5 In spite of all my foes, Thou dost my table spread ; And joy exalts my head. 6 The bounties of thy love Shall crown my following days, Nor cease to speak thy praise. 152 ADDISON. God our Shepherd. Ps. 23. 1 THE Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd's care; And all my midnight hours defend. 2 When in the sultry glebe I faint, I Amid the verdant landscape flow. Through devious, lonely wilds I stray, And streams shall murmur all around. 4. Though in the paths of death I tread, With gloomy horrors overspread, My steadfast heart shall fear no ill; 153 MERRICK. God our Shepherd. Ps. 23. 1 LO, my Shepherd's hand divine ! Want shall never more be mine; He shall feed his happy charge. He shall lead my weary feet Through the verdant meadow flow. 3 3 He my soul anew shall frame, And, his mercy to proclaim, Teach my steps the better way. 4 Thou my plenteous board hast spread; Thou with oil refreshed my head; For thy love no limit knows: 5 Constant, to my latest end, This my footsteps shall attend, 11 * 125 154 C. M. J. R. ADAMS Ps. 23. 1 MY Shepherd is the Lord on high; His hand supplies me still; Beside the rippling rill : His glory to display ; And leads me in his way. 2 Though walking through death's dismal shade, No evil will I fear; For thou art ever near : In presence of my foes; By thee my cup o'erflows. 3 Thy goodness and thy mercy sure Shall bless me all my days; And I, with lips sincere and pure, Will celebrate thy praise : Forever I will dwell; And of thy glory tell. 126 1 IF God to build the house deny, The builders work in vain ; A useless watch maintain. Your painful work renew, pursue ; 3 Short be your sleep, and coarse your fare ; In vain — till God has blessed ; You shall have food and rest. Shall real blessings prove, If sent without his love. 156 BROWNE. Dependence upon Providence. 1 GREAT Lord of earth, and seas, and skies, Thy wealth the needy world supplies; We live secured from every harm. 2 To thee perpetual thanks we owe For all our comforts here below; 3 To thee we cheerful homage bring ; In grateful hymns thy praises sing ; The rich, the sure, the faithful Friend. Calmly may we thy chastening bear; 157 Scott. Man's industry to guide, To humble human pride. Shall win the crowning prize; The labors of the wise. When on themselves they rest; By thee, O Lord, unblest. And sow the precious grain ; And to command the rain. Their mission to perform; Thy hand directs the storm. |