See referencetosame passage, Sam. xxiii. 7-28, p. 24.
Then let me learn, with David,
To trust in the Most High;
To plead the name of Jesus,
And use the sling of prayer:
Thus arm'd, when Satan sees us,
He'll tremble and despair.
29. DAVID'S FALL. Chap. xi. 29. How David, when by sin deceived, From bad to worse went on!
For when the Holy Spirit's grieved,
Our strength and guard are gone.
His eyes, on Bathsheba once fix'd,
With poison fill'd his soul;
He ventured on adultery next,
And murder crown'd the whole.
So from a spark of fire at first
That has not been descried,
A dreadful flame has often burst,
And ravaged far and wide.
When sin deceives, it hardens too;
For though he vainly sought
To hide his crimes from public view,
Of God he little thought.
He neither would nor could repent,
No true compunction felt,
Till God in mercy Nathan sent,
His stubborn heart to melt.
The parable held forth a fact,
Design'd his case to show;
But, though the picture was exact,
Himself he did not know.
'Thou art the man,' the prophet said:
That word his slumber broke;
And when he own'd his sin, and pray'd,
The Lord forgiveness spoke.
Let those who think they stand, beware,
For David stood before:
Nor let the fallen soul despair,
For mercy can restore.
30. IS THIS THY KINDNESS TO THY FRIEND? Chap. xvi. 17.
POOR, weak, and worthless, though I am,
I have a rich, almighty Friend;
Jesus, the Saviour, is His name,
He freely loves, and without end.
He ransom'd me from hell with blood,
And by His power my foes controll'd
He found me wandering far from God,
And brought me to His chosen fold.
He cheers my heart, my want supplies,
And says that I shall shortly be
Enthroned with Him above the skies;
Oh! what a friend is Christ to me!
But, ah! my inmost spirit mourns,
And well my eyes with tears may swim,
To think of my perverse returns-
I've been a faithless friend to Him!
Often my gracious Friend I grieve,
Neglect, distrust, and disobey;
And often Satan's lies believe,
Sooner than all my Friend can say.
He bids me always freely come,
And promises whate'er I ask;
But I am straiten'd, cold, and dumb,
And count my privilege a task.
Before the world, that hates His cause, My treacherous heart has throbb'd with shame;
Loath to forego the world's applause,
I hardly dare avow His name.
Sure, were not I most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite! And were not He the God of grace,
He'd frown and spurn me from His sight.
31. ASK WHAT I SHALL GIVE THEE.
Chap. iii. 5.
COME, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring; *
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.
With my burden I begin :-
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.
Lord! I come to Thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.
As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder's face;
Thus unto my heart appear;
Print Thine own resemblance there! *Psalm lxxxi. 10.
While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey's end.
Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die Thy people's death!
IF Solomon for wisdom pray'd,
The Lord before had made him wise; Else he another choice had made, And ask'd for what the worldlings prize.
Thus He invites His people still;
He first instructs them how to choose, Then bids them ask whate'er they will, Assured that He will not refuse.
Our wishes would our ruin prove,
Could we our wretched choice obtain,
Before we feel the Saviour's love
Kindle our love to Him again.
But when our hearts perceive His worth,
Desires, till then unknown, take place;
Our spirits cleave no more to earth,
But pant for holiness and grace.
|