that account. And if I am oppressed, defamed, or per secuted, that I know not whither to flee; if in cities, or in particular friends, wickedness and malice discover themselves, let me study resignation to the disposals of Providence, and call upon God in the assured hopes that he will answer in due time. Let me cast all my wants and burdens on him, who is my GOD, that doth me save.

LORD, hear my pray't, bide not thyself

my intreating voice:

2 Attend and hear me ; in my plaint
I mourn and make a noise:

3 Because of th' en'my's voice, and for
lewd men's oppression great :
On me they cast iniquity,

and they in wrath me hate.

4 Sore pain'd within me is my heart: death's terrors on me fall.

5 On me comes trembling, fear and dread o'erwhelmed me withal.

60 that I like a dove had wings, said I, then would I flee

Far hence, that I might find a place where I in rest might be.

Lo, then far off I wander would,

and in the desart stay:

8 From windy storm, and tempest I
would haste to 'scape away.
9 O Lord, on them destruction bring,
and do their tongues divide:
For in the city violence

and strife I have espy'd.

10 They day and night upon the walls
dó go about it round;

There mischief is, and sorrow there
in midst of it is found.

11 Abundant wickedness there is
within her inward part;

And from her streets deceitfulness
and guile do not depart.

12 He was no foe that me reproach'd,
then that endure I could
;

Nor hater that did 'gainst me boast,
from him me hide I would.

13 But thou, man, who mine equal, guide
and mine acquaintance wast.

14 We join'd sweet counsels, to God's house. in company we past.

15 Let death upon them seize, and down
let them go quick to hell :

For wickedness doth much abound®
among them where they dwell.

16 I'll call on God: God will me save,
I'll
pray, and make a noise

17

At ev❜ning, morning, and at noon;
and he shall hear my voice.

18 He hath my soul delivered,

that it in peace might be

From battle that against me was;

for many were with me.

19 The Lord shall bear and them afflict,
of old who hath abode;
Because they never changes have,
therefore they fear not God.

20 'Gainst those that were at peace with him he hath put forth his hand :

The covenant that he hath made,

by breaking he profan'd.

21 More smooth than butter were his words, while in his heart was war;

N

His speeches were more soft than oil,
and yet drawn swords they are.

22 Cast thou thy burden on the Lord,
and he shall thee sustain ;

Yea, he shall cause the righteous man
unmoved to remain.

23 But thou, O Lord my God, those men
in justice shalt o'erthrow,
And in destructions dungeon dark
at last shall lay them low:

The bloody and deceitful men
shall not live half their days;
But upon thee with confidence
I will depend always.

PSALM LVI.

To the chief Musician, upon JONAH RELEM-ECHOKIM. MICHTAM of David, when the PHILISTINES took him in Gath.

This Psalm was penned by David, when the Philistines apprehended him in Gath; 1 Sam. xxi, ver. 10-15. And contains, (1) His earnest supplications to God, for merciful protection, and deliverance from his enemies, who were barbarous, powerful, crafty, malicious, and restless; ver. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. (2) His assured confidence in God, as his own God, who had spoken good concerning him, and took particular notice of his grievances; ver. 3, 4, 8, 11. (3) Firm hopes that his prayers should issue in the defeat of his enemies, and that his faith would set him above the slavish fears of men; ver. 9-11. and that, while he paid his vows to God, he should have further occasion to praise the Lord, for what he had done, and would do for him; ver. 12, 13.

Thus let me, in all my straits, have recourse to God. While his promises remain infallible, let me rejoice therein, and without anxiety cheerfully expect the fulfil❤ ment thereof.

HEW mercy, Lord, to me, for man
would swallow me outright:
He me oppresseth, while he doth
against me daily fight.

2 They daily would me swallow up,
that hate me spitefully;
For they be many that do fight
against me, O most High.

3 When I'm afraid, I'll trust in thee:
In God I'll praise his word :

4

I will not fear what flesh can do.

my trust is in the Lord.

5 Each day they wrest my words, their 'gainst me, are all for ill.

[thoughts 6 They meet, they lurk, they mark my steps, waiting my soul to kill.

7 But shall they by iniquity
escape thy judgements so?
O God, with indignation down
do thou the people throw.

8 My wand'rings all what they have been
thou know'st, their number took ;
Into thy bottle put my tears;

are they not in thy book?

9 My foes shall, when I cry, turn back,
I know't, God is for me.
10 In God his word I'll praise: his word
in God shall praised be.

11 In God I trust, I will not fear
what man can do to me.

12 Thy vows upon me are, O God: I'll render praise to thee.

13 Wilt thou not, who from death me savids my feet from falls keep free,

To walk before God in the light
of those that living be?

PSALM LVII.

Fo the chief Musician, AL-TASCHITH, MICHTAM of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

This Psalm was penned by David, when he fled from Saul in the cave; 1 Sam. xxiv. And contains, (1) David's earnest betaking of himself to God, upon whom all his dependence was fixed; towards whom all his desires were bent; and from whom only he expected relief; for mercy amidst his great troubles; ver. 1, 2. (2) His complaints of the cruelty, malice, and calumnious deceit of his inveterate enemies; ver. 3, 4, 6. (3) His believing triumph in God; in which he prepares himself for praising God; excites himself to it; delights himself in it; and furnisheth himself with matter for it; ver.

10. (4) Conscious of his own inability to praise God enough, he leaves it on God, to exalt and glorify himself; ver. 5-11.

While I sing, let me cry loud for mercy; let me lay my spiritual and temporal adversities before the Lord; and let me triumph in the God of my salvation; and employ him to glorify his name in all the earth.

E merciful to me, O God,

B1

thy mercy unto me

Do thou extend; because my soul
doth put her trust in thee:
Yea, in the shadow of thy wings

my refuge I will place,

Until these sad calamities do wholly overpass.

2 My cry I will cause to ascend

unto the Lord most High:

To God, who doth all things for me perform most perfectly.

3 From Heav'n he shall send down, and me from his reproach defend