3 This is the pillar of our hope, That bears our fainting spirits up; 4. Should vile blasphemers with disdain Pronounce the truths of Jesus vain, 1 WHEN Peter, through the tedious right, Had often cast his net in vain; Soon as the LORD appear'd in sight, He gladly let it down again. 2 Once more the Gospel-net we cast; Do Thou, O LORD, the effort own: We learn from disappointments past, To rest our hope on Thee alone. 3 O! by a SAVIOUR's dying love, To ev'ry wounded heart reveald, Temptations, fears, and guilt remove, And be their Sun, and Strength, and Shield. 4 To mourners speak a cheering word; On seeking souls vouchsafe to shine; Let poor backsliders be restor'd, And all Thy saints in praises join. 1 W HEN quiet in my house I sit, Thy book be my companion still ; Talk o'er the records of Thy will, 2 O may the gracious words divine, Subject of all my converse be! And walk and talk Himself with me: 3 Oft as I lay me down to rest, O may the reconciling Word While on the bosom of my LORD, 4. Rising to sing my SAVIOUR's praise, Thee may I publish all day long ; And let Thy precious Word of grace Flow from my heart, and fill my tongue! Fill all my life with purest love, And join me to the church above. 1 How beauteous are their feet Who stand on Sion's hill! And words of peace reveal ! 2 How charming is their voice! How sweet the tidings are ! ; "Sion, behold thy SAVIOUR-KING, " He reigns and triumphs here.' How happy are our ears, That hear this joyful sound, Which kings and prophets waited for, And sought, but never found ! How blessed are our eyes, That see this heav'nly light! But died without the sight. 5 The watchmen join their voice, And tuneful notes employ ; And deserts learn the joy. The LORD makes bare His arm Through all the earth abroad: Let ev'ry nation now behold Their SAVIOUR and their God. ii HAPPY are they to whom the LORD His gracious Name makes known ! Adopts them for His own! 2 He calls them to His mercy-seat, And hears their humble pray'r; They find His presence near. 3 Though men despise them, or revile, They count the trial small; It makes amends for all. 4 Though meanly clad, and coarsely fed, And, like their SAVIOUR, poor; For all the worldling's store. 5 When cheer'd with faith's sublimer joys, They mount on eagles' wings; The pride and pomp of kings. The debt of praise we owe, And heav'n begun below. i GLADNESS was spread thro' Israel's host When first they manna view'd; And thought it pleasant food. 2 But when they had it long enjoy’d, From day to day the same, Although from heav'n it came. 3 Thus Gospel-bread at first is priz’d, And makes a people glad; When easy to be had : 4 But should the LORD, displeas'd, withhold The bread His mercy sends; Would make but poor amends. 5 How tedious would the week appear, How dull the Sabbath prove, Could we no longer meet to hear The precious truths we love! 6 Preserve us from this judgment, LORD, For JESU's sake we plead: Would be a stroke indeed! |