There hast thou fix'd the ocean's bounds,
The threat'ning surges to repel ;
That they no more o'erpass their mounds,
Nor to a second deluge swell.
9 Yet thence in smaller parties drawn,
The sea recovers her lost hills;
And starting springs, from ev'ry lawn,
Surprise the vales with plenteous rills.
10 The field's tame beasts are thither led,
Weary with labour, faint with drought;
And asses, on wild mountains bred,
Have sense to find these currents out..
11 There shady trees from scorching beams,
Yield shelter to the feather'd throng;
They drink, and to the bounteous streams
Return the tribute of their song.
12 His rains from heav'n parch'd hills recruit,
That soon transmit the liquid store;
Till earth is burden'd with her fruit,
And nature's lap can hold no more..
13 Grass for our cattle to devour,
He makes the growth of every field;
Herbs, for man's use, of various pow'r,.
That either food or physic yield.
14 With cluster'd grapes he crowns the vine,
To cheer man's heart, oppress'd with cares
Gives oil, that makes his face to shine;
And corn, that wasted strength repairs.
15 The trees of God, without the care
Or art of man, with sap are fed ;
The mountain cedar looks as fair,.
As those in royal gardens bred.
16 Safe in the lofty cedar's arms
The wand'rers of the air may rest;:
The hospitable pine from harm
Protects the stork, her pious guests.
17 Wild goats the craggy rock ascend, Its tow'ring heights their fortress make, Whose cells in labyrinths extend,
Where feebler creatures refuge take. 18 The moon's inconstant aspect shows Th' appointed seasons of the year; Th' instructed sun his duty knows, His hours to rise and disappear.
19 Darkness he makes the earth to shroud, When forest-beasts securely stray; Young lions roar their wants aloud
To Providents that sends them prey.
20 They range all night, on slaughter bent,
Till, summon'd by the rising morn
To skulk in dens, with one consent,
The conscious ravagers return.
21 Forth to the tillage of his soil
The husbandman securely goes,
Commencing with the sun his toil,
With him returns to his repose.
22 How various, Lord, thy works are found!
For which thy wisdom we adore!
The earth is with thy treasure crown'd,
Till nature's hand can grasp no more.
23 But still the vast unfathom'd main
Of wonders a new scene supplies,
Whose depths inhabitants contain
Of ev'ry form and ev'ry size.
24 Full freighted ships, from ev'ry port,
There cut their unmolested way:
Leviathan, whom there to sport
Thou mad'st his compass there to play.
25 These various troops of sea and land,
In sense of common want agree;
All wait on thy dispensing hand,
And have their daily alms from thee.
36 They gather what thy stores disperse, Without their trouble to provide ; Thou op'st thy hand, the universe, The craving world, is all supply'd. 27 Thou for a moment hid'st thy face,
The num'rous ranks of creatures mourn. Thou tak'st their breath, all nature's race Forthwith to mother earth return.
28 Again thou send'st thy spirit forth,
T' inspire the mass with vital seed; Nature's rester'd, and parent earth Smiles on her new created breed. 29 Thus through successive ages stand, Firm fix'd, thy providential care! Pleas'd with the work of thine own hands, Thou dost the wastes of time repair. 30 In praising God, while he prolongs My breath, I will that breath employ; And join devotion to my songs, Sineere, as in him is my joy.
PSALM IX.
From the 111th of David.
1 PRAISE ye the Lord, our God to praise
My soul her utmost pow'rs shall raise;
With private friends. and in the throng
Of saints, his praise shall be my song.
2 His works, for greatness though renown'd,
His wondrous works, with ease are found
By those who seek for them aright,
And in the pious search delight.
3 His works are all of matchless fame,
And universal glory claim;
His truth, confirm'd through ages past,
Shall to eternal ages last.
4 By precept he has us enjoin'd,
To keep his wondrous works in mind; 4 And to posterity record,
That good and gracious is our Lord.
5 Just are the dealings of his hands;
Immutable are his commands;
By truth and equity sustain'd,
And for eternal rules ordain'd.
6 Who wisdom's sacred prize would win,
Must with the fear of God begin,
Immortal praise and heav'nly skill
Have they who know and do his will.
From the 139th of David.
1 THOU, Lord, by strictest search hast known My rising up and lying down:
My secret thoughts are known to thee,
Known long before conceiv'd by me.
2 Thine eye my bed and path surveys,
My public haunts and private ways;
Thou know'st what 'tis my lips would vent,
My yet unutter'd words' intent.
3 Surrounded by thy pow'r I stand;
On ev'ry side I find thy hand.
O skill, for human reach too high!
Too dazzling bright for mortal eye!
4 Let me acknowledge, too, O God,
That since this maze of life I trod,
Thy thoughts of love to me surmount
The pow'r of numbers to recount :
5 Far sooner could I reckon o'er
The sands upon the ocean's shore:
Each morn, revising what I've done,
I find th' account but new begun.
6 Search, try, O God, my thoughts and heart,
If mischief lurks in any part:
Correet me where I go astray,
And guide me in thy perfect way.
PSALM XI.
From the 91st of David.
1 HE that has God his guardian made,
Shall, under the Almighty's shade,
Secure and undisturb'd abide.
Thus to my soul of him I'll say,
He is my fortress and my stay,
My God, in whom I will confide.
2 His tender love and watchful care
Shall free thee from the fowler's snare,
And from the noisome pestilence;
He over thee his wings shall spread,
And over thy unguarded head;
His truth shall be thy strong defence.
3 No terrors, that surprize by night,
Shall thy undaunted courage fright,
Nor deadly shafts that fly by day;
Nor plague, of unknown rise, that kills
In darkness, nor infectious ills,
That in the hottest seasons slay.
PSALM XII.
From the 113th of David.
1 YE saints and servants of the Lord,
The triumphs of his name record:
His sacred name forever bless,
Where-e'er the circling sun displays
His rising beams, or setting rays,
Due praise to his great name address.
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