Eighteen of Davids Psalms Paraphras'd.
PSALM 22.
MY God, my God! Why am I left
Helpless, in my distress bereft
Of that protection I have had,
Why are my Foes with Conquest clad?
I call and weep both day and night,
To thee, my God, to thee for right.
But, O my Crys and Tears are vain,
There's no redress, no ease of pain.
All this shall not discourage me,
Since I do know thou just wilt be;
And true to ev'ry promise, Thou
Hast bound thy Self to me by Vow.
And though Thou let'st mine Enemys
Insult, and deaf art to my Crys,
Yet, Lord, thou holy art, and still
Deserv'st the praise of Israel.
Our Fathers they rely'd on thee,
Thou, Lord, wast their security.
When dangers did their Souls surround,
To thee they call'd, and freedom found.
But I my Foes most deadly scorn
With patience hitherto have born;
The vulgar and ignobler sort
Do make my misery their sport,
In an insulting way they cry,
Let his Salvation now draw nigh,
He trusted in the Lord, that he
Would help him in adversity,
Let him stretch out his arm and save,
If either strength or pow'r he have.
But, Lord, their scorn and cruelty,
Shall not dismay or trouble me;
Since I have always found thine arm
Able to rescue me from harm;
Since from the Womb I came, alone
Thou hast been my Salvation;
And from my Mothers tender Breast,
My God, my hope wert, and my rest.
Now be not far from me, but save,
Permit not the triumphing Grave,
Insa [...]te as my cruel-Foes,
My Life untimely to enclose.
Redeem my Soul, there's none, I know,
Except my God, can help me now;
For I am close besieg'd, and brought
To that distress I can't get out.
Like as a rav'ning Lyon doth,
Roaring pursue with open mouth
The helpless Creature, that he may
Affrighted fall, and be his Prey;
So do my Foes threaten, and rave,
To bring my Soul unto the Grave.
So week and feeble I am grown,
Wasted to nothing, ev'ry bone
Disjoynted, from its place doth start,
Like Wax dissolv'd so is my Heart.
And as a Potsheard so my strength
Is dryed up, my Tongue at length
Cleaves to my Jaws, my earthly-Frame
Is now returning whence it came.
For the blood-thirsty have beset
And clos'd me round, my Hands and Feet
They have transfixt, distended on
The shameful Cross, I ev'ry Bone
Can truly count, as if I were
A Monster, they upon me stare.
And having got me in their Toyl.
They reckon all I have their Spoil.
They part my Garments, but the Lot
Is cast upon my seamless Coat;
Contented rather than it tear
The whole should go to one Mans share.
But be not far from me, O Lord,
My chiefest strength, thy help afford;
And from these bloody-Men set free
Thine only One, O rescue me!
And as in former time thine Ear
Hath open been unto my pray'r,
Be ready now my Life to save,
From the devouring Jaws o'th' Grave.
Then in the Congregation I
Will sing thy praise contin'ally,
And to thy Faithful there declare,
How great thy Love and Mercies are.
Ye Seed of Jacob spend your days
In Songs of Thanks, and hearty Praise,
For he hath not despis'd my Pray'r
When in Affliction, but his Ear
Hath been attentive, and his Face
He hath not vail'd in my disgrace.
All my discourses Lord shall be
Of these thy Favours shown to me;
My Vows within thine House I'le pay,
Among the Faithful, that they may
Joyn in Devotion, and each one
Send up their thanks unto thy Throne;
Remembring that in times of want
Thou evermore art pleas'd to grant
Unto the poor, when they do call,
Refreshments, to rejoyce them all.
Those Nations who thy Laws do scorn,
When they hear this, shall to thee turn,
And joyntly yield with one accord
To worship thee, as Supreme Lord,
For thou art Governour of all,
And all must to thy Footstool fall.
Those thou hast fill'd with good shall bow
And they who to the Pit do go,
Who none of all thy VVonders know,
Their Seed shall serve thee, they thy worth
And righteousness shall warble forth,
From age to age shall be made known
This that thou Lord for me hast done.
That all men may as well as I,
Confide in thee for Victory.
PSALM 23.
1.
THe Lord my Shepheard is, whose care
Doth over me preside;
No want, nor any tort'ring fear,
Shall long with me abide.
2.
He into flow'ry Meads doth bring
Me, where I feed all day,
And leads me to the bubling Spring,
Where I my thirst allay.
3.
His Spirit doth my Soul revive,
And for his Name-sake he
Doth gently lead me, while I live,
In paths of Piety.
4.
Though I should greatly be distrest,
O're-whelm'd in deep despair,
On thy protection, Lord, I'd rest,
And would no evil fear.
5.
For thou my Shepherd art, thy Sheep
Thou never do'st neglect,
My Soul thou wilt from danger keep,
And safely me protect.
6.
In presence of envious Foes,
Thou do'st my Table spread,
My Cup with sprightly Wine o're-flows,
Sweet Oyls anoint my Head.
7.
Mercy and Truth in a full Tyde
Shall ever follow me,
Within thine House I will reside,
And sing my praise of thee.
PSALM 25.
1.
