Chapter 5

2 For ever firm thy justice stands, As mountains their foundations keep; Wise are the wonders of thy hands; Thy judgments are a mighty deep.

3 Thy providence is kind and large, Both man and beast thy bounty share; The whole creation is thy charge, But saints are thy peculiar care.

4 My God! how excellent thy grace, Whence all our hope and comfort springs! The sons of Adam in distress Fly to the shadow of thy wings.

5 From the provisions of thy house We shall be fed with sweet repast; There mercy like a river flows, And brings salvation to our taste.

6 Life, like a fountain rich and free Springs from the presence of the Lord; And in thy light our souls shall see The glories promis'd in thy word.

Psalm 36:2. 1 2 5 6 7 9 C. M. Practical atheism exposed; or, The being and attributes of God asserted.

1 While men grow bold in wicked ways! And yet a God they own, My heart within me often says, "Their thoughts believe there's none."

2 Their thoughts and ways at once declare (Whate'er their lips profess) God hath no wrath for them to fear, Nor will they seek his grace.

3 What strange self-flattery blinds their eyes! But there's an hastening hour When they shall see with sore surprise The terrors of thy power.

4 Thy justice shall maintain its throne, Tho' mountains melt away; Thy judgments are a world unknown, A deep unfathom'd sea.

5 Above the heavens' created rounds, Thy mercies, Lord, extend; Thy truth outlives the narrow bounds, Where time and nature end.

6 Safety to man thy goodness brings, Nor overlooks the beast; Beneath the shadow of thy wings Thy children choose to rest.

7 [From thee, when creature-streams run low, And mortal comforts die, Perpetual springs of life shall flow, And raise our pleasures high.

8 Tho' all created light decay, And death close up our eyes Thy presence makes eternal day Where clouds can never rise.]

Psalm 36:3. 1-7. S. M. The wickedness of man, and the majesty of God; or. Practical atheism exposed.

1 When man grows bold in sin My heart within me cries, "He hath no faith of God within, Nor fear before his eyes."

2 [He walks awhile conceal'd In a self-flattering dream, Till his dark crimes at once reveal'd Expose his hateful name.]

3 His heart is false and foul, His words are smooth and fair; Wisdom is banish'd from his soul, And leaves no goodness there.

4 He plots upon his bed New mischiefs to fulfil; He sets his heart, and hand, and head, To practise all that's ill.

5 But there's a dreadful God, Tho' men renounce his fear; His justice hid behind the cloud Shall one great day appear.

6 His truth transcends the sky; In heaven his mercies dwell; Deep as the sea his judgments lie, His anger burns to hell.

7 How excellent his love, Whence all our safety springs! O never let my soul remove From underneath his wings.

Psalm 37:1. 1-15. First Part. The cure of envy, fretfulness, and unbelief; or, The rewards of the righteous, and the wicked; or, The world's hatred, and the saint's patience.

1 Why should I vex my soul and fret To see the wicked rise? Or envy sinners waxing great, By violence and lies.

2 As flowery grass cut down at noon, Before the evening fades So shall their glories vanish soon In everlasting shades.

3 Then let me make the Lord my trust, And practise all that's good; So shall I dwell among the just, And he'll provide me food.

4 I to my God my ways commit, And cheerful wait his will; Thy hand, which guides my doubtful feet, Shall my desires fulfil.

3 Mine innocence shalt thou display, And make thy judgments known, Fair as the light of dawning day, And glorious as the noon.

6 The meek at last the earth possess, And are the heirs of heav'n; True riches with abundant peace, To humble souls are given.

PAUSE.

7 Rest in the Lord and keep his way, Nor let your anger rise, Tho' providence should long delay To punish haughty vice.

8 Let sinners join to break your peace, And plot, and rage, and foam; The Lord derides them, for he sees Their day of vengeance come.

9 They have drawn out the threatening sword, Have bent the murderous bow, To slay the men that fear the Lord, And bring the righteous low.

10 My God shall break their bows, and burn Their persecuting darts, Shall their own swords against them turn, And pain surprise their hearts.

Psalm 37:2. 16 21 26-31. Second Part. Charity to the poor; or, Religion in words and deeds.

1 Why do the wealthy wicked boast, And grow profanely bold? The meanest portion of the just Excels the sinner's gold.

2 The wicked borrows of his friends, But ne'er designs to pay; The saint is merciful and lends, Nor turns the poor away.

3 His alms with liberal heart he gives Amongst the sons of need; His memory to long ages lives, And blessed is his seed.

4 His lips abhor to talk profane, To slander or defraud; His ready tongue declares to men What he has learn'd of God.

5 The law and gospel of the Lord Deep in his heart abide; Led by the Spirit and the word, His feet shall never slide.

6 When sinners fall, the righteous stand, Preserv'd from every snare; They shall possess the promis'd land, And dwell for ever there.

