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Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

Psalm I

XXXIX. Joseph Hall

WHO hath not walkt astray

In wicked men’s aduise,

Nor stood in sinners’ way,

Nor in their companies

That scorners are,

As their fit mate,

In scoffing chayre

Hath euer sate;

But in thy lawes diuine,

O Lord, sets his delight,

And in those lawes of thine

Studies all day and night.

Oh how that man

Thrice blessed is!

And sure shall gaine

Eternall blisse.

He shall be like the tree

Set by the water-springs,

Which when his seasons

Most pleasant fruite forth brings,

Whose boughes so greene

Shall neuer fade,

But couered bene

With comely shade.

So to this happy wight

All his designes shall thriue,

Whereas the man vnright,

As chaffe which windes do driue,

With euery blast

Is tost on hy,

Nor can at last

In safety lie.

Wherefore in that sad doome

They dare not rise from dust,

Nor shall no sinner come

To glory of the iust.

For God will giue

The iust man’s way,

While sinner’s race

Run to decay.