Lyrics
The heavens God's glory declare,
the skies his handiworks preach:
Day utters speech to day, and night
to night does knowledge teach.
There is no speech nor tongue to which
their voice does not extend:
Their line is gone through all the earth,
their words to the world's end.
In them he set the sun a tent;
Who, like a bridegroom, forth goes
From his chamber, as a strong man does
to run his race rejoice.
From heaven's end is his going forth,
circling to the end again;
And there is nothing from his heat
that hidden does remain.
God's law is perfect, and converts
the soul in sin that lies:
God's testimony is most sure,
and makes the simple wise.
The statutes of the Lord are right,
and do rejoice the heart:
The Lord's command is pure, and does
light to the eyes impart.
Unspotted is the fear of God,
and does endure for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
They more than gold, yes, much fine gold,
to be desired are:
Than honey, honey from the comb
that drips, sweeter far.
Moreover, they your servant warn
how he his life should frame:
A great reward provided is
for them that keep the same.
Who can his errors understand?
O cleanse me from within
From secret faults. Your servant keep
from all presumptuous sin:
And do not suffer them to have
dominion over me:
Then, righteous and innocent,
I from much sin shall be.
The words which from my mouth proceed,
the thoughts sent from my heart,
Accept, O Lord, for you my strength
and my Redeemer are.
Help, Lord, because the godly man
does daily fade away;
And from among the sons of men
the faithful do decay.
Unto his neighbour every one
does utter vanity:
They with a double heart do speak,
and lips of flattery.
God shall cut off all flattering lips,
tongues that speak proudly thus,
We'll with our tongue prevail, our lips
are ours: who's lord over us?
For poor oppressed, and for the sighs
of needy, rise will I,
Says God, and him in safety set
from such as him defy.
The words of God are words most pure;
they are like silver tried
In earthen furnace, seven times
that has been purified.
Lord, you shall them preserve and keep
for ever from this race.
On each side walk the wicked, when
vile men are high in place.