J Milton read by Classic Poetry Aloud:

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Giving voice to the poetry of the past.

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Psalm 4

translated by John Milton (1608 – 1674)

Answer me when I call

God of my righteousness;

In straights and in distress

Thou didst me disinthrall

And set at large; now spare,

Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r.

Great ones how long will ye

My glory have in scorn?

How long be thus forborn

Still to love vanity,

To love, to seek, to prize

Things false and vain and nothing else but lies?

Yet know the Lord hath chose,

Chose to himself a part

The good and meek of heart

(For whom to chuse he knows)

Jehovah from on high

Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie.

Be aw'd, and do not sin,

Speak to your hearts alone,

Upon your beds, each one,

And be at peace within.

Offer the offerings just

Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust.

Many there be that say

Who yet will shew us good?

Talking like this worlds brood;

But Lord, thus let me pray,

On us lift up the light,

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.

Into my heart more joy

And gladness thou hast put

Then when a year of glut

Their stores doth over-cloy

And from their plenteous grounds

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.

In peace at once will I

Both lay me down and sleep

For thou alone dost keep

Me safe where ere I lie:

As in a rocky Cell

Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.

First aired: 10 December 2008

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