Seleft Colleftion O F T H E PSALMS of DAVID. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/tllectionOOIond Seleft Collection OF THE PSALMS of DAVID, As Imitated or Paraphrafed by the molt Eminent English I'oets, Viz. Mr. Addison, * Milton, Mr. Blacklock, * Mrs. Masters, Mr. Barton, * Mrs. Rowe, Mr. Daniel, * Sir Philip Sidney, Sir John Denham, * Dr. Trapp, Dr. Gibbs, * Mrs. Tollet, King JAMES I. S Dr. Woodford, Mrs. Leapor, * And feveral Others. TOGETHER WITH Some Originals never before Printed. To which is added, An APPENDIX OF SEVERAL Divine HYMNS and POEMS, Not to be found in any other Collection. LONDON; Printed for the EDITOR: And fold by W. Geiffim ia Wide-Gate-Street, in Bifhopfgate-Street j S. Hooper In the Strand, and by S. and P. Eaves, oppofite the King's Arms Tatern, in Pall-mall, 1756. V PREFACE. ^3$£%j* H E Collection of Pfalms berg ^ offered to the Public v fcVe luch ; as may juftly claim .^hejAtten^, tion of the Devofl^rg tru^-j Chrittian, nor be no unpleafiijg-^iT^Qitain-^ ment to all who admire the.*/ B^aifcy anc£. ; Charms of Poetry. ~ . : i © The great Variety of Subjeclsfwh^h are^ diverfified through the whole^-Besk of Pfalms, make it impoMlble to imagine tharf any one Perfon, though of the mofl ex- alted and fublime Genius, could ever fuc- ceed in a poetical Verfion of the Whole, to equal, or even to compare with the Divine Originals : and for the Truth of this Obicrvation, the Verfioas of feveral A learned . [ vi ] learned Men are a fufficient Proof j where, at a flight Infpection, 'tis ' eafy to perceive how much inferior feveral of them are in Point of Senfe, or the Beauties of Poe- try, to what others are, though compo- fed by the fame Hand : and this might be owing to a particular Pfalm, which may not be a Subject fuitable to the Ge- nius of the Poet -, whereas another whom it mail fuit, (though inferior; will render it as beautiful and plealing as any compofed by the moil mafterly Hand. tc Divine Poetry has, through all Ages, " from the firft Improvement of Lan- cc g ua g e m ^ e World, been held in Ho- c' nonr and Efteem. Many of the An- < c dents excelled therein ; and to this we " chiefly owe the lofty Themes and fub- u lime Sentiments of the Prophets. There << is, in all the diftin& Varieties of it, a " certain peculiar Propriety, Sweetnefs and " Majefly, that fooths the Attention, and " bears up the Mind upon the Wings of " Tranfport : But when the Mufe kin- £* dies her Fires in Heaven, and tunes her " Num- [ v;i ] * Numbers to the Symphony of Angels, " we are warm'd with heavenly Raptures, " and filled with the Divine Attributes * and Perfections." And the Pfalms which breathe with fuch facred Ardour in Praiie and Love to the supreme Being, from whole Infpiration fuch heavenly Strains could only flow. 1 lay, a poetical Ver- fion of them in the Englijh Language, fuch as might compare with the Dignity of the Originals, would be a valuable Treafure — But of this we muft ever def- pair, as to complete fuch an Undertaking* requires a Poet of the higheft Oafs, of a Divine and unbounded Genius ; in whom muft be united to the moftfublimeThoughts. a noble Turn of ExprefTion, an eafy and natural Dignity •, in Abort, he ought to be infpired with that Divine Sp ; rit which il- luminated the Mind of the Royal Psal- mist. The feveral Verfions now in Efteem, befide thofe of S term Id and Hopkins, and "late and Brady, fung in Churches, are Dr. fVattts^ Sir John Dcnbanis } and a A 2 few [ viii ] few others : The firft of thefe is the be ft that has ever yet appeared ; but they being confined to a particular Clafs of People, are not in universal Efteem ; and I think the peculiar Turn of feveral is ftretched a little too far. As to Sir John Denbam\ which are the Produft of his Piety and reti- red Tears, we may in his Verfion cbferve a mod devout Elevation of Soul, and won- derful Energy and Beauty of Expreffion : In mort, I think they have Claim to a very great Share of Merit How ufeful they were to Dr. JVatts, and the fine Thoughts which he has taken from him, is very ob- vious, on comparing them together. As to the prefent Verfion, which is, with the greatefl Care, collected from the best Authors, and which to compleat, no Pains or Ex pence has been fpared, 'tis humbly fubmitted to the Candour and Judgment of the difcerning Reader, how far fuperior 'tis to ail that has gone before 'Tis hoped no Perfon will be difpleafed at there being fo many Duplicates of fe ver ..• particular Pfalms, as their Merit mull be * [ ix ] be furrlciently known by the Reputation and Fame their great Authors have juftly acquired. To conclude ; every Perfon who is an Admirer of the Pfalms, or has a Tafte for Divine Poetry, cannot fail, on the Perufal of what is here offered, of being agreeably entertained, not with Trifles of little Con- fequence, or Things of no Moment, but in fuch a Manner as may tend to their own Good, and the Glory of that su- preme Being to whofe Praife moft of them are compofed. A 3 THE [ xi ] THE CONTENTS. JSsfctfJ&gST. SALM I. By Dr. Gibbs ; Pfalm I. Bv Mrs. Toilet Pfalm II. Pfalm IK. Pfalm III. Pfalm IV. Page By Dr. Gibbs By Sir John Denham By Dr, Gibbs Pfalm V. Pfalm VI. Pfalm VII. Pfalm VIII. — — Pfalm IX. By Dr. Gibbs Pfalm X. By the Same Pfalm XI. By the Same — Pfalm XII. By Sir John Denham Pfalm XIV. — — Pfalm XV. — — Pfalm XVII. — — Pfalm XIX. By Mr. Addifon Pfalm XXI. — — Pfalm XXIII. By Mr. Addifon Pfalm XXIII. By Mrs. Rov.e Pfalm XXIV. — - By Mr. Barton 1 1 12 *4 *7 *7 l 9 22 2 3 24 2 5 2 S Pfalm [ *u ] page Pfalra XXV. — — — 26 Pfalm XXVT. By Sir John Denham — 28 Pfalm XXVIII. By the fan.e — 29 Pfalm XXIX. — — — 29 Pfalm XXIX. By Mrs. Toilet — 30 Pfalm XXXII. By Mr. Daniel — 3 1 Pfa>m XXXIII. ' — — 34 Pfalm XXXVI. — — -a. 3; Pfalm XXXVII. By Mrs. Mailers — 36 Pfalm XXXVIII. By Mr. Daniel — 40 Pfalm XXXIX. By Mrs. Matters — 42 Pfalm XXXIX. — — 44 Pfalm XLI. Ey Sir John Denham — 45 Pfalm XLII. — — 46 Pfalm XI.III. By Vrs Toilet — 47 pfalm XLV. By the fame — 48 Pfalm XLV. — — — 49 Pfalm XLVI. — — 51 Pf'a'm XLV1II. Ey Sir John Denham 52 Pfalm XLIX. — — — 53 Pfalm XLIX. By Mrs. Toilet SS Pfalm L. By the fame — — 57 Pfalm LI. Ey Mr. Daniel 59 Pfalm LV. — — — 63 Pfalm L VI. By Sir John Denham — 64 Pfalm LVII. — — — — 65 Pfalm LVIII. By Mrs. Toilet — 66 Pfalm LX. By Sir John Denham — 67 Pfalm LXII. — — — 68 Pfalm LX II. By Mrs. Rowe 69 Pfalm LXIII. | — 71 Pfalm LXV. — — — — 7 1 Pfalm LXV. By Mrs. Toilet — — 73 Pfalm LXVIII. Ey the fame — — 7 8 Part of Pfalm LXXI. — — — 77 Pfalm LXXII. By Mrs. Rowe — 79 OnPfalmLXXIIl. By the fame — 80 Pfalm [ xiii ] Page PfalmLXXIIT. By Mrs. Toilet — 81 Part of Pfalm LXXNI. — — 83 PfalmLXXIV. By Mrs. Toilet — 85 Piiilin LXXVI. — — — 86 PfalmLXXVII. — — — 88 Pfalm LXXVJIT. Ey Mrs. Toilet — 91 Pfalm LXX IX. By the fame — — 96 Pfalm LXXX. By Mr. Barton — — 98 Pfalm LXXX f . By Mr Sandys — 100 Pfalm LXXXIV. Bv Sir John Denham 101 Part of Pfalm LXXXVI. — 103 Pfalm LXXXVII. By Mrs. Toilet — 103 Pfalm LXXX1X. By Sir John Denham 1 05 A Paraphrafc on Part of Pfalm XC — 108 Pfalm XC. By Mrs Toilet in Part of Pfalm XC. — — 112 Another Verfion of Pfalm XC. — 113 Pfalm XCI. By Mrs. Toilet — — 114 Part of Pfalm XCII. — — — 116 FfalmXCIII. By Mrs Toilet — 117 Pfalm XLlII. By Sir John Denham — 118 Part of Pfalm XCIV. — — — 118 Pfalm XC VI. Imitated — — 119 Pfalm C. — — --* — — 1 20 Pfalm C. By Mrs. Toilet 121 Pfalm CII. By Mr. Daniel 1 2 1 Part of Pfalm CHI. 126 Pfalm CIV. Imitated by Mr. Blacklock 1 28 A Paraphrafe on Pfalm CIV. By Dr. Trapp 1 34 Pfalm CV. By Mrs Toilet 1 39 Pfalm CVI. By the fame — — 142 Part of Pfalm CXI. — — — 145 Pfalm CX1I. By Sir John Denham — 146 Pfalm CXII. — — 147 Pfalm CXIII. — — — 148 Pfalm CXIV. Verfified 149 Part of Pfalm CXV. 150 Part of Pfalm CXVI. 152 Pfalm [ xiv ] Page PfelmCXVIT. — — 15? Pfalm CXVIII. By Dr. Woodford 153 Hymn from Pfalm CXIX, Verfe J4, By Mrs. Toilet * 158 Part cf Pialm CXIX. — 159 A Paraphrafe on Part of Pfalm CXIX. 1 60 Pfalm CXX. . 161 Pfalm CXXr. — 162 Pfalm CXXIII. By King James — 163 Pialm CXXIII. 164 Pfalm CXXIV. By Sir John Denham 165 Pfalm CXX VI. By King J ames — 165 Pfalm CXX VIII. Ey Sir John Denham 166 Pfalm C XXX. 167 Pfalm CXXX. Ey Mr. Daniel 1 6 8 Ode on Pfa lm CXXX. By Mrs. Toilet 1 69 Pfalm CXXXI. By the fame 171 Pfalm CXXXIIJ. By the fame — 171 PiV.m CXXXIV. 172 Pfalm CXXXV. By Mr. Sandvs 172 Pfalm CXXXYI. By Sir John Denham 1 74 Pfalm CXXXVII. Bv Sir I hiiip Sidney 1 76 Ode on Pfalm CXXXVII. By Mrs. Toilet 1 -j Pialm CXXXiX. Imitated by Mr. Blacklock 179 Pfalm CXXX.IX. 183 Part of Pfalm CXXXJX. Imitated by H. Dell 1 86 Pfalm CXLI. By Sir John Denham 187 Pfalm CXLII. . 1 S3 A Paraphrafe en Pfalm CXLIII. — 1 89 Pfalm CXLIII. Bv Mr. Daniel 191 A Paraphrafe on Pfalm CXLI V. 1 94 Part of Pfalrn CXLIV. 195 Pfalm CXLV. By Sir John Denham 195 Hymn from Pfalm CXLVI. By Mr. Sowden 197 Pfalm CXLV I. 198 Pfalm CXLVI. By Mrs. Rowe 199 Part of Pfalm CXLVJI. 200 Pfalm [ *v ] Pfalm CXLVIII. By Mrs. Toilet — 201 Pfalm CXLVIII. 203 A 1 araphrafe on Pfalm CXLVIII. By the Earl of" Rofcomon 206 Pfalm CXL1X. By Sir John Denham 209 Pfalm CL. By King James 210 Pfalm CL. By Mrs. Toilet 211 A P P E N D I X. Pfalm I. Imitated bv Mr Dlacklock 213 Pfalm VI. By Mr. Daniel 215 Hymn taken from Pialm \ HI. By Mrs. Toilet 217 hart of Pfalm XVI. — 218 Pfalm XVIII. Imitated — 218 Hymn on Pfalm XIX. — 222 Pfalm XXX. By Mr. Sandys — 223 Pfalm XCVI. Imitated — 225 Pfalm CIV. By Mr. Sandys — 225 Pfalm CIV. By Mrs. Toilet — 228 A Paraphrafc on Pfalm CXIV. By Milton 231 On Pfalm CXV II. By H. D. — — 232 An Ode on Mercy, in Imitation of Part of Pfalm CXLV. — — 232 The Benedicite paraphrafed. By the Rev. Mr. Merrick — — — — 235 On the laft Judgment. By the Earl of Rofcomon 241 A Requeft to the Divine Being — 244. The Magi. An Eclogue. By the Rev. Mr. Hobfon — — — 246 A Hymn 249 A Morning Hymn 250 The Sick Penitent ■ 251 The Song of the Three Children in the fiery Furnace — 255 A Hymn — 259 A Hymn . — — 261 ChriiVs [ ™ ] ChritVs Pafilon — — A Hymn. Compofed by a Gentlerran during Sicknefs ■ — — French H\ mn. By Monfieur Des Bnrreux The lame imitated — — A Hymn for the Light of Faith Afpiring to the Divine Life. A Hymn Page 264 266 267 268 269 270 >, f&jfo ^1 ^J ) m s~?% <' ^ f^'z "i^:.^ % i2 ^JS^fE As imitated by the beft Authors. . . \ L PSALM I. By'bV. g'ibbs. THRICE happy he ! that does refufe With impious finners to combine ; Who ne'er their wicked Way purfues, And does the /corner 's feat decline. But Kill to learn, and to obey The law of God is his delight ; In that employs himfelf all day, And reads and thinks thereon at night. B For ( * ) For as a tree, whofe fpreading root By fome prolific ftream is fed, Produces fair and timely fruit, And num'rous boughs adorn its head : Whofe very leaves, though ftorms defcend, In lively verdure ftill appear ; Such bleffings always fhall attend The man that does the Lord revere. But O, how difFrent mall it be With thofe that for their fins are curft ! W T hom foon confounded we mail fee, Like chaff with evVy wind difperfl : And how, alas! fhall they appear, Before the judge enthroifd on high, Opprefs'd with horror and defpair, While good men enter into joy ! For ftill the Lord from heav'n looks down, And lees what good and bad men do ; That thofe he with rewards may crown, And thefe to punifhment may go. PSALM I. By Mrs. Tollet. I. HA P P Y the man who never flrays In vain confulf through guilty ways : IS' or does in paths of finners wait, Nor refts in their licentious feat. II. ( 3 ) II. The law divine does him employ, With conllant diligence and joy : This talk prevents the dawning light, And fills the vigils of the night. III. So (hall he live, fo flourifh ftill, As fall befide the filver rill, The tree, with fruit maturely hung, For ever green, for ever young. IV. But far unlike are the profane ; As parted from the foLd grain. Beneath the van, when winds arife The chaff in whirling eddies flies. V. Nor mall the impious dare to Hand Before the feat of high command . Nor mall they undifcern'd remain, Though herded with the righteous train; VI. The Lord obferves, with Uriel: furvey, How pious men direct their way : The paths in which the wicked tread To certainty of ruin lead. P S A L M II. By Dr. G i b b s. WH Y do the heathen nations rife, And in mad tumults join ? Confed'rate kings vain plots devife Againfl th'Almighty's Reign ? His royal title they deny, Whom God appointed Chrifl ; Let us rejecl their laws, they cry, Their binding force refill. But he, that fits in heaven above, Their weaknefs {"hall deride ; His word their malice lhall reprove, His pow'r correct their price : And thus he to the world will own ; I have the king ordain'd, On &Ws holy mount his throne In facred frrength fhall ftand : And thus to him^vas pleas'd to fay. As I his words declare ; Thou art my fon, I have this day Begotten thee my heir : Defire of me, and I'll fubmit The nations to thy fway ; The diftant nations mail unite, And thy commands obey : Eut thofe, that do thy laws refufe, In pieces* thou fhalt break ; And with an iron fcepter bruife Their difobedient neck. Ye earthly kings, the caution hear; Ye rulers, learn the fame ; Serve God with rev'rence, and with fear His joyful praife proclaim ; Confefs the Son, and own his reign, 'Ere he to wrath iaclines ; And, ( 5 ) .And, fo refcnting your difdain, Confounds your vain defigns : For fliould the madnefs of his foes TVavenging God incenfe, Happy are they that can repofe la him their confidence. PSALM III. By Sir John Denham. LORD! how the number multiplies Of thofe, who to afHicl me rile ? How many fay, that God my Lord Will to my foul no aid afford ? But thou haft dill my heart upheld ; Thou art my glory, and my fhield. My cries the ears of God did fill, Who heard me from his holy hill. Inlaid me down, and fwectly flept ; For he my God in fafety kept. Nor ihall I fear ten thoufand foes. Who me on ev'ry fide inclofe. Save me, my God ; my Lord, arife, Tor thou halt fmote my enemies: Their jaws have felt thy mighty ftrolce, Which all their pois'nous Teeth has broke. From God alone falvation flows, To him their blifs his people owes. M PSALM III. Y God, how many are my fears, How faft my iocs increafe ! B 3 Con- ( 6 ) Confpiring my eternal death, They break my prefent peace. The lying tempter would perfuade There's no relief in heav'n, And all my fuelling fins appear Too big to be forgiv'n. But thou, my glory and my ftrength, Shalt on the tempter tread, Shalt filence all my threatning guilt, And raife my drooping head. [I cry'd, and from his holy hill He bow'd a HiFning ear ; I call my Father, and my God, And he fubdu'd my fear. He fhed r oft (lumbers on mine eyes, In fpight of all my foes ; I 'woke, and wonder'd at the grace That guarded my repofe.] What though the hoft of death and hell All arm 'd againft me flood, Terrors no more (hall make my foul ; My refuge is my God. Arife, O Lord, fulfil thy grace, While I thy glory fing : My God ha* broke the ferpent's teeth, And death has loft his fling. Salvation to the Lord belongs, His arm alone can fare : Bleflings attend th^ people here, And reach beyond the grave. PSALM ( 7 ) PSALM IV. By Mr. B a r t o n. OGod that art my righteoufnefs, Hear when I call to thee ; For in the day of my diftrefs Thou haft inlarged me. In mercy hear me now again, And quell my foes difdain : How long will ye, O fons of men, My glory turn to fhame ? How long will ye vain things affect, And follow after lies ? Know godly men are God's felect, And he will hear my cries. All finful courfes fet apart, And ftand in awful dread : In filence commune with your heart, Upon your fecret bed. For incenfe offer innocence, And righteoufne s prefentj And wholly put your confidence In God omnipotent. What way they might themfelves advance, Great multitude inquire: But Loid thy mining countenance Is all that we defire. For thou haft made my heart to feaft With facred comforts more, Than worldings when they were increaft With corn and wine full ftore. I'll both lie down fweet reft to take, And alfo fleep fecure : For only thou, O Lord, doft make My dwelling fafe and fure. B 4 PSALM C 8 ) PS A L M V. By Dr. G i bb s. OLord, receive my fervent pray'r, Relieve my foul oppreft with care, And hear my loud complaint ; On thee alone [ can rely, Do thou, my God, to whom I fly, My fad petition grant ; For with the rifmg fun my voice To thee I raife with early cries, And humbly help expect ; For Hill the Lord his aid denies To fuch as are my enemies, And does their caufe reject : The} on thy favour can't rely, That practife fuch iniquity, For thou wilt punjfn thofe That do mali:ious lies invent, And would to death the innocent By treach'rous means expofe. But I will ftiJI thy praife difplay, Within thy courts my homage pay, And thus addrefs my pray'r ; Lord, in thy laws direct my Ways, Since thofe my watchful fee furveys, And make me perfevere. Whatever kindnefs fome profefs, Their hearts are full of wickednefs, They flatter to deftroy : But let, O Lord, the vengeance due Thofe in their horrid crimes purfue, Who do thy powY dwfy : That ( 9 ) That they, who do on thee rely, May in thy praife ronfefs their joy, That thou ('ok them defend : For to the righteous thou, O Lord, Thy gracious favour do(t afford, And (till thy help extend. PSALM VI. TO R D, I can fuffer thy rebukes, When thou with kindnefs doft chaftife ; But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear, O let it not againlt me rifei Pity my languifhing eftate, And eafe the forrows that I feel ; The wounds thine heavy hand hath made, O let thy gentler touches heal ! See how I pafs my weary days In fighs and groans ; and when 'tis night, My bed is water'd with my tens ; My grief confumes> and dims my fight. Look how the powVs of nature mourn ? How long, Almighty God, how long ? When fhali thine hour of grace return ? When fhall I make thy grace my fong I I feel my flefh fo near the grave, My thoughts are tempted co defpair ; But graves can never praife the Lord. For all is duit and filence there. Depart, ye tempters from my foul, And all defpairing thoughts depai \ B 5 M X ( io ) My God who hears my humble moan, Will ?afe my fkfh, and chear my heart. PSALM VII. MY truft is in my heav'nly friend, My hope in thee, my God; Rife, and my helplefs life defend From thofe that leek my blood. With infolence and fury ihey My foul in pieces tear, As hungry lions rend the prey When no deliv'rer's near. If I had e'er provok'd them firft, Or once abus'd my foe, Then let him tread m> life to duft, And lay mine honour low. If there be malice found in me, I know thy piercing eyes ; I mould not dare appeal to thee, Nor afk my God to rife. Arife, my God, lift up thy hand, Their pride and powV controul ; Awake to judgment, and command Deliv'rance for my foul. Let finners and their wicked rage Be humbled to the dull ; Shall not the God of truth engage To vindicate the juft ? He knows the heart, he tries the reins, He will defind th'upright ; His ( II ) His marpeft arrows he ordains Againlt the fons of fpight. For me their malice digg'd a pit, But there themie'ves are call ; My God makes all their milchief light On their own heads at lad. That cruel perfecting race Muft feel his dreadful fword ; Awake, my foul, and praife the grace, And julhce of the Lord. PSALM VNI, OLord, our heav'nly king, Thy name is all divine ; Thy glorias round the earth are fpread, And o'er the heav'ns they fhine. When to thy works on high I rare my wondVing eyes, And fee the moon complete in light Adorn the darkfome fkies : "When I furvey the ftars And all their mining forms, Lord, what is man, that worthlefs thing A-kin to d. it. and worms ? Lord, what is worthlefs man, That thou fhould'ft love him fo ? Next to thine angels is he plac'd, And Lord of ail below. Thine honours crown his head, While beads, like flaves obey, B 6 And. ( It ) And birds that cut the air with wings, And fifh that cleave the Tea. How rich thy bounties are ! And woi dVous are thy ways : Of duft and worms thy powV can frame A monument of praife. Out of the mouths of babes And fucklings thou canft draw Surprizing honours to thy name, And ftrike the world with awe. O Lord, our heav'nly king, Thy name is all divine . Thy glories round the earth is fpread, And o'er the heav'ns they mine. P S A LM IX. By Dr. Gi bb s. LO R D, with united heart and voice I will thy praife proclaim, And with a grateful fong rejoice To fprcid thy glorious fame ; Confounded at the fight of thee My foes are put to flight; Thus thou, great God of equity, Doft Hill arfert my right. The heathen we no longer dread,. Their impious champion's gone, They and their very names are dead, They're both become unknown. Infulting foes, how long can ye Of ruin'd cities boafl ! Youi ( '3 ) Your plundrings row as well as they Are in oblivion loft : But God eternally remains Fixt in his throne on high, And to the world from thence ordains Impartial equity : And (lill the helplefs will defend From fierce oppreflbr'* p;;wV, And for their injur'd iouls extend A refuge moit fecure. They, Lord, who this thy goodnefs know, Shall in thy powV confide, Since for thy faithful fervants thou Doft timely help provide. Then of the God of Ifrael The glorious ads proclaim I And to the wond'ring nations tell His everlafting fame ! For thus when he for wicked men Prepares their punimment, He hears the injured poor, and then Does all their cries refent. And thus confider ftill, O Lord, The juitice of my caufe ; Who often haft my life reftor'd From death's devouring jaws : That I in Sion may extol Thy great and glorious name, And of the faviour of my foui The goodnefs ftjll proclaim. The C 14 ) The heathen nations are difmay'd, They're all to ruin brought, For in the treacrfrous nets, they lay'd, Ev'n they themfelves are caught : Lo, thus the Lord to execute True judgment (till inclines ; That wicked men may tafte the fruit Of their own ill defigns : This is of thofe the dang'rous ftate, Who thus forget the Lord : To reft the humble fhall not wait In vain to be reftofd : And thus, O Lord, exert thy powY, Left mortal force prevail ; That thofe that will not thee adore Thy judgments may affail : And thus, Almighty Lord, do thou Their impious pride reftrain ; That they with humble fear may know That all. their ilrength is vain. P S A L M X. By Dr. G 1 b b s. IO R D, why in times of deep diftrefs !;oft thou from us retire, When difmal woes our fouls opprefs, And thy kind aid require ! The wicked do with lawlefs pride The helplefs perfecute ; But ( is ) But let them be themfdvea deftroy'd, And fail in their purfah : For (till they triumph, when fuccefs Does their defigns attend, And then their ways, who thus opprefs, Profanely they commend : And thus fo infolent they grow, That God they never fear, They no Almighty Being know, No Pow'r divine revere. And from the rnrb'rous paths, they tread 3 No I cts of providence Can e'e r oblige them to recede, Or llop their bold offence ; But thus the good and juft they hate, And all their foes defy, Presuming they pofTefs a ftate Of full fecurity : Th^ir mouths are full of vanity, Of curfes and deceit, And for the poor in fecret they Do treachVoufly lay wait : As hungry lions do their prey Obferve with watchful eyes, So heedlefs innocents would they Wich fudden force lurprize. And then, like lions mercilefs, Their trembling fouls devour ; And thai the helplefs do opprefs When captives to their pow'r; For ( 16 J For this, humility they feign, And fpecious meeknds fhew, That unfufpected their defign They freely may purfue. They think that God, if God there be, Does not their fins perceive, Or if he does their actions fee, Will all their crimes forgive : But now, O Lordj exert thy pow'r The helplefs to redeem, That fo their impious foes no more May thus thy name blafpheme : For thou, O Lord, their crimes doft vie And kno^Tc their wicked hearts, That thou the dreadful vengeance due May'it. give to their de:em: The helplefs, Lord, on thee depend, Do thou their caufe maintain, Againit their foes thy pow'r extend Till none of them remain : For always thou, eternal Lord, The heathen hall difmay'd ; Infpir'd by thee the poor implor'd, And have obtain'd thy aid ; And thus thou doft the meek defend, And all their wrongs redrefs, - That their proud foes, by thee reibain'd, No longer may opprefs. PSALM i '7 r PSALM XI. By Dr. Gibbs. ON Gcxi fecurely 1 rely, Why then this vain advice, that T, Like tim'rous birds, my foes fliould fhun ? I fear not though they now come on, Though all the threat'ning force of war Againlt, the guiltlefs they prepare ; For if the pow'r, in which they truft, Should fail, how helplefs are the jult ! But {till the God of equity Relides in heav'n, and thence his eye Does all the thoughts of men explore, And ltriclly views their actions o'er ; The jult with favour he furveys, H« Cqgs and hates th'oppreilbr's ways, And on their impious heads will pour Of fnares and flames a difmal ftiow'r j And this their bitter cup mull be To drink to all eternity ; But ftill the God of righteoufnefs The jufl: will with his favour blefs. PSALM XII. By Sir John Denham. HELP, Lord ; for godlinefs is loft, And faith from earth departs ; Men to their neighbours falfly boalt, Or lie with double hearts. But lips of flattery God cuts off, The tongue of pride he'll curb, The ( i8 ) The tongue which at all pow'r does feoff, What powr Jhall us dijiurb? God, to relieve th'oppreft will rife ; Though now they figh and weep, He their defpifers mall defpife, And them in fafety keep. Than filver, feven limes purify'd By fire, his word's more pure : His power the juil from fpite and pride For ever mall fecure. Tl 'ungodly fhall on ev'ry fide Run to and fro amaz'd ; When thofe, whom they with fcorn deride* To honour fhall be be rais'd. PSALM XIII. By Dr Gibbs. HO W long wilt thou neglect, O Lord, to hear rne pray ? How long my fad complaint reject, And turn thy face away ? How long (hall thoughtful care Diftracl my doubtful breaft ? How long inuft \ the e troubles bear, And be by foes oppreft ? Attend, and hear my cries, Some comfort now difclofe, EVe grief has fhut my weeping eyes Jn death's oblcure repofe : Left my proud enemy, If now my trull fhould fail, And ( *9 ) And thofe that perfecute me cry ; See, thus we ftill prevail ; But I on thee rely, And in thy aid rejoice ; And i t ill to thee, my God, will I Addrefs my thankful voice. PSALM XIV: AR E finners now To fenfelefs grown That they the faints devour ? And never worfhip at thy throne, Nor fear thine awful pow'r ? Great God, appear to their furprizc, Reveal thy dreadful name ; Let them no more thy wrath defpife, Nor turn our hope to fhame. Doll: thou not dwell among the juft, And yet our foes deride, That we mould make thy name our trull : Great God, confound their pride. O that the joyful day were come To rmiih our diftrefs ! When God (hall bring his children home, Our fongs Ihall never ceafe. PSALM ( 20 } PSALM XV. SAY, heav'nly mufe, and teach my fong, To whom immortal joys belong ? And who the cholen few ? Whofe fouls fhall mount the bleft abode, Shall fmile forever with their God, And fhine as angels dor The man, who 'midft a fcoffing croud, Dares to purfue the upward road, Where virtue fhocts her ray ; Whofe willing heart, whofe chearful hands, Join to perform his God's commands, And own his facred fway : Whofe tongue, the glory of his frame, Ne'er fcatters poifons on a name ; For 'til his conftant care, Such is his foul ! to grave the part, He owes his neighbour, on his heart, In ilrokes divinely ^fcir. Though finners fwell in robes of pride, And boail their thoufands at their iide, He can their pomp defpife ; While the poor faint, that fears the Lord, Bends to his name, and trufts his word, Is honour'd in his eyes. If once his lips the word have fpoke, The word he never dares revoke ; And obflinately good, He ( 21 ) He varies not from what he fworc, Though earth and hell oppo'sd their poVi And his refolves withllood. By us'ry he will ne'er augment The plenties providence has lent : H§ pleads the goildefs 1 caufe, Though all the luxVv of the eaft Were brought to bribe him into rcir, And hulh th' impartial laws. This is the foul, that freed from clay, Shall climb to everlaiting day, And dwell for ever there : Who might behold all nature break. And hea- its mighty pilars crack, And never yield to fear. PSALM XVII. LO R D, I am thine : But thou wilt prove My faith, my patience, and my love ; When men of fpight againll me join, They are the fword, the hand is thine. Their hope and portion lie below ; 'Tis all the happinefs they know, 'Tis all they leek ; they take their fhares, And leave the reft among their heirs. W r hat fmners value, I refign ; Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine: I mall behold thy blisful face, And Hand compleat in nghteoufnefs, Thit ( 22 ) This life's a dream, an empty fhew ; But the bright world to which I go, Hath joys fubftantial and fincere; When fhall I wake, and find me there ? glorious hour ! O bleft abode .' 1 fhall be near, and like my God ! And fiefh and fin no more controul The facred pleafures of the foul. My flefh fhall flumber in the ground, Till the laft trumpet's joyful ioimd ; Then burft the chains with fweet furprize, And in my Saviour's image rife. PSALM XIX. By I^r. Ad d i son. H E fpacious firmament on high, With ab the blue eiiiercal Iky, And fpangled heaven-, a fliimng frame, Their great original proclaim : Th'unwearied fun, from day to day, Does his Creator's pow'r difplay, And publiihes to every Land The work of an almighty hand. Soon as th'Evening fnades prevail, The moon takes up the wondVous tale, And nightly to the liiVning earth Repeats the Itory of her birth : Whilft all the ftars that round her burn, And all the planets in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And fpread the truth from pole to pole. What ( *3 ) What though, in folemn filence, all Move round the dark terreilrial ball ? What though no real voice nor found Amid their radiant orbs be found ? In reafon's car they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice, For ever finging, as they ihine, " The hand that made us is divine". PSALM XXI. THE king, O Lord, with fongs of praife Shall in thy ftrength rejoice ; And blefl: with thy faivation raife To heaven his chearful voice. Thy fure defence through nations round Has fpread his glorious name ; And his fuccefsful actions crownM With maj eity and fame. Then let the king on God alone For timely aid rely ; His mercy fhall fupport the throne And all our wants fupply. Fiut, righteous Lord, his ftubborn foes Shall feel thy dreadful hand ; Thy vengeful arm fhall find out thofe That hate his mild command. When thou againft them doft engage Thy juft, but dreadful doom Shall, like a fiery oven's rage, Their hopes and them confume. Thus, •( Thus, Lord, thy wond'rous powV declare, And thus exalt thy fame ; Whilll we giad fcngs of praife prepare For thine Almighty name. PSALM XXIII. By Mr. Addison. TH E Lord my pafture fhall prepare, And feed me with a fhepherd's care : His prefence fhall my wants fupply, And guard me with a watchful eye; My noon-day walks he fhall attend, And all my midnight hours defend. When in the fultry glebe I faint, Or on the thirfly mountain pant ; To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary wand'ring fteps he leads ; Where peaceful rivers, (oft and flow, Amid the verdant landfkip flow. Though in the paths of death I tread, With gloomy horrors overfpread, My ftedfaft heart fnall fear no ill, For thou, O Lord, art with me ftill; Thy friendly crook fhall give me aid, And guide me through the dreadful fhadt Though in a bare and rugged way, Through devious lonely wilds I ftray, Thy bounty fhall my pains beguile, The barren wildernefs fhall fmile, With fudden greens and herbage crown'd, And flreams ihall murmur all around. PSALM PSALM XXIII. By Mrs. Roue. TH E Lord is my defence and guide, My wants are by his care fupplied : He leads me to refrefhing fhades, Through verdant plains, ard flow'ry n.eads; And there fecurely makes me lie, Near filver currents rolling by. To guide my erring feet aii.ht, He gilds my paths with facred light; And to his own immortal praife, Conducts me in his perfect ways. In death's uncomfortable (hade, No terror can my foul invade: While he, my ltrong defence, is near, His prefence fcatters all defpair. My lpiteful foes, with envy, fee His plenteous table fpread for me: My cup o'erflows with fparkling wine, With fragrant oils my temples lhinc. Since God hath wond'rous mercies fhew'd, And crown'd my fmiling years with good; The life he gracioufly prolongs, Shall be employed in grateful fongs; My voice in lofty hymns I'll raiie, And in his temple fpend my days. PSALM XXIV. THIS fpac.ous earth is all the Lord's, And men and worms, and bcafts and birds: He rais'd the building on the leas, And gave it for their dwelling-place. C Btu ( 26 ) Eut there's a brighter world on high, Thy palace, Lord, above the (ley: Who fliall afcend that bleft abode ? And dwell To near his maker God. He that abhors and fears to fin, Whofe heart is pure, whofe hands are clean, Him fhall the Lord the Saviour blefs, And clothe his foul with righteoufnefs. Thefe are the men, the pious race That feek the God of 'Jacob's face : Thefe fhall enjc y the blifsful fight, And dwell in everlaiting light. Rejoice ye mining worlds on high, Behold the king of glory nigh ; Who can this king of glory be ? The mighty Lord, the Saviour's he. Ye heav'nly gates, your leaves difplay To make the Lord the Saviour way : Laden with fpoils from earth and hell, The conqu'ror comes with God to dwell. Rais'd from the dead he goes before, He opens heavVs eternal door, To give his faints a bleft abode Near their redeemer and their God. PSALM XXV. I N E eyes and my defire Are ever to the Lord; love to plead his promifes, And re It upon his word. Turn ( 27 ) Turn, turn thee to my foul, Bring thy falvation near; When will thy hand releafe my feet Out of the deadly fnare? When mail the fovereign grace Of my forgiving God Reftore me from thofe dangerous ways My wand'ring feet have trod ! The tumult of my thoughts Doth but enlarge my woe ; My ipirit languifhes, my heart Is delblate and low. With every morning light My ibrrow new '.gins; Look on my anguifh and my pain, And pardon all my fins. Behold the hofts of hell, How cruel is their hate ? Againft my life they rife, and join Their fury with deceit. O keep my foul from death, Nor puc my hope to fhame, For I have plac'd my only truit In my Redeemer's name. With humble faith F wait To fee thy face again; Of Ifrel it mall ne'er be faid, He fought the Lord in vain. C z PSALM PSALM XXVI. By Sir John Denham. JUDGE me, O Lord; and let thine eye Dncern my heart's integrity: I truit in thee, iid cannot Aide; Thy truth and kindnefi is my guide Examine both my Reins and Heart, Which never from thy ways depart; I with vain perfons never fat, And ail their vi-le afiemblies hate. With wicked men I'll not converfe, l\or with trTungodly hold commerce ; In innocence I'll warn my hand, And then-tefore thy altar ftand. My thanks I'll publifh with my voice, And in thy wond'rous works rejoice: Oh I love that bleffed place, Thy honour's refidence does grace! When dead, my portion, Lord, remove From thofe, who fin and bloodfhed love; Who with one hand have fpoil'd and kilPd, And with falfe bribes the other fill'd. And, -Lord, when thou haft ranfom'd me With mercy, I will walk with thee In righteous paths, and thy great name With honour in our tribes proclaim. P S A L M ( 2 9 ) PSALM XXVIII. By Sir J o h n D e n h a lA \ £ Y Lord, my rock, fee how I weep; iV_l If thou regardlefs iilence keep, I in the (hades of death fhall fleep ! The voice of my afflictions hear, When with devout and humble fear I at thy oracle appear. Let me not, Lord, my portion fhare With thofe whofe works deceitful are, Who fpeak of peace but plot of war. Do not thy juft revenge fufpend; On them the fame deftruclion fend, Which they for others did intend. Since they the wonders thou haft wrought, And thy great works have fet at nought, Let them be to confufion brought. God to my pray'rs his ear did lend, His mighty fhield did me defend, My pray'rs and praife mail him attend. To thy belov'd inheritance Thou giv'ft a fafe deliverance, And their falvation (halt advance. PSALM XXIX. GIVE to the Lord, ye foes of fame, Give to the Lord renown and pow'r, Aiciibedue honours to his name, And his eternal might adore. C 3 The ( 30 ) The Lord proclaims his pow'r aloud Over the ocean and the land; His voice divides the wat'ry cloud, And lightnings blaze at his command. He fpeaks, and tempeft, hail and wind, Lay the wide foreft bare around ; The fearful hart, and frighted hind, Leap at the terror of the found. To Lebanon he turns his voice, And 1©, the Itately cedars break ; The mountains tremble at the noife, The valleys rOar, the deferts quake. The Lord fits fov'reign on the flood, The thunder reigns for ever king ; But makes his church his bleft abode, Where we his awful glories fing. Jn gentler language there the Lord 'me counfels Of his grace imparts : Amidft the raging ftorm his word Speaks peace and courage to our hearts. PSALxM XXIX. By Mrs. Toliet, YE kings and heroes! whole imperial fway The fubject nations of the world obey : Select the leaders of the flock with care, Whofe budding horns imagin'd rights prepare; To God's abode the deftin'd victims bring, And own the Lord, of majefty the fpring. "With rev'rence pure his facred name adore; The author of your delegated pow'r : For ( 3* ) Forftrength deriv'd from him your homage own; And proitratfefalJ before his awful throne. His Iov*reign voice re drains the hveliing floods ; He rolls his thunder through the fable clouds. His pow'r to bounds confines the raging fea ; And nature's laws his dreaded voice obey. His awful voice commands; and all around The ilately cedars tremble at the found: From fnow-crown'd Libanus the cedars torn, Their rifted bole and fhattcr'd branches mourn. Not woods alone, but folid mountains fhakc ; Like calves which herdfmen from their mothers take: Tall Libanus inclines, and Herman moves, As the young unicorn his fury proves. Th* Almighty fpeaks, the parted clouds give way, And through the breach the ruddy Uehtnij.gs play : The defert region, and the wild abode Of Ccui'ry/j, tremble at the voice of God. The foreit fhakes, and fore'd by ludden throes The frighted hinds their helplefs fawns depofe. The coverts mine, dete&ed by the bR-rr, And God*shigh temple ecchoes with his praife. The Lord, for ever king, though tempelh rave, Enthron'd refides above the roaring wave. Be thou in war thy people's dread defence; In peace the blefTings of calm peace difpenfe. PSALM XXXll. By Mr. Daniel. HOW happy is the man, how calm his breaft, Whofe peaceful confeience lulls his foul to reil ! Thrice happy, when the dang'rous dorm is o'er, And his good Godrefents his crimes no more; When hcav'n is reconcil'd, its anger part, And the long wihYd -for pardon's feai'd at loft ! C 4 How I 32 ) How fierce the fire, how dreadful is the fmart, When unrepented fin coniumes the heart ! Too well I know the wretched pain, who try'd To hufh my confidence ard my crime to hide : Morefilly 1, and fooliih who believ'd Guilt could be flifled, and my God de/reiv'd j But oh, too lbon the vain defign I mourn'd, Good heav n with what a twinge the thought return" J How did it pierce, and fly through ev'ry part: How did it rage, and flab me to the heart? rear and amazement in my looks v. ere feen; My very bones came itarcing through the fkin: Hell, Hell was in my breait By day for refuge I to bufinefs ?itd i And with affairs of moment fill'd my head ; But oh ! in vain I plunjfd myfelf in care ; The Hinging guilt purfu'd and rack'd me there. What mould 1 do r my eafy couch I preit, And thought that gentle deep would give me reft; 'J.Vep would net, could not come, the filent night Enlarged my crime, and gave it all to fight: from fide to fide I turn'd, I rav'd, I toll, And wifiYd my very fenfe of being loft. So when a Lion wounded from afar, Feels in his panting fide the quivVing fpear; Upward he iprings, then rolling on the ground, Tugs at the broken fliaft, and licks the wound ; Fev'rifh he flies, he feeks the cooling fhoars, And mad with pain, the lordly fa vage roars. Bleft was the time, and happy was the day When firir. my reafon reaffum'd its fway; 'Twas then with lhame 1 view'd my conduct pail, I loath/d, 1 mour.rd, and own'dmy crime at laftj Proftrate on earth before my God 1 lay, And in a flood of tears difTolv'd away; And, ( 33 .) And, oh! thcfe tears, faid I, fhall never ceafe, Till thy all-gracious hand has fign'd my peace. He heard, he faw, and willing to forgive, He pity'd, nay, he kindly bid me live. Then, the n I felt a fudden tranfport rife, Spring in my heart, and lighten in my eyes: From my charm'd foul I banifh'd ev'ry care; All heav'n runYd in, and took pofleilion there. Ye fons of Ij'rel, who with juil accord, Obey his precepts, and adore the Lord, Would ye through ilorms of life in fafety ride ? Let then your king's experience be your guide; Submit with pleafure to your Maker's fway, Loth to offend and willing to obey : Not like th' unthinking mule, or fluggim horfe, Which wants the goring fpur to win his courfe, For manly reafonfhould in good rejoice; Whilrl la.red love, not force directs his choice: Whene'er from virtue's precepts ye depart, Whene'er fome fav'rite vice has itain'd your heart; Let not a day efcape, one moment roll, But drive the dire contagion from your foul : Timely again!