The Psalms of David Part 49

3 Open the gates of Zion now, For we shall wors.h.i.+p there, The house where all the righteous go Thy mercy to declare.

4 Among th' a.s.semblies of thy saints Our thankful voice we raise!

There we have told thee our complaints, And there we speak thy praise.

Psalm 118:3. 22 23. Third Part.

Christ the foundation of his church.

1 Behold the sure foundation-stone Which G.o.d in Zion lays To build our heavenly hopes upon, And his eternal praise.

2 Chosen of G.o.d, to sinners dear, And saints adore the Name, They trust their whole salvation here, Nor shall they suffer shame.

3 The foolish builders, scribe and priest, Reject it with disdain; Yet on this rock the church shall rest, And envy rage in vain.

4 What tho' the gates of h.e.l.l withstood, Yet must this building rise: 'Tis thy own work, almighty G.o.d, And wondrous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:4. 24 25 26. Fourth Part.

Hosanna; the Lord's day; or, Christ's resurrection and our salvation.

1 This is the day the Lord hath made, He calls the hours his own; Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, And praise surround the throne.

2 To-day he rose and left the dead, And Satan's empire fell; To-day the saints his triumphs spread, And all his wonders tell.

3 Hosanna to th' anointed King, To David's holy Son: Help us, O Lord; descend and bring Salvation from the throne.

4 Blest be the Lord, who comes to men With messages of grace; Who comes in G.o.d his Father's Name To save our sinful race.

5 Hosanna in the highest strains The church on earth can raise; The highest heavens, in which he reigns, Shall give him n.o.bler praise.

Psalm 118:5. 22-27. S. M.

An hosanna for the Lord's day; or, A new song of salvation by Christ.

1 See what a living-stone The builders did refuse; Yet G.o.d hath built his church thereon In spite of envious Jews.

2 The scribe and angry priest Reject thine only Son; Yet on this rock shall Zion rest, As the chief corner-stone.

3 The work, O Lord, is thine, And wondrous in our eyes; This day declares it all divine, This day did Jesus rise.

4 This is the glorious day That our Redeemer made; Let us rejoice, and sing, and pray, Let all the church be glad.

5 Hosanna to the King Of David's royal blood: Bless him, ye saints; he comes to bring Salvation from your G.o.d.

6 We bless thine holy word, Which all this grace displays; And offer on thine altar, Lord, Our sacrifice of praise.

Psalm 118:6. 22-27. L. M.

An hosanna for the Lord's day; or, A new song of salvation by Christ.

1 Lo! what a glorious corner-stone The Jewish builders did refuse; But G.o.d hath built his church thereon, In spite of envy and the Jews.

2 Great G.o.d, 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 rise.

3 Sinners rejoice, and saints be glad: Hosanna, let his Name be blest: A thousand honours on his head, With peace, and light, and glory, rest.

4 In G.o.d'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.

Psalm 119.

I have collected and disposed the most useful verses of this psalm under eighteen different heads, and formed a divine song upon each of them. But the verses are much transposed to attain some degree of connection.

In some places, among the words "law," "commands,"

"judgments," "testimonies," I have used "gospel," "word,"

"grace," "truth," "promises," &c. as more agreeable to the language of the New Testament, and the common language of Christians, and it equally answers the design of the Psalmist, which was to recommend the holy scripture.

Psalm 119:01. First Part.

The blessedness of saints, and misery of sinners.

Ver. 1 2 3.

1 Blest are the undefil'd in heart, Whose ways are right and clean; Who never from thy law depart, But fly front every sin.

2 Blest are the men that keep thy word, And practise thy commands; With their whole heart they seek the Lord, And serve thee with their hands.

Ver. 165.

3 Great is their peace who love thy law; How firm their souls abide!

Nor can a bold temptation draw Their steady feet aside.

Ver. 6.

4 Then shall my heart have inward joy, And keep my face from shame, When all thy statutes I obey, And honour all thy name.

Ver. 21 118.

5 But haughty sinners G.o.d will hate, The proud shall die accurst; The sons of falsehood and deceit Are trodden to the dust.

Ver. 119 155.

6 Vile as the dross the wicked are; And those that leave thy ways Shall see salvation from afar, But never taste thy grace.

Psalm 119:02. Second Part.

Secret devotion and spiritual mindedness; or, Constant converse with G.o.d.

Ver. 147 55.

1 TO thee, before the dawning light, My gracious G.o.d, I pray; I meditate thy Name by night, And keep thy law by day.

Ver. 81.

2 My spirit faints to see thy grace, Thy promise bears me up; And while salvation long delays, Thy word supports my hope.