*Extract from the Journal of the General Convention, 1832. "4. Resolved, As the sense and de. claration of this Convention, that so much of the rubrics in the form of consecration of a church or chapel as requires the singing of 'Psalm 26, verses 6, 7, and 8,' will hereafter be duly complied with by singing verses 2 and 3, in the selection from the 26th Psalm, included in the Psalms in Metre authorized by these resolutions to be set forth." 7 Instruct me in thy paths, O LORD, 8 I trusted that my future life Should with thy love be crown'd Or else my fainting soul had sunk, With sorrow compass'd round. 9 God's time with patient faith expect, Who will inspire thy breast With inward strength: do thou thy part, And leave to him the rest. PSALM 23. (C. M.) ADOR'D for ever be the LORD His praise I will resound, From whom the cries of my distress A gracious answer found. 2 He is my strength and shield; my heart Has trusted in his Name; And now reliev'd, my heart, with joy, His praises shall proclaim. 3 The LORD, the everlasting God, Is my defence and rock, The saving health, the saving strength, Of his anointed flock. 4 O save and bless thy people, Lord, Thy heritage preserve; Feed, strengthen, and support their hearts, That they may never swerve. From the xxix. Psalm of David. YE that in might and pow'r excel, Your grateful sacrifice prepare GOD's glorious actions loudly tell, His wondrous pow'r to all declare. 2 To his great Name fresh altars raise; Devoutly due respect afford; Him in his holy temple praise, Where he's with solemn state ador'd. 3 "Tis he that, with amazing noise, The ocean trembles at his voice, When he from heav'n in thunder speaks. 4 How full of pow'r his voice appears! With what majestic terror crown'd! Which from their roots tall cedars 5 God rules the angry floods on high; 18 O all ye saints, the LORD His boundless sway shall never From the xxx. Psalm of David I who kindly did relieve, my distress to God I cried, With eager love pursue; 9 Ye that on God rely, Courageously proceed; For he will still your hearts supply With strength in time of need. PSALM 27. (L. M.) From the xxxii. Psalm of David. And from the grave's expecting mouth HE'S blest whose sins have pardon My hopeless life retrieve. 20 to his courts, ye saints of his, With songs of praise repair; 3 His wrath has but a moment's reign, 4 Therefore, O LORD, I'll gladly sing PSALM 26. (S. M.) LORD, from shame, For still I trust in thee; 2 Bow down thy gracious ear, Do thou my steadfast rock appear, 3 To thee, the GoD of truth My life, and all that 's mine, (For thou preserv'st me from my youth,) I willingly resign. 4 My hope, my steadfast trust, I on thy help repose: That thou, my GOD, art good and just, My soul with comfort knows. 5 Whate'er events betide, Thy wisdom times them all; Then, Lord, thy servant safely hide From those that seek his fall. 6 The brightness of thy face To me, O LORD, disclose; And, as thy mercies still increase, Preserve me from my foes. 7 How great thy mercies are To such as fear thy Name, Which thou, for those that trust thy care, Dost to the world proclaim! gain'd, No more in judgment to appear; Whose guilt remission has obtain'd, And whose repentance is sincere. 2 No sooner I my wound disclos'd, The guilt that tortur'd me within, But thy forgiveness interpos'd, And mercy's healing balm pour'd in. 3 Sorrows on sorrows multiplied, The harden'd sinner shall coufound; But them who in his truth confide, Blessings of mercy shall surround. 4 His saints, that have perform'd his laws, Their life in triumph shall employ; Let them, as they alone have cause, In grateful raptures shout for joy. PSALM 28. From the xxxiii. Psalm of David. LET all the just to GOD, with joy, Their cheerful voices raise; 2 Let harps, and psalteries, and lutes, 3 For faithful is the word of God; He justice loves; and all the earth 5 Let earth, and all that dwell therein, Before him trembling stand; [made, For, when he spake the word, 'twas "Twas fix'd at his command. 2 How happy then are they, to whom The LORD for GoD is known! Whom he, from all the world besides, Has chosen for his own. [4 The LORD from heav'n beholds the 3 Our soul on GoD with patience 5 But turns his wrathful look on those From the xxxiv. Psalm of David. PART 1. (C. M.) Whom mercy can't reclaim, To cut them off, and from the earth 6 Deliv'rance to his saints he gives, 7 Great troubles may afflict the just, 8 The wicked, from their wickedness, Their ruin shall derive; [test, HROUGH all the changing scenes Whilst righteous men, whom they de TH of life, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my GoD shall still 3 O magnify the LORD with me, He to my rescue came. 4 The Angel of the Lord encamps Around the good and just; Deliv'rance he affords to all Who on his succour trust. 