6 Safety to man thy goodness brings,
Nor overlooks the beast;
Beneath the shadow of thy wings
Thy children choose to rest.
7 [From thee, when creature-streams run low,
And mortal comforts die,
Perpetual springs of life shall flow,
And raise our pleasures high.
8 Tho’ all created light decay,
And death close up our eyes
Thy presence makes eternal day
Where clouds can never rise.]
Psalm 36:3. 1-7. S. M.
The wickedness of man, and the majesty of God;
or. Practical atheism exposed.
1 When man grows bold in sin
My heart within me cries,
“He hath no faith of God within,
Nor fear before his eyes.”
2 [He walks awhile conceal’d
In a self-flattering dream,
Till his dark crimes at once reveal’d
Expose his hateful name.]
3 His heart is false and foul,
His words are smooth and fair;
Wisdom is banish’d from his soul,
And leaves no goodness there.
4 He plots upon his bed
New mischiefs to fulfil;
He sets his heart, and hand, and head,
To practise all that’s ill.
5 But there’s a dreadful God,
Tho’ men renounce his fear;
His justice hid behind the cloud
Shall one great day appear.
6 His truth transcends the sky;
In heaven his mercies dwell;
Deep as the sea his judgments lie,
His anger burns to hell.
7 How excellent his love,
Whence all our safety springs!
O never let my soul remove
From underneath his wings.
Psalm 37:1. 1-15. First Part. The cure of envy, fretfulness, and unbelief; or, The rewards of the righteous, and the wicked; or, The world’s hatred, and the saint’s patience.
1 Why should I vex my soul and fret
To see the wicked rise?
Or envy sinners waxing great,
By violence and lies.
2 As flowery grass cut down at noon,
Before the evening fades
So shall their glories vanish soon
In everlasting shades.
3 Then let me make the Lord my trust,
And practise all that’s good;
So shall I dwell among the just,
And he’ll provide me food.
4 I to my God my ways commit,
And cheerful wait his will;
Thy hand, which guides my doubtful feet,
Shall my desires fulfil.
3 Mine innocence shalt thou display,
And make thy judgments known,
Fair as the light of dawning day,
And glorious as the noon.
6 The meek at last the earth possess,
And are the heirs of heav’n;
True riches with abundant peace,
To humble souls are given.
Pause.
7 Rest in the Lord and keep his way,
Nor let your anger rise,
Tho’ providence should long delay
To punish haughty vice.
8 Let sinners join to break your peace,
And plot, and rage, and foam;
The Lord derides them, for he sees
Their day of vengeance come.
9 They have drawn out the threatening sword,
Have bent the murderous bow,
To slay the men that fear the Lord,
And bring the righteous low.