Chapter 14

4 Thus on the heavenly hills The saints are blest above, Where joy like morning dew distils, And all the air is love.

Psalm 133:3. As the 122nd Psalm. The blessings of friendship.

1 How pleasant 'tis to see Kindred and friends agree, Each in their proper station move, And each fulfil their part With sympathizing heart, In all the cares of life and love!

2 'Tis like the ointment shed On Aaron's sacred head, Divinely rich, divinely sweet; The oil, thro' all the room, Diffus'd a choice perfume, Ran thro' his robes, and blest his feet.

3 Like fruitful showers of rain, That water all the plain, Descending from the neighbouring hills; Such streams of pleasure roll Thro' every friendly soul, Where love like heavenly dew distils.

Repeat the first stanza to complete the tune.

Psalm 134. Daily and nightly devotion.

1 Ye that obey th' immortal King, Attend his holy place, Bow to the glories of his power, And bless his wondrous grace;

2 Lift up your hands by morning-light, And send your souls on high; Raise your admiring thoughts by night Above the starry sky.

3 The God of Zion cheers our hearts With rays of quickening grace; The God that spread the heavens abroad, And rules the swelling seas.

Psalm 135:1. 1-4 14 19 21. First Part. L. M. The church is God's house and care.

1 Praise ye the Lord, exalt his Name, While in his holy courts ye wait, Ye saints, that to his house belong, Or stand attending at his gate.

2 Praise ye the Lord; the Lord is good; To praise his Name is sweet employ; Israel he chose of old, and still His church is his peculiar joy.

3 The Lord himself will judge his saints; He treats his servants as his friends; And when he hears their sore complaints, Repents the sorrows that he sends.

4 Thro' every age the Lord declares His Name and breaks th' oppressor's rod; He gives his suffering servants rest, And will be known th' almighty God.

6 Bless ye the Lord, who taste his love, People and priests exalt his Name: Amongst his saints he ever dwells; His church is his Jerusalem.

Psalm 135:2. 5-12. Second Part. L. M. The works of creation, providence, redemption of Israel, and destruction of enemies.

1 Great is the Lord, exalted high Above all powers and every throne; Whate'er he please in earth or sea, Or heaven, or hell, his hand hath done.

2 At his command the vapours rise, The lightnings flash, the thunders roar; He pours the rain, he brings the wind, And tempest from his airy store.

3 'Twas he those dreadful tokens sent, O Egypt thro' thy stubborn land; When all thy first-born beasts and men Fell dead by his avenging hand.

4 What mighty nations, mighty kings, He slew, and their whole country gave To Israel, whom his hand redeem'd, No more to be proud Pharaoh's slave!

5 His power the same, the same his grace, That saves us from the hosts of hell; And heaven he gives us to possess, Whence those apostate angels fell.

Psalm 135:3. C. M. Praise due to God, not to idols.

1 Awake, ye saints; to praise your King, Your sweetest passions raise, Your pious pleasure, while you sing, Increasing with the praise.

2 Great is the Lord; and works unknown Are his divine employ; But still his saints are near his throne, His treasure and his joy.

3 Heaven, earth, and sea, confess his hand; He bids the vapours rise; Lightning and storm at his command Sweep thro' the sounding skies.

4 All power, that gods or kings have claim'd Is found with him alone; But heathen gods should ne'er be nam'd Where our Jehovah's known.

5 Which of the stocks or stones they trust Can give them showers of rain? In vain they worship glittering dust, And pray to gold in vain.

6 [Their gods have tongues that cannot talk, Such as their makers gave: Their feet were ne'er design'd to walk, Nor hands have power to save.

7 Blind are their eyes, their ears are deaf, Nor hear when mortals pray; Mortals, that wait for their relief, Are blind, and deaf as they.]

8 O Britain, know thy living God, Serve him with faith and fear; He makes thy churches his abode, And claims thine honours there.

Psalm 136:1. C. M. God's wonders of creation, providence, redemption of Israel, and salvation of his people.

1 Give thanks to God the sovereign Lord; His mercies still endure! And be the King of kings ador'd; His truth is ever sure.

2 What wonders hath his wisdom done! How mighty is his hand! Heaven, earth, and sea, he fram'd alone: How wide is his command!

3 The sun supplies the day with light; How bright his counsels shine! The moon and stars adorn the night; His works are all divine!

4 [He struck the sons of Egypt dead; How dreadful is his rod! And thence with joy his people led: How gracious is our God!

5 He cleft the swelling sea in two; His arm is great in might, And gave the tribes a passage thro'; His power and grace unite.

