FROM PSALM XIX.

THE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great original proclaim.

Th' unwearied sun, from day to day,
Doth his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The works of an Almighty hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,

The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly, to the listening earth, Repeats the story of her birth;

Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets in their turn,

Confirm the tidings as they roll,

And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though, in solemn silence, all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball!–
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found!-
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice;

For ever singing, as they shine,

FROM PSALM CXXX.

WHEN, rising from the bed of death,
O'erwhelmed with guilt and fear,

I see my Maker face to face,-
Oh! how shall I appear!

If now, while pardon may be found,
And mercy may be sought,

My heart with inward horror shrinks,
And trembles at the thought,-

When Thou, O Lord! shall stand disclosed

In majesty severe,

And sit in judgment on my soul,

Oh! how shall I appear!

But Thou hast told the troubled soul,

That doth her sins lament,

That Jesus suffered unto death

Her sufferings to prevent.

Then never shall my soul despair,

Thy mercy to procure,

Since Christ, thine only Son, hath died To make that pardon sure!

PSALM XLVI.

GOD is our refuge in distress,
A present help when dangers press;
In him undaunted we'll confide:
Though earth were from her centre tost.
And mountains in the ocean lost,

Torn piece-meal by the roaring tide.

A gentler stream, with gladness still
The city of our Lord shall fill,

The royal seat of God most high:
God dwells in Sion, whose fair towers
Shall mock th' assaults of earthly powers,
While his almighty aid is nigh.

In tumults when the heathen raged,

And kingdoms war against us waged,

He thundered, and dispersed their powers:

The Lord of Hosts conducts our arms,
Our tower of refuge in alarms,

Our fathers' guardian God and ours.