The Exaltation of the Soul, Preface

The Exaltation of the Soul · Preface

THE PREFACE.

I Chose the Psalms of David for the Platform of my Devotions, because nothing can be supposed more acceptable to God in duties of this nature, than to follow his steps, who was a man after God's own heart. The Original is so well penned, so full and lofty in its expressions, that Cowley, when he gave his censure of the Translators, says, that Shimei hardly reviled David more, than some of them have done. However, I reckon not my self concerned in that charge, seeing I follow the best Translation our Language bears. Were this Book of Psalms duly weighed, and considered, men might find materials for their addresses to Heaven fitted for all states and conditions; as if it were a mirrour of the Passages of Humane Life, and comprehended all the desires and offices of a good man. Though David's Composures were elegant and harmonious in their native dress, yet 'twas not the Instrument, but the strings of his heart made the sweetest melody. Nothing is more charming than a soul so well tuned, so well skill'd in all the parts of Divine musick: Thus we joyn consort with the harmony of the sphears; we may be assured that the Eccho is rebounded with the exultation and Hallelujahs of Heaven it self.

p. 1CHOICE MEDITATIONS Out of the PSALMIST.

SErve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce unto him with reverence, 2.11. But know, that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear me when I call upon him, 4.3. Offer the sacrifices of Righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord, v. 5. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with thee, 5.4. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the Righteous: with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield, 12. God judgeth the Righteous, and God is angry with the Wicked every p. 2day. If he turn not, he will whet his Sword, he hath bent his Bow, and made it ready; 7.11, 12. The Wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God. For the Needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever, 9.17, 18. The Lord tryeth the Righteous; but the Wicked, and him that loveth violence, his Soul hateth. For the Righteous Lord loveth Righteousness, his countenance doth behold the upright, 11.56.7. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise saith the Lord, I will set him in safety, from him that pusseth at him. The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tryed in a furnace of Earth purified seven times in the fire, 12.5, 6. The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the children of Men, to see if there were any that would understand and seek after God, 14.2. Lord, who shall abide in thy Tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy Hill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh Righteousness, and speaketh the Truth in his Heart, 15.1, 2. In whose eyes a vise person is contemned, but he honoureth them that fear the Lord: he that sweareth to his neighbour, and disappointeth him not. Thou wilt shew me the path of Life; in thy presence is the fulness of p. 3joy, at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore, 16.11. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be safe from mine enemies, 18.3. I was upright before him, and I kept my self from mine iniquity: therefore the Lord hath recompenced me according to my Righteousness, and according to the cleanness of mine hand in his eye-sight. With the merciful thou shalt shew thy self merciful, with an upright man, thou shalt shew thy self upright; vers. 23, 24, 25. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent Man. Great deliverance giveth he to his King, and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his Seed for evermore, vers. 48, 51.

The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work, 19.1. The Lord hear thee in the day of Trouble; the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee, 20.1. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy Counsel, vers. 4. Our Fathers trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them; 22.4. For he hath not despised, nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, neither hath he hid his face from him, but when he cryed p. 4unto him, he heard him, vers. 24. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall want nothing, 23.1. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart, who hath not lift up his Soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully, 24.4, 5, He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the Lord of his Salvation. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy honour dwelleth, 26.8. Wait upon the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord, 27.14. I hate them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy, for thou hast considered my trouble, thou hast known my Soul in adversities, 31.6, 7. For my life is spent with grief, my strength faileth me because of my Iniquity, and my bones are consumed, vers. 10. Blessed is he whose Transgression is forgiven, and whose Sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity, and in whose spirit is no Guile. I acknowledge my Sin unto thee, and mine Iniquities have I not hid: I said, I will confess my Transgression unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my Sin. Be glad in the Lord, ô ye Righteous, and rejoyce, and shout for joy all ye that are p. 5upright in heart, 32.1, 2, 5, 11. He loveth Righteousness, and Judgment, the Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Let all the Earth fear the Lord, let all the Inhabitants of the World stand in awe of him. The Lord looketh from Heaven: he beholdeth all the Sons of Men. Depart from evil and do good, seek Peace, and pursue it. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth. He fashioneth all their hearts alike: he considereth their works. There is nothing saved by the multitude of an Host, neither a mighty man delivered by great strength. Behold, the Eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, and upon them that hope in his mercy: To deliver their Soul from Death, and to keep them alive in Famine, 33.5, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. O magnifie the Lord with me, and let us extol his Name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The poor cryeth, and the Lord heareth him, and saveth him out of all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see how good the Lord is to them p. 6that fear him, and trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his Saints, for there is no want to them that fear him. The …ons do lack, and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good. Keep thy Tongue from evil, and thy Lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous, and his Ears open unto their cry. The Face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the Earth. The Righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit. Many are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all. Evil shall slay the Wicked, and they that hate the Righteous shall be desolate. The Lord redeemeth the Souls of his Servants, and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate, 34.1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22. For he flattereth himself in his own Eye, until his abominable Sins be found to be abominable. For with thee is the fountain of Life: and in thy Light, shall we see Light. O continue thy loving kindness p. 7unto them that know thee, and thy righteousness to them that are upright in hea… 36.2, 9, 10. Fret not thy self because of the evil doers, neither be envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the Grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and be doing good, so shalt thou dwell in the Land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thy self in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently upon him: fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man that bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thy self in any wise to do evil: For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the Land. A little that the Righteous man hath, is better than the riches of the ungodly. The Wicked borroweth and payeth not again, but the Righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of God, shall inherit the Land: and they that be cursed of him, shall be cut off. The steps of a good man is blessed of the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, p. 8he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand, I have been young, and now am old; yet never saw I the Righteous forsaken, nor their seed begging their Bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth, and his Seed is blessed. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the Land; when the Wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the Wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree; Yet he passeth away, and lo, he was gone: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. The Salvation of the Righteous is of the Lord, he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them from the Wicked, and save them, because they put their trust in him. 37.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40. For in thee O Lord do I hope thou wilt hear, O Lord my God, 38.15. I said, I will take heed to my ways that I offend not with my Tongue: I will keep my mouth with a Bridle, while the Wicked is before me. Behold, thou hast made my daies as an hand breath, and my daies are as nothing before thee: verily, every man at p. 9his best state is altogether vanity, Selah. When thou with rebuke doth chasten man for Sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth fretting a Garment, surely every man is vanity, Selah. 39.1, 5, 11. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his Trust: and respecteth not the proud, nor such as go about with lies, 40.4. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the Earth, and thou wilt not deliver him to the will of his Enemies, 41.2. As the Hart panteth after the Water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O my God. Why art thou cast down O my Soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I will yet praise him, for the light of his countenance, 42.5. God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will I not fear, though the Earth be moved, and the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea, 46.1, 2. For the Lord most high is terrible, he is a great King over all the Earth, 47.2. Hear this all ye People, give ear all ye Inhabitants of the Earth, 49.1. The mighty God, even the Lord hath spoken, and called the Earth from the rising of the Sun unto the going down of the same. For every Beast of the Forest is mine, and the Cattel upon a p. 10thousand Hills. I know all the Fowls upon the Mountains, and the wild Beasts of the Fields are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee, for the World is mine, and the fulness thereof. Call upon me in time of trouble, I will hear thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit, 50.10, 11, 12, 15, 19. Thy Tongue deviseth mischief, like a sharp Rasor; thou lovest evil, more than good; and Lying rather than to speak Righteousness, Selah. But I am like a green Olive-tree in the House of my God. I trust in the mercy of God, for ever and ever, 52.2, 3, 8. It was thou mine own familiar Friend, my guide, and my acquaintance, that hath done me this dishonour. Cast thy burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the Righteous to be moved. But thou, O Lord, shalt bring them down into the pit of Destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their daies, but I will trust in thee O Lord, 55.13, 22, 23. In God I will praise his Word, in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Cast thy burthen upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the Righteous to be moved. But, O Lord, thou shalt bring p. 11them to the pit of Destruction: bloody and deceitful men, shall not live out half their daies, but I will trust in thee. In God will I praise his Word, in God I have put my Trust, I will not fear what Flesh can do unto me. