The Psalms of David in English Meter, Psalms · Psalm 2 – Psalm 17

The Psalms of David in English Meter · Psalms · Psalm 2 – Psalm 17

p. 2PSAL. II.

WHy did the Gentiles madly rage against the worlds great King?

Why did the people of the Jewes imagine a vain thing?

verse 2 The Kings and Rulers of the earth together joyned were,

And counsell took against the Lord, and Christ his Son most deare.

verse 3 They said, Let us reject their lawes, and break their bonds asunder,

And cast away their cords from us, they shall not keep us under.

verse 4 But he that in the heavens hie most glorious doth abide,

With scorn shall at their folly laugh, the Lord shall them deride.

verse 5 Then vexing them in fury great, thus speak to them he will;

verse 6 Yet have I set my King upon …, my holy hill.

verse 7 Unto the world I will declare and publish Gods decree,

p. 3He said to me, Thou art my Son, this day begat I thee.

verse 8 Aske me, and for an heritage all …tions give I thee:

The utmost ends of all the earth shall thy possession be.

verse 9 And thou shalt break them mightily, as with an iron rod;

And, like a potters vessell, them in pieces dash abroad.

verse 10 Now therefore, O ye Kings, be wise, the highest Ruler know;

And be ye well instructed all that judge the earth below.

verse 11 Serve ye the Lord with holy fear, before him lowly be;

And when in him ye doe rejoyce, withall yet tremble ye.

verse 12 O kisse ye the beloved Son, and him in love obey;

Lest angry he become, and so ye perish from the way.

verse 13 If but a little shall his wrath be kindled in his brest;

Oh then all they that trust in Christ shall happy be, and blest.

PSAL. III.

O Lord, how much do they increase which hate and trouble me!

Many say of my soule, For him in God no help shall be.

verse 2 p. 4But, Lord, thou art a shield for me, in thee my help doth lie;

Thou art my glory, and my head thou liftest up on hie.

verse 3 My voice in cries unto the Lord I caused to ascend:

He heard me from his holy hill, and help to me did send.

verse 4 I laid me downe, and quietly I slept, and rose againe;

Because I knew assuredly the Lord did me sustaine.

verse 5 If I ten thousand men did see, affraid I would not be;

Though they themselves against me se…, and round incompast me.

verse 6 Arise, O Lord, save me my God, for thou hast laid thy stroke

On all my foes; the cheeks and teeth of sinners thou hast broke.

verse 7 Salvation only doth belong to thee, O Lord, above;

And on thy chosen people is thy blessing, and thy love.

PSAL. IIII.

O God, that art my righteousnesse, Lord, heare me when I call;

Thou hast set me at libertie, when I was bound and thrall.

verse 2 Have mercy, Lord, therefore on me, and grant me my request:

For unto thee uncessantly to cry I will not rest.

p. 5verse 3 O mortall men, how long will ye my glory thus despise?

Why wander ye in vanitie, and follow after lies?

verse 4 Know tha… God for himselfe apart sets those that godly be;

And when unto him I do call, the Lord then heareth me.

verse 5 Sin not, but stand in awe therefore, examine well your heart;

And in your chamber quietly see you your selves convert.

verse 6 The sacrifice of righteousnesse with pure hearts offer ye;

And ever in the living Lord let your trust fixed be.

verse 7 The greater sort crave worldly goods, and riches do imbrace;

But, Lord, grant us thy countenance, thy favour, and thy grace.

verse 8 For thou thereby shalt make my heart more joyfull and more glad,

Then they that of their corne and wine full great increase have had.

verse 9 I will both lay me down in peace, and quiet sleep will take,

Because thou only me to dwell in safety, Lord, dost make.

PSAL. V.

GIve eare unto my words, O Lord, consider what I say:

verse 2 Hear my loud cry, my King, my God, for I to thee will pray.

verse 3 p. 6Lord, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice, that calls on thee:

For in the morning shall my praier to thee directed be.

verse 4 And, Lord, to thee will I look up, who wilt not pleased be

With wickednesse of sinfull men, none evill shall dwell with thee.

verse 5 And in thy glorious sight to stand the foolish shall not dare;

The workers of iniquity to thee all hatefull are.

verse 6 For ever those thou wilt destroy who love to utter lies;

And thou dost hate the man of bloud, and wicked policies.

verse 7 But I into thine house will come, still trusting in thy grace;

And reverently will worship thee toward thine holy place.

verse 8 Lord, lead me in thy righteousnesse for to confound my soes;

And thine own way which I should walk before my face disclose.

verse 9 For in their mouth there is no truth, their heart is foule and vaine;

Their throat an open sepulchre, their tongue doth glose and faine.

verse 10 Destroy them, Lord, and let their fall by their owne counsells be:

For much sin cast them out, who have rebellious been to thee.

verse 11 p. 7But still make glad by thy defence all those that trust in thee;

And let them all that love thy Name, in thee right joyfull be.

verse 12 For thou, Lord, on the righteous man wilt send thy blessing downe;

With favour him, as with a shield, thou compasse wilt, and crowne.