Psalm 37:3. 23-27. Third Part. The way and end of the righteous and the wicked.

1 My God, the steps of pious men Are order'd by thy will; Tho' they should fall, they rise again, Thy hand supports them still.

2 The Lord delights to see their ways, Their virtue he approves; He'll ne'er deprive them of his grace, Nor leave the men he loves.

3 The heavenly heritage is theirs, Their portion and their home; He feeds them now, and makes them heirs Of blessings long to come.

4 Wait on the Lord, ye sons of men, Nor fear when tyrants frown; Ye shall confess their pride was vain, When justice casts them down.

PAUSE.

5 The haughty sinner have I seen, Nor fearing man nor God, Like a tall bay-tree fair and green, Spreading his arms abroad.

6 And lo! he vanish'd from the ground, Destroy'd by hands unseen: Nor root, nor branch, nor leaf was found Where all that pride had been.

7 But mark the man of righteousness, His several steps attend; True pleasure runs thro' all his ways, And peaceful is his end.

Psalm 38. Guilt of conscience and relief; or, Repentance, and prayer for pardon and health.

1 Amidst thy wrath remember love, Restore thy servant, Lord; Nor let a father's chastening prove Like an avenger's sword.

2 Thine arrows stick within my heart, My flesh is sorely prest; Between the sorrow and the smart My spirit finds no rest.

3 My sins a heavy load appear, And o'er my head are gone; Too heavy they for me to bear, Too hard for me t' atone.

4 My thoughts are like a troubled sea, My head still bending down; And I go mourning all the day Beneath my Father's frown.

5 Lord, I am weak, and broken sore, None of my powers are whole; The inward anguish makes me roar, The anguish of my soul.

6 All my desire to thee is known, Thine eye counts every tear, And every sigh, and every groan Is notic'd by thine ear.

7 Thou art my God, my only hope; My God will hear my cry; My God will bear my spirit up When Satan bids me die.

8 [My foot is ever apt to slide, My foes rejoice to see't; They raise their pleasure and their pride When they supplant my feet.

9 But I'll confess my guilt to thee, And grieve for all my sin, I'll mourn how weak my graces be, And beg support divine.

10 My God, forgive my follies past, And be for ever nigh; O Lord of my salvation, haste, Before thy servant die.]

Psalm 39:1. 1 2 3. First Part. Watchfulness over the tongue; or, Prudence and zeal.

1 Thus I resolv'd before the Lord, "Now will I watch my tongue, "Lest I let slip one sinful word, "Or do my neighbour wrong."

2 And if I'm e'er constrain'd to stay With men of lives profane I'll set a double guard that day, Nor let my talk be vain.

3 I'll scarce allow my lips to speak The pious thoughts I feel, Lest scoffers should th' occasion take To mock my holy zeal.

4 Yet if some proper hour appear, I'll not be overaw'd, But let the scoffing sinners hear That I can speak for God.

Psalm 39:2. 4-7. Second Part. The vanity of man as mortal.

1 Teach me the measure of my days, Thou maker of my frame; I would survey life's narrow space, And learn' how frail I am.

2 A span is all that we can boast, An inch or two of time; Man is but vanity and dust In all his flower and prime.

3 See the vain race of mortals move Like shadows o'er the plain; They rage and strive, desire and love, But all the noise is vain.

4 Some walk in honour's gaudy show, Some dig for golden ore, They toil for heirs, they know not who, And straight are seen no more.

5 What should I wish or wait for then From creatures, earth and dust? They make our expectations vain, And disappoint our trust.

6 Now I forbid my carnal hope, My fond desires recall; I give my mortal interest up, And make my God my all.

Psalm 39:3. 9-13. Third Part. Sick-bed devotion; or, Pleading without repining.

1 God of my life, look gently down, Behold the pains I feel; But I am dumb before thy throne, Nor dare dispute thy will.

2 Diseases are thy servants, Lord, They come at thy command; I'll not attempt a murmuring word Against thy chastening hand.

3 Yet I may plead with humble cries, Remove thy sharp rebukes; My strength consumes, my spirit dies Thro' thy repeated strokes.

4 Crush'd as a moth beneath thy hand, We moulder to the dust; Our feeble powers can ne'er withstand, And all our beauty's lost.

5 [This mortal life decays apace, How soon the bubble's broke! Adam and all his numerous race Are vanity and smoke.]

