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Protect me, therefore, and to me
Thy mercies, Lord, renew.
12 In spite of all assaulting foes,
I still maintain my ground,
And shall survive among thy saints,
Thy praises to resound.

PSALM XXVII

THOM should I fear, since God to W Is saving health and light? [me Since strongly he my life supports, What can my soul affright?

2 With fierce intent my flesh to tear,
When toes beset me round,

They stumbled, and their haughty crests
Were made to strike the ground.
3 Through him my heart, undaunted.
With mighty hosts to cope; [dares
Through him, in doubtful straits of war,
For good success I hope

4 Henceforth, within his house to dwell I earnestly desire;

His wondrous beauty there to view,
And of his will inquire.

5 For there I may with comfort rest,
In times of deep distress;
And safe, as on a rock, abide

In that secure recess

6 Whilst God o'er all iny haughty foes
My lofty head shall raise;
And I my joyful tribute bring,
With grateful songs of praise
PART II

7 Continue, Lord, to hear my voice,
Whene er to thee I cry ;

In mercy my complaints receive,
Nor my request deny.

8 When us to seek thy glorious face
Thou kindly dost advise,
"Thy glorious face I'll always seek,"
My grateful heart replies.

9 Then hide not thou thy face, O Lord, Nor me in wrath reject;

My God and Saviour, leave not him
Thou didst so oft protect.

10 Though all my friends, and kindred
Their helpless charge forsake, too,
Yet thou, whose love excels them all.
Wilt care and pity take.

11 Instruct me in thy paths. O Lord, My ways directly guide;

Lest envious men, who watch my steps,
Should see nie tread aside.

12 Lord, disappoint my cruel foes;
Defeat their ill desire,
Whose lying lips, and bloody hands,
Against my peace conspire.
13 trusted that my future life

Should with thy love be crown'd;
Or else my fainting soul had sunk,
With sorrow compass'd round
14 God's time with patient faith expect,
Who will inspire thy breast
With inward strength: do thou thy part,
And leave to him the rest.

PSALM XXVIII.

LORD, my rock, to thee I cry, In sighs consume my breath; O! answer, or 1 shall become Like those that sleep in death.

2 Regard my suppilation, Lord, The cries that I repeat,

With weeping eyes, and lifted hands, Before thy mercy-seat.

3 Let me escape the sinners' doom, Who make a trade of ill,

And ever speak the person fair, Whose blood they mean to spill. 4 According to their crimes extent, Let justice have its course: Relentless be to them, as they

Have sinned without remorse.

5 Since they the works of God despise Nor will his grace adore ;

His wrath sha!! utterly destroy,

And build them up no more.
6 But I, with due acknowledgment,
His praises will resound.
From whom the cries of my distress
A gracious answer found
7 My heart its confidence repos'd
In God, my strength and shield;
In him I trusted, and return'd

Triumphant from the field.
As he hath made my joys complete,
"Tis just that I should raise

The cheerful tribute of my thanks,
And thus resound his praise
8His aiding power supports the troops,
That my just cause maintain
'Twas he advanc'd me to the throne;
"Tis he secures my reign."

9 Preserve thy chosen, and proceed
Thine heritage to bless;
With plenty prosper them, in peace;
In battle, with success

PSALM XXIX.

YE princes that in might excel,
Your grateful sacrifice prepare;
God's glorious actions londly tell,
His wondrous power to all declare.
2 To his great name fresh altars raise
Devoutly due respect afford;
Him in his holy temple praise,

3 "Tis he that, with amazing noise, Where he's with solemn state ador'd.

The wat'ry clouds in sunder breaks; The ocean trembles at his voice.

When he from heaven in thunder speaks.

4, 5 How full of power his voice appears! With what majestic terror crown'd! Which from their roots tall cedars tears, And strews their scatter'd branches round.

