Psal 41 (MS. Fairfax 40, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)
Transcription
O Blest is he that on the poore hast care
The Lord will keepe him when the times are ill
On earth shall he be happy his life he'le spare
Nor shall his enimys have on him shall have his will
He'le be his strengh when spent wth longe disease
And in his sickness bee his bed of ease
This mercy Lord my soule of thee intreats
Against thee I haue sind o heale this sore
When shall he die & perish, so myn enemy speakes
His viset's & vaine talke doth vex me more
Tis ther hollow harts might more aduantage take
And when he's gone a thing that's false relate
My haiters all who are to mischeefe bent
Plott & contriue wth lipps they mutter too
An euell say they on him's from heauens is sent
Letts seeke his ruing we 'aue th'aduantage now
Yea euen the man I most confided in
Satt att my table yitt was least my f[r]iend
But Lord vphold me ô Lord right my wrong
By this then I shal know thou fauourest mee
Nor let let him or'e me in full that seemes so strong
As thou h'ast keept me iust let me euer bee
And 'fore thy throne be sett that Lord I may
Bless thee from Age to age Amen I say
Modernized Text
Oh blessed is he that on the poor hast care:
The Lord will keep him when the times are ill.
On earth shall be happy; his life he'll spare,
Nor enemies on him shall have his will.
He'll be his strength when spent with long disease
And in his sickness be his bed of ease.
This mercy, Lord, my soul of thee entreats.
Against thee I have sinned: oh heal this sore.
When shall he perish? So mine enemy speaks,
His visits and vain talk doth vex me more.
'Tis their hollow hearts might advantage take
And when he's gone a thing that's false relate.
My haters, all who are to mischief bent,
Plot and contrive; with lips they mutter too.
Evil, say they, on him from heaven is sent.
Let's seek his ruin: we 'ave th'advantage now.
Yea, even the man I most confided in
Sat at my table yet was least my friend.
But Lord, uphold me! Oh Lord, right my wrong!
By this then I shall know thou favourest me.
Nor let him o'er me in full [that] seems so strong.
As thou'ast kept me just, let me ever be
And 'fore thy throne be set that, Lord, I may
Bless thee from age to age. Amen I say!
