48

PSALM XLV.

My heart is as a fount of song,

The words of praise break forth and spring;
Like a quick writer's pen, my tongue
Speeds its glad task to greet my King.

O, fairer far than sons of earth;

The grace that on His lips doth rest Betokens One of heavenly birth,

Whom God's eternal love hath blest.

Gird, gird Thy sword upon Thy side,
In token of dominion worn;

Ride forth, in prosp'rous triumph ride;
Thy way shall meek-eyed Truth adorn.

Thy glory-throne, O God of might,
Stands fast, for ever to remain;
A sceptre that defends the right,

The sceptre of Thy changeless reign.

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49

My Saviour, can I follow Thee

When all is dark before?

When midnight broods upon the sea,

How can I reach the shore?

O let Thy star of love but shine,

Though with a feeble ray;

"T will gild the edge of every wave, And light my gloomy way.

Then, Saviour, will I follow Thee,

Though darksome hours appear,

Singing sweet carols o'er the sea,

A cheerful mariner.

50

NEARER, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me ;

Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Though, like a wanderer,

The sun gone down,

Darkness comes over me,

My rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

There let my way appear

Steps unto heaven;

All that Thou sendest me

In mercy given;

Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts

Bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs

God's house I'll raise;

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee! Amen.

51

PSALM XCV.

O COME, loud anthems let us sing, Loud thanks to our Almighty King: For we our voices high should raise, When our salvation's Rock we praise.

Into His Presence let us haste,
To thank Him for His favours past;
To Him address, in joyful songs,
The praise that to His Name belongs.

For God, the Lord, enthroned in state,
Is with unrivalled glory great—
A King, superior far to all

Whom gods the heathen falsely call.

Then let us to His courts repair,
And bow with adoration there-
Down on our knees devoutly all
Before the Lord our Maker fall.

O Holy Father, Holy Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Thy grace devoutly we implore;
Thy name be praised for evermore. Am

52

O FOR a thousand tongues to sing
Our great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of our God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive;

The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf! His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ !
Ye blind, behold your Saviour come!
And leap, ye lame, for joy!

Our gracious Master and our God,
Assist us to proclaim,

And spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy Name.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Holy Ghost,

All honour by the Church be done,
And by the heavenly host. Amen.