Our help is in the name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.-Psalm cxxiv. v. 8. My trembling bark was all but lost, Weary, wave-worn, tempest-toss'd: Sin had snatch'd the giddy helm ; Death was near to overwhelm; When the beams of heav'nly morn Shone upon my state forlorn. Christ, omnipotent to save, Hush'd the wind, rebuk'd the wave, Chang'd the dark and dreadful scene Bless'd me with a pilot's hand, And brought me sinking safe to land! Gracious Pilot, never leave me, Whilst my mortal course I steer; Lend! O lend! thine hand to save me, PARAPHRASE OF THE SECOND PSALM. YE nations that have never known The glory of Jehovah's throne, Why do your hearts conspire? O Israel, to whom are given The gracious promises of Heaven, Whence this thy vain desire? What though the wicked shall advise The princes of the earth to rise, And all their armies bring? What though the rulers all shall meet In full assembly to defeat The Lord's anointed King And say, "Come, let our vigorous hands, Asunder break his stern commands, So hostile to our will: Let our prophetic, sacred laws Prevail o'er this Pretender's cause, On Salem's western hill ?" The Lord, whose hands the heav'ns adorn, Shall treat their boasting threats with scorn, And all their plots deride : |