Isaac Watts

Presumption and despair; or, Satan’s various temptations. I hate the tempter and his charms, I hate his flatt’ring breath; The serpent takes a thousand forms To cheat our souls to death. He feeds our

v.22-27 S. M. An hosanna for the Lord’s day; or, A new song of salvation by Christ. See what a living stone The builders did refuse; Yet God hath built his church thereon, In

Stones made children of Abraham. Matt. 3:9. Vain are the hopes that rebels place Upon their birth and blood, Descended from a pious race; Their fathers now with God. He from the caves of

v.6-9 L. M. Christ’s incarnation. The Lord is come; the heav’ns proclaim His birth; the nations learn his name; An unknown star directs the road Of eastern sages to their God. All ye bright

v.16-23 C. M. God our support and comfort. Who will arise and plead my right Against my num’rous foes, While earth and hell their force unite, And all my hopes oppose? Had not the

God glorious, and sinners saved. Rom. 1:30; 5:8,9; 1 Pet. 3:22. Father, how wide thy glories shine! How high thy wonders rise! Known through the earth by thousand signs, By thousand through the skies.

Summer and winter. A Song for Great Britain. O Britain, praise thy mighty God, And make his honors known abroad, He bid the ocean round thee flow; Not bars of brass could guard thee

Recovery from sickness. I love the Lord; he heard my cries, And pitied every groan; Long as I live, when troubles rise, I’ll hasten to his throne. I love the Lord; he bowed his

The faithfulness of God. My never-ceasing songs shall show The mercies of the Lord; And make succeeding ages know How faithful is his word. The sacred truths his lips pronounce Shall firm as heav’n

Saints in the hands of Christ Jn. 10:28,29. Firm as the earth thy gospel stands, My Lord, my hope, my trust; If I am found in Jesus’ hands, My soul can ne’er be lost.

v.1-6 S. M. Safety in God. When, overwhelm’d with grief, My heart within me dies, Helpless, and far from all relief, To heav’n I lift mine eyes. O lead me to the rock That’s

Salvation in the cross. Here at thy cross, my dying God, I lay my soul beneath thy love, Beneath the droppings of thy blood, Jesus, nor shall it e’er remove. Not all that tyrants

God’s care of the saints; or, Deliverance by prayer. Lord, I will bless thee all my days, Thy praise shall dwell upon my tongue My soul shall glory in thy grace, While saints rejoice

The Holy Scriptures. Heb. 1:1,2; 2 Tim. 3:15,16; Psa. 147:19,20. God, who in various methods told His mind and will to saints of old, Sent down his Son, with truth and grace, To teach

v.1-8,16-18,22 C. M. Support for the afflicted and tempted soul. O God, my refuge, hear my cries, “Behold my flowing tears; For earth and hell my hurt devise, And triumph in my fears. Their

v.1-4,14,19-21 L. M. The church is God’s house and care. Praise ye the Lord, exalt his name, While in his holy courts ye wait, Ye saints, that to his house belong, Or stand attending

Praise due to God, not to idols. Awake, ye saints; to praise your King, Your sweetest passions raise, Your pious pleasure, while you sing, Increasing with the praise. Great is the Lord, and works

v.30ff C. M. The covenant of grace unchangeable. “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; “Their sins

v.14,17ff C. M. Mercy to sufferers; or, God hearing prayer. Let every tongue thy goodness speak, Thou sovereign Lord of all; Thy strength’ning hands uphold the weak, And raise the poor that fall. When

Seeking the pastures of Christ the Shepherd. SS 1:7. Thou whom my soul admires above All earthly joy and earthly love, Tell me, dear Shepherd, let me know, Where doth thy sweetest pasture grow?

Wrath and mercy from the judgment-seat. With my whole heart I’ll raise my song, Thy wonders I’ll proclaim; Thou, sovereign Judge of right and wrong, Wilt put my foes to shame. I’ll sing thy

Death and immediate glory. 2 Cor. 5:1,5-8. There is a house not made with hands, Eternal and on high; And here my spirit waiting stands, Till God shall bid it fly. Shortly this prison

Triumph over death. Job 19:25-27. Great God, I own thy sentence just, And nature must decay; I yield my body to the dust, To dwell with fellow clay. Yet faith may triumph o’er the

Lord, I will bless thee all my days, Thy praise shall dwell upon my tongue; My soul shall glory in thy grace, While saints rejoice to hear the song. Come, magnify the Lord with

Holiness and grace. Titus 2:10-13. O let our lips and lives express The holy gospel we profess; So let our works and virtues shine, To prove the doctrine all divine. Thus shall we best

Courage in death, and hope of the resurrection. When God is nigh, my faith is strong; His arm is my almighty prop: Be glad, my heart; rejoice, my tongue; My dying flesh shall rest

v.1-7,11-13 C. M. The greatness of God. Long as I live I’ll bless thy name, My King, my God of love; My work and joy shall be the same In the bright world above.

