A paraphrase upon the psalms of David By Sam. Woodford |
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 | 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. | THE THIRD BOOK OF PSALMS. |
| LXXIII. |
| LXXIV. |
| LXXV. |
| LXXVI. |
| LXXVII. |
| LXXVIII. |
| LXXIX. |
| LXXX. |
| LXXXI. |
| LXXXII. |
| LXXXIII. |
| LXXXIV. |
| LXXXV. |
| LXXXVI. |
| LXXXVII. |
| LXXXVIII. |
| LXXXIX. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
 | A paraphrase upon the psalms of David |  |
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THE THIRD BOOK OF PSALMS.
Psalm LXXIII. Quam bonus Israel Deus his, &c.
I
It is enough, nor will I more distrust,As I have done, the Almighty Love;
I know Hee's kind, as well as Just,
And by my self this certain Truth can prove,
How cross so 'ere His Wayes may go,
At least seem cross to Us below,
Nor Him, nor Them have Israel or the Just found so.
II
But e're I learn't this Lesson it was long,And many a weary Stage I went;
My sliding feet were almost gone,
And I at last could hardly yield assent:
Whilst with these narrow steps of mine,
I thought to pace the wayes Divine,
Slipp'ry as glass they were, though they with flowers did shine.
III
For when I saw the Wicked's Prosperous State,And thousand Blessings He enjoyes,
Maintain'd by that, which God do's hate,
In the Worlds glory, and its greatest noyse,
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And though I did the Beast despise,
In all his Trappings, on him look'd with envyous eyes.
IV
Lusty and strong he laughs at those weak bands,Which death on all the World do's lay;
And when the rest of Mankind stands
With fear appall'd he dares the evil day;
Troubles, which other Mortals fright,
He boldly challenges to fight,
And makes devouring plagues before him scape by flight.
V
Hence springs his pride, with which the ViolentAdorns his neck, as with a Chain,
More for disgrace than Ornament,
And suited to his garments bloody stain;
Plump as the grape his face do's shine,
With eyes more sparkling than his Wine,
And to vast Wealth he do's unequal wishes joyne.
VI
Disdainfully he looks on all below,As worthyer of his scorn, than fear;
Him and themselves He'll make them know,
And high as his proud minde his head do's bear;
But not content his mouth to spend,
Making it heard to the Worlds end,
He up on high to Heav'n his blasphemies do's send.
VII
This as the Righteous see, and thence returnTheir several Wayes to think upon,
In bitterness of heart they mourn,
And the Lords Councels measure by their own:
“How is it possible, say they,
“That Justice thus provok'd can stay
“Her hands, and the known Criminal forbear to slay?
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VIII
These are the Men, yet being so they thrive,Grow rich and wealthy, dwell at ease,
Drones of repute, it'h Worlds great hive,
And feed on the industrous Bees increase;
Secure they live from grief, and care,
Calmy, and smooth their faces are,
And could you see their hearts, no storm came ever there.
IX
In vain, my heart, to cleanse Thee have I strove,And guiltless hands have wash'd in vain;
My Innocence nor can remove,
Nor tell how long I must endure my pain:
Then Fare well, helpless Innocence,
With such a Friend I can dispence,
Who makes me suffer only with the greater sence.
X
But hold, Fond Tongue, consider who do's hear,And whom Thy babling do's offend;
A seed, who are th' Almighties Care,
And whom in love He do's afflictions send:
Therefore to search the Point again,
And how I might the cause maintain,
A-new to study I resolv'd, but all in vain.
XI
In vain I try'd, for I ne're found it out,Till to Thy Temple Lord I went;
Though I sought for it round about,
Till thither come, I knew not what it meant:
There first I understood their end,
And what was Thyne thus to contend,
And poyson'd shafts of blessings through their hearts to send.
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XII
Surely for ruin they were set on high,As men condemn'd, in view of all;
And though the Scaffold touch the sky,
'Tis but that thence they may bee seen to fall:
Down they are fallen, fled away,
As Phantasms at the approach of day,
Like their own dreams, but more ridiculous are they.
XIII
What a beast was I then, Lord to repine?A very fool to grieve my heart,
When all this while I have been Thine,
And though unknown secur'd my better part:
Thy Right hand has upholden me,
Thy Counsel shall my convoy be
Unto that rest, which I can only have with Thee.
XIV
Thou art my Portion, and from Thee aloneMy Peace, and Happiness do flow;
In Heav'n besides Thee I have none,
And Heav'n it self Thy Presence Lord makes so;
And could I hoard up endless store
Of that the World as God adore,
Without thy fulness, I should empty be, and Poor.
XV
Dry up then, when you please, Ye fayling Springs,Or seek some other to deceive,
Who rest on such unstable things,
With you can quench their flames, and on you live!
For I am only sick of love,
Nor can your streams my thirst remove,
For still my flesh and heart pant for the streams above.
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XVI
Confounded be all those, whose sottish lustTo senseless Idols bowes them down!
For when they most upon them trust,
Then they most surely shall be overthrown:
For my part, I'll to God draw near,
Make Him, my hope, who is my Fear,
Happy I shall hereafter be, contented here.
206
Psalm LXXIV. Ut quid repulisti in finem, &c.
I
Shall We for ever then be cast off thus,And will Our God no more remember Us?
Shall then His flock no longer be His Care,
But more His rage, than once His love they were?
Forget not, Lord, Thy Purchace, and Thy Choyce,
Sion, which Thou hast made Thine own,
The Wonders Thou for Her, and Us hast done,
And let Our Prayers be heard amidst Our Enemies noyse!
II
Arise, and to their great destruction come,Who to Thy Temple Gates have brought it home;
Thy Holy Place, and its Divine Recess,
Instead of stopping, do's their rage encrease:
Thither they break, and thence profanely bear
The Sacred Treasures of Thy House,
It's Vessels set apart from Common Use,
And on Thy Captive Altars their proud Trophys rear.
III
Our sad complaints Axes, and Hammars drown,As if it were some grove they would hew down:
And all th' Adornments of Thy Dwelling place,
They or to powder beat, or else deface:
And to compleat Our ruin, when no more
The Ax, or weary hand can do,
They fire into Thy Sanctuary throw,
And what Thou so didst consecrate, with fire devour.
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IV
“Them, and their Seed, let Us destroy, they say,“And in one ruin with their Temple lay!
“What more accepted Flame to Heaven can rise,
“Than an whole Synagogue for Sacrifice?
“And they shall follow. This We see, and hear;
But have no Signes or Prophet more
To tell us when this Tempest will be o're,
Or How long, what too long already, we must bear.
V
How long, Dear God, shall Our Proud EnemyNot us alone, but Thy Great Power defy?
Shall his vile mouth for ever thus defame,
Thy Sacred, and Unutterable Name?
Or wilt Thou alwayes thus Thy hand recall,
That Hand where all Our succours lie,
And only lift it from our sight on high?
