I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

God Insensibly Withdrawn
Philip Doddridge (1702–1751)

A present God is all our strength,
And all our joy and hope;
When He withdraws, our comforts die,
And every grace must droop.

But flatt’ring trifles charm our hearts
To court their false embrace,
Till justly this neglected Friend
Averts His angry face.

He leaves us, and we miss Him not,
But go presumptuous on;
Till baffled, wounded, and enslaved,
We learn that God is gone.

And what, my soul, can then remain,
One ray of light to give?
Severed from Him, their better life,
How can His children live?

Hence, all ye painted forms of joy,
And leave my heart to mourn;
I would devote these eyes to tears,
Till cheered by His return.

Look back, my Lord, and own the place,
Where once Thy temple stood;
For lo, its ruins bear the mark
Of rich atoning blood.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

John 8:12–20

“I Am the Light of the World”

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

The conversation between our Lord and the Jews, which begins with these verses, is full of difficulties. The connection between one part and another, and the precise meaning of some of the expressions which fell from our Lord’s lips, are “things hard to be understood.” In passages like this it is true wisdom to acknowledge the great imperfection of our spiritual vision, and to be thankful if we can glean a few handfuls of truth.
   Let us notice, for one thing, in these verses, what the Lord Jesus says of Himself. He proclaims, “I am the light of the world.”
   These words imply that the world needs light, and is naturally in a dark condition. It is so in a moral and spiritual point of view: and it has been so for nearly 6,000 years. In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, in modern England, France, and Germany, the same report is true. The vast majority of men neither see nor understand the value of their souls, the true nature of God, nor the reality of a world to come! Notwithstanding all the discoveries of art and science, “darkness still covers the earth, and gross darkness the people.” (Isaiah. 60:2.)
   For this state of things, the Lord Jesus Christ declares Himself to be the only remedy. He has risen, like the sun, to diffuse light, and life, and peace, and salvation, in the midst of a dark world. He invites all who want spiritual help and guidance to turn to Him, and take Him for their leader. What the sun is to the whole solar system—the center of light, and heat, and life, and fertility—that He has come into the world to be to sinners.
   Let this saying sink down into our hearts. It is weighty and full of meaning. False lights on every side invite man’s attention in the present day. Reason, philosophy, earnestness, liberalism, conscience, and the voice of the Church, are all, in their various ways, crying loudly that they have got “the light” to show us. Their advocates know not what they say. Wretched are those who believe their high professions! He only is the true light who came into the world to save sinners, who died as our substitute on the cross, and sits at God’s right hand to be our Friend. “In His light we shall see light.” (Psalm xxxvi. 9.)
   Let us notice, secondly, in these verses, what the Lord Jesus says of those who follow Him. He promises, “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
   To follow Christ is to commit ourselves wholly and entirely to Him as our only leader and Saviour, and to submit ourselves to Him in every matter, both of doctrine and practice. “Following” is only another word for “believing.” It is the same act of soul, only seen from a different point of view. As Israel followed the pillar of cloud and fire in all their journeyings—moving whenever it moved, stopping whenever it tarried, asking no questions, marching on in faith—so must a man deal with Christ. He must “follow the Lamb wherever He goeth.” (Rev. xiv. 4.)
   He that so follows Christ shall “not walk in darkness.” He shall not be left in ignorance, like the many around him. He shall not grope in doubt and uncertainty, but shall see the way to heaven, and know where he is going.—He “shall have the light of life.” He shall feel within him the light of God’s countenance shining on him. He shall find in his conscience and understanding a living light, which nothing can altogether quench. The lights with which many please themselves shall go out in the valley of the shadow of death, and prove worse than useless. But the light that Christ gives to every one that follows Him shall never fail.
   Let us notice, lastly, in these verses, what the Lord Jesus says of His enemies. He tells the Pharisees that, with all their pretended wisdom, they were ignorant of God. “Ye neither know Me nor my Father; if ye had known Me, ye would have known my Father also.”
   Ignorance like this is only too common. There are thousands who are conversant with many branches of human learning, and can even argue and reason about religion, and yet know nothing really about God. That there is such a Being as God they fully admit. But His character and attributes revealed in Scripture, His holiness, His purity, His justice, His perfect knowledge, His unchangeableness, are things with which they are little acquainted. In fact, the subject of God’s nature and character makes them uncomfortable, and they do not like to dwell upon it.
   The grand secret of knowing God is to draw near to Him through Jesus Christ. Approached from this side, there is nothing that need make us afraid. Viewed from this standpoint, God is the sinner’s friend. God, out of Christ, may well fill us with alarm. How shall we dare to look at so high and holy a Being?—God in Christ is full of mercy, grace, and peace. His law’s demands are satisfied. His holiness need not make us afraid. Christ in one word is the way and door, by which we must ever draw near to the Father. If we know Christ, we shall know the Father. It is His own word,—”No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” (John xiv. 6.) Ignorance of Christ is the root of ignorance of God. Wrong at the starting-point, the whole sum of a man’s religion is full of error.
   And now, where are we ourselves? Do we know? Many are living and dying in a kind of fog.—Where are we going? Can we give a satisfactory answer? Hundreds go out of existence in utter uncertainty.—Let us leave nothing uncertain that concerns our everlasting salvation. Christ, the light of the world, is for us as well as for others, if we humbly follow Him, cast our souls on Him, and become His disciples.—Let us not, like thousands, waste our lives in doubting, and arguing, and reasoning, but simply follow. The child that says—“I will not learn anything until I know something,” will never learn at all. The man that says—“I must first understand everything before I become a Christian,” will die in his sins. Let us begin by “following,” and then we shall find light.

—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007).

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

The Spiritual Warfare
Samuel Davies (1723–1761)

Arm thee in panoply divine,
My soul, and fired with courage rise;
A thousand enemies combine
To obstruct thy progress to the skies.

Infernal darts perpetual fly
And scatter various deaths around;
Around thee thousands daily die
And none escape without a wound.

The world presents her tempting charms,
And wears the aspect of a friend,
Yet, ah, she carries deadly arms,
And all her smiles in ruin end.

But, oh, the flesh, that latent foe,
That treacherous enemy in my breast!
’Tis hence proceeds my overthrow,
And hence I’m conquered by the rest.

Through troops of potent enemies,
Through hostile snares and fields of blood,
If I expect the glorious prize,
I must pursue my dangerous road.

But, ah, how can a feeble worm
Obtain so hard a victory?
Alas, I perish in the storm,
And helpless fall, and bleed, and die.

The glorious prize stands in view,
But deaths and dangers stop my way;
Thou glorious prize! Adieu, adieu!
Here, cruel foes! Come size your prey.

But hark, an animating voice,
Majestic breaks from the upper sky,
Courage, frail worm! Live and rejoice,
I have procured the victory.

“Suspended on the accursed tree,
I crushed the might of all thy foes,
Dying, I spoiled their tyranny,
And triumphed over them when I rose.

“This arm that props the universe,
And holds up natures tottering frame,
Can all surrounding harms disperse,
And safe protect the feeblest name.

“The captain of salvation deigns
To lead the van, and guard thy way;
And since thy conquering Leader reigns,
The infernal powers shall miss their prey.

“In me confide; from me derive
Courage and strength to keep the field;
In crowds of death then thou shalt live,
And all thy foes shall stubborn yield.

“The Spirit’s sword victorious yield,
And steel thy breast with righteousness;
Let faith be thy triumphant shield;
Thy helmet, hope of heav’nly bliss.

“See in my hands the glorious prize;
This crown the conqueror shall wear.
Rise then with dauntless courage rise,
And bid adieu to every fear.

“Though sharp the conflict, ’tis but short;
Victr’y with active wings draws nigh.
And my brave soldiers, all unhurt,
Ere long shall triumph in the sky.”

Blessed Jesus, with martial zeal,
I arm, and rush into the fight;
And through my weakness still I feel,
I am almighty in thy might.

Thy gracious Words my heart inspire
With generous zeal for noble deeds;
Let hell and all her hosts appear,
My soul, undaunted, now proceeds.

Satan, affrighted at Thy frown,
Retreats, despairing of his prey;
And all the flatteries earth has shown,
In vain their treacherous charms display.

The flesh, subdued by grace divine,
No more shall triumph o’er the man.
Now, glorious prize, I call thee mine,
Though earth and hell do all they can.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

John 6:66–71

Confession by Peter

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

These verses form a sorrowful conclusion to the famous discourse of Christ which occupies the greater part of the sixth chapter. They supply a melancholy proof of the hardness and corruption of man’s heart. Even when the Son of God was the preacher, many seem to have heard in vain.
   Let us mark in this passage what an old sin backsliding is. We read that when our Lord had explained what He meant by “eating and drinking his flesh and blood,”—“From that time, many went back and walked no more with him.”
   The true grace of God no doubt is an everlasting possession. From this men never fall away entirely, when they have once received it. “The foundation of God standeth sure.” “My sheep shall never perish.” (2 Tim. ii. 19; John x. 28.) But there is counterfeit grace and unreal religion in the Church, wherever there is true; and from counterfeit grace thousands may, and do, fall away. Like the stony ground hearers, in the parable of the sower, many “have no root in themselves, and so in time of trial fall away.” All is not gold that glitters. All blossoms do not come to fruit. All are not Israel which are called Israel. Men may have feelings, desires, convictions, resolutions, hopes, joys, sorrows in religion, and yet never have the grace of God. They may run well for a season, and bid fair to reach heaven, and yet break down entirely after a time, go back to the world, and end like Demas, Judas Iscariot, and Lot’s wife.
   It must never surprise us to see and hear of such cases in our own days. If it happened in our Lord’s time and under our Lord’s teaching, much more may we expect it to happen now. Above all, it must never shake our faith and discourage us in our course. On the contrary, we must make up our minds that there will be backsliders in the Church as long as the world stands. The sneering infidel, who defends his unbelief by pointing at them, must find some better argument than their example. He forgets that there will always be counterfeit coin where there is true money.
   Let us mark, secondly, in this passage, the noble declaration of faith which the Apostle Peter made. Our Lord had said to the twelve, when many went back, “Will ye also go away?” At once Peter replied, with characteristic zeal and fervor, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and art sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
   The confession contained in these words is a very remarkable one. Living in a professedly Christian land, and surrounded by Christian privileges; we can hardly form an adequate idea of its real value. For a humble Jew to say of one whom Scribes, and Pharisees, and Sadducees agreed in rejecting, “Thou hast the words of eternal life; thou art the Christ,” was an act of mighty faith. No wonder that our Lord said, in another place, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is heaven.” (Matt. xvi. 17.)
   But the question with which Peter begins, is just as remarkable as his confession. “To whom shall we go?” said the noble-hearted Apostle. “Whom shall we follow? To what teacher shall we betake ourselves? Where shall we find any guide to heaven to compare with thee? What shall we gain by forsaking thee? What Scribe, what Pharisee, what Sadducee, what Priest, what Rabbi can show us such words of eternal life as thou showest?”
   The question is one which every true Christian may boldly ask, when urged and tempted to give up his religion, and go back to the world. It is easy for those who hate religion to pick holes in our conduct, to make objections to our doctrines, to find fault with our practices. It may be hard sometimes to give them any answer. But after all, “To whom shall we go,” if we give up our religion? Where shall we find such peace, and hope, and solid comfort as in serving Christ, however poorly we serve Him? Can we better ourselves by turning our back on Christ, and going back to our old ways? We cannot. Then let us hold on our way and persevere.
   Let us mark, lastly, in this passage, what little benefit some men get from religious privileges. We read that our Lord said, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil.” And it goes on, “He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.”
   If ever there was a man who had great privileges and opportunities, that man was Judas Iscariot. A chosen disciple, a constant companion of Christ, a witness of His miracles, a hearer of His sermons, a commissioned preacher of His kingdom, a fellow and friend of Peter, James, and John,—it would be impossible to imagine a more favourable position for a man’s soul. Yet if anyone ever fell hopelessly into hell, and made shipwreck at last for eternity, that man was Judas Iscariot. The character of that man must have been black indeed, of whom our Lord could say he is “a devil.”
   Let us settle it firmly in our minds, that the possession of religious privileges alone is not enough to save our souls. It is neither place, nor light, nor company, nor opportunities, but grace that man needs to make him a Christian. With grace we may serve God in the most difficult position,—like Daniel in Babylon, Obadiah in Ahab’s court, and the saints in Nero’s household. Without grace we may live in the full sunshine of Christ’s countenance, and yet, like Judas, be miserably cast away. Then let us never rest until we have grace reigning in our souls. Grace is to be had for the asking. There is One sitting at the right hand of God who has said,—“Ask, and it shall be given you.” (Matt. vii. 7.) The Lord Jesus is more willing to give grace than man is to seek it. If men have it not, it is because they do not ask it.

—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007).

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

The Christian Warfare
Samuel Stennett (1727–1795)

My Captain sounds the alarm of war;
Awake, the powers of hell are near!
“To arms! To arms!” I hear him cry,
’Tis yours to conquer, or to die!

Roused by the animating sound,
I cast my eager eyes around;
Make haste to gird my armor on,
And bid each trembling fear be gone.

Hope is my helmet; faith my shield;
Thy Word, my God! The sword I wield;
With sacred truth my loins are girt,
And holy zeal inspires my heart.

Thus armed I venture on the fight;
Resolved to put my foes to flight;
While Jesus kindly deigns to spread
His conquering banner o’er my head.

