O HOW the wonders of Thy law My soul to rapt obedience awe! These streams of purest knowledge yield The Truth, in full display, revealed.
With growing thirst, my spirit yearned, And with an opening mind I turned To Thy great precepts, wise and true, And life-imparting grace I drew.
By these do souls untaught before To heights of heavenly wisdom soar; What depths and heights Thy saints can know! Such grace on me, great God, bestow.
Thy dictates to my soul convey, And to them all conform my way; Redeem from error’s lore my mind, Leaving no falsehood there behind.
Lord, save me from oppression’s hand, Make me obey Thy wise command; O may Thy love upon me shine, And make those paths of knowledge mine.
James Merrick, 1720-69