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

But thy commandments, like thyself,
No change or period know.

PART XIII. MEM. C. M.

1 THE love that to thy laws I bear
No language can display;

They with fresh wonders entertain
My raptured thoughts all day.

2 My feet with care I have refrain'd
From every sinful way,

That to thy sacred word I might
Entire obedience pay.

3 I have not from thy judgments stray'd
By vain desires misled;
For, LORD, thou hast instructed me
Thy righteous paths to tread.

4 How sweet are all thy words to me!
O what divine repast!

How much more grateful to my soul
Than honey to my taste!

5 Taught by thy sacred precepts, I
With heav'nly skill am blest;

Through which the treach'rous ways of sin
I utterly detest.

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1 THY word is to my feet a lamp,
The way of truth to show:

A watch-light, to point out the path
In which I ought to go.

2 I've vow'd, and from my cov❜nant, LORD,
Will never start aside,
That in thy righteous judgments I
Will steadfastly abide.

3 Let still my sacrifice of praise

With thee acceptance find;

And in thy righteous judgments, LORD,
Instruct my willing mind.

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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
Thy statutes to obey,

And, till my course of life is done,
Shall keep thine upright way.

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I utterly detest;

But to thy law affection bear
Too great to be express'd.

2 My hiding-place, my refuge-tower,
And shield art thou, O LORD;
I firmly anchor all my hopes
On thy unerring word.

3 Away from me, ye wicked men,
Approach not my abode;
For firmly I resolve to keep
The precepts of my GoD.

4 According to thy gracious word,
From danger set me free;

Nor make me of those hopes ashamed, That I repose on thee.

PART XVI. AIN. C. M.

1 MINE eyes, alas! begin to fail,
In long expectance held;
Till thy salvation they behold
And righteous word fulfill'd.

2 To me, thy servant in distress,
Thy wonted grace display,
And discipline my willing heart
Thy statutes to obey.

3 On me, devoted to thy fear,
Thy sacred skill bestow,
That of thy testimonies I
The full extent may know.

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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
Celestial light displays,

And knowledge of true happiness
To simplest minds conveys.

3 With eager hopes I waiting stood,
And fainting with desire,

That of thy wise commands I might
The sacred skill acquire.

4 With favor, LORD, look down on me,
Who thy relief implore;

As thou art wont to visit those
Who thy blest Name adore.

5 Directed by thy heavenly word
Let all thy footsteps be;
Nor wickedness of any kind
Dominion have o'er me.

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.

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1 THOU art the righteous Judge, in whom
Wrong'd innocence may trust;

And, like thyself, thy judgments, LORD,
In all respects are just.

2 Most just and true those statutes were
Which thou didst first decree;

And all with faithfulness perform'd
Succeeding times shall see.

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3 LORD! each neglected word of thine,
Howe'er by men despised,
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.

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Mar 8.181
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1 WITH my whole heart to GOD I call'd-
LORD, hear my earnest cry;
And I thy statutes to perform
Will all my care apply.

2 Again more fervently I pray'd—
O save me, that I may

Thy testimonies fully know,
And steadfastly obey.

3 My earlier prayer the dawning day
Prevented, while I cried

To him upon whose faithful word
My hope alone relied.

4 LORD, hear my supplicating voice,
And wonted favor show;

O quicken me, and so approve
Thy judgments ever true.

5 Concerning thy divine commands

My soul has known, of old

That they were true, and shall their truth
To endless ages hold.

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1 CONSIDER my affliction, LORD,
And me from bondage draw;
Think on thy servant in distress,
Who ne'er forgets thy law.

2 Defend my cause, and me to save
Thy timely aid afford;
With beams of mercy quicken me,
According to thy word.

3 From harden'd sinners thou remov'st
Salvation far away;

"T is just thou should'st withdaw from them Who from thy statutes stray.

4 Since great thy tender mercies are,
To all who thee adore;
According to thy judgments, LORD,
My fainting hopes restore.

5 Consider, O my gracious God,
How I thy precepts love;

O therefore quicken me with beams
Of mercy from above.

6 As from the birth of time thy truth
Has held through ages past,

So shall thy righteous judgments firm
To endless ages last.

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1 THY sacred word my joyful breast
With heav'nly rapture warms;
Nor conquest, nor the spoils of war,
Have such transporting charms.

2 Perfidious practices and lies
I utterly detest;

But to thy laws affection bear,
Too vast to be express'd.

3 Sev'n times a day, with grateful voice,
Thy praises I resound,

Because I find thy judgments all
With truth and justice crown'd.

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