PSALM 118. PRAISE the Lord, for he is good, his mercies ne'er decay; That his kind favours ever last, let thankful Israel say. 3, 4 Their sense of his eternal love that fear the Lord confess. 5 To God I made my humble moan, 6 Since therefore God does on my side so graciously appear, Why should the vain attempts of men possess my soul with fear? 7 Since God with those that aid my cause vouchsafes my part to take, To all my foes I need not doubt. a just return to make. 8, 9 For better 'tis to trust in God, and have the Lord our friend, Than on the greatest human power for safety to depend. 10, 11 Though many nations, closely leagued, did oft beset me round; Yet, by his boundless power sustain'd, [rage 12 They swarm'd like bees, and yet their was but a short-lived blaze; For whilst on God I still rely'd, I vanquish'd them with ease. 18 When all united press'd me hard, in hopes to make me fall, The Lord vouchsafed to take my part, and save me from them all. 14 The honour of my strange escape to him alone belongs; He is my Saviour and my strength, he only claims my songs. 15 Joy fills the dwelling of the just, whom God has saved from harm; For wondrous things are brought to pass by his Almighty arm. 18 He, by his own resistless power, has endless honour won; The saving strength of his right hand amazing works has done. 17 God will not suffer me to fall, but still prolongs my days; That, by declaring all his works, I may advance his praise. 18 When God had sorely me chastised till quite of hopes bereaved, His mercy from the gates of death my fainting life reprieved. 19 Then open wide the temple-gates, to which the just repair, That I may enter in, and praise my great Deliverer there. 20, 21 Within those gates of God's abode, to which the righteous press, Since thou hast heard, and set me safe, thy holy name I'll bless. 22, 23 That which the builders once reis now the corner stone; [fused, This is the wondrous work of God, the work of God alone. 24, 25 This day is God's; let all the land exalt their cheerful voice; Lord, we beseech thee, save us now, and make us still rejoice. 26 Him that approaches in God's name, let all the assembly bless; "We that belong to God's own house "have wish'd you good success." 27 God is the Lord, thro' whom we all both light and comfort find; Fast to the altar's horn, with cords, the chosen victim bind. 28 Thou art my Lord, O God, and still I'll praise thy holy name; Because thou only art my God, I'll celebrate thy fame. 29 O then with me give thanks to God, who still does gracious prove; And let the tribute of our praise be endless as his love. How PSALM 119. ALEPH. TOW bless'd are they, who always keep the pure and perfect way! Who never from the sacred paths of God's commandments stray! 2 How bless'd, who to his righteous law have still obedient been! And have with fervent humble zeal his favour sought to win! 3 Such men their utmost caution use to shun each wicked deed; But 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 0 then that thy most holy will might o'er my ways preside, And I the course of all my life by thy direction guide! 1 their ways 9 How shall the young preserve 12 Secured by that, my grateful soul 13 My lips,unlock'd by pious zeal, to others have declared How well the judgments of thy mouth deserve our best regard. 14 Whilst in the way of thy commands nore solid joy I found, Than had I been with vast increase of envy'd riches crown'd. 15 Therefore thy just and upright laws shall always fill my mind; [scrib'st, And those sound rules, which thou preall due respect shall find. 16 To keep thy statutes undefaced shall be my constant joy, The strict remembrance of thy word shall all my thoughts employ. GIMEL. 17 Be gracious to thy servant, Lord, do thou my life defend, That I, according to thy word, my future time may spend. 18 Enlighten both my eyes and mind, that so I may discern The wondrous works which they behold, who thy just precepts learn. 19 Though, like a stranger in the land, from place to place I stray, Thy righteous judgments from my sight remove not thou away. 20 My fainting soul is almost pined, with earnest longing spent, Whilst always on the eager search of thy just will intent. 21 Thy sharp rebuke shall crush the proud, whom still thy curse pursues; Hh Since they to walk in thy right ways presumptuously refuse. 22 But far from me do thou, O Lord contempt and shame remove; For I thy sacred laws affect with undissembled love. 28 Though princes oft, in council met, against thy servant spake; Yet I thy statutes to observe my constant business make. 24 For thy commands have always been my comfort and delight; By them I learn, with prudent care to guide my steps aright. DALETH. 25 My soul, oppress'd with deadly core, close to the dust does cleave; Revive me, Lord, and let me now thy promised aid receive. 26 To thee I still declared my ways, and thou inclin'st thine ear; O teach me then my future life by thy just laws to steer. 