father, God, and Friend ;
Pleas'd to thy place of reft afcend,
Thou and thine Ark, tremendous fhrine
Of Majefty and Pow'r divine.
8.
While Rig v hteoufnefs thy Priefls arrays,;
O let thy Saints their thankful lays
Prolong ; and in thy David's name
Let Judab's King thy favour claim.
9. Thus
PSALM CXXXI. 355
9-
Thus to the Prince of JeJJe born
God the reverfelefs Oath has fworn ;
Thy Throne, protected by my care,
The offspring of thy loyns fnall heir.
10.
Through diftant times their hallow'd Line,
Long as to Me their hearts incline,
My Compact keep, my Laws obey,
Shall, uncontroul'd, extend their fway.
ii.
Thy Walls, O Stan, to thy Lord
His deftin'd refidence afford ;
Here will I reft, nor e'er my Love
From thy diftinguifh'd feat remove.
12.
Thy plenteous board my hand mall fpread,
Diftribute to thy Poor their bread,
Thy Priefts with lading health inveft,
And wake to mirth each faithful breaft.
13-
Amid thy Race, O David, here,
Salvation (hall her flandard rear,
While copious on th j anointed head
The heav'nly Lamp its beams fhall filed,
14.
Thy foes with fhame invelop'd o'er,
Their blafted counfels fhall deplore,
And fee the Crown that binds thy brovy
With unextinguifli'd fplendors glow.
PSALM
PSALM CXXXIir.
i.
HOW bleft the fight, the joy how fweet,
When Brothers join'd with Brothers
meet
In bands of mutual Love !
Lefs fweet the liquid fragrance, filed
On Aaron's confecrated head,
Ran trickling from above,
2.
And reach'd his beard, and reach'd his veft :
Lefs fweet the Dews on Herman's breaft
Or Sion's Hill defcend :
That Hill has God with Bleflings crownM,
There promis'd Grace that knows no bound,
And Life that knows no end.
PSALM CXXXIV.
i.
YE Servants of th' eternal King,
Your grateful hymns triumphant fing :
To You I call, the chofen Band,
Who take amid his Courts your ftand,
While, gliding round the dufky pole,
The ftarry Orbs in filence roll.
2,
Within his Temple's vaulted frame,
With lifted hands, his praife proclaim :
And He, may He, whofe pow'r has made
The Earth, and Heav'n's wide arch difplay'd.
From facred Sion bid thee prove
The Bleflings of his boundlefs Love.
PSALM
357
PSALM CXXXV. Hallelujah.
i.
E faithful Servants of your God,
To him be all your thanks beftow'd;
Through Times extended courfe, his /ame
In fongs of higheft praife proclaim :
2.
Ye who, on his behefts intent,
The Courts of IfraeFs Lord frequent,
And pleas'd, within his hallow'd gate,
In regular fucceffion wait :
3-
Him praife, the everlafting King,
And Mercy's unexhaufted fpring ;
Hafte, to his Name your voices rear ;
What Name like his the heart can chear ?
4-
His Love from out the nuan'rous Birth,
That crowns the wide-extended Earth,
Selects the Race of Ifaac's Sons,
And Jacob his pofleffion owns.
c.
Thy Greatnefs, Lord, my thoughts attefl,
With awful gratitude iinprefs'd,
Nor know, among the Seats divine,
A Pow'r that lhall contend with Thine.
6.
Tis God, whofe All-difpofmg Sway
The Heav'n's, the Earth, and Seas obey ;
Whofe Might through all extent extends ,
Sinks through all depth, all height tranfcends
7. From
358 PSALM CXXXV,
7-
From Earth's low margin to the Skies
He bids the pregnant Vapours rife,
The Lightning's pallid fhcet expands,
And glads with (how'rs the furrow'd lands;.
&.
Now from His Storehoufe built on high,
He gives th' imprifon'd Winds to fly,
And, guided by thy Will, to fweep
The furface of the foaming Deep.
9-
By His refiftlefs ftroke aflail'd,
Her Eldeft-born proud Egypt wail'd f
Nor rag'd His fword on Man alone j
Her flacks, Her herds, its fury own.
10.
New fcenes of Dread her Land furpriz'd,
When God the haughty chief chaftis'd,
And Each who lent th' affifting hand
To execute his ftern command.
ii*
From Egypt's defolated fhore
Its courie His vengeance onward bore
To diftant realms, by Juflice led ;
And mightieft Kings beneath it bled :
12.
Their Monarch Hefton's Coafts deplor'd,
And Bafan her gigantic Lord,
While Canaan wept her forfeit Lands
Refign'd to If r a el's chofcn Bands.
1.3. Thy
PSALM CXXXV r . 359
13-
Thy Name fhall ever live, thy Name
Shall ceafelefs Praife and Honour claim ;
Thy Works, atchiev'd in ages paft,
To endlefs time remember'd laft.
14.
From Thee our Judge, we wait our doom :
Thou, Lord, the balance wilt aflame,
And, prompt thy People's woes to heal,
The fentence of thy wrath repeal.
*S-
Behold, on each polluted fliore
The heathen tribes their Gods adore ;
Of Gold and Silver form'd, they ftand
The Creatures of the Artifts hand.
