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 15 Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds; them shalt thou bring full low 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, If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere. 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 Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied 20 25 10 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 20 Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy blessing on thy people flows. PSALM IV. (Aug. 10, 1653.) ANSWER me when I call, Thou didst me disenthral 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 foreborn Still to love vanity, To love, to seek, to prize 10 Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know, the Lord hath chose, Chose to himself a part, The good and meek of heart, 5 (For whom to choose he knows) Jehovah from on high Will hear my voice what time to him I cry. 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. 40 PSALM V. (Aug. 12, 1653.) JEHOVAH, to my words give ear, My meditation weigh, The voice of my complaining hear My God and King; 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 In wickedness delight. 10 Evil with thee no biding makes, Fools or bad men stand not within thy sight. All workers of iniquity Thou hat'st; and them unblest Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie ; 15 The bloody' and guileful man God doth detest. Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. For in his falt'ring mouth unstable 25 Push them in their rebellions all Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd. Then all who trust in thee shali bring Their joy, while thou from blame Defend'st them, they shall ever sing And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name. For thou, Jehovah, wilt be found To bless the just man still, As with a shield thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. PSALM VI. (Aug. 13, 1653.) LORD, in thine anger do not reprehend me, 35 40 And very weak and faint; heal and amend me: Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? Depart all ye that work iniquity, Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping 5 10 15 [pray'r, The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my My supplication with acceptance fair The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. Mine enemies shall be all blank and dash'd 20 With much confusion; then grown red with shame, They shall return in haste the way they came, And in a moment shall be quite abash'd. PSALM VII. (Aug. 14, 1653.) Upon the words of Cush the Benjamite against him. LORD, my God, to thee I fly, Save me, and secure me under Thy protection while I cry, Lest a lion (and no wonder) Y He haste to tear my soul asunder, And overtake it, let him tread My life down to the earth, and roll 15 In the dust, and there out-spread Lodge it with dishonour foul. Rise, Jehovah, in thine ire, Rouse thyself amidst the rage 20 Of my foes that urge like fire; And wake for me, their fury' assuage; And command, which I desire. So th' assemblies of each nation 25 Will surround thee, seeking right, Return on high and in their sight. Upon me cause at length to cease And their pow'r that do amiss. But the just establish fast, Since thou art the just God that tries Hearts and reins On God is cast My defence, and in him lies, In him who, both just and wise, Saves th' upright of heart at last. God is a just judge and severe, And God is every day offended; If the unjust will not forbear, 45 His sword he whets, his bow hath bended |