1 The God of gods, the Lord
hath call'd the earth by name,
From whence the sun doth rise unto
the setting of the same.
2 From Sion his fair place,
his glory bright and clear,
The perfect beauty of his grace,
from thence it did appear.
3 Our God shall come in haste,
to speak aloud, no doubt;
Before him shall the fire waste,
and tempest round about.
4 The heavens which are so high,
the earth below likewise,
He will call forth, to judge and try
the people that are his:
5 Bring forth my saints, saith he,
my faithful flock most dear,
Who are in band and league with me
my law to love and fear.
6 And when these things are try'd
then shall the heav'ns record,
That God is just, and all must 'bide
the judgement of the Lord.
7 My people, now give heed,
Israel to thee I cry;
I am thy God, thy help at need,
thou can'st it not deny.
8 I do not say to thee,
Thy sacrifice is slack;
Thou offer'st daily unto me
much more than I do lack.
9 Think'st thou that I do need
thy cattle young or old?.
Or else so much desire to feed
on goats out of thy fold?
10 Nay, all the beasts are mine,
in woods that eat their fills
And thousand more of neat and kine
that run wild on the hills:
The Second Part,
11 The birds that build on high,
on hills and out of sight,
And beasts, that in the fields do lie,
are subject to my might.
12 Then tho' I hunger'd sore,
what need I ought of thine?
Since that the earth with her great store,
and all therein is mine:
13 To bulls flesh have I mind
to eat it, dost thou think?
Or such a sweetness do I find
the blood of goats to drink?
14 Give to the Lord his praise,
with thanks to him apply,
And see thou pay thy vows always
unto the God most high.
15 Then seek and call to me
when ought would work thee blame,
And I will sure deliver thee,
that thou may'st praise my name.
16 But to the wicked train,
who talk of God each day,
And yet their works are foul and vain,
to them the Lord will say;
17 With what face darest thou
my word once speak or name?
Why do thy words my law allow,
thy deeds deny the same?
18 Whereas for to amend
thy life thou art so slack,
My word, the which thou dost pretend,
is cast behind thy back.
The Third Part.
19 When thou a thief dost see
by theft to live in wealth,
With him thou run'st, and dost agree
likewise to thrive by stealth:
20 When thou dost them behold
that wives and maids defile,
Thou lik'st it well, and waxest bold
to use that life most vile:
21 Thy lips thou dost apply
to slander and defame;
Thy tongue doth teach to cheat and lie,
and still dotli use the same:
22 Thou study'st to revile
thy friends to thee most near,
With slander basely dost defile
thy mother's son most dear.
23 Hereat while I do wink,
as tho' I did not see,
Thou go'st on still, and so dost think,
that I am like to thee.
24 But sure I will not let
to strike when I begin;
Thy faults in order I will set,
And open all thy sin.
25 Mark this, I you require
who have not God in mind,
Lest when I plague you in mine ire
your help be far to find,
26 He that doth give to me
the sacrifice of praise,
Doth please me well, and he shall see
to walk in godly ways.
Source: The Whole Book of Psalms #Lb