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137

Lib. III.

Psal. 73. Quàm bonus Deus.

Psalmus Asaphi.

1

Yet God to Israel is good,
affects the pure in heart!

2

And I; my feet, but faltring stood,
my steps were like to start.

3

I envi'd follies proud commands,
the wickeds peace I saw:

4

For in their death there are no bands,
but Lording-strength their Law.

5

Tell them of troubles, where, or when,
for care they keep no roome;
Nor are they plagu'd, like other men,
neere them no crosse may come.

6

Of pride therefore a chaine hung downe,
about their neckes they beare:
And violences guarded gowne,
the garment is they weare.

7

Their fat-swolne eyes beare out so bold,
in plenty share such part:
Their heaps no house enough to hold,
their happinesse no heart.

8

Corrupt, in their licentious vaine,
with their malicious tongue:
Oppression proudly they maintaine,
and highly boast of wrong.

9

Their mouth against the heavens they vent,
to brave, blaspheme, and fling,
Throughout the earth, till they have spent
their tongues envenom'd sting.

138

10

His people therefore hither turne,
and seeking like successe,
Of waters wrung from their full urne,
sucke up the bitternesse.

11

Tush, how should God, that comes not nie,
(say they) such trifles know:
Or how shall he, that is Most-Hie,
esteem of things so low?

12

Loe, these the worlds ungodly guests,
and there, these prosper best:
Loe, these are they, that wealth possesse;
Nay, are by wealth possest.

13

Now surely I, on poore pretence,
have cleans'd my heart in vaine;
And washt my hands in innocence,
with labour for my paine.

14

And dieted I am all day
with plagues, for my repast;
And in the mornings, is my pay,
rebuke, to breake my fast.

15

Thus, if I say, when I have said,
How (faithlesse) I offend;
And of thy sons, the race up-brai'd,
and rashly reade their end?

16

Then thought I how to cleere this doubt,
to sound this depth againe;
But found it hard to find it out,
and in mine eyes a paine.

17

Till to Gods holy House I went,
and wisely did attend:
Of these men, there, and their extent,
I understood the end.

18

Them, surely, hast thou set aloft,
on high, but slipp'ry seats:

139

Whence, when they fall, they fall not oft,
but soon thy hand defeats.

19

How suddenly left desolate,
to ruine are they brought;
How soon consum'd is their estate,
with terrours over-wrought?

20

As, on the wing of fancy flies,
a dreame from one awake;
So, Lord, when up thou shalt arise,
despis'd their image make.

21

My sowre-leav'nd heart did surely pant,
my reines corrected mee:

22

So brutish I, so ignorant,
was, as the beasts, with thee.

23

With thee, yet still did I abide,
to thee, my right hand, cleave:
Me, with thy counsell shalt thou guide,
to glorie then receive.

24

In Heaven, what one have I, but thee,
to whom my hopes suspire:

25

In earth, delights are none for mee,
but thou, my lifes desire.

26

My flesh and heart, consum'd at length,
as now, assist me not:
But of my heart, the Rocke of strength,
for ever, God my lot.

27

For loe, by thee be overthrowne,
and perish shall each one,
That are to Idols of their owne,
from thee awhoring gone.

28

As for my good, I hold it best,
neere God to draw my care:
On God the Lord, my hopes to rest,
and all thy workes declare.

140

Psal. 74. Ut quid Deus?

Admonitio Asaphi.

1

For ever! what doth thee provoke,
from us cast off to keep?
Still shall, O God, thy nostrils smoake,
against thy pasture-sheep?

2

Thy Congregation call to mind,
thy now forsaken fold,
Whom thou, from bondage didst unbind,
and purchast hast of old.

3

Thine Heritages rod redeem'd,
among our fathers dealt:
This Sion-Mount, so much esteem'd,
the seat, where thou hast dwelt.

4

Lift up thy feet: Thy foe defeat
for ever, every one:
That to thy Sanctuaries seat
have all this evill done.

5

Amidst thy holy places met,
thine adversaries roare:
Their Ensignes up for signes they set
of conquest got before.

6

He that high groves of Cedars growne,
with axe up-lifted fell'd,
By much lesse loud report was knowne,
like ours, no spoiler held.

7

And now they rend, and raze as fast,
the roofes, the beames, lie broke,
The carved columnes downe are cast,
with maule and hammers stroke.

8

Thy Sanctuaries, set on fire,
laid levell with the ground:

141

The place profan'd, where thy desire
to plant thy Name was found.

9

Let us (in heart, said they) make spoile,
together them destroy:
Unburnt, let God, in all the soile,
no Synagogue enjoy.

10

Our signes, we see not! Prophet none,
our Seers all among:
Before our evill day be done,
none left, that knowes how long.

11

How long, O God, of this our shame,
shall our distressor dreame?
How long, for ever, shall thy Name
the Enemie blaspheme?

12

Why, turne thy hand? why, thy right hand
held in thy bosome void?
Why, this (while thou, withdrawne dost stand)
Destroier undestroi'd?

13

For why? God is my King of old,
by whom, Salvations wrought,
Doe we, amidst the earth behold,
as from their fountaine brought.

14

Through standing seas divided walls,
thy power, thy peoples leads;
And with thy batt'ring water-falls,
thou break'st the Dragons heads.

15

Leviathans great heads (more great)
thy surges swept away:
Thou gav'st him to be peoples meat,
the Desert-dwellers prey.

16

Thou mad'st out of the stony rocke
whole flouds and fountaines flie;
And through their laps, to lead thy flockes,
drew'st mighty rivers drie.

142

17

Thine is the day, the night is thine,
thou hast prepar'd the light:
By day, the golden Sunne to shine,
the silver Moone by night.

