THE FIRST FIFTEEN PSALMS, TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE.
DR GIBBS. DR SWIFT.
I. PSALM OF DAVID, (1) (1)I warn the reader that
Comparing the different state of the this is a lie, both here
righteous and the wicked, both in this and all over the book;
and the next world. for these are not Psalms
of David, but of Dr.
Gibbs.
1 Thrice happy he! that does refuse. (2) But I suppose with
With impious (2) sinners to combine; pious sinners a man may
Who ne'er their wicked way pursues, combine safely enough
And does the scorner's seat(3)decline (3)What part of speech
is it?
2 But still to learn, and to obey (4) All.
The Law of God is his delight;
In that employs himself all day, (5) A man must have
And reads and thinks thereon at(4) some time to sleep; so
night.(5) that I will change the
verse thus:
"And thinks and dreams
thereon all night."
I. PSALM OF DAVID, (1) (1)I warn the reader that
Comparing the different state of the this is a lie, both here
righteous and the wicked, both in this and all over the book;
and the next world. for these are not Psalms
of David, but of Dr.
Gibbs.
1 Thrice happy he! that does refuse. (2) But I suppose with
With impious (2) sinners to combine; pious sinners a man may
Who ne'er their wicked way pursues, combine safely enough
And does the scorner's seat(3)decline (3)What part of speech
is it?
2 But still to learn, and to obey (4) All.
The Law of God is his delight;
In that employs himself all day, (5) A man must have
And reads and thinks thereon at(4) some time to sleep; so
night.(5) that I will change the
verse thus:
"And thinks and dreams
thereon all night."
3 For as a tree, whose spreading root (6) Look ye; you must
By some prolific stream is fed, thin the boughs at the
Produces (6) fair and timely fruit, top, or your fruit will
And numerous boughs adorn its head: be neither fair or
Whose (7) very leaves, tho' storms descend, timely.
In lively verdure still appear
(7) Why, what other part
Whose (7) very leaves, tho' storms descend, of a tree appears in lively.
In lively verdure still appear; verdure, beside the
Such blessings always shall attend leaves?
The man that does the Lord revere. These very leaves on
which you penn'd
Your woeful stuff, may
serve for squibs:
Such blessings always
shall attend
The madrigals of Dr.
Gibbs.
By some prolific stream is fed, thin the boughs at the
Produces (6) fair and timely fruit, top, or your fruit will
And numerous boughs adorn its head: be neither fair or
Whose (7) very leaves, tho' storms descend, timely.
In lively verdure still appear
(7) Why, what other part
Whose (7) very leaves, tho' storms descend, of a tree appears in lively.
In lively verdure still appear; verdure, beside the
Such blessings always shall attend leaves?
The man that does the Lord revere. These very leaves on
which you penn'd
Your woeful stuff, may
serve for squibs:
Such blessings always
shall attend
The madrigals of Dr.
Gibbs.
4 Like chaff with every wind disperst:(1) (1) "Dispurst,"
[rhyming with "curst"] Pronounce this like a
blockhead.
[rhyming with "curst"] Pronounce this like a
blockhead.
6 And these to punishment may go. (2) (2) If they please.
["The above may serve for a tolerable specimen of Swift's remarks. The whole should be given, if it were possible to make them intelligible, without copying the version which is ridiculed; a labour for which our readers would scarcely thank us. A few detached stanzas, however, with the Dean's notes on them, shall be transcribed." Thus writes Scott; but I have added a great many more, which deserve reprinting, if only for their humour. [T.S.]]
DR GIBBS. DR SWIFT.
II. PSALM OF DAVID. (1) I do not believe
that ever kings entered
1 Why do the heathen nations rise, into plots and
And in mad tumults join! confederacies against
the reign of God
Almighty.
2 Confederate kings vain plots (1) devise
Against the Almighty's reign:
His Royal Title they deny, (2) What word does
Whom God appointed Christ; that plural number
belong to?
3 Let us reject their (2) laws, they cry,
Their binding force resist.
7 And thus to Him was pleased to say, (3) An excellent drug-
As I His words declare; (3) german.
II. PSALM OF DAVID. (1) I do not believe
that ever kings entered
1 Why do the heathen nations rise, into plots and
And in mad tumults join! confederacies against
the reign of God
Almighty.
