Part 9

5 "Yet O! that all my saints "Would hearken to my voice! "Soon I would ease their sore complaints, "And bid their hearts rejoice.

6 "While I destroy their foes, "I'd richly feed my flock, "And they should taste the stream that flows "From their eternal Rock."

Psalm 82. God the supreme Governor; or, Magistrates warned.

1 Among th' assemblies of the great, A greater Ruler takes his seat; The God of heaven, as Judge, surveys Those gods on earth and all their ways.

2 Why will ye then frame wicked laws? Or why support th' unrighteous cause? When will ye once defend the poor, That sinners vex the saints no more?

3 They know not, Lord, nor will they know, Dark are the ways in which they go; Their name of earthly gods is vain, For they shall fall and die like men.

4 Arise, O Lord, and let thy Son Possess his universal throne, And rule the nations with his rod; He is our judge, and he our God.

Psalm 83. A complaint against persecutors.

1 And will the God of grace Perpetual silence keep? The God of justice hold his peace, And let his vengeance sleep?

2 Behold what cursed snares The men of mischief spread; The men that hate thy saints and thee Lift up their threatening head.

3 Against thy hidden ones Their counsels they employ, And malice with her watchful eye, Pursues them to destroy.

4 The noble and the base Into thy pastures leap; The lion and the stupid ass Conspire to vex thy sheep.

5 "Come, let us join," they cry, "To root them from the ground, "Till not the name of saints remain, "Nor memory shall be found."

6 Awake, almighty God, And call thy wrath to mind; Give them like forests to the fire, Or stubble to the wind.

7 Convince their madness, Lord, And make them seek thy Name Or else their stubborn rage confound, That they may die in shame.

8 Then shall the nations know That glorious dreadful word, Jehovah is thy name alone, And thou the sovereign Lord.

Psalm 84:1. First Part. L. M. The pleasure of public worship.

1 How pleasant, how divinely fair, O Lord of hosts, thy dwellings are! With long desire my spirit faints To meet th' assemblies of thy saints.

2 My flesh would rest in thine abode, My panting heart cries out for God; My God! my King! why should I be So far from all my joys and thee?

3 The sparrow chuses where to rest, And for her young provides her nest: But will my God to sparrows grant That pleasure which his children want?

4 Blest are the saints who sit on high, Around thy throne of majesty; Thy brightest glories shine above, And all their work is praise and love.

5 Blest are the souls that find a place Within the temple of thy grace; There they behold thy gentler rays, And seek thy face, and learn thy praise.

6 Blest are the men whose hearts are set To find the way to Sion's gate; God is their strength, and thro' the road They lean upon their helper God.

7 Cheerful they walk with growing strength, Till all shall meet in heaven at length, Till all before thy face appear, And join in nobler worship there.

Psalm 84:2. Second Part. L. M. God and his church; or, Grace and glory.

1 Great God, attend, while Sion sings The joy that from thy presence springs To spend one day with thee on earth Exceeds a thousand days of mirth.

2 Might I enjoy the meanest place Within thine house, O God of grace, Not tents of ease, nor thrones of power, Should tempt my feet to leave thy door.

3 God is our sun, he makes our day; God is our shield, he guards our way From all th' assaults of hell and sin, From foes without, and foes within.

4 All needful grace will God bestow, And crown that grace with glory too: He gives us all things, and withholds No real good from upright souls.

5 O God, our King, whose sovereign sway The glorious hosts of heaven obey, And devils at thy presence flee, Blest is the man that trusts in thee.

Psalm 84:3. 14 2 3 10. Paraphrased. C. M. Delight in ordinances of worship; or, God present in his churches.

1 My soul, how lovely is the place To which thy God resorts! 'Tis heaven to see his smiling face, Tho' in his earthly courts.

2 There the great Monarch of the skies His saving power displays, And light breaks in upon our eyes With kind and quickening rays.

3 With his rich gifts the heavenly Dove Descends and fills the place, While Christ reveals his wondrous love, And sheds abroad his grace.

4 There, mighty God, thy words declare The secrets of thy will; And still we seek thy mercy there, And sing thy praises still.

PAUSE.

5 My heart and flesh cry out for thee, While far from thine abode: When shall I tread thy courts, and see My Saviour and my God?

6 The sparrow builds herself a nest, And suffers no remove; O make me like the sparrows, blest, To dwell but where I love.

