Psa. 73.
[_]
A Psalm for Asaph. It expresseth, how the faithfull
are sometime discouraged, by the prosperities of the wicked;
& is an excellent description of such conflicts as are between
the Flesh & the spirit in everie Christian. &c. We may
vse it, to comfort vs in such tēptations, & to remember
vs whither to repaire in such conflicts.
[1]
No doubt, God counts his Isr'el dear,
And, loves the righteous man;
Yet was my foot quite gone, wel-near
And, I to fall begann.
For, when I fooles did honor'd vewe,
And Sinners lifted high,
And that nor sick, nor weak they grewe,
Their weal I did envie.
2
From greefs like ours, they seemed free,
Their pride & Cruelties,
To them as clothes or bracelets be;
And, fatt stuffs out their eyes.
They have their wills, & are so base,
To boast of Sinns & wrongs:
And neither earth nor heav'nly place,
Escapes their evill tongues.
3
To such Ful-springs, as wel as they,
God's Children seek to goe:
For, God (the God most high) they say,
Regards not what wee do.
Lo, wicked men the world possesse,
And, wealth & honors gaine;
But, wee have cleans'd in righteousnes.
Our harts & hands in vaine.
4
Yea, wee still pininge goe (say they)
Lamenting all day long:
Yet, thus I, speak not, lest I may,
Thy weaker Children wrong.
I sought a reason for the same,
But, I no cause descern'd
Till to the house of God I came,
And, there their end I learn'd.
5
On slipp'rie seats, them sett thou hast,
From whence with shame & feare,
Ev'n suddainly, they downe are cast;
And never more appeare.
For, as a dream (when thou dost wake)
Thou dost their Forme deface:
At such therefore, offence to take,
Thou seest, how fond I was.
6
But, still, with mee thou dost abide,
Thou hold'st my Right-hand fast;
And, by thy Counsells, mee shalt guide
To Glory's throne, at last.
In heav'n or Earth, account I make
Of nothing but of thee:
And, though my soul & Flesh be weake,
Thou alway strengthnest mee.
7
For, thou oh God! my portion art;
And, thou shalt them destroy,
Who runn a whooring in their hart,
Another, to enioy.
Because, right good, the same doth seem,
To God, approching near,
(And, placing all my trust in him)
His works I will declare.
