The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacrements...

4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd,
Who other gods adore!
Their bloody offerings I detest,
Their very names abhor.

URE wicked fools must needs suppose
That God is nothing but a name;
Corrupt and lewd their practice grows;
No breast is warm d with holy flame.
2 The Lord look'd down from Heaven's high Where God is truly known;

And all the sons of men did view,

To see if any own'd his power;
If any truth or justice knew.
3 But all, he saw, were gone aside,
All were degen rate grown and base;
None took religion for their guide,
Not one of all the sinful race.
4 But can these workers of deceit

Be all so dull and senseless grown,
That they, like bread, my people eat,
And God's Almighty power disown?
5 How will they tremble then for fear,
When his just wrath shall them o'ertake?
For to the righteous God is near,

And never will their cause forsake. 6 Ill men, in vain, with seorn expose

Those methods which the good pursue;
Since God a refuge is for those
Whom his just eyes with favour view.
7 Would he his saving power employ
To break his people's servile band,
Then shouts of universal joy

Should loudly echo through the land.
PSALM XV.

LORD who's the happy man that may

To thy blest courts repair,
Not stranger-like, to visit them,
But to inhabit there?

2 'Tis he, whose every thought and deed
By rules of virtue moves;
Whose gen'rous tongue disdains to speak
The thing his heart disproves.
3 Who never did a slander forge,
His neighbour's fame to wound;

Nor hearken to a false report,
By malice whisper'd round.

4 Who vice, in all its pomp and power,
Can treat with just neglect;
And piety, though clothed in rags,
Religiously respect.

5 Who to his plighted vows and trust
Has ever firmly stood;

And though he promise to his loss,
He makes his promise good.
6 Whose soul in usury disdains
His treasure to employ;

Whom no rewards can ever bribe

The guiltless to destroy.

7 The man, who by his steady course

Has happiness insur'd,

When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand,

By providence secur'd.

5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land

He fills my cup with lib'ral hand,
'Tis he supports my throne.
6 In nature's most delightful scene
My happy portion lies;
The place of my appointed reign
All other lands outvies.

7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord,
Whose precepts give me light;
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.
8 I strive each action to approve
To his all-seeing eye;
No danger shall my hopes remove,
Because he still is nigh.
9 Therefore my heart all grief defies,
My glory does rejoice;
My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise,
Wak'd by his powerful voice.
10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath,
My soul from hell shalt free;
Nor let thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.

11 Thou shalt the paths of life display,
Which to thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.

O my just plea and sad complaint O righteous Lord; And to my prayer, as 'tis unfeign'd, A gracious ear afford.

2 As in thy sight I am approv'd,

So let my sentence be;

And with impartial eyes, O Lord,

Because my trust I still repose
On thy Almighty arm.

2 My soul all help but thine does slight,

All gods but thee disown;

Yet can no deeds of mine requite

The goodness thou hast shown.
3 But those that strictly virtuous are,
And love the thing that's right,

To favour always, and prefer,
Shall be my chief delight.

My upright dealing see.

3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day, And visited by night;

And, on the strictest trial, found

Its secret motions right.

Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
My heart's designs acquit;

For I have purpos'd that my tongue

Shall no offence commit.

4 I know what wicked men would do
Their safety to maintain;
But me thy just and mild commands
From bloody paths restrain.

5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
My innocence secure,

O guide me in thy righteous ways,
And make my footsteps sure.
6 Since, heretofore, I ne'er in vain
To thee my prayer address'd;

O! now, my God, incline thine ear

To this my just request.

7 The wonders of thy truth and love

In my defence engage;

Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints

From their oppressor's rage.

PART II.

8,9 O! keep me in thy tend'rest care;
Thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,

To guard me safe from savage foes,
That compass me about:

10 Overgrown with luxury enclos'd

In their own fat they lie;

And, with a proud blaspheming mouth, Both God and man defy.

