THE PSALMS OF DAVID. 1 the man who shuns the place Where sinners love to meet; 2 But in the statutes of the Lord Has placed his chief delight; 3 [He, like a plant of generous kind, 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. 13 He, like a plant by gentle streams, And heaven will shine with kindest beams 4 But sinners find their counsels crost; So shall their hopes be blown and lost. 5 In vain the rebel seeks to stand 6 Straight is the way my saints have trod; I blest the path, and drew it plain; 1 But you would choose the crooked road, And down it leads to endless pain." PSALM 2. S. M. Translated according to the divine pattern, Acts iv. 24, &c. Christ dying, rising, interceding, and reigning. MAKER and sovereign Lord Of heaven, and earth, and seas, Thy providence confirms thy word, And answers thy decrees. His study and delight, Amidst the labours of the day And watches of the night. 7 His works are heavenly fruit. He asks, and God bestows A large inheritance; The merit of his blood he pleads, And pleads his heavenly birth. Far as the world's remotest ends They no such blessings find: His kingdom shall advance. Their hopes shall flee, like empty chaff Before the driving wind. 5 How will they bear to stand He'll vindicate those honours well Before that judgment seat, Which he received from God. Where all the saints at Christ's right hand In full assembly meet? And worship at his throne: 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 the 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: 1 Those are secure, and those alone, Who on his grace rely. PSALM 2. L. M. Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension. WHY did the Jews proclaim their rage? 15 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes, In spite of all my foes; I woke, and wondered at the grace 6 What though the hosts of death and hell 7 Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace, My God has broke the serpent's teeth, 8 Salvation to the Lord belongs, PSALM 3. 1-5, 8. L. M. A Morning Psalm. The Romans why their swords employ? In this weak state of flesh and blood! Against the Lord their powers engage His 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, 3 But God, who high in glory reigns, My hand shall bring him from the dead, And he shall stand your Sovereign still." 5 [His wondrous rising from the earth Makes his eternal Godhead known; The Lord declares his heavenly birth, This day have I begot my Son. 1 10 His storms shall drive you quick to hell; Doubts and fears supprest; or, God our defence from sin and Satan. M'How fast my foes increase! Y God, how many are my fears! Conspiring my eternal death, They break my present peace. 2 The lying tempter would persuade 3 But thou, my glory and my strength, Shalt silence all my threatening guilt, 4 [I cried, and from his holy hill My peace they daily discompose, 2 Tired with the burdens of the day, 1 He raised my head to see the light, PSALM 4. 1-3, 5-7. L. M. GOD of grace and righteousness, 2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye try 3 Know that the Lord divides his saints For the dear sake of Christ that died. 4 When our obedient hands have done Who will bestow some earthly good?" 6 Then shall my cheerful powers rejoice 4 Thus with my thoughts composed to peace, 3 See how I pass my weary days 1 I'll give mine eyes to sleep; Thy hand in safety keeps my days, And will my slumbers keep. PSALM 5. C. M. For the Lord's-day morning. To thee will I direct my prayer, 2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone Our songs and our complaints. 3 Thou art a God, before whose sight 4 But to thy house will I resort, 5 O may thy Spirit guide my feet PAUSE. 6 My watchful enemies combine 7 Lord, crush the serpent in the dust, While those that in thy mercy trust 8 The men that love and fear thy name, 1 PSALM 6. C. M. Complaint in sickness; or, Diseases healed. N anger, Lord, rebuke me not; dreadful storm; Nor let thy fury grow so hot Against a feeble worm. 2 My soul's bowed down with heavy cares, My flesh with pain opprest; My couch is witness to my tears, 3 Sorrow and pain wear out my days, 4 Shall I be still tormented more? 5 He hears when dust and ashes speak, He saves us for his mercy's sake, 6 The virtue of his sovereign word For silent graves praise not the Lord, PSALM 6. L. M. Temptations in sickness overcome. LORD, I can suffer thy rebukes, When thou with kindness dost chastise; But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear, O let it not against me rise! In sighs and groans; and when 'tis night My bed is watered 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; 6 Depart, ye tempters, from my soul; 1 PSALM 7. C. M. God's care of his people, and punishment of persecutors. MY trust is in my heavenly Friend; My hope in thee, my God: As hungry lions rend the prey, 3 If I had e'er provoked them first, 4 If there be malice found in me, 5 Arise, my God, lift up thy hand, PAUSE. 