11 Thou shalt the paths of life display
That to thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.
From wicked men, who are thy sword,
Deliver thou my soul:
14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge, Whose portion's here below;
Who, fill'd with earthly stores, desire
No other bliss to know.
To my just plea and sad complaint, 15 Their race is num'rous that partake
Attend, O righteous Lord,
And to my pray'r, as 'tis unfeign'd,
A gracious ear afford.
2 As in thy sight I am approv'd,
So let my sentence be;
And with impartial eyes, O Lord,
My upright dealing see.
3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day, And visited by night;
And on the strictest trial found
Its secret motions right.
Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
My heart's designs acquit;
For I have purpos'd that my tongue
Shall no offence commit.
4 I know what wicked men would do
Their safety to maintain ;
But me thy just and mild commands
From bloody paths restrain.
5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
My innocence secure;
O guide me in thy righteous ways,
And make my footsteps sure.
6 Since heretofore I ne'er in vain
To thee my pray'r addrest;
O now, my God, incline thine ear
To this my just request.
7 The wonders of thy truth and love
In my defence engage; [saints
Thou, whose right hand preserves thy
From their oppressors' rage.
8,9 O keep me in thy tend'rest care;
Thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,
To guard me safe from savage foes,
That compass me about.
10 O'ergrown with luxury, inclos'd
In their own fat they lie;
And with a proud blaspheming mouth
Both God and man defy.
11 Well may they boast, for they have now
My paths encompass'd round:
With eyes at watch, and bodies bow'd,
And couching on the ground;
12 In posture of a lion set,
When greedy of his prey,
Or a young lion, when he lurks
Within a covert way.
13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots,
Their swelling rage control;
Their substance while they live:
Their heirs survive, to whom they may
The vast remainder give.
16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
Shall view without control;
And, waking, shall.its image find
Reflected in my soul.
PSALM XVIII.
NO change of times shall ever shock
My firm affection, Lord, to thee;
For thou hast always been my rock,
A fortress and defence to me.
2 Thou my deliv'rer art, my God,
My trust is in thy mighty pow'r: Thou art my shield from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tow'r. 3 To thee I will address my pray❜r,
To whom all praise we justly owe;
So shall I, by thy watchful care,
Be guarded from my treach'rous foe.
4,5 By floods of wicked men distress'd,
With seas of sorrow compass'd round;
With dire infernal pangs oppress'd,
In death's unwieldy fetters bound:
6 To heav'n I made my mournful pray'r,
To God address'd my humble moan;
Who graciously inclin'd his ear,
And heard me from his lofty throne.
7. When God arose my part to take, [fear; The conscious earth was struck with The hills did at his presence shake, Nor could his dreadful fury bear. 8 Thick clouds of smoke dispers'd abroad, Ensigns of wrath before him came; Devouring fire around him glow'd,
That coals were kindled at its flame. 9 He left the beauteous realms of light, Whilst heav'n bow'd down its awful head,
Beneath his feet substantial night
Was like a sable carpet spread. 10 The chariot of the King of kings,
Which active troops of angels drew, On a strong tempest's rapid wings, With most amazing swiftness flew. 11,12 Black watʼry mists and clouds conspir'd
With thickest shades his face to veil;
But at his brightness soon retir'd,
And fell in show'rs of fire and hail.
13 Thro' heav'n's wide arch a thund'ring 29
God's angry voice did loudly roar; [peal
While earth's sad face with heaps of
hail,
And flakes of fire, was cover'd o'er.
14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw,
Which made his scatter'd foes retreat;
Like darts his nimble lightnings flew,
And quickly finish'd their defeat.
15 The deep its secret stores disclos'd,
The world's foundations naked lay;
By his avenging wrath expos'd,
Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day.
The Third Part.
16 The Lord did on my side engage, [held;
From heav'n, his throne, my cause up-
And snatch'd me from the furious rage
Of threat'ning waves that proudly
swell'd.
17 God his resistless pow'r employ'd,
My strongest foes' attempts to break;
Who else with ease had soon destroy'd
The weak defence that I could make.
18 Their subtil rage had near prevail'd
When I distress'd and friendless lay;
But still, when other succours fail'd,
God was my firm support and stay.
19 From dangers that inclos'd me round,
He brought me forth and set me free;
For some just cause his goodness found,
That mov'd him to delight in me.
20 Because in me no guilt remains,
God does his gracious help extend;
My hands are free from bloody stains,
Therefore the Lord is still my friend.
21, 22 For I his judgments kept in sight,
In his just paths I always trod;
I never did his statutes slight,
Nor loosely wander'd from my God.
23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure,
Did e'en from darling sins refrain;
His favours, therefore, yet endure,
Because my heart and hands are clean.
25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous
ways
To various paths of human kind;
They, who for mercy merit praise,
With thee shall wondrous mercy find.
Thou to the just shalt justice show,
The pure thy purity shall see;
Such as perversely choose to go,
Shall meet with due returns from thee.
27, 28 That he the humble soul will save,
And crush the haughty's boasted might,
In me the Lord an instance gave,
Whose darkness he has turn'd to light.
