A paraphrase upon the psalms of David By Sam. Woodford |
 |
 | 1. |
| 2. | THE SECOND BOOK OF PSALMS. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIV. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIV. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
| LVII. |
| LVIII. |
| LIX. |
| LX. |
| LXI. |
| LXII. |
| LXIII. |
| LXIV. |
| LXV. |
| LXVI. |
| LXVII. |
| LXVIII. |
| LXIX. |
| LXX. |
| LXXI. |
| LXXII. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
 | A paraphrase upon the psalms of David |  |
111
THE SECOND BOOK OF PSALMS.
Psalm XLII. Quemadmodum desiderat, &c.
I
Look as the Hart by dogs and men pursu'd,(Seeing his heels betray their flight,
When he of both had lost the sight)
Pants for the streams, and takes at last the flood,
With hopes by changing thus the Element,
To cool his heat, and in its streams to drown the scent:
II
After my God so pants my chased Soul,My Soul so thirsts for Thee, my King;
When wilt Thou me to Sion bring,
Where I may serve Thee, Lord, without controll?
Thou know'st my grief, how tears have been my food,
When my insulting Foes have cry'd, “Now where's your God?
III
I grieve, but when I think the time will comeThat I shall to Thy Temple go,
And on my Harp Thy wonders show,
How I again in triumph shall come home,
These happy thoughts dispell my darkest fears,
And what grief did before, my joy dissolves in tears.
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IV
Why art Thou troubled Soul, and restless grown,As if forgotten, through despair,
As if Thy God had left His care,
And lower, than indeed Thou art cast down?
Trust in Him still, for Thou His Name shalt praise,
And whom His absence has depress'd, His sight shall raise!
V
Down to the Earth my troubled Soul is cast,Yet will I Lord remember Thee;
The whole World is Thy Royalty,
Missar, and Hermon part of Zions Waste;
Whither from thence my eyes delight to stray,
And though they cannot see it, love to gaze that way.
VI
Deeps upon Deeps in lowder tempests call,The Seas above to them below,
Together o're my head they go,
And on they bid the conquering billows fall,
In troops they come, as to divide the prey,
And hollow to their fellow waves to haste away.
VII
Fall on proud waves, on me spend all your rage,I can withstand your roughest shock,
Fall on, and break against this Rock,
Which dares your pride, and for me do's engage!
My God will still your noyse, your fury lay,
And change this dismal night into a glorious day.
IX
But where's my God, that I to him may sing?Let me not ever suffer thus,
But to me be propitious,
Break forth, O Sun, and healing with Thee bring!
113
When my insulting foes say daily, “Where's your God.
IX
Why art Thou troubled Soul, and restless grown,As if forgotten, through despair,
As if Thy God had left his Care,
And lower, than indeed Thou art, cast down?
Trust in Him still, for Thou His Name shalt praise,
And whom His absence has depress'd, His sight shall raise!
114
Psalm XLIII. Judica me Deus & discerne, &c.
I
Thou, who art Judge of all the World, be mine:Be both my Judge, and Advocate
My Cause both sentence, and debate,
And let the issue prove that I am Thine:
From the deceitfull Man deliver mee,
Others he may deceive, but ne're impose on Thee!
II
Thou art my strength, and on Thee I rely;Why do's my God this distance keep,
Whil'st I ly buryed in the Deep,
And only with my sighs can upward fly?
Pitty my Darkness, Lord, dispell this night,
And from Thy sacred Hill send forth Thy Truth and Light!
III
That glorious Light, which may direct my way,And where Thou always art, bring mee;
That we may still together bee,
In Sion where Thy Presence makes it day:
Then with my Harp I'll to Thy Altar go,
And, what above shall never cease, begin below.
IV
Why art Thou troubled, Soul, and restless grown,As if forgotten, through despair,
As if Thy God had left His care,
And lower, than indeed Thou art, cast down?
Trust in Him still, for Thou His Name shalt praise,
And whom His absence has depress'd, His sight shall raise.
115
Psalm XLIV. Deus auribus nostris audivimus, &c.
I
Great God, we oft have heard our Fathers tellThe Mighty works which Thou of old hast done,
When to make room for them, where they might dwell,
And in a Land of thine own choice sit down,
The Natives by Thy hand were overthrown;
How Egypt at Thy Signs admiring stood,
And thinking to pursue, were drown'd i'th' flood.
II
'Twas not their Bow or Sword, which forc'd their way,Nor the weak aids their helpless arms could bring;
But Thou, whose Word the Sacred Hosts obey,
Made'st certain Victory attend their string,
And as their arrows flew, direct her wing:
Thy Light and Favour was their Arms and Guide,
And when they fought, to conquer Thou did'st ride.
III
May'st Thou again do thus, who art Our King!And new deliv'rance for their Seed command;
Thou only canst such great Salvation bring,
As may again return us to Our Land,
And make us on our Enemies necks to stand:
And when Thy Power Thou on our side shalt show,
And beat them down, through Thee wee'll keep them so.
IV
“Twas not our Bow, or Sword that helpt, wee'll say,“Nor those weak aids our useless Arms did bring;
“But He whose Word the Sacred Hosts obey,
“Made certain Victory attend our string,
“And as our arrows flew, direct her wing:
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“And His great Praise for ever wee'll proclaim.
V
But we, alas, not they, are forc'd to fly,Since Thou, who lead'st our Armies out of old,
Art now become Thy self an Enemy,
And make'st them more successfull grow, and bold,
That what with wrong they got, by force they hold:
Like one great flock of Sheep, we scatt'red are,
And wolves devour those, whom the Shambles spare.
VI
We openly are sold, but 'tis for nought;Nor do's Thy treasure by our sale encrease;
By those, who hate us we for slaves are bought,
Nor by our miseries do's their fury cease,
But wee in Warr less suff'red than in Peace:
A shame, reproach, and proverb, wee are made,
In scorn to hands, which were of ours afraid.
VII
'Tis not our disappointments, and disgraceThat are the only causes of our shame;
Not these alone with blushes fill our face,
But the sad thoughts that Thou should'st bear our blame,
And have expos'd with us Thy Sacred Name:
For what's our own we could with Patience bear,
But Blasphemies 'gainst Thee can never hear.
VIII
Yet both Lord we have heard, and both have born,But in our suff'rings not forgotten Thee,
Resolv'd our steps from Thy Laws ne're to turn,
How rough, and hard soe're the way may be,
Or in Thy Oath to deal perfidiously:
Though for our Masters we fierce Dragons have,
And all our service is in sight o'th' grave.
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IX
Had we forgotten His, or to strange NamesOf Idol-gods stretch'd out our suppliant hands,
Should not God know, and visit this in flames,
Who the vast Empire of all hearts commands,
And thoughts, more than we actions, understands?
But for His sake alone all day we 'are slain,
Like Sheep, and where we fed, have dy'd the Plain.
X
Awake why sleep'st Thou, Lord, awake, and rise!And turn nor us, nor Thy bright face away;
Let our distress find pity in Thine eyes;
Which see the weights they on our shoulders lay,
And how we prostrate for Thy succour pray!
Ah, cause Thy face for Thy loves sake to shine,
And for our help arise, who still are Thine.
118
Psalm XLV. Eructavit Cor meum verbum, &c.
I
A thousand fancies from my heart the Spring,(Like a swoln stream which banks can ne're control,
Increasing still as it along do's roll,
And grown impetuous, scorns to be kept in)
Too great already in my Soul to stay
They out will burst, and by my tongue,
Flow in a swift, and numerous Song,
Will there, or find, or force their way,
And make my hand, which cannot stop, to run as fast as they.
II
Dread Sov'reign, when the argument is Thine,And Thou art pleas'd to give me leave to sing
Of all that grandure, which enthrones my King,
No wonder if my Verse be gay and fine;
Thy beauty, not my skill do's make it so,
Thou, who in beauty dost excell
The fairest Soul; which best do's dwell;
From whose soft lips there ever flow
That Grace, and Blessing Heav'n till now on Man did ne're bestow;
III
Go on then, Valiant Prince, and gird Thy Sword,Wherewith Thou hast so often Conquerer been;
Appear more glorious than Thou e're wert seen,
And let the whole world own Thee for their Lord!
Then mount Thy Chariot, and in triumph ride,
With Meekness, Truth, and Equity,
And all the Virtues running by,
Whil'st Vict'ry do's Thy journeys guide,
And flies before new Conquests, and fresh Laurels to provide!
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IV
Then shall Thy arm for slaughter be made bare,And Thy proud Enemies receive the darts,
Which Thou shalt throw, and bury in their hearts,
Whil'st those that yield, Thou dost as freely spare;
Nor Time, nor place shall Thy Dominion bound,
The Justice of Thy Righteous sway,
Shall make all Lands, all men obey,
And wheresoe're Thy Name shall sound,
Amids Thy foes, new Subjects of Thy Kingdom shall be found.
V
That Righteousness Thou lov'st shall be Thy Crown,And at Thy Feet Envy and Hate shall lie;
The Mighty God, who rais'd Thee up so high,
Above Thy Fellows, pour His Unction down,
With greater lustre make Thy Face to shine,
When He the Sacred Oyl shall shed,
Himself, upon Thy Royall Head,
And, to express the Love Divine,
Meekness with Majesty, and to Thy Joys, Thy Peoples joyn.
VI
They shall rejoyce, when from the Iv'ry Throne,Clad in Thy Robes of State, Thou shalt appear,
When all the perfumes, which the East do's bear,
And the bright Sun or makes, or looks upon,
To Thine their Spirits and richest Odours add,
And breathing out their Souls shall say,
Thou hast more Sweets, more Charms than they,
Thus near Thee to have come, are glad,
That they may higher scents receive thence, than at first they had.
VII
Daughters of Kings make Thy illustrious train,To do what e're Thy pleasure shall command;
And chain our eyes, but that at Thy right hand
The Queen with hers remands them back again;
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Where curious Art and Nature strive
Which greater Ornament shall give,
Beyond Inventions barren thought,
Made of the richest Spoyls were e're from Ophirs treasure brought.
VIII
And Thou O Queen, incline Thy willing ear,Forget Thy Father, and Thy Countrey too;
What was theirs once, is now a Sovereigns due,
Who merits all Thy honour, love, and fear.
The Kings, who shall no less make Thee to reign,
And to Thy Rule Himself submit,
To th' Empire of Thy Eyes, and Wit,
Become their slave, and take the Chain,
And what Thy hands presented Him, to them resign again.
IX
Tyre with a Present shall her daughters send,To seek thy favour, and thy love entreat,
'Tis thy Alliance, which shall make them great,
And not their own wealth, though it knows no end;
Not that their gifts and store can add to Thine,
The rich embroydery of Thy Vest,
Where all the Needles art's exprest,
To Beauties which are more Divine,
And all within, unseen by mortal eye, far brighter shine.
X
Thus shalt Thou be conducted to the King,Whil'st all the Virgins, who Thy Pomp attend,
In shouts to Heav'n their acclamations send,
And as they follow to the Palace, sing,
“Hail Fairest Queen, forget Thy Fathers land,
“Nor let His Throne disturb thy mind,
“For Thou instead of them shalt find
“Children, who with the Soveraign Wand
“More Empires than He Cities govern'd, shall the World command.
