Inspired 119
Now, this law is an incorruptible picture of the High and Holy One that inhabiteth eternity.It is he whom, in his essence, no man hath seen, or can see, made visible to men and angels.It is the face of God unveiled; God manifested to his creatures as they are able to bear it; manifested to give, and not to destroy, life -- that they may see God and live.It is the heart of God disclosed to man.Yea, in some sense, we may apply to this law what the Apostle says of his Son: It is the streaming forth or out-beaming of his glory, the express image of his person.
"If virtue," said the ancient Heathen, "could assume such a shape as that we could behold her with our eyes, what wonderful love would she excite in us!" If virtue could do this! It is done already.The law of God is all virtues in one, in such a shape as to be beheld with open face by all those whose eyes God hath enlightened.What is the law but divine virtue and wisdom assuming a visible form? What is it but the original ideas of truth and good, which were lodged in the uncreated mind from eternity, now drawn forth and clothed with such a vehicle as to appear even to human understanding?
If we survey the law of God in another point of view, it is supreme, unchangeable reason; it is unalterable rectitude, it is the everlasting fitness of all things that are or ever were created.
The law of God (speaking after the manner of men) is a copy of the eternal mind, a transcript of the divine nature: Yea, it is the fairest offspring of the everlasting Father, the brightest efflux of his essential wisdom, the visible beauty of the Most High.It is the delight and wonder of cherubim and seraphim, and all the company of heaven, and the glory and joy of every wise believer, every well-instructed child of God upon earth.
....its nature: As Saint James, speaking of the same thing under another name, says, "The wisdom from above" (which is no other than this law, written in our heart) "is first pure", chaste, spotless; eternally and essentially holy. And, consequently, when it is transcribed into the life, as well as the soul, it is (as the same Apostle terms it) pure religion and undefiled; or, the pure, clean, unpolluted worship of God.
It is, indeed, in the highest degree, pure, chaste, clean, holy. Otherwise it could not be the immediate offspring, and much less the express resemblance, of God, who is essential holiness.It is pure from all sin, clean and unspotted from any touch of evil.It is a chaste virgin, incapable of any defilement, of any mixture with that which is unclean or unholy.It has no fellowship with sin of any kind: For "what communion hath light with darkness?" As sin is, in its very nature, enmity to God, so his law is enmity to sin.
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the Nature of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep his Nature
and seek him with all their heart—
they do no wrong
but follow his Nature.
You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my Nature were steadfast
in obeying your Nature!
Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your Nature.
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous Nature.
I will obey your Nature;
do not utterly forsake me.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your Nature.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your Nature.
I have hidden your Nature in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your Nature.
With my lips I recount
all the Nature, values and attributes that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your Nature
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your nature
and consider your Nature.
I delight in your Nature;
I will not neglect your Nature, values and attributes.
Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your Nature.
Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your Nature.
I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your Nature from me.
My soul is consumed with longing
for your Nature, values and attributes at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your Nature.
Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your Nature, values and attributes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your Nature.
Your Nature, values and attributes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your Nature.
I gave an account of my Nature and you answered me;
teach me your Nature, values and attributes.
Cause me to understand the way of your Nature, values and attributes,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your Nature.
Keep me from deceitful Nature;
be gracious to me and teach me your Nature.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your Nature.
I hold fast to your Nature, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your Nature, values and attributes
for you have broadened my understanding.
Teach me, Lord, the way of your Nature, values and attributes
that I may follow them to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your Nature
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your Nature,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your Nature
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your Nature, values and attributes
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your Nature, values and attributes are good.
How I long for your Nature!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your Nature.
Never take your Nature of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your Nature, values and attributes.
I will always obey your Nature,
for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your Nature.
I will speak of your Nature before kings
and will not be put to shame,
for I delight in your Nature, values and attributes
because I love them.
I reach out for your Nature, which I love,
that I may meditate on your values and attributes.
Remember your Nature to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your Nature.
I remember, Lord, your ancient Nature, values and attributes,
and I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your values and attributes.
Your Nature, values and attributes are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your values and attributes.
This has been my practice:
I obey your Nature , values and attributes.
You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your Nature, values and attributes.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my Nature
and have turned my steps to your Nature, values and attributes..
I will hasten and not delay
to emulate your Nature.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your Nature, values and attributes..
At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous Nature.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your Nature, values and attributes..
The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your Nature.
Do good to your servant
according to your Nature, Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your Nature, values and attributes.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your Nature.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your Nature, values and attributes..
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your Nature, values and attributes with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your Nature.
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your Nature.
The Nature, values and attributes from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your Nature.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your Nature.
I know, Lord, that your Nature, values and attributes. are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your Nature is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your Nature, values and attributes. .
May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your Nature.
May I wholeheartedly follow your Nature, values and attributes.
that I may not be put to shame.
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your Nature.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your Natures.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your Nature.
All your Nature, values and attributes are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your Nature, values and attributes. .
In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the Nature, values and attributes of your mouth.
Your Nature, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
Your Nature, values and attributes endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
If your Nature had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your Nature, values and attributes. ,
for by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your Nature, values and attributes. .
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your Nature.
To all perfection I see a limit,
but your Nature, values and attributes are boundless.
Oh, how I love your Nature!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your Nature, values and attributes are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your Nature.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your Nature, values and attributes.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your Nature, values and attributes..
I have not departed from your Nature, values and attributes
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your Nature, values and attributes to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your Nature, values and attributes;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your Nature is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous Nature.
I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your Nature.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your Nature, values and attributes.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your Nature.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your Nature, values and attributes. .
Your Nature, values and attributes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your Nature, values and attributes.
to the very end.[d]
I hate double-minded people,
but I love your Nature.
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your Nature, values and attributes.
Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the Nature of my God!
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your Nature, values and attributes.
You reject all who stray from your Nature, values and attributes.
for their delusions come to nothing.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your Nature.
My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your Nature.
I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your Nature, values and attributes.
I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your Nature, values and attributes.
It is time for you to act, Lord;
your Nature is being broken.
Because I love your Nature
more than gold, more than pure gold,
and because I consider all your Nature, values and attributes. right,
I hate every wrong path.
Your Nature, values and attributes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your Nature gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your Nature, values and attributes.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your Nature, values and attributes.
let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your Nature, values and attributes. .
Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your Nature.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your Nature is not obeyed.
You are righteous, Lord,
and your Nature, values and attributes are right.
The Nature, values and attributes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your Nature.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your Nature, values and attributes. .
Your righteousness is everlasting
and your Nature is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your Nature, values and attributes give me delight.
Your Nature, values and attributes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your Nature, values and attributes.
I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your Nature.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your Nature.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your Nature.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your Nature, values and attributes.
Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your Nature, values and attributes are true.
Long ago I learned from your Nature, values and attributes
that you established them to last forever.
Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your Nature, values and attributes.
Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your Nature.
Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your Nature.
Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your Nature.
I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your Nature.
See how I love your Nature, values and attributes. ;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
All your Nature, values and attributes are true;
all your righteous Values and attributes are eternal.
Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your Nature, values and attributes.
I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your Nature.
Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous Nature.
Great peace have those who love your Nature,
and nothing can make them stumble.
I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your Nature.
I obey your Nature, values and attributes.
for I love them greatly.
I obey your Nature, values and attributes and your Nature,
for all my Nature, values and attributes are known to you.
May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your Nature.
May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your Nature, values and attributes.
May my tongue sing of your nature,
for all your Nature, values and attributes are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your Nature.
I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your Nature gives me delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your Nature, values and attributes sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your Nature.