11 Well may they boast, for they have now
My paths encompass'd round;
Their eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd,
And couching on the ground;

12 In posture of a lion set,

When greedy of his prey; Or a young lion, when he lurks Within a covert way.

13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots,
Their swelling rage control;

From wicked men, who are thy sword,
Deliver thou my soul:

14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge,
Whose portion's here below;
Who, fill'd with earthly stores, aspire
No other bliss to know.

15 Their race is num'rous, that partake
Their substance while they live;
Their heirs survive, to whom they may
The vast remainder give.
16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
Shall view without control;
And, waking, shall its image find
Reflected in my soul.

1,2

PSALM XVIII.

O change

Nocha

of time shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee;

For thou hast always been my rock,
A fortress and defence to me.
Thou, my deliv'rer art, my God;
My trust is in thy mighty power';
Thou art my shield from foes abroad,
At home my safeguard and my tower.
3 To thee I will address my prayer,
To whom all praise we justly owe;
So shall I, by thy watchful care,

Be guarded from my treacherous foe.
4,5 By floods of wicked men distress'd,
With seas of sorrow compass'd round,
With dire infernal pangs oppress'd,

In death's unwieldly fetters bound;
6 To heaven I made my mournful prayer,
To God address'd my humble moan;
Who graciously inclin'd his ear,
And heard me from his lofty throne.
PART II.

7 When God arose my part to take,
The conscious earth was struck with fear;

The hills did at his presence shake,
Nor could his dreadful fury bear.
8 Thick clouds of smoke dispers'd abroad,
Ensigns of wrath before him came;
Devouring fire around him glow'd,

That coals were kindled at its flame.
9 He left the beauteous realms of light,
Whilst heaven bow'd down its awful head;

Beneath his feet substantial night
Was like a sable carpet spread.
10 The chariot of the King of kings,
Which active troops of angels drew,
On a strong tempest's rapid wings,
With most amazing swiftness flew.
11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspir'd,
With thickest shades, his face to veil;
But at his brightness soon retir'd,
And fell in showers of fire and hail.

13 Through heaven's wide arch a thund'ring

peal

God's angry voice did loudly roar;
While earth's sad face with heaps of hail
And flakes of fire was cover'd oe'r.
14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw,
Which made his scatter'd foes retreat;
Like darts his nimble lightnings flew,
And quickly finish'd their defeat.
15 The deep its secret stores disclos'd,
The world's foundations naked lay;

By his avenging wrath expos'd,
Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day.

PART III.

16 The Lord did on my side engage;

From heaven, his throne, my cause upheld;
And snatch'd me from the furious rage
Of threat'ning waves, that proudly swell'd.
17 God his resistless power employ'd
My strongest foes' attempts to break;
Who else with ease had soon destroy'd

The weak defence that I could make.
18 Their subtle rage had near prevail'd,
When I distress'd and friendless lay;
But still, when other succours faild,
God was my firm support and stay.
19 From dangers that enclos'd me round,
He brought me forth and set me free;
For some just cause his goodness found,
That mov'd him to delight in me.
20 Because in me no guilt remains,
God does his gracious help extend;
My hands are free from bloody stains;
Therefore the Lord is still my friend.
21, 22 For I his judgments keep in sight,
In his just paths I always trod;
I never did his statutes slight,

Nor loosely wander'd from my God.
23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure,
Did even from darling sins refrain;
His favours therefore yet endure,
Because my heart and hands are clean.

PART IV.

25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous ways
To various paths of human-kind;
They who for mercy merit praise,
With thee shall wondrous mercy find.
Thou to the just shalt justice show;
The pure thy purity shall see:
Such as perversely choose to go,

Shall meet with due returns from thee.
27, 28 That he the humble soul will save,
And crush the haughty's boasted might,
In me the Lord an instance gave,
Whose darkness he has turn'd to light.
29 On his firm succour I rely'd,
And did o'er num'rous foes prevail;
Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side,

The best defended walls to scale.
30 For God's design shall still succeed,
His word will bear the utmost test;
He's a strong shield to all that need,
And on his sure protection rest.
31 Who then deserves to be ador'd,
But God, on whom my hopes depend?
Or who, except the mighty Lord,
Can with resistless power defend?

