4 The 'oppressor glories in his strength, But, O, his time must come at length,

For God himself has fixt the hour! In vain he trusts his flying steed, For when his turn has come to bleed, The fowls of heaven his flesh devour. 5 Amid the din of clashing swords, The Lord our best defence affords, The saints before him safely stand; His watchful eyes preserve the just, Who make his name their fear and trust,

When war and famine waste the land. 6 The Lord our helper, God our shield, Will lead our armies to the field,

And aid our cause in every strait;
Our hopes, O God, are plac'd in thee,
For thou hast set the nation free,
Our souls for thy salvation wait!

PSALM 34. Part 1. L. M.

The exiled patriot.

1 FAR from my native land exil'd,
My soul in God, my Savior, boasts;
He, like a father, owns his child,

When tyrants drive me from their coasts. 2 From friends, but not from Jesus, driven, I yet behold his smiling face; 'Tis heaven to know my sins forgiven, And in a desart taste his grace.

3 Ye fellow exiles, join with me,

Come, let us all exalt his name;
I sought the 'eternal God, and he
Has not expos'd my soul to shame.

4 I told him all my secret grief,

Mine inward groanings reach'd his ears;

He gave my raging pains relief,

And calm'd the tumult of my fears. 5 To God the poor lift up their eyes,

With heavenly joy their faces shine,
A beam of mercy from the skies,

Fills them with light and love divine. 6 His holy angels pitch their tents,

Around the men, who serve the Lord;
What ills their heavenly care prevents,
Nor tongue can tell, nor pen record.
7 The hungry lion roars for pain,

To him no food an angel brings;
But none shall seek the Lord in vain,
Nor want supplies of needful things.

PSALM 34. Part 2. L. M.

Children admonished.

1 CHILDREN, in years and knowledge young, Your parent's hope, your parent's joy, Attend the counsels of my tongue,

Let pious thoughts your minds employ 2 If you desire a length of days,

Or wish to 'enjoy contented life, Restrain your feet from impious ways

And shun the devious* paths of strife. 3 Watch o'er the tongue, inspect the heart, Be honest, faithful, just and true; Do good, from every sin depart, Seek peace, and only peace pursue. 4 Jesus, your Savior, when a child,

Did well improve his heavenly mind, His words were soft, his temper mild, And all his actions just and kind.

* Devious, wandering, out of the right way.

1

5 From such a blest example learn,

What thoughts become the human breast; Like Jesus, let your bowels yearn Whene'er you see the poor opprest. 6 Then shall your tender bosoms know, What pleasures spring from filial love; 'Tis heaven, begun on earth below, Made perfect in the worlds above.

PSALM 34. Part 1. C. M.

The saints happy in banishment.
EXIL'D and banish'd far away,
I found my Savior near;
My lips had scarce begun to pray,
When God began to hear.

2 My soul his name for ever bless,

And make his strength thy boast;
For when my foes did most oppress,
He show'd me favor most.

3 Ye humble souls, come join with me,
Exult* in grateful verse,

I sought the 'eternal God, and he
Did all my fears disperse.

4 Sing to the honor of his name,
How a poor sufferer cri'd,

Nor was his hope expos'd to shame,
Nor was his suit deni'd.

5 He saw his servant prest with grief,
But while the saint was sad,

He came in haste to my relief,
And bid my soul be glad.

6 My Savior is a friend indeed,
Let saints in anguish know,

*To exult, to triumph.

Jehovah will supply their need,
And be their God below.

PSALM 34. Part 2. C. M.
Sinners invited.

1 IN welcome, sinners, come and taste
The sweets of heavenly love;
Haste, to the friend of sinners haste,
While Jesus pleads above.

2 Come, enter each a willing guest,
(For God invites us all)
The sinner is divinely blest,
Who hears the gospel call.

3 Expos'd to death and every snare,
Your hope in Jesus place,
O, try his mercy, trust his care,
And venture on his grace.

4 He bids his angels pitch their tents
'Round where his children dwell;
What ills their heavenly care prevents,
No mortal tongue can tell.

5 O, love the Lord, ye saints of his; His eye regards the just!

How richly blest their portion is, Who make the Lord their trust. 6 The hungry lion vents his cries, And roams o'er all the wood; But God his holy poor supplies, With every needful good.

PSALM 34. Part 3. C. M.

The duty of Children.

1 COME, children, your instructor hear,

Attend with one accord;

God, your Creator, love and fear,

Remember Christ your Lord.

2 In virtue's heavenly cause engage,
From sinful ways depart;
Religion best adorns your age,
The best improves the heart.

3 The 'omniscient* God regards the just,
He hears his servants cry;

And while his children dwell in dust,
He trains them for the sky.

4 What if afflictions press them down,
And saints complain awhile,
'Tis but a father's gentle frown,
Before the 'eternal smile.

5 Let evil smite the sons of pride,
But God secures his own,
Prevents the mischief when they slide,
Or heals the broken bone.

6 When desolation, like a flood,
Comes rolling o'er the proud,
The saints redeem'd by Jesus' blood,
Shall sing his praise aloud.

PSALM 35. Part 1. C. M.

Persecutors imprecated.

1 PLEAD thou my cause, O Lord of light, My righteous soul defend;

Against the men, who 'against me fight,
O God of power, contend.

2 Draw out thy spear and stop their way,
Lift thine avenging rod;

But to my soul in mercy say,
"Behold thy Savior God."

3 Against my life oppressors rise,
How is their wrath inflam'd;

* Omniscient, infinitely wise.