8 The statutes of the Lord are just, His pure commands, in search of truth, 9 His perfect worship here is fix'd, 11 My trusty counsellors they are, 12 But what frail man observes how oft O cleanse me from my secret faults, That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may PSALM XX. 1 THE 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, Make kindly all events conspire 5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid With banners in thy Name display'd, 6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord. Our sov'reign will defend ; From heav'n resistless aid afford, 7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd, But from their steeds and chariots thrown, 9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed PSALM XXI. 1 THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise 2 For thou, whate'er his lips request, But hast with thy acceptance blest 3 Thy goodness and thy tender care A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear, 4 He pray'd for life, and thou, O Lord, And graciously to him afford A life that ne'er shall end. 5 Thy sure defence through nations round 6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st, The Second Part. 7 Because the king on God alone His mercy still supports his throne, 8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes Thy vengeful arm shall find out those 9 When thou against them dost engage, Shall, like a glowing oven's rage, 10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease, But root out all their guilty race, 11 For all their thoughts were set on ill, But thou, with watchful care, didst still 12 In vain, by shameful flight, they'll try 13 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous strength disclose, And thus exalt thy fame; Whilst we glad songs of praise compose PSALM XXII. MY God, my God, why leav'st thon me O why so far from me remov'd, 2 All day, but all the day unheard, With cries implore relief all night,, 3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge 6 But I am treated like a worm, 7 With laughter all the gazing crowd My agonies survey; They shoot the lip, they shake the head, And thus deriding say: "In God he trusted, boasting oft "That he was Heav'n's delight: "Let God come down to save him now, The Second Part. 9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womh A living offspring bear; When but a suckling at the breast 10 Thou, guardian-like, didst shield from wrong My helpless infant days; And since hast been my God and guide 11 Withdraw not then so far from me, O send me help! thy help, on which 12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd, With strength proportion'd to their rage, 13 They gape on me, and ev'ry mouth Less dreadful is than their's. The Third Part. 14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints My heart dissolves within my breast, 15 My strength like potter's earth is parch'd, And to the silent shades of death 16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they 17 My body's rack'd, till all my bones 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, 20 From their sharp sword protect thou me, 21 To save me from the lion's jaws As once from goring unicorns 22 Then to my brethren I'll declare 23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God, "All you of Israel's line, "O praise the Lord, and to your praise 21" He ne'er disdain'd on low distress The Fourth Part. 25 Thus in thy sacred courts will I 26 The meek companions of my grief And all that seek the Lord shall be 27 Then shall the glad converted world 28 'Tis his supreme prerogative O'er subject kings to reign; 29 The rich, who are with plenty fed, That pow'r, which first their beings gave, 30, 31 Then shall a chosen spotless race, To their admiring heirs his truth PSALM XXIII. 1 THE Lord himself, the mighty Lord, 2 In tender grass he makes me feed, Then leads me to cool shades, and where 3 He does my wand'ring soul reclaim, Instruct with humble zeal to walk |