7. As a bird by feigned call, Fallen in thrall, Breaks the snare and is untrapped; So our souls, so near betray'd, As a bird un-snar'd escaped. 8. God, who earth and heaven made, Doth us shade With the wing of his protection; He it is by whom we daunt Foes that vaunt, He 'tis keeps them in subjection. PSALM CXXVII. By Joseph Bryan. 1. EXCEPT the Lord himself will deign To build the house, the work to guide, The builder's labour is in vain, Like Babel's builder's haughty pride. Can battled, trench'd, fenc'd towns defend, Unless the God of Israel Do guard, and guide, and his help lend. 2. It is not early rising up, Nor going very late to bed, Nor drinking of a strengthless cup, Nor sweating eating careful bread, That aught avails; 'tis all in vain, 3. Children, the staff and crown of age, Issue to succeed their sires, Are th' Almighty's heritage, Wherewith he crowns his Saints' desires. 4. As shafts are in an archer's hand, Who draws a stiff bent sinewy bow; Even so are children in thy land, Which up in strength and virtue grow. Strength shaft-like sprouts in shape and mind, Strong but to virtue, not to vice; Straight bent to glorious deeds by kind, And to no brave achievements nice. 5. O happy sire, whose aged wings But eagle-like his fame shall mount. PSALM CXXVIII. 1. HOWSOEVER the world doth deem thee, Or thy godless rout esteem thee, Thou secure and sure mayst rest, 2. Thou shalt eat, and be sustained 3. Thy kind wife, a chaste life leading, On thy houses southward wall, And about thy heaven-stor'd table, Stand like olive plants around, Fat and green in thriving ground. 4. Thus behold, the Lord hath spoke it, That fears God, and doth his will. 5. God shall bless thee out of Sion, 6. Thou shalt view, and joy in viewing, 1 PSALM CXXXIII. By Joseph Bryan. 1. O BEHOLD with admiration What great good and contentation, 2. It is like that balmy ointment, Consecrate by God's appointment, And still used to be shed Upon Aaron's sacred head; And the nether skirts of them. 3. As the dew, so fat, so pearly, 4. So, where the kind band is holden Firmly, still the age is golden: |