6 I'm but a sojourner below, As all my fathers were, May I be well prepar'd to go When I the summons hear.

7 But if my life be spar'd awhile, Before my last remove, Thy praise shall be my business still, And I'll declare thy love.

Psalm 40:1. 1 3 5 17. First Part. C. M. A song of deliverance from great distress.

1 I waited patient for the Lord, He bow'd to hear my cry; He saw me resting on his word, And brought salvation nigh.

2 He rais'd me from a horrid pit Where mourning long I lay, And from my bonds releas'd my feet, Deep bonds of miry clay.

3 Firm on a rock he made me stand, And taught my cheerful tongue To praise the wonders of his hand, In a new thankful song.

4 I'll spread his works of grace abroad; The saints with joy shall hear, And sinners learn to make my God Their only hope and fear.

5 How many are thy thoughts of love! Thy mercies, Lord, how great! We have not words nor hours enough Their numbers to repeat.

6 When I'm afflicted, poor and low, And light and peace depart, My God beholds my heavy woe, And bears me on his heart.

Psalm 40:2. 6-9. Second Part. C. M. The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ.

1 Thus saith the Lord, "Your work is vain, "Give your burnt offerings o'er, "In dying goats and bullocks slain "My soul delights no more."

2 Then spake the Saviour, "Lo, I'm here, "My God, to do thy will; "'Whate'er thy sacred books declare, "Thy servant shall fulfil.

3 "Thy law is ever in my sight, "I keep it near my heart; "Mine ears are open'd with delight "To what thy lips impart."

4 And see the bless'd Redeemer comes, Th' eternal Son appears, And at th' appointed time assumes The body God prepares.

5 Much he reveal'd his Father's grace, And much his truth he shew'd, And preach'd the way of righteousness, Where great assemblies stood.

6 His Father's honour touch'd his heart, He pity'd sinners' cries, And, to fulfil a Saviour's part, Was made a sacrifice,

PAUSE.

7 No blood of beasts on altars shed Could wash the conscience clean, But the rich sacrifice he paid Atones for all our sin.

8 Then was the great salvation spread, And Satan's kingdom shook; Thus by the woman's promis'd seed The serpent's head was broke.

Psalm 40:3. 5-10. L. M. Christ our sacrifice.

1 The wonders, Lord, thy love has wrought, Exceed our praise, surmount our thought; Should I attempt the long detail, My speech would faint, my numbers fail.

2 No blood of beasts on altars spilt, Can cleanse the souls of men from guilt, But thou hast set before our eyes An all-sufficient sacrifice.

3 Lo! thine eternal Son appears, To thy designs he bows his ears, Assumes a body, well prepar'd, And well performs a work so hard.

4 "Behold, I come," (the Saviour cries, With love and duty in his eyes) "I come to bear the heavy load "Of sins, and do thy will, my God.

5 "'Tis written in thy great decree, "'Tis in thy book foretold of me, "I must fulfil the Saviour's part, "And, lo! thy law is in my heart!

6 "I'll magnify thy holy law, "And rebels to obedience draw, "'When on my cross I'm lifted high, "Or to my crown above the sky.

7 "The Spirit shall descend, and show "What thou hast done, and what I do; "The wond'ring world shall learn thy grace, "Thy wisdom and thy righteousness."

Psalm 41. 1 2 3. Charity to the poor; or, Pity to the afflicted.

1 Blest is the man whose bowels move, And melt with pity to the poor, Whose soul, by sympathising love, Feels what his fellow-saints endure.

2 His heart contrives for their relief More good than his own hands can do; He, in the time of general grief, Shall find the Lord has bowels too.

3 His soul shall live secure on earth, With secret blessings on his head, When drought, and pestilence, and dearth Around him multiply their dead.

4 Or if he languish on his couch, God will pronounce his sins forgiv'n, Will save him with a healing touch, Or take his willing soul to heaven.

Psalm 42:1. 1-5. First Part. Desertion and hope; or, Complaint of absence from public worship.

1 With earnest longings of the mind, My God, to thee I look; So pants the hunted hart to find And taste the cooling brook.

2 When shall I see thy courts of grace, And meet my God again? So long an absence from thy face My heart endures with pain.

3 Temptations vex my weary soul, And tears are my repast; The foe insults without control, "And where's your God at last?"

4 'Tis with a mournful pleasure now I think on ancient days; Then to thy house did numbers go, And all our work was praise.

5 But why, my soul, sunk down so far Beneath this heavy load? Why do my thoughts indulge despair, And sin against my God?

6 Hope in the Lord, whose mighty hand Can all thy woes remove; For I shall yet before him stand, And sing restoring love.

