This sublime and beautiful Psalm is appointed by: the Church for Whitsunday. It scems to have been composed on the joyful occasion of the reinoval of the ark to Mount Zion, 1 Chron, XX. and prophetically celebrates the ascension of Messiah, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the conversion of the Gentiles. 1 LE ET God, the immortal God, arise, Scatter'd be all His enemies; Let praise to heav'n ascend: JEHOVAH's name for ever bless, The Father of the fatherless, The widow's God and Friend, And victory rais'd-the song : And nations join'd the throng, Her righteouşness divine: Her beams refulgent shine. With God that man may dwell: To save from death and hell, 5- Lo! Sion's portals wide expand; With one divine accord : ye, O praise the LORD. Praise ye, PSALM 68. ver. 17 & 18. (L. .) I LORD, when Thou didst ascend on high, Ten thousand angels fill'd the sky: Those heav'nly guards around Thee wait, Like chariots that attend thy state, 2 Not Sinai's mountain could appear More glorious, when the LORD was there ; And struck the chosen tribes with awe. 3 How bright the triumph none can tell, When the rebellious powers of hell, Were all in chains, like captives, led. 4 Rais'd by Thy Father to Thy throne, Thou sent'st the promis'd Spirit down, That Góp might dwell on earth again. 5 Kingdoms and thrones to God belong : Crown Him, ye nations, in your song ; 6 By His right hand His saints shall rise, From the deep earth or deeper seas; PSALM 69. (1. M.) Appointed by the Church for Good Friday, Mes. siah describes his sufferings for the sins of men ; makes his prayer to JEHOVAH; foretels the judgments of Heaven on the Jews, and the salvation of Zion. 1 SAVE me, o God, Messiah pray'd, For man in human flesh array'd; Save me, O God, the billows roll, Tempestuous floods o'erwhelm my soul. 2 My spirit fails, my throat is dry, Ceaseless to Thee, O God, I cry; For Thee I wait; O send relief. Almighty succour, LORD, impart; For comforters, but there are none. 4 Hear, LORD, in tender mercy hear, Hide not Thy face; regard my prayer; And praise and magnify Thy name. 5 The humble shall behold and praise ; Let heaven and earth their anthems raise; While foes to truth, who hate the light, 6 O LORD, arise; Thy Zion save From chains of darkness and the grave ; PSALM 70. (c.m.) This Psalm occurs; without any material deviation, in Psalm 40 -verse 13th, to the end. 1 O LORD, make haste, deliv’rance send, In my behalf arise: Subdue my enemies. In Thee, their God, rejoice; Praise Thee with joyful voice. My wants shall be supplied, Let God be magnified. 4 Thou my delivrer art, O LORD, Soon let Thy help appear; The Psalmist, sorely distressed in his old age, by the rebellion of Absalom, prays for divine assistance, pleads the righteousness and promise of God, and expresses his faith, hope, and gratitude, in the prospect of final redemption. I! IN Thee, O God, my LORD, Most merciful and just; Encourag'd by Thy faithful word, My soul would humbly trust, 2 Since first I drew my breath, Thy hand hath held me up; Thou art my only hope. I'll trust Thy power to save; And triumph o'er the grave. 4 Forsake me not, O LORD, My refuge, shield, and tower; Ånd praise Thee more and more. 5 I'll go forth in Thy strength, I'll make Thy glories known, Thy righteousness alone. 6 Thy love in dangers past Shall all my fears control; Thou refuge of my soul. |