PSALM CXXXVII.
L. M.
1 O ZION! when we think on Thee,
We long for pinions like the dove,
And sigh to think that we should be
So distant from the land we love.
2 But yet we hope to see the day,
When Zion's children shall return,
When all our griefs shall pass away,
And we no more again shall mourn.
3 The thought that such a day will come,
Makes e'en the captive portion sweet;
Though now we wander far from home,
In Zion soon we all shall meet.
1 LORD, where shall guilty souls retire
Forgotten and unknown?
In hell they meet thy dreadful fire ;
In heaven thy glorious throne.
2 Should I suppress my vital breath,
To 'scape thy wrath divine,
Thy voice would break the bars of death, And make the grave resign.
3 If, wing'd with beams of morning light, I fly beyond the West,
Thy hand, which must support my flight, Would there betray my rest.
4 If o'er my sins I think to draw The curtains of the night,
Those flaming eyes that guard thy law,
Would turn the shades to light.
5 The beams of noon, the midnight hour,
Are both alike to Thee:
O may I ne'er provoke that Pow'r
From which I cannot flee.
PSALM CXXXIX. Second Version.
1 THOU, Lord, by strictest search, hast
My rising up and lying down: [known
My secret thoughts are known to Thee,
Known long before conceiv'd by me.
2 Thine eye my bed and path surveys,
My public haunts and private ways:
Thou know'st what 'tis my lips would
My yet unutter'd words' intent.
3 If up to heav'n I take my flight,
'Tis there thou dwell'st enthron'd in light:
If down to hell's infernal plains,
There thy Almighty vengeance reigns.
4 If I the morning's wings could gain,
And fly beyond the Western main:
Thy swifter hand would first arrive,
And there arrest the fugitive.
5 Or should I try to shun thy sight,
Beneath the sable wings of night,
One glance from Thee, one piercing ray,
Would kindle darkness into day.
1 PROSTRATE before Jehovah's throne,
With earnest voice I cried;
My supplication I made known,
Oppress'd with grief I sigh❜d.
2 My spirit sunk, o'erwhelm'd with grief, No friend remain'd for me;
I look'd around, but no relief,
No refuge could I see.
3 Friendless, I cried to Thee, O Lord,
Thou refuge of my soul;
Thou art my portion, and thy word
Can all my fears controul.
PSALM CXLIII. L. M.
1 HEAR me, O Lord! in my distress,
Hear me in truth and righteousness;
For at thy bar of judgment tried,
None living could be justified.
2 Lord, I have foes without, within;
The world, the flesh, in-dwelling sin,
Life's daily ills, temptation's hour,
And Satan roaring to devour.
3 Feebly to Thee I stretch my hands, Like failing streams thro' desert sands: I thirst for Thee, as harvest-plains, Parch'd in the summer, thirst for rains.
4 Teach me thy will,--subdue mine own,--
Thou art my God, and Thou alone;
By thy good Spirit guide me still,
Safe from all foes, to Zion's hill.
1 THE praises of my God, my King, While I have life, or breath to sing, Shall fill my heart, and tune my tongue, Till heav'n improve the blissful song.
2 Happy the man, whose hopes divine
On Israel's guardian God recline!
Who can with sacred transport say,
"This God is mine-my help, my stay!"
3 The hungry poor his hand sustains,
And breaks the wretched captive's chains:
To sightless eyes, long clos'd in night,
His touch restores the joys of light.
4 The Lord shall reign for ever King,
And age to age His glory sing:
Thy God, O happy Zion, reigns;
Resound his praise in joyful strains.
PSALM CXLVIII
1 YE boundless realms of joy,
Exalt your Maker's fame;
His praise your song employ,
Above the starry frame.
Your voices raise,
Ye Cherubim,
And Seraphim,
To sing his praise.
2 Thou moon, that rul'st the night,
And sun, that guid'st the day,
Ye glitt'ring stars of light,
To Him your homage pay.
His praise declare,
Ye heav'ns above,
And clouds that move
In liquid air.
3 Let them adore the Lord,
And praise his holy Name,
By whose Almighty Word
They all from nothing came;
And all shall last
From changes free:
His firm decree
PSALM CXLVIII. Second Version.
1 PRAISE the Lord! ye heav'ns, adore Him, Praise Him, angels in the height;
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