22 POEMS ON PSALM 119

By Maurice Dyson

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Blessedness

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Psalm 119:1

O blessed are the undefiled
Who walk the lawful way
As children who are reconciled
With fruit that they display

O blessed are those set apart
Who guard the truth revealed
Who seek the LORD with all their heart
With faith their only shield

Avoiding all iniquity
Or wrong in any form
They walk in godly equity
For thus it is the norm

Thou hast commanded us to guard
Thy precepts in the law
To reckon them as due reward
For soldiers in the war

O that my ways were pointed out
Thy statutes for to keep
Then neither sin nor any doubt
Could thwart me on the steep

Then shall not shame be found in me
When I have due respect
To Thy commandments as they be
Complete in full effect

So I will praise Thee steadfastly
With heart and ready mind
When I have learned implicitly
Thy judgments true and kind

Thy statutes will I hold so dear
Their values are so high
Forsake me not, for Thee I fear
Thy love can never die

 

Refuge

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalm 119:9

How shall a young man cleanse his way?
By heeding to Thy word
It is a process every day
A practice well preferred

I’ve sought Thee with my total heart
Let not me go astray
Thy pure commandments on their part
Do keep me in the way

Thy word I’ve hid within my heart
That counters wilful sin
Thy holiness doth ne’er depart
Thy word hath walled it in

O blessed Thou, O LORD my God
A refuge in the storm
Teach me Thy statutes understood
That no one can reform

With lips I do in fact assure
The judgments Thou hast made
Like as Thy presence is secure
So I am not dismayed

Thy way of life that testifies
Is both my joy and crown
It is Thy love that satisfies
Surpassing world renown

Thy precepts I will meditate
And contemplate Thy spheres
That I may more investigate
Thy judgments without fears

Thy statutes are delight to me
Thy word I won’t forget
They always are my sanctuary
Secure with no regret

 

Provision

Deal bountifully with thy servant,
that I may live, and keep thy word.
Psalm 119:17

Deal with Thy servant openly
That I may live aright
And keep Thy word more readily
Thy name in all its might

Open my eyes that I may see
The wonders of Thy law
Astonishments too high for me
I could not see before

I am a stranger in the earth
Hide not Thy bold decrees
For Thy commandments from my birth
Have kept my soul at ease

My longing soul is crushed within
Thy judgments I desire
My soul is faint with sore chagrin
Clothe me with Thine attire

The erring one Thou dost rebuke
Him proud of heart and cursed
Who wanders from Thy statute book
His lot is not reversed

Take far away contempt from me
For it is a reproach
Respect for Thine authority
Are matters I will broach

Though princes sit and vie with me
Whatever they relate
Thy laws are my dependency
On these I meditate

Thy witnesses are joy to me
They are my true delight
My counsellors of old they be
In plenitude or plight

 

Opportunity

My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
quicken thou me according to thy word.
Psalm 119:25

My soul is clinging to the dust
My spirit is in need
In Thee O LORD I put my trust
Thou art my daily feed

My ways I have declared to Thee
Thou answered my request
Teach me Thy laws that I may see
The purpose they invest

Make me to learn and understand
The precepts Thou hast set
Thy wondrous works on every hand
I’ll talk about them yet

My soul doth melt with heaviness
O LORD I look to Thee
In Thy great love and tenderness
Thy word will strengthen me

Remove from me a lying tongue
And grant me graciously
Thy law that doth my days prolong
Acceptable to Thee

The way of truth has been my choice
Thy judgments evergreen
They are the essence of Thy voice
Wherever they are seen

I cling to patterns testified
To all Thou hast portrayed
Put not me LORD to shame or pride
But on Thy word be stayed

I’ll run the way Thou doth command
Observing every part
For thus I know Thy righteous hand
Hath so enlarged my heart

 

 

Vision

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

Teach me, O LORD, Thy righteous way
The way Thy laws ordain
And I shall keep it every day
As long as I remain

Give me a mind to understand
And I shall keep Thy law
I shall observe its clear command
With wholesome heart and awe

Make me to go the rightful track
That Thou hast stated clear
There is no thought of turning back
To them I do adhere