16.
Mouths have they, not for fpeech defign'd,
And Ears and Eyes, yet deaf and blind :
Their lips, by Nature's finger feal'd,
Ne'er knew the vital breath to yield :
'7-
Unvifited by Wifdom's ray
Their breaft : Nor lefs infenfate They,
Who made their mimic forms, or made,
With fruitlefs pray'r invoke their aid.
18.
Ye favour'd Tribes, from Ifrael fprung,
Jehovah's Praife with grateful Tongue
Aloud proclaim, and thankful join
To blefs the Majefty divine.
19. Him
360 PSALM CXXXV.
19.
Him blefs, ye Sons of Aaron'?, race;
Ye who your birth from Levi trace,
And All whofe heart His Laws delight,
In thanks to Him your fongs unite.
20.
Let Slon with enraptur'd ear
His fame throughout her precincts hear,
Who 'midft her walls, eternal Gueft,
Has fix'd the Maniion of his reft.
Hallelujah ,
PSALM CXXXVI.
i.
LIFT your voice, and thankful fing '
Praifes to your heav'nly King j
For his Bleflings far extend,
And his Mercy knows no end.
2.
Be the Lord your only theme,
Who of Gods is God fupreme ;
For his Blefling?, &c.
3-
He to whom All Lords befide
Bow the knee, and vail their pride ;
For his Bleffings, &c.
4-
Who afierts his juft Command
By the Wonders of his hand ;
For his, &c.
5- He>
PSALM CXXXVI. 361
5-
He, whofe Wifdom, thron'd on hi^h,
jBuilt the Manfions of the fky j
For hi?, &c.
6.
He, \v!io bade the watry Deep
Under Earth ? s foundation fleep j
For his, &c..
7-
And the Orbs that gild the pole
Through the boundlefs ^Ether roll ;
For his, &c.
8.
Thee, O Sun, whofe pow'rful ray
Rules the Empire of the Dayi
For his, Sic.
9-
You, O Moon and Stars, whofe light
Breaks the horrors of the Night }
For his, &c.
10.
When his vengeful wrath he fiied,
Egypt mourn'd her Firftborn dead j
For his, &c.
u.
Thence by Him from bondage freed
March 'd all Ifrael's chofen feed j
For his, &c.
12.
While his mighty hand he rear'o',
And his outftretch'd arm appear'4 i
For his, &c.
Ii 13. Aw'd
362 PSA L M CXXXVL
'3-
Aw'd by Him, from fide to fide,
Lo, th' obedient Deeps divide;
For his, &c.
14.
At his word the billows flay,
Part, and give his People way;;
For his, &c.
15.
At his word again they clofe
-O'erthe head of Jacob's foes.;
For his, &c.
16.
'Safe in his Almighty aid
Ifrael o'er the Defert ftray'd ;
For his, &c.
*7-
Kings, unable to withftand,
Felt the vengeance of his hand j
For his, &c.
1 8.
"Chiefs for hardieft deeds renown'd
Proftrate fell, and bit the ground^
For his, &c.
19.
Sibon fierce, who forth to fight
Led the harnefs'd Amorlte ',
For his, &c.
!20.
Mightieft Og y beneath whofe fway
Bafan's fertile region lay j
For his, &c.
PSALM CXXXVI. 363
21.
Thefe he flew, and from their hands
Took the forfeit of their Lands ;
For his, &c.
22.
Lands, which erft by promife due,
Sons of Jacob) fell to You ;
For his, &c.
23-
On our forrows from on high
He with pity caft an eye j
For his, &c.
24.
In our battles o'er each head
He the fhield of fafety fpread ;
For his, &c.
25.
He with food fuftains, O Earth,
All who claim from Thee their birth ;
For his, &c.
26.
Lift your voice, and thankful fing
Praife to Heav'n's eternal King ;
For his Bleflings far extend,
And his Mercy knows no end.
PSALM CXXXVII.
i.
WHERE Babylon's proud water flows,
We fate and wept, while in us rofe
The dear remembrance of thy name,
O fcur, O loft Jerufalem !
li 2 Our
364- PSALM CXXXVI1.
Our fiJent harps the willows bore,
XVhofe branches fhade th' extended fliore,
2.
In haughty triumph thus the Foe
Infill ting aggravates our woe :
" Come, tune to mirth your fulkn tongue ;
'* Rife, Hebrew (laves, and give the fong
" Such drains as wont your fane to fill
" On captive S ion's boaftcd Hill."
3-
How fhall we yield to the demand ?
How, exiles in a heathen Land,
Prefume the heav'n-taught fong to raife,
And defecrate the hallow'd lays ?
Shall Ifrael's vanquiftTd Tribes employ
Their mournful voice in hymns of joy ?
4-
If Sion from my breaft depart,
Forget my hand its tuneful art :
Faft to my palate cleave my tongue,
If, when I form my fprightlieft fong,
Aught to my mirth fupply a theme,
But Thou, O lov'd Jerufalem.
