PSALM III.

(L.M)

A Psalm of David," when he fled from Absalom his son, expressing his great confidence and security in God's protection.

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ORD, how are they increased, who rise In numbers great, in malice strong! Bent to destroy, combined, they rage,

With pow'rful hand, with venom'd tongue.

2 But Thou, O LORD, art still my shield,
My buckler, tho' distrest and low;
Do Thou with glory crown my head,
Do thou subdue the cruel foe.

3 Thy mercy doth my soul sustain,
In former straits so oft exprest;
I cried to Thee; nor cried, in vain;
Thou heard'st from heaven; and I was blest.

4 Peaceful to sleep I give my eyes,

In Thee, my FATHER, I confide;
Preserved by Thee, from sleep I rise,
Nor fear ten-thousand foes beside.

5 Rise, Sovereign Gon! salvation shew,
Salvation doth to GoD belong!
Be calm, my soul, surmount thy woe,
And praise JEHOVAH in thy song.

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PSALM IV. (C. M.)

The same subject continued.
GOD of truth and righteousness,
Attend my cry to Thee!

In former scenes and sad distress
Thou hast delivered me.

2 Have mercy. LORD, and hear my prayer; My trust is in thy name.

Save me from those, who seek to turn
My glory into shame.

3 Know that the LORD hath set apart,
He hears; and he defends,

The godly man, who trusts in Him,
And on His grace depends.

4 Then stand in awe; sin not; and learn
To tremble at His word;

Explore thy heart, hope and be still;
And wait upon the LORD.

5 In vain the sons of men enquire,
Who, who will shew us good?
Ah! fix on Thee my soul's desire,
Feed me with heavenly food.

6 With light of thy salvation, LORD,
O let me thus be blest;

"Tis joy divine, far more than gold,
Or a whole world possest.

Replenish'd, fed, protected, blest;
What more can I desire?
Thy name, Thy all-sufficient word
Gladness of heart inspire.

8 Peaceful amidst surrounding foes,
I'll lay me down to sleep.

Great Guardian, with thy watchful eyes
My soul in safety keep.

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PSALM V.

ONDER my words, O LORD, give ear,
My meditations weigh;

O hear my voice, my God, my King,
To Thee, to Thee, I pray,

2 Before the morning, Thou shalt hear,
My voice ascending high;
To Thee for refuge I'll look, up;
My GoD, hear Thou my cry.

3 O righteous Judge, before Thy throne
The sinner can not stand;
The workers of iniquity

Shall tremble at Thy hand

4 No evil, no deceitful men
Shall ever dwell with Thee;
None without holiness, O Lord,
Thy face in bliss shall see..

5 But as for me, with holy fear,
Encouraged by Thy grace,
Thy holy temple I'll approach,
And bow before Thy face,

6 LORD! lead me in Thy righteousness; Guard me from ev'ry snare;

Make plain Thy path before mine eyes;
Protect me by Thy care.

7 Let all, who trust in God rejoice,
Secure in His defence;

Let all, who love His name, adore
His pow'r, His providence.

SHis saints the mighty LORD will save,
Protected from above,

Bless'd with His favor and te shield
Of His almighty love.

PSALM VI.

(C. M.)

Usually called the first penitential Psalm; it contains confession of sin, application for pardon, and hope of mercy.

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ORD, in Thy wrath rebuke
me not;
Thine anger, LORD, withdraw!
My soul, oppress'd with sin and grief,
Adores Thy righteous Law.

2 Tho' by that Law condemn'd, most just
The sentence, LORD, I own;

Death I deserve; yet grant me life,
In honor of Thy Sox.

3 With self-abhorrence, day and night,
I grieve, and weep, and pray.

LORD, hear my moan; accept my tears;
Remove my guilt away.

4 Have mercy, LORD, My SAVIOUR died!
Mercy's my only plea:

Save me, O LORD, for mercy's sake;
That mercy shew to me.

5 My soul revives:-My SAVIOUR speaks;
His pardoning voice I hear!

The LORD hath granted my request,
The LORD receives my prayer.

6 To Thee, my kind, forgiving Gon
I'll consecrate my days;

And e'en in death will I proclaim
The glory of thy grace

PSALM VII

(L. M.)

David, persecuted by Cush the Benjamite vindi

cates his integrity, and refers his cause to his God.

LORD, my GOD, in Thee I trust;
On Thee alone Thy saints depend.

Oppressed by men, unkind, unjust,
O let Thy pow'r, Thine arm defend.
2 They, who reject Thy righteous Laws,
Me, for Thy sake, indignant hate;
Combin'd, they seek to crush Thy cause,
And for the righteous lie in wait.

3 Arise, eternal LORD, arise,

Defend Thy saints, whom Thou dost love; Subdue with power Thine enemies

And let Thy love the weapon prove.

4 Thou most provok'd, yet mighty God,
Thou strong, yet patient DEITY!
Full of forbearance day by day,

And most long suff'ring, e'en to me! 5 Bless Thou mine enemies; their heart Convert by Thine all-powerful word--Do Thou Thy gracious aid impart, Ere yet they fall beneath Thy sword. 6 Thus shall I all Thy gracious ways Of justice, mercy, truth proclaim; And foes with friends in CHRIST Unite, And join to praise Thy glorious name. PSALM VIII. (L. M.) Appointed by the Church for Ascension Day. It describes the glory of God magnified by his works and by his love to man; and has a spiritual reference to the exaltation of our nature in Messiah, the Second Adam, crowned with glory and honor, and having all things put in subjection under his feet. 1 Cor. xv. 27.-Heb. ii. 5, &c.

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LORD, our LORD, how great Thy Name,
Through earth and heav'ns extensive frame,