31. The Prayer of the Righteous

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1. Lord, hear the right, regard my cry,
My prayer from lips sincere;
Send Thy approval from on high,
My righteousness make clear.
Thou in the night my heart hast tried,
Nor found it turned from Thee aside. 

2. With steadfast courage I design
No wrong to speak or do;
Thy path of life I choose for mine
And walk with purpose true.
For help, O God, I cry to Thee,
Assured that Thou wilt answer me. 

3. O Thou that ever savest those
Whose trust on Thee is stayed,
Preserving them from all their foes
By Thy almighty aid,
Let me Thy lovingkindness see,
Thy wondrous mercy, full and free. 

4. O guard me well as one doth guard
The apple of the eye;
While deadly foes are pressing hard,
To Thee, to Thee I cry.
Do Thou my rest and refuge be,
O let Thy wings o'er-shadow me. 

5. My enemy, grown strong in pride,
Would take my life away,
A lion lurking by my side,
Most greedy for his prey.
Confront and cast him down, O Lord,
From evil save me by Thy sword. 

6. Defend me from the men of pride,
Whose portion is below,
Who, with life's treasures satisfied,
No better portion know;
They, with earth's joys and wealth content,
Must leave them all when life is spent. 

7. When I in righteousness at last
Thy glorious face shall see,
When all the weary night is past,
And I awake with Thee
To view the glories that abide,
Then, then I shall be satisfied.

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