PSALM XXXII. Long Metre.
The Marks of true Repentance.
1 HE's blest whose sins have pardon gain'd,
No more in judgment to appear;
Whose guilt remission has obtain❜d,
And whose repentance is sincere.
2 From guile his heart and lips are free,
His humble joy, his holy fear
With deep repentance well agree,
And join to prove his faith sincere.
3 Whilst I kept silence and conceal'd
My load of guilt within my heart,
What torment did my conscience feel!
What agony of inward smart!
4 Heavy on me thy hand remain'd,
By day and night alike distress'd;
Till quite of vital moisture drain'd,
Like land with summer drought oppress'd.
5 No sooner I my wound disclos'd,
The guilt that tortur'd me within,
But thy forgiveness interpos'd,
And mercy's healing balm pour'd in.
6 For this display of sovereign grace,
In my distress so freely giv'n,
Each humble soul will seek thy face,
And find his way to peace and heav'n.
TATE and WATTS united and varied.
PSALM XXXII. Short Metre. b
Confession and Pardon.
1 O BLESSED souls are they,
Whose sins are cover'd o'er,
Divinely blest, to whom the Lord,
Imputes their guilt no more!
They mourn their follies past,
And keep their hearts with care;
Their lips and lives, without deceit,
Shall prove their faith sincere,
1 When I conceal'd my guilt,
I felt the festering wound;
But I confess'd my sin to thee,
And ready pardon found.
Let sinners learn to pray,
Let saints keep near the throne; Our help, in time of deep distress, Is found in God alone.
The Works of Creation and Providence.
! REJOICE, ye righteous, in the Lord,
The work belongs to you;
Sing of his name, his ways, his word,
How holy, just, and true!
! His mercy and his righteousness
Let heaven and earth proclaim;
His works of nature and of grace
Reveal his wondrous name.
His wisdom and almighty word
The heavenly orbits spread;
And by the Spirit of the Lord
Their shining hosts were made.
He bade the liquid waters flow
To their appointed deep;
The flowing seas their limits know,
And their own station keep.
¿ Ye tenants of the spacious earth,
With fear before him stand;
He spoke, and nature took its birth,
And rests on his command.
6 He scorns the angry
And breaks their vain designs; His counsel stands thro' every age, And in full glory shines.
Creatures vain, and God all-sufficient.
I HAPPY the nation, where the Lord
Reveals the treasure of his word,
And builds his church, his earthly throne;
His eye the heathen world surveys,
He form'd their hearts, he knows their
But God, their Maker, is unknown.
2 Let kings rely upon their host,
And of his strength, the warrior boast,
In vain they boast, in vain rely;
In vain they trust the brutal force,
Or speed, or courage of the horse,
To guard his rider, or to fly.
3 The eye of thy compassion, Lord,
Doth more secure defence afford,
When death and danger threat'ning stand;
Thy watchful eye preserves the just,
Who make thy name their fear and trust,
When wars or famine waste the land,
4 In sickness, or the bloody field,
Thou, our Physician, thou, our Shield,
Send us salvation from thy throne ;
We wait to see thy goodness shine,
Let us rejoice in help divine,
For all our hope is God alone.
PSALM XXXIV. First Part. C. M.
Encouragement to trust and love God.
I THRO' all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy;
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
2 Of his deliv'rance I will boast,
Till all who are distress'd,
From my example comfort take,
And charm their griefs to rest.
3 The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just :
Protection he affords to all
Who make his name their trust.
4 O make but trial of his love,
Experience will decide;
How blest are they, and only they
Who in his truth confide.
5 Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear
Make you his service your delight,
Your wants shall be his care.
6 Whilst hungry lions lack their prey,
The Lord will food provide
For such as put their trust in him,
And see their wants supply'd.
PSALM XXXIV. Second Part. C. M.
The Way of Holiness and its Reward.
1 APPROACH, ye piously dispos'd,
And my instruction hear;
I'll teach you the true discipline
Of God's religious fear.
2 Let him who length of life desires,
And prosperous days would see;
From sland'ring language keep his tongue,
His lips from falsehood free.
3 The crooked paths of vice decline,
And virtue's ways pursue ;
Establish peace where 'tis begun,
And where 'tis lost, renew.
4 The Lord from heaven beholds the just
With favourable eyes;
And when distress'd, his gracious ear
Is open to their cries.
5 Deliv'rance to his saints he gives,
When his relief they crave;
He's nigh to heal the broken heart,
The contrite spirit save.
PSALM XXXV. ver. 12, 13, 14. C. M. b
1 BEHOLD the love, the generous love,
Which holy David shows!
Hark, how his tender pity moves
To his afflicted foes!
2 When they are sick, his soul complains,
And seems to feel the smart ;
The spirit of the gospel reigns,
And melts his pious heart.
3 How did his flowing tears condole,
As for a brother dead!
And, fasting, mortify'd'his soul,
Whilst for their life he pray'd!
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