Parker's Psalm 1

Here is Archbishop Parker's rendition of Psalm 1, set to Thomas Tallis' tune, performed by The Cardinall's Musick, under the direction of Andrew Carwood. This particular video was posted not quite two months ago. It is good that the tenor soloist sings the melody first, because it is easy to lose track of the melody in a full choral performance.

Here is Parker's full versified text. Note once again the internal rhymes in the odd-numbered lines, as in his Psalm 2 text.

Man blest no doubt who walk'th not out
In wicked mens affayres,
And stond'th no daie in sinners waie
Nor sit'th in scorners chayres;
But holdth even still in Gods lawe in will,
With all his hartes delight,
And will him use, on it to muse,
To keepe it day and night.

He like shall bee the planted tree
Nie set the rivers course
Which fruth in tyde whose leaves abide
All prosperth what he doese.
Not so, not so the wicked do,
Lyke dust or chaffe they bee
Uphoyst by winde, as light by kynde,
From face of earth to see.

Therfore these men: so wicked then,
In iudgement shall not stand:
Nor sinners bee in companie,
Of righteous men of hand.
The Lord doth know and will avow,
mens wayes that are of God:
Where shall decaie the beaten waie,
Of wicked men to brode.