In him I hope; in him I trust;
His bleeding cross is all my boast.
Through troops of foes He’ll lead me on
To victory and the victor’s crown.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

John 6:22–27

“I Am the Bread of Life”

The next day the crowd that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other small boat there, except one, and that Jesus had not entered with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples had gone away alone. 23 There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. 25 When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”
   26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

We should mark first, in this passage, what knowledge of man’s heart our Lord Jesus Christ possesses. We see Him exposing the false motives of those who followed Him for the sake of the loaves and fishes. They had followed Him across the Lake of Galilee. They seemed at first sight ready to believe in Him, and do Him honour. But He knew the inward springs of their conduct, and was not deceived. “Ye seek me,” He said, “not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate the loaves, and were filled.”
   The Lord Jesus, we should never forget, is still the same. He never changes. He reads the secret motives of all who profess and call themselves Christians. He knows exactly why they do all they do in their religion. The reasons why they go to Church, and why they receive the sacrament,—why they attend family prayers, and why they keep Sunday holy,—all are naked and opened to the eyes of the great Head of the Church. By Him actions are weighed as well as seen. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7">1 Sam. xvi. 7.)
   Let us be real, true, and sincere in our religion, whatever else we are. The sinfulness of hypocrisy is very great, but its folly is greater still. It is not hard to deceive ministers, relatives, and friends. A little decent outward profession will often go a long way. But it is impossible to deceive Christ. “His eyes are as a flame of fire.” (Rev. i. 14.) He sees us through and through. Happy are those who can say,—“Thou, Lord, who knowest all things, knowest that we love thee.” (John xxi. 17.)
   We should mark, secondly, in this passage, what Christ forbids. He told the crowds who followed Him so diligently for the loaves and fishes, “not to labour for the food that perisheth.” It was a remarkable saying, and demands explanation.
   Our Lord, we may be sure, did not mean to encourage idleness. It would be a great mistake to suppose this hard labour was the appointed lot of Adam in Paradise. Labour was ordained to be man’s occupation after the fall. Labour is honourable in all men. No one need be ashamed of belonging to “the working classes.” Our Lord himself worked in the carpenter’s shop at Nazareth. Paul wrought as a tent-maker with his own hands.
   What our Lord did mean to rebuke was, that excessive attention to labour for the body, while the soul is neglected, which prevails everywhere in the world. What He reproved was, the common habit of labouring only for the things of time, and letting alone the things of eternity—of minding only the life that now is, and disregarding the life to come. Against this habit He delivers a solemn warning.
   Surely, we must all feel our Lord did not say the words before us without good cause. They are a startling caution which should ring in the ears of many in these latter days. How many in every rank of life are doing the very thing against which Jesus warns us! They are labouring night and day for “the food that perisheth,” and doing nothing for their immortal souls. Happy are those who early learn betimes the respective value of soul and body, and give the first and best place in their thoughts to salvation. One thing is needful. He that seeks first the kingdom of God, will never fail to find “all other things added to him.” (Matt. vi. 33.)
   We should mark, thirdly, in this passage, what Christ advises. He tells us to “labour for the food that endureth to everlasting life.” He would have us take pains to find food and satisfaction for our souls. That food is provided in rich abundance in Him. But he that would have it must diligently seek it.
   How are we to labour? There is but one answer. We must labour in the use of all appointed means. We must read our Bibles, like men digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor’s will. We must fight daily against sin, the world, and the devil, like those who fight for liberty, and must conquer, or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk in if we would find Christ, and be found of Him. This is “labouring.” This is the secret of getting on about our souls.
   Labour like this no doubt is very uncommon. In carrying it on we shall have little encouragement from man, and shall often be told that we are “extreme,” and go too far. Strange and absurd as it is, the natural man is always fancying that we may take too much thought about religion, and refusing to see that we are far more likely to take too much thought about the world. But whatever man may say, the soul will never get spiritual food without labour. We must “strive,” we must “run,” we must “fight,” we must throw our whole heart into our soul’s affairs. It is “the violent” who take the kingdom. (Matt. xi. 12.)
   We should mark, lastly, in this passage, what a promise Christ holds out. He tells us that He himself will give eternal food to all who seek it: “The Son of man shall give you the food that endureth unto everlasting life.”
   How gracious and encouraging these words are! Whatever we need for the relief of our hungering souls, Christ is ready and willing to bestow. Whatever mercy, grace, peace, strength we require, the Son of man will give freely, immediately, abundantly, and eternally. He is “sealed,” and appointed, and commissioned by God the Father for this very purpose. Like Joseph in the Egyptian famine, it is His office to be the Friend, and Almoner [distributor of alms, benefactor], and Reliever of a sinful world. He is far more willing to give than man is to receive. The more sinners apply to Him, the better He is pleased.
   And now, as we leave this rich passage, let us ask ourselves, what use we make of it? For what are we labouring ourselves? What do we know of lasting food and satisfaction for our inward man? Never let us rest until we have eaten of the food which Christ alone can give. Those who are content with any other spiritual food will sooner or later “lie down in sorrow.” (Isa. l. 11.)

—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007), 3:345–348.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

The Sinner’s Address to Christ
John Mason (1646–1694)

Where lies a sin, I’ll drop a tear,
Then view redeeming blood;
To mourning souls Christ will appear,
And surely do them good.
’Tis thou alone, my Lord, canst give
This aching heart relief;
Christ’s gentle voice would make it live,
His hand wipe off my grief.

Those falsely called the sweets of sin
Are bitter unto me;
I loath the state that I am in,
Lord, may I come to thee?
But, oh, wilt Thou receive him now
That’s coming to Thy door?
For I can bring no dowry, Lord;
I come extremely poor.

What if my tears could make a flood,
My righteousness is dross;
Those tears need washing in Thy blood,
Though wept upon Thy cross.
I have an argument to plead,
Which Thou canst not deny—
Thy grace is free, and Thou doest give
To sinners such as I.

Thou doest invite all wandering souls,
And I am one of those;
With Thee the sick do find a cure,
The weary find repose.
The world and sin will never vex,
Will trouble and molest;
I therefore trust my soul with Christ,
To bring to heaven’s rest.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

The Gospel According to John
Christ Witnesses to the Woman at the Well

4Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There are two sayings in these verses which deserve particular notice. They throw light on two subjects in religion, on which clear and well defined opinions are of great importance.
   We should observe, for one thing, what is said about baptism. We read that “Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.”
   The expression here used is a very remarkable one. In reading it we seem irresistibly led to one instructive conclusion. That conclusion is, that baptism is not the principal part of Christianity, and that to baptize is not the principal work for which Christian ministers are ordained. Frequently we read of our Lord preaching and praying. Once we read of His administering the Lord’s supper. But we have not a single instance recorded of His ever baptizing any one. And here we are distinctly told, that it was a subordinate work, which He left to others. Jesus “himself baptized not, but his disciples.”
   The lesson is one of peculiar importance in the present day. Baptism, as a sacrament ordained by Christ Himself, is an honorable ordinance, and ought never to be lightly esteemed in the churches. It cannot be neglected or despised without great sin. When rightly used, with faith and prayer, it is calculated to convey the highest blessings. But baptism was never meant to be exalted to the position which many now-a-days assign to it in religion. It does not act as a charm. It does not necessarily convey the grace of the Holy Spirit. The benefit of it depends greatly on the manner in which it is used. The doctrine taught, and the language employed about it, in some quarters, are utterly inconsistent with the fact announced in the text. If baptism was all that some say it is, we would never have been told, that “Jesus himself baptized not.”
   Let it be a settled principle in our minds that the first and chief business of the Church of Christ is to preach the Gospel. The words of Paul ought to be constantly remembered,—“Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel.” (1 Cor. i. 17.) When the Gospel of Christ is faithfully and fully preached we need not fear that the sacraments will be undervalued. Baptism and the Lord’s supper will always be most truly reverenced in those churches where the truth as it is in Jesus is most fully taught and known.
   We should observe, for another thing, in this passage, what is said about our Lord’s human nature. We read that Jesus was “wearied with his journey.”
   We learn from this, as well as many other expressions in the Gospels, that our Lord had a body exactly like our own. When “the Word became flesh,” He took on Him a nature like our own in all things, sin only excepted. Like ourselves, He grew from infancy to youth, and from youth to man’s estate. Like ourselves, He hungered, thirsted, felt pain, and needed sleep. He was liable to every sinless infirmity to which we are liable. In all things His body was framed like our own.
   The truth before us is full of comfort for all who are true Christians. He to whom sinners are bid to come for pardon and peace, is one who is man as well as God. He had a real human nature when He was upon earth. He took a real human nature with Him, when He ascended up into heaven. We have at the right hand of God a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, because He has suffered Himself being tempted. When we cry to Him in the hour of bodily pain and weakness, He knows well what we mean. When our prayers and praises are feeble through bodily weariness, He can understand our condition. He knows our frame. He has learned by experience what it is to be a man. To say that the Virgin Mary, or any one else, can feel more sympathy for us than Christ, is ignorance no less than blasphemy. The man Christ Jesus can enter fully into everything that belongs to man’s condition. The poor, the sick, and the suffering, have in heaven One who is not only an almighty Savior, but a most sympathetic Friend. The servant of Christ should grasp firmly this great truth, that there are two perfect and complete natures in the one Person whom he serves. The Lord Jesus, in whom the Gospel bids us believe, is, without doubt, almighty God,—equal to the Father in all things, and able to save to the uttermost all those that come unto God by Him. But that same Jesus is no less certainly perfect man,—able to sympathize with man in all his bodily sufferings, and acquainted by experience with all that man’s body has to endure. Power and sympathy are marvellously combined in Him who died for us on the cross. Because He is God, we may repose the weight of our souls upon Him with unhesitating confidence. He is mighty to save.—Because He is man, we may speak to Him with freedom, about the many trials to which flesh is heir. He knows the heart of a man.—Here is rest for the weary! Here is good news! Our Redeemer is man as well as God, and God as well as man. He that believes on Him, has everything that a child of Adam can possibly require, either for safety or for peace.

—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007), 3:190–193

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Applying for Relief to the All-Sufficiency of Christ
Samuel Davies (1723–1761)

I hear the counsel of a Friend;
To the kind voice, my soul, attend.
“Come, sinners, wretched, blind, and poor,
Come, draw from My unbounded store.”

“I only ask you to receive,
For freely I My blessings give.”
Jesus, and are thy treasurers free,
Then I may dare to come to Thee?

I come for grace, that gold refined,
To enrich and beautify my mind,
Grace that will trials well endure,
By trials more divinely pure.

Naked I come for that bright dress,
Thy perfect spotless righteousness,
That glorious robe, so richly dyed
In Thine own blood, my shame to hide.

Like Bartimaeus, Lord, to Thee
I come; oh, give the blind to see!
E’en clay is eye-salve in Thine hand,
If Thou the blessing but command.

Poor, naked, blind I hither came,
Oh, let me not depart the same!
Let me return, all-gracious Lord,
Enriched, adorned, to sight restored.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

John 1:43–51
Phillip and Nathanael Follow Christ

Let us observe, as we read these verses, how various are the paths by which souls are led into the narrow way of life.
   We are told of a man, named Philip, being added to the little company of Christ’s disciples. He does not appear to have been moved, like Andrew and his companions, by the testimony of John the Baptist. He was not drawn, like Simon Peter, by the out-spoken declaration of a brother. He seems to have been called directly by Christ Himself, and the agency of man seems not to have been used in his calling. Yet in faith and life he became one with those who were disciples before him. Though led by different paths, they all entered the same road, embraced the same truths, served the same Master, and at length reached the same home.
   The fact before us is a deeply important one. It throws light on the history of all God’s people in every age, and of every tongue. There are diversities of operations in the saving of souls. All true Christians are led by one Spirit, washed in one blood, serve one Lord, lean on one Saviour, believe one truth, and walk by one general rule. But all are not converted in one and the same manner. All do not pass through the same experience. In conversion, the Holy Spirit acts as a sovereign. He calleth every one severally as He will.
   A careful recollection of this point may save us much trouble. We must beware of making the experience of other believers the measure of our own. We must beware of denying another’s grace, because he has not been led by the same way as ourselves. Has a man got the real grace of God? This is the only question that concerns us.—Is he a penitent man? Is he a believer? Does he live a holy life?—Provided these inquiries can be answered satisfactorily, we may well be content. It matters nothing by what path a man has been led, if he has only been led at last into the right way.
   Let us observe, secondly, in these verses, how much of Christ there is in the Old Testament Scriptures. We read that when Philip described Christ to Nathanael, he says, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write.”
   Christ is the sum and substance of the Old Testament. To Him the earliest promises pointed in the days of Adam, and Enoch, and Noah, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. To Him every sacrifice pointed in the ceremonial worship appointed at Mount Sinai. Of Him every high priest was a type, and every part of the tabernacle was a shadow, and every judge and deliverer of Israel was a figure. He was the prophet like unto Moses, whom the Lord God promised to send, and the King of the house of David, who came to be David’s Lord as well as son. He was the Son of the virgin, and the Lamb, foretold by Isaiah,—the righteous Branch mentioned by Jeremiah,—the true Shepherd, foreseen by Ezekiel,—the Messenger of the Covenant, promised by Malachi,—and the Messiah, who, according to Daniel, was to be cut off, though not for Himself. The further we read in the volume of the Old Testament, the clearer do we find the testimony about Christ. The light which the inspired writers enjoyed in ancient days was, at best, but dim, compared to that of the Gospel. But the coming Person they all saw afar off, and on whom they all fixed their eyes, was one and the same. The Spirit, which was in them, testified of Christ. (1 Pet. i. 11)
   Do we stumble at this saying? Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame, and not the book. The eyes of our understanding need to be enlightened. The veil has yet to be taken away. Let us pray for a more humble, childlike, and teachable spirit, and let us take up “Moses and the prophets” again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him. May we never rest until we can subscribe to our Lord’s words about the Old Testament Scriptures, “They are they which testify of me.” (John v. 39.)
   Let us observe, thirdly, in these verses, the good advice which Philip gave to Nathanael. The mind of Nathanael was full of doubts about the Saviour, of whom Philip told Him. “Can there any good thing,” he said, “come out of Nazareth?” And what did Philip reply? He said, “Come and see.”
   Wiser counsel than this it would be impossible to conceive! If Philip had reproved Nathanael’s unbelief, he might have driven him back for many a day, and given offence. If he had reasoned with him, he might have failed to convince him, or might have confirmed him in his doubts. But by inviting him to prove the matter for himself, he showed his entire confidence in the truth of his own assertion, and his willingness to have it tested and proved. And the result shows the wisdom of Philip’s words. Nathanael owed his early acquaintance with Christ to that frank invitation, “Come and see.”
   If we call ourselves true Christians, let us never be afraid to deal with people about their souls as Philip dealt with Nathanael. Let us invite them boldly to make proof of our religion. Let us tell them confidently that they cannot know its real value until they have tried it. Let us assure them that vital Christianity courts every possible inquiry. It has no secrets. It has nothing to conceal. Its faith and practice are spoken against, just because they are not known. Its enemies speak evil of things with which they are not acquainted. They understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm. Philip’s mode of dealing, we may be sure, is one principal way to do good. Few are ever moved by reasoning and argument. Still fewer are frightened into repentance. The man who does most good to souls, is often the simple believer who says to his friends, “I have found a Saviour; come and see Him.”
   Let us observe, lastly, in these verses, the high character which Jesus gives of Nathanael. He calleth him “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”
   Nathanael, there can be no doubt, was a true child of God, and a child of God in difficult times. He was one of a very little flock. Like Simeon and Anna, and other pious Jews, he was living by faith and waiting prayerfully for the promised Redeemer, when our Lord’s ministry began. He had that which grace alone can give, an honest heart, a heart without guile. His knowledge was probably small. His spiritual eyesight was dim. But he was one who had lived carefully up to his light. He had diligently used such knowledge as he possessed. His eye had been single, though his vision had not been strong. His spiritual judgment had been honest, though it had not been powerful. What he saw in Scripture, he had held firmly, in spite of Pharisees and Sadducees, and all the fashionable religion of the day. He was an honest Old Testament believer, who had stood alone. And here was the secret of our Lord peculiar commendation! He declared Nathanael to be a true son of Abraham,—a Jew inwardly, possessing circumcision in the spirit as well as in the letter,—an Israelite in heart, as well as a son of Jacob in the flesh.
   Let us pray that we may be of the same spirit as Nathanael. An honest, unprejudiced mind,—a child-like willingness to follow the truth, wherever the truth may lead us,—a simple, hearty desire to be guided, taught, and led by the Spirit,—a thorough determination to use every spark of light which we have,—are a possession of priceless value. A man of this spirit may live in the midst of much darkness, and be surrounded by every possible disadvantage to his soul. But the Lord Jesus will take care that such a man does not miss the way to heaven. “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” (Psalm xxv. 9.)

