A paraphrase upon the psalms of David :: :: University of Virginia Library

Thrice happy man, who in the beaten wayes
Of Careless sinners, never blindly strayes
In their assemblies, nor maintains their part,
Their scoffs, or their debates will hear,
But leaves the place as well as Chair,
And keeps his ears as guiltless as his heart!

II

Who in th' Almighties Law his age do's spend,
Grows old in that which will his age commend,
By day he reads it, meditates at night,
Makes it his Guide, makes it his Stay,
His greatest business night and day;
But less his business makes it, than delight!

III

He shall be like a Tree by th' Waters side,
Whose root receives the Tribute of the tyde;
The tender plant do's into vigor grow,
Is alwayes green, has alwayes fruit,
Extends into the streams its root,
And spreads in top, as that do's spread below.

IV

So shall the Righteous flourish, and that hand,
Which planted him at first, shall make him stand;
No storm or drought against him shall prevail,
But bending to the streams his root,
He shall be green, he shall have fruit,
Which till they cease to flow, shall never fail.

V

But the unjust by every billow tost,
Shall in the storms himself has rais'd, be lost:
Shall be like Chaffe, with which the Wind do's play,
That now flies here, and now falls there,
Now on the ground, now in the air,
Till that which rais'd it, blow it clean away.

VI

And when th' Eternal Judge to th' Bar shall bring
Each secret thought, and every hidden thing,
The difference then much greater shall appear:
For when the Just to glory go,
The Wicked shall begin their woe,
More unlike in another World than here.

Psalm II. Quare fremuerunt gentes.

I

What makes this stir? Why do the People rage?
And all their little Kings engage?
Their ancient strifes they mind no more,
Forget they once were Enemies,
And though they ne're agreed before,
Now all conspire against their God to rise.

II

Their God's become their Common Enemy,
And his Anoynted they defy:
“Off with his yoak, let's break His bands,
“Away with all his Chains, they say,
“Our necks we know, let's try our hands,
“If they can rule, as well as those obey!

III

But He, who reigns above, sees all their pride,
And do's their boasts and threats deride;
If they go on, He'll to them speak,
And if God speaks, sure man shall hear,
For when His voyce do's Cedars break,
Proud Libanus, which bears them, quakes for fear.

IV

Yet let them rise, and do their worst, my Throne
Stands fixt, as th' Hill 'tis set upon:
(Sion which cannot be remov'd;)
And that no further doubt may be
Whether God has my choice approv'd
I'll shew His Seal, and publish His Decree.

V

“Thou art my Son; This day I Thee begot;
(He spoke the Word, who changes not.)
“Ask of me, and the World is Thyne;
“The utmost skirts of all the Earth,
“Nations unknown, beyond the Line,
“Whose Countreys yet have neither Name, nor Birth.

VI

“Thou shalt their Soveraign be, and to Thee all,
“Who will not stoop shall lower fall.
“Their potsheards shall Thy Scepter feel;
“For since its rule they'l have no more,
“From gold it shall be turn'd to steel,
“And make them dust, who were but earth before.

VII

Be wise, O Kings, and you, who others give
Their Laws, hear Mine, that you may Live!
Great as you are, look not too high,
For one above you stills your noise,
Yet since your Office calls you nigh,
Serve Him with trembling, and with fear rejoice!

VIII

Least He be angry kiss the Eternal Son!
Happy are they, who thus have done!
And there have plac'd their Chief desire!
Unto your selves, and Him return;
For if His anger once take fire,
Those Flames which should but only warm, will burn?

Psalm III. Domine quid multiplicati, &c.

I

Lord, how are they increast who trouble me?

A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his Son.

How many, Lord, against me rise,
For Thy sake are my Enemies,
Yet would perswade me I am so to Thee?
“God has no help for him, they say;
As if they knew Thy Will, or Power;
But when thou Plagues on them dost shower,
O're me Thou shalt Thy Love display,
And raise my head, when theirs Thou in the dust shalt lay.

II

To God Almighty, my defence, I cry'd,
Who heard me from His Holy Hill,
With praise my heart, and mouth did fill,
And me from trouble in His hand did hide:
I layd me down, and rose again,
Nothing shall make me now afraid,
Though thousand Enemies me invade;
For God, who did their rage restrain,
Whilst I securely slept, awake will me sustain.

III

Arise, my God; see where my God do's rise;
And how His foes before Him fall;
Already He has smote them all,
Already has struck out their teeth, and eyes!
Thus by unknown, and secret wayes,
The Lord do's help, and save His own;
Salvation comes from Him alone,
Who thus delights His Name to raise:
O, since He sends the help, let Him have all the Praise!

Psalm IV. Cum invocarem exaudivit, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Thou, who hast heard me heretofore,
And help beyond my Prayers didst send;
Gav'st me my Right, and do'st that Right defend,
Thy wonted aides I now implore;
To my sad miseries incline Thine ear,
And them, my God, and with them Thine own Mercies hear!

II

Fond Men! how long will you, in vain,
God, and my Glory thus despise?
Him you reject, when against me you rise,
For I, but as His Vice-Roy, reign.
By Him I rule, and He, you ought to know,
First judg'd me fit to be your King, then made me so.

III

To Him I call, He hears my Cry,
If you are wise, in time forbear!
Be still, least He your murmurings also hear,
For though you see not, He stands by:
Behold His Face, but if that Sun's too bright,
Consult your own black thoughts, and treasons, when 'tis night!

IV

Your feign'd submission, and false Vows,
How basely with your God you deal,
When under them you falser hearts conceal,
He who's their Judge, and searcher knows:
A pure heart, and clean hand's the Sacrifice,
Which carry their acceptance with them, as they rise.

V

Wealth, since it is so hard to get,
Must be the chiefest Good, most say;
And call them wise, who thither find the way,
Though strayd from Thee in seeking it;
From Thee my Portion, Lord, who canst bestow
More with one look, than all their pains can find below.

VI

Let them to hundred folds increase,
And their redoubled wishes have,
Till they no longer know what more to crave,
Harvests of Plenty, years of Peace;
Their fields with fruit, with oyl their faces shine,
Their jollity's but madness, if compar'd with mine.

VII

Olive and Vine Thou art to mee,
Those blessings, and a thousand more,
Which thou hast layd up in thy boundless store,
Unknown to all, who know not Thee;
Therefore in peace secure I'll sleep, Thy Grace,
Which gives me rest, will also guard my Resting place.

Psalm V. Verba mea auribus percipe, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Lord to my earnest Prayers incline Thyne ear,
And those desires, which Thou first gav'st me, hear!
Attend, my King, my God, unto my cry,
For to Thy Name alone I fly!
If thou art longer silent, what that meant
I'll ask no more, but still will pray,
And hasten with my calls the day,
And silence then shall witness Thy assent.

II

To Heaven I'll look, and pray with confidence,
For I am sure of help, and pitty thence;
I know Thou canst not wickedness indure,
Nor shall the wicked be secure,
Hated by Thee, as Thee he ne're did mind;
His own day dazles his weak sight,
And how then can he bear Thy light?
If his own dazles, Thyne will strike him blind.

III

Thou shalt destroy him, and his lying tongue
Shall to himself alone do all the wrong;
That blood of other men, which he has shed,
Shall justly fall on his own head.
Whilst to Thy Temple I will come with praise,
And make Thy love the subject bee,
Whence I'll take wing to mount to Thee,
And in my flight tow'rds Heav'n, Thy glory raise.

IV

O, bring me thither, and make strait my way,
And let me see the snares my Enemies lay!

Be Thou my guide; that I the path may know,
And lead me, where I ought to go!
I dare not trust them though they seem to bless,
For even their flatteries poyson have;
Their tongue is death, their throat the grave,
Wicked their hands, their heart is wickedness.

V

Destroy them, Lord, but not by Thy right hand,
That signal justice from their own command!
By their own secret counsels let them fall,
And send those plagues, for which they call!
In their transgressions let them be o'rethrown,
Burst with that pride, with which they sweld,
For against Thee they have rebell'd,
And let the Curse they suffer be their own!

VI

But let all those, who trust in Thee, rejoyce,
And where their hearts are, lift on high their voice!
Let them be fearless who adore Thy Name,
Preserv'd by their own heavenly flame!
For Thou all times the Righteous wilt defend,
Thy mighty Power shall be his shield,
Never o'recome, he ne're shall yield,
But certain Conquest shall his arms attend!

Psalm VI. Domine, ne in furore tuo, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Lord, in Thy wrath rebuke me not,
Nor in thy fury chasten me!
For such weak things that furnace is too hot,

a Penitential Psalm.

And by my clay no more endur'd can be,
Than my injustice, and repeated wrongs by Thee.

II

Uphold me, Lord, for I am weak,
Whil'st Thou Thy hand dost on me lay;
My bones are shaken, and my heart will break;
Heal me with Speed, and take Thy hand away,
Or let me know how long, and I'll with patience stay!

III

Return, and for Thy Mercy sake,
My Soul from this affliction save!
O now some pitty on thy servant take,
For Thou in death canst not Thy praises have,
But they, and I shall be forgotten in the grave!

IV

I weary out the day with sighes,
And when that's done, the night with tears;
So vast a deep comes rolling from my eyes,
That down its tyde my bed it almost bears,
Yet though it wash my couch, it cannot drown my fears.

V

My eyes are hollow and decayd,
And from their windows hardly see;
Quite buried in the graves my tears have made,

They only shew where they were wont to be,
So that what age to others, grief has done to me.

VI

But hold; why do I thus complain,
Like one whom God do's never hear?
For God has heard me, and I'll pray again:
Avoid Profane, avoid, least while yo'are near,
That wickedness, which hardens yours, should stop His ear!

VII

The Lord has heard me, and my tears
Have found acceptance in His eyes:
My sighes already have blown o're my fears,
And scatter'd with their breath my Enemies:
So let them fly with shame, all who against me rise!

Psalm VII. Domine Deus meus noster &c.

I

A Psalm of David, which he sang unto the Lord concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

Almighty God, to Thee for help I cry,
And on Thy Power alone rely;
Thou hast preserv'd me, and once more
Thy ancient favours I implore,
The same, which Thou hast granted heretofore.
Thy hand has rais'd me, when brought low,
In my distress Thou didst Thy mercy show,
May that strong hand, which rais'd me then, defend me now!
Lord, from my Enemy deliver me,
And let my flight from him, be but to Thee!

II

Shouldst Thou withdraw, or not let me come near,
My Soul he would in pieces tear;
Just like a Lyon, having found
His helpless prey, who looks around,
And only with his eyes gives the first wound:
But when he sees the guards are gone,
And shepheards scattred, he falls boldly on,
And with his paws do's finish, what his eyes begun.
Such would, O Lord, my certain ruine be,
Didst not Thou interpose to rescue me!

III

Yet, Lord, if I have done this wicked thing,
For which they charge me to the King;
Or if, for some unworthy end,
I did but in my thoughts intend;
(Wretch as I was) a mischief to my friend;
Yea, if I have not spar'd my foe,
Who without any cause of mine was so,
And when thy hand had given him to me, let him go:

Then let my Enemy take my life away,
And spurn that honour I so low did lay!

IV

Lord, in Thine anger to my cause arise,
Against my vengefull Enemies!
Awake, and up in Judgement stand,
The same, which Thou dost me command,
And take both Scales, and Sword into Thy hand!
Then let the Congregation see,
That they themselves are blind, who fancy Thee,
Filleted, as they feign and make their Justice bee!
Return Thou therefore, for their sakes on high,
That they may know ther's in Thy hand an eye.

V

For Thou indeed art Judge: and Lord begin
With me when Thou hast purg'd my sin!
Remember my Integrity,
And after that Thy servant try,
Who to Thy Bar do's for just judgement fly!
That wickedness may have an end,
When thus to every cause Thou shalt attend,
And let Thy equall sentence upon all descend!
I'm sure to be absolv'd, at this debate,
For He, that's Judge, shall be my Advocate.

VI

God shall the Righteous clear, and but delay
The Wickeds sentence for a day;
For every day with him He's griev'd,
He is not pardon'd but repriev'd,
Not into favour, but on proof receiv'd:
And if he turns not to the Lord,
Out from His mouth shall come the dreadful Word,
His bow's already bent, and He will whet His sword:
The instruments of death all furbisht are,
And for the blow th' Almighty arm's made bare,

VII

But unconcern'd, he travayles with his sin,
And falshood to the birth do's bring:
Leaves not, till having digg'd a pit,
He falls himself the first in it,
A just reward, and for the maker fit:
On his own head his sin returns,
He feels the weight of his own heavy scorns,
And in a quenchless fire, which he first kindled, burns:
So righteous art Thou, Lord, so just Thy wayes,
Thy Name to heav'n do's reach, so shall my Praise!

Psalm VIII. Domine, dominus noster, &c.

I

Sole Monarch of the World, Prince of all Powers,
Fountain of Beings, glorious King,

A Psalm of David.

Who can enough Thy praises sing,
Who art the Worlds great Lord, as well as Ours?
Fondly by Verse we strive Thy Name to raise,
When it already is above our highest praise.

II

Thou and Thy Name alike are excellent,
And though we something see below,
The greatest part we cannot know,
Glorys, which are above the Firmament:
Heav'ns of heav'ns a mean extent would be,
And low as hell, were they in height compar'd to Thee.

