Blessedness of the righteous.

1 BLEST is the man who never strays
In a vain world's ungodly ways;
Who will not stand where sinners meet,
Nor linger near the scorner's seat;

2 But loves the statutes of the Lord,
And knows the comfort they afford;
Reads them each day with fresh delight,
And meditates therein by night.

3 As some fair tree, where waters flow,
Unharm'd by Summer's fiercest glow,
Spreads its unfading foliage round,
With fruit of richest flavour crown'd;

4 So flourishes that holy man,
Success attends his every plan;
While sinners far away are driven,
Like chaff before the winds of heaven.

5 And therefore in the judgment-day
The Lord his vengeance will display;
And when the just his presence share,
His foes shall find no entrance there.

1 HOW vainly strive ungodly foes
Christ's growing empire to restrain!
And with presumptuous scorn oppose
The Gospel's everlasting reign!

2 The Lord on his eternal throne
Derides their impotent designs;
His word is sure," Thou art my Son
"In whom my perfect image shines:

3 "Earth's utmost bounds shall own thy sway,
"And ransom'd heathen bow the knee;
"While overwhelming wrath shall slay
"The foes that will not worship thee."

4 Lord, let our trust in him be placed
Who reigns and intercedes above;
That we with trembling joy may taste
The blessing of a Saviour's love.

Confidence in God's protection.

1 WHEN threatening enemies assail,
I seek thy help, O Lord;

And though they say my hope must fail,
I trust thy faithful word.

2 Oft hast thou heard my plaintive cry
Out of thy holy hill;

I cannot doubt but thou art nigh,
And wilt protect me still.

3 I laid me down and slept; thy hand
Preserv'd me through the night;
Thankful I own, 'tis thy command
Restores the cheerful light.

4 I will not fear ten thousand foes;
They cannot injure me:
Safe in thy blessing, I repose
My confidence in thee.

1 HOW long will ye despise my name? 'Tis thus the God of mercy pleads; And turn my glory into shame,

And triumph in your evil deeds?

2 Search out your heart, and mend your ways,
That you may dwell with me above;
Obedient faith, and thankful praise,
Such is the sacrifice I love.

3 O Lord, while others in despair

Cry, where is comfort to be found?
I know that thou wilt hear my prayer,
And let my soul with peace be crown'd.

4 Thy blessings are of lasting worth,

Through endless years thy goodness flows; Vain are the riches of the earth

Compar'd with what thy hand bestows.

5 I will lie down, and calmly sleep,
For on thy succour I depend;
My soul in safety thou wilt keep,
And be my never-failing friend.

7

1

2

Mercy for sinners.

WITH morning's earliest ray,
O Lord, I seek thy face;
hear me when I pray,
And grant thy needful grace.

In mercy

Thou art a holy God,

No evil dwells with thee;
No sin can enter thy abode;
O then, what hope for me?

3 My heavy load of guilt

Were more than I could bear,
Did not the blood for sinners spilt
Forbid me to despair.

4 My soul from folly freed
Thou wilt vouchsafe to bless,
When still before thy throne I plead
A Saviour's righteousness.

5

The sweetness of thy voice
Makes every terror flee;

For thou dost bid the souls rejoice
That put their trust in thee.

PSALM 6. (C. M.)

God sought and found in affliction. 1 IN mercy, not in wrath, rebuke Thy feeble worm, O God; My spirit dreads thine angry look, And trembles at thy rod.