Beati immaculate. Ps.119.W.W.

The Prophet wonderfully commendeth God’s Law, wherein he cannot satisfy himself, nor express sufficiently his affections, thereunto adding notable ocmplaints and consolations, mete for the faithful to have both in heart and voice: and in Hebrew every eight verses begin with an letter of the Alphabet.

The first part The second part ----- Beth
Blessed are they that perfect are,
and pure in mind and heart:
Whose lives and conversation,
from God’s Laws never start.
 
2 Blessed are they that give themselves
his statutes to observe:
Seeking the Lord with all their heart:
and never from him swerve.
 
3 Doubtless such men go not astray,
nor do no wicked thing:
Which steadfastly walk in his paths
without any wandering.
 
4 It is thy will and commandments,
that with attentive heed,
Thy noble and divine precepts
we learn and keep indeed,
 
5 O would to God it might thee please
my ways so to address:
That I might both in heart and voice
thy laws keep and confess.
 
6 So should no shame my life attain,
whilst I thus set mine eyes:
And bend my mind always to muse
on thy sacred decrees.
 
7 Then will I praise with upright heart,
and magnify thy name.
When I shall learn thy judgments just,
and likewise prove the same.
 
8 And wholly will I give myself,
to keep thy laws most right:
Forsake me not forever Lord
but show thy grace and might.
9 By what means may a young man best,
his life learn to amend?
If that he mark and keep thy word,
and therein his time spend.
 
10 Unfainedly I have thee sought,
and thus seeking abide:
O never suffer me O Lord,
from thy precepts to slide.
 
11 Within my heart and secret thoughts,
thy words I have hid still,
That I might not at any time,
offend thy godly will;
 
12 We magnify thy name O Lord,
and praise thee evermore:
Thy statutes of most worthy fame,
O Lord teach me therefore.
 
13 My lips have never ceased to preach,
and publish day and night:
The judgments all which did proceed,
from thy mouth full of might.
 
14 Thy testimonies and thy ways,
please me no less indeed:
Than all the treasures of the earth,
which worldlings make their meed.
 
15 Of thy precepts still will I muse,
and there to frame my talk:
As at a mark so will I aim,
thy ways how I may walk.
 
16 My only joy shall be so fixed,
and on thy laws so set:
That nothing can me so far blind,
that I thy words forget.
The third part ----- Gimel The forth part ----- Daleth
17 Grant to thy servant now such grace,
as may my life prolong:
Thy holy word then will I keep,
both in my heart and tongue.
 
18 Mine eyes which were dim and shut up
so open and make bright:
That of thy law and marvelous works,
I may have the clear sight.
 
19 I am a stranger in this earth,
wandering now here now there:
Thy word therefore to me disclose,
my footsteps for to clear.
 
20 My soul is ravished with desire,
and never is at rest:
But seeks to know thy judgments just,
and what may please thee best.
 
21 The proud men and malicious
thou hast destroyed each one,
And cursed are such as do not
thy ‘hests attend upon.
 
22 Lord turn from me rebuke and shame,
which wicked men conspire:
For I have kept thy covenants,
with zeal as hot as fire.
 
23 The Princes great in counsel sate,
and did against me speak:
But then thy servant thought how he
thy statutes might not break.
 
24 For why? thy covenants are my joy,
and my heart’s great solace:
They serve instead of counselors,
my matters for to pass.
25 I am alas as brought to grave,
and almost turned to dust,
Restore therefore my life again,
as thy promise is just.
 
26 My ways when I acknowledged,
with mercy thou didst hear:
Hear now est-soons and me instruct,
thy laws to love and fear.
 
27 Teach me once thoroughly for to know,
thy precepts and thy lore:
Thy works then will I meditate,
and lay them up in store.
 
28 My soul I feed so sore oppressed,
that it melteth for grief:
According to thy word therefore,
hast Lord to send relief.
 
29 From lying and deceitful lips,
let thy grace me defend:
And that I may learn thee to love,
thy holy law me send.
 
30 The way of truth both straight and sure,
I have chosen and found:
I set thy judgments me before,
which keep me safe and sound.
 
31 Since then O God, I forced myself,
thy covenant to embrace:
Let me therefore have no rebuke,
nor cheek in any case.
 
32 Then will I turn with joyful cheer,
where thy word doth me call,
When thou hast set my hearth at large,
and rid me out of thrall.
The fifth part ----- He The sixth part ----- Vav
33 Instruct me Lord in the right trade,
of thy statutes divine,
And it to keep even to the end,
my heart will I incline:
 
34 Grant me the knowledge of thy law,
and I shall it obey:
With heart and mind, and all my might,
I will it keep I say.
 
35 In the right paths of thy precepts,
guide me Lord I require:
None other pleasure do I wish,
nor greater thing desire.
 
36 Incline my heart thy laws to keep,
and covenants to embrace:
And from all filthy avarice,
Lord shield me with thy grace.
 
