And when thou speak'st the word, Return,
'Tis instantly obeyed.

4 For in thy sight a thousand years
Are like a day that's passed,
Or like a watch in dead of night,
Whose hours unminded waste.

5 Thou sweep'st us off as with a flood;
We vanish hence like dreams :
At first we grow like grass that feels
The sun's reviving beams ;-

6 But, howsoever fresh and fair
Its morning beauty shows,

'Tis all cut down, and withered quite,
Before the evening close.

7, 8 We by thine anger are consumed,
And by thy wrath dismayed;
Our public crimes and secret sins
Before thy sight are laid.

9 Beneath thy anger's sad effects
Our drooping days we spend;
Our unregarded years break off
Like tales that quickly end.

10 Our term of time is seventy years,
An age that few survive;

But if, with more than common strength,
To eighty we arrive,—

Yet then our boasted strength decays,

To sorrow turned and pain;

So soon the slender thread is cut,

And we no more remain.

PART II.

11 But who thy anger's dread effects
Does, as he ought, revere?

And yet thy wrath does fall or rise,
As more or less we fear.

12 So teach us, Lord, the uncertain sum
Of our short days to mind,

That to true wisdom all our hearts
May ever be inclined.

13 O! to thy servants, Lord, return,

And speedily relent!

As we forsake our sins, do thou
Revoke our punishment.

14 To satisfy and cheer our souls,
Thy early mercy send,

That we may all our days to come
In joy and comfort spend.

15 Let happy times, with large amends,
Dry up our former tears,
Or equal, at the least, the term
Of our afflicted years.

16 To all thy servants, Lord, let this,
Thy wondrous work, be known,
And to our offspring yet unborn
Thy glorious power be shown.
17 Let thy bright rays upon us shine,
Give thou our works success;
The glorious work we have in hand
Do thou vouchsafe to bless.

1

HE

PSALM 91.

E that has God his Guardian made Shall, under the Almighty's shade, Secure and undisturbed abide : 2 Thus to my soul of him I'll say, He is my Fortress and my Stay, My God, in whom I will confide. 3 His tender love and watchful care Shall free thee from the fowler's snare, And from the noisome pestilence: 4 He over thee his wings shall spread, And cover thy unguarded head;

His truth shall be thy strong defence. 5 No terrors, that surprise by night, Shall thy undaunted courage fright, Nor deadly shafts, that fly by day ; 6 Nor plague, of unknown rise, that kills In darkness, nor infectious ills,

That in the hottest season slay.

7 A thousand at thy side shall die, At thy right hand ten thousand lie,

While thy firm health untouched remains ;

8 Thou only shalt look on and see The wicked's dismal tragedy,

And count the sinner's mournful gains. 9 Because, with well-placed confidence, Thou mak'st the Lord thy sure Defence, And on the Highest dost rely,10 Therefore no ill shall thee befall, Nor to thy healthful dwelling shall Any infectious plagues draw nigh. 11 For he, throughout thy happy days, To keep thee safe in all thy ways,

Shall give his angels strict commands ; 12 And they, lest thou should'st chance to meet With some rough stone to wound thy feet, Shall bear thee safely in their hands. 13 Dragons and asps, that thirst for blood, And lions, roaring for their food,

Beneath his conquering feet shall lie: 14 Because he loved and honoured me, Therefore, says God, I'll set him free, And fix his glorious throne on high. 15 He'll call I'll answer when he calls, And rescue him when ill befalls;

Increase his honour and his wealth: 16 And when, with undisturbed content, His long and happy life is spent,

1

His end I'll crown with saving health.

HOW

PSALM 92.

OW good and pleasant must it be
To thank the Lord most high,
And, with repeated hymns of praise,
His name to magnify!-

2 With every morning's early dawn
His goodness to relate;

And of his constant truth, each night,
The glad effects repeat!

3 To ten-stringed instruments we'll sing,
With tuneful psalteries joined ;

And to the harp, with solemn sounds,
For sacred use designed.

4 For, through thy wondrous works, O Lord, Thou mak'st my heart rejoice;

The thoughts of them shall make me glad,
And shout with cheerful voice.

5, 6 How wondrous are thy works, O Lord!
How deep are thy decrees!

Whose winding tracts, in secret laid,
No stupid sinner sees.

7 He little thinks, when wicked men,
Like grass, look fresh and gay,

How soon their short-lived splendour must
For ever pass away.

8, 9 But thou, my God, art still most high;
And all thy lofty foes,

Who thought they might securely sin,
Shall be o'erwhelmed with woes ;-

10 Whilst thou exalt'st my sovereign power,
And mak'st it largely spread,

And with refreshing oil anoint'st
My consecrated head.

11 I soon shall see my stubborn foes
To utter ruin brought,

And hear the dismal end of those
Who have against me fought.

12 But righteous men, like fruitful palms,
Shall make a glorious show,

As cedars that on Lebanon
In stately order grow.

13, 14 These, planted in the house of God,
Within his courts shall thrive;

Their vigour and their lustre both
Shall in old age revive.

15 Thus will the Lord his justice show,
And God, my strong Defence,
Shall due rewards to all the world
Impartially dispense.

1

W

PSALM 93.

ITH glory clad, with strength arrayed, The Lord, that o'er all nature reigns, The world's foundation strongly laid,

And the vast fabric still sustains.

2 How surely 'stablished is thy throne,
Which shall no change nor period see!
For thou, O Lord, and thou alone,
Art God from all eternity!

3, 4 The floods, O Lord, lift up their voice
And toss the troubled waves on high;
But God above can still their noise,
And make the angry sea comply.

5 Thy promise, Lord, is ever sure;

And they that in thy house would dwell, That happy station to secure,

Must still in holiness excel.

PSALM 94.

1,20 GOD, to whom revenge belongs,

Thy vengeance now disclose;

Arise, thou Judge of all the earth,
And crush thy haughty foes.

3, 4 How long, O Lord, shall sinful men
Their solemn triumphs make?

How long their wicked actions boast,
And insolently speak?

5, 6 Not only they thy saints oppress,
But, unprovoked, they spill

The widow's and the stranger's blood,
And helpless orphans kill.

7 "And yet the Lord shall ne'er perceive," Profanely thus they speak,

"Nor any notice of our deeds

"The God of Jacob take."

8 At length, ye stupid fools, your wants
Endeavour to discern:

In folly will you still proceed,
And wisdom never learn?

9, 10 Can he be deaf, who formed the ear? Or blind, who framed the eye?

Shall earth's great Judge not punish those
Who his known will defy?

11 He fathoms all the thoughts of men;
To him their hearts lie bare;

His eye surveys them all, and sees
How vain their counsels are.