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And, for thy wondrous goodness' sake,

In merey think on me. 8 His mercy, and his truth,

The righteous Lord displays,
In bringing wand'ring sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.
9 He those in justice guides,
Who his direction seek;

And in his sacred paths shall lead
The humble and the meek.
10 Through all the ways of God
Both truth and mercy shine,
To such as, with religious hearts,
To his blest will incline.

PART II.

11 Since mercy is the grace,
That most exalts thy fame,
Forgive my heinous sin, O Lord,
And so advance thy name.
12 Whoe'er, with humble fear,

To God his duty pays,

Shall find the Lord a faithful guide,
In all his righteous ways.
13 His quiet soul with peace
Shall be for ever bless'd;
And by his num'rous race the land

Successively possess'd. 14 For God to all his saints His secret will imparts,

And does his gracious cov'nant write

In their obedient hearts. 15 To him I lift my eyes,

And wait his timely aid,

Who breaks the strong and treach'rous snare,

Which for my feet was laid.

16 O! turn, and all my griefs,

In mercy, Lord, redress;

For I am compass'd round with woes,

And plung'd in deep distress.

17 The sorrows of my heart

To mighty sums increase;
O! from this dark and dismal state
My troubled soul release!
18 Do thou, with tender eyes,

My sad affliction see;

Acquit me, Lord, and from my guilt
Entirely set me free.
19 Consider, Lord, my foes,

How vast their numbers grow!
What lawless force and rage they use,
What boundless hate they show!

20 Protect, and set my soul

From their fierce malice free;
Nor let me be asham'd, who place
My steadfast trust in thee.
21 Let all my righteous acts
To full perfection rise;

Because my firm and constant hope

On thee alone relies.

22 To Israel's chosen race

Continue ever kind;

And, in the midst of all their wants,

Let them thy succour find.

PSALM XXVI.

UDGE me, O Lord, for I the paths

4 I never for companions took
The idle or profane;
No hypocrite, with all his arts,
Could e'er my friendship gain.
5 I hate the busy plotting crew,
Who make distracted times;
And shun their wicked company,
As I avoid their crimes.

6 I'll wash my hands in innocence,
And bring a heart so pure,
That when thy altar I approach,
My welcome shall secure.

7, 8 My thanks I'll publish there, and tell How thy renown excels;

That seat affords me most delight,

In which thy honour dwells. 9 Pass not on me the sinner's doom, Who murder make their trade;

10 Who others' rights, by secret bribes, Or open force, invade.

11 But I will walk in paths of truth,
And innocence pursue;

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 1

WHO

fear, since God to me

J

Is saving health and light?
Since strongly he my life supports,
What can my soul affright?

2 With fierce intent my flesh to tear,

When foes beset me round,

They stumbled, and their haughty crests
Were made to strike the ground.

3 Through him my heart, undaunted, dares
With mighty hosts to cope;

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 my 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

Of righteousness have trod;

I cannot fail, who all my trust

Repose on thee, my God.

Thou didst so oft protect.

Their helpless charge forsake,

For I have kept thy grace in view,

And made thy truth my guide.

Yet thou, whose love excels them all,

Wilt care and pity take.

2, 3 Search thou my heart, whose innocence 10 Though all my friends, and kindred too,

Will shine the more 'tis try'd;

11 Instruct me in thy paths, O Lord, My ways directly guide; Lest envious men, who watch my steps, Should see me tread aside. 12 Lord, disappoint my cruel foes; Defeat their ill desire, Whose lying lips, and bloody hands, Against my peace conspire. 13 I 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.

O Lord, my rock, to thee I

cry,

In sighs consume my breath;

O! answer, or I shall become
Like those that sleep in death.
2 Regard my supplication, Lord,
The cries that I repeat,
With weeping eyes, and lifted hands,
Before thy mercy-seat.
3 Let me escape the sinner's 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 sinn'd without remorse.

5 Since they the works of God despise,
Nor will his grace adore;
His wrath shall 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:

8 "His 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.

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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 they grow, 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 bare; 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.

'LL celebrate thy praises, 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 scene
To songs and dances turn'd;
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,

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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 forth from this distress,
Thy wonted health 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 youth,)

I willingly resign.

6 All vain designs I hate

Of those that trust in lies;

And still my soul, in every statę,

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 spacę,
To shun my watchful foes.
9 Thy mercy, Lord, display,

And hear my just complaint;
For both my soul and flesh decay,
With grief and hunger faint.
10 Sad thoughts my life oppress;
My years are spent in groans;
My sins have made my strength decrease,
And even 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 Thou 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-fenc'd 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.

H

PSALM XXXH.

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 oppress'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.
7 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 descry;
Your progress I'll securely guide,
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.

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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.
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 Whate'er 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 him

Beholds with gracious eyes;

He frees their soul from death; their want,

In time of dearth, supplies.

20, 21 Our soul on God with patience waits;

Our help and shield is he;

Then, Lord, let still our hearts rejoice,
Because we trust in thee.

22 The riches of thy mercy, Lord,

Do thou to us extend;

Since we, for all we want or wish,

On thee alone depend.

T

PSALM XXXIV.

6 "Behold," say they
"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

they, "behold the man,

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 my instruction 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 just With favourable eyes;

And, when distress'd, his gracious ear

Is open to their cries;

16 But turns his wrathful look on those

Whom mercy 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 they detest,
Shall them and theirs survive.

22 For God preserves the souls of those
Who on his truth depend;

His blessings shall descend.

HROUGH all the changing scenes of life, To them and their posterity, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still

A

PSALM XXXV.

GAINST all those that strive with me, O Lord, assert my right; With such as war unjustly wage,

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.

3 O! magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt his name:

Do thou my battles fight.

2 Thy buckler take, and bind thy shield

5 Their drooping hearts were soon refresh'd, 3 Bring forth thy spear; and stop their course,

Upon thy warlike arm;

4 When in distress to him I call'd,

Stand up, O God, in my defence,

He to my rescue came.

And keep me safe from harm.

Who look'd to him for aid;

That haste my blood to spill;

Desir'd success in every face

Say to my soul, "I am thy health,

A cheerful air display'd.

"And will preserve thee still."

Let them with shame be cover'do'er,

Who my destruction sought;

And such as did my harm devise,

Be to confusion brought.

5 Then shall they fly, dispers'd like chaff

Before the driving wind;

God's vengeful minister of wrath

Shall follow close behind.

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."

22 But thou, who dost both them and me

With righteous eyes survey,

6 And when, through dark and slipp'ry ways, Assert my innocence, O Lord,

They strive his rage to shun,

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 into the net,

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 foes obtain

The triumph they design'd.

25 O! let them not, amongst themselves,

In boasting language say,

"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,

9 Whilst my glad soul shall God's great name "At length our wishes are complete;

Which they for me had laid:

For this deliv'rance bless,

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 II.

11 False witnesses, with forg'd complaints, Against my truth combin'd;

And to my charge such things they laid,

As I had ne'er design'd.

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

And did, by malice undeserv'd,

My harmless life invade.

13 But as for me, when they were siek,

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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 sing,
Inspir'd with grateful joy;
And cheerful hymns, in praise of thee,
Shall all my days employ.

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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 diffrent 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 jests
Maliciously devise.

17 But, Lord, how long wilt thou look on?
On my behalf appear;

And save my guiltless soul, which they,
Like rav'ning beasts would tear.

PART III.

18 So I, 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,

But reason whispers to my heart,
He ne'er sets God before his eyes.
2 He soothes 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 deelines.

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.

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