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine Enemies turn their Back: this I know, for God is for me, in God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid what man can do unto me, 56.4, 9, 11. Truly my Soul waiteth upon God, for of him cometh my Salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation: he is my defence, so that I shall not greatly be moved. Trust not in oppression, and in Robbery: if Riches encrease, set not your heart upon them. God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou rendrest to every man according to his Works, 62.1, 2, 10, 11, 12. He Ruleth by his Power for ever, his eyes behold the Nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves, Selah. O bless our God, ye People, and make the voice of his praise to be heard. For thou, O God, hast proved, thou hast tryed us, even as Silver is tryed. Sing forth the honour of his Name, make his praise glorious, 66.2, 7, 8, 10. He is a Father of the Fatherless, and Judge of the Widows. p. 12God is in his holy Habitation. He that is our God, is the God of our Salvation: and unto God, belongeth the issues from Death, 68.5, 20. The humble shall see this and be glad, and your Soul shall live that seek God. For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his Prisoners, 69.32, 33. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the Souls of the needy. He shall redeem their Souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their Blood be in his sight, 72.13, 14. The Prosperity of the Wicked; they are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other Men, therefore pride compasseth them about as a Chain, violence covereth them as a Garment. Their Eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart can wish. My Flesh and my Heart faileth, but God is the strength of my Heart, and my portion for ever. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places, thou castest them down into Destruction. How are they brought into Desolation, as in a moment they are utterly consumed with terrours. But it is good for me to draw neer unto God, I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works, 37.6, 18, 19, 26, 28. All the horns of the wicked will I cut off, but the horns of the Righteous p. 13shall be exalted, 5.10. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercy? Selah. 77.8, 9. Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so fire was kindled against Jacob, and his anger also came up against Israel. Because they believed not in God: and trusted not in his Salvation. Give ear O my people, to my Laws, incline your Ears to the words of my Mouth. That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the work of God, but to keep his Commandments, 78.1, 7, 21, 22. The Wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for all his wondrous Works. But he being full of compassion, forgave all their Iniquities, and destroyed them not; yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his Wrath. For he remembred that they were but flesh, a wind that passed and cometh not again, 78.31, 32, 38, 39. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty: he judgeth among the Gods. Defend the Poor and Fatherless: do Justice to the Afflicted and Needy. Deliver the Poor and Needy out of the hand of the Wicked, p. 1482.1, 3, 4. Thou hast forgiven the Iniquity of thy People, thou hast covered all their Sins. Thou hast taken away all thy Wrath: thou hast turned thy self from thy fierce anger. Turn us O God of our Salvation, and cause thine anger to cease from us, 85.2, 3, 4. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good, and our Land shall give her increase, vers. 12. For thou O Lord art good, and ready to forgive, and plentious in Mercy unto all them that call upon thee. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. For great is thy mercy towards me, for thou hast delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell. For thou O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious: long suffering, and plentious in mercy and truth, 86.5, 7, 13, 15. Thy Wrath lyeth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy Waves and Stormes. But unto thee have I cryed O Lord, in the morning shall my Prayer prevent thee, 88.7, 13. Thou rulest the raging of the Sea, when the Waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. The Heavens are thine, the Earth also is thine: as for the World and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them. For the Lord is our defence, and the holy One of Israel is our King. His Seed also will he make p. 15to endure for ever: and his Throne as the days of Heaven. If his Children forsake my Law, and walk in my Judgments: If they will break my Statutes, and keep not my Commandments: Then will I visit their Transgressions with the Rod, and their Iniquities with stripes. Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him: nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not fail David. His Seed shall endure for ever, and his Throne as the Sun before me. How long Lord, wilt thou hide thy self, for ever? shall thy Wrath burn like fire, 89.9, 11, 18, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 46. O satisfie us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoyce, and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us: and the year wherein we have seen evil. 90, 14, 15. Only with thine Eyes thou shalt behold, and see the reward of the Wicked. There shall no evil befal thee, neither any Plague come neer thy dwelling. He shall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy Foot against a Stone. He shall call upon me, p. 16and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honour him. With long Life will I satisfie him, and shew him my Salvation, 91.8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16. Lord, how long, how long shall the Wicked triumph? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of Man, they are but vain. