Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#584

584. How Shall the Young Direct Their Way

1 How shall the young direct their way?
What light shall be their perfect guide?
Your Word, O Lord, will safely lead
if in its wisdom they confide.

2 Sincerely I have sought you, Lord,
O let me not from you depart;
to know your will and keep from sin,
your Word I cherish in my heart.

3 O blessed Lord, teach me your law,
your righteous judgments I declare;
your testimonies make me glad,
for they are wealth beyond compare.

4 Upon your precepts and your ways
my heart will meditate with awe;
your Word shall be my chief delight,
and I will not forget your law.

Text Information

• First Line: How shall the young direct their way
• Title: How Shall the Young Direct Their Way
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 37:5
  ;
  Psalm 119:9-16
• Topic: Family; Law of God; Will of God; Home; Obedience; Word of God

Tune Information

• Name: BROOKSIDE
• Composer: Roy Hopp (1981)
• Meter: LM
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Tune © 1987, CRC Publications

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 119:9
st. 2 = Ps. 119:10-11
st. 3 = Ps. 119:12-14
st. 4 = Ps. 119:15-16

This text from the 1912 Psalter is a paraphrase of the "Beth" (second letter of the Hebrew alphabet) stanza of Psalm 119. In these verses of the psalm (9-16), directed specifically at the young, the psalmist professes delight in God's word (or law) as a guide for living. But that word also calls for obedience from all God's creatures, young and old alike. (See 119 and 276 for other settings of Psalm 119.)

Liturgical Use:
Before or after the reading of the Decalogue or another law text (consider using just st. 3-4 at this time); the entire hymn is appropriate for services that emphasize youth or Christian education.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Roy Hopp (PHH 11) composed BROOKSIDE in May 1981 for use with "O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts" (307) at a communion service. The tune is named for Brookside Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Hopp was choir director when he wrote the tune.

BROOKSIDE has a somewhat angular melodic contour; it has strong ascending intervals and a comforting stepwise descent in the final phrase. The harmonization invites part singing.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook