4. The LORD, The LORD, is a merciful and gracious God, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and fourth generation. 5. 6. 7. (Exod. Ch XXXIV, 6-7.) Know therefore that the Eternal thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (Deut. Ch. VII, 9.) He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. 8. He is thy glory, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thy eyes have seen. 9. 10. 11. 12. Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always. (Deut. Ch. X, 18-21; and Ch. XI, 1.) For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go up for us in heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply and the LORD thy God shall bless thee. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy children may live: that thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deut. Chapt. XXX 11-20.) ETHICS OF THE PSALMS, I. THE GOOD LIFE. 1. THE HAPPINESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE 1. HAPPY the man who walketh not in the counsel of the unrighteous. Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers; 2. But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, And who meditateth on his precepts day and night. 3. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, 4. That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaves also do not wither: All that he doeth shall prosper. Not so the unrighteous; They are like chaff, which the wind driveth away. 5. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the just. 6. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked leadeth to ruin. 1. 2. 2. ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP. LORD, who shall abide at thy tabernacle ? Who shall dwell upon thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and doeth righteousness, And speaketh the truth from his heart; (Ps. I) 3. He that slandereth not with his tongue, 6. And taketh not a bribe against the innocent: He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Ps. XV.) 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. (Ps. XLI; 1-3.) 6. THE REWARD OF THE R GHTEOUS. 1. Praise 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; 4. To the righteous shall arise light out of darkness; 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; (Ps. CXII; 1-9.) 1. 7. THE GOOD CONSCIENTY BRINGS CONTENTMENT. Be thou my judge, O LORD! for I have whaughty, nor my eyes lofty ; ness. or things too wonderful I have put my trust in the LORD, therefore shall I not 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. 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; Righteousness shall look down from heaven. 5. Yea, the LORD will give prosperity, And our land shall yield her increase. 6. Righteousness shall go before him, And set us in the way of his steps. 1. (Ps. LXXXIV; 8-13.) 9. DIVINE PROVIDENCE. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open to their cry. VXX.) |