Beati immaculati

Verse 1

ALEPH. 1 Blessed are they that perfect are, and pure in mind and heart; Whose lives and conversations do from God's laws ne'er depart.

Verse 2

2 Blessed are they that give themselves his statutes to observe, Seeking the Lord with all their heart, and never from him swerve.

Verse 3

3 Doubtless such men go not astray, nor do a wicked thing, But steadfastly walk in his way without any wand'ring.

Verse 4

4 'Tis thy commandment and thy will, that with attentive heed Thy precepts, which are most divine, we learn and keep indeed.

Verse 5

5 O would to God it might thee please my ways so to direct, That I might always keep thy laws, and never them reject!

Verse 6

6 So shall I not ashamed be, whilst I thus set my eyes, And bend my mind always to muse on thy decrees most wise.

Verse 7

7 Then will I praise with upright heart, and magnify thy Name, When I shall learn thy judgments just, and also prove the same.

Verse 8

8 And wholly will I give myself to keep thy laws most right: Forsake me not for ever, Lord, but shew thy grace and might.

Verse 9

BETH. The Second Part.

Verse 10

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.

Verse 11

10 Unfeignedly I have thee sought, and thus seeking abide: O never suffer me, O Lord, from thy commands to slide.

Verse 12

11 Within my heart and secret thoughts thy words I have hid still, That I might not at any time offend thy holy will.

Verse 13

12 We magnify thy Name, O Lord, and praise thee evermore; Thy statutes of most worthy fame, O Lord, teach me therefore.

Verse 14

13 My lips have never ceas'd to preach and publish day and night The judgments all which did proceed from thy mouth full of might.

Verse 15

14 Thy testimonies and thy ways much more my heart rejoice, Than all the treasures of the earth, which worldlings make their choice.

Verse 16

15 Upon thy precepts I will muse, and thereto frame my talk; As at a mark, so will I aim how I thy ways may walk.

Verse 17

16 My only joy shall be so fixt, and on thy laws so set, That nothing shall me so far blind, that I thy words forget.

Verse 18

GIMEL. The Third Part.

Verse 19

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.

Verse 20

18 My eyes, which are dim and shut up, so open and make bright, That of thy law and wondrous works I may have the clear sight.

Verse 21

19 I am a stranger on the earth wand'ring now here, now there Thy word therefore to me disclose, my footsteps for to clear.

Verse 22

20 My soul is ravish'd with desire, and never is at rest, But seeks to know thy judgments high, and what may please thee best.

Verse 23

21 The proud and the malicious men thou dost destroy each one, And cursed are such as do not thy laws attend upon.

Verse 24

22 Lord, turn from me rebuke and shame, which wicked men conspire, For I have kept thy covenants with zeal as hot as fire.

Verse 25

23 The princes great in council sat, and did against me speak; But then thy servant thought how he thy statutes might not break.

Verse 26

24 For why? thy cov'nants are the joy and solace of my heart, They are my faithful counsellors, from them I'll not depart.

Verse 27

DALETH.The Fourth Part.

Verse 28

25 Alas, I am as brought to grave, and almost turn'd to dust; Therefore restore my life again, as thy promise is just.

Verse 29

26 My ways when I acknowledged, with mercy thou didst hear; Hear now also, and me instruct thy laws to love and fear.

Verse 30

27 Make me, O Lord, to understand thy precepts evermore, Then on thy works I'll meditate, and lay them up in store.

Verse 31

28 My soul I feel so sore oppress'd, that it doth melt for grief, According to thy word therefore haste, Lord, to send relief.

Verse 32

29 From lying and deceitful lips let thy grace me defend, And that I may learn thee to love, thy holy law me send.

Verse 33

30 The way of truth both straight and sure I chosen have and found; Before me I thy judgments set, which keep me safe and sound;

Verse 34

31 Since then, O Lord, I readily thy covenants embrace, Let me therefore have no rebuke, nor check, in any case.

Verse 35

32 Then will I run most joyfully where thy word doth me call, When thou enlarged hast my heart, and rid me out of thrall.

Verse 36

HE. The Fifth Part.

Verse 37

33 Instruct me, Lord, in the right way of thy statutes divine, And them to keep unto the end my heart I will incline.

Verse 38

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 alway.

Verse 39

35 In the right paths of thy commands guide me, Lord, I require; No other pleasure do I wish, no greater thing desire.

Verse 40

36 Incline mine heart thy laws to keep, and cov'nants to embrace, And from all filthy avarice, Lord, shield me with thy grace.