6 They, and the hills on which theygrow, Are sometimes hurry'd far away; And leap, like hinds that bounding go, Or unicorns in youthful play. 7,8 When God in thunder loudly speaks, And scatter'd flames of lightning sends, The forest nods, the desert quakes,

And stubborn Kadesh lowly bends. 9 He makes the hinds to cast their young, And lays the beasts' dark coverts bere; While those that to his courts belong, Securely sing his praises there. 10, 11 God rules the angry floods on high;

His boundless sway shall never cease;

His saints with strength he will supply,
And bless his own with constant peace.
PSALM XXX

T'LL celebrate thy praise, Lord,
Who didst thy power employ

To raise my drooping head, and check
My foes' insulting joy.

2, 3 In my distress I cry'd to thee,
Who kindly didst relieve,
And from the grave's expecting jaws
My hopeless life retrieve.

4 Thus to his courts. ye saints of his,
With songs of praise repair;
With me commemorate his truth,
And providential care.

5 His wrath has but a moment's reign, His favour no decay;

Your night of grief is recompens'd
With joy's returning day

6 But I, in prosp rous days presum'd;
No sudden change I fear'd';
Whilst in my sunshine of success,
No low'ring cloud appear'd.

7 But soon I found thy favour, Lord,
My empire's only trust;

For when thou hid'st thy face, I saw
My honour laid in dust.

8 Then, as I vainly had presum'd,
My error I confess'd;

And thus with supplicating voice,

Thy mercy's throne address'd: 9 What profit is there in my blood, "Congeal'd by death's cold night? "Can silent ashes speak thy praise,

Thy wondrous truth recite ?

10 Hear me, O Lord, in mercy hear; "Thy wonted aid extend; "Do thou send help, on whom alone "I can for help depend

11 'Tis done thou hast my mournful To songs and dances turn'd; [scene

Invested me with robes of state,

Who late in sackcloth mourn'd. 12 Exalted thus, I'll gladly sing Thy praise in grateful verse; And, as thy favours endless are, Thy endless praise rehearse. PSALM XXXI.

DE

EFEND me, Lord, from shame,
For still I trust in thee:

As just and righteous is thy name,
From danger set me free.
2 Bow down thy gracious ear,
And speedy succour send;
Do thou my steadfast rock appear,
To shelter and defend,

3 Since thou, when foes oppress,
My rock and fortress art,

To guide me orth from this distress,
Thy wonted help impart.
4 Release me from the snare.
Which they have closely laid;
Since I, O God, my strength, repair
To thee alone for aid.

5 To thee. the God of truth,

My life, and all that's mine, (For thou preserv'dst me from my I willingly resign. [youth.)

All vain designs I hate
Of those that trust in lies;

And still my soul in every sta
To God for succour flies.
PART II.

7 Those mercies thou hast shown,
I'll cheerfully express;

For thou hast seen my straits, and known My soul in deep distress

8 When Keilah's treach'rous race Did all my strength enclose, Thou gav st my feet a larger space, To shun my watchful foes. 9 Thy mercy, Lord, display, And hear my just complaint; For both my soul and flesh decay With griet and hunger faint. 10 Sad thoughts my life oppress; My years are spent in groans; My sins have made my strength decrease, And e'en consum'd my bones. 11 My foes my suff'rings mock'd; My neighbours did upbraid;

My friends, at sight of me, were shock'd, And fled, as men dismay'd. 12 Forsook by all am I,

As dead, and out of mind; And like a shatter'd vessel lie,

Whose parts can ne'er be join'd. 13 Yet sland'rous words they speak, And seem my power to dread'; Whilst they together counsel take, My guiltless blood to shed. 14 But still my steadfast trust I on thy help repose:

That thou, my God, art good and just, My soul with comfort knows. PART III.

15 Whate'er events betide,

Thy wisdom times them all;
Then, Lord, thy servant safely hide
From those that seek his fall.
16 The brightness of thy face
To me, O Lord. disclose;
And, as thy mercies still increase,
Preserve me from my foes
17 Me from dishonour save,
Who still have call'd on thee;
Let that, and silence in the grave,
The sinner's portion be

18 Do thou their tongues restrain,
Whose breath in lies is spent ;
Who false reports, with proud disdain,
Against the righteous vent.
19 How great thy mercies are

To such as fear thy name,
Which thou for those that trust thy care,
Dost to the world proclaim!

