Selection Eighth.

From Psalm lxxxiv. Quam dilecta!

HOW amiable are thy dwellings, thou LORD of hosts!

My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; even thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be alway praising thee.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are thy ways.

Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; and the pools are filled with water.

They will go from strength to strength; and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob.

For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.

For the LORD God is a light and defence; the LORD will give grace and worship; and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.

O LORD God of hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

Psalm lxxxv. Benedixisti, Domine.

LORD, thou art become gracious unto thy land;

thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people, and covered all their sins.

Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.

Turn us then, O God our Saviour, and let thine anger cease from us.

Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever? and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another ?

Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy sal

vation.

I will hearken what the Lord GOD will say concerning me; for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again.

For his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall flourish out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

Yea, the LORD shall show loving-kindness; and our land shall give her increase.

Righteousness shall go before him; and he shall direct his going in the way.

THE

Psalm xciii. Dominus regnavit.

HE LORD is King, and hath put on glorious apparel; the LORD hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.

He hath made the round world so sure, that it cannot be moved.

Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared: thou art from everlasting.

The floods are risen, O LORD, the floods have lift up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly; but yet the LORD, who dwelleth on high, is mightier. Thy testimonies, O LORD, are very sure: holiness becometh thine house for ever.

Psalm xcvii. Dominus regnavit.

HE LORD is King, the earth may be glad there

Tor; yea, the multitude of the isles may be glad

thereof.

Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat. There shall go a fire before him, and burn up his enemies on every side.

His lightnings gave shine unto the world: the earth saw it, and was afraid.

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD; at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the people have seen his glory.

Confounded be all they that worship carved images, and that delight in vain gods: worship him, all ye gods.

Sion heard of it, and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgments, O LORD.

For thou, LORD, art higher than all that are in the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

O ye that love the LORD, see that ye hate the thing which is evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.

There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.

Selection Ninth.

Psalm viii. Domine, Dominus noster.

LORD, our Governor, how excellent is thy name in all the world; thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens !

Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers; the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained.

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Thou madest him lower than the angels, to crown him with glory and worship.

Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands; and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet;

All sheep and oxen; yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

R

From Psalm xxxiii. Exultate, justi.

EJOICE in the LORD, O ye righteous; for it becometh well the just to be thankful.

Praise the LORD with harp; sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.

Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.

For the word of the LORD is true; and all his works are faithful.

He loveth righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.

He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap; and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.

Let all the earth fear the LORD: stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.

For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

From Psalm cxlvii. Laudate Dominum.

PRAISE the LORD; for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God; yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.

The LORD doth build up Jerusalem, and gather together the outcasts of Israel.

He healeth those that are broken in heart, and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.

He telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names.

Great is our Lord, and great is his power; yea, and his wisdom is infinite.

The LORD setteth up the meek, and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.

Ŏ sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praises upon the harp unto our God;

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth; and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;

Who giveth fodder unto the cattle, and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.

The LORD's delight is in them that fear him, and put their trust in his mercy.

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Sion.