The Psalms of David ‎#LXXII

LXXII. LORD, let thy just Decrees the King

1 LORD, let thy just Decrees the King
In all his Ways direct;
And let his Son, throughout his Reign,
Thy righteous Laws respect.
So shall he still thy People judge,
With pure and upright Mind;
Whilst all the helpless Poor shall him,
Their just Protector find.

2 Then Hills and Mountains shall bring forth,
The happy Fruits of Peace;
Which all the Land shall own to be,
The work of Righteousness;
Whilst he the poor and needy Race.
Shall rule with gentle Sway,
And from their humble Necks, shall take
Oppressive Yoaks away.

3 In ev'ry Heart, thy awful Fear
Shall then be rooted fast,
As long as Sun and Moon endure,
Or Time itself shall last.
He shall descend like Rain, that chears
The Meadow's second Birth;
Or like war Show'rs, whose gentle Drops,
Refresh the thirsty Earth.

4 In his blest Days the Just and Good
Shall be with Favour crown'd;
The happy Land shall every where
With endless Peace abound.
His uncontroul'd Dominion shall
From Sea to Sea extend;
Begin at proud Euphrates' Stream,
At Nature's Limits end.

5 To him the Savage Nations round,
Shall bow their servile Heads;
His vanquish'd Foes shall lick the Dust
Where he his Conquest spreads.
The Kings of Tarshish, and the Isles,
Shall costly Presents bring;
From spicy Sheba Gifts shall come,
And wealthy Saba's King.

6 To him shall ev'ry King on Earth
His humble Homage pay;
And diff'ring Nations gladly join,
To own his righteous Sway.
For he shall set the needy free,
When they for Succour cry;
Shall save the Helpless, and the Poor,
And all their Wants supply.

Part II

7 His Providence, for needy Souls
Shall due Supplies prepare;
And over their defenceless Lives,
Shall watch with tender Care.
He shall preserve and keep their Souls
From Fraud and Rapine free;
And in his Sight, their guiltless Blood
Of mighty Price shall be.

8 Therefore shall GOD his Life and Reign
To many Years extend;
Whilst Eastern Princes Tribute pay,
And golden Presents send.
For him shall constant Pray'rs be made,
Thro' all his prosp'rous Days;
His just Dominion shall afford
A lasting Theme of Praise.

9 Of useful Grain thro' all the Land,
Great Plenty shall appear;
A Handful sown on Mountain Tops,
A mighty Crop shall bear.
Its Fruit, like Cedars shook by Winds,
A rattling Noise shall yield;
The City too shall thrive, and vie
For Plenty, with the Field.

10 The Mem'ry of his glorious Name,
Thro' endless Years shall run;
His spotless Fame shall shine as bright
And lasting as the Sun.
In him the Nations of the Earth
Shall be completely blest,
And his unbounded Happiness
By ev'ry Tongue confest.

11 Then bless'd be GOD, the mighty LORD,
The GOD whom Israel fears;
Who only wond'rous in his Works,
Beyond Compare, appears.
Let Earth be with His Glory fill'd;
Forever bless his Name;
Whilst to his Praise the list'ning World,
Their glad Assent proclaim.

Text Information

• First Line: LORD, let thy just Decrees the King
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 72
• Topic: Description of: The Church: Happiness under the Government of the Messiah; Prayers: Of the Church for the Glory of her King or State; Prophecies: Of Jesus Christ, concerning his Coming and Government

Tune Information

• Name: [Lord, let thy just Decrees the King]
• Key: a minor