5'
Think, Lord, O think, when Sion lay
Abandon'd to the dreadful day,
How, as thy heavteft wrath (he tried,
" Down, down, exulting Edom cried,
" Down let the hated City fall,
And level to the duft her wall."
6. Daughter
PSALM CXXXVII 365
6.
Daughter of Babylon^ that woe,
Deprefs'd, confum'd, thyfelf {halt know,
Which We, dire Murth'refs, found from Thee:
And Bleft the Man whom, God's Decree
Ordains to lead the {laughter on,
And dafh thine Infants on the ftone.
PSALM CXXXVIII.
i.
r jMHEE, Lord, my harp's avvaken'd firings
JL Shall praife, and to the ear of Kings,
Whofe pow'rs thy facred imprefs bear,
The ardor of my zeal declare.
2.
In low proftration, tow'rd thy mrine,
His knees thy Servant mail incline,
And thankful teach the rapt'rous lay
Thy Faith and Mercy to difplay.
3-
Thy Sanctity all height tranfcends ;
Thy word eternal Truth attends ;
Thy Pow'r, while Thee my pray'r addrefs'd,
Has fill'd with Heav'n-born ftrength my
breaft.
4;
Earth's Lords, by thy inftruclions led,
With Ifraefs fons thy path {hall tread,
And, joyous, as they march along,
Thy Glory chaunt in grateful fong.
Ii3 5. Inthron'd
366 PSALM CXXXVII1.
5-
Inthron'd above the loftieft fky,
Thou deign'ft the Humble to defcry,
And, from thy diftant feat, deride
The frantic boafts of human pride.
6.
When hoftile troops excite my fear,
Thy quiclc'ning Grace my heart fhall chear^
Thy hand compofe their furious ftrife,
And refcue from the fword my life.
7
What blifs thy promifc bids me (hare,
Hafte, Lord, to yield ; nor from thy care
(O ever faithful, wife and good,)
The creature of thy hands exclude.
PSALM CXXXIX.
i.
THOU, Lord, haft fearch'd me ouU
thine eyes
Mark when I fit, and when I rife ;
By Thee my future thoughts are read";
Thou, round my path, and round my bed,
Attendeft vigilant ; each word,
Ere yet I fpeak, by Thee is heard.
2.
Life's maze, before my view outfpread,
Within thy prefence wrapt I tread 1 ,
And touch'd with confcious horror ftand
Beneath the fhadow of thy hand >
Such knowledge, Lord,, how deep ! in vain
I feek its fummit to attain.
3. Where
PSALM CXXXIX. 367
3-
Where (hall I fhun thy wakeful eye,
Or whither from thy Spirit fly ?
Aloft to Heav'n my courfe I bear;
In vain ; for Thou, my God, art there :
If prone to Hell my feet defcend,
Thou ftill my footfteps (halt attend.
4-
If now, on fvvifteft wings upborne,
I feck the regions of the Morn,
Or hafte me to the weftern Steep,
Where Eve fits brooding o'er the Deep,
Thy hand the fugitive fhall fray,
And di&ate to my fleps their way.
5-
Perchance within its thickeft veil
The Darknefs {hall my head conceal j
But, inftant, Thou. haft. chas'd away
The gloom, and round. me pour'd the day :
Darknefs, great God, to Thee there's none ;
Darknefs and Light to Thee are one.
6.
My reins, my fabrick's ev'ry part,
The wonders of thy plaftic art
Proclaim, and prompt my willing tongue
To meditate the grateful fong :
With deepeft awe my Thought their frame
Surveys : a I tremble that I am,"
7-
While yet a ftranger to the day
Within the burthen'd womb I lay,
My
368 PSALM CXXXIX.
My bones, familiar to thy view,
By juft degrees to firmnefs grew:
Thy pow'r my lineaments began,
To fhapes prefcribed the texture ran.
8.
Day to fucceeding day confign'd
Th' unfiniflrd Birth ; thy mighty Mind
Each limb, each nerve, ere yet they were,
Contemplated diftincl: and clear ;
Thofe nerves thy curious ringer fpun,
Thofe limbs it falhion'd one by one ;
9-
And, as thy pen in fair defign
Trac'd on thy book each ftiadowy line,
Thy Handmaid Nature read them there,
And made the growing work her care,
Conform'd it to th' unerring plan,
And gradual wrought me into Man.
10.
With what delight, great God, I trace
The Ads of thy ftupendous Grace !
To count them, were to count the fand
That lies upon the fea-beat ftrand :
When from my temples ileep retires,
Thy prefence, Lord, my heart infpires.
II.
Shall impious Men thy will withftand,
Nor feel the vengeance of thy hand ?
Shall not thy wrath terrific rife,
The bold tranfgreflbrs to chaftife ?
Hence, Murth'rers, hence, nor near me ftay j
Ye Sons of Violence, away.
12. When
P S.A L M CXXXIX. 369
12.
When lawlefs Crouds with infult vain
Thy Works revile, thy Name profane,
Can I unmov'd thofe infults fee,
Nor hate the Wretch that hateth Thee ?
Indignant, in thy Caufe I join,
And all thy foes, my God, are mine.