18

(The seas, shut up within their shores)
thou quarter'st out the coasts:
The Summers, and the Winters flow'rs,
thou lay'st with fires and frosts.

19

Remember, Lord, how this reproach,
the Enemie did frame:
How foolish people did encroach,
that durst blaspheme thy Name.

20

Thy Turtles soule commit thou not
to be the wild beasts prey;
Nor thine afflicted flocke, forgot,
for ever cast away.

21

Unto thy Covenant have respect,
for all the earth is darke;
And here, her roofes hath rapine deck't,
oppression set her marke.

22

O, let not thine opprest depart,
repuls't with brand of shame:
But let the poore afflicted heart,
and needy, praise thy Name.

23

Arise, O God, thy plea proceed,
to plead without delay,
Remember how the foole-mad breed,
reproach thee all the day.

24

Forget not, of thine enemies,
the voice that thee offends:
Their tumult, that against thee rise,
continually ascends.

143

Plal. 75. Confitebimur tibi.

Ad Præstantem. Ne corrumpas. Psalmus Asaphi, Canticum.

1

To thee, O God, our thankes confesse,
thy praise we celebrate;
And neere to us thy Names accesse,
thy wondrous workes relate.

2

When time shall bring about the day,
that I the Rule receive:
With Justice will I guide the way,
and righteous Judgement give.

3

The earth, and earths in-dwellers all,
dissolv'd, and downe are cast:
Her shaken fabricke, from to fall,
her pillars I set fast.

Selah.


4

To mad-proud fooles I said, Beware,
let folly be forborne;
And to the wicked, Have a care,
ye lift not up the Horne.

5

Fooles, heave not up your Horne on hie,
lest Heaven your Antliers checke:
Your words on lowly wing let flie,
not with a stiffe-borne necke.

6

For, neither from the East nor West,
nor Hills, high-callings come:
But God the Judge, “Some humbleth best,
“Exalteth other some.

7

For, in his hand the Lord doth beare
a cup, whose wine is red;
And full of mixture is the Mere
by him distributed.

144

Of indignation in this cup,
on earth, the wicked all,
Wring-out the dregs, and drinke them up,
depriv'd of mercy shall.

8

But I, for ever will declare,
and Hymnes of gladnesse bring:
Which I, for praises shall prepare,
to Jacobs God to sing.

9

And of the wicked, every horne,
I from their heads will rend:
When high shall every beame be borne,
that forth the Just shall send.

Psal. 76. Notus in Judea.

Ad Præstantem, in Neghinoth. Psalmus Asaphi, Canticum.

1

In Judah God is knowne, his Name
is great in Israel:

2

His Tent in Salem: He the same,
that doth in Sion dwell.

3

The burning arrowes, there he brake,
shot from the bow-mans hand:
The sword and shield, made field forsake,
and warlike bands dis-band.

Selah.


4

Much brighter shines thy Glories Crowne,
than brightnesse shines by day:
Thine Excellence of more renowne,
than are the Mounts of prey.

5

There, mighty-hearted men lay foil'd,
and falling, slept their sleep:
The men of power, of power, found spoil'd,
which none found hands to keep.

145

6

O God of Jacob, thy reproofe,
sent many a daring head:
Chariot and Horse, with thundring hoofe,
to sleep among the dead.

7

Thou, thou art to be fear'd alone,
for thy resistlesse might:
And in thy wrath, from then, what one
shall stand before thy sight?

8

From Heaven, to have thy Judgement heard,
it was thy dreadfull will;
And at thy thundring voice afeard,
earth trembled, and was still.

9

When God in Judgement rose, to save
the meeke on earth, un-slaine:

Selah.


Praise of mans rage, thou sure shalt have,
the rest thou shalt restraine.

10

Vow to the Lord your God, and pay,
all round about him neere;
Your present in the presence lay,
of Jacobs Fathers Feare.
The spirit of Princes rank-growne pride,
his gathering spirit shall prune:
That is, on earth an awfull guide,
to keep their Kings in tune.

Psal. 77. Voce mea ad Dominum.

Ad Præstantem, super Jeduthun, Asaphi Psalmus.

1

I with my voice to God did crie,
so loud, that he might heare:
My voice to God I rais'd on hie,
and he to me gave eare.

2

While day to my distresse gave light,
unto the Lord I mourn'd:

146

My restlesse sore ran out by night,
my soule from comfort turn'd.

3

I thought on God: My troubled thought
betooke me no reliefe:
My spirit complain'd, but over-wrought
was my complaint with griefe.

Selah.


4

Thou heldst my heavie eyes awake,
while I, with watching, weake,
Would rest; but rest I could not take,
astonish't, could not speake.

5

I thought upon the daies of old,
their compleat summe to cast;
And of our fathers ages told,
what yeeres in number past.

6

I call'd to mind my song by night,
I commun'd with my heart;
And throughly out to search my spirit,
bare every part a part.

7

For ever, will the Lord, displeas'd,
cast off, and not restore:
And will his anger, unappeas'd,
adde no acceptance more?

8

For ever, is his Mercy done,
his Word, to ceasing put;

9

His Grace, hath God forgot so soon,
in wrath his Bowells shut?

Selah.


10

Or, is my sicknesse this, (said I)
that I so late began:
Of his right hand, that is Most-Hie,
the changing turnes to skan?

11

To my remembrance will I call,
what workes the Lord hath wrought,
What wonders did of late befall,
will ponder in my thought.

147

12

Of all thy workes will I advise,
and as I meditate,
Make my discourses exercise,
thy doings to relate.

13

Most Holy is (O God) thy way,
thy Sanctuaries seat;
Thy Second, whom can any say,
as God, a God so great?

14

Thou art the God; that Strength, thou art,
that strange designes hast showne;
And of thy power, hast made thy part,
among the people knowne.

15

Thy peoples generations,
thine arme redeem'd of old:
Thy Jacobs, and thy Josephs sons,
whom Josephs brethren sold.

16

Thy face, O God, the waters saw,
the waters saw thy face;
The trembling waters stood in awe,
the groaning deeps gave place.

17

The clouds on earth, their tempests powr'd,
the skies gave out a sound:
Thine arrowes from the quiver showr'd,
made seas on seas rebound.

18

Thy thunder-shot roar'd round about,
the world with lightnings shone;
The earth was stirr'd, and shooke, in doubt,
her day-light lamp was gone.
Yea, even this dreadfull glimm'ring light,
glad comfort gave their eie;
That in this darknesse-double-night,
yet let them see to die.

19

Thy way, is in the sea aside,
on heaps divided throwne:

148

Thy pathes through many waters guide,
thy footsteps are not knowne.

20

Thou leadst thy people through the Land,
as Shepheard leads his sheep:
By Moses, and by Aarons hand,
thy flocke ordain'd to keep.

Psal. 78. Attendite, Popule.

Admonitio Asaphi.

1

My Law, that I shall give in charge,
O ye my people, heare:
To what my lips shall speake at large,
incline your heedfull eare.

2

A Parable my mouth shall shew,
darke mysteries of old,

3

What we have heard, and knowne, renew,
as have our fathers told.

4

Which of the Ages sons un-borne,
we will conceale from none,
What Crownes of praise the Lord hath worne,
what powerfull wonders done?

5

A Covenant he with Jacob strooke,
gave Israel a Law:
Wherein, strait charge our fathers tooke,
to hold their sons in awe.

6

That their Posteritie might know,
and learne by them alive:
From seed to seed rise up and sowe,
from sonne to sonne derive.

7

On God, their hopes that they might set,
Gods acts charactred deep
Within their breast, might not forget,
and his Commandments keep.

149

8

Not, as their fathers disobey'd,
a race that did rebell:
A race, from God, whose heart un-stai'd,
whose spirit unfaithfull, fell.

9

Such as the sons of Ephraim were,
that arm'd, and bearing bow,
Flung downe their armes, and fled for feare
before the signall-blow.

10

Of God, the Covenant kept they not,
his Precepts pathes eschew'd:

11

What deeds he did for them, forgot
what wondrous workes he shew'd.

12

What wonders in their fathers sight,
sad proofe can Egypt yeeld,
Whereto, though Misraim all, had right,
most right had Zoan field.

13

The sea for them did he divide,
and made them passage all:
He heap't the waters side by side,
to stand, as wall by wall.

14

A cloud all day, their course to keep,
all night, a light of fire:

15

From Desert-rockes, as from the Deep,
gave drinke at their desire.

16

Swift streames out of the Rocke he brought,
that forth like rivers flie:

17

Their sinne, on sinne, in Desert wrought,
provok't, yet, God Most-Hie.

18

And, tempting God, with grudging hearts,
their soule requiring meat:

19

Shall God (said they) in Desert parts,
on tables set to eate?

20

Behold, he smote the stony Rocke,
whence flow'd those streames afresh:

150

But can he for his peopled flocke
find bread, or furnish flesh?

21

This heard the Lord; but heard with wrath,
the fire that Jacob blew:
For this ingratefull breach of troth,
on faithlesse Israel flew.

22

For they to God no faith had given,
nor his salvation trust:

23

Though clouds enjoyn'd, & doors of Heaven,
lay open to their lust.

24

He, Manna downe on them did raine,
their hunger to suffice;
And gave them of that Heavenly graine,
from Garners of the skies.

25

That man, the Mighties Bread might eate,
it was his Makers will:
Who sent them this Celestiall meate,
of Angels food, their fill.

26

He, from Heavens Nabathean mouth,
his East wind made to blow:
His power brought from Sabean South,
a softer gale to glow.

27

He rain'd downe flesh, the Desert dust,
to number, is not more;
And feathred-fowle, to fill their lust,
as sand, on sea-driv'n shore.

28

He made it fall, his Camp throughout,
so bigge the cloud did swell;
His habitations round about,
the feathred-tempest fell.

29

So they did eate, and had their fill,
their lust, so highly priz'd,
Had what they would, yet, not their will;
were cloi'd, but not suffic'd.

151

30

While yet the meat was in their mouth,
Gods wrath upon them came;
And slew the fat of all their youth,
the hopes of Israels name.

31

This done, yet sinn'd they more and more,
the more their God to grieve:
His wonders slighting, as before,
nor would they yet beleeve.

32

He therefore did consume their daies
in vanitie, their yeeres,
Not close, with Ages kind decaies,
but crosse, with hasty feares.

33

On them, when slaughters hand he brought,
then home to him retir'd:
Then sought him, early then him sought,
then after God enquir'd.

34

That God was then their Rocke of strength,
they could remember well;
And that the Highest God, at length,
was their Redeemer, tell.

35

Yet did their mouth but faigne the while,
this was but flatt'ries gloze,
Their tongue fram'd this alluring stile,
these lies with him to close.

36

Their heart with him was wrong within,
his Covenants faith forgot:
His Mercy covered yet their sin,
and them corrupted not.

37

How often his compassions wing,
could wind his wrath aside;
And on their heads forbeare to bring,
his whole displeasures tide.

38

Remembring that they were but flesh,
a vapour, whift away:

152

Whose flower may never spring, refresh,
but once, and soon decay.

39

How often did they him provoke,
the Wildernesse can speake:
How often his displeasures stroke,
the Deserts saw him breake.

40

Yet turning backe, to sinne they fell,
and tempting God againe:
The Holy-One of Israel,
their limits would containe.

41

Nor minded they his Mighty hand,
nor their Redemption-day:
When he them freed from Pharaoh's Land,
from bondage sent away.

