4 'Twas he this earth's foundation laid; Heaven is the building of his hand: This earth grows old, these heavens shall fade, And all be chang'd at his command. 5 The starry curtains of the sky Like garments shall be laid aside; But still thy throne stands firm and high; Thy church for ever must abide. 6 Before thy face thy church shall live, And on thy throne thy children reign; This dying world shall they survive, And the dead saints be rais'd again. Psalm 103:1. 1-7. First Part. L. M. Blessing God for his goodness to soul and body. 1 Bless, O my soul, the living God, Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad; Let all the powers within me join In work and worship so divine. 2 Bless, O my soul, the God of grace; His favours claim thy highest praise; Why should the wonders he hath wrought Be lost in silence and forgot? 3 'Tis he, my soul, that sent his Son To die for crimes which thou hast done; He owns the ransom; and forgives The hourly follies of our lives. 4 The vices of the mind he heals, And cures the pains that nature feels; Redeems the soul from hell, and saves Our wasting life from threat'ning graves. 5 Our youth decay'd his power repairs; His mercy crowns our growing years; He satisfies our mouth with good, And fills our hopes with heavenly food. 6 He sees th' oppressor and th' opprest, And often gives the sufferers rest; But will his justice more display In the last great rewarding day. 7 [His power he shew'd by Moses' hands, And gave to Israel his commands; But sent his truth and mercy down To all the nations by his Son. 8 Let the whole earth his power confess, Let the whole earth adore his grace; The Gentile with the Jew shall join In work and worship so divine.] Psalm 103:2. 8-18. Second Part. L. M. God's gentle chastisement; or, His tender mercy to his people. 1. The Lord, how wondrous are his ways: How firm his truth how large his grace; He takes his mercy for his throne, And thence he makes his glories known. 2 Not half so high his power hath spread The starry heavens above our head, As his rich love exceeds our praise, Exceeds the highest hopes we raise. 3 Not half so far hath nature plac'd The rising morning from the west, As his forgiving grace removes The daily guilt of those he loves. 4 How slowly doth his wrath arise! On swifter wings salvation flies; And if he lets his anger burn, How soon his frowns to pity turn! 5 Amidst his wrath compassion shines; His strokes are lighter than our sins; And while his rod corrects his saints, His ear indulges their complaints. 6 So fathers their young sons chastise, With gentle hand and melting eyes; The children weep beneath the smart, And move the pity of their heart. PAUSE. 7 The mighty God, the wise, and just, Knows that our frame is feeble dust; And will no heavy loads impose Beyond the strength that he bestows. 8 He knows how soon our nature dies, Blasted by every wind that flies; Like grass we spring, and die as soon, Or morning flowers that fade at noon.