8

4 I know what wicked men would do,
Their safety to maintain;
But me thy just and mild commands
From bloody paths restrain.

5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
My innocence secure,

O guide me in thy righteous ways,
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 thy
[saints
From their oppressor's rage.
PART II

8,9 O! keep me in thy tend 'rest care;
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;
And, with a proud blaspheming mouth,
Both God and man defy.

11 Well may they boast, for they have
My paths encompass'd round; [now
Their eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd,
And couching on the ground;
12 In posture of a hon set,
When greedy of his prey;
Or a young tion, when he lurks
Within a covert way

13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots,
Their swelling rage control;

From wicked men, who are thy sword, Deliver thou my soul

14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge.

Whose portion's here below;
Who, fill'd with earthly stores, aspire
No other bliss to know

15 Their race is num'rous, that partake Their substance while they live: Their heirs survive, to whom they may

The vast remainder give
16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
Shall view without control;
And, waking, shall its image find
Reflected in my soul.

PSALM XVIII.

No change of time shall ever shock

My firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been my rock. A fortress and defence to me Thou my deliv'rer art, my God;

My trust is in thy mighty power; Thou art my shield from toes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tower. 3 To thee I will address my prayer, To whom all praise we justly owe; So shall 1, by thy watchful care.

Be guarded from my treacherous foe. 4, 5 By floods of wicked men distress'd. With seas of sorrow compass'd round, With dire infernal pangs oppress'd,

In death's unwieldy fetters bound; 6 To heaven I made my mournful prayer, To God address'd my humble moan;

Who graciously inclin'd his ear,

And heard me from his lofty throne.
PART II

7 When God arose my part to take,

The conscious earth was struck with The hills did at his presence shake. [fear; Nor could his dreadful fury bear. 8 Thick clouds of smoke dispers'd abroad.

Ensigns of wrath before him came; Devouring fire around him glow'd,

That coals were kindled at its flame. 9 He left the beauteous realms of light, Whilst hearen bow'd down its awful Beneath his feet substantial night [head; Was like a sable carpet spread. 10 The chariot of the King of kings, Which active troops of angels drew, On a strong tempest's rapid wings,

With most amazing swiftness flew. 11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspir'd,

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 thun. d ring peal

God's angry voice did loudly roar; While earth's sad face with heaps of hail And flakes of fire was cover'd o'er. 14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw, Which made his scatter'd foes retreat; Like darts his nimble lightnings flew, And quickly finish'd their defeat. 15 The deep its secret stores disclos'd, The world's foundations naked lay; By his avenging wrath expos'd, Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day. PART III.

16 The Lord did on any side engage; From heaven, his throne, my cause upheld;

And snatch'd me from the furious rage Of threat'ning waves, that proudly swell'd.

17 God his resistless power eniploy'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. 19 From dangers that enclos'd me round, He brought me forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, That mov'd him to delight in me. 20 Because in me no guil remains,

God does his gracious help extend; My hands are free from bloody stains; Therefore the Lord is still my friend. 21, 22 For 1 his judgments kept in sight In his just paths I always trod;

I never did his statutes slight.

Nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul. sincere and

pure,

Did even from darling sins refrain: His favours therefore yet endure, Because my heart and hands are clean

PART IV.

25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy right

eous ways

To various paths of human-kind; They who for mercy merit praise, With thee shall wondrous mercy find. Thou to the just shalt justice show; The pure thy purity shall .ee: Such as perversely choose to go,

Shall meet with due returns from thee. 27, 2 That he the humble soul will save, And crush the haughty's beasted might,

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. 31 Who then deserves to be ador'd, But God, on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, Can with resistless power defend? PART V.

32, 33 Tis God that girds my armour And all my just designs fulfils, [on, Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him 1 take, And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Fore'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 gongs he enlarg'd abroad.

Till then to narrow paths confin'd; And, when in slippery 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

Their slaughter'd bodies forth 1 threw, Like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground.

PART VI.

43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now By God's appointment me obey; The heathen to my sceptre bow,

And foreign nations own my sway. 44 Remotest realms their homage send, When my successful name they hear; Strangers for my commands attend,

Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fear. 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 be rais'd, 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 he!

From whom my lasting honours flow; He made me great, and set me free

From my remorseless bloody foe. 49 Therefore, to celebrate his fame,

My grateful voice to heaven I'll raise; And nations, strangers to his name, Shall thus be taught to sing his praise 50

God to his king deliv'rance sends;
Shows his anointed signal grace;
His mercy evermore extends
To David and his promis'd race."
PSALM XIX.

HE heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
Which that alone can fill;

The firmament and stars express
Their great Creator's skill.
2 The dawn of each returning day
Fresh beams of knowledge brings,
And from the dark returns of night
Divine instruction springs.

3 Their powerful language to no realm Or region is confin'd;"

'Tis nature's voice, and understood Alike by all mankind.

4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense Through earth's extent display; Whose bright contents the circling sun Does round the world convey. 5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day Has such a cheerful face; No giant does like him rejoice

To run his glorious race.

6 From east to west, from west to east,
His restless course he goes;
And, through his progress, cheerful light
And vital warmth bestows.

