The nature and effects of the fear of God.---1 Pet. iii. 10---12. 9 COME near, ye children, and give ear; I'll train you in Jehovah's fear: Say, who among you longs and prays His ears are open when they pray; The faithful preserved amidst all the tribulations of this mortal life. 12 THE righteous cry-Jehovah hears; Dispels their troubles, soothes their fears. He's to the broken-hearted nigh, And hears the contrite spirit sigh. 13 Tho' various are the scenes of woe, Maintains his strength, prevents his fall. PSALM 35. A prophetical Psalm.---Messiah's supplication for aid in his sufferings. 1 LORD, plead my cause against my foes, Thy buckler and thy shield oppose, 2 Draw out thy spear, and stop their way, "I am thy Saviour God." 3 Then shall my soul in God rejoice; And these her praises be, While all my powers unite their voice,— Lord, who is like to thee!" The sufferings and subsequent triumph of Messiah.---Matt. xxvi. 57---68; xxvii. 29---49.---Mark xiv. 56.---Luke xix. 41.--John xvii. 4 MUSE on the Son of David's woes, Surrounded by malicious foes. Hark, lying witnesses revile, And charge him with unthought of guile. 5 Their malice as his mercy strong, 6 What kind compassion fill'd his mind! 7 Yet when they saw him sore distrest, 8 Jehovah saw-he came to save; He rais'd the Saviour from the grave. PSALM 36. The attributes of God contrasted with the disposition of those who are destitute of his fear. 1 2 3 4 5 WITHIN my heart I spake, The wicked, Lord, thy fear forsake, They hide their crimes within; Their words from truth depart, Wisdom is banish'd from their heart, Thy mercies, Lord, transcend Firm as the mountain's base, Thy righteousness we own; Who can thy wondrous judgments trace? The providence and grace of God. 6 O LORD, thy providential care With what assurance should the just 9 With thee the springs of life remain, To upright hearts thy truth display. 1 HIGH as the heav'ns, eternal God, 2 For ever firm thy justice stands, As mountains their foundations keep; But saints are thy peculiar care. 4 MY God! how excellent thy grace, Whence all our hope and comfort springs! The sons of Adam in distress Fly to the shelter of thy wings. 5 From the provisions of thy house PSALM 37. Sinful anxiety condemned. 1 LET not the sinner's wealth or might Anon thine eye shall see him fade, The mercies of God an encouragement to his people, under their troubles in the world. 9 10 11 12 HOW great thy mercies are To such as fear thy name, Which thou, for those that trust thy care, Thou keep'st them in thy sight, From proud oppressors free; From tongues that do in strife delight, O all ye saints, the Lord Courageously proceed; For he will still our hearts supply, PSALM 32. The second penitential Psalm (See Ps. 6.)---The occasion 2 Sam. 12.--- Cited in Rom. iv. 6. 1 HOW blest, whose sins have pardon gain'd, 2 I hid my sin within my breast, And pin'd beneath the secret wound; 3 Yet soon as I to thee disclos'd The guilt that tortur'd me within, |