(a) The existence of the 'Metaphrase of the Psalms'—which composes the greater portion of the Manuscript—has long been on record. ThusAnthony-a-Woodin hisAthenæstates "Besides the before-mentioned things (as also Epigrams, as 'tis said) which were published by, and under the name of Sir John Davies, are several MSS. of his writing and composing, which go from hand to hand, as (I) Metaphrase of several of K. David's Psalms...." (edn.Blissii., 403.) The original of the Psalms' MS. was in possession of Sir John's own daughter, the Countess of Huntingdon, as I found in the Carte MSS. Bodleian, Oxford.
(a) The existence of the 'Metaphrase of the Psalms'—which composes the greater portion of the Manuscript—has long been on record. ThusAnthony-a-Woodin hisAthenæstates "Besides the before-mentioned things (as also Epigrams, as 'tis said) which were published by, and under the name of Sir John Davies, are several MSS. of his writing and composing, which go from hand to hand, as (I) Metaphrase of several of K. David's Psalms...." (edn.Blissii., 403.) The original of the Psalms' MS. was in possession of Sir John's own daughter, the Countess of Huntingdon, as I found in the Carte MSS. Bodleian, Oxford.
The others are MSS.—some in part since published—whichWooddescribes as formerly in the Library of SirJames Ware, and then in that of the Earl of Clarendon.
(b) The handwriting of the Manuscript is exactly correspondent with that of its date '1624.' It is uniform from Psalm I. to L.(c) Throughout the 'Psalms' and other Poems, favourite words ofSir John Davies'occur: in part peculiar to him or used in a peculiar way. I must refer the Student to the Poems themselves for the great majority of examples: but note here half-a-dozen—all the references being to our own edition of the previous Poems.1. 'Withall': "... that sinne that we are bornewithall." ('Nosce Teipsum' page 57, stanza 5th, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms':"Be merciful and hear my prayerwithall." (Ps. 4th, line 4th.)2. 'Wight': "... this World below did need onewight." (page 60: stanza 4th, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': "... measures Iustice vnto euerywight." (Ps. 9th, line 16th.)3. 'gray Winter': "Here flow'ry Spring-tide and thereWinter gray." (page 63, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in 'A Maid's Hymne in praise of Virginity': "To whomegraye Winterneuer doth apeare." (line 7th.)4. 'On' meaning 'o'er': "Will holds the royall scepteronthe soul" ('Nosce Teipsum,' page 79,stanza 2nd, line 3rd.) "Andonthe passions of the heart doth raigne." (page 79, stanza 2d, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': "Let not my foes trihumphonmee againe." (Ps. 35th, line 37th). "In that my foe doth not trihumphonme." (Ps. 41st, line 22d.)5. 'Detruded': "... such as medetrudeddowne to Hell." (page 110, stanza 1st, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': Therefore although my souledetrudedwere euen to Hell's gates.... (Ps. 23rd, line 7th.)6. 'Center' meaning 'Earth': "Suruey all things that on thiscenterhere." (page 25th, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': "And all that dwell on his roundCenterhere." (Ps. 23rd, line 16th.)It were easy to multiply these instances from the 'Psalms' and the other Poems.(d) The secular Poems contain personal allusions that authenticate their authorship. In the 'Elegie of Loue' and in the lines "To the Kinge vpon his Matiesfirst comming into England" these are of singular interest and value. The latter harmonizes with the fact thatSir John Daviesproceeded North to meet the King: and it has a direct reference to his 'Nosce Teipsum.' Speaking of his Muse he exclaims,"Thy sight had once an influence divineWhich gave it power the Soul of man to vew."Another personal allusion is found in his address to the "Ladyes of Founthill" in his native Wilts.(e) The "Verses sent to the Kinge with ffiges" is inscribed "by Sir John Davis" and the "Elegiacal Epistle" which immediately follows these 'Verses' naturally closes a Volume containing the compositions of our Worthy. 'Davis' is his own spelling in the 1608 edition of 'Nosce Teipsum,' and in Davison's 'Rhapsody.'(f) Exclusive of the 'Psalms'—the Davies' authorship of which admits of no doubt—the other Poems have Sir John Davies' characteristics in choice of subjects and style, and specific wording, as above. 'Elegie' is herein used as in the title-page of 'Nosce Teipsum.'
(b) The handwriting of the Manuscript is exactly correspondent with that of its date '1624.' It is uniform from Psalm I. to L.
(c) Throughout the 'Psalms' and other Poems, favourite words ofSir John Davies'occur: in part peculiar to him or used in a peculiar way. I must refer the Student to the Poems themselves for the great majority of examples: but note here half-a-dozen—all the references being to our own edition of the previous Poems.
1. 'Withall': "... that sinne that we are bornewithall." ('Nosce Teipsum' page 57, stanza 5th, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms':"Be merciful and hear my prayerwithall." (Ps. 4th, line 4th.)2. 'Wight': "... this World below did need onewight." (page 60: stanza 4th, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': "... measures Iustice vnto euerywight." (Ps. 9th, line 16th.)3. 'gray Winter': "Here flow'ry Spring-tide and thereWinter gray." (page 63, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in 'A Maid's Hymne in praise of Virginity': "To whomegraye Winterneuer doth apeare." (line 7th.)4. 'On' meaning 'o'er': "Will holds the royall scepteronthe soul" ('Nosce Teipsum,' page 79,stanza 2nd, line 3rd.) "Andonthe passions of the heart doth raigne." (page 79, stanza 2d, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': "Let not my foes trihumphonmee againe." (Ps. 35th, line 37th). "In that my foe doth not trihumphonme." (Ps. 41st, line 22d.)5. 'Detruded': "... such as medetrudeddowne to Hell." (page 110, stanza 1st, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': Therefore although my souledetrudedwere euen to Hell's gates.... (Ps. 23rd, line 7th.)6. 'Center' meaning 'Earth': "Suruey all things that on thiscenterhere." (page 25th, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': "And all that dwell on his roundCenterhere." (Ps. 23rd, line 16th.)
1. 'Withall': "... that sinne that we are bornewithall." ('Nosce Teipsum' page 57, stanza 5th, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms':"Be merciful and hear my prayerwithall." (Ps. 4th, line 4th.)
2. 'Wight': "... this World below did need onewight." (page 60: stanza 4th, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': "... measures Iustice vnto euerywight." (Ps. 9th, line 16th.)
3. 'gray Winter': "Here flow'ry Spring-tide and thereWinter gray." (page 63, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in 'A Maid's Hymne in praise of Virginity': "To whomegraye Winterneuer doth apeare." (line 7th.)
4. 'On' meaning 'o'er': "Will holds the royall scepteronthe soul" ('Nosce Teipsum,' page 79,stanza 2nd, line 3rd.) "Andonthe passions of the heart doth raigne." (page 79, stanza 2d, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': "Let not my foes trihumphonmee againe." (Ps. 35th, line 37th). "In that my foe doth not trihumphonme." (Ps. 41st, line 22d.)
