3 Save me from his treacherous wiles: p
Arm me against pleasure's smiles.
Give me, for my spirit's health,
Neither poverty nor wealth.
4 Help Thy servant to maintain
A profession free from stain;
That my sole reproach may be,
Following Christ and fearing Thee.
5 Lord! uphold me day by day:
Shed a light upon my way:
Guide me through perplexing snares:
Care for me in all my cares.
6 All I ask for is-enough.
Only, when the way is rough,
Let Thy rod and staff impart
Strength and courage to my heart.
7 Should Thy wisdom, Lord! decree
Trials long and sharp for me,
Pain or sorrow, care or shame,
Father! glorify Thy name.
8 Let me neither faint nor fear,
Feeling still that Thou art near;
In the course my Saviour trod,
Tending still to Thee, my God.
519. “Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.”
1 THRICE happy souls, who, born from
While yet they sojourn here,
Thus all their days with God begin,
And spend them in His fear!
2 'Midst hourly cares may love present
Its incense to Thy throne;
And, while the world our hands employs,
Our hearts be Thine alone.
3 As sanctified to noblest ends,
Be each refreshment sought;
And by each various providence
Some wise instruction brought.
4 When to laborious duties called,
Or by temptations tried,
We'll seek the shelter of Thy wings,
And in Thy strength confide.
5 As different scenes of life arise,
Our grateful hearts would be
With Thee, amidst the social band,
In solitude with Thee.
6 In solid, pure delights like these,
Let all my days be passed;
Nor shall I then impatient wish,
Nor shall I fear the last.
"He blesseth the habitation of the just."
Prov. iii. 33. L. M.
(On removing to a new habitation.)
1 THOU sovereign Lord of earth and skies,
Supremely good, supremely wise!
Fix Thou the place of our abode;
But
may we still live near to God.
2 Where'er our dwelling shall be found,
We will Thy throne of grace surround;
An altar to Thy name will raise,
With sacrifice of prayer and praise.
3 With faith and with devotion, Lord!
Teach us each day to hear Thy word.
Grant us Thy light to learn Thy will,
And strength our duties to fulfil.
4 Our circle with Thy presence bless:
Keep out each root of bitterness.
And may, to each, the last remove
Be, to the mansions of Thy love.
521.“ And that day was the preparation." Luke xxiii. 54.
1 SAFELY through another week,
God hath brought us on our way :
Let us now a blessing seek
On the approaching Sabbath-day;
Day of all the week the best;
Emblem of eternal rest.
2 Mercies, multiplied each hour,
Gracious Lord! our praise demand;
Guarded by Thy mighty power,
Nourished by Thy bounteous hand.
Now from worldly care set free,
May we rest this night with Thee.
3 When the morn shall bid us rise,
May we feel Thy presence near.
May Thy glory meet our eyes,
When we in Thy house appear.
And may all our Sabbaths prove
Foretastes of the joys above.
522." And the sabbath drew on." Luke xxiii. 54. s. M.
1 THE hours of evening close:
Its lengthened shadows, drawn
O'er scenes of earth, invite repose,
And wait the sabbath-dawn.
So let its calm prevail
O'er forms of outward care;
Nor thought for "many things" assail
The still retreat of prayer.
Our guardian Shepherd near,
His watchful eye will keep;
And, safe from violence or fear,
Will fold His flock to sleep.
So may a holier light
Than earth's our spirits rouse,
And call us, strengthened by His might,
To pay the Lord our vows.
"Which holdeth our soul in life." Psalm lxvi. 9.
(On commencing a New Year.)
1 O GOD, my helper, ever near!
Crown with Thy smile the present year.
Preserve me by Thy favour still,
And fit me for Thy sacred will.
2 My safety, each succeeding hour,
Depends on Thy supporting power.
Accept my thanks for mercies past,
And be my guard while life shall last.
3 Let me not murmur nor complain
At what Thy wisdom shall ordain.
Sickness or health may blessings prove.
As ordered by Thy sovereign love.
4 My moments move with winged haste,
Nor know I which shall be the last:
Danger and death are ever nigh,
And I this year, perhaps, may die.
5 Prepare me for the trying day :
Then call my willing soul away.
I'll quit the world at Thy command,
And trust my spirit to Thy hand.
524. “My times are in thy hand.” Psalm xxxi. 15. 7's.
1 SOVEREIGN Ruler of the skies!
Ever gracious, ever wise!
All my times are in Thy hand,-
All events at Thy command.
2 His decree, who formed the earth,
Fixed my first and second birth:
All my times shall ever be
Ordered by His wise decree.
3 Times of sickness, times of health;
Times of penury and wealth;
Times of trial and of grief;
Times of triumph and relief.
4 O Thou Gracious, Wise, and Just!
In Thy hands my life I trust.
Have I somewhat dearer still?-
I resign it to Thy will.
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