The Psalms of David in English Meter, Psalms · Psalm 119 – Psalm 131

The Psalms of David in English Meter · Psalms · Psalm 119 – Psalm 131

p. 251PSAL. CXIX.N. Aleph.

BLessed are they that are sincere, and perfect in the way;

Who in their lives do walk with God and do his lawes obey.

verse 2 Blessed are they that to observe his statutes bend their mind;

And who do seek with all their heart the living God to find.

p. 252verse 3 Those also do not willingly iniquitie commit;

But searching out the way of God, they strive to walk in it.

verse 4 A strait command enjoyn'd hast thou, whom we are bound to serve;

That we with care and diligence thy statutes should observe.

verse 5 O thou, who givest this command, give grace it to obey;

Thy statutes faithfully to keep, O Lord, direct my way.

verse 6 Then shall I walk with confidence, and shall from shame be free;

To all thy just commandements when my respect shall be.

verse 7 Then with uprightnesse of my heart thee will I praise and blesse,

When I shall well the judgements learn of thy pure righteousnesse.

verse 8 And wholly will I give my selfe to keep thy lawes most right:

Forsake me not for ever, Lord, but sh…w thy grace and might.

The 2. part.foreign. Beth.

verse 9 O by what meanes his way and life clean shall a young man make?

If he according to thy word thereto good heed do take.

verse 10 Unfainedly I have thee sought, and seeking thus abide▪

Let me not w…nder from thy lawes, nor from them turne aside.

p. 253verse 11 Within my heart and secret thought… thy words I have hid still;

That I might not at any time offend thy holy will.

verse 12 Blessed art thou, O righteous Lord, and praise is due to thee;

Then for the glory of thy grace, thy statutes teach thou me.

verse 13 The righteous judgements which thy mouth for mans direction gave;

My lips to others willingly them all declared have.

verse 14 Thy testimonies and thy waies have made my heart so glad;

As if the riches and the wealth of all the earth I had.

verse 15 I of thy precepts still will think, and thereto frame my talk;

As at a mark, so will I aime thy waies how I may walk.

verse 16 Upon thy statutes my delight shall be so surely set,

That by thy grace I never will thy holy word forget.

The 3. part.foreign. Gimel.

verse 17 According to thy bountie great deale with thy servant, Lord;

That by thy favour I may live, and duely keep thy word.

verse 18 O let mine eies by thy good Spirit so fully opened be;

That wondrous things out of thy law I may perceive and se….

p. 254verse 19 I am a stranger here on earth, my citie is with thee;

Thither thy precepts are the way, O hide them not from me!

verse 20 My soule is ravish't with desire, and never is at rest▪

But seeks to know thy judgements high, and what may please thee best.

verse 21 The proud that justly cursed be, by thee rebuked were:

For by their lusts they being led, from thy commandments erre.

verse 22 Reproach which sinners cast on Saints, and scorne from me remove:

For I thy testimonies kept, and on them set my love.

verse 23 The Princes great in counsell sate, and did against me speak:

But then thy servant thought how he thy statutes might not break.

verse 24 My comfort and my hearts delight thy testimonies be;

And they amidst all doubts and seares are counsellers to me.

The 4. part.foreign. Daleth.

verse 25 My soule doth cleave unto the dust, I hardly life retaine;

According to thy faithfull word, quicken thou me againe.

verse 26 My waies, when I acknowledged, with merciemercy thou didst heare;

Teach me thy righteous lawes to keep, and thee to love and feare.

p. 255verse 27 Make me to understand the way, which thy wise precepts shew;

So of thy wonders shall I talke, that others may them know.

verse 28 My soule doth faint, and melt away for hea…inesse and griefe:

To me, according to thy word, send strength, and give reliefe.

verse 29 The way of lies remove from me, O let it farre depart;

To me grant graciously thy law, and write it in my heart.

verse 30 I for my walking chosen have of truth the perfect way;

And in that way thy judgements just before mine eies did lay.

verse 31 Unto thy testimonies I did closely sticke and cleave;

The… to be put to shame, O Lord, thy servant never leave.

verse 32 The way of thy commandments all, then gladly run will I;

When with thy spirit thou hast my heart enlarged graciously.