Let it return at length, and heavier on them fall!
VI
Thou heretofore hast made Thy Strength be known,And Wonders, which none else could do, hast done;
Dividing by th' Almighty Wand the Flood,
And mad'st it truly a Red Sea with blood:
When there the Chamian King by Thy Right Hand,
That great Leviathan of the Main,
Sunk in the deep, which cast Him up again,
That what its glutted Hosts had left, might feast the land.
VII
'Twas Thou, who mad'st the Rock in streames to flow,And Floods stand still, to let Thy Israel go;
The day, and night with all its lamps are Thine,
Ligh't from that Sun, which Thou mad'st first to shine;
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Both where they shall begin, and end,
Summer, and Winter on Thy Word attend,
All for Thy Pleasure made, and during it shall last.
VIII
Thou, who hast done all this to raise Thy Name,Guard it from those, whose lips would blast its Fame!
Let not Thy mourning Dove become a prey
To Vulturs, but take wing, and fly away!
Deliver her, and minde Thy ancient Care,
Thy Covenant with Our Fathers made,
For th' Enemy Our very Graves invade,
And where we thought to lie retir'd, their Counsels are!
IX
Some answer to Our Prayers at length return,Least shame confound Us, and we ever mourn!
Arise, and Thine Own Cause Thy self defend,
And let Thy Enemies Malice have an end!
Forget them not, their blasphemies, and pride,
Now that their Sin for vengeance cryes;
For they their heads have rais'd above the skies,
And Heav'n, with all its Thunders, to the Assault defy'd.
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Psalm LXXV. Confitebimur Tibi Deus &c.
I
Lord We will praise Thee, and Our chearful SongShall of Thy mighty Name reherse;
For all the Wonders, which to it belong,
Are truly great, and so shall make Our verse:
To it We'll fly, and rest us there,
Adore its Power, and beg its care,
And make it both the Subject of Our Song, and Prayer.
II
“When the Time comes, sayes God, that I shall call“The World to Judgement, my Right hand
“Alike its Justice shall dispence to all,
“And none its equal sentence shall withstand:
“It shall reward, it shall chastise,
“Some lower cast, and make some rise,
“And as my Hand's impartial, so shall be my eyes.
III
“The Earth shall melt, and all that in it dwell“To their first nothing turn again;
“By its own weight it long e're this had fell,
“But that its mighty Pillars I sustain:
“Fond Man, then said I, what mean'st Thou?
“No more in vain Just Heav'n pursue
“Too great to be oppos'd, to be gainsaid too true!
IV
“For shame desist, and your weak plots give o're!“They cannot take Heav'n is so High!
“Against your maker vilely speak no more,
“For though His Face you see not, He stands by:
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“He with one frown your pride can check,
“And though you hold it ne'r so stiff, bow down your neck.
V
“The Sun, which every day the World surrounds,(“Father of all the Mines below,)
“And with a careful eye surveys his grounds,
“Cannot the Riches, which he makes, bestow:
“Though he in purple set, and rise,
“And rides in Triumph o're the skies,
“Can give nor wealth, nor honour to his Votaries.
VI
“His God at will diposes of his gold,“And all his honours gives away;
“Whilst his chief Work is only to behold,
“And brightest shine on them, who share his prey:
“The Poor he rayses to the Throne,
“And from it throws the Mighty down,
“Is Judge of all, and knows no pleasure, but His Own.
VII
“For in His hand there is a dreadful Cup,“Whose sparkling Wine is red with gore;
“'Tis large, and fill'd with mixture to the top,
So full the active liquor do's run o're;
“Of it all drink, and when 'tis done,
“The dreggs are for the Wicked wrung,
“But ne'r shall quench their thirst, or ever cool their tongue.
VIII
But I to future ages will declareThe praises of th' Eternall King;
And since so Wonderful His glories are,
Of none but Jacobs God the Praises sing:
The Wicked down to Hell Hee'l throw,
The Righteous up to Heaven shall grow,
And Heav'n to his exalted head shall seem but low.
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Psalm LXXVI. Notus in Judæa Dominus.
I
The True, the Only God in Judah reigns,There is His Temple, there His Court,
To Salem all the Tribes resort,
And learn to sing His Name in lofty strains:
No place such tokens of His love do's bear,
His Chariot He has set up there,
There broke the Arrows, and there burnt the shield & Spear.
II
Sion, more glorious than the Hills of Prey,How excellent dost Thou appear?
How full of Majesty, and Fear,
When from them the Besiegers steal away?
Away the valiant ran, but knew not why,
Till a dead sleep said Death was nigh,
And chaining up their hands, scarce left them Heels to fly.
III
At Thy rebuke, O God, asleep they fell,The Horse and chariot were o're took,
The Rider stopt at Thy Rebuke,
And bow'd adown to the All-conquering spell:
Thou art indeed to be ador'd in fight,
Who thus canst arm Thy self with light,
But, Lord, what are Thy Hands, if thus Thou kill'st at sight?
IV
When from above Thou mak'st Thy voice be heard,The Sea stands still, and Earth do's shake;
Even Heav'n it self unloos'd do's quake,
God thundred from above, and they all fear'd:
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An hideous shriek the Mountains sent,
When God, to judge the Meek by them in person went.
V
Nor do these only, Lord, Thy Power declare,But the fierce wrath of Wicked Man,
Which Thou dost punish, or restrain,
Whence to get praise amongst thy Wonders are:
Vow to the Lord, and what you vow see pai'd!
For Vows are debts, when once they'are made,
And none deserves your praise like Him to whom you prai'd.
VI
Adore Him, all ye lands, and tongues around,And to Our God your praises sing!
To Him alone your presents bring,
And thus with fear seek Him, whom Wee have found!
With God the greatest Kings cannot compare,
They Crowns but at His pleasure wear,
And when He Frowns, they and their Honours turn to air.
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Psalm LXXVII. Voce mea ad Dominum, &c.
I
In my great trouble to the Lord I cried,I cri'd aloud, And He was pleas'd to hear,
And when the night His Face did hide,
With stretch'd out hands I felt if, He was near:
I prai'd, and was resolv'd to pray,
Refus'd all Comfort but my tears,
Whose streames I thought my Feavour might allay,
And as they forc't my heart for passage, move His Ears.
II
Sometimes in groans, sometimes in Words I pray'd,And fluent as my griefs my sorrows spake;
But suddenly my speech was stay'd,
And interrupting sighs its order brake:
And then I could nor speak, nor sleep,
Thou Lord didst hold my eyes, and tongue;
Only my mind its even frame did keep,
And with weak hands, and muttering lips became more strong
III
Then of Thy Wonders did I meditate,Our Fathers dayes, and what their age did see;
How Thou upheld'st the Tottering State,
And in their troubles mad'st them trust in Thee:
Fresh to my mind then came a Song,
Which heretofore I did reherse,
An Anthem which had been forgotten long,
Where my Soul with me joyn'd, and thus began the Verse.