A song for morning or evening. Lam. 3:23; Isa. 45:7. God, how endless is thy love! Thy gifts are every evening new; And morning mercies from above Gently distill like early dew. Thou spread’st

Praise for protection, grace, and truth. My God, in whom are all the springs Of boundless love, and grace unknown, Hide me beneath thy spreading wings, Till the dark cloud is overblown. Up to

Absent from the body, and present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8. Absent from flesh! O blissful thought! What unknown joys this moment brings! Freed from the mischiefs sin has brought, From pains, and

The books of nature and of Scripture compared. THE heav’ns declare thy glory, Lord, In every star thy wisdom shines But when our eyes behold thy word, We read thy name in fairer lines.

Electing grace; or, Saints beloved in Christ. Eph. 1:3ff. Jesus, we bless thy Father’s name; Thy God and ours are both the same; What heav’nly blessings from his throne Flow down to sinners through

A holy God worshiped with reverence. Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at his feet; His nature is all holiness, And mercy is his seat. When Isr’el was his church, When Aaron was

What blest examples do I find Writ in the Word of Truth Of children that began to mind Religion in their youth! Jesus, who reigns above the sky, And keeps the world in awe,

The offices of Christ. From several scriptures. Join all the names of love and power That ever men or angels bore, All are too mean to speak his worth, Or set lmmannel’s glory forth.

Death of kindred improved. Zech. 1:5. Must friends and kindred droop and die, And helpers be withdrawn? While sorrow with a weeping eye Counts up our comforts gone? Be thou our comfort, mighty God!

The universal law of equity. Matt. 8:12 Blessed Redeemer, how divine, How righteous is this rule of thine! “To do to all men just the same As we expect or wish from them.” This

Assurance of heaven. 2 Tim. 4:68,18. [Death may dissolve my body now, And bear my spirit home; Why do my minutes move so slow, Nor my salvation come? With heav’nly weapons I have fought

v.1-4,10, paraphrased C. M. Delight in ordinances of worship; or, God present in his churches. My soul, how lovely is the place To which thy God resorts! ‘Tis heav’n to see his smiling face,

The value of Christ, and his righteousness. Phil. 3:7-9. No more, my God, I boast no more Of all the duties I have done; I quit the hopes I held before, To trust the

Christ our passover. Lo, the destroying angel flies To Pharaoh’s stubborn land; The pride and flower of Egypt dies By his vindictive hand. He passed the tents of Jacob o’er, Nor poured the wrath

Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Rev. 14:13. Hear what the voice from heav’n proclaims, For all the pious dead; Sweet is the savor of their names, And soft their sleeping

A complaint against persecutors. And will the God of grace Perpetual silence keep? The God of justice hold his peace, And let his vengeance sleep? Behold, what cursed snares The men of mischief spread!

v.47ff L. M. Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm. 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

Christ unseen and beloved. 1 Pet. 1:5. Now with our mortal eyes Have we beheld the Lord; Yet we rejoice to hear his name, And love him in his word. On earth we want

God’s tender care of his church. Isa. 49:13ff. Now shall my inward joys arise, And burst into a song; Almighty love inspires my heart, And pleasure tunes my tongue. God on his thirsty Zion

v.1-6,15-18 L. M. Deliverance from despair. Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength, My rock, my tower, my high defence: Thy mighty arm shall be my trust, For I have found salvation thence.

v.1-8 S. M. The church is the honor and safety of a nation. [Great is the Lord our God, And let his praise be great; He makes his churches his abode, His most delightful

Dwelling with God. The earth for ever is the Lord’s, With Adam’s num’rous race; He raised its arches o’er the floods, And built it on the seas. But who among the sons of men

Babylon fallen. Rev. 18:20,21. In Gabriel’s hand a mighty stone Lies, a fair type of Babylon: “Prophets, rejoice, and all ye saints, God shall avenge your long complaints.” He said, and dreadful as he

v.13-15 S. M. Portion of saints and sinners. Arise, my gracious God, And make the wicked flee; They are but thy chastising rod, To drive thy saints to thee. Behold, the sinner dies, His

The first and second Adam. Rom. 5:12,etc. Deep in the dust before thy throne Our guilt and our disgrace we own; Great God! we own th’ unhappy name Whence sprang our nature and our

Christ’s sufferings and exaltation. Now let our mournful songs record The dying sorrows of our Lord, When he complained in tears and blood, As one forsaken of his God. The Jews beheld him thus

O ’tis a lovely thing for youth To early walk in wisdom’s way; To fear a lie, to speak the truth, That we may trust to all they say! But liars we can never

The blessings of the spring; or, God gives rain. A Psalm for the husbandman. Good is the Lord, the heav’nly King, Who makes the earth his care; Visits the pastures ev’ry spring, And bids

Proper Metre. Praise to God from all creatures. Ye tribes of Adam, join With heav’n, and earth, and seas, And offer notes divine To your Creator’s praise: Ye holy throng Of angels bright, In

Proper tune. The majesty and condescension of God. Ye that delight to serve the Lord, The honors of his name record, His sacred name for ever bless; Where’er the circling sun displays His rising

Strength from heaven. Isa. 40:27-30. Whence do our mournful thoughts arise? And where’s our courage fled? Have restless sin and raging hell Struck all our comforts dead? Have we forgot th’ almighty name That

The church’s beauty in the eyes of Christ. SS 4:1-11. Kind is the speech of Christ our Lord, Affection sounds in every word: Lo! thou art fair, my love,” he cries, “Not the young

v.30,31,34,35,46-50 L. M. Rejoicing in God. Just are thy ways, and true thy word, Great Rock of my secure abode: Who is a God beside the Lord? Or where’s a refuge like our God?