III

Great as Thou art, yet sometimes Thou dost love
Some glory for Thy self to raise,
Let'st babes, and infants speak thy praise,
And do below what Angels do above:
Open'st their mouths, when Thou wilt check the pride
Of such, who open theirs, but only to deride.

IV

When I my serious thoughts do entertain
With those great works Thy hand has done,
The Heav'ns, and in those heav'ns the Moon,
Whom Thou hast made o're all the stars to reign,
More glorious in Attendants, though less bright
Than he, who rules the day, and sends her out at night.

V

Lord, what is Man, then to my self, I say,
Or, what is Mans Posterity,
That he thus visited should be,
Be made to rule, when such great things obey?
Be little lower than Blest Angels made?
And have at last their glory to his honour laid?

VI

For King of all Thy works, with Thine own hand,
Thou on his head hast set the Crown,
Enjoyning all his Power to own,
And his obey, as if 'twere Thy command;
Creatures, which at his feet the yoak now bear,
But would have higher risen, if not by Thee plac'd there.

VII

They are his slaves, and just obedience show,
All in their offices attend,
Their lives all in his service spend,
And count their honour for his use to grow:
All that the Sea inhabit, or the sky,
And Earth, or for his pleasure live, or at it dye.

VIII

Sole Monarch of the World, Prince of all Powers,
Fountain of Beings, glorious King,
Who can enough Thy praises sing,
Who art the Worlds great Lord, as well as Ours?
Fondly by Verse we strive Thy Name to raise,
When it already is above our highest Praise.

Psalm IX. Confitebor tibi Domine, &c.

I

Lord, I will praise Thee, and Thy Works declare,

A Psalm of David.

Of all Thy glorious Acts reherse;
My Song their praises shall not spare,
But with their numbers I will raise my Verse:
In Thee I will be glad, in Thee rejoyce,
And where Thou art, on high, send up my voice.

II

My Enemies, by Thee persu'd, gave back,
In vain they strove to shun Thy sight,
My En'mies Thou didst overtake,
And those, who scap'd the battle, fell in flight:
Thou heard'st my cause, and didst my right maintain,
Take then the Crown, who didst the Vict'ry gain.

III

God on the Throne did sit, a finall doom
On the Rebellious World to pass,
Their troops alone were not o'recome,
But their vile Names He also out did rase:
So totally by Him they were o'rethrown,
That only in such songs they shall be known.

IV

At length, O Enemy, thy boasts are done,
And thy destructions have an end;
The next that comes, will be thy own,
And at the door swift ruine do's attend;
As of the towns thou sack'dst there is no sign,
But ev'n their Names have perisht, so shall Thyne!

V

God, who for ever reigns, has fixt His Throne,
And to His bar the Earth will call;
In righteousness He shall come down,
And by His equall Justice sentence all:
Under His wings secure the Just shall lye,
And He'll their refuge be, who to Him fly.

VI

Lord they, who know Thy Name, will trust in Thee,
For power, and strength, and safety's there,
That quiver cannot empty'd bee,
And those, who bear such arms, need never fear:
For never yet thou any man did'st leave,
Who was Thy help but willing to receive.

VII

Praise to that God, who care of Sion takes!
And all His wonders tell about;
For when He Inquisition makes,
The blood which now is silent, will cry out:
Aloud 'twill cry, nor will God stop His ear
To blood, who keeps it open for a tear.

VIII

Arise, My King, to Thee for help I pray,
Behold the Mis'ries I endure;
Thou, who from death didst guard my way,
And mad'st me stand from all his shafts secure:
That in Thy house I may Thy love record,
And where He has return'd me, praise the Lord!

IX

Down in the pitt, which for me they had made,
I'th' pit the heathen are sunk down;
Are taken in the toyles they laid,
Whilest by so just a judgement God is known,

That when the heathen fall by their own snare,
The Just, for whom 'twas laid, in safety are.

X

To hell they shall be turn'd, and with them all,
Who God or know not, or forget;
But those, who for His succour call,
Shall have it, like their expectation, great:
For though at present God seems not to hear,
His hands are only held, and not His ear.

XI

Appear, O lord, and let not man prevail,
But judge the Nations in Thy sight;
The Nations, who dare Heav'n assail,
And overthrow them with Thy glorious light!
And, when Thou hast subdu'd their forces, then
Let them know Thou art God, themselves but men!

Psalm X. Ut quid Domine recessisti, &c.

I

My God, why dost Thou thus Thy self withdraw,
And make as if Thou didst not see
Those mis'ries, which are better known to Thee,
Than him, who bears their sharpest law?
Why dost Thou thus Thy face in trouble hide?
T'were hell, should I be ever so deny'd.

II

Look how the wicked, in his pride encreast,
Destroys the poor, who flies to Thee!
May all the plots, he layes, discover'd be,
And on himself their vengeance rest!
May the destruction, which he did intend
For Thine, in his own ruine only end!

III

He boasts of that, which Thou like Him, dost hate,
His loose, and uncontroll'd desires,
And to no greater happiness aspires,
Than what flows from a great estate:
Applauds the Covetous, and counts him wise,
And valiant, who for earth can Heav'n despise.

IV

He has a better God than what rules there,
And need not any further try;
Alas, he has no wings to mount on high,
Give him a God, that will be near;
That may be handled, like his baggs, and told,
And can give solid comfort, like his gold.

V

No other De'ty with the wretch goes down,
This takes up all his thoughts, and mind:
No matter what report he leaves behind,
For what shall be, to him's unknown;
Above, in Heav'n, he hears Thy Judgements are,
And is content they should be alwayes there.

VI

His Enemies he laughs at, thinks their plots
More worthy of his scorn, than rage;
Fearless against all storms he do's engage,
His even-spun thred is without knots:
Perpetual peace, constant Prosperity,
Has been his lot, and shall his portion be.

VII

These are his thoughts, and thus unmov'd he stands,
With fraud, and curses in his mouth,
His feet ne're trod the sacred paths of Truth,
And like them are his cruell hands:
But in the lonely fields in wait he lies,
And stains the groves with humane sacrifice.

VIII

For as a Lion, in some shady breach,
Humbles himself, and couches down,
His prey with greater force to set upon,
If it shall come within his reach,
Do's all the postures of submission feign,
Till to resist he knows their strength is vain:

IX

So do's he couch, but having caught the poor,
With his disguise aside do's lay
His feign'd humility, and tears his prey,
Nor, whil'st ther's life, thinks it secure:
And all the while flatters himself, that he
To the All-seeing eye conceal'd shall be.

X

Arise, O God, to strike lift up Thy hand,
And on Thy En'mies let it fall!
That those, who daily for Thy mercy call,
May thence Thy pitty understand:
That Thou do'st not their miseries forget,
But that their helps shall, like their pains, be great!

XI

Why should the Wicked man Thy Power despise,
Or whilest Thou only dost forbear,
Think that indeed Thou canst not see or hear,
Deaf, as himself, to th' poor mans cryes?
For Thou hast seen, and wilt his rage requite,
That by Thy hand he shall confess Thy sight.

XII

With Thee the Poor entrusted has his wayes,
And Thou preserv'st the Fatherless:
To Thee he makes his suppliant address,
And on Thy mighty goodness stayes:
Therefore appear, and by one fatall blow,
The wicked, and his wickedness o'rethrow!

XIII

Then as Sole Monarch, Thou o're all shalt reign,
When thus Thou hast secur'd Thy land,
When thus they fall, who slighted Thy command,
And all their spoils resign again:
When on the heathen Thou Thy chain shalt lay,
And make their proud Usurpers to obey.

XIV

For this the humble, and opprest do pray,
With groans, that God delights to hear,
Though not to see the mis'ries, which they bear,
For them He feels, as well as they:
Arise then, Lord, to help the Fatherless,
Nor let the Sons of Earth, Heav'ns seed oppress!

Psalm XI. In Domino confido, &c.

I

I know my trust, on whom I have believ'd,

A Psalm of David.

So certain that I cannot be deceiv'd:
God is my rock, and all in vain,
You like a bird to th' hills would have me fly,
For he, who can this rock but gain,
His En'mies arrows may defie,
The bird, whose feathers wing them, never soar'd so high.

II

I saw the wicked draw the fatall bow,
And from the string I saw the arrow go;
It level'd was at the upright,
And had assur'dly sunk into his heart;
His Innocence had been the White,
Had not th' Almighty took his part,
And on his head, who shot it, turn'd the vengeful dart.

III

Th' Almighty God, whose power all things sustains,
Heav'ns dreadful King, who in His Temple reigns,
And with a look all hearts do's try,
Sentencing every work, and word, and thought,
There, as they all unform'd do lye,
E're they are to perfection brought,
And into all their several shapes, and fashions wrought.

IV

He sees the Righteous and the Wicked too;
Without His help, what can the Righteous do?
They are His love: but fire, and rain,
And floods of Brimstone on th' unjust He'l poure;
Fire, which shall ne're be quench'd again,

But light those rivers with its shower,
Whose burning gulf at once shall both drown, and devour.

V

Such is the mixture fills the wickeds Cup,
A brimfull bowle, and he shall drink it up:
Darkness without one gleam of light,
Torments, which have no measure, or allay,
And after all Eternal night;
Whil'st God from heav'n shall dart a ray
Upon the Just man, and be both his Sun and day.

Psalm XII. Salvum me fac Domine, &c.

I

Arise, O God, and save; 'tis time to rise,

A Psalm of David.

And with Thee bring all Thy supplyes!
Help, for the Faithful man no more
Has either place reserv'd, or power,
Is not at all, and was but only scorn'd before.

II

There's not a just man left, they flatter all,
And Prudence, what God hates, miscall:
To one another lye, and feign,
And what they least intend, maintain,
And as their tongue is false, their daring heart is vain.

III

But God such tongues shall cut out, and such hearts
Wound, and strike through with their own darts;
'Gainst Him, and Heav'n they up were thrown,
But on themselves are all hurl'd down,
And, by the wounds they make, they find they are their own.

IV

“Who's Lord o're us, with dev'lish mouth they say,
“Or who is He we should obey?
“That's I, says God, now I'll arise,
“And since my Kingdom you despise,
“And subjects scorn to be, you shall be Enemies.

V

“I'll rise now, and in safety set the Poor;
“From all the storms you raise, secure:
That word has said it, which is try'd
Like Silver, seven times purifi'd;
Pure without any dross, too great to be deni'd.

VI

Thou shalt preseve them, Lord, by Thy Right hand,
I'th' midst of a rebellious land,
Where basest men most honour'd are,
Some on the Throne, some in the Chair;
And they as Criminalls stand sentenc'd at the Bar.

Psalm XIII. Usque quo Domine, &c.

I

How long, my God, wilt Thou thus hide Thy face,
And thus withdraw the presence of Thy grace?
How long shall I forgotten be,
As if indeed it were in vain
Of all my mis'ries to complain,
And I might sooner move the rocks, than Thee?
I look, and sigh, and wait, O, come away,
Why should my En'my triumph, when Thou dost but stay?

II

Arise, O God, and with Thee bring fresh aid,
Thy very sight will make my Foes afraid!
By it o'recome, they'll fall asleep,
Too weak to bear Thy glorious sight,
Will here begin their endless night,
Whil'st Thou my eyes shalt ever waking keep;
Let them not on Thy servants ruine stand,
Least what Thine only did, they challenge to their hand!

III

Thou art my confidence, in Thee I trust,
And, though I am afflicted, God is just:
I in His mercy shall rejoice,
In that Salvation He has brought,
In that deliverance He has wrought,
Something my heart shall do, something my voice:
Both heart, and voice in songs of praise shall move,
And since I am Thy Care, Lord, Thou shalt be my Love!

Another Version of the same.

By M. M. B.

I

How long, O God, shall I forgotten ly,
As one cast from Thy memory?
Wilt Thou from me Thy face for ever hide?
For so that time, which nothing is to Thee,
Seems an Eternity to mee,
Who only on Thy favour have rely'd.

II

Wilt Thou no period to my griefs allow,
But fresh afflictions on me throw,
Which I as little as Thy wrath can bear?
To see my Enemies triumphing stand,
And my self stoop to their command,
Who only Thee, and Thy command should fear.

III

In mercy, Lord, again remember mee,
And from Oppressors set me free!
Unto Thy servants prayers attention give,
Revive his hopes, and let Thy glorious light
His joys renew, that in Thy sight,
Though now cast out, he may for ever live!

IV

Why should my Enemy encrease his pride,
With Thee, and conquest on his side?
And those, who trouble me, in this rejoice,
That I am exil'd from Thy resting place,
The sacred presence of Thy grace,
Who oft have glori'd that I was Thy choice?

V

But I have trusted in Thy power, and love,
That Thou wilt all my fears remove:
And this sure hope with joy so fills my mind,
That I will now Thy mighty praises sing,
From whom my happiness shall spring,
Whose bounty, like Thy self, is unconfin'd.

Psalm XIV. Dixit insipiens in corde, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

“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:
Do's with blasphemous mouth deny
The very Being of the Deity,
And in his works that lye,
Which he to man dares not, to Heav'n profanely gives.