5. 'Detruded': "... such as medetrudeddowne to Hell." (page 110, stanza 1st, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': Therefore although my souledetrudedwere euen to Hell's gates.... (Ps. 23rd, line 7th.)
6. 'Center' meaning 'Earth': "Suruey all things that on thiscenterhere." (page 25th, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': "And all that dwell on his roundCenterhere." (Ps. 23rd, line 16th.)
It were easy to multiply these instances from the 'Psalms' and the other Poems.
(d) The secular Poems contain personal allusions that authenticate their authorship. In the 'Elegie of Loue' and in the lines "To the Kinge vpon his Matiesfirst comming into England" these are of singular interest and value. The latter harmonizes with the fact thatSir John Daviesproceeded North to meet the King: and it has a direct reference to his 'Nosce Teipsum.' Speaking of his Muse he exclaims,
"Thy sight had once an influence divineWhich gave it power the Soul of man to vew."
"Thy sight had once an influence divineWhich gave it power the Soul of man to vew."
Another personal allusion is found in his address to the "Ladyes of Founthill" in his native Wilts.
(e) The "Verses sent to the Kinge with ffiges" is inscribed "by Sir John Davis" and the "Elegiacal Epistle" which immediately follows these 'Verses' naturally closes a Volume containing the compositions of our Worthy. 'Davis' is his own spelling in the 1608 edition of 'Nosce Teipsum,' and in Davison's 'Rhapsody.'
(f) Exclusive of the 'Psalms'—the Davies' authorship of which admits of no doubt—the other Poems have Sir John Davies' characteristics in choice of subjects and style, and specific wording, as above. 'Elegie' is herein used as in the title-page of 'Nosce Teipsum.'
The Manuscript is a thin folio of forty-one leaves and one page: butversoof 35th leaf consists of Memoranda headed "The State of England before the Conquest, briefely. By Henry, Lord Hastings, amongst his Notes found": and leaves 36 and 37 and page 38 (versoblank) contain 'Notes' on "William Bastarde, the Norman Conquerour of England." The former is in a handwriting different from all the rest: the latter the same as the Poems that follow "Part of an Elegie in prayse of Marriage." There are a number of contemporary and of more recent blank leaves. It is bound in dark calf, with tooled ornament in the centre.
In preparing this Manuscript for the Press, my anxiousendeavour has been faithfully to reproduce the original: only I have extended the contractions 'whand wch' for 'with' and 'which' and 'or. yr' for 'our' and 'your' and the like. I have somewhat modified the capitals: but in the Divine names (nouns and pronouns) and impersonations, have employed capitals. The punctuation of the Manuscript is almostnil: I have adopted present usage on a uniform principle; and also the apostrophe of the possessive case, &c. Only one point perplexed me a little, viz. the sign of the plural. At the period a peculiar form represented 'es' as denoting plural, but examination showed our Manuscript as using it with 'e' immediately before. Hence it is apparent the Scribe used it arbitrarily. My rule has been to represent it simply by 's' for our plural, except in the cases—pointed out where they occur—in which 'es' as an additional syllable is required for the rhythm. Throughout, the orthography is literally preserved: and besides six collations of my transcript with the Original, by myself, I have had the advantage of a minute comparison by my experienced and erudite friend, the late John Bruce, Esq., of London, and in part by W. Aldis Wright, Esq., M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge. So that our first publication of the Manuscript may be relied on as absolutely true to the Original. It may be added that I have adhered to the order in which the several Poems are given, with the single exception of placing the anonymous very noticeable 'Elegiacal Epistle'on the death of Davies last. The two short pieces that precede it in our Volume, occupy in the MS. the closing page, which is a kind of fly-leaf.
I feel assured that every admirer of Sir John Davies will agree with me that a deep debt of gratitude is due to Mr. Laing for his generous consent to have the Manuscript included in our editions of the 'Poems.' Independent of the interest attaching to their illustrious authorship the 'Psalms' seem to me to possess rare merits, being as a whole strikingly faithfull to the Original, and not para-phrastic—hence Anthony-a-Wood's 'Metaphrase'—simple yet picturesque, 'smooth' but melodious, and in every quality infinitely superior to the attempts ofBacon,Jeremy Taylor,Rous, and others. Some of the Versions must find a place in the Church's Psalmody and Hymnology.
I must not omit to acknowledge the courteous attention of Mr. W. Carew Hazlitt in informing me of the existence and ownership of the Manuscript. Anything further requiring to be said, will be found in the footnotes. G.
METAPHRASE OF SOME PSALMS.
PSALM I.[182]
That man is blest which hath not walkt aside,Takeinge ungodly counsell for his guide;Nor in the way of synners stood and staied,Nor in the couch of Scorners downe him layed,But in God's Lawe hath plac't his whole delight,And studieth to performe it, day and night:Hee, like a plant which by a streame doth growe,His timely fruite shall in due season showe;Whose leafe shall not decay but flourish euer,And all thinges prosper which hee doth endeauourBut with th' vngodly it shall not bee soe,But as the dust, which as the whirlewindes to and froUppon the surface of the earth doth driue,They shall a restless life and fruitles liue;Nor shall they stand vpright when they are tride,Nor in the assembly of the just abide:But in his way God doth the good man cherish,When wicked men in their bad way shall perish.
That man is blest which hath not walkt aside,Takeinge ungodly counsell for his guide;Nor in the way of synners stood and staied,Nor in the couch of Scorners downe him layed,But in God's Lawe hath plac't his whole delight,And studieth to performe it, day and night:Hee, like a plant which by a streame doth growe,His timely fruite shall in due season showe;Whose leafe shall not decay but flourish euer,And all thinges prosper which hee doth endeauourBut with th' vngodly it shall not bee soe,But as the dust, which as the whirlewindes to and froUppon the surface of the earth doth driue,They shall a restless life and fruitles liue;Nor shall they stand vpright when they are tride,Nor in the assembly of the just abide:But in his way God doth the good man cherish,When wicked men in their bad way shall perish.
PSALM II.
Why doe the nations thus in furie rise?Why doe the people such vaine plotts deuise?Monarchesstand vp andPrincesdoe conspireAgainst the Lord, and His Annoynted Heire:'Let vs in sunder breake their bandes,' say they,'And let vs lightly cast their yokes away.'But Hee that sitts in Heauen shall them deride,And laugh to scorne their follie and their pride;And in His wrath He shall reproue them sore,And vex them in His anger, more and more:Sayinge, 'I sett onSionhill MyKinge,To preache myLawe, and shew this heauenly thinge;Thou art MySonne, this day I Thee begott,Aske, and I will assigne thee for Thy LottOf heritage the Landes and Nations all,Betweene the Sunne's vprisinge & his fall.'Thou with an iron rodd shall keepe them vnder,And breake them like an earthen pott in sunder,Bee wise, yeeMonarches, and yeePrincesthen;Be learnèd, yee that judge the sonnes of men;Serue yee the Lord, with humble feare Him serue;Rejoyce in Him, yet tremblinge Him obserue;Kisse yee theSonne, lest yee Him angrie make,And perish, while His just wayes yee forsake,If His just wrath but once enkinled bee:Who trust in Him, a blessed man is hee.
