Part 8

6 His life they load with hateful lies, And charge his lips with blasphemies; They nail him to the shameful tree: There hung the man that dy'd for me.

7 [Wretches with hearts as hard as stones, Insult his piety and groans; Gall was the food they gave him there, And mock'd his thirst with vinegar.]

8 But God beheld; and from his throne Marks out the men that hate his Son; The hand that rais'd him from the dead Shall pour the vengeance on their head.

Psalm 71:1. 5-9. First Part. The aged saint's reflection and hope.

1 My God, my everlasting hope, I live upon thy truth; Thine hands have held my childhood up, And strengthen'd all my youth.

2 My flesh was fashion'd by thy power, With all these limbs of mine; And from my mother's painful hour I've been entirely thine.

3 Still has my life new wonders seen Repeated every year; Behold my days that yet remain, I trust them to thy care.

4 Cast me not off when strength declines, When hoary hairs arise; And round me let thy glories shine Whene'er thy servant dies.

5 Then in the history of my age, When men review my days, They'll read thy love in every page, In every line thy praise.

Psalm 71:2. 15 14 16 23 22 24. 2d Part. Christ our strength and righteousness.

1 My Saviour, my almighty Friend, When I begin thy praise, Where will the growing numbers end, The numbers of thy grace?

2 Thou art my everlasting trust, Thy goodness I adore; And since I knew thy graces first I speak thy glories more.

3 My feet shall travel all the length Of the celestial road, And march with courage in thy strength To see my Father God.

4 When I am fill'd with sore distress For some surprising sin, I'll plead thy perfect righteousness, And mention none but thine.

5 How will my lips rejoice to tell The victories of my King! My soul redeem'd from sin and hell Shall thy salvation sing.

6 [My tongue shall all the day proclaim My Saviour and my God; His death has brought my foes to shame, And drown'd them in his blood.

7 Awake, awake my tuneful powers; With this delightful song I'll entertain the darkest hours, Nor think the season long.]

Psalm 71:3. 17-21. Third Part. The aged Christian's prayer and song; or, Old age, death, and the resurrection.

1 God of my childhood and my youth, The guide of all my days, I have declar'd thy heavenly truth, And told thy wondrous ways.

2 Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs, And leave my fainting heart? Who shall sustain my sinking years If God my strength depart?

3 Let me thy power and truth proclaim To the surviving age, And leave a savour of thy Name When I shall quit the stage.

4 The land of silence and of death Attends my next remove; O may these poor remains of breath Teach the wide world thy love.

PAUSE.

5 Thy righteousness is deep and high, Unsearchable thy deeds; Thy glory spreads beyond the sky, And all my praise exceeds.

6 Oft have I heard thy threatenings roar, And oft endur'd the grief; But when thy hand has press'd me sore, Thy grace was my relief.

7 By long experience have I known Thy sovereign power to save; At thy command I venture down Securely to the grave.

8 When I lie buried deep in dust, My flesh shall be thy care These withering limbs with thee I trust To raise them strong and fair.

Psalm 72:1. First Part. The kingdom of Christ.

1 Great God, whose universal sway The known and unknown worlds obey, Now give the kingdom to thy Son, Extend his power, exalt his throne.

2 Thy sceptre well becomes his hands, All heaven submits to his commands; His justice shall avenge the poor, And pride and rage prevail no more.

3 With power he vindicates the just, And treads th' oppressor in the dust; His worship and his fear shall last Till hours and years and time be past.

4 As rain on meadows newly mown So shall he send his influence down; His grace on fainting souls distils Like heavenly dew on thirsty hills.

5 The heathen lands that lie beneath The shades of overspreading death, Revive at his first dawning light, And deserts blossom at the sight.

6 The saints shall flourish in his days, Drest in the robes of joy and praise; Peace like a river from his throne Shall flow to nations yet unknown.

Psalm 72:2. Second Part. Christ's kingdom among the Gentiles.

1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journies run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

2 [Behold the islands with their kings, And Europe her best tribute brings; From north to south the princes meet To pay their homage at his feet.

3 There Persia glorious to behold, There India shines in eastern gold: And barbarous nations at his word Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.]

4 For him shall endless prayer be made And princes throng to crown his head; His Name like sweet perfume shall rise With every morning sacrifice.

5 People and realms of every tongue Dwell on his love with sweetest song: And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on his Name.

6 Blessings abound where'er he reigns, The prisoner leaps to lose his chains, The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blest.

