A paraphrase upon the Psalms of David by George Sandys ; set to new tunes for private devotion and a thorough-base for voice or instrument by Henry Lawes ; and in this edition carefully revised and corrected from many errors which passed in former impressions by John Playford.

PSALM CXIX.

ALEPH.

* 1.1BLest are the Undefil'd, who God obey; Seek with their hearts, nor from his Precepts stray. No tempting Vice shall those from Virtue draw, Who with unfainting Zeal observe his Law.

••••rd, by thy sacred Rule my steps direct. ••hose shall not blush who thy Commands affect. ••y Justice learnt, my Soul shall sing thy Praise. ••••rsake me not, O guide me in thy Waies!

BETH.

••••ung man,* 1.2 thy Actions by his Precepts guide: ••••om these let not thy zealous Servant slide. ••y Word, writ in my heart, shall curb my Will. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 teach me how I may thy Laws fulfill! ••••ose, by thy Tongue pronounc'd, I will unfold. ••••y Testaments by me more pris'd than Gold. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these I meditate, admire; there set ••••y Souls delight: these never will forget.

GIMEL.

•• let me live t' observe thy Laws:* 1.3 mine Eyes ••uminate to view those Mysteries. ••e, a poor Pilgrim, with thy Truth inspire: ••t whom my Soul even fainteth with desire. ••e Proud is curst, who from thy Precepts straies. ••ess, and preserve my Soul, which these obeies. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hate of Princes from thy Law deters: ••y Study, my Delight, my Counsellers.

DALETH.

••y down-cast Soul,* 1.4 as thou hast promis'd, raise. ••ou know'st my Thoughts; direct me in thy waies. form, and I thy Wonders will profess. strengthen me, that labour in Distress! ••ew thy clear Paths, false Errors mist remov'd. ••ave thy chosen Truth and Judgements lov'd.

To these I cleave: O shield me from Disgrace. Inlarge my heart to run that heavenly race.

HE.

* 1.5Teach thou, and I thy Statutes will observe: Nor from that sacred Knowledge ever swerve. My Soul to those delightful Paths confine: From Avarice purge, and to thy Laws incline. Divert from vain desires, my darkness clear: Confirm the Soul devoted to thy Fear. Free from fear'd shame: thy Judgements are uprigh•• O quicken me, who in thy Word delight.

VAV.

* 1.6His Soul protect, who on thy Word relies; And silence my reproachful Enemies. O thou my Hope, in me thy Truth preserve: So I thy Laws for ever shall observe; Will freely walk in thy affected way: Will boldly before Kings thy Truth display. For in thy Statutes I my comfort place; Those study, love, and with my Soul imbrace.

ZAIN.

* 1.7Think of thy Promise, which my Hopes hath fed, All storms appeas'd, and rais'd me from the Dead. Nor for proud scoffs have I thy Laws declin'd: Confirm'd, when I thy Judgements call to mind. They, who thy Laws desert, incense my rage: Sung in the mansion of my Pilgrimage. Thy Name, great God, I prais'd, when others slept This comfort had, since I thy Statutes kept.

CHETH.

••ou art my Portion:* 1.8 I will thee adore, ••••y Laws observe, and promis'd Grace implore. ••y Actions by thy sacred Rules direct; ••nd thy Commands with forward Zeal effect. ••he Wicked rob; but I thy Statutes prise: ••t Midnight to applaud thy Justice rise. Who fear and keep thy Laws, such are my Friends. ••truct; thy Mercy through the World extends.

TETH.

••hou to thy Servant hast perform'd thy Word:* 1.9 Discerning knowledge to his Faith afford. ••hou Sea of Goodness, that my Soul conforms Into thy Statutes, by Afflictions storms. ••he Proud, fat at the Heart, base Slanders raise: ••ut I will trust in thy affected Waies. ••e blest Affliction to thy Courts hath brought. ••hy Laws more pris'd than Ships with treasure fraught.

IOD.

••nform me,* 1.10 my Creator, in thy Laws; That thine may see thy Observer with applause. Thou ever just, in favour dost correct. With promis'd Mercy comfort thine Elect. That I may live, who in thy Precepts joy; Those keep: the Proud, who causless hate, destroy. Who fear and know thy Laws, to me unite: O, lest I perish, guide me by their light!

CAPH.

* 1.11With Expectation faint, and blind; yet still My Soul expects. Thy Promise, Lord, fulfill. I, though a bladder, on thy Word depend. Confound my Foes: when shall my Sorrows end! The Proud have pitch'd their toils; infring'd thy Laws: O sacred Justice, snatch me from their jaws. They had almost devour'd; but I affect Thy Precepts: quicken, and by those direct.

LAMED.

