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INCE I have plac'd my trust in God,
A refuge always nigh,

hy should I, like a tim'rous bird,
To distant mountains fly?

Behold, the wicked bend their bow,

and ready fix their dart,

king in ambush to destroy

The men of upright heart.

He ever shall defend.

8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd, Nor know which way to fly;

When those whom they despis'd and vex'd,

Shall be advanc'd on high.

PSALM XIII.

H Must I for ever mourn?

OW long wilt thou forget me, Lord?

How long wilt thou withdraw from me,
Oh! never to return?

When once the firm assurance fails, 2 How long shall anxious thoughts my

Which public faith imparts,

time for innocence to fly rom such deceitful arts.

The Lord hath both a temple here, nd righteous throne above;

Were he surveys the sons of men, nd how their councils move.

God the righteous, whom he loves,

or trial does correct,

at must the sons of violence,

Whom he abhors, expect?

soul,

And grief my heart oppress?
How long my enemies insult,
And I have no redress?

3 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes
Restore thy wonted light,

And suddenly, or I shall sleep
In everlasting night.

4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast
"Twas their own strength o'ercame ;

nares, fire, and brimstone, on their Permit not them that vex my soul.

heads

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ith signal favour grace,
to the upright man disclose
the brightness of his face.
PSALM XII.

NCE godly men decay, O Lord,
Do thou my cause defend;
scarce these wretched times afford
he just and faithful friend.

he neighbour now can scarce believe
hat t'other does impart;
th flatt'ring lips they all deceive,
d with a double heart.

t lips that with deceit abound n never prosper long; 's righteous vengeance will

found

the proud blaspheming tongue. vain those foolish boasters say, Fur tongues are sure our own;

con

doubtful words we'll still betray, nd be controll'd by none.'

r God, who hears the suff'ring poor,
d their oppression knows,
soon arise and give them rest,
spite of all their foes.

e word of God shall still abide,
hd void of falsehood be,
the silver, seven times try'd,
om drossy mixture free.

To triumph in my shame.

5 Since I have always placed my trust Beneath thy mercy's wing,

Thy saving health will come; and then
6 Then shall my song, with praise
My heart with joy shall spring.
inspired,

To thee, my God, ascend,
Who to thy servant in distress
Such bounty didst extend.

URE

PSALM XIV.

SE wicked fools must need suppose

That God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows; No breast is warm'd with holy flame. 2 The Lord look'd down from Heaven's high tower,

And all the sons of men did view, To see if any own'd his power;

If any truth or justice knew. 3 But all, he saw, were gone aside, All were degen'rate grown and base; None took religion for their guide, Not one of all the sinful race. 14 But can these workers of deceit

Be all so dull and senseless grown, That they, like bread, my people eat,

And God's almighty power disown? 5 How will they tremble then for fear, When his just wrath shall them o'ertake?

For to the righteous God is near,

And never will their cause forsake. 6 Ill men, in vain, with scorn expose Those methods which the good pursue

Since God a refuge is for those

Whom his just eyes with favour view. 7 Would he his saving power employ To break his people's servile band, Then shouts of universal joy

Should loudly echo through the land.

PSALM XV.

17 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord
Whose precepts give me light;
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.
8 I strive each action to approve
To his all-seeing eye;
No danger shall my hopes remove,
Because he still is nigh.

ORD, who's the happy man that may 9 Therefore my heart all grief defies,

To thy best courts repair,

Not stranger-like, to visit them,
But to inhabit there?

2 'Tis he, whose every thought and deed
By rules of virtue moves;
Whose gen'rous tongue disdains to speak
The thing his heart disproves.
3. Who never did a slander forge,
His neighbour's fame to wound;
Nor hearken to a false report,
By malice whisper'd round.

4 Who vice, in all its pomp and power,
Can treat with just neglect;
And piety, though cloth'd in rags,
Religiously respect.

