The Psalms of David ‎#119

119. How bless'd are they who always keep

Aleph — Part I.

1 How bless'd are they who always keep
The pure and perfect way!
Who never from the sacred paths
Of God's Commandments stray.

2 Thrice bless'd! the men who keep his word,
And practise his commands;
Who seek the Lord with all their heart,
And serve him with their hands.

3 Such men their utmost caution use
To shun each wicked deed;
And in the path which he directs
With constant care proceed.

4 Thou strictly hast enjoin'd us, Lord,
To learn thy sacred will;
And all our diligence employ
Thy statutes to fulfil.

5 O then that thy most holy word
Might o'er my ways preside!
And I the course of all my life
By thy direction guide!

6 Then with assurance should I walk,
When by thy grace renew'd;
While faith and hope, and love unite,
To prove my gratitude.

7 My upright heart shall my glad mouth
With chearful praises fill;
When by thy righteous judgments taught,
I shall have learnt thy will.

8 Thy statues, Lord, I strive to make
My study night and day;
O then forsake me not, my God,
Nor cast me quite away.

Beth — Part II.

9 How shall the young secure their hearts,
And guard their lives from sin;
The word the choicest rule imparts
To keep the conscience clean.

10 With my whole heart I've sought thy face,
O let me never stray
From thy commands, O God of grace,
Nor tread the sinner's way.

11 Thy word I've hid within my heart,
To keep my conscience clean,
And be an everlasting guard
From ev'ry rising sin.

12 O Lord to me thy statutes shew,
And heav'nly truth impart,
Thy work for ever I'll pursue,
Thy law shall rule my heart.

13 Thy faithful words my heart engage
And well employ my tongue,
And in my tiresome pilgrimage
Yield me a hav'nly song.

14 I choose the path of heav'nly truth,
And glory in my choice;
Not all the riches of the earth
Could make me so rejoice.

15 The testimonies of thy grace
I set before my eyes;
Thence I derive my daily strength,
And there my comfort lies.

16 To meditate thy precept, Lord,
Shall be my sweet employ;
My soul shall ne'er forget thy word,
Thy word is all my joy.

Gimel — Part III.

17 Be gracious to thy servant, Lord,
Do thou my life defend,
That I according to thy word
My time to come may spend.

18 Enlighten both my eyes and mind,
That so I may discern
The wond'rous things which they behold,
Who thy just precepts learn.

19 Tho' like a stranger in the land,
I far away should stray,
Thy righteous judgments from my sight,
Remove not thou away.

20 My fainting soul is almost pin'd,
with earnest longings spent;
Whilst always on the eager search
Of thy just will intent.

21 The sharp rebuke shall crush the proud,
Whom still thy curse pursues;
Since they to walk in thy right ways
Presumpt'ously refuse.

22 But far from me do thou, O Lord,
Contempt and shame remove;
For I thy sacred laws respect
With undissembled love.

23 Though princes oft, in counsel met,
Against thy servant spake;
Yet I thy statutes to observe,
My constant bus'ness make.

24 The testimonies of thy grace
Afford my soul delight;
By them I learn, with prudent care,
To guide my steps aright.

Daleth — Part IV.

25 My soul lies cleaving to the dust;
Lord, give me life divine;
From vain desires, and ev'ry lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.

26 When I confess'd my wand'ring ways
Thou heard'st my soul complain;
Grant me the teachings of thy grace,
Or I shall stray again.

27 Oh that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!
Oh that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!

28 Behold thy waiting servant, Lord,
Devoted to thy fear;
Remember and confirm thy word,
For all my hopes are there.

29 Oh send thy spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart;
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit
Nor act the liar's part.

30 Didst thou not raise my faith, O Lord?
Then let thy truth appear;
Saints shall rejoice in my reward,
And trust as well as fear.

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

32 How would I run in thy commands,
If thou my heart discharge
From sin and satan's hateful claims,
And set my feet at large1

He — Part V.

33 Instruct me in thy statutes, Lord,
Thy righteous oaths display;
And I from them, thro' all my life,
Will never go astray.