PSAL. VI.

LOr…, though thine anger I deserve, in wrath rebuke me not;

Nor on me lay thy chastening hand in thy displeasure hot.

verse 2 Lord, I am weak, therefore on me have mercy, and me spare;

And heal me, Lord, because thou know'st my bones much vexed are.

verse 3 My soule is troubled very sore, and vexed vehemently;

But, Lord, how long wilt thou delay to cure my misery?

verse 4 Lord, turne thee to thy wonted grace, my soule from griefe set free;

And for thy boundlesse mercies sake save, and deliver mee.

verse 5 For of thee in the house of death they no remembrance have:

Who with his tongue shall give thee thanks that sleepeth in the grave?

verse 6 I with my groaning wearied am, while no release appeares;

Each night I cause my bed to swim, and wash it with my teares.

p. 8verse 7 Mine eyeconsumed is with griefe, dim now, and old it growes;

Because I many troubles beare from all my cruell foes.

verse 8 But now away from me all ye that work iniquity,

Because the Lord hath heard the voice of my complaint and cry.

verse 9 He heard not only the request, and praier of my heart,

But it received at my hands, and took it in good part.

verse 10 Let them be sham'd and vexed sore that enemies are to me;

Let them returne, and suddenly ashamed let them be.

PSAL. VII.

OLord my God, I put my trust and confidence in thee:

From all that do me persecute save, and deliver me.

verse 2 Lest like a Lion he me teare, and rend in pieces small,

Whil'st there is none to succour me, and rid me out of thrall.

verse 3 O Lord my God, if I have done the thing that is not right:

Or else if I be found in fault, or guilty in thy sight:

verse 4 If evill I unto my friend for good rewarded have;

(Yea even the man that caussesse was mine enemy, I did save.)

p. 9verse 5 Let foes pursue, and take my soule, and tread downe violently

My life on earth, and in the dust mine honour make to lye.

verse 6 Arise, O Lord, in wrath arise, mine enemies rage restra…ne;

Awake, according to thy word, my judgement to maintaine.

verse 7 The people in the assembly then about shall compasse thee;

Thou therefore for their sakes returne, and high exalted be.

verse 8 And thou that art of all men Judge, now, Lord, me judge, and trie;

According to my righteousnesse, and mine integritie.

The second part.

verse 9 O let the sinners mischiefe end, but stablish stedfastly

The righteous man, O righteous God, who reines and hearts dost try.

verse 10 God is the shield on which I trust, from him defence I have;

For those that are upright in heart he mightily doth save.

verse 11 God doth the righteous judge, on him in love he stripes doth lay;

But he with him that wi…ed is is angry every day.

verse 12 Except the sinner do repent, God, even as he would smite,

Doth whet his sword, and bend his bow, and will against him fight.

p. 10verse 13 He sits the instruments of death, sharp arrowes forth he drawes,

For those that do me persecute, and hate without a cause.

verse 14 Mine enemy in travell is of some ungodly thought;

And mischiefe he conceived hath, and forth a lie hath brought.

verse 15 He made a ditch, and digg'd it deep, another there to take;

But he is fall'n into the ditch, which he himselfe did make.

verse 16 Thus wrong returneth to the hurt of him in whom it bred:

And all the mischiefe that he wrought, shall fall upon his head.

verse 17 For this will I give thanks to God that judgeth righteously;

And with my song will praise the Name of him that is most Hie.

PSAL. VIII.

O God our Lord, how wonderfull are thy works every where!

Which hast thy glory set on high, above the heavens cleare.

verse 2 Even by the mouths of sucking babes thou wilt confound thy foes:

For in those babes thy might is se…n, thy graces they disclose.

verse 3 When I behold the heavens …igh, the works of thine owne hand;

p. 11The Sun, the Moon, and all the Stars in order as they stand:

verse 4 What thing is man, Lord, think I then, that thou dost him remember?