II

From heav'n th' Almighty God came down to view
What He there saw, and there could punish too:
Yet down He came, and look'd around,
He search'd, if He might any see,
Any of His, least they should numbred bee
To th' Common misery,
He search'd, 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 quailes once fed,
Tempting that Heav'n, which Manna down before did shower.

IV

Amids their jollity in fears they were,
Their meat a trap, their table prov'd a snare:
But God himself defends the Poor,
Will both their cause, and right maintain,

And though the proud their Innocence would stain,
The spot shall out again,
And God, who sends them help, shall with it that restore.

V

From Sion, 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!

Psalm XV. Domine quis habitabit, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

My God, who shall Thy Holy Mount ascend,
And in Thy House his life and praises spend?
Blest Soul, who always shall be near,

David.

Nearer than any other can,
Where he his God may see, his God may hear,
And where his God is, still be there,
O tell me who it is, or let me see the Man!

II

God.

'Tis one who from his heart the Truth do's speak;
Whose company, and laws he n'ere do's break:
His Heart's the wheel, which first do's play,
And all the other wheels commands,
Whose motion all the other wheels obey,
All go, when that first leads the way,
Truth and his heart first move, and then his feet and hands.

III

He dares not his just Neighbour vilifie,
Nor give his conscience with his mouth the lie:
Dares not speak fair, before his face,
And once withdrawn, retract his fear,
Sinning to bring another in disgrace,
But thinks, what if 'twere his own case?
And against him, less than against himself will hear.

IV

Whose heart against a wicked man do's rise,
And shewes true scorn, yet pitty by his eyes:
The good he honours, counts them dear
Worthy his love and favour too,

All who in truth my Sacred Name do fear;
And when he to his Word do's swear,
What he has sworn, though he is sure to lose will do.

V

He puts not out his Gold to Usury,
Nor by Extortion into wealth do's flye:
No bribes will take against the Just,
Or ballance with those weights his hand,
Which there inclines where the cause merits most:
And having thus discharg'd his trust,
He on my Holy Mount shall dwell, and like it stand.

Psalm XVI. Conserva me Domine, &c.

I

Michtam. A Psalm of David.

Preserve me, Lord, for unto Thee I flee;
I, who upon thee heretofore have staid,
And when I saw Thee not have said,
“Thou art my God, and though my Good to Thee
“Can never come, yet Thine may reach to mee.

II

My good like gold to Thee can ne're extend,
Though it to airy thinness I should beat:
The distance still would be too great,
Nor will it's dross let it to Heav'n ascend:
O, may it spread below, and know no end!

III

Spread to the Saints, in whom is Thy delight,
And who, as they Thy pleasure be, are mine:
Let others to dumb Idols joyn,
Their very Idols once shall do them right,
And though they could not help against them fight.

IV

I'l not approach them, Lord, least for their sake,
I share the sorrows, which on them are laid:
I of their Offrings am afraid,
For all who to them sacrifices make,
Are their own Victims, and i'th flames partake.

V

God is my Portion and maintains my Lot,
My lines are in a pleasant Country cast,
My Heritage shall fall at last,
And in a time when I expect it not;
God has both given, and will secure the Spot.

VI

His Name I'l therefore bless, who counsel'd me,
Make Him my meditation every night,
Till the young Sun brings back the Light;
As I in His, He in my sight shall be;
Nor shall the Darkness hide His face from me.

VII

Unmov'd I'l stand His mighty praise to tell,
My very flesh in certain hope shall rest
Of th' Resurrection of the Blest;
For Lord, Thou shalt not leave my Soul in Hell,
Nor let Thy Holy One with Corruption dwell.

VIII

To the safe paths of Life direct my way,
Thy Presence, where perpetual joyes flow o're,
Whose Pleasures spring for evermore:
By those clear streams let me delighted stay,
And melt away in love, as well as they!

Psalm XVII. Exaudi Domine justitiam, &c.

I

A Prayer of David.

Great God of all th' Earth, to Thee I fly,
And to thy just Tribunals Barr appeal;
Thou know'st my cause, & Thou shalt hear my cry,
And, what Thy pleasure on it is, reveal:
Upon Thy sentence I depend,
Let that my suit, and troubles end;
For Thyne own sake my right maintain,
Heart did ne're closer joyn with lips, nor they less feign!

II

Lord, Thou hast search'd me, and my heart hast known,
Then, when conceal'd from all the World, but thee,
The silent Night had left me all alone,
By Thee examin'd, mine own Judge to be:
In thousand flames I have been try'd,
But as gold throughly purify'd,
From thousand flames I came more bright,
For I before had past Thyne All-discerning sight.

III

As my heart thought, so my lips alwayes spake,
And with them both my hands did freely joyn;
With the Destroyer I did ne're partake,
But alwayes left his paths to follow Thyne:
Thou wert my rule, and Thou my guide,
When I or slipt, or turn'd aside,
Thus guarded let me ever go,
For as Thy ways are certain, my steps shall be so!

IV

Lord, Thou hast answer'd me, when heretofore,
In my distress I made my Prayers to Thee!

Incline Thyne ear to my desires once more,
And as then, let me now Thy mercy see!
Thou, whose Almighty hand do's save
All those who its protection crave,
Thy mighty hand for me extend,
No power but Thyne can to my miseries put an end.

V

And as the Eye around with guards is sett,
And safely compass'd in on every side,
To keep off dangers (which may hazard it)
Display its glory, or its beautys hide;
Under Thy wings so let me lye,
Secure, as under those, my Eye!
For as those guards my eye enclose,
For safety, I am girt, for ruin by my foes.

VI

Riches to them are Shield, and Coat of Mayle,
Whil'st with vile mouth they basely God defie:
They, more than Innocence, are their Brazen Wall,
Which as their own proud thoughts they wish were high
With fat their eyes are clos'd around,
And though still fastned on the ground,
No conscious marks of guilt do bear,
Nor view it as their own desert, but wish me there.

VII

Just like a Lioness, that wayts her prey,
Urg'd by her young whelps hunger, and her own,
All threatning force aside she seems to lay,
And try's new plotts, when that is useless grown:
Unto some shady Covert flyes,
And there as dead, or dying lyes,
That if her scent infect the wind,
She may her self appear the prey, she there would find.

VIII

But rise O God, and disappoint his rage,
And where himself has bowd, there let him fall!
May he no longer Thy great power engage,
Nor against Thine, with Thy own arms prevail!
The Sword he brandishes is Thine,
Thou guid'st his hand, and mak'st that shine,
Without Thy help he could not be
Or thus Thy seeming friend, or thus my Enemy.

IX

This portion here below the Wicked have,
The World, and all it's boundless stores are theirs,
Though when they once descend into the grave,
They All behind them leave, and Children heirs,
But my great Portion is to come,
When happy death shall bring me home,
When I shall in Thy sight appear,
And, to Thine Image chang'd, be with Thy Son Coheir.

Psalm XVIII. Diligam te Domine Fortitudo, &c.

[_]

A Psalm of David the Servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this Song, in the day that the Lord deliver'd him from the hands of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul ------ And he said,

I.

Lord, I will love Thee, and Thy mighty praise
My humble Song to Heaven shall raise;
Thou art my Rock, my strength, my Power,
My God, my Help, and ever just,
My Buckler, Fortress, and strong Tower,
Who hast been always, and shalt always be my trust.
To Thee the Spoyls I consecrate,
Which by thy hand I from my Enemies took,
That, when in time to come, I on them look,
Thinking how in their ruin Thou preserv'dst my state,
And those remains of Triumph see,
I may new Trophies dress to Thee,
Who only sav'dst, and only worthy of my praise canst be.

II.

'Twas the most gloomy day I ever saw,
And Death in all its horrid shapes stood by;
Trouble without, within dispair did ly,
And not content by drops my blood to draw,
And leave when glutted, it my heart did gnaw,
That sensibly I could perceive my self to die.
Hell compass'd me with all her waves,
Enlarg'd her mouth, and thence did throw
In pitchy streams her terrors, and the graves
That by its train death might more dreadfull show,
And I, before hand, all its cruelties might know.

Before it lay devouring cares,
Envys, distrusts, and bands of snares,
Suspicions, jealousies, and fears,
Chains, and imprisonment, a wretched life,
Beyond the reach of fancy or belief,
With which around 'twas block'd so fast,
That thousand deaths must first be past,
E're one could touch the Blest, and Happy One at last.

III.

What to resolve, or what to do,
Which way to turn, or where to go,
I had no friend to tell me, nor my self did know.
At last to Heav'n I look'd, and there
A passage for my flight did see,
The Coast all empty, wide and clear;
But who on high my Soul could bear,
Or give me wings that I might thither flee?
And then aloud to God I cry'd,
And in my trouble made a noyse,
Anguish did help to raise my voyce,
And heard I would be, though I were deny'd.
“Lord bow Thyne ear, said I, to mee,
“Or suffer that my prayers ascend to Thee!
And up I sent them with a gale of sighs,
That sooner than my thought, had pierc'd the skyes
And entrance found, or made to His ears,
Whil'st I too slow to follow with mine eyes,
Reflecting ever on my fears,
Could only their desir'd return expect in tears.

IV.

I lookt not long, e're th' Earth began to shake,
The Rocks to tremble, and the Hills to quake,
And, to attest the presence of its God,
Who to the Judgment on a Cherub rode,
The World its fixt foundation did forsake;
Out from His nostrils a thick smoak did go,

And from His mouth devouring fire,
Which more impetuous, as it large did grow,
And made the Heav'ns almost with th' heat expire.
He bow'd the Heav'ns, and then came down,
Under his feet chain'd Darkness lay,
And tempests, that no will but His will own,
In hast flew on before, to make Him way;
He follow'd close, and their slow pace did chide,
Bid them with greater speed and swiftness ride;
And that He dreadfull might appear,
Yet not consume till got more near,
Dark waters and thick clouds His face did hide.

V.

Such His Pavilion, such the secret place,
To which His Glory did retire,
But yet how thick so e're the covering was,
The waters could not quench, nor clouds conceal the fire,
But it through both did force its way,
And all the louder thunders calls obey:
In thunder God aloud from Heav'n did call,
And made His voyce o're all the World be heard,
Hayl-stones, and coles of fire did at it fall,
Hail-stones & coles of fire, which those, who slighted thunder, fear'd.
These were the poyson'd arrows, which He threw,
In vain with Heav'n they saw it was to fight;
And since so swift it did their guilt pursue,
As vain thought all their flight,
And it was truly curse enough, to see the light.

VI.

Then were the Channels of the Ocean seen,
And Earths foundations did appear
Never so low before the Sun had been,
Or saw the wonders, which he met with there.
And down he stoopt his watry bed to view,
Which he till then ne're truly saw, or knew,

And scarce believ'd, that what he saw was true.
At thy rebuke, O God, it open stood,
And the same breath, which made, did part the Flood.
To Heav'ns high Vault the waves did rise,
And threatned all to break upon my head,
But I prevented them with shrieks and cries,
And from that deep Thou didst thy servant lead:
Which as the billows saw, more fraid than I, away they fled:

VII.

God from my Enemies my life did save,
And those who were too strong for me, subdu'd:
No sooner could I his assistance crave,
But with my prayers, I saw my help renew'd;
That weakness, which my foes did most enrage,
And to the certain prey did call,
Was my best argument His power t'engage,
Who did, unlook'd for, on them fall,
And found a way to conquest, when they thought they'd stopt up all.
To a large plain he brought me out,
Where I might see His wonders all about,
And by new tryalls His sure mercies prove:
He rescu'd me, because I was His love.
The Justice of my Title did defend,
And on my head set fast the Crown;
His wonted goodness to me did extend,
And, recompensing what my hands had done,
Their innocence both witness'd, & rewarded with His own.

VIII.

He saw how constantly I kept His way,
And ne're to th' beaten roads of sin withdrew;
How I His Judgments did obey,
And all His Laws before me lay,
To be my guides, least I should stray,
And when I fail'd, how I my Cov'nants did renew.

From my own sin my self I kept,
And found acceptance in His sight,
He rais'd me up, and held me, when I slipt,
And I before Him [counted] was upright,
So that forgetting what I did,
My Sins He only, not His Mercies hid:
My righteousness did recompense,
And both approv'd, and crown'd my Innocence.
For like Thy self, O God, Thou dost impart
Most just rewards to every mans desert;
And what he is to Thee, to Him again Thou art.
Mercy dost on the mercifull bestow,
And with the Righteous art upright,
Thy purity the perfect know,
(For thou alone first mad'st them so)
And to perfection by Thy strength they grow;
But those, who scorn Thee, Thou as much dost slight:
Bring'st down high looks, the Poor dost raise;
And Thy afflicted land to save,
Hast helps, as different as Thy ways,
And those, as many from it, as Death has to the grave.

IX.

'Twas Thou who mad'st my darkness bright,
And from the pit did'st bring me back;
Restor'dst, what I despair'd to see, the light,
And, that I should no beauties lack,
Did'st add new glories from Thine own great sight
By Thee I Nations have subdu'd,
Conquering, when I their troops but only view'd,
And Victory as much as them, pursu'd.
Through arms I follow'd her, o're Forts, and Walls,
Nor, till possess'd would give her o're,
Her flight but forc'd me on the more,
And anew made me help implore
Of Him, who gives it those, whom he to battle calls
The mighty God, whose way is just,
And Word like Silver try'd,

But more than silver purry'd,
The Widows and the Orphans trust:
Who never aid to them, who wanted it, deny'd,
The mighty God, who only is the Lord,
And as a Rock, on high, has set His Word,
From whence He has made bare His Arm, and flaming sword.
With that I girded was to th' fight,
More fatal than Goliahs, and more right,
For 'twas in war my Sword, surer than Parthian shaft in flight.

