2 My tongue, by inspiration taught,

shall parables unfold, Dark oracles, but understood,

and own'd for truths of old : 3 Which we from sacred registers

of ancient times have known, And our forefathers' pious care

to us has handed down. 4 We will not hide them from our sons;

our offspring shall be taught The praises of the Lord, whose strength

has works of wonder wrought. 5 For Jacob he this law ordain'd,

this league with Israel made; With charge to be from age to age,

from race to race, convey'd. 6 That generations yet to come

should to their unborn heirs Religiously transmit the same,

and they again to theirs. 7 To teach them that in God alone

their hope securely stands; That they should ne'er his works forget,

but keep his just commands. 8 Lest, like their fathers, they might prove

a stiff rebellious race, False-hearted, fickle to their God,

unsteadfast in his grace. 9 Such were revolting Ephraim's sons,

who, though to warfare bred, And skilful archers, arm'd with bows,

from field ignobly fled. 10, 11 They falsified their league with God,

his orders disobey'd, Forgot his works and miracles

before their eyes display'd. 12 Nor wonders, which their fathers saw,

did they in mind retain, Prodigious things in Egypt done,

and Zoan's fertile plain. 13 He cut the sea to let them pass,

restrain'd the pressing flood; While pild on heaps, on either side

the solid waters stood. 14 A wondrous pillar led them on,

compos'd of shade and light; A shelt'ring cloud it prov'd by day,

a leading fire by night. 15 When drought oppress'd them, where no stream

the wilderness supply'd, He cleft the rock, whose flinty breast

dissolv'd into a tide.

16 Streams from the solid rock he brought,

which down in rivers fell, That, trav'lling with their camp, each day

renew'd the miracle. 17 Yet there they sinn'd against him more,

provoking the Most High, In that same desert where he did

their fainting souls supply. 18 They first incens'd him in their hearts,

that did his power distrust, And long'd for meat, not urged by want,

but to indulge their lust. 19 Then utter'd their blaspheming doubts ;

“ Can God," say they,“ prepare “ A table in the wilderness,

set out with various fare? 20 “ He smote the flinty rock, 'tis true,

« and gushing streams ensued; “ But can he corn and flesh provide

“ for such a multitude?" 21 The Lord with indignation heard:

from heaven avenging flame On Jacob fell, consuming wrath

on thankless Israel came: 22 Because their unbelieving hearts

in God would not confide, Nor trust his care, who had from heaven

their wants so oft supply'd; 23 Though he had made his clouds discharge

provisions down in showers; And when earth fail'd, reliev'd their needs

from his celestial stores; 24 Though tasteful manna was rain'd down,

their hunger to relieve; Though from the stores of heaven they did

sustaining corn receive. 25 Thus man with angels' sacred food,

ungrateful man was fed; Not sparingly, for still they found

a plenteous table spread. 26 From heaven he made an east wind blow,

then did the south command 27 To rain down flesh like dust, and fowls

like sea's unnumber'd sand. 28 Within their trenches he let fall

the luscious easy prey; And all around their spreading camp

the ready booty lay. 29 They fed, were fill'd; he gave them leave

their appetites to feast; 30, 31 Yet still their wanton lust crav'd on,

nor with their hunger ceas'd.

But whilst in their luxurious mouths

they did their dainties chew, The wrath of God smote down their chiefs, and Israel's chosen slew.

PART II. 32 Yet still they sinn'd, nor would afford

his miracles belief: 33 Therefore through fruitless travels he

consum'd their lives in grief. 34 When some were slain, the rest return'd

to God with early cry; 35 Own'd him the Rock of their defence,

their Saviour, God most high. 36 But this was feign'd submission all;

