Princes Zebulon And with them also Naphtali's 28 Thy God commands thy strength O God Confirm what thou for us hast wrought 29 For thy house at Jerusalem King's Presents shall to thee be brought 30 Spear-men and people rude rebuke Till all of them submissive are And tribute pay scatter thou them That do delight in strife and war 31 Princes shall then submit to thee And hither come from Egypt lands And Ethiopia to God Shall soon stretch out her subject hands 32 Sing unto God adoring praise O all ye people of the earth Sing praises to the Lord our God With reverence and holy mirth 33 To him that on the heaven of heavens Which was of old doth ride rejoyce His voice he sendeth all abroad It is a mighty dreadful voice 34 Ascribe ye power unto God Who reigns on high o're Israel And his great strength and excellence Doth in the heav'ns in glory dwell 35 Dreadful out of his holy place Is Israel's God who doth afford Unto his people strength and pow'r Blessed therefore be God our Lord. PSALM LXIX 1 SAve me O God for rising floods Unto my fearful soul are come 2 I sink in deep unstable mire Deep waters have me overflown 3 I of my crying weary am My voice is hoarse my throat is dry'd My eyes also do fall while I Do waiting for my God abide 4 More than my hairs of head they be Who causeless hatred to me bear And my injurious enemies That would destroy me mighty are Then I restored that to them Which never taken was by me 5 O God thou know'st my foolishness And my sins are not hid from thee 6 Let not them for my sake be sham'd O Lord of Hosts that wait on thee Nor those that seek thee Israel's God For my own cause confounded be 7 For thy sake I have born reproach And shame hath covered my face 8 I to my brethren strange am grown An Alien to my mother's race 9 Because the zeal did eat me up Which to thy sacred house I bear And the reproaches cast on thee Upon me fallen for thy cause are 10 When I in tears with fasting lay This to my own reproach was turn'd A Proverb to them I became 11 When I in sackcloth cloathed mourn'd 12 The great men that sit in the gate Spake of me all the ill they think And I was made the song of them That are the drinkers of strong drink 13 But Lord in an accepted time My Prayer I send up to thee Lord in thy mercies multitude And in thy saving truth hear me 14 Deliver me out of the mire And me from sinking in it keep Save me from them that do me hate And out of all these waters deep 15 Let not the floods me overflow Nor let the deeps up swallow me And let not the pit's mouth below Upon me buryed closed be 16 Hear me O Lord for thy sure love And kindness is exceeding good Turn thou to me according to Thy tender mercies multitude 17 From thy servant hide not thy face In this my trouble soon attend 18 Draw nigh my soul and it redeem And from mine enemies me defend 19 To thee is my reproach well known My shame and my causeless disgrace My adversaries and their ways Are open all before thy face 20 Reproach hath broke my heart and grief Abounds in me I lookt for some To pity me but there was none True comforters I found not one 21 They gave me also bitter gall For food which they would have me eat They gave me vinegar to drink In scorn when as my thirst was great 22 Let their own Table be their snare Do thou to them in justice make Their welfare and posterity Become a trap themselves to take 23 And let their eyes so darkened be That pleasant light do them forsake And let their weakned Ioyns by thee Be made continually to shake 24 Thy dreadful indignation Pour out upon these wicked men And let thy hot displeasure and Thy heavy wrath take hold on them 25 And let their stately palaces Be left as desolate within Their tents without inhabitants Where these ill men have dwellers bin 26 Because him whom thou didst correct Yet they have persecuted more They talk unto the grief of those Whom thou didst strike and wound before 27 Add thou deserved punishment Unto their hainous wilful sin And to thy saying righteousness Let them not have admission in 28 Out of the book of living men Let them by death be blotted quite And with the just that blessed are Do not their names number and write 29 But I am poor and sorrowful Because of my adversity But let thy saving grace O Lord Yet raise and set me up on high 30 The Name of God I with a song Will praise and honour joyfully And with thanksgiving for his grace The Lord's name I will magnifie 31 This also shall a sacrifice More acceptable to him be Than Bull or Ox with hoof and horns If they were offered by me 32 The meek and humble shall be glad And greatly joy when this they see Your hearts shall live that seek the Lord And ever comfortable be 33 Because the Lord doth hear the poor When they to him do cry and pray And doth not neglect or despise Those that for him in prison lay 34 Let the