PSALMS AND HYMNS OF PRAISE.
In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new; Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say ,Even let the unknown to- morrow Bring with it what it may: It can bring with it nothing, But he will bear us through; Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe his people too: Beneath the spreading heavens No creature but is fed; And he, who feeds the ravens, Will give his children bread. Though vine nor fig- tree neither Their wonted fruit shall bear, Though all the field should wither, Nor flocks nor herds be there, Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice; For, while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.( s) 526 THE God of Abra'am praise, Who reigns enthroned above: Ancient of everlasting days, And God of love: Jehovah, Great I AM,
By earth and heaven confess'd:
I bow and bless the sacred name
For ever bless'd.
The God of Abra'am praise,
At whose supreme command From earth I rise, and seek the joys
At his right hand:
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and power; And him my only portion make, My shield and tower.
He by himself hath sworn; I on his oath depend;
I shall, on eagle's wings upborne,
To heaven ascend;
I shall behold his face,
I shall his power adore; And sing the wonders of his grace For evermore.
Though nature's strength decay, And earth and hell withstand, To Canaan's bounds I urge my way, At his command;
The watery deep I pass, With Jesus in my view; And through the howling wilderness
My way pursue.
The God, who reigns on high, The great archangels sing, And" Holy, Holy, Holy" cry, Almighty King;
Who was and is the same, And evermore shall be: ehovah, Father, Great I AM, We worship thee.
The whole triumphant host Give thanks to God on high;
Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, They ever cry.
Hail, Abra'am's God, and mine, I join the heavenly lays; All might and majesty are thine, And endless praise. Amen.
527 How bright appears the moreing star,
With mercy beaming from afar; The host of heaven rejoices; O righteous branch, O Jesse's rod, Thou Son of man, and Son of God, We too will lift our voices. Jesu, Jesu,
Holy, holy, yet most lowly,
Draw thou near us: Great Emmanuel, stoop and hear us. Though circled by the hosts on high, He deign'd to cast a pitying eye
Upon his helpless creature;
The whole creation's Head and Lord, By highest seraphim adored, Assumed our very nature. Jesu, grant us, Through thy merit to inherit Hear, O hear our supplication. Thy salvation:
Then will we to the world make know The love thou hast to outcasts shown In calling them before thee; And seek ach day to be more meet To join the throng, who at thy feet Unceasingly adore thee.
Living, dying,
From thy praises, mighty Jesus, Shrink we never;
Sing we forth thy name for ever.
Rejoice, ye heavens; thou, earth, reply: With praise, ye sinners, fill the sky, For this his incarnation. Incarnate God, put forth thy power, Ride on, ride on, great Conqueror, Till all know thy salvation.
Amen, amen:
Hallelujah! hallelujah!
Praise be given
Evermore by earth and heaven. Amen.
528 THE strain upraise of joy and praise,
Alleluia!
To the glory of their King
Shall the ransom'd people sing, Alleluia! And the choirs that dwell on high Shall re- echo through the sky, Alleluia! They through the fields of Paradise that
roam,
The blessèd ones, repeat through that bright home, Alleluia!
The planets glittering on their heavenly
way,
The shining constellations, join and say, Alleluia!
Ye clouds that onward sweep,
Ye winds on pinions light,
Ye thunders, echoing loud and deep, Ye lightnings, wildly bright,
In sweet consent unite your Añeluia! 12