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XI
My Verse shall praise Thee too, and Thy great NameShall in its lasting Monument survive,
My Verse Eternity to Thee shall give,
And thus it self perpetuate in Thy Fame:
For when the Age to come by that shall know
These wonders, and renew Thy Praise,
In Altars which their Zeal shall raise,
Thou then shalt make my Verse to grow,
And what to Thee it gave, Eternity on that bestow!
122
Psalm XLVI. Deus noster Refugium, &c.
I
To Armies some for refuge fly,Others to Walls, which they must first defend,
But God's our help, and when to Him we cry,
Or He our troubles soon will end,
Or to a City where they come not, us will send.
II
We will not fear, though tempests roar,And one storm mingle Sea, and Earth, and all,
Though reall Mountains, torn from the loose shoar,
To Heav'n be tost, and Heav'n quite fall,
The God, who is our help, will then be near our call.
III
Fly ye swift winds, tempests be gone,Be still proud Seas, there is no need of you,
We have a stream, which though it softly run,
Can more than all your billows do,
Both cleanse the Holy City, and refresh it too.
IV
Slow Siloah, which so gently glides,As if 'twere unresolv'd to go away,
And passing where the Most High God resides,
To view the place so long do's stay,
The enamour'd River one would guess forgot its way.
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V
It Sion views, where God do's dwell,Sion His Throne, which like the Earth remains;
Heav'n is her guard, and all the Powers of Hell
Shall ne're move her, for there He reigns,
Who is the God o'th' Hills, and layes on Vales His Chains.
VI
The Heathen Kings began to rage,And all their strength against her did command;
But God Himself to save her did engage,
Utt'red His Voyce, and shew'd His hand,
And though the Earth did melt, Sion unmov'd did stand.
VII
The God of Battles fights for us,On whom the Hosts of Heav'n and Earth attend;
Through Him our arms shall be Victorious,
And when our Prayers to Him ascend,
He that is Jacobs God, His Israel will defend.
VIII
Come, and behold, what He has done,The mighty works which His right hand has wrought,
How on their Foes He turn'd destruction,
But to His own deliverance brought,
And made them Conquerours, when He for them fought!
IX
All the World o're He ends all Warrs,And in their room brings plenty, mirth, and ease;
He hides with Laurel the Triumphers scarrs,
And all, but in their Pomps, makes cease
The Trumpets noyse, and burns the broken arms to Peace.
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X
“Be still, said He, and see my Power,“Only be still, that's all you need to do,
“For on your Enemies I'll vengeance shower,
“Exalt your heads, but lay theirs low,
“And they as well as you, That I am God, shall know!
XI
The God of Battles fights for us,On whom the Hosts of Heaven and Earth attend;
Through Him our Arms shall be Victorious,
And when our Prayers to Him ascend,
He that is Jacobs God, His Israel will defend.
125
Psalm XLVII. Omnes gentes plaudite manibus, &c.
I
Rejoyce O World and you, who dwell therein,This Solemn day your mirth commands!
Rejoyce, for the great Show will now begin,
And lift your voice up with your hands!
Let them both joyn, whiles you His Praises sing,
Who only is the Universal King.
II
Mighty, and terrible, the Lord of all,His entrance those who will not meet,
Too proud to kiss his hands, shall lower fall,
And yield their necks unto His feet;
So Jacobs seed He will make glorious,
And what Himself has done, ascribe to Us.
III
God is gone up, ascended with a shout,With sound of Trumpets risen on high;
And having put His enemies to the rout,
Upon their Trophies up did fly:
Sing praise to God, your Praises to Him sing,
Who only is the Universall King!
IV
God only is the Universall King;His Name with understanding praise!
And in the Services you to Him sing,
Let that inspirit all your layes!
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For Holiness is the Throne He sits upon.
V
See how the Tributary Kings croud in,And one united People make,
Their Crowns to deck His Victories they bring,
And from His hands all new ones take:
Each in His Temple Homage to Him yields,
And there hang up their Consecrated Shields.
127
Psalm XLVIII. Magnus Dominus, &c.
I
Great is our God, and greatly to be prais'd,Upon that Hill, which He himself has rais'd;
Sion, which He His City made,
Beautifull Sion, whom the World obey'd,
And for whose Peace as for their own all Countreys prayd;
Which on the North Jerusalem do's guard,
Safer than gates most surely barr'd;
Which on the North do's on Jerusalem shine,
So that around it has the Sun, or Naturall, or Divine.
II
Within her Palaces the Lord is known,For not hers more He counts them, than His own:
The Kings perceiv'd it, marching by,
But thither they no sooner cast their eye,
But from the conquering sight, as soon they strove to fly;
Away they hasted thence, but all in vain,
Their fears pursu'd them with fresh pain,
Like Child-bed throes till there is born a Son,
A greater pang succeeds, as soon as e're the present's gone.
III
In Ships they thought their Spoyls to carry home,But Thou at Sea their Navy didst o'recome;
All this, O Lord, we heard before,
And now believe, because we see Thy Power,
But who that had seen half so much, would not do more?
God will establish Sion, and command
The Sacred Pile unmov'd to stand;
Thither wee'll come for help, in our distress,
And where he has bid us bless him, expect he us should bless.
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IV
Lord, as Thy Name is, so shall be Thy Praise,And to adorn it wee'll invent new wayes:
To the wide Earths extreamest end,
From East it shall unto the West extend,
And when it has fill'd all below, to Heav'n ascend;
That goodness which Thy hand around do's throw,
Like fruitfull seed, shall upward grow;
Solyma to Thy Courts her gifts shall bring,
And all her Cities shout forth Acclamations to their King.
V
Walk about Sion, all her Bulwarks count,The humble Vallies, and the Holy Mount,
Her lofty Towers, up to the Skie,
To which the Heav'ns desire to be more nigh,
And their own heights, to kiss her sacred Spires, deny:
Round it again, and her great Wonders see,
To tell the Age which is to bee;
And that Her God will Ours till death abide,
And through the Graves dark gloomy way to Heav'n our passage guide.
129
Psalm XLIX. Audite hæc omnes gentes auribus, &c.
I
Attend, O World, and bid thy Nations hear,Those, who ly furthest off, and those more near,
Both rich, and poor, and high, and low,
My Song no diff'rence makes, and none do's know,
But those who serve, and those who rule,
The Souldier, Statesman, and the Fool,
The young, the old, the great, the small,
It do's without distinction call,
And like the grave, alike concerns, and equals All.
II
With God my Song: His Wisdom moves the Lyre,And makes the chords in lofty sounds conspire:
With Him will I begin my Song,
His Wisdom shall conduct the strains along,
Shall life, and breath, and motion give,
Make them, and they my Voice to live;
Then the stops chang'd, on the same string,
I will in mighty Numbers sing
Triumphant Death, which next Him is the greatest King.
III
What profit's it to hoard up endless storeOf wealth for others, and my self be Poor?
Prevent my evil day with Cares,
To leave a Curse, and sorrow to my Heirs?
Since he who has most chains of Gold,
The Pris'ner life can never hold;
Can never pay a ransom down
For the fleet Soul away once gone,
And from the grave redeem his Brothers, or his own.
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IV
Death throwes an heavier Chain than that o're all,And proudest Monarchs at His Footstool fall;
Look how the Wise, the Brutish dye,
And in one Urn their lots and ashes lye:
The longest livers only have
A tedious journey to the grave;
Whil'st most a short way thither find,
And have their Pass-ports sooner sign'd,
Whither all come at last, and leave their wealth behind.
V
In vain by Monuments men hope to live,And their fond Names to Lands and Houses give;
In vain they huge foundations lay
For Tombs, which have their Fate, as well as they;
No Honours bayl in this arrest,
But the same death waits Man, and Beast:
And though enough the Children know
Their Fathers folly, choose to go
With them, and count those greater fools, who do not so.
VI
They follow close their steps, their sayings hold,Like Sheep they follow to th' Eternal fold;
Where till the Morning they are penn'd,
The Morning of that day, which ne're shall end;
Which Titles shall again renew,
And diff'rences the Grave ne're knew;
From some all beauty take away,
In greater lustre some display,
Raising them Gold, who buryed were but only Clay.
VII
Then shall I rise too, and with glory shine,From the Graves power, kept by the power Divine,
It shall no longer trouble mee,
Nor know I why the Wise should troubled bee,
131
Since they disturb His present ease,
And must be left all, when he dyes;
Then heavy gold begins to rise,
And with his breath, away an empty Honour flies.
VIII
His former pleasures then avail him not,But are by him, as he by his forgot:
Nothing remains of all he did,
When with his Fathers, he in night lyes hid;
That Wisdom only do's abide,
Which for the future did provide:
'Tis Wisdom sets the Man on high,
Wisdom the badge to know him by,
Without which like a Beast he lives, and all must die.
132
Psalm L. Deus Deorum Dominus, &c.
I.
'Tis past, and by irrevocable doomDecreed that all the World to Judgment come;
Out from the East let the great summons go,
Swifter than Morning light,
In it's first undisturb'd, and lusty flight,
When on the Western Hills it hasts to show
It's Conquests, and drives thence the Captive Night;
Then let the West to th' voice give ear,
And all the scatt'red winds, which ly between,
Be ready on the wing,
And o're the Earth the dreadfull Message bear!
Make the deaf North, and South to hear!
Proclaim it in the open Sky,
That the last day is nigh;
A day which none e're yet did see,
And which but few, till it comes, believe will bee,
When God the hearts of all shall open lay,
And bid the World to make room for the Session, hast away!
II.
When Sion was the Residence Divine,God empty'd all his glories there;
Sion did with refulgent beauty shine,
And only what was lovely durst appear:
The Air was calm, Heav'n seem'd more bright,
As if from thence it had receiv'd new light;
Before hand would officiously come down,
And take the forward Sacrifice,
E're it began to rise,
And with a sacred flame the Victim crown:
Or if it gath'red in a Cloud,
'Twas but some greater Majesty to shroud.
133
Nothing that could disturb the quiet of the place,
But joy and mirth were seen in every Face,
And left their traces on the stones.
The very walls were glad,
Mourn'd not in breaches, nor in Yawns lookt sad,
But the bright Liveries of Peace did wear;
The walls look'd gay, the Altars fair,
And with perpetual throngs
Of those who came to worship there,
The Courts were ever fill'd with Incense, or with Songs.
Nay God Himself attention seem'd to give,
And held His own the Homage of their Voices to receive.
III.
But now that time is past, nor as before,Will he in love draw neer
But all in Flames appear,
Will in the charming murmurs be no more,
But up Hee'l lift His voyce, and roar,
And those flames which the Victim burnt, the Altar shall devour,
A tempest shall before Him ride,
And forward post the sluggish winde,
With thousand Captives running by His side,
Of Lands which he has empty made,
Clearing the way for Plagues which come behind,
And of the following Thunder be it self afraid.
Along the Heav'n the Thunder like a Sea shall roll,
And make its noyse be heard to either Pole;
With all the Fears, which horror can invent,
With lightnings, not to purge the Air,
And its decays repair,
But to make greater, and disturb it, sent.
