The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. ::

The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D.

Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes

Watts, Isaac (1674-1748)

IV.

VOL. IV.

THE PSALMS OF DAVID, IMITATED IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND APPLIED TO THE CHRISTIAN STATE AND WORSHIP.

HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, IN THREE BOOKS.

DIVINE SONGS ATTEMPTED IN EASY LANGUAGE, FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL COMPOSURES.

A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF MORAL SONGS: SUCH AS I WISH SOME HAPPY AND CONDESCENDING GENIUS WOULD UNDERTAKE FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN, AND PERFORM MUCH BETTER.

HORÆ LYRICÆ.

RELIQUIÆ JUVENILES.

REMNANTS OF TIME EMPLOYED, IN PROSE AND VERSE;

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IV. VOL. IV.

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THE PSALMS OF DAVID, IMITATED IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND APPLIED TO THE CHRISTIAN STATE AND WORSHIP.

ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN—THE PSALMS CONCERNING ME. LUKE xxiv. 44.

DAVID, SAMUEL, AND THE PROPHETS—THAT THEY WITHOUT US SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT. HEB. xi. 32, 40.

125

PSALM 1. (C. M.) The Way and End of the Righteous and the Wicked.

I

Blest is the man who shuns the place
Where sinners love to meet;
Who fears to tread their wicked ways,
And hates the scoffer's seat:

II

But in the statutes of the Lord
Has plac'd his chief delight;
By day he reads or hears the word,
And meditates by night.

III

He like a plant of generous kind,
By living waters set,
Safe from the storms and blasting wind,
Enjoys a peaceful state.

IV

Green as the leaf and ever fair
Shall his profession shine,
While fruits of holiness appear
Like clusters on the vine.

V

Not so the impious and unjust;
What vain designs they form!
Their hopes are blown away like dust,
Or chaff before the storm.

VI

Sinners in judgment shall not stand
Amongst the sons of grace,
When Christ the Judge, at his right hand
Appoints his saints a place.

VII

His eye beholds the path they tread,
His heart approves it well;
But crooked ways of sinners lead
Down to the gates of hell.

In this work I have often borrowed a line or two from the New Testament; that the excellent and inspired composures of the jewish psalmist may be brightened by the clearer discoveries of the gospel.

He shall set the sheep at his right hand, &c. Matt. xxv. 33.

PSALM 1. (S. M.) The Saint happy, the Sinner miserable.

I

The man is ever blest
Who shuns the sinners' ways,
Among their counsels never stands,
Nor takes the scorners' place;

II

But makes the law of God
His study and delight,
Amidst the labours of the day,
And watches of the night.

III

He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root;
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live,
His works are heavenly fruit.

IV

Not so th'ungodly race,
They no such blessings find;
Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff
Before the driving wind.

V

How will they bear to stand
Before that judgment seat,
Where all the saints at Christ's right hand
In full assembly meet?

VI

He knows, and he approves
The way the righteous go;
But sinners and their works shall meet
A dreadful overthrow.

PSALM 1. (L. M.) The Difference between the Righteous and the Wicked.

I

Happy the man whose cautious feet
Shun the broad way that sinners go,
Who hates the place where Atheists meet,
And fears to talk as scoffers do.

126

II

He loves t'employ his morning light
Amongst the statutes of the Lord;
And spends the wakeful hours of night
With pleasure pondering o'er the word.

III

He, like a plant by gentle streams,
Shall flourish in immortal green;
And heaven will shine with kindest beams
On every work his hands begin.

IV

But sinners find their counsels crost;
As chaff before the tempest flies,
So shall their hopes be blown and lost,
When the last trumpet shakes the skies.

V

In vain the rebel seeks to stand
In judgment with the pious race:
The dreadful Judge with stern command
Divides him to a different place.

VI

‘Straight is the way my saints have trod,
‘I blest the path and drew it plain;
‘But you would choose the crooked road,
‘And down it leads to endless pain.’

Broad is the way that leads to destruction, Matt. vii. 13, 14.

At the last trump, &c. 1 Cor. xv. 52.

PSALM 2. (S. M.) Christ Dying, Rising, Interceding, and Reigning.

[_]

Translated according to the Divine Pattern, Acts iv. 24, &c.

I

Maker and sovereign Lord
Of heaven, and earth, and seas,
Thy providence confirms thy word,
And answers thy decrees.

II

The things so long foretold
By David are fulfill'd,
When Jews and gentiles join'd to slay
Jesus, thine holy child.

III

Why did the gentiles rage,
And Jews with one accord,
Bend all their counsels to destroy
Th'anointed of the Lord?

IV

Rulers and kings agree
To form a vain design;
Against the Lord their powers unite,
Against his Christ they join.

V

The Lord derides their rage,
And will support his throne;
He that hath rais'd him from the dead
Hath own'd him for his Son.

VI

Now he's ascended high,
And asks to rule the earth;
The merit of his blood he pleads,
And pleads his heavenly birth.

VII

He asks, and God bestows
A large inheritance;
Far as the world's remotest ends
His kingdom shall advance.

VIII

The nations that rebel
Must feel his iron rod;
He'll vindicate those honours well
Which he receiv'd from God.

IX

Be wise, ye rulers, now,
And worship at his throne;
With trembling joy, ye people, bow
To God's exalted Son.

X

If once his wrath arise,
Ye perish on the place;
Then blessed is the soul that flies
For refuge to his grace.

Lord, thou art God, who hast made heaven—Who, by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, &c. Acts iv. 24, &c.

To do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined to be done, &c. verse 28. and several other lines of this version are evidently borrowed from the fuller discoveries of Christ in the New Testament.

Shall rule the nations with a rod of iron, even as I received of my Father, Rev. ii. 27.

PSALM 2. (C. M.)

[Why did the nations join to slay]

I

Why did the nations join to slay
The Lord's anointed Son?
Why did they cast his laws away,
And tread his gospel down?

II

The Lord that sits above the skies
Derides their rage below,
He speaks with vengeance in his eyes,
And strikes their spirits through.

III

‘I call him my eternal Son,
‘And raise him from the dead;
‘I make my holy hill his throne,
‘And wide his kingdom spread.

IV

‘Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy
‘The utmost heathen lands:
‘Thy rod of iron shall destroy
‘The rebel that withstands.’

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V

Be wise, ye rulers of the earth,
Obey th'anointed Lord,
Adore the King of heavenly birth,
And tremble at his word.

VI

With humble love address his throne,
For if he frown, ye die;
Those are secure, and those alone,
Who on his grace rely.

PSALM 2. (L. M.) Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

I

Why did the Jews proclaim their rage?
The Romans why their swords employ?
Against the Lord their powers engage
His dear anointed to destroy?

II

‘Come, let us break his bands,’ they say,
‘This man shall never give us laws;’
And thus they cast his yoke away,
And nail'd the monarch to the cross.

III

But God, who high in glory reigns,
Laughs at their pride, their rage controls;
He'll vex their hearts with inward pains,
And speak in thunder to their souls.

IV

‘I will maintain the King I made
‘On Zion's everlasting hill,
‘My hand shall bring him from the dead,
‘And he shall stand your sovereign still.’

V

His wondrous rising from the earth
Makes his eternal Godhead known;
The Lord declares his heavenly birth,
‘This day have I begot my Son.

VI

‘Ascend, my Son, to my right hand,
‘There thou shalt ask, and I bestow
‘The utmost bounds of heathen lands;
‘To thee the northern isles shall bow.’

VII

But nations that resist his grace
Shall fall beneath his iron stroke;
His rod shall crush his foes with ease
As potters' earthen work is broke.

VIII

Now, ye that sit on earthly thrones,
Be wise, and serve the Lord, the Lamb,
Now at his feet submit your crowns,
Rejoice and tremble at his name.

IX

With humble love address the Son,
Lest he grow angry, and ye die;
His wrath will burn to worlds unknown,
If ye provoke his jealousy.

X

His storms shall drive you quick to hell,
He is a God, and ye but dust:
Happy the souls that know him well,
And make his grace their only trust.

Declared to be the Son of God with power, by his resurrection from the dead, Rom. i. 4.

PSALM 3. (C. M.) Doubts and Fears supprest; or, God our Defence from Sin and Satan.

I

My God how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!
Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.

II

The lying tempter would persuade
There's no relief in heaven;
And all my swelling sins appear
Too big to be forgiven.

III

But thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread,
Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,
And raise my drooping head.

IV

I cry'd, and from his holy hill
He bow'd a listening ear,
I call'd my Father, and my God,
And he subdued my fear.

V

He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;
I 'woke, and wondered at the grace
That guarded my repose.

VI

What tho' the hosts of death and hell
All arm'd against me stood,
Terrors no more shall shake my soul,
My refuge is my God.

VII

Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,
While I thy glory sing:
My God has broke the serpent's teeth,
And death has lost his sting.

VIII

Salvation to the Lord belongs,
His arm alone can save:
Blessings attend thy people here,
And reach beyond the grave.

In this psalm I have changed David's personal enemies into the spiritual enemies of every christian, namely, sin, Satan, &c. and have mentioned the serpent, the tempter, the guilt of sin, and the sting of death; which are words well known in the New Testament.

128

PSALM 3. v. 1–5, 8. (L. M.) A Morning Psalm.

I

O Lord, how many are my foes,
In this weak state of flesh and blood!
My peace they daily discompose,
But my defence and hope is God.

II

Tir'd with the burdens of the day,
To thee I rais'd an evening cry;
Thou heard'st when I began to pray,
And thine Almighty help was nigh.

III

Supported by thine heavenly aid,
I laid me down and slept secure;
Not death should make my heart afraid
Tho' I should wake and rise no more.

IV

But God sustain'd me all the night;
Salvation doth to God belong;
He rais'd my head to see the light,
And make his praise my morning song.

In the third and fourth psalm there is a verse or two that shews the one to be writ in the morning, the other in the evening; wherefore I have chosen out those parts that seem most easily applicable, and have turned them into a morning and evening song.

PSALM 4. v. 1–3, 5–7. (L. M.) Hearing of Prayer; or, God our portion, and Christ our Hope.

I

O God of grace and righteousness,
Hear and attend when I complain;
Thou hast enlarg'd me in distress,
Bow down a gracious ear again.

II

Ye sons of men, in vain ye try
To turn my glory into shame;
How long will scoffers love to lie,
And dare reproach my Saviour's name?

III

Know that the Lord divides his saints
From all the tribes of men beside;
He hears the cry of penitents
For the dear sake of Christ that dy'd.

IV

When our obedient hands have done
A thousand works of righteousness,
We put our trust in God alone,
And glory in his pardoning grace.

V

Let the unthinking many say,
‘Who will bestow some earthly good?
But, Lord, thy light and love we pray,
Our souls desire this heavenly food.

VI

Then shall my cheerful powers rejoice
At grace and favours so divine;
Nor will I change my happy choice,
For all their corn, and all their wine.

Though this psalm may not directly intend the Messiah, yet I have taken occasion to apply some expressions in it to Christ and his gospel, I hope with some advantage, and without offence.

PSALM 4. v. 3–5, 8, (C. M.) An Evening Psalm.

I

Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray;
I am for ever thine:
I fear before thee all the day,
Nor would I dare to sin.

II

And while I rest my weary head
From cares and business free,
'Tis sweet conversing on my bed
With my own heart and thee.

III

I pay this evening sacrifice;
And when my work is done,
Great God, my faith and hope relies
Upon thy grace alone.

IV

Thus with my thoughts compos'd to peace,
I'll give mine eyes to sleep;
Thy hand in safety keeps my days,
And will my slumbers keep.

PSALM 5. (C. M.) For the Lord's Day Morning.

I

Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To thee will I direct my prayer,
To thee lift up mine eye;

II

Up to the hills where Christ is gone
To plead for all his saints,
Presenting at his father's throne
Our songs and our complaints.

III

Thou art a God before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand;
Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,
Nor dwell at thy right hand.

IV

But to thy house will I resort
To taste thy mercies there;
I will frequent thine holy court
And worship in thy fear.

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V

O may thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness!
Make every path of duty straight
And plain before my face.

VI

My watchful enemies combine
To tempt my feet astray;
They flatter with a base design
To make my soul their prey.

VII

Lord, crush the serpent in the dust,
And all his plots destroy;
While those that in thy mercy trust
For ever shout for joy.

VIII

The men that love and fear thy name
Shall see their hopes fulfill'd;
The mighty God will compass them
With favour as a shield.

This psalm begins with the mention of Morning Prayer, and proceeds to the worship of God in his temple; which inclined me to intitle it, for a Lord's Day Morning.

Stanza ii. and v. Where any just occasion is given to make mention of Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I refuse it not; and I am persuaded David would not have refused it, had he lived under the gospel; nor St. Paul, had he written a psalm book.

PSALM 6. (C. M.) Complaint in Sickness; or, Diseases healed.

I

In anger, Lord, rebuke me not,
Withdraw the dreadful storm;
Nor let thy fury grow so hot
Against a feeble worm.

II

My soul's bow'd down with heavy cares,
My flesh with pain opprest;
My couch is witness to my tears,
My tears forbid my rest.

III

Sorrow and pain wear out my days;
I waste the night with cries,
Counting the minutes as they pass,
Till the slow morning rise.

IV

Shall I be still tormented more?
Mine eye consum'd with grief?
How long, my God, how long before
Thine hand afford relief?

V

He hears when dust and ashes speak,
He pities all our groans,
He saves us for his mercy's sake
And heals our broken bones.

VI

The virtue of his sovereign word
Restores our fainting breath;
For silent graves praise not the Lord,
Nor is he known in death.

Vexation by personal enemies is not a constant attendant of sickness; therefore in this version, I have omitted it as a peculiar circumstance of David's. In the next version I have changed these enemies for temptations and despairing thoughts.

The fifth verse of this psalm, which is a plea in the prayer, may be naturally transposed to the end, as a ground of praise.

PSALM 6. (L. M.) Temptations in Sickness overcome.

I

Lord, I can suffer thy rebukes,
When thou with kindness dost chastise;
But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear,
O let it not against me rise!

II

Pity my languishing estate,
And ease the sorrows that I feel;
The wounds thine heavy hand hath made,
O let thy gentler touches heal!

III

See how I pass my weary days
In sighs and groans; and when 'tis night,
My bed is water'd with my tears;
My grief consumes, and dims my sight.

IV

Look how the powers of nature mourn!
How long, Almighty God, how long?
When shall thine hour of grace return?
When shall I make thy grace my song?

V

I feel my flesh so near the grave,
My thoughts are tempted to despair;
But graves can never praise the Lord,
For all is dust and silence there.

VI

Depart, ye tempters, from my soul,
And all despairing thoughts depart;
My God, who hears my humble moan,
Will ease my flesh, and cheer my heart.

Part of the first three stanzas I have borrowed from Dr. Patrick, being pleased with the agreeable turn he gives to David's sense.

PSALM 7. (C. M.) God's Care of his People, and Punishment of Persecutors.

I

My trust is in my heavenly friend,
My hope in thee, my God;
Rise, and my helpless life defend
From those that seek my blood.

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II

With insolence and fury they
My soul in pieces tear,
As hungry lions rend the prey,
When no deliverer's near.

III

If I had e'er provok'd them first,
Or once abus'd my foe,
Then let him tread my life to dust,
And lay mine honour low.

IV

If there be malice found in me,
I know thy piercing eyes;
I should not dare appeal to thee,
Nor ask my God to rise.

V

Arise, my God, lift up thy hand,
Their pride and power control;
Awake to judgment, and command
Deliverance for my soul.

VI

Let sinners and their wicked rage
Be humbled to the dust;
Shall not the God of truth engage
To vindicate the just?

VII

He knows the heart, he tries the reins,
He will defend th'upright:
His sharpest arrows he ordains
Against the sons of spite.

VIII

For me their malice digg'd a pit,
But there themselves are cast;
My God makes all their mischief light
On their own heads at last.

IX

That cruel persecuting race
Must feel his dreadful sword;
Awake, my soul, and praise the grace
And justice of the Lord.

In this psalm I have not exactly followed every single verse of the psalmist, but have endeavoured to contract the substance of it into fewer lines; yet not without a regard to the literal sense and words also, as will appear by the comparison.

PSALM 8. (S. M.) God's Sovereignty and Goodness; and Man's Dominion over the Creatures.

I

O Lord, our heavenly King,
Thy name is all divine;
Thy glories round the earth are spread,
And o'er the heavens they shine.

II

When to thy works on high
I raise my wondering eyes,
And see the moon complete in light
Adorn the darksome skies:

III

When I survey the stars,
And all their shining forms,
Lord, what is man, that worthless thing,
A-kin to dust and worms?

IV

Lord, what is worthless man,
That thou should'st love him so?
Next to thine angels is he plac'd,
And Lord of all below.

V

Thine honours crown his head,
While beasts like slaves obey,
And birds that cut the air with wings,
And fish that cleave the sea.

VI

How rich thy bounties are!
And wondrous are thy ways:
Of dust and worms thy power can frame
A monument of praise.

VII

Out of the mouths of babes
And sucklings thou canst draw
Surprising honours to thy name,
And strike the world with awe.

VIII

O Lord, our heavenly King,
Thy name is all divine:
Thy glories round the earth are spread,
And o'er the heavens they shine.

The transposing of the second verse of this psalm, towards the end, will not appear offensive, since the connection of it with the other parts of the psalm appears so much more visible.

PSALM 8. (C. M.) Christ's Condescension and Glorification; or, God made Man.

I

O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great
Is thine exalted name!
The glories of thy heavenly state
Let men and babes proclaim.

II

When I behold thy works on high,
The moon that rules the night,
And stars that well adorn the sky,
Those moving worlds of light;

III

Lord, what is man, or all his race,
Who dwells so far below,
That thou should'st visit him with grace,
And love his nature so?

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IV

That thine eternal Son should bear
To take a mortal form,
Made lower than his angels are,
To save a dying worm!

V

Yet while he liv'd on earth unknown,
And men would not adore,
Th'obedient seas and fishes own
His Godhead and his power.

VI

The waves lay spread beneath his feet;
And fish, at his command,
Bring their large shoals to Peter's net,
Bring tribute to his hand.

VII

These lesser glories of the Son,
Shone through the fleshly cloud;
Now we behold him on his throne,
And men confess him God.

VIII

Let him be crown'd with majesty
Who bow'd his head to death;
And be his honours sounded high,
By all things that have breath.

IX

Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great
Is thine exalted name?
The glories of thy heavenly state
Let the whole earth proclaim.

If the citation of part of this psalm by the apostle, Heb. ii. 5. be but a mere allusion, yet it affords ground enough for the turn I have given it in this version, and the application of it to Christ.

Jesus went to them walking on the sea, Matt. xiv. 25.

He said to Simon, launch out, &c. and they enclosed a great multitude of fishes. Luke v. 4, 6.

Cast an hook, and take up the fish—thou shalt find a piece of money, &c. Matt. xvii. 27.

PSALM 8. v. 1, 2. Paraphrased. First Part. (L. M.) The Hosanna of the Children; or, Infants praising God.

I

Almighty Ruler of the skies,
Thro' the wide earth thy name is spread,
And thine eternal glories rise
O'er all the heavens thy hands have made.

II

To thee the voices of the young
A monument of honour raise;
And babes, with uninstructed tongue,
Declare the wonders of thy praise.

III

Thy power assists their tender age
To bring proud rebels to the ground,
To still the bold blasphemer's rage,
And all their policies confound.

IV

Children amidst thy temple throng
To see their great Redeemer's face;
The Son of David is their song,
And young hosannas fill the place.

V

The frowning scribes and angry priests
In vain their impious cavils bring;
Revenge sits silent in their breasts,
While Jewish babes proclaim their King.

The two first verses are here paraphrased and explained by the history of the children crying hosanna to Christ, Matt. xxi. 15, 16. where our Saviour cites and applies those words of the psalmist.

PSALM 8. v. 3, &c. Paraphrased. Second Part. (L. M.) Adam and Christ, Lords of the Old and the New Creation.

I

Lord, what was man, when made at first,
Adam the offspring of the dust,
That thou should'st set him and his race
But just below an angel's place?

II

That thou should'st raise his nature so,
And make him lord of all below;
Make every beast and bird submit,
And lay the fishes at his feet?

III

But O, what brighter glories wait
To crown the second Adam's state!
What honours shall thy Son adorn
Who condescended to be born!

IV

See him below his angels made,
See him in dust amongst the dead,
To save a ruin'd world from sin;
But he shall reign with power divine.

V

The world to come, redeem'd from all
The miseries that attend the fall,
New made, and glorious, shall submit
At our exalted Saviour's feet.

I am persuaded the true meaning of the apostle, in citing the words of this psalm, and applying them to our Saviour, Heb. ii. 5, &c. is to shew that Christ, the second Adam, must have dominion over the new world, as Adam, the first man, had over the old; and that he is truly and really man, because the first Adam is the figure and type of him in this his dominion.

PSALM 9. First Part. (C. M.) Wrath and Mercy from the Judgment Seat.

I

With my whole heart I'll raise my song,
Thy wonders I'll proclaim;
Thou sovereign Judge of right and wrong
Wilt put my foes to shame.

132

II

I'll sing thy majesty and grace;
My God prepares his throne
To judge the world in righteousness,
And make his vengeance known.

III

Then shall the Lord a refuge prove
For all the poor opprest,
To save the people of his love,
And give the weary rest.

IV

The men, that know thy name, will trust
In thy abundant grace;
For thou hast ne'er forsook the just,
Who humbly seek thy face.

V

Sing praises to the righteous Lord,
Who dwells on Zion's hill,
Who executes his threatening word,
And doth his grace fulfil.

PSALM 9. v. 12. Second Part. (C. M.) The Wisdom and Equity of Providence.

I

When the great Judge, supreme and just,
Shall once inquire for blood,
The humble souls, that mourn in dust,
Shall find a faithful God.

II

He from the dreadful gates of death
Does his own children raise:
In Zion's gates, with cheerful breath,
They sing their Father's praise.

III

His foes shall fall with heedless feet
Into the pit they made;
And sinners perish in the net
That their own hands had spread.

IV

Thus by thy judgments mighty God!
Are thy deep counsels known;
When men of mischief are destroy'd,
The snare must be their own.

V

The wicked shall sink down to hell;
Thy wrath devour the lands
That dare forget thee, or rebel
Against thy known commands.

VI

Tho' saints to sore distress are brought,
And wait and long complain,
Their cries shall not be still forgot,
Nor shall their hopes be vain.

VII

Rise, great Redeemer, from thy seat
To judge and save the poor;
Let nations tremble at thy feet,
And man prevail no more.

VIII

Thy thunder shall affright the proud,
And put their hearts to pain,
Make them confess that thou art God,
And they but feeble men.

PSALM 10. (C. M.) Prayer heard, and Saints saved; or, Pride, Atheism, and Oppression punished.

For a Humiliation Day.

I

Why doth the Lord stand off so far,
And why conceal his face,
When great calamities appear,
And times of deep distress?

II

Lord, shall the wicked still deride
Thy justice and thy power?
Shall they advance their heads in pride,
And still thy saints devour?

III

They put thy judgments from their sight,
And then insult the poor;
They boast in their exalted height
That they shall fall no more.

IV

Arise, O God, lift up thine hand,
Attend our humble cry;
No enemy shall dare to stand
When God ascends on high.

V

Why do the men of malice rage,
And say, with foolish pride,
‘The God of heaven will ne'er engage
‘To fight on Zion's side?’

VI

But thou for ever art our Lord;
And powerful is thine hand,
As when the heathens felt thy sword,
And perish'd from thy land.

VII

Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray,
And cause thine ear to hear;
He hearkens what his children say,
And puts the world in fear.

VIII

Proud tyrants shall no more oppress,
No more despise the just;
And mighty sinners shall confess
They are but earth and dust.

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PSALM 11. (L. M.) God loves the Righteous, and hates the Wicked.

I

My refuge is the God of love;
Why do my foes insult and cry,
‘Fly like a timorous trembling dove,
‘To distant woods or mountains fly?’

II

If government be all destroy'd,
(That firm foundation of our peace)
And violence make justice void,
Where shall the righteous seek redress?

III

The Lord in heaven has fix'd his throne,
His eye surveys the world below;
To him all mortal things are known,
His eyelids search our spirits thro'.

IV

If he afflicts his saints so far
To prove their love, and try their grace,
What may the bold transgressors fear?
His very soul abhors their ways.

V

On impious wretches he shall rain
Tempests of brimstone, fire, and death,
Such as he kindled on the plain
Of Sodom with his angry breath.

VI

The righteous Lord loves righteous souls,
Whose thoughts and actions are sincere;
And with a gracious eye beholds
The men that his own image bear.

PSALM 12. (L. M.) The Saint's Safety and Hope in Evil Times; or, Sins of the Tongue complained of; viz. Blasphemy, Falsehood, &c.

I

Lord, if thou dost not soon appear,
Virtue and truth will fly away;
A faithful man, amongst us here,
Will scarce be found, if thou delay.

II

The whole discourse, when neighbours meet,
Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain;
Their lips are flattery and deceit,
And their proud language is profane.

III

But lips, that with deceit abound,
Shall not maintain their triumph long;
The God of vengeance will confound
The flattering and blaspheming tongue.

IV

‘Yet shall our words be free,’ they cry;
‘Our tongues shall be control'd by none:
‘Where is the Lord will ask us why?
‘Or say, our lips are not our own?’

V

The Lord who sees the poor opprest,
And hears the oppressor's haughty strain,
Will rise to give his children rest,
Nor shall they trust his word in vain.

VI

Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd,
Void of deceit shall still appear;
Not silver, seven times purify'd
From dross and mixture, shines so clear.

VII

Thy grace shall in the darkest hour
Defend the holy soul from harm;
Tho' when the vilest men have power
On every side will sinners swarm.

PSALM 12. (C. M.) Complaint of a general Corruption of Manners; or, the Promise and Signs of Christ's coming to Judgment.

I

Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail,
Religion loses ground;
The sons of violence prevail,
And treacheries abound.

II

Their oaths and promises they break,
Yet act the flatterer's part;
With fair deceitful lips they speak,
And with a double heart.

III

If we reprove some hateful lie,
How is their fury stirr'd!
‘Are not our lips our own,’ they cry,
‘And who shall be our Lord?’

IV

Scoffers appear on every side,
Where a vile race of men
Is rais'd to seats of power and pride
And bears the sword in vain.

V

Lord, when iniquities abound,
And blasphemy grows bold,
When faith is hardly to be found,
And love is waxing cold,

VI

Is not thy chariot hast'ning on?
Hast thou not given this sign?
May we not trust and live upon
A promise so divine?

VII

‘Yes,’ saith the Lord, ‘now will I rise,
‘And make oppressors flee;
‘I shall appear to their surprise,
‘And set my servants free.’

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VIII

Thy word, like silver seven times try'd,
Thro' ages shall endure;
The men that in thy truth confide
Shall find the promise sure.

The last verse of this psalm may naturally be inserted here.

The signs of Christ's coming, mentioned in the New Testament, Matt. xxiv. 12. Luke xviii. 8. are abounding iniquity, love waxing cold, and faith scarce to be found; and seem very much akin to the sense of this psalm.

PSALM 13. (L. M.) Pleading with God under Desertion; or, Hope in Darkness.

I

How long, O Lord, shall I complain
Like one that seeks his God in vain?
Canst thou thy face for ever hide?
And I still pray and be deny'd?

II

Shall I for ever be forgot
As one whom thou regardest not?
Still shall my soul thine absence mourn?
And still despair of thy return?

III

How long shall my poor troubled breast
Be with these anxious thoughts opprest?
And Satan, my malicious foe,
Rejoice to see me sunk so low?

IV

Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief,
Before my death conclude my grief;
If thou withhold thy heavenly light,
I sleep in everlasting night.

V

How will the powers of darkness boast,
If but one praying soul be lost!
But I have trusted in thy grace,
And shall again behold thy face.

VI

Whate'er my fears or foes suggest,
Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest;
My heart shall feel thy love, and raise
My cheerful voice to songs of praise.

PSALM 13. (C. M.) Complaint under Temptations of the Devil.

I

How long wilt thou conceal thy face?
My God, how long delay?
When shall I feel those heavenly rays
That chase my fears away?

II

How long shall my poor labouring soul
Wrestle and toil in vain?
Thy word can all my foes control,
And ease my raging pain.

III

See how the prince of darkness tries
All his malicious arts,
He spreads a mist around my eyes,
And throws his fiery darts.

IV

Be thou my sun, and thou my shield,
My soul in safety keep;
Make haste before mine eyes are seal'd
In death's eternal sleep.

V

How would the tempter boast aloud
If I become his prey!
Behold the sons of hell grow proud
At thy so long delay.

VI

But they shall fly at thy rebuke,
And Satan hide his head;
He knows the terrors of thy look,
And hears thy voice with dread.

VII

Thou wilt display that sovereign grace,
Where all my hopes have hung;
I shall employ my lips in praise,
And victory shall be sung.

PSALM 14. First Part. (C. M.) By Nature all Men are Sinners.

I

Fools in their hearts believe and say,
‘That all religion's vain,
‘There is no God that reigns on high,
‘Or minds th'affairs of men.’

II

From thoughts so dreadful and profane
Corrupt discourse proceeds;
And in their impious hands are found
Abominable deeds.

III

The Lord, from his celestial throne,
Look'd down on things below
To find the man that sought his grace,
Or did his justice know.

IV

By nature all are gone astray,
Their practice all the same;
There's none that fears his Maker's hand,
There's none that loves his name.

V

Their tongues are us'd to speak deceit,
Their slanders never cease;
How swift to mischief are their feet,
Nor know the paths of peace!

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VI

Such seeds of sin (that bitter root)
In every heart are found;
Nor can they bear diviner fruit,
Till grace refine the ground.

Several verses of this psalm are cited by the apostle, Rom iii. 10, &c. to shew the universal corruption of human nature; wherefore I have brought more of the apostle's words, there used, into the fourth and fifth stanzas here, and concluded this part of the psalm agreeable to Saint Paul's design.

Note, The second part of this psalm speaks only of persecutors and the enemies of the church; therefore I have divided it from the former.

PSALM 14. Second Part. (C. M). The Folly of Persecutors.

I

Are sinners now so senseless grown
That they the saints devour?
And never worship at thy throne,
Nor fear thine awful power?

II

Great God, appear to their surprise,
Reveal thy dreadful name;
Let them no more thy wrath despise,
Nor turn our hope to shame.

III

Dost thou not dwell among the just?
And yet our foes deride,
That we should make thy name our trust;
Great God, confound their pride.

IV

O that the joyful day were come
To finish our distress!
When God shall bring his children home
Our songs shall never cease.

PSALM 15. (C. M.) Characters of a Saint; or, a Citizen of Zion; or, the Qualifications of a Christian.

I

Who shall inhabit in thy hill,
O God of holiness?
Whom will the Lord admit to dwell
So near his throne of grace?

II

The man that walks in pious ways,
And works with righteous hands;
That trusts his Maker's promises,
And follows his commands.

III

He speaks the meaning of his heart,
Nor slanders with his tongue;
Will scarce believe an ill report,
Nor do his neighbour wrong.

IV

The wealthy sinner he contemns,
Loves all that fear the Lord;
And though to his own hurt he swears,
Still he performs his word.

V

His hands disdain a golden bribe,
And never gripe the poor;
This man shall dwell with God on earth,
And find his heaven secure.

PSALM 15. (L. M.) Religion and Justice, Goodness and Truth; or, Duties to God and Man; or, the Qualifications of a Christian.

I

Who shall ascend thy heavenly place,
Great God, and dwell before thy face?
The man that minds religion now,
And humbly walks with God below:

II

Whose hands are pure, whose heart is clean,
Whose lips still speak the thing they mean;
No slanders dwell upon his tongue;
He hates to do his neighbour wrong.

III

Scarce will he trust an ill report,
Nor vents it to his neighbour's hurt:
Sinners of state he can despise,
But saints are honour'd in his eyes.

IV

Firm to his word he ever stood,
And always makes his promise good;
Nor dares to change the thing he swears,
Whatever pain or loss he bears.

V

He never deals in bribing gold,
And mourns that justice should be sold:
While others gripe and grind the poor,
Sweet charity attends his door.

VI

He loves his enemies and prays
For those that curse him to his face;
And doth to all men still the same
That he would hope or wish from them.

VII

Yet when his holiest works are done,
His soul depends on grace alone;
This is the man thy face shall see,
And dwell for ever, Lord with thee.

Since our blessed Saviour, in the New Testament, has so much explained the duties of the law and published the gospel, I could not pass over this psalm of the characters of the jewish saint, without inserting some brighter articles that must belong to the christian: Such as, alms and charity to the poor, love to enemies, blessing those that curse us, doing to others as we would have them do to us, and hope of acceptance only through divine grace.

I thought it necessary also to leave out the mention of usury, verse 5. which though politically forbidden by the Jews among themselves, was never unlawful to the gentiles, nor to any christians, since the Jewish polity expired.

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PSALM 16. First Part. (L. M.) Confession of our Poverty, and Saints the best Company; or Good Works profit Men, not God.

I

Preserve me, Lord, in time of need;
For succour to thy throne I flee,
But have no merits there to plead;
My goodness cannot reach to thee.

II

Oft have my heart and tongue confest
How empty and how poor I am;
My praise can never make thee blest,
Nor add new glories to thy name.

III

Yet, Lord, thy saints on earth may reap
Some profit by the good we do;
These are the company I keep,
These are the choicest friends I know.

His hand provides my constant food,
He fills my daily cup;
Much am I pleas'd with present good,
But more rejoice in hope.

V

God is my portion and my joy,
His counsels are my light;
He gives me sweet advice by day,
And gentle hints by night.

VI

My soul would all her thoughts approve
To his all-seeing eye;
Not death, nor hell my hope shall move,
While such a friend is nigh.

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PSALM 16. Second Part. (C. M.) The Death and Resurrection of Christ.

I

‘I set the Lord before my face,
‘He bears my courage up;
‘My heart and tongue their joys express,
‘My flesh shall rest in hope.

II

‘My spirit, Lord, thou wilt not leave
‘Where souls departed are;
‘Nor quit my body to the grave
‘To see corruption there.

III

‘Thou wilt reveal the path of life,
‘And raise me to thy throne;
‘Thy courts immortal pleasure give,
‘Thy presence joys unknown.’

IV

Thus in the name of Christ, the Lord,
The holy David sung,
And Providence fulfils the word
Of his prophetic tongue.

V

Jesus, whom every saint adores,
Was crucify'd and slain;
Behold the tomb its prey restores,
Behold he lives again!

VI

When shall my feet arise and stand
On heaven's eternal hills?
There sits the Son at God's right hand,
And there the Father smiles.

In this version I have applied the three last verses of this psalm to Christ alone, as St. Peter applies them, Acts ii. 23. yet instead of the fourth line of the second stanza, To see corruption there, you may read thus, To dwell for ever there. And then the first three stanzas may be sung alone, and applied to every christian.

It is now agreed by the learned, that Sheol, which is rendered hell, signifies only the state of the dead; that is, the grave for the body, and the separate state for the spirit.

PSALM 17. v. 13, &c. (S. M.) Portion of Saints and Sinners; or, Hope and Despair in Death.

I

Arise, my gracious God,
And make the wicked flee;
They are but thy chastising rod
To drive thy saints to thee.

II

Behold the sinner dies,
His haughty words are vain;
Here in this life his pleasure lies,
And all beyond is pain.

III

Then let his pride advance,
And boast of all his store;
The Lord is my inheritance,
My soul can wish no more.

IV

I shall behold the face
Of my forgiving God,
And stand complete in righteousness,
Wash'd in my Saviour's blood.

V

There's a new heaven begun,
When I awake from death,
Drest in the likeness of thy Son,
And draw immortal breath.

The heaven which souls enjoy in the separate state, is so much increased by the resurrection of the body, that it may be called a New Heaven, the heaven of the body as well as of the soul.

PSALM 17. (L. M.) The Sinner's Portion and Saint's Hope; or, the Heaven of separate Souls, and the Resurrection.

I

Lord, I am thine; but thou wilt prove
My faith, my patience, and my love:
When men of spite against me join,
They are the sword, the hand is thine.

II

Their hope and portion lies below;
'Tis all the happiness they know,
'Tis all they seek; they take their shares,
And leave the rest among their heirs.

III

What sinners value, I resign;
Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine;
I shall behold thy blissful face,
And stand complete in righteousness.

IV

This life's a dream, an empty show;
But the bright world to which I go
Hath joys substantial and sincere;
When shall I wake, and find me there?

V

O glorious hour! O blest abode!
I shall be near and like my God!
And flesh and sin no more control
The sacred pleasures of the soul.

VI

My flesh shall slumber in the ground,
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound;
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise,
And in my Saviour's image rise.

The sense of a great part of this psalm occurs so frequently in the Book of Psalms, that I thought it necessary to translate no more than these few verses of it; namely, ver. 3. Thou hast proved my heart, thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing. Ver. 13. The wicked are thy sword. Ver. 14. The men of the world have their portion in this life, whose belly thou fillest: They leave the rest of their substance to their babes. Ver. 15. I shall behold thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.

I confess I have indulged a large exposition here, but I could not forbear to give my thoughts a loose upon this divine description of complete blessedness in the 15th verse; this bright abridgment of heaven.

From the word Awake, I have taken occasion to represent the departing soul's awaking into the world of spirits, as well as the body's awaking from the grave.

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PSALM 18. v. 1–6, 15–18. First Part. (L. M.) Deliverance from Despair; or, Temptations overcome.

I

Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength,
My rock, my tower, my high defence;
Thy mighty arm shall be my trust,
For I have found salvation thence.

II

Death, and the terrors of the grave,
Stood round me with their dismal shade;
While floods of high temptations rose,
And made my sinking soul afraid.

III

I saw the opening gates of hell,
With endless pains and sorrows there,
Which none but they that feel can tell,
While I was hurry'd to despair.

IV

In my distress I call'd my God,
When I could scarce believe him mine;
He bow'd his ear to my complaint,
Then did his grace appear divine.

V

With speed he flew to my relief,
As on a cherub's wing he rode;
Awful and bright as lightning shone
The face of my deliverer, God.

VI

Temptations fled at his rebuke,
The blast of his almighty breath;
He sent salvation from on high,
And drew me from the deeps of death.

VII

Great were my fears, my foes were great,
Much was their strength, and more their rage;
But Christ, my Lord, is conqueror still
In all the wars that devils wage.

VIII

My song for ever shall record
That terrible, that joyful hour;
And give the glory to the Lord
Due to his mercy and his power.

I have divided this long psalm into three parts, and accommodated the several verses of it to our spiritual warfare and victory through grace, as being of more frequent and general use to christians; yet there are so noble expressions of triumph in God, and thanks for victory over temporal enemies scattered up and down, that persuaded me to form them afterwards in common metre also, agreeable to their original design.

PSALM 18. v. 20–26. Second Part. (L. M.) Sincerity proved and rewarded.

I

Lord, thou hast seen my soul sincere,
Hast made thy truth and love appear;
Before mine eyes I set thy laws,
And thou hast own'd my righteous cause.

II

Since I have learnt thy holy ways,
I've walk'd upright before thy face;
Or if my feet did e'er depart,
'Twas never with a wicked heart.

III

What sore temptations broke my rest!
What wars and strugglings in my breast!
But thro' thy grace that reigns within,
I guard against my darling sin:

IV

That sin which close besets me still,
That works and strives against my will;
When shall thy Spirit's sovereign power
Destroy it, that it rise no more?

V

With an impartial hand, the Lord
Deals out to mortals their reward;
The kind and faithful souls shall find
A God as faithful and as kind.

VI

The just and pure shall ever say
Thou art more pure, more just than they;
And men that love revenge shall know
God hath an arm of vengeance too.

PSALM 18. v. 30, 31, 34, 35, 46, &c. Third Part (L. M.) Rejoicing in God; or, Salvation and Triumph.

I

Just are thy ways, and true thy word,
Great rock of my secure abode;
Who is a God beside the Lord?
Or where's a refuge like our God?

II

'Tis he that girds me with his might,
Gives me his holy sword to wield;
And while with sin and hell I fight,
Spreads his salvation for my shield.

III

He lives (and blessed be my rock!)
The God of my salvation lives,
The dark designs of hell are broke;
Sweet is the peace my father gives.

IV

Before the scoffers of the age,
I will exalt my Father's name,
Nor tremble at their mighty rage,
But meet reproach, and bear the shame.

V

To David and his royal seed
Thy grace for ever shall extend;
Thy love to saints in Christ their head
Knows not a limit, nor an end.

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PSALM 18. First Part. (C. M.) Victory and Triumph over temporal Enemies.

I

We love thee, Lord, and we adore,
Now is thine arm reveal'd;
Thou art our strength, our heavenly tower,
Our bulwark and our shield.

II

We fly to our eternal rock,
And find a sure defence;
His holy name our lips invoke,
And draw salvation thence.

III

When God, our leader, shines in arms,
What mortal heart can bear
The thunder of his loud alarms?
The lightning of his spear?

IV

He rides upon the winged wind,
And angels in array
In millions wait to know his mind,
And swift as flames obey.

V

He speaks, and at his fierce rebuke
Whole armies are dismay'd;
His voice, his frown, his angry look
Strikes all their courage dead.

VI

He forms our generals for the field,
With all their dreadful skill;
Gives them his awful sword to wield,
And makes their hearts of steel.

VII

He arms our captains to the fight,

Isaiah xlv. 1, 5. Thus saith the Lord to Cyrus,—I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.

(Tho' there his name's forgot:
He girded Cyrus with his might,
But Cyrus knew him not.)

VIII

Oft has the Lord whole nations blest
For his own church's sake:
The powers that give his people rest
Shall of his care partake.

PSALM 18. Second Part. (C. M.) The Conqueror's Song.

I

To thine almighty arm we owe
The triumphs of the day;
Thy terrors Lord, confound the foe,
And melt their strength away.

II

'Tis by thine aid our troops prevail,
And break united powers,
Or burn their boasted fleets, or scale
The proudest of their towers.

III

How have we chas'd them thro' the field,
And trod them to the ground,
While thy salvation was our shield,
But they no shelter found!

IV

In vain to idol-saints they cry,
And perish in their blood;
Where is a rock so great, so high,
So powerful as our God?

V

The rock of Israel ever lives,
His name be ever blest;
'Tis his own arm the victory gives,
And gives his people rest.

VI

On kings that reign as David did
He pours his blessings down;
Secures their honours to their seed,
And well supports the crown.

PSALM 19. First Part. (S. M.) The Book of Nature and Scripture.

For a Lord's Day Morning.

I

Behold the lofty sky
Declares its maker God,
And all his starry works on high
Proclaim his power abroad.

II

The darkness and the light
Still keep their course the same;
While night to day and day to night
Divinely teach his name.

III

In every different land
Their general voice is known;
They shew the wonders of his hand,
And orders of his throne.

IV

Ye British lands, rejoice,
Here he reveals his word,
We are not left to nature's voice
To bid us know the Lord.

V

His statutes and commands
Are set before our eyes,
He puts his gospel in our hands
Where our salvation lies.

VI

His laws are just and pure,
His truth without deceit,
His promises for ever sure,
And his rewards are great.

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VII

Not honey to the taste
Affords so much delight,
Nor gold that has the furnace past
So much allures the sight.

VIII

While of thy works I sing,
Thy glory to proclaim,
Accept the praise, my God, my king,
In my Redeemer's name.

The psalmist here, and in other psalms, uses the word Law, to express the five books of Moses, or all the divine Revelation that he had in his time; yet Christ and the apostles so frequently distinguish the law and the gospel, that I have chosen to imitate their language, and have often introduced the words gospel, truth, and promise, instead of statues, testimonies, &c. as being more agreeable to the style of the New Testament.

I have here inserted the last verse of the psalm with an evangelical turn, as a proper conclusion of this first part; the whole being too long to be sung at once, according to our present custom.

PSALM 19. Second Part. (S. M.) God's Word most excellent; or, Sincerity and Watchfulness.

For a Lord's Day Morning.

I

Behold the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams thro' all the nations run,
And life and light convey.

II

But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light,
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.

III

How perfect is thy word!
And all thy judgments just!
For ever sure thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.

IV

My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions given!
O! may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heaven!

V

I hear thy word with love,
And I would fain obey;
Send thy good Spirit from above
To guide me, lest I stray.

VI

O who can ever find
The errors of his ways?
Yet with a bold presumptuous mind
I would not dare transgress.

VII

Warn me of every sin,
Forgive my secret faults,
And cleanse this guilty soul of mine,
Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.

VIII

While with my heart and tongue,
I spread thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Saviour and my God.

PSALM 19. (L. M.) The Books of Nature and of Scripture compared; or, the Glory and Success of the Gospel.

I

The heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
In every star thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold thy word,
We read thy name in fairer lines.

II

The rolling sun, the changing light,
And nights and days thy power confess;
But the blest volume thou hast writ
Reveals thy justice and thy grace.

III

Sun, moon, and stars convey thy praise
Round the whole earth, and never stand;
So when thy truth begun its race,
It touch'd and glanc'd on every land.

IV

Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest,
Till through the world thy truth has run;
Till Christ has all the nations blest
That see the light, or feel the sun.

V

Great Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Bless the dark world with heavenly light;
Thy gospel makes the simple wise,
Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right.

VI

Thy noblest wonders here we view
In souls renew'd and sins forgiven:
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make thy word my guide to heaven.

Though the plain design of the psalmist is to shew the excellency of the book of Scripture above the book of Nature, in order to convert and save a sinner, yet the apostle Paul, in Rom. x. 18. applies or accommodates the fourth verse to the spreading of the gospel over the Roman empire, which is called the whole world in the New Testament: And in this version I have endeavoured to imitate him.

PSALM 19. To the Tune of the 113th Psalm. The Book of Nature and Scripture.

I

Great God the heaven's well-order'd frame
Declares the glories of thy name;
There thy rich works of wonder shine:
A thousand starry beauties there,
A thousand radiant marks appear
Of boundless power and skill divine.

141

II

From night to day, from day to night,
The dawning and the dying light
Lectures of heavenly wisdom read;
With silent eloquence they raise
Our thoughts to our Creator's praise,
And neither sound nor language need.

III

Yet their divine instructions run
Far as the journies of the sun,
And every nation knows their voice:
The sun, like some young bridegroom drest,
Breaks from the chambers of the east,
Rolls round and makes the earth rejoice.

IV

Where'er he spreads his beams abroad,
He smiles and speaks his maker God;
All nature joins to shew thy praise:
Thus God in every creature shines;
Fair is the book of nature's lines,
But fairer is thy book of grace.

V

I love the volumes of thy word;
What light and joy those leaves afford
To souls benighted and distrest!
Thy precepts guide my doubtful way,
Thy fear forbids my feet to stray,
Thy promise leads my heart to rest.

VI

From the discoveries of thy law,
The perfect rules of life I draw,
These are my study and delight:
Not honey so invites the taste,
Nor gold, that hath the furnace past,
Appears so pleasing to the sight.

VII

Thy threatenings wake my slumbering eyes,
And warn me where my danger lies;
But 'tis thy blessed gospel, Lord,
That makes my guilty conscience clean,
Converts my soul, subdues my sin,
And gives a free but large reward.

VIII

Who knows the errors of his thoughts?
My God, forgive my secret faults,
And from presumptuous sins restrain:
Accept my poor attempts of praise
That I have read thy book of grace,
And book of nature, not in vain.

PSALM 20. (L. M.) Prayer and Hope of Victory.

For a Day of Prayer in time of War.

I

Now may the God of power and grace
Attend his people's humble cry!
Jehovah hears when Israel prays,
And brings deliverance from on high.

II

The name of Jacob's God defends
Better than shields or brazen walls;
He from his sanctuary sends
Succour and strength, when Zion calls.

III

Well he remembers all our sighs,
His love exceeds our best deserts;
His love accepts the sacrifice
Of humble groans and broken hearts.

IV

In his salvation is our hope,
And in the name of Israel's God,
Our troops shall lift their banners up,
Our navies spread their flags abroad.

V

Some trust in horses train'd for war,
And some of chariots make their boasts;
Our surest expectations are
From thee, the Lord of heavenly hosts.

VI

O! may the memory of thy name
Inspire our armies for the fight!
Our foes shall fall and die with shame,
Or quit the field with shameful flight.

VII

Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear,
Now let our hopes be firm and strong,
Till the salvation shall appear,
And joy and triumph raise the song.

PSALM 21. (C. M.) Our King is the Care of Heaven.

I

The king, O Lord, with songs of praise,
Shall in thy strength rejoice:
And, blest with thy salvation, raise
To heaven his cheerful voice.

II

Thy sure defence, thro' nations round,
Has spread his glorious name;
And his successful actions crown'd
With majesty and fame.

III

Then let the king on God alone
For timely aid rely;
His mercy shall support the throne,
And all our wants supply.

IV

But, righteous Lord, his stubborn foes
Shall feel thy dreadful hand;
Thy vengeful arm shall find out those
That hate his mild command.

V

When thou against them dost engage,
Thy just but dreadful doom
Shall, like a fiery oven's rage,
Their hopes and them consume.

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VI

Thus, Lord, thy wondrous power declare,
And thus exalt thy fame;
Whilst we glad songs of praise prepare
For thine almighty name.

I have borrowed almost all these stanzas from Mr. Tate's version, and they seem very applicable to his present majesty King George, 1716.

PSALM 21. v. 1–9. (L. M.) Christ exalted to the Kingdom.

I

David rejoic'd in God his strength,
Rais'd to the throne by special grace;
But Christ, the Son, appears at length,
Fulfils the triumph and the praise.

II

How great is the Messiah's joy
In the salvation of thy hand!
Lord, thou hast rais'd his kingdom high,
And given the world to his command.

III

Thy goodness grants whate'er he will,
Nor doth the least request withhold;
Blessings of love prevent him still,
And crowns of glory, not of gold.

IV

Honour and majesty divine
Around his sacred temples shine;
Blest with the favour of thy face,
And length of everlasting days.

V

Thine hand shall find out all his foes;
And as a fiery oven glows,
With raging heat and living coals,
So shall thy wrath devour their souls.

PSALM 22. v. 1–16. First Part. (C. M.) The Sufferings and Death of Christ.

I

Why has my God my soul forsook,
Nor will a smile afford?
(Thus David once in anguish spoke,
And thus our dying Lord.)

II

Tho' 'tis thy chief delight to dwell
Among thy praising saints,
Yet thou canst hear a groan as well,
And pity our complaints.

III

Our fathers trusted in thy name,
And great deliverance found;
But I'm a worm, despis'd of men,
And trodden to the ground.

IV

Shaking the head they pass me by,
And laugh my soul to scorn;
‘In vain he trusts in God,’ they cry,
‘Neglected and forlorn.’

V

But thou art he who form'd my flesh
By thine almighty word;
And since I hung upon the breast,
My hope is in the Lord.

VI

Why will my Father hide his face,
When foes stand threatening round,
In the dark hour of deep distress,
And not an helper found?

VII

Behold thy darling left among
The cruel and the proud,
As bulls of Bashan fierce and strong,
As lions roaring loud.

VIII

From earth and hell my sorrows meet
To multiply the smart;
They nail my hands, they pierce my feet,
And try to vex my heart.

IX

Yet if thy sovereign hand let loose
The rage of earth and hell,
Why will my heavenly father bruise
The Son he loves so well?

X

My God, if possible it be,
Withhold this bitter cup;
But I resign my will to thee,
And drink the sorrows up.

XI

My heart dissolves with pangs unknown,
In groans I waste my breath;
Thy heavy hand has brought me down
Low as the dust of death.

XII

Father, I give my spirit up,
And trust it in thy hand;
My dying flesh shall rest in hope,
And rise at thy command.

PSALM 22. v. 20, 21, 27–31. Second Part. (C. M.) Christ's Sufferings and Kingdom.

I

‘Now from the roaring lion's rage,
‘O Lord, protect thy son;
‘Nor leave thy darling to engage
‘The powers of hell alone.

II

Thus did our suffering Saviour pray,
With mighty cries and tears;
God heard him in that dreadful day,
And chas'd away his fears.

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III

Great was the victory of his death,
His throne exalted high;
And all the kindreds of the earth
Shall worship or shall die.

IV

A numerous offspring must arise
From his expiring groans;
They shall be reckon'd in his eyes
For daughters and for sons.

V

The meek and humble souls shall see
His table richly spread;
And all that seek the Lord shall be
With joys immortal fed.

VI

The isles shall know the righteousness
Of our incarnate God;
And nations yet unborn profess
Salvation in his blood.

PSALM 22. (L. M.) Christ's Sufferings and Exaltation.

I

Now let our mournful songs record
The dying sorrows of our Lord,
When he complain'd in tears and blood
As one forsaken of his God.

II

The Jews beheld him thus forlorn,
And shake their heads, and laugh in scorn;
‘He rescu'd others from the grave,
‘Now let him try himself to save.

III

‘This is the man did once pretend
‘God was his Father and his friend;
‘If God the blessed lov'd him so,
‘Why doth he fail to help him now?

IV

Barbarous people! cruel priests!
How they stood round like savage beasts!
Like lions gaping to devour,
When God had left him in their power.

V

They wound his head, his hands, his feet,
Till streams of blood each other meet;
By lot his garments they divide,
And mock the pangs in which he dy'd.

VI

But God, his Father, heard his cry;
Rais'd from the dead he reigns on high;
The nations learn his righteousness,
And humble sinners taste his grace.

In this version I have abridged the whole psalm, and chosen only those verses of it which are cited or explained in the New Testament, namely, 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16, 18, 24, 28, 29, 31.

PSALM 23. (L. M.) God our Shepherd.

I

My shepherd is the living Lord;
Now shall my wants be well supply'd;
His providence and holy word
Become my safety and my guide.

II

In pastures where salvation grows
He makes me feed, he makes me rest;
There living water gently flows,
And all the food divinely blest.

III

My wandering feet his ways mistake,
But he restores my soul to peace
And leads me, for his mercy's sake
In the fair paths of righteousness.

IV

Tho' I walk thro' the gloomy vale,
Where death and all its terrors are,
My heart and hope shall never fail,
For God my shepherd's with me there.

V

Amidst the darkness and the deeps
Thou art my comfort, thou my stay;
Thy staff supports my feeble steps,
Thy rod directs my doubtful way.

VI

The sons of earth and sons of hell,
Gaze at thy goodness, and repine
To see my table spread so well
With living bread and cheerful wine.

VII

How I rejoice when on my head
Thy Spirit condescends to rest!
'Tis a divine anointing shed
Like oil of gladness at a feast.

VIII

Surely the mercies of the Lord
Attend his household all their days;
There will I dwell to hear his word,
To seek his face, and sing his praise.

PSALM 23. (C. M.) The Same.

[My shepherd will supply my need]

I

My shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is his name;
In pastures fresh he makes me feed
Beside the living stream.

II

He brings my wandering spirit back,
When I forsake his ways;
And leads me, for his mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace.

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III

When I walk through the shades of death,
Thy presence is my stay;
A word of thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.

IV

Thy hand, in spite of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.

V

The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may thy house be mine abode,
And all my works be praise!

VI

There would I find a settled rest,
(While others go and come)
No more a stranger or a guest,
But like a child at home.

The oil or ointment that was used of old to anoint and perfume the head, in the sense and language of the New Testament, must signify the communications of the Holy Spirit, which is called the anointing, 1 John ii. 20, 27. as I have explained it in the long metre; and Psalm xiv. 7. with John iii. 34. approves it.

PSALM 23. (S. M.) The same.

[The Lord my shepherd is]

I

145

VI

Ye heavenly gates, your leaves display
To make the Lord the Saviour way:
Laden with spoils from earth and hell,
The conqueror comes with God to dwell.

VII

Rais'd from the dead he goes before,
He opens heaven's eternal door,
To give his saints a blest abode
Near their Redeemer, and their God.

If this psalm was written at the ascent of the ark of God into Zion the city of David, it is not unnatural to apply it to the presence of Christ with his church in worship, as in the common metre; or to the ascension of Christ to Heaven, as in this metre. In this, and other parts of the psalm, I have endeavoured to make the connexion plain and easy, which is very obscure in the text.

PSALM 25. v. 1–11. First Part. (S. M.) Waiting for Pardon and Direction.

I

I lift my soul to God,
My trust is in his name;
Let not my foes that seek my blood
Still triumph in my shame.

II

V

With every morning light
My sorrow new begins;
Look on my anguish and my pain,
And pardon all my sins.

VI

Behold the hosts of hell,
How cruel is their hate!
Against my life they rise, and join
Their fury with deceit.

VII

IV

My fainting flesh had dy'd with grief,
Had not my soul believ'd
To see thy grace provide relief,
Nor was my hope deceiv'd.

V

Wait on the Lord, ye trembling saints,
And keep your courage up;
He'll raise your spirit when it faints,
And far exceed your hope.

The xxviiith psalm has scarcely any thing new, but what is repeated in other psalms.

PSALM 29. (L. M.) Storm and Thunder.

