RENDER thanks, and bless the
Lord;

Invoke his sacred name;
Acquaint the nations with his deeds,
His matchless deeds proclaim.
2 Sing to his praise in lofty hymns;
His wondrous works rehearse ;
Make them the theme of your discourse,
And subject of your verse.

3 Rejoice in his Almighty name,
Alone to be ador'd;

And let their hearts o'erflow with joy
That humbly seek the Lord.

14 Seek ye the Lord, his saving strength
Devoutly still implore;

Smiles on her new-created breed. 31 Thus through successive ages stands Firm fix'd thy providential care; Pleas'd with the work of thy own hands, Thou dost the waste of time repair 32 One look of thine, one wrathful look, Earth's panting breast with terror fills; One touch from thee, with clouds of smoke

In darkness shrouds the proudest hills. 33 In praising God, while he prolongs My breath, I will that breath employ; 34 And join devotion to my songs, Sincere, as in him is my foy.

35 While sinners from earth's face are hurl'd,

My soul, praise thou his holy name, Till with my song the list'ning world Join concert, and his praise proclaim.

PART II.

23 To Egypt then, invited guests,
Half-famish'd Israel came;
And Jacob, held by royal grant,

The fertile soil of Ham."

24 Th' Almighty there with such increase
His people multiply'd,

Till with their proud oppressors they
In strength and number vied.

25 Their vast increase th' Egyptians'
hearts

With jealous anger fir'd,
Till they his servants to destroy

By treach'rous arts conspir'd.
26 His servant Moses then he sent,

His chosen Aaron too,

27 Empower'd with signs and miracles
To prove their mission true.
28 He call'd for darkness, darkness came,
Nature his summons knew:

29 Each stream and lake, transform'd to

blood,

The wand'ring fishes slew. 30 In putrid floods. throughout land,

The pest of frogs was bred; From noisome fens sent up to croak At Pharaoh's board and bed.

49

Whose flowing stream, where'er they march'd,

The desert's drought supply'd. 42 For still he did on Abra'm's faith And ancient league reflect;

43 He brought his people forth with joy, With triumph his elect.

44 Quite rooting out their heathen foes
From Canaan's fertile soil,

To them in cheap possession gave
The fruit of others' toil :

45 That they his statutes might observe,
His sacred laws obey:

For benefits so vast, let us
Our songs of praise repay.
PSALM CVI.

RENDER thanks to God above,
The fountain of eternal love;
Whose mercy firm through ages past
Has stood, and shall for ever last.
2 Who can his mighty deeds express,
Not only vast, but numberless
What mortal eloquence can raise
the His tribute of im.nortal praise ?
3 Happy are they, and only they,
Who from thy judgments never stray:
Who know what's right; nor only so,
But always practise what they know.
4 Extend to me that favour. Lord,
Thou to thy chosen dost afford:
When thou return'st to set them free,
Let thy salvation visit me.
50 may I worthy prove to see
Thy saints in full prosperity;
That I the joyful choir may join,
And count thy people's triumph mine.
6 But ah! can we expect such grace,
of parents vile the viler race;

flies

31 He gave the sign, and swarms of
Came down in cloudy hosts;
Whilst earth's enliven'd dust below
Bred lice through all their coasts.
32 He sent them batt ring hail for rain,
And fire for cooling dew;
33 He smote their vines, and forest
plants,

And garden's pride o'erthrew.
34 He spake the word and locusts came,
And caterpillars join'd;

They prey'd upon the poor remains
The storm had left behind.

35 From trees to herbage they descend,
No verdant thing they spare;
But, like the naked fallow field,

Leave all the pastures bare.
36 From fields to villages and towns,
Commission'd vengeance flew ;
One fatal stroke their eldest hopes
And strength of Egypt slew

Who their misdeeds have acted o'er,
And with new crimes increas'd the score?
7 Ingrateful, they no longer thought
On all his works in Egypt wrought;
The Red Sea they no sooner view'd,
Than they their base distrust renew'd
8 Yet he, to vindicate his name,
Once more to their deliv'rance came ;
To make his sov'reign power be known,
That he is God, and he alone.
9 To right and left, at his command,

37 He brought his servants forth, en- The parting deep disclos'd her sand;

rich'd

With Egypt's borrow'd wealth;
And, what transcends all treasure else,
Enrich'd with vig'rous health.
38 Egypt rejoic'd, in hopes to find
Her plagues with them remov'd;
Taught dearly now to fear worse ills
By those already prov'd.
39 Their shrouding canopy by day
A journeying cloud was spread;
A fiery pillar all the night

Their desert marches led.

