Classic Poem

PSALM XVI .

Conserva me.

1.

Saue mee, Lord, for why, Thou art
All the hope of all my heart:
Witness thou, my soule, with me,
That to God, my God, I say, —
Thou, my Lord, Thou art my stay,
Though my works reach not to Thee.

2.

This is all the best I proue,
God and godly men I loue,
And foresee their wretched paine
Who to other gods do run;
Their blood offrings I do shun;
Nay, to name their names disdain.

3.

God my only portion is,
And of my child's-part the blisse;
He then shall maintayn my lott
Say then, is not my lot found
In a goodly pleasant ground?
Haue not I fair partage gott?

4.

Ever, Lord, I will blesse Thee,
Who dost ever counsell mee;
Ev'n when Night with his black wing,
Sleepy Darkness dos orecast,
In my inward reynes I taste
Of my faults a chastening.

5.

My eyes still my God regard,
And He my right hand doth guard;
So can I not be opprest,
So my heart is fully glad,
So my ioye in glory clad,
Yea, my flesh in hope shall rest.

6.

For I know the deadly graue
On my soul no power shall haue;
For I know Thou wilt defend
Even the body of Thyne own
Deare beloved holy one,
From a foule corrupting end.

7.

Thou life's path wilt make me know,
In whose vieue with plenty grow
All delights that soules can craue;
And whose bodys placed stand
On Thy blessed-making hand,
They all joyes like endless haue.