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The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan

Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary by William Tough

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 XLII. 
 XLIII. 
 XLIV. 
 XLV. 
 XLVI. 
 XLVII. 
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 XLIX. 
 L. 
 LI. 
 C. 
 CI. 
 CII. 
 CIII. 
 CIV. 
 CV. 
 CVI. 
 CVII. 
CVII.
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 CIX. 
 CX. 
 CXI. 
 CXII. 
 CXIII. 
 CXIV. 
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 CXVII. 
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 CXIX. 
 CXX. 
 CXXI. 
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 CXXIV. 
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 CXXVI. 
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 CXXIX. 
 CXXX. 
 CXXXI. 
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 CXL. 
 CXLI. 
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 CXLVI. 
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 CXLIX. 
 CL. 

CVII.

Begin̄ing the 5 booke of the psalmes.

1

Giue thanks to God, for hee is good,
His mercie lasts for ay.

2

This the redeem'd ones of the Lord,
(From foes sett free,) may say;

3

From east, west, south and north, whom hee
Did gather from all bounds,

4

Whil wand'ring in the wildernes,
Through waist and wayles grounds.

5

No citie found they where to duell;
With thrist and hunger faint

6

Their soules did fail. Then with their straits
The Lord they did acquent.

7

The Lord from their distresse them fred,
And led them in the way,
That thus sett right, they might fynd out
A citty for their stay.

8

Oh, for the bountyes of the Lord
That men wold thankfull prove;
To prayse him, that his wondrous works
The sonns of men wold move!

164

9

For hee the thristie soule doth slaike,
And satisfy at will;
Yea, evin the soule with hunger faint,
With goodnes hee doth fill.

10

Who duell in darknes, in death's shade,
With Irnes and anguisch bound,

11

Becaus against the word of God
Rebellious they wer found;

12

Yea, did the highest's counsell scorne,
Hee therfor did bring low
Their harts with labour. They fell doun
Bot none did help bestow.

13

Then when with straits besett about,
Vnto the Lord they cry,
The Lord from their distresses all
Releev'd them by and by.

14

From darknes, from the shade of death,
His hand them furth did take;
And to their fetters offring force,
Asunder them did shaike.

15

Oh, for the bounties of the Lord,
That men wold thankfull prove;
To praise him, that his wondrous works
The sonns of men wold move!

16

For Hee the gates of brasse most strong,
Hath brust and brocken all;
And, by his might, the barrs of irne
Ar cut in peeces small.

17

For their transgressions, for their sins,
Fooles ar afflicted sore.

18

All food their souls abhorre; death's gates
(Straight) are they brought before.

165

19

To God then cry they in distresse,
From straits hee setts them free;

20

His word hee sends, and they, restored,
Destruction's stroke do flee.

21

Oh, for the bountyes of the Lord,
That men wold thankfull prove;
To praise Him, that his wondrous works
The sonns of men wold move!

22

The sacrifice of solem̄e thanks
To God lett them present,
And with rejoiceing heart, his works
Of might and mercy vent.

23

They that in schipps do seas discend,
And on proud wavs persew

24

Their trade, God's works and wondrous acts,
Amidst the deeps do view.

25

Hee speeks, and streght tempestuous stormes
Of wynds his word obey,
Which swelling surges lift aloft,
That none bot hee can lay.

26

To heavins heav'd vp, thence dive they doun,
Discouering deeps profound;
Their melting soules, amidst these straits,
Wnwsuall fears confound.

27

As one in drink, in stag'ring state,
They totter to and fro,
And to ther witt's end broght, no more
Do skill nor courage show.

28

While straited thus in thes extreams,
Wnto the Lord they cry;
The Lord from their distresses all
Releeus them by and by.

166

29

The storme he calms and, (waves represt,)
Sea's angrie face maks eavin,

30

And brings them glade, (the tempest stild,)
To their desyred heawen.

31

Oh, for the bounty of the Lord,
That men wold thankfull prove;
To praise Him, that his wondrous works
The sonns of men wold moue!

32

O, let them 'mongst the multitude
Exalt his holy name;
And, when the elders are conveen'd,
His prayse aloud proclame.

33

Rivers a desart, water springs
Dry land the Lord doth make;

34

The fruitfull land a barrennesse,
For leud possessors' sake.

35

The wildirnes in standing lakes,
Dry ground in water springs

36

He turns, and (there) that they may duell,
The hungrie hither brings.
A duelling citie they prepare,
More safelie where to live.

37

The feilds they saw, and vine yairds plant,
Which friuchfull encrease giue.

38

Hee blesseth them, and multiply'd
(Thus) ar they in excesse.
Yea, for their cattell Hee doth care,
That they do not decrease.

39

Againe diminished they are,
And suddenlie brought low;
Constrain'd to beare oppression,
Calamitie and woe.

167

40

Contempt Hee, at his pleasour, pours
On pow'rs that scepters swey;
And, in a wayles wildernes,
Hee causeth them to stray.

41

Yet, from affliction Hee doth raise
The poore, borne doun with neid;
And, as a standing flock doth make
Their families to spread.

42

The man that righteousnes persews
Shall thus, (rejoiceing,) sie;
And all iniquity shall stop
Her mouth, and silenc'd bee.

43

Who prudent is, who, (wiselie way'd,)
To hart doth thes things lay,
The loving kindnes of the Lord
That wnderstand they may.