Category: Songs of Christ

1    All lands to God in joyful sounds,

          aloft your voices raise.

2    Sing forth the honour of his name,

          and glorious make his praise.

3    Say unto God, How terrible

          in all thy works art thou!

     Through thy great pow’r thy foes to thee

          shall be constrain’d to bow.

4    All on the earth shall worship thee,

          they shall thy praise proclaim

     In songs: they shall sing cheerfully

          unto thy holy name.

5    Come, and the works that God hath wrought

          with admiration see:

     In’s working to the sons of men

          most terrible is he.

6    Into dry land the sea he turn’d,

          and they a passage had;

     Ev’n marching through the flood on foot,

          there we in him were glad.

7    He ruleth ever by his pow’r;

          his eyes the nations see:

     O let not the rebellious ones

          lift up themselves on high.

8    Ye people, bless our God; aloud

          the voice speak of his praise:

9    Our soul in life who safe preserves,

          our foot from sliding stays.

10   For thou didst prove and try us, Lord,

          as men do silver try;

11   Brought’st us into the net, and mad’st

          bands on our loins to lie.

12   Thou hast caus’d men ride o’er our heads;

          and though that we did pass

     Through fire and water, yet thou brought’st

          us to a wealthy place.

13   I’ll bring burnt off ‘rings to thy house;

          to thee my vows I’ll pay,

14   Which my lips utter’d, my mouth spake,

          when trouble on me lay.

15   Burnt-sacrifices of fat rams

          with incense I will bring;

     Of bullocks and of goats I will

          present an offering.

16   All that fear God, come, hear, I’ll tell

          what he did for my soul.

17   I with my mouth unto him cry’d,

          my tongue did him extol.

18   If in my heart I sin regard,

          the Lord me will not hear:

19   But surely God me heard, and to

          my prayer’s voice gave ear.

20   O let the Lord, our gracious God,

          for ever blessed be,

     Who turned not my pray’r from him,

          nor yet his grace from me.

1    When I to thee my prayer make,

          Lord, to my voice give ear;

     My life save from the enemy,

          of whom I stand in fear.

2    Me from their secret counsel hide

          who do live wickedly;

     From insurrection of those men

          that work iniquity:

3    Who do their tongues with malice whet,

          and make them cut like swords;

     In whose bent bows are arrows set,

          ev’n sharp and bitter words:

4    That they may at the perfect man

          in secret aim their shot;

     Yea, suddenly they dare at him

          to shoot, and fear it not.

5    In ill encourage they themselves,

          and their snares close do lay:

     Together conference they have;

          Who shall them see? they say.

6    They have search’d out iniquities,

          a perfect search they keep:

     Of each of them the inward thought,

          and very heart, is deep.

7    God shall an arrow shoot at them,

          and wound them suddenly:

8    So their own tongue shall them confound;

          all who them see shall fly.

9    And on all men a fear shall fall,

          God’s works they shall declare;

     For they shall wisely notice take

          what these his doings are.

10   In God the righteous shall rejoice,

          and trust upon his might;

     Yea, they shall greatly glory all

          in heart that are upright.

1    To thee, O God, do we give thanks,

          we do give thanks to thee;

     Because thy wondrous works declare

          thy great name near to be.

2    I purpose, when I shall receive

          the congregation,

     That I shall judgment uprightly

          render to ev’ry one.

3    Dissolved is the land, with all

          that in the same do dwell;

     But I the pillars thereof do

          bear up, and stablish well.

4    I to the foolish people said,

          Do not deal foolishly;

     And unto those that wicked are,

          Lift not your horn on high.

5    Lift not your horn on high, nor speak

6          with stubborn neck. But know,

     That not from east, nor west, nor south,

          promotion doth flow.

7    But God is judge; he puts down one,

          and sets another up.

