4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
Through earth's extent display;
Whose bright contents the circling sun
Does round the world convey.

5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day
Has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice
To run his glorious race.

6 From east to west, from west to east,
His restless course he goes;

And, through his progress, cheerful light
And vital warmth bestows.

PART II.

7 God's perfect law converts the soul;
Reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires.

8 The statutes of the Lord are just,
And bring sincere delight;

His pure commands in search of truth
Assist the feeblest sight.

9 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
On sure foundations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weigh'd;

10 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refin'd with skill;

More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distill.

11 My trusty counsellors they are,

And friendly warnings give;
Divine rewards attend on those
Who by thy precepts live.

12 But what frail man observes how oft
He does from virtue fall?

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!

13 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
Dominion have o'er me;

That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may
The great transgression flee.

14 So shall my pray'r and praises be
With thy acceptance blest ;
And I secure on thy defence,
My strength and Saviour, rest.

1

THE

PSALM XX.

HE Lord to thy request attend,
And hear thee in distress;
The name of Jacob's God defend,

And grant thy arms success:
2 To aid thee from on high repair,
And strength from Sion give;
3 Remember all thy off'rings there,
Thy sacrifice receive :

4 To compass thy own heart's desire,
Thy counsels still direct;
Make kindly all events conspire
To bring them to effect.

5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid
We cheerfully repair,

With banners in thy name display'd;
"The Lord accept thy pray'r."

6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord
Our sov'reign will defend ;
From Heav'n resistless aid afford,
And to his prayer attend.
7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd;
On chariots some rely;

Against them all we'll call to mind
The power of God most high.

8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown,
Behold them through the plain,
Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down,
Whilst firm our troops remain.

9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed
Our rightful cause to bless ;
Hear, King of Heav'n, in times of need,
The prayers that we address.

PSALM XXI.

1 THE king, O Lord, with songs of praise Shall in thy strength rejoice;

With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise
To Heav'n his cheerful voice.

2 For thou, whate'er his lips request,
Not only dost impart ;

But hast, with thy acceptance, blest
The wishes of his heart.

3 Thy goodness and thy tender care
Have all his hopes outgone;

C

A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear,
And sett'st it firmly on.

4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord,
Didst to his prayer attend,

And graciously to him afford.

A life that ne'er shall end.

5 Thy sure defence through nations round
Has spread his glorious name;

And his successful actions crown'd
With majesty and fame.

6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st,
And mak'st his joys increase;
Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st
The brightness of thy face.

PART II.

7 Because the king on God alone
For timely aid relies;

His mercy still supports his throne,
And all his wants supplies.

8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes
Shall feel thy heavy hand;

Thy vengeful arm shall find out those
That hate thy mild command.

9 When thou against them dost engage,
Thy just but dreadful doom

Shall, like a glowing oven's rage,
Their hopes and them consume.

10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease,
Or with their ruin end;

But root out all their guilty race,
And to their seed extend.

11 For all their thoughts were set on ill,
Their hearts on malice bent;

But thou with watchful care didst still
The ill effects prevent.

12 While they their swift retreat shall make, To 'scape thy dreadful might,

Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake,
And gall them in their flight.

13 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous strength disclose And thus exalt thy fame;

Whilst we glad songs of praise compose
To thy Almighty Name.

(27)

MY God, my God, why leav'st thou me

Μ

When I with anguish faint?

O! why so far from me remov❜d,
And from my loud complaint?
2 All day, but all the day unheard,
To thee do I complain;

With cries implore relief all night,
But cry all night in vain.

3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge
Of innocence oppress'd;
And therefore Israel's praises are
Of right to thee address'd.
4, 5 On thee our ancestors rely'd,
And thy deliv'rance found;
With pious confidence they pray'd,

And with success were crown'd.
6 But I am treated like a worm ;
Like none of human birth;
Not only by the great revil'd,

But made the rabble's mirth.
7 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonies survey;

They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say;

8 "In God he trusted, boasting oft

"That he was Heav'n's delight;

"Let God come down to save him now,
"And own his favourite."

PART II.

).

9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womb A living offspring bear;

When but a suckling at the breast,

I was thy early care.

10 Thou, guardian-like, didst shield from wrongs My helpless infant days;

And since hast been my God, and guide
Through life's bewilder'd ways.

11 Withdraw not then so far from me,
When trouble is so nigh;

O, send me help! thy help, on which
I only can rely.

12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd,

From Basan's forest met,

With strength proportion'd to their rage
Have me around beset.

13 They gape on me, and ev'ry mouth
A yawning grave appears;
The desert lion's savage roar
Less dreadful is than theirs.

PART III.

14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints
Are rack'd and out of frame;
My heart dissolves within my breast,
Like wax before the flame.

15 My strength, like potter's earth, is parch'd;
My tongue cleaves to my jaws;
And to the silent shades of death
My fainting soul withdraws.

16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me, they
In pack'd assemblies meet;
They pierc'd my inoffensive hands;
They pierc'd my harmless feet.

17 My body's rack'd, till all my bones
Distinctly may be told;

Yet such a spectacle of woe
As pastime they behold.

18 As spoil, my garments they divide,
Lots for my vesture cast:

19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength And to my succour haste.

20 From their sharp swords protect thou me, Of all but life bereft;

Nor let my darling in the pow'r

Of cruel dogs be left.

21 To save me from the lion's jaws,
Thy present succour send;
As once, from goring unicorns,
Thou didst my life defend.
22. Then to my brethren I'll declare
The triumphs of thy Name;
In presence of assembled saints
Thy glory thus proclaim :
23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God,
"All you of Israel's line,

"O praise the Lord, and to your praise
"Sincere obedience join.