161

1

L

PSALM CXVIII. L. M.

WATTS.

O! what a glorious corner-stone The Jewish builders did refuse; But God hath built His church thereon, In spite of envy and the Jews. 2 Great God! the work is all divine, The joy and wonder of our eyes; This is the day that proves it Thine, The day that saw our Saviour risc. 3 Sinners, rejoice; and saints, be glad ; Hosanna! let his name be bless'd! A thousand honours on His head,

With peace, and light, and glory rest! 4 In God's own name He comes to bring Salvation to our dying race;

Let the whole church address their King
With hearts of joy and songs of praise.

162

PSALM CXIX.

C. M.

WATTS.

YREAT is their peace who love Thy law,
How firm their souls abide !

Nor can a bold temptation draw
Their steady feet aside.

2 O how I love Thy holy law!
"Tis daily my delight;

And thence my meditations draw
Divine advice by night.

3 When midnight darkness veils the skies,
I call Thy works to mind;
My thoughts in pure devotion rise,
And sweet acceptance find.

4 When nature sinks and spirits droop,
Thy promises of grace

Are pillars to support my hope,
And there I write Thy praise.

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1

HOW

PSALM CXIX. C. M.

WATTS.

TOW shall the young secure their hearts,
And guard their lives from sin ?
Thy word the choicest rules imparts
To keep the conscience clean.

2 When once it enters to the mind,
It spreads such light abroad,
The meanest souls instruction find,
And raise their thoughts to God.
3 "Tis, like the sun, a heavenly light,
That guides us all the day;

And through the dangers of the night,
A lamp to lead our way.

4 Thy precepts make me truly wise;
I hate the sinner's road;

I hate my own vain thoughts that rise,
But love Thy law, my God.

5 The starry heavens Thy rule obey,
The earth maintains her place;
And these Thy servants night and day
Thy skill and power express.

6 But still Thy law and gospel, Lord,
Have lessons more divine;

Not earth stands firmer than Thy word, Nor stars so nobly shine.

7 Thy word is everlasting truth:
How pure is every page!

That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.

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1

L

PSALM CXIX.

C. M.

WATTS.

ORD, I have made Thy word my choice,
My lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the histories of Thy love,
And keep Thy laws in sight,
While through Thy promises I rove
With ever fresh delight.

3 "Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise,
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have,
It makes our sorrows bless'd;
Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

165

1

PSALM CXIX. C. M. WATTS.

THAT the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still!

O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will!

2 O send Thy Spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart;

Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.

3 From vanity turn off my eyes;
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires, arise
Within this soul of mine.

4 Order my footsteps by Thy word,
And make my heart sincere ;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

5 My soul hath gone too far astray,
My feet too often slip;

Yet since I've not forgot Thy way,
Restore Thy wandering sheep.

6 Make me to walk in Thy commands,
"Tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.

face;

O let me never stray

From Thy commands, O God of grace,
Nor tread the sinner's way.

2 Thy word I've hid within my heart,
To keep my conscience clean,
And be an everlasting guard
From every rising sin.

3 Lord, I have found 'tis good for me
To bear my Father's rod;
Afflictions make me learn Thy law,
And live upon my God.

4 Before I felt Thy chastening rod,
My feet were apt to stray;
But now I learn to keep Thy word,
Nor wander from Thy way.

167

1

PSALM CXIX. C. M.

WATTS

Y soul lies cleaving to the dust;

M Lord, give me life divine;

From vain desires and every lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.

2 I need the influence of Thy grace
To speed me in Thy way,

Lest I should loiter in my race,
Or turn my feet astray.

3 Are not Thy mercies sovereign still,
And Thou a faithful God?

Wilt Thou not grant me warmer zeal
To run the heavenly road?

4 Does not my heart Thy precepts love,
And long to see Thy face?
And yet how slow my spirits move
Without enlivening grace!

5 Then shall I love Thy gospel more,
And ne'er forget Thy word,
When I have felt its quickening power
To draw me near the Lord.

168

1

PSALM CXIX. L. M.

WATTS.

FATHER, I bless Thy gentle hand;

How kind was Thy chastising rod,

That forc'd my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wandering soul to God!
2 Foolish and vain, I went astray
Ere I had felt Thy chastening, Lord;
I left my guide, and lost my way,
But now I love and keep Thy word.
3 The law that issues from Thy mouth
Shall raise my cheerful passions more
Than all the treasures of the south,
Or western hills of golden ore.

4 Thy hands have made my mortal frame,
Thy Spirit form'd my soul within ;
Teach me to know Thy wondrous name,
And guard me safe from death and sin.
5 Then all that love and fear the Lord
At my salvation shall rejoice;
For I have hoped in Thy word,
And made Thy grace my only choice.

169

1

T

PSALM CXXI. C. M.

heaven I lift my waiting eyes, There all my hopes are laid;

WATTS.

The Lord, that built the earth and skies,
Is my perpetual aid,