Chapter 2

6 Now he's ascended high, And asks to rule the earth; The merit of his blood be pleads, And pleads his heavenly birth.

7 He asks, and God bestows A large inheritance; Far as the world's remotest ends His kingdom shall advance.

8 The nations that rebel Must feel his iron rod; He'll vindicate those honours well Which he receiv'd from God.

9 [Be wise, ye rulers, now, And worship at his throne; With trembling joy, ye people, bow To God's exalted Son.

10 If once his wrath arise, Ye perish on the place; Then blessed is the soul that flies For refuge to his grace.]

Psalm 2:2. C. M. The same.

1 Why did the nations join to slay The Lord's anointed Son? Why did they cast his laws away, And tread his gospel down?

2 The Lord that sits above the skies, Derides their rage below, He speaks with vengeance in his eyes, And strikes their spirits thro'.

3 "I call him my Eternal Son, "And raise him from the dead; "I make my holy hill his throne, "And wide his kingdom spread.

4 "Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy "The utmost heathen lands: "Thy rod of iron shall destroy "The rebel that withstands."

5 Be wise, ye rulers of the earth, Obey th' anointed Lord, Adore the king of heavenly birth, And tremble at his word.

6 With humble love address his throne, For if he frown ye die; Those are secure, and those alone, Who on his grace rely.

Psalm 2:3. L. M. Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension.

1 Why did the Jews proclaim their rage? The Romans why their swords employ? Against the Lord their powers engage His dear anointed to destroy?

2 "Come, let us break his bands," they say, "This man shall never give us laws ;" And thus they cast his yoke away, And nail'd the monarch to the cross.

3 But God, who high in glory reigns, Laughs at their pride, their rage controls; He'll vex their hearts with inward pains, And speak in thunder to their souls.

4 "I will maintain the King I made "On Zion's everlasting hill, "My hand shall bring him from the dead, "And he shall stand your sovereign still."

5 [His wondrous rising from the earth Makes his eternal Godhead known! The Lord declares his heavenly birth, "This day have I begot my Son.

6 "Ascend, my Son, to my right hand, "There thou shalt ask, and I bestow "The utmost bounds of heathen lands; "To thee the northern isles shall bow."]

7 But nations that resist his grace Shall fall beneath his iron stroke; His rod shall crush his foes with ease As potters' earthen work is broke.

PAUSE.

8 Now, ye that sit on earthly thrones, Be wise, and serve the Lord, the Lamb; at his feet submit your crowns, Rejoice and tremble at his name.

9 With humble love address the Son, Lest he grow angry and ye die; His wrath will burn to worlds unknown If ye provoke his jealousy.

10 His storms shall drive you quick to hell: He is a God, and ye but dust: Happy the souls that know him well, And make his grace their only trust.

Psalm 3:1. C. M. Doubts and fears supprest; or, God our defence from sin and Satan.

1 My God, how many are my fears! How fast my foes increase! Conspiring my eternal death, They break my present peace.

2 The lying tempter would persuade There's no relief in heaven; And all my swelling sins appear Too big to be forgiven.

3 But thou, my glory and my strength, Shalt on the tempter tread, Shalt silence all my threatening guilt, And raise my drooping head.

4 [I cry'd, and from his holy hill He bow'd a listening ear, I call'd my Father, and my God, And he subdu'd my fear.

5 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes, In spite of all my foes; I woke, and wonder'd at the grace That guarded my repose.]

6 What though the hosts of death and hell All arm'd against me stood, Terrors no more shall shake my soul, My refuge is my God.

7 Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace, While I thy glory sing: My God has broke the serpent's teeth, And death has lost his sting.

8 Salvation to the Lord belongs, His arm alone can save; Blessings attend thy people here, And reach beyond the grave.

Psalm 3:2. 1 2 3 4 5 8. L. M. A morning Psalm.

1 O Lord, how many are my foes, In this weak state of flesh and blood! My peace they daily discompose, But my defence and hope is God.

2 Tir'd with the burdens of the day, To thee I rais'd an evening cry; Thou heardst when I began to pray, And thine almighty help was nigh.

3 Supported by thine heavenly aid, I laid me down and slept secure; Not death should make my heart afraid, Tho' I should wake and rise no more.

4 But God sustain'd me all the night; Salvation doth to God belong; He rais'd my head to see the light, And make his praise my morning song.

Psalm 4:1. 1 2 3 5 6 7. L. M. Hearing prayer; or, God our portion, and Christ our hope.

