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1 Truly the Lord is very good and kind to Israel, And to all such as safely keep their conscience pure and well. 2 But as for me, I almost slip'd, my feet began to slide, Before that I was well aware my steps did turn aside. 3 For when I saw such foolish men, I grudg'd with great disdain, That wicked men all things should have without turmoil and pain: 4 They never suffer pains nor grief, as if death should them smite, Their bodies are full stout and strong, and ever in good plight; 5 Always free from adversity and ev'ry sad event, With other men they take no part of plague or punishment: 6 Therefore presumption doth embrace their necks as doth a chain, They are ev'n wrapt as in a robe with rapine and disdain: 7 They are so fed, that ev'n with fat their eyes oft-times out-start, And as for worldly goods they have more than can wish their heart: 8 Their life is most licentious, and they boast much with their tongue, How they the poor and simple have Oppressed with great wrong: 9 They set their mouth against the heav'ns, and do the Lord blaspheme, They proudly boast of worldly things, no one they do esteem. 10 God's people often do turn back to see their prosp'rous state, And almost drink the self-same cup, and talk at the same rate: The Second Part. 11 How can it be that God, say they, should know or understand These worldly things, since wicked men be lords of sea and land? 12 For we may see how wicked men in riches still increase, Rewarded well with worldly goods, and live in rest and peace; 13 Then why do I so carefully from wickedness refrain? And wash my hands in innocence, and cleanse my heart in vain, 14 And suffer scourges ev'ry day, as subject to all blame, And ev'ry morning from my youth sustain rebuke and shame? 15 Now I had almost said as they, misliking my estate; But then I should thy children judge as most unfortunate. 16 Then I bethought me how I might this matter understand, But yet the labour was too great for me to take in hand; 17 Until the time I went into thy holy place, and then I understood right perfectly the end of all these men: 18 Namely, how that thou settest them upon a slipp'ry place, And at thy pleasure and thy will thou dost them soon deface. 19 Then all men muse at that strange sight, to see how suddenly They do consume, perish, and come to endless misery; 20 Much like a dream when one awakes, so shall their wealth decay, Their famous names in all men's sight shall fail and pass away. 21 Yet thus my heart was grieved then, my mind was much opprest; So simple and so ignorant, ev'n as it were a beast. 22 Nevertheless, by my right-hand thou hold'st me always fast, And with thy counsel shalt me guide to glory at the last. 23 What thing is there, that I can wish, but thee in heav'n above? And in the earth there nothing is like thee, that I can love. 24 My flesh and spirit both do fail, but God wilt me restore; For of my heart he is the strength and portion evermore. 25 But 1o, all such as thee forsake thou shalt destroy each one, And those that trust in any thing, saving in thee alone. 26 Therefore will I draw near to God, and ever with him dwell; In God alone I put my trust, his wonders I will tell. | The Whole Booke of Psalmes: collected into English meeter #39 (1640) The Whole Book of Psalms #LXXIII (1790) |