Incline my heart, O LORD, I pray
To Thy sure witnesses
Their record is my hope and stay
In liberty or stress

O turn my eyes from vanity
Enliven me within
Then from Thy pure vitality
Subdue my wanton sin

Establish now Thy servant, LORD
Devoted to Thy fear
Thy word will reap its own reward
When consciences are clear

O turn away reproach from me
Reproach is what I fear
Thy judgments of integrity
Do lastingly cohere

Thy precepts have I long desired
They point the way ahead
Enliven me with life required
For Thou doth raise the dead

 

Security

Let thy mercies come also unto me,
O LORD, even thy salvation,
 according to thy word.
Psalm 119:41

O let Thy mercies come to me
My LORD and hiding place
Thy great salvation made me free
According to Thy grace

So shall I have to answer him
The one who vents reproof
But not with language verbatim
Nor attitude aloof

Take not the word of truth away
Completely from my tongue
I’ve hoped in Thy great judgment day
And that will be my song

So shall I keep Thy holy law
Forever and a day
It strengthens me in time of war
And guards me in the fray

Then I will walk in liberty
Thy precepts I will seek
For they are food and drink to me
As vigour for the weak

Thy witness I will also speak
To those with royal fame
The kings who disregard the meek
Yet I will have no shame

I will delight in Thy commands
Commandments I have loved
The love that truth itself demands
As time has wholly proved

My hands I lift and venerate
Thy just authority
And in Thy statutes meditate
The love that made me free

 

Readiness

Remember the word unto thy servant,
upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
Psalm 119:49

Recall the word Thou gavest me
Which brought about my hope
The sureness of Thy prophecy
Unlimited in scope

This is my comfort in distress
Whatever pains they be
Thy word leads on to happiness
As Thou hast quickened me

The proud have scorned deridingly
With all their haughtiness
I’ve kept Thy law abidingly
Yet not as from duress

Thy judgments I recall to mind
The justice known of old
My comforts are to Thee inclined
As lambs within the fold

A fearfulness is gripping me
Because of wickedness
The servants of iniquity
Will perish nonetheless

Thy statutes are selected songs
Within my pilgrim home
For that is where my heart belongs
Wherever I may roam

I have recalled Thy name, O LORD
At night when day is o’er
Thou hast not left me overawed
For I have kept Thy law

These are the precepts in my soul
Hid deep within my heart
Where every jot makes up the whole
Thy word in every part

 

Sufficiency

Thou art my portion, O LORD:
I have said that I would keep thy words.
Psalm 119:57

Thou art my portion, O my LORD
I’ve said I’d keep Thy words
For they are both my shield and sword
As that which undergirds

Be merciful, O LORD, I pray
Thy word is surety
I pondered on my pilgrim way
Thy witness guided me

I hastened and did not delay
To keep Thy law engraved
Thy clear commandments that portray
A lifestyle not enslaved

The companies of wicked men
Have robbed me with their guile
But I remembered yet again
Thy grace exceeds the trial

At midnight I will duly rise
With thankfulness to Thee
Thy righteous judgments them I prize
Because they comfort me

I am a just companion
Of them that feareth Thee
Who keep Thy precepts every one
In perfect harmony

The earth, O LORD, our dwelling place
Thy mercy doth display
It is a token of Thy grace
Around us every day

Teach me Thy statutes that they be
Engraved within my heart
A refuge and a sanctuary
That never can depart

 

Redirection

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD,
according unto thy word.
Psalm 119:65

O LORD, Thou hast well treated me
According to Thy word
Thy servant is obliged to Thee
For often I have erred

Teach me good judgment, knowledge too
Thy mandates I’ve believed
They lighten paths I’m passing through
With factors now perceived

Before I was afflicted sore
At times I went astray
But now I’ve got Thy word in store
It navigates my way

Thou art the God that doest good
Thy goodness ever pure
Teach me Thy statutes understood
That ever will endure

The proud have grossly forged a lie
Against me without sense
But I will keep Thy precepts nigh
With steadfast confidence

