Exulting in its glittering crown,
It swiftly grows, and blossoms fair;
But in the evening is cut down,
And withers in the chilling air.
So teach us, Lord, to count our days,
And thus life's certain end to see,
That we may walk in wisdom's ways,
And all our days rejoice with Thee.
Thou who art enthroned above-
Thou by whom we live and move!
Oh, how sweet, how excellent,
Is't with tongue and heart's consent,
Thankful hearts and joyful tongues,
To renown Thy name in songs—
When the morning paints the skies,
When the sparkling stars arise,
Thy high favors to rehearse,-
Thy firm faith in grateful verse!
Take the lute and violin;
Let the solemn harp begin-
Instruments strung with ten strings-
While the silver cymbal rings.
From Thy works my joy proceeds;
How I triumph in Thy deeds!
Who Thy wonders can express?
All Thy thoughts are fathomless-
Hid from men, in knowledge blind-
Hid from those to vice inclined;
Who that tyrant sin obey,
Though they spring like flowers in May,
Parched with heat, and nipped with frost,
Soon shall fade, forever lost.
Lord, Thou art Most Great, Most High—
Such from all eternity;
Perish shall Thy enemies-
Rebels that against Thee rise.
All who in their sins delight
Shall be scattered by Thy might;
But Thou wilt exalt my horn
Like a youthful unicorn;
Fresh and fragrant odors shed
On Thy crownèd prophet's head.
I shall see my foe's defeat,
Shortly hear of their retreat;
But the just, like palms, shall flourish
Which the plains of Judah nourish,
Like tall cedars mounted on
Cloud-ascending Lebanon.
Plants set in Thy court, below,
Spread their roots and upwards grow;
Fruit in their old age shall bring,
Ever fat and flourishing.
This God's justice celebrates
He, my Rock, injustice hates.
The Lord the Lord of glory reigns
In majesty arrayed;
His power the universe sustains;
By Him it first was made.
Thou art from everlasting, Lord;
Forever fixed Thy throne;
All sprang from Thy creative word;
Thou art the Holy One.
The mighty waves are rolling high,
The floods lift up their voice;
They seem to meet the bending sky;
The roaring storms rejoice.
But Thou, O Lord, art mightier far,—
The tempests bow to Thee;
Thy voice can still their raging war,
And smooth the troubled sea.
He who can calm the stormy deep,
Will give His servants peace;
His promises He'll ever keep;
His mercies never cease.
O, then, let all from sin depart,
And keep His sacred word.
Let holiness make every heart
A temple for the Lord.
With one consent let all the earth
To God their cheerful voices raise-
Glad homage pay with joy and mirth,
And sing before Him songs of praise.
Convinced that He is God alone,
From whom both we and all proceed--
We, whom He chooses for His own,
The flock which He vouchsafes to feed.
Oh, enter, then, His temple gate,
Thence to His courts devoutly press;
And still your grateful hymns repeat,
And still His name with praises bless.
For He's the Lord supremely good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth, which ever firmly stood,
To endless ages shall endure.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To His feet thy tribute bring; Redeemed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me His praise should sing? Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise Him, still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless;
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness!
Father-like, He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us;
Rescues us from all our foes;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Widely as His mercy flows!
Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space;
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace!
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