Nor let a murmuring thought arise; His ways are just, his counsels wise.
2 Thick darkness round his throne he draws, His work performs. conceals the cause; But, though his methods are unknown, Judgment and truth support his throne. 3 In heaven, and earth, and air, and seas, He executes his firm decrees;
And, by his saints, it stands confessed, That what he does is ever best.
4 Wait, then, each soul, submissive wait, Prostrate before his awful seat; And, midst the terrors of his rod, Trust in a wise and gracious God.
HYMN 87. C M. [#]
Early and constant Care of God. 1 ALMIGHTY FATHER, gracious Lord Kind Guardian of my days, Thy mercies let my heart record In songs of grateful praise.
2 In life's first dawn, my tender frame Was thy indulgent care;
Long ere I could pronounce thy name, Or breathe the infant prayer.
3 Each rolling year new favours brought From thy exhaustless store;
But, O! in vain my labouring thought Would count thy mercies o'er.
4 Lord, when this mortal frame decays, And every weakness dies, Complete the wonders of thy grace, And raise me to the skies.
HYMN 88. L. M. [#]
Confidence in the Lord.
1 THY presence, ever-living God, Wide through all nature spreads abroad: Thy watchful eyes, which never sleep, In every place thy children keep.
2 While near each other we remain, Thou dost our lives and powers sustain; And, when apart, we joy to share Thy counsels and thy gracious care.
3 To thee we now commit our ways, And still implore thy heavenly grace : O, let thy face upon us shine;
Still guard and guide us, Lord, as thine.
4 Give us within thy house to raise Again united songs of praise; Or, if that joy no more be known, Give us to meet around thy throne.
HYMN 89. C. M. [#]
Humble Adoration.
1 ETERNAL POWER, almighty God, Who can approach thy throne? Accessless light is thy abode, To angel-eyes unknown.
2 Before the radiance of thine eye The heavens no longer shine, And all the glories of the sky Are but the shade of thine.
3 Great God, and wilt thou condescend To cast a look below,
To this vile world thy notice bend, These shades of sin and wo?
4 While golden harps and angel-tongues Resound immortal lays,
Great God, permit our humble songs To rise and mean thy praise.
HYMN 90. L. M. [bor #] Humble Worship.
1 GREAT King of kings, eternal God, Shall mortal creatures dare to raise Their songs to thy supreme abode, And join with angels in thy praise? 2 Man, O how far removed below!
Wrapt in the shades of gloomy night, His brightest day can only show
A few faint streaks of distant light.
3 But, see! the bright, the morning star, Rising, shall chase the shades away; His beams, resplendent from afar, Promise a sweet, immortal day.
4 To him our longing eyes we raise,
Our Guide to thee, the great Unknown;
Through him, O may our humble praise Accepted rise before thy throne.
HYMN 91. C. M. [#]
Homage and Devotion.
1 WITH sacred joy we lift our eyes To those bright realms above, That glorious temple in the skies, Where dwells eternal Love.
2 Before the radiant throne we bow Of heaven's almighty King: Here we present the solemn vow, And hymns of glory sing.
3 Thee we adore; and, Lord, to thee Our filial duty pay :
Thy service, unconstrained and free, Čonducts to endless day.
4 While in thy house of prayer we kneel, With trust and holy fear, Thy mercy and thy truth reveal, And lend a gracious ear.
HYMN 92. C. M. [# or b]
Sincere Devotion acceptable.
1 GOD is a Spirit just and wise;
He sees our inmost mind:
In vain to Heaven we raise our cries, And leave our souls behind.
2 Nothing but truth, before his throne, With honour can appear:
The painted hypocrites are known Through the disguise they wear. 3 Their lifted eyes salute the skies, Their bending knees the ground; But God rejects the sacrifice
Where not the heart is found.
4 Lord, search my thoughts, and try my ways, And make my soul sincere; Then shall I stand before thy face, And find acceptance there.
HYMN 93. S. M. [#]
God's Mercy to the Penitent.
1 SWEET is the friendly voice
Which speaks of life and peace; Which bids the penitent rejoice, And sin and sorrow cease.
2 No balm on earth like this Can cheer the contrite heart; No flattering dreams of earthly bliss Such pure delight impart.
3 Still merciful and kind,
Thy mercy, Lord, reveal:
The broken heart thy love can bind, The wounded spirit heal.
4 Thy presence shall restore
Peace to my anxious breast: Lord, let my steps be drawn no more From paths which thou hast blessed.
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