Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know, the Lord hath chose, Chose to himself apart, Will hear my voice, what time to him I cry. Be awed, 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 countenance bright. Into my heart more joy And gladness thou hast put, Than when a year of glut Their stores doth overcloy, And from their plenteous grounds 35 With vast increase their corn and wine abounds. 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. Shalt in the morning hear; In the morning I to thee with choice Will rank my prayers, 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. 5 10 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. Thy numerous mercies, go Will towards thy holy temple worship low. Lead me, because of those That do observe if I transgress; Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. No word is firm or sooth; Their inside, troubles miserable; An open grave their throat, their tongue they smoothe. By their own counsels quell'd; Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd. Their joy; while thou from blame And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name. To bless the just man still; As with a shield, thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. PSALM VI. August 13, 1653. LORD, in thine anger do not reprehend me, And very weak and faint; heal and amend me: Are troubled; yea, my soul is troubled sore; And thou, O Lord, how long? Turn, Lord; restore Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? Depart, all ye that work iniquity, Depart from me; for the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard; the Lord hath heard my prayer; 10 10 15 My supplication with acceptance fair The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. With much confusion; then, grown red with shame, PSALM VII. August 14, 1653. Upon the words of Chush the Benjamite, against him. Lord, my God, if I have thought Let the enemy pursue my soul, Rise, Jehovah, in thine ire, So the assemblies of each nation All people from the world's foundation. Judge me, Lord; be judge in this But the just establish fast, Since thou art the just God that tries In him, who, both just and wise, God is a just judge and severe, 40 And God is every day offended; If the unjust will not forbear, 45 His sword he whets, his bow hath bended The tools of death, that waits him near. His arrows purposely made he He digg'd a pit, and delved it deep, His mischief, that due course doth keep, Of violence will, undelay'd, Fall on his crown with ruin steep. Then will I Jehovah's praise PSALM VIII. August 14, 1653. O JEHOVAH, Our Lord, how wonderous great Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou When I behold thy heavens, thy fingers' art; The moon and stars which thou so bright hast set And think'st upon him; or of man begot, Scarce to be less than gods, thou mad'st his lot; O'er the works of thy hand thou mad'st him lord; Fowl of the heavens, and fish that through the wet And glorious is thy name through all the earth! April, 1648. J. M. Nine of the Psalms done into metre, wherein all, but what is in a different character, are the very words of the text, translated from the original. PSALM LXXX. 1. THOU, Shepherd, that dost Israel keep, Who leadest like a flock of sheep Thy loved Joseph's seed; That sitt'st between the cherubs bright, Shine forth, and from thy cloud give light, 2. In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, Awake thy strength, come, and be seen 3. Turn us again; thy grace divine Cause thou thy face on us to shine, And then we shall be safe. 4. Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou, How long wilt thou declare Thy smoking wrath and angry brow Against thy people's prayer! 5. Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears; Their bread with tears they eat; And mak'st them largely drink the tears 6. A strife thou mak'st us and a prey To every neighbour foe; Among themselves they laugh, they play, 28. Flout at: Sneers, insults. 15 20 5 10 5 20 25 |