Thrice blest the man, that great Jehovah fears

Verse 1

Thrice blest the man, that great Jehovah fears, Observes his law, and his dread will reveres!

Verse 2

In honour long his progeny shall live; And 'mong the nations great respect receive:

Verse 3

His life he spends in peace, in wealth, in pow'r, His name will last, when he himself's no more:

Verse 4

While sore distresses wicked men confound, Our God will beam his light the just around; For, ever gracious, ever good, he frees, The pious soul from woe, and gives her ease.

Verse 5

The good man's bountiful, and constant gives, And injur'd innocence with joy relieves; And, with discretion while his life he guides, His wealth he with the indigent divides.

Verse 6

"No storms of fate his steady soul can move," His soul, that scorns the earth, and soars above: Ne'er dark oblivion can involve his name, Nor time itself obliterate his fame.

Verse 7

No dismal tidings can his heart surprize; Firm is his heart, and on his God relies;

Verse 8

Firm as a rock, he dares his threat'ning foes, For heav'n himself his sure support he knows.

Verse 9

The wealth that he with chearfulness bestow'd, The kind compassion to the poor he shew'd, His merit and his glory high will raise, And propagate his name to after-days.

Verse 10

This views the wicked with indignant eye; Rank spite and envy all his peace destroy; He chases, he frets, he pines, the live-long day, And with unbated malice wastes away.