To riot there without controll,
And synge what it e're long shal burn, that beauteous Scroll.
134
IV.
Then shall God come, and with a dreadfull voyce,Which layes those storms, & checks that Thunders noise,
Making the Dead who heard not them awake,
And Heav'n and Earth, and Sea affrighted quake;
When thus He cites them to appear,
And bids them to the Barr draw near,
His Pleasure, and their Charge to hear,
“Return, Hee'l to them say, Return your dead,
“To meet the Souls which from them fled,
“And both be sentenc'd, for what both together did!
“Into my great Exchequer bring
“The Debtors, whose accounts are giv'n in,
“And who so many Ages have your Pris'ners been!
“Resign O Earth, and Skie and Sea your trust,
“Be sure no guilty Criminall you hide,
“But that all come, and all be try'd,
“You long enough have unaccounted for their dust;
“But first bring in my Saints, who to my barr appeal,
“To me their several Names are known,
“And in my book their labours are set down,
“How they to my just Law did Seal,
“Or with their Sacrifices blood, or with their own.
V.
See how they trembling stand,Receive the charge, and finish the Command,
And to the great Tribunall bring the shakled band?
The Prison-gates are open thrown,
And not till now to their Eternall home,
Those who mistook the grave for it, are truly come;
The Grave, which like an house forsook, it self falls down.
With their own bodies all arise,
The active dust begins to heave,
And ask its fellow if it live,
Scarce daring to believe its ears or eyes;
135
Of Souls, which to the Bodies call,
Yet wish that neither might be found,
And till they come, would have the Mountains on them fall;
The Mountains frighted worst of all,
Would for themselves find shelter under ground.
The Sea returns her dead, and her's the Sky,
Which now again from thence like Lightning fly,
But down to Hell, and in eternal flames to ly.
The whole World is one mighty Street,
Where Old acquaintance meet,
And though against their Wills are forc'd to greet,
Whilst up on high,
The Judges equall Sentence to declare,
The Saints are to the Bench call'd from the Barr,
And guilty Souls, by their own Witness cast,
Expect to have confirm'd at last,
That sentence, which they long before upon themselves had past.
VI.
“Attend, O Israel, to thy God give ear,('Tis He who speaks, and Him thou ought'st to hear)
“I charge thee not for Thy unfrequent Sacrifice,
“Thy seldom Off'rings, and Thy bloodless Vowes,
“That perfumes do so rarely rise,
“And with their clouds meet, and obscure the Skies:
“I'll take no Bullock from Thine hoase,
“Nor from Thy fold a rank He-Goat,
“For every Forrest, and all beasts of note,
“The great who rule, the lesser who obey,
“The beasts of Pleasure, Service, and of Prey,
“Alike are Mine,
“And all the Hills whereon they feed, as well as they;
“When Thou by a false Title fondly call'st them Thine.
“They no subjection to thee owe,
“But what my pleasure gave at first:
“And when unto Thy Yoak they bow,
“'Tis not from any Power of Thine, but that I'll have it so,
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“And make them thus their just dependance show.
“Nay Birds themselves, whom I gave wings to fly,
“Mount up to Heav'n, to come more nigh,
“And the same Homage beasts below, they yield on high.
VII.
“If I were hungry, why should I tell Thee,“When the Earth's fulness all belongs to Me?
“Or if I eat, must Thou needs with't acquainted be?
“Think'st Thou that such gross meats as these,
“Bulls blood, or flesh my taste do please,
“And are fit things my anger to appease?
“No, Wretched Mortal, to the God most High
“First pay thy vows, then send thy praise,
“In thy distress unto Him cry,
“And, where it may be alwayes warm, an Altar raise;
“Within thy heart, where groans, and sighs,
“May be the daily Sacrifice!
“For in such Off'rings He delights,
“These are His solemn and accepted Rites,
“Flames, which to Heav'n will surely come,
“And both thy passage thither clear, and for thee then make room!
VIII.
But to the Wicked the Almighty sayes,“What hast thou, wretch, to do with my just Wayes?
“To take my Word into thy mouth?
“Expound my Statutes, or declare my Truth?
“As if an Enemy would Trophies to his Conqueror raise,
Or I from thee get any Praise;
Who Counsel, which thou dost another give,
Wilt not thy self receive,
And what thou teachest, dost or slight, or not believe;
Who when thou saw'st a Theif, didst with him steal,
His theft didst or partake in, or conceal;
With base Adulterers wert so,
“Didst never use thy tongue a wound to heal,
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“Most Enemy to them, who never did thee any wrong,
“And whom thou ought'st to bless, hast murder'd with thy tongue.
“I saw all this, and held my peace,
“Expecting when thou would'st repent,
“But silence thou didst falsly judge consent,
“Thoughtst me just like thy self, and that such ways as these,
“Since they unpunisht scap'd, must please;
“But I'll reprove thee, and they all
“Shall be my Witnesses, when I to Judgement call;
“Then thou too late shalt know,
“This patience from my love did flow,
“And dearly pay both for thy sin, and my forbearance too.
IX.
“Remember this, you who the Lord forget,“And yet at last, if you are wise, return,
“Tempt not those flames, which will break out & burn,
“And make your Judgement like my Patience great!
“Return, e're yet it be too late,
“See how I call, see how I wait,
“There's no repenting in a future state;
“Deliverance then you shall expect in vain,
“And fruitlesly complain,
“When all your grief shall serve but to encrease your pain,
“Return now, whil'st you may, and now receive
“Those Mercies, which I freely offer, freely give,
“And that you may be ever so, Now happy live!
“He honours me, who offers praise,
“For he exalts mine, and I'll bless his Wayes;
“Will be his refuge, till the storm is past,
“And make him on a Rock stand fast,
“Secure him here, and to my self will bring him home at last.
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Psalm LI. Miserere mei Deus secundum, &c.
I
The IV. Penitential Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet came to Him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
The Just, and yet the Gracious God,
Whose Mercy has nor bound, nor Period,
Let my distress Thy pity move;
Lord, for Thy Mercies sake blot out my sin,
Whose sum less infinite than that has only been!
II
To Thee I come, O cleanse and purge awayThat filth, which do's Thy sight offend,
Receive with favour those requests I send,
And give Thy answer when I pray!
Wash my foul Soul, that's stain'd all o're with sin,
Without I should be clean, if I were so within!
III
'Tis great, I must confess, and wondrous foul,So ugly that its shape affrights;
All day it haunts me, with me stays whole nights,
And with new horrors fills my Soul:
On me it stares, and when I turn aside,
To shun the Fiend, I meet it where I thought to hide.
IV
Against Thee only have I done this thing,And to Thy Just award must stand;
If now upon me Thou shouldst lay Thy hand,
'Twill not be heavier than my sin:
Whate're the sentence be I must confess,
Though sharp that, Lord, in Justice Thou could'st do no less.
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V
For I in sin was born, in sin conceiv'd,Full grown in that, when but a Childe;
My Nature, and my Life are both defil'd,
And Thee by both, Lord, have I griev'd:
Truth in the inward parts is Thy delight,
That I may please Thee make me know, then do what's right.
VI
Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean,Let through my Soul Thy waters flow;
My blackness shall be chang'd to purest Snow,
And all my stains no more be seen:
The Snow with me compar'd, shall seem less white,
And look as fairest colours do for want of light.
VII
No sooner shalt Thou make me hear Thy voice,But all my pains shall flee away;
The bones, which on the rack all broken lay,
Then knit more firmly, shall rejoyce:
Lord, as a Sinner look no more on mee,
Or if as such, whom Love has reconcil'd to Thee!
VIII
Give me an heart Thou canst ungriev'd behold,And a right Spirit in me renew;
'Tis full as easie, Lord, for Thee to do,
As undertake to mend the old:
Cast me not from Thy gracious sight away,
But let Thy Spirit, with mine renew'd thus, ever stay!
IX
Make it my Comforter, with me to 'abide,And all my Joyes again restore;
And that I ne're from Thee may wander more,
As I to others, be my Guide!
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And chang'd, like me, in Songs recount Thy wondrous Praise.
X
Let not the guiltless blood, which I have shed,And all its waves upon me roll;
But when thy sprinkling shall make clean my Soul,
Let thy Salvation crown my head:
Then shall my Harp of all thy love reherse,
And thy Salvation be the subject of my Verse.
XI
Open my mouth, Thy praise I'll speak aloud,For didst Thou Bulls or Rams desire,
A cruell Offring, and perpetual fire,
I blood would expiate then with blood:
But God all Sacrifice for that withstands,
Only a bleeding heart attones for bloody hands.
XII
Be good to Sion, build her Cities wall,That all the Vows, which she has made,
With mine, may be upon thy Altar laid,
And Hecatombs before it fall!
No cloudy darkness then shall veil the Skies,
But day all night break from the Evening Sacrifice.
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Psalm LII. Quid gloriaris in malitia, &c.
I
Inhumane Beast, more treacherous, than strong,For Treason only makes thee so,
And by perfidiousness Thy Power dos grow,
Why boast'st Thou thus in doing wrong,
And arm'st weak hands with a malicious tongue?
The Almighty Goodness ever dos remain,
More firm, and stable than thy threats are vain.
II
Sharp as a Lancet, which is newly whet,Thy tongue dos pierce, and touch the quick,
Wounds mortally, before 'tis felt to prick,
Discovers plots, fram'd by deceit,
In thy designs, and malice only great,
Who sin before the chiefest Good dost love,
And lyes more than the Truth, that's from above.
III
Bitter, and cruel Words are thy delight,And all the joy of thy base tongue,
But neither thou, nor it shall prosper long:
For God on thee shall turn its spight,
Destroy thee from this Land, and His own sight;
And in reward for all your bitter fruit,
Both cut thee down, and pluck that up by th' root.
IV
The Righteous shall behold it, and afraid,Shrink at thy plagues, but laugh at thee,
And say, when They thy suddain ruine see,
“Lo this Man on his riches staid,
“And sought help from the Gods his gold had made,
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“For them, who thus deceiving him are just.
V
But like an Olive-tree still fresh, and green,I in Gods House shall ever stand,
Planted and watered there by His own hand,
And on my boughs have fruit be seen,
Where He may shine, and no cloud come between:
On Him I'll wait, whose Mercies have no end,
And as they fall, my Praises shall ascend.
143
Another Version of the same:
By M. M. B.
I
Monster of Men, who canst such mischiefs act,And proudly triumph in the bloody fact,
Must this thy power declare,
That they, who at Jehovahs Altar stood,
The Priests themselves, all stain'd with their own blood,
The guiltless Victims of thy Fury were?
Yet not even this was able to asswage
Thy own curst malice, or thy wicked Masters rage.
II
But though my ruine thou didst most design,And that no blood should quench thy thirst but mine,
Know, wretch, that God is good
And has been alwayes so in ages past,
Nor shall Eternity His love exhaust;
Wherefore 'tis not thy force, though like a flood,
Nor all thy secret Plots, which shall avayl,
Unless thou canst against th' Almighty first prevail.
