Psalm 118_.

{143}

THE SONGS OF THE PURE IN HEART

Blessed are they that are perfect in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
That seek him with the whole heart.
Yea, they do no unrighteousness;
They walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,
That we should observe them diligently.
Oh that my ways were established
To observe thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed,
When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,
When I learn thy righteous judgments.
I will observe thy statutes:
O forsake me not utterly.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee:
O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I laid up in mine heart,
That I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Lord:
Teach me thy statutes. {144}
With my lips have I declared
All the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts,
And have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy word.

Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;
So will I observe thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
Wondrous things out of thy law.
I am a sojourner in the earth:
Hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing
That it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,
Who wander from thy commandments.
Take away from me reproach and contempt;
For I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also sat and talked against me:
But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight
And my counsellors.

My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
Quicken thou me according to thy word.
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:
Teach me thy statutes. {145}
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
So shall I meditate of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness:
Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Remove from me the way of falsehood:
And grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness:
Thy judgments have I set before me.
I cleave unto thy