PART V.

32, 33 'Tis God that girds my armour on, And all my just designs fulfils;

Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take,

And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Fore'd by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health Protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still; my wealth And greatness from his bounty flows. 36 My goings he enlarg'd abroad,

Till then to narrow paths confin'd; And, when in slippery ways I trod,

The method of my steps design'd. 37 Through him I num'rous hosts defeat, And flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat,

Till I a final conquest make.

38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try
Their vanquish'd heads again to rear;
Spite of their boasted strength, they lie
Beneath my feet, and grovel there.
39 God, when fresh armies take the field,
Recruits my strength, my courage warms;

He makes my strong opposers yield,
Subdu'd by my prevailing arms.

40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes My conqu'ring feet in triumph press;

Aided by him, I root out those

Who hate and envy my success.

PSALM XIX.

HE heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
Which that alone can fill;
The firmament and stars express
Their great Creator's skill.
2 The dawn of each returning day
Fresh beams of knowledge brings;
And from the dark returns of night
Divine instruction springs.

3 Their powerful language to no realm
Or region is confin'd;
'Tis nature's voice, and understood
Alike by all mankind.

4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
Through earth's extent display;
Whose bright contents the circling sun
Does round the world convey.
5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day
Has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice
To run his glorious race.

6 From east to west, from west to east,
His restless course he goes;
And, through his progress, cheerful light
And vital warmth bestows.

PART II.

7 God's perfect law converts the soul;
Reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires.

41 With loud complaints all friends they try'd; 8 The statutes of the Lord are just,

And bring sincere delight;

His pure commands in search of truth

Assist the feeblest sight.

9 His perfect worship here is fix'd,

On sure foundations laid; His equal laws are in the scales Of truth and justice weigh'd; 10 Of more esteem than golden mines, Or gold refin'd with skill; More sweet than honey, or the drops That from the comb distil. 11 My trusty counsellors they are, And friendly warnings give; Divine rewards attend on those Who by thy precepts live. 12 But what frail man observes how oft He does from virtue fall?.

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!
13 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
Dominion have o'er me;

That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may
The great transgression flee.
14 So shall my prayer and praises be
With thy acceptance blest;
And I secure on thy defence,

My strength and Saviour, rest.
PSALM XX.

But none was able to defend;

At length to God for help they cry'd;

But God would no assistance lend.
42 Like flying dust, which winds pursue,
Their broken troops I scatter'd round;
Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw,

Like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground.
PART VI.

43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now,
By God's appointment me obey;
The heathen to my sceptre bow,
And foreign nations own my sway.
44 Remotest realms their homage send,
When my successful name they hear;
Strangers for my commands attend,
Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fear.
45 All to my summons tamely yield,
Or soon in battle are dismay'd;
For stronger holds they quit the field,
And still in strongest holds afraid.
46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd,
The rock on whose defence I rest!
To highest heavens his name be rais'd,

Who me with his salvation bless'd!
47 'Tis God that still supports my right;
His just revenge my foes pursues;
'Tis he, that, with resistless might,
Fierce nations to my yoke subdues.
48 My universal safeguard he!

From whom my lasting honours flow;
He made me great, and set me free
From my remorseless bloody foe.
49 Therefore, to celebrate his fame,
My grateful voice to heaven I'll raise;
And nations, strangers to his name,

Shall thus be taught to sing his praise:
50 "God to his king deliv'rance sends;
"Shows his anointed signal grace;
"His mercy evermore extends

"To David and his promis'd race."

