Give Me That Old Time Gospel

[Soldier4Christ]

Godly Fear a Source of Joy

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Psalm 128:1, 2

Happy, beyond description, he
Who fears the Lord his God;
Who hears his threats with holy awe,
And trembles at his rod.

[Soldier4Christ]

Obedience a Source of Joy

I will delight myself in thy commandments which I have loved. Psalm 119:47

Then shall my heart have inward joy,
And keep my face from shame,
When all thy statutes I obey,
And honour all thy name.

[Soldier4Christ]

Communion with God a Source of Joy

There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou has put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. Psalm 4:6, 7

Lord, what is life? if spent with thee,
In humble praise and prayer,
How long or short my life may be
I feel no anxious care:
Though life depart, my joys shall last,
When life and all its joys are past.

[Soldier4Christ]

Communion of Saints a Source of Joy

My goodness extendeth not to thee; but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:2, 3

If 'tis sweet to mingle where
Christians meet for fervent prayer;
If 'tis sweet with them to raise
Songs of holy joy and praise;
Passing sweet that state must be,
Where they meet eternally.

[Soldier4Christ]

Prayer a Source of Joy

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Isaiah 56:7

Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

[Soldier4Christ]

Salvation a Source of Joy

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. Psalm 20:5

Salvation! oh the joyful sound!
'Tis pleasure to our ears;
A sovereign balm for every wound,
A cordial for our fears.

[Soldier4Christ]

Early Piety a Source of Joy

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

Grace is a plant, where'er it grows,
Of pure and heavenly root;
But fairest in the young it shows,
And yields the sweetest fruit.

[Soldier4Christ]

A Good Conscience a Source of Joy

Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world. 2 Cor. 1:12

O happy soul, that lives on high,
While men lie grovelling here;
Whose hopes are fix'd above the sky,
And faith forbids his fear.

His conscience cleans'd from all his sins,
Love, peace, and joy combine
To form a life whose holy springs
Are hidden and divine.

[Soldier4Christ]

Benevolence a Source of Joy

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

Bless'd is the man whose heart expands
At melting pity's call,
And the rich blessings of whose hands
Like heavenly manna fall.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tribulation a Source of Joy

We glory in tribulation: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. Rom. 5:3, 4

Then let us wait the' appointed day,
Nor call this world our home;
To pilgrims in a foreign land,
Afflictions needs must come.

Who rule the world, o'errules their end,
They destined are for good;
And bear the saints to realms of rest,
Though mighty as a flood.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temporal Blessings Sources of Joy

Ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2:26

Thy bounty gilds the path of life
With every cheering ray,
And oft restrains the rising tear,
Or wipes that tear away.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Divine Blessing a Source of Joy

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

Better than life itself thy love,
Dearer than all beside to me;
For whom have I in heaven above,
Or what on earth, compared to thee?

[Soldier4Christ]

The Divine Protection a Source of Joy

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Psalm 63:7

Since thou hast been my help,
To thee my spirit flies;
And on thy watchful providence
My cheerful hope relies.

[Soldier4Christ]

Divine Acceptance a Source of Joy

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy work. Eccles. 9:7

Whilst I see thy love to me,
Every object teems with joy;
Here, oh may I walk with thee,
Then into thy presence die!

Let me but thyself possess,
Total sum, of happiness;
Real bliss I then shall prove--
Heaven below, and heaven above.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joy Following Sorrow

Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again,
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.