2. God the Father of his People, C.M.

Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer: thy name is from everlasting.-ISAIah lxiii. 16.

THE GOD, who reigns above, we call
Our Father and our Friend:
And, blessed thought! his children all
Shall see him in the end.

2 Tho' now dispers'd, the day will come, When he who made them his,

Will take them hence, and bear them home,

To "see him as he is."

3 Tho' now unknown, they soon shall be The sons of GOD confess'd:

Those, who despise them now, shall see
That they alone are blest.

4 But let his children, while on earth,
With foes and strangers mix'd,
Be mindful of their heav'nly birth;
Their thoughts on glory fix'd.

5 That they should glorify him here,
Their Father's purpose is;
And when at last he shall appear,
He will confess them his."

3. God the Father of his People. C.M.

But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father.-ISA. lxiv. 8.

OUR Father sits on yonder throne,
Amidst the hosts above:

He reigns throughout the world alone,
He reigns, the God of love.

2 He knew us, when we knew him not;
Was with us, though unseen:
His favour came to us unsought;
His love has wond'rous been.

3 He keeps us now, securely keeps, Whatever foe assails,

With vigilance that never sleeps;
With pow'r that never fails.

4 He gives us hope that we shall be,
Ere long with him above;

The fulness of his glory see,
And celebrate his love.

5 Then let us, while we dwell below,
Obey our Father's voice;

To all his dispensations bow,
And in his name rejoice.

6 How sweet to hear him say at last!
"Ye blessed children come:
"The days of banishment are past!
"Your Father calls you home."

4. God the Father of his People. C.M.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.-ISAIAH xli. 10.

AND art thou with me, gracious LORD,
To dissipate my fear?

Dost thou proclaim thyself my God,
My God for ever near?

2 Dost thou a Father's bowels feel
For all thy humble Saints?
And in such tender accents speak
To soothe their sad complaints?

1

3 On this support my soul shall lean,
And banish every care;

The gloomy vale of death must smile,
If God be with me there.

4 While I thy gracious succour prove,
'Midst all my various ways,
The darkest shades thro' which I
Shall echo with thy praise.

pass,

5. The everlasting power of God. C.M.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.-PSALM Xc. 2.

O GOD, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!

2 Under the shadow of thy throne,
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received its frame;
From everlasting thou art GOD,
To endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an ev'ning gone;
Our lives soon vanish, as the night
Before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op'ning day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for time to come,
Preserve us still while life shall last,
And bring us safely home.

6. The greatness and mercy of God. S.M.

PSALM XCIX.

THE GOD JEHOVAH reigns:
Let all the nations fear,

Let sinners tremble at his throne,
And saints be humble there.

2 JESUS the Saviour reigns:
Let earth adore her LORD!
Bright angels his attendants stand,
Swift to fulfil his word.

3

In Zion is his throne
With majesty divine:

His church shall make his wonders
known,

For there his glories shine.

4 How holy is his name!
How awful is his praise!
Justice, and truth, and judgment join
In all his works of grace.

5

Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at his feet;
Behold! his glorious holiness
Shines from a Mercy-seat!

7. The Love of God. C.M.

God is love-In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.1 JOHN iv. 8, 9.

COME ye that know and fear the LORD,
And lift your souls above;

Let ev'ry heart and voice accord
To sing that God is love.

2 This precious truth his word declares,
And all his mercies prove;
JESUS, the Gift of Gifts, appears
To show that God is love.