The Psalmes of David The King And Prophet, And Of other holy Prophets, paraphas'd in English: Conferred with the Hebrew Veritie, set forth by B. Arias Montanus, together with the Latine, Greek Septuagint, and Chaldee Paraphrase. By R. B. [i.e. Richard Brathwait] |
 |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IIII. |
| V. |
 | The Psalmes of David |  |
1
Psalme 1. Beatus Vir.
1
Blest is the man, whose walks are cleerfrom wicked counsells aire;
To sinners way who stands not neer,
nor sits in scorners chaire.
2
But on the Law of God doth groundthe life of his delight;
And in those holy Precepts bound
his practice day and night.
3
And like the planted tree, that livesthe rills of water neere,
His fruit as duely forth he gives
in season of the yeere.
His leafe, shall neither times decayes,
nor tempests blast suppresse;
So whatsoever he essaies,
shall sort to good successe.
4
Not so, not so, the wicked race,they, like the chaffe shall thrive,
Which from the earths offended face
the winds before them drive.
5
Therefore shall not the wicked stockein judgement stand upright;
Nor with the just the sinfull flocke
2
6
For how the Just their journie lay,the Lord their Leader knowes:
But wicked doers, with their way,
destruction overthrowes.
Psal. 2. Quare fremuerunt?
1
Why doe the Heathen-pow'rs,and people entertaine;
The Heathens, such tumultuous rage,
the people, plots so vaine?
2
Kings of the earth conspire,and Princes counsell take
Against the Lord, against his Christ,
a powerfull head to make.
3
In sunder let us breaketheir servile bands (say they)
Their yoke from off our neckes discharge,
and cast their cords away.
4
But Hee, in Heaven abovethat sits, and sees their pride,
Shall laugh their vanities to scorne,
the Lord shall them deride.
5
To them then shall he speake,in his resistlesse ire;
And their affrighted soules shall feele
his furie burne like fire.
6
Yet, mine Annointed Kingupon mine holy Hill,
Upon Mount Zion have I set.
I shall declare the will,
7
Of which Decree the Lordhath given the charge to mee:
3
have I begotten Thee.
8
Aske, I to thee will givethe Heathens world of ground
For thine inheritance, possesse
as farre as earth hath bound.
9
Thou with an iron rodshalt stripe their stubborne hides;
Or, like a Potters brittle shards,
in pieces dash their sides.
10
Now then, O Kings, be wise,and ye that judge the Land,
Be well instructed what ye judge,
judge what ye understand.
11
Serve ye the Lord in feare,in feare and joy betwixt;
A joyfull feare, a trembling joy,
delight and dutie mixt.
12
Embrace and kisse the Sonne,lest through your cold delay,
His wroth contemning your contempt,
ye perish in the way.
If but a little while
his anger'd patience burne;
For safety they that hope in Him,
have all a happy turne.
Psal. 3. Domine, quid.
Psalmus David. cùm fugeret à facie Absalom, filii sui.
1
How many my distressers, Lord,what mighty enemies:
Against one harmlesse head of mine
how many heads arise?
4
2
A multitude say of my soule,so helplesse left alone,
Himselfe he cannot help, in God
for him there health is none.
3
But thou my shield about me, Lord,dost for my glory stand;
The sole up-lifter of my head
is thy Almighty hand.
4
Up to the Lord I strain'd my voice,and cri'd, that he might heare;
And he out of his holy Mount
to my complaint gave eare.
5
I laid me downe and slept; from sleeprefresht I rose againe:
My sleep was sound, my guard was safe,
the Lord did me sustaine.
6
Beleaguer'd with ten thousand strongin armes, about me laid;
And malice equall to their might,
I would not be affraid.
7
Rise up, Lord, save me, O my God,for thy revengefull stroke
Of all my wicked foes the jawes
and ranck'rous teeth hath broke.
8
Salvation is of thee, O Lord,from thee the blessing flowes,
Which on thy chosen peoples heads
thy bounteous hand bestowes.
Psal. 4. Cùm invocarem.
Ad Præstantem in Neghinoth: Psalmus David.
1
To thee, O God, my righteousnesse,let my complaint repaire:
5
in mercie heare my praier.
2
My glorie (sonnes of man) to shamehow long will ye apply?
Your love shall vanitie enflame,
your labour seeke a lye.
3
But know, that of his gracious Saintthe Lord makes wondrous choice;
And when to him I make my plaint,
the Lord will heare my voice.
5
Thy selfe upon thy bed arraigne,and to thy selfe reveale.
6
The sacrifices ye present,let Justice sacrifice;
And let your hope be confident,
that on the Lord relies.
7
Of good (say many) is there nonewill shew us any sight?
On us, Lord (all our good in one)
lift up thy faces light.
8
Pure joy into this heart of mineso shalt thou give me, more
Than theirs, that of their corne and wine
in harvest heap up store.
9
My head then downe will I both lay,and sleep in peaces cell:
For thou alone, O Lord, my stay,
in safetie mak'st me dwell.
6
Psal. 5. Verba mea.
Ad Præstantem, super Nehiloth. Psalmus David.
1
Unto my words, O Lord, give eare,weigh well my wordlesse thought:
2
O let my crie, where thou maist heare,my King, my God, be brought.
3
Thou, Lord, shalt (early) heare my voice,to thee my praier shall flie:
And of the rising morne make choice
to Heaven to raise mine eie.
4
For thou art God, in wickednessethat takest no delight:
The evill shall have no accesse,
nor sojourne in thy sight.
5
Vain-glorious Fooles before thine eyestake footing never shall:
Thou hatest of iniquities
the painfull workers all.
6
The lying tongue shalt thou defeatwith utter overthrow:
The man of blouds, and pale deceit,
the Lord abhorres to know.
7
But in thy mercies much regard,thy house will I draw neere;
And to thy holy Temple-ward,
doe worship in thy feare.
8
Lord, lead me in thy justice right:and, lest I step astray,
Because of my maligners, straight
before me make thy way.
9
For in his mouth, no truth sincere,their inwards, deeps of woe:
Their throat, an open sepulchre;
7
10
Judge them, O God, and let their fall,their guilty counsells tell:
Rout them with their transgressions all,
against thee that rebell.
11
So shall they (aye) that trust in thee,shout all with joyfull voice;
And thy Names-lovers, they that be,
for covering them, rejoyce.
12
For thou, O Lord, thy blessing downeupon the Just shalt yeeld;
And with thy gracious favour crowne
his head, as with a shield.
Psal. 6. Domine, ne in furore.
Ad Præstantem, in Neghinoth, super Octavam.
Psalmus David.
1
My faults, let no reproofe of thine,Lord, in thy wrath repeat;
Nor chastise any crime of mine
in thy displeasures heat.
2
Have mercy, Lord; for I am weake,Lord, heale me: else in vaine
My bones, with horrour shook, shall speake
the language of my paine.
3
My soule is also troubled sore;and though my pangs be strong,
My soule-sicke sorrow paines me more,
but Thou, O Lord, how long!
4
Returne, O Lord, and at thy costmy soules deliverance cleere:
O save my life, that am but lost,
but for thy mercie meere.
8
5
For none in death remembrance haveupon thy Name to dwell:
And who so thankfull in the grave,
as of thy praise to tell?
6
The languor that my groanes have bred,my melting spirits out-weares:
To swimme all night I make my bed,
and drowne my couch in teares.
7
Mine eye gnawne out with anguish dies,my beautie to behold,
(Because of all mine enemies)
growne wanne, and waxen old.
8
From mee, ye wicked doers all,with all your deeds forbeare:
The Lord hath heard my voices call,
my teares have touch't his eare.
9
The Lord hath heard how I complain'd,and with my praier is pleas'd;
My suit the Lord hath entertain'd,
my painfull suffrings eas'd.
10
Shame and confusion out of handon all my haters light:
And on their backes entrench the brand
of their reproachfull flight.
Psal. 7. Domine Deus.
Shiggajon David, qui cecinit Domino, super verba Chus, filii Jemini.
1
My confidence doe I reposeO Lord my God in thee:
From all my persecuting foes
save and deliver mee.
2
Lest like a Lion he devoure,9
To rescue me that hath the power)
my soule in pieces teare.
3
O Lord my God, if I have donethis crime that they object;
Or wickednesse if any one
my guilty palmes infect.
4
If evill I to him have paid,that was with mee at peace:
(Yea, him that causlesse me betrai'd
I freely did release:)
5
Let then my foe pursue, and takemy soule to sate his lust;
Tread downe my life on earth; and make
my glorie dwell in dust.
6
Rise up Lord in thy wrath, up rise,for my distressors rage;
Command thy judgement to surprize,
or their proud heat asswage.
7
So shall the peoples many a onein flockes about thee flie:
For their sakes to thy powerfull Throne
returne thy selfe on hie.
8
The Lord shall judge the peoples right,judge Lord of my desert,
How just my hands are in thy sight,
and how sincere my heart.
9
Of wicked men the malice bound,the just establisht keep:
For thou of hearts and reines dost sound
(just God) the deepest deep.
10
My shield on God their Saviour,that are in heart upright:
Just Judge is God; Gods angry power
10
11
For him that turnes not; to repentwhom no remorse will bring,
His sword he whets, his bow stands bent,
his arrowes on the string.
12
And them for him he hath prepar'd,(dire instruments of death:)
Among the persecutors shar'd,
to stop their fierie breath.
13
Behold his wombe with mischiefe swells,with sorrow breeds he sin:
Now brought to bed, of nothing else
but of a lie, lies-in.
14
He digg'd a pit with painfull care,to delve it deep withall:
Where (others earning to ensnare)
himselfe into did fall.
15
His mischiefe on his head shall light,that mischiefe first did frame:
On his owne pate shall spend his spight,
the forge from whence it came.
16
Confesse unto the Lord will I,so just in all his waies;
And of the Lord, that is Most-Hie,
the Name my song shall praise.
Psal. 8. Domine, Dominus.
Ad Præstantem, super Gittith. Psalmus David.
