The Psalms of David E-Book

Isaac Watts

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 305

Beschreibung

1 Why did the nations join to slay The Lord's anointed Son? Why did they cast his laws away, And tread his gospel down? 2 The Lord that sits above the skies, Derides their rage below, He speaks with vengeance in his eyes, And strikes their spirits thro'. 3 "I call him my Eternal Son, "And raise him from the dead; "I make my holy hill his throne, "And wide his kingdom spread.

Leseprobe

The Psalms of David

The Psalms of David The Psalms of David in Metre.Copyright

The Psalms of David

Isaac Watts

The Psalms of David in Metre.

Psalm 1:1. Common Metre, The way and end of the righteous and the wicked. 1 Blest is the man who shuns the place Where sinners love to meet; Who fears to tread their wicked ways, And hates the scoffer's seat: 2 But in the statutes of the Lord Has plac'd his chief delight; By day he reads or hears the word, And meditates by night. 3 [He like a plant of generous kind, By living waters set, Safe from the storms and blasting wind, Enjoys a peaceful state.] 4 Green as the leaf and ever fair Shall his profession shine, While fruits of holiness appear Like clusters on the vine. 5 Not so the impious and unjust; What vain designs they form! Their hopes are blown away like dust, Or chaff before the storm. 6 Sinners in judgment shall not stand Amongst the sons of grace, When Christ the Judge, at his right hand, Appoints his saints a place. 7 His eye beholds the path they tread, His heart approves it well; But crooked ways of sinners lead Down to the gates of hell. Psalm 1:2. S. M. The saint happy, the sinner miserable. 1 The man is ever blest Who shuns the sinner's ways, Among their counsels never stands, Nor takes the scorner's place; 2 But makes the Law of God His study and delight, Amidst the labours of the day, And watches of the night. 3 He like a tree shall thrive, With waters near the root: Fresh as the leaf his name shall live, His works are heavenly fruit. 4 Not so th' ungodly race, They no such blessings find; Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff Before the driving wind. 5 How will they bear to stand Before that judgment-seat, Where all the saints at Christ's right hand In full assembly meet? 6 He knows, and he approves The way the righteous go; But sinners and their works shall meet A dreadful overthrow. Psalm 1:3. L. M. The difference between the righteous and the wicked. 1 Happy the man whose cautious feet Shun the broad way that sinners go, Who hates the place where atheists meet, And fears to talk as scoffers do. 2 He loves t' employ his morning light Amongst the statutes of the Lord: And spends the wakeful hours at night, With pleasure pondering o'er the word. 3 He like a plant by gentle streams, Shall flourish in immortal green; And heaven will shine with kindest beams On every work his hands begin. 4 But sinners find their counsels crost; As chaff before the tempest flies, So shall their hopes be blown and lost, When the last trumpet shakes the skies. 5 In vain the rebel seeks to stand In judgment with the pious race; The dreadful Judge with stern command Divides him to a different place. 6 "Straight is the way my saints have trod, "I blest the path and drew it plain; "But you would choose the crooked road, "And down it leads to endless pain. Psalm 2:1. S. M. Translated according to the divine pattern, Acts iv. 24 &c. Christ dying, rising, interceding, and reigning. 1 [Maker and sovereign Lord Of heaven, and earth, and seas, Thy providence confirms thy word, And answers thy decrees. 2 The things so long foretold By David are fulfill'd, When Jews and Gentiles join to slay Jesus, thine holy child.] 3 Why did the Gentiles rage, And Jews with one accord Bend all their counsels to destroy Th' anointed of the Lord? 4 Rulers and kings agree To form a vain design; Against the Lord their powers unite, Against his Christ they join. 5 The Lord derides their rage, And will support his throne; He that hath rais'd him from the dead Hath own'd him for his Son.

PAUSE.

