PSALM II.

TERZETTE.

DONE AUGUST 8, 1653.

WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations
Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand
With pow'r, and princes in their congregations
Lay deep their plots together through each land
Against the Lord and his Messiah dear?

Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand
Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear,

Their twisted cords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell

And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he,
Anointed have my King (though he rebel)

On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree

I will declare; the Lord to me hath said Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy possession I on thee bestow

Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd

Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse

Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so.

And now be wise at length ye Kings averse, Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse With trembling; kiss the Son lest he appear In anger and ye perish in the way,

If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere. Happy all those who have in him their stay.

PSALM III.

AUGUST 9, 1653.

WHEN HE FLED FROM ABSALOM.

LORD how many are my foes!

How many those

That in arms against me rise!
Many are they

That of my life distrustfully thus say,
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou Lord art my shield, my glory,
Thee through my story

Th' exalter of my head I count;

Aloud I cry'd

Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd

And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and slept, I wak'd again,

For my sustain

Was the Lord. Of many millions

The populous rout

I fear not, though incamping round about
They pitch against me their pavilions.
Rise, Lord, save me my God, for thou
Hast smote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes,

Of men abhorr'd

Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV.

AUGUST 10, 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,
God of my righteousness,

In straits and in distress

Thou didst me disinthrall

And set at large; now spare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest pray'r.

Great ones how long will ye

My glory have in scorn,

How long be thus forborn
Still to love vanity,

To love, to seek, to prize

Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies?

Yet know the Lord hath chose,

Chose to himself apart,

The good and meek of heart

(For whom to choose he knows)

Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voice what time to him I cry.

Be aw'd, and do not sin,

Speak to your hearts alone,

Upon your beds, each one,
And be at peace within.

Offer the offerings just

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust.

Many there be that say

Who yet will show us good?

Talking like this world's brood;

But, Lord, thus let me pray,

On us lift up the light

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.

Into

my heart more joy

And gladness thou hast put,

Than when a year of glut

Their stores doth over-cloy,

And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

VOL. III.

6

In peace at once will I

Both lay me down and sleep,
For thou alone dost keep

Me safe where'er I lie;

As in a rocky cell

Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.

PSALM V.

AUGUST 12, 1653.

JEHOVAH to my words give ear,

My meditation weigh,

The voice of my complaining hear

My King and God; for unto thee I pray.

Jehovah thou my early voice

Shalt in the morning hear,

I' th' morning I to thee with choice

Will rank my pray'rs, and watch till thou appear.

For thou art not a God that takes

In wickedness delight,

Evil with thee no biding makes,

Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.

All workers of iniquity

Thou hat'st; and them unblest

Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie;

The bloody' and guileful man God doth detest.