'3-
Searcher of hearts, my thoughts review ;
With kind fcverity purfue
Through each difguife thy Servant's mind,
Nor leave one ftain of guilt behind :
Guide through th' eternal path my feet,'
And bring me to thy blifsful Seat.
PSALM CXL.
i.
MY impious foes, great God, repel ;
Their rage by pow'r fuperior quell ;
Do thou fubdue the adverfe band,
That, leagu'd in guilt, againft me ftand.
2.
They toil, on fierce contention bent,
New arts of mifchief to invent ;
Whet, as the Afp, their tongues, and dip
In Death's worft gall their venom'd lip.
3-
O fave me from the hand of Wrong,
And backward turn the frantic Throng,
That, pleas'd, in dire alliance meet,
And tempt to fatal lapfe my feet.
4. The
3yo PSALM CXL.
4-
The murth'rous trap, th' intwining fnare^
The Sons of Violence prepare,
And guileful, onward as I tread,
Befide my path their net outfpread.
5-
Thou art my God; to Thee on high
Thus proftrate at thy throne I cry ;
O let my pray'r by Thee be heard,
From undiflembling lips prefer'd :
6.
Strength of ray health, indulgent Lord,
Thy Arm unfeen each adverfe fword,
As o'er the field the battle burn'd,
Preventive from my head has turn'd.
7-
O let not the remorfelefs Band
(Each counfel by thy profp'ring hand
Accomplifli'd, and each wifli fupplied,)
Their conquefts boaft with growing pride :
8.
Do Thou, vindictive, on their heads
(While round the hoftile circle fpreads^
Intent my guiltlefs Soul to flay,)
The mifchief of their lips repay.
9-
Let ruming flames their fin chaftife ;
Prone tow'rd the pit (no more to riie,)
Let each with fault'ring footfteps bend,
And headlong to its depths dcfcend,
10. The
PSALM CXL. 371
10.
The tongue to Wifdom unfubdu'd
From blifs its Owner fhall exclude :
Detraction in the Earth's domain
No lafting heritage (hall gain.
IT.
The feet to violence inclin'd,
Deftrudlion, following faft behind,
Shall hunt, and with unwearied pace
Thro' fin's dark maze their path fhall trace.
12.
My heart has known Thee, Lord, prepar'd
The hclplefs and the poor to guard,
To fave them "from Oppreffion'sjaws,
And vindicate their injur'd caufe.
13
The Souls fubjefted to thy fear
To Thee the thankful voice fhall rear,
And, ftudious of thy jufl Command,
Within thy fight accepted ftand.
PSALM CXLI.
i.
TO Thee I call j O hafte thee near ;
My voice, great God, indulgent hear i
With grateful odour to the fkies
As incenfe let my pray'r arife,
And let my hands, uplifted high,
With full acceptance meet thine eye,
As Victims on thine altar laid,
When Eve extends its deep'ning fhade.
2.0
372 P S A L M CXLI.
2.
O let my mouth to guilt be barr'd,
And o'er its portal plant a guard ;
Turn, turn from fin's purfuit my will.
Nor let th' artificers of ill
Jn Me the wifli'd aflbciate greet,
Or fee, me to their path my feet
Incline, and, caught in Error's fnare,
Their feaftful board luxurious fharc.
3-
Let Virtue's Friends, feverely kind,
With welcome chaftifement my mind
Corre6t, and by their precepts won,
Let me each error learn to Ihun ;
But give not thefe, great God, to filed
The balm of flatt'ry o'er my head,
Left fudden from thy wrath I feel
The (troke, that none {hall know to heal.
4-
The pray'r, that from my lips proceeds,
My juft abhorrence of their deeds
Shall fpeak ; nor Thou that pray'r defpife,
But, while before their ftartled eyes
From rocky heights their Chiefs are thrown,
Incline their ftubborn hearts to own
How fweet my words, and, taught thy fear,
The lefTons of thy truth to hear.
5-
The beafts, the birds that wing the air
Thy flaughter'd faints infatiate tear,
Behold the grave's wide mouth difplay'd,
Our bones in heaps before it laid,
i A*
PSALM CXLI. 373
As when beneath the Woodman's flroke
From the tall Am or fpreading Oak
The branches fall, and fcatter'd round
In wild diforder ftrew the ground.
6.
Father of All ! to Thee mine eyes
I lift : on Thee my hope relies:
Do Thou, as 'mid the toils I tread
By Men of impious heart outfpread,
My danger (nor regardlefs,) fee,
And let me, while by thy decree
Wrapt in the fnare themfelves I view,
With ftep fecure my path purfue.
PSALM CXLIL
i.
TO God I cry; to Him my pray'r
Addrefs ; to Him my heart its care
Shall pour, and to his ear difclofe,
In fad recital, all its woes :
To Him (for He the pray'r can hear)
To Him my fuppliant voice I rear.
2.
To Thee, great God, to Thee alone,
The traces of my paths are known ;
Thy fearching eyes, with fteady view,
Through forrow's gloom my {reps purfue,
And fee my foes athwart my way
The cover'd fnare infidious lay.
