The Psalms of David Part 7

Psalm 16:1. First Part. L. M.

Confession of our poverty, and saints the best company; or, Good works profit men, not G.o.d.

1 Preserve me, Lord, in time of need For succour to thy throne I flee, But have no merits there to plead; My goodness cannot reach to thee.

2 Oft have my heart and tongue confest How empty and how poor I am; My praise can never make thee blest, Nor add new glories to thy name.

3 Yet, Lord, thy saints on earth may reap Some profit by the good we do; These are the company I keep, These are the choicest friends I know.

4 Let others choose the sons of mirth To give a relish to their wine, I love the men of heavenly birth, Whose thoughts and language are divine.

Psalm 16:2. Second Part. L. M.

Christ's all-sufficiency.

1 How fast their guilt and sorrows rise Who haste to seek some idol G.o.d!

I will not taste their sacrifice, Their offerings of forbidden blood.

2 My G.o.d provides a richer cup, And n.o.bler food to live upon; He for my life has offer'd up Jesus, his best beloved Son.

3 His love is my perpetual feast; By day his counsels guide me right; And be his name for ever blest, Who gives me sweet advice by night.

4 I set him still before mine eyes; At my right hand he stands prepar'd To keep my soul from all surprise, And be my everlasting guard.

Psalm 16:3. Third Part. L. M.

Courage in death, and hope of the resurrection.

1 When G.o.d is nigh, my faith is strong, His arm is my almighty prop: Be glad, my heart; rejoice, my tongue, My dying flesh shall rest in hope.

2 Tho' in the dust I lay my head, Yet, gracious G.o.d, thou wilt not leave My soul for ever with the dead, Nor lose thy children in the grave.

3 My flesh shall thy first call obey, Shake off the dust, and rise on high; Then shalt thou lead the wondrous way, Up to thy throne above the sky.

4 There streams of endless pleasure flow; And full discoveries of thy grace (Which we but tasted here below) Spread heavenly joys thro' all the place.

Psalm 16:4. First Part. C. M.

Support and counsel from G.o.d without merit.

1 Save me, O Lord, from every foe; In thee my trust I place, Tho' all the good that I can do Can ne'er deserve thy grace.

2 Yet if my G.o.d prolong my breath The saints may profit by't; The saints, the glory of the earth, The men of my delight.

3 Let heathens to their idols haste, And wors.h.i.+p wood or stone; But my delightful lot is cast Where the true G.o.d is known.

4 His hand provides my constant food, He fills my daily cup; Much am I pleas'd with present good, But more rejoice in hope.

5 G.o.d is my portion and my joy, His counsels are my light; He gives me sweet advice by day, And gentle hints by night.

6 My soul would all her thoughts approve To his all-seeing eye; Not death, nor h.e.l.l my hope shall move, While such a friend is nigh.

Psalm 16:5. Second Part. C. M.

The death and resurrection of Christ.

1 I Set the Lord before my face, "He bears my courage up; "My heart, and tongue, their joys express, "My flesh shall rest in hope.

2 "My spirit, Lord, thou wilt not leave "Where souls departed are; "Nor quit my body to the grave "To see corruption there.

3 "Thou wilt reveal the path of life, "And raise me to thy throne; "Thy courts immortal pleasure give, "Thy presence joys unknown."

4 [Thus in the name of Christ, the Lord, The holy David sung, And Providence fulfils the word Of his prophetic tongue.

5 Jesus, whom every saint adores, Was crucify'd and slain; Behold the tomb its prey restores, Behold, he lives again!

6 When shall my feet arise and stand On heaven's eternal hills?

There sits the Son at G.o.d's right hand, And there the Father smiles.]

Psalm 17:1. 13 &c. S. M.

Portion of saints and sinners; or, Hope and despair in death.

1 Arise, my gracious G.o.d, And make the wicked flee; They are but thy chastising rod To drive thy saints to thee.

2 Behold the sinner dies, His haughty words are vain; Here in this life his pleasure lies, And all beyond is pain.

3 Then let his pride advance, And boast of all his store: The Lord is my inheritance, My soul can wish no more.

4 I shall behold the face Of my forgiving G.o.d, And stand complete in righteousness, Wash'd in my Saviour's blood.

5 There's a new heaven begun, When I awake from death, Drest in the likeness of thy Son, And draw immortal breath.

Psalm 17:2. L. M.

The sinner's portion, and saint's hope; or, The heaven of separate souls, and the resurrection.

1 Lord, I am thine; but thou wilt prove My faith, my patience, and my love; When men of spite against me join, They are the sword, the hand is thine.

2 Their hope and portion lies below; 'Tis all the happiness they know, 'Tis all they seek; they take their shares, And leave the rest among their heirs.

3 What sinners value, I resign; Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine; I shall behold thy blissful face, And stand complete in righteousness.

4 This life's a dream, an empty show; But the bright world to which I go Hath joys substantial and sincere; When shall I wake, and find me there?

5 O glorious hour! O blest abode!

I shall be near and like my G.o.d!

And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of the soul.