Shall mercy ne"er return?
2 The terror of one frown of thine Melts all our strength away; Like men that totter drunk with wine, We tremble in dismay.
3 Great Britain shakes beneath thy stroke, And dreads thy threatening hand; O heal the island thou hast broke, Confirm the wavering land.
4 Lift up a banner in the field, For those that fear thy Name; Save thy beloved with thy shield, And put our foes to shame.
5 Go with our armies to the fight, Like a confederate G.o.d; In vain confederate powers unite Against thy lifted rod.
6 Our troops shall gain a wide renown By thine a.s.sisting hand; "Tis G.o.d that treads the mighty down, And makes the feeble stand.
Psalm 61. 1-6.
Safety in G.o.d.
1 When overwhelm"d with grief My heart within me dies, Helpless and far from all relief To heaven I lift mine eyes.
2 O lead me to the rock That"s high above my head, And make the covert of thy wings My shelter and my shade.
3 Within thy presence, Lord, For ever I"ll abide; Thou art the tower of my defence, The refuge where I hide.
4 Thou givest me the lot Of those that fear thy Name; If endless life be their reward, I shall possess the same.
Psalm 62. 5-12.
No trust in the creatures; or, Faith in divine grace and power.
1 My spirit looks to G.o.d alone; My rock and refuge is his throne; In all my fears, in all my straits, My soul on his salvation waits.
2 Trust him, ye saints, in all your ways, Pour out your hearts before his face: When helpers fail, and foes invade, G.o.d is our all-sufficient aid.
3 False are the men of high degree, The baser sort are vanity; Laid in the balance both appear Light as a puff of empty air.
4 Make not increasing gold your trust, Nor set your heart on glittering dust; Why will you grasp the fleeting smoke; And not believe what G.o.d hath spoke?
5 Once has his awful voice declar"d, Once and again my ears have heard, "All power is his eternal due; "He must be fear"d and trusted too."
6 For sovereign power reigns not alone, Grace is a partner of the throne: Thy grace and justice, mighty Lord, Shall well divide our last reward.
Psalm 63:1. 1 2 5 34. First Part. C. M.
The morning of a Lord"s day.
1 Early, my G.o.d, without delay I haste to seek thy face; My thirsty spirit faints away, Without thy cheering grace.
2 So pilgrims on the scorching sand, Beneath a burning sky, Long for a cooling stream at hand, And they must drink or die.
3 I"ve seen thy glory and thy power Thro" all thy temple shine; My G.o.d, repeat that heavenly hour, That vision so divine.
4 Not all the blessings of a feast Can please my soul so well, As when thy richer grace I taste, And in thy presence dwell.
5 Not life itself with all her joys, Can my best pa.s.sions move, Or raise so high my cheerful voice As thy forgiving love.
6 Thus till my last expiring day I"ll bless my G.o.d and King; Thus will I lift my hands to pray, And tune my lips to sing.
Psalm 63:2. 6-10. Second Part.
Midnight thoughts recollected.
1 "Twas in the watches of the night I thought upon thy power, I kept thy lovely face in sight Amidst the darkest hour.
2 My flesh lay resting on my bed, My soul arose on high; "My G.o.d, my life, my hope," I said, "Bring thy salvation nigh."
3 My spirit labours up thine hill, And climbs the heavenly road; But thy right hand upholds me still, While I pursue my G.o.d.
4 Thy mercy stretches o"er my head The shadow of thy wings; My heart rejoices in thine aid, My tongue awakes and sings.
5 But the destroyers of my peace Shall fret and rage in vain; The tempter shall for ever cease, And all my sins be slain.
6 Thy sword shall give my foes to death, And send them down to dwell In the dark caverns of the earth, Or to the deeps of h.e.l.l.
Psalm 63:3. L. M.
Longing after G.o.d; or, The love of G.o.d better than life.
1 Great G.o.d, indulge my humble claim Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; The glories that compose thy Name Stand all engag"d to make me blest.
2 Thou great and good, thou just and wise, Thou art my Father and my G.o.d; And I am thine by sacred ties; Thy son, thy servant bought with blood.
3 With heart, and eyes and lifted hands, For thee I long, to thee I look, As travellers in thirsty lands Pant for the cooling water-brook.
4 With early feet I love t" appear Among thy saints and seek thy face; Oft have I seen thy glory there, And felt the power of sovereign grace.
5 Not fruits nor wines that tempt our taste, Not all the joys our senses know, Could make me so divinely blest Or raise my cheerful pa.s.sions so.
6 My life itself without thy love No taste of pleasure could afford; "Twould but a tiresome burden prove, If I were banish"d from the Lord.
7 Amidst the wakeful hours of night, When busy cares afflict my head One thought of thee gives new delight, And adds refreshment to my bed.
8 I"ll lift my hands, I"ll raise my voice, While I have breath to pray or praise; This work shall make my heart rejoice, And spend the remnant of my days.
Psalm 63:4. S. M.
Seeking G.o.d.
1 My G.o.d, permit my tongue This joy, to call thee mine, And let my early cries prevail To taste thy love divine.
2 My thirsty fainting soul Thy mercy doth implore; Not travellers in desert lands Can pant for water more.