The Psalmes of David The King And Prophet, And Of other holy Prophets, paraphas'd in English: Conferred with the Hebrew Veritie, set forth by B. Arias Montanus, together with the Latine, Greek Septuagint, and Chaldee Paraphrase. By R. B. [i.e. Richard Brathwait] |
 |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IIII. |
| V. |
Lib. V. |
 | The Psalmes of David |  |
Lib. V.
Psal. 107. Confitemini Domino.
1
The Lord is God, with thanks expresse,His mercy is for ever: and
2
So let the Lords redeem'd confesse,Redeem'd from their distressors hand.
3
Which gathred were out of the lands,From shining East, from shady West,
215
From Desert south-seas sun-burnt breft.
4
They wandred in the Wildernesse,And tooke a solitary way,
Where foot of man did seldome presse,
Nor found they City where to stay.
5
With hunger pin'd, with thirsting faint,Their anguish't soule was overcharg'd.
6
Then to the Lord they made complaint,Who them from their distresse enlarg'd.
7
He led them on, and brought them home,The readiest way, for them the best;
That to a City they might come,
An habitation where to rest.
8
Let them before the Lord confesseHis tender mercies many a one,
To men his wondrous workes expresse,
That he for Adams sons hath done.
9
The thirsty soule he satiates,The hungry soule with good sustaines,
10
That sits in darknesse, at the gates,And shade of death in iron chaines.
11
Because, against the words of God,They bent themselves rebelliously,
Despis'd his counsell, and withstood
The hand of him that is Most-Hie.
12
Thus humbled, for they did not well,In griefe of heart he let them lie,
Where downe they fell, but helplesse fell,
For refuge none, nor help was nie.
13
Distrest, unto the Lord they cri'd,Who set them free from their distresse:
14
From darknesse, from deaths shade unti'd,And brake their bands of heavinesse.
216
15
Let them before the Lord confesseHis tender-mercies many a one,
To men his wondrous workes expresse,
That he for Adams sons hath done.
16
For he the gates of brasse hath broke,The gates of brasse against him bent;
And by his hands resistlesse stroke,
The iron barres in sunder rent.
17
Fooles for their faults afflicted are,Whose way hath made their will their law:
18
Their soule abhorres all kind of fare,Neere to the gates of death they draw.
19
Distrest, unto the Lord they cry,Who them from dying anguish saves:
20
He heales them by his words supply,And frees them from corrupting graves.
21
Let them before the Lord confesseHis tender mercies many a one,
To men his wondrous workes expresse,
Which he for Adams sons hath done.
22
Before him offrings let them lay,Confessions of their thankfulnesse,
And sacrifice of praises pay,
His workes with shouts of joy expresse.
23
They that in ships goe downe to sea,And Marts in many waters keep:
24
What deeds the Lord hath showne them, seeHis workes of wonder in the deep.
25
The stormy wind his word bespake,That all the Maine with Mountaines fills:
The sea-wet starres their mantles shake,
The brinie downes are turn'd to hills.
26
As high as Heaven the billowes mount,Dis-mounted, deep as hell descend:
217
But feare of death, in death to end.
27
Thus bandi'd to and fro they reele,And stagger like a drunken man:
Ill may the Pilot rule the keele,
Where wisedomes care so little can.
28
Distrest, unto the Lord they crie,Who sets them free from their distresse:
29
The storme he calmes with cleerer skie,And sets their waves at quietnesse.
30
The combat ceast, the sea-men glad,That winds and waves were parted friends,
He that of them the conduct had,
To their desired haven them sends.
31
Let them before the Lord confesseHis tender mercies many a one,
To men his wondrous workes expresse,
That he for Adams sons hath done.
32
Assembled in the peoples throngs,His worthy acts when they repeat,
With hymnes of praise, and thankfull songs,
Exalt him in the Elders seat.
33
Which turnes the flouds to desert sands.To drinesse drawes the springing Well:
34
With salt he sowes the fruitfull lands,For their misdeeds that therein dwell.
35
Againe, he turnes the desert dry,To standing pooles with water fill'd:
36
And seats the hungry downe thereby,Where they to dwell a City build.
37
Their fields they sow, their vines they plant,Which yeeld them fruits of faire encrease.
38
Their Mynes of wealth no blessings want,Nor suffreth he their heards decrease.
218
39
On them made lesse, and low brought downe,He makes restraint, and anguish prey:
40
On Princes leaves contempt to frowne,In Deserts lets them lose their way.
41
Yet raiseth he the poore mans head,And makes him peopled housholds keep,
From selfe-waste want, with plenty fed,
For number like a flocke of sheep.
42
Right-sighted eyes shall see this day,The joy of all the righteous name,
And all iniquitie shall lay
Her hand upon her mouth for shame.
43
Who so is wise, will take in handThese observations to record:
And they shall truly understand
The tender mercies of the Lord.
Psal. 108. Paratum cor.
Canticum Psalmi David.
1
My heart, O God, is ready prest,the glory of my tongue:—
My voice, the organ of my brest,
Thy praise shall be my song.
2
My Lute and Harpe already strung,my readier hand up take;
Before the dawning day have sprung,
I early will awake.
3
My thankes to thee, O Lord, will Iamong the people bring;
And of thy praise in harmonie,
with Quires of Nations sing.
4
For why? the Heavens are not so hie,as is thy Mercy great:
219
than in the clouds to seat.
5
Thy selfe, O God, in highest place,above the Heav'ns enshrine;
And let the glory of thy face,
on earth, thy foot-stoole, shine.
6
That free deliverance they may have,that are belov'd of thee:
With thy right hands assistance save,
O heare, and answer mee.
7
God in his Holinesse hath spoke,which I with joy repeat,
“In Shechem will I strike a stroke,
and Succoths Valley mete.
8
Mine Gilead is, Manasseh mine,strength of my head doth live,
In quiver-bearing Ephrams line;
my Law shall Judah give.
9
My wash-pot Moab will I make,my shooe on Edom cast:
In triumph, thee Pelesheth, take,
triumph't on mine that hast.
10
The City for defence so strong,what guide will guide me to?
To Edoms warlike Towers along,
what leader with mee goe?
11
Not thou, O God, as naught of worth,that hast us cast away:
Nor with our hosts, O God, wentst forth,
upon the Battells day.
12
O give us help from our distresse,mans health is vaine deceit:
Through God we shall doe valiantnesse,
our foes he shall defeat.
220
Psal. 109. Deus laudem.
Ad Præstantem, Psalmus Davidis.
1
Cease not as deafe, God of my praise,for wicked mouths consent:
2
Deceitfull mouthes their engines raise,against me open bent.
3
With falshoods tongue to me they speake,and compasse me with hate:
In bitter language forth they breake,
and (causlesse) wage debate.
4
They for my friendship were my foes,with whom by praier I strove:
For good against me evill goes,
and hatred for my love.
5
His Ruler, some ungodly wretch,set thou at his right hand:
6
Let Satan all advantage catch,his adversary stand.
7
In Judgement let him not evade,but goe condemn'd therein;
And let his praier for favour made,
be turn'd to further sin.
8
His daies a few and evill make,determin'd in disgrace:
His office let another take,
a worthier hold his place.
9
His sons let fatherlesse be left,his wife a widow poore:
10
His children of abode bereft,begge bread from doore to doore.
11
Extortion tangle all his toile,the Creditor ensnare:
221
for lone, the lender share.
12
To pity him let there be none,none mercy on him shew:
His children fatherlesse, not one
with kind compassion know.
13
Of his posterity destroi'd,let naught remaine but shame;
And let the following age make void,
and cleane put out his name.
14
Remembrance of his fathers crime,the Lord before him lay:
His mothers sin at any time,
let not be wip't away.
15
Before the Lord continually,in presence let them stand;
On earth let their memoriall dye,
cut off by Gods owne hand.
16
For mercy was not in his mind,the poore he made his prey;
The needy soule he sought to grind,
the wounded heart to slay.
17
He loved cursing, let it light,and him from blessing barre;
As blessing was not his delight,
be blessing from him farre.
18
Of cursing, as his clothes were made,so cursing be his spoile;
His bowels and his bones invade,
like water, and like oile.
19
About him folded let it fall,him as a cloake enclose;
Or as the girdle, wherewithall
he alwaies girded goes.
222
20
This be mine adversaries pay,this from the Lord the stroke,
On them that evill any way
against my soule have spoke.
21
As thou, Lord God, for me hast stood,so for thy Names sake stand;
And for thy Mercy, ever good,
release me out of hand.
22
For poore afflicted I complaine,where no reliefe is found;
And stripes of sorrowes silent paine,
my soule within me wound.
23
As shade, at setting Sun declin'd,so I from life am gone;
And as the Locust, with the wind
change place, but paine change none.
24
Through fasting feeble are my knees,as leane as living ghost:
For cold my cramp-shrunk sinewes freeze,
my flesh hath fatnesse lost.
25
Reproaches foot upon me treads,and blots my brow with shame;
While they that see me, shake their heads,
and make my griefe their game.
26
Help, Lord my God, of thee I crave,that helper else have none:
According to thy mercy save
thy poore-forsaken one.
27
And let them know, that this thy Arme,that this thy hand alone,
Could help me more than they could harme,
that this, thou Lord, hast done.
28
And let them curse, but doe thou blesse;them rise, but rise to fall;
223
rejoyce thy servant shall.
29
Shame let mine adversaries beare,such clothing as they spin;
And as a cloake, confusion weare,
the winding-sheet of sin.
30
But to the Lord my mouth shall sing,and greatly render thankes:
Shall make his highest praises ring,
in midst of many rankes.
31
Who at the poores right hand will stand,and there his name enroule;
With his redeem'd, out of the hand
of them that judge his soule.
Psal. 110. Dixit Dominus.
Psalmus Davidis.
1
Thus to my Lord the Lord did say,Thy seat upon my right hand take,
Untill thine eyes behold the day,
That I thy foes thy foot-stoole make.
2
The Lord shall out of Sion sendThe Rod, that shall thy strength maintaine,
The Scepter to thy hand commend,
Where thou amidst thy foes shalt raigne.
3
Thy voluntary people glad,That to thy power all power shall stoop,
That day in holy beauties clad,
Shall march in thy triumphant troop.
Thee from the mornings womb I rear'd,
Thy youth with pearles of deaw beset,
Before the Starre of light appear'd,
I of my Substance did beget.
224
4
The Lord hath sworne, and having sworne,His oath shall no repentance checke:
“Thou art a Priest for ever borne,
And order'd as Melchizedeck.
5
The Lord at thy right hand in armes,Through Tyrans troups shall make thee way;
And stand between thee and thy harmes,
To wound even Kings that wrathfull day.
6
He shall be Judge among the Heath'n,And strew the street with bodies dead:
With earth lay mighty Armies even,
Of many Nations smite the head.
7
The Brooke that meets him by the way,(His hot pursuit shall be so swift)
His thirst shall serve him to allay:
His head he therefore shall up-lift.
Psal. 111. Confitebor tibi, Domine. Acrostichon.
Halelu-jah.
1
All hearty praise, and hearts-complaints,to thee, Lord, will I bring:
Be is in secret with the Saints,
or in the Quire I sing.
2
Great are the actions of the Lord,and greatly after sought:
Desir'd of all, in whom his Word
a true delight hath wrought.
3
His glory, and his honours praise,his worke all workes obscures:
Unto beyond the length of daies,
his Justice firme endures.
