The Whole Booke of Psalmes ‎#63

63. Confitemini Dom.

1 Give thanks unto the Lord our God,
for gracious is he:
And that his mercy hath no end
all mortall men may see.
2 Such as the Lord redeemed hath
with thanks shall praise his Name!
And shew how they from foes were freed
and how he wrought the same.

3 He gathered them forth of the lands
that lay so farre about:
From East to West, from North to South
his hand did find them out.
4 They wandered in the wildernesse,
and strayed from the way:
And found no city where to dwell,
that serve might for their stay.

5 Whose thirst and hunger was so great
in these desarts so void:
That faintnesse did them so assault,
and eke soules annoid.
6 Then did they cry in their distresse
unto the Lord for aid:
Who did remove their troublous state
according as they praid.

7 And by the way which was most right
he led them like a guide:
That they might to a City go,
and there also abide.
8 Let men therefore before the Lord
confesse his kindnesse then:
And shew the wonders that he doth
before the sonnes of men.

9 For he their empty soul sustain'd
whom thirst had made to faint:
Their hungry souls with goodnesse fed,
and did them eke acquaint.
10 Such as do dwell in darknesse deep,
where they on death do wait,
Fast bound to tast such troublous stormes
as iron chaines do threat.

The second Part.

11 for that against the Lords own words
they fought so to did rebell:
Esteeming light his counsels high,
which do so farre excell.
12 But when he humbled them full low,
then they fell down with grief:
And none was found so much to help,
whereby to get relief.

13 Then they did cry in their distresse
unto the Lord for aid:
Who did remove their troublous state
according as they praid.
14 For he from darknes out them brought
and from deaths dreadfull shade:
Bursting with force the iron bands
which them before did lade:

15 Let men therefore before the Lord
confesse his kindnesse then:
And shew the wonders that the doth,
before the sonnes of men.
16 For he threw down the gates of brass
and brake them with strong hand:
The iron barres he smote in two
nothing could him withstand.

17 The foolish folk great plagues do feele
and cannot from them wend:
But heap on more to those they have,
because they do offend.
18 Their souls so much did loath all meat
that none they could abide:
Whereby death had them almost caught,
as they full truly tri'd.

19 Then did they cry in their distresse
unto the Lord for aid:
Who did remove their troublous state,
according as they praid.
20 For then he sent to them his word,
which health did soon restore:
And brought them from those dangers deep,
wherein they were before.

The third Part.

21 Let men therefore before the Lord
confesse his kindnesse then:
And shew the wonders that he doth
before the sonnes of men.
22 And let them offer sacrifice
with thanks, and also serve:
And speake of all his wondrous works
with glad and joyfull cheare.

23 Such as in ships and brittle barks
unto the seas descend:
Their merchandise through fearful flouds
to compasse and to end.
24 Those men are forced to behold
the Lords works what they be:
And in the dangerous deep the same
most marvellous they see.

25 For at his word the stormy wind
ariseth in a rage:
And stirreth up the surges so
that nought can them asswage.
26 Then they are lifted up so high
the clouds they seem to gaine:
And plunging down the depth untill
their soules consume with paine.

27 And like a drunkard to and fro
now here, now there they reel:
As men with feare of wit bereft,
and had no sense to feel.
28 Then did they cry in their distresse,
unto the Lord for aid:
Who did remove their troublous state,
according as they praid.

29 For with his word the Lord doth make
the sturdy stormes to cease:
So that the great waves from their rage,
are brought to rest and peace.
30 Then are men glad when rest is come,
which they so much did crave:
And are by him in haven brought,
which they so faine would have.

The fourth Part:

31 Let men therefore before the Lord
confesse his kindnesse then:
And shew the wonders that he doth
before the sonnes of men.
32 Let them in presence of the folk
with praise extoll his Name:
And where the Elders do convent,
there let them do the same.

33 For running flouds to drie desarts
he doth oft change and turn:
And drieth up as it were dust
the springing well and bourn.
34 A fruitfull land with pleasure deck'd
full barren does he make
When on their sinnes that dwell therein
he does just vengeance take.

35 Againe the wildernesse full rude
he maketh fruit to beare:
With pleasant springs of water cleare,
though none before were there.
36 Wherein such hungry soules are set,
as he hath freely chuse:
That they a City migh them build,
to dwell in for their use.

37 That they may sow their pleasant land
and vineyards also plant
To yield them fruits of such increase.
as none may seeme to want.
38 They multiply exceedingly,
the Lord does blesse them so:
Who doth also the bruit beasts make
in number great to grow.

39 But when the faithfull are low brought
by the oppressors stout:
And minish do through many plagues
that compasse them about.
40 Then doth he Princes bring to shame,
which did them sore oppresse:
And likewise caused them to erre
within the wildernesse.

41 But yet the poore he raiseth up
out of his troubles deep:
And oft times doth their traine augment
much like a flock of sheep.
42 The righteous shall behold this sight,
and also much rejoyce:
Whereas the wicked and perverse
with griefe shall stop their voice.

43 But who is wise? that now full well
he may these things record?
For certainly such shall perceive
the kindnesse of the Lord.

Text Information

• First Line: Give thanks unto the Lord our God
• Title: Confitemini Dom.
• Author: W. K.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1640
• Scripture:
  Psalm 107
• Notes: Sing this as Psalm 77

Tune Information

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