A New Version of the Psalms of David :: :: University of Virginia Library

He has the Floors
Of his high Chambers laid
On watry Stores,
Amid'st the Skies convey'd.
His Chariots are
Black Clouds, that roll on high,
While He in Air
Do's on wing'd Tempests fly.

His Angels He
Do's with swift Force inspire,
His Ministry
He makes a flaming Fire.

224

Who has so fast
The Earth's Foundations laid,
It still shall last,
Of no fierce Storm afraid.

The Flood o'erspreads
Like a wide Vest the Land,
O'er Mountains Heads
Th' uplifted Waters stand.

They with great Noise
At thy Rebuke withdrew;
Thy Thunder's Voice
They heard, and frighted flew.

Up by the Hill
And down the Vale they creep,
And haste to fill
For them th' appointed Deep.

Thou Bounds hast set
Their Fury to restrain,
Lest Pow'r they get
To drown the Earth again:

Part II.

Thro' Vales below
He sends fresh Springs and Rills,
Whence Rivers grow,
That run between the Hills.

Beasts of the Field
To drink do hither pass,
Sweet Draughts they yield
To the wild stupid Ass.

225

The Birds of Wing
Do hither take their Flight,
And here to sing
Mid'st branching Trees delight.

On the high Plain
Dews from his Rooms He pours;
The Earth rich Grain
Brings forth, refresh'd with Show'rs.

By his Command,
Fields Grass for Beasts produce,
And Herbs the Land
Brings forth for human Use.

And cheering Wine,
And Oyl, by which when fed,
Our Faces shine,
And Heart-reviving Bread.

Trees of vast Size,
Which his rich Juices fill,
As Cedars rise
On Lebanon's fair Hill.

Where wond'rous Work,
Their Nests, the Birds design;
As for the Stork,
Her Dwelling is the Pine.

In Mountains high
Wild Goats a Refuge find,
And shelter'd lie
In Rocks, the feeble Kind.

226

Part III.

He bids the Moon
A changing Figure show,
And makes the Sun
His time of Setting know.

Thou mak'st the Night,
When Beasts, that haunt the Wood,
Till dawning Light
Roam thro' the Hills for Food.

In quest of Prey
Young rav'ning Lyons roar,
And loud till Day
For Meat they God implore.

At tising Morn,
Which rouses us from Sleep,
They all return,
And to their Coverts creep.

Man with Repose
Grown active, early wakes,
To Labour goes,
And Pains till Ev'ning takes.

Thy Works, O Lord,
Are many, great, and wise;
The Earth well stor'd
With various Wonders lies.

So this wide Deep
Is a replenish'd Seat
Of Things that creep,
Of Fish both small and great.

227

There Ships advance,
There has the Whale his Court,
That's made to dance,
And in the Billows sport.

Thy Family
To Thee their Master sue,
And beg from Thee
Their Meat in Season due.

They from the Land
Take what Thou giv'st for Food,
Thy open Hand
Fills all their Souls with Good.

Part IV.

Thou frown'st, they mourn,
Thou tak'st away their Breath;
They die, and turn
Again to Dust in Death.

To give new Birth
Thou Vertue do'st diffuse,
And of the Earth
The Face thy Pow'r renews.

God's Glory bright
For ever shall endure,
To him Delight
His Works review'd procure.

At his stern Look
Earth trembles; by his Stroke
The Mountains shook,
And threw up Clouds of Smoke.

228

See, while I live,
I to the Lord will sing,
While Breath He'll give,
I'll praise my God and King.

I with Delight
Will Thoughts on Him employ,
All Day and Night
He is my sweetest Joy.

Perish th' Unjust,
Let Sinners be no more;
The Lord, thy Trust,
O Thou my Soul, adore.