v.8-18 <br />L. M. <br />God's gentle chastisement; or, His tender mercy to his people. <br /> <br />The Lord, how wondrous are his ways! <br />How firm his truth! how large his grace! <br />He takes his mercy for his throne, <br />And thence he makes his glories known. <br /> <br />Not half so high his power hath spread <br />The starry heav'ns above our head, <br />As his rich love exceeds our praise, <br />Exceeds the highest hopes we raise. <br /> <br />Not half so far hath nature placed <br />The rising morning from the west, <br />As his forgiving grace removes <br />The daily guilt of those he loves. <br /> <br />How slowly doth his wrath arise! <br />On swifter wings salvation flies; <br />And if he lets his anger burn, <br />How soon his frowns to pity turn <br /> <br />Amidst his wrath compassion shines; <br />His strokes are lighter than our sins <br />And while his rod corrects his saints, <br />His ear indulges their complaints. <br /> <br />So fathers their young sons chastise <br />With gentle hand and melting eyes; <br />The children weep beneath the smart, <br />And move the pity of their heart. <br /> <br />PAUSE. <br /> <br />The mighty God, the wise and just, <br />Knows that our frame is feeble dust; <br />And will no heavy loads impose <br />Beyond the strength that he bestows. <br /> <br />He knows how soon our nature dies, <br />Blasted by every wind that flies; <br />Like grass we spring, and die as soon, <br />Or morning flowers that fade at noon. <br /> <br />But his eternal love is sure <br />To all the saints, and shall endure; <br />From age to age his truth shall reign, <br />Nor children's children hope in vain.<br /><br />Isaac Watts<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/psalm-103-part-2/