6 But Pharaoh's army there he drown'd; How glorious are his ways! And brought his saints thro' desert ground; Eternal be his praise.

7 Great monarchs fell beneath his hand, Victorious is his sword; While Israel took the promis'd land; And faithful is his word.]

8 He saw the nations dead in sin; He felt his pity move: How sad the state the world was in! How boundless was his love!

9 He sent to save us from our woe; His goodness never fails; From death, and hell, and every foe; And still his grace prevails.

10 Give thanks to God the heavenly King; His mercies still endure! Let the whole earth his praises sing; His truth is ever sure.

Psalm 136:2. As the 148th Psalm. God's wonders of creation, providence, redemption of Israel, and salvation of his people.

1 Give thanks to God most high, The universal Lord; The sovereign King of kings; And be his grace ador'd. His power and grace Are still the same; And let his Name Have endless praise.

2 How mighty is his hand! What wonders hath he done! He form'd the earth and seas, And spread the heavens alone. Thy mercy, Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sure Abides thy word.

3 His wisdom fram'd the sun To crown the day with light; The moon and twinkling stars To cheer the darksome night. His power and grace Are still the same; And let his Name Have endless praise.

4 [He smote the first-born Sons, The flower of Egypt, dead: And thence his chosen tribes With joy and glory led. Thy mercy, Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sure Abides thy word.

5 His power and lifted rod Cleft the Red-sea in two: And for his people made A wondrous passage thro'. His power and grace Are still the same; And let his Name Have endless praise.

6 But cruel Pharaoh there With all his host he drown'd; And brought his Israel safe Thro' a long desert ground. Thy mercy, Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sure Abides thy word.

PAUSE.

The kings of Canaan fell Beneath his dreadful hand: While his own servants took Possession of their land. His power and grace Are still the same; And let his name Have endless praise.]

8 He saw the nations lie All perishing in sin, And pity'd the sad state The ruin'd world was in. Thy mercy, Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sure Abides thy word.

9 He sent his only Son To save us from our woe, From Satan sin and death, And every hurtful foe. His power and grace Are still the same; And let his Name Have endless praise.

10 Give thanks aloud to God, To God the heavenly King; And let the spacious earth His works and glories sing. Thy mercy, Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sure Abides thy word.

Psalm 136:3. Abridged. L. M. God's wonders of creation, providence, redemption and salvation.

1 Give to our God immortal praise; Mercy and truth are all his ways: 'Wonders of grace to God belong, 'Repeat his mercies in your song.'

2 Give to the Lord of lords renown, The King of kings with glory crown: 'His mercies ever shall endure, 'When' lords and kings are known 'no more.'

3 He built the earth, he spread the sky, And fix'd the starry lights on high; 'Wonders of grace to God belong, 'Repeat his mercies in your song.'

4 He fills the sun with morning light, He bids the moon direct the night: 'His mercies ever shall endure, 'When' suns and moons shall shine 'no more.'

5 The Jews he freed from Pharaoh's hand, And brought them to the promis'd land; 'Wonders of grace to God belong, 'Repeat his mercies in your song.'

6 He saw the Gentiles dead in sin, And felt his pity work within: 'His mercies ever shall endure, 'When' death and sin shall reign 'no more.'

7 He sent his Son with power to save From guilt, and darkness, and the grave: 'Wonders of grace to God belong, 'Repeat his mercies in your song.'

8 Thro' this vain world he guides our feet, And leads us to his heavenly seat: 'His mercies ever shall endure, 'When' this vain world shall be 'no more.'

Psalm 138. Restoring and preserving grace.

1 [With all my powers of heart and tongue I'll praise my Maker in my song: Angels shall hear the notes I raise, Approve the song, and join the praise.

2 Angels that make thy church their care Shall witness my devotions there, While holy zeal directs my eyes To thy fair temple in the skies.]

3 I'll sing thy truth and mercy, Lord, I'll sing the wonders of thy word; Not all thy works and names below So much thy power and glory show.

4 To God I cry'd when troubles rose; He heard me, and subdu'd my foes, He did my rising fears control, And strength diffus'd thro' all my soul.

5 The God of heaven maintains his state, Frowns on the proud and scorns the great; But from his throne descends to see The sons of humble poverty.

6 Amidst a thousand snares I stand Upheld and guarded by thy hand; Thy words my fainting soul revive, And keep my dying faith alive.

7 Grace will complete what grace begins, To save from sorrows or from sins; The work that wisdom undertakes Eternal mercy ne'er forsakes.

