PSALMS.

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The way

PSALM 1. S. M.

and end of the righteous and the wicked.

THE man is ever blest

THE

Who shuns the sinners' ways,

Amidst their councils never stands,
Nor takes the scorner's place.

2 But makes the law of God
His study and delight,
Throughout the labours of the day,
And watches of the night.

3 He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root:
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live;
His works are heavenly fruit.

4 Not so the ungodly race,
They no such blessings find;
Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff
Before the driving wind.

5 How will they bear to stand
Before that judgment-seat,

Where all the saints at Christ's right hand
In full assembly meet?

6 He knows, and he approves

The way the righteous go:

But sinners and their works shall meet
A dreadful overthrow.

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PSALM 2. First Part. L. M.

God the Father vindicates his Messiah.

WHY

VHY did the heathen madly rage,
And why the Jews conspire in vain?

Why kings and rulers all engage,
T'oppose Messiah's gracious reign?

2 "Come, let us break his bands," they say,
"We'll ne'er be governed by his laws:"
And thus they cast his yoke away,
And nail'd Messiah to the cross.

3 But God the Father, from his throne, Laughs at their pride, their rage controls; He'll vex their hearts with pains unknown, And speak in thunder to their souls. 4 "I'll vindicate the King I made, "On Zion's everlasting hill;

'My hand shall bring him from the dead, "And he shall reign Messiah still.”

PSALM 2. Second Part. L. M.

The Son invested with the mediatorial kingdom.

1 TH' eternal Son, with power array'd,
Declares th' unchangeable decree:
"Thou art my Son," the Father said,
"This day have I begotten thee.

2 "For sin thou'st offer'd up thy soul,
"And thou'st a right to intercede;
"Thy life shall last while ages roll,
"And thou shalt see a num'rous seed.
3 "Ask then, my Son, and I will give

"The heathen for thy vast domain;
"The utmost ends of earth receive,
"And boundless be thy blessed reign.
4" But nations, that resist thy grace,
"Shall fall beneath thine iron stroke;

Thy rod shall crush thy foes with ease, "As potters' earthen work is broke."

166

PSALM 2. Third Part. L. M.

God the Holy Ghost exhorts rulers to submission.

NOW," saith the Spirit of the Lord,

To those who sit on earthly thrones "Rejoice with trembling at his word, "And at his feet submit your crowns. 2 "With faith and love address the Son, "Lest he grow angry, and ye die;

"His wrath will burn to worlds unknown, "If ye provoke his jealousy.

3 "His frown shall drive you quick to hell,
"For he is God, and ye but dust.
"Happy the souls that know him well,
"And make his grace their only trust!"

10

PSALM 3. First Part. L. M.
A Morning Psalm.

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 heard'st when I began to pray,
And thine almighty help was nigh.
3 Supported by thy 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:

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He rais'd my head to see the light,
And makes his praise my morning song.

PSALM 3. Second Part. C. M.

Doubts and Fears suppressed.

1 MY God, the tempter would persuade,

There's no relief in heaven;

And all my swelling sins appear

Too big to be forgiven.

2 But thou, my righteousness and strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread;
Shalt silence all my threat'ning guilt,
And raise my drooping head.

3 I cried, and from his holy hill
He bow'd a list'ning ear;
I call'd, My Father, and my God!
And he subdu'd my fear.

4 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;

I 'woke, and wonder'd at the

That guarded my repose.

grace

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

6 Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,
While I thy glory sing:

For Christ hath broke the serpent's teeth,
And death has lost his sting.

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

PSALM 4. First Part. L. M.
God the Saviour our confidence and portion.

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 died. 4 When our obedient hands have done A thousand works of righteousness, We put our trust in Christ alone, And glory in his pard'ning 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 pow'rs rejoice At grace and favours so divine,

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Nor will I change my happy choice,
For all their corn, and all their wine.

PSALM 4. Second Part. C. M.
An Evening Psalm.

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 bus'ness free,