THE billows swell, the winds are high, Out of the depths to thee I call,— O Lord, the pilot's part perform, And guard and guide me through the storm, Defend me from each threatening ill, Control the waves,-say, "Peace, be still." Amidst the roaring of the sea My soul still hangs her hope on thee; Though tempest-toss'd and half a wreck, XXXVIII. LOOKING UPWARDS IN A STORM. GOD of my life, to thee I call, Afflicted at thy feet I fall; When the great water-floods prevail,* *Psalm lxix. 15. Friend of the friendless and the faint! door Did ever mourner plead with thee, Fair is the lot that's cast for me; For whom the Lord vouchsafes to plead. XXXIX. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. My soul is sad, and much dismay'd, *Psalm xl. 17. See, from the ever burning lake, Their fiery arrows reach the mark,* And finds abundant fuel there. I hate the thought that wrongs the Lord; Oh! I would drive it from my breast, With thy own sharp two-edged sword, Far as the east is from the west. Come, then, and chase the cruel host, Heal the deep wounds I have received! Nor let the powers of darkness boast, That I am foil'd, and thou art grieved! XL. PEACE AFTER A STORM. WHEN darkness long has veil'd my mind, And smiling day once more appears; Then, my Redeemer, then I find Straight I upbraid my wandering heart, Thus prone to act so base a part, Oh! let me then at length be taught Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide. Thou, therefore, all the praise receive; XLI. MOURNING AND LONGING. THE Saviour hides his face! And never fading love. The favour'd souls who know What glories shine in him, Pant for his presence as the roe What trifles tease me now! They swarm like summer flies, How dull the Sabbath day, How toilsome then to sing and pray, Of all the truths I hear, Yet let me (as I ought) Still hope to be supplied; No pleasure else is worth a thought, Though I am but a worm, Unworthy of his care, The Lord will my desire perform, DEAR Lord! accept a sinful heart, Which of itself complains, And mourns, with much and frequent smart, The evil it contains. |