THE BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH.
1 THE King of saints! how fair His face,
Adorned with majesty and grace!
He comes with blessings from above
And wins the nations with His love.
2 At His right hand our eyes behold
The queen arrayed in purest gold;
The world admires her heavenly dress,
Her robe of joy and righteousness.
3 He forms her beauties like His own,
He calls and seats her near His throne;
Fair stranger, let thy heart forget
The idols of thy native state.
4 So shall the King the more rejoice
In thee, the favourite of His choice;
Let Him be loved, and yet adored;
For He's thy Maker and thy Lord.
5 Oh! happy hour! when thou shalt rise
To His fair palace in the skies;
And all thy sons, a numerous train,
Each, like a prince, in glory reign.
6 Let endless honours crown His head,
Let every age His praises spread;
While we with cheerful songs approve
The condescension of His love.
THE SAFETY OF THE CHURCH.
1 GOD is our refuge in distress,
A present help when dangers press:
On Him for safety we relied,
And in His strength we will confide;
2 Though earth were from her centre tossed,
And mountains in the ocean lost;
Or lofty hills from their abode,
Torn piece-meal by the roaring flood.
3 Let angry waves together rolled
Rage on with fury uncontrolled;
We will not fear, whilst we depend
On God, who is our constant friend.
4 A gentler stream, that ever flows,
And joy to all around bestows,
The city of the Lord shall fill,
The city where He's worshipped still.
5 God dwells in Zion, whose strong towers Shall mock th' assualt of earthly powers, And His almighty aid is nigh,
To those who on His strength rely.
1 LET Zion in her King rejoice,
Though tyrants rage and kingdoms rise; He utters His almighty voice,
The nations melt, the tumult dies.
2 The Lord of old for Jacob fought,
And Jacob's God is still our aid:
Behold the works His hand has wrought,
What desolations He has made!
3 From sea to sea through all the shores,
He makes the noise of battle cease;
When from on high His thunder roars,
He awes the trembling world to peace.
4 He breaks the bow, He cuts the spear; Chariots He burns with heavenly flame: Keep silence all the earth, and hear
The sound and glory of His name.
5 "Be still, and learn that I am God,
I'll be exalted o'er the lands;
I will be known and feared abroad,
But still My throne in Zion stands."
6 O Lord of hosts, almighty King!
While we so near Thy presence dwell,
Our faith shall sit secure, and sing
Defiance to the gates of hell.
CHRIST ASCENDING AND REIGNING.
1 OH! for a shout of sacred joy,
To God the sovereign King!
Let every land their tongues employ,
And hymns of triumph sing.
2 Jesus, our God, ascends on high;
His heavenly guards around
Attend Him rising through the sky,
With trumpet's joyful sound.
3 While angels shout and praise their King,
Let mortals learn their strains:
Let all the earth His honours sing;
O'er all the earth He reigns.
4 Rehearse His praise with awe profound,
Let knowledge lead the song;
Nor mock Him with a solemn sound,
Upon a thoughtless tongue.
5 In Israel stood His ancient throne,
He loved that chosen race;
But now He calls the world His own,
And heathens taste His grace.
6 These western climes are all the Lord's,
Here Abraham's God is known;
While powers and princes, shields and swords.
Submit before His Throne.
THE CHURCH, THE SAFETY OF A NATION.
1 GREAT is the Lord our God,
And let His praise be great;
He makes His churches His abode,
His most delightful seat.
2 These temples of His grace,
How beautiful they stand!
The honour of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.
3 In Zion God is known,
A refuge in distress:
How bright has His salvation shone
Through all her palaces!
4 When kings against her joined,
And saw the Lord was there,
In wild confusion of the mind
They fled with hasty fear,
5 When navies tall and proud
Attempt to spoil our peace,
He sends His tempests roaring loud,
And sinks them in the seas.
6 Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen;
How well our God secures the fold,
Where His own sheep have been.
7 In every new distress,
We'll to His house repair:
We'll think upon His wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.
THE WORSHIP AND ORDER OF THE CHURCH.
1 FAR as Thy name is known,
The world declares Thy praise;
Thy saints, O Lord, before Thy throne,
Their songs of honour raise.
2 With joy Thy people stand
On Zion's chosen hill,
Proclaim the wonders of Thy hand,
And counsels of Thy will.
3 Let strangers walk around
The city where we dwell,
Compass and view Thy holy ground,
And mark the building well;
4 The orders of Thy house,
The worship of Thy court,
The cheerful songs, the solemn vows,
And make a fair report.
5 How decent and how wise!
How glorious to behold,
Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes,
And rites adorned with gold!
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