Why doe the nations thus in furie rise?Why doe the people such vaine plotts deuise?Monarchesstand vp andPrincesdoe conspireAgainst the Lord, and His Annoynted Heire:'Let vs in sunder breake their bandes,' say they,'And let vs lightly cast their yokes away.'But Hee that sitts in Heauen shall them deride,And laugh to scorne their follie and their pride;And in His wrath He shall reproue them sore,And vex them in His anger, more and more:Sayinge, 'I sett onSionhill MyKinge,To preache myLawe, and shew this heauenly thinge;Thou art MySonne, this day I Thee begott,Aske, and I will assigne thee for Thy LottOf heritage the Landes and Nations all,Betweene the Sunne's vprisinge & his fall.'Thou with an iron rodd shall keepe them vnder,And breake them like an earthen pott in sunder,Bee wise, yeeMonarches, and yeePrincesthen;Be learnèd, yee that judge the sonnes of men;Serue yee the Lord, with humble feare Him serue;Rejoyce in Him, yet tremblinge Him obserue;Kisse yee theSonne, lest yee Him angrie make,And perish, while His just wayes yee forsake,If His just wrath but once enkinled bee:Who trust in Him, a blessed man is hee.
PSALM III.
Lord! how my foes in number doe encrease,That rise against mee, to disturbe my peace!Manythere are which to my soule haue said,His God to him not safety yeilds nor aid;But God is my defence, mySuccournigh,My glory, and my head Hee lifteth High:To Him with earnest praier appealèd I,And from His Holy Hill Hee heard my crie:I layed mee downe and slept, and rose againe,For mee the Lord doth euermore sustaine:Though Thousand of my foes besett mee round,Noe feare of them my courage shall confound:Rise Lord! and saue mee; Thou hast giuen a strokeOn my foes cheeke, that all his teeth are broke:Saluationcometh from this Lord of ours,Who blessings on His people daily powers.
Lord! how my foes in number doe encrease,That rise against mee, to disturbe my peace!Manythere are which to my soule haue said,His God to him not safety yeilds nor aid;But God is my defence, mySuccournigh,My glory, and my head Hee lifteth High:To Him with earnest praier appealèd I,And from His Holy Hill Hee heard my crie:I layed mee downe and slept, and rose againe,For mee the Lord doth euermore sustaine:Though Thousand of my foes besett mee round,Noe feare of them my courage shall confound:Rise Lord! and saue mee; Thou hast giuen a strokeOn my foes cheeke, that all his teeth are broke:Saluationcometh from this Lord of ours,Who blessings on His people daily powers.
PSALM IV.
O God!whose righteousnes by grace is mine,A gracious eare vnto my voyce encline:Thou that hast set mee free when I was thrall,Bee mercifull, and heare my prayer withall.Vaine, worldly men, how long will yee dispiseGod's honnour, and His truth, and trust in lies?God for Himselfe, the good man doth select,And when I crie Hee doth not mee reject.Bee angrie, but be angrie without synne;Try your owne hearts in silence, close within.To God, of godly workes, an offeringe make,Then trust in Him that will not His forsake.For that which good is, many seeke and pray,'And who shall shew the same to vs'? say they,Lord! shew to vs thy countenance diuine,And cause theBeamesthereof on vs to shyne:Soe shall my heart more joyfull bee and glad,Then if encrease of corne and wine I had.To peace therefore lye downe will I and sleepe[183]For God alone doth mee in safetie keepe.
O God!whose righteousnes by grace is mine,A gracious eare vnto my voyce encline:Thou that hast set mee free when I was thrall,Bee mercifull, and heare my prayer withall.Vaine, worldly men, how long will yee dispiseGod's honnour, and His truth, and trust in lies?God for Himselfe, the good man doth select,And when I crie Hee doth not mee reject.Bee angrie, but be angrie without synne;Try your owne hearts in silence, close within.To God, of godly workes, an offeringe make,Then trust in Him that will not His forsake.For that which good is, many seeke and pray,'And who shall shew the same to vs'? say they,Lord! shew to vs thy countenance diuine,And cause theBeamesthereof on vs to shyne:Soe shall my heart more joyfull bee and glad,Then if encrease of corne and wine I had.To peace therefore lye downe will I and sleepe[183]For God alone doth mee in safetie keepe.
PSALM V.
Lordweigh my words, and take considerationOf my sad thoughts and silent meditation:My God, myKinge, bowe downe Thine eare to mee,While I send vp mine humble prayer to Thee.Early, before the morne doth bringe the day,I will O Lord, look vp to Thee and pray:For Thou with synne art neuer pleasèd well,Nor any[184]ill may with Thy goodnes dwell:The foole may not before Thy wisdome stand,Nor shall the impious scape Thy wrathfull hand:Thou wilt destroy all such as vtter lies;Blood and deceit are odious in Thine eyes;But, trustinge in Thy manie mercies deare,I will approch Thy house with holy feare.Teach me Thy plaine and righteous way to goe,That I may neuer fall before my foe,Whose flatteringe tongue is false and heart jmpure,And throat, an open place ofSEPULTURE.Destroy them, Lord, and frustrate their devices,Cast out thoseRebellsfor their manie vices;But all that trust in Thee and loue Thy name,Make them rejoyce and rescue them from shame.Thou wilt thy blessinge to the righteous yeildAnd guard them with Thy grace as with aSHEILD.
Lordweigh my words, and take considerationOf my sad thoughts and silent meditation:My God, myKinge, bowe downe Thine eare to mee,While I send vp mine humble prayer to Thee.Early, before the morne doth bringe the day,I will O Lord, look vp to Thee and pray:For Thou with synne art neuer pleasèd well,Nor any[184]ill may with Thy goodnes dwell:The foole may not before Thy wisdome stand,Nor shall the impious scape Thy wrathfull hand:Thou wilt destroy all such as vtter lies;Blood and deceit are odious in Thine eyes;But, trustinge in Thy manie mercies deare,I will approch Thy house with holy feare.Teach me Thy plaine and righteous way to goe,That I may neuer fall before my foe,Whose flatteringe tongue is false and heart jmpure,And throat, an open place ofSEPULTURE.Destroy them, Lord, and frustrate their devices,Cast out thoseRebellsfor their manie vices;But all that trust in Thee and loue Thy name,Make them rejoyce and rescue them from shame.Thou wilt thy blessinge to the righteous yeildAnd guard them with Thy grace as with aSHEILD.
PSALM VI.
To iudge me, Lord, in Thy just wrath forbeare,To punish mee in thy displeasure spare;O! I am weake: haue mercie, Lord, therefore,And heale my bruisèd bones which payne mee sore.Mysouleis alsoe trubled and dismayed;But, Lord, how long shall I expect Thine aid!Turne Thee, O Lord, mysoulefrom death deliuer,Euen for Thy mercie's sake which lasteth euer:They which are dead remember not Thy name,Nor doth the silentGrauethy praise proclaime;I faint and melt away with greifes and feares,And euery night my bed doth swymme with teares.Myne eyes are suncke and weaknèd is my sight;My foes haue vexèd mee with such dispight.Away from mee, yee sinfull men, away!TheLordofHeauendoth heare mee when I pray.The Lord hath my petition heard indeed:Receaue my prayer and I shall surely speed;But shame and sorrow on my foes shall light,They shall be turn'd and put to suddaine flight.
To iudge me, Lord, in Thy just wrath forbeare,To punish mee in thy displeasure spare;O! I am weake: haue mercie, Lord, therefore,And heale my bruisèd bones which payne mee sore.Mysouleis alsoe trubled and dismayed;But, Lord, how long shall I expect Thine aid!Turne Thee, O Lord, mysoulefrom death deliuer,Euen for Thy mercie's sake which lasteth euer:They which are dead remember not Thy name,Nor doth the silentGrauethy praise proclaime;I faint and melt away with greifes and feares,And euery night my bed doth swymme with teares.Myne eyes are suncke and weaknèd is my sight;My foes haue vexèd mee with such dispight.Away from mee, yee sinfull men, away!TheLordofHeauendoth heare mee when I pray.The Lord hath my petition heard indeed:Receaue my prayer and I shall surely speed;But shame and sorrow on my foes shall light,They shall be turn'd and put to suddaine flight.
PSALM VII.
O Lord, my God! I put my trust in Thee,From all myPersecutorsrescue mee:Lest my proud foe doth like a lyon rend mee,While there is non to succour and defend mee:Lord God! if I bee guilty found in this,Wherewith my foes haue chargèd mee amisse,If I did vse my freind vnfreindly soe,Nay, if I did not helpe my causlesse foe,Let him preuaile, although my cause bee just,And lay my life and honnour in the dust.Vp, Lord! and stand against my furious foes,Thyjudgementagainst them for mee disclose;Soe shall ThyPeopleflocke about Thee nigh,For their sakes therefore lift Thy selfe on high.Judge of the world, giue sentence on my parte,Accordinge to the cleannes of my heart:Let wickednes be brought vnto an end,And guide the just, that they may not offend.Thou God art just, and Thou Searcher artOf hart and raynes, and euery inward part:My helpe proceedeth from the Lord of Might,Who saueth those which are of hart vpright;A powerfull and a patientJudgeis Hee,Though euery day His wrath prouokèd bee:But, if men will not turne, His sword Hee whets,And bends His bowe, and to the stringe Hee settsTheinstrumentsof death, His arrowes keene,Gainstsuch as rebells to His will haue beene.The jmpious man conceaues jniquity,Trauailes with mischief, and brings forth a ly:TheRighteousto entrapp hee digs a pitt,But hee himselfe first falls and sinks in it.The wicked plotts his workinge braine doth cast,Light with a mischeife on himselfe at last.My thankes with God's great justice shall accord,and I will highly praise the highest Lord.
O Lord, my God! I put my trust in Thee,From all myPersecutorsrescue mee:Lest my proud foe doth like a lyon rend mee,While there is non to succour and defend mee:Lord God! if I bee guilty found in this,Wherewith my foes haue chargèd mee amisse,If I did vse my freind vnfreindly soe,Nay, if I did not helpe my causlesse foe,Let him preuaile, although my cause bee just,And lay my life and honnour in the dust.Vp, Lord! and stand against my furious foes,Thyjudgementagainst them for mee disclose;Soe shall ThyPeopleflocke about Thee nigh,For their sakes therefore lift Thy selfe on high.Judge of the world, giue sentence on my parte,Accordinge to the cleannes of my heart:Let wickednes be brought vnto an end,And guide the just, that they may not offend.Thou God art just, and Thou Searcher artOf hart and raynes, and euery inward part:My helpe proceedeth from the Lord of Might,Who saueth those which are of hart vpright;A powerfull and a patientJudgeis Hee,Though euery day His wrath prouokèd bee:But, if men will not turne, His sword Hee whets,And bends His bowe, and to the stringe Hee settsTheinstrumentsof death, His arrowes keene,Gainstsuch as rebells to His will haue beene.The jmpious man conceaues jniquity,Trauailes with mischief, and brings forth a ly:TheRighteousto entrapp hee digs a pitt,But hee himselfe first falls and sinks in it.The wicked plotts his workinge braine doth cast,Light with a mischeife on himselfe at last.My thankes with God's great justice shall accord,and I will highly praise the highest Lord.
PSALM VIII.
O God, our Lord!how large is the extentOf Thy great name and glorie excellent!It fills this world, but it doth shyne most brightAboue the heauens, in th' vnapproachèd light.By suckinge Babes thou dost thy strength disclose,And by their mouth to silence put Thy foes.When I seeHeauenwrought by Thy mighty hand,And all those glorious lights in order stand,Lord! what is man that Thou on him dost looke!Or of theSonne of Mansuch care hast tooke!NextAngellsin degree Thou hast him plac't,And with a crowne of honour hast him grac't:Thou hast him made lord of ThyCreaturesall,Subjectinge them to his commaund and call;All birds and aiery fowles are vnder him,And fishes all which in the Sea doe swymme.O Lord, our God! how large is the extentOf Thy great name and glorie excellent!
O God, our Lord!how large is the extentOf Thy great name and glorie excellent!It fills this world, but it doth shyne most brightAboue the heauens, in th' vnapproachèd light.By suckinge Babes thou dost thy strength disclose,And by their mouth to silence put Thy foes.When I seeHeauenwrought by Thy mighty hand,And all those glorious lights in order stand,Lord! what is man that Thou on him dost looke!Or of theSonne of Mansuch care hast tooke!NextAngellsin degree Thou hast him plac't,And with a crowne of honour hast him grac't:Thou hast him made lord of ThyCreaturesall,Subjectinge them to his commaund and call;All birds and aiery fowles are vnder him,And fishes all which in the Sea doe swymme.O Lord, our God! how large is the extentOf Thy great name and glorie excellent!
PSALM IX.