1
O Lord, our Lord, the earth abouthow glorious is thy Name;
Which hast thy Majestie given out
above the Heavens high frame?
2
Strength from the mouth of babes to goe,11
Thou foundedst, to confound the foe,
and still th' avengers rage.
3
As oft as on thy Heav'ns I looke,worke of thy fingers rote;
The Moon, the Starres, (Heav'ns Musick-book)
by thee in Volumes wrote;
4
What is fraile man, O say I now,remembred thus by thee?
Or what is Adams sonne, that thou
his Visitor shouldst be?
5
A little hast thou rank't beneaththe Angels Crest his Crowne:
His head empal'd within a wreathe
of glorie and renowne.
6
A Soveraigne hast thou set him, meetthy handy-workes to sway;
And all things underneath his feet
made usefull to obey.
7
Sheep, Oxen, all the Beasts that fieldor desert-soile containe:
Fowle, Fish, that aire or salt-sea yeeld,
whose pathes are in the Maine.
8
O Lord, our Lord, how excellentthroughout this earthly frame!
How boundlesse is the beames extent
of thy resplendent Name!
Psal. 9. Confitebor tibi.
Ad Præstantem, super Muth-Labben. Psal. David.
1
To render thankes to thee, O Lord,my heart is wholly bent;
Of all thy marvells to record,
12
2
I will be glad, I will rejoycein thee with melodie:
And to thy Name sing Numbers choice,
O thou that art Most-Hie.
3
When backward fled, mine enemieswere hard pursu'd in chace;
They stumbled, never more to rise,
but perish from thy face.
4
For thou my judgements doome hast done,or else my right had fail'd:
Thou satest Judge upon the Throne,
where Justice hath prevail'd.
5
The Heathen routs hast thou reprov'd,the wicked one destroi'd;
From men among, their name remov'd,
for evermore made void.
6
My foe, see desolations done,the Cities raz'd to ground:
With them is their memoriall gone,
and in their dust lies drown'd.
7
But Soveraigne on his Throne declar'dthe Lord shall ever sit;
Which for himselfe he hath prepar'd,
and made for judgement fit.
8
And he with justice will proceedto judge the world so wide;
And of his peoples every deed
with righteous doome decide.
9
The Lord to him that is opprestwill be a refuge high:
A refuge high, the poore distrest
when times of trouble trie.
10
And they that know thy Name, alone13
For thou art, Lord, forsaking none
of them that seeke thee, found.
11
Sing to the Lord on Sion Mount,whose pleasure is to dwell:
With praise his deeds of high account
among the peoples tell.
12
For when the Quest of his Assisefor blouds inquirie makes:
Unmindfull he the meeke that cries
forgets not, nor forsakes.
13
My suffrings, Lord, in mercie see,through mine oppressors hates;
Of death, O thou the onely He,
that lifts me from the gates.
14
That all thy praises I may spreadin Sions daughters ports;
And in thy saving health be glad,
in all my songs reports.
15
The Heath'n are sunke downe in the pit,which they themselves prepar'd:
That secret net which they did fit,
their foot hath fast ensnar'd.
16
His judgement done, the Lord is knowneto execute aright:
Caught in the handy-workes his owne,
mark well the wicked wight.
17
The wicked shall returne to Hell,where their abode is set:
Where Heath'ns, & Heav'ns-contemners dwell,
and all that God forget.
18
For alwaies shall not be forgotthe grievance of the poore;
Of needy soules the hopes shall not
14
19
Rise, Lord, let none of mortall raceprevaile against thy hand;
But let the Heath'ns before thy face,
to heare their judgement stand.
20
Dismaying-feare upon them throw,that Lord, confounded then,
The haughty-hearted Heath'ns may know,
they be but wretched men.
Psal. 10. Ut quid Domine.
1
Why standst thou, Lord, so farre aside,when dangers draw so neere?
Thy helpfull face why dost thou hide,
when troublous times appeare?
2
The wicked in his heat of pridepursues the heart-lesse poore:
In those selfe-toiles let them be ti'd,
by them contriv'd before.
3
The wicked boasts his soules desiresbeyond his wisht successe:
The covetous, what he admires,
blasphemes the Lord to blesse.
4
On God (so proud the wicked is)he takes no care to call:
Nor God in any plot of his
hath any place at all.
5
His travell all times well succeeds,thy Judgements, where he goes,
Above his sight he never heeds,
but puffes at all his foes.
6
For in his hearts consent, he said,'Mov'd shall I never be.
15
my fall no age shall see.
7
His mouth is full with curses arm'd,deceit and guile among:
Iniquitie and mischiefe swarm'd,
hive underneath his tongue.
8
In villages to stands he gets,there close in ambush lies:
The innocent and poore besets,
and murthers when he spies.
9
In secret, he from sight of menlies waiting, neere the way;
And Lion-like lurkes in his den,
to snatch the poore for prey.
10
The poore into his net he drawes,till he hath caught him thrall;
Stoops low, into his powerfull pawes
that poore by flockes may fall.
11
In heart he saies (tongue durst not say)“All this hath God forgot;
Or heedlesse hides his face away
for ever, sees it not.
12
Arise, Lord God, lift up thy handfor them, that help implore,
Without thy strength too weake to stand,
be mindfull of the poore.
13
Why hath the wicked heart a tongue,though words for feare retire;
To speake in spitefull thoughts? “This wrong
thou God wilt not enquire.
14
Thou seest, for wrong and wickednesse,thine eye and hand perceive:
He dresse, the poore and fatherlesse
to thee their helper leave.
16
15
Of wicked and malicious menbreake thou the harmfull arme:
Seeke out his wickednesse, and then
find neither arme nor harme.
16
The Lord is King and Governour,for ever and beyond:
The Heath'n opposers of his power
are perisht from the land.
17
The meek-afflicted soules desirethou Lord, art pleas'd to heare;
Their heart confirm'd dost thou inspire,
attentive mak'st thine eare.
18
To judge the pupill and the poore,that sorry man may find
His daunting threats to be no more
but earth, and empty wind.
Psal. 11. In Domino.
Ad Præstantem, Davidis.
1
My trust doth on the Lord relie,how say ye to my soule,
Soule, to thy mountaines safetie flie,
as swift as feathred fowle?
2
For loe, the wicked bend their bow,on string their arrow fit,
A shoot in darknesse to bestow,
the upright heart to hit.
3
When wicked plots are over-past,that stedfast ground have none:
When their foundations downe are cast,
the just, what hath he done?
4
The Lord from holy place above,the Lord from Heav'n his Throne,
17
how Adams sonnes have gone.
5
The just and wicked ones estatethe Lord will prove and trie:
6
But selfe hate foules his soule doth hate,that love malignitie.
7
Upon the wicked will he showresnares, fire, and brimstone downe:
And breath of burning tempest powre,
their cup this lot shall crowne.
8
For just the Lord, and just designesare lovely in his sight;
His face discerns, and right defines
of men and meanes upright.
Psal. 12. Salvum me fac.
Ad Præstantem, super Octavam. Psalmus David.
1
Save, Lord, for godly men are gone,and goodnesse none that mind:
Of Adams sonne a faithfull one
example rare to find.
2
With faign'd discourse, and fawning style,each one his neighbour holds:
But of his flatt'ring lips, the guile
in heart and heart he molds.
3
All flatt'ring lips, of fraud the trainethe Lord cut off betimes;
And tongue that strikes no lower straine,
but lofty language chimes.
4
Our tongue (say they) shall sure prevaile,these lips of ours must walke;
Our lips their Masters must not faile:
what Lord shall taxe our talke?
18
5
Now for the needy soules reprize,and poore mans groaning cares,
Up will I, saith the Lord, arise,
and save him from these snares.
6
Thy words, O Lord, are words as pureas silver seven times tri'd
In Test of ashes, by the cure
of fire repurifi'd.
7
Thou shalt, O Lord, preserve the flockeof thy selected sheep;
And ever from this wicked stocke
the soule that serves thee keep.
8
The wicked compasse every coast,their quarter keeps no bounds:
While Adams sonnes are valew'd most,
where vilenesse most abounds.
Psal. 13. Usque quò Domine?
Ad Præstantem. Psalmus David.
1
How long, Lord, wilt thou me forget?for ever shall it be?
How long, no eye upon mee set,
but hide thy face from me?
2
How long shall I in soule advise,and daily vexe my heart?
How long, my foes above me rise,
against me that take part?
3
Behold, O Lord my God, and hearefrom clouds of darknesse deep:
With thy pure light mine eye-sight cleare,
lest in the death I sleep.
4
Against me, lest to have prevail'd,my foe give out the voice:
19
my troublers will rejoyce.
5
My trust yet on thy mercie staies,thy saving health shall be
My joy of heart, my song shall praise
thy bounty, Lord, to mee.
Psal. 14. Dixit Insipiens.
Ad Præstantem, Davidis.
1
There is no God, the fooles heart sayesin his ungodly mood.
2
Corrupt and odious are their wayes:none, no not one does good.
3
The Lord look't downe from heaven, to seewhat Adams sonnes desir'd:
Of understanding, who was hee,
that after God enquir'd.
4
Together all departed are,all loathsome-sented grow'n:
Of doing good that hath the care,
or conscience none, not one.
5
Are wicked workers all mis-led?so ignorant are all?
That eate my people up like bread,
on God they never call.
6
There did their feare confesse distrust,whose guilt they could not hide;
The generation of the Just
hath God to be their guide.
7
The counsells of the poore, to blameyour blame-full counsells rend:
And (shamelesse) of his hopes, speake shame,
that on the Lord depend.
20
8
Salvation who to Israelshall out of Sion give,
When they that now in bondage dwell,
no longer captives live.
9
When home-return'd the Lord shall bringthe people of his choice,
O then for joy shall Jacob sing,
and Israel rejoyce.
A Paulo recitantur hoc ordine.
1
Their throat an open sepulchre,the forge of fraud their tongue:
Their lips more deadly poyson beare,
than where the Aspe hath stung.
2
Their mouth of cursing is a spring,of bitternesse a floud:
Their feet as fowle of prey on wing
are swift in shedding bloud.