X.

For flye I did, but 'twas like them to overcome,
My feet were Hinds, both to o'retake, and bring me home;
I saw, and wounded from afarr;
God taught my hands the subtle arts of Warr,
And gave them strength a bow of Steel to draw,
And break a barr of Iron as if it were but straw,
His Shield protected me, His Discipline
Both held me up, and guarded round my head,
Above me made new glories shine,
And for my footsteps Palms and Laurels spread;
Which having thence a larger compass gain'd,
O're all the plains secure from sliding reign'd.
And then once more to th' Camp I went,
And with new heat my En'mies did assail,
Their flight could not my hand prevent,
But certain death it after sent,
That both pursu'd, o'retook, and did prevail,
Down to the Earth, but never more to rise,
I, by Thy strength, did hurle them to the ground,
My own could not their force confound,
But Thine did guide, and bless my Victories.
And now my Song Thy praises shall resound;
To Thee I will Thy right resign,
And since Thou didst my Triumphs meet,
And put my En'mies necks below my feet.
Those Laurels, which Thy conduct has made mine
By Thine own purchase, & my present shal again be Thine.

XI.

Small as the dust I to the empty wind
Them and their pride together did expose;
A while they mounted, but fell where they rose,
Again with mire and common dirt were joyn'd,
Like dross cast out, and never more with fire to be refin'd.
They cry'd for help, but none would save,
To God, but He attended not,
Whil'st to my prayers He gracious answers gave,
And for me kept those Honours He had got.
In Civil Warrs preserv'd me safe at home,
Made me abroad fierce Nations overcome,
Who heard no sooner of my Name,
But to submit their Empires came,
And, by accepting me to be their King, encreas'd their Fame.
With them came people quite unknown,
And from my hand each Prince receiv'd a Crown,
Which he more gloried in, and valued than his own;
When those, who yielded not, yet hop'd by flight
To scape the shame they got in fight,
My lustre only made more bright,
And like thick darkness, scattred at th' approach of morning light.

XII.

Blest be that God, who this has done!
My shield, my Rock, whose mighty hand
At once aveng'd me, and subdu'd my En'mies land,
And when to Hell He threw them down
My head not only rais'd, but did with mercy crown;
Who from the violent man deliver'd me,
And from his Throne made me the subject Nations see,
My Laws, and their own Kingdoms take upon the knee.
Therefore to Him alone my Verse I'l raise,
And what I sing, the Heathen teach His praise,
That They, as well as I, may know, and fear His ways.

I'l tell the glories, which to Him belong,
How great His Power, His arm how strong,
And this shall be the bearing of my Song,
“'Twas He that gave deliv'rance to our King,
“Who did to David mercy show,
“And from that never failing Spring,
“Will cause new blessings, on his seed to overflow.

Psalm XIX. Cœli enarrant gloriam Dei, &c.

I

That boundless space we see above,
The Heav'ns, where all the Stars their courses run,

A Psalm of David.

Where greatest Stars have room enough to move,
And seem but points to th' vast Expansion;
The Heav'ns, whose Arms the World embrace,
Which o're our heads, under our feet do go,
And alike neer themselves make every place,
Their great Creators glory show;
The mighty God, who by His powerfull hand
At first did make, and with His Word does bid them stand.

II

His Will gives Laws unto the day,
Makes darkness in its turn succeed the Light;
Both light, and darkness, His commands obey,
And by alternate powers rule day and night:
Through the whole World their Line is gone,
All Nations do their language understand,
Nor was there ever savage Nation known,
Who in them could not read His hand,
In their own tongues all read what's written there,
For Heav'n alone's the Universal Character.

III

From thence God makes His Sun to shine,
Which like a Bridegroom from his bed does rise,
Blushes at first, but then looks gay and fine,
And with his lustre dazles our weak eyes:
At first he gently seems to move,
And Heav'ns steep hill in state walks up, but when
Mid-day is toucht, like's own beams from above,
To th' Earth he shoots himself again;

From East to West round the whole world does wheel,
And makes dull minerals, unseen, his influence feel.

IV

These Works of Thine we see below,
And in them Thy great Wisdom all adore;
But by Thy Law we come our selves to know,
And what we oft have heard, t'experience more:
Just as Thy self are all Thy Wayes,
Thy Statutes, and Commandments pure, and right;
Teaching us how we should exalt Thy praise,
One gives us joy, the other light:
To Thee they all direct, our Leaders are,
And where Thou art, not only bring, but fix us there.

V

The Fear of God true pleasure is,
Is always clean, is always full of love,
Opens the way to an eternall bliss,
And by its constancy its truth does prove:
Unjust that sentence cannot be,
Which from the Righteous Judge of all does go;
His Judgments are from all injustice free,
Are Just themselves, and make us so:
The finest gold near them looks wan, and pale,
And hony from the Comb do's of its wonted sweetness fail.

VI

Gain, and reward in them are found,
Sometimes they are my staff, sometimes my guide,
But, Lord, how often have I fell to ground,
And in my secret wandrings gone aside!
Cleanse me, O God, and through Thy grace
Let not presumptuous sins of me take hold,
But let my Innocence still keep its place,
And make me in the Judgment bold!
Hear me, O Thou, who my Salvation art,
That when my'heart moves my lips, Thy Spirit may move my heart.

Psalm XX. Exaudiat te Dominus, &c.

I

So may Thy God be always near,
May Jacobs God all Thy Petitions hear,

A Psalm of David.

And when Thy Enemies huge Armies send,
As if they would Thy land devour,
And with their numbers Thee ore'power,
Then may His Name be Thy strong Tower,
To break their rage, and Thee from danger to defend!

II

From Sion may Thy aids appear,
Invincible as He, who governs there;
With fire from Heav'n may he Thy Offrings crown,
And as with every Sacrifice,
Thy prayers and that again do's rise,
Till they together reach the skies
Let thy God meet them, and as they ascend come down!

III

May He Thy just desires fulfill,
And always fix Thy counsels to His Will!
'Tis done, O King, and in it we rejoyce,
Let the whole World our shoutings hear,
What we adore, let them all fear,
Honour Him far, and dread him near,
Let the whole World hear Ours, & God Himself Thy voice!

IV

Our God shall hear Thee, and His hand,
Mov'd by His ear, deliv'rance shall command:
From Heav'n He shall His mighty arm unbare,
Brandish His Sword, and make it seen.
Nothing but blood shall come between,

And He, who has Thy Saviour been
Shall be Thy praise as once the subject of Thy prayer.

V

Let others on their Troops rely,
Chariots and Horse which Vict'ry can out-fly;
We on the Name of God will only stay,
That shall Our Horse and Chariots bee,
Our Armies, and Our Victory;
Let but us, Lord, be kept by Thee,
We shall stand Conquerours, when they fall, or run away.

VI

Already they are all brought down,
But on Thy head God has set fast the Crown;
May He be still to Thee propitious,
Always incline a willing ear,
To His Anoynted still be near,
And Thy petitions ever hear,
And as He hears Thee, Gracious King, mayst Thou hear us!

Psalm XXI. Domine in virtute tuâ, &c.

I

Great God, who Wonders for Our land hast done,

A Psalm of David.

And sav'd Our King, whom Thou mad'st so,
Again hast set Him on the Throne,
And made His Fathers foes before Him bow;
Our King shall in Thy strength rejoyce,
That He was Thine, as well as His own peoples choice!

II

Thou didst not ever His requests deny,
Nor to His Vows shut up Thine ear,
In vain He did not always cry,
Though Heav'n, which saw His wrongs, seem'd not to hear;
For the desires He thither sent,
Thou with unhop'd for blessings didst at last prevent.

III

He only sue'd for Life, Thou gave'st a Crown,
And on His head hast set it fast;
The Royall Diadem never shone
With so great lustre, or so long to last,
To Kings, which from Him shall proceed,
Not to His head alone secur'd, but to His seed.

IV

Home Thou hast brought Him, and so fixt Him here,
All say His power is most like Thine;
The Honours Thou hast made Him bear
Have rendred Him, and Monarchy Divine;
That for their Kings Our Sons shall wish,
Like Him they all may be, and all their Reigns like His.

V

For in the Lord His confidence He plac'd,
And up to Heav'n for help did fly,
And having there His anchor cast,
Our Seas, He knew, could never rise so high;
And that the Ocean, which was there,
Was all Pacifique, and no seed for storms did bear.

VI

In vain from Thee, O God, His foes would fly,
And having shun'd His hand, scape Thyne;
But their close walks are in Thine eye,
And all around them do's Thy glory shine;
His Enemies Thou count'st Thine own,
And what His hands reach not, by Thine shal be o'rethrown.

VII

Thou on them their own Consciences shalt turn,
Thy wrath shall on their darkness bright;
For like an Oven it shall burn,
With flames that scorch, and even as Hell affright;
And when it has rag'd all about,
Upon the guilty standers by it shall break out.

VIII

But, if reserv'd for future misery,
Thy vengeance here they shall survive,
'Tis but to see, before them, dye
Those children, in whose names they hop'd to live:
Yet though like them their Names shall rot,
They still shall want the happiness to be forgot.

IX

For Thee, O King, the mischief they design'd,
Which on Thy Fathers head did light;
And with you both the Crown was joyn'd,
That was the Cause did animate the fight;

Whil'st Heav'n was all the while defi'd,
To see the rule establisht there, on earth deny'd.

X

Heav'n saw the Treasons, and did arm'd appear,
Return'd the darts they up had thrown,
Now, less with feathers wing'd, than fear,
And in all wounds the arrows were their own:
Lord, since Thou 'hast thus preserv'd Our King.
Uphold His Throne, that with Him, we Thy praise may sing!

Psalm XXII. Deus, Deus meus, quare dereliquisti, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why art thou turn'd away,
And thus forsak'st me in my agony;
Shall I in vain for ever pray,
And pour out fruitless words, which reach not Thee?
All day I cry, but Thou seem'st not to hear,
The night do's witness to my roarings bear,
Yet though they rend my heart, they cannot move Thine ear.

II

But Holy still, and Righteous, Lord, art Thou,
And worthy of Thy People Israels praise,
Who on Our Fathers did'st bestow
Freedom from Chains, and conduct in their ways,
On Thee they trusted, and to Thee they cry'd,
Who heard'st their groans, & conquering out did'st ride,
Their trust met no reproach, nor was their prayer deny'd.

III

But I'm a Worm, my God, and not a Man,
Reproach of Men, and shame o'th' multitude,
Whose mockings with my grief began,
And ever grew, as that encreas'd, more rude:
With all the antick looks that shew disgrace,
Distorted mouth, and head, and riv'led face,
They me the Common butt, for all their scorns did place.

IV

“Let's see, said they, with justs more sharp than swords,
And mortaller than all the wounds they gave,
“Let's see, if yet, for all His Words,
“The God on whom He trusts, His life will save;
“If He so dearly loves him, at his call

“Why comes He not, we challenge Him and all,
“For without that, this single conquest would be small.

V

Yet still in Thee I all my trust have plac'd,
Who art the God, who took'st me from the womb,
On whom I from the breast was cast,
And to these years through thousand cares have come;
To Thee, who hast defended me I flie,
And on Thy power alone for help relie,
Be not farr off to save, since trouble is so nigh!

VI

Around with Bulls I fiercely was beset,
Basans wilde Bulls whom none but Thou couldst tame;
And with their hoofs the ground they beat,
And open mouth'd upon me bellowing came;
Like ravening Lions hasting to the prey,
That roar, and call their fellow beasts away,
Such was their noyse, and haste, but savager were they.

VII

My blood and spirits like water are pour'd out,
And all my bones are from their joynts remov'd;
My heart it self to th' fire is brought,
And melted down, like Silver to be prov'd;
A Potsheard from the fornace is less dry,
My shriv'led tongue close to my jaws do's ly,
And I bear all th' effects of death, before I die.

VIII

Dogs hunted me, nay worse than dogs, those men
I came to save, in judgment on me sate;
My Good deeds were forgotten then,
Nor could my innocence their rage abate;
But sentence given, lots for my Coat they cast,
And on a rack my naked body plac'd,
Whose staring bones, only by them could be out-fac'd.

IX

On me they star'd, and furious through their pride,
With cruel nails pierc'd through my hands and feet;
Then open'd with a Spear my side,
To see my heart where all those wounds did meet:
But, mighty Saviour, be not farr away,
Rise to my help, and make no longer stay,
Least to their bloody Sword my Soul be made a prey!

X

Thou, who hast sav'd me from strong Unicorns,
Now from the Lions mouth, Lord, rescue me!
These hungry Dogs, and fierce Bulls horns,
Nor to their rage let me deliver'd be!
Then to my Brethren I'l Thy power declare,
And Trophies to Thy mighty conquest rear,
And with the Captive Spoyls Thy Courts shall look more fair.

