PSALM CXIX.

Verses 4, 5, 6, 8.

The paramount desire of a sincere believer is to be blessed with Heavenly direction.

THOU strictly hast enjoin'd us, Lord,
To learn Thy sacred Will,
And all our diligence employ
Thy statutes to fulfil.

O, then, that Thy most holy Will
Might o'er my ways preside,
And I the course of all my life
By Thy direction guide!

Then with assurance should I walk,
From all confusion free;
Convinc'd with joy, that all my ways
With Thy commands agree;

So to Thy sacred laws should I
All due observance pay :

O then forsake me not, my God,
Nor cast me quite away!

PSALM CXIX.

Verses 9, 10, 11, 12.

The importance and course of early piety.

How shall the Young preserve their ways
From all pollution free?

By making e'er their course of life

With Thy commands agree.

With hearty zeal for Thee I seek;
To Thee for succour pray;
O suffer not my careless steps
From Thy right paths to stray!
Safe in my beart, and closely hid,
Thy Word-my treasure-lies,
To succour me with timely aid,
When sinful thoughts arise.
Secur'd by that, my grateful soul
Shall ever bless Thy Name;
O teach me, then, by Thy just laws
My future life to frame!

PSALM CXIX.

Verses 29, 30, 31, 32.

The more mature believer's experience and entreaty. FAR, far from me be all false ways

And lying arts remov'd;

But kindly grant I still may keep

The path by Thee approv'd!

Thy faithful ways, Thou God of truth,
My happy choice I've made ;
Thy judgments, as my rule of life,
Before me always laid.

My care has been to make my life
With Thy commands agree;

O then preserve Thy servant, Lord,
From shame and ruin free!

So in the way of Thy commands
Shall I with pleasure run,
And, with a heart enlarg'd with joy,
Successfully go on.

PSALM CXIX.

Verses 67, 71, 75, 80.

The confession of a soul tried and purified through

affliction.

BEFORE Affliction stopp'd my course,

My footsteps went astray ;

But I have since been disciplin'd

Thy precepts to obey.

'Tis good for me that I have felt

Affliction's chast❜ning rod,
That I might duly learn and keep
The statutes of my God.

That right Thy judgments are, I now

By sure experience see;
And that in faithfulness, O Lord,

Thou hast afflicted me.

In Thy blest statutes let my heart
Continue always sound;

That guilt and shame, the sinner's lot,
May never me confound!

PSALM CXIX.

Verses 90, 91, and Gloria Patri.
Praises suggested by the unchangeable nature of
Jehovah's promises and providence.

THROUGH circling ages, Lord, Thy truth
Immoveable shall stand,

As doth the earth, which Thou uphold'st
By Thy Almighty hand.

All things the course by Thee ordain'd
E'en to this day fulfil;
They are the faithful subjects all,
And servants of Thy will!

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore,
Be glory; as it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

PSALM CXIX.

Verses 105, 111, 112, 108.
The prayer of experienced piety.
THY Word is to my feet a lamp,
The way of truth to show;
A watch-light to point out the path
In which I ought to go.

Thy Testimonies I have made

My heritage and choice;

For they, when other comforts fail,

My drooping heart rejoice.

My heart with early zeal began
Thy statutes to obey;

And, till my course of life is done,
Shall keep Thy upright way.

Let still my sacrifice of praise
With Thee acceptance find;
And in Thy righteous judgments, Lord,
Instruct my willing mind!

PSALM CXIX.

Verses 129, 130, 132, 135.

A prayer for Divine guidance prefaces the believer's study of the Scriptures.

THE wonders which Thy Laws contain,

No words can represent ;
Therefore to learn and practise them

My zealous heart is bent.

The very entrance to Thy word

Celestial light displays ;

And knowledge of true happiness
To simplest minds conveys.

With favour, Lord, look down on me,
Who Thy relief implore;

As Thou art wont to visit those
Who Thy blest Name adore.

On me, devoted to Thy fear,

Lord, make Thy face to shine;

Thy Statutes both to know and keep
My heart with zeal incline!