From the cxviii. Psalm of David.

1 O PRAISE the LORD, for he is good,
His mercies ne'er decay;

That his kind favors ever last,
Let thankful Israel say.

2 Their sense of his eternal love
Let Aaron's house express;
And that it never fails, let all
That fear the LORD confess.
3 Far better 't is to trust in GoD,
And have the LORD our friend,
Than on the greatest human power
For safety to depend.

4 The LORD has been my help; the praise To him alone belongs;

He is my Saviour and my strength,
He only claims my songs.

5 Joy fills the dwelling of the just,

Whom GOD has saved from harm;
For wondrous things are brought to pass
By his almighty arm.

6 He, by his own resistless power,
Has endless honor won;

The saving strength of his right hand
Amazing works has done.

7 GOD will not suffer me to fall,
But still prolongs my days;
That, by declaring all his works,
I may advance his praise.

8 When God had sorely me chastised,
'Till quite of hopes bereaved,
His mercy from the gates of death
My fainting life reprieved.

9 Then open wide the temple gates
To which the just repair,

That I may enter in, and praise
My great deliv'rer there.

10 Within those gates of God's abode
To which the righteous press,

Since thou hast heard, and set me safe,
Thy holy Name I'll bless.

11 That which the builders once refused
Is now the corner-stone:

This is the wondrous work of God,
The work of God alone.

12 This day is God's; let all the land
Exalt their cheerful voice:

"LORD, we beseech thee, save us now
And make us still rejoice."

13 Him that approaches in GOD's name
Let all th' assembly bless;-

"We that belong to God's own house
Have wish'd you good success."

14 GOD is the LORD, through whom we all
Both light and comfort find;

Fast to the altar's horns with cords
The chosen victim bind.

15 Thou art my LORD, O GOD, and still
I'll praise thy holy Name;
Because thou only art my GOD,
I'll celebrate thy fame.

16 0 then with me give thanks to GOD,
Who still does gracious prove;
And let the tribute of our praise
Be endless as his love.

PSALM 97.

From the cxix. Psalm of David.

PART I. ALEPH. C. M.

1 HOW bless'd are they who always keep
The pure and perfect way;

Who never from the sacred paths
Of God's commandments stray!

2 How bless'd, who to his righteous laws
Have still obedient been;

And have, with fervent humble zeal,
His favor sought to win!

3 Such men their utmost caution use
To shun each wicked deed;
But in the path which he directs
With constant care proceed.

4 Thou strictly hast enjoin'd us, LORD,
To learn thy sacred will;
And all our diligence employ
Thy statutes to fulfil.

5 0 then that thy most holy will
Might o'er my ways preside;
And I the course of all my life
By thy direction guide!

6 Then with assurance should I walk,
From all confusion free;

Convinced, with joy, that all my ways
With thy commands agree.

7 My upright heart shall my glad mouth
With cheerful praises fill,

When, by thy righteous judgments taught.
I shall have learn'd thy will.

8 So to thy sacred laws shall I
Entire observance pay:

O then forsake me not, my God,
Nor cast me quite away.

PART II. BETH. C. M.

1 How shall the young preserve their ways
From all pollution free?

By making still their course of life
With thy commands agree.

2 With hearty zeal for thee I seek,
To thee for succor pray;
O suffer not my careless steps
From thy right paths to stray.
3 Safe in my heart, and closely hid,
Thy word, my treasure, lies,
To succor me with timely aid
When sinful thoughts arise.
4 Secured by that, my grateful soul
Shall ever bless thy Name;
O teach me then by thy just laws
My future life to frame.

5 My lips, unlock'd by pious zeal,
To others have declared

How well the judgments of thy mouth
Deserve our best regard.

6 Whilst in the way of thy commands,
More solid joy I found,

Than had I been with vast increase
Of envied riches crown'd.

7 Therefore thy just and upright laws
Shall always fill my mind;

And those sound rules which thou prescrib'st Entire respect shall find.

8 To keep thy statutes undefaced

Shall be my constant joy;

The strict remembrance of thy word

Shall all my thoughts employ.

1 BE gracious to thy servant, LORD;
Do thou my life defend,
That I according to thy word
My time to come may spend.

2 Enlighten both my eyes and mind,

That so I may discern

The wondrous things which they behold,
Who thy just precepts learn.

3 My fainting soul is almost pined,
With earnest longing spent,
While always on the eager search
Of thy just will intent.

1 My soul, oppress'd with deadly care,
Close to the dust doth cleave;
Revive me, LORD, and let me now
Thy promised aid receive.

2 To thee I still declared my ways,
And thou inclin'dst thine ear;

O teach me then my future life
By thy just laws to steer.

3 If thou wilt make me know thy laws,

And by their guidance walk,

The wondrous works which thou hast done
Shall be my constant talk.

4 But see, my soul within me sinks,
Press'd down with weighty care;
Do thou, according to thy word,
My wasted strength repair.

5 Far, far from me be all false ways
And lying arts removed;

But kindly grant I still may keep
The path by thee approved.

6 Thy faithful ways, thou GoD of truth,
My happy choice I've made;

Thy judgments, as my rule of life,
Before me always laid.

7 My care has been to make my life
With thy commands agree;
O then preserve thy servant, LORD,
From shame and ruin free.

8 So in the way of thy commands
Shall I with pleasure run;

And, with a heart enlarged with joy,
Successfully go on.

PART V. HE. C. M.

1 INSTRUCT me in thy statutes, LORD,
Thy righteous paths display;
And I from them, through all my life
Will never go astray,

2 If thou true wisdom from above
Wilt graciously impart,

To keep thy perfect laws I will
Devote my zealous heart.

- 3 Direct me in the sacred ways
To which thy precepts lead;
Because my chief delight has been
Thy righteous paths to tread.

4 Do thou to thy most just commands
Incline my willing heart;

Let no desire of worldly wealth
From thee my thoughts divert.

5 From those vain objects turn mine eyes,
Which this false world displays;
But give me lively power and strength
To keep thy righteous ways.

6 Confirm the promise of thy word,
And give thy servant aid,

Who to transgress thy sacred laws
Is awfully afraid.

7 The censure and reproach I fear
In mercy, LORD, remove;

For all the judgments thou ordain'st
Are full of grace and love.

8 Thou know'st how after thy commands
My longing heart does pant;
O then make haste to raise me up,
And promised succor grant.

PART VI. VAU. C. M.

1 THY constant blessing, LORD, bestow,
To cheer my drooping heart;
To me, according to thy word,
Thy saving health impart.

2 So shall I, whosoe'er upbraids,
This ready answer make;
"In GOD I trust, who never will
His faithful promise break.”

3 Then let not quite the word of truth
Be from my mouth removed;
Since still my ground of steadfast hope,
Thy judgments, LORD, have proved.

4 So I to keep thy righteous laws
Will all my study bend;

And constantly my time to come
In their observance spend.

5 My soul shall gladly walk at large,
From all oppression free,

Since I resolve to make my life
With thy commands agree.