—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007), 3:76–80

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Room at the Gospel Feast
Philip Doddridge (1702–1751)

The King of heaven His table spreads,
And dainties crown the board;
Not paradise with all its joys
Could such delight afford.

Pardon and peace to dying men,
And endless life are given,
And the rich blood that Jesus shed
To raise the soul to heaven.

Ye hungry poor, that long have strayed
In sins’ dark mazes, come.
Come from the hedges and highways,
And grace shall find you room.

Millions of souls, in glory now,
Were fed and feasted here;
And millions more, still on the way,
Around the board appear.

Yet is his house and heart so large,
That millions more may come;
Nor could the wide assembling world
Overfill the spacious room.

All things are ready; come away,
Nor weak excuses frame.
Crowd to your places at the feast,
And bless the Founder’s name.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

John 1:6–13
   6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
   9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

St. John, after beginning his gospel with a statement of our Lord’s nature as God, proceeds to speak of His forerunner, John the Baptist. The contrast between the language used about the Saviour, and that used about His forerunner, ought not to be overlooked. Of Christ we are told that He was the eternal God,—the Creator of all things,—the source of life and light. Of John the Baptist we are told simply, that “there was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
   We see, firstly, in these verses, the true nature of a Christian minister’s office. We have it in the description of John the Baptist: “He came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe.”
   Christian ministers are not priests, nor mediators between God and man. They are not agents into whose hands men may commit their souls, and carry on their religion by deputy. They are witnesses. They are intended to bear testimony to God’s truth, and specially to the great truth that Christ is the only Saviour and light of the world. This was St. Peter’s ministry on the day of Pentecost.—“with many other words did he testify.” (Acts ii. 40.) This was the whole tenor of St. Paul’s ministry.—“He testified both to the Jews and to the Greeks repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts xx. 21.) Unless a Christian minister bears full testimony to Christ, he is not faithful in his office. So long as he does testify of Christ, he has done his part, and will receive his reward, although the hearers may not believe his testimony. Until a minister’s hearers believe on that Christ of whom they are told, they receive no benefit from the ministry. They may be pleased and interested; but they are not profited until they believe. The great end of the minister’s testimony is “that through him, men may believe.”
   We see, secondly, in these verses, one principal position which our Lord Jesus Christ occupies towards mankind. We have it in the words, “He was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
   Christ is to the souls of men what the sun is to the world. He is the centre and source of all spiritual light, warmth, life, health, growth, beauty, and fertility. Like the sun, He shines for the common benefit of all mankind,—for high and for low, for rich and for poor, for Jew and for Greek. Like the sun, He is free to all. All may look at Him, and drink health out of His light. If millions of mankind were mad enough to dwell in caves underground, or to bandage their eyes, their darkness would be their own fault, and not the fault of the sun. So, likewise, if millions of men and women love spiritual “darkness rather than light,” the blame must be laid on their blind hearts, and not on Christ. “Their foolish hearts are darkened.” (John iii. 19; Rom. i. 21.) But whether men will see or not, Christ is the true sun, and the light of the world. There is no light for sinners except in the Lord Jesus.
   We see, thirdly, in these verses, the desperate wickedness of man’s natural heart. We have it in the words, Christ “was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”
   Christ was in the world invisibly, long before He was born of the Virgin Mary. He was there from the very beginning, ruling, ordering, and governing the whole creation. By Him all things are held together. (Coloss. i. 17.) He gave to all life and breath, rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons. By Him kings reigned, and nations were increased or diminished. Yet men knew Him not, and honoured Him not. They “worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator.” (Rom. i. 25.) Well may the natural heart be called “wicked!”
   But Christ came visibly into the world, when He was born at Bethlehem, and fared no better. He came to the very people whom He had brought out from Egypt, and purchased for His own. He came to the Jews, whom He had separated from other nations, and to whom He had revealed Himself by the prophets. He came to those very Jews who had read of Him in the Old Testament Scriptures,—seen Him under types and figures in their temple services,—and professed to be waiting for His coming. And yet, when He came, those very Jews received Him not. They even rejected Him, despised Him, and slew Him. Well may the natural heart be called “desperately wicked!”
   We see, lastly, in these verses, the vast privileges of all who receive Christ, and believe on Him. We are told that “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become you sons of God, even to those who believe on His name.”
   Christ will never be without some servants. If the vast majority of the Jews did not receive Him as the Messiah, there were, at any rate, a few who did. To them He gave the privilege of being God’s children. He adopted them as members of His Father’s family. He reckoned them His own brethren and sisters, bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh. He conferred on them a dignity which was ample recompense for the cross which they had to carry for His sake. He made them sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty.
   Privileges like these, be it remembered, are the possession of all, in every age, who receive Christ by faith, and follow Him as their Savour. They are “children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. iii. 26.) They are born again by a new and heavenly birth, and adopted into the family of the King of kings. Few in number, and despised by the world as they are, they are cared for with infinite love by a Father in heaven, who, for His Son’s sake, is well pleased with them. In time He provides them with everything that is for their good. In eternity He will give them a crown of glory that fades not away. These are great things! But faith in Christ gives men an ample title to them. Good masters care for their servants, and Christ cares for His.
   Are we ourselves sons of God? Have we been born again? Have we the marks which always accompany the new birth,—sense of sin, faith in Jesus, love of others, righteous living, separation from the world? Let us never be content until we can give a satisfactory answer to these questions.
   Do we desire to be sons of God? Then let us “receive Christ” as our Savour, and believe on Him with the heart. To every one that so receives Him, He will give the privilege of becoming a son of God.

—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007), 3:13–17

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 (Geneva Bible)

Praise for Conversion
Samuel Stennett (1727–1795)

Come, ye that fear the Lord,
And listen, while I tell
How narrowly my feet escaped
The snares of death and hell.

The flattering joys of sense
Assailed my foolish heart,
While Satan with malicious skill
Guided the poisonous dart.

I fell beneath the stroke,
But fell to rise again;
My anguish roused me into life,
And pleasure sprung from pain.

Darkness and shame and grief,
Oppressed my gloomy mind;
I looked around me for relief,
But no relief could find.

At length to God I cried;
He heard my plaintive sigh;
He heard, and instantly he sent
Salvation from on high.

My drooping head he raised;
My bleeding wounds he healed;
Pardoned my sins, and, with a smile,
The gracious pardon sealed.

Oh, may I never forget
The mercy of my God;
Nor ever want a tongue to spread
His loudest praise abroad.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 119:137–144
(Geneva Bible)
Tsaddi.
137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and iust are thy iudgements.
138 Thou hast commanded iustice by thy testimonies and trueth especially.
139 My zeale hath euen consumed mee, because mine enemies haue forgotten thy wordes.
140 Thy word is prooued most pure, and thy seruant loueth it.
141 I am small and despised: yet do I not forget thy precepts.
142 Thy righteousnesse is an euerlasting righteousnes, and thy Lawe is trueth.
143 Trouble and anguish are come vpon me: yet are thy commandements my delite.
144 The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting: graunt me vnderstanding, and I shall liue.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 (Geneva Bible)

The Fountain
(The Invitation of the Gospel)
Samuel Davies (1723–1761)

Today the living streams of grace
Flow to refresh the thirsty soul;
Pardon and life and boundless bliss
In plenteous rivers round us roll.

Ho, ye that pine away and die,
Come, and your raging thirst allay;
Come all that will, here’s rich supply,
A fountain that shall ne’er decay.

“Come all,” the blessed Jesus cries,
“Freely My blessing I will give.”
The spirit echoes back the voice,
And bids us freely drink and live.

The saints below, that do but taste,
And saints above, who drink at will,
Cry jointly, “Thirsty sinners! haste,
and drink, the spring’s exhaustless still.”

Let all that hear the joyful sound,
To spread it though the world unite;
From house to house proclaim it round,
Each man his fellow man invite.

Like thirsty flocks, come let us go;
Come ever color, every age;
And while the living waters flow,
Let all their parching thirst assuage.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 119:89–96
(Geneva Bible)
Lamed.
89 O Lord, thy worde endureth for euer in heauen.
90 Thy trueth is from generation to generation: thou hast layed the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue euen to this day by thine ordinances: for all are thy seruants.
92 Except thy Lawe had bene my delite, I should now haue perished in mine affliction.
93 I wil neuer forget thy precepts: for by them thou hast quickened me.
94 I am thine, saue me: for I haue sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked haue waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I haue seene an ende of all perfection: but thy commandement is exceeding large.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 (Geneva Bible)

The Free Gospel
by Ralph Erskine (1685–1752)

Ho, every thirsty soul and all
That poor and needy are;
Here’s water of salvation well
For you to come and share.

Here’s freedom both from sin and woe,
And blessings all divine;
Here streams of love and mercy flow,
Like floods of milk and wine.

Approach the fountainhead of bliss,
That’s open like the sea,
To buyers that are moneyless,
To poorest beggars free.

Why spend you all your wealth and pains,
For that which is not bread,
And for unsatisfying gains,
On which no soul can feed?

While vain ye seek, with earthly toys,
To fill an empty mind,
You lose immortal solid joys,
And feed upon the wind.

Incline your heart, and come to me;
Hear, and your soul shall live;
For mercies sure, as well as free,
I bind myself to give.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 119:41–48
(Geneva Bible)
Vav.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Cords of Love
by Ralph Erskine (1685–1752)

Seek God while yet He may be found,
Call on Him while He’s near;
While graces trump, the joyful sound
Of mercy strikes your ear.

Oh, let the wicked change his way,
And the unrighteous man,
His thoughts, and legal hopes, that stray,
Cross to the gospel plan.

And let him now return to God,
The Lord our righteousness;
Who, through the merit of His blood,
In mercy will him bless.

To our God let him run betimes,
For gracious will He be;
And for his multitude of crimes
Will pardons multiply.

Let, saith the Lord, My boundless grace
Move guilty souls to come,
And trust Me with their desp’rate case
When hopeless thoughts do roam.

Because My thoughts and ways divine
Are not as yours; for why?
All yours are base and low, but Mine
Immensely great and high.

For as the heav’ns, in height and space,
Transcend your earthly boors;
Much more My thoughts and ways of grace
Surmount all thoughts of yours.

Great God, then bid the mountains move;
Our sins that reach the sky,
Be melted down with flames of love,
More infinitely high.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 98
Geneva Bible
A Psalme.
1 Sing vnto the Lord a newe song: for hee hath done marueilous things: his right hand, and his holy arme haue gotten him the victorie.
2 The Lord declared his saluation: his righteousnes hath he reueiled in the sight of ye nations.
3 He hath remembred his mercy and his trueth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth haue seene the saluation of our God.
4 All the earth, sing ye loude vnto the Lord: crie out and reioyce, and sing prayses.
5 Sing prayse to the Lord vpon the harpe, euen vpon the harpe with a singing voyce.
6 With shalmes and sound of trumpets sing loude before the Lord the King.
7 Let the sea roare, and all that therein is, the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the mountaines reioyce together
9 Before the Lord: for he is come to iudge the earth: with righteousnesse shall hee iudge the world, and the people with equitie.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

God Saying to the Soul, that He is its Salvation
by Philip Doddridge (1702–1751)

alvation, oh, melodious sound,
 To wretched dying men;
Salvation, that from God proceeds,
And leads to God again.

Rescued from hell’s eternal gloom,
From fiends, and fires, and chains;
Raised to the paradise of bliss,
Where love and glory reigns.

But, oh, may a degenerate soul,
Sinful and weak as mine,
Presume to raise a trembling eye
To blessing so divine?

The luster of so bright a bliss
My feeble heart o’er bears;
And unbelief almost perverts
The promise into tears.

My Savior God, no voice but Thine,
These dying hopes can raise;
Speak Thy salvation so my soul,
And turn its tears to praise.

My Savior God, this broken voice,
Transported shall proclaim;
And call on the angelic harps,
To sound so sweet a name.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 49
(Geneva Bible) To him that excelleth.
A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah.
1 Heare this, all ye people: giue eare, all ye that dwell in the world,
2 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.
3 My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.
4 I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe.
5 Wherefore should I feare in the euil dayes, when iniquitie shall compasse me about, as at mine heeles?
6 They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.
7 Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God,
8 (So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)
9 That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leaue their riches for others.
11 Yet they thinke, their houses, and their habitations shall continue for euer, euen from generation to generation, and call their lands by their names.
12 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.
13 This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. Selah.
14 Like sheepe they lie in graue: death deuoureth them, and the righteous shall haue domination ouer them in the morning: for their beautie shall consume, when they shall goe from their house to graue.
15 But God shall deliuer my soule from the power of the graue: for he will receiue me. Selah.
16 Be not thou afrayd when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased.
17 For he shall take nothing away when he dieth, neither shall his pompe descende after him.
18 For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.
19 He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer.
20 Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

A Song of Praise for Deliverance
by John Mason (1646–1694)

that I am drawn out of the depth,
Will sing upon the shore;
I that in hill’s dark suburbs lay,
Pure mercy will adore.
The terrors of the living God
My soul did so affright,
I feared lest I should be condemned
To an eternal night.

Kind was the pity of my friends,
But could not ease my smart;
Their words, indeed, did reach my case,
But could not reach my heart.
Ah, then, what was this world to me,
To whom God’s Word was dark;
Who in my dungeon could not see
One beam or shining spark?

What, then, were all the creatures’ smiles,
When the Creator frowned?
My days were nights, my life was death,
My being was my wound.
Tortured and racked with hellish fears,
When God the blow should give;
Mine eyes did fail, my heart did sink;
Then mercy bid me live.

God’s furnace doth in Zion stand,
But Zion’s God sits by;
As the refiner views his gold
With an observant eye,
God’s thoughts are high, His love is wise,
His wounds a cure intend;
And though He doth not always smile,
He loves unto the end.

Thy love is constant to its line,
Though clouds oft come between;
Oh, could my faith but pierce these clouds,
It might be always seen.
But I am weak, and forced to cry,
Take up my soul to Thee;
Then, as Thou ever art the same,
So shall I ever be.

Then shall I ever, ever sing,
While Thou dost ever shine;
I have Thine own dear pledge for this,
Lord Thou art ever mine.