The love of Christ to the church, in his language to her, And provisions for her. SS 7:5-13. Now in the galleries of his grace Appears the King, and thus he says, “How fair

v.14,15 C. M. Death and the resurrection. Ye sons of pride, that hate the just And trample on the poor, When death has brought you down to dust, Your pomp shall rise no more.

Afflicted saints happy, and prosperous sinners cursed. Now I’m convinced the Lord is kind To men of heart sincere; Yet once my foolish thoughts repined, And bordered on despair. I grieved to see the

Religion vain without love. 1 Cor. 13:1-3. Had I the tongues of Greeks and Jews, And nobler speech, that angels use, If love be absent, I am found, Like tinkling brass, an empty sound.

Pleading with submission. O thou whose grace and justice reign Enthroned above the skies, To thee our hearts would tell their pain, To thee we lift our eyes. As servants watch their master’s hand,

The wonderful formation of man. ‘Twas from thy hand, my God, I came, A work of such a curious frame In me thy fearful wonders shine, And each proclaims thy skill divine. Thine eyes

Secret devotion and spiritual-mindedness. Ver. 147,55 To thee, before the dawning light My gracious God, I pray; I meditate thy name by night, And keep thy law by day. Ver. 81 My spirit faints

The last judgment. Rev. 21:5-8. See where the great incarnate God Fills a majestic throne; While from the skies his awful voice Bears the last judgment down. [“I am the first, and I the

Love to God. Happy the heart where graces reign, Where love inspires the breast; Love is the brightest of the train, And strengthens all the rest. Knowledge, alas! ’tis all in vain, And all

v.6-10 C. M. Midnight thoughts recollected. ‘Twas in the watches of the night I thought upon thy power, I kept thy lovely face in sight Amidst the darkest hour. My flesh lay resting on

Meditation of heaven; or, The joy of faith. My thoughts surmount these lower skies, And look within the veil; There springs of endless pleasure rise, The waters never fail. There I behold, with sweet

Advice to youth; or, Old age and death in an unconverted state. Eccl. 12:1,7; Isa. 45:20. Now in the heat of youthful blood Remember your Creator God: Behold, the months come hast’ning on, When

v.10,11,14,15,23 C. M. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Thus saith the Lord, “The spacious fields, And flocks, and herds, are mine; O’er all the cattle of the hills I claim a right divine. “I

Life the day of grace and hope. Eccl. 9:4-6,10. Life is the time to serve the Lord, The time t’ insure the great reward; And while the lamp holds out to burn, The vilest

v.5-10 L. M. Christ our sacrifice. The wonders, Lord, thy love has wrought, Exceed our praise, surmount our thought; Should I attempt the long detail, My speech would faint, my numbers fail, No blood

Governing power and goodness; or, Our graces tried by afflictions. Sing, all ye nations, to the Lord, Sing with a joyful noise; With melody of sound record His honors and your joys. Say to

A hopeful youth falling short of heaven. Mark 10:21. Must all the charms of nature, then, So hopeless to salvation prove? Can hell demand, can heav’n condemn, The man whom Jesus deigns to love?

A vision of the Lamb. Rev. 5:6-9. All mortal vanities, begone, Nor tempt my eyes, nor tire my ears; Behold, amidst th’ eternal throne, A vision of the Lamb appears. [Glory his fleecy robe

v.13ff C. M. Breathing after heaven. Return, O God of love, return; Earth is a tiresome place: How long shall we, thy children, mourn Our absence from thy face? Let heav’n succeed our painful

God the supreme Governor; or, Magistrates warned. Among th’ assemblies of the great A greater Ruler takes his seat; The God of heav’n, as Judge, surveys Those gods on earth, and all their ways.

v.5-12 L. M. No trust in the creatures; or, Faith in Divine grace and power. My spirit looks to God alone; My rock and refuge is his throne; In all my fears, in all

v.5-9 C. M. The aged saint’s reflection and hope. My God, my everlasting hope, I live upon thy truth; Thine hands have held my childhood up, And strengthened all my youth. My flesh was

The eternal and sovereign God. Jehovah reigns; he dwells in light, Girded with majesty and might: The world, created by his hands, Still on its first foundation stands. But ere this spacious world was

Christ and his church. The King of saints, how fair his face, Adorned with majesty and grace! He comes with blessings from above, And wins the nations to his love. At his right hand

Works of creation and providence. Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord, This work belongs to you; Sing of his name, his ways, his word, How holy, just, and true! His mercy and his righteousness

The glory of God in creation and providence. My soul, thy great Creator praise: When clothed in his celestial rays, He in full majesty appears, And, like a robe, his glory wears. The heav’ns

