A Prayer, Concerning The Government Of Our Words And Lips, &C. Poem by Rees Prichard

OPEN my silent lips, O Lord! full wide,
To chant the goodness of my gracious God:
My loit'ring tongue unto thy praises guide,
That I may boldly publish them abroad.

With thy encomiums fill my mouth, O God!
That I thy name with all my might may bless,
And 'mongst the countless multitude applaud
The Sire of mercies for each good success.

Frame thou my words aright, my tongue restrain,
Direct thou all th' ideas of my heart,
Close thou my lips, and open them again,
That I may nought beside thy will impart.

Guard thou the portals of my mouth, O Lord!
That I may no indecent language use,
No bounce, no boast, nor any silly word,
No false report, nor any foul abuse.

Let ev'ry meditation of my soul,
Let ev'ry deed, be innocent and right,
Let ev'ry word be harmless, on the whole,
O Lord! and truly-pleasing in thy sight!