PSALM XXIV.

HE spacious earth is all the Lord's,

The world, and they that dwell therein, by sov'reign right are his.

4 The man, whose hands and heart are pure, whose thoughts from pride are

XXV.

The Second Part.

Who breaks the strong and treach'rous snare, which for my feet was laid.

2, 3 Search thou my heart, whose innocence
For I have kept thy grace in view,
4 I never for companions took
No hypocrite, with all his arts,
5 I hate the busy plotting crew,
And shun their wicked company,
6 I'll wash my hands in innocence,
That, when thy altar I approach,

of righteousness have trod;
repose on thee, my God.
will shine the more 'tis tried;
and made thy truth my guide.
the idle or profane;
could e'er my friendship gain.
who make distracted times;
as I avoid their crimes.
and bring a heart so pure,
my welcome shall secure.

7,8 My thanks I'll publish there, and tell how thy renown excels;

That seat affords me most delight,

9 Pass not on me the sinners' doom,
10 Who others' rights, by secret bribes,
11 But I will walk in paths of truth,
Protect me, therefore, and to me
12 In spite of all assaulting foes,
And shall survive among thy saints,

W

in which thy honour dwells.
who murder make their trade;
or open force, invade.
and innocence pursue;
thy mercies, Lord, renew.
I still maintain my ground;
thy praises to resound.

PSALM XXVII.

WHOM should I fear, since God to me is saving health and light?
Since strongly he my life supports, what can my soul affright?

2 With fierce intent my flesh to tear,
They stumbled, and their haughty crests
3 Through him my heart, undaunted, dares
Through him, in doubtful straits of war,
4 Henceforth, within his house to dwell
His wondrous beauty there to view,
5 For there I may with comfort rest,
And safe, as on a rock, abide

6 Whilst God o'er all my haughty foes
And I my joyful tribute bring,

The Second 7 Continue, Lord, to hear my voice, In mercy my complaints receive,

when foes beset me round,

were made to strike the ground.
with mighty hosts to cope;
for good success I hope.
I earnestly desire;
and of his will inquire.
in times of deep distress;
in that secure recess :
my lofty head shall raise;
with grateful songs of praise.

Part.

whene'er to thee I cry ;
nor my request deny.

8 When us to seek thy glorious face "Thy glorious face I'll always seek,"

9 Then hide thou not thy face, O Lord, My God and Saviour, leave not him

thou kindly dost advise; my grateful heart replies. nor me in wrath reject; thou didst so oft protect.

10 Though all my friends, and kindred too, their helpless charge forsake;

Yet thou, whose love excels them all,
11 Instruct me in thy paths, O Lord;
Lest envious men, who watch my steps,
12 Lord, disappoint my cruel foes;
Whose lying lips, and bloody hands,
13 I trusted that my future life
Or else my fainting soul had sunk,
14 God's time with patient faith expect,
With inward strength: do thou thy part,

wilt care and pity take.

my ways directly guide; should see me tread aside. defeat their ill desire, against my peace conspire. should with thy love be crown'd; with sorrow compass'd round. who will inspire thy breast and leave to him the rest.

PSALM XXVIII.

LORD, my rock, to thee I cry,
O! answer, or I shall become
2 Regard my supplication, Lord,
With weeping eyes, and lifted hands,
3 Let me escape the sinners' doom,
And ever speak the person fair,
4 According to their crimes' extent,
Relentless be to them, as they

5 Since they the works of God despise,
His wrath shall utterly destroy,
6 But I, with due acknowledgement,
From whom the cries of my distress
7 My heart its confidence repos'd
In him I trusted, and return'd
As he hath made my joys complete,
The cheerful tribute of my thanks,
8 "His aiding pow'r supports the troops,
""Twas he advanc'd me to the throne;
9 Preserve thy chosen, and proceed
With plenty prosper them, in peace;

PSALM

E princes, that in might excel, God's glorious actions loudly tell, 2 To his great name fresh altars raise; Him in his holy temple praise,

in sighs consume my breath; like those that sleep in death. the cries that I repeat, before thy mercy seat. who make a trade of ill, whose blood they mean to spill. let justice have its course; have sinn'd without remorse. nor will his grace adore ; and build them up no more. his praises will resound, a gracious answer found. in God, my strength, and shield; triumphant from the field. 'tis just that I should raise and thus resound his praise: that my just cause maintain: 'tis he secures my reign." thine heritage to bless; in battle, with success.

XXIX.

your grateful sacrifice prepare; his wondrous pow'r to all declare. devoutly due respect afford: where he's with solemn state ador'd. the watry clouds in sunder breaks; The ocean trembles at his voice, when he from heav'n in thunder speaks. 4,5 How full of pow'r his voice appears! with what majestick terror crown'd! Which from their roots tall cedars tears and strews their scatter'd branches

3 'Tis he that with amazing noise,

round.

6 They, and the hills on which they grow, are sometimes hurried far away; And leap, like hinds that bounding go, or unicorns in youthful play. 7,8 When God in thunder loudly speaks, and scatter'd flames of lightning sends, The forest nods, the desert quakes, and stubborn Kadesh lowly bends.

9 He makes the hinds to cast their young, and lays the beasts' dark coverts bare; While those that to his courts belong, securely sing his praises there. 10, 11 God rules the angry floods on high; his boundless sway shall never cease; His saints with strength he will supply, and bless his own with constant peace,

I'

PSALM XXX.

