Psalm 25
Words: Isaac Watts
Part 1: v.1–11 Waiting for pardon and direction.
1 I Lift my soul to God,
My trust is in his name:
Let not my foes that seek my blood
Still triumph in my shame.
2 Sin, and the powers of hell,
Persuade me to despair:
Lord, make me know thy cov’nant well,
That I may ’scape the snare.
3 From the first dawning light
Till the dark ev’ning rise,
For thy salvation, Lord, I wait
With ever-longing eyes.
4 Remember all thy grace,
And lead me in thy truth;
Forgive the sins of riper days,
And follies of my youth.
5 The Lord is just and kind,
The meek shall learn his ways,
And every humble sinner find
The methods of his grace.
6 For his own goodness’ sake
He saves my soul from shame:
He pardons, though my guilt be great,
Through my Redeemer’s name.
Part 2: v.12, 14, 10, 13 Divine instruction.
7 Where shall the man be found
That fears t’offend his God?
That loves the gospel’s joyful sound,
And trembles at the rod?
8 The Lord shall make him know
The secrets of his heart,
The wonders of his cov’nant show,
And all his love impart.
9 The dealings of his hand
Are truth and mercy still
With such as to his cov’nant stand,
And love to do his will.
10 Their souls shall dwell at ease
Before their Maker’s face;
Their seed shall taste the promises
In their extensive grace.
Part 3: v.15–22 Distress of soul; or, Backsliding and desertion.
11 Mine eyes and my desire
Are ever to the Lord;
I love to plead his promises,
And rest upon his word.
12 Turn, turn thee to my soul,
Bring thy salvation near;
When will thy hand release my feet
Out of the deadly snare?
13 When shall the sovereign grace
Of my forgiving God
Restore me from those dangerous ways
My wand’ring feet have trod?
14 The tumult of my thoughts
Doth but enlarge my woe;
My spirit languishes, my heart
Is desolate and low.
15 With ev’ry morning light
My sorrow new begins;
Look on my anguish and my pain,
And pardon all my sins.
PAUSE.
16 Behold the hosts of hell,
How cruel is their hate!
Against my life they rise, and join
Their fury with deceit.
17 O keep my soul from death,
Nor put my hope to shame,
For I have placed my only trust
In my Redeemer’s name.
18 With humble faith I wait
To see thy face again:
Of Isr’el it shall ne’er be said,
He sought the Lord in vain.
