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 DIVINE SON#S^ 
 
 FOR 
 
 THE USES OF CHILD KEN. 
 
 By I. WATTS, D. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 | JAMES CLARKE & Co. High Street 
 
 AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 PRICE ONE PENNY. 
 
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TWENTY-EIGHT 
 
 DIVINE SONGS, 
 
 roil 
 
 THE USE OF CHILDREN. 
 
 By I. WATTS, D.D. 
 
 Out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings thou 
 hast perfected praise.— Matt. xxi. 16. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 JAMES CLARKE & CO. HIGH STREET, 
 
 Price One Penny. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 I A GENERAL SONG OF PRAISE TO GOD. 
 
 1 How glorious is our heavenly King, 
 
 Who reigns ahove the sky ! 
 How shall a child presume to sing 
 His dreadful majesty ? 
 
 2 How great his power is none can tell, 
 
 Nor think how large his grace ; 
 Not man below, nor saints that dwell 
 On high before his face : 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 3 Nor angels that stand round the Lord 
 
 Can search his secret will ; 
 But they perform his heavenly word, 
 And sing his praises still. 
 
 4 Then let me join this holy train, 
 
 And my first off 'rings bring ; 
 The eternal God will not disdain 
 To hear an infant sing. 
 
 5 My heart resolves, my tongue obeys, 
 
 And angels shall rejoice 
 I To hear their mighty Maker's praise 
 S Sound from a feeble voice. 
 
 II. PRAISE FOR CREATION AND 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 1 I sing the almighty power of God, 
 
 That made the mountains rise, 
 That spread the flowing seas abroad, 
 And built the lofty skies., 
 
 2 I sing the wisdom that ordain'd 
 
 The sun to rule the day ; 
 The moon shines full at his command, 
 And all the stars obey. 
 
 3 I sing the goodness of the Lord, 
 
 That fiird the earth with food ; 
 He form'd the creatures with his word, 
 And then pronounc'd them good. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 4 Lord, how thy wonders are displayed 
 
 Where'er I turn mine eye ! 
 If I survey the ground I tread, 
 Or gaze upon the sky. 
 
 5 There's not a plant or flower below 
 
 But makes thy glories known ; 
 And clouds arise, and tempests blow, 
 By order from thy throne. 
 
 6 Creatures (as num'rous as they be) 
 
 Are subject to thy care ; 
 There's not a place where we can flee 
 But God is present there. 
 
 7 In heaven he shines with beams of love 
 
 With wrath in hell beneath ; 
 'Tis on his earth I stand or move, 
 And 'tis his air I breathe. 
 
 8 His hand is my perpetual guard, 
 
 He keeps me with his eye ; 
 Why should I then forget the Lord, 
 Who is for ever nigh ? 
 
 Ill PRAISE TO GOD FOR OUR REDEMP- 
 TION. 
 
 1 Bless'd be the wisdom and the power, 
 The justice and the grace, 
 That joined in council to restore 
 And save our ruin'd race. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 7 
 
 Our father ate forbidden fruit, 
 
 And from his glory fell ; 
 And we, his children, thus were brought 
 To death, and near to hell. 
 ! Bless'd be the Lord, that sent his Son 
 To take our flesh and blood ; 
 Pie for our lives gave up his own, 
 To make our peace with God. 
 i He honour'd all his Father's laws, 
 Which we have disobeyed ; 
 He bore our sins upon the cross, 
 And our full ransom paid. 
 
 5 Behold him rising from the grave ; 
 
 Behold him raised on high ; 
 He pleads his merit there to save 
 Transgressors doom'd to die. 
 
 6 There, on a glorious throne, he reigns, 
 
 And, by his power divine, 
 Redeems us from the slavish chains 
 Of Satan and of sin. 
 
 7 Thence shall the Lord to judgment come. 
 
 And with a sovereign voice 
 Shall call and break up every tomb, 
 While waking saints rejoice. 
 
