The Psalmes of David translated into lyrick-verse, according to the scope, of the original. And illustrated, with a short argument, and a briefe prayer, or meditation; before, & after, every Psalme. By George Wither

Mem. 13.

IN thy Commands I pleasure take, My dayly thoughts they bee; Mee, wiser then my foes they make, And, still, remaine with mee. More, learne I from thy Statutes, then, My Teachers vnderstand. And, wiser am, then aged men, By keeping thy Command.

2

My feet, from evill waies I kept, That keep thy Lawe I might. I, from thy Iudgments have not stept. For, mee thou holdst vpright. Though hony to the mouth be sweet, Thy VVord more sweetnes hath. Through thy Commands I grewe discreet, And shun'd the Liers Path.

Another of the same.

NO parte of all the day I cann forbear To minde thy Lawe; because I love the same. It makes me wiser then my haters are.

For my companion still thy Lawe became. Nay, more then all my teachers I conceave; Because, my Musings are vpon thy VVill. And, more then aged men I do perceave; Because they Testimonies I fulfill. No wicked pase, or Path, my feet shall vse, That so, thy UUord the better keep I might. And, I thy Iudgments never will refuse, Because thou hast instructed mee aright. Not halfe so sweet is honie to my mouth, As are thy VVords: for, perfect sweet are they. Thou hast encreast my knowledge, by thy Truth: And, therfor, I abhorr each evill way.

The wisdome (oh Lord) of this world, is but foolishnes, in respect of that which is learned by thy Word: For, no∣thing is see profitable or pleasant, as that; if it be meditated aright. Give us grace, therfor, wee pray thee, so to love it, & so to meditate thereon; that wee may crack the shell which hides the sweet kernell thereof, from the world; &, by help of thy spirit, thereby attaine that wisdome which (our Ordinary Teacher) the bare Letter hath not powre to dis∣cover; & let it guide us out of all error, both in life & doc∣trine, though Iesus Christ. Amen.