The Psalms of David Part 9

2 The darkness and the light Still keep their course the same; While night to day, and day to night Divinely teach his name.

3 In every different land Their general voice is known They shew the wonders of his hand, And orders of his throne.

4 Ye British lands, rejoice, Here he reveals his word, We are not left to nature's voice To bid us know the Lord.

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

6 His laws are just and pure, His truth without deceit, His promises for ever sure, And his rewards are great.

7 [Not honey to the taste Affords so much delight, Nor gold that has the furnace past So much allures the sight.

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

Psalm 19:2. Second Part. S. M.

G.o.d's word most excellent; or, Sincerity and watchfulness.

For a Lord's-day morning.

1 Behold the morning sun Begins his glorious way; His beams thro' all the nations run, And life and light convey.

2 But where the gospel comes, It spreads diviner light, It calls dead sinners from their tombs, And gives the blind their sight.

3 How perfect is thy word!

And all thy judgments just!

For ever sure thy promise, Lord, And men securely trust.

4 My gracious G.o.d, how plain Are thy directions given!

O! may I never read in vain, But find the path to heaven!

PAUSE.

5 I hear thy word with love, And I would fain obey; Send thy good Spirit from above To guide me, lest I stray.

6 O who can ever find The errors of his ways?

Yet, with a bold presumptuous mind, I would not dare transgress.

7 Warn me of every sin, Forgive my secret faults, And cleanse this guilty soul of mine, Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.

8 While with my heart and tongue I spread thy praise abroad, Accept the wors.h.i.+p and the song, My Saviour and my G.o.d.

Psalm 19:3. L. M.

The books of nature and of scripture compared; or, The glory and success of the gospel.

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 begun its race, It touch'd and glanc'd on every land.

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

5 Great Sun of Righteousness, arise, Bless the dark world with heavenly light; Thy gospel makes the simple wise, Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right.

6 Thy n.o.blest wonders here we view In souls renew'd and sins forgiven: Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew, And make thy word my guide to heaven.

Psalm 19:4.

To the tune of the 113th Psalm.

The book of nature and scripture.

1 Great G.o.d, the heaven's well-order'd frame Declares the glories of thy name; There thy rich works of wonder s.h.i.+ne: A thousand starry beauties there, A thousand radiant marks appear Of boundless power and skill divine.

2 From night to day, from day to night, The dawning and the dying light Lectures of heavenly wisdom read; With silent eloquence they raise Our thoughts to our Creator's praise, And neither sound nor language need.

3 Yet their divine instructions run Far as the journies of the sun, And every nation knows their voice; The sun, like some young bridegroom drest, Breaks from the chambers of the east, Rolls round, and makes the earth rejoice.

4 Where'er he spreads his beams abroad, He smiles and speaks his maker G.o.d; All nature joins to shew thy praise: Thus G.o.d, in every creature s.h.i.+nes; Fair is the book of nature's lines, But fairer is thy book of grace.

PAUSE.

5 I love the volumes of thy word; What light and joy those leaves afford To souls benighted and distrest!

Thy precepts guide my doubtful way, Thy fear forbids my feet to stray; Thy promise leads my heart to rest.

6 From the discoveries of thy law The perfect rules of life I draw, These are my study and delight: Not honey so invites the taste, Nor gold, that hath the furnace past, Appears so pleasing to the sight.

7 Thy threatenings wake my slumbering eyes, And warn me where my danger lies; But 'tis thy blessed gospel, Lord, That makes my guilty conscience clean, Converts my soul, subdues my sin, And gives a free but large reward.

8 Who knows the errors of his thoughts?

My G.o.d, forgive my secret faults, And from presumptuous sins restrain; Accept my poor attempts of praise That I have read thy book of grace, And book of nature, not in vain.

Psalm 20.

Prayer and hope of victory.

For a day of prayer in time of war.

1 Now may the G.o.d of power and grace Attend his people's humble cry!

Jehovah hears when Israel prays, And brings deliverance from on high.

2 The name of Jacob's G.o.d defends Better than s.h.i.+elds or brazen walls; He from his sanctuary sends Succour and strength, when Zion calls.

3 Well he remembers all our sighs, His love exceeds our best deserts, His love accepts the sacrifice Of humble groans and broken hearts.

4 In his salvation is our hope, And, in the name of Israel's G.o.d, Our troops shall lift their banners up, Our navies spread their flags abroad.

5 Some trust in horses train'd for war, And some of chariots make their boast; Our surest expectations are From thee, the Lord of heavenly hosts.