 8 may I then with joy appear 
 
 Before the Judge's face ; 
 And with the bless'd assembly there 
 Sing his redeeming grace I 
 
S DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 IV. SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL MERCIES, 
 
 1 Whene'er I take my walks abroad, 
 
 How many poor I see ! 
 What shall I render to my God 
 For all his gifts to me ! 
 
 2 Not more than others I deserve, 
 
 Yet God has given me more ; 
 For I have food, whilst others starve v 
 Or beg from door to door. 
 
 $ How many children in the street 
 Half naked I behold ! 
 While I am cloth'd from head to feet, 
 And covered from the cold ! 
 
 i While some poor wretches scarce can tell 
 Where they may lay their head, 
 I havd a house wherein to dwell, 
 And rest upon my bed. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 While others early learn to swear, 
 
 And curse, and lie, and steal, 
 Lord, I am taught thy name to fear, 
 
 And do thy holy will. 
 Are these thy favours day hy day, 
 
 To me above the rest ? 
 Then let me love thee more than they, 
 
 And try to serve thee best. 
 
 _ P RMSE FOR BIRTH AND EDUCATION IN 
 A CHRISTIAN LAND. 
 
 l (ttrbat God ! to thee my voice I raise, 
 
 I would begin my hours with jF~*> 
 Till growing years improve the song. 
 ■ >Ti<? to thv sov'reign grace I owe 
 ' That I was born on British ground, 
 Where strlams of heavenly mercy flow, 
 And words of sweet salvation sound. 
 
 3 I would not * a «g e .K,t e ; e S' 
 For rich Peru, with all her gold , 
 
 A nobler prize lies in my hand 
 
 Than East or Western Indies hold. 
 
 ,1 TTnw do I pity those that dwell 
 
 Where ignorance and darkness re,g£ 
 They toow no heaven, they fear no hell. 
 The endless joy, the endless pam! 
 
10 
 
 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 5 Thy glorious promises, O Lord ! 
 Kindle my hope and my desire ; 
 While all the preachers of thy word 
 Warn me to 'scape eternal fire. 
 Thy praise shall still employ my breath 
 Since thou hast mark'd my way t 
 heaven ; 
 
 Nor will I run the road to death, 
 And waste the blessings thou hast given 
 
 VI PRAISE FOR THE GOSPEL. 
 
 1 Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace, 
 
 And not to chance, as others do, 
 That I was born of Christian race, 
 And not a Heathen or a Jew. 
 
 2 What would the ancient Jewish kings 
 
 And J ewish prophets once have given, 
 Could they have heard those glorious 
 thhigs [heaven ! 
 
 Which Christ reveal'd and brought from 
 
 3 How glad the Heathens would have been, 
 
 That worshipp'd idols, wood and stone, 
 If they the Book of God had seen. 
 Or J esus and his Gospel known I 
 
 4 Then if this Gospel I refuse, 
 
 •How shall I e'er lift up mine eyes ? 
 For all the Gentiles and the Jews 
 Against me will in judgment rise. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. H 
 VH.-THE EXCELLENCY OE THE BIBLE. 
 
 Great God! with wonder and with praise 
 
 On all thy works I look ; 
 But still thy wisdom, power, and grace, 
 Shine brightest in thy Book. 
 o The stars, that in their courses roll, 
 Have much instruction given ; 
 But thy good Word informs my soul 
 How I may climb to heaven. 
 
 3 The fields provide me food, and show 
 
 The goodness of the Lord ; 
 But fruits of life and glory grow 
 In thy most Holy Word. 
 
 4 Here are my choicest treasures hid 
 
 Here my best comfort lies ; 
 Here my desires are satisfied, 
 And hence my hopes arise. 
 
 5 Lord, make me understand thy law 
 Show what my faults have been ; 
 
 And from thy Gospel let me draw 
 Pardon for all my sm. 
 
