1.

The words that from my lips proceed,
My thoughts (for Thou those thoughts canst read,)
My God, my King, attentive weigh,
And hear, O hear me, when I pray.

2.

With earliest zeal, with wakeful care,
To Thee my soul shall pour its pray'r,
And, ere the dawn has streak'd the sky,
To Thee direct its longing eye: —

3.

To Thee, whom nought obscur'd by stain
Can please; whose doors to feet profane
Inexorable stand; whose Law
Offenders from thy sight shall awe.

4.

Let each whose tongue to lies is turn'd,
Who lessons of deceit has learn'd,
Or thirsts a brother's blood to shed,
Thy hate and heaviest vengeance dread.

5.

But I, whose hope thy Love supports,
(How great that Love!) will tread thy Courts,
My knees in lowliest rev'rence bend,
And tow'rd thy shrine my hands extend.

6.

Do Thou, just God, my path prepare,
And guard me from each hostile snare;
O lend me thy conducting ray,
And level to my steps thy way.

7.

Behold me by a troop inclos'd,
Of hatred and of guilt compos'd,
Nurs'd in deceit, in sin allied,
Nor faith nor truth their actions guide:

8.

Their throat a sepulchre displays,
Deep, wide, insatiate; in their praise
Lurks flatt'ry, and with specious art
Belies the purpose of their heart.

9.

O let the mischiefs they intend
Retorted on themselves descend,
And let thy wrath correct their sin,
Whose hearts thy mercy sails to win.

10.

May All who trust in Thee, employ
Their grateful voice in songs of joy,
And share the gifts on those bestow'd,
Who love the name of Jacob 's God.

11.

To each, who bears a guiltless heart,
Thy grace its blessing shall impart;
Strong as the brazen shield, thy aid
Around him casts its cov'ring shade.