Metrical Musings. ... Also specimens of a new version of the Psalms of David

Preface

. The dedication prefixed to the following verses will suffi ciently account for their being now published. In compiling and revising them to this end, (for, composed at long and uncertain intervals, they were not originally design ed to meet the public eye,) the author has endeavoured, by the use of the plainest language and the avoidance of all hard and pedantic terms, to adapt them to the comprehension of the poor and least educated classes, so that the subject alone may draw and fix the attention of their perusers, and thus, the truth as it is in Jesus being their main attraction, the legiti mate and true end of all labour, even the benefit of man and the glory of God, be attained. Although sensible that the work, apart from its objects, has little or no instrinsic merit to recommend it, aud that from the feebleness of its execution, as well as from the doctrines it contains, it will be despised by many ; yet the author has not sent it forth in an anonymous form, being apprehensive, that by so doing he might subject himself to the suspicion of shrink ing from an open acknowledgment of the sentiments it incul cates, or of being in any measure ashamed of the cause of the

PREFACE.

. Master he alone desires to serve, or of the reproach of His cross, which he well knows is yet, as it ever will be, to the self righteous a stumbling-block, and to the wise of this world foolishness. The versification of a few of the Psalms of David added to this work (which with much diffidence are offered as specimens of a proposed version of the whole), has been undertaken from the feeling that a strictly literal and yet metrical version of them, although in many respects desirable, has not yet been attained ; most of those hitherto published being either mere loose paraphrases, or so diluted with verbiage, as when com pared with the translation in our Bibles to be hardly traceable as versions of the same composition, having in many instances not even the meaning of the original, but on the contrary, from their uncalled-for additions, often engendering ideas wide apart from the written word itself.

Such, however excellent in their measure and place as run ning commentaries, are but at best as mixed waters, which cannot as a whole be received by Christians in general with the implicit confidence of the pure waters of revealed truth, which the words of God really are when compared with human com positions : neither can they be equally well adapted for the public services of God, or prove so satisfactory to the minds of the varied worshippers engaged in singing His praises, as the unmixed word itself is, and ever must be. That this pure word has not yet been put into a form alto gether suitable for congregational Psalmody, is acknowledged and lamented by many ; for though there are versions which arc

PREFACE.

. V closely confined to the original, and consequently retain much of its simplicity and strength, yet they again are so deficient in cadence and common rhythm as to be in many instances unreadable. It is not however with the presumptuous idea of producing a version perfect as a whole, or even in part, but merely with the hope in the meantime of improving in some measure or in some parts on the stricter versions, and that in regard to their metre alone, that the Author has been induced to make the attempt he has done ; and if with the adherence of the most faithful of all (the Scotch one) to the translation in our Bibles, the specimens advanced of a simple versification of this portion of the word of God, are judged to be more metrical, and conse quently better fitted for the vocal worship of His people, he will have attained all he aimed at ; and should sufficient encouragement be received and subscribers acquired to admit of the proposed version being finally published (thereby showing that the specimens have in some degree been acceptable), he will feel himself justified in proceeding with the work as far as God in His good providence and grace may grant him oppor tunity and ability to do so.

December 16, 1843. " MY LORD AND MY GOD." John xx. 28. " Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." — 1 Tim. i. 15. " Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. — John i. 17. " We are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." — Rom. iii. 24. " A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ." — Gul. ii. 16. " Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." — Gal. iii. 13, 14. " Neither is there salvation in any other, but by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom man crucified, whom God raised from the dead ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." — Acts iv. 10, 12.

" The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." — 1 Jolmi. 7. " We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." — 1 John ii. 1. " For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all." — 1 Tim. ii. 5 — 6. " We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." — Rom. v. 1. " We also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." — Rom. v. 11. " The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." — Rom. vi. 23. " The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church."— Eph. l. 17, 22. " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." — Heb. xiii. 8. ) " Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Phd. ii. 11.

" This same Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, shall so come in like man ner as he was seen go into heaven." — Acts i. 11. " Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him : and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so Amen." — Rev. i. 7. " The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first : Then we which are alive und remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Whersfore comfort one another with these words." — 1 Thess. iv. 16 — 18. " There is laid up a crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge shall give at that day unto all them that love his appearing." — 2 Tim. iv. 8.

