4 Ne songs of holy joy shall still
Employ our cheerful voice,

Our grateful souls, by Thee redeem'd,
Shall in Thy strength rejoice.

PSALM 72. (C. M. D.)

David, foretelling the peaceful and glorious reign of Solomon, under that figure, in most lively and beautiful colours, pourtrays the EXTENT and BLESSINGS of Messiah's spiritual kingdom.

1 FROM sea to sea, the KING OF Kings
His empire shall extend;

Begin at proud Euphrates' stream,
At nature's limits end.

To Him shall ev'ry king on earth
His humble homage pay,
And diff'rent nations gladly join
To own His righteous sway.
2 The mem'ry of His glorious name
Through endless years shall run;
His spotless fame shall shine as bright
And lasting as the sun.

In Him the nations of the world
Shall be completely bless'd,
And His unbounded happiness
By ev'ry tongue confess'd.

3 Then bless'd be God, the mighty LORD,
The God whom Israel fears;

Who only wond'rous in His works
Beyond compare appears.
Let earth be with His glory fill'd;
For ever bless His name;

Whilst to His praise the list'ning world
Their glad assent proclaim.

PSALM 73. (L. M.)

The Psalmist expresses his full trust and confidence in the Divine mercy and goodness.

1 WHOM, LORD, in heav'n, but Thee alone,
Have I, whose favour I require ?
Throughout the spacious earth, there's none
That I besides Thee can desire.

2 Thy presence doth my wants supply,
And Thy right hand assistance give;
Me, LORD, Thou guidest with Thine eye,
And into glory wilt receive.

3 My trembling flesh and aching heart
May often fail to succour me,

But Thou wilt inward strength impart,
And my eternal portion be.

4 For me, then, LORD, 'tis good and just
That I should still to Thee repair;
In Thee repose my constant trust,
And all Thy wond'rous works declare.

PSALM 80. (L. M.)

The church, in captivity, prayeth for the advent of Messiah to quicken and comfort her.

1 GREAT God! Our Shepherd and our Guide,
Our humble pray'rs vouchsafe to hear:
Thou, who on cherub-wings didst ride,
In glorious majesty appear.

2 Do Thou convert us, LORD, do Thou
The lustre of Thy face display;
And all the ills we suffer now

Like scattered clouds shall pass away.

3 Thou, whom heav'nly hosts obey,
Let not Thy wrath against us burn;
Let not Thy waiting people pray,

And to their pray'rs have no return.
4 Do Thou convert us, LORD, do Thou
The lustre of Thy face display;
And all the ills we suffer now,

Like scatter'd clouds shall pass away.

PSALM 84. PART 1. Old Version. (C. M. D.) Under the figure of a pious Israelite, deprived of all access to Jerusalem and the sanctuary; this Psalm describes the earnest longing of a devout soul after the house and presence of God.

1 How pleasant is Thy dwelling-place,
O LORD of Hosts, to me!
The tabernacles of Thy grace,
How pleasant, LORD, they be.
My soul doth long full sore to go
Into Thy courts abroad;
My heart and flesh cry out also
For Thee, the living God.

2 O! They be blessed that may dwell
Within Thine house always;
For they all times Thy works do tell,
And ever give Thee praise.
Yea, happy sure likewise are they,
Whose strength and stay Thou art;
Who to Thy house do mind the way,
And seek it in their heart.

3 For God the LORD, light and defence,
Will grace and glory give;

And no good thing will He withhold
From them that purely live.

O LORD of Hosts! That man is blest,
And happy sure is he;

That is persuaded in his breast

To trust all times in Thee.

PART 2. (C. M.)

The house of God pleasant to the humble worshipper.

1. O GOD of Hosts, the mighty LORD
How lovely is the place

Where Thou, enthron'd in glory, show'st
The brightness of Thy face!

2 My longing soul faints with desire
To view Thy blest abode ;

My panting heart and flesh cry out
For Thee, the living God.

3 Thrice happy they, whose choice has Thee
Their sure protection made;
Who long to tread the sacred ways
That to Thy dwelling lead!

4 They shall from strength to strength proceed,
And still approach more near;
Till all on Sion's holy mount

Before their God appear.

5 O God of Hosts, the mighty LORD,
How highly blest is he!

Whose hope and trust, securely plac'd,
Is still repos'd in Thee.

PSALM 84. PART 3.

(C. M.)

An eulogy on the blessedness of God's servants.

O LORD of Hosts, my King and God,
How highly blest are they,
Who in Thy temple always dwell
And there Thy praise display!

2 For in Thy courts one single day
'Tis better to attend,

Than, LORD, in any place besides,
A thousand days to spend.

3 For Thou who art our sun and shield,
Wilt grace and glory give;
And no thing wilt Thou withhold
From them that justly live.

4 Thou, God, whom heav'nly hosts obey,
How highly blest is he,
Whose hope and trust, securely plac'd,
Is still repos'd on Thee!

PSALM 85. (C. M.)

This Psalm celebrates the redemption of the Israel of God from their spiritual captivity under sin and death, and the blessed effects of the advent of Christ. It is one of the proper Psalms for Christmas day.

1 To all that fear God's holy name, Salvation is brought near;

That to His church for evermore

His glory may appear.