Part 6

1 Far as thy name is known The world declares thy praise; Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne Their songs of honour raise.

2 With joy let Judah stand On Sion's chosen hill, Proclaim the wonders of thy hand, And counsels of thy will.

3 Let strangers walk around The city where we dwell, Compass and view thine holy ground, And mark the building well.

4 The orders of thy house, The worship of thy court, The cheerful songs, the solemn vows; And make a fair report.

5 How decent and how wise! How glorious to behold! Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes, And rites adorn'd with gold.

6 The God we worship now Will guide us till we die, Will be our God while here below, And ours above the sky.

Psalm 49:1. 8-14. First Part. C. M. Pride and death; or, The vanity of life and riches.

1 Why doth the man of riches grow To insolence and pride, To see his wealth and honours flow With every rising tide?

2 [Why doth he treat the poor with scorn, Made of the self-same clay, And boast as tho' his flesh was born Of better dust than they?]

3 Not all his treasures can procure His soul a short reprieve, Redeem from death one guilty hour, Or make his brother live.

4 [Life is a blessing can't be sold, The ransom is too high; Justice will ne'er be brib'd with gold That man may never die.]

5 He sees the brutish and the wise, The timorous and the brave, Quit their possessions, close their eyes, And hasten to the grave.

6 Yet 'tis his inward thought and pride,-- "My house shall ever stand; "And that my name may long abide, "I'll give it to my land."

7 Vain are his thoughts, his hopes are lost, How soon his memory dies! His name is written in the dust Where his own carcase lies.

PAUSE.

8 This is the folly of their way; And yet their sons, as vain, Approve the words their fathers say, And act their works again.

9 Men void of wisdom and of grace, If honour raise them high. Live like the beast, a thoughtless race, And like the beast they die.

10 Laid in the grave like silly sheep, Death feeds upon them there, Till the last trumpet break their sleep In terror and despair.

Psalm 49:2. 14 15. Second Part. C. M. Death and the resurrection.

1 Ye sons of pride, that hate the just, And trample on the poor, When death has brought you down to dust, Your pomp shall rise no more,

2 The last great day shall change the scene; When will that hour appear? When shall the just revive, and reign O'er all that scorn'd them here?

3 God will my naked soul receive, When sep'rate from the flesh; And break the prison of the grave To raise my bones afresh.

4 Heaven is my everlasting home, Th' inheritance is sure; Let men of pride their rage resume, But I'll repine no more.

Psalm 49:3. L. M. The rich sinner's death, and the saint's resurrection.

1 Why do the proud insult the poor, And boast the large estates they have? How vain are riches to secure Their haughty owners from the grave!

2 They can't redeem one hour from death, With all the wealth in which they trust; Nor give a dying brother breath, When God commands him down to dust.

3 There the dark earth and dismal shade Shall clasp their naked bodies round; That flesh, so delicately fed, Lies cold, and moulders in the ground.

4 Like thoughtless sheep the sinner dies, Laid in the grave for worms to eat; The saints shall in the morning rise, And find th' oppressor at their feet.

5 His honours perish in the dust, And pomp and beauty, birth and blood: That glorious day exalts the just To full dominion o'er the proud.

6 My Saviour shall my life restore, And raise me from my dark abode; My flesh and soul shall part no more, But dwell for ever near my God.

Psalm 50:1. 1-6. First Part. C. M. The last judgment; or, The saints rewarded.

1 The Lord, the Judge, before his throne, Bids the whole earth draw nigh, The nations near the rising sun, And near the western sky.

2 No more shall bold blasphemers say, "Judgment will ne'er begin," No more abuse his long delay To impudence and sin.

3 Thron'd on a cloud our God shall come, Bright flames prepare his way, Thunder and darkness, fire and storm, Lead on the dreadful day.

4 Heaven from above his call shall hear, Attending angels come, And earth and hell shall know and fear His justice and their doom.

5 "But gather all my saints," he cries, "That made their peace with God, "By the Redeemer's sacrifice, "And seal'd it with his blood.

6 "Their faith and works brought forth to light "Shall make the world confess "My sentence of reward is right, "And heaven adore my grace."

Psalm 50:2. 8 10 11 14 15 23. Second Part. C. M. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

1 Thus saith the Lord, "the spacious fields "And flocks and herds are mine "O'er all the cattle of the hills "I claim a right divine.

2 "I ask no sheep for sacrifice, "Nor bullocks burnt with fire; "To hope and love, to pray and praise, "Is all that I require.