34 If thou true wisdom from above
Wilt graciously impart,
To keep thy perfect laws I will
Devote my zealous heart.

35 Direct me in the sacred ways
To which thy precepts lead;
Because my chief delight has been
Thy righteous paths to tread.

36 Do thou to thy most just commands
Incline my willing heart;
Let no desire of worldly wealth
From thee my thoughts divert.

37 From those vain objects turn my eyes
Which this false world displays;
But give me lively pow'r and strength
To keep thy righteous ways.

38 Confirm the promise which thou mad'st,
And give thy servant aid,
Who to transgress thy sacred laws
Is awfully afraid.

39 The foul disgrace I justly fear,
In mercy, Lord, remove;
For all the judgments thou ordain'st
Are full of grace and love.

40 Thou know'st how, after thy commands,
My longing heart does pant;
O then make haste to raise me up,
And promis'd succour grant.

Vau — Part VI.

41 Thy constant blessing, Lord, bestow
To cheer my drooping heart;
To me, according to thy word,
Thy saving health impart.

42 So shall I, when my foes upbraid,
This ready answer make;
"In God I trust, who never will
"his faithful promise break."

43 Then let not quite the word of truth
Be from my mouth remov'd;
Since still my ground of stedfast hope
thy just decrees have prov'd.

44 So I to keep thy righteous laws,
Will all my study bend;
From age to age, my time to come
In their observance spend.

45 Ere long I trust to walk at large,
From all incumbrance free;
Since I resolve to make my life
With thy commands agree.

46 Thy laws shall be my constant talk,
And princes shall attend,
Whilst I the justice of thy ways
With confidence defend.

47 My longing heart and ravish'd soul
Shall both o'erflow with joy;
When in thy lov'd commandments I
My happy hours employ.

48 Then will I to thy just decrees
Lift up my willing hands;
My care and bus'ness then shall be
To study thy commands.

Zain — Part VII.

49 According to thy promis'd grace,
Thy favour, Lord, extend;
Make good to me the word on which
Thy servant's hopes depend.

50 That only comfort in distress
Did all my griefs controul;
Thy word, when troubles hemm'd me round,
Reviv'd my fainting soul.

51 Insulting foes did proudly mock,
And all my hopes deride;
Yet from thy law not all their scoffs
Could make me turn aside.

52 Thy judgments then, of ancient D\date,
I quickly call'd to mind,
Till ravish'd with such thoughts, my soul
Did speedy comfort find.

53 Sometimes I stand amaz'd, like one
With deadly horror struck,
To view the 'state of sinful men
Who have thy laws forsook.

54 But I thy statutes and decrees
My cheerful anthems made;
Whilst, through strange lands and deserts wild,
I like a pilgrim stray'd.

55 Thy name, that cheer'd my heart by day,
Has fill'd my thoughts by night;
I then resolv'd by thy just laws,
To guide my steps aright.

56 That Peace of mind, which has my soul
In deep distress sustain'd.
By strict obedience of thy word
I happily obtain'd.

Cheth — Part VIII.

57 Thou art my portion, O my God;
Soon as I know thy way,
My heart makes haste t' obey thy word,
And suffers no delay.

58 Hast thou not sent salvation down,
And promis'd quick'ning grace?
Doth not my heart address thy throne
And yet thy love delays.

59 If once I wander from thy path
I think upon my ways,
Then turn my feet to thy commands,
And trust thy pard'ning grace.

60 Thou hast inclin'd this heart of mine
Thy statutes to fulfil;
And thus till mortal life shall end,
Would I perform Thy will.

61 Let bands of persecutors rise
To rob me of my right,
Let pride and malice forge their lies,
Thy law is my delight.

62 When midnight darkness veils the skies
I call thy works to mind;
My thoughts in warm devotion rise,
And sweet acceptance find.

63 I'm a companion of the saints,
Who fear and love the Lord;
My sorrows rise, my nature faints,
When men transgress thy word.

64 Thy mercies fill the earth, O Lord,
How good thy works appear!
Open my eyes to read thy word,
And see thy wonders there.