" He which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly ; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." — Rev. xxii. 20. " If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, he shall be accursed at the coming of Him our Lord." — 1 Cor. xvi. 22. " Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."— Eph. vi. 24. " The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit, ('reader. J Amen. "—2 Tim. iv. 22. DEDICATION. " And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."— Col. iii. 17. O Thou, erst man of sorrows, now the spring And only source of never-fading joy, I unto Thee my humble offering bring, And in Thy praise alone my powers would employ. Thou knowest all my heart, and well canst tell Each varied motive that may there arise, For no hid thought nor wish can secret dwell, Or shun the piercing gaze of Thine all-seeing eyes.

Then search my heart, Redeemer, and dispense On me a portion of Thy Spirit's fire : Keep me from wandering through the mists of sense, And with light-giving truths my waiting mind inspire. Grant me the beauty of Thy love to know : Give me the pureness of Thy truth to heed : Then as a healing stream my verse shall flow, And from all vain alloys, my humble songs be freed. B DEDICATION. So Thou art fear'd by one who fear'd Thee not r So to a soul far off Thou art brought near : So by a wanderer, Thou, O Lord, art sought, Or made more precious still to any follower here : So that one saint Thee better glorify, And higher praises unto Thee award : So one poor sinner be induced hereby To seek Thy ready grace : I have my great reward. O then accept and bless each simple strain ; Is error there ? all from its workings free ; Let only truth upon the heart remain, And as the gift is Thine, so Thine the glory be.

THE VANITY OF THE WORLD. ** Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity." — Eccl. xii. 8. O what a vain and empty show The world with all its boasting proves ! Its honours ! O how false their glow ! And how alloyed its purest loves ! Its creatures travel to and fro To seek for joy, where no joy is ; For gain'd, they find, made up of woe, What, seen afar, secured only bliss. The world ! its promises are lies ; Who trust them, shall at last be shamed ; For all its gifts, men so much prize, Are but gilt troubles, cares misnam'd. Bright as the Orient sky it shows, And the glad heart bounds at the sight ; Transient as Eve the glory glows, And leaves that heart to sorrow's night. b Gay from anticipated joy, See youth with buoyant steps advance, Eager their powers to employ In scenes fresh fancy doth enhance ; But soon, O soon do trials rise, Followed by troubles, griefs, and woe ; Soon disappointment clouds their skies, And mars their happiness below.

For who can fly from sorrow's flood ? Who can elude care's piercing thorn ? Or 'scape the pains of flesh and blood, In guilt and utter weakness born ? Ah ! who can bear the storm that bursts From hellish hearts with dreadful sound ! See passion's desolating gusts Spread terror, ruin, death, around ! Or who can selfishness behold, Meet with deceit at every turn ! Nay feel one's own heart too grow cold, Or only with vile passions burn ! And ever hope to find release From sorrow, in the world's displays ? Or hope for happiness or peace, From ought of earth, or earthly ways ? O no — not here is joy procured To satisfy th' immortal mind ; Not hence is solid peace secured : not below we rest can find. Then turn, dear soul, and seek thy rest, Where peace and rest alone are found ; No more let cares invade thy breast, Nor earthly troubles there abound.

There is a scene that ne'er deceives ; There is a speech whose words are true ; There is a gift that well retrieves The hopes held out, the promise due. There is a Friend, whose heart doth feel Soft pity for the wretched's smart ; Whose eye doth mark, whose love doth heal The bleeding and the broken heart. Trust — trust in Him to guide thy youth, Trust in the promises He makes ; Nor trust in vain, for He is Truth, His love the trusting ne'er forsakes. Go — go to Him, hear His sweet word, The word of grace He seal'd with blood ; He'll thee receive, thy living Lord, And you believing find Him God. Then shall the Spirit's holy fire, The promis'd gift, to you be given ; Then shall you gain man's best desire, Rest, and unbroken peace in heav'n. PEACE, AN ALLEGORICAL ODE. Sweet Peace, with gentle wing, Soft breast, and dove-like eye, Where broodest thou, o'ershadowing Haunt of some peasant, sage or king, Thy favoured votary ?

Where's thine abode ? O tell me where ? And though all thorny prove the road, I'll seek thee there. For thee Fame's courts around I sought in vain ; Envy, Ambition, Treach'ry, I found, And Malice there, but heard no sound, Nor vestige saw of thee ; Nay, while there each Did witness bear, Pride, thron'd within, confirmed their speech Peace was not there. Abashed I turned away, And craved from Riches aid : To his hid cave he led the way, And said thy haunt he would betray, He only me betrayed ! — I saw his gold Was watched by Care, And fled : nor needed to be told Thou wast not there. To Pleasure's fane I flew ; Amid her festal train, Rejoiced, I did thy semblance view, But when t' embrace thee near I drew, I grasp' d a shadow vain. Quick the fair ghost Melted in air ; Vainly I call'd the vision lost Thou wast not there.

Again I was deceived By Ease who took thy form I cold Morality believed ; With dull Formality I lived, And vice outworn Reform ; They knew thee well ! A falsehood bare ! I might as soon have sought in hell Thee, Peace, as there ! The World then knows thee not, Thou claimest higher birth ; Wordlings thy friendship have not got, For I for thee intent have sought, Of earthliness on earth, Each kind in vain ; And now despair Ever thy presense to obtain, Or meet thee there. But there's another race. Derived from heavenly line, Whose sacred haunts I fain would trace, And with Repentance, Love and Grace, Would seek for thee divine — There thou dost dwell ; This Truth doth swear, And Faith, and sage Experience tell That thou art there. Thou art there — but O the way ! How may I reach their height ? 'Tis given !

Lo bursts a sudden ray, From troubled, clouded Calvary, Of steadiest purest light ; A heavenly Star, It doth declare, From midst sin's rage and foulest war, That thou art there ! Aright yet do I see ? Am I deceived again ? Wonderful strange ! that Peace should be In acme found of Misery : Linked to extremest pain ! Strange is the view, Beyond compare ! But O, 'tis not more strange than true ! Thou Peace art there ! For Christ thine Author is, He thee to earth did bring, The purchase of His agonies, The fruit of groans and tears, and cries : Thou from the cross did'st spring ! Baptized with blood, Divinely fair, Earnest to man of every good, Thou shined'st there ! T> Yes, He with blood embued Thee, as with mightiest spell ; All obstacles and foes subdued, With thee the covenant he renewed, Again with man to dwell ; And with His saints Their burden share, From their tried hearts to chase complaints, And dwell, aye, there.

Yes, thence thy gracious voice Calls loud, " O come and see, Come to the Cross, make Christ your choice Then shall you evermore rejoice, And Peace shall dwell with thee. Nought shall distress, Nor death shall scare, No terror can the mind possess, When I am there. Come quickly, while you may, Ere ever time be gone — Priceless the gift, but short thy day, Cease then from man without delay, And come to Christ alone ; Nor look around, Nor seek elsewhere, At Jesus' cross I still am found, And only there." Hear all, small, great, low, high ; Kings, subjects, all hear this, And unto Jesus' cross draw nigh, Regard the word, and taste and try, c And feel and own the bliss : For all 'twas bought, Free, free as air ; None ever there the blessing sought, But found it there. O, then, from vain man cease : For Peace, the gift of heaven, Better than corn and wine's increase, Is only by the Prince of Peace Unto His followers given.

Seek — seek His face With earnest prayer, So shall thy heart exult through grace ; Peace being there. I've found thee, now long sought, And will not let thee go, But still confess Him, who thee bought : Him who, with choicest blessings fraught. Purchas'd with pain and woe, To me is known And counted fair, Who in my breast did thee enthrone And keeps thee there. Lord Jesus, I am Thine ; I glory in my Lord ; Still may my heart to Thee incline. Keep it, O Lord, for Thou art mine, Thou art the Lord my God, And at Thy feet Me still prepare, To enter on Thy rest, and meet Peace endless there. CONCERN FOR THE WICKED. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not Thy law. — Psalm cxix. 136. O Saviour, daily thy great name Is scorn'd, Thy blood fresh spilt, By men who boast them in their shame, And glory in their guilt.

What hast Thou done that they should find Cause for detesting Thee ? Hast Thou ere injured human-kind, Or shown them enmity ? Art Thou not rather full of love ? Didst Thou not prove the same, In leaving joys unmix' d above, For unmix' d woes and pain ? Yea, Thou art good, gentle, and mild, And merciful and pure ; Sinless — it was for man beguil'd, Thou sufferings didst endure. For man alone, than whom was none Base, vile enough, t' inflict On Thee those sufferings which alone Cancell'd his awful guilt ! O wondrous scene — all words do fail T' express this mystery ! Break my hard heart, in groans bewail The woeful history, c Of thine and mankind's lost estate And deep depravity, Which bore such fruits of malice, hate, 'Gainst Truth and Purity : Which warr'd against the Prince of Peace, And from the horrid strife, Satan inspired, refused to cease Till slain the Prince of Life !

