PSALM 91. v. 1–7. First Part. (L.M.) Safety in public Diseases and Dangers.
I
He that hath made his refuge God,
Shall find a most secure abode,
Shall walk all day beneath his shade,
And there at night shall rest his head.
II
Then will I say, ‘My God, thy power
‘Shall be my fortress and my tower;
‘I that am form'd of feeble dust
‘Make thine almighty arm my trust.’
III
Thrice happy man! thy Maker's care
Shall keep thee from the fowler's snare
Satan, the fowler, who betrays
Unguarded souls a thousand ways.
IV
Just as a hen protects her brood
From birds of prey that seek their blood
Under her feathers, so the Lord
Makes his own arm his people's guard.
V
If burning beams of noon conspire
To dart a pestilential fire,
God is their life; his wings are spread
To shield them with an healthful shade:
VI
If vapours with malignant breath
Rise thick, and scatter midnight death,
Israel is safe: the poison'd air
Grows pure, if Israel's God be there.
VII
What tho' a thousand at thy side,
At thy right hand ten thousand dy'd,
Thy God his chosen people saves
Amongst the dead, amidst the graves.
VIII
So when he sent his angel down
To make his wrath in Egypt known,
And slew their sons, his careful eye
Pass'd all the doors of Jacob by.
IX
But if the fire, or plague, or sword,
Receive commission from the Lord
To strike his saints among the rest,
Their very pains and deaths are blest.
X
The sword, the pestilence or fire
Shall but fulfil their best desire,
From sins and sorrows set them free,
And bring thy children, Lord, to thee.
See the notes on the xlist psalm.