3-
I turn'd me, anxious, on the right,
I turn'd, and round me caft my fight
Kk With
374 PSALM CXLII.
With fiuitlefs fearch j no friend was nigh,
Th' expected fuccour to fupply,
With lenient tongue my griefs to chear,
Or pitying .drop the focial tear.
4.
Forlorn of help, Thee, mightieft Lord,
My Soul with humble truft implor'd :
In Thee, All-bounteous God, I cried,
Jn Thee alone my hopes refide ;
O while beneath my woes 1 bend,
To me thy kindlieft fuccour lend.
5-
While life along my veins {hall ftream,
Its portion Thee and blifs fupreme
My heart (hall own : O gracious hear,
While worn with griefs my voice I rear,
And let my foe's fuperior might
Thy pity to my aid excite.
6.
Do Thou my prifon doors unbar ;
So mall my tongue thy Love declare
In hymns of praife, while, joy'd in Me
Th' event of pious Hope to fee,
The Souls that own thy juft Command
With thankful wonder round me ftand.
PSALM CXLIII.
i.
THINE ear, my God, propitious lend ;
O ever juft and true, extend
Thy pity,. while to Thee I pray,
Nor fcrutinize with ftrict furvey
Thy
6
P S A L M CXLIII. 375
Thy fervant's Acts ; for who, O who,
Shall pure of guilt approach thy view ?
2.
Thou feeft the Foe with furious ftrife
My foul purfue ; to earth my life
He treads, and in the horrid gloom^
(As thofe who 'mid the filent tomb
Through ages fleep,) from human eye
Secluded far, has bid me lie.
3-
I feel my vital ftrength depart,
And wild amazement fills my heart :
But, backward borne to periods pair,
Thy Mercies, Lord, my thoughts have trac'd j
And in my breaft recorded {land
The wonders of thy mighty hand.
4-
Aloft my fuppliant palms I fpread ;
Nor more the glebe, its nroiirure fled,
Longs the defcending fhow'r to fee,
Than thirfls my wearied foul for Thee :
O hide not, Lord, thy face, but fave
Thy fervant from the yawning grave.
5-
O let the hour that wakes the day
Thy Mercy to my ear convey :
While (for on Thee my hope depends)
In fervent thought my mind afcends,
Expectant, tow'rd thy heav'nly .Sent ,
Train to the paths of Truth my feet.
K k 2 6. To
3/6 PSALM CXLIII.
6.
To Thee, my refuge, Lord, I fly ;
Do Thou the deaths that wait me nigh
Repel. My will to thine (for Thou,
Thou, art my God) corrective bow,
And give me, by thy Spirit led,
The Land of Righteoufnefs to tread.
7-
Thy wonted mercy, Lord, impart %
O quicken with thy grace my heart,
And let thy Juftice interpofe,
My forrows to relieve, my foes
To crufh, and from their rage remove
A Soul devoted to thy Love.
PSALM CXLIV.
i.
BLEST be the Lord my flrength, whole
aids,
When lawlefs force my peace invades,
My fingers for their tafk prepare,
And difcipline my hands to War :
2.
My hope, my fhield, my ftrongeft tow'r,
The Friend that in the dang'rous hour
My life prote&s, and bids each land
Subjected own my juft command.
3-
Lord, what is. Man, that in thy care
His humble lot mould find a mare ?
Or what the Son of Man, that THOU
Thus to his wants thine ear fhouldft bow ?
4. What
PSALM CXLIV. 377
4-
What are his days ? (a fpan their line;)
Or what his age compar'd with thine ?
Himfelf, when in the balance weigh'd,
A Nothing, and his Life a fhade.
5-
Defcend, from Heav'n's vaft height defcend ;
Its wide-fpread arch beneath thee bend :
Touch the proud hills, eternal Sire ;
And fee them quick in fmoke afpire \
6.
Let nerceft lightnings through the air
Now ruining now reverting tear
Thy ftubborn foes ; and, edg'd with flame,
Swift at their heads thy arrows aim.
7-
Stretch to my aid thine arm, and fave
My life from the devouring wave ;
Back let the vengeful foe retire,
Whofe lips, whofe hands, in fraud confpire,
8.
So fhall my finger's artful ftroke
The harp and tenftring'd lute provoke
New ftrains t' attempt, and with my tongue
In fweet divifion form the fong.
9-
Guardian of Kings ! thy fav'ring might
Thy David through the thickeft fight
With watchful care vouchfafes to guide,
And turns each threat'ning fword afide.
K k 3 10. Stretch
378 PSALM CXLIV.
10.
Stretch to my Aid thine arm, and fave
My life from the devouring wave j
Back let the vengeful foe retire,
Whofe lips, whofe hands, in fraud confpire,
II.
So, nurs'd beneath indulgent fkies,
Our Sons with full increafe fhall rife,
Like youngling plants in order rang'd,
Of healthful ftem, and leaf unchang'd
12.
Our Daughters as the column fair,
That, fafliion'd by the Artift's care,
Claims in the regal Dome a place,
The polifh'd angle's nobleft grace.
'?'
So fliall the hind exulting bear
The bleflings of the loaded year,
And the rich harveft's gather'd ftore
Load with its heap th' extended floor,
14.
Our Oxen ftrong for toil behold !