—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 7
(Geneva Bible) Shigaion of Dauid, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the wordes of Chush the sonne of Iemini.
1 O Lord my God, in thee I put my trust: saue me from all that persecute me, and deliuer me,
2 Least he deuoure my soule like a lion, and teare it in pieces, while there is none to helpe.
3 O Lord my God, if I haue done this thing, if there be any wickednes in mine handes,
4 If I haue rewarded euill vnto him that had peace with mee, (yea I haue deliuered him that vexed me without cause)
5 Then let the enemie persecute my soule and take it: yea, let him treade my life downe vpon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
6 Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath, and lift vp thy selfe against the rage of mine enemies, and awake for mee according to the iudgement that thou hast appointed.
7 So shall the Congregation of the people compasse thee about: for their sakes therefore returne on hie.
8 The Lord shall iudge the people: Iudge thou me, O Lord, according to my righteousnesse, and according to mine innocencie, that is in mee.
9 Oh let the malice of the wicked come to an ende: but guide thou the iust: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reines.
10 My defence is in God, who preserueth the vpright in heart.
11 God iudgeth the righteous, and him that contemneth God euery day.
12 Except he turne, he hath whet his sword: he hath bent his bowe and made it readie.
13 Hee hath also prepared him deadly weapons: hee will ordeine his arrowes for them that persecute me.
14 Beholde, hee shall trauaile with wickednes: for he hath conceiued mischiefe, but he shall bring foorth a lye.
15 Hee hath made a pitte and digged it, and is fallen into the pit that he made.
16 His mischiefe shall returne vpon his owne head, and his crueltie shall fall vpon his owne pate.
17 I wil praise the Lord according to his righteousnes, and will sing praise to the Name of the Lord most high.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God
by Samuel Stennett (1727–1795)

hat wisdom, majesty, and grace,
Through all the gospel shine!
’Tis God that speaks, and we confess
The doctrine most divine.

Down from His starry throne on high,
The almighty Savior comes;
Lays His bright robes of glory by,
and feeble flesh assumes.

The mighty debt that sinners owed,
Upon the cross He pays;
Then through the clouds ascends to God,
’Mid shouts of loftiest praise.

There He, our great High Priest, appears
before His Father’s throne;
Mingles His merits with our tears,
And pours salvation down.

Great God, with reverence we adore
Thy justice and Thy grace;
And on Thy faithfulness and pow’r
Our firm dependence place.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 144
(Geneva Bible)
A Psalme of David.
1 Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth mine hands to fight, and my fingers to battell.
2 He is my goodnes and my fortresse, my towre and my deliuerer, my shield, and in him I trust, which subdueth my people vnder me.
3 Lord, what is man that thou regardest him! or the sonne of man that thou thinkest vpon him!
4 Man is like to vanitie: his dayes are like a shadow, that vanisheth.
5 Bow thine heauens, O Lord, and come downe: touch the mountaines and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth the lightning and scatter them: shoote out thine arrowes, and consume them.
7 Send thine hand from aboue: deliuer me, and take me out of the great waters, and from the hand of strangers,
8 Whose mouth talketh vanitie, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 I wil sing a new song vnto thee, O God, and sing vnto thee vpon a viole, and an instrument of ten strings.
10 It is he that giueth deliuerance vnto Kings, and rescueth Dauid his seruant from the hurtfull sworde.
11 Rescue me, and deliuer me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth talketh vanitie, and their right hand is a right hand of falshood:
12 That our sonnes may be as the plantes growing vp in their youth, and our daughters as the corner stones, grauen after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our corners may be full, and abounding with diuers sorts, and that our sheepe may bring forth thousands and ten thousand in our streetes:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour: that there be none inuasion, nor going out, nor no crying in our streetes.
15 Blessed are the people, that be so, yea, blessed are the people, whose God is the Lord.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Law and Gospel
Samuel Davies (1723–1761)

ith conscious fear and humble awe,
I view the terrors of the law;
Condemned at that tremendous bar
I shrink, I tremble, and despair.

But hark, salvation in my ears,
Sounds sweetly and dispels my fears;
Jesus appears, and by His cross,
Fulfills His Father’s broken laws.

Jesus, Saviour! Dearest name!
By Him alone salvation came;
Terror, destruction, and despair,
Where e’er I look besides appear.

Adam, my head and father fell,
and sunk his offspring down to hell;
And the dread sword of justice waits,
To guard me from the heavenly gates.

Unnumbered crimes of dreadful names
Call loud for everlasting flames;
And all the duties I have done,
Can neither merit, nor atone.

Yet weak and guilty as I am,
I fix my trust in Jesus name.
Jesus, whose righteousness alone
Can for the deepest crimes atone.

On Him, my soul, on Him rely;
The terms are fixed—Believe or die.
Thee let the glorious gospel draw,
Or perish by the fiery law.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 102 (Geneva Bible)
A prayer of the afflicted, when he shall be in distresse, and pour forth his meditation before the Lord.
1 O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble: incline thine eares vnto me: when I call, make haste to heare me.
3 For my dayes are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burnt like an herthe.
4 Mine heart is smitten and withereth like grasse, because I forgate to eate my bread.
5 For the voyce of my groning my bones doe cleaue to my skinne.
6 I am like a pelicane of the wildernesse: I am like an owle of the deserts.
7 I watch and am as a sparrowe alone vpon the house top.
8 Mine enemies reuile me dayly, and they that rage against me, haue sworne against me.
9 Surely I haue eaten asshes as bread, and mingled my drinke with weeping,
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast heaued me vp, and cast me downe.
11 My dayes are like a shadowe that fadeth, and I am withered like grasse.
12 But thou, O Lord, doest remaine for euer, and thy remembrance from generation to generation.
13 Thou wilt arise and haue mercy vpon Zion: for the time to haue mercie thereon, for the appointed time is come.
14 For thy seruants delite in the stones thereof, and haue pitie on the dust thereof.
15 Then the heathen shall feare the Name of the Lord, and all the Kings of the earth thy glory,
16 When the Lord shall build vp Zion, and shall appeare in his glory,
17 And shall turne vnto the prayer of the desolate, and not despise their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people, which shalbe created, shall prayse the Lord.
19 For he hath looked downe from the height of his Sanctuarie: out of the heauen did the Lord beholde the earth,
20 That he might heare the mourning of the prisoner, and deliuer the children of death:
21 That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Zion, and his prayse in Ierusalem,
22 When the people shalbe gathered together, and the kingdomes to serue the Lord.
23 He abated my strength in the way, and shortened my dayes.
24 And I sayd, O my God, take me not away in the middes of my dayes: thy yeeres endure from generation to generation.
25 Thou hast aforetime layde the foundation of the earth, and the heauens are the worke of thine hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: euen they all shall waxe olde as doeth a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
27 But thou art the same, and thy yeeres shall not fayle.
28 The children of thy seruants shall continue, and their seede shall stand fast in thy sight.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Jehovah Tsidkenu
The Lord Our Righteousness
Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843)

once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage,
Isaiah’s wild measure and Johns simple page;
But even when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over His soul;
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu—’twas nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
Then legal rears shook me, I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could I see,
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Savior must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the fountain, life-giving and free;
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.

Jehovah Tsidkenu, my treasure to boast!
Jehovah Tsidkenu, I ne’er can be lost!
In Thee I shall conquer by flood and by field,
By cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

E’en treading the valley, the shadow of death,
This watchword shall really my faltering breath;
For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,
Jehovah Tsidkenu, my death song shall be.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 60 (Geneva Bible) To him that excelleth upon Shushan Eduth, or Michtam. A Psalme of David to teach. When he fought against Aram Naharaim, and against Aram Zobah, when Joab returned and slew twelve thousand Edomites in the salt valley.
1 O God, thou hast cast vs out, thou hast scattered vs, thou hast bene angry, turne againe vnto vs.
2 Thou hast made the land to tremble, and hast made it to gape: heale the breaches thereof, for it is shaken.
3 Thou hast shewed thy people heauy things: thou hast made vs to drinke the wine of giddines.
4 But now thou hast giuen a banner to them that feare thee, that it may be displayed because of thy trueth. Selah.
5 That thy beloued may be deliuered, helpe with thy right hand and heare me.
6 God hath spoken in his holines: therefore I will reioyce: I shall deuide Shechem, and measure the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead shalbe mine, and Manasseh shalbe mine: Ephraim also shalbe the strength of mine head: Iudah is my lawgiuer.
8 Moab shalbe my wash pot: ouer Edom will I cast out my shoe: Palestina shew thy selfe ioyfull for me.
9 Who will leade me into the strong citie? who will bring me vnto Edom?
10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadest cast vs off, and didest not go forth, O God, with our armies?
11 Giue vs helpe against trouble: for vaine is the helpe of man.
12 Through God we shall doe valiantly: for he shall tread downe our enemies.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Ten Commandments
Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)

	o God but Me shalt thou adore, I am thy God alone.
2.	No image frame to bow before, But idols all dethrone.
3.	God’s glorious name take not in vain, for be revered He will.
4.	His sacred Sabbath don’t profane, Mind it is holy still.
5.	To parents render due respect, This may thy life prolong.
6.	All murder shun and malice check, To no man’s life do wrong.
7.	From thought of whoredom base abstain, From words and actions vile.
8.	Shun theft and all unlawful gain, Nor gather wealth by guile.
9.	False witness flee, and slandering spite, Nor willful lies invent.
10.	Don’t covet what’s thy neighbor’s right, Nor harbor discontent.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 15
(Geneva Bible)
A Psalme of Dauid.
1 Lord, who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle? who shall rest in thine holy Mountaine?
2 He that walketh vprightly and worketh righteousnes, and speaketh the trueth in his heart.
3 He that slandereth not with his tongue, nor doeth euill to his neighbour, nor receiueth a false report against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoureth them that feare the Lord: he that sweareth to his owne hinderance and changeth not.
5 He that giueth not his money vnto vsurie, nor taketh reward against the innocent: hee that doeth these things, shall neuer be moued.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

What Glories All Divine
by Samuel Stennett (1727–1795)

reat God, amid the darksome night,
Thy glories dart upon my sight,
While, wrapped in wonder, I behold
The silver moon and stars of gold.

But, when I see the sun arise,
And pour his glories o’er the skies,
In more stupendous forms I view
Thy greatness and Thy goodness too.

Thou Sun of suns, whose dazzling light
Tries and confounds an angel’s sight!
How shall I glance mine eye at Thee,
In all Thy vast immensity?

Yet I may be allowed to trace
The distant shadows of Thy face;
As, in the pale and sickly moon,
We trace the image of the Sun.

In ev’ry work Thy hands have made,
Thy pow’r and wisdom are displayed;
But, oh, what glories all divine,
In my incarnate Savior shine!

He is my Sun; beneath His wings
My soul securely sits and sings;
And there enjoys, like those above,
The balmy influence of Thy love.

Oh, may the vital strength and heat,
His cheering beams communicate,
Enable me my course to run
With the same vigor as the sun!

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 105
(Geneva Bible)

1 Praise the Lord, and call vpon his Name: declare his workes among the people.
2 Sing vnto him, sing prayse vnto him, and talke of all his wonderous workes.
3 Reioyce in his holy Name: let the heart of them that seeke the Lord, reioyce.
4 Seeke the Lord and his strength: seeke his face continually.
5 Remember his marueilous woorkes, that he hath done, his wonders and the iudgements of his mouth,
6 Ye seede of Abraham his seruant, ye children of Iaakob, which are his elect.
7 He is the Lord our God: his iudgements are through all the earth.
8 He hath alway remembred his couenant and promise, that he made to a thousand generations,
9 Euen that which he made with Abraham, and his othe vnto Izhak:
10 And since hath confirmed it to Iaakob for a lawe, and to Israel for an euerlasting couenant,
11 Saying, Vnto thee will I giue the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.
12 Albeit they were fewe in nomber, yea, very fewe, and strangers in the land,
13 And walked about from nation to nation, from one kingdome to another people,
14 Yet suffered he no man to doe them wrong, but reprooued Kings for their sakes, saying,
15 Touche not mine anointed, and doe my Prophets no harme.
16 Moreouer, he called a famine vpon ye land, and vtterly brake the staffe of bread.
17 But he sent a man before them: Ioseph was solde for a slaue.
18 They helde his feete in the stockes, and he was laide in yrons,
19 Vntill his appointed time came, and the counsell of the Lord had tryed him.
20 The King sent and loosed him: euen the Ruler of the people deliuered him.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance,
22 That he shoulde binde his princes vnto his will, and teach his Ancients wisedome.
23 Then Israel came to Egypt, and Iaakob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people exceedingly, and made them stronger then their oppressours.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, and to deale craftily with his seruants.
26 Then sent he Moses his seruant, and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27 They shewed among them the message of his signes, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkenesse, and made it darke: and they were not disobedient vnto his commission.
29 He turned their waters into blood, and slewe their fish.
30 Their land brought foorth frogs, euen in their Kings chambers.
31 He spake, and there came swarmes of flies and lice in all their quarters.
32 He gaue them haile for raine, and flames of fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also and their figge trees, and brake downe the trees in their coastes.
34 He spake, and the grashoppers came, and caterpillers innumerable,
35 And did eate vp all the grasse in their land, and deuoured the fruite of their ground.
36 He smote also all the first borne in their land, euen the beginning of all their strength.
37 He brought them forth also with siluer and golde, and there was none feeble among their tribes.
38 Egypt was glad at their departing: for the feare of them had fallen vpon them.
39 He spred a cloude to be a couering, and fire to giue light in the night.
40 They asked, and he brought quailes, and he filled them with the bread of heauen.
41 He opened the rocke, and the waters flowed out, and ranne in the drye places like a riuer.
42 For he remembred his holy promise to Abraham his seruant,
43 And he brought forth his people with ioy, and his chosen with gladnesse,
44 And gaue them the lands of the heathen, and they tooke the labours of the people in possession,
45 That they might keepe his statutes, and obserue his Lawes. Prayse ye the Lord.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Comparison, the Choice and the Enjoyment
by Mather Byles (1706–1788)

ho in the earth, or in the skies,
Thy beauties can declare?
Jesus, dear object of my eyes,
My everlasting fair.

Mortals, for you this is too great,
To bright, and too sublime;
This angels labor to repeat,
And sink beneath the theme.

Behold, ye beauties here below,
And clasp Him in your arms:
Can ye such heavenly graces show,
Or rival Him in charms?

Though now, delighted, we can trace
Your colors as thy lie,
When He appears, from off your face
Thy fading colors fly.

When all your charms in vain we seek,
And your joys are fled,
Beauty blooms rosy on his cheek,
And dances round his head,.

In vain your softest smiles appear,
Or lovely blushes rise;
Eternal transports center here,
Heaven brightens in these eyes.

Unveil, Almighty Love, Thy face,
They treasures let me see;
At once I’'ll rush to Thy embrace,
I'll spring at once to Thee.