Their heart is fat, as fat as grease
They do not understand
Thy law delights and is my peace
All else is sinking sand

Tis good for me to be distressed
That I might duly learn
Thy statutes as they manifest
The things of due concern

The law Thy mouth has well defined  
Known from the days of old
Is more to me than gold refined
Than riches yet untold

 

Affliction

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:
give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
Psalm 119:73

Thy hands have made and fashioned me
O grant that I may learn
With understanding earnestly
Thy law at every turn

Then they that fear Thee will be glad
As when they look on me
Because the robe with which I’m clad
Is my security

Thy righteous judgments, LORD, I know
Are steadfast and endure
Afflictions suffered here below
Attest Thy love is sure

O let Thy gracious kindliness
Be comfort unto me
According as Thy words express
Thy love and constancy

O let Thy tender mercies come
O let them come I pray
That I may live them out in sum
In practise every day

Let all the proud be put to shame
Perverse they dealt with me
Without a cause that they could name
But I will trust in Thee

Let those that fear Thee turn to me
Who know Thy truth affirmed
That testify Thy purity
In words so clearly termed

O let my heart be dutiful
In statutes Thou hast named
So when I stand accountable
I shall not be ashamed

 

Endurance

My soul fainteth for thy salvation:
but I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:81

My soul is faint and longing for
Salvation ever near
My hope is strengthened all the more
Because Thy word is dear

Mine eyes are failing for Thy word
In my dependency
I wait until the breeze is stirred
And Thou wilt comfort me

My body needs are desperate 
My skin is burned with heat
Thy statutes I do not forget
A path beneath my feet

How many are my servant days?
When wilt Thy judgment be
On those devising wicked ways
Those persecuting me?

The proud have plotted pits for me
As holes bestrewn with straw
Disguising thus their enmity
Regarding not Thy law

All Thy commandments readily
Are pure with faithfulness
They persecute me wrongfully
LORD help, I’m in distress!

They almost made an end of me
To end my life on earth
Thy precepts with their firm decree
I keep in all their worth

O wilt Thou duly quicken me
Thy loving kindness send
Thy testimony thus shall be
My portion to the end

 

Preservation

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:89

Forever, LORD, Thy word is set
Its place in heaven stands
In Thee alone our needs are met
The loosing of our bands

Thy faithfulness is manifest
To generations wide
The earth came forth at Thy behest
And so it doth abide

According to Thine ordinance
Continuing this day
All things are made Thine instruments
Within the role they play

Unless Thy law inherently
Had not been my delight
I should have perished woefully
Afflicted in the plight

Thy precepts I will not forget
Learned at my mother’s knee
For with them Thou didst me beget
As Thou hast quickened me

For I am Thine, deliver me
Save me from wanton sin
I sought Thy precepts readily
The cure for all chagrin

The wicked lie in wait for me
My soul they would destroy
But I’ll peruse implicitly
Thy word with earnest joy

I’ve seen perfection as it stands
So limited in time
Yet Thy exceeding great commands
Are timeless and sublime

 

Stability

O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:97

O how indeed I love Thy law
It is my daily food
My consolation in the war
As forces are withstood

Commandments with their emphasis
Have truly made me wise
Yea, wiser than my enemies
A code that never dies

I have more understanding now
Than all my teachers near
Thy testimonies show me how
With meditation clear

I understand in matters hard
More than the men of old
Because Thy precepts I regard
With truth that they unfold

I have refrained my wanton feet
From every evil way
That I might guard Thy word complete
And thus not go astray

I have not wandered from Thy law
Thy judgments good and true
For Thou hast taught me as I saw
The virtues they endue

How sweet Thy words are to my taste
Yea, sweeter than the comb
I will run after them with haste
And store them in my home

Thy precepts mean so much to me
My understanding grows
Therefore I hate all falsity
With all its deadly woes

 

Illumination

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a transcendent lamp
That guides my daily feet
It keeps me safe within the camp
And shines in every street

I’ve sworn and I will carry out
Thy judgments true and right
For there is never room for doubt
In what Thou dost delight

I am afflicted very much
Revive me, LORD, I pray
Thy word will quicken me as such
With forces held at bay

