XVII.
1
Give eare, O Lord; regaird the right;
Vnto my cry attend;
Give eare, for vnto thee my suit
From lips vnfaind I send.
2
Wouchaise furth from before thy face,
My sentence may proceid;
O lett thyne eyes behold and grant
What equitie doeth plead.
3
My hart thow prov'd, me visited
By night, didst tryall send,
Bot nothing shallt thow fynd; I mynde
My mouth sall not offend.
4
Concerning lawles practises
Of men, thy lips' pure word
Preservs, by thee, destroyar's path
That I do not debord.
5
Stay in thy pathes my steps, that fast
6
My feet may stand. 6. To thee
I call, for thow wilt hear, O God;
Encline thine eare to me;
7
Heare my complaint. 7. Thow, (whose right hand
To save ym is not slow
That in thee trust, from cruell foes),
Thy wondrous mercy show.
8
Me as the apple of thyn eye,
Secure on evrie syd.
9
Beneath the shaddow of thy wings
Me from th' vngodlie hyd,
My proud oppressours, mortall foes,
Who are around me layd;
10
Encloisde wt their oune fatt, whose mouths
Most boldlie me vpbraid.
11
Our footsteps now they compast haue,
And sett on ws ther eyes,
12
Close crouching to the ground, 12. as when
At wait a lyon lyes,
When eagerlie vpon his prey
To rush is his intent;
Or, in darne parts, as lyons' whelps
Lurk, when to ravin bent.
13
Vp, Lord, prevent him; cast him doun.
From wicked men, thy sword,
14
My soule deliuer thow. 14. from men,
Which are thy hand, O Lord;
From men, such of this world as are,
Who in this lyff receaue
Ther portion; and ther bellies fild
With thy hidd treasures haue.
In children who abounding be,
And carefullie provyde
That what they leaue ther babs may brook,
Quhich after them abide.
15
Bot as for me, in righteousnes,
Lord, I thy face shall sie,
When as awak'd, the liknesse shall
Me fully satisfie.
