The fifth Sunday after Eafter. PSALM. LXXXIV. The prophet having tfted that the Lord is gracious, here expreffes the fervent defires of his heart after growing communion with him in the place and means of his appointment. He vehemently longs for public ordinances, and the divine prefence in them, arifing from the fenfe he had of their happinefs, who enjoyed thofe privileges. He prays for the Meffiah's fake to be one of them. This is a very delightful pfalm. It is adapted to all ages of the church, and expreffes the fentiments of true believers, especially if for fome time they have been kept from the ordinances. Bleffed be God for the means of grace, and for his Spirit in them. May we find more of his influence in them daily. While we fing the words may he enable us to mix faith with them, fo that every privilege here mentioned may be ours, and may become in experience a matter of praife. I. HOW pleafant is thy dwelling place O Lord of hofts of me! The tabernacles of thy grace how pleasant Lord they be! II. My thirsty foul longs veh❜mently, III. O they be bleffed, who may dwell IV. Yea, bleffed fure likewise are they whose stay and strength thou art, Who to thy house do mind the way, and feek thee with their heart. PSALM LXXXIV. I. AS they go through the thirsty vale they dig up fountains ftill, That as a fpring it does appear, and thou their pools doft fill. II. So they from strength unwearied go ftill forward unto ftrength, Until in Sion. they appear before the Lord at length.. III. O Lord of hofts to me give heed And let it come into thine ears IV. O God our fhield of thy good grace AFTERNOON. PSALM LXXXIV. I. LORD, within thy courts one day Than other where to dwell or stay II. Much rather had I keep a door within the house of God, Than in the tents of wickedness to fettle mine abode. III. For God the Lord, our fun and fhield, IV. O Lord of hofts that man is bleft, and profp❜rous fure is he, Who is perfuaded in his breast to trust all times in thee. Afcenfion Afcenfion Day. PSALM XXIV In this pfalm the holy Ghoft by the mouth of David defcribes the Lord Chrift, the maker of all worlds vifible and invisible. He gives us the character of this univerfal king, as he was God manifeft in the flefh: And then relates the fulfillment to him of every covenant engagement. After he had drank of the brook in the way his head was lifted up. He afcended up on high leading captivity captive, and went with great triumph into his kingdom. This is defcribed in language worthy of the author and of the fubject. The ideas are truly fublime. The king of glory is set forth in a manner fuited to excite the faith and to warm the affections of his people. May the divine infpirer of this hymn open our hearts to receive the king of glory, that we may be happy in finging his praises to-day and for ever. I. YE gates and everlasting doors lift up your heads on high, Then fhall the king of glory come ent'ring triumphantly.. H. But who of glory is the king? the mighty Lord is this, Ev'n that fame Lord, who great in might and strong in battle is. III. Ye IN. Ye gates and everlasting doors IV. Who is the king of glory? who? the Lord of hofts renown'd, Of glory he alone is king, who is with glory crown'd. PSALM XLVII. This pfalm defcribes the kingdom of Chrift, which ruleth over all, Gentiles as well as Jews: for they are both here called upon to acknowlege his fovereignty and to rejoice in it. He is afcended up on high he has all power in heaven and earth to gather together, and to protect his people, and he will give them reason to praise him for ever and ever. This hymn was written to excite their joy in the Lord. Every word contains matter of praife, and fhould lead them to rejoice in their God and king. May we take up the hymn in faith, that as he is afcended into the heavens, fo we may also in heart and mind thither afcend, and may dwell to-day with pure delight on the fubject of his praifes, joining. all his redeemed in exalting, as highly as we can, the great king of heaven and earth. OUR I. UR God afcended up on high The Lord goes up above the sky II. Sing |