7 [Where he displays his healing power, Death and the curse are known no more; In him the tribes of Adam boast More blessings than their father lost.

8 Let every creature rise, and bring Peculiar honours to our King; Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the long Amen.]

Psalm 73:1. First Part. C. M. Afflicted saints happy, and prosperous sinners cursed.

1 Now I'm convinc'd the Lord is kind To men of heart sincere, Yet once my foolish thoughts repin'd And border'd on despair.

2 I griev'd to see the wicked thrive, And spoke with angry breath, "How pleasant and profane they live! "How peaceful is their death!

3 "With well-fed flesh and haughty eyes "They lay their fears to sleep; "Against the heavens their slanders rise, "While saints in silence weep.

4 "In vain I lift my hands to pray, "And cleanse my heart in vain, "For I am chasten'd all the day, "The night renews my pain.'

5 Yet while my tongue indulg'd complaints, I felt my heart reprove; "Sure I shall thus offend thy saints, "And grieve the men I love."

6 But still I found my doubts too hard, The conflict too severe, Till I retir'd to search thy word, And learn thy secrets there.

7 There, as in some prophetic glass, I saw the sinner's feet High mounted on a slippery place, Beside a fiery pit.

8 I heard the wretch profanely boast, Till at thy frown he fell; His honours in a dream were lost, And he awakes in hell.

9 Lord, what an envious fool I was! How like a thoughtless beast! Thus to suspect thy promis'd grace, And think the wicked blest.

10 Yet I was kept from full despair, Upheld by power unknown; That blessed hand that broke the snare Shall guide me to thy throne.

Psalm 73:2. 23-8. Second Part. God our portion here and hereafter.

1 God my supporter and my hope, My help for ever near, Thine arm of mercy held me up When sinking in despair.

2 Thy counsels, Lord, shall guide my feet Thro' this dark wilderness; Thine hand conduct me near thy seat To dwell before thy face.

3 Were I in heaven without my God, 'Twould be no joy to me; And whilst this earth is my abode, I long for none but thee.

4 What if the springs of life were broke, And flesh and heart should faint! God is my soul's eternal rock, The strength of every saint.

5 Behold the sinners that remove Far from thy presence die; Not all the idol gods they love Can save them when they cry.

6 But to draw near to thee, my God, Shall be my sweet employ; My tongue shall sound thy works abroad, And tell the world my joy.

Psalm 73:3. 22 3 6 17-20. L. M. The prosperity of sinners cursed.

1 Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I, To mourn, and murmur, and repine To see the wicked plac'd on high, In pride and robes of honour shine!

2 But O their end, their dreadful end! Thy sanctuary taught me so: On slippery rocks I see them stand, And fiery billows roll below.

3 Now let them boast how tall they rise, I'll never envy them again; There they may stand with haughty eyes, Till they plunge deep in endless pain.

4 Their fancy'd joys, how fast they flee! Just like a dream when man awakes; Their songs of softest harmony Are but a preface to their plagues.

5 Now I esteem their mirth and wine Too dear to purchase with my blood; Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine, My life, my portion, and my God.

Psalm 73:4. S. M. The mystery of providence unfolded.

1 Sure there's a righteous God, Nor is religion vain, Tho' men of vice may boast aloud, And men of grace complain.

2 I saw the wicked rise, And felt my heart repine, While haughty fools with scornful eyes In robes of honour shine.

3 [Pamper'd with wanton ease, Their flesh looks full and fair, Their wealth rolls in like flowing seas, And grows without their care.

4 Free from the plagues and pains That pious souls endure, Thro' all their life oppression reigns And racks the humble poor.

5 Their impious tongues blaspheme The everlasting God; Their malice blasts the good man's name, And spreads their lies abroad.

6 But I with flowing tears Indulge my doubts to rise "Is there a God that sees or hears "The things below the skies?"]

7 The tumults of my thought Held me in hard suspense, Till to thy house my feet were brought To learn thy justice thence.

8 Thy word with light and power Did my mistakes attend; I view'd the sinners' life before, But here I learnt their end.

9 On what a slippery steep The thoughtless wretches go; And O that dreadful fiery deep That waits their fall below.

10 Lord, at thy feet I bow, My thoughts no more repine; I call my God my portion now, And all my powers are thine.

Psalm 74. The church pleading with God under sore persecutions.

1 Will God for ever cast us off? His wrath for ever smoke Against the people of his love, His little chosen flock?

2 Think of the tribes so dearly bought With their Redeemer's blood; Nor let thy Sion be forgot, Where once thy glory stood.

3 Lift up thy feet and march in haste, Aloud our ruin calls; See what a wide and fearful waste Is made within thy walls.

4 Where once thy churches pray'd and sang Thy foes profanely roar; Over thy gates their ensigns hang, Sad tokens of their power.

5 How are the seats of worship broke! They tear the buildings down, And he that deals the heaviest stroke Procures the chief renown.

6 With flames they threaten to destroy Thy children in their nest; "Come let us burn at once (they cry) The temple and the priest."

7 And still to heighten our distress Thy presence is withdrawn; Thy wonted signs of power and grace, Thy power and grace are gone.

8 No prophet speaks to calm our woes, But all the seers mourn; There's not a soul amongst us knows The time of thy return.

PAUSE.

9 How long, eternal God, how long Shall men of pride blaspheme? Shall saints be made their endless song, And bear immortal shame?

10 Canst thou for ever sit and hear Thine holy Name profan'd? And still thy jealousy forbear, And still withhold thine hand?

11 What strange deliverance hast thou shown In ages long before! And now no other God we own, No other God adore.

12 Thou didst divide the raging sea By thy resistless might, To make thy tribes a wondrous way, And then secure their flight.

13 Is not the world of nature thine, The darkness and the day? Didst thou not bid the morning shine, And mark the sun his way?

14 Hath not thy power form'd every coast, And set the earth its bounds, With summer's heat and winter's frost, In their perpetual rounds?

15 And shall the sons of earth and dust That sacred power blaspheme? Will not thy hand that form'd them first Avenge thine injur'd Name?

16 Think on the covenant thou hast made, And all thy words of love; Nor let the birds of prey invade And vex thy mourning dove.

17 Our foes would triumph in our blood, And make our hope their jest; Plead thy own cause, almighty God! And give thy children rest.

Psalm 75. Power and government from God alone. Applied to the glorious Revolution by King William, or the happy Accession of King George to the Throne.

1 To thee, most holy, and most high, To thee, we bring our thankful praise; Thy works declare thy name is nigh, Thy works of wonder and of grace.

2 Britain was doom'd to be a slave, Her frame dissolv'd, her fears were great; When God a new supporter gave To bear the pillars of the state.

3 He from thy hand receiv'd his crown, And sware to rule by wholesome laws His foot shall tread th' oppressor down, His arm defend the righteous cause.

4 Let haughty sinners sink their pride, Nor lift so high their scornful head; But lay their foolish thoughts aside, And own the king that God hath made.

5 Such honours never come by chance, Nor do the winds promotion blow; 'Tis God the judge doth one advance, 'Tis God that lays another low.

6 No vain pretence to royal birth Shall fix a tyrant on the throne: God the great sovereign of the earth Will rise and make his justice known.

7 [His hand holds out the dreadful cup Of vengeance, mix'd with various plagues, To make the wicked drink them up, Wring out and taste the bitter dregs.

8 Now shall the Lord exalt the just, And while he tramples on the proud, And lays their glory in the dust, My lips shall sing his praise aloud.]

Psalm 76. Israel saved, and the Assyrians destroyed; or, God's vengeance against his enemies proceeds from his church.

1 In Judah God of old was known; His Name in Israel great; In Salem stood his holy throne, And Sion was his seat.

2 Among the praises of his saints His dwelling there he chose; There he receiv'd their just complaints Against their haughty foes.

3 From Sion went his dreadful word, And broke the threatening spear; The bow, the arrows, and the sword, And crush'd th' Assyrian war.

4 What are the earth's wide kingdoms else But mighty hills of prey? The hill on which Jehovah dwells Is glorious more than they.

5 'Twas Sion's King that stopt the breath Of captains and their bands: The men of might slept fast in death, And never found their hands.

6 At thy rebuke, O Jacob's God, Both horse and chariot fell; Who knows the terrors of thy rod? Thy vengeance who can tell?

7 What power can stand before thy sight When once thy wrath appears? When heaven shines round with dreadful light, The earth lies still and fears.

8 When God in his own sovereign ways Comes down to save th' opprest, The wrath of man shall work his praise, And he'll restrain the rest.

9 [Vow to the Lord, and tribute bring, Ye princes, fear his frown: His terror shakes the proudest king, And cuts an army down.

