5 Unmoved by good advice, and deaf as adders they remain; From whom the skilful charmer's voice can no attention gain. 6 Defeat, O God, their threatening rage, and timely break their power; Disarm these growling lion's jaws, e'er practised to devour.. 7 Let now their insolence, at height, like ebbing tides be spent; Their shiver'd darts deceive their aim, when they their bow have bent. 8 Like snails let them dissolve to slime; like hasty births, become Unworthy to behold the sun, and dead within the womb. 9 E'er thorns can make the flesh-pots boil, tempestuous wrath shall come From God, and snatch them hence alive to their eternal doom. 10 The righteous shall rejoice to see their crimes with vengeance meet; And saints in persecutors' blood shall dip their harmless feet. 11 Transgressors then with grief shall see just men rewards obtain; And own a God, whose justice will the guilty earth arraign. PSALM 59. DELIVER me, O Lord, my God, from all my spiteful foes; In my defence oppose thy power to theirs, who me oppose. 2 Preserve me from a wicked race, who make a trade of ill; Protect me from remorseless men, who seek my blood to spill. S They lie in wait, and mighty powers against my life combine, Implacable; yet, Lord, thou know'st, for no offence of mine. 4 In haste they run about, and watch 5 Thou, Lord of Hosts, and Israel's God, and ransack every street. 7 Their throats envenom'd slander breathe; their tongues are sharpen'd swords; "Who hears?" say they, "or, hearing, dares ་་ reprove our lawless words?" But from thy throne thou shalt, O Lord, their baffled plots deride; And soon to shame and scorn expose their boasted heathen pride. On thee I wait; 'tis on thy strength for succour I depend; 'Tis thou, O Goa, art my defence, 10 Thy mercy, Lord, which has so oft 11 Destroy them not, O Lord, at once Disperse them through the nations round by thy avenging power; Do thou bring down their haughty pride, O Lord, our shield and tower. 12 Now, in the height of all their hopes, their arrogance chastise; Whose tongues have sinn'd without restraint, and curses join'd with lies. 13 Nor shalt thou, whilst their race en dures, thine anger, Lord, suppress; That distant lands, by their just doom, may Israel's God confess. 14 At evening let them still persist and traverse every street. 16 Whilst early I thy mercy sing, 17 To thee, with never-ceasing praise, GOD, who hast our troops dispersed, As we thy just displeasure mourn, To us, in mercy, Lord, return. 2 Our strength, that firm as earth did stand, Is rent by thy avenging hand; O! heal the breaches thou hast made: We shake, we fall, without thy aid! 3 Our folly's sad effects we feel; For drunk with discord's cup we reel: 4 But now, for them who thee revered, Thou hast thy truth's bright banner rear'd. 5 Let thy right hand thy saints protect, Lord, hear the prayers that we direct 6 The holy God has spoke; and I, O'erjoy'd, on his firm word 'rely: To thee in portions I'll divide Fair Sichem's soil, Samaria's pride; To Sichem, Succoth next l'll join And measure out her vale by line. 7 Manasseh, Gilead, both subscribe To my commands, with Ephrain's tiles Ephraim by arms supports my cause, powers, And clear my way to Edom's towers? stows: 'Tis he treads down our proudest foes. PSALM 61. 7 God does his saving health dispense, on him my soul shall still depend. his timely aid to us imparts. the lightest things will both outweigh LORD, hear my cry, regard my prayer, Yet will he all the human race which I, oppress'd with grief, 2 From earth's remotest parts address to thee for kind relief. O lodge me safe beyond the reach 3 Thou, who so oft from spiteful foes 5 In sign my vows are heard, once more And let thy truth and mercy both 8 So shall I ever sing thy praise, PSALM 62. MY soul for help on God relies; from him alone my safety flows; My Rock, my Health, that strength supplies To bear the shock of all my foes. 3 How long will ye contrive my fall, which will but hasten on your own? You'll totter like a bending wall, or fence of uncemented stone. 4 To make my envy'd honours less, they strive with lies, their chief delight; For they, though with their mouths they bless, in private curse with inward spite. 5, 6 But thou, my soul, on God rely; on him alone thy trust repose: My Rock and Health will strength supply io bear the shock of all my foes. according to their works requite. GOD, my gracious God, to thee where I refreshing waters want. 20! to my longing eyes, once more, That view of glorious power restore, which thy majestic house displays 3 Because to me thy wondrous love Than life itself does dearer prove, my lips shall always speak thy praise. 4 My life, while I that life enjoy, In blessing God I will employ; with lifted hands adore his name: 5 My soul's content shall be as great As theirs, who choicest dainties eat, while I with joy his praise proclaim. 