XXXVII.
[The first part.]
1
Fret not thy self becaus of those
That active are in ill;
Nor envy thow the man that works
Iniquity at will.
2
For, like the grasse and budding herb,
Which speedilie decay,
They shall be suddenlie cutt doun,
And quicklie fade away.
3
Trust in the Lord; from what is good
Be not to lewdnesse led;
So in the land thow long shalt dwell,
And verily be fedd.
4
Him make thy joy, so satisfie
Thy hart's desire shall hee.
5
Devolve on Him thy way, and trust
The Lord will do for thee.
6
Hee like the light of day shall make
Thy righteousnes appeare,
And bring thy judgment forth to shyne
As noon-day, bright and clear.
7
Rest in the Lord, wait patientlie
For Him who works these things,
And fret not that his wayes go weell,
Leud plotts to passe who brings.
The Second part.
8
Refraine from furie: vnto wrath
Do not give way at all.
Fret not thyself in any wise
In wickednes to fall;
9
For wicked men shall be cutt off,
Their ruine is at hand;
But who do wait vpon the Lord,
Inherite shall the land.
10
For yet a little while, and lo,
The wicked shall not bee.
Thow diligentlie shall his place
Considder, but not see.
11
But by the meek ones of the earth
The land shall be possest,
And with the pleasurs of sweet peace,
Aboundantlie be blest.
12
The wicked plotteth 'gainst the just;
His gnashing teeth bewray
13
His spight. At him the Lord shall laugh,
For neare hee sies his day.
14
The wicked drawne the sword, their bows
Have bent the murdring wight,
The poore to overthrow, and kill
The man whose way is right.
15
But into their owne brests the sword
Shall pierce, and passage make;
And turnd in vselesse shivers, shall
The bow to shoot forsake.
16
The litle that the righteous hath
Is to be prys'd before
The wealth of mightie wicked men,
Who treasurs have in store.
The thrid part.
17
The Lord shall break the wicked's arme,
But shall the just sustain.
18
Their dayes Hee knowes; their heretage
For ever shall remaine.
19
And when bad dayes do danger threat,
Shame shall not them confound;
They shall sufficientlie be fed,
When famine rageth round.
20
The wicked perish shall; God's foes,
As fate of lambs by fire
Doth melt away, consume they shall,
And into smoak expire.
21
They borow shall, and take no thoght
Their credite to releeve;
But mercifull the vpright are,
And chearfully do give.
22
For such as blest are of the Lord,
Inherite shall the land;
But vnto all by Him accurst
Destruction is at hand.
23
The good man's steps the Lord directs,
And pleaseth wel his way.
24
His hand Hee gives, that iff hee fall,
He fall not quite away.
25
I have been young, and now am ag'd;
Yet did I never see
The just deserted, or his seed
Begge bread in miserie.
26
He (alwayes mercifull,) to lend,
His hand doth not recall.
His children and posteritie
Are in the blessing all.
The fourth part.
27
Flee ill, do good; and ever dwell.
28
For God doth judgment love;
His saints Hee leaves not; kept they are
For ever from above;
But rooted out shall be the race
29
Of wicked men. While they
Who just are shall enjoy the land
And dwell therin alway.
30
The just man's mouth shall wisdome vent,
His tonge of judgement talks.
31
The Law of God is in his hart,
Hee slips not as he walks.
32
The wicked waits the just to kill,
33
But God doth never leave
Him in his hand, nor him condemnes,
While men doe judgement give.
34
Thy expectation on the Lord
With patience do thow stay,
Be not, (whatever thee befall,)
Diverted from his way.
He shall advaunce thee in the land,
Inheritance to have,
And when the wicked are cutt off,
This shall thine eye perceive.
The fyfth part.
35
The wicked, for his might much fear'd,
Like to a lawrell green,
Himself displaying in his pryd,
Observ'd I haue and seen.
36
But quicklie past hee from his place;
Behold hee ceas'd to bee;
I soght, but after search I found
Of him no memorie.
37
The perfect man observe; the just
Remark; his end is peace.
38
But of transgressors jointlie shall
Be ruined the race.
The doolefull end of wicked men
Destruction shall be.
39
Whileas salvation of the Lord,
Who righteous are shall see.
Then in the day of sad distresse,
To them he strength shall give.
40
The Lord with help is still at hand,
Them readie to releave.
Releeve them from the violence
Of wicked men Hee will;
Hee save them shall, for that on him
Their trust repose they still.