Thee will I thanke euer with my hart entire,And make the world Thy wondrous workes admire;In Thee rejoyce, in Thee trihumph will I,My songs shall praise Thy name, O God, most High!While my proud foes are put to shamefull flight,And fall and perish at Thy dreadfull sight.Thou, righteousJudge, dost sitt vpon ThyThroneAnd dost maintaine my rightfull cause alone;Thou checkst theHeathen; and the wicked raceThou dost destroy, and all their names deface.OEnemy! behould thy finall fall,ThyCittiesperish and their names withall;But God, our Lord, for euer shall endure,His judgementSeate, Hee hath establisht sure,Where Hee judges the World with equall right,And measuresJusticevnto euery weight:[185]He likewise will become aBulwarkestrongAnd tymely aide to them that suffer wrong.Who knowes Thy name in Thee His trust will place,Who neuer failest them that seeke Thy face.O, praise the Lord! you that inSiondwell,His noble Acts among theNationstell;When of oppression Hee enquiry makes,Of euery poore man's plaint Hee notice takes.Haue mercy, Lord! and take into Thy thoughtMy trubles, which my hatefull foes haue wrought.Thou from the gates of death mySouledost raise,That I inSion's Gatesmay sing Thy praise;The sweet saluation which Thou dost jmpartShall bee the joy and comfort of my heart.TheInfidellsmake pitts, and sinke therein,Their feet are caught in their owne proper synne;Thy judgement Lord, Thou hast thereby declar'dWhen wicked men in their owne workes are snar'd:Hell is a place for impious men assign'dAnd such as doe castGodout of their minde;But poore men shall not bee forgotten euerNor meeke mens' patience, if they doe perseuer.Rise Lord! and let [not][186]man aboue Thee riseAnd judge the Infidel with angrie eyes:Strike them with feare, that, though they know not Thee,Yet they may know that mortall men they bee.
Thee will I thanke euer with my hart entire,And make the world Thy wondrous workes admire;In Thee rejoyce, in Thee trihumph will I,My songs shall praise Thy name, O God, most High!While my proud foes are put to shamefull flight,And fall and perish at Thy dreadfull sight.Thou, righteousJudge, dost sitt vpon ThyThroneAnd dost maintaine my rightfull cause alone;Thou checkst theHeathen; and the wicked raceThou dost destroy, and all their names deface.OEnemy! behould thy finall fall,ThyCittiesperish and their names withall;But God, our Lord, for euer shall endure,His judgementSeate, Hee hath establisht sure,Where Hee judges the World with equall right,And measuresJusticevnto euery weight:[185]He likewise will become aBulwarkestrongAnd tymely aide to them that suffer wrong.Who knowes Thy name in Thee His trust will place,Who neuer failest them that seeke Thy face.O, praise the Lord! you that inSiondwell,His noble Acts among theNationstell;When of oppression Hee enquiry makes,Of euery poore man's plaint Hee notice takes.Haue mercy, Lord! and take into Thy thoughtMy trubles, which my hatefull foes haue wrought.Thou from the gates of death mySouledost raise,That I inSion's Gatesmay sing Thy praise;The sweet saluation which Thou dost jmpartShall bee the joy and comfort of my heart.TheInfidellsmake pitts, and sinke therein,Their feet are caught in their owne proper synne;Thy judgement Lord, Thou hast thereby declar'dWhen wicked men in their owne workes are snar'd:Hell is a place for impious men assign'dAnd such as doe castGodout of their minde;But poore men shall not bee forgotten euerNor meeke mens' patience, if they doe perseuer.Rise Lord! and let [not][186]man aboue Thee riseAnd judge the Infidel with angrie eyes:Strike them with feare, that, though they know not Thee,Yet they may know that mortall men they bee.
PSALM X.
Why standest Thou O Lord! so farr awayAnd hids't Thy face when trubles mee dismay?The wicked for his lust the poore man spoyles;Lord! take him in the trap of his owne wiles.Hee makes his boaste of his profane desiresContemninge God, while hee himselfe admires:Hee is soe proud, that God hee setts at naught,Nay rather, God comes neuer in his thought.Thy judgements Lord, are farr aboue his sightThis makes him to esteeme his foes soe light,And in his hart to say, I cannot fall,Nor can misfortune light on mee at all:His mouth is full of execrat[i]ons vile;Under his tongue doth sit ungodly guile;Close in the corners of the waies he lies,And lurkes, and waits, the simple to surprize:Euen as a lyon lurkinge in his den,To assault and murther innocent poore men;Gainst whom his eyes maliciously are sett,To catch them when they fall into his nett.Himselfe hee humbles, bowes, and crouchinge standsTill poore men fall into his powerfull hands;Then, in his heart hee sayth 'God hath forgott:Hee turnes away his face and sees it not.'Arise O Lord! and lift Thy hand on high,The poore forgett not which oppressèd ly:For why should wicked men blaspheme Thee thus'Tush! God is carelesse and regards not us'?Surely Thou seest the wronge which they haue done,And all oppressions underneath the sunne;To Thee alone the poore his cause commendsAs th' only freind of him that wanteth freinds.Lord! breake the power of the malicious mindeTake ill away, and Thou not ill shalt finde.The Lord is kinge, and doth for euer raigne,Nor miscreants shall within His Land remaine;Hee hearkeneth to the poore, but first preparethTheir hearts to pray; then their petition heareth:That Hee poore orphans, may both help and saue,That worldly men on them no power may haue.
Why standest Thou O Lord! so farr awayAnd hids't Thy face when trubles mee dismay?The wicked for his lust the poore man spoyles;Lord! take him in the trap of his owne wiles.Hee makes his boaste of his profane desiresContemninge God, while hee himselfe admires:Hee is soe proud, that God hee setts at naught,Nay rather, God comes neuer in his thought.Thy judgements Lord, are farr aboue his sightThis makes him to esteeme his foes soe light,And in his hart to say, I cannot fall,Nor can misfortune light on mee at all:His mouth is full of execrat[i]ons vile;Under his tongue doth sit ungodly guile;Close in the corners of the waies he lies,And lurkes, and waits, the simple to surprize:Euen as a lyon lurkinge in his den,To assault and murther innocent poore men;Gainst whom his eyes maliciously are sett,To catch them when they fall into his nett.Himselfe hee humbles, bowes, and crouchinge standsTill poore men fall into his powerfull hands;Then, in his heart hee sayth 'God hath forgott:Hee turnes away his face and sees it not.'Arise O Lord! and lift Thy hand on high,The poore forgett not which oppressèd ly:For why should wicked men blaspheme Thee thus'Tush! God is carelesse and regards not us'?Surely Thou seest the wronge which they haue done,And all oppressions underneath the sunne;To Thee alone the poore his cause commendsAs th' only freind of him that wanteth freinds.Lord! breake the power of the malicious mindeTake ill away, and Thou not ill shalt finde.The Lord is kinge, and doth for euer raigne,Nor miscreants shall within His Land remaine;Hee hearkeneth to the poore, but first preparethTheir hearts to pray; then their petition heareth:That Hee poore orphans, may both help and saue,That worldly men on them no power may haue.
PSALM XI.
I trust in God: to mee why should you say,'Fly like a bird to mountaines farr away'?Their bowes and arrowes wicked men prepare,To peirce the hearts of them that faithfull are:Euen him whome God hath made a corner-stoneThey haue cast downe; but what hath Hee misdone?God in His holy temple doth remaine,The heauen ofHeauens: where Hee doth sitt and raigne.Upon the poore He casteth downe His eye,The sonnes ofMenHe doth discerne and trie;The just and righteous men Hee doth approue,But hateth synners which their sinnes doe loue;On them He rayneth snares, brimstone and fire,This is their cup, their wages, and their hire;The righteousGodloues him whose way is right,And on the just His gracious eye doth light.