Accept the worship of my lips
I offer with freewill
Teach me Thy judgments that eclipse
The world around me still

My soul is fraught continually
With dangers every side
Thy word doth always strengthen me
For in it I abide

The wicked lay a snare for me
To trap me like a bird
Thy precepts are my treasury
From them I have not erred

Thy testimonies are my part
A heritage assured
The true rejoicing of my heart
Eternal and secured  

I have inclined my heart always
Thy statutes to perform
To do them till the end of days
In sunlight or in storm

 

Commitment

I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Psalm 119:113

I hate all double-mindedness
Unstable in its ways
I love Thy law of blessedness
Fulfilling all my days

Thou art my hiding place and shield
A stronghold undeterred
Whenever things seem far afield
My hope is in Thy word

Ye evil doers, get thee hence
That work iniquity
The LORD God is my recompense
His law my surety

Sustain me, LORD, that I may live
Of hope I’m not ashamed
Because the grace Thy love doth give
Is in Thy gospel framed

Uphold me in Thy sanctuary
I shall be safe indeed
Thy laws in their entirety
 Are answers to my need

Thou hast rejected those who err
From statutes Thou hast set
Deceit and falsehood both incur
The judgment they will get

Thou hast removed the wickedness
That plagues the world like dross
Thy testimonies I will stress
That do not suffer loss

My flesh it trembles fraught with fear
Because of fear of Thee
Thy judgments which are growing near
Are fearful unto me

 

Willingness

I have done judgment and justice:
leave me not to mine oppressors.
Psalm 119:121

Thy righteous judgments I have done
O leave me not, I pray
My sore oppressors, everyone
Oppress me night and day

Be surety for me, O LORD
Fulfilling all that’s good
Let not the proud with their discord
Provoke a sullen mood

Mine eyes are failing earnestly
For Thy salvation clear
Thy righteousness, so let it be
A seal forever dear

Deal with Thy servant tenderly
Thy mercy ever flows
Teach me Thy statutes patiently
With truth that they disclose

I am a servant of Thy fold
Enlighten me, I pray
Grant me the wisdom known of old
That shineth as the day

It is the time for Thee, dear LORD
To work, for Thee we wait
They have made void Thy holy word
Thy law they underrate

Thy just commandments them I love
  Above the purest gold
More than the finest gold above
That ever has been told

I do esteem Thy precepts right
Concerning everything
I hate the false way, every blight
With evil it doth bring

 

Appreciation

Thy testimonies are wonderful:
therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalm 119:129

Thy testimonies, wonderful
I keep within my soul
Declaring truth without annul
Both manifest and whole

The clear unfolding of Thy words
Gives forth Thy wondrous light
With understanding as it girds
The simple for the fight

My mouth I opened, panting too
With longing in my breast
For Thy commandments good and true
In them is perfect rest

Look Thou upon me in my days
Be gracious unto me
As those who loved Thy name always
In wealth or poverty

  Establish steps that I must take
Inscribed in Thy decree
Iniquity for conscience sake
Let not it conquer me

Redeem me from oppressive men
Thy precepts I will keep
With insight I am given then
As wisdom for Thy sheep

Thy face, so make it shine on me
Illuminate, reveal
Teach me Thy statutes for they be
Immutable and real

The streams of water from my eyes
In sorrow they are shed
Thy holy law they so despise
In all that Thou hast said

 

Watchfulness

Righteous art thou, O LORD,
and upright are thy judgments.
Psalm 119:137

Thou art most righteous, O my LORD
Thy judgments right and true
They show Thy grace with one accord
Thy kindness shining through

Thy testimonies so displayed
In righteousness are cast
With faithfulness their accolade
Forever standing fast

My zeal has greatly consumed me
Because of godless foes
They have forgotten Thy decree
So adding to their woes

Thy holy word is very pure
Refined as purest gold
Thy servant loves it ever sure
In all it doth enfold

I am despised, considered small
A man of low degree
Yet are Thy precepts overall
A constant flame for me

