The Psalms of David Part 23

5 Should sudden vengeance seize my breath, I must p.r.o.nounce thee just in death; And if my soul were sent to h.e.l.l, Thy righteous law approves it well.

6 Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord, Whose hope, still hovering round thy word, Would light on some sweet promise there, Some sure support against despair.

Psalms 51:2. Second Part. L. M.

Original and actual sin confessed.

1 Lord, I am vile, conceiv'd in sin; And born unholy and unclean; Sprung from the man whose guilty fall Corrupts the race, and taints us all.

2 Soon as we draw our infant-breath, The seeds of sin grow up for death; Thy law demands a perfect heart, But we're defil'd in every part.

3 [Great G.o.d, create my heart anew, And form my spirit pure and true: O make me wise betimes to spy My danger, and my remedy.]

4 Behold I fall before thy face; My only refuge is thy grace: No outward forms can make me clean; The leprosy lies deep within.

5 No bleeding bird, nor bleeding beast, Nor hyssop branch, nor sprinkling priest, Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea, Can wash the dismal stain away.

6 Jesus, my G.o.d, thy blood alone Hath power sufficient to atone; Thy blood can make me white as snow; No Jewish types could cleanse me so.

7 While guilt disturbs and breaks my peace, Nor flesh, nor soul hath rest or ease; Lord, let me hear thy pardoning voice, And make my broken bones rejoice.

Psalm 51:3. Third Part. L. M.

The backslider restored; or, Repentance and faith in the blood of Christ.

1 O thou that hear'st when sinners cry, Tho' all my crimes before thee lie, Behold them not with angry look, But blot their memory from thy book.

2 Create my nature pure within, And form my soul averse to sin; Let thy good Spirit ne'er depart, Nor hide thy presence from my heart.

3 I cannot live without thy light, Cast out and banish'd from thy sight: Thine holy joys, my G.o.d, restore, And guard me that I fall no more.

4 Tho' I have griev'd thy Spirit, Lord, His help and comfort still afford: And let a wretch come near thy throne To plead the merits of thy Son.

5 A broken heart, my G.o.d, my King, Is all the sacrifice I bring; The G.o.d of grace will ne'er despise A broken heart for sacrifice.

6 My soul lies humbled in the dust, And owns thy dreadful sentence just; Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye, And save the soul condemn'd to die.

7 Then will I teach the world thy ways; Sinners shall learn thy sovereign grace; I'll lead them to my Saviour's blood, And they shall praise a pardoning G.o.d.

8 O may thy love inspire my tongue!

Salvation shall be all my song; And all my powers shall join to bless The Lord, my strength and righteousness.

Psalm 51:4. 3-13. First Part. C. M.

Original and actual sin confessed and pardoned.

1 Lord, I would spread my sore distress And guilt before thine eyes; Against thy laws, against thy grace, How high my crimes arise.

2 Shouldst thou condemn my soul to h.e.l.l, And crush my flesh to dust, Heaven would approve thy vengeance well, And earth must own it just.

3 I from the stock of Adam came, Unholy and unclean; All my original is shame, And all my nature sin.

4 Born in a world of guilt, I drew Contagion with my breath; And, as my days advanc'd, I grew A juster prey for death.

5 Cleanse me, O Lord, and cheer my soul With thy forgiving love; O, make my broken spirit whole, And bid my pains remove.

6 Let not thy Spirit quite depart, Nor drive me from thy face; Create anew my vicious heart, And fill it with thy grace.

7 Then will I make thy mercy known Before the sons of men; Backsliders shall address thy throne, And turn to G.o.d again.

Psalm 51:5. 14-17. Second Part. C. M.

Repentance and faith in the blood of Christ.

1 O G.o.d of mercy! hear my call, My loads of guilt remove; Break down this separating wall That bars me from thy love.

2 Give me the presence of thy grace, Then my rejoicing tongue Shall speak aloud thy righteousness, And make thy praise my song.

3 No blood of goats, nor heifers slain, For sin could e'er atone; The death of Christ shall still remain Sufficient and alone.

4 A soul opprest with sin's desert, My G.o.d will ne'er despise; A humble groan, a broken heart Is our best sacrifice.

Psalm 53. 4-6.

Victory and deliverance from persecution.

1 Are all the foes of Sion fools, Who thus devour her saints?

Do they not know her Saviour rules, And pities her complaints?

2 They shall be seiz'd with sad surprise; For G.o.d's revenging arm Scatters the bones of them that rise To do his children harm.

3 In vain the sons of Satan boast Of armies in array: When G.o.d has first despis'd their host, They fall an easy prey.

4 O for a word from Sion's King Her captives to restore!

Jacob with all his tribes shall sing, And Judah weep no more.

Psalm 55:1. 1-8 16-18 22. C. M.

Support for the afflicted and tempted soul.

1 O G.o.d, my refuge, hear my cries, Behold my flowing tears, For earth and h.e.l.l my hurt devise, And triumph in my fears.

2 Their rage is levell'd at my life, My soul with guilt they load, And fill my thoughts with inward strife To shake my hope in G.o.d.

3 With inward pain my heart-strings sound, I groan with every breath; Horror and fear beset me round Amongst the shades of death,

4 O were I like a feather'd dove, And innocence had wings, I'd fly, and make a long remove, From all these restless things.

5 Let me to some wild desert go, And find a peaceful home, Where storms of malice never blow, Temptations never come.