Scripture Verse

O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes! Psalm 119:5

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719. Breath­ing af­ter ho­li­ness.

Music: Al­ex­an­dria (Ar­nold) Will­iam Ar­nold, 1791 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will!

O send Thy Spi­rit down to write
Thy law upon my heart!
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar’s part.

From vanity turn off my eyes;
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires, arise
Within this soul of mine.

Order my footsteps by Thy Word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

My soul hath gone too far as­tray,
My feet too often slip;
Yet since I’ve not forgot Thy way,
Restore Thy wand’ring sheep.

Make me to walk in Thy commands,
’Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.