42

What strange designes in Egypt done,
what wonders Zoan-plaines:
All Ages wonder, equall none,
and Memphis yet complaines.

43

He turn'd their rivers into bloud,
that thirst it selfe did shrinke,
In plenty, poore; of Nilus floud
when Egypt could not drinke.

44

Devouring flies, promiscuous swarmes,
to eate them up, he sent;
And fenny frogs importune charmes,
corrupting, where they went.

45

He let the Caterpiller eate
the fruit of all their soile;
And gave their labours hopefull sweat,
to be the Locusts spoile.

46

Their Vines, with haile-stones he destroi'd,
their Sycamores with frost:

47

With haile, their heards, their flocks annoi'd,
in flames of lightning lost.

153

48

His indignations fi'rie stripes,
his fury on them spent;
And guilty-soules tormenting gripes,
by evill Angels sent.

49

He spared not their soule from death,
to weigh his angers way,
Made man and beast give up their breath,
the Pestilences prey.

50

The first of all in Egypt borne,
unequall death prevents;
The Principall of strength, the Horne,
where Cham had pitch't his Tents.

51

But forth, like sheep, from tempest fled,
he made his people passe;
And, like a flocke in Deserts led,
as in deep pasture grasse.

52

He led them safe, and free from feare,
their walkes were through the waves;
But drown'd their foes, that here and there
had made the sea their graves.

53

And them, he to his Rocke of rest,
his holy Border, brought,
This Mountaine lov'd above the best,
and with his right hand bought.

54

Before them, out the Heath'ns he cast,
and shar'd their lot by line;
Where Anak raign'd in Ages past,
the shields of Jacob shine.

55

Ingratefull they, their God Most-Hie,
yet tempt, afresh provoke:
His Testimonies naught set by,
with them can beare no stroke.

56

They turne their backes, disloyall grow,
and flie their fathers flight:

154

“So starts aside the warping bow,
the Archer aiming right.

57

And now, to grate his angry gall,
Hill-Altars, Idoll-Groves,
Grav'n-Imagery, whereto they fall,
his jealous fury moves.

58

This, hearing God, his wrath grew hot,
so foule revolt to heare;
So Israel his hatred got,
his people held so deare.

59

His Tabernacle he forsooke,
that Shilo lov'd so well;
His Tabernacle, where he tooke
delight with men, to dwell.

60

His Arke, his Monument of Power,
he left in captive bands;
And gave his Glories beauteous flowre
into Distressors hands.

61

He chain'd his people to the chance
of Tyrants raging blade;
And wroth with his Inheritance,
their heads the hostage made.

62

Their young men were untimely driven,
of fire to be the food:
Their virgins not in marriage given,
nor by their praisers woo'd.

63

Their Priests annointed, slaine with glaves,
and laid on bloudy Beers:
No widowes, on their wedlockes graves,
to melt some mourning teares.

64

So wak't the Lord, as after sleep,
the rowzed sp'rits refine:
Or, as a Giant, sowsed deep
in lavish cups of wine.

155

65

With Hemorroids, on their parts behind,
his enemies he smote;
And branded them, and all their kind,
with shames eternall note.

66

For Josephs Tent he did refuse,
or Ephraims Tribe to move:

67

But Judah's Royall Tribe did chuse,
and Sion-Mount his love.

68

There, built his Temples Hornes on hie,
his Holy-place so sure,
That founded to Eternitie,
might firme, as earth, endure.

69

His servant David (hooke and sling)
he drew from folds of sheep;
And of a Shepherd, made a King,
a flocke of soules to keep.

70

From following Ewes, with young ones great,
of Jacobs chosen seed:
Possest him of a Regall-seat,
his Israel to feed.
And them within this Holy Land,
with perfect heart he fed:
Them, with a prudent Pastors hand,
(his flocke) discreetly led.

Psal. 79. Deus, venerunt.

Psalmus Asaphi.

1

Thine Heritage, O God, expil'd,
invading Heath'ns laid waste:
Thine Holy place have they defil'd,
on heapes have Salem cast.

2

The carkasse of thy servants, meat
given to the fowle of Heaven;

156

And of thy Saints, the flesh to eate,
to earths wild beast is given.

3

Their bloud, about thy Salem, round,
like waters have they shed,
Profanely left above the ground,
their bones un-buried.

4

Our neighbours neere, on every side,
reproach us face to face;
And round about us scorne, deride,
and load us with disgrace.

5

How long? for ever, Lord, how long,
before thine anger turne?
O, shall thy jealousie so strong,
like fire for ever burne?

6

Upon the Heath'n powre out thy wrath,
and make their Kingdomes flame,
Whose heart of thee no knowledge hath,
that call not on thy Name.

7

For, they have eat up Jacobs race,
his seed, by sword devour'd;
And on his wasted dwelling place,
their fire and fury powr'd.

8

Call not our former sins to mind,
with speed some mercy shew;
Prevent us with thy bowells kind,
whose losse hath brought us low.

9

Help us, God of our health, and make
thy Name the glory share:
Deliver us, for thy Names sake,
our sins in mercy spare.

10

For why live we, to see this day,
to beare this by-word home;
To heare the Heath'n-blasphemer say,
Where is their God become?

157

To Heath'ns let this be understood,
before our eyes be read;
How deare thy vengeance sells the blood
of us thy servants shed.

11

Let prisoners sighes, yet reeking warme,
before thee bring their breath:
According to thy powerfull arme,
reserve the sons of death.

12

And their reproach, which to our paine,
our neighbours on thee lay;
Into their bosome, Lord, againe,
with seven-fold paine repay.

13

So we, thy peoples pasture sheep,
shall ever of thy praise,
With thankfull Hymnes, Memorials keep,
to Age, and Age of daies.

Psal. 80. Qui regis Israel.

