The Psalms of David Part 3

1 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray I am for ever thine: I fear before thee all the day, Nor would I dare to sin.

2 And while I rest my weary head From cares and business free, 'Tis sweet conversing on my bed With my own heart and thee.

3 I pay this evening sacrifice; And when my work is done, Great G.o.d, my faith and hope relies Upon thy grace alone.

4 Thus with my thoughts compos'd to peace I'll give mine eyes to sleep; Thy hand in safety keeps my days, And will my slumbers keep.

Psalm 5.

For the Lord's day morning.

1 Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear My voice ascending high; To thee will I direct my prayer, To thee lift up mine eye;

2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone To plead for all his saints, Presenting at his Father's throne Our songs and our complaints.

3 Thou art a G.o.d before whose sight The wicked shall not stand; Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight, Nor dwell at thy right hand.

4 But to thy house will I resort, To taste thy mercies there; I will frequent thine holy court, And wors.h.i.+p in thy fear.

5 O may thy Spirit guide my feet In ways of righteousness!

Make every path of duty straight And plain before my face.

PAUSE.

6 My watchful enemies combine To tempt my feet astray; They flatter with a base design To make my soul their prey.

7 Lord, crush the serpent in the dust, And all his plots destroy; While those that in thy mercy trust For ever shout for joy.

8 The men that love and fear thy name Shall see their hopes fulfill'd; The mighty G.o.d will compa.s.s them With favour as a s.h.i.+eld.

Psalm 6:1. C. M.

Complaint in sickness; or, diseases healed.

1 In anger, Lord, rebuke me not, Withdraw the dreadful storm; Nor let thy fury grow so hot Against a feeble worm.

2 My soul's bow'd down with heavy cares, My flesh with pain oppress'd; My couch is witness to my tears, My tears forbid my rest.

3 Sorrow and pain wear out my days; I waste the night with cries, Counting the minutes as they pa.s.s, Till the slow morning rise.

4 Shall I be still tormented more?

Mine eye consum'd with grief?

How long, my G.o.d, how long before Thine hand afford relief?

5 He hears when dust and ashes speak, He pities all our groans, He saves us for his mercy's sake And heals our broken bones.

6 The virtue of his sovereign word Restores our fainting breath; For silent graves praise not the Lord, Nor is he known in death.

Psalm 6:2. L. M.

Temptations in sickness overcome.

1 Lord, I can suffer thy rebukes, When thou with kindness dost chastise But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear, O let it not against me rise!

2 Pity my languis.h.i.+ng estate, And ease the sorrows that I feel; The wounds thine heavy hand hath made, O let thy gentler touches heal.

3 See how I pa.s.s my weary days In sighs and groans; and when 'tis night My bed is water'd with my tears; My grief consumes and dims my sight.

4 Look how the powers of nature mourn!

How long, almighty G.o.d, how long?

When shall thine hour of grace return?

When shall I make thy grace my song?

5 I feel my flesh so near the grave, My thoughts are tempted to despair; But graves can never praise the Lord, For all is dust and silence there.

6 Depart, ye tempters, from my soul, And all despairing thoughts depart; My G.o.d, who hears my humble moan, Will ease my flesh, and cheer my heart.

Psalm 7.

G.o.d's care of his people and punishment of persecutors.

1 My trust is in my heavenly Friend, My hope in thee, my G.o.d; Rise and my helpless life defend From those that seek my blood.

2 With insolence and fury they My soul in pieces tear, As hungry lions rend the prey When no deliverer's near.

3 If I had e'er provok'd them first, Or once abus'd my foe, Then let him tread my life to dust, And lay mine honour low.

4 If there be malice found in me, I know thy piercing eyes; I should not dare appeal to thee, Nor ask my G.o.d to rise.

5 Arise, my G.o.d, lift up thy hand, Their pride and power control; Awake to judgment and command Deliverance for my soul.

PAUSE.

6 [Let sinners and their wicked rage Be humbled to the dust; Shall not the G.o.d of truth engage To vindicate the just?

7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins, He will defend th' upright: His sharpest arrows he ordains Against the sons of spite.

8 For me their malice digg'd a pit, But there themselves are cast; My G.o.d makes all their mischief light On their own heads at last.]

9 That cruel persecuting race Must feel his dreadful sword; Awake, my soul, and praise the grace And justice of the Lord.

Psalm 8:1. S. M.

G.o.d's sovereignty and goodness; and man's dominion over the creatures.

1 O Lord, our heavenly King, Thy name is all divine; Thy glories round the earth are spread, And o'er the heavens they s.h.i.+ne.

2 When to thy works on high I raise my wondering eyes, And see the moon complete in light Adorn the darksome skies: