Psa. 71.
[_]
The Church acknowledgeth God's preservation of her in
her severall Ages, & from her manyfold Oppressers, desiring
to be preserved also, in her last & worst age. &c.
wee, on whome the worst Age is come, should
vse it as a prayer, to be delivered from the same.
[1]
Keep me from shame; for, Lord in thee I trust;
Incline thine ear, to healp & set mee free:
Yea, save thou mee, oh Lord, as thou art iust,
My Rock, my Fort, my Refuge daigne to be;
For, Lord my strēgth, thou help dost promise me,
2
Mee from the powre of sinnful men defend,
And from their hands, oh Lord, that cruel are.
My soul, on thee did in the wombe depend,
And, since my birth, thou hast of mee had care:
For which my tongue shal stil thy praise declare,
3
Thou art my hope, though wondred at I be,
And, I will sing thy praises all the day.
When I am weake & old, Lord, leave not mee:
For, with despight, my haters mee gainsay,
And, for my soul, they plotts & engines lay.
4
God, leaves him quite (say these) persue & take;
He, now, hath none to rescue him from thral.
But, come, oh God! & speed to healp me make;
Oh come! & smite my soules Oppressors, all,
Bring scorn & shame, on those who seek my fal.
5
Thē, still, I'le hope; thy love I'le still commend;
Yea, still, relate what favours thou hast done:
And, of thy grace, since I perceave no end,
Thy strength, Lord God, I will depend vpon,
And, magnifie thy Righteousnes alone,
6
Till now, oh God! thy Marvailes I have told,
As from my youth I have bin taught by thee:
Oh leave me not, when I am gray & olde,
Till Ages all, thy powre have learn'd of mee;
And, then extold, thy Iustice, Lord, shall be.
7
None ever did such works as thou hast wrought;
And, though my soul thou keptst awhile in paine,
At last, as one who from the grave was brought,
Me, to my ioyes thou didst restore againe;
For which, my harpe, to praise thy Name, Istrain,
8
My tongue, likewise; in setting out thy prais,
Oh thou cheef saint of Isr'el! part shal bear;
So shal my soul, whose price thy bountie paies,
And, ev'rie day, thy Iustice I'le declare,
Because, my foes defam'd, & ruin'de are.