Teth — Part IX.

65 With me thy servant thou hast dealt
Most graciously, O Lord;
Repeated Benefits bestow'd,
According to thy word.

66 Teach me the sacred skill by which
Right judgment is attain'd,
Who in belief of thy commands
Gave hitherto remain'd.

67 Before affliction stopp'd my course,
My footsteps went astray;
But I have since been disciplin'd,
Thy precepts to obey.

68 Thou art, O Lord, supremely good,
and all thou dost is so;
On me, thy statutes to discern,
Thy saving skill bestow.

69 The Proud have forg'd malicious lies,
My spotless fame to stain;
But my fix'd Heart, without reserve,
Thy precepts shall retain.

70 While pamper'd they with prosp'rous ills,
In sensual pleasures live,
My soul can relish no delight,
But what thy precepts gave.

71 'Tis good for me that I have felt
Affliction's chast'ning Rod,
That I might duly learn and keep
The statues of my God.

72 The Law that from thy mouth proceeds
Of more esteem I hold,
Than untouch'd mines, than thousand mines
Of silver and of gold.

Jod — Part X.

73 To me, who am the workmanship
Of thine almighty hands,
The heav'nly understanding give
To learn thy just commands.

74 My Preservation to thy saints
Strong comfort will afford,
To see success attend my hopes,
Who trusted in thy word.

75 That right thy judgments are, I now
By sure experience see,
And in that faithfulness, O Lord,
Thou hast afflicted me.

76 O let thy tender mercy now
Afford me needful aid:
According to thy promise, Lord,
To me, thy servant made.

77 To me thy saving grace restore,
That I again may live;
Whose soul can relish no delight,
But what thy precepts give.

78 Defeat the proud, who, unprovok'd,
To ruin me have sought,
Who only on thy sacred laws
Employ my harmless thought.

79 Let those that fear thy name espouse
My cause,and those alone
Who have, by strict and pious search,
Thy sacred precepts known.

80 In thy bless'd statutes let my heart
Continue always sound,
That guilt and shame, the sinner's lot,
May never me confound.

Caph — Part XI.

81 My soul with long expectance faints
To see thy saving grace;
Yet still on thy unerring word
My confidence I place.

82 My very eyes consume and fail
With waiting for thy word;
O! when wilt thou thy kind relief
And prromis'd aid afford?

83 My skin like shrivell'd Parchment shows,
That long in smoke is set;
Yet no affliction me can force
Thy statutes to forget.

84 How many days must I endure
Of sorrow and distress?
When wilt thou judgment execute
On them who me oppress?

85 The proud have digg'd a pit for me,
that have no other foes
But such as are averse to thee,
And thy just laws oppose.

86 Thy sacred truth's eternal laws
All thy commands agree;
Men persecute me without cause;
Thou, Lord, my helper be.

87 With close designs against my Life
They had almost prevail'd;
But my attachment to they laws
Through grace hath never fail'd.

88 Thy wonted kindness, Lord, restore,
My drooping heart to cheer;
That, by thy righteous statutes, I
My life's whole course may steer.

Lamed — Part XII.

89 For ever and for ever, Lord,
Unchang'd thou dost remain;
Thy word establish'd in the heav'ns,
Does all their orbs sustain.

90 Through circling ages, Lord, thy truth
Immoveable shall stand,
As does the earth, which thou uphold'st
By thy almighty hand.

91 All things the course by thee ordain'd,
Even 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 aneEnd, of what we call
Perfection here below:
But thy commandments, like thyself,
No change or period know.

Mem — Part XIII.

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 subtile foes;
For thy sure word doth me direct,
And all my ways dispose.

99 From me my former teachers now
May abler counsel take;
Because thy sacred precepts I
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 ev'ry 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 heav'nly skill am blest,
Through which the treach'rous ways of sin
I utterly detest.

Nun - Part XIV.

105 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.

