The Psalms of David ‎#37

37. Why should I vex my soul, and fret

1 Why should I vex my soul, and fret
To see the wicked rise?
Or envy sinners waxing great,
By violence and lies?

2 As flow'ry grass cut down at noon,
Before the ev'ning fades,
So shall their glories vanish soon,
In everlasting shades.

3 Then let me make the Lord my trust,
And practice all that’s good;
So shall I dwell among the just,
And he’ll provide me food.

4 I to my God my ways commit,
And cheerful wait his will;
Thy hand which guides my doubtful feet,
Shall my desires fulfil.

5 Mine innocence shalt thou display,
And make thy judgments known,
Fair as the light of dawning day,
And glorious as the noon.

6 The meek at last the earth possess,
And are the heirs of heav’n;
True riches, with abundant peace,
To humble souls are giv’n.

7 Rest in the Lord, and keep his way,
Nor let your anger rise,
Though Providence should long delay,
To punish haughty vice.

8 Let sinners join to break your peace,
And plot, and rage, and foam;
The Lord derides them, for he sees
Their day of vengeance come.

9 They have drawn out the threat'ning sword,
Have bent the murd'rous bow,
To slay the men that fear the Lord,
And bring the righteous low.

10 My God shall break their bows, and burn
Their persecuting darts,
Shall their own swords against them turn,
And pierce their stubborn hearts.

Part II

11 While sinful crowds, with false design,
Against the righteous few combine,
And gnash their teeth, and threat'ning stand;
God shall their empty plots deride,
And laugh at their defeated pride;
He sees their ruin near at hand.

12 They draw the sword, and bend the bow,
The poor and needy to o'erthrow,
And men of upright lives to slay:
But their strong bows shall soon be broke;
Their sharpen'd weapon's mortal stroke
Thro' their own hearts shall force its way.

13 A little, with God's favour bless'd,
That's by one righteous man possess'd,
The wealth of many bad excels:
For God supports the just man's cause;
But as for those that break his laws,
Their unsuccessful pow'r he quells.

14 His constant care the upright guides,
And over all their life presides;
Their portion shall for ever last:
They, when distress o'erwhelms the earth,
Shall be unmov'd, and even in dearth
The happy fruits of plenty taste.

15 Not so the wicked men, and those
Who proudly dare God's will oppose;
Destruction is their hapless share:
Like fat of lambs, their hopes and they,
Shall in an instant melt away,
And vanish into smoke and air.

Part III

16 Whilst sinners, brought to sad decay,
Still borrow on, and never pay,
The just have will and pow'r to give:
For such as God vouchsafes to bless,
Shall peaceably the earth possess;
And those he curses shall not live.

17 The good man's way is God's delight,
He orders all the steps aright,
Of him that moves by his command:
Though he sometimes may be distress'd,
Yet shall he ne'er be quite oppress'd,
For God upholds him with his hand.

18 From my first youth, till age prevail'd,
I never saw the righteous foil'd,
Or want o'ertake his num'rous race,
Because compassion fill'd his heart,
And he did chearfully impart,
God made his offspring's wealth increase.

19 With caution shun each wicked deed,
In virtue's ways with zeal proceed,
And so prolong your happy days:
For God, who judgment loves, does still
Preserve his saints secure from ill;
While soon the wicked race decays.

20 The upright shall possess the land;
His portion shall for ages stand;
His mouth with wisdom is supply'd;
His tongue by rules of judgment moves;
His heart the law of God approves;
Therefore his footsteps never slide.

Part IV.

21 In wait the watchful sinner lies,
In hopes the righteous to surprise;
But all his schemes must prove in vain,
For he shall not his purpose gain:

22 God will not him defenceless leave,
But when he's judged will reprieve;
His faults in mercy he will see,
And from destruction set him free.

23 Still on the Lord with hope rely,
And he shall all thy wants supply;
Wait thou on him, keep his command,
And be exalted in the land.

24 A large possession thou shalt gain,
And from thy foes secure remain:
While wicked men destroy'd shall be,
And thou their dismal fall shalt see.

25 The wicked I in pow'r have seen,
And like a bay-tree fresh and green,
That spreads its pleasant branches round,
Ev'n so was he with plenty crown'd:

26 But he was gone as quick as thought,
And, tho' I diligently fought,
Yet could I, by no sign or trace,
Or any mark, find out his place.

27 Observe the perfect man with care,
And mark all such as upright are;
Their roughest days in peace shall end,
And happy hours on them attend:

28 Whilst on the latter end of those,
Who dare God's holy will oppose,
A common ruin, soon or late,
Shall surely be their dismal fate.

29 God, to the just, will help afford,
Their only safe-guard is the LORD;
Their strength in time of need is he,
Who will from danger set them free:

30 Because on him they still depend,
The LORD will timely succour send:
The wicked thus shall ne'er prevail,
Nor shall the righteous ever fail.

Text Information

• First Line: Why should I vex my soul, and fret
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1789
• Scripture:
  Psalm 37
• Notes: Part I is by Isaac Watts, Parts II and III are from Tate and Brady, Part IV is from Francis Hopkinson's adaptation of Tate and Brady.

Tune Information

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