I

Give to the Lord, ye sons of fame,
Give to the Lord renown and power,
Ascribe due honours to his name,
And his eternal might adore.

II

The Lord proclaims his power aloud
Over the ocean and the land;
His voice divides the watery cloud,
And lightnings blaze at his command.

III

He speaks, and tempest, hail, and wind,
Lay the wide forest bare around;
The fearful hart, and frighful hind,
Leap at the terror of the sound.

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IV

To Lebanon he turns his voice,
And lo, the stately cedars break;
The mountains tremble at the noise,
The vallies roar, the deserts quake.

V

The Lord sits sovereign on the flood,
The thunderer reigns for ever king;
But makes his church his blest abode,
Where we his awful glories sing.

VI

In gentler language there the Lord
The counsels of his grace imparts;
Amidst the raging storm his word
Speaks peace and courage to our hearts.

PSALM 30. First Part. (L. M.) Sickness healed and Sorrow removed.

I

I will extol thee, Lord, on high,
At thy command diseases fly;
Who but a God can speak and save
From the dark borders of the grave?

II

Sing to the Lord, ye saints of his,
And tell how large his goodness is;
Let all your powers rejoice and bless,
While you record his holiness.

III

His anger but a moment stays;
His love is life and length of days;
Though grief and tears the night employ,
The morning-star restores the joy.

PSALM 30. v. 6. Second Part. (L. M.) Health, Sickness, and Recovery.

I

Firm was my health, my day was bright,
And I presum'd 'twould ne'er be night;
Fondly I said within my heart,
‘Pleasure and peace shall ne'er depart.’

II

But I forgot thine arm was strong,
Which made my mountain stand so long;
Soon as thy face began to hide,
My health was gone, my comforts dy'd.

III

I cry'd aloud to thee, my God,
‘What canst thou profit by my blood?
‘Deep in the dust can I declare
‘Thy truth, or sing thy goodness there?

IV

‘Hear me, O God of grace,’ I said,
‘And bring me from among the dead:’
Thy word rebuk'd the pains I felt,
Thy pardoning love remov'd my guilt.

V

My groans, and tears, and forms of woe,
Are turn'd to joy and praises now;
I throw my sackcloth on the ground,
And ease and gladness gird me round.

VI

My tongue, the glory of my frame,
Shall ne'er be silent of thy name;
Thy praise shall sound thro' earth and heaven,
For sickness heal'd and sins forgiven.

PSALM 31. v. 5, 13–19, 22, 23. First Part. (C. M.) Deliverance from Death.

I

Into thine hand, O God of truth,
My spirit I commit;
Thou hast redeem'd my soul from death,
And sav'd me from the pit.

II

The passions of my hope and fear
Maintain'd a doubtful strife,
While sorrow, pain, and sin conspir'd
To take away my life.

III

‘My times are in thy hand,’ I cry'd,
‘Though I draw near the dust;’
Thou art the refuge where I hide,
The God in whom I trust.

IV

O make thy reconciled face
Upon thy servant shine,
And save me for thy mercy's sake,
For I'm entirely thine.

V

'Twas in my haste, my spirit said,
‘I must despair and die,
‘I am cut off before thine eyes;’
But thou hast heard my cry.

VI

Thy goodness how divinely free!
How wondrous is thy grace
To those that fear thy majesty,
And trust thy promises!

VII

O love the Lord, all ye his saints,
And sing his praises loud;
He'll bend his ear to your complaints,
And recompense the proud.

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PSALM 31. v. 7–13, 18–21. Second Part. (C. M.) Deliverance from Slander and Reproach.

I

My heart rejoices in thy name,
My God, my help, my trust;
Thou hast preserv'd my face from shame,
Mine honour from the dust.

II

‘My life is spent with grief,’ I cry'd,
‘My years consum'd in groans,
‘My strength decays, mine eyes are dry'd,
‘And sorrow wastes my bones.’

III

Among mine enemies my name
Was a mere proverb grown,
While to my neighbours I became
Forgotten and unknown.

IV

Slander and fear, on every side,
Seiz'd and beset me round;
I to the throne of grace apply'd,
And speedy rescue found.

V

How great deliverance thou hast wrought
Before the sons of men!
The lying lips to silence brought,
And made their boastings vain!

VI

Thy children, from the strife of tongues,
Shall thy pavilion hide,
Guard them from infamy and wrongs,
And crush the sons of pride.

VII

Within thy secret presence, Lord,
Let me for ever dwell;
No fenced city, wall'd and barr'd,
Secures a saint so well.

I have much transposed the parts of this psalm, that I might unite the verses of the same sense and subject nearer together, and contract them into two divine hymns.

PSALM 32. (S. M.) Forgiveness of Sins upon Confession.

I

O blessed souls are they
Whose sins are cover'd o'er!
Divinely blest, to whom the Lord
Imputes their guilt no more!

II

They mourn their follies past,
And keep their hearts with care;
Their lips and lives, without deceit,
Shall prove their faith sincere.

III

While I conceal'd my guilt
I felt the fest'ring wound,
'Till I confess'd my sins to thee,
And ready pardon found.

IV

Let sinners learn to pray,
Let saints keep near the throne;
Our help, in times of deep distress,
Is found in God alone.

PSALM 32. (C. M.) Free Pardon and sincere Obedience; or, Confession and Forgiveness.

I

Happy the man to whom his God
No more imputes his sin,
But, wash'd in the Redeemer's blood,
Hath made his garments clean!

II

Happy, beyond expression, he
Whose debts are thus discharg'd;
And, from the guilty bondage free,
He feels his soul enlarg'd.

III

His spirit hates deceit and lies,
His words are all sincere;
He guards his heart, he guards his eyes,
To keep his conscience clear.

IV

While I my inward guilt supprest,
No quiet could I find;
Thy wrath lay burning in my breast,
And rack'd my tortur'd mind.

V

Then I confess'd my troubled thoughts,
My secret sins reveal'd;
Thy pardoning grace forgave my faults,
Thy grace my pardon seal'd.

VI

This shall invite thy saints to pray;
When, like a raging flood,
Temptations rise, our strength and stay
Is a forgiving God.

PSALM 32. First Part. (L. M.) Repentance and free Pardon; or, Justification and Sanctification.

I

Blest is the man, for ever blest,
Whose guilt is pardon'd by his God,
Whose sins with sorrow are confess'd,
And cover'd with his Saviour's blood.

II

Blest is the man to whom the Lord
Imputes not his iniquities,
He pleads no merit of reward,
And not on works, but grace relies.

149

III

From guile his heart and lips are free,
His humble joy, his holy fear,
With deep repentance well agree,
And join to prove his faith sincere.

IV

How glorious is that righteousness
That hides and cancels all his sins!
While a bright evidence of grace
Thro' his whole life appears and shines.

The first two verses of this psalm being cited by the apostle in the fourth chapter of Romans, to shew the freedom of our pardon and justification by grace without works, I have in this version of it enlarged the sense, by mention of the blood of Christ, and faith and repentance; and, because the psalmist adds, a spirit in which is no guile, I have inserted that sincere obedience, which is a scriptural evidence of our faith and justification.

PSALM 32. Second Part. (L. M.) A guilty Conscience eased by Confession and Pardon.

I

While I keep silence, and conceal
My heavy guilt within my heart,
What torments doth my conscience feel!
What agonies of inward smart!

II

I spread my sins before the Lord,
And all my secret faults confess;
Thy gospel speaks a pardoning word,
Thine holy Spirit seals the grace.

III

For this shall every humble soul
Make swift addresses to thy seat;
When floods of huge temptations roll,
There shall they find a blest retreat.

IV

How safe beneath thy wings I lie,
When days grow dark, and storms appear!
And when I walk, thy watchful eye
Shall guide me safe from every snare.

PSALM 33. First Part. (C. M.) Works of Creation and Providence.

I

Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord
This work belongs to you:
Sing of his name, his ways, his word,
How holy, just, and true!

II

His mercy and his righteousness
Let heaven and earth proclaim;
His works of nature and of grace
Reveal his wondrous name.

III

His wisdom and almighty word
The heavenly arches spread;
And by the Spirit of the Lord
Their shining hosts were made.

IV

He bid the liquid waters flow
To their appointed deep;
The flowing seas their limits know,
And their own station keep.

V

Ye tenants of the spacious earth,
With fear before him stand;
He spake, and nature took its birth,
And rests on his command.

VI

He scorns the angry nations' rage,
And breaks their vain designs;
His counsel stands through every age,
And in full glory shines.

PSALM 33. Second Part. (C. M.) Creatures vain, and God all-sufficient.

I

Blest is the nation where the Lord
Hath fix'd his gracious throne;
Where he reveals his heavenly word,
And calls their tribes his own.

II

His eye, with infinite survey,
Does the whole world behold;
He form'd us all of equal clay,
And knows our feeble mould.

III

Kings are not rescu'd by the force
Of armies from the grave;
Nor speed nor courage of an horse
Can the bold rider save.

IV

Vain is the strength of beasts or men
To hope for safety thence;
But holy souls from God obtain
A strong and sure defence.

V

God is their fear, and God their trust;
When plagues or famine spread,
His watchful eye secures the just
Among ten thousand dead.

VI

Lord, let our hearts in thee rejoice,
And bless us from thy throne;
For we have made thy word our choice,
And trust thy grace alone.

PSALM 33. First Part. As the 113th Psalm Works of Creation and Providence.

V

His holy angels pitch their tents
Around the men that serve the Lord;
O fear and love him, all his saints,
Taste of his grace and trust his word.

VI

The wild young lions, pinch'd with pain
And hunger, roar thro' all the wood;
But none shall seek the Lord in vain,
Nor want supplies of real good.

PSALM 34. v. 11–22. Second Part. (L. M.) Religious Education; or, Instructions of Piety.

I

Children in years and knowledge young,
Your parents' hope, your parents' joy,
Attend the counsels of my tongue,
Let pious thoughts your minds employ.

II

If you desire a length of days,
And peace to crown your mortal state,
Restrain your feet from impious ways,
Your lips from slander and deceit.

III

The eyes of God regard his saints,
His ears are open to their cries;
He sets his frowning face against
The sons of violence and lies.

IV

To humble souls and broken hearts
God with his grace is ever nigh;
Pardon and hope his love imparts
When men in deep contrition lie.

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V

He tells their tears, he counts their groans,
His Son redeems their souls from death;
His Spirit heals their broken bones,
They in his praise employ their breath.

PSALM 34. v. 1–10. First Part. (C. M.) Prayer and Praise for eminent Deliverance.

I

I'll bless the Lord from day to day;
How good are all his ways!
Ye humble souls that use to pray,
Come, help my lips to praise!

II

152

VII

But if thou hast a chosen few
Amongst that impious race,
Divide them from the bloody crew
By thy surprising grace.

VIII

Then will I raise my tuneful voice
To make thy wonders known;
In their salvation I'll rejoice,
And bless thee for my own.

Among the imprecations that David uses against his adversaries in this psalm, I have endeavoured to turn the edge of some of them away from personal enemies against the implacable enemies of God in the world.

Agreeably to the spirit of the gospel, I have here further molified these imprecations by a charitable distinction and petition for their souls; which spirit of evangelic charity appears so conspicuous in the 12, 13, and 14th verses of the psalm, that I could not forbear to form them into a short distinct hymn, enlarging on that glorious character of a christian, love to our enemies, commanded so particularly, and so divinely exemplified by Christ himself.

PSALM 35. v. 12–14. Second Part. (C. M.) Love to Enemies; or, the Love of Christ to Sinners typified in David.

I

Behold the love, the generous love
That holy David shows;
Hark how his sounding bowels move
To his afflicted foes!

II

When they are sick his soul complains,
And seems to feel the smart;
The spirit of the gospel reigns,
And melts his pious heart.

III

How did his flowing tears condole
As for a brother dead!
And fasting mortify'd his soul,
While for their life he pray'd.

IV

They groan'd; and curs'd him on their bed,
Yet still he pleads and mourns;
And double blessings on his head
The righteous God returns.

V

O glorious type of heavenly grace!
Thus Christ the Lord appears;
While sinners curse, the Saviour prays,
And pities them with tears.

VI

He, the true David, Israel's king,
Blest and belov'd of God,
To save us rebels, dead in sin,
Paid his own dearest blood.

See the notes on the first part of this psalm. Stanza i. Sounding of the bowels is a scriptural metaphor, Isaiah lxiii. 15.

PSALM 36. v. 5–9. (L. M.) The Perfections and Providence of God; or, general Providence and special Grace.

I

High in the heavens, eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines;
Thy truth shall break thro' every cloud
That veils and darkens thy designs.

II

For ever firm thy justice stands,
As mountains their foundations keep;
Wise are the wonders of thy hands;
Thy judgments are a mighty deep.

III

Thy providence is kind and large,
Both man and beast thy bounty share;
The whole creation is thy charge,
But saints are thy peculiar care.

IV

My God! how excellent thy grace,
Whence all our hope and comfort springs!
The sons of Adam in distress
Fly to the shadow of thy wings.

V

From the provisions of thy house
We shall be fed with sweet repast;
There mercy like a river flows,
And brings salvation to our taste.

VI

Life, like a fountain rich and free,
Springs from the presence of the Lord;
And in thy light our souls shall see
The glories promis'd in thy word.

PSALM 36. v. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9. (C. M.) Practical Atheism exposed; or, the Being and Attributes of God asserted.

IV

I to my God my ways commit,
And cheerful wait his will;
Thy hand, which guides my doubtful feet,
Shall my desires fulfil.

V

Mine innocence shalt thou display,
And make thy judgments known,
Fair as the light of dawning day,
And glorious as the noon.

VI

The meek at last the earth possess,
And are the heirs of heaven;
True riches with abundant peace,
To humble souls are given.

VII

Rest in the Lord and keep his way,
Nor let your anger rise,
Tho' providence should long delay
To punish haughty vice.

154

VIII

Let sinners join to break your peace,
And plot, and rage, and foam:
The Lord derides them, for he sees
Their day of vengeance come.

IX

They have drawn out the threatening sword,
Have bent the murderous bow,
To slay the men that fear the Lord
And bring the righteous low.

X

My God shall break their bows, and burn
Their persecuting darts,
Shall their own swords against them turn,
And pain surprise their hearts.

I have turned the divine instructions at the beginning of this psalm into the form of holy purposes, as more affecting and lively.

PSALM 37. v. 16, 21, 26–31. Second Part. (C. M.) Charity to the Poor; or, Religion in Words and Deeds.

I

Why do the wealthy wicked boast,
And grow profanely bold?
The meanest portion of the just
Excels the sinner's gold.

II

The wicked borrows of his friends,
But ne'er designs to pay;
The saint is merciful and lends,
Nor turns the poor away.

III

His alms with liberal heart he gives
Amongst the sons of need;
His memory to long ages lives,
And blessed is his seed.

IV

His lips abhor to talk prophane,
To slander or defraud;
His ready tongue declares to men
What he has learn'd of God.

V

The law and gospel of the Lord
Deep in his heart abide;
Led by the Spirit and the word,
His feet shall never slide.

VI

When sinners fall, the righteous stand,
Preserv'd from every snare;
They shall possess the promis'd land,
And dwell for ever there.

PSALM 37. v. 23–37. Third Part. (C. M.) The Way and End of the Righteous and the Wicked.

I

My God, the steps of pious men
Are order'd by thy will;
Tho' they should fall they rise again,
Thy hand supports them still.

II

The Lord delights to see their ways,
Their virtue he approves;
He'll ne'er deprive them of his grace,
Nor leave the men he loves.

III

The heavenly heritage is their's,
Their portion and their home;
He feeds them now, and makes them heirs
Of blessings long to come.

IV

Wait on the Lord, ye sons of men,
Nor fear when tyrants frown;
Ye shall confess their pride was vain,
When justice casts them down.

V

The haughty sinner have I seen,
Nor fearing man nor God,
Like a tall bay-tree fair and green,
Spreading his arms abroad.

VI

And lo! he vanish'd from the ground,
Destroy'd by hands unseen;
Nor root, nor branch, nor leaf was found
Where all that pride had been.

VII

But mark the man of righteousness,
His several steps attend;
True pleasure runs through all his ways,
And peaceful is his end.

This long psalm abounds with useful instructions and encouragements to piety, but the verses are very much unconnected and independent; therefore I have contracted and transposed them, so as to reduce them to three hymns of a moderate length, and with some connection of the sense.

PSALM 38. (C. M.) Guilt of Conscience and Relief; or, Repentance, and Prayer for Pardon and Health.

I

Amidst thy wrath remember love,
Restore thy servant, Lord;
Nor let a Father's chastening prove
Like an avenger's sword.

155

II

Thine arrows stick within my heart,
My flesh is sorely prest;
Between the sorrow and the smart
My spirit finds no rest.

III

My sins a heavy load appear,
And o'er my head are gone;
Too heavy they for me to bear,
Too hard for me t'atone.

IV

My thoughts are like a troubled sea,
My head still bending down;
And I go mourning all the day
Beneath my Father's frown.

V

Lord, I am weak, and broken sore,
None of my powers are whole;
The inward anguish makes me roar,
The anguish of my soul.

VI

All my desire to thee is known,
Thine eye counts every tear,
And every sigh, and every groan
Is noticed by thine ear.

VII

Thou art my God, my only hope;
My God will hear my cry,
My God will bear my spirit up,
When Satan bids me die.

VIII

My foot is ever apt to slide,
My foes rejoice to see 't;
They raise their pleasure and their pride,
When they supplant my feet.

IX

But I'll confess my guilt to thee,
And grieve for all my sin,
I'll mourn how weak my graces be,
And beg support divine.

X

My God, forgive my follies past,
And be for ever nigh;
O Lord of my salvation, haste,
Before thy servant die.

PSALM 39. v. 1–3. First Part. (C. M.) Watchfulness over the Tongue; or, Prudence and Zeal.

I

Thus I resolv'd before the Lord,
‘Now will I watch my tongue,
‘Lest I let slip one sinful word,
‘Or do my neighbour wrong.’

II

And if I'm e'er constrain'd to stay
With men of lives profane,
I'll set a double guard that day,
Nor let my talk be vain.

III

I'll scarce allow my lips to speak
The pious thoughts I feel,
Lest scoffers should th'occasion take
To mock my holy zeal.

IV

Yet if some proper hour appear,
I'll not be overaw'd,
But let the scoffing sinners hear
That I can speak for God.

I have not confined myself here to the sense of the psalmist, but have taken occasion, from the three first verses, to write a short hymn on the government of the tongue.

PSALM 39. v. 4–7. Second Part. (C. M.) The Vanity of Man as Mortal.

I

Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou maker of my frame;
I would survey life's narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.

II

A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.

III

See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o'er the plain,
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.

IV

Some walk in honour's gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore,
They toil for heirs they know not who,
And straight are seen no more.

V

What should I wish or wait for then
From creatures, earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.

VI

Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all.

156

PSALM 39. v. 9–13. Third Part. (C. M.) Sick-bed Devotion; or, pleading without repining.

I

VII

No blood of beasts on altars shed
Could wash the conscience clean;
But the rich sacrifice he paid
Atones for all our sin.

157

VIII

Then was the great salvation spread,
And Satan's kingdom shook;
Thus by the woman's promis'd seed
The serpent's head was broke.

If David had written this psalm in the days of the gospel, surely he would have given a much more express and particular account of the sacrifice of Christ, as he hath done of his preaching, verse 9, 10. and enlarged as Paul doth in Heb. x. 4, &c. where this psalm is cited. I have done no more therefore in this paraphrase, than what I am persuaded the psalmist himself would have done in the time of christianity.

The scriptures which I have used here on this occasion, are, Heb. x. 4. It is not possible the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin. verse 5. A body hast thou prepared me. John vii. 18. I seek the glory of him that sent me. Heb. x. 26. He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Gen. iii. 15. The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.

PSALM 40. v. 5–10. (L. M.) Christ our Sacrifice.

I

The wonders, Lord, thy love has wrought,
Exceed our praise, surmount our thought;
Should I attempt the long detail,
My speech would faint, my numbers fail.

II

No blood of beasts on altars spilt
Can cleanse the souls of men from guilt;
But thou hast set before our eyes
An all-sufficient sacrifice.

III

Lo! thine eternal Son appears,
To thy designs he bows his ears,
Assumes a body well prepar'd,
And well performs a work so hard.

IV

‘Behold, I come,’ (the Saviour cries,
With love and duty in his eyes)
‘I come to bear the heavy load
‘Of sins, and do thy will, my God.

V

‘'Tis written in thy great decree,
‘'Tis in thy book foretold of me,
‘I must fulfil the Saviour's part,
‘And lo! thy law is in my heart!

VI

‘I'll magnify thy holy law,
‘And rebels to obedience draw,
‘When on my cross I'm lifted high,
‘Or to my crown above the sky.

VII

‘The Spirit shall descend, and show
‘What thou hast done, and what I do;
‘The wondering world shall learn thy grace,
‘Thy wisdom and thy righteousness.’

Besides some of the scriptures mentioned under the former metre, I have here made use of these also, 1 John iii. 5. The Son of God was manifested, &c. 1 Pet. ii. 24. He bore our sins. Isaiah xlii. 21. He will magnify the law, and make it honourable. John xii. 32. If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me. John xvi. 14. The Spirit shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you.

PSALM 41. v. 1–3. (L. M.) Charity to the Poor; or, Pity to the Afflicted.

I

Blest is the man whose bowels move
And melt with pity to the poor,
Whose soul, by sympathizing love,
Feels what his fellow-saints endure.

II

His heart contrives for their relief
More good than his own hands can do;
He, in the time of general grief,
Shall find the Lord has bowels too.

III

His soul shall live secure on earth,
With secret blessings on his head,
When drought, and pestilence and dearth
Around him multiply their dead.

IV

Or, if he languish on his couch,
God will pronounce his sins forgiven,
Will save him with a healing touch,
Or take his willing soul to heaven.

The last ten verses of this psalm are of quite another subject, relating to David's personal enemies, which being so frequently repeated, I have often omitted.

The positive blessings of long life, health, recovery, and security, in the midst of dangers, being so much promised in the Old Testament, and so little in the New, I have given a turn at the end of this hymn, to discourage a too confident expectation of these temporal things, and led the soul to heavenly hopes, more agreeable to the gospel.

PSALM 42. v. 1–5. First Part. (C. M.) Desertion and Hope; or, Complaint of Absence from Public Worship.

I

With earnest longings of the mind,
My God, to thee I look;
So pants the hunted hart to find
And taste the cooling brook.

II

When shall I see thy courts of grace,
And meet my God again?
So long an absence from thy face
My heart endures with pain.

III

Temptations vex my weary soul,
And tears are my repast;
The foe insults without control,
‘And where's your God at last?’

IV

'Tis with a mournful pleasure now
I think on ancient days;
Then to thy house did numbers go,
And all our work was praise.

158

V

But why, my soul, sunk down so far
Beneath this heavy load?
Why do my thoughts indulge despair,
And sin against my God?

VI

Hope in the Lord, whose mighty hand
Can all thy woes remove;
For I shall yet before him stand,
And sing restoring love.

PSALM 42. v. 6–11. Second Part. (L. M.) Melancholy Thoughts reproved; or, Hope in Afflictions.

I

My spirit sinks within me, Lord,
But I will call thy name to mind,
And times of past distress record,
When I have found my God was kind.

II

Huge troubles, with tumultuous noise,
Swell like a sea, and round me spread;
Thy water spouts drown all my joys,
And rising waves roll o'er my head.

III

Yet will the Lord, command his love,
When I address his throne by day,
Nor in the night his grace remove;
The night shall hear me sing and pray.

IV

I'll cast myself before his feet,
And say, ‘My God, my heavenly rock,
‘Why doth thy love so long forget
‘The soul that groans beneath thy stroke?’

V

I'll chide my heart that sinks so low,
Why should my soul indulge her grief?
Hope in the Lord and praise him too,
He is my rest, my sure relief.

VI

Thy light and truth shall guide me still,
Thy word shall my best thoughts employ,
And lead me to thine heavenly hill,
My God, my most exceeding joy.

The 43d Psalm is so near akin to this, that I have omitted it, only borrowing the third and fourth verses to conclude this hymn.

PSALM 44. v. 1–3, 8, 15–26. (C. M.) The Church's Complaint in Persecution.

I

Lord, we have heard thy works of old,
Thy works of power and grace,
When to our ears our fathers told
The wonders of their days:

II

How thou didst build thy churches here,
And make thy gospel known;
Amongst them did thine arm appear,
Thy light and glory shone.

III

In God they boasted all the day,
And in a cheerful throng
Did thousands meet to praise and pray,
And grace was all their song.

IV

But now our souls are seiz'd with shame,
Confusion fills our face,
To hear the enemy blaspheme,
And fools reproach thy grace.

V

Yet have we not forgot our God,
Nor falsely dealt with heaven,
Nor have our steps declin'd the road
Of duty thou hast given;

VI

Tho' dragons all around us roar
With their destructive breath,
And thine own hand has bruis'd us sore
Hard by the gates of death.

VII

We are expos'd all day to die
As martyrs for thy cause,
As sheep for slaughter bound we lie
By sharp and bloody laws.

VIII

Awake, arise, almighty Lord,
Why sleeps thy wonted grace?
Why should we look like men abhorr'd,
Or banish'd from thy face?

IX

Wilt thou for ever cast us off,
And still neglect our cries?
For ever hide thine heavenly love
From our afflicted eyes?

X

Down to the dust our soul is bow'd,
And dies upon the ground;
Rise for our help, rebuke the proud,
And all their powers confound.

XI

Redeem us from perpetual shame,
Our Saviour and our God;
We plead the honours of thy name,
The merits of thy blood.

PSALM 45. (S. M.) The Glory of Christ; the Success of the Gospel; and the Gentile Church.

I

My Saviour and my King,
Thy beauties are divine;
Thy lips with blessings overflow,
And every grace is thine.

159

II

Now make thy glory known,
Gird on thy dreadful sword,
And ride in majesty to spread
The conquests of thy word.

III

Strike thro' thy stubborn foes,
Or melt their hearts t'obey,
While justice, meekness, grace and truth
Attend thy glorious way.

IV

Thy laws, O God, are right;
Thy throne shall ever stand;
And thy victorious gospel proves
A sceptre in thy hand.

God, thine own God, has richly shed
His oil of gladness on thy head,
And with his sacred Spirit blest
His first-born Son above the rest.

PSALM 45. Second Part. (L. M.) Christ and his Church; or, the Mystical Marriage.

IV

He breaks the bow, he cuts the spear,
Chariots he burns with heavenly flame;
Keep silence all the earth, and hear
The sound and glory of his name.

V

‘Be still, and learn that I am God,
‘I'll be exalted o'er the lands,
‘I will be known and fear'd abroad,
‘But still my throne in Sion stands.’

VI

O Lord of hosts, almighty king,
While we so near thy presence dwell,
Our faith shall sit secure, and sing
Defiance to the gates of hell.

PSALM 47. (C. M.) Christ ascending and reigning.

I

O for a shout of sacred joy
To God the sovereign King!
Let every land their tongues employ,
And hymns of triumph sing.

II

Jesus our God ascends on high,
His heavenly guards around
Attend him rising thro' the sky,
With trumpet's joyful sound.

III

While angels shout and praise their King,
Let mortals learn their strains;
Let all the earth his honour sing;
O'er all the earth he reigns.

IV

Rehearse his praise with awe profound,
Let knowledge lead the song,
Nor mock him with a solemn sound
Upon a thoughtless tongue.

161

V

In Israel stood his ancient throne,
He lov'd that chosen race;
But now he calls the world his own,
And heathens taste his grace.

VI

The British islands are the Lord's,
There Abraham's God is known,
While powers and princes, shields and swords,
Submit before his throne.

The ascent of Christ into heaven is typified in this psalm, by the ark brought up to Zion, 2 Sam. vi. 15. And the kingdom of Christ among the gentiles, is here represented by David's victory over the nations, verse 3. I have chosen to omit the type, and do honour to my ascending and reigning Saviour in more express language.

PSALM 48. v. 1–8. First Part. (S. M.) The Church is the Honour and Safety of a Nation.

I

Great is the Lord our God,
And let his praise be great;
He makes his churches his abode,
His most delightful seat.

II

These temples of his grace,
How beautiful they stand!
The honours of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.

III

In Sion God is known
A refuge in distress;
How bright has his salvation shone
Through all her palaces!

IV

When kings against her join'd,
And saw the Lord was there,
In wild confusion of the mind
They fled with hasty fear.

V

When navies tall and proud
Attempt to spoil our peace,
He sends his tempests roaring loud,
And sinks them in the seas.

VI

Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold
Where his own sheep have been.

VII

In every new distress
We'll to his house repair,
We'll think upon his wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.

PSALM 48. v. 10–14. Second Part. (S. M.) The Beauty of the Church; or, Gospel Worship and Order.

I

Far as thy name is known
The world declares thy praise;
Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne
Their songs of honour raise.

II

With joy let Judah stand
On Sion's chosen hill,
Proclaim the wonders of thy hand,
And counsels of thy will.

III

Let strangers walk around
The city where we dwell,
Compass and view thine holy ground,
And mark the building well;

IV

The orders of thy house,
The worship of thy court,
The cheerful songs, the solemn vows;
And make a fair report.

V

How decent and how wise!
How glorious to behold!
Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes,
And rites adorn'd with gold.

VI

The God we worship now
Will guide us till we die,
Will be our God while here below,
And ours above the sky.

PSALM 49. v. 6–14. First Part. (C. M.) Pride and Death; or, the Vanity of Life and Riches.

I

Why doth the man of riches grow
To insolence and pride,
To see his wealth and honours flow
With every rising tide?

II

Why doth he treat the poor with scorn,
Made of the self-same clay,
And boast as tho' his flesh was born
Of better dust than they?

III

Not all his treasures can procure
His soul a short reprieve,
Redeem from death one guilty hour,
Or make his brother live.

162

IV

Life is a blessing can't be sold,
The ransom is too high;
Justice will ne'er be brib'd with gold
That man may never die.

V

He sees the brutish and the wise,
The timorous and the brave,
Quit their possessions, close their eyes,
And hasten to the grave.

VI

Yet 'tis his inward thought and pride,—
‘My house shall ever stand;
‘And that my name may long abide,
‘I'll give it to my land.’

VII

Vain are his thoughts his hopes are lost,
How soon his memory dies!
His name is written in the dust
Where his own carcase lies.

VIII

This is the folly of their way;
And yet their sons, as vain,
Approve the words their fathers say,
And act their works again.

IX

Men void of wisdom and of grace,
If honour raise them high,
Live like the beast a thoughtless race,
And like the beast they die.

X

Laid in the grave like silly sheep,
Death feeds upon them there,
Till the last trumpet break their sleep
In terror and despair.

PSALM 49. v. 14, 15. Second Part. (C. M.) Death and the Resurrection.

I

Ye sons of pride that hate the just,
And trample on the poor,
When death has brought you down to dust,
Your pomp shall rise no more.

II

The last great day shall change the scene;
When will that hour appear?
When shall the just revive, and reign
O'er all that scorn'd them here?

III

God will my naked soul receive,
When sep'rate from the flesh;
And break the prison of the grave
To raise my bones afresh.

IV

Heaven is my everlasting home,
Th'inheritance is sure;
Let men of pride their rage resume,
But I'll repine no more.

PSALM 49. (L. M.) The rich Sinner's Death, and the Saint's Resurrection.

I

Why do the proud insult the poor,
And boast the large estates they have?
How vain are riches to secure
Their haughty owners from the grave!

II

They can't redeem one hour from death,
With all the wealth in which they trust;
Nor give a dying brother breath,
When God commands him down to dust.

III

There the dark earth and dismal shade
Shall clasp their naked bodies round;
That flesh, so delicately fed,
Lies cold, and moulders in the ground.

IV

Like thoughtless sheep the sinner dies,
Laid in the grave for worms to eat:
The saints shall in the morning rise,
And find th'oppressor at their feet.

V

His honours perish in the dust,
And pomp and beauty, birth and blood;
That glorious day exalts the just
To full dominion o'er the proud.

VI

My Saviour shall my life restore,
And raise me from my dark abode;
My flesh and soul shall part no more,
But dwell for ever near my God.

PSALM 50. v. 1–6. First Part. (C. M.) The last Judgment; or, the Saints rewarded.

II

Vile wretches dare rehearse his name
With lips of falsehood and deceit;
A friend or brother they defame,
And sooth and flatter those they hate.

III

They watch to do their neighbours wrong,
Yet dare to seek their Maker's face;
They take his covenant on their tongue,
But break his laws, abuse his grace.

IV

To heaven they lift their hands unclean,
Defil'd with lust, defil'd with blood;
By night they practise every sin,
By day their mouths draw near to God.

V

And while his judgments long delay,
They grow secure and sin the more;
They think he sleeps as well as they,
And put far off the dreadful hour.

VI

O dreadful hour! when God draws near,
And sets their crimes before their eyes!
His wrath their guilty souls shall tear,
And no deliverer dare to rise.

This psalm having a plain reference to the Last Judgment, I have in the first part, omitted every thing that might obscure the sense of it.

The latter part of this psalm being designed to expose and terrify all formal worshippers and hypocrites, I have formed two or three hymns on that subject, with some transposition and paraphrase of the verses; but I have kept the same introduction still, by repeating the first verse of the psalm.

164

PSALM 50. To a new Tune. The last Judgment.

I

The Lord, the Sovereign sends his summons forth,
Calls the south nations, and awakes the north;
From east to west the sounding orders spread
Thro' distant worlds and regions of the dead:
No more shall atheists mock his long delay;
His vengeance sleeps no more: behold the day!

II

Behold the Judge descends; his guards are nigh;
Tempest and fire attend him down the sky:
Heaven, earth and hell draw near: let all things come
To hear his justice and the sinners doom:
‘But gather first my saints (the Judge commands)
‘Bring them, ye angels, from their distant lands.

III

‘Behold! my covenant stands for ever good,
‘Seal'd by th'eternal sacrifice in blood,
‘And sign'd with all their names; the Greek, the Jew,
‘That paid the ancient worship or the new,
‘There's no distinction here: come spread their thrones,
‘And near me seat my favourites and my sons.

IV

‘I their almighty Saviour and their God
‘I am their judge: ye heavens, proclaim abroad
‘My just eternal sentence, and declare
‘Those awful truths that sinners dread to hear:
‘Sinners in Zion, tremble and retire;
‘I doom the painted hypocrite to fire.

V

‘Not for the want of goats or bullocks slain
‘Do I condemn thee; bulls and goats are vain,
‘Without the flames of love: in vain the store
‘Of brutal offerings that were mine before;
‘Mine are the tamer beasts and savage breed,
‘Flocks, herds, and fields, and forests where they feed.

VI

‘If I were hungry would I ask thee food?
‘When did I thirst, or drink thy bullocks blood?
‘Can I be flatter'd with thy cringing bows,
‘Thy solemn chatterings and fantastic vows?
‘Are my eyes charm'd thy vestments to behold,
‘Glaring in gems and gay in woven gold?

VII

‘Unthinking wretch! how couldst thou hope to please
‘A God, a Spirit, with such toys as these?
‘While with my grace and statutes on thy tongue,
‘Thou lov'st deceit, and dost thy brother wrong;
‘In vain to pious forms thy zeal pretends,
‘Thieves and adulterers are thy chosen friends.

VIII

‘Silent I waited with long-suffering love,
‘But didst thou hope that I should ne'er reprove?
‘And cherish such an impious thought within,
‘That God the righteous would indulge thy sin?
‘Behold my terrors now: my thunders roll,
‘And thy own crimes affright thy guilty soul.’

IX

Sinners, awake betimes; ye fools, be wise;
Awake before this dreadful morning rise;
Change your vain thoughts, your crooked works amend,
Fly to the Saviour, make the Judge your friend;
Lest like a lion his last vengeance tear
Your trembling souls, and no deliverer near.

In this metre, as in some of the former, I have taken evident occasion from this psalm to represent the Last Judgment; and have therefore left out those verses which seem to interrupt that sense.

All the saints have made a covenant with God by sacrifice, (as in the text) and, as it were, set their names to God's Covenant of Grace, ratified by the sacrifice of Christ, of eternal virtue; though the Jews did it in the ancient forms of worship, and the gentiles in the new.

As the jewish formal worshippers contented themselves with burnt-offerings, &c. and trusted in them: So hypocrites in christianity build their hopes upon outward forms, gay ceremonies, rigid austerities, fanciful vows, &c.

PSALM 50. To the old proper Tune. The last Judgment.

I

The God of glory sends his summons forth,
Calls the south nations and awakes the north;
From east to west the sovereign orders spread
Thro' distant worlds and regions of the dead:
The trumpet sounds; hell trembles; heaven rejoices;
Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.

II

No more shall atheists mock his long delay;
His vengeance sleeps no more; behold the day;
Behold the Judge descends; his guards are nigh;
Tempests and fire attend him down the sky.
When God appears all nature shall adore him;
While sinners tremble, saints rejoice before him:

III

‘Heaven, earth, and hell draw near; let all things come
‘To hear my justice and the sinners doom;
‘But gather first my saints,’ the Judge commands,
‘Bring them, ye angels, from their distant lands:’
When Christ returns, wake every cheerful passion,
And shout, ye saints, he comes for your salvation.

IV

‘Behold my covenant stands for ever good,
‘Seal'd by th'eternal sacrifice in blood,
‘And sign'd with all their names; the Greek, the Jew,
‘That paid the ancient worship or the new;’
There's no distinction here: join all your voices,
And raise your heads, ye saints, for heaven rejoices.

165

V

‘Here,’ saith the Lord, ‘ye angels, spread their thrones,
‘And near me seat my favourites and my sons:
‘Come, my redeem'd, possess the joys prepar'd
‘Ere time began! 'tis your divine reward:’
When Christ returns, wake every cheerful passion;
And shout, ye saints, he comes for your salvation.

VI

‘I am the Saviour, I th'almighty God,
‘I am the judge: ye heavens, proclaim abroad
‘My just eternal sentence, and declare
‘Those awful truths that sinners dread to hear:’
When God appears all nature shall adore him;
While sinners tremble, saints rejoice before him.

VII

‘Stand forth, thou bold blasphemer and profane,
‘Now feel my wrath, nor call my threatenings vain;
‘Thou hypocrite, once drest in saint's attire,
‘I doom the painted hypocrite to fire:’
Judgment proceeds; hell trembles; heaven rejoices;
Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.

VIII

‘Not for the want of goats or bullocks slain
‘Do I condemn thee; bulls and goats are vain
‘Without the flames of love: in vain the store
‘Of brutal offerings that were mine before:’
Earth is the Lord's; all nature shall adore him;
While sinners tremble, saints rejoice before him.

IX

‘If I were hungry, would I ask thee food?
‘When did I thirst? or drink thy bullocks blood?
‘Mine are the tamer beasts and savage breed,
‘Flocks, herds, and fields, and forests where they feed:’
All is the Lord's; he rules the wide creation;
Gives sinners vengeance, and the saints salvation.

X

‘Can I be flatter'd with thy cringing bows,
‘Thy solemn chatterings and fantastic vows?
‘Are my eyes charm'd thy vestments to behold,
‘Glaring in gems, and gay in woven gold?’
God is the judge of hearts; no fair disguises
Can screen the guilty when his vengeance rises.

XI

‘Unthinking wretch! how couldst thou hope to please
‘A God, a spirit, with such toys as these?
‘While with my grace and statutes on thy tongue,
‘Thou lovest deceit, and dost thy brother wrong?’
Judgment proceeds; hell trembles; heaven rejoices;
Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices:

XII

‘In vain to pious forms thy zeal pretends,
‘Thieves and adulterers are thy chosen friends;
‘While the false flatterer at my altar waits,
‘His harden'd soul divine instruction hates:’
God is the judge of hearts; no fair disguises
Can screen the guilty when his vengeance rises.

XIII

‘Silent I waited with long-suffering love;
‘But didst thou hope that I should ne'er reprove?
‘And cherish such an impious thought within,
‘That the All-Holy would indulge thy sin?’
See, God appears; all nature joins t'adore him;
Judgment proceeds, and sinners fall before him.

XIV

‘Behold my terrors now; my thunders roll,
‘And thy own crimes affright thy guilty soul;
‘Now like a lion shall my vengeance tear
‘Thy bleeding heart, and no deliverer near:’
Judgment concludes; hell trembles; heaven rejoices;
Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.

EPIPHONEMA.

XV

‘Sinners, awake betimes; ye fools, be wise;
‘Awake before this dreadful morning rise:
‘Change your vain thoughts, your crooked works amend,
‘Fly to the Saviour, make the Judge your friend:’
Then join the saints: wake every cheerful passion;
When Christ returns, he comes for your salvation.

If the former heroic metre do not fit the old proper tune of the fiftieth psalm, for want of double rhymes at the end of every stanza, I have here altered the form of it much, in order to fit it exactly to the old proper tune; adding a chorus, or (as some call it) the burden of the song, betwixt every four lines. I hope it will not be displeasing to the more musical part of my readers, to be entertained with such a variety.

PSALM 51. First Part. (L. M.) A Penitent pleading for Pardon.

I

Shew pity Lord, O Lord forgive,
Let a repenting rebel live:
Are not thy mercies large and free?
May not a sinner trust in thee?

II

My crimes are great, but not surpass
The power and glory of thy grace:
Great God, thy nature hath no bound,
So let thy pardoning love be found.

III

O wash my soul from every sin,
And make my guilty conscience clean;
Here on my heart the burden lies,
And past offences pain my eyes.

166

IV

My lips with shame my sins confess
Against thy law, against thy grace:
Lord, should thy judgment grow severe,
I am condemn'd, but thou art clear.

V

Should sudden vengeance seize my breath,
I must pronounce thee just in death;
And if my soul were sent to hell,
Thy righteous law approves it well.

VI

Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord,
Whose hope still hovering round thy word,
Would light on some sweet promise there,
Some sure support against despair.

PSALM 51. Second Part. (L. M.) Original and actual Sin confessed.

I

Lord, I am vile, conceiv'd in sin;
And born unholy and unclean;
Sprung from the man whose guilty fall
Corrupts the race, and taints us all.

II

Soon as we draw our infant breath,
The seeds of sin grow up for death;
Thy law demands a perfect heart,
But we're defil'd in every part.

III

Great God, create my heart anew,
And form my spirit pure and true:
O make me wise betimes to spy
My danger and my remedy.

IV

Behold I fall before thy face;
My only refuge is thy grace:
No outward forms can make me clean;
The leprosy lies deep within.

V

No bleeding bird, nor bleeding beast,
Nor hyssop branch, nor sprinkling priest,
Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea,
Can wash the dismal stain away.

VI

Jesus, my God, thy blood alone
Hath power sufficient to atone;
Thy blood can make me white as snow;
No jewish types could cleanse me so.

VII

While guilt disturbs and breaks my peace,
Nor flesh nor soul hath rest or ease;
Lord, let me hear thy pardoning voice,
And make my broken bones rejoice.

Since the psalmist seems to refer to the branch of hyssop, sprinkling the blood of the bird, and the running water, Lev. xiv. 51. I have here enlarged upon the insufficiency of all those rites, for the cleansing of sin, which is the leprosy of the soul.

Such a glorious occasion of introducing the blood of a Saviour could not be omitted here with justice to David, or to Christ his Son.

PSALM 51. Third Part. (L. M.) The Backslider restored; or, Repentance and Faith in the Blood of Christ.

I

O thou that hear'st when sinners cry,
Tho' all my crimes before thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their memory from thy book.

II

Create my nature pure within,
And form my soul averse to sin:
Let thy good Spirit ne'er depart,
Nor hide thy presence from my heart.

III

I cannot live without thy light,
Cast out and banish'd from thy sight:
Thine holy joys, my God, restore,
And guard me that I fall no more.

IV

Tho' I have griev'd thy Spirit, Lord,
His help and comfort still afford:
And let a wretch come near thy throne
To plead the merits of thy Son.

V

A broken heart, my God, my king,
Is all the sacrifice I bring;
The God of grace will ne'er despise
A broken heart for sacrifice.

VI

My soul lies humbled in the dust,
And owns thy dreadful sentence just;
Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye,
And save the soul condemn'd to die.

VII

Then will I teach the world thy ways;
Sinners shall learn thy sovereign grace;
I'll lead them to my Saviour's blood,
And they shall praise a pardoning God.

VIII

O may thy love inspire my tongue!
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord, my strength and righteousness.

The 17th verse, concerning the sacrifice of a broken heart, I have here transposed, to make an easier connection.

PSALM 51. v. 3–13. First Part. (C. M.) Original and actual Sin confessed and pardoned.

I

Lord, I would spread my sore distress
And guilt before thine eyes;
Against thy laws, against thy grace,
How high my crimes arise!

167

II

Shouldst thou condemn my soul to hell,
And crush my flesh to dust,
Heaven would approve thy vengeance well,
And earth must own it just.

III

I from the stock of Adam came,
Unholy and unclean:
All my original is shame,
And all my nature sin.

IV

Born in a world of guilt, I drew
Contagion with my breath;
And, as my days advanc'd, I grew
A juster prey for death.

V

Cleanse me, O Lord, and cheer my soul
With thy forgiving love;
O, make my broken spirit whole,
And bid my pains remove.

VI

Let not thy Spirit quite depart,
Nor drive me from thy face;
Create anew my vicious heart,
And fill it with thy grace.

VII

Then will I make thy mercy known
Before the sons of men;
Backsliders shall address thy throne,
And turn to God again.

Or it may be read, My nature prone to sin.

PSALM 51. v. 14–17. Second Part. (C. M.) Repentance and Faith in the Blood of Christ.

I

O God of mercy! hear my call,
My loads of guilt remove,
Break down this separating wall
That bars me from thy love.

II

Give me the presence of thy grace,
Then my rejoicing tongue
Shall speak aloud thy righteousness,
And make thy praise my song.

III

No blood of goats, nor heifer slain,
For sin could e'er atone;
The death of Christ shall still remain
Sufficient and alone.

IV

A soul opprest with sin's desert,
My God will ne'er despise;
A humble groan, a broken heart,
Is our best sacrifice.

PSALM 53. v. 4–6. (C. M.) Victory and Deliverance from Persecution.

I

Are all the foes of Sion fools,
Who thus devour her saints?
Do they not know her Saviour rules,
And pities her complaints?

II

They shall be seiz'd with sad surprise;
For God's avenging arm
Scatters the bones of them that rise
To do his children harm.

III

In vain the sons of Satan boast
Of armies in array;
When God has first despis'd their host,
They fall an easy prey.

IV

O for a word from Sion's King
Her captives to restore!
Jacob with all his tribes shall sing,
And Judah weep no more.

The first part of this psalm is the same with the fourteenth.

PSALM 55. v. 1–8, 16–18, 22. (C. M.) Support for the afflicted and tempted Soul.

I

O God, my refuge, hear my cries,
Behold my flowing tears,
For earth and hell my hurt devise,
And triumph in my fears.

II

Their rage is levell'd at my life,
My soul with guilt they load,
And fill my thoughts with inward strife
To shake my hope in God.

III

With inward pain my heart-strings sound,
I groan with every breath;
Horror and fear beset me round
Amongst the shades of death.

IV

O were I like a feather'd dove,
And innocence had wings;
I'd fly, and make a long remove
From all these restless things.

V

Let me to some wild desert go,
And find a peaceful home,
Where storms of malice never blow,
Temptations never come.

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VI

Vain hopes, and vain inventions all
To 'scape the rage of hell!
The mighty God on whom I call
Can save me here as well.

VII

By morning light I'll seek his face,
At noon repeat my cry,
The night shall hear me ask his grace,
Nor will he long deny.

VIII

God shall preserve my soul from fear,
Or shield me when afraid;
Ten thousand angels must appear
If he command their aid.

IX

I cast my burdens on the Lord,
The Lord sustains them all;
My courage rests upon his word
That saints shall never fall.

X

My highest hopes shall not be vain,
My lips shall spread his praise;
While cruel and deceitful men
Scarce live out half their days.

I have left out some whole psalms, and several parts of others that tend to fill the mind with overwhelming sorrows, or sharp resentment; neither of which are so well suited to the spirit of the gospel, and therefore the particular complaints of David against Achitopel here are entirely omitted.

PSALM 55. v. 15–17, 19, 22. (S. M.) Dangerous Prosperity; or, Daily Devotions encouraged.

I

Let sinners take their course,
And choose the road to death;
But in the worship of my God
I'll spend my daily breath.

II

My thoughts address his throne,
When morning brings the light;
I seek his blessing every noon,
And pay my vows at night.

III

Thou wilt regard my cries,
O my eternal God,
While sinners perish in surprise
Beneath thine angry rod.

IV

Because they dwell at ease,
And no sad changes feel,
They neither fear nor trust thy name,
Nor learn to do thy will.

V

But I with all my cares
Will lean upon the Lord,
I'll cast my burdens on his arm,
And rest upon his word.

VI

His arm shall well sustain
The children of his love;
The ground on which their safety stands
No earthly power can move.

PSALM 56. (C. M.) Deliverance from Oppression and Falsehood; or, God's Care of his People, in answer to Faith and Prayer.

I

O thou, whose justice reigns on high,
And makes th'oppressor cease,
Behold how envious sinners try
To vex and break my peace!

II

The sons of violence and lies
Join to devour me, Lord;
But as my hourly dangers rise
My refuge is thy word.

III

In God most holy, just, and true,
I have repos'd my trust;
Nor will I fear what flesh can do,
The offspring of the dust.

IV

They wrest my words to mischief still,
Charge me with unknown faults;
Mischief doth all their counsels fill,
And malice all their thoughts.

V

Shall they escape without thy frown?
Must their devices stand?
O cast the haughty sinner down,
And let him know thy hand!

VI

God counts the sorrows of his saints,
Their groans affect his ears;
Thou hast a book for my complaints,
A bottle for my tears.

VII

When to thy throne I raise my cry,
The wicked fear and flee;
So swift is prayer to reach the sky,
So near is God to me.

VIII

III

False are the men of high degree,
The baser sort are vanity;
Laid in the balance both appear
Light as a puff of empty air.

IV

Make not increasing gold your trust,
Nor set your heart on glittering dust;
Why will you grasp the fleeting smoke,
And not believe what God hath spoke?

V

Once has his awful voice declar'd,
Once and again my ears have heard,
‘All power is his eternal due;
‘He must be feared and trusted too.’

VI

For sovereign power reigns not alone,
Grace is a partner of the throne:
Thy grace and justice, mighty Lord,
Shall well divide our last reward.

PSALM 63. v. 1, 2, 5, 3, 4. First Part. (C. M.) The Morning of a Lord's Day.

I

Early, my God, without delay
I haste to seek thy face;
My thirsty spirit faints away,
Without thy cheering grace.

II

So pilgrims on the scorching sand,
Beneath a burning sky,
Long for a cooling stream at hand,
And they must drink or die.

III

I've seen thy glory and thy power
Thro' all thy temple shine;
My God, repeat that heavenly hour,
That vision so divine.

IV

Not all the blessings of a feast
Can please my soul so well,
As when thy richer grace I taste,
And in thy presence dwell.

V

Not life itself, with all her joys,
Can my best passions move,
Or raise so high my cheerful voice
As thy forgiving love.

VI

Thus till my last expiring day
I'll bless my God and king;
Thus will I lift my hands to pray,
And tune my lips to sing.

PSALM 63. v. 6–10. Second Part. (C. M.) Midnight Thoughts recollected.

I

'Twas in the watches of the night
I thought upon thy power,
I kept thy lovely face in sight
Amidst the darkest hour.

171

II

My flesh lay resting on my bed,
My soul arose on high;
‘My God, my life, my hope,’ I said,
‘Bring thy salvation nigh.’

III

My spirit labours up thine hill,
And climbs the heavenly road;
But thy right hand upholds me still,
While I pursue my God.

IV

Thy mercy stretches o'er my head
The shadow of thy wings;
My heart rejoices in thine aid,
My tongue awakes and sings.

V

But the destroyers of my peace
Shall fret and rage in vain;
The tempter shall for ever cease,
And all my sins be slain.

VI

Thy sword shall give my foes to death,
And send them down to dwell
In the dark caverns of the earth,
Or to the deeps of hell.

PSALM 63. (L. M.) Longing after God; or, the Love of God better than Life.

I

Great God, indulge my humble claim,
Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest;
The glories that compose thy name
Stand all engag'd to make me blest.

II

Thou great and good, thou just and wise,
Thou art my Father and my God;
And I am thine by sacred ties;
Thy son, thy servant bought with blood.

III

With heart, and eyes, and lifted hands,
For thee I long, to thee I look,
As travellers in thirsty lands
Pant for the cooling water brook.

IV

With early feet I love t'appear
Among thy saints and seek thy face;
Oft have I seen thy glory there,
And felt the power of sovereign grace.

V

Not fruits nor wines that tempt our taste,
Not all the joys our senses know,
Could make me so divinely blest,
Or raise my cheerful passions so.

VI

My life itself without thy love
No taste of pleasure could afford;
'Twould but a tiresome burden prove,
If I were banish'd from the Lord.

VII

Amidst the wakeful hours of night,
When busy cares afflict my head,
One thought of thee gives new delight,
And adds refreshment to my bed.

VIII

I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice,
While I have breath to pray or praise;
This work shall make my heart rejoice,
And spend the remnant of my days.

PSALM 63. (S. M.) Seeking God.

I

My God, permit my tongue
This joy, to call thee mine,
And let my early cries prevail
To taste thy love divine.

II

My thirsty fainting soul
Thy mercy doth implore;
Not travellers in desert lands
Can pant for water more.

III

Within thy churches, Lord,
I long to find my place,
Thy power and glory to behold,
And feel thy quickening grace.

IV

For life without thy love
No relish can afford;
No joy can be compar'd to this,
To serve and please the Lord.

V

To thee I'll lift mine hands,
And praise thee while I live;
Not the rich dainties of a feast
Such food or pleasure give.

VI

In wakeful hours at night
I call my God to mind;
I think how wise thy counsels are,
And all thy dealings kind.

VII

Since thou hast been my help,
To thee my spirit flies,
And on thy watchful providence
My cheerful hope relies.

VIII

The shadow of thy wings
My soul in safety keeps;
I follow where my father leads,
And he supports my steps.

After I had finished the Common Metre of this psalm, I observed several pious turns of thought in Dr. Patrick's Version, which I have copied in this Metre, though with some difficulty, because of the shorter lines.

172

PSALM 65. v. 1–5. First Part. (L. M.) Public Prayer and Praise.

I

The praise of Sion waits for thee,
My God; and praise becomes thy house;
There shall thy saints thy glory see,
And there perform their public vows.

II

O thou, whose mercy bends the skies
To save when humble sinners pray,
All lands to thee shall lift their eyes,
And islands of the northern sea.

III

Against my will my sins prevail,
But grace shall purge away their stain;
The blood of Christ will never fail
To wash my garments white again.

IV

Blest is the man whom thou shalt choose,
And give him kind access to thee,
Give him a place within thy house,
To taste thy love divinely free.

V

Let Babel fear when Sion prays;
Babel, prepare for long distress
When Sion's God himself arrays
In terror and in righteousness.

VI

With dreadful glory God fulfils
What his afflicted saints request;
And with almighty wrath reveals
His love to give his churches rest.

VII

Then shall the flocking nations run
To Sion's hill, and own their Lord:
The rising and the setting sun
Shall see the Saviour's name ador'd.

PSALM 65. v. 5–13. Second Part. (L. M.) Divine Providence in Air, Earth, and Sea; or, the God of Nature and Grace.

I

The God of our salvation hears
The groans of Sion mix'd with tears;
Yet when he comes with kind designs,
Thro' all the way his terror shines.

II

On him the race of man depends,
Far as the earth's remotest ends,
Where the Creator's name is known
By nature's feeble light alone.

III

Sailors that travel o'er the flood,
Address their frighted souls to God;
When tempests rage and billows roar
At dreadful distance from the shore.

IV

He bids the noisy tempests cease;
He calms the raging crowd to peace,
When a tumultuous nation raves
Wild as the winds, and loud as waves.

V

Whole kingdoms shaken by the storm
He settles in a peaceful form;
Mountains establish'd by his hand
Firm on their old foundations stand.

VI

Behold his ensigns sweep the sky,
New comets blaze and lightnings fly,
The heathen lands, with swift surprise,
From the bright horrors turn their eyes.

VII

At his command the morning ray
Smiles in the east, and leads the day;
He guides the sun's declining wheels
Over the tops of western hills.

VIII

Seasons and times obey his voice;
The evening and the morn rejoice
To see the earth made soft with showers,
Laden with fruit and drest in flowers.

IX

'Tis from his watery stores on high,
He gives the thirsty ground supply;
He walks upon the clouds, and thence
Doth his enriching drops dispense.

X

The desert grows a fruitful field,
Abundant food the vallies yield;
The vallies shout with cheerful voice,
The neighb'ring hills repeat their joys.

XI

The pastures smile in green array,
There lambs and larger cattle play;
The larger cattle and the lamb,
Each in his language speaks thy name.

