IV. JEHOVAH-NISSI. THE LORD MY BANNER. Exod. xvii. 15. By whom was David taught And laid the Gittite low? Nor sword nor spear the stripling took, 'Twas Israel's God and king Ye feeble saints, your strength endures, Who order'd Gideon forth, To storm the invaders' camp, With arms of little worth, A pitcher and a lamp? The trumpets made his coming known, Oh! I have seen the day, When with a single word, God helping me to say, "My trust is in the Lord," My soul hath quell'd a thousand foes, Fearless of all that could oppose. But unbelief, self-will, Self-righteousness, and pride, How often do they steal My weapon from my side! Yet David's Lord, and Gideon's friend, Judges, vii. 9, and 20. V. JEHOVAH-SHALOM. THE LORD SEND PEACE. Judges, vi. 24. JESUS! whose blood so freely stream'd By thee from guilt and wrath redeem'd, To reconcile offending man, Make Justice drop her angry rod; No drop remains of all the curse, For wretches who deserved the whole Peace by such means so dearly bought, They hate the soul that hates his sins. Let them in horrid league agree! VI. WISDOM. Prov. viii. 22-31 ERE God had built the mountains, That feed the running rills; In me, from everlasting, Found pleasures never wasting, When, like a tent to dwell in, He wrought by weight and measure, And mine, the sons of men. Of our unworthy race! And couldst thou be delighted The voice that speaks in thunder, VII. VANITY OF THE WORLD. GOD gives his mercies to be spent ; Repaid by giving others food. The world's esteem is but a bribe, To buy their peace you sell your own; The slave of a vainglorious tribe, Who hate you while they make you known. The joy that vain amusements give, Oh! sad conclusion that it brings! The honey of a crowded hive, Defended by a thousand stings. 'Tis thus the world rewards the fools God knows the thousands who go down O fearful thought! be timely wise; VIII. O LORD, I WILL PRAISE THEE. I WILL praise thee every day Here, in the fair gospel-field, Jesus is become at length Praise ye, then, his glorious name, Isaiah, xii. 1. Still his worth your praise exceeds; Raise again the joyful sound, IX. THE CONTRITE HEART. Isaiah, lvii. 15. THE Lord will happiness divine On contrite hearts bestow; I hear, but seem to hear in vain, If ought is felt, 'tis only pain, I sometimes think myself inclined My best desires are faint and few, But when I cry, My strength renew !" Seem weaker than before. Thy saints are comforted, I know, O make this heart rejoice or ache; And if it be not broken, break,— X. THE FUTURE PEACE AND GLORY OF THR HEAR what God the Lord hath spoken, Fair abodes I build for you. |