The rains return, the ice distils, Thy voice the ocean stills, The tumult, and the storm. Thro' earth and skies, with terror spread, Soft suns ascend; the mild wind blows; 5 Thy show'rs make soft the fields; The rip'ning harvests wave Their loads of richest gold. The lab'rers sing with cheerful voice, 6 The thunder is his voice; His arrows blazing fires; The balmy breeze his breath perfumes; 7 With life he clothes the spring ; The earth with summer warms; 1 He spreads th' autumnal feast, SING, all ye nations to the Lord, With melody of sound record His honours, and your joys. 2 Say to the Pow'r that shakes the sky, Provoke th' Eternal to the fight, And tempt that dreadful war? 4 O bless our God, and never cease; He keeps our life, maintains our peace; 5 Lord, thou hast prov'd our suff'ring souls, To make our graces shine: So silver bears the burning coals, The metal to refine. 6 Thro' wat'ry deeps, and fiery ways, 1 PSALM 66. Second Part. C. M. 1No Praise to God for hearing prayer. TOW shall my solemn vows be paid Who heard the long requests I made 2 My lips and cheerful heart prepare 3 When on my head huge sorrows fell, 4 If sin lay cover'd in my heart, While pray'r employ'd my tongue, 5 But God (his name be ever blest) Nor turn'd from him my poor request, PSALM 67. C. M. The prosperity of the nation, and increase of the church. 2 Here fix thy throne exalted high, 3 When shall thy name from shore to shore Sound all the earth abroad, And distant nations know and love 4 Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands; Let thankful tongues exalt his praise, 5 He, the great Lord, the sov'reign Judge, That sits enthron'd above, Wisely commands the worlds, he made, 6 Earth shall confess her Maker's hand, Our God will crown his chosen land 7 God, the Redeemer, scatters round 1 PSALM 68. First Part. L. M. LET God arise in all his might, And put the troops of hell to flight : As smoke, that sought to cloud the skies, Before the rising tempest flies. 2 He rides and thunders thro' the sky; His name Jehovah sounds on high; Sing to his name, ye sons of grace: Ye saints rejoice before his face. 3 The widow and the fatherless Fly to his aid in sharp distress; In him, the poor and helpless find A Judge, that's just, a Father kind. 4 He breaks the captive's heavy chain, And pris'ners see the light again; But rebels, that dispute his will, Shall dwell in chains and darkness still. 5 Kingdoms and thrones to God belong; Crown him, ye nations, in your song: His wond'rous names and pow'rs rehearse; His honours shall enrich your verse. 5 He shakes the heav'ns with loud alarms; In Israel are his mercies known, 7 Proclaim him King, pronounce him blest; PSALM 68. Second Part. L. M. The ascension of Christ, and the gift of the Spirit. ORD, when thou did'st ascend on high, Ten thousand angels fill'd the sky: Those heav'nly guards around thee wait, Like chariots, that attend thy state. 2 Not Sinai's mountain could appear More glorious when the Lord was there; While he pronounc'd his dreadful law, And struck the chosen tribes with awe. 3 How bright the triumph none can tell, When the rebellious pow'rs of hell, That thousand souls had captive made, Were all in chains like captives led. 4 Rais'd by his Father to the throne, He sent the promis'd spirit down, With gifts and grace for rebel men, That God might dwell on earth again. 1 PSALM 68. Third Part. L. M. Praise for common and special mercies. 7E bless the Lord, the just, the good, Who fills our hearts with joy and food; Who pours his blessings from the skies, And loads our days with rich supplies |