Verse Translations:
Wyatt Sidney
Bibles:
Vulgate Coverdale Bible
Geneva Bible
Sir Thomas Wyatt Penitential Psalms (1549)
Original Spelling Version
Psalm 6 Psalm 32
Psalm 38 Psalm 51
Psalm 102 Psalm 130
Psalm 143
Psalm 6 Domine ne in furore
[1] O Lord since my mouth, thy mighty name
Suffer'th itself my lord, to name & to call
Here hath my harp, hope taken by the same
That the repentance, which I have and shall
May at thy hand, seek mercy as the thing
Of only comfort to wretched sinners all
Whereby I dare with humble bemoaning
By the goodness of thee, this thing require
Chastise me not, for my deserving
[10]According to thy just conceived ire
O lord I dread, and that I did not dread
I me repent, and evermore desire
Thee to dread, I open here and spread
My fault to thee, but thou for thy goodness
Measure it not, in largeness nor in bread.
Punish it not as ask'th thee greatness
Of thy furor provoked by mine offence
Temper, o lord, the harm of my excess
With mending will that I for recompense
[20] Prepare again, and rather pity me
For I am weak, and clean without defense
More is the need, I have of remedy
For of the hole, the leach tak'th no cure
The sheep that stray'th thee shepherd seeks to see
I lord am strayed, and seek without recure
Feel all my limbs, that have rebelled for fear
Shake in despair unless thou me assure
My flesh is troubled, my heart doth fear the spear
That dread of death, of death that ever lasts
[30] Threat'th of right, and draw'th near and near
Much more my soul, is troubled by the blasts
Of these assaults, that come as thick as hail
Of worldly vanities, that temptation castes
Against the bulwark, of the flesh frail
Wherein the soul, in great perplexity
Feel'th the senses, with them that assayed
Conspire corrupt by pleasure and vanity
Whereby the wretch, doth to the shade resort
Of hope in the, in this extremity
[40] But thou o lord, how long after this sort
Forbear'st thou, to see my misery
Suffer me yet, in hope of some comfort
Fear & not feel, that thou forget'st me
Return (o Lord) I beseech thee o Lord
Unto thy old, wonted benignity
Reduce revive, my soul, be thou the leech
And reconcile, the great hatred and strife
That it hath had, against the flesh the wretch
That stirred hath thy wrath by filthy life
[50] See how my soul, doth fret it to the bones
Inward remorse, so sharp'th it like a knife
That but thou help, the caitiff that bemoans
His great offence, it turn'th anon to dust
Here hath thy mercy, matter for the nonce
For if thy righteous hand, that is so just
Suffer no sin, or strike with damnation
Thy infinite mercy, want, needs it must
Subject matter, for his operation
For that in death, there is no memory
[60] Among the damned, nor yet no mention
Of thy great name ground of all glory
Then if I die, and go whereas I fear
To think thereon, how shall thy great mercy
Sound in my mouth, unto the world's care
For there is none that can thee laud and love
For that thou wilt no love, among them there
Suffer my cries, thy mercy to move
That wonted is, a hundred years' offence
In a moment of repentance, to remove
[70] Howe oft have I called up with diligence
This slothful flesh, long afore the day
For to confess, his fault and negligence
That to the den, for ought that I could say
Hath still returned, to shroud himself from cold
Whereby, if suffer'th none for such delay
By mighty plaints, instead of pleasures old
I wash my bed, with tears continual
To dull my sight, that it be never bold
To steer my hart again, to such a fall
[80] Thus dry I up, among my foes in woe
That with my fall, do rise and grow withal
And me beset even now, where I am so
With secret traps, to trouble my penance
Some do present to me, my weeping eyes
The cheer, the manner, beauty, or countenance
Of her whose look alas, did make me blind
Some other offer, to my remembrance
These pleasant words, now bitter to my mind
And some, show me the power, of my armor
[90] Triumph, and conquest, and to my head assigned
Double diadem, some show favor
Of people frail, palace, pomp and riches
To the mermaids, and their baits of error
I stop my ears, with help of thy goodness
And for I feel, it cometh alone of thee
That to my harp, these foes have none access
Dare them bid, avoid wretches and flee
The Lord hath heard, the voice of my complaint
Your engines, take no more effect in me
[100] The Lord hath heard (I say) and sent me faint
Under your hand, and pity'th my distress
He shall do make my senses, by constraint
Obey the rule, that reason shall express
Where that the deceit, of your glossing bait
Made them usurp, a power in all excess
Shamed be they all, that so do lie in wait
To compass me by missing of their prayer
Shame and rebuke, redound to such deceit
Sudden confusion, as stroke with our delay
[110] Shall so deface, their crafty suggestion
That they to hurt my health, no more assay
Sense I, O Lord, remain in thy protection.
