5 But, O! how wretched is my doom, Who am a sojourner become in barren Mesech's desert soil! With Kedar's wicked tents enclosed, To lawless savages exposed, who live on nought but theft and spoil. 6 My hapless dwelling is with those Who peace and amity oppose, and pleasure take in other's harms : 7 Sweet peace is all I court and seek; But when to them of peace I speak, they straight cry out, To arm, to arms. TO Sion's hill I lift my eyes, from thence expecting aid; 2 From Sion's hill, and Sion's God, 4 His watchful care, that Israel guards, 5 Shelter'd beneath the Almighty's wings Thou shalt securely rest, 6 Where neither sun nor moon shall thee by day or night molest. 7 From common accidents of life his care shall guard thee still; 8 From the blind strokes of chance, and foes that lie in wait to kill. 9 At home, abroad, in peace, in war, thy God shall thee defend; Conduct thee through life's pilgrimage safe to thy journey's end." PSALM 122. TWAS a joyful sound to hear Up, Israel, to the temple haste, 2 At Salem's courts we must appear, with our assembled powers, 3 In strong and beauteous order ranged, like her united towers. 4 'Tis thither, by divine command, the tribes of God repair, Before his ark to celebrate his name with praise and prayer. 5 Tribunals stand erected there, 6 O, pray we then for Salem's peace, who bear true love to thee. 7 May peace within thy sacred walls 8 For my dear brethren's sake, and friends no less than brethren dear, I'll pray-May peace in Salem's towers a constant guest appear. 9 But most of all I'll seek thy good, and ever wish thee well, For Sion and the temple's sake, where God vouchsafes to dwell. PSALM 123. ON thee, who dwell'st above the skies, For mercy wait my longing eyes; "AD not the Lord, may Israel say, H been pleased to interpose; 2 Had he not then espoused our cause when men against us rose ; 3, 4, 5 Their wrath had swallow'd us alive, 6 But praised be our eternal Lord, 7 Our soul is like a bird escaped The snare is broke, their hopes are cross'd, and we at freedom set. 8 Secure in his Almighty name our confidence remains, Who, as he made both heaven and earth, of both sole Monarch reigns. PSALM 125. WHO place on Sion's God their trust, W like Sion's rock shall stand; Like her immoveable be fix'd by his Almighty hand. 2 Look how the hills on every side Jerusalem enclose; So stands the Lord around his saints, 3 The wicked may afflict the just, 4 Be good, O righteous God, to those 5 All those who walk in crooked paths, the Lord shall soon destroy, Cut off the unjust, but crown the saints with lasting peace and joy. The Lord has done great things, whereof we reap the glad success. 4 To us bring back the remnant, Lord, of Israel's captive bands, More welcome than refreshing showers to parch'd and thirsty lands; 5 That we, whose work commenc'd in tears, may see our labours thrive, Till finish'd with success, to make our drooping hearts revive. 6 Though he desponds that sows his grain, yet doubtless he shall come To bind his full-eared sheaves, and bring the joyful harvest home. PSALM 127. WE build with fruitless cost, unless the Lord the pile sustain : Unless the Lord the city keep, the watchman wakes in vain. 2 In vain we rise before the day, and late to rest repair, Allow no respite to our toil, and eat the bread of care. Supplies of life, with ease to them, he on his saints bestows; He crowns their labours with success, their nights with sound repose. 3 Children, those comforts of our life, are presents from the Lord; He gives a numerous race of heirs as piety's reward. 4 As arrow's in a giant's hand, when marching forth to war; Ev'n so the sons of sprightly youth, their parents' safeguard are. 5 Happy the man whose quiver's fill'd with these prevailing arms; He need not fear to meet his foe, at law or war's alarms. PSALM 128. HE man is blest that fears the Lord, THE nor only worship pays, But keeps his steps confined with care 2 He shall upon the sweet returns 3 His wife, like a fair fertile vine, His children, like young olive plants, about his table spring. 4 Who fears the Lord shall prosper thus ; him Sion's God shall bless, 5 And grant him all his days to see Jerusalem's success. 6 He shall live on, till heirs from him descend with vast increase; Much bless'd in his own prosperous state, and more in Israel's peace. PSALM 129. FROM my youth up, may, Israel say, they oft have me assail'd, 2 Reduced me oft to heavy straits, but never quite prevail'd. 3 They oft have plough'd my patient back with furrows deep and long; 4 But our just God has broke their chains, and rescued us from wrong. 5 Defeat, confusion, shameful rout 6 Like corn upon our houses' tops, Which too much heat, and want of root, has blasted in the blade: 7 Which in his arms no reaper takes, but unregarded leaves; No binder thinks it worth his pains 8 No traveller that passes by ROM lowest depths of wo FR to God I sent my cry; 2 Lord, hear my supplicating voice, and graciously reply. 3 Shouldst thou severely judge, who can the trial bear? 4 But thou forgiv'st lest we despond, and quite renounce thy fear." 5 My soul with patience waits for thee, the living Lord; My hopes are on thy promise built, thy never-failing word. 6 My longing eyes look out for thy enlivening ray, More duly than the morning watch, to spy the dawning day. 7 Let Israel trust in God, No bounds his mercy knows; The plenteous source and spring from whence eternal succour flows; 8 Whose friendly streams to us supplies in want convey; A healing spring, a spring to cleanse, and wash our guilt away. PSALM 131. LORD, I am not proud of heart, nor cast a scornful eye; Nor my aspiring thoughts employ in things for me too high. 2 With infant innocence thou know'st I have myself demean'd; Composed to quiet, like a babe, that from the breast is wean'd. 3 Like me let Israel hope in God, his aid alone implore; Both now and ever trust in him, who lives for evermore. PSALM 132. LET David, Lord, a constant place in thy remembrance find; Let all the sorrows he endured be ever in thy mind. 2 Remember what a solemn oath to thee, his Lord, he swore; How to the mighty God he vow'd whom Jacob's sons adore; 3, 4 I will not go into my house, nor to my bed ascend; No soft repose shall close my eyes, 5 Till for the Lord's design'd abode for Jacob's God have found. 