And ever be my joy in woe, When weak, with Thy strength stay me; And when my course is run below, I down to rest will lay me. Then may Thy love and truth with me, O Christ! abide for ever, Leave me never, Till I Thy glory see, Oh! may they waft me thither! THE FIRST PSALM OF DAVID. Bless'd is he who never taketh Counsel of ungodly men! Bless'd, the right who ne'er forsaketh, Nor in sinners' paths is seen, Who the scorners' friendship spurns, From their seats away who turns, Who delight in God's word taketh, This his meditation maketh. Bless'd is he who pleasure taketh In God's laws' most perfect way, It is his lov'd resort who maketh Where he lingers night and day! Oh! His blessing blooms and grows, As the palm where water flows, And abroad its branches spreadeth, And the wayworn pilgrim shadeth. He will truly ever flourish Who God's word delights to do, Air and earth alike will nourish Him, till ripe his fruit shall grow. Though his leaf grow old, yet he Ever fresh and green shall be, God success to his endeavour Giveth, and it prospers ever. But he who in sin's ways goeth Is like chaff the wind before, When it riseth up and bloweth, And we find it here no more. Where the Lord His people guide, There the godless ne'er abide, God the faithful loves and guideth, On the wicked wrath abideth. THE 112TH PSALM OF DAVID. Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth, At His word doth tremble aye! Bless'd whose heart him freely moveth God's commandments to obey. Who the Highest loves and fears, Findeth increase with the years Of all that to him is given By the bounteous hand of Heaven. His dear children shall stand ever Like to roses in their blow; Flowing with God's goodness over, On his generations go. What the body needs below God who rules all will bestow, He will bounteously relieve them, Plenty in their dwellings give them. The right deeds of the believer Nought can shake, they stand secure; If a storm o'ertakes him ever, Still doth God, his Light endure, Comforts, shieldeth with His pow'r, So that after darkness' hour, After night of tears and sorrow, Joy and sunshine glad the morrow. God's compassion, grace, and favour For the faithful still endure. Blessèd are the souls who ever Think upon the needy poor, Love them, seek to do them good; For the ever-living God In His arms of grace will bear them, And a home above prepare them.