III
Within thy heart ly hid those poysonous seedsOf treason, which thy tongue provokes to deeds:
So piercing are thy words
They seem the Razours dulness to upbraid,
As if unfit for action, or afraid,
And have more edge than all my Enemies Swords:
By these thou dost the just ensnare, and slay,
And low as earth, their hopes, and lives together lay.
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IV
But who, think'st thou, these actions will admire,Since thou 'rt inspir'd by an infernal fire?
A flame, which strongly moves
To lying mischiefs, and unjust deceit,
And all the false delights, which on them wait,
Or sin presents to excite and raise new loves!
Hence 'tis that Justice seems so mean, and low,
Nor longer fit for great men, than to make them so.
V
Devouring words do thy best love command,And to them thou hast joyn'd a bloody hand:
But the Almighty God
In thy destruction shall His Power make known,
Which in eternall torments thou shalt own,
When he makes bare His Arm, and shakes His Rod,
Removing thee from thy beloved place,
And from the Earth roots out thy trayterous name and race.
VI
The Righteous, when they see the overthrow,Shall fear His Power, who has brought thee so low,
And shouting at thy fall,
Cry out, “Lo, where's the man, who fixt his trust,
“Not in our God, but his own glittering dust,
“Which, useless now, can yield no help at all:
“Look how that strength, which he in fraud once plac'd,
“Is by the breath of the Eternall Word defac'd!
VII
But whil'st, this wretch deplores his dolorous state,My God, who on him threw the mighty weight,
Will me assign a place,
Within His Courts, where, like an Olive-tree,
With fruit and blossoms I shall loaded bee,
And feel the kindest Influence of His Grace:
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Whose Love, and Wrath thus shown, declare that He is just.
VIII
Then will I of some nobler subject sing,And to exalt my God fresh praises bring;
Then, like my Sacrifice,
In flames of purest Love I'le mount on high,
To Him, who sav'd me from my Enemy,
And in my passage perfume all the Skies
To Heav'n; nor short of His dread Presence stay,
Whil'st the admiring Saints rise up to make me way.
146
Psalm LIII. Dixit insipiens in Corde, &c.
I
“There is no God, the Fool in's heart do's say,And that his life may not his heart betray,
He like one, that believes it, Lives;
Doth with blasphemous mouth deny
The very Being of the Deity,
And in his works, That lye
Which he to Man dares not, to Heaven prophanely gives.
II
From Heav'n th' Almighty God came down to viewWhat He there saw, and there could punish too;
Yet down He came, and look'd around,
He searcht, if He might any see,
Any of His, lest they should numbred be,
To th' Common Misery,
He search't, but not a Just man in the Number found.
III
Are they all thus, O God, all gone aside,As if from Thee they could their follies hide?
Are all thus greedy to devour,
And eat Thy People up, like Bread,
Thankless for that, and not some Judgement dread,
Like those by Quails once fed
Tempting that Heav'n, which Manna down before did showre.
IV
Amidst their jollity in fears they were,Though all around appear'd no cause of fear;
For unawares God smote them all,
Scat'red them by His Mighty hand;
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Their Plots did countermand,
And made them by their own designs in scorn to fall.
V
From Zion, Lord, may Israels help appear,Thence come, since all His Confidence is there!
Bring back, their long Captivity,
That Israel may adore Thy Wayes,
And Jacob to Thy Name give all the praise;
Together strive to raise
Thy Honour, and admire Thee, as Thou ought'st to be.
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Psalm LIV. Deus in nomine tuo, &c.
I
O thou, who Israels Saviour art, be mine,Be both my Judge, and Advocate,
Appear, e're yet it be too late,
Now make Thy Name, and Glory shine,
And not preserve me only Lord, but make me Thine.
II
Incline Thine ear to my complaint, and cry!And since Thou hast commanded me,
In my distress to cry to Thee,
Let not me cry, and Thou not hear,
Then farthest of, when Thou hast promis'd to be near.
III
Strangers, my God, such as Thy Law despise,And would both That, and me o'rethrow,
Who nor Thee, nor Thy Judgements know,
Oppressors in great Numbers rise,
And shall Thy aids be fewer, than my Enemies.
IV
But see how gracious the Eternal is,Who not my Life alone defends,
But to my Helpers succour sends,
And truly is a God in this,
Both my swift prayers to answer, and prevent my Wish.
V
Nor shall my Enemies unpunish't be,Their own designs shall vengeance call;
Their mischief fram'd shall on them fall,
And in their ruine I shall see
My eyes delight; thy Wrath on them, and Love to me.
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VI
My God has scat'red them, and heard my cry;To Him my chearful praise I'le sing,
To Him my Songs, and Trophies bring,
For though I have the Victory,
'Twas He alone who gain'd it for me, and not I.
150
Psalm LV. Exaudi Deus Orationem, &c.
I
Lord, to my Prayer incline Thine ear,And turn nor that, nor Thy bright Face away!
Behold the mis'ries, which I bear,
When those, who are its guards, my Crown betray:
In my destruction they rejoyce,
Their wrath on me, to Heav'n have sent their noise,
May mine be heard above the tumults of their voice.
II
Seis'd by this fright, my heart do's quake,And all the terrors of the grave appear;
Hope, and my Trust their holds forsake,
And yield the fortress to usurping Fear:
Around I look, but in mine eye
Only despair, and grizly horrorly,
And none but Heav'ns great road is clear, if I could fly.
III
And then I wish, that I had wings,And like a Dove could 'scape, and be at rest,
Beyond the Cares, which trouble Kings,
And have that ease they find not, in my breast;
How to the Woods then would I fly,
And as I there secure, and hidden ly,
See unconcern'd the Winds, and Thunders marching by.
IV
Divide their Counsels with their tongues;Theirs, who Thy City fill with violence,
And publish on its Walls the wrongs,
Not which they bear, but do just Innocence:
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Murders, and Rapes in every street are found,
And with th' Oppressors mixt cries of the Oppress'd resound.
V
Had all this by an Enemy,Or one, who only hated me, been done,
I could have born it, and defie
The Treason, when the Traytor once is known:
My force to his I would oppose,
And to decide our right in battle close,
Or had he been too strong, have fled, and Umpires chose.
VI
But it was Thou, my Friend, my Guide,The happy Partner of my Cares, and Throne,
In whose breast I could safely hide
Those secrets I scarce trusted in my own;
Who with me to Gods House would go,
And Zeal for that, which I most honour'd show,
And like my self, but better, all my thoughts did know.
VII
But may he now no journey go,But what's to Hell, and by no hand be staid,
Let Sin, which fills his dwelling now,
His bones, and heart with thousand plagues invade
For God himself shall guide my Way,
To Him at morning, noon, and night I'le pray,
And He shall hear me, when I thus crown every day.
VIII
'Twas He preserv'd my Soul in Peace,And gave those Wars, which threatned it, an end;
Made the shrill noise of Trumpets cease,
And unexpected aids was pleas'd to send:
He still shall hear me, and once more
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Who is the same to save now, that He was before.
IX
But Him they fear not, and miscallTheir Treasons, when they prosper, Loyalty;
No cross event did ever fall,
Which might the Justice of their Cause deny:
And then afresh they Cov'nants make,
And their Allegiance for new Oaths forsake,
Which they with caution, only during pleasure, take.
X
Murder, and Rapes, Revenge, and War,Rebellion, and Injustice rage within;
Though smooth as Oyle their Speeches are,
And like that us'd, to make the Razer keen;
But, Soul, on God Thy burden cast,
Only believe, and make not too much hast,
He, who protects Thee Now, will Victory give at last.
XI
God will the Righteous Man defend,But down to Hell in wrath the Wicked throw;
Blood, and Deceit shall haste his end,
And clear the way, which he to death shall go:
His dayes shall evil be, and few,
And as they with his crimes to ripeness grew,
Both shall together fall: He said it, who is True.
153
Psalm LVI. Miserere mei Deus quoniam, &c.
I
Mercy, my God, on me Thy Mercy show!And if thy pleasure do's, my need sayes, Now.
Now, when my Foe is ready to devour,
Threatning to do it every hour,
And grows in malice, as he do's in Pow'r.
II
To swallow up my Soul they ready are,And gape to do it, but I am Thy Care;
They needs must many be, O Thou Most High,
When I have no place where to fly,
But from one to another Enemy.
III
But when I fear, Thou shalt my Refuge be,That fear shall give me wings to mount to Thee;
On Thee I'le trust, until my Titles try'd,
Resolving ne're to be deny'd,
Till Thou, who gav'st it me, my Right decide.
IV
On Gods Almighty Word, will I depend;On God I'le trust, who certain help will send:
There will I rest, and if my God but smile,
Or He these doubts will reconcile,
Or make me scorn, what Flesh can do the while.
V
Me and my words to wrest they never cease,And make them most offend, when meant to please:
Their thoughts for evil are against me set,
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Contrive how by my fall they may be great.
VI
Shall they escape unpunish't in their wayes,And in Prosperity spend all their dayes?
Lord, in Thine Anger let them be o'rethrown,
Thou need'st but only on them frown,
Lower than me, that look will cast them down!
VII
Thou all my wand'rings, every pace do'st know,And not'st how many steps I from Thee go;
See'st my tears too, what they were shed about,
And in thy bottle they are put,
Whence, with a Sponge, what's in Thy Book blot out!
VIII
When to my God in my distress I cry,My very Prayers make all mine Enemies fly;
My sighs shall backwards turn them, in the Rear
They shall a greater Enemy fear,
And in that still voice know that God draws near.
IX
On Gods Almighty Word I will depend,On God I'le trust, who certain help will send:
There I will rest, and if my God but smile,
Either these doubts he'l reconcile,
Or make me scorn, what Flesh can do the while.
X
Thy Vows are on me, and I'le give Thee praise,The Field is Thine, and Thine shall be the Bayes:
Thou hast preserv'd my Soul, wilt Thou not bless,
My sliding feet with steadiness?
The greater's done, and wilt not do the less?
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Psalm LVII. Miserere mei Deus, miserere, &c.
I
O thou on whom my Soul for help relyes,Let my distress find pitty in Thine eyes!
Thou art my Trust, on Thee I stay,
Under Thy Wings, let me conceal'd abide,
There till these storms are past ly hid
Under their Shaddow ly, else on them fly away!
II
To my Great Saviour, who above do's reign,Whose Mighty Power do's me, and All sustain,
To Him I'le cry, who down shall send
From Heav'n, and save me by His own right hand
From those, who Him, and me withstand;
His Truth shall slay them, and His Mercy me defend.
III
Among fierce Lions, Lord, hid in their den,With beasts more fierce than Lions, Cruel Men,
Whose teeth be arrows, and sharp Spears,
Their tongue a two edg'd Sword, their eyes all fire,
As if in this they did conspire,
By several Torments, to create me several fears:
IV
With these I live, among these men I lye,And hardly for my thoughts gain liberty.
Above the Clouds exalted be
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And though so high I cannot rise,
From Heav'n do Thou descend, when I look up to Thee.
