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THA

PSALM 91. L. M.

From the cxii. Psalm of David.

HAT man is bless'd who stands in awe
Of God, and loves his sacred law;
His seed on earth shall be renown'd,
And with successive honours crown'd.

2 The soul that's fill'd with virtue's light
Shines brightest in affliction's night;
To pity the distress'd inclin'd,
As well as just to all mankind.

3 His liberal favours he extends,

To some he gives, to others lends;
Yet what his charity impairs,
He saves by prudence in affairs.

4 Beset with threatening dangers round,

4 Let all who truly fear the Lord, On him they fear rely;

Who them in danger can defend,

And all their wants supply.

5 Of us he oft has mindful been,
And Israel's house will bless;
Priests, Levites, proselytes, e'en all
Who his great Name confess.

6 On you, and on your heirs, he will
Increase of blessings bring:
Thrice happy you, who favourites are
Of this almighty King!

7 Heaven's highest orb of glory he
His empire's seat designed;
And gave this lower globe of earth
A portion to mankind.

Unmoved shall he maintain his ground; 8 They who in death and silence sleep,

The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust.

PSALM 92. II. 2.

From the cxiii. Psalm of David.

YE saints and servants of the Lord,

The triumphs of his Name record;
His sacred Name for ever bless:
Where'er the circling sun displays
His rising beams or setting rays,

Due praise to his great Name address.

2 God through the world extends his sway;

The regions of eternal day

But shadows of his glory are:

With him whose majesty excels,

To him no praise afford;

But we will bless for evermore Our everliving Lord.

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Who made the heaven in which he dwells, 3 With deadly sorrows compass'd round,

Let no created power compare.

4 Though 'tis beneath his state to view In highest heaven what angels do,

Yet he to earth vouchsafes his care;
He takes the needy from his cell,
Advancing him in courts to dwell,
Companion to the greatest there.

PSALM 93. C. M.
From the cxv. Psalm of David.

LORD, not to us, we claim no share,
But to thy sacred Name

Give glory, for thy mercy's sake,
And truth's eternal fame.

2 Why should the heathen cry, "Where's

now

The God whom ye adore?" Convince them that in heaven thou art,

And uncontroll'd thy power.

3 O Israel, make the Lord your trust,
Who is your help and shield;
Priests, Levites, trust in him alone,
Who only help can yield.

With pains of hell oppress'd,

When troubles seized my aching heart, And anguish racked my breast,—

4 On God's almighty Name I call'd, And thus to him I pray'd;

“ Lord, I beseech thee save my soul, With sorrows quite dismay'd."

5 How just and merciful is God,
How gracious is the Lord;

Who saves the harmless, and to me
Does timely help afford.

6 Then, free from pensive cares, my soul, Resume thy wonted rest;

For God has wondrously to thee
His bounteous love express'd.

7 When death alarm'd me, he removed
My dangers and my fears;
My feet from falling he secured,
And dried my eyes from tears.

8 Therefore my life's remaining years,
Which God to me shall lend,
Will I, in praises to his Name,
And in his service, spend.

9 In God I trusted, and of him

Did boast in greatest fear; Though in my trouble I exclaim'd, All men are insincere.

10 O what return to God shall I

For all his goodness make?

I'll praise his Name, and with glad zeal

The cup of blessing take.

11 I'll pay my vows among his saints,
Whose blood (howe'er despised
By wicked men) in God's account
Is always highly prized.

12 To thee I'll offerings bring of praise;
And while I bless thy Name,
The just performance of my vows
To all thy saints proclaim.

13 They in Jerusalem shall meet,

And in thy house shall join

To bless thy Name with one consent,
And mix their songs with mine.

PSALM 95. C. M.
From the cxvii. Psalm of David.

WITH

cheerful notes let all the earth

To heaven their voices raise;
Let all, inspired with godly mirth,

Sing solemn hymns of praise.

2 God's tender mercy knows no bound,
His truth shall ne'er decay:
Then let the willing nations round
Their grateful tribute pay.

PSALM 96. C. M.
From the cxviii. Psalm of David.
PRAISE the Lord, for he is good,
His mercies ne'er decay;
That his kind favours ever last,
Let thankful Israel say.

2 Their sense of his eternal love

Let Aaron's house express;
And that it never fails, let all
That fear the Lord confess.

3 Far better 'tis to trust in God,

And have the Lord our friend,
Than on the greatest human power
For safety to depend.

4 The Lord has been my help; the praise
To him alone belongs;

He is my Saviour and my strength,

He only claims my songs.

5 Joy fills the dwelling of the just,

Whom God has saved from harm;
For wondrous things are brought to pass
By his almighty arm.

6 He, by his own resistless power,
Has endless honour won;
The saving strength of his right hand
Amazing works has done.

7 God will not suffer me to fall,
But still prolongs my days;
That, by declaring all his works,
I may advance his praise.

