Imatges de pàgina
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When he surveys the sons of men,
And how their councils move.

5 If God the righteous, whom he loves,
For trial does correct,

What must the sons of violence,
Whom he abhors, expect?

6 Snares, fire, and brimstone, on their heads Shall in one tempest show'r;

This dreadful mixture his revenge
Into their cup shall pour.

7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds With signal favour grace,

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And to the upright man disclose
The brightness of his face.

SINCE

PSALM XII.

INCE godly men decay, O Lord,
Do thou my cause defend;

For scarce these wretched times afford
One just and faithful friend.

2 One neighbour now can scarce believe
What t'other does impart ;
With flatt'ring lips they all deceive,
And with a double heart.

3 But lips that with deceit abound
Can never prosper long;
God's righteous vengeance will confound
The proud blaspheming tongue.

4 In vain those foolish boasters say,
"Our tongues are sure our own ;
"With doubtful words we'll still betray,
"And be controul'd by none."

5 For God, who hears the suff'ring poor,
And their oppression knows,

Will soon arise and give them rest,
In spite of all their foes.

6 The word of God shall still abide,
And void of falsehood be,

As is the silver, sev'n times try'd,
From drossy mixture free.

7 The promise of his aiding grace
Shall reach its purpos'd end;
His servants from this faithless race
He ever shall defend.

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8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd,
Nor know which way to fly;

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When those whom they despis'd and vex'd,
Shall be advanc'd on high.

HOW

PSALM XIII.

OW long wilt thou forget me, Lord?
Must I forever mourn?

How long wilt thou withdraw from me,

Oh, never to return?

2 How long shall anxious thoughts my soul,
And grief my heart oppress?
How long my enemies insult,
And I have no redress?

3 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes
Restore thy wonted light,

And suddenly, or I shall sleep
In everlasting night.

4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast
'Twas their own strength o'ercame ;
Permit not them that vex my soul
To triumph in my shame.

5 Since I have always plac'd my trust
Beneath thy mercy's wing,

Thy saving health will come; and then
My heart with joy shall spring.

6 Then shall my song, with praise inspir'd,
To thee my God ascend,

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Who to thy servant in distress

Such bounty didst extend.

SURE

PSALM XIV.

wicked fools must needs suppose That God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows;

No breast is warm'd with holy flame.

2 The Lord look'd down from Heav'n's high tow'r,
And all the sons of men did view,
To see if any own'd his pow'r;

If any truth or justice knew.

3 But all, he saw, were gone aside,

All were degen'rate grown and base;
None took religion for their guide,
Not one of all the sinful race.

4 But can these workers of deceit
Be all so dull and senseless grow'n,

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That they, like bread my people eat,
And God's almighty pow'r disown!

5 How will they tremble then for fear,
When his just wrath shall them o’ertake?
For to the righteous God is near,

And never will their cause forsake.
6 Ill men, in vain, with scorn expose
Those methods which the good pursue ;
Since God a refuge is for those

Whom his just eyes with favour view.
7 Would he his saving pow'r employ
To break his people's servile band,
Then shouts of universal joy

Should loudly echo through the land.
PSALM XV.

L

ORD, who's the happy man that may
To thy blest courts repair,

Not, stranger-like, to visit them,

But to inhabit there?

2 "Tis he, whose ev'ry thought and deed
By rules of virtue moves ;

Whose gen'rous tongue disdains to speak
The thing his heart disproves.

3 Who never did a slander forge,

His neighbour's fame to wound;

Nor hearken to a false report,

By malice whisper'd round.

4 Who vice, in all its pomp and pow'r,
Can treat with just neglect;

And piety, though cloath'd in rags,
Religiously respect.

5 Who to his plighted vows and trust
Has ever firmly stood;

And though he promise to his loss,
He makes his promise good.

6 Whose soul in usury disdains

His treasure to employ ;
Whom no reward can ever bribe

The guiltless to destroy.

7 The man, who by his steady course

Has happiness insur'd,

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When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand,

By Providence secur'd.

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PSALM XVI.

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PROTECT me from my cruel foes,

And shield me, Lord, from harm : Because my trust I still repose

On thy Almighty arm.

2 My soul all help but thine does slight,
All gods but thee disown;
Yet can no deeds of mine requite
The goodness thou hast shown.

3 But those that strictly virtuous are,
And love the thing that's right,
To favour always, and prefer,
Shall be my chief delight.

4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd,
Who other gods adore?

Their bloody off'rings I detest,
Their very names abhor.

5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land
Where Ged is truly known;
He fills my cup with lib'ral hand,
'Tis he supports my throne.
6 In nature's most delightful scene
My happy portion lies;

The place of my appointed reign.
All other lands outvies.

7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord,
Whose precepts give me light;
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.

8 I strive each action to approve
To his all-seeing eye;

No danger shall my hopes remove,
Because he still is nigh.

3 9 Therefore my heart all grief defies,
My glory does rejoice;

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My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise,
Wak'd by his powerful voice.

10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath,
My soul from hell shalt free;

Nor let thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.

11 Thou shalt the paths of life display,
Which to thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.

PSALM XVII.

To my just plea and sad complaint
Attend, O righteous Lord;

And to my pray'r, as 'tis unfeign'd,
A gracious ear afford.

2 As in thy sight I am approv'd,
So let my sentence be;

And with impartial eyes, O. Lord,
My upright dealing see.

3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day,
And visited by night:

And, on the strictest trial, found

Its secret motions right.

Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
My heart's designs acquit ;

For I have purpos'd that my tongue
Shall no offence commit.

4 I know what wicked men would do,
Their safety to maintain ;

But me thy just and mild commands
From bloody paths restrain.

5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
My innocence secure,

O guide me in thy righteous ways,
And make my footsteps sure.

6 Since, heretofore, I ne'er in vain
To thee my pray'r address'd;
O! now, my God, incline thine ear
To this my just request.

7 The wonders of thy truth and love

In my defence engage;

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Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints
From their oppressor's rage.

PART H.

3,9 O! keep me in thy tend'rest care; Thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,

To guard me safe from savage foes,

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That compass me about:

10 O'ergrown with luxury, enclos'd

In their own fat they lie;

And, with a proud blaspheming mouth,
Both God and man defy.

Well may they boast, for they have now
My paths encompass'd round;

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