146

6-8's.

Praise for God's mercies.

1 I'LL praise my Maker while I've breath;
And, when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler powers:
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.

2 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,
And none shall find his promise vain.
3[The Lord gives eyesight to the blind;
The Lord relieves the guilty mind;

The Lord vouchsafes the mourner peace;
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow, and the fatherless;

And grants the pris'ner sweet release.] 4[I'll praise Him while He lends me breath, And, when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler powers: My days of praise shall ne'er be past, While life, and thought, and being last, Or immortality endures.]

1 YE BOUNDLESS realms of joy,
Exalt your Maker's fame,
His praise your song employ
Above the starry frame;
Your voices raise,

Ye cherubim

And seraphim,

To sing his praise.

2 Thou moon, that rul'st the night,
And sun, that guid'st the day,
Ye glitt'ring stars of light,
To Him your homage pay;
His praise declare,

Ye heav'ns above,

And clouds that move
In liquid air.

3 Let them adore the Lord,
And praise his holy Name,
By whose almighty word
They all from nothing came;
And all shall last

From changes free;
His firm decree

Stands ever fast.

F

148th.

4[United zeal be shown
His wondrous fame to raise,
Whose glorious Name alone
Deserves our endless praise.
Earth's utmost ends
His pow'r obey;
His glorious sway
The sky transcends.]

5 His chosen saints to grace,
He sets them up on high,
And favours Israel's race,
Who still to Him are nigh.
O therefore raise

Your grateful voice,
And still rejoice
The Lord to praise!

6[To God, the Father, Son,

And Spirit, ever blest,
Eternal Three in One,
All worship be addrest;
As heretofore

It was, is now,
And shall be so
For evermore.]

148

SECOND VERSION.

Praise.

8. 7.

1 PRAISE the Lord! ye heavens adore Him!
Praise Him, angels in the height!
Sun and moon, rejoice before Him!
Praise Him, all ye stars of light!
Praise the Lord, for He hath spoken!
Worlds his mighty voice obey'd;
Laws, which never shall be broken,
For their guidance He has made.

2 Praise the Lord, for He is glorious!
Never shall his promise fail:
God has made his saints victorious;
Sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation!
Hosts on high his power proclaim!
Heaven, and earth, and all creation,
Laud and magnify his Name!

148

THIRD VERSION.

Universal praise.

11's.

1 PRAISE the Lord of heaven, praise Him in the height;

Praise Him, all ye angels; praise Him, stars and light:

Praise Him, skies, and waters which above the skies,

When his word commanded, stablish'd did arise.

2 Praise the Lord, ye fountains of the deep, and seas;

Rocks, and hills, and mountains; cedars and all trees:

Praise Him, clouds and vapours; snow and hail and fire;

Stormy wind, fulfilling ever his desire.

3 Praise Him, fowls and cattle; princes and all kings:

Praise Him, men and maidens-all created things

For the Name of God is excellent alone, Over earth, his footstool; over heaven, his throne.

149

Praise.

149th.

10 PRAISE ye the Lord, prepare your glad voice,

His praise in the great assembly to sing:
In our great Creator let Israel rejoice;
And children of Zion be glad in their King.