Summes of his marvels left to be
memorials on record:
225
how mercifull the Lord!
5
To them that feare him hath his handan un-bought portion given:
Is mindfull with his Covenants band,
for ever to make even.
6
Conquests of power, proud Nations spoiles,he let his people see:
Left them and theirs, of Heathen soiles
Inheritors to be.
7
Made all of Truth and Judgement arethe actions of his hands:
No lesse as faithfull, past compare,
are all his Precepts bands.
8
Set stedfast are they every one,beyond the length of daies:
How truly, how sincerely done,
how upright in their waies.
9
Precovenanted Redemption came,his people to restore:
Sent in his holy dreadfull Name,
commanded evermore.
10
Right entrance, wisedomes ports into,to feare the Lord first lay:
So wisely doe they all that doe,
their praise shall stand for aye.
Psal. 112. Beatus Vir. Acrostichon.
Halelu-jah.
1
All blessings blesse the man, that standsof God the Lord in feare:
But of delight in his commands,
of no delight can heare.
226
2
Grow mighty shall on earth his seed,about his dwelling place.
Daily shall blessings blessings breed,
to blesse the righteous race.
3
His house of wealth and treasures heap't,shall be a house of store:
What with his Justice he hath reap't,
shall stand for evermore.
4
Such light in darknesse shall arise,as lightens hearts upright:
Him Grace and Mercy magnifies,
his lamp shall Justice light.
5
The good man graciously proceeds,and bountifully lends:
In sound advisement weighs his deeds,
his words with Judgement spends.
6
Certainly his foundations frame,no adverse storme shall straine,
Lasting for ever shall his Name
in memorie remaine.
7
Make him to feare the fowle event,none evill heare-say shall:
Not so, his heart is fixt and bent,
to trust the Lord withall.
8
Set stedfast holds his heart his hold,from feare of perill free;
His enemies to ruine sold,
till he in safetie see.
9
Poore soules among his Almes are thrown,such Justice daies and daies
Continue shall, by bounty growne,
his Horne shall honour raise.
10
Repining shall the wicked see,this sight, and pallid ire
227
to nought with his desire.
Psal. 113. Laudate pueri.
Halelu-jah.
1
Praise, ye that serve the Lord, proclaime,sing to the Lords Name praise:
2
Blest be the Lords eternall Name,beyond the length of daies:
3
The Lords eternall Name be prais'd,throughout this Sun-race Round;
From where the Easterne beames are rais'd,
to where the Westerne bound.
4
The Lord is high above the Heathens,Commander in all lands:
His glory is above the Heavens,
and all their Host commands.
5
Who with the Lord our God compares,whose dwelling is on hie?
And yet on Heaven and Earth he cares,
and daignes to cast his eie.
6
From dust the down-cast rais'd he takes,from dung the needy cleeres:
The poore, with Princes Peeres, he makes
his peoples Princes Peeres.
7
He makes the barren dweller breed,and house-build-issue bring:
A joyfull mother of her seed,
her Halelu-jah sing.
Halelu-jah.
228
Psal. 114. In exitu Israel.
1
When Israel out from Egypt went,from Pharaohs heavie hand;
And Jacobs house from bondage sent,
had left that strange-tongu'd land.
2
His Sanctuary Judah led,his Scepters Israel:
3
The sea that saw, gave way and fled,and Jordan backward fell.
4
The Mountaines leap't, like high-fed Ramsamong the flockes of sheep:
The little Hills, like wanton Lambs,
like-wanton revells keep.
5
What ail'd thee, O thou sea, to flie,and leave thy corall bed?
That Jordan backe thou turn'dst, and why
revolted to thy head?
6
Ye Mountaines, that like Rams ye leap'tamong the flockes of sheep?
Like Lambs, ye ravish't Hillocks heap't,
like-raptur'd revells keep?
7
The presence of the Lord compell'd,the earth beyond her law:
Of Jacobs God the presence held
the trembling earth in awe.
8
Which from the veines of Rockes let bloud,his water-lakes doth bring:
And makes into a mighty floud,
from flint the fountaine spring.
229
Psal. 115. Non nobis.
1
Not unto us, Lord, not to us,give glory to thy Name:
Proclaime it for thy Mercy thus,
thus for thy Truth proclaime.
2
And wherefore should the Heathens crie,Where is their God forsooth?
3
Our God is in the Heavens most hie,and what him pleaseth, doth.
4
Their Idols silver are and gold,whose melted masse they serve;
Worke, which the hand of man doth mold,
and curious is to carve.
5
A mouth they have, but speech none there,and eyes, but casements blind:
6
And eares, but eares that cannot heare,nor scent their noses wind.
7
Hands, where no sense of feeling found,feet, that foot never went;
Their senslesse trunkes at all no sound,
nor lungs, or throat to vent.
8
Like stuffe to them their makers are,like drosse of divers dust:
Like Saints, like Servitors compare,
are all that in them trust.
9
Trust in the Lord, O Israel,on him their hopes who build,
Their hopes are sure to speed them well,
he is their help and shield.
10
Upon the Lord, O Aarons house,your hopes foundation build,
Such hopes find him auspicious,
he is their help and shield.
230
11
O ye, in holy reverence,to feare the Lord that yeeld,
In whom ye feare, put confidence,
he is their help and shield.
12
The Lord to us, remembring wellhis blessings to expresse,
Will blesse the house of Israel,
the house of Aaron blesse.
13
Be it your state small meanes afford,sit ye in honours seat;
Young, old, that feare the Lord, the Lord
will blesse you, small and great.
14
To adde to you, and to your race,the Lord will yet proceed,
To multiply on you his grace,
on you, and on your seed.
15
The blessed of the Lord ye are,his blessings ye partake:
Your Maker, he makes you his care,
that Heaven and Earth did make.
16
The Heavens, & Heavens supremest Heaven,the Lord alone commands:
The Earth to Adams sons hath given,
to serve him in all lands.
17
And though the dead, Lord, of thy praise,no song in silence sing:
18
To praise thee Lord, shall endlesse daiesour Halelu-jahs ring.
Halelu-jah.
231
Psal. 116. Dilexi quoniam.
1
I Love the Lord, that so lov'd mee,my voice, my praiers to heare:
2
And in my daies will call, for heeto mee inclin'd his care.
3
The pangs of death did wind about,and had beset mee round:
The straights of Hell had found me out,
distresse and griefe, I found.
4
Upon the Lords Name then I call'd,and ecchoing did repeat:
Deliver thou my soule enthrall'd,
O Lord, I thee entreat.
5
How gracious is the Lord, and just,our God is mercifull:
6
The Lord the simple keeps, from dustmy ransom'd head did pull.
7
Soule, to thy rest returne: for why?the Lord hath rendred thee,
8
My soule from death, from teares mine eye,my feet from falling, free.
9
My walkes before the Lord I makethe lands of them that live:
10
I did beleeve, and therefore spake,for greatly did I grieve.
11
I did, as feare and haste conceiv'd,“All men are lyars, say:
12
For bounties from the Lord receiv'd,what gift shall I repay?
13
Salvations cup will I up take,and on the Lords Name call:
14
And of my vowes now payment make,before his people all.
232
15
His gracious Saints the Lord beholds,his eyes high prize their daies:
Their death in deare account he holds,
and with revenge repaies.
16
Sure, Lord, I am thy servant, oneredeem'd from hostile hands:
Thy servant I, thy hand-maids sonne,
thou hast unloos'd my bands.
17
A sacrifice of praise to theemy thankfull heart shall frame:
My sacrifice, O Lord, shall be
to call upon thy Name.
18
My vowes I to the Lord will pay,and put them off no more:
But on my hearts pure altar lay
his people all before.
19
Lord, in thy houses courts let me,these vowes upon me bring;
O Salem, in the midst of thee
mine Halelu-jah sing.
Halelu-jah.
Psal. 117. Laudate Dominum.
1
O praise the Lord, ye Gentiles all,throughout the earth that dwell:
Upon his Name all Nations call,
his praise all people tell.
2
For towards us his Graciousnesse,his Mercies mighty store;
And of the Lord the faithfulnesse,
endures for evermore.
Halelu-jah.
233
Psal. 118. Confitemini Domino.
1
The Lord is good, with thankes confesse,his mercy is for ever:
2
Let Israel now say no lesse,his mercy faileth never.
3
Now Aarons house acknowledge mayhis mercy is for ever:
4
Let them that feare the Lord, now say,his mercy faileth never.
5
From where in straight distresse I lay,unto the Lord I cri'd:
The Lord made answer, with my way
about me made more wide.
6
The Lord for me, I feare not allwhat man can doe to mee:
7
The Lord my helpers helps, I shallupon my haters see.
8
The hopes that on the Lord are laid,lye safer than on man:
9
Our hopes the Lord can better aide,than powerfull Princes can.
10
All Nations round about me came,conspirers for my fall:
But in the Lords more-powerfull Name,
I shall cut off them all.
11
They prest in swarmes on every side,on every side they swarm'd:
But, Lord, thy Name my weapon tri'd,
to cut them off me arm'd.
12
Like swarmes of Bees their forces link't,they round about me bent:
Whom, Lord, like fire, in thornes extinct,
thy Name shall soon prevent.
234
13
That I might fall by some offence,thou hast thrust at me sore:
But yet, a hand in my defence,
the Lord my helper, bore.
14
The Lord is of my strength the summe,the subject of my songs;
And my salvation is become,
to whom my life belongs.
15
The voice of joy and health is heardin tents where Justice dwells:
The right hand of the Lord up-rear'd,
in fortitude excells.
16
The right hand of the Lord preferr'd,preheminence hath wonne;
The right hand of the Lord up-rear'd,
right valiant deeds hath done.
17
Thy deeds in death, Lord, they that dwell,to light have never brought,
I shall not die, but live to tell
what workes the Lord hath wrought.
18
Thy stripes, O Lord, I feele; some bloudthy chastisement did draw:
Yet hath not given me up for food
to deaths devouring jaw.
19
The gates of Justice open mee,that I may enter there;
And there, O Lord, confesse to thee,
that Saints thy praise may heare.
20
Of God the Lord this is the gate,the Just shall enter there:
21
Where thee, my Saviour, celebratewill I, whom thou didst heare.
22
The Stone the Builders did despise,is made head corner-stone.
235
23
And marvellous is in our eyesthis that the Lord hath done.
24
This day, the Lord that gave it light,did unto us commend:
This Festivall, from morne to night,
let joy and gladnesse spend.
25
Save now, O Lord, send happinesse,Hosanna now we sing:
Salvation, Lord, and good successe;
Hosanna to our King.
26
Who in the Lords Name comes, Good-speed,faire blessings him befall:
We, from the Lords House, whence proceed
all blessings, blesse you all.
27
God is the Lord, that light affords,hath given us gladsome mornes:
The Host, for sacrifice, with cords
bind to the Altars hornes.
28
Thou art my God, I will confesse,that hast exalted me:
What then, my God, can I doe lesse,
but thy Exalter be?
29
O praise the Lord, beyond all bounds,whose goodnesse doth extend:
Whose tender mercy farther sounds,
than time shall ever end.
236
Psal. 119. Beati immaculati.
Octostichon Acrostichon.
1
All blessed they, in perfect waythat undefil'd are sound:
That of their walkes, the steps to stay,
make (Lord) thy Law their bound.
2
All blessed they, that all their daies,and daily care convert,
To keep his Testimonies waies,
him seeke with all their heart.