The church the garden of Christ. SS 4:12-15; 5:1. We are a garden walled around, Chosen and made peculiar ground; A little spot enclosed by grace Out of the world’s wide wilderness. Like trees

v.6-9 C. M. The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ. Thus saith the Lord, “Your work is vain Give your burnt-offerings o’er; In dying goats, and bullocks slain, My soul delights no more.” Then spake

v.5,13-18 L. M. At the settlement of a church, or the ordination of a minister. Where shall we go to seek and find An habitation for our God, A dwelling for th’ Eternal Mind,

The Divine Perfections. The Lord Jehovah reigns, His throne is built on high; The garments he assumes Are light and majesty: His glories shine With beams so bright, No mortal eye Can bear the

Moses and Christ; or, Sins against the law and gospel. John 1:17; Heb. 3:3,5,6; 10:28,29. The law by Moses came, But peace, and truth, and love, Were brought by Christ, a nobler name, Descending

God’s wonders of creation, providence, redemption, and salvation. Give to our God immortal praise; Mercy and truth are all his ways: Wonders of grace to God belong, Repeat his mercies in your song. Give

Christ’s humiliation and exaltation. Rev. 5:12. What equal honors shall we bring To thee, O Lord our God, the Lamb, When all the notes that angels sing Are far inferior to thy name? Worthy

v.1-15 C. M. The cure of envy, fretfulness, and unbelief. Why should I vex my soul, and fret To see the wicked rise? Or envy sinners waxing great By violence and lies? As flowery

Love and hatred. Phil. 2:2; Eph. 4:30,etc. Now by the bowels of my God, His sharp distress, his sore complaints, By his last groans, his dying blood, I charge my soul to love the

v.16,21,26-31 C. M. Charity to the poor. Why do the wealthy wicked boast, And grow profanely bold? The meanest portion of the just Excels the sinner’s gold. The wicked borrows of his friends, But

Christ’s sufferings and glory. Now for a tune of lofty praise To great Jehovah’s equal Son! Awake, my voice, in heav’nly lays Tell the loud wonders he hath done. Sing how he left the

Repentance and free pardon. Blest is the man, for ever blest, Whose guilt is pardoned by his God; Whose sins with sorrow are confessed, And covered with his Savior’s blood. Blest is the man

Christian virtues; or, The difficulty of conversion. Strait is the way, the door is strait, That leads to joys on high; ‘Tis but a few that find the gate, While crowds mistake, and die.

The strength of Christ’s love. SS 8:5-7,13,14. [Who is this fair one in distress, That travels from the wilderness? And pressed with sorrows and with sins, On her beloved Lord she leans. This is

Creatures vain, and God all-sufficient. Blest is the nation where the Lord Hath fixed his gracious throne, Where he reveals his heav’nly word, And calls their tribes his own. His eye with infinite survey

An evening hymn. Psa. 4:8; 3:5,6; 148:8. Thus far the Lord has led me on, Thus far his power prolongs my days; And every evening shall make known Some fresh memorial of his grace.

The pleasure of public worship. How pleasant, how divinely fair, O Lord of hosts, thy dwellings are! With long desire my spirit faints To meet th’ assemblies of thy saints. My flesh would rest

Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, worshipped by all the creation. Rev. 5:11-13. Come, let us join our cheerful songs With angels round the throne; Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, But all their

The Humiliation and exaltation of Christ. Isa. 53:1-5,10-12. Who has believed thy word, Or thy salvation known? Reveal thine arm, Almighty Lord, And glorify thy Son. The Jews esteemed him here Too mean for

Believers buried with Christ in baptism. Rom. 6:3,4,etc. Do we not know that solemn word, That we are buried with the Lord, Baptized into his death, and then Put off the body of our

The rich sinner’s death, and the saint’s resurrection. Why do the proud insult the poor, And boast the large estates they have? How vain are riches to secure Their haughty owners from the grave!

A lovely carriage. Matt. 10:16. O ’tis a lovely thing to see A man of prudent heart, Whose thoughts, and lips, and life agree To act a useful part. When envy, strife, and wars

God dwells with the humble and penitent. Isa. 47:15,16. Thus saith the high and lofty One: “I sit upon my holy throne; My name is God, I dwell on high, Dwell in my own

Sickness healed, and sorrow removed. I Will extol thee, Lord, on high, At thy command diseases fly: Who but a God can speak and save From the dark borders of the grave? Sing to

Confession of our poverty. Preserve me, Lord, in time of need, For succor to thy throne I flee, But have no merits there to plead: My goodness cannot reach to thee. Oft have my

Hope of heaven by the resurrection of Christ. 1 Pet. 1:3-5. Blest be the everlasting God, The Father of our Lord; Be his abounding mercy praised, His majesty adored. When from the dead he

Custom in sin. Let the wild leopards of the wood Put off the spots that nature gives, Then may the wicked turn to God, And change their tempers and their lives. As well might

v.13-21 C. M. Prayer heard, and Zion restored. Let Zion and her sons rejoice, Behold the promised hour; Her God hath heard her mourning voice, And comes t’ exalt his power. Her dust and

God loves the righteous and hates the wicked. My refuge is the God of love; Why do my foes insult and cry, “Fly like a tim’rous, trembling dove, To distant woods or mountains fly?”

