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THE

PSALM XIX.

1 HE heavens 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 powerful 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, through his progress, cheerful light and vital warmth bestows.

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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 truth
assist the feeblest sight.

9 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
on sure foundations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales
of truth and justice weigh'd;

10 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 prayer and praises be with thy acceptance blest; And I secure on thy defence,

my strength and Saviour, rest.

THE

PSALM XX.

1 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 offerings 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 prayer."

6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord, our sov'reign will defend;

From heaven resistless aid afford,
and to his prayer attend.

7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd;
on chariots some rely;
Against them all we'll call to mind

the power 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 heaven, in times of need, the prayers 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 heaven 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 mad'st him wear,
and sett'st it firmly on.

4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord,
didst to his prayer attend,
And graciously to him afford

a life that ne'er shall end.

5 Thy sure defence through 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.

PART II.

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 heavy 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.

MY God, my God, why leav'st thou 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 rely'd, 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 heaven's delight;

"Let God come down to save him now, “and own his favourite."

PART II.

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.

10 Thou, guardian-like, did'st shield from wrongs my helpless infant days;

And since hast been my God, and guide,

through life's bewilder'd ways.

11 Withdraw not then so far from me,

when trouble is so nigh;

O send me help! thy help, on which
I only can rely.

12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd,
from Basan's forest met,

With strength proportion'd to their rage, have me around beset.

13 They gape on me, and every mouth

a yawning grave appears; The desert lion's savage roar less dreadful is then theirs.

PART III.

14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints

are rack'd and out of frame;

My heart dissolves within my breast, like wax before the flame.

15 My strength, like potter's earth, is parch'd;
my tongue cleaves to my jaws;
And to the silent shades of death
my fainting soul withdraws.

16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they
in pack'd assemblies meet :
They pierc'd my inoffensive hands;
they pierc'd my harmless feet.
17 My body's rack'd, till all my bones
distinctly may be told;

Yet such a spectacle of woe

as pastime they behold.

18 As spoil, my garments they divide, lots for my vesture cast;

19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength, and to my succour haste.

20 From their sharp swords protect thou me, of all but life bereft :

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Nor let my darling in the power

of cruel dogs be left.

21 To save me from the lion's jaws, thy present succour send;

As once, from goring unicorns, thou didst my life defend. 22 Then to my brethren I'll declare the triumphs of thy name; In presence of assembled saints thy glory thus proclaim:

23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God, "all you of Israel's line,

24

"O praise the Lord, and to your praise
"sincere obedience join.

"He ne'er disdain'd on low distress
"to cast a gracious eye;

"Nor turn'd from poverty his face,

"but hears its humble cry."

PART IV.

25 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I
my cheerful thanks express;
In presence of thy saints perform
the vows of my distress.

26 The meek companions of my grief
shall find my table spread;

And all that seek the Lord shall be

with joys immortal fed.

27 Then shall the glad converted world

to God their homage pay;

And scatter'd nations of the earth one sov'reign Lord obey.

28 'Tis his supreme prerogative

o'er subject kings to reign;

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