The Righteous and the Wicked.
1 THE man is blest that hath not lent
To wicked men his ear;
Nor led his life, as sinners do,
Nor sat in scorner's chair..
2 But in the law of God, the Lord,
Doth set his whole delight;
And in the same doth exercise
Himself both day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree that is
Planted the rivers nigh,
Which in due season bringeth forth
Its fruit abundantly.
4 Whose leaf shall never fade nor fall,
But flourishing shall stand:
E'en so all things shall prosper well,
That this man takes in hand.
5 As for ungodly men, with them
It shall be nothing so;
But as the chaff, which by the wind
Is driven to and fro.
6 Therefore the wicked men shall not
In judgment stand upright;
Nor in th' assembly of the just
Shall sinners come in sight.
7 For why? the way of godly men
Unto the Lord is known;
Whereas the way of wicked men
Shall quite be overthrown.
+ Some few pieces from the Old Version, such as Psalm i., xviii., c., civ., and cxxv., are decidedly superior to any version whicih has been since composed.
I WHY did the nations join to slay
The Lord's anointed Son?
Why did they cast his laws away,
And tread his Gospel down?
2 The Lord that sits above the skies
Derides their rage below;
He speaks with vengeance in his eyes,
And strikes their spirits through :
3 "I call him my eternal Son,
"And raise him from the dead;
" I make my holy hill his throne,
"And wide his kingdom spread.
4 "Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy
"The utmost heathen lands,
"Thy rod of iron shall destroy
destroy,
"The rebel that withstands."
5 Be wise ye rulers of the earth,
Obey th' anointed Lord;
Adore the King of heav'nly birth,
And tremble at his word.
6 With humble love address his throne †,
For if he frown ye die;
Those are secure, and those alone,
Who on his grace rely.
1 MY God how many are my fears,
How fast my foes increase;
Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.
2 But thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread;
Shalt silence all my threat'ning guilt,
And raise my drooping head.
3 I cried, and from his holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I call'd my Father and my God,
And he subdued my fear.
+ Kiss the Son: i. e. pay due homage to the Son of God.-See Job xxxi. 26-28.
4 He shed soft slumbers on my eyes,
In spite of all my foes:
I woke, and wonder'd at the grace
Which guarded my repose.
5 What, though the hosts of death and hell,
All arm'd against me stood;
Terrors no more shall shake my soul,
My refuge is my God.
6 Salvation to the Lord belongs,
He only can defend,
His blessing he extends to all
Who on his grace depend.
The service of God, man's true happiness.
1 YE sinners stand in awe,
And from your sins depart;
Out of the evil world withdraw,
And commune with your heart.
2 In thinking of Christ's love,
Be day and night employ'd :
Be still; nor in his presence move,
But wait upon your God.
3 Offer your prayer and praise,
Which he will not despise,
Through Jesus Christ our righteousness,
A welcome sacrifice.
Offer your hearts' desires,
But trust in him alone,
Who gives whatever he requires,
And freely saves his own.
5 The world with fruitless pain,
Seek happiness below;
What man, they ask, but all in vain,
The long sought good will show?
6 The brightness of thy face,
Give us, O Lord, to see;
Glory on earth begun in grace,
And happiness in Thee !
1 RETURN, my wandering heart return,
And earth's vain shadows chase no more;
Seek out some solitude to mourn,
And thy forsaken God implore.
2 Thou Great God! whose piercing eye,
Distinctly marks each deep retreat;
In these sequester'd hours draw nigh,
And let me here thy presence meet.
3 Through all the windings of my heart,
My search let heavenly wisdom guide,
And still its sacred beams impart,
Till all be known and purified.
4 Then with the comforts of thy love,
Vouchsafe mine inmost soul to cheer,
Till every grace combine to prove
That thou hast fix'd thy dwelling there.
1 LORD, in the morning thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To Thee will I direct my prayer,
To Thee lift up mine eye.
2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone,
To plead for all his saints,
Presenting at his Father's throne,
Our songs and our complaints.
3 Thou art a God before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand;
Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,
Nor dwell at thy right hand.
4 But to thy house will I resort,
To taste thy mercies there;
I will frequent thy holy court,
And worship in thy fear.
5 O may thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness,
Make every path of duty straight
And plain before my face!
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