The Psalms of David Part 21

8 This is the folly of their way; And yet their sons, as vain, Approve the words their fathers say, And act their works again.

9 Men void of wisdom and of grace, If honour raise them high.

Live like the beast, a thoughtless race, And like the beast they die.

10 Laid in the grave like silly sheep, Death feeds upon them there, Till the last trumpet break their sleep In terror and despair.

Psalm 49:2. 14 15. Second Part. C. M.

Death and the resurrection.

1 Ye sons of pride, that hate the just, And trample on the poor, When death has brought you down to dust, Your pomp shall rise no more,

2 The last great day shall change the scene; When will that hour appear?

When shall the just revive, and reign O'er all that scorn'd them here?

3 G.o.d will my naked soul receive, When sep'rate from the flesh; And break the prison of the grave To raise my bones afresh.

4 Heaven is my everlasting home, Th' inheritance is sure; Let men of pride their rage resume, But I'll repine no more.

Psalm 49:3. L. M.

The rich sinner's death, and the saint's resurrection.

1 Why do the proud insult the poor, And boast the large estates they have?

How vain are riches to secure Their haughty owners from the grave!

2 They can't redeem one hour from death, With all the wealth in which they trust; Nor give a dying brother breath, When G.o.d commands him down to dust.

3 There the dark earth and dismal shade Shall clasp their naked bodies round; That flesh, so delicately fed, Lies cold, and moulders in the ground.

4 Like thoughtless sheep the sinner dies, Laid in the grave for worms to eat; The saints shall in the morning rise, And find th' oppressor at their feet.

5 His honours perish in the dust, And pomp and beauty, birth and blood: That glorious day exalts the just To full dominion o'er the proud.

6 My Saviour shall my life restore, And raise me from my dark abode; My flesh and soul shall part no more, But dwell for ever near my G.o.d.

Psalm 50:1. 1-6. First Part. C. M.

The last judgment; or, The saints rewarded.

1 The Lord, the Judge, before his throne, Bids the whole earth draw nigh, The nations near the rising sun, And near the western sky.

2 No more shall bold blasphemers say, "Judgment will ne'er begin,"

No more abuse his long delay To impudence and sin.

3 Thron'd on a cloud our G.o.d shall come, Bright flames prepare his way, Thunder and darkness, fire and storm, Lead on the dreadful day.

4 Heaven from above his call shall hear, Attending angels come, And earth and h.e.l.l shall know and fear His justice and their doom.

5 "But gather all my saints," he cries, "That made their peace with G.o.d, "By the Redeemer's sacrifice, "And seal'd it with his blood.

6 "Their faith and works brought forth to light "Shall make the world confess "My sentence of reward is right, "And heaven adore my grace."

Psalm 50:2. 8 10 11 14 15 23.

Second Part. C. M.

Obedience is better than sacrifice.

1 Thus saith the Lord, "the s.p.a.cious fields "And flocks and herds are mine "O'er all the cattle of the hills "I claim a right divine.

2 "I ask no sheep for sacrifice, "Nor bullocks burnt with fire; "To hope and love, to pray and praise, "Is all that I require.

3 "Call upon me when trouble's near, "My hand shall set thee free; "Then shall thy thankful lips declare "The honour due to me.

4 "The man that offers humble praise, "He glorifies me best; "And those that tread my holy ways "Shall my salvation taste."

Psalm 50:3. 1 5 8 16 21 22. 3d Part. C. M.

The judgement of hypocrites.

1 When Christ to judgment shall descend And saints surround their Lord, He calls the nations to attend, And hear his awful word.

2 "Not for the want of bullocks slain "Will I the world reprove; "Altars and rites and forms are vain, "Without the fire of love.

3 "And what have hypocrites to do "To bring their sacrifice?

"They call my statutes just and true, "But deal in theft and lies.

4 "Could you expect to 'scape my sight, "And sin without control?

"But I shall bring your crimes to light, "With anguish in your soul."

5 Consider, ye that slight the Lord, Before his wrath appear; If once you fall beneath his sword, There's no deliverer there.

Psalm 50:4. L. M.

Hypocrisy exposed.

1 The Lord, the Judge, his churches warns, Let hypocrites attend and fear, Who place their hope in rites and forms, But make not faith nor love their care.

2 Vile wretches dare rehea.r.s.e his name With lips of falsehood and deceit; A friend or brother they defame, And soothe and flatter those they hate.

3 They watch to do their neighbours wrong; Yet dare to seek their Maker's face; They take his covenant on their tongue, But break his laws, abuse his grace.

4 To heaven they lift their hands unclean, Defil'd with l.u.s.t, defil'd with blood; By night they practise every sin, By day their mouths draw near to G.o.d.

5 And while his judgments long delay, They grow secure and sin the more; They think he sleeps as well as they, And put far off the dreadful hour.

6 O dreadful hour! when G.o.d draws near, And sets their crimes before their eyes!

His wrath their guilty souls shall tear, And no deliverer dare to rise.