1 O God of grace and righteousness, Hear and attend when I complain; Thou hast enlarg'd me in distress, Bow down a gracious ear again.

2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye try To turn my glory into shame; How long will scoffers love to lie, And dare reproach my Saviour's name!

3 Know that the Lord divides his saints From all the tribes of men beside; He hears the cry of penitents For the dear sake of Christ that dy'd.

4 When our obedient hands have done A thousand works of righteousness, We put our trust in God alone, And glory in his pardoning grace.

5 Let the unthinking many say, "Who will bestow some earthly good?" But, Lord, thy light and love we pray, Our souls desire this heavenly food.

6 Then shall my cheerful powers rejoice At grace and favour so divine; Nor will I change my happy choice For all their corn and all their wine.

Psalm 4:2. 3 4 5 8. C. M. An evening Psalm.

1 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray I am for ever thine: I fear before thee all the day, Nor would I dare to sin.

2 And while I rest my weary head From cares and business free, 'Tis sweet conversing on my bed With my own heart and thee.

3 I pay this evening sacrifice; And when my work is done, Great God, my faith and hope relies Upon thy grace alone.

4 Thus with my thoughts compos'd to peace I'll give mine eyes to sleep; Thy hand in safety keeps my days, And will my slumbers keep.

Psalm 5. For the Lord's day morning.

1 Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear My voice ascending high; To thee will I direct my prayer, To thee lift up mine eye;

2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone To plead for all his saints, Presenting at his Father's throne Our songs and our complaints.

3 Thou art a God before whose sight The wicked shall not stand; Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight, Nor dwell at thy right hand.

4 But to thy house will I resort, To taste thy mercies there; I will frequent thine holy court, And worship in thy fear.

5 O may thy Spirit guide my feet In ways of righteousness! Make every path of duty straight And plain before my face.

PAUSE.

6 My watchful enemies combine To tempt my feet astray; They flatter with a base design To make my soul their prey.

7 Lord, crush the serpent in the dust, And all his plots destroy; While those that in thy mercy trust For ever shout for joy.

8 The men that love and fear thy name Shall see their hopes fulfill'd; The mighty God will compass them With favour as a shield.

Psalm 6:1. C. M. Complaint in sickness; or, diseases healed.

1 In anger, Lord, rebuke me not, Withdraw the dreadful storm; Nor let thy fury grow so hot Against a feeble worm.

2 My soul's bow'd down with heavy cares, My flesh with pain oppress'd; My couch is witness to my tears, My tears forbid my rest.

3 Sorrow and pain wear out my days; I waste the night with cries, Counting the minutes as they pass, Till the slow morning rise.

4 Shall I be still tormented more? Mine eye consum'd with grief? How long, my God, how long before Thine hand afford relief?

5 He hears when dust and ashes speak, He pities all our groans, He saves us for his mercy's sake And heals our broken bones.

6 The virtue of his sovereign word Restores our fainting breath; For silent graves praise not the Lord, Nor is he known in death.

Psalm 6:2. L. M. Temptations in sickness overcome.

1 Lord, I can suffer thy rebukes, When thou with kindness dost chastise But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear, O let it not against me rise!

2 Pity my languishing estate, And ease the sorrows that I feel; The wounds thine heavy hand hath made, O let thy gentler touches heal.

3 See how I pass my weary days In sighs and groans; and when 'tis night My bed is water'd with my tears; My grief consumes and dims my sight.

4 Look how the powers of nature mourn! How long, almighty God, how long? When shall thine hour of grace return? When shall I make thy grace my song?

5 I feel my flesh so near the grave, My thoughts are tempted to despair; But graves can never praise the Lord, For all is dust and silence there.

6 Depart, ye tempters, from my soul, And all despairing thoughts depart; My God, who hears my humble moan, Will ease my flesh, and cheer my heart.

Psalm 7. God's care of his people and punishment of persecutors.

1 My trust is in my heavenly Friend, My hope in thee, my God; Rise and my helpless life defend From those that seek my blood.

2 With insolence and fury they My soul in pieces tear, As hungry lions rend the prey When no deliverer's near.

3 If I had e'er provok'd them first, Or once abus'd my foe, Then let him tread my life to dust, And lay mine honour low.

4 If there be malice found in me, I know thy piercing eyes; I should not dare appeal to thee, Nor ask my God to rise.

5 Arise, my God, lift up thy hand, Their pride and power control; Awake to judgment and command Deliverance for my soul.

PAUSE.

