How numberless these bounties are, How rich, how various, and how fair! 2 But O what poor return I make! What lifeless thanks I pay thee back! Lord ! I confess with humble shame, My off'rings scarce deserve the name. 3 Fain would my lab’ring heart devise, To bring some nobler sacrifice; My emptiness and poverty : 5 Give me at length an angel's tongue, That heaven may echo with my song; The theme, too great for time, shall be My joy throughout eternity. PSALM CXLV. L. M. Greatness of God. 1 My God! my King! thy various praise Shall fill the remnant of my days; 2 The wings of every hour shall bear Some thankful tribute to thine ear ; New works of duty done for thee ! 3 Thy works with boundless glory shine, And speak thy majesty divine ; The matchless honor of thy name. 4 But who can speak thy wondrous deeds! Thy greatness all our thoughts exceeds : PSALM CXLVII. 108. Care and compassion of God. 1 Praise ye the Lord! Olet the grateful song : From morn to evening's shade the theme prolong; Praise ye the Lord! and let the blest employ Inspire in every breast a sacred joy. 2 He heals each broken heart, binds every wound, ( let his praise from earth to heaven re sound; He names the stars, whose num’rous orbs on high Spangle with beams of light the sombre sky. 3 His showers refreshing fertilize the plain, And make, on mountain tops, fresh ver dure reign ; Sing to the Lord a grateful hymn of praise, Let each glad heart its song of rapture raise. 4 He hears the ravens cry, he gives them food, And feeds with care the tenants of the wood, Unmark'd by him no humble lilies fade, Nor will the falling sparrow want his aid. 5 Praise ye the Lord ! and let the grateful song From morn to eve the sacred theme pro long ; Let the blest theme employ our fleeting days, Till in his courts immortal strains we raise ! PSALM CXLVIII. H. M. Universal praise. Exalt your Maker's fame ; Above the starry frame; 2 Thou moon, that rul'st the night, And sun, that guid'st the day, To him your homage pay ; 3 Let them adore the Lord, And praise his holy name, They all from nothing came : 4 Let earth her tribute pay; Praise him, ye dreadful whales, Glide swift with glitt'ring scales; 5 By hills and mountains, all In grateful concert join'd, And trees for fruit design'd; 6 United zeal be shown, His wond'rous fame to raise ; Deserves our endless praise ; PSALM CXLVIII. Six Line C. M. The same subject. 1 Begin, my soul, th' exalted lay; Let each enraptur'd thought obey, And praise th' almighty name; Lo! heaven, and earth, and seas, and skies, In one melodious concert rise, To swell th’inspiring theme. His wond'rous mercy sing; And touch the loudest string. |