Part 27 (1/2)

4 The little hills on every side Rejoice at falling showers; The meadows, drest in all their pride, Perfume the air with flowers.

5 The barren clods, refresh'd with rain, Promise a joyful crop; The parching grounds look green again, And raise the reaper's hope.

6 The various months thy goodness crowns; How bounteous are thy ways; The bleating flocks spread o'er the downs, And shepherds shout thy praise.

Psalm 66:1. First Part.

Governing power and goodness; or, Our graces tried by afflictions.

1 Sing, all ye nations, to the Lord, Sing with a joyful noise; With melody of sound record His honours, and your joys.

2 Say to the power that shakes the sky, ”How terrible art thou!

”Sinners before thy presence fly, ”Or at thy feet they bow.”

3 [Come, see the wonders of our G.o.d, How glorious are his ways: In Moses' hand he puts his rod, And cleaves the frighted seas.

4 He made the ebbing channel dry, While Israel pa.s.s'd the flood; There did the church begin their joy, And triumph in their G.o.d.]

5 He rules by his resistless might: Will rebel mortals dare Provoke th' Eternal to the fight, And tempt that dreadful war?

6 O bless our G.o.d and never cease; Ye saints, fulfil his praise; He keeps our life, maintains our peace, And guides our doubtful ways.

7 Lord, thou hast prov'd our suffering souls, To make our graces s.h.i.+ne; So silver bears the burning coals The metal to refine.

8 Thro' watery deeps and fiery ways We march at thy command, Led to possess the promis'd place By thine unerring hand.

Psalm 66:2. 13-20. Second Part.

Praise to G.o.d for hearing prayer.

1 Now shall my solemn vows be paid To that Almighty power, That heard the long requests I made In my distressful hour.

2 My lips and cheerful heart prepare To make his mercies known; Come, ye that fear my G.o.d, and hear The wonders he has done.

3 When on my head huge sorrows fell, I sought his heavenly aid, He sav'd my sinking soul from h.e.l.l, And death's eternal shade.

4 If sin lay cover'd in my heart, While prayer employ'd my tongue, The Lord had shewn me no regard, Nor I his praises sung.

5 But G.o.d, (his Name be ever blest) Hath set my spirit free, Nor turn'd from him my poor request, Nor turn'd his heart from me.

Psalm 67.

The nation's prosperity and the church's increase.

1 s.h.i.+ne, mighty G.o.d, on Britain s.h.i.+ne With beams of heavenly grace; Reveal thy power thro' all our coasts, And shew thy smiling face.

2 [Amidst our isle, exalted high, Do thou our glory stand, And like a wall of guardian fire Surround the favourite land.]

3 When shall thy Name, from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, Sound all the earth abroad, And distant nations know and love Their Saviour and their G.o.d?