Chapter V: Part 5

3 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.

4 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.

5 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 84:3. 14 2 3 10. Paraphrased. C. M. Delight in ordinances of worship; or, God present in his churches.

1 My soul, how lovely is the place To which thy God resorts! 'Tis heaven to see his smiling face, Tho' in his earthly courts.

2 There the great Monarch of the skies His saving power displays, And light breaks in upon our eyes With kind and quickening rays.

3 With his rich gifts the heavenly Dove Descends and fills the place, While Christ reveals his wondrous love, And sheds abroad his grace.

4 There, mighty God, thy words declare The secrets of thy will; And still we seek thy mercy there, And sing thy praises still.

PAUSE.

5 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?

6 The sparrow builds herself a nest, And suffers no remove; O make me like the sparrows, blest, To dwell but where I love.

7 To sit one day beneath thine eye, And hear thy gracious voice, Exceeds a whole eternity Employ'd in carnal joys.

8 Lord, at thy threshold I would wait, While Jesus is within, Rather than fill a throne of state, Or live in tents of sin.

9 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 84:4. As the 148th Psalm. Longing for the house of God.

1 Lord of the worlds above, How pleasant and how fair The dwellings of thy love, Thy earthly temples are! To thine abode My heart aspires, With warm desires To see my God.

2 The sparrow, for her young, With pleasure seeks her nest; And wandering swallows long To find their wonted rest: My spirit faints With equal zeal To rise and dwell Among thy saints.

3 O happy souls that pray Where God appoints to hear! O happy men that pay Their constant service there! They praise thee still; And happy they That love the way To Zion's hill.

4 They go from strength to strength, Thro' this dark vale of tears, Till each arrives at length, Till each in heaven appears: O glorious seat, When God our king Shall thither bring Our willing feet!

PAUSE.

5 To spend one sacred day Where God and saints abide, Affords diviner joy Than thousand days beside; Where God resorts, I love it more To keep the door Than shine in courts.

6 God is our sun and shield, Our light and our defence With gifts his hands are fill'd, We draw our blessings thence; He shall bestow On Jacob's race Peculiar grace And glory too.

7 The Lord his people loves; His hand no good withholds From those his heart approves, From pure and pious souls: Thrice happy he, O God of hosts, Whose spirit trusts Alone in thee.

Psalm 85:1. 1-8. First Part. Waiting for an answer to prayer; or, Deliverance begun and completed.

1 Lord, thou hast call'd thy grace to mind, Thou hast revers'd our heavy doom: So God forgave when Israel sinn'd, And brought his wandering captives home.

2 Thou hast begun to set us free, And made thy fiercest wrath abate; Now let our hearts be turn'd to thee, And thy salvation be complete.

3 Revive our dying graces, Lord, And let thy saints in thee rejoice; Make known thy truth, fulfil thy word, We wait for praise to tune our voice.

4 We wait to hear what God will say; He'll speak, and give his people peace; But let them run no more astray, Lest his returning wrath increase.

Psalm 85:2. 9 &c. Second Part. Salvation by Christ.

1 Salvation is for ever nigh The souls that fear and trust the Lord; And grace descending from on high, Fresh hopes of glory shall afford.

2 Mercy and truth on earth are met, Since Christ the Lord came down from heaven; By his obedience, so complete, Justice is pleas'd, and peace is given.

3 Now truth and honour shall abound, Religion dwell on earth again, And heavenly influence bless the ground In our Redeemer's gentle reign.

4 His righteousness is gone before To give us free access to God; Our wandering feet shall stray no more, But mark his steps and keep the road.

Psalm 86. 8-13. A general song of praise to God.

1 Among the princes, earthly gods, There's none hath power divine; Nor is their nature, mighty Lord, Nor are their works like thine.

2 The nations thou hast made shall bring Their offerings round thy throne; For thou alone dost wondrous things, For thou art God alone.

3 Lord, I would walk with holy feet; Teach me thine heavenly ways, And my poor scatter'd thoughts unite In God my Father's praise.

4 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.

Psalm 87. The church the birth-place of the saints; or, Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5. 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.