10 The thunder of his sharp rebuke Our haughty foes shall feel: For Jacob's God hath not forsook, But dwells in Sion still.]

Psalm 77:1. First Part. Melancholy assaulting, and hope prevailing.

1 To God I cry'd with mournful voice, I sought his gracious ear, In the sad day when troubles rose, And fill'd the night with fear.

2 Sad were my days, and dark my nights, My soul refus'd relief; I thought on God the just and wise, But thoughts increas'd my grief.

3 Still I complain'd, and still opprest, My heart began to break; My God, thy wrath forbid my rest, And kept my eyes awake.

4 My overwhelming sorrows grew Till I could speak no more; Then I within myself withdrew, And call'd thy judgments o'er.

5 I call'd back years and ancient times, When I beheld thy face; My spirit search'd for secret crimes That might withhold thy grace.

6 I call'd thy mercies to my mind Which I enjoy'd before; And will the Lord no more be kind? His face appear no more?

7 Will he for ever cast me off? His promise ever fail? Has he forgot his tender love? Shall anger still prevail?

8 But I forbid this hopeless thought, This dark despairing frame, Rememb'ring what thy hand hath wrought, Thy hand is still the same.

9 I'll think again of all thy ways, And talk thy wonders o'er; Thy wonders of recovering grace, When flesh could hope no more.

10 Grace dwells with justice on the throne; And men that love thy word Have in thy sanctuary known The counsels of the Lord.

Psalm 77:2. Second Part. Comfort derived from ancient providences; or, Israel delivered from Egypt, and brought to Canaan.

1 "How awful is thy chastening rod!" (May thine own children say) "The great, the wise, the dreadful God! "How holy is his way!"

2 I'll meditate his works of old; The King that reigns above; I'll hear his ancient wonders told, And learn to trust his love.

3 Long did the house of Joseph lie With Egypt's yoke opprest: Long he delay'd to hear their cry, Nor gave his people rest.

4 The sons of good old Jacob seem'd Abandon'd to their foes; But his almighty arm redeem'd The nation that he chose.

5 Israel, his people, and his sheep, Must follow where he calls; He bid them venture thro' the deep, And made the waves their walls.

6 The waters saw thee, mighty God! The waters saw thee come; Backward they fled, and frighted stood, To make thine armies room.

7 Strange was thy journey thro' the sea, Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown, Terrors attend the wondrous way That brings thy mercies down.

8 [Thy voice with terror in the sound Thro' clouds and darkness broke; All heaven in lightning shone around, And earth with thunder shook.

9 Thine arrows thro' the skies were hurl'd; How glorious is the Lord! Surprise and trembling seiz'd the world, And his own saints ador'd.

10 He gave them water from the rock; And safe by Moses' hand Thro' a dry desert led his flock Home to the promis'd land.]

Psalm 78:1. First Part. Providence of God recorded; or, Pious education and instruction of children.

1 Let children hear the mighty deeds, Which God perform'd of old, Which in our younger years we saw, And which our fathers told.

2 He bids us make his glories known, His works of power and grace; And we'll convey his wonders down Thro' every rising race.

3 Our lips shall tell them to our Sons, And they again to theirs, That generations yet unborn May teach them to their heirs.

4 Thus shall they learn in God alone Their hope securely stands, That they may ne'er forget his works, But practise his commands.

Psalm 78:2. Second Part. Israel's rebellion and punishment; or, The sins and chastisements of God's people.

1 What a stiff rebellious house Was Jacob's ancient race! False to their own most solemn vows, And to their Maker's grace.

2 They broke the covenant of his love, And did his laws despise, Forgot the works he wrought to prove His power before their eyes.

3 They saw the plagues on Egypt light, From his revenging hand: What dreadful tokens of his might Spread o'er the stubborn land!

4 They saw him cleave the mighty sea, And march'd in safety thro', With watery walls to guard their way, Till they had 'scap'd the foe.

5 A wondrous pillar mark'd the road, Compos'd of shade and light; By day it prov'd a sheltering cloud, A leading fire by night.

6 He from the rock their thirst supply'd; The gushing waters fell, And ran in rivers by their side, A constant miracle.

7 Yet they provok'd the Lord most high, And dar'd distrust his hand; "Can he with bread our host supply "Amidst this desert land?"