3
As no iniquitie they doe,his waies their walking guide:
As stedfast in his pathes they goe,
their footing cannot slide.
4
All thy Commandments give command,to doe, as to discerne:
To stand to, as to understand,
to live in, as to learne.
5
Assisted, O that by thy gracedirected were my waies;
So should my foot-steps hold their place,
thy Statutes be my staies.
6
Abasht confusion should not fall,nor shame on me reflect:
While unto thy Commandments all,
I had a due respect.
7
An upright heart will I prepare,to make thy praise discern'd,
What Judgements of thy Justice are,
when I have truly learn'd.
8
All my observance will I make,thy Statutes how to keep:
O doe not utterly forsake
thy wandring pasture-sheep.
237
1
By what meanes may a young best,be sure to cleanse his way:
But on thy sayes to set his rest,
thy Word his warrant lay?
2
Before all search, with all my heart,as I have sought for thee;
So from thy Precepts pathes depart,
and wander let not mee:
3
Bound and laid up my heart within,thy sayings have I hid:
Against thee that I might not sin,
nor doe, as they forbid.
4
Beyond our blessings highest reach,O Lord thou blessed art:
O teach me what thy Statutes teach,
their pathes to me impart.
5
By utt'rance have my lips not spar'd,their loudest notes to straine:
The Judgements of thy mouth declar'd,
made all their sentence plaine.
6
Bent on thy Testimonies way,much more did I rejoyce,
Than they in store that riches lay,
the pride of all their choice.
7
Before all studies, early, late,by setting all essayes:
Thy Precepts will I meditate,
and well respect thy waies.
8
But in thy Statutes, no delightwhere, else, my heart to set:
Because thy Sayes are so upright,
them shall I not forget.
238
1
Give to thy servant this reward,this favour me afford,
That living, though beset so hard,
I may observe thy Word.
2
Growne darke of sight, my vaile withdraw,the mysteries unfold,
That these mine eies may of thy Law,
the wondrous things behold.
3
Great stranger I, and wanting light,on earth in darknesse stray:
Hide not thy Precepts from my sight,
the Lyre to lead my way.
4
Ground is my soule, and broken small,enflam'd is my desire:
At all times, mine affections all,
thy Judgements set on fire.
5
Given up, the proud dost thou forsake,whom though thy checke deferre;
The curse at length shall overtake,
that from thy Precepts erre.
6
Growne in reproach, upon me crept,held in contempt to be;
Thy Testimonies having kept,
O keep these shames from me.
7
Great Princes sate, and fram'd their stile,some fault with me to find:
But on thy Statutes all the while,
thy servant sets his mind.
8
Good cause, no other joy invitesmy better-settled care:
Thy Testimonies my delights,
my men of counsell are.
239
1
Downe cast, and cleaving to the dust,my soule drawes neere the death;
According as thy Word is just,
revive my dying breath.
2
Declar'd my waies to thee I have,and answer had of thee:
Instruction only this, I crave,
thy Statutes teach thou mee.
3
Direct me how to understand,what way thy Precepts hold:
My Meditations, of thy hand
the wonders shall unfold.
4
Dejected soule, so much I grieve,mine eies drop showres of raine:
According to thy Word relieve,
and raise me up againe.
5
Deceits false way from me withdraw,put lying waies away;
And graciously give me thy Law,
to be my faithfull stay.
6
Disposer of my feet, the wayof faithfulnesse I chose:
Thy Judgements I before me lay,
and for my guides propose.
7
Drawne from thy Testimonies now,whereto I cleave so fast:
I cannot shrinke; upon my brow,
Lord, let not shame be cast.
7
Directly in the way will Iof thy Commandments runne:
Mine heart when thou shalt amplifie,
till grace the Goale have wonne.
240
1
How! teach me, Lord, thy Statutes way,the way to apprehend,
That make it all my care I may,
to keep it to the end.
2
Hide not my understandings light,that I may keep thy Law:
From all delights shall this delight
mine hearts observance draw.
3
How I may tread thy Precepts path,instruct me in the way:
For pleasure else mine heart none hath,
no joy, but there to stay.
4
Hold in my heart, enclin'd to heedthy Testimonies will;
And not on Avarice to feed,
still fed, yet famish't still.
5
Hence, hence mine eies frō pleasures hook,un-tempted, turne away:
Lest after vanitie they looke,
revive me in thy way.
6
Here let thy Word performance beare,to me thy servant past:
On whom, devoted to thy feare,
thy promis'd favour cast.
7
Hold off reproach, which in my way,I am afraid hath stood:
For say, what sinfull tongues can say,
yet are thy Judgements good.
8
How to observe thy Precepts bounds,loe, my delights aspire:
As Justice now in thee abounds,
O quicken my desire.
241
1
With thy kind Mercy come to mee,and be propitious, Lord,
O make me thy Salvation see,
according to thy Word.
2
What else to answer shall I have,to mouthes that me upbraid;
But that my trust, which they deprave,
upon thy Word is laid?
3
Withdraw not from my mouth this scope,the Word of Truth to urge:
Because thy Judgements are my hope,
thy Truths contemners scourge.
4
Unto for ever in thy Law,my life then will I spend;
And till this breath I cease to draw,
my service never end.
5
Within a spacious roome forth brought,shall I be walking found:
Because thy Precepts I have sought,
whereon my steps to ground.
6
Were Kings in presence, I would speakethy Testimonies praise:
Nor shame to say, Yeeld Kingdomes weake,
stoop Scepters to his Sayes.
7
With thy Commandments, my delightshall (all delights above)
Stand best delighted, in my sight
sole objects of my love.
8
Up-lifted palmes will I out-stretch,thy Precepts to embrace;
And on thy Statutes, what they teach,
my meditation place.
242
1
Sure promise to thy servant past,as stedfast beare in mind:
That where my hopes thou settled hast,
performance I may find.
2
Sound comfort yet in this I take,afflicted when I see,
All other succours me forsake,
thy saying quickens mee.
3
Scorne did the proud, and much deridethis serious course of mine:
Yet from thy Precepts, for their pride,
my feet did not decline.
4
Such Judgements hast thou done of old,as when I call to mind,
My courage (Lord) growes then more bold,
and comfort thence I find.
5
Straight hold on me did horrour take,when wicked men I saw;
And seeing, soon I did forsake
forsakers of thy Law.
6
Songs have thy Statutes been to mee,whose Ditties I repeat;
And in this Dorter sing to thee,
my Pilgrimages seat.
7
Sitting in darknesse of the night,thy Name, when others slept,
Have I remembred: my delight,
thy Law (Lord) have I kept.
8
Successe, what ever me befall,these benefits I reap't:
This was to me, thy Precepts all,
because I duely kept.
243
1
Have who that will such heaps up-laid,as worldly-wealth affords:
My Portion, Lord (as I have said)
is to observe thy words.
2
Heartily I besought thy face,with earnest zeale I prai'd:
And but performance of thy grace,
thy promis'd Mercy stai'd.
3
Heedfully thought I on my waies,what way I held most meet:
And to thy Testimonies staies,
I turn'd my staylesse feet.
4
Haste made I to avoid neglect,to cut off all delay:
As thy Commandments shall direct,
to walke no other way.
5
Hindred by wicked robbers bands,that make my goods their prey,
Yet have I not in safer hands,
thy Law forgot to lay.
6
How oft at midnight doe I rise,to praise thee on my knees:
Because thy Judgements are the eyes,
wherewith thy Justice sees!
7
Hold all with me in friendships bands,in feare of thee that stand:
Observers all of thy commands,
my service may command.
8
How farre, O Lord, thy mercies reach,when earth is fill'd thereby!
O teach me what thy Statutes teach,
to follow, what to flye.
244
1
Thy promise stands for good, O Lord,which thou thy selfe hast bound:
The like performance of thy Word,
have I thy servant found.
2
To me let thy Instruction givegood Judgement, to discerne:
As in thy Precepts I beleeve,
thence knowledge let me learne.
3
Till wise affliction crost my way,I held mine owne accord:
My heart un-humbled, went astray,
but now I keep thy Word.
4
That thou art good, I find it still,and to doe good, enclin'd:
Thy Statutes learne me to fulfill;
this good, O let me find.
5
The proud against me forg'd a lie,a falshood for my fall:
But with mine heart entire doe I
observe thy Precepts all.
6
Their peace and plenty them invite,their heart is fat as grease:
But in thy Law is my delight,
my plenty, and my peace.
7
These faults are fruits of fairer daies,affliction did me good:
For thence I learne thy Statutes waies
are truly'st understood.
8
The Law that from thy mouth proceeds,more good to me assignes;
And treasures moe, than millions breeds
of gold and silver Mynes.
245
1
Inspir'd, and fashion'd by thy hand,this spirit ere death withdrawes,
O make me made to understand,
that I may learne thy Lawes.
2
In them that feare thee, when they seewhat fruit my hopes afford:
Shall joy of heart joyne hopes with me,
that wait upon thy Word.
3
I know, O Lord (although severe)thy Judgements are upright:
Thy faithfulnesses stripes I beare,
thy hand doth justly smite.
4
In thy kind mercies free accord,such comfort on me cast,
As to thy servant, on thy Word,
by promise is fore-past.
5
In tender mercies come to mee,and quicken up my spirits,
That I may live: reviv'd by thee,
thy Law is my delights.
6
Infamous shame on them be laid,that proudly me abuse:
That perversly my truth upbraid,
that on thy Precepts muse.
7
In holy feare such as are growne,thy followers fit to be,
Thy Testimonies have they knowne,
let them returne to me.
8
In thy Decrees, confirm'd by thee,O let my heart be sound,
And so my face, that all may see,
shall never shame confound.
246
1
Concerning thy salvations stay,my soule lies at receit:
And fainting after long delay,
upon thy Word I wait.
2
Consum'd, to see thy promise faile,now, faile mine eyes to see:
O say, when shall thy Sayes prevaile,
when come, to comfort me?
3
Clung, like a bottle in the smoake,dri'd up, and waxen old:
Thy Statutes bounds I have not broke,
nor them forgot to hold.
4
Cast up thy servants summe of daies,how many are they all:
On them that persecute my waies,
when will thy Judgements fall?
5
Close have the proud for me digg'd pits,my life from me to draw:
Where fraud with force in ambush sits,
which suits not with thy Law.
6
Commandments all thou giv'st are true,in faithfulnesse agree:
With falshood doe they me pursue,
pursu'd, O rescue mee.
7
Consum'd on earth, but little lessethan life from me they tooke:
Thy Precepts in this deep distresse,
yet have I not forsooke.
8
Call backe my lives low-ebbing tide,as Mercy flowes from thee:
And, what thy mouth hath testifi'd,
shall be observ'd by mee.
247
1
Long since before the Heavens were laid,thy Word for ever sure;
In Heaven, than Heaven, more stedfast stai'd,
(Eternall) shall endure.
2
Lasting thy Truth to Age and Age,thy Word a faithfull band:
The Earths foundations didst thou gage,
and stedfast shall it stand.
3
Lawes for their revolutions bounds,are compast by thy care:
This day they stand thy Judgements grounds,
for all thy servants are.
4
Led not thy Law my whole delights,with cares so many crost,
In mine afflictions cloudy nights,
my comforts had been lost.
5
Let be, what ever be my let,were strife it selfe that striv'd,
Thy Lawes I never shall forget,
by them, by thee, reviv'd.
