A manual of the book of Psalms · Martin Luther
ו VAU.
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, _even_ thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This _is_ my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in derision: _yet_ have I not declined from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
_Thou art_ my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. I entreated thy favour with _my_ whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. The bands of the wicked have robbed me, _but_ I have not forgotten thy law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments. I _am_ a companion of all _them_ that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word. Thou _art_ good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: _but_ I will keep thy precepts with _my_ whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease: _but_ I delight in thy law. _It is_ good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth _is_ better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.