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 LI. (Book 51)

A Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. (Book 51)

[To the second Metre of Ps. 125.] Those that, &c. [Or the proper Tune of this Psalm.] O Lord, &c.

[verse 1] LET tender love Thy bowels move, O God, to shew me saving grace: Thy mercies store Lord, I implore, By them my hainous sins deface. [verse 2] Wash me from my Iniquity: And purge out throughly ev'ry stain: O rinse my foul Be-leperd soul, That no one spot therein remain. [verse 3]

It is confest, I have transgrest, Against thee, Father, oftentimes: Before mine eyes For ever lies Th' affrighting horrour of my crimes. [verse 4] I grieving see, My sin strikes thee; Th' affront is giv'n to thee alone: This evil I Presumptuously Before thy very face have done.

From whence, I must Pronounce thee just, Howe'r, as Judge, thou deal'st with me: Nor too severe Wilt thou appear, Although I be condemned by thee. [verse 5] In my first frame, Lo, I became Polluted with iniquity: And foul with sin Conceiv'd within My sinfull mothers womb was I.

[verse 6] Behold, to spy Sincerity, In th'inward man thou dost desire: Into my heart (My hidden part) True wisedom therefore thou'lt inspire. [verse 7]

With hyssop scour My soul, and pour A cleansing bath on leprous me: Then shall I grow So white, that Snow, Untrodden Snow, less white shall be.

[verse 8] Unto mine ear, That I may hear, Let thy voice joy and gladness speak: For by that voice Thou shalt rejoyce Those bones thy heavy wrath did break. [verse 9] Turn, turn away, I humbly pray, From all my sins thy searching eye: And cancell (Lord) That black record, That doth preserve their memory.

Part II.

[verse 10] An heart within Me, clean from sin Do thou, my maker, now create: And, that in me Upright it be, My spirit do thou regenerate. [verse 11] From thy dear sight Let me not quite A miserable exile be: Nor so forsake

Me, as to take Thy holy spirit of grace from me.

[verse 12] That joy restore, Which heretofore To me thy saving mercy gave: Thy spirit free Vouchsafe to me, My soul from crusting falls to save. [verse 13] Then those that stray From thy pure way, By my instruction I'll reclaim: And those that sin, Shall thence begin Their lives by stricter rules to frame.

[verse 14] My saving God, From guilt of bloud, Ease to my soul by pardon bring: Then, to express Thy righteousness, My gratefull tongue aloud shall sing. [verse 15] My lips, that now Are shut, do thou Open, to sing thy praise, O Lord: The glorious fame Due to thy name My praising mouth shall then record.

[verse 16] For sacrifice Thou dost not prise;

Else I great store of them would bring: Nor doth thy mind Contentment find In any whole burnt-offering. [verse 17] An heart opprest With sin's the best Of off'rings valu'd in God's eyes: A Spirit contrite Yea, broken quite, Thou, gracious God, wilt not despise.

[verse 18] On Zion Hill, In thy good will, Refreshing drops of favour rain: And freely yield Thy help to build Jerus'lems broken walls again. [verse 19] Then we'll present, With right intent, Those offerings which please thee most: Thy Altars fire Off'rings entire Of fatted bullocks then shall roast.