The Holy Scriptures

478

Most excellent

1 LADEN with guilt and full of fears, I fly to Thee, my Lord, And not a glimpse of hope appears But in Thy written Word.

2 The volume of my Father's grace Does all my griefs assuage;

Here I behold my Saviour's face Almost in every page.

3 This is the field where hidden lies The pearl of price unknown, That merchant is divinely wise Who makes the pearl his own.

4 Here consecrated water flows, To quench my thirst of sin, Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, No danger dwells therein.

5 This is the judge that ends the strife, Where wit and reason fail, My guide to everlasting life Through all this gloomy vale.

6 Oh may Thy counsels, mighty God, My roving feet command, Nor I forsake the happy road That leads to Thy right hand.

Isaac Watts, 1709.

479 The Bible, the Light of the World

1 A GLORY gilds the sacred page, Majestic, like the sun:

It gives a light to every age;

It gives, but borrows none.

2 The hand that gave it still supplies The gracious light and heat; Its truths upon the nations rise;

They rise, but never set.

3 Let everlasting thanks be Thine For such a bright display, As makes a world of darkness shine With beams of heavenly day.

4 My soul rejoices to pursue The steps of Him I love, Till glory breaks upon my view In brighter worlds above!

William Cowper, 1779.

480 The Guide of Youth

1 HOW shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin?

Thy Word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean.

2 When once it enters to the mind, It spreads such light abroad, The meanest souls instruction find, And raise their thoughts to God.

3 'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day; And through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way.

4 The men that keep Thy law with care, And meditate Thy word, Grow wiser than their teachers are, And better know the Lord.

5 Thy precepts make me truly wise;

I hate the sinner's road;

I hate mine own vain thoughts that rise But love Thy law, my God.

6 Thy Word is everlasting truth;

How pure is every page! That holy Book shall guide our youth, And well support our age.

Isaac Watts, 1719.

481 Our Heritage

1 LORD, I have made Thy word my choice My lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice, My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the histories of Thy love, And keep Thy laws in sight, While through the promises I rove With ever fresh delight.

3 'Tis a broad land of wealth unknown, Where springs of life arise;

Seeds of immortal bliss are sown, And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have;

It makes our sorrows blest; Our fairest hope beyond the grave, And our eternal rest.

Isaac Watts, 1719.

482 Heavenly Teaching

1 FATHER of mercies, in Thy Word What endless glory shines! For ever be Thy name adored For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want Exhaustless riches find;

Riches, above what earth can grant, And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, And yields a free repast;

Sublimer sweets than nature knows, Invite the longing taste.

4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice Spreads heavenly peace around; And life, and everlasting joys, Attend the blissful sound.

5 Oh may these heavenly pages be My ever dear delight; And still new beauties may I see, And still increasing light.

6 Divine Instructor, gracious Lord, Be Thou for ever near:

Teach me to love Thy sacred Word, And view my Saviour there.

Anne Steele, 1760.