3 He hath revealed a blest abode,
In gospel-lines divinely fair;
Come, let us seek the heavenly road,
That we may not be strangers there.
4 Then we may trust our Father's love,
That when we've passed these days of care,
Trained for his blissful courts above,
An endless Sabbath we shall share.
"The Lord God is a Sun and Shield." Ps. 84.
1 How lovely are thy dwellings fair!
O Lord of hosts, how dear
The pleasant tabernacles are,
Where thou dost dwell so near!
2 Happy, who in thy house reside,
Where thee they ever praise,
Happy, whose strength in thee doth bide,
And in their hearts thy ways.
3 They pass through sorrow's thirsty vale,
That dry and barren ground,
As through a fruitful, wat'ry dale,
Where springs and showers abound.
4 They journey on from strength to strength, With joy and gladsome cheer,
Till all before our God at length
In Zion do appear.
5 For God the Lord, both sun and shield,
Gives grace and glory bright;
No good from them shall be withheld
Whose ways are just and right.
The Sabbath of the Soul.
1 O FATHER! though the anxious fear
May cloud to-morrow's way,
No fear nor doubt shall enter here,—
All shall be thine to-day.
2 We will not bring divided hearts
To worship at thy shrine;
But each unworthy thought departs,
And leaves this temple thine.
3 Then sleep to-day, tormenting cares,
Of earth and folly born;
Ye shall not dim the light that streams
From this celestial morn.
4 To-morrow will be time enough
To feel your harsh control;
Ye shall not violate this day,
The Sabbath of the soul."
A Psalm for the Lord's Day. Ps. 92.
1 SWEET is the work, my God, my King,
To praise thy name, give thanks and sing;
To show thy love by morning light,
And talk of all thy truth at night.
2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest;
No mortal cares shall seize my breast;
O may my heart in tune be found,
Like David's harp of solemn sound.
3 My heart shall triumph in the Lord,
And bless his works, and bless his word;
His works of grace, how bright they shine!
How deep his counsels, how divine!
4 Then shall I see, and hear, and know
All I desired or hoped below,
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.
"The Church of the Living God.”
1 I LOVE thy Church, O God!
Her walls before thee stand
Dear as the apple of thine eye,
And graven on thy hand.
2 For her my tears shall fall;
For her my prayers ascend:
To her my toils and cares be given,
Till toils and cares shall end.
3 Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.
4 Jesus! thou Friend divine,
Our Saviour and our King,
Thy hand from every snare and foe
Shall great deliverance bring.
5 Sure as thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be given
The brightest glories earth can yield,
And brighter bliss of heaven.
The Sabbath and the Earthly Temple.
1 THE Sabbath morn, my God, is come,
That calls me to thy sacred dome,
Thy presence to adore:
My feet the summons shall attend,
With willing steps thy courts ascend,
And tread the hallowed floor.
2 With holy joy I hail the day,
That warns my thirsting soul away;
What transports fill my breast!
For, lo! my great Redeemer's power
Unfolds the everlasting door,
And leads me to his rest!
3 Hither, from earth's remotest end,
Lo! the redeemed of God ascend,
Their tribute hither bring;
Here, crowned with everlasting joy,
In hymns of praise their tongues employ,
And hail the immortal King.
The Lord's Day. Ps. 118..
1 THIS is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours his own;
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
2 Hosanna to the anointed King,
To David's holy Son;
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from the throne.
3 Blest be the Lord, who comes to men,
With messages of grace,
Who comes in God his Father's name,
To save our sinful race.
4 Hosanna in the highest strains
The church on earth can raise,
The highest heavens, in which he reigns, Shall give him nobler praise.
"I will go to the Altar of God."
1 IF, in a temple made with hands,
God speaketh still his high commands,
Let me to that blest place repair,
That I may learn my duty there.
2 If, in the ailments of the soul,
There be a power that makes it whole,
Let me to that pure fount apply,
Lest the neglected spirit die.
3 If there be still a sacrifice,
That may to God with favour rise,
Let me present a contrite heart,
Ere from this temple I depart.
4 If, in the dread of death's dark hour,
The word of life hath soothing power,
To hear that word, my spirit, haste,
Ere yet the pains of death I taste.
5 Where God would have the off'ring made, There be the willing tribute paid,
Till to his name I consecrate
The worship of an endless state.
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