3 "Call upon me when trouble's near, "My hand shall set thee free; "Then shall thy thankful lips declare "The honour due to me.

4 "The man that offers humble praise, "He glorifies me best; "And those that tread my holy ways "Shall my salvation taste."

Psalm 50:3. 1 5 8 16 21 22. 3d Part. C. M. The judgement of hypocrites.

1 When Christ to judgment shall descend And saints surround their Lord, He calls the nations to attend, And hear his awful word.

2 "Not for the want of bullocks slain "Will I the world reprove; "Altars and rites and forms are vain, "Without the fire of love.

3 "And what have hypocrites to do "To bring their sacrifice? "They call my statutes just and true, "But deal in theft and lies.

4 "Could you expect to 'scape my sight, "And sin without control? "But I shall bring your crimes to light, "With anguish in your soul."

5 Consider, ye that slight the Lord, Before his wrath appear; If once you fall beneath his sword, There's no deliverer there.

Psalm 50:4. L. M. Hypocrisy exposed.

1 The Lord, the Judge, his churches warns, Let hypocrites attend and fear, Who place their hope in rites and forms, But make not faith nor love their care.

2 Vile wretches dare rehearse his name With lips of falsehood and deceit; A friend or brother they defame, And soothe and flatter those they hate.

3 They watch to do their neighbours wrong; Yet dare to seek their Maker's face; They take his covenant on their tongue, But break his laws, abuse his grace.

4 To heaven they lift their hands unclean, Defil'd with lust, defil'd with blood; By night they practise every sin, By day their mouths draw near to God.

5 And while his judgments long delay, They grow secure and sin the more; They think he sleeps as well as they, And put far off the dreadful hour.

6 O dreadful hour! when God draws near, And sets their crimes before their eyes! His wrath their guilty souls shall tear, And no deliverer dare to rise.

Psalm 50:5. To a new Tune. The last judgment.

1 The Lord the Sovereign sends his summons forth, Calls the south nations, and awakes the north; From east to west the sounding orders spread Thro' distant worlds and regions of the dead: No more shall atheists mock his long delay; His vengeance sleeps no more: behold the day!

2 Behold the Judge descends; his guards are nigh; Tempest and fire attend him down the sky: Heaven, earth and hell draw near; let all things come To hear his justice and the sinners doom: But gather first my saints (the Judge commands) Bring them, ye angels, from their distant lands.

3 Behold! my covenant stands for ever good, Seal'd by the eternal sacrifice in blood, And sign'd with all their names; the Greek, the Jew, That paid the ancient worship or the new. There's no distinction here: come spread their thrones, And near me seat my favorites and my sons.

4 I their almighty Saviour and their God, I am their Judge: ye heavens, proclaim abroad My just eternal sentence, and declare Those awful truths that sinners dread to hear: Sinners in Zion, tremble and retire; I doom the painted hypocrite to fire.

5 Not for the want of goats or bullocks slain Do I condemn thee; bulls and goats are vain Without the flames of love: in vain the store Of brutal offerings that were mine before; Mine are the tamer beasts and savage breed, Flocks, herds, and fields, and forests where they feed.

6 If I were hungry would I ask thee food? When did I thirst, or drink thy bullocks blood? Can I be flatter'd with thy cringing bows, Thy solemn chatterings and fantastic vows? Are my eyes charm'd thy vestments to behold, Glaring in gems, and gay in woven gold?

7 Unthinking wretch! how couldst thou hope to please A God, a spirit, with such toys as these? While with my grace and statutes on thy tongue, Thou lov'st deceit, and dost thy brother wrong; In vain to pious forms thy zeal pretends, Thieves and adulterers are thy chosen friends.

8 Silent I waited with lone-suffering love, But didst thou hope that I should ne'er reprove? And cherish such an impious thought within, That God the righteous would indulge thy sin? Behold my terrors now: my thunders roll, And thy own crimes affright thy guilty soul.

9 Sinners, awake betimes; ye fools, be wise; Awake, before this dreadful morning rise; Change your vain thoughts, your crooked works amend, Fly to the Saviour, make the Judge your friend; Lest like a lion his last vengeance tear Your trembling souls, and no deliverer near.

Psalm 50:6. To the old proper Tune. The last judgment.

1 The God of glory sends his summons forth, Calls the south nations, and awakes the north; From east to west the sov'reign orders spread, Thro' distant worlds, and regions of the dead: The trumpet sounds; hell trembles; heaven rejoices; Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.

