1653 PSALMS I - VIII by John Milton şiElectronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R) DAK Upgraded Edition, Copyright 2000, DAK Industries 2000, Inc(R)şI {PSALM1 Psalm I: Done into Verse, 1653 - Bless'd is the man who hath not walk'd astray In counsel of the wicked, and ith' way Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat Of scorners hath not sate. But in the great Jehovahs Law is ever his delight, And in his Law he studies day and night. He shall be as a tree which planted grows By watry streams, and in his season knows To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall, And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand In judgment, or abide their tryal then, Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men. For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just, And the way of bad men to ruine must. {PSALM2 Psalm II: Done Aug. 8, 1653 Terzetti - WHY do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th' earth upstand With power, and Princes in their Congregations Lay deep their plots together through each Land, Against the Lord and his Messiah dear. Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I saith hee Anointed have my King (though ye rebell) On Sion my holi' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd Thou art my Son I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy possession I on thee bestow Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With Iron Scepter bruis'd, and them disperse {PSALM2 ^line 20} Like to a potters vessel shiver'd so. And now be wise at length ye Kings averse Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse With trembling; kiss the Son least he appear In anger and ye perish in the way If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere. Happy all those who have in him their stay. {PSALM3 Psalm III: Aug. 9, 1653 When he fled from Absalom - Lord how many are my foes How many those That in arms against me rise Many are they That of my life distrustfully thus say, No help for him in God there lies. But thou Lord art my shield my glory, Thee through my story Th' exalter of my head I count Aloud I cry'd Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd And heard me from his holy mount. I lay and slept, I wak'd again, For my sustain Was the Lord. Of many millions The populous rout I fear not though incamping round about They pitch against me their Pavillions. Rise Lord, save me my God for thou Hast smote ere now {PSALM3 ^line 20} On the cheek-bone all my foes, Of men abhor'd Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord; Thy blessing on thy people flows. {PSALM4 Psalm IV: Aug. 10, 1653 - Answer me when I call God of my righteousness; In straights and in distres Thou didst me disinthrall And set at large; now spare, Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r. Great ones how long will ye My glory have in scorn How long be thus forborn Still to love vanity, To love, to seek, to prize Things false and vain and nothing else but lies? Yet know the Lord hath chose Chose to himself a part The good and meek of heart (For whom to chuse he knows) Jehovah from on high Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie. Be aw'd, and do not sin, Speak to your hearts alone, {PSALM4 ^line 20} Upon your beds, each one, And be at peace within. Offer the offerings just Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust. Many there be that say Who yet will shew us good? Talking like this worlds brood But Lord, thus let me pray, On us lift up the light Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. Into my heart more joy And gladness thou hast put Then when a year of glut Their stores doth over-cloy And from their plenteous grounds With vast increase their corn and wine abounds. In peace at once will I Both lay me down and sleep For thou alone dost keep Me safe where ere I lie {PSALM4 ^line 40} As in a rocky Cell Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell. {PSALM5 Psalm V: Aug. 12, 1653 - Jehovah my words give ear My meditation waigh The voyce of my complaining hear My King and God for unto thee I pray. Jehovah thou my early voyce Shalt in the morning hear Ith' morning I to thee with choyce Will rank my Prayers, and watch till thou appear. For thou art not a God that takes In wickedness delight Evil with thee no biding makes Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight. All workers of iniquity Thou hat'st; and them unblest Thou wilt destroy that speak a ly The bloodi' and guileful man God doth detest. But I will in thy mercies dear Thy numerous mercies go Into thy house; I in thy fear Will towards thy holy temple worship low. {PSALM5 ^line 20} Lord lead me in thy righteousness Lead me because of those That do observe if I transgress, Set thy wayes right before, where my step goes. For in his faltring mouth unstable No word is firm or sooth Their inside, troubles