PSALM XXXVIII. HY chast'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, though I deserve it all; TH Nor let at once on me the storm 2 In ev'ry wretched part of me, 9 But, Lord, before thy searching eyes of thy displeasure fall." thy arrows deep remain ; I can no more sustain. thy wrath so fiercely glows; my bones have no repose. my sinking head o'erflow, too vast a burden grow. my folly's just return; and all day long i mourn. infecting ev'ry part; through anguish of my heart Part. all my desires appear; 10 My heart's oppress'd, my strength decay'd, my eyes depriv'd of light; 11 Friends, lovers, kinsmen gaze aloof 12 Meanwhile, the foes that seek my life Vent slanders, and contrive all day 13 But I, as if both deaf and dumb, on such a dismal sight. their snares to take me set; to forge some new deceit : nor heard, nor once replied; 14 Quite deaf and dumb, like one whose tongue with conscious guilt is tied. 15 For, Lord, to thee I do appeal, 17 And, with continual grief oppress'd, my innocence to clear; my injur'd cause wilt hear. a spiteful joy display; but once to go astray." to sink I now begin; to thee bewail my sin. their strength and vigour boast; are grown a dreadful host. my kindness with despite; I choose the path that's right. nor far from me depart; who my salvation art. PSALM XXXIX. RESOLV'D to watch o'er all my ways, I kept my tongue in ave I curb'd my hasty words, when I 2 Like one that's dumb, I silent stood, From good discourse; but that restraint 3 My heart did glow with working thoughts, Till strong reflection fann'd the fire, 4 Lord, let me know my term of days, The num'rous train of ills disclose, 5 My life, thou know'st, is but a span ; And ev'ry man, in best estate, 6 Man, like a shadow, vainly walks, He heaps up wealth, but cannot tell 7 Why then should I on worthiess toys, On thee alone my steadfast hope the wicked prosp❜rous saw. and did my tongue refrain increas'd my inward pain. and no repose could take; and thus at length I spake: how soon my life will end: which this frail state attend. a cypher sums my years; but vanity appears. with fruitless cares oppress'd; by whom 'twill be possess'd. with anxious care attend? shall ever, Lord, depend. 3 The wonders he for me has wrought shall fill my mouth with songs of praise; And others, to his worship brought, 4 For blessings shall that man reward, Who treats the proud with disregard, to hopes of like deliv'rance raise. who on th' almighty Lord relies; and hates the hypocrite's disguise. 5 Whocanthe wondrous works recount which thou, O God, for us hast wrought? The treasures of thy love surmount the pow'r of numbers, speech, and thought. 6 I've learnt that thou hast not desir'd Nor blood of guiltless beasts requir'd 7 I therefore come-come to fulfil 8 'Tis my delight to do thy will; off'rings and sacrifice alone; for man's transgression to atone. the oracles thy books impart ; thy law is written in my heart. The Second Part. 9 In full assemblies I have told thy truth and righteousness at large; Nordid, thou know'st, my lips withhold from utt'ring what thou gav'st in charge: 10 Nor kept within my breast confin'd thy faithfulness and saving grace; But preach'd thy love, for all design'd, that all might that, and truth, embrace, 11 Then let those mercies I declar'd Thy loving kindness my reward, to others, Lord, extend to me; thy truth my safe protection be. too numberless for me to bear; that plunge and sink me to despair. the hairs of this afflicted head; My vanquish'd courage they surmount, and fill my drooping soul with dread. The Third Part. 13 But, Lord, to my relief draw near, for never was more pressing need; In my deliv'rance, Lord, appear, and add to that deliv'rance speed. 14 Confusion on their heads return, who to destroy my soul combine; Let them, defeated, blush and mourn, ensnar'd in their own vile design. 15 Their doom let desolation be, with shame their malice be repaid, Who mock'd my confidence in thee, and sport of my affliction made. 16 While those who humbly seek thy face, to joyful triumphs shall be rais'd; And all who prize thy saving grace, with me resound, The Lord be prais'd. 17 Thus, wretched though I am and poor, of me th' almighty Lord takes care: Thou God who only canst restore, to my relief with speed repair. PSALM XLI. relieves the poor distress'd! When troubles compass him around, the Lord shall give him rest. 2 The Lord his life, with blessings crown'd, in safety shall prolong; And disappoint the will of those 3 If he in languishing estate, The Lord will easy make his bed, 4 Secure of this, to thee, my God, "Lord, for thy mercy, heal my soul, 5 My cruel foes, with sland'rous words, "When shall he die," say they," and men 6 Suppose they formal visits make, They gather mischief in their hearts, 7,8 With private whispers, such as these, "A sore disease afflicts him now; 9 My own familiar bosom friend, Has me, whose daily guest he was, 10 But thou my sad and wretched state, And raise me up, that all their crimes 11 By this I know thy gracious ear Because thou suffer'st not my foes 12 Thy tender care secures my life And thou vouchsaf'st to set me still 13 Let therefore Israel's Lord and God And all the people's glad applause that seek to do him wrong. oppress'd with sickness lie; and inward strength supply, I thus my pray'r address'd; though I have much transgress'd." attempt to wound my fame; forget his very name?" 