2 Confederate kings vain plots (1) devise
Against the Almighty's reign:
His Royal Title they deny, (2) What word does
Whom God appointed Christ; that plural number
belong to?
3 Let us reject their (2) laws, they cry,
Their binding force resist.
7 And thus to Him was pleased to say, (3) An excellent drug-
As I His words declare; (3) german.
9 But those, that do thy laws refuse, (4) After a man is
In pieces thou shalt break; broken in pieces,
And with an iron sceptre bruise (4) 'tis no great matter
Their disobedient (5) neck. to have his neck
bruised.
(5) Neak.
10 Ye earthly kings, the caution hear; (6) Rulers must learn Ye rulers, learn the same; (6) it, but kings may only
hear it.
11 Serve God with reverence, and with fear(7)
His joyful praise proclaim; (7) Very proper to make a
joyful proclamation with
fear.
12 Confess the Son, and own His (8) reign, (8) Of Blackmore's
Ere He to wrath inclines; reign.
And, so resenting your disdain,
Confound your vain designs: (9) (9) You with his lines
For should the madness of His foes (1) (1) For should the foes
Th' avenging God incense, of David's ape
Happy are they that can repose Provoke his grey
In Him their confidence. (2) goose quills,
Happy are they that
can escape
The vengeance of
his pills.
(2) Admirably reasoned
and connected!
In pieces thou shalt break; broken in pieces,
And with an iron sceptre bruise (4) 'tis no great matter
Their disobedient (5) neck. to have his neck
bruised.
(5) Neak.
10 Ye earthly kings, the caution hear; (6) Rulers must learn Ye rulers, learn the same; (6) it, but kings may only
hear it.
11 Serve God with reverence, and with fear(7)
His joyful praise proclaim; (7) Very proper to make a
joyful proclamation with
fear.
12 Confess the Son, and own His (8) reign, (8) Of Blackmore's
Ere He to wrath inclines; reign.
And, so resenting your disdain,
Confound your vain designs: (9) (9) You with his lines
For should the madness of His foes (1) (1) For should the foes
Th' avenging God incense, of David's ape
Happy are they that can repose Provoke his grey
In Him their confidence. (2) goose quills,
Happy are they that
can escape
The vengeance of
his pills.
(2) Admirably reasoned
and connected!
III. PSALM OF DAVID.
When he fled from his son Absalom. To Dr. Gibbs, ex aquâ
in ignem.
4 When to the Lord for help I cry, (3) Secoure.
He hears me from the Throne on high;
(4) By this I think it
5 And thus I sleep and wake secure, (3) is clear that he cries
Guarded by His almighty Power. (4) in his sleep.
6 No fears shall then my soul depress,* *Deprease, Loard,
Though thus my enemies increase; Scoticé.
7 And (5) therefore, now arise, O Lord,* (5) He desires God's
And graciously thy help afford: help, because
he is not afraid of
his enemies; others,
I think, usually
desire it when they
are afraid.
When he fled from his son Absalom. To Dr. Gibbs, ex aquâ
in ignem.
4 When to the Lord for help I cry, (3) Secoure.
He hears me from the Throne on high;
(4) By this I think it
5 And thus I sleep and wake secure, (3) is clear that he cries
Guarded by His almighty Power. (4) in his sleep.
6 No fears shall then my soul depress,* *Deprease, Loard,
Though thus my enemies increase; Scoticé.
7 And (5) therefore, now arise, O Lord,* (5) He desires God's
And graciously thy help afford: help, because
he is not afraid of
his enemies; others,
I think, usually
desire it when they
are afraid.
8 And thus (6) to grant a sure defence, (6) The doctor hath a
Belongs to God's (7) omnipotence; mighty affection for the
particle thus: he uses
it four times in this
Psalm, and 100 times in
other places, and
always wrong.
Belongs to God's (7) omnipotence; mighty affection for the
particle thus: he uses
it four times in this
Psalm, and 100 times in
other places, and
always wrong.
(7) That is as much as
to say, he that can do
all things can defend a
man; which I take to be
an undoubted truth.
to say, he that can do
all things can defend a
man; which I take to be
an undoubted truth.
