On God, thy God, for aid rely, PSALM 44. LORD, our fathers oft have told Thy wonders, in their days performed, And elder times than theirs : 2 How thou, to plant them here, didst drive 3 For not their courage, nor their sword, Nor strength, that from unequal force 4 As thee their God our fathers owned, O! therefore, as thou didst to them, 5 Through thy victorious name, our arms And crush them with repeated strokes, 6 I'll neither trust my bow nor sword, 7 But thee, who hast our foes subdued, And shamed their spiteful rage. 8 To thee the triumph we ascribe, From whom the conquest came; PART II. 9 But thou hast cast us off; and now For thou no more vouchsaf'st to lead 10 Since when, to every upstart foe And with our spoil their malice feast, 11 To slaughter doomed, we fall, like sheep, Into their butchering hands, Or (what's more wretched yet) survive, 12 Thy people thou hast sold for slaves, 13, 14 Reproached by all the nations round, 15 Confusion strikes me blind, my face 16 While we are scoffed, and God blasphemed, By their licentious pride. PART III. 17 On us this heap of woes is fallen, All this we have endured, Yet have not, Lord, renounced thy name, Or faith to thee abjured, 18 But in thy righteous paths have kept Our hearts and steps with care, 19 Though thou hast broken all our strength, And we almost despair. 20 Could we, forgetting thy great name, On other gods rely, 21 And not the Searcher of all hearts The treacherous crime descry? 22 Thou seest what sufferings, for thy sake, All slaughtered, or reserved like sheep 23 Awake, arise; let seeming sleep No longer thee detain ; Nor let us, Lord, who sue to thee, 24 O! wherefore hidest thou thy face From our afflicted state, 25 Whose souls and bodies sink to earth 26 Arise, O Lord, and timely haste 1 PSALM 45. HILE I the King's loud praise rehearse, My tongue is like the pen of him That writes with ready art. 2 How matchless is thy form, O King! 3 Gird on thy sword, most mighty prince, With glorious ornaments of power, 4 Ride on in state, and still protect 5 How sharp thy weapons are to them That dare thy power despise! Down, down they fall, while through their heart 6 But thy firm throne, O God, is fixed, For ever to endure; Thy sceptre's sway shall always last, 7 Because thy heart, by justice led, And has, above thy fellows round, 8 With cassia, aloes, and myrrh, Which, from the stately wardrobe brought, 9 Among the honourable train The queen was placed at thy right hand PART II. 10 But thou, O royal bride, give ear, 11 So shall thy beauty charm the King, For he is now become thy Lord; 12 The Tyrian matrons, rich and proud, And all the wealthy nations sue 13 The King's fair Daughter's fairer soul 14 She, in her nuptial garments dressed, 15 With all the state of solemn joy Till, with wide gates, the royal court 16 Thou, in thy royal Father's room, Must princely sons expect; Whom thou to different realms may'st send, To govern and protect: 17 Whilst this my song to future times And makes the world, with one consent, 1 PSALM 46. GOD is our Refuge in distress, A present Help when dangers press; In him, undaunted, we'll confide; 2, 3 Though earth were from her centre tossed, And mountains in the ocean lost, Torn piece-meal by the roaring tide. 4 A gentler stream with gladness still The city of our Lord shall fill, The royal seat of God most high: 5 God dwells in Sion, whose fair towers Shall mock the assaults of earthly powers, While his almighty aid is nigh. 6 In tumults when the heathen raged, And kingdoms war against us waged, He thundered, and dispersed their powers: 7 The Lord of hosts conducts our arms,― Our Tower of refuge in alarms, Our fathers' guardian God, and ours. 8 Come, see the wonders he hath wrought, On earth what desolation brought; How he has calmed the jarring world: 9 He broke the warlike spear and bow; With them their thundering chariots, too, Into devouring flames were hurled. 10 Submit to God's almighty sway; And earth her sovereign Lord confess : 1, 2 ALL PSALM 47. ye people, clap your hands, 3, 4 He shall opposing nations quell, And with success our battles fight; |