PSALM 16.

PRESERVE me from my leaguering foes,
And shield me, Lord, from harm;
Because my trust I still repose,
On Thine almighty arm.

The Lord, who o'er all worlds doth reign,
Is mine inheritance,

His mercy shall my lot maintain,

Secure from all mischance.

Therefore my heart all grief defies ;
My glory doth rejoice,

My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise,
Waked by his powerful voice.

Thou shalt the paths of life display,
Which to Thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys, that never fade.

PSALM 18.

THE Lord descended from above,
He bowed the heavens on high,
And underneath His feet He cast
The darkness of the sky.

On cherub, and on cherubim

Full royally He rode,

And, on the wings of mighty winds,
Came flying all abroad.

At His bright coming every cloud
Did from His face retire,

When He sent forth His mighty voice,
Hailstones, and coals of fire.

He drew me from the place of dread,
Where many waters roll;

He saved me from the fearful power
Of them, who hate my soul.

He girdeth me with strength of war,
He sets my feet on high,
Praised be my strong deliverer,
Who rules above the sky.

PSALM 19.

THE heavens are telling high, and wide,

The glory of the Lord,
The firmament, and deeps of air

His handywork record.

Day speaks to day,—a gushing fount

Of praise, that cannot fail,
Day unto day, and night to night

Tells out the wondrous tale.

No sound, no converse, all unheard
Their solemn voice they send,

Their line goes out o'er all the earth,
Their words to the world's end.

In them the Lord made for the sun
A tent, and home on high,
Who, like a bridegroom quits his bower,
To tread the morning sky.

The witness of the Lord is sure,
And yields the heart delight,
The precepts of the Lord are pure,
And fill the eyes with light.

By them is thy disciple taught
His paths from ill to guard,
And to obey Thy Holy will,
Is, Lord, his best reward.

PSALM 19.

Second Version.

THE Heaven's are telling far and high,

The glory of the Lord;

The firmament, and azure sky,

His handywork record.

Day unto day doth knowledge teach,

All the wide earth along,

And night to night in starry speech
Still utters forth her song.

Their mighty voices sound abroad
Untaught, and unconfined,
Nature's true language, understood
Alike by all mankind.

PSALM 19.

Third Version.

HEAVEN speaks Thy glory, Lord,

Sun, moon, and stars display thy skill, Yet in Thy pure, and perfect word, We read them clearer still.

Oh let that word go forth,

As freely, as the circling sun, Till all, that walk this fallen earth, Are to their Saviour won.

Sun of the soul arise,

Arise, and bid our darkness flee, Make everywhere the simple wise, And draw all hearts to Thee.

The shadows deeper fall,

The night of error, sense, and sin,
Rise, sun of glory, rise o'er all,
And bid the day begin.

PSALM 19.

Second Part.

GOD's law is perfect, and hath power,
The wandering mind to win,
God's witness stands for ever sure,
To cleanse the heart from sin.

The statutes of the Lord are right, Enlightening the eyes,

The precepts of the Lord are pure, And scatter all disguise.

Not all the gold, that Ophir yields,
Against their worth can weigh,
Not honey, nor the honey-comb,
Are half so sweet as they.

They are Thy people's heritage,
Their steps from ill to guard-
In keeping of Thine oracles,
Is, Lord, a great reward.

PSALM 20.

THE Lord in trouble hear thee,
And help from Zion send;
The God of grace be near thee,
To comfort, and befriend,
Thy human weakness strengthen,
Thine earthly wants supply,

Thy span of nature lengthen
To endless life on high!

Above His own anointed,

His banner bright shall wave, Their times are all appointed; The Lord His flock shall save: Through life's deceitful mazes Their steps will safely bear,