4 The Lord hath both a temple here,

And righteous throne above; Whence he surveys the sons of men, And how their counsels move.

5 If God the righteous, whom he loves, For trial does correct;

What must the sons of violence,
Whom he abhors, expect?

6 Snares, fire, and brimstone on their heads

Shall in one tempest show'r ;
This dreadful mixture his revenge
Into their cup shall pour.

7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds

S

With signal favour grace;

And to the upright man disclose The brightness of his face.

PSALM XII.

INCE godly men decay, O Lord,

Do thou my cause defend;

For scarce these wretched times afford One just and faithful friend.

2 One neighbour now can scarce believe What t'other doth impart :

With flatt'ring lips they all deceive,
And with a double heart.

3 But lips that with deceit abound
Can never prosper long;
God's righteous vengeance will con-
found

The proud blaspheming tongue.

4 In vain those foolish boasters say,

Our tongues are sure our own;
With doubtful words we will betray,
And be controll'd by none.

5 For God, who hears the suff'ring poor,
And their oppression knows,
Will soon arise and give them rest,
In spite of all their foes.

6 The word of God shall still abide,
And void of falsehood be,

As is the silver, seven times tried,
From drossy mixture free.

7 The promise of his aiding grace
Shall reach the purpos'd end;
His servants from this faithless race
He ever shali defend.

8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd, Nor know which way to fly;

And suddenly, or I shall sleep

In everlasting night.

4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast 'Twas their own strength o'ercame; Permit not them that vex my soul To triumph in my shame.

5 Since I have always plac'd my trust Beneath thy mercy's wing,

Thy saving health will come, and then My heart with joy shall spring:

6 Then shall my song, with praise inspir'd,

To thee, my God, ascend; Who to thy servant in distress Such bounty didst extend.

SUR

PSALM XIV.

URE wicked fools must needs suppose

That God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows, No breast is warm'd with holy flame.

2 The Lord look'd down from heav'n's high tow'r,

And all the sons of men did view,
To see if any own'd his pow'r,
If any truth or justice knew.

3 But all, he saw, were gone aside,
All were degen'rate grown and base;
None took religion for their guide,
Not one of all the sinful race.

4 But can these workers of deceit

Be all so dull and senseless grown, That they like bread my people eat, And God's almighty pow'r disown? 5 How will they tremble then for fear, When his just wrath shall them o'ertake!

For to the righteous God is near, And never will their cause forsake. 6 Ill men in vain with scorn expose Those methods which the good pur

sue;

Since God a refuge is for those
Whom his just eyes with favour view.
7 Would he his saving pow'r employ
To break his people's servile band;
Then shouts of universal joy

Should loudly echo thro' the land.
PSALM XV.

vex'd,

Shall be advanc'd on high.

PSALM XIII.

To thy blest courts repair?

Not, stranger-like, to visit them,

But to inhabit there?

2 'Tis he, whose ev'ry thought and deed
[speak
By rules of virtue moves;
Whose gen'rous tongue disdains to
The thing his heart disproves.

3 Who never did a slander forge
His neighbour's fame to wound;
Nor hearken to a false report,
By malice whisper'd round.

4 Who vice in all its pomp and pow'r
Can treat with just neglect;
And piety, though cloth'd in rags,
Religiously respect.

Who to his plighted vows and trust
Has ever firmly stood;

And, though he promise to his loss, He makes his promise good. 5 Whose soul in usury disdains

His treasure to employ ;

Whom no rewards can ever bribe
The guiltless to destroy.

6 The man, who by this steady course Has happiness insur'd,

When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand,

By Providence secur'd.

PSALM XVI.

PROTECT me from my cruel foes,
And shield me, Lord, from harm,
Because my trust I still repose
On thy Almighty arm.

2 My soul all help but thine does slight,
All gods but thee disown;
Yet can no deeds of mine requite
The goodness thou hast shown.

3 But those that strictly virtuous are,
And love the thing that's right,
To favour always and prefer
Shall be my chief delight.

