1 How good and pleasant must it be
to thank the Lord most high;
And with repeated Hymns of Praise,
his Name to magnify.
2 With ev'ry Morning's early Dawn,
his Goodness to relate;
And of his constant Truth, each Night
the glad Effects repeat.
3 To ten-string'd Instruments we'll sing,
with tuneful Psalt'ries join'd,
And to the Harp, with solemn Sounds,
for sacred Use design'd
4 For thro' thy wondrous Works, O Lord,
thou mak'st my heart rejoice;
The Thoughts of them shall make me glad,
and shout with chearful Voice.
5,6 How wond'rous are thy Works, O Lord!
how deep are thy Decrees!
Whose winding Tracks, in secret laid,
no stupid Sinner sees.
7 He little thinks, when wicked Men,
like Grass, look fresh and gay;
How soon their short-liv'd Splendor must
for ever pass away.
8,9 But thou, my God, art still most High;
and all thy lofty Foes,
Who thought they might securely sin,
shall be o'erwhelm'd with Woes.
10 Whilst thou exalt'st my sov'reign Pow'r,
and mak'st it largely spread;
And with refreshing Oil anoint'st
my consecrated Head.
11 I soon shall see my stubborn Foes
to utter Ruin brought;
And hear the dismal End of those
who have against me fought.
12 But righteous Men, like fruitful Palms,
shall make a glorious Show;
As Cedars that on Lebanon
in stately Order grow.
13,14 These, planted in the House of God,
within his Courts shall thrive;
Their Vigour and their Lustre both
shall in old Age revive.
15 Thus will the Lord his Justice shew;
and God, my strong Defence,
Shall due Rewards to all the world
impartially dispense.