Delight in Scripture; or, The word of God dwelling in us. Ver. 97 O how I love thy holy law! ‘Tis daily my delight; And thence my meditations draw Divine advice by night. Ver.

v.1,10ff C. M. Christ’s first and second coming. Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands, Ye tribes of every tongue; His new-discovered grace demands A new and nobler song. Say to the nations, Jesus

Colonies planted; or, Nations blessed and punished. A Psalm for New England. When God, provoked with daring crimes, Scourges the madness of the times, He turns their fields to barren sand, And dries the

v.15-22 S. M. Distress of soul; or, Backsliding and desertion. Mine eyes and my desire Are ever to the Lord; I love to plead his promises, And rest upon his word. Turn, turn thee

The kingdom of Christ. Great God, whose universal sway The known and unknown worlds obey, Now give the kingdom to thy Son, Extend his power, exalt his throne. Thy sceptre well becomes his hands,

Longing after God; or, The love of God better than life. Great God, indulge my humble claim, Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; The glories that compose thy name Stand all engaged

Israel led to Canaan, and Christians to heaven. Give thanks to God; he reigns above; Kind are his thoughts, his name is Love; His mercy ages past have known, And ages long to come

The sight of God and Christ in heaven. Descend from heav’n, immortal Dove, Stoop down and take us on thy wings, And mount and bear us far above The reach of these inferior things:

v.20-26 L. M. Sincerity proved and rewarded. Lord, thou hast seen my soul sincere, Hast made thy truth and love appear; Before mine eyes I set thy laws, And thou hast owned my righteous

Instruction from scripture. Ver. 9 How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean. Ver. 130 When once it

Benefit of afflictions, and support under them. Ver. 153,81,82 Consider all my sorrows, Lord, And thy deliv’rance send; My soul for thy salvation faints When will my troubles end? Ver. 71 Yet I have

The church’s prayer under affliction; or, The vineyard of God wasted. Great Shepherd of thine Israel, Who didst between the cherubs dwell, And lead the tribes, thy chosen sheep, Safe through the desert and

v.23-28 L. M. Man’s mortality, and Christ’s eternity. It is the Lord our Savior’s hand Weakens our strength amidst the race; Disease and death at his command Arrest us, and cut short our days.

The triumph of faith or, Christ’s unchangeable love. Rom. 8:33ff. Who shall the Lord’s elect condemn? ‘Tis God that justifies their souls; And mercy, like a mighty stream, O’er all their sins divinely rolls.

The brazen serpent; or, Looking to Jesus. John 3:14-16. So did the Hebrew prophet raise The brazen serpent high, The wounded felt immediate ease, The camp forbore to die. “Look upward in the dying

Daily and nightly devotion. Ye that obey th’ immortal King, Attend his holy place; Bow to the glories of his power, And bless his wondrous grace. Lift up your hands by morning light, And

Will God for ever east us off? His wrath for ever smoke Against the people of’ his love, His little chosen flock? Think of the tribes so dearly bought With their Redeemer’s blood; Nor

v.1-6 C. M. The last judgment The Lord, the Judge, before his throne Bids the whole earth draw nigh, The nations near the rising sun, And near the western sky. No more shall bold

Complaint of desertion and temptations. Dear Lord! behold our sore distress; Our sins attempt to reign; Stretch out thine arm of conquering grace, And let thy foes be slain. [The lion with his dreadful

v.1-6,32-35 L. M. The vengeance and compassion of God. Let God arise in all his might, And put the troops of hell to flight, As smoke that sought to cloud the skies Before the

The blessings of the liberal man. That man is blest who stands in awe Of God, and loves his sacred law: His seed on earth shall be renowned; His house the seat of wealth

Truth, sincerity, etc. Phil. 4:8. Let those who bear the Christian name Their holy vows fulfil; The saints, the followers of the Lamb, Are men of honor still. True to the solemn oaths they

v. 3ff, paraphrased. L. M. Adam and Christ, lords of the old and new creation. Lord, what was man, when made at first, Adam the offspring of the dust, That thou shouldst set him

The names and titles of Christ. From several scriptures. With cheerful voice I sing The titles of my Lord, And borrow all the names Of honor from his word: Nature and art can ne’er

Hell; or, The vengeance of God. With holy fear and humble song, The dreadful God our souls adore; Rev’rence and awe become the tongue That speaks the terrors of his power. Far in the

Deliverance from storms and shipwreck; or, The seaman’s song. Would you behold the works of God, His wonders in the world abroad, Go with the mariners, and trace The unknown regions of the seas.