8    For in the hand of God most high

          of red wine is a cup:

    ‘Tis full of mixture, he pours forth,

          and makes the wicked all

     Wring out the bitter dregs thereof;

          yea, and they drink them shall.

9    But I for ever will declare,

          I Jacob’s God will praise.

10   All horns of lewd men I’ll cut off;

          but just men’s horns will raise.

1    For evil-doers fret thou not

          thyself unquietly;

     Nor do thou envy bear to those

          that work iniquity.

2    For, even like unto the grass,

          soon be cut down shall they;

     And, like the green and tender herb,

          they wither shall away.

3    Set thou thy trust upon the Lord,

          and be thou doing good;

     And so thou in the land shalt dwell,

          and verily have food.

4    Delight thyself in God; he’ll give

          thine heart’s desire to thee.

5    Thy way to God commit, him trust,

          it bring to pass shall he.

6    And, like unto the light, he shall

          thy righteousness display;

     And he thy judgment shall bring forth

          like noon-tide of the day.

7    Rest in the Lord, and patiently

          wait for him: do not fret

     For him who, prosp’ring in his way,

          success in sin doth get.

8    Do thou from anger cease, and wrath

          see thou forsake also:

     Fret not thyself in any wise,

          that evil thou should’st do.

9    For those that evil doers are

          shall be cut off and fall:

     But those that wait upon the Lord

          the earth inherit shall.

10   For yet a little while, and then

          the wicked shall not be;

     His place thou shalt consider well,

          but it thou shalt not see.

11   But by inheritance the earth

          the meek ones shall possess:

     They also shall delight themselves

          in an abundant peace.

12   The wicked plots against the just,

          and at him whets his teeth:

13   The Lord shall laugh at him, because

          his day he coming seeth.

14   The wicked have drawn out the sword,

          and bent their bow, to slay

     The poor and needy, and to kill

          men of an upright way.

15   But their own sword, which they have drawn,

          shall enter their own heart:

     Their bows which they have bent shall break,

          and into pieces part.

16   A little that a just man hath

          is more and better far

     Than is the wealth of many such

          as lewd and wicked are.

17   For sinners’ arms shall broken be;

          but God the just sustains.

18   God knows the just man’s days, and still

          their heritage remains.

19   They shall not be asham’d when they

          the evil time do see;

     And when the days of famine are,

          they satisfy’d shall be.

20   But wicked men, and foes of God,

          as fat of lambs, decay;

     They shall consume, yea, into smoke

          they shall consume away.

21   The wicked borrows, but the same

          again he doth not pay;

     Whereas the righteous mercy shews,

          and gives his own away.

22   For such as blessed be of him

          the earth inherit shall;

     And they that cursed are of him

          shall be destroyed all.

23   A good man’s footsteps by the Lord

          are ordered aright;

     And in the way wherein he walks

          he greatly doth delight.

24   Although he fall, yet shall he not

          be cast down utterly;

     Because the Lord with his own hand

          upholds him mightily.

25   I have been young, and now am old,

          yet have I never seen

     The just man left, nor that his seed

          for bread have beggars been.

26   He’s ever merciful, and lends:

          his seed is bless’d therefore.

27   Depart from evil, and do good,

          and dwell for evermore.

28   For God loves judgment, and his saints

          leaves not in any case;

     They are kept ever: but cut off

          shall be the sinner’s race.

29   The just inherit shall the land,

          and ever in it dwell:

30   The just man’s mouth doth wisdom speak;

          his tongue doth judgment tell.

31   In’s heart the law is of his God,

          his steps slide not away.

32   The wicked man doth watch the just,

          and seeketh him to slay.

33   Yet him the Lord will not forsake,

          nor leave him in his hands:

     The righteous will he not condemn,

          when he in judgment stands.

34   Wait on the Lord, and keep his way,

          and thee exalt shall he

     Th’ earth to inherit; when cut off

          the wicked thou shalt see.