He died — but was it, Lord, for nought ? Was Thy blood shed in vain ? Of the travail of Thy soul so bought Shalt Thou not see the gain ? Thou wilt : for though all praise Thee not, Yet ThouTt be glorified ; And for Thy saints, Thine without spot, Shall not in vain have died. Thou need'st not, Lord, the mocker's praise ; Yet for Thine own name's sake, Do from the death of sin them raise And for Thine own them take. Make them the depth, the height, the space, The length, the breadth of love, As in long-suffering, so in grace, To know, admire and prove. Then shall the hosts of heaven commend, And, throughout earth and skies, Shall bursts of joy to Thee ascend, And Hallelujahs rise. li Then shall the Father in the Son Joy, cause of boundless grace ; And the eternal Three in One Receive the endless praise.

THE RAINBOW. Emblem of peace to guilty man, Unrival'd in its hue, See the sweet Rainbow brightly span The heaven's etherial blue : Seeming a beauteous archway, given To some far favour'd land, The entrance to a purer heaven Than fancy may command. And seen by faith, say is it less ? No, 'tis the covenant sign, The witness of the faithfulness, And power of grace divine. O may our thoughts be led above When we behold it glow ; Still may it point us to the love Of God to man below ; And when, His Providence, a storm Glooms o'er us dark as night, Then may our faith a rainbow form And turn its drops to light. "I one METRICAL MUSINGS. JOY AT THE REPENTANCE OF SINNERS. say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over sinner that repenteth." — Luke xv. 10. Come let us sing with joy, Let joy unmix'd abound, Join all the blest employ, Our brother lost is found.

Long lost, by vice held fast, Defil'd in blood he lay, Had not the Saviour past Death had secured his prey ; But Jesus said, " Forbear, I surely will deliver." He took, He wash'd, He sware " I will forsake thee never." Let us then sing with joy : There's joy in heav'n above, For angels bless the employ, Whose theme is Jesus' love. The awaken'd sinner hears That sin produces woe ; He trembles, weeps and fears, And would his sins forego. The atoning Lamb appears, He and his sins do sever ; Blood, blood atones, not tears — They had been vain for ever. Yes, we do sing with joy, With joy we praise the Lord, Who giveth this employ, As faithful to His word. The lost, He still doth find, The sick and lame doth cure ; Gives sight unto the blind, Enricheth still the poor. Jesus, this God is ours : He'll daily grace discover ; O, for high heavenly powers To praise our kingly Lover.

Let not our joy be lost — For grace, free grace, adored Be Father, Son and Holy Ghost, By all with one accord. Soon may Thy spousal come : Enlarge Thy church's space : Bring all Thy wanderers home, And shout upon them grace. We would obey our Lord, To love and help each other, And in His name and word Rejoice in this our brother. I(> METRICAL MUSINGS. PRAISE THE LORD. '■' And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." — John xxi. 25. O praise the Lord ! all people praise, And bless the Saviour's name ; With one accord your voices raise, The Saviour's praise proclaim. The Sayiour great, faithful and true, Beyond conception fair ! Holy and just, yet gracious too, And good beyond compare !

Reader, do thou thy tribute bring, Of praise to Jesus due ; Come laud the Lord thy God and king, Who bled and died for you. Think what He suffered, what He wrought, To save thy soul from woe ! Think of the price with which He bought Thy freedom from the foe ! How He, thy lost soul to retrieve, And from foul sin reclaim, Did uncreated glory leave For misery and shame ! ■5 And the blest praises, sweet and loud, Of heaven's high hosts exchanged, For bitter tauntings of the proud, And vile, from good estrang'd ! How He was in our nature made, And took a servant's place ; Was in the lowly manger laid, E'en with the bestial race ! How, too, thus poor, — and meanly born (Endur'd for mercy's sake,) He meekly stoop'd and bore their scorn, Whom He to being spake ! For, rear'd in want, He was despis'd By those He came to save ; Few — few, His mission own'd, or priz'd The precious gifts He gave.