Thus fixed forever—oh, the joys!
They unutterable bliss!
Now where’s you pleasure, earthy toys,
Can ye compare with this?

No more from Thy embrace I’ll roam,
My Lord, my life, my love,
I see the scenes of joys to come
In long procession move.

How, vast eternity, roll on,
Oh, fathomless profound!
Ye endless ages, swiftly run,
Your never-ceasing round.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 25
(Geneva Bible)
A Psalme of David.
1 Unto thee, O Lord, lift I vp my soule.
2 My God, I trust in thee: let me not be confounded: let not mine enemies reioyce ouer mee.
3 So all that hope in thee, shall not be ashamed: but let them be confounded, that transgresse without cause.
4 Shew me thy waies, O Lord, and teache me thy paths.
5 Leade me foorth in thy trueth, and teache me: for thou art the God of my saluation: in thee doe I trust all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy louing kindnesse: for they haue beene for euer.
7 Remember not the sinnes of my youth, nor my rebellions, but according to thy kindenesse remember thou me, euen for thy goodnesse sake, O Lord.
8 Gracious and righteous is the Lord: therefore will he teache sinners in the way.
9 Them that be meeke, will hee guide in iudgement, and teach the humble his way.
10 All the pathes of the Lord are mercie and trueth vnto such as keepe his couenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy Names sake, O Lord, be merciful vnto mine iniquitie, for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him wil he teache the way that hee shall chuse.
13 His soule shall dwell at ease, and his seede shall inherite the land.
14 The secrete of the Lord is reueiled to them, that feare him: and his couenant to giue them vnderstanding.
15 Mine eyes are euer towarde the Lord: for he will bring my feete out of the net.
16 Turne thy face vnto mee, and haue mercie vpon me: for I am desolate and poore.
17 The sorowes of mine heart are enlarged: drawe me out of my troubles.
18 Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauel, and forgiue all my sinnes.
19 Beholde mine enemies, for they are manie, and they hate me with cruell hatred.
20 Keepe my soule, and deliuer me: let me not be confounded, for I trust in thee.
21 Let mine vprightnes and equitie preserue me: for mine hope is in thee.
22 Deliuer Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The God of Spirits Sought
by Phillip Doddridge (1702–1751)

ather of spirits, from Thy hand,
Our soul immortal came;
And still Thine energy divine
Supports the’ethereal flame.

By Thee our spirits all are known;
And each remotest thought
Lies wide expanded to His eye,
By whom their pow’rs were wrought.

To Thee, when mortal comforts fail,
The flock deserted flies
And, on the eternal Shepherd’s care,
Our cheerful hope relies.

When o’er Thy faithful servant’s dust,
Thy dear assemblies mourn,
In speedy tokens of Thy grace,
O Israel’s God, return.

The pow’rs of nature all are Thine,
And Thine the aids of grace;
Thine arm has borne Thy churches up
Through every rising race.

Exert Thy sacred influence here,
And here Thy suppliants bless,
And change, to strains of cheerful praise,
Their accents of distress.

With faithful heart, with skilful hand,
May this Thy flock be fed;
And with a steady growing pace,
To Zion’s mountain led.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 87 (Geneva Bible)
A Psalme or song committed to the sonnes of Korah.

1 God layde his foundations among the holy mountaines.
2 The Lord loueth the gates of Zion aboue all the habitations of Iaakob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O citie of God. Selah.
4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babel among them that knowe me: beholde Palestina and Tyrus with Ethiopia, There is he borne.
5 And of Zion it shall be sayde, Many are borne in her: and he, euen the most High shall stablish her.
6 The Lord shall count, when hee writeth the people, He was borne there. Selah.
7 Aswell the singers as the players on instruments shall prayse thee: all my springs are in thee.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Communion With God
by John Mason (1646–1694)

las, my God, that we should be
Such strangers to each other;
Oh, that as friends we might agree,
And walk and talk together.
Thou knowest my soul does dearly love
the place of Thine abode;
No music drops so sweet a sound,
As these two words—My God.

I long not for the fruit that grows
Within these gardens here;
I find no sweetness in their rose,
When Jesus in not near.
Thy gracious presence, O my Christ,
Can make a paradise;
Ah! What are all the goodly pearls
Unto these pearl of price?

May I taste that communion, Lord,
The people have with Thee?
Thy Spirit daily talks with them,
Oh, let Him talk with me.
Like Enoch, let me walk with God,
And thus walk out my day,
Attended by the heavenly guards
Upon my King’s highway.

When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
Oh, come, my Lord most dear;
Come near, come nearer, nearer still,
I’m well when Thou art near.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
I languish for Thy sight,
Ten thousand suns, if Thou art strange,
Are shades instead of light.

When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
For till Thou doest appear,
I count each moment for a day,
Each minute for a year.
Come, Lord, and never from me Go,
This world’s a darksome place;
I find no pleasure here below,
When Thou dost veil Thy face.

There’s no such thing as pleasure here,
My Jesus is my all;
As Thou dost shine or disappear,
My pleasures rise or fall.
Come, spread Thy savor o’er my frame;
No sweetness is so sweet,
Till I get up to sing Thy name,
Where all Thy singers meet.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 59 (Geneva Bible). To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of David on Michtam. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him.

1 O my God, deliuer mee from mine enemies: defend me from them that rise vp against me.
2 Deliuer me from the wicked doers, and saue me from the bloody men.
3 For loe, they haue layd waite for my soule: the mightie men are gathered against me, not for mine offence, nor for my sinne, O Lord.
4 They runne and prepare themselues without a fault on my part: arise therefore to assist me, and beholde.
5 Euen thou, O Lord God of hostes, O God of Israel awake to visit all the heathen, and be not merciful vnto all that transgresse maliciously. Selah.
6 They goe to and from in the euening: they barke like dogs, and goe about the citie.
7 Behold, they brag in their talke, and swords are in their lips: for, Who, say they, doeth heare?
8 But thou, O Lord, shalt haue them in derision, and thou shalt laugh at all the heathen.
9 He is strong: but I will waite vpon thee: for God is my defence.
10 My mercifull God will preuent me: God wil let me see my desire vpon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, least my people forget it: but scatter them abroad by thy power, and put them downe, O Lord our shield,
12 For the sinne of their mouth, and the words of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride, euen for their periurie and lies, that they speake.
13 Consume them in thy wrath: consume them that they be no more: and let them knowe that God ruleth in Iaakob, euen vnto the ends of the world. Selah.
14 And in the euening they shall go to and from, and barke like dogs, and go about the citie.
15 They shall runne here and there for meate: and surely they shall not be satisfied, though they tary all night.
16 But I wil sing of thy power, and will prayse thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast bene my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Vnto thee, O my Strength, wil I sing: for God is my defence, and my mercifull God.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Invitation
by George Herbert (1593–1633)

urn in, my Lord, turn in to me;
My heart’s a homely place;
But Thou canst make corruption flee,
and fill it with Thy grace;
So furnished it will be brave.
And a rich dwelling Thou shalt have.

It was Thy lodging once before,
It builded was by Thee;
but I to sin set op’n the door,
It rendered was by me.
And so Thy building was defaced,
and in Thy room another placed.

But he usurps, the right is Thine;
Oh, dispossess him, Lord.
Do thou but say, “This heart is Mine.”
He’s gone at the first word.
Thy word’s Thy will, Thy will’s Thy power,
Thy time is always; now’s mine hour.

Now say to sin “Depart;
And, son give me thine heart.”
Thou, that by saying,
"Let it be," didst make it,
Canst, if Thou wilt, by saying,
“Give to Me,” take it.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 31 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David.

1 In thee, O Lord, haue I put my trust: let mee neuer be confounded: deliuer me in thy righteousnesse.
2 Bowe downe thine eare to me: make haste to deliuer mee: be vnto me a stronge rocke, and an house of defence to saue me.
3 For thou art my rocke and my fortresse: therefore for thy Names sake direct mee and guide me.
4 Drawe mee out of the nette, that they haue layde priuilie for mee: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commend my spirit: for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of trueth.
6 I haue hated them that giue them selues to deceitfull vanities: for I trust in the Lord.
7 I wil be glad and reioyce in thy mercie: for thou hast seene my trouble: thou hast knowen my soule in aduersities,
8 And thou hast not shut me vp in the hand of the enemie, but hast set my feete at large.
9 Haue mercie vpon mee, O Lord: for I am in trouble: mine eye, my soule and my bellie are consumed with griefe.
10 For my life is wasted with heauinesse, and my yeeres with mourning: my strength faileth for my paine, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproch among all mine enemies, but specially among my neighbours: and a feare to mine acquaintance, who seeing me in the streete, fled from me.
12 I am forgotten, as a dead man out of minde: I am like a broken vessell.
13 For I haue heard the rayling of great men: feare was on euery side, while they conspired together against mee, and consulted to take my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thine hande: deliuer mee from the hande of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant, and saue me through thy mercie.
17 Let me not be confounded, O Lord: for I haue called vpon thee: let the wicked bee put to confusion, and to silence in the graue.
18 Let the lying lips be made dumme, which cruelly, proudly and spitefully speake against the righteous.
19 Howe great is thy goodnesse, which thou hast layde vp for them, that feare thee! and done to them, that trust in thee, euen before the sonnes of men!
20 Thou doest hide them priuily in thy presence from the pride of men: thou keepest them secretly in thy Tabernacle from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for hee hath shewed his marueilous kindenesse toward me in a strong citie.
22 Though I said in mine haste, I am cast out of thy sight, yet thou heardest the voyce of my prayer, when I cryed vnto thee.
23 Loue ye the Lord all his Saintes: for the Lord preserueth the faithfull, and rewardeth abundantly the proud doer.
24 All ye that trust in the Lord, be strong, and he shall establish your heart.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

I Rest in Thee
Augustus Toplady (1740–1778)

h, may I never rest,
Till I find my rest in Thee;
Till of my pardon here possessed,
I feel Thy love to me!
Unseal my darkened eyes,
Unfettered feet unbind,
The lame shall, when Thou say, “Arise,”
Run swifter than the hind.

Oh, draw the alien near,
Bend the obdurate neck,
Oh, melt the flint into a tear ,
And teach the dumb to speak;
Turn not thy face away,
Thy look can make me clean;
Me in thy wedding robe array,
And cover all my sin.

Tell me, my God, for whom
Thy precious blood was shed;
For sinners, Lord, such as I come,
For such the Saviour bled.
Then raise a fallen wretch,
Display Thy grace in me!
I am not out of mercy’s reach,
Not too far gone for thee.

Thou quickly wilt forgive,
My Lord will not delay;
Jesus, to Thee the time I leave,
And wait the accepted day.
I now rejoice in hope
That I shalt be made clean;
Thy grace shall surely lift me up
Above the reach of sin.

Hast Thou not died for me,
And called me from below!
Oh, help me to lay hold on Thee,
And never to let Thee go!
Though on the billows tossed,
My savior I’ll pursue;
Awhile submit to bear his cross,
Then share his glory too.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 10
(Geneva Bible)

1 Why standest thou farre off, O Lord, and hidest thee in due time, euen in affliction?
2 The wicked with pride doeth persecute the poore: let them be taken in the craftes that they haue imagined.
3 For the wicked hath made boast of his owne heartes desire, and the couetous blesseth himselfe: he contemneth the Lord.
4 The wicked is so proude that hee seeketh not for God: hee thinketh alwayes, There is no God.
5 His wayes alway prosper: thy iudgements are hie aboue his sight: therefore defieth he all his enemies.
6 He saith in his heart, I shall neuer be moued, nor be in danger.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceite and fraude: vnder his tongue is mischiefe and iniquitie.
8 He lieth in waite in the villages: in the secret places doeth hee murder the innocent: his eyes are bent against the poore.
9 He lyeth in waite secretly, euen as a lyon in his denne: he lyeth in waite to spoyle the poore: he doeth spoyle the poore, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth and boweth: therefore heaps of the poore doe fall by his might.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten, he hideth away his face, and will neuer see.
12 Arise, O Lord God: lift vp thine hande: forget not the poore.
13 Wherefore doeth the wicked contemne God? he saith in his heart, Thou wilt not regard.
14 Yet thou hast seene it: for thou beholdest mischiefe and wrong, that thou mayest take it into thine handes: the poore committeth himselfe vnto thee: for thou art the helper of the fatherlesse.
15 Breake thou the arme of the wicked and malicious: searche his wickednes, and thou shalt finde none.
16 The Lord is King for euer and euer: the heathen are destroyed foorth of his land.
17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the poore: thou preparest their heart: thou bendest thine eare to them,
18 To iudge the fatherlesse and poore, that earthly man cause to feare no more.

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Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Principles of Christ’s Doctrine
Benjamin Keach (1640–1704)

epentance is wrought in my soul,.
And faith for to believe;
Whereby on Jesus I do roll,
And truly Him receive,
As my dread Lord and Sovereign,
Him always to obey,
And in things over me to reign,
And govern every day.

Christ’s baptism is very sweet,
With laying on of hands;
My soul is brought to Jesus’ feet,
In owning His commands.
These ordinances men oppose,
And count as carnal things.
I have closed with, and hold to those,
From theme rare comfort springs.

My precious Lord I must obey,
Though men reproach me still;
I’ll do whatever Christ doth say,
And yield unto His will.
On Christ alone I do rely,
Though men judge otherwise;
Because I can’t God’s truth deny,
I am reproached with lies.

Let them deride, yet for Christ’s sake,
Resolved now am I,
In his own strength the cross to take;
Yes, and for Him to die.
Because I’ll ever turn my back
On Him whom I do love;
For I do know, I shall not lack
His presence from above.

For He has promised to the end,
To me He will be near;
And be to me a faithful friend,
Which makes me not to fear
Whatever men of devils do
In secret place design;
He soon can them quite overthrow,
And help this soul of mine.

The resurrection of the dead
I constantly maintain;
When all those which lie buried
shall rise to life again,
And at the judgment day will come,
When Christ upon the throne,
Shall pass a black eternal doom
Upon each wicked one.

But all the saints then joyfully
With bowels He’ll embrace,
And crowns to all eternity
Upon their heads will place.
And in Thy kingdom shall the reign,
Prepared long before,
And also shall with Christ remain
In bliss forevermore.

The sun doth now begin to shine,
And breaketh forth yet more and more;
Mere darkness was that light of mine,
Which I commended heretofore.
I was involved in my sin,
Had day without, but night within.

My former days I did compare
Unto the sweet and lovely spring;
I thought that time it was as rare,
As when chirping birds do sing:
But I was blind, for now I see
There was no Spirit nor life in me.

My spring it was in winter time;
Yet like the midst of cold December,
The sun was gone out of my clime;
And also I do now remember,
My heart was cold as any stone,
My leaves were off, my sap was gone.

