The Poetry of Robert Burns :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson

Burns, Robert (1759-1796)

III.

IV.

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O, sing a new song to the Lord!
Make, all and every one,
A joyful noise, ev'n for the King
His restoration!

163

The sons of Belial in the land
Did set their heads together.
‘Come, let us sweep them off,’ said they,
‘Like an o'erflowing river!’

They set their heads together, I say,
They set their heads together:
On right, and left, and every hand,
We saw none to deliver.

Thou madest strong two chosen ones,
To quell the Wicked's pride:
That Young Man, great in Issachar,
The burden-bearing tribe;

And him, among the Princes, chief
In our Jerusalem,
The Judge that's mighty in Thy law,
The man that fears Thy name.

Yet they, even they with all their strength,
Began to faint and fail;
Even as two howling, rav'ning wolves
To dogs do turn their tail.

164

Th'ungodly o'er the just prevail'd;
For so Thou hadst appointed,
That Thou might'st greater glory give
Unto Thine own anointed!

And now Thou hast restored our State,
Pity our Kirk also;
For she by tribulations
Is now brought very low!

Consume that high-place, Patronage,
From off Thy holy hill;
And in Thy fury burn the book
Even of that man M'Gill!

Now hear our prayer, accept our song,
And fight Thy chosen's battle!
We seek but little, Lord, from Thee:
Thou kens we get as little!