The Psalms of David Part 37

2 Under the shadow of thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood, Or earth receiv'd her frame, From everlasting thou art G.o.d, To endless years the same.

4 Thy word commands our flesh to dust, "Return, ye sons of men:"

All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.

5 A thousand ages in thy sight Arc like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

6 [The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their lives and cares, Are carried downwards by thy flood, And lost in following years.

7 Time like an ever-rolling stream Bears all its Sons away; They fly forgotten as a dream Dies at the opening day.

8 Like flowery fields the nations stand Pleas'd with the morning light; The flowers beneath the mower's hand Lie withering ere 'tis night.]

9 Our G.o.d, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home.

Psalm 90:3. 8 11 9 10 12. 2d Part. C. M.

Infirmities and mortality the effect of sin; or, Life, old age, and preparation for death.

1 Lord, if thine eyes survey our faults, And justice grow severe, Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thoughts, And burns beyond our fear.

2 Thine anger turns our frame to dust; By one offence to thee Adam with all his sons have lost Their immortality.

3 Life like a vain amus.e.m.e.nt flies, A fable or a song; By swift degrees our nature dies, Nor can our joys be long.

4 'Tis but a few whose days amount To threescore years and ten, And all beyond that short account is sorrow, toil, and pain.

5 [Our vitals with laborious strife Bear up the crazy load, And drag those poor remains of life Along the tiresome road.]

6 Almighty G.o.d, reveal thy love, And not thy wrath alone; O let our sweet experience prove The mercies of thy throne!

7 Our souls would learn the heavenly art T' improve the hours we have, That we may act the wiser part, And live beyond the grave.

Psalm 90:4. 13 &c. Third Part. C. M.

Breathing after heaven.

1 Return, O G.o.d of love, return; Earth is a tiresome place: How long shall we thy children mourn Our absence from thy face!

2 Let heaven succeed our painful years, Let sin and sorrow cease, And in proportion to our tears So make our joys increase.

3 Thy wonders to thy servants show, Make thy own work complete, Then shall our souls thy glory know, And own thy love was great.

4 Then shall we s.h.i.+ne before thy throne In all thy beauty, Lord; And the poor service we have done Meet a divine reward.

Psalm 90:5. 5 10 12. S. M.

The frailty and shortness of life.

1 Lord what a feeble piece Is this our mortal frame!

Our life how poor a trifle 'tis, That scarce deserves the name!

2 Alas the brittle clay That built our body first!

And every month, and every day 'Tis mouldering back to dust.

3 Our moments fly apace, Nor will our minutes stay; Just like a flood our hasty days Are sweeping us away.

4 Well if our days must fly, We'll keep their end in sight, We'll spend them all in wisdom's way, And let them speed their flight.

5 They'll waft us sooner o'er This life's tempestuous sea: Soon we shall reach the peaceful sh.o.r.e Of blest eternity.

Psalm 91:1. 1-7. First Part.

Safety in public diseases and dangers.

1 He that hath made his refuge G.o.d, Shall find a most secure abode, Shall walk all day beneath his shade, And there at night shall rest his head.

2 Then will I say, "My G.o.d, thy power "Shall be my fortress and my tower; "I that am form'd of feeble dust "Make thine almighty arm my trust."

3 Thrice happy man! thy Maker's care Shall keep thee from the fowler's snare, Satan, the fowler, who betrays Unguarded souls a thousand ways.

4 Just as a hen protects her brood From birds of prey that seek their blood, Under her feathers, so the Lord Makes his own arm his people's guard.

5 If burning beams of noon conspire To dart a pestilential fire, G.o.d is their life; his wings are spread To s.h.i.+eld them with an healthful shade.

6 If vapours with malignant breath Rise thick and scatter midnight death, Israel is safe; the poison'd air Grows pure if Israel's G.o.d be there.

PAUSE.

7 What though a thousand at thy side, At thy right hand ten thousand dy'd, Thy G.o.d his chosen people saves Amongst the dead, amidst the graves.

8 So when he sent his angel down To make his wrath in Egypt known, And slew their sons, his careful eye Pa.s.s'd all the doors of Jacob by.

9 But if the fire, or plague, or sword, Receive commission from the Lord To strike his saints among the rest, Their very pains and deaths are blest.

10 The sword, the pestilence or fire Shall but fulfil their best desire, From sins and sorrows set them free, And bring thy children, Lord, to thee.

Psalm 91:2. 1-16. Second Part.

Protection from death, guard of angels, victory and deliverance.

1 Ye sons of men, a feeble race, Expos'd to every snare, Come make the Lord your dwelling-place, And try and trust his care.

2 No ill shall enter where you dwell; Or if the plague come nigh, And sweep the wicked down to h.e.l.l, 'Twill raise his saints on high.

3 He'll give his angels charge to keep Your feet in all their ways; To watch your pillow while you sleep, And guard your happy days.