Psal 4 (MS. Fairfax 40, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)
Transcription
When I'me in straits wher should I make adress
Butt to thee the god of my rightiousness
When troubles fild my thoughts wth pining cares
Thou heardst my crie, & freed me from my fears
Vaine mortal men ô how dare you daine
My glory by contempt t'expose to shame
How long will you thes earthly things admire
Loue thats vaine not knowing the worlds a lier
But he who godly liues the Lord doth nigh
Place to himselfe, & timely hearrs ther crie
Wth feares awfull thoughts in dread stand in
Least motions of thy hart incline to sin
Then to that Confidence may we arise
To offer itt for a pure sacrifice
Who'le show vs good, some make question on
Lord shine on vs & that doubting gone
I more transcendent ioy in hart shall fin'e
Then thers that doe abound in corne & wine
So lieng cares in quiet armes of sleep
Shall lie secure, he's safe the Lord doth keepe.
Modernized Text
When I'm in straits, where should I make address
But to thee, the God of my rightiousness.
When troubles fill my thoughts with pining cares,
Thou heard'st my cry and freed me from my fears.
Vain mortal men, oh how dare you deign
My glory by contempt to expose to shame?
How long will you these earthly things admire
(Love that's vain) not knowing the world's a liar?
But he who godly lives, the Lord doth nigh
Place to himself and timely hears their cry.
With fears awful, thoughts [in] dread stand in
Lest motions of thy heart incline to sin.
Then to that confidence may we arise
To offer it for a pure sacrifice.
Who'll show us good, some make question on;
Lord, shine on us and, that doubting gone,
I more transcendent joy in heart shall find
Than theirs that do abound in corn and wine.
So lying cares in quiet arms of sleep
Shall lie secure. He's safe the Lord doth keep.
