METRICAL VERSION OF PSALM XVIII.
By Editor
25 Thou to the merciful wilt show
The mercy which from Heaven descends,
The upright in his heart shall know,
That his uprightness God commends. 26 The pure, thy purity shall see,
The froward quail beneath thy frown, 27 Thy humble people saved shall be,
But lofty looks wilt thou bring down. 28 My candle thou wilt light anew,
Thy light upon my darkness fall; 29 By thee a troop have I run through,
By thee o'erleaped the towering wall. 30 As for our God his way is right,
His word is purified and tried,
A buckler he, amid the fight,
To all who in his name confide. 31 Who is the Lord save God, our strength,
And who a rock, our God beside? 32 He girdeth me with power at length,
And maketh all my steps abide. 33 Like hinds, secure of foot, I stand,
When set upon my places high; 34 To wage his war he trains my hand,
And bows of steel mine arms defy. 35 Thy great salvation is my shield,
Thy strong right hand hath been my stay,
Thy discipline in me revealed,
Hath given me a monarch's sway. 36 My steps beneath me are enlarged,
My feet failed not in victory's path, 37 Upon my fleeing foes I charged,
Until they perished in my wrath. 38 I smote them that they could not stand,
Beneath my feet I trod them low, 39 Girded for battle by thy hand,
Thou hast subdued each rising foe. 40 Thou mak'st them bow their necks with fear,
That I my haters might cast down; 41 They cried, but there was none to hear,
To God, he answered with a frown. 42 Then did I beat them small like dust,
Burned off in clouds before the wind,
Like mire into the gutters thrust,
No place of resting could they find. 43 From strife thou now hast set me free,
And o'er the heathen made me king;
A people all unknown to me,
Their service to my throne shall bring. 44 No sooner shall my fame go forth,
Than they shall hasten to obey,
And strangers from the south, the north,
Their tribute at my feet shall lay. 45 The strangers fade, they pass away,
From their strong holds they gaze with fear; 46 Jehovah lives! bless be my stay!
Let God our lofty paean hear. 47 'Tis he avenges all my woes,
Subdues the people in the strife; 48 Delivers me from fiercest foes,
Who rise to take away my life.
The violent man would fain oppress,
But thou hast saved me from his power, 49 So will I thanks to thee confess,
In the victorious joyful hour.
Yea, 'mong the heathen will I sing
Thy lofty praise; thy name adore. 50 Great is God's mercy to his king;
His seed shall share it evermore. Ed. Battle Creek Bible Class, March 21, 1868.