The 5. part.foreign. He.

verse 33 The path-way of thy statutes just, Lord, teach, and shew to me;

Th…n shall I keep it to the end, even till I come to thee.

verse 34 Unto me understanding give, then keep thy law shall I:

Yea, then with my whole heart I shall observe it carefully.

p. 256verse 35 The path of thy commandments pu… doth lead to thee aright:

O teach me in that path to go, for I therein delight.

verse 36 Incline my heart unto thy lawes, and make me them to love:

But from all filthy covetousnesse; Lord, farre my heart remove.

verse 37 From vain desires and worldly lusts turne back mine eies and sight:

Give me the spirit of life, and power to walk thy waies aright.

verse 38 Confirm thy gracious promise, Lord, which thou hast made to me;

Who am thy servant, and desire to feare and honour thee.

verse 39 Reproach & shame which I do fear, O turne away from me;

Because thy judgements to thy Saints good and most gracious be.

verse 40 Behold, I for thy precepts long, and love them to obey;

Lord, quicken me so with thy grace, that them fulfill I may.

The 6. part.foreign. Va….

verse 41 Thy mercies great and manifold let me obtaine, O Lord;

Thy saving health let me enjoy, according to thy word.

verse 42 So shall I stop the s…ndrous mouths of lewd men and unjust;

Who me with scorne reproach, because … in thy word do trust.

p. 257verse 43 The word of truth out of my mouth O take not utterly;

For on thy judgements righteous my hope and trust rely.

verse 44 And if thou from my mouth & heart thy word shalt not withdraw;

Ever, and ever constantly then shall I keep thy law.

verse 45 Free from sins bondage I will walk, and set at liberty:

For thy commands to seek and keep, my selfe I do apply.

verse 46 Thy testimonies often shall be spoken of by me;

I before Kings of them will speak, and not ashamed be.

verse 47 And in thy just commandments all my selfe delight I will;

Which I have loved servently, and so would love them still.

verse 48 To thy cōmandments which I love, my hands lift up I will;

And in thy statutes meditate, and strive them to fulfill.

The 7. part.foreign. Zain.

verse 49 The promise to thy servant made, remembred let it be:

For on the same to set mine hope and trust thou causedst me.

verse 50 This word of thine my comfort is in trouble and in paine:

For when griefes bring me neer to death, that quickens me againe.

p. 258verse 51 The proud did greatly me deride, yet did I not withdraw

From thee my service, nor have I declined from thy law.

verse 52 But, Lord, thy judgements great of old, I then did call to mind;

Whereby I comforted my selfe, and ease from griefe did find.

verse 53 Horrour hath taken hold on me, and feare my heart did shake;

Because the wicked fearlesly thy holy law forsake.

verse 54 And in the house of pilgrimage, where I a stranger dwelt;

Thy statutes did become my songs, such joy in them I felt.

verse 55 I thought upon thy Name, O Lord, by night, when others slept;

And by this thought of thee, thy law more carefully I kept.

verse 56 This comfort which I do enjoy I have by gift from thee;

Because thy precepts carefully have been observ'd by me.

The 8. part.foreign. Cheth.

verse 57 My blessed portion, Lord, thou art, thou art my happinesse;

That I thy holy words would keep I said, and did professe.

verse 58 With my whole heart I did thee pray thy favour to afford;

O then be mercifull to me, according to thy word.

verse 59 p. 259I thought upon my former waies, mine actions I did try;

… to thy testimonies pure my feet then turned I.

verse 60 I did not stay, nor linger long, as they that slothfull are;

… hastily thy lawes to keep, I did my selfe prepare.

verse 61 The cruell bands of wicked men have made of me their prey;

… would I not thy lawes forget, nor from thee go astray.

verse 62 Thy gracious judgments are so great, and wonderfull to me;

That even at midnight I will rise, to render thankes to thee.

verse 63 Companion am I of all them that do thee feare and serve:

Of all thy Saints, that constantly thy precepts do observe.

verse 64 Thy mercies great, most gracious Lord, the earth throughout do fill:

Oh teach me how I may obey thy statutes and thy will.