miserable; An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth. God, find them guilty, let them fall By their own counsels quell'd; Push them in their rebellions all Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd; Then all who trust in thee shall bring Their joy, while thou from blame Defend'st them, they shall ever sing And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name. For thou Jehovah wilt be found To bless the just man still, As with a shield thou wilt surround Him with thy lasting favour and good will. {PSALM6 Psalm VI: Aug. 13, 1653 - Lord in thine anger do not reprehend me Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct; Pity me Lord for I am much deject Am very weak and faint; heal and amend me, For all my bones, that even with anguish ake, Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore; And thou O Lord how long? turn Lord, restore My soul, O save me for thy goodness sake For in death no remembrance is of thee; Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise? Wearied I am with sighing out my dayes, Nightly my Couch I make a kind of Sea; My Bed I water with my tears; mine Eie Through grief consumes. is waxen old and dark Ith' mid'st of all mine enemies that mark. Depart all ye that work iniquitie. Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my prai'r My supplication with acceptance fair The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. {PSALM6 ^line 20} Mine enemies shall all be blank and dash't With much confusion; then grow red with shame, They shall return in hast the way they came And in a moment shall be quite abash't. {PSALM7 Psalm VII: Aug. 14, 1653 Upon the words of Chush the Benjamite against him - Lord my God to thee I flie Save me and secure me under Thy protection while I crie Least as a Lion (and no wonder) He hast to tear my Soul asunder Tearing and no rescue nigh. - Lord my God if I have thought Or done this, if wickedness Be in my hands, if I have wrought Ill to him that meant me peace, Or to him have render'd less, And not fre'd my foe for naught; - Let th' enemy pursue my soul And overtake it, let him tread My life down to the earth and roul In the dust my glory dead, In the dust and there out spread Lodge it with dishonour foul. {PSALM7 ^line 20} - Rise Jehovah in thine ire Rouze thy self amidst the rage Of my foes that urge like fire; And wake for me, their furi' asswage; Judgment here thou didst ingage And command which I desire. - So th' assemblies of each Nation Will surround thee, seeking right, Thence to thy glorious habitation Return on high and in their sight. Jehovah judgeth most upright All people from the foundation. - Judge me Lord, be judge in this According to my righteousness And the innocence which is Upon me: cause at length to cease Of evil men the wickedness {PSALM7 ^line 40} And their power that do amiss. - But the just establish fast, Since thou art the just God that tries Hearts and reins. On God is cast My defence, and in him lies In him who both just and wise Saves th' upright of Heart at last. - God is a just Judge and severe, And God is every day offended; If th' unj ust will not forbear, His Sword he whets, his Bow hath bended Already, and for him intended The tools of death, that waits him near. - (His arrows purposely made he For them that persecute.) Behold He travels big with vanitie, Trouble he hath conceav'd of old {PSALM7 ^line 60} As in a womb, and from that mould Hath at length brought forth a Lie. - He dig'd a pit, and delv'd it deep, And fell into the pit he made, His mischief that due course doth keep Turns on his head, and his ill trade Of violence will undelay'd Fall on his crown with ruine steep. - Then will I Jehovah's praise According to his justice raise And sing the Name and Deitie Of Jehovah the most high. {PSALM8 Psalm VIII: Aug. 14, 1653 - O Jehovah Lord how wondrous great And glorious is thy name through all the earth? So as above the Heavens thy praise to set Out of the tender mouths of latest hearth, - Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou Hast founded strength because of all thy foes To stint th' enemy, and slack th' avengers brow That bends his rage thy providence to oppose. - When I behold thy Heavens, thy Fingers art, The Moon and Starrs which thou so bright hast set, In the pure firmament, then saith my heart, O what is man that thou remembrest yet, - And think'st upon him; or of man begot That him thou visit'st and of him art found; Scarce to be less then Gods, thou mad'st his lot, With honour and with state thou hast him crown'd. - {PSALM8 ^line 20} O're the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord, Thou hast put all under his lordly feet, All Flocks, and Herds, by thy commanding word, All beasts that in the field or forrest meet. - Fowl of the Heavens, and Fish that through the wet Sea-paths in shoals do slide. And know no dearth. O Jehovah our Lord how wondrous great And glorious is thy name through all the earth. - - THE END