2 Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale;
And nightly, to the listening earth,
Repeats the story of her birth:
While all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Con firm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
3 What though in solemn silence all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball;
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found;
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
'The hand that made us is divine.'
1 My God! all nature owns thy sway;
Thou givest the night and thou the day;
When all thy loved creation wakes,
When morning rich in lustre breaks,
And bathes in dew the opening flower,
To thee we owe her fragrant hour;
And when she pours her choral song,
Her melodies to thee belong.
2 Or when, in purer tints arrayed,
The evening slowly spreads her shade-
That soothing shade, that grateful gloom,
Can, more than day's enlivening bloom,
Still every fond and vain desire,
And calmer, purer thoughts inspire,
From earth the pensive spirit free,
And lead the softened heart to thee.
3 As o'er thy work the seasons roll,
And soothe, with change of bliss, the soul,
O, never may their smiling train
Pass o'er the human sense in vain;
But oft, as on their charms we gaze,
Attune the wandering soul to praise ;
And be the joys that most we prize,
The joys that from thy favor rise.
1 How shall we praise the eternal God?
The infinite unknown;
Who can ascend his high abode,
Or venture near his throne ?
2 The great Invisible! he dwells
Concealed in dazzling light;
But his all-searching eye reveals
The secrets of the night.
3 Those watchful eyes, that never sleep,
Survey the world around;
His wisdom is a boundless deep,
Where all our thoughts are drowned.
4 Speak we of strength? his arm is strong To save or to destroy;
Infinite years his praise prolong,
And endless is his joy.
5 May this great God our guardian prove
Through all our coming days;
Then shall our spirits all be love,
And all our powers be praise.
130. C. M.
Praise to God.
1 SING to the Lord Jehovah's name,
And in his strength rejoice;
When his salvation is our theme,
Exalted be our voice.
2 With thanks approach his awful seat,
And psalms of honor sing;
The Lord's a God of boundless might,
The whole creation's King.
3 Earth, with its caverns dark and deep,
Lies in his spacious hand;
He showed the seas what bounds to keep,
And where the hills must stand.
4 Let princes hear, let angels know,
How mean their natures seem;
Those gods on high, and gods below-
When once compared with Him.
5 Come! and with humble souls adore,
Come! kneel before his face;
Oh! may the creatures of his
Be children of his grace.
131. L. M.
Praise to God.
1 GIVE to the Lord immortal praise;
Mercy and truth are all his ways;
Wonders of grace to God belong;
Repeat his mercies in your song.
2 Give to the Lord of lords renown;
The King of kings with glory crown;
His mercies ever shall endure,
When lords and kings are known no more.
3 He sent his Son, with power to save
From guilt and darkness and the grave;
Wonders of grace to God belong;
Repeat his mercies in your song.
4 Through this vain world he guides our feet, And leads us to his heavenly seat;
His mercies ever shall endure,
When this vain world shall be no more.
132. C. M.
Praise to God.
1 LONG as I live I'll bless thy name,
My King, my God of love;
My work and joy shall be the same
In the bright world above.
2 Great is the Lord; his power unknown:
And let his praise be great;
I'll sing the honors of his throne,
His works of grace repeat.
3 The Lord supports our helpless days,
And leads our giddy youth;
Holy and just are all thy ways,
And all thy ways are truth.
4 Fathers to sons shall teach thy name,
And children learn thy ways;
Ages to come thy truth proclaim,
And sound thy lasting praise.
JESUS CHRIST AND THE SCRIPTURES.
1 HARK! the glad sound, the Saviour comes;
The Saviour, promised long;
Let every heart a throne prepare,
And every voice a song.
2 On him the Spirit, largely poured,
Exerts its holy fire;
Wisdom and might, and zeal and love,
His sacred breast inspire.
3 He comes, the prisoners to release.
In wretched bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
4 He comes, from thickest films of vice
To clear the mental ray,
And on the eyeballs of the blind
To pour celestial day.
5 Our glad hosannas, Prince of peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
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