The Author
Who so hath seen, the sick in his fever
After truce taken, with the heat or cold
And that the fit is past, of his fever
Draw fainting sighs, let him I say behold
Sorrowful David, after his languor
The with his tears, that from his eyen down rolled
Paused his plaint, and laid down his harp
[120] Faithful record, of all his sorrows sharp
It seemed now, that of his fault the horror
Did make afeard no more his hope of grace
The threats whereof in horrible terror
Did hold his heart, as in despair a space
Till he had will, to seek for his succor
Himself accusing, beknowing his case
Thinking so best, his lord to appease
And not yet healed, he feel'th his disease
Now seemeth fearful, no more the dark cave
[130] That erst did make his fault, for to tremble
A place devout, of refuge for to save
The succourless, it rather did resemble
For who had seen, so kneeling within the grave
The chief pastor, of the Hebrews assemble
Would judge it, made by tears of penitence
A sacred place, worthy of reverence
With vapoured eyes, he looked here, and there
And when he hath, awhile himself bethought
Gathering his spirits, that were dismayed for fear
[140] His harp again, unto his hand he wrought
Tuning accord, by Judgment of his ear
His heart's bottom for a sigh he sought
And therewithal, upon the hollow tree
With strained voice, again thus cried he
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Psalm 32 Beati quorum remisse sunt.
[1] Oh happy are they, that have forgiveness got
Of their offence, not by their penitence
As by merit which recompenseth not
Although that yet pardon, hath not offence
Without the same, but by the goodness
Of him that hath, perfect intelligence
Of heart contrite, and covert the greatness
Of sin, within a merciful discharge
And happy are they, that have the willfulness
[10] Of lust restrained, afore it went at large
Provoked by the dread, of God's furor
Whereby they have not on their backs the charge
Of other faults, too suffer thee dolor
For that their fault, was never execute
In open sight, example of error
And happy is he, to whom God doth impute
No more his fault, by 'knowledging his sin
And cleansed now, the lord doth him re-pure
As adder fresh, new stripped from his skin
[20] Nor in his sprite, is ought undiscovered
I for because, I hide it still within
Thinking by state, in fault to be preferred
Do find by hiding of my fault my harm
As he that findeth, his health hindered
By secrete wound, concealed from the charm
Of leach's cure, that else had, had redress
And feel my bones, consume and wax infirm
By daily rage, roaring in excess
The heavy hand, on me was so increased
[30] Both day and night, & hold my heart in press
With pricking thoughts, bereaving me my rest
That withered is my lustiness away
As summer heats, that have the grain oppressed.
