Classic Poem

With my heart's sincere intention,
Lord, my prayer shall be preferr'd;
I will make melodious mention
Of the wonders of thy word.

Tow'ring with a previous relish
Of celestial joys I fly;
And my songs I will embellish
With thy name, O thou most high!

While mine enemies are routed,
Punish'd for their causeless strife;
They shall dread the God they doubted,
And reform their wicked life.

For by thy divine protection,
My just cause thou shalt maintain;
On a throne of true perfection
Thou support'st a righteous reign.

Thou hast check'd the heathen fury,
By thy hand the godless bleeds;
Thou hast driv'n them far from Jury,
To repent them of their deeds.

O thou enemy, destruction
Is with thy destroyer dead;
And the cities, whose reduction
Thou accomplish'd, are not read.

But o'er infinite duration
God th' eternal sceptre bears,
And for catholick salvation,
He his judgment-seat prepares

For with merciful decision
He shall try his sinful foes,
And in judgment make provision
For his love to interpose.

God shall likewise be propitious
To the poor in their distress;
And from men and times malicious
With a shelter he shall bless.

And the men of godly science,
In thy name shall put their trust;
For the Lord has made alliance
With the pious and the just.

Praise the Lord, whose fair pavilion
Is on Zion's hill display'd;
Shew the people every million
Of the works, which he has made.

When he makes his inquisition
For a bleeding martyr'd saint,
He forgets not their petition,
Which in hardship make complaint.

Lord, let what I bear atoning
For my sins, thy servant save:
Thou that liftst my spirit, groaning
On the verges of the grave.

That I may thy praise illustrate,
Where fair Zion's daughters dwell;
In thy son, whose birth shall frustrate
Satan's wiles, my joy shall swell.

Their own pit has gap'd to smother,
Those that made it yawn so deep;
From the net they hid for other,
They their steps can scarcely keep.

But the Lord is known by sparing
Sinners thrown on rocks and shelves,
And ungodly self-ensnaring,
He delivers from themselves.

Men, whose ways are so perverted,
That in terror they would end;
Shall, thro' Christ, be disconcerted,
And by grace to bliss ascend.

As for those who, meek and lowly,
Are in worldly goods forgot,
They shall have from God most holy
An eternal glorious lot.

Lord, arise, let carnal traitors
Have no more the upper-hand;
Let thy spirit conquer natures,
That thy saving health withstand.

Those who, thy remonstrance scorning,
Still continue in their lust,
Lord, remind with early warning,
That they are but mortal dust.