PSALM XVII.

Tate and Brady

2 As in thy sight I am approv'd,
So let my sentence be;
And with impartial eyes, O Lord,
My upright dealing see.

3 For thou hast search'd my heart by day,
And visited by night;
And on the strictest trial found
Its secret motions right.

Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
My heart's designs acquit;
For I have purpos'd that my tongue
Shall no offence commit.

4 I know what wicked men would do
Their safety to maintain;
But me thy just and mild commands
From bloody paths restrain.

5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
My innocence secure;
O guide me in thy righteous ways,
And make my footsteps sure.

6 Since heretofore I ne'er in vain
To thee my pray'r addrest;
O now, my God, incline thine ear
To this my just request.

7 The wonders of thy truth and love
In my defence engage;
Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints
From their oppressors' rage.

8, 9 O keep me in thy tend'rest care;
Thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,
To guard me safe from savage foes,
That compass me about.

10 O'ergrown with luxury, inclos'd
In their own fat they lie;
And with a proud blaspheming mouth
Both God and man defy.

11 Well may they boast, for they have now
My paths encompass'd round:
With eyes at watch, and bodies bow'd,
And couching on the ground;

12 In posture of a lion set,
When greedy of his prey,
Or a young lion, when he lurks
Within a covert way.

13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots
Their swelling rage control;
From wicked men, who are thy sword,
Deliver thou my soul:

14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge,
Whose portion's here below;
Who, fill'd with earthly stores, desire
No other bliss to know.

15 Their race is num'rous that partake
Their substance while they live:
Their heirs survive, to whom they may
The vast remainder give.

16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
Shall view without control;
And, waking, shall its image find
Reflected in my soul.