But while his grace my pardon seal'd, 2 My soul in Satan's chain was bound, 3 The world beheld the wondrous change, 4" Great is the work," my neighbors cried, And own'd the power divine; "Great is the work," my soul replied, For Jesus now is mine. 5 The Lord can clear the darkest skies, Make drops of sacred sorrow rise 6 The saints, who weeping sow the field, The harvest must a blessing yield, tho the seed neglected lies, The grain immortal never dies, For PSALM 127. L. M. The virtue of God's blessing. I EXCEPT the Lord the house sustain, The watchful guards as well may sleep. With care and sorrow eat our bread, To shun that poverty we dread. 3 'Tis all in vain, till God has blest, He can make rich, yet give us rest; If once his smiles attend our care, We shall have sleep and plenteous fare. 4 His early blessings on our seed, Can make our children blest indeed, The wasted springs of life recruit, And fill the world with living fruit. 5 As arrows shot by skillful hands, Pursue their flight as God commands, So children come to whom he sends, The course of life on God depends. 6 Happy the man to whom he 'imparts, A quiver fill'd with living darts;" He speaks to foes within the gate, And well supports a father's state. PSALM 127. C. M. God all in all. 1 IF God to build the house deny, 2 In vain we rise by dawning day Or sweat the life of man away, 3 In vain we part with present ease, The Lord can bless us if he please, 4 Lo, children are the heavenly fruit He can our wasted health recruit, 5 As arrows in an archer's hand, So children come at God's command, With swifter speed than they. 6 Thrice happy man whose rising name Shall with his sons revive, He long enjoys the vital flame, And sees his children thrive. PSALM 128. C. M. Family blessings. 1 HAPPY the man whose virtuous days 2 When war and famine waste the lands, 4 His consort, like a fruitful vine, As olive plants his sons shall shine, 5 He loves the Lord with all his mind, His eyes shall children's children see, Israel, his country blest and free, PSALM 129. C. M. Persecutors punished. 1 ISRAEL may say with conscious truth, 2 Up from my youth I bore the rage 3 The foe began his bold attack, With courage fierce and strong, 4 But God the Judge, the righteous Lord, 6 As corn that on the house-top grows, Nor fills the hand of him who mows, 7 So shall thy foes, O God, decay, PSALM 130. C. M. Pardoning grace. 1 OUT of the depths of troubled thought, 2 My soul in Jesus did rejoice, 3 Omniscient God, shouldst thou begin, 4 But there are pardons at thy throne That men may fear thy name alone, 5 As faithful guards for morning wait, 6 How slow and tedious was the night, 7 Then in the Lord let Israel trust, The Lord is good as well as just, 8 There's free redemption now for all, He, who redeem'd us from the fall, |