Religion

Psalm 101

by John White 1575–1648

From Davids Psalms in Metre (1655)

Religion

OF mercy and of judgement sing,
O Lord, to thee will I,
And in a perfect way will walk
wisely and warily.
O when will there assistance come
from thee, to strengthen mee?
Within my house will I walk with
a perfect heart with thee.

I set no wicked thing before
mine eyes, their work I hate
That turn aside, it shall not cleave
to me at any rate.
A froward and rebellious heart
I put away from me,
And any thing that wicked is,
I will not know or see.

I'le cut off him that slandereth
his neighbour privily,
And a proud heart I will not bear,
nor him that looks on high.
Upon the faithful of the Land
mine eyes shall always be;
He that walks in a perfect way,
shall servant be to me.

He that deceit and guile doth work,
in my house shall not dwell,
Nor shall he tarry in my sight,
that lying tales doth tell.
Betimes I will destroy at once
the wicked of the Land,
That I may from Gods City cut
the wicked workers hand.

✦ ✦ ✦

A metrical version of Psalm 101.

MLA

White, John. “Psalm 101.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/white_john/94/.

Chicago

White, John. “Psalm 101.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/white_john/94/.

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