4 Tis with a mournful pleasure now, When thousands kept the public vow, 5 How blest was I when numbers went, In praise we gave our pleasures vent, 6 But why should grief my soul consume, 7 I'll hope in God, whose mighty hand, He can reform the guilty land, PSALM 42. Part 1. L. M. Longing after God 1 AS pants the hunted hart to find The cooling shade or wat'ry brink; So pants my weary longing mind The 'immortal streams of life to drink. 2 "Tis for the living God I thirst, When shall I see his glory near? When shall I find my Savior first, And in his blissful sight appear? 3 My tears have been my meat by day, I weep at night till life is faint, While foes triumphant round me say, Where is thy God, thou suffering saint? 4 On mournful scenes my thoughts revolve, And o'er my troubles thus I pore, *To illume, to enlighten. 1 "Now let my soul with grief dissolve, For I shall see my God no more. 5 Once with the multitude I went, To praise my God was sweet employ, The sacred day was gladly spent, With voice of mirth and songs of joy. 6 My soul is deep in sorrow cast, And grief my throbbing bosom fills, Gone down behind the western hills." PSALM 42. Part 2. L. M. Melancholy cured. Swell like a flood and round me spread, And roli tremendous o'er mine head. 3 My soul is fill'd with gloomy doubts, Loud as the waves my sorrows roll; Deep answers deep, thy water spouts Have overwhelm'd my sinking soul. 4 Eternal God, should I come short, * Or faint beneath thy chastening rod, And ask insulting, "where is God?" Deprest, cast down, dejected. To retort, to throw back a temptation after strong exercises of faith. 5 I'll say of God," behold my Rock, In vain the billows round me rave, Fearless I stand the dreadful shock And trust almighty power to save." 6 The Lord will sovreign grace display, For mercy sure is God's delight; He hears my mourning all the day, And gives me songs of joy by night. 7 Then why, my soul, this heavy gloom? What means this inward anxious strife? Revive as in thy youthful bloom, And hope in God, who gave thee life. 8 Let songs of praise my lips employ, Ye murmuring thoughts for ever cease, God is my most exceeding joy, My life, my comfort and my peace. PSALM 43. C. M. Safety in divine protection. 1 ETERNAL Judge, my cause maintain, 2 O God, my strength amid the way, 3 Send thy victorious light afar, Arise and shine bright morning star, 4 Let truth its steady course fulfill Direct my feet to yonder hill Where Christ and saints reside. 5 I would frequent thine altar, Lord, To praise thy name with sweet accord, 6 Then why, my soul, art thou deprest, PSALM 44. Part 1. C. M. National prosperity and degneracy. 1 OUR ears, O God, have heard of old, Thy sovreign works and ways, When to their sons the fathers told The wonders of their days. 2 Their eyes this happy land beheld, The heathen far from hence expel'd, 3 'Twas not our own victorious sword, 4 Our fathers saw the church arise, And glory beaming from the skies, 5 When overrun by savage foes, * To verge, to tend downward, to approach. † To emerge, to arise from obscurity, A feeble band invaders drave, And turn'd them back with shame. 7 In God we boasted all the day, Did thousands meet to praise and pray, PAUSE. 8 But now, alas! we change our theme, To shameful dungeons driven. 11 Tho dark and gloomy be the night, PSALM 44. Part 2. C. M. Persecution complained of. 1 LORD, we thy gracious aid implore, The dragon's voice is heard once more 2 Should saints their hands to idols raise, And thus from God depart, *Plaintive, complaining. |