3
Their waies are for vexation made,and to destruction lead:
The way of peace is not their trade,
nor know they how to tread.
4
Which knowing not, needs must they fall,where endlesse horrour lies,
Of God that have no sense at all,
no feare before their eies.
21
Psal. 15. Domine, quis?
Psalmus Davidis.
1
Who, Lord, shall sojourne in thy Tent?Inhabit who thy holy Hill?
Who perfect walkes, is working still
2
The workes of Justice to fulfill;In heart meanes truth; truth speakes as ment.
3
Whose tongue to slander cannot frame,Doth to his friend no evill thing,
Nor gives nor takes reproaches sting,
From mischiefes venom'd mouth to fling,
Against his neighbours honest name.
4
Whose eye (all kind respect forgot)Holds in contempt a person vile;
But rankes them high in honours file,
To feare the Lord, that set their while:
Sweares to his hurt, and changeth not.
5
Gives not to biting Usurie,For sordid gaine, his silver lent,
Sells not for bribe the innocent;
To do these things whose mind stands bent,
Shall stand unmov'd eternally.
Psal. 16. Conserva me.
Michtam Davidis.
1
On thee my safeties hope is staidO God, preserve thou me:
2
Thou Lord, my Lord (my soule hath said)My good is not to thee.
3
Upon the Saints on earth that dwell,22
Soules, that in serving God excell,
set is my sole delight.
4
Their sorrowes shall be multipli'd,that after off-gods runne;
That other god have deifi'd,
and left thy dues undone.
Of bloud the offerings they propine,
I will not once partake,
Nor of their names these lips of mine
shall ever mention make.
5
The Lord is of mine heritagethe portion, of my cup
The over-flowing beverage;
my lot thou holdest up.
6
Within a faire and pleasant land,the lines for mee are laid:
A goodly heritage in hand,
I hold to mee convai'd.
7
Thankes to the Lord will I returnefor his advertisement,
Whose fire within my reines doth burne,
with nightly chastisement.
8
The Lord before mee alwaies setmy object un-reprov'd;
On my right hand so him I get,
I shall not be remov'd.
9
My heart therefore thus heartned, sungfor joy within my brest:
Glad was the glory of my tongue,
“My flesh in hope shall rest.
10
Nor wilt thou leave my soule in hell,nor give thy Holy One,
Where death, and shades of darknesse dwell,
23
11
The path of life thou mak'st mee know,full joyes before thy face:
From whence perpetuall pleasures flow,
thy right hand is the place.
Psal. 17. Exaudi, Domine.
Oratio Davidis.
1
Heare justice, Lord, exactly heedwhat my loud cries entreat;
Attend my praier, that doth proceed
from lips without deceit.
2
My judgement from before thy facelet come in open sight:
Let thy pure eies discerne my case,
and give the Rights their right.
3
My heart by night thy search did sound,yet nothing didst thou find
That with my mouth I did propound,
to sinne against my mind.
4
By workes, that earthly man concerne,I find what course they runne:
By thy lips word, the pathes I learne
of breakers-through to shunne.
5
Beat thou my waies, and make them plaine,my feeble steps fore-guide;
My feet within thy pathes containe,
my footing shall not slide.
6
On thee I call, thou God wilt heare,and answer mee againe:
To my request incline thine eare,
attend how I complaine.
7
Thy wondrous mercies set apart,24
Saviour of them, whose hope thou art,
that thy right hand oppose.
8
O keep me as those chrystall globes,the eyes black darling keep,
And spread thy wings wide covering robes,
where shadow'd I may sleep.
9
My head from wicked faces hide,the heads of my decay,
That compasse me on every side,
to make my soule their prey.
10
Enclos'd in their owne fat, they smoakewith surfeits doubtfull sweat;
And with their mouth have proudly spoke
their haughty hearts conceit.
11
To snare our footsteps, in our walkesthey now beset us round,
With eyes (as treason closely stalkes)
to undermine our ground.
12
His likenesse is a Lion bold,that greedy is to teare;
So keeps the Lions whelp his hold,
that lurkes in secret where.
13
Rise, Lord, prevent his sharp fore-sights,to stop my foe begin;
And with thy sword, wherewith he fights,
my soules deliverance win.
14
From men, the scourge Lord of thy hand,from mortall-worldlings will;
Upon this life, whose portions stand,
whose gorge thy treasures fill!
Sonnes have they store; and of their store,
when death shall them bereave:
Then (all too much) what they have more,
25
15
Now of thy face a view to take,shall Justice be my guide:
In mee when shall thine Image wake,
I shall be satisfi'd.
Psal. 18. Diligam te, Domine.
Ad Præstantem. Servi Domini Davidis, qui loquutus est Domino verba Cantici hujus, in die quo eripuit eum Dominus de volâ omnium inimicorum suorum, & de manu Saul: Et dixit,
1
O Lord, whose strength in mee doth move,and all my strength beget,
The strong impression of my love
on thee is wholly set.
2
The Lord my rocke, whereon to build,my sort, my Saviour:
My God, my hopes strong hold, my shield,
horne of my health, my towre.
3
Upon the praised Lord I call'd,to him for help I prai'd;
Mee from my foes he dis-enthrall'd,
and gave mee saving aide.
4
Of death the sorrowes succourlessewere round about mee laid;
Of over-bearing wickednesse
the flouds made me affraid.
5
The cords of Hell about mee bent,on every side tooke hold;
The snares of death did mee prevent,
that I could not unfold.
6
Opprest, the Lord my God I prest,he from his Palace heares;
26
and entred at his eares.
7
Then shook the trembling earth for feare,the hills foundations mov'd:
And at his presence troubled were,
because his wroth reprov'd.
8
A storme of smoake before him came,which from his nostrils fum'd;
And fire out of his mouth did flame,
that where it came, consum'd.
9
He bow'd the Heav'ns, and made his Thronewith earth his foot-stoole meet:
Beneath the dreadfull light that shone,
lay darknesse at his feet.
10
A Cherub-chariot did him beare,whose plumes he made his saile;
The winds his winged-coursers were,
and darknesse was his vaile.
11
Darke his pavillion, darke the skie,darke waters, duskie clouds,
Compose an aërie canopie,
wherein himselfe he shrowds.
12
The brightnesse of his presence tookethe melting clouds in chace;
With haile and coales hot-burning strooke,
they fled before his face.
13
The Lord from Heav'n in thunder spoke;his voice that is most-Hie,
With stormes of haile made earth to smoake,
and coales of fire to flie.
14
His sheafs of arrowes forth he sent,which at the scatt'red, flew:
Of lightning-shot his vollies spent,
downe his resisters threw.
27
15
The channels of the Maine appeare,the worlds foundations vast,
At thy rebuke discovered were,
Lord, at thy nostrils blast.
16
He sent his hand from Heav'n above,to bay the waves that flew;
He tooke mee, and from out the drove
of many waters drew.
17
He freed mee from my strongest foe,to whom my strength was small:
And from my mighty haters, moe
than I could match withall.
18
When I with woe was over-gone,they mee fore-laid that day;
But mee, then helper having none,
the Lord my staffe did stay.
19
Where I was bound he brought mee forthenlarg'd, and set mee free:
For (of mine owne) none other worth,
but his delight in mee.
20
According as my justice stands,the Lord did mee reward;
And to the purenesse of my hands,
my recompence he shar'd.
21
Because what waies the Lord did goe,therein my feet have trod;
And have not, as the wicked doe,
departed from my God.
22
For all his Judgements in my sight,my guides before mee lay;
And from mee his Decrees upright,
I did not turne away.
23
So thus with him was I sincere,and held integritie;
28
from mine iniquitie.
24
Just therefore, as my Justice stands,the Lord to mee supplies:
Rewards the purenesse of my hands
in his pure-sighted eies.
25
Thou to the mercifull wilt shewhow mercifull thou art:
Thy strong perfections make him know
that is of perfect heart.
26
So with the pure to be as pure,thy selfe thou wilt reveale;
And with the froward wilt be sure
as frowardly to deale.
27
Thus wilt thou save from overthrowpoore peoples miserie;
And strike the eyes of pride as low,
as they have look't too hie.
28
My candle thou shalt surely light;this darksome night of mine,
The Lord my God shall make as bright
as lightsome day to shine.
29
By thee have I dismai'd an host,and broken through them all;
And by my God, where danger most
might skare mee, scal'd the wall.
30
The way of God is perfect ground,the Word of Jah is tri'd;
To all a shield of safetie found,
whose hopes on him reside.
31
For who is God, the Lord except!Who is a Rocke of Might!
Say (ye that have to Idols crept)
and give our God his right.
29
32
The God that girdeth mee with strength,is he that is my stay;
And he through all my journies length,
that perfect gives my way.
33
He makes my feet as swift as Hinds,to follow, or to flie:
He makes me stand, as fit he finds,
upon my places hie.
34
My hands to warre he doth frequent,and weapons learnes to feele:
These armes of mine to bend, and bent,
to breake a bow of steele.
35
On me the shield of saving healththou hast vouchsaf'd to beat:
Thy right hand hath upheld my wealth,
thy meeknesse made mee great.
36
Beneath my feet thou didst enlargemy pathes on every side:
And of my footsteps took'st such charge,
my ankles should not slide.
37
Mine enemies have I pursu'd,and overtooke in flight,
And not return'd, till I subdu'd,
and ruin'd them outright.
38
With wounds I stunn'd them in such wise,that now to stand unmeet:
Nor ever able more to rise,
they fell beneath my feet.
39
For thou with strength hast girt my side,in battell to oppose,
And under foot to tread their pride,
against mee that uprose.
40
Thou, of my foes to mee hast broughtthe neckes, that under yoke
30
my haters at a stroke.
41
In their distresse for help they cri'd,but none there was to save:
Even to the Lord, but none repli'd,
and he no answer gave.
42
Small as the dust before the windthem did I peace-meale beate;
And them like out-cast rubbish grinde,
that strewes the myrie street.
