PSALM 18. Part 3. L. M.

The rewards of virtue.

1 GREAT is thy mercy, sovreign Lord,
And great and ample thy reward;
Thou dost their labors well repay,
Who love and keep thy perfect way.
2 With heart upright I sought thine aid,
And found my seeking well repaid;
My soul enlarg'd and freed from sin,
I felt the joys of heaven within.
3 To men of sympathising heart,
O God of grace, thou gracious art,
The pure, who mercy love to show,
Thy greater mercy, Lord, shall know.
4 But callous* souls, unjust, unkind,
In God nor grace nor mercy find;
With scornful eye he views the vile,
Nor on the proud bestows a smile.
5 Jehovah will the 'oppressed save,
And bring the 'oppressor to the grave,
His stern rebuke, his sovreign frown,
Shall beat the pride of mortals down.
6 God is my lantern, God my lamp,
When hosts of hell around me 'incamp,
He will my dying candle light,
And shine in glory thro the night.
7 My faith and courage shall not droop,
Thro God I oft o'ercome a troop,
I thro his strength leap o'er a wall,
And see my foes beneath me fall.

PSALM 18. Part 4. L. M.

The christian hero.

I WHATE'ER complaining sinners say, The Lord is perfect in his way,

* Callous, hardened, unfeeling.

And saints, that on his word rely,
His word in vain shall never try.
2 God is my rock, and God my shield,
He girds his hero for the field;

Swift as the hind he makes my feet,
The 'advancing foe to fly or meet.
3 My hands expert in warlike arts,
Are taught the mystery God imparts;
I break the 'elastic bow of steel,
And danger neither fear nor feel.
4 Upheld and rais'd by God's right-hand,
His valor makes the feeble stand;
In spite of all the sons of hate,

His gentleness has made me great. 5 When I the flying host pursued 'Twas God their power and rage subdued; On necks of impious foes I trod,

And slew the haters of my God.

6 To heaven they cried for power to save, But God their prayer no hearing gave; Unanswer'd yet to God they cried, And God again their suit denied. 7 Then did I beat them small as dust, As mire I trampled on the 'unjust; The wicked from my sight I cast, Dispers'd like chaff before the blast. 8 The restless people strive in vain, For God his kingdom will maintain; Strangers shall fade away for fear, And all opposers disappear. 9 Jehovah, my Redeemer, lives, The Lord, my Rock, salvation gives; He does the just to glory raise, Rejoice, my soul, and sing his praise. *Elastic, springy.

F2

PSALM 18. C. M.

Victory and triumph.

1 GOD is our strength, our heavenly tower,
Our fortress and our shield;
Afraid to 'oppose almighty power,
The foes of Zion yield.

2 Ungodly men against the skies

Lift up their threatening waves, But God, our Rock, the storm defies, And yet his people saves.

3 Tho saints awhile in darkness dwell, And earth and hell annoy;

Yet Christ shall conquer earth and hell,
And all his foes destroy.

4 Behold he comes in bright array,
The heavens before him rend;
What mortal heart can bear the day,
Or who with God contend?

5 Swift as the rapid wind he flies,
And thunders as he goes;

He rushes downward thro the skies,
As lightning on his foes.

6 The 'affrighted earth before him faints,
The battle proves in vain;

Thousands of thousands are his saints,
And millions are the slain.

7 He speaks, and at his stern command
The 'oppressor hides his head,
A touch from God's almighty hand
Would strike all nature dead.

8 Now let the friends of Zion shout,
The victory gain'd by faith;

No more the word of Jesus doubt,
But trust whate'er he saith.

PSALM 18. S. M.

The spiritual conquest.

1 TO God alone we owe
The triumphs of the day;
In all the wars that rage below
He holds decisive sway.

2 Our foes attempt to shock
Our faith in Jesus' blood;
We rest secure, for solid rock
Defies the raging flood.

3 The troops of hell shall fail,
The noise of battles cease,
The praying saints shall yet prevail,
And all the world be peace.

4 Then welcome war and dearth,
Whate'er befals the land

Shall hasten Jesus down to earth,
To take our cause in hand.

5 Ye tyrants, quake for fear,

Who now the church disturb;
Jesus, our King, will soon appear,
And all your madness curb.

6 The King of Salem lives

To make his people blest;
His arm of power the victory gives,
How glorious is his rest.

7 Fight on, ye sons of God,

No more to tyrants yield;
Your sword be prayer, your faith a rod,
To 'equip you for the field.

8 In heaven your souls shall shout,
And songs of joy begin,

To see the reprobate cast out,
And all the saints brought in.

PSALM 19. Part 1. S. M.

Heavenly instruction.

1 THE heavens declare his name, And show his hand divine,

Who built and arch'd the 'etherial frame, And caus'd the stars to shine.

2 From day to day their speech

Is heard in every land;

From night to night they knowledge teach

That all must understand.

3 Their lines extend afar,

Around this earthly ball;

The words of each instructive star
Is plainly heard by all.

4 But who by stars can tell

The lost, the 'inquiring mind,
Or which the way to heaven, or hell,
Or where the Lord to find?
5 His statutes and commands
Decide the doubtful strife;
He puts the gospel in our hands,
And bids us run for life.

6 The laws of God are pure,
His truth devoid of guile,
His promise stands for ever sure,
And heaven is in his smile.

7 When I his word unfold,

And some kind promise meet, 'Tis choicer in my view than gold,

No honey tastes so sweet.

8 Lord, make my duty plain,

And when the foe assaults,

Me from presumptuous sins restrain,
Me cleanse from secret faults.