9 He dreadful signs and wonders show'd, through stubborn Egypt's coasts; Nor Pharaoh could his plagues escape, nor all his num'rous hosts. 10, 11 'Twas he that various nations smote, and mighty kings suppress'd; Sihon and Og, and all besides, who Canaan's land possess'd. 12, 13 Their land upon his chosen race he firmly did entail; For which his fame shall always last, his praise shall never fail. 14 For God shall soon his people's cause with pitying eyes survey; Repent him of his wrath, and turn his kindled rage away. 15 Those idols whose false worship spreads o'er all the heathen lands, Are made of silver and of gold, the work of human hands. 16, 17 They move not their fictitious tongues nor see with polish'd eyes; Their counterfeited ears are deaf, no breath their mouth supplies. 18. As senseless as themselves are they that all their skill apply To make them, or in dang'rous times. on them for aid rely. 19 Their just returns of thanks to God let grateful Israel pay; Nor let the priests of Aaron's race to bless the Lord delay. 20 Their sense of his unbounded love let Levi's house express; And let all those who fear the Lord, his name for ever bless. 21 Let all with thanks his wondrous works in Sion's courts proclaim; 1 Let them in Salem, where he dwells, exalt his holy name. 2, 3 To him, whose wondrous power 4, 5 By his Almighty hand 6 He spread the ocean round about the spacious land; And made the rising ground above the waters stand: For God, &c. 7, 8, 9 Through heaven he did display the moon and stars by night: 10, 11, 12 He struck the first-born dead of Egypt's stubborn land; And thence his people led with his resistless hand: 13, 14 By him the raging sea, through which his people went: 15 Where soon he overthrew proud Pharaoh and his host, Who, daring to pursue, were in the billows lost: For God, &c. 16, 17, 18 Through deserts vast and wild and made great monarchs bleed: 19, 20 Sihon, whose potent hand 21, 22 And, of his wondrous grace, He gave to Israel's race, to be by them enjoy'd: For God, &c. 23, 24 He, in our depth of woes, on us with favour thought, And from our cruel foes in peace and safety brought: 25, 26 He does the food supply, 1 WE PSALM CXXXVII. HEN we, our weary limbs to rest, sat down by proud Euphrates' stream, We wept, with doleful thoughts opprest, and Sion was our mournful theme. 2 Our harps, that when with joy we sung, were wont their tuneful parts to bear, With silent strings neglected hung on willow trees that wither'd there. 3 Meanwhile our foes, who all conspir'd to triumph in our slavish wrongs, Music and mirth of us requir'd, "Come, sing us one of Sion's songs.' 4 How shall we tune our voice to sing, or touch our harps with skilful hands? Shall hymns of joy to God, our King, be sung by slaves in foreign lands? 5 O Salem, our once happy seat! when I of thee forgetful prove, Let then my trembling hand forget the speaking strings with art to move! 6 If I to mention thee forbear, eternal silence seize my tongue; Or if I sing one cheerful air, till thy deliv'rance is my song. 7 Remember, Lord, how Edom's race, in thy own city's fatal day, Cry'd out, "Her stately walls deface, "and with the ground quite level lay." 8 Proud Babel's daughter, doom'd to be of grief and woe the wretched prey; Bless'd is the man who shall to thee the wrongs thou laid'st on us repay. 9 Thrice bless'd, who with just rage possest, and deaf to all the parents' moans, Shall snatch thy infants from the breast, and dash their heads against the stones. 1 PSALM CXXXVIII. ITH my WITH whole heart, my God and King, thy praise I will proclaim; Before the gods with joy I'll sing, and bless thy holy name. 2 I'll worship at thy sacred seat, and, with thy love inspir'd, The praises of thy truth repeat, o'er all thy works admir'd. 3 Thou graciously inclin'dst thine ear, when I to thee did cry; And, when my soul was press'd with fear, didst inward strength supply. 4 Therefore shall every earthly prince 5 They all thy wondrous ways, O Lord, 6 For God, although enthron'd on high, The proud far off his scornful eye 7 Though I with troubles am oppress'd, Relieve my soul when most distress'd, 8 The Lord, whose mercies ever last, And, mindful of his favours past, PSALM CXXXIX. 1,2NHOU, Lord, by strictest search hast known My rising up and lying down; My secret thoughts are known to thee, 4 Thou know'st what 'tis my lips would vent, 7 O could I so perfidious be, To think of once deserting thee, Where, Lord, could I thy influence shun? 8 If up to heaven I take my flight, 'Tis there thou dwell'st, enthron'd in light; 9 If I the morning's wings could gain, And fly beyond the western main, 10 Thy swifter hand would first arrive, And there arrest thy fugitive. 11 Or, should I try to shun thy sight No screen from thy all-searching eyes; 13 Thou know'st the texture of my heart, Each single thread in nature's loom, The wonders thou in me hast shown, The sands upon the ocean's shore; Each morn revising what I've done, I find th' account but new begun. 19 The wicked thou shalt slay, O God: Depart from me, ye men of blood, 20 Whose tongues heaven's Majesty profane, And take th' Almighty's name in vain. 21 Lord, hate not I their impious crew, Who thee with enmity pursue? And does not grief my heart oppress, When reprobates thy laws transgress? 22 Who practise enmity to thee Shall utmost hatred have from me; As if they were my foes profest. 23, 24 Search, try, O God, my thoughts and heart, If mischief lurk in any part; Correct me where I go astray, And guide me in thy perfect way. |