XI

All you, who fear the Lord, recount His praise;
And you, blest Jacobs seed, His Honour sing!
Who, though most fearfull in His ways,
And the Worlds Judge, is both your God, and King!
Who never has the poor mans suit deny'd,
Nor from my tears His glorious face did hide,
But heard, and answer'd me, as soon as e're I cry'd.

XII

Of Him alone my numerous Song shall bee,
To whose great hand I all my safety ow:
And in Thy Church I'l pay to Thee
Whatever there I in my fears did vow:
Then shall the poor, with famine long opprest,
Eat, and be full, the weary be at rest,
And those, who fear Thy Name, with peace and joy be blest.

XIII

The worlds wide ends, when they Thy power shal know,
Again to their Allegiance shall return:
Their Kings shall to Thy Footstool bow,
And now in love for their Rebellions burn;
Acknowledge Thee the Universal King,
Who on their Princes do'st confusion bring,
And make Heav'ns Vault, with their loud acclamations ring.

XIV

My seed shall serve Him, for they shall be His,
And tell the wondrous works, which He has done;
How Righteous, and how Good He is,
And to the Age to come His Name make known:
That those, who long hence shall a People bee,
When they the Records of these times shall see,
May trust in Him, who did all this, as well as Wee.

Psalm XXIII. Dominus regit me & nihil, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

The Mighty God, who all things do's sustain,
That God, who nothing made in vain,
Who nothing that He made did e're disdain;
The Mighty God my Shepherd is,
He is my Shepherd, I His sheep,
Both He is mine, and I am His;
About His Flock, He alwaies watch do's keep;
When God provides Poor Man can nothing need,
And He, who hears young Ravens cry, His Sheep will feed.

II

And as His Flock the Faithful Shepherd leads
To purling Brooks, and flowry Meads,
And by soft streams in pleasant Pastures feeds;
So do's the Mighty God with me,
Conduct's me to the bubling springs,
Himself is pleas'd my Guide to be,
And when I stray again me homewards brings;
Making His love in thousand favours known,
Not for my goodness sake, but only for His own.

III

Secur'd by Him, I will no danger fear,
Not death it self, if it were near,
And should in its most horrid shape appear;
Death's gloomy shadow by His Sun
Shall chearfull grow, as morning light,
And at the day His eye ha's sprung,
The grave it self shall with new beams look bright,
Thy Staff shall bear me up; My Way, O God,
Not by my Scepter shall be guarded, but Thy Rod.

IV

'Tis Thou, who all times dost my Table spread,
Both fill'st my Cup, and crown'st my head;
And by the same hand I am sav'd and fed:
My Enemies see it, and repine,
And when they look that I should fall,
Behold me with more glory shine,
And that Almighty Hosts are at my call:
Lord, since Thy mercies thus to me extend,
My life thou best know'st when, let my Praise never end!

Psalm XXIV. Domini est terra, & plenitudo, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

The Earth, and all the Earth contains,
Infinite Hills, innumerable Plains,
With all their Riches, are that Gods, who o're them reigns

II

The Universe is His, and all
Those glorious Beings, which compleat this Ball,
The hands which holds it, and them first from nought did call.

III

God founded it upon the Flood,
First made the world, then saw that it was good,
And on unstable waves unmov'd it since has stood.

IV

He all things made, but Sion chose,
Before all places for His own repose,
Sion His Palace, who no other builder knows.

V

But who shall Sion's Mount ascend,
Be counted worthy there his life to spend,
And undisturb'd may at thy Altar, Lord, attend?

VI

He whose pure hands no stains defile,
Whose heart is innocent and free from guile,
And tongue blasphemes not God, nor do's the Truth revile.

VII

This is the Man, who shall receive
Blessings from Him, who do's all blessings give,
Both seeks His Face, and on His Hill shall ever live.

VIII

Lift up your heads, O Gates, make room,

Versus,

Open ye everlasting Doors, for home
The King of Glory to His Rest, through you, will come!

IX

Ask you who is this Glorious King?

Resp.

The Lord of Hosts is He. His Triumphs sing,
Who Vict'ry, that you gain'd not, to your Gates do's bring!

X

Lift up your heads, O Gates, make room!

Versus.

Open ye everlasting Doors! for home
The King of Glory to His Rest, through you, will come!

XI

Ask you who is this Glorious King?

Resp.

The Lord of Host, is He. His Triumphs sing,
And whom you cannot shut out, open and let in!

Psalm XXV. Ad te Domine levavi, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

To Thee, O God, my troubled soul I raise,
Who hast been heretofore my Trust,
And shalt be still, for Thou art ever just;
Let not my Enemies reproach Thy Waies,
Nor me count that my shame, which is my chiefest Praise!

II

To follow Thee, my God; let them do so,
Who sin and no reward can gain,
But find too late, that all their plots are vain;
When those, who wait on Thee still bolder grow,
And through Thy Sacred Waies like Mighty Victors go.

III

Shew me those paths, for, Lord, to Thee I pray,
Then lead me in them by the hand,
Else when they're rough I shall discourag'd stand,
And to some easier passage hope to stray,
But loose my own, and never find (I fear) Thy Way.

IV

Let not my sins to Thy Remembrance come,
Nor all those spots which stain'd my youth;
But wash them out, and mindfull of Thy Truth,
Receive the Prodigal returning home,
And let Thy Mercy for Thy ancient Love make room!

V

In this Thou gloriest, as Thy chiefest praise,
Repenting sinners to receive
And when unable to come on, they grieve,
The weak Thou lead'st, the fallen up dost raise,
And anew shew'st and guid'st them in Thy pleasant Waies!

VI

Truth and Thy Mercy make them smooth, and plain,
And though far off they rough appear,
They are with Roses strew'd, when I come near;
Purge my great sin, and lead me there again,
For that alone, and not Thy Waies are full of pain!

VII

Those, who th' Almighty fear, His Will shall know,
And to His sacred steps form theirs;
Blest in their lives, and happy in their Heirs,
To whom the Lord will all His secrets show,
And what He shall command, supply with strength to do.

VIII

My God, to Thee I look, on Thee depend,
For Thou my feet canst only guide,
To shun those snares, the wicked for me hide,
Thou know'st what I, and what their plots intend,
And with one look can'st them, and all my troubles end.

IX

Behold their Numbers, how they are increast,
And how like waves new pains succeed;
Forgive my sins, whence all these tempests breed,
Let me be calm, my Enemies opprest,
And the foul Sea, and storm be only in their breast!

X

Prevent their malice, and my Saviour be,
For Thou hast been, and art my Trust!
Let Thy protection show that I am just;
Preserve me, for I only wait on Thee;
But chiefly Israel save, what e're becomes of me.

Psalm XXVI. Judica me Domine quoniam, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Judge me, O God, for I to Thee appeal,
Who only know'st my innocence,
Who dost the secrets of my heart reveal,
And all hypocrisie hast banish't thence;
Thou heretofore in need hast been my Trust,
And to Thy Word I'm sure to find Thee just.

II

May I be found so, Lord, O try my waies;
And prove that heart, which Thou dost see;
Thy mercies have been with me all my daies,
Still in my eyes, as I am viewd, by Thee;
That Truth, which is Thy love, Lord, has been mine,
And from its paths I never would decline.

III

In Council with the vain I never sate,
Nor with dissemblers have I gone;
Their private conferences did alwaies hate,
And left the place, when once the cause was known,
Have heart, and hand alike kept innocent,
And from the Laver to Thy Altar went.

IV

There did I all Thy wondrous acts proclaim,
And undisturb'd recount my joyes;
And with my sacrifices holy flame,
That thence to Heaven went up, I sent my voice;
Thy Temple, Lord, with us, Thou know'st I love,
But much more that Thy presence makes above.

V

Number me not with fierce, and cruel men,
Nor make me to possess their fears!
Our lives, Thou know'st, have very different been,
Let Our deaths too, and mine not be like theirs!
I'th' right hand bribes, a sword i'th' left do's shine,
And to Oppression, murderous thoughts they joyn.

VI

But as for me, though poor, I'm still upright,
My Justice do's unshaken stand;
Preserve me Lord, and make my Innocence bright,
And lest I slip, uphold me with Thy hand!
So when my foot shall a sure standing gain,
Equal to Hills my song shall raise the Plain.

Psalm XXVII. Dominus illuminatio mea, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

When in the silence of the Night,
That darkness, which should hide, creates new fears;
When darkness quickens my dull sight,
And profound silence fills with noyse my ears;
Presenting there, and to mine eye
Horrors, which in my fancy form'd do ly;
God through the darkness darts a ray,
And He, who made the Light, becomes Himself my day.

II

Since God's my trust, whom need I fear?
He, who first gave it, will my life secure,
Will make my En'mies disappear,
When (His clear light unable to endure,
By it struck blind) they fall, a prey,
Into those snares which they for me did lay:
For though to swallow me they came,
The ruin, which has buried theirs, shall raise my name.

III

Though mighty Kings against me rise,
And with their Armies compass me around,
Armies and Kings I would despise,
Themselves, not me, their numbers should confound:
On high I'd look, and Legions call
From Heav'ns great Hosts triumphant Generall;
He to my rescue should come down,
And those who scap'd His hand, should perish by their own.

IV

But neither's this my chief desire,
Nor the too hasty glories of a Crown,

Not to be Great do I aspire,
Or from on high on others to look down;
But this is my unfeign'd request,
And to Thy pleasure, Lord, I leave the rest,
That in Thy Temple I may dwell,
And all Thy beauties there to after Ages tell!

V

There would I rest, and be at ease,
Counting it both my hiding place, and Rock;
There should I finde perpetual peace,
And stand unshaken by their rudest shock;
When windes and waves engag'd shall be,
And finde themselves that grave they threatned me.
Louder than them my voice I'd raise,
And in dark clouds of Incense thunder out Thy praise.

VI

Lord, to my prayers Thine ear incline;
Nor let them, or my confidence be vain!
With favour on Thy Servant shine,
And to Thy Temple bring me back again!
No Eccho can more ready be
To answer the quick call, than I to Thee;
For when Thou sayst, “Seek ye my Face,
My Soul returns the word and says, “I'l seek Thy Face.

VII

O turn not then that Face away,
Nor let my sins between Us interpose;
Thou heretofore hast been my day,
When darkness did my Enemies enclose;
Now that my Friends for fear draw back,
Do not Thou too, my God, Thy Childe forsake;
Who Fatherless indeed should be,
Wert not Thou, the Almighty Father, One to me!

VIII

Shew me Thy path, and make it plain,
To me, Lord, plain, but to my Enemies
Rugged, and broken, full of pain,
And unto heights, they dare not venture, rise!
Direct them by some other way,
And make me not unto their teeth a prey!
On them their perjuries return,
And let their own breath make the fire they kindled burn.

IX

Under these troubles my support
Is only that I hope Thy Power to see,
My Confidence is my strong Fort,
Which I'l maintain, whil'st I can look to Thee:
Then bear up Soul, and God attend,
Expect the succours which He'll surely send:
Bear up, but till this Storm is o're,
And wait, Soul, but a while, and Thou shalt wait no more.

Psalm XXVIII. Ad te Domine clamabo Deus, &c.

I

To Thee, O Lord, my Rock, I cry,

A Psalm of David.

O be not silent to my Prayer,
Least if Thou art, now Seas are high,
The Floods away my confidence should bear;
And I be swallow'd up by the next wave.
My God be not a Rock to hear, though Thou art one to save.

II

The voyce of my Petitions hear,
When I for help to Thee shall cry;
Let my hands feel, that Thou art near,
Though I unable am Thy Face to spy!
Hear me, when tow'rds Thy Oracle I pray,
And as I thither look, be pleas'd to cast one glance this way!

III

Number me not with the Unjust,
And those who study to do wrong;
On whom, if any poor man trust,
Their heart is warr, though peace be in their tongue:
Let equal punishments pursue their sin,
And may their just rewards be, as their base deserts have been!

IV

They never mind what Thou hast done,
Nor what Thy mighty hands can do;
What wonders Thou hast for me shown,
And for me wilt continue still to show:
But they shall see them, and consum'd with pain,
Into the lowest pit descend, to view it thence more plain.

V

Blest be that God, who bow'd His ear
To those requests I to Him made;
He is my shield, my strength, my spear,
And was my help, when I unto Him pray'd:
On Him I trusted, and in Him rejoyce,
My Heart, that's gone before to Heav'n, I'l follow with my Voice.

VI

He is their Shield, His strength their Spear,
Who on Him for those Arms depend;
The Lords Anointed need not fear,
For God who is His King supplies will send:
O, save the People, who indeed are Thine,
Feed them, and Lord, lift up their head, as Thou hast rais'd up mine.

Psalm XXIX. Afferte Domino Filii Dei, &c.

I

You, whom your birth for Scepters has design'd,

A Psalm of David.

Whom God has blest with wealth to guard your birth,
From Sons has made you Lords of th' Earth,
And on yours stampt the Portraict of His minde,
Your Scepters to Him yield, they are His due,
Who only to serve Him, first gave them You.

II

He is your King, and though you reign below,
You are but Vassals to His Throne above;
Your fear do's your dependance prove,
And when He speaks, before Him you all bow;
When from above He thunders, all your Powers
Scatter like Clouds, and melt away in showers.