9 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
On sure fonndations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales

Of truth and justice weigh'd;
10 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refiu'd with skill;
More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distil.
11 My trusty counsellors they are,
And friendly warnings give;
Divine rewards attend on these
Who by thy precepts live

12 But what frail man observes how oft
He does from virtue fall?
O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!
13 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
Dominion have o'er me;
That, by thy grace preserv'd I may
The great transgression flee.
14 So shall my prayer and praises be
With thy acceptance blest;
And I secure on thy defence,

My strength and Saviour, rest.
PSALM XX

THE Lord to thy request attend,
And hear thee in distress;
The name of Jacob's God defend,
And grant thy arms success:
2 To aid thee from on high repair,
And strength from Sion give;
3 Remember all thy offerings there,
Thy sacrifice receive

4 To compass thy own heart's desire,
Thy counsels still direct;
Make kindly al' events conspire
To bring them to effect.

5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid
We cheerfully repair.

With banners in thy name display'd;
"The Lord accept thy prayer."

6 Our hopes are fix'd. that now the Lord,
Our sov'reign will defend;
From heaven resistless aid afford,
And to his prayer attend

7 Some rust in steeds for war design'd;
On chariots some rely;
Against them all we'll call to mind

The power of God most high.

8 But from their steeds and chariots 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 Our rightful cause to bless; Hear, King of heaven, in times of need, The prayers that we address. PSALM XXI.

THE

THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise

Shall thy strength rejoice; With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise To heaven his cheerful voice.

2 For thon, whate'er his lips request,
Not only dost impart

But hast, with thy acceptance, blest
The wishes of his heart

Thy goodness and thy tender care
Have all his hopes outgone;

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, Didst 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;
And his successful actions crown'd
With majesty and fame

6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st,
And mak st his joys increase:
Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st
The brightness of thy face.

PART 11.

7 Because the king on God alone
For timely aid relies.

His mercy still sup, orts his throne,
And all his wants supplies

8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes Shall feel thy heavy hand;

Thy vengeful arm shall find out those
That hate thy mild command

9 When thou against them dost engage,
Thy just but dreadful doom
Shall, like a glowing oven's rage,
Their hopes and them consume.
10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease
Or with their ruin end;

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
The ill effects prevent.

12 While they their swift retreat shall
To 'scape thy dreadful night, [make
Thy swifter arrows shal o'citake.
And gall them in their flight

13 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous strength
And thus exalt thy fame; (diale,
Whilst we glad songs of praise composa
To thy Almighty name

PSALM XXII.

MY God, my God, why leav'st then
When I with anguish faint? [me
O! why so far from me remov'd,
And from my lund complaint?
2 All day, but all the day unheard,
To thee do I complain,
With cries implore relief all night,
But cry all night in vain.
3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge
Of innocence oppress'd;
And therefore Israel's praises are

Of right to thee address d.
4,5 On thee our ancestors rely'd,
And thy deliv'rance found:
With pious confidence they pray'd,
And with success were crown'd
6 But I am treated like a worm;
Like none of human birth;
Not only by the great revil'd,

But made the rabble's mirth.
7 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonies survey;

They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say:

8" In God he trusted, boasting oft "That he was heaven's delight; "Let God come down to save him now, "And own his favourite." PART II.

9 Thou mad'st my teeming nother's A living offspring bear; [womb When but a suckling at the breast, I was thy early care.

10 Thou, guardian-like, didst shield from wrongs

My helpless infant days;

And since hast been my God, and guide,
Through life's bewilder'd ways.
11 Withdraw not then so far from me,
When trouble is so nigh;

O send me help! thy help, on which
I only can rely.

12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning
From Basan's forest met, [herd.
With strength proportion'd to their rage,
Have me around beset

13 They gape on me, and every mouth
A yawning grave appears;
The desert lion's savage roar

Less dreadful is than theirs.
PART III.

14 My blood like water's spill'd, my
Are rack'd and out of frame; [joints
My heart dissolves within my breast,
Like wax before the flame.
15 My strength, like potter's earth, is
parch'd;

My tongue cleaves to my jaws; And to the silent shades of death My fainting soul withdraws.

16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they

In pack'd assemblies meet
They piere'd my inoffensive hands;
They pierc'd my harmless feet.

17 My body's rack 'd, till all my bones Distinctly may be old;

Yet such a spectacle of woe
As pastime they behold.

18 As spoil, my garments they divide, Lots for my vesture cast;

19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength,

And to my succour haste.

20 From their sharp swords protect thou Of all but life bereft

Nor let my darling in the power
Of cruel dogs be left

(me,

21 To save me from the lion's jaws, Thy present succour send;

As once. from goring unicorns, Thou didst my life defend. 22 Then to my brethren I'll declare The triumphs of thy name; In presence of assembled saints Thy glory thus proclaim. 23 Ye worshippers of Jacob's God, "All you of Israel's line,

"O praise the Lord, and to your praise Sincere obedience join

24

He ne'er disdain'd on low distress To cast a gracious eye; Nor turn'd from poverty his face, But hears its humble cry."

PART IV.