Psalm 42:2. 6-11. Second Part. Melancholy thoughts reproved; or, Hope in afflictions.

1 My spirit sinks within me, Lord, But I will call thy name to mind, And times of past distress record, When I have found my God was kind.

2 Huge troubles, with tumultuous noise, Swell like a sea, and round me spread; Thy water-spouts drown all my joys, And rising waves roll o'er my head.

3 Yet will the Lord command his love, When I address his throne by day, Nor in the night his grace remove; The night shall hear me sing and pray.

4 I'll cast myself before his feet, And say "My God, my heavenly Rock, "Why doth thy love so long forget "The soul that groans beneath thy stroke?"

5 I'll chide my heart that sinks so low, Why should my soul indulge her grief? Hope in the Lord, and praise him too, He is my rest, my sure relief.

6 Thy light and truth shall guide me still, Thy word shall my best thoughts employ, And lead me to thine heavenly hill, My God, my most exceeding Joy.

Psalm 44. 1 2 3 8 15-26. The church's complaint in persecution.

1 Lord, we have heard thy works of old, Thy works of power and grace, When to our ears our fathers told The wonders of their days:

2 How thou didst build thy churches here, And make thy gospel known; Amongst them did thine arm appear, Thy light and glory shone.

3 In God they boasted all the day, And in a cheerful throng Did thousands meet to praise and pray, And grace was all their song.

4 But now our souls are seiz'd with shame, Confusion fills our face, To hear the enemy blaspheme, And fools reproach thy grace.

5 Yet have we not forgot our God, Nor falsely dealt with heaven, Nor have our steps declin'd the road Of duty thou hast given.

6 Tho' dragons all around us roar With their destructive breath, And thine own hand has bruis'd us sore Hard by the gates of death.

PAUSE.

7 We are expos'd all day to die As martyrs for thy cause, As sheep for slaughter bound we lie By sharp and bloody laws.

8 Awake, arise, almighty Lord, Why sleeps thy wonted grace? Why should we look like men abhorr'd, Or banish'd from thy face?

9 Wilt thou for ever cast us off And still neglect our cries? For ever hide thine heavenly love From our afflicted eyes?

10 Down to the dust our soul is bow'd, And dies upon the ground; Rise for our help, rebuke the proud, And all their powers confound.

11 Redeem us from perpetual shame, Our Saviour and our God; We plead the honours of thy Name, The merits of thy blood.

Psalm 45:1. S. M. The glory of Christ; the success of the gospel; and the Gentile church.

1 My Saviour and my King, Thy beauties are divine; Thy lips with blessings overflow, And every grace is thine.

2 Now make thy glory known, Gird on thy dreadful sword, And ride in majesty to spread The conquests of thy word.

Strike thro' thy stubborn foes, Or melt their hearts t'obey, While justice, meekness, grace, and truth, Attend thy glorious way.

4 Thy laws, O God, are right; Thy throne shall ever end; And thy victorious gospel proves A sceptre in thy hand.

5 [Thy Father and thy God Hath without measure shed His Spirit, like a joyful oil, T'anoint thy sacred head.]

6 [Behold, at thy right hand The Gentile church is seen, Like a fair bride in rich attire, And princes guard the queen.]

7 Fair bride, receive his love, Forget thy father's house; Forsake thy gods, thy idol gods, And pay thy Lord thy vows.

8 O let thy God and King Thy sweetest thoughts employ; Thy children shall his honours sing In palaces of joy.

Psalm 45:2. C. M. The personal glories and government of Christ.

1 I'll speak the honours of my King, His form divinely fair; None of the sons of mortal race May with the Lord compare.

2 Sweet is thy speech and heavenly grace Upon thy lips is shed; Thy God, with blessings infinite, Hath crown'd thy sacred head.

3 Gird on thy sword, victorious Prince, Ride with majestic sway; Thy terrors shall strike thro' thy foes, And make the world obey.

4 Thy throne, O God, for ever stands; Thy word of grace shall prove A peaceful sceptre in thy hands, To rule the saints by love.

5 Justice and truth attend thee still But mercy is thy choice; And God, thy God, thy soul shall fill With most peculiar joys.

Psalm 45:3. First Part. L. M. The glory of Christ, and power of his gospel.

1 Now be my heart inspir'd to sing The glories of my Saviour-king, Jesus the Lord; how heavenly fair His form! how 'bright his beauties are!

2 O'er all the sons of human race He shines with a superior grace, Love from his lips divinely flows, And blessings all his state compose.

3 Dress thee in arms, most mighty Lord, Gird on the terror of thy sword, In majesty and glory ride With truth and meekness at thy side.