IV. PSALM OF DAVID.
Reproving and admonishing his enemies. Not to burlesque
his Psalms.
Reproving and admonishing his enemies. Not to burlesque
his Psalms.
1 As Thou hast always taken care A pretty phrase!
My sufferings to remove.
2 But you, my frail (1) malicious foes, (1) Are they malicious
Who do my power despise; out of frailty, or frail
Vainly how long will ye oppose, out of malice?
And (2) falsely calumnize!
(2) That is, they say
false things
falsely.
My sufferings to remove.
2 But you, my frail (1) malicious foes, (1) Are they malicious
Who do my power despise; out of frailty, or frail
Vainly how long will ye oppose, out of malice?
And (2) falsely calumnize!
(2) That is, they say
false things
falsely.
I will discover the
doctor's secret of
making the coherence
and connection, in
the Psalms that he
brags of in his title
and preface: he lays
violent hands on certain
particles,(such as and,
when, since, for, but,
thus, so, &c.) and
presses them to his
service on all occasions
sore against their wills,
and without any regard
whether the sense will
admit them or no.
doctor's secret of
making the coherence
and connection, in
the Psalms that he
brags of in his title
and preface: he lays
violent hands on certain
particles,(such as and,
when, since, for, but,
thus, so, &c.) and
presses them to his
service on all occasions
sore against their wills,
and without any regard
whether the sense will
admit them or no.
3 Since those alone the Lord has blest, (3) 'Tis plain the doctor
That do from sin refrain; never requested to be a
He therefore grants what I request, (3) poet.
And hears when I (4) complain:
(4) If your requests be
granted, why do you
complain?
But of Thy face to us do Thou What is it, to
The favour still dispense; dispense the favour
of his face?
That do from sin refrain; never requested to be a
He therefore grants what I request, (3) poet.
And hears when I (4) complain:
(4) If your requests be
granted, why do you
complain?
But of Thy face to us do Thou What is it, to
The favour still dispense; dispense the favour
of his face?
7 Then shall my soul with more divine (5) I have heard of a
And solid joys abound, crown or garland of corn,
Than they with stores of corn and wine, but a crown of wine is
Those earthly riches, crown'd: (5) new, and can hardly be
explained, unless we
suppose the wine to be
in icicles.
8 And thus confiding, Lord, in thee (6) And yet, to shew I
I take my calm repose; (6) tell no fibs,
For thou each night protectest me Thou hast left me in
From all my (7) treacherous foes thrall
To Hopkins, eke, and
Doctor Gibbs
The vilest rogue of all.
And solid joys abound, crown or garland of corn,
Than they with stores of corn and wine, but a crown of wine is
Those earthly riches, crown'd: (5) new, and can hardly be
explained, unless we
suppose the wine to be
in icicles.
8 And thus confiding, Lord, in thee (6) And yet, to shew I
I take my calm repose; (6) tell no fibs,
For thou each night protectest me Thou hast left me in
From all my (7) treacherous foes thrall
To Hopkins, eke, and
Doctor Gibbs
The vilest rogue of all.
(7) Aye, and open foes
too; or his repose would
not be very calm.
too; or his repose would
not be very calm.
V. PSALM OF DAVID:
Trusting in God, he implores protection Especially Doctor
from his enemies. Gibbs.
from his enemies. Gibbs.
1 O Lord, receive my fervent prayer, (1) I suppose he
Relieve my soul opprest with care, thought it would be
And hear my loud (1) complaint; heard the better for
being loud.
[Greek: Oion aento mega
kekraigenai kai ochlaeson
einai.]—LUC. TIM.,
Misanth.
2 On Thee alone I can rely,
Do Thou, my God, to whom I fly,
My sad (2) petition grant: (2) My poor petition.
Ay, a sad one indeed.
Relieve my soul opprest with care, thought it would be
And hear my loud (1) complaint; heard the better for
being loud.
[Greek: Oion aento mega
kekraigenai kai ochlaeson
einai.]—LUC. TIM.,
Misanth.
2 On Thee alone I can rely,
Do Thou, my God, to whom I fly,
My sad (2) petition grant: (2) My poor petition.
Ay, a sad one indeed.
5 They on thy favour can't rely, (3) Such vile poetry.
That practice such iniquity, (3) What is the meaning of
For Thou wilt punish those that word, such, in
this place?
