When they, in crowds, together met, The rabble too, in num'rous throngs, And ceas'd not, with reviling words, 16 Scoffers, that noble tables haunt, Did gnash their teeth, and sland'ring jests maliciously devise. 17 But, Lord, how long wilt thou look on? on my behalf appear; And save my guiltless soul, which they, PART III. 18 So I, before the list'ning world, With open joy, or secret signs, to mock my sad estate. 20 For they, with hearts averse to peace, industriously devise, Against the men of quiet minds to forge malicious lies. 21 Nor with these private arts content, And say, "At last we found him out, 22 But thou, who dost both them and me and keep not far away. 23 Stir up thyself in my behalf; to judgment, Lord, awake; Thy righteous servant's cause, O God, 24 Lord, as my heart has upright been, let me thy justice find; Nor let my cruel foes obtain the triumph they design'd. 25 O! let them not, amongst themselves, in boasting language say, "At length our wishes are complete ; "at last he's made our prey.' 26 Let such as in my harm rejoic'd, for shame their faces hide; And foul dishonour wait on those that proudly me defy'd: 27 Whilst they with cheerful voices shout, And bless the Lord, who loves to make 28 So shall my tongue thy judgments sing, And cheerful hymns, in praise of thee, shall all my days employ. PSALM XXXVI. MY crafty foe, with flattʼring art, his wicked purpose would disguise; But reason whispers to my heart, he ne'er sets God before his eyes. 2 He sooths himself, retir'd from sight; secure he thinks his treach'rous game; Till his dark plots, expos'd to light, their false contriver brand with shame. 3 In deeds he is my foe confess'd, whilst with his tongue he speaks me fair; True wisdom's banish'd from his breast, and vice has sole dominion there. 4 His wakeful malice spends the night in forging his accurs'd designs; His obstinate ungen'rous spite no execrable means declines. 5 But, Lord, thy mercy, my sure hope, 10 O let thy saints thy favour gain; to upright hearts thy truth display. 11 Whilst pride's insulting foot would spurn, and wicked hands my life surprise, 12 Their mischiefs on themselves return; down, down they're fall'n, no more to rise. 1 PSALM XXXVII. HOUGH wicked men grow rich or great, thy anger or thy envy raise; 2 For they, cut down like tender grass, shall all thy earnest wishes grant. 6 He'll make, like light, serene and clear, Though wicked men with wealth abound, 8 From anger cease, and wrath forsake Let no ungovern'd passion make thy wav'ring heart espouse their crime; 9 For God shall sinful men destroy; Whilst only they the land enjoy, who trust on him, and wait his time. 10 How soon shall wicked men decay! Their place shall vanish quite away, nor by the strictest search be found; 11 Whilst humble souls possess the earth. Rejoicing still with godly mirth, with peace and plenty always crown'd. 12 While sinful crowds, with false design, and gnash their teeth and threat'ning stand; 13 God shall their empty plots deride, And laugh at their defeated pride: he sees their ruin near at hand. 14. They draw the sword, and bend the bow, The poor and needy to o'erthrow, and men of upright lives to slay; 15 But their strong bows shall soon be broke, Their sharpen'd weapon's mortal stroke through their own hearts shall force its way. 16 A little, with God's favour bless'd, 17 For God supports the just man's cause; their portion shall for ever last : 19 They, when distress o'erwhelms the earth, 20 Not so the wicked man, and those and vanish into smoke and air. PART III. 21 While sinners, brought to sad decay, Still borrow on, and never pay, the just have will and power to give; 22 For such as God vouchsafes to bless, Shall peaceably the earth possess ; and those he curses shall not live. 23 The good man's way is God's delight; He orders all the steps aright of him that moves by his command; 24 Though he sometimes may be distress'd, Yet shall he ne'er be quite oppress'd; for God upholds him with his hand. 25 From my first youth, till age prevail'd, I never saw the righteous fail'd, or want o'ertake his numerous race, 26 Because compassion fill'd his heart, And he did cheerfully impart, God made his offspring's wealth increase. 27 With caution shun each wicked deed, In virtue's ways with zeal proceed, and so prolong your happy days; 28 For God, who judgment loves, does still Preserve his saints secure from ill, while soon the wicked race decays. 29, 30, 31 The upright shall possess the land; His portion shall for ages stand; his mouth with wisdom is supply'd; His tongue by rules of judgment moves; His heart the law of God approves ; therefore his footsteps never slide. PART IV. 32 In wait the watchful sinner lies, and, when he's sentenc'd, set him free. 34 Wait still on God; keep his command, And thou, exalted in the land, thy bless'd possession ne'er shall quit : The wicked soon destroy'd shall be, And at his dismal tragedy thou shalt a safe spectator sit. 35 The wicked I in power have seen, And, like a bay-tree, fresh and green, that spreads its pleasant branches round: 36 But he was gone as swift as thought; And, though in every place I sought, no sign or track of him I found. 37 Observe the perfect man with care, And mark all such as upright are; their roughest days in peace shall end: 38 While on the latter end of those Who dare God's sacred will oppose, a common ruin shall attend. 39 God to the just will aid afford; Their only safeguard is the Lord; their strength in time of need is he: 40 Because on him they still depend, The Lord will timely succour send, and from the wicked set them free. 1 PSALM XXXVIII. HY chast'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, Tthough I deserve it all; Nor let at once on me the storm of thy displeasure fall. 2 In every wretched part of me thy arrows deep remain; Thy heavy hand's afflicting weight can no more sustain. 3 My flesh is one continued wound, thy wrath so fiercely glows; Betwixt my punishment and guilt my bones have no repose. 4 My sins, which to a deluge swell, my sinking head o'erflow, And, for my feeble strength to bear, too vast a burden grow. 5 Stench and corruption fill my wounds, my folly's just return; |