Psalm Paraphrases (1673 ed.)

John Milton

These translated Psalms follow Comus: A Mask in the 1673 text of Poems &c. Upon Several Occasions.

Note on the e-text: this Renascence Editions text was transcribed by Judy Boss of Omaha, Nebraska, and is presented by Renascence Editions with her kind permission. This presentation copyright © 1998 The University of Oregon. For nonprofit and educational uses only.

 

B

Less'd is the man who hath not walk'd astray
In counsel of the wicked, and ith' way
Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat
Of scorners hath not sate. But in the great
Jehovahs Law is ever his delight,
And in his Law he studies day and night.
He shall be as a tree which planted grows
By watry streams, and in his season knows
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall,

10

And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand
In judgment, or abide their tryal then,
Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men.
For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just,
And the way of bad men to ruine must.

 

W

Hy do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations
  Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th' earth upstand
  With power, and Princes in their Congregations
Lay deep their plots together through each Land,
  Against the Lord and his Messiah dear.
  Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand
Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear,
  Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell
  Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe

10

Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell
  And fierce ire trouble them; but I saith hee
  Anointed have my King (though ye rebell)
On Sion my holi' hill. A firm decree
  I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd
  Thou art my Son I have begotten thee
This day; ask of me, and the grant is made;
  As thy possession I on thee bestow
  Th' Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd
Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low

20

  With Iron Scepter bruis'd, and them disperse
  Like to a potters vessel shiver'd so.
And now be wise at length ye Kings averse
  Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear
  Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse
With trembling; kiss the Son least he appear
  In anger and ye perish in the way
  If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere.
Happy all those who have in him their stay.

 

L

Ord how many are my foes
        How many those
    That in arms against me rise
        Many are they
  That of my life distrustfully thus say,
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou Lord art my shield my glory,
        Thee through my story
    Th' exalter of my head I count

10

        Aloud I cry'd
  Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd
And heard me from his holy mount.
I lay and slept, I wak'd again,
        For my sustain
    Was the Lord. Of many millions
        The populous rout
  I fear not though incamping round about
They pitch against me their Pavillions.
Rise Lord, save me my God for thou

20

        Hast smote ere now
    On the cheek-bone all my foes,
        Of men abhor'd
  Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;
Thy blessing on thy people flows.

 

A

Nswer me when I call
God of my righteousness;
In straights and in distres
Thou didst me disinthrall
And set at large; now spare,
  Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r.
Great ones how long will ye
My glory have in scorn
How long be thus forborn

10

Still to love vanity,
To love, to seek, to prize
  Things false and vain and nothing else but lies?
Yet know the Lord hath chose
Chose to himself a part
The good and meek of heart
(For whom to chuse he knows)
Jehovah from on high
  Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie.
Be aw'd, and do not sin,

20

Speak to your hearts alone,
Upon your beds, each one,
And be at peace within.
Offer the offerings just
  Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust.
Many there be that say
Who yet will shew us good?
Talking like this worlds brood;
But Lord, thus let me pray,
On us lift up the light

30

  Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.
Into my heart more joy
And gladness thou hast put
Then when a year of glut
Their stores doth over-cloy
And from their plenteous grounds
  With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.
In peace at once will I
Both lay me down and sleep
For thou alone dost keep

40

Me safe where ere I lie
As in a rocky Cell
  Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.

 

J

Ehovah to my words give ear
        My meditation waigh
  The voyce of my complaining hear
My King and God for unto thee I pray.
  Jehovah thou my early voyce
        Shalt in the morning hear
  Ith' morning I to thee with choyce
Will rank my Prayers, and watch till thou appear.
  For thou art not a God that takes

10

        In wickedness delight
  Evil with thee no biding makes
Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight.
  All workers of iniquity
        Thou hat'st; and them unblest
  Thou wilt destroy that speak a ly
The bloodi' and guileful man God doth detest.
  But I will in thy mercies dear
        Thy numerous mercies go
  Into thy house; I in thy fear

20

Will towards thy holy temple worship low.
  Lord lead me in thy righteousness
        Lead me because of those
  That do observe if I transgress,
Set thy wayes right before, where my step goes.
  For in his faltring mouth unstable
        No word is firm or sooth
  Their inside, troubles miserable;
An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth.
  God, find them guilty, let them fall

30

        By their own counsels quell'd;
  Push them in their rebellions all
Still on; for against thee they have rebell'd;
  Then all who trust in thee shall bring
        Their joy, while thou from blame
  Defend'st them, they shall ever sing
And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name.
  For thou Jehovah wilt be found
        To bless the just man still,
  As with a shield thou wilt surround

40

Him with thy lasting favour and good will.