The coronation of Christ, and espousals of the church. SS 3:11. Daughters of Zion, come, behold The crown of honor and of gold Which the glad church, with joys unknown, Placed on the head

v.1-5,10-12 C. M. On a day of humiliation for disappointments in war. Lord, hast thou cast the nation off? Must we for ever mourn? Wilt thou indulge immortal wrath? Shall mercy ne’er return? The

The church’s safety and triumph among national desolation. God is the refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade Ere we can offer our complaints, Behold him present with his aid. Let

A new song to the Lamb that was slain. Rev. 5:6-12 Behold the glories of the Lamb Amidst his Father’s throne; Prepare new honors for his name, And songs before unknown. Let elders worship

The invitation of the gospel. Isa. 55:1,2,etc. Let every mortal ear attend, And every heart rejoice; The trumpet of the gospel sounds With an inviting voice. Lo! all ye hungry, starving souls. That feed

v.8-18 L. M. God’s gentle chastisement; or, His tender mercy to his people. The Lord, how wondrous are his ways! How firm his truth! how large his grace! He takes his mercy for his

The books of nature and scripture. For a Lord’s-day morning Behold, the lofty sky Declares its Maker God, And all his starry works on high Proclaim his power abroad. The darkness and the light

The Messiah’s coming and kingdom. Joy to the world! the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heav’n and nature sing. Joy to the earth! the

The promises of the covenant of grace. Isa. 55:1,2; Zech. 13:1; Mic. 7:19; Ezek. 36:25, etc. In vain we lavish out our lives To gather empty wind; The choicest blessings earth can yield Will

v.1-9 C. M. Prayer and faith of persecuted saints. Now plead my cause, Almighty God, With all the sons of strife; And fight against the men of blood, Who fight against my life. Draw

God our shepherd. My Shepherd is the living Lord; Now shall my wants be well supplied; His providence and holy word Become my safety and my guide. In pastures where salvation grows He makes

Christ’s kingdom among the Gentiles. Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Does his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. [Behold the islands

The Son of God incarnate. Isa. 9:2,6,7. The lands that long in darkness lay Now have beheld a heav’nly light; Nations that sat in death’s cold shade Are blessed with beams divinely bright. The

O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name! The glories of thy heav’nly state Let men and babes proclaim. When I behold thy works on high The moon that rules the

Heaven invisible and holy. 1 Cor. 2:9,10; Rev. 21:27. Nor eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, Nor sense nor reason known, What joys the Father hath prepared For those that love the Son.

Correction for sin, and release by prayer. From age to age exalt his name; God and his grace are still the same; He fills the hungry soul with food, And feeds the poor with

Sincerity professed, and grace tried; or, The heart-searching God. My God, what inward grief I feel When impious men transgress thy will! I mourn to hear their lips profane Take thy tremendous name in

God’s wonders of creation, providence, redemption of Israel, and salvation of his people. Give thanks to God the sovereign Lord; His mercies still endure; And be the King of kings adored; His truth is

A penitent pleading for pardon. Show pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive, Let a repenting rebel live: Are not thy mercies large and free? May not a sinner trust in thee? My crimes are great,

Holiness and comfort from the word. Ver. 128 Lord, I esteem thy judgments right, And all thy statutes just; Thence I maintain a constant fight With every flatt’ring lust. Ver. 97,9 Thy precepts often

The Virgin Mary’s song. Luke 1:46ff. Our souls shall magnify the Lord, In God the Savior we rejoice: While we repeat the Virgin’s song, May the same Spirit tune our voice! [The Highest saw

Guilt of conscience and relief Amidst thy wrath remember love, Restore thy servant, Lord; Nor let a Father’s chast’ning prove Like an avenger’s sword. Thine arrows stick within my heart, My flesh is sorely

Christ’s all-sufficiency. How fast their guilt and sorrows rise Who haste to seek some idol-god! I will not taste their sacrifice, Their offerings of forbidden blood. My God provides a richer cup, And nobler

Pardoning grace. Out of the deeps of long distress, The borders of despair, I sent my cries to seek thy grace, My groans to move thine ear. Great God, should thy severer eye, And

The apostles’ commission. Mark 16:15ff; Matt. 28:18ff. “O preach my gospel,” saith the Lord, “Bid the whole earth my grace receive; He shall be saved that trusts my word, He shall be damned that

v.4-7 C. M. The vanity of man as mortal. Teach me the measure of my days, Thou Maker of my frame; I would survey life’s narrow space, And learn how frail I am. A

The true improvement of life. Ps. 90:12. Ane is this life prolonged to me? Are days and seasons giv’n? O let me, then, prepare to be A fitter heir of heav’n. In vain these

Prophecy and inspiration. ‘Twas by an order from the Lord The ancient prophets spoke his word; His Spirit did their tongues inspire, And warmed their hearts with heav’nly fire. The works and wonders which

v.7,8,12ff S. M. Israel punished and pardoned; or, God’s unchangeable love. God of eternal love, How fickle are our ways! And yet how oft did Isr’el prove Thy constancy of grace! They saw thy

v.8,9,13,14 C. M. Prayer and hope. Soon as I heard my Father say, “Ye children, seek my grace,” My heart replied without delay, “I’ll seek my Father’s face.” Let not thy face be hid

The gospel the power of God to salvation. Rom. 1:16. What shall the dying sinner do That seeks relief for all his woe? Where shall the guilty conscience find Ease for the torment of

Deliverance from oppression and falsehood. O Thou whose justice reigns on high, And makes th’ oppressor cease, Behold how envious sinners try To vex and break my peace. The sons of violence and lies

Praise to God from all nations. O all ye nations, praise the Lord, Each with a diff’rent tongue; In every language learn his word, And let his name be sung. His mercy reigns through

