The Psalms of David Part 8

6 My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpet's joyful sound; Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise.

Psalm 18:1. 1-6 15-18. First Part. L. M.

Deliverance from despair; or, Temptations overcome.

1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength, My rock, my tower, my high defence, Thy mighty arm shall be my trust, For I have found salvation thence.

2 Death, and the terrors of the grave Stood round me with their dismal shade; While floods of high temptations rose, And made my sinking soul afraid.

3 I saw the opening gates of h.e.l.l, With endless pains and sorrows there, Which none but they that feel can tell, While I was hurried to despair.

4 In my distress I call'd 'my G.o.d,'

When I could scarce believe him mine; He bow'd his ear to my complaint, Then did his grace appear divine.

5 [With speed he flew to my relief, As on a cherub's wing he rode; Awful and bright as lightning shone The face of my deliverer, G.o.d.

6 Temptations fled at his rebuke, The blast of his almighty breath; He sent salvation from on high, And drew me from the deeps of death.]

7 Great were my fears, my foes were great, Much was their strength, and more their rage; But Christ, my Lord, is conqueror still, In all the wars that devils wage.

8 My song for ever shall record That terrible, that joyful hour; And give the glory to the Lord Due to his mercy and his power.

Psalm 18:2. 20-26. Second Part. L. M.

Sincerity proved and rewarded.

1 Lord, thou hast seen my soul sincere, Hast made thy truth and love appear; Before mine eyes I set thy laws, And thou hast own'd my righteous cause.

2 Since I have learnt thy holy ways, I've walk'd upright before thy face; Or if my feet did e'er depart, 'Twas never with a wicked heart.

3 What sore temptations broke my rest!

What wars and strugglings in my breast!

But thro' thy grace that reigns within, I guard against my darling sin:

4 That sin which close besets me still, That works and strives against my will; When shall thy Spirit's sovereign power Destroy it that it rise no more?

5 [With an impartial hand, the Lord Deals out to mortals their reward; The kind and faithful souls shall find A G.o.d as faithful, and as kind.

6 The just and pure shall ever say, Thou art more pure, more just than they; And men that love revenge shall know, G.o.d hath an arm of vengeance too.]

Psalm 18:3. 30 31 34 35 46. 3d Part. L. M.

Rejoicing in G.o.d; or, Salvation and triumph.

1 Just are thy ways, and true thy word, Great rock of my secure abode; Who is a G.o.d beside the Lord?

Or where's a refuge like our G.o.d?

2 'Tis he that girds me with his might, Gives me his holy sword to wield; And while with sin and h.e.l.l I fight, Spreads his salvation for my s.h.i.+eld.

3 He lives (and blessed be my rock!) The G.o.d of my salvation lives, The dark designs of h.e.l.l are broke; Sweet is the peace my Father gives.

4 Before the scoffers of the age, I will exalt my Father's name, Nor tremble at their mighty rage, But meet reproach and bear the shame.

5 To David and his royal seed Thy grace for ever shall extend; Thy love to saints in Christ their head Knows not a limit, nor an end.

Psalm 18:4. First Part. C. M.

Victory and triumph over temporal enemies.

1 We love thee, Lord, and we adore, Now is thine arm reveal'd; Thou art our strength, our heavenly tower, Our bulwark and our s.h.i.+eld.

2 We fly to our eternal rock, And find a sure defence; His holy name our lips invoke, And draw salvation thence.

3 When G.o.d, our leader, s.h.i.+nes in arms, What mortal heart can bear The thunder of his loud alarms?

The lightning of his spear?

4 He rides upon the winged wind, And angels in array In millions wait to know his mind, And swift as flames obey.

5 He speaks, and at his fierce rebuke, Whole armies are dismay'd; His voice, his frown, his angry look Strikes all their courage dead.

6 He forms our generals for the field, With all their dreadful skill; Gives them his awful sword to wield, And makes their hearts of steel.

7 [He arms our captains to the fight, Tho' there his name's forgot: He girded Cyrus with his might, But Cyrus knew him not.

8 Oft has the Lord whole nations blest For his own church's sake: The powers that give his people rest, Shall of his care partake.]

Psalm 18:5. Second Part. C. M.

The conqueror's song.

1 To thine almighty arm we owe The triumphs of the day Thy terrors, Lord, confound the foe, And melt their strength away.

2 'Tis by thine aid our troops prevail, And break united powers, Or burn their boasted fleets, or scale The proudest of their towers.

3 How have we chas'd them thro' the field, And trod them to the ground, While thy salvation was our s.h.i.+eld, But they no shelter found!

4 In vain to idol-saints they cry, And perish in their blood; Where is a rock so great, so high, So powerful as our G.o.d?

5 The Rock of Israel ever lives, His name be ever blest; 'Tis his own arm the victory gives, And gives his people rest.

6 On kings that reign as David did, He pours his blessings down; Secures their honours to their seed, And well supports the crown.

Psalm 19:1. First Part. S. M.

The book of nature and scripture.

For a Lord's-day morning.

1 Behold the lofty sky Declares its maker G.o.d, And all his starry works on high Proclaim his power abroad.