English

O THOU , from Whom all mercy springs,
Compassionate my sufferings,
And pity me
That trust in Thee.
O shelter with Thy shady Wings
Until these storms of woe
Clear-up, or overblow.

Thee I invoke, O Thou Most High,
Thou All-performer! from the sky
Thy angels send;
Let them defend
My soul from him that would destroy.
O send Thy mercy down,
With truth Thy promise crown.

For salvage lions girt me round,
And they whose malice knows no bound,
Their cruel words
More sharp than swords,

Lord , protect me by Thy pow'r
From such as would my life devour,
Who merciless
Strive to oppress,
Nor grant me truce one hour.

That would devour me ev'ry day,
And make my chased life their prey.
Yet, Lord, will I
On Thee rely,
When dangers most dismay.

Thy promise I will celebrate,
In constant hope Thy pleasure wait,
With patience bear
Thy stay: nor fear
Frail man, or his vain hate.

My words and deeds they daily wrest,
And in their thoughts my fall digest;
Unite in ill,

Part I.

L ORD , to my pray'rs incline Thine ear,
Th' afflicted hear.
Nor be Thou deaf to my complaint,
For O, I faint!
Regard the sighs, the groans, the cries,
Which from my pensive soul arise.

Rais'd by the threat'nings of my foe,
Which storm-like grow,
And by bloodthirsty violence,
Truth my offence.
Who slander with their wounding tongues,
And press me unto death with wrongs.

Lord , for Thy promise' sake defend,
And Thy all-saving shield extend.
O hear my cries,
Which with wet eyes
And sighs to Thee ascend!

For cruel men my life pursue,
And who Thy statutes never knew.
Suppress my foes,
O side with those
Who to my soul are true!

With vengeance recompense their hate,
And in an instant ruinate.
Then will I bring
My offering,
And Thy great acts relate.

Thy Name for ever praised be,
Who from those snares hast set me free,
For lo! these eyes

Fools , flatt'ring their own vices, say
Within their hearts, God is a name
Devis'd to make the strong obey,
To fetter nature, quench her flame;
When all this universal frame
The hands of potent fortune sway.

Secure and prosperous in ill,
The fear and thought of God exile,
To follow their rebellious will;
Think nothing that delights them vile;
Their souls with wicked thoughts defile,
And all their foul desires fulfill.

God from the tow'r of heav'n His eyes
On men and their endeavours threw;

O THOU in mischief great,
Why boast'st thou in deceit?
God's greater mercy will
Protect His servants still.
Thy tongue with fraud abounds,
And like a razor wounds;
All evil dost affect,
All that is good neglect.
Lies are thy low delight,
To virtue opposite;
Thy words with treachery
The innocent destroy.
God shall repay thy hate,
Thy structures ruinate,
And make thee curse thy birth,
Then tear thee from the earth.
The just thy fall shall see,
Fear Him and laugh at thee:

Part I.

L ORD , to a sinner mercy show;
Which since in Thee so infinite,
Let all Thy streams of mercy flow,
And purify me in Thy sight.
O wash Thou my polluted soul,
O cleanse me from my bloody deed,

That to myself appear so foul,
And now in true contrition bleed.
My sins unmask'd before Thee lie,
Who have deserv'd Thy wrath alone,
Which I confess, to testify

Part I.

T HE God of gods, Jehovah, shall convent
All from the orient to the sun's descent.
From Sion's tow'rs (of beauty the divine
And full perfection) shall His glory shine.
Nor silent comes: devouring flames before,
And round about Him horrid tempests roar.
The righteous Judge, to judge His people, shall
High heav'n and conscious earth to witness call.
Assemble all My saints, who with one mind
My testaments with sacrifice have sign'd.
Then thund'ring skies shall make His justice known,

Part I.

A LL you who dwell upon the foodful earth,
Both rich and poor, of base and noble birth,
Attend; my tongue deep wisdom shall impart,
And knowledge from the fountain of my heart.
I unto light dark parables will bring,
And to my solemn harp enigmas sing.
In misery and age why should I fear,
When sin pursues my steps and death draws near?
O you, who riches as your god adore,
And glory in your scarce possessed store,
Who can redeem his brother for one day,

Part I.

T HE Lord is most majestical,
Most highly to be prais'd by all
Within the city of our God,
And mansion blest by His abode.
Fair Sion hath a pleasant site,
Of earth the beauty and delight;
Upon the north-side bordering,
The city of the mighty King.
God dwells within her lofty tow'rs,
Secur'd from all assailing pow'rs.
Conspiring kings her ruin sought,
Who armed troops before her brought.

Part II.