6
Loose, leave me not, for I am thine,save, but whom thou hast bought:
For with this ransom'd soule of mine,
thy Precepts have I sought.
7
Laid have for me the wicked wait,to see my soule destroi'd:
But on thy Testimonies weight,
my studies were emploi'd.
8
Lost in themselves Perfections all,mine eyes have seen to end:
But thy Commandments (sums though small)
exceeding broad extend.
248
1
My soules sole object, motive strong,Lord, how I love thy Law!
My Meditation all day long,
the load-stone to withdraw.
2
Much wiser than mine enemies,thy Precepts I fulfill;
And thou by them hast made me wise,
for they are with me still.
3
More than my Teachers am I taught,a higher skill to reach:
Thy Testimonies are my thought,
my Teachers thus I teach.
4
Much deeper wisedome have I found,than Ages shallow deep:
The Elders are not so profound,
while I thy Precepts keep.
5
My feet from every evill way,for this have I refrain'd:
That from the Rules I might not stray,
within thy Word contain'd.
6
My Judgement thine hath not declin'd,to ponder in my thought:
To practise what I beare in mind,
to doe, as thou hast taught.
7
Much sweetnesse in thy words thou hast,to slake my pallat's drougth;
More pleasant in my throat they taste,
than honey in my mouth.
8
Minding thy Precepts for my stay,I understanding get:
And therefore hate I every way
that falshood hath fore-set.
249
1
Now, dangers where on earth I meet,and darksome shades of night:
Thy Word a lanthorne to my feet,
and to my path gives light.
2
Now I have sworne, performe I will,at no time to neglect,
Thy righteous Judgements to fulfill,
as Justice shall direct.
3
No meane in mine affliction, Lord,now over-worne with woe:
O quicken me, as by thy Word
thou hast assur'd to doe.
4
None but free-offrings in good part,Lord, from my mouth accept;
And teach me how within my heart,
thy Judgements may be kept.
5
No day my soule but in my hand,with deadly snares beset,
To doe, as doth thy Law command,
yet doe I not forget.
6
Neere to my way, at unawares,the wicked laid their snare:
Yet carelesse I of other cares,
thy Precepts made my care.
7
None but thy Testimonies tookefor mine Inheritance:
For ever, as on them I looke,
mine heart for joy doth dance.
8
No daies but in thy Lawes to spend,till life from me depart;
And to performe them to the end,
have I enclin'd my heart.
250
1
Seducers vaine my hatred move,my heart from them to draw:
But as I love thy Law, I love
observance of thy Law.
2
Secret thou art to me, and shield,to keep thy promise, just:
To thee my hopes their service yeeld,
and to thy Word I trust.
3
Such as in evill waies have trod,my pathes approach not nie:
To keep the Precepts of my God,
while I mine heart apply.
4
Sustaine thou me, that I may live,to make thy promise good:
Let not my hopes made frustrate, give
my head a shamefull hood.
5
Secure my health, I shall be boldof safety in thy sight;
And in chiefe price continuall hold
thy Statutes my delight.
6
Such fugitives thou tread'st downe all,as from thy Statutes stray:
Deceitfully from thee they fall,
for falshood is their way.
7
So from the earth the wicked areas drosse by thee remov'd:
I therefore have with purer care
thy Testimonies lov'd.
8
Such horrour in my flesh for thee,to feele I am afraid:
And so severe thy Judgements be,
that I am sore dismai'd.
251
1
Have Judgement I, and Justice done,unjustly judg'd to stand!
O let me not be over-gone
by mine oppressors hand.
2
Hold surety for thy servants good,become sufficient baile;
And let not mine oppressors proud,
to my reproach prevaile.
3
Have not mine eyes bid many a storme,for thy Salvation worne;
And when thy Justice would performe
thy promise long forborne?
4
Hold on, in mercy to proceed,so with thy servant deale:
That what thy Statutes have decree'd,
to me thou maist reveale.
5
Here I thy servant, make me soundin understanding grow;
And on thy Testimonies ground,
my graine of knowledge sowe.
6
High time is, Lord, they be destroi'd,thy vengefull sword to draw,
To make their lawlesse labours void,
that have made void thy Law.
7
How precious I thy Precepts hold,and therefore love them more
Than gold, above the finest gold,
tri'd from the richest Ore.
8
How I esteem thy Precepts right,that alwaies truth relate!
And I, that in the truth delight,
alwaies of falshood hate.
252
1
Profound, and marvellously deepthy Testimonies are:
Them, as they well deserve to keep,
my soule hath therefore care.
2
Port-open'd of thy words gives light,gives light that ever lives;
And understandings piercing sight,
to simple people gives.
3
Panting with open mouth, a draughtI thirsted sore to prove;
And made the Precepts thou hadst taught,
the wine-presse of my love.
4
Proceed, but so, as Mercies eyein Judgement me behold,
With those, that on thy Names supply,
by love have taken hold.
5
Put in thy Word, my steps direct,and place them every where,
That never wickednesse deject,
nor rule above me beare.
6
Protect me from oppressing man,for my redemption pay,
That doe what earthly pressure can,
thy Precepts keep I may.
7
Procure thy countenances light,on me thy servant shine;
And in thy Statutes lesson right
these tutor'd steps of mine.
8
Powr'd out in griefe that drowns mine eies,my teares like rivers flow:
Thy Law when men I see despise,
and in contempt to grow.
253
1
So just thou Lord art in thy deeds,thy promise to acquite:
To sentence when thy mouth proceeds,
then are thy Judgements right.
2
Such charge thy Testimonies charge,that Justice should attend;
Thy promises perform'd at large,
thy faithfulnesse commend.
3
Surpriz'd I was with burning zeale,that on my bosome preys:
That my distressors so should deale,
as to forget thy Sayes.
4
So pure thy Word, as much refin'dthe metall tri'd by fire:
And thereupon thy servants mind,
hath set his hearts desire.
5
Small am I much, and much despis'd,as much affect I not:
With me thy Precepts highly priz'd,
so have I not forgot.
6
Such Justice is thy Justice tri'd,as evermore remaines,
A righteous and a faithfull guide,
thy Law the Truth containes.
7
Straitnesse and anguish found my spirits,fast hold on me to get:
Yet are thy Precepts those delights,
whereon my heart is set.
8
Such Justice, such eternall Rightthy Testimonies give:
O give me understandings light,
that I may learne to live.
254
1
Crying, with heart entire I cri'd,heare, Lord, and answer make:
To keep thy Statutes for my guide,
then will I undertake.
2
Calling upon thee, did I call,from dangers deepest deep;
Be thou my Saviour, and I shall
thy Testimonies keep.
3
Crying, the twilight I prevent,my call call'd up the day:
To wait on thee was mine intent,
upon thy Word to stay.
4
Could any eies by watching late,like watch to mine have kept,
Upon thy Word to meditate,
that wak't, when others slept?
5
Can thy great mercies eare lesse doe,than heare my voice complaine?
Thy Judgement, Lord, according to,
O quicken me againe.
6
Close-follow'd by a wicked crew,how neere to me they draw!
In mischiefe they that me pursue,
are farre off from thy Law.
7
Can duty, can default be done,but thou, O Lord, art neere?
Truth are thy Precepts every one,
all thy Commandments cleare.
8
Continu'd are (I know) of oldthy Testimonies sayes:
That thou hast founded them to hold
beyond the length of daies.
255
1
Regard what pressures I sustaine,weigh, and their weight withdraw;
Release me, that for all my paine,
have not forgot thy Law.
2
Right thou my cause that comes to thee,opprest and hard withstood:
Redeem thou me, and quicken me,
to make thy saying good.
3
Remov'd is from the wicked farreSalvation, them she flies,
That with thy Statutes, tongues to jarre,
to seeke them, have no eies.
4
Repeat thy many mercies great,how canst thou them refraine?
Thy wonted Judgements, Lord, repeat,
to quicken me againe.
5
Ready my Persecutors are,oppressors many mine;
Drawne from thy Testimonies care,
yet did I not decline.
6
Revolting sinners how I saw,I sorrow to record;
How perversly they breake thy Law,
and have not kept thy Word.
7
Respect thy Precepts how I love,to quicken zeales desire:
Let, Lord, thy loving kindnesse prove,
thy mercy blow the fire.
8
Right entrance to thy Word, truth gives,and endlesse as it growes,
For ever every Judgement lives,
that from thy Justice flowes.
256
1
Suppressors of my harmlesse head,together Princes draw:
But of thy Word than of their deed,
my heart stands more in awe.
2
So much thy Word is my delight,as after care and toile,
When from the vanquish't foe in flight,
the Victor beares the spoile.
3
Sworne foe I am profest to fraud,and falshood I detest;
Yet doth my love thy Law applaud,
and there sets up my rest.
4
Seven times, ere one daies Sun descend,to praise thee forth I breake,
Thy righteous Judgements to commend,
and of their Justice speake.
4
Such peace is given in recompence,to them that love thy Law:
No stumbling-blocke shall give offence,
no danger them withdraw.
6
Salvation, Lord, my hope attends,for thine attends alone;
And dreadlesse of distrustfull ends,
thy Precepts have I done.
7
Safe in my soule, my soules delight,thy Testimonies lye;
And them have I observ'd aright,
and lov'd exceedingly.
8
Strictly thy Lawes are kept by me,and Testimonies thine:
To thee no waies can ever be
(I know) unknowne of mine.
257
1
To thee let my complaint come neere,and lie before thee, Lord:
O give me understanding cleere,
according to thy Word.
2
The supplication in thy sight,that I preferre, accept;
And let thy promise be upright,
in my deliverance kept.
3
Then as a fountaines fluent spring,my lips shall utter praise,
My tutor'd steps when thou shalt bring,
to walke thy Statutes waies.
4
Then of thy Word my tongue shall sounda Psalme, that shall intreat:
For just are all thy Precepts found,
as Justice is their seat.
5
To help me let thy hand prevaile,when perills me oppose:
For (leaving other helps that faile)
thy Precepts have I chose.
6
To have of thy Salvation fight,Lord, I have long'd full sore;
And in thy Law so I delight,
I shall desire no more.
7
Then let my soule but live so long,this ground till I have laid,
To make thy praise fill up my song,
to get thy Judgements aide.
8
Thy wandring servant gone astray,as shepheard, his lost sheep,
O seeke, so mindfull in thy way,
thy Precepts prest to keep.
258
Psal. 120. Ad Dominum, cum tribul.
Canticum Graduum.
1
In my distresses anguish,When I did lye and languish,
Upon the Lord I call'd:
No longer he deferr'd mee,
But at mine instance heard mee,
From where I lay enthrall'd.
2
My soule, O Lord, deliverFrom lips of lies the quiver,
And from a double tongue:
3
False tongue, what gives it to thee?What profit shall it doe thee,
When thy fell sting hath stung?
4
Sharp arrowes are lesse cruell,No Juniper, like fewell:
So deadly are they not,
As are those forked quarrells,
As are those wild-fire barrells,
The tongues malignant shot.
5
Now, woe is me, these dangers,More strange to me then strangers,
That exil'd life re-sents:
Against my will constraine me,
With Meshech to containe me,
And dwell in Kedars Tents.
6
My soule hath too long resting,With him, that peace detesting,
Is ever male-content:
I am for peace, that love it,
And when my speeches move it,
for warre then are they bent.
259
Psal. 121. Levavi oculos.
Canticum Graduum.