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IV
“And can it be that God will thus reject,“Be always angry, and ne'r pleas'd again,
“Will He His Flock no more protect,
“But let us ever, as this day, complain?
“Has He forgotten to be good,
“Or shall His Promise ever cease,
“Who has His Pleasure, or His Power withstood,
“That where He shuts up Warr, He should imprison Peace?
V
“Hold Soul, I said, 'tis Thy infirmity“Makes Thee thus judge of God, whose Will shall stand
“Immovable, as it is High,
“Where Thou Thy wings should'st guide, to his right Hand!
“Of that think with me, and His Power,
“The Wondrous Works which He has done,
“They shall my talk and study be each hour,
“To shew Our children, what Our Fathers Us have shown.
VI
Thy Wayes, O God, are far above my sight,And where Thou hid'st Thy self in Heav'n, lie hid;
Ther's none like Thee so full of might,
Whose Power I fear, by what Thy hand once did:
When from above Thou mad'st it bare,
Israel, and Josephs Seed to save,
When their Redemption did Thy strength declare,
And Egypt took the Chain to be her Captives slave.
VII
The Waters saw Thee, and the Waters fled,The Depths were troubled, and ran back for fear;
The Clouds rain'd Seas, Heav'n Darkness spread,
From whence there came a voyce, which rocks did tear;
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Egypt it self abhor'd the light,
Which from the flashes came, and horror strook
More terrible, than when three days they felt their night.
VIII
Thou for Thy People didst prepare the way,And through those Floods a safe retreat they have,
Which Thou Thy Glory to display,
Resolvd'st should after be proud Pharaohs grave;
Along they went, by Thy Command,
Who of the Sacred Flock took'st Care;
Moses and Aaron only shew'd Thy Hand,
For the Great Shepherd Thou, and they Thy Heards-men were.
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Psalm LXXVIII. Attendite Populus meus, &c.
Israel, Gods own Inheritance, draw near,
And what He did to make Thee so, now hear!
Of Ages long since past, and armes I sing,
And to Thy dayes their ancient glories bring:
Acts, which with sound belief would never stand,
But that all done by the Almighty Hand;
Our Fathers witness to their Truth did bear,
And what we hear with wonder, saw with fear.
They told them Us, that we might publish down,
To Childrens Children, how His Power was known.
Such was His charge, that late Posterity,
And Generations, which should after be,
People as yet unborn, might know His Wayes,
And what they learnt, their children teach His Prayse.
That they in Him their Hope might alwayes place,
His statutes keep, and alwayes seek His Face:
Never forget His Works, but still improve
His former Favours, and His present love:
That like their Fathers they rebel no more,
Unless they'd feel the Wrath their Fathers bore:
Base stubborn Nation, who their God withstood,
Most cross to Him, who alwayes did them good!
And what He did to make Thee so, now hear!
Of Ages long since past, and armes I sing,
And to Thy dayes their ancient glories bring:
Acts, which with sound belief would never stand,
But that all done by the Almighty Hand;
Our Fathers witness to their Truth did bear,
And what we hear with wonder, saw with fear.
They told them Us, that we might publish down,
To Childrens Children, how His Power was known.
Such was His charge, that late Posterity,
And Generations, which should after be,
People as yet unborn, might know His Wayes,
And what they learnt, their children teach His Prayse.
That they in Him their Hope might alwayes place,
His statutes keep, and alwayes seek His Face:
Never forget His Works, but still improve
His former Favours, and His present love:
That like their Fathers they rebel no more,
Unless they'd feel the Wrath their Fathers bore:
Base stubborn Nation, who their God withstood,
Most cross to Him, who alwayes did them good!
His Wrath this kindled first, then made it burn,
Th' enraged fire on Ephraims Tribe did turn.
Ephraim, (which durst the stoutest Foe assail,
And never of the certain conquest fail,
But us'd to Come, and See, and so Prevail,
So terrible His bow, so sure his hand,
Th' unerring shaft did death at will command)
Ephraim turn'd back, but strove in vain to flie,
By His own shafts o'retook, did wounded lie,
Worthy thus signally in Warr to fall,
Whom Peace with all Her Charms could ne'r recall!
The law they brake, that Covenant which they took,
And without cause that, and their God forsook;
Forgot His Works and their own Worthy Stemm,
Their Fathers Trust, and what He did for them.
Th' enraged fire on Ephraims Tribe did turn.
Ephraim, (which durst the stoutest Foe assail,
And never of the certain conquest fail,
But us'd to Come, and See, and so Prevail,
So terrible His bow, so sure his hand,
Th' unerring shaft did death at will command)
Ephraim turn'd back, but strove in vain to flie,
By His own shafts o'retook, did wounded lie,
Worthy thus signally in Warr to fall,
Whom Peace with all Her Charms could ne'r recall!
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And without cause that, and their God forsook;
Forgot His Works and their own Worthy Stemm,
Their Fathers Trust, and what He did for them.
Marvellous things He did in Pharaohs land,
Zoan still witness of His Plagues do's stand.
When Israel saw His Wonders all about,
How He preserv'd them there, and brought them out.
When He no Common Road did make them keep,
But like His Own, their wayes were in the Deep.
The Deep amaz'd stood up, as they pass'd o're,
Admir'd their suddain fix'd-ness, and new shore:
How in a moment they were rais'd so high,
And fell not when they saw no storm was nigh.
By day a Cloud did their great journies hide,
At night a Sacred Flame the Host did guide;
Before them pass'd, and where their passage lay,
Not only shew'd, but also made their Way.
Hard Rocks, as they went by, pierc'd through did groan,
That fire, which dri'd the Deep, did melt the stone,
Out gusht new streams, so constant, and so strong,
They made their Channels as they ran along.
Zoan still witness of His Plagues do's stand.
When Israel saw His Wonders all about,
How He preserv'd them there, and brought them out.
When He no Common Road did make them keep,
But like His Own, their wayes were in the Deep.
The Deep amaz'd stood up, as they pass'd o're,
Admir'd their suddain fix'd-ness, and new shore:
How in a moment they were rais'd so high,
And fell not when they saw no storm was nigh.
By day a Cloud did their great journies hide,
At night a Sacred Flame the Host did guide;
Before them pass'd, and where their passage lay,
Not only shew'd, but also made their Way.
Hard Rocks, as they went by, pierc'd through did groan,
That fire, which dri'd the Deep, did melt the stone,
Out gusht new streams, so constant, and so strong,
They made their Channels as they ran along.
Yet still they sinn'd, and tempted Him the more,
Lack'd meat, who only Water begg'd before.
Nor did they closely think, but speak their Sins,
And with vile Mouth the Murmurer thus begins;
“Can He give Bread too? sure if He be God,
“That may as well as streams obey His Rod:
“Let Him now strike more Rocks, and make them Bread,
“That we may hope Our Armies shall be fed!
“Nothing but Manna? Can He flesh provide?