6 [Let sinners and their wicked rage Be humbled to the dust; Shall not the God of truth engage To vindicate the just?

7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins, He will defend th' upright: His sharpest arrows he ordains Against the sons of spite.

8 For me their malice digg'd a pit, But there themselves are cast; My God makes all their mischief light On their own heads at last.]

9 That cruel persecuting race Must feel his dreadful sword; Awake, my soul, and praise the grace And justice of the Lord.

Psalm 8:1. S. M. God's sovereignty and goodness; and man's dominion over the creatures.

1 O Lord, our heavenly King, Thy name is all divine; Thy glories round the earth are spread, And o'er the heavens they shine.

2 When to thy works on high I raise my wondering eyes, And see the moon complete in light Adorn the darksome skies:

3 When I survey the stars, And all their shining forms, Lord, what is man, that worthless thing, Akin to dust and worms?

4 Lord, what is worthless man, That thou shouldst love him so? Next to thine angels he is plac'd, And lord of all below.

5 Thine honours crown his head, While beasts like slaves obey, And birds that cut the air with wings, And fish that cleave the sea.

6 How rich thy bounties are! And wondrous are thy ways: Of dust and worms thy power can frame A monument of praise.

7 [Out of the mouths of babes And sucklings thou canst draw Surprising honours to thy name, And strike the world with awe.]

8 O Lord, our heavenly King, Thy name is all divine: Thy glories round the earth are spread, And o'er the heavens they shine.

Psalm 8:2. C. M. Christ's condescension and glorification; or, God made man.

1 O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name! The glories of thy heavenly state Let men and babes proclaim.

2 When I behold thy works on high, The moon that rules the night, And stars that well adorn the sky, Those moving worlds of light;

3 Lord, what is man, or all his race, Who dwells so far below, That thou shouldst visit him with grace, And love his nature so?

4 That thine eternal Son should bear To take a mortal form, Made lower than his angels are, To save a dying worm!

5 [Yet while he liv'd on earth unknown, And men would not adore, Th' obedient seas and fishes own His Godhead and his power.

6 The waves lay spread beneath his feet; And fish, at his command, Bring their large shoals to Peter's net, Bring tribute to his hand.

7 These lesser glories of the Son Shone thro' the fleshly cloud; Now we behold him on his throne, And men confess him God.]

8 Let him be crown'd with majesty, Who bow'd his head to death; And be his honours sounded high, By all things that have breath.

9 Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name! The glories of thy heavenly state Let the whole earth proclaim.

Psalm 8:3. 1 2. paraphrased. First Part. L. M. The Hosanna of the children; or, Infants praising God.

1 Almighty Ruler of the skies, Thro' the wide earth thy name is spread, And thine eternal glories rise O'er all the heavens thy hands have made.

2 To thee the voices of the young A monument of honour raise; And babes, with uninstructed tongue, Declare the wonders of thy praise.

3 Thy power assists their tender age To bring proud rebels to the ground, To still the bold blasphemer's rage, And all their policies confound.

4 Children amidst thy temple throng To see their great Redeemer's face; The Son of David is their song, And young hosannas fill the place.

3 The frowning scribes and angry priests In vain their impious cavils bring; Revenge sits silent in their breasts, While Jewish babes proclaim their king.

Psalm 8:4. 3 &c. paraphrased. Second Part. L. M. Adam and Christ, lords of the old and the new creation.

1 Lord, what was man, when made at first, Adam the offspring of the dust, That thou shouldst set him and his race But just below an angel's place?

2 That thou shouldst raise his nature so And make him lord of all below; Make every beast and bird submit, And lay the fishes at his feet?

3 But O, what brighter glories wait To crown the second Adam's state! What honours shall thy Son adorn Who condescended to be born!

4 See him below his angels made, See him in dust amongst the dead, To save a ruin'd world from sin; But he shall reign with power divine.

5 The world to come, redeem'd from all The miseries that attend the fall, New made, and glorious, shall submit At our exalted Saviour's feet.

Psalm 9:1. First Part. Wrath and mercy from the judgment-seat.

1 With my whole heart I'll raise my song, Thy wonders I'll proclaim; Thou sov'reign judge of right and wrong Wilt put my foes to shame.

2 I'll sing thy majesty and grace; My God prepares his throne To judge the world in righteousness And make his vengeance known.