1
Up to the Hills I lift mine eies,from whence will come mine aide:
2
From, with the Lord come my supplies,which Heavens and Earth hath laid.
3
He will not suffer thee to slide,thy foot to tread awry:
He will not give, that slumber hide
thy keepers wakefull eye.
4
Loe, him that keepeth Israel,shall Israels keeper keep,
That on his eye no slumber dwell,
his eye-lid lodge no sleep.
5
The Lord, the Lord thy keeper is,his helpe's at thy right hand,
To shade thee, spread those wings of his,
to lead thee, ready stand.
6
So thee, with scorching heat by day,the Sun-beames shall not smite;
Nor shall the Moon thy vigour slay,
with vapours of the night.
7
The Lord shall thy preserver be,that thou no evill have;
And keep thy soule, that over thee
no sting be in the grave.
8
Yea, goe thou out, or come thou in,the Lord shall keep the doore;
Be with thee from thou dost begin,
protect thee evermore.
260
Psal. 122. Lætatus sum.
Canticum Graduum Davidis.
1
It was my joy, amidst our woe,to heare the people say:
When to the Lords House we shall goe,
O times too long delay!
2
Our feet, in our opprest estates,which presse a stranger land,
As heretofore within thy gates,
to see (O Salem) stand.
3
Jerusalem is so exact,a Citie of such site:
Her stately structures so compact,
her to her selfe unite.
4
And thither doe the Tribes frequent,Tribes of the Lord ascend,
To Israels Testimonie sent,
the Lords Name to commend.
5
There are the Thrones for Judgement set,Thrones, where that Royall seed,
The sons that David shall beget,
for ever shall succeed.
6
O pray we for Jerusalem,her quiet may encrease:
And may faire peace as well love them,
that love faire Salems peace.
6
Within thy walls let peace be still,and trusty Warder stand:
Thy palaces let plenty fill,
with prosper-making hand.
8
My brethren and companions loves,compassion move in mee:
Compassion like condition moves,
now speake I peace to thee.
261
9
And seeing Salems Temple here,where Sion-Mount I see;
This House the Lord our God holds deare,
I will seeke good to thee.
Psal. 123. Ad te levavi.
Canticum Graduum.
1
To thee, that sitt'st above the skies,that Heavens in-dweller art,
I lift up my submissive eies,
from vallies of my heart.
2
Loe, as upon their Masters hand,the servants eies depend:
As on her Mistresses command,
a maidens eies attend;
Upon the Lord our God our eies,
so waiting are intent,
Untill his Graces free supplies,
in Mercy us prevent.
3
In Mercy, us (O Lord) exempt,thy Mercy make appeare:
For we are fill'd with much contempt,
more than our hearts can beare.
4
Our soule is cloi'd above the crowne,we beare beyond our might:
With scorne the wealthy weigh us downe;
the proud, with high despight.
Psal. 124. Nisi quia Dominus.
Canticum Graduum Davidis.
1
Except the Lord for us had been,may Israel now say:
262
2
Had not the Lord their pride fore-seen,whose powers against us lay:
3
Then had they swallow'd us alive,when kindled was their rage,
In vaine had been for us to strive,
their fury to asswage.
4
The flouds had drown'd us every one,so fiercely did they flow:
Above our soule the surge had gone,
so mighty did it grow.
5
We had been covered in this cloud,the waters proud-controule,
The swelling waters of the proud
had over-gone our soule.
6
Blest be the Lord, that them withstood,and frustrate sent away;
That hath not given our guiltlesse blood
unto their teeth a prey.
7
Our soule is as a bird escap'tout of the Fowlers snare:
The snare is broke that us entrap't,
and we delivered are.
8
The help, whereon our hopes depend,is in th' Eternals Name:
He that our help to us doth send,
the Heavens and Earth did frame.
Psal. 125. Qui confidunt.
Canticum Graduum.
1
Whoso commend their trust approv'd,unto the Lords command,
Shall, as Mount Sion, not be mov'd,
but fast for ever stand.
263
2
Jerusalem is wall'd with Hills,so bounds the Lord his ground;
And evermore the Compasse fills,
about his people round.
3
For wickednesses rod shall notupon the Just abutt;
Lest thence to draw a wicked lot,
the Just their hands forth put.
4
As all good gifts thou dost conferre,Lord, to the good doe good;
And, righteous as thou art, preferre
the upright-hearted brood.
5
But such, as to their crooked vainerevolt, the Lord shall lead,
With them that evill worke with paine:
“Peace be on Israels head.
Psal. 126. In convertendo.
Canticum Graduum.
1
When Sion (Babels captive) thencethe Lord did home redeeme:
Our ravisht hopes, scarce trusting sense,
we were like them that dreame.
2
Our mouth was fill'd with laughter, thenfor joy no tongue but sings:
The Heath'ns could say, for these good men.
the Lord hath done great things.
3
Great things indeed, and many too,for us, as well appeares;
The Lord hath magnifi'd, to doe,
to joy hath turn'd our teares.
4
Turne, Lord, as welcome showres of raine,refresh the Deserts drouth;
264
like Torrents from the South.
5
They that in furrowes fill'd with teares,the seed of sorrow sowe,
When Harvest comes of laden eares,
a joyfull crop shall mowe.
6
He going goes, and weeps to see,what deere-bought seed he leaves:
Home-comming comes, as joyfull he,
and (shouting) beares his sheaves.
Psal. 127. Nisi Dominus.
Canticum Graduum Solomonis.
1
Except the Lord the house doe build,vaine toile the builder takes:
Except the Lord the Citie shield,
in vaine the Warder wakes.
2
As vaine it is, ye early rise,late houres of rest ye keep,
To eate the bread that sorrow buyes,
while his beloved sleep.
3
Loe, children are an heritage,a gift the Lord bestowes:
Fruit that revives the fathers age,
rewards the mothers throwes.
4
The arrowes from the Mighties hand,with no such terrour goe,
As goe the sons of youth, to stand
against the fathers foe.
5
Blest is the man, that of such shothath stor'd his quiver full;
Within the gate, their foes shall not
reproach upon them pull.
265
Psal. 128. Beati omnes qui.
Canticum Graduum.
1
All happinesse, who ever thou art,attend upon thy daies,
To feare the Lord that fram'st thy heart,
thy feet, to walke his waies.
2
The labour of thy hands, thy messeof savoury meat shall be:
Thee, and thy dwelling place to blesse,
shall goodnesse dwell with thee.
3
Thy wife, as spreads the fruitfull Vine,thy houses sides shall bound:
Thy sons, like Olive-plants, shall twine
about thy Table round.
4
These blessings loe, and many more,this life shall here afford;
And better farre there are in store,
for them that feare the Lord.
5
Such happinesse the Lord to theeshall out of Sion give:
The God of Salem shalt thou see,
while thou hast day to live.
6
And ended ere thy daies shall be,thy seed to prosper well:
Thy childrens children shalt thou see,
and peace on Israel.
Psal. 129. Sæpe expugnaverunt.
Canticum Graduum.
1
Against me my distressors powerhath done the worst they may:
266
may Israel now say:
2
Afflictions on my head to fling,full oft have they assail'd,
Against me, from my youthfull spring,
yet have they not prevail'd.
3
The plowers plow'd upon my backe,and made their furrowes long:
4
The Lord the Just, yet cut the Rockethe wicked made so strong.
5
Let fowle confusion on them light,and send them backe with shame,
That looke at Sion in despight,
as haters of her Name.
6
Let them be as the grasse that growes,upon the houses top:
Which withreth ere the sithe it mowes,
and leaves an empty crop.
7
Whose seed un-rooted in the land,is fed with fruitlesse sap;
Which neither fills the mowers hand,
nor lades the binders lap.
8
So as no passer by shall say,The Lord give good successe:
The Name of God the Lord (we pray)
you and your labour blesse.
Psal. 130. De profundis.
Canticum Graduum.
1
Out of the deeps that thou maist heare,Lord, my complaints repaire:
2
Lord, heare my voice, and let thine eareattend my voices praier.
267
3
Our sins if thou, O Lord, shouldst summe,and marke, where we have miss't:
When thy revengefull stroke shall come,
who, Lord, shall then subsist?
4
But by forgivenesse of our sinne,thy mercy hath appear'd:
And, as our love thy Judgements winne,
thy mercy makes thee fear'd.
5
I earnestly expect the Lord,expect his promise just:
My soule hath waited for his Word,
wherein my hopes put trust.
6
My soule upon the Lord depends,attends for her dispatch;
More than for morne the watch attends,
more than for morne the watch.
7
With confidence let Israel,attend the Lord therefore:
For with the Lord doth Mercy dwell,
with him redemption store.
8
And Israel redeem he shall,and make him freedome winne,
From all his sorrowes bonds, from all
his sorrow-breeding sinne.
Psal. 131. Domine non est.
Canticum Graduum Davidis.
1
A haughty heart, high-looking eies,O Lord, I never brooke:
I wade not in deep mysteries,
nor after marvells looke.
2
I still'd my soule, and made it milde,as from the mothers brests,
268
my soule in silence rests.
Trust in the Lord, his time attend,
O Jacobs family:
Attend his time, that hath no end,
from now, eternally.
Psal. 132. Memento, Domine.
Canticum Graduum.
1
Of David, and his troublous daies,be mindfull, Lord, and how
2
To Jacobs mighty Lord he payeshis oathes solemniz'd vow.
3
Nor tent, nor house, my harbour be,repose my bed forbids:
4
To sleep, mine eyes shall pardon me,to slumber, mine eye-lids.
5
Untill a dwelling place I find,where may the Lord remaine,
The Mighty One of Jacobs kind,
a house to entertaine.
6
Loe, Ephrata we understood,thereof good tidings yeelds:
At length, we found it in the wood,
in Kirjath-jears fields.
7
Within his house we will goe meet,and there assembled all;
Before his foot-stoole, at his feet
bow downe our selves, and fall.
8
Arise, O Lord, into thy restreturne, to dwell at length;
In Salem, sometime Silo's guest,
thou, and thy Arke of strength.
269
9
Let be (that thine they may be knowne)thy Priests with Justice cloth'd:
And (seeking thee more than their owne)
thy Saints to joy betroth'd.
10
And for thy servant Davids sake,turne not the face away
Of thine Annointed: Soveraignes make
his seed, his Scepter sway.
11
The Lord in Truth to David sware,and will not turne from it:
Fruit of thy wombe will I prepare
upon thy Throne to sit.
12
My Covenant if thy sons retaine,my Testimonies heed;
Thy sons perpetually shall raigne,
and on thy Throne succeed.
13
For as the Lord loves Sion best,his liking is so great,
That her, he hath above the rest,
selected for his seat.
14
This is my rest, a longer space,than Sun shall lend his light,
Perpetuall here my dwelling place,
here my desir'd delight.
15
Her victuals blessing will I blesse,her poore with bread suffice:
16
Her Priests in pure Salvation dresse,her Saints shall joy surprize.
17
There will I make the Horne upright,to bud on Davids head:
A lamp for mine Annointed light,
throughout all lands to spread.
18
His enemies shall shame befall,and weave the web they weare:
270
the Crowne that he shall beare.
Psal. 133. Ecce quàm bonum.
Canticum Graduum Davidis.
1
Behold how good it is, how pleasing well,That there dwell unity, where Brethren dwell:
2
The precious odour did not sweeter smell,When on the head, the holy Oile that fell,
As downe the beard, downe Aarons beard it went,
Perfum'd the border of his Vestiment.
