A touch of his to smoke the mountains make. I'll to God's honor consecrate my lays, And when I cease to be I'll cease to praise. Upon the Lord, a sublime lofty theme, My meditations sweet, my joys supreme. Let daring sinners feel thy vengeful rod, May they no more be known by their abode. My soul and all my powers, O bless the Lord, And the whole race of men with one accord. JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748). PSALM CV. (1) O PRAYSE the Lord, call on his Name, Let their hearts joy that seek the Lord: The Lord seek, and his strength his face Always seek ye the same. Those admirable works that hee Hath done remember you: His wonders, and the judgements which He doth in mind record, Which he with Abraham made, and 's He suffred none to doe them wrong: He cal'd for Famine on the land, Sold for a slave to bee. Whose feet they did with fetters hurt: Until the time that his word came: He made him Lord of all his house: At 's will to bind his Peers: & teach Sojourn'd i' th' Land of Ham. (3) Moses his servant he did send: Great store of Frogs their land brought forth In chambers of their Kings. He spake, there came mixt swarmes, & lice In all their coasts he brings. He gave them haile for raine: & in Their land fires flame did make And smote their Vines & their Figtrees: & their coast-trees he brake. He spake, & then the Locusts came: & Caterpillars, such The number of them was as none Could reckon up how much, And ate of all their lands herbs: & did Fruit of their ground devoure. All first borne in their lande he smote: The chief of all their powre. (4) With silver also & with gold He them from thence did bring: & among all their tribes there was Not any one weak-ling. To light the night he spread. They askt, & he brought quailes: did them With heav'ns bread satisfy, He op't the rock and waters flow'd: For on his holy promise hee And 's servant Abraham thought. With joye his people, and with songs Forth he his chosen brought. He of the heathen people did The land on them bestow: The labour of the people they Inherited also: To this intent that his statutes They might observe alwayes: BAY PSALM BOOK (1640). PSALM CVI. PRAISE ye the Lord, for He is good, His mercy lasts the ages through: What tongue can tell His mighty acts Or utter all His praises due? Happy are they who judgment keep; Who never from Thy law depart; Who love the ways of righteousness And serve the Lord with perfect heart. Regard me with the favor, Lord, Thou bear'st Thy people; visit me With Thy salvation, that I may The welfare of Thy chosen see. But we have with our fathers sinned; Have from Thy testimonies swerved; Our covenant with Thee have broke; And all we suffer have deserved. Mindless of signs in Egypt wrought, The Sea dried up at His rebuke: He through its hidden depths them led That seemed a low and level plain, Solid and firm beneath their tread. When safe upon the further shore, The waters, which for them were cleft, Closed over the pursuing foe, Not one of their whole number left. Then they believed His words; they sang His praise, but soon His works for gotSelf-willed, impatient, they made haste, And waited for His counsel not. They lusted in the wilderness, And tempted God-on having bentDispleased, He gave them their request, But in their souls He leanness sent. Then Moses envied in the camp, And Aaron, made high priest to be; Earth oped-with Dathan swallowed were Abiram and his company. A fire was kindled, and consumed Korah and all his wicked crew. In spite of judgments Israel still Remained rebellious and untrue. They made a calf at Horeb; thus They changed their Glory for, alas! The molten likeness of an ox That chews his cud and feeds on grass. They God forgot, their Saviour, who Therefore He said: "I'll them destroy!" But nevertheless allowed to plead, Moses His chosen-who in the breach Before Him stood to intercede. Yea, they despised the pleasant Land; |