Psalm XXVI. Judica me Domine quoniam, &c.
I
Judge me, O God, for I to Thee appeal,
Who only know'st my innocence,
Who dost the secrets of my heart reveal,
And all hypocrisie hast banish't thence;
Thou heretofore in need hast been my Trust,
And to Thy Word I'm sure to find Thee just.
II
May I be found so, Lord, O try my waies;
And prove that heart, which Thou dost see;
Thy mercies have been with me all my daies,
Still in my eyes, as I am viewd, by Thee;
That Truth, which is Thy love, Lord, has been mine,
And from its paths I never would decline.
III
In Council with the vain I never sate,
Nor with dissemblers have I gone;
Their private conferences did alwaies hate,
And left the place, when once the cause was known,
Have heart, and hand alike kept innocent,
And from the Laver to Thy Altar went.
IV
There did I all Thy wondrous acts proclaim,
And undisturb'd recount my joyes;
And with my sacrifices holy flame,
That thence to Heaven went up, I sent my voice;
Thy Temple, Lord, with us, Thou know'st I love,
But much more that Thy presence makes above.
V
Number me not with fierce, and cruel men,
Nor make me to possess their fears!
Our lives, Thou know'st, have very different been,
Let Our deaths too, and mine not be like theirs!
I'th' right hand bribes, a sword i'th' left do's shine,
And to Oppression, murderous thoughts they joyn.
VI
But as for me, though poor, I'm still upright,
My Justice do's unshaken stand;
Preserve me Lord, and make my Innocence bright,
And lest I slip, uphold me with Thy hand!
So when my foot shall a sure standing gain,
Equal to Hills my song shall raise the Plain.