Psalm 139:1. First Part. L. M. The all-seeing God.

1 Lord, thou hast search'd and seen me thro'; Thine eye commands with piercing view My rising and my resting hours, My heart and flesh with all their powers.

2 My thoughts, before they are my own, Are to my God distinctly known; He knows the words I mean to speak Ere from my opening lips they break.

3 Within thy circling power I stand; On every side I find thy hand: Awake, asleep, at home, abroad, I am surrounded still with God.

4 Amazing knowledge, vast and great! What large extent! what lofty height! My soul, with all the powers I boast, Is in the boundless prospect lost.

5 "O may these thoughts possess my breast, "Where'er I rove where'er I rest! "Nor let my weaker passions dare "Consent to sin, for God is there."

PAUSE I.

6 Could I so false, so faithless prove, To quit thy service and thy love, Where, Lord, could I thy presence shun, Or from thy dreadful glory run?

7 If up to heaven I take my flight, 'Tis there thou dwell'st enthron'd in light; Or dive to hell, there vengeance reigns, And Satan groans beneath thy chains.

8 If mounted on a morning ray, I fly beyond the western sea, Thy swifter hand would first arrive, And there arrest thy fugitive.

9 Or should I try to shun thy sight Beneath the spreading veil of night, One glance of thine, one piercing ray, Would kindle darkness into day.

10 "O may these thoughts possess my breast, "Where'er I rove, where'er I rest! "Nor let my weaker passions dare "Consent to sin, for God is there."

PAUSE II.

11 The veil of night is no disguise, No screen from thy all-searching eyes; Thy hand can seize thy foes as soon, Thro' midnight shades as blazing noon.

12 Midnight and noon in this agree, Great God, they're both alike to thee: Not death can hide what God will spy, And hell lies naked to his eye.

13 "O may these thoughts possess my breast, "Where'er I rove where'er I rest! "Nor let my weaker passions dare "Consent to sin, for God is there."

Psalm 139:2. Second Part. L. M. The wonderful formation of man.

1 'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came, A work of such a curious frame; In me thy fearful wonders shine, And each proclaims thy skill divine.

2 Thine eyes did all my limbs survey, Which yet in dark confusion lay; Thou saw'st the daily growth they took, Form'd by the model of thy book.

3 By thee my growing parts were nam'd, And what thy sovereign counsels fram'd, (The breathing lungs, the beating heart) Was copy'd with unerring art.

4 At last, to shew my Maker's name, God stamp'd his image on my frame, And in some unknown moment join'd The finish'd members to the mind.

5 There the young seeds of thought began And all the passions of the man: Great God, our infant nature pays Immortal tribute to thy praise.

PAUSE.

6 Lord, since in my advancing age I've acted on life's busy stage, Thy thoughts of love to me surmount The power of numbers to recount.

7 I could survey the ocean o'er, And count each sand that makes the shore, Before my swiftest thoughts could trace The numerous wonders of thy grace.

8 These on my heart are still impress'd, With these I give my eyes to rest; And at my waking hour I find God and his love possess my mind.

Psalm 139:3. Third Part. L. M. Sincerity professed, and grace tried; or, The heart- searching of God.

1 My God, what inward grief I feel When impious men transgress thy will! I mourn to hear their lips profane Take thy tremendous Name in vain.

2 Does not my soul detest and hate The sons of malice and deceit? Those that oppose thy laws and thee I count them enemies to me.

3 Lord, search my soul, try every thought; Tho' my own heart accuse me not Of walking in a false disguise, I beg the trial of thine eyes.

4 Doth secret mischief lurk within? Do I indulge some unknown sin? O turn my feet whene'er I stray, And lead me in thy perfect way.

Psalm 139:4. First Part. C. M. God is every where.

1 In all my vast concerns with thee In vain my soul would try To shun thy presence, Lord, or flee The notice of thine eye.

2 Thy all-surrounding sight surveys My rising and my rest, My public walks, my private ways, And secrets of my breast.

3 My thoughts lie open to the Lord Before they're form'd within: And ere my lips pronounce the word, He knows the sense I mean.

4 O wondrous knowledge, deep and high! Where can a creature hide? Within thy circling arms I lie, Beset on every side.

5 So let thy grace surround me still, And like a bulwark prove, To guard my soul from every ill, Secur'd by sovereign love.

PAUSE.

6 Lord, where shall guilty souls retire, Forgotten and unknown? In hell they meet thy dreadful fire, In heaven thy glorious throne.

