Only Version ❧ CM/CMD · 8·6·8·6 (D)
Maschil of Asaph.
1 Give list’ning ear unto my law, ye people that are mine, unto the sayings of my mouth do ye your ear incline. 2 My mouth I’ll ope in parables, I’ll speak hid things of old: 3 Which we have heard and known: and which our fathers have us told.
4 Them from their children we’ll not hide, to th’ after age showing the Lord’s praises: his strength, and works of his wondrous doing. 5 In Jacob he a witness set, and put in Israel a law, which he our fathers charg’d, they should their children tell:
6 That th’ age to come and children which are to be born might know; that they might rise up and the same unto their children show: 7 That they upon the mighty God their confidence might set: and God’s works and his commandment might keep and not forget,
8 And might not like their fathers be, a stiff, stout race; a race that set not right their hearts: nor firm with God their spirit was. 9 The armed sons of Ephraim, that went out with their bow, did turn their backs in the day when they did to battle go.
10 God’s cov’nant they kept not: to walk in his law they deny’d: 11 His works, and wonders, they forgot, that he to them descri’d. 12 Things that were marvelous he did within their fathers’ sight: in Egypt’s land, within the field of Zoan, by his might.
13 He did divide the sea, also he caus’d them through to pass: and he the waters made to stand that as an heap it was. 14 With cloud by day, with fire all night 15 he led them. Rocks he clave in wilderness, as from great deeps drink unto them he gave.
16 Ev’n from out of the stony rock streams he did bring also, and caused water to run down like as the rivers do. 17 Moreover they did add yet more against him for to sin: by their provoking the most High the wilderness within.
18 And also they within their heart did tempt the God of might: by asking earnestly for meat for their souls’ appetite. 19 Moreover they against God spake: they said can God be able within the desert wilderness to furnish us a table?
20 Lo, he the rock smote, thence gush’d out waters, and streams did flow: for his folk can he flesh provide, can he give bread also? 21 The Lord heard, he was wroth for this, so kindl’d was a fire ‘gainst Jacob: and ‘gainst Israel there came up wrathful ire.
22 For they in God believed not: nor in his health did hope: 23 Though from above he charg’d the clouds: and doors of heav’n set ope, 24 Manna to eat he rain’d on them; and gave them the heav’n’s wheat. 25 Each man of them ate angels’ food: to th’ full he sent them meat.
26 i’th heav’ns he made the east wind blow: brought south wind by his pow’r. 27 He flesh on them like dust: wing’d fowls like the sea’s sand did show’r. 28 And in the middest of their camp he caused it to fall, ev’n round about on every side their dwelling places all.
29 So they did eat, they filled were abundantly also: for that which was their own desire he did on them bestow, 30 Howbeit they were not estrang’d from their lustful desire: but while their meat was in their mouths, 31 Upon them came God’s ire,
and slew their fat ones: and smote down of Isr’el the choice men. 32 Still for all this they sinn’d: nor did believe his wonders then. 33 Therefore he did in vanity the days of their life spend, and hastily he brought their years unto a fearful end.
34 When he them slew, then after him they sought with their desire: and they return’d, early also did after God enquire. 35 Likewise that God was their strong rock they call’d to memory: and that the mighty God most high, was their Redeemer free.
36 Yet with their mouth they flatter’d him: and to him their tongues lied. 37 For right their heart was not in them: nor did in his cov’nant abide. 38 But full of mercy, he forgave their sin, and ‘stroy’d them not; yea, oft he turn’d his wrath aside, nor rais’d all’s anger hot.
39 For he, that they were but frail flesh, and as it were a wind that passeth, and comes not again, recalled unto mind. 40 How oft in desert vex’d they him: and made him there to moan? 41 Yea, they turn’d, tempted God: and did stint Isr’el’s Holy One.
42 His hand they did not, nor the day keep in their remembrance: wherein he from the enemy gave them deliverance. 43 And how his signs miraculous in Egypt he had shown: and his most fearful prodigies within th’ field of Zoan:
44 Also how he their rivers had converted into blood: and that they could not drink thereof the waters of their flood. 45 Amongst them, which did them devour, he sent forth divers flies: and them amongst, which them destroy’d, he sent forth frogs likewise.
46 He gave their fruit to th’ cat’piller: their labour to th’ locust. 47 He did their vines destroy with hail: their sycamores with frost. 48 Also unto the hail he did their cattle shut up fast: likewise their herds of cattle to the fiery thunder blast.
49 He cast on them fierce ire, and wrath, and indignation, and sore distress: by sending forth ill angels them upon. 50 He made a way unto his wrath, and their soul did not save from death: also their life over to pestilence he gave;
51 He within Egypt land also all the firstborn did smite: those that within the tents of Ham were chiefest of their might: 52 But he made like a flock of sheep his own folk forth to go: like to a flock i’th wilderness he guided them also.
53 And he in safety did them lead so that they did not dread: within the sea their enemies he also covered. 54 And to the border he did bring them of his holy place: unto this mountain which he did by his right hand purchase.
55 ‘Fore them he cast the heathen out, their lot he did divide by line: and Isr’el’s tribes he made in their tents to abide. 56 Yet they tempted the most high God, and griev’d him bitterly: also his testimonies they kept not attentively:
57 But like their fathers back they turn’d and faithlessness did show: they turned were aside ev’n like to a deceitful bow. 58 For they to anger did provoke him with their places high: and with their graven images, mov’d him to jealousy.
59 God hearing this, was wroth, and loath’d Isr’el with hatred great: 60 So Shiloh’s tent he left: the tent which men amongst he set; 61 And he delivered his strength into captivity: also into the en’my’s hand his beautiful glory.
62 To th’ sword he gave his folk: and was wroth with his heritage. 63 Fire their young men devour’d: their maids none gave to marriage. 64 Their priests fell by the sword: also their widows did not weep. 65 Then did the Lord arise as one awaken’d out of sleep:
like a strong man that after wine 66 doth shout. He also smote his foes behind: and so he gave them an eternal blot. 67 Then he did Joseph’s tent refuse: nor Ephr’im’s tribe approv’d. 68 But he the tribe of Judah chose: mount Zion which he lov’d.
69 And he his sanctuary built like unto places high: like to the earth which he did found to perpetuity. 70 Of David also his servant election he did make, and from the place of folding up the sheep he did him take.
71 From following the ewes with young he did him then advance; to feed Jacob his folk, also Isr’el his ‘heritance. 72 So he according to his heart’s integrity them fed: and by the wise discretion of his hands he them led.