God is a sun, a shield also;
The glory of the world is He:
True light alone from Him doth flow,
And He has now enlightened me.
The sun doth His sweet beams display,
Like to the dawning of the day.

How precious it is the see the sun,
When in the morning it doth rise,
And shineth in our horizon,
To purify the clouded skies!
The misty fogs by His strong light
Are vanished quite out of sight.

Thus doth the Lord in my poor heart,
By His strong beams and glorious rays,
The light from darkness clearly part,
And make in me rare shining days:
Though fogs appear, and clouds do rise,
He doth expel them from mine eyes.

Were there no glorious lamp above,
What dark confusion would be there!
If God should quite the sun remove,
How would the seamen do to steer?
My soul’s the world, and Christ’s the sun;
If He shines not, I am undone.

In winter things hang down their head,
Unto Sol’s beams do them revive;
So I in sin lay buried,
Till Jesus Christ made me alive.
Alas, my heart was ice and snow,
Till sun did shine and winds did blow.

Until warm gales of heavenly wind
Did sweetly blown, and sun did dart
Its light in me, I could not find
No heart within my inward part.
Then blow thou wind, and shine thou sun,
To make my soul a lively one.

In natural men there is a light,
Which for their sins doth them reprove;
And yet they are but in the night,
And not renewed from above.
The moon is given--it is clear--
To guide men who in darkness are;

The sun for brightness doth exceed
The stars of heaven, or the moon;
Of them there is but little need,
When sun doth shine toward high noon;
Just so the gospel doth excel
The law God gave to Israel.

All those who do the gospel slight,
And rather have a legal guide,
The sun’s not risen in their sight,
And therefore ’tis that they deride
Those who commend the gospel sun,
Above the light in every one.

Degrees of light they do perceive,
Some of them weak, and others strong;
That which is saving none receive,
But those unto whom Christ belong;
Yet doth each light serve for the end,
For which to man God did it send.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 139 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David.

1 O Lord, thou hast tried me and knowen me.
2 Thou knowest my sitting and my rising: thou vnderstandest my thought afarre off.
3 Thou compassest my pathes, and my lying downe, and art accustomed to all my wayes.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but loe, thou knowest it wholy, O Lord.
5 Thou holdest mee straite behinde and before, and layest thine hand vpon me.
6 Thy knowledge is too wonderfull for mee: it is so high that I cannot attaine vnto it.
7 Whither shall I goe from thy Spirite? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascende into heauen, thou art there: if I lye downe in hell, thou art there.
9 Let mee take the winges of the morning, and dwell in the vttermost parts of the sea:
10 Yet thither shall thine hand leade me, and thy right hand holde me.
11 If I say, Yet the darkenes shall hide me, euen the night shalbe light about me.
12 Yea, the darkenes hideth not from thee: but the night shineth as the day: the darkenes and light are both alike.
13 For thou hast possessed my reines: thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe.
14 I will praise thee, for I am fearefully and wonderously made: marueilous are thy workes, and my soule knoweth it well.
15 My bones are not hid from thee, though I was made in a secret place, and facioned beneath in the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see me, when I was without forme: for in thy booke were all things written, which in continuance were facioned, when there was none of them before.
17 Howe deare therefore are thy thoughtes vnto me, O God! how great is ye summe of them!
18 If I should count them, they are moe then the sand: when I wake, I am still with thee.
19 Oh that thou wouldest slay, O God, the wicked and bloody men, to whom I say, Depart ye from mee:
20 Which speake wickedly of thee, and being thine enemies are lifted vp in vaine.
21 Doe not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and doe not I earnestly contend with those that rise vp against thee?
22 I hate them with an vnfained hatred, as they were mine vtter enemies.
23 Try mee, O God, and knowe mine heart: prooue me and know my thoughtes,
24 And consider if there be any way of wickednes in me, and leade me in the way for euer.

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Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Behold and Wonder
by Matthew Hale (1609-1676)

eader, behold and wonder! There was one
Obliged to his Prince, and Him alone
In all the bonds which duty, gratitude,
Or love could fasten; such as might exclude
All thoughts of a defection; this man
Breaks all; rebels against his Sovereign;
He flies, is apprehended, sentenced, cast,
And die he must; the final sentence passed
Knows no reversal. Lo, in that very now,
Wherein the offender waits his fatal blow,
The injured Lord doth substitute his own—
His own son— into the prisoner’s room,
Who takes the blow due to the traitor, dies,
The traitor’s punishment to satisfy.
The case is mine and thine; by all the bands
Of nature, love and covenant, we stand
Engaged to Almighty God; we fell
From that allegiance when we did rebel
Against His law in Adam; by that law
We were condemned to die; no help we saw,
Or hope of rescue; then did His Majesty
Unveil that admirable mistery
Of our redemption; the Eternal Son
Of the eternal God decends, becomes
Man for our sake, and in our stead doth stand,
And intercepteth from his Father’s hand,
That stroke that was our due, becomes the price
Of our redemption and our sacrifice.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 118
(Geneva Bible)

1 Praise yee the Lord, because he is good: for his mercie endureth for euer.
2 Let Israel now say, That his mercy endureth for euer.
3 Let the house of Aaron nowe say, That his mercy endureth for euer.
4 Let them, that feare the Lord, nowe say, That his mercie endureth for euer.
5 I called vpon the Lord in trouble, and the Lord heard me, and set me at large.
6 The Lord is with mee: therefore I will not feare what man can doe vnto me.
7 The Lord is with mee among them that helpe me: therefore shall I see my desire vpon mine enemies.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord, then to haue confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord, then to haue confidence in princes.
10 All nations haue compassed me: but in the Name of the Lord shall I destroy them.
11 They haue compassed mee, yea, they haue compassed mee: but in the Name of the Lord I shall destroy them.
12 They came about mee like bees, but they were quenched as a fire of thornes: for in the Name of the Lord I shall destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the Lord hath holpen me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song: for he hath beene my deliuerance.
15 The voice of ioy and deliuerance shall be in the tabernacles of the righteous, saying, The right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but liue, and declare the woorkes of the Lord.
18 The Lord hath chastened me sore, but he hath not deliuered me to death.
19 Open ye vnto me the gates of righteousnes, that I may goe into them, and praise the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter into it.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard mee, and hast beene my deliuerance.
22 The stone, which the builders refused, is the head of the corner.
23 This was the Lords doing, and it is marueilous in our eyes.
24 This is the day, which the Lord hath made: let vs reioyce and be glad in it.
25 O Lord, I praie thee, saue now: O Lord, I praie thee nowe giue prosperitie. 26 Blessed be he, that commeth in the Name of the Lord: wee haue blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is mightie, and hath giuen vs light: binde the sacrifice with cordes vnto the hornes of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee, euen my God: therefore I will exalt thee.
29 Praise ye the Lord, because he is good: for his mercie endureth for euer.

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Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Jesus
by Benjamin Keach (1640–1704)

ook upon Me, and see My love descending;
’Tis from eternity, and has no ending.
Canst thou have more, O soul? Thou hast My heart,
Whatever is Mine, to thee I will impart.

Thy scarlet sins are washed quite away,
Nor one of them unto thy charge I’ll lay.
Pull up thy drooping heart, be of good cheer,
Thy sins, though never so great, forgiven are.

I able am to save to the uttermost
All those who do put in Me all their trust.
These who do come to Me, I in no wise
Will cast them out; therefore lift up thine eyes;

Behold My hands and feet, and do not doubt,
For I have washed and cleansed thy soul throughout;
Thy debts I’ve paid, and quitted the old score,
Thy former faults I’ll never remember more.

Cheer up thy heart, I tell thee, thou art Mine,
My blood was shed to save that life of thine.
With endless love thy soul I’ll satisfy,
And in My bosom shalt thou ever lie.

In My unfolded arms I now thee take,
And do engage; I’ll never thee forsake,
In sickness I’ll be with thee until the end,
And death at last, I’ll cause to be thy friend.

Making its final passage unto thee,
Only an entrance to felicity;
When with great glory thou shalt crowned be,
Seated forever on the throne with Me.

The world, death, not the devil shall remove
My heart from thee; for those I truly love,
I love to the end; come, soul, and be
Blessed in My arms to all eternity.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 97
(Geneva Bible)

1 The Lord reigneth: let the earth reioyce: let the multitude of the yles be glad.
2 Cloudes and darkenes are round about him: righteousnesse and iudgement are the foundation of his throne.
3 There shall goe a fire before him, and burne vp his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings gaue light vnto the worlde: the earth sawe it and was afraide.
5 The mountaines melted like waxe at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heauens declare his righteousnes, and all the people see his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that serue grauen images, and that glory in idoles: worship him all ye gods.
8 Zion heard of it, and was glad: and the daughters of Iudah reioyced, because of thy iudgements, O Lord.
9 For thou, Lord, art most High aboue all the earth: thou art much exalted aboue all gods.
10 Ye that loue the Lord, hate euill: he preserueth the soules of his Saints: hee will deliuer them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sowen for the righteous, and ioy for the vpright in heart.
12 Reioyce ye righteous in the Lord, and giue thankes for his holy remembrance.

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Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Benefits Divine
by Augustus Toplady (1740–1778)

ow vast the benefits divine,
Which we in Christ possess,
Saved from the guilt of sin we are,
And called to holiness.

But not for works which we have done,
Or shall hereafter do,
Hath God decreed of sinful worms
Salvation to bestow.

The glory, Lord, from first to last,
Is due to Thee alone;
Aught to ourselves we dare not take,
Or rob Thee of Thy crown.

Our glorious Surety undertook
To satisfy for man,
And grace was given us in Him,
Before the world began.

This is Thy will, that in Thy love
We ever should abide,
And lo, we earth and hell defy,
To make Thy counsel void.

Not one of all the chosen race,
But shall to heaven attain;
Partake on earth the purposed grace,
and then with Jesus reign.

Of Father, Son, and Spirit, we
Extol the three-fold care,
Whose love, whose merit, and whose pow’r
Unite to lift us there.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 76 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A song or Psalme.

1 Rejoice in God, all ye inhabitants of the earth.
2 Sing forth the glory of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say vnto God, Howe terrible art thou in thy workes! through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies be in subiection vnto thee.
4 All the worlde shall worship thee, and sing vnto thee, euen sing of thy Name. Selah.
5 Come and beholde the workes of God: he is terrible in his doing towarde the sonnes of men.
6 He hath turned the Sea into drie land: they passe through the riuer on foote: there did we reioyce in him.
7 He ruleth the worlde with his power: his eyes beholde the nations: the rebellious shall not exalt them selues. Selah.
8 Prayse our God, ye people, and make the voyce of his prayse to be heard.
9 Which holdeth our soules in life, and suffereth not our feete to slippe.
10 For thou, O God, hast proued vs, thou hast tryed vs as siluer is tryed.
11 Thou hast brought vs into the snare, and layed a strait chaine vpon our loynes.
12 Thou hast caused men to ryde ouer our heads: we went into fire and into water, but thou broughtest vs out into a welthie place.
13 I will go into thine House with burnt offrings, and will pay thee my vowes,
14 Which my lippes haue promised, and my mouth hath spoken in mine affliction.
15 I will offer vnto thee the burnt offerings of fat rammes with incense: I will prepare bullocks and goates. Selah.
16 Come and hearken, all ye that feare God, and I will tell you what he hath done to my soule.
17 I called vnto him with my mouth, and he was exalted with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickednesse in mine heart, the Lord will not heare me.
19 But God hath heard me, and considered the voyce of my prayer.
20 Praysed be God, which hath not put backe my prayer, nor his mercie from me.

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David Strain
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

We Will Make Thee Borders of Gold, with Studs of Silver
by Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)

bject not, saying, “How shall I,
So weak, so black a swain,
Such beauties in Jehovah’s eye
Or furnish or maintain?”

For with united power divine
We Father, Son, and Spirit,
Do stand engaged thee to refine,
And make thy form complete.

Keep thou no finite powers view,
To grace and deck thee thus;
Creation-work, both old and new,
Belongs to none but Us.

We’ll make thee yet more radiant gems
Of grace, without thine aid,
To fence thy robe, like golden hems,
With silver studs inlaid.

Thy growing grace shall thrive and bear
A perfect crop at length;
Yet by no might within thy sphere,
But Our concurring strength.

Thy gold and silver ornament
Must strong and lasting prove;
For, lo, it is the pow’rful vent
Of Our eternal love.

Of old the good, the great Three-One,
Did jointly take thy part;
Thy naked soul We thought upon
With pity in Our heart.

We held a counsel for thy good,
Where I, without a sob,
Did choose a vesture dipped in blood
To buy thy golden robe.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 20 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid.

1 The Lord heare thee in the day of trouble: the name of ye God of Iaakob defend thee:
2 Send thee helpe from the Sanctuarie, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
3 Let him remember all thine offerings, and turne thy burnt offerings into asshes. Selah:
4 And graunt thee according to thine heart, and fulfill all thy purpose:
5 That we may reioyce in thy saluation, and set vp the banner in the Name of our God, when the Lord shall performe all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the Lord will helpe his anointed, and will heare him from his Sanctuarie, by the mightie helpe of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, & some in horses: but we will remember the Name of ye Lord our God.
8 They are brought downe and fallen, but we are risen, and stand vpright.
9 Saue Lord: let the King heare vs in the day that we call.

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Bret Capranica
Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
David Strain
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Christian Scheme of Salvation Worthy of God
by Philip Doddridge (1702–1751)

mmortal God, on Thee we call,
The great original of all,
Through Thee we are, to Thee we tend,
Our sure support, our glorious end.

We praise that wise mysterious grace,
That pitied our revolted race,
And Jesus, our victorious Head,
The Captain of salvation made.

He, Thine eternal love decreed,
Should many sons to glory lead;
And sinful worms to Him are given,
A colony to people heav’n.

Jesus for us—Oh, gracious name!—
Encounters agony and shame;
Jesus, the glorious and the great,
Was by dire suff’ring made complete.

A scene of wonders her we see,
Worthy the Son, and worthy Thee;
And while this theme employs our tongues,
All heaven unites its sweetest songs.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 149 (Geneva Bible)

1 Prayse ye the Lord. Sing ye vnto the Lord a newe song: let his prayse be heard in the Congregation of Saints.
2 Let Israel reioyce in him that made him, and let ye children of Zion reioyce in their King.
3 Let them prayse his Name with the flute: let them sing prayses vnto him with the timbrell and harpe.
4 For the Lord hath pleasure in his people: he will make the meeke glorious by deliuerance.
5 Let ye Saints be ioyfull with glorie: let them sing loud vpon their beddes.
6 Let the high Actes of God bee in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hands,
7 To execute vengeance vpon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
8 To binde their Kings in chaines, and their nobles with fetters of yron,
9 That they may execute vpon them the iudgement that is written: this honour shall be to all his Saintes. Prayse ye the Lord.

