PSALM 102.-L. M. [b] Ver. 23-28, Man's mortality and Christ's eternity; or, saints die, but Christ and the church live. 1 I is the Lord our Saviour's hand Weakens our strength amidst the rce; Disease and death, at his command, Arrest us, and cut short our days. 2 Spare us, O Lord, aloud we pray, Nor let our sun go down at noon; Thy years are one eternal day, And must thy children die so soon? 3 Yet in the midst of death and grief, This thought our sorrow shall assuage; "Our Father and our Saviour live: "Christ is the same through every age 'Twas he this earth's foundation laid, Heaven is the building of his hand; This earth grows old, these heavens shall' And all be chang'd at his command. [fade, 5 The starry curtains of the sky, Like garments, shall be laid aside : But still thy throne stands firm and high $ 6 Before thy face thy church shall live, PSALM 108-1st Part. L. M. [*] Ver. 1-7. Blessing God for his goodness to soul and body. B call home thy thoughts that rove LESS, O my soul, the living God, abroad; Let all the powers within me join 2 Bless, O my soul, the God of grace; 3 'Tis be, my soul, that sent his Son 4 The vices of the mind he heals, And cures the pains that nature feels, 6 He sees th' oppressor and th' opprest, 7 [His power he shew'd by Moses' hands, 3 Let the whole earth his power confess, PSALM 103.-2d Part. L. M. [*] Ver. 8-18, God's gentle chastisement; or, his tender mercy to his people. THE Lord, how wondrous are his ways! How firm his truth,how large his grace! He takes his mercy for his throne, And thence he makes his glories known. 2 Not half so high his power hath spread The starry heavens above our head, As his rich love exceeds our praise, Exceeds the highest hopes we raise. 3 Not half so far bath nature plac'd The rising morning from the west, As his forgiving grace removes The daily guilt of those he loves. How slowly doth his wrath arise! On swifter wings salvation flies: And if he lets his anger burn, How soon his frowns to pity-turn! 5 Amidst his wrath compassion shines : His strokes are lighter than our sins: And while his rod corrects his saints, His ear indulges their complaints. 6 So fathers their young sons chastise, With gentle hands and melting eyes; The children weep beneath the smart, And move the pity of their heart. PAUSE. 7 The mighty God, the wise and just, 8 He knows how soon our nature dies, To all the saints, and shall endure; PSALM 103.-1st Part. S. M. [*] Ver.1-7. Praise for spiritual and temporai 1 2 3 mercies. BLESS the Lord, my soul! And aid my tongue to bless his name, O bless the Lord, my soul, 'Tis he forgives thy sins, "Tis he that heals thy sicknesses, He crowns thy life with love, Hath sovereign power to save. ,5 He fills the poor with good; He gives the sufferers rest; The Lord hath judgments for the proud, 6 His wondrous works and ways He made by Moses known; 1 2 3 But sent the world his truth and grace PSALM 103.-2d Part. S. M. [*] Ver. 8-18. Abounding compassion of God; or, mercy in the midst of judgment. M soul, repeat his praise, Whose anger is so slow to rise, God will not always chide; His strokes are fewer than our crimes, 5 The pity of the Lord To those that fear his name, Is such as tender parents feel; He knows our feeble frame 6. He knows we are but dust, Scatter'd with every breath; His anger, like a rising wind, Can send as swift to death. Our days are as the grass, Or like the morning flower; |