6 The appointed place, with shouts of joy, at Ephrata we found, [That in his temple, night by night, 2, 3 Within his house lift up your hands, From Sion bless thy Israel, Lord, And made the woods and neighbouring fields PRAISE the Lord, with one consent, our glad applause resound. 7 0 with due reverence let us then to his abode repair; And, prostrate at his footstool fall'n, 8 Arise, O Lord, and now possess but with thy presence blest. 9, 10 Clothe thou thy priests with righteousness, 11 God sware to David in his truth, 12 And if thy seed my covenant keep, Their children too upon thy throne for evermore shall sit. 13, 14, For Sion does in God's esteem, all other seats excel; His place of everlasting rest, where he desires to dwell. 15, 16 Her store, says he, I will increase, her poor with plenty bless; Her saints shall shout for joy, her priests my saving health confess. 17 There David's power shall long remain In his successive line, And my anointed servant there shall with fresh lustre shine. 18 The faces of his vanquish'd foes confusion shall o'erspread; Whilst, with confirm'd success, his crown shall flourish on his head. PSALM 133. HOW vast must their advantage be, how great their pleasure prove, Who live like brethren, and consent in offices of love! 2 True love is like that precious oil, which, pour'd on Aaron's head, Ran down his beard, and o'er his robes its costly moisture shed. 3 'Tis like refreshing dew, which does on Hermon's top distil; Or like the early drops that fall on Sion's fruitful hill. 4 For Sion is the chosen seat, where the Almighty King The promised blessing has ordain'd, and life's eternal spring. and magnify his name; Let all the servants of the Lord 2 Praise him all ye that in his house 3 For this our truest interest is, And with loud songs to bless his name 4 For God his own peculiar choice 5 That God is great, we often have And seen how he, with wondrous power above all gods is crown'd. 6 For he, with unresisted strength, performs his sovereign will, In heaven and earth, and watery stores that earth's deep caverns fill. 7 He raises vapours from the ground, which, poised in liquid air, Fall down at last in showers, through which his dreadful lightnings glare. 8 He from his store-house brings the winds; and he with vengeful hand, The first-born slew of man and beast, through Egypt's mourning land. 9 He dreadful signs and wonders show'd, through stubborn Egypt's coasts; Nor Pharaoh could his plagues escape, nor all his numerous 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, hor 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 10 God the mighty Lord To him due praise afford, For God does prove 2, 3 To him, whose wondrous power ali other gods obey, Whom earthly kings adore, this grateful homage pay; For God, &c. 4, 5 By his Almighty hand amazing works are wrought; The heavens by his command were to perfection brought; For God, &c. 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 his numerous hosts of light; The sun to rule by day, 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: For God, &c. 13, 14 By him the raging sea, as if in pieces rent, Disclosed a middle way, through which his people went: 15 Where soon he overthrew 16, 17, 18 Through deserts vast and wild he led the chosen seed; And famous princes foil'd, and made great monarchs bleed: 19, 20 Sihon, whose potent hand A a 7ITH my whole heart, my God and King, W 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 inspired, The praises of thy truth repeat, o'er all thy works admired. 3 Thou graciously inclinedst thine ear, when I to thee did cry; And when my soul was press'd with fear 5 They all thy wondrous ways, O Lord, 6 For God, although enthroned on high, 7 Though I with troubles am oppress'd 8 The Lord, whose mercies ever last. PSALM 139. HOU, Lord, by strictest search hast known 4 Thou know'st what 'tis my lips would vent, 5 Surrounded by thy power I stand; On every side I find thy hand : 6 O skill for human reach too high ! Too dazzling bright for mortal eye! 7 O could I so perfidious be, 8 If up to heaven I take my flight, 'Tis there thou dwell'st, enthron'd in light; 11 Or, should I try to shun thy sight In secret how exactly wrought, 19 The wicked thou shalt slay, O God: 20 Whose tongues heaven's Majesty profane, 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. PSALM 140. PR treacherous intent; RESERVE me, Lord, from crafty foes 2 And from the sons of violence, on open mischief bent. 3 Their slandering tongue the serpent's sting and adder's venom breed. 4 Preserve me, Lord, from wicked hands, who have my ruin sworn. 5 The proud for me have laid their snare, With traps and gins, where'er I move, 6 But thus environ'd with distress, Lord, hear my supplicating voice, 7 O Lord, the God whose saving strength Through midnight shades thou find'st thy way, And cover'd my adventurous head As in the blazing noon of day. 13 Thou know'st the texture of my heart, My reins, and every vital part; Each single thread in nature's loom, By thee was cover'd in the womb. in battle's doubtful day; 8 Permit not their unjust designs to answer their desire; Lest they, encouraged by success, 14 I'll praise thee, from whose hands I came, 9 Let first their chiefs the sad effects A work of such a curious frame; The wonders thou in me hast shown, 15 Thine eyes my substance did survey, of their injustice mourn; The blast of their envenom'd breath 10 Let them who kindle first the flame, |