The Psalms of David in meter fitted to the tunes used in parish-churches / by John Patrick ...

PSALM X.

[As the 100 Psalm.]

[ 1] WHY, Lord, dost thou so far withdraw, And hide thy self in our distress? [ 2] Now that the wicked with such rage And insolence the poor oppress? [ 3] Oh may their ill designs, in which They boast so much, prove their own fall; Who count the Men of Violence Happy, tho' God abhorrs them all. [ 4] Such is his Pride, he'll not enquire Whether there be a God or no; But carelesly concludes there's none, Or that he cares not what men do. [ 5] To do all Mischief is his work; God's Judgments make him not forbear; All Men he sets at naught, and looks On all his Foes below his fear. [ 6] He foolishly presumes, no Change Shall ever happen in his State,

Nothing disturb his quiet rest, Nor any trouble be his fate. [ 7] Nothings amiss that serves his Ends; He curses when he means to cheat: And hides the mischief he designs By Oaths of falshood and deceit. [ 8] He lurks in secret Coverts, where Travellers pass without defence: Unseen he spies and murders those Whose only Arms are Innocence. [ 9] Close as a Lion for his prey He waits, as cruel to devour; As Birds are drawn into the Net, He gets the poor into his pow'r.

Part II.

[ 10] Harmless and Innocent he seems, By putting on a humble guise; The poor man he intends to seize, To his assaults more open lies. [ 11] He fansies those whom he designs For ruine, are by God forgot, Or shall not be relieved by His Pow'r, because he sees them not. [ 12] Stretch forth thy mighty Arm, O Lord, And all these Blasphemies confute; Thus by thine help the poor will know, That God do's hear their humble Suit. [ 13] Why should the wicked thus insult, And God with so much scorn contemn?

And why, because forborn, conclude That God will never punish them? [ 14] Thou all their Villainies dost see, And wilt their spiteful rage requite: The poor that has no Friend, commits Himself to thee, to do him right. [ 15] Break thou the pow'r of evil Men, Who strive injustice to maintain; Search and avenge their wickedness, Till nought that can do harm remain. [ 16] Thou art the same Almighty Lord, Whose Kingdom shall for ever stand; Whose pow'r has heretofore expell d The Heathen Nations from this Land. [ 17] Thou, Lord, hast oft th' afflicted heard When they to thee have made complaint; Thou wilt dispose their hearts to wait Meekly on thee, and Audience grant. [ 18] Thou wilt assert the poor mens rights, And from their proud Oppressors free; That Tyrants, sprung out of the Earth, Their Terrour may no longer be.