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And nations, strangers to thy name, Shall learn to sing thy glorious praise.

PSALM 15.

From the xix. Psalm of David.

PART I. C. M.

HE heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
Which that alone can fill;
The firmament and stars express
Their great Creator's skill.

2 The dawn of each returning day
Fresh beams of knowledge brings;
And from the dark returns of night
Divine instruction springs.

3 Their powerful language to no realm
Or region is confined;

'Tis nature's voice, and understood
Alike by all mankind.

4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
Through earth's extent display;

Its bright contents the circling sun
Does round the world convey.

5 From cast to west, from west to east,
His ceaseless course he goes;
And, through his progress, cheerful light
And vital warmth bestows.

PART II. C. M.

1 GOD's perfect law converts the soul,
Reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires.

2 The statutes of the Lord are just,
And bring sincere delight:

His pure commands in search of truth
Assist the feeblest sight.

3 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
On sure foundations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weigh'd;

4 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refined with skill;

More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distil.

5 My trusty counsellors they are,
And friendly warnings give:
Divine rewards attend on those

Who by thy precepts live.

6 But what frail man observes how oft He does from virtue fall?

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
Thou God that know'st them all!

7 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
Dominion have o'er me;
That, by thy grace preserv'd, I may
The great transgression flee.

8 So shall my prayer and praises be
With thy acceptance blest;
And I, secure on thy defence,
My strength and Saviour, rest.

PSALM 16. S. M. From the xx. Psalm of David. AY Jacob's God defend

M.

And hear us in distress;
Our succour from his temple send,
Our cause from Sion bless!

2 May he accept our vow,
Our sacrifice receive,

Our heart's devout request allow,
Our holy wishes give!

3 O Lord! thy saving grace

We joyfully declare;

Our banner in thy name we raise"The Lord fulfil our prayer!"

4 Now know we that the Lord
His chosen will defend;

From heaven will strength divine afford,
And will their prayer attend.

5 Some earthly succour trust,

But we in God's right hand:

Lo! while they fall, so vain their boast,
We rise, and upright stand.

6 Still save us, Lord, and still

Thy servants deign to bless;
Hear, King of heaven, in times of ill,
The prayers that we address.

PSALM 17.

From the xxii. Psalm of David.

M

PART I. C. M.

Y God, my God, why leav'st thou me,
When I with anguish faint?
O, why so far from me removed,
And from my loud complaint?

2 Lo! I am treated like a worm,
Like none of human birth;
Not only by the great reviled,

But made the rabble's mirth.

3 With laughter all the gazing crowd
My agonics survey:

They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
And thus deriding say:

4 "In God he trusted, boasting oft

That he was heaven's delight;

Let God come down to save him now,
And own his favourite."

5 Withdraw not, then, so far from me,
When trouble is so nigh;

O send me help! thy help, on which
Alone I can rely.

PART II. С. М.

1 LIKE water is my life pour'd out,

My joints are out of frame; My heart dissolves within my breast, Like wax before the flame:

2 My strength is like a potsherd dried, My tongue is parch'd with drought; And to the dismal shades of death

My fainting soul is brought.

3 Like dogs, to compass me, my foes
In wicked council meet;
They pierced my inoffensive hands,
They pierced my harmless feet.

4 My body's rack'd, till all my bones
Distinctly may be told;

Yet such a spectacle of woe

As pastime they behold.

5 As spoil, my garments they divide,

Lots for my vesture cast: Therefore, O leave me not, my God, But to my succour haste.

PART III. C. M.

1 Lord, to my brethren I'll declare
The triumphs of thy name;
In presence of assembled saints
Thy glory thus proclaim:

2 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God,
All you of Israel's line,

O praise the Lord, and to your praise
Sincere obedience join.

3 "He ne'er disdain'd on low distress
To cast a gracious eye;
Nor turn'd from misery his face,
But hears its humble cry."

4 Thus, in thy sacred courts, will I
My cheerful thanks express;
In presence of thy saints perform
The vows of my distress.

5 The meek companions of my grief

Shall find my table spread;

And all that seek the Lord shall be
With joys immortal fed.

6 Then shall the glad converted world
To God their homage pay;
And scatter'd nations of the earth
One sovereign Lord obey.

7 'Tis his supreme prerogative

O'er all mankind to reign;

'Tis just that he should rule the world, Who does the world sustain.

8 The rich, who are with plenty fed,
His bounty must confess;

The sons of want, by him relieved,
Their gen'rous patron bless.

9 With humble worship to his throne They all for aid resort;

That power, which first their being gave,

Alone can them support.

10 Then shall a chosen spotless race,
Devoted to his name,

To their adoring sons his truth
And glorious acts proclaim.

PSALM 18. C. M.

From the xxiii. Psalm of David.
HE Lord himself, the mighty Lord,
Vouchsafes to be my guide;

The shepherd, by whose constant care
My wants are all supplied.

2 In tender grass he makes me feed,
And gently there repose;

Then leads me to cool shades, and where
Refreshing water flows.

3 He does my wand'ring soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk
In his most righteous ways.

4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From fear and danger free;
For there his aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.

