7 God will not suffer me to fall, But still prolongs my days; 8 When God had sorely me chastised, 9 Then open wide the temple gates 10 Within those gates of God's abode To which the righteous press, Since thou hast heard, and set me safe, 11 That which the builders once refused 12 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." 13 Him that approaches in God's name 14 God is the Lord, through whom we all 15 Thou art my Lord, O God, and still 16 O then with me give thanks to God, PSALM 97. From the cxix. Psalm of David. PART I. ALEPH. C. M But in the path which he directs 4 Thou strictly hast enjoin'd us, Lord, 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. 6 Then with assurance should I walk, Convinced, with joy, that all my ways 7 My upright heart shall my glad mouth When, by thy righteous judgements taught, I shall have learn'd thy will. 8 So to thy sacred laws shall I O then forsake me not, my God, PART II. BETH. C. M. 1 How shall the young preserve their ways From all pollution free? By making still their course of life 2 With hearty zeal for thee I seek, 2 Safe in my heart, and closely hid, 4 Secured by that, my grateful soul 5 My lips, unlock'd by pious zeal, How well the judgements of thy mouth Deserve our best regard. DOW bless'd are they who always keep 6 Whilst in the way of thy commands, The pure and perfect way; Who never from the sacred paths Of God's commandments stray 2 How bless'd, who to his righteous laws And have, with fervent, humble zeal, 3 Such men their utmost caution use More solid joy I found, Then had I been with vast increase Of envied riches crown'd. 7 Therefore thy just and upright laws Shall always fill my mind; And those sound rules which thou prescrib❜st, Entire respect shall find. 8 To keep thy statutes undefaced Shall be my constant joy; The strict remembrance of thy word PART III. GIMEL. C. M. 1 BE gracious to thy servant, Lord; My time to come may spend. 2 Enlighten both my eyes and mind, That so I may discern The wondrous things which they behold, Who thy just precepts learn. 3 My fainting soul is almost pined, With earnest longing spent, Of thy just will intent. 4 Thy sharp rebuke shall crush the proud, Presumptuously refuse. 5 But far from me, do thou, O Lord, Contempt and shame remove; For I thy sacred law affect With undissembled love. 6 For thy commands have always been By them I learn with prudent care PART IV. DALETH. C. M. 1 My soul, oppress'd with deadly care, 2 To thee I still declared my ways, 3 If thou wilt make me know thy laws, The wondrous works which thou hast done 4 But see, my soul within me sinks, 5 Far, far from me, be all false ways But kindly grant I still may keep 6 Thy faithful ways, thou God of truth, 7 My care has been to make my life O then preserve thy servant, Lord, 8 So in the way of thy commands And, with a heart enlarged with joy, PART V. HE. C. M. 1 INSTRUCT me in thy statutes, Lord, 2 If thou true wisdom from above 3 Direct me in the sacred ways 4 Do thou to thy most just commands Let no desire of worldly wealth From thee my thoughts divert. 5 From those vain objects turn mine eyes, 6 Confirm the promise of thy word, 7 The censure and reproach I fear, For all the judgements thou ordain'st, 8 Thou know'st how after thy commands My longing heart does pant; O then make haste to raise me up, PART VI. VAU. C. M. 1 THY constant blessing, Lord, bestow, 2 So shall I, whosoe'er upbraids, 3 Then let not quite the word of truth And constantly my time to come In their observance spend. 5 My soul shall gladly walk at large, From all oppression free, Since I resolved to make my life With thy commands agree. 6 My longing heart and ravish'd soul 7 Then will I to thy holy laws Lift up my willing hands; My care and business then shall be PART VII. ZAIN. C. M. 1 ACCORDING to thy promised grace, Thy favour, Lord, extend; Make good to me the word on which Thy servant's hopes depend. 2 That only comfort in distress Did all my griefs control; Thy word, when troubles hemm'd me round, Revived my fainting soul. 3 Thy judgements then of ancient date I quickly call'd to mind, Till, ravish'd with such thoughts, my soul Did speedy comfort find. 4 Thy name, that cheer'd my heart by day, I then resolved by thy just laws 5 That peace of mind, which has my soul In deep distress sustain❜d, By strict obedience to thy will I happily obtain❜d. PART VIII. CHETH. C. M. 1 O LORD, my God, my portion thou And sure possession art: Thy words I steadfastly resolve To treasure in my heart. 