PSALM 109. v. 1–5, 31. (C. M.) Love to Enemies, from the Example of Christ.
I
God of my mercy and my praise,
Thy glory is my song;
Tho' sinners' speak against thy grace
With a blaspheming tongue.
II
When in the form of mortal man
Thy Son on earth was found,
With cruel slanders, false and vain,
They compass'd him around.
III
Their miseries his compassion move,
Their peace he still pursu'd;
They render hatred for his love,
And evil for his good.
IV
Their malice rag'd without a cause,
Yet, with his dying breath,
He pray'd for murderers on his cross,
And bless'd his foes in death.
V
Lord, shall thy bright example shine
In vain before my eyes?
Give me a soul a-kin to thine
To love my enemies.
VI
The Lord shall on my side engage,
And, in my Saviour's name,
I shall defeat their pride and rage
Who slander and condemn.
That this psalm foretels the sufferings, the patience, and love of
Christ to enemies, is universally agreed; but the curses on Judas and
the priest, &c. I have chosen to leave where they stand in the sacred language of prophesy.
