PART II. II.2.

1 THE good man's way is God's delight: He orders all the steps aright

Of him that moves by his command;
Though he sometimes may be distress'd,
Yet shall he ne'er be quite oppress'd,

For God upholds him with his hand.
2 With caution shun each wicked deed,
In virtue's ways with zeal proceed,
And so prolong your happy days:
For God, who judgment loves, does still
Preserve his saints secure from ill,

While soon the wicked race decays. 3 The upright shall possess the land, His portion shall for ages stand;

His mouth with wisdom is supplied, His tongue by rules of judgment moves, His heart the law of GoD approves; Therefore his footsteps never slide.

PART III. II. 2.

1 THE wicked I in power have seen,
And like a bay-tree fresh and green,
That spreads its pleasant branches round:
But he was gone as swift as thought;
And, though in every place I sought,
No sign or track of him I found.

2 Observe the perfect man with care,
And mark all such as upright are;
Their roughest days in peace shall end;
While on the latter end of those
Who dare God's sacred will oppose,
A common ruin shall attend.

3 GOD to the just will aid afford,
Their only safeguard is the LORD,
Their strength in time of need is he:
Because on him they still depend,
The LORD will timely succor send,
And from the wicked set them free.

SELECTION 32. C. M.

From the xxxviii. Psalm of David.

1 THY chastening wrath, O LORD, restrain,
Though I deserve it all;
Nor let on me the heavy storm
Of thy displeasure fall.

2 My sins, which to a deluge swell,
My sinking head o'erflow,

And, for my feeble strength to bear,
Too vast a burden grow.

3 But, LORD, before thy searching eyes
All my desires appear;

The groanings of my burden'd soul
Have reach'd thine open ear.

4 Forsake me not, O LORD, my God,
Nor far from me depart:

Make haste to my relief, O thou,
my salvation art.

Who

SELECTION 33. C. M.

From the xxxix. Psalm of David.

1 LORD, let me know my term of days,
How soon my life will end:

The numerous train of ills disclose,
Which this frail state attend.
2 My life, thou know'st, is but a span,
A cypher sums my years;
And every man, in best estate,
But vanity appears.

3 Man, like a shadow, vainly walks,
With fruitless cares oppress'd;
He heaps up wealth, but cannot tell
By whom 'twill be possess'd.

4 Why then should I on worthless toys
With anxious cares attend?

On thee alone my steadfast hope
Shall ever, LORD, depend.

5 LORD, hear my cry, accept my tears,
And listen to my prayer,

Who sojourn like a stranger here,
As all my fathers were.

6 O spare me yet a little time;
My wasted strength restore,
Before I vanish quite from hence,
And shall be seen no more.

SELECTION 34. L. M.

From the xl. Psalm of David.

1 I WAITED meekly for the LORD,
Till he vouchsafed a kind reply;
Who did his gracious ear afford,

And heard from heaven my humble cry.
2 The wonders he for me has wrought
Shall fill my mouth with songs of praise;
And others, to his worship brought,
To hopes of like deliverance raise.
3 For blessings shall that man reward,
Who on th' Almighty LORD relies;
Who treats the proud with disregard,
And hates the hypocrite's disguise.

4 Who can the wondrous works recount, Which thou, O GOD, for us hast wrought! The treasures of thy love surmount

The power of numbers, speech, and thought.

5 I've learnt that thou hast not desired

Offerings and sacrifice alone;
Nor blood of guiltless beasts required
For man's transgression to atone.

6 I therefore come-come to fulfil
The oracles thy books impart :
"Tis my delight to do thy will;
Thy law is written in my heart.

In full assemblies I have told

Thy truth and righteousness at large;
Nor did, thou know'st my lips withhold
From uttering what thou gav'st in charge;

8 Nor kept within my breast confined
Thy faithfulness and saving grace:
But preach'd thy love, for all design'd,
That all might that and truth embrace.

9 Then let those mercies I declared
To others, LORD, extend to me;
Thy loving-kindness my reward,
Thy truth my safe protection be.

SELECTION 35. C. M.

From the xli. Psalm of David.

1 HAPPY the man whose tender care
Relieves the poor distress'd!
When troubles compass him around,
The LORD shall give him rest.

2 The LORD his life, with blessings crown'd,
In safety shall prolong;
And disappoint the will of those
That seek to do him wrong.

3 If he, in languishing estate,

Oppress'd with sickness lie;
The LORD will easy make his bed,
And inward strength supply.
4 Secure of this, to thee, my GOD,
I thus my prayer address'd:
"LORD, for thy mercy, heal my soul,
Though I have much transgress'd."
5 Thy tender care secures my life
From danger and disgrace;

And thou vouchsaf'st to set me still
Before thy glorious face.

6 Let therefore Israel's LORD and GOD
From age to age be bless'd;
And all the people's glad applause
With loud Amens express'd.

SELECTION 36. C. M.

From the xlii. Psalm of David.

1 AS pants the hart for cooling streams, When heated in the chase;

So longs my soul, O God, for thee,
And thy refreshing grace.

2 For thee, my God, the living God,
My thirsty soul doth pine;

O, when shall I behold thy face,
Thou Majesty divine?

3 Why restless, why cast down, my soul?
Trust God; who will employ

His aid for thee, and change these sighs
To thankful hymns of joy.

4 GoD of my strength, how long shall I,
Like one forgotten, mourn;
Forlorn, forsaken, and exposed
To my oppressor's scorn?

5 My heart is pierced, as with a sword,
While thus my foes upbraid:

"Vain boaster, where is now thy God?
And where his promised aid?"

6 Why restless, why cast down, my soul?
Hope still; and thou shalt sing
The praise of Him who is thy GOD,
Thy health's eternal spring.

SELECTION 37. II. 5.

From the xlii. Psalm of David.

1 AS pants the wearied hart for cooling springs, That sinks exhausted in the summer's chase, So pants my soul for thee, great King of kings, So thirsts to reach thy sacred dwelling-place.

2 Why throb, my heart? why sink, my saddening soul?

Why droop to earth, with various woes oppress'd?

My years shall yet in blissful circles roll, And peace be yet an inmate of this breast.

3 LORD, thy sure mercies, ever in my sight, My heart shall gladden through the tedious day;

And midst the dark and gloomy shades of night, To thee, my GOD, I'll tune the grateful lay.

4 Why faint, my soul? why doubt JEHOVAH's aid? Thy GOD the GOD of mercy still shall prove; Within his courts thy thanks shall yet be paid: Unquestion'd be his faithfulness and love.

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