- 1 The heavens and the firmament,
- do wondrously declare:
- The glory of God omnipotent,
- his works and what they are.
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- 2 The wondrous works of God appear,
- by every days’ success:
- The nights likewise with their race run,
- the selfsame thing express.
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- 3 There is no language, tongue or speech,
- where their sound is not heard:
- In all the earth and coasts thereof,
- their knowledge is conferred.
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- 4 In them the Lord made for the sun,
- a place of great renown:
- Who like a bridegroom ready trimmed,
- doth from his chamber come.
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- 5 And as a valiant champion,
- who for to get a prize:
- With joy doth haste to take in hand,
- some noble enterprise.
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- 6 And all the sky from end to end,
- he ‘compasseth about:
- Nothing can hide it from his heat,
- but he will find it out.
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- 7 How perfect is the law of God,
- how is his covenant sure?
- Converting souls and making wise
- the simple and obscure.
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- 8 Just are the Lord’s commandments,
- and glad both heart and mind:
- His precepts pure and giveth light
- to eyes that be full blind.
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- 9 The fear of God is excellent,
- and doth endure forever:
- The judgments of the Lord are true,
- and righteous altogether.
-
- 10 And more to be embraced always,
- than fined gold I say:
- The honey and the honey comb,
- are not so sweet as they.
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- 11 By them thy servant is forewarned,
- to have God in regard;
- And in performance of the same,
- there shall be great reward.
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- 12 But Lord what earthly man doth know
- the errors of this life:
- Then cleanse my soul from secret sins,
- which are in me most rife.
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- 13 And keep me that presumptuous sins
- prevail not over me:
- And then shall I be innocent
- and great offenses flee.
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- 14 Accept my mouth and eke my heart,
- my words and thoughts each one:
- For my redeemer and my strength,
- O Lord thou art alone.