The teeming Mothers of the fold
See, fcatter'd o'er the rural fcene,
Their thoufands and their myriads yean.
15-
No more our Streets the cries of fear
Or fhouts of violence fliall hear :
Thou, Lord, the tumults {halt afiuage
Of hoftile force, and civil rage,
16. O
PSALM CXLIV. 379
16.
O happy We, while thus our Race
The fignals of thy Love (hall grace !
O bleft the People, that in Thee
Their God and faithful Guardian fee !
PSALM CXLV.
i.
THEE will I blefs, my God and King,
Nor ceafe thy wondrous Acts to fing :
From earlieft morn to lateft eve
Thy praifes on my tongue fhall live ;
To Thee my harp fhall wake each ftring,
Nor ceafe thy wondrous Ads to fing.
2.
Great is our God : In vain our praife
His Excellence in equal lays
Would celebrate ; in vain the Mind
Its height its depth efiays to find :
Age to fucceding age thy Might
Shall fpeak, thy Works, bleft Lord, recite.
3-
My tongue thy glory fhall proclaim,
The faithful witnefs of thy fame,
Bid Contemplation's inmoft thought
Survey the wonders thou haft wrought,
And with aflenting myriads join
To blefs the Majefty divine.
4-
Thy dreaded pow'r fhall each rehearfe,
Thy Greatnefs (hall my thankful verfe
Infpire,
3 8o PSALM CXLV.
Infpire s thy Righteoufnefs and Love
Our hearts inflame, our fongs improve :
Thee good and kind fhall Mortals own,
To anger flow, to pity prone.
5-
Far as Creation's bounds extend,
Thy Mercies, heav'nly Lord, defcend ;
One chorus of perpetual praife
To Thee thy various works (hall raife,
Thy Saints to Thee in hymns impart
The tranfports of a grateful heart,
6.
The fplendors of thy Kingdom tell,
Delighted on thy wonders dwell,
And bid the Worlds wide realms admire
The glories of th' Almighty Sire,
Whofe Throne fhall Nature's wreck furvive
Whofe Pow'r through endlefs Ages live.
Thy Promife Truth eternal guides,
And Mercy o'er each Ail prefides :
The feet whofe fteps to lapfe incline
With faithful care thy Arm divine
Shall prop ; the fpirit bow'd with woe
Thy All-fupporting aid fhall know.
8.
From Thee, great God, while ev'ry eye
Expectant waits the wifh'd fupply,
Their bread proper tion'd to the day
Thy op'ning hands to each convey :
Thy Ways eternal Juftice guides,
And Mercy o'er thine Ad prefides :
9. Who
PSALM CXLV. 381
9-
Who afk thine aid with heart fincere,
Thee ever gracious, ever near,
Shall own ; their pray'r, in each diftrefs,
To Thee thy Servants, Lord, addrefs,
And find thee (verging on the grave,)
Nor flow to hear, nor weak to fave.
10.
Ye Souls among his Saints inroll'd,
In God your fure defence behold,
Who wakes your chofen Train to guard;
While Pride (hall meet itsjuft reward,
And fierce Deftru&ion at his Word
Shall bathe in impious blood its fword.
II.
Long as I breathe, my thankful tongue
To Him fhall meditate the fong ;
My willing lips with praife o'erflow,
My grateful foul with tranfport glow ;
From Man's whole Race his hallow'd Name
Shall thanks and endlefs honour claim.
PSALM CXLVI. Halhlujah.
i.
PRAISE, praife thy God, my Soul j his
Name
To Life's laft date my thanks fhall claim,
And, long as I exift, my lyre
Shall wake to fmg th' eternal Sire.
2. O
382 PSALM CXLVI.
2.
O feek not, with prefumption vain,
Your hope on Princes to fuftain,
Nor truft, when threat'ning ills invade,
The ftrengthiefs prop of human aid.
3-
His breath refign'd, on earth's low bed
Behold the Mortal reft his he id ;
Nor farther fhall his Thoughts extend,
But with him to the grave defcend.
4-
Bleft, who their help in Thee alone,
The God to Jacob's Offspring known>
Have found, and to the hand divine
In each diftrefs their care refign :
5-
That hand, that form'd the Heav'ns and Earth
And call'd the watry Deep to birth,
With All that in the ample round
Of Nature's utrrioft reign is found.
6.
'Tis God's, whofe Truth, through Ages paft
Confirm'd, fhall time's extent autlaft j
'Tis His, the injur'd cau'fe to right,
And crufh the arm oflawlefs Might;
7-
'Tis his to loofe the Captive's chain,
\Vith bread the hungry to fuftain,
The blind reftore, the weak uprear,
And fave the fouls that own his fear.
8. Through.
PSALM CXLVI. 383
8.
Through diftant regions doom'd to roam,
In Him the ftranger finds a home ;
'Tis His, the Orphan's breaft to chear,
And wipe the heart-fwoln Widow's tear.
9-
The impious fouls, whofe Love of ill,
To rafti tranfgreflion prompts their will,
Who dare from his Decrees to ftray,
Shall reap the error of their way.
10.
