LAMED. 89 For ever and for ever, Lord, Thy word, establish'd in the heavens, 90 Through circling ages, Lord, thy truth As doth the earth, which thou uphold'st by thy Almighty hand. 91 All things the course by thee ordain'd e'en to this day fulfil; They are thy faithful subjects all, and servants of thy will. 92 Unless thy sacred law had been my comfort and delight, I must have fainted, and expir'd in dark affliction's night. 93 Thy precepts, therefore, from my thoughts shall never, Lord, depart; For thou by them hast to new life restor'd my dying heart. 94 As I am thine, entirely thine, protect me, Lord, from harm, Who have thy precepts sought to know, and carefully perform. 95 The wicked have their ambush laid my guiltless life to take; But in the midst of danger I thy word my study make. 96 I've seen an end of what we call perfection here below; But thy commandments, like thyself, no change or period know. MEM. 97 The love that to thy laws I bear no language can display; They with fresh wonders entertain my ravish'd thoughts all day. 98 Through thy commands I wiser grow than all my subtle foes; For thy sure word doth me direct, 99 From me my former teachers now my constant study make. 100 In understanding I excel the sages of our days; Because by thy unerring rules I order all my ways. : 101 My feet with care I have refrain'd from every sinful way, That to thy sacred word I might entire obedience pay. 102 I have not from thy judgments stray'd, by vain desires misled; For, Lord, thou hast instructed me thy righteous paths to tread. 103 How sweet are all thy words to me! O what divine repast! How much more grateful to my soul than honey to my taste! 104 Taught by thy sacred precepts, I with heavenly skill am blest, Through which the treacherous ways of sin I utterly detest. NUN. 105 Thy word is to my feet a lamp, A watch-light to point out the path 106 I swear, and from my solemn oath That in thy righteous judgments I 107 Since I with griefs am so opprest, 108 Let still my sacrifice of praise And in thy righteous judgments, Lord, 109 Though ghastly dangers me surround, 110 My wicked and invet'rate foes For they, when other comforts fail, 112 My heart with early zeal began And till my course of life is done, SAMECH. 113 Deceitful thoughts and practices I utterly detest; But to thy law affection bear too great to be exprest. 114 My hiding-place, my refuge-tower, 115 Hence, ye that trade in wickedness, For firmly I resolve to keep the precepts of my God. 116 According to thy gracious word, from danger set me free; Nor make me of those hopes asham'd, 117 Uphold me, so shall I be safe, 118 The wicked thou hast trod to earth, I therefore, with such justice charm'd, 120 Yet with that love they make me dread, lest I should so offend, When on transgressors I behold thy judgments thus descend. AIN. 121 Judgment and justice I have lov'd; O therefore, Lord, engage In my defence, nor give me up to my oppressor's rage. 122 Do thou be surety, Lord, for me, and so shall this distress Prove good for me; nor shall the proud 123 My eyes, alas! begin to fail, And discipline my willing heart 125 On me, devoted to thy fear, thy sacred skill bestow, That of thy testimonies I the full extent may know. 126 'Tis time, high time for thee, O Lord, thy vengeance to employ ; When men with open violence thy sacred law destroy. 127 Yet their contempt of thy commands They teach me to discern the right, PE. 129 The wonders which thy laws contain no words can represent; Therefore to learn and practise them my zealous heart is bent. 130 The very entrance to thy word celestial light displays, And knowledge of true happiness That of thy wise commands I might 132 With favour, Lord, look down on me, who thy relief implore; As thou art wont to visit those who thy blest name adore. 133 Directed by thy heavenly word let all my footsteps be; Nor wickedness of any kind dominion have o'er me. 134 Release, entirely set me free 136 My eyes to weeping fountains turn, To see mankind against thy laws in bold defiance go. TSADDI. 137 Thou art the righteous Judge, in whom wrong'd innocence may trust; And, like thyself, thy judgments, Lord, 138 Most just and true those statutes were, 139 With zeal my flesh consumes away, Is pure, and for eternal truth 141 Brought, for thy sake, to low estate, contempt from all I find; Yet no affronts or wrongs can drive thy precepts from my mind. 142 Thy righteousness shall then endure, when time itself is past; Thy law is truth itself, that truth which shall for ever last. 143 Though trouble, anguish, doubts, and dread, to compass me unite; Beset with danger, still I make thy precepts my delight. 144 Eternal and unerring rules thy testimonies give: Teach me the wisdom that will make my soul for ever live. KOPH. 145 With my whole heart to God I call'd, 146 Again more fervently I pray'd, Thy testimonies throughly know, and steadfastly obey. 147 My earlier prayer the dawning day prevented, while I cry'd To him, on whose engaging word my hope alone rely'd. 148 With zeal have I awak'd before the midnight watch was set, That I of thy mysterious word might perfect knowledge get. |