forms here employed, scarcely deferve notice: but
it
may

afford fome satisfaction to the fincerely pious and unprejudiced Worshipper to observe, that while an attention to the UNDERSTANDING, in finging, " has fonght out not only acceptable wari's but words of truth,"– distinguishing plain Christianity from inventions and refinements antient or modern--and while an carnet defire of engaging the 'HEART has led to

as frequent a use of the Verfions best suited to enkindle, and to expresse its devotional affections; care is taken throughout to avoid those Peculiarities which diftinguish any Sect.

By introducing different metres of the fame Psalm, confiderable fcope is afforded, not only to the musical Composer, but to that variety of illustration by which many of these Divine Songs are exhibited in their more comprehensive and exalted fente. Writers who have successfully imitated the sublimity and beauty of the Poit, may cccáfionally unite with others, who (thewing us a yet more excellent way hy 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 Christian Church.

Should this Attempt prove, in the Divine Hand, à humble” mean of allifting the Private Meditations of those for whose use it was more immediately irtended, or of improving that noblest part of their Public Worship, PRAISE, its design will be fully accomplified,

р

PS AL

M S

SELECTED from various VERSIONS.

PSA L M I.

Metre i.

H

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.
But Sinners find their Counsels croft;
As Chaff before the Teinpest flies,
So shall their Hopes be blown and loft,

When the last Trumpet fhakes 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 diff'rent Place.
O “ Strait is the Way my Saints have trod,

I blest the Path, and drew it plain;
" But you would choose the crooked Road;
* And down it leads to endless Pain."

B

PSALM I. Metre ii.
How blest the Man, whose Ear

Impious Counsel shuns to hear ;
Who nor loves, nor treads the Way,

Where the Sons of Folly stray: 2 But poffefs'd with sacred 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,

Prosp'rous, he no Leaf shall Thed. 4 See, ah! see a diff'rent Fate God's obdurate Foes await

t; See them, to his Wrath consign'd,

Fly like Chaff before the Wind. 5 When thy JUDGE, O Earth, shall come,

And to each assign his Doom;
Say, shall then the impious Band

With the Just assembled ftand?
6 Thefe th' ALMIGHTY, these alone,

Objects of his Love shall own;
While his Vengeance who defy
Whelın'd in endless Ruin lie.

PSA L M II. Metre i.
HY did the Gentiles rage,

And Jews with one Accord
Bend all their Counsels, to destroy

Th' Apointed of the LORD?

W

1

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,

And will support his Throne;
He that hath rais'd Him from the Dead,

Hath own'd Him for his Son,

4

Now He's ascended high,

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

And pleads his heav'nly Birth. 5

He asks, and God bestows

A large Inheritance;
Far as the World's remoteft Ends

His Kingdom shall advance.

6 The Nations that rebel,

Muft feel his Iron Rod;
He'll vindicate those Honours well

Which He receiv'd from God.

7 Be wise, ye Rulers, now,

And worship at his Throne;
With trembling Joy, ye People, bow

To God's exalted Son.

If once his Wrath arise,

Ye perifh on the Place;
Then blessed is the Soul that flies -

For Refuge to his Grace.

I

W!

PSALM II. Metre ii. HY did the Nations join to slay

? Why did they cast 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 “ I call Him my Eternal Son,

5 And raise Him from the Dead; " I make my holy Hill his Throne,

“ And wide his Kingdom spread. 4 “ Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy

" The utmost Heathen Lands: “ Thy Rod of Iron shall destroy

" The Rebel that withstands. 5 Pe wise, 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;

For if He frown, ye
Those are fecure, and those alone

Who on his Grace rely.

die :

PS A L M

III.

Metre i.

Y God, how many are my Fears !
How fast

my

Foes increase ! Conspiring my eternal Death

They break my present Peace.