4 God is the treasure of my soul, A joy which want shall not impair, 61. ZEPH. iii. 12. 1 PRAISE to the Sov’reign of the sky, Looks down on all that humble are, 2 On his resign'd and pious poor, 3 Among the meanest of thy flock, 4 Poor and afflicted though we be, which lifts us from the dust. 62. ZECH. i. 5. 1 How swift the torrent rolls, which bears us to the sea; The tide which bears our thoughtless souls, to vast eternity. 2 Our fathers, where are they, with all they call'd their own? Their joys and griefs, and hopes and cares, and wealth and honour gone! 3 But joy or grief succeeds, beyond our mortal thought; While the poor remnant of their dust, lies in the grave forgot. 4 There, where the fathers lie, must all the children dwell; Nor other heritage possess, but such a gloomy cell. 5 God of our fathers, hear, To thee, as on life's utmost verge, 6 Of all the pious dead may we the footsteps trace; 63. MAL. iii. 16, 17. 1 THE Lord on mortal men looks down from his celestial throne; And when the wicked swarm around, 2 He sees the faithful friends, who mourn And join their efforts to oppose 3 Met in his name, he deigns to lend to them a gracious ear; And while his angels sing around, delights their voice to hear. 4 The chronicles of heaven shall keep their words, in transcript fair; And in the book of Zion's king, their names recorded are. PART. II. TRANSLATIONS AND PARAPHRASES. 64. LUKE ii. 8-15. 1 WHILE humble shepherds watch'd their flocks 2 Fear not, he said, (for sudden dread 3 To you, in David's town, this day, is born, of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign: 4 The heavenly babe you there shall find, to human view display'd, All meanly wrapp'd in swaddling-bands, and in a manger laid. 5 Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith appear'd a shining throng Of angels, praising God; and thus address'd their joyful song; 6 All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; Good will is shown by heaven to men, and never more shall cease. 65. LUKE ii. 25-33. 1 SIMEON into the sacred courts, 2 With holy joy upon his face, 3 Now, Lord! according to thy word, 4 At length, my arms embrace my Lord, now let their vigour cease; At last, my eyes my Saviour see, 5 This great salvation long prepar'd, Hath prov'd thy love was constant still, and promises were true. 6 That Sun I now behold, whose light And rays of brightest glory pour, |