43
From people with contentions fedthou hast delivered me;
And of the Heath'ns hast made me head,
by strangers serv'd to be.
44
To mee, at hearing of the eare,obedient shall they sit:
And to my power, dissembling feare,
the forraigne shall submit.
45
The strangers sonnes shall shrinke away,their falsers hearts shall faile;
And in their holds affraid to stay,
their closets make their Jaile.
46
Let live the Lord, my Rocke be blest,He that my head did raise,
The God in whom my health doth rest,
exalted be with praise.
47
My praise of God the Powerfull sings,avenger of my wrongs;
That under my subjection brings
the headlesse peoples throngs.
48
He from my foes in safetie led,and left mee free to stand;
Above my Rivals rais'd my head,
rid from the Tyrants hand.
31
49
To thee therefore will I give thanks,O Lord, and praises frame,
Among the Heathens thickest rankes,
to sing unto thy name.
50
His Kings salvations great, he makesfor ever to succeed;
On his Annointed mercie takes,
on David and his seed.
Psal. 19. Cœli enarrant.
Victori, Psalmus David.
1
The glorie of the God of Heaven,the Heav'ns of God declare:
The Firmament firme proofe hath given,
his handy-worke they are.
2
Day unto day delivereth speechin times alternate lines;
And night to night doth knowledge teach,
whose light in darknesse shines.
3
No speech, no language like their owne,to make their meaning found:
Their voicelesse voice all eares have knowne,
all heard their soundlesse sound.
4
Through all the earth their line is runne,their words the world about:
A Tabernacle for the Sunne
in them hath he set out.
5
Which, like a Bride groome, brightly clad,leaves his retiring place;
And Giant-like, with gesture glad,
sets forth to runne his race.
6
His beames from Heavens, each Signe & Sydetheir oblique round repeat;
32
from his life-breathing heat.
7
Much more the Law of Jah is pure,the soule re-purifies
Of Jah the Testimonie sure,
and makes the simple wise.
8
The Statutes of the Lord upright,the heart with joy suffice:
The Lords Commandment pure, gives light
to soule-dark-sighted eies.
9
The reverend feare of Jah from stainestands chaste, and cleane for ever:
Of Jah the Judgements truth containe,
just are they altogether.
10
To be desired more than gold,than much fine gold they are:
No honey-drops the combe can hold,
for sweetnesse may compare.
11
Moreover, is thy servant taughtby their admonishing,
Observing them, but as they ought,
how much reward they bring.
12
His errours who so wisely heeds,to understand them all?
O cleanse mee from my close misdeeds,
my secret faults let fall.
13
And let thy servants pride-swolne sinnes33
Thus innocence perfection wins,
made cleane from much offence.
14
What I by word of mouth record,or meditate in mind:
My Rocke and my Redeemer, Lord,
with thee let favour find.
Psal. 20. Exaudiat te Dominus.
Ad Præstantem, Psalmus Davidis.
1
The day that troubles thee assaile,the Lord to thee replie:
The Name of Jacobs God prevaile,
to set thee up on hie.
2
Help from the Sanctuary send,thy strong up-holder stand:
And out of Sion thee defend
from thy distressors hand.
3
Remember all thine offerings past,thy sacrifices burne:
His fire upon thy fatlings cast,
and them to ashes turne.
4
He give to thee thy hearts desire,accomplish't at thy will:
Thy counsell with his Spirit inspire,
thy purpose all fulfill.
5
In thy salvation will we shout,triumphant Banner spread;
And of our God the Name set out,
“Thy suits the Lord bestead.
6
Now will the Lord himselfe, I know,for his Annointed stand:
Heare from his holy Heavens, let flow
34
7
Some men their trust in Chariots frame,on Horses some, to set:
But of the Lord our God the Name
we never shall forget.
8
They fall'n are, with the earth laid even,we rais'd, stand upright all:
Save, Lord, and heare us King of Heaven,
what day on thee we call.
Psal. 21. Domine, in virtute.
Ad Præstantem. Psalmus Davidis.
1
Lord, of thy strength with cheerfull voice,the King shall gladly tell;
And in thy saving health rejoyce,
with joy that shall excell.
2
The fulnesse of his hearts desire,to him thou hast suppli'd;
And what his lips could but require,
thy love hath not deni'd.
3
With blessings dost thou him prevent,thy goodnesse to unfold:
And to empale his head, hast sent
a Crowne of purest gold.
4
He ask't thee lifes, and thou didst giveabove, before his vow;
Beyond the length of daies, to live
for ever, didst allow.
5
In thy salvations sure supplygreat is his glorie growne:
High Honour, Soveraigne Majestie,
hast thou upon him throw'n.
6
Of blessings ever-flowing streames35
And with thy countenances beames
rejoyce his royall heart.
7
For to the Lord the King is nighest,by settled trust approv'd;
And through the mercie of the Highest,
he shall not be remov'd.
8
For all thy foes, soever where,thy hand shall search about;
And them that hate against thee beare,
thy right hand shall find out.
9
Make like a fierie oven their pow'r,what time thy face shall fume:
Them shall the Lord in wrath devoure,
the fire shall them consume.
10
The fruit of their untimely breed,from earth thou shalt destroy,
That with the sonnes of men, their seed
no memorie enjoy.
11
For mischiefe they against thee meant,with purpose to prevaile;
And evill was their slie intent,
but they shall not but faile.
12
For thou shalt set them as a Butt,and backe with shame them send;
And on thy string thine arrowes put,
against their faces bend.
13
Lord, in thy strength thy selfe up-raise,whose strength is all thine owne;
So shall our songs extoll thy praise,
and make thy power be knowne.
36
Psal. 22. Deus meus.
Victori, super Cervam Auroræ. Psal. David.
1
My God, my God, my strength alone,“Why dost thou mee forsake;
And from my health so farre art gone,
from these loud moanes I make?
2
My God, by day to thee I call,by day thou answerest not:
By night no ceasing, silence all
my groanings have forgot.
2
But thou continu'st Holy still,thy Holinesse doth dwell,
Where praises on thy holy Hill
are sung by Israel.
4
On thee their hopes our Fathers cast,and thou hast made them good:
In thee they trusted, and thou hast
their safe-deliverer stood.
5
To thee they cri'd, and at their cryby thee delivered were:
In thee they trusted stedfastly,
and no reproach did beare.
6
But I, a wretched worme, forlorne,a name from men exempt:
Of earthly men becom'n the scorne,
the peoples base contempt.
7
All they that see mee thus bestead,in mock'rie on mee play:
Shoot out the lip, and shake the head,
and in derision say,
8
“He to the Lord did recommendhis trust, to be redeem'd:
Let him to him deliverance send,
37
9
Forth from the wombe thou didst me draw,where cloistred I did rest;
Thou to my hopes becam'st a law
upon my mothers brest.
10
I was commended to thy hands,cut from the navils hold:
Thou art my God, since me in bands
my mothers womb did fold.
11
O goe not therefore farre from hence,for troubles neere mee presse:
And none there is in my defence
to stand for my redresse.
12
Whole heards of bullockes, hoofe and head,are round about me set:
Strong Bulls in Bashan, highly fed,
to compasse mee are met.
13
Their throates tooth-weapon'd, two-leav'd doores,upon mee straine their jawes:
Right so the Lion ramps and roares,
on prey to seaze his pawes.
14
Like waters am I shed and sunk,my bones disparted all:
My heart amidst my bowels shrunk,
like molten waxe doth fall.
15
Dri'd like a pot-sheard is my strength,my tongue and jawes fast glew'd:
And thou hast brought mee downe at length,
where dust and death conclude.
16
A wicked crew of dogges compos'd,did round about mee meet:
And Lion-like they me enclos'd,
“They pierc't my hands and feet.
17
My bones I tell how many are,38
18
My garments they among them share,and for my coat cast lot.
19
But doe not thou farre off at needthy selfe, O Lord, absent:
To help me from their hands, with speed
them, O my strength, prevent.
20
My soule, whom deadly foes withstand,let not the sword devoure:
Redeem my dearling from the hand,
whereof the Dogge hath power.
21
O from the Lions mouth, now, then,my humbled head set free:
From hornes of Unicornes, as when
thou heardst and answeredst mee.
22
So then my brethren all amongthy Name will I declare;
Amidst the congregations throng,
to sing thy praise prepare.
23
O praise him, ye that feare the Lord,ye seed of Jacob tell
His glorie: all his feare record,
ye seed of Israel.
24
For he hath not despis'd, nor loath'dthe needy unsuppli'd:
Nor with a veile his visage cloth'd,
but heard him when he cri'd.
25
The great Assemblies solemne day,my praise shall sing of thee:
My vowes to him that I will pay,
shall they that feare him see.
26
The meeke shall eate, and be suffic'd,praise they to him shall give
That seeke the Lord; thus exercis'd,
39
27
All coasts on earth their hearts call home,and to the Lord restore;
And all the Nations kindreds come
his presence to adore.
28
For in the Lord, the soveraigne powerof Royaltie remaines:
And he the Lord and Governour
among the Nations raignes.
29
The fat on earth shall eate and bend,before the food of grace:
And all that downe to dust descend,
shall bowe before his face.
The Potentate, the poore that eate,
shall life by eating have;
With him, whose soules unquickned heat
is yeelding to the grave.
30
A seed of theirs there shall succeed,his service to embrace:
Which to the Lord shall be decreed,
and reckoned for a race.
31
When they shall come, his righteousnessethen shall their tongues declare;
To people after-borne expresse,
that these his doings are.
Psal. 23. Dominus regit.
Psalmus Davidis.
1
My Shepheard is the Lord, whose careprovides mee fold and food:
Whose goodnesse plenteous, and to spare,
supplies my want of good.
2
In pastures green he makes mee lye,40
He leads mee forth, where pleasantly
the streames of stillnesse glide.
3
He doth returne my soule againe,and for his owne Names sake,
Conducts mee through the beaten plaine,
that Justice treads to make.
4
Walk't I the shady Vale of death,none evill would I feare:
Thy rod, thy staffe, relieve my breath,
for thou art with mee there.
