To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.

First Version (C.M.)

8,6,8,6

^1My heart brings forth a goodly thing;

my words that I indite

Concern the King: my tongue's a pen

of one that swift doth write.

^2Thou fairer art than sons of men:

into thy lips is store

Of grace infus'd; God therefore thee

hath bless'd for evermore.

^3O thou that art the mighty One,

thy sword gird on thy thigh;

Ev'n with thy glory excellent,

and with thy majesty.

^4For meekness, truth, and righteousness,

in state ride prosp'rously;

And thy right hand shall thee instruct

in things that fearful be.

^5Thine arrows sharply pierce the heart

of th' en'mies of the King;

And under thy subjection

the people down do bring.

^6For ever and for ever is,

O God, thy throne of might;

The sceptre of thy kingdom is

a sceptre that is right.

^7Thou lovest right, and hatest ill;

for God, thy God, most high,

Above thy fellows hath with th' oil

of joy anointed thee.

^8Of aloes, myrrh, and cassia,

a smell thy garments had,

Out of the iv'ry palaces,

whereby they made thee glad.

^9Among thy women honourable

kings' daughters were at hand:

Upon thy right hand did the queen

in gold of Ophir stand.

^10O daughter, hearken and regard,

and do thine ear incline;

Likewise forget thy father's house,

and people that are thine.

^11Then of the King desir'd shall be

thy beauty veh'mently:

Because he is thy Lord, do thou

him worship rev'rently.

^12The daughter there of Tyre shall be

with gifts and off rings great:

Those of the people that are rich

thy favour shall entreat.

^13Behold, the daughter of the King

all glorious is within;

And with embroideries of gold

her garments wrought have been.

^14She shall be brought unto the King

in robes with needle wrought;

Her fellow-virgins following

shall unto thee be brought.

^15They shall be brought with gladness great,

and mirth on ev'ry side,

Into the palace of the King,

and there they shall abide.

^16Instead of those thy fathers dear,

thy children thou may'st take,

And in all places of the earth

them noble princes make.

^17Thy name remember'd I will make

through ages all to be:

The people therefore evermore

shall praises give to thee.