Such as he kindled on the plain The men who his own image bear. PSALM XII. Long Metre. [b] The faints' fafety and hope in evil times; or, fins of the tongue complained of, viz. blafphemy, falfehood, &c. 1 ORD, if thou doft not foon appear, Virtue and truth will flee away : A faithful man among us here Will fcarce be found, if thou delay. 2 The whole difcourfe, when neighbours meet, Is fill'd with trifles loofe and vain; Their lips are flattery and deceit, And their proud language is profane. 3 But lips that with deceit abound Shall not maintain their triumph long: The God of vengeance will confound The flattering and blafpheming tongue. 4"Yet fhall our words be free," they cry, "Our tongues fhall be controll'd by none: "Where is the Lord will afk us why? "Or fay our lips are not our own ?" 5 The Lord, who fees the poor opprefs'd, And hears th' oppreffor's haughty ftrain, Will rife to give his children reft, Nor fhall they truft his word in vain. 6 Thy word, O Lord, though often try'd, Void of deceit fhall ftill appear; Not filver, feven times purify'd From drofs and mixture, fhines fo clear. 7 Thy grace fhall, in the darkest hour, Defend the holy foul from harm; Though when the vileft men have power, On every fide will finners fwarm. PSALM XII. Common Metre. [b] Complaint of a general corruption of manners; or, the promife and figns of Chrift's coming to judgment. 1HE ELP, Lord, for men of virtue fail; Religion lofes ground! The fons of violence prevail, And treacheries abound. 2 Their oaths and promifes they break, 3 If we reprove fome hateful lie, 4 Scoffers appear on every fide, Is rais'd to feats of power and pride, 5 Lord, when iniquities abound, 6 Is not thy chariot haftening on? 7 Yes, faith the Lord, now will I rife, "I fhall appear to their furprife, "And fet my fervants free." 8 Thy word, like filver feven times try'd, The men who in thy truth confide PSALM XIII. Long Metre. [b] Pleading with God under defertion; or, hope in darkness. HOW OW long, O Lord, fhall I complain, Canft thou thy face forever hide, And I ftill pray and be deny'd ? 2 Shall I forever be forgot, As one whom thou regardeft not? 3 How long fhall my poor troubled breaft Be with these anxious thoughts opprefs'd? And Satan, my malicious foe, Rejoice to fee me funk fo low? 4 Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief, 5 How will the powers of darkness boaft, PSALM XIII. Common Metre. [b] HOW When fhall I feel thofe heavenly rays 2 How long fhall my poor lab'ring foul Thy word can all my foes control, 3 See how the prince of darkness tries He spreads a mist around my eyes, 4 Be thou my fun, be thou my fhield; Make hafte, before mine eyes are feal'd 5 How would the tempter boast aloud Behold the fons of hell grow proud 6 But they fhall fly at thy rebuke, He knows the terrors of thy look, 7 Thou wilt difplay that fovereign grace PSALM XIV. 1ft Part. Common Metre. [b] 1 FOOLS in their hearts believe and fay, all religion's vain; "There is no God that reigns on high, "Or minds th' affairs of men." 2 From thoughts fo dreadful and profane And in their impious hands are found 3 The Lord, from his celeftial throne, 4 By nature all are gone aftray; There's none that fears his Maker's hand, 5 Their tongues are us'd to fpeak deceit; How fwift to mifchief are their feet! 6 Such feeds of fin (that bitter root) Nor can they bear diviner fruit, Till grace refine the ground. PSALM XIV. 2d Part. Common Metre. [b] 1 AR The folly of perfecutors. RE finners now fo fenfelefs grown, And never worship at thy throne, 2 Great God! appear to their furprise, Let them no more thy wrath despise, 3 Doft thou not dwell among the juft? That we should make thy name our trust: 4 O that the joyful day were come, When God fhall bring his children home, PSALM XV. Common Metre. [*] Characters of a faint; or, a citizen of Zion; or, the qualifications of a Chriftian. 1 WHO HO' fhall inhabit in thy hill, Whom will the Lord admit to dwell 2 The man that walks in pious ways, 3 He fpeaks the meaning of his heart, His hands difdain a golden bribe, And never gripe the poor: This man fhall dwell with God on earth, PSALM XV. Long Metre. [*] Religion and juftice, goodness and truth; or, duties to God and man; or, the qualifications of a Chriftian. HO fhall afcend thy heavenly place, 1 WHO Great God, and dwell before thy face? The man that minds religion now, And humbly walks with God below: |