high heav'ns and spacious earth Unto Jehovah praises give The Ocean deep and every thing Which therein doth but creep and live 35 For God will surely Sion save And Judah's Cities again build That men may them possess and dwell In houses plentifully fill'd 36 And they that are his servants seed Shall be possessors of the same And they shall have their dwelling there Who do sincerely love his name PSALM LXX 1 O God from my distress and fear Do thou vouchsafe to set me free Make hast O Lord do thou afford Thy speedy saving help to me 2 Let them confounded be and sham'd Who do my death seek and conspire Confound them all and turn them back That do my hurt in heart desire 3 Let shame be their reward Let them Fly and be turned back by thee Who triumphing in my distress Do say in scorn Aha to me 4 Let all that truly seek thy face With joy be ever glad in thee Let all that thy salvation love Say still the Lord God praised be 5 But I am poor and weak O God Make hast to me and do not stay Thou art my Saviour and help Help Lord and make no more delay PSALM LXXI 1 IN thee O Lord I put my trust Let me no hurtful shame befal 2 In justice save me from my foes By thee let me escape them all Incline thine ear and save thou me 3 Be thou my strength my rock and fort My dwelling unto which I may For help and refuge still resort My safety is thy own Command My rock and fortress thou wilt be 4 From wicked unjust cruel men Do thou my God deliver me 5 For upon thee
Mr. Richard Baxter 's PARAPHRASE ON THE Psalms of DAVID In METRE With other HYMNS Left fitted for the Press under his own Hand Licensed June 2d 1692. LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel And Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1692. An Advertisement THese are to assure the Reader That that this Paraphrastical Translation of the Psalms is the genuine Work and Product of the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter and left together with the Preface and the annexed Hymns compleated by him and written with his own hand fairly and accurately for the Press The Author was well known to multitudes and famed deservedly for his eminent Knowledge Judgment Godliness and Utterance and for all things constituent of an exemplary Christian and for the extraordinariness of his Ministerial Unction Diligence Faithfulness and Success Singing of Psalms he called and used as his Recreation When his sleep was intermitted or removed in the Night he then sang much and relished this course and practice greatly well And on the Lord's days whilst with me in the free-will Offerings of his Ministerial assistance in Charter-house-Yard for betwixt four and five Years where at my House he preached his last Sermon and in his own House near to mine he breathed his last breath he thought the Lord's-day's Service very defective without some considerable time 's being spent in this Divine Melodious Exercise of singing Psalms wherein his heart was warm and chearful And I have heard him say in sence equivalent unto the import of these words That he believingly expected that his Angelical Convoy would conduct him through all the intermediate Regions to his determined Mansion in his Heavenly Father's House with most melodious Hallelujahs or with something equally delightful For what Angels are how they appear to separated Souls and after what manner they express their Joys and Praises are things as yet beyond our reach and knowledge But that there are such things as Publick Solemn and Harmonious Praises offered unto the Great Jehovah and the enthroned Lamb by the whole Heavenly Chorus I see no cause to doubt But at the manner of this great Performance I have not confidence enough to guess much less dare I dogmatically or magisterially determine For I forget not what Mr. B. said repeatedly to me and with great accents of a pathetical concern upon his heart We know nothing We know nothing And this when near his end As to the Work it self when I press'd him to the Publication of it he modestly replyed that others had done so well as that he thought his own Work thence less needful and acceptable But after that he committed it to my perusal telling me that his great solicitousness was about reaching and representing David's inspired sence aright And he told me that he was most for that wherein there was least of Man and most of God So that if he be out-done in Poetry by others yet perhaps none will be found in an Essay of this kind more genuinely breathing David's sence and spirit nor any thing more fitted to the genuine gravity and decorum of this chearing and edifying Ordinance than what here is offered And I hope it will not fare the worse for being a part of that useful Mantle which he left when God remomoved him hence As to his other Works and particularly his Life did those