1914 @

The Church in captivity, implores help and protection, and prayeth for the advent of MESSIAH, the true and living Vine.

1 GIVE ear, great Shepherd of the sheep,

Who dost Thine Israel lead;

In safety deign Thy Church to keep,
And raise her drooping head.

2 The vine once planted by Thy hand,
A Extended wide its root;

And spread its boughs through Salem's land,
Laden with richest fruit.

3 Zion now mourns; in dread array,
Surrounding foes annoy;

Like the wild boar, or beasts of prey,
Impetuous to destroy.

4 Exalt Thy BRANCH of great renown,
The MAN of Thy right hand;
Strong in Thy strength, exalt His throne,
Glory then fills our land.

5 Turn us again, LORD GOD of hosts,
Oh, cause Thy face to shine;
In Thee alone Thy Zion trusts,
Behold and guard this VINE.

6 So shall we live with grateful heart,
Thy mercies to proclaim;

From Thee shall never more depart,
And ever praise Thy name.

1

Propably, desiged to be sung at the feast of trumpets, and an exhortation to observe the festivals of the Church. JEHOVAH herein expostulates with his people on account of their mercies and ingratitude.

1 SING aloud JEHOVAH's praises,
Sing aloud to GOD our strength;
Boundless love the chorus raises,
Through eternal ages' length :
Let the trumpets, brilliant sounding,
Lute and harp, with psalt'ry join;
Every heart and voice surrounding,
In JEHOVAH's praise combine.

2 By the LORD thy God redeemed,
Israel, join the sacred lay;
Zion's race, so long esteemed,
Sav'd from Egypt's tyrant sway.
GOD, in all Thy tribulation,

Heard Thy prayer, dispell'd the night;
In thy anguish sent salvation,
Life immortal brought to light.

3 Oh, let all the people hearken,
Walking in JEHOVAH'S ways,
Gloomy clouds the foes shall darken,
While on them shine brilliant rays:
GOD will feed His favoured nation,
Feed with honey from the rock,
Guide His sheep, protect their station,
GOD their shepherd, they his flock.

The Psalmist reminds magistrates, here designated gods, of the presence of Jehovah, to whom they are accountable. He prayeth for the manifestation of the righteous kingdom of Messiah.

2

1 GOD in the seat of judgment stands,

And thus th' Almighty Judge commands; Defend the poor, the fatherless,

The needy and afflicted bless.

2 They know not, nor will understand,
Darkness o'erwhelms the guilty land;
And though as gods exalted high,
Degraded, they as men shall die.

2 Arise, O God, with power divine,
Judge Thou the earth; the right is Thine;
MESSIAH reign, the heathen bless
With fruits of peace and righteousness.

I

PSALM 83.

(C. M.)

Zion complains of the rage, malice, and subtilty of her enemies, and prayeth for the manifestation of almighty power. Israel was a figure of the Christian Church, and this Psalm applies to her spiritual adversaries.

1 KEEP not silence, mighty God,
Our enemies annoy;

Zion they hate, Thy blest abode
Impatient to destroy.

2 Confed'rate as in ancient days,
In awful league they join;
Armies surround in dread array,
Malice and rage combine.

Rise, mighty GoD, defend Thy cause,

Let all the heathen know,
That to defy Thy sacred Laws,
Is misery and woe.

4 Thine arm can put our foes to shame;
Oh, may they seek Thy face;
Teach them to know Thy holy name,
And they shall praise Thy grace.

Under the figure of an Israelite deprived of access to the sanctuary, as King David was during the rebellion of Absalom, this Psalm describes the earnest desire of a devout soul after the temple and presence of GOD; and concludes with an act of faith in the Divine power and goodness.

1 HOW lovely is Thy dwelling-place,
O LORD of hosts, the mighty God!

My spirit longs to view Thy face,
And thirsts to visit Thy abode.

2 The feather'd tribes their nests prepare,
Within Thy courts, my GoD, my KING;

Fain to Thine altars I'd repair,

With holy joy Thy praise to sing.

3 How blest are they, whose daily praise
Dwells on Thy love, delightful theme!
THOU art their strength, and all Thy ways
Display the glory of Thy name.

4 Upheld they go from strength to strength,
Conducted through the vale of tears;
Till every one, arriv'd at length,
With joy before his Gop appears.
5 O LORD of hosts, within Thy courts,
One day my soul would value more
Than thousand days in gay resorts
Of splendid pomp, or golden store.
6 Thou art our sun, our shield, look down,
With grace divine direct our way;
And grace with glory deign to crown
In realms of everlasting day.

PSALM 84. II. Metre.

i

GOD of hosts, the mighty LORD,
How lovely is the place

Where Thou, enthron'd in glory, shew'st
The brightness of Thy face!

2 My longing soul faints with desire
To view Thy blest abode;

My panting heart and flesh cry out
For Thee, the living God.

3 O LORD of hosts, my King, my GoD,
How highly blest are they,

Who in Thy-temple always dwell, And there Thy praise display. * L

(C. M.)