Prayer and Hope

Soon as I heard my Father say, "Ye children, seek my grace;" My heart reply'd without delay, "I'll seek my Father's face."

Let not thy face be hid from me, Nor frown my soul away; God of my life, I fly to thee In a distressing day.

Should friends and kindred near and dear Leave me to want, or die, My God would make my life his care And all my need supply.

My fainting flesh had dy'd with grief, Had not my soul believ'd To see thy grace provide relief, Nor was my hope deceiv'd.

Wait on the Lord, ye trembling saints, And keep your courage up; He'll raise your spirit when it faints, And far exceed your hope.

Psalm 29. L. M. Storm and thunder.

Give to the Lord, ye sons of fame, Give to the Lord renown and power, Ascribe due honours to his name, And his eternal might adore.

The Lord proclaims his power aloud Over the ocean and the land; His voice divides the watery cloud, And lightnings blaze at his command.

He speaks, and tempest, hail, and wind, Lay the wide forests bare around; The fearful hart, and frighted hind, Leap at the terror of the sound.

To Lebanon he turns his voice, And, lo, the stately cedars break; The mountains tremble at the noise, The vallies roar, the deserts quake.

The Lord sits sovereign on the flood, The thunderer reigns for ever king; But makes his church his blest abode, Where we his awful glories sing.

In gentler language there the Lord The counsels of his grace imparts; Amidst the raging storm his word Speaks peace and courage to our hearts.

Psalm 30:1. First Part. Sickness healed, and sorrow removed.

I will extol thee, Lord, on high, At thy command, diseases fly; Who but a God can speak and save From the dark borders of the grave?

Sing to the Lord, ye saints of his, And tell how large his goodness is; Let all your powers rejoice and bless, While you record his holiness.

His anger but a moment stays His love is life and length of days; Tho' grief and tears the night employ, The morning-star restores the joy.

Psalm 30:2. 6. Second Part. Health, sickness, and recovery.

Firm was my health, my day was bright, And I presum'd 'twould ne'er be night; Fondly I said within my heart, "Pleasure and peace shall ne'er depart."

But I forgot thine arm was strong, Which made my mountain stand so long; Soon as thy face began to hide, My health was gone, my comforts dy'd.

I cry'd aloud to thee, my God, "What canst thou profit by my blood? "Deep in the dust can I declare "Thy truth, or sing thy goodness there?

"Hear me, O God of grace," I said, "And bring me from among the dead:" Thy word rebuk'd the pains I felt, Thy pardoning love remov'd my guilt.

My groans, and tears, and forms of woe, Are turn'd to joy and praises now; I throw my sackcloth on the ground, And ease and gladness gird me round.

My tongue, the glory of my frame, Shall ne'er be silent of thy name Thy praise shall sound thro' earth and heaven, For sickness heal'd, and sins forgiven.

Psalm 31:1. 5 13-19 22 23. First Part. Deliverance from death.

Into thine hand, 0 God of truth, My spirit I commit; Thou hast redeem'd my soul from death, And sav'd me from the pit.

The passions of my hope and fear Maintain'd a doubtful strife, While sorrow, pain, and sin conspir'd To take away my life.

"My times are in thine hand," I cry'd, "Tho' I draw near the dust ;" Thou art the refuge where I hide, The God in whom I trust.

O make thy reconciled face Upon thy servant shine, And save me for thy mercy's sake, For I'm entirely thine.