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Who saves the harmless, and to me

Does timely help afford.

7 Then free from pensive cares, my soul,
Resume thy wonted rest;
For God has wondrously to thee

His bounteous love exprest.

8 When death alarm'd me, he remov'd
My dangers and my fears;
My feet from falling he secur'd,

And dry'd my eyes from tears.

9 Therefore my life's remaining years,
Which God to me shall lend,
Will I in praises to his name,

And in his service spend.

10, 11 In God I trusted, and of him
In greatest straits did boast;
For in my flight all hopes of aid
From faithless men were lost.

12, 13 Then what return to him shall I
For all his goodness make?

I'll praise his name, and with glad zeal
The cup of blessing take.

14, 15 I'll pay my vows among his saints,
Whose blood, howe'er despis'd
By wicked men, in God's account
Is always highly priz'd.

16 By various ties, O Lord, must I
To thy dominion bow;

Thy humble handmaid's son before,
Thy ransom'd captive now!

17, 18 To thee I'll off"rings bring of praise; And whilst I bless thy name,

The just performance of my vows
To all thy saints proclaim.

19 They in Jerusalem shall meet,
And in thy house shall join,

To bless thy name with one consent,
And mix their songs with mine.
PSALM CXVII.

ITH cheerful notes let all the earth

W To heaven their voices raise;

Let all, inspir'd with godly mirth,
Sing solemn hymns of praise.

2 God's tender mercy knows no bound,
His truth shall ne'er decay;
Then let the willing nations round
Their grateful tribute pay.

PSALM CXVIII.

Praise the Lord, for he is good,

His mercies ne'er decay;

That his kind favours ever last,
Let thankful Israel say.

3, 4 Their sense of his eternal love
Let Aaron's house express;

And that it never fails, let all

That fear the Lord confess.

5 To God I made my humble moan,
With troubles quite opprest;
And he releas'd me from my straits,
And granted my request.

6 Since therefore God does on my side So graciously appear;

Why should the vain attempts of men
Possess my soul with fear?

7 Since God with those that aid my cause Vouchsafes my part to take.,

To all my foes I need not doubt
A just return to make.

9, 9 For better 'tis to trust in God,
And have the Lord our friend,

Than on the greatest human power

For safety to depend.

10, 11 Though many nations, closely leagu❜d, Did oft beset me round;

Yet, by his boundless power sustain❜d,

I did their strength confound.

12 They swarm'd like bees, and yet their rage Was but a short-liv'd blaze; For whilst on God I still rely'd,

I vanquish'd them with ease.
13 When all united press'd me hard,
In hopes to make me fall,

The Lord vouchsaf'd to take my part,
And save me from them all.

14 The honour of my strange escape
To him alone belongs;

He is my Saviour and my strength,
He only claims my songs.

15 Joy fills the dwelling of the just,
Whom God has sav'd from harm;
For wondrous things are brought to pass
By his Almighty arm.

16 He, by his own resistless power,
Has endless honour won;
The saving strength of his right hand
Amazing works has done.

17 God will not suffer me to fall,
But still prolongs my days;
That, by declaring all his works,

I may advance his praise.

18 When God had sorely me chastis'd,
Till quite of hopes bereav'd,

His mercy from the gates of death
My fainting life repriev'd.

19 Then open wide the temple-gates,
To which the just repair,

That I may enter in, and praise
My great Deliv❜rer there.

20, 21 Within those gates of God's abode,
To which the righteous press,

Since thou hast heard, and set me safe,
Thy holy name I'll bless.

22, 23 That which the builders once refus'd, Is now the corner stone;

This is the wondrous work of God,

The work of God alone.

24, 25 This day is God's; let all the land
Exalt their cheerful voice;

Lord, we beseech thee, save us now,
And make us still rejoice.

26 Him that approaches in God's name,
Let all th' assembly bless;

"We that belong to God's own house "Have wish'd you good success."

27 God is the Lord, through whom we all Both light and comfort find;

Fast to the altar's horn, with cords,

The chosen victim bind.

28 Thou art my Lord, O God, and still I'll praise thy holy name;

Because thou only art my God,

I'll celebrate thy fame.