HE Lord to

thy request attend,

And hear thee in distress; The name of Jacob's God defend, And grant thy arms success: 2 To aid thee from on high repair, And strength from Sion give; 3 Remember all thy offerings there, Thy sacrifice receive:

4 To compass thy own heart's desire

Thy counsels still direct;
Make kindly all events conspire

To bring them to effect.

5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid We cheerfully repair,

With banners in thy name display'd;

"The Lord accept thy prayer."

6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord Our sov'reign will defend;

From heaven resistless aid afford,

And to his prayer attend.

7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd;

On chariots some rely;

Against them all we'll call to mind

The power of God most high.

8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown,

Behold them through the plain,
Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down,
Whilst firm our troops remain.
9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed
Our rightful cause to bless;
Hear, King of heaven, in times of need,

The prayers that we address.

HE king,

PSALM XXI.

O Lord, with songs of praise

And thus exalt thy fame;

Whilst we glad songs of praise compose

To thy Almighty name.

PSALM XXII.

M
TY God, my God, why leav'st thou me
When I with anguish faint?

O! why so far from me remov'd,
And from my loud complaint ?
2 All day, but all the day unheard,
To thee do I complain;
With cries implore relief all night,
But cry all night in vain.

3 Yet thou art still the righteous Judge
Of innocence oppress'd;
And therefore Israel's praises are
Of right to thee address'd.
4,5 On thee our ancestors rely'd,
And thy deliv'rance found;
With pious confidence they pray'd,
And with success were crown'd.
6 But I am treated like a worm;
Like none of human birth;
Not only by the great revil'd,
But made the rabble's mirth.
7 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonies survey;

They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say;

8 "In God he trusted, boasting oft

"That he was heaven's delight;

"Let God come down to save him now,

"And own his favourite."

PART II.

9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womb A living offspring bear;

When but a suckling at the breast,

I was thy early care.

10 Thou, guardian-like, did'st shield from

wrongs

My helpless infant days;

And since hast been my God, and guide,

Through life's bewilder'd ways.

11 Withdraw not then so far from me,
When trouble is so nigh;

O send me help! thy help, on which
I only can rely.

12 High-pamper'd bulls, a frowning herd, From Basan's forest met,

With strength proportion'd to their rage Have me around beset.

13 They gape on me, and every mouth A yawning grave appears; The desert lion's savage roar

Less dreadful is than theirs.

PART III.

Shall in thy strength rejoice; With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise To heaven his cheerful voice.

2 For thou, whate'er his lips request,
Not only dost impart;

But hast, with thy acceptance, blest
The wishes of his heart.

3 Thy goodness and thy tender care

Have all his hopes outgone;

A crown of gold thou mad'st him wear,

And sett'st it firmly on.

4 He pray'd for life; and thou, O Lord,

Didst to his prayer attend,

And graciously to him afford

A life that ne'er shall end.

5 Thy sure defence through nations round

Has spread his glorious name;

And his successful actions crown'd

With majesty and fame.

6 Eternal blessings thou bestow'st, And mak'st his joys increase; Whilst thou to him unclouded show'st

The brightness of thy face.

PART II.

7 Because the king on God alone
For timely aid relies;

His mercy still supports his throne,
And all his wants supplies.

8 But, righteous Lord, thy stubborn foes

Shall feel thy heavy hand;

Thy vengeful arm shall find out those

That hate thy mild command.

9 When thou against them dost engage,
Thy just but dreadful doom
Shall, like a glowing oven's rage,

Their hopes and them consume.

10 Nor shall thy furious anger cease, Or with their ruin end;

But root out all their guilty race,

And to their seed extend.

11 For all their thoughts were set on ill,

Their hearts on malice bent;

But thou with watchful care didst still

The ill effects prevent.

14 My blood like water's spill'd, my joints Are rack'd and out of frame;

My heart dissolves within my breast,

Like wax before the flame.