6 Now he's ascended high,

And asks to rule the earth;The merit of his blood be pleads,And pleads his heavenly birth.7 He asks, and God bestowsA large inheritance;Far as the world's remotest endsHis kingdom shall advance.8 The nations that rebelMust feel his iron rod;He'll vindicate those honours wellWhich he receiv'd from God.9 [Be wise, ye rulers, now,And worship at his throne;With trembling joy, ye people, bowTo God's exalted Son.10 If once his wrath arise,Ye perish on the place;Then blessed is the soul that fliesFor refuge to his grace.]Psalm 2:2. C. M.The same.1 Why did the nations join to slayThe Lord's anointed Son?Why did they cast his laws away,And tread his gospel down?2 The Lord that sits above the skies,Derides their rage below,He speaks with vengeance in his eyes,And strikes their spirits thro'.3 "I call him my Eternal Son,"And raise him from the dead;"I make my holy hill his throne,"And wide his kingdom spread.4 "Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy"The utmost heathen lands:"Thy rod of iron shall destroy"The rebel that withstands."5 Be wise, ye rulers of the earth,Obey th' anointed Lord,Adore the king of heavenly birth,And tremble at his word.6 With humble love address his throne,For if he frown ye die;Those are secure, and those alone,Who on his grace rely.Psalm 2:3. L. M.Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension.1 Why did the Jews proclaim their rage?The Romans why their swords employ?Against the Lord their powers engageHis dear anointed to destroy?2 "Come, let us break his bands," they say,"This man shall never give us laws ;"And thus they cast his yoke away,And nail'd the monarch to the cross.3 But God, who high in glory reigns,Laughs at their pride, their rage controls;He'll vex their hearts with inward pains,And speak in thunder to their souls.4 "I will maintain the King I made"On Zion's everlasting hill,"My hand shall bring him from the dead,"And he shall stand your sovereign still."5 [His wondrous rising from the earthMakes his eternal Godhead known!The Lord declares his heavenly birth,"This day have I begot my Son.6 "Ascend, my Son, to my right hand,"There thou shalt ask, and I bestow"The utmost bounds of heathen lands;"To thee the northern isles shall bow."]7 But nations that resist his graceShall fall beneath his iron stroke;His rod shall crush his foes with easeAs potters' earthen work is broke.PAUSE.8 Now, ye that sit on earthly thrones, Be wise, and serve the Lord, the Lamb; at his feet submit your crowns, Rejoice and tremble at his name.9 With humble love address the Son,Lest he grow angry and ye die;His wrath will burn to worlds unknownIf ye provoke his jealousy.10 His storms shall drive you quick to hell:He is a God, and ye but dust:Happy the souls that know him well,And make his grace their only trust.Psalm 3:1. C. M. Doubts and fears supprest; or, God our defence from sin and Satan.1 My God, how many are my fears!How fast my foes increase!Conspiring my eternal death,They break my present peace.2 The lying tempter would persuadeThere's no relief in heaven;And all my swelling sins appearToo big to be forgiven.3 But thou, my glory and my strength,Shalt on the tempter tread,Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,And raise my drooping head.4 [I cry'd, and from his holy hillHe bow'd a listening ear,I call'd my Father, and my God,And he subdu'd my fear.5 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,In spite of all my foes;I woke, and wonder'd at the graceThat guarded my repose.]6 What though the hosts of death and hellAll arm'd against me stood,Terrors no more shall shake my soul,My refuge is my God.7 Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,While I thy glory sing:My God has broke the serpent's teeth,And death has lost his sting.8 Salvation to the Lord belongs,His arm alone can save;Blessings attend thy people here,And reach beyond the grave.Psalm 3:2. 1 2 3 4 5 8. L. M.A morning Psalm.1 O Lord, how many are my foes,In this weak state of flesh and blood!My peace they daily discompose,But my defence and hope is God.2 Tir'd with the burdens of the day,To thee I rais'd an evening cry;Thou heardst when I began to pray,And thine almighty help was nigh.3 Supported by thine heavenly aid,I laid me down and slept secure;Not death should make my heart afraid,Tho' I should wake and rise no more.4 But God sustain'd me all the night;Salvation doth to God belong;He rais'd my head to see the light,And make his praise my morning song.Psalm 4:1. 