XII

Thy works pronounce thy power divine;
O'er every field thy glories shine,
Thro' every month thy gifts appear;
Great God! thy goodness crowns the year.

PSALM 65. First Part. (C. M.) A Prayer-hearing God, and the Gentiles called.

I

Praise waits in Sion, Lord, for thee;
There shall our vows be paid:
Thou hast an ear when sinners pray,
All flesh shall seek thine aid.

173

II

Lord, our iniquities prevail,
But pardoning grace is thine,
And thou wilt grant us power and skill
To conquer every sin.

III

Blest are the men whom thou wilt choose
To bring them near thy face,
Give them a dwelling in thine house
To feast upon thy grace.

IV

In answering what thy church requests,
Thy truth and terror shine,
And works of dreadful righteousness
Fulfil thy kind design.

V

Thus shall the wondering nations see
The Lord is good and just
And distant islands fly to thee,
And make thy name their trust.

VI

They dread thy glittering tokens, Lord,
When signs in heaven appear;
But they shall learn thy holy word,
And love as well as fear.

PSALM 65. Second Part. (C. M.) The Providence of God in Air, Earth, and Sea; or, the Blessings of Rain.

I

'Tis by thy strength the mountains stand,
God of eternal power;
The sea grows calm at thy command,
And tempests cease to roar.

II

Thy morning light and evening shade
Successive comforts bring;
Thy plenteous fruits make harvest glad,
Thy flowers adorn the spring.

III

Seasons and times, and moons and hours,
Heaven, earth, and air are thine;
When clouds distil in fruitful showers,
The author is divine.

IV

Those wandering cisterns in the sky,
Borne by the winds around,
With watery treasures well supply
The furrows of the ground.

V

The thirsty ridges drink their fill,
And ranks of corn appear;
Thy ways abound with blessings still,
Thy goodness crowns the year.

PSALM 65. Third Part (C. M.) The Blessings of the Spring; or, God gives Rain.

A Psalm for the Husbandman.

I

Good is the Lord, the heavenly king,
Who makes the earth his care,
Visits the pastures every spring,
And bids the grass appear.

II

The clouds, like rivers rais'd on high,
Pour out, at thy command,
Their watery blessings from the sky,
To cheer the thirsty land.

III

The soften'd ridges of the field
Permit the corn to spring;
The vallies rich provision yield,
And the poor labourers sing.

IV

The little hills on every side
Rejoice at falling showers;
The meadows, drest in all their pride,
Perfume the air with flowers.

V

The barren clods, refresh'd with rain,
Promise a joyful crop;
The parching grounds look green again,
And raise the reaper's hope.

VI

The various months thy goodness crowns;
How bounteous are thy ways!
The bleating flocks spread o'er the downs,
And shepherds shout thy praise.

PSALM 66. First Part. (C. M.) Governing Power and Goodness; or, our Graces tried by Afflictions.

III

When shall thy name, from shore to shore,
Sound all the earth abroad,
And distant nations know and love
Their Saviour and their God?

IV

Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands,
Sing loud with solemn voice;
While British tongues exalt his praise,
And British hearts rejoice.

V

He the great Lord, the sovereign judge,
That sits enthron'd above,
Wisely commands the worlds he made
In justice and in love.

VI

Earth shall obey her Maker's will,
And yield a full increase;
Our God will crown his chosen isle
With fruitfulness and peace.

VII

God the Redeemer scatters round
His choicest favours here,
While the creation's utmost bound
Shall see, adore, and fear.

Having translated the scene of this psalm to Great Britain, I have borrowed a devout and poetical wish for the happiness of my native land, from Zech. ii. 5. and offered it up in the second stanza. I will be a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

PSALM 68. v. 1–6, 32–35. First Part. (L. M.) The Vengeance and Compassion of God.

I

Let God arise in all his might,
And put the troops of hell to flight,
As smoke that sought to cloud the skies
Before the rising tempest flies.

II

He comes array'd in burning flames;
Justice and vengeance are his names:
Behold his fainting foes expire
Like melting wax before the fire.

175

III

He rides and thunders thro' the sky;
His name Jehovah sounds on high:
Sing to his name, ye sons of grace;
Ye saints, rejoice before his face.

IV

The widow and the fatherless
Fly to his aid in sharp distress:
In him the poor and helpless find
A judge that's just, a father kind.

V

He breaks the captive's heavy chain,
And prisoners see the light again;
But rebels, that dispute his will,
Shall dwell in chains and darkness still.

VI

Kingdoms and thrones to God belong;
Crown him, ye nations, in your song:
His wondrous names and powers rehearse;
His honours shall enrich your verse.

VII

He shakes the heavens with loud alarms;
How terrible is God in arms!
In Israel are his mercies known,
Israel is his peculiar throne.

VIII

Proclaim him king, pronounce him blest;
He's your defence, your joy, your rest:
When terrors rise and nations faint,
God is the strength of every saint.

PSALM 68. v. 17, 18. Second Part. (L. M.) Christ's Ascension, and the Gift of the Spirit.

I

Lord, when thou didst ascend on high,
Ten thousand angels fill'd the sky;
Those heavenly guards around thee wait,
Like chariots that attend thy state.

II

Not Sinai's mountain could appear
More glorious when the Lord was there;
While he pronounc'd his dreadful law,
And struck the chosen tribes with awe.

III

How bright the triumph none can tell,
When the rebellious powers of hell
That thousand souls had captive made,
Were all in chains like captives led.

IV

Rais'd by his Father to the throne,
He sent the promis'd Spirit down,
With gifts and grace for rebel men,
That God might dwell on earth again.

The 17th and 18th verses of this psalm are applied to the ascension of Christ, Eph. iv. 8. and the promised spirit was then given to men, Acts ii. 33.

PSALM 68. v. 19, 9, 20–22. Third Part. (L. M.) Praise for temporal Blessings; or, common and special Mercies.

I

We bless the Lord, the just, the good,
Who fills our hearts with joy and food;
Who pours his blessings from the skies,
And loads our days with rich supplies.

II

He sends the sun his circuit round
To cheer the fruits, to warm the ground;
He bids the clouds, with plenteous rain,
Refresh the thirsty earth again.

III

'Tis to his care we owe our breath,
And all our near escapes from death:
Safety and health to God belong;
He heals the weak, and guards the strong.

IV

He makes the saint and sinner prove
The common blessings of his love;
But the wide difference that remains
Is endless joy, or endless pains.

V

The Lord, that bruis'd the serpent's head,
On all the serpent's seed shall tread;
The stubborn sinner's hope confound,
And smite him with a lasting wound.

VI

But his right hand his saints shall raise
From the deep earth, or deeper seas;
And bring them to his courts above,
There shall they taste his special love.

The verses marked in the title afforded me several hints to form a divine song on the subject there expressed.

PSALM 69. v. 1–14. First Part. (C. M.) The Sufferings of Christ for our Salvation.

I

‘Save me, O God, the swelling floods
‘Break in upon my soul:
‘I sink, and sorrows o'er my head
‘Like mighty waters roll.

II

‘I cry till all my voice be gone,
‘In tears I waste the day:
‘My God, behold my longing eyes,
‘And shorten thy delay.

III

‘They hate my soul without a cause,
‘And still their number grows
‘More than the hairs around my head,
‘And mighty are my foes.

176

IV

‘'Twas then I paid that dreadful debt
‘That men could never pay,
‘And gave those honours to thy law
‘Which sinners took away.’

V

Thus, in the great Messiah's name,
The royal prophet mourns;
Thus he awakes our hearts to grief,
And gives us joy by turns.

VI

‘Now shall the saints rejoice and find
‘Salvation in my name,
‘For I have borne their heavy load
‘Of sorrow, pain, and shame.

VII

‘Grief, like a garment, cloth'd me round,
‘And sackcloth was my dress,
‘While I procur'd for naked souls,
‘A robe of righteousness.

VIII

‘Amongst my brethren and the Jews
‘I like a stranger stood,
‘And bore their vile reproach, to bring
‘The gentiles near to God.

IX

‘I came in sinful mortal's stead
‘To do my Father's will;
‘Yet when I cleans'd my Father's house,
‘They scandaliz'd my zeal.

X

‘My fasting and my holy groans
‘Were made the drunkard's song;
‘But God, from his celestial throne,
‘Heard my complaining tongue.

XI

‘He sav'd me from the dreadful deep,
‘Nor let my soul be drown'd;
‘He rais'd and fix'd my sinking feet
‘On well establish'd ground.

XII

‘'Twas in a most accepted hour
‘My prayer arose on high,
‘And for my sake my God shall hear
‘The dying sinner's cry.’

I borrow the robe of righteousness from Isaiah lxi. 10. to answer the garment of sackcloth, ver. 11.

PSALM 69. v. 14–21, 26 29, 32. Second Part. (C. M.) The Passion and Exaltation of Christ.

I

Now let our lips with holy fear
And mournful pleasure sing
The sufferings of our great High-Priest,
The sorrows of our King.

II

He sinks in floods of deep distress;
How high the waters rise!
While to his heavenly Father's ear
He sends perpetual cries.

III

‘Hear me, O Lord, and save thy Son,
‘Nor hide thy shining face;
‘Why should thy favourite look like one
‘Forsaken of thy grace?

IV

‘With rage they persecute the man
‘That groans beneath thy wound,
‘While for a sacrifice I pour
‘My life upon the ground.

V

‘They tread my honour to the dust,
‘And laugh when I complain;
‘Their sharp insulting slanders add
‘Fresh anguish to my pain.

VI

‘All my reproach is known to thee,
‘The scandal and the shame;
‘Reproach has broke my bleeding heart,
‘And lies defil'd my name.

VII

‘I look'd for pity, but in vain;
‘My kindred are my grief;
‘I ask my friends for comfort round,
‘But meet with no relief.

VIII

‘With vinegar they mock my thirst,
‘They give me gall for food:
‘And sporting with my dying groans,
‘They triumph in my blood.

IX

‘Shine into my distressed soul,
‘Let thy compassion save;
‘And though my flesh sink down to death,
‘Redeem it from the grave.

X

‘I shall arise to praise thy name,
‘Shall reign in worlds unknown;
‘And thy salvation, O my God,
‘Shall seat me on thy throne.

PSALM 69. Third Part. (C. M.) Christ's Obedience and Death; or, God glorified, and Sinners saved.

V

His friends forsook, his followers fled,
While foes and arms surround his head;
They curse him with a slanderous tongue,
And the false judge maintains the wrong.

VI

His life they load with hateful lies,
And charge his lips with blasphemies;
They nail him to the shameful tree;
There hung the man that dy'd for me.

VII

Wretches with hearts as hard as stones,
Insult his piety and groans:
Gall was the food they gave him there,
And mock'd his thirst with vinegar.

VIII

But God beheld; and from his throne
Marks out the men that hate his Son;
The hand that rais'd him from the dead
Shall pour the vengeance on their head.

In both the metres of this psalm, I have applied it to the sufferings of Christ, as the New Testament gives sufficient reason, by several citations of this psalm: From which places I have borrowed the particulars of his sufferings for our sins, his scourging the buyers and sellers out of the temple, his crucifixion, &c. But I have omitted the dreadful imprecations on his enemies, except what is inserted in this last stanza, in the way of a prediction or threatening.

The false judge is the high-priest, not Pilate.

PSALM 71. v. 5–9. First Part. (C. M.) The aged Saint's Reflection and Hope.

I

My God, my everlasting hope,
I live upon thy truth;
Thine hands have held my childhood up,
And strengthen'd all my youth.

II

My flesh was fashion'd by thy power,
With all these limbs of mine;
And from my mother's painful hour
I've been entirely thine.

178

III

Still has my life new wonders seen
Repeated every year;
Behold my days that yet remain,
I trust them to thy care.

IV

Cast me not off when strength declines,
When hoary hairs arise;
And round me let thy glory shine
Whene'er thy servant dies.

V

Then in the history of my age,
When men review my days,
They'll read thy love in every page,
In every line thy praise.

PSALM 71. v. 15, 14, 16, 23, 22, 24. Second Part. (C. M.) Christ our Strength and Righteousness.

I

My Saviour, my almighty friend,
When I begin thy praise,
Where will the growing numbers end,
The numbers of thy grace?

II

Thou art my everlasting trust,
Thy goodness I adore;
And since I knew thy graces first
I speak thy glories more.

III

My feet shall travel all the length
Of the celestial road,
And march with courage in thy strength
To see my Father God.

IV

When I am fill'd with sore distress
For some surprising sin,
I'll plead thy perfect righteousness,
And mention none but thine.

V

How will my lips rejoice to tell
The victories of my King!
My soul redeem'd from sin and hell
Shall thy salvation sing.

VI

My tongue shall all the day proclaim
My Saviour and my God;
His death has brought my foes to shame,
And drown'd them in his blood.

VII

Awake, awake, my tuneful powers;
With this delightful song
I'll entertain the darkest hours,
Nor think the season long.

If these verses of the psalmist do not directly intend, that in God our Saviour is our righteousness and strength, as Isaiah xlv. 21–25. yet there is a fair occasion given in the words for this evangelical turn of thought.

PSALM 71. v. 17–21. Third Part. (C. M.) The aged Christian's Prayer and Song; or, old Age, Death, and the Resurrection.

I

God of my childhood and my youth,
The guide of all my days,
I have declar'd thy heavenly truth,
And told thy wondrous ways.

II

Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs,
And leave my fainting heart?
Who shall sustain my sinking years
If God my strength depart!

III

Let me thy power and truth proclaim
To the surviving age,
And leave a savour of thy name
When I shall quit the stage.

IV

The land of silence and of death
Attends my next remove;
O may these poor remains of breath
Teach the wide world thy love!

V

Thy righteousness is deep and high,
Unsearchable thy deeds;
Thy glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all my praise exceeds.

VI

Oft have I heard thy threatenings roar,
And oft endur'd the grief;
But when thy hand has prest me sore,
Thy grace was my relief.

VII

By long experience have I known
Thy sovereign power to save;
At thy command I venture down
Securely to the grave.

VIII

When I lie buried deep in dust,
My flesh shall be thy care;
These withering limbs with thee I trust
To raise them strong and fair.

So fair a profession and faith of the resurrection in verse 20, I could not omit without injury to the psalmist, and to my own design.

PSALM 72. First Part. (L. M.) The Kingdom of Christ.

I

Great God whose universal sway
The known and unknown worlds obey,
Now give the kingdom to thy Son,
Extend his power, exalt his throne.

179

II

Thy sceptre well becomes his hands,
All heaven submits to his commands;
His justice shall avenge the poor,
And pride and rage prevail no more.

III

With power he vindicates the just,
And treads the oppressor in the dust;
His worship and his fear shall last
Till hours and years and time be past.

IV

As rain on meadows newly mown
So shall he send his influence down;
His grace on fainting souls distils
Like heavenly dew on thirsty hills.

V

The heathen lands that lie beneath
The shades of overspreading death,
Revive at his first dawning light,
And deserts blossom at the sight.

VI

The saints shall flourish in his days,
Drest in the robes of joy and praise;
Peace like a river from his throne
Shall flow to nations yet unknown.

PSALM 72. Second Part. (L. M.) Christ's Kingdom among the Gentiles.

I

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journies run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

II

Behold the islands with their kings,
And Europe her best tribute brings;
From north to south the princes meet
To pay their homage at his feet.

III

There Persia glorious to behold,
There India shines in eastern gold;
And barbarous nations at his word
Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.

IV

For him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown his head;
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.

V

People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on his love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on his name.

VI

Blessings abound where'er he reigns,
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains,
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest.

VII

Where he displays his healing power,
Death and the curse are known no more;
In him the tribes of Adam boast
More blessings than their father lost.

VIII

Let every creature rise, and bring
Peculiar honours to our king;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the long Amen.

PSALM 73. First Part. (C. M.) Afflicted Saints happy, and prosperous Sinners cursed.

I

Now I'm convinc'd the Lord is kind
To men of heart sincere,
Yet once my foolish thoughts repin'd,
And border'd on despair.

II

I griev'd to see the wicked thrive,
And spoke with angry breath,
‘How pleasant and profane they live!
‘How peaceful is their death!

III

‘With well-fed flesh and haughty eyes
‘They lay their fears to sleep;
‘Against the heavens their slanders rise,
‘While saints in silence weep.

IV

‘In vain I lift my hands to pray,
‘And cleanse my heart in vain,
‘For I am chasten'd all the day,
‘The night renews my pain.’

V

Yet while my tongue indulg'd complaints,
I felt my heart reprove;
‘Sure I shall thus offend thy saints,
‘And grieve the men I love.’

VI

But still I found my doubts too hard,
The conflict too severe,
Till I retir'd to search thy word,
And learn thy secrets there.

VII

There, as in some prophetic glass,
I saw the sinner's feet
High mounted on a slippery place
Beside a fiery pit.

VIII

I heard the wretch profanely boast,
Till at thy frown he fell;
His honours in a dream were lost,
And he awakes in hell.

IX

Lord, what an envious fool I was!
How like a thoughtless beast!
Thus to suspect thy promis'd grace,
And think the wicked blest.

180

X

Yet I was kept from full despair,
Upheld by power unknown;
That blessed hand that broke the snare
Shall guide me to thy throne.

PSALM 73. v. 23–28. Second Part. (C. M.) God our Portion here and hereafter.

I

VI

But I with flowing tears
Indulg'd my doubts to rise;
‘Is there a God that sees or hears
‘The things below the skies?’

VII

The tumults of my thought
Held me in hard suspense,
Till to thy house my feet were brought
To learn thy justice thence.

VIII

Thy word with light and power
Did my mistake amend;
I view'd the sinners life before,
But here I learnt their end.

IX

On what a slippery steep
The thoughtless wretches go,
And O that dreadful fiery deep
That waits their fall below.

181

X

Lord, at thy feet I bow,
My thoughts no more repine;
I call my God my portion now,
And all my powers are thine.

This psalm is a most noble composure; the design and model of it is divinely beautiful, and an admirable pattern for a poet to copy; but it being one single scheme of thought, I was obliged to contract it, that it might be sung at once; though the dignity and beauty of the ode suffers much by this means.

PSALM 74. (C. M.) The Church pleading with God under sore Persecutions.

I

Will God for ever cast us off?
His wrath for ever smoke
Against the people of his love,
His little chosen flock?

II

Think of the tribes so dearly bought
With their Redeemer's blood;
Nor let thy Sion be forgot,
Where once thy glory stood.

III

Lift up thy feet and march in haste,
Aloud our ruin calls;
See what a wide and fearful waste
Is made within thy walls.

IV

Where once thy churches pray'd and sang,
Thy foes prophanely roar;
Over thy gates their ensigns hang,
Sad tokens of their power.

V

How are the seats of worship broke!
They tear the buildings down,
And he that deals the heaviest stroke
Procures the chief renown.

VI

With flames they threaten to destroy
Thy children in their nest;
‘Come let us burn at once,’ they cry,
‘The temple and the priest.’

VII

And still to heighten our distress
Thy presence is withdrawn;
Thy wonted signs of power and grace,
Thy power and grace are gone.

VIII

No prophet speaks to calm our woes,
But all the seers mourn;
There's not a soul amongst us knows
The time of thy return.

IX

How long, eternal God, how long
Shall men of pride blaspheme?
Shall saints be made their endless song,
And bear immortal shame?

X

Canst thou for ever sit and hear
Thine holy name profan'd?
And still thy jealousy forbear,
And still withhold thine hand?

XI

What strange deliverance hast thou shown
In ages long before!
And now no other God we own,
No other God adore.

XII

Thou didst divide the raging sea,
By thy resistless might,
To make thy tribes a wondrous way,
And then secure their flight.

XIII

Is not the world of nature thine,
The darkness and the day?
Didst thou not bid the morning shine,
And mark the sun his way?

XIV

Hath not thy power form'd every coast,
And set the earth its bounds,
With summer's heat and winter's frost,
In their perpetual rounds?

XV

And shall the sons of earth and dust
That sacred power blaspheme?
Will not thy hand that form'd them first
Avenge thine injur'd name?

XVI

Think on the covenant thou hast made,
And all thy words of love;
Nor let the birds of prey invade
And vex thy mourning dove.

XVII

Our foes would triumph in our blood,
And make our hope their jest;
Plead thy own cause, almighty God!
And give thy children rest.

PSALM 75. (L. M.) Power and Government from God alone.

Applied to the Glorious Revolution by King William, or the happy Accession of King George to the Throne.

I

To thee, most holy, and most high,
To thee, we bring our thankful praise;
Thy works declare thy name is nigh,
Thy works of wonder and of grace.

182

II

Britain was doom'd to be a slave,
Her frame dissolv'd, her fears were great;
When God a new supporter gave
To bear the pillars of the state.

III

He from thy hand receiv'd his crown,
And sware to rule by wholesome laws;
His foot shall tread th'oppressor down,
His arm defend the righteous cause.

IV

Let haughty sinners sink their pride,
Nor lift so high their scornful head;
But lay their foolish thoughts aside,
And own the king that God hath made.

V

Such honours never come by chance
Nor do the winds promotion blow;
'Tis God the judge doth one advance,
'Tis God that lays another low.

VI

No vain pretence to royal birth
Shall fix a tyrant on the throne:
God the great sovereign of the earth
Will rise and make his justice known.

VII

His hand holds out the dreadful cup
Of vengeance, mix'd with various plagues,
To make the wicked drink them up,
Wring out and taste the bitter dregs.

VIII

Now shall the Lord exalt the just,
And while he tramples on the proud,
And lays their glory in the dust,
My lips shall sing his praise aloud.

PSALM 76. (C. M.) Israel saved, and the Assyrians destroyed; or, God's Vengeance against his Enemies proceeds from his Church.

I

In Judah God of old was known;
His name in Israel great;
In Salem stood his holy throne,
And Sion was his seat.

II

Among the praises of his saints
His dwelling there he chose;
There he receiv'd their just complaints
Against their haughty foes.

III

From Sion went his dreadful word,
And broke the threatening spear;
The bow, the arrows, and the sword,
And crush'd th'Assyrian war.

IV

What are the earth's wide kingdoms else
But mighty hills of prey?
The hill on which Jehovah dwells
Is glorious more than they.

V

'Twas Sion's king that stopp'd the breath
Of captains and their bands:
The men of might slept fast in death,
And never found their hands.

VI

At thy rebuke, O Jacob's God,
Both horse and chariot fell;
Who knows the terrors of thy rod?
Thy vengeance who can tell?

VII

What power can stand before thy sight
When once thy wrath appears?
When heaven shines round with dreadful light,
The earth lies still and fears.

VIII

When God in his own sovereign ways
Comes down to save the opprest,
The wrath of man shall work his praise,
And he'll restrain the rest.

IX

Vow to the Lord, and tribute bring,
Ye princes, fear his frown;
His terror shakes the proudest king,
And cuts an army down.

X

The thunder of his sharp rebuke
Our haughty foes shall feel;
For Jacob's God hath not forsook,
But dwells in Sion still.

PSALM 77. First Part. (C. M.) Melancholy assaulting, and Hope prevailing.

I

To God I cry'd with mournful voice,
I sought his gracious ear,
In the sad day when troubles rose,
And fill'd the night with fear.

II

Sad were my days, and dark my nights,
My soul refus'd relief;
I thought on God the just and wise,
But thoughts increas'd my grief.

III

Still I complain'd, and still opprest,
My heart began to break;
My God, thy wrath forbid my rest,
And kept my eyes awake.

IV

My overwhelming sorrows grew
Till I could speak no more;
Then I within myself withdrew,
And call'd thy judgments o'er.

183

V

I call'd back years and ancient times,
When I beheld thy face;
My spirit search'd for secret crimes,
That might withhold thy grace.

VI

I call'd thy mercies to my mind
Which I enjoy'd before;
And will the Lord no more be kind?
His face appear no more?

VII

Will he for ever cast me off?
His promise ever fail?
Has he forgot his tender love?
Shall anger still prevail?

VIII

But I forbid this hopeless thought,
This dark despairing frame,
Rememb'ring what thy hand hath wrought;
Thy hand is still the same.

IX

I'll think again of all thy ways,
And talk thy wonders o'er;
Thy wonders of recovering grace,
When flesh could hope no more.

X

Grace dwells with justice on the throne;
And men that love thy word
Have in thy sanctuary known
The counsels of the Lord.

PSALM 77. Second Part. (C. M.) Comfort derived from Ancient Providence; or, Israel delivered from Egypt, and brought to Canaan.

I

‘How awful is thy chastening rod?’
(May thy own children say)
‘The great, the wise, the dreadful God!
‘How holy is his way!’

II

I'll meditate his works of old;
The King that reigns above;
I'll hear his ancient wonders told,
And learn to trust his love.

III

Long did the house of Joseph lie
With Egypt's yoke opprest;
Long he delay'd to hear their cry,
Nor gave his people rest.

IV

The sons of good old Jacob seem'd
Abandon'd to their foes;
But his almighty arm redeem'd
The nation that he chose.

V

Israel, his people and his sheep,
Must follow where he calls;
He bid them venture thro' the deep,
And made the waves their walls.

VI

The waters saw thee, mighty God!
The waters saw thee come;
Backward they fled, and frighted stood
To make thine armies room.

VII

Strange was thy journey through the sea,
Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown:
Terrors attend the wonderous way
That brings thy mercies down.

VIII

Thy voice with terror in the sound
Thro' clouds and darkness broke;
All heaven in lightning shone around,
And earth with thunder shook.

IX

Thine arrows thro' the skies were hurl'd;
How glorious is the Lord!
Surprise and trembling seiz'd the world,
And his own saints ador'd.

X

He gave them water from the rock;
And safe by Moses' hand
Thro' a dry desert led his flock
Home to the promis'd land.

PSALM 78. First Part. (C. M.) Providences of God recorded; or, pious Education and Instruction of Children.

I

Let children hear the mighty deeds,
Which God perform'd of old,
Which in our younger years we saw,
And which our fathers told.

II

He bids us make his glories known,
His works of power and grace;
And we'll convey his wonders down
Thro' every rising race.

III

Our lips shall tell them to our sons,
And they again to theirs,
That generations yet unborn
May teach them to their heirs.

IV

Thus shall they learn, in God alone
Their hope securely stands,
That they may ne'er forget his works,
But practise his commands.

184

PSALM 78. Second Part. (C. M.) Israel's Rebellion and Punishment; or, the Sins and Chastisements of God's People.

I

O what a stiff rebellious house
Was Jacob's ancient race!
False to their own most solemn vows,
And to their Maker's grace.

II

They broke the covenant of his love,
And did his laws despise,
Forgot the works he wrought to prove
His power before their eyes.

III

They saw the plagues on Egypt light,
From his revenging hand:
What dreadful tokens of his might
Spread o'er the stubborn land!

IV

They saw him cleave the mighty sea,
And march'd in safety through,
With watery walls to guard their way,
Till they had 'scap'd the foe.

V

A wonderous pillar mark'd the road,
Compos'd of shade and light;
By day it prov'd a sheltering cloud,
A leading fire by night.

VI

He from the rock their thirst supply'd;
The gushing waters fell,
And ran in rivers by their side,
A constant miracle.

VII

Yet they provok'd the Lord most high,
And dar'd distrust his hand;
‘Can he with bread our host supply
‘Amidst this desert land?’

VIII

The Lord with indignation heard,
And caus'd his wrath to flame;
His terrors ever stand prepar'd
To vindicate his name.

PSALM 78. Third Part. (C. M.) The Punishment of Luxury and Intemperance; or, Chastisement and Salvation.

I

When Israel sins, the Lord reproves,
And fills their hearts with dread;
Yet he forgives the men he loves,
And sends them heavenly bread.

II

He fed them with a liberal hand,
And made his treasures known;
He gave the midnight clouds command
To pour provision down.

III

The manna, like a morning shower,
Lay thick around their feet;
The corn of heaven, so light, so pure,
As tho' 'twere angels meat.

IV

But they in murmuring language said,
‘Manna is all our feast;
‘We loathe this light, this airy bread;
‘We must have flesh to taste.’

V

‘Ye shall have flesh to please your lust,’
The Lord in wrath reply'd,
And sent them quails like sand or dust,
Heap'd up from side to side.

VI

He gave them all their own desire;
And greedy as they fed,
His vengeance burnt with secret fire,
And smote the rebels dead.

VII

When some were slain, the rest return'd,
And sought the Lord with tears;
Under the rod they fear'd and mourn'd,
But soon forgot their fears.

VIII

Oft he chastis'd, and still forgave,
Till by his gracious hand
The nation he resolv'd to save,
Possess'd the promis'd land.

PSALM 78. v. 32, &c. Fourth Part. (L. M.) Backsliding and Forgiveness; or, Sin punished and Saints saved.

I

Great God, how oft did Israel prove
By turns thine anger and thy love?
There in a glass our hearts may see
How fickle and how false they be.

II

How soon the faithless Jews forgot
The dreadful wonders God had wrought!
Then they provoke him to his face,
Nor fear his power, nor trust his grace.

III

The Lord consum'd their years in pain,
And made their travels long and vain;
A tedious march through unknown ways
Wore out their strength, and spent their days.

IV

Oft when they saw their brethren slain,
They mourn'd and sought their Lord again;
Call'd him the rock of their abode,
Their high Redeemer and their God.

185

V

Their prayers and vows before him rise
As flattering words or solemn lies,
While their rebellious tempers prove
False to his covenant and his love.

VI

Yet did his sovereign grace forgive
The men who not deserv'd to live;
His anger oft away he turn'd,
Or else with gentle flame it burn'd.

VII

He saw their flesh was weak and frail,
He saw temptations still prevail;
The God of Abraham lov'd them still,
And led them to his holy hill.

PSALM 80. (L. M.) The Church's Prayer under Affliction; or, the Vineyard of God wasted.

I

Great Shepherd of thine Israel,
Who didst between the cherubs dwell,
And lead the tribes, thy chosen sheep,
Safe through the desert and the deep:

II

Thy church is in the desert now,
Shine from on high and guide us thro';
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

III

Great God, whom heavenly hosts obey,
How long shall we lament, and pray,
And wait in vain thy kind return?
How long shall thy fierce anger burn?

IV

Instead of wine and cheerful bread,
Thy saints with their own tears are fed;
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

V

Hast thou not planted with thy hands
A lovely vine in heathen lands?
Did not thy power defend it round,
And heavenly dews enrich the ground?

VI

How did the spreading branches shoot,
And bless the nations with the fruit!
But now, dear Lord, look down and see
Thy mourning vine, that lovely tree.

VII

Why is its beauty thus defac'd?
Why hast thou laid her fences waste?
Strangers and foes against her join,
And every beast devours the vine.

VIII

Return, almighty God, return,
Nor let thy bleeding vineyard mourn;
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

IX

Lord, when this vine in Canaan grew
Thou wast its strength and glory too;
Attack'd in vain by all its foes
Till the fair Branch of Promise rose;

X

Fair branch, ordain'd of old to shoot
From David's stock, from Jacob's root;
Himself a noble vine, and we
The lesser branches of the tree.

XI

'Tis thy own Son; and he shall stand
Girt with thy strength at thy right hand;
Thy first-born Son, adorn'd and blest
With power and grace above the rest.

XII

O! for his sake attend our cry,
Shine on thy churches lest they die;
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

PSALM 81. v. 1, 8–16. (S. M.) The Warnings of God to his People; or, spiritual Blessings and Punishments.

I

Sing to the Lord aloud,
And make a joyful noise;
God is our strength, our Saviour-God;
Let Israel hear his voice.

II

‘From vile idolatry
‘Preserve my worship clean;
‘I am the Lord who set thee free
‘From slavery and sin.

III

‘Stretch thy desires abroad,
‘And I'll supply them well;
‘But if ye will refuse your God,
‘If Israel will rebel,

IV

‘I'll leave them,’ saith the Lord,
‘To their own lusts a prey,
‘And let them run the dangerous road;
‘'Tis their own chosen way.

V

‘Yet, O! that all my saints
‘Would hearken to my voice!
‘Soon I would ease their sore complaints,
‘And bid their hearts rejoice.

186

VI

‘While I destroy their foes,
‘I'd richly feed my flock,
‘And they should taste the stream that flows
‘From their eternal rock.’

PSALM 82. (L. M.) God the Supreme Governor; or, Magistrates warned.

I

Among th'assemblies of the great,
A greater Ruler takes his seat;
The God of heaven, as Judge, surveys
Those gods on earth, and all their ways.

II

Why will ye then frame wicked laws?
Or why support th'unrighteous cause?
When will ye once defend the poor,
That sinners vex the saints no more?

III

They know not, Lord, nor will they know,
Dark are the ways in which they go;
Their name of earthly gods is vain,
For they shall fall and die like men.

IV

Arise, O Lord, and let thy Son
Possess his universal throne,
And rule the nations with his rod;
He is our Judge, and he our God.

The last verse of this psalm may not improperly be applied to Christ; for he is that God who must judge the earth, Psalm xcvi. and xcviii. and have the nations for his inheritance, Psalm ii. 8.

PSALM 83. (S. M.) A Complaint against Persecutors.

I

And will the God of grace
Perpetual silence keep?
The God of justice hold his peace,
And let his vengeance sleep?

II

Behold what cursed snares
The men of mischief spread;
The men that hate thy saints and thee
Lift up their threatening head.

III

Against thy hidden ones
Their counsels they employ,
And malice, with her watchful eye,
Pursues them to destroy.

IV

The noble and the base
Into thy pastures leap;
The lion and the stupid ass
Conspire to vex thy sheep.

V

‘Come let us join,’ they cry,
‘To root them from the ground,
‘Till not the name of saints remain,
‘Nor memory shall be found.’

VI

Awake, almighty God,
And call thy wrath to mind;
Give them like forests to the fire,
Or stubble to the wind.

VII

Convince their madness, Lord,
And make them seek thy name;
Or else their stubborn rage confound,
That they may die in shame.

VIII

Then shall the nations know
That glorious dreadful word,
Jehovah is thy name alone,
And thou the sovereign Lord.

PSALM 84. First Part. (L. M.) The Pleasure of Public Worship.

I

How pleasant, how divinely fair,
O Lord of hosts, thy dwellings are!
With long desire my spirit faints
To meet th'assemblies of thy saints.

II

My flesh would rest in thine abode,
My panting heart cries out for God;
My God! my King! why should I be
So far from all my joys and thee?

III

The sparrow chooses where to rest,
And for her young provides her nest:
But will my God to sparrows grant
That pleasure which his children want?

IV

Blest are the saints who sit on high,
Around thy throne of majesty;
Thy brightest glories shine above,
And all their work is praise and love.

V

Blest are the souls that find a place
Within the temple of thy grace;
There they behold thy gentler rays,
And seek thy face, and learn thy praise.

VI

Blest are the men whose hearts are set
To find the way to Sion's gate;
God is their strength, and through the road
They lean upon their helper God.

VII

Cheerful they walk with growing strength,
Till all shall meet in heaven at length,
Till all before thy face appear,
And join in nobler worship there.

187

PSALM 84. Second Part. (L. M.) God and his Church; or, Grace and Glory.

I

Great God, attend while Sion sings
The joy that from thy presence springs;
To spend one day with thee on earth
Exceeds a thousand days of mirth.

II

Might I enjoy the meanest place
Within thine house, O God of grace,
Not tents of ease, nor thrones of power,
Should tempt my feet to leave thy door.

III

God is our sun, he makes our day;
God is our shield, he guards our way
From all th'assaults of hell and sin,
From foes without, and foes within.

IV

All needful grace will God bestow,
And crown that grace with glory too;
He gives us all things, and withholds
No real good from upright souls.

V

O God, our King, whose sovereign sway
The glorious hosts of heaven obey,
And devils at thy presence flee,
Blest is the man that trusts in thee.

PSALM 84. v. 1, 4, 2, 3, 10. Paraphrased. (C. M.) Delight in Ordinances of Worship; or, God present in his Churches.

I

My soul, how lovely is the place
To which thy God resorts!
'Tis heaven to see his smiling face,
Tho' in his earthly courts.

II

There the great Monarch of the skies
His saving power displays,
And light breaks in upon our eyes
With kind and quickening rays.

III

With his rich gifts the heavenly Dove
Descends and fills the place,
While Christ reveals his wondrous love,
And sheds abroad his grace.

IV

There, mighty God, thy words declare
The secrets of thy will;
And still we seek thy mercy there,
And sing thy praises still.

V

My heart and flesh cry out for thee,
While far from thine abode;
When shall I tread thy courts, and see
My Saviour and my God?

VI

The sparrow builds herself a nest,
And suffers no remove;
O make me, like the sparrows, blest,
To dwell but where I love.

VII

To sit one day beneath thine eye,
And hear thy gracious voice,
Exceeds a whole eternity
Employ'd in carnal joys.

VIII

Lord, at thy threshold I would wait,
While Jesus is within,
Rather than fill a throne of state,
Or live in tents of sin.

IX

Could I command the spacious land,
And the more boundless sea,
For one blest hour at thy right hand
I'd give them both away.

PSALM 84. As the 148th Psalm. Longing for the House of God.

Among the princes, earthly gods,
There's none hath power divine;
Nor is their nature, mighty Lord,
Nor are their works like thine.

II

The nations thou hast made shall bring
Their offerings round thy throne;
For thou alone dost wonderous things,
For thou art God alone.

III

Lord, I would walk with holy feet;
Teach me thine heavenly ways,
And my poor scattered thoughts unite
In God my father's praise.

IV

Great is thy mercy, and my tongue
Shall those sweet wonders tell,
How by thy grace my sinking soul
Rose from the deeps of hell.

189

PSALM 87. (L. M.) The Church the Birth-place of the Saints; or, Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church.

I

God in his earthly temple lays
Foundations for his heavenly praise:
He likes the tents of Jacob well,
But still in Zion loves to dwell.

II

His mercy visits every house
That pay their night and morning vows;
But makes a more delightful stay
Where churches meet to praise and pray.

III

What glories were describ'd of old!
What wonders are of Zion told!
Thou city of our God below,
Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.

IV

Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,
Shall there begin their lives anew:
Angels and men shall join to sing
The hill where living waters spring.

V

When God makes up his last account
Of natives in his holy mount,
'Twill be an honour to appear
As one new-born or nourish'd there!

I have explained the second verse at large, and transposed the last. For singers and players on instruments, I have introduced angels with men.

PSALM 89. First Part. (L. M.) The Covenant made with Christ; or, the true David.

I

For ever shall my song record
The truth and mercy of the Lord;
Mercy and truth for ever stand,
Like heaven establish'd by his hand.

II

Thus to his Son he sware, and said,
‘With thee my covenant first is made;
‘In thee shall dying sinners live,
‘Glory and grace are thine to give.

III

‘Be thou my prophet, thou my priest;
‘Thy children shall be ever blest;
‘Thou art my chosen king; thy throne
‘Shall stand eternal like my own.

IV

‘There's none of all my sons above
‘So much my image or my love;
‘Celestial powers thy subjects are,
‘Then what can earth to thee compare?

V

‘David, my servant whom I chose
‘To guard my flock, to crush my foes,
‘And rais'd him to the jewish throne,
‘Was but a shadow of my Son.’

VI

Now let the church rejoice, and sing
Jesus her Saviour and her King:
Angels his heavenly wonders show,
And saints declare his works below.

PSALM 89. First Part. (C. M.) The Faithfulness of God.

I

My never-ceasing songs shall show
The mercies of the Lord,
And make succeeding ages know
How faithful is his word.

II

The sacred truths his lips pronounce
Shall firm as heaven endure;
And if he speak a promise once,
Th'eternal grace is sure.

III

How long the race of David held
The promis'd jewish throne!
But there's a nobler covenant seal'd
To David's greater Son.

IV

His seed for ever shall possess
A throne above the skies;
The meanest subject of his grace
Shall to that glory rise.

V

Lord God of hosts, thy wondrous ways
Are sung by saints above;
And saints on earth their honours raise
To thy unchanging love.

PSALM 89. v. 7, &c. Second Part. (C. M.) The Power and Majesty of God; or, reverential Worship.

I

With reverence let the saints appear
And bow before the Lord,
His high commands with reverence hear,
And tremble at his word.

II

How terrible thy glories be!
How bright thine armies shine!
Where is the power that vies with thee?
Or truth compar'd to thine?

III

The northern pole and southern rest
On thy supporting hand;
Darkness and day from east to west
Move round at thy command.

190

IV

Thy words the raging wind control,
And rule the boisterous deep;
Thou mak'st the sleeping billows roll,
The rolling billows sleep.

V

Heaven, earth, and air, and sea are thine,
And the dark world of hell;
How did thine arm in vengeance shine
When Egypt durst rebel!

VI

Justice and judgment are thy throne,
Yet wondrous is thy grace;
While truth and mercy join'd in one
Invite us near thy face.

I have here transposed the verses a little, to make the connexion plainer.

PSALM 89. v. 15, &c. Third Part. (C. M.) A blessed Gospel.

I

Blest are the souls that hear and know
The gospel's joyful sound;
Peace shall attend the path they go,
And light their steps surround.

II

Their joy shall bear their spirits up
Through their Redeemer's name;
His righteousness exalts their hope,
Nor Satan dares condemn.

III

The Lord, our glory and defence,
Strength and salvation gives;
Israel, thy King for ever reigns,
Thy God for ever lives.

PSALM 89. v. 19, &c. Fourth Part. (C. M.) Christ's mediatorial Kingdom; or, his divine and human Nature.

I

Hear what the Lord in vision said,
And made his mercy known:
‘Sinners, behold your help his laid
‘On my almighty Son.

II

‘Behold the man my wisdom chose
‘Among your mortal race;
‘His head my holy oil o'erflows,
‘The Spirit of my grace.

III

‘High shall he reign on David's throne,
‘My people's better King;
‘My arm shall beat his rivals down,
‘And still new subjects bring.

IV

‘My truth shall guard him in his way,
‘With mercy by his side,
‘While in my name thro' earth and sea
‘He shall in triumph ride.

V

‘Me for his Father and his God
‘He shall for ever own,
‘Call me his rock, his high abode;
‘And I'll support my Son.

VI

‘My first-born Son array'd in grace
‘At my right hand shall sit;
‘Beneath him angels know their place,
‘And monarchs at his feet.

VII

‘My covenant stands for ever fast,
‘My promises are strong;
‘Firm as the heavens his throne shall last,
‘His seed endure as long.’

PSALM 89. v. 30, &c. Fifth Part. (C. M.) The Covenant of Grace unchangeable; or, Afflictions without Rejection.

I

‘Yet,’ saith the Lord, ‘if David's race,
‘The children of my Son,
‘Should break my laws, abuse my grace,
‘And tempt mine anger down;

II

‘Their sins I'll visit with the rod,
‘And make their folly smart;
‘But I'll not cease to be their God,
‘Nor from my truth depart.

III

‘My covenant I will ne'er revoke,
‘But keep my grace in mind;
‘And what eternal love hath spoke
‘Eternal truth shall bind.

IV

‘Once have I sworn (I need no more)
‘And pledg'd my holiness
‘To seal the sacred promise sure
‘To David and his race.

V

‘The sun shall see his offspring rise
‘And spread from sea to sea,
‘Long as he travels round the skies
‘To give the nations day.

VI

‘Sure as the moon that rules the night
‘His kingdom shall endure,
‘Till the fix'd laws of shade and light
‘Shall be observ'd no more.’

191

PSALM 89. v. 47, &c. Sixth Part. (L. M.) Mortality and Hope.

A Funeral Psalm.

I

Remember, Lord, our mortal state,
How frail our life! how short the date!
Where is the man that draws his breath
Safe from disease, secure from death?

II

Lord, while we see whole nations die,
Our flesh and sense repine and cry,
‘Must death for ever rage and reign?
‘Or hast thou made mankind in vain?

III

‘Where is thy promise to the just?
‘Are not thy servants turn'd to dust?’
But faith forbids these mournful sighs,
And sees the sleeping dust arise.

IV

That glorious hour, that dreadful day
Wipes the reproach of saints away,
And clears the honour of thy word;
Awake, our souls, and bless the Lord.

PSALM 89. v. 47, &c. Last Part. As the 113th Psalm. Life, Death, and the Resurrection.

I

Think, mighty God, on feeble man,
How few his hours, how short his span!
Short from the cradle to the grave:
Who can secure his vital breath
Against the bold demands of death,
With skill to fly, or power to save?

II

Lord, shall it be for ever said,
‘The race of man was only made
‘For sickness, sorrow, and the dust?’
Are not thy servants day by day
Sent to their graves, and turn'd to clay?
Lord, where's thy kindness to the just.

III

Hast thou not promis'd to thy Son
And all his seed a heavenly crown?
But flesh and sense indulge despair;
For ever blessed be the Lord
That faith can read his holy word,
And find a resurrection there.

IV

For ever blessed be the Lord,
Who gives his saints a long reward
For all their toil, reproach and pain;
Let all below and all above
Join to proclaim thy wondrous love,
And each repeat their loud Amen.

PSALM 90. (L. M.) Man mortal, and God eternal.

A mournful Song at a Funeral.

I

Thro' every age, eternal God,
Thou art our rest, our safe abode;
High was thy throne ere heaven was made,
Or earth thy humble footstool laid.

II

Long hadst thou reign'd ere time began,
Or dust was fashion'd to a man;
And long thy kingdom shall endure
When earth and time shall be no more.

III

But man, weak man is born to die,
Made up of guilt and vanity:
Thy dreadful sentence, Lord, was just,
‘Return, ye sinners, to your dust.’

IV

A thousand of our years amount
Scarce to a day in thine account;
Like yesterday's departed light,
Or the last watch of ending night.

V

Death like an overflowing stream
Sweeps us away; our life's a dream,
An empty tale; a morning flower
Cut down and wither'd in an hour.

VI

Our age to seventy years is set;
How short the term! how frail the state!
And if to eighty we arrive,
We rather sigh and groan than live.

VII

But O how oft thy wrath appears,
And cuts off our expected years!
Thy wrath awakes our humble dread;
We fear the power that strikes us dead.

VIII

Teach us, O Lord, how frail is man;
And kindly lengthen out our span,
Till a wise care of piety
Fit us to die, and dwell with thee.

PSALM 90. v. 1–5. First Part. (C. M.) Man frail, and God eternal.

I

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

192

II

Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.

III

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth receiv'd her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.

IV

Thy word commands our flesh to dust,
‘Return, ye sons of men:’
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.

V

A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

VI

The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carry'd downwards by thy flood,
And lost in following years.

VII

Time like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

VIII

Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleas'd with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower's hand
Lie withering ere 'tis night.

IX

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

PSALM 90. v. 8, 11, 9, 10, 12. Second Part. (C. M.) Infirmities and Mortality the Effect of Sin; or, Life, old Age, and Preparation for Death.

I

Lord, if thine eyes survey our faults,
And justice grow severe,
Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thoughts,
And burns beyond our fear.

II

Thine anger turns our frame to dust;
By one offence to thee
Adam with all his sons have lost
Their immortality.

III

Life like a vain amusement flies,
A fable or a song;
By swift degrees our nature dies,
Nor can our joys be long.

IV

'Tis but a few whose days amount
To threescore years and ten;
And all beyond that short account
Is sorrow, toil, and pain.

V

Our vitals with laborious strife
Bear up the crazy load,
And drag those poor remains of life
Along the tiresome road.

VI

Almighty God, reveal thy love,
And not thy wrath alone;
O let our sweet experience prove
The mercies of thy throne!

VII

Our souls would learn the heavenly art
T'improve the hours we have,
That we may act the wiser part,
And live beyond the grave.

PSALM 90. v. 13, &c. Third Part. (C. M.) Breathing after Heaven.

I

Return, O God of love, return;
Earth is a tiresome place:
How long shall we thy children mourn
Our absence from thy face?

II

Let heaven succeed our painful years,
Let sin and sorrow csase,
And in proportion to our tears
So make our joys increase.

III

Thy wonders to thy servants show,
Make thy own work complete,
Then shall our souls thy glory know,
And own thy love was great.

IV

Then shall we shine before thy throne
In all thy beauty, Lord;
And the poor service we have done
Meet a divine reward.

PSALM 90. v. 5, 10, 12. (S. M.) The Frailty and Shortness of Life.

I

Lord, what a feeble piece
Is this our mortal frame!
Our life how poor a trifle 'tis,
That scarce deserves the name!

193

II

Alas! the brittle clay
That built our body first!
And every month, and every day,
'Tis mouldering back to dust.

III

Our moments fly apace,
Nor will our minutes stay;
Just like a flood our hasty days
Are sweeping us away.

IV

Well, if our days must fly,
We'll keep their end in sight,
We'll spend them all in wisdom's way,
And let them speed their flight.

V

They'll waft us sooner o'er
This life's tempestuous sea;
Soon we shall reach the peaceful shore
Of blest eternity.

PSALM 91. v. 1–7. First Part. (L.M.) Safety in public Diseases and Dangers.

I

He that hath made his refuge God,
Shall find a most secure abode,
Shall walk all day beneath his shade,
And there at night shall rest his head.

II

Then will I say, ‘My God, thy power
‘Shall be my fortress and my tower;
‘I that am form'd of feeble dust
‘Make thine almighty arm my trust.’

III

Thrice happy man! thy Maker's care
Shall keep thee from the fowler's snare
Satan, the fowler, who betrays
Unguarded souls a thousand ways.

IV

Just as a hen protects her brood
From birds of prey that seek their blood
Under her feathers, so the Lord
Makes his own arm his people's guard.

V

If burning beams of noon conspire
To dart a pestilential fire,
God is their life; his wings are spread
To shield them with an healthful shade:

VI

If vapours with malignant breath
Rise thick, and scatter midnight death,
Israel is safe: the poison'd air
Grows pure, if Israel's God be there.

VII

What tho' a thousand at thy side,
At thy right hand ten thousand dy'd,
Thy God his chosen people saves
Amongst the dead, amidst the graves.

VIII

So when he sent his angel down
To make his wrath in Egypt known,
And slew their sons, his careful eye
Pass'd all the doors of Jacob by.

IX

But if the fire, or plague, or sword,
Receive commission from the Lord
To strike his saints among the rest,
Their very pains and deaths are blest.

X

The sword, the pestilence or fire
Shall but fulfil their best desire,
From sins and sorrows set them free,
And bring thy children, Lord, to thee.

See the notes on the xlist psalm.

PSALM 91. v. 9–16. Second Part. (C. M.) Protection from Death, Guard of Angels, Victory and Deliverance.

I

Ye sons of men, a feeble race,
Expos'd to every snare,
Come, make the Lord your dwelling-place,
And try and trust his care.

II

No ill shall enter where you dwell;
Or if the plague come nigh,
And sweep the wicked down to hell,
'Twill raise his saints on high.

III

He'll give his angels charge to keep
Your feet in all their ways;
To watch your pillow while you sleep,
And guard your happy days.

IV

Their hands shall bear you, lest you fall
And dash against the stones:
Are they not servants at his call,
And sent t'attend his sons?

V

Adders and lions ye shall tread;
The tempter's wiles defeat;
He that hath broke the serpent's head
Puts him beneath your feet.

VI

‘Because on me they set their love
‘I'll save them,’ saith the Lord;
‘I'll bear their joyful souls above
‘Destruction and the sword.

194

VII

‘My grace shall answer when they call;
‘In trouble I'll be nigh;
‘My power shall help them when they fall,
‘And raise them when they die.

VIII

‘Those that on earth my name have known,
‘I'll honour them in heaven;
‘There my salvation shall be shown,
‘And endless life be given.’

PSALM 92. First Part. (L. M.) A Psalm for the Lord's Day.

I

Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise thy name, give thanks and sing,
To shew thy love by morning light,
And talk of all thy truth at night.

II

Sweet is the day of sacred rest,
No mortal cares shall seize my breast;
O may my heart in tune be found
Like David's harp of solemn sound!

III

My heart shall triumph in my Lord,
And bless his works, and bless his word;
Thy works of grace how bright they shine!
How deep thy counsels! how divine!

IV

Fools never raise their thoughts so high;
Like brutes they live, like brutes they die;
Like grass they flourish, till thy breath
Blast them in everlasting death.

V

But I shall share a glorious part
When grace hath well refin'd my heart,
And fresh supplies of joy are shed,
Like holy oil, to cheer my head.

VI

Sin (my worst enemy before)
Shall vex my eyes and ears no more;
My inward foes shall all be slain,
Nor Satan break my peace again.

VII

Then shall I see, and hear, and know
All I desir'd or wish'd below;
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.

Rejoicing in the destruction of our personal enemies is not so evangelical a practice; therefore I have given the 11th verse of this psalm another turn. See the notes on the third psalm.

PSALM 92. v. 12, &c. Second Part. (L. M.) The Church is the Garden of God.

I

Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand
In garden's planted by thine hand;
Let me within thy courts be seen
Like a young cedar fresh and green.

II

There grow thy saints in faith and love,
Blest with thine influence from above;
Not Lebanon with all its trees
Yields such a comely sight as these.

III

The plants of grace shall ever live;
(Nature decays, but grace must thrive)
Time, that doth all things else impair,
Still makes them flourish strong and fair.

IV

Laden with fruits of age they shew
The Lord is holy, just and true;
None that attend his gates shall find
A God unfaithful or unkind.

PSALM 93. First Metre. As the 100th Psalm. The Eternal and Sovereign God.

I

Jehovah reigns; he dwells in light,
Girded with majesty and might:
The world created by his hands
Still on its first foundation stands.

II

But ere this spacious world was made,
Or had its first foundation laid,
Thy throne eternal ages stood,
Thyself the ever-living God.

III

Like floods the angry nations rise,
And aim their rage against the skies;
Vain floods that aim their rage so high!
At thy rebuke the billows die.

IV

For ever shall thy throne endure;
Thy promise stands for ever sure;
And everlasting holiness
Becomes the dwellings of thy grace.

PSALM 93. Second Metre. As the old 50th Psalm. The Eternal and Sovereign God.

I

The Lord of glory reigns; he reigns on high;
His robes of state are strength and majesty:
This wide creation rose at his command,
Built by his word, and stablish'd by his hand:
Long stood his throne ere he began creation,
And his own Godhead is the firm foundation.

195

II

God is the th'eternal King: Thy foes in vain
Raise their rebellions to confound thy reign:
In vain the storms, in vain the floods arise,
And roar, and toss their waves against the skies;
Foaming at heaven, they rage with wild commotion,
But heaven's high arches scorn the swelling ocean.

III

Ye tempests, rage no more; ye floods, be still;
And the mad world submissive to his will:
Built on his truth his church must ever stand;
Firm are his promises, and strong his hand:
See his own sons, when they appear before him,
Bow at his footstool, and with fear adore him.

PSALM 93. Third Metre. As the old 122d Psalm. The Eternal and Sovereign God.

I

The Lord Jehovah reigns,
And royal state maintains,
His head with awful glories crown'd;
Array'd in robes of light,
Begirt with sovereign might,
And rays of majesty around.

II

Upheld by thy commands
The world securely stands;
And skies and stars obey thy word:
Thy throne was fix'd on high
Before the starry sky;
Eternal is thy kingdom, Lord.

III

In vain the noisy crowd,
Like billows fierce and loud,
Against thine empire rage and roar;
In vain, with angry spite,
The surly nations fight,
And dash like waves against the shore.

IV

Let floods and nations rage,
And all their powers engage,
Let swelling tides assault the sky,
The terrors of thy frown
Shall beat their madness down;
Thy throne for ever stands on high.

V

Thy promises are true,
Thy grace is ever new;
There fix'd thy church shall ne'er remove:
Thy saints with holy fear
Shall in thy courts appear,
And sing thine everlasting love.

Repeat the fourth stanza to complete the old tune.

PSALM 94. v. 1, 2, 7–14. First Part. (C. M.) Saints chastised, and Sinners destroyed; or, instructive Afflictions.

I

O God, to whom revenge belongs,
Proclaim thy wrath aloud;
Let sovereign power redress our wrongs,
Let justice smite the proud.

II

They say, ‘The Lord nor sees nor hears;’
When will the fools be wise!
Can he be deaf who form'd their ears?
Or blind, who made their eyes?

III

He knows their impious thoughts are vain,
And they shall feel his power;
His wrath shall pierce their souls with pain
In some surprising hour.

IV

But if thy saints deserve rebuke,
Thou hast a gentler rod;
Thy providences and thy book
Shall make them know their God.

V

Blest is the man thy hands chastise,
And to his duty draw;
Thy scourges make thy children wise
When they forget thy law.

VI

But God will ne'er cast off his saints,
Nor his own promise break;
He pardons his inheritance
For their Redeemer's sake.

PSALM 94. v. 16–23. Second Part. (C. M.) God our Support and Comfort; or, Deliverance from Temptation and Persecution.

I

Who will arise and plead my right
Against my numerous foes,
While earth and hell their force unite,
And all my hopes oppose?

II

Had not the Lord, my rock, my help,
Sustain'd my fainting head,
My life had now in silence dwelt,
My soul amongst the dead.

III

‘Alas! my sliding feet,’ I cry'd;
‘Thy promise was my prop;
Thy grace stood constant by my side,
Thy Spirit bore me up.