MY God, in deep distress,
I lift my Soul to thee,
There's none so timely can redress,
As thou, my misery.
2.
Since I my trust repose
In thee my sure defence,
Exalt my name, lest that my Foes
Deride my confidence.
3.
Shame none who love thy Laws,
Let the perfideous be
Cloath'd with contempt, who without cause
contemn thy Saints, and Thee.
4.
Each minute I implore
Thy special Grace, O show
Thy Servant how he evermore
Thy sacred Will may do.
5.
Keep me as thou hast done,
In thine unerring way,
Thou God of my Salvation,
Permit me not to stray.
6.
But call to mind that love
And bounty I have seen,
A God of tender mercies prove,
As thou of old hast been.
7.
As for those days I spent
In Sins of high degrees,
Remember not, now I repent
Those grand impurities.
8.
But as thy mercy's great,
Let thy compassions shine
Upon a wretched Profligate,
Who humbly now is thine.
9.
Thou art most good and just,
And 'tis thy glory, Lord,
To teach transgressors how they must
Conform unto thy Word.
10.
All those who humble are,
In Judgment he will guide,
From vertuous paths he doth declare
Their Feet shall never slide.
11.
His mercy ever lives,
His truth doth never dye,
Of these the fruits he ever gives
To his continually.
12.
Forgive me then, O Lord,
Those Sins of high degree,
Which I have wrought, O loose the Cord
Of mine Iniquity.
13.
Who dreads to disobey,
The Lord will not refuse
To teach that man the saving way,
His Soul should always chuse.
14.
His Barns and Coffers shall
Enjoy the richest store,
His Seed shall here inherit all
He leaves, and ten times more.
15.
Nor will he e're conceal
Those duties he should do,
What is of moment to reveal
He shall be sure to know.
16.
So now what ever strait
Attends my wandring Feet,
On my Salvation I will wait,
Who'l free me from the Net.
17.
Thy help I now implore,
Have mercy, Lord, on me,
Make bare thine Arm as heretofore,
For I have need of thee.
18.
Free me in my distress,
The pressures of my heart
Do ev'ry minute, Lord, encrease,
O show thy saving art.
19.
Forgive those Sins which are
The cause of all this hate,
Which my malicious Foes declare,
My ease commiserate.
20.
For dayly they encrease,
And hate mine innocence,
Unjustly they disturb my peace,
Chastise their insolence.
21.
And in thine arms infold
My Soul which trusts in thee,
Mine innocence, O God, uphold,
As thou hast promis'd me.
22.
O free thine Israel
From troubles which inclose
His habitations, make him dwell
Secure amidst his Foes.
PSALM 31.
1.
IN thee, O Lord, I place my trust,
Bow down thine Ear, and from the Grave
Preserve my Life, as thou art just,
And shew thy mighty Arm can save.
O let me never suffer shame
For my affiance in thy Name.
2.
Be thou my Rock, and Castle strong,
When any threat'ning storms appear,
Where I may rest secure from wrong,
Till all the Clouds dispersed are.
Direct and guide me all my days,
Through all the Lab'rinths of my ways.
3.
Into thy hands I do commit
My very Soul, redeem'd by thee,
Enlarge my Feet, from out the Net
In secret laid to mischief me.
Thou know'st, O Lord, thou God of truth,
Thine I have been up from my youth.
4.
In thee the Saviour of the Just,
Not in the Gentile Vanities,
I have repos'd my chiefest trust,
Lord I abhor their practices;
And always thought their Auguries,
And Divinations to be lies.
5.
All my delight and joy shall be
To reckon up thy mercies shown,
In Troubles thou hast thought on me,
And set my Feet in a large room,
Free from the rage of all my Foes,
Whose malice did my Life inclose.
6.
Yet I no end of trouble know,
I sigh, and mourn, my years away,
My Sins have brought me very low;
For want of Flesh my Bones decay.
Mine Eye it is consum'd with grief,
Have mercy Lord, and send relief.
7.
For I am made the mirth and scorn
As well of Friends, as Enemies,
They count me as a man forlorn,
Because thou deaf art to my cries;
Strangers and Friends, as men affraid,
Fly from me, and withdraw their Aid.
8.
Like as a man that's dead and gone,
Or as a Potters broken Pot,
Fit for no use I'm look'd upon,
Thrown out of Doors and quite forgot;
But show thy skill, and save my Soul,
As thou hast broke, so make me whole.
9,
Lord I have heard the slaundrous lyes,
And scoffs of my invet'rate Foes,
Up in Rebellion they devise
To cut me off, but interpose,
For I have put my trust in thee,
Thou art my God, O rescue me.
10.
Thou better know'st, O Lord, than I
When is the fittest time to send
Thy ready Succours, then draw nigh,
To all my troubles put an end;
Upon me make thy Face to shine,
And save him who was ever thine.
11.
For since I have addrest my Pray'rs
To thee, thine honour lies at stake,
To set me free from all my fears.
The Wicked who thy Laws forsake
Cut off, but Lord my Life defend,
And let confusion be their end.
12.
