PSALMS.
SAL

PSALM I. Done into verse, 1653.
BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray
In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' 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 wat❜ry 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.

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Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd

The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,

Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

PSALM II. Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzette. 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

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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,

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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 ye rebel) On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree

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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

In anger, and ye perish in the way,

appear

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

PSALM III. Aug. 9. 1653.

When he fled from Absdlom.

LORD, how many are my foes!

How many those

That in arms against me rise!

Many are they

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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 cried

Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied And heard me from his holy mount. I lay and slept, I wak'd again,

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

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

PSALM IV. Aug. 10. 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,

God of my righteousness,

In straits and in distress

Thou didst me disenthrall

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 forborne
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,

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And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

Thou, Lord, alone in safety mak'st me dwell.

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PSALM V. Aug. 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
Jehovah, thou my early voice

Shalt in the morning hear,

pray.

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;

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The bloody' and guileful man God doth detest.

But I will in thy mercies dear

Thy numerous mercies go

Into thy house; I in thy fear

Will tow'rds thy holy temple worship low.

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Lord, lead me in thy righteousness,

Lead me because of those

That do observe if I transgress,

Set thy ways right before, where my step goes.
For in his falt'ring mouth unstable

No word is firm or sooth;

Their inside, troubles miserable;

An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth.

God, find them guilty, let them fall

By their own counsels quell'd;

26. sooth] True. T. Warton.

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