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Bret Capranica
Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
David Strain
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Method of Salvation
by Augustus Toplady (1740–1778)

he Father we bless,
Whose distinguishing grace,
Selected a people to show forth Thy praise;
Nor is Thy love known,
By election alone;
For, oh, Thou hast added the gift of Thy Son.

Thy goodness in vain
We attempt to explain,
Which found and accepted a ransom for men;
Great Surety of Thine,
Thou didst not decline
To concur with the Father’s most gracious design.

To Jesus our Friend,
Our thanks shall ascend,
Who saves to the utmost, and loves to the end;
Our ransom He paid;
In His merit arrayed
We attain to the glory for which we were made.

Sweet Spirit of grace,
Thy mercy we bless,
For Thy eminent share in the council of peace;
Great agent divine, to restore us is Thine,
And cause us afresh in Thy likeness to shine.

O God, ’tis Thy part,
To convince and convert,
To give a new life, and create a new heart;
By Thy presence and grace
We’re upheld in our race,
And are kept in Thy love to the end of our days.

Father, Spirit, and Son,
Agree thus in One,
The salvation of those He has marked for His own;
Let us, too, agree
To glorify Thee,
Thou ineffable One, Thou adorable Three.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 100 (Geneva Bible)
A Psalme of prayse.

1 Sing ye loude vnto the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serue the Lord with gladnes: come before him with ioyfulnes.
3 Knowe ye that euen the Lord is God: hee hath made vs, and not we our selues: we are his people, and the sheepe of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with prayse, and into his courts with reioycing: prayse him and blesse his Name.
5 For the Lord is good: his mercy is euerlasting, and his trueth is from generation to generation.

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Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
David Strain
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Harmony of Divine Perfections
by Samuel Stennett (1727–1795)

hen first the God of boundless grace
Disclosed His kind design;
To rescue our apostate race
From misery, shame, and sin.

Quick through the realms of light and bliss,
The joyful tidings ran;
Each heart exulted at the news,
That God would dwell with man.

Yet, ’midst their joys, they paused awhile,
And asked, with strong surprise,
But how can injured justice smile,
Or look with pitying eyes?

Will the Almighty deign again
To visit yonder world;
And hither bring rebellious men,
Whence rebels once were hurled?

Their tears, and groans, and deep distress,
Aloud for mercy call;
But, ah, must truth and righteousness
To mercy victims fall?

So spake the friends of God and man,
Delighted, yet surprised;
Eager to know the wondrous plan
That wisdom had devised.

The Son of God attentive heard,
And quickly thus replied,
“In Me let mercy be reversed,
And justice satisfied.

“Behold, My vital blood I pour
A sacrifice to God;
Let angry justice now no more
Demand the sinner’s blood.”

He spake, and heav’n’s high arches rung
With shouts of high applause;
He died, the friendly angels sung,
Nor cease their rapturous joys.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 79 (Geneva Bible)
A Psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

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Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Evil Heart
by Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)

stonished and distressed,
I turn mine eyes within:
My heart with loads of guilt oppressed,
The seat of every sin.

What crowds of evil thoughts,
What vile affections there!
Distrust, presumption, artful guile,
Pride, envy, slavish fear.

Almighty King of saints,
These tyrant lusts subdue;
Expel the darkness of my mind,
And all my pow'rs renew.

This done, my cheerful voice
Shall loud hosannas raise;
My soul shall glow with gratitude,
My lips proclaim Thy praise.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 16 (Geneva Bible)
Michtam of Dauid.

1 Preserue mee, O God: for in thee doe I trust.
2 O my soule, thou hast sayd vnto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my weldoing extendeth not to thee,
3 But to the Saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent: all my delite is in them.
4 The sorowes of them, that offer to an other god, shall be multiplied: their offerings of blood will I not offer, neither make mention of their names with my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou shalt mainteine my lot.
6 The lines are fallen vnto me in pleasant places: yea, I haue a faire heritage.
7 I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes.
8 I haue set the Lord alwayes before me: for hee is at my right hand: therefore I shall not slide.
9 Wherefore mine heart is glad and my tongue reioyceth: my flesh also doeth rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leaue my soule in the graue: neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy: and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore.

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Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

His Wounds, Our Cure
by Matthew Hale (1609-1676)

he Prince of Darkness, flushed with vict’ry
In our first parents’ first apostasy,
Usurped a lawless sovereignty on man,
Revolted thus from his first Sovereign.

And though by that apostasy he found,
Under the chains of death, his vassal bound,
Yet to secure his temper, he overspread
The world with darkness, and thereby did lead

His captives as he please. Thus he bears
His rule usurped near four thousand years;
Except some small confined plantation,
Within a family or nation.

But now to put a period to this reign
Of this usurper, and to reduce again
Man to his just subjection, ’tis decreed
That man from this just subjection shall be freed.

And this not by the absolute command
Of an immediate pow’r, nor shall the bands
Of angels, glorious hosts, engaged be
To rescue man from this captivity.

But God an unsuspected means intends,
And yet most suitable unto this end.
Sin stained our nature, and the serpents’ wile
Did man of innocence and life beguile;

By man his head is crushed; the lawful Lord
Unto His creature man to his life restored;
A virgin’s Son is born; this rising sun
The world’s enthralling darkness overruns.

A Child to us is born, whose innocence
Our nature’s spot and stain doth purge and cleanse;
His wounds, our cure; his bonds our liberty;
His death becomes our life, our victory.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 124 (Geneva Bible)
A song of degrees, or Psalme of Dauid.

1 If the Lord had not bene on our side, (may Israel now say)
2 If the Lord had not bene on our side, when men rose vp against vs,
3 They had then swallowed vs vp quicke, when their wrath was kindled against vs.
4 Then the waters had drowned vs, and the streame had gone ouer our soule:
5 Then had the swelling waters gone ouer our soule.
6 Praysed be the Lord, which hath not giuen vs as a praye vnto their teeth.
7 Our soule is escaped, euen as a bird out of the snare of the foulers: the snare is broken, and we are deliuered.
8 Our helpe is in the Name of the Lord, which hath made heauen and earth.

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Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Desiring to be Given up to God
by Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)

h, that my heart was right with thee,
And loved thee with a perfect love!
Oh, that my lord would dwell in me,
And never from his seat remove!
Jesus, remove the impending load,
And set my soul on fire for God!

Thou seest I dwell in awful night
Until Thou in my heart appear;
Kindle the flame, O Lord, and light
Thine everlasting candle there.
They presence puts the shadows by;
If thou art gone, how dark am I?

Ah, Lord, how should Thy servant see,
Unless Thou give me seeing eyes?
Well may I fall, if out of Thee;
If out of Thee, how should I rise?
I wander Lord, without Thy aid,
And lose my way in midnight’s shade.

Thy bright, unerring light afford,
A light that gives the sinner hope;
And from the house of bondage, Lord,
Oh, bring the weary captive up.
Thine hand alone can set me free,
And reach Thy pardon out to me.

Oh, let my prayer acceptance find,
And bring the mighty blessing down;
With eye-salve, Lord, anoint the blind,
And seal me Thine adopted son;
A fallen, helpless creature take,
And heir of Thy salvations make.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 75 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme or song committed to Asaph.

1 We will prayse thee, O God, we will prayse thee, for thy Name is neere: therefore they will declare thy wonderous workes.
2 When I shall take a conuenient time, I will iudge righteously.
3 The earth and all the inhabitantes thereof are dissolued: but I will establish the pillers of it. Selah.
4 I saide vnto the foolish, Be not so foolish, and to the wicked, Lift not vp the horne.
5 Lift not vp your horne on high, neither speake with a stiffe necke.
6 For to come to preferment is neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South,
7 But God is the iudge: he maketh lowe and he maketh hie.
8 For in the hand of the Lord is a cup, and the wine is red: it is full mixt, and he powreth out of the same: surely all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drinke the dregges thereof.
9 But I will declare for euer, and sing prayses vnto the God of Iaakob.
10 All the hornes of the wicked also will I breake: but the hornes of the righteous shalbe exalted.

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Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Fall of Adam
by Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)

ld Adam once a heaven of pleasure found,
While he with perfect innocence was crowned.
His winged affections to his God could move
In raptures of desire, and strains of love.

Man standing spotless, pure, and innocent,
Could well the law of works with works content;
Though then, nor since, it could demand no less
Than personal and perfect righteousness!

These unto sinless men were easy terms,
Though now beyond the reach of withered arms.
The legal covenant then upon the field,
Perfection sought, man could perfection yield.

Rich had he and his progeny remained,
Had he primeval innocence maintained.
His life had been a rest without annoy,
A scene of bliss, a paradise of joy.

But subtle Satan, in the serpent hid,
Proposing fair the fruit that God forbid,
Man soon seduced by hell’s alluring art,
Did, disobedient, from the rule depart,

Devoured the bait, and by his bold offence
Fell from his blissful state of innocence,
Prostrate, he lost his God, his life, his crown,
From all his glory tumbled headlong down,

Plunged in a deep abyss of sin and woe,
Were, void of heart to will, or hand to do;
For’s own relief he can’t command a thought,
The total sum of what he can is nought.

He’s able only now to increase his thrall,
He can destroy himself, and this is all,
But can the hellish brat heav’n’s law fulfill?
Whose precepts high surmount his strength and skill,

Can filthy dross produce a golden beam?
Or poisoned springs a salutif’rous stream?
Can carnal mind, fierce enmity’s wide maw,
Be duly subject to the divine law?

Nay, now its direful threatenings must take place
On all the disobedient human race,
Who do by glut omnipotence provoke,
Obnoxious stand to his uplifted stroke.

They must engulf themselves in endless woes,
Who to the living god are deadly foes;
Who natively his holy will gainsay,
Must to his awful justice fall a prey.

In vain do mankind now expect, in vain
By legal deeds immortal life to gain;
Nay, death is threatened, threats must have their due,
Or souls that sin, must die; as God is true.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 54 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of Dauid, to giue instruction. Whe the Ziphims came and said vnto Saul, Is not Dauid hid among vs?

1 Saue mee, O God, by thy Name, and by thy power iudge me.
2 O God, heare my prayer: hearken vnto the wordes of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen vp against me, and tyrants seeke my soule: they haue not set God before them. Selah.
4 Beholde, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that vpholde my soule.
5 He shall rewarde euill vnto mine enemies: Oh cut them off in thy trueth!
6 Then I will sacrifice freely vnto thee: I wil praise thy Name, O Lord, because it is good.
7 For he hath deliuered me out of al trouble, & mine eye hath seene my desire vpo mine enemies.

Recommended Sermons

Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
Jason Robertson
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

A Song of Praise for the Patience of God
by John Mason

lmighty God, how hast Thou borne
Wrongs not to be expressed—
Daring rebellion, injured love,
Light quenched in my breast?
Man would be God, and down he fell
Yet he lifts up his bruised bones
Against his maker still.

Lord, what a monster is base man,
Thus given to rebel!
Oh, that Thou dost not cleave the earth,
And send him quick to hell!
His sins for wages loudly cry;
Justice, with dreadful sound,
Cries too, cut down this fruitless tree,
Why cumbers it the ground?

But God waves His advantages
Of right and vengeance too;
And by His single patience
Doth daring man outdo.
The creature doth disdain his God,
By whom he is maintained;
Yet God maintains this rebel worm
By whom He is disdained.

Fool, ask not where the Almighty is;
All glory to Him give;
Is not His power most fully proved
In suffering thee to live?
Were He not God, He could not bear
Such weights as on Him lie;
Weak things are quickly set on fire,
And to their weapons fly.

Why should not patience make me sing,
When hell would make me roar?
Lord, let Thy patience end in love,
I'll sing forevermore.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 127 (Geneva Bible)
A song of degrees, or Psalme of Salomon.

1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lord keepe the citie, the keeper watcheth in vaine.
2 It is in vaine for you to rise earely, and to lie downe late, and eate the bread of sorow: but he wil surely giue rest to his beloued.
3 Beholde, children are the inheritance of the Lord, and the fruite of the wombe his rewarde.
4 As are the arrowes in the hand of ye strong man: so are the children of youth.
5 Blessed is the man, that hath his quiuer full of them: for they shall not be ashamed, when they speake with their enemies in the gate.

Recommended Sermons

Steve Weaver
Phillip M. Way
John MacArthur
Phil Johnson & Don Green
David Legge
R.C. Sproul

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Glory of God in Christ
by Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)

ll nature spreads, with open blaze,
Her Maker’s name abroad;
And every work of His displays
The power and skill of God.

But in the grace that rescued man,
His brightest glory shines;
Here on the cross ’tis fairest drawn,
In precious bloody lines.

Here His whole name appears complete:
And who can guess or prove,
Which of the letters best are writ,
The wisdom, power, or love?

Justice and mercy, truth and grace,
In all their sweetest charms,
Here met, and joined their kind embrace,
With everlasting arms.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 106 (Geneva Bible)

1 Prayse ye the Lord. Prayse ye the Lord because he is good, for his mercie endureth for euer.
2 Who can expresse the noble actes of the Lord, or shewe forth all his prayse?
3 Blessed are they that keepe iudgement, and doe righteousnesse at all times.
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the fauour of thy people: visite me with thy saluation,
5 That I may see the felicitie of thy chosen, and reioyce in the ioy of thy people, and glorie with thine inheritance.
6 We haue sinned with our fathers: we haue committed iniquitie, and done wickedly.
7 Our fathers vnderstoode not thy wonders in Egypt, neither remembred they the multitude of thy mercies, but rebelled at the Sea, euen at the red sea.
8 Neuerthelesse he saued them for his Names sake, that he might make his power to be knowen.
9 And he rebuked the red Sea, and it was dryed vp, and he led them in the deepe, as in the wildernesse.
10 And he saued them from ye aduersaries hand, and deliuered them from ye hand of the enemie.
11 And the waters couered their oppressours: not one of them was left.
12 Then beleeued they his wordes, and sang prayse vnto him.
13 But incontinently they forgate his workes: they wayted not for his counsell,
14 But lusted with concupiscence in the wildernes, and tempted God in the desert.
15 Then he gaue them their desire: but he sent leannesse into their soule.
16 They enuied Moses also in the tentes, and Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
17 Therefore the earth opened & swallowed vp Dathan, & couered the companie of Abiram.
18 And the fire was kindled in their assembly: the flame burnt vp the wicked.
19 They made a calfe in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
20 Thus they turned their glory into the similitude of a bullocke, that eateth grasse.
21 They forgate God their Sauiour, which had done great things in Egypt,
22 Wonderous woorkes in the lande of Ham, and fearefull things by the red Sea.
23 Therefore he minded to destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stand in the breach before him to turne away his wrath, least he shoulde destroy them.
24 Also they contemned that pleasant land, and beleeued not his worde,
25 But murmured in their tentes, and hearkened not vnto the voice of the Lord.
26 Therefore hee lifted vp his hande against them, to destroy them in the wildernesse,
27 And to destroy their seede among the nations, & to scatter them throughout the countries.
28 They ioyned themselues also vnto Baalpeor, and did eate the offrings of the dead.
29 Thus they prouoked him vnto anger with their owne inuentions, and the plague brake in vpon them.
30 But Phinehas stoode vp, and executed iudgement, and the plague was staied.
31 And it was imputed vnto him for righteousnes from generation to generation for euer.
32 They angred him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was punished for their sakes,
33 Because they vexed his spirite, so that hee spake vnaduisedly with his lippes.
34 Neither destroied they the people, as the Lord had commaunded them,
35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their workes,
36 And serued their idoles, which were their ruine.
37 Yea, they offered their sonnes, and their daughters vnto deuils,
38 And shed innocent blood, euen the blood of their sonnes, & of their daughters, whome they offred vnto the idoles of Canaan, and the lande was defiled with blood.
39 Thus were they steined with their owne woorkes, and went a whoring with their owne inuentions.
40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, and he abhorred his owne inheritance.
41 And hee gaue them into the hande of the heathen: and they that hated them, were Lords ouer them.
42 Their enemies also oppressed them, & they were humbled vnder their hand.
43 Many a time did hee deliuer them, but they prouoked him by their counsels: therefore they were brought downe by their iniquitie.
44 Yet hee sawe when they were in affliction, and he heard their crie.
45 And he remembred his couenant towarde them and repented acoording to the multitude of his mercies,
46 And gaue them fauour in the sight of all them that lead them captiues.
47 Saue vs, O Lord our God, and gather vs from among the heathen, that we may praise thine holy Name, and glorie in thy praise.
48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and euer, and let all the people say, So be it. Praise yee the Lord.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

A Song of Praise for Creation
by John Mason

hou wast, O God, and Thou wast blessed
Before the world began;
Of Thine eternity possessed
Before time’s glass did run.

