The Whole Booke of Psalmes, collected into Englysh metre by T. Starnhold I. Hopkins & others: conferred with the Ebrue, with apt Notes to synge the[m] withal

He praieth vnto God against the violence & arrogancie of tyrannies. Then doth he comfort the afflicted by the good issue of their affectyons, as he felte in him selfe, and did see in others, and by the ruins of the wicked, whom the Lorde will destroye.

[_]

Sing this as the .[illeg.]. Psalme.

[1]

O Lorde thou doest reueng all wronge,
that office longes to thee:
Sith vengaunce doth to thee belonge,
declare that all may see.

234

Set forth thy sealfe, for thou of ryght,
the earth dost iudge and gide
Reward the proud and men of might,
according to theyr pride.

How long shal wicked men beare sway
with lifting vp theyr voyce?
How long shall wicked men I say,
thus trihumph and reioyce?

How long shall they with brags brust out
and proudly prate theyr fill?
Shall they reioyce whiche be so stoute,
whose works are euer ill?

Thy flocke (O Lorde) thine heritage,
they spoyle and vex full sore:
Against thy people they doo rage,
still dayly more and more.

The widdowes whiche are comfortles,
and straungers they destroy
They slea the children fatherles,
and none doth put them by.

And when they take these things in hād
this talke they haue of thee
Can Iacobs God this understand,
tush no he can not see.

O folke vnwise, a people rude,
some knowledg now discearne
Ye fooles amonge the multitude,
at length begin to learn.

The lord which made the eare of man
he needes of right must heare:
He made the eyne, all things must then,
before his sight appeare.

235

The Lorde doth all the world correct,
and make men vnderstand:
shall he not then your deedes detect,
how can ye scape his hand?

The lord doth know, the thoughts of mā
his hart he setteth full playne:
The lord I say mens thoughts doth frame,
and findeth them but vayne.

But Lorde that Man is happy sure,
whom thou doest kepe in awe:
And through correction doest procure,
to teache him in thy law.

Wherby he shall in quyet rest,
in time of trouble sitte:
When wicked men shalbe supprest,
and fall into the pit.

For sure the Lorde will not refuse,
his people for to take:
His heritage whom he did chuse,
he will no time forsake.

Untill that iudgement be decrede,
to iustice to conuert:
That all may follow her with spede,
that are of vpright hart.

But who vpon my part shall stande,
against the cursed trayne?
Or who shall rid me from their hand,
that wicked workes maintayne.

Except the Lorde had ben myn ayde,
mine enmies to repell:

236

My soule and lyfe had now ben layde,
almost as low as hell:

When I did saye my foote doth slide,
and now am lyke to fall:
Thy goodnes Lorde did so prouide,
to stay me vp with all.

When with my selfe I mused muche,
and could no comfort finde:
Then Lorde thy goodnes did me touch
and that did ease my minde.

Wilt thou enhaunte thy selfe and draw
with wicked men to sit:
Which with pretence in stede of lawe,
muche mischief doo commit.

For they consoult against the lyfe,
of righteous men and good.
And in theyr councells they are ryfe,
to sheade the giltles bloud.

But yet the Lorde he is to me,
a strong defence or locke:
He is my God to him I flee,
he is my strength and rock.

And he shall cause their mischefe all,
them sealues for to annoye:
And in their malice they shall fall,
our God shall them destroye.

University of Virginia Library

Deus vltionum.

Psalm. lxxxxiiii.