Part 29 (1/2)

1 'Twas for thy sake, eternal G.o.d, Thy son sustain'd that heavy load Of base reproach and sore disgrace, And shame defil'd his sacred face.

2 The Jews, his brethren and his kin, Abus'd the man that check'd their sin: While he fulfill'd thy holy laws, They hate him, but without a cause.

3 [”My Father's house, said he, was made ”A place for wors.h.i.+p, not for trade;”

Then scattering all their gold and bra.s.s, He scourg'd the merchants from the place.]

4 [Zeal for the temple of his G.o.d Consum'd his life, expos'd his blood: Reproaches at thy glory thrown He felt, and mourn'd them as his own.]

5 [His friends forsook, his followers fled, While foes and arms surround his head; They curse him with a slanderous tongue, And the false judge maintains the wrong.]

6 His life they load with hateful lies, And charge his lips with blasphemies; They nail him to the shameful tree: There hung the man that dy'd for me.

7 [Wretches with hearts as hard as stones, Insult his piety and groans; Gall was the food they gave him there, And mock'd his thirst with vinegar.]

8 But G.o.d beheld; and from his throne Marks out the men that hate his Son; The hand that rais'd him from the dead Shall pour the vengeance on their head.

Psalm 71:1. 5-9. First Part.

The aged saint's reflection and hope.

1 My G.o.d, my everlasting hope, I live upon thy truth; Thine hands have held my childhood up, And strengthen'd all my youth.

2 My flesh was fas.h.i.+on'd by thy power, With all these limbs of mine; And from my mother's painful hour I've been entirely thine.

3 Still has my life new wonders seen Repeated every year; Behold my days that yet remain, I trust them to thy care.

4 Cast me not off when strength declines, When h.o.a.ry hairs arise; And round me let thy glories s.h.i.+ne Whene'er thy servant dies.

5 Then in the history of my age, When men review my days, They'll read thy love in every page, In every line thy praise.

Psalm 71:2. 15 14 16 23 22 24. 2d Part.

Christ our strength and righteousness.

1 My Saviour, my almighty Friend, When I begin thy praise, Where will the growing numbers end, The numbers of thy grace?

2 Thou art my everlasting trust, Thy goodness I adore; And since I knew thy graces first I speak thy glories more.

3 My feet shall travel all the length Of the celestial road, And march with courage in thy strength To see my Father G.o.d.

4 When I am fill'd with sore distress For some surprising sin, I'll plead thy perfect righteousness, And mention none but thine.

5 How will my lips rejoice to tell The victories of my King!

My soul redeem'd from sin and h.e.l.l Shall thy salvation sing.

6 [My tongue shall all the day proclaim My Saviour and my G.o.d; His death has brought my foes to shame, And drown'd them in his blood.

7 Awake, awake my tuneful powers; With this delightful song I'll entertain the darkest hours, Nor think the season long.]