“Here in the desert let His Power be tri'd!
“And if He do's this, we'll distrust no more,
“But all Our murm'rings, as we ought, give o're.
Lack'd meat, who only Water begg'd before.
Nor did they closely think, but speak their Sins,
And with vile Mouth the Murmurer thus begins;
“Can He give Bread too? sure if He be God,
“That may as well as streams obey His Rod:
“Let Him now strike more Rocks, and make them Bread,
“That we may hope Our Armies shall be fed!
“Nothing but Manna? Can He flesh provide?
“Here in the desert let His Power be tri'd!
“And if He do's this, we'll distrust no more,
“But all Our murm'rings, as we ought, give o're.
God heard them from above, and in a flame,
To see, and be reveng'd upon them came.
Down came the fire, and like that Mighty Power,
Which gave Commission, did uncheckt devour:
The trembling Camp could not but say 'twas just,
And that no other flame could purge their lust.
Thus were they punish'd for their unbelief,
Who only in a plague knew Fear, or Grief.
They would not trust Him, though they all had seen
How constant to His Word, and them He' had been.
Though from the Clouds, He did their bread command,
And Heav'n did th' Office of a fruitful land:
Whole fourty years, once a day, open stood,
And at their dores they gath'red Angels food;
Made by an Angels hand for them to eat,
But still they discontented would have meat.
And so they shall—A strong East Wind did blow,
And o're the East th' Allmighty Word did go:
They heard it rustle, but without all fear,
And never dreamt another plague was near.
It blew all night, and at morning along with the day,
Brought shoales of Quales, which round the Army lay.
The Murmurers saw them, but yet scarce believ'd
The Miracle, and wisht they were deceiv'd;
They saw them lie in heaps, the Camp around,
So thick they seem'd a burthen to the ground:
Enough a greater Host than theirs to feed,
Would but th' event like the beginning speed.
But while the flesh was in their Mouths that God,
Who can of every Blessing make a Rod,
Scourg'd them with this, and though they saw it not,
In dressing, Death was truly in the Pot.
And down their stomachs with the Quales it went,
And thence unto the Heart its poysons sent;
So swift, they found it was in vain to flie,
And still eat on that they might sooner die,
The Rebel Princes in that plague did fall,
And God was Gracious not to ruin all.
To see, and be reveng'd upon them came.
Down came the fire, and like that Mighty Power,
Which gave Commission, did uncheckt devour:
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And that no other flame could purge their lust.
Thus were they punish'd for their unbelief,
Who only in a plague knew Fear, or Grief.
They would not trust Him, though they all had seen
How constant to His Word, and them He' had been.
Though from the Clouds, He did their bread command,
And Heav'n did th' Office of a fruitful land:
Whole fourty years, once a day, open stood,
And at their dores they gath'red Angels food;
Made by an Angels hand for them to eat,
But still they discontented would have meat.
And so they shall—A strong East Wind did blow,
And o're the East th' Allmighty Word did go:
They heard it rustle, but without all fear,
And never dreamt another plague was near.
It blew all night, and at morning along with the day,
Brought shoales of Quales, which round the Army lay.
The Murmurers saw them, but yet scarce believ'd
The Miracle, and wisht they were deceiv'd;
They saw them lie in heaps, the Camp around,
So thick they seem'd a burthen to the ground:
Enough a greater Host than theirs to feed,
Would but th' event like the beginning speed.
But while the flesh was in their Mouths that God,
Who can of every Blessing make a Rod,
Scourg'd them with this, and though they saw it not,
In dressing, Death was truly in the Pot.
And down their stomachs with the Quales it went,
And thence unto the Heart its poysons sent;
So swift, they found it was in vain to flie,
And still eat on that they might sooner die,
The Rebel Princes in that plague did fall,
And God was Gracious not to ruin all.
Yet still they sinn'd, and would not yet believe,
And only, when He slew them thus, would grieve.
Wherefore in vanity their years He spent,
Waiting to see, if thence they would repent;
For when He slew them they ador'd His Wayes,
And unto God their Rock gave all the praise;
Only to flatter Him, for still their heart
Was only constant from Him to depart:
Yet He forgave them, and destroy'd them not,
And both His anger, and their Sins forgot.
He knew they were but flesh, a suddain Wind,
Which passes by, and leaves no trace behind.
And only, when He slew them thus, would grieve.
Wherefore in vanity their years He spent,
Waiting to see, if thence they would repent;
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And unto God their Rock gave all the praise;
Only to flatter Him, for still their heart
Was only constant from Him to depart:
Yet He forgave them, and destroy'd them not,
And both His anger, and their Sins forgot.
He knew they were but flesh, a suddain Wind,
Which passes by, and leaves no trace behind.
How did they tempt Him in the Wilderness?
Many their plagues, their Sins were Numberless.
When in straight bounds they would that God confine,
Whose boundless Power beyond all bounds do's shine:
And measuring by themselves the Holy One,
Because they saw no help, thought there was none.
How little did they mind His Mighty Hand,
Then conquering, when He only bid them stand?
What signs in Pharaohs coast He for them wrought,
And gave deliverance e're He scarce was sought?
When with deep gore He stain'd the Chrystal flood,
And Egypt could not drink, though thirst for blood;
Infinite swarms of flies did fill the air,
Through whose thick clouds the Sun could scarce appear:
Armies of Frogs did the whole land invade:
And active lice of nimble dust were made:
Then martial Locusts came, and bore away,
What the Hayl left untoucht, for their rich prey;
For th' Hayl before had torne the sturdie Oak,
And what scap'd that fell by the Thunders stroak:
Cattle and Flocks smote down together lay,
And scattered limbs of Men strew'd every way:
No Common Thunder, 'twas the Prince of th' Air,
With all the powers of Hell were ralli'd there,
God let them loose, and bid them nothing spare:
Murrain on beasts, Ulcers on men did rage,
An hand unseen against them did engage;
Darkness upon their Palaces did rest,
A too faint Emblem of that in their breast.
They would not see though God from Heav'n came down,
And killing their First-born chose Israels for His Own.
Then like a Flock they were through Kadesh led,
By Moses hand, but God himself their Head:
Through Seas He lead them, which more scar'd then they,
Rose up in hast, and open'd them a way:
But when gone o're, they look'd upon the Main,
Pharaoh lay drown'd, their way was Sea again.
Through thousand dangers, thousand Enemies past,
To th' Promis'd Canaan they were brought at last;
The Heathen conquer'd, He gave them their Land,
Houses and Towns stood ready built to hand.
The Sacred lot did for each Tribe divide,
And what God gave, was not by Man deny'd.
Many their plagues, their Sins were Numberless.
When in straight bounds they would that God confine,
Whose boundless Power beyond all bounds do's shine:
And measuring by themselves the Holy One,
Because they saw no help, thought there was none.
How little did they mind His Mighty Hand,
Then conquering, when He only bid them stand?
