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forms here employed, scarcely deferve notice: but it may afford fome fatisfaction to the fincerely pious and unprejudiced Worshipper to observe, that while an attention to the UNDERS UNDERSTANDING, in fing ing, "has fought out not only acceptable words but words of truth, "-diftinguishing plain Chriftianity from inventions and refinements, antient for modern and while an carneft defire of engaging the HEART has led to as frequent a use of the Versions best suited to enkindle, and to express, its devotional, affections; care is taken throughout to avoid those Peculiarities which distinguisr any Sect.

By introducing different metres of the fame Pfalm, Confiderable scope is afforded, not only to the musical Compofer, but to that variety of illuftration by which many of these Divine Songs are exhibited in their more comprehenfive and exalted sense, Writers who have fuccefsfully imitated the fublimity and beauty of the POET, may occafionally unite with others, who (thewing us a yet more excellent way by the light and authority of the New Testament) have unveiled the PROPHET, displayed his evangelical Views, entered into his. Spirit and Experience, and adapted both to the service of the Chriftian Church.

Should this Attempt prove, in the Divine Hand, a humble mean of affifting the Private Meditations of those for whose use it was more immediately intended, or of improving that noblest part of their Public Worship, PRAISE, its defign will be fully accomplished.

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PSALMS SELECTED from various VERSIONS.

PSALMI.

Metre i.

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1

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APPY the Man, whose cautious Feet
Shun the broad Way that Sinners go;

Who hates the Place where Atheists meet,
And fears to talk as Scoffers do.

2 He loves t' employ his Morning-Light
Among the Statutes of the LORD;
And spends the wakeful Hours of Night
With Pleasure pond'ring o'er his Word.

3 He, like a Plant by gentle Streams,
Shall flourish in immortal Green :
And Heav'n will shine with kindest Beams
On ev'ry Work his Hands begin.

4 But Sinners find their Counsels croft;
As Chaff before the Tempest flies,
So shall their Hopes be blown and loft,
When the laft Trumpet shakes the Skies.

5 In vain the Rebel seeks to stand

In Judgment with the pious Race;
The dreadful JUDGE with stern Command
Divides him 'to a diffrent Place.

6 "Strait is the Way my Saints have trod,
" I bleft the Path, and drew it plain;
"But you would choose the crooked Road;
"And down it leads to endless Pain."

B

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Who nor loves, nor treads the Way,
Where the Sons of Folly stray:

2 But poffefs'd with facred Awe,
Meditates, great God, thy Law;
This by Day his fix'd Employ,
This by Night his constant Joy.

3 Like the Tree that, taught to grow
Where the Streams refreshing flow,
He his fruitful Branch shall spread,
Profp'rous, he no Leaf shall shed.

4 See, ah! fee a diff'rent Fate
GOD's obdurate Foes await;
See them, to his Wrath confign'd,
Fly like Chaff before the Wind.

5 When thy JUDGE, O Earth, shall come,
And to each affign his Doom;
Say, shall then the impious Band
With the Just assembled stand?

6 These th' ALMIGHTY, these alone,
Objects of his Love shall own;
While his Vengeance who defy
Whelm'd in endless Ruin lie.

I

PSALM II. Metre i.

WHY did the Gentiles rage,

And Jews with one Accord

Bend all their Counsels, to destroy
Th' Anointed of the LORD?

2

Rulers and Kings agree
To form a vain Design;

Against the Lord their Pow'rs unite,
Against his CHRIST they join.

3 The LORD derides their Rage,

4

And will fupport his Throne;
He that hath rais'd Him from the Dead,
Hath own'd Him for his SON.

Now He's ascended high,

And asks to rule the Earth; The Merit of his Blood He pleads,

And pleads his heav'nly Birth.

He asks, and God bestows

Far as the World's remotest Ends

5

A large Inheritance;

His Kingdom shall advance.

6

The Nations that rebel,

Must feel his Iron Rod;

7

He'll vindicate those Honours well

Which He receiv'd from God.

Be wife, ye Rulers, now,
And worship at his Throne;
With trembling Joy, ye People, bow
To God's exalted SON.

8 If once his Wrath arise,
Ye perish on the Place;
Then blessed is the Soul that flies -
For Refuge to his Grace.

: I

PSALM II. Metre ii.

WHY

HY did the Nations join to flay
The LORD'S Anointed Son?

Why did they caft his Laws away,
And tread his Gospel down?

2 The LORD that fits above the Skies,
Derides their Rage below,
He speaks with Vengeance in his Eyes,
And strikes their Spirits through.

3

4

" I call Him my Eternal Son,
"And raise Him from the Dead;
" I make my holy Hill his Throne,
" And wide his Kingdom spread.

"Afk me, my Son, and then enjoy
"The utmost Heathen Lands:
"Thy Rod of Iron shall destroy
"The Rebel that withstands."

5 Le wife, ye Rulers of the Earth,
Obey th' Anointed LORD,
Adore the King of heav'nly Birth,
And tremble at his Word.

6 With humble Love address his Throne;

1

For if He frown, ye die: Those are secure, and those alone Who on his Grace rely.

M

PSALM III. Metre i.

Y GOD, how many are my Fears!
How faft my Foes increase!

Conspiring my eternal Death

They break my present Peace,

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