Thou needest none Thy praise to sing
As if Thy joy could fade;
Couldst Thou have needed anything
That couldst have nothing made.

Thou spoke, and heaven and earth appeared,
And answered to Thy call;
As if their Maker’s voice they heard,
Which is the creature’s all.

Thou spoke the word, most mighty Lord,
Thy word went forth with speed;
Thy will, O Lord, it was Thy word,
Thy word it was Thy deed.

Thou brought forth Adam from the ground,
And Eve out of his side;
Thy blessing made the earth abound
With these two multiplied.

Those three great leaves – heaven, sea, and land –
Thy name in figures show,
Brutes feel the bounty of Thy hand,
But I my Maker know.

Should not I here Thy servant be,
Whose creatures serve me here?
My Lord, whom should I fear but Thee,
Who am Thy creatures’ fear?

To whom, Lord, should I sing but Thee,
The Maker of my tongue?
Lo, other lords would seize on me,
But I to Thee belong.

As waters haste unto their sea,
And earth unto its earth;
So let my soul return to Thee,
From whom it had its birth.

But, ah! I’m fallen in the night,
And cannot come to Thee;
Yet speak the Word, let there be light,
It shall enlighten me.

And let Thy Word, most mighty Lord,
Thy fallen creature raise;
Oh make me o’er again, and I
Shall sing my Maker’s praise.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 85 (Geneva Bible)

To him that excelleth. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah.

1 Lord, thou hast bene fauourable vnto thy land: thou hast brought againe the captiuitie of Iaakob.
2 Thou hast forgiuen the iniquitie of thy people, and couered all their sinnes. Selah.
3 Thou hast withdrawen all thine anger, and hast turned backe fro the fiercenes of thy wrath.
4 Turne vs, O God of our saluation, and release thine anger toward vs.
5 Wilt thou be angry with vs for euer? and wilt thou prolong thy wrath from one generation to another?
6 Wilt thou not turne againe & quicken vs, that thy people may reioyce in thee?
7 Shew vs thy mercie, O Lord, and graunt vs thy saluation.
8 I will hearken what the Lord God will say: for he will speake peace vnto his people, and to his Saintes, that they turne not againe to follie.
9 Surely his saluation is neere to them that feare him, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercie and trueth shall meete: righteousnes and peace shall kisse one another.
11 Trueth shall bud out of the earth, and righteousnes shall looke downe from heauen.
12 Yea, the Lord shall giue good things, and our land shall giue her increase.
13 Righteousnesse shall go before him, and shall set her steps in the way.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Almighty God
by Matthew Hale (1609-1676)

lmighty God, when He had raised the frame
Of heaven and earth, and furnished the same
With works of equal wonder, framed then
A piece of greater excellence, called “man.”

Gave him a comprehensive soul, that soared
Above the creatures, and beheld his Lord;
Inscribed him with His image, and did fill
The compass of his intellect and will,

With truth and good; gave him the custody
Of His own bliss and immortality.
And justly now his Sovereign might demand
Subjection and obedience at his hand.

Were only being given, ’twere but right
His debt of duty should be infinite.
But here was more, a super-added dress
Of life, perfection, and happiness.

Yet this great King, for an experiment
Of man’s deserved allegiance, is content
To use an easy precept, such as stood
Both with His creature’s duty and his good.

Forbids one fruit on pain of death, and gives
Freely the rest, which he might eat and live.
But man rebels, and for one taste doth choose
His life, his God, his innocence to lose.

And now death-stricken, like a wounded deer,
Strictly pursued by guilt, and shame, and fear,
He seeks to lose himself; from God he flies,
And takes a wilderness of miseries.

A land of new transgression, where his curse
Is closer bound, his nature growing worse.
And while in this condition mankind lay,
A man should think his injured God should say,

“There lies accursed man, and let him lie
Entangled in that web of misery
Which his own sin has spun! I must be true
And just; unthankful man, thou hast thy due.”

But ’twas not so. Though man the mastery
With his Creator’s power and will dares try,
And being over-matched with power, disdains
To seek a pardon from his Sovereign.

The great and glorious God, the mighty King
Of heaven and earth, despised by such a thing
As man, a worm of his own making, breaks
The rules of greatness, and His creature seeks,

His froward creature – not in such a way
As once He did in the cool of that day
Wherein man sinned, and hid – such majesty
Had been too great for man’s necessity.

But the eternal Son of God, the Word,
By which all things were made, the mighty Lord,
Assumes our flesh, and under that He lays,
And hides His greatness, and those glorious rays

Of majesty, which had been over bright,
And too resplendent for poor mortal’s sight;
And under this disguise, the King of kings,
The message of His Father’s mercy brings.

Solicits man’s return; and pays the price
Of his transgression by the sacrifice
Of His own soul; and undertakes to cure
Their sin, their peace and pardon to procure.

To conquer death for him, and more than this,
To settle him in everlasting bliss.
And now, O man, could this excess of love,
Thy thankfulness to such a height improve,

That it could fire thy soul into one flame
Of love, to only Him that bought the same
At such a rate, yet still it were too small
To recompense thy Savior’s love withal.

Once did He give thee being from the dust,
And for that only being, ’twere but just
To pay thy utmost self; but when once more
Thy being and thy bliss He did restore

By such a means as this, it doth bereave
Thy soul of hopes of recompense, and leaves
Thy soul insolvent. Twice to Him this day
Thou owest thyself, yet but one self can pay.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 64 (Geneva Bible)

To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid.

1 Heare my voyce, O God, in my prayer: preserue my life from feare of the enemie.
2 Hide me from the conspiracie of the wicked, and from the rage of the workers of iniquitie.
3 Which haue whette their tongue like a sword, and shot for their arrowes bitter wordes.
4 To shoote at the vpright in secrete: they shoote at him suddenly, and feare not.
5 They encourage themselues in a wicked purpose: they commune together to lay snares priuilie, and say, Who shall see them?
6 They haue sought out iniquities, and haue accomplished that which they sought out, euen euery one his secret thoughtes, and the depth of his heart.
7 But God will shoote an arrowe at them suddenly: their strokes shalbe at once.
8 They shall cause their owne tongue to fall vpon them: and whosoeuer shall see them, shall flee away.
9 And all men shall see it, and declare the worke of God, and they shall vnderstand, what he hath wrought.
10 But the righteous shalbe glad in the Lord, and trust in him: and all that are vpright of heart, shall reioyce.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

The Friend Who Asked What God Is
by Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)

s there a man whose daring hand
Can number every grain of sand?
Can count the drops that fill the sea,
Or tell how many stars that be?
Who, then, shall strive to comprehend
Infinity that knows no end?
Who shall set bounds to boundless power

Restrain omnipotence, or lower
Eternity to one poor hour?
Believe me, friend, thou canst no more
The vast designs of God explore,
Than thy short arm can touch the skies,
Or fathom ocean’s deep abyss.
Who shall disclose his Maker’s plan,

Or dare His secret will to scan?
Shall feeble, guilty, finite man?
None but perfection, such as His,
Can know th’Almighty as He is;
His glory never can be brought
Adapted to a mortal’s thought.
Consider where thou art, and fear

This unseen witness always near.
Dive not into His deep decree,
The object’s too elate for thee;
Thou must not ask, nor wish to see.
Cast each presumptuous doubt away;
Remember thou art, at best, but clay,
Whose only province is t’obey.

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

Psalme 43 (Geneva Bible)

1 Ivdge me, O God, and defend my cause against the vnmercifull people: deliuer mee from the deceitfull and wicked man.
2 For thou art the God of my strength: why hast thou put me away? why goe I so mourning, when the enemie oppresseth me?
3 Sende thy light and thy trueth: let them leade mee: let them bring mee vnto thine holy Mountaine and to thy Tabernacles.
4 Then wil I go vnto the altar of God, euen vnto the God of my ioy & gladnes: and vpon the harpe wil I giue thanks vnto thee, O God, my God.
5 Why art thou cast downe, my soule? and why art thou disquieted within mee? waite on God: for I will yet giue him thankes, he is my present helpe, and my God.

Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)

Proofs of God's Power and Wisdom in the Creation and Preservation of the World
by Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)

he Lord Jehovah built the skies,
And reared this stately frame;
The wide creation testifies
The greatness of His name.

The liquid element below
Was gathered by His hand;
The rolling seas together flow,
And leave the solid land.

To Him, the Maker, does pertain
What in the ocean is;
The finny people of the main,
And monsters there, are His.

The dusky shades of hell that lie,
Wrapped up in webs of night.
May well elude the solar eye,
But not th’Almighty’s sight.

Death and destruction do in vain,
Their sable covering spread,
And in their secret vaults enchain,
Or fast lock up the dead.

The eye of the Almighty does
Their spoils entire survey;
And no distinction ever knows
Between the night and day.

He, o’er the airy empty place,
In pomp displays on high
The wide expanse, and ample space,
Of all the northern sky.

The ponderous earth, at His command,
Hangs in the ambient air;
No pillars bear the fabric grand,
But just His will and care.

He bids the clouds with water pent,
Imprisoned tempests chain;
Then their big floating wombs, unrent,
Suspend the birth of rain.

Again He bids their bosom ope,
And down the blessing pours,
To feed the lab’ring farmer’s hope
With warm prolific show’rs.

Lest His high throne, so dazzling bright,
By naked eyes unseen,
With too much glory oppress our sight,
He spreads His clouds between.

He raises rocky fences round
The spacious swelling deep,
Which do the raging billows bound,
Mad waves in prison keep.

That while the rule of day and night,
The sun and moon maintain,
The rolling seas may have no might
To drown the earth again.

High hills that pillars seem and props
Of heaven’s expanded roof,
Do quake, and bow their towering tops
Aghast at His reproof.

He cleaves the main, bids billows rise,
Then curbs the swelling tide;
How soon they cope with clouds and skies,
So soon He lays their pride.

The trembling waves at His command,
Creep softly to the shore;
Storms over-awed do silent stand,
Do quickly cease to roar.

Thus lawless seas He does control,
Diversifies the deep;
He makes the sleeping billows roll,
The rolling billows sleep.

He spreads the heavens, their azure face
He garnished by His might;
And did them most profusely grace
With constellations bright.

His hand the crooked serpent made;
But who can speak his art?
Of whom all’s nothing that is said,
We know so small a part.

Who can the utmost force explore
Of His almighty hands?
For even the thunder of His pow’r
What mortal understands?

—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).

salme 22 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth vpon Aiieleth Hasshahar. A Psalme of Dauid.
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, and art so farre from mine health, and from the wordes of my roaring?
2 O my God, I crie by day, but thou hearest not, and by night, but haue no audience.
3 But thou art holy, and doest inhabite the prayses of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didest deliuer them.
5 They called vpon thee, and were deliuered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6 But I am a worme, and not a man: a shame of men, and the contempt of the people.
7 All they that see me, haue me in derision: they make a mowe and nod the head, saying,
8 He trusted in the Lord, let him deliuer him: let him saue him, seeing he loueth him.
9 But thou didest draw me out of ye wombe: thou gauest me hope, euen at my mothers breasts.
10 I was cast vpon thee, euen from ye wombe: thou art my God from my mothers belly.
11 Be not farre from me, because trouble is neere: for there is none to helpe me.
12 Many yong bulles haue compassed me: mightie bulles of Bashan haue closed me about.
13 They gape vpon me with their mouthes, as a ramping and roaring lyon.
14 I am like water powred out, and all my bones are out of ioynt: mine heart is like waxe: it is molten in the middes of my bowels.
15 My strength is dryed vp like a potsheard, and my tongue cleaueth to my iawes, and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16 For dogges haue compassed me, and the assemblie of the wicked haue inclosed me: they perced mine hands and my feete.
17 I may tell all my bones: yet they beholde, and looke vpon me.
18 They part my garments among them, and cast lottes vpon my vesture.
19 But be thou not farre off, O Lord, my strength: hasten to helpe me.
20 Deliuer my soule from the sword: my desolate soule from the power of the dogge.
21 Saue me from the lyons mouth, and answere me in sauing me from the hornes of the vnicornes.
22 I wil declare thy Name vnto my brethren: in the middes of the Congregation will I praise thee, saying,
23 Prayse the Lord, ye that feare him: magnifie ye him, all the seede of Iaakob, and feare ye him, all the seede of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred ye affliction of the poore: neither hath he hid his face from him, but when he called vnto him, he heard.
25 My prayse shalbe of thee in the great Congregation: my vowes will I perfourme before them that feare him.
26 The poore shall eate and be satisfied: they that seeke after the Lord, shall prayse him: your heart shall liue for euer.
27 All the endes of the worlde shall remember themselues, and turne to the Lord: and all the kinreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdome is the Lords, and he ruleth among the nations.
29 All they that be fat in the earth, shall eate and worship: all they that go downe into the dust, shall bowe before him, euen he that cannot quicken his owne soule.
30 Their seede shall serue him: it shalbe counted vnto the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousnesse vnto a people that shall be borne, because he hath done it.

Grace and peace to you this Lord’s Day.