68
NEW
135 On me, devoted to thy fear, Thy statutes both to know and keep 136 My eyes to weeping fountains turn, To see mankind against thy laws
VERSION OF
TSADDI.
137 Thou art the righteous Judge, in whom wrong'd innocence may trust; And, like thyself, thy judgments, Lord, in all respects are just. 138 Most just and true those statutes were, which thou didst first decree; And all with faithfulness perform'd succeeding times shall see. my soul with anguish frets, thy promises and threats. ( howe'er by them despis'd) by me, thy servant, priz'd. contempt from all I find; thy precepts from my mind. when time itself is past; which shall for ever last.
139 With zeal my flesh consumes away, To see my foes contemn at once
140 Yet each neglected word of thine Is pure, and for eternal truth
141 Brought, for thy sake, to low estate, Yet no affronts or wrongs can drive
142 Thy righteousness shall then endure, Thy law is truth itself, that truth
143 Tho' trouble, anguish, doubts, and dread, Beset with danger, still I make
144 Eternal and unerring rules
Teach me the wisdom that will make
147 My earlier pray'r the dawning day
To him, on whose engaging word 148 With zeal have I awak'd before That I of thy mysterious word
Lord, make thy face to shine; my heart with zeal incline. whence briny rivers flow, in bold defiance go.
KOPH.
145 With my whole heart to God I call'd, And I thy statutes to perform 146 Again more fervently I pray'd, Thy testimonies throughly know,
153 Consider my affliction, Lord, Think on thy servant in distress,
154 Plead thou my cause; to that and me With beams of mercy quicken me
149 Lord, hear my supplicating voice, O quicken me, and so approve 150 My persecuting foes advance, What treatment can I hope from them 151 Tho' they draw nigh, my comfort is, Thou, whose commands are righteous all, 152 Concerning thy divine decrees That they were true, and shall their truth
RESCH.
159 Yet while they slight, consider, Lord, O therefore quicken me with beams 160 As from the birth of time thy truth So shall thy righteous judgments firm
to compass me unite;
thy precepts my delight. thy testimonies give; my soul for ever live.
155 From harden'd sinners thou remov'st " Tis just thou should'st withdraw from them 156 Since great thy tender mercies are According to thy judgments, Lord, 157 A num'rous host of spiteful foes But all too few to force my soul 158 Those bold transgressors I beheld, To see with what audacious pride
163 Perfidious practices and lies But to thy laws affection bear,
Lord, hear my earnest cry; will all my care apply. O save me, that I may and steadfastly obey. prevented, while I cried my hope alone relied. the midnight watch was set, might perfect knowledge get. and wonted favour shew; thy judgments ever true. and hourly nearer draw; who violate thy law? thou, Lord, art yet more near; thy promises sincere. my soul has known of old, to endless ages hold.
and me from bondage draw; who ne'er forgets thy law. thy timely aid afford; according to thy word. salvation far away;
SCHIN.
161 Though mighty tyrants, without cause, Thy sacred word has pow'r alone 162 And yet that word my joyful breast Nor conquest, nor the spoils of war,
who from thy statutes stray. to all who thee adore; my fainting hopes restore. against my life combine; thy statutes to decline. and was with grief oppress'd, thy cov'nant they transgress'd. how I thy precepts love; of mercy from above. has held through ages past, to endless ages last.
conspire my blood to shed, to fill my heart with dread. with heav'nly rapture warms; have such transporting charms. I utterly detest; too vast to be exprest.