Exaudi, Deus. Psal. lxiv.
O Lord, unto my voice give ear,
with plaint when I do pray:
And rid my life and soul from fear
of foes that threat to slay.
[verse 2] Defend me from that sort of men
which in deceit do lurk:
And from the frowning face of them
that all ill seats do work.
[verse 3] Who whet their tongues, as we have seen
men whet and sharp their swords:
They shoot abroad their arrows keen,
I mean most bitter words.
[verse 4] With privy sleights shoot they their shaft,
the upright man to hit:
The just unwares to strike by craft,
they care or fear no whit.
[verse 5] A wicked work they have decreed,
in counsel thus they cry,
To use deceit let us not dread,
what? who can it espy?
[verse 6] What way to hurt they talk and muse
all times within their heart:
They all consult what feats to use,
each doth invent his part.
[verse 7] But yet all this shall not prevail;
when they think least upon,
God with his dart shall sure assail
and wound them every one.
[verse 8] Their crafts and their ill tongues withall
shall work themselves such blame,
That they which then behold their fall,
shall wonder at the same.
[verse 9] Then all that see shall know right well
that God the thing hath wrought,
And praise his witty works, and tell
what he to pa••s hath brought.
[verse 10] Yet shall the just in God rejoyce,
still trusting in his might:
So shall they joy with minde and voice,
whose hearts are pure and right.