The Psalms of David Part 25

Shall mercy ne'er return?

2 The terror of one frown of thine Melts all our strength away; Like men that totter drunk with wine, We tremble in dismay.

3 Great Britain shakes beneath thy stroke, And dreads thy threatening hand; O heal the island thou hast broke, Confirm the wavering land.

4 Lift up a banner in the field, For those that fear thy Name; Save thy beloved with thy shield, And put our foes to shame.

5 Go with our armies to the fight, Like a confederate G.o.d; In vain confederate powers unite Against thy lifted rod.

6 Our troops shall gain a wide renown By thine a.s.sisting hand; 'Tis G.o.d that treads the mighty down, And makes the feeble stand.

Psalm 61. 1-6.

Safety in G.o.d.

1 When overwhelm'd with grief My heart within me dies, Helpless and far from all relief To heaven I lift mine eyes.

2 O lead me to the rock That's high above my head, And make the covert of thy wings My shelter and my shade.

3 Within thy presence, Lord, For ever I'll abide; Thou art the tower of my defence, The refuge where I hide.

4 Thou givest me the lot Of those that fear thy Name; If endless life be their reward, I shall possess the same.

Psalm 62. 5-12.

No trust in the creatures; or, Faith in divine grace and power.

1 My spirit looks to G.o.d alone; My rock and refuge is his throne; In all my fears, in all my straits, My soul on his salvation waits.

2 Trust him, ye saints, in all your ways, Pour out your hearts before his face: When helpers fail, and foes invade, G.o.d is our all-sufficient aid.

3 False are the men of high degree, The baser sort are vanity; Laid in the balance both appear Light as a puff of empty air.

4 Make not increasing gold your trust, Nor set your heart on glittering dust; Why will you grasp the fleeting smoke; And not believe what G.o.d hath spoke?

5 Once has his awful voice declar'd, Once and again my ears have heard, "All power is his eternal due; "He must be fear'd and trusted too."

6 For sovereign power reigns not alone, Grace is a partner of the throne: Thy grace and justice, mighty Lord, Shall well divide our last reward.

Psalm 63:1. 1 2 5 34. First Part. C. M.

The morning of a Lord's day.

1 Early, my G.o.d, without delay I haste to seek thy face; My thirsty spirit faints away, Without thy cheering grace.

2 So pilgrims on the scorching sand, Beneath a burning sky, Long for a cooling stream at hand, And they must drink or die.

3 I've seen thy glory and thy power Thro' all thy temple shine; My G.o.d, repeat that heavenly hour, That vision so divine.

4 Not all the blessings of a feast Can please my soul so well, As when thy richer grace I taste, And in thy presence dwell.

5 Not life itself with all her joys, Can my best pa.s.sions move, Or raise so high my cheerful voice As thy forgiving love.

6 Thus till my last expiring day I'll bless my G.o.d and King; Thus will I lift my hands to pray, And tune my lips to sing.

Psalm 63:2. 6-10. Second Part.

Midnight thoughts recollected.

1 'Twas in the watches of the night I thought upon thy power, I kept thy lovely face in sight Amidst the darkest hour.

2 My flesh lay resting on my bed, My soul arose on high; "My G.o.d, my life, my hope," I said, "Bring thy salvation nigh."

3 My spirit labours up thine hill, And climbs the heavenly road; But thy right hand upholds me still, While I pursue my G.o.d.

4 Thy mercy stretches o'er my head The shadow of thy wings; My heart rejoices in thine aid, My tongue awakes and sings.

5 But the destroyers of my peace Shall fret and rage in vain; The tempter shall for ever cease, And all my sins be slain.

6 Thy sword shall give my foes to death, And send them down to dwell In the dark caverns of the earth, Or to the deeps of h.e.l.l.

Psalm 63:3. L. M.

Longing after G.o.d; or, The love of G.o.d better than life.

1 Great G.o.d, indulge my humble claim Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; The glories that compose thy Name Stand all engag'd to make me blest.

2 Thou great and good, thou just and wise, Thou art my Father and my G.o.d; And I am thine by sacred ties; Thy son, thy servant bought with blood.

3 With heart, and eyes and lifted hands, For thee I long, to thee I look, As travellers in thirsty lands Pant for the cooling water-brook.

4 With early feet I love t' appear Among thy saints and seek thy face; Oft have I seen thy glory there, And felt the power of sovereign grace.

5 Not fruits nor wines that tempt our taste, Not all the joys our senses know, Could make me so divinely blest Or raise my cheerful pa.s.sions so.

6 My life itself without thy love No taste of pleasure could afford; 'Twould but a tiresome burden prove, If I were banish'd from the Lord.

7 Amidst the wakeful hours of night, When busy cares afflict my head One thought of thee gives new delight, And adds refreshment to my bed.

8 I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice, While I have breath to pray or praise; This work shall make my heart rejoice, And spend the remnant of my days.

Psalm 63:4. S. M.

Seeking G.o.d.

1 My G.o.d, permit my tongue This joy, to call thee mine, And let my early cries prevail To taste thy love divine.

2 My thirsty fainting soul Thy mercy doth implore; Not travellers in desert lands Can pant for water more.