The Psalms of David Part 20

3 Loud may the troubled ocean roar, In sacred peace our souls abide, While every nation, every sh.o.r.e, Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.

4 There is a stream whose gentle flow Supplies the city of our G.o.d; Life, love, and joy still gliding thro', And watering our divine abode.

5 That sacred stream, thine holy word, That all our raging fear controls: Sweet peace thy promises afford, And give new strength to fainting souls.

6 Sion enjoys her monarch's love, Secure against a threatening hour; Nor can her firm foundations move, Built on his truth, and arm'd with pow'r.

Psalm 46:2. Second Part.

G.o.d fights for his church.

1 Let Sion in her King rejoice, Tho' tyrants rage and kingdoms rise; He utters his almighty voice, The nations melt, the tumult dies.

2 The Lord of old for Jacob fought, And Jacob's G.o.d is still our aid; Behold the works his hand has wrought, What desolations he has made!

3 From sea to sea, thro' all the sh.o.r.es, He makes the noise of battle cease; When from on high his thunder roars, He awes the trembling world to peace.

4 He breaks the bow, he cuts the spear, Chariots he burns with heavenly flame; Keep silence all the earth, and hear The sound and glory of his Name.

5 "Be still, and learn that I am G.o.d, "I'll be exalted o'er the lands, "I will be known and fear'd abroad, "But still my throne in Sion stands."

6 O Lord of hosts, almighty King, While we so near thy presence dwell, Our faith shall sit secure, and sing Defiance to the gates of h.e.l.l.

Psalm 47.

Christ ascending and reigning.

1 O for a shout of sacred joy To G.o.d the sovereign King!

Let every land their tongues employ, And hymns of triumph sing.

2 Jesus our G.o.d ascends on high, His heavenly guards around Attend him rising thro' the sky, With trumpet's joyful sound.

3 While angels shout and praise their King, Let mortals learn their strains; Let all the earth his honour sing; O'er all the earth he reigns.

4 Rehea.r.s.e his praise with awe profound, Let knowledge lead the song, Nor mock him with a solemn sound Upon a thoughtless tongue.

5 In Israel stood his ancient throne, He lov'd that chosen race; But now he calls the world his own, And heathens taste his grace.

6 The British islands are the Lord's, There Abraham's G.o.d is known, While powers and princes, shields and swords, Submit before his throne.

Psalm 48:1. 1-8. First Part.

The church is the honour and safety of a nation.

1 [Great is the Lord our G.o.d, And let his praise be great; He makes his churches his abode, His most delightful seat.

2 These temples of his grace, How beautiful they stand!

The honours of our native place, And bulwarks of our land.]

3 In Sion G.o.d is known A refuge in distress; How bright has his salvation shone Thro' all her palaces!

4 When kings against her join'd, And saw the Lord was there, In wild confusion of the mind They fled with hasty tear.

5 When navies tall and proud Attempt to spoil our peace, He sends his tempests roaring loud, And sinks them in the seas.

6 Oft have our fathers told, Our eyes have often seen, How well our G.o.d secures the fold Where his own sheep have been.

7 In every new distress We'll to his house repair.

We'll think upon his wondrous grace, And seek deliverance there.

Psalm 48:2. 10-14. Second Part.

The beauty of the church; or, Gospel worship and order.

1 Far as thy name is known The world declares thy praise; Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne Their songs of honour raise.

2 With joy let Judah stand On Sion's chosen hill, Proclaim the wonders of thy hand, And counsels of thy will.

3 Let strangers walk around The city where we dwell, Compa.s.s and view thine holy ground, And mark the building well.

4 The orders of thy house, The worship of thy court, The cheerful songs, the solemn vows; And make a fair report.

5 How decent and how wise!

How glorious to behold!

Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes, And rites adorn'd with gold.

6 The G.o.d we worship now Will guide us till we die, Will be our G.o.d while here below, And ours above the sky.

Psalm 49:1. 8-14. First Part. C. M.

Pride and death; or, The vanity of life and riches.

1 Why doth the man of riches grow To insolence and pride, To see his wealth and honours flow With every rising tide?

2 [Why doth he treat the poor with scorn, Made of the self-same clay, And boast as tho' his flesh was born Of better dust than they?]

3 Not all his treasures can procure His soul a short reprieve, Redeem from death one guilty hour, Or make his brother live.

4 [Life is a blessing can't be sold, The ransom is too high; Justice will ne'er be brib'd with gold That man may never die.]

5 He sees the brutish and the wise, The timorous and the brave, Quit their possessions, close their eyes, And hasten to the grave.

6 Yet 'tis his inward thought and pride,-- "My house shall ever stand; "And that my name may long abide, "I'll give it to my land."

7 Vain are his thoughts, his hopes are lost, How soon his memory dies!

His name is written in the dust Where his own carcase lies.

PAUSE.