Category: Uncategorized

First Version (C.M.)

1    Had not the Lord been on our side,
          may Israel now say;
2    Had not the Lord been on our side,
          when men rose us to slay;

3    They had us swallow’d quick, when as
          their wrath ‘gainst us did flame:
4    Waters had cover’d us, our soul
          had sunk beneath the stream.

5    Then had the waters, swelling high,
          over our soul made way.
6    Bless’d be the Lord, who to their teeth
          us gave not for a prey.

7    Our soul’s escaped, as a bird
          out of the fowler’s snare;
     The snare asunder broken is,
          and we escaped are.

8    Our sure and all-sufficient help
          is in Jehovah’s name;
     His name who did the heav’n create,
          and who the earth did frame.

Second Version (10.10.10.10.10.)

1    Now Israel

          may say, and that truly,

     If that the Lord

          had not our cause maintain’d;

2    If that the Lord

          had not our right sustain’d,

     When cruel men

          against us furiously

     Rose up in wrath,

          to make of us their prey;

3    Then certainly

          they had devour’d us all,

     And swallow’d quick,

          for ought that we could deem;

     Such was their rage,

          as we might well esteem.

4    And as fierce floods

          before them all things drown,

     So had they brought

          our soul to death quite down.

5    The raging streams,

          with their proud swelling waves,

     Had then our soul

          o’erwhelmed in the deep.

6    But bless’d be God,

          who doth us safely keep,

     And hath not giv’n

          us for a living prey

     Unto their teeth,

          and bloody cruelty.

7    Ev’n as a bird

          out of the fowler’s snare

     Escapes away,

          so is our soul set free:

     Broke are their nets,

          and thus escaped we.

8    Therefore our help

          is in the Lord’s great name,

     Who heav’n and earth

          by his great pow’r did frame.

1    O Lord, thou hast me search’d and known.

2         Thou know’st my sitting down,

     And rising up; yea, all my thoughts

          afar to thee are known.

3    My footsteps, and my lying down,

          thou compassest always;

     Thou also most entirely art

          acquaint with all my ways.

4    For in my tongue, before I speak,

          not any word can be,

     But altogether, lo, O Lord,

          it is well known to thee.

5    Behind, before, thou hast beset,

          and laid on me thine hand.

6    Such knowledge is too strange for me,

          too high to understand.

7    From thy Sp’rit whither shall I go?

          or from thy presence fly?

8    Ascend I heav’n, lo, thou art there;

          there, if in hell I lie.

9    Take I the morning wings, and dwell

          in utmost parts of sea;

10   Ev’n there, Lord, shall thy hand me lead,

          thy right hand hold shall me.

11   If I do say that darkness shall

          me cover from thy sight,

     Then surely shall the very night

          about me be as light.

12   Yea, darkness hideth not from thee,

          but night doth shine as day:

     To thee the darkness and the light

          are both alike alway.

13   For thou possessed hast my reins,

          and thou hast cover’d me,

     When I within my mother’s womb

          inclosed was by thee.

14   Thee will I praise; for fearfully

          and strangely made I am;

     Thy works are marv’llous, and right well

          my soul doth know the same.

15   My substance was not hid from thee,

          when as in secret I

     Was made; and in earth’s lowest parts

          was wrought most curiously.

16   Thine eyes my substance did behold,

          yet being unperfect;

     And in the volume of thy book

          my members all were writ;

     Which after in continuance

          were fashion’d ev’ry one,

     When as they yet all shapeless were,

          and of them there was none.

17   How precious also are thy thoughts,

          O gracious God, to me!

     And in their sum how passing great

          and numberless they be!

18   If I should count them, than the sand

          they more in number be:

     What time soever I awake,

          I ever am with thee.

VERSES 19-24 to the tune of Brian Sauve’s Tune for Psalm 1

19   Thou, Lord, wilt sure the wicked slay:
          hence from me bloody men.
20   Thy foes against thee loudly speak,
          and take thy name in vain.

21   Do not I hate all those, O Lord,
          that hatred bear to thee?
     With those that up against thee rise
          can I but grieved be?

22   With perfect hatred them I hate,
          my foes I them do hold.
23   Search me, O God, and know my heart,
          try me, my thoughts unfold:

24   And see if any wicked way
          there be at all in me;
     And in thine everlasting way
          to me a leader be.

