David, seated upon the throne of Israel, notwithstanding the opposition made against him, and now about to carry his victorious arms among the neighbouring Heathen Nations, may be supposed to have penned this, as a kind of Inauguration Psalm. But, that a Greater than David is here, appears from the citation, Acts iv. 24-28. It treats, therefore, of the opposition raised against the Kingdom of Christ, of his victory and the consequent confusion of his enemies, and of the blessedness of those who accept his mercy. This

1

Psalm is appointed to be read on Easter Day.

FIRST PART. (vv. 1-6.) L.M.
Christ seated on the Throne.

WHY

WHY do the Jews and Gentiles join
To execute a vain design;

Idly their utmost power engage,

And storm with unavailing rage?

2 Earth's haughty kings their Lord oppose,
The Rulers list themselves his foes;
To fight against their God agree,
And slay th' Incarnate Deity!-

3 As sworn their Maker to dethrone,
And Jesus, his Anointed Son;
To rise, from all subjection freed,
And reign Almighty in his stead!
4 The Lord, who calmly sits above
Enthron'd in everlasting love,

Shall all their feeble threats deride,
And laugh to scorn their furious pride.
5 Then shall he in his wrath address
And vex his baffled enemies:
"Yet have I glorified my Son,

And plac'd him on his Father's throne: 6" Conq'ror of sin, and death, and hell, He reigns a Prince invincible:

All power is now to Jesus given,
Triumphant on the hill of Heaven!"

SECOND PART. (vv. 6-8.) P. M.
The Saviour's Exaltation and Reign.
ESUS the Saviour reigns!
On Zion is his throne:

1

JES

The Lord's decree sustains
His Own Begotten Son:

Up from the grave

He bids him rise,

And mount the skies, With power to save.

2 His kingdom is complete,
This day exalts his Name:
Before his Father's seat

He makes his righteous claim:

Gentiles adore,

His power confess :

His hands possess From shore to shore.
THIRD PART. (vv. 8-12.) s. M.
Christ interceding and reigning.

1 CHRIST is ascended 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 honours well
Which he receiv'd from God.

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 blessed is the soul that flies;
For refuge to his grace.

PSALM III.

This Psalm is said to have been composed by David, when he filed from his Son Absalom. Thus circumstanced, he expresses himself in terms well adapted to the parallel case of the Son of David, persecuted by rebellious Israel; as also to that of His Church, suffering tribulation in the world.

LORD, how many are my foes!
In this weak state of flesh and blood,
My peace they daily discompose:
Thou my Defence and Hope, O God!
2 Tir'd with the burdens of the day,
To Thee I rais'd my evening cry:
Thou heard'st when I began to pray,
And thine Almighty help was nigh.

3 Supported by thy heavenly aid,
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 sustain'd me all the night;
Salvation doth to God belong:

He rais'd my head to see the light,
And makes his praise my morning song.
Second Version. c. M.

Doubts and Fears suppressed.

1 MY God, how many are my fears! How fast my foes increase!

Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.
2 But Thou, my Glory and my Strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread;
Shalt silence all my threat'ning guilt,'
And raise my drooping head.

3 I cried, and from his holy hill
He bow'd a listening ear:
I call'd my Father and my God,
And he subdued my fear.

4 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes:

I woke, and wonder'd at the grace
Which guarded my repose.

5 What though the hosts of death and hell All arm'd against me stood,

Terrors no more shall shake my soul:
My Refuge is my God!

PSALM IV.

FIRST PART. (vv. 1-3.) L.M.
God our Portion, and Christ our Hope.

1

GOD of grace and righteousness,

Hear and attend when we complain!

'Thou hast enlarg'd us in distress, Bow down a gracious ear again.

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

And dare reproach the Saviour's Name'

3 Know that the Lord divides his saints
From all the tribes of men beside:
He hears the cry of penitents,
For the dear sake of Him that died.

1

SECOND PART. (vv. 4-6.)

YE

· Sinners invited to Christ.

sinners, stand in awe,
And from your sins depart;
Out of the evil world withdraw,
And commune with your heart.
2 In thinking of Christ's love

Be day and night employ'd:
Be still; nor in his presence move,
But wait upon your God.

3 Offer your prayer and praise,
Which he will not despise,

S. M.

Through Jesus Christ our Righteousness,
Accepted sacrifice.

4 Offer your heart's desires;
But trust in Him alone,

Who gives whatever he requires,
And freely saves his own.

5 The world, with fruitless pain,
Seek happiness below;
What man, they ask, but all in vain,
The long-sought good will show!

6 The brightness of thy face
Give us, O Lord, to see;
Glory on earth begun in grace,
And happiness in Thee!

THIRD PART. (vv. 7, 8.)

L. M.

"So He giveth His beloved sleep!"

1 THY favour, gracious Lord, impart,
With sacred joy to cheer my heart:
Howe'er the corn and wine increase,
Earth ne'er can yield such heavenly peace.

2 With thy protection kindly blest,
I'll lay me down in peace to rest;
Safe in thy care, from danger free,
To wake on earth, or wake with Thee.

FIRST PART. (vv. 1-7.) L. M.
Sunday Morning.

LORD, hear my words, my spirit see,
When wrapt in solemn thoughts of Thee:
My King, my God, my cries attend!
To Thee my suppliant prayers ascend.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Fools, who in vanity delight,
Shall ne'er continue in thy sight;
And sinners, who thy laws defy,
Are doom'd beneath thy wrath to die.
5 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.
6 Prostrate I'll bow-thy fear imprest
With awe profound inspires my breast;
And faith, while yet my prayers arise,
Firm on the Saviour's Name relies.

SECOND PART. (vv. 7, 8, 11, 12.)

C. M.

Divine Grace and Direction implored.
EHOLD us, Lord, with humble fear
Approach thy temple gate;

1 BER

Though most unworthy to draw near,
Or in thy courts to wait.

2 But, trusting in thy boundless grace,
To all so freely given,

We worship in thy holy place,

And lift our souls to heaven.

3 Lead us in all thy righteous ways,
Nor let our footsteps slide:

Make straight thy path before our face,
Our Guardian, still, and Guide.