The Psalms of David ‎#XXVI

XXVI. Judge thou my Cause, O GOD!

1 Judge thou my Cause, O GOD!
For I have ever trod
The Paths that righteous are and just;
I shall not be disgraced,
Since I have always placed,
In thee alone my Hope and Trust

2 Search, prove each inward Part;
Examine thou my Heart
Which lies uncover'd to thy View:
From Sin I have refrained,
My Righteousness retained,
And will the Ways of Truth pursue.

3 For still I keep thy Grace,
O LORD, before my Face,
And in thy Mercy take Delight;
Thy Truth is my Direction,
To bring me to Perfection,
And keep me in the Path that's right.

4 The Idle or Profane,
Could ne'er my Friendship gain;
For in their Deeds I take not Part:
Nor could the sly Deceiver,
With all his Treach'ry, ever
Win to his Ways my faithful Heart.

5 I hat the busy Crew,
Who Mischief still pursue,
And ever make distracted Times;
Their Ways I ne'er approved,
Their Converse never loved,
But shun them as I shun their Crimes.

Part II

6 My Hands in Innocence,
I'll wash from all Offence;
Make thou, Oh GOD, my Heart so pure,
That to thy Altar going,
No Spot or Blemish shewing,
My Welcome may be found secure.

7 My Thanks I'll publish there,
And to the World declare,
Thy vast Renown and mighty Fame;
My Heart with Rapture glowing,
My Tongue for ever shwoing,
The Honours due to thy great Name.

8 Thy Sanctuaries, LORD,
To my Delight afford,
My Soul in Peace reposing there;
'Tis there thou most excelleth;
'Tis ther thine Honour dwelleth;
And thither I with Joy repari.

9 Let not the Sinners Doom,
On me, thy Servant, come;
Nor leave my Soul to be confin'd,
With those, who Blood enjoying,
The Harmless are destroying;
To Blood and Murder still inclin'd.

10 Urg'd by a wicked spite,
They seize another's Right,
And make Oppression thus their Trade;
They secret Bribes are taking,
Their Oaths in private breaking,
Or else by open Force invade.

11 But my Delight shall be,
To walk in Falshood free;
The Paths of Truth I will pursue:
Then by thy Grace direct me,
In virtuous Ways protect me;
Thy former Mercies, LORD, renew!

12 My Foes assail in vain,
I still my Ground maintain;
Tho' arm'd with Rage they stand around:
Among the Congregation
Of Saints, I'll fix my Station,
Thy Praises ever to resound.

Text Information

• First Line: Judge thou my Cause, O GOD!
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 26
• Topic: Prayers: When percecuted

Tune Information

• Name: [Judge thou my cause, O God]
• Key: a minor