University of Virginia Library

A Psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite.

In flowing Numbers I resolve to sing
The Truth, and Mercies of th' Eternal King:
That late posterity His love may know,
Both what He did, and what He's sworn to do;
That Faithfullness, which He has said shall stand,
Like Heav'n first made, and stablisht by His hand;
When thus He spake, “I have to David past
“My Word, and with an Oath have bound it fast,
“Saying, Thy seed I'll bless, uphold Thy Throne,
“And make its rule Eternal like my own.

Angels for this Thy Wonders must declare,
Such praises too sublime for Mortals are,
Who only can below admire Thy love,
Not joyn with, but attend the Quire above;
For who in Heav'n with Thee can be compar'd,
Whom all adore, as Thou by all art fear'd?
Or who among the mighty Sons of Earth,
Is like to Thee, who gav'st their Mother Birth?
Before whose Throne Blest Saints, and Angels bow,
And cast those Crowns, which to Thy hand they owe.
Whose great Commands the Heavenly Host obey,
And execute the charge, which Thou dost lay.
So Just, so True, so full of Majesty,
Lord, like Thy self Thou art, and none like Thee.
The Sea when it to Heav'n in storms do's rise,
At Thy Rebuke in Humble Vallies lies.
Asunder Thou didst break the threatning Wave,
And in its bowels mad'st Proud Pharaohs grave.
The Heav'n with all its glorious Flames are Thine,
And with reflection from Thine eye they shine.
The Earth, and all the stores the Earth containes,
Of Thy first fulness are the Mighty Dreins.
Thou bid'st it stand unmov'd above the Flood,
And saw'st, what er'e Thy hand had done was good.
The North and South and all its coasts around,
Thou for Thy Pleasure first did'st make, and bound.
Tabor, and Hermon in Thy Name rejoyce,
And up to Thee the Vallies raise their Voice.
No Pow'r can Thy All-conqu'ring Arm with-stand,
So strong is that, so high is Thy Right Hand.
Justice, and Faithfulness uphold Thy Throne,
Mercie and Truth's the Base it rests upon.
A thousand Graces round about Thee flie,
And take new life and vigor from Thine eye.
Thrice happy land, whose Sovereign Lord Thou art,
Who hear Thy Law, and to it yield their heart!
Who in Thy gracious Presence ever dwell,
And all the stories of Thy Power can tell!
Who have Thee for the subject of their Verse,
And every day can of Thy Truth reherse!
Thine, Lord, who art their strength, their Fort and Tower,
And on their heads the Anointing Oyl dost poure.
Thou art Our God, and we Thy Praise will sing,
Who in Thy stead o're us mad'st David King.
(For thus His Will God to His Prophet told,
And in a Vision made Him it behold,
Saying,) “I searcht the People all around,
And now to my Own Heart a Man have found:
David, on whom the Burden shall be laid,
“Of ruling Israel, and their King be made.
“I have anointed him, with Him my Hand
“Shall both to conquer be, and to command.
“I from Conspiracies his Crown will guard.
“And all his gates shall be most surely barr'd.
“Before His Face his Enemies shall fall,
“And unto me in vain for succour call.
“For down I'll tread them, but his head will raise,
“And with my Truth and Love make plain His Wayes.
“His Empire to the River shall extend,
“And only where the Earth finds hers, have end.
“All Lands, and Seas to him shall tribute yield,
“And of his conquests be the fruitful field.
“By Name of Father to Him I'll be known,
“Of God, and Rock, and he shall be My Son.
“My First-born, higher than the Kings of th' Earth,
“With Rule, and Subjects worthy of his Birth.
“My Oath and Covenant shall with him stand fast,
“And I'll that Promise keep, which I have past.
“Nor shall it be confin'd to him alone,
“But his seed too shall have their Fathers Throne.
‘Which as the dayes of Heav'n shall constant be,
“And know no bounds but vast Eternity.
“If they my Statutes, and my Laws forsake,
“And break the Covenant, which this day I make,
“Then I their Sins will visit with a Rod,
“But never cease to be their King, and God.
‘My Mercie and my Truth will ne're remove,
“Nor take away, though I may hide, My love.
“My Promise, and my Vow I'll never break,
“Nor change the Word, which once my Mouth did speak.
“For by my self I once to David swore,
“And by My Holiness confirme't once more.
“His seed and Throne like Heav'n shall constant be,
“And know no bounds but Vast Eternity.
“Witness ye Heav'ns, which in my sight remain,
“And you, bright stars, that in your Courses reign;
“Both Sun and Moon against Me Witness be,
“If Time it self endures so long as He!
This Thou hast said, O God, and thus hast sworn,
How comes it then His Kingdome is all torn?
That Thou hast cast off, and abhor'd Thy King,
As if he never had anointed been?
Made voi'd Thy Cov'nant, and to th' Earth flung down
(Snatcht from His Royal Head) the Sacred Crown?
Destroi'd his Pallace, and his ramparts broke,
And on his neck and Sions lai'd the yoak?
No more that Sion, which she was of old,
Who in her hands the reins of th' Earth did hold;
Queen of all Cities, Glory of the World,
But in one ruine, with her Captives hurl'd;
Dismantled, sack'd, with rubbish hid all o're,
And now their scorn, whose fear she was before.
Our Sov'reign too Himself is forc'd to fly,
Despoil'd of all the Robes of Majesty.
Whil'st his strong Enemies, by Thee made so,
Load him with fetters, and in Triumphs go.
In vain He conquest from his Sword expects,
When God the threat'ned head from harm protects.
And when it should most execution do,
Turns it on him, whose hand did make the blow.
And back he yields, and all his Glories cease,
And with Him, fall Prosperity, and Peace.
I'th' mid'st of's dayes he do's untimely fall,
By an inglorious Death, and Funeral.

Shall it be ever thus, and will Thine eyes,
Those Mis'ries, which they see us bear, despise?
For ever shall Thy Wrath devour like fire,
And in it's flames Thy ancient Love expire?
Remember, Lord, the Number of our dayes,
How few they are to celebrate Thy Praise!
Nor let it be in vain Thou life did'st give,
But whil'st we have it, let us truly Live!
For no man long his ransom'd head can save
From death, or the inexorable grave:
Where then are all Thy former Mercies, Lord,
And Oaths, whereby Thou did'st confirm Thy Word?
Behold our wrongs, and that reproach we bear,
For making Thee Our Trust, Thy Word Our care!
And what malignities Men on Thee throw,
Because Messiah's Coming is so slow!
But We believe, and in His day rejoyce,
And whom We look for hasten with our voice.