2 No more shall atheists mock his long delay; His vengeance sleeps no more; behold the day; Behold the Judge descends; his guards are nigh; Tempests and fire attend him down the sky. When God appears, all nature shall adore him; While sinners tremble, saints rejoice before him,

3 "Heaven, earth, and hell, draw near; let all things come "To hear my justice and the sinner's doom; "But gather first my saints," the Judge commands, "Bring them, ye angels from their distant lands:" When Christ returns, wake every cheerful passion, And shout, ye saints; he comes for your salvation.

4 "Behold my covenant stands for ever good, "Seal'd by th' eternal sacrifice in blood, "And sign'd with all their names, the Greek, the Jew, "That paid the ancient worship or the new." There's no distinction here: join all your voices, And raise your heads, ye saints, for heaven rejoices.

5 "Here (saith the Lord) ye angels, spread their thrones: "And near me seat my favorites and my sons: "Come, my redeem'd, possess the joys prepar'd "Ere time began! 'tis your divine reward:" When Christ returns, wake every cheerful passion, And shout, ye saints; he comes for your salvation.

PAUSE THE FIRST.

6 "I am the Saviour, I th' almighty God, "I am the Judge: ye heavens, proclaim abroad "My just eternal sentence, and declare "Those awful truths that sinners dread to hear," When God appears all nature shall adore him; While sinners tremble, saints rejoice before him.

7 "Stand forth, thou bold blasphemer and profane, "Now feel my wrath, nor call my threatenings vain, "Thou hypocrite, once drest in saint's attire, "I doom the painted hypocrite to fire." Judgment proceeds; hell trembles; heaven rejoices; Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.

8 "Not for the want of goats or bullocks slain "Do I condemn thee; bulls and goats are vain "Without the flames of love; in vain the store "Of brutal offerings that were mine before:" Earth is the Lord's; all nature shall adore him; While sinners tremble, saints rejoice before him.

9 "If I were hungry, would I ask thee food? "When did I thirst, or drink thy bullocks blood? "Mine are the tamer beasts and savage breed, "Flocks, herds, and fields, and forests where they feed:" All is the Lord's; he rules the wide creation: Gives sinners vengeance, and the saints salvation.

10 "Can I be flatter'd with thy cringing bows, "Thy solemn chatterings and fantastic vows? "Are my eyes charm'd thy vestments to behold, "Glaring in gems, and gay in woven gold?" God is the judge of hearts; no fair disguises Can screen the guilty when his vengeance rises.

PAUSE THE SECOND.

11 "Unthinking wretch! how couldst thou hope to please "A God, a spirit with such toys as these! "While with my grace and statutes on thy tongue, "Thou lov'st deceit, and dost thy brother wrong!" Judgment proceeds; hell trembles; heaven rejoices: Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.

12 "In vain to pious forms thy zeal pretends, "Thieves and adulterers are thy chosen friends; "While the false flatterer at my altar waits, "His harden'd soul divine instruction hates." God is the judge of hearts; no fair disguises Can screen the guilty when his vengeance rises.

13 "Silent I waited with long suffering love; "But didst thou hope that I should ne'er reprove? "And cherish such an impious thought within, "That the All-Holy would indulge thy sin?" See, God appears; all nature joins t' adore him; Judgment proceeds, and sinners fall before him.

14 "Behold my terrors now; my thunders roll, "And thy own crimes affright thy guilty soul; "Now like a lion shall my vengeance tear "Thy bleeding heart, and no deliverer near:" Judgment concludes; hell trembles; heaven rejoices; Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices..

EPIPHONEMA.

15 Sinners, awake betimes; ye fools, be wise; Awake before this dreadful morning rise: Change your vain thoughts, your crooked works amend, Fly to the Saviour, make the Judge your friend: Then join the saints: wake every cheerful passion; When Christ returns, he comes for your salvation.

Psalm 51:1. First Part. L. M. A penitent pleading for pardon.

1 Shew pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive, Let a repenting rebel live: Are not thy mercies large and free? May not a sinner trust in thee?

2 My crimes are great, but not surpass The power and glory of thy grace; Great God, thy nature hath no bound, So let thy pardoning love be found.

3 O wash my Soul from every sin, And make my guilty conscience clean; Here on my heart the burden lies, And past offences pain my eyes.

4 My lips with shame my sins confess Against thy law, against thy grace: Lord, should thy judgment grow severe, I am condemn'd, but thou art clear.