3 Then shall the Lord a refuge prove For all the poor opprest, To save the people of his love, And give the weary rest.

4 The men, that know thy name will trust In thy abundant grace; For thou hast ne'er forsook the just, Who humbly seek thy face.

5 Sing praises to the righteous Lord, Who dwells on Zion's hill, Who executes his threatening word, And doth his grace fulfil.

Psalm 9:2. 10. Second Part. The wisdom and equity of providence.

1 When the great Judge, supreme and just, Shall once inquire for blood, The humble souls, that mourn in dust, Shall find a faithful God.

2 He from the dreadful gates of death Does his own children raise: In Zion's gates, with cheerful breath, They sing their Father's praise.

3 His foes shall fail with heedless feet Into the pit they made; And sinners perish in the net That their own hands had spread.

4 Thus by thy judgments, mighty God! Are thy deep counsels known; When men of mischief are destroy'd, The snare must be their own.

PAUSE.

5 The wicked shall sink down to hell; Thy wrath devour the lands That dare forget thee, or rebel Against thy known commands.

6 Tho' saints to sore distress are brought, And wait and long complain, Their cries shall not be still forgot, Nor shall their hopes be vain.

7 [Rise, great Redeemer, from thy seat, To judge and save the poor; Let nations tremble at thy feet, And man prevail no more.

8 Thy thunder shall affright the proud, And put their hearts to pain, Make them confess that thou art God, And they but feeble men.]

Psalm 10. Prayer heard, and saints saved; or, Pride, atheism, and oppression punished.

For a humiliation day.

1 Why doth the Lord stand off so far, And why conceal his face, When great calamities appear, And times of deep distress?

2 Lord, shall the wicked still deride Thy justice and thy pow'r? Shall they advance their heads in pride, And still thy saints devour?

3 They put thy judgments from their sight, And then insult the poor; They boast in their exalted height That they shall fall no more.

4 Arise, O God, lift up thine hand, Attend our humble cry; No enemy shall dare to stand When God ascends on high.

PAUSE.

5 Why do the men of malice rage, And say with foolish pride, "The God of heaven will ne'er engage To fight on Zion's side?"

6 But thou for ever art our Lord; And pow'rful is thine hand, As when the heathens felt thy sword, And perish'd from thy land.

7 Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray, And cause thine ear to hear; He hearkens what his children say, And puts the world in fear.

8 Proud tyrants shall no more oppress, No more despise the just; And mighty sinners shall confess They are but earth and dust.

Psalm 11. God loves the righteous and hates the wicked.

1 My refuge is the God of love; Why do my foes insult and cry, "Fly like a timorous trembling dove, "To distant woods or mountains fly"?

2 If government be all destroy'd (That firm foundation of our peace) And violence make justice void, Where shall the righteous seek redress?

3 The Lord in heaven has fix'd his throne, His eye surveys the world below; To him all mortal things are known, His eyelids search our spirits thro'.

4 If he afflicts his saints so far To prove their love, and try their grace, What may the bold transgressors fear? His very soul abhors their ways.

5 On impious wretches he shall rain Tempests of brimstone, fire, and death, Such as he kindled on the plain Of Sodom with his angry breath.

6 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls, Whose thoughts and actions are sincere; And with a gracious eye beholds The men that his own image bear.

Psalm 12:1. L. M. The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins of the tongue complained of, viz, blasphemy, falsehood, &c.

1 Lord, if thou dost not soon appear, Virtue and truth will fly away; A faithful man, amongst us here, Will scarce be found if thou delay.

2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet, Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain; Their lips are flattery and deceit, And their proud language is profane.

3 But lips, that with deceit abound, Shall not maintain their triumph long; The God of vengeance will confound The flattering and blaspheming tongue.

4 "Yet shall our words be free," they cry, "Our tongue shall be controll'd by none: "Where is the Lord will ask us why? "Or say, our lips are not our own?"

5 The Lord who sees the poor opprest, And hears th' oppressor's haughty strain, Will rise to give his children rest, Nor shall they trust his word in vain.

6 Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd, Void of deceit shall still appear Not silver, seven times purify'd From dross and mixture, shines so clear.

7 Thy grace shall in the darkest hour Defend the holy soul from harm; Tho' when the vilest men have power On every side will sinners swarm.

Psalm 12:2. C. M. Complaint of a general corruption of manners; or, The promise and signs of Christ's coming to judgment.