1    Lord, from the ill and froward man

          give me deliverance,

     And do thou safe preserve me from

          the man of violence:

2    Who in their heart mischievous things

          are meditating ever;

     And they for war assembled are

          continually together.

3    Much like unto a serpent’s tongue

          their tongues they sharp do make;

     And underneath their lips there lies

          the poison of a snake.

4    Lord, keep me from the wicked’s hands,

          from vi’lent men me save;

     Who utterly to overthrow

          my goings purpos’d have.

5    The proud for me a snare have hid,

          and cords; yea, they a net

     Have by the way-side for me spread;

          they gins for me have set.

6    I said unto the Lord, Thou art

          my God: unto the cry

     Of all my supplications,

          Lord, do thine ear apply.

7    O God the Lord, who art the strength

          of my salvation:

     A cov’ring in the day of war

          my head thou hast put on.

8    Unto the wicked man, O Lord,

          his wishes do not grant;

     Nor further thou his ill device,

          lest they themselves should vaunt.

9    As for the head and chief of those

          about that compass me,

     Ev’n by the mischief of their lips

          let thou them cover’d be.

10   Let burning coals upon them fall,

          them throw in fiery flame,

     And in deep pits, that they no more

          may rise out of the same.

11   Let not an evil speaker be

          on earth established:

     Mischief shall hunt the vi’lent man,

          till he be ruined.

12   I know God will th’ afflicted’s cause

          maintain, and poor men’s right.

13   Surely the just shall praise thy name;

          th’ upright dwell in thy sight.

TUNE: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

First Version (8.7.8.7.)

1    Give thanks to God, for good is he:  
        for mercy hath he ever.
2    Thanks to the God of gods give ye:
          for his grace faileth never.

3    Thanks give the Lord of lords unto:
          for mercy hath he ever.
4    Who only wonders great can do:
          for his grace faileth never.

5    Who by his wisdom made heav’ns high:
          for mercy hath he ever.
6    Who stretch’d the earth above the sea:
          for his grace faileth never.

7    To him that made the great lights shine:
          for mercy hath he ever.
8    The sun to rule till day decline:
          for his grace faileth never.

9    The moon and stars to rule by night:
          for mercy hath he ever.
10   Who Egypt’s first-born kill’d outright:
          for his grace faileth never.

11   And Isr’el brought from Egypt land:
          for mercy hath he ever.
12   With stretch’d-out arm, and with strong hand:
          for his grace faileth never.

_____________________________

13   By whom the Red sea parted was:

          for mercy hath he ever.

14   And through its midst made Isr’el pass:

          for his grace faileth never.

15   But Phar’oh and his host did drown:

          for mercy hath he ever.

16   Who through the desert led his own:

          for his grace faileth never.

17   To him great kings who overthrew:

          for he hath mercy ever.

18   Yea, famous kings in battle slew:

          for his grace faileth never.

19   Ev’n Sihon king of Amorites:

          for he hath mercy ever.

20   And Og the king of Bashanites:

          for his grace faileth never.

21   Their land in heritage to have:

          (for mercy hath he ever.)

22   His servant Isr’el right he gave:

          for his grace faileth never.

23   In our low state who on us thought:

          for he hath mercy ever.

24   And from our foes our freedom wrought:

          for his grace faileth never.

25   Who doth all flesh with food relieve:

          for he hath mercy ever.

26   Thanks to the God of heaven give:

          for his grace faileth never.

Second Version (6.6.6.6.8.8.)

1    Praise God, for he is kind:

     His mercy lasts for aye.

2    Give thanks with heart and mind

     To God of gods alway:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

3    The Lord of lords praise ye,

     Whose mercies still endure.

4    Great wonders only he

     Doth work by his great pow’r

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

5    Which God omnipotent,

     By might and wisdom high,

     The heav’n and firmament

     Did frame, as we may see:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

6    To him who did outstretch

     This earth so great and wide,

     Above the waters’ reach

     Making it to abide:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

7    Great lights he made to be;

     For his grace lasteth aye:

8    Such as the sun we see,

     To rule the lightsome day:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

9    Also the moon so clear,

     Which shineth in our sight;

     The stars that do appear,

     To guide the darksome night:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

10   To him that Egypt smote,

     Who did his message scorn;

     And in his anger hot

     Did kill all their first-born:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

11   Thence Isr’el out he brought;

     For his grace lasteth ever.

