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PSALM 35. First Part. C. M.
Judgments threatened on persecutors.

NOW

OW plead my cause, Almighty God,
With all the sons of strife;

And fight against the men of blood,
Who fight against my life.

2 Draw out thy spear, and stop their way:
Lift thine avenging rod;
But, to my soul in mercy say,

"I am thy Saviour God."

3 They plant their snares to catch my feet. And nets of mischief spread: Plunge the destroyers in the pit,

That their own hands have made. 4 Let fogs and darkness hide their way; And slipp'ry be their ground: Thy wrath shall make their lives a prey, And all their rage confound.

5 They fly, like chaff before the wind, Before thine angry breath:

The angel of the Lord behind

Pursues them down to death.

6 They love the road that leads to hell:
Then must the rebels die,
Whose malice is implacable
Against the Lord on high.

7 But if thou hast a chosen few
Amongst that impious race;
Divide them from the bloody crew
By thy surprising grace.

8 Then will I raise my tuneful voice
To make thy wonders known;
In their salvation I'll rejoice,
And bless thee for my own.

PSALM 35. Second Part. C. M.

The love of Christ typified in David.

1 BEHOLD the love, the gen'rous love

That holy David shows!

Mark how his tender bowels move

For his afflicted foes!

2 When they are sick, his soul complains,
And seems to feel the smart;
The spirit of the gospel reigns,
And melts his pious heart.

3 How did his flowing tears condole
As for a brother dead!
And fasting mortified his soul,
While for their life he pray'd.

4 They groan'd and curs'd him on their bed;
Yet still he pleads and mourns:
And double blessings on his head
The righteous God returns.

5 O glorious type of heav'nly grace!
Thus Christ the Lord appears;
While sinners curse, the Saviour prays,
And pities them with tears.

6 He, the true David, Israel's king,
Blest and belov'd of God,

To save us rebels dead in sin,
Paid his own dearest blood.

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PSALM 36. First Part. S. M.
Description and Doom of practical atheism.
WHEN man grows bold in sin,
My heart within me cries,
"He hath no faith of God within,
"Nor fear before his eyes."

2 He walks a while conceal'd
In a self-flattering dream;

Till his dark crimes, at once reveal'd,
Expose his hateful name.

3 His heart is false and foul,

His words are smooth and fair: Wisdom is banish'd from his soul, And leaves no goodness there. 4 He plots upon his bed

New mischiefs to fulfil :

He sets his heart, his hand and head,
To practise all that's ill.

5 But there's a dreadful God,

Tho' men renounce his fear:
His justice, hid behind the cloud,
Shall one great day appear.
6 His truth transcends the sky;
In heav'n his mercies dwell;
Deep as the sea his judgments lie;
His anger burns to hell.

7 How excellent his love,

Whence all our safety springs!

O never let my soul remove

From underneath his wings!

PSALM 36. Second Part. L. M.

Confidence in Divine Providence.

1 LORD, thy mercy, my sure hope,

The highest orb of heav'n transcend: Thy sacred truth's unmeasur'd scope Beyond the spreading sky extends. 2 Thy justice like the hills remains ; Unfathom❜d depths thy judgments are Thy providence the world sustains; The whole creation is thy care.

3 Since of thy goodness all partake; With what assurance should the just

Thy shelt'ring wings their refuge make; And saints to thy protection trust! 4 Such guests shall to thy courts be led, To banquet on thy love's repast; And drink, as from a fountain head, Of joys that shall for ever last.

5 With thee the springs of life remain ; Thy presence is eternal day:

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O! let thy grace thy saints sustain :
To upright hearts thy truth display.

PSALM 37. First Part. C. M.
Folly of envying the wicked.

THY should I vex my soul and fret
To see the wicked rise?

Or envy sinners waxing great

By violence and lies?

2 As flow'ry grass, cut down at noon,
Before the ev'ning fades;

So shall their glories vanish soon,
In everlasting shades.

3 Then let me make the Lord my trust,
And practise all that's good;
So shall I dwell among the just,
And he'll provide me food.

4 I, to my God, my ways commit,
And cheerful wait his will:

Thy hand, which guides my doubtful feet,
Shall my desires fulfil.

5 Mine innocence shalt thou display;
And make thy judgments known,
Fair as the light of dawning day,
And glorious as the noon.

6 The meek at last the earth possess,
And are the heirs of heav'n:

True riches with abundant peace,
To humble souls are giv❜n.

7 Rest in the Lord, and keep his way,
Nor let your anger rise;

Tho' providence should long delay,
To punish haughty vice.

8 Let sinners join to break your peace,
And plot, and rage, and foam;
The Lord derides them, for he sees
Their day of vengeance come.

9 They have drawn out the threat'ning sword; Have bent the murd'rous bow,

To slay the men, that fear the Lord,
And bring the righteous low.

10 My God shall break their bows, and burn Their persecuting darts:

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Shall their own swords against them turn,
And pain surprise their hearts.

PSALM 37. Second Part. C. M.
Righteous and wicked contrasted.

WH

WHY do the wealthy wicked bast,
And grow profanely bold?

The meanest portion of the just

Excels the sinner's gold.

2 The wicked borrows of his friends,
But ne'er designs to pay:
The saint is merciful and lends,
Nor turns the poor away.

3 His alms with lib'ral heart he gives
Amongst the sons of need:
His mem❜ry to long ages lives,
And blessed is his seed.

4 He fears to talk with lips profane,
To slander or defraud: