Their eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd, 12 In posture of a lion set, When greedy of his prey; 13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots, 14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge, Whose portion's here below; Who, fill'd with earthly stores, aspire 15 Their race is num'rous, that partake 16 But I, in uprightness, thy face PSALM XVIII. 1, 2 N° My firm affection, Lord, to thee; O change of time shall ever shock For thou hast always been my rock, 3 To thee I will address my pray'r, To whom all praise we justly owe; Be guarded from my treach'rous foe.. 4,5 By floods of wicked men distress'd, With seas of sorrow compass'd round, 6 To heav'n I made my mournful pray'r, To God address'd my humble moan; Who graciously inclin'd his ear, And heard me from his lofty throne. PART II. 7 When God arose my part to take, That coals were kindled at its flame. 10 The chariot of the King of kings, 11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspir'd, And fell in show'rs of fire and hail. 14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw, Which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day. 16 The Lord did on my side engage; From Heav'n, his throne, my cause upheld; 17 God his resistless pow'r employ'd My strongest foes' attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroy'd The weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle rage had near prevail'd, When I distress'd and friendless lay; But still, when other succours fail'd, God was my firm support and stay. 19 From dangers that enclos'd me round, He brought me forth and set me free; God does his gracious help extend; I never did his statutes slight, Nor loosely wander'd from my God. Because my heart and hands are clean. 25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous ways Shall meet with due returns from thee. 27, 28 That he the humble soul will save, And crush the haughty's boasted might, In me the Lord an instance gave, Whose darkness he has turn'd to light. 29 On his firm succour I rely'd, And did o'er num'rous foes prevail; 30 For God's designs shall still succeed, 31 Who then deserves to be ador'd, But God, on whom my hopes depend? PART V. 32, 33 'Tis God that girds my armour on, And all my just designs fulfills ; Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take, And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Forc'd by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health Protects me from assaulting foes; Till then to narrow paths confin'd; 38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes Who hate and envy my success. 41 With loud complaints all friends they try'd; But none was able to defend ; At length to God for help they cry'd; But God would no assistance lend. 42 Like flying dust, which winds pursue, Their broken troops I scatter'd round; Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw, Like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground. PART VI. 43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now, By God's appointment me obey; The heathen to my sceptre bow, And foreign nations own my sway. 44 Remotest realms their homage send, When my successful name they hear; Strangers for my commands attend, Charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fear. 45 All to my summons tamely yield, Or soon in battle are dismay'd; For stronger holds they quit the field, And still in strongest holds afraid. 46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd, The rock on whose defence I rest! To highest Heav'ns his Name be rais'd, Who me with his salvation bless'd! 47 'Tis God that still supports my right; His just revenge my foes pursues; "Tis he, that, with resistless might, Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard he! From whom my lasting honours flow; He made me great, and set me free From my remorseless bloody foe. 49 Therefore, to celebrate his fame, My grateful voice to Heav'n I'll raise; And nations, strangers to his Name, Shall thus be taught to sing his praise: 50 "God to his king deliv'rance sends; "Shows his anointed signal grace; "His mercy evermore extends "To David, and his promis'd race.” PSALM XIX. 1 TH HE Heav'ns declare thy glory, Lord, Fresh beams of knowledge brings; 2 Their pow'rful language to no realm 'Tis nature's voice, and understood |