6 When down I lie, sweet sleep to find, Thou, Lord, art present to my mind; and when I wake in dead of night: 8 My soul, when foes would me devour, that seek my life, shall lose their own. 10 They by untimely ends shall die, Their flesh a prey to foxes lie; 11 Who thee confess shall still rejoice; but God shall fill the king with joy. Whilst the false tongue, and lying voice, thou, Lord, shalt silence and destroy. PSALM 64. LORD, hear the voice of my complains to my request give ear; Preserve my life from cruel foes, and free my soul from fear. 2 0! hide me with thy tenderest care, in some secure retreat, From sinners that against me rise, and all their plots defeat. 3 See how, intent to work my harm, they whet their tongues like swords; And bend their bows to shoot their darts, sharp lies and bitter words. 4 Lurking in private, at the just they take their secret aim; And suddenly at him they shoot, quite void of fear and shame. 5 To carry on their ill designs they mutually agree; They speak of laying private snares, and think that none shall see. 6 With utmost diligence and care their wicked plots they lay; The deep designs of all their hearts are only to betray. 7 But God, to anger justly moved, his dreadful bow shall bend, And on his flying arrow's point shall swift destruction send. 8 Those slanders which their mouths did upon themselves shall fall; [vent, PART II. 8Thou,Lord,dost barbarous lands dismay, when they thy dreadful tokens view; With joy they see the night and day eack other's track, by turns, pursue. 9 From out thy unexhausted store thy rain relieves the thirsty ground; Makes lands, that barren were before, with corn and useful fruits abound. 10 On rising ridges down it pours, and every furrow'd valley fills; Thou mak'st them soft with gentle showers, in which a blest increase distils. 11 Thy goodness does the circling year with fresh returns of plenty crown; And where thy glorious paths appear, the fruitful clouds drop fatness down. 12 They drop on barren forests, changed by them to pastures fresh and green The hills about, in order ranged, in beauteous robes of joy are seen. 13 Large flocks with fleecy wool adorn' the cheerful downs; the valleys bring A plenteous crop of full-ear'd corn, and seem, for joy, to shout and sing. PSALM 66. 1 Their crimes, disclosed, shall make themET all the lands, with shouts of joy, despised and shunn'd by all. [be 9 The world shall then God's power confess, and nations trembling stand, Convinced that 'tis the mighty work of his avenging hand: 10 Whilst righteous men, whom God in him shall gladly trust; [secures, And all the listening earth shall hear loud triumphs of the just. FOR PSALM 65. OR thee, O God, our constant praise in Sion waits, thy chosen seat; Our promised altars there we'll raise, and all our zealous vows complete. 20 thou, who to my humble prayer didst always bend thy listening ear, To thee shall all mankind repair, and at thy gracious throne appear. 3 Our sins, though numberless, in vain to stop thy flowing mercy try; Whilst thou o'erlook'st the guilty stain, and washest out the crimson dye. 4 Blest is the man, who, near thee placed, within thy sacred dwelling lives! Whilst we at humble distance taste the vast delights thy temple gives. 5 By wondrous acts, O God, most just, have we thy gracious answer found: In thee remotest nations trust, to God their voices raise; Sing psalms in honour of his name, and spread his glorious praise. 3 And let them say, How dreadful, Lord, in all thy works, art thou! To thy great power thy stubborn foes shall all be forced to bow. 4 Thro' all the earth, the nations round shall thee their God confess; And with glad hymns, their awful dread of thy great nanie express. 5 0 come! behold the works of God; has wondrous judgment shown. 8,9 0! all ye nations, bless our God, and loudly speak his praise: Who keeps our souls alive, and still confirms our steadfast ways. 10 For thou hast try'd us, Lord, as fire does try the precious ore; and those whom stormy waves sur-11 Thou bro't'st us into straits, where we round. 8,7 God,by his strength, sets fast the hills, and does his matchless power engage, With which the sea's loud waves he stills, and angry crowds' tumultuous rage. oppressing burdens bore. 12 Insulting foes did us, their slaves, through fire and water chase; Bu yet, at last, thou brought'st us forth into a wealthy place. 13 Burnt-offerings to thy house I'll bring, Their upright hearts let gladness fill, and there my vows will pay, 14 Which I with solemn zeal did make 15 Then shall the richest incense smoke, 16 O! come, all ye that fear the Lord, attend with heedful care, 20 Then bless'd for ever be my God, bless thy chosen race, Tin mercy, Lord, incline; And cause the brightness of thy face on all thy saints to shine: 2 That so thy wondrous way may through the world be known; While distant lands their tribute pay, and thy salvation own. 3 Let differing nations join to celebrate thy fame; Let all the world, O Lord, combine to praise thy glorious name. 40 let them shout and sing with joy and pious mirth; and cheerful songs their tongues em ploy. 4 To him your voice in anthems raise; who rides upon high-rolling spheres. 5 Him, from his empire of the skies, to this low world compassion draws, The orphans claim to patronize, and judge the injured widow's cause. 