I trust in God: to mee why should you say,'Fly like a bird to mountaines farr away'?Their bowes and arrowes wicked men prepare,To peirce the hearts of them that faithfull are:Euen him whome God hath made a corner-stoneThey haue cast downe; but what hath Hee misdone?God in His holy temple doth remaine,The heauen ofHeauens: where Hee doth sitt and raigne.Upon the poore He casteth downe His eye,The sonnes ofMenHe doth discerne and trie;The just and righteous men Hee doth approue,But hateth synners which their sinnes doe loue;On them He rayneth snares, brimstone and fire,This is their cup, their wages, and their hire;The righteousGodloues him whose way is right,And on the just His gracious eye doth light.
PSALM XII.
Helpe Lord! for all the godly men are gon,And of the faithfull, fewe there are, or non;Each man to other doth vaine things jmpart,With lipps deceiptfull, and with double hart;The Lord will soone cutt of the lipps that lie,And root out tongues that speake proud words and high.'With mighty words wee will preuale' say they:What Lord is Hee that dareth us gainesay?'Now for the trubles and oppressions soreThe gronings and the sighings of the poore,I will arise' sayth God, 'and quell their foesThat swell with pride; and them in rest repose.'God's words are pure, and chaste, like siluer trideWhich hath with seauen fires bene purified.Thou wilt preserue them Lord! and guard them still,From this vile race of men which wish them ill.The ungodly walke in circles, yet goe freeWhen such as feare not God, exalted bee.
Helpe Lord! for all the godly men are gon,And of the faithfull, fewe there are, or non;Each man to other doth vaine things jmpart,With lipps deceiptfull, and with double hart;The Lord will soone cutt of the lipps that lie,And root out tongues that speake proud words and high.'With mighty words wee will preuale' say they:What Lord is Hee that dareth us gainesay?'Now for the trubles and oppressions soreThe gronings and the sighings of the poore,I will arise' sayth God, 'and quell their foesThat swell with pride; and them in rest repose.'God's words are pure, and chaste, like siluer trideWhich hath with seauen fires bene purified.Thou wilt preserue them Lord! and guard them still,From this vile race of men which wish them ill.The ungodly walke in circles, yet goe freeWhen such as feare not God, exalted bee.
PSALM XIII.
How long O Lord! shall I forgotten bee?How long wilt Thou Thy bright Face hide from mee?How long shall I my thoughts tosse to and froAnd bee thus vext by my insultinge foe?Giue ease, O Lord; giue light unto mine eyes,Lest death in endlesse sleepe doth mee surprise;Lest my proud foe vaunt that hee doth preuaile,And laugh at mee when I shall faint or faile;But in Thy mercie all my trust is pight[187]And thy saluation is my hearte's delight;Of Thy sweet kindnes therefore sing will I,And highly praise the name of God, Most High.
How long O Lord! shall I forgotten bee?How long wilt Thou Thy bright Face hide from mee?How long shall I my thoughts tosse to and froAnd bee thus vext by my insultinge foe?Giue ease, O Lord; giue light unto mine eyes,Lest death in endlesse sleepe doth mee surprise;Lest my proud foe vaunt that hee doth preuaile,And laugh at mee when I shall faint or faile;But in Thy mercie all my trust is pight[187]And thy saluation is my hearte's delight;Of Thy sweet kindnes therefore sing will I,And highly praise the name of God, Most High.
PSALM XIV.
'There is noe God,' the foole sayth in his heart,Yet dares not with his tongue his thought impart;All are corrupt and odious in God's sight,Not one doth good, not one doth well, vpright.God cast His eyes from Heauen on all mankinde,And lookt if Hee one righteous man could finde;But all were wicked, all from God were gone,Not one did good, in all the world, not one;Their throat an open graue, their flattering tongueAnd lyinge lips, like stinge of wasps haue stung.With bitter cursing, they their mouthes doe fill;Their feet are swift the guiltles blood to spill;Sad, wretched mischeife, in their wayes doth lyeBut for the wayes of peace they passe them by;Noe feare of God haue they before their eyes,Nor knowledge, while these mischeifes they devise;While they God's people doe with might oppresseAnd eat them up like bread with greedines;And since on God they neuer vse to call,They fear'd when cause of feare was non at all.But to the righteous man and to his race,God present is with His protectinge grace;Though fooles doe mocke the counsell of the poore,Because in God hee trusted euermore.Who shall saluation out ofSiongiueToIsraellbut God? Who shall releiueHis people and ofCaptiuesmake them free:ThouJacobjoyfull, Israell glad shall bee.
'There is noe God,' the foole sayth in his heart,Yet dares not with his tongue his thought impart;All are corrupt and odious in God's sight,Not one doth good, not one doth well, vpright.God cast His eyes from Heauen on all mankinde,And lookt if Hee one righteous man could finde;But all were wicked, all from God were gone,Not one did good, in all the world, not one;Their throat an open graue, their flattering tongueAnd lyinge lips, like stinge of wasps haue stung.With bitter cursing, they their mouthes doe fill;Their feet are swift the guiltles blood to spill;Sad, wretched mischeife, in their wayes doth lyeBut for the wayes of peace they passe them by;Noe feare of God haue they before their eyes,Nor knowledge, while these mischeifes they devise;While they God's people doe with might oppresseAnd eat them up like bread with greedines;And since on God they neuer vse to call,They fear'd when cause of feare was non at all.But to the righteous man and to his race,God present is with His protectinge grace;Though fooles doe mocke the counsell of the poore,Because in God hee trusted euermore.Who shall saluation out ofSiongiueToIsraellbut God? Who shall releiueHis people and ofCaptiuesmake them free:ThouJacobjoyfull, Israell glad shall bee.
PSALM XV.
Lord! who shall dwell in thy bright tent with TheeAnd of Thy rest in heauen pertaker bee?Euen hee that is vpright in all his wayes[188]And from his hart speakes[189]truth in all hee sayes;Who hath forborne to doe his neighbour wrongNor him deceau'd or slaunderèd with his tong;Who of himselfe an humble thought doth beareBut highly valewes them whichGoddoe feare;Who of his promis doth himselfe acquitt,Though losse hee suffer by performinge it;Nor hath for bitinge vse his monie lent,Nor tooke reward against the innocent;Who shall obserue these poynts, and doe them all,Assuredly that man can neuer fall.