20 Thon keep'st them in thy sight,
From proud oppressors free;
From tongues that do in strife delight,
They are preserv'd by thee.
21 With glory and renown

God's name be ever bless'd;
Whose love, in Keilah's well-fene' town,
Was wondrously express'd!
22 I said, in hasty flight,

I'm banish'd from thine eyes ;"
Yet still thou keep'st me in thy sight,
And heard'st my earnest cries.
23 O all ye saints, the Lord
With eager love pursue ¡

Who to the just will help afford,
And give the proud their due.
24 Ye that on God rely,
Courageously proceed;
For he will still your hearts supply
With strength, in time of need."

HE'S

PSALM XXXII.

E'S blest whose sins have pardon gain'd,

No more in judgment to appear; 2 Whose guilt remission has obtain❜d, And whose repentance is sincere. 3 While I conceal'd the fretting sore, My bones consum'd without relief; All day did I with anguish roar,

But no complaints assuag'd my grief. 4 Heavy on me thy hand remain'd,

By day and night alike distress'd, Till quite of vital moisture drain'd, Like land with summer's drought op. press'd.

5 No sooner I my wound disclos'd, The guilt that tortur'd me within, But thy forgiveness interpos'd.

And mercy's healing balm pour'd in. 6 True penitents shall thus succeed, Who seek thee whilst thou may'st be found;

And, from the common deluge freed,
Shall see remorseless sinners drown'd.
Thy favour, Lord, in all distress,
My tower of refuge I must own;
Thou shalt my haughty foes suppress,
And me with songs of triumph crown.
8 In my instruction then confide.

Ye that would truth's safe path_des-
Your progress I'll securely guide, [cry,
And keep you in my watchful eye.
9 Submit yourselves to wisdom's rule,
Like men that reason have attain'd;
Not like th' ungovern'd horse and mule,
Whose fury must be curb'd and
rein'd.

10 Sorrows on sorrows multiply'd,

The harden'd sinner shall confound; But them who in his truth confide, Blessings of mercy shall surround. 11 His saints, that have perform'd his laws,

Their life in triumph shall employ; Let them, as they alone have cause, In grateful raptures shout for joy. PSALM XXXIII.

LE

ET all the just to God, with joy, Their cheerful voices raise; For well the righteous it becomes To sing glad songs of praise. 2, 3 Let harps, and psalteries, and lutes, In joyful concert meet; And new-made songs of loud applause The harmony complete 4,5 For faithful is the word of God; His works with truth abound; He justice loves; and all the earth Is with his goodness crown'd.. 6 By his Almighty Word, at first, The heav'nly arch was rear'd; And all the beauteous hosts of light At his command appear'd.

7 The swelling floods, together roll'd,
He makes in heaps to lie;
And lays, as in a store-house safe,
The wat'ry treasures by.

8, 9 Let earth, and all that dwell therein, Before him trembling stand;

For, when he spake the word. 'twas made; 'Twas fix'd at his command. 10 He, when the heathen closely plot, Their counsels undermines; His wisdom ineffectual makes The people's rash designs. 11 Whater the mighty Lord decrees, Shall stand for ever sure; The settled purpose of his heart To ages shall endure.

PART II.

12 How happy then are they, to whom
The Lord for God is known!
Whom he, from all the world besides,
Has chosen for his own.

13, 14, 15 He all the nations of the earth, From heaven, his throne, survey'd; He saw their works, and view'd their thoughts;

By him their hearts were made. 16, 17 No king is safe by num'rous hosts;

Their strength the strong deceives: No manag'd horse, by force or speed, His warlike rider saves.

18, 19 'Tis God, who those that trust in Beholds with gracious eyes; [hina He frees their soul from death; their In time of dearth supplies. 20, 21 Our soul on God with patience Our help and shield is he; Then, Lord, let still our hearts rejoice,

Because we trust in thee.

[want,

[waits;

22 The riches of thy mercy, Lord, Do thou to us extend;

Since we, for all we want or wish, On thee alone depend.

PSALM XXXIV.