Verse 41

37 From vain desires and worldly lusts turn back my eyes and sight, And with thy Spirit strengthen me to walk thy ways aright.

Verse 42

38 Confirm thy gracious promise, Lord, which thou hast made to me, Who am thy servant, and do love, and nothing fear but thee.

Verse 43

39 Reproach and shame, which I do fear, from me, O Lord, expel; For thou dost judge with equity, and therein dost excel.

Verse 44

40 Behold, my heart's desire is bent thy laws to keep alway: O strengthen me so with thy grace, that it perform I may.

Verse 45

VAU. The Sixth Part.

Verse 46

41 Thy mercies great and manifold let me obtain, O Lord, Thy saving health let me enjoy, according to thy word.

Verse 47

40 So shall I stop the sland'rous mouths of lewd men and unjust, For in thy faithful word is all my confidence and trust.

Verse 48

43 The word of truth within my mouth let evermore be prest, For in thy judgments wonderful my hope doth always rest.

Verse 49

44 And whilst that breath within me doth this mortal life preserve, Yea, till this world shall be dissolv'd, thy law will I observe.

Verse 50

45 So walk will I as set at large from dread and danger free, Because I study how to keep thy precepts faithfully.

Verse 51

46 Thy noble acts I will describe as things of most great fame, Ev'n before kings I will them blaze, and shrink no whit for shame.

Verse 52

47 I will rejoice then to obey thy just commands and will, Which evermore I've loved best, and so will love them still.

Verse 53

48 My hands I will lift to thy laws which I have dearly sought, And practise thy commandments all in word, in deed, and thought.

Verse 54

ZAIN.The Seventh Part.

Verse 55

49 Thy promise which thou mad'st to me, remember, Lord, I pray; For therein have I put my trust and confidence alway.

Verse 56

50 It is my comfort and my joy, when troubles me assail For were my life not by thy word, it suddenly would fail.

Verse 57

51 The proud and such as God contemn, still make of me a scorn; Yet will I not thy law forsake, as if I were forlorn:

Verse 58

52 But call to mind, Lord, thy great works shew'd to our fathers old, Whereby I feel my joy surmount my grief an hundred-fold.

Verse 59

53 Horror hath taken hold on me, because the wicked do Forsake thy righteous law, and will have no regard thereto.

Verse 60

54 But as for me, I fram'd my songs thy statutes to exalt, When I among the strangers dwelt, and grief did me assault.

Verse 61

55 I thought upon thy Name, O Lord, by night when others sleep; Thy law also I kept always, and ever will it keep.

Verse 62

56 This grace I did obtain, because thy covenants most dear I did embrace, and also keep with reverence and fear.

Verse 63

CHETH. The Eighth Part.

Verse 64

57 O God, who art my part and lot, my comfort and my stay, I have decreed and promised thy laws to keep alway.

Verse 65

58 With my whole heart I humbly su'd in presence of thy face, As thou therefore hast promised, Lord, grant to me thy grace.

Verse 66

59 My life I have examined, and try'd my secret heart, Which to thy statutes caused me my feet straight to convert.

Verse 67

60 I did not stay nor linger long, as they that slothful are, But hastily thy laws to keep I did myself prepare.

Verse 68

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.

Verse 69

62 Thy righteous laws and judgments are so very great and high, That e'en at midnight I will rise Thy Name to magnify.

Verse 70

63 I am companion of all them, who fear thee in their heart; O therefore grant I never may from thy commandments start.

Verse 71

64 Thy mercies, Lord, most plenteously the earth throughout do fill O teach me how I may obey thy statutes and thy will.

Verse 72

TETH. The Ninth Part.

Verse 73

65 According to thy promise, Lord, so hast thou with me dealt, For of thy grace in sundry sorts have I thy servant felt.

Verse 74

66 Teach me to judge always aright, and give me knowledge sure; For stedfastly I do believe thy precepts are most pure.

Verse 75

67 Before that I afflicted was, I err'd and went astray; But now I keep thy holy word, and make it all my stay.

Verse 76

68 Thou art both good and gracious, Lord, and in thy gifts most free, Thy ordinances how to keep therefore, O Lord, teach me.

Verse 77

69 The proud and the ungodly have against me forg'd a lye; Yet thy commandments still observe with all my heart will I.

Verse 78

70 Their hearts are ev'n like unto brawn, which is exceeding fat; But in thy law do I delight, and nothing seek but that.

