Between both troops, a virgin-train with voice and timbrel charm’d the ear. 26 This was the burthen of their song : - In full assemblies bless the Lord; “ All who to Israel's tribes belong, “ of Israel's God the praise record.” 27 Nor little Benjamin alone from neighb’ring bounds did there attend, Nor only Judah’s nearer throne her counsellors in state did send ; But Zebulon's remoter seat, and Naphtali's more distant coast, The grand procession to complete, sent up their tribes, a princely host. 28 Thus God to strength and union brought our tribes, at strife till that blest hour; This work, which thou, O God, hast wrought, confirm with fresh recruits of power. 29 To visit Salem, Lord, descend, and Sion, thy terrestrial throne; Where kings with presents shall attend, and thee with offer'd crowns atone, 30 Break down the spearmen's ranks, who threat like pamper'd herds of savage might: Their silver-armour'd chiefs defeat, who in destructive war delight. 31 Egypt shall then to God stretch forth her hands, and Afric homage bring ; 32 The scatter'd kingdoms of the earth their common sov'reign's praises sing; 33 Who, mounted on the loftiest sphere of ancient heaven, sublimely rides; From whence his dreadful voice we hear, like that of warring winds and tides. 34 Ascribe the power to God most high: of humble Israel he takes care; Whose strength, from out the dusky sky, darts shining terrors through the air. 35 How dreadful are the sacred courts, where God has fix'd his earthly throne ! PSALM LXIX. me, O God, from waves that roll, And deluges o’erflow my head. . My voice is hoarse with long complaint ; 1 4 My hairs, though num'rous, are but few, Compar'd with foes that me pursue As rapine, what by right was mine: 5 Thou, Lord, my innocence dost see, Nor are my sins conceal'd from thee. 6 Lord God of hosts, take timely care, Lest, for my sake, thy saints despair; 7 Since I have suffer'd for thy name Reproach, and hid my face in shame: 8 A stranger to my country grown, Nor to my nearest kindred known; By brethren of my mother born. Consumes me like devouring flame; More than at slanders cast on me. 10 My very tears and abstinence They construe in a spiteful sense : 11 When cloth'd with sackcloth for their sake, They me their common proverb make. 12 Their judges at my wrongs do jest, Those wrongs they ought to have redress'd: From libels of lewd drunkards free? 13 But, Lord, to thee I will repair For help, with humble, timely prayer ; Display thy truth's preserving power. 14 From threatning dangers me relieve, And from the mire my feet retrieve; And snatch me from the raging deep. 15 Control the deluge, ere it sprea And roll its waves above my head ; To close her jaws on me permit. For thy transcending goodness' sake; From thy abounding mercy's store. 17 Nor from thy servant hide thy face; Make haste, for desperate is my case; 18 Thy timely succour interpose, And shield me from remorseless foes. 19 Thou know'st what infamy and scorn I from my enemies have borne; 20 Reproach and grief have broke my heart; I look'd for some to take my part, But look'd, alas ! for both in vain. 21 With hunger pin'd, for food I call; Instead of food, they give me gall; They give me vinegar to drink. Shall prove a snare, a trap their wealth; 23 Perpetual darkness seize their eyes, And sudden blasts their hopes surprise. 24 On them thou shalt thy fury pour, Till thy fierce wrath their race devour ; 25 And make their house a dismal cell, Where none will e'er vouchsafe to dwell. 26 For new afflictions they procur'd For him who had thy stripes endur'd; To bleed afresh, with sharper scorn. 27 Sin shall to sin their steps betray, Till they to truth have lost the way: 28 From life thou shalt exclude their soul, Nor with the just their names enrol. 29 But me, howe'er distress'd and poor, Thy strong salvation shall restore; 30 Thy power with songs I'll then proclaim, And celebrate with thanks thy name. 31 Our God shall this more highly prize, Than herds or flocks in sacrifice; 32 Which humble saints with joy shall see, And hope for like redress with me. 33 For God regards the poor's complaint; Sets pris'ners free from close restraint: 34 Let heaven, earth, sea, their voices raise, And all the world resound his praise. 35 For God will Sion's walls erect; Fair Judah's cities he'll protect; To undisturb’d possession there. To their religious heirs bequeath; PSALM LXX. for never was more pressing need; For my deliv'rance, Lord, appear, and add to that deliv'rance speed. 2 Confusion on their heads return, who to destroy my soul combine; IN Let them, defeated, blush and mourn, ensnar'd in their own vile design. 3 Their doom let desolation be ; with shame their malice be repaid, Who mock'd my confidence in thee, and sport of my afflictions made. 4 While those who humbly seek thy face, to joyful triumphs shall be rais'd; And all who prize thy saving grace, with me shall sing, The Lord be prais'd. 5 Thus, wretched though I am and poor, the mighty Lord of me takes care: Thou, God, who only canst restore, to my relief with speed repair. PSALM LXXI. 1, 2 IN thee I put my steadfast trust; defend me, Lord, from shame; Incline thine ear, and save my soul ; for righteous is thy name. 3 Be thou my strong abiding-place, to which I may resort; Tis thy decree that keeps me safe ; thou art my rock and fort. 4, 5 From cruel and ungodly men protect and set me free; For, from my earliest youth till now, my hope has been in thee. 6 Thy constant care did safely guard my tender infant days; Thou took’st me from my mother's womb, to sing thy constant praise. 7, 8 While some on me with wonder gaze, thy hand supports me still; my mouth shall always fill. when I with age decay; Forsake me not when, worn with years, my vigour fades away. 10 My foes against my fame and me with crafty malice speak; Against my soul they lay their snares, and mutual counsel take: 11 “ His God," say they, “ forsakes him now, on whom he did rely; “ Pursue and take him, whilst no hope “ of timely aid is nigh." 12 But thou, my God, withdraw not far, for speedy help I call : 13 To shame and ruin bring my foes, that seek to work my fall. 20 Reproach and grief have broke my heart; I look'd for some to take my part, But look'd, alas ! for both in vain. 21 With hunger pin'd, for food I call; Instead of food, they give me gall; They give me vinegar to drink. Shall prove a snare, a trap their wealth; 23 Perpetual darkness seize their eyes, And sudden blasts their hopes surprise. 24 On them thou shalt thy fury pour, Till thy fierce wrath their race devour ; 25 And make their house a dismal cell, Where none will e'er vouchsafe to dwell. 26 For new afflictions they procur'd For him who had thy stripes endur'd ; To bleed afresh, with sharper scorn. 27 Sin shall to sin their steps betray, Till they to truth have lost the way: 28 From life thou shalt exclude their soul, Nor with the just their names enrol. 29 But me, howe'er distress'd and poor, Thy strong salvation shall restore; 30 Thy power with songs I'll then proclaim, And celebrate with thanks thy name. 31 Our God shall this more highly prize, Than herds or flocks in sacrifice; 32 Which humble saints with joy shall see, And hope for like redress with me. 33 For God regards the poor's complaint; Sets pris’ners free from close restraint: 34 Let heaven, earth, sea, their voices raise, And all the world resound his praise. 35 For God will Sion's walls erect; Fair Judah's cities he'll protect; To undisturb'd possession there. To their religious heirs bequeath; PSALM LXX. relief draw near; never was more pressing need; For my deliv'rance, Lord, appear, and add to that deliv’rance speed. 2 Confusion on their heads return, who to destroy my soul combine; |