III

He thunders from above, and with the noyse,
Whether they will or no makes Seas to hear;
For at His Word they all croud near,
Exalted up to Heav'n by His great Voyce;
A voyce which sure is full of Majesty,
When sluggish Seas are by it rais'd so high.

IV

Affrighted Libanus begins to heave,
Like his own Cedars trembles, they all quake,
Their roots, as much as branches, shake,
And both look which should first the other leave:
Like a young heifer Syrion starts away,
But do's through fear, what that is wont at play.

V

From Heav'n it came, a Fire before it went,
Consuming Fire behinde brought up the rear,
That all might see, as well as hear,
And by the Message know from whom 'twas sent:
Kades did at the Clap bow down his head,
And whom all fear'd, his frighted Lions fled.

VI

The fearfull Hinde, hearing the thunder roar,
Cast her untimely Calf with speed to fly,
And thinking by this shot to dy,
Forgot the Dogs her only dread before:
The Lightning made the gloomy Forest bright,
And what the Sun could not, display'd at night.

VII

The whole World is Gods Temple, all things bow
Before His Footstool, and recount His praise,
All in their place His glory raise,
And unto man, by theirs, his duty show:
Lightning and Thunder to serve Him contend,
And His great charge proclaim to th' Earths wide end.

VIII

Upon the Floods He sits, Floods to Him bring
Their gifts, and humbly at his feet lay down
Their Spoyls as Customs to His Crown,
And worship Him, as their puissant King:
He stills their noyse; and God, who raging Seas
Stills with a word, shall give His people Peace.

Psalm XXX. Exaltabo te Domine, &c.

I

My God, I will to Thee give praise,

A Psalm of David, at the Dedication of his House.

Because Thou hast exalted me;
Thou from the grave my life did'st raise,
And now my Song shall honour Thee:
When against me my foes did come,
And shar'd the prey, and in their minds led home
Their Captives, Thou appeard'st, and would'st not let them overcome.

II

'Twas then that to my God I cri'd,
And He, who wounded, made me whole;
All other helps, which I had try'd,
Did but afflict, not ease my Soul;
Even then He me did keep alive,
My ransom'd life did from the grave reprieve,
And a new Lease, when I had forfeited the old, did give.

III

O, ye His Saints, sing to His Name,
His Holiness with thanks record;
Thence take new fewel to your flame,
Sing Holiness unto the Lord!
His wrath a moment may remain,
But love shall make the storm a calm again,
And give a life as free from danger as it is from pain.

IV

Trouble, and grief may last all night,
And to its dismal shade add theirs;
But when the morning brings the light,
Darkness shall scatter, and my fears:

And as the Sun, which guilds the day,
Out from the briny Ocean makes his way,
My Sun, which breaks through tears, shall brighter shine, and look more gay.

V

Fixt on my Throne, with mercy crown'd,
Unmov'd like some huge Rock, I stood;
Me thoughts with pleasure I look'd round,
And saw my feet kiss'd by the flood:
“Sure now I'm past all fear, I said,
(Thy favour Lord, my Rock so strong had made,)
“Others may well of me, but I of none can be afraid.

VI

But as I thus express'd my pride,
Forgetting Him, who made me so,
Thou, Lord, Thy face didst from me hide,
And then I came my self to know:
Trouble, and pain, no certain ground,
Which way so e're I look'd, new griefs I found,
And the same floods, which kiss'd my feet before, my head surround.

VII

Then to Thee, Lord, again I cry'd,
“What profit is there in my blood,
“If in the pit I must abide,
“Can Thy praise there be understood?
“Shall the grave praise Thee, or declare
“Thy Truth, and Mercy, what their glories are,
“The grave, which is as senseless as the dust that's buryed there?

VIII

Hear me, O God, and mercy show,
Unto my Help Thy self come down!
My God has heard me, and I know,
By this, He will His servant own:

To laughter He has turn'd my tears,
With gales of joy, has blown away my fears,
And He, who mourn'd, now a Triumphant Robe and Laurel wears.

IX

For this I will Thy praises sing,
And never in them silent be;
My glory shall its Anthem bring,
And faint not while 'tis praising Thee.
Thy Mighty Power the ground shall give,
My noblest skill to manage it shall strive,
And when I cease, my God, to praise Thee, let me cease to live!

Psalm XXXI. In te Domine speravi non confundar, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

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;
Least those, who know it not, Thy care should blame!
To my complaint, and cries incline Thine ear,
And by Thy help make me assur'd, that Thou dost hear!

II

Thou art my Rock, where till the storm is past,
Above the floods I shall securely stand,
At Sea a Rock, where all my safety's plac'd,
And a strong Tower and Arsenall at land;
O bring me thither by Thine own Right hand!
Guide me, my God, who only art my strength,
And by the pleasures of the way, deceive its length!

III

Remove the snares, which for my feet are laid,
Thou, to whose hands my spirit I resign,
Of all I am the purchase Thou hast made,
And so redeem'd, I can be only Thine,
And what's Thy love, or Hatred shall be mine;
Lyars, and their fond vanities I hate,
But trust in Thee, who hast preserv'd my life, and state.

IV

In Thee will I be glad, in Thee rejoyce,
Who hast my troubles seen, and heard my cryes;
To th' Songs my heart begins, I'll tune my Voice,
And count of all Thy glorious Victories,
And on their wings to Heav'n in Triumph rise.

I'll sing how for me Thou mad'st bare Thy hand,
And set me in a place, where round I might command.

V

This Thou hast done, and these Thy Works I'll praise;
But yet my troubles have not their full end,
Fears and continual snares surround my wayes,
And grief to th' Earth my soul so low do's bend,
That scarce in sighs I can to Heav'n ascend;
Consum'd with care my bones, and life decay,
And in my wasted flesh unwillingly do stay.

VI

On my wing'd groans away my years do fly,
And for my sins my strength do's fail:
Nor am I only scorn'd by my' Enemy,
But friends, with whom my sorrows should prevail,
With scoffs he thought too sharp, my life assail.
A Fear I'm to my own, and those who see
My miseries afar off, less fly the plague than mee.

VII

Like a dead man, forgotten in the grave,
An earthen Vessel, all to shivers broke,
Which Art too late would or repair, or save,
My old acquaintance strangely on me look,
And tremble, as they see me, at Thy stroke:
Traytor the Great ones call me, and as so,
My life they have decreed shall for my treasons go.

VIII

In this sad state to Thee, my God, I cry,
Knowing Thou all their Threats canst countermand:
Their malice by Thy strength I can defie,
For all my Times are measur'd by Thy hand,
And in Thy Sacred Roll recorded stand;
For my deliverance shew Thy Power Divine,
And for Thine Honours sake upon Thy Servant shine!

IX

Guard me from shame, for I have call'd on Thee;
And make it theirs to whom Thy Name's unknown!
Let silence and the grave their portion bee,
And may all those, who on the Just have thrown
Reproach, find it rewarded with their own!
Stop lying mouths, which use proud things to speak,
And with their causless envy let them swell and break!

X

But who enough Thy Goodness can adore,
Or knows the treasures, which thou up hast laid
For them who fear Thee, in Thy boundless store,
How glorious they hereafter shall be made,
O're whom Thy wings already are display'd?
There shalt Thou hide them from the strife of tongues,
And on their proudest Enemies return their wrongs.

XI

So was I hid, and thus His power have seen,
(Blest be His Name,) when girt with Foes around,
He interpos'd Himself, and came between,
In a strong City made me keep my ground,
And foes too potent for me did confound;
“I'm lost, I said, cut off, and quite undone,
Yet, when I cry'd, was heard by Him I call'd upon.

XII

By my example love Him, all His Saints,
Who for the Faithfull do's so well provide;
But on the stubborn multiplies restraints,
His Face for ever from their suit do's hide,
And on them pours the vengeance they defy'd:
Chear up, all you who on the Lord depend,
The present Storm in an Eternal Calm shall end!

Psalm XXXII. Beati quorum remissæ sunt, &c.

I

He whose iniquities are purg'd away,

The II. Penitential Psalm.

And he alone indeed is blest,
Short of True Happiness all others stay,
And, where they cannot have it, seek for rest:

A Psalm of David.

No other path the way to life do's show,
And only that which leads from sin do's thither go.

II

Blest is the Man, whose faults remitted are,
To whom the Lord imputes no sin:
Whose hands are guiltless, and Whose heart is clear,
Without all pure, and all refin'd within:
Whose filthy spots of lust appear no more,
But now one Royall Purple dyes his Soul all o're.

III

This when I knew not, nor what ease it gave
My faults before Thee to confess;
My grief, which could no certain measure have,
Daily increas'd, instead of being less;
I griev'd indeed, and mournfully complain'd,
Of sins effects, ne're thinking that the Cause remain'd.

IV

Grief, and Thy hand upon me night and day,
Low as the earth did beat me down,
And all the tears, which I had thrown away,
But dryer left me, when their flood was gone;
Dry as the thirsty earth for want of rain,
When all the moysture which it gave, Heav'n takes again.

V

At length perceiving all my groans were vain,
I thought upon some other way;
To thee I did disclose my sin and pain,
Thou in return their fury didst allay:
No sooner, “I'll confess my sins, I said,
But He, who heard, forgave them me, e're I had pray'd.

VI

For this shall every Just man thee implore,
And call when Thou wilt surely hear;
The Seas, which now against him proudly roar,
May spend their Mouths, but never shall come near:
He is above their reach, and shall despise
Their greatest rage, and scorn them, when they highest rise.

VII

Thou art my hiding place, my life wilt save,
And teach me Songs of praise to sing;
Others, who of Thy Wayes no knowledge have,
Guided my self by Thee, I'll to thee bring:
Then be not, Man, more brutish than thy Mule,
Which thou thy self hast broke, and with a Curb canst rule:

VIII

Perpetual sorrows, Trouble without ease,
Is the whole portion of th' Unjust:
Whil'st thousand Mercies, and eternal Peace
Encompass those, who on th' Almighty trust:
Mercies and Peace, encompass them around,
With these their feet are stablisht, & their heads are crown'd.

IX

Rejoyce, ye Righteous, and shout forth your praise,
Be glad in Him, who is Your King!
In the Almighty God, whose wondrous wayes
Give life, and spirit to the dullest string!
He is Your God, and Him with praise adore,
If any to rejoyce have cause, sure you much more.

Psalm XXXIII. Exultate Justi in Domino! &c.

I

Rejoyce ye Righteous, and to God sing praise,
With all the Numbers Musick can invent,
The Harp, and Lute, and ten-string'd instrument,
And with their sound to Heav'n your voices raise!
Express your thanks thus, and your love;
And in the Consort joyn with Saints above;
In Anthems His great Name adore,
Nothing can please Him better, or become you more!

II

Make Him your Song; and of His Acts reherse,
Whose Word is like the God, who spake it, true;
And every day His constant praise renew,
Who is the Soveraign of the Universe!
Who the whole Earth with goodness fills,
With Flowers the valleys cloaths, and crowns the hills;
Whose care to all His Works extends,
And the strait bounds of Time, as well as Space transcends!

III

Beyond new Lands, which undiscovered lye,
Beyond the Circuit of the Tractless Air,
Beyond those Heav'ns which first created were,
And in the skirts of His vast Empire bee;
His breath did all the Frame compose,
The Heav'nly Hosts by it from nothing rose;
Those sparkling fires we see above,
In which His power appears, declare to us His love.

IV

He spake the Word, and Seas obedient prove,
Stood up in heaps the Earth to overflow,
Till He their bounds set out, plac'd some below,
And treasur'd others in His stores above:
The raging Deep in Prison laid,
And of its Jaylor bid it be afraid;
The sand which chains it to the shore,
With Law to over-look, but never to pass o're.

V

Let the whole World before their Maker fall,
And of His Power the Nations stand in aw!
For He, whose Spirit from nothing all did draw,
Has ruin no less ready at His Call.
His Counsels shall for ever stand,
Their plots though ne're so deep to countermand,
Making them know they are but Men,
And less than so, when He His breath shall call again.

VI

Thrice happy Soul, who here has fixt his joyes,
And on the Lord alone for help depends,
Such constant happiness His Love attends,
That even their land is so, who are His choyce,
Gods, who from Heav'n with curious eyes
Sees every heart, and all their actions tryes;
To whom all hearts are better known,
For He first made them, than t'each single Man his own.

VII

In vain Fond Kings expect sure Victories
From numerous Armies, and a mighty Host,
For Victory on airy wings is tost,
And only to the side He favours, flies:
The greatest Champion cannot save
His own head, sentenc'd by Him to the grave;

And all the speed his horse can make,
In flying one, is a worse ruin to o'retake.

VIII

Those only are secure, who have His eye,
On whom He looks for good, who fear His Name,
And present hopes by ancient love can claim;
When they in need for help, or mercy cry,
Their lives He from the pit brings back,
And what was once their fear, their Song do's make:
In famine they by Him are fed,
Who is at once th' Eternal God, and living bread.

IX

On Thee, O God, we wait, Thou art our shield;
Nor will we to another fortress flie,
There have we plac'd our trust, resolv'd to die,
If the Almighty will no succour yield:
But He will help, and send new joyes,
To fill our hearts, and to employ our voyce;
And only as we trust in Thee,
So let Thy Mercy, Lord, and our Salvation bee.

