The Psalms of David Part 29

1 'Twas for thy sake, eternal G.o.d, Thy son sustain'd that heavy load Of base reproach and sore disgrace, And shame defil'd his sacred face.

2 The Jews, his brethren and his kin, Abus'd the man that check'd their sin: While he fulfill'd thy holy laws, They hate him, but without a cause.

3 ["My Father's house, said he, was made "A place for wors.h.i.+p, not for trade;"

Then scattering all their gold and bra.s.s, He scourg'd the merchants from the place.]

4 [Zeal for the temple of his G.o.d Consum'd his life, expos'd his blood: Reproaches at thy glory thrown He felt, and mourn'd them as his own.]

5 [His friends forsook, his followers fled, While foes and arms surround his head; They curse him with a slanderous tongue, And the false judge maintains the wrong.]

6 His life they load with hateful lies, And charge his lips with blasphemies; They nail him to the shameful tree: There hung the man that dy'd for me.

7 [Wretches with hearts as hard as stones, Insult his piety and groans; Gall was the food they gave him there, And mock'd his thirst with vinegar.]

8 But G.o.d beheld; and from his throne Marks out the men that hate his Son; The hand that rais'd him from the dead Shall pour the vengeance on their head.

Psalm 71:1. 5-9. First Part.

The aged saint's reflection and hope.

1 My G.o.d, my everlasting hope, I live upon thy truth; Thine hands have held my childhood up, And strengthen'd all my youth.

2 My flesh was fas.h.i.+on'd by thy power, With all these limbs of mine; And from my mother's painful hour I've been entirely thine.

3 Still has my life new wonders seen Repeated every year; Behold my days that yet remain, I trust them to thy care.

4 Cast me not off when strength declines, When h.o.a.ry hairs arise; And round me let thy glories s.h.i.+ne Whene'er thy servant dies.

5 Then in the history of my age, When men review my days, They'll read thy love in every page, In every line thy praise.

Psalm 71:2. 15 14 16 23 22 24. 2d Part.

Christ our strength and righteousness.

1 My Saviour, my almighty Friend, When I begin thy praise, Where will the growing numbers end, The numbers of thy grace?

2 Thou art my everlasting trust, Thy goodness I adore; And since I knew thy graces first I speak thy glories more.

3 My feet shall travel all the length Of the celestial road, And march with courage in thy strength To see my Father G.o.d.

4 When I am fill'd with sore distress For some surprising sin, I'll plead thy perfect righteousness, And mention none but thine.

5 How will my lips rejoice to tell The victories of my King!

My soul redeem'd from sin and h.e.l.l Shall thy salvation sing.

6 [My tongue shall all the day proclaim My Saviour and my G.o.d; His death has brought my foes to shame, And drown'd them in his blood.

7 Awake, awake my tuneful powers; With this delightful song I'll entertain the darkest hours, Nor think the season long.]

Psalm 71:3. 17-21. Third Part.

The aged Christian's prayer and song; or, Old age, death, and the resurrection.

1 G.o.d of my childhood and my youth, The guide of all my days, I have declar'd thy heavenly truth, And told thy wondrous ways.

2 Wilt thou forsake my h.o.a.ry hairs, And leave my fainting heart?

Who shall sustain my sinking years If G.o.d my strength depart?

3 Let me thy power and truth proclaim To the surviving age, And leave a savour of thy Name When I shall quit the stage.

4 The land of silence and of death Attends my next remove; O may these poor remains of breath Teach the wide world thy love.

PAUSE.

5 Thy righteousness is deep and high, Unsearchable thy deeds; Thy glory spreads beyond the sky, And all my praise exceeds.

6 Oft have I heard thy threatenings roar, And oft endur'd the grief; But when thy hand has press'd me sore, Thy grace was my relief.

7 By long experience have I known Thy sovereign power to save; At thy command I venture down Securely to the grave.

8 When I lie buried deep in dust, My flesh shall be thy care These withering limbs with thee I trust To raise them strong and fair.

Psalm 72:1. First Part.

The kingdom of Christ.

1 Great G.o.d, whose universal sway The known and unknown worlds obey, Now give the kingdom to thy Son, Extend his power, exalt his throne.

2 Thy sceptre well becomes his hands, All heaven submits to his commands; His justice shall avenge the poor, And pride and rage prevail no more.

3 With power he vindicates the just, And treads th' oppressor in the dust; His wors.h.i.+p and his fear shall last Till hours and years and time be past.

4 As rain on meadows newly mown So shall he send his influence down; His grace on fainting souls distils Like heavenly dew on thirsty hills.

5 The heathen lands that lie beneath The shades of overspreading death, Revive at his first dawning light, And deserts blossom at the sight.

6 The saints shall flourish in his days, Drest in the robes of joy and praise; Peace like a river from his throne Shall flow to nations yet unknown.

Psalm 72:2. Second Part.

Christ's kingdom among the Gentiles.

1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journies run; His kingdom stretch from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

2 [Behold the islands with their kings, And Europe her best tribute brings; From north to south the princes meet To pay their homage at his feet.

3 There Persia glorious to behold, There India s.h.i.+nes in eastern gold: And barbarous nations at his word Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.]