Verse 79

71 O happy time, may I well say when thou didst me correct, That I thereby might learn thy laws, and never them reject.

Verse 80

72 So that thy word and law to me is dearer manifold, Than gold and silver in great sums, or ought that can be told.

Verse 81

JOD The Tenth Part.

Verse 82

73 Thy hands have made and fashion'd me, thy creature, Lord, am I; Make me to understand thy law, and keep it faithfully.

Verse 83

74 So they that fear thee shall rejoice whenever they may see, Because I've learned by thy word to put my trust in thee.

Verse 84

75 I know, O Lord, thy judgments all most just and righteous be, And that in very faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

Verse 85

76 Now of thy goodness I thee pray some comfort to me send, And as thou hast me hitherto, O Lord, still me defend.

Verse 86

77 Thy tender mercies pour on me, then shall I surely live, For joy and consolation both thy law to me doth give.

Verse 87

78 Confound the proud who do me seek perversely to destroy; But as for me, thy laws to know, I will myself employ.

Verse 88

79 Whoso with rev'rence do thee fear, to me let them retire; And such as know thy covenants, and them alone desire.

Verse 89

80 My heart without all wavering let on thy laws be bent, That no confusion come to me, nor any discontent.

Verse 90

CAPH The Eleventh Part.

Verse 91

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.

Verse 92

82 My eyes do fail with looking for thy word, and thus I say, Oh when wilt thou me comfort, Lord? why dost thou thus delay?

Verse 93

83 Like as a bottle in the smoke, so am I parch'd and dry'd; Yet will I not out of my heart let thy commandments slide.

Verse 94

84 How long, O Lord, shall I yet live before I see the hour, That on my foes which me torment thy vengeance thou wilt pour?

Verse 95

85 Presumptuous men have digged pits, thinking to make me sure; Thus quite contrary to thy law my hurt they do procure.

Verse 96

86 But thy commandments are all true, and causeless they me grieve; To thee therefore I do complain, that thou may'st me relieve.

Verse 97

87 Almost they had me clean destroy'd, and brought me quite to ground: Yet by thy statutes I abode, and therein succour found.

Verse 98

88 Restore me, Lord, again to life, thy mercies do excel; And so shall I thy statutes keep, till death my life expel.

Verse 99

LAMED. The Twelfth Part.

Verse 100

89 In heav'n, O Lord, where thou dost dwell, thy word is 'stablish'd sure, And shall to all eternity fast settled there endure.

Verse 101

90 From age to age thy truth abides, as doth the earth witness; Whose ground-work thou hast laid so sure as no tongue can express.

Verse 102

91 Even to this day we may well see how thou dost them preserve, According to thy ordinance, for all things do thee serve.

Verse 103

92 Had it not been that in thy law my soul had comfort sought, Long time e'er now in my distress I had been brought to naught.

Verse 104

93 Therefore will I thy precepts keep in memory full fast, Because that thou by them, O Lord, my life restored hast.

Verse 105

94 No man to me can title make, for I am only thine; Save me therefore, for to thy laws my ears and heart incline.

Verse 106

95 The wicked men that seek my bane for me do lie in wait; But I will meditate upon thy testimonies great:

Verse 107

96 For nothing in this world I see, which hath at length no end; But thy commandments and thy word beyond all time extend.

Verse 108

MIM. The Thirteenth Part.

Verse 109

97 What great desire and fervent love unto thy law I bear! On it my daily study is, that so I may thee fear.

Verse 110

98 Thy words have taught me to exceed in wisdom ail my foes; For they are ever with me, and do give me sweet repose.

Verse 111

99 My teachers who did me instruct in knowledge I excel; Because I do thy statutes keep, and them to others tell.

Verse 112

100 In wisdom I do far surpass the ancient men also; And that because I keep thy laws, and so resolve to do.

Verse 113

101 My feet I have refrain'd likewise from ev'ry evil way; That so I might thy word observe and keep without delay.

Verse 114

102 I have not from thy judgments swerv'd nor shrunk, as thou canst tell; Because thou hast me taught thereby to live godly and well.

Verse 115

103 O Lord, how sweet unto my taste I find thy words alway! Doubtless no honey in my mouth doth taste so sweet as they.

Verse 116

104 Thy laws have me such wisdom learn'd, that I do hate therefore All wicked and ungodly ways, and will do evermore.

Verse 117

NUN. The Fourteenth Part.

Verse 118

105 Ev'n as a lantern to my feet, so doth thy word shine bright, And to my paths where I do go it is a flaming light.

Verse 119

106 I have both sworn and will perform in truth and faithfulness, That I will keep thy judgments just, and them in life express.

