Quam bonus deus.
Psal. lxxiii.
T.S.
The prophet teacheth by his example, that neyther the worldly prosperitie
of the vngodlye, nor yet the affliction of the good, ought to discourage
Gods children: but rather ought to moue vs to consider oure
fathers prouidence, and to cause vs to reuerence Gods iudgementes
for asmuche as the wicked vanysh away like smoke, and the vngodly
enter into lyfe euerlastyng, in hope wherof he resigneth himselfe into Gods handes.
[_]
Sing this as the .xliiii. psalme.
[The first parte.]
How
euer it be, yet God is good,
and kynde to Israell:
And to all suche as safely kepe,
theyr conscience pure and well.
Yet lyke a foole I almost slypt,
my feete began to slide:
And or I wist euen at a pinch,
my steps a wrye gan glyde.
For when I saw suche folysh men,
I grudge and did disdayne:
That wicked men all thinges should haue,
without turmoyle or payne.
They neuer suffer panges nor grief,
as if death shoulde them smite:
Theyr bodyes are bothe stoute and strong,
and euer in good plyte.
And free from all aduersitie,
when other men be shent:
And with the rest they take no parte,
of plague or punishment,
Therfore presumption doth embrace,
theyr necks as doth a chayne:
And are euen wrapt as in a robe,
with rapine and disdaine.
They are so fed, that euen for fat,
their eyes oft times out start:
And as for worldly goodes they haue.
more then can wish theyr hart,
Theyr lyfe is moste licentious,
boastyng muche of the wrong:
Which they haue done to simple men,
and euer pryde among.
The heauens and the lyuing Lorde,
they spare not to blaspheme:
And prate they doo on worldly thynges,
no wight they doo esteme.
The people of God, oft times turne backe,
to see theyr prosprous state:
And almost drynke the selfe same cup,
and folow the same rate.
The second parte.
How can it be that God (say they)
should know and vnderstand:
These worldly thinges since wicked men,
be Lordes of sea and land?
For we may see how wicked men,
in riches still increase:
Rewarded well with worldly goodes,
and lyue in rest and peace.
Then why doo I from wickednes,
my fantasy refrayne:
And wash my handes with innocentes.
and clense my hart in vayne?
And suffer scourges euery day,
as subiect to all blame:
And euery mornyng from my youth,
susteyne rebuke and shame?
And I had almost sayd as they,
misliking mine estate:
But that I should thy children iudge,
as folke vnfortunate.
Then I bethought me how I might,
thys matter vnderstande:
But yet the labor was to great,
for me to take in hand,
Untill the tyme I went into,
thy holy place, and then,
I vnderstode right perfectly,
the ende of all these men.
And namely how thou settest them,
vpon a slippery place:
And at thy pleasure and thy wyll,
thou dost them all deface.
Then all men muse at that straung sight
to see how sodenly:
They are destroid, dispatche, consumde
and dead so horribly.
Much like a dreame when one awakth
so shall theyr wealth decay:
Theyr famous names in all mens sight
shall ebbe and pas a way.
The thirde parte.
Yet thus my hart was greued then,
my minde was much opprest:
So fond was I and ignorant,
and in this point abeast,
Yet neuertheles by my right hand,
thou holdest me alwayes fast:
And with my counsell dost me guyde,
to glory at the last.
What thyng is there that I can wishe,
but thee in heauen aboue?
And in the earth there is nothyng,
lyke thee that I can loue.
My flesh and eke my hart do fayle,
but God doth fayle me neuer:
For of my hart God is the strength,
my portion eke for euer.
And lo, all suche as thee forsake,
thou shalt destroy eche one:
And those that trust in any thyng,
sauing in thee alone.
Therfore will I draw nere to God,
and euer with him dwell,
In God alone I put my trust,
thy wonders will I tell.