29 O then with me give thanks to God, Who still does gracious prove;

And let the tribute of our praise

Be endless as his love.

PSALM CXIX.
ALEPH.

OW bless'd are they, who always keep

H The pure and perfect way!

Who never from the sacred paths

Of God's commandments stray!

2 How bless'd, who to his righteous laws

Have still obedient been!

And have with fervent humble zeal
His favour sought to win!

3 Such men their utmost caution use
To shun each wicked deed;
But in the path which he directs

With constant care proceed.

4 Thou strictly hast enjoin'd us, Lord,
To learn thy sacred will;
And all our diligence employ
Thy statutes to fulfil.

50 then that thy most holy will
Might o'er my ways preside,
And I the course of all my life
By thy direction guide!

6 Then with assurance should I walk,
From all confusion free;

Convinc'd, with joy, that all my ways
With thy commands agree.

7 My upright heart shall my glad mouth With cheerful praises fill;

When, by thy righteous judgments taught, I shall have learnt thy will. 8 So to thy sacred laws shall I

All due observance pay;

O then forsake me not, my God,
Nor cast me quite away.

BETH.

9 How shall the young preserve their ways, From all pollution free?

By making still their course of life

With thy commands agree.

10 With hearty zeal for thee I seek,
To thee for succour pray;
O suffer not my careless steps

From thy right paths to stray.
11 Safe in my heart, and closely hid,
Thy word, my treasure lies;
To succour me with timely aid,
When sinful thoughts arise.

12 Secur'd by that, my grateful soul
Shall ever bless thy name;

O teach me then by thy just laws
My future life to frame.

13 My lips, unlock'd by pious zeal,
To others have declar'd

1

How well the judgments of thy mouth
Deserve our best regard.

14 Whilst in the way of thy commands
More solid joy I found,

Than had I been with vast increase
Of envy'd riches crown'd.

15 Therefore thy just and upright laws
Shall always fill my mind;

And those sound rules, which thou prescrib'st,
All due respect shall find.

16 To keep thy statutes undefac'd
Shall be my constant joy;
The strict remembrance of thy word
Shall all my thoughts employ.
GIMEL.

17 Be gracious to thy servant, Lord,
Do thou my life defend,
That I, according to thy word,
My future time may spend.

18 Enlighten both my eyes and mind,
That so I may discern

The wondrous works which they behold,
Who thy just precepts learn.

19 Though, like a stranger in the land,
From place to place I stray,
Thy righteous judgments from my sight
Remove not thou away.

20 My fainting soul is almost pin'd,
With earnest longing spent,
Whilst always on the eager search
Of thy just will intent.

21 Thy sharp rebuke shall crush the proud,
Whom still thy curse pursues;
Since they to walk in thy right ways
Presumptuously refuse.

22 But far from me do thou, O Lord,
Contempt and shame remove;
For I thy sacred laws affect

With undissembled love.

23 Though princes oft, in council met,
Against thy servant spake;
Yet I thy statutes to observe

My constant business make.
24 For thy commands have always been
My comfort and delight;

By them I learn, with prudent care,
To guide my steps aright.

DALETH.

25 My soul, oppress'd with deadly care,
Close to the dust does cleave;
Revive me, Lord, and let me now
Thy promis'd aid receive.

26 To thee I still declar'd my ways,
And thou inclin'st thine ear;

O teach me then my future life

By thy just laws to steer.

27 If thou wilt make me know thy laws, And by their guidance walk,

The wondrous works which thou hast done
Shall be my constant talk.

28 But see, my soul within me sinks,
Press'd down with weighty care;
Do thou, according to thy word,
My wasted strength repair.

29 Far, far from me be all false ways
And lying arts remov'd;

But kindly grant I still may keep

The path by thee approv'd.

30 Thy faithful ways, thou God of truth, My happy choice I've made;

Thy judgments, as my rule of life,
Before me always laid.

31 My care has been to make my life
With thy commands agree;

O then preserve thy servant, Lord,
From shame and ruin free.
32 So in the way of thy commands
Shall I with pleasure run,
And, with a heart enlarg'd with joy,
Successfully go on.

HE.

33 Instruct me in thy statutes, Lord,
Thy righteous paths display;
And I from them, through all my life,
Will never go astray.

