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 LXVIII.

LEt God, the God of Battail, rise; And scatter his proud Enemies. O let them flee before his face, Like smoak, which driving tempests chace. As Wax dissolves with scorching Fire; So perish in his burning Ire. But let the Just with joy abound: In joyful Songs his Praise resound: Who riding on the rowling Sphears, The Name of great Jehovah bears. Before his Face your joys express: A Father to the fatherless. He wipes the tears from Widows eyes; The single Plants in Families; Inlarging those who late were bound: While Rebels starve on thirsty Ground. When he our numerous Army led, And march'd through Deserts, full of dread;

Heaven melted, and Earths Centre shook, With his majestick Presence strook. When Israels God in Clouds came down, High Sinai bow'd his trembling Crown.

He in th' approach of meager Dearth, With show'rs refresht the fainting Earth: Where his own Flock in safety fed; The Needy unto plenty led. By Him we conquer: Virgins sing Our Victories, and Timbrels sing. He Kings with their vast Armies foils; While women share their wealthy spoils. You who among the Pots have lain In Soot and Smoak, shall shine again; Bright, as the silver-feather'd Dove, Whose wings with golden Splendor move. When he the Kings had overthrown, Our Land like snowy Salmon shone. Gods Mountain Bashans Mount transcends; Though he his many Heads extends. Why boast you so, ye meaner Hills? God with his Glory Sion fills: This his beloved Residence; Nor ever will depart from hence.

His Chariots twenty thousand were, Which Myriads of Angels bear; He in the midst, as when he crown'd High Sinai's sanctified ground. Lord, Thou thy Self hast rais'd on high; Thou captivat'st Captivity. Deck'd with the trophees of his Foes, The gifts receiv'd on his bestows:

Reducing those who did rebell; That both might in his Sion dwell. O praised be the God of gods, Who his with daily blessings loads: The God of our Salvation, On whom our hopes depend alone. The Controverse of Life and Death Is arbitrated by his Breath. He on their heads his Foes shall wound; Their hairy scalps, whose sins abound, And in their trespasses proceed. Thus spake Jehovah; Iacobs Seed I will from Bashan bring again, And through the bottom of the Main: That Dogs may lap their enemies blood; And they wade through a crimson Flood.

We in thy Sanctuary late, My God, my King, beheld thy State. The sacred Singers march'd before; Who instruments of Musick bore, In order followed: Every Maid Upon her pleasant Timbrel plaid. His Praise in your Assemblies sing, You, who from Israels Fountain spring. Nor little Benjamin alone, But Iudah from his Mountain-throne; The far removed Zebulun; And Naphtali which borders on Old Iordan, where his stream dilates; Joyn'd all their Powers and Potentates. For us his winged Souldiers fought: Lord, strengthen, what thy hand hath wrought. He that supports a Diadem, To Thee, divine Ierusalem,

Shall in Devotion treasure bring, To build the Temple of his King.

Break through their Pikes; the multitude Of Bulls, with savage strength indu'd; Till they with gifts sweet Peace invite: But scatter those, whom Wars delight. Far off from Sun-burnt Meroë, From falling Nilus; from the Sea Which beats on the Aegyptian shore, Shall Princes come, and here adore. You Kingdoms, through the World renown'd, Sing to the Lord; his praise resound: He who Heavens upper Heaven bestrides, And on her aged shoulders rides: Whose voice the Clouds asunder rends; In Thunder terrible descends. O praise his Strength; whose Majesty In Israel shines, his Power on high. He from his Sanctuary throws A trembling horror on his Foes: While us his Power and Strength invest▪ O Israel, praise the Ever-blest.

Notes

• As the 8.
• Part 2.
• Part 3.
• Part 4.
• Part 5.