HROUGH all the changing scenes Tin trouble and in Joy, [of life, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ. 2 Of his deliv'rance I will boast, Till all that are distrest, From my example comfort take, And charm their griefs to rest. 30 magnify the Lord with me, With me exalt his name:

4 When in distress to him I call'd, He to my rescue came.

5 Their drooping hearts were soon reWho look'd to him for aid; [fresh'd, Desir'd success in every face

A cheerful air display'd.

6 Behold," say they, "behold the man, "Whom providence reliev'd; "The man so dang 'rously beset, "So wondrously retriev'd!" 7 The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliv'rance he affords to all Who on his succour trust. 8 O make but trial of his love, Experience will decide

How blest they are, and only they,

Who in his truth confide.

9 Fear him, ye saints; and you will then
Have nothing else to fear:
Make you his service your delight,
Your wants shall be his care.
10 While hungry lions lack their prey,
The Lord will food provide
For such as put their trust in him,
And see their needs supply'd.
PART II.

11 Approach, ye piously dispos'd,
And cay struction hear
I'll teach you the true discipline
Of his religious fear.

12 Let him who length of life desires,
And prosp'rous days would see.
13 From sland'ring language keep his

tongue,

His lips from falsehood free;
14 The crooked paths of vice decline,
And virtue's ways pursue;
Establish peace, where tis begun ;

And where 'tis lost, renew.

15 The Lord from heaven beholds the
With favourable eyes;
[Just
And, when distress'd, his gracious ear
Is open to their cries;

16 But turns his wrathful look on those
Whom merey can't reclaim,
To cut them off, and from the earth
Blot out their hated name.

17 Deliv'rance to his saints he gives,
When his relief they crave;
18 He's nigh to heal the broken heart,
And contrite spirit save.

19 The wicked oft, but still in vain,
Against the just conspire;
20 For under their affliction s weight
He keeps their bones entire

21 The wicked, from their wicked arts, Their ruin shall derive

Whilst righteous men, whom taey detest.
Shall them and theirs survive.
22 For God preserves the souls of those
Who on his truth depend;
To them, and their posterity,
His blessings shall descend.
PSALM XXXV.

AGAINST all those that strive with

Lord, assert my right; With such as war unjustly wage, Do thou my battles fight.

[me,

2 Thy buckler take, and bind thy shield Upon thy warlike arm; Stand up. O God, in my defence,

And keep me safe from harm.

3 Bring forth thy spear; and stop their

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6 And when, through dark and slipp'ry
They strive his rage to shun. [ways,
His vengeful ministers of wrath
Shall goad them as they run.
7 Since, unprovok'd by any wrong,
They hid their treach'rous snare;
And, for my harmless soul, a pit
Did, without cause, prepare.
8 Surpris'd by mischiefs unforeseen,
By their own arts betray'd,
Their feet shall fall mto the net,
Which they for me had laid

9 Whilst my glad soul shall God's great
For this deliv'rance bless. (namie
And, by his saving health secur'd,
Its grateful joy express

10 My very bones shall say, "O Lord,
"Who can compare with thee!
"Who sett'st the poor and helpless man
"From strong oppressors free."'

PART 11.

1 False witnesses, with forg'd comAgainst my truth combin'd; [plaints, And to my charge such things they said, As I had ne'er design'd.

12 The good which I to them had done, With evil they epaid;

And did, by malice undeserv'd,

My harmless life invade.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, I still in sackcloth mourn'd;

I pray'd and fasted, and my prayer
To my own breast return'd.

14 Had they my friends or brethren been,

I could have done no more;
Nor with more decent signs of grief

A mother's loss deplore

15 How diff'rent did their carriage prove In times of my distress! When they, in crowds, together met,

Did savage joy express

The rabble too, in num rous throngs,
By their example came ;
And ceas'd not, with reviling words,
To wound my spotless fame.
16 Scoffers, that noble tables haunt,
And earn their bread with lies,
Did gnash their teeth, and sland'ring
Maliciously devise.
jesta

17 Bnt, Lord, how long wilt thou look
On my behalf appear;
[on?
And save my guiltless soul, which they,
Like rav'ning beasts, would tear.
PART III

18 So 1, before the list'ning world,
Shall grateful thanks express;
And where the great assembly meets,
Thy name with praises bless

19 Lord, suffer not my causeless foes,
Who me unjustly hate,
With open joy, or secret signs,
To mock my sad estate.

20 For they, with hearts averse to peace, Industriously devise,

Against the men of quiet minds
To forge malicious lies.

