Book II.] HYMNS. CLXIII. CLXIV. CLXV. CLXVI. CLXVII. 195 HYMN CLXIII.- (C. M.) Complaints of desertion and temptations. 1 DEAR Lord ! behold our sore distress! Our sins attempt to reign , Stretch out thine arm of conqu'ring And let thy foes be slain. [grace, 2 [The lionwith his dreadful roar Affrights thy feeble sheep r Reveal the glory of -thy. pow'r, And chain him to the deep. 3 Must we indulge a long despair ? Shall our petitions die ? Our mom-flings never reach thine ear, Nor tears affect thine eye i] 4 If thou despise a mortal groan, Yet hear a Saviour's blood ; An advocate so near the throne Pleads and prevails with God. 6 He brought Spirit's pow'rful sword, To slay our deadly foes Our sins shall die beneath thy word, And hell in vain oppose. 6 How boundless is our Father's grace, In height, and depth, and length ! He made his Son our righteousness, His Spirit is our strength. HYMN CLXIV. (C. M.) The end of the world. I WHY should this earth delight us so? Why should we fix our eyes On these low grounds where sorrows And ev'ry pleasure dies ? [grow, 2 While time his sharpest teethprepares Our comforts to devour, There is a land above the stars, And joys above his pow'r. 3 Nature shall be dissolv'd and die, The sun must end his race, The earth and; sea for ever fly Before my Saviour's face. 4 When will that glorious morning rise ? When the last trumpet sound, And call the nations to the skies, From underneath the ground? HYMN CLXV. (C. M.) Unfrnitf'ulness, ignorance, and unsanc- tifed affections. 1 LONG have I sat beneath the sound Of thy salvation, Lord ; But still how weak my faith is found, And knowledge of thy word ! 2' Oft I frequent thy holy place, And hear almost in vain How small a portion of thy grace My mem'ry can retain! 3 [My dear Almighty, and my God, How little art thou known By all the judgments of thy rod, And blessings of thy throne ! ] 4 [How cold and feeble is my love ! ,How negligent my fear ! How low my hope of joys above ! How few-affections there !] 5 Great God! thysover'ignpow'rimpas, To give thy word success ; Write thy salvation in my heart, And make me learn thy grace. 6 [Shew my forgetful feet the way That leads to joya on high; There knowledge grows without decay And love shall never die.] . HYMN CLXVI. (C. M.) The divine perfections. 1 HOW shall I praise th' eternal God, That Infinite unknown ? Whò can ascend his high abode, Or venture near his throne ? 2 [The Great Invisible! He dwells Conceal'd in dazzling light But his all-searching eye reveals The secrets of the night. 3 Those watchful eyes, that never sleep Survey the world around His wisdom is a boundless deep, Where all our thoughts are drown'd.] 4 [Speak we ofstrength? Hisarm is strong To save or to destroy ; Infinite years his life prolong, And endless is his joy.] 5 He knows no shadow of a change, Nor alters his decrees ; Firm as a rock his truth remains. To guard his promises.]. 6 [Sinners beforehis presence die : How holy is his name ! His anger and his jealousy Burn like devouring flame.] 7 Justice upon a dreadful throne Maintains the rights of God, While mercy sends her pardons down, Bought with a Saviour's blood. s Now to-my soul, immortal King, Spêak some forgiving word ; Then 'twill be double joy to sing The glories of my Lord. HYMN CLXVII. (L. M.) The same. 1 GREAT God! thy glories shall employ My holy fear, my humble joy My lips, in songs of honour, bring Their tribute to th' eternal "Ring. 2 [Earthandth' stars,andworlds unknown Depend precarious on his throne ; All nature hangs uponhis word, And grace and glory own their Lord.] 3 [ His sov'reignpow'r whatmortal knows! If he command, who dares oppose ! Withstrength he girds himself around, And treads the rebels to the ground.] 4 [Who shall pretend to teach him skill, Or guide the councils of his will? 2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=