F

PSALMS.

PSALM 1.

1 HOW blest is he who ne'er consents By ill advice to walk;

Nor stands in sinners' ways, nor sits
Where men profanely talk.

2 But makes the perfect law of God
His business and delight;
Devoutly reads therein by day,
And meditates by night.

3 Like some fair tree, which, fed by streams, With timely fruit does bend,

He still shall flourish, and success
All his designs attend.

4 For God approves the just man's ways; To happiness they tend;

But sinners, and the paths they tread,
Shall both in ruin end.

A

PSALM 8.

1 O GOD, our Lord, how wonderful
Are Thy works everywhere!
Thy fame surmounts in dignity
The highest heavens that are.

2

And when I see the heavens above,
The work of Thine own hand,

The sun, the moon, and all the stars,
In order as they stand.

3 Lord, what is man, that Thou of him Tak'st such abundant care?

Or what the son of man, whom Thou
To visit dost not spare?

4 O God, our Lord, how excellent
Is Thy most glorious name
In all the earth! therefore do we
Praise and adore the same.

PSALM 13.

1 HOW long wilt Thou forget me, Lord? Must I for ever mourn?

How long wilt Thou withdraw from me,
Oh, never to return?

2 How long shall anxious thoughts my soul, And grief my heart oppress ?

How long my enemies insult,
And I have no redress?

3 Since I have always placed my trust
Beneath Thy mercy's wing,

Thy saving health will come, and then
My heart with joy shall spring:

Then shall my song, with praise inspir'd,
To Thee, my God, ascend;
Who to Thy servant in distress
Such bounty didst extend.

PSALM 15.

1 WITHIN Thy tabernacle, Lord,
Who shall inhabit still ?

Or whom wilt Thou receive to dwell
In Thy most holy hill?

2 The man whose life is uncorrupt,
Whose works are just and straight,
Whose heart doth think the very truth,
And tongue speaks no deceit :

3 That to his neighbour doth no ill,
In body, goods or name;
Nor willingly doth slanders raise,
Which might impair the same :

4 That in his heart regardeth not
Malicious wicked men;

But those that love and fear the Lord,
He maketh much of them.