Give listning eare unto my law,
Yee people that are mine,
Unto the sayings of my mouth
Doe yee your eare incline.
My mouth I'le ope in parables,
I'le speak hid things of old:
Which we have heard, and knowne: and which
Our fathers have us told.
Them from their children wee'l not hide,
To th' after age shewing
The Lords prayses; his strength, and works
Of his wondrous doing.
In Jacob he a witnesse set,
And put in Israell
A law, which he our fathers charg'd
They should their children tell:
That th' age to come, and children which
Are to be borne might know;
That they might rise up and the same
Unto their children show.
That they upon the mighty God
Their confidence might set:
And Gods works and his commandment
Might keep and not forget,
And might not like their fathers be,
A stiffe, stout race; a race
That set not right their hearts: nor firme
With God their spirit was.
The Bay Psalm-Book underwent many changes in the various editions through which it passed, nor was this psalm left untouched, as will be seen by referring to the twenty-sixth edition, published in 1744, and to the edition of 1758, revised and corrected, with additions, by Mr. Thomas Prince.
2.—Watts's Version.
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Isaac Watts were first published in this country by Dr. Franklin, in the year 1741. His version is as follows:—