* the lurking ill provide, Nor vainly hope the latent guilt to hide : Dread an all -feeing God, his wrath affuagej Confcls, repent, and deprecate hk; rage, His rage which bids the angry tempeh 1 rife, Works up the waves, and blackens all the ikies ; From whofe broad hand the gather'd waters flow, Burrt o'er the tinner's head, and drown a guilty world below. lie wife, my fons, with humble reverence bend, In heav'n confide, and make your God your friend; Let a falie joy the finner's heart deceive, Chufe ye the fweets which innocence can give. C 5 In ( 34 ) In virtue's paths your happy hours employ, ~) No fears, no terrors fhall your peace deftroy, ^ Blefs your good God, and clap your hands for joy. J PSALM XXXIII. REJOICE, ye righteous, in the Lord, This work belongs to you, bing of his name, his ways, his word, How holy, juft and true! His mercy and his righteoufnefs Let heav'n and earth proclaim ; His works of nature and of grace Reveal his wond'rous name. His wifdom and almighty word The heav'nly arches fpread ; And by the fpirit of the Lord Their mining hofts were made. «He bid the liquid waters flow To their appointed deep ; The flowing feas their limits know, And their own ftation keep. Ye tenants of the fpacious earth, With fear before him ftandj He fpake, and nature took its birth, And rells on his command. He fcorns the angry nation's rage, And breaks their vain defigns ; His counfels ftand through ev'ry age, And in full glory mines. PSALM ( 35 ) PSALM XXXVI. WHILE men grow bold in wicked ways, And yet a God they own, My heart within me often fays, " Their thoughts believe there's none.'" Their thoughts and wa;, 5 at once declare [Whate'er their lips profef,) God hath no wrath for them to fear, Nor will they feek his grace. What ftrange felf-flattery blinds their eyes I But there's a haft'-fting hour When they (kail fee with fore furprize The terrors of thy pow'r. Thy juflice fhall maintain its throne, Though mountains melt away ; Thy judgment? are a world unknown, A deep unfathom'd fea. Above thefe heav'ns created rounds, Thy mercies, Lord, extendi Thy truth out lives the narrow bounds Where time and nature end. Safety to man thy goodnefs brings, Nor overlooks the beaft; Beneath the lhadow of thy wings Thy children chufe to reft. [From thee, when creature-ftreams run lo\/ ; And mortal comforts lie, Perpetual forings of life (hall flow, And raife our pleafures high. C 6 Though I 36 ) Though all created light decay, And death clofe up our eyes, Thy prefence makes eternal day Where clouds can never rife.] PSALM XXXVII. By Mrs. Masters. FRET r.otthyfelf when wicked rr. en prevail, And bold iniquity hears down the fcale. They and their glory quickly fhall decay, Swept by the hand of providence away, As verdant grafs, cut from its vital root, That withering, dies beneath the heedlefs foot: In piety refclv'd, on heav'n depend; His hand fhall feed thee, and his arm defend. Delight in him who hath the pow'r to blefs, And what thy foul defires, thou (halt poflefs; In all thy ways on providence recline, So fhall he vindicate each juft defign, Thy virtue in full profpect fhall be Ihewn, Clear as the morn, bright as the mid-day fun : In humble filence ever patient be, Wait the event of his divine decree, Though guilty policy her fchemes fulfill, Fret not thyfelf, nor imitate the ill. Sudden the fons of vice fhall be deftroy'd, And defolate the place they once enjo^d. But he that's humble, merciful and juft, And in his God repofes all his truit, Shall fee his cays protra&ed, void of cares, And pa's with pleafure all his fmiling years. The haiden'd wretch, that's grown from bad to worfe, May grind his teeth or vent the dreadful curfe, Or the black fchemes of hidden mifchief lay, HeavVi fav'rite children eager to betray : Th'Almighty ( 37 ) TrTAlmighty views him with a fcornfu! eye; Knowing the day of his deftruction nigh. Jn vain he draws the fword, and bends the bow, And levels at the juft the murd ring blow. His own falfe heart mall feel the fatal woun^, An J the fnapt bow lay miver'd on the ground. The humble pittance, by the good enjoy *d, With labour gain'd, with probity employ 'd, Is better far, and more to be defir'd, Than wealthy ftores, by wicked men acquir'd : Whofe arms (hall rail, whofe ftrength mall weaknefs prove, But the juft man no pow'r on earth mail move. His God is his fupport, his joy, his reft, And to eternity be (hall be bleft. When heavy judgments fweep o'er guilty lands, Secure in confeious innocence he ftands : When fountains fail, and earth denies her grain, When pinching want, and meagre famine reign. In his fair fields mail fruitful harvefts grow, And his frefh fprings with chryftal ftreams o'erflow. But ftubborn finners mail no mercy find ; For as light vapours fly before the wind, As offer'd lambs on glowing altars lay, Whofe burning fatconfumes and melts away, So mall they perifh all, and difappear; As clouds of (moke difperft in thinner air. All that is juft the wicked man decline?, Falfe are his words, and fraudful his defigns. With cafe he'll promife, and with eafe betray, " Lend me, fays he:" but never means to pay. What difTrent virtues grace the pious mind ! Here mercy is with chearing bounty join'd, Here open-handed Charity is feen, And foft Compassion with a gentle mien; Such ( 3* ) Such is the man, who longheav'n's favour fhares, And leaves the copious bleiling to his heirs. But he that travel s on in wicked ways, Is moil accurft, and ihort mall be his days. A good man's fteps arc all with caution trod, At once the charge ana fav'rite of his God: And if he flips (as fiitfe the bell: may err) He'sftill fupported by Almighty care. From bloommg youth to my declining years. I ne'er beheld the figl tecus or his heirs Unfriended, wandering, piteoufly implore The dole of charity from door to ^oor. His pray'rs, his pity, ev deed Entails a lafting bleffing on his feed. Obferve what's right, let fm be melt abhor'd, Immortal life mail be the great rew ard. For truth and virtue are by heav'n approv'd, And the juft mai: fhall be by heav'n belov'd. Protected by his Gc<. ; he knows no fear, For ever fife beneath his guardian's care. That friend of faints will lengthen out their days, "When fudden death cut; off the wicked race. But he, whofe life is regular and pure, Shall make his name to lateft times endure. Nor through unnumber'd cges mail decline, The patrimonial honours of his line. What wifdom dictates, he withpleafure tells, While his glad tongue on fweet inftru&ion dwells. Within his heart his maker's law prefides, And f.rm he treads whom true religion guides. In vain he's watch'd by his infidious foe, That feeks to flay him with a fecret blow. For heav'n, frill careful of its fervant's good, Shall fre. him from the hand diftain'd with blood. Or, if malicious fycophants combine, If wicked men in wicked counfels join: And C 39 ) And through black perjury and canker'd fpight, Perverted judgment feize his legal right; Intrepid he fullains the preflive ill, Confcious his God will hold him guiltlefs dill. With patient hope the path of God purfiie, Thine eyes a itrange viciifitude fhall view. Thy right reftor'd with larger trails of land, And pow'r, unknown befoie. fhall blefs thy hand. Thy late infulting foe to thee ihall bend, And thou (halt mark his miferable end. I have myfelf a potent villain fcen, Like the young laurel, vig'rous, lovely, green, With pow'r invelled, ftretch from fide to fide, Vain with fuccefs, and fwell'd with inward pride, Yet ibon this mighty man was fhrunk to earth; 'Twaa fcarce remember'd that he e'er had birth. I fought the place, where he fo lately flione, 'Twas all a wafte, the faithlefs matter gone. Behold the man, whqfe life's unblemifh'd round, Is with fair truth, and bright perfection crown'd: With v, hat compofure he refigns his breath, Serenely fmiling in the arms of deatji! But the tranfgrefling tribe mall foon decay, Though mercy for a while their fate delay. A certain vengeance on their race fhall fall, And one vaft ruin overwhelm them all. Tothejuftman profperity is giv'n, Ms Redeemer is die Lord of heav'n. But if a tryal of his faith be meant, Ard i jr th'it end fevere affliction's fent, His I fullains him in the day of woe, A i ■ i . es him ftrength to bear the chatt'ning blow. When angry men, a vile perfidious band, Approach to wound him with unhallow'd hand; To ( 4° ) To heav'n he looks, expe&ing fafety thence, And the mofi high will be his fure defence: Will crulli his toes and their n^ ad pow'r reflrain, For none e'er traded in the Lord in vain. PSALM XXXVIII. By Mr. Daniel. AH endlefs fource of woe ! ah fatal fmart Which inward burns, and preys upon my heart ! Bent down, and doubled to the earth I lie, Oh frown not, Mighty Being, or J die: The flings of guilt my confeious thoughts controul, And plant a thoufand daggers in my foul; The fad extremes of ill are juftJy join'd, A fev'rifh body, and a tortur'd mind; I merit all thy utmofl rage can do ; Yes, I deferve it all, and feel it too. Oh fee, moft mighty God, behold the wound Which racks my foul, and bows me to the ground; Sore fiery boils break out on ev'ry part,, They flame, they fhoot, they fling me to the heart; From who ehot plague, a noifome flench proceeds, Whilft all th'infected carcafe burns and* bleeds; Oh loathfome to myfelf ! oh foul difgrace! Where fhall the wretched David hide his face? Though one vafl fore o'er all my flefh is feen, Yet oh, I mourn a greater ill within; The caufe, the fatal caufe ftill hits my fight, It haunts my thoughts by day, my dreams by night: Wretched, nay very wretched let me be, What other can my fins expect from thee ? Why heaves my fwelling heart with forrows preft, Why does it pant, and flutter in my breaft ? What would'ft thou fay, my heart, or how exprefs, How tell the piteous tale of thy diftrefs ? Be ( 4* ) Be hunYd, fond thing, and let thy fighs alone, Too well thy follies, and thy griefs are known j He knows, he knows thee all, he fees thee through, Ah, as he fees, would he but pity too ! I thought in my diftrefs fome friends to find, If courts have friendfhip, or If vows can bind; Hut vows are light as air, and fiit away, And the falfe makers are as light as they i Caret efs they hear my groans, and mock my toil 5 Safe at a diltance they look on, and fmile. Oh cruel ! how have ye my heart deceiv'd ? How have ye fworn, and how have I believ'd? That 1 have finn*d againlt my God is true; But fay, unkind, what have I done to you ? Oh thou moll glorious Being, good, and jult, In whom my foul alone can fafely truft ; By all forfaken, to thy throne I flee, From a falfe world I turn mine eyes to thee ; For thou art friends, and world, and all to me. See how my foes in proud derifion ftand, And blefs the angry tokens of thy hand! Joyful, they think the happy time is come, To which my wayward fate has fix'd my doom. A thoufand fchemes, a thoufand plots they frame, To blaft my honour, and afperfe my fame: Food for a day fome new-coin'd lye is found, And the malicious *vhifper walks its round. Let the (ham patriots of their virtue boaft, And talk to gaping crowds of freedom loll; With blackell crimes my government be charg'd; My virtues lefTen'd, and my faults enlarg'd: Calm and unmov'd the Idle tales I hear; Inclin'd to pity, whom I fcorn to fear. Ah ! let not from fuch hands my ruin be ; 'Tis juft that I fhould die, -but die by thee ! } ( 4* ) O thou great ruler of the realms above, Eternal round of mercy, and of love; Look gently down, and pity the diftreft ; By friends forfaken, and by foes oppreft ; O pardon my preemption to believe, Bad as I am, that thou wilt ftill forgive ; From all my vile, my hateful fins I turn, With tears confefs them, and in allies mourn : O hear me, glorious Being, and forgive, Heal, heal a broken heart, and bid me rife and live. PSALM XXXIX. By Mrs. Masters. Ifaid, T will with ftricteft caution tread, And ever jealous my own ralhnefs dread ; Left haply, my unguarded tongue betray Impatient i'enle of providence's fway. My mouth, as with a bridle, I'll reftrain, And wicked men mail watch rny words in vaia. Determin'd thus, I kept my filence long, Nor good or evil ifiu'd from my tongue. But iecret mufings fecret pains impart, And grief fuppreft inflam'd my burning heart. Till warm reflection kindled in my breaft, And thus my tongue the fervent thought exprefl : Teach me, O Lord, to mark with wifdom's eyes, The narrow bounds in which my being lies ; The fcanty meafure of my years to weigh, And know my frail affinity with clay. Behold, how tranfient is the creature man J His longeft period lies within a fpan : His age ev'n teems as nothing in thine eye, And all his glory is but vanity. Soon ( 43 ) Soon flit his vifionary joys away, Ilimfclf the empty pageant of the day : Yet the fond wretch confumes himfelf with care, Collecting riches for an unknown heir. Since then each man is vanity and duft, In whom fhali J. repofe my hope and truil Where fhall my foul for real good attend ? Where but on thee, the never failing friend ? Of guilt and fhame remove the prefuve load, And let me Hill find favour with my God. Oh ! let me from mine enemies have reftj And be exempted from the (corner's jell. Speechlefs I fuffer what's ordain'd by thee, And by my iilence own the juft decree : Yet cli ! remove or mitigate my woe, Alas ! I faint beneath the pond'rous blow : How mould a worm before thy terrors fland ? Or bear the crufh of an Almighty hand? When thy juft vengeance chaftens man for fin, And confeience flings the guilty wretch within ; Kis frame £z£WZ n£ bI(jCSU!12 tWo»y •l-c-j And from his cheek the lively colour flies. So eating moths confume the weaver's toils, Fret the rich web and triumph in the fpoils. Surely each man is vain to an extreme, Himfelf a vapour, and his life a dream. Hear, mighty God, confider all my pray'rs, And give an anfver to my falling tears. Lo ! thou haft nVd my fhort abode on earth A ftranger and a pilgrim from my birth ; A traveller who foon mull difappear, Ev'n fuch am I, and fuch my fathers were. Oh ! for a while reprieve me from the tomb, Pity my youth and heal its fading bloom. Safpend f 44 ) Sufpend my fate, my wafted ftrength repair, Eefore I leave the well-known objects here. 'Ere in the grave I fhall forgotten lie, Loft to my Triends and hid from ev'ry eye. PSALM XXXIX. TE A C H me the meafure of my days, Thou maker of my frame ; I would furvey life's narrow fpace, And learn how frail I am. A fpan is all that we can boaft, An inch or two of time ; Man is but vanity and duft In all his flower and prime. See the vain race of mortals move Like fhadows o'er the plain, They rage and ftrive, defire and love, But all the noife is vain. Some walk in honour's gaudy fhew, Some dig for golden Ore, They toil for heirs they know not who, And ftrait are feen no more. What mould I wifh or wait for then From creatures, earth and duft ? They make our expectations vain, And difappoint our truft. Now I forbid my carnal hope, My fond defires recal ? J give my mortal intereft up, And make my God my all. PSALM ( 45 PSALM XLI. By Sir John Den ham. HE's bleft, nor (hall in danger fall, Who does the p^or i-j,a~d ; By wod preferv'd, on earth he ihall Receive a large reward. His enemies (hall ne er prevail, Nor lhall he iickiefs dread : If by dfeafe his vigour fail, The Lord will make his bed. My foul with mercy, Lord, reclaim, For IVe offended thee : My foe defines, my days and name . May both extinguifh'd be. His tongue, when he but fees me, fwells With vain and windy talk : The mifchief he conceives, he tells As he the ftreets does walk. With whifp'ring tales themfelves they pleafe, And fay, my bones are fore With fuch a peftilent difeafe, That I lhall rife no more. Nay, one who long had eat my bread, My friend and confident ; Though him I trufted, cloth'd, and fed, His heel againft me bent, But, Lord, thy mercy I implore, That I may them repay : I know that thou wilt me reftore, Nor give my foe the day. Thea ( 46 ) Then I before thy face ftiall dwell, And on thy care depend : Bled be the God of lfrael, "X ill time mail have no end. PSALM XLII. WITH earneft longings of the mind, My God, to thee I look ; So pants the hunted hart to find And tafte the cooling brook. When ftiall I fee thy courts of grace And meet my God again ? So long an abfence from thy face My heart endures with pain. Temptations vex my weary foul, And tears are my repaft ; The foe infults without controul, " And where 'j jour God at laji ? *Tis with a mournful pleafure now I think *>n ancient days : Then to thy houfedid numbers go. And all our work was praife. But why, my foul, funk down fo far Beneath this heavy load ? Why do my thoughts indulge defpair, And fin againft my God ; Hope in the Lord, whofe mighty hand Can all thy woes remove, For I ihall yet before him Hand, And fing reftoring love. PSALM ( 47 ) PSALM XLIII. By Mrs. Tollet. I. /"\ God ! deliver me from wrong; y^JV Defend me from an impious throng : From fecret guile and open it rife Relieve my fears, and free my life. II. O God ! from whom my ftrength is giv'n, Why from thy pre.ence am I driv'n ? Why rove I thus, of joy bereft, And to my foes defencelefs left? III. Of heav'nly light impart a ray ; Let truth divine direct my way ; And to the favour'd mountain guide, Which thy abode has {"anctify'd. IV. To God I then my fteps will bend, His holy altar to attend : The God who does my joys infpire; The Go% to whom 1 tune my lyre. V. Why droops my foul with forrow fraught, And dire inquietude of thought ? That dire inquietude refign, Delivered to the pow'r divine. VI. To him I yet my voice will raife, In pious melody of praife, To ( 4? J To him who does mj V. ith Ootid health and roieate hue. PSAL M XLV. By Mr,. Tollet. FP am my full heart burrs forth the cabling tream ; The youthful monarch is my darling theme Of facred verfe . my torgue. the ready ftyle Of the fv. if; icribe. puriues the chearful toil. O thou in beauty and ma;e:t:c grace Above the progeny of human race ! Upon thy lips ibft elocution flows : Such endlefj bkffii ga God on thee beftows. Thou, great in arms ! with military pride, Sofpend the blazing falchion at thy fide : pro p'rous omens ride in princely flate ; Truth. Mercy, Juftice, in thy t:ain lhaii wait. Thy right-hand, m '; ar:, "] Swift from the hov. (ball fend the piercing dart )> Again": th;. foes, and fix it in their heart. J SobdaM and varcu-fh'c then the ::. ions all With proftrate homage fhali before thee fall. ..-one,, O Gcd ! for ever (hail remain; u i- the fceptre of thy reign. The Love of e its thy breaft; And dire inj iffice aii thy thought] ctteft: J . i himfelf has Superior t:- thy peers. From thy The tears of myrrh with balmy breath refpire : The aromatic wood ur.folcs its ." And the. rich odour of the caffia meets : In iv'ry domes the meafur'd fpices lay, To fwefl thy ioys on this triumphal day. The royal maids attend, an honouhd band: And on thv right, behold thy confort ftand ; Her ( 49 ) Her fair cymarrin rich materials vies, Weighty with gold, and gay with various dyei. To this advice a willing ear impart ; Let this, my daughter ! eafe thy penfive heart . Forget the pleafures of thy native earth, Forget the royal author?- of thy binh ; So ihall thy beauty wi h thy bills imp-ove, The dearcft object of the monarch's love, To him thy Lord, fubmiffive honour pay, While at th> feet Pbarmuxa* daughters lay The wealth of lyrus" tributary fr, ere ; And .uppliant Grangers (hall thy grace implore. Though cloath'd in ridiant metal lhines the queen, Her nobleit charms are of the mind unfeen. Upon her robe the artful needle | A gay profufion of ernbroider"d fiowYs : With folemn pomp her fair companions bring The bright imperial virgin to the king ; With founds of oniverfai joy they come To the high portals of the royal dome. Thy abfent fire thy children mall repay ; And through the world extent their princely fway : My fong the fponfion of eternal fame, To future age mail celebrate thy name; To thee the joyful populace fhall raife, Their loud acJaim, and eccho to thy pr^ife. PSALM XI.V. 1\ f Y Saviour and my King, -LVJ Thy beau ies are divine ; Thy lips with bleilings overflow, And every grace is thine. D Now ( 5« ) Now make thy glory known, Gird on thy dreadful fword, And ride in majefty to Spread The conquefts of thy word. Strike through thy ftubborn foes, Or melt their hearts t'obey, While juftice, meeknefs, grace, and truth Attend thy glorious way. Thy laws, O God, are right ; Thy throne mall ever Hand ; And thy victorioui gofpel proves A fcepter in thy hand. [Thy Father and thy God Hath without meafure fhed, His fpirit like a joyful oil T'anoint thy facred head.] [Behold at thy right hand The Gentile church is feen, Like a fair bride in ri :h attire, And princes guard the queen.] Fair bride, receive his love, Forget thy father's houfe ; Forfake thy gods, thy idol gods, And pay thy Lord thy vows. O let thy God and King Thy fweeteft thoughts employ ; Thy children flu 11 his honour fing In palaces of joy. PSALM ( 5» ) PSALM XLVI. GO D is the refuge of his faints, When llorms of fharp diftrcs invade ; 'Ere we can offer our complaints Behold him prefent with his aid. Let mountains from their feats be hurl'd Down to the deep, and buried there ; Cfimvulfions (hake the folid world, Our faith fhall never yield to fear. Loud may the troubled ocean roar, In facred peace our fouls abide, While ev'ry nation, ev'ry fhore Trembles, and dreads the fwelling tide. There is a dream whofe gentle flow Supplies the city of our God ; Life, love, and joy ftill gliding through, And watVing our divine abode. That facred ftream, thy holy word. That all our raging fear controuls : Swee: peace thy premises afford, And give new llrength to fainting fouls. Sion enjoys her monarch's love, Secure a^ainft a threat'ning hour j Nor can her firm foundations move, Built on his truth, and arm'd with pow'r. Let Sion in her king rejoice, Though tyrants rage, and kingdoms rife; He utteia his Almighty voice. The nations melt, the tumult dies. D 2 Th« ( f* ) The Lord of old for Jacob fought, And Jacobs God is fill] our aid ■ Behold the works his hand has wrought, What deflations he has made. From fea to fea through all the fhores He makes the noife of battle ceafe ; When from on high his thunder roars, He av.es the trembling world to peace. He breaks the bow, he cts the fpear, Chariots he burns with heaver ly flame ; Keep filence all the earth, and hear The found and glory of his name. " Be flill, and learn that I am God, " Til be exalted o'er the lands, *■' I will be known and fear'd abroad, *' But flill my throne in Sion Sands." O Lord of Hods, Almighty King, While we fo mar thy prefence dwell, Our faith fhall ft fecure, and fing Defiance to the gates of hell. PSALM XLVIII. By Sir Jo h n De m . GREAT is our God, and greatly prais'd > Where he his fa. red manfidn rais'c ; Tne place is Sfari beauteous hill, Which with delight the world does fill , Adjoining to its northern Mc, The royal city is defer y'd, Whofe tow'rs and bulwarks God did guard, When war confed'rate kings declar'd. Their C Si ) Their guilty hearts with fear did quake. Trembling they did the feige forfake; Like women feiz'd with fudden fear, When once they feel their pangs are near As when the Eafieni wind does roar, And dafhes wrecks on Tar/us fhoar. In Sal-.m when the Lord appcar'd, We law his face, his voice we heard . That he his city wou'd protect, We on thy kindnefs did reflect. When to thy temple we repair'd, By us thy glory was declar'd. To the world's end, at thy right hand Eternal righteoufnefs does ftand. Let Judab\ daughters tune their voice, And Si on in thy pow'r rejoice ! Walking about the facred mount, Her palaces and tow'rs we'll count. Our children's children this fhall fee, And God till death our guide (hall be. PSALM XLIX. WH Y doth the man of riches grow To infolence and pride, To fee his wealth and honours flow With every rifing tide ? [Why doth he treat the poor with fcorn, Made of the felf-fame clay, And boafl as though his flefh were born Of better dull than they ?] D 3 Not ( 54 ) Not all his treafures can procure His foul a fhort reprieve, Redeem from death one guilt)' hour, Or make his brother live. [Life is a blefiing can't be fold, The ran om is too high ; Juftice will ne'er be bribed with gold, That man may never die.] He fees the brutifh and the wife, The timorous and the brave, Quit their potfeffion>, clofe their eyes, And haflen to the grave. Vet 'tis his inward thought and pride, " My houfe mail ever (land: u And that my name may long abide, w I'll give it to my land." Vain are his thoughts, his hopes are loft, How foon his memory dies / His name is written in the dull Where his own carcafe lies. This is the folly of their way ; And yet their fons as vain Approve the words their fathers lay. And act their works again. Men void of \wfdom and of grace, If honour rare th^m high, Live like the b:ai'r, a thoughtlefs race, And like the beaH they die. 'Li.d ( 55 ) [Laid in the grave like filly fheep, Death feeds upon them there, Till the laft trumpet break their fleep In terror and delpair.] Vc Tons of pride that hate the juft, And trample on the poor, When death has brought you down to duft, Your pomp fhall rife no more. The laft great day fhall change the fcene ; When will that hour appear ? When fhall the juft revive, and reign O'er all that fcorn'd them here ? God will my naked foul receive, When feperate from the flefh ; And break the prifon of the grave, To raife my bones afrefh, Heav'n is my everlafting home, Th'inheritance is fure ; Let men of pride their rage refume, But I'll repine no more. PSALM XLIX. By Mrs. Tollet. YE fons of humankind attend me all ? Ye habitants of this fublunar ball ; The rich, the poor, the mean, the nobly born, Obferve me well, nor my inftruttion fcorn. My lips difcurfive fcience fh2.ll impart, And all on prudence meditate my heart : To myftic truth in allegory told I bend my ear ; and to the harp unfold. D 4 In ( s* J \n adverfe times what fear have I to feel, Tho' then my guilt fhou'd prefs my flying heel ? Tho' fome in boafted heaps of wealth confide, And by their treafures fortify their pride, No bribe prevails with heav'n ; nor can it fave A ranfomM brother from the gaping grave : Por heav'n-born fouls fo poor a price tranfcend, As human wealth; and let their labour end. If life cou'd laft for ages long to -.ome, Yet hope not vainly to i fcape the tomb. Behold, a mournful Icene, before your eyes The frequent fun'rals of the grave aud wife: How they, like fools and idiots are no more; And leave to thanklcfs heirs their hoarded ftore. Yet (till with empty hopes their toils engage, In buildings to remain from age to age ; Such as tranfmitted through a long defcent. May bear their name, and be their monument. Yet povv'r and titles to their period hafte, 'Tis not the privilege of man to laft: Too well with thoughtlefs brutes may he compare, Whofe fleeting fpirit vaniihes in air. A ftupid couri'e! yet, in the beaten way, Their fenfelefs race approves of all they fay: Like fheep to (laughter they refign to doom, Their lifelefs limbs are bedded in the tomb ; To death's infatiate teeth a pieafing prey : "I But when the morning fhall awake the day, }> The juft fhall over them obtain the fway. J In that abode fhall wafte their lovely bloom, For ever baniftYd from their former home. But God my raniom'd fpirit fhall retrieve From their dire cave ; for me fhall he i eceive. Then fear not man ; not tho' his trea.ure fwelh To vaft exce s, and he in iplendor dwells : Nor fhali he be.ir, when he refigns his breath, His ufelefs riches to the fhades beneath ; Nor ( 57 ) Nor (hall the po*-pors cnfigns, which attend Hi> r'tei of funVal, fter him defcend. Yet while this vital air the mortal draws, Hi own felicity , the world's applaufe, He deems infeparable, to commend The man to int'reft and himfelf a friend. The darkling paths his father* trod before Himlelf ihall trace, and lee the fun no more. The man who does the pinnacle attain, If there the itance turn his giddy brain, Too well with thoughtlcis brutes may he compare, Whofe fleeting fpirit vanifhes in air. PSALM L. By Mts.Tolx.bt. ^HUS fpoke the fov'reign Lord ; his mandate^ run 1 Tofummon all the world, from whence begun Hi courfe, to where deicends the fetting lun. "* Prom Sttn God in matchlefs glory fhone : Nor ihall in fiience lead his tr.umphon; A ltream of rapia flame before devours, He wraps bin felf in ftorrr.s and fable ihow'rs. On heav'n above, and our inferior ball, He for his people fhall to judgment call : Summon my laints who have a contract made With me, by victims on my ai: r I d. The very heaven his juitice fhali a er: For God himlelf is now the arbitei. H^ar, O my people ! »vhile I fpeak, while I Myfelfagainfl thee, Ifrael! teflify : For I am God, my felf thy diet/. Nor thy neglcded facrifice I cl .im, Nor holocausts to feed the con.lant flame: No bullock from thy flails, nor from thy cctes Demand I now the leaders of thy goats. D 5 } ( 58 ) For mine is ev'ry beaft of ev'ry kind To fylvan laires or foreft-walls corifin'd : And mine are all the heids WiiOie number fills The fpacmus paftures of a thoufand hills. The fowls are mine upon the mountain brow, And mine the favages in felds below. Did hunger uige, to thee mould I omplain, "When earth is n ine, and all its ftoi t s contain ? Or fh 11 theflcfh of beeves be my r-f aft? Or mail the blood of goats delight mytafte? On God the tribute of thy thanks beftow; And to the pow'r moft high perform thy vow: Then call on me, when trouble clouds thy days; Ar.d find my aid, and render me thy praile. Then to the impious thus. Hadft thou a caufe To name my covenant, or preach my laws ? Who ftill ave.fe to d.fciplme, behind Haft: icatter'd my inftruclion in the wind. Thou, who with full confent and confeious eyes, Hnfl: ftiar'd the robber's and adult'rer's prize. Thy mouth promotes impiety and guile: 7'here doft thou fit thy brother to revile; Thy very brother of thy mother born Is by thy calumnies expos'd to fcorn. Such were thy deeds, which I in filence view'd: And thence did thy relerulcfs heart conclude That unconcern'd I to thy crimes agree; And b> itfelf prefune to judge of me. But to reprove thee, now thy deeds (hall rife, And open all their horrors to thine eyes. O! turn your thoughts, and all on this reflect, Too r rone > rur great creator to neglecl ! E'er yet he comes to rend the trembling prey, When all afliftance (hall be far away. 'Tis he 'he nobleft adoration pays Who offers up the facrifice of praife: And for the man who guides his aclions right, The faving pow'r of God fhall blefs his fight. PSALM ( 59 ) P S A L M LI. By Mr. Daniel. r^ Reat God, with confcious blufhes, lo ! I come .J To cry for pardon, or receive ray doom ! But oh ! I die when 1 thy anger meet, Proftrate I lay my body at thy feet ; How can I dare to afk for a reprieve ? Ivluft I ftill fin, and will mv God forgive? Thy ju^ice canno let thy mercy flow, Sti ike then, O itnke and give th»- deadly blow: Do ftill I live, and do I live to p-ove The inexhaulled tokens of thy love ? 