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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PSALM: 1 by JOSEPH HALL

First Line: WHO HATH NOT WALKT ASTRAY
Last Line: RUNS TO DECAY.
Subject(s): GOD; RELIGION; SIN; TREES; THEOLOGY;

1 Who hath not walkt astray,
In wicked mens advise,
Nor stood in sinners way;
Nor in their companyes
That scorners are,
As their fit mate,
In scoffing chayre,
Hath euer sate;

2 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
Thrise blessed is!
And sure shall gaine
Eternall blisse.

3 He shall be like the tree,
Set by the water-springs,
Which when his seasons be
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:
4 Whereas the man vnright,
As chaff which winds do driue,
With euery blast
Is tost on hy,
Nor can at last
In safety lie.

5 Wherefore, in that sad doome,
They dare not rise from dust:
Nor shall no Sinner come
To glory of the iust.
For, God will grace
The Iust-mans way;
While sinners race
Runs to decay.



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