Ad Præstantem, super Sosannim Gheduth. Asaphi Psalmus.

1

Shepheard of Israel, give eare,
That Joseph, like a sheep, dost lead,
That sitt'st upon the winged-chaire,
The Cherubims, cleare up thy head.

2

Before Ephraim, and Benjamin,
Before Manasseh, to us come;
Stirre up thy mighty strength herein,
And for salvation bring us home.

3

To shew, that saving health is thine,
Turne us, O turne to us againe:
Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
Salvation so shall we attaine.

158

4

Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou,
In these extremes of our affaires,
Hot-smoaking bend thine angry brow,
Against thy peoples humble praiers?

5

Thou mak'st them eate the bread of teares,
Of teares, to drinke in measure great,

6

Our neighbours strife to fill our eares,
With scorne, our foes us foule entreat.

7

To shew, that saving health is thine,
O God of Hosts, turne us againe,
Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
Salvation so shall we attaine.

8

A Vine from Egypt hast thou brought,
The Heath'ns dis-planted by thy hand,

9

Before thy plant the way hast wrought,
Which, taking root, hath fill'd the Land.

10

The Hills were covered with the shade,
That from her fanne of leaves did fall;
For cold, for heat, kind shelter made,
Her stature, like Gods Cedars, tall.

11

Her branches bound the sea, a Crowne,
Her boughes be-deck't Euphrâtes shore:

12

Her hedge, why hast thou broken downe,
That passers-by, her clusters tore?

13

To root it up, the woods wild Boare,
To rend it downe, the fields wild Beasts,
All glutted with her purple gore,
Were this faire Vines unfitting guests.

14

Returne, O God of Hosts, and now,
With eyes, than light, that brighter shine,
Looke downe from Heaven upon this bough,
Behold, and visit thou this Vine.

15

This Vine, the strength of thy right hand,
Stock, burnt with fire, the boughes cut downe;

159

16

Sonne, for thy selfe made strong to stand,
They perish at thy faces frowne.

15

Upon the Man of thy right hand,
O let thy hand continue long;
Upon the Son of man let stand,
Whom for thy selfe thou mad'st so strong.

18

So no revolt of ours shall give,
Our backes to thee, to brand with shame,
O, quicken us, and we shall live;
And living, call upon thy Name.

19

To shew, that saving health is thine,
Lord God of Hosts, turne us againe;
And cause on us thy face to shine,
Salvation so shall we attaine.

Psal. 81. Exultate Deo.

Ad Præstantem, super Gittith, Asaphi.

1

To God, our strength, with joyfull voice,
in triumph let us sing:
To Jacobs God, with echoing noise,
make we the aire to ring.

2

Take up the Psalmes sweet melodie,
the sounding Timbrell bring:
The pleasant Harp, the Psalterie,
straine voice, and wind, and string.

3

Blow up the Trumpet, when the Moone,
her silver hornes renewes:
At solemne feast, as to have done,
on our high day we use.

4

For this a statute was ordain'd,
to Israel fore-told:
A Rite to Jacobs God retain'd,
for Jacobs sons to hold.

160

5

In Joseph was this witnesse cleer'd,
when he from Pharaoh's land
Went forth, a language there I heard,
I did not understand.

6

“I eas'd him of the burthen there,
that on his shoulders lay;
His palmes by me delivered were,
from carrying hods of clay.

7

Thou call'dst me in distresse, thy yoke
of bondage I remov'd;
To thee in cloud of thunder spoke,
at Meribah thee prov'd.

Selah.


8

Heare, O my people, my Record,
and I will witnesse beare;
O Israel, to this my word,
give thou but heedfull eare.

9

Strange God in thee there shall none be,
nor worship shalt thou spend,
To any other God but me,
thine humbled knee to bend.

10

I, that from Egypt up thee brought,
the Lord thy God am still;
Whom land nor sea can fill, thy throat
wide open, I shall fill.

11

But this my people would not heare,
my voice could not attone;
Of me, for favour nor for feare,
my Israel would none.

12

On this revolt, and breach of trust,
did I from him depart;
And sent them, to pursue their lust,
the counsels of their heart.

13

O, had their eare my people bent,
in their declining daies,

161

Had Israel his wandrings spent
in walking in my waies.

14

Their foes I should have soon put downe,
that now against them stand;
On their distressors heads have throwne
my wraths directed hand.

15

The haters of the Lord, with lies,
confounded had been found;
But of their favour, in his eies,
had boundlesse been the bound.

16

With fat of wheat would I have fed
his hunger, highly priz'd;
And from the Rocke, with honey shed,
would I have thee suffic'd.

Psal. 82. Deus stetit in Synagoga.

Psalmus Asaphi.

1

With Princes (peoples heads) the head
of Princes, God doth stand,
Great Judge amidst the gods to plead,
with Judges of the land.

2

How long will ye Judge evill good,
in wrongs no measure kept:
Of wicked heads, preferre the hood,
the faces, well accept?

3

The weake, and fatherlesse befriend,
that Justice judge them right;
The needy and distrest defend,
from over-bearing might.

4

The weakling, and the poore discharge,
that they may live un-harm'd,
Them, from the powerfull hand enlarge,
which wickednesse hath arm'd.

162

5

They know not, neither understand,
their walkes in darknesse end:
Move all foundations of the Land,
it moves them not to mend.

6

That ye are Gods, so said have I,
sons of the Highest, all:

7

Yet sure, ye Gods, like men shall die,
and, one with Princes, fall.

8

Great Judge on earth, of Kingdomes King,
thy selfe, O God, advance:
For, all the Nations shalt thou bring
to thine Inheritance.

Psal. 83. Deus, quis?

Canticum Psalmi Asaph.

1

Cease not, as deafe, O God, so long,
so long hold not thy peace:
In silence still keep not thy tongue,
O God, thy ceasing cease.