5 Who to his plighted vows and trust Has ever firmly stood;

And though he promise to his loss,
He makes his promise good.
6 Whose soul in usury disdains
His treasure to employ;
Whom no rewards can ever bribe
The guiltless to destroy.

7 The man, who by his steady course Has happiness insur'd,

When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand,

By providence secur❜d.

PSALM XVI.

PROTECT me from my cruel foes,
And shield me, Lord, from harm;
Because my trust I still repose
On thy almighty arm.

2 My soul all help but thine does slight,
All gods but thee disown;
Yet can no deeds of mine requite
The goodness thou hast shown.

3 But those that strictly virtuous are,
And love the thing that's right,
To favour always, and prefer,

Shall be my chief delight.

4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd,
Who other gods adore!
Their bloody off'rings I detest,
Their very names abhor.

5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land
Where God is truly known;
He fills my cup with lib'ral hand,
Tis he supports my throne.
6 In nature's most delightful scene
My happy portion lies;
The place of my appointed reign
All other lands outvies.

My glory does rejoice;
My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise,
Wak'd by his pow'rful voice.
10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my
brent
My soul from hell shalt free;
Nor let thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.
11 Thou shalt the paths of life displ
Which to thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay.
And joys that never fade.

PSALM XVII

To my just plea and sad compli
Attend, O righteous Lord;
And to my prayer, as 'tis unfeign',
A gracious ear afford.
2. As in thy sight I am approv'd,
So let my sentence be;
And with impartial eyes, O Lord,
My upright dealing see.
3 For thou hast search'd my heart by
And visited by night;
And, on the strictest trial, found
Its secret motions right.
Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
My heart's designs acquit;
For I have purpos'd that my tongue
Shall no offence commit.
4 I know what wicked men would
Their safety to maintain;
But me thy just and mild command
From bloody paths restrain.
5 That I may still, in spite of wrong
My innocence secure,
O guide me in thy righteous ways,

And make my footsteps sure. 6 Since, heretofore, I ne'er in vain To thee my prayer address'd; O! now, my God, incline thine ear To this my just request. 7 The wonders of thy truth and love In my defence engage; Thou, whose right hand preserves saints

From their oppressor's rage.

PART II.

8, 9 0! keep me in thy tendrest ca

Thy shelt ring wings stretch out, To guard me safe from savage foes That compass me about: 10 O'ergrown with luxury, enclos'd In their own fat they lie;

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id with a proud blaspheming mouth, 19 He left the beauteous realms of light, Both God and man defy.

Well may they boast, for they have

now

My paths encompass'd round;

eir eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd, And couching on the ground; In posture of a lion set, When greedy of his prey; a young lion, when he lurks Within a covert way.

Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots, Their swelling rage control;

om wicked men, who are thy sword,
Deliver thou my soul:

From wordly men, thy sharpest
Scourge,

Whose portion's here below;

o, fill'd with earthly stores, aspire No other bliss to know.

Their race is num'rous, that partake
Their substance while they live;
Meir heirs survive, to whom they may
The vast remainder give.

But I, in uprightness, thy face
hall view without control;
d, waking, shall its image find
keflected in my soul.

PSALM XVIII.

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O change of time shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; thou hast always been my rock, fortress and defence to me. ou, my deliv'rer art, my God; Ty trust is in thy mighty power; ou art my shield from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tower. o thee I will address my prayer, o whom all praise we justly owe; shall I, by thy watchful care, e guarded from my treach'rous foe. By floods of wicked men distress'd, Vith seas of sorrow compass'd round, th dire infernal pangs oppress'd, en death's unwieldy fetters bound; o heaven I made my mournful prayer,

o God address'd my humble moan;
ho graciously inclined his ear,
And heard me from his lofty throne.
PART II.

When God arose my part to take,
The conscious earth was struck with
fear;

e hills did at his presence shake,
Nor could his dreadful fury bear.
Thick clouds of smoke dispers'd
ed abroad,

Ensigns of wrath before him came; youring fire around him glow'd, That coals were kindled at its flame.

