And set at large: now spare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer. 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 Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies? Yet know, the Lord hath chose, Chose to himself apart, 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 Be awed, and do not sin; Speak to your hearts alone, Upon your beds, each one, 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; But, Lord, thus let me pray; On us lift up the light, cry. Lift up the favour, of thy countenance bright. Into my heart more joy And gladness thou hast put, Than when a year of glut Their stores doth over-cloy, And from their plenteous grounds, In With vast increase, their corn and wine abounds. 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 makest me dwell. PSALM V. (August 12, 1653.) JEHOVAH, to my words give ear, My meditation weigh; The voice of my complaining hear, Shalt in the morning hear; I' the morning I to thee with choice Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear. For thou art not a God that takes In wickedness delight; Evil with thee no biding makes; Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight. All workers of iniquity Thou hatest; and them, unblest, Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie ; The bloody and guileful man God doth detest. Thy numerous mercies, go Will towards thy holy temple worship low. Lead me, because of those That do observe, if I transgress; Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. No word is firm or sooth; Their inside, troubles miserable; An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth. God, find them guilty, let them fall By their own counsels quell'd; Push them in their rebellions all Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd. Then all who trust in thee shall bring To bless the just man still: As with a shield, thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. PSALM VI. (August 13, 1653.) LORD, in thy anger do not reprehend me, And very weak and faint; heal and amend me : Are troubled; yea, my soul is troubled sore; Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? Depart from me; for the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard; the Lord hath heard my prayer; My supplication with acceptance fair The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. Mine enemies shall all be blank, and dash'd 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. (August 14, 1653.) Upon the words of Cush the Benjamite against him. LORD, my God, to thee I fly; Lord, my God, if I have thought Be in my hands; if I have wrought Let the enemy pursue my soul, Rise, Jehovah, in thine ire, Of my foes that urge like fire; Judgment here thou didst engage So the assemblies of each nation All people from the world's foundation. Judge me, Lord; be Judge in this Upon me: cause at length to cease But the just establish fast, Since thou art the just God that tries His sword he whets, his bow hath bended Already, and for him intended The tools of death, that waits him near. (His arrows purposely made he |