196

IV

While multitudes of mournful thoughts
Within my bosom roll,
Thy boundless love forgives my faults,
Thy comforts cheer my soul.

V

Powers of iniquity may rise,
And frame pernicious laws;
But God, my refuge, rules the skies,
He will defend my cause.

VI

Let malice vent her rage aloud,
Let bold blasphemers scoff;
The Lord our God shall judge the proud,
And cut the sinners off.

PSALM 95. (C. M.) A Psalm before Prayer.

I

Sing to the Lord Jehovah's name,
And in his strength rejoice;
When his salvation is our theme,
Exalted be our voice.

II

With thanks approach his awful sight,
And psalms of honour sing;
The Lord's a God of boundless might,
The whole creation's King.

III

Let princes hear, let angels know,
How mean their natures seem,
Those gods on high, and gods below,
When once compar'd with him.

IV

Earth with its caverns dark and deep
Lies in his spacious hand;
He fix'd the seas what bounds to keep,
And where the hills must stand.

V

Come, and with humble souls adore,
Come, kneel before his face;
O may the creatures of his power
Be children of his grace!

VI

Now is the time: he bends his ear,
And waits for your request;
Come, lest he rouse his wrath and swear
‘Ye shall not see my rest.’

Angels and magistrates are those Elohim, or gods, above which the true God is so often exalted in this Book of Psalms.

PSALM 95. (S. M.) A Psalm before Sermon.

I

Come, sound his praise abroad,
And hymns of glory sing;
Jehovah is the sovereign God,
The universal King.

II

He form'd the deeps unknown;
He gave the seas their bound;
The watery worlds are all his own,
And all the solid ground.

III

Come, worship at his throne,
Come, bow before the Lord:
We are his works, and not our own;
He form'd us by his word.

IV

To-day attend his voice,
Nor dare provoke his rod;
Come, like the people of his choice,
And own your gracious God.

V

But if your ears refuse
The language of his grace,
And hearts grow hard, like stubborn Jews,
That unbelieving race;

VI

The Lord in vengeance drest
Will lift his hand and swear,
‘You that despise my promis'd rest
‘Shall have no portion there.’

PSALM 95. v. 1, 2, 3, 6–11. (L. M.) Canaan lost through unbelief; or, a Warning to delaying Sinners.

I

Come, let our voices join to raise
A sacred song of solemn praise;
God is a sovereign King; rehearse
His honours in exalted verse.

II

Come, let our souls address the Lord,
Who fram'd our natures with his word;
He is our shepherd; we the sheep
His mercy chose, his pastures keep.

III

Come, let us hear his voice to-day,
The counsels of his love obey;
Nor let our harden'd hearts renew
The sins and plagues that Israel knew.

IV

Israel, that saw his works of grace,
Yet tempt their Maker to his face;
A faithless unbelieving brood
That tir'd the patience of their God.

V

Thus saith the Lord, ‘How false they prove!
‘Forget my power, abuse my love;
‘Since they despise my rest, I swear,
‘Their feet shall never enter there.’

VI

Look back, my soul, with holy dread,
And view those ancient rebels dead;
Attend the offer'd grace to-day,
Nor lose the blessing by delay.

197

VII

Seize the kind promise while it waits,
And march to Zion's heavenly gates;
Believe, and take the promis'd rest;
Obey, and be for ever blest.

In the third and fourth chapter to the Hebrews several verses of this psalm are cited, and given for a caution to christians. I have applied them the same way in the two last stanzas.

PSALM 96. v. 1, 10, &c. (C. M.) Christ's First and Second Coming.

I

Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands,
Ye tribes of every tongue;
His new discover'd grace demands
A new and nobler song.

II

Say to the nations, Jesus reigns,
God's own almighty Son;
His power the sinking world sustains,
And grace surrounds his throne.

III

Let heaven proclaim the joyful day,
Joy through the earth be seen;
Let cities shine in bright array,
And fields in cheerful green.

IV

Let an unusual joy surprise
The islands of the sea:
Ye mountains, sink, ye valleys, rise,
Prepare the Lord his way.

V

Behold he comes, he comes to bless
The nations as their God;
To shew the world his righteousness,
And send his truth abroad.

VI

But when his voice shall raise the dead,
And bid the world draw near,
How will the guilty nations dread
To see their Judge appear!

In this and the two following psalms, the first coming of Christ into the world is represented in a prophetic style, as though he were coming the second time to the last judgment: But that Christ's incarnation, his setting up his gospel kingdom to judge or rule the gentiles, and the judgment and destruction of the heathen idols, is the true design of these three psalms, is evident from several expressions in them: And particularly because the earth, the fields, the sea, &c. are called to rejoice; whereas the final judgment of the world is represented dreadful to all nature, and to the nations of the earth. See Rev. xvii. and Rev. xx. 11. and 2 Pet. iii. 7, 10. Yet, since this last coming has something in it parallel to his first, I have in the different parts of the psalms referred to both.

Mountains sinking, and vallies rising; that is, pride humbled, and the humble raised, are the preparations of Christ's kingdom, Luke iii. 4, 5.

PSALM 96. As the 113th Psalm. The God of the Gentiles.

I

Let all the earth their voices raise
To sing the choicest psalm of praise,
To sing and bless Jehovah's name:
His glory let the heathens know,
His wonders to the nations show,
And all his saving works proclaim.

II

The heathens know thy glory, Lord;
The wondering nations read thy word,
In Britain is Jehovah known:
Our worship shall no more be paid
To gods which mortal hands have made;
Our Maker is our God alone.

III

He fram'd the globe, he built the sky,
He made the shining worlds on high,
And reigns complete in glory there:
His beams are majesty and light;
His beauties how divinely bright!
His temple how divinely fair!

IV

Come the great day, the glorious hour,
When earth shall feel his saving power,
And barbarous nations fear his name;
Then shall the race of man confess
The beauty of his holiness,
And in his courts his grace proclaim.

PSALM 97. v. 1–5. First Part. (L. M.) Christ reigning in Heaven, and coming to Judgment.

I

He reigns; the Lord, the Saviour reigns;
Praise him in evangelic strains;
Let the whole earth in songs rejoice,
And distant islands join their voice.

II

Deep are his counsels and unknown;
But grace and truth support his throne:
Tho' gloomy clouds his ways surround,
Justice is their eternal ground.

III

In robes of judgment, lo! he comes,
Shakes the wide earth, and cleaves the tombs;
Before him burns devouring fire,
The mountains melt, the seas retire.

IV

His enemies, with sore dismay,
Fly from the sight, and shun the day;
Then lift your heads, ye saints, on high,
And sing, for your redemption's nigh.

Though the kingdom of Christ, in the two first stanzas, be matter of joy to all nations, yet his coming to judgment in the two last, is joy only to the saints. As this psalm introduces Zion and Judah rejoicing, verse 8. so Christ bids his apostles lift up their heads, &c. Luke xxi. 28.

198

PSALM 97. v. 6–9. Second Part. (L. M.) Christ's Incarnation.

I

The Lord is come, the heavens proclaim
His birth; the nations learn his name;
An unknown star directs the road
Of eastern sages to their God.

II

All ye bright armies of the skies,
Go, worship where the Saviour lies:
Angels and kings before him bow,
Those gods on high, and gods below.

III

Let idols totter to the ground,
And their own worshippers confound;
But Judah shout, but Zion sing,
And earth confess her sovereign King.

This psalm foretels the incarnation of Christ. For the words of the seventh verse, worship him all ye gods, are translated, Heb. i. 6. Let all the angels of God worship him. By this divine hint I was directed to compose this Hymn, and to introduce the star that shone at his birth as a part of the proclamation of him in the heavens, verse 6. See more, notes on Psalm xcv. common metre.

PSALM 97. Third Part. (L. M.) Grace and Glory.

I

Th' Almighty reigns exalted high
O'er all the earth, o'er all the sky;
Tho' clouds and darkness veil his feet,
His dwelling is the mercy-seat.

II

O ye that love his holy name,
Hate every work of sin and shame;
He guards the souls of all his friends,
And from the snares of hell defends.

III

Immortal light and joys unknown
Are for the saints in darkness sown;
Those glorious seeds shall spring and rise,
And the bright harvest bless our eyes.

IV

Rejoice, ye righteous, and record
The sacred honours of the Lord;
None but the soul that feels his grace
Can triumph in his holiness.

PSALM 97. v. 1, 3, 5–7, 11. (C. M.) Christ's Incarnation, and the last Judgment.

I

Ye islands of the northern sea,
Rejoice, the Saviour reigns;
His word, like fire, prepares his way,
And mountains melt to plains.

II

His presence sinks the proudest hills
And makes the vallies rise;
The humble soul enjoys his smiles,
The haughty sinner dies.

III

The heavens his rightful power proclaim;
The idol gods around
Fill their own worshippers with shame,
And totter to the ground.

IV

Adoring angels at his birth
Make the Redeemer known;
Thus shall he come to judge the earth,
And angels guard his throne.

V

His foes shall tremble at his sight,
And hills and seas retire;
His children take their unknown flight,
And leave the world in fire.

VI

The seeds of joy and glory sown
For saints in darkness here
Shall rise and spring in worlds unknown,
And a rich harvest bear.

See the notes on Psalm xcvi.

PSALM 98. First Part. (C. M.) Praise for the Gospel.

I

To our almighty Maker, God,
New honours be addrest;
His great salvation shines abroad,
And makes the nations blest.

II

He spake the word to Abraham first,
His truth fulfils the grace:
The gentiles make his name their trust,
And learn his righteousness.

III

Let the whole earth his love proclaim
With all her different tongues;
And spread the honours of his name
In melody and songs.

In these two hymns which I have formed out of the xcviiith psalm, I have fully expressed what I esteem to be the first and chief sense of the holy scriptures, both in this and the xcvith psalm, whose conclusions are both alike.

PSALM 98. Second Part. (C. M.) The Messiah's Coming and Kingdom.

200

VI

Wide as the world is thy command,
Vast as eternity thy love;
Firm as a rock thy truth must stand
When rolling years shall cease to move.

PSALM 101. (L. M.) The Magistrate's Psalm.

I

Mercy and judgment are my song;
And since they both to thee belong,
My gracious God, my righteous king,
To thee my songs and vows I bring.

II

If I am rais'd to bear the sword,
I'll take my counsels from thy word;
Thy justice and thy heavenly grace
Shall be the pattern of my ways.

III

Let wisdom all my actions guide,
And let my God with me reside;
No wicked thing shall dwell with me,
Which may provoke thy jealousy.

IV

No sons of slander, rage and strife
Shall be companions of my life;
The haughty look, the heart of pride
Within my doors shall near abide.

V

I'll search the land, and raise the just
To posts of honour, wealth, and trust:
The men that work thy holy will
Shall be my friends and favourites still.

VI

In vain shall sinners hope to rise
By flattering or malicious lies;
And while the innocent I guard,
The bold offender shan't be spar'd.

VII

The impious crew (that factious band)
Shall hide their heads, or quit the land;
And all that break the public rest,
Where I have power, shall be supprest.

The first stanza represents the mercy and judgment which the Psalmist sings, as the due qualities of good government, which is the proper sense of them in this psalm; and according to the double character of David in this psalm, I have applied the first metre to magistrates, the second to householders.

The fifth stanza can be sung only by the superior rank of magistrates, and not the inferior.

PSALM 101. (C. M.) A Psalm for a Master of a Family.

I

Of justice and of grace I sing,
And pay my God my vows;
Thy grace and justice, heavenly King,
Teach me to rule my house.

II

Now to my tent, O God, repair,
And make thy servant wise;
I'll suffer nothing near me there
That shall offend thine eyes.

III

The man that doth his neighbour wrong,
By falsehood or by force,
The scornful eye, the slanderous tongue,
I'll thrust them from my doors.

IV

I'll seek the faithful and the just
And will their help enjoy;
These are the friends that I shall trust,
The servants I'll employ.

V

The wretch that deals in sly deceit,
I'll not endure a night:
The liar's tongue I ever hate,
And banish from my sight.

VI

I'll purge my family around,
And make the wicked flee;
So shall my house be ever found
A dwelling fit for thee.

PSALM 102. v. 1–13, 20, 21. First Part. (C. M.) A Prayer of the Afflicted.

I

Hear me, O God, nor hide thy face,
But answer lest I die;
Hast thou not built a throne of grace
To hear when sinners cry?

II

My days are wasted like the smoke
Dissolving in the air;
My strength is dry'd, my heart is broke,
And sinking in despair.

III

My spirits flag like withering grass
Burnt with excessive heat;
In secret groans my minutes pass,
And I forget to eat.

IV

As on some lonely building's top
The sparrow tells her moan,
Far from the tents of joy and hope
I sit and grieve alone.

V

My soul is like a wilderness,
Where beasts of midnight howl;
There the sad raven finds her place,
And there the screaming owl.

VI

Dark dismal thoughts and boding fears
Dwell in my troubled breast;
While sharp reproaches wound my ears,
Nor give my spirit rest.

201

VII

My cup is mingled with my woes,
And tears are my repast;
My daily bread like ashes grows
Unpleasant to my taste.

VIII

Sense can afford no real joy
To souls that feel thy frown;
Lord, 'twas thy hand advanc'd me high,
Thy hand hath cast me down.

IX

My looks like wither'd leaves appear,
And life's declining light
Grows faint as evening shadows are
That vanish into night.

X

But thou for ever art the same,
O my eternal God:
Ages to come shall know thy name,
And spread thy works abroad.

XI

Thou wilt arise and shew thy face,
Nor will my Lord delay
Beyond the appointed hour of grace,
That long expected day.

XII

He hears his saints, he knows their cry,
And by mysterious ways
Redeems the prisoners doom'd to die,
And fills their tongues with praise.

PSALM 102. v. 13–21. Second Part. (C. M.) Prayer heard, and Zion restored.

I

Let Zion and her sons rejoice,
Behold the promis'd hour;
Her God hath heard her mourning voice,
And comes t'exalt his power.

II

Her dust and ruins that remain
Are precious in our eyes;
Those ruins shall be built again,
And all that dust shall rise.

III

The Lord will raise Jerusalem,
And stand in glory there;
Nations shall bow before his name,
And kings attend with fear.

IV

He sits a sovereign on his throne,
With pity in his eyes;
He hears the dying prisoners groan,
And sees their sighs arise.

V

He frees the souls condemn'd to death,
And when his saints complain,
It shan't be said, ‘That praying breath
‘Was ever spent in vain.’

VI

This shall be known when we are dead,
And left on long record,
That ages yet unborn may read,
And trust, and praise the Lord.

PSALM 102. v. 23–28. Third Part. (L. M.) Man's Mortality and Christ's Eternity; or, Saints die, but Christ and the Church live.

I

It is the Lord our Saviour's hand
Weakens our strength amidst the race;
Disease and death at his command
Arrest us, and cut short our days.

II

Spare us, O Lord, aloud we pray,
Nor let our sun go down at noon:
Thy years are one eternal day,
And must thy children die so soon?

III

Yet in the midst of death and grief
This thought our sorrow shall assuage,
‘Our Father and our Saviour live;
‘Christ is the same thro' every age.’

IV

'Twas he this earth's foundations laid;
Heaven is the building of his hand:
This earth grows old, these heavens shall fade,
And all be chang'd at his command.

V

The starry curtains of the sky
Like garments shall be laid aside;
But still thy throne stands firm on high;
Thy church for ever must abide.

VI

Before thy face thy church shall live,
And on thy throne thy children reign;
This dying world shall they survive
And the dead saints be rais'd again.

Several verses at the end of this psalm, are directly expounded concerning Christ, Heb. i. which inclined me to form a distinct hymn on those verses, applied to the same subject.

PSALM 103. v. 1–7. First Part. (L. M.) Blessing God for his Goodness to Soul and Body.

I

Bless, O my soul, the living God,
Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad,
Let all the powers within me join
In work and worship so divine.

II

Bless, O my soul, the God of grace;
His favours claim thy highest praise;
Why should the wonders he hath wrought
Be lost in silence and forgot?

202

III

'Tis he, my soul, that sent his Son
To die for crimes which thou hast done;
He owns the ransom; and forgives
The hourly follies of our lives.

IV

The vices of the mind he heals,
And cures the pains that nature feels;
Redeems the soul from hell, and saves
Our wasting life from threat'ning graves.

V

Our youth decay'd his power repairs;
His mercy crowns our growing years;
He satisfies our mouth with good,
And fills our hopes with heavenly food.

VI

He sees th'oppressor and th'opprest,
And often gives the sufferers rest;
But will his justice more display
In the last great rewarding day.

VII

His power he shew'd by Moses' hands
And gave to Israel his commands;
But sent his truth and mercy down
To all the nations by his Son.

VIII

Let the whole earth his power confess,
Let the whole earth adore his grace;
The Gentile with the Jew shall join
In work and worship so divine.

PSALM 103. v. 8–18. Second Part. (L. M.) God's gentle Chastisement; or, his tender Mercy to his People.

I

The Lord, how wondrous are his ways!
How firm his truth! how large his grace!
He takes his mercy for his throne,
And thence he makes his glories known.

II

Not half so high his power hath spread
The starry heavens above our head,
As his rich love exceeds our praise,
Exceeds the highest hopes we raise.

III

Not half so far hath nature plac'd
The rising morning from the west,
As his forgiving grace removes
The daily guilt of those he loves.

IV

How slowly doth his wrath arise!
On swifter wings salvation flies;
And if he lets his anger burn,
How soon his frowns to pity turn!

V

Amidst his wrath compassion shines;
His strokes are lighter than our sins;
And while his rod corrects his saints,
His ear indulges their complaints.

VI

So fathers their young sons chastise,
With gentle hand and melting eyes;
The children weep beneath the smart,
And move the pity of their heart.

VII

The mighty God, the wise, and just,
Knows that our frame is feeble dust;
And will no heavy loads impose
Beyond the strength that he bestows.

VIII

He knows how soon our nature dies,
Blasted by every wind that flies;
Like grass we spring and die as soon,
Or morning flowers that fade at noon.

IX

But his eternal love is sure
To all the saints, and shall endure:
From age to age his truth shall reign,
Nor children's children hope in vain.

PSALM 103. v. 1–7. First Part. (S. M.) Praise for spiritual and temporal Mercies.

I

O bless the Lord, my soul;
Let all within me join,
And aid my tongue to bless his name,
Whose favours are divine.

II

O bless the Lord, my soul;
Nor let his mercies lie
Forgotten in unthankfulness,
And without praises die.

III

'Tis he forgives thy sins,
'Tis he relieves thy pain,
'Tis he that heals thy sicknesses,
And makes thee young again.

IV

He crowns thy life with love,
When ransom'd from the grave;
He that redeem'd my soul from hell
Hath sovereign power to save.

V

He fills the poor with good;
He gives the sufferers rest;
The Lord hath judgments for the proud,
And justice for th'opprest.

VI

His wondrous works and ways
He made by Moses known;
But sent the world his truth and grace,
By his beloved Son.

203

PSALM 103. v. 8–18. Second Part. (S. M.) Abounding Compassion of God; or, Mercy in the midst of Judgment.

I

My soul repeat his praise
Whose mercies are so great;
Whose anger is so slow to rise,
So ready to abate.

II

God will not always chide;
And when his strokes are felt,
His strokes are fewer than our crimes,
And lighter than our guilt.

III

High as the heavens are rais'd
Above the ground we tread,
So far the riches of his grace
Our highest thoughts exceed.

IV

His power subdues our sins,
And his forgiving love,
Far as the east is from the west,
Doth all our guilt remove.

V

The pity of the Lord
To those that fear his name
Is such as tender parents feel;
He knows our feeble frame.

VI

He knows we are but dust,
Scatter'd with every breath;
His anger like a rising wind,
Can send us swift to death.

VII

Our days are as the grass,
Or like the morning flower;
If one sharp blast sweep o'er the field,
It withers in an hour.

VIII

But thy compassions, Lord,
To endless years endure;
And children's children ever find
Thy words of promise sure.

PSALM 103. v. 19–22. Third Part. (S. M.) God's universal Dominion; or, Angels praise the Lord.

I

The Lord the sovereign King,
Hath fix'd his throne on high;
O'er all the heavenly world he rules,
And all beneath the sky.

II

Ye angels, great in might,
And swift to do his will,
Bless ye the Lord, whose voice ye hear,
Whose pleasure ye fulfil.

III

Let the bright hosts who wait
The orders of their King,
And guard his churches when they pray,
Join in the praise they sing.

IV

While all his wondrous works,
Thro' his vast kingdom shew
Their Maker's glory, thou, my soul,
Shalt sing his graces too.

PSALM 104. (L. M.) The glory of God in Creation and Providence.

I

My soul, thy great Creator praise:
When cloth'd in his celestial rays
He in full majesty appears,
And, like a robe, his glory wears.

[_]

Note, This psalm may be sung to the tune of the old 112th or 127th psalm, by adding these two lines to every stanza, namely,

Great is the Lord; what tongue can frame
An equal honour to his name?

Otherwise it must be sung as the 100th psalm.

II

The heavens are for his curtains spread,
Th'unfathom'd deep he makes his bed;
Clouds are his chariot, when he flies
On winged storms across the skies.

III

Angels, whom his own breath inspires,
His ministers, are flaming fires;
And swift as thought their armies move
To bear his vengeance or his love.

IV

The world's foundations by his hand
Are pois'd, and shall for ever stand;
He binds the ocean in his chain,
Lest it should drown the earth again.

V

When earth was covered with the flood,
Which high above the mountains stood,
He thunder'd; and the ocean fled,
Confin'd to its appointed bed.

VI

The swelling billows know their bound,
And in their channels walk their round;
Yet thence convey'd by secret veins,
They spring on hills and drench the plains.

VII

He bids the crystal fountains flow,
And cheer the vallies as they go;
Tame heifers there their thirst allay,
And for the stream wild asses bray.

204

VIII

From pleasant trees which shade the brink,
The lark and linnet light to drink;
Their songs the lark and linnet raise,
And chide our silence in his praise.

IX

God, from his cloudy cistern, pours
On the parch'd earth enriching showers;
The grove, the garden, and the field
A thousand joyful blessings yield.

X

He makes the grassy food arise,
And gives the cattle large supplies;
With herbs for man, of various power,
To nourish nature, or to cure.

XI

What noble fruit the vines produce!
The olive yields a shining juice;
Our hearts are cheer'd with gen'rous wine,
With inward joy our faces shine.

XII

O bless his name, ye Britons, fed
With nature's chief supporter, bread;
While bread your vital strength imparts,
Serve him with vigour in your hearts.

XIII

Behold the stately cedar stands,
Rais'd in the forest by his hands;
Birds to the boughs for shelter fly,
And build their nests secure on high.

XIV

To craggy hills ascends the goat,
And at the airy mountain's foot
The feebler creatures make their cell;
He gives them wisdom where to dwell.

XV

He sets the sun his circling race,
Appoints the moon to change her face;
And when thick darkness veils the day,
Calls out wild beasts to hunt their prey.

XVI

Fierce lions lead their young abroad,
And roaring ask their meat from God;
But when the morning beams arise,
The savage beast to covert flies.

XVII

Then man to daily labour goes;
The night was made for his repose:
Sleep is thy gift; that sweet relief
From tiresome toil and wasting grief.

XVIII

How strange thy works! how great thy skill!
And every land thy riches fill:
Thy wisdom round the world we see,
This spacious earth is full of thee.

XIX

Nor less thy glories in the deep,
Where fish in millions swim and creep,
With wondrous motions, swift or slow,
Still wandering in the paths below.

XX

There ships divide their watery way,
And flocks of scaly monsters play;
There dwells the huge Leviathan,
And foams and sports in spite of man.

XXI

Vast are thy works, almighty Lord,
All nature rests upon thy word,
And the whole race of creatures stands,
Waiting their portion from thy hands.

XXII

While each receives his different food,
Their cheerful looks pronounce it good;
Eagles and bears, and whales and worms,
Rejoice and praise in different forms.

XXIII

But when thy face is hid they mourn,
And dying to their dust return;
Both man and beast their souls resign,
Life, breath and spirit, all is thine.

XXIV

Yet thou canst breathe on dust again,
And fill the world with beasts and men;
A word of thy creating breath
Repairs the wastes of time and death.

XXV

His works, the wonders of his might,
Are honour'd with his own delight:
How awful are his glorious ways!
The Lord is dreadful in his praise.

XXVI

The earth stands trembling at thy stroke,
And at thy touch the mountains smoke;
Yet humble souls may see thy face,
And tell their wants to sovereign grace.

XXVII

In thee my hopes and wishes meet,
And make my meditations sweet:
Thy praises shall my breath employ,
Till it expire in endless joy.

XXVIII

While haughty sinners die accurst,
Their glory bury'd with their dust,
I, to my God, my heavenly King,
Immortal hallelujahs sing.

Several lines in this psalm I have borrowed of Sir John Denham, if I have made the connexion more evident, and the sense more easy and useful to an ordinary reader, I have attained my end; and leave others to judge whether I have dishonoured his verse or improved it.

Though I am persuaded the psalmist speaks here of the first formation of the sea and mountains, when the waters of the chaos were separated from the earth, yet the people more easily understand it of Noah's flood; and therefore I have indulged such a paraphrase as is capable of both senses.

205

PSALM 105. Abridged. (C. M.) God's Conduct of Israel, and Plagues of Egypt.

I

Give thanks to God, invoke his name,
And tell the world his grace;
Sound thro' the earth his deeds of fame,
That all may seek his face.

II

His covenant, which he kept in mind
For numerous ages past,
To numerous ages yet behind
In equal force shall last.

III

He sware to Abraham and his seed,
And made the blessing sure:
Gentiles the ancient promise read,
And find his truth endure.

IV

‘Thy seed shall make all nations blest,’
(Said the Almighty voice)
‘And Canaan's land shall be their rest,
‘The type of heavenly joys.’

V

How large the grant! how rich the grace!
To give them Canaan's land,
When they were strangers in the place,
A little feeble band!

VI

Like pilgrims thro' the countries round
Securely they remov'd;
And haughty kings, that on them frown'd,
Severely he reprov'd.

VII

‘Touch mine anointed, and my arm
‘Shall soon revenge the wrong;
‘The man that does my prophets harm
‘Shall know their God is strong.’

VIII

Then let the world forbear its rage,
Nor put the church in fear;
Israel must live thro' every age,
And be th'Almighty's care.

IX

When Pharaoh dar'd to vex the saints,
And thus provok'd their God,
Moses was sent at their complaints,
Arm'd with his dreadful rod.

X

He call'd for darkness; darkness came
Like an o'erwhelming flood;
He turn'd each lake and every stream
To lakes and streams of blood.

XI

He gave the sign, and noisome flies
Thro' the whole country spread;
And frogs, in croaking armies, rise
About the monarch's bed.

XII

Thro' fields, and towns, and palaces,
The ten-fold vengeance flew;
Locusts in swarms devour'd their trees,
And hail their cattle slew.

XIII

Then by an angel's midnight stroke,
The flower of Egypt dy'd;
The strength of every house was broke,
Their glory and their pride.

XIV

Now let the world forbear its rage,
Nor put the church in fear;
Israel must live thro' every age,
And be th'Almighty's care.

XV

Thus were the tribes from bondage brought,
And left the hated ground;
Each some Egyptian spoils had got,
And not one feeble found.

XVI

The Lord himself chose out their way,
And mark'd their journies right,
Gave them a leading cloud by day,
A fiery guide by night.

XVII

They thirst; and waters from the rock
In rich abundance flow,
And following still the course they took,
Ran all the desert thro'.

XVIII

O wondrous stream! O blessed type
Of ever-flowing grace!
So Christ our rock maintains our life
Thro' all this wilderness.

XIX

Thus guarded by th'Almighty hand
The chosen tribes possest
Canaan the rich, the promis'd land,
And there enjoy'd their rest.

XX

Then let the world forbear its rage,
The church renounce her fear;
Israel must live thro' every age,
And be the Almighty's care.

PSALM 106. v. 1–5. First Part. (L. M.) Praise to God; or, Communion with Saints.

I

To God the great, the ever blest,
Let songs of honour be addrest:
His mercy firm forever stands;
Give him the thanks his love demands.

206

II

Who knows the wonders of thy ways?
Who shall fulfil thy boundless praise?
Blest are the souls that fear thee still,
And pay their duty to thy will.

III

Remember what thy mercy did
For Jacob's race, thy chosen seed;
And with the same salvation bless
The meanest suppliant of thy grace.

IV

O may I see thy tribes rejoice,
And aid their triumphs with my voice!
This is my glory, Lord, to be
Join'd to thy saints, and near to thee.

PSALM 106. v. 7, 8, 12–14, 43–48. Second Part. (S. M.) Israel punished and pardoned; or, God's unchangeable Love.

I

God of eternal love,
How fickle are our ways!
And yet how oft did Israel prove
Thy constancy of grace!

II

They saw thy wonders wrought,
And then thy praise they sung;
But soon thy works of power forgot,
And murmur'd with their tongue.

III

Now they believe his word,
While rocks with rivers flow;
Now with their lusts provoke the Lord,
And he reduc'd them low.

IV

Yet when they mourn'd their faults,
He hearken'd to their groans,
Brought his own covenant to his thoughts,
And call'd them still his sons.

V

Their names were in his book,
He sav'd them from their foes;
Oft he chastis'd but ne'er forsook
The people that he chose.

VI

Let Israel bless the Lord,
Who lov'd their ancient race;
And christians join the solemn word
Amen, to all the praise.

The chief design of this whole psalm I have expressed in the title, and abridged it in this form, having enlarged much more on this same subject in the lxxviith, lxxviiith, and cvth psalms.

Though the Jews now seem to be cast off, yet the Apostle Paul assures us, that God hath not cast away his people whom he foreknew, Rom. xi. 2. Their unbelief and absence from God is but for a season; for they shall be recalled again, verse 25, 26.

PSALM 107. First Part. (L. M.) Israel led to Canaan, and Christians to Heaven.

I

Give thanks to God; he reigns above
Kind are his thoughts, his name is love;
His mercy ages past have known,
And ages long to come shall own.

II

Let the redeemed of the Lord
The wonders of his grace record;
Israel, the nation whom he chose,
And rescu'd from their mighty foes.

III

When God's almighty arm had broke
There fetters and the Egyptian yoke,
They trac'd the desert wandering round,
A wild and solitary ground.

IV

There they could find no leading road,
Nor city for a fix'd abode;
Nor food, nor fountain to assuage
Their burning thirst, or hunger's rage.

V

In their distress to God they cry'd
God was their Saviour and their guide;
He led their march far wandering round,
'Twas the right path to Canaan's ground.

VI

Thus when our first release we gain
From sin's old yoke and Satan's chain,
We have this desert world to pass,
A dangerous and a tiresome place.

VII

He feeds and clothes us all the way,
He guides our footsteps lest we stray,
He guards us with a powerful hand,
And brings us to the heavenly land.

VIII

O let the saints with joy record
The truth and goodness of the Lord!
How great his works! how kind his ways!
Let every tongue pronounce his praise.

PSALM 107. Second Part. (L. M.) Correction for Sin, and Release by Prayer.

IV

When land is far, and death is nigh,
Lost to all hope, to God they cry;
His mercy hears the loud address,
And sends salvation in distress.

V

He bids the winds their wrath assuage,
The furious waves forget their rage;
'Tis calm; and sailors smile to see
The haven where they wish'd to be.

VI

O may the sons of men record
The wondrous goodness of the Lord!
Let them their private offerings bring,
And in the church his glory sing.

PSALM 107. Fourth Part. (C. M.) The Mariner's Psalm.

I

Thy works of glory, mighty Lord,
Thy wonders in the deeps,
The sons of courage shall record
Who trade in floating ships.

II

At thy command the winds arise,
And swell the tow'ring waves;
The men astonish'd mount the skies,
And sink in gaping graves.

III

Again they climb the watery hills,
And plunge in deeps again;
Each like a tottering drunkard reels,
And finds his courage vain.

IV

Frighted to hear the tempest roar,
They pant with fluttering breath,
And, hopeless of the distant shore,
Expect immediate death.

208

V

Then to the Lord they raise their cries,
He hears the loud request,
And orders silence thro' the skies,
And lays the floods to rest.

VI

Sailors rejoice to lose their fears,
And see the storm allay'd:
Now to their eyes the port appears;
There let their vows be paid.

VII

'Tis God that brings them safe to land;
Let stupid mortals know
That waves are under his command,
And all the winds that blow.

VIII

O that the sons of men would praise
The goodness of the Lord!
And those that see thy wondrous ways,
Thy wondrous love record.

PSALM 107. Last Part. (L. M.) Colonies planted; or, Nations blest and punished.

A Psalm for New England.

I

When God, provok'd with daring crimes,
Scourges the madness of the times,
He turns their fields to barren sand,
And dries the rivers from the land.

II

His word can raise the springs again,
And make the wither'd mountains green,
Send showery blessings from the skies,
And harvests in the desert rise.

III

Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey,
Or men as fierce and wild as they,
He bids th'opprest and poor repair,
And builds them towns and cities there.

IV

They sow the fields, and trees they plant,
Whose yearly fruit supplies their want:
Their race grows up from fruitful stocks,
Their wealth increases with their flocks.

V

Thus they are blest; but if they sin,
He lets the heathen nations in,
A savage crew invades their lands,
Their princes die by barbarous hands.

VI

Their captive sons, expos'd to scorn,
Wander unpity'd and forlorn;
The country lies unfenc'd, untill'd,
And desolation spreads the field.

VII

Yet if the humbled nation mourns,
Again his dreadful hand he turns;
Again he makes their cities thrive,
And bids the dying churches live.

VIII

The righteous, with a joyful sense,
Admire the works of providence;
And tongues of atheists shall no more
Blaspheme the God that saints adore.

IX

How few, with pious care, record
These wondrous dealings of the Lord!
But wise observers still shall find
The Lord is holy, just, and kind.

If this hymn be too long to sing at once, the two first and two last stanzas of it may be sung together, and the five middle stanzas by themselves, as another hymn; for I could not find any other convenient division of it.

The cviiith psalm is formed out of the lviith and lxth; therefore I have omitted it.

PSALM 109. v. 1–5, 31. (C. M.) Love to Enemies, from the Example of Christ.

I

God of my mercy and my praise,
Thy glory is my song;
Tho' sinners' speak against thy grace
With a blaspheming tongue.

II

When in the form of mortal man
Thy Son on earth was found,
With cruel slanders, false and vain,
They compass'd him around.

III

Their miseries his compassion move,
Their peace he still pursu'd;
They render hatred for his love,
And evil for his good.

IV

Their malice rag'd without a cause,
Yet, with his dying breath,
He pray'd for murderers on his cross,
And bless'd his foes in death.

V

Lord, shall thy bright example shine
In vain before my eyes?
Give me a soul a-kin to thine
To love my enemies.

VI

The Lord shall on my side engage,
And, in my Saviour's name,
I shall defeat their pride and rage
Who slander and condemn.

That this psalm foretels the sufferings, the patience, and love of Christ to enemies, is universally agreed; but the curses on Judas and the priest, &c. I have chosen to leave where they stand in the sacred language of prophesy.

209

PSALM 110. First Part. (L. M.) Christ exalted, and Multitudes converted; or, the Success of the Gospel.

I

Thus the eternal Father spake
To Christ the Son, ‘Ascend and sit
‘At my right hand, till I shall make
‘Thy foes submissive at thy feet.

II

‘From Zion shall thy word proceed,
‘Thy word, the sceptre in thy hand,
‘Shall make the hearts of rebels bleed,
‘And bow their wills to thy command.

III

‘That day shall shew thy power is great,
‘When saints shall flock with willing minds,
‘And sinners crowd thy temple-gate,
‘Where holiness in beauty shines.’

IV

O blessed power! O glorious day!
What a large victory shall ensue!
And converts, who thy grace obey,
Exceed the drops of morning dew.

It is generally supposed the third verse of this psalm describes the numerous conversions that followed the ascension of Christ. The beauty of holiness is but a periphrasis for the temple. That the whole psalm is a prophecy of Christ in his kingdom and priesthood, is abundantly evident from Matt. xxii. 44. Heb. vii. &c.

PSALM 110. Second Part. (L. M.) The Kingdom and Priesthood of Christ.

I

Thus the great Lord of earth and sea
Spake to his Son, and thus he swore;
‘Eternal shall thy priesthood be,
‘And change from hand to hand no more.

II

‘Aaron and all his sons must die;
‘But everlasting life is thine,
‘To save for ever those that fly
‘For refuge from the wrath divine.

III

‘By me Melchisedek was made
‘On earth a king and priest at once;
‘And thou, my heavenly priest shalt plead,
‘And thou, my King, shalt rule my sons.’

IV

Jesus the priest ascends his throne,
While counsels of eternal peace,
Between the Father and the Son,
Proceed with honour and success.

V

Thro' the whole earth his reign shall spread,
And crush the powers that dare rebel;
Then shall he judge the rising dead,
And send the guilty world to hell.

VI

Tho' while he treads his glorious way,
He drink the cup of tears and blood,
The sufferings of that dreadful day
Shall but advance him near to God.

The priesthood of Christ, after the order of Melchisedek, is particularly explained, Heb. vii. 1, 3, 23–25. and is inserted in the three first stanzas.

Zech. vi. 13.

He shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

The last verse of this psalm is explained by interpreters in very contrary senses. Some make his drinking of the brook to signify mean refreshments in his way, and some expound it of his tasting sorrows and sufferings; the last is most evangelical and most beautiful, therefore I have chosen it.

PSALM 110. (C. M.) Christ's Kingdom and Priesthood.

I

Jesus, our Lord, ascend thy throne,
And near the Father sit;
In Zion shall thy power be known,
And make thy foes submit.

II

II

His liberal favours he extends,
To some he gives, to others lends;
A generous pity fills his mind:
Yet what his charity impairs,
He saves by prudence in affairs,
And thus he's just to all mankind.

III

His hands, while they his alms bestow'd,
His glory's future harvest sow'd;
The sweet remembrance of the just.
Like a green root, revives and bears
A train of blessings for his heirs,
When dying nature sleeps in dust.

IV

Beset with threatening dangers round,
Unmov'd shall he maintain his ground;
His conscience holds his courage up:
The soul that's fill'd with virtue's light
Shines brightest in affliction's night,
And sees in darkness beams of hope.

V

Ill tidings never can surprise
His heart that fix'd on God relies,
Tho' waves and tempests roar around:
Safe on the rock he sits, and sees
The shipwreck of his enemies,
And all their hope and glory drown'd.

VI

The wicked shall his triumph see,
And gnash their teeth in agony
To find their expectations crost:
They and their envy, pride and spite,
Sink down to everlasting night,
And all their names in darkness lost.

Many lines of this metre, and some of the next psalm, proper metre, are borrowed from Mr. Tate's version.

PSALM 112. (L. M.) The Blessings of the Pious and Charitable.

I

Thrice happy man who fears the Lord,
Loves his commands, and trusts his word;
Honour and peace his days attend,
And blessings to his seed descend.

211

II

Compassion dwells upon his mind,
To works of mercy still inclin'd:
He lends the poor some present aid,
Or gives them, not to be repaid.

III

When times grow dark, and tidings spread
That fill his neighbours round with dread,
His heart is arm'd against the fear,
For God with all his power is there.

IV

His soul, well fix'd upon the Lord,
Draws heavenly courage from his word:
Amidst the darkness light shall rise
To cheer his heart, and bless his eyes.

V

He hath dispers'd his alms abroad,
His works are still before his God;
His name on earth shall long remain,
While envious sinners fret in vain.

PSALM 112. (C. M.) Liberality rewarded.

I

Happy is he that fears the Lord,
And follows his commands,
Who lends the poor without reward,
Or gives with liberal hands.

II

As pity dwells within his breast
To all the sons of need;
So God shall answer his request
With blessings on his seed.

III

No evil tidings shall surprise
His well-establish'd mind;
His soul to God his refuge flies,
And leaves his fears behind.

IV

In times of general distress,
Some beams of light shall shine
To shew the world his righteousness,
And give him peace divine.

V

His works of piety and love
Remain before the Lord;
Honour on earth and joys above
Shall be his sure reward.

Many of the blessings of wealth, and grandeur, and temporal good things, that were the portion of a good man and his children, under the Old Testament, I have here abridged agreeable to the New, which foretels rather temporal afflictions, and promises everlasting reward.

PSALM 113. Proper Tune. The Majesty and Condescension of God.

I

Ye that delight to serve the Lord,
The honours of his name record,
His sacred name for ever bless:
Where'er the circling sun displays
His rising beams, or setting rays,
Let lands and seas his power confess.

II

Not time, nor nature's narrow rounds,
Can give his vast dominion bounds,
The heavens are far below his height:
Let no created greatness dare
With our eternal God compare,
Arm'd with his uncreated might.

III

He bows his glorious head to view
What the bright hosts of angels do,
And bends his care to mortal things;
His sovereign hand exalts the poor,
He takes the needy from the door,
And makes them company for kings.

IV

When childless families despair,
He sends the blessing of an heir
To rescue their expiring name;
The mother with a thankful voice
Proclaims his praises and her joys:
Let every age advance his fame.

PSALM 113. (L. M.) God Sovereign and Gracious.

I

Ye servants of th'almighty King,
In every age his praises sing;
Where'er the sun shall rise or set,
The nations shall his praise repeat.

II

Above the earth, beyond the sky,
Stands his high throne of majesty:
Nor time, nor place, his power restrain,
Nor bound his universal reign.

III

Which of the sons of Adam dare,
Or angels, with their God compare?
His glories how divinely bright,
Who dwells in uncreated light!

IV

Behold his love: he stoops to view
What saints above and angels do;
And condescends yet more to know
The mean affairs of men below

212

V

From dust and cottages obscure,
His grace exalts the humble poor;
Gives them the honour of his sons,
And fits them for their heavenly thrones.

VI

A word of his creating voice
Can make the barren house rejoice:
Tho' Sarah's ninety years were past,
The promis'd seed is born at last.

VII

With joy the mother views her son,
And tells the wonders God has done:
Faith may grow strong when sense despairs,
If nature fails, the promise bears.

Part of the 6th and 7th stanzas are borrowed from Gen. xvii. 17. and Rom. iv. 19, 20. Shall Sarah that is ninety years old bear? Abraham was strong in faith, &c.

PSALM 114. (L. M.) Miracles attending Israel's Journey.

I

When Israel, freed from Pharaoh's hand,
Left the proud tyrant, and his land,
The tribes with cheerful homage own
Their King, and Judah was his throne.

II

Across the deep their journey lay;
The deep divides to make them way:
Jordan beheld their march and fled
With backward current to his head.

III

The mountains shook like frighted sheep,
Like lambs the little hillocks leap;
Not Sinai on her base could stand,
Conscious of sovereign power at hand.

IV

What power could make the deep divide?
Make Jordan backward roll his tide?
Why did ye leap, ye little hills?
And whence the fright that Sinai feels?

V

Let every mountain every flood,
Retire and know the approaching God,
The King of Israel: see him here;
Tremble, thou earth, adore and fear.

VI

He thunders, and all nature mourns,
The rock to standing pools he turns;
Flints spring with fountains at his word,
And fires and seas confess the Lord.

This psalm appears to me an admirable ode; but if I had introduced the presence of God into the camp of Israel removing from Egypt, as all my predecessors have done, I had lost the divine beauty of the psalm: For had God appeared at first, there could be no wonder why the mountains should leap, and the sea retire; therefore that this convulsion of nature may be brought in with due surprise, the sacred poet conceals his name till afterward, and then with a very agreeable turn of thought, God is introduced at once in all his majesty. This is what I have attempted to imitate, and to preserve what I could of the spirit of the inspired author.

PSALM 115. First Metre. The true God our Refuge; or, Idolatry reproved.

I

Not to ourselves, who are but dust,
Not to ourselves is glory due,
Eternal God, thou only just,
Thou only gracious, wise and true.

II

Shine forth in all thy dreadful name;
Why should a heathen's haughty tongue
Insult us, and to raise our shame
Say, ‘where's the God you've serv'd so long?’

III

The God we serve maintains his throne
Above the clouds, beyond the skies,
Thro' all the earth his will is done,
He knows our groans, he hears our cries.

IV

But the vain idols they adore
Are senseless shapes of stone and wood;
At best a mass of glittering ore,
A silver saint, or golden god.

V

With eyes and ears they carve their head,
Deaf are their ears, their eyes are blind;
In vain are costly offerings made,
And vows are scatter'd in the wind.

VI

Their feet were never made to move,
Nor hands to save when mortals pray;
Mortals that pay them fear or love
Seem to be blind and deaf as they.

VII

O Israel, make the Lord thy hope,
Thy help, thy refuge, and thy rest;
The Lord shall build thy ruins up,
And bless the people and the priest.

VIII

The dead no more can speak thy praise,
They dwell in silence and the grave;
But we shall live to sing thy grace,
And tell the world thy power to save.

PSALM 115. Second Metre. As the New Tune of the 50th Psalm. Popish Idolatry reproved.

A Psalm for the 5th of November.

The Lord appears my helper now,
Nor is my faith afraid
What all the sons of earth can do,
Since heaven affords its aid.

II

These five verses, from the 22nd to the 27th, contain a glorious prophesy of Christ: I have explained them at large in the language of the New Testament, in two distinct hymns: 1 Pet. ii. 4, 6. Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be ashamed—disallowed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Matt. xvi. 18. Upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. See the notes on the following hymns.

215

PSALM 118. v. 24–26. Fourth Part. (C. M.) Hosanna; the Lord's Day; or, Christ's Resurrection and our Salvation.

I

This is the day the Lord hath made,
He calls the hours his own;
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.

II

To-day he rose and left the dead,
And Satan's empire fell;
To-day the saints his triumph spread,
And all his wonders tell.

III

Hosanna to th'anointed King,
To David's holy Son:
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from the throne.

IV

Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God his Father's name
To save our sinful race.

V

Hosanna in the highest strains
The church on earth can raise;
The highest heavens, in which he reigns,
Shall give him nobler praise.

See the notes on the foregoing and following hymns.

This is the day wherein Christ fulfilled his fufferings, and rose from the dead, and has honoured it with his own name. Rev. i. 10. The Lord's Day.

This verse is explained, Matt. xxi. 9. Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. The word Hosanna signifies, Save, we beseech.

PSALM 118. v. 22–27. (S. M.) An Hosanna for the Lord's Day; or, a new Song of Salvation by Christ.

I

See what a living stone
The builders did refuse;
Yet God hath built his church thereon
In spite of envious Jews.

II

The scribe and angry priest
Reject thine only Son;
Yet on this rock shall Zion rest
As the chief corner-stone.

III

The work, O Lord, is thine,
And wondrous in our eyes;
This day declares it all divine,
This day did Jesus rise.

IV

This is the glorious day
That our Redeemer made;
Let us rejoice, and sing, and pray,
Let all the church be glad.

V

Hosanna to the King
Of David's royal blood:
Bless him, ye saints; he comes to bring
Salvation from your God.

VI

We bless thine holy word,
Which all this grace displays;
And offer on thine altar, Lord,
Our sacrifice of praise.

The 27th verse must be explained evangelically; the Gospel is our light, our Altar is Christ, and our Sacrifices are Prayer and Praise: Heb. xiii. 10, 15.

PSALM 118. v. 22–27. (L. M.) The same.

[Lo! what a glorious corner-stone]

I

Lo! what a glorious corner-stone
The jewish builders did refuse;
But God hath built his church thereon,
In spite of envy and the Jews.

II

165.

Vile as the dross the wicked are;
And those that leave thy ways
Shall see salvation from afar,
But never taste thy grace.

PSALM 119. Second Part. (C. M.) Secret Devotion and Spiritual-mindedness; or, constant Converse with God.

I

To thee, before the dawning light,
My gracious God, I pray;
I meditate thy name by night,
And keep thy law by day.

[_]

147, 55,

II

My spirit faints to see thy grace,
Thy promise bears me up;
And while salvation long delays,
Thy word supports my hope.

[_]

81.

III

Seven times a day I lift my hands,
And pay my thanks to thee;
Thy righteous providence demands
Repeated praise from me.

[_]

164.

IV

When midnight darkness veils the skies,
I call thy works to mind;
My thoughts in warm devotion rise,
And sweet acceptance find.

The testimonies of thy grace
I set before my eyes;
Thence I derive my daily strength,
And there my comfort lies.

IV

If once I wander from thy path,
I think upon my ways,
Then turn my feet to thy commands,
And trust thy pardoning grace.

[_]

59.

V

Now I am thine, for ever thine,
O save thy servant, Lord;
Thou art my shield, my hiding-place,
My hope is in thy word.

[_]

94, 114.

VI

Thou hast inclin'd this heart of mine
Thy statutes to fulfil;
And thus till mortal life shall end
Would I perform thy will.

But still thy law and gospel, Lord,
Have lessons more divine;
Not earth stands firmer than thy word,
Nor stars so nobly shine.

VIII

Thy word is everlasting truth;
How pure is every page!
That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.

I

Lord, I esteem thy judgments right,
And all thy statutes just;
Thence I maintain a constant fight
With every flattering lust.

[_]

128.

II

Thy precepts often I survey;
I keep thy law in sight,
Thro' all the business of the day,
To form my actions right.

[_]

97. 9.

III

My heart in midnight silence cries,
‘How sweet thy comforts be!’
My thoughts in holy wonder rise,
And bring their thanks to thee.

[_]

62.

IV

And when my spirit drinks her fill
At some good word of thine,
Not mighty men that share the spoil
Have joys compar'd to mine.

[_]

162.

PSALM 119. Seventh Part. (C. M.) Imperfections of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture.

I

Let all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book,
Great God, if once compar'd with thine,
How mean their writings look!

[_]

96. Paraphrased.

II

Not the most perfect rules they gave
Could shew one sin forgiven,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heaven.

III

I've seen an end of what we call
Perfection here below;
How short the powers of nature fall,
And can no farther go!

IV

Yet men would fain be just with God
By works their hands have wrought;
But thy commands, exceeding broad,
Extend to every thought.

218

V

In vain we boast perfection here,
While sin defiles our frame,
And sinks our virtues down so far,
They scarce deserve the name.

VI

Our faith and love, and every grace,
Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.

PSALM 119. Eighth Part. (C. M.) The Word of God is the Saint's Portion; or, the Excellency and Variety of Scripture.

I

Lord, I have made thy word my choice,
My lasting heritage;
There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

[_]

111. Paraphrased.

II

I'll read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight,
While thro' the promises I rove,
With ever-fresh delight.

III

'Tis a broad land of wealth unknown
Where springs of life arise,
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

IV

I

O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!

[_]

5, 33.

II

O send thy Spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart!
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.

[_]

29.

219

III

From vanity turn off my eyes:
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires arise
Within this soul of mine.

[_]

37, 36.

IV

Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

[_]

133.

V

My soul hath gone too far astray,
My feet too often slip;
Yet since I've not forgot thy way,
Restore thy wandering sheep.

[_]

176.

VI

Make me to walk in thy commands,
'Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.

Before I knew thy chastening rod
My feet were apt to stray;
But now I learn to keep thy word,
Nor wander from thy way.

[_]

Depart from me, ye wicked race,
Whose hands and hearts are ill;
I love my God, I love his ways,
And must obey his will.

[_]

115.

PSALM 119. Sixteenth Part. (C. M.) Prayer for quickening Grace.

I

My soul lies cleaving to the dust;
Lord, give me life divine;
From vain desires and every lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.

[_]

25, 37.

II

I need the influence of thy grace
To speed me in thy way,
Lest I should loiter in my race,
Or turn my feet astray.

III

When sore afflictions press me down,
I need thy quickening powers;
Thy word that I have rested on
Shall help my heaviest hours.

[_]

107.

IV

Are not thy mercies sovereign still?
And thou a faithful God?
Wilt thou not grant me warmer zeal
To run the heavenly road?

[_]

156, 40.

V

Does not my heart thy precepts love,
And long to see thy face?
And yet how slow my spirits move
Without enlivening grace!

[_]

159, 40.

VI

Then shall I love thy gospel more,
And ne'er forget thy word,
When I have felt its quickening power
To draw me near the Lord.

[_]

93.

PSALM 119. Seventeenth Part. (L. M.) Courage and Perseverance under Persecution; or, Grace shining in Difficulties and Trials.

I

When pain and anguish seize me, Lord,
All my support is from thy word:
My soul dissolves for heaviness,
Uphold me with thy strengthening grace.

[_]

143, 28.

II

The proud have fram'd their scoffs and lies,
They watch my feet with envious eyes,
And tempt my soul to snares and sin,
Yet thy commands I ne'er decline.

[_]

51, 69, 110.

III

They hate me, Lord, without a cause,
They hate to see me love thy laws;
But I will trust and fear thy name,
Till pride and malice die with shame.

[_]

161, 78.

PSALM 119. Last Part. (L. M.) Sanctified Affliction; or, Delight in the Word of God.

I

Father, I bless thy gentle hand;
How kind was thy chastising rod,
That forc'd my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wandering soul to God!

[_]

67, 59.

II

Foolish and vain I went astray,
Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord,
I left my guide, and lost my way;
But now I love and keep thy word.

III

'Tis good for me to wear the yoke,
For pride is apt to rise and swell;
'Tis good to bear my father's stroke,
That I might learn his statutes well.

[_]

71.

IV

The law that issues from thy mouth
Shall raise my cheerful passions more
Than all the treasures of the south,
Or western hills of golden ore.

[_]

72.

V

Thy hands have made my mortal frame,
Thy spirit form'd my soul within;
Teach me to know thy wondrous name,
And guard me safe from death and sin.

[_]

73.

221

VI

Then all that love and fear the Lord
At my salvation shall rejoice;
For I have hoped in thy word,
And made thy grace my only choice.

[_]

74.

PSALM 120. (C. M.) Complaint of quarrelsome Neighbours; or, a devout Wish for Peace.

I

Thou God of love, thou ever-blest,
Pity my suffering state;
When wilt thou set my soul at rest
From lips that love deceit?

II

Hard lot of mine! my days are cast
Among the sons of strife,
Whose never-ceasing brawlings waste
My golden hours of life.

III

O might I fly to change my place,
How would I choose to dwell
In some wide lonesome wilderness,
And leave these gates of hell.

IV

Peace is the blessing that I seek,
How lovely are its charms!
I am for peace; but when I speak,
They all declare for arms.

V

New passions still their souls engage,
And keep their malice strong:
What shall be done to curb thy rage,
O thou devouring tongue!

VI

Should burning arrows smite thee thro',
Strict justice would approve;
But I had rather spare my foe,
And melt his heart with love.

I hope the transposition of several verses of this psalm is no disadvantage to this imitation of it. Nor will the spirit of the gospel, and charity at the end, render it less agreeable to christian ears.

PSALM 121. (L. M.) Divine Protection.

I

Up to the hills I lift mine eyes,
Th'eternal hills beyond the skies;
Thence all her help my soul derives;
There my almighty refuge lives.

II

He lives, the everlasting God,
That built the world, that spread the flood;
The heavens with all their hosts he made,
And the dark regions of the dead.

III

He guides our feet, he guards our way;
His morning-smiles bless all the day;
He spreads the evening-veil, and keeps
The silent hours while Israel sleeps.

IV

Israel, a name divinely blest,
May rise secure, securely rest;
Thy holy guardian's wakeful eyes
Admit no slumber nor surprise.

V

No sun shall smite thy head by day,
Nor the pale moon with sickly ray
Shall blast thy couch; no baleful star
Dart his malignant fire so far.

VI

Should earth and hell with malice burn,
Still thou shalt go and still return,
Safe in the Lord; his heavenly care
Defends thy life from every snare.

VII

On thee foul spirits have no power;
And in thy last departing hour
Angels, that trace the airy road,
Shall bear thee homeward to thy God.

See the Note on Psalm xli.

PSALM 121. (C. M.) Preservation by Day and Night.

I

To heaven I lift my waiting eyes,
There all my hopes are laid:
The Lord that built the earth and skies
Is my perpetual aid.

II

Their feet shall never slide to fall,
Whom he designs to keep;
His ear attends the softest call,
His eyes can never sleep.

III

He will sustain our weakest powers
With his almighty arm,
And watch our most unguarded hours
Against surprising harm.

IV

Israel, rejoice and rest secure,
Thy keeper is the Lord;
His wakeful eyes employ his power
For thine eternal guard.

V

Nor scorching sun, nor sickly moon
Shall have his leave to smite;
He shields thy head from burning noon,
From blasting damps at night.

VI

He guards thy soul, he keeps thy breath
Where thickest dangers come;
Go and return, secure from death,
Till God commands thee home.

222

PSALM 121. As the 148th Psalm. God our Preserver.

I

Upward I lift mine eyes
From God is all my aid;
The God that built the skies,
And earth and nature made;
God is the tower
To which I fly;
His grace is nigh
In every hour.

II

My feet shall never slide
And fall in fatal snares,
Since God, my guard and guide,
Defends me from my fears:
Those wakeful eyes
That never sleep
Shall Israel keep
When dangers rise.