40 They long'd for flesh; with ev'ning
quails

He furnish'd every tent;
From heaven's high granary, each morn,
The bread of angels sent.
41 He smote the rock, whose flinty breast
Pour'd forth a gushing tide;

Where firm and dry the passage lay.
As through some parch'd and desert way.
10 Thus rescu'd from their foes they
were,

Who closely press'd upon their rear ;
11 Whose rage pursu'd them to those

And for the mighty works which be
Throughout the wond'ring world
plays!

9 For he from heav'n the sad estate
Of longing souls with pity views;
To hungry souls, that pant for meat,
His goodness daily food renews.
PART II.

25 No sooner his command is past, dis-Than forth the dreadful tempest flies, Which sweeps the sea with rapid haste, And makes the stormy billows rise. 26 Sometimes the ships, toss'd up to

10 Some lie, with darkness compass'd

round,

In death's uncomfortable shade, And with unwieldy fetters bound,

By pressing cares more heavy made. 11, 12 Because God's counsels they defy'd,

And lightly priz'd his holy word, With these afflictions they were try'd; They fell, and none could help afford. 13 Then soon to God's indulgent ear Did they their mournful cry address; Who graciously vouchsaf'd to hear.

And freed them from their deep distress. 14 From dismal dungeons, dark as night, And shades, as black as death's abode, He brought them forth to cheerful light, And welcome liberty bestow'd. 15 O then that all the earth with me Would God, for this his goodness,

praise;

And for the mighty works which he
Throughout the wond'ring world dis-
plays!

16 For he, with his Almighty hand,
The gates of brass in pieces broke;
Nor could the massy bars withstand,
Or temper'd steel resist his stroke
PART III

17 Remorseless wretches, void of sense,
With bold transgressions God defy;
And for their multiply'd offence,

Oppress'd with sore diseases lie.
18 Their soul, a prey to pain and fear,
Abhors to taste the choicest meats;
And they by faint degrees draw near
To death's inhospitable gates
19 Then straight to God's indulgent ear
Do they their mournfu! ery address:
Who graciously vouchsafes to hear,

And frees them from their deep distress. 20 He all their sad distempers heals.

His word both health and safety gives; And, when all human succour ails,

From near destruction them retrieves. 21 O then that all the earth with me Would God, for this his goodness.

praise,

And for the mighty works which he Throughout the wond'ring world displays!

22 With off'rings let his altar flame,
Whilst they their grateful thanks ex-
press,

And with loud joy his holy name,
For all his acts of wonder bless.
PART IV

23, 24 They that in ships, with courage

bold,

O'er swelling waves their trade pursue, Do God's amazing works behold,

And in the deep his wonders view.

heav'n,

On tops of mountain waves appear;
Then down the steep abyss are driv'n,
Whilst every soul dissolves with fear.
27 They reel and stagger to and fro,
Like inen with fumes of wine oppress'd;
Nor do the skilful seamen know [best.
Which way to steer, what course is
28 Then straight to God's indulgent ear
They do their mournful cry address;
Who graciously vouchsafes to hear,

And frees them from their deep distress.
29. 30 He does the raging storm appease,
And makes the billows calm and still;
With joy they see their fury cease,

And their intended course fulfil. 31 O then that all the earth with me Would God, for this his goodness, praise;

And for the mighty works which he
Throughout the wond'ring world dis.
plays!

32 Let them, where all the tribes resort
Advance to heaven his glorious name,
And in the elders' sov'reign court,
With one consent his praise proclaim.

PART V.

33, 34 A fruitful land, where streams abound,

God's just revenge, if people sin, Will turn to dry and barren ground, To punish those that dwell therein. 35, 36 The parch'd and desert heath he makes

To flow with streams and springing wells,

Which for his lot the hungry takes,

And in strong rities safely dwells. 137, 38 He sows the field, the vineyard plants,

Which gratefully his toil repay; Nor can, whilst God his blessing grants, His fruitful seed or stock decay. 39 But when his sins heaven's wrath provoke.

His health and substance fade away; He eels the oppressor's galling yoke, And is of grief the wretched prey. 40 The prince that slights what God commands,

Expos'd to scom, must quit his throne; And over wild and desert lands,

Where no path offers, stray alone: 41 Whilst God, from ali afflicting cares, Sets up the bumble man on high, And makes, in time, his num'rous heirs With his increasing flocks to vie. 42. 43 Then sinners shall have nought to say,

The just a decent joy shall show;

The wise these strange event shall weigh,
And thence God's goodness fully know
PSALM CVII.