Wherefore I did, another way assay
And sought forth with, to open in thy sight
My fault, my fear, my filthiness I say
And not to hide, from thee, my great unright
I shall quoth I, against myself confess
Unto thee Lord, all my sinful plight
[40] And thou forthwith did'st wash the wickedness
Of mine offence, of truth right thus it is
Wherefore they, that have tasted thy goodness
At me, shall take example, as of this
And pray, and seek in time, for time of grace
Then shall the storms, and floods of harm
And him to reach, shall never have the space
Thou art my refuge, and only safeguard
From the troubles that compass me the place
Such joys, as he that 'scapeth his enemies ward
[50] With loosed bands, hath in liberty
Such is my joy, thou hast to me prepared
That as thou see man in his Jeopardy
By sudden sight, perceived hath the light
So by thy great merciful property
Within thy book thus read I my comfort
I shall thee teach, and give understanding
And point to thee, what way thou shalt resort
For thy address, to keep thee from wandering
My eye shall take the charge to be thy guide
[60] I ask thereto, of thee only this thing
Be not like horse or mule that men do ride
That not alone doth his master know
But for the good, thou must him betide
And bridled lest his guide he bite or throw
Oh diverse there are chastisings of sin
In meat, and drink, in breath, that man doth blow
In sleep, and watch, in fretting still within
That never suffer rest unto the mind
Felled with offence, that new and new begin
[70] With thousand fears, the heart to strain and blind:
But for all this he that in God doth trust
With mercy, shall himself defended find
Joy, and rejoice, I say: you that be just
In him that maketh, & holdeth you so still
In him your glory, always set you must
All you that be, of upright heart and will
The Author
This song ended, David did stint his voice
And in that while, he about with his eye
Did seek the dark cave, with which without noise
[80] His silence seemed, to argue and reply
Upon his harp, this peace that did rejoice
The soul with mercy, that mercy so did call
And found mercy, at plentiful mercy's hand
Never denied, but where it was withstand
As the servant, in his master's face
Finding pardon, of his past offence
Considering his great goodness, and his grace
Glad tears distills, as gladsome recompense
Right so David, seemed in the place
[90] A marble image, of singular reverence
Carved in the rock, with eyes and hand on high
Made is by craft, to 'plain, to sob, to sigh
This while a beam that bright sun forth sendeth
That son the which was never sun could hide
Pierceth the cave, and on the harp descendeth
Whose glancing light, the world did over glide
And such luster upon the harp extendeth
As light of lamp, upon the gold clean tried
The turn whereof into his eyes did start
[100] Surprised with joy, by penance of the heart
He more enflamed, with far more hot effect
Of God then he was erst of Barsabe
His left foot did on the earth erect
Just thereby remaineth the other knee
To the left side, his weight he doth direct
For hope of health, his harp again tak'th he
His hand, his tune, his mind sought his lay
Which to the Lord, with sober voice did say
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Psalm 38 Domine ne in furore tuo.
[1] O Lord as I have thee, both prayed and pray
Although in thee, be no alteration
But that we men, like as ourselves we say
Measuring thy Justice, by our mutation
Chastise me not (oh Lord) in thy furor
Nor me correct, in wrathful castigation
For that thy arrows, of fear, of Terror
Of sword, of sickness, of famine, of fire
Sticks deep in me, I (lo) from mine error
[10] Am plucked up, as horse out of the mire
With stroke of spur, such is thy hand on me
That in my flesh, for terror of thy ire
Is not one point, of firm stability
Nor in my bones, there is no steadfastness
Such is my dread of mutability
For that I know my frailful wickedness
For why? my sins above my head are bound
Like heavy weights, that doth my force oppress
Under the which I stoop, and bow to the ground
[20] As willow plant, hailed by violence
And of my flesh, each not well cured wound
That festered is, by folly, and negligence
By secrete lust, hath rankled under skin
Not duly cured, by my penitence
Perceiving thus, the tyranny of sin
That with weight, hath humbled and depressed
My pride, by grudging of the worm within
That never dieth I live withouten rest
So are mine entrails Infect with fervent sore
[30] Feeding my harm, my wealth oppressed