V
I could not scape, they had so girt me round,My very Soul lay prostrate on the ground;
But, as I look'd, I saw them fall,
And though for me they had prepar'd the net,
That I might stumble, digg'd the pit,
Into that pit they fell themselves, their snare and all.
VI
I am resolv'd, nor will I any moreDistrust my God, as I have done before;
No, I will praise Him, and my heart,
Which ha's so oft betray'd me into fear,
Its burden in the Song shall bear,
And when my Harp begins, shall take the highest part.
VII
Awake, my Harp, 'tis time for thee to wake,Prevent the day, and thy great subject take;
Put all thy strings on, shew thy skill,
God, and my Soul are ready, be not slow,
For if we should before thee go,
Thy strings would never half way reach up Heav'ns High Hill!
VIII
We Come, O God, and with us up will raiseHigh as Thy Love and Truth, to Heaven, Thy Praise;
The World shall hear, what Thou hast done,
How signally Thou hast appear'd for me,
By Thy great Power hast set me free,
And for His Works praise Him, whose Name they have not known,
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IX
Then to the Clouds we will together fly,And take new Wing to mount to the Most High;
Above the Clouds exalted be
Lord, set Thy glory far above the Skies;
And if so high We cannot rise,
Descend Thy self, and bear us up along with Thee!
158
Psalm LVIII. Si vere utiq; justitiam, &c.
I
Are you, as by your place you ought to be,True Judges of the Poor mans wrong?
Or rather do you not his suit prolong,
And then bind o're, when you should set him free?
You would be thought both good, and just,
And if not so, at least Just though severe;
But when you personate it most,
Your mouth condemns that, which your heart would spare;
For when bribes hold the Scale, the lightest cause most weight do's bear.
II
The Wicked from the womb are gone astray,Their wand'rings with their life begun,
And will no sooner than their life be done,
Nor seek they, what they know not, the right way:
Under their tongues conceal'd, and close,
A deadlier poyson than the Serpents lyes;
Adders less cautiously expose
Their ears to Charms, than they to hear the Wise,
As deaf to Counsel, as they greedy are of flatteries.
III
Break out the Lions teeth, nor let them moreThe Innocent so proudly tear!
Let the young Lions, Lord, themselves in fear,
Not o're their prey, but torn with famine roar!
And as the Sand, though kind Heav'n poures
The like streams there, as on the fruitful Plain,
To Heav'n returns no thanks in flowers,
But only as it falls, drinks up the rain,
Like rain by Sand drunk up, let them be never rais'd again!
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IV
When against me they throw their poyson'd darts,And in their rage their bows do bend,
Or let them be too weak the shafts to send?
Or turn the Pykes into the Shooters hearts!
And as a Snail, which leaves behind
A silver film, along the way she pass'd,
But if you follow it you find
Both that, and her in slime conclude at last,
So let them perish, and from filthy slime, to Nothing wast!
V
Like an Abortive, which ne're saw the Sun,But dy'd, e're it had any birth,
Born only that it might be thrown to th' Earth,
Let their Race end, e're it be well begun!
E're briars with the thorn can close,
And in their clasping Arms each other take,
Which grew acquainted as they rose,
And only forc't by fire, their holds forsake,
Let their ends be as suddain, as those their embraces make!
VI
The Just shall see't, and at the sight rejoyce,And in their blood his Garments wash;
Without fear shall this Red Sea view, and pass,
And with such Acclamations raise his voice,
“Lo, for the Just what Crown remains!
“And what Reward God do's for Him provide;
“There is a King, who o're all reigns,
“And He with Justice shall each cause decide,
“By whose most Equal Laws judges themselves, and Thrones are try'd.
160
Psalm LIX. Eripe me de inimicis meis Deus, &c.
I
Preserve me, Lord, and by Thy hand o'rethrown,Let them, who seek my ruine, find their own!
From envious Men my honour save,
And to the cruel make me not a prey!
I never cause of wrath, or malice gave,
That to entrap me thus, they snares should lay,
And what for them I could have spent, my life, betray.
II
Awake, my help, and to my aid come down,To visit, and destroy, Thou need'st but frown!
Spare none of them, my God, that they,
Like hungry Doggs which have no Carkass found,
At night may, disappointed of their prey,
With howlings only fill the Streets around,
And see the blood they hunted for, in their own wound!
III
Look, how they belch out poyson, mortal Words,And how one death attends their tongues, and swords!
“Yet who, say they, What God do's hear?
Even Thou, O Lord, who wilt their threats deride,
And having turn'd upon them their own fear,
In their destruction for my Life provide,
Who only on Thy strength, and bounty have rely'd.
IV
They shall prevent my wish, and let me seeIt granted, e're my Prayers are made to Thee;
Yet at one blow destroy them not,
But let them wander, and feel how they dye;
Least by my self the Mercy be forgot,
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A swift Oblivion follow a swift Victory.
V
Let their own Lips, and pride their ruine be;And take them in the toiles they laid for me!
Upon themselves their Curses turn,
And in Thy Wrath, my God, consume them all!
Under them may they see the Furnace burn,
Whil'st they in vain for help to Thee will call,
And from their heights into the flames but lower fall!
VI
Then shall they know how far Thy Rule extends,From Thy Throne Sion, to th' Earths utmost ends;
When they to shun the light, and day,
Like hungry Dogs, at midnight only found,
Beat up and down in vain to seise their prey,
With howlings filling all the streets around,
And have no blood but what they draw from their own wound.
VII
I the meanwhile will of Thy Power reherse,And call the Morning up to hear my Verse;
Of Thee I'le sing, who heretofore
For my defence appear'dst both great, and strong,
And for my safety hast new aids in store;
Nor shall Eternity it self seem long,
When all the while My Strength, and Saviour is my Song.
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Psalm LX. Deus repulisti nos, &c.
I
A Psalm of David. To teach When he strove with Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, when Joab returned and smote in the Vally of Salt of Edom. XII. M.
And all thy Mercies dost in fury hide;
Like us Our very Mountains quake,
Return, least We, and They together fall;
For if Thou com'st not to Our Call,
We shall Our Land, that its Foundations will forsake.
II
Low as the Earth, press'd down with miseries,As little hope is in our heart, as eyes;
And though, O God, we still are Thine,
And only of the Cup Thou giv'st us, drink,
We cannot of Thy Cov'nant think,
Instead of help, astonishment is in the Wine.
III
Low as we were, God did His Power display,And in a moment chas'd our fears away;
Under His Banner Israel went,
The Lord of Hosts did on their side appear,
And though their Troops encamp'd in fear,
The God, who led them out, deliv'rance to them sent.
IV
God did it, that His Glory might be known,And with what ease He could defend His Own;
He bow'd His Ear, and heard my Cry,
His Promise past, and in it I rejoyce,
Gave me of all the World my Choice,
And on my Gods Almighty Promise I relye.
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V
Sechem is Mine, I will divide its Plain,And o're the Vale of Succoth throw my Chain;
The Tribes of Israel shall obey,
Those, which lye furthest of, or nearer stand,
Shall yield themselves to my Command,
Shall serve, while Judah gives them Laws, and holds the sway.
VI
Moab's my Wash-pot, and shall sue to beA Vassall to my basest drudgery;
Philistia shall my Chariot meet,
Honour'd enough if she may bear that Yoke,
Proud Edom ha's so often broke;
And Edom shall submit her neck, and take my feet.
VII
But who to Edom will direct my Course,And entrance for me into Rozra force?
God shall direct me to the Town,
God, who of late ha's seem'd to disappear;
And when He comes, knowing He's there,
The Walls, to make Him way, shall open, or fall down.
VIII
Help Us, O God, for we in vain imploreA Forraign Aid, which wants our succour more:
Thou art my help, through Thee my head
With Laurel shall be crown'd, and in my wayes,
Some Enemies neck the ground shall raise,
So that my feet shall triumph too, and on them tread.
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Psalm LXI. Exaudi Deus deprecationem, &c.
I
Hear me my Saviour, for to Thee I cry,And let Thy answer shew that Thou art nigh!
Banish'd, forlorn; and under deep suspense,
Lord, lead me to some higher Rock,
Where I these straits may overlook,
And though I come not thither, see Thy Temple thence!
II
Thou hast my refuge been, Thy Strength my Tower,And in my weakness I have seen Thy Power;
And shall behold it still, and yet abide,
For all this absence, on Thy Hill,
And there my present Vows fulfill,
Brought on those wings, under whose shadow now I hide.
III
I'm confident, for Thou hast heard my Vows,And my experience speaks, but what it knows;
For to the Throne my way Thou first did'st show,
To rule or'e them, who fear Thy Name;
And since Thou alwayes art the same,
Thou, who hast made Thy Servant King, wil't keep him so.
IV
His Life Thou wilt prolong to many dayes,His Seed in th' Age to come, Thy name shall praise;
Preserve him, Lord, let Truth and Mercy be
The chief Supporters of his Throne,
By all the Graces waited on,
That He may pay, as well as make His Vows to Thee!
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Psalm LXII. Nonne Deo subjecta erit, &c.
I
On God alone my Soul depends,From Him do's my salvation come;
Himself is the salvation, which He sends,
And for my Conquests His great Arm makes room;
He is my Rock, and sure defence,
And all that I expect is thence;
There I unmov'd shall stand, when tempests roar,
And Seas, which threaten me, are dash't against the shore.
II
How long then will you plots devise,Against a Man, who is upright?
Upon your selves shall fall your sland'rous lyes,
And your own arms against you turn the fight.
By your own mischiefs, you shall fall,
Be like a great, but bowing wall,
Whose own weight, when too weak to stand, 'tis grown,
Do's but with greater violence help to bear it down.
III
God ha's advanc'd me to the Throne,Above the malice of their eye;
Thence, if they could, they strive to pull me down,
And undermine, what out of shot do's lye:
Deceit, and gall is in their hearts,
And there they dip their poyson'd darts;
Their hearts they think can by no eye be seen,
If once the Visor of base Flatt'ry come between.
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IV
But Thou, my Soul, on God depend!From Him must Thy Salvation come,
Himself is the Salvation, which He'l send,
And for Thy Conquest His great arms make room:
He is my Rock, and sure defence,
And all that I expect is thence;
There I unmov'd shall stand, when Tempests roar,
And Seas, which threaten me, are dash'd against the shore.
V
In God is all my Hope, and Stay,The Rock of Ages is my Shield;
By me, O World, to Him direct Thy way,
And like Thy Guide, seek Him, who help can yield!
He is Our Hope, when all means fail,
And when none else, His hands prevail;
The Poor want help, the Rich are but a Lye,
And to be weigh'd, are lighter both than Vanity.
VI
Then in Oppression never trust,Nor Riches though they be increas'd!
They will deceive you, for they are but dust,
And the worst Arms, though fondly judg'd the best:
'Twas once spoke and th' Almighty Words,
I twice did hear, All Power's the Lords:
Mercy, O God, do's also spring from Thee,
And as each Mans Work is, so his reward shall be.
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Psalm LXIII. Deus, Deus meus, ad te, &c.
I
Early my God, before 'tis Light,And all the Stars are up, but that which makes the day,
Whil'st Heav'n alone with flames is bright,
And all below is hurl'd i'th sable veil of night,
Which they can neither draw, nor take away;
Early I'le worship, and one glance from Thee,
E're 'tis with others day, shall make it noon with me.
