And hope itself despairing weep, While life deplores its last supply: 3 Amid the dark, the deathful scene, If I can say, The LORD is mine! The joy shall triumph o'er the pain, And glory dawn, tho' life decline. 4 The GOD of my salvation lives; My nobler life he will sustain; His word immortal vigour gives, Nor shall my glorious hopes be vain. 5 Thy presence, LORD! can cheer my heart, Though ev'ry earthly comfort die; Thy smile can bid my pains depart, And raise my sacred pleasures high. 6 O let me hear thy blissful voice, Inspiring life and joys divine! The barren desert shall rejoice; 'Tis paradise if thou art mine. 1 439. Long Metre. Doddridge. The weeping seed-time and joyful harvest. HE darken'd sky-how thick it low'rs! Troubl'd with storms, and big with show'rs; THE No cheerful gleam of light appears, And, from the gloomiest shade of night, 3 The seeds of ecstacy unknown, PART XIV. Life, Death, Judgment, and a Future State. 440. Common Metre. WATTS. The shortness of life and the goodness of GOD. IME! what an empty vapour 'tis! 1 TIME! Our days, how swift they are! Swift as an Indian arrow flies, Or like a shooting star. 2 Successive moments just appear, Then slide away in haste; Nor can we ever say "they're here,” 3 Our life is ever on the wing, To live, no sooner we begin, 4 Yet, mighty God! our fleeting days 5 His goodness runs an endless round; His mercy never knows a bound, And be his name ador'd. 6 Thus we begin the lasting song; And when in dust we lie, 1 Let age to age thy praise prolong, 441. Common Metre. WATTS. OU UR GOD! our help in ages past, 2 Before the hills in order stood, 3 Thy word commands our flesh to dust, "Return, ye sons of men:" All nations rose from earth at first, 4 The busy tribes of flesh and blood, 5 Like flow'ry fields the nations stand, The flow'rs, beneath the mower's hand, 6 Our God! our help in ages past, 442. Long Metre. Doddridge. Mutability of the creation and immutability of 1 God. REAT Former of this various frame! We reverence thine awful name; And bow, and tremble, while we praise The Ancient of eternal days. 2 Thou, LORD! with unsurpris'd survey See earth and stars in ruin lie. 3 Beyond an angel's vision bright, 5 But let the creatures fall around; |