 6 Here would I learn how Christ has died 
 To save my soul from hell ; 
 
 Not all the books on earth beside 
 Such heavenly wonders tell. 
 
 7 Then let me love my Bible more, 
 And take a fresh delight 
 
 B Y day to read thy wonders o er, 
 And meditate by night. 
 
12 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 VIII. — PRAISE TO GOD FOR LEARNING TO 
 
 READ. 
 
 1 The praises of my tongue 
 
 I offer to the Lord, 
 That I was taught and learn'd so young 
 To read his Holy Word : 
 
 2 That I am brought to know 
 
 The danger I was in, 
 By nature, and by practice too, 
 A wedded slave to sin t 
 
 3 That I am led to see 
 
 I can do nothing well ; 
 And whither shall a sinner flee 
 To save himself from hell ? 
 
 Dear Lord ! this Book of thine 
 
 Informs where to go 
 For grace to pardon all my sin, 
 
 And make me holy too. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 13 
 
 Here T can read and learn 
 
 How Christ, the Son of God, 
 Did undertake our great concern,— 
 
 Our ransom cost his blood. 
 And now he reigns above, 
 
 He sends his Spirit down 
 To show the wonders of his love, 
 
 And make his Gospel known. 
 may that Spirit teach, 
 
 And make my heart receive [preach. 
 Those truths which all thy servants 
 And all thy saints believe I 
 \ Then shall I praise the Lord 
 In a more cheerful strain. 
 That I was taught to read his word, 
 And have not learn'd in vain. 
 
 IX THE ALL-SEEING GOD. 
 
 1 Almighty God! thy piercing eye 
 
 Strikes through the shades of night, 
 And our most secret actions lie 
 All open to thy sight. 
 
 2 There's not a sin that we commit, 
 
 Nor wicked word we say, 
 But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ 
 Against the judgment-day. 
 
 3 And must the crimes that I have done 
 
 Be read and published there ? 
 Be all exposed before thy bon. 
 While men and angels hear t 
 
14 DIVINE SONGa. 
 
 4 Lord, at thy feet asham'd I lie ; 
 
 Upward I dare not look ; 
 Pardon my sins before I die, 
 And blot them from thy book. 
 
 5 Remember all the dying pains 
 
 That my Redeemer felt, 
 And let his blood wash out ray stain*, 
 And answer for my guilt. 
 
 6 may I now for ever fear 
 
 T' indulge a sinful thought, 
 Since the great God can see and he 
 And writes down every fault. 
 
 X. SOLEMN THOUGHTS OF GOD AND 
 
 DEATH. 
 
 I There is a God that reigns above, 
 Lord of the heav'ns, and earth, and sea; 
 I fear his wrath, I ask his love, 
 And with my lips I sing his praise. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. *• 5 
 
 There is a law which he has writ. 
 
 To teach us all what we must do ; 
 Mv soul, to his commands submit, 
 
 For they are holy, just, and true. 
 There is a gospel of rich grace, 
 
 Whence sinners all their comforts draw ; 
 Lord, I repent, and seek thy face, 
 For I have often broke thy law. 
 There is an hour when I must die, 
 
 Nor do I know how soon t'will come ; 
 A thousand children, young as I, 
 
 Are call'd by death to hear then* doom. 
 I Let me improve the hours I have, 
 Before the day of grace is tied : 
 There's no repentance in the grav*, 
 
 Nor pardon offer'd to the dead. 
 Just as a tree cut down, that fell 
 
 To north or southward, there it lies ; 
 So man departs to heaven or hell, 
 Fix'd in the state wherein he dies. 
 
 XI, HEAVEN AND HELL. 
 
 1 There is beyond the sky 
 
 A heaven of joy and love, 
 And holy children, when they dia> 
 Go to that world above. 
 
 2 There is a dreadful hell, 
 And everlasting pains % 
 
i6 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 Where sinners must with devils dwell, 
 In darkness, fire, and chains. 
 
