English

My thoughts the Lord their object make;
Before the ruddy morning spring
My glory of His praise shall sing;
Awake my lute, my harp awake,
While I to all the world rehearse
His praises in a living verse.

Thy mercy (O how great!) extends
Above the starry firmament,
Still unto tender pity bent:
Thy truth the soaring clouds transcends,
Thy head above the heav'ns erect,
Thy glory on the earth reflect.

O hear us, who Thy aid implore,
And with Thy own right Hand defend;

Part I.

E XTOLL , and our good God adore.
Whose sea of mercy hath no shore.
O you by tyrants late oppress'd,
Now from your servile yokes releas'd,
Praise Him Who your redemption wrought,
And home from barbarous nations brought.
From where the morn her wings displays,
From where the ev'ning crowns the days;
Beneath the burning zone, and near
The influence of the freezing bear.
They in unpeopled deserts stray'd,
The heav'ns their roof, the clouds their shade.

PSALM CVI.

Part I.

W ITH grateful hearts Jehovah's praise resound,
In goodness Great, Whose mercy hath no bound.
What language can express His mighty deeds,
Or utter His due praise which words exceeds?
Thrice blessed they who His commands observe,
Nor ever from the track of justice swerve.
Great God! O with benevolent aspect
(Ev'n with the love Thou bear'st to Thine elect)
Behold and succour; that my ravish'd eyes
May see a period of their miseries,

PSALM CV.

Part I.

T O God, O pay your vows; invoke His Name,
And to the world His noble acts proclaim!
O sing His praises in immortal verse,
And His stupendous miracles rehearse.
You saints rejoice, and glory in His grace;
His pow'r adore; for ever seek His Face.
Old Abraham's seed, you sons of the elect,
You Israelites, O you, who God affect,
Report the wonders by His finger wrought,
When in your cause th' inferior creatures fought.

Part I.

M Y ravish'd soul, Great God, Thy praises sings,
Whom glory circles with her radiant wings,
And majesty invests than day more bright,
Cloth'd with the beams of new-created light.
He, like an all-enfolding canopy,
Fram'd the vast concave of the spangled sky,
And in the air-embraced waters set
The basis of His hanging cabinet.
Who on the clouds as on a chariot rides,
And with a rein the flying tempest guides.
Bright angels His attendant spirits made,

Part I.

M Y soul, and all my faculties,
Jehovah praise; sing till the skies
Re-echo His ascending fame:
My soul, O celebrate His Name!
Nor ever let the memory
Of His surpassing favours die.
He gently pardons our misdeeds,
And cures the wound which inward bleeds;
Hath from the chains of death unbound,
With clemency and mercy crown'd.
With food our hunger He subdues,
And eagle-like our youth renews.
His justice He extends to all;
Oppressors by His vengeance fall.

Part I.

A CCEPT my pray'rs, nor to the cry
Of mine afflictions stop Thine ear.
Lord, in the time of misery
And sad restraint serene appear;
The sighings of my spirit hear;
And when I call, with speed reply.

As smoke so fleets my soul away,
My marrow dried as hearths with heat,
My heart struck down like wither'd hay,
Through sorrow I forsake my meat,

Of justice I and mercy sing,
Which, Lord, from Thee their Fountain spring,
The graces that adorn a king.

Grave wisdom shall my steps direct,
No vice my heart nor roof infect.
When wilt Thou visit Thine elect?

No pleasure shall mine eyes misguide:
WhOfrom the track of virtue slide,
Just hate shall from my soul divide.

Who mischief in their hearts contrive,
Delight in wrong, in factions strive,
I from my peaceful court will drive.

Who hath his friend with slander strook,

All from the sun's uprise,
Unto his setting rays,
Resound in jubilees
The Great Jehovah's praise.
Him serve alone;
In triumph bring
Your gifts, and sing
Before His throne.

Man drew from man his birth,
But God his noble frame
Built of the ruddy earth,
Fill'd with celestial flame.
His sons we are;
Sheep by Him led,
Preserv'd, and fed
With tender care.

O to His portals press
In your divine resorts;
With thanks His pow'r profess,

Let our foes with terror quake,
Let the earth's foundations shake;
Now the Lord His reign begins,
Thron'd between the cherubins.
O how great in Sion's tow'rs!
High above all mortal pow'rs.
Great and terrible His Name;
Since so holy, praise the same.
Judgment His great pow'r affects,
Yet by equity directs.
These celestial twins embrace,
These reflect on Jacob's race.
O how Holy! above all
Honour, at His footstool fall.
Moses, Aaron, heretofore
Among those who mitres wore;
Samuel by vow desir'd,