35   I saw the wicked great in pow’r,

          spread like a green bay-tree:

36   He pass’d, yea, was not; him I sought,

          but found he could not be.

37   Mark thou the perfect, and behold

          the man of uprightness;

     Because that surely of this man

          the latter end is peace.

38   But those men that transgressors are

          shall be destroy’d together;

     The latter end of wicked men

          shall be cut off for ever.

39   But the salvation of the just

          is from the Lord above;

     He in the time of their distress

          their stay and strength doth prove.

40   The Lord shall help, and them deliver:

          he shall them free and save

     From wicked men; because in him

          their confidence they have.

1    In thy great indignation,

          O Lord, rebuke me not;

     Nor on me lay thy chast’ning hand,

          in thy displeasure hot.

2    For in me fast thine arrows stick,

          thine hand doth press me sore:

3    And in my flesh there is no health,

          nor soundness any more.

     This grief I have, because thy wrath

          is forth against me gone;

     And in my bones there is no rest,

          for sin that I have done.

4    Because gone up above mine head

          my great transgressions be;

     And, as a weighty burden, they

          too heavy are for me.

5    My wounds do stink, and are corrupt;

          my folly makes it so.

6    I troubled am, and much bow’d down;

          all day I mourning go.

7    For a disease that loathsome is

          so fills my loins with pain,

     That in my weak and weary flesh

          no soundness doth remain.

8    So feeble and infirm am I,

          and broken am so sore,

     That, through disquiet of my heart,

          I have been made to roar.

9    O Lord, all that I do desire

          is still before thine eye;

     And of my heart the secret groans

          not hidden are from thee.

10   My heart doth pant incessantly,

          my strength doth quite decay;

     As for mine eyes, their wonted light

          is from me gone away.

11   My lovers and my friends do stand

          at distance from my sore;

     And those do stand aloof that were

          kinsmen and kind before.

12   Yea, they that seek my life lay snares:

          who seek to do me wrong

     Speak things mischievous, and deceits

          imagine all day long.

13   But, as one deaf, that heareth not,

          I suffer’d all to pass;

     I as a dumb man did become,

          whose mouth not open’d was:

14   As one that hears not, in whose mouth

          are no reproofs at all.

15   For, Lord, I hope in thee; my God,

          thou’lt hear me when I call.

16   For I said, Hear me, lest they should

          rejoice o’er me with pride;

     And o’er me magnify themselves,

          when as my foot doth slide.

17   For I am near to halt, my grief

          is still before mine eye:

18   For I’ll declare my sin, and grieve

          for mine iniquity.

19   But yet mine en’mies lively are,

          and strong are they beside;

     And they that hate me wrongfully

          are greatly multiply’d.

20   And they for good that render ill,

          as en’mies me withstood;

     Yea, ev’n for this, because that I

          do follow what is good.

21   Forsake me not, O Lord; my God,

          far from me never be.

22   O Lord, thou my salvation art,

          haste to give help to me.

1    Unto the Lord I with my voice,

          I unto God did cry;

     Ev’n with my voice, and unto me

          his ear he did apply.

2    I in my trouble sought the Lord,

          my sore by night did run,

     And ceased not; my grieved soul

          did consolation shun.

3    I to remembrance God did call,

          yet trouble did remain;

     And overwhelm’d my spirit was,

          whilst I did sore complain.

4    Mine eyes, debarr’d from rest and sleep,

          thou makest still to wake;

     My trouble is so great that I

          unable am to speak.

5    The days of old to mind I call’d,

          and oft did think upon

     The times and ages that are past

          full many years agone.

6    By night my song I call to mind,

          and commune with my heart;

     My sp’rit did carefully enquire

          how I might ease my smart.

7    For ever will the Lord cast off,

          and gracious be no more?

8    For ever is his mercy gone?

          fails his word evermore?

9    Is’t true that to be gracious

          the Lord forgotten hath?

