PSALM 119.-4th Part. C. M. [b]
Instruction from scripture.
Ver. 9.

shall the

1HOW young secure their hearts,

And guard their lives from sin
Thy word the choicest rules imparts
To keep the conscience clean.
Ver. 130.

When once it enters to the mind,
It spreads such light abroad,
The meanest souls instruction find,
And raise their thoughts to God.
Ver. 105.

S 'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light,
That guides us all the day;
And through the dangers of the night
A lamp to lead our way.

Ver. 99, 100.

The men that keep thy law with care,
And meditate thy word,

Grow wiser than their teachers are
And better know the Lord.

Ver. 104, 113.

5 Thy precepts make me truly wise;
I hate the sinner's road:

I hate my own vain thoughts that rise,›
But love thy law, my God.
Ver. 89, 90, 91.

6 [The starry heavens thy rule obey,
The earth maintains her place;
And these thy servants night and day
Thy skill and power express.

7 But still thy law and gospel, Lord,
Have lessons more divine;

Not earth stands firmer than thy word,
Nor stars so nobly shine.]
Ver, 160, 140, 9, 116.

8 Thy word is everlasting truth,
How pure is every page!

That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.

PSALM 119.-5th Part. C. M. [*] Delight in scripture; or, the word of God dwelling in us.

Ver. 97.

10Tis daily my delight:

HOW I love thy holy law!

And thence my meditations draw
Divine advice by night.

Ver. 148.

2 My waking eyes prevent the day,
To meditate thy word:
My soul with longing melts away
To hear thy gospel, Lord.
Ver. 3, 13, 54.

3 How doth thy word my heart engage
How well employ my tongue!
And in my tiresome pilgrimage,
Yields me a heavenly song.
Ver. 19, 103.

4 Am I a stranger, or at home,
"Tis my perpetual feast;
Not honey dropping from the comb
So much allures the taste.
Ver. 72, 127.

5 No treasures so enrich the mind
Nor shall thy word be sold
For loads of silver well refin'd,
Nor Leaps of choicest gold.

Ver. 28, 49, 175.

6 When nature sinks, and spirits droop, Thy promises of grace

Are pillars to support my hope,
And there I write thy praise.

PSALM 119.- 6th Part. C. M. [*]
Holiness and comfort from the word.
Ver. 128.

1

'L

ORD, I esteem thy judgments right,
And all thy statutes just;

Thence I maintain a constant fight
With every flattering lust.

Ver. 97, 9.

2 Thy precepts often I survey,
I keep thy law in sight,
Through all the business of the day,
To form my actions right.

Ver. 62.

3 My heart in midnight silence cries,
"How sweet thy comforts be!"
My thoughts in holy wonder rise,
And bring their thanks to thee.
Ver. 162.

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.-7th Part. C. M.

[*]

Imperfection of nature, and perfection of scrip

ture.

Ver. 96 paraphrased.

LET 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 shew one sin forgiven,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heaven.

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

How short the powers of nature fall,
And can no farther go!

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

6 Our faith and love, and every grace,
Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness,
Dwell only with the Lord.

PSALM 119.-8th Part. C. M. [*]
The word of God is the saint's portion; or, the
excellency and variety of scripture.
Ver. 111 paraphrased.

1 LORD, I have made thy word my choice,

lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight,

While through the 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.-9th Part. C. M. [*] Desire of knowledge; or, the teachings of the Spirit with the word.

1

Ver. 64, 68, 18.

HY mercies fill the earth, O Lord,
How good thy works appear!

Open mine eyes to read thy word,
And see thy wonders there.

Ver. 73, 125.

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

O make thy servant understand
The duties he must do.

Verse 19.

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

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

Ver. 26.

4 When I confess'd my wandering ways,
Thou heardst my soul complain;
Grant me the teachings of thy grace,
Or I shall stray again.