III

No burning heats by day,
Nor blasts of evening air,
Shall take my health away,
If God be with me there:
Thou art my sun,
And thou my shade,
To guard my head
By night or noon.

IV

Hast thou not given thy word
To save my soul from death?
And I can trust my Lord
To keep my mortal breath:
I'll go and come,
Nor fear to die,
Till from on high
Thou call me home.

PSALM 122. (C. M.) Going to Church.

I

How did my heart rejoice to hear
My friends devoutly say,
‘In Zion let us all appear,
‘And keep the solemn day!’

II

I love her gates, I love the road;
The church adorn'd with grace
Stands like a palace built for God
To shew his milder face.

III

Up to her courts with joys unknown
The holy tribes repair;
The son of David holds his throne,
And sits in judgment there.

IV

He hears our praises and complaints;
And while his awful voice
Divides the sinners from the saints,
We tremble and rejoice.

V

Peace be within this sacred place,
And joy a constant guest!
With holy gifts and heavenly grace
Be her attendants blest!

VI

My soul shall pray for Zion still,
While life or breath remains;
There my best friends, my kindred dwell,
There God my Saviour reigns.

PSALM 122. Proper Tune. The same.

[How pleas'd and blest was I]

I

How pleas'd and blest was I
To hear the people cry,
‘Come, let us seek our God to-day!’
Yes, with a cheerful zeal,
We haste to Zion's hill,
And there our vows and honours pay.

I

Firm and unmov'd are they
That rest their souls on God;
Firm as the mount where David dwelt,
Or where the ark abode.

II

As mountains stood to guard
The city's sacred ground,
So God and his almighty love
Embrace his saints around.

III

What tho' the Father's rod
Drop a chastising stroke,
Yet, lest it wound their souls too deep,
Its fury shall be broke.

IV

Deal gently, Lord, with those
Whose faith and pious fear,
Whose hope, and love, and every grace
Proclaim their hearts sincere.

V

Nor shall the tyrant's rage
Too long oppress the saint;
The God of Israel will support
His children lest they faint.

224

VI

But if our slavish fear
Will choose the road to hell,
We must expect our portion there
Where bolder sinners dwell.

The last stanza of this metre more clearly expresses the true sense of the Psalmist in this place.

PSALM 126. (L. M.) Surprising Deliverance.

I

When God restor'd our captive state,
Joy was our song, and grace our theme;
The grace beyond our hopes so great,
That joy appear'd a painted dream.

II

The scoffer owns thy hand, and pays
Unwilling honours to thy name;
While we with pleasure shout thy praise,
With cheerful notes thy love proclaim.

III

When we review our dismal fears,
'Twas hard to think they'd vanish so;
With God we left our flowing tears,
He makes our joys like rivers flow.

IV

The man that in his furrow'd field
His scatter'd seed with sadness leaves,
Will shout to see the harvest yield
A welcome load of joyful sheaves.

PSALM 128. (C. M.) The Joy of a remarkable Conversion; or, Melancholy removed.

I

When God reveal'd his gracious name,
And chang'd my mournful state,
My rapture seem'd a pleasing dream,
The grace appear'd so great.

II

225

PSALM 128. (C. M.) Family Blessings.

I

O happy man whose soul is fill'd
With zeal and reverend awe!
His lips to God their honours yield,
His life adorns the law.

II

A careful Providence shall stand
And ever guard thy head,
Shall on the labours of thy hand
Its kindly blessings shed.

III

Thy wife shall be a fruitful vine;
Thy children round thy board,
Each like a plant of honour shine,
And learn to fear the Lord.

IV

The Lord shall thy best hopes fulfil
For months and years to come;
The Lord, who dwells on Zion's hill,
Shall send thee blessings home.

V

This is the man whose happy eyes
Shall see his house increase,
Shall see the sinking church arise,
Then leave the world in peace.

PSALM 129. (C. M.) Persecutors punished.

I

Up from my youth, may Israel say,
Have I been nurs'd in tears;
My griefs were constant as the day,
And tedious as the years.

II

Up from my youth I bore the rage
Of all the sons of strife;
Oft they assail'd my riper age,
But not destroy'd my life.

III

Their cruel plough had torn my flesh
With furrows long and deep,
Hourly they vex my wounds afresh,
Nor let my sorrows sleep.

IV

The Lord grew angry on his throne,
And with impartial eye
Measur'd the mischiefs they had done,
Then let his arrows fly.

V

How was their insolence surpris'd
To hear his thunders roll!
And all the foes of Zion siez'd
With horror to the soul.

VI

Thus shall the men that hate the saints
Be blasted from the sky;
Their glory fades, their courage faints,
And all their projects die.

VII

What tho' they flourish tall and fair,
They have no root beneath;
Their growth shall perish in despair,
And lie despis'd in death.

VIII

So corn that on the house-top stands
No hope of harvest gives;
The reaper ne'er shall fill his hands,
Nor binder fold the sheaves.

IX

It springs and withers on the place:
No traveller bestows
A word of blessing on the grass,
Nor minds it as he goes.

PSALM 130. (C. M.) Pardoning Grace.

I

Out of the deeps of long distress,
The borders of despair,
I sent my cries to seek thy grace,
My groans to move thine ear.

II

Great God, should thy severer eye,
And thine impartial hand,
Mark and revenge iniquity,
No mortal flesh could stand.

III

But there are pardons with my God
For crimes of high degree;
Thy Son has bought them with his blood
To draw us near to thee.

IV

I wait for thy salvation, Lord,
With strong desires I wait;
My soul, invited by thy word,
Stands watching at thy gate.

V

Just as the guards that keep the night
Long for the morning skies,
Watch the first beams of breaking light,
And meet them with their eyes;

VI

So waits my soul to see thy grace,
And more intent than they,
Meets the first openings of thy face,
And finds a brighter day.

VII

Then in the Lord let Israel trust,
Let Israel seek his face;
The Lord is good as well as just,
And plenteous is his grace.

226

VIII

There's full redemption at his throne
For sinners long enslav'd;
The great Redeemer is his Son,
And Israel shall be sav'd.

PSALM 130. (L. M.) Pardoning Grace.

I

From deep distress and troubled thoughts,
To thee, my God, I rais'd my cries;
If thou severely mark our faults,
No flesh can stand before thine eyes.

II

IV

Here will I meet the hungry poor,
And fill their souls with living bread;
Sinners that wait before my door,
With sweet provision shall be fed.

V

Girded with truth and cloth'd with grace,
My priests, my ministers shall shine:
Not Aaron in his costly dress,
Made an appearance so divine.

VI

The saints, unable to contain
Their inward joys, shall shout and sing;
The Son of David here shall reign,
And Zion triumph in her King.

VII

Jesus shall see a numerous seed
Born here, t'uphold his glorious name;
His crown shall flourish on his head,
While all his foes are cloth'd with shame!

PSALM 132. v. 4, 5, 7, 8, 15–17. (C. M.) A Church established.

I

No sleep nor slumber to his eyes
Good David would afford,
Till he had found below the skies
A dwelling for the Lord.

II

The Lord in Zion plac'd his name,
His ark was settled there;
To Zion the whole nation came
To worship thrice a year.

III

But we have no such lengths to go,
Nor wander far abroad;
Where'er thy saints assemble now,
There is a house for God.

227

IV

Arise, O King of grace, arise,
And enter to thy rest!
Lo! thy church waits, with longing eyes,
Thus to be own'd and blest.

V

Enter with all thy glorious train,
Thy Spirit and thy word;
All that the ark did once contain
Could no such grace afford.

VI

Here, mighty God, accept our vows,
Here let thy praise be spread;
Bless the provisions of thy house,
And fill thy poor with bread.

VII

Here let the Son of David reign,
Let God's Anointed shine;
Justice and truth his court maintain,
With love and power divine.

VIII

Here let him hold a lasting throne;
And as his kingdom grows,
Fresh honours shall adorn his crown,
And shame confound his foes.

The God of Zion cheers our hearts
With rays of quickening grace;
The God that spread the heavens abroad,
And rules the swelling seas.

This psalm, with several others near it, is called a Song of Degrees; that is, to be sung on the steps ascending to the tabernacle or temple, as the learned suppose: The king and his attendants sung the two first verses, addressing themselves to the levites that kept the house of the Lord; and the third verse is the response of the levites to the king. There was a necessity of changing the form of this psalm, to suit it to our usual christian worship.

PSALM 135. v. 1–4, 14, 19–21. First Part. (L. M.) The Church is God's House and Care.

I

Praise ye the Lord, exalt his name,
While in his holy courts ye wait,
Ye saints, that to his house belong,
Or stand attending at his gate.

II

Praise ye the Lord: the Lord is good;
To praise his name is sweet employ:
Israel he chose of old, and still
His church is his peculiar joy.

III

The Lord himself will judge his saints;
He treats his servants as his friends;
And when he hears their sore complaints,
Repents the sorrows that he sends.

IV

Thro' every age the Lord declares
His name, and breaks th'oppressor's rod;
He gives his suffering servants rest,
And will be known, ‘Th'almighty God.’

V

Bless ye the Lord, who taste his love,
People and priests exalt his name:
Amongst his saints he ever dwells;
His church is his Jerusalem.

PSALM 135. v. 5–12. Second Part. (L. M.) The Works of Creation, Providence, Redemption of Israel, and Destruction of Enemies.

I

Great is the Lord, exalted high
Above all powers and every throne;
Whate'er he please in earth or sea,
Or heaven or hell, his hand hath done.

II

At his command the vapours rise,
The lightnings flash, the thunders roar:
He pours the rain, he brings the wind,
And tempest from his airy store.

III

'Twas he those dreadful tokens sent,
O Egypt, thro' thy stubborn land;
When all thy first-born beasts and men
Fell dead by his avenging hand.

IV

What mighty nations, mighty kings,
He slew, and their whole country gave
To Israel, whom his hand redeem'd
No more to be proud Pharaoh's slave!

V

His power the same, the same his grace,
That saves us from the hosts of hell;
And heaven he gives us to possess,
Whence those apostate angels fell.

This psalm was too long to be sung at once, yet I could not reduce it into two parts conveniently, without transposing the verses considerably, as in the title. The ejection of the Canaanites, and the inheritance of their land given to Israel, is a fair figure of the inheritance of heaven given to the saints; whence sinning angels were ejected, as in the last stanza.

PSALM 135. (C. M.) Praise due to God, not to Idols.

I

Awake, ye saints; to praise your King,
Your sweetest passions raise,
Your pious pleasure, while you sing,
Increasing with the praise.

II

Great is the Lord; and works unknown
Are his divine employ;
But still his saints are near his throne,
His treasure and his joy.

III

Heaven, earth, and sea, confess his hand;
He bids the vapours rise;
Lightning and storm at his command
Sweep thro' the sounding skies.

IV

All power that gods or kings have claim'd
Is found with him alone;
But heathen gods should ne'er be nam'd
Where our Jehovah's known.

229

V

Which of the stocks or stones they trust
Can give them showers of rain?
In vain they worship glittering dust,
And pray to gold in vain.

VI

Their gods have tongues that cannot talk,
Such as their makers gave:
Their feet were ne'er design'd to walk,
Nor hands have power to save.

VII

Blind are their eyes, their ears are deaf,
Nor hear when mortals pray;
Mortals that wait for their relief,
Are blind and deaf as they.

VIII

O Britain know thy living God,
Serve him with faith and fear;
He makes thy churches his abode,
And claims thine honours there.

This psalm is much abridged in this metre, to reduce the most useful parts of it to one shorter divine song. In the 5th stanza I have borrowed a verse from Jer. xiv. 22. Are there any among the vanities of the gentiles that can cause rain?

PSALM 136. (C. M.) God's Wonders of Creation, Providence, Redemption of Israel, and Salvation of his People.

I

Give thanks to God the sovereign Lord;
His mercies still endure!
And be the King of kings ador'd;
His truth is ever sure.

II

What wonders hath his wisdom done!
How mighty is his hand!
Heaven, earth, and sea, he fram'd alone:
How wide is his command!

III

The sun supplies the day with light;
How bright his counsels shine!
The moon and stars adorn the night;
His works are all divine!

IV

He struck the sons of Egypt dead;
How dreadful is his rod!
And thence with joy his people led:
How gracious is our God!

V

He cleft the swelling sea in two;
His arm is great in might,
And gave the tribes a passage thro';
His power and grace unite.

VI

But Pharaoh's army there he drown'd;
How glorious are his ways!
And brought his saints thro' desert ground:
Eternal be his praise.

VII

Great monarchs fell beneath his hand,
Victorious is his sword;
While Israel took the promis'd land;
And faithful is his word.

VIII

He saw the nations dead in sin;
He felt his pity move:
How sad the state the world was in!
How boundless was his love!

IX

He sent to save us from our woe;
His goodness never fails;
From death, and hell, and every foe;
And still his grace prevails.

X

Give thanks to God the heavenly King;
His mercies still endure!
Let the whole earth his praises sing;
His truth is ever sure.

In every stanza of this psalm I have endeavoured to imitate the chorus or burden of the song, For his mercy endureth for ever; and yet to maintain a perpetual variety.

PSALM 146. (as the 148th Psalm.) The same.

[Give thanks to God most high]

I

Give thanks to God most high,
The universal Lord;
The sovereign King of kings;
And be his grace ador'd.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

II

How mighty is his hand!
What wonders hath he done!
He form'd the earth and seas,
And spread the heavens alone.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abides thy word.

III

His wisdom fram'd the sun
To crown the day with light;
The moon and twinkling stars
To cheer the darksome night.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

230

IV

He smote the first-born sons,
The flower of Egypt, dead:
And thence his chosen tribes
With joy and glory led.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abides thy word.

V

His power and lifted rod
Cleft the Red Sea in two,
And for his people made
A wondrous passage thro'.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

VI

But cruel Pharaoh there
With all his host he drown'd;
And brought his Israel safe
Through a long desert ground.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abides thy word.

VII

The kings of Canaan fell
Beneath his dreadful hand;
While his own servants took
Possession of their land.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

VIII

He saw the nations lie
All perishing in sin,
And pity'd the sad state
The ruin'd world was in.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abides thy word.

IX

He sent his only Son
To save us from our woe,
From Satan, sin, and death,
And every hurtful foe.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

X

Give thanks aloud to God,
To God the heavenly King;
And let the spacious earth
His works and glories sing.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abides thy word.

In this metre and the next, I have maintained the chorus, For his mercy endureth for ever, in a double form, to be used alternately, that is, in every other stanza.

PSALM 136. Abridged. (L. M.) God's Wonders of Creation, Providence, Redemption, and Salvation.

I

Give to our God immortal praise;
Mercy and truth are all his ways:
‘Wonders of grace to God belong,
‘Repeat his mercies in your song.’

II

Give to the Lord of lords renown
The King of kings with glory crown:
‘His mercies ever shall endure,
‘When’ lords and kings are known ‘no more.’

III

He built the earth, he spread the sky,
And fix'd the starry lights on high:
‘Wonders of grace to God belong,
‘Repeat his mercies in your song.’

IV

He fills the sun with morning light,
He bids the moon direct the night:
‘His mercies ever shall endure,
‘When’ suns and moons shall shine ‘no more.’

V

The Jews he freed from Pharaoh's hand,
And brought them to the promis'd land:
‘Wonders of grace to God belong,
‘Repeat his mercies in your song.’

VI

He saw the Gentiles dead in sin,
And felt his pity work within:
‘His mercies ever shall endure,
‘When’ death and sin shall reign ‘no more.’

VII

He sent his Son with power to save
From guilt, and darkness, and the grave:
‘Wonders of grace to God belong,
‘Repeat his mercies in your song.’

VIII

Through this vain world he guides our feet
And leads us to his heavenly seat:
‘His mercies ever shall endure,
‘When’ this vain world shall be ‘no more.’

231

PSALM 138. (L. M.) Restoring and preserving Grace.

I

With all my powers of heart and tongue

Angels or Kings are the Gods before whom the Psalmist would sing praise to his Creator; but common Christians having so little of the presence of kings in their worship, I have mentioned only the company of angels.

I'll praise my Maker in my song:
Angels shall hear the notes I raise,
Approve the song and join the praise.

II

Angels that make thy church their care

Shall witness my devotions there,
While holy zeal directs my eyes
To thy fair temple in the skies.

III

I'll sing thy truth and mercy, Lord,
I'll sing the wonders of thy word;
Not all thy works and names below
So much thy power and glory show.

IV

To God I cry'd when troubles rose;
He heard me, and subdu'd my foes,
He did my rising fears control,
And strength diffus'd thro' all my soul.

V

The God of heaven maintains his state,
Frowns on the proud and scorns the great;
But from his throne descends to see
The sons of humble poverty.

VI

Amidst a thousand snares I stand
Upheld and guarded by thy hand;
Thy words my fainting soul revive,
And keep my dying faith alive.

VII

Grace will complete what grace begins
To save from sorrows or from sins;
The work that wisdom undertakes
Eternal mercy ne'er forsakes.

PSALM 139 First Part. (L. M.) The All-seeing God.

I

Lord, thou hast search'd and seen me thro';
Thine eye commands with piercing view
My rising and my resting hours,
My heart and flesh with all their powers.

II

My thoughts, before they are my own,
Are to my God distinctly known;
He knows the words I mean to speak
Ere from my op'ning lips they break.

III

Within thy circling power I stand;
On every side I find thy hand:
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,
I am surrounded still with God.

IV

Amazing knowledge, vast and great!
What large extent! what lofty height!
My soul, with all the powers I boast,
Is in the boundless prospect lost.

V

‘O may these thoughts possess my breast,
‘Where'er I rove, where'er I rest!
‘Nor let my weaker passions dare
‘Consent to sin, for God is there.’

VI

Could I so false, so faithless prove,
To quit thy service and thy love,
Where, Lord, could I thy presence shun,
Or from thy dreadful glory run?

VII

If up to heaven I take my flight,
'Tis there thou dwell'st enthron'd in light;
Or dive to hell, there vengeance reigns,
And Satan groans beneath thy chains.

VIII

If mounted on a morning ray,
I fly beyond the western sea,
Thy swifter hand would first arrive,
And there arrest thy fugitive.

IX

Or should I try to shun thy sight
Beneath the spreading veil of night,
One glance of thine, one piercing ray,
Would kindle darkness into day.

X

‘O may these thoughts possess my breast,
‘Where'er I rove, where'er I rest!
‘Nor let my weaker passions dare
‘Consent to sin, for God is there.’

XI

The veil of night is no disguise,
No screen from thy all-searching eyes;
Thy hand can seize thy foes as soon
Thro' midnight shades as blazing noon.

XII

Midnight and noon in this agree,
Great God, they're both alike to thee:
Not death can hide what God will spy,
And hell lies naked to his eye.

XIII

‘O may these thoughts possess my breast,
‘Where'er I rove, where'er I rest!
‘Nor let my weaker passions dare
‘Consent to sin, for God is there.’

232

PSALM 139. Second Part. (L. M.) The wonderful Formation of Man.

I

'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came,
A work of such a curious frame;
In me thy fearful wonders shine,
And each proclaims thy skill divine.

II

Thine eyes did all my limbs survey,
Which yet in dark confusion lay;
Thou saw'st the daily growth they took,
Form'd by the model of thy book.

III

By thee my growing parts were nam'd,
And what thy sovereign counsels fram'd,
(The breathing lungs, the beating heart)
Was copy'd with unerring art.

Lord, where shall guilty souls retire,
Forgotten and unknown?
In hell they meet thy dreadful fire,
In heaven thy glorious throne.

VII

Should I suppress my vital breath
To 'scape the wrath divine,
Thy voice would break the bars of death,
And make the grave resign.

233

VIII

If wing'd with beams of morning-light,
I fly beyond the west,
Thy hand, which must support my flight,
Would soon betray my rest.

IX

If o'er my sins I think to draw
The curtains of the night,
Those flaming eyes that guard thy law
Would turn the shades to light.

X

The beams of noon, the midnight hour,
Are both alike to thee;
O may I ne'er provoke that power
From which I cannot flee!

PSALM 139. Second Part. (C.M.) The Wisdom of God in the Formation of Man.

III

O may the righteous, when I stray,
Smite, and reprove my wandering way!
Their gentle words, like ointment shed,
Shall never bruise, but cheer my head.

IV

When I behold them prest with grief,
I'll cry to heaven for their relief;
And by my warm petitions prove
How much I prize their faithful love.

PSALM 142. (C. M.) God is the Hope of the Helpless.

I

To God I made my sorrows known,
From God I sought relief:
In long complaints before his throne
I pour'd out all my grief.

II

My soul was overwhelm'd with woes,
My heart began to break;
My God, who all my burdens knows,
He knows the way I take.

III

On every side I cast mine eye,
And found my helpers gone,
While friends and strangers pass'd me by
Neglected or unknown.

IV

Then did I raise a louder cry,
And call'd thy mercy near,
‘Thou art my portion when I die,
‘Be thou my refuge here.’

234

V

Lord, I am brought exceeding low,
Now let thine ear attend,
And make my foes who vex me know
I've an almighty friend.

VI

From my sad prison set me free,
Then shall I praise thy name,
And holy men shall join with me
Thy kindness to proclaim.

PSALM 143. (L. M.) Complaint of heavy Afflictions in Mind and Body.

I

My righteous Judge, my gracious God,
Hear when I spread my hands abroad
And cry for succour from thy throne,
O make thy truth and mercy known.

II

Let judgment not against me pass;
Behold thy servant pleads thy grace;
Should justice call us to thy bar,
No man alive is guiltless there.

III

Look down in pity, Lord, and see
The mighty woes that burden me;
Down to the dust my life is brought,
Like one long bury'd and forgot.

IV

I dwell in darkness and unseen,
My heart is desolate within;
My thoughts in musing silence trace
The ancient wonders of thy grace.

V

Thence I derive a glimpse of hope
To bear my sinking spirits up;
I stretch my hands to God again,
And thirst like parched lands for rain.

VI

For thee I thirst, I pray, I mourn;
When will thy smiling face return?
Shall all my joys on earth remove?
And God for ever hide his love?

VII

My God, thy long delay to save
Will sink thy prisoner to the grave;
My heart grows faint, and dim mine eye;
Make haste to help before I die.

VIII

The night is witness to my tears,
Distressing pains, distressing fears;
O might I hear thy morning voice,
How would my weary'd powers rejoice!

IX

In thee I trust, to thee I sigh,
And lift my heavy soul on high,
For thee sit waiting all the day,
And wear the tiresome hours away.

X

Break off my fetters, Lord, and show
Which is the path my feet should go;
If snares and foes beset the road,
I flee to hide me near my God.

XI

Teach me to do thy holy will,
And lead me to thy heavenly hill;
Let the good Spirit of thy love
Conduct me to thy courts above.

XII

PSALM 145. (S. M.) The Greatness of God.

I

My God, my King, thy various praise
Shall fill the remnant of my days;
Thy grace employ my humble tongue
Till death and glory raise the song.

II

The wings of every hour shall bear
Some thankful tribute to thine ear;
And every setting sun shall see
New works of duty done for thee.

III

Thy truth and justice I'll proclaim;
Thy bounty flows, an endless stream,
Thy mercy swift, thine anger slow,
But dreadful to the stubborn foe.

IV

Thy works with sovereign glory shine,
And speak thy majesty divine;
Let Britain round her shores proclaim
The sound and honour of thy name.

V

Let distant times and nations raise
The long succession of thy praise;
And unborn ages make my song
The joy and labour of their tongue.

VI

But who can speak thy wondrous deeds?
Thy greatness all our thoughts exceeds!
Vast and unsearchable thy ways!
Vast and immortal be thy praise.

The verses of this psalm are here transposed in this manner; namely, 1, 2, 7, 8, 5, 6, 4, 3.

PSALM 145. v. 1–7, 11–13. First Part. (C. M.) The same.

[Long as I live I'll bless thy name]

I

Long as I live I'll bless thy name,
My King, my God of love;
My work and joy shall be the same
In the bright world above.

II

Great is the Lord, his power unknown,
And let his praise be great:
I'll sing the honours of thy throne,
Thy works of grace repeat.

III

Thy grace shall dwell upon my tongue;
And while my lips rejoice,
The men that hear my sacred song
Shall join their cheerful voice.

IV

Fathers to sons shall teach thy name,
And children learn thy ways;
Ages to come thy truth proclaim,
And nations sound thy praise.

V

Thy glorious deeds of ancient date
Shall thro' the world be known;
Thine arm of power, thy heavenly state,
With public splendor shown.

VI

The world is manag'd by thy hands,
Thy saints are rul'd by love;
And thine eternal kingdom stands,
Tho' rocks and hills remove.

PSALM 145. v. 7, &c. Second Part. (C. M.) The Goodness of God.

I

Sweet is the memory of thy grace,
My God, my heavenly King!
Let age to age thy righteousness
In sounds of glory sing.

II

God reigns on high, but not confines
His goodness to the skies;
Thro' the whole earth his bounty shines,
And every want supplies.

III

With longing eyes thy creatures wait
On thee for daily food,
Thy lib'ral hand provides their meat
And fills their mouths with good.

IV

How kind are thy compassions, Lord!
How slow thine anger moves!
But soon he sends his pardoning word
To cheer the souls he loves.

236

V

Creatures, with all their endless race,
Thy power and praise proclaim;
But saints that taste thy richer grace
Delight to bless thy name.

The verses of this psalm are here transposed thus, 7, 9, 15, 16, 8, 10.

PSALM 145. v 14, 17, &c. Third Part. (C. M.) Mercy to Sufferers; or, God hearing Prayer.

I

Let every tongue thy goodness speak,
Thou sovereign Lord of all;
Thy strengthening hands uphold the weak,
And raise the poor that fall.

II

When sorrow bows the spirit down,
Or virtue lies distrest
Beneath some proud oppressor's frown,
Thou giv'st the mourners rest.

III

The Lord supports our tottering days,
And guides our giddy youth;
Holy and just are all his ways,
And all his words are truth.

IV

He knows the pains his servants feel,
He hears his children cry,
And their best wishes to fulfil
His grace is ever nigh.

V

His mercy never shall remove
From men of heart sincere;
He saves the souls whose humble love
Is join'd with holy fear.

VI

His stubborn foes his sword shall slay,
And pierce their hearts with pain;
But none that serve the Lord shall say,
‘They sought his aid in vain.’

VII

My lips shall dwell upon his praise,
And spread his fame abroad;
Let all the sons of Adam raise
The honours of their God.

The various transpositions that I have made in several parts of this psalm, were necessary to divide it into proper lengths for public worship, and to reduce the verses of a like sense together.

PSALM 146. (L. M.) Praise to God for his Goodness and Truth.

I

Praise ye the Lord, my heart shall join
In work so pleasant, so divine,
Now while the flesh is mine abode,
And when my soul ascends to God.

II

Praise shall employ my noblest powers,
While immortality endures;
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life and thought and being last.

III

Why should I make a man my trust?
Princes must die and turn to dust;
Their breath departs, their pomp and power
And thoughts, all vanish in an hour.

IV

Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel's God: he made the sky,
And earth and seas with all their train,
And none shall find his promise vain.

V

His truth for ever stands secure;
He saves th'opprest, he feeds the poor;
He sends the labouring conscience peace,
And grants the prisoner sweet release.

VI

The Lord hath eyes to give the blind;
The Lord supports the sinking mind;
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow and the fatherless.

VII

He loves his saints, he knows them well,
But turns the wicked down to hell:
Thy God, O Zion, ever reigns;
Praise him in everlasting strains.

This psalm consists so much in single sentences, that a small and easy transposition of the verses, with a very few lines added, will afford a metre to the tune of the cxiiith psalm, with a repetition of the first stanza at the end to complete the tune, as follows.

PSALM 146. As the 113th Psalm. Praise to God for his Goodness and Truth.

I

I'll praise my Maker with my breath;
And when my voice is lost in death
Praise shall employ my nobler powers:
My days of praise shall ne'er be past
While life and thought and being last,
Or immortality endures.

II

Why should I make a man my trust?
Princes must die and turn to dust;
Vain is the help of flesh and blood:
Their breath departs, their pomp and power,
And thoughts all vanish in an hour,
Nor can they make their promise good.

III

Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel's God: he made the sky,
And earth and seas with all their train;
His truth for ever stands secure;
He saves th'opprest, he feeds the poor,
And none shall find his promise vain.

237

IV

The Lord hath eyes to give the blind;
The Lord supports the sinking mind;
He sends the labouring conscience peace:
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow and the fatherless,
And grants the prisoner sweet release.

V

He loves his saints; he knows them well,
But turns the wicked down to hell;
Thy God, O Zion, ever reigns:
Let every tongue let every age,
In this exalted work engage;
Praise him in everlasting strains.

VI

I'll praise him while he lends me breath,
And when my voice is lost in death
Praise shall employ my nobler powers:
My days of praise shall ne'er be past
While life and thought and being last,
Or immortality endures.

PSALM 147. First Part. (L. M.) The divine Nature, Providence and Grace.

I

Praise ye the Lord; 'tis good to raise
Our hearts and voices in his praise;
His nature and his works invite
To make this duty our delight.

II

The Lord builds up Jerusalem,
And gathers nations to his name:
His mercy melts the stubborn soul,
And makes the broken spirit whole.

III

He form'd the stars, those heavenly flames,
He counts their numbers, calls their names:
His wisdom's vast, and knows no bound,
A deep where all our thoughts are drown'd.

IV

Great is our Lord, and great his might;
And all his glories infinite:
He crowns the meek, rewards the just,
And treads the wicked to the dust.

V

Sing to the Lord, exalt him high,
Who spreads his cloud all round the sky;
There he prepares the fruitful rain,
Nor lets the drops descend in vain.

VI

He makes the grass the hills adorn,
And clothes the smiling fields with corn,
The beasts with food his hands supply,
And the young ravens when they cry.

VII

What is the creature's skill or force,
The sprightly man, the warlike horse,
The nimble wit, the active limb?
All are too mean delights for him.

VIII

But saints are lovely in his sight;
He views his children with delight:
He sees their hope, he knows their fear,
And looks and loves his image there.

PSALM 147. Second Part. (L. M.) Summer and Winter.

A Song for Great Britian.

I

O Britain, praise thy mighty God,
And make his honours known abroad;
He bid the ocean round thee flow;
Not bars of brass could guard thee so.

II

Thy children are secure and blest;
Thy shores have peace, thy cities rest;
He feeds thy sons with finest wheat,
And adds his blessing to their meat.

III

Thy changing seasons he ordains,
Thine early and thy later rains.
His flakes of snow like wool he sends,
And thus the springing corn defends.

IV

With hoary frost he strews the ground;
His hail descends with clattering sound:
Where is the man so vainly bold
That dares defy his dreadful cold?

V

He bids the southern breezes blow,
The ice dissolves, the waters flow:
But he hath nobler works and ways
To call the Britons to his praise.

VI

To all the isle his laws are shown,
His gospel thro' the nation known;
He hath not thus reveal'd his word
To every land: Praise ye the Lord.

PSALM 147. v. 7–9, 13–18. (C. M.) The Seasons of the Year.

I

With songs and honours sounding loud
Address the Lord on high:
Over the heavens he spreads his cloud,
And waters veil the sky.

II

He sends his showers of blessing down
To cheer the plains below;
He makes the grass the mountains crown,
And corn in vallies grow.

238

III

He gives the grazing ox his meat,
He hears the ravens cry;
But man, who tastes his finest wheat,
Should raise his honours high.

IV

His steady counsels change the face
Of the declining year;
He bids the son cut short his race,
And wintry days appear.

V

His hoary frost, his fleecy snow
Descend and clothe the ground;
The liquid streams forbear to flow,
In icy fetters bound.

VI

When from his dreadful stores on high
He pours the rattling hail,
The wretch that dares this God defy
Shall find his courage fail.

VII

He sends his word and melts the snow,
The fields no longer mourn;
He calls the warmer gales to blow,
And bids the spring return.

VIII

The changing wind, the flying cloud,
Obey his mighty word:
With songs and honours sounding loud,
Praise ye the sovereign Lord.

PSALM 148. (P. M.) Praise to God from all Creatures.

I

Ye tribes of Adam, join
With heaven, and earth, and seas,
And offer notes divine
To your Creator's praise:
Ye holy throng
Of angels bright,
In worlds of light
Begin the song.

II

Thou sun with dazzling rays,
And moon that rules the night,
Shine to your Maker's praise,
With stars of twinkling light:
His power declare,
Ye floods on high,
And clouds that fly
In empty air.

III

The shining worlds above
In glorious order stand,
Or in swift courses move
By his supreme command:
He spake the word,
And all their frame
From nothing came
To praise the Lord.

IV

He mov'd their mighty wheels
In unknown ages past,
And each his word fulfils
While time and nature last:
In different ways
His works proclaim
His wondrous name,
And speak his prase.

V

Let all the earth-born race,
Let monsters of the deep,
The fish that cleave the seas
Or in their bosom sleep,
From sea and shore
Their tribute pay,
And still display
Their Maker's power.

VI

Ye vapours, hail, and snow,
Praise ye th'Almighty Lord,
And stormy winds that blow
To execute his word:
When lightnings shine,
Or thunders roar,
Let earth adore
His hand divine.

VII

Ye mountains near the skies,
With lofty cedars there,
And trees of humbler size
That fruit in plenty bear;
Beasts wild and tame,
Birds, flies, and worms,
In various forms
Exalt his name.

VIII

Ye kings and judges, fear
The Lord, the sovereign King;
And while you rule us here,
His heavenly honours sing:
Nor let the dream
Of power and state
Make you forget
His power supreme.

239

IX

Virgins, and youths, engage
To sound his praise divine,
While infancy and age
Their feebler voices join:
Wide as he reigns
His name be sung
By every tongue
In endless strains.

X

Let all the nations fear
The God that rules above;
He brings his people near,
And makes them taste his love:
While earth and sky
Attempt his praise,
His saints shall raise
His honours high.

PSALM 148. Paraphrased. (L, M.) Universal Praise to God.

I

Loud hallelujahs to the Lord,
From distant worlds where creatures dwell;
Let heaven begin the solemn word,
And sound it dreadful down to hell.

[_]

Note, This psalm may be sung to the tune of the old 112th or 127th psalm, if these two lines be added to every stanza, namely,

Each of his works his name displays,
But they can ne'er fulfil the praise.

Otherwise it must be sung to the usual tunes of the Long Metre.

II

The Lord! how absolute he reigns!
Let ev'ry angel bend the knee;
Sing of his love in heavenly strains,
And speak how fierce his terrors be.

III

High on a throne his glories dwell,
An awful throne of shining bliss:
Fly thro' the world O sun, and tell
How dark thy beams compar'd to his.

IV

Awake, ye tempests, and his fame
In sounds of dreadful praise declare;
And the sweet wisper of his name
Fill every gentler breeze of air.

V

Let clouds, and winds, and waves agree
To join their praise with blazing fire;
Let the firm earth, and rolling sea,
In this eternal song conspire.

VI

Ye flowery plains, proclaim his skill;
Vallies, lie low before his eye;
And let his praise from every hill
Rise tuneful to the neighbouring sky.

VII

Ye stubborn oaks, and stately pines,
Bend your high branches and adore:
Praise him, ye beasts, in different strains;
The lamb must bleat, the lion roar.

VIII

Birds, ye must make his praise your theme,
Nature demands a song from you:
While the dumb fish that cut the stream
Leap up, and mean his praises too.

IX

Mortals, can you refrain your tongue,
When nature all around you sings?
O for a shout from old and young,
From humble swains and lofty kings!

X

Wide as his vast dominion lies
Make the Creator's name be known;
Loud as his thunder shout his praise,
And sound it lofty as his throne.

XI

Jehovah! 'tis a glorious word,
O may it dwell on every tongue!
But saints who best have known the Lord
Are bound to raise the noblest song.

XII

Speak of the wonders of that love
Which Gabriel plays on every chord:
From all below and all above,
Loud hallelujahs to the Lord!

PSALM 148. (S. M.) Universal Praise.

I

Let every creature join
To praise th'eternal God;
Ye heavenly hosts the song begin,
And sound his name abroad.

II

Thou sun with golden beams,
And moon with paler rays,
Ye starry lights, ye twinkling flames,
Shine to your Maker's praise.

III

He built those worlds above,
And fix'd their wondrous frame;
By his command they stand or move,
And ever speak his name.

IV

Ye vapours, when ye rise,
Or fall in showers, or snow,
Ye thunders murm'ring round the skies,
His power and glory show.

V

Wind, hail, and flashing fire,
Agree to praise the Lord,
When ye in dreadful storms conspire
To execute his word.

240

VI

By all his works above
His honours be exprest;
But saints that taste his saving love
Should sing his praises best.

VII

Let earth and ocean know
They owe their Maker praise;
Praise him, ye watery worlds below,
And monsters of the seas.

VIII

From mountains near the sky
Let his high praise resound,
From humble shrubs and cedars high,
And vales and fields around.

IX

Ye lions of the wood,
And tamer beasts that graze,
Ye live upon his daily food
And he expects your praise.

X

Ye birds of lofty wing,
On high his praises bear;
Or sit on flowery boughs, and sing
Your Maker's glory there.

XI

Ye creeping ants and worms,
His various wisdom show,
And flies, in all your shining swarms,
Praise him that dress'd you so.

XII

By all the earth-born race
His honours be exprest;
But saints that know his heavenly grace
Should learn to praise him best.

XIII

Monarchs of wide command,
Praise ye th'eternal King;
Judges, adore that sovereign hand
Whence all your honours spring.

XIV

Let vigorous youth engage
To sound his praises high;
While growing babes, and withering age,
Their feebler voices try.

XV

United zeal be shown
His wondrous fame to raise:
God is the Lord: his name alone
Deserves our endless praise.

XVI

Let nature join with art,
And all pronounce him blest;
But saints that dwell so near his heart
Should sing his praises best.

PSALM 149. (C. M.) Praise God, all Saints; or, the Saints judging the World.

I

All ye that love the Lord, rejoice,
And let your songs be new;
Amidst the church with cheerful voice
His later wonders shew.

II

The Jews, the people of his grace,
Shall their Redeemer sing;
And Gentile nations join the praise,
While Zion owns her king.

III

The Lord takes pleasure in the just
Whom sinners treat with scorn;
The meek that lie despis'd in dust
Salvation shall adorn.

IV

Saints should be joyful in their King,
Ev'n on a dying bed;
And like the souls in glory sing,
For God shall raise the dead.

V

Then his high praise shall fill their tongues,
Their hands shall wield the sword;
And vengeance shall attend their songs,
The vengeance of the Lord.

VI

When Christ his judgment-seat ascends,
And bids the world appear,
Thrones are prepar'd for all his friends,
Who humbly lov'd him here.

VII

Then shall they rule with iron rod
Nations that dar'd rebel;
And join the sentence of their God
On tyrants doom'd to hell.

VIII

The royal sinners bound in chains
New triumphs shall afford;
Such honour for the saints remains:
Praise ye, and love the Lord.

This psalm seems to be written to encourage the Jews in their wars against the heathen princes of Canaan, who were divinely sentenced to destruction: but the last four verses of it have been too much abused in latter ages to promote sedition and disturbance in the state; so that I chose to refer this honour, that is here given to all the saints, to the day of judgment, according to those expressions in the New Testament, Matt. xix. 28. Ye shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the tribes, &c. 1 Cor. vi. 3. We shall judge angels, Rev. ii. 27. and iii. 21. I will give him power over the nations; he shall rule them with a rod of iron, &c.

241

PSALM 150. v. 1, 2, 6. (C. M.) A Song of Praise.

I

In God's own house pronounce his praise,
His grace he there reveals;
To heaven your joy and wonder raise,
For there his glory dwells.

II

Let all your sacred passions move,
While you rehearse his deeds;
But the great work of saving love
Your highest praise exceeds.

III

All that have motion, life, and breath,
Proclaim your Maker blest;
Yet when my voice expires in death,
My soul shall praise him best.

The greatest part of this psalm suits not my chief design; I have therefore imitated only the first two verses and the last, in a short Doxology, or song of praise.

Yet, since the Christian Doxology is more used in Christian assemblies, I have added that also.

THE CHRISTIAN DOXOLOGY.

Long Metre.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit Three in One,
Be honour, praise, and glory given,
By all on earth, and all in heaven.

Common Metre.

Let God the Father, and the Son,
And Spirit be ador'd,
Where there are works to make him known,
Or saints to love the Lord.

Common Metre.

I

The God of mercy be ador'd,
Who calls our souls from death,
Who saves by his redeeming word,
And new-creating breath.

II

To praise the Father and the Son
And Spirit all divine,
The One in Three, and Three in One,
Let saints and angels join.

Short Metre.

Ye angels round the throne,
And saints that dwell below,
Worship the Father, praise the Son,
And bless the Spirit too.

As the 113th Psalm.

Now to the great and sacred Three,
The Father, Son, and Spirit be
Eternal praise and glory given,
Thro' all the worlds where God is known,
By all the angels near the throne,
And all the saints in earth and heaven.

As the 148th Psalm.

To God the Father's throne
Perpetual honours raise;
Glory to God the Son,
To God the Spirit praise;
With all our powers,
Eternal King,
Thy name we sing,
While faith adores.

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HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, IN THREE BOOKS.

AND THEY SUNG A NEW SONG, SAYING, THOU ART WORTHY, &C. FOR THOU WAST SLAIN, AND HAST REDEEMED US, &C. REV. V. 9.

SOLITI ESSENT (i. e. CHRISTIANI) CONVENIRE, CARMENQUE CHRISTO QUASI DEO DICERE. Plinius in Epist.

257

BOOK I. COLLECTED FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

HYMN 1. (C. M.) A new Song to the Lamb that was slain, Rev. v. 6, 8, 9, 10, 12.

I

Behold the glories of the Lamb
Amidst his Father's throne:
Prepare new honours for his name,
And songs before unknown.

II

Let elders worship at his feet,
The church adore around,
With vials full of odours sweet,
And harps of sweeter sound.

III

Those are the prayers of the saints,
And these the hymns they raise:
Jesus is kind to our complaints,
He loves to hear our praise.

IV

Eternal Father, who shall look
Into thy secret will?
Who but the Son should take that book
And open every seal?

V

He shall fulfil thy great decrees,
The Son deserves it well;
Lo, in his hand the sovereign keys
Of heaven, and death, and hell!

VI

Now to the Lamb that once was slain
Be endless blessings paid;
Salvation, glory, joy remain
For ever on thy head.

VII

Thou hast redeem'd our souls with blood,
Hast set the prisoners free,
Hast made us kings and priests to God,
And we shall reign with thee.

VIII

The worlds of nature and of grace
Are put beneath thy power;
Then shorten these delaying days,
And bring the promis'd hour.

HYMN 2. (L. M.) The Deity and Humanity of Christ, John i. 1, 3, 14. Col. i. 16. Eph. iii. 9, 10.

I

Ere the blue heavens was stretch'd abroad
From everlasting was the word;
With God he was; the word was God,
And must divinely be ador'd.

II

By his own power were all things made;
By him supported all things stand;
He is the whole creation's head,
And angel's fly at his command.

III

Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,
He led the host of morning stars;
(Thy generation who can tell,
Or count the numbers of the years?)

IV

But lo, he leaves those heavenly forms,
The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That he may hold converse with worms,
Drest in such feeble flesh as they.

258

V

Mortals with joy beheld his face,
Th'eternal Father's only Son;
How full of truth! how full of grace!
When thro' his eyes the Godhead shone!

VI

Archangels leave their high abode
To learn new mysteries here, and tell
The loves of our descending God,
The glories of Immanuel.

HYMN 3. (S. M.) The Nativity of Christ, Luke i. 30, &c. Luke ii. 10. &c.

I

Behold, the grace appears,
The promise is fulfil'd;
Mary the wondrous virgin bears,
And Jesus is the child.

II

The Lord, the highest God,
Calls him his only Son;
He bids him rule the lands abroad,
And gives him David's throne.

III

O'er Jacob shall he reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall his grace obtain,
His kingdom ne'er decay.

IV

To bring the glorious news
A heavenly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.

V

‘Go, humble swains,’ said he,
‘To David's city fly;
‘The promis'd infant born to-day
‘Doth in a manger lie.

VI

‘With looks and hearts serene,
‘Go visit Christ your King;’
And straight a flaming troop was seen;
The shepherds heard them sing:

VII

‘Glory to God on high,
‘And heavenly peace on earth,
‘Good-will to men, to angels joy,
‘At the Redeemer's birth!’

VIII

In worship so divine
Let saints employ their tongues,
With the celestial host we join,
And loud repeat their songs:

IX

‘Glory to God on high,
‘And heavenly peace on earth,
‘Good-will to men, to angels joy,
‘At our Redeemer's birth.’

Hymn 4 referred to Psalm 2.

HYMN 5. (C. M.) Submission to afflictive Providences, Job. i. 21.

I

Naked as from the earth we came,
And crept to life at first,
We to the earth return again,
And mingle with our dust.

II

The dear delights we here enjoy,
And fondly call our own,
Are but short favours borrow'd now,
To be repaid anon.

III

'Tis God that lifts our comforts high,
Or sinks them in the grave;
He gives, and (blessed be his name!)
He takes but what he gave.

IV

Peace, all our angry passions, then,
Let each rebellious sigh
Be silent at his sovereign will,
And every murmur die.

V

If smiling mercy crown our lives
Its praises shall be spread,
And we'll adore the justice too
That strikes our comforts dead.

HYMN 6. (C. M.) Triumph over Death, Job. xix. 25–27.

I

Great God, I own thy sentence just,
And nature must decay;
I yield my body to the dust
To dwell with fellow-clay.

II

Yet faith may triumph o'er the grave,
And trample on the tombs:
My Jesus, my Redeemer lives,
My God, my Saviour comes.

III

The mighty conqueror shall appear
High on a royal seat,
And death the last of all his foes
Lie vanquish'd at his feet.

IV

Tho' greedy worms devour my skin,
And gnaw my wasting flesh,
When God shall build my bones again,
He clothes them all afresh.

V

Then shall I see thy lovely face
With strong immortal eyes,
And feast upon thy unknown grace
With pleasure and surprise.

259

HYMN 7. (C. M.) The Invitation of the Gospel; or, Spiritual Food and Clothing, Isaiah lv. 1, &c.

I

Let every mortal ear attend,
And every heart rejoice,
The trumpet of the gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.

II

Ho, all ye hungry starving souls,
That feed upon the wind,
And vainly strive with earthly toys
To fill an empty mind.

III

Eternal Wisdom has prepar'd
A soul-reviving feast,
And bids your longing appetites
The rich provision taste.

IV

Ho, ye that pant for living streams,
And pine away and die,
Here you may quench your raging thirst
With springs that never dry.

V

Rivers of love and mercy here
In a rich ocean join;
Salvation in abundance flows,
Like floods of milk and wine.

VI

Ye perishing and naked poor,
Who work with mighty pain
To weave a garment of your own
That will not hide your sin,

VII

Come naked, and adorn your souls
In robes prepar'd by God,
Wrought by the labours of his Son,
And dy'd in his own blood.

VIII

Dear God, the treasures of thy love
Are everlasting mines,
Deep as our helpless miseries are,
And boundless as our sins.

IX

The happy gates of gospel grace
Stand open night and day,
Lord we are come to seek supplies,
And drive our wants away.

HYMN 8. (C. M.) The Safety and Protection of the Church, Isaiah xxvi. 1–6.

I

How honourable is the place
Where we adoring stand,
Zion the glory of the earth,
And beauty of the land!

II

Bulwarks of mighty grace defend
The city where we dwell,
The walls of strong salvation made,
Defy th'assaults of hell.

III

Lift up the everlasting gates,
The doors wide open fling,
Enter, ye nations, that obey
The statutes of our king.

IV

Here shall you taste unmingled joys,
And live in perfect peace,
You that have known Jehovah's name,
And ventur'd on his grace;

V

Trust in the Lord, for ever trust,
And banish all your fears;
Strength in the Lord Jehovah dwells,
Eternal as his years.

VI

What though the rebels dwell on high,
His arm shall bring them low,
Low as the caverns of the grave
Their lofty heads shall bow.

VII

On Babylon our feet shall tread
In that rejoicing hour,
The ruins of her walls shall spread
A pavement for the poor.

HYMN 9. (C. M.) The Promises of the Covenant of Grace, Isaiah lv. 1, 2. Zech. xiii. 1. Mic. vii. 19. Ezek. xxxvi. 25, &c.

III

‘The mysteries of redeeming grace
‘Are hidden from the wise,
‘While pride and carnal reasonings join
‘To swell and blind their eyes.’

IV

Thus doth the Lord of heaven and earth
His great decrees fulfil,
And orders all his works of grace
By his own sovereign will.

261

HYMN 13. (L. M.) The Son of God incarnate; or, the Titles and the Kingdom of Christ, Isaiah ix. 2, 6, 7.

I

The lands that long in darkness lay
Now have beheld a heavenly light;
Nations that sat in death's cold shade
Are blest with beams divinely bright.

II

The virgin's promis'd Son is born,
Behold the expected child appear;
What shall his names or titles be?
The Wonderful, the Counsellor.

III

This infant is the mighty God
Come to be suckled and ador'd;
Th'eternal Father, Prince of Peace,
The Son of David, and his Lord.

IV

The government of earth and seas
Upon his shoulders shall be laid;
His wide dominions still increase,
And honours to his name be paid.

V

Jesus the holy child shall sit
High on his father David's throne,
Shall crush his foes beneath his feet,
And reign to ages yet unknown.

HYMN 14. (L. M.) The Triumph of Faith; or, Christ's unchangeable Love, Romans viii. 33, &c.

I

Who shall the Lord's elect condemn?
'Tis God that justifies their souls,
And mercy like a mighty stream
O'er all their sins divinely rolls.

II

Who shall adjudge the saints to hell?
'Tis Christ that suffer'd in their stead,
And the salvation to fulfil,
Behold him rising from the dead.

III

He lives, he lives, and sits above,
For ever interceding there:
Who shall divde us from his love?
Or what should tempt us to despair?

IV

Shall persecution, or distress,
Famine, or sword, or nakedness?
He that hath lov'd us bears us thro'.
And makes us more than conquerors too.

V

Faith hath an overcoming power,
It triumphs in the dying hour;
Christ is our life, our joy, our hope,
Nor can we sink with such a prop.

VI

Not all that men on earth can do,
Nor powers on high, nor powers below,
Shall cause his mercy to remove,
Or wean our hearts from Christ our love.

HYMN 15. (L. M.) Our own Weakness, and Christ our Strength, 2 Cor. xii. 7, 9, 10.

I

Let me but hear my Saviour say,
‘Strength shall be equal to thy day,’
Then I rejoice in deep distress,
Leaning on all-sufficient grace.

II

I glory in infirmity,
That Christ's own power may rest on me;
When I am weak, then am I strong,
Grace is my shield, and Christ my song.

III

I can do all things, or can bear
All sufferings, if my Lord be there;
Sweet pleasures mingle with the pains,
While his left hand my head sustains.

IV

But if the Lord be once withdrawn,
And we attempt the work alone,
When new temptations spring and rise
We find how great our weakness is.

V

So Samson, when his hair was lost,
Met the Philistines to his cost,
Shook his vain limbs with sad surprise,
Made feeble fight, and lost his eyes.

HYMN 16. (C. M.) Hosanna to Christ, Matt. xxi. 9. Luke xix. 38, 40.

I

Hosanna to the royal Son
Of David's ancient line,
His natures two, his person one,
Mysterious and divine.

II

The root of David here we find,
And offspring is the same;
Eternity and time are join'd
In our Immanuel's name.

III

Bless'd he that comes to wretched men
With peaceful news from heaven;
Hosannas of the highest strain
To Christ the Lord be given.

VI

Let mortals ne'er refuse to take
Th'hosanna on their tongues,
Lest rocks and stones should rise, and break
Their silence into songs.

262

HYMN 17. (C. M.) Victory over Death, 1 Cor. xv. 55, &c.

I

IV

‘This is the light prepar'd to shine
‘Upon the gentile lands,
‘Thine Israel's glory, and their hope
‘To break their slavish bands.’

V

Jesus, the vision of thy face
Hath overpowering charms,
Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace
If Christ be in my arms.

VI

Then while ye hear my heart-strings break,
How sweet my minutes roll!
A mortal paleness on my cheek,
And glory in my soul.

HYMN 20. (C. M.) Spiritual Apparel; namely, the Robe of Righteousness, and Garments of Salvation, Isaiah lxi. 10.

I

Awake, my heart, arise, my tongue,
Prepare a tuneful voice,
In God, the life of all my joys,
Aloud will I rejoice.

II

'Tis he adorn'd my naked soul,
And made salvation mine,
Upon a poor polluted worm
He makes his graces shine.

III

And lest the shadow of a spot
Should on my soul be found,
He took the robe the Saviour wrought,
And cast it all around.

IV

How far the heavenly robe exceeds
What earthly princes wear!
These ornaments how bright they shine!
How white the garments are!

V

The Spirit wrought my faith and love,
And hope, and every grace;
But Jesus spent his life to work
The robe of righteousness.

VI

Strangely, my soul, art thou array'd
By the great Sacred Three:
In sweetest harmony of praise
Let all thy powers agree.

263

HYMN 21. (C. M.) A Vision of the Kingdom of Christ among Men, Rev. xxi. 1–4.

I

Lo, what a glorious sight appears
To our believing eyes!
The earth and sea are past away,
And the old rolling skies.

II

From the third heaven where God resides,
That holy happy place,
The New Jerusalem comes down
Adorn'd with shining grace.

III

Attending angels shout for joy,
And the bright armies sing,
‘Mortals, behold the sacred seat
‘Of your descending king.

IV

‘The God of glory down to men
‘Removes his blest abode,
‘Men the dear objects of his grace,
‘And he the loving God.

V

‘His own soft hand shall wipe the tears
‘From every weeping eye,
‘And pains, and groans, and griefs, and fears,
‘And death itself shall die.’

VI

How long, dear Saviour, O how long,
Shall this bright hour delay!
Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time,
And bring the welcome day.

Hymn 22 and 23 referred to Psalm 125.

HYMN 24. (L. M.) The rich Sinner dying, Psalm xlix. 6, 9. Eccles. viii. 8. Job iii. 14, 15.

I

In vain the wealthy mortals toil,
And heap their shining dust in vain,
Look down and scorn the humble poor,
And boast their lofty hills of gain.

II

Their golden cordials cannot ease
Their pained hearts or aching heads,
Nor fright nor bribe approaching death
From glittering roofs and downy beds.

III

The lingering, the unwilling soul
The dismal summons must obey,
And bid a long a sad farwel
To the pale lump of lifeless clay.

IV

Thence they are huddled to the grave,
Where kings and slaves have equal thrones;
Their bones without distinction lie
Amongst the heap of meaner bones.

The rest referred to Psalm 49.

HYMN 25. (L. M.) A Vision of the Lamb, Rev. v. 6–9.

I

All mortal vanities, begone,
Nor tempt my eyes, nor tire my ears,
Behold amidst th'eternal throne
A vision of the Lamb appears.

II

Glory his fleecy robe adorns,
Mark'd with the bloody death he bore;
Seven are his eyes, and seven his horns,
To speak his wisdom and his power.

III

Lo, he receives a sealed book
From him that sits upon the throne
Jesus, my Lord, prevails to look
On dark decrees, and things unknown.

IV

All the assembling saints around
Fall worshipping before Lamb
And in new songs of gospel-sound
Address their honours to his name.

V

The joy, the shout, the harmony
Flies o'er the everlasting hills,
‘Worthy art thou alone,’ they cry,
‘To read the book, to loose the seals.’

VI

Our voices join the heavenly strain,
And with transporting pleasure sing,
‘Worthy the Lamb that once was slain,
‘To be our teacher and our king!’

VII

His words of prophecy reveal
Eternal counsels, deep designs;
His grace and vengeance shall fulfil
The peaceful and the dreadful lines.

VIII

Thou hast redeem'd our souls from hell
With thine invaluable blood;
And wretches that did once rebel
Are now made favourites of their God.

IX

Worthy for ever is the Lord,
That dy'd for treasons not his own,
By every tongue to be ador'd,
And dwell upon his Father's throne.

264

‘I lift my banners,’ saith the Lord,
‘Where Antichrist has stood,
‘The city of my gospel-foes
‘Shall be a field of blood.

II

‘My heart has study'd just revenge,
‘And now the day appears,
‘The day of my redeem'd is come
‘To wipe away their tears.

III

‘Quite weary is my patience grown,
‘And bids my fury go;
‘Swift as the light'ning it shall move
‘And be as fatal too.

265

IV

‘I call for helpers but in vain:
‘Then has my gospel none?
‘Well, mine own arm has might enough
‘To crush my foes alone.

V

‘Slaughter and my devouring sword,
‘Shall walk the streets around,
‘Babel shall reel beneath my stroke,
‘And stagger to the ground.’

VII

Thy honours, O victorious King!
Thine own right hand shall raise,
While we thy awful vengeance sing,
And our Deliverer praise.

