Occasional verse, moral and sacred Published for the instruction and amusement of the Candidly Serious and Religious [by Edward Perronet] |
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THE PRAYER OF JABESH |
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 | Occasional verse, moral and sacred |  |
54
THE PRAYER OF JABESH
Paraphrased. 1 Chron. iv. 9, 10.
More honour'd he than all his father's house,
Belov'd of god, and lovely as His spouse:
Behold him stand, and as he stands, exclaim,
“God of my strength—my worship, and my flame,
By whom I live—by whom, alive, I move,
Whose law I reverence, and whose word I love.
Tho' born to sorrow, as conceiv'd in sin,
Now shall my hope a better life begin;
This then my prayer—my prayer to thee ascend;
My father's father—and his children's friend!
Belov'd of god, and lovely as His spouse:
Behold him stand, and as he stands, exclaim,
“God of my strength—my worship, and my flame,
By whom I live—by whom, alive, I move,
Whose law I reverence, and whose word I love.
Tho' born to sorrow, as conceiv'd in sin,
Now shall my hope a better life begin;
This then my prayer—my prayer to thee ascend;
My father's father—and his children's friend!
“Come then, thy blessing on thy servant pour,
Earth's needful rains, and herb-refreshing show'r,
Enlarge my borders as the promis'd land,
While num'rous flocks in countless order stand;
My labours prosper, and my substance bless,
With smiling joy, and bounty's large increase:
Let israel's strength my every want supply,
Bless me thro' life, and save me as I die.
But, above all, thy mercy's pow'r display,
And keep from evil—thro' this evil day;
Let no vain thought, no vile ambitious aim,
Defile my conscience, or disgrace thy name;
But, sav'd from all, do thou my soul defend,
Thro' life my father—and in death my friend.”
Thus jabesh pray'd—while israel's god replied,
“Thy prayer is granted—nor one wish denied!”
Earth's needful rains, and herb-refreshing show'r,
Enlarge my borders as the promis'd land,
While num'rous flocks in countless order stand;
My labours prosper, and my substance bless,
With smiling joy, and bounty's large increase:
Let israel's strength my every want supply,
Bless me thro' life, and save me as I die.
But, above all, thy mercy's pow'r display,
And keep from evil—thro' this evil day;
Let no vain thought, no vile ambitious aim,
Defile my conscience, or disgrace thy name;
But, sav'd from all, do thou my soul defend,
Thro' life my father—and in death my friend.”
Thus jabesh pray'd—while israel's god replied,
“Thy prayer is granted—nor one wish denied!”
| Occasional verse, moral and sacred | |