12 Vast armies, by such generals led 13 Though Egypt's drudges you have been, 14 'Twas so, when God's almighty hand O'er scattered kings the conquest won; 16 But wherefore (though the honour's great) Should this, O mountain, swell your pride? For Sion is his chosen seat, Where he for ever will reside. 17 His chariots numberless; his powers The spoil of armies once their dread. Of life and death the sovereign Lord. 21 But justice for his hardened foes Proportioned vengeance hath decreed, To wound the hoary head of those Who in presumptuous crimes proceed. 22 The Lord hath thus in thunder spoke :"As I subdued proud Bashan's king, "Once more I'll break my people's yoke, "And from the deep my servants bring. 23"Their feet shall with a crimson flood "Of slaughtered foes be covered o'er, "Nor earth receive such impious blood, "But leave for dogs the unhallowed gore." PART III. 24 When, marching to thy blessed abode, 25 Sweet-singing Levites led the van; Loud instruments brought up the rear; With voice and timbrel charmed the ear. 27 Nor little Benjamin alone From neighb'ring bounds did there attend, Nor only Judah's nearer throne Her counsellors in state did send ; But Zebulon's remoter seat, And Naphtali's more distant coast, Sent up their tribes, a princely host. 28 Thus God to strength and union brought Our tribes, at strife till that blessed hour; This work, which thou, O God, hast wrought, Confirm with fresh recruits of power. 29 To visit Salem, Lord, descend, And Sion, thy terrestrial throne, 30 Break down the spearmen's ranks, who threat Like pampered herds of savage might; Their silver-armoured chiefs defeat, Who in destructive war delight. 31 Egypt shall then to God stretch forth Her hands, and Afric homage bring, 32 The scattered kingdoms of the earth Their common Sovereign's praises sing,33 Who, mounted on the loftiest sphere Of ancient heaven, sublimely rides, From whence his dreadful voice we hear, Like that of warring winds and tides. 34 Ascribe the power to God most high; Of humble Israel he takes care; Whose strength, from out the dusky sky, Darts shining terrors through the air. 35 How dreadful are the sacred courts, Where God has fixed his earthly throne! His strength his feeble saints supports, To give God praise, and him alone. 1 SAV PSALM 69. AVE me, O God, from waves that roll, 2 With painful steps in mire I tread, 3 With restless cries my spirits faint, 4 My hairs, though numerous, are but few, With groundless hate; grown now of might They force me, guiltless, to resign, Lest, for my sake, thy saints despair; 7 Since I have suffered for thy name Reproach, and hid my face in shame ;8 A stranger to my country grown, Nor to my nearest kindred known; A foreigner, exposed to scorn By brethren of my mother born : 9 For zeal to thy loved house and name Consumes me like devouring flame; Concerned at their affronts to thee More than at slanders cast on me. 10 My very tears and abstinence They construe in a spiteful sense; 11 When clothed with sackcloth for their sake, They me their common proverb make. 12 Their judges at my wrongs do jest, Those wrongs they ought to have redressed: From libels of lewd drunkards free? And shield me from remorseless foes. 20 Reproach and grief have broke my heart; 21 With hunger pined, for food I call; 22 Their tables, therefore, to their health Shall prove a snare, a trap their wealth; 23 Perpetual darkness seize their eyes, And sudden blasts their hopes surprise. 24 On them thou shalt thy fury pour, Till thy fierce wrath their race devour, 25 And make their house a dismal cell, Where none will e'er vouchsafe to dwell. 26 For new afflictions they procured For him who had thy stripes endured, And made the wound thy scourge had torn To bleed afresh, with sharper scorn. 27 Sin shall to sin their steps betray, Till they to truth have lost the way: 28 From life thou shalt exclude their soul, Nor with the just their names enrol. 29 But me, howe'er distressed and poor, Thy strong salvation shall restore; 30 Thy power with songs I'll then proclaim, And celebrate with thanks thy name. 31 Our God shall this more highly prize Than herds or flocks in sacrifice; 32 Which humble saints with joy shall see, And hope for like redress with me. 33 For God regards the poor's complaint, Sets prisoners free from close restraint; 34 Let heaven, earth, sea, their voices raise, And all the world resound his praise. 35 For God will Sion's walls erect, 10 PSALM 70. LORD, to my relief draw near; |