1 How good and pleasant must it be
To thank the LORD most high;
And with repeated Hymns of Praise,
His Name to magnify:
With ev'ry Morning's early Dawn,
His Goodness to relate;
And of his constant Truth, each Night
The glad Effects repeat.
2 To ten string'd Instruments we'll sing,
With tuneful Psalt'ries join'd,
And to the Harp, with solemn Sounds,
For sacred Use design'd:
For through thy wond'rous Works, O Lord,
Thou mak'st my Heart rejoice;
The Thoughts of them shall make me glad,
And shout with chearful Voice.
3 How wond'rous are thy Works, O LORD!
How deep are thy Decrees!
Whose winding Tracks, in Cecret laid,
No stupid Sinner sees:
He little thinks, when wicked Men,
Like Grass, look fresh and gay;
How soon their short liv'd Splendor must,
For ever pass away.
4 But thou, my GOD, art still most high;
And all thy lofty Foes,
Who thought they might securely sin,
Shall be o'erwhelm'd with Woes:
Whilst thou exalt'st my Sov'reign Pow'r,
And mak'st it largely spread;
And with refreshing Oil anoint'st
My consecrated Head.
5 I soon shall see my stubborn Foes
To utter Ruin brought;
And hear the dismal End of those
Who have against me fought:
But righteous Men, like fruitful Palms,
Shall make a glorious Show;
As Cedars that on Lebanon
In stately Order grow.
6 These planted in the House of GOD,
Within his Courts shall thrive;
Their Vigour and their Lustre both
Shall in old Age revive.
Thus will the LORD his Justice shew;
And GOD, my strong Defence,
Shall due Rewards to all the World
Impartially dispense.
Source: The Psalms of David: with the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord's Prayer, &c. in metre...for the use of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church of the city of New York #XCII