Classic Poem

Part I.

P RAISE our Good God, that King of kings,
From whom eternal mercy springs.
Let Israel, let Aaron's race,
Let all that flourish in His grace,
Confess, that from the King of kings
Eternity of mercy springs.
He in my trouble heard my pray'rs,
And freed me from their deadly snares.
He fights my battles, then how can
I fear the pow'r of feeble man?
Assists my friends; my enemies
Shall with their slaughter feast mine eyes.
Far better to have confidence
In God, than trust to man's defence;
On Him much safer to rely,
Than on the strength of monarchy.
The nations all at once assail'd,
But by His aid my sword prevail'd.
Their armies had beset me round,
I with their bodies strew'd the ground.
Though they like bees about me swarm,
His holy Name and pow'rful Arm
Shall soon consume their num'rous pow'rs,
As fire the crackling thorn devours.

Part II.

Mad men! his fall you seek in vain,
Whom Great Jehovah's Hands sustain.
He is my strength; His praise my song;
By Him preserv'd from pow'rful wrong.
Our tents with public joy shall ring,
The just of their deliv'rance sing.
He with His own right Hand hath fought,
His own right Hand hath wonders wrought.
I shall not die, but live to praise
The Lord, Who hath prolong'd my days.
He with a scourge my sin corrects,
Yet from the darts of death protects.
You to His service sanctified,
The temple doors set open wide,
That I may enter in His Name,
And celebrate His glorious fame.
Those are the doors, at which all they
Shall enter, who His will obey.
His praise with hymns immortalize!
My Saviour, Who hath heard my cries.

Part III.

That stone the builders from them cast,
Is highest on the corner plac'd.
God hath reveal'd these mysteries,
So full of wonder, to our eyes.
This is His day, a day of joy,
Of everlasting memory.
Great God of gods, Thy king protect,
Propitious prove to Thy elect.
O blest be he whom God shall send!
We, who within his courts attend,
You from His sanctuary bless,
And daily pray for your success.
God, ev'n the Lord, hath shed His light
Into our souls, and clear'd our sight.
Bind to the altar's horns a lamb,
New-weaned from the bleating dam.
Thou art my God; my songs shall praise,
And to the stars Thy glory raise.
Praise our Good God, the King of kings,
From Whom eternal mercy springs.