25 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I My cheerful thanks express; In presence of thy saints perform 26 The meek companions of my grief The vows of my distress Shall find my table spread; And all that seek the Lord shall be

With joys immortal ted.

27 Then shall the glad converted world To God their homage pay; And scatter'd nations of the earth One sov'reign Lord obey. 28 'Tis his supreme prerogative O'er subject kings to reign; "Tis just that he should rule the world, Who does the world sustain 29 The rich, who are with plenty fed, His bounty must confess; The sons of want, by him reliev'd, Their gen'rous Patron bless. With humble worship to his throne They all for aid resort;

That power, which first their beings
Can only them support. [gave,
30, 31 Then shall a chosen spotless race,
Devoted to his name,

To their admiring heirs his truth,
And glorious acts, proclaim.

PSALM XXIII.

THE Lord himself, the mighty Lord, Vouchsafes to be my guide;

The Shepherd, by whose constant care My wants are all supply'd.

2 In tender grass he makes me feed, And gently there repose;

Then leads me to cool shades, and where Refreshing water flows.

3 He does my wand'ring soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk

In his most righteous ways.
4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From: fear and danger free;
For there his aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.

5 In presence of my spiteful foes
He does my table spread;

He crowns my cup with cheerful wine,
With oil anoints my head

6 Since God doth thus his wondrous love
Through all my life extend,
That life to him I will devote,
And in his temple spend.

Who honest poverty prefers

To gainful perjury.

[safe

5 This, this is he, on whom the Lord
Shall shower his blessings down;
Whom God, his Saviour, shall vouch-
With righteousness to crown
6 Such is the race of saints, by whom
The sacred courts are trod ;
And such the proselytes that seek
The face of Jacob's God.

7 Erect your heads, eternal gates;
Unfold, to entertain

The King of Glory see! he comes
With his celestial train.

8 Who is the King of Glory? who?
Te Lord, for strength renown'd;
In battle mighty o'er his foes
Eternal victor crown'd.

9 Erect your heads. ye gates; unfold
In state to entertain

The King of Glory see

he comes

O let me not be put to shame,
Nor let my foes rejoice.
3 Those who on thee rely,

Let no disgrace attend;
Be that the shameful lot of such
As wilfully offend

4, 5 To me thy truth impart,
And lead me in thy way;

For thou art he that brings me help;
On thee I wait all day.
6 Thy mercies and thy love,
O Lord, recall to mind;
And graciously continue still,
As thou wert ever, kind.
7 Let all my youthful crimes
Be blotted out by thee;

And, for thy wondrous goodness' sake,
In mercy think on me.

8 His mercy, and his truth,

The righteous Lord displays,
In bringing wand'ring sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.
9 He those in justice guides.
Who his direction seek;
And in his sacred patht shall lead
The humble and the meek.
10 Through all the ways of God
Both truth and mercy shine,
To such as, with religious hearts,
To his blest will incline.
PART II.

11 Since mercy is the grace,

That most exalts thy fame,
Forgive my heinous sin, O Lord,
And so advance thy name.
12 Whoe'er, with humble fear,
To God his duty pays,

Shall find the Lord a faithful guide,
In all his righteous ways.
13 His quiet soul with peace
Shall be for ever bless'd;

And by his num'rous race the land
Successively possess d.

14 For God to all his saints
His secret will imparts.

And does his gracious cov'nant write
In their obedient hearts.

15 To him I hit my eyes,

And wait his timely aid,

Who breaks the strong and treach'rous Which for my feet was laid.

[snare,

16 turn. and all my griefs.
In mercy, Lord, redress.
For I am compass'd round with woes,
And plung 'd in deep distress.
17 The sorrows of my heart
To mighty sums increase;
O from this dark and dismal state
My troubled soul release!

18 Do thou, with tender eyes,
My sad affiction see;

Acquit me. Lord, and from my guilt Entirely set ine free.

19 Consider. Lord, my foes,

How vast their numbers grow! What lawless force and rage they use. What boundless hate they show! 20 Protect, and set my soul

From their fierce malice free; Nor let me be asham'd, who place My steadfast trust in thee. 21 Let all my righteous acts To full perfection rise; Because my firm and constant hope On thee alone relies

22 To israel's chosen race Continue ever kind;

And, in the midst of all their wants, Let them thy succour find.

PSALM XXVI

Jof righteousness have trod;
UDGE me. Lord. for the paths

I cannot fail, who all my trust
Repose on thee, my God.

2, 3 Search thou my heart, whose innoWill shine the more 'tis try'd; [cence For I have kept thy grace in view,

And made thy truth my guide.
4 I never for companions took
The idle or profane;
No hypocrite, with all his arts,
Could e'er my friendship gain
51 hate the busy plotting crew,
Who make distracted times;
And shun their wicked company,
As I avoid their crimes.

6 I'll wash my hands in innocence,
And bring a heart so pure,
That when thy altar I approach,
My welcome shall secure.

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

That seat affords me most delight,
In which thy honour dwells

9 Pass not on me the sinner's doom,
Who murder make their trade;

10 Who others' rights. by secret bribes, Or open force, invade.

11 But I will walk in paths of truth, And innocence pursue;