Psalms 16-18

Psalm 16

1 PRESERVE me, Lord, in time of need; For succour to Thy throne I flee, But have no merits there to plead; My goodness cannot reach to Thee.

2 Oft have my heart and tongue confess'd How empty and how poor I am; My praise can never make Thee bless'd, Nor add new glories to Thy name.

3 Yet, Lord, Thy saints on earth may reap Some profit by the good we do;

These are the company I keep, These are the choicest friends I know.

4 Let others choose the sons of mirth To give a relish to their wine;

I love the men of heav'nly birth, Whose thoughts and language are divine.

Isaac Watts, 1719

Psalm 17

1 WHAT sinners value, I resign:

Lord, 'tis enough that Thou art mine;

I shall behold Thy blissful face, And stand complete in righteousness.

2 This life's a dream, an empty show; But the bright world, to which I go, Hath joys substantial and sincere; When shall I wake, and find me there?

3 O glorious hour! O blest abode!

I shall be near and like my God; And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of my soul.

4 My flesh shall slumber in the ground, 'Till the last trumpet's joyful sound;

Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise.

Isaac Watts, 1719.

Psalm 18 (1 of 3)

1 O GOD, my strength and fortitude, Of force I must love Thee;

Thou art my castle and defence In my necessity.

2 My God, my rock, in whom I trust, The worker of my wealth; My refuge, buckler, and my shield, The horn of all my health.

3 In my distress I sought my God, I sought Jehovah's face; My cry before Him came; He heard Out of His holy place.

4 The Lord descended from above. And bow'd the heavens most high, And underneath His feet He cast The darkness of the sky.

5 On cherub and on cherubim Pull royally He rode, And on the wings of mighty winds Game flying all abroad.

6 And so deliver'd He my soul: Who is a rock but He?

He liveth—Blessed be my Rock! My God exalted be!

Thomas Sternhold, 1562