What the truth says inwardly without noise of words
1. Speak Lord, for Your servant hears. I am Your servant; O give
me understanding that I may know Your testimonies. Incline my
heart unto the words of Your mouth. Let Your speech distill as
the dew. The children of Israel spoke in old times to Moses,
Speak You unto us and we will hear, but let not the Lord speak
unto us lest we die. Not thus, O Lord, not thus do I pray,
but rather with Samuel the prophet, I beseech You humbly and
earnestly, Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears. Let not Moses
speak to me, nor any prophet, but rather speak You, O Lord, who did inspire and illuminate all the prophets; for You alone
without them can perfectly fill me with knowledge, while they
without You shall profit nothing.
2. They can indeed utter words, but they give not the spirit.
They speak with exceeding beauty, but when You are silent they
kindle not the heart. They give us scriptures, but You make
known the sense thereof. They bring us mysteries, but You
reveal the things that are signified. They utter
commandments, but You help to the fulfilling of them. They
show the way, but You give strength for the journey. They act
only outwardly, but You do instruct and enlighten the heart.
They water, but You give the increase. They cry with words,
but You give understanding to the hearer.
3. Therefore let not Moses speak to me, but You, 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 Your
servant hears; You have the words of eternal life. Speak
unto me for some consolation unto my soul, for the amendment of
my whole life, and for the praise and glory and eternal honor of Your Name.
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