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy Law. For the Lord will not cast off his People: neither will he cast off his Inheritance. When I said, my Foot slipped, thy mercy O Lord held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my Soul. My Lord is my defence: and my God is the Rock of my refuge, 94.3, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 22. Come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, 95.6. Rejoyce in the Lord, O ye Righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness, 97.12. Let them praise thy great and terrible Name, for it is holy, 99.3. I will behave my self wisely, with a perfect heart, O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my House with a perfect heart. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandreth his Neighbour, him will I destroy: him that hath a high look, p. 17and a proud heart, I will not suffer; my Eyes shall be upon the faithful in the Land, they shall dwell with me. He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall be my Servant. He that worketh deceit, shall not dwell in my House: He that telleth Lies, shall not tarry in my sight I will early destroy all the wicked of the Land, that may cut off all the wicked doers from the City of the Lord, 101.2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. For he hath looked down from the height of his Sanctuary, from Heaven did the Lord behold the Earth: To hear the groaning of the Prisoners, to loose those that are appointed to death, 102.19, 20. Bless the Lord O my Soul, and all that is with me bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth all their iniquity: who healeth all thy Diseases. For as the Heaven is above all the Earth, so great is his mercy towards them that fear him. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not alway chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our Sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquity. As far as the East is from the West, so far hath he set our Sins from us. Like as the Father pitieth his Children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembreth we p. 18are dust, 103.1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. As to the Seas thou hast set bounds that they pass not over: that they turn not again to cover the Earth. O Lord, how manifold are thy Works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the Earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide Sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great Beasts, 104.9, 24, 25. Glory ye in his holy Name: Let the Heart of them rejoyce that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. He is the Lord our God, his judgments are in all the world. And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a Law, and unto Israel for an everlasting Covenant. Saying, unto thee will I give the Land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance. He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes: Saying, touch not my Anointed, and do my Prophets no harm. Moreover, he called for a Famine upon the Land: he brake the whole Staff of Bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a Servant. Whose feet they hurt with fetters, he was laid in Iron. Until that time the Word came, the Word of the Lord tryed him. The King p. 19came and loosed him: even the Ruler of the People, and let him go free. Israel also came out of Aegypt, and Jacob sojourned in the Land of Ham. He turned their Water into Bloud, and slew their Fish. Their Land brought forth Frogs in abundance, in the Chamber of their King. He spake, and there came divers sorts of Flies, and Lice in all their Coasts. He opened their Rocks, and the Water gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a River, 105.3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 29, 30, 31, 41. Our Fathers understood not thy wonders in Aegypt, neither remembred the great multitude of thy Mercies, but provoked him at the Sea, even at the Red-Sea. He rebuked the Red-sea also, and it was dryed up: so led them through the depths as through the Wilderness. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them: and redeemed them from the hand of the Enemy. The waves covered their Enemies: there was none of them left. And a Fire was kindled in their company, the flame burnt up the Wicked. Therefore he said he would destroy them, had not Moses stood before them in the breach, to turn away his Wrath lest he should destroy them. Yea, they dispised that pleasant Land, they believed not his Word. But murmured in their Tents, p. 20and hearkned not unto the voice of the Lord. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to over-throw them in the Wilderness. Thus they provoked him to anger, with their inventions, and the Plague barke in upon them. Then stood up Phineas, and so the Plague ceased. They angred him also at the Waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sake. They served their Idols which were a snare unto them. And shed innocent Bloud, even the bloud of their Sons and of their Daughters, whom they Sacrificed unto the Idols of Canaan, and the Land was polluted with Bloud. Thus were they defiled with their own Works, and went a Whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the Wrath of God kindled against his People, insomuch that he abhorred his own Inheritance. Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction when he heard their cry. And he remembred them for his Covenant, and repented him according to the multitude of his Mercies. He made them also to be pitied of them that carryed them away Captive, 106.7, 9, 10, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 36, 38, 39, 44, 45, 46. Blessed are they that keep Judgment, and he that doth Righteousness at all times, 106.3. They hunger and thirst, their Soul fainteth in them. Then they cryed p. 21unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. O that Man would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distress. Fools, because of their Transgressions, and because of their Iniquities are afflicted. And a fruitful Land is turned into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth the Wilderness into a standing Water, and dry ground into Water-springs. The Righteous shall see it and rejoyce, and all Iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe those things, shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord, 107.5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 17, 33, 35, 42, 43.