What signs in Pharaohs coast He for them wrought,
And gave deliverance e're He scarce was sought?
When with deep gore He stain'd the Chrystal flood,
And Egypt could not drink, though thirst for blood;
Infinite swarms of flies did fill the air,
Through whose thick clouds the Sun could scarce appear:
Armies of Frogs did the whole land invade:
And active lice of nimble dust were made:
Then martial Locusts came, and bore away,
What the Hayl left untoucht, for their rich prey;
For th' Hayl before had torne the sturdie Oak,
And what scap'd that fell by the Thunders stroak:
Cattle and Flocks smote down together lay,
And scattered limbs of Men strew'd every way:
No Common Thunder, 'twas the Prince of th' Air,
With all the powers of Hell were ralli'd there,
God let them loose, and bid them nothing spare:
Murrain on beasts, Ulcers on men did rage,
An hand unseen against them did engage;
Darkness upon their Palaces did rest,
A too faint Emblem of that in their breast.
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And killing their First-born chose Israels for His Own.
Then like a Flock they were through Kadesh led,
By Moses hand, but God himself their Head:
Through Seas He lead them, which more scar'd then they,
Rose up in hast, and open'd them a way:
But when gone o're, they look'd upon the Main,
Pharaoh lay drown'd, their way was Sea again.
Through thousand dangers, thousand Enemies past,
To th' Promis'd Canaan they were brought at last;
The Heathen conquer'd, He gave them their Land,
Houses and Towns stood ready built to hand.
The Sacred lot did for each Tribe divide,
And what God gave, was not by Man deny'd.
Yet here they sinn'd and did their God provoke,
And all His laws and their Own Cov'nants broke:
So hard it is to fix a Crooked bow,
And make that strait, which Nature made not so.
High places now they seek, and shadie Groves,
And to foul Idols prostitute their loves.
This when God heard, and saw His laws abus'd
By them, whom He so tenderly had us'd,
He Israel hated, Shilo did forsake,
And left that Ark, which made His Foes to quake,
Who with Triumphant layes did bring it home,
After it had so often overcome.
'Tis taken, and the Captive People fall,
And one small fire gives troops a Funerall:
No Marriage Songs are heard in all the Coast,
But Amorous Harps are in shrill Trumpets lost:
And every Virgin may before she die,
Unsworn, bewayl her sad Virginitie;
Wives hear their husbands death without a groan,
And Preists unmourn'd for die, now th' Ark is gone.
And all His laws and their Own Cov'nants broke:
So hard it is to fix a Crooked bow,
And make that strait, which Nature made not so.
High places now they seek, and shadie Groves,
And to foul Idols prostitute their loves.
This when God heard, and saw His laws abus'd
By them, whom He so tenderly had us'd,
He Israel hated, Shilo did forsake,
And left that Ark, which made His Foes to quake,
Who with Triumphant layes did bring it home,
After it had so often overcome.
'Tis taken, and the Captive People fall,
And one small fire gives troops a Funerall:
No Marriage Songs are heard in all the Coast,
But Amorous Harps are in shrill Trumpets lost:
And every Virgin may before she die,
Unsworn, bewayl her sad Virginitie;
Wives hear their husbands death without a groan,
And Preists unmourn'd for die, now th' Ark is gone.
'Twas then God (like a Gyant rous'd from sleep,
Whom Wine beyond His hour did Pris'ner keep,
That shouts and fights) fell on and made them flie,
And on their backs reveng'd their curious eye.
The Ark returns, but Shilo now no more
Shall be its Residence, as it was before;
Ephraim to Judah, Shilo to Sion yields,
And to the Sacred Mount, their fruitful fields:
So God would have't, who chose Himself the Place,
Sion, the Habitation of His Grace;
'Tis there He's known, there He His Temple made,
Whose ground work stable as the Worlds was laid:
Davids design, when from the Ewes with young,
By Him he was anointed to the Throne.
His Fathers flocks he carefully did keep,
And therefore made Chief Heardsman of Gods sheep;
Where all his time he fed them, with such Care,
They never were so strong, nor ever lookt so fair.
Whom Wine beyond His hour did Pris'ner keep,
That shouts and fights) fell on and made them flie,
And on their backs reveng'd their curious eye.
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Shall be its Residence, as it was before;
Ephraim to Judah, Shilo to Sion yields,
And to the Sacred Mount, their fruitful fields:
So God would have't, who chose Himself the Place,
Sion, the Habitation of His Grace;
'Tis there He's known, there He His Temple made,
Whose ground work stable as the Worlds was laid:
Davids design, when from the Ewes with young,
By Him he was anointed to the Throne.
His Fathers flocks he carefully did keep,
And therefore made Chief Heardsman of Gods sheep;
Where all his time he fed them, with such Care,
They never were so strong, nor ever lookt so fair.
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Psalm LXXIX. Deus venerunt gentes in, &c.
I
Lord see the Miseries, which we undergo,And how with us Thy Temple suffers too!
Thither at length the Enemy is come,
And Solyma on heaps has layed,
Sion is but one Mighty Tomb,
And the Worlds glory, now the scorne of all is made.
II
Thy murd'red Saints in th' feilds unburied lie,A prey to beasts and fowl, which vengeance crie;
Their blood before was round Jerus'lem shed,
Increast its brooks, and washt its stones,
Yet death cannot secure the dead,
But those that took their lives, again expose their bones.
III
Living, or dead one shame attends us all;Nor with less rage Our neighbours on us fall:
Their mirth do's only by our pains increase,
And such deep wounds their mercies give,
That death it self we think were ease,
And our slain friends more happy count, than us who live.
IV
When shall Thy wrath and jealousie expire,Quench'd by that blood, which now but feeds the fire?
Lord on the heathen pour the tempest down,
Whole nations, which ne'r pray to Thee,
Kingdoms, where yet Thy Name's unknown,
And let not what's their due, Thy servants Portion be!
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V
And when their Sins to Thy remembrance come,Let this be added to compleat the Sum,
That they have wasted Jacob, and Thy land!
But let not Our iniquities,
Our former Sins new load Thy hand,
Lest when to rescue us, to ruin Thou arise!
VI
Prevent us, Lord, for we are very low,And let us now Thy strong Salvation know!
Now save us, for the glory of Thy Name,
And for its sake Our Sins blot out;
Upon Our foes return the shame,
That though in scorn they ask, none may Thy presence doubt!
VII
Appear, O God, and let us witness beThey know, and fear Thy Name as well as we!
Revenge the guiltless blood, which they have shed,
And hear Our chains, how loud they cry;
Upon the living right the Dead,
And by Thine Arm save those, who sentenc'd are to dy.
VIII
Reproach, which they design'd to cast on Thee,And its increase their just reward shall be;
And then Thy People, Lord, Thy sacred Fold,
Shall make the Plains with joy to ring,
The Lambs shall all Thy Acts be told,
And their Great Shepherds praise, both learn, and ever sing.
