And in his sacred paths 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 numerous race the land successively possess'd. 14 For God to all his saints his secret will imparts, And does his gracious covenant write in their obedient hearts. 15 To him I lift my eyes, and wait his timely aid, [snare, Who breaks the strong and treacherous which for my feet was laid. 16 0! turn, and all my griefs, in mercy, Lord, redress; For I am compass'd round with woes, and plunged 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 affliction see; Acquit me, Lord, and from my guilt entirely set me 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 ashamed, 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 26. [UDGE me, O Lord, for I the paths of righteousness have trod; I cannot fail, who all my trust repose on thee, my God. 2,3 Search thou my heart, whose inno cence will shine the more 'tis try'd; 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 5 I 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, 11 But I will walk in paths of truth WHO PSALM 27. THOM should I fear, since God to me is saving health and light? Since strongly he my life supports what can my soul affright? 2 With fierce intent my flesh to tear, when foes beset me round, They stumbled, and their haughty crests were made to strike the ground. 3 Thro' him my heart, undaunted, dares with mighty hosts to cope; Through him, in doubtful straits of war, for good success I hope. 4 Henceforth, within his house to dwell, I earnestly desire; His wondrous beauty there to view, 5 For there I may with comfort rest, in that secure recess : 6 Whilst God o'er all my haughty foes my lofty head shall raise; And I my joyful tribute bring, with grateful songs of praise. 7 Continue, Lord, to hear my voice, In mercy my complaints receive, nor my request deny. 8 When us to seek thy glorious face, thou kindly dost advise; "Thy glorious face I'll always seek,my grateful heart replies. 9 Then hide not thou thy face. O Lord, nor me in wrath reject; My God and Saviour, leave not him thou didst so oft protect. 10 Tho' all my friends, and kindred too, their helpless charge forsale, Yet thou, whose love excels them all, wilt care and pity take. 11 Instruct me in thy paths, O Lord, my ways directly guide;" Lest envious men, who watch my steps, should see me tread aside. 12 Lord, disappoint my cruel foes; defeat their ill desire, Whose lying lips, and bloody hands, against my peace conspire. 13 I trusted that my future life should with thy love be crown'd; Or else my fainting soul had sunk, with sorrow compass'd round. 14 God's time with patient faith expect, who will inspire thy breast With inward strength: do thou thy part, and leave to him the rest. PSALM 28. LORD, my rock, to thee I cry, in sighs consume my breath; O answer, or I shall become like those that sleep in death. 2 Regard my supplication, Lord, the cries that I repeat, With weeping eyes, and lifted hands, before thy mercy-seat. 3 Let me escape the sinners' doom, And ever speak the person fair, have sinn'd without remorse. 5 Since they the works of God despise, From whom the cries of my distress triumphant from the field. As he hath made my joys complete, 9 Preserve thy chosen, and proceed PSALM 29. YE princes, that in might excel, your grateful sacrifice prepare God's glorious actions loudly tell, his wondrous power to all declare. 2 To his great Dame fresh altars raise; devoutly due respect afford; Him in his holy temple praise, where he's with solemn state adored. 3 Tis he that, with amazing noise, the watery clouds in sunder breaks; The ocean trembles at his voice, when he from heaven in thunder speaks 4,5 How full of power his voice appears! with what majestic terror crown'd? Which from their roots tall cedars tears, and strews their scatter'd branches round. 6 They, and the hills on which they grow, are sometimes hurry'd far away, And leap, like hinds that bounding go, or unicorns in youthful play. 7,8 When God in thunder loudly speaks, and scatter'd flames of lightning sends, The forest nods, the desert quakes, and stubborn Kadesh lowly bends. 9 He makes the hinds to cast their young, and lays the beasts' dark coverts bare; While those that tó bis courts belong, securely sing his praises there. 10, 11 God rules the angry floods on high his boundless sway shall never cease; His saints with strength he will supply, and bless his own with constant peace. PSALM SO. Γ "LL celebrate thy praises, Lord, who didst thy power employ To raise my drooping head, and check my foes' insulting joy. 2,3 In my distress I cry'd to thee, who kindly didst relieve, And from the grave's expecting jaws my hopeless life retrieve. 