II
And as this dry, and thirsty land,Where the ground ready to expire for want of rain,
Gaping, and out of breath do's stand,
And shews its very bowels shriv'led like its sand,
And having drunk, gapes for more drink again,
The Wilderness and I in this agree,
For as that thirsts for rain, so Lord, I thirst for Thee.
III
I thirst Thy glorious power to see,As I have seen it in Thy Temple heretofore;
When ravish't with Thy love to me,
To dye I was content, could I but so love Thee,
And so to dye, this life would choose no more;
These thoughts so high my fainting Spirit do raise,
That through my lips they force their way in songs of praise.
IV
For this I'le bless Thee, and on highTo Thy Great Name send up my praises, whil'st I live;
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A mind content, it shall prepare for more supply,
Though Thou at present only that do'st give;
Even that shall bring my famish't Soul more good,
Than what my Body ha's, from most delicious food.
V
Marrow, and Fatness it shall be,And all the solid meats, which please, and feed the strong;
For I shall come at last to Thee,
Who art the Blessed End of all Felicity,
And the best subject of my humble song:
And on my bed, when I revolve Thy might,
My Praises shall, instead of Watches, part the night.
VI
Exil'd, distress'd, and wond'rous low,Under Thy wings secure I in my trouble lay;
Since I so well their covert know,
I'le follow hard, o'retake, and never let Thee go,
Unless on them Thou bear me too away;
Then shall I be upheld by Thy Right hand,
And on the empty Air, as on a Mountain stand.
VII
Then shall my Enemies fall down,By their own swords, and hasting to th' untimely grave,
Reap truly, what themselves have sown,
And their vile Carkasses to Dogs, and Foxes thrown,
Receive no better Burial than they gave;
Such living Monuments, which shall decay,
And be in other Beasts entomb'd as well as they.
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VIII
But I shall in my God rejoyce,And as He raigns above, be stablish't in my Throne below;
For I am His, and He my Choice,
And as my heart now praises Him, so shall my voice;
And all who fear Him, and the Wonder know,
In joyous shouts, shall their long silence break,
Whil'st my Foes, burst with envy, want all power to speak.
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Psalm LXIV. Exaudi Deus orationem, &c.
I
Lord to my voice incline Thine ear,And set me free from danger, and from fear!
Hide me from those, who wicked plots devise,
Are my profess'd, yet secret Enemies;
Who whet their tongues, instead of Swords,
And shoot for poyson'd arrows, bitter Words.
II
They bend their bow, and out of sight,Watch how they unperceiv'd may wound th' Upright,
At him they fearless shoot, and plot, the while,
If this dispatch him not, what Engine will;
“Through our disguise what man can see,
Or how, say they, can we discover'd be?
III
No art they leave untry'd, but roundSeek, and ne'r rest, till what they sought is found,
Each ha's his several way, their heart's so deep,
That each, though partners, their own counsel keep:
And dare not one another trust,
Though all in this agreed against the Just.
IV
But God shall strike them with a dart,That shall divide between the thoughts, and heart;
Both shall be wounded, both together fall,
And their own tongues shall give like death to all:
To spare their lives no man shall pray,
But frighted at their ruine flee away.
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V
By their destruction all shall fear,And dread the judgement, which they see so near;
Shall think, and speak of what the Lord ha's done,
And joy in Him, whose Pow'r was thus made known;
The Righteous in Him shall rejoyce,
And up to Heav'n in praises lift their voice.
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Psalm LXV. Te decet hymnus Deus!
I
Praises for Thee in Sion, Lord, attend,Sion, the fairest Stage in Heav'ns great road,
Whence thousand Praises daily do ascend,
And come in troops to Thy Divine Aboad;
There I my vows will pay,
And with the Convoy they find there, direct their Way.
II
O Thou, who all times do'st th' afflicted hear,From the Worlds ends all Flesh shall come to Thee!
My sins I know may justly stop Thine ear,
And make a greater breach 'twixt Thee and me;
But purge them, Lord, and I
Shall never pray in vain, and Thou be alwayes nigh.
III
Thrice happy man, on whom Thou wilt bestow,That Grace, which of a Slave, shall make him Thine;
Thy Friend, who in Thy House Thy love shall know,
And see Thy Glory as it there do's shine;
When He shall to thee pray,
Nor Thine own Face, nor his Prayers wilt Thou turn away.
IV
By fearfull things in Truth, Lord, answer us,Who sav'st Thy People, and do'st take their part!
And not theirs only, but propitious
Th' Earths ends have found Thee, & their help Thou art:
The Earths ends to Thee are near,
And on rough Seas, through storms and clouds, Thou prayers dost hear.
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V
God by His strength the Mountains ha's set fast;Mountains, whose heads are rais'd above the Sky;
His Word, not their Foundations, makes them last,
Though they as low, as the World's Center lye:
Their tops no storm can shake,
Yet at His presence, like the little Hills they quake.
VI
The Sea, when up to Heav'n its billows swell,As if it scorn'd in its old bounds to stay,
He with his girdle binds the mighty Well,
With charge the sandy Jaylor to obey;
Who, when it heaves, and roars,
Its fury checks, and makes it keep within its shores.
VII
And as tempestuous Seas His Word obey,And at His lowder Call their voice hold still,
The People, a more troub'lous Sea than they,
In all their tumults hearken to His Will;
His Thunder makes them fear,
And those, who get most off, yet think they are too near.
VIII
From the bright East Thou mak'st Thy Sun to go,Before him creeps in Chains the Captive night,
And in the West, when he from us draws low,
'Tis but to spread his Conquests, with his Light:
And till he comes again,
Bids the Moon fill his place, and in his stead to raign.
IX
Thou visitest the Earth, and giv'st it rain,Of Thy rich blessing it do's freely spend;
The Earth returns its thanks to Heav'n again,
In flowers, which thither their sweet Odours send,
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To Thy dread Throne, who dost their Mothers heat allay.
X
The Flood of God, whose Spring-head's in the clouds,When on the weary ground it showers distills,
The softned ridge unto its furrow crowds,
And all it's clots the quick'ning moysture fills;
Thou by degrees dost bring
The Tillage on, and Harvest to succeed the Spring.
XI
Plenty with every shower from Heav'n pours down,The Earth do's by thy constant bounty grow;
Thy goodness do's the year with blessings crown,
And all Thy steps drop fatness where they go:
They on the Deserts drop,
Whose parched Sands drink deep, of Thy o'reflowing Cup.
XII
The little Hills drink deep, and look more fair,The Valleys pledge, till they can drink no more;
The Shepheards, and their flocks both merry are,
And all the Plains with Corn are cover'd o're:
With peace, and fruits abound,
And make the distant Mountains with their Songs resound.
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Psalm LXVI. Jubilate Deo omnis terra, &c.
I
Rejoyce, O World, and to Thy God sing praise!Let Seas, and Isles, and Lands His Name resound;
Together with His Sun your voices raise,
And in Eternal Jubilees go round!
For if that rise His mighty Power to show,
Much more should you, on whom it shines do so.
II
Say to the Lord, “How mighty is Thy Power,“Which even Thy Enemies must unforc't confess?
“To th' Earth they bow themselves, and would fall lower,
“But that instead Thou tak'st this poor address:
“Th' Earth shall worship Thee, and their loud fame,
“Shall fill her Trumpet only with Thy Name.
III
See what He did to raise it, how His handAt once declar'd Him Terrible, and Good!
When raging Seas were turn'd to firm dry land,
And Israel past through th' admiring Flood;
Then 'twas we view'd, and troad His secret Wayes,
And roaring Deeps stood list'ning to His Praise.
IV
He rules o're all, Him Heav'n, and Earth obey,The Universall and Eternall King;
His eyes the Wicked, and the Good survey,
And under chains His Hand the Proud do's bring:
Raise not Thy self too high proud dust, for fear
The Wind which rais'd, Thy Name away should bear.
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V
Rejoyce ye Nations, and to God sing praise!Let Seas, and Isles, and Lands his Name resound;
Together with His Sun your voices raise,
And in Eternal Jubilees go round!
For He from falls our sliding feet do's save,
And with new Life returns us from the grave.
VI
Like Silver in the Furnace, we were try'd,And felt unusual flames rage all about,
But thence, as Silver, throughly purify'd,
We only left our dross, when we came out;
The purer metall had no base alloy,
And all our griefs made way for greater joy.
VII
Low were we brought, the net upon us cast,And on our loyns prodigious weights were laid,
Through Water tryal, and through fire we past,
And a derision to our foes were made:
But He, who there upheld us by His hand,
Brought us Himself, at last, to'th' Promis'd Land.
VIII
With praises to Thy House, my King, I'le go,And make my thanks in clouds of Incense rise;
There solemnly I'le pay the willing Vow,
Which my lips off'red in my Miseries:
Bullocks, and Ramms I'le on Thy Altar lay,
And thence with Flames renew the Wasted day.
IX
You, who have known th' Almighty, Love, draw near,And to my Speech your ready minds incline;
Attend to that just witness, which I bear,
And to your own experiences take Mine!
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“And pray'd in groans, He turn'd them into praise.
X
Had I kept some reserve within my Heart,In hope to hide it, He had stop't His Ear;
But I unbowel'd my most secret part,
And then He did not only see, but hear;
Praise Him, who thus His glory did display,
Nor turn'd His own Face, nor my Prayers away!
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Psalm LXVII. Deus misereatur nostri, &c.
I
Save us O God, and Thy poor Servants bless!Thy Goodness and Thy Pow'r declare!
In Mercy help us, in Our great distress,
And We no more will doubt Thy Love or Care!
Let through the World Thy Mighty Name be known,
And what We praise, may the whole Earth with Rev'rence own!
II
Rejoyce, ye Nations, for your God is here,Who by His Wisdom rules o're all!
He Kings, and Kingdoms governs, and that fear
They strike in you, He makes on them to fall:
Let through the World His Mighty Name be known,
And what we praise, may the whole Earth with Rev'rence own!
III
Then shall the Lord our Land both save and bless,His Goodness, and His Power declare,
And then Our fields shall give their full increase,
And with His blessing look more gay and faire:
The Lord shall bless us, and His Name make known,
And what We praise, the whole Earth shall with Rev'rence own!
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Psalm LXVIII. Exurgat Deus, & dissipentur, &c.
I.
Great Leader of the Sacred Hosts, arise,And scatt'ring Thy Proud Enemies,
Encrease Our Triumphs with Thy Victories!
Let those, who hate Thy Name, before it flye,
Like Clouds of Smoke, chas'd by the Wind,
Which vanish as they mount on high,
And undistinguish't from the Common Skie,
No more in strange Fantastick figures lye,
But without mark, to know them by,
Leave not the smallest stain behind,
That in the air, one may their empty traces find:
Let their destruction suddain be,
Sooner than Wax do's melt,
When once the flames are felt,
And in Thine eye may they the fire, which burns them see!
But let the Righteous in Thy Pow'r rejoyce,
With Flutes, and Trumpets make a cheerful noise,
And the whole Consort joyn, and perfect with their voice!