27 If thou wilt make me know thy laws, and by their guidance walk, The wondrous works which thou hast done shall be my constant talk. 28 But see, my soul within me sinks 30 Thy faithful ways, thou God of truth, 31 My care has been to make my life from shame and ruin free. HE. $3 Instruct me in thy statutes, Lord, thy righteous paths display; And I from them, through 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 power and strength to keep thy righteous ways. $8 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 promised succour grant. VAU. 41 Thy constant blessing, Lord, bestow, 42 So shall I, when my foes upbraid, 43 Then let not quite the word of truth 45 Ere long I trust to walk at large, 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 loved commandments I my happy hours employ. 48 Then will I to thy just decrees lift up my willing hands; My care and business then shall be to study thy commands. Till, ravish'd with such thoughts, my soul did' speedy comfort find. 53 Sometimes I stand amazed, like on with deadly borror struck, To think how all my sinful foes have thy just laws forsook. 54 But I thy statutes and decrees my cheerful anthems made, Whilst through strange lands and desert I like a pilgrim stray'd. [wild's 55 Thy name, that cheer'd my heart by day, has fill'd my thoughts by night: I then resolved 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 to thy will CHETH. 57 O Lord, my God, my portion thơu and sure possession art; Thy words I steadfastly resolve to treasure in my heart. 58 With all the strength of warm desire I did thy grace implore; Disclose, according to thy word, thy mercy's boundless store. 59 With due reflection and strict care on all my ways I thought; And so, reclaim'd to thy just paths, my wandering steps I brought. 60 I lost no time, but made great baste, resolved, without delay, To watch, that I might never more 62 In dead of night I will arise To all who their obedient wills to thy commmands resign. 64 O'er all the earth thy mercy, Lord, abundantly is shed; O make me then exactly learn thy sacred paths to tread. TETH. 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 have steadfastly remain'd. 67 Before affliction stopp'd my course, 68 Thou art, O Lord, supremely good, 69 The proud have forged malicious lies, my spotless fame to stain; But my fix'd heart, without reserve, thy precepts sha. retain. Yet no affliction he 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, 70 While pamper'd, they, with prosper-But such as are averse to thee, [ous.ills, in sensual pleasures live, My soul can relish no delight, but what thy precepts give. 71 "Tis good for me that I have felt affliction's chastening rod, That I may duly learn and keep the statutes of my God. 72 The law that from thy mouth proceeds, of more esteem I hold Than untouch'd mines, than thousand 73 To me, who am the workmanship 75 That right thy judgments are, I now by sure experience see; And that in faithfulness, O Lord, thou hast afflicted me. 76 O let thy tender mercy now 77 To me thy saving grace restore, 78 Defeat the proud, who, unprovoked, 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 blest statutes let my heart continue always sound; That guilt and shame, the sinner's lot, may never me confound. САРН. 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 promised aid afford? 83 My skin like shrivell'd parchment shows, that long in smoke is set and thy just laws oppose. 86 With sacred truth's eternal laws 88 Thy wonted kindness, Lord, restore. my life's whole course may steer. 89 For ever and for ever, Lord, 90 Thro' circling ages, Lord, thy truth immoveable shall stand, 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 expired in dark affliction's night. 93 Thy precepts, therefore, from my thoughts shall never, Lord, depart; For thou by them hast to new life restored 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. But thy commandments,like thyself, 97 The love that to thy laws I bear 98 Through thy commands I wiser grow than all my subtile foes, For thy sure word doth me direct, and all my ways disuose. 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 swear, and from my solemn oath will never start aside, That in thy righteous judgments I will steadfastly abide. 107 Since I with griefs am so opprest, 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 righteous judgments, Lord, instruct my willing mind. 109 Tho' ghastly dangers me surround, my soul they cannot awe, Nor with continual terrors keep from thinking on thy law. 110 My wicked and inveterate 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. 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, and shield art thou, O Lord; I firmly anchor all my hopes on thy unerring word. 115 llence, 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 ashamed, 117 Uphold me, so shall I be safe, 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 The wicked from thy holy land thou dost like dross remove; I therefore, with such justice charm'd, thy testimonies love. 120 Yet with that love they make me dread, lest I should so offend, When on transgressors Í behold thy judgments thus descend. AIN. 121 Judgment and justice I have loved; 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, 1 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 but makes their value rise In my esteem, who purest gold, They teach me to discern the right, |