One bright, celestial ray send down,
And cheer thy sons beneath.

2 While in thy word we search for thee,
O, fill our souls with awe;
Thy light impart, that we may see
The wonders of thy law.

3 Now let our darkness comprehend
The light that shines so clear;
Now thy revealing Spirit send,
And give us ears to hear.

4 Before us make thy goodness pass,
Which here, by faith, we know;
Let us in Jesus see thy face,

And die to all below.

205.

C. M.

MONTGOMERY

Perfection of the Law and Testimony.

1 THY law is perfect, Lord of light,
Thy testimonies sure;

The statutes of thy realm are right,
And thy commandment pure.

2 Let these, O God, my soul convert,
And make thy servant wise:
Let these be gladness to my heart,
The dayspring to mine eyes.

3 By these may I be warned betimes;
Who knows the guile within ?
Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes,
Cleanse me from secret sin.

4 So may the words my lips express,
The thoughts that throng my mind,
O Lord, my strength and righteousness,
With thee acceptance find.

206.

C. M.

SPIRIT OF THE PSALMS.

The Study of God's Word.

1 HAPPY the children of the Lord,
Who, walking in his sight,

Make all the precepts of his word
Their study and delight.

2 That precious wealth shall be their dower,
Which cannot know decay,

Which moth nor rust shall e'er devour,
Nor spoiler take away.

3 For them that heavenly light shall spread,
Whose cheering rays illume

The darkest hours of life, and shed
A glory round the tomb.

4 Their works of piety and love,

Performed through Christ their Lord,
For ever registered above,

207.

Shall meet a sure reward.

C. M.

The Seed of the Word.

1 O GOD, by whom the seed is given,

By whom the harvest blest ;

HEBER.

Whose word, like manna showered from heaven,
Is planted in our breast;

2 Preserve it from the passing feet
And plunderers of the air;
The sultry sun's intenser heat,
And weeds of worldly care!

3 Though buried deep, or thinly strown,
Do thou thy grace supply:

The hope in earthly furrows sown
Shall ripen in the sky.

1 WHEN Israel through the desert passed,
A fiery pillar went before,

To guide them through the dreary waste,
And lessen the fatigues they bore.

2 Such is thy glorious word, O God;

'T is for our light and guidance given; It sheds a lustre all abroad,

And points the path to bliss and heaven. 3 It fills the soul with sweet delight,

And quickens its inactive powers;
It sets our wandering footsteps right,
Displays thy love and kindles ours.
4 Its promises rejoice our hearts;

Its doctrines are divinely true;
Knowledge and pleasure it imparts;
It comforts and instructs us too.

5 Ye favored lands, who have this word!
Ye saints, who feel its saving power!
Unite your tongues to praise the Lord,
And his distinguished grace adore.

209.

C. M.

Heavenly Bread.

C. WESLEY

1 WHAT is the chaff, the word of man,

When set against the wheat?

Can it a dying soul sustain,

Like that immortal meat?

2 Thy word, O God, with heavenly bread
The children doth supply;

And those who by thy word are fed,
Their souls shall never die.

210.

L. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Divine Teachings and their happy Consequences. 1 BRIGHT Source of intellectual rays, Father of spirits and of grace,

O, dart, with energy unknown
Celestial beamings from thy throne.
2 Thy sacred book we would survey,
Enlightened with that heavenly day,
And ask thy Spirit, with the word,
To teach our souls to know the Lord.
3 So shall our children learn the road
That leads them to their fathers' God;
And, formed by lessons so divine,
Shall infant minds with knowledge shine.
4 So shall the haughtiest soul submit,
With children placed at Jesus' feet;
The rising swell of pride shall cease,
And thy sweet voice be heard in peace.
211.
C. M.

The Riches of God's Word.

STENNETT.

1 LET worldly men from shore to shore
Their chosen good pursue;

Thy word, O Lord, we value more
Than treasures of Peru.

2 Here mines of knowledge, love, and joy
Are opened to our sight;
The purest gold without alloy,
And gems divinely bright.

3 The counsels of redeeming grace
These sacred leaves unfold;
And here the Saviour's lovely face.
Our raptured eyes behold.

4 Here light descending from above
Directs our doubtful feet ·

Here promises of heavenly love

Our ardent wishes meet.

5 Our numerous griefs are here redressed,
And all our wants supplied;
Naught we can ask to make us blest
Is in this book denied.

212.

S. M.

Power of God's Word.

WATTS

1 BEHOLD, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;

His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.

2 But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light;

It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.

3 How perfect is thy word!

And all thy judgments just!
For ever sure thy promise, Lord,
And we securely trust.

4 My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions given !
O, may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heaven.

213.

C. M.

Love of the Scriptures.

1 O, HOW I love thy holy law!
"T is daily my delight;
And thence my meditations draw
Divine advice by night.

2 I wake before the dawn of day,
To meditate thy word;

My soul with longing melts away,
To hear thy gospel, Lord.

WATTS