Silence the lying Lips of those
Who in a proud and scornful way,
Asperse thy Saints, the righteous,
Before the Sons of Men, one day
Thou wilt their injur'd Fames restore,
To their full Shine they had before.
13.
Under thy Wings they shall abide,
Secure from the Oppressours wrongs,
In thy Pavillion thou shalt hide,
And keep them safe from strife of Tongues.
Blest be my God, whose help I found,
When num'rous Foes begirt me round.
14.
Yet I was tempted in my flight,
To think I should a Victim fall,
Though thou had'st often shown thy might,
Unto the furious Rage of Saul;
But I no sooner did address
My Pray'rs to thee, but found redress.
15.
Let all his Saints with me adore,
And love the Lord, who doth preserve
The faithful, but doth evermore
Reward the proud as they deserve;
Courage like Men, but act your parts,
And God shall strengthen all your hearts.
PSALM 40.
3.
FUlly resolv'd with patience to attend,
Until the Lord had granted my request,
I found at length my Pray'rs obtain'd their end,
He calm'd those fears which gave my Soul no rest.
2.
And brought me safe out of that dreadful Pit
Of misery wherein I long was held,
As on a Rock he firmly set my feet,
And all my goings afterwards upheld.
3.
For these his Mercies I'le extol his Name,
And will from day to day extol his praise,
Many shall fear him when they hear this same,
And render true obedience to his ways.
4.
That Soul is blest who wholly doth rely
Not in the strength of Man, whose frame is dust,
Who dis-regards the Proud, and those that lye,
Contemns their aid, but in the Lord doth trust.
5.
Those gracious works which thou for us hast done,
Should I endeavour to recount them all
In order, Lord, I cannot set them down,
Not the one half to my remembrance call
6.
I know full well thou do'st no pleasure take
In Sacrifices, or Burnt-Offerings,
These are but Shaddows and will prove too weak,
To take away the guilt of all our Sins.
7.
Thy Son must come, and then our sins they shall
By an Oblation of himself, Lord, be
For ever pardon'd, and thy Servants all
From the observance of these Rites set free:
8.
Lo he will come, O God, to do thy Will,
To live a life most spotless in thine Eyes,
Thy Laws he will most perfectly fulfill,
And then give up himself a Sacrifice.
9.
Thy Righteousness and Truth, as thou can'st tell,
And thy Salvation, I have publish'd forth,
To all thy Saints who in thy Courts do dwell,
I have not hid but magnify'd thy worth.
10.
Do thou, O God, my fainting heart preserve,
Against those Foes who seek my overthrow,
And though I justly for my Sins deserve
Thy greatest Plagues, yet, Lord, thy mercies show.
11.
Confound with shame all those who lye at watch
To take away my life, do thou afford
Thy timely succour, and their own lives catch
In those same snares, which they have set, O Lord.
12.
As for the bitter scoffs th'ave thrown at me,
Return them on themselves, as their reward;
Let me, O God, their speedy ruine see,
And when they call let not their cries be heard.
13.
Then shall those pious Souls who trust in thee
Rejoyce, that thou art just in all thy ways,
Inflam'd with love they shall contin'ally
Applaud thy Mercies, and sing forth thy Praise.
14.
When I am low and in great misery,
Thou art my Help, my Fortress, and my Stay,
To thee, O God, for succour do I fly,
To my Salvation haste, make no delay.
PSALM 41.
1.
BLest is the Man who takes a tender care,
Of those who on the Bed of Sickness lye,
He need not in his Visitation fear,
But to find favour, and that speedily;
In all his troubles God will interpose,
For his relief, and bless him from his Foes.
2.
When that Diseases on his Body seize,
And on the Bed of Sorow he is cast,
Where others tumble, and can find no ease,
Rack'd with tortures of their actions past,
Then will the Lord for mercies he hath shown
Soften his Bed, and strengthen him when down.
3.
I humbly therefore at the Throne of Grace,
Beg that the guilt of all my Sins may be
For ever pardon'd, hide not, Lord, thy face,
But heal my Soul as thou hast promis'd me;
Though I deserve thy Wrath, yet love express,
And ev'ry thought and crooked act redress.
4.
My Foes a thousand ways my ruine plot,
Concerning me they speak maliciously;
When will he dye, say they, and be forgot,
Let his name perish to Eternity;
Before my Face none more obliging are,
Behind my back their hatred they declare.
5.
Thus underhand they secretly combine
To make me odious in the Eyes of all,
Invention's rack'd to compass this design,
And Slaunders are contriv'd to work my fall;
Defam'd they think my Name shall never rise,
Under the load of all their Calumnies.
6.
My own familiar Friend who always eat
At my own Board, and in my Bosom lay,
Whom with the great'st endearments I did treat,
My most retir'd Counsels did betray;
But, Lord, restore me to my Throne, and Right,
That their perfidious acts I may requite.
7.
By this I guess thou hast a love for me,
Because I find thy watchful Providence,
Hath disappointed them of Victory,
And hitherto preserv'd mine Innocence;
For which both I, and all with one accord
Will sing Eternal Hymns to Isr'els Lord.
PSALM 51.
1.