HYMN 30. (L. M.) Prayer for Deliverance answered, Isaiah xxvi. 8–12, 20, 21.

I

In thine own ways, O God of love,
We wait the visits of thy grace,
Our souls desire is to thy name,
And the remembrance of thy face.

II

My thoughts are searching, Lord, for thee,
'Mongst the black shades of lonesome night;
My earnest cries salute the skies
Before the dawn restore the light.

III

Look, how rebellious men deride
The tender patience of my God;
But they shall see thy lifted hand,
And feel the scourges of thy rod.

IV

Hark, th'eternal rends the sky
A mighty voice before him goes,
A voice of music to his friends,
But threatening thunder to his foes.

V

Come, children, to your father's arms,
Hide in the chambers of my grace,
Till the fierce storms be overblown,
And my revenging fury cease.

VI

My sword shall boast its thousands slain,
And drink the blood of haughty kings,
While heavenly peace around my flock
Stretches its soft and shady wings.

Hymn 31 referred to Psalm 1.

HYMN 32. (C. M.) Strength from Heaven, Isaiah xl. 27–30.

I

Whence do our mournful thoughts arise?
And where's our courage fled?
Has restless sin and raging hell
Struck all our comforts dead?

II

Have we forgot th'Almighty name
That form'd the earth and sea?
And can an all-creating arm
Grow weary or decay?

III

Treasures of everlasting might
In our Jehovah dwell;
He gives the conquest to the weak,
And treads their foes to hell.

IV

Mere mortal power shall fade and die,
And youthful vigour cease;
But we that wait upon the Lord
Shall feel our strength increase.

V

The saints shall mount on eagles' wings,
And taste the promis'd bliss,
Till their unwearied feet arrive
Where perfect pleasure is.

Hymns 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, referred to Psalms 131, 134, 67, 73, 90, 84.

HYMN 39. (C. M.) God's tender Care of his Church, Isaiah xlix. 13, &c.

I

Now shall my inward joys arise
And burst into a song,
Almighty love inspires my heart,
And pleasure tunes my tongue.

II

God on his thirsty Sion-hill
Some mercy-drops has thrown,
And solemn oaths have bound his love
To shower salvation down.

III

Why do we then indulge our fears,
Suspicions and complaints?
Is he a God, and shall his grace
Grow weary of his saints?

IV

Can a kind woman e'er forget
The infant of her womb,
And 'mongst a thousand tender thoughts
Her suckling have no room?

V

‘Yet,’ saith the Lord, ‘should nature change,
‘And mothers monsters prove,
‘Sion still dwells upon the heart
‘Of everlasting Love.

VI

VI

Yet, mighty God, thy sovereign grace
Sits regent on the throne,
The refuge of thy chosen race
When wrath comes rushing down.

VII

Thy hand shall on rebellious kings
A fiery tempest pour,
While we beneath thy sheltering wings
Thy just revenge adore.

Hymns 43 and 44, referred to Psalms 100 and 133.

Heb. xii. 29.

HYMN 45. (C. M.) The Last Judgment, Rev. xxi. 5–8.

I

See where the great incarnate God
Fills a majestic throne,
While from the skies his awful voice
Bears the last judgment down.

267

II

‘I am the first, and I the last,
‘Thro' endless years the same;
‘I AM is my memorial still,
‘And my eternal name.

III

‘Such favours as a God can give
‘My royal grace bestows;
‘Ye thirsty souls, come taste the streams
‘Where life and pleasure flows.

IV

‘The saint that triumphs o'er his sins,
‘I'll own him for a son,
‘The whole creation shall reward
‘The conquest he has won.

V

‘But bloody hands and hearts unclean,
‘And all the lying race,
‘The faithless and the scoffing crew,
‘That spurn at offer'd grace;

VI

‘They shall be taken from my sight,
‘Bound fast in iron chains,
‘And headlong plung'd into the lake
‘Where fire and darkness reigns.’

VII

O may I stand before the Lamb,
When earth and seas are fled!
And hear the Judge pronounce my name
With blessings on my head!

VIII

May I with those for ever dwell
Who here were my delight,
While sinners banish'd down to hell
No more offend my sight.

Hymns 46 and 47, referred to Psalms 148, and 3.

HYMN 48. (L. M.) The Christian Race, Isaiah xl. 28–31.

I

Awake, our souls, away, our fears,
Let every trembling thought be gone;
Awake and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on.

II

True, 'tis a strait and thorny road,
And mortal spirits tire and faint;
But they forget the mighty God
That feeds the strength of every saint—

III

Thee, mighty God, whose matchless power
Is ever new and ever young,
And firm endures while endless years
Their everlasting circles run.

IV

From thee the overflowing spring,
Our souls shall drink a fresh supply,
While such as trust their native strength
Shall melt away, and drop and die.

V

Swift as an eagle cuts the air
We'll mount aloft to thine abode,
On wings of love our souls shall fly,
Nor tire amidst the heavenly road.

HYMN 49. (C. M.) The Works of Moses and the Lamb, Rev. xv. 3.

I

How strong thine arm is, mighty God,
Who would not fear thy name!
Jesus, how sweet thy graces are!
Who would not love the Lamb!

II

He has done more than Moses did,
Our Prophet and our King;
From bonds of hell he freed our souls
And taught our lips to sing.

III

In the Red Sea by Moses' hand
Th'Egyptian host was drown'd;
But his own blood hides all our sins,
And guilt no more is found.

IV

When thro' the desert Israel went,
With manna they were fed;
Our Lord invites us to his flesh,
And calls it living bread.

V

Moses beheld the promis'd land,
Yet never reach'd the place;
But Christ shall bring his followers home
To see his Father's face.

VI

Then shall our love and joy be full,
And feel a warmer flame,
And sweeter voices tune the song
Of Moses and the Lamb.

HYMN 50. (C. M.) The Song of Zacharias, and the Message of John the Baptist; or, Light and Salvation by Jesus Christ, Luke i. 68, &c. John i. 29, 32.

III

God's kindest thoughts are here express'd,
Able to make us wise and bless'd;
The doctrines are divinely true,
Fit for reproof and comfort too.

IV

Ye British isles, who read his love
In long epistles from above,
(He hath not sent his sacred word
To every land) Praise ye the Lord.

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HYMN 54. (L. M.) Electing Grace; or, Saints beloved in Christ, Eph. i. 3, &c.

I

Jesus, we bless thy Father's name;
Thy God and ours are both the same:
What heavenly blessings from his throne
Flow down to sinners thro' his Son!

II

‘Christ be my first elect,’ he said,
Then chose our souls in Christ our head,
Before he gave the mountains birth,
Or laid foundations for the earth.

III

Thus did eternal Love begin
To raise us up from death and sin:
Our characters were then decreed,
‘Blameless in love, a holy seed.’

IV

Predestinated to be sons,
Born by degrees, but chose at once;
A new regenerated race
To praise the glory of his grace.

V

With Christ our Lord we share our part
In the affections of his heart,
Nor shall our souls be thence remov'd
Till he forgets his first belov'd.

HYMN 55. (C. M.) Hezekiah's Song; or, Sickness and Recovery, Isaiah xxxviii. 9, &c.

I

When we are rais'd from deep distress
Our God deserves a song;
We take the pattern of our praise
From Hezekiah's tongue.

II

The gates of the devouring grave
Are open'd wide in vain,
If he that holds the keys of death
Commands them fast again.

III

Pains of the flesh are wont t'abuse
Our minds with slavish fears;
‘Our days are past, and we shall lose
‘The remnant of our years.’

IV

We chatter with a swallow's voice,
Or like a dove we mourn,
With bitterness instead of joys,
Afflicted and forlorn.

V

Jehovah speaks the healing word,
And no disease withstands;
Fevers and plagues obey the Lord,
And fly at his commands.

VI

If half the strings of life should break,
He can our frame restore;
He casts our sins behind his back,
And they are found no more.

HYMN 56. (C. M.) The Song of Moses and the Lamb; or, Babylon falling, Rev. xv. 3. xvi. 19. xvii. 6.

I

We sing the glories of thy love,
We sound thy dreadful name;
The Christian Church unites the songs
Of Moses and the Lamb.

II

Great God, how wondrous are thy works
Of vengeance and of grace!
Thou King of saints, Almighty Lord,
How just and true thy ways!

III

Who dares refuse to fear thy name,
Or worship at thy throne?
Thy judgments speak thine holiness
Thro' all the nations known.

IV

Great Babylon, that rules the earth,
Drunk with the martyrs blood,
Her crimes shall speedily awake
The fury of our God.

V

The cup of wrath is ready mix'd,
And she must drink the dregs;
Strong is the Lord her sovereign judge,
And shall fulfil the plagues.

HYMN 57. (C. M.) Original Sin; or, the First and Second Adam, Rom. v. 12. Psalm li. 5. Job xiv. 4.

II

He said, and dreadful as he stood,
He sunk the mill-stone in the flood:
‘Thus terribly shall Babel fall;
‘Thus, and no more, be found at all.’

HYMN 60. (L. M.) The Virgin Mary's Song; or, the promised Messiah born, Luke i. 46, &c.

I

Our souls shall magnify the Lord,
In God the Saviour we rejoice;
While we repeat the virgin's song,
May the same spirit tune our voice.

II

The highest saw her low estate,
And mighty things his hand hath done:
His overshadowing power and grace
Makes her the mother of his Son.

III

Let every nation call her bless'd,
And endless years prolong her fame;
But God alone must be ador'd;
Holy and reverend is his name.

IV

To those that fear and trust the Lord
His mercy stands for ever sure:
From age to age his promise lives,
And the performance is secure.

V

He spake to Abra'm and his seed,
‘In thee shall all the earth be bless'd;’
The memory of that ancient word
Lay long in his eternal breast.

VI

But now no more shall Israel wait,
No more the gentiles lie forlorn:
Lo, the desire of nations comes,
Behold the promis'd seed is born!

HYMN 61. (L. M.) Christ our High-Priest and King, and Christ coming to Judgment, Rev. i. 5–7.

V

If in my Father's love
I share a filial part,
Send down thy Spirit like a dove
To rest upon my heart.

VI

We would no longer lie
Like slaves beneath the throne;
My faith shall Abba, Father, cry,
And thou the kindred own.

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HYMN 65. (L. M.) The Kingdoms of the World become the Kingdoms of our Lord; or, the Day of Judgment, Rev. xi. 15–18.

I

Let the seventh angel sound on high,
Let shouts be heard thro' all the sky;
Kings of the earth, with glad accord
Give up your kingdoms to the Lord.

II

Almighty God, thy power assume,
Who wast, and art, and art to come:
Jesus, the Lamb, who once was slain,
For ever live, for ever reign.

III

The angry nations fret and roar,
That they can slay the saints no more;
On wings of vengeance flies our God
To pay the long arrears of blood.

IV

Now must the rising dead appear,
Now the decisive sentence hear;
Now the dear martyrs of the Lord
Receive an infinite reward.

HYMN 66. (L. M.) Christ the King at his Table, Sol. Song. i. 2–5, 12, 13, 17.

I

Let him embrace my soul, and prove
Mine interest in his heavenly love:
The voice that tells me, ‘Thou art mine,’
Exceeds the blessings of the vine.

II

On thee th'anointing Spirit came,
And spreads the savour of thy name;
That oil of gladness and of grace
Draws virgin souls to meet thy face.

III

Jesus, allure me by thy charms,
My soul shall fly into thine arms:
Our wandering feet thy favours bring
To the fair chambers of the king.

IV

Wonder and pleasure tunes our voice
To speak thy praises, and our joys:
Our memory keeps this love of thine
Beyond the taste of richest wine.

V

Tho' in ourselves deform'd we are,
And black as Kedar's tents appear,
Yet when we put thy beauties on,
Fair as the courts of Solomon.

VI

While at his table sits the King,
He loves to see us smile and sing;
Our graces are our best perfume,
And breathe like spikenard round the room.

VII

As myrrh new-bleeding from the tree,
Such is a dying Christ to me;
And while he makes my soul his guest,
My bosom, Lord, shall be thy rest.

VIII

No beams of cedar or of fir
Can with thy courts on earth compare;
And here we wait until thy love
Raise us to nobler seats above.

HYMN 67. (L. M.) Seeking the Pastures of Christ the Shepherd, Sol. Song. i. 7.

I

Thou whom my soul admires above
All earthly joy, and earthly love,
Tell me, dear Shepherd, let me know,
Where doth thy sweetest pasture grow?

II

Where is the shadow of that rock,
That from the sun defends thy flock?
Fain would I feed among thy sheep,
Among them rest, among them sleep.

III

Why should thy bride appear like one
That turns aside to paths unknown?
My constant feet would never rove,
Would never seek another love.

IV

The footsteps of thy flock I see;
Thy sweetest pastures here they be;
A wondrous feast thy love prepares,
Bought with thy wounds, and groans, and tears.

V

His dearest flesh he makes my food,
And bids me drink his richest blood;
Here to these hills my soul will come
Till my beloved lead me home.

HYMN 68. (L. M.) The Banquet of Love, Sol. Song ii. 1–4, 6, 7.

I

Behold the Rose of Sharon here,
The Lily which the vallies bear;
Behold the Tree of Life, that gives
Refreshing fruit and healing leaves.

II

Amongst the thorns so lilies shine;
Amongst wild gourds the noble vine;
So in mine eyes my Saviour proves
Amidst a thousand meaner loves.

III

Beneath his cooling shade I sat
To shield me from the burning heat;
Of heavenly fruit he spreads a feast
To feed my eyes and please my taste.

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IV

Kindly he brought me to the place
Where stands the banquet of his grace,
He saw me faint, and o'er my head
The banner of his love he spread.

V

With living bread and generous wine
He cheers this sinking heart of mine;
And opening his own heart to me,
He shews his thoughts, how kind they be.

VI

O never let my Lord depart
Lie down and rest upon my heart;
I charge my sins not once to move,
Nor stir, nor wake, nor grieve my love.

HYMN 69. (L. M.) Christ appearing to his Church, and seeking her Company, Sol. Song ii. 8–13.

I

The voice of my beloved sounds
Over the rocks and rising grounds,
O'er hills of guilt and seas of grief,
He leaps, he flies to my relief.

II

Now thro' the veil of flesh I see
With eyes of love he looks at me;
Now in the gospel's clearest glass
He shews the beauties of his face.

III

Gently he draws my heart along
Both with his beauties and his tongue;
‘Rise,’ saith my Lord, ‘make haste away;
‘No mortal joys are worth thy stay.

IV

‘The Jewish wintry state is gone,
‘The mists are fled, the spring comes on,
‘The sacred turtle dove we hear
‘Proclaim the new, the joyful year.

V

‘Th'immortal vine of heavenly root
‘Blossoms and buds, and gives her fruit:’
Lo, we are come to taste the wine;
Our souls rejoice and bless the vine.

VI

And when we hear our Jesus say,
‘Rise up, my love, make haste away!’
Our hearts would fain out-fly the wind,
And leave all earthly loves behind.

HYMN 70. (L. M.) Christ inviting and the Church answering the Invitation, Sol. Song ii. 14, 16, 17.

I

Hark, the Redeemer from on high
Sweetly invites his favourites nigh;
From caves of darkness and of doubt,
He gently speaks, and calls us out:

II

‘My dove who hidest in the rock,
‘Thine heart almost with sorrow broke,
‘Lift up thy face, forget thy fear,
‘And let thy voice delight mine ear.

III

‘Thy voice to me sounds ever sweet;
‘My graces in thy countenance meet;
‘Tho' the vain world thy face despise,
‘'Tis bright and comely in mine eyes.’

IV

Dear Lord, our thankful heart receives
The hope thine invitation gives:
To thee our joyful lips shall raise
The voice of prayer, and of praise.

V

I am my love's, and he is mine;
Our hearts, our hopes, our passions join:
Nor let a motion, nor a word,
Nor thought arise to grieve my Lord.

VI

My soul to pastures fair he leads,
Amongst the lilies where he feeds;
Amongst the saints (whose robes are white
Wash'd in his blood) is his delight.

VII

Till the day break, and shadows flee,
Till the sweet dawning light I see,
Thine eyes to me-ward often turn,
Nor let my soul in darkness mourn.

VIII

Be like a hart on mountains green,
Leap o'er the hills of fear and sin;
Nor guilt nor unbelief divide,
My love, my Saviour from my side.

HYMN 71. (L. M.) Christ found in the Street, and brought to the Church, Sol. Song iii. 1–5.

I

Often I seek my Lord by night,
Jesus, my love, my soul's delight;
With warm desire and restless thought
I seek him oft, but find him not.

II

Then I arise, and search the street
Till I my Lord, my Saviour meet;
I ask the watchman of the night,
‘Where did you see my soul's delight?’

III

Sometimes I find him in my way,
Directed by a heavenly ray;
I leap for joy to see his face,
And hold him fast in mine embrace.

IV

I bring him to my mother's home,
Nor does my Lord refuse to come,
To Sion's sacred chambers, where
My soul first drew the vital air.

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V

He gives me there his bleeding heart,
Pierc'd for my sake with deadly smart;
I give my soul to him, and there
Our loves their mutual tokens share.

VI

I charge you all, ye earthly toys,
Approach not to disturb my joys;
Nor sin nor hell come near my heart,
Nor cause my Saviour to depart.

HYMN 72. (L. M.) The Coronation of Christ, and Espousals of the Church, Sol. Song iii. 2.

I

Daughters of Sion, come, behold
The crown of honour and of gold,
Which the glad church with joys unknown
Plac'd on the head of Solomon.

II

Jesus, thou everlasting King,
Accept the tribute which we bring,
Accept the well-deserv'd renown,
And wear our praises as thy crown.

III

Let every act of worship be
Like our espousals, Lord, to thee;
Like the dear hour when from above
We first receiv'd thy pledge of love.

IV

The gladness of that happy day,
Our hearts would wish it long to stay,
Nor let our faith forsake its hold,
Nor comfort sink, nor love grow cold.

V

Each following minute as it flies,
Increase thy praise, improve our joys,
Till we are rais'd to sing thy name
At the great supper of the Lamb.

VI

O that the months would roll away,
And bring that coronation-day!
The king of grace shall fill the throne
With all his Father's glories on.

HYMN 73. (L. M.) The Churches Beauty in the Eyes of Christ, Sol. Song iv. 1, 10, 11, 7, 9, 8.

I

Kind is the speech of Christ our Lord,
Affection sounds in every word,
‘Lo, thou art fair, my love,’ he cries,
‘Not the young doves have sweeter eyes.

II

‘Sweet are thy lips, thy pleasing voice
‘Salutes mine ear with secret joys,
‘No spice so much delights the smell,
‘Nor milk nor honey taste so well.

III

‘Thou art all fair, my bride, to me,
‘I will behold no spot in thee.’
What mighty wonders love performs,
And puts a comeliness on worms!

IV

Defil'd and loathsome as we are,
He makes us white, and calls us fair;
Adorns us with that heavenly dress,
His graces, and his righteousness.

V

‘My sister and my spouse,’ he cries,
‘Bound to my heart by various ties,
‘Thy powerful love my heart detains
‘In strong delight and pleasing chains.’

VI

He calls me from the leopard's den,
From this wild world of beasts and men,
To Sion where his glories are;
Not Lebanon is half so fair.

VII

Nor dens of prey, nor flowery plains,
Nor earthly joys, nor earthly pains
Shall hold my feet, or force my stay,
When Christ invites my soul away.

HYMN 74. (L. M.) The Church the Garden of Christ, Sol. Song iv. 12, 14, 15. and v. 1.

I

We are a garden wall'd around,
Chosen and made peculiar ground;
A little spot inclos'd by grace
Out of the world's wide wilderness.

II

Like trees of myrrh and spice we stand
Planted by God the Father's hand;
And all his springs in Sion flow
To make the young plantation grow.

III

Awake, O heavenly wind, and come,
Blow on this garden of perfume;
Spirit divine, descend and breathe
A gracious gale on plants beneath.

IV

Make our best spices flow abroad
To entertain our Saviour God:
And faith, and love, and joy appear,
And every grace be active here.

V

Let my beloved come, and taste
His pleasant fruits at his own feast:
‘I come, my spouse, I come,’ he cries,
With love and pleasure in his eyes.

VI

Our Lord into his garden comes,
Well pleas'd to smell our poor perfumes,
And calls us to a feast divine,
Sweeter than honey, milk, or wine.

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VII

‘Eat of the tree of life, my friends,
‘The blessings that my Father sends;
‘Your taste shall all my dainties prove,
‘And drink abundance of my love.’

VIII

Jesus, we will frequent thy board,
And sing the bounties of our Lord:
But the rich food on which we live
Demands more praise than tongues can give.

HYMN 75. (L. M.) The Description of Christ the Beloved, Sol. Song v. 9–12, 14–16.

I

The wondering world inquires to know
Why I should love my Jesus so:
‘What are his charms,’ say they, ‘above
‘The objects of a mortal love?’

II

Yes, my beloved, to my sight,
Shews a sweet mixture, red and white:
All human beauties, all divine
In my beloved meet and shine.

III

White is his soul, from blemish free;
Red with the blood he shed for me;
The fairest of ten thousand fairs:
A sun amongst ten thousand stars.

IV

His head the finest gold excels,
There wisdom in perfection dwells;
And glory like a crown adorns
Those temples once beset with thorns.

V

Compassions in his heart are found,
Hard by the signals of his wound;
His sacred side no more shall bear
The cruel scourge, the piercing spear.

VI

His hands are fairer to behold
Than diamonds set in rings of gold;
Those heavenly hands that on the tree
Were nail'd, and torn, and bled for me.

VII

Tho' once he bow'd his feeble knees,
Loaded with sins and agonies,
Now on the throne of his command
His legs like marble pillars stand.

VIII

His eyes are majesty and love,
The eagle temper'd with the dove:
No more shall trickling sorrows roll
Thro' those dear windows of his soul.

IX

His mouth, that pour'd out long complaints,
Now smiles and cheers his fainting saints:
His countenance more graceful is
Than Lebanon with all its trees.

X

All over glorious is my Lord,
Must be belov'd, and yet ador'd:
His worth if all the nations knew,
Sure the whole earth would love him too.

HYMN 76. (L. M.) Christ dwells in Heaven, but visits on Earth, Sol. Song vi. 1–3, 12.

I

When strangers stand and hear me tell
What beauties in my Saviour dwell;
Where he is gone, they fain would know,
That they may seek and love him too.

II

My best beloved keeps his throne
On hills of light, in worlds unknown;
But he descends, and shows his face
In the young gardens of his grace.

III

In vineyards planted by his hand,
Where fruitful trees in order stand;
He feeds among the spicy beds,
Where lilies show their spotless heads.

IV

He has engross'd my warmest love,
No earthly charms my soul can move:
I have a mansion in his heart,
Nor death nor hell shall make us part.

V

He takes my soul e'er I'm aware,
And shows me where his glories are;
No chariot of Amminadib
The heavenly rapture can describe.

VI

O may my spirit daily rise
On wings of faith above the skies,
Till death shall make my last remove
To dwell for ever with my love.

HYMN 77. (L. M.) The Love of Christ to the Church, in his Language to her, and Provisions for her, Sol. Song vii. 5, 6, 9, 12, 13.

I

Now in the galleries of his grace
Appears the king, and thus he says,
‘How fair my saints are in my sight!
‘My love how pleasant for delight!’

II

Kind is thy language, Sovereign Lord,
There's heavenly grace in every word:
From that dear mouth a stream divine
Flows sweeter than the choicest wine.

III

Such wondrous love awakes the lip
Of saints that were almost asleep,
To speak the praises of thy name,
And makes our cold affections flame.

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IV

These are the joys he lets us know
In fields and villages below,
Gives us a relish of his love,
But keeps his noblest feast above.

V

In paradise within the gates
An higher entertainment waits;
Fruits new and old laid up in store,
Where we shall feed, but thirst no more.

HYMN 78. (L. M.) The Strength of Christ's Love, and the Soul's Jealousy of her own, Sol. Song viii. 5–7, 13, 14.

I

277

HYMN 81. (L. M.) A Song for Morning or Evening, Lam. iii. 23. Isaiah xlv. 7.

I

My God, how endless is thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new,
And morning mercies from above
Gently distil like early dew.

II

Thou spread'st the curtains of the night,
Great guardian of my sleeping hours;
Thy sovereign word restores the light,
And quickens all my drowsy powers.

III

I yield my powers to thy command,
To thee I consecrate my days;
Perpetual blessings from thine hand
Demand perpetual songs of praise.

HYMN 82. (L. M.) God far above Creatures; or, Man vain and mortal, Job. iv. 17–21.

I

V

‘In me alone shall men confess
‘Lies all their strength and righteousness;
‘But such as dare despise my name,
‘I'll clothe them with eternal shame.

VI

‘In me the Lord, shall all the seed
‘Of Israel from their sins be freed,
‘And by their shining graces prove
‘Their interest in my pardoning love.’

HYMN 85. (S. M.) The same.

[The Lord on high proclaims]

I

The Lord on high proclaims
His Godhead from his throne;
‘Mercy and Justice are the names
‘By which I will be known.

278

II

‘Ye dying souls that sit
‘In darkness and distress,
‘Look from the borders of the pit
‘To my recovering grace.’

III

Sinners shall hear the sound;
Their thankful tongues shall own
‘Our righteousness and strength is found
‘In thee, the Lord alone.’

IV

In thee shall Israel trust,
And see their guilt forgiven;
God will pronounce the sinners just,
And take the saints to heaven.

HYMN 86. (C. M.) God Holy, Just, and Sovereign, Job. ix. 2–10.

I

VI

There are no acts of pardon past
In the cold grave to which we haste,
But darkness, death, and long despair
Reign in eternal silence there.

279

HYMN 89. (L. M.) Youth and Judgment, Eccles. xi. 9.

I

Ye sons of Adam, vain and young,
Indulge your eyes, indulge your tongue,
Taste the delights your souls desire,
And give a loose to all your fire:

II

Pursue the pleasures you design,
And cheer your hearts with songs and wine,
Enjoy the day of mirth; but know
There is a day of judgment too.

III

God from on high beholds your thoughts,
His book records your secret faults;
The works of darkness you have done
Must all appear before the sun.

IV

The vengeance to your follies due
Should strike your hearts with terror thro';
How will ye stand before his face,
Or answer for his injur'd grace?

V

Almighty God, turn off their eyes
From these alluring vanities;
And let the thunder of thy word
Awake their souls to fear the Lord.

‘When he adorn'd the skies,
‘And built them, I was there
‘To order where the sun should rise,
‘And marshal every star.

V

‘When he pour'd out the sea,
‘And spread the flowing deep,
‘I gave the flood a firm decree
‘In its own bounds to keep.

VI

‘Upon the empty air
‘The earth was balanc'd well;
‘With joy I saw the mansion where
‘The sons of men should dwell.

280

VII

‘My busy thoughts at first
‘On their salvation ran,
‘Ere sin was born, or Adam's dust
‘Was fashion'd to a man.

VIII

‘Then come, receive my grace,
‘Ye children, and be wise;
‘Happy the man that keeps my ways;
‘The man that shuns them dies.’

Bury'd in shadows of the night
We lie till Christ restores the light;
Wisdom descends to heal the blind,
And chase the darkness of the mind.

281

II

Our guilty souls are drown'd in tears
Till his atoning blood appears,
Then we awake from deep distress,
And sing, ‘The Lord our Righteousness.’

III

Our very frame is mix'd with sin,
His Spirit makes our natures clean;
Such virtues from his sufferings flow,
At once to cleanse and pardon too.

VI

Jesus beholds where Satan reigns,
Binding his slaves in heavy chains;
He sets the prisoners free, and breaks
The iron bondage from our necks.

V

Poor helpless worms in thee possess
Grace, wisdom, power and righteousness;
Thou art our mighty All, and we
Give our whole selves, O Lord, to thee.

HYMN 98. (S. M.) The same.

[How heavy is the night]

I

How heavy is the night
That hangs upon our eyes,
Till Christ with his reviving light
Over our souls arise!

II

VI

But vengeance and damnation lies
On rebels who refuse the grace;
Who God's eternal Son despise
The hottest hell shall be their place.

HYMN 101. (L. M.) Joy in Heaven for a repenting Sinner, Luke xv. 7, 10.

I

Who can describe the joys that rise
Thro' all the courts of paradise
To see a prodigal return,
To see an heir of glory born?

II

With joy the Father doth approve
The fruit of his eternal love;
The Son with joy looks down and sees
The purchase of his agonies.

III

The Spirit takes delight to view
The holy soul he form'd anew;
And saints and angels join to sing
The growing empire of their King

282

HYMN 102. (L. M.) The Beatitudes, Matt. v. 3–12.

I

Bless'd are the humble souls that see
Their emptiness and poverty;
Treasures of grace to them are given,
And crowns of joy laid up in heaven.

II

Bless'd are the men of broken heart,
Who mourn for sin with inward smart;
The blood of Christ divinely flows,
A healing balm for all their woes.

III

Bless'd are the meek, who stand afar
From rage and passion, noise and war;
God will secure their happy state,
And plead their cause against the great.

IV

Bless'd are the souls that thirst for grace,
Hunger and long for righteousness,
They shall be well supply'd and fed,
With living streams and living bread.

V

Bless'd are the men whose bowels move
And melt with sympathy and love;
From Christ the Lord shall they obtain
Like sympathy and love again.

VI

Bless'd are the pure, whose hearts are clean
From the defiling powers of sin,
With endless pleasure they shall see
A God of spotless purity.

VII

Bless'd are the men of peaceful life,
Who quench the coals of growing strife,
They shall be call'd the heirs of bliss,
The sons of God, the God of peace.

VIII

Bless'd are the sufferers who partake
Of pain and shame for Jesus' sake;
Their souls shall triumph in the Lord,
Glory and joy are their reward.

HYMN 103. (C. M.) Not ashamed of the Gospel, 2 Tim. i. 12.

I

I'm not asham'd to own my Lord,
Or to defend his cause,
Maintain the honour of his word,
The glory of his cross.

II

Jesus, my God, I know his name,
His name is all my trust,
Nor will he put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost.

III

Firm as his throne his promise stands,
And he can well secure
What I've committed to his hands
Till the decisive hour.

IV

Then will he own my worthless name
Before his Father's face,
And in the new Jerusalem
Appoint my soul a place.

HYMN 104. (C. M.) A State of Nature and of Grace, 1 Cor. vi. 10, 11.

I

Not the malicious or profane,
The wanton or the proud,
Nor thieves, nor slanderers shall obtain
The kingdom of our God.

II

Surprising grace! And such were we
By nature and by sin,
Heirs of immortal misery,
Unholy and unclean.

III

But we are wash'd in Jesus' blood,
We're pardon'd through his name;
And the good Spirit of our God
Has sanctify'd our frame.

IV

O for a persevering power
To keep thy just commands!
We would defile our hearts no more,
No more pollute our hands.

HYMN 105. (C. M.) Heaven invisible and holy, 1 Cor. ii. 9, 10. Rev. xxi. 27.

I

Nor eye has seen, nor ear has heard,
Nor sense nor reason known
What joys the father has prepar'd
For those that love the Son.

II

But the good Spirit of the Lord
Reveals a heaven to come:
The beams of glory in his word
Allure and guide us home.

III

Pure are the joys above the sky,
And all the region peace;
No wanton lips, nor envious eye
Can see or taste the bliss.

IV

Those holy gates for ever bar
Pollution, sin, and shame;
None shall obtain admittance there
But followers of the Lamb.

283

V

He keeps the Father's book of life,
There all their names are found;
The hypocrite in vain shall strive
To tread the heavenly ground.

HYMN 106. (S. M.) Dead to Sin by the Cross of Christ, Rom. vi. 1, 2, 6.

I

Shall we go on to sin
Because thy grace abounds,
Or crucify the Lord again,
And open all his wounds?

II

Forbid it, mighty God,
Nor let it e'er be said
That we whose sins are crucified
Should raise them from the dead.

III

We will be slaves no more,
Since Christ has made us free,
Has nail'd our tyrants to his cross,
And bought our liberty.

HYMN 107. (L. M.) The Fall and Recovery of Man; or, Christ and Satan at Enmity, Gen. iii. 1, 15, 17. Gal. iv. 4. Col. ii. 15.

I

Deceiv'd by subtle snares of hell
Adam our head, our father fell,
When Satan in the serpent hid
Propos'd the fruit that God forbid.

II

Death was the threatening; death began
To take possession of the man;
His unborn race receiv'd the wound,
And heavy curses smote the ground.

III

But Satan found a worse reward;
Thus saith the vengeance of the Lord,
‘Let everlasting hatred be
‘Betwixt the woman's seed and thee.

IV

‘The woman's seed shall be my Son,
‘He shall destroy what thou hast done,
‘Shall break thy head, and only feel
‘Thy malice raging at his heel.’

V

He spake; and bid four thousand years
Roll on; at length his Son appears;
Angels with joy descend to earth,
And sing the young Redeemer's birth.

VI

Lo, by the sons of hell he dies;
But, as he hung 'twixt earth and skies,
He gave their prince a fatal blow,
And triumph'd o'er the powers below.

HYMN 108. (S. M.) Christ unseen and beloved, 1 Pet. i. 8.

I

Not with our mortal eyes
Have we beheld the Lord,
Yet we rejoice to hear his name,
And love him in his word.

II

On earth we want the sight
Of our Redeemer's face,
Yet, Lord, our inmost thoughts delight
To dwell upon thy grace.

III

And when we taste thy love,
Our joys divinely grow
Unspeakable, like those above,
And heaven begins below.

HYMN 109. (L. M.) The Value of Christ and his Righteousness, Phil. iii. 7–9.

I

No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before
To trust the merits of thy Son.

II

Now for the love I bear his name
What was my gain I count my loss,
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to his cross.

III

Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus' sake:
O may my soul be found in him,
And of his righteousness partake.

IV

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before thy throne;
But faith can answer thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done.

HYMN 110. (C. M.) Death and immediate Glory, 2 Cor. v. 1, 5–8.

I

There is a house not made with hands,
Eternal and on high:
And here my spirit waiting stands
Till God shall bid it fly.

II

Shortly this prison of my clay
Must be dissolv'd and fall,
Then, O my soul, with joy obey
Thy heavenly Father's call.

284

III

'Tis he by his almighty grace
That forms thee fit for heaven,
And as an earnest of the place,
Has his own Spirit given.

IV

We walk by faith of joys to come,
Faith lives upon his word;
But while the body is our home
We're absent from the Lord.

V

'Tis pleasant to believe thy grace,
But we had rather see;
We would be absent from the flesh,
And present, Lord, with thee.

HYMN 111. (C. M.) Salvation by Grace, Titus iii. 3–7.

I

Lord, we confess our numerous faults,
How great our guilt has been!
Foolish and vain were all our thoughts,
And all our lives were sin.

II

HYMN 114. (C. M.) The same, Rom. xi. 16, 17.

[Gentiles by nature we belong]

I

Gentiles by nature we belong
To the wild olive-wood;
Grace took us from the barren tree,
And grafts us in the good.

II

With the same blessings grace endows
The Gentile and the Jew;
If pure and holy be the root,
Such are the branches too.

III

Then let the children of the saints
Be dedicate to God;
Pour out thy Spirit on them, Lord,
And wash them in thy blood.

285

IV

Thus to the parents and their seed
Shall thy salvation come,
And numerous households meet at last
In one eternal home.

HYMN 115. (C. M.) Conviction of Sin by the Law, Rom. vii. 8, 9, 14, 24.

I

Lord, how secure my conscience was,
And felt no inward dread!
I was alive without the law,
And thought my sins were dead.

II

V

What if he means to shew his grace,
And his electing love employs
To mark out some of mortal race,
And form them fit for heavenly joys!

VI

Shall man reply against the Lord,
And call his Maker's ways unjust,
The thunder of whose dreadful word
Can crush a thousand worlds to dust?

VII

But, O my soul, if truths so bright
Should dazzle and confound thy sight,
Yet still his written will obey,
And wait the great decisive day.

VIII

Then shall he make his justice known,
And the whole world before his throne
With joy or terror shall confess
The glory of his righteousness.

HYMN 118. (S. M.) Moses and Christ; or, Sins against the Law and Gospel, John i. 17. Heb. iii. 3. 5, 6. and x. 28, 29.

IV

He sought a city fair and high,
Built by th'eternal hands;
And faith assures us, tho' we die,
That heavenly building stands.

HYMN 121. (C. M.) Children devoted to God, Gen. xvii. 7, 10. Acts xvi. 14, 15, 33.

(For those who practise Infant Baptism.)

I

Thus saith the mercy of the Lord,
‘I'll be a God to thee;
‘I'll bless thy numerous race, and they
‘Shall be a seed for me.’

II

Abra'm believ'd the promis'd grace
And gave his sons to God;
But water seals the blessing now,
That once was seal'd with blood.

III

Thus Lydia sanctify'd her house
When she receiv'd the word;
Thus the believing jailor gave
His household to the Lord.

IV

Thus later saints, eternal King,
Thine ancient truth embrace;
To thee their infant-offspring bring,
And humbly claim the grace.

HYMN 122. (L. M.) Believers buried with Christ in Baptism, Rom. vi. 3. &c.

I

Do we not know that solemn word,
That we are bury'd with the Lord,
Baptiz'd into his death, and then
Put off the body of our sin?

II

Our souls receive diviner breath,
Rais'd from corruption, guilt and death;
So from the grave did Christ arise,
And lives to God above the skies.

III

No more let sin or Satan reign
Over our mortal flesh again;
The various lusts we serv'd before
Shall have dominion now no more.

287

HYMN 123. (C. M.) The repenting Prodigal, Luke xv. 13, &c.

I

HYMN 126. (L. M.) Charity and Uncharitableness, Rom. xiv. 17, 19. 1 Cor. x. 32.

III

‘Go heal the sick, go raise the dead,
‘Go cast out devils in my name;
‘Nor let my prophets be afraid,
‘Tho' Greeks reproach, and Jews blaspheme.

IV

‘Teach all the nations my commands,
‘I'm with you till the world shall end;
‘All power is trusted to my hands,
‘I can destroy, and I defend.’

V

He spake, and light shone round his head,
On a bright cloud to heaven he rode;
They to the farthest nations spread
The grace of their ascended God.

HYMN 129. (L. M.) Submission and Deliverance; or, Abraham offering his Son, Gen. xxii. 6, &c.

I

Saints, at your Father's heavenly word
Give up your comforts to the Lord;
He shall restore what you resign,
Or grant you blessings more divine.

II

So Abraham with obedient hand
Led forth his son at God's command,
The wood, the fire, the knife he took,
His arm prepar'd the dreadful stroke.

III

‘Abraham, forbear, (the angel cry'd)
‘Thy faith is known, thy love is try'd,
‘Thy son shall live, and in thy seed
‘Shall the whole earth be bless'd indeed.’

IV

Just in the last distressing hour
The Lord displays delivering power;
The mount of danger is the place
Where we shall see surprising grace.

HYMN 130. (L. M.) Love and Hatred, Phil. ii. 2. Eph. iv. 30, &c.

I

Now by the bowels of my God,
His sharp distress, his sore complaints,
By his last groans, his dying blood,
I charge my soul to love the saints.

II

Clamour, and wrath and war be gone,
Envy and spite for ever cease,
Let bitter words no more be known
Amongst the saints, the sons of peace.

III

The Spirit like a peaceful dove
Flies from the realms of noise and strife;
Why should we vex and grieve his love,
Who seals our souls to heavenly life?

IV

IV

She nor desires nor seeks to know
The scandals of the time;
Nor looks with pride on those below,
Nor envies those that climb.

V

She lays her own advantage by
To seek her neighbour's good;
So God's own Son came down to die,
And bought our lives with blood.

VI

Love is the grace that keeps her power
In all the realms above;
There faith and hope are known no more,
But saints for ever love.

HYMN 134. (L. M.) Religion vain without Love, 1 Cor. xiii. 1–3.

I

Had I the tongues of Greeks and Jews,
And nobler speech that angels use,
If love be absent, I am found
Like tinkling brass, an empty sound.

II

Were I inspir'd to preach and tell
All that is done in heaven and hell,
Or could my faith the world remove,
Still I am nothing without love.

III

Should I distribute all my store
To feed the bowels of the poor,
Or give my body to the flame
To gain a martyr's glorious name;

IV

If love to God and love to men
Be absent, all my hopes are vain;
Nor tongues, nor gifts, nor fiery zeal
The work of love can e'er fulfil.

HYMN 135. (L. M.) The Love of Christ shed abroad in the Heart, Eph. iii. 16, &c.

The gospel bears my spirits up;
A faithful and unchanging God
Lays the foundation for my hope
In oaths, and promises, and blood.

HYMN 140. (C. M.) A living and a dead Faith, collected from several Scriptures.

I

Mistaken souls! that dream of heaven,
And make their empty boast
Of inward joys, and sins forgiven,
While they are slaves to lust.

291

II

Vain are our fancies, airy flights,
If faith be cold and dead,
None but a living power unites
To Christ the living head.

III

'Tis faith that changes all the heart,
'Tis faith that works by love,
That bids all sinful joys depart,
And lifts the thoughts above.

IV

'Tis faith that conquers earth and hell
By a celestial power;
This is the grace that shall prevail
In the decisive hour.

V

Faith must obey her Father's will
As well as trust his grace;
A pardoning God is jealous still
For his own holiness.

VI

When from the curse he sets us free,
He makes our natures clean,
Nor would he send his Son to be
The minister of sin.

VII

His spirit purifies our frame,
And seals our peace with God;
Jesus, and his salvation, came
By water and by blood.

HYMN 141. (S. M.) The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ, Isaiah liii. 1–5, 10–12.

I

Who has believ'd thy word,
Or thy salvation known?
Reveal thine arm, almighty Lord,
And glorify thy Son.

II

The Jews esteem'd him here
Too mean for their belief:
Sorrows his chief acquaintance were,
And his companion, grief.

III

O happy souls! O glorious state
Of overflowing grace!
To dwell so near their Father's seat,
And see his lovely face.

IX

Lord, I address thy heavenly throne;
Call me a child of thine,
Send down the Spirit of thy Son
To form my heart divine.

X

There shed thy choicest loves abroad,
And make my comforts strong:
Then shall I say, ‘My Father, God,’
With an unwavering tongue.

HYMN 144. (C. M.) The witnessing and sealing Spirit, Rom. viii. 14, 16. Eph. i. 13, 14.

I

Why should the children of a king
Go mourning all their days?
Great Comforter, descend and bring
Some tokens of thy grace.

II

Dost thou not dwell in all the saints,
And seal the heirs of heaven?
When wilt thou banish my complaints,
And shew my sins forgiven?

III

Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer's blood;
And bear thy witness with my heart,
That I am born of God.

IV

Thou art the earnest of his love,
The pledge of joys to come;
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,
Will safe convey me home.

HYMN 145. (C. M.) Christ and Aaron. Taken from Heb. vii. and ix.

I

Jesus, in thee our eyes behold
A thousand glories more
Than the rich gems and polish'd gold
The sons of Aaron wore.

II

They first their own burnt offerings brought
To purge themselves from sin;
Thy life was pure without a spot,
And all thy nature clean.

III

Fresh blood as constant as the day
Was on their altar spilt;
But thy one offering takes away
For ever all our guilt.

IV

Their priesthood ran thro' several hands,
For mortal was their race;
Thy never-changing office stands
Eternal as thy days.

V

Once in the circuit of a year
With blood, but not his own,
Aaron within the vail appears
Before the golden throne;

VI

But Christ by his own powerful blood
Ascends above the skies,
And in the presence of our God
Shews his own sacrifice.

VII

Jesus, the King of Glory, reigns
On Sion's heavenly hill,
Looks like a lamb that has been slain,
And wears his priesthood still.

VIII

He ever lives to intercede
Before his Father's face;
Give him, my soul, thy cause to plead,
Nor doubt the Father's grace.

293

HYMN 146. (L. M.) Characters of Christ, borrowed from inanimate Things in Scripture.

I

Go, worship at Immanuel's feet,
See in his face what wonders meet;
Earth is too narrow to express
His worth, his glory, or his grace.

II

The whole creation can afford
But some faint shadows of my Lord:
Nature to make his beauties known
Must mingle colours not her own.

III

Is he compar'd to wine or bread?
Dear Lord, our souls would thus be fed;
That flesh, that dying blood of thine,
Is bread of life, is heavenly wine.

IV

Is he a tree? The world receives
Salvation from his healing leaves;
That righteous branch, that fruitful bough,
Is David's root and offspring too.

V

Is he a rose? Not Sharon yields
Such fragrancy in all her fields:
Or if the lily he assume,
The vallies bless the rich perfume.

VI

Is he a vine? His heavenly root
Supplies the boughs with life and fruit:
O let a lasting union join
My soul the branch to Christ the vine!

VII

Is he the head? Each member lives,
And owns the vital powers he gives;
The saints below, and saints above,
Join'd by his Spirit and his love.

VIII

Is he a fountain? There I bathe,
And heal the plague of sin and death;
These waters all my soul renew,
And cleanse my spotted garments too.

IX

Is he a fire? He'll purge my dross,
But the true gold sustains no loss;
Like a refiner shall he sit,
And tread the refuse with his feet.

X

Is he a rock? How firm he proves!
The rock of ages never moves;
Yet the sweet streams that from him flow
Attend us all the desert thro'.

XI

Is he a way? He leads to God,
The path is drawn in lines of blood;
There would I walk with hope and zeal,
Till I arrive at Sion's hill.

XII

Is he a door? I'll enter in;
Behold the pastures large and green,
A paradise divinely fair,
None but the sheep have freedom there.

XIII

Is he design'd a corner stone,
For men to build their heaven upon?
I'll make him my foundation too,
Nor fear the plots of hell below.

XIV

Is he a temple? I adore
Th'indwelling majesty and power;
And still to this most holy place,
Whene'er I pray, I turn my face.

XV

Is he a star? He breaks the night,
Piercing the shades with dawning light;
I know his glories from afar,
I know the bright, the morning-star.

XVI

Is he a sun? His beams are grace,
His course is joy, and righteousness;
Nations rejoice when he appears
To chase their clouds, and dry their tears.

XVII

O let me climb those higher skies,
Where storms and darkness never rise!
There he displays his powers abroad,
And shines and reigns th'incarnate God.

XVIII

Nor earth, nor seas, nor sun, nor stars,
Nor heaven his full resemblance bears;
His beauties we can never trace,
Till we behold him face to face.

HYMN 147. (L. M.) The Names and Titles of Christ, from several Scriptures.

I

'Tis from the treasures of his word
I borrow titles for my Lord;
Nor art, nor nature can supply
Sufficient forms of majesty.

II

Bright image of the Father's face,
Shining with undiminish'd rays;
Th'eternal God's eternal Son,
The heir and partner of his throne.

294

III

The King of kings, the Lord most High,
Writes his own name upon his thigh:
He wears a garment dipp'd in blood,
And breaks the nations with his rod.

IV

Where grace can neither melt nor move
The Lamb resents his injur'd love,
Awakes his wrath without delay,
And Judah's Lion tears the prey.

V

But when for works of peace he comes,
What winning titles he assumes!
Light of the World, and Life of Men;
Nor bears those characters in vain.

VI

With tender pity in his heart
He acts the Mediator's part?
A friend and brother he appears
And well fulfils the names he wears.

VII

At length the Judge his throne ascends,
Divides the rebels from his friends,
And saints in full fruition prove
His rich variety of love.

HYMN 148. As the 148th Psalm. The same.

[With cheerful voice I sing]

I

With cheerful voice I sing
The titles of my Lord,
And borrow all the names
Of honour from his word:
Nature and art
Can ne'er supply
Sufficient forms
Of majesty.

II

In Jesus we behold
His Father's glorious face,
Shining for ever bright
With mild and lovely rays:
Th'eternal God's
Eternal Son
Inherits and
Partakes the throne.

III

The sovereign King of kings,
The Lord of lords most high,
Writes his own name upon
His garment and his thigh:
His name is call'd
The Word of God;
He rules the earth
With iron rod.

IV

Where promises and grace
Can neither melt nor move,
The angry Lamb resents
The injuries of his love;
Awakes his wrath
Without delay,
As lions roar
And tear the prey.

V

But when for works of peace
The great Redeemer comes,
What gentle characters,
What titles he assumes!
Light of the World,
And life of Men;
Nor will he bear
Those names in vain.

VI

Immense compassion reigns
In our Immanuel's heart,
When he descends to act
A Mediator's part:
He is a friend
And brother too
Divinely kind,
Divinely true.

VII

At length the Lord the Judge
His awful throne ascends,
And drives the rebels far
From favourites and friends:
Then shall the saints
Completely prove
The heights and depths
Of all his love.

HYMN 149. (L. M.) The Offices of Christ, from several Scriptures.

I

Join all the names of love and power
That ever men or angels bore
All are too mean to speak his worth,
Or set Immanuel's glory forth.

II

But O what condescending ways
He takes to teach his heavenly grace!
My eyes with joy and wonder see
What forms of love he bears for me.

295

III

The angel of the covenant stands
With his commission in his hands,
Sent from his Father's milder throne
To make the great Salvation known.

IV

Great Prophet, let me bless thy name;
By thee the joyful tidings came,
Of wrath appeas'd, of sins forgiven,
Of hell subdu'd, and peace with heaven.

V

My bright example, and my guide,
I would be walking near thy side;
O let me never run astray,
Nor follow the forbidden way!

VI

I love my Shepherd, he shall keep
My wandering soul among his sheep:
He feeds his flock, he calls their names,
And in his bosom bears the lambs.

VII

My Surety undertakes my cause,
Answering his Father's broken laws;
Behold my soul at freedom set;
My Surety paid the dreadful debt.

VIII

Jesus my great High Priest has dy'd,
I seek no sacrifice beside:
His blood did once for all atone,
And now it pleads before the throne.

IX

My Advocate appears on high,
The Father lays his thunder by;
Not all that earth or hell can say
Shall turn my Father's heart away.

X

My Lord, my Conqueror, and my King,
Thy sceptre and thy sword I sing;
Thine is the victory, and I sit
A joyful subject at thy feet.

XI

Aspire, my soul, to glorious deeds,
The Captain of salvation leads?
March on, nor fear to win the day,
Tho' death and hell obstruct the way.

XII

Should death and hell, and powers unknown,
Put all their forms of mischief on,
I shall be safe; for Christ displays
Salvation in more sovereign ways.

HYMN 150. As the 148th Psalm. The same.

[Join all the glorious names]

I

Join all the glorious names
Of wisdom, love, and power,
That ever mortals knew,
That angels ever bore:
All are too mean
To speak his worth,
Too mean to set
My Saviour forth.

II

But O what gentle terms,
What condescending ways
Doth our Redeemer use
To teach his heavenly grace!
Mine eyes with joy
And wonder see
What forms of love
He bears for me.

III

Array'd in mortal flesh
He like an angel stands,
And holds the promises
And pardons in his hands:
Commission'd from
His Father's throne
To make his grace
To mortals known.

IV

Great prophet of my God,
My tongue would bless thy name;
By thee the joyful news
Of our salvation came;
The joyful news
Of sin forgiven,
Of hell subdu'd,
And peace with heaven.

V

Be thou my counsellor,
My pattern and my guide;
And thro' this desert land
Still keep me near thy side:
O let my feet
Ne'er run astray,
Nor rove, nor seek
The crooked way.

VI

I love my Shepherd's voice,
His watchful eyes shall keep
My wandering soul among
The thousands of his sheep:
He feeds his flock,
He calls their names,
His bosom bears
The tender lambs.

296

VII

To this dear Surety's hand
Will I commit my cause;
He answers and fulfils
His Father's broken laws:
Behold my soul
At freedom set!
My Surety paid
The dreadful debt.

VIII

Jesus my great High Priest
Offer'd his blood and dy'd;
My guilty conscience seeks
No sacrifice beside:
His powerful blood
Did once atone;
And now it pleads
Before the throne.

IX

My Advocate appears
For my defence on high,
The Father bows his ear,
And lays his thunder by:
Not all that hell
Or sin can say
Shall turn his heart,
His love away.

X

My dear Almighty Lord,
My conqueror and my king,
Thy sceptre, and thy sword,
Thy reigning grace I sing:
Thine is the power;
Behold I sit
In willing bonds
Before thy feet.

XI

Now let my soul arise,
And tread the tempter down;
My Captain leads me forth
To conquest and a crown.
A feeble saint
Shall win the day,
Tho' death and hell
Obstruct the way.

XII

Should all the hosts of death,
And powers of hell unknown
Put their most dreadful forms
Of rage and mischief on;
I shall be safe,
For Christ displays
Superior power,
And guardian grace.

END OF THE FIRST BOOK.

297

BOOK II. COMPOSED ON DIVINE SUBJECTS.

HYMN 1. (L. M.) A Song of Praise to God from Great Britain.

I

Nature with all her powers shall sing
God the Creator and the King;
Nor air, nor earth, nor skies, nor seas
Deny the tribute of their praise.

II

Begin to make his glories known,
Ye seraphs that sit near his throne;
Tune your harps high, and spread the sound
To the creation's utmost bound.

III

All mortal things of meaner frame,
Exert your force and own his name!
Whilst with our souls and with our voice
We sing his honours and our joys.

IV

To him be sacred all we have
From the young cradle to the grave:
Our lips shall his loud wonders tell,
And every word a miracle.

V

This northern isle, our native land,
Lies safe in God th'Almighty's hand:
Our foes of victory dream in vain,
And wear the captivating chain.

VI

He builds and guards the British throne,
And makes it gracious like his own,
Makes our successive princes kind,
And gives our dangers to the wind.

VII

Raise monumental praises high
To him that thunders through the sky,
And with an awful nod or frown
Shakes an aspiring tyrant down.

VIII

Pillars of lasting brass proclaim
The triumphs of th'eternal name;
While trembling nations read from far
The honours of the God of War.

IX

Thus let our flaming zeal employ
Our loftiest thoughts and loudest songs;
Britain pronounce with warmest joy
Hosanna from ten thousand tongues.

X

Yet, mighty God, our feeble frame
Attempts in vain to reach thy name;
The strongest notes that angels raise
Faint in the worship and the praise.

HYMN 2. (C. M.) The Death of a Sinner.

IV

But my heart fails, my tongue complains,
For want of their immortal strains;
And in such humble notes as these
Must fall below thy victories.

V

VI

God is our sun, whose daily light
Our joy and safety brings:
Our feeble flesh lies safe at night
Beneath his shady wings.

HYMN 9. (C. M.) Godly Sorrow arising from the Sufferings of Christ.

I

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed,
And did my Sovereign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

II

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, thine,
And bath'd in its own blood,
While all expos'd to wrath divine
The glorious sufferer stood.

300

III

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groan'd upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

IV

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When God the mighty Maker dy'd
For man the creature's sin.

V

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While his dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

VI

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.

HYMN 10. (C. M.) Parting with Carnal Joys.

I

My soul forsakes her vain delight,
And bids the world farewel,
Base as the dirt beneath my feet,
And mischievous as hell.

II

No longer will I ask your love,
Nor seek your friendship more;
The happiness that I approve
Lies not within your power.

III

There's nothing round this spacious earth
That suits my large desire;
To boundless joy and solid mirth
My nobler thoughts aspire.

IV

Where pleasure rolls its living flood,
From sin and dross refin'd,
Still springing from the throne of God,
And fit to cheer the mind.

V

Th'almighty ruler of the sphere,
The glorious and the great,
Brings his own all-sufficience there
To make our bliss complete.

VI

Had I the pinions of a dove
I'd climb the heavenly road;
There sits my Saviour dress'd in love,
And there my smiling God.

HYMN 11. (L. M.) The same.

[I send the joys of earth away]

I

I send the joys of earth away,
Away ye tempters of the mind,
False as the smooth deceitful sea,
And empty as the whistling wind.

II

Your streams were floating me along
Down to the gulph of black despair,
And whilst I listen'd to your song,
Your streams had e'en convey'd me there.

III

Lord, I adore thy matchless grace,
That warn'd me of that dark abyss,
That drew me from those treacherous seas,
And bid me seek superior bliss.

IV

Now to the shining realms above
I stretch my hands, and glance mine eyes;
O for the pinions of a dove
To bear me to the upper skies.

V

There from the bosom of my God
Oceans of endless pleasure roll;
There would I fix my last abode,
And drown the sorrows of my soul.

HYMN 12. (C. M.) Christ is the Substance of the Levitical Priesthood.

I

The true Messiah now appears,
The types are all withdrawn;
So fly the shadows and the stars
Before the rising dawn.

II

No smoking sweets, nor bleeding lambs,
Nor kid, nor bullock slain,
Incense and spice of costly names
Would all be burnt in vain.

III

Aaron must lay his robes away;
His mitre and his vest,
When God himself comes down to be
The offering and the priest.

IV

He took our mortal flesh to show
The wonders of his love;
For us he paid his life below,
And prays for us above.

V

‘Father, (he cries) forgive their sins,
‘For I myself have dy'd,’
And then he shews his open'd veins,
And pleads his wounded side.

301

HYMN 13. (L. M.) The Creation, Preservation, Dissolution, and Restoration of this World.