5 Since God doth thus his wondrous love

Through all my life extend,

That life to him I will devote,
And in his temple spend.

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PSALM 19. C. M.

From the xxiv. Psalm of David.

HE spacious earth is all the Lord's,
The Lord's her fulness is;
The world, and they that dwell therein,
By sovereign right are his.

2 He framed and fix'd it on the seas;

And his almighty hand
Upon inconstant floods has made

The stable fabric stand.

3 But for himself this Lord of all
One chosen seat design'd;

Oh! who shall to that sacred hill
Deserved admittance find?

4 The man whose hands and heart are pure, Whose thoughts from pride are free; Who honest poverty prefers

To gainful perjury.

5 This, this is he, on whom the Lord
Shall shower his blessings down;
Whom God, his Saviour, shall vouchsafe
With righteousness to crown.

6 Such is the race of saints, by whom
The sacred courts are trod ;

And such the proselytes that seek

Thy face, O Jacob's God.

7 Erect your heads, eternal gates; Unfold, to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes

With his celestial train.

8 Who is the King of glory? who? The Lord, for strength renown'd; In battle mighty; o'er his foes Eternal victor crown'd.

9 Erect your heads, ye gates; unfold In state to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes
With all his shining train.

10 Who is the King of glory? who?
The Lord of hosts renown'd;

Of glory he alone is King,
Who is with glory crown'd.

PSALM 20. S. M.
From the xxv. Psalm of David.
O God, in whom I trust,

I lift my heart and voice:
O let me not be put to shame,
Nor let thy foes rejoice.

2 Those who on thee rely,

Let no disgrace attend;

Be that the shameful lot of such

As wilfully offend.

3 To me thy truth impart,

And lead me in thy way;

For thou art he that brings me help;

On thee I wait all day.

4 Thy mercies and thy love,
O Lord, recall to mind;

And graciously continue still,
As thou wert ever, kind.

5 Let all my youthful crimes

Be blotted out by thee;

And, for thy wondrous goodness' sake,
In mercy think on me.

6 His mercy and his truth

The righteous Lord displays,
In bringing wand'ring sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.

7 He those in justice guides

Who his direction seek;

And in his sacred paths shall lead
The humble and the meek.

8 Through all the ways of God

Both truth and mercy shine,
To such as, with religious hearts,
To his blest will incline.

9 Since mercy is the grace

That most exalts thy fame,

Forgive my heinous sin, O Lord,
And so advance thy name.

10 Whoe'er with humble fear
To God his duty pays,

Shall find the Lord a faithful guide,
In all his righteous ways.

11 For God to all his saints
His secret will imparts,

And does his gracious cov'nant write
In their obedient hearts.

12 To Israel's chosen race

Continue ever kind;

And, in the midst of all their wants,
Let them thy succour find.

PSALM 21. C. M.

From the xxvi. Psalm of David.*
UDGE me, O Lord, for I the paths
Of righteousness have trod;

I shall not fail, who all my trust
Repose on thee, my God.

2 I'll wash my hands in innocence,
And round thine altar go;

Pour the glad hymn of triumph thence,
And thence thy wonders show.

3 My thanks I'll publish there, and tell
How thy renown excels;

That seat affords me most delight,
In which thine honour dwells.

PSALM 22. C. M.

From the xxvii. Psalm of David.
HOM should I fear, since God to me
Is saving health and light?
Since strongly he my life supports,
What can my soul affright?

2 Henceforth, within this house to dwell
I earnestly desire;

His wondrous beauty there to view,
And of his will inquire.

3 For there I may with comfort rest,
In times of deep distress;

And safe, as on a rock, abide
In that secure recess.

4 When us to seek thy glorious face
Thou kindly dost advise;

"Thy glorious face I'll always seek,"
My grateful heart replies.

5 Then hide not thou thy face, O Lord,
Nor me in wrath reject;

*Extract from the Journal of the General Convention, 1832.

"4. Resolved, As the sense and declaration of this Convention, that so much of the rubrics in the form of consecration of a church or chapel as requires the singing of Psalm 26, verses 6, 7, and 8,' will hereafter be duly complied with by singing verses 2 and 3, in the selection from the 26th Psalm, included in the Psalms in Metre authorized by these resolutions to be set forth."

My God and Saviour, leave not him Thou didst so oft protect.

6 Though all of nearest earthly ties, Me, in my woe, forsake,

Yet thou, whose love excels them all,

Wilt care and pity take.

7 Instruct me in thy paths, O Lord, My ways directly guide;

Lest sinful men, who watch my steps,
Should see me tread aside.

8 I trusted that my future life

Should with thy love be crown'd; Or else my fainting soul had sunk,

With sorrow compass'd round.

9 God's time with patient faith expect, Who will inspire thy breast

With inward strength: do thou thy part, And leave to him the rest.

PSALM 23. C. M.
From the xxviii. Psalm of David.
DORED for ever be the Lord;

His praise I will resound,

From whom the cries of my distress
A gracious answer found.

2 He is my strength and shield; my heart
Has trusted in his name;

And now relieved, my heart, with joy,
His praises shall proclaim.

