14 His sharpened arrows round he threw, PART III. 16 The Lord did on my side engage; From heaven, his throne, my cause upheld; And snatched me from the furious rage Of threatening waves, that proudly swelled. 17 God his resistless power employed My strongest foes' attempts to break, When I distressed and friendless lay; God was my firm Support and Stay. 19 From dangers that enclosed me round, He brought me forth, and set me free; 20 Because in me no guilt remains, God does his gracious help extend: Nor loosely wandered from my God. PART IV. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous ways To various paths of human-kind ; They who for mercy merit praise 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 turned to light. 29 On his firm succour I relied, And did o'er numerous foes prevail; 30 For God's designs shall still succeed; PART V. 32, 33 'Tis God that girds my armour on, 34 Lessons of war from him I take, And manly weapons learn to wield; 35 The buckler of his saving health, 36 My goings he enlarged abroad, Till then to narrow paths confined; And, when in slippery ways I trod, The method of my steps designed. 37 Through him I numerous hosts defeat, And flying squadrons captive take, Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, 38 Covered with wounds, in vain they try 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes 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, 42 Like flying dust, which winds pursue, PART VI. 43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now, 45 All to my summons tamely yield, 46 Let the eternal Lord be praised, The Rock, on whose defence I rest! To highest heavens his name be raised, Who me with his salvation blessed! 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; My grateful voice to heaven I'll raise ; Shall thus be taught to sing his praise: 50" God to his King deliverance sends, "Shows his Anointed signal grace, "His mercy evermore extends "To David and his promised race." 1 TH PSALM 19. HE heavens declare thy glory, Lord, 2 The dawn of each returning day Fresh beams of knowledge brings, 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, 6 From east to west, from west to east, And, through his progress, cheerful light 25 PART II. 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, His pure commands in search of truth 9 His perfect worship here is fixed, 10 Of more esteem than golden mines, Or gold refined with skill; More sweet than honey, or the drops 11 My trusty counsellors they are, 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 preserved, I may 14 So shall my prayer and praises be PSALM 20. 1 THE Lord to thy request attend, 1 THE And hear thee in distress; The name of Jacob's God defend, 26 |