Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 30

1 The heavens declare thy glory, Lord!

In every star thy wisdom s.h.i.+nes; But, when our eyes behold thy word, We read thy name in fairer lines.

2 The rolling sun, the changing light, And nights, and days, thy power confess; But the blest volume thou hast writ Reveals thy justice and thy grace.

3 Sun, moon, and stars, convey thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand; So when thy truth began its race, It touched and glanced on every land.

4 Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest Till through the world thy truth has run; Till Christ has all the nations blest, That see the light, or feel the sun.

186. C. M. Cowper.

Light and Glory of the Word.

1 A glory gilds the sacred page, Majestic like the sun: It gives a light to every age; It gives, but borrows none.

2 The hand that gave it still supplies The gracious light and heat: His truths upon the nations rise; They rise, but never set.

3 Let everlasting thanks be thine, For such a bright display, As makes a world of darkness s.h.i.+ne With beams of heavenly day.

4 My soul rejoices to pursue The steps of Him I love, Till glory break upon my view In brighter worlds above.

187. L. M. 6l. Spirit of the Psalms.

Praise to G.o.d for his Word.

1 Join, all ye servants of the Lord, To praise him for his sacred word,-- That word, like manna, sent from heaven, To all who seek it freely given; Its promises our fears remove, And fill our hearts with joy and love.

2 It tells us, though oppressed with cares, The G.o.d of mercy hears our prayers; Though steep and rough th' appointed way, His mighty arm shall be our stay; Though deadly foes a.s.sail our peace, His power shall bid their malice cease.

3 It tells who first inspired our breath, And who redeemed our souls from death; It tells of grace,--grace freely given,-- And shows the path to G.o.d and heaven: O, bless we, then, our gracious Lord, For all the treasures of his word.

188. S. M. Watts.

Nature and Scripture. Ps. 19.

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

2 Ye Christian lands, rejoice!

Here he reveals his word; We are not left to nature's voice To bid us know the Lord.

3 His statutes and commands Are set before our eyes; He puts his gospel in our hands, Where our salvation lies.

4 While of thy works I sing, Thy glory to proclaim, Accept the praise, my G.o.d, my King, In my Redeemer's name.

189. C. M. Rippon's Coll.

The Value of the Scriptures.

1 How precious is the book divine, By inspiration given!

Bright as a lamp its doctrines s.h.i.+ne, To lead our souls to heaven.

2 O'er all the strait and narrow way Its radiant beams are cast; A light whose never weary ray Grows brightest at the last.

3 It sweetly cheers our fainting hearts In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and comfort it imparts, And calms our anxious fears.

4 This lamp through all the dreary night Of life shall guide our way, Till we behold the glorious light Of never-ending day.

190. C. M. Episcopal Coll.

Sufficiency of the Scriptures.

1 Great G.o.d, with wonder and with praise On all thy works I look; But still thy wisdom, power, and grace, s.h.i.+ne brightest in thy book.

2 Here are my choicest treasures hid; Here my best comfort lies; Here my desires are satisfied; And here my hopes arise.

3 Lord, make me understand thy law; Show what my faults have been; And from thy gospel let me draw The pardon of my sin.

191. S. M. Beddome.

Superiority of the Scriptures.

1 O Lord, thy perfect word Directs our steps aright; Nor can all other books afford Such profit or delight.

2 Celestial light it sheds, To cheer this vail below; To distant lands its glory spreads, And streams of mercy flow.

3 True wisdom it imparts; Commands our hope and fear; O, may we hide it in our hearts, And feel its influence there.