15 The heathen nations are dismay’d (9) (9) We heard a while
     They’re all to ruin brought, ago their very names were
   For in the treacherous nets, they laid, dead,[1] now (it seems)
     Ev’n they themselves are caught:  they’re only dismay’d.

[Footnote 1:  Ver. 5.  “They and their very names are dead.”]

16 Lo, thus the Lord to execute
     True judgment still inclines; This is profane, as if
                                               it were only an
                                               inclination in God to be
          
                                     just.

X. PSALM OF DAVID: 

1 Lord, why in times of deep distress If the woes require aid
     Dost Thou from us retire, it is to increase them,
   When dismal woes our souls oppress, they cannot require it
     And Thy kind aid require! against themselves.

2 The wicked do with lawless pride (1) (1) Proide.  Pronounce
     The helpless persecute; it like the Scotch. 
   But let them be themselves destroy’d,
     And fall in their pursuit:  Ay, let them!

3 For still they triumph, when success I cannot crock this
     Does their designs attend, stave. 
   And then their ways, who thus oppress,
     Profanely they commend: 

* * * * *

5 And from the barbarous (2) paths they tread,(2) The author should
     No acts of Providence first have premised what
   Can e’er oblige them to recede, sort of paths were
     Or stop (3) their bold offence; properly barbarous.  I
                                               suppose they must be
                                               very deep and dirty, or
                                               very rugged and stony;
                                               both which I myself
                                               have heard travellers
                                               call barbarous roads.

(3) Which is the way to stop an offence?  Would you have it stopped like a bottle, or a thief?  For what end? is it to catch a louse, better lay wait for the rich by half.

8 And for the poor in secret they
     Do treacherously lay wait: 
                                               As a lion observes with
9 As hungry lions do their prey watchful eyes, just so a
     Observe with watchful eyes, wicked man surprises
   So heedless innocents would they with sudden force—­a very
     With sudden force surprise; just simile. 
   And then, like lions merciless, They surprise them like
     Their trembling souls devour; lions, but then they devour
   And thus the helpless do oppress (4) devour them [like] lions. 
     When captives to their power;