to the great FESTIVALS, &c. of the Church, I have, with a view to the more pious performance of the solemnities of those DAYS, availed myself of the collections made by others, have altered them as occasion required, and have omitted or transposed the stanzas, as appeared best adapted to my design. In this Selection, I have had recourse to the higher sources of Devotional Poetry; and its pages will be found to be adorned by a DRYDEN and a POPE, a COWPER and a MASON, a WATTS and a DoDDRIDGE, a STEELE and a BARBAULD, &c. &c. On the whole, it has been my earnest endeavor to form such a COLLECTION of PSALMS and HYMNS, as may contribute to the edification, pleasure and improvement of the Christian Worshipper; and I shall by no means think my labor either useless or unrecompensed, if his devotion be assisted and improved, or his fervor more strongly excited in promoting the Praise and the Glory of his God.

Ipswich, April the 3rd, 1815.

MERRICK'S PSALMS.

PSALM 1.

Brotherly Love.

How blest the sight, the joy how sweet,
When brothers join'd with brothers meet
In bands of mutual love!

Less sweet the liquid fragrance, shed
On Aaron's consecrated head,

Ran trickling from above,

And reach'd his beard, and reach'd his vest;
Less sweet the dews on Hermon's breast
On Sion's hill descend:

That hill has God with blessings crown'd,
There promis'd grace that knows no bound,
And life that knows no end.

B

2

Universal Praise.

Praise, O praise the Name divine,
Praise it at the hallow'd shrine;
Let its acts and pow'r supreme
To your songs suggest a theme.

Let the firmament on high
To its Maker's praise reply;
Be the harp no longer mute;
Sound the trumpet, sound the flute;

Wake to life each tuneful string;
Bring the pipe, the timbrel bring;
Let the organ in his praise
Learn its loudest notes to raise;

Let the cymbals varying sound
From the vaulted roof rebound;
Wake to Him the grateful songs,
For to Him the praise belongs.

All, who vital breath enjoy,
In his praise that breath employ,
And in one grand chorus join,

"Praise, O praise the Name divine."

1

God, the Eternal Sovereign.

Jehovah reigns:-Ye nations, own
With prostrate heart his sway;

Betwixt the Cherubs stands his throne;

Earth! tremble and obey.

His rule, in Sion long confest,
O'er all extends; his name

Shall hallow with its fear each breast,
Each tongue with zeal inflame;

With ardor make each boson burn,
Observant of his will;

With joy make each the precept learn,
And hasten to fulfil.

Let then each soul, with joy elate,
Before thy footstool bow,

:

Thee, ceaseless, praise for who so great,
So holy, Lord, as Thou?

4

The End of the Wicked and Righteous.
The prosp❜ring sinner once I view'd,
Strong as the healthful tree he stood,
That shadowing wide its native soil,
Nor knows, nor asks the planter's toil.
I went, I came, and look'd again;
I look'd, but sought his place in vain;
No trace, no vestige could be found,
The place unmark'd, a waste the ground.

Behold the just, and mark his end;
See peace his eve of life attend;
He to his God his safety owes,

Owns Him his strength amidst his woes;

Assur'd, while foes his peace invade,
He'll reach for him the promis'd aid;
Assur'd that He will each defend,
Whose constant hopes on God depend.