634 L. M. Loving kindness.
Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, And sing the great Redeemer’s praise; He justly claims a song from me, His loving kindness, O how free!
2 He saw me ruined in the fall, Yet loved me, notwithstanding all; He saved me from my lost estate, His loving kindness, O how great.
3 Though numerous hosts of mighty foes, Though earth and hell, my way oppose, He safely leads my soul along, His loving kindness, O how strong!
4 When trouble, like a gloomy cloud, Has gathered thick and thundered loud, He near my soul has always stood, His loving kindness, O how good!
5 Soon shall I pass the gloomy vale, Soon all my mortal powers must fail; O may my last expiring breath His loving kindness sing in death!
6 Then let me mount and soar away To the bright world of endless day, And sing with rapture and surprise, His loving kindness in the skies!
635 L. M. I will praise thee for ever. Psalm 52:9.
My God, my King, thy various praise Shall fill the remnant of my days; Thy grace employ my humble tongue, Till death and glory raise the song.
2 The wings of every hour shall bear Some thankful tribute to thine ear, And every setting sun shall see New works of duty, done for thee.
3 Let distant times and nations raise The long succession of thy praise; And unborn ages make my song The joy and labor of my tongue.
4 But who can speak thy wondrous deeds? Thy greatness all my thoughts exceeds: Vast and unsearchable thy ways, Vast and immortal is thy praise.
636 L. M. Omnipresence. Psalm 138.
Lord of all being; throned afar, Thy glory flames from sun and star; Center and soul of every sphere, Yet to each loving heart how near!
2 Sun of our life, thy quickening ray Sheds on our path the glow of day; Star of our hope, thy softened light Cheers the long watches of the night.
3 Our midnight is thy smile withdrawn; Our noontide is thy gracious dawn; Our rainbow arch thy mercy’s sign; All, save the clouds of sin, are thine!
4 Lord of all life, below, above, Whose light is truth, whose warmth is love, Before thy ever-blazing throne We ask no luster of our own.
5 Grant us thy truth to make us free, And kindling hearts that burn for thee, Till all thy living altars claim One holy light, one heavenly flame!
637 L. M. His mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1.
O render thanks to God above, The fountain of eternal love; Whose mercy firm through ages past Has stood, and shall for ever last.
2 Who can his mighty deeds express, Not only vast, but numberless! What mortal eloquence can raise His tribute of immortal praise!
638 L. M. Condescension of Christ.
How sweet the praise, how high the theme, To sing of him who rules supreme, Who dwells at God’s right hand on high, Yet looks on us with tender eye.
2 Th’ angelic host, in countless throngs, Recount his glories in their songs, And golden harps salute his ear; Yet our weak praise he deigns to hear.
3 The planets roll their orbits round; Unnumbered worlds, in space profound, Are ruled by him, by him controlled; Yet he’s the Shepherd of our fold.
4 Exalted high upon his throne, The universe is all his own: Untold the honors he doth wear; Yet we are objects of his care.
639 C. P. M. Matt. 1:21.
O let your mingling voices rise In grateful rapture to the skies, And hail a Saviour’s birth; Let songs of joy the day proclaim, When Jesus all-triumphant came To bless the sons of earth.
2 He came to bid the weary rest; To heal the sinner’s wounded breast; To bind the broken heart; To spread the light of truth around; And to the world’s remotest bound, The heavenly gift impart.
3 He came, our trembling souls to save From sin, from sorrow, and the grave, And chase our fears away; Victorious over death and time, To lead us to a happier clime, Where reigns eternal day.
640 P. M. To him be glory.
Rejoice, O earth! the Lord is King! To him your humble tribute bring; Let Jacob rise, and Zion sing, And all the world with praises ring, And give to Jesus glory!
2 O may the saints of every name Unite to serve the bleeding Lamb! May jars and discords cease to flame, And all the Saviour’s love proclaim, And give to Jesus glory!
3 We long to see the Christians join In union sweet and love divine, And glory through the churches shine, And Gentiles crowding to the sign, To give to Jesus glory!
4 O may the distant lands rejoice, And sinners hear the Bridegroom’s voice, While praise their happy tongues employs, And all obtain immortal joys, And give to Jesus glory!