Whilst heaven bow'd down its awful
head;

Beneath his feet substantial night
Was like a sable carpet spread.
10 The chariot of the King of kings,
Which active troops of angels drew,
On a strong tempest's rapid wings,

With most amazing swiftness flew.
11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds
conspir'd,

With thickest shades his face to veil; ] But at his brightness soon retir'd,

And fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Through heaven's wide arch a thund'ring peal

God's angry voice did loudly roar;
While earth's sad face with heaps of hail
And flakes of fire was cover'd o'er.
14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw,
Which made his scatter'd foes retreat;
Like darts his nimble lightnings flew,
And quickly finish'd their defeat.
15 The deep its secret stores discios'd,
The world's foundation naked lay;
By his avenging wrath expos'd,

Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day.
PART III.

16 The Lord did on my side engage;
From heaven, his throne, my cause
upheld;

And snatch'd me from the furious rage Of threat'ning waves, that proudly swell'd.

17 God his resistless power employ'd

My strongest foes' attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroy'd

The weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle rage had near prevail'd, When I distress'd and friendless lay; But still, when other succours fail'd,

God was my firm support and stay.
19 From dangers that enclos'd me round,

He brought me forth and set me free
For some just cause his goodness found,
That mov'd him to delight in me.
20 Because in me no guilt remains,

God does his gracious help extend;
My hands are free from bloody stains;

Therefore the Lord is still my friend.
21, 22 For I his judgments keep in sight,
In his just paths I always trod;
I never did his statutes slight,

Nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure,

Did even from darling sins refrain;
His favours therefore yet endure,

Because my heart and hands are clean.
PART IV.

25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righte

ous ways

To various paths of human-kind;

They who for mercy merit praise,
With thee shall wondrous mercy find.
Thou to the just shalt justice show;
The pure thy purity shall see:
Such as perversely choose to go,
Shall meet with due returns from thee.
27, 28 That he the humble soul will save,
And crush the haughty's boasted
might,

In me the Lord an instance gave, Whose darkness he has turn'd to light 29 On his firm succour I rely'd,

And did o'er num'rous foes prevail; Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side, The best defended walls to scale. 30 For God's design shall still succeed, His word will bear the utmost test; He's a strong shield to all that need,

And on his sure protection rest.
31 Who then deserves to be ador'd,
But God, on whom my hopes depend?
Or who, except the mighty Lord,

Can with resistless power defend?
PART V.

32, 33 Tis God that girds my armour on, And all my just designs fulfils; Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take,

And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Forc'd by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health

Protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still; my wealth And greatness from his bounty flows. 36 My goings he enlarged abroad,

Till then to narrow paths confined; And, when in slipp'ry ways I trod,

The method of my steps design'd. 37 Through him I num'rous hosts defeat, And flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, Till I a final conquest make. 38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try Their vanquish'd heads again to rear; Spite of their boasted strength, they lie Beneath my feet, and grovel there. 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, Recruits my strength, my courage

warms;

He makes my strong opposers yield, Subdu'd by my prevailing arms. 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes

My conq'ring feet in triumphi press; Aided by him, I root out those

Who hate and envy my success.

41 With loud complaints all friends they

try'd;

But none was able to defend; At length to God for help they cry'd; But God would no assistance lend.

142 Like flying dust, which winds parsir, Their broken troops I scatter'd round; Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw Like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground.

PART VI.

43 Our factious tribes, at strife till no By God's appointment me obey; The heathen to my sceptre bow,

And foreign nations own my sway. 44 Remotest realms their homage sea, When my successful name they hear Strangers for my commands attend

Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fer 45 All to my summons tamely yield, Or soon in battle are dismay'd; For stronger holds they quit the field, And still in strongest holds afraid. 46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd,

The rock on whose defence I rest! To highest heavens his name bé rais

Who me with his salvation blest! 47 'Tis God that still supports my right;

His just revenge my foes pursues; 'Tis he, that, with resistless might,

Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard be!