106 I've sworn, and from my solemn oath
I'll never start aside,
That in thy righteous judgments I
Will stedfastly abide.

107 Since I with griefs am so oppress'd
That I can bear no more;
According to thy word do thou
My fainting soul restore.

108 Let still my sacrifice of praise
With thee acceptance find;
And in thy right'ous judgments, Lord,
Instruct my willing mind.

109 Though ghastly dangers me surround,
My soul they cannot awe,
Nor with continual terrors keep
From thinking on thy law.

110 My wicked and invet'rate foes
For me their snares have laid;
Yet I have kept the upright path,
Nor from thy precepts stray'd.

111 Thy testimonies I have made
My heritage and choice;
For they, when other comforts fail,
My drooping heart rejoice.

112 My heart with early zeal began
Thy statutes to obey;
And, till my course of life is done,
Shall keep thy upright way.

Samech — Part XV.

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-tow'r,
And shield art thou, O Lord;
I firmly anchor all my hopes
On thy unerring word.

115 Hence ye that trade in wickedness,
Approach not my abode;
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,
That I repose in thee.

117 Uphold me, so shall I be safe,
And rescu'd from distress;
To thy decrees continually
My just respect address.

118 The wicked thou hast trod to earth,
Who from thy statutes stray'd:
Their vile deceit the just reward
Of their own falsehood made.

119 Vile as the dross the wicked are;
And those that leave thy ways
Shall see salvation from afar,
But never taste thy grace.

120 I love thy law, but still I dread
Lest I should so offend,
When on transgressors I behold
Thy judgments thus descend.

Ain — Part XVI.

121 Judgment and justice I have done,
O therefore, Lord, engage
In my defence, nor give me up
To my oppressors rage.

122 Do thou be surety, Lord, for me,
And so shall this distress
Prove good for me; nor shall the proud
My guiltless soul oppress.

123 My eyes, alas! begin to fail,
in long expectance held;
Till thy salvation they behold,
And righteous word fulfill'd.

124 To me, thy servant in distress,
Thy wonted grace display,
And discipline my willing heart
Thy statutes to obey.

125 On me, devoted to thy fear,
Thy sacredskill bestow,
That of thy testimonies I
The full extent may know.

126 'Tis time for thee, O Lord, to work,
Thy grace and pow'r employ;
For men with open violence
Thy sacred law destroy.

127 Yet their contempt of thy commands
But make their value rise
In my esteem, who purest gold
Compar'd with them despise.

128 Thy precepts therefore, I account
In all respects divine;
They teach me to discern the right,
And all false ways decline.

Pe — Part XVII.

129 Thy 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
To simplest minds conveys.

131 With eager hopes I waiting stood,
And fainted with desire,
That of thy wise commands I might
The sacred skill acquire.

132 With favour, Lord, look down on me;
Who thy relief implore;
As thou art wont to visit those
Who thy bless'd name adore.

133 Directed by thy heav'nly word,
Let all my footsteps be;
Nor wickedness of any kind
Dominion have o'er me.

134 Release, entirely set me free
From persecuting hands,
That, unmolested, I may learn
And practise thy commands.

135 On me, devoted to thy fear,
Lord, make thy face to shine:
Thy statutes both to know and keep,
My heart with zeal incline.

136 My eyes to weeping fountains turn,
Whence briny rivers flow,
To see mankind against thy laws
In bold defiance go.

Tsade — Part XVIII.

137 Thou art the righteous Judge, in whom
Wrong'd Innocence may trust;
And, like thyself, thy judgments, Lord,
In all respects are just.

138 Most just and true those statutes were,
Which thou didst first decree:
And all with faithfulness perform'd,
Succeeding times shall see.

139 With zeal my flesh consumes away,
My soul with anguish frets,
To see my foes contemn at once
Thy promises and threats.

140 Yet each neglected word of thine
(Howe'er by them despis'd)
Is pure, and for eternal truth
By me, thy servant priz'd.

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 forever last.

143 Though trouble, anguish, doubts, and dread,
To compass me unite,
Beset with danger, still I make
Thy word my chief delight.

144 Eternal and unerring rules
Thy testimonies give:
Teach me the wisdom that will make
My soul for ever live.

Koph — Part XIX.

