Psalm 119

[Recommended tunes: St Paul, St David]

8,6,8,6

⁹By what means shall a young man learn

his way to purify?

If he according to thy word

thereto attentive be.

¹⁰Unfeignedly thee have I sought

with all my soul and heart:

O let me not from the right path

of thy commands depart.

¹¹Thy word I in my heart have hid,

that I offend not thee.

¹²O Lord, thou ever blessed art,

thy statutes teach thou me.

¹³The judgments of thy mouth each one

my lips declared have:

¹⁴More joy thy testimonies' way

than riches all me gave.

¹⁵I will thy holy precepts make

my meditation;

And carefully I'll have respect

unto thy ways each one.

¹⁶Upon thy statutes my delight

shall constantly be set:

And, by thy grace, I never will

thy holy word forget.

GIMEL. THE THIRD PART

[Recommended tunes: Morven, St Matthias]

8,6,8,6

¹⁷With me thy servant, in thy grace,

Deal bountifully, Lord;

That by thy favour I may live,

and duly keep thy word.

¹⁸Open mine eyes, that of thy law

the wonders I may see.

¹⁹I am a stranger on this earth,

hide not thy laws from me.

²⁰My soul within me breaks, and doth

much fainting still endure,

Through longing that it hath all times

unto thy judgments pure.

²¹Thou hast rebuk'd the cursed proud,

who from thy precepts swerve.

²²Reproach and shame remove from me,

for I thy laws observe.

²³Against me princes spake with spite,

while they in council sat:

But I thy servant did upon

thy statutes meditate.

²⁴My comfort, and my heart's delight,

thy testimonies be;

And they, in all my doubts and fears,

are counsellors to me.

DALETH. THE FOURTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Bangor, Glenluce]

8,6,8,6

²⁵My soul to dust cleaves: quicken me,

according to thy word.

²⁶My ways I shew'd, and me thou heard'st:

teach me thy statutes, Lord.

²⁷The way of thy commandements

make me aright to know;

So all thy works that wondrous are

I shall to others show.

²⁸My soul doth melt, and drop away,

for heaviness and grief:

To me, according to thy word,

give strength, and send relief.

²⁹From me the wicked way of lies

let far removed be;

And graciously thy holy law

do thou grant unto me.

³⁰I chosen have the perfect way

of truth and verity:

Thy judgments that most righteous are

before me laid have I.

³¹I to thy testimonies cleave;

shame do not on me cast.

³²I'll run thy precepts' way, when thou

my heart enlarged hast.

HE. THE FIFTH PART

[Recommended tunes: York, Farrant]

8,6,8,6

³³Teach me, O Lord, the perfect way

of thy precepts divine,

And to observe it to the end

I shall my heart incline.

³⁴Give understanding unto me,

so keep thy law shall I;

Yea, ev'n with my whole heart I shall

observe it carefully.

³⁵In thy law's path make me to go;

for I delight therein.

³⁶My heart unto thy testimonies,

and not to greed, incline.

³⁷Turn thou away my sight and eyes

from viewing vanity;

And in thy good and holy way

be pleas'd to quicken me.

³⁸Confirm to me thy gracious word,

which I did gladly hear,

Ev'n to thy servant, Lord, who is

devoted to thy fear.

³⁹Turn thou away my fear'd reproach;

for good thy judgments be.

⁴⁰Lo, for thy precepts I have long'd;

in thy truth quicken me.

VAU. THE SIXTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Bristol, Haresfield, Moravia]

8,6,8,6

⁴¹Let thy sweet mercies also come

and visit me, O Lord;

Ev'n thy benign salvation,

according to thy word.

⁴²So shall I have wherewith I may

give him an answer just,

Who spitefully reproacheth me;

for in thy word I trust.

⁴³The word of truth out of my mouth

take thou not utterly;

For on thy judgments righteous

my hope doth still rely.

⁴⁴So shall I keep for evermore

thy law continually.

⁴⁵And, sith that I thy precepts seek,

I'll walk at liberty.

⁴⁶I'll speak thy word to kings, and I

with shame shall not be mov'd;

⁴⁷And will delight myself always

in thy laws, which I lov'd.

⁴⁸To thy commandments, which I lov'd,

my hands lift up I will;

And I will also meditate

upon thy statutes still.

ZAIN. THE SEVENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Caithness , St Andrew]

8,6,8,6

⁴⁹Remember, Lord, thy gracious word

thou to thy servant spake,

Which, for a ground of my sure hope,

thou causedst me to take.

⁵⁰This word of thine my comfort is

in mine affliction:

For in my straits I am reviv'd

by this thy word alone.

⁵¹The men whose hearts with pride are stuff'd

did greatly me deride;

Yet from thy straight commandements

I have not turn'd aside.

