10 Sometimes they act the harmless man, and modeft looks they wear; That fo deceiv'd, the poor may lefs

their fudden onset fear.

PART II.

11 For God, they think, no notice takes of their unrighteous deeds; He never minds the fuff'ring poor, nor their oppreffion heeds. 12 But thou, O Lord, at length arise, ftretch forth thy mighty arm; And, by the greatnefs of thy pow'r, defend the poor from harm.

13 No longer let the wicked vaunt, and, proudly boasting, fay,

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Tufh, God regards not what we do; "he never will repay."

3

2 Behold, the wicked bend their bow,
and ready fix their dart,
Lurking in ambush to destroy

the men of upright heart.
When once the firm affurance fails,
which public faith imparts,

'Tis time for innocence to fly

from fuch deceitful arts.

4 The Lord hath both a temple here, and righteous throne above; Where he furveys the fons of men, and how their councils move.

5 If God the righteous, whom he loves,
for trial does correct,

What must the fons of violence,
whom he abhors, expect?

6 Snares, fire, and brimftone, on their heads. shall in one tempest show'r;

This dreadful mixture his revenge
into their cup fhall pour.

7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds, with fignal favour grace,

I

And to the upright man difclofe
the brightness of his face.

SINC

PSALM XII.

INCE godly men decay, O Lord,
do thou my cause defend;

For fcarce thefe wretched times afford

one just and faithful friend.

2 One neighbour now can scarce believe
what t'other does impart ;

With flatt'ring lips they all deceive,
and with a double heart.

3 But lips that with deceit abound
can never profper long;

4

5

God's righteous vengeance will confound
the proud blafpheming tongue.

In vain those foolish boafters fay,

"our tongues are sure our own; "With doubtful words we'll ftill betray "and be controul'd by none.

For God, who hears the suff'ring poor, and their oppreffion knows,

Will foon arise and give them reft,
in fpite of all their foes.

6 The word of God shall still abide,
and void of falfhood be,

As is the filver, fev'n times try'd,
from droffy mixture free.

7 The promise of his aiding grace
shall reach its purpos'd end;

His fervants from this faithlefs race
he ever shall defend.

8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd,
nor know which way to fly;
When those whom they defpis'd and vex'd,
fhall be advanc'd on high.

I

PSALM XIII.

H muft I for ever mourn?

OW long wilt thou forget me, Lord?

How long wilt thou withdraw from me,
oh, never to return?

2 How long shall anxious thoughts my foul, and grief my heart opprefs?

How long my enemies infult,
and I have no redress ?

3 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes
restore thy wonted light,

And fuddenly, or I fhall fleep
in everlafting night.

4 Restore me, left they proudly boast
'twas their own ftrength o'ercame
Permit not them that vex my foul
to triumph in my shame.

5 Since I have always plac'd my trust beneath thy mercy's wing,

Thy faving health will come; and then my heart with joy fhall fpring.

6 Then shall my fong, with praise inspir'd, to thee my God afcend;

I

Who to thy fervant in distress

fuch bounty didft extend.

SU

PSALM XIV.

URE wicked fools muft needs fuppofe,
that God is nothing but a name;

Corrupt and lewd their practice grows; no breaft is warm'd with holy flame. 2 The Lord look'd down from Heav'n's high tow'r, and all the fons of men did view, To fee if any own'd his pow'r; If any truth or justice knew. 3 But all, he faw, were gone afide,

all were degen'rate grown and bafe; None took religion for their guide, not one of all the finful race. 4 But can thefe workers of deceit be all fo dull and fenfelefs grown, That they, like bread my people eat, and God's almighty pow'r difown? How will they tremble then for fear, when his juft wrath fhall them o'ertake? For to the righteous, God is near,

5

and never will their caufe forfake. 6 Ill men, in vain, with fcorn expose thofe methods which the good pursue ; Since God a refuge is for thofe,

whom his juft eyes with favour view.
7 Would he his faving pow'r employ
to break his people's fervile band,
Then fhouts of universal joy

fhould loudly echo through the land.
PSALM XV.

'L

ORD, who's the happy man that may
to thy bleft courts repair,

Not, ftranger-like, to vifit them,

but to inhabit there?

2 'Tis he, whofe ev'ry thought and deed by rules of virtue moves;

3

Whofe gen'rous tongue difdains to speak
the thing his heart difproves.
Who never did a flander forge,

5 Who to his plighted vows and trust
has ever firmly stood;

And though he promise to his lofs,
he makes his promife good.
6 Whose foul in ufury disdains
his treasure to employ ;

Whom no rewards can ever bribe

the guiltless to destroy.

7 The man, who by his fteady course
has happiness infur'd,

1

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When earth's foundation fhakes, fhall stand, by Providence fecur'd.

PROS

PSALM XVI.

ROTECT me from my cruel foes,
and fhield me, Lord, from harm;

Because my trust I still repose

on thy Almighty arm.

2 My foul all help but thine does flight, all gods but thee difown;

Yet can no deeds of mine requite the goodness thou haft shown. 3 But those that strictly virtuous are, and love the thing that's right, To favour always, and prefer, fhall be my chief delight.

4 How fhall their forrows be increas'd, who other gods adore?

Their bloody off'rings I deteft,

their

very names abhor.

5 My lot is fall'n in that bleft land
where God is truly known;
He fills my cup with lib'ral hand,
'tis he supports my throne.

6 In nature's moft delightful fcene
my happy portion lies;

The place of my appointed reign
all other lands outvies.

7 Therefore my foul fhall blefs the Lord,
whofe precepts give me light;

And private counsel ftill afford in forrow's difmal night.

8 I ftrive each action to approve to his all-feeing eye;

b