And when thou speak'st the word, Return, 4 For in thy sight a thousand years 5 Thou sweep'st us off as with a flood; 6 But, howsoever fresh and fair 'Tis all cut down, and withered quite, 7, 8 We by thine anger are consumed, 9 Beneath thy anger's sad effects 10 Our term of time is seventy years, But if, with more than common strength, Yet then our boasted strength decays, To sorrow turned and pain; So soon the slender thread is cut, And we no more remain. PART II. 11 But who thy anger's dread effects And yet thy wrath does fall or rise, 12 So teach us, Lord, the uncertain sum That to true wisdom all our hearts 13 O! to thy servants, Lord, return, And speedily relent! As we forsake our sins, do thou 14 To satisfy and cheer our souls, That we may all our days to come 15 Let happy times, with large amends, 16 To all thy servants, Lord, let this, 1 HE PSALM 91. E that has God his Guardian made Shall, under the Almighty's shade, Secure and undisturbed abide : 2 Thus to my soul of him I'll say, He is my Fortress and my Stay, My God, in whom I will confide. 3 His tender love and watchful care Shall free thee from the fowler's snare, And from the noisome pestilence: 4 He over thee his wings shall spread, And cover thy unguarded head; His truth shall be thy strong defence. 5 No terrors, that surprise by night, Shall thy undaunted courage fright, Nor deadly shafts, that fly by day ; 6 Nor plague, of unknown rise, that kills In darkness, nor infectious ills, That in the hottest season slay. 7 A thousand at thy side shall die, At thy right hand ten thousand lie, While thy firm health untouched remains ; 8 Thou only shalt look on and see The wicked's dismal tragedy, And count the sinner's mournful gains. 9 Because, with well-placed confidence, Thou mak'st the Lord thy sure Defence, And on the Highest dost rely,10 Therefore no ill shall thee befall, Nor to thy healthful dwelling shall Any infectious plagues draw nigh. 11 For he, throughout thy happy days, To keep thee safe in all thy ways, Shall give his angels strict commands ; 12 And they, lest thou should'st chance to meet With some rough stone to wound thy feet, Shall bear thee safely in their hands. 13 Dragons and asps, that thirst for blood, And lions, roaring for their food, Beneath his conquering feet shall lie: 14 Because he loved and honoured me, Therefore, says God, I'll set him free, And fix his glorious throne on high. 15 He'll call I'll answer when he calls, And rescue him when ill befalls; Increase his honour and his wealth: 16 And when, with undisturbed content, His long and happy life is spent, 1 His end I'll crown with saving health. HOW PSALM 92. OW good and pleasant must it be 2 With every morning's early dawn And of his constant truth, each night, 3 To ten-stringed instruments we'll sing, And to the harp, with solemn sounds, 4 For, through thy wondrous works, O Lord, Thou mak'st my heart rejoice; The thoughts of them shall make me glad, 5, 6 How wondrous are thy works, O Lord! Whose winding tracts, in secret laid, 7 He little thinks, when wicked men, How soon their short-lived splendour must 8, 9 But thou, my God, art still most high; Who thought they might securely sin, 10 Whilst thou exalt'st my sovereign power, And with refreshing oil anoint'st 11 I soon shall see my stubborn foes And hear the dismal end of those 12 But righteous men, like fruitful palms, As cedars that on Lebanon 13, 14 These, planted in the house of God, Their vigour and their lustre both 15 Thus will the Lord his justice show, 1 W PSALM 93. ITH glory clad, with strength arrayed, The Lord, that o'er all nature reigns, The world's foundation strongly laid, And the vast fabric still sustains. 2 How surely 'stablished is thy throne, 3, 4 The floods, O Lord, lift up their voice 5 Thy promise, Lord, is ever sure; And they that in thy house would dwell, That happy station to secure, Must still in holiness excel. PSALM 94. 1,20 GOD, to whom revenge belongs, Thy vengeance now disclose; Arise, thou Judge of all the earth, 3, 4 How long, O Lord, shall sinful men How long their wicked actions boast, 5, 6 Not only they thy saints oppress, The widow's and the stranger's blood, 7 "And yet the Lord shall ne'er perceive," Profanely thus they speak, "Nor any notice of our deeds "The God of Jacob take." 8 At length, ye stupid fools, your wants In folly will you still proceed, 9, 10 Can he be deaf, who formed the ear? Or blind, who framed the eye? Shall earth's great Judge not punish those 11 He fathoms all the thoughts of men; His eye surveys them all, and sees |