37 From vain desires and worldly lusts
turn back mine eyes and sight,
Give me the spirit of life and power,
to walk thy ways aright.
 
38 Confirm thy gracious promise Lord,
which thou hast made to me:
Which am thy servant, and do love,
and fear nothing but thee.
 
39 Reproach and shame which I so fear,
from me, O Lord expel:
For thou dost judge with equity,
and therein dost excel.
 
40 Behold my hearts desire is bent,
thy laws to keep for aye:
Lord strengthen me so with thy grace,
that it perform I may.
41 Thy mercies great and manifold,
let me obtain (O Lord)
Thy saving health let me enjoy,
according to thy word.
 
42 So shall I stop the slanderous mouths,
of lewd men and unjust:
For in thy faithful promises,
stands my comfort and trust.
 
43 The word of truth within my mouth,
let ever still be pressed:
For in thy judgments wonderful,
my hope doth stand and rest.
 
44 And whilst that breath within my breast,
doth natural life preserve:
Yea ‘til this world shall be dissolved,
thy law will I observe.
 
45 So walk will I as set at large,
and made free from all dread:
Because I sought how for to keep,
thy precepts and thy read.
 
46 Thy noble acts I will describe,
as things of most great fame:
Even before Kings I will them blaze,
and shrink no whit for shame.
 
47 I will rejoice then to obey,
thy worthy hefts and will,
Which evermore I have loved best,
and so will love them still.
 
48 My hands will I lift to thy laws,
which I have dearly sought:
And practice thy commandments,
in will, in deed, in thought.
The seventh part ----- Zain The eighth part ----- Heth
49 Thy promise which thou made’st to me,
thy servant, Lord remember,
For therein have I put my trust,
and confidence forever.
 
50 It is my comfort and my joy,
when troubles me assail:
For were my life not by thy word,
my life would soon me fail.
 
51 The proud and such as God condemn,
still made of me a scorn:
Yet would I not thy Law forsake,
as he that was forlorn.
 
52 But called to mind Lord thy great works,
showed to our fathers old:
Whereby I feel my joys surmount
my grief an hundred fold.
 
53 But yet alas for fear I quake,
seeing how wicked men,
Thy law forsook, and did procure
thy judgments, who knoweth when?
 
54 And as for me I framed my songs
thy statutes to exalt.
When I among the strangers dwelt,
and thoughts ‘gan me assault.
 
55 I thought upon thy name O Lord,
by night when others sleep,
As for thy law also I kept,
and ever will it keep.
 
56 This grace I did obtain, because
thy covenants sweet and dear:
I did embrace and also keep,
with reverence with fear.
57 O God which art my part and lot,
my comfort and my stay:
I have decreed and promised,
thy law to keep alway.
 
58 Mine earnest heart doth humbly sue,
in presence of thy face:
As thou therefore hast promised,
Lord grant me of thy grace.
 
59 My life I have examined,
and tried my secret heart:
Which to thy statutes caused me
my feet straight to convert.
 
60 I did not stay, nor linger long,
as they that slothful are:
But hastily the laws to keep,
I did myself prepare.
 
61 The cruel hands of wicked men,
have made of me their prey:
Yet would I not thy law forget,
nor from thee go astray.
 
62 Thy righteous judgments showed toward
me,
so great are and so high,
That even at midnight will I rise,
thy name to magnify.
 
63 Companion am I to all them,
which fear thee in their heart:
And neither will for fear nor dread,
from thy commandments start.
 
64 Thy mercies Lord most plenteously
do all the world fulfill:
O teach me how I may obey,
thy statutes and thy will.
The ninth part ----- Teth The tenth part ----- Yodh
65 According to thy promise Lord,
so hast thou with me dealt:
For of thy grace in sundry sorts,
have I thy servant felt.
 
66 Teach me always to judge aright,
and give me knowledge sure:
For certainly believe I do,
that thy precepts are pure.
 
67 Ere thou didst touch me with thy rod,
I erred and went astray:
But now I keep thy holy word,
and make it all my stay.
 
68 Thou art both good and gracious,
and giv’st most liberally:
Thy ordinances how to keep,
therefore (O Lord) teach me.
 
69 The proud and wicked men have forged
against me many a lie:
Yet thy commandments still observe,
with all my heart will I.
 
