David, in danger from the Philistines, and also from Saul, encourageth his faith in GOD, by reflecting that the Almighty takes notice of his sufferings, and his tears of anxiety.
E merciful, O Thou Most High,
'Midst numerous foes to Thee I cry:
Where shall 1 for protection flee?
LORD, when afraid, I trust in Thee.
2 Thou wast my hope in trouble past,
Faithful Thy word shall ever last;
Though man would tread me to the dust,
I will not fear: in GOD I trust.
3 My inmost thoughts are known to Thee;
Thine eyes my tears observant see:
Number'd by Thee till that blest day,
When Thou shalt wipe them all away.
4 O GOD, again I'll praise Thy word,
Thy faithfulness I will record;
I'll praise Thee till my latest breath:
Thou hast redeem'd my soul from death.
5 My feet from falling Thou wilt save,
And grant me victory o'er the grave;
Then 'midst the living I shall stand,
In realms of light at Thy right hand.
Composed by David on his escape from Saul, and applied by the Church in the proper Psalms for Easter Day, to illustrate the resurrection of MESSIAH.
GOD of mercy, King of kings,
Beneath the shadow of Thy wings,
H
Hide me secure, while dangers last,
Till all the storms of life be past.
2 O Thou Most High, who reign'st above,
Send down from heav'n Thy truth and love:
My soul's oppress'd, o'erwhelm'd with grief,
In tender mercy send relief.
3 My heart is fix'd, JEHOVAH's name
Shall be my song's transcendent theme:
Awake my glory, sound His praise,
My lute and harp, your anthems raise.
4. Be Thou exalted, mighty God,
Above the heav'ns, thy blest abode ;
Above the earth Thy glories shine,
And fill Thy courts with praise divine.
PSALM LVII. II Metre. (L. M.)
1 THY mercy, LORD, to me extend,
On Thy protection I depend:
For shelter to Thy wings I haste,
Until the storm of life be past.
2 Be Thou, O GOD, exalted high;
And, as Thy glory fills the sky,
So let it be on earth display'd,
Till Thou art here, as there, obey'd.
3 O GOD, my heart is fix'd, 'tis bent,
Its thankful tribute to present;
And with my heart my voice l'll raise,
To Thee, my GOD, in songs of praise.
4 Awake, my glory, harp, and lute,
No longer let your strains be mute;
And I, my tuneful part to take,
Will with the early dawn awake.
5 Thy praises, LORD, I will resound
To all the list'ning nations round:
Thy mercy highest heav'n transcends,
Thy truth beyond the clouds extends.
6 Be Thou, O GOD, exalted high ;
And, as Thy glory fills the sky,
So let it be on earth display'd,
Till Thou art here, as there, obey'd.
PSALM LVIII. (Old 113th, proper)
The enemies of MESSIAH, and unrighteous judges, admonished of final judgment.
1 YE kings and judges of the earth,
Adore the GOD that gave you birth,
Hear and maintain His sacred laws;
Your daily aim His holy will,
As His vicegerents, to fulfil;
Prompt to assert His righteous cause.
2 Power and dominion are of God; They emanate from His abode,
Sin to confound, and man to bless :
Learn from injustice to refrain ;
GOD beareth not the sword in vain ;
Vengeance is GOD's-He will redress.
3 Ere long the mighty Judge shall come;
Transgressors then shall hear their doom;
The just His mercy shall record:
Then, in that awful, glorious day,
Th' astonish'd world, convinc'd, shall say,
That GOD the righteous will reward.
A prayer of David, when Saul sent messengers, and
they watched the house to destroy him.-1 Sam. xix.
AVE me, O GOD, and o'er my head Thy banner of protection spread'; When enemies around increase,
Defend my soul, O GOD of peace.
2 LORD GOD of hosts, Thy suppliant hear;
Impress the heathen with Thy fear;
O God of Israel, now arise,
Thou shelter from all enemies.
3 My strength, my refuge, my defence,
I'll trust Thy gracious Providence;
Thou wast my help in dangers past,
Thy praises shall for ever last.
David, established on the throne, contemplates his enemies already subdued by the mighty power of GOD: this Psalm is also a prophecy of the spiritual triumphs of MESSIAH, and the accession of the Gentiles to his kingdom.
10 GOD, why hast Thou cast us off?
Thine anger, LORD, we mourn;
Thou art displeas'd-just is Thy wrath;
Return, O LORD, return.
2 Prostrate we fall, opprest with shame,
And terror fills our land;
Yet there's a banner through Thy name,
Display'd at Thy right hand.
3 JEHOVAH speaks in holiness;
In Him, ye saints, rejoice :
Join, heathen lands, our GOD to bless,
Praise Him with grateful voice.
4 Ephraim and Judah now employ
Their songs in praise divine;
Philistia's sons, with holy joy,
Their shouts of triumph join.
5 Arise, O GOD, assert Thy right;
Vain is the help of man:
Go with our armies to the fight,
And grant Thy help again.
6 Through Thee we valiantly shall do;
Thine enemies shall fall;
While heathen lands Thy glories shew,
And own Thee Lord of all.
David, an exile, restored to his kingdom, expresses faith and hope in Gov. The Chaldee paraphrase is very remarkable-""" -"Thou shalt add days to the days of King MESSIAS; his years shall be as the generation of this world, and of the world to come."
EAR me, O GOD, my heart's o'erwhelm'd,
From distant lands I cry ;
O lead me to the living Rock, ↓
That higher is than I.
2 Thou wast my hope in dangers past,
Thou wilt my soul defend,
Beneath the covert of Thy wings,
Till life and danger end.
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