5 Should sudden vengeance seize my breath, I must pronounce thee just in death; And if my soul were sent to hell, Thy righteous law approves it well.

6 Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord, Whose hope, still hovering round thy word, Would light on some sweet promise there, Some sure support against despair.

Psalms 51:2. Second Part. L. M. Original and actual sin confessed.

1 Lord, I am vile, conceiv'd in sin; And born unholy and unclean; Sprung from the man whose guilty fall Corrupts the race, and taints us all.

2 Soon as we draw our infant-breath, The seeds of sin grow up for death; Thy law demands a perfect heart, But we're defil'd in every part.

3 [Great God, create my heart anew, And form my spirit pure and true: O make me wise betimes to spy My danger, and my remedy.]

4 Behold I fall before thy face; My only refuge is thy grace: No outward forms can make me clean; The leprosy lies deep within.

5 No bleeding bird, nor bleeding beast, Nor hyssop branch, nor sprinkling priest, Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea, Can wash the dismal stain away.

6 Jesus, my God, thy blood alone Hath power sufficient to atone; Thy blood can make me white as snow; No Jewish types could cleanse me so.

7 While guilt disturbs and breaks my peace, Nor flesh, nor soul hath rest or ease; Lord, let me hear thy pardoning voice, And make my broken bones rejoice.

Psalm 51:3. Third Part. L. M. The backslider restored; or, Repentance and faith in the blood of Christ.

1 O thou that hear'st when sinners cry, Tho' all my crimes before thee lie, Behold them not with angry look, But blot their memory from thy book.

2 Create my nature pure within, And form my soul averse to sin; Let thy good Spirit ne'er depart, Nor hide thy presence from my heart.

3 I cannot live without thy light, Cast out and banish'd from thy sight: Thine holy joys, my God, restore, And guard me that I fall no more.

4 Tho' I have griev'd thy Spirit, Lord, His help and comfort still afford: And let a wretch come near thy throne To plead the merits of thy Son.

5 A broken heart, my God, my King, Is all the sacrifice I bring; The God of grace will ne'er despise A broken heart for sacrifice.

6 My soul lies humbled in the dust, And owns thy dreadful sentence just; Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye, And save the soul condemn'd to die.

7 Then will I teach the world thy ways; Sinners shall learn thy sovereign grace; I'll lead them to my Saviour's blood, And they shall praise a pardoning God.

8 O may thy love inspire my tongue! Salvation shall be all my song; And all my powers shall join to bless The Lord, my strength and righteousness.

Psalm 51:4. 3-13. First Part. C. M. Original and actual sin confessed and pardoned.

1 Lord, I would spread my sore distress And guilt before thine eyes; Against thy laws, against thy grace, How high my crimes arise.

2 Shouldst thou condemn my soul to hell, And crush my flesh to dust, Heaven would approve thy vengeance well, And earth must own it just.

3 I from the stock of Adam came, Unholy and unclean; All my original is shame, And all my nature sin.

4 Born in a world of guilt, I drew Contagion with my breath; And, as my days advanc'd, I grew A juster prey for death.

5 Cleanse me, O Lord, and cheer my soul With thy forgiving love; O, make my broken spirit whole, And bid my pains remove.

6 Let not thy Spirit quite depart, Nor drive me from thy face; Create anew my vicious heart, And fill it with thy grace.

7 Then will I make thy mercy known Before the sons of men; Backsliders shall address thy throne, And turn to God again.

Psalm 51:5. 14-17. Second Part. C. M. Repentance and faith in the blood of Christ.

1 O God of mercy! hear my call, My loads of guilt remove; Break down this separating wall That bars me from thy love.

2 Give me the presence of thy grace, Then my rejoicing tongue Shall speak aloud thy righteousness, And make thy praise my song.

3 No blood of goats, nor heifers slain, For sin could e'er atone; The death of Christ shall still remain Sufficient and alone.

4 A soul opprest with sin's desert, My God will ne'er despise; A humble groan, a broken heart Is our best sacrifice.

Psalm 53. 4-6. Victory and deliverance from persecution.

1 Are all the foes of Sion fools, Who thus devour her saints? Do they not know her Saviour rules, And pities her complaints?

2 They shall be seiz'd with sad surprise; For God's revenging arm Scatters the bones of them that rise To do his children harm.

3 In vain the sons of Satan boast Of armies in array: When God has first despis'd their host, They fall an easy prey.

4 O for a word from Sion's King Her captives to restore! Jacob with all his tribes shall sing, And Judah weep no more.

Psalm 55:1. 1-8 16-18 22. C. M. Support for the afflicted and tempted soul.

