ONCE, with treach'rous joy elated,
Flush'd with hope in prosp'rous state,
Thus I cried (how falsely rated!).
For my soul no changes wait!
Strong my mount! thy grace hath bless'd me
And my glory shall sustain :
But, alas! what fears oppress'd me!
For thy face was veil'd again.
Then more humbly I adore thee!
To thy throne my pray'r arose,..
Shall my blood promote thy glory,
If the grave around me close?
Will the dust delight to praise thee?
Death, or hell, thy truth declare ?
Hear, O Lord, let mercy raise me,
Great Deliv❜rer, answer pray'r.
Gracious Lord! how quick my mourning
Has thy voice to triumph turn'd?
With the robes of joy adorning,
When with guilt and fears I mourn'd!
Rise my glory, shout his praises,
Nor in silence lie, my tongue :
Lord, my soul its tribute raises,
Endless praise shall fill my song!
PSALM XXXI.
IN thee I trust, all-gracious Lord!
I said, still resting on thy word,
Thou art my God:" admit the claim,
And faith shall triumph in the name !
My times thy purposes fulfil,
My joys and griefs obey thy will:
O let thine arm my foes restrain,
And earth and hell shall rage in vain.
Thy presence to my soul display,
And shine my gloomy fears away:
Let mercy to my thankful heart
Its saving health and joys impart.
From guilt and shame my soul defend,
Since up to thee my pray'rs ascend:
But 'tis thy justice strikes, when death,
Closes in shame the sinner's breath.
The lying lips, which utter wrong,
The sland'ring, proud, contemptuoustongue;
That dares blaspheme and grieve the just,
Shall sink to silence and the dust.
HOW blest the man, with mercy crown'd,
Whose sins have all forgiveness found;
Whose deep transgressions, cover'd o'er
With pard'ning blood, are seen no more!
How blest the man to whom the Lord
Doth his own righteousness afford;
Whom mercy clears from ev'ry sin;
Whose heart conceals no guile within!
I said, "I'll all my sins confess,
"And seek his grace and righteousness:""
Scarce had my breast the thought conceiv'd,
When God my anxious fears reliev❜d.
O boundless grace! the rich display
Shall teach the trembling lips to pray;
And contrite souls, with godly fear,
Shall plead, while mercy waits to hear
REJOICE-your songs in triumph raise;
Ye righteous, who the Lord revere;
How comely is the voice of praise,
From cheerful lips, and heart sincere.
Your praises to the Lord belong,
Let all your instruments combine;
To his great name renew the song,
With skilful arts your voices join.
His word, our everlasting stay,
His justice and his truth secure;
His works, his faithfulness display,
Rich is his grace, his promise sure.
He judgment loves-but mercy near,
Unites with justice in his word :
He bids the earth his gospel hear,
Fill'd with the goodness of the Lord.
THROUGH all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still,
My heart and tongue employ.
Of his deliv'rance I will boast,
Till all that are distrest
From my example comfort take,
And sooth their griefs to rest.
O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt his name;
When in distress to him I call'd,
He to my rescue came.
O make but trial of his love,
Experience will decide
How blest they are, and only they,
Who in his truth confide.
Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you his service your delight,
He'll make your wants his care.
Children, your parents' call obey,
Hear, and let wisdom guide your way;
Your hearts to sacred truth afford,
And learn from me to fear the Lord.
Where is the man whose mind aspires,
And life and length of days desires?
Who seeks substantial good to gain,
So sought by man, but sought in vain ?
From sland'rous words withhold thy tongue;
Nor dare pronounce the thing that's wrong;
From falsehood let thy lips refrain,
Which God abhors, and men disdain.
In action pure; sincere of heart;
From all iniquity depart;
Through life, to bless its last review,
In peace delight, and peace pursue.
For, lo! the Lord, from out the skies,
Views all his saints with watchful eyes;
And, when their sorrows urge their pray'r,
He bows, and makes their wants his care.
But sinners, who transgress his word,
Shall meet the terrors of the Lord:
His frowning face shall blast their mirth,
And blot their mem❜ry from the earth.
PLEAD, plead my cause, 'midst pow'rful foes,
Messiah cries, thy pow'r oppose;
Eternal Lord! where battles rage,
Firm for the fight, thy arm engage.
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