Now the sun has sunk in night!
Now we see the evening light!
All honour to Father and Son,
And Holy Spirit of God, be done!
Thou art worthy to be sung
Ever by every sacred tongue!
Son of God! the world doth give
Glory to Thee, by whom we live!
Literal Translation of an ANCIENT HYMN.
GLORIOUS things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Form'd thee for His own abode :
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Vain the wrath of all thy foes;
On the rock of ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
Fading is the world's best pleasure,
All its boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Sion's Children know.
Saviour, Thy own word is telling
Of that bright and glorious place;
There with Thee may we be dwelling,
There rejoicing in Thy grace!
GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take!
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His
grace; Behind a frowning' Providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
GoD of our life! through all its days
Our grateful powers shall sound Thy praise;
Our song shall rise with opening light,
And dwell upon the listening night.
When anxious cares else broke our rest,
And sorrows fill'd each throbbing breast,
Work in us, check each hasty word,
And let our thanksgivings be heard!
God save our King! O shed
All blessings o'er his head!
Comfort his heart!
Guard Thou his royalty!
Keep us, his people, free;
True to him, true to Thee,
Firm in our part!
For Jesus' sake, Thy hand
Shield our homes! Let our land
Yield her increase!
Stretch o'er our King Thy wings!
Save him from hurtful things!
Lord of Lords! King of Kings!
Grant his realm peace!
If his foes take the sword,
Soothe Thou their anger, Lord;
Save us from shame!
Land and sea, near and far,
When they appeal to war,
Make our King conqueror,
In Thine own name!
Rule Thou our lives and laws;
O Lord, maintain our cause
At home, abroad!
Let our King, on his throne,
And all his people own
For our hope Thee alone,
Thee for our God!
GOD, that madest earth and heaven,
Darkness and light;
Who the day for toil hast given,
For rest the night;
May Thine Angel-guards defend us,
Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us,
Holy dreams and hopes attend us,
This livelong night!
GREAT is the joy by those possess'd,
Who know and love the Lord;
No guilty fears disturb their rest,
While leaning on His word.
Amid the ruffling scenes of life,
They trust a gracious God;
While all the angry sons of strife
Despise His chastening rod.
Jesus to them his peace imparts,
To them His presence gives;
He dwells by faith in all their hearts,
And all their wants relieves.
Thus, Holy Lord, may we be blest
With graces from above,
Till peace and joy reign in each breast,
The fruit of dying love!
HAIL, all hail, the joyful morn!
Tell it forth from earth to heaven,
That to us a Child is born,
That to us a Son is given.
Swell the anthem from the sky,
Chaunted at His wondrous birth:
Glory be to God on high!
Peace, good-will, to man on earth!
HARK, the glad sound! the Saviour comes!
The Saviour promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes the prisoners to release,
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes to soothe the broken heart,
To calm the struggling mind,
To shed upon the mourner joy,
And light upon the blind.
The sinners thou didst die to save,
We worship Thee, O Lord!
In all our hearts be Thou enthroned,
By all our tongues adored!
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