A Psalm of David

Verse 1

O let JEHOVAH blessed be, who is my rock of might: My hands he teaches how to war, my fingers how to fight.

Verse 2

My goodness, fortress, my high tow'r, saviour and shield is He; In whom I trust, and who subdues my people under me.

Verse 3

LORD, what is man, that Thou of him shouldst any knowledge take; Or son of man, that Thou of him so great account dost make?

Verse 4

For man is like to vanity, uncertain here to stay; His days like shades of flying clouds pass hastily away.

Verse 5

LORD, bow thy heav'ns above, come down; and with thy thunder's stroke Do Thou but once the mountains touch, and they will rise in smoke.

Verse 6

Cast fort thy lightnings, and disperse thine enemies around; And make thy piercing arrows fly, and all their pow'r confound.

Verse 7

Thine hand O send Thou from above, redeem and rescue me; From mighty waters, from the hand of strangers set me free.

Verse 8

Whose evil mouths are wont to speak falshood and vanity; And whose right hand a right hand is of fraud and perfidy.

Verse 9

O God, new songs I'll sing to Thee, upon the psaltery; And on a ten-string'd instrument to Thee sing praise will I.

Verse 10

It is He only who to kings salvation doth afford; And who his servant David saves from the destroying sword.

Verse 11

Free me from bands of strangers sons, whose mouths speak vanity, And whose right hand a right hand is of fraud and perfidy.

Verse 12

But let our sons in youthful age as thriving plants appear; Daughters like polish'd corner stones which grace a palace fair.

Verse 13

That to afford all kinds of stores, our garners may be fill'd; Our cattle thousands in our streets, yea may ten thousands yield.

Verse 14

Our oxen for their labour strong; no enemy invade; No leading captive; no complaint in all our streets be made.

Verse 15

O happy people they, who are in such a case as this; But far more happy people they whose God JEHOVAH is.