As the new tune of the 50th Psalm.
Popish idolatry reproved.
A psalm for the 5th of November.
1 Not to our names, thou only Just and True, Not to our worthless names is glory due; Thy power and grace, thy truth and justice claim Immortal honours to thy sovereign Name: Shine thro" the earth from heaven, thy blest abode, Nor let the heathens say, "And where"s your G.o.d?"
2 Heaven is thine higher court; there stands thy throne, And thro" the lower worlds thy will is done: Our G.o.d fram"d all this earth, these heavens he spread, But fools adore the G.o.ds their hands have made: The kneeling crowd, with looks devout, behold Their silver saviours, and their saints of gold.
3 [Vain are those artful shapes of eyes and ears; The molten image neither sees nor hears: Their hands are helpless, nor their feet can move, They have no speech, nor thought, nor power, nor love; Yet sottish mortals make their long complaints To their deaf idols, and their moveless saints.
4 The rich have statues well adorn"d with gold; The poor, content with G.o.ds of coa.r.s.er mould, With tools of iron carve the senseless stock, Lopt from a tree, or broken from a rock: People and priest drive on the solemn trade, And trust the G.o.ds that saws and hammers made.]
5 Be heaven and earth amaz"d! "Tis hard to say Which is more stupid, or their G.o.ds or they: O Israel, trust the Lord, he hears and sees, He knows thy sorrows, and restores thy peace: His worship does a thousand comforts yield, He is thy help, and he thy heavenly shield.
6 O Britain, trust the Lord: thy foes in vain Attempt thy ruin, and oppose his reign; Had they prevail"d, darkness had clos"d our days, And death and silence had forbid his praise; But we are sav"d, and live: let songs arise, And Britain bless the G.o.d that built the skies.
Psalm 116:1. First Part.
Recovery from sickness.
1 I love the Lord; he heard my cries, And pity"d every groan: Long as I live, when troubles rise, I"ll hasten to his throne.
2 I love the Lord; he bow"d his ear, And chas"d my griefs away; O let my heart no more despair, While I have breath to pray!
3 My flesh declin"d, my spirits fell, And I drew near the dead, While inward pangs, and fears of h.e.l.l Perplex"d my wakeful head.
4 "My G.o.d," I cry"d "thy servant save, "Thou ever good and just; "Thy power can rescue from the grave, "Thy power is all my trust."
5 The Lord beheld me sore distrest, He bid my pains remove: Return, my soul, to G.o.d thy rest, For thou hast known his love.
6 My G.o.d hath sav"d my soul from death, And dry"d my failing tears; Now to his praise I"ll spend my breath, And my remaining years.
Psalm 116:2. 12 &c. Second Part.
Vows made in trouble paid in the church; or, Public thanks for private deliverance.
1 What shall I render to my G.o.d For all his kindness shown?
My feet shall visit thine abode, My songs address thy throne.
2 Among the saints that fill thine house, My offerings shall be paid; There shall my zeal perform the vows My soul in anguish made.
3 How much is mercy thy delight, Thou ever blessed G.o.d!
How dear thy servants in thy sight!
How precious is their blood!
4 How happy all thy servants are!
How great thy grace to me!
My life which thou hast made thy care, Lord, I devote to thee.
5 Now I am thine, for ever thine, Nor shall my purpose move; Thy hand hath loos"d my bonds of pain, And bound me with thy love.
6 Here in thy courts I leave my vow, And thy rich grace record; Witness, ye saints, who hear me now, If I forsake the Lord.
Psalm 117:1. C. M.
Praise to G.o.d from all nations.
1 O all ye nations, praise the Lord, Each with a different tongue; In every language learn his word, And let his Name be sung.
2 His mercy reigns thro" every land; Proclaim his grace abroad; For ever firm his truth shall stand, Praise ye the faithful G.o.d.
Psalm 117:2. L. M.
1 From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator"s praise arise!
Let the Redeemer"s name be sung Thro" every land, by every tongue.
2 Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends thy word: Thy praise shall sound from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Psalm 117:3. S. M.
1 Thy Name, almighty Lord, Shall sound thro" distant lands; Great is thy grace, and sure thy word, Thy truth for ever stands.
2 Far be thine honour spread, And long thy praise endure, Till morning light and evening shade Shall be exchang"d no more.
Psalm 118:1. 6-15. First Part.
Deliverance from a tumult.
1 The Lord appears my helper now, Nor is my faith afraid What all the sons of earth can do, Since heaven affords its aid.
2 "Tis safer, Lord, to hope in thee, And have my G.o.d my friend, Than trust in men of high degree, And on their truth depend.
3 Like bees my foes beset me round, A large and angry swarm; But I shall all their rage confound By thine almighty arm.
4 "Tis thro" the Lord my heart is strong, In him my lips rejoice; While his salvation is my song, How cheerful is my voice!
5 Like angry bees they girt me round; When G.o.d appears they fly: So burning thorns, with crackling sound, Make a fierce blaze and die.
6 Joy to the saints and peace belongs; The Lord protects their days: Let Israel tune immortal songs To his almighty grace.
Psalm 118:2. 17-21. Second Part.
Public praise for deliverance from death.
1 Lord, thou hast heard thy servant cry, And rescu"d from the grave; Now shall he live: (and none can die If G.o.d resolve to save.)
2 Thy praise, more constant than before, Shall fill his daily breath; Thy hand that hath chastis"d him sore, Defends him still from death.