21 Nor with these private arts content, Aloud they vent their spite

And say, "At last we found him out, "He did it in our sight"

[me

22 But thou, who dost both them and
With righteous eyes survey,
Assert my innocence, O Lord,
And keep not far away

23 Stir up thyself in my behalf;
To judgment, Lord, awake;

Thy righteous servant's cause, O God, To thy decision take.

24 Lord, as my heart has upright been, Let me thy justice find; Nor let my cruel toes obtain

The triumph they design'd.

25 O! let them not, amongst themselves, In boasting language say,

"At length our wishes are complete ;
"At last he's made our prey."
26 Let such as in my harm rejoic'd,
For shame their faces hide;
And foul dishonour wait on those
That proudly me defy'd

27 Whilst they with cheerful voices shout, Who my just cause befriend;

And bless the Lord, who loves to make Success his saints attend.

28 So shall my tongue thy judgments

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PSALM XXXVI.

Y crafty toe. with flatt'ring art,

Med purpose would disguise;

Bat reason whispers to my heart,

He ne'er sets God before his eyes. 2 He sooths himself, retir'd from sight; Secure he thinks his treach'rous game; Till his dark plots, expos'd to light,

Their false contriver brand with shame. 3 In deeds he is my foe confess'd,

Whilst with his tongue he speaks me
fair:

True wisdom's banish'd from his breast,
And vice has sole dominion there.
4 His wakeful malice spends the night
In forging his accurs'd designs :"
His obstinate ungen'rous spite

No execrable means declines.

5 But, Lord, thy mercy, my sure hope, Above the heavenly orb ascends; Thy sacred truth's unmeasur'd scope Beyond the spreading sky extends. 6 Thy justice like the hills remains; Unfathom'd depths thy judgments are; Thy providence the world sustains; The whole creation is thy care. 7 Since of thy goodness all partake, With what assurance should the just Thy shelt'ring wings their refuge make, And saints to thy protection trust! 8 Such guests shall to thy courts be led, To banquet on thy love's repast; And drink, as from a fountain's head, Of joys that shall for ever last. 9 With thee the springs of life remain ; Thy presence is eternal day: 10 O let thy saints thy favour gain; To upright hearts thy truth display.

11 Whilst pride's insulting foot would spurn,

And wicked hands my life surprise, 12 Their mischiefs on themselves return; Down, down they're fall'n no more to rise.

PSALM XXXVII. HOUGH wicked men grow rich or great,

THC

Yet let not their successful state Thy anger or thy envy raise; 2 For they, cut down like tender grass, Or like young flowers, away shall pass. Whose blooming beauty soon decays. 3 Depend on God, and him obey, So thou within the land shalt stay,

Secure from danger and from want: 4 Make his commands thy chief delight; And he, thy duty to requite,

Shall all thy earnest wishes grant. 5 In all thy ways trust thou the Lord, And he will needful help afford,

To perfect every just design;

6 He'll make, like light, serene and clear Thy clouded innocence appear.

And as a mid-day sun to shine. 7 With quiet mind on God depend, And patiently for him attend;

Nor let thy anger fondly rise, Though wicked men with wealth abound, And with success the plots are crown'd Which they maliciously devise.

8 From anger cease, and wrath forsake Let no ungovern'd passion make

Thy wav'ring heart espouse their

crime;

9 For God shall sinful men destroy; Whilst only they the land enjoy.

Who trust on him, and wait his time 10 How soon shall wicked men decay! Their place shall vanish quite away,

Nor bv ne strictest search be found; 11 Whilst humble souls possess the earth,

Rejoicin still with godly mirth.
With peace and plenty always crown'd.
PART II

12 While sinful crowds, with false de

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