3
So fall the pearly gems from Hermon Hill,On Sion Mountaines so the deaws distill;
And eithers fields with rich embroidry fill,
Powdring the'r un-shorne lockes with various skill:
For there, the Lords command the blessing bound,
And Brethrens love with life eternall crown'd.
Psal. 134. Ecce nunc benedicite.
Canticum Graduum.
1
Behold, praise ye the Lord all ye,observers of his Rites,
That servants in the Lords House be,
before him stand by nights.
2
There, where his Sanctuary stands,to sanctifie his Name:
To blesse the Lord, up-lifted hands,
let hearts low-humbled frame.
3
And he, whose blessings over-shadethe Hill of Holinesse:
The Lord, that Heav'ns and earth hath made,
thee out of Sion blesse.
271
Psal. 135. Laudate nomen Domini.
Halelu-jah.
1
Sing Halelu-jah, praise th' Eternals Name,Ye servants of the Lord, set forth his praise:
2
That in the Lords House stand, his praise proclaime,In our Gods Houses Courts that spend your dayes.
3
Praise Jah: The Lord is good, as then is meet,Sing Psalmes unto his Name, so pleasing sweet,
4
For to himselfe the Lord hath Jacob chose,And his chiefe treasure Israel accounts.
5
Great is the Lord, my knowledge can disclose:And that our Lord all other gods surmounts.
6
What will the Lord have done: his will aloneIn Heav'ns, Earth, Seas, and all the Deeps is done.
7
From earths extremes he makes the clouds ascend,His fires and waters on the aire he flings;
In lightning-shot, and show'rs of raine to spend,
The wind out of his treasuries he brings:
8
And branded Egypt bare his furies note,Whose first-borne all, from man to beast he smote.
9
His signes and wonders here and there he sent,Hard hearted Egypt, in the midst of thee,
On Pharaoh's head, and all his servants spent:
Yet who so blind, as they that would not see:
His signes and wonders, sent and spent in vaine,
Nor Pharaoh's nor his servants pride restraine.
10
He smote great Nations mighty Kings he slew.11
As Heshbons Sehon, King of Amorites;And Ghog the King of Bashan overthrew,
With all the Kingdomes of the Cananites!
12
And dispossest them of their land, to blesse,And give his people Israel to possesse.
13
Thy Name, O Lord, is ever permanent,Thy memory, Lord, is to age and age:
14
The Lord will judge his people, and repentTo execute the rigour of his rage:
His servants faults as ready to forbeare,
As to their foes in his revenge severe.
15
The Heathens Idols silver are and gold,Worke of mans hand, their makers worth beneath;
272
16
Mouthes, eyes, eares, noses, can their makers mold;17
But cannot make them speake, see, heare, nor breathe:18
Vaine Idoll-mongers, like your Idols just,That Idols make, or in made Idols trust.
19
O blesse the Lord ye house of Israel,O blesse the Lord, ye house of Aarons line:
20
O house of Levi, blesse the Lord: As wellWho feare the Lord, to blesse the Lord encline:
21
From out of Sion his high praise record,Whose dwelling is in Salem: Praise the Lord.
Halelu-jah.
Psal. 136. Confitemini Domino.
1
O praise the Lord, for he is good,his mercy is for ever:
2
Praise him, that is of gods the God,whose mercy faileth never.
3
Praise him, that is of lords the Lord,whose mercy is for ever:
4
His sole-done wonders great, record,whose mercy faileth never.
5
The Heavens, that by his wisedome made,whose mercy is for ever:
6
The earth above the waters spread,his mercy ceaseth never.
7
Which made great lights for severall place,his mercy is for ever:
8
The Sun by day to runne his race,his mercy failing never.
9
The Moon and Starres to governe night,his mercy lasting ever:
10
In their first-borne did Egypt smite,his mercy failing never.
273
11
And Israel from amidst them brought,his mercy is for ever:
12
With mighty hand, and arme out-rought,his mercy failing never.
13
The red sea into parts did lay,his mercy is for ever:
14
And through the midst made Israel way,his mercy failing never.
15
There shook off Pharaoh and his Host,his mercy lasting ever:
16
His people led through Desert-coast,his mercy failing never.
17
Great Kings he smote, and overthrew,his mercy is for ever:
18
And mighty Kings in battell slew,his mercy failing never.
19
As Sehon King of Amorites,his mercy lasting ever:
20
And Ghog the King of Basanites,his mercy ceasing never.
21
Their land in heritage to have,his mercy is for ever:
22
To Israel his servant gave,his mercy failing never.
23
Which of our humbled state esteem'd,his mercy is for ever:
24
From our distressors us redeem'd,his mercy failing never.
25
Bread to all flesh by whom is given,his mercy lasting ever:
26
Confesse ye to the God of Heaven,whose mercy ceaseth never.
274
Psal. 137. Super flumina Babyl.
1
Downe sate we by the rivers side,that waters Babels wall:
To raise whose streames, a springing tide
of teares our eyes let fall.
Remembring Sion in our vowes,
our uselesse Harps we hung
2
Upon amidst the willow boughes,as slightly tun'd as strung.
3
For they that led us captives there,requir'd of us a song;
A Sion-song (said) let us heare,
these moanes, some mirth among.
4
O no! nor harp we have, nor hand,nor voice to straine, nor string:
Our Sion-song, in Shinar-land,
song of the Lord to sing.
5
If, O Jerusalem, I setno more by thee than so;
Let my right hand her skill forget,
my voice her song forgoe.
6
My tongue fast to my palate cling,ac'd never tune employ,
If ought I doe but Salem sing,
the Soveraigne of my joy.
7
Be mindfull, Lord, of Edoms sons,who said on Salems day,
Raze, Raze, to her foundations,
with earth her levell lay.
8
Thou Daughter, Babel, laidst us waste,thy selfe shalt wasted be:
O happy! that as done thou hast
to us, shall doe to thee.
275
9
O happy! that thy little ones,from mothers breasts shall rash,
And (pitilesse) against the stones,
their braines in pieces dash.
Psal. 138. Confitebor tibi.
Davidis.
1
I will confesse thee to their face,with all the heart in mee,
Were Princes, Angels, Gods in place,
Psalmes will I sing to thee.
2
Prostrate before thy holy Seat,thy Name will I confesse;
Thy tender mercies there repeat,
and sing thy faithfulnesse.
For all thy powerfull deeds proclaime,
and ample proofe afford,
That thou hast magnifi'd thy Name,
above all Name thy Word!
3
The day I cri'd, to thee I cri'd,thou heardst, and answerdst mee:
My soule with vigour was suppli'd,
and strengthned much by thee.
4
Kings of the earth shall all confesse,and make thy praise appeare;
When of thy mouth, the faithfulnesse,
the words (O Lord) they heare.
5
Their songs shall of the waies entreat,that to the Lord belong:
For of the Lord the glory great,
is subject of their song.
6
For though the Lord be thron'd on hie,yet are his eies below:
276
the proud afar to know.
7
Amidst distresse although I went,reviv'd by thee I stand:
Thy hand against my haters sent,
to save me, thy right hand.
8
This worke, the hand that wrought me this,the Lord accomplish will:
Thy mercy, Lord, for ever is,
thy handy-worke fulfill.
Psal. 139. Domine, probasti.
Ad Præstantem, Davidis Psalmus.
1
Thou hast, O Lord, me searched out and knowne,2
My sitting downe, and my up-rising areWithin thy knowledge, cleerer than mine owne:
My thoughts un-thought, thou understandst afarre,
3
My path, my pallet, winnow'd with thy fan,And all my waies thy custome is to scan.
4
For in my tongue there teem's not any word,The breathlesse infant of my pregnant thought,
But loe, un-borne, thou know'st it wholly, Lord,
Though with the organs of my speech un-wrought:
5
Behind, before, thou hast beset me straight,And of thy hand upon me put the waight.
6
It is too wonderfull for me to know,To it[illeg.] cannot it is set so hie:
7
O, from thy spirit whither shall I goe?And whither shall I from thy presence flie?
8
If I ascend the Heavens, the Heavens thee beare;Make I my bed the Hell, loe thou art there.
9
Take I the early-rising mornings wings,And utmost seas my uncouth dwelling make,
10
Even thither me thy hand my leader brings,And thy right hand fast hold on me shall take:
11
Yet sure shall darknesse shrowd me, if I say,The night about me shall be light as day.
12
For light-lesse darknesse, darkneth not from thee,But as the day, before thee shines the night:
277
As darknesse is to thee, so is the light.
13
My reines are but the texture of thy loome.Thou coveredst me within my mothers wombe.
14
For casting me in such a covert mold,My praise shall of thy fearfull wonders tell;
How marvellous thy workes are to behold,
My soule cannot expresse, yet knowes right well.
15
No bone of mine from thee is hid to know,Though close embroidred in the earth below.
16
Thine eyes did on my shapelesse substance looke,And fram'd my members from a formlesse masse;
Each one of them is written in thy booke,
What day they formed were, when none there was.
17
How precious are, O God, thy thoughts to mee,Of their increase what mighty summes I see!
18
To number them, to number were the sand,As oft as I awake, I am with thee:
19
That thou, O God, wouldst slay the wicked band,And men of blouds: Depart ye all from mee:
20
Which speake of thee what mischiefe can devise,And, but lift up in vaine, thine enemies.
21
And doe not I, Lord, them that hate thee, hate,And grieve at those that up against thee rise,
As if with me thy haters held debate,
As if they me despis'd, that thee despise?
22
In hatreds full perfection them I hate,And in the number of my foes relate.
23
Search me, O God, my secret angles sound,And of my heart exactest knowledge take,
Examine mine intentions from their ground,
Of all my thoughts a perfect audit make.
See whether I in sorrowes by-path stray,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Psal. 140. Eripe me Domine.
Ad Præstantem, Psalmus Davidis.
1
The evill man, the violent,from me, O Lord, keep farre:
278
2
Whose heart on mischiefe wholly bent,they daily gather warre.
3
They, like a Serpent, whet their tongue,beneath their lips beare stings;
With Aspes fell poyson to be stung,
lesse deadly danger brings.
4
Lord, keep me from the wicked hand,and from the violent;
To thrust away my feet, which stand,
and study to prevent.
5
For me the proud have hid a snare,with cords wide spread a net:
Way-laid my path at un-aware,
their grins for me have set.
9
Thou to the Lord my God, I said,to heare this voice of mine,
A suitor to thy grace for aide,
thine eare, O Lord, encline.
7
Lord God my strength, my strength to lead,my saving health from harmes:
Thou sett'st the Helmet on my head,
upon the day of Armes.
8
Lord, wicked men encourage not,nor grant them their desire,
O further not his crafty plot,
lest further they aspire.
9
Upon my chiefest haters head,that compasse me about,
A covering of their lips to spread,
let mischiefe marke them out.
10
Let burning coales on them descend;hot fire on them let fall:
And into dungeons deep them send.
whence rise they never shall.
279
11
A man of tongue shall never growestablish't in the land:
But evill, to his overthrow,
shall hunt the griping hand.
12
I know, the Lord will Justice frame,the poore opprest to quit:
The Just shall sure confesse thy Name,
the right, before thee sit.
Psal. 141. Ad te, Domine.
Psalmus Davidis.
1
To this complaint, O Lord, of mine,thy speedy help apply:
Thine eare unto my voice encline,
when unto thee I cry.