⁵²Thy judgments righteous, O Lord,

which thou of old forth gave,

I did remember, and myself

by them comforted have.

⁵³Horror took hold on me, because

ill men thy law forsake.

⁵⁴I in my house of pilgrimage

thy laws my songs do make.

⁵⁵Thy name by night, Lord, I did mind,

and I have kept thy law.

⁵⁶And this I had, because thy word

I kept, and stood in awe.

CHETH. THE EIghth PART

[Recommended tunes: Belmont, St David]

8,6,8,6

⁵⁷Thou my sure portion art alone,

which I did chuse, O Lord:

I have resolv'd, and said, that I

would keep thy holy word.

⁵⁸With my whole heart I did entreat

thy face and favour free:

According to thy gracious word

be merciful to me.

⁵⁹I thought upon my former ways,

and did my life well try;

And to thy testimonies pure

my feet then turned I.

⁶⁰I did not stay, nor linger long,

as those that slothful are;

But hastily thy laws to keep

myself I did prepare.

⁶¹Bands of ill men me robb'd; yet I

thy precepts did not slight.

⁶²I'll rise at midnight thee to praise,

ev'n for thy judgments right.

⁶³I am companion to all those

who fear, and thee obey.

⁶⁴O Lord, thy mercy fills the earth:

teach me thy laws, I pray.

TETH. THE NINTH PART

[Recommended tunes: St James, St Thomas]

8,6,8,6

⁶⁵Well hast thou with thy servant dealt,

as thou didst promise give.

⁶⁶Good judgment me, and knowledge teach,

for I thy word believe.

⁶⁷Ere I afflicted was I stray'd;

but now I keep thy word.

⁶⁸Both good thou art, and good thou do'st:

teach me thy statutes, Lord.

⁶⁹The men that are puff 'd up with pride

against me forg'd a lie;

Yet thy commandements observe

with my whole heart will I.

⁷⁰Their hearts, through worldly ease and wealth,

as fat as grease they be:

But in thy holy law I take

delight continually.

⁷¹It hath been very good for me

that I afflicted was,

That I might well instructed be,

and learn thy holy laws.

⁷²The word that cometh from thy mouth

is better unto me

Than many thousands and great sums

of gold and silver be.

JOD. THE TENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: St Fulbert, Martyrdom]

8,6,8,6

⁷³Thou mad'st and fashion'dst me: thy laws

to know give wisdom, Lord.

⁷⁴So who thee fear shall joy to see

me trusting in thy word.

⁷⁵That very right thy judgments are

I know, and do confess;

And that thou hast afflicted me

in truth and faithfulness.

⁷⁶O let thy kindness merciful,

I pray thee, comfort me,

As to thy servant faithfully

was promised by thee.

⁷⁷And let thy tender mercies come

to me, that I may live;

Because thy holy laws to me

sweet delectation give.

⁷⁸Lord, let the proud ashamed be;

for they, without a cause,

With me perversely dealt: but I

will muse upon thy laws.

⁷⁹Let such as fear thee, and have known

thy statutes, turn to me.

⁸⁰My heart let in thy laws be sound,

that sham'd I never be.

CAPH. THE ELEVENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: St Neot, Walsall]

8,6,8,6

⁸¹My soul for thy salvation faints;

yet I thy word believe.

⁸²Mine eyes fail for thy word: I say,

When wilt thou comfort give?

⁸³For like a bottle I'm become,

that in the smoke is set:

I'm black, and parch'd with grief; yet I

thy statutes not forget.

⁸⁴How many are thy servant's days?

when wilt thou execute

Just judgment on these wicked men

that do me persecute?

⁸⁵The proud have digged pits for me,

which is against thy laws.

⁸⁶Thy words all faithful are: help me,

pursu'd without a cause.

⁸⁷They so consum'd me, that on earth

my life they scarce did leave:

Thy precepts yet forsook I not,

but close to them did cleave.

⁸⁸After thy loving-kindness, Lord,

me quicken, and preserve:

The testimony of thy mouth

so shall I still observe.

LAMED. THE TWElfth PART

[Recommended tunes: Palestrina, London New, Wiltshire]

8,6,8,6

⁸⁹Thy word for ever is, O Lord,

in heaven settled fast;

⁹⁰Unto all generations

thy faithfulness doth last:

The earth thou hast established,

and it abides by thee.

⁹¹This day they stand as thou ordain'dst;

for all thy servants be.

⁹²Unless in thy most perfect law

my soul delights had found,

I should have perished, when as

my troubles did abound.

⁹³Thy precepts I will ne'er forget;

they quick'ning to me brought.

