2 The darkness and the light
Still keep their course the same;
While night to day, and day to night,
Divinely teach his name.
3 In ev'ry different land
Their gen'ral voice is known:
They shew the wonders of his hand,
And orders of his throne.
4 Ye Western lands rejoice,
Here he reveals his word:
We are not left to nature's voice
To bid us know the Lord.
5 His statutes and commands
Are set before our eyes;
He puts his gospel in our hands,
Where our salvation lies.
6 His laws are just and pure,
His truth without deceit ;
His promises for ever sure,
And his rewards are great.
7 Not honey to the taste
Affords so much delight;
Nor gold that has the furnace pass'd
So much allures the sight.
8 While of thy works I sing,
Thy glory to proclaim;
Accept the praise, my God, my King,
In my Redeemer's name.
PSALM 19. Second Part. S. M.
The word of God most excellent.
1 BEHOLD! the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams thro' all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
2 But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
3 How perfect is thy word!
And all thy judgments just :
For ever sure thy promise, Lord
And men securely trust.
4 My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions giv'n!
Oh may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heav'n!
5 I hear thy word with love,
And I would fain obey:
Send thy good Spirit from above,
To guide me, lest I stray.
6 O, who can ever find
The errors of his ways!
Yet with a bold presumptuous mind,
I would not dare transgress.
7 Warn me of ev'ry sin;
Forgive my secret faults;
And cleanse this guilty soul of mine,
Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.
8 While with my heart and tongue
I spread thy praise abroad;
Accept the worship and the song,
My Saviour and my God.
PSALM 19. Third Part. L. M.
The book of nature and scripture compared.
1 HE heav'ns declare thy glory, Lord,
In ev'ry star thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold thy word,
We read thy name in fairer line.
2 The rolling sun, the changing light,
And nights and days thy pow'r confess;
But the blést volume thou hast writ,
Reveals thy justice and thy grace.
3 Sun, moon, and stars convey thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand: So when thy truth began its race,
It touch'd and glanc'd on ev'ry land. 4 Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest, 'Till thro' the world thy truth has run 'Till Christ has all the nations blest, That see the light, or feel the sun. 5 Great Sun of righteousness, arise; Bless the dark world with heav'nly light; Thy gospel makes the simple wise.; Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right. 6 Thy noblest wonders here we view, In souls renew'd, and sins forgiv'n : Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew, And make thy word my guide to heav'n. Fourth Part. P. M. The Gospel.
LOVE the volume of thy word:
What light and joy its leaves afford
To souls benighted and distrest!
Thy precepts guide my doubtful way;
Thy fear forbids my feet to stray;
Thy promise leads my heart to rest,
2 From the discov'ries of thy law
The perfect rules of life I draw;
These are my study and delight:
Not honey so invites the taste,
Nor gold, that hath the furnace past,
Appears so pleasing to the sight.
3 Thy threat'nings wake my slumb'ring eyes,
And warn me where my danger lies;
But 'tis thy blessed gospel, Lord,
That makes my guilty conscience clean;
Converts my soul, subdues my sin;
And gives a free, but large reward.
4 Who knows the errors of his thoughts?
My God, forgive my secret faults,
And from presumptuous sins restrain :
Accept my poor attempts of praise,
That I have read thy book of grace
And book of nature not in vain.
PSALM 20. L. M.
Prayer in time of war.
TOW may the God of pow'r and grace Attend his people's humble cry! Jehovah hears when Israel prays,
And brings deliv'rance from on high.
2 The name of Jacob's God defends,
Better than shields or brazen walls:
He from his sanctuary sends
Succour and strength when Zion calls.
3 Well he remembers all our sighs;
His love exceeds our best deserts:
His love accepts the sacrifice
Of humble groans, and broken hearts. 4 In his salvation is our hope;
And in the name of Israel's God,
Our troops shall lift their banners up;
Our navies spread their flags abroad.
5 Some trust in horses train'd for war,
And some of chariots make their boasts;
Our surest expectations are,
From thee, the Lord of heav'nly hosts.
6 Oh may the mem'ry of thy name
Inspire our armies for the fight!
Our foes shall fall and die with shame,
Or quit the field with shameful flight.
7 Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear;
Now let our hope be firm and strong;
'Till thy salvation shall appear,
And joy and triumph raise the song.
PSALM 21. First Part. C. M.
Pious rulers are the care of heaven.
OUR rulers, Lord, with songs of praise
Should in thy strength rejoice;
And, blest with thy salvation, raise
To heav'n their cheerful voice. 2 Thy sure defence thro' nations round Has spread their honours far
And their successful measures crown'd,
Alike in peace and war.
3 Then let them still on God rely
For wisdom, and for grace;
His mercy shall their wants supply,
And save our happy race.
PSALM 21. Second Part. C. M.
A song of praise for peace and national blessings.
N thee, great God, with songs of praise,
Our favour'd realms rejoice;
And, blest with thy salvation, raise
To heav'n their cheerful voice.
2 Thy sure defence, from foes around,
Hath spread our rising name;
And all our feeble efforts crown'd
With freedom and with fame.
3 In deep distress our injur'd land
Implor'd thy pow'r to save
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