HYMNS.

I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

GR

REAT God, with wonder and with praise
On all thy works I look;

But still thy wisdom, power, and grace,
Shine brightest in thy book.

2 The stars that in their courses roii,
Have much instruction given;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may soar to heaven.

3 The fields provide me food, and show
The goodness of the Lord;

But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.

4 Here are my choicest treasures hid,
Here my best comfort lies;
Here my desires are satisfied,
And here my hopes arise.

5 Lord, make me understand thy law,
Show what my faults have been;
And from thy Gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sin.

6 Here would I learn how Christ has died
To save my soul from hell;
Not all the books on earth beside,
Such heavenly wonders tell.

7 Then let me love my Bible more,
And take a fresh delight,

By day to read these wonders o'er,
And meditate by night.

FA

'ATHER of mercies! in thy word
What endless glory shines!

For ever be thy name adored

For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast;
Sublimer sweets than nature knows
Invite the longing taste.

4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around;
And life and everlasting joys

Attend the blissful sound.

5 O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.

6 Divine Instructer, gracious Lord,
Be thou for ever near;

Teach me to love thy sacred word,
And view my Saviour there.

GR

REAT first of beings! mighty Lord
Of all this wondrous frame !

Produced by thy creating word,

The world from nothing came.

2 Thy voice sent forth the high command, "Twas instantly obey'd:

And through thy goodness all things stand
Which by thy power were made.
3 Lord, for thy glory shine the whole;
They all reflect thy light:

For this, in course the planets roll,
And day succeeds the night.

4 For this, the sun dispenses heat
And beams of cheering day;
And distant stars, in order set,
By night thy power display.
5 For this, the earth its produce yields,
For this, the waters flow;

And blooming plants adorn the fields,
And trees aspiring grow.

6 Inspired with praise, our minds pursue This wise and noble end;

That all we think, and all we do,
Shall to thine honour tend.

LET heaven arise, let earth appear,

Proclaim'd th' Eternal Lord:

The heaven arose, the earth appear'd,
At his creating word.

2 But formless was the earth, and void,
Dark, sluggish, and confused;
Till o'er the mass the Spirit moved,
And quickening power diffused.
3 Then spake the Lord Omnipotent
The mandate, "Be there light:"
Light darted forth in vivid rays,
And scatter'd ancient night.

4 The glorious firmament he spread,
To part the earth and sky;
And fix'd the upper elements
Within their spheres on high.

5 He bade the seas together flow;
They left the solid land:

And herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees,
Sprung forth at his command.

6 Above, he form'd the stars; and placed
Two greater orbs of light;
The radiant sun to rule the day,
The moon to rule the night.

7 To all the varied living tribes

He gave their wondrous birth:
Some form'd within the watery deep,
Some from the teeming earth.

8 Then, chief o'er all his works below,
Man, honour'd man, was made;
His soul with God's pure image stamp'd,
With innocence array'd.

9 Completed now the mighty work,
God his creation view'd;

And, pleased with all that he had made,
Pronounced it "

"very good."

Praise from Living Creatures.

BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay,

Let each enraptured thought obey, And praise th' Almighty's Name: Let heaven and earth, and seas and skies, In one melodious concert rise,

To swell th' inspiring theme.

2 Ye angels, catch the thrilling sound,
While all the adoring thrones around
His boundless mercy sing;
Let every listening saint above
Wake all the tuneful soul of love,
And touch the sweetest string.

Whate'er this living world contains,
That wings the air or treads the plains,
United praise bestow;

Ye tenants of the ocean wide,
Proclaim Him through the mighty tide,
And in the deeps below.

Let man, by nobler passions sway'd,
The feeling heart, the judging head,
In heavenly praise employ;
Spread HIS tremendous Name around,
While heaven's broad arch rings back the sound,
The general burst of joy.

Praise from the Elements and Worlds.

YE fields of light, celestial plains,
Where pure, serene effulgence reigns,
Ye scenes divinely fair,

Your Maker's wondrous power proclaim,
Tell how he form'd your shining frame,
And breathed the fluid air.

2 Join, all ye stars, the vocal choir;
Thou dazzling orb of liquid fire,
The mighty chorus aid;

And, soon as evening veils the plain,
Thou moon, prolong the hallow'd strain,
And praise Him in the shade.

3 Thou heaven of heavens, his vast abode,
Proclaim the glories of thy God;

Ye worlds, declare his might;
He spake the word, and ye were made,
Darkness and dismal chaos fled,

And nature sprung to light.

4 Let every element rejoice;

Ye thunders, burst with awful voice
To Him who bids you roll;