And say, "At last we found him out, he did it in our sight." 22 But thou, who dost both them and me with righteous eyes survey, Assert my innocence, O Lord, and keep not far away. 23 Stir up thyself in my behalf; to judgment, Lord, awake; Thy righteous servant's cause, O God, to thy decision take. 24 Lord, as my heart has upright been, let me thy justice find; Nor let my cruel foes obtain the triumph they design'd. 25 Oh! let them not, amongst themselves, in boasting language say, "At length our wishes are complete; 27 Whilst they with cheerful voices shout, who my just cause befriend; And bless the Lord, who loves to make success his saints attend. 28 So shall my tongue thy judgments sing, inspiredwith grateful joy; And cheerful hymns in praise of thee, shall all my days employ. PSALM 36. MY crafty foe, with flattering art, his wicked purpose would disguise; But reason whispers to my heart, he ne'er sets God before his eyes. 2 He soothes himself, retired from sight; secure he thinks his treacherous game; Till his dark plots, exposed to light, their false contriver brand with shame. 3 In deeds he is my foe confess'd, whilst with his tongue he speaks me fair; True wisdom's banish'd from bis breast, and vice has sole dominion there. 4 His wakeful malice spends the night in forging his accursed designs; Ilis obstinate ungenerous spite no execrable means declines. 5 But, Lord, thy mercy, my sure hope, above the heavenly orb ascends; Thy sacred truth's unmeasured scope beyond the spreading sky extends. 6 Thy justice like the hills remains; unfathom'd depths thy judgments are; Thy providence the world sustains; the whole creation is thy care. 7 Since of thy goodness all partake, with what assurance should the just Thy sheltering wings their refuge make, and saints to thy protection trust! Such guests shall to thy courts be led, to banquet on thy love's repast; And drink, as from a fountain's head, of joys that shall for ever last. 9 With thee the springs of life remain; thy presence is eternal day: 10 O let thy saints thy favour gain; to upright hearts thy truth display. 11 Whilst pride's insulting foot would spurn, and wicked hands my life surprise, 12 Their mischiefs on themselves return, down, down they're fallen, no more to rise. PSALM 37. THOU HOUGH wicked men grow rich or great, Yet let not their successful state thy anger or thy envy raise; 2 For they, cut down like tender grass, Or like young flowers, away shall pass, whose blooming beauty soon decays. 3 Depend on God, and him obey, So thou within the land shalt stay, secure from danger and from want: 4 Make his commands thy chief delight And he, thy duty to requite, shall all thy earnest wishes grant. 5 In all thy ways trust thou the Lord, And he will needful help afford, to perfect every just design; 6 He'll make, like light, serene and clear, Thy clouded innocence appear, and as a mid-day sun to shine. 7 With quiet mind on God depend, And patiently for him attend; nor let thy anger fondly rise, Though wicked men with wealth abound, And with success the plots are crown'd which they maliciously devise. 8 From anger cease, and wrath forsake, Let no ungovern'd passion make thy wavering heart espouse their crime; 9 For God shall sinful men destroy; Whilst only they the land enjoy, who trust on him, and wait his time. 10 How soon shall wicked men decay! Their place shall vanish quite away, nor by the strictest search be found; 11 Whilst humble souls possess the earth, Rejoicing still with godly mirth, with peace and plenty always crown'd. ᏢᎪᎡᎢ 11. 12 While sinful crowds, with false design, Against the righteous few combine, and gnash their teeth and threatening stand; 13 God shall their empty plots deride, And laugh at their defeated pride: he sees their ruin near at hand. 14 They draw the sword, and bend the bow, The poor and needy to o'erthrow, and men of upright lives to slay; 15 But their strong bows shall soon be broke, Their sharpen'd weapon's mortal stroke, through their own hearts shall force it way. 1 3 16 A little, with God's favour bless'd, That's by one righteous man possess❜d, the wealth of many bad excels; 17 For God supports the just man's cause; But as for those that break his laws, their unsuccessful power he quells. 18 His constant care the upright guides, And over all their life presides; their portion shall for ever last: 19 They, when distress o'erwhelms the earth, Shall be unmoved, and even in dearth, and vanish into smoke and air. 21 While sinners, brought to sad decay, Still borrow on, and never pay, the just have will and power to give; The wicked soon destroy'd shall be, And at his dismal tragedy thou shalt a safe spectator sit. 35 The wicked I in power have seen, And, like a bay-tree, fresh and green, that spreads its pleasant branches round. 36 But he was gone as swift as thought; And, though in every place I sought, no sign or track of him I found. 37 Observe the perfect man with care, And mark all such as upright are; their roughest days in peace shall end: 38 While on the latter end of those Who dare God's sacred will oppose, a common ruin shall attend. 39 God to the just will aid afford; Their only safeguard is the Lord; their strength in time of need is he 40 Because on him they still depend, The Lord will timely succour send, and from the wicked set them free. PSALM 38. 