PSALMODY FOR

CHRISTIAN SEASONS.

PSALM I.

BLEST is the man who ne'er hath stray'd
Where godless counsels guide,
Nor stood in sinner's path, nor sat
With scornful sons of pride:

But in the law of God hath found
His stedfast soul's delight,

Firm strength to cheer his day of toil
And restful thoughts at night.

Like some fair tree, whose roots are spread
Where constant waters flow,

Whose boughs, that fear no summer's drought,
Their timely fruit bestow.

So, by those healing waters fed,

With dews of grace to aid,

His life shall bear its fruits of good,

His leaf shall never fade.

Far, far unlike the godless race,

Who know no strength nor stay,
Like chaff, which every wand'ring wind
Sweeps from the floor away.

B

Unconstant souls! they shall not stand
When God in judgment tries;

Nor with the saints before His throne
In glad assembly rise.

For God, Who knows each heart's desire,
Shall bless the just man's way ;
But the lost sinner's life and hope
In sorrow shall decay.

PSALM III.

My God, how are my foes increas'd !
What multitudes against me rise,
Who say, Give we his soul no rest,
Whom God forsakes and men despise !

But Thou, O Lord, art my defence,
Thy glorious shield is o'er me spread,
The shelter of my innocence,

The strength that rears my fainting head.

To Him I cried in my distress,

I sought Him by His heav'nly Name, And from His mount of holiness

His word of answering mercy came.

Then down in peace I laid my head,
And rose, sustain'd by pow'r divine :
No more those countless foes I dread,
That leagued against my peace combine.

Arise and save me, O my God,

Whose arm hath crush'd those beasts of prey; Thy health, bright-beaming o'er the cloud, Still guides Thy saints in life's dark way.