II.
Make God your Song, Ye Just, and from His Wayes,Which are in Heav'n, take theam your Verse to raise!
In Heav'n, where He in glory rides,
And with His rein the Winds, which bear him guides,
And by His Name Jehovah celebrate His Praise!
Above He rules, but His great Pow'r extends
To what soe're is done below,
The Cares of all His Creatures He do's know,
And visits the wide Earth's extremest ends:
Is a kind Father to the Fatherless,
The Widdows Counsel, and do's bless
Desparing Nuptials with a large increase;
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And her, that barren was, a numerous seed to bear:
And when to Him poor Captives cry,
Their tears move pitty in His eye;
And with His Arm He gives them Liberty;
Again returns them to their Land,
Made fruitful by His plenteous rain,
When on the Proud, He throws the Chain,
And turns their Pastures to a dry, and barren Sand.
III.
Lord, when Thou through the Wilderness did'st go,And their great Journeis to thy Israel show,
And, though Thou fill'dst the Heav'ns, confind'st Thy self to'a Cloud below,
Sinai did at Thy Presence quake,
The Rocks bow'd down, and the whole Earth did shake,
And stubborn Israel in their horrors did partake;
Thou thundred'st, and to own Thy Power,
The Heav'ns let fall a mighty shower,
With whose cool drops Thou did'st restore
The sully'd beauties of the shriv'led Earth,
Giving its fruits, and flowers new birth,
And made'st it fairer, than it was before:
The desert with Thy blessing did abound,
New streams refresh't the weary ground,
And Jacob there a safe retreat from bondage found.
There He securely dwelt,
And all th' effects of mighty goodness felt:
There for His poor Thou did'st prepare,
And of His Armies took'st the care,
Still guiding them by Thine own hand,
Till by safe Conduct Thou hadst brought them to th' Promis'd Land.
IV.
Before the Camp God march't, and VictoryFollow'd Him close, in view of all,
Our Wives, who saw the Enemy fall,
To meet our triumphs laid their distaffs by,
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And sang to them that praise we shouted to the Flute.
They sang of Armies, and of Kings,
How soon their troops were put to flight,
E're they had well resolv'd to fight,
With all the Mirth, which certain conquest brings:
How God abroad did overcome,
And they divided the rich spoil at home;
And though amongst the Pots they long had lain,
Condemn'd to Brickilns, and the Mine,
How all the flames did but their Oar refine,
And made them with more Lustre shine,
When all their former beauties it had first restor'd again.
Like spotless Doves in their most glorious flight,
Reflecting from their wings the tremb'ling light,
In thousand colours, which the eye both dazle, and invite.
V.
And so look'd Palestine, when th' Heathen fell,And spoils of Kings were scat'red there;
The Land, which was before as dark as Hell,
Receiv'd fresh verdure, and became with Trophies fair:
On high its head did bear,
As if with snowy Salmon, 'twould compare:
Basan's high Hill God did with blessings crown,
And on it show'rd such plenty down,
One would have thought that God had chose it for His own,
But hold, O Hill, raise not Thy self too high,
For Sion yet shall o're Thee reign,
With Her compar'd, Thou must fall down again,
And flat as Thine own Vallies lye;
For God in Sion to reside intends,
There must His House, and Altar be;
His dwelling place to all Eternity,
And the whole World to Her shall bow,
And yield their necks as well as Thou;
To Sion, whose Vast sway all bounds transcends,
Beyond the boundless space, where furthest Nature ends.
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VI.
On Her th' Eternal will erect His Throne.God, whom the Powers of Heav'n, and Earth obey,
At whose dread Presence Sinai fled away,
When thither He to Israel, all in fire, came down.
Smoke and thick Light'ning did the mountain bound,
With twenty thousand flaming Chariots girt around,
The Guard Divine, whose wheels in Thunder did resound.
And when He thence arose, and up on high
Ascended with His glorious trains,
He lead Captivity in Chains,
And gifts on men bestow'd, as well as liberty:
To Traytors pardon granted, and a Land,
Which was the purchase of His Own right hand;
And if no more they would rebell,
With promise there to make His Court, and ever dwell.
To Him alone be all the Praise,
Who thus His Name, and Us can raise,
And with ten thousand Blessings crowns Our dayes!
VII.
'Tis He, who saves Us, and to Him belongThe keyes of th' Adamantine Gates of Death:
He opens, and none shuts, gives, and recalls Our breath,
Whose Name is, Our Salvation, Great and Strong:
Who will the Wicked tumble to the ground,
And make His Soul a passage through His Wound.
But to His People sayes “I will again
“Repeat the Wonders, which I heretofore have shown;
“And greater do, than e're I yet have done,
“On Basan get my self a Name,
“Bow down His neck, and raise in Mounts the liquid Plain:
“The Sea once more divide, to make you way,
“Now truly Red with purple streams, which flow,
“From your fierce En'mies veins, and my great blow,
“That Sea, as well as Ægypt's, trembling shall obey,
“And there you shall securely pass,
“And there your feet, and garments wash;
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“And gorg'd, with humane flesh, shall sport along the scarlet Flood.
VIII.
And so they did, and then Thy paths, O God, were seen,And all Thy goings, nothing came between;
How Thou didst both their way, and Armies lead,
Before the Singers went, and then the Flutes,
The Maidens follow'd with their Lutes,
And fearful Women heard shrill Trumpets without dread.
“Bless ye, said they, the Mighty God!
“Ye streams, which from Old Jacob's spring proceed,
“The Faithfull Jacob's happy seed,
“And with you stablish His Divine Aboad!
“Let little Benjamin be there, and there
“The Governours of Judah, fam'd for War,
“Whil'st Learned Napthali, and Zabulon
“For the great day, and solemn pomp, compose a Song,
“And with their Numbers all the Tribes conduct along!
“Let God Himself new strength command,
“And since He ha's such wonders done,
“Perfect what is so well begun,
“And as we all before His Temple stand,
“Those heads, which he ha's sav'd, exalt with His own hand!
IX.
There, Lord, Our spoils to Thee We'll consecrate,And Princes thither shall their Tribute bring;
And swear Alleg'ance to Thee as their King,
Thy Peace, and Friendship supplicate,
And on their knees receive new Titles to their State;
Those who refuse, and think their Pow'r so great,
That it or can resist, or vye with Thine,
And Heav'n with open blasphemies dare threat,
Against their Spears, Lord, make Thy Light'ning shine,
And or o'rethrow, or force them to a base retreat!
And to those roaring Bulls presumptuous noise,
And bleating of their Calves, oppose the Thunder of Thy voice!
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And as Thou on Thy Throne do'st sit,
Their necks and gifts lay humbly at Thy Feet!
Till Ægypt, and the Lybian Nations come,
And leaving all the Gods they had at home,
In Sion only seek the True, and Holy One!
X.
Praise Him all Kingdoms, and all Lands,That God, who ha's in Heav'n set fast His Throne,
And all its Armies with His voice commands,
And makes them trembling His Dominion own!
His Mighty Voice abroad He sends,
That Voice, which tallest Cedars rends,
And makes His Thunder heard, to th' Worlds utmost ends!
Wisdom, and Strength, and Majesty,
To Israels Strength and Wisdom give,
Honour, and Praise to the Most High,
And endless Rule to Him, who doth for ever Live!
To Thee, O God most Worthy to be prais'd,
And in Thy Temple to be fear'd of all;
Who Jacob from the dust hast rais'd,
And so uphold'st, that He shall never fall:
Whose Sacred, and Eternal Name,
That for Him conquer'd thus, thus overcame,
Can only sounded be by an Immortal Fame.
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Psalm LXIX. Salvum me fac Deus quoniam, &c.
I
Save me, O God, for thousand billows roul,And mighty Floods come tumb'ling o're my Soul:
Th' unstable Wave, no certain footing yields,
And when within my depth I reach the ground,
The Quick-sands draw, and in those wat'ry fields,
Where Mounts of Seas are cast up, there's no standing found.
II
So tir'd I am that I no more can cry,My Throat i'th' midst of all these Seas is dry;
My eyes, and heart with expectation fail,
Whil'st all around I am with foes beset,
Which daily grow, and as they grow prevail,
More numerous than my hairs, like their own Numbers great.
III
Uninjur'd, Lord, they are my Enemies,And causlesly for my destruction rise;
For though from them I never ought did take,
And what I had, was all my own before,
For wrongs ne're done, I satisfaction make,
And, as a thief convict, they force me to restore.
IV
All this Thou know'st, For what is hid from Thee,Who dost my secret Sins and Follies see?
But with them too my Innocence is known;
For my sake then let those receive no shame,
Who have beside the guards, which are their own,
(A guiltless mind) for their defence Thy Mighty Name!
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V
'Tis true, for that Affection, which I've bornTo Thee, I'm made my self the Common scorn;
My Brethren as a stranger on me look,
And though one blood alike fills all Our veins,
And all our streams we from one Fountain took,
Like streams divided once, we never meet again.
VI
Yet neither this shall make me from Thee turn,But in a Sacred Flame my Zeal shall burn:
I'le slight the Scorns, which they have on me thrown,
Though all the tempest break upon my head,
And in a thousand deaths comes pouring down,
For 'tis no more than what against Thee first was said.
VII
I wept, and with an holy DisciplineChast'ned that Soul, which abstinence did pine;
In mournful Sackcloth did my beauties hide,
Which from reproach could not secure me long,
But those, who saw it did my grief deride,
I was the Aged's By-word, and the Drunkard's Song.
VIII
But all the while to Thee I made my Prayers,Which even then found admittance to Thine Ears:
Lord, as Thou heard'st me then, defend me now!
Now, for Thy Mercy sake deliver me,
Thou could'st not in a fitter time bestow
Thy Favours, nor could they, I think, more welcome be!
IX
Save me, My God, for thousand billows roul,And mighty Floods come tumb'ling o're my Soul;
Th' unstable Wave no certain footing yields,
And, where within my depth I touch the ground,
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Where Mounts of Seas are cast up, there's no standing found.
X
From my insulting Foes deliver me,Who worse than all these Floods and Quick-sands be!
Let not their Waves my shipwrack't Soul o'reflow,
Nor in their deep Abyss convey me down;
Let not the silent grave Thy anger show,
Nor shut me up, where Thy great Name's unknown!
XI
But for Thy mercy sake incline Thine ear,And Thine own Pitty, and compassions hear!
Hear me betimes, nor from Thy servant hide
Thy glorious sight, or take Thy hand away,
But save Thou Him from his Oppressors pride,
Who know'st them all, and all the snares they for him lay.
XII
Reproach and shame have torn my very heart,When none of all that saw me took my Part,
For some kind soul I look'd, but all in vain,
No Comforter, or pitty could be found;
But such, who striving to encrease my pain,
Gall with my meat, my drink with Vinegar compound.
XIII
May their own table, Lord, be made a snare!A trap their dainty and luxurious fare!
With constant tremb'ling make their loins to shake!
And let them see no more the joyful light,
But may Thy wrath sure vengeance on them take,
And close attended be with an Eternal night!
