PSALMS. XII. XIII. 45 PSALM XII. [L. M.] The saints safety the tongue evil times of namely, ]blasphemy, falsehood, if e. 1 LORD, if thou dost not soon appear, Virtue and truth will fly away; A faithful man, amongst us here, Will scarce be found, if thou delay. 2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet, Is flll'd with trifles loose and vain; Their lips are flatt'ry and deceit, And their proud language is profane. 3 But lips, that with deceit abound Shall not maintain their triumph long; The God of vengeance will confound The flatt'ring and blaspheming tongue. 4 " Yet shall our words be free, they cry, " Our tongues shall be control'd by none: " Where is the Lord will ask us why? " Or say, our lips are not our own ?" 6 The Lord, who sees the poor opprest, And hears th' oppressor's haughty strain, Will rise to give his children rest, Nor shall they trust his word in vain. 6 Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd, Void of deceit shall still appear ; Not silver, seven times purify'd From dross and mixture,shines so clear. 7 Thy grace shall, in the darkest hour, Defend the holy soul from harm ; Tho' when the vilest men have pow'r, On every side will sinners swarm. PSALM XII. [C. M.] Complaint of a general corruption of manners; or, the promise and sign of Christ's coming to judgment. 1 HELP, Lord, for men of virtue fail, Religion loses ground; The sons of violence prevail, And treacheries abound. 2 Their oaths and promises they break, Yet act the flatt'rer's part; With fair deceitful lips they speak, And with a double heart. 3 If we reprove some hateful lye, How is their fury stirr'd .' " Are not our lips our own, they cry, "And who shallbe our Lord? 4 Scoffers appear on every side, Where a vile race of men Is ràis'd to seats of pow'r and pride, And bearshe sword in vain. PAUSE. 6 Lord, when iniquities abound, And blasphemy grows bold, When faith is hardly to be found, And love is waxing cold. 6 Is not thy chariot hast'ning on? Hast thou not giv'n this sign? Maywe not trust and live upon A promise so divine? 7 "Yes,. saith the Lord, now will I rise, " And make oppressors flee; " I shall appear to their surprise, And set my servants free." e Thy word, like silver, sev'n times try'd, Tiara' ages shall endure; The men that in thy troth confide, Shallfind the promise sure. PSALM XIII. [L. M.] Pleading with God under desertion; or, hope in darkness. 1 HOW long, O Lord, shall I complain, Like. one that seeks his God in vain? Canst thou thy face for ever hide ? And I still pray, and be deny'd? 2 Shall I for ever be forgot, As one whom thou regardest not? ,Still shall my soul thineabsencemourn? And still despair of thyreturn ? 3 Howlong shall mypoor troubled breast Bewith these anxious thoughts opprest? And Satan, my malicious foe, Rejoice to see me sunk so low ? 4 Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief, Before my death conclude my grief; If thou, withhold thy heav'nly light, I sleepin everlasting night. 5 How will the pow'rs of darkness boast, If but one praying soul be lost? But I have trusted in thy grace, And shall again behold thy face. 6 Whate'er myfears or foes suggest, Thou art my hope, my oy, my rest ; My heart shall feel thy love, and raise My chearful voice to songs of praise. PSALM XIII. [C. M.] Complaint under temptations of the devil. 1 HOW long wilt thou conceal thy face? My God, how long delay ? When shall I feel those heav'nly ray,. That chase any fears away ? 2 How long shall my poor lab'ring sold Wrestle and toil in vain ? Thy word can all my foes control, And ease my raging pain. 3 See how the prince of darknesstries All hismalicious arts, He spreads a mist around his eyes, And throws his fiery darts. 4 Be thou my sun, and thou my shield My soul in saf'ty keep ; Make haste before mine eyes are seal'si In death's eternal sleep. 5 How would the tempter boast aloud If I become his prey ! Behold, the sons of hell grow proud At thy so long delay.
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