7 To sit one day beneath thine eye, And hear thy gracious voice, Exceeds a whole eternity Employ'd in carnal joys.

8 Lord, at thy threshold I would wait, While Jesus is within, Rather than fill a throne of state, Or live in tents of sin.

9 Could I command the spacious land, And the more boundless sea, For one blest hour at thy right hand I'd give them both away.

Psalm 84:4. As the 148th Psalm. Longing for the house of God.

1 Lord of the worlds above, How pleasant and how fair The dwellings of thy love, Thy earthly temples are! To thine abode My heart aspires, With warm desires To see my God.

2 The sparrow, for her young, With pleasure seeks her nest; And wandering swallows long To find their wonted rest: My spirit faints With equal zeal To rise and dwell Among thy saints.

3 O happy souls that pray Where God appoints to hear! O happy men that pay Their constant service there! They praise thee still; And happy they That love the way To Zion's hill.

4 They go from strength to strength, Thro' this dark vale of tears, Till each arrives at length, Till each in heaven appears: O glorious seat, When God our king Shall thither bring Our willing feet!

PAUSE.

5 To spend one sacred day Where God and saints abide, Affords diviner joy Than thousand days beside; Where God resorts, I love it more To keep the door Than shine in courts.

6 God is our sun and shield, Our light and our defence With gifts his hands are fill'd, We draw our blessings thence; He shall bestow On Jacob's race Peculiar grace And glory too.

7 The Lord his people loves; His hand no good withholds From those his heart approves, From pure and pious souls: Thrice happy he, O God of hosts, Whose spirit trusts Alone in thee.

Psalm 85:1. 1-8. First Part. Waiting for an answer to prayer; or, Deliverance begun and completed.

1 Lord, thou hast call'd thy grace to mind, Thou hast revers'd our heavy doom: So God forgave when Israel sinn'd, And brought his wandering captives home.

2 Thou hast begun to set us free, And made thy fiercest wrath abate; Now let our hearts be turn'd to thee, And thy salvation be complete.

3 Revive our dying graces, Lord, And let thy saints in thee rejoice; Make known thy truth, fulfil thy word, We wait for praise to tune our voice.

4 We wait to hear what God will say; He'll speak, and give his people peace; But let them run no more astray, Lest his returning wrath increase.

Psalm 85:2. 9 &c. Second Part. Salvation by Christ.

1 Salvation is for ever nigh The souls that fear and trust the Lord; And grace descending from on high, Fresh hopes of glory shall afford.

2 Mercy and truth on earth are met, Since Christ the Lord came down from heaven; By his obedience, so complete, Justice is pleas'd, and peace is given.

3 Now truth and honour shall abound, Religion dwell on earth again, And heavenly influence bless the ground In our Redeemer's gentle reign.

4 His righteousness is gone before To give us free access to God; Our wandering feet shall stray no more, But mark his steps and keep the road.

Psalm 86. 8-13. A general song of praise to God.

1 Among the princes, earthly gods, There's none hath power divine; Nor is their nature, mighty Lord, Nor are their works like thine.

2 The nations thou hast made shall bring Their offerings round thy throne; For thou alone dost wondrous things, For thou art God alone.

3 Lord, I would walk with holy feet; Teach me thine heavenly ways, And my poor scatter'd thoughts unite In God my Father's praise.

4 Great is thy mercy, and my tongue Shall those sweet wonders tell, How by thy grace my sinking soul Rose from the deeps of hell.

Psalm 87. The church the birth-place of the saints; or, Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church.

1 God in his earthly temple lays Foundations for his heavenly praise: He likes the tents of Jacob well, But still in Zion loves to dwell.

2 His mercy visits every house That pay their night and morning vows; But makes a more delightful stay Where churches meet to praise and pray.

3 What glories were describ'd of old! What wonders are of Zion told! Thou city of our God below, Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.

4 Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew, Shall there begin their lives anew: Angels and men shall join to sing The hill where living waters spring.

5. When God makes up his last account Of natives in his holy mount, 'Twill be an honour to appear As one new-born or nourish'd there.

Psalm 89:1. First Part. L. M. The covenant made with Christ; or, the true David.

1 For ever shall my song record The truth and mercy of the Lord; Mercy and truth for ever stand, Like heaven, establish'd by his hand.

2 Thus to his Son he sware, and said, "With thee my covenant first is made; "In thee shall dying sinners live, "Glory and grace are thine to give.