Psalm XXXIIII. Benedicam Dominum, &c.

I

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

Lord I will bless Thee, and Thy praise
Shall up to Heav'n my Voice and numbers raise:
Of Thee my Soul all times shall boast,
Who save'dst me, when I gave my self for lost:
And with us shall the humble joyn,
Hoping Thou wilt their refuge be, as Thou wert mine.

II

Come, ye blest Saints, and let us rise
Together with our Songs, and reach the skies!
Praise Him, who my first groans did hear,
Yet with His hand seem'd to prevent His ear,
And when, like mine, your troubles be,
But look to Him, that hand shall save you, which help'd me.

III

Tell Him the Wonders He has shown,
What for my sake He did, and what for 'His own;
Say, “Lord, This poor man to Thee cry'd,
“And Thou heard'st him, why then am I deny'd?
“I, who no less am Thy great care,
“Since equally round both encamp'd Thy Angels are?

IV

Trie Him but thus, and thou shalt know
Thine own as certain as my joyes are now;
How Good He is, how happy they,
Who make His Power their hope, His love their stay:
Dread Him, for if He has Thy fear,
Thou may'st be confident Thy wants shall have His ear!

V

Hee'll be himself Thy mighty store,
When savage Lions shall for hunger roar;
Whil'st those, who glory in their Gold,
And in his own Chains would the Prisoner hold,
Spoylers themselves are Captives made,
And into suddain want, which they least fear'd, betray'd.

IV

But, Children, yield to me your ear,
I'll tell you whom, and how you ought to fear!
Would you have life, and happy dayes?
Keep well your tongue, and that will guide your wayes;
Do good, and from all vice abstain,
No easier road than Peaces, and no way more plain.

VII

On such God looks, and to their cryes
His ears are open, to their griefs His eyes:
They for deliv'rance need but pray,
The hand which saves, shall wipe their tears away;
But to the wicked He's a flame,
Which shall consume their very Memories with their Name.

VIII

Himself Hee'll to the Just reveal,
The humble save, and broken hearts will heal:
Their pains indeed are sharp, and long,
Yet till deliverance comes, He 'll make them strong:
And all the while they 're on the Rack,
Will see that those, who torture them, no bones shall break.

IX

But as the wicked live, they die,
The Just man's, but their own worst Enemy:
Their own designs shall haste their death,
Kill'd by that poyson, which themselves did breath:
Whil'st God redeems the Souls of His,
And shews His help more certain than their trouble is.

Psalm XXXV. Judica Domine nocentes, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Great God, and Judge, to hear my Cause arise,
And on my part just sentence give;
Subdue and scatter all my Enemies,
And only to be conquer'd, let them live!
Go out, and in the battell stand,
Thy Shield in one, and glittering Sword in t'other hand!

II

Let it be drawn, and with their blood all stain'd,
Make a Red Sea around to flow;
Let it maintain the passage it has gain'd,
And safely guard the way where I should go!
Say to my Soul that I am Thine,
And that for my defence Thou make'st Thy glory shine!

III

Those, who dare still resist, too stout to yield,
And with new heat my Soul pursue,
Let them with shame and infamy be fill'd,
And find the battell, though they flye, renew!
Upon Thee let them turn their back,
To be Thy Butt, and all Thy poyson'd arrows take!

IV

Let them like chaff be driv'n before the Winde,
And by Thy Angels, Lord, be chas'd!
Let them i'th dark a way so slippery find,
That headlong ruin may attend their hast!
O'rewhelm them in the pits they made,
And take theirs in the net, which for my feet they laid!

V

Let their destruction hasten, unperceiv'd,
The same which they decreed for me!
Whil'st I for better dayes am still repriev'd,
And my deliv'rances ascribe to Thee:
That Thy Great Name may be my Song,
Who thus the weak and Poor, save'st from the proud and strong!

VI

False Witnesses did up against me rise,
With charge of Crimes I never knew;
My good deeds answer'd with indignities,
And to the death my Soul did close pursue;
Those, for whose griefs I truly mourn'd,
And pray'd for, sick, though on my self the prayers return'd.

VII

For my best Friend I could have done no more,
Nor more, had he my Brother been:
I did as heartily his loss deplore,
As if I then my Mothers grave had seen;
Though in my troubles they rejoyce,
And all my griefs outbrave with their insulting voice.

VIII

Basest of men against me make an head,
And unawares my Name did tear:
Scoffs spent on me, was all they pay'd for bread,
And gnashing teeth for their delicious fare:
And shall it thus for ever be?
Lord, from these Lions save my Soul, redeem'd by Thee!

IX

Let not my causless enemies rejoyce,
Nor me with scornfull looks upbraid!
Whose hearts are viler than the common voyce,
And seem for discord only to be made.

Then I Thy fame to Heaven will raise,
And in Thy Peoples sight return Thee all the Praise.

X

On mee with open mouth they railing came,
“And this, said they, we wisht to see,
My God, behold it too, and let a flame
Dart from thy sight that they consum'd may be!
Arise great Judge, and come away,
Stand up, nor longer, e're Thou pass the sentence, stay.

XI

Be Thou our Judge, who art my Advocate,
Nor let my Enemies thus boast,
“So we would have it, and 'tis now too late,
For God to help, though he in God should trust.
But let them be to ruin brought,
Who thus have rais'd themselves, thus low of Thee have thought.

XII

But let all those who favour my Just cause,
Continually with shouting say,
“Blest be Our God, who with such equal Laws.
“Peace on His flock, chains on His foes do's lay!
His Righteousness shall be my Song,
And all my life to praise Him shall not seem too long.

Psalm XXXVI. Dixit injustus ut delinquat, &c.

I

Base hypocrite, think'st thou by this disguise,

A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.

To' impose on Him, who sees thy heart,
And more than thou, its guiles descries,
Both knows it whole, and searches every part?
Thy wicked words thy thoughts declare,
And like them both thy actions are,
Speaking aloud, what once to think thou should'st not dare.

II

They tell me thou dost not th' Almighty fear,
Though thou would'st have me think thou dost:
But God do's all thy whisperings hear,
And could'st thou Him deceive, thou then mightst boast;
At length, like fire, sin will break out,
With vengeance, which thou shalt not doubt,
When it like fire shall burn, and scatter all about.

III

To wrong the easie is his chief design,
Mindless of doing any good,
This takes up all his thoughts, and time,
And every night he lays new trains for blood:
But, Lord, Thy Mercy far extends,
And the close bounds of Heav'n transcends,
Without beginning ever was, and never ends.

IV

Thy Righteousness, my God, do's stand secure,
Fixt like the everlasting hills;
Deep as the Sea, yet flowes more sure,
Though nothing its unfathom'd Ocean fills:

Full from it self no Ebb it knows,
But into thousand channels flowes,
And to this deep both Man and Beast its Being owes.

V

And as Thy Righteousness, such is Thy Love,
Therefore to Thee for help we fly;
On Thine own wings we tow'rds Thee move,
And cover'd under them in safety ly:
This is our comfort, while below,
That we beyond our fears can go,
And what we shall enjoy, in part before hand know.

VI

For when this wretched life an end shall have,
And our unpinion'd Souls fly home;
When freedom shall spring from the grave
And death the fertile womb of life become;
No sorrows then our joy shall spoyl,
Nor shall we need the day beguile,
Eternity it self shall seem a little while.

VII

Pleasures and joy eternally shall flow,
For Thou their Spring shalt ne're decay;
That Region do's no darkness know,
For Thou the Suns Sun art Thy self its day:
A Sun which makes all objects light,
Without the least allay of night,
A Sun, whereby we may see Thee, it is so bright.

VIII

Till Thou art thus enjoy'd some glimps bestow,
Let from above Thy glory shine,
Dart but one ray, that I may know,
Though yet I see Thee not, that I am Thine!

Thy Righteousness assign the just,
Thy Mercy those who on Thee trust,
And let the proud, though rais'd, be driven like the dust!

IX

Against Thy servant let him not prevail,
Nor to offend him raise his foot,
Let all his Toyls, and Engins fail,
And his hands prove too weak to stir my root!
But lo! hee's fallen to the ground,
The Earth did with the shock resound,
And opening made a way, whose tract shall ne're be found.

Psalm XXXVII. Noli æmulari in malignantib. &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Fret not thy self to see the prosperous state
Of him, who dearly buyes it with his sin;
Nor thy content for his abundance hate;
Thou know'st not how hee's lasht and torn within;
The Worm, which at the root do's ly;
And though the Flower look ne're so fair,
Though hand, or Scythe its life should spare,
By this intestine Enemy,
Which first assails the heart through all its guards, 'twill dy.

II

Ne're envy him, but all thy Confidence
There only place, where it secur'd may be;
On God, who blessings do's around dispense,
Yet what He gives, expects again from Thee;
Like His, Thy goodness must extend,
For thus Thou shalt the Land possess,
Thy Land enjoy the fruits of Peace,
On its ne're-failing stock shalt spend,
Till there's no further need, and thou to Heav'n ascend.

III

Let the Almighty be thy love, and care,
Thy Counsellor, to whom thou may'st commit
All thy distrusts, thy troubles, griefs, and fear,
And judge that always best, which He thinks fit!
Then to thy prayers shall he incline,
Grant thy desires, and bring about
Affairs, whose end thou most didst doubt,
Make thee to His thy will resign,
That having done His Pleasure, thou may'st say 'tis thine.

IV

Then shall thy Justice like the day appear,
First breaking through the dungeon of the night,
Backward it looks, and sees behind all clear,
And bids the Sun close follow with his light;
Thy Righteousness shall be that Sun,
Which all the Mines of night displayes,
And all its treasons open layes,
Clear as his own fair beams at Noon,
When he has reacht Heav'ns top, and half his course has run.

V

What though thy forward prayers his help outgo,
And that the time, thou hadst prefixt, is past;
Wait still, for God the fittest time do's know,
And what's deferr'd a while, shall come at last!
Thy murmuring do's but feed thy pain,
For envy, rage, and guilt makes way,
And vice, which in no bounds will stay;
Indulge thy self but to complain,
Thy hand e're long, as much as mouth, will need a rein.

VI

Why should'st thou envy him, whose great estate
Prepares him only for the greater blow;
Which shall be swift, and certain as his fate,
And his vast riches to another go?
They're gone already, and behind
There's nothing left of all he did,
The glories of his house ly hid,
And with his fame are turn'd to wind,
Whose very ruins, though thou seek'st, no where canst find.

VII

But those, who patiently on God depend,
He with a numerous family will bless;
No tempest can their setled calm offend,
But they in peace their Souls, and Land possess:

No matter, though incens'd with rage,
The wicked curse them in his pride,
God do's no less his threats deride,
Sees him in his declining age,
And the Scene finisht, with him will remove the stage.

VIII

Against the Righteous, with drawn Sword he stands,
Has bent his bow, and let the arrow fly;
Would in his blood embrew his cruel hands,
And his least threatning is, that he shall dy:
But God, who do's the Poor sustain,
By his own Sword shall make him fall;
Against him his own aids shall call,
Which he to fly shall seek in vain,
When in his heart the arrows, which he shot, remain.

IX

Better's that little, which the Righteous have
Than all the stores whereof the Wicked boast,
God shall disperse what he rak'd up to save,
And there most scatter, where he gath'red most:
For He the Just mans way do's know,
What he has suff'red, what has done,
Lending His arm to lean upon,
Will show him, where he ought to go,
And after a long life Heav'n in reward bestow.

X

In War he shall be kept, in Famine fed,
In the worst times, nor blush, nor be afraid;
God, who's his shield, Himself will find him bread,
And only make his Enemies dismay'd:
They like the fat of lambs shall waste,
And only leave a smoke behind,
To be the triumph of the wind;
Their goods ill gotten shall not last,
But like their suddain growth, their end shall come as fast.

XI

The wicked borrows, but ne're means to pay,
The Righteous gives, and counts for so much more:
For God returns it him another way,
(That God, whose Word makes either rich or poor)
Directs his passage through the land,
Upholds him as he goes along,
By this assistance makes him strong;
And when he stumbles gives His hand,
Both leads him when he slips, and makes him firmer stand.

XII

Through all my life, which has so wondrous been,
From its first journey Youth to this last stage,
Where every day I have new wonders seen,
And been my self the greatest of the age,
The Liberal man I ne're knew need,
Himself quite left, or Children crave
An alms, but what he lent, they have,
For thus he did but cast that seed,
On whose increase they live, and plentifully feed.

XIII

Fly Vice, and that thou may'st a blessing leave
For Childrens Children, to Gods ways form Thine!
Return that justice, which thou didst receive,
So shall thy help be from the hand Divine!
That on thee shall pour mercies down,
Below shall give thee many dayes,
And happy all, then after raise
Thy head to an immortal Crown,
Whil'st the whole race of wicked shall to Hell be thrown.

XIV

As his heart thinks, the Just man ever speaks,
From Gods Law there, like streams right judgement flows;
The Statutes he commands, his hand ne're breaks,
And where that points, his foot unerring goes:

In vain the Wicked snares do's lay,
And spreads in vain for him his nets,
To take his life the way besets,
For God shall in the Judgement day,
When he clears him, the privy murderer justly slay.

