How shall a young man prone to ill

Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with a profound spiritual and moral dilemma: how can a young person, prone to internal struggles and desires, purify their heart and live righteously? The narrator directly addresses the Lord, posing this central question and immediately seeking divine guidance. It's a plea for help against inherent human frailty, a recognition that self-control is insufficient without divine intervention. The opening lines establish a tone of earnest confession and a desperate need for external moral grounding. The core tension lies in the struggle between the "unbridled heart" and the desire to adhere to divine law. The narrator actively seeks to "set apart" all frailty, embracing God's word with a "setled minde." This isn't a passive wish but an active pursuit, involving learning, keeping, and searching for God's "deep" judgments. The commitment is total, expressed as seeking God with the "whole heart" and a plea not to "swerve or goe astray" from His word. The most striking aspect of the craft is the consistent metaphor of God's word as a treasure and a defense. It's "laid up as treasure great" within the heart for protection, and its precepts are more precious than "wealth, no treasure of the world." This elevates divine instruction beyond mere rules, framing it as an invaluable, internal resource that guards against temptation and guides "untamed youth." The repetition of "delight" in relation to God's precepts further emphasizes this profound, almost joyful, commitment. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw, honest portrayal of a universal human struggle for moral integrity. The narrator's earnestness, coupled with the clear articulation of seeking divine law as both a guide and a shield, creates a powerful testament to faith as a source of strength. The language, while archaic, conveys a timeless plea for guidance and a deep-seated belief in the protective power of divine wisdom.