70 Their hearts are swollen with worldly
wealth
as grease so are they fat,
But in thy Law do I delight,
and nothing seek but that.
 
71 O happy time may I well say
when thou didst me correct:
For as a guide to learn thy Laws,
thy rod did me direct.
 
72 So that to me thy word and Law
is dearer manifold,
Then thousands great of silver and gold,
or ought that can be told.
73 Seeing thy hands have made me Lord
to be thy creature:
Grant knowledge likewise how to learn
to put thy Laws in ure.
 
74 So they that fear thee shall rejoice,
when ever they me see:
Because I have learned by thy word,
to put my trust in thee.
 
75 When with thy rod the world is plagued,
I know the cause is just:
So when thou dost correct me Lord,
the cause just needs be must.
 
76 Now of thy goodness I thee pray
some comfort to me send:
As thou to me thy servant heit’st,
so from all ill me shend.
 
77 Thy tender mercies pour on me,
and I shall surely live:
For joy and consolation both
thy laws to me do give.
 
78 Confound the proud: whose false pretence
is me for to destroy:
But as for me thy hefts to know
I will myself employ.
 
79 Who so with reverence do thee fear,
to me let them retire,
And such as do thy covenants know,
and them alone desire.
 
80 My heart without all wavering
let on thy laws be bent:
That no confusion come to me,
whereby I should be shent.
The eleventh part ----- Kaph The tweleth part ----- Lamedh
81 My soul doth faint, and ceaseth not
thy saving health to crave:
And for thy word’s sake still I trust
my heart’s desire to have.
 
82 Mine eyes do fail with looking for
thy word, and thus I say:
Oh when wilt thou me comfort Lord,
why dost thou thus delay?
 
83 As a skin bottle in the smoke,
so am I parch and dried:
Yet will I not out of my heart
let thy commandments slide.
 
84 Alas how long shall I yet live,
before I see the hour:
That on my foes which me torment
thy vengeance thou wilt pour?
 
85 Presumptuous men have digged pits,
thinking to make me sure:
Thus contrary against thy Law
my hurt they do procure.
 
86 But thy commandments are all true,
and causeless they me grieve,
To thee therefore I do complain,
that thou mightst me relieve.
 
87 Almost they had me clean destroyed,
and brought me quite to ground:
yet by thy statute I abode,
and therein succor found.
 
88 Restore me Lord again to life,
for thy mercies excel:
And so shall I thy covenant keep,
‘til death my life expel.
89 In heaven Lord where thou dost dwell,
thy word is ‘stablished sure:
And shall for all eternity,
fast graven there endure.
 
90 From age to age thy truth abides,
as doth the earth witness:
Whose groundwork thou hast laid so sure,
as no tongue can express.
 
91 Even to this day we may well see,
how all things persevere
According to thy ordinance,
for all things thee revere.
 
92 Had it not been that in thy Law
my soul had comfort sought:
Long time ere now in my distress,
I had been brought to naught.
 
93 Therefore will I thy precepts aye,
in memory keep fast:
By them thou hast my life restored,
when I was at last cast.
 
94 No wight to me can title make,
for I am only thine:
Save me therefore for to thy Laws
mine ears and heart incline.
 
95 The wicked men do seek my bane,
and thereto lie in wait:
But I the while considered,
thy noble acts and great.
 
96 I see nothing in this wide world,
at length which hath not end:
But thy commandment and thy word,
beyond all end extend.
The thirteenth part ----- Mem The fourteenth part ----- Nun
97 What great desire and fervent love,
do I bear to thy Law?
All the day long my whole devise,
is only on thy saw.
 
98 Thy word hath taught me far to pass
my foes in policy:
For still I keep it as a thing
of most excellency.
 
99 My teachers which did me instruct,
in knowledge I excel:
Because I do thy covenants keep,
and them to others tell.
 
100 In wisdom I do pass also
the ancient men indeed:
And all because to keep thy Laws,
I held it aye best read.
 
101 My feet I have refrained eke
from every evil way:
Because that I continually
thy word might keep, I say.
 
102 I have not swerved from thy judgments,
nor yet shrunk any deal:
For why? thou hast me taught thereby
to live godly and well.
 
103 O Lord how sweet unto my taste
find I thy words alway?
Doubtless no honey in my mouth
feel ought so sweet I may.
 
104 Thy laws have me such wisdom learned
that utterly I hate
All wicked and ungodly ways,
in every kind of rate.
105 Even as a lantern to my feet,
so doth thy word shine bright:
And to my paths where ere I go
it is a flaming light.
 
