Psalms.

PSALM Ι.

DONE INTO VERSE, 1653.

BLESSED is the man who hath not walked astray
In council of the wicked, and i' the way
Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat
Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great
Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watery streams, and in his season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fanned
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,
Nor sinners in the assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows the upright way of the just;
And the way of bad men to ruin must.

PSALM II.

DONE AUGUST 8, 1653.

Terzette.

WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations
Muse a vain thing, the kings of the earth upstand
With power, and princes in their congregations
Lay deep their plots together through each land

Against the Lord and his Messiah dear? Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) On Sion my holy hill. A firm decree

I will declare: the Lord to me hath said, Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made As thy possession I on thee bestow

The Heathen, and as thy conquest to be swayed
Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low
With iron sceptre bruised, and them disperse
Like to a potter's vessel shivered so.

And now be wise at length, ye kings averse;
Be taught, ye judges of the earth; with fear
Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse
With trembling; kiss the Son, lest he appear
In anger, and ye perish in the way,
If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere.
Happy all those who have in him their stay

PSALM III.

AUGUST 9, 1653.

When he fled from Absalom.

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many those

That in arms against me rise!
Many are they

That of my life distrustfully thus say,
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,
Thee through my story
The exalter of my head I count;
Aloud I cried

Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied,
And heard me from his holy mount.

I lay and slept, I waked again;

For my sustain

Was the Lord.

Of many millions

The populous rout

I fear not, though encamping round about

They pitch against me their pavilions.

Rise, Lord, save me, my God, for thou

Hast smote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes,
Of men abhorred

Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;

Thy blessing on thy people flows.

PSALM IV.

AUGUST 10, 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,
God of my righteousness,
In straits and in distress
Thou didst me disenthral
And set at large; now spare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer.

Great ones, how long will ye

My glory have in scorn,

How long be thus forborne

Still to love vanity,

To love, to seek, to prize

Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies?

Yet know the Lord hath chose,

Chose to himself apart,

The good and meek of heart

(For whom to choose he knows);

Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voice what time to him I cry.

Be awed, and do not sin,

Speak to your hearts alone,

Upon your beds, each one,

And be at peace within.

Offer the offerings just

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust.

Many there be that say,

Who yet will show us good?

Talking like this world's brood;

But, Lord, thus let me pray,

On us lift up the light,

Lift up the favour of thy countenance bright.

Into my heart more joy

And gladness thou hast put,

That when a year of glut

Their stores doth over-cloy,

And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

In peace at once will I

Both lay me down and sleep,

For thou alone dost keep

Me safe where'er I lie:

As in a rocky cell

Thou, Lord, alone in safety mak'st me dwell.

PSALM V.

AUGUST 12, 1653.

JEHOVAH, to my words give ear,

My meditation weigh;
The voice of my complaining hear,

My King and God; for unto thee I pray.
Jehovah, thou my early voice
Shalt in the morning hear,

I' the morning I to thee with choice

Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear.

For thou art not a God that takes

In wickedness delight,

Evil with thee no biding makes,

Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.

All workers of iniquity

Thou hat'st; and them unblest

Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie;

The bloody and guileful man God doth detest.

But I will in thy mercies dear,

Thy numerous mercies, go

Into thy house; I in thy fear

Will towards thy holy temple worship low.

Lord, lead me in thy righteousness,

Lead me because of those

That do observe if I transgress;

Set thy ways right before, where my step goes.

For in his faltering mouth unstable

No word is firm or sooth;

Their inside, troubles miserable;

An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth.

God, find them guilty, let them fall

By their own counsels quelled;

Push them in their rebellions all

Still on; for against thee they have rebelled.
Then all who trust in thee shall bring
Their joy; while thou from blame
Defend'st them, they shall ever sing
And shall triúmph in thee, who love thy name.
For thou, Jehovah, wilt be found

To bless the just man still;
As with a shield thou wilt surround

Him with thy lasting favour and good will

PSALM VI.

AUGUST 13, 1653.

LORD, in thine anger do not reprehend me,
Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct;
Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject,
Am very weak and faint; heal and amend me:
For all my bones, that even with anguish ache,
Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore,
And thou, O Lord, how long? turn, Lord, restore

My soul; oh, save me for thy goodness sake:
For in death no remembrance is of thee;

Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise?
Wearied I am with sighing out my days,
Nightly my couch I make a kind of sea;
My bed I water with my tears; mine eye
Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark
I' the midst of all mine enemies that mark.

Depart all ye that work iniquity,

KK