On his firm succour I relied,
And did o'er num'rous foes prevail;
Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side,
The best defended walls to scale.
30 For God's designs shall still succeed;
His word will bear the utmost test:
He's a strong shield to all that need,
And on his sure protection rest.
31 Who then deserves to be ador'd,
But God, on whom my hopes depend?
Or who, except the mighty Lord,
Can with resistless pow'r defend?
33 'Tis God that girds my armour on,
And all my just designs fulfils;
Through him my feet can swiftly run,
And nimbly climb the steepest hills.
Lessons of war from him I take,
And manly weapons learn to wield;
Strong bows of steel with ease I break,
Forc'd by my stronger arms to yield.
The buckler of his saving health
Protects me from assaulting foes;
His hand sustains me still, my wealth
And greatness from his bounty flows.
36 My goings he enlarg'd abroad,
Till then to narrow paths confin'd And, when in slipp'ry ways I trod, The method of my steps design'd. Through him I num'rous hosts defeat, And flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, Till I a final conquest make.
38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try
Their vanquish'd heads again to rear;
Spite of their boasted strength they lie
Beneath my feet, and grovel there.
39 God, when fresh armies take the field,
Recruits my strength, my courage
He makes my strong opposers yield,
Subdu'd by my prevailing arms.
40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes
My conquering feet in triumph press;
Aided by him, I root out those
Who hate and envy my success. With loud complaints all friends they But none was able to defend; [tried, At length to God for help they cried, But God would no assistance lend. Like flying dust which winds pursue, Their broken troops I scatter'd round, Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw, Like loathsome dirt that clogs the ground.
43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now,
By God's appointment me obey;
The heathen to my sceptre bow,
And foreign nations own my sway.
44 Remotest realms their homage send,
When my successful name they hear;
Strangers for my commands attend,
Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fear.
45 All to my summons tamely yield,
Or soon in battle are dismay'd;
For stronger holds they quit the field,
And still in strongest holds afraid.
46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd,
The rock on whose defence I rest;
O'er highest heav'ns his Name be rais'd,
Who me with his salvation blest.
47 "Tis God that still supports my right,
His just revenge my foes pursues; 'Tis he that with resistless might Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard he,
From whom my lasting honours flow;
He made me great, and set me free
From my remorseless bloody foe.
49 Therefore to celebrate his fame
My grateful voice to heav'n I'll raise;
And nations, strangers to his Name,
Shall thus be taught to sing his praise:
50 God to his king deliv'rance sends,
Shews his anointed signal grace;
His
mercy evermore extends
To David and his promis'd race.
PSALM XIX.
1T Which that alone can fill;
1 THE heav'ns declare thy glory, Lord,
The firmament and stars express
Their great Creator's skill.
2 The dawn of each returning day
Fresh beams of knowledge brings;
And from the dark returns of night
Divine instruction springs.
3 Their pow'rful language to no realm
Or region is confin'd;
'Tis nature's voice, and understood
Alike by all mankind.
4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
Through earth's extent display;
Whose bright contents the circling sun
Does round the world convey.
5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day
Has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice
To run his glorious race.
6 From east to west, from west to east,
His restless course he
And through his progress cheerful light
And vital warmth bestows.
7 God's perfect law converts the soul,
Reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just,
And bring sincere delight;
His pure commands, in search of truth,
Assist the feeblest sight.
9 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
On sure foundations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weigh'd.
10 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refin'd with skill;
More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distil.
11 My trusty counsellors they are,
And friendly warnings give;
Divine rewards attend on those
Who by thy precepts live.
12 But what frail man observes how oft
He does from virtue fall?
O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!
Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
Dominion have o'er me;
That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may
The great transgression flee.
14 So shall my pray'r and praises be
With thy acceptance blest;
And I secure on thy defence,
My strength and saviour, rest.
HE Lord to thy request attend,
And hear thee in distress;
The Name of Jacob's God defend,
And grant thy arms success.
2 To aid thee from on high repair,
And strength from Sion give;
3 Remember all thy off rings there,
Thy sacrifice receive.
4 To compass thy own heart's desire,
Thy counsels still direct;
Make kindly all events conspire
To bring them to effect.
5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid
We cheerfully repair,
With banners in thy Name display'd,
The Lord accept thy pray❜r.
6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord
Our Sov'reign will defend;
From heav'n resistless aid afford,
And to his pray'r attend.
7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd,
On chariots some rely;
Against them all we'll call to mind
The pow'r of God most high.
8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown,
Behold them through the plain, Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down, Whilst firm our troops remain.
9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed
Our rightful cause to bless;
Hear, King of heav'n, in times of need,
The pray'rs that we address.
HE king, O Lord, with songs of 1 THE praise
Shall in thy strength rejoice; With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise To heav'n his cheerful voice.
2 For thou, whate'er his lips request,
Not only dost impart;
But hast with thy acceptance blest
The wishes of his heart.
3 Thy goodness and thy tender care
Have all his hopes outgone;
A crown of gold thou makʼst him wear, And sett'st it firmly on.
