(1, 2, 3, 4. 8. 12, 13.)
My soul, inspired with sacred love,
God's holy Name for ever bless;
Of all His favours mindful prove,
And still thy grateful thanks express.
"Tis He that all thy sins forgives,
And after sickness makes thee sound;
From danger He thy life retrieves,
By Him with grace and mercy crown'd.
The Lord abounds with tender love,
And unexampled acts of grace;
His waken'd wrath does slowly move,
His willing mercy flows apace.
As far as 'tis from east to west,
So far has He our sins removed,
Who with a father's tender breast
Has such as fear Him always loved.
(19, 20, 21, 22.)
THE Lord, the universal King,
In heaven has fix'd His lofty throne;
To Him, ye Angels, praises sing,
In whose great strength His pow'r is shown.
Ye that His just commands obey,
And hear and do His sacred will,
Ye hosts of His, this tribute pay,
Who still what He ordains fulfil.
Let ev'ry creature jointly bless
The mighty Lord: and thou, my heart,
With grateful joy thy thanks express,
And in this concert bear thy part.
My soul, praise the Lord,
Speak good of His Name;
O Lord our great God,
How dost Thou appear!
So passing in glory,
That great is Thy fame,
Honour and Majesty
In Thee shine most clear.
With light as a robe
Thou hast Thyself clad,
Whereby all the earth
Thy greatness may see:
The heavens in such sort
Thou also hast spread,
That they to a curtain
Compared may be.
His chamber-beams lie
In the clouds full sure,
Which as His chariots
Are made Him to bear:
And there with much swiftness
His course doth endure,
Upon the wings riding
Of winds in the air.
He maketh His spirits
As heralds to go,
And lightnings to serve
We see also press'd;
His will to accomplish
They run to and fro,
To save or consume things
As seemeth Him best.
O RENDER thanks, and bless the Lord;
Invoke His sacred Name;
Acquaint the nations with His deeds,
His matchless deeds proclaim.
Sing to His praise, in lofty hymns
His wondrous works rehearse;
Make them the theme of your discourse,
And subject of your verse.
Rejoice in His Almighty Name,
Alone to be adored;
And let their heart o'erflow with joy
That humbly seek the Lord.
Seek ye the Lord, His saving strength
Devoutly still implore;
And, where He's ever present, seek
His face for evermore.
O RENDER thanks to God above,
The fountain of eternal love;
Whose mercy firm through ages past
Has stood, and shall for ever last.
Who can His mighty deeds express,
Not only vast, but numberless?
What mortal eloquence can raise
His tribute of immortal praise?
Extend to me that favour, Lord,
Thou to Thy chosen dost afford :
When Thou return'st to set them free,
Let Thy salvation visit me.
O may I worthy prove to see
Thy saints in full prosperity!
That I the joyful choir may join,
And count Thy people's triumph mine.
To God above, from all below,
Let hymns of praise ascend
Whose blessings unexhausted flow,
Whose mercy knows no end.
But chief by those His Name be bless'd,
To whom His aid He gave;
Beheld them by the foe oppress'd,
And reach'd His arm to save.
To east, to west, to south, to north,
Condemn'd awhile to roam;
His hand in pity brought them forth,
And call'd the wanderers home.
Behold them on the desert stray,
A helpless, hopeless train ;
Some city where their steps to stay
They seek, but seek in vain.
Distress'd, to God they make their prayer,
He guides, directs their feet,
And safe in His protecting care
They reach their destined seat.
Oh then, that all would bless His Name,
Whose mercy thus they prove,
And pleased from age to age proclaim
The wonders of His love.
YE saints and servants of the Lord,
The triumphs of His Name record;
His sacred Name for ever bless.
Where'er the circling sun displays
His rising beams or setting rays,
Due praise to His great Name address.
God through the world extends His sway,
The regions of eternal, day
But shadows of His glory are.
With Him, whose majesty excels,
Who made the heaven in which He dwells,
Let no created pow'r compare.
Though 'tis beneath His state to view
In highest heaven what Angels do,
Yet He to earth vouchsafes His care;
He takes the needy from his cell,
Advancing him in courts to dwell,
Companion to the greatest there.
HALLELUJAH! raise, O raise
To our God the song of praise;
All His servants join to sing
God our Saviour, and our King.
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