⁹⁴Lord, I am thine; O save thou me:

thy precepts I have sought.

⁹⁵For me the wicked have laid wait,

me seeking to destroy:

But I thy testimonies true

consider will with joy.

⁹⁶An end of all perfection

here have I seen, O God:

But as for thy commandement,

it is exceeding broad.

MEM. THE THIRTEENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Bloxham, Contemplation]

8,6,8,6

⁹⁷O how love I thy law! it is

my study all the day:

⁹⁸It makes me wiser than my foes;

for it doth with me stay.

⁹⁹Than all my teachers now I have

more understanding far;

Because my meditation

thy testimonies are.

¹⁰⁰In understanding I excel

those that are ancients;

For I endeavoured to keep

all thy commandements.

¹⁰¹My feet from each ill way I stay'd,

that I may keep thy word.

¹⁰²I from thy judgments have not swerv'd;

for thou hast taught me, Lord.

¹⁰³How sweet unto my taste, O Lord,

are all thy words of truth!

Yea, I do find them sweeter far

than honey to my mouth.

¹⁰⁴I through thy precepts, that are pure,

do understanding get;

I therefore ev'ry way that's false

with all my heart do hate.

NUN. THE FOURTEENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: St Ethelreda, Tallis]

8,6,8,6

¹⁰⁵Thy word is to my feet a lamp,

and to my path a light.

¹⁰⁶I sworn have, and I will perform,

to keep thy judgments right.

¹⁰⁷I am with sore affliction

ev'n overwhelm'd, O Lord:

In mercy raise and quicken me,

according to thy word.

¹⁰⁸The free-will-off 'rings of my mouth

accept, I thee beseech:

And unto me thy servant, Lord,

thy judgments clearly teach.

¹⁰⁹Though still my soul be in my hand,

thy laws I'll not forget.

¹¹⁰I err'd not from them, though for me

the wicked snares did set.

¹¹¹I of thy testimonies have

above all things made choice,

To be my heritage for aye;

for they my heart rejoice.

¹¹²I carefully inclined have

my heart still to attend;

That I thy statutes may perform

alway unto the end.

SAMECH. THE FIFTEENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Ballerma, Blackbourn]

8,6,8,6

¹¹³I hate the thoughts of vanity,

but love thy law do I.

¹¹⁴My shield and hiding-place thou art:

I on thy word rely.

¹¹⁵All ye that evil-doers are

from me depart away;

For the commandments of my God

I purpose to obey.

¹¹⁶According to thy faithful word

uphold and stablish me,

That I may live, and of my hope

ashamed never be.

¹¹⁷Hold thou me up, so shall I be

in peace and safety still;

And to thy statutes have respect

continually I will.

¹¹⁸Thou tread'st down all that love to stray;

false their deceit doth prove.

¹¹⁹Lewd men, like dross, away thou putt'st;

therefore thy law I love.

¹²⁰For fear of thee my very flesh

doth tremble, all dismay'd;

And of thy righteous judgments, Lord,

my soul is much afraid.

AIN. THE SIXTEENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Torwood, Glenluce]

8,6,8,6

¹²¹To all men I have judgment done,

performing justice right;

Then let me not be left unto

my fierce oppressors' might.

¹²²For good unto thy servant, Lord,

thy servant's surety be:

From the oppression of the proud

do thou deliver me.

¹²³Mine eyes do fail with looking long

for thy salvation,

The word of thy pure righteousness

while I do wait upon.

¹²⁴In mercy with thy servant deal,

thy laws me teach and show.

¹²⁵I am thy servant, wisdom give,

that I thy laws may know.

¹²⁶'Tis time thou work, Lord; for they have

made void thy law divine.

¹²⁷Therefore thy precepts more I love

than gold, yea, gold most fine.

¹²⁸Concerning all things thy commands

all right I judge therefore;

And ev'ry false and wicked way

I perfectly abhor.

PE. THE SEVENTEENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Evan, St Mary, Ayrshire]

8,6,8,6

¹²⁹Thy statutes, Lord, are wonderful,

my soul them keeps with care.

¹³⁰The entrance of thy words gives light,

makes wise who simple are.

¹³¹My mouth I have wide opened,

and panted earnestly,

While after thy commandements

I long'd exceedingly.

¹³²Look on me, Lord, and merciful

do thou unto me prove,

As thou art wont to do to those

thy name who truly love.

¹³³O let my footsteps in thy word

aright still order'd be:

Let no iniquity obtain

dominion over me.

¹³⁴From man's oppression save thou me;

so keep thy laws I will.

¹³⁵Thy face make on thy servant shine;

teach me thy statutes still.