CLeanse me, O Lord, from that most horrid Sin
Of guiltless Blood, which Lust hath brought me in,
And from the boundless Ocean of thy Love,
Let not my other sins my ruine prove;
To such an high degree I have transgrest,
That wheresoe're I go I find no rest.
2.
And though no earthly Judge can claim a right
To punish my Transgressions in thy sight,
I stand arraign'd, and to thy Sentence must
Or stand, or fall, as to a doom most just.
If to eternal Flames, I must obey,
No rescue thence, though I a Scepter sway.
3.
Thou better knowest O Lord my frame, than I,
How I was shapen in iniquity,
When in my Mothers Womb I then put on
The spotted-Garment of Corruption;
But this is no excuse for this foul fact,
Which my unbridled Lust hath made me act.
4.
Full well I know, that in the inward-part,
Thou lov'st a spotless, and a sincere heart;
I have suffic'ent Grace from thee to know
What to forbear, and what I ought to do;
Yet into wilful Sin I headlong run,
Against a clear and full Conviction.
5.
Purge me with Hysop and I shall be clean,
Whiter than is the purest Snow from stain.
Let not Ʋriah's blood, which to thee cries
For vengeance, Lord, to my confusion rise:
But be thou reconcil'd, release from pain
My tortur'd Soul unto her joys again.
6.
Return once more unto thy wonted Love,
And from thy sight for evermore remove
My weighty Sins, and by thy work of Grace
Within my heart each lustful thought deface,
That I may never by a wanton glance
Offend again, and so my Crimes enhanse.
7.
Should'st thou for ever banish me thy sight,
And from my Soul withdraw thy saving Light,
I were undone, but Lord afford thy Grace,
And vail not from mine Eyes thy glorious Face;
With thy free Sp'rit me to those Joys restore
Which once I had, and let me fall no more.
8.
Then shall I Sinners by thy Grace convert,
And make Transgressors in thy ways expert,
Then shall my Tongue, when once my Soul is
From the pollutions of this bloody deed,
Declare thy Truth, my Lips and Mouth shall be freed
From day to day employ'd, in praising thee.
9.
Did'st thou a legal Sacrifice desire,
Thousands of Bulls & Rams consum'd with Fire,
Upon thy flaming-Altar thou should'st see
These offer'd up for my Adultery;
A broken and a contrite heart for Sin,
Is the burnt-Off'ring thou delightest in.
10.
Do good to Sion, show thy Love to all
Who tread her Courts, and on thy Name do call;
Then shall the smoak of Bulls which we consume,
Upon thine Altar yield a sweet Perfume,
And with our Pray'rs and Praises reach thy Throne;
And Blessings thence upon our Heads pull down.
PSALM 55.
1.
ALmighty God, who evermore art near
With thy Relief to those who injur'd are,
Give ear unto my Pray'r, hear how I mourn,
Thrust from my Kingdom, and pursu'd with scorn.
2.
My Son and Subjects on my ruine bent,
Tax me as guilty of mis-government,
They do complot my final overthrow,
With all the rancour that their hearts can show.
3.
At this I tremble, and the dismal thought
Of my apparent danger, Lord, hath brought
Such apprehensions to my troubled mind,
That all the Terrours of the Grave I find.
4.
O that I had but Wings, then would I flee
Into some desart place, where I might be
Safe from the Storms and Tempests which my Son
And Subjects raise, by their Rebellion.
5.
But thou, O Lord, who always dost deride
The Wisdom of the Wise, do thou divide
Their Consultations, make them disagree
In their rebellious projects against me.
6.
I have heard from a most faithful Friend,
[...] the Archite, whom I back did send,
[...] strife & violence is their whole discourse,
[...] Tutelars to whom they have recourse.
7.
[...]e guard the City day and night, the round
[...] walk about the Walls, within is found
[...]ief and Wrong, and all the Cruelties
[...] Villany can act, or wit devise.
8.
[...] my reproach and all this misery
[...] [...]eded from an open Enemy,
[...] have born it, sure I had foreseen,
[...]so prevented this I now am in.
9.
[...] was thou whom I esteem'd above
[...]ther men, and as my Soul did love;
[...] who did'st all my secret Counsels know,
[...]ith me to the house of God did'st go.
10.
[...]s persidious act of his he shall
[...] to perfect his designs, but fall
[...] all his horrid Crimes down quick to Hell,
[...] wickedness in all his thoughts doth dwell.
11.
[...] for me, I'le call in my distress,
[...] ev'ry day my Pray'r I will address,
[...] is Mercy-Seat, and he shall hear.
[...]om the danger save me which I fear.
12.
Though this Rebellion with great strength [...]
Is manag'd and contriv'd, God takes my pa [...]
Who will in peace restore me to my right.
Maintain my Cause, and all my Battels fig [...].
13.
He will afflict them, and my Feet uphold,
Ev'n that God who doth abide of Old;
But they despise his Rod, because they are
Successful in the courses which they steer.
14.
The Laws of their Allegiance they have [...]
They make, and at their pleasure Oaths re [...]
Words smooth as Oyl were dropt, when a [...]
They were inventing how to do me wro [...]
15.
