Psal 12 (MS. Fairfax 40, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)
Transcription
Help Lord ther is need of helpe & to bewaile
When from the world we see that good men faile
When They are gone what faith remines ther then
Amongst flattring tongues & deceatful men
Such shal be sur cut of who proudly say
Our tongues our owne we [illegible deletion] will none obay
The poore oprest whos sighes heauen ward flies
Thou hearest Lord, though [illegible deletion] enimys dispise
Thy word ô Lord' is farr more pure then Gold
Or Siluer tried in [illegible deletion] furnace seuen-fold
Him whom whom thou keepest Lord shal surely then
Preseru'ed be from these ill sort of men
In th'Throne of Powre when wicked men powre [illegible deletion] doe gitt
The worst aboue the best of men are sett
Modernized Text
Lord, there is need of help and to bewail
When from the world we see that good men fail;
When they are gone, what faith remains there then?
Amongst flattering tongues and deceitful men
Such shall be sure cut off who proudly say,
Our tongue's our own: we will none obey.
The poor opressed whose sighs heavenward flies
Thou hearest, Lord, though enemies despise.
Thy word, oh Lord, is far more pure than gold
Or silver tried in furnace seven-fold.
Him whom thou keepest, Lord, shall surely then
Preserv'd be from these ill sort of men
In th'throne of power. When wicked men do get,
The worst above the best of men are set.
