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PSALM 23.

HE Lord himself, the mighty Lord,
Vouchsafes to be my Guide;

The Shepherd, by whose constant care
My wants are all supplied.

2 In tender grass he makes me feed,
And gently there repose;

Then leads me to cool shades, and where
Refreshing water flows.

3 He does my wandering soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk
In his most righteous ways.

4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From fear and danger free;
For there his aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.

5 In presence of my spiteful foe
He does my table spread;

He crowns my cup with cheerful wine,
With oil anoints my head.

6 Since God doth thus his wondrous love
Through all my life extend,

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That life to him I will devote,
And in his temple spend.

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PSALM 24.

HE spacious earth is all the Lord's,
The Lord's her fulness is;

The world, and they that dwell therein,
By sovereign right, are his.

2 He framed and fixed it on the seas,
And his almighty hand,
Upon inconstant floods, has made
The stable fabric stand.

3 But for himself, this Lord of all
One chosen seat designed;
O! who shall to that sacred hill
Deserved admittance find?

4 The man, whose hands and heart are pure, Whose thoughts from pride are free,

Who honest poverty prefers
To gainful perjury.

5 This, this is he, on whom the Lord
Shall shower his blessings down;
Whom God, his Saviour, shall vouchsafe
With righteousness to crown.

6 Such is the race of saints, by whom
The sacred courts are trod,
And such the proselytes, that seek
The face of Jacob's God.

7 Erect your heads, eternal gates;
Unfold, to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes,
With his celestial train.

8 Who is the King of glory? who?
The Lord, for strength renowned;
In battle mighty; o'er his foes
Eternal victor crowned.

9 Erect your heads, ye gates; unfold
In state to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes,
With all his shining train.

10 Who is the King of glory? who?
The Lord of hosts renowned:
Of glory he alone is King,
Who is with glory crowned.

PSALM 25.

O God, in whom I trust,

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I lift my heart and voice;

O! let me not be put to shame,
Nor let my foes rejoice.

3 Those who on thee rely

Let no disgrace attend;

Be that the shameful lot of such

As wilfully offend.

4, 5 To me thy truth impart,

And lead me in thy way;

For thou art he that brings me help;

On thee I wait all day.

6 Thy mercies and thy love,

O Lord, recall to mind;

And graciously continue still,
As thou wert ever, kind.
7 Let all my youthful crimes.
Be blotted out by thee;

And, for thy wondrous goodness' sake,
In mercy think on me.

8 His mercy, and his truth,

The righteous Lord displays,
In bringing wandering sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.

9 He those in justice guides,
Who his direction seek;

And in his sacred paths shall lead
The humble and the meek.

10 Through all the ways of God
Both truth and mercy shine,
To such as, with religious hearts,
To his blessed will incline.

PART II.

11 Since mercy is the grace,

That most exalts thy fame,
Forgive my heinous sin, O Lord,
And so advance thy name.

12 Whoe'er, with humble fear,

To God his duty pays,

Shall find the Lord a faithful Guide,

In all his righteous ways.

13 His quiet soul with peace

Shall be for ever blessed,

And by his numerous race the land
Successively possessed.

14 For God to all his saints

His secret will imparts,

And does his gracious covenant write
In their obedient hearts.

15 To him I lift my eyes,

And wait his timely aid,

Who breaks the strong and treacherous snare

Which for my feet was laid.

16 O! turn, and all my griefs,

In mercy, Lord, redress;

For I am compassed round with woes,
And plunged in deep distress.

17 The sorrows of my heart

To mighty sums increase;
O! from this dark and dismal state
My troubled soul release!

18 Do thou, with tender eyes,
My sad afflictions see;

Acquit me, Lord, and from my guilt
Entirely set me free.

19 Consider, Lord, my foes,

How vast their numbers grow;
What lawless force and rage they use,
What boundless hate they show!

20 Protect, and set my soul

From their fierce malice free;
Nor let me be ashamed, who place
My steadfast trust in thee.

21 Let all my righteous acts
To full perfection rise,

Because my firm and constant hope

On thee alone relies.

22 To Israel's chosen race

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Continue ever kind,

And, in the midst of all their wants,
Let them thy succour find.

PSALM 26.

JUDGE me, O Lord, for I the paths

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Of righteousness have trod;

I cannot fail, who all my trust

Repose on thee, my God.

2, 3 Search thou my heart, whose innocence Will shine the more 'tis tried;

For I have kept thy grace in view,
And made thy truth my guide.

4 I never for companions took
The idle or profane;

No hypocrite, with all his arts, Could e'er my friendship gain. 5 I hate the busy plotting crew, Who make distracted times;

And shun their wicked company,
As I avoid their crimes.

6 I'll wash my hands in innocence,
And bring a heart so pure,
That, when thy altar I approach,
My welcome shall secure.

7, 8 My thanks I'll publish there, and tell
How thy renown excels;
That seat affords me most delight,
In which thy honour dwells.

9 Pass not on me the sinners' doom,
Who murder make their trade;
10 Who others' rights, by secret bribes,
Or open force, invade.

11 But I will walk in paths of truth,
And innocence pursue:
Protect me, therefore, and to me
Thy mercies, Lord, renew.

12 In spite of all assaulting foes,
I still maintain my ground,
And shall survive among thy saints,
Thy praises to resound.

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PSALM 27.

HOM should I fear, since God to me
Is saving Health and Light?

Since strongly he my life supports,
What can my soul affright?

2 With fierce intent my flesh to tear,
When foes beset me round,

They stumbled, and their haughty crests
Were made to strike the ground.

3 Through him my heart, undaunted, dares
With mighty hosts to cope;

Through him, in doubtful straits of war,
For good success I hope.

4 Henceforth, within his house to dwell
I earnestly desire,

His wondrous beauty there to view,
And of his will inquire.

5 For there I may with comfort rest,
In times of deep distress;