The 9. part.foreign. Teth.

verse 65 With me who thine own servant am, thou hast dealt well, O Lord;

Thy bounty hast thou shew'd to me, according to thy word.

verse 66 Teach me good judgement in thy lawes, give me a cleared sight:

For thy commandments I beleeve to be most true and right.

p. 260verse 67 Ere thou didst touch me with thy rod, I err'd and went astray;

But now I keep thine holy word, and by it guide my way.

verse 68 Lord, thou art good, and thou dost good, from thee all graces flow;

Then teach me by thy grace, that I thy statutes well may know.

verse 69 The proud & wickedmen have forg'd against me many a lie;

Yet thy commandments still observe with all my heart will I.

verse 70 Their hearts do ease & fulnesse love, and fat as grease they be;

But in thy law I do delight, and that is sweet to me.

verse 71 O happy time, I well may say, when thou didst me correct;

For as a guide to learne thy law, thy rod did me direct.

verse 72 The law which from thy mouth did come, is better unto me

Then thousand corruptible heaps of gold and silver be.

The 10. part.foreign. Jod.

verse 73 Thy hands have made and fashioned me, by thee I move and live;

That I may thy commandments learne, me understanding give.

verse 74 Thy Saints which feare thee will be glad, all times when me they see:

Because I by thy word have learn'd to put my hope in thee.

p. 261verse 75 I know, and do confesse, O Lord, thy judgements righteous be;

And that in very faithfulnesse thou hast afflicted me.

verse 76 Yet let thy kindnesse mercifull, I pray thee, comfort me:

As to thy servant in thy word was promised by thee.

verse 77 Thy tender mercies powre on me, and I shall surely live:

For consolation and delight thy law to me doth give.

verse 78 Make thou the proud asham'd, for they vexe me without a cause;

But I will meditate upon thy precepts and thy lawes.

verse 79 Let those that thee do truly feare turne in and live with me;

Those that thy testimonies know shall my companions be.

verse 80 In thy most righteous statutes, Lord, still let my heart be sound;

And then I may assured be no shame shall me confound.

The 11. part.foreign. Caph.

verse 81 My soule for thy salvation faints, and longs it to obtaine;

Yet doth my hope upon thy word my fainting soule sustaine.

verse 82 Mine eies do faile, while on thy word they wait, and thus I say:

Oh when wilt thou me comfort, Lord▪ why dost thou thus delay?

p. 262verse 83 For like a bottle I become, that in the smoak is set;

Though parch't with griefe, thy statutes just yet do I not forget.

verse 84 How many are thy servants daies? may I yet live to see

When thou wilt judgement execute on those that trouble me?

verse 85 The proud have digged pits for me, that I might fall therein;

Which with thy law do not agree, to hurt me they do sin.

verse 86 All thy commandments faithfull are, and rules of life to me;

They persecute me wrongfully, but thou my helper be.

verse 87 They so consum'd me, that on earth my life they scarce did leave:

Thy precepts yet forsook I not, but close to them did cleave.

verse 88 After thy loving kindnesse, Lord, raise up, and quicken me;

The testimonies of thy mouth by me then kept shall be.