6 'Tis God, who from a foreign soil restores poor exiles to their home; Makes captives free, and fruitless toil their proud oppressors' righteous doom. 7 'Twas so of old, when thou didst lead in person, Lord, our armies forth; Strange terrors thro' the desert spread, convulsions shook the astonish'd earth. 8 The breaking clouds did rain distil, and heaven's high arches shook with fear; How then should Sinai's humble hill relieved her from celestial stores, showers. 10 Where savages had ranged before, thy generous bounty did provide. 11 Thou gav'st the word; we sallied and in that powerful word o'ercame; While virgin-troops, with songs of mirth, in state our conquest did proclaim. For thou, the righteous Judge and King, 12 Vast armies, by such generals led, shalt govern all the earth." 5 Let differing nations join Let all the world, O Lord, combine shall constant blessings shower; And all the world in awe shall stand of his resistless power. as yet had ne'er received a foil, Forsook their camp with sudden dread, and to our women left the spoil. 13 Tho' Egypt's drudges you have been, your army's wing shall shine as bright As doves, in golden sun-shine seen, or silver'd o'er with paler light. 14 'Twas so, when God's almighty hand o'er scatter'd kings the conquest won; Our troops, drawn up on Jordan's strand, high Salmon's glittering snow out shone. 15 From thence to Jordan's farther coast, where he for ever will reside. 18 Ascending high, in triumph thou the spoil of armies once their dread. Ev'n rebels shall partake thy grace, and humble proselytes repair To worship at thy dwelling-place, and all the world pay homage there. 19 For benefits each day bestow'd, be daily his great name adored, 20 Who is our Saviour, and our God, of life and death the sovereign Lord. 2 But justice for his harden'd foes proportion'd vengeance hath decreed, To wound the hoary head of those who in presumptuous crimes proceed. 22 The Lord bath thus in thunder spoke: "As I subdued proud Bashan's king, "Once more I'll break my people's yoke, "and from the deep my servants bring. 23"Their feet shall with a crimson flood "of slaughter'd foes be cover'd o'er; "Nor earth receive such impious blood, "but leave for dogs th' unhallow'd gore." PART III. 24 When, marching to thy blest abode, the wondering multitude survey'd The pompous state of thee, our God, in robes of majesty array'd; 95 Sweet singing Levites led the van; loud instruments brought up the rear; Between both troops, a virgin-train with voice and timbrel charm'd the ear. 26 This was the burthen of their song: "In full assemblies bless the Lord; "All who to Israel's tribes belong, "Of Israel's God the praise record." 27 Nor little Benjamin alone from neighbouring bounds did there attend, Nor only Judah's nearer throne her counsellors in state did send; But Zebulon's remoter seat, and Naphtali's more distant coast, The grand procession to complete, sent up their tribes, a princely host. 28 Thus God to strength and union bro't our tribes, at strife till that blest hour; This work, which thou, O God, hast wrought, confirm with fresh recruits of power. 29 To visit Salem, Lord, descend, and Sion, thy terrestrial throne; Where kings with presents shall attend, and thee with offer'd crowns atone. 30 Break down the spearmen's ranks, who threat like pamper'd herds of savage might; Their silver-armour'd chiefs defeat, who in destructive war delight. 91 Egypt shall then to God stretch forth her hands, and Afric homage bring 32 The scatter'd kingdoms of the earth their common sovereign's praises sing; 33 Who, mounted on the loftiest sphere of ancient heaven, sublimely rides; From whence his dreadful voice we hear, like that of warring winds and tides. 34 Ascribe the power to God most high: of humble Israel he takes care; Whose strength, from out the dusky sky, darts shining terrors through the air. 35 How dreadful are the sacred courts, where God has fix'd his earthly throne! His strength his feeble saints supports, to give God praise, and him alone. PSALM 69. SAVE AVE me, O God, from waves that roll, and press to overwhelm my soul: 2 With painful steps in mire I tread, And deluges o'erflow my head. 3 With restless cries my spirits faint, My voice is hoarse with long complaint, My sight decays with tedious pain, Whilst for my God I wait in vain. 4 My hairs, tho' numerous, are but few, Compared with foes that me pursue With groundless hate; grown now of might To execute their lawless spite, They force me, guiltless, to resign, As rapine, what by right was mine 5 Thou, Lord, my innocence dost see, Nor are my sins conceal'd from thee. 6 Lord God of hosts, take timely care, Lest, for my sake, thy saints despair; 7 Since I have suffer'd for thy name Reproach, and hid my face in shame; 8 A stranger to my country grown, Nor to my nearest kindred known; A foreigner, exposed to scorn By brethren of my mother born. 9 For zeal to thy loved house and name Consumes me like devouring flame; Concern'd at their affronts to thee, More than at slanders cast on me. 10 My very tears and abstinence They construe in a spiteful sense 11 When clothed with sackcloth for their sake, They me their common proverb make. 12 Their judges at my wrongs do jest, Those wrongs they ought to have redress'd; How should I then expect to be |