who earnestly expect it know its bulk and worth as I do as on the one hand their Appetites would be sharper because of the Rational and Judicious Accounts he gives of God's gracious dealing with his Soul with the stupendious instances and methods of his peculiar Providence towards that with much more that I could pertinently hint So on the other hand none would severely censure me as delatory or neglectful that knew my pressing hindrances and the greatness of the Work But I assure the Reader that all meet care and hast and faithfulness in this Affair and in the seasonable production of his other Works in all observance of his own Orders and Directions communicated to me by his own word and writing shall be pursued by London August 2. 1692. Matthew Sylvester THE PREFACE 1. POetry as all inferiour things hath its conveniences and its inconveniences The inconveniences are that matter is oft forc'd too much to stoop to words and syllables and that conciseness keeps the matter from a full perception with any but well-prepared understandings The conveniences are that is spareth words avoiding the redundancies and repetitions which Oratory is usually guilty of and teacheth exactness of expression And that the delight of Harmony except in persons whose phantasie is herein impotent and maimed or minds diseased by Prejudice or Melancholy doth make the phantasie helpful to the mind and as it expresseth affections so doth it raise them § 2. The Tempter knowing this hath made great use of lascivitus vain and foolish Poetry yea and malignant to corrupt more the minds that are already corrupt and vain and to prepossess them against better things And God knowing it hath by his Spirit indited sacred Hymns and Psalms both for his publick and private Worship and excitation of holy desires and delights Which of old was done with the greatest helps that the Musical and Vocal melody could give The singing of Morning Hymns to Christ was the Note by which Pliny describeth to Trajan the persecuted Christians in his time in their Houses and their Meetings then called Conventicles of which see the Apology of the Church of England Chap. 1. and specially Justin's and Tertullian's Apologies And Godly Families have still been differenced from the ungodly by open singing the Praises of God when the other sing wanton and idle Songs Good Christians will not among Christians at least be ashamed that such Psalms of Praise be heard by their Neighbours into the Streets when Players or Ballad-singers are not ashamed more openly to sing amorous foolish ungodly or abusive Songs Our Psalms in Metre were set forth by Authority to be used both in Church and House laying apart all ungodly Songs and Ballads c. § 3. Some stumble at the singing of David's Psalms because there are many words not suited to their case But 1. May they not as well scruple reading or saying them in Prose Singing them in Metre is no more an owning of all we say as our case than saying or reading them is And by that reason they must not say the Songs of Moses the Book of Job Canticles Lamentations or the Gospel-Hymns or Scripture-Prayers 2. That may be recited as the common case of the Church yea or as a Narration of his case that wrote them which is not spoken as of our selves 3. And if this satisfie not such may choose at home Psalms suitable to them and in the Church be silent at the words which they dare not speak § 4. Some are stumbled that David's Psalms have so little about the Life
and are great and strong And they are multiplyed much Who hate and hurt me to my wrong 20 And they that render ill for good Daily as enemies me use Not that I wrong them but because The thing that 's good I do and choose 21 Forsake me not O gracious Lord My God O be not far from me 22 Lord to my needful help make hast For my salvation is of thee PSALM XXXIX 1 I Said I will look to my ways Lest with my hasty words I sin While wicked men stand by my tongue I 'le bridle and with care keep in 2 With silence I became as dumb Resolv'd restraint did hold my peace Even from good talk and just defence Till stirred sorrows did increase 3 My heart within me then grew hot While troubled thus I mused long Till the restrained fire broke out Then thus I loos'd my bridled tongue 4 Lord make me to foreknow my end The shortness of my hastning days That I may know how frail I am And do my work without delays 5 Experience tells us Thou hast made Man's days to be but as a span Even as meer nothing before thee Is the short age of Mortal man Surely not one but every man Here in his setled fastest state Is altogether vanity His life is of so short a date 6 The worldling walks in a vain show Turmoils himself for wealth in vain He heapeth up but doth not know To whom it after will remain 7 And now O Lord what wait I for My trust and