4 Thine anger, like a pointed dart, Shall pierce the foes of stubborn heart; Or words of mercy kind and sweet Shall melt the rebels at thy feet.

5 Thy throne, O God, for ever stands, Grace is the sceptre in thy hands; Thy laws and works are just and right, Justice and grace are thy delight.

6 God, thine own God, has richly shed His oil of gladness on thy head, And with his sacred Spirit blest His first-born Son above the rest.

Psalm 45:4. Second Part. L. M. Christ and his church; or, The mystical marriage.

1 The king of saints, how fair his face, Adorn'd with majesty and grace! He comes with blessings from above, And wins the nations to his love.

2 At his right hand our eyes behold The queen array'd in purest gold; The world admires her heavenly dress, Her robe of joy and righteousness.

3 He forms her beauties like his own; He calls and seats her near his throne: Fair stranger, let thine heart forget The idols of thy native state.

4 So shall the King the more rejoice In thee, the favourite of his choice; Let him be lov'd and yet ador'd, For he's thy Maker and thy Lord.

5 O happy hour, when thou shalt rise To his fair palace in the skies, And all thy Sons (a numerous train) Each like a prince in glory reign!

6 Let endless honours crown his head; Let every age his praises spread; While we with cheerful songs approve The condescensions of his love.

Psalm 46:1. First Part. The church's safety and triumph among national desolations.

1 God is the refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade; Ere we can offer our complaints Behold him present with his aid.

2 Let mountains from their seats be hurl'd Down to the deep, and buried there; Convulsions shake the solid world, Our faith shall never yield to fear.

3 Loud may the troubled ocean roar, In sacred peace our souls abide, While every nation, every shore, Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.

4 There is a stream whose gentle flow Supplies the city of our God; Life, love, and joy still gliding thro', And watering our divine abode.

5 That sacred stream, thine holy word, That all our raging fear controls: Sweet peace thy promises afford, And give new strength to fainting souls.

6 Sion enjoys her monarch's love, Secure against a threatening hour; Nor can her firm foundations move, Built on his truth, and arm'd with pow'r.

Psalm 46:2. Second Part. God fights for his church.

1 Let Sion in her King rejoice, Tho' tyrants rage and kingdoms rise; He utters his almighty voice, The nations melt, the tumult dies.

2 The Lord of old for Jacob fought, And Jacob's God is still our aid; Behold the works his hand has wrought, What desolations he has made!

3 From sea to sea, thro' all the shores, He makes the noise of battle cease; When from on high his thunder roars, He awes the trembling world to peace.

4 He breaks the bow, he cuts the spear, Chariots he burns with heavenly flame; Keep silence all the earth, and hear The sound and glory of his Name.

5 "Be still, and learn that I am God, "I'll be exalted o'er the lands, "I will be known and fear'd abroad, "But still my throne in Sion stands."

6 O Lord of hosts, almighty King, While we so near thy presence dwell, Our faith shall sit secure, and sing Defiance to the gates of hell.

Psalm 47. Christ ascending and reigning.

1 O for a shout of sacred joy To God the sovereign King! Let every land their tongues employ, And hymns of triumph sing.

2 Jesus our God ascends on high, His heavenly guards around Attend him rising thro' the sky, With trumpet's joyful sound.

3 While angels shout and praise their King, Let mortals learn their strains; Let all the earth his honour sing; O'er all the earth he reigns.

4 Rehearse his praise with awe profound, Let knowledge lead the song, Nor mock him with a solemn sound Upon a thoughtless tongue.

5 In Israel stood his ancient throne, He lov'd that chosen race; But now he calls the world his own, And heathens taste his grace.

6 The British islands are the Lord's, There Abraham's God is known, While powers and princes, shields and swords, Submit before his throne.

Psalm 48:1. 1-8. First Part. The church is the honour and safety of a nation.

1 [Great is the Lord our God, And let his praise be great; He makes his churches his abode, His most delightful seat.

2 These temples of his grace, How beautiful they stand! The honours of our native place, And bulwarks of our land.]

3 In Sion God is known A refuge in distress; How bright has his salvation shone Thro' all her palaces!

4 When kings against her join'd, And saw the Lord was there, In wild confusion of the mind They fled with hasty tear.

5 When navies tall and proud Attempt to spoil our peace, He sends his tempests roaring loud, And sinks them in the seas.

6 Oft have our fathers told, Our eyes have often seen, How well our God secures the fold Where his own sheep have been.

7 In every new distress We'll to his house repair. We'll think upon his wondrous grace, And seek deliverance there.

Psalm 48:2. 10-14. Second Part. The beauty of the church; or, Gospel worship and order.