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] |
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| III. |
| IIII. |
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Psal. 119. Beati immaculati.
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 | The Psalmes of David |  |
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.
| The Psalmes of David | |