"'LL celebrate thy praises, Lord, To raise my drooping head, and check 2, 3 In my distress I cried to thee, And from the grave's expecting jaws 4 Thus to his courts ye saints of his, With me commemorate his truth, 5 His wrath has but a moment's reign, Your night of grief is recompens'd 6 But I, in prosp'rous days presum'd; Whilst in my sunshine of success 7 But soon I found thy favour, Lord, For when thou hid'st thy face, I saw 8 Then as I vainly had presum'd And thus with supplicating voice, 9" What profit is there in my blood, "Can silent ashes speak thy praise, 10" Hear me, O Lord; in mercy hear; "Do thou send help, on whom alone 11 'Tis done! thou hast my mournful scene Invested me with robes of state,

12 Exalted thus, I'll g.adly sing And, as thy favours endless are,

PSALM

EFEND me, Lord, from shame,

who did'st thy pow'r employ

my foes' insulting joy.
who kindly didst relieve,
my hopeless life retrieve.
with songs of praise repair;
and providential care,
his favour no decay;
with joy's returning day.
no sudden change I fear'd;
no low'ring cloud appear'd.
my empire's only trust;
my honour laid in dust.
my error I confess'd;
thy mercy's throne address'd:
congeal'd by death's cold night?
thy wondrous truth recite?
thy wonted aid extend;
I can for help depend."
to songs and dances turn'd;
who late in sackcloth mourn'd.
thy praise in grateful verse;
thy endless praise rehearse.

XXXI.

Das just and righteous is thy name,

2 Bow down thy gracious ear,
Do thou my steadfast rock appear,
3 Since thou, when foes oppress,
To guide me forth from this distress,
4 Release me from the snare,
Since I, O God, my strength, repair
5 To thee, the God of truth,

for still I trust in thee;
from danger set me free.
and speedy succour send;
to shelter and defend.
my rock and fortress art,
thy wonted help impart,
which they have closely laid;
to thee alone for aid.
my life, and all that's mine,

(For thou preserv'dst me from my youth,) I willingly resign.

6 All vain designs I hate

And still my soul, in ev'ry state,

The Second

7 Those mercies thou hast shown,
For thou hast seen my straits, and known
8 When Keilah's treach’rous race
Thou gav'st my feet a larger space,
9 Thy mercy, Lord, display,

For both my soul and flesh decay,

of those that trust in lies;
to God for succour flies.

Part.

I'll cheerfully express;
my soul in deep distress.
did all my strength inclose,
to shun my watchful foes.
and hear my just complaint;
with grief and hunger faint.

10 Sad thoughts my life oppress;
My sins have made my strength decrease,
11 My foes my suff'rings mock'd;
My friends, at sight of me, were shock'd,
12 Forsook by all am I,

And like a shatter'd vessel lie,

13 Yet sland'rous words they speak,
Whilst they together counsel take
14 But still my steadfast trust
That thou, my God, art good and just,

my years are spent in groans;
and ev'n consum'd my bones.
my neighbours did upbraid;
and fled, as men dismay'd.
as dead, and out of mind;
whose parts can ne'er be join'd.
and seem my pow'r to dread;
my guiltless blood to shed.
I on thy help repose:
my soul with comfort knows.

The Third Part.

15 Whate'er events betide,
Then, Lord, thy servant safely hide
16 The brightness of thy face
And, as thy mercies still increase,
17 Me from dishonour save,
Let that, and silence in the grave,
18 Do thou their tongues restrain,
Who false reports, with proud disdain,

19 How great thy mercies are

Which thou for those that trust thy care,
20 Thou keep'st them in thy sight,
From tongues that do in strife delight,

21 With glory and renown

thy wisdom times them all; from those that seek his fall. to me, O Lord, disclose ; preserve me from my foes. who still have call'd on thee; the sinner's portion be. whose breath in lies is spent; against the righteous vent. to such as fear thy name, dost to the world proclaim! from proud oppressors free; they are preserv'd by thee. God's name be ever blest;

Whose love, in Keilah's well fenc'd town, was wondrously exprest!

22 I said, in hasty flight,

Yet still thou keep'st me in thy sight,

23 O all ye saints, the Lord

Who to the just will help afford,

24 Ye that on God rely,

For he will still your hearts supply

H

"I'm banish'd from thine eyes;"
and heard'st my earnest cries.
with eager love pursue;
and give the proud their due.
courageously proceed;
with strength, in time of need,

PSALM XXXII.

E's blest whose sins have pardon gain'd; no more in judgement to appear, Whose guilt remission has obtain'd, and whose repentance is sincere. 3 While I conceal'd the fretting sore, my bones consum'd without relief; All day did I with anguish roar; but no complaints assuag'd my grief. 4 Heavy on me thy hand remain'd, by day and night alike distress'd, Till quite of vital moisture drain'd, like land with summer's drought oppress'd. 5 No sooner I my wound disclos'd, the guilt that tortur'd me within. But thy forgiveness interpos'd, and mercy's healing balm pour'd in. 6 True penitents shall thus succeed, who seek thee whilst thou may'st be found; And, from the common deluge freed, shall see remorseless sinners drown'd. 7 Thy favor, Lord, in all distress, my tow'r of refuge I must own; Thou shalt my haughty foes suppress, and me with songs of triumph crown. 8 In my instruction then confide, ye that would truth's safe path descry; Your progress I'll securely guide, and keep you in my watchful eye. 9 Submit yourselves to wisdom's rule, like men that reason have attain'd; Not like th❜ungovern'd horse and mule, whose fury must be curb'd and rein’d.