The 12. part.foreign. Lamed.

verse 89 The word which thou hast spoken, Lord, still stedfast is and sure;

As in the heavens constant course it ever doth endure.

verse 90 Thy faithfulnesse doth stedfast stand to ev'ry generation;

Even as the earth abides, since thou didst stablish her foundation.

p. 263verse 91 These things unto this present day we may continuing see;

According to thine ordinance, for all thy servants be.

verse 92 Unlesse in thy most perfect law my soule had found delight;

When I in great affliction was, I should have perish't quite.

verse 93 Thy holy precepts never shall by me forgotten be:

For thou, when heavie was my soule, by them hast quickned me.

verse 94 Thine owne am I, and therefore me thy son and servant save;

For with a great and servent love thy precepts sought I have.

verse 95 For me the wicked men did wait, and sought me to destroy:

But I thy testimonies true will think upon with joy.

verse 96 Of all perfection here on earth, there is an end I see;

But thy commandements very large, and everlasting be.

The 13. part.foreign. Mem.

verse 97 How dearly do I love thy law? and with how great affection?

For thereupon throughout the day I fix my meditation.

verse 98 By thy cōmandments thou hast made me farre more wise to be

Then are my foes, because thy lawes do still abide with me.

p. 264verse 99 In understanding I excell those that instructed me;

Because thy testimonies just my meditation be.

verse 100 In understanding I exceed those that are full of daies;

Because I straitly strive to keep thy precepts and thy waies.

verse 101 And I my feet restrained have from every evill way;

That of thy word the holy path precisely keep I may.

verse 102 From the right judgements of thy mouth I never did depart:

For thou didst teach me inwardly, and wrot'st them in my heart.

verse 103 O what a sweetnes, from thy words into my taste doth passe?

Doubtlesse, that sweetnesse to my mouth more sweet then hony was.

verse 104 I through thy precepts full of light get understanding so,

That all false waies my soule doth hate, in them I will not go.

The 14. part.foreign. Nun.

verse 105 Thy heavenly word is to my feet a lamp that shineth bright;

And for direction of my path it is a glorious light.

verse 106 Before thy presence I have sworne, and it performe I will;

That I will keep thy judgements just, and strive them to fulfill.

p. 265verse 107 I am afflicted very much, but quicken me, O Lord;

And raise me to an holy life, according to thy word.

verse 108 The offrings which with heart and voice to thee I freely give:

Accept, and teach me how I may after thy judgements live.

verse 109 My soule is ever in mine hand, great dangers me beset;

Yet in my deepest troubles I thy law do not forget.

verse 110 Although the wicked men for me a snare did closely lay;

Yet from thy precepts would I not for danger go astray.

verse 111 I as an heritage do take thy testimonies still:

Because they are my hearts delight, with joy they do it fill.

verse 112 Prevented by thy grace, my heart I did incline and bend;

Thy statutes alwaies to performe, and shall do to the end.

The 15. part.foreign. Samech.

verse 113 The foolish thoughts of vanitie I hate, and would remove;

But that most perfect law of thine I heartily do love.

verse 114 Thou art my hid and secret place, my shield of strong defence;

…nd in thy faithfull word I fix my hope and confidence.

p. 266verse 115 All ye that evill doers be, from me depart away:

For the commandments of my God I purpose to obey.

verse 116 According to thy faithfull word uphold and stablish me;

That I may live, and of my hope ashamed may not be.

verse 117 Hold thou me up, then shal I stand in safetie constantly;

And to thy statutes I will have respect continually.

verse 118 Thou all that from thy statutes erre treadst downe, as things most vile;

For their deceit meer falshood is, and will themselves beguile.

verse 119 Thou all the wicked of the earth dost like to drosse remove;

Therefore thy testimonies just I fervently do love.

verse 120 My flesh for fear of thee doth quake when I thy justice see:

I of thy judgements am affraid, which high and dreadfull be.

The 16 part.foreign. Ain.

verse 121 I judgement have to others done, and given to them their right:

Then leave me not to them that would oppresse me with their might.

verse 122 In merciemercy for thy servants good for him a surety be;

From the oppressions of the proud do thou deliver me.

p. 267verse 123 Mine eies do faile with looking long for thy salvation, Lord;

And while performance they expect of thy most faithfull word.

verse 124 According to thy merciemercy great with me thy servant deale;

And unto me thy statutes teach, thy lawes to me reveale.

verse 125 Thine humble servant, Lord, I am, grant me to understand

Thy testimonies, so that I may do what they command.

verse 126 Lord, it is time for thee to work, and take thy covenants part:

For sinners have made void thy law, from it they do depart.

verse 127 But thy cōmandments precious are, I therefore them do love;

I above gold do love them all, yea finest gold above.

verse 128 And in all things thy precepts all most righteous I esteem;

But all false waies I do abhorre, though pleasant they may seem.

