The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
PSALM 35. v. 1–9. First Part. (C. M.) Prayer and Faith of persecuted Saints; or, Imprecations mixed with Charity.
I
Now plead my cause, almighty God,With all the sons of strife;
And fight against the men of blood
Who fight against my life.
II
Draw out thy spear and stop their way,Lift thine avenging rod;
But to my soul in mercy say,
‘I am thy Saviour God.’
III
They plant their snares to catch my feet,And nets of mischief spread;
Plunge the destroyers in the pit
That their own hands have made.
IV
Let fogs and darkness hide their way,And slippery be their ground;
Thy wrath shall make their lives a prey,
And all their rage confound.
V
They fly like chaff before the wind,Before thine angry breath;
The angel of the Lord behind
Pursues them down to death.
VI
They love the road that leads to hell;Then let the rebels die,
Whose malice is implacable
Against the Lord on high.
VII
But if thou hast a chosen fewAmongst that impious race,
Divide them from the bloody crew
By thy surprising grace.
VIII
Then will I raise my tuneful voiceTo make thy wonders known;
In their salvation I'll rejoice,
And bless thee for my own.
Among the imprecations that David uses against his adversaries in this psalm, I have endeavoured to turn the edge of some of them away from personal enemies against the implacable enemies of God in the world.
Agreeably to the spirit of the gospel, I have here further molified these imprecations by a charitable distinction and petition for their souls; which spirit of evangelic charity appears so conspicuous in the 12, 13, and 14th verses of the psalm, that I could not forbear to form them into a short distinct hymn, enlarging on that glorious character of a christian, love to our enemies, commanded so particularly, and so divinely exemplified by Christ himself.
Agreeably to the spirit of the gospel, I have here further molified these imprecations by a charitable distinction and petition for their souls; which spirit of evangelic charity appears so conspicuous in the 12, 13, and 14th verses of the psalm, that I could not forbear to form them into a short distinct hymn, enlarging on that glorious character of a christian, love to our enemies, commanded so particularly, and so divinely exemplified by Christ himself.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |