2.

FIRST VERSION.

Christ exalted above his enemies.

1 WHY did the nations join to slay
The Lord's anointed Son?

Why did they cast his laws away,

And tread his gospel down?

2 The Lord that sits above the skies,
Derides their rage below;

He speaks with vengeance in his eyes,
And strikes their spirits through.

3 'I call him my eternal Son,

And raise him from the dead;
I make my holy hill his throne,
And wide his kingdom spread.
4 'Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy
The utmost heathen lands;

Thy rod of iron shall destroy
The rebel that withstands.'

5 Be wise, ye rulers of the earth,
Obey th' anointed Lord,

Adore the King of heavenly birth,
And tremble at his word.

6 With humble love address his throne,
For if he frown, ye die;

Those are secure, and those alone,
Who on his grace rely.

SECOND VERSION. V. 8-12.

Christ interceding and reigning.

1 NOW Christ ascends on high,
And asks to rule the earth;
The merit of his blood he pleads,
And pleads his heavenly birth.
2 He asks, and God bestows
A large inheritance;

Far as the world's remotest ends
His kingdom shall advance.

3 The nations that rebel
Must feel his iron rod;

He'll vindicate those honors well

Which he received from God.

C. M.

S. M

3.

4 Be wise, ye rulers, now,
And worship at his throne;
With trembling joy, ye people, bow
To God's exalted Son.

5 If once his wrath arise,
Ye perish on the place;

Then blesséd is the soul that flies

For refuge to his grace.

FIRST VERSION.

God our defence.

1 MY God, how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!
Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.

2 The lying tempter would persuade.
There's no relief in heaven;
And all my swelling sins appear
Too great to be forgiven.

3 But thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread,
Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,
And raise my drooping head.

4 I cried, and from his holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I called my Father and my God.
And he subdued my fear.

5 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;

I woke, and wondered at the grace
That guarded my repose.

6 What though the hosts of death and hell,
All armed, against me stood;
Terrors no more shall shake my soul,—
My refuge is my God.

7 Salvation to the Lord belongs,

His arm alone can save;

Blessings attend thy people here,
And reach beyond the grave.

C. M.

3.

SECOND VERSION. V. 2-6, 8. 1 THE tempter to my soul hath said,'There is no help in God for thee:' Lord, lift thou up thy servant's head; My glory, shield and solace be. 2 Thus to the Lord I raised my cry,He heard me from his holy hill; At his command the waves rolled by; He beckoned, and the winds were still. 3 I laid me down and slept, I woke ; Thou, Lord, my spirit didst sustain; Bright from the east the morning broke,— Thy comforts rose on me again.

3.

4 I will not fear, though armed throngs Surround my steps in all their wrath; Salvation to the Lord belongs;

4.

His presence guards his people's path.

THIRD VERSION. V. 1-5, 8.

A morning Psalm.

1 O LORD, how many are my foes,
In this weak state of flesh and blood!
My peace they daily discompose;
But my defence and hope is God.
2 Tired with the burdens of the day,
To thee I raised an evening cry;
Thou heard'st when I began to pray,
And thine almighty help was nigh.
3 Supported by thy heavenly aid,

L. M

L. M

I laid me down, and slept secure ;
Not death should make my heart afraid,
Though I should wake and rise no more.
4 But God sustained me all the night;
Salvation doth to God belong;

He raised my head to see the light,
And make his praise my morning song.

FIRST VERSION. V. 3-5, 8.

An evening Psalm.

1 LORD, thou wilt hear me when I pray;

I am forever thine;

I fear before thee all the day,
Nor would I dare to sin.

C. M

4.

2 And while I rest my weary head,
From cares and business free,
'Tis sweet conversing on my bed
With my own heart and thee.

3 I pay this evening sacrifice;
And when my work is done,
Great God! my faith and hope relies
Upon thy grace alone.

4 Thus, with my thoughts composed to peace,
I give mine eyes to sleep;
Thy hand in safety keeps my days,
And will my slumbers keep.

SECOND VERSION. V. 1-3, 5-7.
Prayer heard, and God our portion.
1 O GOD of grace and righteousness,
Hear and attend when I complain;
Thou hast enlarged me in distress,
Bow down a gracious ear again.

2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye try
To turn my glory into shame;
How long will scoffers love to lie,

And dare reproach my Saviour's name!
3 Know that the Lord divides his saints
From all the tribes of men beside;
He hears and pities their complaints,

For the dear sake of Christ who died.
4 When our obedient hands have done
A thousand works of righteousness,
We put our trust in God alone,

And glory in his pardoning grace.

5 Let the unthinking many say,

'Who will bestow some earthly good?'
But, Lord, thy light and love we pray;
Our souls desire this heavenly food.

6 Then shall my cheerful powers rejoice
At grace and favors so divine;
Nor will I change my happy choice

For all their corn, and all their wine.

L. M.

5.

5.

6.

FIRST VERSION. V. 3-8.

For the Lord's day morning.

1 LORD, in the morning thou shalt hear

My voice ascending high;

To thee will I direct my prayer,

To thee lift up mine eye:

2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone,
To plead for all his saints,
Presenting at his Father's throne
Our songs and our complaints.

3 Thou art a God, before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand;
Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,
Nor dwell at thy right hand.

4 But to thy house will I resort,
To taste thy mercies there;
I will frequent thy holy court,
And worship in thy fear.
5 O may thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness!
Make every path of duty straight,
And plain before my face.

SECOND VERSION. V. 4, 4, 7.

1 WHENE'ER the morning rays appear,
Thou, Lord, my early voice shalt hear:
To thee my lifted hands shall rise,
And faith look up with longing eyes.
2 O God, thy pure unsullied mind
In tents of sin no joy can find:
Far from thy throne shall evil flee,
Nor e'er inhabit, Lord, with thee.
3 But I, by boundless mercies led,
Thy temple's sacred courts will tread;
Up to thy house with joy repair:
Thy mercies shall surround me there.

FIRST VERSION.

Complaint and prayer in sickness.

1 LORD, I can suffer thy rebukes,

When thou with kindness dost chastise;
But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear,

O let it not against me rise!

C. M.

L. M.

L. M