I lift my heart to Thee, My God and Guide most just

Verse 1

I lift my heart to thee, my God and guide most just; Now suffer me to take no shame, for in thee do I trust.

Verse 2

Let not my foes rejoice, nor make a scorn of me; And let them not be overthrown that put their trust in thee.

Verse 3

But shame shall them befal, who harm them wrongfully: Therefore thy paths, and thy right ways, unto me, Lord, descry.

Verse 4

Direct me in thy truth, and teach me, I thee pray; Thou art my Saviour and my God, on thee I wait alway.

Verse 5

Thy mercies manifold remember, Lord, I pray; In pity thou art plentiful, and so hast been alway.

Verse 6

Remember not the faults and frailty of my youth, Call not to mind how ignorant I have been of thy truth:

Verse 7

Nor after my deserts let me thy mercy find; But of thine own benignity, Lord, have me in thy mind.

Verse 8

His mercy is full sweet, his truth a perfect guide; Therefore the Lord will sinners teach, and such as go aside.

Verse 9

The humble he will teach his precepts to obey, He will direct in all his paths the lowly man alway.

Verse 10

For all the ways of God both truth and mercy are, To them that do his covenant and statutes keep with care.

Verse 11

Now for thy holy name, O Lord, I thee intreat To grant me pardon for my sin, for it is very great.

Verse 12

Whoso doth fear the Lord, by him he shall be kept To lead his life in such a way as he doth best accept:

Verse 13

His soul shall evermore in goodness dwell and stand; His seed and his posterity inherit shall the land.

Verse 14

All those that fear the Lord know his secret intent, And unto them he doth declare his will and testament.

Verse 15

My eyes and thankful heart to him I will advance, That pluck'd my feet out of the snare Of sin and ignorance.

Verse 16

With mercy me behold, to thee I make my moan; For I am poor and desolate, and comfortless alone.

Verse 17

The troubles of my heart are multiply'd indeed; Bring me out of this misery, necessity and need.

Verse 18

Behold my poverty, my anguish and my pain; Remit my sin and my offence, and make me clean again.

Verse 19

O Lord, behold my foes, how they do still increase, Pursuing me with deadly hate, that fain would live in peace:

Verse 20

Preserve and keep my soul, and still deliver me; And let me not be overthrown, because I trust in thee.

Verse 21

Let truth and uprightness for ever wait on me, Because my hope and confidence have always been in thee.

Verse 22

Deliver, Lord, thy folk, and send them some relief, I mean thy chosen Israel, from all their pain and grief.