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 5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day 6 From east to west, from west to east, And, through his progress, cheerful light and vital warmth bestows. 7 God's perfect law converts the soul; reclaims from false desires; With sacred wisdom his sure word 8 The statutes of the Lord are just, His pure commands in search of truth 9 His perfect worship here is fix'd, 10 Of more esteem than golden mines, 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, 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, 4 To compass thy own heart's desire, 5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid 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, 7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd; 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, 4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord, 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, 11 For all their thoughts were set on ill, But thou with watchful care didst still 12 While they their swift retreat shall make. 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 PSALM XXII. MY God, my God, why leav'st thou me when I with anguish faint? O! why so far from me remov'd, 2 All day, but all the day unheard, With cries implore relief all night, 3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge 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 12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd, 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; 16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they 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 : t; 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 "He ne'er disdain'd on low distress "Nor turn'd from poverty his face, "but hears its humble cry." PART IV. 25 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I 26 The meek companions of my grief 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; f |