The Psalms of David Part 4

3 When I survey the stars, And all their s.h.i.+ning forms, Lord, what is man, that worthless thing, Akin to dust and worms?

4 Lord, what is worthless man, That thou shouldst love him so?

Next to thine angels he is plac'd, And lord of all below.

5 Thine honours crown his head, While beasts like slaves obey, And birds that cut the air with wings, And fish that cleave the sea.

6 How rich thy bounties are!

And wondrous are thy ways: Of dust and worms thy power can frame A monument of praise.

7 [Out of the mouths of babes And sucklings thou canst draw Surprising honours to thy name, And strike the world with awe.]

8 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.

Psalm 8:2. C. M.

Christ's condescension and glorification; or, G.o.d made man.

1 O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name!

The glories of thy heavenly state Let men and babes proclaim.

2 When I behold thy works on high, The moon that rules the night, And stars that well adorn the sky, Those moving worlds of light;

3 Lord, what is man, or all his race, Who dwells so far below, That thou shouldst visit him with grace, And love his nature so?

4 That thine eternal Son should bear To take a mortal form, Made lower than his angels are, To save a dying worm!

5 [Yet while he liv'd on earth unknown, And men would not adore, Th' obedient seas and fishes own His G.o.dhead and his power.

6 The waves lay spread beneath his feet; And fish, at his command, Bring their large shoals to Peter's net, Bring tribute to his hand.

7 These lesser glories of the Son Shone thro' the fleshly cloud; Now we behold him on his throne, And men confess him G.o.d.]

8 Let him be crown'd with majesty, Who bow'd his head to death; And be his honours sounded high, By all things that have breath.

9 Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name!

The glories of thy heavenly state Let the whole earth proclaim.

Psalm 8:3. 1 2. paraphrased.

First Part. L. M.

The Hosanna of the children; or, Infants praising G.o.d.

1 Almighty Ruler of the skies, Thro' the wide earth thy name is spread, And thine eternal glories rise O'er all the heavens thy hands have made.

2 To thee the voices of the young A monument of honour raise; And babes, with uninstructed tongue, Declare the wonders of thy praise.

3 Thy power a.s.sists their tender age To bring proud rebels to the ground, To still the bold blasphemer's rage, And all their policies confound.

4 Children amidst thy temple throng To see their great Redeemer's face; The Son of David is their song, And young hosannas fill the place.

3 The frowning scribes and angry priests In vain their impious cavils bring; Revenge sits silent in their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, While Jewish babes proclaim their king.

Psalm 8:4. 3 &c. paraphrased.

Second Part. L. M.

Adam and Christ, lords of the old and the new creation.

1 Lord, what was man, when made at first, Adam the offspring of the dust, That thou shouldst set him and his race But just below an angel's place?

2 That thou shouldst raise his nature so And make him lord of all below; Make every beast and bird submit, And lay the fishes at his feet?

3 But O, what brighter glories wait To crown the second Adam's state!

What honours shall thy Son adorn Who condescended to be born!

4 See him below his angels made, See him in dust amongst the dead, To save a ruin'd world from sin; But he shall reign with power divine.

5 The world to come, redeem'd from all The miseries that attend the fall, New made, and glorious, shall submit At our exalted Saviour's feet.

Psalm 9:1. First Part.

Wrath and mercy from the judgment-seat.

1 With my whole heart I'll raise my song, Thy wonders I'll proclaim; Thou sov'reign judge of right and wrong Wilt put my foes to shame.

2 I'll sing thy majesty and grace; My G.o.d prepares his throne To judge the world in righteousness And make his vengeance known.

3 Then shall the Lord a refuge prove For all the poor opprest, To save the people of his love, And give the weary rest.

4 The men, that know thy name will trust In thy abundant grace; For thou hast ne'er forsook the just, Who humbly seek thy face.

5 Sing praises to the righteous Lord, Who dwells on Zion's hill, Who executes his threatening word, And doth his grace fulfil.

Psalm 9:2. 10. Second Part.

The wisdom and equity of providence.

1 When the great Judge, supreme and just, Shall once inquire for blood, The humble souls, that mourn in dust, Shall find a faithful G.o.d.

2 He from the dreadful gates of death Does his own children raise: In Zion's gates, with cheerful breath, They sing their Father's praise.

3 His foes shall fail with heedless feet Into the pit they made; And sinners perish in the net That their own hands had spread.

4 Thus by thy judgments, mighty G.o.d!

Are thy deep counsels known; When men of mischief are destroy'd, The snare must be their own.

PAUSE.

5 The wicked shall sink down to h.e.l.l; Thy wrath devour the lands That dare forget thee, or rebel Against thy known commands.