For thy Mercy is greater than the Heavens, and thy Truth reacheth unto the Clouds. O help us against the Enemy, for vain is the help of Man. Through God we shall do great Acts, for vain is the help of Man, 108.4, 12.13. I will give thanks unto the Lord, with my whole heart secretly among the Faithful, and in the Congregation. His work is worthy to be praised, and in honour, and his Righteousness p. 22endureth for ever. The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvelous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, a good understanding have all they that do his Commandments; his praise endureth for ever, 111.1, 3, 4, 10. Blessed is the Man that feareth the Lord, he hath great delight in his Commandments. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his House, and his Righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the godly there ariseth Light in the Darkness, he is Merciful, Loving, and Righteous: A good man is merciful and lendeth, and will guide his Words with discretion, he will not be afraid of any evil tyding. His heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord. His heart is Established, and will not shrink, until he seeth his desire upon his Enemies. He hath dispersed and given to the Poor, and his Righteousness remaineth for ever. His Horn shall be exalted with Honour, 121.1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9. He maketh the Barren Woman to keep house, and to be a joyful Mother of Children, 113.8 vers.

Tremble thou Earth at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 114.7. As for our God he is in Heaven, he hath done whatsoever pleased him, but thou p. 23House of Israel, put thou thy trust in the Lord, he is their helper and defence; ye that fear the Lord, he is their helper and defender, he shall preserve them that fear the Lord, both small and great, 115.3, 9, 11, 13. The Lord hath enclined his Ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I shall call upon the Name of the Lord. O Lord I beseech thee deliver my Soul. Gracious is the Lord and righteous; yea, our God is merciful; the Lord preserveth the simple; I was in misery, and he helped me; I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of Thanksgiving: and call upon the Name of the Lord, 116.4, 5, 6, 15. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put any confidence in Man: it is better to trust in the Lord, than to put any confidence in Princes; the Lord is on my side, I will not fear what Man can do unto me; thou art my God, I will praise thee; thou art my God, I will thank thee, O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his Mercy endureth for ever, 118.6, 8, 9, 28, 29. thou hast charged that we should diligently keep thy Commandements; wherewithal shall a young Man cleanse his way, even by ruling himself after thy word; teach me, O Lord, the way of thy Statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end; O give me p. 24understanding, and I shall keep thy Law; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart; O turn away my eyes, lest they behold vanities, and quicken thou me in thy way; O establish thy word in thy Servant, that I may fear thee; O think upon thy Servant as concerning thy word, wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust; the same is my comfort in my trouble; for thy word hath quickned me: O Lord thou hast dealt graciously according to thy word; before I was troubled I went wrong; but now I have kept thy word, thou art good and gracious; O teach me thy Statutes: O let my heart be sound in thy Statutes that I be not ashamed; quicken me after thy loving kindness, and so shall I keep the Testimonies of thy mouth: O how sweet are thy words unto my Taste, yea sweeter than Honey unto my Mouth; through thy Commandments I get understanding, therefore I hate all wicked ways; let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee; O Lord, teach me thy Judgements: O establish me according to thy word that I may live, and let me not be disappointed of my hope; hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; yea my delight shall ever be in thy Statutes; O deal with thy Servant according to thy loving Mercy, and teach me thy Statutes; order my steps p. 25in thy word, so shall no wickedness have Dominion over me; O deliver me from the wrongful dealing of Men, so shall I keep thy Commandments; Righteous art thou O Lord, and true in thy Judgement; I call with my whole heart, O Lord, hear me, I will keep thy Statutes: Early in the Morning, O Lord, do I cry unto thee, for in thy Word is my trust: hear my voice, O Lord, according to thy loving kindness: quicken me as thou art wont, Psalm 119. O consider my Adversary and deliver me, for I do not forget thy Law; I am as glad of thy word as one that findeth great spoils; great is the grace that they have which love thy Law, and they are not offended at it; I have kept thy Commandments and Testimonies, for they are not offended at it: O let my Soul live, and it shall praise thee, and thy Judgements shall help me; I have gone astray like a Sheep that is lost; O seek thy Servant for I do not forget thy Commandment, when I was in trouble I called upon the Lord, and he heard me, my help cometh even from the Lord which hath made Heaven and Earth; the Lord shall preserve my going out and my coming in, from this time forth, and for evermore, 120.1.121.2, 8. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the Heavens, 123.1. They that put p. 26their trust in the Lord shall be even as Mount Sion, which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever; the Hill standeth about Jerusalem; even so standeth the Lord round about his people from this time forth, and for evermore, 125.1, 2. If thou, O Lord, be extreme to mark what is done amiss; O Lord, who may abide it? there is mercy with thee, therefore shalt thou be feared, O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins, 130.3, 4, 7, 8. the Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it; if they will keep my Covenant and my Testimony, that I shall learn them, their Children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore, 132.11, 13. Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity; for the Lord promises his blessing and life for evermore, 133.1, 4. Lift up your hand in the Sanctuary, and praise the Lord, 134.3. whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in Heaven, and in Earth, in the Sea, and in all deep places; thy Name, O Lord, endureth for ever; so doth thy Memorial, O Lord, from one Generation to another, for the Lord will avenge his people, and be gracious p. 27unto his Servants, 135.6, 16, 14. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever, 136.1. O Lord, thou hast searched me out and known me; thou knowest my down-sitting, and my up-rising; thou understandest my thoughts long before; thou art about my path, and about my bed, and spyest out all my ways: for loe, there is not a word in my Tongue, but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether: try me, O Lord, and seek the ground of my heart; prove me, and examine my thoughts; look well if there be any way of Wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, 139.1, 2, 3, 23, 24. O Lord God thou strength of my health, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle, sure I am, the Lord will avenge the poor, and maintain the cause of the helpless, the Righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name, and the Just shall continue in thy sight, 140.7, 12, 13. Lord I call upon thee, haste thee unto me, and consider my voice when I cry unto thee, O let not my heart be enclined to any evil thing, let me not be occupied in any ungodly work, with the Men that work wickedness, lest I eat of such things as please them, 141.1, 4. I poured out my complaint before him, and shewed him of my trouble; when my Spirit p. 28was in heaviness, thou knewest my path; in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me, 142.2, 3. Hear my Prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire; hearken unto me, O Lord, for thy Truth and Righteousness sake; teach me to do the thing that is right, for thou art my God; let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the Land of Righteousness, 143.1, 10. The Lord is loving unto every Man, and his mercy is over all his works; great is the Lord and marvellous, worthy to be praised; there is no end of his greatness; the Lord upholdeth all such as fall, and lifteth up all those that be down; the eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them Meat in due season; thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness; the Lord is Righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works; the Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him; yea, all such as call upon him faithfully; he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear them, and will help them, 145.3, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. O praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praise unto our God; yea, a joyful and a pleasant thing it is to be thankful; he healeth those that are broken in heart, and giveth Medicine to heal their sickness; he telleth the number of the Stars, p. 29and calleth them all by their Names; great is our Lord, and great is his power; yea, his Wisdom is infinite, which giveth fodder to the Cattle, and feedeth the young Ravens that call upon him; but the Lords delight is in them that put their trust in his mercy, 147.1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11. For the Lord hath pleasure in his people, and helpeth the meek hearted, 149.4. O praise God in his Holiness, praise him in the Firmament of his Power; Praise him in his noble Acts; praise him according to his excellent greatness; let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord, 150.1, 2, 6.