Pause

I love the volumes of thy word; What light and joy those 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.

From the discoveries 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.

Thy threatenings wake my slumbering 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.

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. Prayer and hope of victory. For a day of prayer in time of war.

Now may the God of power and grace Attend his people's humble cry! Jehovah hears when Israel prays, And brings deliverance from on high.

The name of Jacob's God defends Better than shields or brazen walls; He from his sanctuary sends Succour and strength, when Zion calls.

Well he remembers all our sighs, His love exceeds our best deserts, His love accepts the sacrifice Of humble groans and broken hearts.

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.

Some trust in horses train'd for war, And some of chariots make their boast; Our surest expectations are From thee, the Lord of heavenly hosts.

[O! may the memory of thy name Inspire our armies for the fight! Our foes shall fall and die with shame, Or quit the field with shameful flight.]

Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear; Now let our hopes be firm and strong, Till the salvation shall appear, And joy and triumph raise the song.

Psalm 21:1. C. M. Our king is the care of heaven.

The king, O Lord, with songs of praise, Shall in thy strength rejoice; And, blest with thy salvation, raise To heaven his cheerful voice.

Thy sure defence, thro' nations round, Has spread his glorious name; And his successful actions crown'd With majesty and fame.

Then let the king on God alone For timely aid rely; His mercy shall support the throne, And all our wants supply.

But, righteous Lord, his stubborn foes Shall feel thy dreadful hand Thy vengeful arm shall find out those That hate his mild command.

When thou against them dost engage, Thy just but dreadful doom Shall, like a fiery oven's rage, Their hopes and them consume.

Thus, Lord, thy wondrous power declare, And thus exalt thy fame; Whilst we glad songs of praise prepare For thine almighty name.

Psalm 21:2. 1-9. L. M. Christ exalted to the kingdom.

David rejoic'd in God his strength, Rais'd to the throne by special grace; But Christ, the Son, appears at length, Fulfils the triumph and the praise.

How great is the Messiah's joy In the salvation of thy hand! Lord, thou hast rais'd his kingdom high, And given the world to his command.

Thy goodness grants whate'er he will, Nor doth the least request withhold; Blessings of love prevent him still, And crowns of glory, not of gold.

Honour and majesty divine Around his sacred temples shine; Blest with the favour of thy face, And length of everlasting days.

Thy hand shall find out all his foes; And as a fiery oven glows With raging heat and living coals, So shall thy wrath devour their souls.

Psalm 22:1. 1-16. First Part. C. M, The sufferings and death of Christ.

"Why has my God my soul forsook, "Nor will a smile afford?" (Thus David once in anguish spoke, And thus our dying Lord.)

Tho' 'tis thy chief delight to dwell Among thy praising saints, Yet thou canst hear a groan as well, And pity our complaints.

Our fathers trusted in thy name, And great deliverance found; But I'm a worm, despis'd of men, And trodden to the ground.

Shaking the head they pass me by, And laugh my soul to scorn; "In vain he trusts in God" they cry, "Neglected and forlorn."

But thou art he who form'd my flesh By thine almighty word, And since I hung upon the breast, My hope is in the Lord.

Why will my Father hide his face, When foes stand threatening round, In the dark hour of deep distress, And not an helper found?