1 Afflicted Nehemiah fasts.
2 Goes to Jerusalem.
3 The names of all who built the wall.
4 He prays and strengthens them.
5 Bids usurers restore their lands.
6 Sanballat would him awe.
7 What captives came at first doth name.
8 The priests expound the law.
9 Confess their sins, repent and fast.
10 They cov'nant; great and small.
11 Jerusalem's in-dwellers names.
12 They dedicate the wall,
13 And mend disorders all.
[ESTHER]
1 After queen Vashti is dethron'd
2 Commences Esther's reign.
3 Proud Haman vows the death of Jews,
4 And three days fasts the queen.
5 Banquets the king and Haman too;
6 Mord'cai triumphant led,
7 And Haman who would hang this Jew,
8 Is hung himself instead.
9 Complete the Jews' deliverance,
10 By Mordecai's success.
These chapters ten, show pious men
The Lord will ever bless.
[JOB]
1 All wealth and children ta'en from Job,
2 Sore boils too him perplex,
3 Curses the morn that he was born;
4 But Eliphaz him checks.
5 Born man's to grief, as sparks ascend.
6 Job sad complaints renews.
7 Gives reasons why he wish'd to die,
8 God's justice Bildad shews.
9 Contend with God, Job will not dare;
10 Though sorely he complains.
11 But Zophar meant, Job should repent,
12 Yet Job himself maintains.
13 Dares trust in God tho' slaying him.
14 Man's frailty he declares.
15 El'phaz again does him arraign:
16 No friend has he that spares.
17 Enters appeal from man to God;
18 But Bildad blames him still,
19 Job of his pains and friends complains,
20 And Zophar takes it all.
21 For God's wife providence Job speaks,
22 Still Eliphaz upbraids.
23 Unto God's bar Job would refer,
24 And his deep counsel pleads.
25 Guilty, says Bildad, is mankind.
26 Job God's great power sets forth;
27 And doth declare himself sincere,
28 Proclaiming Wisdom's worth.
29 His former great renown asserts,
30 Tho' now despis'd and weak;
31 Integrity proves solidly.
32 Elihu comes to speak.
33 Instead of God he sets himself,
34 God cannot be unjust;
35 We good or ill, He's happy still.
36 Submit to him we must.
37 Known by his works his wisdom is,
38 God speaks, and them recounts;
39 Goats, hinds, and hawk, ostrich, and stork,
40 But Behemoth surmounts.
41 Lastly the great Leviathan,
God's power doth relate;
42 Job then submits: God him acquits,
And doubles his estate.
[PSALMS]
1 A Blessed man doth David sing,
2 Christ's kingdom prophesies;
3 Flees from his son: to God doth run,
4 His countenance doth prize.
5 Begs guidance and defence of God,
6 When sick on him doth call;
7 Warns Cush of spight, the Benjamite.
8 Christ is the Lord of all.
9 Commends the judgments of the Lord,
10 The wicket boast and scoff;
11 God's providence, good men's defence,
12 Proud tongues will God cut off.
13 David complains of God's delay,
14 The athiest doth expose:
15 And who shall dwell with God doth tell,
16 Christ's resurrection shews.
17 Entreats defense against his foes,
18 Sings praise for mercies great;
19 Christ like the sun his course shall run,
20 On God the pious wait.
21 For victories he gives God thanks,
22 Christ's sufferings foretels;
23 His sheep are we: our shepherd he,
24 Christ in his temple dwells.
25 God's grace and mercy David asks,
26 Calls God to judge his case;
27 His faith sustains and courage gains,
28 Prays for his foes' disgrace.
29 He magnifies God's thund'ring voice,
30 His dedication song;
31 Trusts in God's name, prays against shame,
32 To whom doth bliss belong.
33 In God's pow'r, goodness, truth, he boasts,
34 As mad from Achish sent;
35 To God he cries 'gainst enemies,
36 Doth wicked times lament.
37 Known faints and sinners he compares,
38 Of miseries complains;
39 Shews life of man short as a span,
40 Foretels our Saviour's pains.
41 Long life the merciful shall have,
42 For God the Psalmist pants;
43 God's house he fain would see again,
44 The church makes sore complaints.
45 Melodious song of Christ and spouse,
46 The saints on God rely;
47 All nations sing to God their king,
48 The churches majesty.
49 No trust in wealth is to be put,
50 Christ shall as judge appear;
Now the first set of alphabet,
May fitly break off here.