To the chief Musician, Al-taschith,
A Psalm or Song of Asaph.

Here, (1.) David returns thanks to God for advancing him to the throne of Israel, and resolves to act for the public welfare, ver. 1-3, 9-10. (2.) He rebukes the insolence of such as opposed his advancement, which sprung from the sovereign disposal of God, the judge of the world, and denounceth their destruction, ver. 4-8.

While I sing, let me think of Jesus, whom God hath crowned with glory and honour, and of the infinite danger of opposing his government. And if he exalt me to the spiritual honours of his kingdom, let it be my care to glorify him, and to profit his people.

1 To thee, O God, do we give thanks,
we do give thanks to thee;
Because thy wondrous works declare
thy great name near to be.

2 I purpose, when I shall receive
the congregation,
That I shall judgment uprightly
render to ev’ry one.

3 Dissolved is the land, with all
that in the same do dwell;
But I the pillars thereof do
bear up, and stablish well.

4 I to the foolish people said,
Do not deal foolishly;
And unto those that wicked are,
Lift not your horn on high.

5 Lift not your horn on high, nor speak
6 with stubborn neck. But know,
That not from east, nor west, nor south,
promotion doth flow.

7 But God is judge; he puts down one,
and sets another up.
8 For in the hand of God most high
of red wine is a cup:

‘Tis full of mixture, he pours forth,
and makes the wicked all
Wring out the bitter dregs thereof;
yea, and they drink them shall.

9 But I for ever will declare,
I Jacob’s God will praise.
10 All horns of lewd men I’ll cut off;
but just men’s horns will raise.