Psalm CXL. Eripe me Domine ab, &c.
I
Lord, from the evil man my life defend,
Nor let his Treasons, or his violence,
His open force, or close pretence,
Work ill to him, who do's on Thee depend!
His thoughts Thou know'st are ever set on Warr,
And now to give me battle ralli'd are.
II
Instead of sword he sharpens a false tongue,
More venemous than that, which serpents bear;
The poyson from an Adders spear,
Wounds not so mortally, nor kills so long:
O, by Thy Power may I his plots withstand,
For if his tongue's thus cruel, what's his hand?
III
The ginns are lai'd, and all the toiles are set,
They are resolv'd my Footsteps to o'rethrow;
And where they guess I needs must go,
In the mid-way the proud have spread their net;
“Most Holy Lord, Thou art my God, I said,
“And now's Thy time to help, since I have pray'd!
IV
When thousand dangers had begirt me round,
And all my Foes were ready in the field,
Thou wer't my helmet, and my shield,
And sav'dst that head, which Thou before hadst crown'd:
May the desires of all the Wicked fail,
Lest when I slip, they think their hand prevail!
V
Let them not by my ruin higher rise,
And judge by the success their cause is good!
But stain their swords with their own blood,
And be aveng'd on Thy false Enemies!
Let burning coals fall on them in Thine Ire,
And let their own lips help to blow the Fire!
VI
Then throw them down into the Flame, nor more,
Unless it be to Judgement, may they rise!
And after bear fresh miseries,
Sharper than all, which they endur'd before!
Let vengeance hunt the violent man to' his grave,
And so much earth may he for 'his portion have!
VII
I know the Lord will to the poor do right,
And plead Himself, as well as judge their cause,
Trying them by such equal laws,
That their clear'd Innocence shall look more bright!
So that the Righteous on their God shall stay,
And in His sight enjoy Eternal Day.