2

For loe, thy foes a tumult make,
their troupes against us lead;
And they that hate thee, for our sake,
have lifted up their head.

3

Against thy people they discourse,
in consultations:
Contriving fraud with open force,
against thy secret ones.

4

Come, Let us cut them off (they said)
that Nation never more,
Nor name of Israel decai'd,
remembring Age restore.

5

For they have cast with one consent,
and strooke a league in heart,

163

Their powerfull armes against thee bent,
against us to convert.

6

The Tents of Edom, Ismaelites,
with Moabs mis-borne breed:
The Hagarens, the Gebalites,
and peopled Ammons seed.

7

With them doth Amalek conspire,
with them Pelesheth runs:
Ashur, with them that dwell at Tyre,
arme Lots rebellious sons.

Selah.


8

Such end doe thou upon them bring,
as Madian Princes tooke:
Like Sisara, like Jabin King,
that fell at Kishon brooke.

9

Which perished on Endor plaine,
where (monuments of shame)
In dust and bloud, their bodies slaine,
as dung on earth became.

10

Let Oreb, and let Zeeb fore-tell
theirs, and their Princes fall:
As Zebach, and Zalmunnah fell,
so fall their Princes all.

11

Which said, “Our Houses to advance,
Gods Houses let us take;
And heires of his Inheritance,
our heires succeeding, make.

12

Make like a wheele, my God, the race
of their outragious lives;
Or, as the winds distemp'red face,
the withered stubble drives.

13

As fire, that burneth up the wood,
and bares the thickest hold;
Or, as the flame devoures for food
the Mountaines sulphur-mold.

164

14

So with thy tempests wrath dismai'd,
pursue them to the death;
And make them with thy storme afraid,
to draw their guilty breath.

15

Their brazen faces, brands of shame,
their soules, of sorrow, beare,
That they, O Lord, may seeke thy Name,
if not for love, for feare.

16

Confusion sudden evermore,
and trouble them torment;
And give their sinfull lives before,
a shamefull deaths event.

17

That they may know, that thou alone,
whose name is Eternall,
On earth thy foot-stoole, Heaven thy Throne,
Most-Hie art over all.

Psal. 84. Quàm dilecta?

Ad Præstantem, super Gittith. Filiorum Choreh Psalmus.

1

How amiable (Lord of Hosts)
thy dwelling places are?
How farre above all other coasts,
thy Tents exceed compare?

2

Lord, of thy Courts, to joy the fight,
my longing soule suspires,
My flesh, my heart, above delight,
the living God desires.

3

The Sparrow finds a roome to rest,
from reach of common wrong:
The Swallow builds a curious nest,
where she may couch her young.

165

4

They, Lord of Hosts, within thy roofe,
even to thine Altars home,
My King, my God, without reproofe,
(O me excluded) come.

5

With them, what blessings dwellers are,
that in thy dwellings dwell:
A house for thee, their hearts prepare,
thy praises shall they tell.

Selah.


6

They through the vale of Baca goe,
where teares find comforts spring;
And showers, to quench the sighes of woe,
in cisterns, blessings bring.

7

So marching on, from strength to strength,
them shall their vigour beare;
Till to the God of Gods, at length,
in Sion they appeare.

8

Lord God of Hosts, from Heaven thy seat,
my supplication heare:
To what my praiers of thee entreat,
O Jacobs God, give eare.

9

See who it is that sues for grace,
see whom thou hast forsooke:
O God, our shield, upon the face
of thine annointed looke.

10

For, in thy Courts the sweet content,
that one day spent, commends;
Is better than a thousand spent,
that elsewhere any spends.
More in thine House love I their roome,
that at thy threshold sit;
Than in their Tents, my God, to come,
that wickednesse commit.

11

For God the Lord, our Sun and Shield,
will grace and glory give;

166

And no good thing withhold to yeeld,
to them that perfect live.

12

O Lord of Hosts, thy Arme of Power,
that Armies powers doth bend;
Shall on the man thy blessings powre,
whose hopes on thee depend.

Psal. 85. Benedixisti Domine.

Ad Præstantem, filiis Choreh, Psalmus.

1

Now art thou gracious Lord become,
unto thy chosen Land:
Thou hast return'd thy Jacob home,
redeem'd from captive hand.

2

Thy peoples faults hast thou forgiven,
and covered all their sin:
Thy furious wrath away hast driven,
and call'd thine anger in.

3

O God of our salvation, see,
our former cares encrease:
Turne thou to us, turne us to thee,
thine indignation cease.

4

For ever wilt thou be displeas'd
with us, and never end?
Wilt thou, thine anger un-appeas'd,
to Age and Age extend?

5

Wilt thou not once returne againe,
and us to life restore;
That we, thy peoples poore remaine,
may joy in thee therefore?

6

Severely, Lord, as thou hast dealt,
to us thy mercy shew:
Thy heavie hand, as we have felt,
thy saving health bestow.

167

7

To heare what God the Lord will speake,
with heed will I attend:
Whose promise he will never breake,
but with performance end.
For he will cause our pressures cease,
and comfort such as mourne;
And to his gracious Saints speake peace,
lest they to folly turne.

8

His saving health, sure neere at hand,
shall they that feare him win:
That glory may in-dwell our land,
inglorious made by sin.

9

With Mercy, Truth in one did meet,
and hands together strike;
Where Justice, Peace with kisse did greet,
and peace return'd the like.

10

Truth, Heaven her place of birth forsooke,
out of the earth shall spring;
And Justice downe from Heaven shall looke,
a heav'n on earth to bring.

11

The Lord his goodnesse shall expresse,
so shall our Land not cease;
The Lord with blessings us to blesse,
our Laud with fruits encrease.