O Sion, in thy God confide,
And know how fix'd his Reign, how wide ;
O'er fubjecl Worlds his juft Command
To endlefs age confirm'd fhall ftand.
Hallelujah,
PSALM CXLVII.
i.
OBlefs Jehovah : Sweet the joy,
When tafks like thefe the voice employ \
To Him our higheft thanks belong
And Praife fits comely on our tongue.
2.
'Tis He who builds fair Salem' s walls,
And IfraePs exiPd fons-recalls ;
Yields to the contrite heart relief,
And binds its wounds, and fooths its grief:
3-
He to the ftars affigns their names,
( As, fcatter'd wide, their vivid flames
Adorn the bright ethereal plain,)
And numbers with his eye their train.
4. Great
384 PSALM CXLVII.
4-
Great is our God : beyond all bound
His Pow'r, beyond all fearch is found
His Knowledge ; in his Arm the Meek
With fure fuccefs their Aid (hall feek j
5-
That Arm, whofe unrefifted ftroke,
On Each who dares his Wrath provoke,
With fwift defcent its aim fhall guide,
And level to the duft their pride.
6.
Let ev'ry tongue, let ev'ry chord,
Exalt the Name of Jacob's Lord,
Whofe hand with clouds the Heav'n obfcures,
On Earth the genial moifture pours j
7-
He bids the herb its mantle fpread,
Luxuriant o'er the Mountain's head :
Gives to the Beafts their wonted Food,
And ftills the Raven's clam'rous Brood.
8.
If o'er the field the battle bleed,
His watchful eye the ftrengthful Steed
Regards not, nor the Chiefs whofe feet
Unmov'd the fhock of legions meet.
9-
On You, in whom his fear refides,
On You whofe heart in Him confides,
His Grace its fignals (hall beftow,
His Arm with conqueft bind your brow.
r S A L M CXLVIL 38$
10.
O Solyma^ his lov'd Abode,
Him praife, unceafmg ! Blefs thy God,
O Slon^ who thy gates has barr'd ;
Whofe various gifts thy Sons have fhar'd j
II.
His vifits teach thy grateful foil
To recompenfe the tiller's toil j
He crowns with peace thy happy plain ;
Calls from thy glebe the pureit grain.
12.
His Word, from Heav'n in fwift career
Convey'd, fuggefts to Nature's ear
The Laws that regulate her frame,
And gives her ev'ry aft its aim.
13-
Flak'd by his Art, the woolly fnow
Falls filent on the ground below ;
By Him the froft, as afhes hoar,
Lies fprinkled earth's wide furface o'er:
14.
In harden'd fragments through the air,
While Man its rigours fliuns to bear,
His Hail defcends ; in icy chains
His hand the gliding ftream detains.
Till, at his Word, th' inftrufted wind
With friendly breath the Wave unbind,
And bid it, onward borne, again
With liquid lapfe its courfe maintain.
LI 16. Such
386 PSALM CXLVJi.
16.
Such is the God, and fuch his Might,
Whofe Precepts Ifraers Love invite,
And to his Tribes in full difplay
His Life-direting truths convey.
17-
What Realm, thro' earth's extended Coafts,
His Care, like thine, O Judah, boairs,
Or, taught, as Thou, his fear to own,
The dictates of his Will has known f
18.
O come, your thankful voices join,
And blefs the iVjajefty divine:
His praife, to Time's remoteft day,
His pow'r in fdcred notes difplay.
PSALM CXLVIII. Hallelujah.
j.
YE Bleft Inhabitants of Heav'n,
To God be all your praifes giv'n j
O praife him from the realms that lie
Above the reach of mortal eye :
Him praife, ye Angels of his Train,
Him, All whom Heav'n's vaft Hofts contain.
2.
Praife Him, thou glorious orb of light,
And T hou, pale Ruler of the night j
Praife Him, ye Stars ; His praife repeat,
Thou Heav'n of Heav'ns, his awful Seat,
And You, ye Floods, that, heap'd on high,
Prefs with your weight th' extended flcy.
3. Let
PSALM CXLVIII. 3&;
3-
Let Thefe to God their voices rear,
Who- bade them be ; and ftrait they were :
Who bids them ftand ; and ftand they (hall j
Nor aught the Mandate (hall recall,
That, fix'd by his Almighty Mind,
To endlefs age their date affign'd.
4-
Nor let the Heav'n his praife confine ;
O All of Earth the chorus join:
Ye Whales, ye Deeps, in praife confpire,
Snow, Vapour, Hail, and bick'nng Fire,
And ev'ry Wind, and ev'ry Storm,
That duteous his behefts perform ;~
5-
Ye letter Hills, ye Mountains high,
Ye Trees, whofe fruits Man's food fuppljr,
Ye Cedars, whole expanded Shade
Nor Storms nor Ages teach to fade,
Ye Beafts, tnat range th' uncultur'd foil,
Or patient lend to Man your toil.
6.
Praife Him, each Bird that wings the air,
Each Reptile, nurtur'd by his care j
Ye Kings and Nations of the Earth j
O praife him All of princely birth,
And Ye, whofe Doom, as Juftice guides,
The long-contefted caufe decides.