1 hi* unexampled goodne'.s wounds me more, Than e'en the wrath I merited before. Oh I am all a blot, the fouleft fhame Has itain'd my icepter, and difgrae'd my name ; A name which once I could with honour boaft, Tut now the father of his people's loft : Th< ugh in the p;.ths of wickedne s I trod, Yet fure I mutt not loie .hee all, my God : Some little comfort to my foul impart, I ftel thee here triumphant at my heart; 'Tis thou alone canft eafe me of my pain, 1 Thy healing hand can blot out ev'ry Main, Can purge my mind, and make the leper clean Though darkly thy myfterious prophet fpoke, Whdft from hi* lips, th fatal meffage broke, Fix'd, and amaz'd, I itood confounded whole, Too foon his dreadful meaning reached mv foul; 1 'buu art the man ha.«- fiVd a deadly fmart, Yh u art the man lies throbbing at my heart. I am whatever thy anger can cxprefs, Nor can mv forrow make i y follies lefs. D 6 RahM, ] ( 6o ) RaisM, and exalted to the firft degree, Thy heav nly will had made the monan h free ; The fond reltraint of man I fcorn'd to own, But graip'd the Full polieffion of a crown ; ndu'g'd in eafe, I rul d without controul, And to its utmoft wifh enjoy 'd my foul : V^ain boait of pow'r. which vanifh'd into air, Since I forgot the Lord w ho fiVd me there ! Was it for this the gav'ft the gLrious land, And thine own flock committed to my hand ? Was I the fh^pheid to go full affray, Till innocence itfelf b cam my prey ? Ah no, the faulr was mine, I ftai-d alone, "| Be thine 'he praife, who plac\l rne on the throne, y The guilt, the folly, and the fhame my own. J Befo-e my birth the fatal ftain began, And growing vice purfu'd me into man, Too clofe i follow'd where inticement led, And in the pleafmg ruin plung'd my head : How wretched is the man, how loft his mind ; Whom pleafure foftens, or whom pafLons blind ? I mould have met the foe with equal (ires, And bravely combafed mine own defires : I ihouid bat Oh ! too foon I fell, for fin Had brib*d my heart and made a foe within: I broke thtouoh all, though conference did its part. (Confcienc£ the faithful guardian of the heart. H w viie mult I appear, how loll a thing ? The worit of tyrants, and no more a king ; O do not thou my abjeel ftate defpife, But let my cul find favour in thine eyes ; Thougu loathfome is my crime, and foul the (tain, The humble iuppliant never kneeis in vain. Amazing terrors in my bofom roll, And damp the riling vigour of my ioul ; 'Tis ( 61 ) 'Tis guilt, 'tis conscious guilt chat (h^es my frame, That chi'U my ardour, and bem'ghtb my flame ; An mighty God. vouchfafi thy quickening ray, "] Drive from my mind thefe gath'rii g clouds away, )► One kind regard can gi e agail the clay. J ]{' e'er my artlefs youth was th_> d< light, If e'er my foul was precious in tny light, If Da-vid ever mer ted thy care, Reftorc me to thyfelf, and lx me there j Tlien let a thouiand gay delufiona rife, Let llatt'ring vice fitfffiiling in mine ryes, Undaunted i wi'l go my faith .o prove, And give my God an inftaute of my L.ve ; The blight temptation (hall before me flee, And my antainted loul (hall reft on thee. I feai like S/uti I have incurr'd thy hate, And as I fill his throne, mould mare his fate; Well I remember how th'infernal guelt Tun ultUQua heav d, ai d labour'd in his Lreaft ; d I faw his dreadful eye ba.ll* roll, Whilft cold difmay hung fhtidu'ring o'er his foul ; His frantic rage lublided hs 1 play'd, And mafic s otter povv'rs the fpright obey'd ; 'J h r potent harp wliichc uld the fiend command, Now drops as ufelefs from its matter's hand ; Eternal torments in my bo loin rage, My fiercer g r iefs no mulic can alfwage ; ''('is thou a'one canll fuccour the d ft re ft, And drive the tuilen fury from my breaft. Whene'er the horrid deed I backward trace, My ioul ro.ls inward, ard forgets her peace ; Waking I dream, and in the iilent night A frightful vifion fta.ks before my fight ; The pale Uriah walks his dreadful round, He (hakes his head, and points to every wound : O foui dilgracc to arms ! who now will go To fight my battles, and repel the foe ? Who ( 62 ) Who now to diftant climes for fame will roam, To fall at laft by treachery at hoir.e ? Unhurt the coward may to ages fland, The brave alone can d.e by my command ; Oh hold my brain, to wiM diftra&ion wrought, I will not, cannot bear the painful thought : Oh do ?:ot fly me, for thv mcicy's fake ; Turn thee, Oh turn and hear the wrcchec fpeak ; Ev'n fclf condemned thy kreeling fervent fave, And raife a drooping finner from the grave. Speak mighty God, and bid thy fervant live, Let my cha nfd ears but hear the wo.d — fogive; My joyful mule (hail tear the tidings n ur.d, W hi lft lift'i ing wor'ds fhall catch the grateiul found : Thus other finners mill obedient t rove, And t. ught by me ma' w( nder at thy love; My firm niolve mail their example be, To place their trull ?nd confidence in thee. By other hands !et the n.rce herd be fiain, And on a thou and altars in.oke in vain; Theie tears my better advocates fhall be, No poor atoi.ing ram mail die for me ; My penitence fhall act a nobler pait, I bring a broken and a contrite heart; Out Oh, if ftric'teit juilice mult be done, If my relentlefs fate comes driving on, I ftand the mark whatever ib decreed, Be Jjral iafe, and let its morarch bleed, On me, on me, th> utmoft vengeance take, Eut ipare my peopie for thy mercy's fake: O let 'Jerufmicm to ages iknd, Euild thou her walls, and ipread her wide command ; So (hall thy name for ever be ador\i, And future worlds like me fhall blefs the Lord. PSALM C 6 3 ) P S A L M LV. OGod, my refuge, hear my cries, Behold my flowing tears, For earth and hell my hurt devife, And triumph in my fears. Their rage is lev 11 'd at my life, M; foul with guile they load, And fill myth ughrs with inward ft rife, To make my hope in God. With inward pain my heart- ftrmgs found, I groan wi.h every breach; Honor and fear be tt me round An.ong't the (hades of death. O were I like a feather'd dove, /• nd innocence had svings ; I'd fly, and make a long iemove From all theie reftlefi things. Let me to fome wild defart go, And find a peaceful home, Where ftorms of malice never blow, Temptations never come. Vain hopes, and vain inventions all To T ape the rage of hell! The mighty God on whom I call Can (ave me here as well. By ( H ) By morning light I'll feek his face, peat my cry, Tht night mall hear me afk his grace, Nor will he long deny. God fhall preferve my foul from fear, Or fhield me when afaid ; Ten thouiV d angels muft appear If he command their aid. I caft my burdens on the Lord, The I od :ui ; air.< them all ; M) courage refts u] on hi^ word That laincs mail never fall. My hioheft hopes fhall not be vain, My lips fhall fprtad his praife ; While ciutl and deceitful men, Scarce live out half their da ; s. PSALM LVI. By Sir John Denham. A Gain ft my foes, O Lord, moft high, To thte for my defence I fly ; They by a ftrong oppreflmg pow'r, With multitudes vvou d me devour. I, when difmay'd. truft in thy arm, And then from fltfh I fear no harm ; My uoids to a wrong fenfe they bend, And mifchief in their thoughts intend. Hiding themfelves, my flep> they mark, And wou'd cieflroy me in the dark : Shall ( *S ) Shall they efcape ? O let thy wrath Purfue them in their fecret path ! Thou all my wand'ring fleps haft told, Mj tears are in thy book enroll'd : And when to thee my God I call, My enemies, or fly, or fall. God's word I will for ever praife, And trophies to his conqueft raife, The vows I made to him I'll pay, Nor fear what man can do or fay. He from the grave my foul recals ; Thcu wilt prcferve my feet from falls, In God's ftrait path to walk upright, When I (hall fee his faving light. PSALM LVII. MY God , in whom are all the fprings Of boundleis love, and grace unknown. Hide mc beneath thy fpreading wings Till the dark cloud is overblown. Up to the heavens I fend my cry, The Lord will my defi es perform j He fends his angel from the flcy, And faves me from the threat'ning (torm, Be thou exalted, O my God, Above the heavens where angels dwell ; Thy power on earth be known abroad, And land to land thy wonders tell. My heart is fix'd j my fong (hall raife Immortal honours to thy name; Awake, ( 66 } Awake, my tongue, to found his praife, My tongue, the glory of my frame. High o'er the earth his mercy reigns, And reaches to the utmoit fky ; Kis truth to endlefs years remains, When lower worlds diflbive and die. Be thou exalted, O my God, Above the heav'ns where angels dwell ; Thy pow'r on earth be known abroad, And land to hnd thy wonders tell. PSALM LVIII. By Mrs. Tollit. SAY, O ye fenators ! do you purfue Untainted probity in ev>y view ? Ye fons of men ! do all your votes unite To guard the fentence of impartial right ? Alas ! within your heart injuitice lies, And governs there, fecurc in her difguife ; While that unequal balance in your hand Diftributes violence through all the lana. The impious, though but late produe'd to day, Divert from good : but newly born they ftray With early fteps ; their infant voice they try, And their firft accents ifiue in a lie. Swol'n with the bane, their livid veins partake The noxious venom of the turgid lnake : They, like the fullen afp, refuie to hear j Who folds the winding mazes of her ear, Nor liftens to the voice whofe &ill excels In magic harmony and potent fpells. Difarm their mouths, O God ! and fcatter far The dreadful weapons of the lion's war, Broke irom their jaws. So let them roll away As ebunc waters hailen to the fea. To. bring "J ing, S- ing ftring. J ( 67 ) Together when the circling points they bring Of the tough horn, the fhinjng fhaft to wi Snap the ftrong bow, and burlt the found So let them wafte, as mails diflblve in flime: As births which immature prevent their time, N( r fee the golden fun. Ere yet the blaze Of crackling thorns can heat the brazen vafe, Thefe, doom'd to heav'nly wrath a living prey, Enwrap'd in vvhiilwi ds he mall bear away, The pious man, renVcling on the fight, Which fills his bofom with fevere d. light, Obferves celeitial vengeance now complete; And in the blood of turners bathes his feet. Mankind (hall then pronounce: afford we truft That retribution (hall attend the jult: No doubt regains, that God, the Lord of all Difpenfes juflice through this earthly ball. PSALM LX. By Sir John Denham. WE under thy difpleafure mourn, Calt out, difperft; but, Lord, return. The earth with many breaches quakes; Heal them, for me for terror makes. Under thy heavy hand we fink, And bitter cups of forrow drink: Yet thou at lait hall lent us aid, Thy truth her banner has difplay'd. That thy beloved fafe may ftand, Heard and deliver'd by thy hand; Gcd by his holinefs did fwear, Now mall my pow'r with joy appear, Sue cot b ( 68 ) SuccotbandSickem with a line I'll mcafure, Gilead (hall be mine: Manafjeh alfo me (hall know ; In Epbraim J my ftrength will fhew. Judah my lawgiver (hall be; Philijlia, be thou glad of me. Moab the work of flaves (hall do, O'er Edom I will call my fhoe. Who guides me to the well-fenc'd town, That I may rafe her bulwarks down. Are we abandon'd to our foe, Nor wilt thou with our armies go?^ Lord help us, for man's help is vain, Thy arm our courage muft fuflain. Part of PSALM LXII. MY fpirit looks to God alone; My rock and refuge is his throne, In all my fears, in all my ftraits, My foul on his falvation waits. Truft him, ye faints, in all your ways, Pour out your hearts before his face : When helpers fa ; l and foes invade, God is our all-iufficient aid. Falie are the men of high degree, The baier fort are vanity ; Laid in the balance both appear Light as a puff of empty air. Make ( 69 ) Make not increafing gold your truft, Nor let your hearts on glitt'ringduft ; Why Wiii you gralp the fleeting linoke, And not believe what God has fpokx ? Once has his awful voice declar'd, Once and again my ears have heard, * : All power is his eternal due; M He mult be fear'd and truited too." For fov'reign pow'r reigns not alone, Grace is a partner of the th r one: Thy grace andjuftice, mighty Lord, Shall well divide our laft reward. PSALM LXII. By Mrs. Rowe. ^"V God, my firft, my laft, my ittdfaft choice, \^/ My boundlefs blils, the fpring of all my joysf 111 worlhip thee before the filver moon With iilent pace, has reach'd her cloudy noon; Before the ftars the miunight ikies adorn, L mg, long before the flow approach of morn. Thee I'll invoke, to thee glad anthems fing, And with my voice join each harmonious firing: The midnight echoes at thy name fhall wake, And on their wings the joyful burthen take; Whil one bright lmile from thee, one pleating ra ;> Through theiUl (hades mall dart celeftial day. As the fcorchM traveler in a defart land, Tracing with weary fte f >sthe burning fand ; And fainting underneath the fierce extremes Of raging thirft, longs for refreshing ftreams; So pants my ;oul, with fuch an eager ltrife I follow thee, the facred fpring of life. Open ( 7° ) Open the boundlefs treafures of thy grace, And let me once more fee thy lovely face; As J have feen thee in thy bright abode, When all my pow'rs confeft the prefent God. There I could fay, and mark the happy place, 'Tvvas there 1 did his glorious foot fteps trace; Twas there (O let me raife an altar there!) I faw as much of heav'n as mortal fenfe could bear; There from his eyes I met the heav'nly beam, That kindled in my foul this deathlefs flame. Life, the mod valu'd good that morta's prize, Compar'd to which, we all things elfe defpife ; Life, in its vigorous pride, with all that's flor'd In the extent of that important word; Ev'n life itfelf, my God, without thy love, A tedious round of vanity would prove. Grant me thy love, be that my glorious lot, Swallow'd in that, be all things elfe forgot! And while thofe heav'nly flames my breaft infpire, I'll call up all my pow'rs, and touch the tuneful lyre^ With all the eloquence of grateful lays, I'll fing thy goodnefs, and recite thy praife, The charming theme fhall ftill my foul employ, And give me foretaltes of immortal joy; With filcnt rapture, not to be expreft, My eager wilhes here fhall richly feaft, When lullen night its gloomy curtains fpreads, And foothing fleep its drowfy influence fh ds; 1 11 baniih fiat. Yin;, flumbers from my eyes, And praile thee till the golden morning rife; Thofe filent hours fha 1 confecrsted be, Ana through the liit'ning lhades I'll fend my vows to thee. PSALM ( V ) PSALM LXIII. Imitated. T\yTOUNT, mount my foul unto the realms of IV1 light, And early feek the Lord of pow'r and might; For thee my God, I thirlt like parched earth, Or lands unpeopled with continual dearth, Where no kind fhow'rs their genial influence fhed, But wither'd nature hangs her drooping head; Thus, thus my panting foul longs to explore, The ource of blifs whofe goodnefs I adore. Thy wond'rous love tome doth far excel, All other comforts that in life do dwell; With hands uplift my lips fhall give thee praife, And all my being join the grateful lays. In thefe bleft thoughts I clofe my weary eyes, And meditating on thy mercies rife; My aid and refuge thou art near at hand, O'erfhadow'd by thy wings Secure I Hand. They who to fpill my foul mould e'erprefume, Death foon (hall fnatch them to the gaping tomb, Or the devouring fword without delay, Shall doom them to the favage bcafts a prey. M To this my God, I'll raife my tuneful voice, " Lift up my heart ana in thy praife rejoice: " Truth like the rifing fun mall dart its ray», " And lies like dar^nefa flee the mighty blaze." Part of PSALM LXV. THE G d of our fal^ar ; on hears The groans of t ion mix'd with tears ; Yet when ho comes wth kind defigns, Through all the way his terror fhines. On ( 7* ) On him the race of man depends, Far as the earth's remoteft ends, Where the Creator's name is known, By nature's feeble light alone. Sailors that travel o'er the flood, Addrefs their frighted foul to God, When tempefts rage, and billows roar At dreadful diftance from the fhore. He bids the noify tempefts ceafe; He calms the raging croud to peace, When atumutuous nation raves, Wild as the winds, and loud as waves. Whole kingdoms fhaken by the florin, He fettles in a peaceful form ; Mountains eitablifh'd by his hand Firm on their old foundations Hand. Behold his enfigns fweep the Iky, New comet:: bJaze, and lightnings fly; The heathen lands, with wift furprize, From the bright hoirors turn their eyes. At his command the morning ray Smiles in the Eaft, and leads the day. . He guides the fun's declining wheels Over the tops of weflern hills. Seafons and times obey his voice ; The evening and the morn rejoice To lee the earth made foft with fhowers, Laden with fruit and dreft in flowers. Tis ( 73 ) 'Tis from his watVy ftores on high, He gives the thirity ground fupply ; He walks upon the clouds, and thence Doth his enriching drops difpenfe. The defart grows a fruitful field, Abundant fruit the valleys yield ; The valleys lhout with chearful voice, And ncighb'ring hills repeat their joys. The paftures fmile in green aray, There lambs and larger cattle play ; The larger cattle and the lamb, Each in his language (peaks thy name. Thy works pronounce thy power divine; O'er every field thy glories fliine ; Through every month thy gifts appear; Great God, thy goodnels crowns the year. PSALM LXV. By Mrs. Tolut. FROM thee, O God ! begins the facred fong : On the, O God! attends the pious throng In Sieves courts, the grateful vow to pay, And dellirfd vi&ims on thy flames to lay. To thee, whole ear receives the voice of pray "r, Shall all of animated earth repair. My num'rous crimes fad prevalence obtain : But thine it is to purge the guilty ftain. How happy he, diltinguihYd by thy choice, To near attendance fummon'd by thy voice. Who in thy courts for ever mall remain, And taftc the bounteous bleflings of thy fane. E Thou, } \ ( n > Thou, by terrific deeds in juftice wrought, Shalt give the anfwer which our vows have fought; O laving Deity ! who doft maintain ") The hopes of all on earth's extended plain, And all who wander on the fpacious main. His firength the rocks has rooted to the ground : And pow'r with myftic cindture girds him round. His will the roaring ocean can afiuage ; Or curb a frant.c nation's wilder rage. Thy fignals, with tremendous dread, controli The limitary circles of the pole: The various climates where the fun difplays His early beam, or hides his letting rays, Refound a joyful echo to thy praile. j If thou to our ir.ferior region come, The gentle fhow'r reitores its vernal bloom : The itream divine a rich profufion yields. And with a golden harveil glads the f:e;ds. The genial moiilure chears the furrowM plain, The ridge fubiides, and fofrens with the rain. Thus blefb'd by thee does infant fpring appear; And thy indulgence crowns the future year, While, from beneath thy iteps, the clouds around Witn fragrant dews enrich the fertile ground. Ev'n on the defert waltc the drops diitill j And grateful mirth refounds from ev'ry hill. Tht lilver flocks the pafture lands adorn, "J The vallies glitter with the waving corn, ) And o'er the fu.iling fields the vocal joys are born, j P S A L M LXVIII. By Mrs. Tollet, LE T God arife, while, all in dire difmay, His impious foes mall fly, diipers'd away; So let them fiv be 'ore, a routed holt, As curling fmoak in fluid air is loll : As ( 75 ) As pliant wax is liquify \1 by fire, So let the guily waice in God's avenging ire. Ye pious votaries I let grateful joy Dilate your biealt, and all your pow'rs employ : Attune your voice to celebrate his fame, Who rides aloft on yon celeftial frame ; ? Rejoice in Jtw, histtenerable nime. J The orphan babes in him a father know ; And he relieves the v, idow'd matron's woe : Impartial judge ! he vindicates her cauie, And from his facred feat afTerts his laws. The folitary train he knows to bind In mutual ties, and uiiey of mind : The captive he delivers from his chain, And leads him forth to liberty again ; Tut dooms the curs'd apoitate to remain In thirll and famine on a fandy plain. When thou, O God ! all radiant at our head, Didll through the pathlefs wild thy people lead, Earth fhook beneath; diltil'd the iable fhow'r From heav n above, before th'approaching pow'r : Ev'n Sinab trembl'd on his folid bafe, Before the God, the God of IfraeTs race. Thou pour'it the plenteous Mores of timely rain To chear the thirny glebe of thy domain : Thy own peculiar people there refides ; And there thy bounty for the poor provides. He fpake ; a numerous train attends the word, And loud proclaims the dictates of the Lord. The kings and captains fled in hafte away : While women and domeliics fhare the prey. Ye who fo late, in deep dejection fpread, Among the fuliy'd caldrons make your bed. Shall )et ar.fe, fair as the wings thac fold The Giver dove, who e plumes are r ay'd with gold. When kings for >ou th'.Alruighty put to flight, Not fnow on Sa!n:on was more lovely white. E 2 The f 7* ) The hill of God like Bajans hill afcer.ds, High as the hill which Bafans verge defends Why leap you thus, ye hills : on this alone The Lord has nVd hh manfion and his throne. Him twice ten thomand chariots in array. The bright angelic myriads him obey : Prefidcs the fov'reign, as of old J^e lhin'd, On Sinms fummit in the blaze enfhrin'd. While thou to heav'n in triumph doft arife, Thy refcu'd captives wait thee to the flues: The tribute pay'd to thee, thou doll bellow ~\ In bounties to mankind and ev'n thy foe ; )> That God may dwell with mortals here below. J Blefs"d be the powV, whofe goodnefs ev"ry day Does needful aid ar.d benefits convey: The God on whom we for falvation wait ; \nd who commands the avenues of fate. He en their head his enemies (hail wound ; Deep on their head with flowing trefTes crown'd: Such is their doom, who on the guilty way Proceeding farther more from virtue ftray. Thus fpeke the Lord. My own felecleri train ~) Again I guide from Bafc.ns fertile plain; )> Again, from deep recefTes of the- main. J To purple o'er thy feet with hollile bleed, While thy infatiate dogs mail lap the fanguine flood. My fov'reign Lord ! what majelty divine Attends thy regal progrefs to thy fhrine : The venerable prieibs, a vocal choir, Precede, behind refounds the folemn lyre ; Fair virgins march amid the pious throng, And with the lively timbrel raiie the fong, To God, afi'embled tribes ! Your praifes Ting, Sincerely flowing from the vital fpring. There waits the rev'rend patriarch's youngeft born, And chiefs with his dimininYd race adorn; There Juda, deftin'd to a nobler fate, In fynod firft, and fail in princely flate. While ( 77 ) le Zebulon and Nepthali forfake The borders of their fea-refembling lake. O Author of our force ! by thy decree Confirm the work which was begun by thee. Led by thy fame, to Sofymas high dome Suppliant ihall tributary monarchs come. Break thou the fpear, and proftrate on the ground The mailers of the herd for ftrength renowifd ; Till each his pride, and all his rage refign, With wealthy prefents from the filver mine : So fcr.tter thou the bands, whole dire delight Is in the walte of rapine and of fight. Then princes mail attend from Egypt's fands : To God Hi all Ethiopia lift her hands. With early zeal ye various nations join, And with united voice extol the pow'r divine. He on his glorious chariot rides on high, On the primaeval empyrean fky : Hark ! how he fpeaks ; with formidable found The dreadful echo thunders all around. Afcribe to him omnipotence alone Who has in Ifrael fix'd his awful throne : But gathered clouds, his radiant ftate conceal, And over his tribunal caft a veil. How dreadful is the majefty divine ! What terrors wait around his facred fhrine. "Tis JfraeTs God with glory and fuccefs Adorns his tribes : 'tis ours his name to blefs. Part of P S A L M LXXI. GO D of my childhood, and my youth, The guide of all my days, 1 have declard thy heavenly truth, And told thy wond rous ways. E 3 Wilt ( -s I Wilt thou forfake my hoary hairs, And leave my fainting heart ? Who fnall fuftain my finking years If God my ftrength depart? Let me thy power and truth proclaim To the furviving age, And leave a favour of thy name When I (hall quit the ftage. The land of filence and of death Atcends my next remove \ O may thefe poor rema ns of breath Teach the wide world thy love ! Thy righteoufnefs is deep and high, Unfearchable thy deed:; Thy glory fpreads beyond the iky, And all my praife exceeds. Oft have I heard thy threat'nings roar, And ofc enour'd the g.ief : But when thy hand has pre ft me fore, Thy grace was my relief. Bv long experience have I known Thy fovereign power to ave ; At thy command J venture down Securely to the grave. When I lie buried deep in dull, My flefh mail be thy care ; Theie withering limbs with thee I truft To rane them ftrong and fair. P S A L M ( 79 ) PSALM LXXII. By Mrs. Rowe. BLeft prince of righteoufnefs and peace, The hope of all mankind ! The poor, in thy unblemifti'd reign, Shall free protection find. Secure of juft redrefs, to thee Th'opprefs'd his caufe mall bring ; While with the fruits of facred peace The joyful fields fhall fpring. Through endlefs years thy glorious name The righteous fhall adore, When fun and moon have run their courfe, And meafure time no more. Thou malt defcend like the foft drops Of kind celeftial dews ; Or as a fhowY, whofe gentle fall The joyful fpring renews. The juft fhall flourifh in thy days, And facred truth abound, While in the fkies the changing moon Reftores her nightly round. Peace fhall with balmy wings o'erfhade Our favoufd walls around ; With grafs the meads, with plenteous corn The mountains fhall be crown'd. ( So ) A handful fcatter'd on the earth, Shall rife a wond'rous crop ; The loaded ftalks fhall bend like trees On Lebanon 's high top. Thy glory no eclipfe fhall fee, But fhine divinely bright : While from his orb the radiant fun Darts- undiminifVd light. Converted nations, bleft in thee, Shall magnify thy grace, Call thee their glorious ranfomer, And hope of all their race. With love and facred rapture nYd, Thy lofty name we'll fing : Thou only wond'rous things hail: done, The everlafting king ! From all the corners of the ear th Let grateful praife afcend : Let loud Jmens, and joyful fhouts, The Harry convex rend. On PSALM LXXIII. By Mrs. R o w e. Whom have 1 in heaven hut thee, &c. TH £ calls of glory, beauty's fmiles, And charms of harmony, Are a]l but dull, infipid things, Compared, my God, with thee. Wkbov ( 8i ) Without thy love I nothing crave, And nothing can enjoy ; The proffer'd world I ihould neglecl, As an unenvied toy. The fun, the num'rous liars, and all The wonders of the fries, Jf to be purchas'd with thy fmiles, Thou know'ft I would defpife. What were the earth, the fun, the liars, Or heav'n itfelf to'me, (My life, my everlafting blifs !) If" not lecufd of thee ? Celellial bow'rs, feraphic fongs, And fields of endlefs light, Wou*d all unentertaining prove, W ithout thy blifsful light. PSALM LXXIII. By Mrs. Tollet, 5 f I ^ I S certain God to Jfrael does approve, To hearts untainted, his indulgent love. But from his path my feet were near to Hide, And my unfteady iteps to turn afide : At impious men my breaft with envy fwcll'd, When profp'rous guilt in triumph I beheld. When I obferv'd, from where it f.rfl begun, On to the laft their thread fo fmoothly run : While inexhaufted ftrength renews their prime, Finn and unconfdous of the wafte of time. Exempt from adverfe chance, they never know That common fate which mortals undergo ; That univerfal lot of human woe. j E c Yet \ Vet favour'd thus, with in r o1ence they deck As with an honorary chain their neck : For this are they, as with a mantle fpread To wrap them iound, with violence array'd. Inclos'd with fuelling fat, their eye-balls ftart : Tr.eir wealth exceeds the wifhes of the heart. To all around does their contagion reach ; They menace outrage, arrogant of fpeech : Their mouth orpofes heav'n ; their cer.lures go Through all the habitable world below. Tor this the vulgar courts them ; whence they drain, As from a plenteous bowl, no fknder gaiu : And yet, can God difcover this ! they cry; Is he omnifcient whom they ityle moit high ? Behold the impious ! what the world confers In fmooth fuccefs or wealthy ftore is theirs. Then I, alas ! have purg'd my heart in vain : Ard purify'd my hands from guilty ftain. The live long day with fcrrow was I worn ; My anxious doubts awaker/d with the morn : Almoir, my fe Hence did with theirs agree ; Then to thy children I injurt fnou'd be. I labour'd long this fcience to attain ; But found my force unequal to the pain : Till I perplex'd the fanctuary fought, Where I at length their final doom was taught. How thou haft plac'd them, where, too apt to Aide, They totter on the pinnacle of pride : And then from thence by thee are headlong thrown, And into depths of ruin tumble down. Hew in the momentary glance of thought, They to a dreadful fate at once are brought I Like vifions, which before the fieeping eye Glide fmoothiy on, but with the {lumbers fly, So thou, O Lord ! the phantom (halt difdain, When from repofe thou {halt arife again. This conflicl long difo.uieted my heart; My vsry reins were thrilTd with piercing fmart : My ( «3 ) My fenfe, when I adventur'd to difpute The caufe with thee, did not excell the brute. Yet by thy fide for ever I remain ; And me thou doft by my right hand faftain : To guide me here thy council thou fittll And after that to glory ihalt receive. Whom but thyfelf have J in heav'n above ? Or who on earth with thee divides my love ? No ! though my wafted fiefh fhould wear away, My heart with languid pulfe forget to play, Vet God its lively vigour mall re (lore ; And be my heritage for evermore. Behold ! they perifh all, from thee who rove, And to thy rivals yield their perjurid love. 'Tis beft that I with near attendance wait, And trull in God : and then I fnall relate His noble acls in Sions lofty gate. J \ Part of P S A L M LXXIII. QURE there's a righteous God, • » Nor is religion vain ; Though men of vice may boafl aloud, And men of grace complain. I faw the wicked rife, And felt my heart repine, While haughty fools with fcornful eyes, In robes of honour mine. [Pamper'd with wanton eafe, Their flefh looks full and fair, Their wealth rolls in like flowing feas, And grows without their care. E 6 Free ( 8 4 ) Free from the plagues and pains That pious fouls endure, Through all their life oppreffions reign, And racks the humble poor. Their impious thoughts blafpheme The everlafting God : Their malice blafts the good man's name, Anft fpreads their lies abroad. But I with flowing tears Indulg'd my doubts to rife ; " Is there a God that fees or hears " The things below the Ikies ?*•] The tumults of my thought Held me in hard fufpence, Till to thy houfe my feet were brought To learn thy juftice thence. Thy word with light and pow'r Did my miftakes amend ; I view'd the finners life before, But here I learnt their end. On what a flippery fleep The thoughtlefs wretches go ; And O that dreadful fiery deep That waits their fall below I Lord, at thy feet I bow, My thoughts no more repine : I call my God my portion now, And all my powers are thine. PSALM ( «5 ) PSALM LXXIV. By Mrs. Toll et. WHY, Lord! To long from us doft thou retire? Againft thy pafture flicep why glows thine ire r On thy aflembly turn thy thought once more; Thy ancient right, by purchafe thine of yore: Thy glebe redeem'd, and fubjecl to thy rod; This hill of Sion y once thy lov'd abode. O! hither turn thy fleps! O hither hailc, Or to repair, or to revenge the wafte : Where impious foes reduce thy holy fane To ruins, which for ever muft remain. Within thy courts they raife a horrid cry : And fix their ftandards in the air to fly. To lift the polihYd ax, in former days, On (lately cedars, was the workman's praife: But now at once descending axes found, The weighty hammer's blunter ftrokes rebound, Till all the artifice that did adorn The gilded fretwork from the walls is torn. Nor fo content, their facrilegious hands Within thy fhrine have tofs'd the flaming Brand*; The manfion where abode thy name before Have they profan'd, and level'd with its floor. Their hearts infpir'd; let all to ruin turn: Thefynagogues through all the land they burn. No wonted omens now our profpeel: chear: ""j Nor rifes now the vifionary feer; ^ Nor one the dark events of future times to clear. J O God ! how long (hall thus thy foe defame ? Mult he for ever thus revile thy name? Why does thy hand, as if contracled reft? Thy better hand ? O ! draw it from thy breafi. For God my fov'reign is from nature's birth: The author of falvation through the earth. ( 36 ) By potent might thou didit the Tea divide; And crufh the heads of dragons in the tide : Thy ftrcke the vaft leviathan confounds, And cleaves his many heads with mortal wounds ; The people who along the defert ftray Upon the coaft ihall feaft upon the prey. Exprefs'd by thee, from rocky fiffures glide The fpring andflreams; while rapid floods are dry'd. Thine is the day, with golden luftre bright; And thine the fpangled purple of the night: The dawn which opens with a rofy gleam ; And the full glories of the folar beam. Thou didit the globe with various zones inclofe : And mad'ft the fummer's heat, and winter's fnows. Remember, Lord ! how thus thy foes exclaim ; How ftupid idiots dare revile thy name. Oh ! do not thou to cruel hands refign This harmlefs tim'rous turtle which is thine: Nor to profound oblivion doom the poor. Recall to mind thy covenant once more : For in the caves of earth remote from day, Relentlefs Murther watches for her prey. Arife, OLord! to vindicate thy caufe; Still mull the libertine blafpheme thy laws? Neglect not then their clamour bold and loud; Nor the rude tumult of the gath'ring croud. PSALM LXXVI. IN Judab God of old was known ; His name in Ifrael great; In Salem Hood his holy throne, And Zion was his feat. Among ( «7 ) Among the praifes of his faints, His dwelling there he chofe; There he receiv'd their juft complaints, Againft their haughty foes. From Zion went his dreadful word, And broke the threat'ning fpear; The bow, the arrows, and the fword, And cruhYd tii AJJyrian war. What arc the earth's wide kingdoms elfe But mighty hills of prey? The hill on which 'Jehovah dwells Is glorious more than they. 'Twas Zions King that ftopp'd the breath Of captains and their bands: The men of might flept faft in death, And never found their hands. At thy rebuke, O Jacob's God, Both horfe and chariot fell : Who knows the terrors of thy rod? Thy vengeance who can tell? What pow'r can Hand before thy fight When once thy wrath appears ? When heav'n fhines round with dreadful li^-hr, The earth lies Hill and fears. When God in his own fovYeign ways Comes down to fave th'oppreft, The wrath of man (hall work his praife, And hell reftrain the reft. [Vow ( [Vow to the Lord, and tribute bring, Ye princes fear his frown : His terrors fhake the proudeft king, And cuts an army down. The thunder of his fharp rebuke Our haughty foes fhall feel ; For Jacob\ God hath not forfook, But dwells in Zio?i ftill.] PSALM LXXVII. TO God I cry'd with mournful voice, I fought his gracious ear, In the fad day when troubles rofe, And fiH v d the night with fear. Sad were my days, and dark my nights, My foul refus'd relief; I thought on God the juft and wife, But thoughts increas'd my .grief. Still I complain'd and ftill oppreft, My heart began to break; My God, thy wrath forbid my reft, And' kept my eyes awake. My overwhelming forrows grevv, 'Till I could fpeak no more; Then I within myfelf withdrew, And caird thy judgments o'er. ( «9 ) I call'd back years and ancient time* When I beheld thy face ; My fpi'it fearch'd for fecret crimes That might withhold thy grace. I call'd thy mercies to my mind Which I enjoy'd before; And will the Lord no more be kind ? His face appear no more ? Will he for ever call me off? His promile ever fail ? Has he forgot his tender love ? Shall anger ftill prevail I Eut I forbid this hopelefs thought, This dark, defpairing frame, Remembring what thy hand hath wrought ; Thy hand is ftill the fame. I'll think again of all thy ways, And talk thy wonders o'er, Thy wonders of recov'ring grace, When fleih could hope no more. Grace dwelt with juftice on the throne ^ And men that love thy word Have in thy fancluary known The counfels of the Lord. " How awful is thy chaft'ning rod ? " (May thine own children fay) " The great, the wife, the dreadful God ! " How holy is his way I" I'll (

