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 XVIII.

* 1.1MY Heart on Thee is fix'd, my Strength my Power, My stedfast Rock, my Fortress, my high Tower, My God, my Safety, and my Confidence, The Horn of my Salvation, my Defence. My Songs shall thy deserved Praise resound: For at my Prayers thou wilt my Foes confound.

Sorrows of Death on every side assail'd, ••nd dreadful flouds of Impious Men prevail'd: ••••rrows of Hell my compast Soul dismay'd; ••nd to intrap me, deadly Snares were layd. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Distress I cry'd, and call'd upon ••••e Lord, who heard me from his Holy Throne. ••••e trembling Earth in his fierce Anger strook; ••••h' unfixed roots of airy Mountains shook; ••••oke from his Nostrils flew; devouring Fire ••rake from his Mouth; Coles kindled by his Ire. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Descent bow'd Heaven with Earth did meet, ••nd gloomy Darkness roll'd beneath his Feet, A Golden-winged Cherubin bestrid, And on the swiftly flying Tempest rid.

He Darkness made his secret Cabinet;* 1.2 Thick Fogs, and dropping Clouds about him set: The Beams of his bright Presence these expell; Whence showers of burning coles and hailstones fell. From troubled Skies loud claps of Thunder brake; In Hail and darting Flames th' Almighty spake: Whose Arrows my amazed Foes subdue; And at their scattred Troops his Lightning threw. The Ocean could not his deep Bottom hide; The Worlds conceal'd Foundations were descri'd At thy rebuke, Jehovah; at the blast Even of the breath which through thy Nostrils past. He with extended arms his Servants saves, And drew me sinking from th' inraged waves: From my proud foes by his assistance freed, Who swoln with hate, no less in strength exceed. Without his Aid, I in that stormy Day Of my affliction, had become their prey: Who from those straits of danger by his Might Enlarg'd my Soul; for I was his delight.

* 1.3The Lord according to my innocence, And Justice, did his saving grace dispence. The narrow Path by him prescrib'd, I took; Nor like the wicked, my Great God forsook. For all his Judgements were before mine eyes; I with his statutes daily did advise, And ever walk'd before him, void of guile: No act or purpose did my soul defile. For this he recompenc'd my righteousness And crown'd my innocence with fair success. The merciful shall flourish in thy Grace; Thy Righteousness the Righteous shall embrace: Thou to the Pure thy Purity wilt show; And the perverse shall thy averseness know. For thou wilt thy afflicted People save; The proud cast down, down to the greedy grave. Thou Lord wilt make my taper to shine bright, And clear my darkness with celestial Light. Through Thee I have against an Host prevail'd; And by thy aid, a lofty Bulwark scal'd.

* 1.4Gods Path is perfect, all his Words are just; A Shield to those that in his promise trust. What God is their in Heav'n or Earth but ours! What Rock but He, against assailing Powers! He breath'd new strength and courage in the day Of Battel, and securely cleer'd my way. He makes my feet outstrip the nimble Hind, Up to the Mountains, where I safety find. 'Tis he that teacheth my weak hands to fight: A Bow of steel is broken by their might. Thou didst thy ample Shield before me set; Thy Arm upheld, thy Favour made me great. The passage of my steps on ev'ry side, Thou hast inlarged, left my feet should slide.

••llowed, overtook; nor made retreat, ••till victorious in my Foes defeat; •• charg'd with wounds, that they no longer stood; ••t at my feet lay bathed in their blood. ••ou arm'st me with prevailing Fortitude▪ ••••d all that rose against me hast subdu'd: ••••eir stubborn necks subjected to my Will, ••••at I their blood, who hate my Soul, might spill. ••••ey cry'd aloud; but found no succour near: •• thee, Jehovah; but thou wouldst not hear.

••ounded them like dust, which Whirle-winds raise▪* 1.5 ••od under-foot as dirt in beaten wayes. ••om Popular Fury thou hast set me free; ••mong the Heathen hast exalted me; ••hom unknown Nations serve: as soon obey ••s hear of me; and yield unto my sway. ••he Stranger-born, beset with horrour, fled; ••nd in their close Retreats betray their dread. •• praise the living Lord, the Rock whereon •• build; the God of my Salvation! ••is he who rights my wrongs; the People bends ••o my Subjection; from my Foe defends. ••hou raisest me above their proud controul; ••nd from the violent Marr hast freed my Soul. ••he Heathen shall admire my Thankfulness: My Songs shall thy immortal Praise express. A great and manifold Deliverance God gives his King: his mercy doth advance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Anointed; and will show'r his Grace ••ternally on David and his Race.

Notes

• * 1.1

  As the 72.
• * 1.2

  Part 2.
• * 1.3

  Part 3.
• * 1.4

  Part 4.
• * 1.5

  Part 5.