Psalm 16:1. First Part. L. M.
Confession of our poverty, and saints the best company; or, Good works profit men, not G.o.d.
1 Preserve me, Lord, in time of need For succour to thy throne I flee, But have no merits there to plead; My goodness cannot reach to thee.
2 Oft have my heart and tongue confest How empty and how poor I am; My praise can never make thee blest, Nor add new glories to thy name.
3 Yet, Lord, thy saints on earth may reap Some profit by the good we do; These are the company I keep, These are the choicest friends I know.
4 Let others choose the sons of mirth To give a relish to their wine, I love the men of heavenly birth, Whose thoughts and language are divine.
Psalm 16:2. Second Part. L. M.
Christ"s all-sufficiency.
1 How fast their guilt and sorrows rise Who haste to seek some idol G.o.d!
I will not taste their sacrifice, Their offerings of forbidden blood.
2 My G.o.d provides a richer cup, And n.o.bler food to live upon; He for my life has offer"d up Jesus, his best beloved Son.
3 His love is my perpetual feast; By day his counsels guide me right; And be his name for ever blest, Who gives me sweet advice by night.
4 I set him still before mine eyes; At my right hand he stands prepar"d To keep my soul from all surprise, And be my everlasting guard.
Psalm 16:3. Third Part. L. M.
Courage in death, and hope of the resurrection.
1 When G.o.d is nigh, my faith is strong, His arm is my almighty prop: Be glad, my heart; rejoice, my tongue, My dying flesh shall rest in hope.
2 Tho" in the dust I lay my head, Yet, gracious G.o.d, thou wilt not leave My soul for ever with the dead, Nor lose thy children in the grave.
3 My flesh shall thy first call obey, Shake off the dust, and rise on high; Then shalt thou lead the wondrous way, Up to thy throne above the sky.
4 There streams of endless pleasure flow; And full discoveries of thy grace (Which we but tasted here below) Spread heavenly joys thro" all the place.
Psalm 16:4. First Part. C. M.
Support and counsel from G.o.d without merit.
1 Save me, O Lord, from every foe; In thee my trust I place, Tho" all the good that I can do Can ne"er deserve thy grace.
2 Yet if my G.o.d prolong my breath The saints may profit by"t; The saints, the glory of the earth, The men of my delight.
3 Let heathens to their idols haste, And worship wood or stone; But my delightful lot is cast Where the true G.o.d is known.
4 His hand provides my constant food, He fills my daily cup; Much am I pleas"d with present good, But more rejoice in hope.
5 G.o.d is my portion and my joy, His counsels are my light; He gives me sweet advice by day, And gentle hints by night.
6 My soul would all her thoughts approve To his all-seeing eye; Not death, nor h.e.l.l my hope shall move, While such a friend is nigh.
Psalm 16:5. Second Part. C. M.
The death and resurrection of Christ.
1 I Set the Lord before my face, "He bears my courage up; "My heart, and tongue, their joys express, "My flesh shall rest in hope.
2 "My spirit, Lord, thou wilt not leave "Where souls departed are; "Nor quit my body to the grave "To see corruption there.
3 "Thou wilt reveal the path of life, "And raise me to thy throne; "Thy courts immortal pleasure give, "Thy presence joys unknown."
4 [Thus in the name of Christ, the Lord, The holy David sung, And Providence fulfils the word Of his prophetic tongue.
5 Jesus, whom every saint adores, Was crucify"d and slain; Behold the tomb its prey restores, Behold, he lives again!
6 When shall my feet arise and stand On heaven"s eternal hills?
There sits the Son at G.o.d"s right hand, And there the Father smiles.]
Psalm 17:1. 13 &c. S. M.
Portion of saints and sinners; or, Hope and despair in death.
1 Arise, my gracious G.o.d, And make the wicked flee; They are but thy chastising rod To drive thy saints to thee.
2 Behold the sinner dies, His haughty words are vain; Here in this life his pleasure lies, And all beyond is pain.
3 Then let his pride advance, And boast of all his store: The Lord is my inheritance, My soul can wish no more.
4 I shall behold the face Of my forgiving G.o.d, And stand complete in righteousness, Wash"d in my Saviour"s blood.
5 There"s a new heaven begun, When I awake from death, Drest in the likeness of thy Son, And draw immortal breath.
Psalm 17:2. L. M.
The sinner"s portion, and saint"s hope; or, The heaven of separate souls, and the resurrection.
1 Lord, I am thine; but thou wilt prove My faith, my patience, and my love; When men of spite against me join, They are the sword, the hand is thine.
2 Their hope and portion lies below; "Tis all the happiness they know, "Tis all they seek; they take their shares, And leave the rest among their heirs.
3 What sinners value, I resign; Lord, "tis enough that thou art mine; I shall behold thy blissful face, And stand complete in righteousness.
4 This life"s a dream, an empty show; But the bright world to which I go Hath joys substantial and sincere; When shall I wake, and find me there?
5 O glorious hour! O blest abode!
I shall be near and like my G.o.d!
And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of the soul.