8 When God had sorely me chastised,
'Till quite of hopes bereaved,
His mercy from the gates of death
My fainting life reprieved.

9 Then open wide the temple gates
To which the just repair,
That I may enter in, and praise
My great Deliverer there.

10 Within those gates of God's abode
To which the righteous press,
Since thou hast heard, and set me safe,
Thy holy Name I'll bless.

11 That which the builders once refused
Is now the corner-stone:
This is the wondrous work of God,
The work of God alone.

12 This day is God's; let all the land
Exalt their cheerful voice:

"Lord, we beseech thee, save us now, And make us still rejoice."

13 Him that approaches in God's name Let all th' assembly bless;

"We that belong to God's own house
Have wish'd you good success."

14 God is the Lord, through whom we all
Both light and comfort find;
Fast to the altar's horns with cords
The chosen victim bind.

15 Thou art my Lord, O God, and still
I'll praise thy holy Name;
Because thou only art my God,
I'll celebrate thy fame.

16 O then with me give thanks to God,
Who still does gracious prove;
And let the tribute of our praise
Be endless as his love.

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2 How bless'd, who to his righteous laws
Have still obedient been;
And have, with fervent humble zeal,
His favour sought to win!

3 Such men their utmost caution use
To shun each wicked deed;
But in the path which he directs

With constant care proceed.

4 Thou strictly hast enjoin'd us, Lord,
To learn thy sacred will;
And all our diligence employ
Thy statutes to fulfil.

5 0 then that thy most holy will

Might o'er my ways preside;
And I the course of all my life
By thy direction guide!

6 Then with assurance should I walk,

From all confusion free;
Convinced, with joy, that all my ways
With thy commands agree.

7 My upright heart shall my glad mouth
With cheerful praises fill,

When, by thy righteous judgments taught,
I shall have learn'd thy will.

8 So to thy sacred laws shall I

Entire observance pay:

O then forsake me not, my God,
Nor cast me quite away!

PART II. BETH. C. M.

1 How shall the young preserve their ways From all pollution free?

By making still their course of life

With thy commands agree.

2 With hearty zeal for thee I seek,
To thee for succour pray;
O suffer not my careless steps
From thy right paths to stray!

3 Safe in my heart, and closely hid,
Thy word, my treasure, lies,
To succour me with timely aid
When sinful thoughts arise.

4 Secured by that, my grateful soul

Shall ever bless thy Name;
O teach me then by thy just laws
My future life to frame!

5 My lips, unlock'd by pious zeal,
To others have declared

How well the judgments of thy mouth
Deserve our best regard.

6 Whilst in the way of thy commands,
More solid joy I found,

Then had I been with vast increase
Of envied riches crown'd.

7 Therefore thy just and upright laws Shall always fill my mind;

And those sound rules which thou prescrib'st,

Entire respect shall find.

8 To keep thy statutes undefaced
Shall be my constant joy;

The strict remembrance of thy word
Shall all my thoughts employ.

PART III. GIMEL. C. M.

1 BE gracious to thy servant, Lord;
Do thou my life defend,
That I according to thy word

My time to come may spend.

2 Enlighten both my eyes and mind,
That so I may discern

The wondrous things which they behold,
Who thy just precepts learn.

3 My fainting soul is almost pined,
With earnest longing spent,
While always on the eager search
Of thy just will intent.

4 Thy sharp rebuke shall crush the proud,
Whom still thy curse pursues;
Since they to walk in thy right ways
Presumptuously refuse.

5 But far from me do thou, O Lord,
Contempt and shame remove;

For I thy sacred laws affect

With undissembled love.

6 For thy commands have always been
My comfort and delight;

By them I learn with prudent care
To guide my steps aright.

PART IV. DALETH. C. M.

1 My soul, oppress'd with deadly care,
Close to the dust doth cleave;
Revive me, Lord, and let me now
Thy promised aid receive.

2 To thee I still declared my ways,
And thou inclin'dst thine ear;
O teach me then my future life
By thy just laws to steer!

3 If thou wilt make me know thy laws,
And by their guidance walk,

The wondrous works which thou hast done
Shall be my constant talk.

4 But see, my soul within me sinks,
Press'd down with weighty care;
Do thou, according to thy word,
My wasted strength repair.

5 Far, far from me be all false ways
And lying arts removed;

But kindly grant I still may keep
The path by thee approved.

6 Thy faithful ways, thou God of truth,
My happy choice I've made;
Thy judgments, as my rule of life,

Before me always laid.

7 My care has been to make my life

With thy commands agree;

O then preserve thy servant, Lord,
From shame and ruin free!

8 So in the way of thy commands
Shall I with pleasure run;
And, with a heart enlarged with joy,
Successfully go on.

PART V. HE. C. M.

1 INSTRUCT me in thy statutes, Lord, Thy righteous paths display; And I from them, through all my life,

Will never go astray.

2 If thou true wisdom from above

Wilt graciously impart,
To keep thy perfect laws I will
Devote my zealous heart.

