Confirm the tidings as they roll,

And spread the truth from pole to pole. 3 What though, in solemn silence, all Move round this dark terrestrial ball? What though no 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.”

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 scale
Of truth and justice weigh'd.

4 of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refin'd with skill;
Sweeter 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 these precepts live,

C

PART III. 12-14.

(III. 1.)

1 Blest instructor! from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he strays?
Save from error's growth my mind;
Leave not, Lord, one root behind.
2 Purge me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise:
Let me thence, by thee renew'd,
Each presumptuous sin exclude.
3 Let my tongue, from falsehood free,
Speak the words approv'd by thee:
To thy all-observing eyes
Let my thoughts accepted rise.
4 While I thus thy name adore,
And thy healing grace implore,
Blest Redeemer, bow thine ear;
God, my strength, propitious hear.

PSALM XXI. 1-6.

(L. M.)

Appointed for Ascension day, as celebrating the glory and victory

of Messiah: accordingly it is so applied in the following paraphrase.

1 The king shall in thy strength rejoice,
O Lord of Hosts, with grateful voice:
Salvation's glorious work is done;
Let heav'n and earth the triumph own!
2 His heart's desire (divine request),
Man to redeem, by sin opprest;
Blessings of goodness hence are spread,
And purest gold adorns his head.

3 He asked life and life was given,
Eternal as the days of heaven;
His glories in salvation shine,
Honour and majesty divine.

4 Ye saints, ye angels, hov'ring round,
Behold the great Messiah crown'd!
Enter'd within the promis'd rest,
Accepted, and forever blest.

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 In presence of surrounding foes
He does my table spread;

He crowns my cup with cheerful wine,
With oil anoints my head.

6 Since God doth thus his wond'rous love
Through all my life extend,

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

PSALM XXIII. Second version.

(IV. 2.)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, no want shall I know; I feed in green pastures, safe folded I rest:

He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow, Restores me when wand'ring, redeems when opprest.

2 Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,

Since thou art my guardian, no evil I fear; Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay; No harm can befal with my comforter near. 3 In the midst of affliction my table is spread; With blessings unmeasur'd my cup runneth o'er;

With perfume and oil thou anointest my head; O what shall I ask of thy providence more? 4 Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God, Still follow my steps till I meet thee above: I seek-by the path which my forefathers trod, Through the land of their sojourn-thy kingdom of love.

PSALM XXIV.

(c. M.)

Appointed by the Church for Ascension day: being a prophecy of the event then celebrated.

I Of earth, and all that dwell therein,

Jehovah is the Lord,

Form'd on the seas and swelling floods;
Created by his word.

2 Who shall ascend on high, and dwell
Upon the hill of God?

Who shall at last admittance gain
Within that blest abode?

3 The man whose heart and hands are pure,
Who hateth vanity;

Who from his soul abhors deceit,

And upright walks with thee.

4 This is the generation, Lord,
Of such as seek thy face;

Blessings divine they shall receive,
Glory and righteousness.

5 Lift up your heads, eternal gates,
Ye realms of light make room;
Ye everlasting doors behold
The King of Glory come!
6 Who is the King of Glory, who?
The mighty chief renown'd;
Mighty in battle, glorious Lord!
He comes with triumph crown'd.
7 Lift up your heads, eternal gates,
Unfold the heavenly scene;
The King of Glory comes-receive
The King of Glory in!

8 Who is this King of Glory, who?
The Lord of Hosts renown'd;
All hail! Messiah is his name,
The King of Glory crown'd.

PSALM XXV. 6-10.

1 Thy mercies and thy love,
Ŏ Lord, recal to mind,

And graciously continue still,
As thou wert ever, kind.

2 Let all my youthful crimes
Be blotted out by thee;
And for thy wond'rous goodness' sake,
In mercy think on me.

3 His mercy and his truth

The righteous Lord displays,

In bringing wand'ring sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.

c2

(S. M.)

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