1 And own a God, whose justice will PSALM LIX. ELIVER me, O Lord, my God, D from all my spiteful foes; In my defence oppose thy power Protect me from remorseless men, 3 They lie in wait, and mighty powers Implacable; yet, Lord, thou know'st, 4 In haste they run about, and watch Look down, O Lord, on my distress, 5 Thou, Lord of Hosts, and Israel's God, 6 At evening, to beset my house, and ransack every street. 7 Their throats envenom'd slander breathe; their tongues are sharpen'd swords; "Who hears ?" say they, "or, hearing, dares 66 reprove our lawless words?" 8 But from thy throne thou shalt, O Lord, their baffled plots deride; And soon to shame and scorn expose their boasted heathen pride. 9 On thee I wait; 'tis on thy strength for succour I depend; 'Tis thou, O God, art my defence, who only can defend. 10 Thy mercy, Lord, which has so oft from danger set me free, Shall crown my wishes, and subdue my haughty foes to me. 11 Destroy them not, O Lord, at once; restrain thy vengeful blow; Lest we, ungratefully, too soon forget their overthrow. Disperse them through the nations round by thy avenging power; Do thou bring down their haughty pride, Proud Palestine's imperious state 12 Fresh strength and courage God bestows: 'Tis he treads down our proudest foes. 1 PSALM LXI. ORD, hear my cry, regard my prayer, which I, oppress'd with grief," 2 From earth's remotest part address to thee for kind relief. O lodge me safe beyond the reach 3 Thou, who so oft from spiteful foes 4 So shall I in thy sacred courts secure from danger lie; Beneath the covert of thy wings, all future storms defy. 5 In sign my vows are heard, once more I o'er thy chosen reign; 6 O! bless with long and prosp'rous life the king thou didst ordain. 7 Confirm his throne, and make his reign accepted in thy sight; And let thy truth and mercy both in his defence unite. 8 So shall I ever sing thy praise, PSALM LXII. 1, 2 M from him alone my safety flows; Y soul for help on God relies; My Rock, my Health, that strength supplies to bear the shock of all my foes. 3 How long will ye contrive my fall, which will but hasten on your own? You'll totter like a bending wall, or fence of uncemented stone. 4 To make my envy'd honours less, they strive with lies, their chief delight; For they, though with their mouths they bless, in private curse with inward spite. 5, 6 But thou, my soul, on God rely; on him alone thy trust repose : My Rock and Health will strength supply to bear the shock of all my foes. 7 God does his saving health dispense, and flowing blessings daily send: He is my fortress and defence; on him my soul shall still depend. 8 In him, ye people, always trust; before his throne pour out your hearts; For God, the merciful and just, his timely aid to us imparts. 9 The vulgar fickle are and frail; the great dissemble and betray; And, laid in truth's impartial scale, the lightest things will both outweigh. 10 Then trust not in oppressive ways; by spoil and rapine grow not vain; Nor let your hearts, if wealth increase, be set too much upon your gain. 11 For God has oft his will express'd, and I this truth have fully known; To be of boundless power possess'd belongs, of right, to God alone. 12 Though mercy is his darling grace, in which he chiefly takes delight; Yet will he all the human race according to their works requite. PSALM LXIII. GOD, my gracious God, to thee My morning prayers shall offer'd be ; for thee my thirsty soul does pant: My fainting flesh implores thy grace Within this dry and barren place, where I refreshing waters want. 2 O! to my longing eyes, once more, That view of glorious power restore, which thy majestic house displays : 3 Because to me thy wondrous love Than life itself does dearer prove, my lips shall always speak thy praise. 4 My life, while I that life enjoy, In blessing God I will employ; with lifted hands adore his name: 5 My soul's content shall be as great As theirs, who choicest dainties eat, while I with joy his praise proclaim. 6 When down I lie, sweet sleep to find, Thou, Lord, art present to my mind; and when I wake in dead of night: |