Therefore did God, thy God, on thee the oil of gladness shed; And has, above thy fellows round, advanced thy lofty head. 8 With cassia, aloes, and myrrh, thy royal robes abound; 8 Come,see the wonders he hath wrought, On earth what desolation brought; how he has calm'd the jarring world: 9 He broke the warlike spear and bow; With them their thundering chariots too into devouring flames were hurl'd. Which, from the stately wardrobe bro't, 10 Submit to God's Almighty sway; spread grateful odours round. 9 Among the honourable train did princely virgins wait For him the heathen shall obey, and earth her Sovereign Lord confess: 11 The God of hosts conducts our arms The queen was placed at thy right hand Our tower of refuge in alarms, in golden robes of state. PART II. 10 But thou, O royal bride, give ear, 111 So shall thy beauty charm the King, nor shall his love decay; For he is now become thy Lord; to him due reverence pay. 12 The Tyrian matrons, rich and proud, shall humble presents make, And all the wealthy nations sue, thy favour to partake. as to our fathers in distress PSALM 47. ALL ye people, clap your hands, will plant voices sing, No force the mighty power withstands of God, the universal King. 3, 4. He shall opposing nations quell. and with success our battles fight, Shall fix the place where we must dwet., the pride of Jacob, his delight. 5, 6 (ou is gone up, our Lord and King, with shouts of joy,and trumpet's sound, To him repeated praises sing. and let the cheerful song rebound. 13 The King's fair Daughter's fairer soul 7, 2. Your utmost skill in praise be shown, all inward graces fill; Her raiment is of purest gold, adorn'd with costly skill. 14 She in her nuptial garments dress'd, with needles richly wrought, Attended by her virgin train, shall to the King be brought. 15 With all the state of solemn joy the triumph moves along; Till, with wide gates, the royal court receives the pompous throng. 16 Thou, in thy royal Father's room, must princely sons expect; Whom thou to different realms may'st to govern and protect: [send. 17 Whilst this my song to future times transmits thy glorious.name; And makes the world, with one consent, thy lasting praise proclaim. PSALM 46. NOD is our refuge in distress; G A present help when dangers press; in him, undaunted, we'll confide; 2,3 Though earth were from her centre tost, And mountains in the ocean lost, torn piece-meal by the roaring tide. 4 A gentler stream with gladness still The city of our Lord shall fill, the royal seat of God most high: 5 God dwells in Sion, whose fair towers Shall mock th' assaults of earthly powers, while his Almighty aid is nigh. 6 In tumults when the heathen raged, And kingdoms war against us waged, hethunder'd,and dispersed their powers: 7 The Lord of hosts conducts our arms, Our tower of refuge in alarms, our fathers' Guardian God and ours. E e for him who all the world commands, Who sits upon his righteous throne, and spreads his sway o'er heathen lands. 9 Our chiefs and tribes, that far from hence to serve the God of Abr'am came. Found him their constant sure defence. how great and glorious is his name! PSALM 48. THE Lord, the only God, is great, and greatly to be praised In Sion, on whose happy mount, his sacred throne is raised. 2 Her towers, the joy of all the earth, with beauteous prospect rise; On her north side the Almighty King's imperial city lies. 3 God in her palaces is known; his presence is her guard: 4 Confederate kings withdrew their and of success despair'd. [siege, 5 They view'd her walls, admired, and with grief and terror struck; [fled, 6 Like women, whom the sudden pangs of travail had o'ertook. 7 No wretched crew of mariners appear like them forlorn, When fleets from Tarshish' wealthy by eastern winds are torn. [coasts 8 In Sion we have seen perform'd a work that was foretold, In pledge that God, for times to come, his city will uphold. 9 Not in our fortresses and walls 10. According to thy Sovereign name. thy praise through earth eštends & Thy powerful arm, as Justice guides, chastises or defends. 11 Let Sion's mount with joy resound; her daughters all be taught In songs his judgments to exto., who this deliverance wrought. 12 Compass her walls in solemn pomp; your eyes quite round her cast; Count all her towers, and see if there you find one stone displaced. 43 Her forts and palaces survey; observe their order well; That, with assurance, to your heirs his wonders you may tell. 14 This God is ours, and will be ours, whilst we in him confide; Who, as he has preserved us now, till death will be our guide. LE PSALM 49. ET all the listening world attend, and my instruction hear; Let high and low, and rich and with joint consent give ear. poor, 3 My mouth, with sacred wisdom fill'd, shall good advice impart; The sound result of prudent thoughts, digested in my heart. 4 To parables of weighty sense I will my ear incline; Whilst to my tuneful harp I sing dark 14 They all, like sheep to slaughter led the prey of death are made; Their beauty, while the just rejoice, within the grave shall fade. 15 But God will yet redeem my soul; and from the greedy grave His greater power shall set me free, and to himself receive. 