Of Daniel A Johnson, Jr. This is an acrostic psalm, in which the letters of each stanza begin with a different letter of the English alphabet. Based on the actual Psalm 119.
A long time ago I lived
for myself,
but now I live for you.
Alone I once was with nowhere to turn,
until I looked to you.
Able are you to take care of me;
I am secure because of you.
All I have to do is call on your name,
and you listen because you love me.
And I will ever follow you,
for you have set me free.
Because I was lost in my
sins,
you sent you one and only son.
By his death on the cross,
your church can become one.
Born again, how can I thank you, God,
for all that you have done?
But if I try to hide my sins,
still you see every one.
Better to live a life of openness as a disciple;
this life is second to none.
Can a man truly understand
the will of God?
He has revealed it through his word.
Can I stop worrying about how my needs will be met?
He provides food for every bird.
Can't I make myself clean?
No! Such a thought is absurd.
Can He lead me to the way everlasting?
He is the Good Shepherd.
Crying out to God is not in vain,
for he has heard every word.
Direct me in your ways, O God,
that I may know where to go.
Dead in sins once was I,
but now your word I know.
Deeds will accompany my faith,
so that my faith will show.
Do not shut my mouth for any reason,
for I want the world to know.
Death is dead because of you,
from whom all blessings flow.
Even before I was born,
your hands held my soul.
Ever will I follow you,
even when I get old.
Enter the gates of heaven I will,
to walk the streets of gold.
Equip me through your powerful word,
so that I may be more bold.
'Except a man be born again',
'tis written on the scroll.
Forgive, O Lord, the sin in my heart,
even though it is great.
Free me from its bondage,
and teach me to it hate.
Facing sin is no easy task,
but no longer can I wait.
For if I do I will succumb
to an awful fate.
Fast I put my sin to death,
before it is too late.
Great is your
faithfulness to all generations,
your goodness has been shown to all.
Guilty I once was before I found you,
until the cross I saw.
Glad I am now that you are near;
you’ve torn down the wall.
‘Go make disciples of all nations’, you’ve ordered –
I will obey the call.
Guard me close to you, Almighty God,
for without you I will fall.
How great it is to be
called children of God!
And that is what we are!
Hearken to his voice, my people,
let not your hearts be hard.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
it's HIS body we've marred.
He came to take away every sin,
and give us a brand new start.
HE is the once-for-all sacrifice,
and he gave us a new heart.
I am going to win;
there’s nothing that will stop me.
In fact it’s already happened;
he’s won the victory.
I can do all things
through him who strengthens me.
If I can do it, so can you –
hasn’t he set you free?
If I risk my life and die for him –
let that be my destiny.
Just as if I'd never
sinned,
I have found a new scene.
Justified by your blood,
by your word I am clean.
Jesus' death tore down the wall,
so that nothing's in between.
Joy I have flowing over in my heart,
and a peace that is serene.
Jar of clay, I hold the treasure,
the harvest I will glean.
Keep me safe, O Lord,
for you are my shield.
Know the anxious thoughts in my heart,
to you they are revealed.
Killing sin with the word,
the mighty sword I wield.
Knead my heart in your hands,
until all the sin is killed.
Kneeling before your holy throne,
to your will I will yield.
Lord, all your deeds are
marvelous,
most worthy are you of praise.
Let me dwell with you forever,
for I long to see your face.
Let all the earth cry out with joy
because of your AWESOME grace.
Lead me in righteousness and truth,
I want to follow your ways.
Lastly, may I never give up
so that I finish the race.
My Jesus died up on the
cross,
and I'm the one to blame.
My Savior gave me reason to live,
but of him I've been ashamed.
My refusal to repent
has brought me much shame.
My God, I'm sorry for my sin,
it's your Son that I have maimed.
Make my heart new again,
that I may praise your name.
Never have I been this
way before,
I wonder how I got here.
Not only me, but others, too,
who had the ears to hear.
No other way could be found,
only through God who came near.
Needful were we for our sins were many,
help came before our hearts were
seared.
Now we live with the Master, our Savior,
away he has wiped every tear.
O, how I long for you to
come home,
more than you even know.
Opportunities I give you to draw near,
my word shows you where to go.
Only stay on the narrow road,
the other one leads to woe.
Or if you refuse to repent,
then you will be brought low.
Open your eyes and have faith in me,
and I will bring you home.
Pleasing you I'll have
faith;
I make that my goal.
Prayer daily begins my journey
of giving you control.
Pardon my sin and forgive the guilt;
bring refreshment to my soul.
Paltry sacrifices mean nothing;
it's my contrite heart you hold.
Prayers of thanksgiving rise up to you
like the aroma of incense in a bowl.
Quell my anxious
thoughts, O God,
let me know you are nearby.
Quiet my troubled spirit,
for I am the apple of your eye.
Quash my stubborn pride
that I may not your will defy.
Quicken my lukewarm heart -
O Lord, hear my cry.
Quench my thirsty soul, O God;
only you can satisfy.
Reading your word feeds
my soul,
it causes me to think.
Rising up this morning,
I couldn't wait to take a drink.
Racing was my heart to meet you,
I couldn't sleep a wink.
Running through the fields,
you save me before I sink.
Renewed I go out to the world,
and am not one to shrink.
Seek the Lord
while he may be found.
Search for him
when we’re down.
Stay close to him
and be safe and sound.
Switly he rescues
before we drown,
Sets our feet
on solid ground.
Turn back, O Man, for the time is near;
forswear thy foolish ways.
The world has nothing for you, sir
so do not seek its praise.
Tarry not to come to him,
He knows the number of your days.
There's truth to seek, so do be meek
and do what he says.
This way, come, if you desire
to save yourself from this maze.
Up above the sky you look at me,
my life is in your hands.
Unto you I lift up my soul,
I'm not hidden from your glance.
Undying is your love,
for me you know your plans.
Unchained - you've lavished on me your grace
and given me another chance.
Unhappy was I before I found you,
now I've learned to dance.
Violent men may oppose me,
but in you I have put my trust.
Voracious are their appetites,
their hearts consumed with lust.
Vile minds with false hopes,
what they pursue will rust.
Vain and conceited they live their lives
not knowing they will become dust.
Victory is yours, O God,
your actions are right and just.
Who is like our almighty God,
so powerful and mighty?
Who else can know all things? -
into our hearts he sees.
Who else is like our Savior,
clothed with majesty?
When we were lost in all our sins,
and needed rescuing --
With power from on high he came,
to save both you and me.
Xalted Father, omnicient--
everything hidden you have known.
Xamining our hearts we see our sins --
only your blood will atone.
Xact your discipline to xpunge our sin --
hearts of flesh transformed from stone.
Xclamations of praise upon our lips
when we see you on your throne.
Xcellent in everything,
without you we're alone.
You alone are worthy --
worthy of honor and praise.
You alone are holy --
our ways are not like your ways.
You alone are perfect --
placing everything in its place.
You are God Almighty
with your redeeming grace.
You alone are blameless,
the righteous will seek your face.