Religion

Psalm 76

by John White 1575–1648

From Davids Psalms in Metre (1655)

Religion

GOd is in Judah known, and there
he hath advanc'd his fame,
Among his people Israel,
great is his glorious name.
His Tabernacle to erect
in Salem was his will,
And for his constant dwelling place,
he chose out Zion hill.

The fiery arrows of the bow
he brake there by his might,
The sword and shield of all his foes,
and armies put to flight.
Thou art more bright and glorious,
and excellent, O God,
Then Mountains, and great Monarchs are,
that spoil and rob abroad.

The stout and valiant men are spoil'd,
by sleep of death they fall,
No man of might could finde his hands
to help himself withall.
By thy rebuke and judgment just,
O Jacobs God, at last,
Those that on horse and Chariots ride
into deep sleep are cast.

Thou, even thou alone, O Lord,
art he whom all should fear,
And who dare stand before thy face,
if once thy wrath appear?
Thou from the highest Heavens mad'st
thy judgements to be heard,
The earth in silence stood, and was
exceedingly afear'd,

When God the patron of the poor,
in judgement did arise,
To save the humble of the earth
from all their enemies,
Surely the wrath of man at last
shall turn unto thy praise
And the remainder of their wrath
the Lord restrains and staies.

Vow ye, and pay unto the Lord,
all ye that are him near,
And bring ye presents unto him,
that ought to be your fear.
For he the spirit of Princes great
shall cut off suddenly,
And Kings that make the earth to quake,
shall sorely terrifie.

✦ ✦ ✦

A metrical version of Psalm 76.

MLA

White, John. “Psalm 76.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/white_john/69/.

Chicago

White, John. “Psalm 76.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/white_john/69/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by John White