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Psalm LXXX. Qui regis Israel intende, &c.
I
Great Shepherd of the Hebrew Race,Whose numerous Flock all Israel was,
For Thou dist guide them with Thy Hand,
They knew Thy Voyce and follow'd Thee;
Th' Invisible between the Cherubins did see,
And thence receive th' Oraculous command;
Between the Cherubins again appear,
And give Our chains Thine eye, and prayers Thine ear!
II
Shew us Thy Glory, Lord, once more,As thou didst Ephraim heretofore;
When all the Tribes from bondage led,
Thy Presence chas'd their Enemies,
For if again Thou make Thy Ark, and strength to rise,
Ours shall flie too, as theirs before Thee fled:
Turn us again and cause Thy Face to shine,
We shall be sav'd, and all the praise be Thine!
III
How long wilt Thou be angry thusBoth with Our Prayers, Great God, and us?
Thou know'st how tears have been our food,
The mixture of Our meat and drink,
Whilst Our insulting Neighbours laugh in scorn, to think
That when those streams shall cease, the next is blood:
But turn us, Lord, and cause Thy Face to shine,
We shall be sav'd and all the praise be Thine!
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IV
A Vine God into Canaan brought,And having thrown the Heathen out,
A proper soyl did for it find;
From Ægypt He the plant did bring,
Where it was bruis'd, and torn when it began to spring,
By men trod down, and broken by the Wind:
But when it could not there securely stand,
In Canaan it took root, and fill'd the Land.
V
The Sun-burnt Hills it cloath'd around,Their heads were with it cool'd, and crownd;
Above the Hills its branch did rise,
And vy'd with tallest Cedars there,
As gay it look't, and full as high its top did bear,
And its rich clusters touch'd the neighbouring Skies:
With one it laid hold of the Western Strand,
And touch't the River with its other hand.
VI
But why hast Thou her hedge broke down?And her enclosures open thrown;
So that the stranger who rides by,
Though nothing there he ha's to do,
Comes rudely in, and tears both fruit, and branches too:
Thither the Wild Bore from the Wood do's fly,
And after bids his fellow beasts to haste,
To'a Vineyard, which they may more safely waste.
VII
Return, O God, and on us shine,From Heav'n look down, and see Thy Vine!
This Vineyard, which Thy right hand made,
By thus transplanting fair, and strong,
And under which it spred, and flourish't ha's thus long,
For if Thou frown 'twill be to th' Common laid:
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If though the branch be gone, Thou spare the root.
VIII
May Thy right hand preserve Our King!And to an end His troubles bring!
Let Him again be great, and strong!
As by Thy help He was before,
And then nor He, nor we shall ever leave Thee more,
But freely joyn in one Eternal Song!
Turn us, O Lord, and cause Thy Face to shine,
We shall be sav'd, and all the praise be Thine!
227
Psalm LXXXI. Exultate Deo Adjutori.
I
To God our strength let Israel sing,Triumphant Songs to Our Victorious King!
Awake the Harp, the Psaltery, and Flute,
And fill the Air, with an harmonious noise,
Call in the Sackbutt, Cornet, and the Lute,
And as He rais'd His hand for you, t'Him lift your voice?
II
In the New Moon the Trumpets blow,His antient Law makes it your duty Now;
When He at first ordain'd this solemn day,
And bid Our Fathers keep the Pompous Feast;
Israel, and Judah did His word obey,
And thus His praises duly sang, who gave them Rest.
III
'Twas then when Israel left that Land,Whose Language they could never understand:
A speech as barbarous as its Nations were;
“When from the weights and pots I set them free
“From cruel tasks, sayes God, no more to bear
“Ægyptian burdens, but my light ones, and serve me.
IV
“I saw their trouble, heard their Cry,“And my quick Hand took Light'ning from my eye;
“From Heav'n I thund'red, made my voice be heard,
“And there I prov'd, and there I Israel try'd;
“But whom at thund'ring Sinai Israel fear'd,
“Israel at Meribah with murmurings deny'd.
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V
“Yet to my Law again give ear,“Once more I'le publish it if Thou wilt hear!
“No other God but Me, shalt Thou adore,
“For I alone am God, and none beside,
“I broke the Chains, which you in Ægypt bore,
“And now can fill your mouths, though op'ned ne're so wide
VI
“But all in vain, they would not hear,“And though I bow'd mine down, deny'd their Ear;
“So up I gave them to their loose desires,
“Their brutish Lusts, and no destruction sent,
“No flames but what were kind'led by those fires,
“That what they made their choice, might be their punishment.
VII
“O had they heard Me! and been wise,“Those Wayes to follow, which they did despise;
“To Victory their Armies I had led,
“My Hand their Enemies should have o'rethrown,
“And forc't to yield their necks, but on their head
“Had put a never fading and Eternal Crown.
VIII
“Plenty and Peace should all Their dayes“Have strewd fresh Palms, and Roses in their Wayes,
“And open'd all the Treasures of the Field;
“Even I my self new Miracles would show,
“Not water only the pierc'd Rock should yield,
“But living Honey from the Flinty Hive should flow.
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Psalm LXXXII. Deus stetit in Synagoga, &c.
I
You Judges of the World, and Gods below,Who at your pleasure sentence all,
And never think to whom that Power you owe,
By whose Decree your selves must stand or fall,
The Mighty God do's all your Counsels view,
And as you others judge, He judges you.
II
He sees how partially you sentence pass;And will you alwayes wrong your trust?
By looking through a false, and flattering glass,
Acquit the Wicked, and condemn the Just?
In your own scales those rise, and these sink low,
But whom their virtue weighs down, you keep so.
III
Rather defend the Poor, and Fatherless,And hearken to the Orphans cry,
Instead of helping, do not more oppress,
Least God himself bestow what you deny!
Deliverance for the Needy Soul command;
And give them not your Ear alone, but hand!
IV
But all in vain, their duty they'll not know,Nor what they might will understand;
Hating the day, in darkness love to go,
And bring to ruine, with themselves, their Land;
If its Foundations shake, and totter thus,
No wonder if the World be ruinous.
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V
Y'are Gods, I said, and Sons of the Most High;His Child'ren, who in Heav'n do's reign;
Who therefore cloath'd you thus with Majesty,
That, among Men, you should His Pow'r maintain:
Y'are Gods, but must to death your Scepters bow,
Nor of your Titles will the grave allow.
VI
Immortall only is the God above,That equall Judge, and glorious King;
Like whom none is so just, or full of Love,
Who to the Barr shall every secret bring:
Arise, O God, The World to Judgement call,
No Judge so fit as Thou, who'art Lord of All.
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Psalm LXXXIII. Deus quis similis erit tibi? ne taceas, &c.
I
Enough, My God, Thou hast been still,Now give the Word, and raise Thy Voice;
Their Ears, with the amazing Thunder fill,
Who think they have o'recome Thine with their noise!
