He in the thickest darkness dwells, Performs his work-the cause conceals; But though his methods are unknown, Judgment and truth support his throne.
In heaven, and earth, and air, and seas, He executes his firm decrees; And by his saints it stands confest, That what he does is ever best.
Wait, then, my soul, submissive wait, Prostrate, before his awful seat; And 'midst the terrors of his rod, Trust in a wise and gracious God.
THE LORD OUR GUIDE.
GUIDE me, O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land, I'am weak, but thou art mighty, Hold me with thy powerful hand. Open, Lord, the sacred fountain, Whence the healing streams do flow; Let the fiery, cloudy pillar, Lead me all my journey through. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death and Satan's mighty victor, Land me safe on Canaan's side.
THE GREATNESS AND CONDESCENSION OF GOD.
IMMORTAL King! through earth's wide frame, How great thy honor, praise, and name; Whose reign o'er distant worlds extends, Whose glory heaven's vast height transcends.
When wrapt in thought with wakeful eye, We view the wonders of the sky, Whose frame thy fingers, o'er our head, In rich magnificence have spread.
The silent moon, with waxing horn, Along th' ethereal region borne; The stars with vivid lustre crown'd, That nightly walk their destin'd round.
Lord, what is man, that in thy care, His humble lot should find a share; Or what the son of man, that thou, Thus to his wants thy ear should'st bow ?
Subjected to his feet by thee, To him all nature bows the knee; The beasts in him their Lord behold, The grazing herd, the bleating fold.
The fowls of various wing, that fly O'er the vast desert of the sky; And all the watery tribes that glide, Through paths to human sight deny'd,
Immortal King through earth's wide frame How great thy honor, praise, and name, Whose reign o'er distant worlds extends, Whose glory heav'ns vast height transcends.
THE LORD OUR DEFENCE
How are thy servants blest, O Lord! How sure is their defence! Eternal wisdom is their guide, Their help Omnipotence.
In foreign realms, and lands remote, Supported by thy care, Through burning climes I pass'd unhurt, And breath'd in teinted air.
Thy mercy sweeten'd every toil, Made every region please; The hoary Alpine hills it warnid, And smoothed the Tyrrhene seas.
Think, O my soul, devoutly think, How with affrighted eyes,
Thou saw'st the wide extended deep, In all its horrors rise.
Confusion dwelt in every face,
And fear in every heart,
When wayes on waves, and guiphs on gulphs,
Q'excame the pilot's art.
Yet, then, from all my griefs, O Lord, Thy mercy set me free;
Whilst, in the confidence of prayer, My soul took hold on thee.
For though in dreadful whirls we hung, High on the broken wave,
I knew thou wert not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save.
The storm was laid, the winds retir'd, Obedient to thy will;
The sea that roar'd at thy command, At thy command was still.
In midst of dangers, fears, and death, Thy goodness I'll adore;
And praise thee for thy mercies past, And humbly hope for more.
My life-if thou preserv'st my life, Thy sacrifice shall be;
And death, if death must be my doom, Shall join my soul to thee.
Oh God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home;
Under the shadow of thy throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thy arm alone, And our defence is sure.
Before the hills in order stood, Or earth receiv'd her frame; From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight, Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night, Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their cares and fears, Are carried downward by the flood, And lost in following years.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the op'ning day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come;
Be thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home.
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