That practice such iniquity, (3) What is the meaning of
For Thou wilt punish those that word, such, in
this place?
6 That do malicious lies (4) invent, (4) Malicious lines.
And would to death the innocent
By treacherous means (5) expose. (5) By doggrel rhimes.
And would to death the innocent
By treacherous means (5) expose. (5) By doggrel rhimes.
8 Lord, in Thy Laws (6) direct my ways, (6) He perseveres—not
Since those my watchful foe surveys, that he values the Laws,
And make me persevere: but because his foes
watch him. A good
principle!
Since those my watchful foe surveys, that he values the Laws,
And make me persevere: but because his foes
watch him. A good
principle!
9 They flatter to destroy:
10 But let, O Lord, the vengeance due (7) Horrid rhimes.
Those in their horrid crimes (7) pursue, (8) Defoy.
Who do Thy power defy: (8)
Those in their horrid crimes (7) pursue, (8) Defoy.
Who do Thy power defy: (8)
VI. PSALM OF DAVID:
Penitently complaining of his sufferings. By this translator.
I Thy heavy hand restrain, (9) (9) Thy heavy hand
With mercy, Lord, correct; restrain;
Do not, (1) as if in high disdain, Have mercy, Dr. Gibbs:
My helpless soul reject: Do not, I pray thee,
paper stain
2 For how shall I sustain With rhymes retail'd in
(2)Those ills, which now I bear! dribbs.
My vitals are consumed with pain,
(3)My soul oppress'd with care: (1)That bit is a most
glorious botch.
(2)The squeaking of a
hogrel.
(3)To listen to
thy doggrel.
Penitently complaining of his sufferings. By this translator.
I Thy heavy hand restrain, (9) (9) Thy heavy hand
With mercy, Lord, correct; restrain;
Do not, (1) as if in high disdain, Have mercy, Dr. Gibbs:
My helpless soul reject: Do not, I pray thee,
paper stain
2 For how shall I sustain With rhymes retail'd in
(2)Those ills, which now I bear! dribbs.
My vitals are consumed with pain,
(3)My soul oppress'd with care: (1)That bit is a most
glorious botch.
(2)The squeaking of a
hogrel.
(3)To listen to
thy doggrel.
5 For in the silent grave, ] Very true all that.
When there I lie obscure,
No gracious favours I can have,
Nor magnify Thy power:
6 Lord, I have pray'd in (1) vain (1)The doctor must
So long, so much opprest; mean himself, for I hope
My very (2) cries increase my pain, David never thought so.
And tears prevent my rest;
(2)Then he's a dunce
7 These do my sight impair, for crying.
My flowing eyes decay,
While to my enemies I fear
Thus (3) to become a prey. (3)That is, he is afraid
of becoming a prey to his
enemies while his eyes
are sore.
When there I lie obscure,
No gracious favours I can have,
Nor magnify Thy power:
6 Lord, I have pray'd in (1) vain (1)The doctor must
So long, so much opprest; mean himself, for I hope
My very (2) cries increase my pain, David never thought so.
And tears prevent my rest;
(2)Then he's a dunce
7 These do my sight impair, for crying.
My flowing eyes decay,
While to my enemies I fear
Thus (3) to become a prey. (3)That is, he is afraid
of becoming a prey to his
enemies while his eyes
are sore.
8 But, ye vain forces! fly, (4) (4)Floy.
For God, Whom I adore, Why then does he
tell us just before that
he has prayed in vain,
and is afraid of becoming
a prey to his enemies?
For God, Whom I adore, Why then does he
tell us just before that
he has prayed in vain,
and is afraid of becoming
a prey to his enemies?
9 My impious foes does still destroy,
When I His aid implore.
When I His aid implore.
10 O Lord, by Thy fierce hand repell'd,
With sudden shame retire (5) A very proper word
for a man that is repell'd
by a fierce hand.
With sudden shame retire (5) A very proper word
for a man that is repell'd
by a fierce hand.
VII, PSALM OF DAVID:
When unjustly persecuted,(6) and accused of (6) By Doctor Gibbs.
treachery against King Saul.
When unjustly persecuted,(6) and accused of (6) By Doctor Gibbs.
treachery against King Saul.