34 If thou true wisdom from above
Wilt graciously impart,
To keep thy perfect laws I will
Devote my zealous heart.
35 Direct me in the sacred ways
To which thy precepts lead;
Because my chief delight has been
Thy righteous paths to tread.

36 Do thou to thy most just commands Incline my willing heart; Let no desire of worldly wealth

From thee my thoughts divert.

37 From those vain objects turn my eyes,
Which this false world displays;
But give me lively power and strength
To keep thy righteous ways.

38 Confirm the promise which thou mad'st,
And give thy servant aid,
Who to transgress thy sacred laws
Is awfully afraid.

39 The foul disgrace I justly fear,
In mercy, Lord, remove;

For all the judgments thou ordain'st
Are full of grace and love.

40 Thou know'st how after thy commands

My longing heart does pant;

O then make haste to raise me up,
And promis'd succour grant.
VAU.

41 Thy constant blessing, Lord, bestow,
To cheer my drooping heart;

To me, according to thy word,

Thy saving health impart.

42 So shall I, when my foes upbraid, This ready answer make;

In God I trust, who never will "His faithful promise break."

43 Then let not quite the word of truth
Be from my mouth remov'd;

Since still my ground of steadfast hope
Thy just decrees have prov'd.
44 So I to keep thy righteous laws
Will all my study bend;
From age to age my time to come
In their observance spend.

45 Ere long I trust to walk at large,
From all incumbrance free;
Since I resolve to make my life

With thy commands agree.

46 Thy laws shall be my constant talk;
And princes shall attend,
Whilst I the justice of thy ways
With confidence defend.

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49 According to thy promis'd grace, Thy favour, Lord, extend; Make good to me the word on which Thy servant's hopes depend. 50 That only comfort in distress Did all my griefs control;

53 Sometimes I stand amaz'd, like one
With deadly horror struck,
To think how all my sinful foes
Have thy just laws forsook.

54 But I thy statutes and decrees
My cheerful anthems made;

Whilst through strange lands and desert wilde I like a pilgrim stray'd.

55 Thy name, that cheer'd my heart by day, Has fill'd my thoughts by night: I then resolv'd by thy just laws

To guide my steps aright.

56 That peace of mind, which has my soul In deep distress sustain❜d,

By strict obedience to thy will
I happily obtain'd.

CHETH

57 O Lord, my God, my portion thou
And sure possession art;

Thy words I steadfastly resolve
To treasure in my heart.

58 With all the strength of warm desire I did thy grace implore;

Disclose, according to thy word,
Thy mercy's boundless store.

59 With due reflection and strict care
On all my ways I thought;

And so, reclaim'd to thy just paths,
My wand'ring steps I brought.

60 I lost no time, but made great haste, Resolv'd, without delay,

To watch, that I might never more
From thy commandments stray.

61 Though num'rous troops of sinful men To rob me have combin❜d,

Yet I thy pure and righteous laws
Have ever kept in mind.

62 In dead of night I will arise
To sing thy solemn praise;
Convine'd how much I always ought
To love thy righteous ways.

63 To such as fear thy holy name
Myself I closely join;

To all who their obedient wills
To thy commands resign.

64 O'er all the earth thy mercy, Lord,' Abundantly is shed;

O make me then exactly learn

Thy sacred paths to tread.

TETH.

65 With me, thy servant, thou hast dealt
Most graciously, O Lord;
Repeated benefits bestow'd,
According to thy word.

66 Teach me the sacred skill, by which Right judgment is attain'd,

Who in belief of thy commands
Have steadfastly remain'd.

67 Before affliction stopp'd my course,
My foot-steps went astray;

Thy word, when troubles hemm'd me round, But I have since been disciplin'd

Reviv'd my fainting soul.

51 Insulting foes did proudly mock,

And all my hopes deride;

Yet from thy law not all their scoffs
Could make me turn aside.

52 Thy judgments then, of ancient date, I quickly call'd to mind,

Till, ravish'd with such thoughts, my soul Did speedy comfort find,

Thy precepts to obey.

68 Thou art, O Lord, supremely good, And all thou dost is so;

On me, thy statutes to discern,
Thy saving skill bestow.

