The Psalms of David Part 27

4 The little hills on every side Rejoice at falling showers; The meadows, drest in all their pride, Perfume the air with flowers.

5 The barren clods, refresh'd with rain, Promise a joyful crop; The parching grounds look green again, And raise the reaper's hope.

6 The various months thy goodness crowns; How bounteous are thy ways; The bleating flocks spread o'er the downs, And shepherds shout thy praise.

Psalm 66:1. First Part.

Governing power and goodness; or, Our graces tried by afflictions.

1 Sing, all ye nations, to the Lord, Sing with a joyful noise; With melody of sound record His honours, and your joys.

2 Say to the power that shakes the sky, "How terrible art thou!

"Sinners before thy presence fly, "Or at thy feet they bow."

3 [Come, see the wonders of our G.o.d, How glorious are his ways: In Moses' hand he puts his rod, And cleaves the frighted seas.

4 He made the ebbing channel dry, While Israel pa.s.s'd the flood; There did the church begin their joy, And triumph in their G.o.d.]

5 He rules by his resistless might: Will rebel mortals dare Provoke th' Eternal to the fight, And tempt that dreadful war?

6 O bless our G.o.d and never cease; Ye saints, fulfil his praise; He keeps our life, maintains our peace, And guides our doubtful ways.

7 Lord, thou hast prov'd our suffering souls, To make our graces shine; So silver bears the burning coals The metal to refine.

8 Thro' watery deeps and fiery ways We march at thy command, Led to possess the promis'd place By thine unerring hand.

Psalm 66:2. 13-20. Second Part.

Praise to G.o.d for hearing prayer.

1 Now shall my solemn vows be paid To that Almighty power, That heard the long requests I made In my distressful hour.

2 My lips and cheerful heart prepare To make his mercies known; Come, ye that fear my G.o.d, and hear The wonders he has done.

3 When on my head huge sorrows fell, I sought his heavenly aid, He sav'd my sinking soul from h.e.l.l, And death's eternal shade.

4 If sin lay cover'd in my heart, While prayer employ'd my tongue, The Lord had shewn me no regard, Nor I his praises sung.

5 But G.o.d, (his Name be ever blest) Hath set my spirit free, Nor turn'd from him my poor request, Nor turn'd his heart from me.

Psalm 67.

The nation's prosperity and the church's increase.

1 Shine, mighty G.o.d, on Britain shine With beams of heavenly grace; Reveal thy power thro' all our coasts, And shew thy smiling face.

2 [Amidst our isle, exalted high, Do thou our glory stand, And like a wall of guardian fire Surround the favourite land.]

3 When shall thy Name, from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, Sound all the earth abroad, And distant nations know and love Their Saviour and their G.o.d?

4 Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands, Sing loud with solemn voice; While British tongues exalt his praise, And British hearts rejoice.

5 He the great Lord, the sovereign Judge, That sits enthron'd above, Wisely commands the worlds he made In justice and in love.

6 Earth shall obey her Maker's will, And yield a full increase; Our G.o.d will crown his chosen isle With fruitfulness and peace.

7 G.o.d the Redeemer scatters round His choicest favours here, While the creation's utmost bound Shall see, adore, and fear.

Psalm 68:1. 1-6 32-35. First Part.

The vengeance and compa.s.sion of G.o.d.

1 Let G.o.d arise in all his might, And put the troops of h.e.l.l to flight, As smoke that sought to cloud the skies Before the rising tempest flies.

2 [He comes array'd in burning flames; Justice and vengeance are his names: Behold his fainting foes expire Like melting wax before the fire.]

3 He rides and thunders thro' the sky; His name Jehovah sounds on high: Sing to his Name, ye sons of grace; Ye saints, rejoice before his face.

4 The widow and the fatherless Fly to his aid in sharp distress; In him the poor and helpless find A Judge that's just, a Father kind.

5 He breaks the captive's heavy chain, And prisoners see the light again; But rebels that dispute his will, Shall dwell in chains and darkness still.

PAUSE.

6 Kingdoms and thrones to G.o.d belong; Crown him, ye nations, in your song; His wondrous names and powers rehea.r.s.e; His honours shall enrich your verse.

7 He shakes the heavens with loud alarms; How terrible is G.o.d in arms!

In Israel are his mercies known, Israel is his peculiar throne.

8 Proclaim him King, p.r.o.nounce him blest!

He's your defence, your joy, your rest: When terrors rise and nations faint, G.o.d is the strength of every saint.

Psalm 68:2. 17 18. Second Part.

Christ's ascension, and the gift of the Spirit.

1 Lord, when thou didst ascend on high, Ten thousand angels fill'd the sky; Those heavenly guards around thee wait, Like chariots that attend thy state.

2 Not Sinai's mountain could appear More glorious when the Lord was there; While he p.r.o.nounc'd his dreadful law, And struck the chosen tribes with awe.

3 How bright the triumph none can tell, When the rebellious powers of h.e.l.l That thousand souls had captive made, Were all in chains like captives led.

4 Rais'd by his Father to the throne, He sent the promis'd Spirit down, With gifts and grace for rebel men, That G.o.d might dwell on earth again.

Psalm 68:3. 19 9 20-2. Third Part.

Praise for temporal blessings; or, Common and special mercies.