Protect me, therefore, and to me PSALM XXVII THOM should I fear, since God to W Is saving health and light? [me Since strongly he my life supports, What can my soul affright? 2 With fierce intent my flesh to tear, They stumbled, and their haughty crests 4 Henceforth, within his house to dwell I earnestly desire; His wondrous beauty there to view, 5 For there I may with comfort rest, In that secure recess 6 Whilst God o'er all iny haughty foes 7 Continue, Lord, to hear my voice, In mercy my complaints receive, 8 When us to seek thy glorious face 9 Then hide not thou thy face, O Lord, Nor me in wrath reject; My God and Saviour, leave not him 10 Though all my friends, and kindred 11 Instruct me in thy paths. O Lord, My ways directly guide; Lest envious men, who watch my steps, 12 Lord, disappoint my cruel foes; Should with thy love be crown'd; PSALM XXVIII. LORD, my rock, to thee I cry, In sighs consume my breath; O! answer, or 1 shall become Like those that sleep in death. 2 Regard my suppilation, Lord, The cries that I repeat, With weeping eyes, and lifted hands, Before thy mercy-seat. 3 Let me escape the sinners' doom, Who make a trade of ill, And ever speak the person fair, Whose blood they mean to spill. 4 According to their crimes extent, Let justice have its course: Relentless be to them, as they Have sinned without remorse. 5 Since they the works of God despise Nor will his grace adore ; His wrath sha!! utterly destroy, And build them up no more. Triumphant from the field. The cheerful tribute of my thanks, 9 Preserve thy chosen, and proceed PSALM XXIX. YE princes that in might excel, 3 "Tis he that, with amazing noise, Where he's with solemn state ador'd. The wat'ry clouds in sunder breaks; The ocean trembles at his voice. When he from heaven in thunder speaks. 4, 5 How full of power his voice appears! With what majestic terror crown'd! Which from their roots tall cedars tears, And strews their scatter'd branches round. 6 They, and the hills on which theygrow, Are sometimes hurry'd far away; And leap, like hinds that bounding go, Or unicorns in youthful play. 7,8 When God in thunder loudly speaks, And scatter'd flames of lightning sends, The forest nods, the desert quakes, And stubborn Kadesh lowly bends. 9 He makes the hinds to cast their young, And lays the beasts' dark coverts bere; While those that to his courts belong, Securely sing his praises there. 10, 11 God rules the angry floods on high; His boundless sway shall never cease; His saints with strength he will supply, T'LL celebrate thy praise, Lord, To raise my drooping head, and check 2, 3 In my distress I cry'd to thee, 4 Thus to his courts. ye saints of his, 5 His wrath has but a moment's reign, His favour no decay; Your night of grief is recompens'd 6 But I, in prosp rous days presum'd; 7 But soon I found thy favour, Lord, For when thou hid'st thy face, I saw 8 Then, as I vainly had presum'd, And thus with supplicating voice, Thy mercy's throne address'd: 9 What profit is there in my blood, "Congeal'd by death's cold night? "Can silent ashes speak thy praise, Thy wondrous truth recite ? 10 Hear me, O Lord, in mercy hear; "Thy wonted aid extend; "Do thou send help, on whom alone "I can for help depend 11 'Tis done thou hast my mournful To songs and dances turn'd; [scene Invested me with robes of state, Who late in sackcloth mourn'd. 12 Exalted thus, I'll gladly sing Thy praise in grateful verse; And, as thy favours endless are, Thy endless praise rehearse. PSALM XXXI. DE EFEND me, Lord, from shame, As just and righteous is thy name, 3 Since thou, when foes oppress, To guide me orth from this distress, 5 To thee. the God of truth, My life, and all that's mine, (For thou preserv'dst me from my I willingly resign. [youth.) All vain designs I hate And still my soul in every sta 7 Those mercies thou hast shown, For thou hast seen my straits, and known My soul in deep distress 8 When Keilah's treach'rous race Did all my strength enclose, Thou gav st my feet a larger space, To shun my watchful foes. 9 Thy mercy, Lord, display, And hear my just complaint; For both my soul and flesh decay With griet and hunger faint. 10 Sad thoughts my life oppress; My years are spent in groans; My sins have made my strength decrease, And e'en consum'd my bones. 