- 1 Lord be my judge, and thou shalt see,
- my paths be right and plain:
- I trust in God, and hope that he,
- will strength me to remain.
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- 2 Prove me my God I thee desire,
- my ways to search and try:
- As men do prove their gold with fire,
- my reines and heart espy.
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- 3 Thy goodness laid before my face,
- I durst behold always:
- For of thy truth I tread the trace,
- and will do all my days.
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- 4 I do not lust to haunt or use,
- with men whose deeds are vain:
- To come in house I do refuse,
- with the deceitful train.
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- 5 I much abhor the wicked sort,
- their deeds I do despise:
- I do not once to them resort,
- that hurtful things devise.
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- 6 My hands I wash and do proceed,
- in works to walk upright,
- Then to thine altar I make speed,
- to offer there in sight.
-
- 7 That I may speak and preach the praise,
- that doth belong to thee:
- And so declare how wondrous ways,
- thou hast been good to me.
-
- 8 O Lord thy house I love most dear,
- to me it doth excel:
- I have delight and would be near,
- whereas thy grace doth dwell.
-
- 9 O shut not up, my soul with them,
- in sin that take their fill:
- Nor yet my life among those men,
- that seek much blood to spill.
-
- 10 Whose hands are heaped with craft and
- guile their lips thereof are full,
- And their right hand with wrench and wile
- for bribes doth pluck and pull.
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- 11 But I in righteousness intend,
- my time and days to serve:
- Have mercy Lord and me defend,
- so that I do not swerve.
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- 12 My foot is stayed for all assays,
- it standeth well and right:
- Wherefore to God will I give praise,
- in all the peoples sight.