And hifTing bolts with flan ing fulpher blue. J He pours upon them his revenge ievere; Fury, and conflernation, a d defpair : And to malignant angels gives command . To bear his terrors thro 1 the guilty land. He gave his anger wav ; nor deignM to fave Their finking fpirit from the gaping grave : Thtir cattle firii the diie deitrucuon find, By mm to wafteful peitiiencerefign'd. And ( 95 ) And now a deeper wound xK^Egyptiars mourn, Jn mingl'd fun rals of their eldelt bom : The choice of youth, and who in ilrength excelled. Wherever ffmm't d. tolled offspring dwell d. But, as the fhepherd ro the rlo.. 'rj meadi, Conducts his fl<>ck, his people forth he.- lead> t Secure and feailefs they, tiicir march he guides ; But whelms thtrii foes beneath the rulhing tides : On to th limits of his facred land, Thil mountain, pa clus'd by his own right hind : From thence the natives he before them drives : And by the line to them poileilion gives, Piopor.iond ; thus the tribes of I/'rae/ dwcWd In the r abodes whom he from thence expeli'd. Yet to the trial the fupreme they dare ; Nor think h s inltitutes defervc their care. Now, turn'd to flight, they meafure back their pace. And prove the faithlefs authors of their race : So bunts the bow, and to the archer's icopc Deceitful, fultrates his eluded hope. Forbidden altars on the hills on high, And fculptur'd Gods provoke his jealoufy. This when the Lord had heard, his anger grew To lterneft hare of l/racl's impious crew : The tent of Sbihb he abandon'd then ; The iov'd pavilion he had fix'd with men. Their ltrength he then reiign'd to fervile bands : II * glory to the bold invader's hands. The people, once his own, he doom'd to feel Th mfauate fury of thedeathful iteel ; When on h.s own domain burit forth his ire : Their rjiooming youth in cruel flames expire ; In b idal f ng no mo. e the virgin hears Her praifes chanted by her late compeers. Fall'n by the 1 -vord the holy prie.ls lie (lain : The widows fix 'd in iilent woe remain. Theia * The ark, "Then, as from quiet fleep, aroie the Lord : As when fome htro finds his fcrength reftor'd its which the gen'rocs grape fupplies, In echoing (hoots his lofty voice he tries. Deer in .heir backs his enemies he wounds: infamy confounds. tents refus'd ; nor him preferr'd, rch's blefiing wilful err'd : But Judai favour'd tribe, his choice approv*d ; "s holy mountain, his belov'd. . to emulate The 1 c . of imperial ftate : And laid the firm foundation deep below ; Strong as the earth, no change to undergo. His choi:e on Dai id f.x'd , he took the fwain From necks, and folds, and from the rural plain : From :\ then of the fleecy breed, The people of his heritage to feed. His faithful heart, fmcerely he apply'd, ") For them the plenteous pafture to provide : )> And with experienced dull their ways to guide. J PSALM LXXIX. By Mrs. Tcllet. BEHOLD! OGod! behold the cruel train C : ftero age thy domain : (hrine prcfan'd, and when en high ~] The tow'rs of ) A mighty waile, and pile of ruins lye. J Thy le. . giv "n To ev'ry greedy vulture of the heav*n : Thy holy faints without intermer And ev'ry beafi of earth devour"d the prey. ( 97 ) As falling rains increafe the fwelling flood, So Sion floated with her children's blood : Nor dar'd a pitying friend upon the bier Compofe the dead, or fun'ral rites confer. Stung with reproaches of our foes we mourn ; To bord'ring realms a mark of public fcorn. Shall length of time, O Lord ! thy ire afluage ? Or (hall for ever glow thy jealous rage Like wafteful flames, and unextinguiftYd burn ? Thy kindled wrath on other objects turn : On nafons ignorant of thee to fall ; And realms which never on thy name did call. For to their cruel rage i» Jacob made A prey ; and his abode in ruins lay'd. But O ! remember not, from former times Our part offences ; but forgive our crimes : With foft compafiion, e're it is too late, Behold, and raife us from our fall'n eftate. O God of our falvation! yet once more, ") For thy renown, our liberty reftore : And cleanfe cur guilt, as we thy name implore. With impious taunt why fnould the heathen cry W'here ? where is now their boafted Deity ? May he, fo known, confpicuous in their fight, Upon themfclves his fervants blood requite. O I let the mournful fighs before thee come Of captives, deftin'd to receive their doom: And prove, by pow'r in their delivVance fhewn, That life and death are in thy hand alone. But to our neighbours, feven times multiply 'd ~) Into their bofom recompenfe their pride : Who thee with impious feoff have dar'd deride So we thy people, of thy pafture we The chofen fheep, fhall render thanks to thee; Nor ever ceafe : To thee we mean to pay The pious hymn, while ages roll away. F PSALM i ( 98 ) PSALM LXXX. By Mr. Barton. O Shepherd, thou that doft provide For Ifraer$ tribe and flock, And doft the feed of Jacob guide, And lead'ft him like a flock ; Thou glorious God, that dwell'ft between The cherubims on high. Give ear, and let thy light be feen To mine forth glorioufly. In Epbrahns and ManaJJeb's fight,. And Benjamins appear : In all our fight ftir up thy might, To fave us, Lord, draw near. Turn us, O God, to thee again, For we too long have fwerv'd : Caufe thou thy face on us to mine, And we mail be preferv'd. Lord God of hofts, how long mail we Be left to this defpair ? How long, Lord, wilt thou angry be At thy own people's prayer ? Thou giv'ft thy people tears for bread, And tears likewife for drink : Their table thus is overfpread, Their cup fill'd to the brink. Thou mak'ft us in our neighbour's eyes Mere fubjects of debate : With laughter do our enemies Behold our fad eftate. Turn ( 99 ) Turn us again, Lord God of hods, And caufe (as we have crav'd) Thy face to (nine on lfraer% coafls, And then we fhall be fav'd. A noble vine of Ifrael Thou did ft from Egypt bring : The heathen folk thou didft expel, And plant it there to fpring. Thou mad'ft it room for IfraeTs fa':e, By thy Almighty hand : And caufed'ft it dtep root to take, And lo it fill'd the land. The hills and mountains all abroad Were covered with its made : And like the cedar trees of God, Her branches were difplay'd. Her boughs extending far and wide, Unto the fea me fent : And to Euphrates river fide Her other branches went. Why haft thou then with great decay Broke down her hedges fo, That all that pafs along the way Do pluck her as they go ? And it is wafted by the boar That cometh from the wood : The wild beafts of the field great ftore, Devour it for their food. Lord God of hofts, we beg of thee, Return again to thine : Look down from heaven, behold and fee, And vifit this thy vine. F 2 The ( ioo ) The vineyard and the branches young, Which thy right hand ha h fet, And for thyfelf haft made fo itrong, Do not, O Lord, forget. It's burnt with fire, it is cut down, And in a wafting cafe, At thy rebuke, Lord, at the frown Of thy difpleafed face. Uphold, Lord, in his high degree The man of thy right hand ; The fon of man made itrong by thee. And for thy caufe to ftand. So will we not go back at all From thee, O Lord moft high : Then quicken us, and we will call On thy name conftantly. Lord God of hofts, our hearts incline, And turn us now again : And caufe thy face on us to mine, And fafe mall we remain. PSALM LXXXI. By Mr. S a n d y s. TO God our ftrength your voices raife : In facred numbers fing his praife. The warbling lute, fweet viol bring, And folemn harp loud timbrels ring. The new moon feen, fiirill trumpets found; Your facred feaftswith triumph crown'd. Thefe rites our God eftablifhed, When lfracl he from Egypt led : Their recks with yokes of bondage wrung ; Inured to an unknown tongue. Your ( roi ) Vour burdens 1 have call away, Said he, and cleans'd your hands from clay : Then fav'd, when in your fears you cry'd; And from the thund'ring cloud reply'd. I try'd you ; heard your murmurings, At Meribatis admired fprings. You fons of Ifrael, give ear ; I will inftiucl you, would you hear. Beware ; no foreign gods adore -, Nor their adulterate powers implore. I thee alone brought from the land Of bondage, with a mighty hand. I know, and will fupply thy need ; When naked, cloath ; when hungry, feed. Yet would not the^ my counfel brook ; But defperately their God forfook : Whom I unto their lulls refign'd, And errors of their wandr'ing mind. O that they had my voice obey'd, Nor from the paths of virtue ftray'd ! Then vidory their brows had crown'd : Their flaughter'd foes had fpread the ground : Then had I made their enemy Submit, and at their mercy lye : Themfelves bleft with eternal peace ; Enriched with the earth's increafe : With flour of wheat, and honey fiU'd, From breaches of the rock diftill'd. PSALM LXXXIV. By Sir John Den ham. o Lord, how beauteous are thy courts ! Thither my longing foul reforts ; F 3 Fainting ( 102 ) fainting to fee that bled abode, Wherein refides trTAlmighty God. The fparrow finds a place to reft ; The untun'd fwallow builds her neft : Within thy walls their young they breed, And them before thy altar feed. How bleft are they who there may dwell, Thy wonders, and thy works to tell ! How bleft are they, whofe ftrength abides In God! for thefe he fafely guides. Thefe in the thirfty vales are fill'd With fprings, or fhow'rs from clouds diftill'd ; Patting along from ftrength to ftrength, Till they mount Sio?i reach at length. The God of Jacob lends his ear, The Lord of hofts my pray'r will hear. Thou art my fhield; and, Lord, thy grace Enlightens thy anointed's face. One day which in thy courts I fpend, A thoufand others does tranfeend. Thy temple-gates I'll rather keep, Than in the tents cf princes fleep. God like a fhield gives ftrong defence And as the fun, whofe influence Breeds all things for our good ; fo he, O God, is bleft, who trufts in thee ! Part ( i°3 ) Part of PSALM LXXXVI. AMONG the princes, earthly gods, There's none that hath power divine ; Nor is their nature, mighty Lord, Nor are their works like thine. The nations thou haft made fhall bring Their offerings round thy throne : For thou alone doft wond'rous things, For thou art God alone. Lord, I would walk with holy feet j Teach me thy heavenly ways, And my poor fcatter'd thoughts unite In God my Father's praiie. Great is thy mercy, and my tongue Shall thofe fweet wonders tell, How by thy grace my finking foul Rofe from the deeps of hell. PSALM LXXXVIII. By Mrs. Tollet. OGod of my falvation ! all the day To thee, and all the night to thee I pray : Admit my cries before thee to appear ; And to my Amplication bend thine ear. With woe my foul is fraught ; my fainting breath Approaches nearly to the gates of death : f4 ( io 4 ) I feem like one who to the nether made Defcends; in vigour and in force decay'd. Where all, whom death reftores to liberty, Slain in the grave, and unremember'd lye; Thefe from the living, by a fatal blow, Thy hand divides. And thou haft caft me low ; In deepeft caverns underneath the ground, Obfcure with night, and in the vaft profound. Thy dread difpleafure prefles on my foul ; And o'er my head the raging tempefts roll. My deareft friends, or who were luch of late, Haft thou remov'd, or turn'd their love to hate ; Confin'd in dungeons, and opprefs'd with chains, No hope of liberty to me remains. With pining grief my wafted eyes decay : To thee I fpread my hands, to thee I pray ; As each revolving fun renews the day. For wilt thou thy ftupendous wonders fhew To the pale nations of the dead below ? What pow'r of art, or miracle mall raife Their vaniflvd being to recite thy praife ? Who in the tomb fhall tell thy mercy's fame ? Or thy veracity irv death proclaim ? Or /hall eternal night thy marvels boaft ? Or mew thy juflice on the difmal coaft Where thought itfelf is in oblivion loft ? But thee have I implor'd ; with early cries, My pray'r attends thee, e'er the morn arife : O ! wherefore doft thou thus my foul repel ? And o'er thy prefence caft a cloudy veil ? Thus have I languifh'd fiom my tender years, "| And inftant death before my eyes appears, ^« Prefs'd with thy wrath, and frantic with my fears. J Thine indignarion, and the confcious dread Of heav'nly vengeance, overwhelms my head j Like rolling billows, and the rufhing tide, They break above, and pour on ev'ry fide : In } } ( io 5 ) In vain on kinfman, or on friend I call ; For univerfal darknefs hides them all. PSALM LXXXIX. By Sir John Den ham. FROM age to age I will record The truth and mercy of the Lord. His faithfulnefs as firmly ilands, As heaven eftabliuYd by his hands. A cov'nant he with David made, And to his chofen, fwearing, faid : Thy offspring {hall be bleft, thy throne Shall ftand for ever, like my own. Angels thy heavenly wonders ihew, Thy faints declare thy works below/ Celeltial pow'rs thy fubje£ls are, Then what can earth to thee compare ? With reverence all his faints appear, And round him (land with awful fear. The Lord of Hofts with ftrength abounds, And faithfulnefs his throne furrounds. Thy breath with rage the lea does fill, And at thy word the florins are ftill. Thy voice, like death, has Rabab broke. Thy foes lie fcatter'd by thy ftroke. Thy bounty heaven and earth did found, From whence with fulnefs they abound. The North and South thy hand did frame, Tabor and Hemic n praife thy name. F 5 Th y ( to6 ) Thy mighty arm in ftrength excells, And valour in thy right-hand dwells. Thy throne is fixt on judgment's bafe, And mercy ftands before thy face. Thrice happy they, thy voice who hear, And by thy law their courfes fteer ! Exalted in thy righteoufnefs, They to thy name their prayer addrefs : Their ftrength is by thy glory born, Thy favour (hall exalt their horn. We fafe in thy protection dwell, Thou Holy One of Ifrael. 'Twas God, who in a vifion faid, I on the mighty help have laid. David thy fervant firft I chofe, His head my facred oil o'erflows. Firmly fupported by my hand, His ftrength fhall conquer and command. His enemy fhall ne'er prevail ; The fons of wickednefs fhall fail, Caft down before his face: and all Who hate him, by my plagues fhall fall. Mercy and faithfulnefs his ways Shall point, my name his horn fhall raife. He o'er the fea fhall ftretch his hand, And mighty rivers fhall command. Me for his father he fhall own, His faving rock ; for he's my fon, The firft-born of my heavenly race: Above all empires is his place. With ( "6 7 ) With him my cov'nant fhall ftand faft, My mercy fhall for ever laft. His feed for ever fhall endure, His throne as heaven itfelf fecure. But if his fons forfake my law, And their obedience fhall withdraw ; If from my ways and rules they ftray, And my commandments difobey ; Their fins I'll vifit with a rod, Their backs fhall feel the ftripes of God : Yet fhall they not to ruin fall, My word I never will recall. My cov'nant I will never break, Nor whatfoe'er my lips did fpeak. By my own holinefs have I Once fworn, nor will to David lie. The throne of his eternal line, For ever like the fun fhall fhine : Fixt like the moon in heaven, and there A faithful witnefs fhall appear. This was thy cov'nant feal'd to me ; When fhall it, Lord, accompliwYd be ? Thou haft caft thine anointed down, Has broken and abas'd his crown. Thy anger has laid wafte his wall ; All his ftrong holds to ruin fall. The ftrangers on his rights incroach, And all his neighbours him reproach. Thy hand upholds th'infulting foes, Who boaft and triumph in his woes. F 6 His ( i o8 ) His blunted fword deceives his hand ; The furious charge he cannot ftand. His glory's vanifh'd, his renown Island in duft, his throne caft down. His vigorous youth and hopeful race End, and confufion fills his face. How long wilt thou from us retire, And let thine anger burn like fire ? Remember, Lord, how vain is man, How few his hours, how fhort his fpan ! Short from his cradle to his grave, For who from thence himfelf can fave ? How it thy tendernefs decay 'd ? Where are thy vows to David made ? For he's become the people's fcom, With laughter and reproaches torn. Thefe fcorns if thy Anointed bear, They lefs his foe? than thine appear. But bleft for ever be thy name, And may all nations fay Amen. A Paraphrase on Part of PSALM XC. NO fooner time his hafty flight began, And the warm clod was moulded into man, Than man commenc'd his God's peculiar care, Fled to his arms, and fmil'd fere nely there : And the fame goodnefs and Almighty pow'r Beam on the race, which beam'd on one before. Be- ( I0 9 ) Before the ikies their ambient arch difplay'd, Or the foundations of the world were laid, Jehovah filTd his everlafting throne, In boundlefs blifs unrivall'd and alone ; And when the fun forgets to rule the day, And nature's rolling wheels fhall ceafe to play, In undiminifh'd pomp he fhnll remain, And vail eternity fhall be his reign. Lord, as our lives were kindled by thy breath, So at thy pleafure we refign to death, Quit all the gay diftin<5tions once we wore, Sink to our duft, and rife to earth no more. The tedious travel of a thoufand years Before thine all-enfolding view appears Short as the tranfient hours of yeitcr-light, Or the laft watch that bolts the gates of night. As rivers, fwoln with fierce defcending rains, O'ertop their banks, and rufh into the plains, Bound, foam, and thunder with tempeftuous force, And fpread refiftlefs ravage in their courfe, So from life's heedlefs walks with headlong fway Death's fudden torrent fweeps our lives away. When fleep has hufh'd the day's fad cares to reft, What vain illufions revel in our breaft ! Yet, big with truth, and weighty import, feem The air-drefs'd phantoms of the ihad'wy dream : Thus through our fpan gay fcenes of blifs beguile, But vanity's the harveft of the toil. As fiow'rs, when morn's firft fplendors gild the fkies, Charm in the dew-drops, and in verdure rife, So, while our race their youthful beauties wear, Vigour and joy oa ev'ry brow appear; But ( no ) But, 'ere the fun withdraws his ev'ning ray, They droop and wither in their laft decay. Urg'd by neceflity, with painful feet The biokcn lock, and gloorr.y vale we beat, Meet the dirk frown of an offended God, And groan beneath the vengeance of his rod. Our fins, that red with flagrant horrors rife, Stretch to the lowcft hell, and fcale the fkies, Num'rous, as ftars that ftrow th'a-therial plain, Or fands that bound the billows of the main, Stand all unfolded to Jehovah's fight, Though wrapt from mortals in impervious night. Admit it heav'n mould check the ftroke of fate Till life protracted reached its utmoft date, Or to the vital glafs new fands mould pour, Till, feventy weeks paft, we fill'd the fcore, A weary pilgrimage we ftill muft go, And pant beneath a growing load of woe ; Till nature, with her toils, and griefs oppreft, Would figh impatient for the hour of reft. O dread Jehovah, who can ever know The weight of vengeance in thine angry brow ? Ev'n fear fcarce images thy funds of ire, And thought flies flower than thy darted fire. Then teach me, Maker, the celeftial fkill To meafure life, and life's demands fulfill, That death for me may take the Seraph's charms, And I enraptur'd rum into his arms, Shake off this cumb'rous clod, and wing my way To a bleft manfion in the realms of day. PSALM ( III ) P S A L M XC. By Mrs. Tollet. THOU, Lord ! haft been our fure repofe, Our facred refuge from our foes ; Since aged time his courfe began, And through fuccefiive periods ran. Before the mountain's early birth, Before the ftru&ure of the earth, Before the univerfal ball Emerg'd from nothing at thy call, Thou, prefent Godhead ! dort furvey An unbegun, an endlefs day. Mankind by thee refign'd to doom, Thy voice recalls them from the tomb : The feries of a thoufand years, To thee that narrow fpace appears, Which bounded laft diurnal light : Or as an hour of watch by night : As rapid floods, which roll away To lofe their water in the feaj As vifions of the flumb'ring eye, Which vanifh when the flumbers fly : Or as the grafs they fhall confume j The morning fees the verdure bloom, Which, e'er the ftars of heav'n arife. Falls by the fey the, and fades and dries. Such is our frail uncertain age; Sad vidims of celeftial rage ! Thy indignation waftes our years In dire anxieties and fears. Our crimes to thy tribunal brought The fecret act, and con "cious thought, Are open all to thy furvey, Where thy bright prefence gilds the day. Our ( H2 ) Our days in thy difpleafure fail : Our years are ended Jike a tale. Sev'n decads does the annual Tun To limit our duration run : Perhaps with firmer ftrength we gain One decad more of toil and pain ; But Toon the rapid hours run on ; And the referve of life is gone. O ! why prefume we to enquire The force of thy tremendous ire ? Whofe terrors we fo deeply find, Imprefs'd upon the wounded mind. Nor let us calculate in vain Our years that pafs, or what remain, But thence inftrutt us, to impart The care of wifdom to our heart. Return, O Lord ! but O how flow ! And mitigate thy fervants' woe. O ! fatisfy our eager fenfe With undelay"d benevolence : That pious gratitude, and joy, May our fuccefiive days employ. An age of happinefs beftow, To recompenie our former woe. Let thy dread afts thy fervants grace ; Thy glory blefs cur future race. On us thou majefty divine ! Confpicuous in effulgence fhine: And let our toils, in thee begun, By thy aufpicious aid be done. Fart of PSALM XC. LO R D, if thine eyes furvey our faults, And juftice grows fevere, Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thoughts And burns beyond our fear. Thine ( H3 ) Thine anger turns our frame to dull ; By one offence to thee, Adam, with all his fons, have loft Their immortality. Life, like a vain amufement flies, A fable or a fong ; By fwift degrees our nature dies, Nor can our joys be long. 'Tis but a few whofe days amount To threefcore years and ten ; And all beyond that fhort account Is forrow, toil, and pain. [Our vitals with laborious ftrife Bear up the crazy load, And drag thofe poor remains of life Along the tirefome road.] Almighty God, reveal thy love, And not thy wrath alone ; O let our fweet experience prove The mercies of thy throne. Our fouls would learn the heavenly art T'improve the hours we have, That we may a& the wifer part, And live beyond the grave. Another Verfion of PSALM XC. LORD, what a feeble piece fs this our mortal frame ? Our life how poor a trifle 'tis, That fcarce deferves the name ! Alas, ( m ) Alas, the brittle clay- That built our body firft ! And every month and every day 'Tis mouldring back to duft. Our moments fly apace, Nor will our minutes flay : Juft like a flood our hafty days Are fweeping us away. Well, if our days muft fly, We'll keep their end in fight, We'll fpend them all in wifdom's way, And let them fpeed their flight. They'll waft us fooner o'er This life's tempefluous fea : Soon we fhall reach the peaceful more Of bleft eternity. PSALM XCI. By Mrs. Touet, WH O in retirement of the higheft dwells, Him with impervious fhade th'Almighty veils; Thee I invoke, my refuge ! my defence ! Unfhaken tow'r of firm omnipotence ! On him my truft I place, whofe guardian care Is fix'd to free me from the fowler's fnare ; And dire contagion of the tainted air. Thee, hov'ring o'er thy head, his plumes fhall hide ; Secure fhalt thou beneath his wings abide : His truth fhall drive thy dangers all repell'd By the broad orb of her protecting fhield. Thy } } ( "5 ) Thy peaceful mind no terror mail affright, When the wan fpeclres glide along by night : Nor thee the formidable (hafts which fly To carry fate through the diurnal fky. Nor thee the venom of the direful pelt, Whofe gloomy march enfanguin'd clouds invert : From realm to realm though fwift deftruclion run, And crouds expire beneath the noon-tide iun. A thoufand by thy fide fhall heap the plain, At thy right-hand fhall fall ten thoufand (lain; Thou, only thou, inviolate remain. Yet fhall thine eyes the heav'nly vengeance view The retribution of the impious crew : For on the Lord thy conftant hope rely'd, Within his rocky fortrefs to refide. Reft thou fecure no adverfe chance to meet : No wafteful plague fhall reach thy happy feat. He, with diftinguifh'd charge exprefsly given, Configns thee to the miniftry of heav'n : With watchful diligence to tend thy ways ; Thee gently wafted in their arms to raife, Left, prominent above the level ground, The pointed ftone thy tender foot mould wound, Beneath thy foot * the drowfy afp fhall lye, And regal bafilifc with baneful eye ; Bold fhalt thou tread, beneath thy fteps imprefs'd, The lion's brindled mane, and dragon's turgid creft. His faithful heart my heav'nly love refpires, With holy ardor, and with pure defires : For this will I relieve, and raife to fame, This pious vot'ry of my facred name. Invok'd by him with fupplicating cry, I chear his forrrows with a prompt reply : My prefence in his dubious toils is known An aid confefs'd j the benefit I crown With fure deliv'rance, and with high renown. B To * Super Afpidem et Bafilifeum ambulabis, et conculcabis Ico- ncm et draconem. Vers VuJg. V. B. } ( »6 ) To nature's full demand fhall he be bleft With long extended days and peaceful reft. Part of PSALM XCII. SWEET is the work, my God, my king, To praife thy name, give thanks and ling, To fhew thy love by morning light, And talk of all thy truth at night. Sweet is the day of facred reft, No mortal cares fhall feize my bread, O may my heart in tune be found Like David's harp of folemn found ! My heart fhall triumph in my Lord, And blefs his works, and blefs his word ; Thy works of grace how bright they mine I How deep thy counfels ! how divine ! Fools never raife their thoughts fo high : Like brutes they live, like brutes they die ,• Like grafs they flourifh, till thy breath Blaft them in everlafling death. But T fhall fhare a glorious part When grace hath well refin'd my heart, And frefh fupplies of joy are fhed Like holy oil to chear my head. Sin (my worft enemy before) Shall vex my eyes and ears no more : My inward foes fhall all be flain, Nor ever brake my peace again. Then ( It? ) Then mall I fee, and hear, and know, All I defir'd or wifiYd below ; And every power findfweet employ In that eternal world of joy. PSALM XCIII. By Mrs. Toll et. ^ I ^ HE Lord, a mighty monarch, reigns, In robes of ftate himfelf he dre.t : The zone of fortitude reftrains The folds of his imperial veft. This penfile habitable world He balanc'd in the liquid fpace : Which by no force mail e'er be hurl'd From its determin'd deftin'd place. Thy throne was founded e'er the earth Was made ; or rolling ages run : Anteriourthou to nature's birth, Primaeval eflence, nnbegun \ Hark, Lord! the fwelling torrent roars ; The flood exhorts the boiling main : Old Ocean fummons all the ftores His ample magazines contain. What though the furges foam and roll, And with impetuous tumult rave ? The Lord refides above the pole, More dreadful than the raging wave. On thy decrees does truth await : And, Lord ! in thy eternal dome, So to adorn thy regal ftate, Fair piety has fix'd her home. PSALM ( "8 ) PSALM XCIII. By Sir John Dekhaji. GOD doth'd in his majeftic robe, His mighty fcepter bears Over the new created globe j And girt with ltrength appears. His throne, than time it felPs more old. Aloud the ocean roars ; Its billows to the fides are roll'd, Yet God has nVd its mores. His voice exceeds the ocean's far, When waves their rage proclaim : Secure his teftimonys are, And holy is his name. Part of PSALM XCIV. WHO ;vill arife and plead my right Againil my numerous foes, "While earth and hell their force unite, And all my hopes oppofe? Had not the Lord, my rock, my help, Suftain'd my fainting head, My life had now in filence dwelt, My foul amongft the dead. Alas ! my fiidir.gfeet ! I cry'd, Thy promife was my prop ; Thy grace itood conftant by my fide, Thy fpirit bore me up. While ( "9 ) While multitudes of mournful thoughts Wuhin my bo'bm roll, Thy boundlefs love forgives my faults, Thy comforto chear my foul. Pow'rs of iniquity may rife, And frame pernicious laws ; But God my refuge rules the flcies, He will defend my caufe. Let malice vent her rage aloud, Let bold blafi-hemers feoff; The Lord our God fhall judge the proud, And cut the finners off. PSALM XCVI. Imitated. TO God from whom immortal bleflings fpring, Let all the earth with founds feraphick ring; With heav'nly zeal and ardour praife his name, Throughout the world his faving grace proclaim; To all the heathen nations wide around. The pow'r and greatnefs of our God refound, Through all the world with joyful fongs declare, His wondrous works how excellent they are. Enthron'd he fits above the ftarry fkies, No numbers can to his perfections rife; O ! great ador'd ! How can we have regard To other Gods when unto thee compar'd? Dumb fenfelefs flocks the heathens call upon, Creation's Lord we'll fall before thy throne, Exalt and praife thee ftill in wonder loft; Since thou alone omnipotence can boaft. O! Jfraers fons, within his temple bend, Whofc bounteous hand, doth ev'ry blefling fend, There f 1*0 ) There chant hispraife; and in harmonious fongs, Afcribe the glory which to God belongs. Give honour due unto his holy name, And let your prefents teilify the fame; In beauteous holinefs the Lord adore, On trembling pinions your petitions (bar. The Lord is God let ail the heathen know, The earth unmov'd his mighty pow'r doth mew j He'll judge mankind by his eternal word, Guilt felf-condemn'd fhall meet its juft. reward. Let heav'n, let earth, the air, and raging feas, Proclaim our God within their juft degrees ; And woods and fmiling meads with verdure crown'd, And all creation echo to the found. " For he in equity will judge the world, " Then from their feats the impious fhall be hurl'd ; u His juftice then aloft will hold the /cale, " And truth triumphant ever fhall prevail." PSALM C. YE nations round the earth, rejoice Before the Lord, your fovereign king: Serve him with chearful heart and voice, With all your tongues his glory fing. The Lord is God : 'tis he alone Doth life and breath and being give: We are his work, and not our own; The fheep that on his paflures live. Enter his gates with fongs of joy, With prailes to his courts repair ; And make it your divine employ To pay your thanks and honours there. The ( m ) The Lord is good, the Lord is kind ; Great is his grace, his mercy fure ; And the whole race of man mail find His truth from age to age endure. PSALM C. By Mrs. Toll et. YE nations all whofe various climates glow With fultry funs, or freeze with folid fnow : The hcav'n's eternal law your bounds divides, With range of mountains or refounding tides, Let pious joy your grateful bofoms raife ; And join in hymns of univcrfal praife. Revere th'omnipoter.t, eternal king : Parent divine, of nature facred fpring. No heav n-born race, nor felf-exiftent we ; His word from nothing fummon'd us to be ; His people we, his flock peculiar fhare The plenteous herbage, and the paftor's care. Wich humble joy and veneration wait To tread his courts, and to approach his gate : Adcrc the facred name, from whofe difpofe An inexhaufted flream of bounty flows. While ages roll his mercy fhall remain ; No period limits his extended reign : His cruth mall laft, while with fucceffive birth The race of mortals fhall renew the earth. PSALM CIL By Mr. Daniel. TH^ ROM the dark dungeon, from the lonely cell, 1/ Where pining woe and endlefs horror dwell : Vonchfafe, great God, thefe dying fighs to hear, Lirtep, oh liilen to the captive's prayer ; G Thefe ( 122 ) Thefe ignominious chains my filence break, Thefe galling fetters bid the mourner fpeak i Let this my ruthful look, this matted hair, Let thefe my hollow eyes exprefsmy care ; Thefe eyes alas ! their conftant ftages keep, To lift their heavy lids to thee and weep. All relifh of delight > all joy is part. My very food grows naufeous to my tafte; Withered like grafs my faplefs limbs are found, WhiM my dry ratling fkin hangs loofe around ; •EVn to mylelf a fpectacle I grow, And my whole man's a fkeleton of woe. Of hope bereft, what hand can give me eafe ? What found can charm me ? and what fight can pleafe ? Then welcome chains, fince liberty is fled, Welcome my fate, for hope itfelf is dead. Thus pierc'd with grief, and wilder'd with defpaif* The pelican laments her tender care ; To every wind her forrow is addreft, When fome rude hand has robb'd her downy neft ; She tries the brake, fhe fearch.es all the plain, Often (he's heard to call, but calls in vain ; She hangs her wings, fhe hates the tedious day, And penfive mourns the live-long night away. Ah ! fee from whence our pregnant ruin grows, And hear the haughty language of our foes : Is then the period of their bondage paft, And (hall thefe Hebrew fiaves return at laft ? Mult then once more their boafted Sion rife, And wave its impious banners in the ikies ? Have they forgot the memorable day When all their mining ftores became our prey ? When ruin fwept the coward and the brave, No walls could (hield them, and no hand could favej " la ( '=3 ) Cl In vain their feeble God they now implore, u Alas ! Egyptian plagues fhall come no more, u Their wonder-working Mofes now is gone; " But let the fools dream on, and be undone." Hear this, great God, and let thy anger rife j Why fleeps the awful thunder of the fkies ? Is then thy wond'rous might fo little known ? Shall it be laid thy faving pow'r is gone ? Ah no ! my God, it was at thy command The prophet fpake it, and his word will Hand : Yes, we fhall lee our lovely Sion rife, And lift its glittYing turrets to the fkies, What though in chains 1 draw my lated breath ; What though, thefe itreaming eyes fhould fet in death. Thou, glorious being, (halt be itill the fame, And ages yet to come (hall blefs thy name. Though now defpis'd in foreign lands we roam, Thy voice will call the wand'ring exiles home ; Jerufalem once more fhall know her Lord, And thou fhalt there be worfhip'd and ador'd. Oh Sicn ever lov'd, and ever dear, Great in thy ruins, in thy allies fair ! How mall I fpeak ? what language can exprefs My quick, my tender fenfe of thy diftrefs ? Not 'Babylon in all her pride fhall be So fam'd for beauty, or belov'd like thee ; Not though fne boarts her mighty triumphs paft, Not though fhe reigns the miltrefa of the Eaft, Should her vaft walls to diflant ages Itand, To ihew the greatnefs of the builder's hand, Though high in air her hanging gardens rife, And lpread their wond'rous verdure in the fkies ; Ev'n then thy ruins, nay thy ftones fhall be A lovelier, fweeier paradife to me. G 2 Look ( IH ) Look down, great Gcd, for ever good and juft, Look down, and fee thy Sion in the dull ? On uer loft ftate thy happy influence flied, Kindly forgive, and raifeher drooping head : Converted millions will the deed approve, Whilft kneeling crouds (hall wonder at thy love. Struck with the fight cur heathen foes mall ftand, And trembling, dread the thunder of thy hand; Ev'n haughty Babylon mall vaunt no more, But quit her pride, grow humble, and adore: Our longs the wondVous ftory mail record,. And nations yet unborn confefs the Lord. O extafy of thought ! my laboring foul Exulting bids the lazy minutes roll : She longs, fhe pants to fee the glorious day, When Judatih happy fons fhall lead the way; Methinks I hear the happy Judah"s fong, Whilft all the bright proceflion moves along; I fee them leave proud Babylon behind, I fee them give their forrovvs to the wind ; From tribe to tribe I hear the fhouts arife "When firir. their native land falutes their eyes ; Proftrate they fall, and rifirg they embrace, "Whilft tears of joy run trickling down each face : Thy glorious name in ev'ry mouth is found, ~ The God, the mighty God is heard around, 1 Hills, rocks, and diftant worlds return the grateful T found ! J The crouding populace with pious care, Prepaid by fcfts, and fanclify'd by pray'r ; Begin the woik, the ruin'd dome furround, Remove the pondVous ftones, and clear the ground ; With joyful fhouts we fee thy temple rife, ■JSaeh growing turret ftrikes our wond'ring ^y^s ; M ( **s ) In ample glory ihe revives again, And calls a beamy fplendour o'er the plain; Thy priefts, in white array 'd, thy name invoke, With precioas gums thy loaded altars imoke ; Remoter! nations to the leal! repair, Unload their gifts, and pay their homage there. Rang'd on the mount the elders fhall be found, With all theeomely youth attending round ; Often they point to thy belov'd abode, Bid them look there and wonder at the God ; 44 A God for ever bleft, and flill the fame, u Loving, and kind, Jehovah is his name ; ** 'Twas he, my children, who your fetteri broke, " He, he alone removed the galling yoke : ** Tell it ye hills, repeat it all ye woods, M Tell it yefeas, proclaim it all ye floods : u Hail, hail the mighty work with loud acclaim, 'J And let our childrens children blefs his name. Ah whither does my wandering fancy run ! When will the vifionary mufe have done ? My foulforetels thefe mighty things fnall