Psalm 89:1. First Part. L. M. The covenant made with Christ; or, the true David.

1 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.

2 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.

3 "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.

4 "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?

5 "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."

6 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 89:2. First Part. C. M. The faithfulness of God.

1 My never-ceasing songs shall show The mercies of the Lord, And make succeeding ages know How faithful is his word.

2 The sacred truths his lips pronounce Shall firm as heaven endure; And if he speak a promise once, Th' eternal grace is sure.

3 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.

4 His seed for ever shall possess A throne above the skies; The meanest subject of his grace Shall to that glory rise.

5 Lord God of hosts, thy wondrous ways Are sung by saints above; And saints on earth their honours raise To thine unchanging love.

Psalm 89:3. 7 &c. Second Part. The power and majesty of God; or, Reverential worship.

1 With reverence let the saints appear And bow before the Lord, His high commands with reverence hear, And tremble at his word.

2 How terrible thy glories be! How bright thine armies shine! Where is the power that vies with thee? Or truth compar'd to thine?

3 The northern pole and southern rest On thy supporting hand; Darkness and day from east to west Move round at thy command.

4 Thy words the raging wind control, And rule the boisterous deep; Thou mak'st the sleeping billows roll, The rolling billows sleep.

5 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!

6 Justice and judgment are thy throne, Yet wondrous is thy grace; While truth and mercy join'd in one Invite us near thy face.

Psalm 89:4. 15 &c. Third Part. A blessed gospel.

1 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.

2 Their joy shall bear their spirits up Thro' their Redeemer's Name; His righteousness exalts their hope, Nor Satan dares condemn.

3 The Lord, our glory and defence, Strength and salvation gives; Israel, thy king for ever reigns, Thy God for ever lives.

Psalm 89:5. 19 &c. Fourth Part. Christ's mediatorial kingdom; or, His divine and human nature.

1 Hear what the Lord in vision said, And made his mercy known: "Sinners, behold your help is laid "On my almighty Son.

2 "Behold the man my wisdom chose "Among your mortal race; "His head my holy oil o'erflows, "The Spirit of my grace.

3 "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.

4 "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.

5 "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.

6 "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.

7 "My covenant stands for ever fast, "My promises are strong; "Firm as the heavens his throne shall last, "His seed endure as long."

Psalm 89:6. 30 &c. Fifth Part. The covenant of grace unchangeable; or, Afflictions without rejection.

1 "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;

2 "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.

3 "My covenant I will ne'er revoke, "But keep my grace in mind; "And what eternal love hath spoke "Eternal truth shall bind.

4 "Once have I sworn (I need no more) "And pledg'd my holiness "To seal the sacred promise sure "To David and his race.

5 "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.

6 "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."

Psalm 89:7. 47 &c. Sixth Part. Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm.

1 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?

2 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?

3 "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.

4 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 89:8. 47 &c. Last Part. As the 113th Psalm. Life, death, and the resurrection.

1 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?

2 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?

3 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.

4 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 90:1. L. M. Man mortal, and God eternal. A mournful song at a funeral.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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."

4 [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.]

PAUSE.

5 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.

6 [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.

7 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.]

8 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 90:2. 1-5. First Part. C. M. Man frail, and God eternal.

1 Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

2 Under the shadow of thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood, Or earth receiv'd her frame, From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same.

4 Thy word commands our flesh to dust, "Return, ye sons of men:" All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.

5 A thousand ages in thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

6 [The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their lives and cares, Are carried downwards by thy flood, And lost in following years.

7 Time like an ever-rolling stream Bears all its Sons away; They fly forgotten as a dream Dies at the opening day.

8 Like flowery fields the nations stand Pleas'd with the morning light; The flowers beneath the mower's hand Lie withering ere 'tis night.]

9 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 90:3. 8 11 9 10 12. 2d Part. C. M. Infirmities and mortality the effect of sin; or, Life, old age, and preparation for death.

1 Lord, if thine eyes survey our faults, And justice grow severe, Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thoughts, And burns beyond our fear.

