The Psalms of David Part 53

And thou a faithful G.o.d?

Wilt thou not grant me warmer zeal To run the heavenly road?

Ver. 159 40.

5 Does not my heart thy precepts love, And long to see thy face?

And yet how slow my spirits move Without enlivening grace!

Ver. 93.

6 Then shall I love thy gospel more, And ne'er forget thy word, When I have felt its quickening power To draw me near the Lord.

Psalm 119:17. Seventeenth Part.

Courage and perseverance under persecution; or, Grace s.h.i.+ning in difficulties and trials.

Ver. 143 28.

1 When pain and anguish seize me, Lord, All my support is from thy word: My soul dissolves for heaviness, Uphold me with thy strengthening grace.

Ver. 51 69 110.

2 The proud have fram'd their scoffs and lies, They watch my feet with envious eyes, And tempt my soul to snares and sin, Yet thy commands I ne'er decline.

Ver. 161 78.

3 They hate me, Lord, without a cause, They hate to see me love thy laws: But I will trust and fear thy Name, Till pride and malice die with shame.

Psalm 119:18. Last Part.

Sanctified afflictions; or, Delight in the word of G.o.d.

Ver. 67 59.

1 Father, I bless thy gentle hand; How kind was thy chastising rod, That forc'd my conscience to a stand, And brought my wandering soul to G.o.d!

2 Foolish and vain I went astray Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord, I left my guide, and lost my way; But now I love and keep thy word.

Ver. 71.

3 'Tis good for me to wear the yoke, For pride is apt to rise and swell; 'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke, That I might learn his statutes well.

Ver. 72.

4 The law that issues from thy mouth Shall raise my cheerful pa.s.sions more Than all the treasures of the south, Or western hills of golden ore.

Ver. 73.

5 Thy hands have made my mortal frame, Thy spirit form'd my soul within; Teach me to know thy wondrous Name, And guard me safe from death and sin.

Ver. 74.

6 Then all that love and fear the Lord At my salvation shall rejoice; For I have hoped in thy word, And made thy grace my only choice.

Psalm 120.

Complaint of quarrelsome neighbours; or, A devout wish for peace.

1 Thou G.o.d of love, thou ever blest, Pity my suffering state; When wilt thou set my soul at rest From lips that love deceit?

2 Hard lot of mine! my days are cast Among the sons of strife, Whose never-ceasing brawlings waste My golden hours of life.

3 O might I fly to change my place, How would I chuse to dwell In some wide lonesome wilderness, And leave these gates of h.e.l.l.

4 Peace is the blessing that I seek, How lovely are its charms; I am for peace; but when I speak, They all declare for arms.

6 New pa.s.sions still their souls engage, And keep their malice strong: What shall be done to curb thy rage, O thou devouring tongue!

6 Should burning arrows smite thee thro', Strict justice would approve; But I had rather spare my foe, And melt his heart with love.

Psalm 121:1. L. M.

Divine protection.

1 Up to the hills I lift mine eyes, Th' eternal hills beyond the skies; Thence all her help my soul derives; There my Almighty refuge lives.

2 He lives, the everlasting G.o.d, That built the world, that spread the flood; The heavens with all their hosts he made, And the dark regions of the dead.

3 He guides our feet, he guards our way; His morning-smiles bless all the day; He spreads the evening veil, and keeps The silent hours while Israel sleeps.

4 Israel, a name divinely blest, May rise secure, securely rest; Thy holy Guardian's wakeful eyes Admit no slumber nor surprise.

5 No sun shall smite thy head by day, Nor the pale moon with sickly ray Shall blast thy couch; no baleful star Dart his malignant fire so far.

6 Should earth and h.e.l.l with malice burn, Still thou shalt go and still return Safe in the Lord his heavenly care Defends thy life from every snare.

7 On thee foul spirits have no power; And in thy last departing hour Angels, that trace the airy road, Shall bear thee homeward to thy G.o.d.

Psalm 121:2. C. M.

Preservation by day and night.

1 To heaven I lift my waiting eyes, There all my hopes are laid: The Lord that built the earth and skies Is my perpetual aid.

2 Their feet shall never slide to fall Whom he designs to keep; His ear attends the softest call, His eyes can never sleep.

3 He will sustain our weakest powers With his almighty arm, And watch our most unguarded hours Against surprising harm.

4 Israel, rejoice and rest secure, Thy keeper is the Lord; His wakeful eyes employ his power For thine eternal guard.

5 Nor scorching sun, nor sickly moon, Shall have his leave to smite; He s.h.i.+elds thy head from burning noon, From blasting damps at night.

6 He guards thy soul, he keeps thy breath Where thickest dangers come; Go and return, secure from death, Till G.o.d commands thee home.

Psalm 121:3. As the 148th Psalm.

G.o.d our preserver.

1 Upward I lift mine eyes, From G.o.d is all my aid; The G.o.d that built the skies, And earth and nature made: G.o.d is the tow'r To which I fly: His grace is nigh In every hour.