be, Though never, never to be feen by me. Should I 1 e doom'dthis ftage of life to leave, And death's cold hand mould ftretch me in the grave, Yet Hill unchang'd thy purpofes fhall Hand, And the great \%ork be wrought at thy command ; Yet oh! my God, the God of all my might, Give me to find this favour in thy fight ! Snatch not, I beg, my flitting foul away, But give my eyes to fee that glorious day ! Though to weak minds it may unlikely be, Yet what can be too hard, great God, for thee r Didilthou not poifc in air this wond'rous ball, , And out of nothing fpeak this beauteous all I Didft thou not give the fun his quick'ning ray, T o. flame around, and blefs the world with day ? G 3 By ( 126 ) By thee the lovely lamps of heav'n arife, Shine through the gloom, and glitter in the Ikies* What though the r~ce of man (hall feel decay ? And like their changing garments melt away ; What though the flaming fun mould lofe its light, Shorn of its beams, and fink in endiefs night ! Though the rack'd orb mould in confufion lie, And all their fading glories v. ink, and die ; Ev'n in the crufh of work's thy glorious name Shall Hill furvive, eternal and the fame : Ko time to thee can any change impart, For thou art ail in all, and all in every part. He hears, he iiTues from his bright abode, Rife Ifrael, rife, and hail -the coming God ; Safely conducted by his heav'nly hand, Go forth, and follow to the glorious land. Angels lean down to fee the wond rous day, Whilft flow "rs unbidden fpring to ftrew the way; Peace fpreads her balmy wings, no noife of arms Shall break your reft, or fright ye with alarms ; Safe in your God your eafy hours beguile, Whilft milk and honey make your paftures fmile. No more your law, nor folemn rites fhall ceafe ; But Sions worfhip be confirm'd in peace : Fix'das the earth's foundation ye fhall ftand, Whilft willing worlds bow down, and own your dread command. Part of PSALM CIII. MY foul, repeat his praife Whofe mercies are fo great ; W hole anger is fo flow to rife, So ready to abate. God ( «7 V God v. ill not always chide ; And when his flrokes are felt, His flrokes are fewer than our crimes. And lighter than our guilt. High as the heavens are rais'd Above the ground we tread. So far the riches of his grace Our higheft thoughts exceed. His pow'rfubdues our fins, And his forgiving love Far as the Eaft is from the Weft,. Doth all our guilt remove. The pity of the Lord To thofe that fear his name, Is fuch as tender parents feel : He knows our feeble frame*. He knows we are but duft, Scatter 'd with evVy breath j His anger like a rifing wind Can fend us fwift to death. Our days are as the grafs, Or like the morning flower : If one fharp blaft fweep o'er the field, It withers in an hour. But thy companions, Lord, To endlefs years endure ; And childrens children ever find Thy words of promiie fure. G 4 The ( i** y The Lord, the fovereign king, Hath nVd his throne on high : O'er all the heavenly world he rules, And all beneath the iky. Ye angels, great in might, And fwift to do his will, Blefs ye the Lord, whofe voice ye hear, Whole pleafure ye fulfil. Let the bright ho Us who wait The orders of their king, And guard his churches when they pray, Join in the praile they fing. While all his wond'rous works Through his vaft kingdom fhew Their maker's glory, thou, my foul, Shall fing his graces too. PSALM CIV. Imitated by Mr. Blacklock. ARISE, my foul ! on wings feraphick rife, And praile th'Almighty Sov'reign of the Ikies j In whom alone effential g-ory mines, Which not the heav'n of heav'ns, nor boundlefs fpace confines. When darknefs rul'd with univerfal fway, He fpoke, and kindled up the blaze of day ; Firft, faireft offspring of th'omnific word ! Which, like a garment, cloath'd its ibv'reign Lord. On 1 quid air he bade the columns rife, Tnat prop the Harry concave of the ikies; Dffios'd ( i2 9 ) Diffus'd the blue expanfe from pole to pole, And fpread circumfluent aether round the whole. Soon as he bids, impetuous tempefts fly, To wing his founding chariot through the Iky ; Impetuous tempefts the command obey, Suftain his flight, and fweep th'aerial way. Fraught with his mandates, from the realms on high; Unnumber'd holts of radiant heralds fly ; From orb to orb, with progrefs unconfin'd, As lightning fwift, refiilleis as the wind. In ambient air this pond'rous ball he hung, And bad its center reft for ever ftrong ; Heav'n, air, and fea, with all their itorms, in vain Aflault the bafis of the firm machine. At thy almighty voice old Ocean raves, Wakes all his force, and gathers all his ways ; Nature lies mantled in a watVy robe, And fhorelefs billows revel round the globe ; O'er highefl hills the higher furges rife, Mix with the clouds, and meet the fluid ikies; But when in thunder the rebuke was given, That fhook trTeternal firmament of heav'n ; The dread rebuke trT affrighted waves obey, And in confufion fcour their uncouth way ; And polling rapid to the place decreed, Climb the it ep hill, and fweep the humble mead ; And now reluclant in their bounds fubfide, The bounds, impervious to the laihing tide, Reftrain its rage ; whilft, with inceifant roar, It ihakes the caverns, and aifaults the ihcre, By him, from mountains cloath'd in ltteid fnOW> Through fertile vales, the mazy rivers flow. G 5 lU-b ( Mo ) Here the wild horfe unconfcious of the rein, That revels boundlefs o'er the wide champaign, Imbibes the filver furge, with heat oppreit, To cool the fever of his glowing breaft. Here rifing boughs, adorn'd with fummer's pride, Project their waving umbrage o'er the tide ; While, gently perching on the leafy fpray, Each feather'd warbler tunes his various lay : And while thy praife they fymphonize around, Creation echoes to the grateful found. Wide o'er the heav'ns the various bow he bends, Its tincture brightens, and its arch extends : -At the glad fign the airy conduits flow, Soften the hills, and chear the meads below : By genial fervor, and prolific rain, Swift vegetation cloaths the fmiling plain : Nature profufely good, with blifs o'erflows, And Hill is pregnant, though ihe ftill bellows ! Here verdant paftures far extended lie, And yield the grazing herd a rich fupply f Luxuriant, waving in the wanton air, Here golden grain rewards the peafant"s care ! Here vines mature with frefh carnation glow, And heav'n above diffufes heav'n below. Erect and tall, here mountain cedars rife, Wave in the Harry vault, and emulate the fkies f Here the wing'd croud, that fkim the yielding air, ^ , With artful toil their little domes prepare ; Here hatch their tender young, and nurfe the rifing f care ! J Up the fteep hill afcends the nimble doe, ") While timid conies fcour the plains below, ^ Or in the pendent rock elude the fcenting foe I J He ( '3> J He bade the filver majefty of night Revolve her circles, and increafe her light : Aflign'd a province to each rolling fphere, And taught the fun to regulate the year. At his command, vvide-hov'ring o'er the plain, Primaeval night refumes her gloomy reign : Then from their dens, impatient of delay, The favage monfters bend their fpeedy way, 1 Howl through the fpacious walte, and chafe the f M Howl through the fpacious waile, and chafe I frighted prey. Here ftalks the lhaggy monarch of the wood, Taught from thy providence to afk his food : To thee, O Father ! to thy bounteous fkies, He rears his mane, and rolls his glaring eyes ; He roars, the deferts tremble wide around, And repercufTive hills repeat the found. Now orient gems the eaftern Ikies adorn, Aud joyful nature hails the op'ning morn : The rovers, confeious of approaching day, Fly to their flickers, and forget their prey. Laborious man, with modVate flumber bleit, . Springs chearful to his toil from downy reft ;. 'Till grateful ev'ning, with her argent train, Bids labour ceafe, and eafe the weary fwain, " Hail, Wreign goodnefs ! all-productive mind I *' On all thy works thyfelf inferib'd we find ! " How various all ! how varioufly indu'd ! " How great their number ! and each part how good \ " How perfect then mull the great parent fhine! ") " Who, with one act of energy divine, L i s Laid the vail plan, and fminYd thedefign!" Where'er the pleafing fearch my thoughts purfue, Unbounded goodnefs rifes to my view , G 6 Nor ( 132 ) Nor does our world alone its influence fhare, Exhauftlefs bounty, and unwearied care,. Extends through all th'infinitude of fpace, And circles nature with a kind embrace. The azure kingdoms of the deep below, Thy power, thy wifdom, and thy goodnefs fhew : Here multitudes of various beings (tray, Croud the profound, or on the furface play. Tall navies here their doubtful way explore, And ev'ry product waft from ev'ry fhore; Hence meagre want expell'd, and fanguine flrife, Por the mild charms of cultivated life ; Hence focial union fpreadsfrom foul to foul, And India joins in friendship with the pole,. Here the huge potent of the fcaly train Xnormous fails incumbent o'er the main, An animated iile, and in his way, TDaihes to heav'n's blue arch the foamy fea : When ikies and ocean mingle ftorm and flame, Portending^ inilant wre>.k to nature's frame, Pleas'd in the fcene, he mocks, with confcious pride,. The volley'd lightning, and the furging tide ; And, while the wrathful elements engage, foments with horrid fport the rem pell's rage. All thefe thy watchful providence fupplies, To thee alone they turn their waiting eyes ; Tor them thou op'neft thy exhaultlefs {tore, Till the capacious wiili can grafp no more. But, if one moment thou thy face ihouldft hide, Thy glory clouded, or thy fmiles deny'd ; Then widow'd nature veils her mournful eyes, And vents her grief in univerfal cries : Then gloomy death, with all his meagre train, Wide o'er the nat ons fpreads his diimal reign ; Sea, earth, and air-, the boundlefs ravage mourn, And all their hofts to native.dull return. But ( m > But when again thy glory is difplay'd, Reviv'd creation lifts her chearful head : New riling forms thy potent fmiles obey, And life rekindles at the genial ray: United thanks replenifh'd nature p?ys, Andheav'n and earth refou.d their Maker's praifef When timefhall in eternity be loft, And hoary nature languifh into duft ; Forever young, thy glories fhali remain, Vaft as thy being, endlefs as thy reign. Thou, from the realms of everlafting day, View'ft all thy works in one immenfc furvey : Pleas'd, thou behold'ltthe vvhole propenfely tend To perfect happinefs, its glorious end. Jf thou to earth but turn thy wrathful eyes, Her bafis trembles, and her offspring dies. Thoufmit'fl the hills, and at th'Almighty blow, Their fummits kindle, and their inwards glow. While this immortal fpark of heav'nly flame Diftends my breaft, and animates my frame ; To thee my ardent praifes fhall be borne, On the firfl breeze that wakes the blufhing morn : The lateft ftar fhall hear the pleafing found, And nature in full choir fhall join around. When full of thee my foul excurfive flies Through earth, air, ocean, or thy reral fkies j From world to world, new wonders hall I find, And all the Godhead flafhes on my mind ! When, wing'd with whirlwinds, vice fhall take its flight To the deep bofom of eternal night, To thee my foul fhall endlefs praifes pay : Join! men and angels ! join th'exalted lay.. f *34 ) Paraphrase upon pSALM CIV. By Dr. Trap p. "V^ E G I N, my lyre, the great creator's praife, J3 Who, crown'd with glory and immortal rays, Majeflic mines ; unutterably bright, With dazling robes of uncreated light : Who fpacious meets of JEther fpreads on high, And, like a curtain fmooth'd, unfolds the fky. Vapours condens'd, and fleecy milts, fupport The ample floor of his aerial court : Who, borne in triumph o'er the heavenly plains, Rides on the clouds, and holds a ftorm in reins j Flies on the wings of the fonorous wind, While lightning glares before, and thunder roars be- hind, That no incumbring flefh may clog the flight Of his fleet meiTengers, or quell their might : Them pure unbody'd effences he frames, Swift of difpatch, more active than the flames, He nVd the fleady bafis of the earth, And with a fruitful word gave nature birth. Then circling waters o'er the globe he fpread, And the dull mafs with pregnant moifture fed : Above the rocks th' afpiring furges fwell'd, And floods the talleft mountain-tops conceal'd. But when th' Almighty's voice rebuk'd the tide^ And in loud thunder bid the waves fubfide ; The ebbing deluge did its troops recall, Drew crTits forces, and difclofs'd the ball. They at th Eternal's fignal march'd away, To nil th' unfathonVd channel of the fea ; Where, roaring, they in endlefs wars engage, And beat againit thofe mores that bound their rage; Hence ( *3S ) Hence ftraggling waters unperceiv'd get loofe, And genial moiihire through the globe diffufe ; Purling through porous earth, where way their lies, They run, and on high hills in fountains rife : Or bubling out in fprings, they gently Hide Down by the craggy mountain's Hoping fide, )> And o'er the verdant turf along the valleys glide. J Till tir'd with various errors, back they come To their appointed univerfal home ; Which God has dellin'd for the mult'ring place And gen'ral rendezvous of all the wat'ry race. For though th' Almighty checks the ocean's pride, And in due bounds confines the raging tide ; That it may ne'er again with licence roll O'er all the univerfe, and drown the ball : Yet nought retrains its kinder influence, Nor (lops thofe blefTmgs which its ftreams difpenfe. By fubterraneous flukes he conveys The rivers out, which, in an endiefs maze, Through oozy channels draw a winding train, To roll back large additions to the main ; Or branching into brooks, and murm'ring rills, Creep through the vales, and mine between the hills, Whither the favage beads which roam abroad, Owning no mailer, and no fix'd abode ; And thofe which under galling harnefs bow, Inur'd to pains, and patient of the plough ; Repair, when fcorch'd with fummer's fcalding beams, To flake their thirft, and drink the cooling ftreams. Near which the poplar, and green willows grow, Adorn the banks, and fhade the brooks below. Perch'd on their boughs, the birds their voices raife 5 And in foft mufick fing their maker's praifc. Who from his airy chambers rain diftills, And with new verdure cloaths th'unfightly hills : The ( :36 1 The thirfly glebe, refrenYd with foftning drops, Rewards the painful hind with plenteous crops. The teeming earth luxuriant herbage breeds, And flocks and herds with graify fodder feeds. At his command, the fpring, for human ufe, The birth of herbs and healing plants renews. Then rip'ning fruits, and waving ears of corn, In :ummer's heat the fertile fields adorn. Succeeding autumn, from the cluft'ring vine Gives lufcious juice, and glads the world with wine : Which with its brilk reviving flavour cheers The drooping fpirit, and difpels its cares. Then the fat olive, in a richer foil, Yields the year's product, and refigns its oil ; Which adds a luftre, and a fmoother grace, To wrinkled fein, and fleeks the fhining face. 1 With circulating fap the trees are fed; RefreiVd with which, the cedar rears its head, And lofty firs their thriving branches fpread; Which, moiflen'd with invigorating juice, A fragrant fcent through Lebanon diffufe. Thefe to the birds convenient manfions yield, Which in th'intangling boughs their tow'ring houfe* build. The (lately dork here plants her neft on high, Difdairs the lower air, and feeks the fky. The maggy goats a hilly refuge love, Clamber the cliffs, and o'er bleak mountains rove.' O'er ftcny rocks the fportive conies play, And on the ragged flints their tender offspring lay. Appointed by his providential care, The changing moon divides the circling year; Diftinguifhes the feafons, rules the night, And nils her dufky orb wirh boirow'd light. The fun with glory, feariefs of decay, Rolls regular, and gives alternate day. ( i-37 ) By turns he, ent'ring, gilds the rofy Eaft \ By turns, with fettingrays, he paints the Wed : Then gloomy night involves the hemifphere, And fpreads dark horrors o'er the dewy air. Then the wild tenants of the defart woods Begin to move, and quit their warm abodes : For prey the yawning bears forfake their holds, And prouling wolves explore th'unguarded folds. With raging hunger pincVd, the Lions roar, Expand their jaws, and range the foreft o'er: Dreadfully fuppliant, for their meat they pray To heav'n, and lavage adoration pay. But foon as flreaks of light the Eaft adorn, And flying mills confefs the dawning morn ; Back to their dens the rav'nous hunters lpeed With their raw booty, and at leiiure feed. But when the lion to his reft repairs, Laborious mortals wake, and rife from theirs ; To care and bus'nefs they themfelves addrefs, Begin with morning, and with ev'ning ceafe. How various, Lord, are all thy works, which raife Our admiration, and tranfeend our prai e ! Wifely the world's great fabrick was defign'd, And boundlefs wifdorn ev'ry atomjoin'd. With thy rich bounty filTd, the earth appears. Which food, and ph\ fick, on its furface bears; And in its bowels hides a wealthier (lore ; Bright veins of gold, and cakes of filver ore. Profufe of bleflings, with a lavifh hand, Thou pour'ft thy gifts on lea as well as land. The wilt unmealur'd kingdoms of the main, Copious materials for thy praiie contain. There fcaly monftcrs of enormous fize Flounce in the ways, and dal"h with foam the fkies. White ( 13? ) While fhoals innumerable, and the fry Of fmailer fifh, glide unregarded by. Others, enchas'd in fhelly armour creep Upon the rocks, or feek the flimy deep. Here big with war, or trafnck, veiTels ride, Driv'n by the winds, and bound along the tide*. There huge Leviathan of cumbVous form, Embroils the fea in fport, and breathes a ftorm : He fucks the briny ocean at his gills, And his vaft maw with finny nations fills ; Then laves the clouds with fait, afcending rain, And with his fpouting trunk refunds the main. Thefe all dependent on his bounty live, And from his providence their meat receive. His open'd hand profufely fcatters food, Which pleas'd they gather, and are fill'd with good* But when his hand is ihut, the creatures mourn, Till his withdrawn beneficence return. When his coumand puts out their vital flame, They moulder to the duft. from whence they came.;. Then to repair the Icls fuilahfd by death, He gives new life, with his infpiring breath, To forms, which from the vaft material mafs Are ftill wrought off, and fo renews the race. Thus a fucceffive offspring he fupplies, And th'undecaying fpecies never dies,. Nob>ounds trTEternars glory can reftrain, Nor time's dimenfions terminate his reign. From his bright regions of celeftial day, He with complacence mail his works furvey. At his reproof convuifive nature makes, And fhuddring earl 7 ! from i"s foundation quakes: His awful couch the cjuiv'ring mountains rends, And curling fmoke in fpiry clouds afcends. For me, while unextinguished life maintains Heat in my blood, and pulfes in my veins, Hi* ( m ) His wond^rous works fhall animate my fong, Exalt my thoughts, and dwell upon my tongue. While on rebellious foes his vengeance huiTd, Confounds their pride, and fweeps them from the world ; His glory mail my ravinYd foul infpire, And to the gay creation tune my lyre; That imitates, in various-founding lays, Th'harmonious difcord which it itrives to praifc PSALM CV. By Mrs. Toll et, O Celebrate the Lord ! invoke his name j His mighty deeds to heathen realms proclaim t From him derive the hymn, the folemn fong ; Of his llupendous ads your fpeech prolong. Then triumph in his name, for ever bleil : Who feek the Lord, let joy infpire their breaft. The Lord and his omnipotence explore : Require his facred prefence evermore. Preferve in memorv his wond'rous deed, His figns, and judgment by his mouth decreed. O ye of Abraham his fervant's race ; Ye who from his elected Jacob trace Your favour'd line ! the Lord our God is he i And all the world fubmits to his decree. His covenant he ltiil in mind retains ; His promife, which immutable regains, While thoufind ages roll : which he of yore To Abraham e^.ga^d, to Ifaac fwore ; The fame he gave to Jacob in command, The league with ifracl ever hVd to Hand. This land, he faid, of Canaan fnall be thine; This your paternal portion I alfgn. Though ( 140 ) Though yet but few in number they were found; A llender train, and then on foreign ground: For then they wander'd through the bord'ring flates, In various exiles, led by various fates. He fufTer'd none to injure them ; but mov'd In thw'ir defence, ev'n monarchs he reprov'd. Nor my anointed touch ; nor violate Whom I have fent, the meiYengers of fate. He calls ; cbiequious to the flern command, Commiffion'd famine deiblates the land. No longer the lupport of corny grain, JDeflroy'd by him, does human life maintain. He fends his harbinger before, the youth Adorn'd with beauty, chaftity and truth : To bafe unworthy flavery betray'd, With fecters gall'd, in chains of iron laid, Which pierc'd his foul; till the celefi'al word, In deftin'd h.ur, his innocence explored. Then fent the king, who there the fceptre bore, To break his chains, asd freedom to reflore : Exalted him his regal pow'r to fhare ; And truftvd all his treafures to his care. Permitted him his princes to retrain, And wiftom to his fenate to explain. To Egypt then the rev'rend Ifrael came, And Jacob, fojcurn'd in the land of Ham. To numbers there he caus'd their tribes to grow j And gave them force fuperior to their foe : For this dire envy animates their breaft, With faithlefs wiles his fervants to moleft. His fervant Mofet then, with Aaron join'd, His facred choice ambafTadors defign'd : Difclos'd in public view hi* fignals iiand By thefe ; his prodigies in Amnions land. Night he commanded from the nether fhade ; ~\ And all the wide horizon night array 'd : )» Nor then his oracles they difobev'd. J The* ( Mi ) Their worfhipp'd Aream he turns to putrid blood ; While dying roll upon the goarv flood, Their * monfter-gods, and terrors of the Nile, The t river- horfc and fealy crocodile. Then to the frogs he gave a wond'rous birth ; An upftart offspring or' the teeming earth : Thefe through iheir palaces in numbers ipread, And lodge tnemfelves upon the royal bed. He fpake ; and inftant as the word. repair Black (warms of flies to darker, all ihe air: Through all the region he the infeds brings To wound their bodies with envenom'd Rings. In place of rain he gives them pondVous hail ; While on the ground the fiery meteors trail. In vain the vines their fwelling gems produce, And rip ning figs digeft their cruder juice : He blaih them all; and fpreads the country round With leveird woods, all mattered on the ground. He calls ; the locufts, and a countlefs band Of walteful cankers, polling o'er the land, To pillage dcitin'd its increafe invade : Devour the tender plant, and fpringing blade. Wounded by him, through ail their confines dy'il The blooming youth, their parents' el deft pride. His own he forth conducts, enrich'd with ftore Of fiiver vales, and of golden ore : Not one in all their kindred could they find Whole feeble force with ficknefs was declin'd. TK Egyptians now with joy their march beheld: So had their fear their avarice expelTd. Above a cloudy canopy he fpread : And pointed flames their nightly journey led. He to their wifn the tafteful quail accords ; And with the bread of heav'n fupplies iheir boards ; He cleaves the rock; the copious ftreams difFufe O'er the parch'd fands, as ample rivers ufe. For * Milton. f Ibid. ( Hi ) ^Por he what facred ties his promife bind, And Abraham his fervant calls to mind. With joy his refcu'd people forth he guides \ With triumph his elecl : and he divides To them of heathen realms the conquer'd foil ; A rich inheritance in other's toil. Yet limited, that with religious awe They keep his flatutes, and obferve his. law. PSALM CVI. By Mrs. Tollet. IN halleluias all your voices join j With grateful praife confefs the Lord benign : Ro period e'er mail his indulgence bound, While ages meafure their eternal rcund. His mighty deeds what mortal can relate ? His equal praifes who (hall celebrate ? How happy they who.juftice ilill attend, And all their hours in atts of virtue fpend f Remember me, O Lord ! that I may find What favour for thy people is defign'd : With falutary prefence vifit me ; That I the folifs of thy eledl may fee, Partake thejoys of thy peculiar train, And mare the triumphs of thine own domain. We to our anceftors in guilt fucceed : In perpetrated crimes, and impious deed. Our fires beheld, with inattentive thought, Thy iterated figns in Egypt wrought ; Nor treafur d in their recollecled fenfe The boundlefs ftores .of thy benevolence ; But where the fea, the Erythraean flows, Againft thee there in bold rebellion rofe. Yet ( H3 ) Tel them he fav'd, to vindicate his name : And his omnipotence confirmed to fame. Reprov'd by him, thefea forgets to How; And bare appears the folid foil below ; By him conducted, through the deep they pafs'd { As through the regions of the fandy waite. He then redeem 'd them from the tyrant's hand ; And fav'd them from their enemy's command: While ail theii foes i)jneath the gulphy wave Lye whelui'd ; not one efcapes the wat'ry grave. His oracles did then their credence gain : His praife they fung in an alternate ftrain. But loon to dark oblivion they refign'd His ads ; nor to his council bend their mind. Ab through the dreary folitude they go, To mad excefs their wanton wilhes grow; And with their infolent demands they try, Amid the wild, to brave the Deity : He grants the boon; but thus the grant controlls. That meager atrophy mould wafte their fouls, Yet in the camp again, with envy fir'd, Againft their patient leader they confpir'd ; And Aaron, venerable by the fign Of confecration to the pow'r divine. The gaping earth, down to the center cleaves, And rebel Dathan to the fhades receives: Then, clofing o'er their heads, its bars reftrain His guilty brother, and feditious train. The fudden flame amid their crew afpires : The impious perim in devouring fires. At Horeb\ foot an imag'd calf they made : And to the molden gold their adoration paid. Thus their inverted glory they deface ; And with the femblance of an ox difgrace : An animal, who knows no higher uood Than ruminating on his grafly food. Their Saviour, God, they banifh'd from their thought, And all his mighty deeds in Egypt wrought; StB* ( Iff ) Stupendous prodigies in Amman's land ; And iigns terrific on the Red-Sea frrand. Then he pronounced, that he decreed to fall The universal ruin on them all : But Mafes, his elect, the breach maintains And from the reft the iiiuing wrath detains ; That wrath celeftial, which prepaid to fall, With univerfal ruin menac'd all. Yet ev'n that happy region they difdain'd ; Nor now his promife their belief obtain'd : They fpread the murmurs of their difcontent, In mutual confidence from tent to tent ; Too obftinate attention to afford To monitory dictates of the Lord. He rais'd againft them his obteiling hand, To whelm them in the folitary land : To drive their progeny difpers'd and hurl'd Through barb'rous nations, and the diftant world. To Pbegor next they join'd themfelves -, and fed On the polluted victims of the dead : Their wild inventions his revenge inflame; And on them fwift the dire deftruclion came. Then Phineas rofe, and by atonement made With guilty blood, the fpreading mifchief ftay'd : This act imputed rightecufnefs mall crown, From age to age recording his renown. His dreadful anger ye: again they try'd ; There where the waters of contention glide : Then Mofes found, by fad experience taoght, The prince to fuffer for the people's fault ; For him fo far their murmurs did provoke, That from his lip. unguarded painon broke, Yet did they not deftroy the gentile train, So did the mandate of the Lord ordain : Accurs'd alliance foon their blood unites ; And leads to imitate forbidden rites. The imag'd Gods their fervile homage fhare : Which often prov'd their detriment and fnare. ( MS ) Unhappy victims ! at the daemon's call, Their blooming youth, and faireft virgins fall ; All fmear'd with filial gore the parents ftand ") Of innocents, who by the dire command V Of (. ens idols purple all the land. J They, with the tincture of their deeds embrew'd, Their ficlions with adult rous love purfu'd. Againft his people this incens'd the Lord ; Who now his own inheritance abhorr'd. He then refigr.'d them to the cruel hand Of heathen nations ; to the hard command Of hoftile lords : to their opprefiive foe, Beneath the yoke of fervitude they bow. He oft reliev'd them ; they as many times Provok'd him, and were humbled for their crimes : He yet regards their forrows; nor denies A gentle audience to their fuppliant cries. His covenant again recall'd to mind, "j He, in his num rous mercies, gro.vs more kind : >• The victors to compaflion he inclin'd. J Prei'erve us, Lord ! our God whom we adore! From foreign lands our fcatter'd race reftore : Again affembled to thy facred name Oar thanks to pay ; and triumph in thy fame. Bleft be the Lord whom 1/raets fons adore, From age to age, till time mail be no more ! Let full affent refound from all the throng ; And with your alleluias end the fong. Part of PSALM CXI. SONGS of immortal praife belong To my Almighty God ; He has my heart, and he my tongue, To fpread his name abroad. H How { >4<5 ) How great the works his hand has wrought ! How glorious in our fight ! And men in every age have fought His wonders with delight. How moll exact is nature's frame ! How wife th'eternal mind ! His counfeh never change the fcheme That his firft thoughts defign'd. When he redeem'd his chofen fons, He fix'd his cov'nant fure : The orders that his lips pronounce To endlefs years endure. Nature and time, and earth and fkies, Thy heavenly fkill proclaim : What (hall we do to make us wife. But learn to read thy name ? To fear thy power, to trufl thy grace Is our divinelt fkill ; And he's thfc wifeft of our race That beft obeys thy will. PSALM CXII. By Sir John Denham, THAT man is bleft who fears the Lord, And. with delight obeys his word. His fet-ii on earth mall be increas'd In might, his generation bleft. His houfe with riches fhall abound, With righteoufnefs for ever crown'd, Through ( HI ) Through darknefs he fhall fee the light, Becaufe his ways are ju.t and right. He with compafiion gives and lends, Difcrction all his works attends. His houfe and race (hull ever laft, So fixt they ne'er fhall be difplajd. No evil tidings make him ftart, For he on God has fixt his heart : Nor fliall he from his foes retire, But have on them his own defire. Difperfing to the poor he gives, His righteoufnefs for ever lives ; Honour his horn fhall highly raife. Cn him with grief the wicked gaze : Gna&ing their teeth they fliall expire, And perifh in their own defire. PSALM CXII. THAT man is blell who ftands in awe Of God, and loves his facred law : His feed on earth fhall be renown'd j His houfe, the feat of wealth, fhall be An inexhaufted treafury, And with fucceflive honours crown'd, His liberal favours he extends, To fome he gives, to others lends : A generous pity fills his mind : Yet what his charity impairs, He faves by prudence in affairs, And thus he's juft to all mankind, H 2 His ( 148 ) His hands, while they his alms beilow'd, His glory's future harveit fow'd : The fvveet remembrance of the juft, Like a green root, revives and bears A train of blcffings for his heirs, When dying nature fleeps in duft. Befet with threar'ning dangers round, Unmov'd fnall he maintain his ground ; His conference holds his courage up : The foul that's fill'd. with virtue's light, Shines brightefl in affliction's night ; And fees in darknefs beams of hope. [Til tidings never can furprize His heart, that fix'd on God relies, Though waves and tempefb roar around : Safe on the rock he fits, and fees The fhipwreck of his enemies, And all their hope and glory drown'd. The wicked fhall his triumph fee, And gnafh their teeth in agony, To find their expectations croil ; They and their envy, pride and fpight, Sink down to ev^rlalting night, And all their names in darknefs loft. J PSALM CXIII. IT E that delight to ferve the Lord, JL The honours of his name record, His facred name for ever blefs : Where- '( i49 ) Where-e'er the circling fun difplays His rifing beams, or letting rays, Let lands and Teas his power confefs. Not time, nor nature's narrow rounds, Can give his vail dominion bourds ; The heavens are far below iiis height : Let no created greatnefs dare With our eternal God compare, Arm'd with his uncreated might. He bows his glorious head to view What the bright hofts of angels do, And bends his care to mortal things ; His fovereign hand exalts the poor, He takes the needy from the door, And makes them company for kings. When childlefs families defpair, He fends the bleifing of an heir To refcue their expiring name; The mother with a thankful voice Proclaims his praifes and her joys : Let every age advance his fame. PSALM CXIV. Verfined. WHEN Ifrae/, freed from ThardoV* hand, Left the proud tyrant and his land ; The tribes with chearful homage own Their king, and Ju.iah was his throne. Acrofs the deep their journey lay, The deep divides to make them way; H 3 The f i>o ) The ftreams of Jordan faw. and fled, With backward current to their head. The mountains fhook like frighted fheep,. Like lambs the little hillocks leap j Not Sinai on her bafe could fcand, Confcious of fov'reign powx at hand. What pow'r could make the deep divide I iMcke Jordan backward roll his tide ? Why did ye leap, ye little hills ? And whence the frght that Sinai feels ? Let cVry mountain, ev'ry flood ^Retire, and know th 'approaching God ; The king of Iftuul: See him here ; Tremble thou earth, adore and fear. lie thunders, and all nature mourns ; The recks to ftauding pools he turns ; Flints fpring with fountains at his word, And fires and feas confefs the Lord, Part of PSALM CXV. NO T to ourfelves, who are but duft, Not to oi:rfelves is glory due, Eternal God, thou only juft, Thou only gracious, wije and true. Shine forth in all thy dreadful name ; Why mould a heathen's haughty tongue Ji fult us, and to raife our fname, Say, " Where i the God you've fervd fo long 'r The ( 1*1 ) The God we ferve maintains his throne Above the clouds, beyond the fkies, Through all the earth his will is done, He knows our groans, he hears our cries. But the vann idols they adore Are fenfelefs fhapes of itone and wood 3 At bed a mafs of glitt'ring ore, A fiiver faint, or golden god. [With eyes and ears, they carve their head 3 Deaf are their ears, their eyes are blind ; In vain are coltly offerings made, And vows are fcatter'd in the wind. Th jir feet were never made to move, Nor hands to fave when mortals pray j Mortals that pay them fear or love, Seem to be blind and deaf as they.] O I/rael, make the Lord thy hope, Thy help, thy refuge, and thy reft 5 The Lord fhall build thy ruins up, And blefs the people and the prieft. The dead no more can fpeak thy praife,. They dwell in iilence and the grave ; But we mail live to fing thy grace, And tell the world thy pow'r to fave. Part ( IJ2 ) Part of PSALM CXVI. 3h Love the Lord : he heard my cries, And pityM every groan ; ong as I live, when troubles rife, I'll haften to his throne. I love the Lord : he bow'd his ear, And chas'd my griefs away : O let my heart no more defpair, While I have breath to pray ! My flefh declin 1 d y my fpirits fell, And I drew near the dead, While inward pangs and fears of hell Perplex'd my wakeful head. u My God, I cry'd, thy fervant fave, " Thou ever good and juft ; " Thy power can refcue from the grave, " Thy power is all my trull." The Lord beheld me fore diftreft, He bid my pains remove : Return, my foul, to God thy reft, For thou haft known his love. My God hath fav'd my foul from death, And dry'd my falling tears : Now to his praife I'll fpend my breath, And my remaining years. PSALM I 153 ) PSAL M CXVII. TH Y name, Almighty Lord, Shall found through diftant lands : Great is thy grace, and fure thy word : Thy truth for ever Hands. Far be thine honour fpread, And long thy praife endure, Till morning light and evening fhade Shall be exchang'd no more. PSALM CXVIII. By Dr. Woodford. *~ I ^ O God's Almighty name fing praife, And youj who know how good he is, Refign to him, what's truly his, And arches of his own great mercies raife ! For like his word they have been fure, And to eternity endure ! Ifral, the great Jehovah's choice, Who all his fearful works have feen, Who his great care have always been, Let IjVel now confefs with thankful voice. His mercies have been ever fure 3 And to eternity endure ! H 5 Let I tt* ) Let thofe, who by their place attend, And at his altar daily wait, Their own experiences relate, Sing as they fee the facred flame afcend, His mercies have been ever fure, And to eternity endure. And to advance the blefTed king, Let all the righteous with them join, And in a fervice thus divine, Bear their part too, and in the chorus fing>. His mercies have been ever fure, And to eternity endure ! To God on high for help f cry'd, Who from his temple anfwer'd me, Both heard my pray "re and fet me free, The Lord of hoifo himfelf was on my fide;. I will not fear what man can do, Since I've a God to flee unto. With thofe, who help'd me, he was feen, His prefence brought my greatefl: aid, Nothing mall make me now afraid, He'll be my fword, who has my buckler been : And when my foes fhali be o'erthrown, I'll boaft of what his hand has done. Thofe, who their care on God do caft, And know no other will but his, Of fure recruits fhall never mifs, But as a rock, ith'rriidft of ftorms, Hand fall ; On God 'tis more fecure to truft, Than man, who muil return to dull. He ( <5> I He never yet did any fail, Moil: fure, when moil rely'd upon ; And though his pow'r fubfcribes to none, He lets weak prayers o'er heaven, and him prevail, On God 'tis more fecure to truft, Than princes, who muft turn to dud. Let barb'rous nations girt me round, And for my ruin all engage, My truft is plac'd above their rage, And ftands unfhaken on the higher ground j For on the Lord of Hofts I'll call, And in his name deftroy them all. Round let them compafs me, and round, And for my ruin all engage, My truft is plac'd above their rage, And ftands unfhaken, on the higher ground 3 For on the Lord of Hofts I'll call, And in his name deftroy them all. Let them like bees about me fwarm, And all to be my death engage, Like fire in thornes or ftubble rage, My head mail be defended by this charm, For on the Lord of Hofts I'll call, And in his name deftroy them all. The bloody man thruft at me hard, And hop'd at length to fee me fall, But when I on the Lord did call, That fword brought death to him, which me had fpar'd : God, who's my ftrength, fhall be my fong. And whom I call'd, I'll reft upon. H 6 Jh^ ( t 5 6 ) The voice of triumph, and of praife, The juft man's mouth does ever fill, His voice is like his trumpet fhrill, When up to heav'n thy vicYries he does raife : *Twas thou the conqueft didft obtain, And thy right-hand the day did gain. The Lord's right-hand did mighty things, No pow'r before his powV could ftand ; For when he made bare his right hand, Annies before him fled, and potent kings j 'Twas that the conqueft did obtain, And his right-hand the day did gain. Empty thy quiver, death, elfewhere, Begone, and pierce fome fofter heart, For I defy thy fharpeft dart, Am both above thy malice, and thy fear ! I know I mall not die, but live, And praife him, who my life did give. Low as the duft I was brought down, To the dark fuburbs of the grave, But he was pleas'd my life to fave, And what he up had rais'd, my head did crown : Open the gates of righteoulnefs, For, lo, I am return'd in peace ! Bleft gates of the divine abode, Which to the holy place let in, Where all the juft their ofFrings brin?, And haft into the prefence of their God : There, Lord, I'll praifes fing to thee, For thou haft bow'd thine ear to me. The ( >>7 ) The rtone the builders did refufe, Had often try'd, oft thrown away, Is now the mighty fabricks flay, God chofe it for the noblelt place, and ufe; This is his doing, and when thus God builds, his work is marvellous. This is the day, which he has made, Hofai:uas now befit our voice ; Come, let us in our God rejoice, And in the day which he has made, be glad ! That he profperity may fend, And to our troubles put an end. Sacred amuaflador of God, Who hither in his name doft come, We in his temple make thee room, And blefs our king from his divine abode \ He is our Saviour, come away ! The viclims at the altar Hay. Find them with cords, and tie them fail, To th'altar'b horns, and make them bleed, Then let the flame upon them feed, And in thick clouds to heav'n afcend at laft ! My God I will fmg praife to thee, Who art my God, and fong (halt be. To God's Almighty name fing praife, And you, who know how good he is, Refign to him, what's truly his, And arches of his own great mercies raife ! For like his word they have been fure, And to eternity endure ! HYMN HYMN from PSALM CXIX. Verfc 54. By Mrs. Tollet. Thy Jlatutes have been my fongs in the houfe of my pilgrimage, WHILE on the melancholy way, That journey of a winter's day, Of human life, I pafs along, Wherever, as my wand 'ring gueft, I bend my weary head to reft, Thy laws, O Lord ! have been my fong Though all the horrid fhapes of fear, Of danger and of death are near. Yet I perceive thee at my fide : Though fhades of genuine night profound Enwrap my wretched head around, Thy hand alone lhall be my guide. Though here the fnares of faithlefs foes, There torrents of involving woes, And there extend the jaws of hell : Though tempefts gather in the Iky, And wing'd with fate though arrows fly, . Thy prefence lhall my tears expel. Though from the dreadful ftorm to fly, No cave, nor hermitage is nigh ; Where I in fafety may retire : Yet, while I wander through the gloom Of all my pilgrimage to come, Thy ftatutes ihall my voice infpire. My ( *59 ) My weary fteps for ever tend Uncertain, to a certain end ; The fpace is fhort, the toil is long : And, though my voice is faint and weak, Yet fhall my foul in filence fpeak Of thee ; the fubjett of my fong. Part of PSALM CXIX. HO W fhall the young fecure their hearts^ And guard their lives from fin ; Thy word the choiceft rules imparts To keep the confcience clean. When once it enters to the mind, It fpreads fuch light abroad, The meaneft fouls inftruction find, And raife their thoughts to God. "Tis like the fun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day ; And through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way. The men that keep thy law with care, And meditnte thy word, Grow wifer thin their teachers are, And better know the Lord. Thy precepts make me* truly wife ; I hate the finner's road : I hate my own vain thoughts that rife, But love thy law, my God. [The ( *6o ) [The ftarry heavens thy rule obey, The earth maintains her place ; And thefe thy fervants night and day Thy fkill and power exprefs. But ftill thy law and gofpel, Lord, Have lefibns more divine : Not earth Hands firmer than thy word, Not ftars fo nobly mine.] Thy word is everlafting truth, How pure is every page ! That holy book fhall guide our youth, And well fupport our age. A Paraphrase on Part of P S A L M CXIX. GREAT God of confolation ! fee What bitter cares my foul poffefsj In gracious pity fet me free. And ev'ry riiing grief lupprefs. My foul for thy falvation faints ; A dim fufFufion veils my eyes : When wilt thou anfwer my complaints, Abfolve my guilt, and bid me rife ? Yet, let me not repining ftand, Thy purpofe fanclifies thy rod ; The gentle fcourges of thy hand, ~' ; U bring me nearer to my God. Thij ( 161 ) This proves my comfort in diftrefs, When joy declines and friend ihip low"rs, The pleasures of thy word increafe, And quicken all my mental powVs. What lefs could mitigate my grief. Internal hope or joy fupply ? Depriv'd of that divine relief, Hope disappears and comforts die. Thy difpenfations I revere, And ev'ry anxious thought compofe ; Aflur'd thedifcipline I bear, From thy paternal goodnefs flows. 'Ere I had known afflidlion's fchool, My treach'rous feet were led aftray j But there J've learnt a facred rule — Thy word's a clue to guide my way. PSALM CXX. IN paft diftrefs my God was near, And anfwer'd my requeft ; He then vouchfaf *d to footh my care, And fetmy foul at reft. Hear and redrefs my prefent wrongs Thou ibv'reign prince of fate ! Withdraw me from opprobrious tongues, And lips that breathe deceit. Will ( i6* ) Will nothing lefs reflrain your fpleen, Ye fiery fons of rage ? Let bearded arrows, hot and keen, Your infolence engage. Alas ! my golden hours of life Litigious tongues deftroy :• Unhappy lot where clanVrous itrife, Drowns ev'ry filent joy ! Long have I dwelt where difcord reigns j O might I quit the place, To range the unfrequented plains Or mazy wildernefs ! Peace (lovely, foft, confoling gueft !)■ Invites me to her charms, But when I urge it to the reft, They've all reeourte to a*ma, PSALM exxr. UP to the hills I lift mine eyes, Th'eternal hills beyond the Cues ; Thence all her help my foul derives ; There my almighty refuge lives. He lives; the everlafting God, That built the world, that fpread the flood ; The heav'ns, with all their holts he made,. And the dark regions of the dead. He ( '6 3 ) He guides our feet, he guards our way j. His morning fmiles blels all the day : He fpreads the evening veil, and keeps The filent hours while 1/rael fleep^. Ifrael, a name divinely bleft, May rife fecure, fecurely reft ; Thy holy guardian's wakeful eyes Admit no llumber nor {"urprize. No fun (hall finite thy head by day, Nor the pale moon with fickly ray Shall blail thy couch ; no baleful itar Dart his malignant fire fo far. Should earth and hell with malice burn, Still thou malt go, and il ill return Safe in the Lord ! his heav'nly care Defends thy life from ev'ry fnare. On thee foul fpirits have no pow'r ; And in thy lall departing hour Angels that trace the airy road, Shall bear thee homeward to thy God. PSALM CXXIII. By King JAMES. ILift mine eyes to thee, O thou That doft the heavens command : As fervants ;k>) with watchful eyes Do mark their ma 'er's hand. Or as a maid doth of her dame The hand attend : tven thus We wait the Lord our God, till he Have mercy upon us. Have. { K5 4 ) Have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord,. On us, who thee obey : Wefuffered have abuncantly, Tobafe cortempt a pee/. Our foul is charg'd b them with ("corn Who at their eaie abide : And with the infolent contempt Of them that fwell with pride. PSALM CXXIII. DThou whofe grace and juftice reign Enthron'd above the fkies, To thee our hearts would tell their pain* To thee we lift our eyes. As fervants watch their mailer's hand, And fear the angry ftroke ! Or maids before their miflrefs Hand, And wait a peaceful look : So for our fins we juftly feel Thy difcipline, O God ; Yet wait the gracious moment flill, Till thou remove thy rod. Thofe that in wealth and pleafure live^ Our daily groans deride, And thy delays of mercy give Frelh courage to their pride. Our ( i6$ ) Our foes infult us, but our hope 'v. thy companion lies ; This thought (hall bear our fpirits up, That God will QOtdefpife. PSALM CXX1V. By Sir John Denham. " A D not the Lord maintained our fide, With joy might Ifraeizxy ; Vhcn us our enemies defy'd, Had noc che Lord flood by : We had been iwalio\v\l quick, their blood Such flames of rage did warm ! Our fouls o'rewhelnVd with th" roaring flood, Had perinYd in the norm. Blefl be the Lord, who would not let Our lives become their prey : As birds, which from the fowler's net Efc aping, fly away, My foul through their diforder'd bands, Has made a fair efcape. Our help is" from the Lord, whofe hands Gave heaven and earth their ihape. PSALM CXXVI. By King JAMES. WHEN that the Lord from bondage back His Sion did reclaim : We in an extafy entranc'd, Were like to them that dream. Then ( 166 ) Then laughter fill'd our mouth with joy, Our tongues were iinging glad : The Lord for them hath dene great things, The heathens wond'ring faid. The Lord, he who moft mighty is, Hath done for us great things : And vvhilit contemplating the fame, From thence our gladnefs fprings. Lord, bring our captives back again A multitude that grow : Like mighty floods, that from the South Along the lands do flow. To them, that f.rfl in forrov/s ground Did fow, with bitter tears ; A happy harveft, rich in joy, Of comfort plenty bears. He that doth weeping frit go forth, And carrieth precious feed ; Shall doubih fs come again with joy, And fheaves to ferve his need. PSALM CXXVIII. By Sir John Denham, BLEST is the man who God does fear, And in lis ways his courfe does fleer : He with content fhall fafe-y eat The fruits of his induflrious fweat. His wife a fruitful vine fhall be ; L.ike plants of the fair olive-tree, Children his table fhall furround : Who fears God thus, with blifs is crown'd. Blefl' ( 167 ) Elefl: out of Sion he (hall be, Good in "Jerufidm (ball lee ; To childrens "children (hall increafe, And Ifrael fliall behold in peace. PSALM CXXX. I. OUT of the deep of fad diilrcfs, _ The gloomy mazes of defpair, To heav'n I raife my warm addrefs Deign O my God ! to hear my pray'r. O let thine ear indulge my grief! For thy indulgence is relief. II. Should'ft thou, O God, minutely fenn Our faults and as feverely chide, No mortal feed of finful man Could fuch a fcrutiny abide. But r.iercy mines in all thy ways ; Bright theme of univerfal praife ! III. With longing eyes I feek the Lord, Before his throne my foul attends, Firmly on his eternal word My hope is nVd, my faith depends. Before the dawn my foul mail rile In contemplation to the Ikies. IV, ( '63 ) IV. Ye pious minds on God rely ; With full afturance in him truft : He fends redemption from on high, And fooths your penitential duft. Who will abfolve his exifd heirs From all their guilt, and all their cares. PSALM CXXX. By Mr. Daniel, BURIED in darknefs, and oppreft with care, To thee, my gracious God, I bend in prayV; Nor pray'rs, nor fighs can jealous Saul afTuage, Save me, oh fave me from the tyrant's rage ! Friends I have none to take my injur'd part, And fure no foul like mine can plead defert ; If merit muft my intercefibr be, Vain are my wretched hopes, and loft in thee. Ah no ! in fuch a light I ne'er muft mine, Let ethers claim defert, let ihame be mine; For oh ! fhould'ft thou inspect the inward part, And nicely weigh each failing of the heart, Shonld'ft thou our vain and idle actions fcan, And let thy rig'rous juftice locfe on man, The purell: mind can no perfection boaft, And ev*n the whiteft innocence is loft. But fee, thy tender mercy intervenes, Covers our failings, and our follies fcreens ; Mercy and pit) in thy bofom move t And all thy Godhead ftands confeft in love, Love ( «*9 ) Love, wond'rous love, the fav'riteof thy breail, Love felt by all too great to be expreft. Come, mighty God, and take thy fervant's part, Come, mighty God, and triumph o'er my hearts Seize, take it all, and let the wand'rer be Clofe knit in fweeteft bonds to trith and thee: Not io thy priefts which in the temple pray, Watch for the early blufh of rifing day, As my foul pant.- and (Vrugglea to be free. Full of thy wiuYd approach, and full of thee. Come, mighty God, and take my injur'd part, Oh come, and reign for ever in my heart. Oh Ifral mourn, like me, your conduct pall, Implore his pardon, and his bounty tafte ; All-gracious \i the God in whom we trull, Mild, and forgiving, merciful, and juft ; His arm will ftrike this grand cppreiibr down, Confirm our Ifracl, and iecure the crown ; Then hoililc rage, and jealoufics fhali ceafe, And the glad land mall tafte the fweets of pjace. Ode on PSALM CXXX. By Mrs. Tollet. I. FROM the profound abyfi below Beneath die vaulted bafe of earth, Beneath where vc getables take their birth, Beneath where gems andrip'nii g metals glow : - hich abide Th'incefiant | i the rolling tide, Ben< i .zir.es which keep Th/exhauftleis tiealures of the wat'ry deep ; I J ( '7° ) I raife my humble voice, and try, Though I fo low and he fo high, To reach the ltarry manfions of the deity, II. My humble voice with mild attention hear ! 1 fee, I fee the dreadful day, What mortal eye the view can bear r When juftice, rob'd in terrible array, Shall all the world to thy tribunal call: When men (hall feek their guilty heads to hide Crufh'd by the mountain's mould'ring fide \ Or bury 'd in the ruins of the univerfal ball. Till mercy from the Iky defcends ; Divineft attribute of power ! In air the flaming fword fufpends ; And bids it rage no more, no more devour. Divineft attribute ! which does maintain The facred awe of thy eternal reign . III. My foul fecure attends the Lord ; Repos'd on his irrevocable word : With early hymns fhe wakes the rifing day ; With earlier vigilance than they Who from the turret watch the dawning light, Emergi.- g from tbelhadesof night. Ye Pons of IJrael ! ye who trace Your hallow d lineage from the patriarch's race ! With ilcdfaft hope your gracious Lord adore : For ki jw, that in the inexhauUed ftore Of certain f'ite your great receemer lies. When future time and certain fate The delhr 'd period fhali complete, Himfelf the Lord mall this redeemer rife. No triumphs equal to the deed, Though from ^Egyptian bondage freed, Can ( l?i ) Can be compar'd to what remain When he of guilt fhall break the chain, ^ And give us liberty again. PSALM CXXXI. By Mrs. Tollet, TT ORD! no ambitious mind I bear, I j Betray 'din haughty airs . Nor I, above my proper fphere Converfe in great affairs . But mildly I myfelf demean'd ; And angry thoughts fupprefs'd : As when an infant newly wean'd, Forgets his mother's breaft. Ev'n like that weanling babe my mind Is foon compos'd to peace : To God be lfraer$ hope refign'd, From now till time lhall ceafe, PSALM CXXXIII. By Mrs. Tollet. I. WHAT joy when brethren dwell combined In pious unity of mind \ 'Ti3 like the facred unction med On Aaron % venerable head : When bath'd in fragrancy refpire His rev'rend beard and rich attire* IM ( 1/2 ) II. L!ke dews which trickling from the iky Jn pearly globes on Herman lye; Or balmy vapours which diitil s co iterated hill. For there the Lord his blefiing plac'd ; .:"d. P S A L M CXXXIV. YE that obey th'immortal King, Attend his holy place ; Bow to the glories of his power, And blefs his wond'rous grace. Lift up your hands by morning-light, Arc lend your fouls on high ; Raii'e your admiring thoughts by night Above the flarry iky. The God of Zlcn chears our hearts With rays of quick'ning grace ; The God that fpreads the heavens abroad, And rules the {welling leas. P S A L M CXXXV. By Mr. Sandys. OVou who ephods wear and incenfe fling On facred flames, Jehovah's praifes fmg. You, who his temple guard, O celebrate His glorious name ; his noble ads relate. How ( '73 ) How great a joy with fuch fincere delight To crown the day, and entertain the night! For Ifrael is his choice ; and [facob\ race His treafure, and the object of his grace. In power how infinite ! how much before Thofe mortal gods, whom frantic men adore ! All on his will depend ; all homage owe, In heaven, in earth, and in the depths below. At his command exhaled vapors rife, And in condenfed clouds obfenre the fkies. From thence, in fhow'rs he horrid lightening flings ; And from their caves the itruggling ternpefts brings. He the fhft-born of men rnd cattle flew ; Frefh' ltreams of blood the towns and plains imbrew. Th'inhabitants that drink of Niius flood, At his confounding wonders trembling flood. Great princes, who excell'd in fortitude, And mighty nations by his power fubdu'd. Strong Sibon, whom the Amorites obey'd ; And ltrenuous Og, who Bajhans fceptre fway'd ; Wkh all the kingdoms of the Canaanites, Who to the conquerors refign their rights ; To whom he their difmantled cities grants, And in thofe fruitful fields his Hebrews plants. Thy name fhali laft unto eternity ; And thy immortal fame fhall never die. Thou dolt thy fervant pardon and protect ; Advance the humble, and the proud deje£t. Thofe helpiefs gods, ador'd in foreign lands, Are gold and filver ; wrought by human hands : Blind eyes have they, deaf ears, ftill filent tongues : Nor breath exhale from their unaclive lungs. Who made, refemble them ; and fuch are thofe, Who in fuch fcnfelefs ftocks their hopes repofe. O praife the Lord, you who from Ifrael fpring ; His praifes, O you fons of Aarc?:, fing : I 3 You . ( »74 ) You of the houfe of Levi praife his name : All you who God adore, his praife proclaim, Prom Sien praife the only good and great ; Who in Jerufaltm hath hxt his feat. PSALM CXXXVI. By Sir John Denham. GIVE thanks to God, the Holy One ; Give thanks to God who reigns a'one : I hi mercy is for e And /hall from age to a^e endure. Give thanks to God, of kings the king, Prom whom great wonders only fpring r His mercy is for ever fur e, And Jhall from age to age endure. The heav'ns his pow'r and wifdom made ^ Cut of the deep the earth he weigh'd. His mercy is for ever fure y And jhall from age to age endure. He form'd the fun, whofe beams furvey The world ; and did create the day ; His mercy is for ever fare, And fhall from age to age endure. The moon, with her attending train Of meaner lights, o'er night to reign. His mercy is for ever fure y And Jhall from age to age endure. He the firft-born of Egypt fmote, i nd from among them Ifrael brought : Hn ( 175 ) His mercy is for ever Jure, And pall from age to age endure. By his ftrong arm and mighty hand, The waves like walls divided itand : His mercy is for ever fure, And Jhall from age to age endure. ll'rael paft fafe on the firm ground, While Pharaoh and his hofts were drownM : His mercy is for ever fure, Ajid Jhall from age to age endure. Cod through the defart Ifrael led ; Kings, who oppos'd them, fell, or fled: His mercy is for ever fure, And Jhall from age to age endure. He Sion king of \\\"Amorites t And Og the king of Baflmn fmites : His mercy is for ever fure , And Jhall from age to age endure. Their heritage to Ifrael, As their own patrimony, fell : His mercy is for ever fure, And Jhall from age to age endure. When we were loft in low efteem, His faving hand did us redeem : His mercy is for ever Jure, And Jhall from age to age endure. All creatures on his bounty live, Therefore to him all praifes give : His mercy is for ever fure, And Jhatl from age to age endure. I 4 Givj ( 17* ) Give thanks to God the Holy One, To God who reigns in heaven alone : His mercy is for e~uer fure> And Jh all from age to age endure. PSALM CXXXVH, By Sir Philip Sidney. I. IGH feated where the river flows, That wat'reth Babel's thankful plain, Which then our tears, in pearled rows, Did help to water with the rain : The thought of Sion bred foch wees, That though ccr h.;rps we did retain, Yet ufelefs and untouched there, On willows only hang'd tfeey were. II. Now while our harps were hanged (o, The men whofe captives then we lay, Did on our griefs infulting go, And more to grieve us thus did fay ; You that of mafic make fuch fhew, Come fing us now a Stones lay : Ch no ! we have no voice nor hand For fuch a fong in fuch a land. III. Though far I be, fweet Sion hill, In foreign foil exil'd from thee, Yet let my hand forget his fkill, If ever thou forgotten bz ; /,nd let my tongue fa ft glewed ft!ll Unto my roof, lie mute in me; If ( 177 ) If thy negleft within me Spring, Or ought 1 do, but Salem fing, IV. But thou, O Lord, (halt not forget To quit the pains of FJoni's race, Who caufelefsly, yet hotly fet Thy holy city to deface ; Did thus the bloody victors whet, What time they enter'd firft the place, " Down, down with it at any hand, " Make all a wafle, let nothing ftand. V. And Babylon, that didft us wafte, Thyfelf (halt one day wafted be : And happy he, who what thou haft Unto us done, fhall do to thee; Like bitternefs fhall make thee tafte, Like woful objects make thee fee : Yea, happy who thy little ones Shall take and dalh againft the ftones. ODE on PSALM CXXXVII. By Mrs. Tollet. I. BESIDE where fam'd Euphrates flows, Thy dear remembrance urg'd our woes ; Thee So!yma ! our tears depiore, The great ! the glorious ! now no more : Our iilent harp, untua'd, unftrung, Upon the hoary willows hung. i 5 n. ( 173 ) II. Our haughty lords, infulting throng. In barb'rous mirth demand a fong : Such tuneful airs, melodious drains, As ill agree with fervile chains ; Such fongs as us'd of old to found, O'er S/Ws courts and hallow'd ground. III. And can we then, celeftial King \ Thy hymns in hateful exile fing ! Thee, Sion ! if my thoughts forego, Thy glories pad, thy prefent woe, May then, with palfies numb'd and chill. My- better hand forget her £kill. IV. O Solyma ! if ever part Thy honour'd image from my hearty Fix'd to my palate may my tongue For ever motionlefs be hung : If any joy my bofom know Superior to fo juft a woe. V. O may celeftial ire apace Involve Lkmft cruel race ! Think, Lord ! what they prefum'd to fay. When Sion law her la tell day : They bade her levell'd pride confound : And raze her turret to the ground. VI. Daughter of Babel doonvd to know The pining walte of meager woe ! O ! happy he who mall repay The vengeance of that £gnal day : And ( "79 ) And happy he by whom arc thrown Thy infants on the rugged Hone. PSALM CXXXIX. Imitated by Mr. Blacklock; ME, O my God ! thy piercing eye, In motion, or at reft, furveys i If to the lonely couch I fly, Or travel through frequented ways ; Where-e'er I move, thy boundlefs reign, Thy mighty prefence, circles all the fcene> j Where mail my thoughts from thee retire, Whofe view pervades my inmoft heart ! The latent, kindling, young defire, The word, 'ere from my lips it part, To thee their various forms difplay, And mine reveal'd in thy unclouded day, Behind me if I turn my eyes, Or froward bend my wand'ring fight, Whatever objefts round me rife Through the wide fields of air and light ; With thee imprefs'd, each various frame The forming, moving, prefent God proclaim. Father of all, omnifcient mind, Thy wifdom who can comprehend ? Its higheft point what eye can find, Or to its loweft depths defcend ? That wifdom, which, 'ere things began, Saw full expreft th'all-comprehending plan ? I 6 Whafr. ( i8o J What cavern deep, what hill fublime, Beyond thy reach, fhall I purfue ? What dark rece's, what diftant clime, Shall hide me from thy boundlefs view ? Where from thy fpirit fhalll I fly, DifTufive, vital, felt through earth and fky ? If up to heav'ns setherial height, Thy profpedl to elude, I rife ; In fplendor there, feverely bright, Thy prefence fhall my fight furprize : There, beaming from their fource divine, In full meridian, light and beauty mine. Beneath the pendent globe if laid, If plung'd in hell's abyfs profound, I call on night's impervious ihade To fpread effential blacknefs round ; Confpicuous to thy wide furvey, Ev'n hell's grim horrors kindle into day. Thee, mighty God ! my wond'ring foul, Thee, all her confeious powers adore ; Whofe being circumfcribes the whole, Whofe eyes its utmoft bounds explore : Alike illum'd by native light, Amid the fun's full blaze, or gloom of night. If through the fields of aether borne, The living winds my flight fuflain j If on the rofy wings cf mcrn, I feek the diftsnt weftern main ; There, O my God ! thou Hill art found, Thy pow'r upholds me, and thy arms furround; Thy ( i«« ) Thy eflence fills this breathing frame, Jt glows in ev'ry conlcious part ; Lights up my foul with livelier flame, And feeds with life my beating heart : Unfelt along my veins it glides, And through their mazes rolls the purple tides. While, in the filent womb inclos'd, A growing embryo yet 1 lay, Thy hand my various parts di:pos'd, Thy breath infusd life's genial rav ; Till, fniih'd by thy wondr'ous plan, I role the dread majellic form of man. To thee, from whom my being came, Whole fmile is all the heav'n I know, Replete with all my wend Vous theme, To thee my votive ftrains mail flow : Great Archetype ! who firit defign'd, Lxpreilive of thy glory, human kind. Who can the (tars of heav'n explore, The flow'rs that deck the verdant plain, Th'unnumber'd fands that form the more, The drops that fwell the fpacious main ? Let him thy wonders publifh round, Till earth and heavVs throne refound. As fubtcrraneous flames connVd, From earth's dark womb impetuous rife, The conflagration, fann'd by wind, Wraps realms, and blazes to the fkies : In lightning's flafh, and thunder's roar, Thus vice fhall feel the tempeit of thy pow 'r. Fly ( *8 2 ) Fly then as far as pole from pole, Ye fonsof Slaughter , quick retire; At whofe approacn my kindling foul Awakes to unextinguifh'dire : Fly ; nor provoke the thunder's aim, You, who in fcorn pronounce th'Almighty's name. The wretch, who dares thy pow r defy, And on thy vengeance loudjy call, On him not pity's melting eye, Nor partial favour e'er (hall fall : Still mall thy foes be mine, ftill fhare Unpity'd torture, and unmixt defpair. Behold, O God ! behold me ftand, And to thy ftritt regard difclofe Whate'er was acted by my hand, Whate'er my inmoft thoughts propofe • If vice indulg'd their candour ftain, Be all my portion bitternefs and pain. But, O ! if nature, weak and frail, To flrong temptations oft give way ; If doubt, or paffion, oft prevail O'er wand'ring reafon's feeble ray : Let not thy frowns my fault reprove, But guide thy creature with a Father's love. PSALM ( 183 ) PSALM CXXXIX. LORD, thou with an unnerring beam Surveyeft all my pow'rs ; My rifing Heps are vvatch'd by thee, By thee my refting hours. My thoughts fcarce ftruggling into birth, Great God, are known to thee : Abroad, at home, frill I'm inclos'd With thine immenfity. To thee the labyrinths of life In open view appear ; Nor fleals a whifper from my lips Without thy lifVning ear. Behind I glance, and thou art there, Before me fhines thy name ; And 'tis thy ftrong Almighty hand Suftains my tender frame. Such knowledge mocks the vain efTays Of my aftoninYd mind, Nor can my reafon's foaring eye Its tow'ringfummit find. Where from thy fpiritfhall I nretch. The pinions of my flight ? Or where, through nature's fpacious range, Shall I elude thy fight ? Scal'd ( i«4 ) Scal'd I the ikies : the blaze Divine Would overwhelm my foul : VMung'd I to hell ; there I mould hear Eternal thunders roll. If on a morning's darting ray With matchlefs fpeed 1 rode, And flew to the wild lonely ihore, That bounds the ocean's flood ; Thither thine hand, All-prefent God, Muft guide the wond'rous way, And thine omnipotence fupport The fabrick of my clay. Should I involve myfelf around With clouds of tenfold night, The clouds would mine like blazing noon Before thy piercing fight. The darknefs fcatters at thine eye, And fparkles into day, And light and made alike appear To thy refplendent ray. Thine all-pervading knowledge {hikes- Through nature's inmoft gloom : And in thy circling arms I lay A flurnbVer in the womb. Thee will I honour, for I fland A volume of thy (kill, Stupendous are thy works, and they My contemplations fill. Thine ( Hf ) Thine eye beheld me, when the fpeck Of entity began, And o'er my form, in darknefs fram'd Thy rich embroidVy ran. Th'unfalhion'd mafs by thee was feen ; My ftruclure in thy book Was plann'd, before thy curious mould The future embryo took. How precious are the ftreaming joys That from thy love defcends, Would I retaarfe their numbers o'er, Where would their numbers end ? Not ocean's countlefs fands exceed The bleilir, ; s of the lMes ; . ht's defcendin (hades they fall With morning fplenciors rile. But, Lord, thy keen revenging fnafts Shall wound the flubborn heart, Far from my bofom, and my tent, Ye fons of death depart. Againft the Lord that rules the world See daring finners rife, And, {porting with his honours, breathe Defiance to the ikies. Sheath'd in rebellious arms they Hand, And hence my forrow flows ; They hate my God, they burit his Lands,. And hence my hatred glows. ( 1 86 ) I hate them ; and a keener rage This breaft did never know ; And as they dare to combat heav'iv I count them each my foe. Survey me, Lord, explore my heart> Difclofe the latent caufe, And weigh the motives of my foul By thine impartial laws ; And if the tranfports of my zeal From felfifh fprings have flow'd, petecl the guilt, and guide my Heps In thine eternal road ! Part of PSALM CXXXIX. Imitated by H. D e l l. OGod, whofe all- exploring eye furveys My inmoft thoughts, and all my fecret w>ys i . Who, from thy vaft infinitude of fpace, Can all my foul's moft deep receffes trace ; Say ! from thy prefence whither mail I fly ?.' On eagles wings mould I afcend the Iky, Thy blaze divine would all my pow'rs controul, Aftonifh and o'erwhelm my raviuYd foul: Or, fhould I feek t'elude thee with my flight In the black regions of eternal night, Thy omniprefence Hill would there be found, In all the horrors of the vaft profound : Through worlds unnumber'd mould I wing my way, Where night eternal reigns, or endlefs day ; To ( i*7 ) To earth's remoteft parts,, or whcje I will, Thy watchful providence furrounds me Mill. Before exiftence from the womb of night, Had caird my rifing form to op'ning light, Thy piercing eye did ev'ry part Purvey, And quicken'd into life the breathlefs clay ; Th'unfafhion'd mafs, form'd by thy pow'r divine, Complete in beauty's excellence to (nine. Thy ways, O God, whene'er my thoughts purfue, A thoufand wonders open to my view ; Such heights fublime when I furvey, in vain I ltrive fuch wond'rous knowledge to attain. When nature's glories all to dull dial] fade, To thee my grateful tribute mail be paid : While life exifts, to thee my voice Til raife j Thy glorious name I will for ever praifc. PSALM CXLI. By Sir John Denham. LORD, when I cry, make hafte to hear, And to my voice incline thy ear : So lhall my prayer like incenfe rife, My high-rais'd hands as facrifke. Lord, fet upon my mouth a guard, And let its double door be barr'd. Let not my heart to fin incline, Nor let my hand in mifchief join. The finner's dainties I'll not fhare : Thejuft man's ftrokes I'll meekly bear; Though fliarply he my crimes reprove, I'll take it as a mark of love : This ( 188 ) This like a precious ointment fhed, Will never bruife but heal my head: And if I find him in diftrefs, My thanks and prayers fhall him releafe. His judges in a ftony place Falling, my counfels lhall embrace. Our fcatter'd bones, like wood that's cleft, At the grave's mouth expes'd are left. To thee my eyes, Lord, I direct, From thee alone relief expect : To thee my foul prefents her fuit ; Lord, do not leave her deflitute. O keep me from the treacherous fnare, Which bloody hands for me prepare ! May their own nets themfelves intrap, While by thy favour I efcape. PSALM CXLIT. TO God I raife my humble cry, To him unfold my mournful cafe-: Proftrate before his throne I lie, T ''mplore and fupplicate his grace. While, plung'd in forrow, I endure Th'opprobrious taunts of fcornful pride,: How far my fentiments are pure, Omnifcience, only, can decide. Around ( **9 ) Around I cafr my williful eyes, Diftrefs'd, abandoned, and forlorn, But to my grief a fad furpri/.e, Am anfwer'd with contempt and fcorn. No kindly refuge or retreat [nvitcs m) I inring 'oul to reft, No foft humanity 1 meet, No friendly comfort- make me bleit. Indulge, O God ! my louder cry, Cheiiih my hope, and footh my fear ; Thou art my f'ov'reign b!if> on high, Be thou my fh.eid and refuge here. While I beneath affliction bow, To my pathetic luit attend, And let my periVcutors know Omnipotence is itiil my friend. Inlarge my fphere, and fet me free From prifon, bondage, guilt, and fliame ; Then fliall the righteous join with me, Thy kind indulgence to proclaim. A Paraphrase on PSALM CXLIII: HE A R, gracious Lord, my fervent prayer, Indulge my humble cry : Thy truth and righteoufnefs declare, And fave me from on high. Re* ( 19* ) Remit my guilt, nor call me forth In judgment to appear : Since none of ail the tribes on earth Can in thy fight be clear. The hand of unrelenting pow'r My happinefs invades : As men that long have been no more, I grovel in the fhades. Hence potent grief and gloomy care, My inward peace defrroy : The black intrufions of defpair Cloud ev'ry glimpfe of joy. Yet, from the fcenes of pall diftref-- Scme comforts I derive ; The ancient wonders of thy grace My dying hopes revive. To thee I ftretch my hands abroad, And raife my mental pow'rs; So thirfts the dry and parched clod For the refrefhing fhow'rs. Hear, O my God ! be quick to fave ; My vital ftrength decays : Thy abfence finks me to the grave, And withers out my days. When balmy fleep forfakes my head, Thy gracious aid impart ; Defcribe the path I ought to tread, And fix it in my heart. To I 9 I 1 To thee my languid foul afpircs When threat'ning foes engage ; Youchfafe to fecond my delires, And diiconccrt their rage. Teach me to