And tempt my soul to snares and sin; Yet thy commands I ne'er decline. 3 They hate me, Lord, without a cause, They hate to see me love thy laws; But I will trust and fear thy name, Till pride and malice die with shame. PSALM 119. Eighteenth Part. L. M. Sanctified afflictions.
ATHER, I bless thy gentle hand;
How kind was thy chastising rod,
That forc'd my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wand'ring soul to God!
2 Foolish and vain I went astray,
Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord;
I left my guide, and lost my way;
But now I love and keep thy word.
3 'Tis good for me to wear the yoke,
For pride is apt to rise and swell :
'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke,
That I might learn his statutes well.
4 The law, that issues from thy mouth,
Shall raise my cheerful passions more,
Than all the treasures of the South,
Or Western hills of golden ore.
5. Thy hands have made my mortal frame,
Thy Spirit form'd my soul within :
Teach me to know thy wondrous name,
And guard me safe from death and sin.
6 Then all that love and fear the Lord,
At my salvation shall rejoice :
For I have hoped in thy word,
And made thy grace my only choice.
PSALM 119. Nineteenth Part. L. M.
KEEP me from fainting in my prayers,
When to thy footstool, Lord, I come : My soul with God would leave her cares, And hope for mercy from the throne. 2 Kindle a flame of love and zeal, While wrestling for the grace I need; Bring me by faith within the vail, And help me ardently to plead. 3 Known to the Lord are all my sighs: I will not yield to unbelief;
But persevere with fervent cries,
Until he hear and grant relief.
PSALM 119. Twentieth Part. C. M.
Resting upon the Word.
REMEMBER all my sorrows, Lord,
And do as thou hast said;
Send help according to thy word,
And give the promis'd aid.
2 Repeated mercies in a train
Demand my gratitude;
And these my faith and hope sustain,
That more will be bestow'd.
3 Renew thy work of grace, then, Lord,
Nor let my soul complain;
That, while I rest upon thy word,
My hopes are still in vain.
PSALM 119. Twenty-First Part. L. M.
An appeal to the Searcher of hearts.
EARCHER and Saviour of
My Sun, my Shield, my sov'reign Judge,
All things are naked to thy view,
My heart, my thoughts, my words, my ways
2 Sinners of state with pow'r array'd,
Who fear not God, nor man regard,
Have persecuted without cause;
But all their hatred I defy.
3 Still to thy word my soul repairs;
Thence I my highest comforts draw:
Tho' foes may fight and devils rage,
If God be for me, all is well.
4 Sustain me then with promis'd grace,
Revive my heart, increase my faith:
I hate to lie, I love the truth;
O! make me be what I profess.
5 Sev'n times a-day my pray'rs ascend,
With mingled praises to the throne:
'Tis good to seek my Father's face,
And plead in my Redeemer's name.
6 Strong peace have they, who love thy law;
Firm on a rock their hopes are built;
Their faith looks up to nobler scenes,
And nothing can detain them here.
7 Seal to my soul thy pard'ning love,
Let strength be equal to my day;
Then will I run with great delight,
And eager press, to seize the prize.
8 Supremely wise, and good, and great;
O! search my heart, and try my ways;
Thy word I love, thy judgments fear,
And tremble, while I pray and praise.
PSALM 119. Twenty-Second Part. C. M.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep.
1 HE least, the feeblest of the sheep,
To Christ, the Father gave;
He loves the flock, the charge he'll keep :
His arm is strong to save.
2 'They're prone to wander out of sight, And apt to run astray;
And when once lost, unable quite
To find again the way.
3 That hand, which heav'n and earth upholds,
Can keep them free from harms;
The Shepherd brings them to their folds,
And bears them in his arms.
To thee, my Shepherd and my Rock,
A grateful song I'll raise ;
O! let the meanest of the flock
Attempt to speak thy praise.
5 Thou art my guard; my all I owe
To thine amazing love:
My standing in thy fold below,
And hopes of bliss above.
6 Ten thousand thousand comforts here,
Dispens'd in various ways,
Confirm thy faithfulness and care,
And claim adoring praise.
7 Then, guided, Shepherd, by thy love,
My feet shall keep thy way;
Soon shall I reach thy fold above,
And go no more astray.
PSALM 120. C. M.
Christians love peace.
HOU God of love, thou ever blest,
Pity my suff'ring state:
When wilt thou set my soul at rest
From lips, that love deceit ?
2 Hard lot of mine! my days are cast
Among the sons of strife;
Whose never-ceasing brawlings waste
My golden hours of life.
3 O! might I fly to change my place,
How would I choose to dwell
In some wide, lonesome, wilderness,
And leave these gates of hell!
4 Peace is the blessing that I seek:
How lovely are its charms!
I am for peace; but, when I speak,
They all declare for arms.
5 New passions still their souls engage,
And keep their malice strong:
What shall be done to curb thy rage,
O thou devouring tongue!
6 Should burning arrows smite thee through,
Strict justice would approve;
But I would rather spare my foe,
And melt his heart with love.
PSALM 121. First Part. C. M.
Divine protection.
Zion's hill I lift my eyes,
From thence expecting aid;
From Zion's hill, and Zion's God,
Who heav'n and earth has made.
2 Thou, then, my soul, in safety rest;
Thy guardian will not sleep:
His watchful care that Israel guards,
Will thee in safety keep.
3 Shelter'd beneath th' Almighty's wings,
Thou shalt securely rest;
Where neither sun nor moon shall thee
By day or night molest.
4 At home, abroad, in peace, in war,
Thy God shall thee defend;
Conduct thee thro' life's pilgrimage
Safe to thy journey's end.
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