Or, what the son of mortall man, that thou dost him consider?

verse 5 For thou hast made him little lesse then Angels in degree;

With glory and with honour great he crowned was by thee.

verse 6 Thou hast preferr'd him to be lord of all thy workes of wonder;

And at his feet hast all things set, that he should keep them under.

verse 7 All sheep and oxen, yea the beasts that wild in fields do seed;

Fowles of the aire, fish in the sea, and all that therein breed.

verse 8 O Lord our God, who mighty works thus with thy hand didst frame,

How excellent in all the earth is thy most glorious Name?

PSAL. IX.

WIth my whole heart to thee, O Lord, will I give praises due;

And I thy great and mighty works of wonder forth will shew.

verse 2 Now will I be right glad in thee, in thee rejoyce will I:

I will sing praise unto thy Name, O thou that are most H….

p. 12verse 3 When back mine enemies turned are, then surely shall they fall;

Even at thy glorious presence, Lord, they fall, and perish shall.

verse 4 For thou maintained hast my right, my cause made good thou hast;

Thou sittest in the throne, and there right judgement thou hast past.

verse 5 Thou dost rebuke the heathen folk, and sinners so confound,

That afterward the memorie of them cannot be found.

verse 6 My foes thou hast destroied quite, and spoil'd their cities all;

And with them wholly perished is their memoriall.

verse 7 But the great Lord, which is above, for evermore shall raigne;

And he prepared hath his throne true judgement to maintaine.

verse 8 For he with perfect righteousnesse the world shall judge and trie;

And all the people shall be judge with right and equitie.

verse 9 He also will a refuge be for those that are opprest.

In times of trouble will he be their refuge and their rest.

verse 10 The trust of all that know thy Name, O Lord, in thee shall be:

Because thou never failedst them, that truly sought for thee.

p. 13The second part.

verse 11 Sing Psalms therfore unto the Lord, that dwells in Sion hill;

Among all nations shew abroad his noble acts and will.

verse 12 For he is mindfull of the bloud of those that be opprest,

Forgetting not th' afflicted heart, that seeks to him for rest.

verse 13 Pity me, Lord, the trouble weigh which I from foes sustaine;

Who from the gates of death art wont to raise me up againe.

verse 14 In Sion that I may set forth thy praise with heart and voice;

And that in thy salvation, Lord, my soule may still rejoyce.

verse 15 Down sink the heathen in the pit, that they themselves prepar'd;

And in the net that they did set their owne feet fast are shar'd.

verse 16 God by his judgments wel is known, which he hath plainly wrought,

When sinners hands do make the snares wherewith themselves are caught.

verse 17 The wicked shall be sent to hell, to darknesse shall they passe;

And all the nations that forget God, who their maker was.

verse 18 Because the needy shall not still forgotten be of thee;

Not shall the waiting of the poore in vaine for ever be.

p. 14verse 19 O Lord, arise, and let not men prevaile by worldly might;

But let the heathen folk receive their judgement in thy sight.

verse 20 Lord, with the terrors of thy wrath let them affrighted be,

That so themselves to be but men, the nations well may see.

PSAL. X.

O Lord, why from thy servants sight now standest thou so farre?

Why hidest thou thy face from us, when times of trouble are?

verse 2 The wicked persecute the poore, his hurt they proudly sought;

But in the plots which they have fram'd, let their owne solves be caught.

verse 3 The wicked of his hearts desire doth boast, and thinks him blest,

Who is inrich't by covetousnesse, whom yet God doth detest.

verse 4 The thoughts & looks of wicked men are listed up with pride:

So that they seek not God, but all their thoughts have God denide.

verse 5 His waies still grievous are, thy waies are farre above his sight;

And at his enemies all in scorne he puffs, and sets them light.

verse 6 And in his heart he thus doth say, I shall not moved be;

And no adversity or griefe for ever shall I see.

p. 15verse 7 Cursing, deceit, and crafty fraud his mouth and talk do sill;

Under his tongue iniquitie and mischiefe harbour still.

verse 8 In secret places close he sits, to slay the innocent:

Against the poore that by him passe, his cruell eies are bent.

verse 9 And, like a Lion in his den, he lies the poore to take;

And when he drawes him to his net, the poore his prey doth make.

verse 10 In craft he humbly coucheth downe, and seems to lie full low,

That so more easily his strength the poore may overthrow.

