4 But in thy law and gospel, Lord,
Are lessons more divine;
Not earth stands firmer than thy word,
Nor stars so nobly shine.
5 Thy word is everlasting truth,
How pure is every page!
That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.
PSALM CXIX. Fifth Part. L. M. b
Godly Sorrow for the Sins of Men.
ARISE, my tender thoughts, arise;
Let torrents drown my weeping eyes ;
And thou, my heart, with anguish feel
Those evils which thou canst 'not heal.
2 See human beings sunk in shame ;
See scandals pour'd on Jesus' name;
See God insulted through his Son,
The world abus'd, the soul undone.
3 My heart with reverence hears thy word,
And trembles at thy threat'nings, Lord;
I know the wretched, dreadful end
To which their careless steps descend.
4 My God, the mournful scene I view,
With horror and with pity too ;
O could my sympathy reclaim
The wretches from destructive flame !
5 But feeble my compassion proves,
It can but weep, where most it loves;
Thy own all-saving grace employ,
And turn these drops of grief to joy.
PSALM CXIX. Sixth Part. C. M.
Delight in the Word of God.
1 O HOW I love thy holy law,
'Tis daily my delight!
And thence my meditations draw
Divine advice by night.
2 My waking eyes prevent the day,
To meditate thy word;
My soul with longing melts away,
To hear thy gospel, Lord.
3 When midnight darkness veils the skies,
I call thy words to mind;
My thoughts in warm devotion rise,
And God's acceptance find.
How doth thy word my heart engage!
How well employ my tongue
It cheers my tiresome pilgrimage,
And yields a heav'nly song!
5 Am I a stranger, or at home,
'Tis my continual feast ;
Not honey dropping from the comb
So much allures the taste.
6 No treasures so enrich the mind,
Nor shall thy word be sold
For loads of silver well refin'd,
Nor heaps of shining gold.
7 When nature sinks and spirits droop,
Thy promises of grace
Are pillars to support my hope,
And elevate my praise.
The Variety and Comfort of the Divine Word.
1 LORD, I have made thy word my choice,
Thy statutes all are just;
They make my noblest powers rejoice,
And mortify my lust.
2 Thy precepts often I survey,
And keep thy laws in sight,
Through all the business of the day,
To form my actions right.
3 And when my spirit takes her fill
From fountains so divine,
Not mighty men, that share the spoil,
Have joy compar'd to mine.
4 I read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy grace in sight;
Whilst through the promises I rove
With ever new delight.
5 'Tis like a land of wealth unknown,
Where living springs arise;
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies:
6 The best relief that mourners have;
It makes our sorrows blest;
Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.
PSALM CXIX.. 8th Part. C. M.
The Perfection of Scripture.
I LET all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book;
Great God, if once compar'd with thines
How mean their writings look!
2 Not the most perfect rules they gave,
Could show one sin forgiven;
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heaven.
3 I've seen an end of what we call
Perfection, here below;
How short the powers of nature fall,
And can no farther go.
4 But thy commands, () righteous Lord, Pervade the heart within ;
Thy perfect law, exceeding broad,
Detects the secret sin.
In vain we boast perfection here,
While sin defiles our frame,
And sinks our virtues down so far,
They scarce deserve the name.
6 Our faith, and love, and every grace
Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.
PSALM CXIX. 9th Part. C. M. or b Desire of Divine Knowledge.
1 THY mercies fill the earth, ✪ Lord,
How great thy works appear!
Open my eyes to read thy word,
And see thy wonders there.
2 My flesh, by thy creating hands,
Is form'd with care and skill;
O make me learn thy just commands,
That I may them fulfil.
3 Since I'm a stranger here below,
Be thou my constant guide ;
Direct the way my feet shall go,
Nor let me turn aside.
4 If thou to me thy statutes shew,
And heavenly truth impart ;
Thy work forever I'll pursue,
Thy law shall rule my heart.
5 From those vain objects turn my sight,
Which this false world displays;
But give me heavenly power and light,
To tread thy righteous ways.
PSALM CXIX. 10th Part. C. M. b
Breathing after Holiness.
1 O THAT the Lord would guide my ways, To keep his statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!
2 Send thy good Spirit, Lord, to write
Thy law upon my heart,
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.
3 From vanity turn off my eyes,
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires arise
Within this soul of mine.
4 Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere ;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.
5 My soul hath gone too far astray,
My feet too often slide;
O bring me back to virtue's way,
And be thy truth my guide.
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