5
My table spread dost thou appointin presence of my foes:
My head with oile thou dost annoint,
my chalice over-flowes.
6
With goodnesse sure shall mercie givean eye to all my waies;
And in the Lords house shall I live,
beyond the length of daies.
Psal. 24. Domini est terra.
Psalmus Davidis.
1
The earth, with all those mynes unfound,within her wombe that swell,
Is all the Lords! the Worlds great round,
and they that therein dwell.
2
He founded it upon the seas,and shor'd them under ground:
Establish't fast the solid Leas,
the liquid flouds to bound.
3
The Hill of Jah who shall ascend,so high to set his feet?
Who in his holy place attend,
41
4
He that cleane palmes, pure heart hath borne,his soule to vanitie
Hath not up-lifted, hath not sworne
an oath deceitfully.
5
He from the Lord on him bestow'da blessing shall receive;
And justice shall the mighty God
of his salvation give.
6
Of them that seeke him, this the race,this Jacobs Israel:
Of them that strive to seeke thy face,
this Jacobs Peniel.
7
Lift up your heads, ye doores be rais'd,eternall gates give way,
That enter, highly to be prais'd,
the King of Glorie may.
8
Who is the King of Glorie? this,whose praises spread so farre?
The strong and mighty Lord it is,
the mighty Lord of warre.
9
Lift up your heads, ye doores be rais'd,eternall gates give way,
That enter, highly to be prais'd,
the King of Glorie may.
10
Who is the King of Glorie? this,of whom our praises sing?
The Mighty Lord of hosts it is,
of Glorie he is King.
Psal. 25. Ad te, Domine.
Davidis Acrostichon.
2
As, Lord, to thee I lift my soule,Because I trust in thee,
42
nor foes insult on mee.
3
Give not their hopes, that thee attend,to take a shamefull staine:
Let shame confound them that offend,
and have no cause to faigne.
4
Direct mee, Lord, thy waies to know,thy pathes to mee make plaine:
Within thy bounds my steps bestow,
and teach mee to containe.
5
How in thy truth to tread impart,and make mee learne the way:
For of my health the God thou art,
whom I attend all day.
6
Zeale of thy kind compassions mind,remember, Lord, that care:
Thy tender mercies make mee find,
for they for ever are.
7
Hold, on my youthfull faults forepast,remember not to take;
Of mercie mind how much thou hast,
Lord, for thy goodnesse sake.
8
The Lord is good and righteous ey'd,transgressors to instruct:
The sinners therefore will he guide,
and in their way conduct.
9
In judgement just to tread upright,the humble he will stay:
And where they wander, wanting light,
will learne the meeke his way.
10
Continuall are the Lords pathes castin Truths and Mercies mold;
To such as keep his Covenant fast,
his Testimonies hold.
43
11
Lord, to thy Names great power herein,let mee my pardon owe:
And on the greatnesse of my sin
thy greater mercie shew.
12
Make known the man with mind entire,that feares the Lord: the way
That he shall choose he will inspire,
and learne him how to lay.
13
Now (goodnesse gotten to his hand)his soule in good shall dwell:
His seed inherit shall the land,
that to his fathers fell.
14
Secret that from the Lord descends,doe they that feare him find:
To such his Covenant he commends,
and makes them know his mind.
15
On Jah-the-Lord mine eies are setcontinually to looke:
To bring my feet out of the net,
whose hand hath undertooke.
16
Prevent mee, and with gracious lookethy face on mee reflect:
Whom solitary, poore, forsooke,
(discomforts all) deject.
17
The sorrowes of my heart enlarg'd,my less'ned heart oppresse:
O set mee from these toiles discharg'd,
and free mee from distresse.
18
Remorse on mine afflictions cast,regard how much I grieve:
Make even for all my faults fore-past,
and all my sinnes forgive.
19
Regard my foes insatiate,what multitudes they lead,
44
against my harmlesse head.
20
Sustaine my helplesse soule alive,and safe deliver mee;
But let not shame my fall contrive,
because I trust in thee.
21
True perfectnesse and right let dwellwith mee, that wait on thee:
22
Preserve, O God, thine Israelfrom all his troubles free.
Psal. 26. Judica me, Domine.
Davidis.
1
Judge mee, O Lord, I walke the waythat perfectnesse doth guide:
My trust upon the Lord I lay,
and therefore shall not slide.
2
Examine, Lord, what I have been,sound what I ever did:
Search out my reines, what there uncleane;
my heart, what there lies hid.
3
Thy mercie is before mine eyes,thy truth my walkes repeat:
4
I sit not downe with men of lyes,nor enter with deceit.
5
The evill doers I eschew,their Synagogue I hate:
Nor have I with the wicked crew
in their Assembly sate.
6
My hands, Lord, wash't in innocence,thine Altar compast round:
7
With thankfull voice will I commence,thy wonders all to sound.
45
8
The habitation of thy Househave I, O Lord, lov'd well:
The place where thou art glorious,
the house where I would dwell.
9
O gather not my soule, to restwhere sinners soules abide:
And on my life lay no inquest,
where men of blouds are tri'd.
10
Whose hands accomplish wicked drifts,which mischiefes head contrives;
And their right hand is full of gifts,
whose bargaine Brib'rie drives.
11
Of this perfection I have got,however thou esteem;
Yet my perfection urge I not,
in mercie mee redeeme.
12
My foot upon so firme a groundstands stedfast and upright;
That I, O Lord, thy praise will sound
in great Assemblies sight.
Psal. 27. Dominus, illuminatio.
Davidis.
1
The Lord my Saviour is my light,of whom am I affraid?
The Lord is of my life the might,
by whom to be dismaid?
2
When wicked men with malice arm'd,my foes in furie fell,
To eate my flesh, against mee swarm'd,
they stumbled, and they fell.
3
Encamp't against mee, not an hostshould make my heart affraid;
46
in this my trust is stai'd.
4
For one suit to the Lord I sue,his house for life to hold:
Those beauties of the Lord to view,
his Palace to behold.
5
For his Pavillion will he spread,in troublous time to hide;
And on a rocke advance my head,
in secret by his side.
6
Above my foes now round about,my head shall be up-rais'd:
And Jah, with joy his tents throughout,
in hosts and hymnes be prais'd.
7
Unto my voice, O Lord, give eare,upon thee when I call:
And my request in mercy heare,
but answer mee withall.
8
When, “Seeke my face thou saidst to mee,with ecchoing touch of grace,
My heart advertis'd, answer'd thee,
“Lord, I will seeke thy face.
9
Thy face from mee then doe not hide,thy seeker to defeat;
Nor from thy servant turne aside,
in thy displeasures heat.
My succour (not to be forgot)
thou hast been heretofore:
God of my health, now leave mee not,
forsake mee now no more.
10
Should mee my fathers wiser care,my mothers love forsake:
Though she that bare mee, mee forbare,
the Lord would mee up take.
47
11
Teach mee, O Lord, thy way to tread,where thy safe conduct lies;
And in the path of Rightnesse lead,
from my observers eies.
12
Give mee not to my foes desire,for falshoods evidence;
With him against mee doth conspire,
that breath's out violence.
13
As I beleev'd, so faith to meedid firme assurance give,
The goodnesse of the Lord to see,
within their land that live.
14
Attend the Lord with courage bold,be strong, and stay the end:
Confirme thy heart to hold thy hold,
upon the Lord attend.
Psal. 28. Ad te Domine.
Davidis.
1
On thee, O Lord my Rocke, I call,deafe-ceasing cease to be;
Lest downe the pit, like them that fall,
thy silence silence me.
2
The voice of my petitions heare,when for thy grace I cry:
When to thy holy Adyte neere,
I lift my hands on hie.
3
Draw mee not with the wicked sort,that worke with sinfull art,
That to their neighbours peace report,
but malice presse in heart.
4
Pay them what they to passe have brought,the evill they devis'd:
48
be their reward assiz'd.
5
Because what deeds the Lord hath done,his hand they will not heed:
Downe shall he breake them every one,
and build up no such breed.
6
Blest be the Lord, to whom I strain'dthe voice of mine un-rest:
Whose gracious eare hath entertain'd,
and heard my whole request.
7
The Lord my strength is, and my shield,my hearts, my hopes successe:
Joy to my heart, whose help doth yeeld,
him shall my song confesse.
8
The Lord with strength doth still supportthe flocke that he enfolds;
And of salvations is the Fort,
that his Annointed holds.
9
O save the people of thy flocke,blesse thine inheritance;
Feed them, and on thy favours rocke
for ever them advance.
Psal. 29. Afferte Domino.
Psalmus Davidis.
1
Give to the Lord, ye men of Might,ye sonnes of Mighty race,
Give glorie to the Lord, his right;
all strength to his give place.
2
Give to the Lord his Names renownebefore his holy Seat:
Your selves unto the Lord bowe downe,
his beauteous honour greet.
49
3
The voice that forth on waters breakes,it is the Lord that-bounds:
The glorious God in thunder speakes,
the Lord on seas re-sounds.
4
The Lord sends forth a mighty noise,when power his power withstands:
The Lord gives out a soveraigne voice,
when Majestie commands.
5
When lofty Cedars broken lie,his voice the Lord extends:
Of Lebanon the Cedars high
the Lord in sunder rends.
6
He makes them like a Heifer trip,proud of his velvet hornes;
So Lebanon, so Shirion skip,
so skip young Unicornes.
7
The Lords voice shoots out flames of fire,JAH'S voice the Desert shakes:
8
To tremble, if the Lord transpire,the Desert Cadesh makes.
9
JAH'S voice makes Hinds bring forth their young,the Forrest-brood makes bare:
And in his Temple every tongue
his glorie can declare.
10
The Lord sate Soveraigne, at the floudthe Lord for ever raignes;
For sinners judgement, for the good
his Mercy-seat ordaines.
11
Strength to his people, their strong Rocke,the Mighty Lord will give:
The blessing he will give his flocke,
shall be in peace to live.
50
Psal. 30. Exaltabo te, Domine.
Psalmus Cantici: Dedicationis domus David.
