p 4 Sweet thy word, 't is sweet repast, Sweet, like honey to my taste;
Through thy word I knowledge gain,
And from evil ways refrain.
XXII VER.—78. (v. 105–112.) Lincoln. Pleyel's H.
God's Word a Lamp.
1 TO my paths thy word's a light, To my feet a lamp most bright; Lord, my vows I will observe, Nor from truth and duty swerve. Aff 2 Bow'd by many sorrows, Lord, Quicken me by thy good word! Take the off'rings, which I pay, Make me thy just laws obey,
3 Though wild danger waits around,
In thy law my feet are found;
Sinners lay their snares for me,-
By thy precepts I am free!
4 In thy word do I rejoice,-
My good heritage and choice;
Thee I serv'd in times now past,
Nor will swerve, while time shall last!
XXIII VER. 78. (v. 113–120.) Lincoln. Turin.
Support from the Word.
1 TO vain thoughts my heart is steel'd,
While I love thy statutes, Lord;
Thou my hiding place and shield,
Firm I trust thy faithful word!
2 Evil doers! go from me,
I'll not in your footsteps tread,
But God's law keep constantly,
So shall God lift up my head!
aff 3 Hold me by thy mighty hand,
Let not my bright hopes betray;
Make me love thy just command,
On thy mercies let me stay!
4 Foes Thou treadest under foot, For thy judgments they deride; While they perish, branch and root, mp Lord, in Thee will I confide.
XXIV VERSION.-7s. (v. 121-128.) Lincoln. Turin.
aff 1 JUSTLY have I walk'd O Lord,
Leave me not to vengeful sword;
Be Thou surety for my soul,
And oppressing pow'r control.
2 For thy love my eyes, Lord, fail,
When shall I salvation hail?
In thy mercy deal with me,
Let me thy right statutes see.
3 I'm thy servant ; let me know
In what path my steps should go:
Lord, 'tis time for Thee t'arise,
For thy word do men despise.
4 I do thy commandments love,
More than gold, which fires approve ;
I thy precepts have deem'd right,
Hating what offends thy sight.
XXV VERSION.-78. (v. 129-136.) Wilmot. Wilson.
Love to God's Word.
1 LORD, thy judgments true and deep,
My glad soul doth love and keep;
Thy good word brings heav'nly light,
On dark minds outbeaming bright!
2 As, in desert, trav'ller thirsts,
So for Thee my heart now bursts;
Look on me, thy mercy show,
As to those, thy love that know.
3 Let thy statutes be my guide,
Let no sin turn me aside;
From oppression save me, Lord,
Grateful thus I'll keep thy word.
4 On me let thy face outshine,
Teach me thy good law divine;
Rivers, Lord, run down mine eyes,
For thy precepts men despise.
XXVI VER.-73. (137-144.) Prentiss. Nuremburg.
God's Word a Support.
1 JUSTICE, Lord, dwells in thy sight,
All thy judgments are upright;
Faithful is thy word and true,
Men thy righteousness may view.
2 In my heart my zeal hath burned,
For my foes from Thee have turned:
Pure thy word, like gold refined,
And I store it in my mind.
3 While contempt and shame I prove,
I the more thy precepts love;
Thy good law shall e'er endure,
For 'tis truth, unmix'd and pure.
4 Though dark woes o'ercloud my light,
Yet thy laws are my delight;
Ne'er thy testimony dies,
I shall live, by Thee made wise!
XXVII VER.-78. (v. 145-152.) Waterbury. Turin.
Prayer and Confidence in God.
aff 1 WITH full heart to Thee I pray, Hear me, Lord, I'll keep thy way; Earnestly to Thee I cried,
Save me, lest my footsteps slide.
2 Ere the dawn of light I prayed,
On thy word my hope I stayed;
I night-watch anticipate,
On thy word I meditate.
3 Hear my voice, in mercy hear,
Bring thy quick'ning judgments near,
For mine enemies are nigh,-
Men, who thy just threats defy.
4 Thou art nearer still, O Lord, True and faithful is thy word: Long thy counsels have I known, mf They shall never be o'erthrown!
XXVIII VER.-78. (v. 153-160.) Prentiss. Nuremb.
Dependence on God's Word.
Aff 1 SEE me, pierc'd with sorrow's dart,
Yet from Thee I'll not depart ;
Plead my cause, deliv'rance give,
Make me by thy word alive.
2 From thy foes salvation's far,
They with thy good statutes war ;
Lord, thy wondrous love is great,
Let no fears my hopes abate.
3 Num'rous enemies combine,
Yet from Thee I'll not decline;
Sinners I with grief beheld,
Who against thy word rebell'd.
Aff 4 See, how much thy law I love,
Shed on me light from above;
Ever are thy records true,
Judgments past the future shew.
XXIX VER.-79. (v.161-168.) Prentiss. Nuremburg.
Love to God's Law.
1 PERSECUTORS wake my fears,
Yet thy word my heart reveres ;
In the word I find delight,
As one finds the treasures bright!
2 Perfidy and lies I hate,
In thy truth my joys are great ;—
Oft each day I praise thy name,
And thy judgments, Lord, proclaim.
3 They have peace, who love thy law,
Naught their souls from Thee shall draw;
In thy mercy I confide,
Nor will go from Thee aside.
4 Thy good precepts have I loved,
And my love by works have proved;
Thy commandments I've obey'd,
Thou my ways, Lord, hast surveyed. ALLEN.
IXI VER.-78. (v. 169-176.) Wilmot. Wilson.
Joy in the Word.
Aff 1 LET my cry to Thee come near,
Give me wisdom from thy word;
My loud supplication hear,
Save me by thy promise, Lord!
- 2 Thee my lips shall joyful praise,
When thy laws shine on me bright:
Grateful song my tongue shall raise,
For thy laws are just and right!
- 3 Save me by thy hand most strong,
I have made thy word my choice;
For thy mercy, Lord, I long,
Greatly in thy word rejoice!
4 Kept by Thee, I'll praise and pray,
Me thy judgments shall uphold:
Like a sheep I've gone astray,
Shepherd bring me to thy fold!
XXXI VERSION.-68. Chaplin. Alps.
Excellence of God's Word.
p 1 HOW sweet I find thy word,
Delicious ev'ry hour!
Sweeter, than honey stored,-
Sipp'd from the fragrant flower,-
In wondrous bee-form'd cell,
In which the builders dwell!
f 20 what celestial light
Thy word doth shed on me?
Resplendent, and most bright
Its beams are pour'd out free!
Each dark and frightful shape
Doth quickly make escape!
3 Pour light upon my mind,
Let me thy glory see!
Give me pure joys refined,
The joys, that spring from Thee!
Let me sweet truth e'er love,
And dwell in light above!
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