Tis time for innocence to fly from such deceitful arts. 4 The Lord hath both a temple here, and righteous throne above; Where he surveys the sons of men, aud how their councils 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 shower; This dreadful mixture his revenge into their cup shall pour. 7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds with signal favour grace, And to the upright man disclose the brightness of his face. SINCE godly men decay, O Lord, For scarce these wretched times afford one just and faithfui friend. 2 One neighbour now can scarce believe what t'other does impart; With flattering lips they all deceive, and with a double heart. 8 But lips that with deceit abound can never prosper long; God's righteous vengeance will confound the proud blaspheming tongue. 4 In vain those foolish boasters say, "Our tongues are sure our own; With doubtful words we'll still betray, "and be controll'd by none." 5 For God, who hears the suffering poor, 6 The word of God shall still abide, Then shall the wicked be perplex'd, nor know which way to fly; When those whom they despised and vex'd, shall be advanced on high. And suddenly, or I shall sleep in everlasting night. 4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast 5 Since I have always placed my trust 2 How long shall anxious thoughts my soul, and I have no redress? 8 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes restore thy, wonted light, PSALM 14. URE wicked fools must needs suppos that God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows; no breast is warm'd with holy fame. 2 The Lord look'd down from Heaven's high tower, and all the sons of men did view, To see if any own'd his power; if any truth or justice knew, 8 But all, he saw, were gone aside, all were degenerate 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 power 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 pursues Since God a refuge is for those whom his just eyes with favour view. 7 Would he his saving power employ to break his people's servile band, Then shouts of universal joy should loudly echo through the land. PSALM 15. LORD, who's the happy man that may to thy blest courts repair, Not stranger-like, to visit them, 2 Tis he, whose every thought and decd by malice whisper'd round." 2 As in thy sight I am approved, 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 For I have purposed that my tongue 4 I know what wicked men would do, But me thy just and mild commands O guide me in thy righteous ways, 7 The wonders of thy truth and love Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints from their oppressor's rage. PART II. Who to his plighted vows and trust has ever firmly stood; And though he promise to his loss, he makes his promise good. 6 Whose soul in usury disdains his treasure to employ ; Whom no rewards can ever bribe the guiltless to destroy. 7 The man, who by his steady course has happiness insured, When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand, by providence secured. PSALM 16. PROTECT me from my cruel foes, and shield me, Lord, from harm; 2 My soul all help but thine does slight, S But those that strictly virtuous are, 4 How shall their sorrows be increased, 7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord, No danger shall my hopes remove, 9 Therefore my heart all grief defies, 10 Thou, Lord, when I resigr my breath, the least corruption see. 11 Thou shalt the paths of life display, PSALM 17. my just plea and sad complaint To attend, And to my prayer, as 'tis unfeign'd, 8, 90! keep me in thy tenderest care; 10 O'ergrown with luxury, enclosed And, with a proud blaspheming mouth, 11 Well may they boast, for they have now Their eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd, 18 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots, From wicked men, who are thy sword, 14 From worldly men,thy sharpest scourge, 15 Their race is numerous, that partaki 16 But I, in uprightness, thy face PSALM 18. change shall ever 17 God his resistless power employ'd Nyffection, Lord, to thee; Who else with fuse had soon destroy d For thou hast always been my rock, be guarded from my treacherous 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; 7 When God arose my part to take, nor could his dreadful fury bear. 8 Thick clouds of smoke dispersed 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 realm of light, whilst heaven how'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 watery mists and clouds conspired, with thickest shades his face to veil ; But at his brightness soon retired, and fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Through heaven's wide arch a thundering peal God's angry voice did loudly roar; While earth's sad face with heaps of hail and flakes of fire was covered 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 finished their defeat. 16 The Lord did on my side engage; of threatening waves,that proudly swell'd. the weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle 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 enclosed me round, he brought ine forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, that moved 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 keep in sight, in his just paths I always trod; I never did his statutes sight, nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, did even from darling sins refrain; His favours therefore yet endure, because my heart and hands are clean. PART IV. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous 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, shall meet with due returns from thee. 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 rely'd, and did o'er numerous foes prevail; and on his sure protection rest. but God, on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, can with resistless power defend? 32, S3 Tis God that girds my armour on and manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, forced 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 enlarged abroad, till then to narrow paths confined; And, when in slippery ways I trod, the method of my steps design'd." $7 Through him I numerous 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 rear; Spite of their boasted strength, they lie beneath my feet, and grovel there. 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, recruits my strength, my courage warms; He makes my strong opposers yield, subdued by my prevailing armus. 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes my conquering feet in triumph press; Aided by him, I root out those who hate and envy my success. "His mercy evermore extends "to David and his promised race." THE 2 The dawn of each returning day 3 Their powerful language to no realm 'Tis nature's voice, and understood 4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense 5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day 41 With loud complaints all friends they No giant does like him rejoice try'd; 43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now, and foreign nations own my sway. the rock on whose defence I rest! To highest heavens his name he raised, 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 heaven I'll raise; And nations, strangers to his name, shall thus be taught to sing his praise: 50 "God to his king deliverance sends; "shows his anointed signal grace to run his glorious race. 6 From east to west, from west to east, PART II. 7 God's perfect law converts the soul; the ignorant inspires. 8 The statutes of the Lord are just, 19 His perfect worship here is fix'd, of truth and justice weigh'd; 12 But what frail man observes how oft O cleanse me from my secret faults, That, by thy grace preserved, I may PSALM 20. Tnd bear thee in distress; 4 To compass thy own heart's desire, 5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid With banners in thy name display'd; 6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord, 7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd; 8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown, PSALM 21. THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise But hast, with thy acceptance, blest 4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord, a life that ne'er shall end. 5 Thy sure defence through nations round 6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st, Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st the brightness of thy face. His mercy still supports his throne, 8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes shall feel thy heavy hand; Thy vengeful arm shall find out those 9 When thou against thein dost engage, 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 12 While they their swift retreat shall make 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 22. MY God, my God, why leav'st thou me when I with anguish faint? O! why so far from me removed 3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge but made the rabtle's mirth. They shoot the lip, they shake the head. 8 "In God he trusted, boasting oft "Let God come down to save him now, PART II. 9 Theu mad'st my teeming mother's womb When but a suckling at the breast, C c |