The Psalms of David Part 19

2 How thou didst build thy churches here, And make thy gospel known; Amongst them did thine arm appear, Thy light and glory shone.

3 In G.o.d they boasted all the day, And in a cheerful throng Did thousands meet to praise and pray, And grace was all their song.

4 But now our souls are seiz'd with shame, Confusion fills our face, To hear the enemy blaspheme, And fools reproach thy grace.

5 Yet have we not forgot our G.o.d, Nor falsely dealt with heaven, Nor have our steps declin'd the road Of duty thou hast given.

6 Tho' dragons all around us roar With their destructive breath, And thine own hand has bruis'd us sore Hard by the gates of death.

PAUSE.

7 We are expos'd all day to die As martyrs for thy cause, As sheep for slaughter bound we lie By sharp and b.l.o.o.d.y laws.

8 Awake, arise, almighty Lord, Why sleeps thy wonted grace?

Why should we look like men abhorr'd, Or banish'd from thy face?

9 Wilt thou for ever cast us off And still neglect our cries?

For ever hide thine heavenly love From our afflicted eyes?

10 Down to the dust our soul is bow'd, And dies upon the ground; Rise for our help, rebuke the proud, And all their powers confound.

11 Redeem us from perpetual shame, Our Saviour and our G.o.d; We plead the honours of thy Name, The merits of thy blood.

Psalm 45:1. S. M.

The glory of Christ; the success of the gospel; and the Gentile church.

1 My Saviour and my King, Thy beauties are divine; Thy lips with blessings overflow, And every grace is thine.

2 Now make thy glory known, Gird on thy dreadful sword, And ride in majesty to spread The conquests of thy word.

Strike thro' thy stubborn foes, Or melt their hearts t'obey, While justice, meekness, grace, and truth, Attend thy glorious way.

4 Thy laws, O G.o.d, are right; Thy throne shall ever end; And thy victorious gospel proves A sceptre in thy hand.

5 [Thy Father and thy G.o.d Hath without measure shed His Spirit, like a joyful oil, T'anoint thy sacred head.]

6 [Behold, at thy right hand The Gentile church is seen, Like a fair bride in rich attire, And princes guard the queen.]

7 Fair bride, receive his love, Forget thy father's house; Forsake thy G.o.ds, thy idol G.o.ds, And pay thy Lord thy vows.

8 O let thy G.o.d and King Thy sweetest thoughts employ; Thy children shall his honours sing In palaces of joy.

Psalm 45:2. C. M.

The personal glories and government of Christ.

1 I'll speak the honours of my King, His form divinely fair; None of the sons of mortal race May with the Lord compare.

2 Sweet is thy speech and heavenly grace Upon thy lips is shed; Thy G.o.d, with blessings infinite, Hath crown'd thy sacred head.

3 Gird on thy sword, victorious Prince, Ride with majestic sway; Thy terrors shall strike thro' thy foes, And make the world obey.

4 Thy throne, O G.o.d, for ever stands; Thy word of grace shall prove A peaceful sceptre in thy hands, To rule the saints by love.

5 Justice and truth attend thee still But mercy is thy choice; And G.o.d, thy G.o.d, thy soul shall fill With most peculiar joys.

Psalm 45:3. First Part. L. M.

The glory of Christ, and power of his gospel.

1 Now be my heart inspir'd to sing The glories of my Saviour-king, Jesus the Lord; how heavenly fair His form! how 'bright his beauties are!

2 O'er all the sons of human race He shines with a superior grace, Love from his lips divinely flows, And blessings all his state compose.

3 Dress thee in arms, most mighty Lord, Gird on the terror of thy sword, In majesty and glory ride With truth and meekness at thy side.

4 Thine anger, like a pointed dart, Shall pierce the foes of stubborn heart; Or words of mercy kind and sweet Shall melt the rebels at thy feet.

5 Thy throne, O G.o.d, for ever stands, Grace is the sceptre in thy hands; Thy laws and works are just and right, Justice and grace are thy delight.

6 G.o.d, thine own G.o.d, has richly shed His oil of gladness on thy head, And with his sacred Spirit blest His first-born Son above the rest.

Psalm 45:4. Second Part. L. M.

Christ and his church; or, The mystical marriage.

1 The king of saints, how fair his face, Adorn'd with majesty and grace!

He comes with blessings from above, And wins the nations to his love.

2 At his right hand our eyes behold The queen array'd in purest gold; The world admires her heavenly dress, Her robe of joy and righteousness.

3 He forms her beauties like his own; He calls and seats her near his throne: Fair stranger, let thine heart forget The idols of thy native state.

4 So shall the King the more rejoice In thee, the favourite of his choice; Let him be lov'd and yet ador'd, For he's thy Maker and thy Lord.

5 O happy hour, when thou shalt rise To his fair palace in the skies, And all thy Sons (a numerous train) Each like a prince in glory reign!

6 Let endless honours crown his head; Let every age his praises spread; While we with cheerful songs approve The condescensions of his love.

Psalm 46:1. First Part.

The church's safety and triumph among national desolations.

1 G.o.d is the refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade; Ere we can offer our complaints Behold him present with his aid.

2 Let mountains from their seats be hurl'd Down to the deep, and buried there; Convulsions shake the solid world, Our faith shall never yield to fear.