024) The Fourth Part.

The Fourth Part.

25,26 Thou suit’st, O Lord, thy righteous ways to various paths of human kind; with thee shall wondrous mercy find.

They, who for mercy merit praise, Thou to the just shalt justice show, the pure thy purity shah see;

Such as perversely choose to go, shall meet with due returns from thee.

27,28 That he the humble soul will save, and crush the haughty’s boasted might, In me the Lord an instance gave, whose darkness he has turned to light.

29 On his firm succor I relyed, and did o’er num’rous foes prevail; Nor feared, whilst he was on my side, the best defended walls to scale.

30 For God’s designs shall still succeed his word will bear the utmost test:

He’s a strong shield to all that need, and on his sure protection rest.

31 Who then deserves to be adored, but God on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, can with resistless pow’r defend? The Fifth part.

32,33 ’Tis God that girds my armor on, and all my just designs fulfils;

Through him my feet can swiftly run, and nimbly climb the steepest hills.

34 Lessons of war from him I take, and manly weapons learn to wield;

Strong bows of steel with ease to break, forced by my stronger arms to yield, 35 The buckler of his saving health protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still, my wealth and greatness from his bounty flows.

36 My goings he enlarged abroad, till then to narrow paths confined;

And, when in slipp’ry ways I trod, the method of my steps designed.

37 Through him I num’rous hosts defeat, and flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, till I a final conquest make.

38 Covered with wounds, in vain they try their vanquished heads again to rear;

Spite of their boasted strength they lie beneath my feet, and grovel there.

39 God, when fresh armies take the field, recruits my strength, my courage warms;

He makes my strong opposers yield, subdued by my prevailing arms.

40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes my conqu’ring feet in triumph press;

Aided by him, I root out those who hate and envy my success.

41 With loud complaints all friends they tried, but none was able to defend; At length to God for help they cried, but God would no assistance lend.

42 Like flying dust which winds pursue, their broken troops I scattered round, Their slaughtered bodies forth I threw, like loathsome dirt that clogs the ground.