056) Psalm 36
8.8.8.8.
1 My crafty foe, with flattr’ing art, his wicked purpose would disguise But reason whispers to my heart, he ne’er sets God before his eyes.
2 He soothes himself, retired from sight, secure he thinks his treach’rous game Till his dark plots, exposed to light, their false contriver brand with shame.
3 In deeds he is my foe confessed, Whilst with his tongue he speaks me fair;
True wisdom’s banished from his breast, and vice has sole dominion there.
4 His wakeful malice spends the night in forging his accursed designs; His obstinate ungen’rous spite no execrable means declines.
5 But, Lord, thy mercy, my sure hope, above the heav’nly orb ascends;
Thy sacred truth’s unmeasured scope beyond the spreading sky extends.
6 Thy justice, like the hills, remains; unfathomed depths thy judgments are;
Thy providence the world sustains; the whole creation is thy care.
7 Since of thy goodness all partake, with what assurance should the just Thy shelt’ring wings their refuge make, and saints to thy protection trust.
8 Such guests shall to thy courts be led to banquet on thy love’s repast; And drink, as from a fountain’s head, of joys that shall for ever last.
9 With thee the springs of life remain; thy presence is eternal day:
10 O! let thy saints thy favor gain; to upright hearts thy truth display.
11 Whilst pride’s insulting foot would spurn, and wicked hands my life surprise;
12 Their mischiefs on themselves return; down, down they’re fall’n, no more to rise.
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