2 Thine anger turns our frame to dust; By one offence to thee Adam with all his sons have lost Their immortality.

3 Life like a vain amusement flies, A fable or a song; By swift degrees our nature dies, Nor can our joys be long.

4 'Tis but a few whose days amount To threescore years and ten, And all beyond that short account is sorrow, toil, and pain.

5 [Our vitals with laborious strife Bear up the crazy load, And drag those poor remains of life Along the tiresome road.]

6 Almighty God, reveal thy love, And not thy wrath alone; O let our sweet experience prove The mercies of thy throne!

7 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 90:4. 13 &c. Third Part. C. M. Breathing after heaven.

1 Return, O God of love, return; Earth is a tiresome place: How long shall we thy children mourn Our absence from thy face!

2 Let heaven succeed our painful years, Let sin and sorrow cease, And in proportion to our tears So make our joys increase.

3 Thy wonders to thy servants show, Make thy own work complete, Then shall our souls thy glory know, And own thy love was great.

4 Then shall we shine before thy throne In all thy beauty, Lord; And the poor service we have done Meet a divine reward.

Psalm 90:5. 5 10 12. S. M. The frailty and shortness of life.

1 Lord what a feeble piece Is this our mortal frame! Our life how poor a trifle 'tis, That scarce deserves the name!

2 Alas the brittle clay That built our body first! And every month, and every day 'Tis mouldering back to dust.

3 Our moments fly apace, Nor will our minutes stay; Just like a flood our hasty days Are sweeping us away.

4 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.

5 They'll waft us sooner o'er This life's tempestuous sea: Soon we shall reach the peaceful shore Of blest eternity.

Psalm 91:1. 1-7. First Part. Safety in public diseases and dangers.

1 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.

2 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."

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 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.

PAUSE.

7 What though 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.

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.

Psalm 91:2. 1-16. Second Part. Protection from death, guard of angels, victory and deliverance.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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?

5 Adders and lions ye shall tread; The tempter's wiles defeat; He that hath broke the serpent's head Puts him beneath your feet.

6 "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.

7 "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.

8 "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 92:1. First Part. A psalm for the Lord's day.

1 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.

2 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!

3 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!

4 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.

5 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.

6 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.

7 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.

Psalm 92:2. 12 &c. Second Part. The church is the garden of God.

1 Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand In gardens planted by thine hand; Let me within thy courts be seen Like a young cedar fresh and green.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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 93:1. 1st Metre. As 100th Psalm. The eternal and sovereign God.

1 Jehovah reigns; he dwells in light, Girded with majesty and might: The world created by his hands Still on its first foundation stands.

2 But ere this spacious world was made, Or had its first foundations laid, Thy throne eternal ages stood, Thyself the ever-living God.

3 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.

4 For ever shall thy throne endure; Thy promise stands for ever sure; And everlasting holiness Becomes the dwellings of thy grace.

Psalm 93:2. 2d M. As the old 50th Psalm. The same.

1 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.

2 God is 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.

3 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 93:3. 3d M. As the old 122d Psalm. The same.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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 94:1. 1 2 7-14. First Part. Saints chastised, and sinners destroyed; or, Instructive afflictions.

1 God, to whom revenge belongs, Proclaim thy truth aloud Let Sovereign Power redress our wrongs, Let justice smite the proud.

2 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?

3 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.

4 But if thy saints deserve rebuke, Thou hast a gentler rod; Thy providences and thy book Shall make them know their God.

5 Blest is the man thy hands chastise, And to his duty draw; Thy scourges make thy children wise When they forget thy law.

6 But God will ne'er cast off his saints, Nor his own promise break; He pardons his inheritance For their Redeemer's sake.

Psalm 94:2. 16-23. Second Part. God our support and comfort; or, Deliverance from temptation and persecution.

1 Who will arise and plead my right Against my numerous foes, While earth and hell their force unite, And all my hopes oppose?

2 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.

3 "Alas! my sliding feet," I cry'd; Thy promise was my prop; Thy grace stood constant by my side, Thy Spirit bore me up.

