69 Devizes. C.M.
_The Bible Our Light._ (149)
How precious is the book divine, By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, To guide our souls to heaven.
2 Its light, descending from above, Our gloomy world to cheer, Displays a Savior"s boundless love, And brings his glories near.
3 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and joy it still imparts, And quells our rising fears.
4 This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life, shall guide our way, Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal day.
John Fawcett, 1782.
70 Devizes. C.M.
_Psalm 119._ (158)
How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin?
Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean.
2 "Tis like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day; And, through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way.
3 Thy precepts make me truly wise; I hate the sinners" road; I hate my own vain thoughts that rise But love thy law, my G.o.d!
4 Thy word is everlasting truth; How pure is every page!
That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
71 Devizes. C.M.
_Perfection of the Law and Testimony._ (154)
Thy law is perfect, Lord of light; Thy testimonies sure; The statutes of thy realm are right, And thy commandments pure.
2 Let these, O G.o.d, my soul convert, And make thy servant wise; Let those be gladness to my ears-- The dayspring to mine eyes.
3 By these may I be warned betimes; Who knows the guile within?
Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes; Cleanse me from secret sin.
4 So may the words my lips express-- The thoughts that throng my mind-- O Lord, my strength and righteousness, With thee acceptance find.
C. Wesley.
72 Manoah. C.M.
_Faithfulness._
Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme, And speak some boundless thing; The mighty works or mightier name Of our eternal King.
2 Tell of his wondrous faithfulness, And sound his power abroad; Sing the sweet promise of his grace, And the performing G.o.d.
3 His very word of grace is strong, As that which built the skies; The voice that rolls the stars along, Speaks all the promises.
4 Oh, might I hear thy heavenly tongue But whisper, "Thou art mine!"
Those gentle words should raise my song To notes almost divine.
Isaac Watts.
73 Manoah. C.M.
_Power_.
The Lord, our G.o.d, is full of might, The winds obey his will; He speaks,--and, in his heavenly height, The rolling sun stands still.
2 Rebel, ye waves, and o"er the land With threatening aspect roar; The Lord uplifts his awful hand, And chains you to the sh.o.r.e.
3 Howl, winds of night, your force combine; Without his high behest, Ye shall not, in the mountain pine, Disturb the sparrow"s nest.
4 His voice sublime is heard afar, In distant peals it dies; He yokes the whirlwind to his car, And sweeps the howling skies.
5 Ye nations bend--in reverence bend; Ye monarchs, wait his nod, And bid the choral song ascend To celebrate your G.o.d.
H. Kirke White.
74 Manoah. C.M.
_Eternity._
Great G.o.d! how infinite art thou!
What worthless worms are we!
Let the whole race of creatures bow, And pay their praise to thee.
2 Thy throne eternal ages stood, Ere seas or stars were made: Thou art the ever-living G.o.d, Were all the nations dead.
3 Eternity, with all its years, Stands present in thy view; To thee there"s nothing old appears-- Great G.o.d! there"s nothing new.
4 Our lives through various scenes are drawn, And vexed with trifling cares; While thine eternal thought moves on Thine undisturbed affairs.
5 Great G.o.d! how infinite art thou!
What worthless worms are we!