What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words
Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.(1) I am Thy servant; O give me
understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto
the words of Thy mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as the dew. The
children of Israel spake in old time to Moses, Speak thou unto us and
we will hear, but let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die.(3) Not
thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray, but rather with Samuel the prophet, I
beseech Thee humbly and earnestly, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant
heareth. Let not Moses speak to me, nor any prophet, but rather speak
Thou, O Lord, who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets; for
Thou alone without them canst perfectly fill me with knowledge, whilst
they without Thee shall profit nothing.
2. They can indeed utter words, but they give not the spirit. They
speak with exceeding beauty, but when Thou art silent they kindle not
the heart. They give us scriptures, but Thou makest known the sense
thereof. They bring us mysteries, but Thou revealest the things which
are signified. They utter commandments, but Thou helpest to the
fulfilling of them. They show the way, but Thou givest strength for the
journey. They act only outwardly, but Thou dost instruct and enlighten
the heart. They water, but Thou givest the increase. They cry with
words, but Thou givest understanding to the hearer.
3. Therefore let not Moses speak to me, but Thou, O Lord my God,
Eternal Truth; lest I die and bring forth no fruit, being outwardly
admonished, but not enkindled within; lest the word heard but not
followed, known but not loved, believed but not obeyed, rise up against
me in the judgment. Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth; Thou hast the
words of eternal life.(4) Speak unto me for some consolation unto my
soul, for the amendment of my whole life, and for the praise and glory
and eternal honour of Thy Name.
(1) 1 Samuel iii. 9. (2) Psalm cxix. 125. (3) Exodus xx. 19. (4) John
vi. 68.