The Psalms of David Part 10

6 [O! may the memory of thy name Inspire our armies for the fight!

Our foes shall fall and die with shame, Or quit the field with shameful flight.]

7 Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear; Now let our hopes be firm and strong, Till the salvation shall appear, And joy and triumph raise the song.

Psalm 21:1. C. M.

Our king is the care of heaven.

1 The king, O Lord, with songs of praise, Shall in thy strength rejoice; And, blest with thy salvation, raise To heaven his cheerful voice.

2 Thy sure defence, thro' nations round, Has spread his glorious name; And his successful actions crown'd With majesty and fame.

3 Then let the king on G.o.d alone For timely aid rely; His mercy shall support the throne, And all our wants supply.

4 But, righteous Lord, his stubborn foes Shall feel thy dreadful hand Thy vengeful arm shall find out those That hate his mild command.

5 When thou against them dost engage, Thy just but dreadful doom Shall, like a fiery oven's rage, Their hopes and them consume.

6 Thus, Lord, thy wondrous power declare, And thus exalt thy fame; Whilst we glad songs of praise prepare For thine almighty name.

Psalm 21:2. 1-9. L. M.

Christ exalted to the kingdom.

1 David rejoic'd in G.o.d his strength, Rais'd to the throne by special grace; But Christ, the Son, appears at length, Fulfils the triumph and the praise.

2 How great is the Messiah's joy In the salvation of thy hand!

Lord, thou hast rais'd his kingdom high, And given the world to his command.

3 Thy goodness grants whate'er he will, Nor doth the least request withhold; Blessings of love prevent him still, And crowns of glory, not of gold.

4 Honour and majesty divine Around his sacred temples s.h.i.+ne; Blest with the favour of thy face, And length of everlasting days.

5 Thy hand shall find out all his foes; And as a fiery oven glows With raging heat and living coals, So shall thy wrath devour their souls.

Psalm 22:1. 1-16. First Part. C. M, The sufferings and death of Christ.

1 "Why has my G.o.d my soul forsook, "Nor will a smile afford?"

(Thus David once in anguish spoke, And thus our dying Lord.)

2 Tho' 'tis thy chief delight to dwell Among thy praising saints, Yet thou canst hear a groan as well, And pity our complaints.

3 Our fathers trusted in thy name, And great deliverance found; But I'm a worm, despis'd of men, And trodden to the ground.

4 Shaking the head they pa.s.s me by, And laugh my soul to scorn; "In vain he trusts in G.o.d" they cry, "Neglected and forlorn."

5 But thou art he who form'd my flesh By thine almighty word, And since I hung upon the breast, My hope is in the Lord.

6 Why will my Father hide his face, When foes stand threatening round, In the dark hour of deep distress, And not an helper found?

PAUSE.

7 Behold thy darling left among The cruel and the proud, As bulls of Bashan fierce and strong, As lions roaring loud.

8 From earth and h.e.l.l my sorrows meet To multiply the smart; They nail my hands, they pierce my feet And try to vex my heart.

9 Yet if thy sovereign hand let loose The rage of earth and h.e.l.l, Why will my heavenly Father bruise The Son he loves so well?

10 My G.o.d, if possible it be, Withhold this bitter cup; But I resign my will to thee, And drink the sorrows up.

11 My heart dissolves with pangs unknown In groans I waste my breath; Thy heavy hand has brought me down Low as the dust of death.

12 Father, I give my spirit up; And trust it in thy hand; My dying flesh shall rest in hope, And rise at thy command.

Psalm 22:2. 20 21 27-31. 2d Part. C. M.

Christ's sufferings and kingdom.

1 "Now from the roaring lion's rage, "O Lord, protect thy Son; "Nor leave thy darling to engage, "The powers of h.e.l.l alone."

2 Thus did our suffering Saviour pray, With mighty cries and tears; G.o.d heard him in that dreadful day, And chas'd away his fears.

3 Great was the victory of his death, His throne exalted high; And all the kindreds of the earth Shall wors.h.i.+p or shall die.

4 A numerous offspring must arise From his expiring groans; They shall be reckon'd in his eyes For daughters and for sons.

5 The meek and humble soul shall see His table richly spread; And all that seek the Lord shall be With joys immortal fed.

6 The isles shall know the righteousness Of our incarnate G.o.d; And nations yet unborn profess Salvation in his blood.

Psalm 22:3. L. M.

Christ's sufferings and exaltation.

1 Now let our mournful songs record The dying sorrows of our Lord; When he complain'd in tears and blood As one forsaken of his G.o.d.

2 The Jews beheld him thus forlorn, And shake their heads, and laugh in scorn; "He rescu'd others from the grave, "Now let him try himself to save.

3 "This is the man did once pretend "G.o.d was his father and his friend; "If G.o.d the blessed lov'd him so, "Why doth he fail to help him now?"

4 Barbarous people! cruel priests!

How they stood round like savage beasts!

Like lions gaping to devour, When G.o.d had left him in their power.

5 They wound his head, his hands, his feet, Till streams of blood each other meet; By lot his garments they divide And mock the pangs in which he dy'd.

6 But G.o.d, his Father, heard his cry: Rais'd from the dead he reigns on high.

The nations learn his righteousness, And humble sinners taste his grace.