Psalm 116
(C.M.D.)
The Faithfull professe affection to Christ; Acknowledg their condition, both by Nature & Grace; encourage others to trust in God’s favour & resolve the same in themselves. We may sing it when, after some great Affliction or temptation, we are comforted & sensible of our present & passed estate, &c.
1. I love the Lord, for he an eare
To my complaints doth give:
And since he pleaseth me to hear,
I’le seek him whil’st I live.
The feares of death enclosd me round;
Hell torments, me enthrald.
But still, when paind myself I found,
On God’s great Name, I cal’d.
2. Preserve my soul, O Lord, I sayd;
For thou art full of grace.
Just, kinde, & ev’ry pore man’s ayde.
My healp when greev’d I was.
My soul to this thy refuge fly,
For God is thy larg meed.
From death my soul, from teares mine eye,
From falls, my feet he freed.
3. I shall with God, enjoy my life
Where livinge men abide.
This I professe with firme beleif,
Though I was terrifide.
Yea, though in rashnes I did say
Thatall men liers were;
What for thy guifts I should repay?
Now, Lord, my questions are.
4. Thy Cupp of saving-health I’le take.
Upon thy name, I’le call;
And of my vowes, I’le payment make
Before thy servants all.
Thy saints, their deaths & suffrings be
Right pretious in thine eye.
O Lord, thy servant serving thee,
Thy handmayd’s Childe am I.
5. My fetters all, thou brak’st away,
And I, O Lord, therfore,
The sacrifize of thancks will pay;
And thy great Name adore.
To thee, O Lord, I’le pay my vowes
Where thy Assemblies be;
Ev’n in the Courts of God’s owne house,
Jerusalem, in thee. (Haleluiah.)
Hear our prayers, O Lord God, & deliver our soules from the Death of Sinn. For we are compassed with many perills & fearfull Temptations; Insomuch, that we are sometime almost ready to despaire & distrust that there is noe Truth in any of our hopes. O keep us (by thy Speciall grace) from falling into those whirlpooles, out of which there is no returning. When the guilt of Sinn, the fears of Death, the torments of hell, & the suggestions of the Devill (conspiring with our frailties) have once enclosed us. We have then, no powre of resistance in our selves; & it is thy great Mercy if the little spark of our faith be not wholy quenched. Help us therfore in our extremityes. Break the chaines of our Sinns, unloose the snares of Sathan & give us grace to praise thee in thy Jerusalem & to magnify thy Mercy in the Land of the living, world without end. Amen.
(C.M.D.) Common Meter Double or 86.86.D
(86.86.86.86; rhyme scheme: ababcdcd)
Tunes (First Lines): Antioch: Joy to the World; Carol: It came upon the midnight clear; Forest Green: O little town of Bethlehem; I sing the almighty power of God; As those of old their first-fruits; Halifax: And have the bright immensities; We limit not the truth of God; Kingsfold: I heard the voice of Jesus say; Laramie: I know not where the road will lead; Materna: O beautiful for spacious skies; Noel: It came upon the midnight clear; Praise God for John, evangelist; Resignation: My Shepherd will supply my need; Salvation: When Stephen, full of power and grace; St. Louis: O little town of Bethlehem; St. Matthew: Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old; The Church’s Desolation: From thee all skill and science; The Third Tune: To mock your reign; I heard the voice of Jesus say.