Psal 31 (MS. Fairfax 40, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)
Transcription
Let nott my confidence be ashamed, sence
In thee I trust Let me deliverance have
Thou art my rock of strenght my[?] Fort of defence
Guide me in truth me Let thy mercy saue
From snaires the'emimy hath secret layd
Lord pluck me out who art my only ayde
Wher shall my soule in safty quiet rest
But in thy hand that hath redeemed me
Who art the God of truth ther itt is best
All others will else deceaues I'le only trust in thee
For t'is thy mercy makes my soule reioyce
I was in trouble & thou hardst my voyce
Thou has nott left me in the boundless powre
Of raging foes my feet att large thou'st sett
I need thy mercy Clouds of trouble lowre
Greefe myn eyes consumes, soule, & spirit fretts
Thus is my yeares & life wth sighing's torne
Be'Cause of sin strenght failes my boones are torne[?] worne
To him that haits me I a scorne doe seeme
'Mongst whom I lived ô this doth greeue me more
To beare ther shame that had aquantance bee beene
I as one that's dead out of mind am wo're
Wch on my hart a trimbling feare it brought
When slandr'd by som my life by others sought
My soule finds comfort whilst yet I itt says
Thou art my God & thee to trust I will
For safty, in whose hands are all my days
Wth favour shine let mercy saue me still
On them noe shame on them Befall on thee relie
Bee't to th'e wicked, in graue them them silent lie
Who soe his tonge wth flattring language tipps
Or proudly boost against him that is iust
[Side, top:]
Wth silence Lord [illegible deletion] seale vp his lipps
Who gratious gratious art to those that in him trust
[Side, bottom:]
From spitfull tonges wilt thou securely hid
Him in safe retreats from men of Pride
Blest be the Lord who favour shewed hath has
As in a walled towne hath keept me safe
But in my hast I said too hasty it was
Sure Sure out of his sight me cut of he hath
Yitnote heardest thou my crie, thy loue is such
Then soule take strenght the proud he slight as much
Yit. The text here is indistinct and reads at first glance as "Is it". The Hebrew and Geneva texts, however, make clear that the intended word must have been "Yit" (that is, "Yet") and that some of the ink is missing in the "Y". [back to text]
Modernized Text
Let not my confidence be ashamed. Since
In thee I trust, let me deliverance have.
Thou art my rock of strenght fort of defence.
Guide me in truth; me let thy mercy save
From snares the'ememy hath secret laid.
Lord, pluck me out who art my only aid.
Where shall my soul in safety quiet rest
But in thy hand that hath redeeméd me,
Who art the God of truth: there it is best;
All else deceives. I'll only trust in thee,
For t'is thy mercy makes my soul rejoyce:
I was in trouble and thou heardst my voice.
Thou has not left me in the boundless power
Of raging foes. My feet at large thou'st set.
I need thy mercy: clouds of trouble lower;
Grief mine eyes consume; soul and spirit fret.
Thus is my yeares and life with sighings torn.
Because of sin, strength fails, my bones are worn.
To him that hates me, I a scorn do seem
'Mongst whom I lived—oh, this doth grieve me more—
To bear their shame that had acquaintance been.
I as one that's dead out of mind am wore,
Which on my heart a trembling fear it brought,
Slander'd by some, my life by others sought.
My soul finds comfort whilst yet it says,
Thou art my God and thee to trust I will
For safety, in whose hands are all my days.
With favour shine; let mercy save me still.
No shame on them befall [that] on thee rely.
Be't to th'wicked in grave them silent lie.
Whoso his tongue with flatt'ring language tips,
Or proudly boasts against him that is just,
With silence, Lord, seale up his lips,
Who gracious art to those that in him trust.
From spiteful tongues wilt thou securely hide
Him in safe retreats from men of pride.
Blest be the Lord who favour shewéd has,
As in a walléd town hath keept me safe.
But in my haste I said—too hasty it was—
Sure, out of his sight me cut off he hath.
Yet heardest thou my cry, thy love is such.
Then, soul, take strength: the proud he slight as much.
