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

PSALM XXXI.

[As the 100 Psalm.]

[ 1] MAY no defeated hopes disgrace The trust that in my God I place: May all in my Deliverance see Thy Mercy and Fidelity. [ 2] Hasten thy Succours, for from thence Comes all my safety and defence. [ 3] Better than to a Rock or Fort, I to thy Custody resort. [ 4] Break by thy pow'r th' intangling Net My treach'rous Enemies have set. [ 5] My Life I to thy care commit, Who hast so oft redeemed it. [ 6] I'll never to Diviners run, Nor ask the Stars what I must shun; (All Heathen Cheats to be abhorr'd) My trust's entirely in the Lord. [ 7] His sure Protection makes me glad; Who in Straits such Care of me has had: [ 8] Ready to fall into their Trap, He made a way my foes t'escape. [ 9] In Mercy, Lord, thy servant own, Into new Difficulties thrown: Who lie dispirited and faint, Pined with grief, and pinch'd with want. [ 10] My Life thus spent, must quickly end, Too weak to hold, if God contend.

[ 11] Reproaches from my foes I hear, My Friends all shun me out of Fear.

Part II.

[ 12] Unminded like the dead am I, Who in the Grave neglected lie: As pieces of a broken Pot Are thrown away, so I'm forgot. [ 13] The Slanders by so many spread Show the designs I ought to dread: For when Rebellion is my guilt, It's time, say they, my Blood werespilt. [ 14] This they devise; God's my Defence, My Trust, and Judge of my'Innocence, [ 15] They have not leave yet to destroy A Life, which sorely they annoy. Rescue it still, O Lord, from those. My cruel persecuting Foes. [ 16] Oh make thy Face on me to shine, In Mercy save me, who am thine. [ 17] Lord, may no disappointments shame My hopes, who call upon thy Name: But let the wicked's death prevent Their troubling of the Innocent. [ 18] Stop thou their Mouths, laid in the dust, Who openly defame the Just: Whom they with highest crimes traduce, And all they plead with scorn abuse.

Part III.

[ 19] O what great Joys reserved be, For those that fear and trust in thee; Whose Goodness, now so little known, 'Fore all the World the Lord will own. [ 20] Sometimes they're forc'd in Caves to hide Themselves from persecuting Pride: God's favour makes this dark retreat, A Lightsome, safe and quiet seat. [ 21] God's love to me do's still abound: In a strong City compass'd round, I lay inclos'd as in a Trap, Yet he made way for my escape. [ 22] When in a hasty Flight, I said, I'm lost, without all hope t'evade; My humble pray'r again he heard, And rescued me from what I fear'd. [ 23] Love God, ye Saints, for by his Care The Faithful still preserved are: And when the proud insult the most, God's wrath will plague them, to their cost. [ 24] Let no afflictions then prevail So far, to make your Courage fail: Firmly to God if you adhere, He'll strengthen you to persevere.