83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke yet do I not forget Thy statutes. 84 How many are the days of Thy servant when wilt Thou be avenged of them that persecute me? : 85 The proud have digged pits for me : which are not after Thy law. 86 All Thy commandments are true: they persecute me falsely; O be Thou my help. 87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth but I forsook not Thy commandments. 88 O quicken me after Thy loving-kindness and so shall I keep the testimonies of Thy mouth. xii. In æternum, Domine. : O LORD, Thy word endureth for ever in heaven. 90 Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another: Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to Thine ordinance : for all things serve Thee. 92 If my delight had not been in Thy law I should have perished in my trouble. 93 I will never forget Thy commandments: for with them Thou hast quickened me. : 94 I am Thine, O save me : for I have sought Thy commandments. 95 The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me : but I will consider Thy testimonies. 96 I see that all things come to an end : but Thy commandment is exceeding broad. xiii. Quomodo dilexi! : LORD, what love have I unto Thy law all the day long is my study in it. 89, 90. The unchangeability of God's counsels, as also declared by S. James: "Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 96. I see that, &c.; Heb. I have seen an end of all perfection. Solomon's book, Ecclesiastes, is one long sad wail over the vanity of this world's perfection. WISDOM. 13th stanza, Mem, 97. Lord. This word is introduced from the Vulgate. The Hebrew B. V. is, "O how I love Thy law!" 98 Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me. : 99 I have more understanding than my teachers for Thy testimonies are my study. 100 I am wiser than the aged: because I keep Thy commandments. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep Thy word. 102 I have not shrunk from Thy judg ments for Thou teachest me. : 103 O how sweet are Thy words unto my throat yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth. 104 Through Thy commandments I get understanding therefore I hate all evil ways. Morning Prayer. xiv. Lucerna pedibus meis. : THY word is a lantern unto my feet and a light unto my paths. 106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed to keep Thy righteous judgments. 107 I am troubled above measure: quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy word. 108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please Thee, O LORD: and teach me Thy judgments. 109 My soul is alway in my hand : yet do I not forget Thy law. 110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me but yet I swerved not from Thy commandments. 111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever: and why? they are the very joy of my heart. DAY 26. THE BEACON LIGHT. 14th stanza, Nun, J. 105. A lamp by night, a sun by day. "The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light," Prov. vi. 23. 109. My soul, &c.; "Neither count I my LIFE dear unto my self, so that I might finish my course with joy," Acts xx. 24. 112 I have applied my heart to fulfil Thy statutes alway: even unto the end. XV. Iniquos odio habui. I HATE them that imagine evil things: but 114 Thou art my defence and shield: and my trust is in Thy word. 115 Away from me, ye wicked: I will keep the commandments of my God. 116 O stablish me according to Thy word, that I may live and let me not be disappointed of my hope. : 117 Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe yea, my delight shall be ever in Thy statutes. 118 Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from Thy statutes: for they imagine but deceit. 119 Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross: therefore I love Thy testimonies. 118. They imagine, &c.; lit. their deceit is falsehood. Their subtle device will fail and ruin its owners. 119. Dross; that which is thrown down refuse. Anglo as 120 My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee: Saxon, dreosan, to and I am afraid of Thy judgments. xvi. Feci judicium. I DEAL with the thing that is lawful and right 0 give me not over unto mine oppressors. 122 Make Thou Thy servant to delight in that which is good that the proud do me no wrong. 123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for Thy health and for the word of Thy righteousness. : 124 O deal with Thy servant according unto Thy loving mercy and teach me Thy statutes. 125 I am Thy servant, O grant me un fall. 120. "Joyful hope goes hand in hand with fear."-HENGST. PROTECTION. 16th stanza, Ain, y. 121. I deal, &c.; lit. I have done judgment and righteous ness. 122. Make Thou, &c.; rather, be surety for Thy servant for good-i.e., take him under Thy protection. 123. Are wasted away with, &c.; rather, long, with a con suming longing, for Thy salvation. derstanding that I may know Thy testimonies. 126 It is time for Thee, LORD, to lay to Thine hand : for they have destroyed Thy law. 127 For I love Thy commandments : above gold and precious stone. 128 Therefore hold I straight all Thy commandments: and all false ways I utterly abhor. xvii. Mirabilia. THY testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130 When Thy word goeth forth: it giveth light and understanding unto the simple. 131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath for my delight was in Thy commandments. : 132 O look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy Name. 133 Order my steps in Thy word: and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. 134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men and so shall I keep Thy commandments. 135 Shew the light of Thy countenance upon Thy servant and teach me Thy statutes. 136 Mine eyes gush out with water : because men keep not Thy law. xviii. Justus es, Domine. : RIGHTEOUS art Thou, O LORD and true is FAITHFULNESS. 18th stanza, Tzaddi, 137. The Emperor Mauritius, upon seeing all his children slain before his face, himself expecting the next stroke, exclaimed aloud, "Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments."-GIBBON, Ch. 46, cited by Horne. Maurice died A.D. 602. 138 The testimonies that Thou hast commanded are exceeding righteous and true. 139 My zeal hath even consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten Thy words. 140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost : and Thy servant loveth it. 141 I am small, and of no reputation : yet do I not forget Thy commandments. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness and Thy law is the truth. : 143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me yet is my delight in Thy commandments. 144 The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live. Evening Prayer. xix. Clamavi in toto corde meo. : I CALL with my whole heart hear me, O 146 Yea, even unto Thee do I call : help me, and I shall keep Thy testimonies. 147 Early in the morning do I cry unto Thee for in Thy word is my trust. : 148 Mine eyes prevent the night-watches: that I might be occupied in Thy words. 149 Hear my voice, O LORD, according unto Thy loving-kindness: quicken me, according as Thou art wont. 150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me and are far from Thy law. .ק PRAYER. 19th stanza, Koph, 147. Early in the morning; lit. I prevented, anticipated, the dawn, as in the next verse, the night. 149. According as Thou art wont; lit. according to Thy judgment; B. V., as in verse 132. 150. NEAR to mischief-FAR from the 151 Be Thou nigh at hand, O LORD for law. all Thy commandments are true. 152 As concerning Thy testimonies, I have known long since that Thou hast grounded them for ever. 152. The triumph of faith. |