I O Lord my God, since I repose (7) By chance.
My trust in Thee alone, (7)
Save and defend me from my foes,
That furiously come on: (8) (8) Advance.
My trust in Thee alone, (7)
Save and defend me from my foes,
That furiously come on: (8) (8) Advance.
2 Lest, like a ravenous lion, they What sort of lions are
My captive soul devour, they that devour souls?
My captive soul devour, they that devour souls?
4 If I've not spared him though he's grown(9) (9) Groun.
My causeless (1) enemy,
(1) If he be grown his
causeless enemy I presume
he is no longer guiltless.
My causeless (1) enemy,
(1) If he be grown his
causeless enemy I presume
he is no longer guiltless.
5 Then let my life, and future (2) crown (2) He gives a thing
Become to him a prey: before he has it, and
gives it to him that has
it already; for Saul is
the person meant.
Become to him a prey: before he has it, and
gives it to him that has
it already; for Saul is
the person meant.
6 But, Lord, thy kind assistance (1) lend, (1) But why lend? Arise in my defence; Does he design to return
According to Thy laws, (2) contend it back when he has done
For injured innocence: with it?
(2) Profane rascal! he
makes it a struggle and
contention between God
and the wicked.
According to Thy laws, (2) contend it back when he has done
For injured innocence: with it?
(2) Profane rascal! he
makes it a struggle and
contention between God
and the wicked.
7 That all the nations, that oppose, (3) (3) Oppause.
May then confess Thy power:
Therefore assert my righteous cause,
That they may Thee adore: (4) (4) Adoure.
May then confess Thy power:
Therefore assert my righteous cause,
That they may Thee adore: (4) (4) Adoure.
8 For equal judgment, Lord, to Thee (5) Yet in the very
The nations (5) all submit; verse before he tells of
Be therefore (6) merciful to me. nations that oppose.
And my just soul acquit: (7)
(6) Because all nations
submit to God, therefore
God must be merciful to
Dr. Gibbs.
(7) Of what?
The nations (5) all submit; verse before he tells of
Be therefore (6) merciful to me. nations that oppose.
And my just soul acquit: (7)
(6) Because all nations
submit to God, therefore
God must be merciful to
Dr. Gibbs.
(7) Of what?
9 Destroy the wicked in their plots: Poor David never could
The just with blessings crown: acquit
For all the ways and secret thoughts (8) A criminal like thee,
Of both to Thee are known. Against his Psalms who
couldst commit
Such wicked poetry.
(8) Thots.
10 Thus by God's gracious providence (9) (9) Observe the
I'm still preserved secure, (1) connection.
Who all the good and just defends (1) Secoure.
With a resistless (2) power.
(2) That's right, doctor;
but then there will
be no contending, as
you desired a while ago.
The just with blessings crown: acquit
For all the ways and secret thoughts (8) A criminal like thee,
Of both to Thee are known. Against his Psalms who
couldst commit
Such wicked poetry.
(8) Thots.
10 Thus by God's gracious providence (9) (9) Observe the
I'm still preserved secure, (1) connection.
Who all the good and just defends (1) Secoure.
With a resistless (2) power.
(2) That's right, doctor;
but then there will
be no contending, as
you desired a while ago.
'Tis wonderful that
Providence
Should save thee from the
halter,
Who hast in numbers
without sense
Burlesqued the holy
Psalter.
Providence
Should save thee from the
halter,
Who hast in numbers
without sense
Burlesqued the holy
Psalter.
11 All men He does with justice view, (1) That's no great
And their iniquity mark of viewing them
With direful vengeance can pursue, with justice. God has
Or patiently (1) pass by: wiser ends for passing by
His vengeance on the
wicked, you profane
dunce!
And their iniquity mark of viewing them
With direful vengeance can pursue, with justice. God has
Or patiently (1) pass by: wiser ends for passing by
His vengeance on the
wicked, you profane
dunce!
13 For He the artillery directs, What's that charge? it
The sudden charge ordains, must allude to a charge
of gunpowder, or it is
nonsense.
The sudden charge ordains, must allude to a charge
of gunpowder, or it is
nonsense.
15 Lo! now th'inflictions (2) they design'd (2) Ay, but what sort of
By others to be borne, things are these
Even all the mischiefs (3) in their mind inflictions?