1
I will extoll thee, Lord Most-Hie,so high-extoll'd by thee:
That hast not left an enemie
to triumph over mee.
2
Thee, Lord my God, my cry besought,thou heald'st mee instantly:
3
My soule from Hell thou Lord hast brought,reviv'd mee from-to-die.
4
O ye his Saints, the praises sing,that to the Lord belong:
Before his holy presence bring
a thanks-remembring song.
5
For but the twinkling of an eiehis angers moment lasts:
But life on fraile mortalitie
his gracious favour casts.
An evening weeping may out-weare,
and teares with midnight mourne:
But mirth at morning will appeare,
and joy with light returne.
6
In my prosperitie I said,mov'd shall I never be.
7
My mountaine, Lord, so strongly laid,thy favour rais'd to me.
Thy face from me yet didst thou hide,
and I was troubled soone:
8
Then Lord to thee for grace I cri'd,to thee, Lord, made my moane.
9
What profit in my bloud can be,when I descend the pit?
Shall dust to tender thankes to thee,
51
10
Heare, Lord, of thee what I request,and mercy on mee take:
O doe not mee that am distrest,
my helper, Lord, forsake.
11
To joyfull dancing hast thou turn'dmy sorrowes dolefull sound:
My sack-cloth loos'd, wherein I mourn'd,
with gladnesse girt mee round.
12
That so may my uncessant tongue,(my glory) tune thy praise:
Thankes, Lord, to thee my God be sung,
to endlesse length of daies.
Psal. 31. In te Domine speravi.
Ad Præstantem. Psalmus David.
1
My confidence on thee I ground,sham'd let mee never be:
As Justice doth in thee abound,
O Lord, deliver me.
2
Bowe downe thine eare, I may be heard,with speed on mee reflect:
My rocke of strength, my house of guard,
in safety mee protect.
3
For thou my rocke and fortresse tri'd,whatever path I tread,
Wilt for thy Name sake be my guide,
and all my footing lead.
4
To bring mee forth out of the net,for mee in secret laid,
Thy force against their falshood set;
thy strength is all my aide.
5
From death and deaths eternall bands,by thee redeem'd, my spirit,
52
Lord God of truth, commit.
6
I hate them that observers areof lying vanities:
My confidences settled care
upon the Lord relies.
7
I will with glad and joyfull spleenthy mercies praise expresse:
For my affliction hast thou seen,
and knowne my soules distresse.
8
Nor hast thou shut me in the handof my malignant foe;
But for my feet made place to stand,
and roome at large to goe.
9
On mee since yet distresse is drawne,let Lord thy mercie shine:
Mine eye, my soule, my belly gnaw'n,
with indignation pine.
10
My life with woe is worne to nought,my yeeres in sighing spent:
My strength, my sinnes have over-wrought,
my bones are gnaw'n and rent.
11
Reproach of all my foes I beare,my neighbours vehemently,
And my familiars, strook with feare,
my sight that meet mee flie.
12
My selfe a dead man out of mind,and in mens hearts forgot,
As vile and use-lesse held I find,
as is a broken pot.
13
For I have heard the multitudewith slanders mee dismay;
Against mee counsell, and conclude
to take my soule away.
53
14
But, Lord, thou art my God, I saidmy trust relies on thee:
15
My times that in thy hand are laid,from hostile hand set free.
16
And on thy light-lesse servant makethy faces light to shine:
O save mee for thy mercie sake,
from this distresse of mine.
17
Lord, let not shame have share in mee,for on thee doe I call:
Confounded let the wicked be,
to Hell, strook-silent fall.
18
Of lying lips the lavish foordslet forth no further breake,
Which hard disdainfull spitefull words
against the Just man speake.
19
How plentifull thy bounties be,which thou hast laid in store,
For them that feare and trust in thee,
the sonnes of men before!
20
Them in thy faces secret hide,from proud insulters wrongs;
In thy Pavillion laid aside
secure from strife of tongues.
21
Blest be the Lord, that wondrouslyhis mercie hath dispenc't;
And mee in safetie set to lye
within a Citie fenc't.
22
Amaz'd, I said, before thine eies,cut off, and cast away;
The voice yet heardst thou of my cries,
when I to thee did pray.
23
O love the Lord, all ye his Saints,for faithfull doers waies
54
the haughty home repaies.
24
Be strong, endure, and doe your parts,the Lord will in the end
Establish your encourag'd hearts,
whose hopes on him depend.
Psal. 32. Beati quorum.
Davidis Maschil.
1
Blest is he, whose transgressionhath free forgivenesse gain'd:
And he, whose sinne that he hath done,
a covering hath obtain'd.
2
Blest is the man, unto whose chargethe Lord imputes no sin;
Whose spirit no hollow holds so large,
to lodge deceit therein.
3
When now my tongue all speech forborne,in painfull silence lay:
Through my loud roaring daily worne,
my bones with age decay.
4
For day and night with weight so great,thine hand upon mee lies,
That like the drought in summers heat,
my kindly moisture dries.
5
I did acknowledge unto theethe sinne that I had done:
Of mine iniquitie in mee
I have concealed none.
6
My sinne, I said, I will repeat,and to the Lord confesse:
And of my crime thy mercy great,
forgave the wickednesse.
55
7
Now therefore every Saint shall pray,while time to find is found:
Sure, reach him none there is that may,
when many waters sound.
8
From troubles heat my head to shade,thou art a secret place:
With songs for my deliverance made,
thou shalt about mee trace.
9
I will instruct, and teach thee so,thou shalt not walke awry:
And in the way that thou shalt goe,
give counsell with mine eye.
10
O doe not ye like Horse, like Mule,no understanding beare;
Whose mouth must bit and bridle rule,
to thee for comming neere.
11
Much sorrow swells on every side,to plague the wicked race:
But in the Lord whose hopes abide,
him mercy shall embrace.
12
Joy in the Lord, ye Just rejoyce,shout out your glad delight,
As well in gesture, as in voice,
all ye of heart upright.
Psal. 33. Exultate Justi.
1
Ye Just, be joyfull in the Lord;becomes the righteous praise:
2
Harp, Violl, Voice, and Decachord,to praise the Lord up raise.
3
A new set-song to him endite,loud notes to musickes height:
4
For of the Lord the Word is right,and all his worke in faith.
56
5
His love on Justice he bestowes,desire with Judgement dwells:
Of mercie from the Lord that flowes
the earth with fulnesse swells.
6
The Heav'ns by word the Lord did frame,and as his mouth did breathe,
His spirit made all the host of them
above Sunne, and beneath.
7
The sea he bounds within the shore,on heaps the waters keeps:
As into treasuries of store
he giveth up the deeps.
8
To feare the Lord, all Regions call,on earth, through every land:
And in the world the dwellers all,
in awe of him to stand.
9
For as he spake, the word once past,the worke forthwith was done:
As he commanded, it stood fast,
his word and deed were one.
10
That Heathen counsell is destroi'd,the peoples plots cast out;
And all their purposes made void,
the Lord can bring about.
11
The counsell by the Lord decreedshall stand for ever sure:
The thoughts that from his heart proceed,
to age and age endure.
12
O blessed Nation, whom the Lordto be their God doth blesse:
Blest people, whom his owne accord
hath chosen to possesse.
13
The Lord, all Adams sons to see,in Heaven his station plants:
57
14
All from his Mansion vieweth hee,the earths Inhabitants.
15
Their heart he fashion'd all alone,the cloisters of their thought;
Considers all what they have done,
the workes that they have wrought.
16
Say, he command a copious Host,no King so saves his right:
No Mighty man, whose might is most,
delivered is by might.
17
A rest unsafe to save a mana Horse falls out to bee;
Nor he by strength, strive all he can,
can set his Rider free.
18
Behold, the Lord his heedfull eyeon them that feare him bends:
Upon his mercies safe supply,
whose settled hope attends.
19
When earth exacts her due of earth,to free their soule from death;
To keep alive in time of dearth,
when famine faints for breath.
20
Our soule her hopes assured holdupon the Lord doth build:
Of whose defence we may be bold,
he is our help and shield.
21
Our heart in him shall gladnesse pure,and perfect joy conceive;
That in his holy Name secure
our hopes assurance leave.
22
Thy mercies gifts, O Lord, downe send,on us so free to fall;
As we to thee our trust commend,
to measure them withall.
58
Psal. 34. Benedicam Domino.
Davidis, cùm mutavit sensum suum ante Abimelech, & relegavit eum, & abiit. Acrostichon.
1
All times to blesse the Lord, will Ioccasions all prevent;
And make my mouth continually
his praises instrument.
2
Be thou, O Lord, my soules sole choice,my glories soveraigne head:
The meeke shall heare it and rejoyce,
by my example led.
3
Greatly extoll the Lord with mee.such praise together frame,
As with his greatnesse may agree,
to magnifie his Name.
4
Desirous that the Lord should heare,I sought him, and he heard,
And sent mee out of all my feare
deliverance un-deferr'd.
5
Him to behold, to him they flow'd,his light did them inflame:
Upon their faces fell no cloud,
no blush, the brand of shame.
6
Zealous, this poore man cri'd and crav'dso loud, for some redresse,
That soon the Lord him heard and sav'd,
from all his deep distresse.
7
Hovering about them, in pitch't field.JAH'S Angel spreads his wings:
To them that feare him, for a shield
to them releasement brings.
8
Taste but how good the Lord, and see:what blessings downe he sends:
59
whose trust on him attends!
9
In feare, ye Saints, that serve the Lord,to serve him set your mind:
All plenty doth his feare afford,
no want his fearers find.
10
Courageous Lions hunger-pin'd,how poorly seeke they food!
But they that seeke the Lord shall find
no want, shall want no good.
11
Learne, sons, come listen unto mee,my doctrine with you beare:
Your faithfull teacher will I be,
how ye the Lord shall feare.
12
Man, who art thou, that wouldst live long,and see good dayes the while?
No evill-teller, keep thy tongue,
thy lips from speaking guile.