3 "Be thou my prophet, thou my priest; "Thy children shall be ever blest; "Thou art my chosen king; thy throne "Shall stand eternal like my own.

4 "There's none of all my sons above, "So much my image or my love; "Celestial powers thy subjects are, "Then what can earth to thee compare?

5 "David, my servant, whom I chose "To guard my flock, to crush my foes, "And rais'd him to the Jewish throne, "Was but a shadow of my Son."

6 Now let the church rejoice and sing Jesus her Saviour and her King: Angels his heavenly wonders show, And saints declare his works below.

Psalm 89:2. First Part. C. M. The faithfulness of God.

1 My never-ceasing songs shall show The mercies of the Lord, And make succeeding ages know How faithful is his word.

2 The sacred truths his lips pronounce Shall firm as heaven endure; And if he speak a promise once, Th' eternal grace is sure.

3 How long the race of David held The promis'd Jewish throne! But there's a nobler covenant seal'd To David's greater Son.

4 His seed for ever shall possess A throne above the skies; The meanest subject of his grace Shall to that glory rise.

5 Lord God of hosts, thy wondrous ways Are sung by saints above; And saints on earth their honours raise To thine unchanging love.

Psalm 89:3. 7 &c. Second Part. The power and majesty of God; or, Reverential worship.

1 With reverence let the saints appear And bow before the Lord, His high commands with reverence hear, And tremble at his word.

2 How terrible thy glories be! How bright thine armies shine! Where is the power that vies with thee? Or truth compar'd to thine?

3 The northern pole and southern rest On thy supporting hand; Darkness and day from east to west Move round at thy command.

4 Thy words the raging wind control, And rule the boisterous deep; Thou mak'st the sleeping billows roll, The rolling billows sleep.

5 Heaven, earth, and air, and sea are thine, And the dark world of hell: How did thine arm in vengeance shine When Egypt durst rebel!

6 Justice and judgment are thy throne, Yet wondrous is thy grace; While truth and mercy join'd in one Invite us near thy face.

Psalm 89:4. 15 &c. Third Part. A blessed gospel.

1 Blest are the souls that hear and know The gospel's joyful sound; Peace shall attend the path they go, And light their steps surround.

2 Their joy shall bear their spirits up Thro' their Redeemer's Name; His righteousness exalts their hope, Nor Satan dares condemn.

3 The Lord, our glory and defence, Strength and salvation gives; Israel, thy king for ever reigns, Thy God for ever lives.

Psalm 89:5. 19 &c. Fourth Part. Christ's mediatorial kingdom; or, His divine and human nature.

1 Hear what the Lord in vision said, And made his mercy known: "Sinners, behold your help is laid "On my almighty Son.

2 "Behold the man my wisdom chose "Among your mortal race; "His head my holy oil o'erflows, "The Spirit of my grace.

3 "High shall he reign on David's throne, "My people's better King; "My arm shall beat his rivals down, "And still new subjects bring.

4 "My truth shall guard him in his way, "With mercy by his side, "While, in my name thro' earth and sea "He shall in triumph ride.

5 "Me for his Father and his God "He shall for ever own, "Call me his rock, his high abode; "And I'll support my Son.

6 "My first-born Son array'd in grace "At my right-hand shall sit; "Beneath him angels know their place, "And monarchs at his feet.

7 "My covenant stands for ever fast, "My promises are strong; "Firm as the heavens his throne shall last, "His seed endure as long."

Psalm 89:6. 30 &c. Fifth Part. The covenant of grace unchangeable; or, Afflictions without rejection.

1 "Yet (saith the Lord) if David's race, "The children of my Son, "Should break my laws, abuse my grace, "And tempt mine anger down;

2 "Their sins I'll visit with the rod, "And make their folly smart; "But I'll not cease to be their God, "Nor from my truth depart.

3 "My covenant I will ne'er revoke, "But keep my grace in mind; "And what eternal love hath spoke "Eternal truth shall bind.

4 "Once have I sworn (I need no more) "And pledg'd my holiness "To seal the sacred promise sure "To David and his race.

5 "The sun shall see his offspring rise "And spread from sea to sea, "Long as he travels round the skies "To give the nations day.

6 "Sure as the moon that rules the night "His kingdom shall endure, "Till the fix'd laws of shade and light "Shall be observ'd no more."

Psalm 89:7. 47 &c. Sixth Part. Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm.

1 Remember, Lord, our mortal state, How frail our life, how short the date! Where is the man that draws his breath Safe from disease, secure from death?

