BS 1440 .A6 1846

Copy 1

་་

"BY the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Provestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in Convention, this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two; this book of Psalms in Metre, selected from the Psalms of David, with Hymns, is set forth, and allowed to be sung in all congregations of the said Church, before and after Morning and Evening Prayer, and also before and after Sermons, at the discretion of the Minister.

"And it shall be the duty of every Minister of any church, either by standing directions, or from time to time, to appoint the portions of Psalms which are to be sung.'

"And further, it shall be the duty of every Minister, with such assistance as he can obtain from persons skilled in music, to give order concerning the tunes to be sung at any time in his church; and especially, it shall be his duty to suppress all light and unseemly music, and all indecency and irreverence in the performance, by which vain and ungodly persons profane the service of the Sanctuary.”

SELECTIONS

FROM THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE.

SELECTION 1. C. M.

From the i. Psalm of David.

HOW blest is he, who ne'er consents
By ill advice to walk,

Nor stands in sinners' ways, nor sits
Where men profanely talk;

2 But makes the perfect law of God
His business and delight;
Devoutly reads therein by day,
And meditates by night.

3 Like some fair tree, which, fed by streams, With timely fruit does bend,

He still shall flourish, and success

All his designs attend.

4 Ungodly men, and their attempts,
No lasting root shall find;
Untimely blasted, and dispersed
Like chaff before the wind.

5 Their guilt shall strike the wicked dumb
Before their Judge's face:

No formal hypocrite shall then
Among the saints have place.

6 For God approves the just man's ways;
To happiness they tend :

But sinners, and the paths they tread,
Shall both in ruin end.

SELECTION 2. C. M.

From the ii. Psalm of David.

THUS God declares his sovereign will:
"The King that I ordain,
Whose throne is fix'd on Sion's hill,
Shall there securely reign."

2 Attend, O earth, whilst I declare God's uncontroll'd decree :

"Thou art my Son, this day my heir
Have I begotten thee.

3 "Ask, and receive thy full demands;
Thine shall the heathen be;
The utmost limits of the lands
Shall be possess'd by thee."

4 Learn then, ye princes; and give ear,
Ye judges of the earth;
Worship the Lord with holy fear;
Rejoice with awful mirth.

5 Appease the Son with due respect,
Your timely homage pay:
Lest he revenge the bold neglect,
Incensed by your delay.

6 If but in part his anger rise,

Who can endure the flame!

Then blest are they, whose hope relies
On his most holy Name.

SELECTION 3. C. M.

From the iii. Psalm of David.

THOU, gracious God, art my defence;
On thee my hopes rely:
Thou art my glory, and shalt yet
Lift up my head on high.

2 Since whensoe'er, in my distress,
To God I made my prayer,
He heard me from his holy hill;
Why should I now despair?

3 Guarded by him, I lay me down
My sweet repose to take;
For I through him securely sleep,
Through him in safety wake

4 Salvation to the Lord belongs;
He only can defend;

His blessing he extends to all
That on his power depend.