'tis all but empty show; and vent it where they go. to hurt me they devise; he's fall'n no more to rise." on whom I most relied, with open scorn defied. in mercy, Lord, regard; may meet their just reward. is open, when I call; to triumph in my fall. from danger and disgrace; before thy glorious face. from age to age be bless'd; with loud Amens express'd. PSALM XLII. So longs my soul, O God, for thee, 10 My heart is pierc'd, as with a sword, when heated in the chase; and thy refreshing grace. my thirsty soul doth pine; thou Majesty divine? insulting focs upbraid; and where his promis'd aid?" those happy days present, thy temple did frequent. my solemn vows to pay, that kept the festal day. trust God; who will employ to thankful hymns of joy. on thee and Sion still; and Mizar's humbler hill. and, gath'ring o'er my head, a roaring sea is spread. has once dispell'd this storm, and all my vows perform. like one forgotten, mourn; to my oppressor's scorn? while thus my foes upbraid: and where his promis'd aid?" hope still; and thou shalt sing thy health's eternal spring. PSALM XLIII. UST Judge of heav'n, against my foes do thou assert my injur'd right; O set me free, my God, from those that in deceit and wrong delight. 2 Since thou art still my only stay, why leav'st thou me in deep distress? Why go I mourning all the day, whilst me insulting foes oppress ? 3 Let me with light and truth be blest; be these my guides, to lead the way, Till on thy holy hill I rest, and in thy sacred temple pray. to God, who is my only joy; 4 Then will I there fresh altars raise And well tun'd harps, with songs of praise, shall all my grateful hours employ. 5 Wey then cast down, my soul? and why so much oppress'd with anxious care? On God, thy God, for aid rely, who will thy ruin'd state repair. PSALM XLIV. LORD, our fathers oft have told in our attentive ears, Thy wonders, in their days perform'd, and elder times than theirs : 2 How thou, to plant them here, didst drive the heathen from this land, Dispeopled by repeated strokes 3 For not their courage, nor their sword, The Second of thy avenging hand. when I in fight engage; and sham'd their spiteful rage. from whom the conquest came: and ever bless his name. Part. 9 But thou hast cast us off; and now most shamefully we yield; For thou no more vouchsaf'st to lead our armies to the field: 10 Since when, to ev'ry upstart foe we turn our backs in fight; And with our spoil their malice feast, who bear us ancient spite. 11 To slaughter doom'd, we fall, like sheep, into their butch'ring hands; Or (what's more wretched yet) survive, dispers'd through heathenlands. 12 Thy people thou hast sold for slaves, and set their price so low, That not thy treasure, by the sale, but their disgrace may grow. 13, 14 Reproach'd by all the nations round, the heathen's byword grown; Whose scorn of us is both in speech, and mocking gestures shown. 15 Confusion strikes me blind; my face in conscious shame I hide; 16 While we are scoff'd, and God blasphem'd, by their licentious pride. The Third Part. 17 On us this heap of woes is fall'n ; all this we have endur'd; the treach'rous crime descry? 22 Thou see'st what suff'rings, for thy sake, we ev'ry day sustain; All slaughter'd, or reserv'd like sheep 23 Awake, arise; let seeming sleep Nor let us, Lord, who sue to thee, 24 Oh! wherefore hidest thou thy face 25 Whose souls and bodies sink to earth 26 Arise, O Lord, and timely haste Redeem us, Lord;-if not for ours, PSALM XLV. appointed to be slain. THILE I the King's loud praise rehearse, indited by my heart, My tongue is like the pen of him 2 How matchless is thy form, O king! The queen was plac'd at thy right hand, 12 The Tyrian matrons, rich and proud, 13 The king's fair daughter's fairer soul Her raiment is of purest gold, 14 She in her nuptial garments dress'd, Attended by her virgin train, that writes with ready art. thy mouth with grace o'erflows; eternally bestows. and clad in rich array, majestick pomp display. the meek, the just, and true; does all thy foes pursue. that dare thy pow'r despise! the feather'd arrow flies. for ever to endure; by righteous laws secure. did upright ways approve, where wand'ring sinners rore; the oil of gladness shed; advanc'd thy lofty head. thy royal robes abound; spread grateful odours round. did princely virgins wait; in golden robes of state. Part. 15 With all the state of solemn joy GO and to my words attend; and ev'ry former friend. nor shall his love decay; to him due rev'rence pay. shall humble presents make; thy favour to partake. all inward graces fill; adorn'd with costly skill. with needles richly wrought, shall to the king be brought. the triumph moves along; receives the pompous throng. must princely sons expect; to govern and protect; transmits thy glorious name; thy lasting praise proclaim. PSALM XLVI. OD is our refuge in distress; a present help when dangers press; |