The Psalms of David Part 59

7 If up to heaven I take my flight, 'Tis there thou dwell'st enthron'd in light; Or dive to h.e.l.l, there vengeance reigns, And Satan groans beneath thy chains.

8 If mounted on a morning ray, I fly beyond the western sea, Thy swifter hand would first arrive, And there arrest thy fugitive.

9 Or should I try to shun thy sight Beneath the spreading veil of night, One glance of thine, one piercing ray, Would kindle darkness into day.

10 "O may these thoughts possess my breast, "Where'er I rove, where'er I rest!

"Nor let my weaker pa.s.sions dare "Consent to sin, for G.o.d is there."

PAUSE II.

11 The veil of night is no disguise, No screen from thy all-searching eyes; Thy hand can seize thy foes as soon, Thro' midnight shades as blazing noon.

12 Midnight and noon in this agree, Great G.o.d, they're both alike to thee: Not death can hide what G.o.d will spy, And h.e.l.l lies naked to his eye.

13 "O may these thoughts possess my breast, "Where'er I rove where'er I rest!

"Nor let my weaker pa.s.sions dare "Consent to sin, for G.o.d is there."

Psalm 139:2. Second Part. L. M.

The wonderful formation of man.

1 'Twas from thy hand, my G.o.d, I came, A work of such a curious frame; In me thy fearful wonders s.h.i.+ne, And each proclaims thy skill divine.

2 Thine eyes did all my limbs survey, Which yet in dark confusion lay; Thou saw'st the daily growth they took, Form'd by the model of thy book.

3 By thee my growing parts were nam'd, And what thy sovereign counsels fram'd, (The breathing lungs, the beating heart) Was copy'd with unerring art.

4 At last, to shew my Maker's name, G.o.d stamp'd his image on my frame, And in some unknown moment join'd The finish'd members to the mind.

5 There the young seeds of thought began And all the pa.s.sions of the man: Great G.o.d, our infant nature pays Immortal tribute to thy praise.

PAUSE.

6 Lord, since in my advancing age I've acted on life's busy stage, Thy thoughts of love to me surmount The power of numbers to recount.

7 I could survey the ocean o'er, And count each sand that makes the sh.o.r.e, Before my swiftest thoughts could trace The numerous wonders of thy grace.

8 These on my heart are still impress'd, With these I give my eyes to rest; And at my waking hour I find G.o.d and his love possess my mind.

Psalm 139:3. Third Part. L. M.

Sincerity professed, and grace tried; or, The heart- searching of G.o.d.

1 My G.o.d, what inward grief I feel When impious men transgress thy will!

I mourn to hear their lips profane Take thy tremendous Name in vain.

2 Does not my soul detest and hate The sons of malice and deceit?

Those that oppose thy laws and thee I count them enemies to me.

3 Lord, search my soul, try every thought; Tho' my own heart accuse me not Of walking in a false disguise, I beg the trial of thine eyes.

4 Doth secret mischief lurk within?

Do I indulge some unknown sin?

O turn my feet whene'er I stray, And lead me in thy perfect way.

Psalm 139:4. First Part. C. M.

G.o.d is every where.

1 In all my vast concerns with thee In vain my soul would try To shun thy presence, Lord, or flee The notice of thine eye.

2 Thy all-surrounding sight surveys My rising and my rest, My public walks, my private ways, And secrets of my breast.

3 My thoughts lie open to the Lord Before they're form'd within: And ere my lips p.r.o.nounce the word, He knows the sense I mean.

4 O wondrous knowledge, deep and high!

Where can a creature hide?

Within thy circling arms I lie, Beset on every side.

5 So let thy grace surround me still, And like a bulwark prove, To guard my soul from every ill, Secur'd by sovereign love.

PAUSE.

6 Lord, where shall guilty souls retire, Forgotten and unknown?

In h.e.l.l they meet thy dreadful fire, In heaven thy glorious throne.

7 Should I suppress my vital breath To 'scape the wrath divine, Thy voice would break the bars of death, And make the grave resign.

8 If wing'd with beams of morning light, I fly beyond the west, Thy hand, which must support my flight, Would soon betray my rest.

9 If o'er my sins I think to draw The curtains of the night, Those flaming eyes that guard thy law Would turn the shades to light.

10 The beams of noon, the midnight hour, Are both alike to thee: O may I ne'er provoke that power From which I cannot flee!

Psalm 139:5. Second Part. C. M.

The wisdom of G.o.d in the formation of man.

1 When I with pleasing wonder stand, And all my frame survey, Lord, 'tis thy work; I own thy hand Thus built my humble clay.

2 Thy hand my heart and reins possest Where unborn nature grew, Thy wisdom all my features trac'd, And all my members drew.

3 Thine eye with nicest care survey'd The growth of every part; Till the whole scheme thy thoughts had laid Was copied by thy art.

4 Heaven, earth, and sea, and fire, and wind, Shew me thy wondrous skill; But I review myself, and find Diviner wonders still.

5 Thy awful glories round me s.h.i.+ne, My flesh proclaims thy praise; Lord, to thy works of nature join Thy miracles of grace.