I

V

Bless'd Jesus, what delicious fare!
How sweet thy entertainments are!
Never did angels taste above
Redeeming grace, and dying love.

VI

Hail, great Immanuel, all divine,
In thee thy Father's glories shine;
Thou brightest, sweetest, fairest one,
That eyes have seen, or angels known.

HYMN 16. (L. M.)

[The Enjoyment of Christ; or, Delight in Worship. Part the Second.]

VII

Lord, what a heaven of saving grace,
Shines thro' the beauties of thy face,
And lights our passions to a flame!
Lord, how we love thy charming name!

VIII

When I can say, my God is mine,
When I can feel thy glories shine,
I tread the world beneath my feet,
And all that earth calls good or great.

IX

While such a scene of sacred joys
Our raptur'd eyes and souls employs,
Here we could sit, and gaze away
A long, an everlasting day.

X

Well, we shall quickly pass the night
To the fair coasts of perfect light;
Then shall our joyful senses rove
O'er the dear object of our love.

302

XI

There shall we drink full draughts of bliss,
And pluck new life from heavenly trees:
Yet now and then, dear Lord, bestow
A drop of heaven on worms below.

XII

Send comforts down from thy right hand,
While we pass thro' this barren land,
And in thy temple let us see
A glimpse of love a glimpse of thee.

HYMN 17. (C. M.) God's Eternity.

I

Rise, rise, my soul, and leave the ground,
Stretch all thy thoughts abroad,
And rouse up every tuneful sound
To praise th'eternal God.

II

Long ere the lofty skies were spread
Jehovah fill'd his throne;
Or Adam form'd, or angels made,
The Maker liv'd alone.

III

His boundless years can ne'er decrease,
But still maintain their prime;
Eternity's his dwelling-place,
And ever is his time.

IV

While like a tide our minutes flow,
The present and the past,
He fills his own immortal now,
And sees our ages waste.

V

The sea and sky must perish too,
And vast destruction come!
The creatures—look, how old they grow,
And wait their fiery doom!

VI

Well, let the sea shrink all away,
And flame melt down the skies,
My God shall live an endless day
When th'whole creation dies.

HYMN 18. (L. M.) The Ministry of Angels.

I

High on a hill of dazzling light,
The King of Glory spreads his seat,
And troops of angels stretch'd for flight
Stand waiting round his awful feet.

II

‘Go,’ saith the Lord, ‘my Gabriel, go,
‘Salute the virgin's fruitful womb,
‘Make haste, ye cherubs, down below,
‘Sing and proclaim the Saviour come.’

III

Here a bright squadron leaves the skies,
And thick around Elisha stands;
Anon a heavenly soldier flies,
And breaks the chains from Peter's hands.

IV

Thy winged troops, O God of hosts,
Wait on thy wandering church below,
Here we are sailing to thy coasts,
Let angels be our convoy too.

V

Are they not all thy servants, Lord?
At thy command they go and come,
With cheerful haste obey thy word,
And guard thy children to their home.

Luke i. 26.

Luke ii. 13.

2 Kings vi. 17.

Acts xii. 7.

Hebrews i. 14.

HYMN 19. (C. M.) Our frail Bodies, and God our Preserver.

I

Let others boast how strong they be,
Nor death, nor danger fear;
But we'll confess, O Lord, to thee,
What feeble things we are.

II

Fresh as the grass our bodies stand,
And flourish bright and gay,
A blasting wind sweeps o'er the land,
And fades the grass away.

III

Our life contains a thousand springs,
And dies if one begone;
Strange! that a harp of thousand strings
Should keep in tune so long.

IV

But 'tis our God supports our frame,
The God that built us first;
Salvation to th'Almighty Name
That rear'd us from the dust.

V

He spoke, and straight our hearts and brains
In all their motions rose;
‘Let blood,’ said he, ‘flow round the veins,’
And round the veins it flows.

VI

While we have breath or use our tongues
Our Maker we'll adore;
His Spirit moves our heaving lungs
Or they would breathe no more.

HYMN 20. (C. M.) Backslidings and Returns; or, the Inconstancy of our Love.

I

Why is my heart so far from thee,
My God, my chief delight?
Why are my thoughts no more by day
With thee, no more by night?

303

II

Why should my foolish passions rove?
Where can such sweetness be
As I have tasted in thy love,
As I have found in thee?

III

When my forgetful soul renews
The savour of thy grace,
My heart presumes I cannot lose
The relish all my days.

IV

But ere one fleeting hour is pass'd,
The flattering world employs
Some sensual bait to seize my taste,
And to pollute my joys.

V

Trifles of nature or of art
With fair deceitful charms
Intrude upon my thoughtless heart,
And thrust thee from my arms.

VI

Then I repent and vex my soul
That I should leave thee so,
Where will those wild affections roll
That let a Saviour go?

VII

Sin's promis'd joys are turn'd to pain,
And I am drown'd in grief;
But my dear Lord returns again,
He flies to my relief.

VIII

Seizing my soul with sweet surprise,
He draws with loving bands;
Divine compassion in his eyes,
And pardon in his hands.

IX

Wretch that I am to wander thus
In chase of false delight!
Let me be fasten'd to thy cross
Rather than lose thy sight.

X

Make haste, my days, to reach the goal,
And bring my heart to rest
On the dear centre of my soul,
My God, my Saviour's breast.

HYMN 21. (L. M.) A Song of Praise to God the Redeemer.

I

Let the old heathens tune their song
Of great Diana and of Jove;
But the sweet theme that moves my tongue
Is my Redeemer and his love.

II

Behold a God descends and dies
To save my soul from gaping hell;
How the black gulph where Satan lies
Yawn'd to receive me when I fell!

III

How justice frown'd and vengeance stood
To drive me down to endless pain!
But the great Son propos'd his blood,
And heavenly wrath grew mild again.

IV

Infinite Lover, gracious Lord,
To thee be endless honours given;
Thy wondrous name shall be ador'd
Round the wide earth, and wider heaven.

HYMN 22. (L. M.) With God is terrible Majesty.

I

Terrible God, that reign'st on high,
How awful is thy thundering hand!
Thy fiery bolts how fierce they fly!
Nor can all earth or hell withstand.

II

This the old-rebel angels knew,
And Satan fell beneath thy frown:
Thine arrows struck the traitor through,
And weighty vengeance sunk him down.

III

This Sodom felt, and feels it still,
And roars beneath th'eternal load,
‘With endless burnings who can dwell,
‘Or bear the fury of a God!’

IV

Tremble, ye sinners, and submit,
Throw down your arms before his throne,
Bend your heads low beneath his feet,
Or his strong hand shall crush you down.

V

And ye, bless'd saints, that love him too,
With rev'rence bow before his name,
Thus all his heavenly servants do:
God is a bright and burning flame.

HYMN 23. (L. M.) The Sight of God and Christ in Heaven.

I

Descend from heaven, Immortal Dove,
Stoop down and take us on thy wings,
And mount and bear us far above
The reach of these inferior things:

II

Beyond, beyond this lower sky,
Up where eternal ages roll,
Where solid pleasures never die,
And fruits immortal feast the soul.

304

III

O for a sight, a pleasing sight
Of our almighty Father's throne!
There sits our Saviour crown'd with light,
Cloth'd in a body like our own.

IV

Adoring saints around him stand,
And thrones and powers before him fall;
The God shines gracious thro' the man,
And sheds sweet glories on them all.

V

O what amazing joys they feel
While to their golden harps they sing,
And sit on every heavenly hill,
And spread the triumphs of their King!

VI

When shall the day, dear Lord, appear
That I shall mount to dwell above,
And stand and bow amongst them there,
And view thy face, and sing, and love!

HYMN 24. (L. M.) The Evil of Sin visible in the Fall of Angels and Men.

I

When the great Builder arch'd the skies,
And form'd all nature with a word,
The joyful cherubs tun'd his praise,
And ev'ry bending throne ador'd.

II

High in the midst of all the throng,
Satan, a tall archangel, sat,
Amongst the morning stars he sung
Till sin destroy'd his heavenly state.

III

'Twas sin that hurl'd him from his throne,
Grov'ling in fire the rebel lies:
‘How art thou sunk in darkness down,
‘Son of the morning, from the skies!

IV

And thus our two first parents stood
Till sin defil'd the happy place;
They lost their garden and their God,
And ruin'd all their unborn race.

V

So sprung the plague from Adam's bower
And spread destruction all abroad;
Sin, the curst name, that in one hour
Spoil'd six days labour of a God.

VI

Tremble, my soul, and mourn for grief,
That such a foe should seize thy breast;
Fly to thy Lord for quick relief;
O may he slay this treacherous guest.

VII

Then to thy throne, victorious King,
Then to thy throne our shouts shall rise,
Thine everlasting arm we sing,
For sin the monster bleeds and dies.

Job xxxviii. 7.

Isaiah xiv. 12.

HYMN 25. (C. M.) Complaining of Spiritual Sloth.

I

My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so?
Awake, my sluggish soul!
Nothing has half thy work to do,
Yet nothing's half so dull.

II

The little ants for one poor grain
Labour, and tug, and strive,
Yet we who have a heaven t'obtain,
How negligent we live!

III

We for whose sake all nature stands
And stars their courses move;
We for whose guard the angel bands
Come flying from above;

IV

We for whom God the Son came down,
And labour'd for our good,
How careless to secure that crown
He purchas'd with his blood!

V

Lord, shall we live so sluggish still,
And never act our parts?
Come, holy Dove, from th'heavenly hill,
And sit and warm our hearts.

VI

Then shall our active spirits move,
Upward our souls shall rise:
With hands of faith and wings of love
We'll fly and take the prize.

HYMN 26. (L. M.) God invisible.

I

Lord, we are blind, we mortals blind,
We can't behold thy bright abode;
O 'tis beyond a creature-mind
To glance a thought half way to God.

II

Infinite leagues beyond the sky
The great Eternal reigns alone,
Where neither wings nor soul can fly,
Nor angels climb the topless throne.

III

The Lord of glory builds his seat
Of gems insufferably bright,
And lays beneath his sacred feet
Substantial beams of gloomy night.

305

IV

Yet, glorious Lord, thy gracious eyes
Look thro', and cheer us from above;
Beyond our praise thy grandeur flies,
Yet we adore, and yet we love.

HYMN 27. (L. M.) Praise ye him, all his Angels, Psalm cxlviii. 2.

I

God! the eternal awful name
That the whole heavenly army fears,
That shakes the wide creation's frame,
And Satan trembles when he hears.

II

Like flames of fire his servants are,
And light surrounds his dwelling-place;
But, O ye fiery flames, declare
The brighter glories of his face.

III

'Tis not for such poor worms as we
To speak so infinite a thing,
But your immortal eyes survey
The beauties of your sovereign King.

IV

Tell how he shews his smiling face,
And clothes all heaven in bright array;
Triumph and joy run thro' the place,
And songs eternal as the day.

V

Speak, (for you feel his burning love)
What zeal it spreads thro' all your frame:
That sacred fire dwells all above,
For we on earth have lost the name.

VI

Sing of his power and justice too,
That infinite right hand of his
That vanquish'd Satan and his crew,
And thunder drove them down from bliss.

VII

What mighty storms of poison'd darts
Were hurl'd upon the rebels there!
What deadly javelins nail'd their hearts
Fast to the racks of long despair!

VIII

Shout to your King, you heavenly host,
You that beheld the sinking foe;
Firmly ye stood when they were lost;
Praise the rich grace that kept you so.

IX

Proclaim his wonders from the skies,
Let every distant nation hear;
And while you sound his lofty praise,
Let humble mortals bow and fear.

HYMN 28. (C. M.) Death and Eternity.

I

Stoop down, my thoughts, that use to rise,
Converse awhile with death:
Think how a gasping mortal lies,
And pants away his breath.

II

His quivering lip hangs feebly down,
His pulses faint and few,
Then, speechless, with a doleful groan
He bids the world adieu.

III

But, O the soul that never dies!
At once it leaves the clay!
Ye thoughts, pursue it where it flies,
And track its wondrous way.

IV

Up to the courts where angels dwell,
It mounts triumphing there,
Or devils plunge it down to hell
In infinite despair.

V

And must my body faint and die?
And must this soul remove?
O for some guardian angel nigh
To bear it safe above!

VI

Jesus, to thy dear faithful hand
My naked soul I trust,
And my flesh waits for thy command
To drop into my dust.

HYMN 29. (C. M.) Redemption by Price and Power.

I

Jesus, with all thy saints above
My tongue would bear her part,
Would sound aloud thy saving love,
And sing thy bleeding heart.

II

Bless'd be the Lamb, my dearest Lord,
Who bought me with his blood,
And quench'd his Father's flaming sword
In his own vital flood:

III

The Lamb that freed my captive soul
From Satan's heavy chains,
And sent the lion down to howl
Where hell and horror reigns.

IV

All glory to the dying Lamb,
And never ceasing praise,
While angels live to know his name,
Or saints to feel his grace.

306

HYMN 30. (S. M.) Heavenly Joy on Earth.

I

Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne.

II

The sorrows of the mind
Be banish'd from the place!
Religion never was design'd
To make our pleasures less.

III

Let those refuse to sing
That never knew our God,
But favourites of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad.

IV

The God that rules on high,
And thunders when he please,
That rides upon the stormy sky,
And manages the seas;

V

This awful God is ours,
Our Father and our love,
He shall send down his heavenly powers
To carry us above.

VI

There we shall see his face,
And never, never sin;
There from the rivers of his grace
Drink endless pleasures in.

VII

Yes, and before we rise
To that immortal state,
The thoughts of such amazing bliss
Should constant joys create.

VIII

The men of grace have found
Glory begun below,
Celestial fruits on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow.

IX

The hill of Sion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Or walk the golden streets.

X

Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We're marching thro' Immanuel's ground
To fairer worlds on high.

HYMN 31. (L. M.) Christ's Presence makes Death easy.

I

Why should we start and fear to die?
What timorous worms we mortals are!
Death is the gate of endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there.

II

The pains, the groans, and dying strife,
Fright our approaching souls away;
Still we shrink back again to life,
Fond of our prison and our clay.

III

O, if my Lord would come and meet,
My soul should stretch her wings in haste,
Fly fearless thro' Death's iron gate,
Nor feel the terrors as she past.

IV

Jesus can make a dying bed,
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast I lean my head,
And breathe my life out sweetly there.

HYMN 32. (C. M.) Frailty and Folly.

I

How short and hasty is our life!
How vast our souls' affairs!
Yet senseless mortals vainly strive
To lavish out their years.

II

Our days run thoughtlessly along,
Without a moment's stay;
Just like a story or a song
We pass our lives away.

III

God from on high invites us home,
But we march heedless on,
And ever hastening to the tomb,
Stoop downwards as we run.

IV

How we deserve the deepest hell
That slight the joys above!
What chains of vengeance should we feel
That break such cords of love!

V

Draw us, O God, with sovereign grace,
And lift our thoughts on high,
That we may end this mortal race
And see salvation nigh.

307

HYMN 33. (C. M.) The blessed Society in Heaven.

I

Raise thee, my soul, fly up and run
Thro' every heavenly street,
And say, There's nought below the sun
That's worthy of thy feet.

II

Thus will we mount on sacred wings
And tread the courts above;
Nor earth, nor all her mightiest things
Shall tempt our meanest love.

III

There on a high majestic throne
Th'Almighty Father reigns,
And sheds his glorious goodness down
On all the blissful plains.

IV

Bright like a sun the Saviour sits,
And spreads eternal noon,
No evenings there, nor gloomy nights,
To want the feeble moon.

V

Amidst! those ever-shining skies
Behold the sacred Dove,
While banish'd sin and sorrow flies
From all the realms of love.

VI

The glorious tenants of the place
Stand bending round the throne;
An saints and seraphs sing and praise
The infinite Three One.

VII

But O what beams of heavenly grace
Transport them all the while!
Ten thousand smiles from Jesus' face,
And love in every smile!

VIII

Jesus, and when shall that dear day,
That joyful hour appear,
When I shall leave this house of clay
To dwell amongst them there?

HYMN 34. (C. M.) Breathing after the Holy Spirit; or, Fervency of Devotion desired.

I

Come, holy Spirit, heavenly Dove
With all thy quickening powers,
Kindle a flame of sacred love,
In these cold hearts of ours.

II

Look, how we grovel here below,
Fond of these trifling toys;
Our souls can neither fly nor go
To reach eternal joys.

III

In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise;
Hosannas languish on our tongues,
And our devotion dies.

IV

Dear Lord! and shall we ever lie
At this poor dying rate?
Our love so faint, so cold to thee?
And thine to us so great?

V

Come, holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all thy quickening powers;
Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love,
And that shall kindle ours.

HYMN 35. (C. M.) Praise to God for Creation and Redemption.

I

Let them neglect thy glory, Lord,
Who never knew thy grace,
But our loud songs shall still record
The wonders of thy praise.

II

We raise our shouts, O God, to thee,
And send them to thy throne,
All glory to th'United Three,
The Undivided One.

III

'Twas he (and we'll adore his name)
That form'd us by a word,
'Tis he restores our ruin'd frame;
Salvation to the Lord.

IV

Hosanna! let the earth and skies
Repeat the joyful sound,
Rocks, hills, and vales, reflect the voice
In one eternal round.

HYMN 36. (S. M.) Christ's Intercession.

Had I a glance of thee, my God,
Kingdoms and men would vanish soon,
Vanish as tho' I saw them not,
As a dim candle dies at noon.

V

Then they might fight, and rage, and rave,
I should perceive the noise no more
Than we can hear a shaking leaf,
While rattling thunders round us roar.

VI

Great All in All, Eternal King,
Let me but view thy lovely face,
And all my powers shall bow, and sing
Thine endless grandeur and thy grace.

HYMN 42. (C. M.) Delight in God.

I

My God, what endless pleasures dwell
Above at thy right hand!
The courts below, how amiable,
Where all thy graces stand!

II

The swallow near thy temple lies,
And chirps a cheerful note;
The lark mounts upwards to thy skies,
And tunes her warbling throat:

III

And we, when in thy presence, Lord,
We shout with joyful tongues,
Or sitting round our Father's board,
We crown the feast with songs.

IV

While Jesus shines with quickening grace,
We sing and mount on high;
But if a frown becloud his face,
We faint, and tire, and die.

V

Just as we see the lonesome dove
Bemoan her widow'd state,
Wandering she flies thro' all the grove,
And mourns her loving mate.

VI

Just so our thoughts from thing to thing
In restless circles rove,
Just so we droop, and hang the wing,
When Jesus hides his love.

HYMN 43. (L. M.) Christ's Sufferings and Glory.

I

Now for a tune of lofty praise
To great Jehovah's equal Son!
Awake, my voice, in heavenly lays,
Tell the loud wonders he hath done.

II

Sing how he left the worlds of light
And the bright robes he wore above,
How swift and joyful was his flight
On wings of everlasting love.

III

Down to this base, this sinful earth,
He came to raise our nature high;
He came t'atone almighty wrath;
Jesus the God was born to die.

IV

Hell and its lions roar'd around,
His precious blood the monsters spilt,
While weighty sorrows press'd him down,
Large as the loads of all our guilt.

310

V

Deep in the shades of gloomy death
Th'almighty Captive prisoner lay,
Th'almighty Captive left the earth,
And rose to everlasting day.

VI

Lift up your eyes, ye sons of light,
Up to his throne of shining grace,
See what immortal glories sit
Round the sweet beauties of his face.

VII

Amongst a thousand harps and songs
Jesus the God exalted reigns,
His sacred name fills all their tongues,
And echoes thro' the heavenly plains!

HYMN 44. (L. M.) Hell; or, the Vengeance of God.

I

With holy fear and humble song,
The dreadful God our souls adore;
Reverence and awe becomes the tongue
That speaks the terrors of his power.

II

Far in the deep where darkness dwells,
The land of horror and despair,
Justice has built a dismal hell,
And laid her stores of vengeance there.

III

Eternal plagues and heavy chains,
Tormenting racks and fiery coals,
And darts t'inflict immortal pains
Dy'd in the blood of damned souls.

IV

Their Satan the first sinner lies,
And roars, and bites his iron bands:
In vain the rebel strives to rise,
Crush'd with the weight of both thine hands.

V

There guilty ghosts of Adam's race
Shriek out, and howl beneath thy rod;
Once they could scorn a Saviour's grace,
But they incens'd a dreadful God.

VI

Tremble, my soul, and kiss the Son;
Sinners obey the Saviour's call;
Else your damnation hastens on,
And hell gapes wide to wait your fall.

HYMN 45. (L. M.) God's Condescension to our Worship.

I

Thy favours, Lord, surprise our souls;
Will the Eternal dwell with us?
What canst thou find beneath the poles
To tempt thy chariot downward thus?

II

Still might he fill his starry throne,
And please his ears with Gabriel's songs;
But th'heavenly majesty comes down,
And bows to hearken to our tongues.

III

Great God, what poor returns we pay
For love so infinite as thine!
Words are but air, and tongues but clay,
But thy compassion's all divine.

HYMN 46. (L. M.) God's Condescension to Human Affairs.

I

Up to the Lord that reigns on high,
And views the nations from afar,
Let everlasting praises fly,
And tell how large his bounties are.

II

He that can shake the worlds he made,
Or with his word, or with his rod,
His goodness how amazing great!
And what a condescending God!

III

God that must stoop to view the skies,
And bow to see what angels do,
Down to our earth he casts his eyes,
And bends his footsteps downward too.

IV

He over-rules all mortal things,
And manages our mean affairs;
On humble souls the King of kings
Bestows his counsels and his cares.

V

Our sorrows and our tears we pour
Into the bosom of our God,
He hears us in the mournful hour,
And helps us bear the heavy load.

VI

In vain might lofty princes try
Such condescension to perform;
For worms were never rais'd so high
Above their meanest fellow-worm.

VII

O could our thankful hearts devise
A tribute equal to thy grace,
To the third heaven our songs should rise,
And teach the golden harps thy praise.

HYMN 47. (L. M.) Glory and Grace in the Person of Christ.

I

Now to the Lord a noble song!
Awake, my soul, awake, my tongue;
Hosanna to th'eternal name,
And all his boundless love proclaim.

311

II

See where it shines in Jesus' face,
The brightest image of his grace;
God, in the person of his Son,
Has all his mightiest works outdone.

III

The spacious earth and spreading flood
Proclaim the wise the powerful God;
And thy rich glories from afar
Sparkle in every rolling star.

IV

But in his looks a glory stands,
The noblest labour of thine hands:
The pleasing lusture of his eyes
Outshines the wonders of the skies.

V

Grace, 'tis a sweet, a charming theme;
My thoughts rejoice at Jesus' name:
Ye angels, dwell upon the sound,
Ye heavens reflect it to the ground!

VI

O, may I live to reach the place
Where he unveils his lovely face,
Where all his beauties you behold,
And sing his name to harps of gold!

HYMN 48. (C. M.) Love to the Creatures is dangerous.

I

V

When the last fire burns all things here
Those letters shall securely stand,
And in the Lamb's fair book appear
Writ by th'eternal Father's hand.

VI

Now shall my minutes smoothly run,
Whilst here I wait my Father's will;
My rising and my setting sun
Roll gently up and down the hill.

312

HYMN 51. (L. M.) God the Son equal with the Father.

I

VII

By glimmering hopes and gloomy fears
We trace the sacred road,
Thro' dismal deeps and dangerous snares
We make our way to God.

VIII

Our journey is a thorny maze,
But we march upward still;
Forget these troubles of the way,
And reach at Zion's hill.

313

IX

See the kind angels at the gates,
Inviting us to come;
There Jesus the forerunner waits
To welcome travellers home.

X

There on a green and flowery mount
Our weary souls shall sit,
And with transporting joys recount
The labours of our feet.

XI

No vain discourse shall fill our tongue,
Nor trifles vex our ear,
Infinite grace shall be our song,
And God rejoice to hear.

XII

Eternal glories to the King
That brought us safely through;
Our tongues shall never cease to sing,
And endless praise renew.

HYMN 54. (C. M.) God's Presence is Light in Darkness.

I

My God, the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights.

II

In darkest shades if he appear,
My dawning is begun;
He is my soul's sweet morning star,
And he my rising sun.

III

The opening heavens around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss,
While Jesus shews his heart is mine,
And whispers, ‘I am his!’

IV

My soul would leave this heavy clay
At that transporting word,
Run up with joy the shining way
T'embrace my dearest Lord.

V

Fearless of hell and ghastly death
I'd break thro' every foe;
The wings of love, and arms of faith
Should bear me conqueror through.

HYMN 55. (C. M.) Frail Life and succeeding Eternity.

I

Thee we adore, eternal name,
And humbly own to thee,
How feeble is our mortal frame!
What dying worms are we!

II

Our wasting lives grow shorter still
As months and days increase;
And every beating pulse we tell
Leaves but the number less.

III

The year rolls round, and steals away
The breath that first it gave;
Whate'er we do, where'er we be,
We're travelling to the grave.

IV

Dangers stand thick through all the ground
To push us to the tomb,
And fierce diseases wait around
To hurry mortals home.

V

Good God! on what a slender thread
Hand everlasting things!
Th'eternal states of all the dead
Upon life's feeble strings.

VI

Infinite joy or endless woe
Attends on every breath;
And yet how unconcern'd we go
Upon the brink of death!

VII

Waken, O Lord, our drowsy sense
To walk this dangerous road;
And if our souls be hurry'd hence
May they be found with God!

HYMN 56. (C. M.) The Misery of being without God in this World; or, vain Prosperity.

I

No, I shall envy them no more
Who grow profanely great,
Tho' they increase their golden store,
And rise to wondrous height.

II

They taste of all the joys that grow
Upon this earthly clod,
Well they may search the creature thro',
For they have ne'er a God.

III

Shake off the thoughts of dying too,
And think your life your own;
But death comes hastening on to you
To mow your glory down.

IV

Yes, you must bow your stately head,
Away your spirit flies,
And no kind angel near your bed
To bear it to the skies.

314

V

Go now, and boast of all your stores,
And tell how bright you shine;
Your heaps of glittering dust are yours,
And my Redeemer's mine.

HYMN 57. (L. M.) The Pleasures of a good Conscience.

I

Lord, how secure and bless'd are they
Who feel the joys of pardon'd sin?
Should storms of wrath shake earth and sea,
Their minds have heaven and peace within.

II

The day glides sweetly o'er their heads,
Made up of innocence and love?
And soft and silent as the shades
Their nightly minutes gently move.

III

Quick as their thoughts their joys come on,
But fly not half so fast away;
Their souls are ever bright as noon,
And calm as summer evenings be.

IV

How oft they look to th'heavenly hills
Where groves of living pleasure grow!
And longing hopes and cheerful smiles
Sit undisturb'd upon their brow.

V

They scorn to seek our golden toys,
But spend the day and share the night
In numbering o'er the richer joys
That heaven prepares for their delight.

VI

While wretched we, like worms and moles,
Lie grovelling in the dust below:
Almighty grace, renew our souls,
And we'll aspire to glory too.

HYMN 58. (C. M.) The Shortness of Life, and the Goodness of God.

I

Time! what an empty vapour 'tis!
And days how swift they are!
Swift as an Indian arrow flies,
Or like a shooting star.

II

The present moments just appear,
Then slide away in haste,
That we can never say, ‘They're here,’
But only say, ‘They're past.’

III

Our life is ever on the wing,
And death is ever nigh;
The moment when our lives begin
We all begin to die.

IV

Yet, mighty God, our fleeting days
Thy lasting favours share,
Yet with the bounties of thy grace
Thou load'st the rolling year.

V

'Tis sovereign mercy finds us food,
And we are cloth'd with love;
While grace stands pointing out the road,
That leads our souls above.

VI

His goodness runs an endless round;
All glory to the Lord:
His mercy never knows a bound,
And be his name ador'd!

VII

Thus we begin the lasting song,
And when we close our eyes,
Let the next age thy praise prolong
Till time and nature dies.

HYMN 59. (C. M.) Paradise on Earth.

I

Glory to God that walks the sky,
And sends his blessings through,
That tells his saints of joys on high,
And gives a taste below.

II

Glory to God that stoops his throne
That dust and worms may see't,
And brings a glimpse of glory down
Around his sacred feet.

III

When Christ, with all his graces crown'd,
Sheds his kind beams abroad,
'Tis a young heaven on earthly ground,
And glory in the bud.

IV

A blooming Paradise of joy
In this wild desert springs;
And every sense I straight employ
On sweet celestial things.

V

White lilies all around appear,
And each his glory shows;
The rose of Sharon blossoms here,
The fairest flower that blows.

VI

Cheerful I feast on heavenly fruit,
And drink the pleasures down,
Pleasures that flow hard by the foot
Of the eternal throne.

VII

But ah! how soon my joys decay!
How soon my sins arise,
And snatch the heavenly scene away
From these lamenting eyes!

315

VIII

When shall the time, dear Jesus, when
The shining day appear,
That I shall leave those clouds of sin,
And guilt and darkness here?

IX

Up to the fields above the skies
My hasty feet would go,
There everlasting flowers arise,
And joys unwithering grow.

HYMN 60. (L. M.) The Truth of God the Promiser; or, the Promises are our Security.

I

Praise, everlasting praise be paid
To him that earth's foundations laid;
Praise to the God whose strong decrees
Sway the creation as he please.

II

Praise to the goodness of the Lord
Who rules his people by his word,
And there as strong as his decrees
He sets his kindest promises.

III

Firm are the words his prophets give,
Sweet words on which his children live;
Each of them is the voice of God,
Who spoke and spread the skies abroad.

IV

Each of them powerful as that sound
That bid the new-made heavens go round;
And stronger than the solid poles
On which the wheel of nature rolls.

V

Whence then should doubts and fears arise?
Why trickling sorrows drown our eyes?
Slowly, alas, our mind receives
The comforts that our Maker gives.

VI

O for a strong a lasting faith,
To credit what th'Almighty saith!
T'embrace the message of his Son,
And call the joys of heaven our own.

VII

Then should the earth's old pillars shake,
And all the wheels of nature break,
Our steady souls should fear no more
Than solid rocks when billows roar.

VIII

Our everlasting hopes arise
Above the ruinable skies,
Where the eternal Builder reigns,
And his own courts his power sustains.

HYMN 61. (C. M.) A Thought of Death and Glory.

I

My soul, come meditate the day,
And think how near it stands,
When thou must quit this house of clay,
And fly to unknown lands.

II

And you, mine eyes, look down and view
The hollow gaping tomb,
This gloomy prison waits for you
Whene'er the summons come.

III

O could we die with those that die,
And place us in their stead,
Then would our spirits learn to fly,
And converse with the dead:

IV

Then should we see the saints above
In their own glorious forms,
And wonder why our souls should love
To dwell with mortal worms.

V

How we should scorn these clothes of flesh,
These fetters and this load!
And long for evening to undress,
That we may rest with God.

VI

We should almost forsake our clay
Before the summons come,
And pray, and wish our souls away
To their eternal home.

HYMN 62. (C. M.) God the Thunderer; or, the last Judgment and Hell.

I

Sing to the Lord, ye heavenly hosts,
And thou, O earth, adore,
Let death and hell thro' all their coasts
Stand trembling at his power.

II

His sounding chariot shakes the sky,
He makes the clouds his throne,
There all his stores of lightning lie,
Till vengeance dart them down.

III

His nostrils breathe out fiery streams,
And from his awful tongue
A sovereign voice divides the flames,
And thunder roars along.

IV

Think, O my soul, the dreadful day
When this incensed God
Shall rend the sky, and burn the sea,
And fling his wrath abroad.

316

V

What shall the wretch the sinner do?
He once defy'd the Lord;
But he shall dread the thunderer now,
And sink beneath his word.

VI

Tempests of angry fire shall roll
To blast the rebel-worm,
And beat upon his naked soul
In one eternal storm.

Made in a great sudden storm of thunder, Aug. 20th, 1697.

HYMN 63. (C. M.) A Funeral Thought.

I

Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound,
My ears attend the cry,
‘Ye living men, come view the ground
‘Where you must shortly lie.

II

‘Princes, this clay must be your bed,
‘In spite of all your towers;
‘The tall, the wise, the reverend head
‘Must lie as low as ours.’

III

Great God, is this our certain doom?
And are we still secure?
Still walking downward to our tomb,
And yet prepare no more?

IV

Grant us the powers of quickening grace
To fit our souls to fly,
Then, when we drop this dying flesh,
We'll rise above the sky.

HYMN 64. (L. M.) God the Glory and Defence of Sion.

I

V

O! could we make our doubts remove,
These gloomy doubts that rise,
And see the Canaan that we love,
With unbeclouded eyes!

317

VI

Could we but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape o'er,
Not Jordan's stream, nor deaths cold flood,
Should fright us from the shore.

HYMN 67. (C. M.) God's eternal Dominion.

I

Great God, how infinite art thou!
What worthless worms are we!
Let the whole race of creatures bow
And pay their praise to thee.

II

Thy throne eternal ages stood,
Ere seas or stars were made;
Thou art the ever-living God
Were all the nations dead.

III

Nature and time quite naked lie
To thine immense survey,
From the formation of the sky
To the great burning day.

IV

Eternity with all its years
Stands present in thy view;
To thee there's nothing old appears,
Great God, there's nothing new.

V

Our lives thro' various scenes are drawn,
And vex'd with trifling cares;
While thine eternal thought moves on
Thine undisturb'd affairs.

VI

Great God, how infinite art thou!
What worthless worms are we!
Let the whole race of creatures bow
And pay their praise to thee.

HYMN 68. (C. M.) The humble Worship of Heaven.

I

Father, I long, I faint to see
The place of thine abode,
I'd leave thy earthly courts and flee
Up to thy seat, my God!

II

Here I behold thy distant face,
And 'tis a pleasing sight;
But to abide in thine embrace
Is infinite delight.

III

I'd part with all the joys of sense
To gaze upon thy throne;
Pleasure springs fresh for ever thence,
Unspeakable, unknown.

IV

There all the heavenly hosts are seen,
In shining ranks they move,
And drink immortal vigour in,
With wonder and with love.

V

Then at thy feet with awful fear
Th'adoring armies fall;
With joy they shrink to nothing there,
Before th'eternal All.

VI

There I would vie with all the host
In duty and in bliss,
While less than nothing I could boast
And vanity confess.

VII

The more thy glories strike mine eyes,
The humbler I shall lie;
Thus while I sink, my joys shall rise
Unmeasurable high.

Isaiah xl. 17.

HYMN 69. (C. M.) The Faithfulness of God in his Promises.

I

Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme,
And speak some boundless thing,
The mighty works, or mightier name
Of our eternal King.

II

Tell of his wondrous faithfulness,
And sound his power abroad,
Sing the sweet promise of his grace,
And the performing God.

III

Proclaim ‘salvation from the Lord
‘For wretched dying men;’
His hand has writ the sacred word
With an immortal pen.

IV

Engrav'd as in eternal brass
The mighty promise shines;
Nor can the powers of darkness rase
Those everlasting lines.

V

He that can dash whole worlds to death,
And make them when he please,
He speaks, and that almighty breath
Fulfils his great decrees.

VI

His very word of grace is strong
As that which built the skies,
The voice that rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises.

318

VII

He said, ‘Let the wide heaven be spread,’
And heaven was stretch'd abroad;
‘Abrah'm, I'll be thy God,’ he said,
And he was Abrah'm's God.

VIII

O, might I hear thine heavenly tongue
But whisper, ‘Thou art mine;’
Those gentle words should raise my song
To notes almost divine.

IX

How would my leaping heart rejoice
And think my heaven secure!
I trust the all-creating voice,
And faith desires no more.

HYMN 70. (L. M.) God's Dominion over the Sea, Psalm cvii. 23, &c.

I

God of the seas, thy thundering voice
Makes all the roaring waves rejoice,
And one soft word of thy command
Can sink them silent in the sand.

II

If but a Moses wave thy rod,
The sea divides and owns its God;
The stormy floods their Maker knew,
And let his chosen armies through.

III

The scaly flocks amidst the sea
To thee their Lord a tribute pay;
The meanest fish that swims the flood
Leaps up, and means a praise to God.

IV

The larger monsters of the deep,
On thy commands attendance keep,
By thy permission sport and play,
And cleave along their foaming way.

V

If God his voice of tempest rears
Leviathan lies still and fears,
Anon he lifts his nostrils high,
And spouts the ocean to the sky.

VI

How is thy glorious power ador'd,
Amidst those wat'ry nations, Lord!
Yet the bold men that trace the seas,
Bold men, refuse their Maker's praise.

VII

What scenes of miracles they see,
And never tune a song to thee!
While on the flood they safely ride,
They curse the hand that smooths the tide.

VIII

Anon they plunge in wat'ry graves,
And some drink death among the waves:
Yet the surviving crew blaspheme,
Nor own the God that rescu'd them.

IX

O for some signal of thine hand,
Shake all the seas, Lord, shake the land,
Great Judge descend, lest men deny
That there's a God that rules the sky.

From the 70th to the 108th Hymn, I hope the reader will forgive the neglect of rhyme in the first and third lines of the stanza.

HYMN 71. (C. M.) Praise to God from all Creatures.

I

The glories of my Maker God,
My joyful voice shall sing,
And call the nations to adore
Their Former and their King.

II

'Twas his right hand that shap'd our clay,
And wrought this human frame,
But from his own immediate breath
Our nobler spirits came.

III

We bring our mortal powers to God,
And worship with our tongues:
We claim some kindred with the skies
And join th'angelic songs.

IV

Let grovelling beasts of every shape,
And fowls of every wing,
And rocks, and trees, and fires, and seas,
Their various tribute bring.

V

Ye planets, to his honour shine,
And wheels of nature roll,
Praise him in your unwearied course
Around the steady pole.

VI

The brightness of our Maker's name
The wide creation fills,
And his unbounded grandeur flies
Beyond the heavenly hills.

HYMN 72. (C. M.) The Lord's Day; or, the Resurrection of Christ.

I

Bless'd morning, whose young dawning rays
Beheld our rising God,
That saw him triumph o'er the dust,
And leave his dark abode.

II

In the cold prison of a tomb,
The dead Redeemer lay,
Till the revolving skies had brought
The third, th'appointed day.

III

Hell and the grave unite their force
To hold our God in vain,
The sleeping Conqueror arose,
And burst their feeble chain.

319

IV

To thy great name, almighty Lord,
These sacred hours we pay,
And loud hosannas shall proclaim
The triumph of the day.

V

Salvation and immortal praise
To our victorious King,
Let heaven, and earth, and rocks, and seas,
With glad hosannas ring.

IV

His living power, and dying love
Redeem'd unhappy men,
And rais'd the ruins of our race
To life and God again.

V

To thee, dear Lord, our flesh and soul
We joyfully resign,
Bless'd Jesus, take us for thy own,
For we are doubly thine.

VI

Thine honour shall for ever be
The business of our days,
For ever shall our thankful tongues
Speak thy deserved praise.

HYMN 79. (C. M.) Praise to the Redeemer.

I

Plung'd in a gulph of dark despair
We wretched sinners lay,
Without one cheerful beam of hope,
Or spark of glimmering day.

II

With pitying eyes, the Prince of Grace
Beheld our helpless grief,
He saw, and (O amazing love!)
He ran to our relief.

III

Down from the shining seats above
With joyful haste he fled,
Enter'd the grave in mortal flesh,
And dwelt among the dead.

IV

He spoil'd the powers of darkness thus,
And brake our iron chains;
Jesus has freed our captive souls
From everlasting pains.

321

V

In vain the baffled prince of hell
His cursed projects tries,
We that were doom'd his endless slaves
Are rais'd above the skies.

VI

O for this love, let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues
The Saviour's praises speak.

VII

Yes, we will praise thee, dearest Lord,
Our souls are all on flame,
Hosanna round the spacious earth
To thine adored name.

VIII

Angels, assist our mighty joys,
Strike all your harps of gold;
But when you raise your highest notes
His love can ne'er be told.

HYMN 80. (S. M.) God's awful Power and Goodness.

I

O the almighty Lord!
How matchless is his power!
Tremble, O earth, beneath his word,
And all the heavens adore.

II

Let proud imperious kings
Bow low before his throne,
Crouch to his feet, ye haughty things,
Or he shall tread you down.

III

Above the skies he reigns,
And with amazing blows
He deals unsufferable pains
On his rebellious foes.

IV

Yet, everlasting God,
We love to speak thy praise;
Thy sceptre's equal to thy rod,
The sceptre of thy grace.

V

The arms of mighty love
Defend our Sion well,
And heavenly mercy walls us round
From Babylon and Hell.

VI

Salvation to the King
That sits enthron'd above;
Thus we adore the God of might,
And bless the God of love.

HYMN 81. (C. M.) Our Sin the Cause of Christ's Death.

I

And now the scales have left mine eyes,
Now I begin to see;
Oh the curs'd deeds my sins have done!
What murderous things they be!

II

Were these the traitors, dearest Lord,
That thy fair body tore?
Monsters, that stain'd those heavenly limbs
With floods of purple gore?

III

Was it for crimes that I had done
My dearest Lord was slain,
When justice seiz'd God's only Son,
And put his soul to pain?

IV

Forgive my guilt, O Prince of Peace,
I'll wound my God no more;
Hence from my heart, ye sins, be gone,
For Jesus I adore.

V

Furnish me, Lord, with heavenly arms
From grace's magazine,
And I'll proclaim eternal war
With every darling sin.

HYMN 82. (C. M.) Redemption and Protection from Spiritual Enemies.

I

Arise, my soul, my joyful powers,
And triumph in my God,
Awake, my voice, and loud proclaim
His glorious grace abroad.

II

He rais'd me from the deeps of sin,
The gates of gaping hell,
And fix'd my standing more secure
Than 'twas before I fell.

III

The arms of everlasting love
Beneath my soul he plac'd,
And on the rock of ages set
My slippery footsteps fast.

IV

The city of my bless'd abode
Is wall'd around with grace,
Salvation for a bulwark stands
To shield the sacred place.

V

Satan may vent his sharpest spite,
And all his legions roar,
Almighty mercy guards my life,
And bounds his raging power.

322

VI

Arise, my soul, awake, my voice,
And tunes of pleasure sing,
Loud hallelujahs shall address
My Saviour and my King.

HYMN 83. (C. M.) The Passion and Exaltation of Christ.

Why does your face, ye humble souls,
Those mournful colours wear?
What doubts are these that waste your faith,
And nourish your despair?

II

What tho' your numerous sins exceed
The stars that fill the skies,
And aiming at th'eternal throne
Like pointed mountains rise?

III

What tho' your mighty guilt beyond
The wide creation swell,
And has its curs'd foundations laid
Low as the deeps of hell?

IV

See here an endless ocean flows
Of never-failing grace,
Behold a dying Saviour's veins
The sacred flood increase:

V

It rises high and drowns the hills,
'T has neither shore nor bound:
Nor if we search to find our sins
Our sins can ne'er be found.

VI

Awake, our hearts, adore the grace
That buries all our faults,
And pardoning blood that swells above
Our follies and our thoughts.

323

HYMN 86. (C. M.) Freedom from Sin and Misery in Heaven.

I

Our sins, alas! how strong they be!
And like a violent sea
They break our duty, Lord, to thee,
And hurry us away.

II

The waves of trouble how they rise!
How loud the tempests roar!
But death shall land our weary souls
Safe on the heavenly shore.

III

There to fulfil his sweet commands
Our speedy feet shall move,
No sin shall clog our winged zeal,
Or cool our burning love.

IV

There shall we sit, and sing, and tell
The wonders of his grace,
Till heavenly raptures fire our hearts,
And smile in every face.

V

For ever his dear sacred name
Shall dwell upon our tongue,
And Jesus and Salvation be
The close of every song.

HYMN 87. (C. M.) The divine Glories above our Reason.

I

How wondrous great, how glorious bright
Must our Creator be,
Who dwells amidst the dazzling light
Of vast infinity!

II

Our soaring spirits upward rise
Tow'rd the celestial throne,
Fain would we see the blessed Three,
And the almighty One.

III

Our reason stretches all its wings,
And climbs above the skies;
But still how far beneath thy feet
Our grovelling reason lies!

IV

Lord, here we bend our humble souls,
And awfully adore,
For the weak pinions of our mind
Can stretch a thought no more.

V

Thy glories infinitely rise
Above our labouring tongue;
In vain the highest seraph tries
To form an equal song.

VI

In humble notes our faith adores
The great mysterious King,
While angels strain their nobler powers,
And sweep th'immortal string.

HYMN 88. (C. M.) Salvation.

I

Salvation! O, the joyful sound!
'Tis pleasure to our ears;
A sovereign balm for every wound,
A cordial for our fears.

II

Bury'd in sorrow and in sin,
At hell's dark door we lay,
But we arise by grace divine
To see a heavenly day.

III

Salvation! let the echo fly
The spacious earth around,
While all the armies of the sky
Conspire to raise the sound.

HYMN 89. (C. M.) Christ's Victory over Satan.

I

Hosanna to our conquering King!
The prince of darkness flies,
His troops rush headlong down to hell
Like lightning from the skies.

II

There bound in chains the lions roar,
And fright the rescu'd sheep,
But heavy bars confine their power
And malice to the deep.

III

Hosanna to our conquering King,
All hail, incarnate love!
Ten thousand songs and glories wait
To crown thy head above.

IV

Thy victories and thy deathless fame
Through the wide world shall run,
And everlasting ages sing
The triumphs thou hast won.

HYMN 90. (C. M.) Faith in Christ for Pardon and Sanctification.

I

How sad our state by nature is!
Our sin how deep it stains!
And Satan binds our captive minds
Fast in his slavish chains.

324

II

But there's a voice of sovereign grace
Sounds from the sacred word,
‘Ho, ye despairing sinners, come,
‘And trust upon the Lord.’

III

My soul obeys th'almighty call,
And runs to this relief,
I would believe thy promise, Lord,
O! help my unbelief.

IV

To the dear fountain of thy blood,
Incarnate God, I fly,
Here let me wash my spotted soul
From crimes of deepest dye.

V

Stretch out thine arm, victorious King,
My reigning sins subdue,
Drive the old dragon from his seat,
With all his hellish crew.

VI

A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,
On thy kind arms I fall:
Be thou my strength and righteousness,
My Jesus, and my all.

HYMN 91. (C. M.) The Glory of Christ in Heaven.

I

O the delights, the heavenly joys,
The glories of the place
Where Jesus sheds the brightest beams
Of his o'erflowing grace!

II

Sweet majesty and awful love
Sit smiling on his brow,
And all the glorious ranks above
At humble distance bow.

III

Princes to his imperial name
Bend their bright sceptres down,
Dominions, thrones, and powers rejoice
To see him wear the crown.

IV

Archangels sound his lofty praise
Through every heavenly street,
And lay their highest honours down
Submissive at his feet.

V

Those soft, those blessed feet of his
That once rude iron tore,
High on a throne of light they stand,
And all the saints adore.

VI

His head, the dear majestic head
That cruel thorns did wound,
See what immortal glories shine,
And circle it around.

VII

This is the man, th'exalted man,
Whom we unseen adore;
But when our eyes behold his face,
Our hearts shall love him more.

VIII

Lord, how our souls are all on fire
To see thy bless'd abode,
Our tongues rejoice in tunes of praise
To our incarnate God.

IX

And whilst our faith enjoys this sight,
We long to leave our clay,
And wish thy fiery chariots, Lord,
To fetch our souls away.

HYMN 92. (C. M.) The Church saved, and her Enemies disappointed.

Composed the 5th of November, 1694.

I

Shout to the Lord, and let our joys
Through the whole nation run;
Ye British skies, resound the noise
Beyond the rising sun.

II

Thee, mighty God, our souls admire,
Thee our glad voices sing,
And join with the celestial choir
To praise the eternal King.

III

Thy power the whole creation rules,
And on the starry skies
Sits smiling at the weak designs
Thine envious foes devise.

IV

Thy scorn derides their feeble rage,
And with an awful frown
Flings vast confusion on their plots,
And shakes their Babel down.

V

Their secret fires in caverns lay,
And we the sacrifice:
But gloomy caverns strove in vain
To 'scape all-searching eyes.

VI

Their dark designs were all reveal'd,
Their treasons all betray'd:
Praise to the God that broke the snare
Their cursed hands had laid.

VII

In vain the busy sons of hell
Still new rebellions try,
Their souls shall pine with envious rage,
And vex away and die.

VIII

Almighty grace defends our land
From their malicious power,
Let Britain with united songs
Almighty grace adore.

325

HYMN 93. (S. M.) God all, and in all, Psalm lxxiii. 25.

I

My God, my life, my love,
To thee, to thee, I call,
I cannot live if thou remove,
For thou art all in all.

II

Thy shining grace can cheer
This dungeon where I dwell;
'Tis paradise when thou art here,
If thou depart, 'tis hell.

III

The smilings of thy face,
How amiable they are!
'Tis heaven to rest in thine embrace,
And no where else but there.

IV

To thee, and thee alone,
The angels owe their bliss;
They sit around thy gracious throne,
And dwell where Jesus is.

V

Not all the harps above
Can make a heavenly place,
If God his residence remove,
Or but conceal his face.

VI

Nor earth, nor all the sky
Can one delight afford,
No, not a drop of real joy
Without thy presence, Lord.

VII

Thou art the sea of love,
Where all my pleasures roll,
The circle where my passions move,
And centre of my soul.

VIII

To thee my spirits fly
With infinite desire,
And yet how far from thee I lie!
Dear Jesus raise me higher!

HYMN 94. (C. M.) God my only Happiness, Psalm lxxiii. 25.

I

My God, my portion, and my love,
My everlasting all,
I've none but thee in heaven above,
Or on this earthly ball.

II

What empty things are all the skies,
And this inferior clod!
There's nothing here deserves my joys,
There's nothing like my God.

III

In vain the bright, the burning sun
Scatters his feeble light;
'Tis thy sweet beams create my noon;
If thou withdraw, 'tis night.

IV

And whilst upon my restless bed,
Amongst the shades I roll,
If my Redeemer shew his head,
'Tis morning with my soul.

V

To thee we owe our wealth, and friends,
And health, and safe abode;
Thanks to thy name for meaner things,
But they are not my God.

VI

How vain a toy is glittering wealth,
If once compar'd to thee;
Or what's my safety, or my health,
Or all my friends to me?

VII

Were I possessor of the earth,
And call'd the stars my own,
Without thy graces and thyself,
I were a wretch undone.

VIII

Let others stretch their arms like seas,
And grasp in all the shore,
Grant me the visits of thy face,
And I desire no more.

HYMN 95. (C. M.) Look on him whom they pierced, and mourn.

I

Infinite grief! amazing woe!
Behold my bleeding Lord:
Hell and the Jews conspir'd his death,
And us'd the Roman sword.

II

Oh, the sharp pangs of smarting pain
My dear Redeemer bore,
When knotty whips and ragged thorns
His sacred body tore!

III

But knotty whips and ragged thorns
In vain do I accuse,
In vain I blame the Roman bands,
And the more spiteful Jews.

IV

'Twere you, my sins, my cruel sins,
His chief tormentors were;
Each of my crimes became a nail,
And unbelief the spear.

V

'Twere you that pull'd the vengeance down
Upon his guiltless head:
Break, break, my heart, Oh burst mine eyes,
And let my sorrows bleed.

326

VI

Strike, mighty grace, my flinty soul
Till melting waters flow,
And deep repentance drown mine eyes
In undissembled woe.

HYMN 96. (C. M.) Distinguishing Love; or, Angels punished, and Man saved.

I

Down headlong from their native skies
The rebel angels fell,
And thunderbolts of flaming wrath
Pursu'd them deep to hell.

II

Down from the top of earthly bliss
Rebellious man was hurl'd;
And Jesus stoop'd beneath the grave
To reach a sinking world.

III

O love of infinite degree!
Unmeasurable grace!
Must heaven's eternal darling die
To save a traitorous race?

IV

Must angels sink for ever down,
And burn in quenchless fire,
While God forsakes his shining throne
To raise us wretches higher?

V

O for this love let earth and skies
With hallejahs ring,
And the full choir of human tongue
All hallelujah sing.

HYMN 97. (L. M.) The same.

[From heaven the sinning angels fell]

I

From heaven the sinning angels fell,
And wrath and darkness chain'd them down;
But man, vile man, forsook his bliss,
And mercy lifts him to a crown.

II

Amazing work of sovereign grace
That could distinguish rebels so!
Our guilty treasons call'd aloud
For everlasting fetters too.

III

To thee, to thee, almighty love,
Our souls, ourselves, our all we pay:
Millions of tongues shall sound thy praise
On the bright hills of heavenly day.

HYMN 98. (C. M.) Hardness of Heart complained of.

I

My heart, how dreadful hard it is!
How heavy here it lies,
Heavy and cold within my breast,
Just like a rock of ice!

II

Sin like a raging tyrant sits
Upon this flinty throne,
And every grace lies bury'd deep
Beneath this heart of stone.

III

How seldom do I rise to God,
Or taste the joys above!
This mountain presses down my faith,
And chills my flaming love.

IV

When smiling mercy courts my soul
With all its heavenly charms,
This stubborn, this relentless thing
Would thrust it from my arms.

V

Against the thunders of thy word
Rebellious I have stood,
My heart it shakes not at the wrath
And terrors of a God.

VI

Dear Saviour, steep this rock of mine
In thine own crimson sea:
None but a bath of blood divine
Can melt the flint away.

HYMN 99. (C. M.) The Book of God's Decrees.

I

Let the whole race of creatures lie
Abas'd before their God:
Whate'er his sovereign voice hath form'd
He governs with a nod.

II

Ten thousand ages ere the skies
Were into motion brought,
All the long years and worlds to come
Stood present to his thought.

III

There's not a sparrow or a worm
But's found in his decrees;
He raises monarchs to their thrones,
And sinks them as he please.

IV

If light attends the course I run,
'Tis he provides those rays;
And 'tis his hand that hides my sun,
If darkness cloud my days.

327

V

Yet I would not be much concern'd,
Nor vainly long to see
The volume of his deep decrees,
What months are writ for me.

VI

When he reveals the book of life,
O may I read my name
Amongst the chosen of his love,
The followers of the Lamb!

HYMN 100. (L. M.) The Presence of Christ is the Life of my Soul.

I

How full of anguish is the thought,
How it distracts and tears my heart,
If God at last my sovereign judge,
Should frown, and bid my soul, ‘Depart!’

II

Lord, when I quit this earthly stage,
Where shall I fly but to thy breast?
For I have sought no other home;
For I have learn't no other rest.

III

I cannot live contented here,
Without some glimpses of thy face;
And heaven without thy presence there
Would be a dark and tiresome place.

IV

When earthly cares engross the day,
And hold my thoughts aside from thee,
The shining hours of cheerful light
Are long and tedious years to me.

V

And if no evening visit's paid
Between my Saviour and my soul,
How dull the night! how sad the shade!
How mournfully the minutes roll!

VI

This flesh of mine might learn as soon
To live, yet part with all my blood;
To breathe when vital air is gone,
Or thrive and grow without my food.

VII

Christ is my light, my life, my care,
My blessed hope, my heavenly prize,
Dearer than all my passions are,
My limbs, my bowels, or my eyes.

VIII

The strings that twine about my heart,
Tortures and racks may tear them off,
But they can never, never part
With their dear hold of Christ my love.

IX

My God! and can an humble child
That loves thee with a flame so high,
Be ever from thy face exil'd
Without the pity of thine eye?

X

Impossible—For thine own hands
Have ty'd my heart so fast to thee;
And in thy book the promise stands,
That where thou art thy friends must be.

HYMN 101. (C. M.) The World's three chief Temptations.

I

When in the light of faith divine
We look on things below,
Honour, and gold, and sensual joy,
How vain and dangerous too!

II

Honour's a puff of noisy breath;
Yet men expose their blood,
And venture everlasting death
To gain that airy good

III

Whilst others starve the nobler mind,
And feed on shining dust,
They rob the serpent of his food
T'indulge a sordid lust.

IV

The pleasures that allure our sense
Are dangerous snares to souls;
There's but a drop of flattering sweet,
And dash'd with bitter bowls.

V

God is mine all-sufficient good,
My portion and my choice;
In him my vast desires are fill'd,
And all my powers rejoice

VI

In vain the world accosts my ear,
And tempts my heart anew;
I cannot buy your bliss so dear,
Nor part with heaven for you.

HYMN 102. (L. M.) A happy Resurrection.

I

No, I'll repine at death no more,
But with a cheerful gasp resign
To the cold dungeon of the grave
These dying withering limbs of mine.

II

Let worms devour my wasting flesh,
And crumble all my bones to dust,
My God shall raise my frame anew
At the revival of the just.

III

Break, sacred morning, thro' the skies,
Bring that delightful, dreadful day,
Cut short the hours, dear Lord, and come,
Thy lingering wheels, how long they stay!

328

IV

Our weary spirits faint to see
The light of thy returning face,
And hear the language of those lips
Where God has shed his richest grace.