4 While multitudes of mournful thoughts Within my bosom roll, Thy boundless love forgives my faults, Thy comforts cheer my soul.

5 Powers of iniquity may rise, And frame pernicious laws; But God, my refuge, rules the skies, He will defend my cause.

6 Let malice vent her rage aloud, Let bold blasphemers scoff; The Lord our God shall judge the proud, And cut the sinners off.

Psalm 95:1. C. M. A psalm before prayer.

1 Sing to the Lord Jehovah's Name, And in his strength rejoice; When his salvation is our theme, Exalted be our voice.

2 With thanks approach his awful sight, And psalms of honour sing; The Lord's a God of boundless might, The whole creation's King.

3 Let princes hear, let angels know, How mean their natures seem, Those gods on high, and gods below, When once compar'd with him.

4 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.

5 Come, and with humble souls adore, Come, kneel before his face; O may the creatures of his power Be children of his grace!

6 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."

Psalm 95:2. S. M. A psalm before sermon.

1 Come, sound his praise abroad, And hymns of glory sing; Jehovah is the sovereign God, The universal King.

He form'd the deeps unknown; He gave the seas their bound; The watery worlds are all his own, And all the solid ground.

3 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.

4 To-day attend his voice, Nor dare provoke his rod; Come like the people of his choice, And own your gracious God.

5 But if your ears refuse The language of his grace, And hearts grow hard, like stubborn Jews, That unbelieving race;

6 The Lord in vengeance drest Will lift his hand and swear, "You that despise my promis'd rest, "Shall have no portion there."

Psalm 95:3. 1 2 3 6-11. L. M. Canaan lost through unbelief; or, A warning to delaying sinners.

1 Come, let our voices join to raise A sacred song of solemn praise; God is a sovereign King; rehearse his honours in exalted verse.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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."

6 [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.

7 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.]

Psalm 96:1. 1-10. &c. C. M. Christ's first and second coming.

1 Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands, Ye tribes of every tongue; His new discover'd grace demands A new and nobler song.

2 Say to the nations, Jesus reigns, God's own almighty Son; His power the sinking world sustains, And grace surrounds his throne.

3 Let heaven proclaim the joyful day, Joy thro' the earth be seen; Let cities shine in bright array, And fields in cheerful green.

4 Let an unusual joy surprise The islands of the sea; Ye mountains, sink, ye vallies, rise, Prepare the Lord his way.

5 Behold he comes, he comes to bless The nations as their God; To shew the world his righteousness, And send his truth abroad.

6 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!

Psalm 96:2. As the 113th Psalm. The God of the Gentiles.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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!

4 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 97:1. 1-5. First Part. Christ reigning in heaven, and coming to judgment.

1 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.

2 Deep are his counsels and unknown; But grace and truth support his throne: Tho' gloomy clouds his ways surround, Justice is their eternal ground.

3 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.

4 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.

Psalm 97:2. 6-9. Second Part. Christ's incarnation.

1 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.

2 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.

3 Let idols totter to the ground, And their own worshippers confound; But Judah shout, but Zion sing, And earth confess her sovereign King.

Psalm 97:3. Third Part. Grace and glory.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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 97:4. 1 3 5-7 11. C. M. Christ's incarnation, and the last judgment.

1 Ye islands of the northern sea, Rejoice, the Saviour reigns; His word like fire, prepares his way, And mountains melt to plains.

2 His presence sinks the proudest hills, And makes the vallies rise The humble soul enjoys his smiles, The haughty sinner dies.

3 The heavens his rightful power proclaim The idol-gods around Fill their own worshippers with shame, And totter to the ground.

4 Adoring angels at his birth Make the Redeemer known; Thus shall he come to judge the earth, And angels guard his throne.

5 His foes shall tremble at his sight, And hills and seas retire His children take their unknown flight, And leave the world in fire.

6 The seeds of joy and glory sown For saints in darkness here Shall rise and spring in worlds unknown, And a rich harvest bear.

Psalm 98:1. First Part. Praise for the gospel.