1 2 3 5 6 7. L. M. Hearing prayer; or, God our portion, and Christ our hope.1 O God of grace and righteousness,Hear and attend when I complain;Thou hast enlarg'd me in distress,Bow down a gracious ear again.2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye tryTo turn my glory into shame;How long will scoffers love to lie,And dare reproach my Saviour's name!3 Know that the Lord divides his saintsFrom all the tribes of men beside;He hears the cry of penitentsFor the dear sake of Christ that dy'd.4 When our obedient hands have doneA thousand works of righteousness,We put our trust in God alone,And glory in his pardoning grace.5 Let the unthinking many say,"Who will bestow some earthly good?"But, Lord, thy light and love we pray,Our souls desire this heavenly food.6 Then shall my cheerful powers rejoiceAt grace and favour so divine;Nor will I change my happy choiceFor all their corn and all their wine.Psalm 4:2. 3 4 5 8. C. M.An evening Psalm.1 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I prayI am for ever thine:I fear before thee all the day,Nor would I dare to sin.2 And while I rest my weary headFrom cares and business free,'Tis sweet conversing on my bedWith my own heart and thee.3 I pay this evening sacrifice;And when my work is done,Great God, my faith and hope reliesUpon thy grace alone.4 Thus with my thoughts compos'd to peaceI'll give mine eyes to sleep;Thy hand in safety keeps my days,And will my slumbers keep.Psalm 5.For the Lord's day morning.1 Lord, in the morning thou shalt hearMy voice ascending high;To thee will I direct my prayer,To thee lift up mine eye;2 Up to the hills where Christ is goneTo plead for all his saints,Presenting at his Father's throneOur songs and our complaints.3 Thou art a God before whose sightThe wicked shall not stand;Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,Nor dwell at thy right hand.4 But to thy house will I resort,To taste thy mercies there;I will frequent thine holy court,And worship in thy fear.5 O may thy Spirit guide my feetIn ways of righteousness!Make every path of duty straightAnd plain before my face.PAUSE.6 My watchful enemies combineTo tempt my feet astray;They flatter with a base designTo make my soul their prey.7 Lord, crush the serpent in the dust,And all his plots destroy;While those that in thy mercy trustFor ever shout for joy.8 The men that love and fear thy nameShall see their hopes fulfill'd;The mighty God will compass themWith favour as a shield.Psalm 6:1. C. M. Complaint in sickness; or, diseases healed.1 In anger, Lord, rebuke me not,Withdraw the dreadful storm;Nor let thy fury grow so hotAgainst a feeble worm.2 My soul's bow'd down with heavy cares,My flesh with pain oppress'd;My couch is witness to my tears,My tears forbid my rest.3 Sorrow and pain wear out my days;I waste the night with cries,Counting the minutes as they pass,Till the slow morning rise.4 Shall I be still tormented more?Mine eye consum'd with grief?How long, my God, how long beforeThine hand afford relief?5 He hears when dust and ashes speak,He pities all our groans,He saves us for his mercy's sakeAnd heals our broken bones.6 The virtue of his sovereign wordRestores our fainting breath;For silent graves praise not the Lord,Nor is he known in death.Psalm 6:2. L. M.Temptations in sickness overcome.1 Lord, I can suffer thy rebukes,When thou with kindness dost chastiseBut thy fierce wrath I cannot bear,O let it not against me rise!2 Pity my languishing estate,And ease the sorrows that I feel;The wounds thine heavy hand hath made,O let thy gentler touches heal.3 See how I pass my weary daysIn sighs and groans; and when 'tis nightMy bed is water'd with my tears;My grief consumes and dims my sight.4 Look how the powers of nature mourn!How long, almighty God, how long?When shall thine hour of grace return?When shall I make thy grace my song?5 I feel my flesh so near the grave,My thoughts are tempted to despair;But graves can never praise the Lord,For all is dust and silence there.6 Depart, ye tempters, from my soul,And all despairing thoughts depart;My God, who hears my humble moan,Will ease my flesh, and cheer my heart.Psalm 7. God's care of his people and punishment of persecutors.1 My trust is in my heavenly Friend,My hope in thee, my God;Rise and my helpless life defendFrom those that seek my blood.2 With insolence and fury theyMy soul in pieces tear,As hungry lions rend the preyWhen no deliverer's