441 L. M. God is the midst of her. Psalm 46:5.
Happy the church, thou sacred place, The seat of thy Creator’s grace! Thine holy courts are his abode, Thou earthly palace of our God!
2 Thy walls are strength, and at thy gates A guard of heavenly warriors waits; Nor shall thy deep foundations move, Fixed on his counsels and his love.
3 Thy foes in vain designs engage; Against his throne in vain they rage: Like rising waves, with angry roar, That dash and die upon the shore.
4 God is our shield, and God our sun; Swift as the fleeting moments run, On us he sheds new beams of grace, And we reflect his brightest praise.
442 L. M. God is our refuge. Psalm 46:1.
God is the refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade; Ere we can offer our complaints, Behold him present with his aid.
2 Let mountains from their seats be hurled Down to the deep, and buried there; Convulsions shake the solid world; Our faith shall never yield to fear.
3 Zion enjoys her monarch’s love, Secure against a threatening hour; Nor can her firm foundations move, Built on his truth, and armed with power.
443 C. M. A kingdom which can not be moved. Heb. 12:28.
Thy kingdom, Lord, for ever stands, While earthly thrones decay; And time submits to thy commands, While ages roll away.
2 Thy sovereign bounty freely gives Its unexhausted store; And universal nature lives On thy sustaining power.
3 Holy and just in all thy ways, Thy providence divine; In all thy works, immortal rays Of power and mercy shine.
4 The praise of God—delightful theme! Shall fill my heart and tongue; Let all creation bless his name, In one eternal song.
444 C. M. A sure foundation. Isaiah 28:16.
Behold the sure foundation-stone, Which God in Zion lays, To build our heavenly hopes upon, And his eternal praise!
2 Chosen of God, to sinners dear, And saints adore the name; They trust their whole salvation here, Nor shall they suffer shame.
3 The foolish builders, scribe, and priest, Reject it with disdain; Yet on this rock the church shall rest, And envy rage in vain.
4 What though the gates of hell withstood, Yet must this building rise: ’Tis thy own work, almighty God, And wondrous in our eyes.
445 C. M. Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1.
How did my heart rejoice to hear My friends devoutly say, “In Zion let us all appear, And keep the solemn day.”
2 I love her gates, I love the road: The church, adorned with grace, Stands like a palace, built for God, To show his milder face.
3 Up to her courts, with joys unknown, The holy tribes repair; The Son of David holds his throne, And sits in judgment there.
4 He hears our praises and complaints; And while his awful voice Divides the sinners from the saints, We tremble and rejoice.
5 Peace be within this sacred place, And joy a constant guest! With holy gifts and heavenly grace, Be her attendants blest!
6 My soul shall pray for Zion still, While life or breath remains; There my best friends, my kindred, dwell, There God, my Saviour reigns.
446 C. M. Yet will I not forget thee. Isaiah 49:15.
A mother may forgetful be, For human love is frail; But thy Creator’s love to thee, O Zion! can not fail.
2 No! thy dear name engraven stands, In characters of love, On thy almighty Father’s hands, And never shall remove.
3 Before his ever watchful eye Thy mournful state appears; And every groan, and every sigh, Divine compassion hears.
4 O Zion! learn to doubt no more, Be every fear suppressed; Unchanging truth, and love, and power, Dwell in thy Saviour’s breast.
447 C. M. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1.
The Lord of glory is my light, And my salvation too; God is my strength, nor will I fear What all my foes can do.
2 One blessing, Lord, my heart desires; O, grant me my abode Among the churches of thy saints, The temples of my God.
3 There shall I offer my requests, And see thy glory still; Shall hear thy messages of love, And learn thy holy will.
4 When troubles rise, and storms appear, There may his children hide; God has a strong pavilion, where He makes my soul abide.
5 Now shall my head be lifted high Above my foes around, And songs of joy and victory Within thy temple sound.
448 C. M. Fear not, little flock. Luke 12:32.
There is a little, lonely fold, Whose flock one Shepherd keeps, Through summer’s heat and winter’s cold, With eye that never sleeps.
2 By evil beast, or burning sky, Or damp of midnight air, Not one in all that flock shall die Beneath that Shepherd’s care.