PSALM 55. Part 1. C. M.

Support for the afflicted and tempted soul. 1 O GOD, my Refuge, hear my cries, Behold my flowing tears,

For earth and hell my death devise,
And triumph in my fears.

2 Malicious foes attempt my life,

Their numbers much increase;
Loud is their noise, and fierce their strife,
Who daily vex my peace.
3 Deep in my breast I feel the pain,
Nor can my fears control;
Death, and the terrors of his train,
Have overwhelm'd my soul,
4 O, were I like a feather'd dove,
How would I stretch my wings,
Traverse the peaceful realms above,
And quit these restless things.
5 Let me to some wild desart roam,
And find a safe retreat,

Where floods of malice never foam,
Nor storms of envy beat.

6 Vain hopes and vain inventions all,
To 'escape the rage of hell!
The mighty God on whom I call,
Can save me here as well.

PSALM 55. Part 2. C. M.
Oppression and treason complained of
¡ OPPRESSORS with imperious sway,
In mischief take delight;

They practice bloody crimes by day,
And plan their wars by night.

3 Confound them, Lord, their tongues divide, As language once thou didst,

To traverse, to wander over.

For, lo! the world abounds with pride,
And guile is in the midst!

3 'Twas not a foe of foreign land,
Who sought the deadly blow,

I then could long have borne his hand,
Could well have blest my foe.

4 'Twere you, my friends, how smooth you talk'd, Your words were soft as oil;

While to the house of God we walk'd
Your hearts were set on spoil.

5 Come seize them death, come take them grave,
And bear them far from hence;
In vain they call on God to save,
For God is our defence.

6 But if no change disturb their ease,
Nor man nor God they dread,
But much the 'eternal power displease,
And on the virtuous tread.

7 My God, in his mysterious ways,
Shall drown them with a flood;

Scarce shall they live out half their days,
Who take delight in hlood.

PSALM 55. S. M.

Trusting in Christ.

1 DEATH shall the proud destroy,
And send them quick to hell;
For death has been their lov'd employ,
And they deserve it well.

2 But as for me, my voice

Shall call on God aloud;
In his salvation I'll rejoice,

When judgments smite the proud.

3 At evening, noon, and morn, I'll to my Savior pray;

Nor will he leave my soul forlorn,
Nor will he long delay.

4 God will my foes control,

And all his truth perform,

In perfect peace he keeps my soul,
Amid the raging storm.

5 How potent and how wise,
Is mine eternal God!

The trembling nations with surprise,
Submit and own his rod.

6 But while they live at ease,
And no sad changes dread,
They much the living God displease,
And on his people tread.

7 My soul with all her cares,

Shall lean on Jesus' breast,
Secure amid a thousand snares,
My Savior is my rest.

8 On God my soul I cast,

And faith allays my fears;

So when the stormy night is past,

How fair the sun appears.

9 My God shall well sustain

The children of his love,

He'll bear them thro this world of pain,
To blissful realms above.

PSALM 56. Part 1. C. M.

Confidence in God.

1 IN mercy, Lord, appear and save,
Cut short the trying hour,
Or men more cruel than the grave,
Will soon my life devour.

2 My foes increase on either side,
Their ways are in the dark,

* Peat strong, full of power.

In secret places, lo! they hide,

And set me for their mark.

3 My words and actions much they wrest, But justice is mine aim,

Oft when my thoughts intend the best,
My foes the most exclaim.

4 What time I feel my soul afraid,
I'll to my God draw nigh,

I'll praise his word, I'll seek his ait,
And trust my Rock on high.

5 My God will bear me safely thro,
He knows my cause is just,
Nor will I fear what men can do,
The children of the dust.
6 Shall they persist without thy frown?
Must their devices stand?
O, cast aspiring sinners down,
Let tyrants know thine hand.

PSALM 56. Part 2. C M.

Recovering grace.

Ì HOW great the grace of God appears,
He loves his suffering saints,

He sees their foes, he knows their fears,
And answers their complaints.

2 He did his wandering creature stop,
When I his way forsook,

His bottle held each sorrowing drop;
My tears were in his book.

3 When to his throne I send my cry,
Victorious on my knees,

I call for succor from the sky,
And Satan fears and flees.

4 If God afford his powerful aid
To drive the tempter back,

Safe in the Lord I 'm not afraid,

If earth and hell attack.

5 To heaven my cheerful song I raise,
And pay my solemn vow,

To thee, my God, I give the praise,
And in thy presence bow.

6 Thou hast redeem'd my soul from hell,
In answer to my call;

The hand that rais'd me when I fell,
Can sure prevent my fall.

7 Rais'd from the dark confines of death,
Thou set'st thy prisoner free;

My flesh and spirit, life and breath,
I now devote to thee.

8 I keep the way my Savior trod,
His spirit guides me right;

My faith shall trust the living God,
And triumph in his light.

PSALM 57. L. M.

Protection and salvation.
1. MY God, in whom are all the springs
Of boundless love and grace unknown,
Hide me beneath thy spreading wings,
Till the dark cloud is overblown.
2 Up to the heavens I send my cry,
The Lord will my desires perforın;
He sends his angel from the sky,

And saves me from the threat'ning storm.

3 My soul amid the lion's den,

He rais'd above destructive fears,
And freed me from the sons of men,

Whose tongues are sharp as pointed spears.

4 Ye saints, exalt the God of love,

High o'er the heavens where angels dwell,