From whom my lasting honours for He made me great, and set me free From my remorseless bloody for. 49 Therefore, to celebrate his fame, My grateful voice to heaven I'll rate; And nations, strangers to his name,

Shall thus be taught to sing his praise: 50 God to his king deliv'rance sends;

2

Shows his anointed signal grace; His mercy evermore extends To David and his promised race. PSALM XIX.

which that alone can fil; THE heavens declare thy glory, Lon

The firmament and stars express
Their great Creator's skill.
The dawn of each returning day
Fresh beams of knowledge brings;
And from the dark returns of night
Divine instruction springs.

3 Their pow'rful language to no reale
Or region is confin'd;
'Tis nature's voice, and understood
Alike by all mankind.
4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
Through earth's extent display;
Whose bright contents the circling s
Does round the world convey.
5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day
Has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice
To run his glorious race.
6 From east to west, from west to e
His restless course he goes;

1, through his progress, cheerful light 18 But from their steeds and chariots nd vital warmth bestows.

PART II.

od's perfect law converts the soul; eclaims from false desires; gh sacred wisdom his sure word he ignorant inspires.

he statutes of the Lord are just, nd bring sincere delight;

pure commands in search of truth
ssist the feeblest sight.

is perfect worship here is fix'd,
sure foundations laid;
equal laws are in the scales
truth and justice weigh'd;

f more esteem than golden mines,
gold refined,with skill;

e sweet than honey, or the drops hat from the comb distil.

My trusty counsellors they are, d friendly warnings give; ne rewards attend on those -ho by thy precepts live.

But what frail man observes how oft le does from virtue fall? anse me from my secret faults, hou God that know'st them all? et no presumptuous sin, O Lord, minion have o'er me;

by thy grace preserv'd, I may e great transgression flee. o shall my prayer and praises be ith thy acceptance blest; I secure on thy defence, by strength and Saviour, rest.

PSALM XX.

HE Lord to thy request attend, And hear thee in distress; Plname of Jacob's God defend,

Cra

grant thy arms success: aid thee from on high repair, strength from Sion give; member all thy off'rings there, Sacrifice receive:

compass thy own heart's desire, counsels still direct; kindly all events conspire bring them to effect. thy salvation, Lord, for aid e cheerfully repair,

banners in thy name display'd; The Lord accept thy prayer? er hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord r sov'reign will defend;

n heaven resistless aid afford, d to his prayer attend.

me trust in steeds for war design'd;} chariots some rely;

nst them all we'll call to mind e power of God most high.

thrown,

Behold them through the plain, Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down, Whilst firm our troops remain.

9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed
Our rightful cause to bless;
Hear, King of heaven, in times of need,
The prayers that we address.
PSALM XXI.

THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise
Shall in thy strength rejoice;

With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise
To heaven his cheerful voice.
2 For thou, whate'er his lips request,
Not only dost impart;

But hast, with thy acceptance, blest
The wishes of his heart.

3 Thy goodness and thy tender care
Have all his hopes outgone;

A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear, And sett'st it firmly on.

4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord, Did'st to his prayer attend,

And graciously to him afford

A life that ne'er shall end.

5 Thy sure defence through nations round

Has spread his glorious name;
And his successful actions crown'd
With majesty and fame.

6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st,
And mak'st his joys increase;
Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st
The brightness of thy face.

PART II.

7 Because the king on God alone
For timely aid relies;

His mercy still supports his throne,
And all his wants supplies.

8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes Shall feel thy heavy hand;

Thy vengeful arm shall find out those
That hate thy mild command.
9 When thou against them dost engage,
Thy just but dreadful doom
Shall, like a glowing oven's rage,
Their hopes and them consume.
10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease,
Or with their ruin end;

But root out all their guilty race,

And to their seed extend.

11 For all their thoughts were set on ill Their hearts on malice bent;

But thou with watchful care didst still
The ill effects prevent.

12 While they their swift retreat shall make,

To 'scape thy dreadful might, Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake, And gall them in their flight.

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