THE BOOK OF PSALMS.

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I.

THAT man hath perfect blessedness

Who walketh not astray

In counsel of ungodly men,

Nor stands in sinners' way,

Nor sitteth in the scorner's chair;
But placeth his delight

Upon God's law, and meditates
On his law day and night.

He shall be like a goodly tree

Near by a river seen,

Which in his season yields his fruit ;

His leaf abideth green:

And all he doth shall prosper well.

The wicked are not so;

But like they are unto the chaff

Which wind drives to and fro.

In judgment therefore shall not stand
Such as ungodly are;

Nor the assembly of the just
Shall ill men's presence mar.

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For why the way of godly men
Unto the Lord is known:
Whereas the way of wicked men
Shall quite be overthrown.

II.

WHY rage the heathen? and vain things
Why do the people mind?

Kings of the earth do set themselves,
And princes are combined,

To plot against the Lord, and his
Anointed, saying thus,

'Let us asunder break their bands,

And cast their cords from us.'

He that in heaven sits shall laugh ;

The Lord shall scorn them all.

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Then shall he speak to them in wrath,

In terror to them call.

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Yet notwithstanding, lo, my king

Establish'd firm have I;

On Zion, mine own holy hill,
Have set my king on high.

The sure decree I will declare :

The Lord hath said to me,
Thou art mine only Son; this day
I have begotten thee.

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ΙΟ

II

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'Ask of me, and for heritage

The heathen I'll make thine;
And, for possession, I to thee

Will give earth's utmost line.

Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod
Of iron, break them all;

And, as a potter's sherd, thou shalt
Them dash in pieces small.'

Now therefore, kings, be wise; be taught,

Ye judges of the earth:

Serve God in fear, and see that ye
Join trembling with your mirth.

Kiss

ye the Son, lest in his ire
Ye perish from the way;

For soon his wrath begins to burn.
Blest all on him that stay.

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III.

O LORD, how are my foes increased;
Against me many rise.

Of

my soul many say, 'For him

In God no succour lies.'

Yet thou my shield and glory art,
Uplifter of my head.

I cried, and from his holy hill

The Lord me answer made.

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I laid me down and slept, I waked,
For God sustaineth me.

I will not fear though thousands ten
Set round against me be.

For on the cheek-bone thou, my God,

Didst smite mine enemy;

The teeth of my ungodly foes

Have broken been by thee.

Arise, O Lord; save me, my God.
Help only is from thee.
Thy blessing, Lord, for evermore,
Upon thy people be.

I

IV.

GIVE ear unto me when I call,
God of my righteousness:

Have

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mercy, hear my prayer; thou hast Enlarged me in distress.

ye the sons of men, how long
Will ye love vanity?

How long my glory turn to shame,

And speak deceitfully?

But know that for himself the Lord

The godly man doth choose:

The Lord when I on him do call,

To hear will not refuse.

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Fear and sin not; talk with your heart
On bed, and silent be.

Off'rings present of righteousness,

And in the Lord trust ye.

'O who will show us any good?'

Is that which many say:

But of thy countenance the light,
Lord, lift on us alway.

Upon my heart, bestowed by thee,

More gladness I have found

Than they, even then when corn and wine
Did most with them abound.

I will both lay me down in peace,
And quiet sleep will take;
Because thou only me to dwell
In safety, Lord, dost make.

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V.

GIVE ear unto my words, O Lord,

My meditation weigh.

Hear my loud cry, my King, my God,

For I to thee will pray.

Lord, thou shalt early hear my voice;
I early will direct

My prayer to thee, and looking up
An answer will expect.