near.3 If I had e'er provok'd them first,Or once abus'd my foe,Then let him tread my life to dust,And lay mine honour low.4 If there be malice found in me,I know thy piercing eyes;I should not dare appeal to thee,Nor ask my God to rise.5 Arise, my God, lift up thy hand,Their pride and power control;Awake to judgment and commandDeliverance for my soul.PAUSE.6 [Let sinners and their wicked rageBe humbled to the dust;Shall not the God of truth engageTo vindicate the just?7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins,He will defend th' upright:His sharpest arrows he ordainsAgainst the sons of spite.8 For me their malice digg'd a pit,But there themselves are cast;My God makes all their mischief lightOn their own heads at last.]9 That cruel persecuting raceMust feel his dreadful sword;Awake, my soul, and praise the graceAnd justice of the Lord.Psalm 8:1. S. M. God's sovereignty and goodness; and man's dominion over the creatures.1 O Lord, our heavenly King,Thy name is all divine;Thy glories round the earth are spread,And o'er the heavens they shine.2 When to thy works on highI raise my wondering eyes,And see the moon complete in lightAdorn the darksome skies:3 When I survey the stars,And all their shining forms,Lord, what is man, that worthless thing,Akin to dust and worms?4 Lord, what is worthless man,That thou shouldst love him so?Next to thine angels he is plac'd,And lord of all below.5 Thine honours crown his head,While beasts like slaves obey,And birds that cut the air with wings,And fish that cleave the sea.6 How rich thy bounties are!And wondrous are thy ways:Of dust and worms thy power can frameA monument of praise.7 [Out of the mouths of babesAnd sucklings thou canst drawSurprising honours to thy name,And strike the world with awe.]8 O Lord, our heavenly King,Thy name is all divine:Thy glories round the earth are spread,And o'er the heavens they shine.Psalm 8:2. C. M. Christ's condescension and glorification; or, God made man.1 O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous greatIs thine exalted name!The glories of thy heavenly stateLet men and babes proclaim.2 When I behold thy works on high,The moon that rules the night,And stars that well adorn the sky,Those moving worlds of light;3 Lord, what is man, or all his race,Who dwells so far below,That thou shouldst visit him with grace,And love his nature so?4 That thine eternal Son should bearTo take a mortal form,Made lower than his angels are,To save a dying worm!5 [Yet while he liv'd on earth unknown,And men would not adore,Th' obedient seas and fishes ownHis Godhead and his power.6 The waves lay spread beneath his feet;And fish, at his command,Bring their large shoals to Peter's net,Bring tribute to his hand.7 These lesser glories of the SonShone thro' the fleshly cloud;Now we behold him on his throne,And men confess him God.]8 Let him be crown'd with majesty,Who bow'd his head to death;And be his honours sounded high,By all things that have breath.9 Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous greatIs thine exalted name!The glories of thy heavenly stateLet the whole earth proclaim.Psalm 8:3. 1 2. paraphrased.First Part. L. M.The Hosanna of the children;or, Infants praising God.1 Almighty Ruler of the skies,Thro' the wide earth thy name is spread,And thine eternal glories riseO'er all the heavens thy hands have made.2 To thee the voices of the youngA monument of honour raise;And babes, with uninstructed tongue,Declare the wonders of thy praise.3 Thy power assists their tender ageTo bring proud rebels to the ground,To still the bold blasphemer's rage,And all their policies confound.4 Children amidst thy temple throngTo see their great Redeemer's face;The Son of David is their song,And young hosannas fill the place.3 The frowning scribes and angry priestsIn vain their impious cavils bring;Revenge sits silent in their breasts,While Jewish babes proclaim their king.Psalm 8:4. 