"BY the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Protestant 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." 4 Ungodly men, and their attempts, No lasting root shall find; Untimely blasted, and dispers'd Like chaff before the wind. 5 Their guilt shall strike the wicked dumb 6 For God approves the just man's ways; But sinners, and the paths they tread, PSALM 2. C. M. From the ii. Psalm of David. HUS God declares his sovereign will: "The King that I ordain, 2 Attend, O earth, whilst I declare "Thou art my Son, this day my heir 3 "Ask, and receive thy full demands; Shall be possess'd by thee." 4 Learn then, ye princes; and give ear, Worship the Lord with holy fear; 5 Appease the Son with due respect, Your timely homage pay: Lest he revenge the bold neglect, Incens'd by your delay. 6 If but in part his anger rise, Who can endure the flame? Then blest are they, whose hope relics PSALM 3. C. M. From the iii. Psalm of David. HOU, gracious God, art my defence; On thee my hopes rely; 2 Since wher soe'er, in my distress, 3 Guarded by him, I lay me down His blessings he extends to all PSALM 4. C. M. From the iv. Psalm of David. Is God's peculiar choice; He always hears my voice. 2 Then stand in awe of his commands, 3 The sacrifice of righteousness 4 While worldly minds impatient grow Shine brightly, Lord, on me. 5 So shall my heart o'erflow with joy, 6 Then down in peace I'll lay my head, No other guard, O Lord, I crave, PSALM 5. L. M. From the v. Psalm of David. EGARD my words, O gracious Lord, Accept my secret prayer; 2 Thou in the morn my voice shalt hear, To thee devoutly pray. 3 Lord, I within thy house will come, Tow'rd thy most holy place. 5 To righteous men, the righteous Lord PSALM 6. S. M. From the vi. Psalm of David. 2 Touch'd by thy quick'ning power, My load of guilt I feel; The wounds thy Spirit hath unclosed, 3 In trouble and in gloom, Must I for ever mourn ? And wilt thou not, at length, O God, In pitying love return? 4 0 come, ere life expire, Send down thy power to save; For who shall sing thy name in death, 5 Why should I doubt thy grace, Or yield to dread despair? Thou wilt fulfil thy promised word, PSALM 7. C. M. From the viii. Psalm of David. THOU, to whom all creatures bow Within this earthly frame, Through all the world how great art thou! How glorious is thy name! 2 In heaven thy wondrous acts are sung, And yet thou mak'st the infant tongue 3 When heaven, thy beauteous work on high, Employs my wondering sight; The moon, that nightly rules the sky, 4 0, what is man, that, Lord, thou lov'st Or what his offspring, that thou prov'st 5 Him next in power thou didst create To thy celestial train; 6 They jointly own his powerful sway; The beasts that prey or graze; 7 0 thou, to whom all creatures bow Through all the world how great art thou! PSALM 8. C. M. From the ix. Psalm of David. O celebrate thy praise, O Lord, I will my heart prepare; To all the list'ning world, thy works, Thy wondrous works, declare. 2 The thought of them shall to my soul Whilst to thy name, O thou Most High, 3 The Lord for ever lives, who has To punish or reward. 4 All those who have his goodness proved, Will in his truth confide; Whose mercy ne'er forsook the man That on his help relied. 5 Sing praises therefore to the Lord, Proclaim his deeds, till all the world PSALM 9. C. M. From the xi. Psalm of David. HE Lord a holy temple hath, (IAL I And righteous throne, above; Whence he surveys the sons of men, And how their counsels move. 2 If God the righteous, whom he loves, For trial does correct, What must the sons of violence, Whom he abhors, expect? 3 Snares, fire, and brimstone, on their heads Shall in one tempest shower; This dreadful mixture his revenge 4 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds With signal favour grace, And to the upright man disclose PSALM 10. C. M. From the xiii. Psalm of David. Ow long wilt thou forget me, Lord? How long wilt thou withdraw from me, 2 O hear, and to my longing eyes 3 Since I have always plac'd my trust Beneath thy mercy's wing, Thy saving health will come, and then 4 Then shall my song, with praise inspir'd, Who to thy servant in distress Such bounty didst extend. |