2 Lord, while we see whole nations die, Our flesh and sense repine and cry, "Must death for ever rage and reign? "Or hast thou made mankind in vain?

3 "Where is thy promise to the just? "Are not thy servants turn'd to dust?" But faith forbids these mournful sighs, And sees the sleeping dust arise.

4 That glorious hour, that dreadful day Wipes the reproach of saints away, And clears the honour of thy word; Awake our souls, and bless the Lord.

Psalm 89:8. 47 &c. Last Part. As the 113th Psalm. Life, death, and the resurrection.

1 Think, mighty God, on feeble man, How few his hours, how short his span! Short from the cradle to the grave: Who can secure his vital breath Against the bold demands of death, With skill to fly, or power to save?

2 Lord, shall it be for ever said, "The race of man was only made "For sickness, sorrow, and the dust?" Are not thy servants day by day Sent to their graves, and turn'd to clay? Lord, where's thy kindness to the just?

3 Hast thou not promis'd to thy Son And all his seed a heavenly crown? But flesh and sense indulge despair; For ever blessed be the Lord, That faith can read his holy word, And find a resurrection there.

4 For ever blessed be the Lord, Who gives his saints a long reward For all their toil, reproach and pain; Let all below and all above Join to proclaim thy wondrous love, And each repeat their loud Amen.

Psalm 90:1. L. M. Man mortal, and God eternal. A mournful song at a funeral.

1 Thro' every age, eternal God, Thou art our rest, our safe abode; High was thy throne ere heaven was made, Or earth thy humble footstool laid.

2 Long hadst thou reign'd ere time began, Or dust was fashion'd to a man; And long thy kingdom shall endure When earth and time shall be no more.

3 But man, weak man, is born to die, Made up of guilt and vanity; Thy dreadful sentence, Lord, was just, "Return, ye sinners, to your dust."

4 [A thousand of our years amount Scarce to a day in thine account; Like yesterday's departed light, Or the last watch of ending night.]

PAUSE.

5 Death like an overflowing stream Sweeps us away; our life's a dream; An empty tale; a morning flower Cut down and wither'd in an hour.

6 [Our age to seventy years is set; How short the term! how frail the state! And if to eighty we arrive, We rather sigh and groan than live.

7 But O how oft thy wrath appears, And cuts off our expected years! Thy wrath awakes our humble dread; We fear the power that strikes us dead.]

8 Teach us, O Lord, how frail is man; And kindly lengthen out our span, Till a wise care of piety Fit us to die, and dwell with thee.

Psalm 90:2. 1-5. First Part. C. M. Man frail, and God eternal.

1 Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

2 Under the shadow of thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood, Or earth receiv'd her frame, From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same.

4 Thy word commands our flesh to dust, "Return, ye sons of men:" All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.

5 A thousand ages in thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

6 [The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their lives and cares, Are carried downwards by thy flood, And lost in following years.

7 Time like an ever-rolling stream Bears all its Sons away; They fly forgotten as a dream Dies at the opening day.

8 Like flowery fields the nations stand Pleas'd with the morning light; The flowers beneath the mower's hand Lie withering ere 'tis night.]

9 Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home.

Psalm 90:3. 8 11 9 10 12. 2d Part. C. M. Infirmities and mortality the effect of sin; or, Life, old age, and preparation for death.

1 Lord, if thine eyes survey our faults, And justice grow severe, Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thoughts, And burns beyond our fear.

2 Thine anger turns our frame to dust; By one offence to thee Adam with all his sons have lost Their immortality.

3 Life like a vain amusement flies, A fable or a song; By swift degrees our nature dies, Nor can our joys be long.

4 'Tis but a few whose days amount To threescore years and ten, And all beyond that short account is sorrow, toil, and pain.

5 [Our vitals with laborious strife Bear up the crazy load, And drag those poor remains of life Along the tiresome road.]

6 Almighty God, reveal thy love, And not thy wrath alone; O let our sweet experience prove The mercies of thy throne!

7 Our souls would learn the heavenly art T' improve the hours we have, That we may act the wiser part, And live beyond the grave.

Psalm 90:4. 13 &c. Third Part. C. M. Breathing after heaven.

1 Return, O God of love, return; Earth is a tiresome place: How long shall we thy children mourn Our absence from thy face!

2 Let heaven succeed our painful years, Let sin and sorrow cease, And in proportion to our tears So make our joys increase.

