3. He that slandereth not with his tongue, That doeth no injury to his fellow-man, And uttereth no reproach against his neighbor; 4. In whose eyes a vile person is condemned; But who honoreth them that fear the LORD; Who sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not; 5. He that lendeth not his money for usury, 6. And taketh not a bribe against the innocent: He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Ps. XV.) Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 7. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; Who hath not inclined his soul to falsehood, 8. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, And favor from the God of his salvation. 1. 2. (Ps. XXIV. 3-5.) 3. OBEDIENCE TO LAW THE TRUE SACRIFICE. Happy the man who maketh the LORD his trust, And resorteth not to men of pride and falsehood! Many, O LORD, my God! are the wonderful works which thou hast done; Many have been thy gracious purposes towards us; None can be compared to thee! 3. Would I declare and rehearse them, they are more than can be numbered. 4. In sacrifice and oblation thou hast no pleasure; Mine ears thou hast opened; Burnt-offering and sin-offering thou requirest not 5. O my God! to do thy will is my delight, And thy law dwelleth in my heart! 6. I have proclaimed thy righteousness in the great assembly, Lo, I have not restrained my lips, O LORD! thou knowest! 7. I hide not thy justice in my heart; 8. 1. I declare thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I conceal not thy mercy and truth from the great assembly. (Ps. XL. 4-11.) 4. THE HAPPINESS OF THOSE WHO OBSERVE THE LAW. Happy are they who are upright in their way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2. Happy are they who observe his ordinances, And seek him with their whole heart. 3. How shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed to it according to thy word. 4. Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law ! 5. Teach me, O LORD! the way of thy statutes, That I may keep it to the end! 6. Had not thy law been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction. 7. I will never forget thy precepts; for by them thou revivest me. 8. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. 9. Great peace have they who love thy law, 1. And no evil shall befall them. (Ps. CXIX. 1, 2, 9, 18, 33, 92, 93, 105, 165.) 5. THE SOLACE OF CHARITY. Happy is he who hath regard to the poor! The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 2. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; He shall be happy on the earth ; Thou wilt not give him up to the will of his enemies! 3. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of disease; All his bed thou wilt change in his sickness. 1. Praise (Ps. XLI; 1-3.) 6. THE REWARD OF THE R GHTEOUS. ye the LORD! happy the man who feareth the LORD, Who taketh delight in his commandments! 2. His posterity shall be mighty on the earth; The race of the righteous shall be blessed. 3. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; His righteousness shall endure forever. 4. To the righteous shall arise light out of darkness; He is gracious and full of compassion and righteousness. 5. Happy the man who hath pity and lendeth! He shall sustain his cause in judgment; 6. Yea, he shall never be moved: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7. He is not afraid of evil tidings; His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8. His heart is firm; He hath no fear, till he see his wishes fulfilled. 9. He hath scattered blessings; he hath given to the poor; His righteousness shall endure forever; His horn shall be exalted with honour. (Ps. CXII; 1-9.) 1. 7. THE GOOD CONSCIENCE. Be thou my judge, O LORD! for I have walked in upright ness. I have put my trust in the LORD, therefore shall I not fall. 2. Examine me, O LORD! and prove me; Try my reins and my heart! 3. For thy kindness is ever before mine eyes, And I walk in thy truth. 4. I sit not with men of falsehood, And go not in company with dissemblers. 5. I hate the assembly of evil-doers, And do not sit with the wicked. 6. I wash my hands in innocence. And go around thine altar, O LORD! 7. To utter the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works. 8. O LORD! I love the habitation of thy house, 10. In whose hands is mischief, And whose right hands are full of bribes! 11. But as for me, I walk in my integrity; Oh, redeem me, and be merciful to me ! 12. My feet tread in a straight path; In the congregation will I bless the LORD. 1. 8. MERCY AND TRUTH. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: (Ps. XXVI) Truly he will speak peace to his people, and to his servants; 2. Yea, his salvation is near to those who fear him, That glory may dwell in our land. 3. Mercy and truth shall meet together, Righteousness and peace shall kiss each other; 4. Truth shall spring out of the earth; (Ps. LXXXIV: 8-13.) 9. DIVINE PROVIDENCE. 1. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open to their cry. 2. But the face of the LORD is against evil-doers, And delivereth them from all their troubles. 4. The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart, 6. He guardeth all his bones; Not one of them shall be broken. 7. Calamity destroycth the wicked, And they who hate righteousness suffer for it. 8. The LORD redeemeth the life of his servants, 1. And none that put their trust in him will suffer for it. 10. (Ps. XXXIV; 15-22.) RESOLUTION TO GOVERN WITH JUSTICE. I will sing of mercy and justice; To thee, O LORD! will I sing! 2. I will have regard to the way of uprightness: When thou shalt come to me, I will walk within my house with an upright heart. 3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; I hate the work of evil doers; it shall not cleave to me. 4. The perverse in heart shall be far from me; I will not know a wicked person. 5. Whoso slandereth his neighbor in secret, him will I remove; Him that hath a haughty look and a proud heart I will not endure. 6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; He that walketh in the way of uprightness shall be with me. 7. He who practiseth deceit shall not dwell in my house; 8. 1. He who telleth lies shall not remain in my sight. (Ps. CI. 1-7.) 11. (Ps. CVI. 3.) BLESSINGS PROMISED TO THE RELIGIOUS MAN. Who walketh in his ways! 2. Thou shalt eat of the labor of thy hands; Happy sha't thou be, and it shall be well with thee! 3. Thy wife shall be like a fruitful vine within thy house; Thy children like olive-branches round about thy table. 4. Behold! thus happy is the man who feareth the LORD. (Ps. CXXVIII. 1-4.) |