12

Before his face shall Justice goe,
and in the way respect,
To put her order'd footsteps so,
as he shall them direct.

Psal. 86. Inclina Domine.

Oratio Davidis.

1

Incline thine eare, O Lord, to mee,
and heare my humble praier:

168

For poore and needy, I to thee,
for answer make repaire.

2

Thee, let my soule her keeper have,
for mercifull am I:
Thou, O my God, thy servant save,
whose hopes on thee relye.

3

Upon thee all day calls my voice,
Lord, for thy Graces gift:

4

O, make thy servants soule rejoyce,
which, Lord, to thee I list.

5

For thou, O Lord, art good to all,
and ready to forgive;
And much in mercy, all that call
upon thee, to relieve.

6

Give eare, Lord, what my praier requires,
in these extremes of mine;
And of my humble-ey'd desires,
unto the voice encline.

7

I, in the day of my distresse,
will call aloud to thee;
Nor doubt accesse, nor good successe,
for thou wilt answer mee.

8

Among the Gods, O Lord, is none
with thee that can compare:
Nor like the workes that thou hast done,
workes done by any are.

9

All people, Lord, whom thou hast fram'd,
shall come and worship thee;
And glorious shall thy Name be nam'd,
by Nations all that be.
For, great thou art, as we have found,
by those great marvels done:
That neither equall hast, nor bound,
thou God, thy selfe alone.

169

10

My walkes, Lord, in thy way so fit,
and in thy truth so frame;
My heart to thee so firmly knit,
that I may feare thy Name.

11

To sing, O Lord my God, thy praise,
my heart shall wholly tend;
And to thy Name such glory raise,
as never shall have end.

12

For towards me thy mercy great,
no measure may esteem;
And from in Hell the lowest seat,
my soule didst thou redeem.

13

The proud, O God, against me rise,
and force with falshood met,
Have sought to make my soule their prize,
nor thee before them set.

14

Thy pity, streames, Lord God, so strong,
as no compassion such:
Thy grace abundant, suffrance long,
thy Truth and Mercy much.

15

O turne thy face to me at length,
as grace hath well begun;
To me thy servant give thy strength,
and save thy hand-maids son.
Some signe, for good, upon me shew,
which let my haters see;
And blush, when thou, O Lord, they know,
didst help and comfort mee.

Psal. 87. Fundamenta eius.

Filiis Choreh. Psalmus Cantici.

1

Low, where the hallowed Mountaines fall,
lie his foundation-plates:

170

2

Much more than Jacobs dwellings all,
the Lord loves Sion gates.

3

Like glorious things have not been heard,
nor moderne, nor of old;
To God, thou City most endear'd,
as have of thee been told.

Selah.


4

In my remembrance Rahab runnes,
and Babel, knowing mee:
Loe Palestine, and Tyre, thy sonnes,
with Cush, there borne was hee.

5

And of thee, Sion, shall be said,
the mother of us all,
Whom the Most-Hie so firme hath laid,
shall man and man thee call.

6

With him, when he the peoples writes,
the Lord shall first begin;
And say, when he their names recites,
This man was borne therein.

Selah.


7

Singers, and Instruments that sound,
rejoycers all with mee:
Voice, string, wind, water-falls abound,
“My springs are all in thee.

Psal. 88. Domine, Deus salutis.

Canticum Psalmi, filiis Choreh, ad Præstantem, super Mahalath Lignanoth, Maschil, Heman Israïtæ.

1

My crying supplication,
Before thee day and night,
Lord God of my salvation,

2

Let enter in thy sight.
Encline thine eare, and heare mee,
My soules full troubles tell,

171

3

Whose evills trench so neere me,
My life drawes neere to Hell.

4

Like them to death betaken,
That downe the pit are gone,
I seem a man forsaken;
A strength, that strength hath none.

5

Among the dead, free-sleeping,
That in the grave lie slaine,
Which (cast out of thy keeping)
Cut from the hand remaine.

6

My head thou hast captived
Within the lowest pit,
Where I of light deprived,
In deeps of darknesse sit.

7

Thy furies heat inflicted,
Lies heavie on my crowne,
With all thy flouds afflicted,
Thy billowes beare me downe.

Selah.


8

Set farre from mine acquaintance,
To them thou hast me set,
Abhorr'd, shut up in durance,
Whence out I cannot get.

9

Faint-ey'd, to tuning fall I,
Afflictions sobs my Psalmes,
On thee, Lord, all day call I,
To thee I spread my palmes.

10

Wilt thou from deaths vast Regions,
Prodigious shadowes raise;
Of all those Idoll-legions,
What one shall sing thy praise?

11

And shall thy loving kindnesse,
Within the garve be told?
Or shall ABADDON'S blindnesse,
Thy faithfulnesse unfold?

172

12

Thy deeds of Admiration
Shall Darknesse bring to light?
Who in Oblivions Nation,
Thy Justice shall recite?

13

But, Lord, to thee sincerely
My plaint doe I present;
And in the morning early,
My prai'r shall thee prevent.

14

Why, Lord, dost thou reject mee?
Why lay my soule aside?
Why let thine eare neglect mee?
Thy face why dost thou hide?

15

Afflicted soule, deceasing,
Thy ceaslesse stripes I beare,
From since my youths increasing,
Distraction, doubtfull feare.

16

Thine angers overgrow mee,
Thy frightings mee dismay:

17

All round they overflow mee,
Like waters, all the day.

18

From mee thou hast removed
My friends, my knowne delight,
My lovers, my beloved,
Are darknesse in my sight.

Psal. 89. Misericordias Domini.

Maschil, Etan Esraitæ.

1

The tender mercies of the Lord
shall ever be my song;
So shall my mouth thy truths record,
to age and age prolong.

