A new version of the Psalms of David: together with all the church-hymns, into metre, smooth, plain and easie to the most ordinary capacities: and yet as close to the original languages, and the last and best English translation, as the nature of such a work will well permit. By Simon Ford, D.D. and rector of Old Swinford in Worcestershire.

Psalm XXXI. (Book 31)

[verse 1] O Lord, I do, in all distress Place all my trust in thee: O save me in thy righteousness, And cast no shame on me. [verse 2] Thy gracious ear unto me bow, And quick deliv'rance send: My castle on a rock be thou, Whose walls may me defend.

[verse 3] For thou my fortress art in need, The rock to which I fly: For thy names sake me therefore lead, And guide me faithfully. [verse 4] Pull me out of the net, which they Have closely laid for me: The strength on which my self I stay, Is wholly, Lord, in thee.

[verse 5] Lord God of truth, this spirit of mine I to thy hands commit: The spirit which is by purchase thine, For thou redeemed'st it. [verse 6]

Those that false Idol-vanities Esteem, I have abhor'd: But whilst they rest themselves on lies, My trust is in the Lord.

[verse 7] I, in thy mercy will be glad. For thou did'st take my part: Thou knew'st my soul when it was sad, And laid'st my grief to heart. [verse 8] Nor did'st thou leave me to become A pris'ner to my foe: But on my feet a spacious room To walk in, did'st bestow.

Part II.

[verse 9] Lord, thy compassion let me find; For troubled sore am I: My spirits fail, my belly's pin'd, And grief consumes mine eye. [verse 10] I waste my life and years in groans, To give my sorrows vent: My grief for sin so dries my bones, That all their moisture's spent.

[verse 11] Those that my mortal en'mies were, Therewith reproach'd me sore: But chiefly they, who, dwelling near, Convers'd with me the more. Yea, my familiar friends, for fear, Durst not their friend to own: They sneakt when e'r I did appear, And left me quite alone. [verse 12]

The dead that are quite out of mind, Yet are not more forgot: No more regard from men I find, Than hath a broken pot. [verse 13] For frequent slanders fill'd mine ears, By many tongues disperst; And I was compast round with fears Wherever I converst.

Among false Traitours ev'ry where Conspiracies were rife: And deep contrivances there were To take away my life. [verse 14] But yet my faith, no whit dismai'd, Firm on the Lord did stand: For still, Thou art my God, I said, [verse 15] My times are in thy hand.

Out of the hand of all my foes Deliver me therefore: And save me from the hand of those That persecute me sore. [verse 16] Upon thy humble servant make Thy pleased face to shine: And for thy tender mercies sake, To save me, Lord, incline.

Part III.

[verse 17] From shame, O Lord, preserve thou me, For call'd on thee I have: Let wicked men be sham'd by thee And silenc'd in the grave. [verse 18]

Let those false lips be ever ty'd Their silence not to break, Who grievous things in haughty pride Against the righteous speak.

[verse 19] How great for those that do thee fear, Thy mercies treasures be! Wrought in the sight of men they are, For all that trust in thee. [verse 20] Thy presence-Chamber from the pride Of men shall keep them sure: And in thy Tent they shall be hid From striving tongues secure.

[verse 21] The Lord be blest, in wondrous sorts Who love to medispens'd: As in a Garison, with forts And rampiers strongly fenc'd. [verse 22] I am cut off before thine eyes, O Lord, in hast I said: Yet all my supplicating cries Thou heardest, when I pray'd.

[verse 23] To love the Lord, let all Saints joyn; He doth the faithfull guard: And justly to the proud assign A plentifull reward. [verse 24] All ye whose hopes God's goodness stays, With courage cheer your heart: For he, your drooping spirits to raise Shall quick'ning strength impart.