6 [Let sinners and their wicked rage 7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins, He will defend the upright; His sharpest arrows he ordains 8 For me their malice digged a pit, 9 That cruel persecuting race And sucklings thou canst draw Thy glories round the earth are spread, Christ's condescension and glorification; or, 1 LORD, our Lord, how wondrous great The glories of thy heavenly state 2 When I behold thy works on high, 3 Lord, what is man or all his race, That thou shouldst visit him with grace, 4 That thine eternal Son should bear Made lower than his angels are, 5 [Yet while he lived on earth unknown, The obedient seas and fishes own' 6 The waves lay spread beneath his feet; Bring their large shoals to Peter's net, 7 These lesser glories of the Son Shone through the fleshly cloud; 8 Let him be crowned with majesty, 9 Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great The glories of thy heavenly state PSALM 8. 1, 2, paraphrased. The Hosanna of the Children; or, Infants praising God. ALMIGHTY, Ruler of the skies, Thro' the wide earth thy name is spread, And thine eternal glories rise O'er all the heavens thy hands have made. 2 To thee the voices of the young A monument of honour raise; And babes, with uninstructed tongue, Declare the wonders of thy praise. 3 Thy power assists their tender age To bring proud rebels to the ground, To still the bold blasphemer's rage, And all their policies confound. 4 Children amidst thy temple throng To see their great Redeemer's face; The Son of David is their song, And young Hosannas fill the place. 5 The frowning scribes and angry priests In vain their impious cavils bring; Revenge sits silent in their breasts, While Jewish babes proclaim their King. PSALM 8. 3, &c. paraphrased. Adam and Christ, lords of the old and the new creation. LORD, what was man when made at first, That thou shouldst set him and his race 2 That thou shouldst raise his nature so, 3 But O, what brighter glories wait 4. See him below his angels made! PSALM 9. PART I. C. M. Wrath and mercy from the judgment-seat. WITH my whole heart I'll raise my song, Thy wonders I'll proclaim; Thou, sovereign Judge of right and wrong, 2 I'll sing thy majesty and grace; 3 Then shall the Lord a refuge prove To save the people of his love, 4 The men that know thy name, will trust For thou hast ne'er forsook the just, 5 Sing praises to the righteous Lord, 1 PSALM 9. 12. PART II. C. M. WHEN the great Judge, supreme and just, Shall once inquire for blood, The humble souls that mourn in dust, 2 He from the dreadful gates of death In Zion's gates, with cheerful breath, 3 His foes shall fall, with heedless feet, They sing their Father's praise. Into the pit they made; 4 And sinners perish in the net That their own hands had spread. 5 The wicked shall sink down to hell; 6 Though saints to sore distress are brought, 7Rise, great Redeemer, from thy seat, 8 Thy thunder shall affright the proud, PSALM 10. C. M. Prayer heard and saints saved; or, Pride, atheism, and oppression punished. For a humiliation day. 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 deride Shall they advance their heads in pride, 3 They put thy judgments from their sight, 4 Arise, O God, lift up thine hand, No enemy shall dare to stand 1 8 Proud tyrants shall no more oppress, PSALM 11. L. M. God loves the righteous, and hates the wicked. MY refuge is the God of love; Why do my foes insult and cry, Fly like a timorous trembling dove, 2 If government be all destroyed, 3 The Lord in heaven has fixed his throne, To prove their love, and try their grace, 5 On impious wretches he shall rain 6 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls, 1 The men that his own image bear. PSALM 12. L. M. The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins of the tongue complained of. viz. blasphemy, falsehood, &c. ORD, if thou dost not soon appear, A faithful man, amongst us here, Will scarce be found, if thou delay. 3 But lips that with deceit abound, 4 Or say, our lips are not our own?" 5 The Lord, who sees the poor opprest, And hears the oppressor's haughty strain, Will rise to give his children rest, Nor shall they trust his word in vain. 6 Thy word, O Lord, though often tried, Void of deceit shall still appear; Not silver, seven times purified From dross and mixture, shine so clear. 7 Thy grace shall in the darkest hour Defend the holy soul from harm; Though when the vilest men have power, On every side will sinners swarm. HOW long, O Lord, shall I complain, Like one that seeks his God in vain ? Canst thou thy face for ever hide, And I still pray and be denied? 2 Shall I for ever be forgot, As one whom thou regardest not? 3 How long shall my poor troubled breast 2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet, 4 Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief, Is filled with trifles loose and vain: Their lips are flattery and deceit, And their proud language is profane. Before my death conclude my grief: If thou withhold thy heavenly light, I sleep in everlasting night. |