Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 51

5 The tongue, that most unruly power, Requires a strong restraint; We must be watchful every hour, And pray, but never faint.

6 Lord, can a feeble helpless worm Fulfil a task so hard?

Thy grace must all my work perform, And give the free reward.

Hymn 2:162 Meditation of heaven; or, The joy of faith.

1 My thoughts surmount these lower skies And look within the veil; There springs of endless pleasure rise, The waters never fail.

2 There I behold with sweet delight The blessed Three in One; And strong affections fix my sight On G.o.d's incarnate Son.

3 His promise stands for ever firm, His grace shall ne'er depart; He binds my name upon his arm, And seals it on his heart.

4 Light are the pains that' nature brings, How short our sorrows are, When with eternal future things, The present we compare!

5 I would not be a stranger still To that celestial place, Where I for ever hope to dwell Near my Redeemer's face.

Hymn 2:163.

Complaint of desertion and temptations.

1 Dear Lord, behold our sore distress; Our sins attempt to reign; Stretch out thine arm of conquering grace, And let thy foes be slain.

2 [The lion with his dreadful roar Affrights thy feeble sheep; Reveal the glory of thy power, And chain him to the deep.

3 Must we indulge a long despair, Shall our pet.i.tions die; Our mournings never reach thine ear, Nor tears affect thine eye?]

4 If thou despise a mortal groan, Yet hear a Saviour's blood; An Advocate so near the throne Pleads and prevails with G.o.d.

5 He bought the Spirit's powerful sword To slay our deadly foes; Our sins shall die beneath thy word, And h.e.l.l in vain oppose.

6 How boundless is our Father's grace, In height and depth, and length!

He makes his Son our righteousness, His Spirit is our strength.

Hymn 2:164.

The end of the world.

1 Why should this earth delight us so?

Why should we fix our eyes On these low grounds where sorrows grow, And every pleasure dies?

2 While time his sharpest teeth prepares Our comforts to devour, There is a land above the stars, And joys above his power.

3 Nature shall be dissolv'd and die, The sun must end his race, The earth and sea for ever fly Before my Saviour's face.

4 When will that glorious morning rise!

When the last trumpet sound, And call the nations to the skies From underneath the ground?

Hymn 2:165.

Unfruitfulness, ignorance, and unsanctified affections.

1 Long have I sat beneath the sound Of thy salvation, Lord But still how weak my faith is found, And knowledge of thy word!

2 Oft I frequent thy holy place And hear almost in vain; How small a portion of thy grace My memory can retain!

3 [My dear Almighty, and my G.o.d, How little art thou known By all the judgments of thy rod, And blessings of thy throne!]

4 [How cold and feeble is my love!

How negligent my fear!

How low my hope of joys above!

How few affections there!]

5 Great G.o.d, thy sovereign power impart To give thy word success: Write the salvation in my heart, And make me learn the grace.

6 [Shew my forgetful feet the way That leads to joys on high; There knowledge grows without decay, And love shall never die.]

Hymn 2:166.

The divine perfections.

1 How shall I praise th' eternal G.o.d, That infinite unknown?

Who can ascend his high abode, Or venture near his throne?

2 [The great Invisible! he dwells Conceal'd in dazzling light; But his all-searching eye reveals The secrets of the night.

3 Those watchful eyes that never sleep Survey the world around; His wisdom is a boundless deep Where all our thoughts are drown'd.]

4 [Speak we of strength? His arm is strong To save or to destroy: Infinite years his life prolong, And endless is his joy.]

5 [He knows no shadow of a change, Nor alters his decrees; Firm as a rock his truth remains To guard his promises.]

6 [Sinners before his presence die; How holy is his Name!

His anger and his jealousy Burn like devouring flame.]

7 Justice upon a dreadful throne Maintains the rights of G.o.d; While Mercy sends her pardons down, Bought with a Saviour's blood.

8 Now to my soul, immortal King, Speak some forgiving word; Then 't will be double joy to sing The glories of my Lord.

Hymn 2:167.

The divine perfections.

1 Great G.o.d, thy glories shall employ My holy fear, my humble joy; My lips in songs of honour bring Their tribute to th' eternal King.

[2 Earth and the stars and worlds unknown, Depend precarious on his throne, All nature hangs upon his word, And grace and glory own their Lord.]

3 [His sovereign power what mortal knows?

If he command who dares oppose?