Lord! who shall dwell in thy bright tent with TheeAnd of Thy rest in heauen pertaker bee?Euen hee that is vpright in all his wayes[188]And from his hart speakes[189]truth in all hee sayes;Who hath forborne to doe his neighbour wrongNor him deceau'd or slaunderèd with his tong;Who of himselfe an humble thought doth beareBut highly valewes them whichGoddoe feare;Who of his promis doth himselfe acquitt,Though losse hee suffer by performinge it;Nor hath for bitinge vse his monie lent,Nor tooke reward against the innocent;Who shall obserue these poynts, and doe them all,Assuredly that man can neuer fall.
PSALM XVI.
Mee thy poore seruant Lord! preserue and saue,For all my trust in Thee repos'd I haue:Lord! said my soule, Thou art myGod, to TheeMy goods are nothinge when they offered bee;But my delight[s] are in those saints of Thine,Which liue on Earth, and doe in vertue shine;But they which runn to worshipp idolls vaine,Shall multiply their sorrow and their paine.Of their blood offerings will I not pertake,Nor of their names shall my lipps mention make.The portion of mine heritage and cuppIs God Himselfe who houlds and keepes[190]mee upp;In a faire ground to mee my lott did chance,Soe I possesse a rich Inheritance:Thankes[191]bee to God His warninge giues mee light,My raynes with paine doe chasten me by night;I looke to God in my endeauors all,Hee stands soe neare mee that I cannot fall;This hath my heart and tongue with joyes possest,And now my flesh in hope to rise, shall rest;My soule shall not be buryed in the graue,Nor shall Thy Holy One corruption haue;Shew mee the path of life; for in Thy sightDoth endles pleasure rest and full delight.
Mee thy poore seruant Lord! preserue and saue,For all my trust in Thee repos'd I haue:Lord! said my soule, Thou art myGod, to TheeMy goods are nothinge when they offered bee;But my delight[s] are in those saints of Thine,Which liue on Earth, and doe in vertue shine;But they which runn to worshipp idolls vaine,Shall multiply their sorrow and their paine.Of their blood offerings will I not pertake,Nor of their names shall my lipps mention make.The portion of mine heritage and cuppIs God Himselfe who houlds and keepes[190]mee upp;In a faire ground to mee my lott did chance,Soe I possesse a rich Inheritance:Thankes[191]bee to God His warninge giues mee light,My raynes with paine doe chasten me by night;I looke to God in my endeauors all,Hee stands soe neare mee that I cannot fall;This hath my heart and tongue with joyes possest,And now my flesh in hope to rise, shall rest;My soule shall not be buryed in the graue,Nor shall Thy Holy One corruption haue;Shew mee the path of life; for in Thy sightDoth endles pleasure rest and full delight.
PSALM XVII.
Heare my just cause Lord! heare my prayer and crie,Which come from lipps not vs'd to faine or lie:Lord, let my sentence from Thy mouth be giuen,For Thou regards't things only just and euen;[192]In the darke night of my aduersitie,Thou did'st my heart examine, proue and trie;And yet vpon this triall did'st not findeMy heart or tongue to any ill enclinde:For that their workes against Thy Word are doneI doe their wayes which tende to ruine, shunn.Lord! in Thy pathes doe Thou my goings guide,Lest in this slippery life my footstepps slide:Thy name haue I invok't, Thou shalt mee heareAnd to my humble words incline Thy eare;O Sauiour! of all those that trust in TheeThy mercies full of wonder shew to mee;Preserue mee as the apple of Thine eye,Under Thy winges in safetie let me lie;Saue mee from them which Thy right hand oppose,And from my ungodly circumuenting foes;Their fatt estates doe them soe fortifieAs they presume to speake proud words and high;In all my wayes in wait for mee hee lies,To cast mee downe hee downewards casts his eyesEuen like a lyon, watching for his prey,Or lyon's whelpes which lurke beside the way.Vp Lord! defeat, defeat this foe of mine,That wicked man who is a sword of Thyne;From wordly men vouchsafe my soule to saue,Who in their mortall life their portion haue;Whose bellies with Thy treasure Thou dost fill,Who children haue, and leaue them wealth at will;But I Thy face in righteousnes shall seeAnd with Thy presence shall contented bee.
Heare my just cause Lord! heare my prayer and crie,Which come from lipps not vs'd to faine or lie:Lord, let my sentence from Thy mouth be giuen,For Thou regards't things only just and euen;[192]In the darke night of my aduersitie,Thou did'st my heart examine, proue and trie;And yet vpon this triall did'st not findeMy heart or tongue to any ill enclinde:For that their workes against Thy Word are doneI doe their wayes which tende to ruine, shunn.Lord! in Thy pathes doe Thou my goings guide,Lest in this slippery life my footstepps slide:Thy name haue I invok't, Thou shalt mee heareAnd to my humble words incline Thy eare;O Sauiour! of all those that trust in TheeThy mercies full of wonder shew to mee;Preserue mee as the apple of Thine eye,Under Thy winges in safetie let me lie;Saue mee from them which Thy right hand oppose,And from my ungodly circumuenting foes;Their fatt estates doe them soe fortifieAs they presume to speake proud words and high;In all my wayes in wait for mee hee lies,To cast mee downe hee downewards casts his eyesEuen like a lyon, watching for his prey,Or lyon's whelpes which lurke beside the way.Vp Lord! defeat, defeat this foe of mine,That wicked man who is a sword of Thyne;From wordly men vouchsafe my soule to saue,Who in their mortall life their portion haue;Whose bellies with Thy treasure Thou dost fill,Who children haue, and leaue them wealth at will;But I Thy face in righteousnes shall seeAnd with Thy presence shall contented bee.
PSALM XVIII.