hope is all on thee 8 Save me from all my sins lest I To wicked fools a scorn should be 9 As dumb I opened not my mouth Because I knew the scourge was thine 10 Remove from me thy heavy hand Under thy chastening stroke I pine 11 When with rebukes thou chastenest man Justly for his iniquity His strength dissolveth like a moth Thus every man is vanity 12 Lord hear my pray'r regard my cries And be not silent at my tears I sojourn and a stranger am On earth as all my fathers were 13 O spare me yet prolong my days My strength and peace do thou restore Before I go from hence by death And shall be seen on earth no more PSALM XL. 1 I Waited long seeking the Lord And patiently his hand did bear And he inclined unto me And did my cry and prayer hear 2 He took me from an horrid pit Out of the sordid miry clay And set my feet upon a Rock And safely stablished my way 3 He put a new song in my mouth Our God to praise and magnifie Many shall see and fear the Lord And shall by faith on him rely 4 O blessed is that man whose trust Upon the Lord alone relies Respecting not the proud nor such As turn aside from truth to lyes 5 O Lord my God how many are The wonders thou for us hast wrought By which thou hast made known to us The measures of thy gracious thoughts They cannot all be reckoned up By-us in order unto thee If I would mention them they 'r more Than numbered by man can be 6 Thou dost no bloody sacrifice Or offering of us desire Burnt-offering and sin-offering Thou dost not now of man require Mine ear thou openedst to thy call 7 Then said I to thee Loe I come For so of me it written is Even in thy sacred book 's Volumne 8 My God I come to do thy will It is my work and great delight My heart within the Tables is Where thou thy holy Law didst write 9 In the great Congregation I Thy truth and righteousness did preach Thou know'st Lord I did not refrain By sinful silence holy speech 10 I have not in my heart conceal'd Thy sacred truth and righteousness But openly I have declar'd Thy saving grace and faithfulness Thy loving kindness I declar'd I did it not from men conceal To thy great Congregations Thy holy truth I did reveal 11 Thy tender saving mercies Lord With hold not nor to me deny Let thy benignity and truth Keep me from ill continually 12 For I am compassed about With evils great and manifold I am not able to look up My sins on me do take such hold More than hairs on my head they are Therefore my failing heart 's dismaid Be pleased Lord to deliver me O Lord make hast to be my aid 14 Shame and confusion be to all That seek my guiltless blood to spill Let them be driven back and sham'd Who wish in heart my wrongful ill 15 For a reward of this their shame Then desolate let them all be Who in my hurt do cry Aha With scorn and triumph over me 16 Let all that truly seek thy face Joy and be ever glad in thee Let such a love thy grace still say Our God shall magnified be 17 I weak and poor and needy am But yet am not of God forgot Thou art my help and saviour My God O too long tarry not PSALM XLI 1 BLest is he who with mercy doth The poor and needy's case consider For in the troublous evil day The Lord will him keep and deliver 2 The Lord will him preserve alive And he will bless him in the land And thou wilt not deliver him Into his enemies will and hand 3 Upon his bed of languishing He shall by thee be strengthened And in his painful sickness thou For ease wilt make and turn his bed 4 I pray'd and said to thee my God O be thou merciful to me And heal my soul of guilt and woe That hath by sin offended thee 5 Mine enemies speak and wish me ill And say How long when will he dye That so his name may be forgot Or buried under slanders lye 6 Or if he come to visit me He speaketh lies and vanity His heart to tell it all abroad Gathers it self iniquity 7 Against me they whisper and plot Then all that are mine enemies Together they some hurt or ill Against me daily do devise 8 There cleaves to him say they with joy Some ill disease or mortal sore And now that he doth keep his bed Off it he shall rise up no more 9 Yea he with whom I liv'd in peace Who was my friend and confident Who of my bread did eat even he His scornful hee l against me bent 10 But thou O Lord be merciful To me and raise me up agen That I in justice may requite The doings of these wicked men 11 And by this I may know that I Am own'd and favoured by thee Because mine enemies do not still Thus boast and triumph over me 12 Thou me in mine integrity Upholdest by thy saving grace And wilt me set for evermore Before thy pleased glorious face 13 The Lord the God of Israel For ever prais'd and blessed be From age to age for evermore All Saints Amen Amen say ye PSALM XLII 1 AS the dry Hart for water-brooks In thirst doth fainting pant and bray So after thee my gracious God My thirsty soul