3 &c. paraphrased.Second Part. L. M.Adam and Christ, lords ofthe old and the new creation.1 Lord, what was man, when made at first,Adam the offspring of the dust,That thou shouldst set him and his raceBut just below an angel's place?2 That thou shouldst raise his nature soAnd make him lord of all below;Make every beast and bird submit,And lay the fishes at his feet?3 But O, what brighter glories waitTo crown the second Adam's state!What honours shall thy Son adornWho condescended to be born!4 See him below his angels made,See him in dust amongst the dead,To save a ruin'd world from sin;But he shall reign with power divine.5 The world to come, redeem'd from allThe miseries that attend the fall,New made, and glorious, shall submitAt our exalted Saviour's feet.Psalm 9:1. First Part.Wrath and mercy from the judgment-seat.1 With my whole heart I'll raise my song,Thy wonders I'll proclaim;Thou sov'reign judge of right and wrongWilt put my foes to shame.2 I'll sing thy majesty and grace;My God prepares his throneTo judge the world in righteousnessAnd make his vengeance known.3 Then shall the Lord a refuge proveFor all the poor opprest,To save the people of his love,And give the weary rest.4 The men, that know thy name will trustIn thy abundant grace;For thou hast ne'er forsook the just,Who humbly seek thy face.5 Sing praises to the righteous Lord,Who dwells on Zion's hill,Who executes his threatening word,And doth his grace fulfil.Psalm 9:2. 10. Second Part.The wisdom and equity of providence.1 When the great Judge, supreme and just,Shall once inquire for blood,The humble souls, that mourn in dust,Shall find a faithful God.2 He from the dreadful gates of deathDoes his own children raise:In Zion's gates, with cheerful breath,They sing their Father's praise.3 His foes shall fail with heedless feetInto the pit they made;And sinners perish in the netThat their own hands had spread.4 Thus by thy judgments, mighty God!Are thy deep counsels known;When men of mischief are destroy'd,The snare must be their own.PAUSE.5 The wicked shall sink down to hell;Thy wrath devour the landsThat dare forget thee, or rebelAgainst thy known commands.6 Tho' saints to sore distress are brought,And wait and long complain,Their cries shall not be still forgot,Nor shall their hopes be vain.7 [Rise, great Redeemer, from thy seat,To judge and save the poor;Let nations tremble at thy feet,And man prevail no more.8 Thy thunder shall affright the proud,And put their hearts to pain,Make them confess that thou art God,And they but feeble men.]Psalm 10. Prayer heard, and saints saved; or, Pride, atheism, and oppression punished.For a humiliation day.1 Why doth the Lord stand off so far,And why conceal his face,When great calamities appear,And times of deep distress?2 Lord, shall the wicked still derideThy justice and thy pow'r?Shall they advance their heads in pride,And still thy saints devour?3 They put thy judgments from their sight,And then insult the poor;They boast in their exalted heightThat they shall fall no more.4 Arise, O God, lift up thine hand,Attend our humble cry;No enemy shall dare to standWhen God ascends on high.PAUSE.5 Why do the men of malice rage,And say with foolish pride,"The God of heaven will ne'er engageTo fight on Zion's side?"6 But thou for ever art our Lord;And pow'rful is thine hand,As when the heathens felt thy sword,And perish'd from thy land.7 Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray,And cause thine ear to hear;He hearkens what his children say,And puts the world in fear.8 Proud tyrants shall no more oppress,No more despise the just;And mighty sinners shall confessThey are but earth and dust.Psalm 11.God loves the righteous and hates the wicked.1 My refuge is the God of love;Why do my foes insult and cry,"Fly like a timorous trembling dove,"To distant woods or mountains fly"?2 If government be all destroy'd(That firm foundation of our peace)And violence make justice void,Where shall the righteous seek redress?3 The Lord in heaven has fix'd his throne,His eye surveys the world below;To him all mortal things are known,His eyelids search our spirits thro'.4 If he afflicts his saints so farTo prove their love, and try their grace,What may the bold transgressors fear?His very soul abhors their ways.5 On impious wretches he shall rainTempests of brimstone, fire, and death,Such as he kindled on the plainOf Sodom with his angry breath.6 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls,Whose thoughts and actions are sincere;And with a gracious eye beholdsThe men that his own image bear.Psalm 12:1. L. M. The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins of the tongue complained of, viz, blasphemy, falsehood, &c.1 Lord, if thou dost not soon appear,Virtue and truth will fly away;A faithful man, amongst us here,Will scarce be found if thou delay.2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet,Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain;Their lips are flattery and deceit,And their proud