4 Thus to his courts, ye saints of his 5 His wrath has but a moment's reign, his favour no decay; Your night of grief is recompensed with joy's returning day. 6 But I, in prosperous days presumed; no sudden change I fear'd; Whilst, in my sunshine of success, no lowering cloud appear'd. 7 But soon I found thy favour, Lord, my empire's only trust; For when thou hid'st thy face, I saw my honour laid in dust. 8 Then, as I vainly had presumed, my error I confess'd; And thus, with supplicating voice, thy mercy's throne address'd: 9"What profit is there in my blood, "congeal'd by death's cold night?' 1 3 , Can silent ashes speak thy praise, "thy wondrous truth recite? 10 "Hear me, O Lord, in mercy hear; "thy wonted aid extend; "Do thou send kelp, on whom alone "I can for help depend." 11 'Tis done! thou hast my mournful to songs and dances turn'd; [scene Invested me with robes of state, who late in sackcloth mourn'd. 12 Exalted thus, I'll gladly sing thy praise in grateful verse; And, as thy favours endless are, thy endless praise rehearse. PSALM 31. D EFEND me, Lord, from shame, for still I trust in thee: As just and righteous is thy name, from danger set ine free. 2 Bow down thy gracious ear, and speedy succour send; Do thou my steadfast rock appear, to shelter and defend. 3 Since thou, when foes oppress, my rock and fortress art, To guide me forth from this distress, thy wonted help impart. 4 Release me from the snare, which they have closely laid; Since I, O God, my strength, repair to thee alone for aid. 5 To thee, the God of truth, my life, and all that's mine, 13 Yet slanderous words they speak, and seem my power to dread; Whilst they together counsel take, my guiltless blood to shed. 14 But still my steadfast trust I on thy help repose: That thou, my God, art good and just, 15 Whate'er events betide, And, as thy mercies still increase, who still have call'd on thee; Let that, and silence in the grave, the sinner's portion be. 18 Do thou their tongues restrain, whose breath in lies is spent; Who false reports, with proud disdain, against the righteous vent. 19 How great thy mercies are to such as fear thy name, Which thou,for those that trust thy care From tongues that do in strife delight, (For thou preservedst me from my 21 With glory and renown youth.) I willingly resign. 6 All vain designs I hate of those that trust in lies; And still my soul,in every state, Those mercies thou hast shown, For thou hast seen my straits, and known my soul in deep distress. 8 When Keilah's treacherous race did all my strength enclose, Thou gav'st my feet a larger space, to shun my watchful foes. 9 Thy mercy, Lord, display, and hear my just complaint; For both my soul and flesh decay, with grief and hunger faint. 10 Sad thoughts my life oppress; my years are spent in groans; My sins have made my strength decrease, and ev'n consumed my bones. 11 My foes my sufferings mock'd; my neighbours did upbraid; My friends, at sight of me, were shock'd, and fled, as men dismay'd. 12 Forsook by all am I, as dead, and out of mind; And like a shatter'd vessel lie, whose parts can ne'er be join'd. God's name be ever bless'd; Whose love, in Keilah's well-fenced town, was wondrously express'd! 22 I said, in hasty flight, "I'm banish'd from thine eyes;" Yet still thou keep'st me in thy sight, and heard'st my earnest cries. 23 0! all ye saints, the Lord with eager love pursue; Who to the just will help afford, and give the proud their due. 24 Ye that on God rely, courageously proceed; For he will still your hearts supply with strength, in time of need. PSALM 32. 5 No sooner 1 my wound disclosed, the guilt that tortured me within, But thy forgiveness interposed, and mercy's healing balm pour'd in. 6 True penitents shall thus succeed, who seek thee whilst thou may'st be found; And, from the common deluge freed, shall see remorseless sinners drown'd, 7 Thy favour, Lord, in all distress, my tower of refuge I must own; Thou shalt my haughty foes suppress, and me with songs of triumph crown. 8 In my instruction then confide, ye that would truth's safe path desery;; Your progress I'll securely guide, and keep you in my watchful eye. 9 Submit yourselves to wisdom's rule, like men that reason have attain'd; Not like th' ungovern'd horse and mule, whose fury must be curb'd and rein'd. 10 Sorrows on sorrows multiply'd, the harden'd sinner shall confound; But them who in his truth confide, blessings of mercy shall surround. 11 His saints, that have perform'd his laws, their life in triumph shall employ; Let them, as they alone have cause, in grateful raptures shout for joy. PSALM 33. LET all the just to God, with joy, their cheerful voices raise; For well the righteous it becomes to sing glad songs of praise. 