Why fled the ocean? And why skipp'd the mountains?
Why turn'd Jordan toward his crystal fountains?
Shake, earth! and at the presence be aghast
Of him that ever was, and aye shall last;
That glassy floods from rugged rocks can crush,
And make soft rills from fiery flint-stones gush.

PSALM CXXXVI.

LET us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for he is kind;
For his mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us blaze his name abroad,
For of gods he is the God;
For his, &c.

Oh, let us his praises tell,

Who doth the wrathful tyrants quell;
For his, &c.

Who, with his miracles, doth make
Amazed heaven and earth to shake :
For his, &c.

Who, by his wisdom, did create
The painted heavens so full of state;
For his, &c.

Who did the solid earth ordain

To rise above the watery plain;
For his, &c.

Who, by his all-commanding might,
Did fill the new-made world with light;
For his, &c.

And caused the golden-tressed sun
All the day long his course to run;
For his, &c.

The horned moon to shine by night,
Amongst her spangled sisters bright;
For his, &c.

He, with his thunder-clasping hand,
Smote the first-born of Egypt land;
For his, &c.

And, in despite of Pharaoh fell,
He brought from thence his Israel;
For his, &c.

The ruddy waves he cleft in twain
Of the Erythræan main ;

For his, &c.

The floods stood still, like walls of glass, While the Hebrew bands did pass ;

For his, &c.

But full soon they did devour

The tawny king with all his power;
For his, &c.

His chosen people he did bless
In the wasteful wilderness;

For his, &c.

In bloody battle he brought down
Kings of prowess and renown;
For his, &c.

He foil'd bold Seon and his host,
That ruled the Amorrean coast;
For his, &c.

And large-limb'd Og he did subdue,
With all his over-hardy crew;

For his, &c.

And, to his servant Israel,

He gave their land therein to dwell;
For his, &c.

He hath, with a piteous eye,
Beheld us in our misery;
For his, &c.

And freed us from the slavery
Of the invading enemy;

For his, &c.

All living creatures he doth feed,

And with full hand supplies their need;

For his, &c.

Let us, therefore, warble forth
His mighty majesty and worth;
For his, &c.

That his mansion hath on high,
Above the reach of mortal eye;
For his mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

PОЕМАТА.