PSALMS.

PSALM I. DONE INTO VERSE, 1653.

BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' way

Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat
Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great
Jehovah's law is ever his delight,
And in his law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watery streams, and in his season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their trial then,

Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men.

For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just, And the way of bad men to ruin must.

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PSALM II. DONE AUG. 8, 1653. TERZETTE. WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upstand With pow'r, and princes in their congregations Lay deep their plots together through each land Against the Lord and his Messiah dear?

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Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: He who in heav'n doth dwell

Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then

severe

Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, saith he, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) On Sion my holy' hill. A firm decree

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

Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low

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With iron sceptre bruised, and them disperse
Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so.

And now be wise at length ye Kings averse,
Be taught, ye Judges of the earth; with fear
Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse
With trembling; kiss the Son lest he appear
In anger, and ye perish in the way,

If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere.
Happy all those who have in them their stay.

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18 Heathen] Warton in both editions reads 'The Heaven.' Todd.

PSALM III. AUG. 9, 1653.

WHEN HE FLED FROM ABSALOM.

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many those

That in arms against me rise!
Many are they

That of my life distrustfully thus say,
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory,
Thee through my story

Th' exalter of my head I count;
Aloud I cried

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Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied
And heard me from his holy mount.
I lay and slept, I wak'd again,
For my sustain

Was the Lord. Of many
The populous rout

I fear not, though encamping round about
They pitch against me their pavilions.
Rise, Lord, save me my God, for thou
Hast smote ere now

On the cheek-bone all my foes,
Of men abhorr'd

[Lord; Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Thy blessing on thy people flows.

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14 my sustain] The verb converted into a substantive. So 'disturb,' in P. L. vi. 549. Todd.

PSALM ĮV. AUG. 10, 1653.

ANSWER me when I call,
God of my righteousness,
In straits and in distress
Thou didst me disenthrall

And set at large; now spare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest pray'r. Great ones, how long will ye

My glory have in scorn,
How long be thus forborne
Still to love vanity,

To love, to seek, to prize

The good and meek of heart;
(For whom to choose he knows)
Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voice what time to him I cry.

Be aw'd, and do not sin,
Speak to your hearts alone,
Upon your beds, each one,
And be at peace within.
Offer the offerings just

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust.

Many there be that say

Who yet will show us good?
Talking like this world's brood;

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Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chose,

Chose to himself apart,

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But, Lord, thus let me pray,

On us lift up the light,

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.

Into my heart more joy

And gladness thou hast put,

Than when a year of glut

Their stores doth overcloy,
And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

In peace at once will I

Both lay me down and sleep,

For thou alone dost keep

Me safe where'er I lie;

As in a rocky cell

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

PSALM V. AUG. 12, 1653.

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In wickedness delight,

Evil with thee no biding makes,

Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.

JEHOVAH, to my words give ear,
My meditation weigh,

The voice of my complaining hear

My King and God; for unto thee I pray.
Jehovah, thou my early voice

Shalt in the morning hear,

I' th' morning I to thee with choice

Will rank my pray'rs, and watch till thou appear. For thou art not a God that takes

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