3 Times of sickness, times of health; 4 Times temptation's power to prove, 5 Plagues and deaths around me fly; Not a single shaft can hit, 28. Man a pilgrim on the earth.-Psalm xxxix. 2 Our life advancing to a close, 3 0! how thy chastisements impair 4 God of our fathers! here as they 5 Spare me a little while, O spare! 29. The Soul thirsting after God.—Psalm xlii. 1 As pants the wearied hart for cooling springs, 2 On bitter tears my pining soul hath fed, While taunting foes deride my deep despair; "Say, where is now thy great Deliverer fled? Thy mighty God-abandon'd wanderer where ?" 3 Oft dwell my thoughts on those thrice happy days, When to thy courts I led the willing throng; Our mirth was worship, all our pleasure praise, And festal joys still closed with sacred song. 4 Why throb, my heart? Why sink, my saddening soul? Why droop to earth with various woes oppress'd? My years shall yet in blissful circles roll, And peace be yet an inmate of this breast. 5 By Jordan's banks with devious steps I stray, 6 In rapid floods the vernal torrents roll, 7 Yet thy sure mercies ever in my sight, My heart shall gladden through the tedious day; And, 'midst the dark and gloomy shades of night, To Thee I'll duly tune the grateful lay. 8 Rock of my hope! great Solace of my heart! O! why desert the offspring of thy care, While taunting foes thus point the invidious dart"Where is thy God? abandon'd wanderer, where?" 9 Why faint, my soul? Why doubt Jehovah's aid? Thy God, the God of mercy still shall prove; Within his courts thy thanks shall yet be paid;Unquestion'd be his faithfulness and love. 30. The Backslider restored.-Psalm li. 2 A broken heart, my God, my King, The God of grace will ne'er despise 3 My soul lies humbled in the dust, And owns thy dreadful sentence just; 4 Then will I leave the world thy ways; 31. Longing for the House of God.-Psalm lxxxiv. How pleasant and how fair My heart aspires, To see my God. 2 The sparrow, for her young, My spirit faints, 3 0 happy souls that pray Their constant service there! To Zion's hill. 4 They go from strength to strength, When God our King Our willing feet! 5 To spend one sacred day, Than thousand days beside: I love it more To keep the door Than shine in courts. 6 God is our sun and shield, Our light and our defence; 7 The Lord his people loves; From those his heart approves, O God of hosts, Whose Spirit trusts 32. All nations exhorted to praise God.-Psalm c. 2 His sovereign power, without our aid, 3 We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs; High as the heavens our voices raise; And earth, with her ten thousand tongues, 4 Wide as the world is thy command; Firm as a rock thy truth shall stand, 33. The soul excited to praise God.-Psalm ciii. 1 O BLESS the Lord, my soul! 2 His grace to thee proclaim: He will not always chide : He will with patience wait: |