The Psalms of David Part 36

3 The Lord, our glory and defence, Strength and salvation gives; Israel, thy king for ever reigns, Thy G.o.d for ever lives.

Psalm 89:5. 19 &c. Fourth Part.

Christ's mediatorial kingdom; or, His divine and human nature.

1 Hear what the Lord in vision said, And made his mercy known: "Sinners, behold your help is laid "On my almighty 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 thro' earth and sea "He shall in triumph ride.

5 "Me for his Father and his G.o.d "He shall for ever own, "Call me his rock, his high abode; "And I'll support my Son.

6 "My first-born Son array'd in grace "At my right-hand shall sit; "Beneath him angels know their place, "And monarchs at his feet.

7 "My covenant stands for ever fast, "My promises are strong; "Firm as the heavens his throne shall last, "His seed endure as long."

Psalm 89:6. 30 &c. Fifth Part.

The covenant of grace unchangeable; or, Afflictions without rejection.

1 "Yet (saith the Lord) if David's race, "The children of my Son, "Should break my laws, abuse my grace, "And tempt mine anger down;

2 "Their sins I'll visit with the rod, "And make their folly smart; "But I'll not cease to be their G.o.d, "Nor from my truth depart.

3 "My covenant I will ne'er revoke, "But keep my grace in mind; "And what eternal love hath spoke "Eternal truth shall bind.

4 "Once have I sworn (I need no more) "And pledg'd my holiness "To seal the sacred promise sure "To David and his race.

5 "The sun shall see his offspring rise "And spread from sea to sea, "Long as he travels round the skies "To give the nations day.

6 "Sure as the moon that rules the night "His kingdom shall endure, "Till the fix'd laws of shade and light "Shall be observ'd no more."

Psalm 89:7. 47 &c. Sixth Part.

Mortality and hope.

A funeral psalm.

1 Remember, Lord, our mortal state, How frail our life, how short the date!

Where is the man that draws his breath Safe from disease, secure from death?

2 Lord, while we see whole nations die, Our flesh and sense repine and cry, "Must death for ever rage and reign?

"Or hast thou made mankind in vain?

3 "Where is thy promise to the just?

"Are not thy servants turn'd to dust?"

But faith forbids these mournful sighs, And sees the sleeping dust arise.

4 That glorious hour, that dreadful day Wipes the reproach of saints away, And clears the honour of thy word; Awake our souls, and bless the Lord.

Psalm 89:8. 47 &c. Last Part.

As the 113th Psalm.

Life, death, and the resurrection.

1 Think, mighty G.o.d, on feeble man, How few his hours, how short his span!

Short from the cradle to the grave: Who can secure his vital breath Against the bold demands of death, With skill to fly, or power to save?

2 Lord, shall it be for ever said, "The race of man was only made "For sickness, sorrow, and the dust?"

Are not thy servants day by day Sent to their graves, and turn'd to clay?

Lord, where's thy kindness to the just?

3 Hast thou not promis'd to thy Son And all his seed a heavenly crown?

But flesh and sense indulge despair; For ever blessed be the Lord, That faith can read his holy word, And find a resurrection there.

4 For ever blessed be the Lord, Who gives his saints a long reward For all their toil, reproach and pain; Let all below and all above Join to proclaim thy wondrous love, And each repeat their loud Amen.

Psalm 90:1. L. M.

Man mortal, and G.o.d eternal.

A mournful song at a funeral.

1 Thro' every age, eternal G.o.d, Thou art our rest, our safe abode; High was thy throne ere heaven was made, Or earth thy humble footstool laid.

2 Long hadst thou reign'd ere time began, Or dust was fas.h.i.+on'd to a man; And long thy kingdom shall endure When earth and time shall be no more.

3 But man, weak man, is born to die, Made up of guilt and vanity; Thy dreadful sentence, Lord, was just, "Return, ye sinners, to your dust."

4 [A thousand of our years amount Scarce to a day in thine account; Like yesterday's departed light, Or the last watch of ending night.]

PAUSE.

5 Death like an overflowing stream Sweeps us away; our life's a dream; An empty tale; a morning flower Cut down and wither'd in an hour.

6 [Our age to seventy years is set; How short the term! how frail the state!

And if to eighty we arrive, We rather sigh and groan than live.

7 But O how oft thy wrath appears, And cuts off our expected years!

Thy wrath awakes our humble dread; We fear the power that strikes us dead.]

8 Teach us, O Lord, how frail is man; And kindly lengthen out our span, Till a wise care of piety Fit us to die, and dwell with thee.

Psalm 90:2. 1-5. First Part. C. M.

Man frail, and G.o.d eternal.

1 Our G.o.d, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.