Quam bonus Deus. Psal. lxxiii.
HOw ever it be, yet God is good
and kinde to Israel:
And to all such as safely keep
their conscience pure and well.
[verse 2] Yet sike a fool I almost slipt,
my feet began to slide:
And ere I wist, even at a pinch
my steps awry 'gan glide.
[verse 3] for when I saw such foolish men,
I grudg'd and did disdain
That wicked men all things should have
without turmoil or pain.
[verse 4] They never suffer pangs nor grief,
as if death should them smite:
Their bodies are both stout and strong,
and ever in good plight:
[verse 5] And free from all adversity
when other men be shent:
And with the rest they take no part
of plague or punishment.
[verse 6] Therefore presumption doth embrace
their necks as doth a chain:
And are even wrapt as in a robe,
with rapine and disdain.
[verse 7] They are so fed that even for fat
their eyes oft times out start:
And as for worldly goods they have
more then can wish their heart.
[verse 8] Their life is most licentious,
boasting much of the wrong
Which they have done to simple men,
and ever pride among.
[verse 9] The heavens and the living Lord
they spare not to blaspheme:
And prate they do of worldly things,
no wight they do esteem.
[verse 10] The people of God oft-times turn back
to see their prosperous state:
And almost drink the self-same cup,
and follow the same rate.
The second part.
[verse 11] How can it be that God, say they,
should know or understand
These worldly things, sith wicked men
be lords of sea and land?
[verse 12] For we may see how wicked men
in riches still increase,
Rewarded well with worldly goods,
and live in rest and peace.
[verse 13] Then why do I from wickedness
my fantasie refrain,
And wash my hands with innocents,
and cleanse my heart in vain?
[verse 14] And suffer scourges every day;
as subject to all blame:
And every morning from my youth
sustain rebuke and shame?
[verse 15] And I had almost said as they,
misliking mine estate:
But that I should thy children judge
as folk unfortunate.
[verse 16] Then I bethought me how I might
this matter understand:
But yet the labour was too great
for me to take in hand:
[verse 17] Until the time I went into
thine holy place, and then
I understood right perfectly
the end of all these men.
[verse 18] And namely, how thou settest them
upon a slippery place:
And at thy pleasure and thy will
thou dost them all deface.
[verse 19] Then all men muse at that strange sight,
to see how suddenly
They are destroy'd, dispatcht, consum'd,
and dead so horribly.
[verse 20] Much like a dream when one awakes,
so shall their wealth decay:
Their famous names in all mens sight
shall ebb and pass away.
The third part.
[verse 21] Yet thus my heart was grieved then,
my minde was much opprest:
[verse 22] So fond was I and ignorant,
and in this point a beast.
[verse 23] Yet nevertheless by my right hand
thou hold'st me always fast:
[verse 24] And with thy counsel dost me guide
to glory at the last.
[verse 25] What thing is there that I can wish
but thee in heaven above?
And in the earth there is nothing
like thee that I can love.
[verse 26] My flesh and eke my heart doth fail,
but God doth fail me never:
For of my health God is the strength,
my portion eke for ever.
[verse 27] And lo, all such as thee forsake
thou shalt destroy each one:
And those that trust in any thing
saving in thee alone.
[verse 28] Therefore will I draw near to God,
and ever with him dwell:
In God alone I put my trust,
thy wonders I will tell.