BEING

66

PREFACE.

In the following imitations of portions of the true Songs of Zion," the Author pretends not to have succeeded better than any that have gone before him; but, having followed in the track of none, he would venture to hope, that, by avoiding the rugged literality of some, and the diffusive paraphrases of others, he may, in a few instances, have approached nearer than either of them have generally done to the ideal model of what devotional poems, in a modern tongue, grounded upon the subjects of ancient psalms, yet suited for Christian edification, ought to be. Beyond this he dare not say more than that, whatever symptoms of feebleness or bad taste may be betrayed in the execution of these pieces, he offers not to the public the premature fruits of idleness or haste. So far as he recollects, he has endeavoured to do his best, and, in doing so, he has never hesitated to sacrifice ambitious ornament to simplicity, clearness, and force of thought and expression. If, in the event, it shall be found that he has added a little to the small national stock of psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs," in which piety speaks the language of poetry, and poetry the language of inspiration, he trusts that he will be humbly contented and unfeignedly thankful.

46

Sheffield, May 21. 1822.

PSALM I.

THRICE happy he who shuns the way
That leads ungodly men astray;
Who fears to stand where sinners meet,
Nor with the scorner takes his seat.

The law of GOD is his delight;
That cloud by day, that fire by night,
Shall be his comfort in distress,
And guide him through the wilderness.

His works shall prosper;- he shall be
A fruitful, fair, unwithering tree,
That, planted where the river flows,
Nor drought, nor frost, nor mildew, knows.

Not so the wicked;—they are cast
Like chaff upon the eddying blast;
In judgment they shall quake for dread,
Nor with the righteous lift their head.

For God hath spied their secret path, And they shall perish in his wrath; He too hath mark'd his people's road, And brings them to his own abode.

Several compositions of the same kind are introduced here, which were not included with those formerly published.

Feb. 5. 1841.

PSALM III.

THE Tempter to my soul hath said,
"There is no help in GOD for thee:"
LORD! lift thou up thy servant's head,
My glory, shield, and solace be.

PSALM IV.

No. 2.

WHILE many cry, in Nature's night, "Ah! who will show the way to bliss?" LORD! lift on us thy saving light;

We seek no other guide than this.

Gladness thy sacred presence brings,

More than the joyful reaper knows; Or he who treads the grapes, and sings, While with new wine his vat o'erflows.

In peace I lay me down to sleep;

Thine arm, O LORD! shall stay my head, Thine angel spread his tent, and keep

His midnight watch around my bed.

PSALM XI.

THE LORD is in his holy place,
And from his throne on high
He looks upon the human race
With omnipresent eye.

He proves the righteous, marks their path;
In him the weak are strong;
But violence provokes his wrath,
The LORD abhorreth wrong.

GOD on the wicked will rain down
Brimstone, and fire, and snares;
The gloom and tempest of his frown;
-This portion shall be theirs.

The righteous LORD will take delight
Alone in righteousness;
The just are pleasing in his sight,
The humble He will bless.