Psalm 81
Words: John Milton.
One of nine Psalms done into metre by John Milton during April, 1648.
Words in brackets are words that are different from the text of the Psalm as it was in Milton's Bible.
1 To 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
With Trumpets [lofty sound,]
Th' appointed time, 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 Aegypt land;
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.]
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
In honour bend thy knee.
10 I am the Lord thy God which brought
Thee out of Aegypt 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
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]
[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.]
