That with malicious false reports against my life combine. 21 But for thy glorious name, O God, do thou deliver me; And for thy plenteous mercy's sake, preserve and set me free. 22 For I, to utmost straits reduc'd, am void of all relief; My heart is wounded with distress, and quite pierc'd through with grief. 23 I like an ev'ning shade decline, which vanishes apace; Like locusts, up and down I'm toss'd, and have no certain place. 24, 25 My knees with fasting are grown weak, my body lank and lean; All that behold me shake their heads, and treat me with disdain. 26, 27 But for thy mercy's sake, O Lord, That all may see 'tis thy own act, 28 Then let them curse, so thou but bless; Of all that my destruction seek, while I rejoice in thee. 29 My foes shall with disgrace be cloth'd; His own confusion, like a cloak, 30 But I to God, in grateful thanks, 31 For him the poor shall always find 4 The Lord hath sworn, nor sworn in vain, That, like Melchisedech's, thy reign and priesthood shall no period know: 5 No proud competitor to sit At thy right hand will he permit, but in his wrath crown'd heads o'erthrow. 6 The sentenc'd heathen he shall slay, And fill with carcasses his way, till he hath struck earth's tyrants dead; 7 But in the highway brooks shall first, Like a poor pilgrim, slake his thirst, and then in triumph raise his head. 1 PR PSALM CXI. RAISE ye the Lord; our God to praise My soul her utmost power shall raise, With private friends, and in the throng Of saints, his praise shall be my song. 2 His works, for greatness though renown'd, His wondrous works with ease are found By those who seek for them aright, And in the pious search delight. 3 His works are all of matchless fame, His truth, confirm'd through ages past, 4 By precepts he hath us enjoin'd' That good and gracious is our Lord. His cov❜nant with our fathers sign'd. 8 By truth and equity sustain'd, 9 He set his saints from bondage free, 1 THAT PSALM CXII. HALLELUJAH. HAT man is bless'd who stands in awe Of God, and loves his sacred law; 2 His seed on earth shall be renown'd, And with successive honours crown'd. 3 His house, the seat of wealth, shall be An inexhausted treasury: His justice, free from all decay, Shall blessings to his heirs convey. 4 The soul that's fill'd with virtue's light Shines brightest in affliction's night; To pity the distress'd inclin'd, As well as just to all mankind. 5 His lib'ral favours he extends, To some he gives, to others lends; Yet what his charity impairs, He saves by prudence in affairs. 6 Beset with threat'ning dangers round, Unmov'd shall he maintain his ground: The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust. 7 Ill tidings never can surprise His heart that fix'd on God relies: 8 On safety's rock he sits and sees The shipwreck of his enemies. 9 His hands, while they his alms bestow'd, Whence he shall reap wealth, fame, renown, 10 The wicked shall his triumph see, 1 Y The triumphs of his name record; E saints and servants of the Lord, 2 his sacred name for ever bless: due praise to his great name address. but shadows of his glory are: 5 With him whose majesty excels, Who made the heav'n in which he dwells, let no created power compare. 6 Though 'tis beneath his state to view In highest heaven what angels do, yet he to earth vouchsafes his care: He takes the needy from his cell, companion to the greatest there. 1 W PSALM CXIV. THEN Israel, by the Almighty led, enrich'd with their oppressor's spoil, From Egypt march'd, and Jacob's seed from bondage in a foreign soil; 2 Jehovah, for his residence, chose out imperial Judah's tent, His mansion royal, and from thence through Israel's camp his orders sent. 3 The distant sea with terror saw, and from the Almighty's presence fled; Old Jordan's streams, surpris'd with awe, retreated to their fountain's head. 4 The taller mountains skipp'd like rams, 5 O sea! what made your tide withdraw, when they their leader's flight behold? 7 Earth, tremble on; well may'st thou fear thy Lord and Maker's face to see; When Jacob's awful God draws near, 'tis time for earth and seas to flee; 8 To flee from God, who nature's law confirms and cancels at his will; Who springs from flinty rocks can draw, and thirsty vales with water fill. PSALM CXV. 1 ORD, not to us, we claim no share, but to thy sacred name Give glory, for thy mercy's sake, and truth's eternal fame. 2 Why should the heathen cry, Where's now the God whom we adore? 3 Convince them that in heaven thou art, and uncontrol'd thy power. 4 Their gods but gold and silver are, the works of mortal hands; 5 With speechless mouth and sightless eyes the molten idol stands. 6 The pageant has both ears and nose, but neither hears nor smells; 7 Its hands and feet nor feel nor move; no life within it dwells. 8 Such senseless stocks they are, that we can nothing like them find, But those who on their help rely, 9 O Israel, make the Lord your trust, 10 Priests, Levites, trust in him alone, who only help can yield. 11 Let all who truly fear the Lord, Who them in danger can defend, 12, 13 Of us he oft has mindful been, 14 On you, and on your heirs, he will increase of blessings bring; 15 Thrice happy you, who favourites are of this Almighty King! 16 Heaven's highest orb of glory he And gave this lower globe of earth 17 They who in death and silence sleep, 18 But we will bless for evermore 1 our ever-living Lord. MY PSALM CXVI. Y soul with grateful thoughts of love entirely is possest, Because the Lord vouchsaf'd to hear the voice of my request. 2 Since he has now his ear inclin'd, I never will despair; But still in all the straits of life to him address my prayer. 3 With deadly sorrows compass'd round, with pains of hell oppress'd; When trouble seiz'd my aching heart, and anguish rack'd my breast; |