See how they rise, and lift their heads on high,
Make tumults, and deep plots contrive,
To ruine those Thou hid'st to save alive,
And not Heav'ns seed alone, but Heav'n it self defie!
II
“Come, say they, on them let us fall,“We are too easie thus to spare;
“Let the whole Nation perish, Name and all,
“And make Our purple with their blood more fair!
The Motion all embrace, and to the Al-arm,
With one consent together come
Some Troops from Edom, and from Moab some,
All whom or rapine can perswade, or envy arm.
III
With them are joyn'd the Ishmaelites,Ammon, and Amaleck, and Tyre,
The bold Assyrian in the Quarrell fights,
And executes the Treasons they conspire:
But let them plot, and fight, and conquer'd fly,
By their own fears like Midian fall;
Let Jabyn's Fate, and Sisera's wait them all,
And by a Womans hand, first routed be, then dye!
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IV
At Kisons Brook the Army fell,And with their slaughter stain'd the Flood;
The torrent did with crimson waters swell,
And Earth's great body had true veins of blood:
Endors fat fields became more fresh and gay,
And its crown'd head aloft did bear,
Proud of the Canaanitish Spoils, and there,
In living Monuments of grass, th' Unburied lay.
V
Oreb, and Zeb Thy hand did feel,And could not save their lives by flight;
Zeba, and Salmana scap'd not his steel,
Who fought Thine, and whose Battles Thou didst fight:
So let them fly, and so be overthrown,
They who have said, “Come let's oppress
“The Holy Seed, Our Fathers Lands possess,
“And what from us they took, make once again our own.
VI
But like a wheel, Lord, turn them round,And giddy made, lend them no stay!
Then with a whirlwind snatch them from the ground,
And having rais'd it, blow the dust away!
Make them a Wood on fire, chac'd by the Wind,
Whose Flame above the Hills do's rise,
Leaping from tree to tree, and grows as 't flies
Before pursuing storms, which follow close behind.
VII
Be Thou that Wind, and make them fear!Fill every Face, with dread, and shame,
Till they to expiate their sin draw near
And what before they curst, adore Thy Name!
That when the World their change, or ruine see,
It may look higher, and above,
Find the First Cause, at whose great Will they move,
And know One God rules Heav'n & Earth, & Thou art He.
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Psalm LXXXIV. Quàm dilecta Tabernacula tua, &c.
I
Triumphant General of the Sacred Host,Whom all the strength of Heav'n and Earth obey,
Who hast a Thund'ring Legion in each Coast,
And Mighty Armies listed, and in pay;
How fearfull art Thou in their head above,
Yet in Thy Temple, Lord; how full of Love?
II
So lovely is Thy Temple, and so fair,So like Thy self, that with desire I faint;
My heart and flesh cry out to see Thee there,
And could bear any thing but this restraint:
My Soul do's on its old Remembrance feed,
And new desires by my long absence breed.
III
The Sparrows there have found themselves a nest,And there their untun'd notes the Swallows sing;
A place where undisturb'd they all may rest,
And have some gift, which they to Thee may bring:
Their young ones, which they on Thy Altar lay,
And may not I as happy be as they?
IV
Thrice happy Man, who in Thy House resides!For He Thy glorious Name shall ever praise;
For whose necessities my God provides!
And is the Faithfull Guide of all his Wayes!
Though through the Vale of Baca he do's go,
My King, who guides his Way, will bless it too!
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V
That thirsty Vale, where scorching drought do's reign,Shall in New streams, and Rivers overflow,
Their tears shall help to water the sad Plain,
And make the Mulberies more fruitfull grow:
See how in troops they march, till all at length
To Sion come, and there renew their strength!
VI
Triumphant Generall of the Sacred Host,Whom all the Pow'rs of Heav'n, and Earth obey,
Who hast a Thund'ring Legion in each Coast,
And mighty Armies listed, and in pay,
Let not the noise of War so fill Thine Ear,
But that Thy Love through it my Prayers may hear!
VII
Great God of Battles, Thou who art my Shield,Jacob's strong God, on Thy Anointed shine!
If Thou encamp'st, I'me sure to gain the field,
And overcome, because the Vict'ry's Thine:
I long to see Thy Glory as before,
And by this Absence learn to prize it more.
VIII
For one day in Thy Temple to attend,Before an age of Pleasure I preferr;
And might I in that Place my Life but spend,
The meanest Office is advancement there:
There should I count I had more honour won,
Charg'd with a Dore, than here to wear a Crown.
IX
My God would there upon His Servant shine,And when that Sun is or too hot, or bright,
Become a shield against the rayes Divine,
And on Himself reflect the glorious light:
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And nothing but Himself should come between.
X
Grace Now, hereafter Glory will He give;Nothing that's good, will He from His with-hold;
He only looks they should uprightly live,
And for returns expect a thousand fold:
Lord, since to Thine All for the Best shall be,
Not only give, but choose what's fit for me!
XI
Triumphant General of the Sacred Host,Whom all the Pow'rs of Heav'n, and Earth obey,
Who hast a Thund'ring Legion in each Coast,
And Mighty Armies listed, and in pay,
Blest is that Man, who on Thy Pow'r do's trust,
Others may only conquer, but he must.
236
Psalm LXXXV. Benedixisti Domine terram, &c.
I
At length, O God, Thy People are return'd,And now Thy Land enjoyes her Peace;
For emptiness before she mourn'd,
And that her rest produc'd no rich encrease:
Israel to His inheritance is Come,
And Jacob from Captivity brought home.
II
Thou hast their sins forgiven, and past by;Those sins with which they stain'd Thy Land,
And having hid them from Thine eye,
Unless it were to help, with-held'st Thy hand:
Thy wrath, whereby they were consum'd before,
Chang'd all to Love, ha's flames, but burns no more.
III
Great God, who hast been so propitious,And made Thine anger thus to cease,
As Thou hast turn'd Thy self, turn us,
And let this Truce conclude in Happy Peace!
A Peace, which none may dare to violate,
And from this very day let it bear date!
IV
Will God be alwayes angry, ever chideWith them, who daily seek His Face?
And though a while He turn aside,
Shall not one look revive us, and Our Race?
Shew us Thy Love, and Thy Salvation grant,
Our fulness shall exceed Our former Want.
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V
Attentively what God shall speak I'll hear,And listen what He'll please to say;
'Tis just His Saints incline their Ear,
To that which none can claim so much as They:
Peace to His People, and His Saints He'll speak,
If they by Sin do not their Cov'nants break.
VI
To such His help is nigh, and power's at hand,And those, who fear Him, He will love:
His Glory shall o're flow Our land,
And Truth and Mercy kiss here, as above;
Mercy and Truth never to part shall meet,
And Peace Her old friend Equity shall greet.
VII
Truth from the Earth shall spring (the best increaseOur land e're hop'd for, or did yield)
And as it grows up, Righteousness,
The fruit of Heav'n, shall meet that of the Field;
Justice, which has the Earth so long forsook,
Shall dwell, where she of late durst hardly look.
