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2 "Fear not," said he-for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind-
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

3 "To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:

4 "The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."

5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Address their joyful song:

6 "All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace!

Good will henceforth, from heaven to men, Begin and never cease!"

216. 7s. M.

SPIRIT OF THE PSALMS.

Birth of Christ.

1 HAIL, all hail the joyful morn! Tell it forth from earth to heaven,

That to us a child is born,

That to us a Son is given.

2 Angels bending from the sky
Chanted at the wondrous birth;
"Glory be to God on high,
Peace-good will to man on earth."

3 Join we then our feeble lays,
To the chorus of the sky;
And, in songs of grateful praise,
Glory give to God on high.

217. C. M.

SPIRIT OF THE PSALMS.

The guiding Star.

1 BRIGHT was the guiding star that led,
With mild benignant ray,
The Gentiles to the lowly shed
Where the Redeemer lay.

2 But lo! a brighter, clearer light
Now points to his abode;

It shines through sin and sorrow's night,
To guide us to our Lord.

3 O haste to follow where it leads;
The gracious call obey;

Be rugged wilds, or flowery meads,
The Christian's destined way.

4 O gladly tread the narrow path,
While light and grace are given;
Who meekly follow Christ on earth,
Shall reign with him in heaven.

218.

7s. M.

ANONYMOUS.

Star of Bethlehem.

1 Sons of men, behold from far,
Hail the long-expected star!
Star of truth that gilds the night,
And guides bewildered men aright.

2 Mild it shines on all beneath,

Piercing through the shades of death;
Scattering error's wide-spread night;
Kindling darkness into light.

3 Nations all, remote and near,
Haste to see your Lord appear;
Haste, for him your hearts prepare,
Meet him manifested there!

4 There behold the day-spring rise,
Pouring light on mortal eyes;
See it chase the shades away,
Shining to the perfect day!

219.

L. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Gospel Peace proclaimed.

1 HARK! for the great Creator speaks;
In silence let the earth attend;

And when his words of grace are heard,
In grateful adoration bend.

2 "Tis I create the fruit of praise,
And give the broken heart to sing;
Peace, heavenly peace, my lips proclaim,
Pleased with the happy news they bring."

3 Receive the tidings with delight,
Ye Gentile nations from afar;
And you, the children of his love,
Whom grace hath brought already near.

4 To these, to those, his sovereign hand
Its healing energy imparts;

Peace, peace, be echoed from your tongues, And echoed from consenting hearts.

5 Enjoy the health which God hath wrought,
Nor let the daily tribute cease,
Till changed for more exalted songs
In regions of eternal peace.

220.

S. M.

WATTS.

Blessedness of Gospel Times.

1 How beauteous are their feet,
Who stand on Zion's hill!
Who bring salvation on their tongues,
And words of peace reveal.

2 How charming is their voice!
How sweet the tidings are!
"Zion, behold thy Saviour king,
He reigns and triumphs here.
3 How happy are our ears,
That hear this joyful sound,
Which kings and prophets waited for,
And sought, but never found!

4 How blessed are our eyes,
That see this heavenly light;
Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight!

5 The watchmen join their voice,
And tuneful notes employ;
Jerusalem breaks forth in songs,
And deserts learn the joy.

6 The Lord makes bare his arm
Through all the earth abroad:
Let every nation now behold
Their Saviour and their God.

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Christ's Mediatorial Kingdom. Ps. 89.

1 HEAR what the Lord in vision said,
And made his mercy known:
"Sinners, behold, your help is laid
On my beloved Son.

2 "Behold the man my wisdom chose
Among your mortal race;

His head my holy oil o'erflows,
The Spirit of my grace.

3 "High shall he reign on David's throne, My people's better King;

My arm shall beat his rivals down,
And still new subjects bring.

4 "My truth shall guard him in his way,
With mercy by his side,

While in my name, through earth and sea, He shall in triumph ride.

5 "Me for his Father and his God
He shall forever own,

Call me his rock, his high abode,
And I'll support my Son."

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Christ's Kingdom among the Gentiles. Ps. 72.

1 JESUS shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journeys run:

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

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