English text
Lord, keep me, for I trust in thee,
And do confess indeed,
Thou art my God, and of my goods
Thou hast not any need:
Therefore I give them to the saints
That in the world do dwell;
Namely, unto the faithful flock
In virtue that excel.
Their sorrows shall be multiplied,
Who run so hastily,
To offer to the idol gods,
That are but vanity.
As for their bloody sacrifice
And off'rings of that sort,
I will not touch, neither thereof
Shall my lips make report.
For why? the Lord the portion is
Of mine inheritance;
And he it is that doth preserve
My lot from all mischance.
The place wherein my lot is fall'n
In beauty doth excel;
My heritage assign'd to me
Doth please me wondrous well.
I thank the Lord that caused me
To understand the right:
For by this means my secret thoughts
Do teach me in the night.
I set the Lord still in my sight,
And trust him over all;
For he doth stand on my right hand,
Therefore I shall not fall.
Wherefore my heart and tongue also
Rejoice exceedingly;
My flesh likewise doth rest in hope
To rise again: for why?
Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell
Because thou lovest me;
Nor yet wilt give thy Holy One
Corruption for to see:
But wilt me shew the way to life,
Where there is joy in store;
And where at thy right hand there are
Pleasures for evermore.
|
Metrical 'New Version' (Tate/Brady)
English text
Protect me from my cruel foes.
And shield me, Lord, from harm,
Because my trust I still repose
On thy Almighty arm.
My soul all help but thine does alight,
All gods but thee disown;
Yet can no deeds of mine requite
The goodness thou hast shown.
But those that strictly virtuous are.
And love the thing that's right,
To favour always and prefer
Shall be my chief delight.
How shall their sorrows be increas'd,
Who other gods adore!
Their bloody off'rings I detest.
Their very names abhor.
My lot is fall'n in that blest land
Where God is truly known;
He fills my cup with lib'ral hand;
'Tis he supports my throne.
In nature's most delightful scene
My happy portion lies;
The place of my appointed reign
All other lands outvies.
Therefore my soul shall bless the Lord,
Whose precepts give me light,
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.
I strive each action to approve
To his all-seeing eye;
No danger shall my hopes remove,
Because he still is nigh.
Therefore my heart all grief defies,
My glory does rejoice;
My flesh shall rest in hope to rise,
Wak'd by his pow'rful voice.
Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath.
My soul from hell shalt free;
Nor let thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.
Thou shalt the paths of life display,
That to thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.
|