1 0 THOU, to whom, in ancient time,
The lyre of Hebrew bards was strung,
Whom kings adored in song sublime,
And prophets praised with glowing tongue!
2 Not now on Zion's height alone,
Thy favored worshipper may dwell,
Nor where, at sultry noon, thy Son
Sat, weary, by the patriarch's well.
3 From every place below the skies,
The grateful song, the fervent prayer,
The incense of the heart may rise
To heaven, and find acceptance there.
4 O Thou, to whom, in ancient time,
The lyre of prophet bards was strung,
To Thee, at last, in every clime,
Shall temples rise, and praise be sung.
Psalm before Prayer. Ps. 95.
1 SING to the Lord Jehovah's name,
And in his strength rejoice:
When his salvation is our theme,
Exalted be our voice.
2 With thanks approach his awful sight,
And psalms of honor sing;
The Lord's a God of boundless might,
The whole creation's king.
3 Come, and with humble souls adore;
Come, kneel before his face :
Oh, may the creatures of his power
Be children of his grace!
The Accepted Offering.
1 LORD, what offering shall we bring
At thine altars when we bow?
Hearts, the pure, unsullied spring,
Whence the kind affections flow;
Soft compassion's feeling soul,
By the melting eye expressed;
Sympathy, at whose control
Sorrow leaves the wounded breast;
2 Willing hands to lead the blind,
Bind the wounded, feed the poor;
Love, embracing all our kind;
Charity, with liberal store.
Teach us, O thou heavenly King!
Thus to show our grateful mind,
Thus the accepted offering bring,
Love to thee and all mankind.
Jesus preaching the Gospel.
1 How sweetly flowed the gospel's sound
From lips of gentleness and grace,
When listening thousands gathered round,
And joy and reverence filled the place!
2 From heaven he came, of heaven he spoke,
To heaven he led his followers' way:
Dark clouds of gloomy night he broke,
Unveiling an immortal day.
3 "Come, wanderers, to my Father's home;
Come, all ye weary ones, and rest:"
Yes, sacred Teacher! we will come,
Obey thee, love thee, and be blest.
Hidden Strength of the Christian.
1 REJOICE, believer, in the Lord,
Who makes your cause his own:
The hope that's built upon his Word
Can ne'er be overthrown.
2 Though many foes beset your road,
And feeble is your arm,
Your life is hid with Christ in God,
Beyond the reach of harm.
3 Weak as you are, you shall not faint,
Or, fainting, shall not die;
For God, the strength of every saint,
Will aid you from on high.
4 As surely as Christ overcame,
And triumphed once for you,
So surely you that love his name
Shall triumph in him too.
Watching unto Prayer.
1 A CHARGE to keep I have,
A God to glorify;
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky;
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