It seem'd at first a pleasing dream of what we wish'd to see: 2 But soon in unaccustom'd mirth, we did our voice employ, And sung our great Restorer's praise in thankful hymns of joy. Our heathen foes repining stood, yet were compell'd to own That great and wondrous was the work our God for us had done. 3 ""Twas great," say they, "twas wondrous great;" much more should we confess, The Lord has done great things, whereof the glad success, we reap 4 To us bring back the remnant, Lord, of Israel's captive bands. More welcome than refreshing showers to parch'd and thirsty lands; 5 That we, whose work commenc'd in tears, may see our labours thrive, Till finish'd with success, to make our drooping hearts revive. 6 Though he desponds that sows his grain, vet doubtless he shall come 1 To bind his full-ear'd sheaves, and bring the joyful harvest home. PSALM CXXVII. TE build with fruitless cost, unless Unless the Lord the city keep, 2 In vain we rise before the day, and late to rest repair, Allow no respite to our toil, : and eat the bread of care. Supplies of life, with ease to them, he on his saints bestows; He crowns their labours with success, 3 Children, those comforts of our life, 4 As arrows in a giant's hand, when marching forth to war; Ev'n so the sons of sprightly youth, their parents' safeguard are 5 Happy the man whose quiver's fill'd with these prevailing arms; He need not fear to meet his foe, at law or war's alarms. 1 THE PSALM CXXVIII, HE man is blest that fears the Lord, But keeps his steps confin'd with care 2 He shall upon the sweet returns Without dependence live, and see 3 His wife, like a fair fertile vine, His children, like young olive plants, 4 Who fears the Lord shall prosper thus ; him Sion's God shall bless, 5 And grant him all his days to see Jerusalem's success. 6 He shall live on, till heirs from him descend with vast increase; 1 Much bless'd in his own prosperous state, and more in Israel's peace. PSALM CXXIX. ROM my youth up, may Israel say, they oft have me assail'd, 2 Reduc'd me oft to heavy straits, but never quite prevail'd. 3 They oft have plough'd my patient back with furrows deep and long; 4 But our just God has broke their chains, and rescu'd us from wrong. 5 Defeat, confusion, shameful rout 6 Like corn upon our houses' tops, untimely let them fade, Which too much heat, and want of root, has blasted in the blade: 7 Which in his arms no reaper takes, No binder thinks it worth his pains 8 No traveller that passes by vouchsafes a minute's stop, To give it one kind look, or crave 2 Lord, hear my supplicating voice, and graciously reply. 3 Shouldst thou severely judge, 4 But thou forgiv'st, lest we despond, 6 My longing eyes look out for thy enlivening ray, More duly than the morning watch, to spy the dawning day. Let Israel trust in God, no bounds his mercy knows; The plenteous source and spring from whence eternal succour flows; 8 Whose friendly streams to us 0 PSALM CXXXI. LORD, I am not proud of heart, Nor my aspiring thoughts employ in things for me too high. 2 With infant innocence thou know'st 3 Like me let Israel hope in God, 1 Both now and ever trust in him, who lives for evermore. PSALM CXXXII. ET David, Lord, a constant place Let all the sorrows he endur’'d be ever in thy mind. 2 Remember what a solemn oath to thee, his Lord, he swore; How to the mighty God he vow'd, whom Jacob's sons adoré; 3, 4 I will not go into my house, nor to my bed ascend; No soft repose shall close my eyes, nor sleep my eye-lids bend; 5 Till for the Lord's design'd abode I mark the destin'd ground; Ꮮ Till I a decent place of rest for Jacob's God have found. 6 Th' appointed place, with shouts of joy, at Ephrata we found, And made the woods and neighb'ring fields our glad applause resound. 7 O with due rev'rence let us then to his abode repair; And, prostrate at his footstool fall'n, pour out our humble prayer. 8 Arise, O Lord, and now possess thy constant place of rest; Be that, not only with thy ark, but with thy presence, blest. 9, 10 Clothe thou thy priests with righteousness, make thou thy saints rejoice; And, for thy servant David's sake, hear thy Anointed's voice. 11 God sware to David in his truth, nor shall his oath be vain, One of thy offspring after thee, upon thy throne shall reign: 12 And if thy seed my cov'nant keep, and to my laws submit, Their children too upon thy throne for evermore shall sit. 13, 14 For Sion does in God's esteem, all other seats excel; His place of everlasting rest, where he desires to dwell. 15, 16 Her store, says he, I will increase, her poor with plenty bless; Her saints shall shout for joy, her priests my saving health confess. 17 There David's power shall long remain in his successive line, And my anointed servant there shall with fresh lustre shine. 18 The faces of his vanquish'd foes confusion shall o'erspread; 1 Whilst, with confirm'd success, shall flourish on his head. HOW his crown PSALM CXXXIII. TOW vast must their advantage be, Who live like brethren, and consent 2 True love is like that precious oil, PSALM CXXXV. PRAISE the Lord, with one consent, and magnify his name; Let all the servants of the Lord his worthy praise proclaim. 2 Praise him all ye that in his house attend with constant care; With those that to his outmost courts with humble zeal repair. 3 For this our truest int'rest is, glad hymns of praise to sing; And with loud songs to bless his name, a most delightful thing. 4 For God his own peculiar choice the sons of Jacob makes; And Israel's offspring for his own 5 That God is great, we often have 6 For he, with unresisted strength, performs his sov'reign will, In heaven and earth, and wat❜ry stores that earth's deep caverns fill. 7 He raises vapours from the ground, which, pois'd in liquid air, Fall down at last in showers, through which his dreadful lightnings glare. 8 He from his store-house brings the winds; and he, with vengeful hand, The first-born slew of man and beast, through Egypt's mourning land. |