From the xxiv. Psalm of David.

1 THE spacious earth is all the LORD'S,
The LORD's her fulness is;

The world, and they that dwell therein,
By sovereign right are his.

2 He framed and fix'd it on the seas;
And his almighty hand

Upon inconstant floods has made
The stable fabric stand.

3 But for himself this LORD of all
One chosen seat design'd;
Oh! who shall to that sacred hill
Deserved admittance find?

4 The man whose hands and heart are pure, Whose thoughts from pride are free; Who honest poverty prefers

To gainful perjury.

5 This, this is he, on whom the LORD
Shall shower his blessings down;
Whom God, his Saviour, shall vouchsafe
With righteousness to crown.

6 Such is the race of saints, by whom
The sacred courts are trod;

And such the proselytes that seek
Thy face, O Jacob's God.

7 Erect your heads, eternal gates:
Unfold, to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes
With his celestial train.

8 Who is the King of glory? who?
The LORD, for strength renown'd;
In battle mighty; o'er his foes
Eternal victor crown'd.

9 Erect your heads, ye gates; unfold
In state to entertain

The King of glory: see! he comes
With all his shining train.

10 Who is the King of glory? who?
The LORD of hosts renown'd;

Of glory he alone is King,
Who is with glory crown'd.

2 Those who on thee rely,
Let no disgrace attend;

Be that the shameful lot of such
As wilfully offend.

3 To me thy truth impart,

And lead me in thy way;

For thou art he that brings me help;
On thee I wait all day.

4 Thy mercies and thy love,
Ó LORD, recall to mind;
And graciously continue still,
As thou wert ever, kind.

5 Let all my youthful crimes
Be blotted out by thee;
And, for thy wondrous goodness' sake,
In mercy think on me.

6 His mercy and his truth

The righteous LORD displays,
In bringing wand'ring sinners home,
And teaching them his ways.

7 He those in justice guides

Who his direction seek;
And in his sacred paths shall lead
The humble and the meek.

8 Through all the ways of GOD
Both truth and mercy shine,
To such as, with religious hearts,
To his blest will incline.

9 Since mercy is the grace

That most exalts thy fame,
Forgive my heinous sin, O LORD
And so advance thy name.

10 Whoe'er with humble fear,
To GOD his duty pays,

Shall find the LORD a faithful guide,

In all his righteous ways.

11 For Gon to all his saints

His secret will imparts,

And does his gracious covenant write
In their obedient hearts.

12 To Israel's chosen race

Continue ever kind;

And, in the midst of all their wants,
Let them thy succor find.

From the xxvii. Psalm of David.

1 WHOM should I fear, since God to me
Is saving health and light?
Since strongly he my life supports,
What can my soul affright?

2 Henceforth within his house to dwell
I earnestly desire;

His wondrous beauty there to view,
And of his will inquire.

3 For there I may with comfort rest,
In times of deep distress;
And safe, as on a rock, abide

In that secure recess.

4 When us to seek thy glorious face
Thou kindly dost advise;

'Thy glorious face I'll always seek,"
My grateful heart replies.

5 Then hide not thou thy face, O LORD,
Nor me in wrath reject;
My God and Saviour, leave not him
Thou didst so oft protect.

6 Though all of nearest earthly ties
Me, in my wo, forsake,

Yet thou, whose love excels them all,
Wilt care and pity take.

7 Instruct me in thy paths, O LORD,
My ways directly guide;

Lest sinful men, who watch my steps,
Should see me tread aside.

* Extract from the Journal of the General Convention, 1832. "4. Resolved, As the sense and declaration of this Convention, that so much of the rubrics in the form of consecration of a church or chapel as requires the singing of 'Psalm 26, verses 6, 7, and 8,' will hereafter be duly complied with by singing verses 2 and 3, in the selection from the 26th Psalm, included in the Psalms in Metre authorized by these resolutions to be set forth."

8 I trusted that my future life

Should with thy love be crown'd; Or else my fainting soul had sunk, With sorrow compass'd round.

9 God's time with patient faith expect,
Who will inspire thy breast

With inward strength: do thou thy part,
And leave to him the rest.

From the xxviii. Psalm of David.

1 ADORED for ever be the LORD;
His praise I will resound,

From whom the cries of my distress
A gracious answer found.

2 He is my strength and shield; my heart
Has trusted in his Name;
And now relieved, my heart, with joy,
His praises shall proclaim.

3 The LORD, the everlasting God,
Is my defence and rock,

The saving health, the saving strength,
Of his anointed flock.

4 O save and bless thy people, Lord,
Thy heritage preserve;

Feed, strengthen, and support their hearts,
That they may never swerve.

From the xxix. Psalm of David.

1 YE that in might and power excel,
Your grateful sacrifice prepare;
GOD's glorious actions loudly tell,
His wondrous power to all declare.
2 To his great Name fresh altars raise;
Devoutly due respect afford;
Him in his holy temple praise,

Where he's with solemn state adored.

3 'T is he that, with amazing noise,

The watery clouds in sunder breaks; The ocean trembles at his voice,

When he from heaven in thunder speaks.

4 How full of power his voice appears!
With what majestic terror crown'd!
Which from their roots tall cedars tears,
And strews their scatter'd branches round.

5 God rules the angry floods on high;
His boundless sway shall never cease;
His saints with strength he will supply,
And bless his own with constant peace.

From the xxx. Psalm of David.

1 IN my distress to God I cried,
Who kindly did relieve,

And from the grave's expecting mouth
My hopeless life retrieve.

20 to his courts, ye saints of his,
With songs of praise repair;
With me commemorate his truth,
And providential care.

3 His wrath has but a moment's reign,
His favor no decay;

The night of grief is recompensed
With joy's returning day.

4 Therefore, O LORD, I'll gladly sing
Thy praise in grateful verse;
And, as thy favors endless are,
Thy endless praise rehearse.

From the xxxi. Psalm of David.

1 DEFEND me, LORD, from shame,
For still I trust in thee;

As just and righteous is thy Name,
From danger set me free.

2 Bow down thy gracious ear,
And speedy succor send;
Do thou my steadfast rock appear,
To shelter and defend.

3 To thee, the GoD of truth,

My life, and all that 's mine,

(For thou preserv'st me from my youth,) I willingly resign.

4 My hope, my steadfast trust,

I on thy help repose:

That thou, my GOD, art good and just,
My soul with comfort knows.

5 Whate'er events betide,

Thy wisdom times them all;

Then, LORD, thy servant safely hide
From those that seek his fall.

6 The brightness of thy face
To me, O LORD, disclose;
And, as thy mercies still increase,
Preserve me from my foes.

7 How great thy mercies are

To such as fear thy Name,

Which thou, for those that trust thy care,
Dost to the world proclaim!

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