1 To our almighty Maker, God, New honours be address'd; his great salvation shines abroad, And makes the nations blest.

2 He spake the word to Abraham first, His truth fulfils the grace: The Gentiles make his Name their trust, And learn his righteousness.

3 Let the whole earth his love proclaim With all her different tongues; And spread the honours of his Name In melody and songs.

Psalm 98:2. Second Part. The Messiah's coming and kingdom.

1 Joy to the world; the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.

Psalm 99:1. First Part. Christ's kingdom and majesty.

1 The God Jehovah reigns, Let all the nations fear, Let sinners tremble at his throne, And saints be humble there.

2 Jesus the Saviour reigns, Let earth adore its Lord; Bright cherubs his attendants stand, Swift to fulfil his word.

3 In Zion is his throne, His honours are divine; His church shall make his wonders known, For there his glories shine.

4 How holy is his Name! How terrible his praise! Justice, and truth, and judgment join In all his works of grace.

Psalm 99:2. Second Part. A holy God worshipped with reverence.

1 Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at his feet; His nature is all holiness, And mercy is his seat.

2 When Israel was his church, When Aaron was his priest, When Moses cry'd, when Samuel pray'd, He gave his people rest.

3 Oft he forgave their sins, Nor would destroy their race; And oft he made his vengeance known, When they abus'd his grace.

4 Exalt the Lord our God, Whose grace is still time same; Still he's a God of holiness, And jealous for his Name.

Psalm 100:1. 1st M. A plain translation. Praise to our Creator.

1 Ye nations round the earth rejoice Before the Lord, your sovereign King; Serve him with cheerful heart and voice, With all your tongues his glory sing.

2 The Lord is God; 'tis he alone Doth life, and breath, and being give: We are his work, and not our own; The sheep that on his pastures live.

3 Enter his gates with songs of joy, With praises to his courts repair, And make it your divine employ To pay your thanks and honours there.

4 The Lord is good, the Lord is kind; Great is his grace, his mercy sure; And the whole race of man shall find His truth from age to age endure.

Psalm 100:2. 2d M. A Paraphrase.

1 Sing to the Lord with joyful voice; Let every land his name adore; The British isles shall send the noise Across the ocean to the shore.

2 Nations, attend before his throne With solemn fear, with sacred joy; Know that the Lord is God alone; He can create, and he destroy.

3 His sovereign power, without our aid, Made us of clay, and form'd us men; And when like wandering sheep we stray'd, He brought us to his fold again.

4 We are his people, we his care, Our souls and all our mortal frame: What lasting honours shall we rear, Almighty Maker, to thy Name!

5 We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs, High as the heavens our voices raise; And earth with her ten thousand tongues Shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.

6 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 101:1. L. M. The Magistrate's psalm.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 No sons of slander, rage and strife Shall be companions of my life; The haughty look, the heart of pride Within my doors shall ne'er abide.

5 [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.]

6 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.

7 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.

Psalm 101:2. C. M. A psalm for a master of a family.

1 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.

2 Now to my tent, O God, repair, And make thy servant wise; I'll suffer nothing near me there That shall offend thine eyes.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 I'll purge my family around, And make the wicked flee; So shall my house be ever found A dwelling fit for thee.

Psalm 102:1. 1-13 20 21. First Part. A prayer of the afflicted.

1 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?

2 My days are wasted like the smoke Dissolving in the air; My strength is dry'd, my heart is broke, And sinking in despair.

3 My spirits flag like withering grass Burnt with excessive heat; In secret groans my minutes pass, And I forget to eat.

4 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.

5 My soul is like a wilderness, Where beasts of midnight howl; There the sad raven finds her place, And there the screaming owl.

6 Dark dismal thoughts and boding fears Dwell in my troubled breast; While sharp reproaches wound my ears, Nor give my spirit rest.

7 My cup is mingled with my woes, And tears are my repast; My daily bread like ashes grows Unpleasant to my taste.

8 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.

9 My looks like wither'd leaves appear, And life's declining light Grows faint as evening shadows are, That vanish into night.