* 1.12Thy faithful Promises are fixt above; Firm as the Poles, or Earth; which never move: By thy eternal Ordinance dispos'd. Thy Laws my Life; else Grief my eyes had clos'd Nor will I these forget; by these renew'd. Thy chosen save, who hath thy Truth pursu'd. The Wicked chase my Soul, which thee obeys. Thy Word shall last, when Heaven and Earth de∣cays.

MEM.

* 1.13O how I love thy Laws! those exercise! By them made wiser than my Enemies. More than my Teachers know, more than the Old: With Virtue these inflame, from Vice with-hold. That they may guide me, I have cleans'd my Heart And from thy Preceps never will depart: Then Hermons Honey to my taste more sweet. By-ways I hate; by thine become discreet.

NVN.

••hy Word,* 1.14 my Light; a Lamp to guide my way. •• sware t' observe thy Truth, and will not stray. ••ly wounded Soul with promis'd mercy heal: ••ccept my offerings, and thy Will reveal. ••lthough inclos'd with Death; though Foes have laid ••nares for my Soul; yet have I thee obey'd. My comforts, my eternal Heritage. O may I keep them, till I die through age.

SAMECH.

•• love thy Law;* 1.15 my hate to sin is great: O thou my hope, my Shield, my safe retreat! My Will shall thine obey. Hence you prophane. Lord, save my Soul, nor let me hope in vain. Uphold; and I thy Justice shall applaud. Thou hast intrap'd thy Foes in their own fraud; Cast out like Dross. My heart affects thy path, Yet trembles with the horror of thy wrath.

AIN.

O leave me not to my outragious Foes:* 1.16 Nor to their scorn my righteous Soul expose. Mine Eyes even fail, while I thy aid expect. Be merciful, and in thy Wayes direct. Inlarge my mind, thy Wayes to understand: 'Tis time; for they infringe thy just Command, Which more than Gold; than Gold refin'd I prise; In all upright. But hate deceitful lies.

PE.

* 1.17Thy Word, the Gate of Life, even Babes inspires With Knowledge: this my obsequious Soul ad∣mires: This I with thirsty appetite devour. Thy streams of Mercy on thy Servant pour. Compose my steps: so shall not sin subject, Nor man oppress: for I thy Laws affect. Shine on my Soul; thy Statutes teach: mine Eyes Shed show'rs of tears, when men thy Laws despise.

TSADDI.

* 1.18As Thou thy Self, so all thy Laws are just: Faithful to those, who in thy Promise trust. Zeal hath consum'd me, for my Foes neglect Of thy pure Laws, which I in heart affect. Those to observe, though mean and scorn'd, intend. Truth crowns thy Word; thy Justice without end. These in my grief, and trouble comfort give. Inform with Knowledge, that my Soul may live.

COPH.

* 1.19O hear my cries! preserve his life, who will Thy Laws obey, and just Commands fulfill. My Eyes out-watch the Night; my cries prevent The early Morn, in due Devotion spent. Hear, and revive; thy Justice execute On lawless men: preserve from their pursuit. Thy oft-tri'd Mercy ever is at hand. Thy Judgements on eternal Bases stand.

RESCH.

Behold my sorrows;* 1.20 patronize my cause. Thy Word perform to him, that keeps thy Laws. Death shall devour, who thy Commands neglect. Thou, great in Mercy, my sought life protect. In all extreams I have thy Will observ'd: Griev'd, when Transgressors from thy Statutes swerv'd. To me, who love thy Laws, thy Grace extend: Thy Truth began with Time, and knows no end.

SCHIN.

Tyrants oppress;* 1.21 thy Word restrains my Mind: Wherein I joy, like those who Treasure find. Fraud I abhor; inamour'd on thy Waies. Seven times a Day my Lips thy Justice praise. Who love thy Laws, sweet Peace, and Safety bless. In Thee I hope, nor thy just Will transgress. Thy Word observe: thy Statutes I affect; Which through these humane Seas my course direct.

TAV.

Accept my Prayers:* 1.22 with Knowledge, Lord, indue; From Death redeem; since to thy Promise true. Thy Statutes taught, I will thy Praise resound. Thy Word extol, and Laws with Justice crown'd. These are my choice: uphold with thy right Hand; Who feed on Hope, and joy in thy Command. Prolong my life, that I thy Praise may sing. Lord, thy stray'd Sheep back to thy Pasture bring.

Notes

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  As the 1.
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  Part 2.
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  Part 3.
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  Part 4.
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  Part 5.
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  Part 6.
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  Part 7.
• * 1.8

  Part 8.
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  Part 9.
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  Part 10.
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  Part 11.
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  Part 12.
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  Part 13.
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  Part 14.
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  Part 15.
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  Part 16.
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  Part 17.
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  Part 18.
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  Part 19.
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  Part 20.
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  Part 21.
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  Part 22.