INCE I have plac'd my trust in God, hy should I, like a tim'rous bird, Behold, the wicked bend their bow, and ready fix their dart, king in ambush to destroy The men of upright heart. He ever shall defend. 8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd, Nor know which way to fly; When those whom they despis'd and vex'd, Shall be advanc'd on high. PSALM XIII. H Must I for ever mourn? OW long wilt thou forget me, Lord? How long wilt thou withdraw from me, When once the firm assurance fails, 2 How long shall anxious thoughts my Which public faith imparts, time for innocence to fly rom such deceitful arts. The Lord hath both a temple here, nd righteous throne above; Were he surveys the sons of men, nd how their councils move. God the righteous, whom he loves, or trial does correct, at must the sons of violence, Whom he abhors, expect? soul, And grief my heart oppress? 3 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes And suddenly, or I shall sleep 4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast nares, fire, and brimstone, on their Permit not them that vex my soul. heads ith signal favour grace, NCE godly men decay, O Lord, he neighbour now can scarce believe t lips that with deceit abound n never prosper long; 's righteous vengeance will found the proud blaspheming tongue. vain those foolish boasters say, Fur tongues are sure our own; con doubtful words we'll still betray, nd be controll'd by none.' r God, who hears the suff'ring poor, e word of God shall still abide, To triumph in my shame. 5 Since I have always placed my trust Beneath thy mercy's wing, Thy saving health will come; and then To thee, my God, ascend, URE PSALM XIV. SE wicked fools must need suppose That God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows; No breast is warm'd with holy flame. 2 The Lord look'd down from Heaven's high tower, And all the sons of men did view, To see if any own'd his power; If any truth or justice knew. 3 But all, he saw, were gone aside, All were degen'rate grown and base; None took religion for their guide, Not one of all the sinful race. 14 But can these workers of deceit Be all so dull and senseless grown, That they, like bread, my people eat, And God's almighty power disown? 5 How will they tremble then for fear, When his just wrath shall them o'ertake? For to the righteous God is near, And never will their cause forsake. 6 Ill men, in vain, with scorn expose Those methods which the good pursue Since God a refuge is for those Whom his just eyes with favour view. 7 Would he his saving power employ To break his people's servile band, Then shouts of universal joy Should loudly echo through the land. PSALM XV. 17 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord ORD, who's the happy man that may 9 Therefore my heart all grief defies, To thy best courts repair, Not stranger-like, to visit them, 2 'Tis he, whose every thought and deed 4 Who vice, in all its pomp and power, 5 Who to his plighted vows and trust Has ever firmly stood; And though he promise to his loss, 7 The man, who by his steady course Has happiness insur'd, When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand, By providence secur❜d. PSALM XVI. PROTECT me from my cruel foes, 2 My soul all help but thine does slight, 3 But those that strictly virtuous are, Shall be my chief delight. 4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd, 5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land My glory does rejoice; PSALM XVII To my just plea and sad compli And make my footsteps sure. 6 Since, heretofore, I ne'er in vain To thee my prayer address'd; O! now, my God, incline thine ear To this my just request. 7 The wonders of thy truth and love In my defence engage; Thou, whose right hand preserves saints From their oppressor's rage. PART II. 8, 9 0! keep me in thy tendrest ca Thy shelt ring wings stretch out, To guard me safe from savage foes That compass me about: 10 O'ergrown with luxury, enclos'd In their own fat they lie; id with a proud blaspheming mouth, 19 He left the beauteous realms of light, Both God and man defy. Well may they boast, for they have now My paths encompass'd round; eir eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd, And couching on the ground; In posture of a lion set, When greedy of his prey; a young lion, when he lurks Within a covert way. Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots, Their swelling rage control; om wicked men, who are thy sword, From wordly men, thy sharpest Whose portion's here below; o, fill'd with earthly stores, aspire No other bliss to know. Their race is num'rous, that partake But I, in uprightness, thy face PSALM XVIII. O change of time shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; thou hast always been my rock, fortress and defence to me. ou, my deliv'rer art, my God; Ty trust is in thy mighty power; ou art my shield from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tower. o thee I will address my prayer, o whom all praise we justly owe; shall I, by thy watchful care, e guarded from my treach'rous foe. By floods of wicked men distress'd, Vith seas of sorrow compass'd round, th dire infernal pangs oppress'd, en death's unwieldy fetters bound; o heaven I made my mournful prayer, o God address'd my humble moan; When God arose my part to take, e hills did at his presence shake, Ensigns of wrath before him came; youring fire around him glow'd, That coals were kindled at its flame. Whilst heaven bow'd down its awful Beneath his feet substantial night With most amazing swiftness flew. With thickest shades his face to veil; ] But at his brightness soon retir'd, And fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Through heaven's wide arch a thund'ring peal God's angry voice did loudly roar; Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day. 16 The Lord did on my side engage; And snatch'd me from the furious rage Of threat'ning waves, that proudly swell'd. 17 God his resistless power employ'd My strongest foes' attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroy'd The weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle rage had near prevail'd, When I distress'd and friendless lay; But still, when other succours fail'd, God was my firm support and stay. He brought me forth and set me free God does his gracious help extend; Therefore the Lord is still my friend. Nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, Did even from darling sins refrain; Because my heart and hands are clean. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righte ous ways To various paths of human-kind; They who for mercy merit praise, In me the Lord an instance gave, Whose darkness he has turn'd to light 29 On his firm succour I rely'd, And did o'er num'rous foes prevail; Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side, The best defended walls to scale. 30 For God's design shall still succeed, His word will bear the utmost test; He's a strong shield to all that need, And on his sure protection rest. Can with resistless power defend? 32, 33 Tis God that girds my armour on, And all my just designs fulfils; Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take, And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Forc'd by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health Protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still; my wealth And greatness from his bounty flows. 36 My goings he enlarged abroad, Till then to narrow paths confined; And, when in slipp'ry ways I trod, The method of my steps design'd. 37 Through him I num'rous hosts defeat, And flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, Till I a final conquest make. 38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try Their vanquish'd heads again to rear; Spite of their boasted strength, they lie Beneath my feet, and grovel there. 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, Recruits my strength, my courage warms; He makes my strong opposers yield, Subdu'd by my prevailing arms. 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes My conq'ring feet in triumphi press; Aided by him, I root out those Who hate and envy my success. 41 With loud complaints all friends they try'd; But none was able to defend; At length to God for help they cry'd; But God would no assistance lend. 142 Like flying dust, which winds parsir, Their broken troops I scatter'd round; Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw Like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground. PART VI. 43 Our factious tribes, at strife till no By God's appointment me obey; The heathen to my sceptre bow, And foreign nations own my sway. 44 Remotest realms their homage sea, When my successful name they hear Strangers for my commands attend Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fer 45 All to my summons tamely yield, Or soon in battle are dismay'd; For stronger holds they quit the field, And still in strongest holds afraid. 46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd, The rock on whose defence I rest! To highest heavens his name bé rais Who me with his salvation blest! 47 'Tis God that still supports my right; His just revenge my foes pursues; 'Tis he, that, with resistless might, Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard be! From whom my lasting honours for He made me great, and set me free From my remorseless bloody for. 49 Therefore, to celebrate his fame, My grateful voice to heaven I'll rate; And nations, strangers to his name, Shall thus be taught to sing his praise: 50 God to his king deliv'rance sends; 2 Shows his anointed signal grace; His mercy evermore extends To David and his promised race. PSALM XIX. which that alone can fil; THE heavens declare thy glory, Lon The firmament and stars express 3 Their pow'rful language to no reale 1, through his progress, cheerful light 18 But from their steeds and chariots nd vital warmth bestows. PART II. od's perfect law converts the soul; eclaims from false desires; gh sacred wisdom his sure word he ignorant inspires. he statutes of the Lord are just, nd bring sincere delight; pure commands in search of truth is perfect worship here is fix'd, f more esteem than golden mines, e sweet than honey, or the drops hat from the comb distil. My trusty counsellors they are, d friendly warnings give; ne rewards attend on those -ho by thy precepts live. But what frail man observes how oft le does from virtue fall? anse me from my secret faults, hou God that know'st them all? et no presumptuous sin, O Lord, minion have o'er me; by thy grace preserv'd, I may e great transgression flee. o shall my prayer and praises be ith thy acceptance blest; I secure on thy defence, by strength and Saviour, rest. PSALM XX. HE Lord to thy request attend, And hear thee in distress; Plname of Jacob's God defend, Cra grant thy arms success: aid thee from on high repair, strength from Sion give; member all thy off'rings there, Sacrifice receive: compass thy own heart's desire, counsels still direct; kindly all events conspire bring them to effect. thy salvation, Lord, for aid e cheerfully repair, banners in thy name display'd; The Lord accept thy prayer? er hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord r sov'reign will defend; n heaven resistless aid afford, d to his prayer attend. me trust in steeds for war design'd;} chariots some rely; nst them all we'll call to mind e power of God most high. thrown, Behold them through the plain, Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down, Whilst firm our troops remain. 9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise But hast, with thy acceptance, blest 3 Thy goodness and thy tender care A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear, And sett'st it firmly on. 4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord, Did'st to his prayer attend, And graciously to him afford A life that ne'er shall end. 5 Thy sure defence through nations round Has spread his glorious name; 6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st, PART II. 7 Because the king on God alone His mercy still supports his throne, 8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes Shall feel thy heavy hand; Thy vengeful arm shall find out those But root out all their guilty race, And to their seed extend. 11 For all their thoughts were set on ill Their hearts on malice bent; But thou with watchful care didst still 12 While they their swift retreat shall make, To 'scape thy dreadful might, Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake, And gall them in their flight. |