3 Thy wonders to thy servants show, Make thy own work complete, Then shall our souls thy glory know, And own thy love was great.

4 Then shall we shine before thy throne In all thy beauty, Lord; And the poor service we have done Meet a divine reward.

Psalm 90:5. 5 10 12. S. M. The frailty and shortness of life.

1 Lord what a feeble piece Is this our mortal frame! Our life how poor a trifle 'tis, That scarce deserves the name!

2 Alas the brittle clay That built our body first! And every month, and every day 'Tis mouldering back to dust.

3 Our moments fly apace, Nor will our minutes stay; Just like a flood our hasty days Are sweeping us away.

4 Well if our days must fly, We'll keep their end in sight, We'll spend them all in wisdom's way, And let them speed their flight.

5 They'll waft us sooner o'er This life's tempestuous sea: Soon we shall reach the peaceful shore Of blest eternity.

Psalm 91:1. 1-7. First Part. Safety in public diseases and dangers.

1 He that hath made his refuge God, Shall find a most secure abode, Shall walk all day beneath his shade, And there at night shall rest his head.

2 Then will I say, "My God, thy power "Shall be my fortress and my tower; "I that am form'd of feeble dust "Make thine almighty arm my trust."

3 Thrice happy man! thy Maker's care Shall keep thee from the fowler's snare, Satan, the fowler, who betrays Unguarded souls a thousand ways.

4 Just as a hen protects her brood From birds of prey that seek their blood, Under her feathers, so the Lord Makes his own arm his people's guard.

5 If burning beams of noon conspire To dart a pestilential fire, God is their life; his wings are spread To shield them with an healthful shade.

6 If vapours with malignant breath Rise thick and scatter midnight death, Israel is safe; the poison'd air Grows pure if Israel's God be there.

PAUSE.

7 What though a thousand at thy side, At thy right hand ten thousand dy'd, Thy God his chosen people saves Amongst the dead, amidst the graves.

8 So when he sent his angel down To make his wrath in Egypt known, And slew their sons, his careful eye Pass'd all the doors of Jacob by.

9 But if the fire, or plague, or sword, Receive commission from the Lord To strike his saints among the rest, Their very pains and deaths are blest.

10 The sword, the pestilence or fire Shall but fulfil their best desire, From sins and sorrows set them free, And bring thy children, Lord, to thee.

Psalm 91:2. 1-16. Second Part. Protection from death, guard of angels, victory and deliverance.

1 Ye sons of men, a feeble race, Expos'd to every snare, Come make the Lord your dwelling-place, And try and trust his care.

2 No ill shall enter where you dwell; Or if the plague come nigh, And sweep the wicked down to hell, 'Twill raise his saints on high.

3 He'll give his angels charge to keep Your feet in all their ways; To watch your pillow while you sleep, And guard your happy days.

4 Their hands shall bear you, lest you fall And dash against the stones: Are they not servants at his call, And sent t' attend his sons?

5 Adders and lions ye shall tread; The tempter's wiles defeat; He that hath broke the serpent's head Puts him beneath your feet.

6 "Because on me they set their love "I'll save them," saith the Lord; "I'll bear their joyful souls above "Destruction and the sword.

7 "My grace shall answer when they call; "In trouble I'll be nigh; "My power shall help them when they fall, "And raise them when they die.

8 "Those that on earth my Name have known, "I'll honour them in heaven; "There my salvation shall be shown, "And endless life be given."

Psalm 92:1. First Part. A psalm for the Lord's day.

1 Sweet is the work, my God my King, To praise thy Name, give thanks and sing, To shew thy love by morning light, And talk of all thy truth at night.

2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest, No mortal cares shall seize my breast; O may my heart in tune be found Like David's harp of solemn sound!

3 My heart shall triumph in my Lord, And bless his works, and bless his word; Thy works of grace, how bright they shine! How deep thy counsels! how divine!

4 Fools never raise their thoughts so high; Like brutes they live, like brutes they die; Like grass they flourish, till thy breath Blast them in everlasting death.

5 But I shall share a glorious part When grace hath well refin'd my heart, And fresh supplies of joy are shed Like holy oil, to cheer my head.

6 Sin, (my worst enemy before) Shall vex my eyes and ears no more; My inward foes shall all be slain, Nor Satan break my peace again.

7 Then shall I see, and hear, and know, All I desir'd or wish'd below; And every power find sweet employ In that eternal world of joy.