SO PSALMS. LXXIII. LXXIV. 2 But, O their end, their dreadful end! Thy sanctuary taught me so ; On slippery rocks I see them stand, And fiery billows roll below. 3 Now let them boast, how tall they rise, I'll never envy them again, There let them stand with haughty ides, Till theypinnge deep in endless pain. 4 Their fancy'd joys, how fast they flee ! Jost like a dreamwhen man awakes ; Their songs of softest harmony Ate but a preface to their plagues. 5 Now I esteem their mirth and wine Too dear to purchase with my blood; Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine, My life, my portion, and my God. PSALM LXXIII. [S. M.] The sáystery of providence unfolded. t SURE there's a righteous God, Nor is religion vain Tho' men of vice may'boast aloud, And men of grace complain. 2 1 saw the wicked rise, And felt my heart repine, While haughty fools with scornful eyes In robes of honour shine. 3 Pamper'd with wanton ease, Their flesh looks full and fair: Their wealth rolls in like flowing seas, And growswithout their care. 4 Free from the plagues and pains That pious souls endure, Theo' all their life oppression reigns, And racks the humble poor. 5 Their impious tongues blaspheme The everlasting God Their malice blasts the good man's name. And spreads their lives abroad. But I, with flowing tears Indulg'd my doubts to rise: " Is there a God that sees or hears The things below the skies ?" 7 The tumults of my thought Held Inc in hard suspense, ' Till to thy house soy feet were brought To learn thy justice thence. e Thy word with light and pow'r Did my mistakes amend , I- viewed the sinner's life before, But here I learnt their end. 9 On what a slipp'ry steep The thoughtless wretsbes go ; And O that drpadfal fiery deep That waits their fall below! t0. Lord, at thy feet I bow, My thoughts no more repine ; L call my God my portion now, And all my powers are thine. PSALM LXXIV. The church pleading with God under sore persecution. .- 1 WILL God forever cast us off ? His wrath for ever smoke Against the people of his love, His little chosen flock? 2 T hink of the tribes so dearly bought With their Redeemer's blood! Nor let thy Sion be forgot, Where once thy glory stood. 3 Lift up thy feet and march in haste; Aloud our ruin calls; See what a wide and fearful waste Is made within thy walls. 4 Where once thy churches pray'd and sang Thy foes profanely roar ; Over thy gates their ensigns hang, Sad tokens of their pow'r. 5 How are the sean of worship broke! They tear thy buildings down; And he that deals the heaviest stroke Procures the chief renown. 6 With flames they threaten to destroy Thy children in their nest; " Come let us bum at once (hey cry) The temple and the priest." 7 And still to heighten our distress Thy presence is withdrawn Thy wonted signs of pow'r and grace, Thy pow'r and grace are gone. e No prophet speaks to calm our woes, But all the seers mourn ; There's not a soul among us knows The time of thy return. PAUSE. How long, eternal God ! how long Shall men of pride blaspheme ? Shall saints be made their endlesssong, Andbear immortal shame! l0 Canotthou for ever sit and hear Thy holy name profan'd ? And still thy jealousy forbear, And still withhold thine hand.? It What strange deliv'rance hast thou shown In ages long before! And now no other God we own, No other God adore. 12 Thou didst divide the raging sea, By thy resistless might, To make thy tribes a wondrous way, And then secure their flight. 13 Is not the world of nature thine, The darkness and the day j Didst not thou bid the morning shine, And mark the sun his way? 14 Hath not thy pow'rform'd ev'ry coast, And set the earth itsbounds, With summer's heat, and winter's frost, In their perpetual rounds?
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