The Psalms of David ‎#33

33. Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord

1 Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord,
This work belongs to you;
Sing of his name, his ways, his word,
How holy, just, and true!

2 His mercy and his righteousness
Let heav'n and earth proclaim;
His works of nature and of grace
Reveal his wond'rous name.

3 His word, with energy divine,
The heav'nly arches spread,
Bade starry hosts around them shine,
And light the heav'ns pervade.

4 He taught the swelling waves to flow
To their appointed deep;
Bade raging seas their limits know,
And still their station keep.

5 Ye tenants of the spacious earth,
With fear before him stand;
He spake, and nature took its birth,
And rests on his command.

6 He scorns the angry nation's' rage,
And breaks their vain designs;
His counsel stands through every age,
And in full glory shines.

Part II.

7 Blest is the nation, where the Lord
Hath fix'd his gracious throne;
Where he reveals his heav’nly word
And calls their tribes his own.

8 His eye, with infinite survey
Does the whole behold;
He form'd us all of equal clay
And knows our feeble mould.

9 Kings are not rescu'd by the force
Of armies from the grave;
Nor speed nor courage of an horse
Can his bold rider save.

10 Vain is the strength of beasts or men,
Nor springs our safety thence;
But holy souls from God obtain
A sure and strong defence.

11 God is their fear, and God their trust;
When plagues or famine spread,
His watchful eye secures the just,
Among ten thousand dead.

12 Lord, let our hearts in thee rejoice,
And bless us from thy throne;
For we have made thy word our choice;
And trust thy grace alone.

Part III.

13 Whate'er the mighty Lord decrees,
Shall doubtless stand for ever sure;
The settled purpose of his heart,
To endless ages shall endure.

14 How happy then, are they, to whom
The Lord supreme, for God is known;
Whom he, from all the world besides,
Has chosen out to be his own!

15 He all the nations of the earth,
From heav'n his lofty throne surveys;
He views their works, and knows their thoughts
For by his pow'r their hearts were made.

16 The riches of thy mercy, Lord,
To us thy servants still extend!
As we, for all our various wants,
On thee, our God, alone depend.

Text Information

• First Line: Rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1789
• Scripture:
  Psalm 33
• Notes: Parts I and II are from Isaac Watts, Part III is from Francis Hopkinson's adaptation of Tate and Brady's version

Tune Information

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