Psalm 101
Words: Isaac Watts
Also on this page, a Common Metre version.
"The magistrate's Psalm"
1 Mercy and judgment are my song;
And since they both to thee belong,
My gracious God, my righteous King,
To thee my songs and vows I bring.
2 If I am raised to bear the sword,
I'll take my counsels from thy word;
Thy justice and thy heav'nly grace
Shall be the pattern of my ways.
3 Let wisdom all my actions guide,
And let my God with me reside;
No wicked thing shall dwell with me
Which may provoke thy jealousy.
4 No sons of slander, rage, and strife
Shall be companions of my life;
The haughty look, the heart of pride,
Within my doors shall ne'er abide.
5 I'll search the land, and raise the just
to posts of honor, wealth, and trust.
The men that work thy holy will
Shall be my friends and fav'rites still.
6 In vain shall sinners hope to rise
By flatt'ring or malicious lies;
And while the innocent I guard,
The bold offender sha'n't be spared.
7 The impious crew, that factious band,
Shall hide their heads, or quite the land;
And all that break the public rest,
Where I have power, shall be suppressed.
"A Psalm for a master of a family."
1 Of justice and of grace I sing,
And pay my God my vows;
Thy grace and justice, Heav'nly King,
Teach me to rule my house.
2 Now to my tent, O God, repair,
And make thy servant wise;
I'll suffer nothing near me there
That shall offend thine eyes.
3 The man that doth his neighbor wrong
By falsehood or by force,
The scornful eye, the sland'rous tongue
I'll thrust them from my doors.
4 I'll seek the faithful and the just,
and will their help enjoy;
These are the friends that I shall trust,
the servants I'll employ.
5 The wretch that deals in sly deceit
I'll not endure a night;
The liar's tongue I ever hate,
And banish from my sight.
6 I'll purge my family around,
And make the wicked flee;
So shall my house be ever found
A dwelling fit for thee.