XV

Wait on the Lord, and see what end Hee'll make;
Keep close to His, and He shall guard thy way:
Thy duty's all the care He'd have thee take,
And only to possess the Land, obey.
And when thy Enemies turn to dust,
And like that vanish from thy sight,
Thou shalt behold it with delight:
On His own terms th' Almighty trust,
For He, who promis'd thee, and threatned them, is just.

XVI

How could that be else, which mine eyes have seen?
The Wicked in great power, exceeding high,
Like some proud Cedar stand, and ever green,
With his leaf age, Heav'n with his head defie;
But yet he pass'd, and yet he fell,
An hand immortall gave the wound;
No more could root, or branch be found,
I look'd, and ask'd, but none could tell,
Where was the place it grew, or whence it sunk to hell.

XVII

Unlike the Perfect man, whom God defends,
For if you mark him, and observe th' Upright,
Mercy his life, his death-bed peace attends,
Without all storm, or Conscience to affright:
While that o'rethrow the wicked have
Is a light taste of what shall be
Their portion, to Eternity;
From which their riches less can save
Their guilty souls, than their vile bodies from the grave.

XVIII

In God the Poor do's all his trust repose,
To Him in trouble flyes, in straits complains;
Who in return confounds His bloody foes,
And leads them captive in eternal Chains,
For none e're yet his eyes did raise
To Heav'n for help, and sought it thence,
With certain hope, and confidence,
But Heav'n did crown his head with bayes,
And turn'd his Prayers into triumphant Songs of Praise.

Psalm XXXVIII. Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me, &c.

I

The III. Penitential Psalm of David.

Lord, in Thy wrath rebuke me not,
Nor in Thy fury chasten me;
For such weak things that Fornace is too hot,
And by my clay no more endur'd can be,
Than my injustice, and repeated wrongs by Thee.

II

In vain Thy wrath I strive to fly,
And from my self in vain make haste;
For, lo, the dart, by which I needs must die,
At once has pierc'd, and in my side sticks fast,
By no hand to be drawn, but His, from whence 'twas cast.

III

'Tis Thou alone my life must save,
For not my least part, Lord, is sound;
My bones with rottenness prevent the grave,
Turn'd to that dust, the dead are, under ground,
And my whole body is, all o're, but one great wound.

IV

My sins, like billows, o're me roll,
The sinner all engag'd to drown;
And with huge weights so press my helpless Soul,
That it, unable to resist lyes down
Under the load, that's yet made heavier by Thy frown.

V

Uneasie weight, which as it lies
New galls and bruises me all o're,
Under whose burden I scarce hope to rise,

For if I do, I shall afresh but roar,
As long as that remains, which caus'd at first my sore.

VI

My foolishness, which like a fire,
That inward burns, takes reins, and heart,
Fed with that blood, by which it should expire,
Seising, e're felt, the best, and noblest part,
Beyond the cure of herbs, or helpless Physicks art.

VII

Thus weak, and broken, thus cast down,
To Thee alone my prayers I make,
Who all my sighs, and tears, and wounds hast known,
And the great cure canst only undertake,
Now all my friends, me, as a dying man, forsake.

VIII

Nor is this all; my Enemies
Least I should scape, new toyls prepare;
Their tongues speak out the malice of their eyes,
And, what too long they had conceal'd, declare;
Lord, what's their hand, if even their words thus cruel are?

IX

As one past hope they of me speak,
And think by that to make me fear;
But all their words, nor can my silence break,
Nor them convince, that I so much as hear;
Without reproofs as dumb, patient as without ear.

X

But Thou, O God, art my great trust,
And unto Thee my heart do's pray;
Hear me, My God, lest they who so much boast,
Seeing me fall, presumptuously inveigh,
'Twas caus'd by theirs, when Thou but took'st Thy hand away.

100

XI

I know I have deserv'd to fall,
And even to Hell to be cast down;
But let my tears Thy help, and pardon call!
I grieve, Thou see'st, and my transgressions own,
Forbear Thine, Lord, where sentence has already gone.

XII

For this my Enemies encrease,
My sins, I know, have made them strong;
For this all thoughts of former kindness cease,
And my just deeds they recompense with wrong;
Yet still I'll follow Thee, though th' way be rough & long.

XIII

Forsake me not, but be my guide,
And lead me, that I never stray:
For should'st Thou go too fast before, or hide
Thy gracious sight, I should benighted stay,
And still the more I sought, the more should lose my way.

101

Psalm XXXIX. Dixi custodiam vias, &c.

I

“Let him go on for me, I said,

A Psalm of David.

“And into his rude passions break;
“I'll keep the resolutions I have made,
“And though he urge me to it, will not speak;
“Will not of all his injuries complain,
“For though his words are Spears, his sight shall be a rein.

II

This, while the wicked was in sight,
I with my self resolv'd to do;
My stubborn mouth was silenter than night,
Grief strook me dumb before, his presence now:
Not one good word did from my lips once fall,
Least I should speak amiss, I would not speak at all.

III

But as a wild unruly fire,
The more 'tis checkt, the more't do's burn,
My heart, inflam'd by vehement desire,
To answer him, did on it self return;
And there it rag'd and there it burnt so long,
Till it brake out at last, and set on fire my tongue.

IV

“Lord, said I then, make me to know,
“What bound is set to my few dayes!
“How long from thee I must remain below,
“Strange to my own, but stranger to Thy wayes:
“How frail I am, how near unto my end,
“That what's Thine own, I may before hand to Thee send?

102

V

“I know I'm frail, and if with Thyne
“I my uncertain life compare,
“That age, which I may truly say is mine,
“And all my dayes to Thy years nothing are:
“Mans best estate is but an empty strife,
“And if there can be less than nothing found, 'tis Life.

VI

“The faint resemblance of a shade,
“That scarce can in conception be;
“And yet how great a slave poor Man is made,
“Whom God at first appointed to be free,
“An airy thing that only lives by Fame,
“And whom unweildy passions, ruin give and Name.

VII

“He loves, and hates, and hopes, and fears,
“And with fresh wounds renews his pain:
“Troubles himself at every thing he hears,
“And scarce recovered, slips, and falls again;
“Erects vast Piles, and endless wealth do's save,
“Yet knows not who the fruit of all his cares shall have.

VIII

“What then my God, can I expect,
“Truly my hope depends on Thee;
“May'st Thou Thy Servant from all wrongs protect,
“And from my sins (worse Foes) deliver me!
“Not that they were unheard, I dumb did stand,
“But when they spake, upon my self I felt Thy hand.

IX

“When Thou dost man for sin chastise,
“And with Thy judgments on him fall;
“No beauty in his own, less in Thine eyes,
“Is left of that, which he did beauty call:

103

“But like a garment, which the Moth has fret,
“Just such a thing is Man, though ne're so high and great.

X

“Remove Thy hand, for, Lord, I faint!
“Thy wrath I can no longer bear;
“From Heav'n bow down, and hear my sad complaint;
“Speak, Lord, that I may know I have Thine ear!
“O from my tears turn not Thy face away,
“They on Thee call, and be not Thou more dumb than they.

XI

“Thou know'st I have no resting place,
“I, nor my Fathers here below;
“They're gone, and I must follow them apace,
“Spare me, before I that great Journey go;
“Lord spare me, who e're long shall be no more,
“Forgot by mine, as I have those, who went before!

104

Psalm XL. Expectans expectavi, &c.

I

In my great trouble, when all hopes did fail,
I patiently for God did wait,
And found my Prayer then to prevail,
When all means else, or useless prov'd, or came too late.

II

The Lord unto my voice inclin'd His ear,
And from the pit deliver'd me;
A pit, whose sight strook me with fear,
And, only as my dungeon, could more dreadfull be.

III

There stuck my feet, and thence He brought me out,
And on a rock to fall no more,
But to view Him, and look about,
As high He rais'd me, as I was cast down before.

IV

Where as I stood I sang with chearfull Voice
His praises who deliver'd me;
Whil'st those who fear'd before, rejoyce
A certain Providence in all events to see.

V

Blest is that man, who makes the Lord his trust,
His firmest stay, and confidence;
Unbyass'd by anothers lust,
And keeps his own from having any influence!

105

VI

Many and fearfull things Thy hand has done;
And whose can with Thy works compare?
But could Thy thoughts to us be known,
Numberless, Lord, and like Thee infinite they are.

VII

I heard Thee say Thou dost not blood desire,
No Off'rings, or Burnt-Sacrifice,;
That Altars smoak with daily fire,
And with the clouds they upward send, obscure the skies:

VIII

Instead of them my self I bring to Thee,
And in Thy Roll, if Thou but look,
'Tis written there concerning me,
Nor is my Name alone, but Office in Thy Book.

IX

'Tis entred there what my delights have been;
And that I more to Thee might draw,
How I Thy Righteousness have seen,
And what I knew and kept, to others preach'd Thy Law.

X

Thou know'st, O God, my tongue has not been still,
And that Thy Word I ne're conceal'd;
But as I knew what was Thy Will,
Its Truth and Faithfulness have in Thy Church reveal'd.

XI

Thy wonted Grace, ah! do not then withhold!
But in Thy mercies, Lord, draw near,
Those mercies, which have been of old,
And in my help with greater lustre will appear.

106

XII

For thousand evils have begirt me round,
And all my sins upon me seise;
With pensive eyes fixt on the ground,
I dare not upward look, their numbers so encrease.

XIII

If to the sky, I in the sky behold
Stars, which one yet may sooner count;
My hairs, could every hair be told,
Compar'd with them, are lost, and to no summ amount.

XIV

Wherefore, my God, be pleas'd to come away,
And to my rescue make more haste!

Versus.

My troubles call, O, do not stay,
Nor let Thy help be slow, when they come on so fast!

XV

Now come, and with Thy Presence, Lord, confound
My proud, and cruel Enemy:
Level his greatness with the ground,
And when he surely thought to conquer, let him fly!

XVI

Let him be backward forc'd, and for the scorn,
His cursed malice threw on me,
Let on his head that scorn return,
And be himself as low as he wisht I should be!

XVII

Whil'st those who on the Almighty's Arm do trust,
In Thee, who their Salvation art,
Always rejoyce that Thou art Just,
And have their mouths as full of praises, as their heart.

107

XVIII

May I my God, one of that number bee;
For though at present I am low,
Thou know'st I still belong to Thee,
And only for my sins, till they are purg'd, am so!

XIX

Then help me, Lord, O do not ever stay,
But to my rescue come at last;
My troubles call Thee now away,

Versus.

Let not Thy help be slow, when they come on so fast!

108

Psalm XLI. Beatus Vir qui intelligit, &c.

I

A Psalm of David.

Blest is that man, who do's the poor relieve,
And feels the miseries, which he sees them bear;
The Lord will sure deliverance to him give,
And alway to his Prayers incline His ear:
Will set him from his troubles free,
And his past griefs with pleasure let him see.

II

God will preserve him from the rotting grave,
And here, on earth, let him behold His face,
His life from all his Enemies will save,
And grant him now the presence of His grace:
His Enemies Wills shall stoop to His,
And here he shall begin his endless bliss.

III

When on the bed of sickness he shall ly,
His bed that God, which holds him up, will make;
Will give him strength, though able scarce to cry,
And faithfull hands, which Heav'n by force shall take:
That Mercy then, which he has shown,
And all he gave, shall truly be his own.

IV

“Dear God, said I, on whom all things depend,
“Though I have thus by Thy commandment, done,
“I merit nothing, Lord, for I have sinn'd,
“And what I gave Thee, was before Thine own;
“Yet grant it mine; Lord, heal my Soul!
“For Silver streams cleanse not, what Sin makes foul.

109

V

“My Enemies, Thou know'st, assault my Fame;
“When will he die, say they, and leave behinde,
“That, which wee'll look shall not bide long, his Name,
“But to it given, be quickly turn'd to winde?
And when one comes to visit me,
Instead of Comfort, he speaks Vanity.

VI

Notice of every groan he seems to take,
And weeps, and sighs to bear me company;
But gone, a sport of all my grief do's make,
And laughs to think how he impos'd on me:
Abroad he tells where he has been,
And lies invents of what he there has seen.

VII

“A base disease, sayes he, to him cleaves fast,
(Thus, Lord, Thou know'st they still against me speak)
“This sickness cannot choose but be his last,
“His bodies pain his heart will doubtless break:
“He cannot scape as heretofore,
“But this time fallen, he shall rise no more.

VIII

Then to encrease my miseries, my Friend,
Whom I, till then more than my self could trust,
Who of my bread did eat, new cares did send,
And then most fail'd, when he was wanted most:
Against me has lift up his heel,
And for my love made me his malice feel.

IX

But Thou, O God, to me be mercifull,
And raise him up whom Thou hast cast thus low!
Vengeance may I upon my Enemies pull,
And up to Heav'n my self more freely grow!

110

Hence 'tis I know Thy love to mee,
That from their hands by Thine I am set free.

X

Thou art my stay, and Thou dost me uphold,
Else my integrity would quickly fail:
In Thy warm Sun I never shall be cold,
Nor in Thy sight my darkness, Lord, prevail.
To Jacobs God let all sing praise,
And to His Name Eternall Arches raise!

Amen and Amen.

The End of the First Book of Psalms.