5 But thy firm throne, O God, is fix'd
For ever to endure;

Thy sceptre's sway shall always last,
By righteous laws secure.

38.

PSALM XLVII.

For Ascension Day.

L. M.

ALL ye people, clap your hands, And with triumphant voices sing;, No force the mighty power withstands Of God, the universal King.

2 God is gone up, our Lord and King, With shouts of joy and trumpet's sound; To him repeated praises sing,

And let the sacred song go round.

3 Your utmost skill in praise be shewn, For him who all the world commands; Who sits upon his righteous throne,

And spreads his sway o'er heathen lands. 4 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;

1

Praise him above, angelic host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

39.

L'

PSALM XLIX.

;

C. M.

ET all the list'ning world attend,
And my instruction hear
Let high and low, and rich and poor,
With joint consent give ear.

2 Those men that all their hope and trust In heaps of treasure place,

And boast and triumph, when they see
Their ill-got wealth increase,

3 Are yet unable from the grave
Their dearest friends to free;
Nor can by bribes or force reverse
Th' Almighty Lord's decree.

4 Their vain endeavours they must quit ; The price is held too high:

No sums can purchase such a grant,
That man should never die.

Let me oppressed with loads of guilt,
Thy wonted mercy find.

2 Wash off my foul offence,

And cleanse me from my sin;
For I confess my crime, and see
How great my guilt has been.

3 Make me to hear with joy

Thy kind forgiving voice;

That so the bones which thou hast broke
May with fresh strength rejoice.

4 Blot out my crying sins,
Nor me in anger view;

Create in me a heart that's clean,
An upright mind renew.

41.

1

PSALM LI.

S. M.

WITHDRAW not, Lord, thy help,

Nor cast me from thy sight;

Nor let thy Holy Spirit take
Its everlasting flight.

2 The joy thy favour gives
Let me again obtain;

And thy free Spirit's firm support
My fainting soul sustain.

3 So I thy righteous ways
To sinners will impart,

Whilst my advice shall wicked men
To thy just laws convert.

4 A broken spirit is

By God most highly priz'd;
By him a broken contrite heart
Shall never be despis'd.

42.

1

PSALM LV.

C. M.

In time of Private Distress.

GIVE ear, thou Judge of all the earth,
And listen when I pray;

Nor from thy humble suppliant turn
Thy glorious face away.

2 My heart is rack'd with pain, my soul With deadly frights distress'd;

With fear and trembling compass'd round, With horror quite oppress'd.

3 How often do I long, that I

The dove's swift wings could get;
That I might take my speedy flight,
And seek a safe retreat.

4 Then would I wander far from hence,
And in wild deserts stray,
Till all this furious storm were spent,
This tempest past away.

5 But I will call on God, who still
Shall in my aid appear;

At morn, and noon, and night I'll pray,
And he my voice shall hear.

O thy tribunal, Lord, I fly,

L. M.

Thou sov'reignJudge and God most high,

Who wonders hast for me begun,

And will not leave thy work undone.

2 Be thou, O God, exalted high;
And, as thy glory fills the sky,
So let it be on earth display'd,
Till thou art here, as there, obey'd.

3 O God, my heart is fix'd, 'tis bent
Its thankful tribute to present;
And with my heart my voice I'll raise
To thee, my God, in songs of praise.
4 Awake, my glory; harp and lute,

No longer let your strings be mute;
And I, my tuneful part to take,

Will with the early dawn awake.
5 Thy praises, Lord, I will resound
To all the list'ning nations round;
Thy mercy highest heav'n transcends,
Thy truth beyond the clouds extends.

1

44.

IN

[N God, ye people, always trust, Before his throne pour out your hearts; For God, the merciful and just,

His timely aid to us imparts.

2 But trust not in oppressive ways,
By spoil and rapine grow not vain ;
Nor let your hearts, if wealth increase,
Be set too much upon your gain.
3 For God has oft his will express'd,
And I this truth have fully known;
To be of boundless power possess'd,
Belongs of right to God alone.