He blessed is who neither loosely treads The straying steps as wicked counsel leads,
Nor for bad mates in way of sinners waiteth, Nor yet himself with idle scorners seateth,
But on God's law his whole delight doth bind, Which night and day he keeps within his mind. He shall be like a freshly planted tree, To which sweet springs of water neighbors be; Whose branches fail not timely fruit to nourish, Nor withered leaf shall make it fail to flourish. So all the things whereto that man doth bend Shall prosper still with him unto the end.
Such blessings shall not wicked wretches see, But like wild chaff with wind shall scattered be; For neither shall the men in sin delighted Subsist when they to highest doom are cited, Nor yet shall suffered be a place to take Where goodly men do their assembly make. For God doth know, and, knowing, doth approve The trade of them that just proceedings love; But they that sin in sinful breast do cherish, The way they go shall be the way to perish.
Great God of righteousness and love, Who oft hast heard my prayer, Again my heart would soar above; Receive the suppliant there.
I know the Lord hath set apart The soul that loves Him well; O may He guide my wandering heart In holy love to dwell.
O stand in awe before His face, And break His laws no more; Communing with your heart at night, Be still, and God adore.
Let righteousness like incense rise To Him all pure and just; He will accept this sacrifice, Then in His mercy trust.
For those who grope in darkest night, And, doubting, ask for good, O Lord! may Thy celestial light Be in their souls renewed.
Thou art my life, my light, my joy; Thy mercies never cease; Beneath Thine ever-waking eye,
I'll rest and sleep in peace.
Lord, how long, how long wilt Thou Quite forget and quite neglect me? How long, with a frowning brow, Wilt thou from Thy sight reject me?
How long shall I seek a way
From this maze of thoughts perplexed, Where my grieved mind, night and day, Is with thinking tired and vexed? How long shall my scornful foe, On my fall his greatness placing, Build upon my overthrow,
And be graced by my disgracing?
Hear, O Lord and God, my cries! Mark my foes' unjust abusing; And illuminate mine eyes,
Heavenly beams in them infusing— Lest my woes, too great to bear,
And too infinite to number, Rock me soon, 'twixt hope and fear, Into death's eternal slumber.
Lest my foes their boasting make:
"Spite of right, on him we trample"; And a pride in mischief take,
Hastened by my sad example.
As for me, I'll ride secure
At Thy mercy's sacred anchor; And, undaunted, will endure
Fiercest storms of wrong and rancor.
These black clouds will overblow- Sunshine shall have his returning; And my grief-dulled heart, I know, Into mirth shall change its mourning. Therefore I'll rejoice and sing Hymns to God in sacred measure, Who to happy pass will bring
My just hopes at His good pleasure.
The Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd's care; His presence shall my wants supply, And guard me with a watchful eye; My noonday walks He shall attend, And all my midnight hours defend.
When in the sultry glebe I faint, Or on the thirsty mountain pant, To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary, wandering steps He leads Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow, Amid the verdant landscape flow,
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