Do on themselves return: (4)
(3) If the mischiefs be
in their mind, what need
they return on
themselves? are they not
there already?
By others to be borne, things are these
Even all the mischiefs (3) in their mind inflictions?
Do on themselves return: (4)
(3) If the mischiefs be
in their mind, what need
they return on
themselves? are they not
there already?
(4) Retorn.
16 By their own treachery betray'd (5) Pills
To the same ills, (5) that they
Invented, and with those essay'd (6) Rich.
To make the poor (6) their prey:
Does this verse end
according to the more
modern art of poetry, as
the author speaks in his
preface?
To the same ills, (5) that they
Invented, and with those essay'd (6) Rich.
To make the poor (6) their prey:
Does this verse end
according to the more
modern art of poetry, as
the author speaks in his
preface?
17 O Lord, how glorious are the ways Do not these verses end
Of Thy good Providence! very sublimely?
Thou, Lord, Whose blessed Name I
praise,
True justice dost dispense
Of Thy good Providence! very sublimely?
Thou, Lord, Whose blessed Name I
praise,
True justice dost dispense
VIII. PSALM OF DAVID:
1 The mighty powers, that celebrate That's a lie; for if
Thy endless praises, can't relate they
The glory they in Heaven survey: can survey it they can
easily relate it.
Thy endless praises, can't relate they
The glory they in Heaven survey: can survey it they can
easily relate it.
2 Young helpless infants at the breast Young younglings.
Their great Creator have confest, [The italics are
And in their weakness spoke Thy pow'r, Swift's.] This stanza
is just upon the purlieus
between sense and
nonsense.
Their great Creator have confest, [The italics are
And in their weakness spoke Thy pow'r, Swift's.] This stanza
is just upon the purlieus
between sense and
nonsense.
4 Lord, what is wretched (7) man, I cry, (7) A very proper epithet
Or all his sinful progeny, for those who are scarce
That thou to them dost prove so kind! inferior to angels.
Or all his sinful progeny, for those who are scarce
That thou to them dost prove so kind! inferior to angels.
5 To honour Thou dost them prefer, A fine cadence that.
To angels scarce inferior,
To angels scarce inferior,
6 They over all Thy works command:
7 The flocks and herds o'er every field (1) That's a lie, for
To their just lords obedience yield, sometimes they trespass
And all (1) in full subjection stand: on other men's grounds.
To their just lords obedience yield, sometimes they trespass
And all (1) in full subjection stand: on other men's grounds.
8 O'er all the birds, that mount the air, (2) Appair.
And fish, that in the floods appear,(2)
Man bears an arbitrary sway: Those, I think, are
not very many: they are
caught, but till then we
have no great sway over
them.
And fish, that in the floods appear,(2)
Man bears an arbitrary sway: Those, I think, are
not very many: they are
caught, but till then we
have no great sway over
them.
IX. PSALM OF DAVID:
3 Confounded at the sight of Thee (3) The doctor's mistaken;
My foes are put to flight; (3) for, when people are
confounded, they cannot
fly.
My foes are put to flight; (3) for, when people are
confounded, they cannot
fly.
4 Thus thou, great God of equity, (4) Against Sternhold
Dost still assert my right. (4) and Hopkins.
Dost still assert my right. (4) and Hopkins.
6 Insulting foes, how long can ye (5) bost.
Of ruin'd cities boast! (5) Blunderings, Siccorrige
Your plunderings now as well as they meo periculo. That's a
Are in oblivion lost: lie, for Gibbs remembers
them.
Of ruin'd cities boast! (5) Blunderings, Siccorrige
Your plunderings now as well as they meo periculo. That's a
Are in oblivion lost: lie, for Gibbs remembers
them.
7 But God eternally remains (6) (6) That's false and
Fixt in His throne on high, profane; God is not fixed
anywhere.
Fixt in His throne on high, profane; God is not fixed
anywhere.
8 And to the world from thence ordains (7) Did anybody ever
Impartial equity:(7) hear of partial equity?
Impartial equity:(7) hear of partial equity?
9 And for their injured souls extend That extending a refuge,
A refuge most secure. is pretty.
A refuge most secure. is pretty.