But let their base designs be what they will
Never so wicked, my concerns shall still
Be cast upon the Lord, who will no doubt
Restore me to my Throne, though now [...]
16.
But the Blood-thirsty, and the Perjur'd [...]
In their full strength into destruction fall,
As for my self I'le put my confidence
In thine Almighty-Arm for my defence.
PSALM 73.
1.
ALL who are sincere shall find
God most gracious, just, and kind,
Ever ready to reward
Those who do his Laws regard.
2.
Yet my Faith was well-nigh gone,
When I saw the Wicked run
In forbidden Paths at will,
And escap'd unpunish'd still.
3.
When as those who do obey
Thy Commands, and seldom stray,
Thine afflictive Rod do bear,
While these Wretches prosp'rous are.
4.
Full of Health, and likely long
Here to live, of Body strong,
None of all those Plagues they know
Which others feel and undergo.
5.
Rapine and Oppression
As a Garment they put on,
In such base unlawful means
They more Pride, than in just gains.
6.
They in Wealth and Grandeur grow
Suddenly, and know not how,
And are Masters of a Mine
Which they never did divine.
7.
To oppress is all their talk,
Those who piously do walk,
They prophanely take a pride
God and goodness to deride.
8.
Therefore when the godly see
This their horrid Blasphemy,
And those evils which they do,
Some their Eyes with Tears o're-flow.
9.
Thus they argue, can God see
And permit such Sins to be
Here unpunish'd, sure his Eye
Can't discern Iniquity.
10.
These in worldly-wealth encrease,
Flourish here, and are at peace,
In an even course they run
Till their Web is almost spun.
11.
But each Morning when I rise,
Thou, O Lord, do'st me chastise;
Under pressures sore I live,
While the Wicked grow and thrive.
12.
Wherefore then have I in vain,
Kept my hands from unjust Gain,
Been in all my ways exact,
As to Thought, as well as Act?
13.
Such sad thoughts did me confound,
But I soon mine errour found,
That it was a grand Offence
To distrust thy Providence.
14.
Yet I was perplext in mind,
That the Wicked, Lord, should find
So much favour, this to me
Seem'd at first a Mystery.
15.
Till I with my Feet drew high,
Lord, unto thy Sanct'ary,
Then I understood thy ways,
And the end of these Mens days.
16
Sure on High thou do'st them set,
That their fall may be more great,
In a moment they come down
Headlong in destruction.
17.
O, those Horrours that possess
Their sad Souls, who can express!
Sins like Furies on each hand
In most dreadful Forms do stand.
18.
Thou shalt make their Shaddow fly
In the twinkling of an Eye,
Riches, Pleasures, and their All
Vanish, and to nothing fall.
19.
Then what Folly was't in me
To conceive a slight from thee;
Like a Beast to show dislike
VVhen thy Rod did friendly strike?
20.
For thou had'st a careful Eye
Over me partic'larly,
Free from danger did I stand
By thine All-protecting hand.
21.
Thou shalt me most safely lead
Through those troubles which I dread,
Bringing me to great Renown,
And a never-fading Crown.
22.
Than thy Self I do not know
Any God that can do so,
Thou the God art whom I love,
Other Gods I don't approve.
23.
For I find thou ever art,
VVhen Afflictions seize my Heart,
Always to me a strong Fort,
Whereunto I may resort.
24.
As for those who put their trust
In another, 'tis but just
That they should for ever dye,
For their base Apostacy.
25.
But for me I will adhere,
Lord, to thee while I am here,
And excite Men to a Sense
Of thy gracious Providence.
PSALM 49.
HEar all ye People; my Discourse will be
A Meditation fit for each degree;
I'll treat of Wisdom, that both Rich and Poor,
May gather Knowledg from her immense Store.
When Death and the Distempers of old Age,
Knock at my Door to leave this earthly Stage,
Wherefore should I repine, and show more Love
To this low Mansion than that blest above;
Where I shall far more lasting Treasures find,
In value greater than those left behind?
They who in Riches trust, and do adore,
Within their Iron-Shrines, their Idol Oar,
Cannot with it themselves or others save,
From the close Hug of the respectless Grave.
Riches were never known to have that strength
To rescue Men from Death, they must at length
Turn to their Mother Earth, from whence they all
Had their first Birth, and back again must fall.
The VVise this Fate as well as Brutish have,
Death takes not one, and doth the other leave;
Yet do these Wretches live as if they were
Exempt in this same Doom to bear a share;
They heap up Riches, but their Treasures will
Fly from their own, and others Coffers fill.
For dye they must, and when they dye who knows
But all their Stores go to enrich their Foes;
Yet their Possessions by their Names they call,
And fondly think their Dwellings firmly shall
Last while the World remains, their Heirs we see
Have the same thoughts of their Posterity;
But Death will come, where in the Grave, that hold,
They all must lye, as Flocks together fold,
Until the Resurrection of the Just,
Who with the Lord that day in Judgment must
Help to condemn them; Lord, I hope that Morn
Thou wilt my Temples with a Crown adorn.
As for the Honours, and the large encrease
Of the Ungodly, and his short-liv'd peace,
None should be troubled, for that dismal night,
In which he sets, his Glories take their flight.