their heart their tongue bely'd; 37 Their heart was still perverse, nor would

firm in his league abide. 38 Yet, full of mercy, he forgave,

nor did with death chastise; But turn'd his kindled wrath aside,

or would not let it rise. 39 For he remember'd they were flesh,

that could not long remain; A murm’ring wind, that's quickly past,

and ne'er returns again. 40 How oft did they provoke him there,

how oft his patience grieve, In that same desert where he did

their fainting souls relieve! 41 They tempted him by turning back,

and wickedly repin'd, When Israel's God refus'd to be

by their desires confin'd. 42 Nor call'd to mind the hand and day

that their redemption brought; 43 His signs in Egypt, wondrous works

in Zoan's valley wrought. 44 He turn'd their rivers into blood,

that man and beast forbore, And rather chose to die of thirst,

than drink the putrid gore. 45 He sent devouring swarms of flies;

hoarse frogs annoy'd their soil; 46 Locusts and caterpillars reap'd

the harvest of their toil. 47 Their vines with batt'ring hail were broke;

with frost the fig-tree dies; 48 Lightning and hail made flocks and herds

one general sacrifice. 49 He turn'd his anger loose, and set

no time for it to cease;

1

PSALM LXXV. 1 10 thee, O God, we render praise,

to thee, with thanks repair ; For, that thy name to us is nigh,

thy wondrous works declare. 2 In Israel when my throne is fix'd,

with me shall justice reign: 3 The land with discord shakes; but I

the sinking frame sustain. 4 Deluded wretches I advis'd

their errors to redress; And warn'd bold sinners, that they should

their swelling pride suppress. 5 Bear not yourselves so high, as if

no power could yours restrain ; Submit your stubborn necks, and learn

to speak with less disdain :
6 For that promotion, which to gain

your vain ambition strives,
From neither east nor west, nor yet

from southern climes arrives. 7 For God the great disposer is,

and sov'reign Judge alone,
Who casts the proud to earth, and lifts

the humble to a throne.
8 His hand holds forth a dreadful cup;

with purple wine 'tis crown'd;
The deadly mixture which his wrath

deals out to nations round.
Of this his saints sometimes may taste;

but wicked men shall squeeze The bitter dregs, and be condemn'd

to drink the very lees. 9 His prophet, I, to all the world

this message will relate; The justice then of Jacob's God

my song shall celebrate. 10 The wicked's pride I will reduce,

their cruelty disarm; Exalt the just, and seat him high above the reach of harm.

PSALM LXXVI. 1

IN Judah the Almighty's known,

Almighty there by wonders shown,

his name in Jacob does excel : 2 His sanctu’ry in Salem stands; The majesty that heaven commands,

in Sion condescends to dwell. 3 He brake the bow and arrows there, The shield, and temper'd sword, and spear;

there slain the mighty army lay:

IN

4 Whence Sion's fame through earth is spread, Of greater glory, greater dread,

than hills where robbers lodge their prey. . 5. Their valiant chiefs, who came for spoil, Themselves met there a shameful foil:

securely down to sleep they lay;
But wak'd no more, their stoutest band
Ne'er lifted one resisting hand

'gainst his, that did their legions slay. 6 When Jacob's God began to frown, Both horse and charioteers, o'erthrown,

together slept in endless night: 7 When thou, whom earth and heaven revere, Dost once with wrathful look appear,

what mortal power can stand thy sight? 8 Pronounc'd from heaven, earth heard its doom,

Grew hush'd with fear, when thou didst come 9 the meek with justice to restore: 10 The wrath of man shall yield thee praise; Its last attempts but serve to raise

the triumphs of Almighty power: 11 Vow to the Lord, ye nations; bring Vow'd presents to the eternal King:

thus to his name due rev’rence pay, 12 Who proudest potentates can quell, To earthly kings more terrible,

than to their trembling subjects they.

PSALM LXXVII.

1 10 God I cry'd, who to my help

did graciously repair ; 2 In trouble's dismal day I sought

my God with humble prayer. All night my fest'ring wound did run;

no med'cine gave relief; My soul no comfort would admit;

my soul indulg'd her grief. 3 I thought on God, and favours past;

but that increas'd my pain: I found my spirit more oppress’d,

the more I did complain. 4 Through every watch of tedious night

thou keep'st my eyes awake: My grief is swelld to that excess,

I sigh, but cannot speak. 5 I called to mind the days of old,

with signal mercy crown'd; Those famous years of ancient times,

for miracles renown'd. 6 By night I recollect my songs, on former triumphs made;