That in my flesh, is left no health therefore
So wondrous great, hath been my vexation
That it forced my heart, to cry and roar
O Lord thou know'st, th' inward contemplation
Of my desire, thou know'st my sighs and plaints
Thou know'st, the tears of my lamentation
Cannot express, my heart's inward restraints
My heart panteth, my force I feel it quail
My sight, my eyes, my look decays and faints
[40] And when mine enemies, did me most assail
My friends most sure, wherein I set most trust
Mine own virtues, soonest then did fail
And stood apart, reason & wit, unjust
As kin unkind, were farthest gone at need
So had they place, their venom out to thrust
That sought my death, by naughty word and deed
Their tongues reproach, their wit did fraud apply
And I like deaf & dumb, forth my way yede
Like one that hears not, nor hath to reply
[50] Not one word again, knowing that from thine hand
These things proceed, & thou Lord shalt reply
My trust in that, wherein I stick and stand
Yet have I had, great cause to dread and fear
That thou would'st give, my foes the over hand
For in my fall, they showed such pleasant cheer
That therewithal, I always in the lash
Abide the stroke, and with me everywhere
I bear my fault, that greatly doth abash
My doleful cheer, for I my fault confess
[60] And my dessert, doth all my comfort dash
In the mean while mine enemies still increase
And my provokers hereby do augment
That without cause to hurt me do not cease
In evil for good against me they be bent
And hinder shall, my good present of grace
Lo now my God, that seest my whole intent
My lord I am, thou knowest in what case
Forsake me not, be not far from me gone
Haste to my help, haste Lord, & hast apace
[70] O Lord, the Lord, of all my health alone
The Author
Like as the pilgrim, that in a long way
Fainting for heat, provoked by some wind
In some fresh shade lieth down at mid of the day
So doth of David, the weary voice and mind
Gave breath of sighs, when he had sung this lay
Under such shade, as sorrow hath assigned
And as the tone, still minds his voyage end
So doth the other, to mercy still pretend
On four chords, his fingers he pretends
[80] Without hearing, or Judgment of the sound
Down of his eyes, a stream of tears descends
Without feeling, that trickle on the ground
As he that bleeds in vain right so intends
Th'altered senses to that that they are bound
But lie and weep, he can none other thing
And look up still, unto the heaven king
But who hath been without the cave mouth
And heard the tears, and sighs that him did strain
He would have sworn there had out of the south
[90] A lukewarm wind, brought forth a smoky rain
But that so close the cave was, and uncouth
That none but god, was record of his pain
Else had the wind blown, in all Israel cares
Of their king, the woeful plaint and tears
Of which some part when he up supped had
Like as he, whom his own thought affrays
He turns his look, him seemed that the shade
Of his offence, again his force assays
By violent despair, on him to lade
[100] Starting like him, whom sudden despair dismayed
His heart he strains, and from his heart out brings
This song that I note, whether he crieth or sings
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Psalm 51 Miserere mei deus
[1] Rue on me Lord, for thy goodness and grace
That of thy nature art so bountiful
For that goodness that in thy word doth brace
Repugnant natures is quiet wonderful
And for thy mercies, number without end
In heaven and earth perceived so plentiful
That over all, they do themselves extend
For His mercy, much more then man can sin
Do away my sin, that thy grace offend
[10] Oft times again wash me but wash me well within
And from my sins, that thus make me afraid
Make thou me clean, as ever thy wont hath been
For unto thee now, none can be laid
For to prescribe, remission of sin
In heart returned, as thou thyself hast said
And I beknow my fault, and any negligence
In my sight my sin is fixed fast
Thereof to have more perfect penitence
To thee above, to thee have I trespassed
[20] For none can cure my fault, but thou alone
For in thy sight, I have not been aghast
For to offend, judging thy sight as none
So that my fault, were hid from sight of man
Thy majesty, so from my sight was gone
This know I, and repent, pardon thou then
Whereby thou shalt keep still thy word stable
Thy justice pure and clean, because that when
I pardoned am, then forthwith justiciable
Just I am judged, by justice of thy grace
[30] For I myself, lo, thing most unstable
