To David

O ISRAEL’S God-anointed warrior king,

Who from the Lord of Hosts thy valor drew,

And single-handed dread Goliath slew

(Though boasting he swift death should on thee bring):

Nor e’en yet feared when wrathful Saul did fling

A furious javelin at thy head to do

Thee harm, for Jesse’s son that one well knew

Should one day after him be Israel’s king;

’Tis not alone thy lion strength of heart,

Nor yet thy triumphs nor thy hero’s deeds

That lift my soul in boundless love to thee!

Ah, no! ’Tis this in but the lesser part,

For more than all, my soul exultant feeds

On thine more precious gift of psaltery.