Classic Poem

1.

Thee will I thank, and day by day
Form to thy praise the joyful lay;
From morn to eve the song extend,
Thee boast my Father, Thee my Friend:
2.

While pleas'd each heart of humble frame
Shall wake, great God, to hear thy fame;
His voice let each triumphant raise,
And sing with Me your Maker's praise.

3.

To Him my Soul disclos'd its care;
He heard, and present to my pray'r
(His faithful buckler o'er me held,)
Each terror from my breast dispell'd.

4.

The souls, that his decree regard,
Like Me his chearing light have shar'd,
And fearless of repulse or shame
The promise of his mercy claim.

5.

Behold a heart with woes oppress'd;
Behold, its vows to God address'd,
His hand its healing pow'r display,
And chase each cloud of grief away.

6.

His Angel, nigh the just man's tent
Encamp'd, each danger to prevent,
His sure protection round him throws,
Though harness'd Hosts his peace oppose.

7.

Hail, Saviour of the human race!
Hail, Fountain of exhaustless grace!
Thrice happy, who on Thee recline,
Nor own nor ask a help but thine.

8.

O taste with me; O taste and prove
The blessings of his boundless love;
His fear preserve, ye just and pure,
And live from dread of want secure.

9.

The strengthful Lion's tawny brood
With thirst and penury of food
Are stung; but who in God confide
Shall find their ev'ry wish supplied.

10.

Ye Children, come; my precepts hear,
And learn the dictates of his fear:
O come; if long extent of days,
With blessings crown'd, thy hope can raise.

11.

Averse from each injurious art,
Let falsehood from thy lips depart;
Be Good thy choice; from Evil cease;
And plight the ready hand to peace.

12.

Him serve, whose fav'ring eyes survey
The hearts that his commands obey;
Him serve, whose ever open ear
With just regard their pray'r shall hear.

13.

But terrors planted on his brow
Instruct the stubborn soul to bow,
And vengeance, kindled to a flame,
Blots from the earth the impious name.

14.

With suppliant voice, in each distress,
His sole support, his sole redress,
From God the Man of faithful mind
Shall seek, and what he seeks shall find.

15.

A spirit griev'd is sacrifice
Delightful to th' all-seeing eyes;
God, ever watchful, ever near,
The meek and contrite soul shall chear;

16.

What though the Just, by his decree,
Awhile a Man of griefs we see,
His Love shall soon its aid bestow,
Relieve his cares, and soothe his woe.

17.

To violence expos'd, his frame
Thy fix'd attention, Lord, shall claim;
Nor Hell's worst rage one bone shall dare
To break, when Thou hast bid to spare.

18.

But ill on All who ill intend
In full proportion shall descend:
Who tow'rd the Just in hatred join,
Shall feel, great God, the weight of thine.

19.

'Tis thine thy Saints from woes to free;
Nor Time throughout its course shall see
The soul, whose hope on Thee is staid,
Neglected mourn thy absent aid.