V

Haste then upon the wings of love,
Rouse all the pious sleeping clay,
That we may join in heavenly joys,
And sing the triumph of the day.

HYMN 103. (C. M.) Christ's Commission, John iii. 16, 17.

I

Come, happy souls, approach your God
With new melodious songs;
Come, render to almighty grace
The tribute of your tongues.

II

So strange, so boundless was the love
That pity'd dying men,
The Father sent his equal Son
To give them life again.

III

Thy hands, dear Jesus, were not arm'd
With a revenging rod,
No hard commission to perform
The vengeance of a God.

IV

But all was mercy, all was mild,
And wrath forsook the throne,
When Christ on the kind errand came,
And brought salvation down.

V

Here, sinners, you may heal your wounds,
And wipe your sorrows dry;
Trust in the mighty Saviour's name,
And you shall never die.

VI

See, dearest Lord, our willing souls
Accept thine offer'd grace;
We bless the great Redeemer's love,
And give the Father praise.

HYMN 104. (S. M.) The same.

[Raise your triumphant songs]

I

Raise your triumphant songs
To an immortal tune,
Let the wide earth resound the deeds
Celestial grace has done.

II

Sing how eternal love
Its chief beloved chose,
And bid him raise our wretched race
From their abyss of woes.

III

His hand no thunder bears,
Nor terror clothes his brow,
No bolts to drive our guilty souls
To fiercer flames below.

IV

'Twas mercy fill'd the throne,
And wrath stood silent by,
When Christ was sent with pardons down
To rebels doom'd to die.

V

Now, sinners, dry your tears,
Let hopeless sorrow cease;
Bow to the sceptre of his love,
And take the offer'd peace.

VI

Lord, we obey thy call;
We lay an humble claim
To the salvation thou hast brought,
And love and praise thy name.

HYMN 105. (C. M.) Repentance flowing from the Patience of God,

I

And are we wretches yet alive?
And do we yet rebel?
'Tis boundless, 'tis amazing love
That bears us up from hell!

II

The burden of our weighty guilt
Would sink us down to flames,
And threatening vengeance rolls above
To crush our feeble frames.

III

Almighty goodness cries, ‘Forbear;’
And straight the thunder stays;
And dare we now provoke his wrath,
And weary out his grace?

IV

Lord, we have long abus'd thy love,
Too long indulg'd our sin;
Our aching hearts e'en bleed to see
What rebels we have been.

V

No more, ye lusts, shall ye command,
No more will we obey;
Stretch out. O God, thy conquering hand,
And drive thy foes away.

HYMN 106. (C. M.) Repentance at the Cross.

I

Oh, if my soul was form'd for woe,
How would I vent my sighs!
Repentance should like rivers flow
From both my streaming eyes.

329

II

'Twas for my sins my dearest Lord
Hung on the cursed tree,
And groan'd away a dying life
For thee, my soul, for thee.

III

O how I hate those lusts of mine
That crucify'd my God,
Those sins that pierc'd and nail'd his flesh
Fast to the fatal wood!

IV

Yes, my Redeemer, they shall die,
My heart has so decreed,
Nor will I spare the guilty things
That made my Saviour bleed.

V

Whilst with a melting broken heart
My murder'd Lord I view,
I'll raise revenge against my sins,
And slay the murderers too.

HYMN 107. (C. M.) The everlasting Absence of God intolerable.

I

That awful day will surely come,
Th'appointed hour makes haste,
When I must stand before my Judge,
And pass the solemn test.

II

Thou lovely chief of all my joys;
Thou sovereign of my heart,
How could I bear to hear thy voice
Pronounce the sound, ‘Depart?’

III

The thunder of that dismal word
Would so torment my ear,
'Twould tear my soul asunder, Lord,
With most tormenting fear.

IV

What, to be banish'd for my life,
And yet forbid to die!
To linger in eternal pain,
Yet death for ever fly!

V

Oh, wretched state of deep despair,
To see my God remove,
And fix my doleful station where
I must not taste his love.

VI

Jesus, I throw my arms around,
And hang upon thy breast;
Without a gracious smile from thee
My spirit cannot rest.

VII

O tell me that my worthless name
Is graven on thy hands;
Shew me some promise in thy book
Where my salvation stands!

VIII

Give me one kind assuring word
To sink my fears again;
And cheerfully my soul shall wait
Her threescore years and ten.

HYMN 108. (C. M.) Access to the Throne of Grace by a Mediator.

I

Come let us lift our joyful eyes
Up to the courts above,
And smile to see our Father there
Upon a throne of love.

II

Once 'twas a seat of dreadful wrath,
And shot devouring flame;
Our God appear'd consuming fire,
And vengeance was his name.

III

Rich were the drops of Jesus' blood
That calm'd his frowning face,
That sprinkled o'er the burning throne,
And turn'd the wrath to grace.

IV

Now we may bow before his feet,
And venture near the Lord;
No fiery cherub guards his seat,
Nor double flaming sword.

V

The peaceful gates of heavenly bliss
Are open'd by the Son;
High let us raise our notes of praise,
And reach the almighty throne.

VI

To thee ten thousand thanks we bring,
Great Advocate on high:
And glory to th'Eternal King
That lays his fury by.

HYMN 109. (L. M.) The Darkness of Providence.

I

Lord, we adore thy vast designs,
The obscure abyss of providence,
Too deep to sound with mortal lines,
Too dark to view with feeble sense.

II

Now thou arrayst thine awful face
In angry frowns, without a smile;
We through the cloud believe thy grace,
Secure of thy compassion still.

III

V

Lord, when I leave this mortal ground,
And thou shalt bid me rise and come,
Send a beloved angel down
Safe to conduct my spirit home.

HYMN 113. (C. M.) The same.

[The majesty of Solomon!]

I

The majesty of Solomon!
How glorious to behold
The servants waiting round his throne,
The ivory and the gold!

II

But, mighty God, thy palace shines
With far superior beams;
Thine angel guards are swift as winds,
Thy ministers are flames.

331

III

HYMN 116. (C. M.) Mercies and Thanks.

I

How can I sink with such a prop
As my eternal God,
Who bears the earth's huge pillars up,
And spreads the heavens abroad?

II

How can I die while Jesus lives,
Who rose and left the dead?
Pardon and grace my soul receives
From mine exalted head.

III

All that I am, and all I have
Shall be for ever thine,
Whate'er my duty bids me give,
My cheerful hands resign.

VI

III

This is the field were hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown,
That merchant is divinely wise,
Who makes the pearl his own.

IV

Here consecrated water flows
To quench my thirst of sin;
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
Nor danger dwells therein.

V

This is the judge that ends the strife,
Where wit and reason fail;
My guide to everlasting life
Through all this gloomy vale.

VI

O may thy counsels, mighty God,
My roving feet command;
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to thy right hand.

HYMN 120. (S. M.) The Law and Gospel joined in Scripture.

I

The Lord declares his will,
And keeps the world in awe;
Amidst the smoke on Sinai's hill
Breaks out his fiery law.

II

The Lord reveals his face,
And smiling from above
Sends down the gospel of his grace,
Th'epistles of his love.

III

These sacred words impart
Our Maker's just commands;
The pity of his melting heart,
And vengeance of his hands.

IV

Hence we awake our fear,
We draw our comfort hence;
The arms of grace are treasur'd here,
And armour of defence.

V

We learn Christ crucify'd,
And here behold his blood;
All arts and knowledges beside
Will do us little good.

VI

We read the heavenly word,
We take the offer'd grace,
Obey the statutes of the Lord,
And trust his promises.

VII

IV

If Satan rage and sin grow strong,
Here we receive some cheering word;
We gird the gospel-armour on
To fight the battles of the Lord.

V

Or if our spirit faints and dies,
(Our conscience gall'd with inward stings)
Here doth the righteous Sun arise
With healing beams beneath his wings.

VI

Father, my soul would still abide
Within thy temple, near thy side;
But if my feet must hence depart
Still keep thy dwelling in my heart.

HYMN 124. (C. M.) Moses Aaron and Joshua.

I

'Tis not the law of ten commands
On holy Sinai given,
Or sent to men by Moses' hands,
Can bring us safe to heaven.

II

'Tis not the blood which Aaron spilt,
Nor smoke of sweetest smell,
Can buy a pardon for our guilt,
Or save our souls from hell.

III

Aaron the priest resigns his breath
At God's immediate will;
And in the desert yields to death
Upon th'appointed hill.

IV

And thus on Jordan's yonder side
The tribes of Israel stand,
While Moses bow'd his head and dy'd
Short of the promis'd land.

V

Israel rejoice, now Joshua leads,
He'll bring your tribes to rest;
So far the Saviour's name exceeds
The ruler and the priest.

Joshua, the same with Jesus, and signifies a Saviour.

334

HYMN 125. (L. M.) Faith and Repentance; Unbelief and Impenitence.

I

Life and immortal joys are given
To souls that mourn the sins they've done,
Children of wrath made heirs of heaven
By faith in God's eternal Son.

II

Wo to the wretch that never felt
The inward pangs of pious grief,
But adds to all his crying guilt
The stubborn sin of unbelief.

III

The law condemns the rebel dead,
Under the wrath of God he lies,
He seals the curse on his own head,
And with a double vengeance dies.

HYMN 126. (C. M.) God glorified in the Gospel.

I

The Lord, descending from above,
Invites his children near,
While power and truth and boundless love
Display their glories here.

II

Here in thy gospel's wondrous frame
Fresh wisdom we pursue;
A thousand angels learn thy name
Beyond whate'er they knew.

III

Thy name is writ in fairest lines,
Thy wonders here we trace;
Wisdom thro' all the mystery shines,
And shines in Jesus' face.

IV

The law its best obedience owes
To our incarnate God;
And thy revenging justice shows
Its honours in his blood.

V

But still the lustre of thy grace
Our warmer thoughts employs,
Gilds the whole scene with brighter rays,
And more exalts our joys.

HYMN 127. (L. M.) Circumcision and Baptism.

(Written only for those who practise the Baptism of Infants.)

I

Thus did the sons of Abrah'm pass
Under the bloody seal of grace;
The young disciples bore the yoke,
Till Christ the painful bondage broke.

II

By milder ways doth Jesus prove
His Father's covenant, and his love;
He seals to saints his glorious grace,
And not forbids their infant-race.

III

Their seed is sprinkled with his blood,
Their children set apart for God,
His spirit on their offspring shed,
Like water pour'd upon the head.

IV

Let every saint with cheerful voice
In this large covenant rejoice;
Young children in their early days
Shall give the God of Abrah'm praise.

HYMN 128. (C. M.) Corrupt Nature from Adam.

I

Bless'd with the joy of innocence
Adam, our father, stood,
Till he debas'd his soul to sense,
And eat th'unlawful food.

II

Now we are born a sensual race,
To sinful joys inclin'd;
Reason has lost its native place,
And flesh enslaves the mind.

III

While flesh and sense and passion reigns,
Sin is the sweetest good:
We fancy music in our chains,
And so forget the load.

IV

Great God renew our ruin'd frame,
Our broken powers restore,
Inspire us with a heavenly flame,
And flesh shall reign no more.

V

Eternal Spirit, write thy law
Upon our inward parts,
And let the second Adam draw
His image on our hearts.

HYMN 129. (L. M.) We walk by Faith, not by Sight.

I

'Tis by the faith of joys to come
We walk thro' deserts dark as night:
Till we arrive at heaven our home,
Faith is our guide, and faith our light.

II

The want of sight she well supplies,
She makes the pearly gates appear;
Far into distant worlds she pries,
And brings eternal glories near.

335

III

Cheerful we tread the desert thro',
While faith inspires a heavenly ray,
Tho' lions roar, and tempests blow,
And rocks and dangers fill the way.

IV

So Abrah'm by divine command
Left his own house to walk with God;
His faith beheld the promis'd land,
And fir'd his zeal along the road.

HYMN 130. (C. M.) The new Creation.

I

Attend, while God's exalted Son
Doth his own glories shew;
‘Behold I sit upon my throne
‘Creating all things new.

II

337

II

V

Our glorious leader claims our praise
For his own pattern given,
While the long cloud of witnesses
Shew the same path to heaven.

HYMN 141. (C. M.) Faith assisted by Sense; or, Preaching, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

I

My Saviour-God, my Sovereign-Prince
Reigns far above the skies;
But brings his graces down to sense,
And helps my faith to rise.

II

My eyes and ears shall bless his name,
They read and hear his word;
My touch and taste shall do the same
When they receive the Lord.

III

Baptismal water is design'd
To seal his cleansing grace,
While at his feast of bread and wine
He gives his saints a place.

IV

But not the waters of a flood
Can make my flesh so clean,
As by his Spirit and his blood
He'll wash my soul from sin.

V

Not choicest meats, or noblest wines
So much my heart refresh,
As when my faith goes thro' the signs
And feeds upon his flesh.

VI

I love the Lord that stoops so low
To give his word a seal;
But the rich grace his hands bestow
Exceeds the figures still.

338

HYMN 142. (S. M.) Faith in Christ our Sacrifice.

I

V

Nations, the learned and the rude,
Are by these heavenly arms subdu'd;
While Satan rages at his loss,
And hates the doctrine of the cross.

VI

Great King of grace, my heart subdue,
I would be led in triumph too,
A willing captive to my Lord,
And sing the victories of his word.

HYMN 145. (C. M.) Sight through a Glass, and Face to Face.

I

I love the windows of thy grace
Through which my Lord is seen,
And long to meet my Saviour's face
Without a glass between.

II

O that the happy hour were come
To change my faith to sight!
I shall behold my Lord at home
In a diviner light.

III

Haste, my beloved, and remove
These interposing days;
Then shall my passions all be love,
And all my powers be praise.

339

HYMN 146. (L. M.) The Vanity of Creatures; or, no Rest on Earth.

I

Man has a soul of vast desires,
He burns within with restless fires,
Tost to and fro, his passions fly
From vanity to vanity.

II

In vain on earth we hope to find
Some solid good to fill the mind,
We try new pleasures, but we feel
The inward thirst and torment still.

III

So when a raging fever burns,
We shift from side to side by turns,
And 'tis a poor relief we gain
To change the place but keep the pain.

IV

Great God, subdue this vicious thirst,
This love to vanity and dust;
Cure the vile fever of the mind,
And feed our souls with joys refin'd.

HYMN 147. (C. M.) The Creation of the World, Gen. i.

I

‘Now let a spacious world arise,’
Said the Creator-Lord:
At once the obedient earth and skies
Rose at his sovereign word.

II

Dark was the deep; the waters lay
Confus'd and drown'd the land:
He call'd the light; the new-born day
Attends on his command.

III

He bids the clouds ascend on high;
The clouds ascend and bear
A watery treasure to the sky,
And float on softer air.

IV

The liquid element below
Was gather'd by his hand;
The rolling seas together flow,
And leave the solid land.

V

With herbs and plants, a flowery birth,
The naked globe he crown'd,
Ere there was rain to bless the earth,
Or sun to warm the ground.

VI

Then he adorn'd the upper skies;
Behold the sun appears,
The moon and stars in order rise
To make our months and years.

VII

Out of the deep th'almighty King
Did vital beings frame,
The painted fowls of every wing,
And fish of every name.

VIII

He gave the lion and the worm
At once their wondrous birth,
And grazing beasts of various form
Rose from the teeming earth.

IX

Adam was fram'd of equal clay,
Though sovereign of the rest,
Design'd for nobler ends than they,
With God's own image bless'd.

X

Thus glorious in the Maker's eye
The young creation stood;
He saw the building from on high,
His word pronounc'd it good.

XI

Lord, while the frame of nature stands,
Thy praise shall fill my tongue;
But the new world of grace demands
A more exalted song.

HYMN 148. (C. M.) God reconciled in Christ.

I

Dearest of all the names above,
My Jesus, and my God,
Who can resist thy heavenly love,
Or trifle with thy blood?

II

'Tis by the merits of thy death
The Father smiles again;
'Tis by thine interceding breath
The Spirit dwells with men.

III

Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find;
The holy, just, and sacred Three
Are terrors to my mind.

IV

But if Immanuel's face appear,
My hope, my joy begins;
His name forbids my slavish fear,
His grace removes my sins.

V

While Jews on their own law rely,
And Greeks of wisdom boast,
I love th'incarnate mystery,
And there I fix my trust.

340

HYMN 149. (C. M.) Honour to Magistrates; or, Government from God.

I

V

The saints on earth and all the dead
But one communion make;
All join in Christ their living head,
And of his grace partake.

VI

HYMN 156. (C. M.) Presumption and Despair; or, Satan's various Temptations.

I

I hate the tempter and his charms,
I hate his flattering breath;
The serpent takes a thousand forms
To cheat our souls to death.

II

He feeds our hopes with airy dreams,
Or kills with slavish fear;
And holds us still in wide extremes,
Presumption, or despair.

III

Now he persuades, ‘How easy 'tis
‘To walk the road to heaven;’
Anon he swells our sins, and cries,
‘They cannot be forgiven.’

IV

He bids young sinners, ‘Yet forbear
‘To think of God or death;
‘For prayer and devotion are
‘But melancholy breath.’

342

V

He tells the aged, ‘They must die,
‘And 'tis too late to pray;
‘In vain for mercy now they cry,
‘For they have lost their day.’

VI

Thus he supports his cruel throne
By mischief and deceit;
And drags the sons of Adam down
To darkness and the pit.

VII

Almighty God, cut short his power,
Let him in darkness dwell;
And, that he vex the earth no more,
Confine him down to hell.

HYMN 157. (C. M.) The same.

[Now Satan comes with dreadful roar]

And can such rebels be restor'd!
Such natures made divine!
Let sinners see thy glory, Lord,
And feel this power of thine.

VI

We raise our Father's name on high,
Who his own Spirit sends
To bring rebellious strangers nigh,
And turn his foes to friends.

HYMN 160. (L. M.) Custom in Sin.

I

Let the wild leopards of the wood
Put off the spots that nature gives,
Then may the wicked turn to God,
And change their tempers and their lives.

II

As well might Ethiopian slaves
Wash out the darkness of their skin;
The dead as well might leave their graves
As old transgressors cease to sin.

III

Where vice has held its empire long
'Twill not endure the least control;
None but a power divinely strong
Can turn the current of the soul.

343

IV

Great God, I own thy power divine,
That works to change this heart of mine;
I would be form'd anew, and bless
The wonders of creating grace.

HYMN 161. (C. M.) Christian Virtues; or, the Difficulty of Conversion.

I

VI

How boundless is our Father's grace,
In height, and depth, and length!
He makes his Son our righteousness,
His Spirit is our strength.

HYMN 164. (C. M.) The End of the World.

I

Why should this earth delight us so?
Why should we fix our eyes
On these low grounds where sorrows grow,
And every pleasure dies?

II

While time his sharpest teeth prepares
Our comforts to devour,
There is a land above the stars,
And joys above his power.

344

III

Nature shall be dissolv'd and die,
The sun must end his race,
The earth and sea for ever fly
Before my Saviour's face.

IV

When will that glorious morning rise!
When the last trumpet sound,
And call the nations to the skies,
From underneath the ground?

HYMN 165. (C. M.) Unfruitfulness, Ignorance, and unsanctified Affections.

I

Long have I sat beneath the sound
Of thy salvation, Lord,
But still how weak my faith is found,
And knowledge of thy word!

II

Oft I frequent thy holy place
And hear almost in vain;
How small a portion of thy grace
My memory can retain!

III

My dear Almighty, and my God,
How little art thou known
By all the judgments of thy rod,
And blessings of thy throne!

IV

How cold and feeble is my love!
How negligent my fear!
How low my hope of joys above!
How few affections there!

V

Great God, thy sovereign power impart
To give thy word success:
Write the salvation in my heart,
And make me learn thy grace.

VI

Shew my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high;
There knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.

HYMN 166. (C. M.) The Divine Perfections.

I

How shall I praise th'eternal God,
That infinite Unknown?
Who can ascend his high abode,
Or venture near his throne?

II

The great invisible! He dwells
Conceal'd in dazzling light;
But his all-searching eye reveals
The secrets of the night.

III

Those watchful eyes that never sleep
Survey the world around;
His wisdom is a boundless deep
Where all our thoughts are drown'd.

IV

Speak we of strength? His arm is strong
To save or to destroy:
Infinite years his life prolong,
And endless is his joy.

V

He knows no shadow of a change,
Nor alters his decrees;
Firm as a rock his truth remains
To guard his promises.

VI

Sinners before his presence die;
How holy is his name!
His anger and his jealousy
Burn like devouring flame.

VII

Justice upon a dreadful throne
Maintains the rights of God;
While mercy sends her pardons down
Bought with a Saviour's blood.

VIII

Now to my soul, immortal King,
Speak some forgiving word;
Then 'twill be double joy to sing
The glories of my Lord.

HYMN 167. (L. M.) The Divine Perfections.

I

Great God, thy glories shall employ
My holy fear, my humble joy;
My lips in songs of honour bring
Their tribute to th'eternal King.

II

Earth and the stars and worlds unknown
Depend precarious on his throne;
All nature hangs upon his word,
And grace and glory own their Lord.

III

His sovereign power what mortal knows?
If he command who dares oppose?
With strength he girds himself around,
And treads the rebels to the ground.

IV

Who shall pretend to teach him skill?
Or guide the counsels of his will?
His wisdom like a sea divine
Flows deep and high beyond our line.

345

V

His name is holy, and his eye
Burns with immortal jealousy;
He hates the sons of pride, and sheds
His fiery vengeance on their heads.

VI

The beamings of his piercing sight
Bring dark hypocrisy to light;
Death and destruction naked lie,
And hell uncover'd to his eye.

VII

Th'eternal law before him stands;
His justice with impartial hands
Divides to all their due reward,
Or by the sceptre or the sword.

VIII

His mercy like a boundless sea
Washes our loads of guilt away,
While his own Son came down and dy'd
T'engage his justice on our side.

IX

Each of his words demands my faith,
My soul can rest on all he saith;
His truth inviolably keeps
The largest promise of his lips.

X

O tell me with a gentle voice
‘Thou art my God,’ and I'll rejoice!
Fill'd with thy love, I dare proclaim
The brightest honours of thy name.

HYMN 168. (L. M.) The same.

[Jehovah reigns, his throne is high]

I

Jehovah reigns, his throne is high,
His robes are light and majesty;
His glory shines with beams so bright
No mortal can sustain the sight.

II

His terrors keep the world in awe,
His justice guards his holy law,
His love reveals a smiling face,
His truth and promise seal the grace.

III

Through all his works his wisdom shines,
And baffles Satan's deep designs;
His power is sovereign to fulfil
The noblest counsels of his will.

IV

And will this glorious Lord descend
To be my father and my friend!
Then let my songs with angels join;
Heaven is secure if God be mine.

HYMN 169. As the 148th Psalm. The same.

[The Lord Jehovah reigns]

I

The Lord Jehovah reigns,
His throne is built on high;
The garments he assumes
Are light and majesty;
His glories shine
With beams so bright
No mortal eye
Can bear the sight.

II

The thunders of his hand
Keep the wide world in awe;
His wrath and justice stand
To guard his holy law;
And where his love
Resolves to bless,
His truth confirms
And seals the grace.

III

Thro' all his ancient works
Surprising wisdom shines,
Confounds the powers of hell,
And breaks their curs'd designs:
Strong is his arm,
And shall fulfil
His great decrees,
His sovereign will.

IV

And can this mighty King
Of glory condescend?
And will he write his name,
‘My Father and my Friend?’
I love his name,
I love his word;
Join all my powers,
And praise the Lord.

HYMN 170. (L. M.) God Incomprehensible and Sovereign.

I

Can creatures to perfection find
Th'eternal uncreated mind?
Or can the largest stretch of thought
Measure and search his nature out?

II

'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell,
And what can mortals know or tell?
His glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all the shining worlds on high.

346

III

But man, vain man, would fain be wise,
Born like a wild young colt he flies
Thro' all the follies of his mind,
And swells, and snuffs the empty wind.

IV

God is a king of power unknown,
Firm are the orders of his throne;
If he resolve, who dares oppose,
Or ask him why, or what he does?

V

He wounds the heart, and he makes whole;
He calms the tempest of the soul;
When he shuts up in long despair
Who can remove the heavy bar?

VI

He frowns, and darkness veils the moon,
The fainting sun grows dim at noon;
The pillars of heaven's starry roof
Tremble and start at his reproof.

VII

He gave the vaulted heaven its form,
The crooked serpent, and the worm;
He breaks the billows with his breath,
And smites the sons of pride to death.

VIII

These are a portion of his ways,
But who shall dare describe his face?
Who can endure his light? or stand
To hear the thunders of his hand?

Job xi. 7.

Job xxv. 5.

Job xxvi. 11, &c.

END OF THE SECOND BOOK.

347

BOOK III. PREPARED FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER.

HYMN 1 (L. M.) The Lord's Supper instituted, 1 Cor. xi. 23, &c.

I

'Twas on that dark, that doleful night
When powers of earth and hell arose
Against the Son of God's delight,
And friends betray'd him to his foes:

II

Before the mournful scene began
He took the bread, and blest, and brake:
What love thro' all his actions ran!
What wondrous words of grace he spake!

III

‘This is my body broke for sin,
‘Receive and eat the living food:’
Then took the cup, and blest the wine;
‘'Tis the new cov'nant in my blood.’

IV

For us his flesh with nails was torn,
He bore the scourge, he felt the thorn;
And justice pour'd upon his head
Its heavy vengeance in our stead.

V

For us his vital blood was spilt,
To buy the pardon of our guilt,
When for black crimes of biggest size
He gave his soul a sacrifice.

VI

‘Do this’ (he cry'd) ‘till time shall end,
‘In memory of your dying friend;
‘Meet at my table, and record
‘The love of your departed Lord.’

VII

Jesus, thy feast we celebrate,
We show thy death, we sing thy name,
Till thou return, and we shall eat
The marriage supper of the Lamb.

HYMN 2. (S. M.) Communion with Christ, and with Saints, 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.

I

Jesus invites his saints
To meet around his board;
Here pardon'd rebels sit, and hold
Communion with their Lord.

II

For food he gives his flesh,
He bids us drink his blood;
Amazing favour! matchless grace
Of our descending God!

III

This holy bread and wine
Maintains our fainting breath,
By union with our living Lord,
And interest in his death.

IV

Our heavenly Father calls
Christ and his members one;
We the young children of his love,
And he the first-born Son.

V

We are but several parts
Of the same broken bread;
One body hath its several limbs,
But Jesus is the head.

348

VI

Let all our powers be join'd
His glorious name to raise;
Pleasure and love fill every mind,
And every voice be praise.

HYMN 3. (C. M.) The New Testament in the Blood of Christ; or, the New Covenant sealed.

I

‘The promise of my Father's love
‘Shall stand for ever good;’
He said; and gave his soul to death,
And seal'd the grace with blood.

II

To this dear covenant of thy word
I set my worthless name;
I seal th'engagement to my Lord,
And make my humble claim.

III

Thy light, and strength, and pardoning grace,
And glory shall be mine;
My life and soul, my heart and flesh,
And all my powers are thine.

IV

I call that legacy my own
Which Jesus did bequeath;
'Twas purchas'd with a dying groan,
And ratify'd in death.

V

Sweet is the memory of his name,
Who bless'd us in his will,
And to his testament of love
Made his own life the seal.

HYMN 4. (C. M.) Christ's dying Love; or, our Pardon bought at a dear Price.

I

How condescending and how kind
Was God's eternal Son!
Our misery reach'd his heavenly mind,
And pity brought him down.

II

When justice by our sins provok'd
Drew forth its dreadful sword,
He gave his soul up to the stroke
Without a murmuring word.

III

He sunk beneath our heavy woes
To raise us to his throne;
There's ne'er a gift his hand bestows
But cost his heart a groan.

IV

This was compassion like a God,
That when the Saviour knew
The price of pardon was his blood,
His pity ne'er withdrew.

V

Now, tho' he reigns exalted high,
His love is still as great:
Well he remembers Calvary,
Nor lets his saints forget.

VI

Here we behold his bowels roll
As kind as when he dy'd;
And see the sorrows of his soul
Bleed thro' his wounded side.

VII

Here we receive repeated seals
Of Jesus' dying love:
Hard is the wretch that never feels
One soft affection move.

VIII

Here let our hearts begin to melt,
While we his death record,
And with our joy for pardon'd guilt
Mourn that we pierc'd the Lord.

HYMN 5. (C. M.) Christ the Bread of Life, John vi. 31, 35, 39.

I

Let us adore th'eternal word,
'Tis he our souls hath fed;
Thou art our living stream, O Lord,
And thou th'immortal bread.

II

The manna came from lower skies,
But Jesus from above,
Where the fresh springs of pleasure rise
And rivers flow with love.

III

The Jews the fathers dy'd at last
Who eat that heavenly bread;
But these provisions which we taste
Can raise us from the dead.

IV

Blest be the Lord that gives his flesh
To nourish dying men;
And often spreads his table fresh
Lest we should faint again.

V

Our souls shall draw their heavenly breath
While Jesus finds supplies;
Nor shall our graces sink to death,
For Jesus never dies.

VI

Daily our mortal flesh decays,
But Christ our life shall come;
His unresisted power shall raise
Our bodies from the tomb.

349

HYMN 6. (L. M.) The Memorial of our absent Lord, John xvi. 16. Luke xxii. 19. John xiv. 3.

I

VI

New life it spreads thro' dying hearts,
And cheers the drooping mind;
Vigour and joy the juice imparts
Without a sting behind.

VII

Now let the flaming weapon stand,
And guard all Eden's trees;
There's ne'er a plant in all that land
That bears such fruits as these.

VIII

Infinite grace our souls adore,
Whose wondrous hand has made
This living branch of sovereign power
To raise and heal the dead.

HYMN 9. (S. M.) The Spirit, the Water, and the Blood, 1 John v. 6.

I

Let all our tongues be one
To praise our God on high,
Who from his bosom sent his Son
To fetch us strangers nigh.

350

II

Nor let our voices cease
To sing the Saviour's name;
Jesus th'ambassador of peace
How cheerfully he came!

III

It cost him cries and tears
To bring us near to God;
Great was our debt, and he appears
To make the payment good.

IV

VII

To him that wash'd us in his blood
Be everlasting praise,
Salvation, honour, glory, power,
Eternal as his days.

351

HYMN 12. (L. M.) The Gospel Feast, Luke xiv. 16, &c.

I

How rich are thy provisions, Lord!
Thy table furnish'd from above,
The fruits of life o'erspread the board,
The cup o'erflows with heavenly love.

II

The memory of our dying Lord
Awakes a thankful tongue:
How rich he spread his royal board,
And blest the food, and sung.

352

II

Happy the men that eat this bread,
But double blest was he
That gently bow'd his loving head,
And lean'd it, Lord, on thee.

III

By faith the same delights we taste
As that great favourite did,
And sit and lean on Jesus' breast,
And take the heavenly bread.

IV

Down from the palace of the skies
Hither the King descends,
‘Come, my beloved, eat, (he cries)
‘And drink salvation, friends.

V

‘My flesh is food and physic too,
‘A balm for all your pains:
‘And the red streams of pardon flow
‘From these my pierced veins.’

VI

Hosanna to his bounteous love
For such a taste below!
And yet he feeds his saints above
With nobler blessings too.

VII

Come the dear day, the glorious hour
That brings our souls to rest!
Then we shall need these types no more,
But dwell at th'heavenly feast.

HYMN 16. (C. M.) The Agonies of Christ.

I

Now let our pains be all forgot,
Our hearts no more repine,
Our sufferings are not worth a thought,
When, Lord, compar'd with thine.

II

In lively figures here we see
The bleeding Prince of love;
Each of us hope, he dy'd for me,
And then our griefs remove.

III

Our humble faith here takes her rise
While sitting round his board;
And back to Calvary she flies
To view her groaning Lord.

IV

His soul what agonies it felt
When his own God withdrew!
And the large load of all our guilt
Lay heavy on him too.

V

But the divinity within
Supported him to bear:
Dying he conquer'd hell and sin,
And made his triumph there.

VI

Grace, wisdom, justice join'd and wrought
The wonders of that day:
No mortal tongue, nor mortal thought
Can equal thanks repay.

VII

Our hymns should sound like those above,
Could we our voices raise;
Yet, Lord, our hearts shall all be love,
And all our lives be praise.

HYMN 17. (S. M.) Incomparable Food; or, the Flesh and Blood of Christ.

I

We sing th'amazing deeds
That grace divine performs;
Th'eternal God comes down and bleeeds
To nourish dying worms.

II

This soul-reviving wine,
Dear Saviour, 'tis thy blood;
We thank that sacred flesh of thine
For this immortal food.

III

The banquet that we eat
Is made of heavenly things,
Earth hath no dainties half so sweet
As our Redeemer brings.

IV

In vain had Adam sought
And search'd his garden round,
For there was no such blessed fruit
In all the happy ground.

V

Th'angelic host above
Can never taste this food,
They feast upon their Maker's love,
But not a Saviour's blood.

VI

On us th'Almighty Lord
Bestows this matchless grace,
And meets us with some cheering word,
With pleasure in his face.

VII

Come, all ye drooping saints,
And banquet with the King,
This wine will drown your sad complaints,
And tune your voice to sing.

VIII

Salvation to the name
Of our adored Christ:
Thro' the wide earth his grace proclaim,
His glory in the high'st.

353

HYMN 18. (L. M.) The same.

[Jesus, we bow before thy feet]

I

V

Shout and proclaim the Saviour's love,
Ye saints that taste his wine,
Join with your kindred saints above,
In loud hosannas join.

VI

A thousand glories to the God
That gives such joys as this,
Hosanna! let it sound abroad,
And reach where Jesus is.

HYMN 21. (C. M.) The triumphal Feast for Christ's Victory over Sin, and Death, and Hell.

I

Come let us lift our voices high,
High as our joys arise,
And join the songs above the sky,
Where pleasure never dies.

II

Jesus, the God that fought and bled,
And conquer'd when he fell,
That rose, and at his chariot wheels
Dragg'd all the powers of hell.

III

Jesus the God invites us here
To this triumphal feast,
And brings immortal blessings down
For each redeemed guest.

IV

The Lord! how glorious is his face!
How kind his smiles appear!
And O what melting words he says
To every humble ear!

V

‘For you, the children of my love,
‘It was for you I dy'd,
‘Behold my hands, behold my feet,
‘And look into my side.

VI

‘These are the wounds for you I bore,
‘The tokens of my pains,
‘When I came down to free your souls
‘From misery and chains.

354

VII

‘Justice unsheathed its fiery sword,
‘And plung'd it in my heart:
‘Infinite pangs for you I bore,
‘And most tormenting smart.

VIII

‘When hell and all its spiteful powers
‘Stood dreadful in my way,
‘To rescue those dear lives of yours
‘I gave my own away.

IX

‘But while I bled and groan'd and dy'd,
‘I ruin'd Satan's throne,
‘High on my cross I hung, and spy'd
‘The monster tumbling down.

X

‘Now you must triumph at my feast,
‘And taste my flesh, my blood;
‘And live eternal ages blest,
‘For 'tis immortal food.’

XI

Victorious God! what can we pay
For favours so divine?
We would devote our hearts away
To be for ever thine.

XII

We give thee, Lord, our highest praise,
The tribute of our tongues;
But themes so infinite as these
Exceed our noblest songs.

HYMN 22. (L. M.) The Compassion of a dying Christ.

I

Our spirits join t'adore the Lamb;
O that our feeble lips could move
In strains immortal as his name,
And melting as his dying love.

II

V

Let us indulge a cheerful frame
For joy becomes a feast;
We love the memory of his name,
More than the wine we taste.

355

HYMN 25. (C. M.) Divine Glories and our Graces.

I

How are thy glories here display'd,
Great God, how bright they shine,
While at thy word we break the bread,
And pour the flowing wine!

II

Here thy revenging justice stands
And pleads its dreadful cause;
Here saving mercy spreads her hands
Like Jesus on the cross.

III

Thy saints attend with every grace
On this great sacrifice;
And love appears with cheerful face,
And faith with fixed eyes.

IV

Our hope in waiting posture sits,
To heaven directs her sight;
Here every warmer passion meets,
And warmer powers unite.

V

Zeal and revenge perform their part,
And rising sin destroy;
Repentance comes with aching heart,
Yet not forbids the joy.

VI

Dear Saviour, change our faith to sight,
Let sin for ever die;
Then shall our souls be all delight,
And every tear be dry.

DOXOLOGIES.

[_]

I CANNOT persuade myself to put a full period to these Divine Hymns, till I have addressed a special song of Glory unto God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though the Latin name of it, Gloria Patri, be retained in our nation from the Roman Church: and though there be some excesses of superstitious honour paid to the words of it, which may have wrought some unhappy prejudices in weaker Christians, yet I believe it still to be one of the noblest parts of Christian worship. The subject of it is the doctrine of the Trinity, which is that peculiar glory of the Divine Nature, that our Lord Jesus Christ has so clearly revealed unto men, and is so necessary to true Christianity. The action is praise, which is the most complete and exalted part of Heavenly Worship. I have cast the song into a variety of forms, and have fitted it by a plain version or a larger paraphrase, to be sung either alone or at the conclusion of another Hymn. I have added also a few Hosannas, or ascriptions of salvation to Christ, in the same manner, and for the same end.

HYMN 26. (1st L. M.) A Song of Praise to the ever-blessed Trinity. God the Father, Son, and Spirit.

III

Give to the Spirit praise
Of an immortal strain,
Whose light and power and grace conveys
Salvation down to men.

IV

While God the Comforter
Reveals our pardon'd sin,
O may the blood and water bear
The same record within.

356

II

To God the Son belongs
Immortal glory too,
Who bought us with his blood
From everlasting woe:
And now he lives,
And now he reigns,
And see the fruit
Of all his pains.

III

To God the Spirit's name
Immortal worship give,
Whose new-creating power
Makes the dead sinner live:
His work completes
The great design,
And fills the soul
With joy divine.

IV

Almighty God, to Thee
Be endless honours done,
The undivided Three,
And the Mysterious One:
Where reason fails
With all her powers,
Their faith prevails,
And love adores.

357

HYMN 39. (2d as the 148th Psalm.)

[To Him that chose us first]

I

To Him that chose us first
Before the world began,
To Him that bore the curse
To save rebellious man,
To Him that form'd
Our hearts anew,
Is endless praise
And glory due.

II

The Father's love shall run
Thro' our immortal songs,
We bring to God the Son
Hosannas on our tongues:
Our lips address
The Spirit's name
With equal praise,
And zeal the same.

III

Let every saint above,
And angel round the throne,
For ever bless and love
The sacred Three in One:
Thus heaven shall raise
His honours high
When earth and time
Grow old and die.

HYMN 40. (3d as the 148th Psalm.)

[To God the Father's throne]

To God the Father's throne
Perpetual honours raise;
Glory to God the Son,
To God the Spirit praise:
And while our lips
Their tribute bring,
Our faith adores
The name we sing.

HYMN 41. (As the 148th Psalm.)

[To our eternal God]

Or thus:

END OF THE THIRD BOOK.

392

DIVINE SONGS ATTEMPTED IN EASY LANGUAGE, FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL COMPOSURES.

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS, THOU HAST PERFECTED PRAISE. MATT. xxi. 16.

393

SONG 1. A general Song of Praise to God.

I

How glorious is our heav'nly King,
Who reigns above the sky!
How shall a child presume to sing
His dreadful majesty?

II

How great his pow'r is, none can tell,
Nor think how large his grace;
Not men below, nor saints that dwell
On high before his face.

III

Not angels that stand round the Lord
Can search his secret will;
But they perform his heav'nly word,
And sing his praises still.

IV

Then let me join this holy train,
And my first off'rings bring;
Th'eternal God will not disdain
To hear an infant sing.

V

My heart resolves, my tongue obeys,
And angels shall rejoice
To hear their mighty Maker's praise
Sound from a feeble voice.

SONG 2. Praise for Creation and Providence.

I

I sing th'almighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies!

II

I sing the wisdom that ordain'd
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command
And all the stars obey.

III

I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That fill'd the earth with food;
He form'd the creatures with his word,
And then pronounc'd them good.

IV

Lord, how thy wonders are display'd,
Where'er I turn my eye!
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!

V

There's not a plant, or flower below,
But makes thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from thy throne.

VI

Creatures (as num'rous as they be)
Are subject to thy care;
There's not a place where we can flee,
But God is present there.

VII

In heaven he shines with beams of love,
With wrath in hell beneath!
'Tis on his earth I stand or move,
And 'tis his air I breathe.

VIII

His hand is my perpetual guard;
He keeps me with his eye:
Why should I then forget the Lord,
Who is for ever nigh?

394

SONG 3. Praise to God for our Redemption.

I

Blest be the wisdom, and the pow'r
The justice and the grace,
That join'd in counsel to restore,
And save our ruin'd race.

II

395

SONG 6. Praise for the Gospel.

I

Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace,
And not to chance, as others do,
That I was born of christian race,
And not a heathen or a Jew.

II

What would the ancient jewish kings,
And jewish prophets once have giv'n,
Could they have heard these glorious things,
Which Christ reveal'd and brought from heav'n?

III

How glad the heathens would have been,
That worship'd idols, wood and stone,
If they the book of God had seen,
Or Jesus and his gospel known!

IV

Then if this gospel I refuse,
How shall I e'er lift up mine eyes?
For all the gentiles and the Jews
Against me will in judgment rise.

SONG 7. The Excellency of the Bible.

I

Great God, with wonder and with praise
On all thy works I look;
But still thy wisdom, pow'r, and grace,
Shines brightest in thy book.

II

The stars that in their courses roll,
Have much instruction giv'n;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may climb to heav'n.

III

The fields provide me food, and shew
The goodness of the Lord;
But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.

IV

Here are my choicest treasures hid,
Here my best comfort lies;
Here my desires are satisfy'd,
And hence my hopes arise.

V

Lord, make me understand thy law;
Shew what my faults have been;
And from thy gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sin.

VI

Here would I learn how Christ has dy'd
To save my soul from hell:
Not all the books on earth beside
Such heav'nly wonders tell.

VII

Then let me love my Bible more,
And take a fresh delight
By day to read these wonders o'er,
And meditate by night.

SONG 8. Praise to God for learning to read.

I

The praises of my tongue
I offer to the Lord,
That I was taught, and learnt so young
To read his holy word.

II

That I am brought to know
The danger I was in,
By nature and by practice too,
A wretched slave to sin.

III

That I am led to see
I can do nothing well;
And whither shall a sinner flee
To save himself from hell?

IV

Dear Lord, this book of thine
Informs me where to go
For grace to pardon all my sin,
And make me holy too.

V

Here I can read and learn,
How Christ, the Son of God,
Did undertake our great concern;
Our ransom cost his blood.

VI

And now he reigns above,
He sends his Spirit down
To shew the wonders of his love,
And make his gospel known.

VII

O may that Spirit teach,
And make my heart receive
Those truths which all thy servants preach,
And all thy saints believe.

VIII

Then shall I praise the Lord,
In a more cheerful strain,
That I was taught to read his word,
And have not learnt in vain.

SONG 9. The All-seeing God.

I

Almighty God, thy piercing eye
Strikes thro' the shades of night;
And our most secret actions lie
All open to thy sight.

396

II

There's not a sin that we commit,
Nor wicked word we say,
But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ,
Against the judgment day.

III

And must the crimes that I have done
Be read and publish'd there?
Be all expos'd before the sun,
While men and angels hear?

IV

Lord, at thy foot asham'd I lie;
Upwards I dare not look;
Pardon my sins before I die,
And blot them from thy book.

V

Remember all the dying pains
That my Redeemer felt,
And let his blood wash out my stains,
And answer for my guilt.

VI

O may I now for ever fear
T'indulge a sinful thought,
Since the great God can see and hear,
And writes down ev'ry fault.

SONG 10. Solemn Thoughts of God and Death.

I

There is a God that reigns above,
Lord of the heav'ns, and earth, and seas:
I fear his wrath, I ask his love,
And with my lips I sing his praise.

II

V

To Thee, Almighty God to Thee,
Our childhood we resign;
'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

VI

VI

Then let me always watch my lips,
Lest I be struck to death and hell,
Since God a book of reck'ning keeps
For ev'ry lie that children tell.

SONG 16. Against Quarrelling and Fighting.

I

Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.

II

III

How will they stand before thy face
Who treated thee with such disdain,
While thou shalt doom them to the place
Of everlasting fire and pain?

IV

Then never shall one cooling drop
To quench their burning tongues be giv'n;
But I will praise thee here, and hope
Thus to employ my tongue in heav'n.

V

My heart shall be in pain to hear
Wretches affront the Lord above:
Tis that great God whose pow'r I fear;
That heav'nly Father whom I love.

VI

If my companions grow profane,
I'll leave their friendship when I hear
Young sinners take thy name in vain,
And learn to curse and learn to swear.

399

SONG 20. Against Idleness and Mischief.

I

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every op'ning flow'r!

II

How skilfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads the wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

III

In works of labour, or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

IV

In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be past;
That I may give for ev'ry day
Some good account at last.

SONG 21. Against Evil Company.

I

Why should I join with those in play
In whom I've no delight
Who curse and swear, but never pray;
Who call ill names and fight?

II

I hate to hear a wanton song,
Their words offend my ears;
I should not dare defile my tongue
With language such as theirs.

III

Away from fools I'll turn mine eyes;
Nor with the scoffers go:
I would be walking with the wise,
That wiser I may grow.

IV

From one rude boy that's us'd to mock,
They learn the wicked jest:
One sickly sheep infects the flock,
And poisons all the rest.

V

My God, I hate to walk or dwell
With sinful children here:
Then let me not be sent to hell,
Where none but sinners are.

SONG 22. Against Pride in Clothes.

I

Why should our garments made to hide
Our parents shame, provoke our pride?
The art of dress did ne'er begin,
Till Eve our mother learnt to sin.

II

When first she put the cov'ring on,
Her robe of innocence was gone;
And yet her children vainly boast
In the sad marks of glory lost.

III

How proud we are! how fond to shew
Our clothes, and call them rich and new!
When the poor sheep and silk-worm wore
That very clothing long before.

IV

The tulip and the butterfly
Appear in gayer coats than I:
Let me be drest fine as I will,
Flies, worms and flowers, exceed me still.

V

Then will I set my heart to find
Inward adornings of the mind;
Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace:
These are the robes of richest dress.

VI

No more shall worms with me compare,
This is the raiment angels wear;
The Son of God, when here below,
Put on this blest apparel too.

VII

It never fades, it ne'er grows old,
Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould:
It takes no spot, but still refines,
The more 'tis worn, the more it shines.

VIII

In this on earth would I appear,
Then go to heaven, and wear it there:
God will approve it in his sight,
'Tis his own work, and his delight.

SONG 23. Obedience to Parents.

I

Let children that would fear the Lord
Hear what their teachers say;
With rev'rence meet their parents word,
And with delight obey.

II

401

II

I have been there, and still would go;
'Tis like a little heaven below:
Not all my pleasure and my play
Shall tempt me to forget this day.

III

O write upon my mem'ry, Lord,
The texts and doctrines of thy word;
That I may break thy laws no more,
But love thee better than before.

IV

With thoughts of Christ, and things divine,
Fill up this foolish heart of mine;
That hoping pardon thro' his blood,
I may lie down and wake with God.

The Ten Commandments, out of the Old Testament, put into short Rhyme for Children.

Exodus xx.

Thou shalt have no more Gods but me.
2. Before no idol bow thy knee.
3. Take not the name of God in vain.
4. Nor dare the sabbath day profane.
5. Give both thy parents honour due.
6. Take heed that thou no murder do.
7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean.
8. Nor steal, tho' thou art poor and mean.
9. Nor make a wilful lie, nor love it.
10. What is thy neighbour's dare not covet.

The Sum of the Commandments, out of the New Testament.

Matt. xxii. 37.

With all thy soul love God above.
And, as thyself thy neighbour love.

Our Saviour's Golden Rule.

Matt. vii. 12.

Be you to others kind and true,
As you'd have others be to you;
And neither do nor say to men
Whate'er you would not take again.

Duty to God and our Neighbour.

Love God with all your soul and strength,
With all your heart and mind:
And love your neighbour as yourself;
Be faithful, just, and kind.
Deal with another as you'd have
Another deal with you;
What you're unwilling to receive,
Be sure you never do.

Out of my Book of Hymns I have here added the Hosanna, and Glory to the Father, &c. to be sung at the end of any of these Songs, according to the direction of Parents or Governors.

The Hosanna; or, Salvation ascribed to Christ.

Long Metre.

I

Hosanna to King David's Son,
Who reigns on a superior throne;
We bless the Prince of heav'nly birth,
Who brings salvation down to earth.

II

Let ev'ry nation, ev'ry age,
In this delightful work engage;
Old men and babes in Sion sing
The growing glories of her King!

Common Metre.

I

Hosanna to the Prince of Grace,
Sion, behold thy King!
Proclaim the Son of David's race,
And teach the babes to sing.

II

Hosanna to th'eternal word,
Who from the Father came;
Ascribe salvation to the Lord,
With blessings on his name.

Short Metre.

I

Hosanna to the Son
Of David and of God,
Who brought the news of pardon down,
And bought it with his blood.

II

To Christ th'anointed King,
Be endless blessings giv'n;
Let the whole earth his glory sing,
Who made our peace with heav'n.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son. &c.

Long Metre.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Be honour, praise, and glory giv'n,
By all on earth, and all in heav'n.

Common Metre.

Now let the Father, and the Son,
And Spirit be ador'd,
Where there are works to make him known,
Or saints to love the Lord.

Short Metre.

Give to the Father praise,
Give glory to the Son;
And to the Spirit of his grace
Be equal honour done.

402

A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF MORAL SONGS: SUCH AS I WISH SOME HAPPY AND CONDESCENDING GENIUS WOULD UNDERTAKE FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN, AND PERFORM MUCH BETTER.

[_]

The sense and subject might be borrowed plentifully from the Proverbs of Solomon, from all the common appearances of nature, from all the occurrences in civil life, both in city and country: (which would also afford matter for other divine songs.) Here the language and measures should be easy, and flowing with cheerfulness, with or without the solemnities of religion, or the sacred names of God and holy things; that children might find delight and profit together.

This would be one effectual way to deliver them from the temptations of loving or learning those idle, wanton, or profane songs, which give so early an ill taint to the fancy and memory, and become the seeds of future vices.

SONG 1.—The Sluggard.

I

'Tis the voice of the sluggard; I heard him complain,
‘You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again;’
As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed,
Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head.

II

‘A little more sleep and a little more slumber;’
Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number;
And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands,
Or walks about sauntring, or trifling he stands.

III

I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier,
The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher:
The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags;
And his money still wastes, till he starves or he begs.

IV

I made him a visit, still hoping to find,
He had took better care for improving his mind:
He told me his dreams, talk'd of eating and drinking:
But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking.

V

Said I then to my heart, ‘Here's a lesson for me;’
That man's but a picture of what I might be:
But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding,
Who taught me betimes to love working and reading.

SONG 2.—Innocent Play.

I

Abroad in the meadows to see the young lambs,
Run sporting about by the side of their dams,
With fleeces so clean and so white;
Or a nest of young doves in a large open cage,
When they play all in love, without anger or rage,
How much we may learn from the sight!

II

If we had been ducks, we might dabble in mud,
Or dogs, we might play till it ended in blood;
So foul and so fierce are their natures:
But Thomas and William, and such pretty names,
Should be cleanly and harmless as doves or as lambs,
Those lovely sweet innocent creatures.

III

Not a thing that we do, nor a word that we say,
Should hinder another in jesting or play;
For he's still in earnest that's hurt:
How rude are the boys that throw pebbles and mire!
There's none but a madman will fling about fire,
And tell you, ‘'Tis all but in sport.’

SONG 3.—The Rose.

I

How fair is the rose! what a beautiful flow'r!
The glory of April and May!
But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour,
And they wither and die in a day.

403

II

Yet the rose has one powerful virtue to boast,
Above all the flowers of the field;
When its leaves are all dead, & fine colours are lost,
Still how sweet a perfume it will yield!

III

So frail is the youth and the beauty of men,
Tho' they bloom and look gay like the rose;
But all our fond care to preserve them is vain;
Time kills them as fast he goes.

IV

Then I'll not be proud of my youth or my beauty,
Since both of them wither and fade;
But gain a good name by well doing my duty;
This will scent like a rose when I'm dead.

SONG 4.—The Thief.

I

Why should I deprive my neighbour
Of his goods against his will?
Hands were made for honest labour,
Not to plunder or to steal.

II

V

When I hear them telling lies,
Talking foolish, cursing, swearing;
First I'll try to make them wise,
Or I'll soon go out of hearing.

VI

What though I be low and mean,
I'll engage the rich to love me,
While I'm modest, neat, and clean,
And submit when they reprove me.

VII

If I should be poor and sick,
I shall meet, I hope with pity;
Since I love to help the weak,
Though they're neither fair nor witty.

404

VIII

I'll not willingly offend;
Nor be easily offended;
What's amiss I'll strive to mend,
And endure what can't be mended.

IX

May I be so watchful still
O'er my humours and my passion,
As to speak and do no ill,
Though it should be all the fashion.

X

Wicked fashions lead to hell;
Ne'er may I be found complying;
But in life behave so well,
Not to be afraid of dying.

SONG 7.—A Summer Evening.

I

How fine has the day been, how bright was the sun,
How lovely and joyful the course that he run,
Though he rose in a mist when his race he begun,
And there follow'd some droppings of rain!
But now the fair traveller's come to the West,
His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best,
He paints the sky gay as he sinks to his rest,
And foretels a bright rising again.

II

Just such is the christian: his course he begins,
Like the sun in a mist, when he mourns for his sins,
And melts into tears: then he breaks out and shines,
And travels his heav'nly way;
But when he comes nearer to finish his race,
Like a fine setting sun he looks richer in grace,
And gives a sure hope at the end of his days,
Of rising in brighter array.

[_]

Some Copies of the following Hymn having got abroad already into several Hands, the Author has been persuaded to permit it to appear in Public, at the end of these Songs for Children.

A Cradle Hymn.

I

Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber,
Holy angels guard thy bed!
Heavenly blessings, without number,
Gently falling on thy head.

II

Sleep my babe; thy food and raiment,
House and home thy friends provide;
All without thy care or payment,
All thy wants are well supply'd.

III

How much better thou'rt attended
Than the Son of God could be;
When from heaven he descended,
And became a child like thee!

IV

Soft and easy is thy cradle,
Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay;
When his birth-place was a stable,
And his softest bed was hay.

V

Blessed babe! what glorious features,
Spotless fair, divinely bright!
Must he dwell with brutal creatures!
How could angels bear the sight!

VI

Was there nothing but a manger
Cursed sinners could afford,
To receive the heav'nly stranger!
Did they thus affront their Lord!

VII

Soft, my child; I did not chide thee,
Tho' my song might sound too hard,
'Tis thy Mother/Nurse that sits beside thee,
And her arms shall be thy guard.

VIII

Yet to read the shameful story,
How the Jews abus'd their King;
How they serv'd the Lord of glory,
Makes me angry while I sing.

IX

See the kinder shepherds round him,
Telling wonders from the sky!
Where they sought him, there they found him,
With his virgin mother by.

X

See the lovely babe a dressing;
Lovely infant, how he smil'd!
When he wept, the mother's blessing
Sooth'd and hush'd the holy child.

XI

Lo, he slumbers in his manger,
Where the horned oxen fed;
Peace, my darling, here's no danger,
Here's no ox a-near thy bed.

XII

'Twas to save thee, child, from dying,
Save my dear from burning flame,
Bitter groans and endless crying,
That thy blest Redeemer came.

XIII

May'st thou live to know and fear him,
Trust and love him all thy days;
Then go dwell for ever near him,
See his face, and sing his praise!

XIV

I could give thee thousand kisses,
Hoping what I most desire;
Not a mother's fondest wishes
Can to greater joys aspire!

Here you may use the words brother, sister, neighbour, friend, &c.

University of Virginia Library

IV. VOL. IV.

THE PSALMS OF DAVID, IMITATED IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND APPLIED TO THE CHRISTIAN STATE AND WORSHIP.

PSALM 1. (C. M.) The Way and End of the Righteous and the Wicked.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

PSALM 1. (S. M.) The Saint happy, the Sinner miserable.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

PSALM 1. (L. M.) The Difference between the Righteous and the Wicked.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

PSALM 2. (S. M.) Christ Dying, Rising, Interceding, and Reigning.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

PSALM 2. (C. M.)

[Why did the nations join to slay]

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

PSALM 2. (L. M.) Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

PSALM 3. (C. M.) Doubts and Fears supprest; or, God our Defence from Sin and Satan.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

PSALM 3. v. 1–5, 8. (L. M.) A Morning Psalm.

I

II

III

IV

PSALM 4. v. 1–3, 5–7. (L. M.) Hearing of Prayer; or, God our portion, and Christ our Hope.

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

PSALM 4. v. 3–5, 8, (C. M.) An Evening Psalm.

I

II

III