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Compassion dwells upon his mind,
To works of mercy still inclined;
He lends the poor some present aid,
Or gives them, not to be repaid.

When times grow dark, and tidings spread,

That fill his neighbors round with dread,

His heart is armed against the fear,
For God with all his power is there.

His soul, well fixed upon the Lord,
Draws heavenly courage from his word;
Amidst the darkness light shall rise,
To cheer his heart, and bless his eyes.

He hath dispensed his alms abroad; His works are still before his God; His name on earth shall long remain, While envious sinners fret in vain. ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748).

PSALM CXIII.

YE servants of th' almighty King,
In every age his praises sing;
Where'er the sun shall rise or set,
The nations shall his praise repeat.

Above the earth-beyond the sky, Stands his high throne of majesty; Nor time nor place his power restrainNor bound his universal reign.

Which of the sons of Adam dare, Or angels with their God compare? His glories how divinely bright, Who dwells in uncreated light!

Behold his love! he stoops to view What saints above and angels do; And condescends, yet more, to know The mean affairs of men below.

From dust, and cottages obscure,
His grace exalts the humble poor;
Gives them the honour of his sons,
And fits them for their heavenly
thrones.

A word of his creating voice,
Can make the barren house rejoice:
Though Sarah's ninety years were past,
The promised seed is born at last.

With joy the mother views her son,
And tells the wonders God has done;
Faith may grow strong when sense de-
spairs;

If nature fails, the promise bears.
ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748).

A PARAPHRASE ON PSALM CXIV. WHEN the blest seed of Terah's faithful son,

After long toil, their liberty had won, And past from Pharian fields to Canaan land,

Led by the strength of the Almighty's hand,

Jehovah's wonders were in Israel shown, His praise and glory were in Israel known.

That saw the troubled sea, and shivering fled,

And sought to hide his froth-becurled head Low in

the earth; Jordan's clear streams recoil,

As a faint host that hath received the

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Flints spring with fountains at his word, And fires and seas confess their Lord. JOSEPH ADDISON (1672-1719).

PSALM CXV.

Nor ours the glory make,
Lord, give us not the same:
But for thy Truth and Mercy sake,
Ascribe it to thy Name.

To say, where is their God!

Why should the Gentiles dare? Since he in heav'n hath his abode And works his pleasure there? Men's hands their Idolls make: They gold and silver be: Possessing mouths that cannot speake And eyes that cannot see.

Their eares are senseles to;

Their nostrils smelleth not:

Their hands and feet nor feel nor goe;

No breath is in their throte.

All they whoe those adore,

(Or forme them) like them be: In God let Isr'el trust therefore, For their defense is he.

On God, preserving them,

Let Aaron's house depend:

Let those who feare him, trust in him; For he will such defend,

God will remember us,

And on us Mercy show.

On Isr'el and on Aaron's house
He blessings will bestowe.

He prospers great and small,

That feare of him professe:
You and your seed, likewise, he shall
Still more and more encrease.
Of God you blessed be,

Who made both earth and heav'n;
The heav'n of Heav'ns inhabits he,
And earth to men hath given.
Lord, none cann thee adore,

Who dead and silent are:
But I, both now and evermore,
Thy praises will declare.

GEORGE WITHER (1588-1667).

PSALM CXVI.

I LOVE the Lord because my voice And prayers he did hear.

I, while I live, will call on him, Who bow'd to me his ear.

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