1 Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail, Religion loses ground, The sons of violence prevail, And treacheries abound.

2 Their oaths and promises they break, Yet act the flatterer's part; With fair deceitful lips they speak, And with a double heart.

3 If we reprove some hateful lie, How is their fury stirr'd! "Are not our lips our own" they cry, "And who shall be our lord?"

4 Scoffers appear on every side, Where a vile race of men Is rais'd to seats of power and pride, And bears the sword in vain.

PAUSE.

5 Lord, when iniquities abound, And blasphemy grows bold, When faith is hardly to be found, And love is waxing cold,

6 Is not thy chariot hastening on? Hast thou not given this sign? May we not trust and live upon A promise so divine?

7 "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise, "And make oppressors flee; "I shall appear to their surprise, "And set my servants free."

8 Thy word, like silver seven times try'd, Thro' ages shall endure; The men that in thy truth confide, Shall find thy promise sure.

Psalm 13:1. L. M. Pleading with God under desertion; or, Hope, in darkness.

1 How long, 0 Lord, shall I complain Like one that seeks his God in vain? Canst thou thy face for ever hide? And I still pray and be deny'd?

2 Shall I for ever be forgot As one whom thou regardest not? Still shall my soul thine absence mourn? And still despair of thy return?

3 How long shall my poor troubled breast Be with these anxious thoughts opprest? And Satan, my malicious foe, Rejoice to see me sunk so low.

4 Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief, Before my death conclude my grief; If thou withhold thy heavenly light, I sleep in everlasting night.

5 How will the powers of darkness boast, If but one praying soul be lost! But I have trusted in thy grace, And shall again behold thy face.

6 Whate'er my fears or foes suggest, Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; My heart shall feel thy love, and raise My cheerful voice to songs of praise.

Psalm 13:2. C. M. Complaint under temptations of the devil.

1 How long wilt thou conceal thy face? My God, how long delay? When shall I feel those heavenly rays That chase my fears away?

2 How long shall my poor labouring soul Wrestle and toil in vain? Thy word can all my foes control, And ease my raging pain.

3 See how the prince of darkness tries All his malicious arts, He spreads a mist around my eyes, And throws his fiery darts.

4 Be thou my sun and thou my shield, My soul in safety keep; Make haste before mine eyes are seal'd In death's eternal sleep.

5 How would the tempter boast aloud If I become his prey! Behold the sons of hell grow proud At thy so long delay.

6 But they shall fly at thy rebuke, And Satan hide his head; He knows the terrors of thy look And hears thy voice with dread.

7 Thou wilt display that sovereign grace, Where all my hopes have hung; I shall employ my lips in praise, And victory shall be sung.

Psalm 14:1. First Part. By nature all men are sinners.

1 Fools in their hearts believe and say, "That all religion's vain, "There is no God that reigns on high, "Or minds th' affairs of men."

2 From thoughts so dreadful and profane Corrupt discourse proceeds; And in their impious hands are found Abominable deeds.

3 The Lord, from his celestial throne Look'd down on things below, To find the man that sought his grace, Or did his justice know.

4 By nature all are gone astray, Their practice all the same; There's none that fears his Maker's hand, There's none that loves his name.

5 Their tongues are us'd to speak deceit, Their slanders never cease; How swift to mischief are their feet, Nor knew the paths of peace.

6 Such seeds of sin (that bitter root) In every heart are found; Nor can they bear diviner fruit, Till grace refine the ground.

Psalm 14:2. Second Part. The folly of persecutors.

1 Are sinners now so senseless grown That they thy saints devour? And never worship at thy throne, Nor fear thine awful power?

2 Great God appear to their surprise, Reveal thy dreadful name; Let them no more thy wrath despise, Nor turn our hope to shame.

3 Dost thou not dwell among the just? And yet our foes deride, That we should make thy name our trust; Great God, confound their pride.

4 O that the joyful day were come To finish our distress! When God shall bring his children home, Our songs shall never cease.

Psalm 15:1. C. M. Characters of a saint; or, a citizen of Zion; or, The qualifications of a Christian.

1 Who shall inhabit in thy hill, O God of holiness? Whom will the Lord admit to dwell So near his throne of grace?

2 The man that walks in pious ways, And works with righteous hands; That trusts his Maker's promises, And follows his commands.

3 He speaks the meaning of his heart, Nor slanders with his tongue; Will scarce believe an ill report, Nor do his neighbour wrong.