Remember, Lord, the toils that David bore

Verse 1

Remember Lord, the toils that David bore; The woes for thee he suffer'd heretofore;

Verse 2

Remember too, how solemnly he vow'd, The sacred oath he took to Jacob's God!

Verse 3

"My house (he said) shall not receive it's Lord; "Rest to my wearied limbs shall not afford "My downy bed; sweet sleep shall not surprize, "With all it's flatt'ring lures, my drowsy eyes; "'Till first I know, a temple where to raise, "To his tremendous name, and fix the place."

Verse 4

This honour had I to my natal plains Design'd; but he, who o'er our actions reigns, Did to my duteous soul himself reveal The happy region, where he chose to dwell.

Verse 5

Come then, ye tribes, with me your God attend, And in his temple 'fore his altar bend;

Verse 6

And thou, eternal God, propitious, deign With thy bright presence to illume the fane;

Verse 7

Bless there thy priests in their devout employ, And let the pious soul exult with joy.

Verse 8

If e'er thy David with a heart sincere To thee hath breath'd his unpolluted pray'r, E'en he, whom thou'st. adorn'd with regal sway; Receive the vows his off-spring there shall pay.

Verse 9

Oft hast thou solemn sworn, almighty Lord, (And time shall cease ere thou forget thy word) "Thy progeny I'll on the throne maintain, "And they for ever o'er my tribes shall reign;

Verse 10

"If still thy children will my laws obey, "Nor from the perfect rule I give them, stray; "Their children shall possess the regal pow'r, "Their children's children, e'en till time's no more.

Verse 11

"On Sion's hill I've fix'd my own abode;

Verse 12

"Sion's the favour'd mansion of her God.

Verse 13

"With plenty her inhabitants I'll bless, "And crown her fertile plains with rich increase:

Verse 14

"I to her priests will ev'ry grace impart, "And fill with solid joy each pious heart.

Verse 15

"From David's loins a mighty chief shall spring, "Whom all the realms around shall own their king; "Whose noble deeds shall grace the royal line, "Whose glorious light o'er all the earth shall shine:

Verse 16

"His enemies shall view him with regret; "While shame and infamy their souls await: "Long shall he reign, and have a deathless name, "And everlasting time record his fame."