1 O God, my refuge, hear my cries, Behold my flowing tears, For earth and hell my hurt devise, And triumph in my fears.

2 Their rage is levell'd at my life, My soul with guilt they load, And fill my thoughts with inward strife To shake my hope in God.

3 With inward pain my heart-strings sound, I groan with every breath; Horror and fear beset me round Amongst the shades of death,

4 O were I like a feather'd dove, And innocence had wings, I'd fly, and make a long remove, From all these restless things.

5 Let me to some wild desert go, And find a peaceful home, Where storms of malice never blow, Temptations never come.

6 Vain hopes, and vain inventions all To 'scape the rage of hell! The mighty God on whom I call Can save me here as well.

PAUSE.

7 By morning light I'll seek his face, At noon repeat my cry, The night shall hear me ask his grace, Nor will he long deny.

8 God shall preserve my soul from fear, Or shield me when afraid; Ten thousand angels must appear If he command their aid.

9 I cast my burdens on the Lord, The Lord sustains them all; My courage rests upon his word That saints shall never fall.

10 My highest hopes shall not be vain, My lips shall spread his praise; While cruel and deceitful men Scarce live out half their days.

Psalm 55:2. 15-17 19 22. S. M. Dangerous prosperity; or, Daily devotions encouraged.

1 Let sinners take their course, And choose the road to death; But in the worship of my God I'll spend my daily breath.

2 My thoughts address his throne When morning brings the light; I seek his blessing every noon, And pay my vows at night.

3 Thou wilt regard my cries, O my eternal God, While sinners perish in surprise Beneath thine angry rod.

4 Because they dwell at ease, And no sad changes feel, They neither fear nor trust thy Name, Nor learn to do thy will.

5 But I with all my cares Will call upon the Lord, I'll cast my burdens on his arm, And rest upon his word,

6 His arm shall well sustain The children of his love; The ground on which their safety stands No earthly power can move.

Psalm 56. Deliverance from oppression and falsehood; or, God's care of his people, in answer to faith and prayer.

1 Thou, whose justice reigns on high, And makes th' oppressor cease, Behold how envious sinners try To vex and break my peace!

2 The Sons of violence and lies Join to devour me, Lord; But as my hourly dangers rise, My refuge is thy word.

3 In God most holy, just, and true, I have repos'd my trust; Nor will I fear what flesh can do, The offspring of the dust.

4 They wrest my words to mischief still, Charge me with unknown faults; Mischief doth all their councils fill, And malice all their thoughts.

5 Shall they escape without thy frown? Must their devices stand? O cast the haughty sinner down, And let him know thy hand!

PAUSE.

6 God counts the sorrows of his saints, Their groans affect his ears; Thou hast a book for my complaints, A bottle for my tears.

7 When to thy throne I raise my cry The wicked fear and flee; So swift is prayer to reach the sky, So near is God to me.

8 In thee, most holy, just, and true, I have repos'd my trust; Nor will I fear what man can do, The offspring of the dust.

9 Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord, Thou shalt receive my praise; I'll sing, "how faithful is thy word, "How righteous all thy ways!"

10 Thou hast secur'd my soul from death; O set thy prisoner free, That heart and hand, and life and breath May be employ'd for thee.

Psalm 57. Praise for protection, grace, and truth.

1 My God, in whom are all the springs Of boundless love and grace unknown, Hide me beneath thy spreading wings Till the dark cloud is overblown.

2 Up to the heavens I send my cry, The Lord will my desires perform; He sends his angel from the sky, And saves me from the threatening storm.

3 Be thou exalted, O my God, Above the heavens where angels dwell: Thy power on earth be known abroad, And land to land thy wonders tell.

4 My heart is fix'd; my song shall raise Immortal honours to thy Name; Awake, my tongue, to sound his praise, My tongue, the glory of my frame.

5 High o'er the earth his mercy reigns, And reaches to the utmost sky; His truth to endless years remains, When lower worlds dissolve and die.

6 Be thou exalted, O my God, Above the heavens where angels dwell; Thy power on earth be known abroad, And land to land thy wonders tell.

Psalm 58. As the 113th Psalm. Warning to magistrates.

1 Judges, who rule the world by laws, Will ye despise the righteous cause, When th' injur'd poor before you stands? Dare ye condemn the righteous poor, And let rich sinners 'scape secure, While gold and greatness bribe your hands?