PSALM LXXXIV. I How lovely are thy dwellings fair! Where thou dost dwell so near\ O living God, for thee. 3 There even the sparrow, freed from wrong, Hath found a house of rest; The swallow there, to lay her young, Hath built her brooding nest; Even by thy altars, Lord of Hosts, They find their safe abode; And home they fly from round the coasts 4 Happy who in thy house reside, Where thee they ever praise! 5 Happy whose strength in thee doth bide, And in their hearts thy ways! 6 They pass through Baca's thirsty vale, That dry and barren ground, As through a fruitful watery dale Where springs and showers abound. 7 They journey on from strength to strength With joy and gladsome cheer, Till all before our God at length In Sion do appear. 8 Lord God of Hosts, hear now my prayer, O Jacob's God, give ear: 9 Thou, God, our shield, look on the face Of thy anointed dear. 10 For one day in thy courts to be Is better and more blest Than in the joys of vanity A thousand days at best. I in the temple of my God Had rather keep a door Than dwell in tents and rich abode With sin for evermore. 11 For God, the Lord, both sun and shield, Gives grace and glory bright; No good from them shall be withheld Whose ways are just and right. 12 Lord God of Hosts that reign'st on high, That man is truly blest Who only on thee doth rely, And in thee only rest. 40 PSALM LXXXV. 1 THY land to favour graciously 2 The iniquity thou didst forgive That wrought thy people woe, 3 Thine anger all thou hadst removed, From thy fierce wrath, which we had proved 4 God of our saving health and peace, Turn us, and us restore; Wilt thou thy frowning ire extend 10 20 6 Wilt thou not turn and hear our voice, And us again 1revive, That so thy people may rejoice, By thee preserved alive? 7 Cause us to see thy goodness, Lord; Thy saving health to us afford, 8 And now what God the Lord will speak For to his people he speaks peace, And to his saints full dear; To his dear saints he will speak peace; But let them never more Return to folly, but surcease To trespass as before. 9 Surely to such as do him fear Salvation is at hand, And glory shall ere long appear To dwell within our land. Io Mercy and Truth, that long were miss'd, Sweet Peace and Righteousness have kiss'd, II Truth from the earth like to a flower And Justice from her heavenly bower 12 The Lord will also then bestow Whatever thing is good; Our land shall forth in plenty throw 13 Before him Righteousness shall go, Then will he come, and not be slow; 1 Heb. Turn to quicken us. 2 Heb. He will set his steps to the way. 3 5 PSALM LXXXVI. I THY gracious ear, O Lord, incline; For I am poor, and almost pine 2 Preserve my soul; for I have trod 3 Pity me, Lord, for daily thee I call; 4 O make rejoice Thy servant's soul! for, Lord, to thee I lift my soul and voice. 5 For thou art good; thou, Lord, art prone Art full of mercy, thou alone, 6 Unto my supplication, Lord, Give ear, and to the cry Of my incessant prayers afford Thy hearing graciously. 7 I in the day of my distress Will call on thee for aid; For thou wilt grant me free access, And answer what I pray'd. 8 Like thee among the gods is none, O Lord; nor any works Of all that other gods have done Like to thy glorious works. 9 The nations all whom thou hast made Shall come, and all shall frame To bow them low before thee, Lord, And glorify thy name. 10 For great thou art, and wonders great By thy strong hand are done; Heb. I am good, loving, a doer of good and holy things. ΙΟ 20 30 Thou in thy everlasting seat Remainest God alone. II Teach me, O Lord, thy way most right; To fear thy name my heart unite; So shall it never slide. 12 Thee will I praise, O Lord my God, With my whole heart, and blaze abroad 13 For great thy mercy is toward me, Ev'n from the lowest hell set free, 14 O God, the proud against me rise, To seek my life, and in their eyes No fear of thee have set. 15 But thou, Lord, art the God most mild, Readiest thy grace to shew, Slow to be angry, and art styled Most merciful, most true. 16 Oh turn to me thy face at length, And me have mercy on; Unto thy servant give thy strength, And save thy handmaid's son. 17 Some sign of good to me afford, And let my foes then see, And be ashamed, because thou, Lord, 40 50 60 |