16 Then fear not thou, when wordly meu, in envy'd wealth abound; Nor though their prosperous house increase, with state and honour crown'd. 17 For when they're summon'd hence they leave all this behind, [by death, No shadow of their former pomp within the grave they find: 18 And yet they thought their state was caught in the flatterer's snare, [blest, Wno with their vanity comply'd, and praised their worldly care. 19 In their forefathers' steps they tread and when like them they die, Their wretched ancestors and they in endless darkness lie. 20 For man, how great soe'er his state, unless he's truly wise, As like a sensual beast he lives, so like a beast he dies. PSALM 50. Lord mighty Go of danger and of doubt, When sinners, that would me supplant, have compass'd me about? 6 Those men, that all their hope and trust in heaps of treasure place, And boast in triumph, when they see Nor can, by force of bribes, reverse 8,9 Their vain endeavours they must the price is held too high; [quit; No sums can purchase such a grant, that man should never die. 10 Not wisdom can the wise exempt, nor fools their folly save; But both must perish, and in death their wealth to others leave. 11 For though they think their stately seats shall ne'er to ruin fall, But their remembrance last in lands 18 How great their folly is, who thus from dawning light, till day declines The listening earth his voice hath hear!, And he from Sion hath appear'd, where beauty in perfection shines. 3, 4. Our God shall come, and keep no more Misconstrued silence, as before; but wasting flames before him send: Around shall tempests fiercely rage, Whilst he does heaven and earth engage his just tribunal to attend. 5, 6 Assemble all my saints to me, (Thus runs the great divine decree) that in my lasting covenant live, And offerings bring with constant care, The heavens his justice shall declare; for God himself shall sentence give. 7, 8 Attend, my people; Israel, hear; Thy strong accuser I'll appear; thy God, thy only God am I': 'Tis not of offerings I complain, Which, daily in my temple slain, my sacred altar did supply. 9 Will this alone atonement make? No bullock from thy stall I'll take, nor he-goat from thy fold accept: 10 The forest beasts, that range alone. The cattle too are all my own, that on a thousand hills are kept. 11 I know the fowls, that build their nests In craggy rocks; and savage beasts, That loosely haunt the open fields. 32 If seized with hunger I could be, I need not seek relief from thee, since the world's mine, and all it yields. 15 Think'st thou that I have any need Un slaughter'd bulls and goats to feed, to eat their flesh and drink their blood? 14 The sacrifices I require, Are hearts which love and zeal inspire, and vows with strictest care made good. 15 In time of trouble call on me, And I will set thee safe and free; and thou returns of praise shalt make. 16 But to the wicked thus saith God: How dar'st thou teach my laws abroad, or in thy mouth my covenant take? 17 For stubborn thou, confirm'd in sin, Hast proof against instruction been, and of my word didst lightly speak: 18 When thou a subtle thief didst see, Thou gladly with him didst agree, and with adulterers didst partake. 19 Vile slander is thy chief delight; Thy tongue, by envy moved, and spite, deceitful tales does hourly spread: 20 Thou dost with hateful scandals wound Thy brother, and with lies confound the offspring of thy mother's bed, 7 With hyssop purge me, Lord, I shall with snow in whiteness vie, 8 Make me to hear with joy That so the bones which thou hast broke 21 These things didst thou, whom still I 15 Do thou unlock my lips, strove To gain with silence, and with love, till thou didst wickedly surmise, That I was such a one as thou; But I'll reprove and shame thee now, and set thy sins before thine eyes. 22 Mark this, ye wicked fools, lest I Let all my bolts of vengeance fly, whilst none shall dare your cause to own: 23 Who praises me, due honour gives; And to the man that justly lives, my strong salvation shall be shown. PSALM 51. Has thou wert ever kind; AVE mercy, Lord, on me, Let me, oppress'd with loads of guilt, Have I transgress'd; and, though con must own thy judgment right. 5 In guilt each part was form'd of all this sinful frame; In guilt I was conceived, and born 6 Yet thou, whose searching eye with sorrow closed and shame; So shall my mouth thy wondrous praise to all the world proclain. 16 Could sacrifice atone, whole flocks and herds should die; But on such offerings thou disdain'st to cast a gracious eye. 17 A broken spirit is by God most highly prized; of thy good will assured; PSALM 52. Ithou boast'st thyself in ill; Since God, the God in whom I trust, 2 Thy wicked tongue doth slanderous maliciously devise; And, sharper than a razor set, [tales it wounds with treacherous lies. 3,4 Thy thoughts are more on ill than good, on lies than truth, employ'd; 5 God shall for ever blast thy hopes, Nor in thy dwelling-place permit, 6 The just, with pious fear, shall see "See there the man that haughty was, 8 But I am like those olive-plants 9 So shail my soul, with praise, O God, THE wicked fools must sure suppose that God is but a name; This gross mistake their practice shows, since virtue ali disclaim. 