Formed in offence, conceived in like case
Am naught but sin from my nativity
Be not these said, for mine excuse, ah alas
But of thy help, to show necessity inward
For lo, thou lovest the truth of the heart
Which yet doth live, in most fidelity
Though I have fallen, by frail overthwart
For willful malice, lead me not the way
So much, as hath the flesh, driven me apart
[40] Wherefore (O Lord) as thou hast done alway
Teach me, the hidden wisdom of thy lore
Since that my faith, doth not yet decay
And as the Jews, to heal thee leper sore
With hyssop cleanse, cleanse me and I am clean
Thou shalt me wash, and more then snow therefore
I shall be white, how foul my fault hath been
Thou of my health, shall gladsome tidings bring
When from above, remission shall be seen
[50] Descend on earth, thou shall be for joy upspring
The bones, that were before consumed to dust
Look not, oh Lord, upon mine offending
But do away my deeds, that are unjust
Make a clean heart in the middle of my breast
With spirit upright, voided from filthy lust
From thine eyes cure cast me not in unrest
Nor take from me, the spirit of holiness
Render to me joy of thy help & hest
My will confirm, with the spirit of steadfastness
[60] And by this, shall these godly things ensue
Sinners I shall, into thy ways address
They shall return to thee, and thy grace sue
My tongue shall praise, thy justification
My mouth shall spread, thy glorious praise true
But of thy self, o God, this operation
It must proceed by purging me from blood
Among the just that I may have relation
And of thy lauds for to let out the flood
Thou must, oh lord my lips first unloose
[70] For if thou hadst, esteemed pleasant good
The outward deeds, that outward men disclose
I would have offered, unto the sacrifice
But thou delightest not, in no such gloss
Of outward deed, as men dream and devise
The sacrifice, that the lord liketh most
Is spirit contrite, low heart in humble wise
Thou dost accept, o God, for pleasant host
Make Zion, Lord, according to thy will
Inward Zion the Zion of the host
[80] Of hearts, Jerusalem strength thy walls still
Then shalt thou take for good the outward deeds
Of a sacrifice, thy pleasure to fulfil
The Auctor
OF deep secrets, that Dauid there did sing
Of mercy, or faith, of frailty of grace
Of God's goodness, and of justifying
Thy goodness did so, astonish him apace
As who might say, who hath expressed this thing
I sinner, I, what have I said alas
That God's goodness, would within my song entreat
[90] Let me again, consider and repeat
And so he doth, but expressed by word
But in his heart he turneth and poiseth
Each word that his lips, might forth abroad
He pointeth, he pauseth, he wondreth, he praiseth
The mercy that hideth, of justice the sword
The justice that so, his promise accomplisheth
For his words sake, to worthless desert
That gratis, his grace, to men doth depart
Here hath he comfort, when he doth measure
[100] Measureless mercy, to measureless faults
To prodigal sinners, infinity treasure
Treasure celestial, that never shall default
Yea, when that sin shall fail, and may not endure
Mercy shall reign again, whom shall not assault
Of hell prevail, by whom lo, at this day
Of heaven gates, remission is the key
And when David, had pondered well and tried
And seeth himself, not outerly deprived
For light of grace, that dark of sine did hide
[110] He findeth his hope much, therewith revived
He importeth on the Lord, on every side
For he knoweth well, that to mercy is ascribed
Respectless labor, importune, cry, and call
And thus beginneth his song, therewithal
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Psalm 102 Domine exaudi orationem meam
[1]Lord hear my prayer, & let my cry pass
Unto thee, Lord, without impediments
Do not from me, turn thy merciful face
Unto myself, leaving my government
In time of trouble, and adversity
Incline unto me, thine ear & thine intent
And when I call, help my necessity
Readily grant, th'effect of my desire
Boldly to please thy Majesty
[10]And eke my case, such haste doth well require
For like a sink, my days are past away
My bones dried up, as a furnace with the fire
My heart, my mind, is withered up like hay
But I have forgot, to take my bread
My bread of life, the word of truth I say
And for my painful sighs, & my dread
My bones my strength, my very force of mind
Cleaved to the flesh, and from the spirit were fled
As desperate, thy mercy for to find
[20] So made I am, the sodden pelican
And like the owl, that flyeth by proper kind