Though while he liv'd he thought himself most blest,
And said unto his Soul, 'Soul take thy rest,
'For I have laid me up a lasting Store
'Of Wealth & Honour, which the World adore;
'These high will raise me on the Wings of Fame,
'And give me here a never-dying Name.
'But when Death comes (in that same needful day)
'These, like deceitful Friends, will slip away:
'Nor can they (as thou think'st) an Arch of praise,
'Upon their Airy-Bottoms for thee raise.
'Nothing but heav'nly Wisdom can ensure
'Praises unto thy Name, which shall endure.
'Wisdom, which for the future doth take care,
'And seeks for Treasures which immortal are.
'Man that in Honour & in Wealth doth grow,
'And understands not whence these Blessings flow,
'Than the dumb Beasts doth no more Wisdom show.
Such Fools as he shall never have a sight
Of those eternal Joys of the upright.
PSALM 78.
ATtend ye Sons of Jacob, I'le unfold
To you those Parables, our Fathers told
To us, that we should to our Children show
What mighty deeds God did for Isr'el do.
That all succeeding Ages may sing forth
His noble Acts, the greatness of his Worth.
This duty God did lay on Israel,
And strictly charge they should their Children tell,
That Generations, which were yet unborn,
Might know the wondrous-Work of their return,
And not his Mercies and his Judgments scorn:
And like their Fathers slight his easie Yoke,
Contemn this God, and other Gods invoke.
The Ephramites, well Arm'd with Swords and Bows,
Able to Conquer, fled before their Foes;
And why, they did forsake their chiefest stay,
Forgot the Wonders done the other day.
How God had brought them out of Pharoah's Land,
From their hard Tasks by his All-conqu'ring hand;
The Sea divided, and the Waters round
As Bulwarks stood, they past through on dry ground:
A Cloud did Vail them as they walk'd by day,
I'th' night a Firy-Pillar show'd the way.
He water'd them, as Shepheards do their Flocks,
Not in hew'n-Cisterns, but from unhew'n Rocks;
Streams from those craggy-Pyramids did flow,
And step by step did with his Isr'el go.
Yet still they murmur'd as they did before,
And with fresh Sins provok'd him more & more;
They quarrell'd God, and did his care distrust,
They ask'd for Meat, not for their wants, but Lust.
Can God, say they, here furnish us a Table
Of Flesh and Bread? he can't, he is not able;
'Tis true he quench'd our thirst from yonder Rock,
But where's the Flesh to feed his hungry Flock?
When God heard this, his wrath like Fire did burn,
His long-try'd Mercy did to anger turn,
Because they disbeliev'd what he had done,
And gave no credence to's Salvation.
Though he had shown such tokens of his Love,
By op'ning all the Clouds of Heav'n above,
And raining Manna that they all might eat,
That heav'nly-Bread he gave them for their Meat;
He fill'd and fed them with the Angels Food,
And as the Waters when they make a Flood
Come tumbling down, so Flesh showr'd on the ground
Vast heaps of Quails, did all their Camps surround.
Yet though at their requests he sent this Meat,
They disbelieve him still, and murm'ring eat,
Then was his Anger kindled, and the Chief
Of all their Tribes he slew for disbelief.
Though Plagues throughout their Camps like Lightning run,
Their hearts were stubborn, and they would not turn;
But still they Sinn'd, and sinning did declare
They'd not believe, in vain his Wonders were;
Therefore their Rebel-lives he made them waste
In that same place, but two escap'd at last.
But when exemplar punishments did fall,
They then return'd, and on their God did call;
Then they acknowledg'd that they were his Flock,
He was their Saviour, and their mighty Rock;
Their Tongues did this declare, their Hearts the while
Were as before as hollow, and as vile.
But God being full of Mercy did forgive
Their feign'd Repentance, willing they should live;
His Justice to his Mercy did give way,
Unwilling to consume them in one day:
For he remember'd what they were, alas,
But as a Wind which soon away doth pass.
Ten times their diffidence they did express,
And long'd for Egypt in the Wilderness.
So sensless were they that they never thought
What there they suffer'd, nor how God had brought
Them forth from thence, and by their Moses hand
Destroy'd the Pride and Glories of that Land.
He turn'd their wholesome Rivers into Blood,
Vast Swarms of Flies, and Frogs devour'd their Food.
The fruitful burdens of the Earth were lost,
Their Vines with Hail were kill'd, their Trees with Frost.
Their Cows, their Sheep, their Asses, and their Colts;
Either with Hail were slain, or Thunder-bolts.
So great his Anger was, his Wrath so fierce,
He did his Plagues throughout the Land disperse.
But while poor Egypt was thus fore opprest,
To have their first-born slain of Man and Beast;
His Mercies and his care did still attend
On Israel, he did their All defend.
He led them through the Sea as on dry ground,
In which proud Pharoah, and his Hosts were drown'd.
He led them all along, and Wonders wrought,
Till at the length he them to Sion brought.
Then dreadful Fears upon the Heathen fell,
These Tribes o'recame them, in their Tents did dwell.