The same; or, The martyrs glorified. Rev. 7:13ff. “These glorious minds, how bright they shine! Whence all their white array? How came they to the happy seats Of everlasting day?” From torturing pains to

Melancholy assaulting, and hope prevailing. To God I cried with mournful voice, I sought his gracious ear, In the sad day when troubles rose, And filled the night with fear. Sad were my days,

v.7-9,13-18 C. M. The seasons of the year. With songs and honors sounding loud, Address the Lord on high; Over the heav’ns he spreads his cloud, And waters veil the sky. He sends his

The description of Christ the beloved. SS 5:9-16. The wond’ring world inquires to know Why I should love my Jesus so: What are his charms,” say they, “above The objects of a mortal love?”

Imperfection of nature, and perfection of scripture. Ver. 96, paraphrased. Let all the heathen writers join To form one perfect book; Great God! if once compared with thine, How mean their writings look! Not

Warning to magistrates. Judges, who rule the world by laws, Will ye despise the righteous cause, When th’ injured poor before you stands? Dare ye condemn the righteous poor, And let rich sinners ‘scape

Professions of sincerity, repentance, and obedience. Ver. 57,60 Thou art my portion, O my God; Soon as I know thy way, My heart makes haste t’ obey thy word, And suffers no delay. Ver.

God fights for his church. Let Zion in her King rejoice; Though tyrants rage, and kingdoms rise, He utters his almighty voice, The nations melt, the tumult dies. The Lord of old for Jacob

Regeneration. John 1:13; 3:3, etc. Not all the outward forms on earth, Nor rites that God has giv’n, Nor will of man, nor blood, nor birth, Can raise a soul to heav’n. The sovereign

Our own weakness, and Christ our strength. 2 Cor. 12:7,9,10. Let me but hear my Savior say, “Strength shall be equal to thy day,” Then I rejoice in deep distress, Leaning on all-sufficient grace.

Christ inviting, and the church answering the invitation. SS 2:14-17. [Hark! the Redeemer from on high Sweetly invites his fav’rites nigh; From caves of darkness and of doubt, He gently speaks, and calls us

The deity and humanity of Christ. John 1:1,3,14; Col. 1:16. Ere the blue heav’ns were stretched abroad, From everlasting was the Word: With God he was; the Word was God, And must divinely be

Persecutors punished. Up from my youth, may Isr’el say, Have I been nursed in tears; My griefs were constant as the day, And tedious as the years. Up from my youth I bore the

v.17-21 C. M. The aged Christian’s prayer and song. God of my childhood and my youth, The guide of all my days, I have declared thy heav’nly truth, And told thy wondrous ways. Wilt

v.7ff C. M. The power and majesty of God; or, Reverential worship. With rev’rence let the saints appear, And bow before the Lord; His high commands with rev’rence hear, And tremble at his word.

Christ’s dying, rising, and reigning. Luke 23:27,29,44-46; Mt. 27:50,57; 28:6ff. He dies! the friend of sinners dies! Lo! Salem’s daughters weep around; A solemn darkness veils the skies; A sudden trembling shakes the ground.

The kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord; or, The day of judgment. Rev. 11:15-18. Let the seventh angel sound on high, Let shouts be heard through all the sky; Kings

A vision of the kingdom of Christ among men. Rev. 21:1-4. Lo! what a glorious sight appears To our believing eyes! The earth and sea are passed away, And the old rolling skies. From

Persevering grace. Jude 1:24,25. To God the only wise, Our Savior and our King, Let all the saints below the skies Their humble praises bring. ‘Tis his almighty love, His counsel, and’ his care,

The man is ever bless’d Who shuns the sinners’ ways, Among their councils never stands, Nor takes the scorner’s place; But makes the law of God His study and delight, Amidst the labours of

Salvation by grace. Titus 3:3-7. [Lord, we confess our num’rous faults, How great our guilt has been! Foolish and vain were all our thoughts, And all our lives were sin. But, O my soul!

Praise for the gospel. To our Almighty Maker, God, New honors be addressed; His great salvation shines abroad, And makes the nations blest. He spake the word to Abraham first; His truth fulfils the

Submission to afflictive providences. Job 1:21. Naked as from the earth we came, And crept to life at first, We to the earth return again, And mingle with our dust. The dear delights we

The backslider restored. O Thou that hear’st when sinners cry, Though all my crimes before thee lie, Behold them not with angry look, But blot their mem’ry from thy book. Create my nature pure

The offices of Christ. From several scriptures. Join all the glorious names Of wisdom, love, and power, That ever mortals knew, That angels ever bore: All are too mean to speak his worth, Too

Storm and thunder. Give to the Lord, ye sons of fame, Give to {he Lord renown and power, Ascribe due honors to his name, And his eternal might adore. The Lord proclaims his power

The works of Moses and the Lamb. Rev. 15:3. How strong thine arm is, mighty God! Who would not fear thy name? Jesus, how sweet thy graces are! Who would not love the Lamb?

v.1-5 L. M. Public prayer and praise. The praise of Zion waits for thee, My God, and praise becomes thy house; There shall thy saints thy glory see, And there perform their public vows.

