Scripture Verse

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Psalm 119:33

Introduction

illustration
Nahum Tate
1652–1715

Words: Na­hum Tate & Ni­cho­las Bra­dy, 1696.

Music: Asy­lum Will­iam Hors­ley (1774–1858) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bra­dy (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
William Horsley
1774–1858

Lyrics

Instruct me in Thy sta­tutes, Lord,
Thy right­eous paths dis­play;
And I from them, through all my life,
Will ne­ver go as­tray.

If Thou true wis­dom from above
Wilt gra­ci­ous­ly im­part,
To keep Thy per­fect laws I will
Devote my zea­lous heart.

Direct me in the sac­red ways
To which Thy pre­cepts lead;
Because my chief de­light has been
Thy right­eous paths to tread.

Do Thou to Thy most just com­mands
Incline my will­ing heart;
Let no de­sire of world­ly wealth
From Thee my thoughts di­vert.

From those vain objects turn my eyes,
Which this false world dis­plays;
But give me live­ly pow­er and strength
To keep Thy right­eous ways.

Confirm the promise which Thou mad’st,
And give Thy ser­vant aid,
Who to trans­gress Thy sac­red laws
Is aw­ful­ly afraid.

The foul dis­grace I just­ly fear,
In mer­cy, Lord, re­move;
For all the judg­ments Thou or­dain’st
Are full of grace and love.

Thou know’st how af­ter Thy com­mands
My long­ing heart does pant;
O then make haste to raise me up,
And pro­mised suc­cor grant.