execute thy will, My only fov'reign guide ! And bear me to thy facred hill, Where endlefs joys relide. Quicken, O God ! and make me whole, Extinguiih all defpair ; Inlarge and extricate my foul, And difiipate my care. Then, while thy goodnefs iTiall prolong The meafure of my days, My grateful foul fhall prompt my tongue To celebrate thy praife. PSALM CXLIII. By Mr. Daniel. VOuchfafe, my God, to lend a lihVning ear, Pity the exi!e, and regard my prayV ; Let me thy fweet, thy tender mercy find, And calm this dreadful tempefl in my mind. I rage, I bu-n, I rave my fon, my fon (And do I live tc tell ; t ?) drives me on, From my own chili this wretched flight accrues , The aged parent flies, he fon purfues •, Where mail I run ? ah /hither fhall i flie ? Where fhall a wretched father reft and die ? And ( w ) And yet the fault is mine, my fins I own, "My hateful fins have pull'd this judgment down : From my loft fcepter 1 with juftice fall. Yes, 1 am ruin'd and deferve it all ; Yet do not, O my God, my failings fcan, Remember I'm that poor weak creature man ; Prone to do ill, ana finfui at the heft ; Nor can our brightest virtue Hand thy tell. Oh the ungrateful youth ! eternal fhame Covers my wretched age, and blafts my name ; Difgrace, and foul difhonour drown my brow, This defart is my only empire now : He minds not, hears not, fees not my diftrefs, Or feeing would not wifli my forrows lefs ; Alas ! he envies me this lonely cave, And this fell heart purfues me to the grave. Yet oh ! in fpight of all this dreadful fcene, Merhir.ks fome glimmering comfort fhines within ; Thy former mercies in my fancy roll, -Croud to my thoughts, and brighten in my foul ; Fix'd with iui prize, and motionleis I ftand, And count the various wonders of thy hand : When on the rugged bear I prov'd my might, And darM the hungry lion to the fight; Did not my Maker on my fids engage, When young in arms I fcorn'd their utmoft rage : On Dammini plain when proud Goliab flood, Challenged our captains, and defy'd our God ; Was not thy glorious ai m my fhield and bow, Thy glorious arm which laid the boairer low £ Diuil thou not oft the jealou: Sat . afluf.ge, And kindly fcreen thy fervant from hi:: rage ? Thou did ft, thou didft ; from thee my fafety came, Gracious and good, and thou art Hill the fame ; Alike I '93 ) Alike thy mercy will for ever be, The fame thy bounty and thy love to me. Come quickly to my aid, thou welcome gucft, .And gently Lull my fainting foul to reft ; My tainting foul, like a dry thirfty land, Pant, for the cooling comfort of thy hand : Oh hafte thee, do not (lop, make no delay, How preifing is my danger ! hafte away, Alas 1 no friend but thee can David boaft, And if my God is abfent, I am loft. How dreadful is the gloom ? — a murm'ring found Through nil the trembling camp is heard around ; We dart at ev'ry noife, and greatly fear, We ftart, and think that Abfalom is near. O guard thy little flock this fearful night, And give our eyes to feu letmning light; Let welcome news atrjnd the morning ray, Smile on our willies, and rcltore the day. The boy, th'ambi ious boy conies thund'ring on, And in his eager fancy hunts me down ; He, and his rebels come, a num'rous band, Snatch me, oh fnatch me from the tranor's hand : Where lies the road of {^fety, tell me where ? For fure deftrUtlion muft atttnd me here : To a good God, my only hope, I flee, Hope which can ne er be loll when fix'd on thee. Oh think what wond'rous honour muft enfue, When IJracl fees its fafety fprings from yo"U; How (hall their tongues exprefs the glorious flame, How will both kin^ an 1 people blefs thy name ? Arife, great God, arife ! thy might di.clofc, And pour out all thy vengeance on our foes ; In loudeli thunder let the traitors fee That rebels wage an iinp ; ous war with thee ; K Thy ( >94 ) Thy minifter I am, at thy command I took the fcepter, and I rul'd the land ; Thine is the caufe in which our fwords we draw, Thine is the caufe of liberty and law : Where juflice beft appears, let conqueft be, And firengthen thou the arm which flrikes for thee. A Paraphrase onPSALM CXLIV. DEfcend, eternal God of might ! While I invoke thy fovVeign grace; Let mountains tremble at thy fight, And heaven difiblve before thy face ! From thy celeftial throne furvey How ftrangers perfecute my fon! ; Vouchfafe to bear me hence away, Nor let the torrent on me roll. Withdraw me from the fervile croud, Whofe hands with wickednefs abound $ Whole mouth of vanity is loud, Whofe clamours all my peace confound. Then fhall the mufe in fongs divine Her utmoft fkill and genius raife ; Jvly voice and inftrument fhall join, Jn. grateful concert to thy praife. Par it ( *9S ) Part of PSALM CXLIV. LORD, what is man, poor feeble man. Born of the earth at firft ? His life a fhadow, light and vain, Still halting to the dull. O what is feeble dying man, Or any of his race, That God mould make it his concern To vifit him with grace ! That God who darts his lightnings downj Who makes the worlds above, And mountains tremble at hie frown, How wondVous is his love ! PSALM CXLV. By Sir John Denham; OLord, my God, my fongstothee Shall, likethyfelf, immortal be ! Forever I'll thy praife exprefs, And every day thy name will blefs. Grc^t is the Lord, his praife no bounds Confine, no line his greatnefs founds. That generation which fucceeds, Shall learn from this thy mighty deeds? K z Tbc ( l^ ) The honour of thy majefty 1*11 fing, how wonderful ! how high .' The meafnrcs of thy grace who know ; ' Thy mercy's fwift, thy anger flow. O'er all, God's guardian mercy frauds, Hi> bounty falls from equal hands. His wend'rous power his works proclaim, For which the faints (hall blefs his name. God's majefty, his power, the ftate Of his dominion, (hints relate ; So large, fo lifting, io renown'd, As nether place nor time mail bound, Thy hand fupports the drooping head ; Has rais'd the low, the hungry fed. The vshole creation, men and beafts, Attending thee, thy bounty feafts. Joftice and truth thy ways fecure ; Ar.d, like thyielf, thy works are pure. To them that pray the Lord is near, To all who pray and are iincere. Their tints he grants, their wants fupplies, And faves them when he hears their cries. All this the righteous man enjoys, But the ungodly God deitroys. My lips his praifes {hall proclaim, And all who live ihall blefs his name. H v :,i N ■ 11 I : : _ t -. r i : - : - . '- ~ z .-. ' '. - ' _ ::. . _■ B-: .' ::'-. 7. ;:'.-.; : -!•: ::" r:i:e. "•";-: .'- :t:.: ~ f : • :~..e: I- 77 ■■ :.- _.- r =:•:.-=; • :"i:*. A: i =". :;• :"ti: : t :-:.!• :_:-. ■• :.-:e-: L::: "■' >. t J .'. — : ;•. : -. .. - ; V.';-.t- -.::-.- :• ..". ;-: ir. :i; iiy. V-"-=r. ;'.:-r :.-.:• 1 " : :t'z~\ '::• 7.1- 1. 7>.= :ti: r:.~ :.-._'. : :' :;. -_.- e Sl-.il! z.liiic :V.ii = : ::' :;::;. B_: :>. r.:w •"-.-, e=: -- :r: .": i!' :.:"? '. ' - L .- . : t : 1- ::.t rTz.-nl ;: i { 198 ) PSALM CXLVI. PRAISE ye' the Lord, my heart (hall join In work fo pleafant, fo divine ; 2\ow while the flefh in mine abode, And when my (oul afcends 10 God. Praife fhall employ my nobleft powers, While immortality endures ; My days of praife fhall ne'er be pad, While life and thought and being latt. "Why fliould I make a man my trull? Princes muft die and turn to dull 5 Their breath departs, their pomp and power, And thoughts all vanifli in an hour. Happy the man, whofe hope rely On lfra£t% God : he mr.de the And earth and &$> with mi their train, And none mall find his promiie vain. His truth for ever ftands fecure : He faves t:i* o^preft, he foods the poor; Ke fends th- labouring conscience peace, And grants the prifoner iweet reLafe. The Lori hath eyes to give the blind; The Lord fupports the linking mind ; He helps the lh-angcr in aiurefs, The widow and the fatherieis. He ( r 99 ) He loves his faints, he knows them well^ But turns the wicked down to hell : Thy God, O Zrow, ever reigns ; Praife him incverlalting ftrains.- PSALM CXLVI. By M:s. R o w e. PREPARE the voi-re, ai Hyrt£ l With h My tuneful And gli.d the air. ai ; ..;ies ; While life and brei 6ng Shall £11 my bre-al, ami > < ij ja my toii^ue. As fomc Fair ftruc 1 a a/is-liea Onrftrengthbf rdeks*, thethieaci.. . ,: i. ids defies j So ftedfaill} nay nopeson ruav'n are plac d, Norearttr, nor '.ell, my confidence can blaft. Let others ft li for human help attend, And on the flatteries of the great depend ; Relentlcfs Jea.h fha!l mock rheir any truft, And lay rhei; ooafted confidence in duft. As the fa itaftic v.fions of the night, Befor the op'ning morning take their flight; So pen.;, all the boa.h of men, their pride, And vain defigns, the laughing fkies deride. But he alone fecurely guarded lives, To whom ihe mighty God protection gives ; Themigluy God, who made the fUdfaft earth, And gave the fprings that fwellthe ocean birth ; K 4 Who ( 200 ) Who form'd the ftars, and fpread the circling fides, And bade the fun in all his glory rife : No breach of faithfulnefs his honour ftains, "With day and night his word unchang'd remains : On human woes he looks with pitying eyes, To help th'opprefs'd, and anfwer all their cries ; The orphan's fbft complaint, and widows tears, Obtain redrefs, and fix his lifFning ears : His throne from changes ftandsfor ever free, And his dominion (hall no period fee. Part of PSALM CXLVII. WITH fongs and honours founding loud Addrefs the Lord on high j Over the heav'ns he fpreads his cloud, And waters veil the fky. He fends his fhowVs of blefTingdown To chear the plains below ; He makes the grafsthe mountains crown, And corn in valleys grow. He gives the grazing ox his meat, He hears the ravens cry j But man who taftes his fined wheat Should raife his honours high. His fteady counfels change the face Of the declining year; He bids the fun cut fhort his race, And wint'ry days appear. His ( 20» ) His hoary froft, his fleecy fnow, Defcend and clothe the ground ; The liquid dreams forbear to flow, In icy fetters bound. When from his dreadful ftores on high He pours the rattling hail, The wretch that dares his God defy Shall find his courage fail. He fends his word and melts the fnow, The fields no longer mourn ; He calls the warmer gales to blow, And bids the fpring return. The changing wind, the flying cloud, Obey his mighty word : With fongs and honours founding loud, f raile ye the Sovereign Lord. PSALM CXLVIII. By Mrs. Tollet, FROM vocal air and convex fkies, Let wafted alleluias found : And let the facred triimphs rife, Till vaulted hcav'n the notes rebound, Ye angels ! you harmonious throng, Who round the throne eternal wait: Alternate anfwer to the fong, Ye rapid minifters of fate ! Thou folar orb ! whofe ruddy beam Compels the (hades of night to yield: Thou filver moon ! whofe fainter gleam Scarce trembles o'er yon azure field. K s ?e ( 20Z ) Ye flars ! who circle round the pole, Illumin'd with ciitinguinYd rays ; Inftru£t your vocal fpheres to roll Symphonious, to your maker's praife. Praife him, above th'a^therial height Thou empyrean ! far more high : Praife him, ye catara&s ! the weight Of waters treafur'd o'er the fky. His name with pious praifes fing, Who k.i.died frit the beamy light : Who firil commanded you to fpring Forth from the cells of genuine night. His edict, with eternal force, Aloft fufpends the ftarry rays : He points, along the liquid courfe, Their motions, intervals, and ways, Thee, lower earth ! the hymn requires, To anfwer to the jocund iuund : Ye dragons with enamelFd fpires ! Ye caverns of the vait profound ! Ye lambent fiames ! ye hail and fnow ! In humid trails ye vapour- curl'd ! Ye tempeits ! which obedient blew To pour his vengeance on the world. Ye mountain-itecps ! ye bumbles rrils ! Ye trees ! which with delicious food And gen'rous juice theieafon fills : Ye cedars, giants of the wood. Ye favage beafb ! who lone abide In forefts : Ye of milder kind : Ye reptiles, who extended glide ! Ye plumy tribes who mount the wind. Ye monarchs ! whofe imperial I The fubjugated nations awes : Ye nations who thofe kings obey ! Ye chiefs and guardian* of the laws. Ye active youth, in manly prime ! Ye virgins deck'd with blooming grace ! ( zo 3 ) Ye elders prefs'd by creeping time ! And you the tender infant race ! Your voices raife with mix'd acclaim ; To praile the univerfal Lord : The fole, auguft, majeilic name, OVr earth and diftant heav'n ador'd. When he fhall elevate their horn, Shall all his faints hi: praifes fmg : The progeny of ///Wborn, Who itill attend their heav'nly king. PSALM GXLVIIL PR A I S E to the God who arch'd the fty, Is the high note that wakes my tongue : Praifetothe God who reigns on high, Shall be the cadence of the fong. Celeftial worlds, your maker's name Refound through eV'ry mining coait : Our God a greater praile will claim, Where he unfolds his glories moll, Angels, that his commiffions bear, And ye that wait around the throne.. Next in the tuneful work appear, And fend your lofty honours down. Stupendous globe of flaming day, Praife him in thy fublime career, He ftruck from night thy pcarlefs ray, Wcigh'd thee thy path, and guides thee there. K 6 Moon, I zo 4 J Moon, milder regent of the night, Our God expeds his praife from you : If faint your beams, yet they can write In fainter ftrokes his praifes too. Ye (tarry lamps, to whom 'tis giv'n Night's fable horrors to illume, Praife him who hung you in his heav'n. With vivid fires to gild the gloom. Oceans, with all th'enormous race Peopling your wombs, his name adore ; Soft be the note, if fmooth your face, But founding, if your billows roar. Dragons, of huge terrific fize, Can you your maker's praife forbear ?■ His vengeance flames in your eyes, Your backs his fcaly liv'ry wear. Lightnings, that round th'Eternal play, Thunders, that from his arm are hurl'd, The grandeur of your God convey, Blazing or burfiing on the world. Let rounded hail, let fleecy fnow, Publifh their maker's wide renown : Snows, you ir.uft waft itfoft and flow, While hail in tempeft bears it down. Whirlwinds, that with impetuous force Fulfil Jehovah's dire commands, Praife him in your unfetter'd courfe, And found his terrors through the lands. Vapours- ( *°5 ) Vapours, when you afcend the fkies, Array 'd in beauties not your own, On your gay plumes let praifes rife, And aid the concert to the throne. Mountains, with evcrlafting zeal Proclaim i our maker's name abroad : While grove to grove, and hili to hill, In humble echoes praife their God. Praifehim, ye trees, with verdure crown'd, Or hung with fruits of golden dye ; From the low ihrub that creeps the ground To cedars waving in the fky. Reound his name, ye beafts of prey, Through all your dens, in awful lirains : And let the lowing herds eflay His honours, as they graze the plains. Ye birds, in painted plumage dreft, Tune to your God your laboring throats : B ; reptiles be his praife exprell", Though rude and artlefs be their notes. Monarchs, who hold imperial fway By leave from heavVs Eternal King, Come with the millions that obey Your nod, and your Cieatorfuig. Judges, enthron'd in Salem's gates, Th'impartial judge of All revere : And, while you feal the mortal fates, Think of your fentence at his bar. Let ( zo6- ) Let youth of evVy fex and rank, Exulting in the bloom of life, Their God for all his blenmgs thank And join the loud harmonious ilrifc. Koary in holinefs the hge With grateful Tongs {hould meet his death : And infants in their tenger age Should lifp their God with joyful breath. From clime to clime, from more to more, Be the Almighty God ador'd : He mace the nations by his pow'r, And fways them with his fov'reign word. At once let nature's ample round T God the vaft thankfgiving raife : His high perfechon knows no bound, Buc fill trTimmenfity of fpace. A Paraphrase on PSALM CXLVIIL By the Earl of Roscommon. O Azure vaults ! O chryftal iky ! The v o d v *ranfparent canopy, Break your long filence, and let mortals know With what contempt you look on things below. Wing'd fquadrons of the God of war, Who conquer wherefoe'er you are, Let echoing anthems make his praifes known On earth, his footftool, as in heav'n his throne. Great ( 20 7 ) Great eye of all, whofe glorious my Rules the bright empire of the day, O praife his name, without who:e purer light* Thou hadit been hid in an abyfs of night. Ye moon and planets, who difpenfe,. By God's command, your iniiuence ; Refign to him, as your Creator due, That veneration which men pay to you. Faireft, as well as fir ft, of things, From whom all joy. all beauty fprings. O praife th'Almighty Ruler of the globe, Who uieth thee for his empyreal robe. Praife him, ye loud harmonious fpheres, Who'e facred ftamp all nature bears, Who did all forms from the rude chaos draw, And whofe command is th'univerfal law. Ye wat'ry mountains of the flcy, And you io far aoove our eye, Vaft ever-moving orbs, exalt his name, Who gave its being to your glo:ious frame. Ye dragons, whofe contagious breath Peoples the dark retreats cf death, Change your f.crce hilling into joyful fong, And praife your Maker with your forked tongue. Praife him, ye monfters of the deep, That in the lea's vaft bofoms fleep, At whofe command the foaming billows roar, Yet know their limits, tremble, and adore. Ye ( 20% ) Ye miits and vapours, hail and fnow, And you who through the concave blow, Swift executors of his holy word, Whirlwinds and tempeft, praife trTAlmighty Lord. Mountains, who to your Maker's view Seem lefs than mole-hills do to you, Remember how, when flrft Jehovah fpoke, All heav'n was fire, and Sinai hid in fmoke, Praife him, fweet offspring of the ground. With heav'nly neclar yearly crown'd ; And ye tall cedars, celebrate his praife, That in his temple facred altars raife. Idle muficians of the fpring, Whcfe only care's to love and fing, Fly through the world, and let your trembling throat Praife your creator with the fweeteft note. Praife him each favage, furious beaft, That on hi? ftores do daily feaft. And you tame flaves of the laborious plow, Your weary knees to your Creator bow. Majeftic monarchs, mortal gods, Whofe pow'r hath here no periods, May all attempts againft your crowns be vain ;. But full remember by whofe pow'r you reign.. Let the wide world his praifes fmg,. Where Tagus and Euphrates fpring, And from the Danube's frofty banks to thofe Where from an unknown head great Nihu flows. You that difpofe of all our lives, Praife him from whom your pow'r derives : Be ( 200 ) Be true and juft, like him, and fear his word, As much as malefactors do your fword. Praife him, old monuments of time; O praife him in your youthful prime ; Praife him, fair idols of our greedy fenfe ; Exalt his name, fwect age of innocence, Jehovah's name ihall only laft, When heav'n, and earth, and all is paft ; Nothing, great God, is to be found in thee, But unconceivable eternity. Exalt, O Jacob's facred race, The God of Gods, the God of grace j Who will above the ftars your empire raife, And with his glory recompenfe your praife. PSALM CXLIX. By Sir John Denham. YE faints, in your afTemblies raife Your voice to God, new fongs to fing ; Let Ifrael his Creator praife, And Sion magnify her king. With chearful timbrels let them dance, And with their harps his praife advance. God's people are his joy, the meek With his falvation mail be crown'd : Then let his faints his favour feek, And on their beds his name refound. Their mouths fhall with his praife be fill'd, Their hands a two-edg'd fword (hall wield, The f 210 ) The heathen nations to confound. In chains he leads their captive kings ■%. Their lords in iron fetters bound, Eefore his judgment- feat he brings. Such honour, in his facred word, God gives his faints. Fraife ye the Lord. PSALM CL. By King James. PR A I S E ye the Lord, our God within His f ancillary praife : Within his firmament of power His glory duly raife. Praife him for all the mighty ac"l$, That have by him been wrought : Praife him, as doth his greatneia fiv Above what cau be thought, Praife him aloud with chearful founds,. That ftately trumpets give : Praife him on pialcery and harp, For ever whiK? ye live. Praife him with timbrelsj and for joy To dance, rejoicing meet : Praife h ; m with irilruxrents well fbing'd, And organs founding f»veet. Praife him with cymbals, praife to him With cymbals loud afford : Let a;l tuing? breathing give him praife, For ever praife the Lord. PSALM ( 211 ) PSALM CL. By Mrs. Tollet. I. WI T H alleluias from the mrine Salute th'omnipoteric e divine : And echo praxes from the iky ; Where he reiides in Majefty. II. Praife him in all his glorious deeds ; Wrur his Almighty pow'r exceeds. The trumpet's martial voice infpire ; And toucn the lute ; arid ftrike the lyre. III. Let youth and beauty form the dance $ And to the timbrel's found advance : Ye mtfteri of the trembling ivirv. And iblemn organs lead the choir. IV. On tuneful cymbals raife the found ; Or from the concave brafs rebcund : And praife him, for to him belongs The breath which modulates your fongs, AP^ k *rj ) APPENDIX. PSALM I. Imitated by Mr. Blaohlock. H O W blefl: the man, how more than blefr. ! Whofe heart no guilty thoughts employ ; God's endlefs funthine fills his breall ; And fmiling confeience whifpers peace and joy. Fair re&itude^ unerring way His heav'n-conducled fteps purfue ; While crouds in guilt and error ftray, Unftah-fd his foul, and undeceiv'd his via wl While with unmeaning laughter gay, Scorn, on her throne erected high, Emits a falfe delufive ray, To catch th'aftonifh'd gaze of folly's eyj: Deep in herfelf his foul retir'd, Unmov'd beholds the meteor blaze, And, with all perfect beauty fir'd, Nature, and nature's God, intent furvc>s„ Him I 214 } . her native feat, Eternal nfpircs; pole fix'd as fate, -tcs, and her charms adrr.: and tempVate air, Where fame refreihirg fountain flows, So nurs'd bj care, .:/ tree with autumr/s t.eafure glows. : its boughs the Cummer gale itb pkafnre waves 1 ing ; (There no unfriendly colds prevail, To chill the vigour of its enclefs fpring. Amid its hofpitable lhade, Heavn's iv. eeteft warblers tune the lay ; Ncr mall its honours eve: Nor itnmatTire its plenteous fruit decay. By God's Almighty arm tafbin'd, Thus virtue foon ; I rile ; Enjoy her conquer: nobly gain'd, And fhare immortal triumph in the Ikies, Eut fools to facred wifdem blind, Who vice's tempting call obey, iff rent fate mail quickly find, To ever}' roaring ftorm an eafy prey. Thus when the warring winds arife, With all their lawlefs fury driv n, Light chaff or daft inceiTant flies, Whirl'd in fwift eddies through the vault of heav'n. When ( "5 ] "When in tremendous pomp array'd, Defcending from the op'ning iky, With full omnipotence difplay'd, Her God mail call on nature to rep!/ : Then vice, with rtiame and grief deprefs'd, Transfix'd with horror and defpair, Shall feel hell kindling in her breaft, Nor to her judge prefer her trembling pray Y : For, with a father's fond regard, To blifs he views fair virtue tend ; While vice obtains her juk reward, And all her paths in deep perdition end. PSALM VI. By Mr. Daniel. HEar mighty God, the humble fupplianfs cry, I faint oh hear, and pardon e'er I die j Wild and diitra wrath retire ; Out from his prefencj biackeil fmoak he fends, Whilft fire confuming from his mouth defcends : With ftep profound he quits the bending tkLs, Then clouds and darknefs round his feet arife. On plumed cherubims fublime he rede, And wing'd upon th. winds he flew abroad. Night's awful made his dread pavilion forms, ") Dark water and thick clouds his feat adorns ; He reigns triumphant o'er the flying ftorms. But at his prefence, brightnefs did improve, Hail-ftones, and coals of fire, and clouds remove ; His voice afar in ratiling thunder flies, Whofc dreadful echoes fill the founding Cues ; Detf roying arrou s fry t'ebey his will, And crooked lightnings his command fulfill, L-iu.xrTd from his arm initrufted where to kill. I I At the Almighty's chahVning nature mourn'd, And to her God in deep repentance turn'd. The fprings like tears from their receffes flow'd, And drowu'd in grief confefs'd the angry God. His breath dilclos'd the fource of ev'ry ltream, The old foundations of the world wtre feen ; Through this my God, mail I fecurely (land, He holds me up with his all-gracious hand. Amid life's florms where raging billows roll, His power unfeen uplifts my drooping foul. L z Though ( 220 ) Though enemies my heart did fore opprefs, J from his mighty arm foon found redrefs ; Though their infernal rage did caufe my fear, Still 1 rcmember'd that my God was there : O'er all my terrors this did loon prefide, And from my flowing eyes the tears fubfide ; The favours of the Lord I daily prove, He glads my foul and chears me with his love ; His ail-cifce;ning eye in open view ExplcrM my hear:, and faw my ways were true, Each action well defign'd with candour weigh'd, And more than each defcrv'd his goodnefs paid. To all his laws I kept a Ariel, regard, Afiur'd from him to meet a juft jeward. Through horrid fcenes of guilt let finners flray, Be it my boall thy facred will t obey ,* With joy, with tranfport I'll the talk purfue, Ar.d all my former vows to thee renew : For this th'eternal God will me protecl, Attend my rray"rs, and all my ileps dire&. They who have fuffer'd long in grief and paia To pleafmg joys ihall be reftord again: But they, whole haughty locks their pride make known, With dire misfortune fhall be foon brought down. Thou, O my "God, fhall light me in thy way, And turn my darknefs into brighteft day ; Thy glorious law appears like lhining gold, The more 'tis try'd its beauties we behold. How blefl are they, *vhofe faith and confidence Is nVd on God, the rock of all defence : He is immenfely great, ador'd, and fear'd, No other Gods with him can be compar'd : An emblem of his pow'r doth nature ltand, The whole creation rofe at his command : In ( *** ) In all the pomp of war he is my fhield, When glitt'ring troops adorn the hoftile field j He wings my feet like harts that feein to fly, And crown'd with glory fets me up on high. Nerv'd with his flrength my arms are taught to fight', Ev'n bows of Heel are broken with their might: J le is ivy Saviour and my great defence, Eternal joys he can alone difpeme, With his right hand he will maintain my flat.., And by correction make me truly great. With eager hafle Til overtake my foes, DeAroying all that does my right oppofe : Til fmite them down, not able to withltand The {word of jullice in my powerful hanu , With piercing groans they (hall the heav'ns rend, Though none their mis'ries or their griefs attend ; Ev'n to the Lord fhall they with cries complain, Yet he'll not hear, or not regard their pain ; From heav'n nor earth, fhall they no fuccour find, But be like dull before the ftormy wind. My God fhall fave me, from th'impetuous rage Of roaring fa&ions, and their powV afTuage ; Make them fall low, and trembling, homage own To him, whom he exalteth to the throne; Ev'n foreign nations and far diftant lands Unknown to me, fhall rev'rence my commands. To God, th'Almighty lord, my praife fhall rife, Whofe fplendid glo'y fills th'unbounded fkies ; His mercies foar beyond conception's flight, He is my great falvation and my might ! My God, my vail reward, and mo.e than this, Source of my joy, my everlafling blifs ! Eternal Father, iovVeign Lord of all, By whom nVinfulting foes did juftly fall, To thee, my raptur'd foul with joy fhall raife, Her highell notes to celebrate thy praife ! L 3 In ( 222 ) in tuneful numbers, I'll the lay prolong, Till all the Gemtik world - :e fong ; The be for ever mine. Join men and angels in one choru» join ' H Y M N on P S A L M "Q E H O L D the rr. n i His beams through And life and light convc] . But where the gofpel comes It fpreads diviner light, 1i calls dead iinners from their tombs, And gives the blind :heir fight. How perfect is :'-*;/ word .' And ail thy j 'dgmen: ; For ever Aire thy pronrfe, Lord, And men fee u rely truiL My gracious God, how plain Arc thy d : red::or.5 i.v'n ! may I never read in vain, But End the path to he_ 1 hear thy word wi:h love, And I cbey : Send tiiy good fpirit from above To guide me, 'eft I itray. ( "3 ) O who can ever find The errors of his ways ?' Yet with a bold prefumptuous mind I would not dare tranfgrefs. Warn me of evVy fin, Forgive my fecret faults, And cleanfe this guilty foul of mine, Whofe crimes exceed my thoughts. While with my heart and tongue I fpread thy praife abroad ; Accept the worfhip and the fong, My Saviour and my God. PSALM XXX. By Mr. S a n d Y i. MY verfe mall in thy praifes flow : Lord, thou haft rais'd my head on high ; Nor fuffer'd the proud enemy To triumph in my overthrow. I cry'd aloud ; thy arm did fave ; Thou drew'ft me from the fhades of death, Repealing my exiled breath, When almoft fwallow'd by the grave. You faints of his, oh fing his praife ! Prefent your vows unto the Lord ; His perfect holinefs record, Whofe wrath but for a moment flays. L 4 Hi« ( **4 ) His quick'ning favour life beftovvs : Tears may continue for a night; But joy fprings with the morning light; Long-lafting joys, foon-ending woes. In my profperity I faid, My feet mall ever fixt abide : I, by thy favour fortify'd, Am like a ftcdfaft mountain made. But when thou hid'ft thy chearful face, How infinite my troubles grew J My cries then With my grief renew, Which thus implor'd thy faving grace : What profit can my blood afford, When mail I to the grave defcend ? Can fenfelefs dull thy praife evtend ? Can death thy living truth record ? To my complaints attentive be ; Thy mercy in rny aid advance ; O perfect my deliverance, '.That have no other hope but thee ! Thou, Lord, haft made th/afflided glad; My forrow into dancing turn'd : The fack- cloth torn wherein I mourn'd, And me in Jyrian purple clad : That fo my glory might proclaim Thy favours in a joyful verfe ; IncefTantly thy praife reheane, And magnify thy iacrcd name. PSALM ( *25 ) PSALM XCVI. Imitated. TO God, th'Almighty Sov'reign of the flcies, Let all the earth one gen'ral chorus rife; Throughout the world his boundlefs praifes fing, Mike heav'n and earth with found feraphic ring! \ ait Being ! ne'er beginning ! without end ! Thy pow'r and greatneis who can comprehend 2 When chaos reign'd at thy Almighty word, Creation rofe and,own'd thee fov'reign Lord ; Obedient to thy will, new worlds ariie, TVearth, the ocean, and the vaulted Ikies ; Thy dread commands all nature's laws obey, Revolving night, each day fucceeds the day, Seas roll, funs rife, to thee all homage pay. O earth, rejoice ! ye diftant worlds around, Your great Creator's endlefs praife refound ! Profufe, from him unnumbered bleffings flow, No bounds hi;, inexhaufted mercies know. For ever praife ! adore his pow'r divine I The heav'nly concert, men and angels join \ PSALM CIV. By Mr. Sandys. MY ravifh'd foul, great God, thy praifes fings ; Whom glory circles with her radiant wings* And majetty invelts : than day more bright ; Cloath'd with the beams of new-created light. He, like an all-infolding canopy, Fsam'd the vaft concave of the fpangled fkv \ L 5 An<* } ( «6 ) And in the air-embraced waters fee The bafis of his hanging cabinet. Who on the clouds, as on a chariot, ride* ; And with a rein the flying temped guides. Bright angels his attendant fpirits made ; By flame-difperfing feraphims obey'd. The ever-fixed earth cloath'd with the flood ; In whofe calm bofom unfeen mountains flood ; At his rebuke it fhrunk with fudden dread, And from his voices thunder fwiftly fled. Then hills their late concealed heads extend, And finking vallies to their feet defcend. The trembling waters through their bottoms wind, Till they the fea, their nurfe and mother, find. He to the fwelling waves prescribes a bound, Xeft earth again fhould by their rage be drown'd. Springs through the pleafant meadows pour their drills, Which fnake-like glide between the bord'ring hills ; Till they to rivers grow ; where beafts of prey ,TJieir thirfl affwage, and fuch as man obey. In neighbouring groves the air's muficians fing, 'And with their mufic entertain the fpring. He from cceleflial caiement mowers diftills, And with renew'd increase his creature fills. He makes the food- full earth her fruit produce ; "For cattle grafs, and herbs for human ufe. The fprcading vine long purple clufters bears, Whofe juice the hearts of penfive mortals chears : Pat olives fmooth our brows with fuppiing oil ; And flrength'ning corn rewards the reapers toil. His fruit-affording trees with fap abound. The Lord hath Lebanon with cedars crown'd : They to the warbling birds a Shelter >ield, And wand'ring florks in lofty fir-trees build. Wild goats to craggy cliffs for refuge fly ; And conies in the rocks dark entrails lye. He ( 2*7 ) He guides the changing moon's alternate face : The fun's diurnal and his annual race. 