13
Shun evills out-side-falsers face,the in-side-foule eschew:
Occasion to doe good embrace,
seeke peace, her steps pursue.
14
His eares as to the Just to heed,so bends the Lord his eies:
His eyes observers of their need,
his eares to heare their cries.
15
Put against them that evill doe,firme sets the Lord his face,
That out may their memoriall goe,
cut off from earth their race.
16
True sorrowes guests, the poore they cry,the Lord their crying heares:
His aide to them doth he apply,
and all their troubles cleeres.
60
17
Care-broken hearts to them that have,the Lord is ever neere;
And he the contrite spirit will save,
his care with comfort cheere.
18
Redundant evills many fall,and on the Just encrease:
Yet soon delivered from them all,
the Lord will him release.
19
Summ'd up, he safeguards every bone,their number and their state,
That broken of them goes not one
to deaths returnlesse gate.
20
The passage home shall mischiefe thrust,the wicked man to slay:
Just hand on them that hate the Just,
a guilty death shall lay.
21
His servants soule the Lord redeemes,so deare to him esteem'd:
And none, whose trust of him esteemes,
as guilty shall be deem'd.
Psal. 35. Judica, Domine.
Davidis.
1
My right, O Lord, against them plead,that plead against my right:
My powers to fight against them lead,
whose powers against mee fight.
2
Upon thy dart-despising shieldand buckler lay thy hand:
In my defence to fight the field,
and up to help mee stand.
3
Charge lance and sword, and stop the waywhere any mee pursu'th:
61
say to my soule for truth.
4
Confusion let them never lacke,that seeke my soules surprize:
Their branded faces shame send backe,
my evill that devise.
5
Driven as the chaffe before the wind,let breath their burthen beare:
The Angel of the Lord behind,
them scatt'ring here and there.
6
Let darke and slipp'ry be their way,and let (that they may fall)
The Angel of the Lord dismay,
and persecute them all.
7
For closely they their net have rigg'd,corruptly to entoile;
And causlesly a pit have digg'd,
to make my soule their spoile.
8
Let desolation unawares,and head-long him forestall;
And caught in his owne secret snares,
selfe-mischiefe make him fall.
9
And let my soule her solace sing,that in the Lord I find:
What joy doth his salvation bring,
what musicke to my mind?
10
Which were my tongue enforc't to stay,and silent-strooke in mee:
My bones would all breake forth, and say,
Lord, who is like to thee,
11
That bringst deliverance to the poore,from hand for him too strong:
The poore-afflicted from the doore,
where rapine dwells and wrong?
62
11
False-witnesse did against mee rise,avouching termes untrue;
And they to charge mee did devise,
with what I never knew.
12
My good with evill they repaid,and for my recompence,
My barren soule by them fore-laid,
bereft of all defence.
13
But as for mee, when sicke they were,in sack-cloth weed I mourn'd:
My humbled soule did food forbeare,
my bosom'd-praier return'd.
14
I walk't, as if I had been onehad lost a friend or brother;
I bow'd downe sadly, as a sonne,
that sorroweth for his mother.
15
But in my halting, glad together,the abject-scourges got:
In spite or scorne, I knew not whether,
to rend mee, resting not.
16
With flatterers, flouting Parasitesat riotous Revells met,
To feast their feasters with delight,
their teeth against mee whet.
17
This, Lord, how long wilt thou behold?my soule from tumult free:
My dearling from the Lions hold,
let safely rescu'd be.
18
So in the great Assembly thankesto thee will I present:
And through a mighty peoples rankes,
will make thy praise be sent.
19
O make not my false-hearted foestriumphers over mee:
63
and sleering will not see.
20
For why? they speake not peace as friends,but beare us faire in hand,
To crosse with their deceitfull ends
the quiet of the land.
21
Their mouth on mee they opened wide,and full of scorne and ire:
Aha, Aha, Our eye hath spi'd,
(said they) our hearts desire.
22
Thou, Lord, hast seen all this excesse,then hold not thou thy tongue:
From mee, O Lord, in this distresse
depart not farre, nor long.
23
Arise, and make no longer pause,to judge my right awake:
My God, my Lord, to plead my cause,
of mine thine owne it make.
24
As Justice is thy touch, to trie,judge, Lord my God, of mee:
And let not their unrighteous eie,
my fall, their triumph see.
25
Let them not say within their heart,Ha, this our soule would have:
Let them not say, We for our part
have made our throat his grave.
26
Abash't confusion cloud their face,that at my hurt rejoyce:
Shame be their shrowd, to my disgrace
that magnifie their voice.
27
But joyfull shouting raise their spirit,and give their gladnesse way:
That in my Justice take delight,
this alway let them say,
64
28
“Thy servant prospers more, the more“his proud oppressors cease:
“The Lord be magnifi'd therefore,
“that loves his servants peace.
29
And so thy Justice shall fulfillthe musicke of my tongue:
Upon thy praise shall be my skill
to descant all day long.
Psal. 36. Dixit Insipiens.
Ad Præstantem, servi Domini David.
1
Transgression of the wicked cries(within my heart I heare)
Assuredly before his eies
of God there is no feare.
2
For flatt'rie is the glozing dresse,wherewith his eyes he blinds,
Untill his hatefull wickednesse
an end as hatefull finds.
3
Of wicked words, and slie deceit,his mouth powr's out a flood:
His heart for wisedome is no seat,
his deeds dis-us'd to good.
4
In bed his mischiefe he begets,and throw's in thought-full brest:
Himselfe in no good way he sets,
nor evill doth detest.
5
Thy mercy, Lord, to Heaven extends,the Heav'ns are not so hie:
Thy faithfulnesse the clouds transcends,
transcends the highest skie.
6
Thy Justice, as Gods Mountaines steep,lift up a lofty crest:
65
thou, Lord, sav'st man and beast.
7
How good, O God, how precious thingsthy mercie doth enclose:
When under shadow of thy wings
mens sonnes their trust repose!
8
The fatnesse of thy house, their fillon them thou shalt bestow;
And of the streames to drinke at will,
from whence thy pleasures flow.
9
For why? of life from thee that streames,the fountaine is with thee:
We in thy lights resplendent beames,
enlightned light shall see.
10
To them that know thee, through this lightthy tender love extend;
To them that are in heart upright,
thy Justice recommend.
11
Let not the lofty foot of prideinvade mee from on hie:
Let not the wicked arme provide
a hand to make mee flie.
12
There are they fall'n, that wickednessewith travell exercise:
Downe are they cast without redresse,
or able meanes to rise.
Psal. 37. Noli æmulari.
Davidis, Acrostichon.
1
At evill doers evill deedsrepine not, though they thrive:
Envie them not, when well succeeds
what wicked heads contrive.
66
2
For as the grasse to ripenesse grow'n,downe shall they soon be cut;
And withered like the green herb mow'n,
whereto the sithe is put.
3
Build on the Lord thy trust; doe good,and dwelling in this mind,
Dwell in the land, where store of food
thy faith shall surely find.
4
Upon the Lord set thy delight,thy vowes let him inspire;
And he thy service shall requite
above thy hearts desire.
5
Goe to the Lord to lead thy way,thy trust to him commit:
And he thy steps shall (walking) stay,
and make thy hopes to hit.
6
Thy Justice cleere as is the light,his furnace shall refine:
The day at noon shines not so bright,
as shall thy Justice shine.
7
Dumb-silent on the Lord attend,undaunted at his way,
That prospers, when malignant end
his slie devices lay.
8
Hold off from anger, wrath asswage,fret not thy selfe a whit;
Lest like transgressors, in thy rage
like evill thou commit.
9
For evill doers best successethemselves cut off shall end:
The earth shall they and theirs possesse,
that on the Lord attend.
10
Well, yet a little while expect,the wicked shall not be:
67
they are not His, nor He.
11
They shall possesse the earths encrease,that are of humble sp'rit:
And in the multitude of peace,
shall set their whole delight.
12
Zealously bent against the Just,the wicked grinds his teeth:
13
The Lord shall laugh to scorne his trust,whose day at hand he seeth.
14
Hand on the sword un-sheath'd, and bowfore-bent, the wicked lay:
The poore afflicted downe to throw,
the upright-wai'd to slay.
15
Their sword on them his point shall trie,and through their heart shall pierce:
The bowes they bent shall broken lie,
wherewith they were so fierce.
16
The little that the Just possesseavailes to better steed,
Than wicked riches, never lesse,
than when they most exceed.
17
For broken shall be found the armes,whereto the wicked trust:
But with his powerfull arme, from harmes,
the Lord upholds the Just.
18
Instructed in the Perfect's waies,the Lord hath his fore-cast:
An heritage before them laies,
that shall for ever last.
19
In them shall shame inure no staine,when evill times grow rough:
And in the daies that dearth doth raigne,
then shall they have enough.
68
20
Consum'd yet wicked men in haste,JAH'S foes shall soon decay;
As fat of lambes, as smoake doth waste,
shall they consume away.
21
Large sums the wicked borrowing, shifts,and nothing payes againe:
The Just is bountifull in gifts,
of mercy makes his gaine.
22
In him shall they that blessed arepossesse the earths increase:
But they that in his curse have share,
cut off (and soon) shall cease.
23
Mans steps, where-ever-so he treads,the Lord upholder staies:
His way to him delightfull leads,
and to his liking layes.
24
He through his frailty though he fall,away shall not be cast:
For to uphold his hand withall,
a hand, O Lord, thou hast.
25
Now I that have been young, am old,the Just man and his seed,
Yet never did mine eye behold
forsooke, nor seeking bread.
26
All day, he mercy shewes and lends,not less'ning so his heap:
His seed that from his loines descends,
the more in blessing reap.
27
Shun evills evill neighbourhood,no dwelling neere that doore:
Depart from evill, and doe good,
and dwell for evermore.
28
The Lord loves Judgement, and will notforsake his Saints at need:
69
cut off the wicked seed.
29
The soile the Just inherit shallfor their possession:
The termlesse terme perpetuall,
that they shall dwell thereon.