The second part.

verse 11 He in his heart of God hath said, Forgotten this hath he:

The Lord doth closely hide his face, he will it never see.

verse 12 Arise, O Lord, O God, in whom the poore mans hope doth rest,

Lift up thy hand, forget not, Lord, the poore that be opprest.

verse 13 Wherefore doth thus the wicked man the highest God despise?

Thou wilt not, in his heart he saies, avenge his injuries.

verse 14 Thou dost their spight and mischiefe see, by thee to be repaid:

The poore do hide themselves by thee, the orp…aus thou dost aid.

p. 16verse 15 Break thou the arme of wicked men, the sinners strength confound;

Seek out, and judge his wickednesse, till none by thee be found.

verse 16 The Lord is King for evermore, and by his mighty hand

The heathen quite are perished, and driven from his land.

verse 17 By thee the humble mans desires heard, Lord, and granted were;

Thou wilt prepare their hearts, and thou wilt cause thine eate to heare.

verse 18 To judge the poore and fatherlesse, and help them to their right,

That they may be no more opprest by men of worldly might.

PSAL. XI.

I Trust in God, then to my soule how dare ye thus to say,

Unto your mountain as a bird escape, and flie away?

verse 2 For lo, the wicked bend their bow, and do their arrowes sit,

To shoot at the upright in heart, and closely him to hit.

verse 3 If the foundations be destroi'd, and might, right overturne;

Herein what can the righteous doe, but humbly pray and mourne?

verse 4 God in his holy Temple…, in heaven is his Throne;

p. 17His eies see all men, his eye-lids doe trie them every one.

verse 5 The Lord the righteous man doth trie, but those that wicked be,

And those that violence do love, in his soule hateth he.

verse 6 Snares, fire, and brimstone, furious stormes, on sinners he shall rain:

This is the portion of their cup of sin, this is the gaine.

verse 7 Because the Lord most righteous, doth in righteousnesse delight;

And with a pleased countenance beholdeth the upright.

PSAL. XII.

HElp, Lord, for good and godly men do perish and decay;

And faith and truth from worldly men are parted clean away.

verse 2 Whoso doth with his neighbour talk, his talk is all but vain:

For every man bethinketh how to flatter, lie, and fain.

verse 3 But slattering, and deceitfull lips, and tongues that be so stout,

To speak proud words, and make great brags, the Lord shall cut them out.

verse 4 For they say still, We will prevaile, our tongues shall us extoll:

Our tongues are ours, we ought to speak, what Lord shall us controll?

p. 18verse 5 But for the great complaint and crie of poore, and men opprest;

Arise will I now, saith the Lord, and them restore to rest.

verse 6 Gods word is like to silver pure, that from the earth is tri'd,

And hath no lesse then seven times in sire been purisi'd.

verse 7 Now, since thy promise is to help, Lord, keep thy promise then,

And save us now and evermore from this ill kind of men.

verse 8 The wicked walk on every side, and bold in sin they be;

The vilest of the sons of men when they exalted see.

PSAL. XIII.

HOw long, Lord, shall I ever thus of thee forgotten be?

How long thy favour and thy face wilt thou thus hide from me?

verse 2 In heart and mind how long shall I with care tonnented be?

How long yet shall mine enemy thus triumph over me?

verse 3 Behold me now, my Lord, my God, and heare me sore opprest;

Lighten mine eies, lest that I sleep as one by death possest.

verse 4 Lest that mine enemy boast, that he prevaileth over me:

And those that trouble me rejoyce, when me they moved see.

p. 19verse 5 But from thy mercy and thy grace my hope shall not depart?

In thy reliefe and saving health right glad shall be my heart.

verse 6 A song of praise unto the Lord sing cheerfully will I:

For hearing my request, with me he hath dealt bounteously.

PSAL. XIIII.

THe foolish man within his heart hath said, God there is none:

Corrupt are they, their deeds are vile, and good not one hath done.

verse 2 The Lord beheld from heaven hi… the whole race of mankind;

To see if any one were wise, and sought his God to find.

verse 3 They went all wide, and were corrupt, and truly there was none

That in the world did any good, I say, there was not one.

verse 4 These workers of iniquity are they so blinded all?

That they my people eate like bread? on God they do not call.

verse 5 But while they rage, there suddenly great feare upon them fell;

For in the generation of just men God doth dwell.

verse 6 Ye mock the wisdome of the poore, and would his counsell shame;

Because he puts his trust in God, and calls upon his name.

p. 20verse 7 But who shall give the people health? and when wilt thou fulfill

Thy promise made to Israel from out of Sion Hill?

verse 8 When back the Lord his people brings, and sets his captives free;

Then Jacob greatly shall rejoyce, and Israel glad shall be.