2
As incense, let my praier be sent,and right before thee rise;
Let mine up-lifted palmes present
an evening sacrifice.
3
Set, Lord, a watch my mouth before,my wandring tongue to tie;
And of my lips keep fast the doore,
whence words have wings to flie.
4
To evill further not my heart,pretences to pretend:
Their dainties let me eate no part,
whom wicked deeds commend.
5
But smite me, let the Just in love,his hand up-lifted lights;
Compassions his reprovings prove,
his Mawle in mercy smites.
Such balme (none such the wicked powre)
shall never breake mine head:
280
my praier for them shall plead.
6
Their Judges, though by hands of rockes,lie fell'd beneath our feet,
To heare my sayings, swarme by flockes,
for they are pleasing sweet.
7
Our scattred bones together put,the mouth of Hell receives,
As stone on earth from Quarry cut,
as chips the cleaver cleaves.
8
But unto thee, O God the Lord,mine eyes attendant looke,
When help thou wilt my hopes afford,
leave not my soule forsooke.
9
Preserve me from the handed-snare,which they for me have laid,
And grins, for which their wicked care,
with cost and paine hath paid.
10
But let the wicked downe be cast,his toile his taker be:
While I, together over-past,
his fall, my safety see.
Psal. 142. Voce mea ad Dominum.
Maschil Davidis, cùm esset in spelunca, oratio.
1
My voyce, up to the Lord, I strain'd,and shew'd my wofull case;
My voyce, unto the Lord complain'd,
and humbly su'd for grace.
2
My meditation I prepar'd,before him to expresse;
Before his face, have I declar'd,
and powr'd out my distresse.
281
3
When, sunk my spirit within me lay,my path then didst thou know;
A snare to walk on, in my way,
they closely did bestow.
4
On my right hand I lookt, and saw,to know me there was none:
All refuge did from me withdraw;
to seeke my soule, not one.
5
To thee, ô Lord, I cry'd, and said,to thee my hopes arrive;
My lot before me thou hast lay'd,
the land of them that live.
6
Consider my complaint, to thee,attend my low-brought cry:
From my pursuers rescue me,
they stronger are than I.
7
My soule out of close prison bring,I shall confesse thy Name;
The just about me in a ring,
thy bountie shall proclaime.
Psal. 143. Deus exaudi.
Psalmus Davidis.
1
Heare, Lord, my prayer, my suits entend,which I for grace to thee,
And to thy faithfulnesse commend,
in justice answer me!
2
And enter not by judgements right,thy servants sins to sound;
For justifi'd shall in thy sight,
not one that lives be found.
3
My soule, is by my foe pursu'd,my life, to earth, lies smit:
282
in darknesse set, to sit.
4
My spirit, within me spent, hath leftmy understanding craz'd:
My troubled heart, of rest bereft,
amidst me lyes amaz'd.
5
I call to mind the daies of old,on all thy worke I muse;
Thy deeds my serious thoughts behold,
what passe thy hands peruse.
6
To thee I stretch forth either hand,thy help to entertaine:
My soule for thee, as weary land,
thirsts after welcome raine.
7
Haste Lord and heare, my spirit is done,hide not thy face from me:
Like them that downe the pit are gone,
lest else made soon I be.
8
Thy morning mercy make me heare,in thee I trust, to mee
The way I am to walke make cleere,
I list my soule to thee.
9
From my pursuing enemies,O Lord, deliver me:
That where my safeties shelter lies,
for covert flie to thee.
10
Thou art my God, to doe thy will,O make me understand,
To guide me, thy good Spirit instill,
where right commands the land.
11
And for that Names sake of thine owne,thou, Lord, shalt quicken mee:
As for thy Justice thou art knowne,
my soule from pressure free.
283
12
Against my foes thy power employ,make strong thy Mercies arme:
My soules distressors all destroy,
that me thy servant harme.
Psal. 144. Benedictus Dominus.
Davidis.
1
Blest be the Lord, my Rocke of Might,my Fortresse, never farre:
By whom my hands are taught to fight,
my fingers fram'd for warre.
2
My Mercy, my strong Hold, my Towre,my Saviour, and my Shield:
In whom I trust, and by whose power,
to me my people yeeld.
3
Lord, what is man, that thy respect,to know him, takes such care?
Why on the sons of man reflect,
and reckon what they are?
4
Man is of vanity a masse,made up, on earth to creep;
Whose daies, as slides the shadow, passe
to death, the house of sleep.
5
Thy Heav'ns, O Lord, bow and come downe,with tempests warning stroke;
And with thy clouds, the Mountaines crowne,
but touch, and they shall smoake.
6
Lighten thy lightnings fi'ry darts,to scatter them withall:
Send home thine arrowes to their hearts,
and, troubled, make them fall.
7
Thy saving hand send from on hie,for my deliverance stand:
284
freed from strange childrens hand.
8
Whose mouth of vanitie the mold,dissembles in their stile:
On falshood, whose right hand takes hold,
a right hand full of guile.
9
To thee, O God, prepare will I,a new-set song to sing,
On ten-string'd Lute and Psalterie,
with sound of voice and string.
10
His gift it is whereby Kings stand,salvation that they have;
Doth from the sword in mischiefes hand,
his servant David save.
11
Release me from strange childrens hand,whose mouth the mint of lies;
Whose right hand, right hand is to band,
and vent vaine forgeries.
12
Which say, “Our sons young plants shall grow;the daughters we beget,
Like polish't angles on a row,
in Royall Palace set.
13
That yeelding sorts of meats and meats.our Garners never cease:
Our flockes bring thousands in our streets,
ten thousands of encrease.
14
Our Oxen fed, to labour stout,the burthen, strong to beare:
No breaking in, none going out,
our streets no clamour heare.
15
O blessed people! (people say)with goods, not goodnesse stor'd:
O, rather blessed people they,
whose good is God the Lord.
285
Psal. 145. Exaltabo te, Deus.
Tehillah υχαειστιχος Davidis.
1
Advance thy praise, my King, O God, will I,and I will blesse thy Name perpetually:
2
Blessing thee every day will I dispend,to praise thy Name my song shall never end.
3
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be prais'd,and to his greatnesse can no search be rais'd.
4
Deeds done by thee shall age to age commend,to shew thy powers, posterities contend.
5
How beauteous is thy glorious Majestie,words of thy marvells meditate will I.
6
Whose dreadfull power to speak they shall not spare,as for thy greatnesse, that will I declare.
7
Summes of thy goodnesse shall mens minds employ,to sing thy Justice, they shall shout for joy.
8
How full of grace with pity how repleatthe Lord! long-suffring, and in mercy great.
9
To all, the Lord his goodnesse sendeth downe,and all his workes his tender mercies crowne.
10
In praising thee, Lord, all thy workes confesse,and (blest in being thine) thy Saints thee blesse.
11
Cleere glory of thy Kingdome they shall tell,and with thy glory speake what power doth dwell.
12
Let Adams children know his mighty hand,his Kingdomes comely honour understand
13
Measure of time thy Kingdomes raigne transcends,and thy Dominion age and age extends.
14
Sustainer is the Lord of all that fall,and them that crooked are, erecteth all.
15
Intent on thee their eyes all creatures bend,and thou, in time to them their meat dost send.
16
Plentifully, with open hand, at will,each living things desire thou dost fulfill.
17
So just the Lord in all the waies he goes,so mercifull in all the workes he does.
18
Callers on him to all the Lord is me,to all that call upon him faithfully.
19
Requests all granted, shall his fearers have,286
20
So all that love him, will the Lord sustaine;and of the wicked, let not one remaine.
21
To praise the Lord, my mouth a song shall frame,all flesh for ever blesse his holy Name.
Psal. 146. Lauda anima mea Dominum.
Halelu-jah.
1
O praise the Lord, my soule, as longas life (Lord) lends me daies:
2
Thy praise (while I!) shall be my song,my God, to sing thy praise.
3
In Princes, and in Adams son,whose substance is but dust,
With whom is no salvation,
repose no settled trust.
4
Who, when his prisoned spirit goes forth,turnes to his earth againe:
That day his thoughts are nothing worth
he travell'd with in paine.
5
O happy he, that hath fore-laid,to be his strong abode,
The God of Jacob for his aide,
his hope, the Lord his God.
6
Which made the heav'ns, the earth, the deeps,and what they all containe:
His promise faithfully who keeps,
for ever to remaine.
7
Which judgeth those that suffer wrong,gives to the hungry bread:
The Lord from chaines and fetters strong,
sets loose the captive head.
8
The Lord gives light to lightlesse eies,restores the blind to sight:
287
the Lord the Just loves right.
9
The Lord keeps strangers from distresse,of Orphans is the stay:
Relieves the widow comfortlesse,
subverts the wicked way.
10
The Lord, upon his Royall Throneeternally shall raigne;
Thy God, O Sion, King alone,
shall age and age remaine.
Psal. 147. Laudate Dominum.
1
Praise God, for it is good to sing,a song of praise is sweet:
To praise our God a pleasant thing,
his praise, a practice meet.
2
Of his Jerusalem the walls,the Lord builds up againe;
The scattred out-casts home recalls,
His Israels remaine.
3
His hand the broken-hearted heales,their depth of sorrow sounds:
Safe medicine for their sicknesse deales,
binds up their bleeding wounds.
4
The number of the Starres he tells,and gives them names expresse:
5
Great is the Lord, his Power excells,his Prudence numberlesse.
6
The Lord lifts-up the meeke on wings,to base oppression thrust;
But head-long downe the wicked flings,
and drownes their pomp in dust.
288
7
O sing unto the Lord with praise,with praise of voice and string;
High to the Harp our voices raise,
Psalmes to our God to sing.
8
Which covereth Heav'ns with clouds, belowfor earth prepares the raine;
On Mountaines cliffes makes grasse to grow,
as on the Meadowie-plaine.
9
Which to the Nation of the beast,their feeding doth supply;
And gives the sons of Ravens a feast,
when they for hunger cry.
10
He takes no pleasure in the might,and mannage of the Horse;
Nor in the legges of man delight,
supporters of his force.
11
The Lords delight is on them set,that on his feare depend:
That to his Mercy seeke to get,
whereon their hopes attend.
12
O Salem, laud the Lord Most-Hie,Sion, thy God confesse:
13
For he thy gates doth fortifie,thy sons within thee, blesse.
14
He in thy border settleth peace,from feare of hostile hand:
With kidnies fat of wheats increase,
he loads thy labour'd land.
15
The earth his blessings doth afford,at his commanding will;
And very swiftly runs his Word,
his Precept to fulfill.
16
He from his clouds, with scattring gale,like lockes of wooll gives snow;
289
hoare-frosts, like ashes, strow.
17
His ice, like morsels, forth he casts,to bind the streames in bands:
Before his cold-congealing blasts,
who stands, that them withstands?
18
He sends his Word, that wills them melt,his South-wind bids to blow;
Whose thawing breath no sooner felt,
the frozen waters flow.
19
His Word of truth, whereon to trust,to Jacob hath he told:
His Statutes and his Judgements just,
taught Israel to hold.
20
He hath not so in any case,with any Nation dealt;
Nor with like knowledge of his grace,
his Judgements have they felt.
Halelu-jah.
Psal. 148. Laudate Dominum.
Halelu-jah.
1
Ye Quiristers of Heavenly Quire,to praise the Lord Most-Hie,
From Heaven, whereto our Hymnes aspire,
confesse him from on hie.