They had not long possest, but soon were cloy'd,
They wanted something, though they all enjoy'd;
And as their Fathers did Apostatize,
So they to Idols offer'd Sacrifice.
When God heard this, he suffer'd Ark and all
His chosen Ones in Heath'nish hands to fall.
So sore displeas'd, and angry was the Lord,
He gave them up to the devouring Sword;
Their young-Men were destroy'd, their Virgins now
Liv'd single lives, by force, and not by Vow.
Their sacred Priests did perish by their Swords.
Their Wives exprest no sorrow by their words;
But Grief sate lively painted on each Face,
Such consternations were in ev'ry place;
That God took pity, and arose at length,
Gave their enfeebled-Hearts, and Arms fresh strength,
He smote with Botches in their hinder parts
The Philistims, and gave them tim'rous Hearts;
Their Dagon-God, they in their Temple found,
Before the Ark, lye shatter'd on the ground.
So what they got they durst not now defend,
But richly laded back again it send.
Moreover Judah of all Jacobs race
God chose, and Sion for his resting-place.
And this conspic'ous-Hill 'bove all he blest,
Decreeing here his Ark should ever rest.
He lowly-David from his Sheep did take,
From that Employ, he made him undertake
The care of all his People, which with skill
He did perform, according to his VVill.
He govern'd them with Wisdom, and with Art,
Walking before his God with all his heart.
PSALM 90.
1.
THou who art God from all Eternity,
Long 'fore this Globe of Earth was form'd by thee.
Thou who hast since, blest be thy glorious Name,
Upheld both us, and this same earthly Frame,
Hear thou the fervent Pray'rs, the hearty-Groans,
That are sent up by thine afflicted Ones.
2.
When Man, thine Image which thou did'st create,
Apostatiz'd from his first happy State,
Unhappy we by our Fore-fathers deed,
Have an entail of Death upon our Seed;
Our times are in thy Hands, and 'tis but just
When thou command'st, we should return to dust.
3.
Should we be suffer'd, Lord, to linger here
A tedious Life, as our Forefathers were,
That length of time Methusalah did see,
What is it, Lord, to thy immensity?
A thousand years are nothing in thy sight,
As yesterday, or as a Watch i'th' night.
4.
Death as a Torrent sweeps us clean away,
And in a moment all our Joys decay,
Like as the Grass i'th' Morn, so ev'ry one
Doth flourish then, but is at Noon cut down.
So vain are we, and of so short a time,
That all our Glories wither in their Prime,
5.
Thus are we snatch'd from off this worldly-Stage,
In the full strength and verdure of our Age;
For thou hast set before thy searching Eyes,
As well our close, as known Apostacies;
In thy displeasure all our days we spend,
And as a Vapour so our Lives do end.
6.
Threescore and ten is the computed length
Of our Terrestrial Lives, but if through strength
We do attain unto the fourthscore year;
Then they are interwove with Grief and Care;
Like as a Dream so soon they pass away,
So fading are our Joys, so short's our stay.
7.
And though thy Wrath is equal to our fear,
Yet we so sensess are, and void of care,
That we contemn thy Rod, and think we shall
Inhabit here, and never dye at all;
But teach us so to number all our days,
That we may hate the Follies of our ways.
8,
Return, O Lord, at length; how long wilt thou
Look on thy Servants with an angry Brow?
O give us now thine everlasting Love,
And from our harrass'd-Souls do thou remove
The sentence of Excision, long have we
Expected, Lord, thy promis'd-Land to see.
9.
Give days of Joys so many as may last,
Longer than all those years of Sorrows past,
Now magnifie thy glorious work of Grace,
Not only unto us, but to our Race;
Thy gracious Favour and thy Mercy show,
And frame our Wills, thy sacred Will to do.
PSALM 91.
1.
He who his whole concern entirely flings
Under the Shaddow of the Almighty's Wings,
Shall find a pow'rful God, a faithful Friend,
A certain Refuge to his Journeys end.
2.
This never-failing Axiome makes me go
To him, as to a Fort in which I know
No bloody-Wars, nor sweeping Pestilence,
Nor wit of Man, can snatch my Life from thence.
3.
For as the stately Eagle guards from wrong,
Under her spreading Wings, her helpless Young;
So will the God of all the Earth be sure
Under his care that I shall live secure.
4.
Though Deaths empoyson'd Arrows take their flight,
And slaughter thousands both by day & night,
Not one of all these deadly Shafts shall be
So rightly levell'd, as to mischief me.
5.
Yet I shall see the Wicked's just reward,
Vast piles of those who did not fear the Lord,
[...] in these heaps my Carkass shall not lye,
Because I did upon the Lord rely.
6.
For he his holy Angels shall command,
When heavy Judgments post throughout the Land,
That neither I, nor those within my Wall,
Shall taste those evils on the Wicked fall.
7.
The Lyon and the Adder, without dread,
I shall encounter, on their Necks shall tread;
The rav'nous Beasts like tame ones shall submit,
And yield themselves as conquer'd at my Feet.
8.
Because my whole delight was to fulfill
The Laws of God, and to obey his Will,
Because I did respect his glorious Name,
With honour he'll exalt me for the same.
