Psalms 130-132

Psalm 130

1 OUT of the depths of doubt and fear, Depths of despair and grief, I cry; my voice, O Jesus, hear, And come to my relief!

2 Thy gracious ears, O Saviour, bow To my distressful cries, For who shall stand, O Lord, if Thou Shouldst mark iniquities?

3 But why do I my soul distress?

Forgiveness is with Thee: With Thee there is abundant grace, That Thou mayst feared be.

4 Then for the Lord my soul shall wait, And in His word I'll hope;

Continue knocking at His gate, Till He the door shall ope.

5 Not weary guards who watch for morn, And stand with longing eyes, Feel such desires to see the dawn, The joyful dawn arise!

6 They never feel such warm desires As those which in me move, As those wherewith my soul aspires To see the God of love!

7 O God of mercy! let me not Then hope for Thee in vain; Nor let me ever be forgot, And in despair remain.

John Ryland, 1775.

Psalm 131

1 QUIET, Lord, my froward heart, Make me teachable and mild, Upright, simple, free from art, Make me as a weaned child, From distrust and envy free, Pleased with all that pleases Thee.

2 What Thou shalt to-day provide, Let me as a child receive;

What to-morrow may betide, Calmly to Thy wisdom leave:

'Tis enough that Thou wilt care;

Why should I the burden bear?

3 As a little child relies On a care beyond his own, Knows he's neither strong nor wise, Fears to stir a step alone:

Let me thus with Thee abide, As my Father, Guard, and Guide.

4 Thus, preserved from Satan's wiles, Safe from dangers, free from fears, May I live upon Thy smiles Till the promised hour appears, When the sons of God shall prove All their Father's boundless love.

John Newton, 177ft

Psalm 132

1 A RISE, O King of grace, arise, And enter to Thy rest, Lo, Thy church waits with longing eyes, Thus to be own'd and blest.

2 Enter with all Thy glorious train, Thy Spirit and Thy Word;

All that the ark did once contain Could no such grace afford.

3 Here, mighty God! accept our vows, Here let Thy praise be spread;

Bless the provisions of Thy house, And fill Thy poor with bread.

4 Here let the Son of David reign;

Let God's Anointed shine;

Justice and truth His court maintain, With love and power divine.

5 Here let Him hold a lasting throne; And as His kingdom grows, Fresh honours shall adorn His crown, And shame confound His foes.

Isaac Watts, 1719.