The fall and recovery of man; or, Christ and Satan at enmity. Gen. 3:1,15,17; Gal. 4:4; Col. 2:15. Deceived by subtle snares of hell, Adam, our head, our father, fell; When Satan, in the

A state of nature and of grace. 1 Cor. 6:10,11. Not the malicious or profane, The wanton or the proud, Nor thieves, nor sland’rers, shall obtain Tue kingdom of our God. Surprising grace! and

Dead to sin by the cross of Christ. Rom. 6:1,2,6. Shall we go on to sin Because thy grace abounds; Or crucify the Lord again, And open all his wounds? Forbid it, mighty God!

Baptism. Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38. ‘Twas the commission of our Lord, “Go teach the nations, and baptize:” The nations have received the word Since he ascended to the skies. He sits upon th’ eternal

v.4-6 C. M. Victory and deliverance from persecution. Are all the foes of Zion fools, Who thus devour her saints? Do they not know her Savior rules, And pities her complaints? They shall be

Now I ‘m convinced the Lord is kind To men of heart sincere; Yet once my foolish thoughts repined, And bordered on despair. I grieved to see the wicked thrive, And spoke with angry

v.5-12 L. M. The works of creation, providence, redemption of Israel, and destruction of enemies. Great is the Lord, exalted high Above all powers and every throne: Whate’er he please, in earth or sea,

Complaint in sickness. In anger, Lord, rebuke me not; Withdraw the dreadful storm; Nor let thy fury grow so hot Against a feeble worm. My soul’s bowed down with heavy cares, My flesh with

The humble enlightened, and carnal reason humbled. Luke 10:21,22. There was an hour when Christ rejoiced, And spoke his joy in words of praise: “Father, I thank thee, mighty God, Lord of the earth,

Few saved; or, The almost Christian, the hypocrite, and apostate. Broad is the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shows a narrower path, With here and there a

The last judgment. The Lord, the Sovereign, sends his summons forth, Calls the south nations and awakes the north; From east to west the sounding orders spread, Through distant worlds and regions of the

Prayer and hope of victory. For a day of prayer in time of war. Now may the God of power and grace Attend his people’s humble cry! Jehovah hears when Isr’el prays, And brings

Christ found in the street, and brought to the church. SS 3:1-5 Often I seek my Lord by night, Jesus, my Love, my soul’s delight; With warm desire and restless thought I seek him

Divine wrath and mercy. Nah. 1:1-3; Heb. 12:29. Adore and tremble, for our God Is a consuming fire! His jealous eyes his wrath inflame, And raise his vengeance higher. Almighty vengeance, how it burns!

Abraham’s blessing on the Gentiles. Rom. 11:16,17. Gentiles by nature, we belong To the wild olive wood; Grace took us from the barren tree, And grafts us in the good. With the same blessings

Characters of Christ; borrowed from inanimate things in Scripture. Go, worship at Immanuel’s feet, See in his face what wonders meet! Earth is too narrow to express His worth, his glory, or his grace.

The end of the world. Why should this earth delight us so? Why should we fix our eyes On these low grounds where sorrows grow, And every pleasure dies? While time his sharpest teeth

The Divine Perfections. Great God! thy glories shall employ My holy fear, my humble joy; My lips in songs of honor bring Their tribute to th’ eternal King. [Earth, and the stars, and worlds

v.1-13,20,21 C. M. A prayer of the afflicted. Hear me, O God, nor hide thy face; But answer, lest I die; Hast thou not built a throne of grace To hear when sinners cry?

Spiritual apparel. Isa. 61:10. Awake, my heart; arise, my tongue, Prepare a tuneful voice; In God, the life of all my joys, Aloud will I rejoice. ‘Tis he adorned my naked soul, And made

v.15ff C. M. A blessed gospel. Blest are the souls that hear and know The gospel’s joyful sound; Peace shall attend the path they go, And light their steps surround. Their joy shall bear

Jesus our surety and Savior. 1 Pet. 1:18; Gal. 3:13; Rom. 4:25. Adam, our father and our head, Transgressed, and justice doomed us dead; The fiery law speaks all despair: There’s no reprieve nor

A morning hymn. Psa. 19:5,8; 73:24,25. God of the morning! at whose voice The cheerful sun makes haste to rise, And like a giant doth rejoice To run his journey through the skies. From

The humiliation and exaltation of Christ. Isa. 53:6-9,12. Like sheep we went astray, And broke the fold of God, Each wand’ring in a diff’rent way, But all the downward road. How dreadful was the

Believe and be saved. John 3:16-18. Not to condemn the sons of men, Did Christ, the Son of God, appear; No weapons in his hands are seen, No flaming sword nor thunder there. Such

Christ the King at his table. SS 1:2-5,12,13,17. Let him embrace my soul, and prove Mine interest in his heav’nly love; The voice that tells me, “Thou art mine,” Exceeds the blessings of the

God’s conduct of Israel, and the plagues of Egypt. Give thanks to God, invoke his name, And tell the world his grace; Sound through the earth his deeds of fame, That all may seek