     And that his tender mercies he

          hath shut up in his wrath?

10   Then did I say, That surely this

          is mine infirmity:

     I’ll mind the years of the right hand

          of him that is most High.

11   Yea, I remember will the works

          performed by the Lord:

     The wonders done of old by thee

          I surely will record.

12   I also will of all thy works

          my meditation make;

     And of thy doings to discourse

          great pleasure I will take.

13   O God, thy way most holy is

          within thy sanctuary;

     And what god is so great in pow’r

          as is our God most high?

14   Thou art the God that wonders do’st

          by thy right hand most strong:

     Thy mighty pow’r thou hast declar’d

          the nations among.

15   To thine own people with thine arm

          thou didst redemption bring;

     To Jacob’s sons, and to the tribes

          of Joseph that do spring.

16   The waters, Lord, perceived thee,

          the waters saw thee well;

     And they for fear aside did flee;

          the depths on trembling fell.

17   The clouds in water forth were pour’d,

          sound loudly did the sky;

     And swiftly through the world abroad

          thine arrows fierce did fly.

18   Thy thunder’s voice alongst the heav’n

          a mighty noise did make;

     By lightnings lighten’d was the world,

          th’ earth tremble did and shake.

19   Thy way is in the sea, and in

          the waters great thy path;

     Yet are thy footsteps hid, O Lord;

          none knowledge thereof hath.

20   Thy people thou didst safely lead,

          like to a flock of sheep;

     By Moses’ hand and Aaron’s thou

          didst them conduct and keep.

1    My soul with expectation

          depends on God indeed;

     My strength and my salvation doth

          from him alone proceed.

2    He only my salvation is,

          and my strong rock is he:

     He only is my sure defence;

          much mov’d I shall not be.

3    How long will ye against a man

          plot mischief? ye shall all

     Be slain; ye as a tott’ring fence

          shall be, and bowing wall.

4    They only plot to cast him down

          from his excellency:

     They joy in lies; with mouth they bless,

          but they curse inwardly.

5    My soul, wait thou with patience

          upon thy God alone;

     On him dependeth all my hope

          and expectation.

6    He only my salvation is,

          and my strong rock is he;

     He only is my sure defence:

          I shall not moved be.

7    In God my glory placed is,

          and my salvation sure;

     In God the rock is of my strength,

          my refuge most secure.

8    Ye people, place your confidence

          in him continually;

     Before him pour ye out your heart:

          God is our refuge high.

9    Surely mean men are vanity,

          and great men are a lie;

     In balance laid, they wholly are

          more light than vanity.

10   Trust ye not in oppression,

          in robb’ry be not vain;

     On wealth set not your hearts, when as

          increased is your gain.

11   God hath it spoken once to me,

          yea, this I heard again,

     That power to Almighty God

          alone doth appertain.

12   Yea, mercy also unto thee

          belongs, O Lord, alone:

     For thou according to his work

          rewardest ev’ry one.

1    Keep not, O God, we thee entreat,

          O keep not silence now:

     Do thou not hold thy peace, O God,

          and still no more be thou.

2    For, lo, thine enemies a noise

          tumultuously have made;

     And they that haters are of thee

          have lifted up the head.

3    Against thy chosen people they

          do crafty counsel take;

     And they against thy hidden ones

          do consultations make.

4    Come, let us cut them off, said they,

          from being a nation,

     That of the name of Isr’el may

          no more be mention.

5    For with joint heart they plot, in league

          against thee they combine.

6    The tents of Edom, Ishm’elites,

          Moab’s and Hagar’s line;

7    Gebal, and Ammon, Amalek,

          Philistines, those of Tyre;

8    And Assur join’d with them, to help

          Lot’s children they conspire.

9    Do to them as to Midian,

          Jabin at Kison strand;

10   And Sis’ra, which at En-dor fell,

          as dung to fat the land.

