 | Select Passages of the Old and New Testament versified |  |
32
LUKE, Chap. II. 25.
I
Where Israel's sons the world divide,And Judah boasts superior pride,
There dwelt of fam'd record,
Simeon, (by name,) the just, the good,
A lover of the saints abode,
The temple of his Lord.
II
Ancient in years, but young with hope,His strong unweary'd eyes lift up,
Expect the Saviour nigh;
On him the dove-like spirit came,
And pregnant with prophetic flame,
Enrapt the saint on high.
III
To him (by faith) to glory seal'dThe sacred oracle reveal'd,
His sun should not decline,
Till him his longing eyes had seen,
Who from eternity had been
The hope of human kind.
IV
Warn'd from above, behold him comeWith joy ascend the pompous dome,
Imprest with sacred awe;
When, lo! the Infant-God devote,
Was by his parents lowly brought
According to the law.
V
Him in his arms he now receiv'dWhom tho' unseen, but yet believ'd,
The saint his hope had made;
With grateful lips his joy exprest,
And ready for the promis'd rest,
He worship'd God, and said.
33
VI
“Now lettest thou, thy servant, Lord,“Depart according to thy word,
“In sure abiding peace;
“Mine eyes have thy salvation seen,
“My heart, by faith, a witness been
“Of Jesu's righteousness.”
VII
“Which thou in mercy dost prepare“Before the face of all who share
“Thine ancient Israel's hope;
“The bright resplendent morning-star,
“That lights the Gentiles from on far
“To Zion's sacred top!”
VIII
Amaz'd the raptur'd parents stood,When impuls'd by the hand of God,
The seer pronounc'd them blest,
And turning to the virgin mild,
With eye prophetic on the child,
Her wond'ring soul addrest—
IX
“Know then, thou mother of my Lord,“This child (tho' seraphs have ador'd)
“Shall yet be light esteem'd;
“The stone of Israel's rise and fall,
“A stumbling-block expos'd to all,
“A sign by men blasphem'd.
X
“Nor shall the sword thy bowels spare,“Thou shalt thine off-spring's anguish share,
“And feel his mortal groan;
“That heav'n's high council may be seal'd,
“The thoughts of every heart reveal'd,
To God and man made known.
34
DOXOLOGY.
All Honour, Praise and love be paid
To him, who bow'd his sacred head
Beneath th'avenging sword;
Of equal essence with his sire,
The spirit, one co-equal fire,
Be equal all ador'd!
To him, who bow'd his sacred head
Beneath th'avenging sword;
Of equal essence with his sire,
The spirit, one co-equal fire,
Be equal all ador'd!
| Select Passages of the Old and New Testament versified | |