22 For such as God vouchsafes to bless,HY chastening wrath, O Lord, re Shall peaceably the earth possess; and those he curses shall not live. 23 The good man's way is God's delight: He orders all the steps aright of him that moves by his command; 24 Though he sometimes may be distress'd, Yet shall he ne'er be quite oppress'd; for God upholds him with his hand. 25 From my first youth, till age prevail'd, I never saw the righteous fail'd, or want o'ertake his numerous race; 26 Because compassion fill'd his heart, And he did cheerfully impart, God made his offspring's wealth in Preserve his saints secure from ill, while soon the wicked race decays. 29, 30, 31 The upright shall possess the land; His portion shall for ages stand; his mouth with wisdom is supply'd; His tongue by rules of judgment moves; His heart the law of God approves; therefore his footsteps never slide. PART IV. 32 In wait the watchful sinner lies, In vain the righteous to surprise; in vain his ruin does decree: 33 God will not him defenceless leave, To his revenge exposed, but save; and, when he's sentenced, set him free. 34 Wait still on God; keep his command, And thou, exalted in the land, thy blest possession ne'er shall quit. though I deserve it all; {strain, Nor let at once on me the storm 3 My flesh is one continued wound 5 Stench and corruption fill my wounds, my folly's just return; 6 With trouble I am warp'd and bow'd and all day long I mourn. 7 A loath'd disease afflicts my loins, infecting every part; 8 With sickness worn, I groan and roar through anguish of my heart. PART II. 9 But, Lord, before thy searching eyes all my desires appear; And sure my groans have been too loud, not to have reach'd thine ear. 10 My heart's oppress'd, my strength demy eyes deprived of light; [cay'd, 11 Friends, lovers, kinsmen gaze aloof on such a dismal sight. 12 Meanwhile, the foes that seek my life their snares to take me set; Vent slanders, and contrive all day to forge some new deceit: 13 But I, as if both deaf and dumb, nor heard, nor once reply'd; 14 Quite deaf and dumb, like one whose with conscious guilt is ty'd. tou 15 For, Lord, to thee I do appeal, 16 Hear me," said I, "lest my proud "but once to go astray." 17 And, with continual to sink I now begin; [foes grief oppress'd, 18 To thee, O Lord, I will confess, 19 But whilst I languish, my proud foes their strength and vigour boast; And they that hate me without cause are grown a dreadful host. to thee bewail my sin. 20 Even they whom I obliged, return I choose the path that's right. 22 Make haste to my relief, O thou, who my salvation art. PSALM 39. (So vain a thing is he!) like cloth and shall be seen no more. I WAIT vouchsafed a kind reply; WAITED meekly for the Lord, Who did his gracious ear afford, and heard from heaven my humble cry 2 He took me from the dismal pit, when founder'd deep in miry clay; On solid ground he placed my feet, and suffer'd not my steps to stray. And others, to his worship brought, ESOLVED to watch o'er all my 4 For blessings shall that man reward, RE Ꭱ ways, I kept my tongue in awe; I curb'd ny hasty words, when I the wicked prosperous saw. 2 Like one that's dumb, I silent stood, S My heart did glow with working and no repose could take; 4 Lord, let me know my term of days, 5 My life, thou know'st, is but a span; 6 Man, like a shadow, vainly walks, shall ever, Lord, depend. For I was dumb, and murmur'd not, $1 For when thou chastenest man for sin, who on th' Almighty Lord relies; The treasures of thy love surmount 6 I've learnt that thou hast not desired 9 In full assemblies I have told thy truth and righteousness at large: Nor did, thou know'st, my lips withhold from uttering what thou gav'st in charge: 10 Nor kept within my breast confined thy faithfulness and saving grace; But preach'd thy love, for all design'd, that all might that, and truth, en brace 11 Then let those mercies 1 declared to others, Lord, extend to me; Thy loving-kindness my reward, thy truth my safe protection be. 12 For I with troubles am distress'd, too numberless for me to bear; Nor less with loads of guilt oppress'd that plunge and sink me to despair As soon, alas! may I recount the hairs of this afflicted head; My vanquish'd courage they surmount, and fill my drooping soul with dread. 1 1 PART III. 13 But, Lord, to my relief draw near, for never was more pressing need; In my deliverance, Lord, appear, and add to that deliverance speed. 14 Confusion on their heads return, who to destroy my soul combine; Let them, defeated, blush and mourn, ensnared in their own vile design. 15 Their doom let desolation be, with shame their malice be repaid, Who mock'd my confidence in thee, and sport of my affliction made. 16 While those who humbly seek thy face, to joyful triumphs shall be raised; And all who prize thy saving grace, teated in the chase, So longs my soul, O God, for thee, 2 For thee, nty God, the living God, 3 Tears are my constant food, while thus insulting foes upbraid; with me resound, The Lord be praised. 