HYMN XLIV. My lips shall praise thee. Ps. lxiii. 3. I'LL praise my Maker while I've breath, Praise shall employ my nobler pow'rs; My days of praise shall ne'er be past, While life, and thought, and being last, Or immortality endures. Happy the man, whose hopes rely On Israel's God: he made the sky, And earth, and seas, with all their train : His truth for ever stands secure, He saves th' opprest, he feeds the poor, The Lord pours eye-sight on the blind; He sends the lab'ring conscience peace; And grants the pris'ner sweet release. HYMN XLV. Remember now thy Creator. Eccl. xii. 1. IN mem'ry's tablet fair and clear, "Remember God in early youth;" Remember Him in every stage Then in the last great awful day, When heav'n and earth shall frighted flee; This, dearest child, shall be thy stay, "Thy God will then remember thee." HYMN XLVI. Blessed are the dead. Rev. xiv. 13. In vain our fancy strives to paint One gentle sigh his fetter breaks, We scarce can say "He's gone," Before the willing spirit takes Faith strives, but all her efforts fail To trace that heaven-ward flight; No eye can pierce within the veil Which hides that world of light. Thus much, (and this is all we know) They are supremely blest, Have done with sin, and care, and woe, And with their Saviour rest. HYMN XLVII. Thou Lord makest me dwell in safety. Ps. iv. 8. In sleep's serene oblivion laid I safely pass'd the silent night; Lord, guide me through the various maze My doubtful feet are doom'd to tread; And spread thy shield's protecting blaze Where dangers press around my head. A deeper shade shall soon impend; That deeper shade shall break away; Thy light shall give eternal day; Thy love, the rapture of the skies. HYMN XLVIII. God forbid that I should glory. Gal. vi. 14. In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wreck of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. When the woes of life o'ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy; Never shall the cross forsake me, Lo! it glows with peace and joy. When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way; From the cross the radiance streaming, Adds more lustre to the day. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, By the cross are sanctifi'd; Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide. |