Here, however, an objection of a different kind arises on the part of other persons, who think that the versions just mentioned should be exclusively used, and all metrical versions whatever abandoned. Although, however, this opinion is supported by some weighty suffrages, the writer ventures to dissent from its justice, and to express his belief—notwithstanding the numerous instances of failure on the part both of himself and others that the Psalms admit of being rendered with advantage in a metrical form, and that the effect of these compositions cannot, indeed, otherwise be fully appreciated by the English reader. In other words, the Author believes that the principle, which has been established by the practice of mankind in the case of profane writings, of rendering verse into verse, is applicable likewise to the poetry of the Holy Scriptures themselves. The objection, sometimes heard, against "putting David into fetters" will not be urged by those who know how artificial (if the expression be allowable) is the structure of the Psalms in their original form.

As regards the present production, no reader can be more sensible of its imperfections than the Author himself. And with respect even to those passages in which he imagines himself to have been most successful, he knows that the words of the writer, like the touches of the artist, frequently fail to awaken in other minds the thoughts which accompanied their production, and that lines, which to the penman himself were full of impressive meaning, often appear to the reader flat and insipid. Notwithstanding this, however, he trusts that his labours will be so far blessed by Him, whose favour he

has sought, that some portions of his version will be read with pleasure by the devout student of the book upon which it has been his own happiness to be engaged. The metres of the majority of the Psalms will be found adapted to the common tunes, in case they should be thought suitable for the purposes of congregational or family worship.

In conclusion the Author has to observe that, in going over the Psalms, he has carefully examined the Hebrew text, and that he has ventured in some instances, (but in none without the sanction of authority,) to adopt a rendering at variance with our Bible translation. This licence he has, indeed, been compelled to assume in the case of those obscure passages, (happily not numerous,) in which the Bible version can hardly be said to present to the reader any distinct idea. With respect to a part, at least, of these, he hopes that the aid of subsequent criticism may have enabled him to give the real meaning of the original.

Guy's Hospital,
January, 1859.

THE

BOOK OF PSALMS.

PSALM I.

1, 2. BLESSED is he who hath not walk'd
With godless men in paths profane;
Who hath not stood in sinners' ways,
Nor on the scoffer's seat sat down;
But in the law of God delights,

And ponders, day and night, his law.

3. Like some fair tree, which, planted there
Where quickening streams their waters pour,
Her fruit in its due season yields,

And shines with bright unfading leaves,
The righteous man, by God beloved,
Shall prosper in whate'er he does.

4, 5, 6. Not so the wicked like the chaff
Which by the wind is swept away,
They shall not in the judgment stand,
Nor in the assembly of the just:
For God doth note the just man's path,
But sinners' ways come all to nought.

PSALM II.

1, 2, 3. WHAT means this heathen gath'ring wild? What frenzy stirs the people's breasts?

Earth's kings stand up, her chiefs combine
'Gainst God and his Anointed One:
Come, let us burst their bonds, they say,
And cast away from us their cords.

4, 5, 6. He that in heaven sits shall laugh;
The Lord their counsels shall deride :
Then shall He chide them in his wrath,
And in his fury trouble them—
"Behold, on Zion's holy hill,
I have established my King!

7, 8. I will proclaim the Lord's decree :

Thus saith my God-Thou art my Son,
This day have I begotten Thee:
Desire of Me, and I will give

The heathen for thy heritage,

For thy domain the ends of earth.

9, 10. With rod of iron Thou shalt rule
Their turbulent and stubborn tribes,
And like a potter's vessel break
In pieces each rebellious band.
Now therefore, O ye kings, be wise,
And ye that judge the earth, be taught.