Verse 120

107 Affliction hath me sore opprest, and brought me to death's door: O Lord, as thou hast promised. so me to life restore.

Verse 121

108 The free-will off'rings of my mouth, which I to thee do give, Accept, and teach me how I may after thy judgments live.

Verse 122

109 My soul is ever in my hand, great dangers me assail; Yet do I not thy law forget, nor it to keep will fail.

Verse 123

110 Altho' the wicked laid their nets to make of me a prey, Yet from thy precepts did I not once swerve or go astray.

Verse 124

111 Thy law, O Lord, I taken have my heritage to be; Because such great delight and joy it doth afford to me.

Verse 125

112 For evermore I have been bent thy statutes to fulfil, Even so likewise unto the end I will continue still.

Verse 126

SAMECH. The Fifteenth Part.

Verse 127

113 All thoughts that vain and wicked are I do always detest; But for thy precepts and thy laws, I ever love them best.

Verse 128

114 Thou art my hid and secret place, my shield and strong defence; Therefore have I thy promises look'd for with confidence.

Verse 129

115 Therefore ye evil-doers all, away from me be gone, For the commandments will I keep of God my Lord alone.

Verse 130

116 As thou hast promis'd, so perform, that I may live and be Never ashamed of the hope, which thou hast given me.

Verse 131

117 Uphold me, and I shall be safe, for ought they do or say, And in thy statutes pleasure take I will both night and day.

Verse 132

118 Under thy feet thou hast trod such as do thy statutes break; For naught avails their subtilty, their counsels are too weak.

Verse 133

119 Like dross thou cast'st the wicked out Wherever they do dwell; Therefore can I as thy commands love nothing half so well.

Verse 134

120 My flesh doth quake for fear of thee, my soul is much dismay'd; By reason of thy judgments great my heart is sore afraid.

Verse 135

AIN. The Sixteenth Part.

Verse 136

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;

Verse 137

122 But for thy servant surety be in that thing which is right; And never let the proud oppress me with their rage and spite.

Verse 138

123 My eyes do fail with waiting for thy health which I do crave; And for thy righteous promise, Lord, whereby thou wilt me save.

Verse 139

124 Entreat thy servant lovingly, and favour to him show; And thy commands most excellent teach me also to know.

Verse 140

125 Thy humble servant, Lord, I am, grant me to understand How by thy statutes I may know best what to take in hand.

Verse 141

126 It is now time, Lord, to begin, for truth doth quite decay; Thy law likewise they have made void, and none doth it obey.

Verse 142

127 This is the cause wherefore I love thy laws much more than gold, Or jewels fine, which are esteem'd most costly to be sold.

Verse 143

128 I thought thy precepts all most just, and so them kept in store; All crafty and malicious ways I greatly do abhor.

Verse 144

PE. The Seventeenth Part.

Verse 145

129 Thy covenants are wonderful, and full of things profound; My soul therefore doth keep them sure, when they are try'd and found.

Verse 146

130 The entrance of thy word doth give to men a light most clear, The simple likewise understand when they it read or hear.

Verse 147

131 My mouth I open'd and did pant, because my soul did long For thy commandments, which always do guide my heart and tongue.

Verse 148

132 With mercy and compassion look upon me from above, As thou art wont such to behold as thy Name fear and love.

Verse 149

133 Direct my footsteps by thy word, that I thy will may know; And never let iniquity thy servant overthrow.

Verse 150

134 From sland'rous tongues and deadly harms preserve and keep me sure; Thy precepts then will I observe with heart upright and pure.

Verse 151

135 Thy countenance, which doth surpass the sun in its bright hue, Let shine on me, and by thy law teach me what to eschew.

Verse 152

136 Rivers of waters from my eyes incessantly do fall, Because I see how wicked men thy laws keep not at all.

Verse 153

ZADE. The Eighteenth Part.

Verse 154

137 In ev'ry thing. Lord, thou art just, although the wicked grudge; And when thou dost sentence pronounce, thou art a righteous judge.

Verse 155

138 To render right, and free from guile, are two chief points most high; And such as thou hast in thy law commanded us strictly.

Verse 156

139 My zeal hath ev'n consumed me, and I am pin'd away, Because my foes thy word forget, and will it not obey.

Verse 157

140 Thy word is very pure, and doth greatly my heart rejoice; Therefore thy servant nothing more can love or make my choice.