2 With all the strength of warm desire 3 With deep reflection and strict care 4 Prolonging not the time, my soul To watch, that I might never more 5 To such as fear thy holy Name To all who their obedient wills To thy commands resign. 6 O'er all the earth thy mercy, Lord, Abundantly is shed; O grant that I may truly learn PART IX. TETH. C. M. 1 WITH me, thy servant, thou hast dealt 2 Teach me the sacred skill by which 3 Before affliction stopp'd my course, 4 Thou art, O Lord, supremely good, On me, thy statutes to discern, 5 'Tis good for me that I have felt 6 The law that from thy mouth proceeds, Than richest mines, than thousand mines PART X. JOD. C. M. 1 To me, who am the workmanship The heavenly understanding give, 2 My preservation to thy saints 3 That right thy judgements are, I now And that in faithfulness, O Lord, 4 O let thy tender mercy now 5 To me thy saving grace restore, 6 In thy blest statutes let my heart That guilt and shame, the sinner's lot, May never me confound. PART XI. CAPH. C. M. 1 My soul with long expectance faints 2 My very eyes consume and fail With waiting for thy word; O when wilt thou thy kind relief 3 Thy wonted kindness, Lord, restore, 1 FOR ever and for ever, Lord, Unchanged thou dost remain; Thy word, establish'd in the heav'ns, Does all their orbs sustain. 2 Through circling ages, Lord, thy truth Immoveable shall stand, For thou by them hast to new life Restored my dying heart. 6 I've seen an end of what we call But thy commandments, like thyself, PART XIII. MEM. C. M. 2 My feet with care I have refrain'd That to thy sacred word I might 3 I have not from thy judgements stray'd, By vain desires misled; For, Lord, thou hast instructed me 4 How sweet are all thy words to me! How much more grateful to my soul 5 Taught by thy sacred precepts, I Through which the treach'rous ways of sin I utterly detest. PART XIV. NUN. C. M. 1 THY word is to my feet a lamp, A watch-light, to point out the path 2 I've vow'd, and from my covenant, Lord, Will never start aside, That in thy righteous judgements I 3 Let still my sacrifice of praise And in thy righteous judgements, Lord, 4 Thy testimonies I have made My heritage and choice; For they, when other comforts fail, My drooping heart rejoice. 5 My heart with early zeal began And, till my course of life is done, PART XV. SAMECH. C. M. But to thy law affection bear 2 My hiding-place, my refuge-tower, 3 Away from me, ye wicked men, For firmly I resolve to keep 4 According to thy gracious word, Nor make me of those hopes ashamed, That I repose on thee. PART XVI. AIN. C. M. 1 MINE eyes, alas! begin to fail, 2 To me, thy servant in distress, 3 On me, devoted to thy fear, That of thy testimonies I The full extent may know. 4 Thy laws and precepts I account In all respects divine; They teach me to discern the right, And all false ways decline. PART XVII. PE. C. M. 1 THE wonders which thy laws contain No words can represent; Therefore to learn and practise them My zealous heart is bent. 2 The very entrance to thy word And knowledge of true happiness 3 With eager hopes I waiting stood, That of thy wise commands I might 4 With favour, Lord, look down on me, Who thy relief implore; As thou art wont to visit those 5 Directed by thy heavenly word 6 On me, devoted to thy fear, Lord, make thy face to shine: Thy statutes both to know and keep My heart with zeal incline. PART XVIII. TSADDI. C. M. 1 THOU art the righteous Judge, in whom 2 Most just and true those statutes were 3 Lord, each neglected word of thine, Is pure, and for eternal truth By me, thy servant, prized. 4 Thy righteousness shall then endure When time itself is past; Thy law is truth itself, that truth Which shall for ever last. 5 Though trouble, anguish, doubts, and dread, To compass me unite; Beset with danger, still I make Thy precepts my delight. 6 Eternal and unerring rules Thy testimonies give : Teach me the wisdom that will make My soul for ever live. PART XIX. KOPH. C. M. 1 WITH my whole heart to God I call'd— Will all my care apply. 2 Again more fervently I pray'd— And steadfastly obey. 3 My earlier prayer the dawning day To him upon whose faithful word 4 Lord, hear my supplicating voice, O quicken me, and so approve 5 Concerning thy divine commands That they were true, and shall their truth To endless ages hold. PART XX. RESCH. C. M. 1 CONSIDER my affliction, Lord, 2 Defend my cause, and me to save With beams of mercy quicken me, 3 From harden'd sinners thou remov'st "Tis just thou should'st withdraw from them Who from thy statutes stray. 4 Since great thy tender mercies are 5 Consider, O my gracious God, O therefore quicken me with beams 6 As from the birth of time thy truth So shall thy righteous judgements firm |