Approach ye piously disposed

Representative Text

1 Approach, ye piously dispos'd,
And my instruction hear;
I'll teach you the true discipline
Of a religious fear.

2 Let him, who length of life desires,
And prosp'rous ways would see,
From sland'ring language keep his tongue,
His Lips from falshood free:

3 The crooked paths of vice decline,
And virtue's ways pursue;
Establish peace, where 'tis begun;
And, where 'tis lost, renew.

4 The Lord from heav'n, beholds the just
With favourable eyes;
And, when distress'd, his gracious ear
Is open to their cries:

5 But turns his wrathful look on those
Whom mercy can't reclaim,
To cut them off, and from the earth
Blot out their hated name.

Source: A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Publick Worship #P.XXXVII

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Author: Nahum Tate

Nahum Tate was born in Dublin and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, B.A. 1672. He lacked great talent but wrote much for the stage, adapting other men's work, really successful only in a version of King Lear. Although he collaborated with Dryden on several occasions, he was never fully in step with the intellectual life of his times, and spent most of his life in a futile pursuit of popular favor. Nonetheless, he was appointed poet laureate in 1692 and royal historiographer in 1702. He is now known only for the New Version of the Psalms of David, 1696, which he produced in collaboration with Nicholas Brady. Poverty stricken throughout much of his life, he died in the Mint at Southwark, where he had taken refuge from his creditors… Go to person page >

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