PART II.

(C. M.) 1 GOD's perfect law converts the soul, Reclaims from false desires; With sacred wisdom his sure word The ignorant inspires.

2 The statutes of the LORD are just,
And bring sincere delight;

His pure commands in search of truth
Assist the feeblest sight.

3 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
On sure foundations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weigh'd;

4 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refin'd with skill;

More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distil.

5 My trusty counsellors they are, »
And friendly warnings give:
Divine rewards attend on those
Who by thy precepts live.

6 But what frail man observes how oft
He does from virtue fall?

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!
7 Let no presumptuous sin, O LORD,
Dominion have o'er me;

That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may
The great transgression flee.
8 So shall my prayer and praises be
With thy acceptance blest;

And I secure on thy defence,
My strength and Saviour, rest.

From the xx. Psalm of David.

1 MAY Jacob's God defend

And hear us in distress;

Our succour from his temple send,
Our cause from Sion bless!

2 May he accept our vow,

Our sacrifice receive,

Our heart's devout request allow,
Our holy wishes give!

3 O LORD! thy saving grace
We joyfully declare;

Our banner in thy name we raise"The LORD fulfil our prayer!"

4 Now know we that the LORD
His chosen will defend;

From heav'n will strength divine afford,
And will their prayer attend.

5 Some earthly succour trust,

But we in God's right hand :
Lo! while they fall, so vain their boast,
We rise and upright stand.

6 Still save us, LORD! and still
Thy servants deign to bless ;
Hear, King of heav'n, in times of ill,
The prayers that we address.

PSALM 17.

From the xxii. Psalm of David.
PART I. (C. M.)

1 MY GOD, my God, why leav'st thou me, When I with anguish faint?

O why so far from me remov'd, And from my loud complaint? 2 Lo! I am treated like a worm, Like none of human birth; Not only by the great revil'd,

But made the rabble's mirth.

3 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonies survey;

They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say:

4 "In God he trusted, boasting oft

That he was heaven's delight;

Let God come down to save him now,
And own his favourite."

5 Withdraw not, then, so far from me,
When trouble is so nigh;

O send me help! thy help, on which
Alone I can rely,

1 LIKE water is my life pour'd out,
My joints are out of frame;
My heart dissolves within my breast,
Like wax before the flame :

2 My strength is like a potsherd dried,
My tongue is parch'd with drought;
And to the dismal shades of death
My fainting soul is brought.

3 Like dogs, to compass me, my foes, In wicked council meet:

They pierc'd my inoffensive hands,
They pierc'd my harmless feet.
4 My body's rack'd, till all my bones
Distinctly may be told;

Yet such a spectacle of wo
As pastime they behold.

5 As spoil, my garments they divide, Lots for my vesture cast:Therefore, O leave me not, my God, But to my succour haste.

1 LORD, to my brethren I'll declare The triumphs of thy Name: presence of assembled saints Thy glory thus proclaim :

In

2 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God,
All you of Israel's line,

O praise the Lord, and to your praise
Sincere obedience join.

3" He ne'er disdain'd on low distress
To cast a gracious eye;
Nor turn'd from misery his face,
But hears its humble cry."

4 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I
My cheerful thanks express;
In presence of thy saints perform
The vows of my distress.

5 The meek companions of my grief
Shall find my table spread;

And all that seek the LORD shall be
With joys immortal fed,

6 Then shall the glad converted world
To GOD their homage pay;
And scatter'd nations of the earth
One sovereign LORD obey.

7 "Tis his supreme prerogative
O'er all mankind to reign;

'Tis just that he should rule the world, Who does the world sustain.

8 The rich, who are with plenty fed,
His bounty must confess;

The sons of want, by him reliev'd,
Their generous patron bless.

9 With humble worship to his throne
They all for aid resort;

That power, which first their being gave,
Alone can them support.

10 Then shall a chosen spotless race,
Devoted to his Name,

To their adoring sons his truth
And glorious acts proclaim.

From the xxiii. Psalm of David.

1 THE LORD himself, the mighty LORD Vouchsafes to be my guide;

The shepherd, by whose constant care
My wants are all supplied.

2 In tender grass he makes me feed,
And gently there repose;

Then leads me to cool shades, and where
Refreshing water flows.

3 He does my wand'ring soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk
In his most righteous ways.

4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From fear and danger free ;

For there his aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.

5 Since GOD doth thus his wondrous love Through all my life extend,

That life to him I will devote,
And in his temple spend.

From the xxiv. Psalm of David.

1 THE spacious earth is all the LORD's,
The LORD's her fulness is;

The world, and they that dwell therein,
By sov'reign right are his.

2 He fram'd and fix'd it on the seas;
And his almighty hand

Upon inconstant floods has made
The stable fabric stand.

3 But for himself this LORD of all
One chosen seat design'd;

O! who shall to that sacred hill
Deserv'd admittance find?

4 The man whose hands and heart are pure, Whose thoughts from pride are free; Who honest poverty prefers

To gainful perjury.

5 This, this is he, on whom the LORD
Shall shower his blessings down,
Whom Gon, his Saviour, shall vouchsafe
With righteousness to crown.

6 Such is the race of saints, by whom
The sacred courts are trod;
And such the proselytes that seek
Thy face, O Jacob's GOD.

7 Erect your heads, eternal gates;
Unfold, to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes
With his celestial train.

8 Who is the King of glory? who?
The LORD, for strength renown'd;
In battle mighty; o'er his foes
Eternal victor crown'd.

9 Erect your heads, ye gates; unfold
In state to entertain

The King of Glory: see! he comes
With all his shining train.

10 Who is the King of glory? who?
The LORD of hosts renown'd;

Of glory he alone is King,
Who is with glory crown'd.