Part 62 (2/2)

Psalm 147:3. 7-9 13-18. C. M.

The seasons of the year.

1 With songs and honours sounding loud Address the Lord on high; Over the heavens he spreads his cloud, And waters veil the sky.

2 He sends his showers of blessing down To cheer the plains below; He makes the gra.s.s the mountains crown, And corn in vallies grow.

3 He gives the grazing ox his meat, He hears the ravens cry; But man, who tastes his finest wheat, Should raise his honours high.

4 His steady counsels change the face Of the declining year; He bids the sun cut short his race, And wintry days appear.

5 His h.o.a.ry frost, his fleecy snow Descend and clothe the ground; The liquid streams forbear to flow, In icy fetters bound.

6 When from his dreadful stores on high He pours the rattling hail, The wretch that dares this G.o.d defy Shall find his courage fail.

7 He sends his word and melts the snow, The fields no longer mourn; He calls the warmer gales to blow, And bids the spring return.

8 The changing wind, the flying cloud, Obey his mighty word: With songs and honours sounding loud, Praise ye the sovereign Lord.

Psalm 148:1. P. M.

Praise to G.o.d from all creatures.

1 Ye tribes of Adam, join With heaven, and earth, and seas, And offer notes divine To your Creator's praise: Ye holy throng Of angels bright, In worlds of light, Begin the song.

2 Thou sun with dazzling rays, And moon that rules the night, s.h.i.+ne to your Maker's praise, With stars of twinkling light: His power declare, Ye floods on high, And clouds that fly In empty air.

3 The s.h.i.+ning worlds above In glorious order stand, Or in swift courses move By his supreme command: He spake the word, And all their frame From nothing came To praise the Lord.

4 He mov'd their mighty wheels In unknown ages past, And each his word fulfils While time and nature last: In different ways His works proclaim His wondrous Name, And speak his praise.

PAUSE.

5 Let all the earth-born race, And monsters of the deep, The fish that cleave the seas, Or in their bosom sleep, From sea and sh.o.r.e Their tribute pay, And still display Their Maker's power.

6 Ye vapours, hail, and snow, Praise ye Th' almighty Lord, And stormy winds that blow To execute his word: When lightnings s.h.i.+ne, Or thunders roar, Let earth adore His hand divine.

7 Ye mountains near the skies, With lofty cedars there, And trees of humbler size, That fruit in plenty bear; Beasts wild and tame, Birds, flies, and worms, In various forms Exalt his Name.

8 Ye kings and judges, fear The Lord, the sovereign King; And while you rule us here, His heavenly honours sing: Nor let the dream Of power and state Make you forget His power supreme.

9 Virgins, and youths, engage To sound his praise divine, While infancy and age Their feebler voices join: Wide as he reigns His Name be sung By every tongue In endless strains.

10 Let all the nations fear The G.o.d that rules above; He brings his people near, And makes them taste his love: While earth and sky Attempt his praise, His saints shall raise His honours high.

Psalm 148:2. Paraphrased. L. M.

Universal praise to G.o.d.

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