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SOME FEW OF

DAVID'S PSALMS

METAPHRASED,

FOR

A TASTE OF THE REST.

BY JOSEPH HALL.

TO MY LOVING AND LEARNED COUSIN,

MR. SAMUEL BURTON,

ARCHDEACON OF GLOUCESTER.

INDEED, my Poetry was long since out of date, and yielded her place to graver studies: but whose vein would it not revive, to look into those Heavenly Songs? I were not worthy to be a Divine, if it should repent me to be a Poet with David, after I shall have aged in the Pulpit.

This work is holy and strict, and abides not any youthful or heathenish liberty; but requires hands free from profaneness, looseness, affection. It is a service to God and the Church, by so much more carefully to be regarded, as it is more common. For, who is there, that will not challenge a part in this labour? and that shall not find himself much more affected with holy measure rightly composed?

Wherefore, I have oft wondered, how it could be offensive to our adversaries, that these divine ditties, which the Spirit of God wrote in verse, should be sung in verse; and that a Hebrew Poem should be made English. For, if this kind of composition had been unfit, God would never have made choice of numbers, wherein to express himself.

Yea, who knows not, that some other Scriptures, which the Spirit hath indited in prose, have yet been happily and with good allowance put into strict numbers? If histories tell us of a wanton poet of old, which lost his eyes while he went about to turn Moses into verse; yet every student knows, with what good success and commendation, Nonnus hath turned John's Gospel into Greek Heroics. And Appollinarius, that learned Syrian, matched with Basil and Gregory (who lived in his time) in the terms of this equality, that Basil's speech was çaSEPTEρos, but Appollinarius's adpoтepos, wrote, as Suidas reports, all the Hebrew Scripture in Heroics; as Sozomen, somewhat more restrainedly, all the Archaiology of the Jews, till Saul's government, in twentyfour parts; or, as Socrates, yet more particularly, all Moses in Heroics, and all the other histories in divers metres: but, however his other labours lie hid, his Metaphrase of the Psalms is still in our hands, with the applause of all the learned: besides the labours of their own Flaminius and Arias Montanus, to seek for no more, which have worthily bestowed themselves in this subject.

Neither do I see how it can be offensive to our friends, that we should desire our English Metaphrase bettered. I say nothing to the disgrace of that we have: I know how glad our adversaries are of all such advantages; which they are ready enough to find out without me, ever reproachfully upbraiding us with these defects. But, since our whole translation is now universally revised, what inconvenience or shew of innovation can it bear, that the verse should accompany the prose? especially since it is well known, how rude and homely our English Poesy was in those times, compared with the present; wherein, if ever, it seeth her full perfection.

I have been solicited by some reverend friends to undertake this task; as that, which seemed well to accord with the former exercises of my youth, and my present profession. The difficulties I found many; the work, long and great: yet not more painful than beneficial to God's Church: whereto as I dare not profess any sufficiency; so I will not deny my readiness and utmost endeavour, if I shall be employed by Authority.

Wherefore, in this part, I do humbly submit myself to the grave censures of them, whose wisdom manageth these common affairs of the Church; and am ready either to stand still or proceed, as I shall see their Cloud or Fire go before or behind me. Only, howsoever, I shall, for my true affection to the Church, wish it done by better workmen : wherein, as you approve, so further my bold, but not unprofitable motion, and commend it unto greater ears; as I do you to the Greatest.

Non-such,
July 3.

Your loving Kinsman,

JOSEPH HALL.

SOME FEW OF

DAVID'S PSALMS METAPHRASED.

PSALM I.

IN THE TUNE OF THE CXLVIIIth PSALM,

"Give laud unto the Lord."

WHO hath not walkt astray,

In wicked men's advice,
Nor stood in sinners' way;
Nor in their companies

That scorners are,
As their fit mate,
In scoffing chaire,
Hath ever sate:

2 But in thy lawes divine,
O Lord, sets his delight,
And in those lawes of thine
Studies all day and night:
Oh, how that man
Thrice blessed is!
And sure shall gaine
Eternall blisse.

3 He shall be like the tree
Set by the water-springs,
Which, when his seasons be,
Most pleasant fruit forth brings,
Whose boughs so greene
Shall never fade,
But covered beene
With comely shade.

So, to this happy wight,

All his designes shall thrive:

4 Whereas the man unright,

As chaffe, which windes doe drive,

With every blast

Is tost on hie,
Nor can at last
In safety lie.

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