Verse 158

141 And though I be nothing set by, as one of base degree; Yet do I not thy laws forget, nor shrink away from thee.

Verse 159

142 Thy truth and righteousness, O Lord, for ever shall endure; Also thy 1aw is truth itself, most constant and most pure.

Verse 160

143 Anguish and grief have seiz'd on me, and brought me very low; Yet all thy precepts do I still delight to hear and know.

Verse 161

144 The righteousness of thy commands doth last for evermore; Then teach them me, because in them my life lies up in store.

Verse 162

KOPH. The Nineteenth Part.

Verse 163

145 With fervent heart I call'd and cry'd, now answer me, O Lord, That thy commandments to observe I fully may accord.

Verse 164

146 To thee, my God, I make my suit, save me, I humbly pray; Thy testimonies then will I always keep and obey.

Verse 165

147 To thee do I cry in the morn before the day appear; For in thy word I put my trust, and thee alone do fear:

Verse 166

148 My eyes prevent the night-watches, before they call, I wake, That meditating on thy word, I might some comfort take.

Verse 167

149 Incline thine ear to hear my voice, and pity on me take; As thou wast wont, so quicken me, lest life should me forsake.

Verse 168

150 My foes draw near, and greedily do after mischief run; Far from thy law they are gone back, and wickedly it shun.

Verse 169

151 Therefore, O Lord, approach thou near, since need doth so require; For all thy precepts are most true, then help, I thee desire.

Verse 170

152 Concerning thy commandments I have learned long ago, That they remain for evermore, thou hast them grounded so.

Verse 171

RESH. The Twentieth part.

Verse 172

153 My trouble and affliction, Lord, consider and behold; Deliver me, for of thy law I ever take fast hold.

Verse 173

154 Defend my good and righteous cause, with speed some succor send; From death, as thou hast promised, Lord, ever me defend.

Verse 174

155 As for the wicked, they are far from saving health and grace; Because the way thy laws to know they enter not the trace.

Verse 175

156 Great are thy mercies, Lord, I grant, what tongue can them explain? According to thy judgments good let me my life obtain.

Verse 176

157 Though many men did trouble me, and persecute me sore, Yet from thy laws I never shrunk, nor went aside therefore.

Verse 177

158 The great transgressors I behold, which is a grief to me, Because they do not keep thy word, nor ever seek to thee.

Verse 178

159 Behold how I do love thy laws with a most upright heart, Then quicken me, O Lord, for thou most good and gracious art.

Verse 179

160 Thy word from the beginning hath been ever true and just, Thy righteous judgments ev'ry one always continue must.

Verse 180

SCHIN. The Twenty-first Part.

Verse 181

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but saw It was in vain, for of thy word my heart did stand in awe.

Verse 182

162 And surely of thy word I was more joyful and more glad, Than he that of rich spoils and prey great store and plenty had.

Verse 183

163 But as for lyes and falsities, them I hate and detest; Because thy holy law I do above all things love best.

Verse 184

164 Seven times a day I praise thee, Lord, singing with heart and voice Because thy righteous judgments do greatly my heart rejoice.

Verse 185

165 Great peace and rest shall all such have as do thy statutes love; No danger shall their quiet state impair or once remove.

Verse 186

166 My only health and comfort, Lord, I look for at thy hand; And therefore have I done those things , which thou didst me command.

Verse 187

167 Thy laws have been my exercise, which my soul most desire'd; So much to them my love was bent, that naught else I requir'd.

Verse 188

168 Thy statutes and commandments I have kept with heart upright; For all my doings and my ways are present in thy sight.

Verse 189

TAU. The Twenty-second Part.

Verse 190

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.

Verse 191

170 O let my supplication, Lord, have free access to thee; And let me be delivered, as thou hast promis'd me.

Verse 192

171 Then shall my lips thy praises speak after most ample sort, When thou thy statutes hast me taught, wherein stands my comfort.

Verse 193

172 My tongue shall freely preach thy word, and evermore confess, Thy famous acts and noble laws are truth and righteousness.

Verse 194

173 Stretch out thy hand, I thee beseech, and speedily me save; For thy commandments to observe, chosen, O Lord, I have.

Verse 195

174 Of thee alone, Lord, I crave health, for other I know none; And in thy law to meditate I do delight alone.

Verse 196

175 Grant me therefore long days to live thy Name to magnify, And of thy judgments wonderful let me the favour try.

Verse 197

176 For I was lost and went astray ev'n like a wand'ring sheep: O seek me, for I have not fail'd thy statutes for to keep.