69 The proud have forg'd malicious lies, My spotless fame to stain;.

But my fix'd heart, without reserve,
Thy precepts shall retain.

70 While pamper'd they, with prosp'rous ills, 187 With close designs against my life

In sensual pleasures live,
My soul can relish no delight,
But what thy precepts give.

71 'Tis good for me that I have felt
Affliction's chast'ning rod,
That I might duly learn and keep
The statutes of my God.

72 The law that from thy mouth proceeds, Of more esteem I hold

Than untouch'd mines, than thousand mines Of silver and of gold.

JOD.

73 To me, who am the workmanship
Of thy Almighty hands,
The heavenly understanding give
To learn thy just commands.
74 My preservation to thy saints
Strong comfort will afford,
To see success attend my hopes,
Who trusted in thy word.

75 That right thy judgments are, I now
By sure experience see;
And that in faithfulness, O Lord,
Thou hast afflicted me.

76 O let thy tender merey now
Afford me needful aid;
According to thy promise, Lord,
To me, thy servant, made.
77 To me thy saving grace restore,
That I again may live;
Whose soul can relish no delight
But what thy precepts give.

78 Defeat the proud, who, unprovok'd,
To ruin me have sought,
Who only on thy sacred laws

Employ my harmless thought.

79 Let those that fear thy name espouse My cause, and those alone

Who have, by strict and pious search,
Thy sacred precepts known.

80 In thy blest statutes let my heart
Continue always sound;

That guilt and shame, the sinner's lct,
May never me confound.

CAPH.

81 My soul with long expectance faints
To see thy saving grace;
Yet still on thy unerring word
My confidence I place.

32 My very eyes consume and fail
With waiting for thy word;

O! when wilt thou thy kind relief
And promis'd aid afford!

83 My skin like shrivel'd parchment shows, That long in smoke is set;

Yet no affliction me can force

Thy statutes to forget.

34 How many days must I endure
Of sorrow and distress?

When wilt thou judgment execute
On them who me oppress?

85 The proud have digg'd a pit for me,
That have no other foes,
But such as are averse to thee,
And thy just laws oppose.

86 With sacred truth's eternal laws
All thy commands agree;
Men persecute me without cause;
Thou, Lord, my helper be.

They had almost prevail'd; But in obedience to thy will,

My duty never fail'd.

88 Thy wonted kindness, Lord, restore,
My drooping heart to cheer;
That by thy righteous statutes I
My life's whole course may steer.
LAMED.

89 For ever and for ever, Lord,
Unchang'd thou dost remain;
Thy word, establish'd in the heavens,
Does all their orbs sustain.

90 Through circling ages, Lord, thy truth Immoveable shall stand,

As doth the earth, which thou uphold'st By thy Almighty hand.

91 All things the course by thee ordain'd Even to this day fulfil;

They are thy faithful subjects all,
And servants of thy will.

92 Unless thy sacred law had been
My comfort and delight,

I must have fainted, and expir'd
In dark affliction's night.

93 Thy precepts, therefore, from my thoughts Shall never, Lord, depart;

For thou by them hast to new life
Restor'd my dying heart.

94 As I am thine, entirely thine,
Protect me, Lord, from harm,,

Who have thy precepts sought to know,
And carefully perform.

95 The wicked have their ambush laid
My guiltless life to take;
But in the midst of danger I

Thy word my study make.

96 I've seen an end of what we call
Perfection here below;

But thy commandments, like thyself,
No change or period know.

МЕМ.

97 The love that to thy laws I bear
No language can display;
They with fresh wonders entertain
My ravish'd thoughts all day.
98 Through thy commands I wiser grow
Than all my subtile foes;

For thy sure word doth me direct,
And all my ways dispose.

99 From me my former teachers now
May abler counsel take;
Because thy sacred precepts I
My constant study make.
100 In understanding I excel
The sages of our days;
Because by thy unerring rules
I order all my ways.

101 My feet with care I have refrain'd
From every sinful way,

That to thy sacred word I might

Entire obedience pay.

102 I have not from thy judgments stray'd, By vain desires misled;

For, Lord, thou hast instructed me

Thy righteous paths to tread.