language is profane.3 But lips, that with deceit abound,Shall not maintain their triumph long;The God of vengeance will confoundThe flattering and blaspheming tongue.4 "Yet shall our words be free," they cry,"Our tongue shall be controll'd by none:"Where is the Lord will ask us why?"Or say, our lips are not our own?"5 The Lord who sees the poor opprest,And hears th' oppressor's haughty strain,Will rise to give his children rest,Nor shall they trust his word in vain.6 Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd,Void of deceit shall still appearNot silver, seven times purify'dFrom dross and mixture, shines so clear.7 Thy grace shall in the darkest hourDefend the holy soul from harm;Tho' when the vilest men have powerOn every side will sinners swarm.Psalm 12:2. C. M.Complaint of a general corruption of manners; or,The promise and signs of Christ's coming to judgment.1 Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail,Religion loses ground,The sons of violence prevail,And treacheries abound.2 Their oaths and promises they break,Yet act the flatterer's part;With fair deceitful lips they speak,And with a double heart.3 If we reprove some hateful lie,How is their fury stirr'd!"Are not our lips our own" they cry,"And who shall be our lord?"4 Scoffers appear on every side,Where a vile race of menIs rais'd to seats of power and pride,And bears the sword in vain.PAUSE.5 Lord, when iniquities abound,And blasphemy grows bold,When faith is hardly to be found,And love is waxing cold,6 Is not thy chariot hastening on?Hast thou not given this sign?May we not trust and live uponA promise so divine?7 "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise,"And make oppressors flee;"I shall appear to their surprise,"And set my servants free."8 Thy word, like silver seven times try'd,Thro' ages shall endure;The men that in thy truth confide,Shall find thy promise sure.Psalm 13:1. L. M. Pleading with God under desertion; or, Hope, in darkness.1 How long, 0 Lord, shall I complainLike one that seeks his God in vain?Canst thou thy face for ever hide?And I still pray and be deny'd?2 Shall I for ever be forgotAs one whom thou regardest not?Still shall my soul thine absence mourn?And still despair of thy return?3 How long shall my poor troubled breastBe with these anxious thoughts opprest?And Satan, my malicious foe,Rejoice to see me sunk so low.4 Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief,Before my death conclude my grief;If thou withhold thy heavenly light,I sleep in everlasting night.5 How will the powers of darkness boast,If but one praying soul be lost!But I have trusted in thy grace,And shall again behold thy face.6 Whate'er my fears or foes suggest,Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest;My heart shall feel thy love, and raiseMy cheerful voice to songs of praise.Psalm 13:2. C. M.Complaint under temptations of the devil.1 How long wilt thou conceal thy face?My God, how long delay?When shall I feel those heavenly raysThat chase my fears away?2 How long shall my poor labouring soulWrestle and toil in vain?Thy word can all my foes control,And ease my raging pain.3 See how the prince of darkness triesAll his malicious arts,He spreads a mist around my eyes,And throws his fiery darts.4 Be thou my sun and thou my shield,My soul in safety keep;Make haste before mine eyes are seal'dIn death's eternal sleep.5 How would the tempter boast aloudIf I become his prey!Behold the sons of hell grow proudAt thy so long delay.6 But they shall fly at thy rebuke,And Satan hide his head;He knows the terrors of thy lookAnd hears thy voice with dread.7 Thou wilt display that sovereign grace,Where all my hopes have hung;I shall employ my lips in praise,And victory shall be sung.Psalm 14:1. First Part.By nature all men are sinners.1 Fools in their hearts believe and say,"That all religion's vain,"There is no God that reigns on high,"Or minds th' affairs of men."2 From thoughts so dreadful and profaneCorrupt discourse proceeds;And in their impious hands are foundAbominable deeds.3 The Lord, from his celestial throneLook'd down on things below,To find the man that sought his grace,Or did his justice know.4 By nature all are gone astray,Their practice all the same;There's none that fears his Maker's hand,There's none that loves his name.5 Their tongues are us'd to speak deceit,Their slanders never cease;How swift to mischief are their feet,Nor knew the paths of peace.6 Such seeds of sin (that