XIV
Let utter desolation on them seize!And savage beasts defile their Palaces!
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But dark repairs of Solitude and fears;
For as if all, which I had born from Thee,
Was not enough, to Thy sharp-stroke they added theirs.
XV
Let in repeated Sin their age be spent!And make their crime become their punishment!
Let them th' effects of Mercy never feel!
But in Thy Book draw o're their Names a blot!
And when they suddenly descend to Hell,
Let their Memorial by the Righteous be forgot!
XVI
But I am poor, my God, and prostrate lye,By Thy Salvation to be rear'd on high:
That in my Songs I may Thy Name reherse,
And up to Heav'n in grateful Anthems rise;
To Thee, who dost more kindly take a Verse,
Than a young Bullocks blood, or horn-hoof'd Sacrifice.
XVII
The humble shall behold it, and rejoyce;To Thee incline their hearts, and raise their voice:
For to the Poor God do's bend down His Ear,
And their requests nor slights, nor disregards,
But when to Him they cry, He stoops to hear,
And to His Pris'ners gives both freedom, and rewards.
XVIII
Let Heav'n, and Earth, and Sea to God sing praise!And Angels on their Wings His honour raise!
For He will Sion save, her walls rebuild,
And Israel to their Land again restore;
The wasted Cities shall with Men be fill'd,
Confirm'd with Charters to their Seed for evermore!
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Psalm LXX. Deus in adjutorium meum, &c.
I
My God, why do's my God thus ever stay,And to my rescue make no hast?
My Trouble calls Thee now away,
Let not my help be slow, when that comes on so fast!
II
Now come, and with Thy Presence, Lord, confoundMy proud and cruel Enemy:
Level his greatness with the ground,
And when he surely thought to conquer, make him fly!
III
Let him be backward forc't, and for the scorn,He in his malice threw on me,
Let on his head that scorn return,
And be Himself as low, as he wish't I should be!
IV
Whil'st those, who in th' Almighties succours trust,In Thee, who their Salvation art,
Rejoyce, because their God is just,
And have their mouths as full of praises, as their heart.
V
May I, my God, one of that Number be;For though I am at present low,
Thou know'st I still belong to Thee,
And only for my sins till they are purg'd am so.
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VI
Help me, my God, O do not ever stay,But to my rescue come at last!
My troubles call Thee now away,
Let not my help be slow, when they come in so fast!
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Another Version of the same,
by M. M. B.
I
Almighty God, whose Pow'r is infinite,Who with a Word did'st all things make;
So great, that when Thou speak'st, the Mountains quake,
Let my deliverance also shew Thy might,
And by its certain speed make that appear more bright!
II
The Proud, when he is from his greatness thrown,And do's with shame, and horror find
Nothing of all his glory left behind,
Who when Thou, Lord, in wrath do'st on him frown,
His very Soul is with the heavy weight press'd down:
III
Make his the Portion of my Enemies,(Who in their cursed rage contrive
To slay my Soul, when Thou would'st have it live)
That they may see by this their sad surprise,
It was not only me, but Thee they did despise!
IV
Let those, who wish my hurt, and would rejoyce,As senseless of my misery,
Be like to conquer'd troops, which scatt'red fly,
And with confusion tremble at the noise,
That's rais'd by their own fear, and mighty Enemies voice!
V
For a reward let such be driven away;And quite astonish'd, may they find
No hopes of comfort to relieve their mind,
Who at my griefs in sport triumphing say,
“This is as we would have it be, Aha! Aha!
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VI
But on Thy People make Thy Face to shine!Let them from fears be alwayes free,
(Except it be fears of offending Thee)
The sacred Flame their heart shall so refine,
That now their joy shall only be that they are Thine!
VII
Such as to Thy Salvation burn in love,Let them perpetual praises sing!
And with rejoycing this their Off'ring bring,
With such Expressions let them forward move,
“Our God be magnify'd on Earth, and Heav'n above!
VIII
But I am poor, and needy, much distress'd;Wherefore, O Lord, make haste to me!
For all the Springs of Mercy are in Thee;
And can I want, while I upon Thee rest,
Whose Word alone commands deliv'rance to th' Opprest?
IX
Thou, in whom all my confidence do's lye,My help and hope in my distress,
Let not my Misery make Thy Pow'r be less!
On Thee I wait, to Thee, O God, I fly,
Make haste, and be Thou on the Wing as well as I!
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Psalm LXXI. In te Domine speravi non confundar! &c.
I
Thou art my hope, O God, in whom I trust,Let not my Confidence procure me shame;
But save me in Thy Truth, for Thou art Just,
And in my great escape consult Thy Name,
Lest those, who know Thee not, its care should blame!
To my Complaints, and cryes incline Thine Ear,
And by Thy Help make me assur'd that Thou dost hear!
II
Be Thou my Rock, where till the Storm is past,Above the Floods I may securely stand!
Thy promis'd aids for me send out at last,
Who art my Rock at Sea, my Fort at Land,
And by Thine save me from my Enemies hand!
The bloody hands of fierce and cruel Men,
And all their shafts on their own heads return again!
III
For Thou, O Lord, my ancient hope hast been,And from my youth I have Thy Mercies known;
Thy Power was in my first conception seen,
When from the Womb Thou did'st Thy Servant own;
And thence He into Thy great arms was thrown.
Praise is the least that I can offer Thee
For all the care, which then, and since Thou took'st of me
IV
But, Lord, despis'd I'me made the scorn of all,A greater Wonder Now than heretofore;
Yet still Thou art my God, on whom I call,
My Magazeen, where's laid up all my store:
Nor till Thou sav'st me, will I give Thee o're:
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And I'll both honour, and admire Thee all my dayes.
V
Now that I'm Old, my God, and feeble grown,And both my eyes, and strength together fail,
Leave me not now, by them to be o'rethrown,
Who with continuall plots my life assail,
And or to dye resolve, or to prevail!
Who say, “We'll fight, o'recome, pursue, and take,
“And him, whom God ha's left, Our Slave & Captive make.
VI
Thou, who all this, and more then this dost hear,Make haste to help me, and no longer stay!
Let those, who thought Thee farr off, find Thee near,
When in consuming flames they melt away,
And to Eternal Wrath are made a prey!
Let shame, Reproach and Scorn their Portion be,
And all the snares their malice had design'd for me!
VII
Then to Thy Name I'll make new Songs of Praise,By this experience taught to doubt no more;
Recount of Thy great Wonders all my dayes,
And of Thy Righteous Mercies, boundless store,
Which I sufficiently can ne'r adore:
By Thine own Power, I'll of Thy Power rehearse,
And make Thy Righteousness the subject of my Verse.
VIII
Thou from my Infancy hast made me seeThy Wond'rous Works, which I abroad have shown,
Now that I'm Old continue them to me,
That I may perfect what I have begun,
And tell Posterity, what Thou hast done!
How great Thy Bounty is, How great Thy Love,
Like whom there's none below, like whom there's none above!
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IX
Great, and sore troubles, for Thy hand I've born;But know Thou wilt restore my joyes again:
And when from death Thou shalt my Soul return,
Thy Comforts shall exceed my present pain,
And on my Throne I shall be fixt again;
Shall to my Harp of all Thy Favours sing,
Who art the Holy God, my Hope, and Israel's King.
X
The joy that's in my heart, my mouth shall speak,And all my Life be one continu'd Song;
My Soul, whose wringing fetters Thou did'st break,
Shall find, or make its passage by my tongue,
And think no time for Thy great praise too long:
For Thou to th' Earth my Enemies hast thrown,
And in Thy Wrath on them, Thy Care of me made known.
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Psalm LXXII. Deus Judicium tuum Regi, &c.
I
Great God, Thy Judgements to Our Soveraign give,And let His Throne like Thine abide!
May the Young Prince before Thee live,
And on His Enemies necks in Triumph ride!
Put on His head Thy Righteous Crown,
And to His Fathers glorys add Thy own!
II
Then shall He judge the People, and dispenseThat Justice, which He has receiv'd;
To Him the Poor shall look, and thence
Have both their miseries pitty'd, and reliev'd;
The Needys Cause He shall maintain,
And on their Enemies turn their wrongs again!
III
So shall the barren Clifts with shouts resound,And all the little Hills rejoyce;
The Valleys and the lower ground,
Shall thence receive the Image of the Voice;
Sweet Peace on every Hill shall raign,
And Justice once more guide the humble Plain.
IV
Whilst time can measure it, His Rule shall last,And when even that shall be no more;
When Time it self expir'd is cast
I'th' Urn, that had all dust but his before,
No Ages left to count it by,
It shall be measur'd by Eternity.
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V
And as soft rains on the mow'd grass come down,And give the Meads a second Spring;
As show'rs are to a Land new sown,
Which swell the Seed, and help it forth to bring,
Making the Fields all fresh and gay,
Such shall his Gover'ment do, but more than they.
VI
Peace, and Her fruits shall prosper in His dayes,And under His Auspicious Raign,
The Palm shall flourish, and the Bayes,
And Justice to the Earth return'd again,
To Heav'n no more be forc't to go,
But with Him keep Her Residence below.
VII
His far stretch'd sway Nature alone can bound,Which shall from Sea to Sea extend,
As far as there is any ground,
And only where the World finds her's, have end:
Then up to Heav'n His Fame shall fly,
And fill the Mighty Circle of the Sky.
VIII
Black Ethiopia at His Feet shall bow,Her neck, for Him to tread upon,
Honour'd enough, if thus He show
Acceptance of the Footstool for His Throne;
Down in the dust His Foes shall lye,
With heads more low, than once their thoughts were high.
IX
The Western Continent and farthest Isles,And both the Indies gifts shall bring,
To Him they shall present the spoyles
Of Sea and Land, as Universal King;
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And do for Theirs, Just Homage to His Crown.
X
Kingdoms Opprest, shall His Protection crave,And Needy States unto Him sue:
Th' Opprest He with His Arms shall save,
And with the Needy His Old League renew:
Redeem their Slaves, defend their Right,
And shew their blood, was precious in His sight!
XI
Thus shall He live and reign, and thus receiveThe Tributes which to Him are paid,
Some Myrrh, some Frankincense shall give,
And Gold, which shall like Stones be Common made:
And the due Service of each day
Shall be to praise that King, for whom we pray.
XII
Then shall th' Earth produce her richest store,And Mountain tops be safely plough'd;
Which, though they barren were before,
With Libanus shall vye and shout as loud:
Nor shall the City flourish less
Than Her parch'd Hills, but like the fields encrease.
XIII
And when to God he shall resign His breath,Yet in His Name He still shall live:
Above the Pow'r of Grave, or Death,
And to Immortal Verse a Subject give:
Which of His Happy Reign shall sing,
And count that Land so, which ha's such a King!
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XIV
Bless Him, whose Word these Miracles obey,And who must all these gifts bestow!
To Israel's God, let Israel pray,
That from His Spring such streams may ever flow!
For ever bless His Holy Name,
Nor bound with less than Heav'n His Mighty Fame!
The Prayers of David the Son of Jesse are ended.
The end of the Second Book of Psalms.
| A paraphrase upon the psalms of David | |