10 But thou for ever art the same, O my eternal God: Ages to come shall know thy Name, And spread thy works abroad.

11 Thou wilt arise and shew thy face, Nor will my Lord delay Beyond th' appointed hour of grace, That long expected day.

12 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 102:2. 13-21. Second Part. Prayer heard and Zion restored.

1 Let Zion and her sons rejoice, Behold the promis'd hour; Her God hath heard her mourning voice, And comes t' exalt his power.

2 Her dust and ruins that remain Are precious in our eyes; Those ruins shall be built again, And all that dust shall rise.

3 The Lord will raise Jerusalem, And stand in glory there; Nations shall bow before has name, And kings attend with fear.

4 He sits a sovereign on his throne, With pity in his eyes; He hears the dying prisoners groan, And sees their sighs arise.

5 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.'

6 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 102:3. 25-28. Third Part. Man's mortality and Christ's eternity; or, Saints die, but Christ and the church live.

1 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.

2 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?

3 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."

4 'Twas he this earth's foundation laid; Heaven is the building of his hand: This earth grows old, these heavens shall fade, And all be chang'd at his command.

5 The starry curtains of the sky Like garments shall be laid aside; But still thy throne stands firm and high; Thy church for ever must abide.

6 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.

Psalm 103:1. 1-7. First Part. L. M. Blessing God for his goodness to soul and body.

1 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.

2 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?

3 '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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 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.

7 [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.

8 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 103:2. 8-18. Second Part. L. M. God's gentle chastisement; or, His tender mercy to his people.

1. 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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!

5 Amidst his wrath compassion shines; His strokes are lighter than our sins; And while his rod corrects his saints, His ear indulges their complaints.

6 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.

PAUSE.

7 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.

8 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.

9 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 103:3. 1-7. First Part, S. M. Praise for spiritual and temporal mercies.

1 O Bless the Lord, my soul; Let all within me join, And aid my tongue to bless his Name, Whose favours are divine.

2 O bless the Lord, my soul; Nor let his mercies lie Forgotten in unthankfulness, And without praises die.

3 'Tis he forgives thy sins, 'Tis he relieves thy pain, 'Tis he that heals thy sicknesses, And makes thee young again.

4 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.

5 He fills the poor with good; He gives the sufferers rest; The Lord hath judgments for the proud, And justice for th' opprest.

6 His wondrous works and ways He made by Moses known; But sent the world his truth and grace By his beloved Son.

Psalm 103:4. 8-18. Second Part. S. M. Abounding compassion of God; or, Mercy in the midst of judgment.

1 My soul, repeat his praise Whose mercies are so great, Whose anger is so slow to rise, So ready to abate.

2 God will not always chide; And when his strokes are felt, His strokes are fewer than our crimes, And lighter than our guilt.

3 High as the heavens are rais'd Above the ground we tread, So far the riches of his grace Our highest thoughts exceed.

4 His power subdues our sins; And his forgiving love, Far as the east is from the west, Doth all our guilt remove.

5 The pity of the Lord To those that fear his Name, Is such as tender parents feel; He knows our feeble frame.

6 He knows we are but dust, Scatter'd with every breath; His anger, like a rising wind, Can send us swift to death.

7 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.

8 But thy compassions, Lord, To endless years endure; And children's children ever find Thy words of promise sure.

Psalm 103:5. 19-22. Third Part. S. M. God's universal dominion; or, Angels praise the Lord.

1 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.

2 Ye angels great in might, And swift to do his will, Bless ye the Lord, whose voice ye hear, Whose pleasure ye fulfil.

3 Let the bright hosts who wait The orders of their King, And guard his churches when they pray, Join in the praise they sing.

4 While all his wondrous works, Thro' his vast kingdoms shew Their Maker's glory, thou, my soul, Shalt sing his graces too.

Psalm 104. The glory of God in creation and providence.

1 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 the two following lines to every stanza, viz.

Great is the Lord; what tongue can frame An equal honour to his Name?

Otherwise it must be sung as the 100th psalm.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 When earth was cover'd with the flood, Which high above the mountains stood, He thunder'd, and the ocean fled, Confin'd to its appointed bed.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

PAUSE I.

9 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.

10 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.