Thy righteousness so well portrayed
Is lasting, ever new
Thy law is truth, it does not fade
For many or the few

Sore anguish that is troublesome  
 Has found me with travail
Yet Thy commandments in their sum
Delight and never fail

Thy testimonies near at hand
Are righteous, full and free
Enabling me to understand
The life Thou gavest me

 

Intercession

I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD:
I will keep thy statutes.
Psalm 119:145

I cried, with wholesome heart I cried
O hear me, LORD, I pray 
I’ll keep Thy statutes verified
They are my hope and stay

I cried to Thee, O save me LORD
In troubled waters deep
Thy testimonies I have stored
For they are in my keep

I rise before the morning sky
I cried before the dawn
My hope is set as time goes by
I shall not be forlorn

My bleary eyes anticipate
The watches in the night
That I might duly meditate
And ponder with insight

O hear my voice, O LORD, I pray
Thy loving kindness dear
Enliven me amid the fray
Thy judgment standeth clear

The wicked ones are drawing near
Those hostile to Thy law
They are bereft of godly fear
Well-armed with tooth and claw

For Thou art near, O LORD, always
A friendship from our youth
As Thy commandments all our days
Are undivided truth

Thy testimonies known of old
Were founded to endure
The witnesses that they enfold
Are sanctified and sure

 

Reliability

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me,
for I do not forget thy law.
Psalm 119:153

Consider mine affliction, LORD
I pray, deliver me
I don’t forget Thy sharpened sword
Among my weaponry

O plead my cause, deliver me
Out from the wicked hand
Thy word in its sufficiency
Revived me, now I stand

Salvation is so far away
From wickedness in men
Thy statutes they do not obey
Nor seek them even then

Great are Thy tender mercies, LORD
Recorded in Thy text
Revive me as Thy works afford
Then I shall not be vexed

Mine enemies are all around
They have a darkened mind
Thy testimonies yet abound
From them I’ve not declined

I saw transgressors, every one
And oh my soul was grieved
They do not trust what Thou hast done
Thy word they’ve not believed

Consider how I love Thy word
Thy precepts are my stays
O quicken me that I be stirred
To love Thy word always

Thy word is true as from the start
Thy judgments, they endure
And those who have a seeking heart
Have found Thy love is sure

 

Constancy

Princes have persecuted me without a cause:
but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Psalm 119:161

Oppression from the princes here
Occurs without a cause
My heart is still for I revere
Thy word in every clause

I am rejoicing in Thy word
 As one that findeth spoil
For when good tidings have been heard
It regulates our toil

I hate the vain and lying tongue
Abhorrent is their lie
Thy law I love as day is long
Its truth can never die

I praise Thee seven times a day
For such is good to do
Thy righteous judgments so display
That Thou art just and true

Great peace have they which love Thy law
And nothing shall offend
Not only peace but furthermore
They have a perfect Friend

I hope for Thy salvation, LORD
Thy mandates I have done
Thy clear commandments I have stored
Thy precepts, every one

Thy testimonies I have kept
And love exceedingly
For by them I am more adept
In each necessity

I’ve kept Thy precepts orderly
Thy testimonies too
For all my ways are known to Thee
And that which shall ensue

 

Obedience

Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD:
give me understanding according to thy word.
Psalm 119:169

Let my petition come to Thee
O LORD as Thou hast heard
Give understanding unto me
According to Thy word

My supplication earnestly
For this is my request
Wilt Thou O LORD deliver me
That I may be at rest

My lips shall utter words of praise
As Thou hast taught me so
Thy statutes from my younger days
Have kept my faith aglow

My tongue shall speak then of Thy word
In all good consciousness
As Thy commandments undergird
A life of godliness

O let Thy hand be helping me
In all I say and do
Thy precepts are my armoury
While life is passing through

For Thy salvation I’ve desired
The longing of my soul
Thy law delights me, so inspired,
For each part makes the whole

O let my soul live close to Thee
And I shall praise Thee long
So let Thy judgments strengthen me
And magnify my song

Like helpless sheep I’ve gone astray
O seek Thy servant, LORD
For on that resurrection day
All things shall be restored

 

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