11   Like Oreb and like Zeeb make

          their noble men to fall;

     Like Zeba and Zalmunna like,

          make thou their princes all;

12   Who said, For our possession

          let us God’s houses take.

13   My God, them like a wheel, as chaff

          before the wind, them make.

14   As fire consumes the wood, as flame

          doth mountains set on fire,

15   Chase and affright them with the storm

          and tempest of thine ire.

16   Their faces fill with shame, O Lord,

          that they may seek thy name.

17   Let them confounded be, and vex’d,

          and perish in their shame:

18   That men may know that thou, to whom

          alone doth appertain

     The name Jehovah, dost most high

          o’er all the earth remain.

1    My God, deliver me from those

          that are mine enemies;

     And do thou me defend from those

          that up against me rise.

2    Do thou deliver me from them

          that work iniquity;

     And give me safety from the men

          of bloody cruelty.

3    For, lo, they for my soul lay wait:

          the mighty do combine

     Against me, Lord; not for my fault,

          nor any sin of mine.

4    They run, and, without fault in me,

          themselves do ready make:

     Awake to meet me with thy help;

          and do thou notice take.

5    Awake therefore, Lord God of hosts,

          thou God of Israel,

     To visit heathen all: spare none

          that wickedly rebel.

6    At ev’ning they go to and fro;

          they make great noise and sound,

     Like to a dog, and often walk

          about the city round.

7    Behold, they belch out with their mouth,

          and in their lips are swords:

     For they do say thus, Who is he

          that now doth hear our words?

8    But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them,

          and all the heathen mock.

9    While he’s in pow’r I’ll wait on thee;

          for God is my high rock.

10   He of my mercy that is God

          betimes shall me prevent;

     Upon mine en’mies God shall let

          me see mine heart’s content.

11   Them slay not, lest my folk forget;

          but scatter them abroad

     By thy strong pow’r; and bring them down,

          O thou our shield and God.

12   For their mouth’s sin, and for the words

          that from their lips do fly,

     Let them be taken in their pride;

          because they curse and lie.

13   In wrath consume them, them consume,

          that so they may not be:

     And that in Jacob God doth rule

          to th’ earth’s ends let them see.

14   At ev’ning let thou them return,

          making great noise and sound,

     Like to a dog, and often walk

          about the city round.

15   And let them wander up and down,

          in seeking food to eat;

     And let them grudge when they shall not

          be satisfy’d with meat.

16   But of thy pow’r I’ll sing aloud;

          at morn thy mercy praise:

     For thou to me my refuge wast,

          and tow’r, in troublous days.

17   O God, thou art my strength, I will

          sing praises unto thee;

     For God is my defence, a God

          of mercy unto me.

Psalm 76

1    In Judah’s land God is well known,

          his name’s in Isr’el great:

2    In Salem is his tabernacle,

          in Sion is his seat.

3    There arrows of the bow he brake,

          the shield, the sword, the war.

4    More glorious thou than hills of prey,

          more excellent art far.

5    Those that were stout of heart are spoil’d,

          they slept their sleep outright;

     And none of those their hands did find,

          that were the men of might.

6    When thy rebuke, O Jacob’s God,

          had forth against them past,

     Their horses and their chariots both

          were in a dead sleep cast.

7    Thou, Lord, ev’n thou art he that should

          be fear’d; and who is he

     That may stand up before thy sight,

          if once thou angry be?

8    From heav’n thou judgment caus’d be heard;

          the earth was still with fear,

9    When God to judgment rose, to save

          all meek on earth that were.

10   Surely the very wrath of man

          unto thy praise redounds:

     Thou to the remnant of his wrath

          wilt set restraining bounds.

11   Vow to the Lord your God, and pay:

          all ye that near him be,

     Bring gifts and presents unto him;

          for to be fear’d is he.

12   By him the sp’rits shall be cut off

          of those that princes are:

     Unto the kings that are on earth

          he fearful doth appear.