A stranger to the world He stood, And met the stranger's lot ; Though He returned still with good, The evil that He got. Foxes had hidden holes secure, Birds of the air their nest, But Jesus, He was homeless poor, Nor had a place of rest ! Out-worn with toil He oft withdrew, The naked earth His bed : And oft the chilling midnight dew, Fell on His watchful head. D With hunger, thirst, and cold acquaint, He oft their pangs abode : Oft too was weary, troubled, faint, From grief's o'erwhelming load. Concentrated He bore the storms On human life that press ; Pain — pain He knew, in all its forms, And agonized distress. The bloody sweat, the scourge, the gall — O have them in review ! The cross, the cry, the spear ; for all, All — all were borne for you ! Nay more — the dark and gloomy tomb, Not then a place of rest, Into her deep mysterious womb Received the heavenly guest.

Death bound the mighty prey which bore Sin's penalty for men ; What more could have been done ? what more He lives, He rose again. He burst the frightful grave, and tore From Satan's grasp his prey ; Hell's dreadful power he crush'd, and bore The sting of death away. What could He more ? ascended high He pleads His people's cause ; And has obtained they shall not die, Who love his holy laws. "But Those, teach His Spirit, whom He sends The witness of His love : The Holy Spirit, who descends From glory's throne above, In mercy to convince each heart Of sin and unbelief, To humble, pardon, and convert, Of sinners, — e'en the chief. O then admire, believe His love, And never cease to praise, Till you commence, renewed above, The song of endless days. Praise — praise the Lord, all people, won By love, His name record ; Praise God the Father, Spirit, Son : Saints, angels, praise the Lord.

" LORD, SAVE ME." when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid ; and, beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." — Matt. xiv. 30. Saviour, bless'd Saviour, to Thy breast My weary soul would fly ; And there obtain the only rest From sin and vanity. Sorrow and pain do weigh me down, Peace has my bosom fled ; Troubles and cares my spirits drown, And all my joys are dead. d Temptations as a flood me whelm, And as a bark, sore toss'd In raging seas, with compass, helm, And masts and bulwarks lost ; Strain' d, buffeted and broken, lies The sport of every wave, So fares my soul ; then hear my cries, I sink, O Saviour save. Save, or I perish ; O draw near — Come quickly to mine aid ; Command the waves, Thy voice they hear : Speak, and the storm is laid : And calm shall to my breast be given, And peace return again, And hope relist my thoughts to heaven, And joy my soul sustain.

For these, the gifts of love and power, Shall that poor man possess, Who calls upon Thee in the hour Of trouble and distress. So be it, Saviour, unto me, For unto Thee I call ; To none beside I make my plea, Thou art my all in all. (i t. " I WOULD FLY AWAY AND BE AT REST." Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers : the snare is bro ken, and we are escaped. — Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." — Ps. exxiv. 7, 8. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove ! for then I would fly away, and be at rest. — I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest." — Ps. lv. 6, 8. So spake a saint of old, So often saints have told, When coming forth as gold From earthly strife, They saw salvation near, Nor wish'd to linger here, Conquer'd the slavish fear Of death in life.

So yet shall many saints, Freed from all earthly taints, Thus end their sad complaints In songs of praise ; And as the scripture saith, E'en on the bed of death, With their expiring breath, This song shall raise — " Escap'd from every snare The fowler did prepare, I flee to nestle there Where rest's prepar'd ; And bid a glad farewell To every loosened spell, That would entrap to hell My soul ensnar'd. Midst tyranny and wrong Who would their stay prolong ? How long, O Lord ! how long, Wilt thou delay ? No more from thee I'd roam : I long to reach thy home : Haste, angels, quickly come Bear me away. Blest Spirit, heavenly Dove, Bear me to Christ above ; Jesus, thine endless love Makes, keeps me thine I shall thy glory see : 'Mongst saints thou'st number'd me I gave myself to thee ; Loved, thou art mine."

O for the airy wings Of yonder dove that flings Beneath her earth, and springs To light above ! How swift she cuts her way ; Chiding the past delay, She speedeth her away To meet her love. Like her afar I'd soar To meet with sin no more, But hasten to explore Thy courts of peace O Saviour, I'm opprest — When wilt thou bid me rest In regions of the blest Where sin doth cease ? Let earthly terrors fly, Let earth's affections die, And six my hopes on high, Where thou art God. So shall I truth embrace : So shall I see thy face : So shall I sing Thy grace, For ever, Lord. THE WISH. Tell me, my soul, who doeth good ? Who can do good below ? Their works are righteous, — understood By faith, — who Jesus know : And their's alone ; for, without faith, All actions are but sin ; None can do good, the Eternal saith, Till they're renewed within.