PSALM XXXI.

1.

SUNK in the deep abyss of woe
To Thee, my God, I cry;

Oh while my contrite tears o'erflow,
In pity bend thine eye.

2.

For when thy justice sternly frowns,
Who may behold and live?
But mercy mild that justice crowns,
And mercy will forgive.

3.

Thence with firm faith and holy fear,
(All impious doubts withdrawn,)
I wait thy saving grace to share,
As watchmen wait the dawn.

4.

That faith, that fear, thro' Israel spread,
Shall dart a cheerful ray,

Till full redemption from above
Diffuse eternal day.

PSALM XXXII.

(PART FIRST.)

1.

COULD I so false, so faithless prove,
To quit thy service and thy love.
Where, Lord, could I thy presence shun?
Or whither from thy influence run?

2.

If up to heav'n I take my flight.
'Tis there thou dwell'st enthron'd in light,
Or down to hell, there vengeance reigns,
And Sin and Satan own thy chains!

3.

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

(PART SECOND.)

4.

If, borne upon the morning ray,
I fled beyond the western sea,
Thy swifter hand should first arrive,
And there arrest the fugitive.

5.

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

6.

Oh may
these thoughts possess my breast,
Where'er I rove, where'er I rest;
Nor let my weaker passions dare
Consent to sin-for God is there.

PSALM XXXIII.

1.

To GOD, with mournful voice,
In deep distress I pray'd;

And to his mercy gave my cause-
My wrongs before him laid.

2.

I look'd, but found no friend
To own me in distress;

All refuge fail'd, no man vouchsafed
His pity or redress.

3.

To God, at last, I prayed,

66

Thou, Lord, my refuge art, My portion in the land of life, Till life itself depart."

4.

That I may praise thy name

My soul from prison bring;

Whilst of thy mercies evermore
Assembled saints may sing.

PSALM XXXIV.

1.

IN the gay hours of thoughtless youth, My God, I've felt and own'd thy truth; Thy mercies still, through drooping age, Shall all my grateful heart engage.

2.

No mortal pow'r shall ere control

The settled purpose

of my

soul;

Or urge my constant mind to stray
But where thy wisdom points the way.

3.

One touch of thy almighty hand

Can ourst the weeping captive's bandWho bids the orphan's sorrow cease? Who sooths the widow's soul to peace?

4.

Unnumber'd worlds thy rule obey,
And all creation owns thy sway!
Thy reign for ever will extend,

Nor with the wreck of nature end.