145 With my whole heart to God I call'd,
Lord, hear my earnest cry;
And I thy statutes to perform
Will all my care apply.

146 Again more fervently I pray'd,
O save me, that I may
Thy testimonies fully know,
And stedfastly obey.

147 My earlier pray'r the dawning day
Prevented, while I cried
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.

149 Lord, hear my supplicating voice,
And wonted favour shew;
O quicken me, and so approve
Thy judgments ever true.

150 My persecuting foes advance,
And daily nearer draw;
What treatment can I hope from them
Who violate thy law?

151 Thoigj they draw nigh, my comfort is
Thou, Lord, art yet more near;
Thou, whose commands are righteous all,
Thy promises sincere.

152 Concerning thy divine decrees,
My soul has known of old,
That they were true, and shall their truth
To endless ages hold.

Resch — Part XX.

153 Consider my affliction, Lord,
And me from bondage draw;
Think on thy servant in distress,
Who ne'er forgets thy law.

154 Plead thou my cause; and to my soul
Thy timely aid afford;
With beams of mercy quicken me
According to thy word.

155 From harden'd sinners thou remov'st
Salvation far away:
'Tis just thou should'st withdraw from them
Who from thy statutes stray.

156 Since great thy tender mercies are
To all who thee adore;
According to thy judgments, Lord,
My fainting hopes restore.

157 A num'rous host of spiteful foes
Against my life combine;
But all too few to force my soul
Thy statues to decline.

158 Those bold transgressors I beheld,
And was with grief oppress'd,
To see with what audacious pride
Thy cov'nant they transgress'd.

159 Yet while thy slight, consider, Lord,
How I thy precepts love;
O therefore quicken me with beams
Of mercy from above.

160 As from the birth of time thy truth
Has held through ages past,
So shall thy righteous judgments firm,
To endless ages last.

Schin — Part XXI.

161 Though mighty tyrants without cause,
Conspire my blood to shed,
Thy sacred word has pow'r alone
To fill my heart with dread.

162 And yet that word my joyful breast
With heav'nly rapture warms:
Nor conquest, or the spoils of war,
Have such transporting charms.

163 Perfidious practices and ;ies
I utterly detest;
But to they laws affection bear
Too vast to be exprest.

164 Seven times a day with grateful voice,
Thy praises I resound,
Because I find thy judgments all
With truth and justice crown'd.

165 Secure substantial peace have they
Who truly love thy law;
No smiling mischief them can tempt,
Nor frowning danger awe.

166 My God I long, I hope, I wait
For thy salvation still;
While thy whole law is my delight,
And I obey thy will.

167 Thy testimonies I have kept,
And constantly obey'd;
Because the love I bore to them,
Thy service easy made.

168 From resignation to thy will
My soul wou'd not withdraw,
Convinc'd that all my thoughts and ways
Are subject to thy law.

Tau — Part XXII.

169 To my request and earnest cry
Attend, O gracious Lord;
Inspire my heart with heav'nly skill,
According to thy word.

170 Let my repeated pray'r at last
Before thy throne appear;
According to thy plighted word
For my relief draw near.

171 Then shall my grateful lips return
The tribute of their praise,
When thou thy counsels hast reveal'd,
And taught me thy just ways.

172 My tongue the praises of thy word
Shall thankfully resound,
Because thy promises are all
With truth and justice crown'd.

173 Let thy almighty arm appear,
And bring me timely aid;
For I the laws thou hast ordain'd,
My heart's free choice have made.

174 My soul has waited long to see
Thy saving grace restor'd:
Nor comfort knew, but what thy laws,
Thy heav'nly laws afford.

175 Prolong my life, that I may sing
My great restorer's praise,
Whose justice from the depths of woes
My fainting soul shall raise.

176 Like some lost sheep I've stray'd, till I
Despair my way to find:
Thou therefore, Lord, thy servant seek,
Who keeps thy laws in mind.

Text Information

• First Line: How bless'd are they who always keep
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1789
• Notes: Largely the work of Tate and Brady, with some selected verses from Isaac Watts

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