The Whole Booke of Psalmes: collected into English meeter 58. My soule praise the Lord

The Whole Booke of Psalmes‎#58

Text:	Benedic anima
Author:	W. K.
Tune:	[My soule praise the Lord]

58. Benedic anima

Score
Full Text

1 My soule praise the Lord,
speak good of his Name:
O Lord our great God,
how dost thou appear?
So passing in glorie,
that great is thy fame,
Honour and majestie
in thee shine most cleare.

2 With light as a robe
thou hast thee beclad:
Whereby all the earth
thy greatnesse may see.
The heavens in such sort
thou also hast spread,
That they to a curtaine
compared may be.

3 His chamber-beams lie
in the clouds full sure:
Which as his chariot
are made him to beare.
And there with much swiftnesse
his course doth endure,
Upon the wings riding
of winds in the aire.

4 He maketh his spirits
as Heralds to go:
And lightnings to serve
we see also prest:
His will to accomplish
they run to and fro,
To save or consume things
as seemeth him best.

5 He groundeth the earth
so firmly and fast,
That it once to move
none shall have such power.
6 The deep a faire covering
for it made thou hast:
Which by its own nature
the hils would devoure.

7 But at thy rebuke
the waters do flie:
And so give due place
thy word to obey.
At thy voice of thunder
so fearfull they be:
That in their great raging
they hast soon away.

8 The mountain3s full high
they then up ascend:
If thou do but speak,
thy word they fulfill:
So likewise the vallies
most quickly descend,
Where thou them appointest,
remaine they do still.

9 Their bounds thou hast set,
how farre they shall run;
So that in their rage
not that pass they can:
For God hath appointed
they shall not return,
The earth to destroy more,
which made was for man.

The second Part.

10 He sendeth the springs
to strong streames or lakes,
Which run do full swift
among the huge hils.
11 Where both the wild asses
their thirst oft times slakes,
And beasts of the mountaines
thereof drink their fils.

12 By these pleasant springs
of fountaines full faire
The fowles of the ayre
abide shall and dwell:
Who moved by nature
do hop here and there:
Among the green branches
their songs shall excell.

13 The mountains to moist
the clouds he doth use:
The earth with his works
is wholly repleat.
14 So as the bruit cattel
he doth not refuse:
But grasse doth provide them,
and herb for man's meat.

15 Yea bread, wine, and oyle
he made for mans sake:
His face to refresh,
and heart to make strong.
16 The Cedars of Liban
this great Lord did make:
Which trees he doth nourish.
that grow up so long.

17 In these may birds build,
and make there their nests:
In firre-trees the Storks
remaine and abide.
18 The high hils are succour
for wild goats to rest:
And eke the rock stony
for Conies to hide.

19 The Moon then is set
her seasons to run:
The daies from the night
thereby to discern:
And by the descending
also of the Sun,
The cold from heat alway
thereby we do learn.

20 When darkness doth come
by God's will and power,
Then creep forth do all
the beasts of the wood.
21 The Lions range roaring
their prey to devoure:
But yet it is thou Lord
which givest them food.

22 As soon as the Sun
is up, they retire:
To couch in their dens
then are they full faine:
23 That man to his work may
as right doth require:
Till night come and call him,
to take rest againe.

The third Part.

17 How sundry O Lord,
are all thy works found?
With wisdome full great
they are indeed wrought:
So that the whole world
of thy praise doth sound:
And as for thy riches,
they passe all mens thoughts.

25 So is the great sea,
which is large and broad:
Where things that creep swarm,
and beasts of each sort.
26 There both mighty ships saile,
and some lie at road:
The Whale huge and monstrous
there also doth sport.

27 All things on thee wait,
thou dost them relieve:
And thou in due time
full well dost them feed.
28 Now when it doth please thee
the same for to give:
They gather full gladly
those things which they need.

Thou openest thy hand,
and they find such grace,
That they with good things
are filled we see.
29 But sore they are troubled,
if thou bide thy face,
For if thou their breath take,
vile dust then they be.

30 Againe when thy Spirit
from thee doth proceed,
All things to appoint,
and what shall ensue:
Then are they created
as thou bast decreed:
And dost by tHy goodnesse
the dry earth renew.

31 The praise of the Lord
for ever shall last:
Who may in his works
by right well rejoyce.
32 His look can the earth make
to tremble full fast:
And likewise the mountaines
to smoke at his voice,

33 To this Lord and God
sing will I alwaies:
So long as I live,
my God praise will I:
34 Then an I most certaine
my words shall him please;
I will rejoyce in him,
to him I will cry.

24 The sinners, O Lord,
consume in thine ire:
Amd ele the perverse,
them root out with shame:
But as for my soul now,
let it still desire,
And say with the faithfull,
praise ye the Lord's Name.