bitter root)In every heart are found;Nor can they bear diviner fruit,Till grace refine the ground.Psalm 14:2. Second Part.The folly of persecutors.1 Are sinners now so senseless grownThat they thy saints devour?And never worship at thy throne,Nor fear thine awful power?2 Great God appear to their surprise,Reveal thy dreadful name;Let them no more thy wrath despise,Nor turn our hope to shame.3 Dost thou not dwell among the just?And yet our foes deride,That we should make thy name our trust;Great God, confound their pride.4 O that the joyful day were comeTo finish our distress!When God shall bring his children home,Our songs shall never cease.Psalm 15:1. C. M. Characters of a saint; or, a citizen of Zion; or, The qualifications of a Christian.1 Who shall inhabit in thy hill,O God of holiness?Whom will the Lord admit to dwellSo near his throne of grace?2 The man that walks in pious ways,And works with righteous hands;That trusts his Maker's promises,And follows his commands.3 He speaks the meaning of his heart,Nor slanders with his tongue;Will scarce believe an ill report,Nor do his neighbour wrong.4 The wealthy sinner he contemns,Loves all that fear the Lord:And tho' to his own hurt he swears,Still he performs his word.5 His hands disdain a golden bribe,And never gripe the poor;This man shall dwell with God on earth,And find his heaven secure.Psalm 15:2. L. M. Religion and justice, goodness and truth; or, Duties to God and man; or, The qualifications of a Christian.1 Who shall ascend thy heavenly place,Great God, and dwell before thy face?The man that minds religion now,And humbly walks with God below:2 Whose hands are pure, whose heart is clean,Whose lips still speak the thing they mean;No slanders dwell upon his tongue;He hates to do his neighbour wrong.3 [Scarce will he trust an ill report,Nor vents it to his neighbour's hurt:Sinners of state he can despise,But saints are honour'd in his eyes.]4 [Firm to his word he ever stood,And always makes his promise good;Nor dares to change the thing he swears,Whatever pain or loss he bears.]5 [He never deals in bribing gold,And mourns that justice should be sold:While others gripe and grind the poor,Sweet charity attends his door.]6 [He loves his enemies, and praysFor those that curse him to his face;And doth to all men still the sameThat he would hope or wish from them.]7 Yet when his holiest works are done,His soul depends on grace alone;This is the man thy face shall see,And dwell for ever Lord, with thee.Psalm 16:1. First Part. L. M. Confession of our poverty, and saints the best company; or, Good works profit men, not God.1 Preserve me, Lord, in time of needFor 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 confestHow 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 reapSome 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 mirthTo 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 riseWho haste to seek some idol god!I will not taste their sacrifice,Their offerings of forbidden blood.2 My God provides a richer cup,And nobler food to live upon;He for my life has offer'd upJesus, 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'dTo 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 God 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 God, thou wilt not leaveMy 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 God without merit.1 Save me, O Lord, from every foe;In thee my trust I place,Tho' all the good that I can doCan ne'er deserve thy grace.2 Yet if my God prolong my breathThe 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 worship wood or stone;But my delightful lot is castWhere the true God 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 God 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 approveTo his all-seeing eye;Not death, nor hell 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 wordOf 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 standOn heaven's eternal hills?There sits the Son at God'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 God,And make the wicked flee;They are but thy chastising rodTo 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 faceOf my forgiving God,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 proveMy 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 goHath 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 God!And flesh and sin no more controlThe sacred pleasures of the soul.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,