 3 Can such a wretch as I 
 
 Escape this cursed end ? 
 And may I hope, whene'er I die, 
 I shall to heaven ascend ? 
 
 4 Then will I read and pray, 
 
 While I have life and breath, 
 Lest I should be cut off to-day, 
 And sent t' eternal death. 
 
 XII. — ADVANTAGES OF EARLY RELIGION, 
 
 1 Happy the child whose tender years 
 
 Receive instruction well ; 
 Who hates the sinner's path, and fears 
 The road that leads to hell. 
 
 2 When we devote our youth to God, 
 
 'Tis pleasing in his eyes ; 
 A flower, when offer' d in the bud, 
 Is no vain sacrifice. 
 
 3 'Tis easier work, if we begin 
 
 To fear the Lord betimes ; 
 While sinners, who grow old in sin, 
 Are harden* d in their crimes. 
 
 4 'Twill save us from a thousand snares, 
 
 To mind religion young ; 
 Grace will preserve our following years, 
 And make our virtue strong. 
 
DIVINE SONGS* 
 
 5 To thee, Almighty God! to thee 
 
 Our childhood we resign ; 
 Twill please us to look back and see 
 That our whole lives were thine. 
 
 6 L*t the sweet work of prayer and praisa 
 
 Employ my youngest breath ; 
 Tins I'm prepared for longer days, 
 Cr fit for early death. 
 
 XXII. THE DANGER OF DELAY. 
 
 1 Why should I say, « 'Tib yet too soon 
 
 To S3ek for heaven, or think of death < 
 A flower may fade before 'tis noon, 
 And I this day may lose my breath. 
 
 2 If this rebellious heart of mine 
 
 Despise the gracious call of heaven, 
 I may be hardened in my sin, _ 
 And never have repentance given. 
 
 3 What if the Lord grow wroth and swear, 
 
 While I refuse to read and pray, 
 That he'll refuse to lend an ear 
 To all my groans another day ? 
 
 4 What if his dreadful anger burn, 
 
 While I refuse his offer'd grace, 
 And all his love to fury turn. 
 
 And strike me dead upon the place ? 
 
 5 'Tis dangerous to provoke our God ! 
 
 His power and vengeance none can telU 
 
18 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 One stroke of Iris. Almighty rod 
 
 Shall send young sinners down to hell 
 6 Then 'twill for ever be in vain 
 
 To cry for pardon and for grace, 
 To wish I had my time again, 
 Or hope to see my Maker's face. 
 
 XIV EXAMPLES OF EARLY PIET/. 
 
 1 What bless'd examples do I find 
 
 Writ in the word of truth, 
 Of children that began to mind 
 Religion in their youth ! 
 
 2 J esus, who reigns above the sky 3 
 
 And keeps the world in awe, 
 Was once a child as young as I, 
 And kept his Father's law. 
 
 3 At twelve years old he talk'd with men, 
 
 (The Jews all wond'ring stand,) 
 Yet he obeyed his mother then, 
 And came at her command. 
 
 4 Children a sweet Hosanna sung, 
 
 And bless'd their Saviour's name ; 
 They gave him honour with their tongue, 
 While scribes and priests blaspheme. 
 
 5" Samuel, the child, was wean'dand brought 
 To wait upon the Lord ; 
 Young Timothy betimes was taught 
 To know his Holy Word, 
 
DIVINE SONGS, 
 
 19 
 
 6 Then why should I so long delay 
 What others learn d so soon ? 
 I would not pass another day 
 Without this work begun. 
 
 XV. AGAINST LYING. 
 
 1 O 'tis a lovely thing for youth 
 
 To walk betimes in Wisdom's way ; 
 To fear a lie, to speak the truth, 
 That we may trust to all they say ! 
 
 2 But liars we can never trust, 
 
 Though they should speak the thing 
 that's true ; 
 And he that does one fault at first, 
 And lies to hide it, makes it two. 
 
