The Psalms of David Part 5

6 Tho' saints to sore distress are brought, And wait and long complain, Their cries shall not be still forgot, Nor shall their hopes be vain.

7 [Rise, great Redeemer, from thy seat, To judge and save the poor; Let nations tremble at thy feet, And man prevail no more.

8 Thy thunder shall affright the proud, And put their hearts to pain, Make them confess that thou art G.o.d, And they but feeble men.]

Psalm 10.

Prayer heard, and saints saved; or, Pride, atheism, and oppression punished.

For a humiliation day.

1 Why doth the Lord stand off so far, And why conceal his face, When great calamities appear, And times of deep distress?

2 Lord, shall the wicked still deride Thy justice and thy pow'r?

Shall they advance their heads in pride, And still thy saints devour?

3 They put thy judgments from their sight, And then insult the poor; They boast in their exalted height That they shall fall no more.

4 Arise, O G.o.d, lift up thine hand, Attend our humble cry; No enemy shall dare to stand When G.o.d ascends on high.

PAUSE.

5 Why do the men of malice rage, And say with foolish pride, "The G.o.d of heaven will ne'er engage To fight on Zion's side?"

6 But thou for ever art our Lord; And pow'rful is thine hand, As when the heathens felt thy sword, And perish'd from thy land.

7 Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray, And cause thine ear to hear; He hearkens what his children say, And puts the world in fear.

8 Proud tyrants shall no more oppress, No more despise the just; And mighty sinners shall confess They are but earth and dust.

Psalm 11.

G.o.d loves the righteous and hates the wicked.

1 My refuge is the G.o.d of love; Why do my foes insult and cry, "Fly like a timorous trembling dove, "To distant woods or mountains fly"?

2 If government be all destroy'd (That firm foundation of our peace) And violence make justice void, Where shall the righteous seek redress?

3 The Lord in heaven has fix'd his throne, His eye surveys the world below; To him all mortal things are known, His eyelids search our spirits thro'.

4 If he afflicts his saints so far To prove their love, and try their grace, What may the bold transgressors fear?

His very soul abhors their ways.

5 On impious wretches he shall rain Tempests of brimstone, fire, and death, Such as he kindled on the plain Of Sodom with his angry breath.

6 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls, Whose thoughts and actions are sincere; And with a gracious eye beholds The men that his own image bear.

Psalm 12:1. L. M.

The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins of the tongue complained of, viz, blasphemy, falsehood, &c.

1 Lord, if thou dost not soon appear, Virtue and truth will fly away; A faithful man, amongst us here, Will scarce be found if thou delay.

2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet, Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain; Their lips are flattery and deceit, And their proud language is profane.

3 But lips, that with deceit abound, Shall not maintain their triumph long; The G.o.d of vengeance will confound The flattering and blaspheming tongue.

4 "Yet shall our words be free," they cry, "Our tongue shall be controll'd by none: "Where is the Lord will ask us why?

"Or say, our lips are not our own?"

5 The Lord who sees the poor opprest, And hears th' oppressor's haughty strain, Will rise to give his children rest, Nor shall they trust his word in vain.

6 Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd, Void of deceit shall still appear Not silver, seven times purify'd From dross and mixture, shines so clear.

7 Thy grace shall in the darkest hour Defend the holy soul from harm; Tho' when the vilest men have power On every side will sinners swarm.

Psalm 12:2. C. M.

Complaint of a general corruption of manners; or, The promise and signs of Christ's coming to judgment.

1 Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail, Religion loses ground, The sons of violence prevail, And treacheries abound.

2 Their oaths and promises they break, Yet act the flatterer's part; With fair deceitful lips they speak, And with a double heart.

3 If we reprove some hateful lie, How is their fury stirr'd!

"Are not our lips our own" they cry, "And who shall be our lord?"

4 Scoffers appear on every side, Where a vile race of men Is rais'd to seats of power and pride, And bears the sword in vain.

PAUSE.

5 Lord, when iniquities abound, And blasphemy grows bold, When faith is hardly to be found, And love is waxing cold,

6 Is not thy chariot hastening on?

Hast thou not given this sign?

May we not trust and live upon A promise so divine?

7 "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise, "And make oppressors flee; "I shall appear to their surprise, "And set my servants free."

8 Thy word, like silver seven times try'd, Thro' ages shall endure; The men that in thy truth confide, Shall find thy promise sure.

Psalm 13:1. L. M.

Pleading with G.o.d under desertion; or, Hope, in darkness.

1 How long, 0 Lord, shall I complain Like one that seeks his G.o.d in vain?

Canst thou thy face for ever hide?

And I still pray and be deny'd?