Light of the day, and hath herself beta'en
To ruin life, out of all company
With waker care, that with this woe began
Like the sparrow, was I solitary
That sits alone, under the house's eaves
This while my foes, conspired continually
And did provoke, the harm of my disease
Wherefore like ashes, my bread did me savor
[30] Of thy just word, the taste might not me please
Wherefore my drink, I tempered with liquor
Of weeping tears, that from mine eyes did rain
Because I know, the wrath of thy furor
Provoked by right, had of my pride disdain
For thou didst lift me up, to throw me down
To teach me, how to know myself again
Whereby I know, that helpless I should drown
My days like shadow decline, and I do cry
And thee forever, eternity doth crown
[40] World without end, doth last thy memory
For thos frailty, that yoketh all mankind
Thou shalt awake, and rue this misery
Rue on Zion, Zion, that as I find
Is the people, that live under the law
For now is time, the time at hand assigned
The time so long, that thy servants draw
In great desire, to see that pleasaunt day
Day of redeeming Zion, from sin's awe
For they have ruth, to see in such decay
[50] In dust and stones, this wretched Zion lore
Then the gentiles, shall dread thy name alway
All earthly kings, thy glory shall honor
Then when thy grace, thy Zion thus redeemeth
When thus thou hast declared, thy mighty power
The Lorde his servants, wishes and so esteemeth
That him turneth, unto the power request
To our descent, this to be written seemeth
Of all comforts, as consolation best
And they, that then shall be regenerate
[60] Shall praise the Lord, therefore both most and least
For he hath looked, from the height of his estate
The Lord from heauen, on earth hath looked on us
To hear the moan of them, that are algate
In such bondage, to lose and to discus
The sons of death, out from their deadly bond
To give, thereby occasion glorious
In this Zion, this holy name to stand
And in Jerusalem, his lauds lasting ay
When in one church, the people of the land
[70] And realms, been gathered to serve, to laude, to pray,
The Lord that is above, so just and merciful
But these feeble, running in the way
My strength faileth, to reach it at the full
He hath abridged, my dayes they are not sure
To see that term, that time so wonderful
All though I have, with heart, will and cure
Prayed to the Lord, take me not away
In the midst of my years, though thine ever sure
Remaine eterne, whom time cannot decay
[80] Thou wrought'st the earth, thy hands the heavens did make
They shall perish, & thou shalt last alway
And all things age, shall wear and overtake
Like cloth, and thou shalt change them like apparel
Turn, and translate, and they in worth it take
But thou thyself, thyself remainest whole
That thou was erst, and shall thy year extend
Then since to this, there may nothing rebel
The greatest comfort, that I can pretend
Is, that the children, of thy servants dear
[90]That in the world are got, shall without end
Before thy face, be 'stablished all in fear
The Auctor
When David, had perceived in his breast
The spirit of God return, that was exiled
Because he knew, he hath alone expressed
These great things, that greater spirit compiled
As shawm or pipe, lets out the sound impressed
By music art forged, tofore & filed
I say, when David had perceived that, I wis
The spirit of comfort, in him revived is
[100]For thereupon, he maketh argument
Of reconciling, unto the Lord's grace
Although sometime, to prophecy hath lent
Both brute, beasts, and wicked hearts a place
But our David, judgeth in his intent
Himself by penance, clean out of this case
Whereby he hath, remission of offence
And begineth to allow, his pain and penitence
But when he weigh'th, the fault and recompense
He damneth his deed, and findeth plain
[110] Atween them two, no whit equivalence
Whereby he taketh, all outward deeds in vain
To bear the name, of rightful penitence
Which is alone, the heart returned again
And sore contrite heart, that doth his fault bemoan
And outward deed, the sin or fruit alone
Wyth this he doth defend, the sly assault
Of vain allowance, of his own dessert
And all the glory, of his forgiven fault
To God alone, he doth it whole convert
[120] His own merit, he findeth in default
And whiles he pondered, these things in his hart
His knee, his arm, his hand sustained his chin
When he his song, again thus did begin
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Psalm 130 Deprofundis clamaui ad te domine.
