The better discoveries and general spread of the Gospel.
1 THE heav'ns declare Thy glory, LORD;
In ev'ry star Thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold Thy Word,
We read Thy name in fairer lines.
2 The rolling sun, the changing light,
And nights, and days, Thy pow'r confess; But the blest volume Thou hast writ Reveals Thy justice and Thy grace.
3 Sun, moon, and stars, convey Thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand; So when Thy truth began its race,
It touch'd and glanc'd on ev'ry land.
4 Nor shall Thy spreading Gospel rest,
Till through the world Thy truth has run;
Till CHRIST has all the nations blest
That see the light, or feel the sun.
5 Great Sun of Righteousness! arise,
Bless the dark world with heav'nly light:
Thy Gospel makes the simple wise,
Thy laws are pure, Thy judgments right.
6 Thy noblest wonders here we view,
In souls renew'd, and sins forgiv'n:
LORD, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make Thy Word my guide to Heav'n!
Blessedness of the Gospel.-For the morning of the Sabbath.
1. BEHOLD the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
But where the Gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
3 How perfect is Thy Word,
And all Thy judgments just!
For ever sure Thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.
My gracious GOD, how plain
Are Thy directions giv'n!
may I never read in vain,
But find the path to Heav'n!
I hear Thy Word with love,
And I would fain obey;
Send Thy good SPIRIT from above
To guide me, lest I stray.
For a time of War or Danger.
1 Now may the GOD of pow'r and grace
Attend His people's humble cry!
JEHOVAH hears when Israel prays,
And brings deliv'rance from on high.
2 The name of Jacob's GOD defends Better than shields or brazen walls; He from His sanctuary sends
Succour and strength, when Zion calls.
3 Well He remembers all our sighs,
His love exceeds our best deserts;
His love accepts the sacrifice
Of humble groans and broken hearts. 4 Some trust in horses train'd for war,
And some of chariots make their boasts; Our surest expectations are
From Thee, the LORD of heav'nly hosts.
5 Now save us, LORD, from slavish fear,
Now let our hopes be firm and strong,
Till Thy Salvation shall appear,
And joy and triumph raise the song.
God our Shepherd and Support.
THE LORD my Shepherd is,
I shall be well supplied;
Since He is mine, and I am His,
What can I want beside?
He leads me to the place
Where heav'nly pasture grows,
Where living waters gently pass,
And full Salvation flows.
He brings my spirit back
When wand'ring from His ways,
And leads me, for his mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace.
4- In dreary shades of death
Thy presence is my stay;
A word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
In sight of all my foes
Thou dost my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows
Thine oil anoints my head.
The bounties of Thy love
Attend me all my days;
O may Thine house be mine abode,
And all my work be praise!
God our Shepherd and Support.
1 To Thy pastures, fair and large,
Heav'nly Shepherd! lead Thy charge
And my couch, with tend'rest care,
Midst the springing grass prepare!
2 When I faint with summer's heat,
Thou shalt guide my weary feet
To the streams, that, still and slow,
Through the verdant meadows flow.
3 Thou my soul anew shall frame;
And Thy mercy to proclaim,
When through devious paths I stray
Teach my steps the better way.
4 Safe the dreary vale I tread,
By the shades of death o'erspread,
With Thy rod and staff supplied;
This my guard, and that my guide.
5 Thou my plenteous board hast spread,
Thou with oil refresh'd my head;
Fill'd by Thee, my cup o'erflows,
For Thy love no limit knows.
6 Constant to my latest end,
Thee my footsteps shall attend;
And shall bid Thy hallow'd dome
Yield me an eternal home.
God our Shepherd and Support.
1 THE LORD my pasture shall prepare,
And feed me with a shepherd's care;
His presence shall my wants supply,
And guard me with a watchful eye:
My noon-day walks He shall attend,
And all my midnight hours defend.
2 When in the sultry glebe I faint,
Or on the thirsty mountains pant,
To fertile vales, and dewy meads,
My weary, wand'ring steps He leads;
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow.
3 Though in the paths of death I tread,
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My stedfast heart shall fear no ill,
For Thou, O LORD, art with me still:
Thy friendly crook shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade.
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