8 The Lord with indignation heard, And caus'd his wrath to flame His terrors ever stand prepar'd To vindicate his Name.

Psalm 78:3. Third Part. The punishment of luxury and intemperance; or, Chastisement and salvation.

1 When Israel sins, the Lord reproves, And fills their hearts with dread; Yet he forgives the men he loves, And sends them heavenly bread.

2 He fed them with a liberal hand, And made his treasures known; He gave the midnight clouds command To pour provision down.

3 The manna, like a morning shower, Lay thick around their feet; The corn of heaven, so light, so pure, As tho' 'twere angels' meat.

4 But they in murmuring language said, "Manna is all our feast; "We loathe this light, this airy bread; "We must have flesh to taste."

5 "Ye shall have flesh to please your lust;" The Lord in wrath reply'd, And sent them quails like sand or dust, Heap'd up from side to side.

6 He gave them all their own desire; And greedy as they fed, His vengeance burnt with secret fire, And smote the rebels dead.

7 When some were slain, the rest return'd, And sought the Lord with tears; Under the rod they fear'd and mourn'd, But soon forgot their fears.

8 Oft he chastis'd and still forgave, Till by his gracious hand The nation he resolv'd to save, Possess'd the promis'd land.

Psalm 78:4. 32 &c. Fourth Part. Backsliding and forgiveness; or, Sin punished, and saints saved.

1 Great God, how oft did Israel prove By turns thine anger and thy love! There in a glass our hearts may see How fickle and how false they be.

2 How soon the faithless Jews forgot The dreadful wonders God had wrought! Then they provoke him to his face, Nor fear his power, nor trust his grace.

3 The Lord consum'd their years in pain, And made their travels long and vain; A tedious march thro' unknown ways Wore out their strength and spent their days.

4 Oft when they saw their brethren slain, They mourn'd and sought the Lord again; Call'd him the Rock of their abode, Their high Redeemer and their God.

5 Their prayers and vows before him rise As flattering words or solemn lies, While their rebellious tempers prove False to his covenant and his love.

6 Yet did his sovereign grace forgive The men who not deserv'd to live; His anger oft away he turn'd, Or else with gentle flame it burn'd.

7 He saw their flesh was weak and frail, He saw temptation still prevail The God of Abraham lov'd them still, And led them to his holy hill.

Psalm 80. The church's prayer under affliction; or, The vineyard of God wasted.

1 Great Shepherd of thine Israel, Who didst between the cherubs dwell, And led the tribes, thy chosen sheep, Safe thro' the desert and the deep.

2 Thy church is in the desert now, Shine from on high and guide us thro'; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

3 Great God, whom heavenly hosts obey, How long shall we lament and pray, And wait in vain thy kind return? How long shall thy fierce anger burn?

4 Instead of wine and cheerful bread, Thy saints with their own tears are fed; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

PAUSE I.

5 Hast thou not planted with thy hands A lovely vine in heathen lands? Did not thy power defend it round, And heavenly dews enrich the ground?

6 How did the spreading branches shoot, And bless the nations with the fruit! But now, dear Lord, look down and see Thy mourning vine, that lovely tree.

7 Why is its beauty thus defac'd? Why hast thou laid her fences waste? Strangers and foes against her join, And every beast devours the vine.

8 Return, almighty God, return, Nor let thy bleeding vineyard mourn; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

PAUSE II.

9 Lord, when this vine in Canaan grew Thou wast its strength and glory too; Attack'd in vain by all its foes, Till the fair Branch of Promise rose;

10 Fair Branch, ordain'd of old to shoot From David's stock, from Jacob's root; Himself a noble vine, and we The lesser branches of the tree.

11 'Tis thy own Son, and he shall stand Girt with thy strength at thy right hand; Thy first-born Son, adorn'd and blest With power and grace above the rest.

12 O! for his sake attend our cry, Shine on thy churches lest they die; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

Psalm 81. 1 8 16. The warnings of God to his people; or, Spiritual blessings and punishments.

1 Sing to the Lord aloud, And make a joyful noise; God is our strength, our Saviour God; Let Israel hear his voice.

2 "From vile idolatry "Preserve my worship clean; "I am the Lord who set thee free "From slavery and sin.

3 "Stretch thy desires abroad, "And I'll supply them well "But if ye will refuse your God, "If Israel will rebel,

4 "I'll leave them," saith the Lord, "To their own lusts a prey, "And let them run the dangerous road, "'Tis their own chosen way.