Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice; It is a seemly sight

Verse 1

Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice; it is a seemly sight That upright men with thankful voice should praise the Lord of might.

Verse 2

Praise ye the Lord with harp, and sing to him with psaltery, With ten-string'd instrument sounding, praise ye the Lord most high:

Verse 3

Sing to the Lord a song most new, with courage give him praise, For why? his word is ever true, his works and all his ways:

Verse 4

Both judgment, equity and right he ever lov'd and will, And with his gifts he doth delight the earth throughout to fill.

Verse 5

For by the word of God alone the heav'ns above were wrought, Their hosts and powers ev'ry one his breath to pass has brought.

Verse 6

The waters great gather'd hath he on heaps within the shore, And hid them in the depth to be as in a house of store.

Verse 7

Let all the earth then fear the Lord, and keep his righteous law, And all the world with one accord dread him and stand in awe.

Verse 8

What he commanded, wrought it was at once with utmost speed; What he doth will is brought to pass with full effect indeed.

Verse 9

The counsels of the nations rude the Lord doth bring to naught, He doth defeat the multitude of their device and thought:

Verse 10

But his decrees continue still, they never slack nor 'swage; The motions of his mind and will take place in ev'ry age.

Verse 11

Blessed are they to whom the Lord as God and guide is known, Whom he doth choose of mere accord to take them as his own.

Verse 12

The Lord from heav'n did cast his sight on men mortal by birth, Beholding from his seat of might the dwellers on the earth.

Verse 13

The Lord, I say, whose hand hath wrought man's heart, and doth it frame, 'Tis he alone doth know the thought and working of the same.

Verse 14

A king that trusteth in his host shall nought prevail at length, The man that of his might doth boast shall fail for all his strength:

Verse 15

The troops of horsemen all shall fail, their sturdy steeds shall swerve; The strength of horse shall not prevail the rider to preserve:

Verse 16

But lo, the eyes of God attend and watch to aid the just, With such as fear him to offend, and on his goodness trust;

Verse 17

That he of death and great distress may set their souls from dread, And if that dearth their land oppress in hunger them to feed.

Verse 18

Wherefore our soul doth whole depend on God our strength and stay He is our shield, us to defend, and drive all darts away.

Verse 19

Our joyful souls alway proclaim his power and his might; For why? in his most holy name we hope and much delight.

Verse 20

Therefore let thy goodness, O Lord, still present with us be, As we always with one accord do only trust in thee.