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SELECTION 64. C. M.

From the lxxxv. Psalm of David.

1 O GOD our Saviour, all our hearts To thy obedience turn;

That, quench'd with our repenting tears,
Thy wrath no more may burn.

2 For why should'st thou be angry still,
And wrath so long retain?
Revive us, LORD, and let thy saints
Thy wonted comfort gain.

3 Thy gracious favor, LORD, display,
Which we have long implored;
And, for thy wondrous mercy's sake,
Thy wonted aid afford.

4 GOD's answer patiently I'll wait;
For he with glad success,
If they no more to folly turn,
His mourning saints will bless.

5 To all that fear God's holy Name
His sure salvation's near;
His glory in our happy land
For ever shall appear.

6 For mercy now with truth is join'd;
And righteousness with peace,
Like kind companions, absent long,
With friendly arms embrace.

7 Truth from the earth shall spring, whilst heaven

Shall streams of justice pour;

And GOD, from whom all goodness flows,
Shall endless plenty shower.

8 Before him righteousness shall march,
And his just paths prepare;
While we his holy steps pursue
With constant zeal and care.

SELECTION 65. C. M.

From the lxxxvi. Psalm of David.

1 TO my complaint, O LORD my God,
Thy gracious ear incline;
Hear me, distress'd, and destitute
Of all relief but thine.

2 Do thou, O GOD, preserve my soul,
That does thy Name adore;

Thy servant keep, and him whose trust
Relies on thee, restore.

3 To me, who daily thee invoke,
Thy mercy, LORD, extend;

Refresh thy servant's soul, whose hopes
On thee alone depend.

4 Thou, LORD, art good; nor only good,
But prompt to pardon too;
Of plenteous mercy to all those
Who for thy mercy sue.

5 To my repeated humble prayer,
O LORD, attentive be;

When troubled, I on thee will call,
For thou wilt answer me.

6 Among the gods there's none like thee, O LORD, alone divine!

To thee as much inferior they,

As are their works to thine.

7 Therefore their great Creator, thee
The nations shall adore;

Their long-misguided prayers and praise
To thy bless'd Name restore.

8 All shall confess thee great, and great
The wonders thou hast done;

Confess thee GOD, the GOD supreme,
Confess thee God alone.

9 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and I
From truth shall ne'er depart;
In reverence to thy sacred Name
Devoutly fix my heart.

10 Thee will I praise, O LORD my GOD,
Praise thee with heart sincere,
And to thy everlasting Name
Eternal trophies rear

11 Thy boundless mercy shown to me
Transcends my power to tell;

For thou hast oft redeem'd my soul
From lowest deeps of hell.

12 And thou thy constant goodness didst
To my assistance bring;
Of patience, mercy, and of truth,
Thou everlasting spring!

SELECTION 66. II. 3.

From the lxxxvii. Psalm of David.

1 GOD'S temple crowns the holy mount, The LORD there condescends to dwell; His Sion's gates, in his account,

Our Israel's fairest tents excel: Yea, glorious things of thee we sing, O city of th' Almighty King!

2 Of honored Sion we aver,

Illustrious throngs from her proceed;
Th' Almighty shall establish her,
And shall enrol her holy seed:
Yea, for his people he shall count
The children of his favor'd mount.

3 He'll Sion find with numbers fill'd
Who celebrate his matchless praise;
Who, here in hallelujahs skill'd,

In heaven their harps and hymns shall raise:
O Sion, seat of Israel's King,
Be mine to drink thy living spring!

SELECTION 67. L. M.

From the lxxxviii. Psalm of David.

1 GOD of my life, O LORD most high,
To thee by day and night I cry ;
Vouchsafe my mournful voice to hear,
To my distress incline thine ear.

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2 Like those whose strength and hopes are fled,
They number me among the dead;
Like those who, shrouded in the grave,
From thee no more remembrance have.
3 Wilt thou by miracle revive

The dead, whom thou forsook'st alive?
Shall the mute grave thy love confess,
A mouldering tomb thy faithfulness?
4 To thee, O LORD, I cry forlorn,

My prayer prevents the early morn:
Why hast thou, LORD, my soul forsook,
Nor once vouchsafed a gracious look?
5 Companions dear, and friends beloved,
Far from my sight thou hast removed:
GOD of my life, O LORD most high,
Vouchsafe to hear my mournful cry!

SELECTION 68. L. M.

From the lxxxix. Psalm of David.

1 THY mercies, LORD, shall be my song,
My song on them shall ever dwell;
To ages yet unborn, my tongue
Thy never-failing truth shall tell.

2 I have affirm'd, and still maintain,
Thy mercy shall for ever last;
Thy truth, that does the heavens sustain,
Like them shall stand for ever fast.

3 Thus spak'st thou by thy prophet's voice
"With David I a league have made;
To him, my servant, and my choice,
By solemn oath this grant convey'd:
4 "While earth, and seas, and skies endure,
Thy seed shall in my sight remain ;
To them thy throne I will ensure,
They shall to endless ages reign."

5 For such stupendous truth and love,
Both heaven and earth just praises owe,
By choirs of angels sung above,
And by assembled saints below.

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6 What seraph of celestial birth

To vie with Israel's GoD shall dare?
Or who among the gods of earth

With our Almighty LORD compare?

7 With reverence and religious dread,
His saints should to his temple press;
His fear through all their hearts should spread,
Who his almighty Name confess.

8 LORD GOD of armies, who can boast

Of strength or power like thine renown'd? Of such a numerous, faithful host,

As that which does thy throne surround?

9 Thou dost the lawless sea control,

And change the prospect of the deep;
Thou mak'st the sleeping billows roll;
Thou mak'st the rolling billows sleep.

10 In thee the sovereign right remains

Of earth and heaven; thee, LORD, alone,
The world, and all that it contains,
Their Maker and Preserver own.

11 Thine arm is mighty, strong thy hand,
Yet, LORD, thou dost with justice reign;
Possess'd of absolute command,

Thou truth and mercy dost maintain.

12 Happy, thrice happy they, who hear Thy sacred trumpet's joyful sound; Who may at festivals appear,

With thy most glorious presence crown'd.

13 Thy saints shall always be o'erjoy'd,
Who on thy sacred Name rely;
And, in thy righteousness employ'd,
Above their foes be raised on high.

14 For in thy strength they shall advance, Whose conquests from thy favor spring: The LORD of hosts is our defence,

And Israel's GoD our Israel's King.

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