12   With a strong hand he wrought,

     And stretch’d-out arm deliver:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

13   The sea he cut in two;

     For his grace lasteth still.

14   And through its midst to go

     Made his own Israel:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

15   But overwhelm’d and lost

     Was proud king Pharaoh,

     With all his mighty host,

     And chariots there also:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

16   To him who pow’rfully

     His chosen people led,

     Ev’n through the desert dry,

     And in that place them fed:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

17   To him great kings who smote;

     For his grace hath no bound.

18   Who slew, and spared not

     Kings famous and renown’d:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

19   Sihon the Am’rites’ king;

For his grace lasteth ever:

20   Og also, who did reign

     The land of Bashan over:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

21   Their land by lot he gave;

     For his grace faileth never,

22   That Isr’el might it have

     In heritage for ever:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

23   Who hath remembered

     Us in our low estate;

24   And us delivered

     From foes which did us hate:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

25   Who to all flesh gives food;

     For his grace faileth never.

26   Give thanks to God most good,

     The God of heav’n, for ever:

          For certainly

          His mercies dure

          Most firm and sure

          Eternally.

1    By Babel’s streams we sat and wept,

          when Sion we thought on.

2    In midst thereof we hang’d our harps

          the willow-trees upon.

3    For there a song required they,

          who did us captive bring:

     Our spoilers call’d for mirth, and said,

          A song of Sion sing.

4    O how the Lord’s song shall we sing

          within a foreign land?

5    If thee, Jerus’lem, I forget,

          skill part from my right hand.

6    My tongue to my mouth’s roof let cleave,

          if I do thee forget,

     Jerusalem, and thee above

          my chief joy do not set.

7    Remember Edom’s children, Lord,

          who in Jerus’lems day,

     Ev’n unto its foundation,

          Raze, raze it quite, did say.

8    O daughter thou of Babylon,

          near to destruction;

     Bless’d shall he be that thee rewards,

          as thou to us hast done.

9    Yea, happy surely shall he be

          thy tender little ones

     Who shall lay hold upon, and them

          shall dash against the stones.

1    Thee will I praise with all my heart,

          I will sing praise to thee

2    Before the gods: And worship will

          toward thy sanctuary.

     I’ll praise thy name, ev’n for thy truth,

          and kindness of thy love;

     For thou thy word hast magnify’d

          all thy great name above.

3    Thou didst me answer in the day

          when I to thee did cry;

     And thou my fainting soul with strength

          didst strengthen inwardly.

4    All kings upon the earth that are

          shall give thee praise, O Lord,

     When as they from thy mouth shall hear

          thy true and faithful word.

5    Yea, in the righteous ways of God

          with gladness they shall sing:

     For great’s the glory of the Lord;

          who doth for ever reign.

6    Though God be high, yet he respects

          all those that lowly be;

     Whereas the proud and lofty ones

          afar off knoweth he.

7    Though I in midst of trouble walk,

          I life from thee shall have:

    ‘Gainst my foes’ wrath thou’lt stretch thine hand;

          thy right hand shall me save.

8    Surely that which concerneth me

          the Lord will perfect make:

     Lord, still thy mercy lasts; do not

          thine own hands’ works forsake.

First version (C.M.)

1    Praise God. From heavens praise the Lord,

          in heights praise to him be.

2    All ye his angels, praise ye him;

          his hosts all, praise him ye.

3    O praise ye him, both sun and moon,

          praise him, all stars of light.

4    Ye heav’ns of heav’ns him praise, and floods

          above the heavens’ height.

5    Let all the creatures praise the name

          of our almighty Lord:

     For he commanded, and they were

          created by his word.

6    He also, for all times to come,

          hath them establish’d sure;

     He hath appointed them a law,

          which ever shall endure.

7    Praise ye Jehovah from the earth,

          dragons, and ev’ry deep:

8    Fire, hail, snow, vapour, stormy wind,

          his word that fully keep.

9    All hills and mountains, fruitful trees,

          and all ye cedars high:

10   Beasts, and all cattle, creeping things,

          and all ye birds that fly.

11   Kings of the earth, all nations,

          princes, earth’s judges all:

12   Both young men, yea, and maidens too,

          old men, and children small.