30
Plenty that in the Just abounds,from forth his floud-gates breakes:
His mouth the deeps of wisedome sounds,
his tongue of Judgement speakes.
31
Goe where he will, stay or depart,he hath a perfect guide:
His great Gods Law is in his heart,
his footing shall not slide.
32
To stall the Just man in his way,the wicked sets his watch:
And takes occasion him to slay,
advantage if he catch.
33
And though he fall into his hand,the Lord there leaves him not:
Accus'd in judgement though he stand,
the sentence is forgot.
34
Cleave to the Lord, and keep his way,and he shall hold up thee,
To hold the land: whence cut away
the wicked thou shalt see.
35
Ruffling the wicked have I seen,in highest pride of all:
Wide-spreading, like a Laurell green,
and like a Cedar, tall.
36
He past away, and loe was gonethis Lord of so much ground;
I sought him, but of such a one,
no footstep could be found.
70
37
See and observe the Perfects close,the righteous man attend,
What ever pressure him oppose,
peace is his after-end.
38
Together, where transgressors allshall be destroi'd in haste:
Of wicked men, their endlesse fall
shall cut them off at last.
39
To all the righteous, from the Lorddoth their salvation flow:
Whose strength to them doth strength afford,
when trouble strikes them low.
By them the Lord their helper stands,
deliverer of the Just;
Deliverer-safe from wicked hands,
because in him they trust.
Psal. 38. Domine, ne in furore.
Psalmus Davidis ad commemorandum.
1
My faults, let no reproofe of thine,Lord, in thy wrath repeat:
Nor chastise any crime of mine
in thy displeasures heat.
2
A show'r of arrowes shot from thee,come storming on my crowne:
And some of them sticke fast in mee,
thy hand doth presse mee downe.
3
My flesh is all un-sound within,in thy displeasure lest:
My bones, by reason of my sin,
are of their peace bereft.
4
My wickednesses heaped store,above my head is gone:
71
for mee to beare alone.
5
My festred stripes a loathsome sent,my foolishnesse bewray:
6
So crooked I, so bow'd, so bent,goe mourning all the day.
7
My flankes inflam'd with scorching smarts,that in my boiles abound:
My flesh, that hath so many parts,
not any part hath sound.
8
I feeble am, and broken sore,in mine unquiet fits:
For griefe of heart I groan and roare,
my paine so neere mee sits.
9
Before thee, Lord, my whole desire,my sighes not hid from thee:
10
My heart doth pant, my strength expire,mine eye-sight not with mee.
11
Alooffe my loving neighbours stood,before my stroake at hand:
My friends, the neerest of my bloud,
strove who should furthest stand.
12
And they that seeke my soule, set snares,that evill search and say:
To circumvent mee unawares,
went musing all the day.
13
I like a deafe man am become,that heares no sound at all:
As from whose mouth (a man strook dumbe)
not any word doth fall.
14
As one not hearing, held I fastmine eares, mine answers hold;
As one un-meeke, reproofes to cast,
whose mouth was not the mold.
72
15
Because, O Lord, I wait for thee,for thee my hopes awake:
Thou, Lord my God, shalt answer mee,
and answer for mee make.
16
Heare mee in this distresse (said I)lest they rejoyce at mee:
And when my foot but steps awry,
they magnifie to see.
17
And ready sure I am to halt,so hard thy hand doth straine:
Continually with fresh assault,
before mee is my paine.
18
My crimes I freely will confesse,and openly declare:
Be sorry for my sinnes excesse,
with un dissembled care.
19
Yet live my mighty foes the while,their power with mine compare:
And they that doubled hate with guile,
how multipli'd they are!
20
And they that evill pay for good,for gaine returne mee losse:
Against mee that for goodnesse stood,
ungraciously stand crosse.
21
Me doe not thou, O Lord, forsake,nor farre from mee be gone:
22
My God, more haste to help mee make,Lord, my salvation.
Psal. 39. Dixi custodiam.
Ad Præstantem, ad Jeduthun, Psalmus David.
1
What waies my wary foot shall presse,I will (said I) take heed:
73
advisedly proceed.
My mouth from speaking word amisse,
as with a bridle curbe,
Before mee while the wicked is,
lest some distaste disturbe.
2
With stilnesse dumb I nothing spake,from termes I did refraine,
Even good, untill my heart did ake,
and troubled, was my paine.
3
My heart was hot in my desire,which silence smoth'red long:
While thus I mus'd, out burst the fire,
then spake I with my tongue.
4
Lord, make mee know my journies end,the measure of my daies:
That I may learne what is to spend,
how ceasing soon my waies.
5
Loe, thou hast given my daies a span,my world as nothing plaine:
Before thee every settled man
is (doubtlesse) wholly vaine.
6
Sure, shadow-like, man makes a shew,in vaine they vexe their mind:
He heaps up goods, and doth not know
what gatherer them shall find.
7
And now, Lord, what doe I expect?on whom doe I attend?
On thee doe all my hopes reflect,
in thee begin and end.
8
From all my foes deliver mee,that on my shame encroach;
And make mee not for faults to thee,
to be the fooles reproach.
74
9
As one strook dumbe, depriv'd of sense,complaint my mouth made none;
Nor opened once that two-leav'd fence,
for thou didst what was done.
10
Thy plague away from mee revoke,more than I can withstand:
That am consumed by the stroke
of thy resistlesse hand.
11
When man for sinne thy chastning wroth,with stripes calls home againe:
Thou melt'st his beauty like a Moth;
sure, earthly man is vaine.
12
Heare, Lord, my praier, and with thine eares,consider of my cries:
Hold not thy peace, my speaking teares,
hot-showring from mine eies.
For I a stranger am with thee,
nor seat have certaine here:
A sojourner thou harbour'st mee,
as all my fathers were.
13
O spare mee with a little breath,my strength to mee restore:
Before I goe from hence to death,
and then I be no more.
Psal. 40. Expectans expectavi.
Ad Præstantem, Davidis Psalmus.
1
As waiting for the Lord I stai'd,I waited patiently;
And he to mee with present aide
inclining, heard my cry.
75
2
He brought mee from the groaning pit,out of the my'rie clay:
Upon a rocke my feet did fit,
and ord'red all my way.
3
He gave into my mouth a song,that newly was compil'd:
A Psalme to praise that did belong,
and to our God was stil'd.
This sight shall many eies behold,
and feare what he hath done:
Their hopes shall on the Lord lay hold,
by my example wonne.
4
Blest is the man, whose hopes reflectupon the Lord his eies:
That to the proud gives no respect,
nor such as turne to lies.
5
O Lord my God, thy wonders wrought,thy thoughts, no thought of man:
As thou to us, to thee hath brought,
nor bring in order, can.
6
When I to speake of them addresse,and would their summe declare;
Names greater than I can expresse,
past number summes they are.
7
No sacrifice didst thou desire,yet opened hast mine eares:
Nor offring-burnt for sinne require,
which bloud-stain'd Altar beares.
8
My selfe I come, then (said I) loe,the booke-roll to attest:
Thy will, my God, I joy to doe,
thy Law is in my brest.
9
I to the great Assembly told,the Justice that thou shew'st:
76
and that, O Lord, thou know'st.
10
Thy Justice did I not obscure,hid in my heart to dwell:
Thy faithfulnesse did I assure,
and thy salvation tell.
Thy loving kindnesse have I not,
nor yet thy truth conceal'd:
Nor in the great concourse forgot,
to make them both reveal'd.
11
With-hold not, thou, O Lord, from methy tender bowells store:
Thy mercy, and thy truth let be
my safeguards evermore.
12
For evills moe than may be toldhave round-environ'd mee:
My sinnes on mee have caught such hold,
I have no power to see.
The haires upon my head that grow,
in number they exceed:
My heart with trouble stricken low,
forsakes mee at my need.
13
Lord, let it be thy pleasure now,to safe deliver me:
O Lord, to help me hasten thou,
as able, ready be.
14
Shames loading let them never lacke,that would my soule destroy:
Abash't confusion drive them backe,
that at my evill joy.
15
Let desolation be their pay,the pension of their shame,
Aha, Aha, to mee that say,
and make my griefe their game.
77
16
Let those that seeke thee all, alwaywith joy in thee abide:
Let thy salvations lovers say,
“The Lord be magnifi'd.
17
On mee that poore and needy stand,yet thinkes the Lord my stay:
My help with thy redeeming hand,
my God, make no delay.
Psal. 41. Beatus vir, qui intelligit.
Ad Præstantem, Psalmus David.
1
Blest is the man, that wisely weighthe poore-afflicted can:
Deliverance in the evill day,
the Lord will send that man.
2
Him shall the Lord preserve alive,and keep on earth to blesse:
Him to his foes thou shalt not give,
their soule shall not possesse.
3
The Lord upholds his feeble headupon his couch of paine:
Turnes in his sicknesse all his bed,
returnes his health againe.
4
I said in depth of my distresse,Be gracious, Lord, to mee:
O heale my soule, whose sinfulnesse
hath sore offended thee.
5
On mee mine enemies exclaime,and evill of mee say:
When shall he die? when shall his name
with him be cast away?
6
And if to visit mee he come,his heart vaine falshood speakes:
78
at his returne forth breakes.
7
All they that hate mee, on a knot,against mee whisp'ring swarme:
Against mee they this evill plot,
devis'd to doe mee harme.
8
“An evill doome on him is past,“which he deserv'd before:
And now (say they) that he lies fast,
let him rise up no more.
9
Yea, in my peace the man so great,to speciall trust receiv'd:
Which of my bread did also eate,
his heele against mee heav'd.
10
Be gracious, Lord, to mee therefore,and raise mee up againe;
And I to them shall then restore,
like payment for their paine.
11
By this I know thou favour'st mee,that though my foes assaile:
Triumphers yet they shall not be,
against mee, nor prevaile.
12
But mee, in mine integritiethy hand doth still uphold:
And set mee, where eternally
thy face I may behold.
13
The Lord, the God of Israel,be blest for ever then:
Let age to age eternall tell
his praise: Amen, Amen.
Finis Libri primi.
| The Psalmes of David | |