To Thee I cry: Lord, hear my cries!
O come with speed unto my aid.
Let my sad pray'rs before Thee rise,
Like incense on the altar laid;
Or as when I, with hands display'd,
Present my ev'ning sacrifice.

Before my mouth a guardian set,
My lips with bars of silence close.
O let me not Thy laws forget,
And wickedly combine with those
Who Thee and all that's good oppose,
Nor of their deadly dainties Eat.

But let the just wound and reprove;
Such stripes and checks, an argument
Of their sincere and prudent love;

Lord , save me from the violent,
From him who takes delight in ill,
Whose heart deceit and mischief fill,
On bloody war and outrage bent.

Their wounding tongues like serpents whet,
Poison of asps their lips enclose.
O save from fierce and wicked foes,
Who toils to overthrow me set!

The proud have hid their cords and snares,
Spread all their nets, their gins have laid.
To God, Thou art my God, I said,
O gently hear Thy suppliant's pray'rs.

My strong Preserver in the fight,
As with a helm, my head defends.

Part I.

Thou know'st me, O Thou only Wise,
Seest when I sit, and when I rise;
Canst my concealed thoughts disclose,
Observ'st my labours and repose;
Know'st all my counsels, all my deeds,
Each word which from my tongue proceeds.
Behind, before, by Thee enclos'd,
Thy Hand on ev'ry part impos'd.
Such knowledge my capacity
Transcends, so wonderful, so high!
O which way shall I take my flight,
Or where conceal me from Thy sight?
Ascend I heav'n, heav'n is Thy Throne;

My soul, applaud our glorious King,
Before the gods His praises sing:
His mercy an eternal spring.

For this, on consecrated ground
Will I adore; Thy truth resound;
Thy Word above all names renown'd.

Thou heard'st me when to Thee I cried,
When danger charg'd on ev'ry side,
By Thee confirm'd and fortified.

All those who awful sceptres bear,
When they of Thy performance hear,
Shall worship Thee with reverend fear.

They shall His truth and mercy praise,
Who all the world with justice sways,

The bounty of Jehovah praise:
This God of gods all sceptres sways.
Thanks to the Lord
Of lords afford;
And His amazing wonders blaze.
For from the King of kings
Eternal mercy springs.

Him praise Who fram'd the arched sky,
Those orbs that move so orderly.
Firm earth above,
The floods that move
Display'd, and rais'd the hills on high.
For from the King of kings
Eternal mercy springs.

Who sun and moon inform'd with light,
To guide the day, and rule the night:
The fixed stars,
And wanderers,

Part I.

O YOU , who ephods wear and incense fling
On sacred flames, Jehovah's praises sing.
You who His temple guard, O celebrate
His glorious Name, His noble acts relate.
How great a joy with such sincere delight
To crown the day and entertain the night!
For Israel is His choice; and Jacob's race
His treasure, and the object of His grace.
In pow'r how infinite! how much before
Those mortal gods whom frantic men adore!
All on His will depend; all homage owe,

You , who the Lord adore,
And at His altar wait,
Who keep your watch before
The threshold of His gate,
His praises sing
By silent night,
Till cheerful light
In th' orient spring.

Your hands devoutly raise
To His divine recess;
The world's Creator praise,
And thus the people bless;
The God of love,
From Sion's tow'rs,
To you and yours
Propitious prove.

O BLEST estate! blest from above!
When brethren join in mutual love.
'Tis like the precious odours shed
On consecrated Aaron's head,
Which trickled from his beard and breast,
Down to the borders of his vest.
'Tis like the pearls of dew that drop
On Hermon's ever-fragrant top;
Or which the smiling heav'ns distill
On happy Sion's sacred hill,
For God hath there His favours plac'd,
And joy, which shall for ever last.

Remember David, Lord; remember Thou
His troubles, Thy redemptions, and the vow
He to the Mighty God of Jacob made,
Bound by an oath, and in these words convey'd:
No roof shall cover me, nor sweet repose
Refresh my limbs, or sleep my eyelids close,
'Till I have found a place for His abode,
Ev'n for the temple of the Living God.
The ark, we heard, in Ephrata long stood,
And found it in the valley cloth'd with wood.
We will into Thy tabernacle go,
And there ourselves before Thy footstool throw.
Ascend to Thy eternal rest at length,

Thou , Lord, my Witness art,
I am not proud of heart,
Nor look with lofty eyes,
None envy, nor despise,
Nor to vain pomp apply
My thoughts, nor soar too high;
But in behaviour mild,
And, as a tender child.
Wean'd from his mother's breast,
On Thee alone I rest.
O Israel, adore
The Lord for evermore:
Be He the only scope
Of thy unfainting hope.