7 Should I suppress my vital breath To 'scape the wrath divine, Thy voice would break the bars of death, And make the grave resign.

8 If wing'd with beams of morning light, I fly beyond the west, Thy hand, which must support my flight, Would soon betray my rest.

9 If o'er my sins I think to draw The curtains of the night, Those flaming eyes that guard thy law Would turn the shades to light.

10 The beams of noon, the midnight hour, Are both alike to thee: O may I ne'er provoke that power From which I cannot flee!

Psalm 139:5. Second Part. C. M. The wisdom of God in the formation of man.

1 When I with pleasing wonder stand, And all my frame survey, Lord, 'tis thy work; I own thy hand Thus built my humble clay.

2 Thy hand my heart and reins possest Where unborn nature grew, Thy wisdom all my features trac'd, And all my members drew.

3 Thine eye with nicest care survey'd The growth of every part; Till the whole scheme thy thoughts had laid Was copied by thy art.

4 Heaven, earth, and sea, and fire, and wind, Shew me thy wondrous skill; But I review myself, and find Diviner wonders still.

5 Thy awful glories round me shine, My flesh proclaims thy praise; Lord, to thy works of nature join Thy miracles of grace.

Psalm 139:6. 14 17 18. Third Part. C. M. The mercies of God innumerable.

An evening psalm.

1 Lord, when I count thy mercies o'er, They strike me with surprise; Not all the sands that spread the shore To equal numbers rise.

2 My flesh with fear and wonder stands, The product of thy skill, And hourly blessings from thy hands, Thy thoughts of love reveal.

3 These on my heart by night I keep; How kind, how dear to me! O may the hour that ends my sleep Still find my thoughts with thee.

Psalm 141. 2-5. Watchfulness, and brotherly reproof.

A morning or evening psalm.

1 My God, accept my early vows, Like morning incense in thine house, And let my nightly worship rise Sweet as the evening sacrifice.

2 Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord, From every rash and heedless word; Nor let my feet incline to tread The guilty path where sinners lead.

3 O may the righteous, when I stray, Smite, and reprove my wandering way! Their gentle words, like ointment shed, Shall never bruise, but cheer my head.

4 When I behold them prest with grief, I'll cry to heaven for their relief; And by my warm petitions prove how much I prize their faithful love.

Psalm 142. God is the hope of the helpless.

1 To God I made my sorrows known, From God I sought relief; In long complaints before his throne I pour'd out all my grief.

2 My soul was overwhelm'd with woes, My heart began to break; My God, who all my burdens knows, He knows the way I take.

3 On every side I cast mine eye, And found my helpers gone, While friends and strangers pass'd me by Neglected or unknown.

4 Then did I raise a louder cry, And call'd thy mercy near, "Thou art my portion when I die, "Be thou my refuge here."

5 Lord, I am brought exceeding low, Now let thine ear attend, And make my foes who vex me know I've an almighty Friend.

6 From my sad prison set me free, Then shall I praise thy Name, And holy men shall join with me Thy kindness to proclaim.

Psalm 143. Complaint of heavy afflictions in mind and body.

1 My righteous Judge, my gracious God, Hear when I spread my hands abroad And cry for succour from thy throne, O make thy truth and mercy known.

2 Let judgment not against me pass; Behold thy servant pleads thy grace: Should justice call us to thy bar, No man alive is guiltless there.

3 Look down in pity, Lord, and see The mighty woes that burden me; Down to the dust my life is brought, Like one long bury'd and forgot.

4 I dwell in darkness and unseen, My heart is desolate within; My thoughts in musing silence trace The ancient wonders of thy grace.

5 Thence I derive a glimpse of hope To bear my sinking spirits up; I stretch my hands to God again, And thirst like parched lands for rain.

6 For thee I thirst, I pray, I mourn; When will thy smiling face return? Shall all my joys on earth remove? And God for ever hide his love?

7 My God, thy long delay to save Will sink thy prisoner to the grave; My heart grows faint, and dim mine eye; Make haste to help before I die.

8 The night is witness to my tears, Distressing pains, distressing fears; O might I hear thy morning voice, How would my weary'd powers rejoice!

9 In thee I trust, to thee I sigh, And lift my heavy soul on high, For thee sit waiting all the day, And wear the tiresome hours away.

10 Break off my fetters, Lord, and show Which is the path my feet should go; If snares and foes beset the road, I flee to hide me near my God.

11 Teach me to do thy holy will, And lead me to thy heavenly hill; Let the good Spirit of thy love Conduct me to thy courts above.