Thou art my strength, O Lord! Thee will I loue,Thou art my Rocke, which nothing can remoue:My God, in Whome my trust I will repose,My Sauiour, sheild and horne, against my foes;Lord, most praise worthy, pray will I to TheeSoe shall I from my foes protected bee;When deadly sorrowes did besett mee round,And floods of wickednes did mee surhound[193]When paines of hell I felt in my desease,And pangs of death upon my soule did sease;OnGodI callèd in that instant truble,And my complaints unto the Lord did dubble:But when His wrath and vengeance kindled were,The Earth did quake, and mountaines shooke for feare,And coles grew redd with His inflaminge jre;Hee bowed the heauens, and did descend withall,And shadowes darke beneath His feet did fall:Hee ridinge on theCherubinsdid fly,And with the wingèd windes was borne on high;Darkness His clossett, His pauilion wideMade of blacke clouds, His face a while did hide;But at His presence right away they flewWhen haile and coles of fire abroad Hee threw;The Lord from heauen did send His thunder lowdWith fire and haile from out the broken cloud;A shower of arrowes on His foes did fall,His thunderboults and lightenings slewe them all;Fountaines were dride and the earthe's foundation mou'dWhen synners, in His wrath, the Lord reprou'd;But Hee from heauen shall send His angell's downeAnd take mee vp when waters would mee drowne;Hee from my foe, too mightie and too strong,Shall saue mee when Hee doth mee mightie wrong,Preuentinge mee [in] my disastrous day:But then the Lord was my support and stay;When I was captiue, Hee did sett mee free,And brought mee forth because Hee fauoured mee.He shall reward mee as my dayes bee right,And hands be cleane[194]: soe shall Hee mee requite;For I still kept his pathes, and did not shunnTo walke therein, as other men haue done:But euer sett[195]His lawes before mine eyes,And neuer did His holy words dispise.My heart was vncorrupt before Him still,Pursuinge goodnes and eschewinge ill;Hee shall reward mee as my deeds bee right,And hands bee cleane: soe shall He mee requite.Unto the good Thou wilt Thy goodnes show,And righteous men Thy righteousnes shall know;The pure of heart shall Thee behold most pureBut froward men Thy curses shall endure;Them will God raise, which under pressures ly,And proud men humble which doe looke soe high;Hee shall sett up for mee a candle bright,My God shall turne my darkness vnto light.Through Thee, an host of men, I conquere shall,And with Thy helpe transcend the highest wal;[196]God'sway is pure, His word is tride with fire;[197]Hee heals all them which unto Him retire;For who is God? or who hath strength and powerExcept our Lord, our God and only our?Hee girdeth mee with furniture to fight,And guideth mee, and houldeth mee upright;My feet as swift ashart'sfeet Hee doth make,And vp to honnor's tower Hee doth mee take;Hee giues such strength unto my fingers weake,As that my arme a bowe of steele shall breake.Thy hands shall bee my safety and protection,Thou shalt aduance mee with Thy sweet correction;Thou for my feet shalt make a passage wide,Soe as my steps shall neuer goe aside;I shall pursue, and in pursuite outgoe,And neuer turne till I haue quelld my foe;When I him smite[198]he shall not rise at all,If once at my victorious feet hee fall.Thou hast girded mee with a sword of strength,Wherewith I shall subdue my foes at length;For thou shalt turne the stubburne necke aboutOf them that hate mee till, I root them out;Then shall they crie (but helpe there shall be non)Euen to the Lord, Who shall not heare their mone.My foes to powder I shall breake and brayAnd tread them down like mire amid the way.Thou my rebellious subjects shalt accord,And ouer Heathen Nations make mee Lord;A people whome I knowe not shall mee serue,And with base adulation mee obserue;These Aliens all, shall faint and bee dismaiedAnd in their strongest Castles bee afraid.Liue Lord! my strength: and blessed bee thereforeAnd praisèd bee my Sauiour euermore,Who doth repay my foes with vengeance due,And unto mee my vassals doth subdue;Who doth not only saue but sett mee highAboue my foes, and there[199]feirce crueltie.For this, both of my thanks and praise to Thee,The Heathen Nations witneses shall bee;For wealth and power and blessings manie moe,On Dauid and his race Thou shalt bestowe.
Thou art my strength, O Lord! Thee will I loue,Thou art my Rocke, which nothing can remoue:My God, in Whome my trust I will repose,My Sauiour, sheild and horne, against my foes;Lord, most praise worthy, pray will I to TheeSoe shall I from my foes protected bee;When deadly sorrowes did besett mee round,And floods of wickednes did mee surhound[193]When paines of hell I felt in my desease,And pangs of death upon my soule did sease;OnGodI callèd in that instant truble,And my complaints unto the Lord did dubble:But when His wrath and vengeance kindled were,The Earth did quake, and mountaines shooke for feare,And coles grew redd with His inflaminge jre;Hee bowed the heauens, and did descend withall,And shadowes darke beneath His feet did fall:Hee ridinge on theCherubinsdid fly,And with the wingèd windes was borne on high;Darkness His clossett, His pauilion wideMade of blacke clouds, His face a while did hide;But at His presence right away they flewWhen haile and coles of fire abroad Hee threw;The Lord from heauen did send His thunder lowdWith fire and haile from out the broken cloud;A shower of arrowes on His foes did fall,His thunderboults and lightenings slewe them all;Fountaines were dride and the earthe's foundation mou'dWhen synners, in His wrath, the Lord reprou'd;But Hee from heauen shall send His angell's downeAnd take mee vp when waters would mee drowne;Hee from my foe, too mightie and too strong,Shall saue mee when Hee doth mee mightie wrong,Preuentinge mee [in] my disastrous day:But then the Lord was my support and stay;When I was captiue, Hee did sett mee free,And brought mee forth because Hee fauoured mee.He shall reward mee as my dayes bee right,And hands be cleane[194]: soe shall Hee mee requite;For I still kept his pathes, and did not shunnTo walke therein, as other men haue done:But euer sett[195]His lawes before mine eyes,And neuer did His holy words dispise.My heart was vncorrupt before Him still,Pursuinge goodnes and eschewinge ill;Hee shall reward mee as my deeds bee right,And hands bee cleane: soe shall He mee requite.Unto the good Thou wilt Thy goodnes show,And righteous men Thy righteousnes shall know;The pure of heart shall Thee behold most pureBut froward men Thy curses shall endure;Them will God raise, which under pressures ly,And proud men humble which doe looke soe high;Hee shall sett up for mee a candle bright,My God shall turne my darkness vnto light.Through Thee, an host of men, I conquere shall,And with Thy helpe transcend the highest wal;[196]God'sway is pure, His word is tride with fire;[197]Hee heals all them which unto Him retire;For who is God? or who hath strength and powerExcept our Lord, our God and only our?Hee girdeth mee with furniture to fight,And guideth mee, and houldeth mee upright;My feet as swift ashart'sfeet Hee doth make,And vp to honnor's tower Hee doth mee take;Hee giues such strength unto my fingers weake,As that my arme a bowe of steele shall breake.Thy hands shall bee my safety and protection,Thou shalt aduance mee with Thy sweet correction;Thou for my feet shalt make a passage wide,Soe as my steps shall neuer goe aside;I shall pursue, and in pursuite outgoe,And neuer turne till I haue quelld my foe;When I him smite[198]he shall not rise at all,If once at my victorious feet hee fall.Thou hast girded mee with a sword of strength,Wherewith I shall subdue my foes at length;For thou shalt turne the stubburne necke aboutOf them that hate mee till, I root them out;Then shall they crie (but helpe there shall be non)Euen to the Lord, Who shall not heare their mone.My foes to powder I shall breake and brayAnd tread them down like mire amid the way.Thou my rebellious subjects shalt accord,And ouer Heathen Nations make mee Lord;A people whome I knowe not shall mee serue,And with base adulation mee obserue;These Aliens all, shall faint and bee dismaiedAnd in their strongest Castles bee afraid.Liue Lord! my strength: and blessed bee thereforeAnd praisèd bee my Sauiour euermore,Who doth repay my foes with vengeance due,And unto mee my vassals doth subdue;Who doth not only saue but sett mee highAboue my foes, and there[199]feirce crueltie.For this, both of my thanks and praise to Thee,The Heathen Nations witneses shall bee;For wealth and power and blessings manie moe,On Dauid and his race Thou shalt bestowe.
PSALM XIX.