The Psalms of David | Page 8

groans, He saves us for his mercy's sake And heals our broken bones.
6 The virtue of his sovereign word Restores our fainting breath; For silent graves praise not the Lord, Nor is he known in death.
Psalm 6:2. L. M. Temptations in sickness overcome.
1 Lord, I can suffer thy rebukes, When thou with kindness dost chastise But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear, O let it not against me rise!
2 Pity my languishing estate, And ease the sorrows that I feel; The wounds thine heavy hand hath made, O let thy gentler touches heal.
3 See how I pass my weary days In sighs and groans; and when 'tis night My bed is water'd with my tears; My grief consumes and dims my sight.
4 Look how the powers of nature mourn! How long, almighty God, how long? When shall thine hour of grace return? When shall I make thy grace my song?
5 I feel my flesh so near the grave, My thoughts are tempted to despair; But graves can never praise the Lord, For all is dust and silence there.
6 Depart, ye tempters, from my soul, And all despairing thoughts depart; My God, who hears my humble moan, Will ease my flesh, and cheer my heart.
Psalm 7. God's care of his people and punishment of persecutors.
1 My trust is in my heavenly Friend, My hope in thee, my God; Rise and my helpless life defend From those that seek my blood.
2 With insolence and fury they My soul in pieces tear, As hungry lions rend the prey When no deliverer's near.
3 If I had e'er provok'd them first, Or once abus'd my foe, Then let him tread my life to dust, And lay mine honour low.
4 If there be malice found in me, I know thy piercing eyes; I should not dare appeal to thee, Nor ask my God to rise.
5 Arise, my God, lift up thy hand, Their pride and power control; Awake to judgment and command Deliverance for my soul.
PAUSE.
6 [Let sinners and their wicked rage Be humbled to the dust; Shall not the God of truth engage To vindicate the just?
7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins, He will defend th' upright: His sharpest arrows he ordains Against the sons of spite.
8 For me their malice digg'd a pit, But there themselves are cast; My God makes all their mischief light On their own heads at last.]
9 That cruel persecuting race Must feel his dreadful sword; Awake, my soul, and praise the grace And justice of the Lord.
Psalm 8:1. S. M. God's sovereignty and goodness; and man's dominion over the creatures.
1 O Lord, our heavenly King, Thy name is all divine; Thy glories round the earth are spread, And o'er the heavens they shine.
2 When to thy works on high I raise my wondering eyes, And see the moon complete in light Adorn the darksome skies:
3 When I survey the stars, And all their shining forms, Lord, what is man, that worthless thing, Akin to dust and worms?
4 Lord, what is worthless man, That thou shouldst love him so? Next to thine angels he is plac'd, And lord of all below.
5 Thine honours crown his head, While beasts like slaves obey, And birds that cut the air with wings, And fish that cleave the sea.
6 How rich thy bounties are! And wondrous are thy ways: Of dust and worms thy power can frame A monument of praise.
7 [Out of the mouths of babes And sucklings thou canst draw Surprising honours to thy name, And strike the world with awe.]
8 O Lord, our heavenly King, Thy name is all divine: Thy glories round the earth are spread, And o'er the heavens they shine.
Psalm 8:2. C. M. Christ's condescension and glorification; or, God made man.
1 O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name! The glories of thy heavenly state Let men and babes proclaim.
2 When I behold thy works on high, The moon that rules the night, And stars that well adorn the sky, Those moving worlds of light;
3 Lord, what is man, or all his race, Who dwells so far below, That thou shouldst visit him with grace, And love his nature so?
4 That thine eternal Son should bear To take a mortal form, Made lower than his angels are, To save a dying worm!
5 [Yet while he liv'd on earth unknown, And men would not adore, Th' obedient seas and fishes own His Godhead and his power.
6 The waves lay spread beneath his feet; And fish, at his command, Bring their large shoals to Peter's net, Bring tribute to his hand.
7 These lesser glories of the Son Shone thro' the fleshly cloud; Now we behold him on his throne, And men confess him God.]
8 Let him be crown'd with majesty, Who bow'd his head