The songs of the Old Testament translated into English measures, preseruing the naturall phrase and genuine sense of the holy text: and with as little circumlocution as in most prose translations. To euery song is added a new and easie tune, and a short prologue also, deliuering the effect and vse thereof, for this profit of vnlearned readers. By George Wither. Cum priuilegio permissu superiorum.

THE Prayer of NEHEMIAH. Nehem. 1.5.

The Argument and Vse.

NEhemiah, being in Babilon; and hauing receiued intelligence by one of his brethren that came from Iudea, of the miserable e∣state wherein Ierusalem, and the house of God then stood. The Text saith, he wept at the re••ation; fasted, and made this prayer vnto God, in behalfe of the Israelites. In which Prayer, (first acknowledging the Maiestie, Justice, and mercy of God) he humbly desireth his importunate suit may haue fauourable audience: And the sooner to obtaine it, (he renouncing all worthinesse in his owne or his peo∣ples merits) confesseth the hainousnesse both of his, and their offences. Secondly, he vrgeth Gods promised mer∣cies,

vpon repentance. Thirdly, he is earnest, in regard they are his owne elected people, for whom he prayes; and thereupon renewes againe his petition: The effect whereof is, that God would be pleased to prosper him in the affaires he had in hand, and graunt him fauour in the Kings sight, whom (as by the sequell in the sto∣ry it appeared) he then intended to solicite; touching the re-edifying of the Cittie and house of God.

This Prayer, may be (in a literall sence) said, or sung by the Church of God, when in any affaire of hers, she needeth the fauour of some temporall Prince. Or by any member of hers (in her person) vpon a publike oc∣casion. Yea, for his particular necessitie and in his owne person also he may vse it when he would desire the good∣will of man, in such things as nearely concerne him and his family. And me thinkes it should not onely be∣get in vs a great hope of good-speed, when we come to God with those words whereunto he hath giuen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pro∣sperous successe, (as he did to these) but we may be the more confident also in our prayers; when we vse those formes of speech, which the holy-spirit hath inuented. Moreouer, this Prayer, leauing out the two last lines, will serue for a confession of our sinnes, before any suit which we would present vnto the Maiestie of God. Or, if we will but alter according to our seuerall ne∣cessities; it will serue for a Hymne in many other oc∣casions. As for example, if thou wouldest vse it before thou and thy family beginne their labour, in stead of the last Disticke sing thus:

And be thou pleas'd (Oh LOLD) to blesse Our labours, with a good successe.

If thou, with others hast any iourney in hand, change it thus:

And LORD, all dangers keepe vs from,

Both going forth, and comming home.

If thou be a commander and leading thy company to the battell; alter it thus:

And be thou pleased in the fight; To make vs victors, by thy might.

If it be in a time of great famine, turne it thus:

And LORD, vouchsafe thou in this need; Our soul••s and bodi••s both to feed.

If thou be a Diuine, or Schoolemaster, imployed abo••t the instruction of others, and wouldest beginne thy ex∣ercises with this Hymne, end it thus:

And grant that we LORD, in thy feare; M••y to our profit, speake and heare.

And thus, you may due vpon many other occasions, ac∣cording as your nec••ssities, and deuotion shall moue you. But lest the ignorant may thinke, the Title of the Sons of Jsrael will be improperly applied to vs Christians: Or, lest they may imagine, that the mentioning of Gods threatning a dispersion, with his promise of gathering his people againe vnto his house, will be impertinent to vs, or our occasions. For the first, let them read Saint Paul, and he will tell them who are true Iewes and Israelites. Romans 2.28. and Romans 9.6.7.8. And as for the last supposition. They must know, that euery Childe of God, may be (in a spirituall sence) said to be dispersed among the heathen, whensoeuer by his sinnes, he is driuen from the presence of God, and di∣stracted by the seuerall vanities of the world. And as often as he returnes by repentance, with hearty prayer, he is brought backe from his wand••ings to be more set∣led in the Church, which is the place God hath chosen for his Name. And so no part of this Hymne will seeme impertinent to vs.

The Song.

〈♫〉〈♫〉 LOrd God of heauen, thou that art, The mighty God, and full of fear••, Who neuer promise-breaker wert, But euer shewing mercy where, They doe affection beare to thee, And of thy lawes obseruers be. 〈♫〉〈♫〉

Giue eare, and lift thine eyes I pray, That heard thy seruants suit may be, Made in thy presence night and day; For Israels seed, that serueth thee: For Israels seed; who (I confesse) Against thee grieuously transgresse.

I, and my fathers house did sinne, Against thy will haue we misdone; Our dealing hath corrupted bin, Law, or decree obseru'd we none: Not those Commands, which to keepe fast Thou charg'd thy seruant Moses hast.

Oh! yet remember I thee pray, These words which thou didst heretofore Vnto thy seruant Moses say, If ere (saidst thou) they vexe me more, I will disperse them here and there Among the nations euery where.

But if to me they shall conuert, To doe those things my lawes containe, Though spread to heauen's extreamest part•• I would collect them thence againe. And bring them there to make repose Whereas to place my name I chose.

Now these thy people are of right, The seruants who to thee belong, Whom thou hast purchast by thy might And by thine Arme, exceeding strong. O let thine eare LORD I thee pray Attentiue be to what I say.

The prayer of thy seruant heare, Oh heare thy seruants when they pray, (Who haue a will thy name to feare.) Thy seruant prosper thou to day: And be thou pleas'd to grant that he In this mans sight may fauour'd be.