Page:KJV 1769 Oxford Edition, vol. 1.djvu/540

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His reflexions on the vanity of human life.
PSALMS.
Obedience the most acceptable sacrifice.

are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

21 Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.

22 Make haste †† Heb. for my help. to help me, O Lord my salvation.

PSAL. XXXIX.

1 David's care not to offend with his tongue: 4 his reflexions upon the shortness and vanity of human life, which lead him to hope in God: 8 he prayeth for pardon and comfort before his death.

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

I Said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep †† Heb. a bridle, or muzzle for my mouth. my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was †† Heb. troubled. stirred.

3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know ‖‖ Or, what time I have here. how frail I am.

5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man †† Heb. settled. at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

6 Surely every man walketh in †† Heb. image. a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the †† Heb. conflict. blow of thine hand.

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest †† Heb. that which is to be desired in him to melt away. his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

PSAL. XL.

1 David from his own experience sheweth the benefit of trust in God. 6 Obedience the most acceptable sacrifice. 9 David's grateful return of praise: 11 he prayeth for salvation to himself, and confusion to his enemies.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

I† Heb. in waiting I waited. Waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of †† Heb. a pit of noise. an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: ‖‖ Or, none can order them unto thee. they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou †† Heb. digged. opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is† Heb. in the midst of my bowels. within my heart.

9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart †† Heb. forsaketh. faileth me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.