Psalm CXXXV. Laudate nomen Domini, &c.
I
Ye Servants of th' Immortal King,
His Masters of request below,
To whom, when We our just Petitions bring,
Immediately to Heav'n they go;
And by your means, who there attend,
I'th' flames which burn the Sacrifice, ascend,
To His Great Name, which He delights to raise,
Though far above your reach, direct your Praise!
II
There's none like Him, so full of love,
On whom you can your praise bestow;
And if great Goodness can affection move,
Then praise His Name for that is so!
For Jacobs seed He gave His voice,
And plac'd His Treasure, where He made His choice;
So great that none can contradict His will,
But when they most resist it, most fulfill.
III
His Pleasure Heav'n, and Earth obey,
And Laws which He first gave them keep;
He chains the Sea, and bounding sands do's lay,
For mighty fetters on the Deep;
Causes thick vapours to ascend,
And in one cloud moist Hail, and fire do's blend;
Out of His Treasures brings th' unruly wind,
And Captive Tempests with strong Cords do's bind.
IV
In Egypt, when He did begin,
Thus He their Frist Born would not spare;
The Beasts were punisht for their Masters sin,
Under the Curse because they were;
His Wonders God before Him sent,
And thither afterwards in Person went;
Egypt, Thou saw'st His hand i'th mid'st of Thee,
When Pharaoh, who did bear it, Would not see.
V
He mighty Kingdoms overthrew,
Scattred their Forces, slew their Kings,
And Victory, which abroad at Pleasure flew,
Made serve at home without her wings;
Sehon and Ogg before Him fell,
In whose Possessions Faithfull Israel dwell;
That Promised Land, which He their Fathers gave,
Who from that gift their surest Title have.
VI
Eternal God, like Thee Thy Name
Endures to all Eternity,
And as Its Power is constantly the same,
So shall Its just Memorial be;
For Thou wilt for Thy People rise,
Subdue, and Scatter all their Enemies,
That under yoaks they shall no more remain,
But to Thy Temple, be restor'd again.
VII
Dumb Idols shall not Thee withstand,
Nor thousand Gods fond men adore;
For all, though fashion'd by the Workmans hand,
Remain the Clay they were before;
Dull Clay, which neither sees, nor hears,
Though Art has given them eyes, and made them ears,
Most Easy Gods to whom when any cry,
They therefore grant because they can't deny.
VIII
Without or Speech, or breath, or sense,
Though they of All the Organs have;
In vain is help to be expected thence,
Where's not enough themselves to save:
Blind Deities, but blinder they,
Who knowing it, to their own Work will pray;
Ne're thinking that it cannot to them turn,
And that one fire will god, and Incense burn.
IX
But Thou, O Israel, Bless Thy Lord!
O House of Aaron, bless His Name!
And you, who serve at th' Altar by His Word,
With coales from thence encrease your Flame!
Let joy in every Face appear,
And bless the Lord, whom you have made your Fear!
From Sion bless Him, who reigns King above,
But at Jerusalem is The God of Love!
