The whole booke of Psalmes collected into Englysh metre by T. Starnhold, I. Hopkins, & others, conferred with the Ebrue, with apt notes to synge the[m] with al ; faithfully perused and alowed according to thordre appointed in the Quenes Maiesties iniunctions ; very mete to be vsed of all sortes of people priuately for their solace & comfort, laying apart all vngodly songes and ballades, which tende only to the norishing of vyce, and corrupting of youth.

¶ Miserere. Psalme. Lvi. I. H

¶ Dauid being broughte to Achis the kinge of Gath, Saum complay∣neth of hys enemyes, demaundeth succoure, putteth hys trust in God and hys promisses, and promiseth to performe hys vowes whyche he had taken vpon hym. Wherof thys was the effecte to prayse God in hys Churche.

HAue mercy Lorde on me I pray, for man woulde me deuoure: * 1.1 He fyghteth with me day by daye, and troubleth me eche houre. [verse 2] Myne enmies dayly enterprise, to swalowe me outeryghte: To fyght agaynst me many ryse, O thou moste hygh of myghte,

[verse 3] When they would make me most afraid with boast and bragges of pryde: I trust in thee alone for ayde, by thee will I abyde. [verse 4] Gods promise I doo minde and prayse O Lorde I sticke to thee: I doo not care at all assayes, what flesh can doo to me.

[verse 5] What thinges I eyther did or spake, they wrast them at theyr will: And all the counsell that they take, is how to worke me ill. [verse 6] They all consent them sealues to hyde, close watche for me to laye: They spie my pathes & snares haue tred to take my lyfe awaye.

[verse 7] Shall they thus scape on mischef set? thow God on them will frowne: For in his wrath he doth not let, to throwe whole kingdomes downe. [verse 8] Thou seest how oft they make meflee, and on my teares doest looke: Reserue them in a glas by thee. and wryte them in thy booke:

[verse 9] When I doo call vpon thy name, my foes awaye doo starte. I well perceaue it by that same, that God doeth take my parte. [verse 10] I glory in the worde of God, to prayse it I accorde:

with Ioye will I declare abrode, the promise of the Lore.

[verse 11] I trust in God and yet I saye, as I afore beganne: The Lorde he is my healpe and stay, I doo not care for man. [verse 12] I will performe with hart so free, to God my vowes alwayes: And I O Lorde all times to thee, will offer thankes and prayse.

[verse 13] My soule frō death thou dost me defēd and keepe my feete vpright: That I before thee may ascend. with suche as lyue in lyght.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sing this as the. li. Psa.