15 My strength, like potter's earth, is parch'd;

My tongue cleaves to my jaws;

And to the silent shades of death

My fainting soul withdraws.

16 Like blood hounds, to surround me, they

12 While they their swift retreat shall make, They pierc'd my inoffensive hands;

In pack'd assemblies meet:

To 'scape thy dreadful might,

They pierc'd my harmless feet.

Thy swifter arrows shall o'ertake,

17 My body's rack'd, till all my bones

And gall them in their flight.

Distinctly may be told;

Yet such a spectacle of woe

As pastime they behold.

18 As spoil, my garments they divide,

Lots for my vesture cast;

19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength,

And to my succour haste.

20 From their sharp swords protect thou me,

Of all but life bereft;

Nor let my darling in the power

Of cruel dogs be left.

21 To save me from the lion's jaws,

Thy present succour send;

As once, from goring unicorns,

Thou didst my life defend.

22 Then to my brethren I'll declare

The triumphs of thy name; In presence of assembled saints Thy glory thus proclaim :

23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God, "All you of Israel's line,

"O praise the Lord, and to your praise "Sincere obedience join.

24 "Hene'er disdain'd on low distress "To cast a gracious eye; "Nor turn'd from poverty his face, "But hears its humble cry."

PART IV.

25 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I
My cheerful thanks express;
In presence of thy saints perform
The vows of my distress.

26 The meek companions of my grief

Shall find my table spread; And all that seek the Lord shall be

With joys immortal fed.

27 Then shall the glad converted world

To God their homage pay; And scatter'd nations of the earth

One sov'reign Lord obey. 28 'Tis his supreme prerogative O'er subject kings to reign;

'Tis just that he should rule the world,
Who does the world sustain.

29 The rich, who are with plenty fed,
His bounty must confess;
The sons of want, by him reliev'd,
Their gen'rous Patron bless.
With humble worship to his throne

They all for aid resort;

That power, which first their beings gave,

Can only them support.

30, 31 Then shall a chosen spotless race, Devoted to his name,

To their admiring heirs his truth,
And glorious acts, proclaim.

PSALM XXIII.

HE Lord himself, the mighty Lord, Vouchsafes to be my guide;

4 The man, whose hands and heart are pure, Whose thoughts from pride are free;

Who honest poverty prefers

To gainful perjury.

5 This, this is he, on whom the Lord
Shall shower his blessings down;
Whom God, his Saviour, shall vouchsafe
With righteousness to crown.
6 Such is the race of saints, by whom
The sacred courts are trod;
And such the proselytes that seek
The face of Jacob's God.

7 Erect your heads, eternal gates;
Unfold, to entertain

The King of Glory: see! he comes
With his celestial train.

8 Who is the King of Glory? who?
The Lord, for strength renown'd;
In battle mighty; o'er his foes
Eternal victor crown'd.

19 Erect your heads, ye gates; unfold
In state to entertain

The King of Glory: see! he comes
With all his shining train.

10 Who is the King of Glory? who?
The Lord of hosts renown'd;

Of Glory he alone is King,
Who is with glory crown'd.

PSALM XXV.

O God, in whom I trust,
I lift my heart and voice;

The Shepherd, by whose constant care
My wants are all supply'd.

2 In tender grass he makes me feed,

And gently there repose;

Then leads me to cool shades, and where
Refreshing water flows.

3 He does my wand'ring soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk
In his most righteous ways.
4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From fear and danger free;

O! let me not be put to shame,
Nor let my foes rejoice.
3 Those who on thee rely,
Let no disgrace attend;
Be that the shameful lot of such
As wilfully offend.

4,5 To me thy truth impart,
And lead me in thy way,

For thou art he that brings me help;

On thee I wait all day.
6 Thy mercies, and thy love,
O Lord, recall to mind;
And graciously continue still,
As thou wert ever, kind.
7 Let all my youthful crimes
Be blotted out by thee;

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