Page images
PDF
EPUB

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.

PSALM XVII.

This is a prayer of the beloved Jefus against his enemies and ours, in which he was heard and anfwered: He' was kept fafe and carried happily through all oppofition, till he had finished the work, which his Father had given him to do. By the fame divine love and power all that believe in him are kept, as tenderly as the apple of the eye, as fafely as they can be under the covert of covenant faithfulness. May we take up the words in the confidence of our hearts, and fing them rejoicing in the sure mercies of our beloved.

I.

LORD, in thy paths which be most pure guide thou me and preserve,

That from the way wherein I walk my steps may never fwerve;

II.

For I have call'd on thee, O Lord, furely thou wilt me aid,

Then hear my prayer, and weigh right well the words which I have said.

III.

Thy wondrous loving kindness fhew

to those who truft in thee,

And fave them from their foes who rife

against thy majefty.

K

IV. O

IV.

O keep me as thou wouldest keep
the apple of thine eye,
And under covert of thy wings
defend me fecretly.

PSALM XX.

This is a triumphant hymn, in which the work of Chrift is celebrated, and the church of Chrift glories therein. God the Father, according to what is here written, has accepted his perfon and his work, and the pleasure of the Lord is now profpering in his Son's hand. O that we could fing of this moft bleffed falvation, as they did of old in this pfalm: They not only had faith in it, but they alfo triumph, and fet up their banners as conquerors over all their enemies. Thus they put honor upon their almighty Jefus. May his Spirit help us to do the fame this day. May he enable us to fing in faith, and to glorify him with our lips and lives.

I.

THE Lord will hear thee in the day when trouble he doth fend,

And the name of Jacob's God will thee from all ill defend:

II.

He will thee help fend from above
out of his fanctuary,

From Sion his own holy hill
he will give strength to thee.

III. He

III.

He will remember all thy gifts, accept thy facrifice,

Grant thee thy hearts wish, and fulfill thy thoughts and counsel wife.

AFTER N O O N.

PSALM XX.

I.

IN thy falvation we will joy

in our God's name we will Display our banners; and the Lord will all thy prayers fulfill.

II.

Now know I God his Chrift doth fave, he from his holy heav'n

Will hear him, with the faving ftrength by his own right hand giv❜n.

III.

In chariots fome put confidence
fome horfes trust upon :
But we remember will the name
of our Lord God alone.

IV.

We rife and upright ftand, when they are bowed down and fall,

The Lord will save, and hear the king when we on him do call.

[blocks in formation]

Septuagefima.

PSALM XXIII.

This pfalm is fpoken in the character of the good fhepherd: He expreffes his perfect truft in the covenant engagements of Jehovah, affured that all would go well with him in life in death and in eternity. Every word of it has been literally fulfilled to him, and it will be literally fulfilled to all his. When the fheep of his pafture have heard his voice, and are enabled to follow him, then they can use the fame words, and expect the fame bleffings. O with what thankful hearts fhould they extol their good fhepherd, when it is given them to receive his words without doubt or wavering-" My fheep, fays he, hear my "voice, and I know them, and they follow me: "And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall

66

66

never perish, neither fhall any pluck them out of my hand. They hear, they believe, they rejoice. Safe under the pastoral care of his loving heart and faithful arm, they can fing with gratitude of the dear fhepherd and bishop of their fouls. May he be glorified in our fong this day.

J'

I.

EHOVAH my good fhepherd is and he who doth me feed, How can I then lack any thing whereof 1 ftand in need.

II.

He fruitful paftures doth provide

where I do fafely lie,

And after leads me to the streams which run most pleasantly.

III. My

III.

My foul he doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make,
In the plain paths of righteousness
ev'n for his own name's fake.

PSALM XXIII.

I.

YEA, tho' I walk in vale of death, yet I will fear no ill,

Thy rod and staff do comfort me

and thou art with me ftill..

II.

My table thou haft furnished
in presence of my foes:
My head with oil thou doft anoint,
and my cup overflows.

III.

Goodness and mercy all my life fhall furely follow me,

And in God's houfe for evermore my dwelling place shall be.

IV.

To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft,

the God whom we adore, Be glory as it was, is now,

and fhall be evermore.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »