Compassion dwells upon his mind, When times grow dark, and tidings spread, That fill his neighbors round with dread, His heart is armed against the fear, His soul, well fixed upon the Lord, 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, 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, A word of his creating voice, With joy the mother views her son, If nature fails, the promise bears. 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 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, 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 prospers great and small, That feare of him professe: Who made both earth and heav'n; Who dead and silent are: 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. |