 3 Have we not known, nor heard, nor read, 
 
 How God abhors deceit and wrong ? 
 How Ananias was struck dead, 
 
 Caught with a lie upon his tongue ? 
 
 4 So did his wife Sapphira die, 
 
 When she came in and grew so bold, 
 As to confirm the wicked lie 
 
 That just before he* husband told. 
 
 5 The Lord delights in them that speak 
 
 The words of truth ; but every liar 
 Must have his portion in the lake 
 
 That burns with brimstone and witii 
 
 fire. 
 
20 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 6 Then let me always watch my lips. 
 Lest I be struck to death and hell ; 
 Since God a book of reckoning keeps 
 For every lie that children tell. 
 
 XVI. — AGAINST QUARRELLING AND 
 FIGHTING. 
 
 1 Let dogs delight to bark and bite, 
 
 For God hath made them so ; 
 Let bears and lions growl and fight, 
 For 'tis their nature too. 
 
 2 But children you should never let 
 
 Such angry passions rise ; 
 Your little hands were never made 
 To tear each other's eyes. 
 
 3 Let love through all your actions run, 
 
 And all your words be mild ; 
 Live like the blessed Virgin's Son, 
 That sweet and lovely Child. 
 
 4 His soul was gentle as a lamb ; 
 
 And, as his stature grew, 
 He grew in favour both with man 
 And God his Father too. 
 
 5 Now Lord of all he reigns above ; 
 
 And from his heavenly throne 
 He sees what children dwell in love, 
 And marks them for his own. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 21 
 
 XVIT.— LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS AND 
 
 SISTERS. 
 
 Whatever brawls disturb the street. 
 There should be peace at home ; 
 
 Where sisters dwell and brothers meet 
 Quarrels should never come. 
 
 2 Birds in their little nests agree, 
 
 And 'tis a shameful sight 
 When children of one family 
 Fall out, and chide and fight. 
 
 3 Hard names at first, and threatening 
 
 words, 
 
 That are but noisy breath, 
 May grow to clubs and naked swords, 
 To murder and to death. 
 
 4 The devil tempts one mothers son 
 
 To rage against another ; 
 So wicked Cain was hurried on 
 Till he had kuTd his brother. 
 
22 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 5 The wise will make their anger cool, 
 
 At least before 'tis night ; ' 
 But in the bosom of a fool 
 It burns till morning light. 
 
 6 Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage. 
 
 Our little brawls remove, 
 That, as we grow to riper age, 
 Our hearts mav all be love. 
 
 XVIII. AGAINST SCOFFING AND CALLING 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 1 Our tongues were made to bless the 
 
 Lord, 
 
 And not speak ill of men ; 
 While others give a railing word, 
 We must not rail again. 
 
 2 Cross words and angry names require 
 
 To be chastis'd at school ; 
 And he's in danger of hell fire 
 Who calls his brother fool. 
 
 S But lips that dare be so profane, 
 To mock, and jeer, and scoff 
 At holy things, or holy men, 
 The Lord shall cut them off. 
 
 4 When children, in their wanton play, 
 Serv'd old Elisha so, 
 &nd bade the prophet go his way, 
 fcC Go up, thou bald-head, go !" 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 God quickly stopp'd their wicked breath, 
 
 And sent two raging bears, 
 That tore them limb from limb to death , 
 
 With blood, and groans, and tears. 
 
 Great God ! how terrible art thou 
 
 To sinners e'er so young ! 
 Grant me thy grace, and teach me how 
 
 To tame and rule my tongue. 
 
 XIX AGAINST SWEARING AND CURSING, 
 
 AND TAKING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN. 
 
 1 Angels, that high in glory dwell, 
 
 Adore thy name, Almighty God ! 
 And devils tremble down in hell, 
 Beneath the terrors of thy rod. 
 
 2 And yet how wicked children dare 
 
 Abuse thy dreadful, glorious name ; 
 And when they're angry, how they swear, 
 And curse their fellows, and blaspheme! 
 