2, 3 Let harps, and psalteries, and lutes, 4,5 For faithful is the word of God; 7 The swelling floods, together roll'd, 8,9 Let earth, and all that dwell therein, before him trembling stand; For, when he spake the word, 'twas made; 'twas fix'd at his command. 10 He, when the heathen closely plot, their counsels undermines; His wisdom ineffectual makes the people's rash designs. 11 Whate'er the mighty Lord decrees, sball stand for ever sure; The settled purpose of his heart 40 ages shall endure. PART 11. 12 How happy then are they, to whom the Lord for God is known! Whom he, from all the world besides, has chosen for his own. 13, 14, 15 He all the nations of the earth, from heaven, his throne, survey'd; He saw their works, and view'd their thoughts; by him their hearts were made. 16, 17 No king is safe by numerous hosts; their strength the strong deceives: No managed horse, by force or speed, his warlike rider saves. 18, 19 'Tis God, who those that trust in beholds with gracious eyes; [him He frees their soul from death; their want, in time of dearth supplies. 20, 21 Our soul on God with patience waits; our help and shield is he; Then, Lord, let still our hearts rejoice, because we trust in thee. 22 The riches of thy mercy, Lord, do thou to us extend; Since we, for all we want or wish, THROUGH all the changing scenes of in trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ. 2 Of his deliverance I will boast, till all that are distrest, From my example comfort take, and charm their griefs to rest. 3 O! magnify the Lord with me, with me exalt his name: 4 When in distress to him I call he to my rescue came. [life. [fresh'd, 5 Their drooping hearts were soon re who look'd to him for aid; Desired success in every face a cheerful air display'd. 6" Behold," say they, "behold the mai "whom providence relieved; "The man so dangerously beset, "so wondrously retrieved!" 7 The hosts of God encamp around the dwellings of the just; Deliverance he affords to all who on his succour trust. 8 0! make but trial of his love, experience will decide How blest they are, and only they, who in his truth confide. 9 Fear him, ye saints; and you will they have nothing else to fear: Make you his service your delight, your wants shall be his care. 10 While hungry lions lack their prey, the Lord will food provide For such as put their trust in him, and see their needs supply'd, PART II. 11 Approach, ve piously disposed, of his religious fear. 12 Let him who length of life desires, and prosperous days would see, 13 From slandering language keep his tongue, his lips from falsehood free; 14 The crooked paths of vice decline, and virtue's ways pursue; Establish peace, where 'tis begun; and where 'tis lost, renew. 15 The Lord from heaven beholds the just with favourable eyes; And, when distress'd, his gracious ear is open to their cries; 16 But turns his wrathful look on those To cut them off, and from the earth 19 The wicked oft, but still in vain, 21 The wicked, from their wicked arts, Whilst righteous men, whom they detest, To them, and their posterity, A PSALM 35. for this deliverance bless, And, by his saving health secured, 10 My very bones shall say, "O Lord, 11 False witnesses.with forged complaints, 12 The good which I to them had done, And did, by malice undeserved, 13 But as for me, when they were sick, I pray'd and fasted, and my prayer 15 How different did their carriage prove When they, in crowds, together met, did savage joy express. The rabble too, in numerous throngs, by their example came; GAINST all those that strive with me, And ceased not, with reviling words, O Lord, assert my right; With such as war unjustly wage, do thou my battles fight. 2 Thy buckler take, and bind thy shield upon thy warlike arm; Stand up, O God, in my defence, and keep me safe from harm. to wound my spotless fame. 16 Scoffers, that noble tables haunt, and earn their bread with lies, Did gnash their teeth, and slandering jests maliciously devise. 17 But, Lord, how long wilt thou look on? on my behalf appear; S Bring forth thy spear; and stop their And save my guiltless soul, which they course, that haste my blood to spill; Say to my soul, "I am thy health, and will preserve thee still." 4 Let them with shame be cover'd o'er, 5 Then shall they fly, dispersed like chaff 6 And when,thro' dark and slippery ways, like ravening beasts, would tear. 18 So I, before the listening world, shall grateful thanks express; And where the great assembly meets, thy name with praises bless. 19 Lord, suffer not my causeless foes, who me unjustly haté, With open joy, or secret signs, to mock my sad estate. 20 For they, with hearts averse to peace. industriously devise, Against the men of quiet minds to forge malicious lies. 21 Nor with these private arts conten. aloud they went their spite; |