69 Devizes.  C.M.

The Bible Our Light. (149)

How precious is the book divine,
  By inspiration given! 
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
  To guide our souls to heaven.

2 Its light, descending from above,
  Our gloomy world to cheer,
Displays a Savior’s boundless love,
  And brings his glories near.

3 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts,
  In this dark vale of tears;
Life, light, and joy it still imparts,
  And quells our rising fears.

4 This lamp, through all the tedious night
  Of life, shall guide our way,
Till we behold the clearer light
  Of an eternal day.

     John Fawcett, 1782.

70 Devizes.  C.M.

Psalm 119. (158)

How shall the young secure their hearts,
  And guard their lives from sin? 
Thy word the choicest rules imparts
  To keep the conscience clean.

2 ’Tis like the sun, a heavenly light,
  That guides us all the day;
And, through the dangers of the night,
  A lamp to lead our way.

3 Thy precepts make me truly wise;
  I hate the sinners’ road;
I hate my own vain thoughts that rise
  But love thy law, my God!

4 Thy word is everlasting truth;
  How pure is every page! 
That holy book shall guide our youth,
  And well support our age.

     Isaac Watts, 1719.

71 Devizes.  C.M.

Perfection of the Law and Testimony. (154)

Thy law is perfect, Lord of light;
  Thy testimonies sure;
The statutes of thy realm are right,
  And thy commandments pure.

2 Let these, O God, my soul convert,
  And make thy servant wise;
Let those be gladness to my ears—­
  The dayspring to mine eyes.

3 By these may I be warned betimes;
  Who knows the guile within? 
Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes;
  Cleanse me from secret sin.

4 So may the words my lips express—­
  The thoughts that throng my mind—­
O Lord, my strength and righteousness,
  With thee acceptance find.

     C. Wesley.

72 Manoah.  C.M.

Faithfulness.

Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme,
  And speak some boundless thing;
The mighty works or mightier name
  Of our eternal King.

2 Tell of his wondrous faithfulness,
  And sound his power abroad;
Sing the sweet promise of his grace,
  And the performing God.

3 His very word of grace is strong,
  As that which built the skies;
The voice that rolls the stars along,
  Speaks all the promises.

4 Oh, might I hear thy heavenly tongue
  But whisper, “Thou art mine!”
Those gentle words should raise my song
  To notes almost divine.

     Isaac Watts.

73 Manoah.  C.M.