4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd
Who other gods adore!
Their bloody off'rings I detest,
Their very names abhor.

5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land
Where God is truly known;

He fits my cup with lib'ral hand;
'Tis he supports my throne.

6 In nature's most delightful scene
My happy portion lies;
The place of my appointed reign
All other lands outvies.

7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord,
Whose precepts give me light,
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.

8 I strive each action to approve
To his all-seeing eye;

No danger shall my hopes remove,
Because he still is nigh.

9 Therefore my heart all grief defies,
My glory does rejoice;

My flesh shall rest in hope to rise,
Wak'd by his pow'rful voice.

10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath,
My soul from hell shalt free;
Nor let thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.

11 Thou shalt the paths of life display
That to thy presence lead;

Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.

PSALM XVII.

To my just plea and sad complaint,
Attend, O righteous Lord,
And to my pray'r, as 'tis unfeign'd,
A gracious ear afford.

2 As in thy sight I am approv❜d,
So let my sentence be;

And with impartial eyes, O Lord,
My upright dealing see.

3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day, And visited by night;

And on the strictest trial found
Its secret motions right.

Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
My heart's designs acquit ;

For I have purpos'd that my tongue
Shall no offence commit.

4 I know what wicked men would do Their safety to maintain;

But me thy just and mild commands From bloody paths restrain.

5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs, My innocence secure ;

O guide me in thy righteous ways,
And make my footsteps sure.

6 Since heretofore I ne'er in vain
To thee my pray'r addrest;

O now, my God, incline thine ear
To this my just request.

7 The wonders of thy truth and love
In my defence engage;

Thou, whose right hand preserves thy

saints

From their oppressors' rage.

The Second Part.

8, 90 keep me in thy tend'rest eare ;
Thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,
To guard me safe from savage foes,
That compass me about.

10 O'ergrown with luxury, inclos'd
In their own fat they lie;

And with a proud blaspheming mouth
Both God and man defy.

11 Well may they boast, for they have

now

My paths encompass'd round:

With eyes at watch, and bodies bow'd,
And couching on the ground;

12 In posture of a lion set,

When greedy of his prey,
Or a young lion, when he lurks
Within a covert way.

13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots,
Their swelling rage control;

From wicked men, who are thy sword,
Deliver thou my soul:

14 From worldly men, thy sharpest Scourge,

Whose portion's here below;

Who, fill'd with earthly stores, desire
No other bliss to know.

15 Their race is num'rous that partake
Their substance while they live:
Their heirs survive, to whom they may
The vast remainder give.

16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
Shall view without control;
And, waking, shall its image find
Reflected in my soul.

го

PSALM XVIII.

No change of times shall ever shock
My firm affection, Lord, to thee;
For thou hast always been my rock,
A fortress and defence to me.

2 Thou my deliv'rer art, my God,

My trust is in thy mighty pow'r : Thou art my shield from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tow'r. 3 To thee I will address my pray❜r,

To whom all praise we justly owe; So shall I, by thy watchful care, Be guarded from my treach'rous foe. 4, 5 By floods of wicked men distress'd, With seas of sorrow compass'd round; With dire infernal pangs oppress'd, In death's unwieldy fetters bound; 6 To heav'n I made my mournful pray'r, To God address'd my humble moan; Who graciously inclin'd his ear, And heard me from his lofty throne. The Second Part.

7 When God arose my part to take, The conscious earth was struck with fear;

The hills did at his presence shake, Nor could his dreadful fury bear. 8 Thick clouds of smoke dispers'd abroad, Ensigns of wrath before him came; Devouring fire around him glow'd, That coals were kindled at its flame. 9 He left the beauteous realms of light, Whilst heav'n bow'd down its awful head,

Beneath his feet substantial night Was like a sable carpet spread. 10 The chariot of the King of kings, Which active troops of angels drew, On a strong tempest's rapid wings, With most amazing swiftness flew. 11, 12 Black wat'ry mists and clouds conspir'd

With thickest shades his face to veil;
But at his brightness soon retir'd,
And fell in show'rs of fire and hail.

13 Thro' heav'n's wide arch a thund'ring peal

God's angry voice did loudly roar ; While earth's sad face with heaps of hail,

And flakes of fire, was cover'd o'er. 14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw,

Which made his scatter'd foes retreat;
Like darts his nimble lightnings flew,
And quickly finish'd their defeat.
15 The deep its secret stores disclos'd,

The world's foundations naked lay;
By his avenging wrath expos'd,
Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful
day.

The Third Part.

16 The Lord did on my side engage, From heav'n, his throne, my cause upheld;

And snatch'd me from the furious rage Of threat'ning waves that proudly swell'd.

17 God his resistless pow'r employ'd,

My strongest foes' attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroy'd The weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtil rage had near prevail'd

When I distress'd and friendless lay; But still, when other succours fail'd, God was my firm support and stay. 19 From dangers that inclos'd me round, He brought me forth and set me free, For some just cause his goodness found, That mov'd him to delight in me. 20 Because in me no guilt remains,

God does his gracious help extend; My hands are free from bloody stains, Therefore the Lord is still my friend. 21, 22 For I his judgments kept in sight, In his just paths I always trod; I never did his statutes slight,

Nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, Did e'en from darling sins refrain; His favours, therefore, yet endure, Because my heart and hands are clean.

The Fourth Part. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righte

ous ways

To various paths of human kind; They, who for mercy merit praise, With thee shall wondrous mercy find. Thou to the just shalt justice show, The pure thy purity shall see; Such as perversely choose to go, [thee. Shall meet with due returns from 27, 28 That he the humble soul will save, And crush the haughty's boasted might,

In me the Lord an instance gave, Whose darkness he has turn'd to light.

29 On his firm succour I relied,

And did o'er num'rous foes prevail; Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side, The best defended wails to scale.

30 For God's designs shall still succeed; His word will bear the utmost test: He's a strong shield to all that need, And on his sure protection rest.

31 Who then deserves to be ador'd,

But God, on whom my hopes depend?
Or who, except the mighty Lord,
Can with resistless pow'r defend?
The Fifth Part.

32, 33 "Tis God that girds my armour on, And all my just designs fulfils; Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take,

And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Forc'd by my stronger arms to yield.

35 The buckler of his saving health Protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still, my wealth And greatness from his bounty flows. 36 My goings he enlarg'd abroad,

Till then to narrow paths confin'd; And, when in slipp'ry ways I trod, The method of my steps design'd. 37 Through him I num'rous hosts defeat, And flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, Till I a final conquest make.

38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try Their vanquish'd heads again to

He makes my strong opposers yield, Subdu'd by my prevailing arms. 40 Thro' him the necks of prostrate foes My conqu'ring feet in triumph press; Aided by him, I root out those

Who hate and envy my success. 41 With loud complaints all friends they tried,

But none was able to defend;

At length to God for help they cried,
But God would no assistance lend.

42 Like flying dust which winds pursue,
Their broken troops I scatter'd
round,
Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw,
Like loathsome dirt that clogs the
ground.

45 All to my summons tamely yield, Or soon in battle are dismay'd; For stronger holds they quit the field, And still in strongest holds afraid. 46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd,

The rock on whose defence I rest; O'er highest heav'ns his Name be rais'd, Who me with his salvation blest.

47 'Tis God that still supports my right,

His just revenge my foes pursues; Tis he that with resistless might Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard he,

From whom my lasting honours flow; He made me great, and set me free From my remorseless bloody foe. 49 Therefore to celebrate his fame

My grateful voice to heav'n I'll raise;

HE heav'ns declare thy glory, Lord, Which that alone can fill; The firmament and stars express Their great Creator's skill."

2 The dawn of each returning day Fresh beams of knowledge brings; And from the dark returns of night Divine instruction springs.

