5 Could I command the spacious land,
And the more boundless sea,
For one blest hour at thy right hand
I'd give them both away.
Going to Church. Ps. 122.
1 How did my heart rejoice to hear
My friends devoutly say,
'In Zion let us all appear,
And keep the solemn day!'
2 I love her gates, I love the road;
The church, adorned with grace,
Stands like a palace, built for God,
To show his milder face.
3 Up to her courts, with joys unknown,
The holy tribes repair;
The Son of David holds his throne,
And sits in judgment there.
4 Peace be within this sacred place,
And joy a constant guest:
With holy gifts, and heavenly grace,
Be her attendants blest.
5 My soul shall pray for Zion still,
While life or breath remains;
There my best friends, my kindred dwell,
There God my Saviour reigns.
1 Lo, God is here! let us adore,
And humbly bow before his face:
Let all within us feel his power,
Let all within us seek his grace.
2 Lo, God is here! him day and night
United choirs of angels sing:
To him, enthroned above all height,
Heaven's host their noblest homage bring.
3 Being of beings! may our praise
Thy courts with grateful fragrance fill:
Still may we stand before thy face,
Still hear and do thy sovereign will.
13. 7s M. J. TAYLOR.
Engagedness in Devotion.
1 LORD, before thy presence come,
Bow we down with holy fear;
Call our erring footsteps home,
Let us feel that thou art near.
2 Wandering thoughts and languid powers
Come not where devotion kneels ;
Let the soul expand her stores,
Glowing with the joy she feels.
3 At the portals of thine house,
We resign our earth-born cares:
Nobler thoughts our souls engross,
Songs of praise and fervent prayers.
Public Worship. Ps. 95.
1 O COME, loud anthems let us sing,
Loud thanks to our almighty King;
For we our voices high should raise,
When our salvation's rock we praise.
2 Into his presence let us haste,
To thank him for his favours past;
To him address, in joyful songs,
The praise that to his name belongs.
3 The depths of earth are in his hand,
Her secret wealth at his command;
The strength of hills, that threat the skies,
Subjected to his empire lies.
4 The rolling ocean's vast abyss
By the same sovereign right is his;
"T is moved by his almighty hand,
That formed and fixed the solid land.
5 O let us to his courts repair,
And bow with adoration there;
Down on our knees devoutly all
Before the LORD our Maker fall.
God may be worshipped in every Place.
1 THE heaven of heavens cannot contain
The universal Lord;
Yet he in humble hearts will deign
To dwell and be adored.
2 Where'er ascends the sacrifice
Of fervent praise and prayer,
Or on the earth, or in the skies,
The God of heaven is there.
3 His presence is diffused abroad
Through realms, through worlds unknown; Who seek the mercies of our God
Are ever near his throne.
1 THE offerings to thy throne which rise,
Of mingled praise and prayer,
Are but a worthless sacrifice
Unless the heart is there.
2. Upon thine all discerning ear
Let no vain words intrude;
No tribute, but the vow sincere,
The tribute of the good.
3 My offerings will indeed be blest,
If sanctified by thee;
If thy pure Spirit touch my breast
With its own purity.
4 O may that Spirit warm my heart
To piety and love,
And to life's lowly vale impart
Some rays from heaven above.
Privilege of Christian Worship. Ps. 132.
1 THE Lord in Zion placed his name,
His ark was settled there :
To Zion the whole nation came
To worship thrice a year.
2 But we have no such lengths to go,
Nor wander far abroad;
Where'er thy saints assemble now,
There is a house for God.
3 Here, Mighty God! accept our vows,
Here let thy praise be spread;
Bless the provisions of thy house,
And fill thy poor with bread.
4 Here let the son of David reign;
Let God's Anointed shine;
Justice and truth his court maintain,
With love and power divine.
5 Here let him hold a lasting throne,
And, as his kingdom grows,
Fresh honours shall adorn his crown,
And shame confound his foes.
1 WHEN before thy throne we kneel,
Filled with awe and holy fear,
Teach us, O our God, to feel,
All thy sacred presence near.
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