13   Let them God’s name praise; for his name

          alone is excellent:

     His glory reacheth far above

          the earth and firmament.

14   His people’s horn, the praise of all

          his saints, exalteth he;

     Ev’n Isr’el’s seed, a people near

          to him. The Lord praise ye.

Second Version (6.6.6.6.8.8.)

1    The Lord of heav’n confess,

     On high his glory raise.

2    Him let all angels bless,

     Him all his armies praise.

3         Him glorify

          Sun, moon, and stars;

4         Ye higher spheres,

          And cloudy sky.

5    From God your beings are,

     Him therefore famous make;

     You all created were,

     When he the word but spake.

6         And from that place,

          Where fix’d you be

          By his decree,

          You cannot pass.

7    Praise God from earth below,

     Ye dragons, and ye deeps:

8    Fire, hail, clouds, wind, and snow.

     Whom in command he keeps.

9         Praise ye his name,

          Hills great and small,

          Trees low and tall;

10        Beasts wild and tame;

     All things that creep or fly.

11   Ye kings, ye vulgar throng,

     All princes mean or high;

12   Both men and virgins young,

          Ev’n young and old,

13         Exalt his name;

          For much his fame

          Should be extoll’d.

     O let God’s name be prais’d

     Above both earth and sky;

14   For he his saints hath rais’d,

     And set their horn on high;

          Ev’n those that be

          Of Isr’el’s race,

          Near to his grace.

          The Lord praise ye.

1    Lord, from the depths to thee I cry’d.

2         My voice, Lord, do thou hear:

     Unto my supplication’s voice

          give an attentive ear.

3    Lord, who shall stand, if thou, O Lord,

          should’st mark iniquity?

4    But yet with thee forgiveness is,

          that fear’d thou mayest be.

5    I wait for God, my soul doth wait,

          my hope is in his word.

6    More than they that for morning watch,

          my soul waits for the Lord;

 I say, more than they that do watch

          the morning light to see.

7    Let Israel hope in the Lord,

          for with him mercies be;

     And plenteous redemption

          is ever found with him.

8    And from all his iniquities

          he Isr’el shall redeem.

1    My heart not haughty is, O Lord,

          mine eyes not lofty be;

     Nor do I deal in matters great,

          or things too high for me.

2    I surely have myself behav’d

          with quiet sp’rit and mild,

     As child of mother wean’d: my soul

          is like a weaned child.

3    Upon the Lord let all the hope

          of Israel rely,

     Ev’n from the time that present is

          unto eternity.

1    David, and his afflictions all,

          Lord, do thou think upon;

2    How unto God he sware, and vow’d

          to Jacob’s mighty One.

3    I will not come within my house,

          nor rest in bed at all;

4    Nor shall mine eyes take any sleep,

          nor eyelids slumber shall;

5    Till for the Lord a place I find,

          where he may make abode;

     A place of habitation

          for Jacob’s mighty God.

6    Lo, at the place of Ephratah

          of it we understood;

     And we did find it in the fields,

          and city of the wood.

7    We’ll go into his tabernacles,

          and at his footstool bow.

8    Arise, O Lord, into thy rest,

          th’ ark of thy strength, and thou.

9    O let thy priests be clothed, Lord,

          with truth and righteousness;

     And let all those that are thy saints

          shout loud for joyfulness.

10   For thine own servant David’s sake,

          do not deny thy grace;

     Nor of thine own anointed one

          turn thou away the face.

11   The Lord in truth to David sware,

          he will not turn from it,

     I of thy body’s fruit will make

          upon thy throne to sit.

12   My cov’nant if thy sons will keep,

          and laws to them made known,

     Their children then shall also sit

          for ever on thy throne.

13   For God of Sion hath made choice;

          there he desires to dwell.

14   This is my rest, here still I’ll stay;

          for I do like it well.

15   Her food I’ll greatly bless; her poor

          with bread will satisfy.

16   Her priests I’ll clothe with health; her saints

          shall shout forth joyfully.

17   And there will I make David’s horn

          to bud forth pleasantly:

     For him that mine anointed is

          a lamp ordain’d have I.

18   As with a garment I will clothe

          with shame his en’mies all:

     But yet the crown that he doth wear

          upon him flourish shall.