PSALM 122. c. M.

Love to the house of God.

HOW did my heart rejoice to hear
My friends devoutly say,

"In Sion let us all

appear,

"And keep the solemn day."

I love her gates, I love the road;
The church, adorn'd with grace,
Stands like a palace built for God
To show his milder face.

Peace be within this sacred place,
And joy a constant guest!

With holy gifts and heavenly grace
Be her attendants blest!

My soul shall pray for Sion still,

While life or breath remains ;
There my best friends, my kindred dwell,
There God my Saviour reigns.

PSALM 125. L. M.

The security of God's people.

THOSE who with holy confidence,
Trust in the Lord for their defence,
Secur'd by his protecting hand,

Shall steadfast as Mount Sion stand.

Behold fair Salem's hallow'd ground,
By shadowing hills encompass'd round!
Thy presence thus, great God, we trace,
Encircling Jacob's chosen race.

Deal gently, Lord, with souls sincere,
And guide them in thy faith and fear;
Till they shall see thy promis'd rest,
And be with all thine Israel blest.

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PSALM 127. c. M.

Human efforts unsuccessful without the divine blessing.

IF God to build the house deny,
The builders work in vain;
Cities, without his watchful eye,
A useless guard maintain.

Before the morning beams arise,
Your painful work renew;

And till the stars ascend the skies

Your anxious toil

pursue:

Short be your sleep, and coarse your fare,
In vain, till God has blest;
But if his smiles attend our care,

We shall have food and rest.

Nor children, relatives, nor friends,
Can real blessings prove,

Nor all the earthly joys he sends,
If sent without his love.

PSALM 130. c. M.

Supplication for mercy.

OUT of the depths of long distress,
The borders of despair;

I sent my cries to seek thy grace,
My groans to move thine ear.

Great God! should thy severer eye,

And thine impartial hand,

Mark and avenge iniquity,

No mortal flesh could stand.

But there are pardons with my God

For crimes of high degree;

Thy Son has bought them with his blood,
To bring us near to thee.

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I wait for thy salvation, Lord,
With strong desires I wait;
My soul, invited by thy word,
Stands watching at thy gate.

There's full redemption at thy throne
For sinners long enslaved;

The great Redeemer is thy Son,

And Israel shall be sav'd.

PSALM 132. VERSION 1. c. M.

For God's blessing in the sanctuary.-v. 8, 15, 17, 18.

ARISE, O King of grace, arise,
And enter to thy rest;

Lo! thy church waits with longing eyes,
Thus to be own'd and blest.

Enter with all thy glorious train,
Thy Spirit and thy word;

All that the ark did once contain
Could no such grace afford.

Here, mighty Lord, accept our vows;
Here let thy praise be spread;

Bless the provisions of thy house,
And fill thy poor with bread.

Here let the Son of David reign;
Let God's Anointed shine;
Justice and truth his court maintain,
With love and power divine.

Here let him hold a lasting throne;

And as his kingdom grows,

Fresh honours shall adorn his crown,

And shame confound his foes.

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PSALM 132. VERSION 2. L. M.

For God's blessing in the sanctuary.
GOD in his temple let us meet,
Low on our knees before him bend;
Here he has fix'd his mercy seat,
Here on his Sabbath we attend.
Arise into thy resting place,

Thou, and thine ark of strength, O Lord;
Shine through the veil, we seek thy face:
Speak, for we hearken to thy word.
With righteousness thy priests array;
Joyful thy chosen people be;

Let those who teach, and those who pray,
Let all be holiness to thee.

PSALM 133. VERSION 1. 6.6.8.

The beauty of christian love.

HOW beautiful the sight

Of brethren who agree

In friendship to unite,

And bonds of charity!

'Tis like the precious ointment shed
O'er all his robes, from Aaron's head.

"Tis like the dews that fill

The cups of Hermon's flowers;
Or Sion's fruitful hill,

Bright with the drops of showers;
When mingling odours breathe around,
And glory rests on all the ground.
For there the Lord commands

Blessings, a boundless store,

From his unsparing hands,

Yea, life for evermore:

Thrice happy they who meet above,
To spend eternity in love!

PSALM 133.

VERSION 2.

S. M.

The blessedness of christian unity.

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BLEST are the sons of peace,

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Whose hearts and hopes are one;

Whose kind designs to serve and please
Through all their actions run.

Blest is the pious house,

Where zeal and friendship meet;
Their songs of praise, their mingled vows,

Make their communion sweet.

Thus on the heavenly hills

The saints are blest above;

Where joy like morning dew distils,
And all the air is love.

PSALM 136. VERSION 1. 6. 6.8.

The goodness of God celebrated.

TO God, the mighty Lord,

Your joyful thanks repeat:

To him due praise afford,

As good as he is great:

For God does prove our constant friend;

His boundless love shall never end.

He, in our depth of woes,

On us with favour thought;

And from our deadly foes

In peace and safety brought :

For God does prove our constant friend;

His boundless love shall never end.

He does the food supply,

On which all creatures live;

To God who reigns on high,

Eternal praises give:

For God does prove our constant friend
His boundless love shall never end.

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