James Merrick Psalm 26

James Merrick Psalm 26

Be thou my Judge: thy searching eyes
 * My guiltless life have known:

On thee my stedfast soul relies,
 * Nor fear of lapse shall own.

O search me still; my heart, my reins,
 * With strictest view survey:

Thy love, great God, my hope sustains,
 * Thy truth directs my way.

The house of guile, and seat of lies,
 * With studious care I shun:

From crowds that impious deeds devise
 * My steps abhorrent run.

In innocence I wash my hands,
 * Thy altar compass round,

And grateful lead the sacred bands,
 * Whose hymns thy acts resound.

How oft, instinct with warmth divine,
 * Thy threshold have I trod!

How lov'd the courts whose walls inshrine
 * The glory of my God!

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:

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.

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.