The Psalms of David Part 60

Psalm 139:6. 14 17 18. Third Part. C. M.

The mercies of G.o.d innumerable.

An evening psalm.

1 Lord, when I count thy mercies o'er, They strike me with surprise; Not all the sands that spread the sh.o.r.e To equal numbers rise.

2 My flesh with fear and wonder stands, The product of thy skill, And hourly blessings from thy hands, Thy thoughts of love reveal.

3 These on my heart by night I keep; How kind, how dear to me!

O may the hour that ends my sleep Still find my thoughts with thee.

Psalm 141. 2-5.

Watchfulness, and brotherly reproof.

A morning or evening psalm.

1 My G.o.d, accept my early vows, Like morning incense in thine house, And let my nightly worship rise Sweet as the evening sacrifice.

2 Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord, From every rash and heedless word; Nor let my feet incline to tread The guilty path where sinners lead.

3 O may the righteous, when I stray, Smite, and reprove my wandering way!

Their gentle words, like ointment shed, Shall never bruise, but cheer my head.

4 When I behold them prest with grief, I'll cry to heaven for their relief; And by my warm pet.i.tions prove how much I prize their faithful love.

Psalm 142.

G.o.d is the hope of the helpless.

1 To G.o.d I made my sorrows known, From G.o.d I sought relief; In long complaints before his throne I pour'd out all my grief.

2 My soul was overwhelm'd with woes, My heart began to break; My G.o.d, who all my burdens knows, He knows the way I take.

3 On every side I cast mine eye, And found my helpers gone, While friends and strangers pa.s.s'd me by Neglected or unknown.

4 Then did I raise a louder cry, And call'd thy mercy near, "Thou art my portion when I die, "Be thou my refuge here."

5 Lord, I am brought exceeding low, Now let thine ear attend, And make my foes who vex me know I've an almighty Friend.

6 From my sad prison set me free, Then shall I praise thy Name, And holy men shall join with me Thy kindness to proclaim.

Psalm 143.

Complaint of heavy afflictions in mind and body.

1 My righteous Judge, my gracious G.o.d, Hear when I spread my hands abroad And cry for succour from thy throne, O make thy truth and mercy known.

2 Let judgment not against me pa.s.s; Behold thy servant pleads thy grace: Should justice call us to thy bar, No man alive is guiltless there.

3 Look down in pity, Lord, and see The mighty woes that burden me; Down to the dust my life is brought, Like one long bury'd and forgot.

4 I dwell in darkness and unseen, My heart is desolate within; My thoughts in musing silence trace The ancient wonders of thy grace.

5 Thence I derive a glimpse of hope To bear my sinking spirits up; I stretch my hands to G.o.d again, And thirst like parched lands for rain.

6 For thee I thirst, I pray, I mourn; When will thy smiling face return?

Shall all my joys on earth remove?

And G.o.d for ever hide his love?

7 My G.o.d, thy long delay to save Will sink thy prisoner to the grave; My heart grows faint, and dim mine eye; Make haste to help before I die.

8 The night is witness to my tears, Distressing pains, distressing fears; O might I hear thy morning voice, How would my weary'd powers rejoice!

9 In thee I trust, to thee I sigh, And lift my heavy soul on high, For thee sit waiting all the day, And wear the tiresome hours away.

10 Break off my fetters, Lord, and show Which is the path my feet should go; If snares and foes beset the road, I flee to hide me near my G.o.d.

11 Teach me to do thy holy will, And lead me to thy heavenly hill; Let the good Spirit of thy love Conduct me to thy courts above.

12 Then shall my soul no more complain, The tempter then shall rage in vain; And flesh that was my foe before, Shall never vex my spirit more.

Psalm 144:1. 1 2. First Part.

a.s.sistance and victory in the spiritual warfare.

1 For ever blessed be the Lord, My Saviour and my shield; He sends his Spirit with his word To arm me for the field.

2 When sin and h.e.l.l their force unite, He makes my soul his care, Instructs me to the heavenly fight, And guards me thro' the war.

3 A friend and helper so divine Doth my weak courage raise; He makes the glorious victory mine, And his shall be the praise.

Psalm 144:2. 3 4 5 6. Second Part.

The vanity of man, and condescension of G.o.d.

1 Lord, what is man, poor feeble man, Born of the earth at first!

His life a shadow, light and vain, Still hasting to the dust.

2 O what is feeble dying man Or any of his race, That G.o.d should make it his concern To visit him with grace!

3 That G.o.d who darts his lightnings down, Who shakes the worlds above, And mountains tremble at his frown, How wondrous is his love.

Psalm 144:3. 12-15. Third Part.

Grace above riches; or, The happy nation.

1 Happy the city, where their sons Like pillars round a palace set, And daughters bright as polish'd stones Give strength and beauty to the state.