The 17. part.foreign. Pe.

verse 129 In truth and wisdome wonderfull thy testimonies are;

Therefore my soul them strives to keep with diligence and care.

verse 130 The very entrance of thy word doth give an heavenly light;

Yea, to the simple it doth give an understanding right.

p. 268verse 131 My mouth I opened, and did pant with heat of holy fire:

For thy commandments I did love, and fervently desire.

verse 132 With mercy and compassion, Lord, behold me from above;

As thou art wont to do to those thy Name that feare and love.

verse 133 Direct my footsteps by thy word, let that my leader be:

Let no iniquity obtaine dominion over me.

verse 134 From the oppressions & the wrongs of man deliver me;

By me with greater freedome then thy precepts kept shall be.

verse 135 Upon thy servant make to shine thy favour and thy face;

And me thy righteous statutes teac…, by thy effectuall grace.

verse 136 Rivers of waters from mine eies did run downe, when I saw

How wicked men run on in sin, and do not keep thy law.

The 18. part.foreign. Tsade.

verse 137 Most just and righteous art thou Lord, in all thy works and waies:

Thy judgements also are upright, and them men ought to praise.

verse 138 Thy testimonies righteous are, which thou commanded hast;

They also very faithfull are, their truth shall ever last.

p. 269verse 139 My zeale hath ev'n consumed me, because mine enemies

Thy holy words forgotten have, and do thy lawes despise.

verse 140 Thy perfect word is very pure, as silver tr'd by fire;

Therefore thy servant loveth it, and doth it much desire.

verse 141 Small am I, and by worldly men despised in their sight;

Thy precepts yet forget I not, but in them do delight.

verse 142 Thy righteousnes most stedfast is, and ever shall endure:

Thy law is also truth it selfe, most constant and most pure.

verse 143 Trouble & anguish have me found, and taken hold on me;

Yet in this trouble my delights thy just commandments be

verse 144 An everlasting justice have thy testimonies all:

O to me understanding give, then ever live I shall.

The 19 part.foreign. Koph.

verse 145 To thee with my whole heart I cri'd, heare me, most gracious Lord;

And then will I thy statutes keep, I will obey thy word.

verse 146 I in my trouble cri'd to thee, me safe do thou preserve;

And I thy testimonies then will carefully observe.

p. 270verse 147 The dawning of the morning I prevented with my cry:

For in my trouble did my hope upon thy word relye.

verse 148 Mine eies in waking do prevent the watches of the night;

That in thy word of light and life more meditate I might.

verse 149 After thy loving kindnesse heare my voice that calls on thee:

Thy judgement to thy Saints is good, and with it quicken me.

verse 150 The men that after mischiefe go, now nigh unto it draw;

But such as are to mischiefe nigh, are then farre from thy law.

verse 151 But thou unto thy Saints art neere, and help to them shalt give;

Since thy commandments all are truth, they by this rule shall live.

verse 152 This of thy testimonies I have knowne in times long past,

That them for ever to endure thou firmly founded hast.