12 Then shall my soul no more complain, The tempter then shall rage in vain; And flesh that was my foe before, Shall never vex my spirit more.

Psalm 144:1. 1 2. First Part. Assistance and victory in the spiritual warfare.

1 For ever blessed be the Lord, My Saviour and my shield; He sends his Spirit with his word To arm me for the field.

2 When sin and hell their force unite, He makes my soul his care, Instructs me to the heavenly fight, And guards me thro' the war.

3 A friend and helper so divine Doth my weak courage raise; He makes the glorious victory mine, And his shall be the praise.

Psalm 144:2. 3 4 5 6. Second Part. The vanity of man, and condescension of God.

1 Lord, what is man, poor feeble man, Born of the earth at first! His life a shadow, light and vain, Still hasting to the dust.

2 O what is feeble dying man Or any of his race, That God should make it his concern To visit him with grace!

3 That God who darts his lightnings down, Who shakes the worlds above, And mountains tremble at his frown, How wondrous is his love.

Psalm 144:3. 12-15. Third Part. Grace above riches; or, The happy nation.

1 Happy the city, where their sons Like pillars round a palace set, And daughters bright as polish'd stones Give strength and beauty to the state.

2 Happy the country, where the sheep, Cattle, and corn, have large increase; Where men securely work or sleep, Nor sons of plunder break the peace.

3 Happy the nation thus endow'd, But more divinely blest are those On whom the all-sufficient God Himself with all his grace bestows.

Psalm 145:1. L. M. The greatness of God.

1 My God, my King, thy various praise Shall fill the remnant of my days; Thy grace employ my humble tongue Till death and glory raise the song.

2 The wings of every hour shall bear Some thankful tribute to thine ear; And every setting sun shall see New works of duty done for thee.

3 Thy truth and justice I'll proclaim; Thy bounty flows, an endless stream, Thy mercy swift, thine anger slow, But dreadful to the stubborn foe.

4 Thy works with sovereign glory shine, And speak thy majesty divine; Let Britain round her shores proclaim The sound and honour of thy Name.

5 Let distant times and nations raise The long succession of thy praise; And unborn ages make my song The joy and labour of their tongue.

6 But who can speak thy wondrous deeds? Thy greatness all our thoughts exceeds! Vast and unsearchable thy ways! Vast and immortal be thy praise!

Psalm 145:2. 1-7 11-13. First Part. The greatness of God.

1 Long as I live I'll bless thy Name, My King, my God of love; My work and joy shall be the same In the bright world above.

2 Great is the Lord, his power unknown, And let his praise be great: I'll sing the honours of thy throne, Thy works of grace repeat.

3 Thy grace shall dwell upon my tongue; And while my lips rejoice, The men that hear my sacred song Shall join their cheerful voice.

4 Fathers to Sons shall teach thy Name, And children learn thy ways; Ages to come thy truth proclaim, And nations sound thy praise.

5 Thy glorious deeds of ancient date Shall thro' the world be known; Thine arm of power, thy heavenly state, With public splendor shown.

6 The world is manag'd by thy hands, Thy saints are rul'd by love; And thine eternal kingdom stands, Tho' rocks and hills remove.

Psalm 145:3. 7 &c. Second Part. The goodness of God.

1 Sweet is the memory of thy grace, My God, my heavenly king; Let age to age thy righteousness In sounds of glory sing.

2 God reigns on high, but not confines His goodness to the skies; Thro' the whole earth his bounty shines, And every want supplies.

3 With longing eyes thy creatures wait On thee for daily food, Thy liberal hand provides their meat And fills their mouths with good.

4 How kind are thy compassions, Lord! How slow thine anger moves! But soon he sends his pardoning word To cheer the souls he loves.

5 Creatures, with all their endless race, Thy power and praise proclaim; But saints that taste thy richer grace Delight to bless thy Name.

Psalm 145:4. 14 17 &c. Third Part. Mercy to sufferers; or, God hearing prayer.

1 Let every tongue thy goodness speak, Thou sovereign Lord of all; Thy strengthening hands uphold the weak, And raise the poor that fall.

2 When sorrow bows the spirit down, Or virtue lies distrest Beneath some proud oppressor's frown, Thou giv'st the mourners rest.

3 The Lord supports our tottering days, And guides our giddy youth; Holy and just are all his ways, And all his words are truth.

4 He knows the pains his servants feel, He hears his children cry, And their best wishes to fulfil His grace is ever nigh.

5 His mercy never shall remove From men of heart sincere; He saves the souls whose humble love Is join'd with holy fear.