Part 31 (2/2)

2 Britain was doom'd to be a slave, Her frame dissolv'd, her fears were great; When G.o.d a new supporter gave To bear the pillars of the state.

3 He from thy hand receiv'd his crown, And sware to rule by wholesome laws His foot shall tread th' oppressor down, His arm defend the righteous cause.

4 Let haughty sinners sink their pride, Nor lift so high their scornful head; But lay their foolish thoughts aside, And own the king that G.o.d hath made.

5 Such honours never come by chance, Nor do the winds promotion blow; 'Tis G.o.d the judge doth one advance, 'Tis G.o.d that lays another low.

6 No vain pretence to royal birth Shall fix a tyrant on the throne: G.o.d the great sovereign of the earth Will rise and make his justice known.

7 [His hand holds out the dreadful cup Of vengeance, mix'd with various plagues, To make the wicked drink them up, Wring out and taste the bitter dregs.

8 Now shall the Lord exalt the just, And while he tramples on the proud, And lays their glory in the dust, My lips shall sing his praise aloud.]

Psalm 76.

Israel saved, and the a.s.syrians destroyed; or, G.o.d's vengeance against his enemies proceeds from his church.

1 In Judah G.o.d of old was known; His Name in Israel great; In Salem stood his holy throne, And Sion was his seat.

2 Among the praises of his saints His dwelling there he chose; There he receiv'd their just complaints Against their haughty foes.

3 From Sion went his dreadful word, And broke the threatening spear; The bow, the arrows, and the sword, And crush'd th' a.s.syrian war.

4 What are the earth's wide kingdoms else But mighty hills of prey?

The hill on which Jehovah dwells Is glorious more than they.

5 'Twas Sion's King that stopt the breath Of captains and their bands: The men of might slept fast in death, And never found their hands.

6 At thy rebuke, O Jacob's G.o.d, Both horse and chariot fell; Who knows the terrors of thy rod?

Thy vengeance who can tell?

7 What power can stand before thy sight When once thy wrath appears?

When heaven s.h.i.+nes round with dreadful light, The earth lies still and fears.

8 When G.o.d in his own sovereign ways Comes down to save th' opprest, The wrath of man shall work his praise, And he'll restrain the rest.

9 [Vow to the Lord, and tribute bring, Ye princes, fear his frown: His terror shakes the proudest king, And cuts an army down.

10 The thunder of his sharp rebuke Our haughty foes shall feel: For Jacob's G.o.d hath not forsook, But dwells in Sion still.]

Psalm 77:1. First Part.

Melancholy a.s.saulting, and hope prevailing.

1 To G.o.d I cry'd with mournful voice, I sought his gracious ear, In the sad day when troubles rose, And fill'd the night with fear.

2 Sad were my days, and dark my nights, My soul refus'd relief; I thought on G.o.d the just and wise, But thoughts increas'd my grief.

3 Still I complain'd, and still opprest, My heart began to break; My G.o.d, thy wrath forbid my rest, And kept my eyes awake.

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