370 "O magnify the Lord with me.'

Ps. xxxiv. 3.

C.M.

THROUGH all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my GOD shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

2 O magnify the LORD with me,
With me exalt His name;
When in distress to Him I call'd,
He to my rescue came.

8 Their drooping hearts were soon refreshed,
Who look'd to Him for aid;
Desired success in ev'ry face
A cheerful air display'd.

4 Behold, say they, behold the man
Whom Providence relieved;
The man so dang'rously beset,
So wondrously retriev'd!

5 The hosts of GOD encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliv'rance He affords to all

Who on His succour trust.

60 make but trial of His love,
Experience will decide,

How bless'd they are, and only they,
Who in His truth confide.

7 Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;

Make you His service your delight,
Your wants shall be His care.

8 While hungry lions lack their prey,
The LORD will food provide
For such as put their trust in Him,
And see their needs supplied.

371“ Which Thy right hand hath planted.”

Ps. Lx. 15.

SEE the vineyard now is planted
By Thy hand, O LORD of hosts!
Let Thy people's prayer be granted,
Keep it safe from hostile boasts :
Many think Thy work to mar,
O remove the danger far!

8, 7, 7.

2 'Tis Thine own, Thy hand has made it, Hide it from the wintry blast,

Let no foot of beast invade it,

No rude hand its beauty waste;
Hear Thy people when they pray,
Keep Thy vineyard night and day.
3 Drooping plants revive and nourish,
Let them thrive beneath Thy hand;
Let the weak grow strong and flourish,
Blooming fair at Thy command;
Let the fruitful yield Thee more,
Laden with a richer store.

372 "Give a reason of the hope," &c.

1 Pet. iii. 15.

[OW we are met in holy fear,

Now

To hear the happy saints declare,

The free compassions of a GOD,
The virtues of a SAVIOUR's blood.

L.M.

2 JESUS, assist them now to tell
What they have felt, and now they feel;
O SAVIOUR, help them to express
The wonders of triumphant grace.

3 While to the Church they freely own,
What for their souls the LORD hath done,
We'd join to praise eternal love,
And heighten all the joys above.

PUBLIC WORSHIP AND THE LORD'S DAY.

373

"And that day was the preparation.”

Luke xxiii. 54.

C.M.

WHEN the worn spirit wants repose,

And sighs her GOD to seek;

How sweet to hail the evening's close,
That ends the weary week!

2 How sweet to hail the early dawn,
That opens on the sight;

When first the soul-reviving morn
Beams its new rays of light!

3 Sweet day! thine hours too soon will cease;
Yet while they gently roll,
Breathe, heav'nly SPIRIT, Source of peace,
A Sabbath o'er my soul!

4 When will my pilgrimage be done,

The world's long week be o'er;

That Sabbath dawn which needs no sun,
That day which fades no more.

374

"And call the Sabbath a delight."

Isa. lviii. 13.

L.M.

HOW welcome to the saints, when press'd With six days' noise, and care, and toil,

Is the returning day of rest,

Which hides them from the world awhile! 2 Now, from the throng withdrawn away, They seem to breathe a diff'rent air, Composed and soften'd by the day, All things another aspect wear.

3 How happy if their lot is cast

Where statedly the Gospel sounds! The word is honey to their taste,

[wounds. Renews their strength, and heals their

4 With joy they hasten to the place,

Where they the SAVIOUR oft have met;
And, while they feast upon His grace,
Their burdens and their griefs forget.
5 This highly favour'd lot is ours-
May we the privilege improve;
And find these consecrated hours
Sweet earnests of the joys above.
6 We thank Thee for Thy day, O LORD:
Here we Thy promised presence seek;
Open Thy hand, with blessings stored,
And give us manna for the week.

375

"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city
of God."-Ps. lxxxvii. 3. 4-6's & 2-8'a

LORD of the worlds above!
How pleasant and how fair

The dwellings of Thy love,
Thy earthly temples are!

2

To Thine abode, my heart aspires,
With warm desires to meet my God.

O happy souls that pray

Where GOD delights to hear!
O happy men that pay

Their constant service there!
They praise Thee still; and happy they
Who love the way to Sion's hill!

3 They go from strength to strength,
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each o'ercomes at length,
Till each in heaven appears:

4

5

O glorious seat! Thou GOD, our KING,
Shall thither bring our willing feet.
GOD is our sun and shield,

Our light and our defence;
With gifts His hands are fill'd,
We draw our blessings thence:
He shall bestow upon our race
His saving grace, and glory too.
The LORD His people loves!

His hand no good withholds
From those His heart approves,
From holy, humble souls:

Thrice happy he, O LORD of hosts,
Whose spirit trusts alone in Thee.

376

"Praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord."

WE'VE

Ps. cxxxv. 1.

L.M.

E'VE met now in the SAVIOUR's name, The LAMB OF GOD for sinners slain; Who groan'd and died And paid the debt for

upon the tree, you and me.