Comfort in God for time and eternity.
1 O LORD, uphold me in thy way,
Nor leave my wandering feet to stray;
Without thy hand to be my guide,
My heart soon faints, my footsteps slide.
2 Amidst the rage of deadly foes,
O grant me safety and repose;
Be near, thy needful aid to bring,
And shield me with thy guardian wing.
3 Soon shall I rest, these conflicts o'er,
Where foes shall never vex me more;
And see thy face, thy mercy bless,
In realms of perfect righteousness.
4 Ere long shall shine a cloudless day,
To chase life's idle dream away;
And glorious on my opening eyes
Shall burst the splendour of the skies.
PSALM 18. (L. M.)
God the protector of his people. 1 O THOU, by whose refreshing power The torn and fainting heart is heal'd, I trust thee as my Rock, my Tower, My Strength, my Fortress, and my Shield.
2 Just are thy ways, and true thy word, Thy love is steadfast and divine;
For who is God beside the Lord?
Or where is a defence like thine?
3 Thou dost direct the paths I tread ; And when in conflict I engage, Thy saving power is o'er me spread,
To shield me from the tempter's rage.
4 My soul is girded for the fight,
And crown'd with victory through thy aid; Therefore to thee alone, whose might Preserves me, shall my thanks be paid.
5 And all the Saviour's ransom'd seed
Shall join in praises to thy name;
For thy sure mercy, which hath freed
Their souls, for ever stands the same.
+ PSALM 19. FIRST VERSION. (L. M. D.)
God's glory in creation.
1 THE spacious firmament on high,
And all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great original proclaim.
The unwearied sun from day to day
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty hand.
2 Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth;
While all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
3 What though, in solemn silence, all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball;
What though, nor real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found;
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice;
For ever singing, as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."
PSALM 19. SECOND VERSION. (L. M.)
Wonders of Providence and Grace.
I HOW doth the flaming orb of day,
Great God, thy majesty display!
And stars, that deck the brow of night,
Proclaim the wonders of thy might.
2 Yet in thy Word thy love appears
Express'd in brighter characters;
There merey crowns the great design,
And every feature is divine.
3 Thy Word convicts the guilty soul,
And makes the wounded spirit whole,
Rends the thick film from mortal eyes,
And bids simplicity be wise.
4 How doth the saddest heart rejoice
To hear a Saviour's cheering voice;
To know his love, and feel his power,
Sure in affliction's trying hour.
5 When I behold my Saviour's cross,
Earth's finest gold I count but dross;
All I could ask in Him is given,
Food, riches, happiness, and heaven.
For deliverance from sin.
1 BLEST Redeemer, from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he strays?
Cleanse me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise.
2 Guard me from presumptuous sin,
Let it never reign within,
Bid its dark dominion cease,
Soothe its restless waves to peace.
3 May my heart, by grace renew'd,
Every evil thought exclude,
And, from earth's pollutions free,
Love to meditate on thee.
4 Let my language be sincere,
Such as saints might love to hear;
Free from guile be every word,
Pure, and holy to the Lord.
5 Thus let sanctifying grace
Fit me to behold thy face;
And, when earthly toils are o'er,
Rest on heaven's untroubled shore.
For aid in war or tumults.
1 HEAR us, O Lord, in time of need,
And let thy name our cause defend
Grant that our efforts may succeed
And victory on our steps attend
2 On horse and chariot some rely,
And some in numbers make their boast:
Our trust is in the Lord most High;
His favour is itself an host.
3 In his salvation we rejoice;
We raise our banner in his name;
Lord, hear our supplicating voice,
And put thy haughty foes to shame.
4 O succour and preserve our king,
And bless with peace our favour'd land;
That we may still thy praises sing,
By whose protecting care we stand.
Exaltation and triumph of Christ.
1 'TIS past that agonizing hour
Of torture and of shame;
And Jesus is gone up with power
His promis'd throne to claim.
2 The Father heard him when he cried
From sorrow's deepest flood;
And gave him those for whom he died,
The purchase of his blood.
3 The first-fruits have been gather'd in,
The work of love begun;
But brighter years shall soon begin
Their glorious course to run:
4 The name of Jesus shall be known
To earth's remotest bound;
Nations shall bow before his throne,
And hail the joyful sound.
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