103 How sweet are all thy words to me?
O what divine repast!

How much more grateful to my souf
Than honey to my taste!

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104 Taught by thy sacred precepts, I'
With heavenly skill am blest,
Through which the treach'rous ways of sin
I utterly detest.

NUN.

105 Thy word is to my feet a lamp,
The way of truth to show;
A watch-light to point out the path
In which I ought to go.

106 I swear, and from my solemn oath
Will never start aside,

That in thy righteous judgments I
Will steadfastly abide.

107 Since I with griefs am so opprest,
That I can bear no more,
According to thy word do thou
My fainting soul restore.
108 Let still my sacrifice of praise
With thee acceptance find;

And in thy righteous judgments, Lord,
Instruct my willing mind.

109 Though ghastly dangers me surround,
My soul they cannot awe,
Nor with continual terrors keep
From thinking on thy law.

110 My wicked and invet'rate foes
For me their snares have laid;
Yet I have kept the upright path,
Nor from thy precepts stray'd.
111 Thy testimonies I have made
My heritage and choice;

For they, when other comforts fail,
My drooping heart rejoice.
112 My heart with early zeal began
Thy statutes to obey,
And till my course of life is done,
Shall keep thy upright way.

SAMECH.

113 Deceitful thoughts and practice's I utterly detest;

But to thy law affection bear

Too great to be exprest.

114 My hiding-place, my refuge-tower,
And shield art thou, Ŏ Lord;

I firmly anchor all my hopes
On thy unerring word.

115 Hence, ye that trade in wickedness,
Approach not my abode;

For firmly I resolve to keep
The precepts of my God.

116 According to thy gracious word,
From danger set me free;

Nor make me of those hopes asham'd,
That I repose in thee.

117 Uphold me, so shall I be safe,
And rescu'd from distress;

To thy decrees continually

My just respect address.

118 The wicked thou hast trod to earth,
Who from thy statutes stray'd;
Their vile deceit the just reward
Of their own falsehood made.

119 The wicked from thy holy land
Thou dost like dross remove;

I therefore, with such justice charm'd,
Thy testimonies love.

120 Yet with that love they make me dread,

Lest I should so offend,

When on transgressors I behold

Thy judgments thus descend

AIN.

121 Judgment and justice I have lov'd;
O therefore, Lord, engage
In my defence, nor give me up
To my oppressor's rage.

122 Do thou be surety, Lord, for me,
And so shall this distress

Prove good for me; nor shall the proud
My guiltless soul oppress.
123 My eyes, alas! begin to fail,
In long expectance held;
Till thy salvation they behold,
And righteous word fulfill'd.
124 To me, thy servant, in distress,
Thy wonted grace display,
And discipline my willing heart
Thy statutes to obey.

125 On me, devoted to thy fear,
Thy sacred skill bestow,
That of thy testimonies I

The full extent may know.

126 'Tis time, high time for thee, O Lord, Thy vengeance to employ; When men with open violence

Thy sacred law destroy.

127 Yet their contempt of thy commands But makes their value rise

In my esteem, who purest gold,
Compar'd with them, despise.
128 Thy precepts therefore I account,
In all respects, divine;

They teach me to discern the right,
And all false ways decline.

PE.

129 The wonders which thy laws contain No words can represent;

Therefore to learn and practise them
My zealous heart is bent.

130 The very entrance to thy word
Celestial light displays,

And knowledge of true happiness
To simplest minds conveys.

131 With eager hopes I waiting stood,
And fainting with desire;

That of thy wise commands I might
The sacred skill acquire.

132 With favour, Lord, look down on me, Who thy relief implore;

As thou art wont to visit those

Who thy blest name adore.
133 Directed by thy heavenly word
Let all my footsteps be;
Nor wickedness of any kind
Dominion have o'er me.
134 Release, entirely set me free
From persecuting hands,
That, unmolested, I may learn
And practise thy commands.
135 On me, devoted to thy fear,
Lord, make thy face to shine;
Thy statutes both to know and keep,
My heart with zeal incline.

136 My eyes to weeping fountains turn
Whence briny rivers flow,

To see mankind against thy laws
In bold defiance go.

TSADDI.

137 Thou art the righteous Judge, in whom Wrong'd innocence may trust;

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