PSAL. XV.

OLord, within thy Tabernacle, who shall inhabit still?

Or whom wilt thou receive to dwell in thy most holy Hill?

verse 2 The man, whose life is uncorrupt, whose works are just and straight,

Whose heart doth think the very truth, whose tongue speaks no deceit.

verse 3 Who to his neighbour doth none ill in body, goods, or name;

Nor willingly doth move false tales, which might impaire the same.

verse 4 And in whose eies vile persons be contemned, and abhorr'd:

But he doth greatly honour those who love and feare the Lord.

verse 5 His oath, and all his promises that keepeth faithfully;

Although he make his covenant so, that he doth lose thereby.

verse 6 And who to hurtfull usury His mony hath not lent;

Nor hath received a reward against the innocent.

verse 7 p. 21He that doth these things faithfully, which here approv'd we see,

Shall from the state of blessednesse removed …ever be.

PSAL. XVI.

LOrd, keep me, for I trust in thee: my soule thus speaks in me,

verse 2 Thou art my Lord, and no way can my goodnesse profit thee.

verse 3 My goodnesse reacheth to the Saint's that here on earth do dwell:

In those men only I delight in vertue that excell.

verse 4 Into a multitude of grieses themselves those sinners cast,

Who in their blind and carnall zeale to Idols do make haste.

verse 5 As for the bloudy sacrifice, and offerings of that sort,

I will not touch, nor yet thereof my lips shall make report.

verse 6 The Lord my part and portion is, and me he doth sustaine:

He hath appointed me my lot, and it he will maintaine.

verse 7 The place wherein my lot did fall, in beauty did excell:

Mine heritage assign'd to me doth please me very well.

verse 8 God will I blesse, who secretly gives counsell unto mee;

p. 22So that by night my inward thoughts do good instructions see.

verse 9 I set the Lord still in my sight, and trust him over all:

For he doth stand at my right hand, I therefore shall not fall.

verse 10 Wherefore my heart is glad, and joy is by my tongue exprest;

My flesh, though sleeping in the grave, yet there in hope shall rest.

verse 11 Because my soule in hell to dwell shall not be left by thee;

Nor wilt thou leave thine holy One corruption for to see.

verse 12 Thou wilt me shew the way of life, for in thy presence is

Fulnesse of joy, at thy right hand there is eternall blisse.

PSAL. XVII.

OLord, give eare to my just cause, attend when I complaine;

And hear my praier that cometh forth from lips that do not faine.

verse 2 And from thy gracious presence send my sentence and decree;

With favour let thine eies behold the things that equall be.

verse 3 Thou hast me prov'd & tri'd by night, and, yet shalt nothing find:

For that my mouth shall not transgresse, I purpos'd in my mind.

verse 4 p. 23As for the works of wicked men, and paths perverse and ill;

Instructed by thy holy Word, from them I kept me still.

verse 5 Then in thy paths that be most pur… stay me, Lord, and preserve:

That from thy undefiled way my steps may never swerve.

verse 6 Because thou wilt me heare, O Lord, I called have on thee;

Now therefore heare my speech and sute, incline thine care to me.

verse 7 Thy loving kindnesse wonderfull, Lord, shew me, whose right hand

Doth save all them that trust in thee, from those which them withstand.

verse 8 O keep me safe, as thou wouldst keep the apple of thine eye;

And under covert of thy wings desend me secretly.

verse 9 From wicked men that trouble me, and daily me annoy;

And from my foes that go about my soule for to destroy.

verse 10 With ease and plenty in their fat they do inclosed lie;

And with their mouthes they do delight to talk presumptuously.

The second part.

verse 11 They lie in wait, where I should pass, with craft me to confound;

And bowing down, they mischiefe muse, p. 24their eies look to the ground.

verse 12 Much like a Lion, greedily that would his prey imbrace;

Or like a Lions whelp, that lurkes within some secret place.

verse 13 Arise, and disappoint my foe, and cast him downe, O Lord;

And save me from the wicked man, which is thy cutting sword.

From men which are thy hand, O Lord, men of this world they be;

Which have their portion in this lift, beyond they do not see.

verse 14 Their belly with thy hidden store, thou fillest to their mind:

Their children have enough, and leave to theirs the rest behind.

verse 15 But I arrai'd in righteousnesse, thy glorious face will see;

And with thy likenesse, when I wake, I satisfi'd shall be.