5 Divine Instructor! Gracious Lord! Teach me to love thy sacred word, 43. C.M.-"Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet," &c. Ps. cxix. 105. 1 HOW precious is the book divine, By inspiration given! Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, 2 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, Life, light, and joy it still imparts, 3 This lamp through all the tedious night 44. L.M.-Benefits of the Word. 1 WHEN Israel through the desert pass'd, A fiery pillar went before; Their guide by night through all the waste, From Egypt quite to Canaan's shore. 2 Such is thy glorious word, O God, 'Tis for our light and guidance given; It sheds a lustre all abroad, And points the path to bliss and heaven. 3 It fills the soul with sweet delight, And quickens its inactive powers; Sets all our wandering footsteps right, Displays thy love, and kindles ours. 4 Its promises rejoice our hearts, Its doctrines are divinely true; Knowledge and pleasure it imparts, Yields comfort and instruction too. 5 Ye British isles, who have this word, 45. C.M.-The Light and Glory of the Word. 1 A GLORY gilds the sacred page, It gives a light to every age; 3 Let everlasting thanks be thine, As makes a world of darkness shine 4 My soul rejoices to pursue 46. L.M.-The Voice of God in his Works. 1 THE spacious firmament on high, 2 The unwearied sun from day to day 4 Whilst all the stars around her burn, And all the planets, in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole. 6 In reason's ear they all rejoice, 47. L.M.-God's Goodness and wonderful Works. Ps. cvii. 21. 1 YE sons of men, with joy record The various wonders of the Lord; And let his power and goodness sound Through all your tribes the earth around. 2 Let the high heavens your songs invite, Those spacious fields of brilliant light; Where sun, and moon, and planets roll, And stars that glow from pole to pole. 3 Sing earth, in verdant robes array'd, Its herbs and flowers, its fruit and shade; Peopled with life of various forms, Fishes, and fowl, and beasts, and worms. 4 View the broad sea's majestic plains, And think how wide its Maker reigns; That band remotest nations joins, And on each wave his goodness shines. 5 But oh! that brighter world above, Where lives and reigns incarnate love! God's only Son, in flesh array'd, For man a bleeding victim made. 6 Thither, my soul, with rapture soar; 48. L.M.-A summary view of the Creation. Gen. i. 1 LOOK up, ye saints, direct your eyes To him who dwells above the skies; With your glad notes his praise rehearse Who formed the mighty universe. 2 He spoke, and from the womb of night At once sprung up the cheering light: Him discord heard; and, at his nod, Beauty awoke, and spoke the God. 3 The word he gave, the obedient sun Began his glorious race to run; Nor silver moon, nor stars delay To glide along the ethereal way. 4 Teeming with life,-air, earth, and sea, Obey the Almighty's high decree: To every tribe he gives their food, Then speaks the whole divinely good. 5 But, to complete the wondrous plan, From earth and dust he fashions man; In man the last, in him the best, The Maker's image stands confest. 6 Lord, while thy glorious works I'view, Form thou my heart and soul anew, Here bid thy purest light to shine, And beauty glow with charms divine! 49. C.M.-Meditating on Creation and Providence. 1 LORD, when our raptur'd thought surveys Creation's beauties o'er, All nature joins to teach thy praise, And bids our souls adore. 2 Where'er we turn our gazing eyes, Ten thousand pleasing wonders rise, 3 Thy wisdom, power, and goodness, Lord, 4 From thee the breath of life he drew; 5 Thy providence his constant guard, 6 On us that providence has shone O may our lips and lives make known 50. C.M.-The folly of self-dependence. Prov. iii. 5-7. 1 THE swift not always in the race 2 Fond mortals but themselves beguile 3 Evil and good before thee stand, The blessing comes at thy command, |