 S How will they stand before thy face 
 Who treated thee with such disdain. 
 Whilst thou shalt doom them to the placa 
 Of everlasting fire and pain ? 
 
 4 Then never shall one cooling drop 
 
 To quench their burning tongues be 
 given ; 
 
 But I will praise thee here, and hope 
 Thus to employ my tongue in heaven. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
24 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 5 iVIy heart shall be in pain to hear 
 
 Wretches affront the Lord above ; 
 'Tis that great God whose power I fear. 
 That heavenly Father whom I love. 
 
 6 If my companions grow profane, 
 
 I'll leave their friendship, when I hear 
 Young sinners take thy name in vain, 
 And learn to curse, and learn to swear, 
 
 XX. — AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF. 
 
 1 How doth the little busy bee 
 
 Improve each shining hour, 
 And gather honey all the day 
 From every opening flower. 
 
 2 How skilfully she builds her cell ! 
 
 How neat she spreads the wax ! 
 And labours hard to store it well 
 With the sweet food she makes. 
 
DIVINE SONGS 
 
 25 
 
 & In works of labour, or of skill, 
 I would be busy too ; 
 For Satan finds some mischief still 
 For idle hands to do. 
 
 4 In books, or work, or healthful play, 
 Let my first years be pass'd, 
 That 1 may give for every day 
 Some good account at last. 
 
 XXI AGAINST EVIL COMPANY* 
 
 1 Why should I join with those in play 
 
 In whom I've no delight, 
 Who curse and swear, but never pray, 
 Who call ill names and fight ? 
 
 2 I hate to hear a wanton song ; 
 
 Their words offend my ears : 
 I should not dare defile my tongue 
 With language such as theirs. 
 
 3 Away from fools I'll turn my eyes, 
 
 Nor with the scoffers go ; 
 I would be walking with the wise, 
 That wiser I may grow. 
 
 4 From one rude boy, that's used to mock* 
 
 Ten learn the wicked jest ; 
 One sickly sheep infects the flock, 
 And poisons all the rest. 
 
 5 My God, I hate to walk or dwell 
 
 With sinful children here ; 
 
26 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 Then let me not be sent to hell, 
 Where none but sinners are. 
 
 XXII AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES. 
 
 1 Why should our garments, made to hide 
 Our parents' shame, provoke our pride ? 
 The art of dress did ne'er begin 
 
 Till Eve, our mother, learn'd to sin. 
 
 2 When first she put the covering on, 
 Her robe of innocence was gone ; 
 And yet her children vainly boast 
 In the sad marks of glory lost, 
 
 3 How proud we are ! how fond to show 
 Our clothes ! and call them rich and new ! 
 When the poor sheep and silk worms wore 
 That very clothing long before. 
 
 4 The tulip and the butterfly 
 Appear in gayer coats than I ; 
 Let me be dress'd fine as I will, 
 
 Flies, worms, and flowers excel me still. 
 
 5 Then will I set my heart to find 
 Inward adornings of the mind ; 
 Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace, 
 These are the robes of richest dress. 
 
 6 No more shall worms with me compare ; 
 This is the raiment angels wear ; 
 
 The Son of God, when here below, 
 Put on this bless'd apparel too. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 27 
 
 It never fades, it ne'er grows old, 
 Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mold ; 
 It takes no spot, but still refines ; 
 The more 'tis worn, the more it shines. 
 
 8 In this on earth should I appear, 
 Then go to heaven and wear it there, 
 God will approve it in his sight ; 
 'Tis his own work, and his delight. 
 
 1 Let children that would fear the Lord 
 
 Hear what their teachers say ; 
 With rev'rence meet their parent's word, 
 And with delight obey. 
 
 2 Have we not heard what dreadful plagues 
 
 Are threatened by the Lord, 
 To him that breaks his father's law, 
 Or mocks his mother's word ? 
 
28 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 3 What heavy guilt upon him lies ! 
 
 How cursed is his name ! 
 The ravens shall peck out his eyes, 
 And eagles eat the same. 
 
 4 But those who worship God, and give 
 
 Their parents honour due, 
 Here on this earth they long shall live, 
 And live hereafter too. 
 
 XXIV THE CHILD'S COMPLAINT. 
 
 1 Why should I love my sport so well, 
 
 So constant at my play, 
 And lose the thoughts of heaven and 
 hell, 
 
 And then forget to pray ? 
 
 2 What do I read my Bible for, 
 
 But, Lord, to learn thy will ? 
 And shall I learn to know thee more, 
 And less obey thee still ? 
 
 3 How senseless is my heart and wild ! 
 
 How vain are all my thoughts ! 
 Pity the weakness of a child, 
 And pardon all my faults. 
 
 4 Make me thy heavenly voice to hear, 
 
 And let me love to pray. 
 Since God will lend a gracious ear 
 To what a child can say. 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 29 
 
 XXV. — A MORNING SONG. 
 
 1 My God, who makes the sun to know 
 
 His proper hour to rise. 
 And, to give light to all below, 
 Dost send him round the skies. 
 
 2 When from the chambers of the east 
 
 His morning race begins, 
 He never tires, nor stops to rest, 
 But round the world he shines. 
 
 3 So, like the sun, would I fulfil 
 
 The business of the day ; 
 Begin my work betimes, and still 
 March on my heavenly way. 
 
 4 Give me, O Lord, thine early grace ; 
 
 Nor let my soul complain, 
 That the young morning of my days 
 Has all been spent in vain. 
 
 XXVI AN EVENING SONG. 
 
 And now another day is gone, 
 I'll sing my Maker's praise ; 
 
30 DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 My comforts every hour make known 
 His providence and grace. 
 
 2 But how my childhood runs to waste ! 
 
 My sins, how great their sum ! 
 Lord, give me pardon for the past, 
 And strength for days to come. 
 
 3 I lay my body down to sleep ; 
 
 Let angels guard my head, 
 And through the hours of darkness keep 
 Their watch around my bed. 
 
 4 With cheerful heart I close my eyes, 
 
 Since thou wilt not remove ; 
 And in the morning let me rise, 
 Rejoicing in thy love. 
 
 XX VII FOR THE LORD'S DAY MORNING. 
 
 1 This is the day when Christ arose. 
 
 So early from the dead ; 
 Why should I keep my eyelids close, 
 And waste my hours in bed ? 
 
 2 This is the day when Jesus broke 
 
 The powers of death and hell ; 
 And shall I still wear Satan's yoke, 
 And love my sins so well ? 
 
 3 To-day with pleasure Christians meet 
 
 To pray and hear thy.Word, 
 And 1 will go with cheerful feet, 
 To learn thy will, Lord ! 
 
DIVINE SONGS. 
 
 31 
 
 4 I'll leave my sport to read and pray, 
 And so prepare for heaven ; 
 may I love this blessed day 
 The best of all the seven ! 
 
 XXVIII FOR THE LORD'S DAY EVENING. 
 
 1 Lord, how delightful 'tis to see 
 A whole assembly worship thee ! 
 
 At once they sing, at once they pray, 
 They hear of heaven, and learn the way. 
 
 2 I have been there, and still would go, 
 'Tis like a little heaven below ; 
 
 Nor all my pleasures, nor my play, 
 Shall tempt me to forget this day. 
 
 3 O write upon my mem'ry, Lord, 
 The text and doctrines of thy word, 
 That I may break thy laws no more, 
 But love thee better than before. 
 
 4 With thoughts of Christ and things divine, 
 Fill up this foolish heart of mine, 
 That, hoping pardon through his blood, 
 I may lie down, and wake with God. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 James Clarke and Co. Printers, Old Stamp Office, 
 22], High Street, Eilinburgh. 
 
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