437 "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength."

From the xviii. Psalm.

"O change of time shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been my rock,

A fortress and defence to me.

L. M.

2 Thou my deliverer art, my God;
My trust is in thy mighty power:
Thou art my shield from foes abroad,
At home my safeguard and my tower.
3 To thee I will address my prayer,
To whom all praise we justly owe;
So shall I, by thy watchful care,
Be guarded safe from every foe.

438

"The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can C. M. I lack nothing."

From the xxiii. Psalm.

THE Lord himself, the mighty Lord,
Vouchsafes to be my guide;

The shepherd, by whose constant care
My wants are all supplied.

2 In tender grass he makes me feed,
And gently there repose;

Then leads me to cool shades, and where
Refreshing water flows.

3 He does my wandering soul reclaim,
And, to his endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk
In his most righteous ways.

4 I pass the gloomy vale of death,
From fear and danger free;

For there his aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.

5 Since God doth thus his wondrous love
Through all my life extend,

That life to him I will devote,
And in his temple spend.

439 "My soul truly waiteth still upon God." L.M.

M

From the lxii. Psalm.

Y soul, for help on God rely,

On him alone thy trust repose; My rock and health will strength supply To bear the shock of all my foes.

2 God does his saving health dispense, And flowing blessings daily send; He is my fortress and defence,

On him my soul shall still depend. 3 In him, ye people, always trust;

Before his throne pour out your hearts: For God, the merciful and just,

His timely aid to us imparts.

440 The Lord shall give his people the blessing C. M.

of peace."

FATHER, whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,

Accepted at thy throne of grace
Let this petition rise.

2 Give me a calm and thankful heart,
From every murmur free;

The blessings of thy grace impart,
And let me live to thee.

3 Let the sweet hope that thou art mine
My path of life attend:

Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey's end.

441

C. M.

"My peace I give unto you.” HILE thee I seek, protecting Power,

W Be my vain wishes stilled;

And may this consecrated hour

With better hopes be filled.

2 Thy love the power of thought bestowed,
To thee my thoughts would soar:
Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed,
That mercy I adore.

3 In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see :

Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferred by thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,

My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.

5 When gladness wings my favoured hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill;
Resigned when storms of sorrow lower,
My soul shall meet thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear,
The gathering storms shall see;

My steadfast heart shall know no fear,
That heart will rest on thee.

442

"I will rejoice in the Lord."

8s. 6s.

LTHOUGH the vine its fruit deny,

A The budding fig tree droop and die,

No oil the olive yield;

Yet will I trust me in my God,
Yea, bend rejoicing to his rod,"
And by his grace be heal'd.

2 Though fields, in verdure once array'd,
By whirlwinds desolate be laid,
Or parch'd by scorching beam;
Still in the Lord shall be my trust,
My joy; for, though his frown is just,
His mercy is supreme.

3 Though from the folds the flock decay,
Though herds lie famish'd o'er the lea,
And round the empty stall;
My soul above the wreck shall rise,
Its better joys are in the skies;
There God is all in all.

4 In God my strength, howe'er distrest,
I yet will hope, and calmly rest,
Nay, triumph in his love:

My lingering soul, my tardy feet,
Free as the hind he makes, and fleet,
To speed my course above.

443 "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith

fail not."

N the hour of trial,

IJésus, plead for me;

Lest by base denial

I depart from thee;

M

6s. 5s.

Double.

When thou see'st me waver,
With a look recall,
Nor for fear or favour
Suffer me to fall.

2 With forbidden pleasures
Would this vain world charm;
Or its sordid treasures

Spread to work me harm;
Bring to my remembrance
Sad Gethsemane,
Or, in darker semblance,
Cross-crown'd Calvary.

3 Should thy mercy send me
Sorrow, toil, and woe;
Or should pain attend me
On my path below;
Grant that I may never
Fail thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever
Cast my care on thee.
4 When my last hour cometh,
Fraught with strife and pain,
When my dust returneth
To the dust again;

On thy truth relying,

Through that mortal strife,

Jesus, take me, dying,
To eternal life.

444 "My meditation of him shall be sweet.”

S

L.M.

Is there a lone and dreary hou their power?