The 20. part.foreign. Resh.

verse 153 Consider mine affliction great, in safetie do me set:

Thy covenant is with me, for I thy law do not forget.

verse 154 Plead thou my cause, deliver me from sinners causlesse strife:

According to thy holy word give me a holy life.

p. 271verse 155 Surely salvation far doth flie from those that wicked are:

For they thy statutes do not keep, nor for thy l…wes do care.

verse 156 O Lord, both great and manifold thy tender mercies be;

According to thy judgements then in merciemercy quicken me.

verse 157 Many my persecutors are, and foe… which do combine;

Yet from thy testimonies just my heart doth not decline.

verse 158 I greatly grieved was, when I thy lewd transgressors saw;

Because they did not keep thy word, but sin'd against thy law.

verse 159 Consider how I dearly love thy precepts and thy word;

After thy loving kindnesse then quicken thou me, O Lord.

verse 160 From the beginning, all thy word hath been most true and sure:

Thy righteous judgements every one for ever shall endure.

The 21. part.foreign. Schin.

verse 161 Princes have persecuted me, although no cause they saw;

But still of thy most holy word my heart doth stand in awe.

verse 162 And in the comforts of thy word I was so greatly glad;

As they that by their victories great spoiles obtained had.

p. 272verse 163 I lying do abhorre and hate, and farre from me remove:

But thy pure law is perfect truth, I therefore do it love.

verse 164 I seven times a day do give just praises unto thee;

Because thy judgements righteous are, and they have holpen me.

verse 165 Great peace and rest all they shall have, which do thy statutes love;

No danger shall their blessed state empaire, or once remove.

verse 166 O Lord, I my salvation do wholly hope from thee;

And I do strive those lawes to keep, which thou commandest me.

verse 167 Thy testimonies hath my soule observed carefully;

On them my heart is set, and them I love exceedingly.

verse 168 Thy precepts and thy testimonies I kept with speciall care:

For all my work's and all my waies before thee open are.

The 22. part.foreign. Tau.

verse 169 O Lord, let my request and cry come neere before thy sight;

Good under…anding give to me, to know thy word aright.

verse 170 And let my supplication come, and have accesse to thee;

According to thy faithfull word do thou deliver me.

p. 273verse 171 From a full heart my thankfull lips shall utter forth thy praise;

When thou hast taught me well to know thy statute, and thy waies.

verse 172 My tongue oft of thy word shall speak, my deeds shall it expresse:

Because thy just commandments all are perfect righteousnesse.

verse 173 Stretch out thy hand, I thee beseech, and speedily me save:

For thy commandments to observe, O Lord, I chosen have.

verse 174 or thy salvation I have long'd, O Lord, do thou me save;

Thy law is ever my delight, in it I pleasure have.

verse 175 Let my soul live, and then it shall give raises unto thee;

And let thy judgements gracious still … an succour me.

verse 176 Like a lost sheep I went astray, thy servant seek, and find:

For thy commandments have I not put wholly out of mind.

PSAL. CXX.

IN my distresse unto the Lord I did complaine and cry;

And from his glorious throne above he heard me graciously.

verse 2 From lying lips, O Lord, my soule deliver and set free;

p. 274From double and deceitfull tongues, good Lord, deliver me.

verse 3 What shall thy false tongue bring or give to thee, O slanderer?

Sharp arrowes of the mighty man, and coales of Juniper.

verse 4 O wo is me that I so long a sojourner must be

In Meshech, and in Kedars tents my dwelling yet must see.

verse 5 With him that hateth lovely peace my soule doth long abide:

For peace am I, but when I speak, for war do they provide.

PSAL. CXXI.

UNto the mountaines high lift up mine eies shall I,

To see from whence the help doth come that safety doth supply.

verse 2 My help from God doth come, that heav'n and earth did frame;

He staies thy feet, that nothing can remove away the same.

verse 3 He slumbers not all that doth thee safely keep;

He slumbers not that Israel keeps, nor shall he ever sleep.

verse 4 The Lord thy keeper is, and he by thee doth stand;

To be thy shade and thy defence, he stands at thy right hand.

p. 275verse 5 The Suns bright burning beames by day thee shall not smite;

Nor shall the Moons cold influence thee strike, or hurt by night.

verse 6 The Lord shall thee preserve most safe from evils all;

Thy deare and precious soule the Lord preserve in safetie shall.

verse 7 God shall thy going out and coming in defend;

From this time forth for evermore, till time it selfe do end.

PSAL. CXXII.

RIght glad I was, when thus to me they spake, and fram'd their talk;

Unto the house of God the Lord together let us walk.

verse 2 O glorious Jerusalem; to thee we will repaire;

Within thy gates our feet shall stand, Jerusalem most faire.

verse 3 Jerusalem is fairely built, yea strongly built is she;

Ev'n like a Citie, all whose parts compact together be.

verse 4 Whither the Tribes go up, the Tribes that to the Lord pertaine:

Unto the Ark of Israel, which doth therein remaine.

verse 5 Of praise and thankes to Gods great Name the sacrifice to beare:

p. 276There thrones of judgement sit, the thrones of Davids house are there.

verse 6 Pray that Jerusalem may have peace and felicitie:

For they that love thee and thy peace, shall have prosperitie.

verse 7 Therefore I wish, that peace may still within thy walls remaine;

And ever may thy palaces prosperitie retaine.

verse 8 Ev'n for the Saints sake, which are deare as brethren unto me;

And sweet companions, I will wish that peace still dwell in thee.

verse 9 And for the house which doth belong to God the Lord of might:

Still to procure and seek thy good I greatly will delight.

PSAL. CXXIII.

LOrd, from the earth below lift up mir…ies will I

To thee, whose dwelling is above, ev'n in the heavens hye.

verse 2 Behold, as servants eies look to their masters hand;

As to her m…tresse hand the maid do…h look, and waiting stand:

So on the Lord our God we look, … … attend;

Untill on as he ver… have, untill he mercy send.

verse 3 p. 277Have merciemercy on us, Lord, thy merciemercy on us be;

For filled with contempt and scorne exceedingly are we.

verse 4 Our soule is greatly fill'd with scornes of men at ease;

And with contempt of haughty men, whom scoffes at Saints do please.

PSAL. CXXIV.

IF on our side God had not been, now Israel may say;

If on our side God had not been, when men sought our decay:

verse 2 They had us swallowed up alive, against us raging mad;

The waters had us drown'd, the streames our soules ore whelmed had.

verse 3 The waters mounting up alost, unto that height were growne;

That with their swelling pride, our souls had quite been overflowne.

verse 4 Then alwaies praised be the Lord, whose mercies ever live;

A prey to their devouring teeth our soules who did not give.

verse 5 Our soule escaped as a bird out of the fowlers snare;

The snare is broken which they laid, and we delivered are.

verse 6 In the most glorious Name of God our help doth only stand:

p. 278Who hath created heav'n and earth by his almighty hand.

PSAL. CXXV.

ALl those that trust in God shall be like Sion hill;

That cannot be remov'd away, but standeth stedfast still.

verse 2 And as Jerusalem the mountaines strong and hie;

Like bulwarks compassing about do guard and fortifie:

verse 3 So doth the mighty Lord about his people stand;

Saving them now and evermore with his most mighty hand.

verse 4 The sharp afflicting rod of wicked cruell foes,

Shall not for ever on the lot of righteous men repose.

verse 5 Lest fainting in their minds, when endlesse griefes them presse;

Weary and hopelesse, they put forth their hands to wickednesse.

verse 6 Do well unto thy Saints, and blessings, Lord, impart

Unto the good, thine Israelites that are upright in heart.

verse 7 But those that turne aside, and love to go astray;

Led by their loose and wandring lusts in their owne crooked way.

verse 8 p. 279These in the fearfull path to judgement God shall guide,

With wicked workers, but his peace on Israel shall abide.

PSAL. CXXVI.

