S. A Song of Praise

A Song of Praise.

"I will praise the name of God with a song." Psalms 69:30

"It came to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud: . . . for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

"The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father it spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." John 4:23.

"Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5.

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God." Revelation 19:1.

FATHER and God! to Thee Our songs of praise ascend;

E’er long their eternal harmonies The very skies shall rend; But now ’tis minor tones we raise, Thy children lisping forth Thy praise.

Father! we worship Thee, Our very souls we bow;

Earth is forgotten while we gaze Within the holiest now; And in the radiance of this place, With rapture look upon Thy face.

All thought of sin is gone, It cannot enter here;

Redemption’s work is done, It dissipates our fear.

Now in the worth of Christ we stand, Offering the first-fruits of the land. His blood has washed us white, His beauty clothes us now And fit for Thine unsullied light We stand before Thee now;

Blest in the liberty thus given, To praise within an opened heaven.

Praise for the gift of Christ, Thy well-beloved Son!

Praise for the Spirit who reveals The Gift and Giver One!

All joy we have, or hope to see, Is centred, blessed God, in Thee.

A. S. Oliphant.