Fools, that true faith yet never had,
Say in their hearts there is no God!
Filthy they are in their practice,
Of them not one is godly wise.
From heaven the Lord on man did look
To know what ways he undertook;
All they were vague and went astray,
Not one He found in the right way.
In heart and tongue have they deceit,
Their lips throw forth a poisoned bait;
Their minds are mad, their mouths are wode,[61]
And swift they be in shedding blood.
So blind they are no truth they know,
No fear of God in them will grow.
How can that cruel sort be good
Of God’s dear folk which suck the blood?
On Him rightly shall they not call,
Despair will so their hearts appall.
At all times God is with the just,
Because they put in Him their trust.
Who shall therefore from Sion give
That health which hangeth on our belief.
When God shall take from His the smart,
Then will Jacob rejoice in heart.
Praise to God![62]
In the sandy desert of the metrical Psalters there are, however, some
wells of living water. Such are the psalms of Sir Philip Sidney and
his sister, and those of George Sandys. The metre, for the most part,
as well as the language, makes them unsuitable for use in the
congregation; but I think many readers will be glad to see the
following verses. The verses from Ps. xix. are by Sir Philip, and the
version of Ps. xciii. is by the Countess of Pembroke.