3 For straight they triumph, if success their thriving crimes attend;

And sordid wretches, whom God hates, perversely they commend.

4 To own a power above themselves, their haughty pride disdains;

And therefore in their stubborn mind no thought of God remains. 5 Oppressive methods they pursue, and all their foes they slight; Because thy judgments unobserv'd, are far above their sight.

6 They fondly think their prosp❜rous state shall unmolested be;

They think their vain designs shall thrive, from all misfortunes free.

7 Vain and deceitful is their speech, with curses fill'd, and lies;

By which the mischief of their heart they study to disguise.

8 Near public roads they lie conceal'd, and all their art employ,

The innocent and poor at once to rifle and destroy.

9 Not lions, couching in their dens, surprise their heedless prey

With greater cunning, or express more savage rage than they.

10 Sometimes they act the harmless man, and modest looks they wear;

That so deceiv'd, the poor may less their sudden onset fear.

PART II.

1

11 For God, they think, no notice takes
of their unrighteous deeds;
He never minds the suff'ring poor,
nor their oppression heeds.

12 But thou, O Lord, at length arise,
stretch forth thy mighty arm;
And, by the greatness of thy power,
defend the poor from harm.
13 No longer let the wicked vaunt,
and, proudly boasting, say,

"Tush, God regards not what we do;
"he never will repay."

14 But sure thou seest, and all their deeds impartially dost try;

The orphan, therefore, and the poor, on thee for aid rely.

15 Defenceless let the wicked fall,

of all their strength bereft ;

Confound, O God, their dark designs, till no remains are left.

16 Assert thy just dominion, Lord, which shall for ever stand;

Thou who the heathen didst expel from this thy chosen land.

17 Thou hear'st the humble supplicants that to thy throne repair;

Thou first prepar'st their hearts to pray, and then accept'st their prayer.

18 Thou, in thy righteous judgment, weigh'st the fatherless and poor;

1

That so the tyrants of the earth

may persecute no more.

S

PSALM XI.

INCE I have plac'd my trust in God, a refuge always nigh,

Why should I, like a tim'rous bird,

to distant mountains fly?

2 Behold, the wicked bend their bow,
and ready fix their dart,
Lurking in ambush to destroy
the men of upright heart.

3 When once the firm assurance fails,
which public faith imparts,

'Tis time for innocence to fly from such deceitful arts.

4 The Lord hath both a temple here, and righteous throne above; Where he surveys the sons of men, and how their councils move.

5 If God the righteous, whom he loves, for trial does correct,

What must the sons of violence,

whom he abhors, expect?

6 Snares, fire, and brimstone, on their heads shall in one tempest shower;

This dreadful mixture his revenge

into their cup shall pour.

7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds

with signal favour grace,

And to the upright man disclose

the brightness of his face.

PSALM XII.

With flatt'ring lips they all deceive,
and with a double heart.

3 But lips that with deceit abound
can never prosper long;

God's righteous vengeance will confound the proud blaspheming tongue. 4 In vain those foolish boasters say,

"Our tongues are sure our own; "With doubtful words we'll still betray, "and be controll'd by none."

5 For God, who hears the suff'ring poor,
and their oppression knows,

Will soon arise and give them rest,
in spite of all their foes.

6 The word of God shall still abide,
and void of falsehood be,

As is the silver, sev'n times try'd, from drossy mixture free.

7 The promise of his aiding grace
shall reach its purpos'd end;

His servants from this faithless race
he ever shall defend.

8 Then shall the wicked be perplex'd,
nor know which way to fly;

1

When those whom they despis'd and vex'd, shall be advanced on high.

How long wilt thou withdraw from me,

oh! never to return?

2 How long shall anxious thoughts my soul, and grief my heart oppress?

How long my enemies insult,

and I have no redress?

3 Oh! hear, and to my longing eyes restore thy wonted light,

And suddenly, or I shall sleep
in everlasting night.

4 Restore me, lest they proudly boast
'twas their own strength o'ercame;
Permit not them that vex my soul
to triumph in my shame.

5 Since I have always plac'd my trust
beneath thy mercy's wing,

Thy saving health will come; and then my heart with joy shall spring.

6 Then shall my song, with praise inspir'd, to thee my God ascend,

Who to thy servant in distress

such bounty didst extend.

1

PSALM XIV.

URE wicked fools must needs suppose, that God is nothing but a name; Corrupt and lewd their practice grows;

no breast is warm'd with holy flame.

2 The Lord look'd down from Heaven's high tower,
and all the sons of men did view,
To see if any own'd his power;
if any truth or justice knew.
3 But all, he saw, were gone aside,

all were degen'rate grown and base;
None took religion for their guide,
not one of all the sinful race.

4 But can these workers of deceit

be all so dull and senseless grown, That they, like bread, my people eat and God's almighty power disown? 5 How will they tremble then for fear, when his just wrath shall them o'ertake? For to the righteous God is near,

and never will their cause forsake. 6 Ill men, in vain, with scorn expose those methods which the good pursue; Since God a refuge is for those

whom his just eyes with favour view. 7 Would he his saving power employ to break his people's servile band, Then shouts of universal joy

1

should loudly echo through the land.

PSALM XV.

ORD, who's the happy man that may
to thy blest courts repair,

Not stranger-like, to visit them,

but to inhabit there?

6 Whose soul in usury disdains
his treasure to employ;

Whom no rewards can ever bribe
the guiltless to destroy.

7 The man, who by his steady course
has happiness insur'd,

1

When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand, by providence secur'd.

PSALM XVI.

ROTECT me from my cruel foes,
and shield me, Lord, from harm;
Because my trust I still
repose

on thy Almighty arm.

2 My soul all help but thine does slight, all gods but thee disown;

Yet can no deeds of mine requite the goodness thou hast shown. 3 But those that strictly virtuous are, and love the thing that's right, To favour always, and prefer, shall be my chief delight.

4 How shall their sorrows be increas'd,
who other gods adore!

Their bloody offerings I detest,
their very names abhor.

5 My lot is fall'n in that blest land
where God is truly known;
He fills my cup with lib'ral hand,
'tis he supports my throne.

6 In nature's most delightful scene
my happy portion lies;

The place of my appointed reign
all other lands outvies.

7 Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord,
whose precepts give me light;
And private counsel still afford
in sorrow's dismal night.

8 I strive each action to approve
to his all-seeing eye;

No danger shall my hopes remove,
because he still is nigh.

9 Therefore my heart all grief defies,
my glory does rejoice;

My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise,
wak'd by his powerful voice.

10 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath,
my soul from hell shalt free;

Nor let thy Holy One in death

the least corruption see.

11 Thou shalt the paths of life display, which to thy presence lead;