Scripture Verse

Direct my footsteps according to Your word. Psalm 119:133

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 686. Su­per­ior­ity of the Scrip­tures.

Music: Si­er­ra Ne­va­da Will­iam T. Giffe, 1892 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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

portrait
William T. Giffe (1848–1926)

Lyrics

Oh Lord, Thy per­fect word
Directs our steps aright,
Nor can all other books af­ford
Such pro­fit or de­light.

Celestial beams it sheds,
To cheer this vale be­low;
To dist­ant lands its glo­ry spreads,
And streams of mer­cy flow.

True wis­dom it im­parts,
Commands our hope and fear,
Oh, may we hide it in our hearts,
And feel its inf­lu­ence there.