How dull the sabbath day, Without the sabbath's LORD! How toilsome then to sing and pray, Of all the truths I hear Still hope to be supply'd; 16 No pleasure else is worth a thought, Nor shall I be deny'd. 24 Tho' I am but a worm, Unworthy of his care; The LORD will my desire perform, And grant me all my pray'r. XLIII. [BK. III. xxvi.] DEAR LORD, accept a sinful heart, And mourns, with much and frequent smart, There fiery seeds of anger lurk, Which often hurt my frame; And wait but for the tempter's work, Legality holds out a bribe To purchase life from thee; And discontent would fain prescribe How thou shalt deal with me. While unbelief withstands thy grace, 8 Presumption, with a brow of brass, Says, "Give me, or I die." 16 How eager are my thoughts to roam But ah! when duty calls them home, How heavily they move! Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood, And make me thy belov'd abode, XLIII-24 rove] roam Southey. 24 XLIV. [BK. III. xxviii.] PRAYER FOR PATIENCE LORD, who hast suffer'd all for me, I would in humble silence mourn; Why should th' unburnt, tho' burning bush, 8 Man should not faint at thy rebuke, When the curst thing that Achan took, Perhaps some golden wedge suppress'd, Ah! were I buffeted all day, Mock'd, crown'd with thorns, and spit upon, I yet should have no right to say, My great distress is mine alone. Let me not angrily declare No pain was ever sharp like mine; 16 But rather weep, rememb'ring thine. 24 XLV. [BK. III. xxix.] SUBMISSION O LORD, my best desire fulfil, Life, health, and comfort to thy will, Why should I shrink at thy command, 1 Joshua vii. 10, 11. 8 Thy favor, all my journey thro', Wisdom and mercy guide my way, A poor blind creature of a day, 16 But ah! my inward spirit cries, Still bind me to thy sway; Else the next cloud that vails my skies, Drives all these thoughts away. 24 XLVI. [BK. III. xliv.] THE HAPPY CHANGE How blest thy creature is, O God, He views the lustre of thy word, Thro' all the storms that veil the skies, The Sun of righteousness he eyes, Struck by that light, the human heart', Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad, The soul, a dreary province once Of Satan's dark domain; Feels a new empire form'd within, And owns a heav'nly reign. The glorious orb, whose golden beams Since first, obedient to thy word, He started from the goal; Has cheer'd the nations, with the joys But JESUS, 'tis thy light alone, 1 Isa. xxxv. 7. XLV-23 my] the first in 1829. 8 16 24 XLVII. [BK. III. xlv.] RETIREMENT FAR from the world, O LORD, I flee, The calm retreat, the silent shade, And seem by thy sweet bounty made, There if thy Spirit touch the soul, Oh with what peace, and joy, and love, There like the nightingale she pours Nor asks a witness of her song, Author and Guardian of my life, What thanks I owe thee, and what love XLVIII. [BK. III. xlvii.] THE HIDDEN LIFE To tell the Saviour all my wants, Nor less to praise him when he grants My lab'ring spirit vainly seeks With how much tenderness he speaks, Nor were it wise, nor should I choose Like precious wines their taste they lose 8 16 24 8 But this with boldness I proclaim, Nor care if thousands hear; And can you frown, my former friends, And blame the song that thus commends Trust me, I draw the likeness true, Such honour may he give to you, For such have all his saints. XLIX. (BK. III. xlviii.] JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING The Christian while he sings; It is the LORD who rises With healing in his wings: In holy contemplation, The theme of GOD's salvation, 16 24 8 Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say, E'en let th' unknown to-morrow', Bring with it what it may. 16 It can bring with it nothing But he will bear us thro'; 24 Though vine, nor fig-tree neither 2, Their wonted fruit should bear, Tho' all the fields should wither, 25 Though] The 1779, 26 should] shall later editions, 27 fields] field first in 1787, |