THOU didst, O mighty God, exist
Ere time began its race;
Before the ample elements
Fill'd up the void of space.
Before the ponderous earthly globe
In fluid air was stay'd;
Before the ocean's mighty springs
Their liquid stores display'd,-
Ere through the gloom of ancient night
The streaks of light appear'd;
Before the grand celestial arch,
Or starry poles, were rear'd,-
Before the loud melodious spheres
Their tuneful round begun;
Before the shining roads of heaven
Were measur'd by the sun,-
Ere, through the empyrean courts,
One hallelujah rung;
Or to their harps the sons of light
Ecstatic anthems sung,-
Ere men ador'd, or angels knew,
Or prais'd thy wondrous name,—
Thy bliss, O sacred Spring of Life!
Thy glory was the same.
And when the pillars of the world
With sudden ruin break,
And all this vast and goodly frame
Sinks in the mighty wreck,—
When from her orb the moon shall start,
Th' astonish'd sun roll back,
And all the trembling starry lamps
Their ancient course forsake,
For ever permanent and fix'd,
From agitation free,
Unchang'd in everlasting years,
Shall thy existence be.
WEEP for thine offspring, childless Israel, weep;
Slain on their mountains, strength and beauty lie;
Fallen are the mighty, to her native steep
As turns the wounded antelope to die.
Oh, let not Ascalon our grief proclaim,
Nor Gath the burden of our sorrow know;
Lest their proud daughters glory in our shame,
And misbelieving triumph mock our woe.
No sheaves of offering in thy valleys swell,
No dews, Gilboa, fertilize thy field!
Parch'd be thy summit, where the mighty fell,
Where hands anointed cast away their shield!
From Saul how keenly flash'd the lifted blade!
How strong the bow from Jonathan recoil'd!
Their arms the warrior's boldest breast dismay'd,
The proud discomfited, the wealthy spoil'd.
One in their lives where fame and friendship led,
One undivided couch in death they find.
Foil'd by their prowess, cowering lions fled,
And toil-worn eagles flagg'd their speed behind. Weep ye for Saul, whose bounteous hand, and brave, On beauty lavish'd spoils which valour gain'd. Daughters of Israel, weep for him who gave
Gold wrought with jewels, vests with purple stain'd!
Fall'n are the mighty! War has rear'd their tomb;
On his own mountains Jonathan is slain :
What pangs, my brother, waken at thy doom!
Thine heart, how loving, how beloved again!
For me thy friendship burn'd with purer flame,
Than glows the bridal bosom for her lord!—
Fallen are the mighty! Israel mourn thy shame;
War's spear is shatter'd-blunted is his sword!
A PSALM OF PRAISE TO OUR REDEEMER; ESPECIALLY FOR THE LORD'S DAY.
BLESS thou the living Lord, my soul
His glorious praise proclaim:
Let all my inward powers extol,
And bless his holy name.
Forget not all his benefits;
But bless the Lord, my soul.
Who all thy trespasses remits,
And makes thee sound and whole.
Who did redeem and set thee free,
From death's infernal place!
With loving kindness crowneth thee,
And with his tender grace.
As far as is the sun's uprise
In distance from its fall;
So far our great iniquities
He sep❜rates from us all.
Behold what wondrous love on us
The Father hath bestow'd!
That we should be advanced thus,
And call'd the sons of God.
Because thy loving-kindness is
Better than length of days,
And preciouser than life itself;
My lips shall speak thy praise.
Thus will I bless thee all my days,
And celebrate thy fame;
My hands I will devoutly raise
In thy most holy name.
With marrow and sweet fatness fill'd,
My thankful soul shall be;
My mouth shall join with joyful lips
In giving praise to thee.
For whom have I in Heaven but thee?
Nor is there any one
In all the world desir'd of me
Besides thyself alone;
My flesh consum'd, my heart as broke, I feel do fail me sore;
But God's my heart's unshaken rock, And portion evermore.
For they shall all destroyed be
That far from thee are gone :
They that a whoring go from thee
Shall all be overthrown.
Nevertheless I do remain
Continually with thee:
By thy right hand thou dost sustain
And firmly holdest me.
And in the crowd and multitude
Of troubling thoughts that roll
Within my breast; thy comforts rest,
And do delight my soul;
With the just counsels of thy word,
Safely thou wilt me guide,
And wilt receive me afterwards
In glory to abide.
O GOD, how doth thy love and grace
Excel all earthly things!
Therefore the sons of men do place
Their trust under thy wings.
With fatness of thy house on high
Thou wilt thy saints suffice,
And make them drink abundantly
The rivers of thy joys.
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