 

L

Ord in thine anger do not reprehend me
  Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct;
Pity me Lord for I am much deject
  Am very weak and faint; heal and amend me,
For all my bones, that even with anguish ake,
  Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore;
And thou O Lord how long? turn Lord, restore
  My soul, O save me for thy goodness sake
For in death no remembrance is of thee;

10

  Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise?
Wearied I am with sighing out my dayes,
  Nightly my Couch I make a kind of Sea;
My Bed I water with my tears; mine Eie
  Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark
Ith' mid'st of all mine enemies that mark.
  Depart all ye that work iniquitie.
Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping
  The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my prai'r
My supplication with acceptance fair

20

  The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping.
Mine enemies shall all be blank and dash't
  With much confusion; then grow red with shame,
They shall return in hast the way they came
  And in a moment shall be quite abash't.

 

L

Ord my God to thee I flie
Save me and secure me under
Thy protection while I crie
Least as a Lion (and no wonder)
He hast to tear my Soul asunder
Tearing and no rescue nigh.

 Lord my God if I have thought
Or done this, if wickedness
Be in my hands, if I have wrought

10

Ill to him that meant me peace,
Or to him have render'd less,
And not fre'd my foe for naught;

 Let th' enemy pursue my soul
And overtake it, let him tread
My life down to the earth and roul
In the dust my glory dead,
In the dust and there out spread
Lodge it with dishonour foul.

 Rise Jehovah in thine ire

20

Rouze thy self amidst the rage
Of my foes that urge like fire;
And wake for me, their furi' asswage;
Judgment here thou didst ingage
And command which I desire.

 So th' assemblies of each Nation
Will surround thee, seeking right,
Thence to thy glorious habitation
Return on high and in their sight.
Jehovah judgeth most upright

30

All people from the worlds foundation.

 Judge me Lord, be judge in this
According to my righteousness
And the innocence which is
Upon me: cause at length to cease
Of evil men the wickedness
And their power that do amiss.

 But the just establish fast,
Since thou art the just God that tries
Hearts and reins. On God is cast

40

My defence, and in him lies
In him who both just and wise
Saves th' upright of Heart at last.

 God is a just Judge and severe,
And God is every day offended;
If th' unjust will not forbear,
His Sword he whets, his Bow hath bended
Already, and for him intended
The tools of death, that waits him near.

 (His arrows purposely made he

50

For them that persecute.) Behold 
He travels big with vanitie,
Trouble he hath conceav'd of old
As in a womb, and from that mould
Hath at length brought forth a Lie.

 He dig'd a pit, and delv'd it deep,
And fell into the pit he made,
His mischief that due course doth keep
Turns on his head, and his ill trade
Of violence will undelay'd

60

Fall on his crown with ruine steep.

 Then will I Jehovah's praise
According to his justice raise
And sing the Name and Deitie
Of Jehovah the most high.

 

O

Jehovah our Lord how wondrous great
And glorious is thy name through all the earth?
So as above the Heavens thy praise to set
  Out of the tender mouths of latest bearth,

 Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou
  Hast founded strength because of all thy foes
To stint th' enemy, and slack th' avengers brow
  That bends his rage thy providence to oppose.

 When I behold thy Heavens, thy Fingers art,

10

  The Moon and Starrs which thou so bright hast set,
In the pure firmament, then saith my heart,
  O what is man that thou remembrest yet,

 And think'st upon him; or of man begot
  That him thou visit'st and of him art found;
Scarce to be less then Gods, thou mad'st his lot,
  With honour and with state thou hast him crown'd.

 O're the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord,
  Thou hast put all under his lordly feet,
All Flocks, and Herds, by thy commanding word,

20

  All beasts that in the field or forrest meet.

 Fowl of the Heavens, and Fish that through the wet
  Sea-paths in shoals do slide. And know no dearth.
O Jehovah our Lord how wondrous great
  And glorious is thy name through all the earth.

 

1

T

Hou Shepherd that dost Israel keep
    Give ear in time of need,
  Who leadest like a flock of sheep
    Thy loved Josephs seed,
  That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright
    Between their wings out-spread
  Shine forth, and from thy cloud give light,
    And on our foes thy dread.
2 In Ephraims view and Benjamins,

* Gnorera.

10

    And in Manasse's sight 
  Awake* thy strength, come, and be seen
    To save us by thy might.
3 Turn us again, thy grace divine
    To us O God vouchsafe;
  Cause thou thy face on us to shine
    And then we shall be safe.
4 Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou,
    How long wilt thou declare

* Gnashanta.

20

  Thy *smoaking wrath, and angry brow
    Against thy peoples praire.
5 Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears,
    Their bread with tears they eat,

* Shalish.

  And mak'st them* largely drink the tears
    Wherwith their cheeks are wet.
6 A strife thou mak'st us and a prey
    To every neighbour foe,

* Jilgnagu.

