3 I yield my powers to thy command, 54. LAMENT. iii. 37-40. 1 AMIDST the mighty, where is he Each varying scene of changeful life, 2 He gives in gladsome bow'rs to dwell, 3 Why should a living man complain 4 O sons of men! with anxious care, 55. EZEK. xvi. 20, 21. 1 SHEPHERD of Israel, see! The lambs once called thine Are madly sacrific'd, At ev'ry idol's shrine. 2 To indolence and pride, What piteous victims made; 3 By pleasure's polish'd dart, What numbers here are slain; 4 In mercy give command, And bring these idols down; 5 Parents and sons awake, Your solemn vows renew, 56. EZEK. xlvii. 8, 9. 1 A SACRED spring at God's command, From Zion's mount in Canaan's land, 2 The limpid stream with growing force, Through desert lands its windings play, 3 Close by its banks in varied guise, F 4 Flow wond'rous stream with glory crown'd, Flow on to earth's remotest bound; And bear us on thy gentle wave, To Him who all thy virtues gave. 51. HOSEA vi. 1-4. 1 COME, let us to the Lord our God, with contrite hearts return: Our God is gracious, nor will leave 2 His voice commands the tempest forth, And though his arm be strong to smite, 3 Long hath the night of sorrow reign'd; 4 Our hearts, if God we seek to know, His coming like the morn shall be, 5 As dew upon the tender herb, As showers that usher in the Spring, 6 So shall his presence bless our souls, That hallow'd morn shall chase away 58. HOSEA vi. 4. 1 THY just reproofs, O God! we own, And while we view thy patient love, 2 Inconstant service we repay, and thoughtless vows renew; 3 But now to thee with contrite hearts, 4 Thus shall we stedfastly proceed, And, with delight increasing, press 5 So by thy power the morning sun, Brightens each moment in his course, 59. MICAH vi. 6-9. 1 SHALL clouds of incense to the skies, with grateful odour speed; Or victims from a thousand hills, 2 Does justice nobler blood demand, to save the sinner's life; Shall, trembling, in his offspring's side 3 No: God rejects the bloody rites, the message brought to man. 4 He what is good hath clearly shown, O favour'd race! to thee; And what doth God require of those 5 Thy deeds let sacred justice rule, 60. HABAK. iii. 17, 18. 1 WHAT though no flowers the fig-tree clothe, the fields no meat supply; Although with want or dire disease, my wasting flocks should die? 2 In darkest scenes I'll trust in God, To him, in faith of better days, 3 He to my tardy feet shall lend Till rais'd on high I safely dwell, beyond the reach of woe. |