7-
Ye Youthful Bands and Virgin Choir,
Each lifping Babe, and hoary Sire,
L 1 2 Wake.
388 PSALM CXLVIII.
Wake to his Name your grateful fongs }
To Him alone all Praife belongs ;
His glory Earth's wide bounds o'erflows,
ft or higheft Heav'n its limit knows.
8.
Ye Tribes, exalted by his Arm,
You, chief, the heav'nly Theme fhall warns,
Bleft Sons of Ifrael's hallow'd Land,
Who neighb'ring to his prefence ftand :
O come, your thankful voices raife,
And confecrate to Him your praife.
PSALM CXL1X. Hallelujah*
I.
SI NG to our God thc'new-form'd lay j
Ye Souls who his commands obey,
Affembling join your thankful tongues,
And hallow with his praife your Songs.
2.
O Ifraef^ let thy Maker's Name
With joyous zeal thy breaft inflamtf,
And Sions fons exulting ling
The Mercies of their heav'nly King.
3-
Range in the dance the facred Band,
And urge the Minftrel*s well-taught hand
To ftrike the loud-refounding lyre,
While timbrels in his praife confpire.
4- With
PSALM CXLIX. 389
4-
With what delight, great God, behold
Thine eyes the People of thy fold !
Thy Strength the Souls of humble frame
Their ever prefent Aid proclaim.
5^
With conqueft crown'd, and rapt in joy,
Let All whom thy Decrees employ
Thy Name exalt, and thankful raife
The fong of gratitude and praife :
6.
Let all unite with willing mind,
Nor ceafe, when on their beds reclin'd,
The filent midnight's lift'ning ear
With fongs of loudeft mirth to chear.
7-
Thy Mercy let their lips record j
Give to their grafp the two-edg'd fvvord ;
And let them, guided by thy hand,
Deal vengeance through each heathen land.
8.
Let them the guilty tribes chaftife
Whofe impious Arm thy pow'r defies ;
Triumphant in the iron chain
Their Nobles and their Kings detain,
9-
And while, infpir'd with aftive zeal
Thy prefcript thus their hands fulfil,
The glories wear for All prepar'd,
Whofe hearts thyjuft behefts regard.
Hallelujah.
P S A L M
PSALM CL. Hallelujah.
r.
PR A I S E, O praife, the Name divine 5.
Praife it at the haliow'd Shrine ;
Let the Firmament oahigh
To its Maker's praife reply.
2.
Let each tongue, and let each chord
Praife the name of Jacob's Lord,
Let his Adts, and Pow'r fupreme,
To your Songs fuggeft a theme.
3-
Be the harp no longer mute ;
Sound the trumpet, touch the lute 5.
Wake to life each tuneful firing j
Bring the pipe, the timbrel bring,
4-
Let the organ in his praife
Learn its loudeft note to raife,.
And the cymbal's varying found
From the vaulted roof rebound.
5-
All who vital breath enjoy,
In his praife that breath employ,
And in one great Chorus join j
Praife, O praife, the Name divine.
GLORIA
39*
GLORIA P 4TR I.
i.
IN Thee, O Heav'n, O Earth, in Thee
Be Glory to th' eternal Three;
That Glory, which through ages paft
Was ; is j and (hall for ever laft.
OR THIS,
i 2.
To Father, Son, and Spirit bleft,
Be praife in Heav'n and Earth addrefs'd,
As was, and is, and yet ihall be,
When Time its iateft hour flnll fee.
OR THIS.
3-
To Father, Son, and Spirit blefr,
Be praife in loudeft notes addrefs'd,
Such praife as from th' Angulic Choirs,
And Saints whom zeal like tieirs infpires,
Jn Heav'n above and Earth below
Still flows, and fhall for ever flow*
OR THIS.
4-
To Father, Son, and Spirit blefr,
Be pra;fe in loudeft notes addrefs'd,
Such as the Stars of Morning fung,
When Earth was on its balance bung,
Such praife as from th' Angelic Choirs,
And Saints whom zeal like theins infpires,
Jn Heav'n above and Earth below
Still flows and fhall for ever flow.
a ANO.
392 GLORIA P AT K h
ANOTHER.
5-
All Glory to th' Eternal Three ;
Thee, Father ; Thee, O Son ; and Thee,
The Spirit ever bleft : .
That Glory, which through ages paft
Unchang'd has flood, and yet fhall laft,
When time has funk to reft.
ANOTHER.
6.
All Glory to th' Eternal Three,
As was, ere Time began to roll,
As is, nor yet {hall ceafe to be,
When Time has reach'd its deftin'd goal,
ANOTHER.
7-
Be Glory to th' Eternal Three
Afcrib'd, and highcft Praife,
As was, and is, and ft ill fhall be
Beyond the end of days.
ANOTHER.
8.
To th' Eternal Three be giv'n
Praife on Earth, and Praife in Heav'n;
Such as was through Ages paft,
Is, and fhall for ever laft
%* The Tranjlations of the G L o R I A
P A T R i, here given^ exhibit a Specimen of
fix different Sorts of Metre ufed in the Ferfion
or Paraphrafe of the PJalms.
FINIS.
i 3
8121