5 Thy glorious promises, O Lord! kindle my hope and my desire: While all the preachers of thy word warn me to ’scape eternal fire. 6 Thy praise shall still employ my breath, since thou hast mark’d my way to heaven, Nor will I run the road to death, and waste the blessings thou hast given. VI.--_Praise for the Gospel._ 1 Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace, and not to chance, as others do, That I was born of Christian race, and not a Heathen or a Jew. 2 What would the ancient Jewish kings and Jewish prophets once have given Could they have heard those glorious things which Christ reveal’d and brought from heaven! 3 How glad the heathens would have been, that worshipp’d idols, wood, and stone, If they the book of God had seen, or Jesus and his gospel known! 4 Then if this gospel I refuse, how shall I e’er lift up mine eyes? For all the Gentiles and the Jews against me will in judgment rise. VII.--_The Excellency of the Bible._ 1 Great God, with wonder and with praise on all thy works I look; But still thy wisdom, power, and grace, shine brightest in thy book. 2 The stars, that in their courses roll, have much instruction given; But thy good word informs my soul how I may climb to heaven. 3 The fields provide me food, and show the goodness of the Lord; But fruits of life and glory grow in thy most holy Word. 4 Here are choicest treasures hid; here my best comfort lies; Here my desires are satisfied, and hence my hopes arise. 5 Lord, make me understand thy law, show what my faults have been; And from thy gospel let me draw pardon for all my sin. 6 Here would I learn how Christ has died to save my soul from hell; Not all the books on earth beside such heavenly wonders tell. 7 Then let me love my Bible more, and take a fresh delight By day to read thy wonders o’er, and meditate by night. VIII.--_Praise to God for learning to read._ 1 The praises of my tongue I offer to the Lord, That I was taught and learn’d so young to read his holy word. 2 That I am brought to know the danger I was in, By nature, and by practice too, a wedded slave to sin: 3 That I am led to see I can do nothing well; And whither shall a sinner flee to save himself from hell? 4 Dear Lord! this book of thine informs me where to go For grace to pardon all my sin, and make me holy too.