2 Thy precepts often I survey;
I keep thy laws in sight,
Thro' all the bus'ness of the day
To form my actions right.

3 My heart in midnight silence cries,
"How sweet thy comforts be!"
My thoughts in holy wonder rise,
And bring their thanks to thee.
4 And when my spirit drinks her fill,
At some good word of thine;
Not mighty men, that share the spoil,
Have joys compar'd to mine.

PSALM 119. Seventh Part. C. M.

Imperfection of nature, and perfection of scripture.
ET all the heathen writers join,

To form one perfect book;

Great God! if once compar'd with thine,
How mean their writings look!

2 Not the most perfect rules they gave,
Could show one sin forgiv'n;
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heav'n.

3 I've seen an end of what we call
Perfection here below:

How short the pow'rs of nature fall!
And can no further go.

4 Yet men would fain be just with God,
By works their hands have wrought;
But thy commands, exceeding broad,
Extend to ev'ry thought.

5 In vain we boast perfection here,
While sin defiles our frame;

And sinks our virtues down so far,
They scarce deserve the name

1

6 Our faith and love, and ev'ry grace,
Fall far below thy word;

But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.

PSALM 119. Eighth Part. C. M.
The excellency and variety of scripture.

LORD, I have made thy word
My lasting heritage;

my choice,

There shall my noblest pow'rs rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the hist'ries of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight;
While thro' thy promises I rove,
With ever fresh delight.

3 'Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise;
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have;
It makes our sorrows blest;
Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

PSALM 119. Ninth Part. C. M.
Seeking Divine instruction.

1 THY mercies fill the earth, O Lord,

TH

How good thy works appear! Open mine eyes to read thy word, And see thy wonders there.

2 My heart was fashion'd by thy hand,
My service is thy due:

O make thy servant understand
The duties he must do!

3 Since I'm a stranger here below,
Let not thy path be hid;

But mark the road my feet should
And be my constant guide.

go,

4 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.

5 If God to me his statutes show,
And heav'nly truth impart;
His work for ever I'll pursue,
His law shall rule my heart.

6 This was my comfort when I bore
Variety of grief;

It made me learn thy word the more,
And fly to that relief.

7 In vain the proud deride me now;
I'll ne'er forget thy law,
Nor let that blessed gospel go,
Whence all my hopes I draw.

8 When I have learn'd my Father's will,
I'll teach the world his ways;
My thankful lips, inspir'd with zeal,
Shall loud pronounce his praise.

1

PSALM 119. Tenth Part. C. M.
Pleading the promises.

BEH

EHOLD thy waiting servant, Lord,
Devoted to thy fear;

Remember and confirm thy word:
For all my hopes are there.

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

3 Mine eyes for thy salvation fail;

O bear thy servant up!

Nor let the scoffing lips prevail,
Which dare reproach my hope.

4 Did'st thou not raise my faith, O Lord!
Then let thy truth appear:
Saints shall rejoice in my reward,
And trust as well as fear.

1

PSALM 119. Eleventh Part. C. M.
Breathing after holiness.

THAT the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!

O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!

2 O send thy spirit down, to write
Thy law upon my heart!

Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.

3 From vanity turn off my eyes;
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires arise,
Within this soul of mine.

4 Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere:
Let sin have no dominion, Lord;
But keep my conscience clear.

5 My soul hath gone too far astray,
My feet too often slip;

Yet since I've not forgot thy way,
Restore thy wand'ring sheep.

6 Make me to walk in thy commands,
Tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands,
Offend against my God.

1

PSALM 119. Twelfth Part. C. M.
Seeking comfort and deliverance.

Y

ΜΥ

My God, consider my distress,
Let mercy plead my cause:
Tho' I have sinn'd against thy grace,
I can't forget thy laws.

2 Forbid, forbid the sharp reproach,
Which I so justly fear:
Uphold my life, uphold my hopes,
Nor let my shame appear.

3 Be thou a surety, Lord, for me,
Nor let the proud oppress;
But make thy waiting servant see
The shinings of thy face.

4 Mine eyes with expectation fail:
My heart within me cries,
"When will the Lord his truth fulfil,
"And make my comforts rise?"

5 Look down upon my sorrows, Lord,
And show thy grace the same;

1

As thou art ever wont t' afford
To those, that love thy name.

PSALM 119. Thirteenth Part. C. M.
Holy fear and tenderness of conscience.

W

[face:

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

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

3 I'm a companion of the saints,
Who fear and love the Lord;