17 Thus, wretched though I am and poor," of me th' Almighty Lord takes care: Thou God, who only canst restore, to my relief with speed repair. PSALM 41. HAPPY the man whose tender care relieves the poor distress'd! When troubles compass him around, the Lord shall give him rest. 2 TheLord his life, with blessings crown'd, in safety shall prolong; And disappoint the will of those 6 Suppose they formal visits make, 7,8 With private whispers, such as these, to hurt me they devise: A sore disease afflicts him now; "he's fallen, no more to rise." 9 My own familiar bosom friend, on whom I most rely'd, Ias me, whose daily guest he was, with open scorn defy'd. 10 But thou my sad and wretched state, in mercy, Lord, regard; And raise me up, that all their crimes may meet their just reward. 11 By this I know thy gracious ear is open, when I call; Because thou sufferest not my foes to triumph in my fall. 12 Thy tender care secures my life from danger and disgrace; Deluded wretch! where's now thy God? "and where his promised aid?" 4 I sigh, whene'er my musing thoughts those happy days present, When I, with troops of pious friends, thy temple did frequent. When I advanced with songs of praise, my solemn vows to pay, And led the joyful sacred throng, that kept the festal day. 5 Why restless, why cast down,my soul? trust God; who will employ His aid for thee, and change these sighs to thankful hymns of joy. 6 My soul's cast down, O God! but thinks on thee and Sion still; From Jordan's bank, from Hermon's heights, and Mizar's humbler hill. 7 One trouble calls another on, 8 But when thy presence, Lord of life, 9 God of my strength, how long shall I, 10 My heart is pierced, as with a sword, while thus my foes upbraid: "Vain boaster, where is now thy God? "and where his promised aid?" 11Why restless, why cast down, my soul? hope still; and thou shalt sing The praise of him who is thy God, thy health's eternal spring. 3 Let me with light and truth be blest; be these my guides to lead the way, Till on thy holy hill I rest, and in thy sacred temple pray. 4 Then will I there fresh altars raise to God, who is my only joy; And well-tuned harps, with songs of praise, shall all my grateful hours employ. 5 Why then cast down, my soul? and why so much oppress'd with anxious care? On God, thy God, for aid rely, who will thy ruin'd state repair. PSALM 44. LORD, our fathers oft have told in our attentive ears, Thy wonders, in their days perform'd, and elder times than theirs: drive 2 How thou, to plant them here, didst the heathen from this land, Dispeopled by repeated strokes of thy avenging hand. 3 For not their courage, nor their sword, to them possession gave; Nor strength, that from unequal force their fainting troops could save: But thy right hand and powerful arm, whose succour they implored;" Thy presence with the chosen race, who thy great name adored. 4 As thee their God our fathers own'd, thou art our sovereign King; O! therefore, as thou didst to them, to us deliverance bring. 5 Through thy victorious name, our arms the proudest foes shall quell; And crush them with repeated strokes, as oft as they rebel. 3 I'll neither trust my bow nor sword, when I in fight engage; 7 But thee, who hast our foes subdued, and shamed their spiteful rage. 8 To thee the triumph we ascribe, from whom the conquest came: In God we will rejoice all day, and ever bless his name. PART II. A 9 But thou hast cast us off; and now 11 To slaughter doom'd,we fall,like sheep, Whose scorn of us is both in speech and mocking gestures shown. 15 Confusion strikes me blind; my face in conscious shame I hide; but their disgrace may grow. 13,14 Reproach'd by all the nations round, the heathen's by-word grown; 16 While we are scoff'd, and God blas by their licentious pride. [phemed, PART III. 17 On us this heap of woes is fallen; all this we have endured; Yet have not, Lord, renounced thy name, or faith to thee abjured: 18 But in thy righteous paths have kept our hearts and steps with care; 19 Tho' thou hast broken all our strength, and we almost despair. 20 Could we, forgetting thy great name, on other gods rely, 21 And nor the Searcher of all hearts. the treacherous crime descry? 22 Thou seest what sufferings, for thy we every day sustain; [sake, All slaughter'd, or reserved like sheep appointed to be slain. 23 Awake, arise; iet seeming sleer no longer thee detain; Nor let us, Lord, who sue to thee for ever sue in vain. 24 Oh! wherefore hidest thou thy face from our afflicted state, 25 Whose souls and bodies sink to earth with grief's oppressive weight? 26 Arise, O Lord, and timely haste to our deliverance make; Redeem us, Lord; if not for our's, yet for thy mercy's sake. PSALM 45. WHILE I the King's loud praise re indited by my heart, [hearse, My tongue is like the pen of him that writes with ready art. 2 How matchless is thy form, O King! thy mouth with grace o'erflows; Because fresh blessings God on thee eternary bestows. 3 Gird on thy sword, most mighty prince and, clad in rich array, With glorious ornaments of power, majestic pomp display. 4 Ride on in state, and still protect the meek, the just, and true: Whilst thy right hand, with swiftreve..ge, does all thy foes pursue. 5 How sharp thy weapons are to them that dare thy power despise! Down, down they fall, while thro' their heart the feather'd arrow flies. 16 But thy firm throne, O God, is fix'd, for ever to endure; Thy sceptre's sway shall always last, |