2

For mercy shall be built (I said)
eternall to endure:

173

The Heav'ns establisht hast thou laid,
then Heav'n, thy truth more sure.

3

The Covenant with thy chosen strooke,
shall in my mind be borne:
The oath, which I to David tooke,
to him my servant sworne.

4

For ever, of thy seed to reigne,
will I establish one;
To Age and Age that shall remaine,
will I build up thy Throne.

Selah.


5

In speechlesse speech the Heav'ns, O Lord,
thy wondrous workes confesse;
The Saints Assemblies, of thy Word
declare the faithfulnesse.

6

For who in Heav'ns high Mansions
may with the Lord compare?
Or who among the mighties sons,
can equall lordship share?

7

God is exceeding dreadfull, where
his Saints their secret hold;
And round about him full of feare,
all-over to behold.

8

Lord God of Hosts, All-powerfull Lord,
what power is like to thine?
The splendour of whose faithfull Word,
doth round about thee shine.

9

Thou rul'st the swelling of the Seas,
proud billowes of the Maine;
Their waves high-rising to appease,
and still their stormes againe.

10

The Pharian Rahab didst thou smite,
as one that wounded lies:
Thou scatt'redst with thine arme of might
thy mighty enemies.

174

11

Thine are the Heav'ns, the earth is thine,
the world thy Word did found;
And all within the vast Machine,
the plenty of this Round.

12

Thee, North and South, Creatour call,
to sing thy Name they run:
From Westerne Tabors shady fall,
from Chermons rising Sun.

13

Thou hast a Mighty Armes command,
extended farre and nie:
Of strength resistlesse is thy hand,
and thy right hand is hie.

14

With Justice Judgement, Bases stand,
supporters of thy Throne;
And Truth with Mercy, hand in hand,
before thy face are gone.

15

O people blest, that know aright
the Trumpets joyfull sound;
Still walking in thy faces light,
shall they, O Lord, be found.

16

For in thy Name shall they delight,
all day remembring thee;
And in thy Justice made upright,
shall they exalted be.

17

The glory of their strength thou art,
to us thy favour borne,
Shall be the strengthner of our heart,
up-lifter of our Horne.

18

Suffice it, that the Lord alone
in our defence we bring:
Our shield is of the Holy One
of Israel, our King.

19

In Vision, to thy Holy One,
then spake thy Spirit, and said,

175

My help have I, to hold the Throne,
on one, made Mighty, laid.

20

One of the people, rais'd to lead
my flocke, did I appoint,
My servant David, and his head,
my holy oile annoint.

21

With whom my hand shall be so strong,
that strengthned with my arme,
Him, nor exacting foe shall wrong,
nor sonne of evill harme.

22

And his distressors, from his face,
with strokes will I beat downe;
And give my plague a lighting place
upon his haters crowne.

23

My faithfulnesse shall be the same,
with him my mercy rest;
His Horne shall flourish in my Name,
with high-exalted crest.

24

From shore to shore, from land to land,
enrich't with unbought goods,
I in the sea will set his hand,
his right hand in the floods.

25

Himselfe the issue of my stocke,
my sonne, and me he shall,
My father thou, my God, the Rocke
of my salvation call.

26

And him the first-borne will I give,
the Kings of earth above;
With him my love shall ever live,
my Covenant faithfull prove.

27

And in their changes to succeed,
when times and times are done;
For ever will I set his seed,
as daies of Heav'n his Throne.

176

28

But if my Law his sons forsake,
my Judgements walke beside;
Profane my Statutes, faile to take
my Precepts for their guide.

29

To visit their misdeeds will I
then with the rod begin;
Lay stripes on their iniquitie,
and scourge them for their sin.

30

My mercy yet shall no repeale,
to part from him prevaile;
Nor I with him will falsly deale,
against my faith, nor faile.

31

My covenant shall no change profane,
what league my lips did tye:
My Holinesse once swore in vaine,
if I to David lye.

32

His seed shall ever be: His Throne
before me shall appeare,
Like Heav'ns bright paire, the Sun, the Moone,
that faithfull witnesse beare.

34

But thine Annointed left forsooke,
thy wrath hath beaten downe;
The Covenant of thy servant broke,
profan'd on earth his Crowne.

35

His hedges all hath overthrowne,
wide open flung his folds,
Where any fort of his was knowne,
to ruine brought his holds.

36

All passengers of him make prey,
to neighbours neerer home
An object, he of scorne and play
a loud reproach become.

37

His foes right hand hast thou up-set,
his hands successe to crosse:

177

Their joy, his joyes from him to get,
their laughter made his losse.

38

His swords keen edge didst thou abate,
his hand in battell bound;
Hast made to cease his glories date,
and throwne his throne to ground.

39

His daies of youth hast thou made short,
cut off before they came:
Un-ripened reapt, but to abort,
and wrapt him up with shame.

Selah.


40

For ever, Lord, and no returne,
how long thy selfe absent?
How long wilt thou thy wrath shall burne,
like fire, and not relent?

41

Remember, O, how swift my time,
how short my ages span?
In vaine, why all the sons of slime,
hast thou created man?

42

What strong man lives, and sees not death,
or who his soule shall save;
And stop the hand that stops his breath,
the hand of Hell, the Grave?

Selah.


43

Where, Lord, where are those loves of old,
thy former favours borne,
So long forborne, so quencht, so cold,
thy faith to David sworne?

44

Remember, Lord, thy servants shames,
what foule reproach they heare;
How many (all great peoples) blames,
I in my bosome beare.

45

Wherewith thy foes, Lord, have reproach't,
wherewith reproach't they have:
Of thine Annointed scandals broach't,
the footsteps to deprave.

178

To Age and Age, as heretofore,
among the sons of men:
Blest be the Lord for evermore,
Amen (say we) Amen.
Finis Libri tertii.