GOD, my heart is fully bent
my name

My tongue with cheerful songs of praise
Shal celebrate thy fame.

2 Awake, my lute: nor thou, my harp,
Thy warbling notes delay;
Whilst I with early hymns of joy
Prevent the dawning day.

3 To all the list'ning tribes, O Lord,
Thy wonders I will tell,

And to those nations sing thy praise,
That round about us dwell;

4 Because thy mercy's boundless height
The highest heaven transcends,
And far beyond th' aspiring clouds
Thy faithful truth extends.
5 Be thou, O God, exalted high
Above the starry frame;

And let the world with one consent,
Confess thy glorious name..
6 That all thy chosen people thee
Their Saviour may declare;
Let thy right hand protect me still,
And answer thou my prayer.
Since God himself hath said the word,
Whose promise cannot fail,
With joy Sechem will divide,

And measure Succoth's vale.
8 Gilead is mine. Manasseh too,

And Ephraim owns my cause;
Their strength and regal power supports,
And Judah gives my laws.

9 Moab I'll make my servile drudge,
On vanquish'd Edom tread;
And through the proud Philistine lands
My conqu'ring banners spread.
10 B whose support and aid shall I
Their well-fenc'd city gain?
Who will my troops securely lead
Through Edom's guarded plain ?

11 Lord, wilt not thou assist our arms,
Which late thou didst forsake?
And wilt not thou of these our hosts
Once more the guidance take?
12 O to thy servant in distress
Thy speedy succour send;
For vain it is on human aid
For safety to depend.

13 Then valiant acts shall we perform,
If thou thy power disclose;
Fr God it is, and God alone,

That treads down all our foes.

PSALM CIX.

GOD, whose former mercies make
My constant praise thy due,
Hold not thy peace, but my sad state
With wonted favour view:
2 For sinful men, with lying lips,
Deceitful speeches frame.

And with their study'd slander seek

To wound my spotless fame.

3 Their restless hatred prompts them still Malicious lies to spread;

And all against my life combine,

By causeless fury led.

And hatred's the return they make
For undissembled love:

6 Their guilty leaders shall be made
To some nan a slave;

And, when he's try'd, his mortal foe
For his accuser have.

7 His guilt, when sentence is pronounc'd,
Shall meet a dreadful fate,

Whilst his rejected prayer but serves
His crimes to aggravate.

8 He, snatch'd by some untimely fate,
Sha'n't live out half his days;
Another, by divine decree,

Shall on his office seize.

9, 10 His seed shall orphans be, his wife
A widow, plung'd in grief;

His vagrant children beg their bread,
Where none can give relief.

11 His ill-got riches shall be made
To usurers a prey

The fruit of all his toil shall be
By strangers borne away

12 None shall be found that to his wants
Their mercy will extend,

Or to his helpless orphan seed

The least assistance lend.

13 A swift destruction soon shall seize
On his unhappy race;

And the next age his hated name
Shall utterly deface.

14 The vengeance of his father's sins
Upon his head shall fall;

God on his mother's crimes shall think
And punish him for all.

15 All these, in horrid order rank'd,
Before the Lord shall stand,
Till his fierce anger quite cuts off
Their mem'ry from the land.

PART II.

16 Because he never mercy show'd,
But still the poor oppress'd;
And sought to slay the helpless man,
With heavy woes distress'd:
17 Therefore the curse he lov'd to vent
Shall his own portion prove;
And blessings, which he still abhorr'd,
Shall far from him remove.

18 Since he in cursing took such pride,
Like water it shall spread
Through all his veins, and stick like oil,
With which his bones are fed
19 This, like a poison'd robe, shall still
His constant cov'ring be,

Or an envenom❜d belt, from which

He never shall be free.

20 Thus shal! the Lord reward all those
That ill to me design;
That with malicious false reports
Against my life combine."

21 But for thy glorious name, O God,
Do thou deliver me;

And for thy plenteous mercy's sake,
Preserve and set me free.

4 Those whom with tend'rest love I us'd, 22 For 1, to utmost straits redue'd,

My chief opposers are:

Whilst 1, of other friends bereft,

Resort to thee by prayer.

5 Since mischief, for the good I did, Their strange reward dues prove,

Am void of all relief;

My heart is wounded with distress,
And quite pierc'd through with grief.
23 I like an ev'ning shade decline,
Which vanishes ajace;