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OW, be the God of Israel bless'd,
Who makes his truth appear;
His mighty hand fulfils his word,
And all the oaths he sware.

2 Now he bedews king David's root
With blessings from the skies:
He makes the branch of promise grow,
The promis'd horn arise.

3 John was the prophet of the Lord,
To go before his face;

The herald which our Saviour God
Sent to prepare his ways.

4 "Behold the Lamb of God," he cries,
"That takes our guilt away;

"I saw the Spirit o'er his head, "On his baptizing day.

5

Be ev'ry vale exalted high,

"Sink ev'ry mountain low:

"The proud must stoop, and humble souls "Shall his salvation know.

6 "The heathen realms, with Israel's land, "Shall join in sweet accord;

7

"And all, that's born of man, shall see "The glory of the Lord.

"Behold the Morning Star arise,

"Ye that in darkness sit!

"He marks the path that leads to peace,

"And guides our doubtful feet."

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HYMN 143. S. M.

The song of the Angels.

EHOLD! the grace appears,
The promise is fulfill'd;

Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the child.

2 To bring the glorious news,
A heav'nly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.

3 "Go, humble swains," said he,
"To David's city fly;

"The promis'd infant, born to-day,
"Doth in a manger lie.

4 I With looks and heart serene,
"Go visit Christ your King;"

And straight a flaming troop was seen;
The shepherds heard them sing:

5 "Glory to God on high!

"And heav'nly peace on earth, "Good-will to men, to angels joy, "At the Redeemer's birth!"

6 In worship so divine

Let saints employ their tongues: With the celestial hosts we join, And loud repeat their songs.

7

“ Glory to God on high, "And heav'nly peace on earth, "Good-will to men, to angels joy, "At our Redeemer's birth!"

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HYMN 144. C. M.

The song of Simeon-death to a believer desirable.

LORD, in thy temple are appear,

As happy Simeon came,

And hope to meet our Saviour here;
O make our joys the same!
2 With what divine and vast delight
The good old man was fill'd,
When fondly in his wither'd arms
He clasp'd the holy child:

3 "Now I can leave this world," he cried,
"Behold thy servant dies!

"I've seen thy great salvation, Lord, "And close my peaceful eyes.

4 "This is the light prepar'd to shine "Upon the Gentile lands;

"Thine Israel's glory, and their hope, "To break their slavish bands."

5 Jesus! the vision of thy face

Hath overpow'ring charms!

Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace,
If Christ be in my arms.

6 When flesh shall fail, and heartstrings break, Sweet will the minutes roll;

A mortal paleness on my cheek,
But glory in my soul.

HYMN 145. S. M.

The song of Moses and the Lamb.

Of Moses and the Lamb;

Wake, ev'ry heart, and ev'ry tongue,
To praise the Saviour's name.

2 Sing of his dying love, Sing of his rising pow'r; Sing how he intercedes above,

For those whose sins he bore.
3 Sing, on your heav'nly way,
Ye ransom'd sinners, sing;
Sing on rejoicing, ev'ry day,

In Christ th' exalted King.
4 Soon shall your raptur'd tongue
His endless praise proclaim;
And sweeter voices tune the song
Of Moses and the Lamb.

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HYMN 146. L. M.

The song of the Redeemed in heaven.

EHOLD the saints, belov'd of God!
Wash'd are their robes in Jesus' blood;

Brighter than angels, lo, they shine,
Their glories splendid and sublime!

2 Thro' tribulation great they came,

They bore the cross, and scorn'd the shame;
Now in the living temple blest,

With God they dwell, on him they rest.

3 Hunger they ne'er shall feel again,
Nor pain, nor thirst shall they sustain;
To wells of living water led,
By God the Lamb for ever fed.
4 While everlasting ages roll,
Eternal love shall feast their soul;
And scenes of bliss, for ever new,
Rise in succession to their view.
5 Here, all who suffer'd sword or flame
For truth, or Jesus' lovely name,

Shout vict'ry now, and hail the Lamb,
And bow before the great I AM.
6 Jesus, the Saviour, is their theme;
They sing the wonders of his name;
To him ascribing pow'r and grace,
Dominion and eternal praise.

7 To him who lov'd them to the end,
Their surety, sacrifice, and friend;
To him who wash'd them in his blood,
And made them kings and priests to God!
8 "Amen," they cry, “'tis he alone,
"Who rightly fills his Father's throne,
"To him be glory;" and again
Repeat his praise, and say, "Amen!"
9 O sweet employ, to sing and trace
Th' amazing heights and depths of grace!
To spend, from sin and sorrow free,
A blissful, vast eternity!

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10 O what a grand, exalted song,

When ev'ry tribe and ev'ry tongue,
Redeem'd by blood, with Christ appear,
And join in one full chorus there!

11 My soul anticipates the day;

Would stretch her wings and soar away,
To aid the song, the palm to bear,
And bow, the chief of sinners, there.

HYMN 147. P. M.

urely I come quickly; Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus.

L

O! he comes, with clouds descending,
Once for favour'd sinners slain!

Thousand thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of his train;