106 I have both sworn, and will perform
most certainly doubtless:
That I will keep thy judgments just,
and them in life express.
 
107 Affliction hath me sore oppressed,
and brought me to death’s door:
O Lord as thou hast promised,
so me to life restore.
 
108 The offerings which with heart and voice
most frankly I thee give,
Accept, and teach me how I may
after thy judgments live.
 
109 My soul is aye so in my hand,
that dangers me assail:
Yet do I not thy Law forget,
nor it to keep will fail.
 
110 Although the wicked laid their nets,
to catch me at a bay:
Yet did I not from thy precepts,
once swerve, or go astray.
 
111 Thy Law I have so claimed alway,
as mine own heritage:
And why? for therein I delight,
and set my whole courage.
 
112 Forevermore I have been bent
thy statutes to fulfill:
Even so likewise unto the end,
I will continue still.
The fifteenth part ----- Samekh The sixteenth part ----- Ayin
113 The crafty thoughts and double hearts,
I do always detest:
But as for thy Laws and precepts
I loved them ever best.
 
114 Thou art my hid and secret place,
my shield and strong defense:
Therefore I have thy promises,
looked for with patience.
 
115 Go to therefore ye wicked men,
depart from me anon:
For the Commandments will I keep
of God my Lord alone.
 
116 As thou hast promised, so perform,
that death me not assail:
Nor let my hope abuse me so,
that through distrust I quail.
 
117 Uphold me, and I shall be safe,
for ought they do or say:
And in thy statutes pleasure take
will I both night and day.
 
118 Thou hast trod such under thy feet,
as do thy statutes break:
For naught avails their subtlety,
their counsel is but weak.
 
119 Like dross thou casts the wicked out,
where ere they go or dwell:
Therefore can I as thy statutes,
love nothing half so well.
 
120 My flesh alas is taken with fear,
as though it were benumbed:
For when I see thy judgments straight
I am as one aston’ed.
121 I do the thing that lawful is,
and give to all men right:
Resign me not to them that would
oppress me with their might.
 
122 But for thy servant surety be
in that thing that is good:
The proud men give me not the soil,
which rage as they were wood.
 
123 Mine eyes with waiting are now blind,
thy health so much I crave:
And eke thy righteous promise Lord,
whereby thou wilt me save.
 
124 Entreat thy servant lovingly,
and favor to him show:
Thy statutes of most excellency,
teach me also to know.
 
125 Thy humble servant Lord I am,
grant me to understand:
How by thy statutes I may know
best what to take in hand.
 
126 It is now time Lord to begin,
for truth is quite decayed:
Thy Law likewise they have transgressed,
and none against them said.
 
127 This is the cause wherefore I love
thy Laws better than gold:
Or Jewels fine, which are esteemed
must costly to be sold:
 
128 I thought my precepts all most just,
and so them laid in store:
All crafty and malicious ways
I do abhor therefore.
The seventeenth part ----- Pe The eighteenth part ----- Tsadhe
129 Thy covenants are most wonderful,
and full of things profound:
My soul therefore doth keep them sure,
when they are tried and sound.
 
130 When men first enter into thy word,
they find a light most clear:
And very Idiots understand,
when they it read or hear.
 
131 For joy I have both gaped and breathed
to know thy commandment:
That I might guide my life thereby,
I sought what thing it meant.
 
132 With mercy and compassion Lord
behold me from above:
As thou art wont to behold such
as thy name fear and love.
 
133 Direct my footsteps by thy word,
that I thy will may know:
And never let iniquity
thy servant overthrow.
 
134 From slanderous tongues and deadly hate
preserve and keep me sure:
Thy precepts then will I observe,
and put them eke in ure.
 
135 Thy countenance which doth surmount
the Sun in his bright hue:
Let shine on me, and by thy Law,
teach me what to eschew.
 
136 Out of mine eyes great floods gush out,
of dreary tears and fell:
When I behold how wicked men,
thy laws keep never a dell.
137 In every point Lord thou art just,
the wicked though they grudge:
And when thou dost sentence pronounce,
thou art a righteous Judge.
 
138 To render right and fly from guile,
are two chief points most high:
And such as thou hast in thy law,
commanded us straightly.
 
