2 Confusion on their heads return, With shame their malice be repaid, With me shall sing, The Lord be praised. 1, 2 IN PSALM 71. N thee I put my steadfast trust; 3 Be thou my strong Abiding-place, 'Tis thy decree that keeps me safe Thou art my Rock and Fort. 4,5 From cruel and ungodly men For, from my earliest youth till now, 6 Thy constant care did safely guard Thou took'st me from my mother's womb, 7, 8 While some on me with wonder gaze, 9 Reject not, then, thy servant, Lord, Forsake me not when, worn with years, 10 My foes against my fame and me Against my soul they lay their snares, 11 "His God," say they, "forsakes him now, "On whom he did rely; "Pursue and take him, whilst no hope 12 But thou, my God, withdraw not far; 13 To shame and ruin bring my foes, 14 But, as for me, my steadfast hope PART II. 15 Thy righteous acts, and saving health, My mouth shall still declare, Unable yet to count them all, Though summed with utmost care. 16 While God vouchsafes me his support, I'll in his strength go on, All other righteousness disclaim, And mention his alone. 17 Thou, Lord, hast taught me, from my youth, 18 Then now forsake me not, when I Thy strength and power have shown. 19 How high thy justice soars, O God! The mighty works which thou hast done! 20 Me, whom thy hand has sorely pressed, And, from the lowest depth of woe, 21 Through thee, my time to come shall be 22 Then I, with psaltery and harp, 23 Then joy shall fill my mouth, and songs My grateful soul, by thee redeemed, 24 My tongue thy just and righteous acts 1 Because thou didst confound my foes, PSALM 72. LORD, let thy just decrees the king In all his ways direct; And let his son, throughout his reign, 2 So shall he still thy people judge 3 Then hills and mountains shall bring forth The happy fruits of peace, Which all the land shall own to be The work of righteousness; 4 Whilst he the poor and needy race And from their humble neck shall take 5 In every heart thy awful fear Shall then be rooted fast, As long as sun and moon endure, 6 He shall descend like rain, that cheers Or like warm showers, whose gentle drops 7 In his blessed days, the just and good 8 His uncontrolled dominion shall Begin at proud Euphrates' streams, 9 To him the savage nations round 10 The king of Tarshish, and the isles, 11 To him shall every king on earth 12 For he shall set the needy free, PART II. 13 His providence for needy souls 14 He shall preserve and keep their souls From fraud and rapine free, And, in his sight, their guiltless blood 15 Therefore shall God his life and reign To many years extend, Whilst eastern princes tribute pay, For him shall constant prayers be made, His just dominion shall afford A lasting theme of praise. 16 Of useful grain, through all the land, A handful, sown on mountain's top, Its fruits, like cedars shook by winds, 17 The memory of his glorious name In him the nations of the world 18 Then blessed be God, the mighty Lord, Who only wondrous in his works Beyond compare appears. 19 Let earth be with his glory filled For ever bless his name; ; Whilst to his praise the listening world 1 A PSALM 73. T length, by certain proofs, 'tis plain 2, 3 Till this sustaining truth I knew, 6, 7 With pride, as with a chain, they're held, |