Deus auribus nostris.
Psal. xliiii.
T.S.
A moste earnest prayer made in the name of the faithfull, when they
are afflicted by theyr enemies, for sustayning the quarell of gods word
accordyng to the exposition of S. Paule, Roma. viii.
[The first parte.]
Our
eares haue hard our fathers tel,
& reuerently recorde:
the wondrous works yt thou hast done
in alder time (O Lorde.)
How thou didst cast the Gentils out,
& stroydst them with strong hand,
planting our fathers in theyr place,
& gauest to them their land.
They conquered not by sword nor strength,
the land of thy behest:
But by thy hande, thy arme and grace,
because thou louedst them best.
Thou art my king (O God) that holpe,
Iacob in sundry wyse:
Led with thy power, we threwe downe suche,
as did against vs rise.
I trusted not in bow ne sword,
they could not saue me sounde:
Thou kept vs from our enemies rage,
thou didst oure foes confound.
And still we boast of thee our God,
and prayse thy holy name:
Yet now thou goest not with our host,
but leauest vs to shame.
Thou madest vs flee before our foes,
and so were ouer trode:
Our enemies robde & spoilde our goods
when we were sparst abrode.
Thou hast vs geuen to our foes,
as shepe for to be slayne:
Amongst the Heathen euery where,
scattered we doo remayne.
Thy people thou hast sold like slaues,
and as a thyng of nought?
For proffit none thou hadst therby,
no gayne at all was sought.
And to our neyghbours thou hast made,
of vs a laughing stocke:
And those that round about vs dwell,
at vs doo grinne and mocke.
The secōd parte.
Thus we serue for none other vse,
but for a common falke:
They mock, they scorn, and nod their heds
where euer they go or walke.
I am ashamd continually,
to heare these wicked men:
Yea so I blush, that all my face,
with red is couered then.
For why? we heare such sclaundrous words
suche false report and lyes:
That death it is to see their wronges,
their threatnings and their cryes.
For all this we forgot not thee,
nor yet thy couenant brake:
We turn not back our harts from thee,
nor yet thy pathes forsake.
Yet thou hast trod vs downe to dust,
where dennes of dragons be:
And couered vs with shade of death.
and great aduersitie.
If we had our Gods name forgot,
and helpe of idols sought:
Would not god then haue tried this out
for he doth know our thought.
Nay, nay, for thy names sake, O Lorde
alwayes are we slaine thus:
Aa shepe vnto the shambles sent,
right so they deale with vs.
Up Lorde: why slepest thou awake,
and leaue vs not for all:
Why hidest thou thy countenaunce,
and dost forget our thrall?
For downe to dust, our soule is brought
and we now at last cast:
Our belly lyke as it were glude,
vnto the ground cleaueth fast.
Rise vp therfore for our defence,
and helpe vs Lorde at nede:
we thee beseche for thy goodnes,
to rescue vs with spede.
