The Psalms of David (Psalms 44–150) · c. 1586–1599 (first printed 1823)
Psalm 118 (Confitemini Domino)
The Lord is good, you see, and know,
Acknowledge then and praise him soe;
For soe his bounty it extendeth,
Noe age can say, loe here it endeth.
Thou chosen Israel, all way
With me be prest the same to say:
For soe his bounty it extendeth,
Noe age can say, loe here it endeth.
You that of sacred Aron came
Be prest with me to say the same:
For soe his bounty it extendeth,
Noe age can say, loe here it endeth.
And you his fearers, all the rest
The same to say with me be prest:
For soe his bounty it extendeth,
Noe age can say, loe here it endeth,
I somtime straitned lay in thrall;
So lying, I on God did call:
God answere gave me when I called,
And me unlarging, me unthralled.
Jehova doth my party take;
Should feare of man then cause me quake?
Nay, with my frends sith God is placed.
How can my foes but be disgraced?
More safe it is on God to stay
Then confidence on man to lay:
More safe who God his refuge taketh
Then he who kings his succour maketh.
Of enimies, all sortes that be
On ev'ry part inviron'd me:
But I their sinewes cut and quailed,
Jehovas name soe much prevailed.
They me inviron'd yet againe,
Againe they did me straitly strayne:
But I their sinewes cut and quailed,
Jehovas name soe much prevailed.
They me inviron'd yet anew,
And swarming fast like bees they flew:
As fire in thornes they quickly quailed,
Soe to their wrack his name prevailed.
Indeede thou sore at me didst thrust,
Yet by his succour stand I must:
In him my strength, of him my ditty,
He did my soule in thralldom pitty.
You righteous troupe with me rejoyce,
Consort with mine your joyfull voice,
Say, praise his hand, yea, double praised,
Be his strong hand so highly raised.
For be assur'd I shall not dye,
But live Gods works to testify:
Who though he sore did scourging paine me,
He hath but scourg'd, he hath not slaine mee.
Who opens to me justice gate?
I, entring, may Gods praise relate.
This gate unto Jehova showeth,
By this to Him the righteous goeth.
Here, here O Lord, I will thee praise,
Who didst my life to safety raise.
The stone the builders erst refused
In corner now is laied and used.
This workmanship in deed divine
Doth in our eyes with wonder shine:
God made this day, he did us send it,
In joy and mirth then let us spend it
O help us, Lord, O help, we say,
O prosper, prosper us, we pray:
Blest in thy name who comming rideth,
Blest in thy house who dwelling bideth.
Thy house, Lord, mighty God, whence we
Both have our light and sight to see:
Tie fast the lambe on alter lying,
The cords to horned corners tying.
O God, my mighty God thou art,
And I to thee will praise impart:
O God thou art my God, and ever
I will extoll thee, ceasing never.
The Lord is good, you see and know,
Acknowledge then and praise him soe,
For soe his bounty it extendeth,
Noe age can say, loe here it endeth.
Cite this text
MLA
Herbert, Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke. The Psalms of David (Psalms 44–150), Psalm 118 (Confitemini Domino). Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/work/pembroke-psalms/74/.
Chicago
Herbert, Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke. The Psalms of David (Psalms 44–150), Psalm 118 (Confitemini Domino). Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/work/pembroke-psalms/74/.