Psa. 44.
[_]
To the Cheef Musitian, for the Sonns of Chorah.
The Church pleads for Gods mercie, because hee is her auncient
deliverer; & because he is yet her only Trust, though
shee hath long sustained the scornes & oppressions of Tyrants,
&c. It may be vsed, when the Church or
commonwealth is afflicted, &c.
[1]
Oh God! thy work's in Ages past
Wee heard our fathers tell:
How, thou the Gentiles forth didst cast,
And, broughtst them, there to dwell.
For, nor their sword nor Arme it was
By which that land they gaind
But, Lord, thy hand, thyne arme, thy grace,
And favour, them sustain'd.
2
Oh Lord my God, my king thou art,
Thy Iacob. still, defend,
And, we shall those through thee subvart
That harm to vs intend.
Wee, through thy Name shall tread them lowe,
That vs resist, oh Lord;
For, I depend not on my bowe,
Nor trust I to my sword.
3
Wee from our foes were kept by thee,
And thou didst work them shame:
In thee therfore, much joy'd were wee
And, wee did praise thy Name.
Yet, now disgrac'd, thou throw'st vs by;
Our Hoast thou dost forsake:
Before our foes, thou mak'st vs fly
And, spoiles from vs they take.
4
Thou makest vs the Gentiles meat,
And, vs like sheep they slaie;
We, scattred, & for sale, are sett
To those, who nothing paie.
At vs our neighbours laugh & ieer,
Of vs, they proverbs make:
The people round vs, mock & fleer;
At vs, their heads they shake.
5
Disgrace is alwaies in my sight;
And, redd with shame, I grow,
To hear the scornfull words of spight,
And, railings of my foe:
Yet, wee, O Lord, forget not thee,
Nor from thy cov'nant stray;
Nor changed in our harts are we,
Nor gone out of thy way.
6
Nay, though (opprest, in death's black shade)
Wee lodg'd with Dragons, lie,
Thy Name, wee nor forgotten had,
Nor to strang Gods did crie.
Yea Lord, thou know'st (who know'st each thought)
That, daylie, for thy sake,
We fare like sheep, to slaughter brought
And, so our deaths wee take.
7
Lord, wake, & rise; why sleepst thou so!
Reiect vs no for aye.
Why shouldst thou disrespect our woe,
And hide thy face away?
Behold, ev'n to the dust wee make
Our soules & bodies bend:
Redeem vs for thy mercie sake;
Arise, & vs defend.