5 O make but trial of his love, Experience will decide How blest they are, and only they, Who in his truth confide. Shall them and their's survive. 9 For GoD preserves the souls of those Who on his truth depend; To them, and their posterity 0 PSALM 30. (L. M.) The sacred truth's unmeasur'd scope Thy providence the world sustains, 3 Since of thy goodness all partake, With what assurance should the just 6 Fear him, ye saints; and you will Thy shelt'ring wings their refuge then Have nothing else to fear; Make you his service your delight, Your wants shall be his care. PART II. (C. M.) 1 APPROACH, ye children of the Lord, 2 Let him who length of life desires, And prosp'rous days would see, From sland'ring language keep his tongue, His lips from falsehood free; make, And saints to thy protection trust! 4 Such guests shall to thy courts be lcd, To banquet on thy love's repast; And drink, as from a fountain's head, Of joys that shall for ever last. 5 With thee the springs of life remain, Thy presence is eternal day; O let thy saints thy favour gain, To upright hearts thy truth display. PSALM 31. (II. 2.) From the xxxvii. Psalm of David. Thy anger or thy envy raise; Secure from danger and from want: Shall all thy earnest wishes grant. 3 In all thy ways trust thou the LORD, To perfect every just design; Nor envy the success of crime; PART II. (II. 2.) 1 THE good man's way is God's deHe orders all the steps aright [light: Of him that moves by his command; Though he sometimes may be dis tress'd, Yet shall he ne'er be quite oppress'd, For GoD upholds him with his hand. 2 With caution shun each wicked deed, In virtue's ways with zeal proceed, And so prolong your happy days; For God, who judgment loves, does still Preserve his saints secure from ill, His mouth with wisdom is supplied, PART III. (II. 2.) 1 THE wicked I in power have seen, But he was gone as swift as thought; Their roughest days in peace shall From the xxxix. Psalm of David. LORD, let me know my term of days, How soon my life will end: The num'rous train of ills disclose, 2 My life, thou know'st, is but a span, And ev'ry man, in best estate, 3 Man, like a shadow, vainly walks, 4 Why then should I on worthless toys Shall ever, LORD, depend. 5 LORD, hear my cry, accept my tears, 6 O spare me yet a little time; My wasted strength restore, praise: And others, to his worship brought, To hopes of like deliv'rance raise. 3 For blessings shall that man reward, Who on the Almighty LORD relies; Who treats the proud with disregard, And hates the hypocrite's disguise. Who can the wondrous works recount Which thou, O God, for us hast wrought? The treasures of thy love surmount The pow'r of numbers, speech, and thought. 5 I've learnt that thou hast not desir'd Off rings and sacrifice alone; Nor blood of guiltless heasts requir'd For man's transgression to atone. 6 I therefore come-come to fulfil The oracles thy books impart ; "Tis my delight to do thy will, Thy law is written in my heart. 7 In full assemblies I have told Thy truth and righteousness at large: Nor did, thou know'st, my lips with hold From uttering what thou gav'st in charge: 8 Nor kept within my breast confin'd Thy faithfulness and saving grace; But preach'd thy love, for all design'd That all might that and truth embrace. 9 Then let those mercies I declar'd To others, LORD, extend to me; Thy loving-kindness my reward, Thy truth my safe protection be. (C. M.) PSALM 35. From the xli. Psalm of David. HAPPY the man whose tender care Relieves the poor distress'd! When troubles compass him around, The LORD shall give him rest. The LORD his life, with blessings In safety shall prolong; 13 If he, in languishing estate, 4 Secure of this, to thee, my God, 6 Let therefore Israel's LORD and God From the xlii. Psalm of David. pants the hart for cooling streams. When heated in the chase; So longs my soul, O GOD, for thee, And thy refreshing grace. 2 For thee, my Con, the living GOD, O! when shall 1 behold thy face, 3 Why restless, why cast down, my soul? Trust God; who will employ 4 GoD of my strength, how long shall I, 5 My heart is pierc'd, as with a sword, 6 Why restless, why cast down, my soul? Hope still; and thou shalt sing The praise of him who is thy God? Thy health's eternal spring. |