PSALM 19. 1st version. (L. M.)
The Heavens declare the glory of God.
I THE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Th' unwearied Sun, from day to day,
Doth his Creator's power display;
And publishes to every land
The works of an Almighty hand.
2 Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly, to the listening earth,
Repeats the story of her birth:
While all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
3 What though, in solemn silence, all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though nor real voice nor sound,
Amid their radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
For ever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."
PSALM 19. 2d version. (C. M.)
Christ the Sun of righteousness. v. 4. 6, 7. 1 FORTH from the east the morning sun Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And light and life convey.
2 But, from the gospel's sacred light,
We nobler gifts derive;
The blinded soul receives its sight;
The dead in sin revive.
3 Jesus, Thou Sun of righteousness!
Thy quickening influence give;
And let thy word have full success,
That all may hear and live.
4 That word, thy Spirit's sword, applied,
Shall vanquish every sin,
Till Satan's kingdom is destroy'd,
And thine is form'd within.
PSALM 19. 3d version. (L. M.)
For deliverance from sin and error. v. 12, &c.
1 BEST Instructor, from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he strays?
Save from error's growth our mind;
Leave not, Lord, one root behind.
2 Cleanse us from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within our heart's disguise:
Let us thence, by Thee renew'd,
Each presumptuous sin exclude.
8 So our lot shall not be join'd
To the men, whose impious mind, a
Fearless of thy just command,
Braves the vengeance of thy hand.
4 Let our tongue, from falsehood free,
Speak the words approv'd by Thee:
To thine all-observing eyes!
Let our thoughts accepted rise.
5 While we thus thy name adore,
And thy healing grace implore,
Blest Redeemer! bow thine ear,
God, our strength! propitious hear,
PSALM 20. (L. M.)
God the Giver of victory and national success. v. 7, 8. 1 WHILE nations, fir'd with mutual rage, In fierce contention warfare wage,
God reigns on heaven's eternal throne,
And makes their wills subserve his own,
2 On horses some their hopes repose;
Some urge the chariot on their foes;
But we such feeble trust disclaim;
Our trust is in Jehovah's name.
3 The God, whom heaven and earth obey,
Did shield us in the dreadful day;
The God of battles o'er our head
His own victorious banner spread.
4 The God of battles Thee we own;
The victory, Lord, is thine alone:
To Thee our grateful hearts we raise,
And own thy hand, and sing thy praise.
5 Oh! when we praise and when we pray,
Do Thou, whom heaven and earth obey,
Accept the praise, confirm the prayer,
And make our safety still thy care.
PSALM 23. 1st version. (L. M.)
The Lord, the Shepherd of his people.
1 THE Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd's care:
His presence shall my wants supply,
And guard me with a watchful eye:
My noon-day walks He shall attend,"
And all my midnight hours defend.
2 When in the sultry glebe I faint,
Or on the thirsty mountain pant,
To fertile vales, and dewy meads,
My weary, wandering, steps He leads,
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
3 Though in a bare and rugged way,
Through devious, lonely, wilds I stray:
Thy bounty shall my wants beguile;
The barren wilderness shall smile,
With sudden greens and herbage crown'd;
And streams shall murmur all around.
4 Though in the paths of death I tread,
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
For Thou, O Lord! art with me still
Thy friendly crook shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade.
PSALM 24. (L. M.)
The resurrection and ascension of Christ.
1 THE Lord is risen from the dead :
Ris'n to the majesty on high:
The powers of hell are captive led,
Dragg'd to the portals of the sky.
2 Lo! his triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chaunt the raptur'd lay;
"Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates,
"Ye everlasting doors, give way.
3 "Loose all your bars of massy light, "And wide unfold th' ethereal scene; "He claims those mansions as his right: "Receive the King of glory in."
4 Who is the King of glory? Who? "The Lord of hosts, in battle strong; "Who Satan, sin, and death o'erthrew, "And leads in chains the captive throng. 5 "Behold! the King of glory waits; "Celestial powers, his voice obey : "Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates, "Ye everlasting doors, give way." 6 Who is the King of glory? Who? "Jesus, of power supreme possest: "To Him eternal praise is due; "God over all, for ever blest."
The sinner's hope in God's mercy alone.
1 To Thee, O Lord! we lift our souls,
To Thee for safety flee;
Let not our foes confound our hopes,
Which all are placed on Thee.
2 When on the guilt of former years
Our thoughts revolving turn,
The sorrows of our hearts enlarge,
Our troubled spirits mourn.
3 But grace and mercy reign with Thee,
Surpassing every sin,
Mercy to pardon all without,
And grace to cleanse within.
|