30

  Among themselves they *laugh, they *play,
    And flouts at us they throw.
7 Return us, and thy grace divine,
    O God of Hosts vouchsafe
  Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
    And then we shall be safe.
8 A Vine from Ægypt thou hast brought,
    Thy free love made it thine,
  And drov'st out Nations proud and haut
    To plant this lovely Vine.
9 Thou did'st prepare for it a place
    And root it deep and fast
  That it began to grow apace,

40

    And fill'd the land at last.
10 With her green shade that cover'd all,
    The Hills were over-spread
  Her Bows as high as Cedars tall
    Advanc'd their lofty head.
11 Her branches on the western side
    Down to the Sea she sent,
  And upward to that river wide
    Her other branches went.
12 Why hast thou laid her Hedges low

50

    And brok'n down her Fence,
  That all may pluck her, as they go,
    With rudest violence?
13 The tusked Boar out of the wood
    Up turns it by the roots,
  Wild Beasts there brouze, and make their food
    Her Grapes and tender Shoots.
14 Return now, God of Hosts, look down
    From Heav'n, thy Seat divine,
  Behold us, but without a frown,

60

    And visit this thy Vine.
15 Visit this Vine, which thy right hand
    Hath set, and planted long,
  And the young branch, that for thy self
    Thou hast made firm and strong.
16 But now it is consum'd with fire,
    And cut with Axes down,
  They perish at thy dreadfull ire,
    At thy rebuke and frown.
17 Upon the man of thy right hand

70

    Let thy good hand be laid,
  Upon the Son of Man, whom thou
    Strong for thyself hast made.
18 So shall we not go back from thee
    To wayes of sin and shame,
  Quick'n us thou, then gladly wee
    Shall call upon thy Name.
  Return us, and thy grace divine
    Lord God of Hosts voutsafe,
  Cause thou thy face on us to shine,

80

    And then we shall be safe.

 

1

T

O God our strength sing loud, and clear,
    Sing loud to God our King,
  To Jacobs God, that all may hear
    Loud acclamations ring.
2 Prepare a Hymn, prepare a Song
    The Timbrel hither bring
  The cheerfull Psaltry bring along
    And Harp with pleasant string.
3 Blow, as is wont, in the new Moon

10

    With Trumpets lofty sound,
  Th' appointed time, the day wheron
    Our solemn Feast comes round.
4 This was a Statute giv'n of old
    For Israel to observe
  A Law of Jacobs God, to hold
    From whence they might not swerve.
5 This he a Testimony ordain'd
    In Joseph, not to change,
  When as he pass'd through Ægypt land;

20

    The Tongue I heard, was strange.
6 From burden, and from slavish toyle
    I set his shoulder free;
  His hands from pots, and mirie soyle
    Deliver'd were by me.
7 When trouble did thee sore assaile,
    On me then didst thou call,
  And I to free thee did not faile,
    And led thee out of thrall.

* Be Sether ragnam.

30

  I answer'd thee in *thunder deep
    With clouds encompass'd round;
  I tri'd thee at the water steep
    Of Meriba renown'd.
8 Hear O my people, heark'n well,
    I testifie to thee
  Thou antient flock of Israel,
    If thou wilt list to mee,
9 Through out the land of thy abode
    No alien God shall be
  Nor shalt thou to a forein God

40

    In honour bend thy knee.
10 I am the Lord thy God which brought
    Thee out of Ægypt land
  Ask large enough, and I, besought,
    Will grant thy full demand.
11 And yet my people would not hear,
    Nor hearken to my voice;
  And Israel whom I lov'd so dear
    Mislik'd me for his choice.
12 Then did I leave them to their will

50

    And to their wandring mind;
  Their own conceits they follow'd still
    Their own devises blind.
13 O that my people would be wise
    To serve me all their daies,
  And O that Israel would advise
    To walk my righteous waies.
14 Then would I soon bring down their foes
    That now so proudly rise,
  And turn my hand against all those

60

    That are their enemies.
15 Who hate the Lord should then be fain
    To bow to him and bend,
  But they, His people, should remain,
    Their time should have no end.
16 And he would feed them from the shock
    With flower of finest wheat,
  And satisfie them from the rock
    With Honey for their Meat.

 

1

G

Od in the *great *assembly stands

* Bagnadath-el. + Bekerev. *Tishphetu[*]gnavel.

    Of Kings and lordly States,
  Among the gods+ on both his hands
    He judges and debates.
2 How long will ye *pervert the right
    With *judgment false and wrong
  Favouring the wicked by your might,
    Who thence grow bold and strong?
3 Regard the *weak and fatherless

* Shiphtu-dal. + Hatzdiku.

10

    *Dispatch the *poor mans cause,
  And +raise the man in deep distress
    By +just and equal Lawes.
4 Defend the poor and desolate,
    And rescue from the hands
  Of wicked men the low estate
    Of him that help demands.
5 They know not nor will understand,
    In darkness they walk on,
  The Earths foundations all are *mov'd

* Jimmotu.

20

    And *out of order gon.
6 I said that ye were Gods, yea all
    The Sons of God most high
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall
    As other Princes die.
8 Rise God, *judge thou the earth in might,

* Shiphta.