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 L.

[To the Tune of Psalm 100.] All people, &c.

[verse 1] TH' Almighty God, the Lord of Hosts, Once, with his thund'ring voice did call: And summons gave to all the coasts, From the Suns rising to his fall: [verse 2] He call'd from Zion's stately Hill, Where strength with beauty is combin'd I heard his voice, and think on't still; For thence, therewith, his glory shin'd.

[verse 3] Thus (think I) he'll to judgment come, And thusth' awak'ning Trump shall found: Before him shall the fire consume, And dreadfull tempests him surround. [verse 4] From's glorious Throne, his voice shall be Through all th' inferiour heavens heard: And publish to th' whole earth, that He To judg his people is prepar'd.

[verse 5] Let all my Saints assembled be, (The voice shall cry,) to this Assise: Let none be miss'd, who have with me A Cov'nant made by sacrifice. [verse 6] Th' whole Court of Heaven, assembled there, God's just proceedings shall express: For he himself shall Judge appear, To judge the world in righteousness.

Part II.

[verse 7] I'll speak, and let my people hear, The mighty God, thy God, am I: O Isr'el, then, incline thine ear, Whiles I against thee testifie. [verse 8] I will not charge thee, for neglect Of sacrifice thou ought'st to pay: Nor for burnt-offerings defect, Which should be offer'd day by day.

[verse 9] No fatted bullock I'll receive For sacrifice, out of thy stall: Thy flocks entire to thee I'll leave, For one he-goat I will not call [verse 10] For, as mine own, I justly claim All beasts within the Forrest bred: And cattel too, both wild, and tame, That on a thousand hills are fed.

[verse 11] I know the daily haunt, and nest Of ev'ry bird each Mountain yields: And claim for mine, each savage beast, That rangeth in th' unbounded fields. [verse 12] So that, if I could hunger feel, I need not tell thee, I would dine: Nor come to thee, to make a meal, Sith th' earth, and all it holds, is mine.

[verse 13] That flesh of bulls should be my food, Have I an appetite like thee?

Or is goats sacrificed bloud A drink that's savoury to me? [verse 14] Due thankfulness on God bestow, If thou would'st give, what he will take: And pay the High'st, what thou dost owe, When vows do thee his debtor make.

Part III.

[verse 15] When trouble comes, their call on me, And let distress devotion raise: Then I from it will rescue thee, And thou to me shalt render praise. [verse 16] But God, (as one that's justly wroth,) Will say to ev'ry wicked wretch, What makes my Cov'nant in thy mouth? My Statutes what mean'st thou to touch?

[verse 17] Sith thou wilt no good counsel take, But dost all sound instruction hate: And throw'st my words behind thy back, In wicked courses obstinate, [verse 18] Thou saw'st a thief, and at first sight, With him in robbery did'st joyn: Adulterers did thee invite, And soon thou did'st with them combine.

[verse 19] Thy mouth no evil words forbears: Thy tongue's still hammering deceit: [verse 20] Thy brother's name it daily tears, That suck'd with thee thy mothers teat. [verse 21] These things thou did'st, and I stood dumb, Until thou thought'st me wholly thine:

But I will now reprove thee home, And set before thee all thy sin.

[verse 22] Now, think on these sad truths in time, All ye that cast God out of mind: For fear I tear you limb from limb, And no deliverer you find. [verse 23] But I'll accept the good mans praise, As giving me the honour due: And t' him that walks in godly ways, Th' High God's salvation I will shew.