12 He hears the injured poor, and then i.e. is angry at their
Does all their cries resent. cries.
Does all their cries resent. cries.
13 And thus consider still, O Lord, (8) Nothing is restored
The justice of my cause; but what has been taken
Who often hast my life (8) restor'd away; so that he has been
From death's devouring jaws: often raised from the
dead, if this be true.
The justice of my cause; but what has been taken
Who often hast my life (8) restor'd away; so that he has been
From death's devouring jaws: often raised from the
dead, if this be true.
15 The heathen nations are dismay'd (9) (9) We heard a while
They're all to ruin brought, ago their very names were
For in the treacherous nets, they laid, dead,[1] now (it seems)
Ev'n they themselves are caught: they're only dismay'd.
[Footnote 1: Ver. 5. "They and their very names are dead."]
They're all to ruin brought, ago their very names were
For in the treacherous nets, they laid, dead,[1] now (it seems)
Ev'n they themselves are caught: they're only dismay'd.
[Footnote 1: Ver. 5. "They and their very names are dead."]
16 Lo, thus the Lord to execute
True judgment still inclines; This is profane, as if
it were only an
inclination in God to be
just.
True judgment still inclines; This is profane, as if
it were only an
inclination in God to be
just.
X. PSALM OF DAVID:
1 Lord, why in times of deep distress If the woes require aid
Dost Thou from us retire, it is to increase them,
When dismal woes our souls oppress, they cannot require it
And Thy kind aid require! against themselves.
1 Lord, why in times of deep distress If the woes require aid
Dost Thou from us retire, it is to increase them,
When dismal woes our souls oppress, they cannot require it
And Thy kind aid require! against themselves.
2 The wicked do with lawless pride (1) (1) Proide. Pronounce
The helpless persecute; it like the Scotch.
But let them be themselves destroy'd,
And fall in their pursuit: Ay, let them!
The helpless persecute; it like the Scotch.
But let them be themselves destroy'd,
And fall in their pursuit: Ay, let them!
3 For still they triumph, when success I cannot crock this
Does their designs attend, stave.
And then their ways, who thus oppress,
Profanely they commend:
Does their designs attend, stave.
And then their ways, who thus oppress,
Profanely they commend:
5 And from the barbarous (2) paths they tread,(2) The author should
No acts of Providence first have premised what
Can e'er oblige them to recede, sort of paths were
Or stop (3) their bold offence; properly barbarous. I
suppose they must be
very deep and dirty, or
very rugged and stony;
both which I myself
have heard travellers
call barbarous roads.
No acts of Providence first have premised what
Can e'er oblige them to recede, sort of paths were
Or stop (3) their bold offence; properly barbarous. I
suppose they must be
very deep and dirty, or
very rugged and stony;
both which I myself
have heard travellers
call barbarous roads.
(3) Which is the way to
stop an offence?
Would you have it
stopped like a bottle,
or a thief?
For what end? is it
to catch a louse, better
lay wait for the rich by
half.
stop an offence?
Would you have it
stopped like a bottle,
or a thief?
For what end? is it
to catch a louse, better
lay wait for the rich by
half.
8 And for the poor in secret they
Do treacherously lay wait:
As a lion observes with
9 As hungry lions do their prey watchful eyes, just so a
Observe with watchful eyes, wicked man surprises
So heedless innocents would they with sudden force—a very
With sudden force surprise; just simile.
And then, like lions merciless, They surprise them like
Their trembling souls devour; lions, but then they devour
And thus the helpless do oppress (4) devour them [like] lions.
When captives to their power;
(4) This line is dry
nonsense or false grammar
and will bear no jest.
Do treacherously lay wait:
As a lion observes with
9 As hungry lions do their prey watchful eyes, just so a
Observe with watchful eyes, wicked man surprises
So heedless innocents would they with sudden force—a very
With sudden force surprise; just simile.
And then, like lions merciless, They surprise them like
Their trembling souls devour; lions, but then they devour
And thus the helpless do oppress (4) devour them [like] lions.
When captives to their power;
(4) This line is dry
nonsense or false grammar
and will bear no jest.
13 no more No mour. Pronounce
[rhyming with pow'r.] this like my lady's
woman.
[rhyming with pow'r.] this like my lady's
woman.