9.
I shall no sooner call but he will hear,
And free me from those Judgments others bear,
He'll crown my Life with length of days below,
And me above will his Salvation show.
PSALM 111.
1.
I'le ever bless the Lord, and praise
His Name in secret with th' upright,
And in his Courts extol his ways,
Those Wonders done in Isr'els sight.
2.
His VVorks so great and many are,
They are a Meditation fit
For the most Pious, and by far
Than other studies, benefit.
3.
He great and glorious things hath done,
His Truth for ever shall abide,
He made us, and to ev'ry one
Hath been a Fort, and constant guide.
4.
Those worthy deeds which he hath wrought
VVithin each breast, have left behind
Impressions, time can never blot,
The Lord is merciful, and kind.
5.
VVhat-e're it is the Faithful want,
They never fail of a supply,
He will perform his Covenant,
To all his Servants faithfully.
6.
The Vertue of his VVorks were shown
Unto his People, in their sight
The Heathen from their Lands were thrown▪
And Israel enjoy'd their Right.
7.
His Actions just and righteous are,
All his appointments stand so fast,
And that exact uprightness bear,
They never alter to the last.
8.
From the Egyptian-Yoke he freed,
As he did vow to Abraham,
The Jews his own peculiar Seed,
Holy, and Rev'rend his Name.
9.
Then let us all his Laws obey,
And of his Judgments stand in dread,
These teach us VVisdom, and the way
To our eternal Joys they lead.
10.
And while we here a Being have,
Let's celebrate our Makers praise,
Translated hence we never leave
To chant above the self same Lays.
PSALM 134.
HAd not the Lord in a most signal way,
Stood up against our Foes, may Isr'el say,
Had not the God of Jacob set us free,
VVhen held in Fetters of Captivity,
The Torrent of their Fury had o're-run
Our Souls, with ruine and destruction.
But now his glorious Name be ever prais'd,
He to renown our abject State hath rais'd;
And hath preserv'd us from their cruel Rage
VVhich nothing, but his Power, coule asswage.
Safely at length our Souls escaped are,
Though late entangled, from the Fowlers Snare;
Yet not our Strength, nor Merits do we own
To be the Cause of our Salvation;
It was the Arm of the Almighty Lord,
Who Fought, and Conquer'd, and our Joys restor'd.
PSALM 125.
1.
WHoso on God relyes, stands fixt & sure,
As Sions holy Mount, which shall endure,
Upon whose sacred Top the Lord declares
He will reside, and hear his Servants Pray'rs.
2.
As Salem's safe from storms on ev'ry hand,
Fenc'd with those lofty-Hills which round her stand,
So are the Faithful, in th' Almighty's Arms
Impail'd secure from all destructive harms.
3.
Yet for a while Oppression may take place,
And prosper here, disturbing Isr'el's peace,
But the ungodly shall not long bear sway,
Lest that the Righteous prove as bad as they.
4.
For God is good, his care is over those
Who are sincere in heart, who do repose
Their confidence in him, he'l Crown their Love
With all those Joys the Blessed reap above.
5.
As for those Souls who basely turn aside
From all his Laws, and wont his Yoke abide;
Whom none of all his Judgments can forewarn,
In endless-Flames they shall for ever burn.
While in perpet'al peace his Israel,
That Her'tage of his own, shall ever dwell.
PSALM 133.
1.
Lord,
How glorious in thine Eyes do those appear
Who follow peace, and as Religion binds,
In perfect union, communion are,
Having no discords in their ways and minds.
2.
Such happy concord yields a fragrant smell,
Like to that precious Oyntment which was shed
Upon thy High Priests Crown, and downwards fell
Upon his Beard, and o're his Garments spread.
3.
As the refreshing-Dew did gently fall
And cherish Hermon, and bless Sions Hill,
So on the peaceful Heads of such Men shall
The blessings of the Lord, each Morn distill.
PSALM 140.
1.
DEfend me, Lord, from Malice and Deceit,
From all those Snares, the Proud have laid in wait
To catch my Soul, my ways they have beset
VVith treach'rous Gins, and Nets my Life to get;
But, Lord, their VViles, without thy leave I know,
Cannot effect my wish'd-for overthrow.
2.
Like as a Serpent from his poys'nous Tongue,
Darts forth his Venome, so they all day long
From their destructive Tongues, without just ground
With slaund'rous Lyes, my spotless Life do wound;
But thou my Shield art, under whom I dwell
Secure, or in this Conflict I had fell.
3.
Yet, Lord, lest these Men should exalted be,
As sure they will, if that they should go free,
Let their Device take no effect at all,
Wherein they thought to make me, make them fall,
And rise no more, let them in Flames expire,
And with thy burning VVrath, Lord, Fan the Fire.
4.
This fatal Doom let it for ever be
The VVicked's Portion, that the Just may see
Thou wilt maintain their Cause, and from thy Throne
Confound the lying and backbiteing-Tongue;
Then shall the Righteous flourish in thy sight,
And Laud thy Name who do'st defend their Right.
The end of the Psalms.