Classic Poem

1.

Be Thou my Judge: thy searching eyes
My guiltless life have known:
On Thee my stedfast soul relies,
Nor fear of lapse shall own.

2.

O search me still; my heart, my reins,
With strictest view survey:
Thy Love, great God, my hope sustains,
Thy Truth directs my way.

3.

The house of guile, and seat of lies,
With studious care I shun:
From Crouds that impious deeds devise
My steps abhorrent run.

4.

In innocence I wash my hands,
Thy altar compass round,
And grateful lead the sacred Bands,
Whose hymns thy acts resound.

5.

How oft, instinct with warmth divine,
Thy threshold have I trod!
How lov'd the Courts whose walls inshrine
The Glory of my God!

6.

O let me not the vengeance share,
That waits the guilty Tribe,
Whose murth'rous hands each mischief dare,
And grasp the offer'd bribe:

7.

But pour, O pour, while thus I tread
The path by Thee prepar'd,
Thy beams of mercy on my head,
And round me plant a guard.

8.

Thou, Lord, my steps hast fix'd aright,
And pleas'd shalt hear my tongue
With Israel 's thankful Sons unite
To form the festal Song.