How bless'd is man, O God!
When first with single eye,
He views the lustre of thy word
The day-spring from on high!
Through storms that veil the skies,
And frown on earthly things,
The sun of righteousness breaks forth,
With healing on his wings.
Struck by that light, his heart,
A barren soil no more,
Sends shoots of righteousness abroad,
Where follies sprung before.
4 The soul, so dreary once,
Once misery's dark domain,
Feels happiness unknown before,
And owns a heavenly reign.
1 How bless'd the sacred tie that binds
In union sweet, according minds!
How swift the heavenly course they run,
Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are one!
2 To each, the soul of each how dear!
What jealous love, what holy fear!
How doth the generous flame within
Refine from earth, and cleanse from sin!
3 Their streaming eyes together flow
For human guilt and mortal wo;
Their ardent prayers together rise,
Like mingling flames in sacrifice.
4 Together both they seek the place
Where God reveals his awful face :
How high, how strong, their raptures swell,
There's none but kindred souls can tell.
5 Nor shall the glowing flame expire
When nature droops her sickening fire;
Then shall they meet in realms above,
A heaven of joy, because of love.
Reliance on God, a Remedy for Care. 1 Pet. v. 7.
1 How gracious is our God!
How kind his precepts are!
"Come, cast your burden on the Lord,
And trust his constant care."
We may securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up,
Shall guide his children well.
O why should anxious thoughts,
Oppress the sinking mind?
Go fall before your Father's throne,
And sweet relief you'll find.
Devoutly fear his name,
And know no other fear,
every scene of life and death Your helper will be near.
1 How happy is he born and taught,
Who serveth not another's will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill!
2 Whose passions not his masters are,
Whose soul is still prepared for death,
Untied to this vain world by care
Of public fame, or private breath:
3 Who hath his life from rumours freed,
Whose conscience is his strong retreat :
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruin make oppressors great :
4 Who God doth late and early pray
More of his grace than gifts to lend;
Whose heart, as open as the day,
Fears not to call his God his friend.
5 This man is freed from servile bands
Of hope to rise, or fear to fall:
Lord of himself, though not of lands,
He, having nothing, yet hath all.
Heavenly Wisdom. Prov. iii. 13-17.
1 How happy is the man who hears
Instruction's warning voice;
And who celestial wisdom makes
His early, only choice!
2 Wisdom has treasures greater far
Than east or west unfold;
And her rewards more precious are
Than is the gain of gold.
3 In her right hand she holds to view A length of happy days;
Her left, the prize of bright renown
And boundless wealth displays.
4 She guides the young, with innocence
In pleasure's path to tread;
A crown of glory she bestows
Upon the hoary head.
5 According as her labours rise,
So her rewards increase;
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
A Prospect of the Resurrection.
1 How long shall death the tyrant reign,
And triumph o'er the just?
How long the blood of martyrs slain
Lie mingled with the dust?
2 Lo! I behold the scattering shades,
The dawn of heaven appears;
The sweet immortal morning spreads
Its blushes round the spheres.
3 I see the Lord of glory come,
And flaming guards around:
The skies divide to make him room,
The trumpet shakes the ground.
4 I hear the voice, "Ye dead arise;"
And lo! the dead obey;
And waking saints, with joyful eyes,
Salute the expected day.
5 How will our joy and wonder rise, When our returning King
Shall bear us homeward through the skies,
On love's triumphant wing!
Christian Privileges and Obligations.
1 How many millions draw their breath
In lands of ignorance and death,
While God allots my share of time,
Within his gospel's favoured clime!
2 Shall I receive this grace in vain ?
Shall I my great vocation stain?
Away, ye works in darkness wrought!
Away, each sensual, earthly thought!
3 My soul, I charge thee to excel
In thinking right and acting well;
Deep let thy searching powers engage,
Unbiassed, in the sacred page.
4 Heighten the force of good desire;
To deeds of shining worth aspire ;
More firm in fortitude, despise
The world's seducing vanities.
5 Strong and more strong, thy passions rule,
Advancing still in virtue's school;
Contending still, with noble strife,
To imitate thy Saviour's life.
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