2 The stars that in their courses roll, 3 The fields provide me food, and show But fruits of life and glory grow 4 Here are my choicest treasures hid, Here my best comfort lies; 5 Lord, make me understand thy law, 6 Here would I learn how Christ has died To save my soul from hell; Not all the books on earth beside, 7 Then let me love my Bible more, By day to read these wonders o'er, 4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice Spreads heavenly peace around; And life and everlasting joys Attend the blissful sound. 5 O may these heavenly pages be 6 Divine Instructer, gracious Lord, Teach me to love thy sacred word, Of all this wondrous frame! Produced by thy creating word, The world from nothing came. 2 Thy voice sent forth the high command, 'Twas instantly obey'd: And through thy goodness all things stand 3 Lord, for thy glory shine the whole; They all reflect thy light: For this, in course the planets roll, 4 For this, the sun dispenses heat 5 For this, the earth its produce yields; And blooming plants adorn the fields, 6 Inspired with praise, our minds pursue That all we think, and all we do, 'HYMN 4. C. M. Genesis i. 3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, IET heaven arise, let earth appear, And yields a free repast; Sublimer sweets than nature knows Invite the longing taste. Proclaim'd th' Eternal Lord: The heaven arose, the earth appear'd, At his creating word. 2 But formless was the earth, and void, Dark, sluggish, and confused; Till o'er the mass the Spirit moved, And quickening power diffused. 3 Then spake the Lord Omnipotent The mandate, "Be there light:' Light darted forth in vivid rays, And scatter'd ancient night. 4 The glorious firmament he spread, 5 He bade the seas together flow; And herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees, 6 Above, he form'd the stars; and placed 7 To all the varied living tribes He gave their wondrous birth: Some form'd within the watery deep, Some from the teeming earth. 8 Then, chief o'er all his works below, His soul with God's pure image stamp'd, 9 Completed now the mighty work, And, pleased with all that he had made, HYMN 5. II. 1. Praise from Living Creatures. BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay; Let each enraptured thought obey, And praise th' Almighty's Name: Let heaven and earth, and seas and skies, In one melodious concert rise, To swell th' inspiring theme. 2 Ye angels, catch the thrilling sound, 3 Whate'er this living world contains, Ye tenants of the ocean wide, 4 Let man, by nobler passions sway'd, The feeling heart, the judging head, In heavenly praise employ; Spread HIS tremendous Name around While heaven's broad arch rings back the sound, The general burst of joy. HYMN 6. II. 1. Psalm cxlviii. Praise from the Elements and Worlds. YE fields of light, celestial plains, Where pure, serene effulgence reigns, Your Maker's wondrous power proclaim And breathed the fluid air. 2 Join, all ye stars, the vocal choir; The mighty chorus aid; And praise Him in the shade. 3 Thou heaven of heavens, his vast abode, Proclaim the glories of thy God; Ye worlds, declare his might; He spake the word, and ye were made, And nature sprung to light. 4 Let every element rejoice; Ye thunders, burst with awful voice To Him who bids you roll; His praise in softer notes declare, And breathe it to the soul. TH HYMN 7. L. M. Psalm xix. HE spacious firmament on high, 2 Th' unwearied sun, from day to day, 3 Soon as the evening shades prevail, 4 Whilst all the stars that round her burn, 5 What though in solemn silence all Move round this dark terrestrial ball; What though no real voice nor sound Amidst their radiant orbs be found; 6 In reason's ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice; For ever singing as they shine, "The hand that made us is divine." III. PROVIDENCE. HYMN 8. L. M. ETERNAL Source of every joy! Well may thy praise our lips employ, 2 Wide as the wheels of nature roll, 3 The flowery spring at thy command、 5 Seasons, and months, and weeks, and days, HYMN 9. II. 3. Psalm xxiii. THE Lord my pasture shall prepare, My steadfast heart shall fear no ill, WH HYMN 10. C. M. THEN all thy mercies, O my God, Transported with the view, I'm lost 2 O how shall words with equal warmth The gratitude declare, That glows within my ravish'd heart! 3 Thy providence my life sustain'd, And hung upon the breast. 4 To all my weak complaints and cries Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt 5 Unnumber'd comforts to my soul From whom those comforts flow'd. 7 Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths, It gently cleared my way, And through the pleasing snares of vice. 8 When worn with sickness, oft hast thou 9 Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss 10 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts HYMN 12. C. M. GOD moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, 2 Deep in unfathomable mines, 3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; 4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 5 His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour: The bud may have a bitter taste, 6 Blind unbelief is sure to err, IV. REDEMPTION. AH, how shall fallen man Be just before his God! We sink beneath his rod. 2 If he our ways should mark, 3 All-seeing, powerful God! Who can with thee contend? 4 The mountains, in thy wrath, Their ancient seats forsake: The trembling earth deserts her place, 5 Ah, how shall guilty man Contend with such a God? None, none can meet him, and escape, |