2 The Lord look'd down from heaven's high tower, the sons of men to view; 3 But all, he saw, were backward gone, 4 But are those workers of deceit 6 Would he his saving power employ Land in thy strength appear, ORD, save me, for thy glorious name, To judge my cause; accept my prayer, and to my words give ear. 3 Mere strangers, whom I never wrong'd, to ruin me design'd; And cruel men, that fear no God, against my soul combined. [friends, 4, 5 But God takes part with all my 6 While I my grateful offerings bring, 7. From dreadful danger and distress PSALM 55 G and listen when I pray; IVE ear, thou Judge of all the earth, Nor from thy humble suppliant turn 2 Attend to this my sad complaint, against my fame engage. 4,5 My heart is rack'd with pain; my soul and seek a safe retreat. 7,8 Then would I wander far from 9 Destroy, O Lord, their ill designs, 10 By day and night, on every wall 11 Whoe'er through every part shall will fresh disorders meet; [roam Deceit and guile their constant posts maintain in every street. 12 For 'twas not any open foe that false reflections made; For then I could with ease have borne For then I had withdrawn myself 13, 14 But 'twas e'en thou, my guide, my whom tenderest love did join; Whose sweet advice I valued most; whose prayers were mix'd with mine. 15 Sure vengeance, equal to their crimes such traitors must surprise, And sudden death requite those ills they wickedly devise. 16, 17 But I will call on God, who still shall in my aid appear; At morn, at noon, at night, I'll pray; and he my voice shall hear. PART III. 18 God has released my soul from those that did with me contend; And made a numerous host of friends my righteous cause defend. 19 For he, who was my help of old, shall now his suppliant hear; And punish them whose prosperous state makes them no God to fear. 20 Whom can I trust, if faithless men perfidiously devise To ruin me, their peaceful friend, and break the strongest ties? 21 Tho' soft and melting are their words, their hearts with war abouna; Their speeches are more smooth than oil, and yet like swords they wound. 22 Do thou, my soul, on God depend, and he shall thee sustain; He aids the just, whom to supplant the wicked strive in vain. 23 My foes that trade in lies and blood, shall all untimely die; Whilst I, for health and length of days, on thee, my God, rely. PSALM 56. Do thou, O God, in mercy help; for man my life pursues; To crush me with repeated wrongs, he daily strife renews. 2 Continually my spiteful foes to ruin me combine; Thou seest, who sitt'st enthroned on high, what mighty numbers join. S But tho' sometimes surprised by fear, on danger's first alarm; Yet still for succour I depend on thy Almighty arm. 4 God's faithful promise I shall praise, on which I now rely; In God I trust, and, trusting him, ⚫he arm of flesh defy. 5 They wrest my words, and make them a sense they never meant; (speak Their thoughts are all, with restless spite, on my destruction bent. 6 In close assemblies they combine, Let thy just wrath, too long provoked, this impious race chastise. 8 Thou numberest all my steps, since first I was compell'd to flee; My very tears are treasured and register'd by thee. up, 9 When therefore I invoke thy aid, my righteous cause will own. 10,11 I'll trust God's word, and so despise the force that man can raise; 12 To thee, O God, my vows are due; to thee I'll render praise. 13 Thou hast retrieved my soul from and thou wilt still secure [death; The life thou hast so oft preserved, and make my footsteps sure 14 That thus protected by thy power I may this life enjoy; And in the service of my God my lengthen'd days employ PSALM 57. THY mercy, Lord, to me extend; On thy protection I depend; Till this outrageous storm is pass'd. And to thy wing for shelter haste, 2 To thy tribunal, Lord, I fly, Thou sovereign Judge, and God most high, Who wonders hast for me begun, And wilt not leave thy work undone 3 From heaven protect me by thine arm, And shame all those who seek my harm, To my relief thy mercy send, And truth, on which my hopes depend. 4 For I with savage men converse, Like hungry lions wild and fierce; With men whose teeth are spears, their words Envenom'd darts, and two-edged swords. 5 Be thou, O God, exalted high; And, as thy glory fills the sky, So let it be on earth display'd, Till thou art here, as there, obey'd. 6 To take me they their net prepared, And had almost my soul ensnared; But fell themselves, by just decree, Into the pit they made for me. 7 O God, my heart is fix'd, 'tis bent, Its thankful tribute to present; And, with my heart, my voice I'll raise To thee, my God, in songs of praise: 8 Awake, my glory; harp and lute, No longer let your strings be mute, And I, my tuneful part to take, Will with the early dawn awake. 9 Thy praises, Lord, I will resound To all the listening nations round; 10 Thy mercy highest heaven transcends, Thy truth beyond the clouds extends. 11 Be thou, O God, exalted high; And, as thy glory fills the sky, So let it be on earth display'd, Till thou art here, as there, obey'd. PSALM 58, SPEAK, O ye judges of the earth, to heaven from your decree? 2 Your wicked hearts and judgments are alike by malice sway'd; Your griping hands, by weighty bribes, to violence betray'd. 3 To virtue strangers, from the womb |