26 Becaufe compaffion fill'd his heart, and fo prolong your happy days; 28 For God, who judgment loves, does ftill > Preferve his faints fecure from ill, while foon the wicked race decays. 29, 30, 31 The upright fhall poffefs the land; His portion fhall for ages ftand; his mouth with wifdom is fupply'd: d thy blefs'd poffeffion ne'er fhall quit: V thou fhalt a fafe fpectator fit. 35 The wicked I in pow'r have feen, their rougheft days in peace fhall end: i 40 Becaufe on him they ftill depend, T PSALM XXXVIII. HY chaft'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, Nor let at once on me the storm. 2 In ev'ry wretched part of me, Thy heavy hand's afflicting weight 3 My flesh is one continued wound, 4 My fins, which to a deluge fwell, And, for my feeble ftrength to bear, 5 Stench and corruption fill my wounds; 6 With trouble I am warp'd and bow'd, and all day long I mourn. 7 A loath'd difeafe afflicts my loins, infecting ev'ry part; 8 With fickness worn, I worn, I groan and roar through anguish of my heart. PART II. 9 But, Lord, before thy fearching eyes. And fure my groans have been too loud, 10 My heart's opprefs'd, my ftrength decay'd, my eyes depriv'd of light; 11 Friends, lovers, kinfmen on fuch a difmal fight. gaze aloof 12 Meanwhile, the foes that seek my their fnares to take me fet; Vent flanders, and contrive all day to forge fome new deceit : 13 But I, as if both deaf and dumb, nor heard, nor once reply'd; life 44 Quite deaf and dumb, like one whofe tongue with confcious guilt is ty'd. 15 For, Lord, to thee I do appeal, my innocence to clear; Affur'd that thou, the righteous God, 16 "Hear me," faid I, " left my proud foes my foot 17 And, with continual grief opprefs'd, to fink I now begin; 18 To thee, O Lord, I will confefs, 19 But whilft I languish, my proud foes 22 Make hafte to my relief, O thou, 1 R PSALM XXXIX. ESOLV'D to watch o'er all my ways, I curb'd my hafty words, when I the wicked profp'rous faw. 2 Like one that's dumb, I filent stood, and did my tongue refrain From good difcourfe; but that restraint increas'd my inward pain. 3 My heart did glow with working thoughts, and no repose could take; Till ftrong reflection fann'd the fire, and thus at length I spake: 4 Lord, let me know my term of days, how foon my life will end: The num'rous train of ills disclose, which this frail state attend. 5 My life, thou know'ft, is but a span; 6 Man, like a fhadow, vainly walks, 7 Why then should I on worthless toys, On thee alone my ftedfaft hope 8, 9 Forgive my fins; nor let me fcorn'd by foolish finners be; For I was dumb, and murmur'd not, 10 The dreadful burden of thy wrath Left my frail flesh too weak to bear 11 For when thou chaft'neft man for fin, 12 Lord, hear my cry, accept my tears, Who fojourn like a ftranger here, 13 O! fpare me yet a little time; 'I PSALM XL. WAITED meekly for the Lord, till he vouchfal'd a kind reply; Who did his gracious ear afford, and heard from heav'n my humble cry. 2 He took me from the difmal pit, when founder'd deep in miry clay; On folid ground he plac'd my feet, and suffer'd not my steps to ftray. 3 The wonders he for me has wrought shall fill my mouth with fongs of praise; 4 5 And others, to his worship brought, who on th' Almighty Lord relies; Who treats the proud with difregard, and hates the hypocrite's difguife. Who can the wond'rous works recount which thou, O God, for us haft wrought? The treasures of thy love furmount the pow'r of numbers, fpeech, and thought. I've learn't that thou haft not defir'd off'rings and facrifice alone. Nor blood of guiltless beafts requir'd For man's tranfgreffion to atone. 7 I therefore come-come to fulfil the oracles thy books impart; 8 'Tis my delight to do thy will; thy law is written in my heart. PART II. 9 In full affemblies I have told thy truth and righteoufnefs at large; Nor did, thou know'ft, my lips withhold from utt'ring what thou gav'ft in charge: 10 Nor kept within my breast confin'd thy faithfulness and faving grace; But preach'd thy love, for all defign'd, that all might that, and truth, embrace. 11 Then let those mercies I declar'd to others, Lord, extend to me; Thy loving-kindness my reward, thy truth my safe protection be. 12 For I with troubles am diftrefs'd, too numberlefs for me to bear; Nor lefs with loads of guilt opprefs'd, that plunge and fink me to despair. As foon, alas! may I recount the hairs of this afflicted head; My vanquish'd courage they furmount, and fill my drooping foul with dread. PART III. 13 But, Lord, to my relief draw near, for never was more preffing need; |