PSALMS.

2 If government be all destroy'd,

( That firm foundation of our peace,) And violence make justice void, Where shall the righteous seek redress?

3 The Lord in heaven has fix'd his throne, His eye surveys the world below; To him all mortal things are known, His eyelids search our spirits through.

4 If he afflicts his saints so far,

To prove their love, and try their grace, What may the bold transgressors fear? His very soul abhors their ways.

5 On impious wretches he shall rain Tempests of brimstone, fire, and death, Such as he kindled on the plain

Of Sodom, with his angry breath.

6 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls, Whose thoughts and actions are sincere, And with a gracious eye beholds The men that his own image bear.

PSALM 12. L. M.

The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins of the tongue complained of, viz. blasphemy, falsehood,& c.

1

L

ORD, if thou dost not soon appear, Virtue and truth will fly away; A faithful man, amongst us here, Will scarce be found, if thou delay.

17

2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet, Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain;' Their lip are flattery and deceit, And their proud language is profane.

3 But lips that with deceit abound,

Shall not maintain their triumph long; The God of vengeance will confound The flattering and blaspheming tongue. 4" Yet shall our words be free," they cry, " Our tongues shall be controll'd by none: " Where is the lord will ask us why? " Or say, our lips are not our own?"

5 The Lord who sees the poor opprest, And hears th' oppressor's haughty strain, Will rise to give his children rest, Nor shall they trust his word in vain.