How shall the young preserve their ways

Verse 1

How shall the young preserve their ways From all pollution free? By making still their course of life With thy commands agree.

Verse 2

With hearty zeal for thee I seek To thee for succour pray; O suffer not my careless steps From thy right paths to stray.

Verse 3

Safe in my heart, and closely hid, Thy word, my treasure lies; To succour me with timely aid, When sinful thoughts arise.

Verse 4

Secur'd by that, my grateful soul Shall ever bless thy name; O teach me than by thy just laws My future life to frame.

Verse 5

My lips, unlock'd by pious zeal, To others have declar'd How well the judgments of thy mouth Deserve our best regard.

Verse 6

Whilst in the way of thy commands More solid joy I found, Than had I been with vast increase Of envy'd riches crown'd.

Verse 7

Therefore thy just and upright laws Shall always fill my mind; And those sound rules, which thou prescirb'st All due respect shall find.

Verse 8

To keep thy statutes undefac'd Shall be my constant joy; The strict remembrance of thy word Shall all my thoughts employ.