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J947

From the cxvii. Psalm of David.

1 WITH cheerful notes let all the earth
To heaven their voices raise;
Let all inspired with godly mirth,
Sing solemn hymns of praise.

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1415 Mar 26/48 Edm

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Edur

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.

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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 O then with me give thanks to GOD,
Who still does gracious prove;

And let the tribute of our praise
Be endless as his love.

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84

PSALMS.

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;

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

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

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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.

يه

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2 With hearty zeal for thee I seek,
To thee for succor pray;
O suffer not my careless steps

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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;

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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.

PART III. GIMEL. C. M.

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.

4 Thy sharp rebuke shall crush the proud,
Whom still thy curse pursues;
Since they to walk in thy right ways
Presumptuously refuse.

5 But far from me do thou, O LORD,
Contempt and shame remove;
For I thy sacred law affect

With undissembled love.

6 For thy commands have always been
My comfort and delight;
Bv them I learn with prudent care
To guide my steps aright.

PART IV. DALETH. C. M.

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 Jone
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.