Benedic, anima mea. Psal. civ.
MY soul, praise the Lord,
speak good of his Name:
O Lord our great God,
how dost thou appear?
So passing in glory,
that great is thy fame.
Honour and majesty
in thee shine most clear.
•• With light, as a robe,
thou hast thee beclad,
Whereby all the earth
thy greatness may see:
The heavens in such sort
thou also hast spread,
That it to a curtain
compared may be.
His chamber-beams lie
in the clouds full sure,
Which as his chariots,
are made him to bear:
••nd there with much swiftness
his course doth endure,
••••on the wings riding
of winds in the air.
He maketh his spirits
as heralds to go:
••••d lightnings to serve
we see also prest:
••is will to accomplish
they run to and fro,
To save or consume things,
as seemeth him best.
•• He groundeth the earth
so firmly and fast,
That it once to move
none shall have such power.
•• The deep a fair covering
for it made thou hast:
Which by his own nature
the hills would devour.
•• But at thy rebuke
the waters do flee:
••••so give due place
thy word to obey.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy voice of thunder
so fearful they be,
That in their great raging
they haste soon away.
•• The mountains full high
they then up ascend:
〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou do but speak,
thy word they fulfill.
So likewise the valleys
most quickly descend,
••here thou them appointest
remain they do still.
•• Their bounds thou hast set
how far they shall run;
So that in their rage
not that pass they can:
〈◊〉〈◊〉 God hath appointed
they shall not return
The earth to destroy more,
which made was for man.
The second part.
[verse 10] He sendeth the springs
to strong streams or lakes,
Which run do full swift
among the huge hills:
[verse 11] Where both the wilde asses
their thirst oft-times slakes,
A••d beasts of the mountains
thereof drink their fills.
[verse 12] By these pleasant springs
of fountains full fair,
The fowls of the air
abide shall and dwell:
Who moved by nature
to hop here and there,
Among the green branches
their songs shall excell.
[verse 13] The mountains to moist
the clouds he doth use:
The earth with his works
is wholly replete.
[verse 14] So as the brute cattel
he doth not refuse:
But grass doth provide them,
and herb for mans meat.
[verse 15] Yea, bread, wine, and oyl,
he made for mans sake,
His face to refresh,
and heart to make strong.
[verse 16] The cedars of Liban
this great Lord did make:
Which trees he doth nourish
that grow up so long:
[verse 17] In these may birds build
and make there their nests:
In fir-trees the storks
remain and abide.
[verse 18] The high hills are succours
for wilde goats to rest:
And eke the rock stony
for conies to hide.
[verse 19] The moon then is set
her seasons to run:
The days from the nights
thereby to discern.
And by the descending
also of the sun,
The cold from heat alway
thereby we do learn.
[verse 20] When darkness doth come
by Gods will and power,
Then creep forth do all
the beasts of the wood.
[verse 21] The lions range roaring
their prey to devour:
But yet it is thou, Lord,
which givest them food.
[verse 22] As soon as the sun
is up, they retire:
To couch in their dens
then are they full fain:
[verse 23] That man to his work may,
as right doth require,
Till night come and call him
to take rest again.
The third part.
[verse 24] How sundry, O Lord,
are all thy works found!
With wisdom full great
they are indeed wrought:
So that the whole world
of thy praise doth sound:
And as for thy riches,
they pass all mens thought.
[verse 25] So is the great sea,
which large is and broad,
Where things that creep swarm,
and beasts of each sort.
[verse 26] There both mighty ships sail,
and some lie at rode:
The whale huge and monstrous
there also doth sport.
[verse 27] All things on thee wait,
thou dost them relieve:
And thou in due time
full well dost them feed.
[verse 28] Now when it doth please thee
the same for to give,
They gather full gladly
those things which they need.
Thou openest thine hand,
and they finde such grace,
That they with good things
are filled we see.
[verse 29] But sore are they troubled
if thou turn thy face:
For if thou their breath take,
vile dust then they be.
[verse 30] Again, when thy Spirit
from thee doth proceed
All things to appoint,
and what shall ensue:
Then are they created
as thou hast decreed:
And dost by thy goodness
the dry earth renew.
[verse 31] The praise of the Lord
for ever shall last,
Who may in his works
by right well rejoyce.
[verse 32] His look can the earth make
to tremble full fast,
And likewise the mountains
to smoke at his voice.
[verse 33] To this Lord and God
sing will I always:
So long as I live,
my God praise will I.
[verse 34] Then am I most certain
my words shall him please:
I will rejoyce in him,
to him will I cry.
[verse 35] The sinners, O Lord,
consume in thine ire:
And eke the perverse,
them root out with shame:
But as for my soul now,
let it still desire,
And say with the faithful,
Praise ye the Lords Name,