Classic Poem

Part I.

T HOU , Who art enthron'd above,
Thou, by Whom we live and move,
O how sweet, how excellent,
Is't with tongue and heart's consent,
Thankful hearts and joyful tongues,
To renown Thy Name in songs!
When the morning paints the skies,
When the sparkling stars arise,
Thy high favours to rehearse,
Thy firm faith, in grateful verse.
Take the lute and violin,
Let the solemn harp begin,
Instruments strung with ten strings,
While the silver cymbal rings.
From Thy works my joy proceeds,
How I triumph in Thy deeds!
Who Thy wonders can express?
All Thy thoughts are fathomless;
Hid from men in knowledge blind,
Hid from fools to vice inclin'd.
Who that tyrant sin obey,
Though they spring like flow'rs in May,
Parch'd with heat and nipt with frost,
Soon shall fade, for ever lost.

Part II.

Lord, Thou art most Great, most High;
Such from all eternity.
Perish shall Thy enemies,
Rebels that against Thee rise.
All, who in their sins delight,
Shall be scatter'd by Thy might.
But Thou shalt exalt my horn,
Like a youthful unicorn;
Fresh and fragrant odours shed
On Thy crowned prophet's head.
I shall see my foes' defeat,
Shortly hear of their retreat.
But the just like palms shall flourish,
Which the plains of Judah nourish;
Like tall cedars mounted on
Cloud-ascending Lebanon.
Plants, set in Thy courts, below
Spread their roots, and upwards grow;
Fruit in their old age shall bring,
Ever fat and flourishing.
This God's justice celebrates;
He, my Rock, injustice hates.