2
Ye Angels all, that in a ring,about his Throne attend:
His praise in heavenly consort sing,
him all his Hosts commend.
3
O Sun, the Soveraigne of the day,and Moone, the Queen of night;
290
with all the Starres of light.
4
Ye Heavens of Heavens, confesse him all,about your Spheres that move:
From Aire's mid-region, ye that fall,
cold waters from above.
5
To praise the Name of God the Lord,their part each creature beare:
For his Commandment gave the word,
and they created were.
6
Their Order, and eternall Round,by him establish't was;
His Law, their limits certaine bound,
they have no power to passe.
7
Dragons and Whales, your deepest note,to praise the Lord compose;
That range in Soiles or Seas remote,
his praise all Deeps disclose.
8
Fire, Haile, Snow, Vapour, stormy Wind,his ministers at hand;
To burne, to bruise, to lose, to bind,
to doe his Words command.
9
Mountaines, Hills, Desert, or in Field,Trees, free-growne, planted; all,
As well that fruit by culture yeeld,
as Laric-Cedars tall.
10
Wild Beast, that Cave or Covert keeps,all Cattell, every thing,
On mother-earth as well that creeps,
as aire-cut Fowle of wing.
11
Kings great on earth, to Soveraigne's-Great,all Subjects that belong:
Princes, and all on Judgements Seat,
that judge Earths right and wrong.
291
12
Young Men and Maidens, whose fresh flow'rsof youth begin to bloome:
Old Men and Children, whose best powers
are past, or yet to come.
13
The Lords Name let them praise, for hiehis Name is rais'd alone;
Above the earth his Majestie,
above the Heavens his Throne.
14
And he hath rais'd his peoples Horne,a praise his Saints hold deare;
Of Israel the children borne,
a Nation to him neere.
Psal. 149. Cantate Domino.
Halelu-jah.
1
Sing to the Lord a new-set song,un-heard in former daies:
His Saints assemblies sing among,
and celebrate his praise.
2
With joy his Makers praise to sing,let Israel make choice;
As loyall Subjects to their King;
let Sions sons rejoyce.
3
To praise his Name with Flute and Dance,his praise in consort sing,
With Timbrels touch his praise advance,
with Hymnes and Harps sweet string.
4
The Lord is with his people pleas'd,the meeke in heart cast downe,
With his Salvations beauty eas'd,
with glorious Wreath to crowne.
5
In glory let the Saints rejoyce,in holy company;
292
as on their beds they lye.
6
Of Gods high praises, let the wordwithin their throat resound;
And in their hand a two-mouth'd sword,
on each side sharp, be found.
7
The Heath'ns with vengeance to pursue,with pride, that so did swell:
The Nations, with reprovings due,
to checke, when they rebell.
8
To bind their Kings in captive chaines,and leave their Hosts no head:
Their Nobles, with their lordly traines,
in iron bolts to lead.
9
To execute the Judgement writ,upon them every one:
Such honour as doth best befit,
to all his Saints be done.
Halelu-jah.
Psal. 150. Laudate Dominum.
Halelu-jah.
1
O praise God in his Holinesse,his firmament of might:
2
His powers, his greatnesse numberlesse,with boundlesse praise recite.
3
His praise let sound of Trumpet ring,praise him with Lure and Lyre:
4
Praise him with Tymbrel, Flute, and String,with Organ fill the Quire.
5
Praise him with Cymbals sounding shrill,his praises great record:
293
“Let all breath praise the Lord.
Psal. 151. Ex Additione Apollinarii.
1
Of all my brethren, I (the least)my Harp and Song assai'd;
And while my flocke was at their feast,
to feast their Master plai'd.
2
Such happinesse have Shepheards crew,that know no further care:
How happy were they, if they knew,
how happy men they are!
3
That common not, where clamours dwell,nor covet but their owne;
Nor to their Betters knowne too well,
dye to themselves unknowne.
4
But ah, my Shepherds fare, farewell,farewell my flocke of sheep;
My little flocke, who kept you well,
must you no longer keep.
5
Yet Harp and Song, that Shepherd sings,to whom the Muse is given,
May change a straine, and sing of Kings,
may sing the King of Heaven.
6
Say then, what Angel came to callHeavens Champion forth to fight,
Against Heavens foe, and in his fall
put all his Host to flight?
7
A man of Gath, an Infidell,with him, at handy-strokes,
294
a Combatant provokes.
8
His limbes were vast, and ample nerv'd,his weapons not a few:
His sword and shield, the Saint he serv'd,
his Idols serv'd for shew.
9
My Brethren valiant were and strong,but God had not decreed,
To them the glory should belong,
of this Heaven-sorted deed.
10
God gave me courage to confoundthis crest-swolne Pythons power;
To batter downe, and bring to ground
this cloud-threat Babel Tower.
11
Full forty dayes this Behemoth came,to our hearts griefe to heare,
Blaspheming Gods Almighty Name.
Like Weavers beame, his Speare.
12
No Speare brought I, nor Bow, nor Bill,of Armour use had none:
To charge a Sling I had some skill,
and thence discharge a stone.
13
Wherewith, if right his Murrion sit,may I but see his face,
My thunder-handed bolt shall hit
the destin'd speeding-place.
14
Enrag'd, mine eldest brother cri'd,This fight com'st thou to see?
Avant, proud Boy: I soon repli'd,
Is here no cause for mee?
15
More calm King Saul: My heart (holds) good,yeeres (doubts) too few, in truth:
Gath flesh't in battels, broiles, and blood,
a kill-man from his youth.
295
16
But I, What is he more than man?Let no mans heart (said) saile:
Against six cubits and a span,
shall not Heavens Arme prevaile?
17
A Lion and a Beare surpriz'd,and slaine my right hand hath:
This Philistine uncircumcis'd,
What is this man of Gath?
18
Comes Gath to shed our bloud for spoile,as wine-presse sheds the grape?
Or doth his Ekrons hungry soile,
for Judah's Cities gape?
19
With him to deale doe I desire,these Rephaims force to feele:
Although his hands were hands of fire,
or gads of burning steele.
20
The Lion and the Beare for might,were much the better part:
But man to man is equall fight,
the odds is in the heart.
21
Admit with sithe he mowe his beard,with harrow rake his head:
His Lance be like a maine-mast rear'd,
an iron racke his bed!
22
I bring to field (and God before)as many hands as he:
A better cause, and courage more,
and these are Armes for me.
23
The iron he is wont to weare,who blames me to refuse?
As much perhaps as I can beare,
much more than he can use.
24
He comes to me with Sword and Shield,with steel'd-head Speare in hand;
296
that Armies can command.
25
Then he, thy dreame-beleeving boasts,old Jesse's beardlesse sonne:
Thine Host, thine Hosts, Lord God of Hosts,
accurs'd be all, as one:
26
What honour shall my Combate gaine,with Shepherd Rivall shar'd:
Of thee, when men shall say (though slaine)
yet this was he that dar'd.
27
The only man of all his Host,so often urg'd thereto:
What none durst doe, who durst doe most,
that undertooke to doe.
28
That dar'd with one, that did excell,encounter hand to hand:
In which encounter though he fell,
he fell, where none durst stand.
29
Thy glory will be easie bought,a deathlesse victorie,
With me fit match, but to be thought,
though purchas't with to die.
30
Give me a man, my equall match,where like proportion lies:
With Flies men may not Eagles catch,
and Eagles catch no Flies.
31
Ye Reeds of Judah, raise high wind,and Trumpet loud of warre:
But we by proofe, asunder find,
your sound and substance farre.
32
Why, Race of leaves? why, shades on wall,why should your female feare,
Since fall ye must, refuse to fall
by great Pelesheths speare?
297
33
By us to have been overcome,what losse shall ye sustaine?
Sometime to have been lost, to some
hath prov'd the loosers gaine.
34
Yeeld us your Lords, and home returne,possesse your daies in peace:
With sword, incense not fire to burne,
thy Braves, Ben-Jesse, cease.
35
Five thousand shekels weight of brasse,my coat of Maile out-weighes:
Six hundred iron shekels masse,
upon my speare-pile playes.
36
Beneath this weight thou scarce canst stand,scarce this bare burthen beare:
But much more heavie my right hand,
dye, ere thou feele, for feare.
37
Adde then my Helm, Sword, Shield, & Lance,a second load alone,
Too bigge for thee but to advance,
Brat, with thy feeble bone!
38
Thou hast three brethren arm'd in field,were all your strength in one;
All foure could not one Anak yeeld,
to combat me alone.
39
More blest hadst thou abode at home,and serv'd thy fathers slaves,
Than, Wretch, with me to cope have come,
as to a dogge with staves.
40
In scorne, my sword is stain'd with none,before my wroth be whet:
Now scorne and anger joyne in one,
what rage shall both beget?
41
Thy bowels, and white-marrow'd bones,shall therefore wild beasts eate:
298
shall be the Vultures meat.
42
What help! I had no reaching dart,no tackling, but a thong:
A sling my weapon; but a heart
above all weapon, strong.
43
Thy railing challenge speakes thee base,in termes blasphemous flung:
Nor suits it with a souldiers grace,
to be so: ranke of tongue.
44
A Lions head (Foole) can out-beardan host of heartlesse Hinds:
The greatest men (is often heard)
beare not the greatest minds.
45
Thy Helme and Target trust thou not,with those unwieldy thighes:
The compleat-arm'd Rhinocerot,
looke where he falls, he lies.
46
Thine Armours load, but laggs faint heart,for flight the more unfit:
The bigger man thou art, thou art
the bigger marke to hit.
47
Thou hast not soule enough to cramme,that Carricks every chinke:
The hugest Hulke that ever swamme,
a small sprung leake may sinke.
48
When Aire and Water fall to myre,the purest from to fall,
The soule of Elements, the fire,
is spher'd above them all.
49
No sparke of that Ethereall flame,inspir'd thine earth-borne birth:
As from the earth thy Chaos came,
thou hast a soule of earth.
299
50
As earth, thy mother groan'd in paine,when she thy burthen gave:
Thy breath, between thy teeth constraine,
and groaning gnaw thy grave.
51
But most, to make thy quarrell good,must grounded cause be given:
Thy vantage is but flesh and bloud,
mine is the hand of Heaven.
52
What fury forc't thee on these pikes,forlorne attempt to give?
“At Heaven who strikes, himselfe he strikes,
and hath not long to live.
53
Of five, I chose one pibble round,that levell flew as line;
And in his fore-head sunke a wound;
Thou hast it, Philistine!
54
Now, for mine owne I can thee claime!“To Ida's faire-ey'd Swaine,
“The Delian gave not so good aime,
“when Thetis son was slaine.
55
God, even our God, of Mighties most,whom thou revild'st this day,
By me, the meanest of his Host,
hath sent thee death for pay.
56
His sword then drew I from his side,and groveling on the land,
As he the living God defi'd,
at once, with either hand,
57
His head I from his shoulders strooke,there our Colossus fell;
So this reproach Ben-Jesse tooke
from honour'd Israel.
58
Thou, Vale of Elah, saw'st this fight,that cost Goliaths head:
300
when lost Pelesheth fled.
59
Ye neighbour Groves, and ecchoing Trees,heard Gath on Dagon call:
Proud Ashteroth, beneath our knees,
saw Ekrons Idols fall.
60
For joy let Judah shout to God,while Gath and Ekron howle;
My soule a valiant march hath trod,
a valiant march my soule.
Finis Libri quinti.
| The Psalmes of David | |