¹³⁶Rivers of waters from mine eyes

did run down, when I saw

How wicked men run on in sin,

and do not keep thy law.

TSADDI. THE EIghteenth PART

[Recommended tunes: London New, St Bernard]

8,6,8,6

¹³⁷O Lord, thou art most righteous;

thy judgments are upright.

¹³⁸Thy testimonies thou command'st

most faithful are and right.

¹³⁹My zeal hath ev'n consumed me,

because mine enemies

Thy holy words forgotten have,

and do thy laws despise.

¹⁴⁰Thy word's most pure, therefore on it

thy servant's love is set.

¹⁴¹Small, and despis'd I am, yet I

thy precepts not forget.

¹⁴²Thy righteousness is righteousness

which ever doth endure:

Thy holy law, Lord, also is

the very truth most pure.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have me found,

and taken hold on me:

Yet in my trouble my delight

thy just commandments be.

¹⁴⁴Eternal righteousness is in

thy testimonies all:

Lord, to me understanding give,

and ever live I shall.

KOPH. THE NINTEENTH PART

[Recommended tunes: Salzburg, Culross]

8,6,8,6

¹⁴⁵With my whole heart I cry'd, Lord, hear;

I will thy word obey.

¹⁴⁶I cry'd to thee; save me, and I

will keep thy laws alway.

¹⁴⁷I of the morning did prevent

the dawning, and did cry:

For all mine expectation

did on thy word rely.

¹⁴⁸Mine eyes did timeously prevent

the watches of the night,

That in thy word with careful mind

then meditate I might.

¹⁴⁹After thy loving-kindness hear

my voice, that calls on thee:

According to thy judgment, Lord,

revive and quicken me.

¹⁵⁰Who follow mischief they draw nigh;

they from thy law are far:

¹⁵¹But thou art near, Lord; most firm truth

all thy commandments are.

¹⁵²As for thy testimonies all,

of old this have I try'd,

That thou hast surely founded them

for ever to abide.

RESH. THE TWENTIETH PART

[Recommended tunes: St Kilda, Cunningham]

8,6,8,6

¹⁵³Consider mine affliction,

in safety do me set:

Deliver me, O Lord, for I

thy law do not forget.

¹⁵⁴After thy word revive thou me:

save me, and plead my cause.

¹⁵⁵Salvation is from sinners far;

for they seek not thy laws.

¹⁵⁶O Lord, both great and manifold

thy tender mercies be:

According to thy judgments just,

revive and quicken me.

¹⁵⁷My persecutors many are,

and foes that do combine;

Yet from thy testimonies pure

my heart doth not decline.

¹⁵⁸I saw transgressors, and was griev'd;

for they keep not thy word.

¹⁵⁹See how I love thy law! as thou

art kind, me quicken, Lord.

¹⁶⁰From the beginning all thy word

hath been most true and sure:

Thy righteous judgments ev'ry one

for evermore endure.

CHIN. THE TWENTY-FIRST PART

[Recommended tunes: Bristol, Tallis]

8,6,8,6

¹⁶¹Princes have persecuted me,

although no cause they saw:

But still of thy most holy word

my heart doth stand in awe.

¹⁶²I at thy word rejoice, as one

of spoil that finds great store.

¹⁶³Thy law I love; but lying all

I hate and do abhor.

¹⁶⁴Sev'n times a-day it is my care

to give due praise to thee;

Because of all thy judgments, Lord,

which righteous ever be.

¹⁶⁵Great peace have they who love thy law;

offence they shall have none.

¹⁶⁶I hop'd for thy salvation, Lord,

and thy commands have done.

¹⁶⁷My soul thy testimonies pure

observed carefully;

On them my heart is set, and them

I love exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸Thy testimonies and thy laws

I kept with special care;

For all my works and ways each one

before thee open are.

TAU. THE TWENTY-SECOND PART

[Recommended tunes: Farrant, Ballerma]

8,6,8,6

¹⁶⁹O let my earnest pray'r and cry

come near before thee, Lord:

Give understanding unto me,

according to thy word.

¹⁷⁰Let my request before thee come:

after thy word me free.

¹⁷¹My lips shall utter praise, when thou

hast taught thy laws to me.

¹⁷²My tongue of thy most blessed word

shall speak, and it confess;

Because all thy commandements

are perfect righteousness.

¹⁷³Let thy strong hand make help to me:

thy precepts are my choice.

¹⁷⁴I long'd for thy salvation, Lord,

and in thy law rejoice.

¹⁷⁵O let my soul live, and it shall

give praises unto thee;

And let thy judgments gracious

be helpful unto me.

¹⁷⁶I, like a lost sheep, went astray;

thy servant seek, and find:

For thy commands I suffer'd not

to slip out of my mind.

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