23.

SEVENTH VERSION.

11 s. A.

1 THE Lord is my shepherd, no want shall I know, I feed in green pastures, safe-folded I rest; He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow, Restores me when wandering, redeems when oppressed.

2 Through the valley and shadow of death, though I stray,

Since thou art my guardian, no evil I fear; Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay; No harm can befall, with my comforter near. 3 In the midst of affliction my table is spread;

With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o'er; With perfume and oil thou anointest my head; Oh! what shall I ask of thy providence more? 4 Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God! Still follow my steps till I meet thee above; 1 seek-by the path which my forefathers trod, Through the land of their sojourn-thy kingdom of love.

1 THE earth forever is the Lord's,
With Adam's numerous race;
He raised its arches o'er the floods,
And built it on the seas.

2 But who among the sons of men
May visit thine abode ?

He that hath hands from mischief clean,
Whose heart is right with God.

3 This is the man may rise and take
The blessings of his grace:
This is the lot of those that seek
The God of Jacob's face.

4 Now let our souls' immortal powers,
To meet the Lord prepare;

Lift up their everlasting doors,-
The king of glory's near.

C. M.

24.

5 The King of glory! who can tell
The wonders of his might?
He rules the nations; but to dwell
With saints is his delight.

SECOND VERSION. V. 1-6.
Saints dwelling in heaven.

1 THIS spacious earth is all the Lord's,
And men and worms, and beasts and birds:
He raised the building on the seas,

And gave it for their dwelling-place.

2 But there's a brighter world on high,
Thy palace, Lord, above the sky;
Who shall ascend that blest abode,
And dwell so near his Maker, God?

3 He that abhors and fears to sin,

L. M

Whose heart is pure, whose hands are clean;
Him shall the Lord, the Saviour, bless,
And clothe his soul with righteousness.

4 These are the men, the pious race,
That seek the God of Jacob's face:
These shall enjoy the blissful sight,
And dwell in everlasting light.

24.

THIRD VERSION. V. 7—10.

Christ's ascension.

1 REJOICE, ye shining worlds on high,
Behold the King of glory nigh!
Who can this King of glory be?
The mighty Lord, the Saviour's he.

2 Ye heavenly gates, your leaves display,
To make the Lord, the Saviour, way:
Laden with spoils from earth and hell,
The conqueror comes with God to dwell.
3 Raised from the dead, he goes before,
He opens heaven's eternal door,
To give his saints a blest abode
Near their Redeemer and their God.

L.M.

24.
1 OUR Lord is risen from the dead,

FOURTH VERSION. V. 7-10.

Our Jesus is gone up on high;
The powers of hell are captive led,
Dragged to the portals of the sky.
2 There his triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:-
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates!
Ye everlasting doors, give way!
3 Loose all your bars of massy light,

And wide unfold th' ethereal scene;
He claims these mansions as his right;
Receive the King of glory in.

4 'Who is the King of glory, who?'

The Lord that all his foes o'ercame;
That sin, and death, and hell o'erthrew ;
And Jesus is the conqueror's name.

5 Lo! his triumphal chariot waits,

And angels chant the solemn lay:-
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates!
Ye everlasting doors, give way!

6 Who is the King of glory, who?"

25.

The Lord of boundless power possessed;
The King of saints and angels too;
God over all, forever blessed.

FIRST VERSION. V. 1-11.

Waiting for pardon and direction.

1 I LIFT my soul to God,
My trust is in his name;

Let not my foes that seek my bloed
Still triumph in my shame.

2 Sin, and the powers of hell,
Persuade me to despair:

Lord, make me know thy covenant well.
That I may shun the snare.

3 From the first dawning light,
Till the dark evening rise,
For thy salvation, Lord, I wait
With ever longing eyes.

L. M.

S M

25.

25.

4 Remember all thy grace,
And lead me in thy truth;
Forgive the sins of riper days,
And follies of my youth.

5 The Lord is just and kind;
The meek shall learn his ways
And every humble sinner find
The blessings of his grace.
6 For his own goodness' sake

He saves my soul from shame;
He pardons, though my guilt be great,
Through my Redeemer's name.

SECOND VERSION. V. 1, 2, 6—8.

Waiting for pardon and direction.
1 TO God, in whom I trust,
I lift my heart and voice;
O let me not be put to shame,
Nor let my foes rejoice.
2 Thy mercies, and thy love,
O Lord, recall to mind;
And graciously continue still,
As thou wast ever, kind.
3 Let all my youthful crimes
Be blotted out by thee;
And, for thy wondrous goodness' sake
In mercy think on me.

4 His mercy, and his truth,

The righteous Lord displays,

In bringing wandering sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.

THIRD VERSION. V. 12, 14, 10, 13.

Divine instruction.

1 WHERE shall the man be found,
That fears to offend his God,
That loves the gospel's joyful sound,
And trembles at the rod ?

2 The Lord shall make him know

The secrets of his heart,

The wonders of his covenant show,
And all his love impart.

S. M

S. M.

25.

26.

3 The dealings of his hand,
Are truth and mercy still,

With such as to his covenant stand,
And love to do his will.

4 Their souls shall dwell at ease
Before their Maker's face;

Their seed shall taste the promises
In their extensive grace.

FOURTH VERSION. V. 15, 16, 18, 20-22.

Backsliding and desertion.

1 MINE eyes and my desire
Are ever to the Lord;

I love to plead his promises,
And rest upon his word.

2 Turn, turn thee to my soul;
Bring thy salvation near;
When will thy hand release my feet
Out of the deadly snare ?

3 When shall the sovereign grace
Of my forgiving God,
Restore me from those dangerous ways
My wandering feet have trod?

4 With every morning light,
My grief anew begins;
Look on my anguish and my pain,
And pardon all my sins.

5 O keep my soul from death,
Nor put my hope to shame;
For I have placed my only trust
In my Redeemer's name.
6 With humble faith I wait
To see thy face again :

Of Israel it shall ne'er be said,
He sought the Lord in vain.

V. 1-10.
Conscious integrity.

1 JUDGE me, O Lord, and prove my ways,

And try my reins, and try my heart;

My faith upon thy promise stays,
Nor from thy law my feet depart.

S. M.

L. M