11 My foes my suff'rings mock'd; My neighbours did upbraid; My friends, at sight of me, were shock'd, And fled, as men dismay'd. 12 Forsook by all am I, As dead, and out of mind; And like a shatter'd vessel lie, Whose parts can ne'er be join'd. 13 Yet sland'rous words they speak, And seem my power to dread'; Whilst they together counsel take, My guiltless blood to shed. 14 But still my steadfast trust I on thy help repose: That thou, my God, art good and just, My soul with comfort knows. PART III. 15 Whate'er events betide, Thy wisdom times them all; 18 Do thou their tongues restrain, To such as fear thy name, 20 Thon keep'st them in thy sight, God's name be ever bless'd; I'm banish'd from thine eyes ;" Who to the just will help afford, HE'S PSALM XXXII. E'S blest whose sins have pardon gain'd, No more in judgment to appear; 2 Whose guilt remission has obtain❜d, And whose repentance is sincere. 3 While I conceal'd the fretting sore, My bones consum'd without relief; All day did I with anguish roar, But no complaints assuag'd my grief. 4 Heavy on me thy hand remain'd, By day and night alike distress'd, Till quite of vital moisture drain'd, Like land with summer's drought op. press'd. 5 No sooner I my wound disclos'd, The guilt that tortur'd me within, But thy forgiveness interpos'd. And mercy's healing balm pour'd in. 6 True penitents shall thus succeed, Who seek thee whilst thou may'st be found; And, from the common deluge freed, Ye that would truth's safe path_des- 10 Sorrows on sorrows multiply'd, The harden'd sinner shall confound; But them who in his truth confide, Blessings of mercy shall surround. 11 His saints, that have perform'd his laws, Their life in triumph shall employ; Let them, as they alone have cause, In grateful raptures shout for joy. PSALM XXXIII. LE ET all the just to God, with joy, Their cheerful voices raise; For well the righteous it becomes To sing glad songs of praise. 2, 3 Let harps, and psalteries, and lutes, In joyful concert meet; And new-made songs of loud applause The harmony complete 4,5 For faithful is the word of God; His works with truth abound; He justice loves; and all the earth Is with his goodness crown'd.. 6 By his Almighty Word, at first, The heav'nly arch was rear'd; And all the beauteous hosts of light At his command appear'd. 7 The swelling floods, together roll'd, 8, 9 Let earth, and all that dwell therein, Before him trembling stand; For, when he spake the word. 'twas made; 'Twas fix'd at his command. 10 He, when the heathen closely plot, Their counsels undermines; His wisdom ineffectual makes The people's rash designs. 11 Whater the mighty Lord decrees, Shall stand for ever sure; The settled purpose of his heart To ages shall endure. PART II. 12 How happy then are they, to whom 13, 14, 15 He all the nations of the earth, From heaven, his throne, survey'd; He saw their works, and view'd their thoughts; By him their hearts were made. 16, 17 No king is safe by num'rous hosts; Their strength the strong deceives: No manag'd horse, by force or speed, His warlike rider saves. 18, 19 'Tis God, who those that trust in Beholds with gracious eyes; [hina He frees their soul from death; their In time of dearth supplies. 20, 21 Our soul on God with patience Our help and shield is he; Then, Lord, let still our hearts rejoice, Because we trust in thee. [want, [waits; 22 The riches of thy mercy, Lord, Do thou to us extend; Since we, for all we want or wish, On thee alone depend. PSALM XXXIV. HROUGH all the changing scenes Tin trouble and in Joy, [of life, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ. 2 Of his deliv'rance I will boast, Till all that are distrest, From my example comfort take, And charm their griefs to rest. 30 magnify the Lord with me, With me exalt his name: 4 When in distress to him I call'd, He to my rescue came. 5 Their drooping hearts were soon reWho look'd to him for aid; [fresh'd, Desir'd success in every face A cheerful air display'd. 6 Behold," say they, "behold the man, "Whom providence reliev'd; "The man so dang 'rously beset, "So wondrously retriev'd!" 7 The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliv'rance he affords to all Who on his succour trust. 8 O make but trial of his love, Experience will decide How blest they are, and only they, Who in his truth confide. 9 Fear him, ye saints; and you will then 11 Approach, ye piously dispos'd, 12 Let him who length of life desires, tongue, His lips from falsehood free; And where 'tis lost, renew. 