Psal 18 (MS. Fairfax 40, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)
Transcription
Lord I should ingrate in hie'st nature proue
Not thee my rock my fortress my saluation loue
To giue thee thanks how much am I ingag'd
Saued by thy mercy saued foes being high inrag'd
When death the King of terrors beset me round
And sones of Belial mye soule did deeper wound
Hell layd its snaires death at the catch, wThen I
Cald at thy throne for help thou heardst my crie
See how the trimbling earth & Lofty Hills
When Att thy wrath moues how ther tott'ring pillers reels
And t'is soe hott he who approaches nie itt
As in a firy furnise is consumed by itt
The heauenly orbs ther stary volt doe bend
T'was darke beneath him when he did defend
Triumphant chariots that he ridesth in
Are winged clouds drawne by a cherubim
But when retired he would in counsel sitt
Thick fogges & dark clouds was his cabinett
Thence he sends he storms the Haile & flaming fire
But when his splendors shines all these retire
Thy mighty voyce ô Lord the heauens rends
Wch Haile & lightning forth as arrowes sends
The chanels then did flow earth's frame apeard
And when thou comst to iudge thou wilt be feard
But bless him ô my soule who took mee out
When many troubles incompast me about
His goodness is my gard when sad times threat
His powre my fortress wher to I retreat
When I shund what'is ill so good was hee
T'accept the will, For itt rewarded mee
Such is thy nature Lord as thou wilt shew
Mercy to him that's mercy full & treu pittys[?] vpright to the true
Wth the pure thou art pure & will make't apeare
Thou canst be cross to those that peruerse are
Thou saues th'aflicted & the poore shal find
Thou'lt help but ruing to th'aspiring mind
And when thick darkness dost my spirits damp
Thy grace ô Lord giues light vnto my lamp
Lord through thy strenght wher armed troopes stood throng
I'aue charged through o're ramparts hie I'ue gone
In thees perfection nor neuer failes thy word
Wouldst thou be safe my soule trust in the Lord
Nor Canst thou find a surer rock then hee
Ô no my god ther's no god like to thee
T'is thou that gards wth strengh directs myn eye
As nimble Hinds thatt to safe mountains flie
Thou gauest me skill in war I giue thee thanks
Who'as made myn arme to break the steeld ranks
In throngs confused me wth thy shield did saue
Thy fauours held me vp bounty & honors gaue
And though ther standings slipry yit my feet
From stumbling then in itt thou didst safely keep
I then my foes pursued in full carrer
Nor turnd againe till they consumed were
Ther powre subdu'd & vnderfoot it lies
Though still they would contest yet cañot rise
My strengh to bataile hath redubled beene
Those that contend I them subdu'd haue seene
O're enimys O're enimys thou gauest me this powre [illegible deletion] this to doe
For ther malice to make ther necks to bow
They cald for helpe but to for themyr ayd none went
To god they cried but he noe answer sent
Then were they by me vnto attomes crust
Trampled upon, or in the wind as dust
From peoples striuings thou Lord was my aide
I onuer strangers ruled & they obay'd
Blest be my rock, the Lord, he Jehoua raigns
Has reuenged right my wrongs my cause quarel he mentains
And from the spitfull fury of thes euel men
Has me vnto to his prayse redeem'd from them
Great is the Powre he to his King has showne
To Dauid his anoynt, his whose race he'le euer owne
Modernized Text
Lord, I should ingrate in highest nature prove
Not thee my rock, my fortress, my salvation, love.
To give thee thanks how much am I engaged
By mercy saved, foes being high enraged.
When death, king of terrors, beset me round
And sons of Belial me did deeper wound,
Hell laid its snares, death at the[?] catch; then I
Called at thy throne for help, thou heard'st my cry.
See how the trembling earth and lofty hills
At thy wrath how ther tott'ring pillars reels,
And 'tis so hot he who approaches nigh it
As a fiery furnace is consumed by it.
The heavenly orbs their starry vault do bend:
T'was dark beneath him when he did defend
Triumphant chariots that he rideth in
Are winged clouds drawn by a cherubim;
But, when retired he would in counsel sit,
Thick fogs and dark clouds was his cabinet.
Thence sends he storms, the hail and flaming fire;
But when his splendours shines, all these retire.
Thy mighty voice, oh Lord, the heavens rends
Which hail and lightning forth as arrows sends:
The channels then did flow, earth's frame apeard
And when thou com'st to judge thou wilt be feared.
But bless him, oh my soul, who took me out
When many troubles compassed me about:
His goodness is my guard when sad times threat,
His power my fortress whereto I retreat
When I shunned what is ill, so good was he
T'accept the will, for it rewarded me.
Such is thy nature, Lord, as thou wilt shew
Mercy to him that's merciful and true.
With the pure thou art pure and will make't appear;
Thou can'st be cross to those that perverse are;
Thou saves th'aflicted, and the poor shall find
Thou'lt help, but ruin to th'aspiring mind;
And when thick darkness dost my spirits damp,
Thy grace, oh Lord, gives light unto my lamp.
Lord, through thy strength, where arméd troops stood throng
I've chargéd through, o'er ramparts high I've gone.
In these perfection never fails thy word.
Would'st thou be safe, my soul, trust in the Lord,
Nor can'st thou find a surer rock than he.
Oh no, my God, there's no God like to thee:
T'is thou that guards with strength, directs mine eye
As nimble hinds that to safe mountains fly.
Thou gavest me skill in war: I give thee thanks
Who's made mine arm to break the steel'd ranks;
In throngs confused, me with thy shield did save.
Thy favours held me up and honors gave
And, though their standings slipp'ry, yet my feet
From stumbling in it thou didst safely keep.
I then my foes pursued in full career
Nor turn'd again till they consuméd were.
Their power subdued and underfoot it lies:
Though still they would contest, yet cannot rise.
My strengh to battle hath redoubled been;
Those that contend, I them subdued have seen.
O'er enemies thou gavest this power to do,
For their malice to make their necks to bow.
They called for help but for their aid none went;
To God they cried but he no answer sent.
Then were they by me unto atoms crust
Trampled upon, or in the wind as dust.
From people's strivings, thou Lord was my aid;
I over strangers ruled and they obeyed.
Blest be my rock, the Lord, he Jehovah reigns
Has right my wrongs my quarrel he maintains;
And from the spiteful fury of these men
Has me unto his praise redeemed from them.
Great is the power he to his king has shown,
To David his anoint[ed], whose race he'll own.
