PSALMS. XXXIX. XL. 61 to MyGod forgive my follies past, And be forever nigh ; O Lord ofmy salvation, haste Before thy servant die. PSALM XXXIX. 1, 2, 3. PARS I. Watelefulness over the tongue : or, Pru- dence and zeal. 1 THUS I resoiv'd before the Lord, " Now will I watch my tongue, a Lest I let slip one sinful wool. " Or do my neighbour wrong." 2 And if I'm e'er constraia'd to stay With men of lives profane, I'll set a double guard that day, Nor let my talk be vain. 3 I'll scarce allow my lips to speak The pious thoughts I feel, Lest scoffers should th' occasion take To mockmy holy zeal. 4 Yet If some.proper hour appear, I'll not be over-aw'd But let the scoffing sinners hear That we can speak for God. PSALM XXXIX. 4, 5, 6, 7. The vanity of man as mortal. 1 TEACH seethe measure of my days, Thou Maker of my frame ; I would survey life's narrow space, And learn how frail I am. 2 A span is all that we can boast, An inch or two of time ; Man is but vanity and dust In all his flow'r and prime. 3 See the vain race of mortals move Like shadows o'er the plain, They rage and strive, desire and love, But all the noise is vain. 4 Some walk in honour's gaudy show, Some dig for golden ore, They toil forheirs they know not who, And straight are seen no more. 5 What should I wish or wait for then From creatures, earth and dust? They make our expectations vain, And disappoint our trust. 6 Now I forbid my carnal hope, My fond desires recal ; I give my mortal int'rest up, And make my God my all. PSALM XXXIX. 9 - - -13. PART III. Sirh-bed devotion; or, Pleading without repining. I GOD of my life, look gently down, Behold the pains I feel; But I am dumb before thy throne, Nor daredispute thy will. 2 Diseases are thy servants, Lord, They come at thy command ; I'll not attempt a murm'ring word Against thy chast'ning hand. 3 Yet I may plead with humble cries, Remove thy sharp rebukes ; My strength consumes, my spirit dies, Through thy repeated strokes. 4 Crush'd as a moth beneath thy hand, We moulder to the dust; Our feeble pow'rs can ne'er withstand, And :ill our beauty's lost. b [This mortal life decays apace, I -Iow soon the babble's broke! Adam and all his nnm'rouwrace Are vanity and smoke.] o I'm but a sojourner below, As all my fathers-were, May I be well prepar'd to go When I the summons hear! 7 But if my life be spar'd awhile, Before my last remove, Thy praiseshall be my bus'ness still, And I'll declare thy love. PSALM XL. y 2. 3, 6, 17. PART I. [C. M.] A snug of deliverance fromgreat distress. 1 I waited patient for the Lord, He bow'd to hear my cry He sawme resting on his word, And brought salvation nigh. 2 He rais'd me from a horrid pit, Where mourning long I lay, And from my bondsreleas'd my feet, Deep bonds ofmiry clay. 3 Firm on a rock he modeme stand, And taughtmy cheerful tongue To praise the wonders of his hand, In a new thankful song. 4 I'll spread his works of graceabroad ; The saints with joy shall hear, And sinners learn to make my God Their only hope and fear. 5 How many are thy thoughtsof love! Thy mercies, Lord, how great ! We have not words nor hours enough Their numbers to repeat. 6 When I'm afflicted, poor and low, And light and peace depart, My God beholds my heavy woe, And bears me on his heart. PSALM XL. 6 - - -9. PART II. [C. M.] The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ. 1 THUS saith the Lord, " Your work is vain, " Give your burnt- offlrings o'er, " In dying goats and bullocks slain " My soul delights no more." 2 Then spoke the Saviour, "Lo I'm here, a My God, to do thy will ; ' i Whate'er thy sacred books. declare, " Thy servant shallfulfil.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=