3 The Lord, the everlasting God,
Is my defence and rock,

The saving health, the saving strength,

Of his anointed flock.

4 O save and bless thy people, Lord, Thy heritage preserve;

Feed, strengthen, and support their hearts, That they may never swerve.

PSALM 24. L. M.

From the xxix Psalm of David.

E that in might and power excel,
Your grateful sacrifice prepare;
God's glorious actions loudly tell,

His wondrous power to all declare.
2 To his great name fresh altars raise;
Devoutly due respect afford;
Him in his holy temple praise,

Where he's with solemn state adored.

3 'Tis he that, with amazing noise,

The watery clouds in sunder breaks; The ocean trembles at his voice,

When he from heaven in thunder speaks.

4 How full of power his voice appears!
With what majestic terror crown'd!
Which from their roots tall cedars tears,
And strews their scatter'd branches round.

5 God rules the angry floods on high;

His boundless sway shall never cease; His saints with strength he will supply, And bless his own with constant peace.

I

PSALM 25. C. M.

From the xxx. Psalm of David.
N my distress to God I cried,

Who kindly did relieve,

And from the grave's expecting mouth
My hopeless life retrieve.

20 to his courts, ye saints of his,
With songs of praise repair;
With me commemorate his truth,
And providential care.

3 His wrath has but a moment's reign,
His favour no decay;

The night of grief is recompens❜d

With joy's returning day.

4 Therefore, O Lord, I'll gladly sing
Thy praise in grateful verse;
And, as thy favours endless are,
Thy endless praise rehearse.

PSALM 26. S. M.

From the xxxi. Psalm of David.

EFEND me, Lord, from shame,

For still I trust in thee;
As just and righteous is thy name,
From danger set me free.

2 Bow down thy gracious ear,
And speedy succour send;
Do thou my steadfast rock appear,
To shelter and defend.

3 To thee, the God of truth,

My life, and all that's mine,

(For thou preserv'st me from my youth,) I willingly resign.

4 My hope, my steadfast trust,

I on thy help repose.

That thou my God art good and just,

My soul with comfort knows.

5 Whate'er events betide,

Thy wisdom times them all;
Then, Lord, thy servant safely hide
From those that seek his fall.

6 The brightness of thy face
To me, O Lord, disclose;
And, as thy mercies still increase,
Preserve me from my foes.

7 How great thy mercies are

To such as fear thy name,

Which thou, for those that trust thy care,
Dost to the world proclaim!

8 O all ye saints, the Lord

With eager love pursue;

Who to the just will help afford,

And give the proud their due.

9 Ye that on God rely,

Courageously proceed;

For he will still your hearts supply
With strength in time of need.

PSALM 27. L. M.

From the xxxii. Psalm of David.

E'S blest, whose sins have pardon gain'd,

No more in judgement to appear; Whose guilt remission has obtain❜d, And whose repentance is sincere. 2 No sooner I my wound disclos'd, The guilt that tortured me within, But thy forgiveness interpos'd,

And mercy's healing balm pour'd in.

3 Sorrows on sorrows multiplied,

The harden'd sinner shall confound;
But them who in his truth confide,

Blessings of mercy shall surround.

4 His saints, that have perform'd his laws,
Their life in triumph shall employ;
Let them, as they alone have cause,
In grateful raptures shout for joy.

PSALM 28.

From the xxxiii. Psalm of David.
PART I. C. M.

ET all the just to God, with joy,

Their cheerful voices raise;
For well the righteous it becomes
To sing glad songs of praise.

2 Let harps, and psalteries, and lutes,
In joyful concert meet;

And new-made songs of loud applause
The harmony complete.

3 For faithful is the word of God;
His works with truth abound;
He justice loves; and all the earth
Is with his goodness crown'd.

4 By his almighty word, at first,

The heavenly arch was rear'd;
And all the beauteous hosts of light
At his command appear'd.

5 Let earth, and all that dwell therein,
Before him trembling stand:

For, when he spake the word, 'twas made, 'Twas fix'd at his command.

PART II. C. M.

1 WHATE'ER the mighty Lord decrees,
Shall stand for ever sure;
The settled purpose of his heart
To ages shall endure.

2 How happy then are they, to whom The Lord for God is known! Whom he, from all the world besides, Has chosen for his own.

3 Our soul on God with patience waits; Our help and shield is he:

Then, Lord, let still our hearts rejoice,
Because we trust in thee.

4 The riches of thy mercy, Lord,

Do thou to us extend;

Since we, for all we want or wish,
On thee alone depend.

PSALM 29.

From the xxxiv. Psalm of David.
PART I. C. M.

HROUGH all the changing scenes of
life,

In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

2 Of his deliv'rance I will boast,
Till all that are distress'd,
From my example comfort take,

And charm their griefs to rest.

3 O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt his name:
When in distress to him I call'd,
He to my rescue came.
4 The angel of the Lord encamps
Around the good and just;
Deliv'rance he affords to all
Who on his succour trust.

5 O make but trial of his love,
Experience will decide
How blest they are,
and only they,

Who in his truth confide.

6 Fear him, ye saints; and you will then
Have nothing else to fear:

Make you his service your delight,
Your wants shall be his care.

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