139 With zeal and wrath I am consumed,
and even pined away:
To see my foes thy word forget,
for ought that I do may.
 
140 So pure and perfect is thy word,
as any heart can deem:
And I thy servant nothing more,
do love or yet esteem.
 
141 And though I be nothing set by,
as one of base degree:
Yet do I not thy hefts forget,
nor shrink away from thee.
 
142 Thy righteousness Lord is most just:
for ever to endure:
Also thy law is truth itself,
most constant and most pure.
 
143 Trouble and grief have seized on me,
and brought me wondrous low:
Yet do I still of thy precepts,
delight to hear and know.
 
144 The righteousness of thy judgments,
doth last forevermore:
Then teach thou me, for even in them
my life lieth up in store.
The nineteenth part ----- Qoph The twentieth part ----- Resh
145 With fervent heart I called and cried,
now answer me O Lord:
That thy commandments to observe,
I may fully accord.
 
146 To thee my God I make my suite,
with most humble request:
Save me therefore, and I will keep
thy precepts and thy hest.
 
147 To thee I cry even in the morn,
before the day wax light:
Because that I have in thy word,
my confidence wholly plight.
 
148 Mine eyes prevent the watch by night
and ere they call I wake:
That by devising on they word,
I might some comfort take.
 
149 Incline thine ears to hear my voice,
and pity on me take:
As thou wast wont, so judge me Lord,
least life should me forsake.
 
150 My foes draw near, and do procure
my death maliciously:
Which from thy law are far gone back,
and strayed from it lewdly.
 
151 Therefore O Lord, approach thou near
for need doth so require:
And all thy precepts true they are,
than help I thee desire.
 
152 But thy commandments I have learned
not now, but long ago:
That they remain forevermore,
thou hast them grounded so.
153 My trouble and affliction,
consider and behold:
Deliver me, for of thy law,
I ever take fast hold.
 
154 Defend my good and righteous cause,
with speed me succor send:
From death as thou hast promised,
Lord keep me and defend.
 
155 As for the wicked far they are,
for having health and grace:
Whereby they might thy statutes know,
they enter not the trace.
 
156 Great are thy mercies Lord I grant,
what tongue can them attain?
And as thou hast me judged ere now,
so let me life obtain.
 
157 Though many men did trouble me,
and persecute me sore:
Yet from thy laws I never shrunk,
nor went away therefore.
 
158 And truth it is for grief I die,
when I these traitors see:
Because they keep no whit thy word,
nor yet seek to know thee.
 
159 Behold, for I do love thy laws,
with heart most glad and faine:
As thou art good and gracious Lord,
restore my life again.
 
160 What thy word doth decree, must be,
and so it hath been ever:
Thy righteous judgments are also,
most true and decay never.
The twenty-first part ----- Shin The stwenty-econd part ----- Tav
161 Princes have sought by cruelty,
causeless to make me couch,
But all in vain, for of thy word,
the fear did my heart touch.
 
162 And certainly even of thy word,
I was more merry and glad,
Than he that of rich spoils and preys,
great store and plenty had.
 
163 And for all lies and falsity,
I hate most and detest:
For why thy holy laws do I,
above all things love best.
 
164 Seven times a day I praise the Lord,
singing with heart and voice:
Thy righteous acts and wonderful,
to cause me to rejoice.
 
165 Great peace and rest shall all such have
as do thy statutes love:
No danger shall their quiet state
impair or once remove.
 
166 Mine only health and comfort Lord,
I look for at thy hand:
And therefore have I done those things,
which thou didst me command.
 
167 Thy laws have been my exercise,
which my soul most desired:
So much to them my love was bent,
that naught else I required.
 
168 Thy statutes and commandments
I keep, thou knowest aright:
For all the things that I have done,
are present in thy sight.
169 O Lord let my complaint and cry,
before thy face appear,
And as thou hast me promise made,
so teach me thee to fear.
 
170 Mine humble supplication,
toward thee let find access:
And grant me Lord deliverance,
for so is thy promise.
 
171 Then shall my lips thy praises speak,
after most ample sort:
When thou thy statutes hast me taught,
wherein stands my comfort.
 
172 My tongue shall sing and preach thy
word,
and on this wise say shall:
God’s famous acts and noble laws,
are just and perfect all.
 
173 Stretch out thy hand I thee beseech,
and speedily me save:
For thy commandments to observe,
chosen O Lord I have.
 
174 Of thee alone Lord I crave health,
for other I know none:
And in thy law and nothing else,
I do delight alone.
 
175 Grant me therefore long days to live,
thy name to magnify:
And of thy judgments merciful,
let me thy favor try;
 
176 For I was lost and went astray,
much like a wandering sheep.
Oh seek me, for I have not failed,
thy commandments to keep.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS

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