[1]From depth of sin, & from deep despair
From depth of death, from depth of hart's sorrow
From this deep cave, of darkness, deep repair
Thee have I called (O Lord) to be my borow
Thou in my voice, O Lord, perceive and hear
My heart, my hope, my plaint, my overthrow
My will to rise, and let by grant appear
That to my voice, thine eares do well attend
No place so far, that to thee is not near
[10] No depth so deep, that thou ne mayst extend
Thine eare set thereto, hear then my woeful plaint
For Lord, if thou do observe, what men do offend
If just exaction, demand recompense
Who may endure, O Lord, who shall not faint
At such account, dread, and no reverence
Should so run at large, but thou seekest rather love
For in thy hand, is mercy's residence
By hope, whereof thou dost our hearts move
I in the Lord, have set my confidence
[20] My soul such truth, doth evermore approve
Thy holy word, of eterne excellence
Thy mercy's promise that is always juste
Have been my stay, my pillar and pretence
My soul in God hath more desirous trust
Then hath the watchman loking for the day
By the relief to quench of sleep the thrust
Let Israel trust unto the Lord alway
For grace and favour are his property
Plenteous ransom shall come with him I say
And shall redeem all our iniquity
The Auctor
[30]This word, redeem, that in his mouth did sound
Did put David, it seemeth unto me
As in a trance, to stare vpon the grounde
And with his thought, the height of heaven to see
Where he beholds, the word that should confound
The word of death, by humility here to be
In mortal maid, in mortal habit made
Eternally, in mortal veil to shade
He sayeth that word, when full ripe time should come
Do away that veil, by fervent affection
[40] Torn off with death, for death should have her doom
And leapeth lighter, from such corruption
The glint of light, that in the air doth lome
Man redeemeth, death hath her destruction
That mortal veil hath immortality
To Dauid, assuraunce of his iniquity
Whereby he frames, this reason in his heart
That goodness, which doth not forbear his son
From death for me and can thereby convert
My death to life, my sin to salvation
[50] Both can, and will a smaller grace depart
To him that sueth, by humble supplication
And since, I have this larger grace assayed
To ask this thing, why am I then afraid
He granteth most, to them that most do crave
And he delights, in suit without respect
Alas, my son pursues me to the grave
Suffered by God, my sins for to correct
But of my sins, since I may pardon have
My son's suit, shall shortly be reiect
[60] Then will I crave, with sure confidence
And thus begin the suit of his pretence
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Psalm 143 Domine exaudi orationem meam.
[1] Hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my request
Complish my boon, supply thou my desire
Not for my desert, but for thine own behest
In whose firm truth, thou promised mine empire
To stande stable, and after thy justice
Performe, O Lorde, that thing that I require
But of law, after the form and guise
To enter judgement, with the thrall bondslave
To plead his right, for in such manner wise
[10]Before thy sight, no man his right shall save
For of myself, lo, this my righteousness
By scourge and whip, and pricking spurs I have
Scant risen up, such is my beastliness
For that, mine enemies hath pursued my life
And in the dust, hath soiled my lustiness
Foreign realms to flee his rage so rife
He hath me forced as dead to hide my head
And for because within myself at strife
My heart and sprite with all my force were fled
[20] I had recourse to times that have been past
And did remember thy deeds in all my dread
And did peruse thy works that ever last
Whereby I know above these wonders all
Thy mercies were then lift I up in hast
My hands to thee. My soul to thee did call.
Like bare soil for moisture of thy grace
Haste to my help O Lord afore I fall
For ever I feel, my spirit doth faint apace
Turn not thy face from me that I be laid
[30] In count of them, that headling down do pass
Into the pit, show me betimes thine aide
For on thy grace, I wholly do depend
And in thy hands, since all my health is stayed
Do me to know, what way thou wilt, I bend
For unto thee, I have raised up my mind
Rid me (O Lord) from them that do intend
My foes to be, for I have me assigned
Always within, thy secret protection
Teach me thy will, that I by it may find
[40] The way to work, the same in affection
For thou my god, thy blessed spirit upright
In laud of truth, shall be my direction
Thou for thy name shall revive my spirit
Within the right that I receive by thee
Whereby my life, of danger shall be quit
Thou hast for done the great iniquity
That vexed my soul shalt thou also confound
My foes, O Lord, for thy benignity
For thine am I thy servant most bound
FINIS.
Cum Previligio ad imprimendum Solum.
M.D.XLIX. The last day of December.
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