A translation of the psalms of David :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Lord is king, Jehovah reigns—
The hills, the valleys and the plains
Confess their genial joys;
Hence pregnant nature blooms and smiles;
Hence gladness in unnumber'd isles
Which ocean's bosom buoys.

In circling clouds he sits inclos'd,
Round him the darkness is dispos'd
His radiant form to veil;
Judgment and righteousness are laid
The ground, on which his throne is made,
Th'eternal beam and scale.

Before him of seraphic fame
Goes forward a devouring flame
Of intellectual fire;
At which his enemies consume,
To which all peopl'd space gives room,
All obstacles retire.

The subtle flames he fixt and sent,
And made the lightning permanent
O'er all the world's expanse;
Earth saw and trembl'd with dismay,
And, on her pillars as she lay,
She rous'd as from a trance.

The hills were melted at th'amaze
And fury of th'effulgent blaze,
Like wax upon the hearth,
When he was present to dispense
The terrors of Omnipotence,
Which sways both heav'n and earth.

The heav'ns in goodly pomp display'd,
And peerless pulchritude array'd,
Thy perfect truth attest;
And all the earth her mingled race
Have witness'd thy descending grace,
In shining glory drest.

Shame on the seeker after signs,
That vanity and vice enshrines,
And serves the prince of hell;
Hear at his word, ye painted stocks,
And worship him, ye chissel'd rocks,
And fall as Dagon fell.

Zion exulted at the stroke,
To hear, when Ashdod's god was broke,
The tumult and the bruit,
Judah's glad damsels were alive;
Whene'er thy blessed bolts arrive,
Love also claims its fruit.

For seated on the topmost height,
O God, thou art immensely great,
And thine is nature's law;
Sublime above sublime he sees,
And overlooks the rocks and trees
From whence their gods they saw.

Ye who the love of God profess,
See that no evil ye caress,
Nor cast a look behind;
He keeps the souls of all his saints
From those whose vicious commerce taints,
And mars both man and mind.

For Christ is justify'd alone,
Light evangelical is sown,
And God's new day is sprung;
And from his peace he shall impart
His gladness to the sound of heart,
And to the true of tongue.

Ye sheep of God's peculiar choice,
Whom faith has justify'd, rejoice
That you are form'd anew;
Incessant praise, your incense heap,
By practical thanksgiving keep
His holy name in view.