PSALM XVIII. Sec. Part. L. M. or b
God executing Judgment on his Enemies.

1 INCUMBENT on the bending sky,
The Lord descended from on high,
And bade the darkness of the pole
Beneath his feet tremendous roll.
2 Thick woven clouds around him clos'd,
His secret residence compos'd;
And waters, high suspended, spread
Their dark pavilion o'er his head.

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3 His voice th' Almighty Monarch rear'd, Thro' heaven's high vault in thunder heard; And down in fiercer conflict came Tremendous hail and mingled flame. 4 With aim direct, his shafts were sped, In vain his foes before them fled;" Around his dreadful lightnings stray, And sure destruction marks their way. 5 Earth's basis, open to the eye, And ocean's springs were seen to lie, As the tempestuous fury pass'd,

And o'er them rag'd the dreadful blast.

MERRICK.

PSALM XVIII. Third Part. L. M. b Sincerity proved, or the Equity of Providence. 1 LORD, thou hast seen my soul sincere, Hast made thy truth and love appear; Before my eyes, I set thy laws,

And thou hast own'd my righteous cause. 2 Since I have learnt thy holy ways, My actions have proclaim'd thy praise; Or if my feet did e'er depart,

"Twas never with a wicked heart.

3 What sore temptations broke my rest; What wars and strugglings in my breast! But through thy grace that reigns within, I hope to conquer every sin.

4 With an impartial hand, the Lord

Deals out to mortals their reward;
The kind and faithful souls shall find
A God more faithful and more kind.

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5 The just and pure shall ever say
God is more pure and just than they ;
And men that love revenge shall know
God hath an arm of vengeance too.

WATTS.

PSALM XVIII. Fourth Part. C. M.
Thanksgiving for Victory.

1 To thine almighty arm we owe
The triumph of the day;

Thy terrors, Lord, confound the foe,
And melt their strength away.

2 'Tis by thine aid our troops prevail,
And break united powers;

By thee their lofty walls we scale,
Or burn their proudest towers.

3 God speaks! and at his fierce rebuke
Whole armies are dismay'd;
His voice, his frown, his angry look,
Strike all their courage dead.

4 He forms our soldiers for the field,
With all their martial skill;

Instructs their hand the sword to wield,
And gives them hearts of steel.

5 The Lord our Saviour ever lives,
His name be ever blest ;

His powerful arm the vict'ry gives,
And gives his people rest.

WATTS.

The Voice of Nature proclaiming God. 1 THE heavens declare thy glory, Lord, Which that alone can fill,;. The firmament and stars express Their great Creator's skill.com ba 2 The dawn of each returning day Fresh beams of knowledge brings; And from the dark returns of night, Divine instruction springs.

3 Their powerful language to no realni Or region is confin'd;

'Tis nature's voice, and understood Alike by all mankind.

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4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense Through earth's extent display, Whose bright contents the circling sun Does round the world convey.

5 No bridegroom, on his nuptial day, Has such a cheerful face;

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No giant does like him rejoice

To run his glorious race.

From east to west, from west to east,
His restless course he goes;

And, through his progress, cheerful light
And vital warmth bestows.

TATE

PSALM XIX. Sec. Part. C. M. or b
The Excellency of Scripture.

1 GOD's perfect law converts the soul,
Reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires."

2 The statutes of the Lord are just,
And bring sincere delight;

His pure commands in search of truth
Assist the feeblest sight.

3 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
On sure foundations laid;"

His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weigh'd.

4 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Qr gold refin'd with skill;
More sweet than honey, or the drops
Which from the comb distil.
5 My trusty counsellors they are,
And friendly warning give;
Divine rewards attend on those
Who by thy precepts live.

6 But what frail man observées how oft
He does from virtue fall?

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God, who know'st them all.'

PSALM XIX. Long Metre.

Nature and Scripture compared.

TATE.

1 THE heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
In every star thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold thy word,
We read thy name in fairer lines.

2 The rolling sun, the changing light,
And nights and days thy power confess;
But the blest volume thou hast writ
Reveals thy justice and thy grace.

3 Sun, moon and stars convey thy praise Through the whole earth, and never stand; So when thy truth began its race,

It touch'd and glanc'd on every land. 4 Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest, Till through the world thy truth has run; Till-Christ hath all the nations blest That see the light or feel the sun. 5 Great Sun of righteousness, arise; Bless the dark world with heavenly light; Thy gospel makes the simple wise, Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right. 6 Thy noblest wonders here we view, In souls renew'd and sins forgiven; Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew, And make thy word my guide to heaven.

WATTS.

PSALM XIX. Six Line L. M. * 1 GREAT God, the heaven's well order'd frame Declares the glory of thy name;

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Here thy rich works of wonder shine;
A thousand starry beauties there,
A thousand radiant marks appear
Of boundless power and skill divine.
2 From night to day, from day to night,
The dawning and the dying light

Lectures of heavenly wisdom read;
With silent eloquence, they raise.
Our thoughts to our Creator's praise,
And neither sound nor language need