PSALM I. BLESSED is the man who hath not walked astray In council of the wicked, and in the way Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great Jehovah's law is ever his delight, And in his law he studies day and night. He shall be as a tree which planted grows By watery streams, and in his season knows To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall, And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fanned The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand In judgment, or abide their trial then, And the way of bad men to ruin must. PSALM II. WHY do the Gentiles rage? The people think vain things? The rulers of the earth combine? In counsel with the kings? Against the Lord of Hosts and his Anointed king they say, "Asunder let us break their bands, And cast their cords away." The Lord from Heaven shall laugh The mountain of my holiness, "This statute I declare," "Thou art my son, upon this day PSALM V. O LORD, incline Thy gracious ear, On Thee, O God of purity, I wait for hallowing grace: Nor shall they, while unsaved from sin, Thou hatest all that evil do, Or speak iniquity; The hearts unkind, and hearts untrue, Shall find its fearful doom; But as for me, with humble fear I trust in Thy unbounded grace, And worship toward Thy holy place, Lead me in all Thy righteous ways, heart Is desperate wickedness. Thou, Lord, shalt drive them from Thy face, And utterly consume: Shall to the utmost come. But all who put their trust in Thee And sing with cheerful melody Protected by Thy guardian grace, They shall extol Thy power, Rejoice, give thanks, and shout Thy praise, And triumph evermore. They never shall to evil yield, And kept and covered with the shield CHARLES WESLEY (1708-1788). PSALM VI. LORD, in thy wrath reprove me not, For I am weak, therefore, O Lord, Of mercy me forbear: And heal me, Lord, for why? thou know'st My bones do quake for fear. My soul is troubled very sore, But, Lord, how long wilt thou delay Lord turn thee to thy wonted grace, O save me not for my deserts, For why? no man among the dead Remembereth thee one whit: Or who shall worhip thee, O Lord, In the infernal pit? So grievous is my plaint and moan, My sight is dim, and waxeth old, But now depart from me, all ye Because the Lord hath heard the voice He heard not only the request And prayer of my heart: But it received at my hands, And took it in good part. And now my foes that vexèd me JOHN PLAYFORD. PSALM VII. O LORD my God, I put my trust Lest like a lyon me they teare And rend in pieces small; O Lord my God, if I have done And hated me causelesse. Then let my foes pursue my soule, And eke my life downe thrust: Unto the earth, and also lay Mine honor in the dust. Start up O Lord now in thy wrath, And put my foes to paine: Performe the kingdom promised To me which wrong sustaine. Then shall great nations come to thee, Thyselfe as Lord and king. Lord cease the harts of wicked men, I take my help to come of God, That doth preserve all those that be The just man and the wicked both, And doth prepare his mortall dartes, Whiles he doth mischiefe warpe. He digs a ditch and delves it deepe, That he digd up for other. And all the mischiefe that he wrought, I will give thanks to God therefore, And with a song will praise the name, THOMAS STERN HOLD (circa 1500-1549). PSALM VIII. How excellent, O Lord, our Lord, thy name in all the earth! Transcending glory of the skies -supreme above all worth. The frailest infant form of life gives utterance to thy praise, And strength, 'gainst evil is ordained from childlike, trustful ways. When turns my thoughts to heaven's expanse of wondrous calm and light, And ponders o'er the silvery moon and radiant stars of night, My soul is thrilled with reverent awe, and questions, What is man, That God should give him place and power in all his wondrous planShould give him rank exalted high and crowned with honor fair, Should place him on his glorious carth to hold dominion there? Subjecting to man's power and will the works of hand divine, God gives to human soul the gift of majesty sublime. Mysterious, mighty powers of earth He trusts to man for care All things therein, created life of land and sea and air. With my whole heart and every power bestowed in mortal frame, I give thee praise, O Lord, our Lord! How excellent thy name! EMILY F. CArleton. PSALM IX. I WILL give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with all my heart; I will speak of all thy marvellous works, in whole or in part. I will be glad and rejoice in thee; While mine enemies all Are driven back, they shall fall, And none their welfare shall cherish. my cause; Thou are set on the throne that judges by right laws. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, the ungodly destroyed, Thou hast put out their name forever and made them void. O thou enemy destruction all come to perpetual end, Thy walls Adonai did rend, Even as the cities which thou hast destroyed, Their memorial is perished with them and is void. But the Lord forever shall endure, He hath also prepared his seat, for his judgments are sure. For he shall judge the world aright, And minister true judgments unto the people-so bright. The Lord, also, will be a defense for the oppressed, Even a refuge in due time of trouble, and goodly rest. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee, For thou, Lord, hast never failed them that to thee flee. O praise the Lord who in Sion doth dwell; Show the people of his doings so well. For, when the inquisitors for blood are made, Their goodly works are well weighed. Their trust in him is always sure. Thou that lifteth me up from the gates of death, Thou that inspires me with new breath, That I may show all thy praises within the ports of Sion, I will rejoice in thy salvation-with the strength of the lion. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made, In the same net which they hid privately me they waylaid. The Lord is known to execute judgment in all lands; The ungodly is trapped in the work of his hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the people that forgot God shall not with him dwell. For the poor shall not always forgotten be; That patient abiding of the meck shall not perish, but be forever free Up, Lord, and let no man have the upper hand; Let the heathen be judged in thy sight and land. Put them in fear, O Lord-then The heathen may know themselves to be but men. ISAAC P. NOYES. (Version of Edward VI.) [1537-1553]. PSALM X. THE face, Oh Lord; why dost thou hide, |