4 He pray'd for life, and thou, O Lord, Didst to his prayer attend; And graciously to him afford
A life that ne'er shall end.
5 Thy sure defence through nations round
Has spread his glorious name;
And his successful actions crown'd
With majesty and fame.
6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st,
And mak'st his joys increase;
Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st The brightness of thy face.
The Second Part.
7 Because the king on God alone
For timely aid relies;
His mercy still supports his throne,
And all his wants supplies.
8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes
Shall feel thy dreadful hand;
Thy vengeful arm shall find out those
That hate thy mild command.
9 When thou against them dost engage,
Thy just but dreadful doom
Shall, like a glowing oven's rage,
Their hopes and them consume.
10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease,
Or with their ruin end;
But root out all their guilty race,
And to their seed extend.
11 For all their thoughts were set on ill, Their hearts on malice bent;
But thou, with watchful care, didst still
The ill effects prevent.
12 While they their swift retreat shall make
To 'scape thy dreadful might,
Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake,
And gall them in their flight.
13 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous strength dis-
And thus exalt thy fame; [close,
Whilst we glad songs of praise compose
To thy almighty Name.
1 MY God, my God, why leav'st thou When I with anguish faint? [me
O why so far from me remov'd,
And from my loud complaint?
2 All day, but all the day unheard,
To thee do I complain;
With cries implore relief all night,
But cry all night in vain.
3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge Of innocence oppress'd;
And therefore Israel's praises are
Of right to thee address'd.
4, 5 On thee our ancestors relied,
And thy deliv'rance found;
With pious confidence they pray'd,
And with success were crown'd.
6 But I am treated like a worm,
Like none of human birth;
Not only by the great revil'd,
But made the rabble's mirth.
7 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonies survey;
They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say :
8 In God he trusted, boasting oft
That he was Heav'n's delight:
Let God come down to save him now,
And own his favourite.
9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womb A living offspring bear;
When but a suckling at the breast
I was thy early care.
10 Thou, guardian-like, didst shield from
My helpless infant days; [wrongs
And since hast been my God and guide
Through life's bewilder'd ways.
11 Withdraw not then so far from me,
When trouble is so nigh;
O send me help! thy help, on which
I only can rely.
12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd, From Basan's forest met,
With strength proportion'd to their rage, | 27 Then shall the glad converted world
Have me around beset.
13 They gape on me, and ev'ry mouth
A yawning grave appears;
The desert lion's savage roar
Less dreadful is than their's.
14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints
Are rack'd and out of frame;
My heart dissolves within my breast,
Like wax before the flame.
15 Mystrength like potter's earth is parch'd,
My tongue cleaves to my jaws;
And to the silent shades of death
My fainting soul withdraws.
16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they
In pack'd assemblies meet;
They pierc'd my inoffensive hands,
They pierc'd my harmless feet.
17 My body's rack'd, till all my bones
Distinctly may be told:
Yet such a spectacle of woe
As pastime they behold.
18 As spoil, my garments they divide,
Lots for my vesture cast:
19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength, And to my succour haste.
20 From their sharp sword protect thou me, Of all but life bereft;
Nor let my darling in the pow'r
Of cruel dogs be left.
21 To save me from the lion's jaws
Thy present succour send;
As once from goring unicorns
Thou didst my life defend.
22 Then to my brethren I'll declare
The triumphs of thy Name;
In presence of assembled saints
Thy glory thus proclaim:
23 Ye worshippers of Jacob's God,
All of Israel's line,
you
O praise the Lord, and to your praise
Sincere obedience join.
24 He ne'er disdain'd on low distress
To cast a gracious eye;
Nor turn'd from poverty his face,
But hears its humble cry.
The Fourth Part.
25 Thus in thy sacred courts will I
My cheerful thanks express;
In presence of thy saints perform
The vows of my distress.
26 The meek companions of my grief Shall find my table spread;
And all that seek the Lord shall be
With joys immortal fed.
To God their homage pay;
And scatter'd nations of the earth
One sov'reign Lord obey.
28 'Tis his supreme prerogative
O'er subject kings to reign;
'Tis just that he should rule the world,
Who does the world sustain.
29 The rich, who are with plenty fed,
His bounty must confess;
The sons of want, by him reliev'd,
Their gen'rous patron bless.
With humble worship to his throne
They all for aid resort; [gave,
That pow'r, which first their beings
Can only them support.
30, 31 Then shall a chosen spotless race, Devoted to his Name,
To their admiring heirs his truth And glorious acts proclaim.
PSALM XXIII.
HE Lord himself, the mighty Lord, Vouchsafes to be my guide; The shepherd, by whose constant care My wants are all supplied.
2 In tender grass he makes me feed, And gently there repose;
Then leads me to cool shades, and where
Refreshing water flows.
3 He does my wand'ring soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk
In his most righteous ways.
4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From fear and danger free;
For there his aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.
5 In presence of my spiteful foes
He does my table spread;
He crowns my cup with cheerful wine,
With oil anoints head.
my
6 Since God does thus his wondrous love
Through all my life extend,
That life to him I will devote,
And in his temple spend.
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