Poems (Toke)/Psalm XCVII

by Emma Toke

PSALM XCVII.

H, earth, rejoice! ye isles, be glad'
 Jehovah reigns, and reigns alone;
Though clouds and darkness veil His face,
 Yet truth and might support His throne.
Before Him, fire His foes consumed,
 And o'er His pathway fiercely glowed;
His lightning torch illumed the world,
 Earth startled, saw, and trembling bowed.

The earth like melting wax consumed,
 And at His presence fled away;
The heavens declare His righteousness,
 And all the nations own His sway.
But they who bow to wood and stone
 Shall feel the wrath that now is near;
The Lord is King o'er all the earth,
 Oh! worship Him, ye gods, and fear!

Glad Zion's daughters sing for joy,
 Because of all Thy judgments, Lord;
For Thou art now exalted high,
 By all obeyed, by all adored.
Oh! ye who truly love His Name,
 See that ye hate and flee from sin;
Then He shall keep your souls in peace,
 From foes without and griefs within.

Lo! light is bursting through the gloom
 To glad the lowly spirit's way,
And for the upright heart to pour
 A joy that ne'er shall fade away.
Ye righteous few, rejoice in Him!
 He trod that thorny path before;
Oh! call to mind His holiness,
 And bless and praise Him evermore.

E.

September 28, 1832.