15 The Lord from heaven beholds the 16 But turns his wrathful look on those 17 Deliv'rance to his saints he gives, 19 The wicked oft, but still in vain, 21 The wicked, from their wicked arts, Their ruin shall derive Whilst righteous men, whom taey detest. AGAINST all those that strive with Lord, assert my right; With such as war unjustly wage, Do thou my battles fight. [me, 2 Thy buckler take, and bind thy shield Upon thy warlike arm; Stand up. O God, in my defence, And keep me safe from harm. 3 Bring forth thy spear; and stop their 6 And when, through dark and slipp'ry 9 Whilst my glad soul shall God's great 10 My very bones shall say, "O Lord, PART 11. 1 False witnesses, with forg'd comAgainst my truth combin'd; [plaints, And to my charge such things they said, As I had ne'er design'd. 12 The good which I to them had done, With evil they epaid; And did, by malice undeserv'd, My harmless life invade. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, I still in sackcloth mourn'd; I pray'd and fasted, and my prayer 14 Had they my friends or brethren been, I could have done no more; A mother's loss deplore 15 How diff'rent did their carriage prove In times of my distress! When they, in crowds, together met, Did savage joy express The rabble too, in num rous throngs, 17 Bnt, Lord, how long wilt thou look 18 So 1, before the list'ning world, 19 Lord, suffer not my causeless foes, 20 For they, with hearts averse to peace, Industriously devise, Against the men of quiet minds 21 Nor with these private arts content, Aloud they vent their spite And say, "At last we found him out, "He did it in our sight" [me 22 But thou, who dost both them and 23 Stir up thyself in my behalf; Thy righteous servant's cause, O God, To thy decision take. 24 Lord, as my heart has upright been, Let me thy justice find; Nor let my cruel toes obtain The triumph they design'd. 25 O! let them not, amongst themselves, In boasting language say, "At length our wishes are complete ; 27 Whilst they with cheerful voices shout, Who my just cause befriend; And bless the Lord, who loves to make Success his saints attend. 28 So shall my tongue thy judgments PSALM XXXVI. Y crafty toe. with flatt'ring art, Med purpose would disguise; Bat reason whispers to my heart, He ne'er sets God before his eyes. 2 He sooths himself, retir'd from sight; Secure he thinks his treach'rous game; Till his dark plots, expos'd to light, Their false contriver brand with shame. 3 In deeds he is my foe confess'd, Whilst with his tongue he speaks me True wisdom's banish'd from his breast, No execrable means declines. 5 But, Lord, thy mercy, my sure hope, Above the heavenly orb ascends; Thy sacred truth's unmeasur'd scope Beyond the spreading sky extends. 6 Thy justice like the hills remains; Unfathom'd depths thy judgments are; Thy providence the world sustains; The whole creation is thy care. 7 Since of thy goodness all partake, With what assurance should the just Thy shelt'ring wings their refuge make, And saints to thy protection trust! 8 Such guests shall to thy courts be led, To banquet on thy love's repast; And drink, as from a fountain's head, Of joys that shall for ever last. 9 With thee the springs of life remain ; Thy presence is eternal day: 10 O let thy saints thy favour gain; To upright hearts thy truth display. 11 Whilst pride's insulting foot would spurn, And wicked hands my life surprise, 12 Their mischiefs on themselves return; Down, down they're fall'n no more to rise. PSALM XXXVII. HOUGH wicked men grow rich or great, THC Yet let not their successful state Thy anger or thy envy raise; 2 For they, cut down like tender grass, Or like young flowers, away shall pass. Whose blooming beauty soon decays. 3 Depend on God, and him obey, So thou within the land shalt stay, Secure from danger and from want: 4 Make his commands thy chief delight; And he, thy duty to requite, Shall all thy earnest wishes grant. 5 In all thy ways trust thou the Lord, And he will needful help afford, To perfect every just design; 6 He'll make, like light, serene and clear Thy clouded innocence appear. And as a mid-day sun to shine. 7 With quiet mind on God depend, And patiently for him attend; Nor let thy anger fondly rise, Though wicked men with wealth abound, And with success the plots are crown'd Which they maliciously devise. 8 From anger cease, and wrath forsake Let no ungovern'd passion make Thy wav'ring heart espouse their crime; 9 For God shall sinful men destroy; Whilst only they the land enjoy. Who trust on him, and wait his time 10 How soon shall wicked men decay! Their place shall vanish quite away, Nor bv ne strictest search be found; 11 Whilst humble souls possess the earth, Rejoicin still with godly mirth. 12 While sinful crowds, with false de |