WHen Sions sad captivitie the Lord againe did bring;

Like to a dreame it did appeare, and as a fained thing.

verse 2 Then was our mouth with laughter (fill'd, right joyfull was our tongue;

And of this wonder thus they spake the heathen folke among.

verse 3 Great things the Lord hath done for great things we do confesse

The Lord for us hath done, which call them, for joy and thankfulnesse.

verse 4 Bring our captivitie againe, to joy our sorrow turne;

As flowing streames do change the ground, which parching heat did burne.

verse 5 They that in teares and sorrowes deep their seed do sadly sow;

At harvest they their corne with joy shall gladly reap and mow.

verse 6 They carried forth a precious seed, and going they did mourne;

But bringing home their sheaves with joy, they gladly shall returne.

p. 280EXcept the Lord do build the house, man buildeth but in vaine;

And man in building doth but lose his labour and his paine.

verse 2 Except the Lords all-seeing eye the city safely keep;

In vaine the watchmans waking eye doth hold it selfe from sleep.

verse 3 To rise up early is but vaine, and vaine late watchings are:

Vaine is it pensively to eate the bread of griefe and care.

verse 4 For the beloved of the Lord are by his love so blest;

That unto them he freely gives most quiet sleep and rest.

verse 5 Lo, children are an heritage, which doth from God descend;

And the wombs fruit is his reward, Gods bounty doth it send.

verse 6 And look what strength sharp arrowes are in hands of men of power;

Such strength are children blest with grace amid their youthfull flower.

verse 7 And blessed is the man that hath his quiver full of those:

For they undaunted in the gate shall speak unto their foes.

PSAL. CXXVIII.

BLessed art thou that fearest God, and walkest in his way:

verse 2 p. 281For of thy labour thou shalt eat, happy art thou, I say.

verse 3 Like fruitfull vines on thy house side, so doth thy wife spring out;

Thy children stand like olive-plants thy table round about.

verse 4 Thus art thou blest that fearest God, and he shall let thee see

verse 5 The promised Jerusalem, and her felicitie.

verse 6 Thou shalt thy childrens children see to thy great joyes increase;

And likewise grace on Israel, prosperitie and peace.

PSAL. CXXIX.

OFt they, now Israel may say, me from my youth assail'd:

verse 2 Oft they assail'd me from my youth, but never they prevail'd.

verse 3 Upon my back the plowers plow'd, and furr…wes long did cast:

verse 4 The righteous Lord hath cut the cords of wicked foes at last.

verse 5 O let them all confounded be, and forced back to flie;

That do to Sion hatred beare, and cursed enmitie.

verse 6 Let these be like unto the grasse which on house tops we see;

That fades and dries away, before growne up it fully be.

p. 282verse 7 Whereof enough to fill his hand the mower cannot find;

Nor can the man his bosome fill, whose work is sheaves to bind.

verse 8 Nor do they say, which by do go, Gods blessing on you be;

Nor do they say, In the great Name of God you blesse do we.

PSAL. CXXX.

OUt from the overflowing depths of griefe and misery;

My sad afflicted soule to thee, O Lord, hath sent her cry.

verse 2 O gracious Lord, hear thou my voice, and let thine eares attend

Unto the voice of my requests, which humbly doth ascend.

verse 3 If, Lord, thou strictly shouldst inquire, and mark iniquities;

Lord, who shall dare to stand before thy pure all-seeing eies?

verse 4 But besides fearfull justice, Lord, forgivenesse is with thee;

That with a son-like awe obey'd, and feared thou maist be.

verse 5 Upon the Lord I wait, my soule doth wait upon the Lord:

For I have fully purposed to hope upon his word.

verse 6 My soule more waiteth for the Lord, then they that watch to spy

p. 283The morning light, then they that watch the morning to descry.

verse 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord, for merciemercy and compassion

Is with the Lord, and with him is most plentifull redemption.

verse 8 And his owne chosen Israel, and flock redeem he shall;

He shall them freely justifie from their offences all.

PSAL. CXXXI.

O Lord, I am not pust in mind, I have no scornfull eie;

I do not exercise my selfe in things that are too hie.

verse 2 But as the childe that weaned is even from his mothers brest;

So have I (Lord) behav'd my selfe in silence and in rest.

verse 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord, who doth his Church maintaine;

And let this hope from this time forth for evermore remaine.