'Twas he that made the all-informing light ; And with dark lhadows cloaths the aged night. Then beafts of prey break from their mountain caves a, The roaring lion pinch'd with hunger craves Food from his hand. But when heaven's greateft fire Obfcures the liars, they to their dens retire. Men with the morning rife, to labour preft ; Toil all the day, at night return to reft. Great God ! how manifold, how infinite Are all thy works ! with what a clear fore-fight Didlt thou create and multiply their birth ! Thy riches fill the far extended earth. The ample fea ; in whofe unfathom'd deep Innumerable forts cf creatures creep : Bright fcaled fifh.es in her entrails glide, And high-built fhips upon her bofom ride : About whofe fides the crooked dolphin plays. And monfFrous whales huge fpouts of water raife.' All on the land, or in the ocean bred, On thee depend ; in their due feafon fed. They gather what thy bounteous hands bellow, And in the fummer of thy favour grow. When thou contracVft thy clouded brows, they mourn j And dying, to their former dull return. Again created by thy quick'ning breath, To re-fupply the marTacres of death. No tract of time his glory fhall deftroy : He in th'obedience of his works fhall joy : But when their wild revolts his wrath provoke, Earth trembles, and the airy mountains fmoke. I all my life will my Creator praife ; And to his. fervice dedicate my days. May he accept the mulic of my voice, While I with lacred harmony rejoice. Hence you profane, who in your fins delight; God lhall extirp, and call you from his fight. L 6 My ( 228 ) My foul, blefs thou this all-commanding king: You faints and angels, halleluiah fing. P S A L M CI V. By Mrs. Tollet. BLESS thou the Lord, my foul ! O pow'r di- vine ! My fov'reign dread ! what majefty is thine f With honor and imperial greatnefs dreft, And purcjil^ys compofe thy lucid veil. Heav'n, like a veil, his fecret feat enfolds, The liquid chryftalline its beams upholds. Upon the chariot of the clouds he fails, And treads the pennons of the foaring gales; In rays of a?ther and celeftial fire, He cloaths his minifters and angel choir. He fix'd the earth as on a fo;id bafe, Self-pois'd to rell ; nor ever change its place. Thou erft o'erfpread it with the brooding deep, As with a robe ; al ovethe mountain-fteep The billows rolTd : But at thy check they fly ; And when thy thunder rattles through the iky, Precipitate their headlong flight. They now Climb the iteep fumn.it of the mountain's brow: Now thro 1 the dales with prone defcent they pour; To feek the place where thou hadit form'd before The mighty bafon for their confluent (lore. With barriers fixM their rage thou doft reftrain : Not to be pais'd to drown the land again. He through the valleys fends the dreaming rills, Whofe bubbling fountains ooze among the hills. Beafts of the field upon the margin meet, With cooling draughts to ouench their inward heat ; The "} { 2:9 ) The favage afi his fiery thiril allays : Above, the vocal birds, among the fprays, Tune their \\\\d notes. From his cekitial b< He on the Kill- the genial moifhire (how Vs. So with thy bounty tlU'd, doe; earth produce Grafs for the herds, For human ule : So hall thou cans'd the f« l bear, 1 he gen'rous grape, the herrt of man to chear ; To glad his c wntenance the fragrant oil, And bread, lupport of necefiary toil. The l'acred tree; with vir 1 fap an 1 1 hec.. bed by the Lord, to fpread )» I : their head. J Upon their lumrr.it next the chirping choir : Ana tlorks upon the pine's aerial fpire. The mountain goats o'er precipices bound ; "") A fafe retirement from the hunter found : }> And deep the conies hide in rocky ground. He let thefilver moon, with various face, To mark thTalternate ftages of her race : He taught the fun, at cicfe of day, to fink 1 e: rath the blue horizon's doubtful brink. Thou caUTl for darknefs ; then the fhades arife, night regains the empire of the flues : . in the friendly iheker of the gloom, Kouz'd from their laires, the fnaggy fy Ivans roam ; I ion's whelps in fearch of quarry roar, Vet they from God their fullenar.ee implore, er o'er the earth the ruddy Inn his orb, but all away they run, Till in their hollow dens, obfeure and deep, On a promifcuoui. heap they conch to fecp. Eut, with the day, to man returns again His conttant portion of appointed pain And celtin'd labour ; till the ev'ning's clofe Kefreih his weary limbs with due repofe. ( *3° ) Lord ! how num'rous for our wonder call Thy operations, form'd in wifdom all ! Thy wealth diffus'd o'er this terreftrial ball ! Nor o'er the earth alone, the fpacious main Partakes ; whofe vail extended tradls contain A race tranfcending number : Part a fry Scarce worth a name, or obvious to the eye ; Part of enormous bulk. There o'er the tide To diltant ports advent'rous veifels ride. There the leviathan thy pleafure forms, To dance upon the waves, and fport in florins. All thefe, thy creatures, thee alone await, Of thee, in feafon, to receive their meat: By thee difpens'd they gather up their food, All from thy iib'ral hand fufhVd with good. Thy face averted, deftitute they mourn : Their breath by thee recall'd, they die, they turn Again to native duft. Thy fpirit ifluing forth, with fecond birth, A new creation (hall adorn the earth. The glory of the Lord for ever lafts :. And in his works fincere delight he taftes. Earth he beholds ; it trembles on its poles : The hills he touches, and above them rolls Involving fmoak. While the congenial flame Of vital fpirit animates my frame, 1 to the Lord will confecrate my lays : While I exiftmy God I mean to praife, In thoughts of him to ecitafy refign'd. So lhall the deity rejoice my mind. G ! may the guilty from the world decay O ! may the impious ever wafte away ! Blefs thou the Lord, my Soul ! and yet again With alleluias end the facred {train. } ( *3* ) A Paraphrase on PSALM CXI V. By MILTON. WHEN the blefl feed of TeraFs faithful, fon, After long toil their liberty had won, And part from Vharian fields to Canaan land, Led by the ftrength of the Almighty's hand, Jehovah* $ wonders were in Ifrael (hewn, His praife and glory was in Ifrael known. That faw the troubled fea, and ihivering fled, And fought to hide his froth-becurled head Low in the earth : Jordan's clear ilreams recoil, As a faint hoft that hath received the foil. The high, huge-bellied mountains fkip like rams Amongft their ews, the little hills like lambs. Why fled the ocean ? and why fkipt the mountains; Why turned Jordan toward his chryltal fountains ? Shake earth, and at the prefence be agaft Of him that ever was, and ay (hall lalt, That glaiTy floods from rugged rocks can crufhj And make foft rills from fiery flint-ftones gufh. On ( *3 2 ) OnPSALM CXVIf. By H. D FOR all thy mercies, O my God, My humble voice I'll raiie, To thee, my raptur'd foul (hall fing In fongs of endlefs praiie. Ye diftant worlds, ye nations all Beneath the ftarry flues, Where nature's utmofl limits bound, Let praife to God arife. When nature's glories all fhall fade, And time fhall be no more ; His truth for ever fhall remain, And me.cies all endure. An ODE on MERCY, in Imitation of Part of P S A L M CXLV. I. 9 r I ' IS mercy calls — awake, my grateful firing; J. Ye worlds of nature, liflen while I fing j *Tis not his dire avenging rod, I fing the mercies of a God ; Hark, ye warblers of the fky, Rivers glide ferenely by ; Or rather in the facred chorus join, Till our united voices reach the feats divine. II. ( *53 ) II. Where injur'd faints, that us'd to mourn below, Find their glad breafts with joys eternal glow ; Where thoufand tongues incefTant cry, Glory be to God on high ; Dominion, power, praife, and then Mtrcy to the Tons of men. Heav'n hears delighted, and the joyful found Swelled with celefhal mufic fpreads the regions round. m. The Lord, though feated far beyond the fky, Yet fees the wretched with a pitying eye ; That power knows our fecret fear, The lonely figh, or filent tear; He fees the widow's dreaming eye, And hears the hungry orphans cry. Depending worlds his facred bounty ftiare, Ah creatures find a part of their Creator 1 * care. IV. His juftice next employs the heav'nly firing, And hymning acgels tremble while they fingi The Lord is juft and holy, then O weep ye thoughtlefs fons of men : For who can from his anger fly, Or fhun the frown of God moil high ? Yet (hall the figh, or penitential groan, Mount like the feraph's wing, and reach the facred throne. V. Hear this, ye pious but d-.jecled minds, Whom errors darken, or whom weaknefs binds ; Lift from the duft your mournful eye, And know the Lord vour help is nigh j Thcfe ( z 34 ) Thefe forrows from your breafls mall roll, And comfort blefs the humble foul j Let chearful hope in ev'ry bofom fpring, For boundlefs mercy dwells with heav'ns immortal* King. VI. Come then, ye worlds, with mingled voices raife, A long of mean, but not ungrateful praife ; Though the dull numbers rudely flow, And our cold hearts but faintly glow, Ou • raptures own alefs degree, Yet chei ubs fing, and fo ihould we, Th'Almightv hears, and gives us leave to call On him, the judge, the guide, and f acred Lord of all. VII. All you that bend bereath the frroke of time, And you whofe cheeks confefs their healthy prime, Your Maker and .re erver praife, For eaily and for length of days; The pious and the grateful fong, Sh all lifp upon the infants tongue, While heav'nly mercy fooths the mourner's care, And bids the innocent rejoice, the finner not defpair,. Tit The BENEDICITE ParafbrafeJ. By the Rev. Mr. Merrick. I. YE works of God, on him alone, In earth his foo:ftool, heaven his throne, lie all your prai:c bdlow'd ; Whole hand the beauteous fabrick made, Whole eye the finifh'd work furvey'd, And law that all was good. II. Ye angels, that with loud acclaim Admiring view'd the new-born frame, And hail'd th'eternal king j Again proclaim your maker's praifc, Again your thankful voices raife, And touch the tuneful firing. III. Praife him, ye blefs'd aetherial plains, Where, in full majefty, he deigns To fix his awful throne : Ye waters, that above him roll, From orb to orb, from pole to pole, Oh ! make his praifes known ! IV. - Ye thrones, dominions, virtues, pow'rs, Join ye your joyful fongs with ours, Wkh us your voices raife ; From ( *j6 ) From age to age extend the lay, To beavVs eternal monarch pay Hymns of eternal praife. V. Cceleftial orb ! whofe pow'rfu! ray Opes the glad eyelids of the day, Whofe influence all things own ; Praife him, whofe courts effulgent fnine With light, as far excelling thine, As thine the paler moon. VI. Ye glittering planets of the fky, Whofe lamps the abfent fun fuppiy, With him the fong put* ue * And lethimfelf fubmifiive own, He borrows from a brighter Sufi, The light he lends to you. VII. Ve fhow'rs, and dews, whofe moifture fh«d, Calls into life the op'ning feed, To him your praifes yield ; Whofe influence wakes the genial birth, Drops fatneis on the pregnant earth, And crowns the laughing field. VIII. Ye winds, that oft 1 tempeftuous fweep The ruffled furface of the deep, With us confefs your God ; See, through the heav'ns, the King of kings, Up-borne on your expanded wings, Comes flying all abroad. IX. f 237 ) IX. Ye floods of Hre, where e'er ye flow, With jurt fub million humbly bow To his fuperior pow'r; Who Hops the tempeft on its way, Or bids the flaming deluge llray, And give9 it ftrengtn to roar. X. Ye Cummer's heat, and winter's cold, By turn* in long iucceflion roll'd, The drooping worh"! ro chear ; Praife him, who gave the fun arid moon, To lead the various feaibns on, And guide the circling year. xr. Ye froth, that bind the wat'ry plain, Ye filent ftiow'rsof fleecy rain, Purine the heav'nly theme ; Praife h n who fheds the driving frow, Forbid? th?»harden'd waves to flow, And Hops the rapid ftream, XII. Ye days and nights, thatfwiftly born, From j orn to eve, from eve to morn, Alternate glide away ; Praife him, whofe never-varying light, Abfent, adds horror to the night, But preftnt gives the day. XIII. Light, from whofe rays all beauty fprings, Darknefs, whofe wide-expanded wings Involve the dufky globe i Praife ( 23? 1 Piaifehim, who, when the heav'ns he fpread, Darknefs his thick pavil.'ion made, And light his regal robe. XIV.- Praife him, ye lightnings, as ye fly, Wing'd with his vengeance through the fov. And red with wrath divine ; Praife him, ye clouds, that wand'ring flray. Or fix'd by him in clofe array, Surround his awful fhrine. XV. Exalt, O earth ! thy heav'nly king, Who bids the plants, that form the fpring, With annual verdure bloom 5 Whofe frequent drops of kindly rain, Prolific fwell the rip'ning grain, And blefs thy fertile womb. XVI. Ye mountains, that ambitious rife-, And heave your fummits to the fkie-, Revere his awful nod ; Think how ye once affrighted fled, When Jordan fought hi> founrain head, And own'd trTapproaching God. XVII. Ye trees, that fill the rur.U icer.e, Ye flowers, that o'er th'enamel'd green In native beauty reign, O ! praife the Ruler or the f Jes, Whofe hand the genial fap ftpplies, And clothes the fmiling plain. XVIII. ( 2 39 ) xvnr. Ye fecrct fprings, ye gentle rills, That murmuring rife amongs the hills, Or fill the humble vale ; Praife him, at whofe almighty nod The rugged rock diilblving How'd, And rbrm'd a fpringing well. XIX. Praifc him, ye floods, and Teas profound, Whole waves the fpacious earth furround, And roll from fhore to more ; Aw'd by his voice, ye feas, fubfide, Ye floods, within your channels glide, And tremble and adore. XX. Ye whales, that ftir the boiling deep, Or in its dark recedes fleep, Remote from human eye ; Praifc him, by whom ye all are fed, Prai e him, without whofe heavenly aid Ye languifh, faint, and die. xxr. Ye birds, exalt your Vakers name, Begin, and with th'important theme Your artlefs lays improve ; Wake with your fongs the rifing day, Let mufick found on ev'ry fpray, And fill the vocal grove. XXII. Praife him, ye beads, that nightly roam Amid the folitary gloom, Th 1 expected prey to feize ; Yc ( H° ) Yc Haves of the Ir.bcrious plough, Your ftubborn necks fubrr.iflive bow, And bend your weary 'd knees. xxur. Ye fons of men, his praife difplay, Who ftampt his image on youi clay, ^Ar.d gave it pow'r to move j Ye, that in Judah's confines dwell, From age to age fucceflive tell The wonders of his love. XXIV. Let Levi's tribe the lay prolong, Till angels liilen to the • And bend attentive down , Let wonder feize x\\q heav'nly train, Pleas'd, while they hear a mortal itrain, So fweet, fo like tUeir own, XXV. And you, your thar.kful voices join, That oft at Salcm\ facred Ihrine Before his altars kneel ; Where thron'd in majtfty he dwells, And from the myftic cloud reveals The dictates of his will. XXVI. Ye fpirits of the juft and good, That, eager for the bleft abode, To heav'nly manfions foar ; O ! let your longs his praife difplay, Till heav'n itfrlf fhall melt away, And time Ihali be no more. XXVIL ( *4« ) XXVII. Praife him, ye meek and humble train, Ye faints, whom his decrees ordain The boundlefs blil's to fhare ; O ! praife him, till ye take your way To regions ef eternal day, And reign for ever there. XXVIII. Let us, who now impalTive ftand, Aw'd by the tyrant's (tern command, Amid the fiery blaze ; While thus we triumph in the flame, Rile, and our Maker's love proclaim, In hymns of endlefs praife. On the LAST JUDGMENT. By the Earl of Roscomon. I. THE day of wrath, that dreadful day, Shall the whole world in afhes lay, As David and the Sybils fay. II. What horror will invade the mind, When the ftrict judge, who would be kind, Shall have few venial faults to £nd ? M Ul. ( Hi ) in. The laft loud trumpet's wond'rous found, Shall through the rending tombs rebound, And wake the nations under ground. IV. Nature and death Ihall with furprife, Behold the pale offender rife, And view the judge with confcious eyes. V. Then mall, with univerfal dread, The facred myftic book be read, To try the living and the dead. VI. The judge afcends his awful throne; He makes each fecret fin be known, And all with fhame confefs their own. VII. O then ! what int'reft ihall I make, To fave my laft important ftake, When the moil juit have caufe to quake-? VIII. Thou mighty formidable king, Thou mercy's unexhaufted fpring, Some comfortable pity bring ! IX. Forget not what my ranfom cofr, Nor let my dear bought foul be loft, In ftorms of guilty terror toft. ( *43 ) X. Thou, who for me didft feel fuch pain, Whofe precious blood the cr As did ilain, Let not thole agonies be vain. XL Thou, whom avenging povv'rs obey, Cancel my debt (too great to pay) Before the fad accounting day. XII. Surrounded with amazing fears, Whole load my foul vsith anguifti bears, I figh, 1 weep ; accept jny tears. XIII. Thou, who wert mov'd with Mar y's grief, And, by ablbiving of the thief, Haft giv'n me hope, now give relief. XIV. Reject not my unworthy prayer; Preferve me from that dang'rous fnarc, Which death and gaping hell prepare. XV. Give my exalted foul a place Amongft thy chofen right-hand race, The fons of God and heirs of grace. XVI. From that infatiable abyfs, Where flames devour, and ferpents hifs, Promote me to thy feat of blifs. M 2 XVII. ( M* ) XVII. Proftrate, my contrite heart I rend ; My God, my father, and my friend, Do not forfake me in my end. XVIII. Well may they curfe their fecond breath, Who rife to a reviving death. Thou great Creator of mankind, Let guilty M a n companion find. A Requefl to the Divine Being. THOU great and facred Lord of all, Of life the only fpring, Creator of unnumber'd worlds, Immenfely glorious King. Whofe image makes the ftagg ring "mind, Beyond conception high ; Crown'd with omnipotence, and veiPd W 7 ith dark eternity. Drive from the confines of my heart, Impenitence and pride : Is or let me in erroneous paths With thoughtlefs idiots glide. Whate'er thine all-difcerning eye Sees for thy creature fit, I'll blefs the good and to the ill Contentedly fubmit. With ( *4S ) With humane pleafure let me view The profp'rous :md the ^rcat ; Malignant envy let me fly, With odious felf-conceit. Let not defpair nor curs'd revenge Be to my bofom known ; O give me tears for other's woe And patience for my own. Feed me with neceffary food, I afk not wealth nor fame : But give me eyes to view thy works, And fenfc to praife thy name. And when thy wifdom thinks it fit, To fhake this troubled mind ; Preferve my reafon with my griefs, And let me not repine. May my (till days obfeurely pafs, Without remorfe or care ; And let me for the parting hour, My trembling ghoft prepare. M i The The MAGI. An E c l o g u e. By the Rev. Mr. Hobs on. NO more in beauty's praife my numbers move, Nor melt away in dying falls of love. A child on earth, yet heav'ns eternal King, The mar.ger'd God, the Virgin's fon J fing. Thou iountain-good, with light my foul o'erflow, With hallow'd ardour bid my bofom glow I Fir'd at the promife of thy dawning ray, The Eaftern cages found celeftial day. Led by a captain-flame, with fweet furprize, The infant Deity falutes their eyes. Ko jewels fparkle here ; nor India's ftores The portals brighter, or emblaze the doors : But young- ey'd Seraphims around him glow, .And Mercy fpreads her many-colourV' bow ! Her bow, compos'd of new-created light, How fweetly lambent, and how foftly bright I The facred circle of embodied rays His cradle crowns, and on his temples plays : Promifcuous luftre brightens half the fkies, New beauties kindle, and new glories rife. The venerable three, low-bending down, Prefent their offerings, and the Godhead own. Mag. i. From Eaftern realms, where firft the orient light Springs into day, and gilds the fading night, To T&ti we bend, before the morning rife ,♦ A ^irer morning trembles from thine eyes ! Mag. ( H7 ) Mag. 2. Thou fpotlefs efience of primaeval light ! Thy vaiTals own, and warn thy Etbiops white, Thy cloud of fable witnefles adorn With the firit rofes of thy fmiling morn. Mag. 3. By bards foretold, the ripened years are corner Goh fall to dull, and oracles are dumb. In vain fhaH fly-blown Belzebub rebel ; Annubis howls, and Moloch finks to hell ! Mag. I. No more mail Memphlan timbrels wake the morn. Nor tow'ring Ammon lift his gilded horn. No more the bull mail fear the facred knife ; No facrifice from hence mail drink his life. Mag. 2. Ye vallies, blufh with never-fading flowers ; For ever fmile ye meads, and blow )e bowers; Bleat all ;e hills, be whitened all ye plains ; O earth rejoice, th'etemal Jbepherd reigns ! Mag. 3 . Ye Utiles, dip your leaves in falling fnow, Ye rofes, with the morning-purple glow, To crown the God ! Ye angels, hafte to pour Your dew of ne&ar, and your (tarry mower ! Mag. 1 . offers frankincenfe. For thee Arabia* happy foreils rife, And clouds of odours fweetly ftain the fkies. While fragrant wreaths of fmoaking incenfe roll, Receive our prayers, the incenfe of the foul ! M 4 Mag* ( 2-48 ) Mag. 2. off en myrrh. The weeping myrrh with balmy forrow flows, Thy cup to fweeten, and to footh thy woes. So prophets fmg : for, human and divine, The man was born to grieve, the God tojhine. Mag. 3. offers gold. I he ore of India ripens into gold To gild thy courts, thy temples to infold. Accept the emblematic* gift : again Saturnian years revolve a golden reign. Mag. 1. Smile, facrcd infant fmile ! thy fragrant breaft Excells the odours of the fpicy Eafif The burnifh'd gold is dro's before thine eyej Thou God of fweetnefs, God of purity ! Mag. 2. In vain the fun with light his orb arrays, Our fenfe to dazzle, and as God to blaze : Through his tranfparent fallacy we fee, And own thefu ) If bills thy providence impart, For which refign'd I pray ; Give me to feel the grateful heart ! And without guilt be gay ! Affliction mould thy love intend, As vice or folly's cure; Patient, to gain that gracious end, May 1 the means endure ! Thus, frommyfix'd, or varying fate, Some virtue let me gain ! That heav'n, nor high, nor low eftate,. When fent, may fend in vain. Be this, and every future day Still wifer than the part ! That life's improvement to furvey Msv well fnllain mv laft. May well fultain my laft. The SICK PENITENT. WHEN direful fymptoms, big with death,. A wretched finner feize, Threatening, ere long, to flop his breath, By fome acute difeafe ; How does amazement then confound His dull, diftracted mind ! For help he wiftly looks around ; But, ah ! no help can find. M 6 N« X 25* J Nor can his fault'ring tongue expreff, Nli down calt heart controul, The f. d, andhor-ible diftrefs, That overwhelms his foul. H : s guilty foul ! — how is it fhock'd, Wutn navv, too late, i; knows, That boundiefs mercy won't be mock'd, Nor always interpofe. His rough, dry tongue, — his throbbing heart,- Quick pule, — and glowing cheek, •*- Light head, — weak limbs, — and raging (mart, In vain for refuge feek. If too, the poor, devoted wretch, By chance, be far from home, And fcarce has time a friend to fetch, "Whtn all thefe ills are come, Quite defLtute of ail relief, Not one relation near ; How muft it aggravate his grief ! And how inUrge his fear ! Ev'n outward comforts fometimes fail A ioul immers'd in fin : Alas ! what would iuch helps avail, When there's no peace within ? For O ! — the faddeft thing of all, The molt diffracting thought, J S) — that his God rejects his call, And, now, too late is fought ! Merc/ I 253 ) Mercy, (To deep is his defpair,) He hardly dares invoke : Good God ! — that defp'rate man mould dare Thy juitice to provoke ! For long provok'd, 'twill, at the lad. Make him, he'll furely find) Tremble, to think of what is part, And what remains behind. Tis thus, when to ourfelves we're left, By earth, as well as heav'n ; And of all fuccour quite bereft, Befide all hope are dnv'n. This feem'd to be my own fad cafe, When iuddenly took ill, And death, methought, came on apace :— But I am living ltill ! Still gracious heav'n allows me time My pardon feal'd to get ; — To free my foul from ev'ry crime, Though thoufands me befet. How merciful art thou, my God ! If finners but relent : How dreadful too thy angry rod ! When man will not repent. Thou gav'it me life ; and oft haft fpar'd That life, though vilely led : — Though oft my fins thy vengeance dar'd, At once, to llrike me dead. Th y ( 254 I Thy juftice might,— hadft thou feen fit,- Longfince, (my guilt can tell) Have fent me quick into the pit, The very lowef bell! But thy dear darling attribute, Thy mercy. Lord, moft fweet, Has waited long for better fruit, And for repentance meet. For, though a barren tree, indeed, May dread th'uplifted ax, Thou wilt not break a bruifcdreed, Nor quench the fmoaking fax. O ! may I never more defeat, Nor e'er again defpife, Thy mercies, manifold and great,. Left they in. judgment rife ; Againfl me rife, who have fo long Been treasuring up thy nxrath : But, O ! forgive the grievous wrong ! And flrengthen to my faith. Lord ! let thy terror* now begin, My foul, at length, to rouze From the dull lethargy of fin, And wake my fleepy vows. Let holy fear, and ardent love, My purpofes fecure ; That they no more perfidious prove, But ever firm, endure. O? ( *w > O ! fix my poor, unliable heart, My God ! I thee intreat, That it ne'er aft a treacherous part :— {The prayV I (till repeat.) In goodnefs, grant, that I (good Lord !) May ever perfevere : To me, poor finner, help afford ; A fuppliant wretch, O ! hear. In deed, — in word,— in thought, no mor* May I to vice incline : To foul, and body, health re/tore ; And make me wholly thine. The SONG of the T h r e e C h i l d r e n in the Fiery Furnace. , all ye beings ! which when time was young,. ^J From the divine productive fiatfprung : Blefs ye the Lord, and celebrate his praife i His glories over all for ever raife. Ye angels ! delegated from above, To ad his vengeance or declare his love : Blefs Ye azure fields ! through whofe immenfe expanfa Revolving orbs complete their myftic dance : Blefs Ye f 256 ) Ye waters ! whofe circumfluous treafures lie # Above the vault; of our inferior ikv : Bleft Ye who excell in might and virtue moil Ye hierarchy of the celeilial hoft ! Biel's Thou fun, the fountain of cifrufive light ! And thou *he filver planet of the night ! Bids Ye ftars ! who c'rcle through th'ethf real fpace j Ye who for ever keep your deitin'd place : Blefs Ye fhow'rs ! which on the earth your drops difFufe; Ye exhalations, which return in dews : Blefs Ye winds ! which through the languid air refpire, Orfpeak in tempeih your Creator's ire 5 Blefs Ye flames ! which with deftructive fury glow; And you to which congenial heat we owe : Bids Ye wint'iy months ! unchenrful 'and fevere, And thou, the brighter folltice of the year ; Blefs Ye dews ! that owe to humid mills your birth ; Ye hoary frofts that whiten all the earth : Blefs — — Ye ( W ) Ye that in folic! chains the waters held ? Ye particles of penetrating cold : Blefs Ye waters in thofe iccy fetters bound ! Ye fnows whofe filver ileece bclpreads the ground ! Blefs Ye revolutions of alternate night I Ye revolutions of diurnal light ! Blefs Thou light, as early born as nature's prime I Thou darknefs, ancient ere the birth of time ! Blefs Ye lightnings, waving with a dreadful glare ! Ye clouds, fufpended on the liquid air : Blefs And thou terreftrial ball to thefe reply ; With grateful voice to blefs the Deity : Do thou combine to celebrate his praife ; His glories over all for ever raife. Ye mountain iteeps ! that emulate the fkies ! Hills that with humbler elevation rife ! Blefs Ye vegetables ! that with fpringing green Enrich, and beautify the rural fcene : Blefs Ye fprings ! whofe fubterranean cells contain Collected humour or pervading rain : Blefs Ye mighty oceans ! which the world divide ; Ye rivers ! which devolve an ufeful tide : Blefs EnormouA ( »5« ) Enormous whales ! who roll upon the main 3 And all who glide along the watVy plain : Bfefi Ye wanderers ! whom plumy pennons bear. Aloft, in regions of the tracklefs air : Bids •, Ye favages of earth ! inur'd to prey ; Ye herds, who the command of man obey : Blefs ■ Ye whom the wife Creator of the whol* Has form'd erecl and rational of foul : Blefs Ye tribes ! who fever'd from the race of earth* From ancient I/rad derive your birth ; Blefs Ye who, defcended from the prieflly line^ Are ever deftin'd to attend his fhrine : Blefs* Ye votaries ! whofe piety of mind Is to the fervice of the Lord refigrfd : Blefs Ye fpirits of the jufi: ! ye fouls who pafl Through mortal toils to happinefs at laft : Blefs Ye virtuous hearts ! where pure religion fways, And meek humility her laws obeys : Blefs And f 259 ) And you, the three, whom dauntlefs zeal infpires : To dare the monarch's frown and rage of fires ! Blefs ye the Lord and celebrate his praife ; His glories over all for ever raife. A HYMN. A Lmighty Maker God ! jfjL How wond'rotla i. thy name I Thy glory how diffus'd abroad Through the creation's frame. Nature in every drefs Her humble homage pays, And finds a thouiand ways t'exprefe Thine undiflembled praife. In native white and red The role and lilly ftand, And free from pride, their beauties fpread, To mew thy fkilful hand. The lark mounts up the Iky, With unambitious fong, And bears her Maker's praife on high Upon her artlefs tongue. My foul would rife and fing To her Creator too, Fain would my tongue adore my king, And pay the worihip due. But fi 260 } But pride, that bufy fin, Spoils all that I perform ; Cors'd pride that creeps fecurely in, And fwells a haughty worm. Thy glories I abate, Gr praife thee with defign j Some of the favours I forget, Or think the merit mine. The very fongs I frame, Are faitmefs to thy cau.e, And flea 1 the honours of thy name To build their own applaufe. Create my foul anew, Elfc all my worfhip's vain; ' This wretched heart will ne'er be true, Until 'tis form'd again. Defcend, celeftial nre, And feize me from above, Melt me in flames of pure deure, . A facrifice to love. Let joy and worlhip fpend The remnant of my days, And to mi G©d my foul, afcend,. In fweet perfumes of praife. C 26, ) A HYMN. I. ALAS, my aking heart ! Here the kejn torment lies ; It racks my waking hours with fmart, And frights my numbering eyes. II. Guilt will be hid no more, My griefs take vent apace, The crimes that blot my confeience o'er Flufh crdmlbn in my face. III. My forrows, like a flood, Impatient of reftraint, •Into thy bofom, O my God, Pour out a long complaint. IV. This impious heart of mine Could once defy the Lord, Could rufh with violence on to fir," In prefence of thy fword. V. How often have I flood A rebel to the fkies, The calls, the tenders of a God, And mercy's loudeft cries I VI, < 2&Z ) VI. He offers all his grace, And all his heaven to me ; Offers ! but W* to fenfelefs brafs, That cannot feel nor fee. VII. Jefus the Saviour (lands To court me from above, And lookb and ipreads his wounded hands. And mews the prints of love. VIII. But T, a ftupid fool, How lor.g have J withftood The bleffii gi purchas'd with nis foul, And paid for all in blood ? IX. The heav'nly dove came down And tender'd me his wing To mount me upwara to a crown And bright immortal things. X. Lord, I'm afhamed to fay- That I refus'd thy Dove, And fent thy Spirit griev'd away, To his own realms of love. XI. Not all thine heav'nly charms, Nor terrors of thy hand, Could force me to lay down my arms, And bow to thy command. XII. ( *6 3 ) XII. 'Lord, 't's againft thy face My fins like arrows rife. And yet, and yet (O matchlefs grace!) Thy thunder filent lies. XIII. O mall I never feel The meltings of thy love ? Am I of fuch hell-harden'd fteel That mercy cannot move ? XIV. Now for one powerful glance, Dear Saviour, from thy fa.e! This rebel heart no more withilands, But finks beneath thy grace. XV. O'ercome by dying love I fall, Hen at thy crofs I lie ; And throw my flefti, my foul, my all, And weep, and love, and die. XVI. c< Rife fays the prince of mercy, rife, *' With joy and pity in his eyes : ** Ri/e, and berr Id my wounded veins, * Here flows the blood to wafh thy Mains. XVII. " See my great Father reconciled :" He laid. And lo, the Father fmii'd ; The joyful cherubs clap'd their wings, And founded grace on all their firings. CHRIST'S E' ( *H ) C HR I S T's Passion. I. ' Nough my mufe, of earthly things, And infpirations but of wind, Take up thy lute, and to it bind Loud and everlafting firings ; And on 'em play, and to 'em fing, The happy mourrful ftories, The lamentable glories. Of the great crucified King. Mountainous hear of wonders ! which doit arife Till earth thou joyneil with the fkies ! Too large at boicom, and at top too high, To be half feen by mortal eye. How (hall I grafp this boundlefs thing ! What ftiall I play ? what mall I fing ? Til fing the mighty riddle of myfterious love, Which neither wretched men below, nor bierled Spi- rits above, With all their comments can explain ; How all the whole worlds life to die did not difdain. II. I'll fing the fearchlefs depths of the companion di- vine, The depths unfathom'd yet By reafon's plummet, and the line of wit. Too light the plummet, and too fhoit the line. How the eternal Father did beftow His own eternal Son as ranfom for his foe. I'll ( *G; ) I'll fing aloud, that all the world may hear The triumph of the buried Conqueror. How hell was by its pris'ner led, And the great flayer, death, (lain by the dead. III. Methinks I hear of murdered men the voice, Mixt with with the murderers' confuted noife, Sound from the top of Calvary ; My greedy eyes fly up the hill, and fee Who 'tis han^s there the midmoft of the three ; O how unlike the others he ! Look how he bends his gentle head with blcflings from the tree ! His gracious hands ne'er ftretcht but to do good, Are naifd to the infamous wood? And finful man does fondly bind The arms, which he extends t'inbrace all human kind. IV. Unnhappy man, canfl thou ftand by, and fee All this as patient as he ? Since he thy fins does bear, Make thou his iufferings thine own, And weep, and figh, and groan, And beat thy breaft, and tear Thy garments, and thy hair, And let thy grief, and let thy love Through all thy bleeding bowels move. Doll thou not fee thy Prince in purple clad all o'er, Not purple brought from the S>do7i:art fhore, But made at home with richer gore ? Doil thou rfot fee the roles, which adorn Thy thorny garland, by him worn ? Dolt thou not fee the livid traces Qt the lharp fcourge's rude embraces : N If ( *66 ) If yet thou feelefl not the fmart Of thorns and fcourges in thy heart, If that be yet not crucify 'd, Look on his hands, look on his feet, look on his fide. V. Open, oh ! open wide the fountain of thine eyes, And let e'm call Their ftock of moifture forth where'er it lies, For this will afk it all, Twould all (alas!) too little be Though thy ialt tears come from a fea ; (Janft thou deny him this, when he Has open'd all his vital fprings for thee ? Take heed ; for by his fides myfterious flood May well be underftood, That he will require fome waters to his blood. A HYMN. Compofed by a Gentleman during Sicknefs. WHEN riling from the Bed of Death, O'erwhelm'd with guilt and fear, I fee my Maker, face to face, O how fhall I appear ! If yet, while pardon may be found, And mercy may be fought, My heart with inward horror fhrinks, And trembles at the thought. "When ( »6 7 ) When thou, O Lord, (hall Hand difclos'd, In majefty fevere, And fit in judgment on my foul, Oh ! how (hall I appear ! But thou haft told the troubled mind. Who does her fins lament, The timely tribute of her tears Shall endlefs woe prevent. Then fee the forrows of my heart, 'Ere yet it be too late ; And hear my Saviour's dying groans, To give thofe forrows weight. For never mail my foul defpair Her pardon to procure, Who knows thine only Son has dy'd To make her pardon fure. The following HYMN, which was written by Monfieur Des Barreaux, who had been one of the grentell Wits and Libertines in France, but in his laft years was as remarkable a Penitent, is here in- ferted on Account of the Englijh following. GR AND Dieu, tes jugemens font remplis cTe quite ; fcujours !u prens plaijtr a nous etrtpra} Mais fat taut fait de mal, que jamais ta bonti A*? me pardon vera, Jans choquer ta fujiice. Oui, mon Dieu, la grandeur de mon impiete Ne laiffe a ton pouvoir que le cboix du fuplice : Ton intercji s*oppofe a ma finite ; Et ta ckmence meme attend que je perije, N 2 GmttnH r 2«8 ) Ccr.ter.te ton dejtr, puis qui! fejl glorienx ; Offenfe toy des pleurs qui cculent de mes yeux ; Tonne, frappe, il eft terns, rt . mm guerre pour guerre \ "J 'adore en perij i cni t'aigrit. Jllais defliu quel endroit totr.bera ten tonnerre, $>ui ne foit tout convert dufang de Jesus Christ? The Same Imitated; TH Y ways, great God, are always jail and right, Thou 'rt pleas"d when we true happinefs puriue ; Unbounded goodnefs is thy chief delight, Thou doR with pity all our failings view. But Oh ! fo black with guilt my foul is ftain'd, That all my fighs and pray rs, in vain aicend ; Per me no mercy ne'er can be obtain"d ; Mercy ! to me thy juftice would offend ! Yes, my dread God ! fo impious I have been, Thy hol> laws and precepts all deny*d ; Ar.d through my life in ev'ry vary'd lcene, With horrid blaiphemies have thee defy'd. I've finn'd beyond the reach of mercy here, So nothing now, my God, with thee remains; Only to chuie the torments I muft bear, In agonizing never-ending pains. Th'eternal rules of equity and truth, Thofe facred and inviolable bands ; Reitrain my pardon from thy gracious mouth, And uiy deitruction clemency demands. Since ( *59 ) Since then thy honour and thy glory criei, For juftice due on this devoted head, Let no contrition from my flowing eyes, To flay thy fury hap'ly interceed. Pour out thy wrath, I have deferv'd it all, Thy goodnefs and forbearance never priz'd ; 'Tis time thy vengeance fhould upon me fall, For I (Oh ! pang to think) have thee defpis'd. Thy juftice Lord, in perifhing I own, Adore the fentence I from thee receive ; Though I repent, repentance can't attone, Nor expiate thofe crimes for which I grieve. But I'll thy fweet, myfterious love explore: Where ihall thine anger dart th'impending blow ? Since with the blood of C h r i s t I'm cover'd o'er, And from his wounds doth my falvauon flow. N 3 2/0- > A HYMN for the Light of Faith. ARISE, on my benighted mind, O mighty Saviour of mankind j Arife, enlighten all within, And chafe away the mills of fin, Thou art that Son which day-light brings, When rifen with healing on thy wings ; The wretched world, without thy light, Had grop'd in univerfal night. What tree without thy genial ray Can moot, or what produce the day : So without thee, what virtue fhine, Or grace, without thy aid divine. Arife, O Day-Star, on my heart, And make the height of fin depart ; Allay the raging of my will, And bid that troubled fea be fliil. Thou art that univerfal height Wouldfl mine on all with radiance bright, Yet men, alas ! perverfely blind, Shut out this day-light from their mind* Lord, touch my he$z£ that I believe, And then I mail my fight recieve, The fight of faith, by which I may Rejoice in everlaHing day. Afpiring ( W ) Afpiring to the Divine Life. A H Y M N. FAIN would my (obi enjoy her God, \nd feel the tu. whine of his face, Be dead to this terreitrial clod, And tune her iongs to endlefs grace : Cut, oh! thefe treach'rous ears and eyes Tempt fome frctTi fnare where'er I go, Drink in the world's tumultuous cries, And fallen on ita gilded mew. At night's meridian reign I wake, Bleis the blank filer.ee and the gloom, Then aim an heav'nly flig&t to take, And launch into the joys to come. But fwift the e.irthbofn fancies rife, Ar.d break the heav n-afcending chain, Replace the painted vanities, And talk the buzzing founds again. Sudden a mounting flame afpires, Sudden a dnfly fog defcends ; The fog fubdues the heav'nl; fires, And damps and darknefs wide extends. O when mall that bleft hour arrive That fet^ my fettu a foul at large ? Time fafler Hill thy chariot di Aiad halten death to my difcharge. Ox ( 2 7 2 } Or rather may Almighty grace Exalt, enliven, and refine, From this vain heart the world efface, And feal me with the flamp divine. "Thus, while I fojourn here below, To heav'n my faithful fongs /hall rife : So angels, when through earth they go, Enjoy the raptures of the fkies. FINIS. I ■I em