VIII
A thousand Blessings God to these shall joyn,And only of All Goods the Best;
The generous Olive, and the Vine,
And recompence with fruit their former rest;
Righteousness here shall make her constant stay,
Nor go to Heav'n, till she prepare Our Way.
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Psalm LXXXVI. Inclina Domine aurem tuam, &c.
I
O thou, who dost th' Afflicted hear,From Heav'n, O God, bow down Thine Eare!
Never such need as Now,
Never was I so low,
Or Thou, though never out of call, less near!
II
Preserve the Soul, which Thee adores,And out that Soul unto Thee poures!
Thy Servant trusts in Thee,
In vain let it not bee,
But let Thy Son, O God, break through these showers!
III
Be Merciful to Me, O Lord,For I depend upon Thy Word;
To Thee alone I cry,
To Thee for help I fly,
Rejoyce Thy Servants Soul, and help afford!
IV
I know, O Lord, that Thou art Good,Thy Mercy is a plenteous Flood;
The dead Thou mak'st to live,
And sinners dost forgive,
May not Thy Pow'r be by my Sin withstood!
V
But to that Prayer, O God, attend,Which from unfeigned lips I send!
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Then will I call on Thee,
For Thou wilt to those troubles put an end.
VI
I knew, Lord, Thou wilt answer Mee,And that none else can do but Thee;
Amongst the Gods there's none,
That one can trust upon,
Nor can their Works to Thine compared be!
VII
Therefore to Thee all lands shall come,And to Thy glorious Name fall down;
For Thou dost wondrous things,
And art above their Kings,
Art God alone, and all must waite thy doom.
VIII
Teach me the way, where I should go,The Way of Truth unto me show!
To that unite my heart,
That it may never start
From Thee, Lord, as 'tis wont with me to do!
IX
Then will I praises to Thee sing,And to Thee all my service bring;
Thy Word for ever more,
Shall still supply new store,
Nor will I ever end, when I begin.
X
Thy Mercy to me. Lord, is great,For me from Hell it free has set;
That Hell, which lies so low,
Where I did hast to go,
And didst not Thou restrain me should do yet.
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XI
The Proud O God against me rise,And I have many Enemies;
But be not Thou my Foe,
I fear not what they do,
Who never have set Thee before their eyes!
XII
For of Compassion Thou art full,Though I am heartless, Lord, and dull,
Gracious, Long-suffering
Whose Truth and Mercie Spring,
And with their Streams o're flow my very Soul.
XIII
Dear God, at length unto me turn,Look, how I for Thy absence mourn!
Srengthen Thy servant Lord,
According to Thy Word,
To Thy Hand-maid, and Thy Hand-maids Son return!
XIV
Shew me some token of Thy love,That shame may in my En'mies move!
Make hast to succour me,
And comfort bring with Thee,
And of Thy servant, thus, my God approve.
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Psalm LXXXVII. Fundamenta ejus in montibus, &c.
I
Twas God himself the ground survey'd,Compass'd the Mountains round about,
Among the Mountains chose This out,
In Holy Sion His Foundation lay'd,
And for His service took the Place His Pleasure made.
II
Glorious City, Sacred Place,Where God Himself delights to be,
Glorious things are told of Thee,
How much Thou dost all Cities else surpass,
And how the Worlds Great God, Thy Mighty Founder was.
III
Philistia to the Lord is known,He reckons up, who was born there;
But none with Sion may compare,
Nor Ethiopia, Tyre, nor Babylon,
For Sion God above all lov'd, and made His Own.
IV
God has establisht Sion fast,Himself is both Her Towers, and Wall;
Such and so strong as ne're shall fall,
Such and so strong, as none shall ever waste,
Till He, who was their Builder, throw them down at last.
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V
And when the Grand Inquest is made,And God shall write the Nations down,
First beginning with His Own,
“This Man was born at Sion, 't shall be sai'd,
“And for a Bearing to His other Honours lai'd.
VI
“From Sion springs His Pedigree,“I both His Name and Office know,
“What place He serv'd me in below,
“But by His Birth place He shall numbred bee.
Where e're mine was, let me, O Lord, belong to Thee!
243
Psalm LXXXVIII. Domine Deus salutis meæ, &c.
I
Great God, whence my Salvation comes alone,And who that Great Salvation art
Thou day and night hast heard me groan,
O, let Thine Ears at length affect Thine heart!
To Thee I pray, let my Prayer come to Thee,
Or if that cannot reach so high, stoop Thou to me!
II
Hear me, my God for I am wondrous low,And to the grave my life draws nigh;
Loaded with cares my Soul do's go,
And in the Pit is readie down to lie:
Already I am numbred with the Dead,
And that small strength I had (Weakness at best) is fled.
III
Free as the Dead, and like one long since slain,Who is forgotten in the Grave,
And never shall return again,
Or, but upon his Tomb, Memoriall have;
Low in the Pit I'm lai'd down in the Deep,
And its rough waves my head do under water keep.
IV
Far from me Thou hast put my Nearest Friends,Who as forsaken look on me;
Because my God no succour sends,
They think me hated, or unknown to Thee:
244
And those, who pitty me, are of my Sores afraid.
V
My eyes with teares o'recome yet look to Thee,And for Thy help I daily cry:
When at night I cannot see,
With stretcht out armes I feel if Thou art nigh:
“Wilt Thou, say I to th' Dead Thy wonders show,
“Let me but see them, Lord, and Thou do'st truly so!
VI
“Shall the Dead rise, and praise Thee, or Thy love,“Be in the Land of Darkness seen?
“Shall in the Grave Thy Praise improve,
“Sung there, where silence has for ever been?
“Where dark oblivion uncontroll'd do's reign,
“And dismal Horror riots o're the empty Plain?
VII
And then again I new Petitions make,And would prevent Thee with my Prayer;
With Thee the Morning do's partake,
And with my tears instead of dew looks fair:
But thou withdraw'st Thy self, and out of sight,
Hid'st in thick Clouds that Face, which gives me all my light.
VIII
From my youth up I have Thy Terrors felt,Ready with grief and pain to die;
Thy Wrath like fire my Soul do's melt,
And quite consumes, what it should purifie;
Or like a troubled Sea do's o're me roll,
And thus by several Deaths, or burns, or drowns my Soul.
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IX
Far from me Thou hast put my Nearest Friend,Whom Thou at first to me didst give;
(Though Death Our Friendship cannot end,
For in the sad Survivour it shall live.)
My Dear Acquaintance in the grave is laid,
And Two, whom God made One, Death again Two has made.
P. M. O. C.
246
Psalm LXXXIX. Misericordias Domini in æternum, &c.
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.
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.
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.
247
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.
248
“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;
249
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.
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.
Amen, and Amen.
The End of the Third Book of Psalms.
| A paraphrase upon the psalms of David | |