4 Forgive the sacrilege, and take From off our souls th’ unworthy stain; And show us, for thy Son’s dear sake Thy pure and perfect law again.
8 L. P. M. The entrance of thy word giveth light. Psalm 119:130.
I love the volume of thy word; What light and joy those leaves afford To souls benighted and distressed! Thy precepts guide my doubtful way, Thy fear forbids my feet to stray, Thy promise leads my heart to rest.
2 Thy threatenings wake my slumbering eyes, And warn me where my danger lies; But ’tis thy blessed gospel, Lord, That makes my guilty conscience clean, Converts my soul, subdues my sin, And gives a free, but large reward.
3 Who knows the errors of his thoughts? My God, forgive my secret faults, And from presumptuous sins restrain; Accept my poor attempts of praise, That I have read thy book of grace, And book of nature, not in vain.
9 C. M. Thy word is a lamp. Psalm 119:105.
How precious is the book divine, By inspiration given! Bright as a lamp its precepts shine, To guide our souls to heaven.
2 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and joy, it still imparts, And quells our rising fears.
3 This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life, shall guide our way, Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal day.
10 C. M. Thy testimonies are my delight. Psalm 119:24.
Father of Mercies! in thy word What endless glory shines! For ever be thine name adored For these celestial lines!
2 Here may the wretched sons of want Exhaustless riches find; Riches above what earth can grant, And lasting as the mind.
3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, And yields a rich repast: Sublimer sweets than nature knows Invite the longing taste.
4 Here springs of consolation rise To cheer the fainting mind, And thirsty souls receive supplies, And sweet refreshment find.
5 Here the Redeemer’s welcome voice, Spreads heavenly peace around; And life and everlasting joys Attend the blissful sound.
6 O may these heavenly pages be My ever dear delight; And still new beauties may I see, And still increasing light.
7 Divine Instructor! gracious Lord, Be thou for ever near; Teach me to love thy sacred word, And view my Saviour there!
11 C. M. A light unto my path. Psalm 119:105.
What glory gilds the sacred page, Majestic like the sun! It gives a light to every age— It gives but borrows none.
2 The hand that gave it, still supplies His gracious light and heat; His truths upon the nations rise— They rise, but never set.
3 Let everlasting thanks be thine For such a bright display, As makes the world of darkness shine With beams of heavenly day.
4 My soul rejoices to pursue The paths of truth and love, Till glory breaks upon my view In brighter worlds above.
12 C. M. Thy law is my delight. Psalm 119:174.
Lord, I have made thy word my choice, My 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.
13 C. M. Revelation welcomed.
Hail, sacred truth! whose piercing rays Dispel the shades of night, Diffusing o’er a sinful world The healing beams of light.
2 Thy word, O Lord, with friendly aid, Restores our wandering feet, Converts the sorrows of the mind To joys divinely sweet.
3 O, send thy light and truth abroad, In all their radiant blaze; And bid the admiring world adore The glories of thy grace.
14 C. M. O, how I love thy law. Psalm 119:97.
O how I love thy holy law! ’Tis daily my delight; And thence my meditations draw Divine advice by night.
2 I wake before the dawn of day, To meditate thy word; My soul with longing melts away, To bear thy gospel, Lord.
3 How doth thy word my heart engage, How well employ my tongue; And in my tiresome pilgrimage, Yields me a heavenly song.
4 When nature sinks, and spirits droop, Thy promises of grace Are pillars to support my hope, And there I write thy praise.
15 C. M. Wherewithal shall a young man, etc. Psalm 119:9.
How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean.