A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

RIGHTEOUSNESS.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.—Isaiah, lxiv. 6.

We do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.—Daniel, ix. 18.

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.—Romans, x. 3.

Ay me! how many perils do enfold

The righteous man, to make him daily fall!

Were not that heavenly grace doth him uphold,

And steadfast truth acquit him out of all.

Spenser.

Lord, grant my just request; O hear my cry,

And prayers that lips untouched by guile unfold,

My cause before Thy high tribunal try,

And let Thine eyes my Righteousness behold.

For impious men, and such as deadly hate

My guiltless soul, have compassed me about;

Who swell with pride, enclosed in their own fate,

And words of contumely thunder out.

Filled with Thy secret treasure, to Thy race,

They their accumulated riches leave!

But I with righteousness shall see Thy face;

And rising in Thy image, joy receive.

Sandys.

What is all righteousness that men devise?

What, but a sordid bargain for the skies?

But Christ as soon would abdicate His own,

As stoop from Heaven to sell the proud a throne.

Cowper.

All hail!—the age of crime and suffering ends;

The reign of righteousness from Heaven descends;

Vengeance for ever sheathes the afflicting sword!

Death is destroyed, and Paradise restored;

Man, rising from the ruins of his fall,

Is one with God, and God is All in all.

James Montgomery.