Part 30 (1/2)

4 For him shall endless prayer be made And princes throng to crown his head; His Name like sweet perfume shall rise With every morning sacrifice.

5 People and realms of every tongue Dwell on his love with sweetest song: And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on his Name.

6 Blessings abound where'er he reigns, The prisoner leaps to lose his chains, The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blest.

7 [Where he displays his healing power, Death and the curse are known no more; In him the tribes of Adam boast More blessings than their father lost.

8 Let every creature rise, and bring Peculiar honours to our King; Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the long Amen.]

Psalm 73:1. First Part. C. M.

Afflicted saints happy, and prosperous sinners cursed.

1 Now I'm convinc'd the Lord is kind To men of heart sincere, Yet once my foolish thoughts repin'd And border'd on despair.

2 I griev'd to see the wicked thrive, And spoke with angry breath, ”How pleasant and profane they live!

”How peaceful is their death!

3 ”With well-fed flesh and haughty eyes ”They lay their fears to sleep; ”Against the heavens their slanders rise, ”While saints in silence weep.

4 ”In vain I lift my hands to pray, ”And cleanse my heart in vain, ”For I am chasten'd all the day, ”The night renews my pain.'

5 Yet while my tongue indulg'd complaints, I felt my heart reprove; ”Sure I shall thus offend thy saints, ”And grieve the men I love.”

6 But still I found my doubts too hard, The conflict too severe, Till I retir'd to search thy word, And learn thy secrets there.

7 There, as in some prophetic gla.s.s, I saw the sinner's feet High mounted on a slippery place, Beside a fiery pit.

8 I heard the wretch profanely boast, Till at thy frown he fell; His honours in a dream were lost, And he awakes in h.e.l.l.

9 Lord, what an envious fool I was!

How like a thoughtless beast!

Thus to suspect thy promis'd grace, And think the wicked blest.

10 Yet I was kept from full despair, Upheld by power unknown; That blessed hand that broke the snare Shall guide me to thy throne.

Psalm 73:2. 23-8. Second Part.

G.o.d our portion here and hereafter.

1 G.o.d my supporter and my hope, My help for ever near, Thine arm of mercy held me up When sinking in despair.

2 Thy counsels, Lord, shall guide my feet Thro' this dark wilderness; Thine hand conduct me near thy seat To dwell before thy face.

3 Were I in heaven without my G.o.d, 'Twould be no joy to me; And whilst this earth is my abode, I long for none but thee.

4 What if the springs of life were broke, And flesh and heart should faint!

G.o.d is my soul's eternal rock, The strength of every saint.

5 Behold the sinners that remove Far from thy presence die; Not all the idol G.o.ds they love Can save them when they cry.