3 Their pow'rful language to no realm Or region is confin'd;

'Tis nature's voice, and understood Alike by all mankind.

4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense Through earth's extent display; Whose bright contents the circling

sun

Does round the world convey.

5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day
Has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice
To run his glorious race.

6 From east to west, from west to east, His restless course he goes;

And thro' his progress cheerful light And vital warmth bestows.

The Second Part.

7 God's perfect law converts the soul,
Reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires.

8 The statutes of the Lord are just,
And bring sincere delight;"

His pure commands, in search of Assist the feeblest sight. [truth, 9 His perfect worship here is fix'd, On sure foundations laid;

10

His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weigh'd.

of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refin'd with skill;

More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distil.

11 My trusty counsellors they are,
And friendly warnings give;
Divine rewards attend on those
Who by thy precepts live.

12 But what frail man observes how oft He does from virtue fall?

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!
13 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
Dominion have o'er me;
That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may
The great transgression flee.

14 So shall my pray'r and praises be
With thy acceptance blest;
And I secure on thy defenee,
My strength and saviour, rest.

PSALM XX.

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,
Thy counsels still direct;
Make kindly all events conspire
To bring them to effect.

5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid
We cheerfully repair,

With banners in thy Name display'd,
The Lord accept thy pray'r.

6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord
Our sov'reign will defend;
From heav'n resistless aid afford,
And to his pray'r attend.

7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd, On chariots some rely;

Against them all we'll call to mind
The pow'r of God most high.

8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown,

Behold them through the plain, Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down, Whilst firm our troops remain.

9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed
Our rightful cause to bless;
Hear, King of heav'n, in times of need,
The pray'rs that we address.

PSALM XXI.

THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise
Shall in thy strength rejoice;
With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise
To heav'n his cheerful voice.

2 For thou, whate'er his lips request,
Not only dost impart;

But hast with thy acceptance blest
The wishes of his heart.

3 Thy goodness and thy tender care
Have all his hopes outgone;

A crown of gold thou mak'st him wear, And sett'st it firmly on.

4 He pray'd for life, and thou, O Lord,

Didst to his pray'r attend;
And graciously to him afford
A life that ne'er shall end.

5 Thy sure defence thro' nations round
Has spread his glorious name;
And his successful actions crown'd
With majesty and fame.

6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st,
And mak'st his joys increase;

Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st
The brightness of thy face.

The Second Part.

7 Because the king on God alone For timely aid relies;

His mercy still supports his throne, And all his wants supplies.

8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes Shall feel thy dreadful hand;

Thy vengeful arm shall find out those
That hate thy mild command.

9 When thou against them dost engage, Thy just but dreadful doom Shall, like a glowing oven's rage, Their hopes and them consume. 10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease, Or with their ruin end;

But root out all their guilty race,
And to their seed extend.

11 For all their thoughts were set on ill, Their hearts on malice bent;

But thou, with watchful care, didst still
The ill effects prevent.

12 While they their swift retreat shall make

To 'scape thy dreadful might,
Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake,
And gall them in their flight.

13 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous strength disclose,

And thus exalt thy fame;

Whilst we glad songs of praise compose

To thy almighty Name.

PSALM XXII.

me

When I with anguish faint?
O why so far from me remov'd,
And from my loud complaint?
2 All day, but all the day unheard,
To thee do I complain;
With cries implore relief all night,
But cry all night in vain.

3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge
Of innocence oppress'd;
And therefore Israel's praises are
Of right to thee address'd.

4, 5 On thee our ancestors relied,
And thy deliv'rance found;
With pious confidence they pray'd,
And with success were crown'd.

6 But I am treated like a worm,
Like none of human birth;
Not only by the great revil'd,
But made the rabble's mirth.

7 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonies survey;

They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say:

8 In God he trusted, boasting oft
That he was Heav'n's delight;
Let God come down to save him now,
And own his favourite.

The Second Part.

9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womb

A living offspring bear;

When but a suckling at the breast
I was thy early care.