76
NEW VERSION OF
PSALM CXLIII.
LORD, hear my prayer, and to my cry thy wonted audience lend;
In
a gracious answer thy servant to be tried; can e'er be justified. whose comforts all are fled; as mansions of the dead. and sinks within my breast; with heavy woes opprest.
2 Nor at thy strict tribunal bring For in thy sight no living man
3 The spiteful foe pursues my life, He drives me into caves as dark 4 My spirit therefore is o'erwhelm'd, My mournful heart grows desolate,
5 I call to mind the days of old, My former dangers and escapes 6 To thee my hands in humble pray'r My soul for thy refreshment thirsts,
7 Hear me with speed; my spirit fails; Lest I become forlorn, like them 8 Thy kindness early let me hear, Teach me the way where I should go;
9 Do thou, O Lord, from all my foes A safe retreat against their rage 10 Thou art my God, thy righteous will Let thy good Spirit lead and keep
11 O! for the sake of thy great Name, For thy truth's sake, to me, distress'd, 12 In pity to my suff'rings, Lord, Slay them that persecute a soul
PSALM
FOR ever bless'd be God the Lord,
At once both strength and skill afford 2 His goodness is my fort and tow'r, In him I trust, whose matchless pow'r
CXLIV.
who does his needful aid impart; to wield my arms with warlike art. my strong deliv'rance and my shield; makes to my sway fierce nations yield.
4 The life of man does quickly fade, His days are like a flying shade,
and wonders thou hast wrought: employ my musing thought. I fervently stretch out;
like land oppress'd with drought. thy face no longer hide, that in the grave reside. whose trust on thee depends; my soul to thee ascends. preserve and set me free; my soul implores from thee. instruct me to obey; my soul in thy right way. revive my drooping heart; thy promis'd aid impart. reduce my foes to shame; devoted to thy Name.
3 Lord, what's in man that thou should'st love of him such tender care to take? What in his offspring could thee move
5 In solemn state, O God, descend, The smoking hills asunder rend,
6 Discharge thy dreadful lightnings round, Them with thy pointed arrows wound,
such great account of him to make? his thoughts but empty are and vain; of whose short stay no signs remain. whilst heav'n its lofty head inclines; of thy approach the awful signs. and make my scatter'd foes retreat; and their destruction soon complete.
7, 8 Do thou, O Lord, from heav'n engage thy boundless pow'r my foes to quell, And snatch me from the stormy rage of threat'ning waves that proudly swell. Fight thou against my foreign foes, who utter speeches false and vain; Who, tho' in solemn leagues they close, their sworn engagements ne'er maintain. 9 So I to thee, O King of kings, in joyful hymns my voice shall raise, And instruments of various strings shall help me thus to sing thy praise. 10" God does to kings his aid afford, to them his sure salvation sends; "" Tis he that from the murd'ring sword his servant David still defends." 11 Fight thou against my foreign foes, who utter speeches false and vain; Who, tho' in solemn leagues they close, their sworn engagements ne'er maintain. 12 Then our young sons like trees shall grow, well planted in some fruitful place; Our daughters shall like pillars show, design'd some royal court to grace. 13 Our garners, fill'd with various store, shall us and our's with plenty feed; Our sheep, increasing more and more, shall thousands and ten thousands breed. 14 Strong shall our lab'ring oxen grow, Whilst we no war nor slav'ry know, 15 Thrice happy is that people's case, Who God's true worship still embrace,
nor in their constant labour faint; and in our streets hear no complaint. whose various blessings thus abound; and are with his protection crown'd.
PSALM
and
This tribute daily I will bring,
3 Thou, Lord, beyond compare art great,
Thy majesty, with boundless height,
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thy endless praise proclaim; and ever bless thy Name. and highly to be prais'd; above our knowledge rais'd.