Mercy and Judgment Are My Song

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 fa­vo­rites still.

In vain shall sin­ners hope to rise

By flat­tering or ma­li­cious lies;

And while the in­no­cent I guard

The bold of­fend­er shan’t be spared.

The im­pi­ous crew

that fact­ious band

Shall hide their heads or quit the land;

And all that break the pub­lic rest

Where I have pow­er shall be sup­pressed.