A manual of the book of Psalms · Martin Luther
י JOD.
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments _are_ right, and _that_ thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law _is_ my delight. Let the proud be ashamed: for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: _but_ I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed. My soul fainteth for thy salvation; _but_ I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; _yet_ do I not forget thy statutes. How many _are_ the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which _are_ not after thy law. All thy commandments _are_ faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness _is_ unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all _are_ thy servants. Unless thy law _had been_ my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I _am_ thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: _but_ I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: _but_ thy commandment _is_ exceeding broad. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they _are_ ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies _are_ my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments; for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! _yea, sweeter_ than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.