3 Direct me in the sacred ways
To which thy precepts lead;
Because my chief delight has been
Thy righteous paths to tread.

4 Do thou to thy most just commands
Incline my willing heart;
Let no desire of worldly wealth

From thee my thoughts divert.

5 From those vain objects turn mine eyes, Which this false world displays;

But give me lively power and strength
To keep thy righteous ways.

6 Confirm the promise of thy word,
And give thy servant aid,

Who to transgress thy sacred laws
Is awfully afraid.

7 The censure and reproach I fear,
In mercy, Lord, remove;

For all the judgments thou ordain'st
Are full of grace and love.

8 Thou know'st how after thy commands My longing heart does pant;

O then make haste to raise me up,
And promised, succour grant!

PART VI. VAU. C. M.

1 THY constant blessing, Lord, bestow,
To cheer my drooping heart;
To me, according to thy word,
Thy saving health impart.

2 So shall I, whosoe'er upbraids,
This ready answer make;
"In God I trust, who never will
His faithful promise break.”

3 Then let not quite the word of truth
Be from my mouth removed;
Since still my ground of steadfast hope
Thy judgments, Lord, have proved.

4 So I to keep thy righteous laws
Will all my study bend;
And constantly my time to come
In their observance spend.

5 My soul shall gladly walk at large,
From all oppression free,
Since I resolved to make my life
With thy commands agree.

6 My longing heart and ravish'd soul
Shall both o'erflow with joy,
When in thy loved commandments I
My happy hours employ.

7 Then will I to thy holy laws
Lift up my willing hands;

My care and business then shall be
To study thy commands.

PART VII. ZAIN. C. M.

1 ACCORDING to thy promised grace,
Thy favour, Lord, extend;
Make good to me the word, on which
Thy servant's hopes depend.

2 That only comfort in distress

Did all my griefs control;

Thy word, when troubles hemm'd mu round,

Revived my fainting soul.

3 Thy judgments then, of ancient date,
I quickly call'd to mind,

Till, ravish'd with such thoughts, my soul
Did speedy comfort find.

4 Thy Name, that cheer'd my heart by day, Has fill'd my thoughts by night:

I then resolved by thy just laws

To guide my steps aright.

5 That peace of mind, which has my soul
In deep distress sustain'd,

By strict obedience to thy will
I happily obtain'd.

PART VIII. CHETH. C. M.

1 O LORD, my God, my portion thou
And sure possession art;
Thy words I steadfastly resolve
To treasure in my heart.

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1 WITH me, thy servant, thou hast dealt
Most graciously, O Lord;
Repeated benefits bestow'd,
According to thy word.

2 Teach me the sacred skill by which
Right judgment is attain'd,
Who in belief of thy commands
Have steadfastly remain❜d.

3 Before affliction stopp'd my course,
My footsteps went astray;
But I have since been disciplined
Thy precepts to obey.

4 Thou art, O Lord, supremely good,
And all thou dost is so;

On me, thy statutes to discern,
Thy saving skill bestow.

5 'Tis good for me that I have felt

Affliction's chastening rod,
That I may duly learn and keep
The statutes of my God.

6 The law that from thy mouth proceeds. Of more esteem I hold

Than richest mines, than thousand mines
Of silver and of gold

PART X. JOD. C. M. 1 To me, who am the workmanship Of thy almighty hands,

The heavenly understanding give
To learn thy just commands.

2 My preservation to thy saints
Strong comfort will afford,
To see success attend my hopes,
Who trusted in thy word.

3 That right thy judgments are, I now
By sure experience see;
And that in faithfulness, O Lord,

Thou hast afflicted me.

4 O let thy tender mercy now
Afford me needful aid;
According to thy promise, Lord,
To me, thy servant, made!

5 To me thy saving grace restore,
That I again may live;

Whose soul can relish no delight
But what thy precepts give.

6 In thy blest statutes let my heart
Continue always sound;

That guilt and shame, the sinner's lot,
May never me confound.

PART XI. CAPH. C. M.

1 My soul with long expectance faints
To see thy saving grace;
Yet still on thy unerring word
My confidence I place.

2 My very eyes consume and fail
With waiting for thy word;

O when wilt thou thy kind relief
And promised aid afford?

3 Thy wonted kindness, Lord, restore,
My drooping heart to cheer;
That by thy righteous statutes I
My life's whole course may steer.

PART XII. LAMED. C. M.

1 FOR ever and for ever, Lord,
Unchanged thou dost remain;
Thy word, establish'd in the heavens,
Does all their orbs sustain.

2 Through circling ages, Lord, thy truth Immovable shall stand,

As doth the earth, which thou uphold'st
By thine almighty hand.

3 All things the course by thee ordain'd
E'en to this day fulfil;
They are the faithful subjects all,
And servants of thy will.

4 Unless thy sacred law had been
My comfort and delight,

I must have fainted, and expired
In dark affliction's night.

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