4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Let all who fear the LORD say, I called upon the Lord in distress; He heard, and set me in a wide place. The LORD is on my side, I will not fear : The LORD is my helper; I shall look upon my enemies. It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man; It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes. They did assail me with violence to bring me down! The LORD is my glory and my song; For to him I owe my salvation. The voice of joy and salvation is in the habitations of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the deeds of the LORD. But he hath not given me over to death. 15. Open to me the gates of righteousness, That I may go in, and praise the LORD! 16. This is the gate of the LORD! Through which the righteous enter. 17. I praise thee that thou hast heard me, And hast been my salvation. 18. "The stone which the builders rejected Hath become the chief corner-stone. 19. This is the LORD's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes! 20. This is the day which the LORD hath made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! 21. Hear, O LORD! and bless us! 22. Hear, O LORD! and send us prosperity!" Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD! 23. The LORD is God, he hath shone upon us. Ps. CVIII. 1. 1. DIVINE JUSTICE. THE LORD reigneth forever; He hath prepared his throne for judgment, 2. He judgeth the world in righteousness s; He administereth judgment to the nations with uprightness 3. Yea, the LORD is a refuge for the oppressed; A refuge in times of trouble. 4. They who know thy name put their trust in thee; 5. For thou, O LORD! forsakest not them that seek thee! Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; Let the nations be judged by thee! 6. The LORD judgeth the nations; (Ps. IX; 7-10, 19. Judge me, O LORD! according to my righteousness, 7. Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked be at an end; 8. For the righteous God trieth the heart and the reins. My shield is with God, who saveth the upright in heart. 9. God is a righteous judge, 1. And a God who requiteth every day. 2. TRUST IN GOD'S JUSTICE. In the LORD do I put my trust. (Ps. VII; 8-11.)) Why say ye to me, flee like a bird, to your mountain ? 2. For, lo! the wicked bend their bow; They make ready their arrows on the string, To shoot in secret at the upright in heart. 3. If the pillars be broken down, what can the righteous do?" The LORD is in his holy palace; 4. The LORD's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids prove the children of men. 5. The LORD trieth the righteous; But the wicked, and the lover of violence, his soul hateth. (Ps. XI; 1-5.) 1. 3. WANT OF GOOD MEN. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; The faithful are failing among men. 2. They speak falsehood one to another; With flattering lips, with a double heart, do they speak. 3. May the LORD destroy all flattering lips, And the tongue which speaketh proud things! 4. Who say, "With our tongues will we prevail; Our lips are our reliance; who is Lord over us?" 5. For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the wretched, Now will I stand up, saith the LORD; I will set in safety him whom they puff at. 6. The words of the LORD are pure; Like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, seven times refined. 7. Thou, O LORD! wilt watch over them; Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever. 8. The wicked walk on every side, 1. When the vilest of men are exalted. 4. AGAINST UNJUST MAGISTRATES, God standeth in God's assembly, He judgeth in the midst of the mighty ones. 2. "How long will ye judge unjustly, And favor the cause of the wicked? 3. Defend the poor and the fatherless; Do justice to the wretched and the needy! 4. Deliver the poor and the destitute; Save them from the hand of the wicked! (Ps. XII; 1-8.) 5. They are without knowledge and without understanding; They walk in darkness: Therefore all the foundations of the land are shaken. 6. I have said, "Ye are gods, And all of you children of the Most High; 7. But ye shall die like men, 8. 1. And fall like the rest of the princes." Arise, O God! judge the earth! For all the nations are thy possession. (Ps. LXXXII.) 5. A RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT. To the king, O God! give thy justice, And to the son of a king thy righteousness! 2. Yea! he shall judge thy people with equity; And thine oppressed ones with justice. 3. For the mountains shall bring forth peace to the people, And the hills, through righteousness. 4. He shall defend the oppressed of the people; He shall save the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor. 5. He shall be like rain descending on the mown field,— Like showers which water the earth. 6. In his days shall the righteous flourish, 8. He shall redeem them from deceit and violence; 9. His name shall endure forever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun and the moon 2. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, yet will I be confident. 3. Hear my voice, O LORD! when I cry unto thee; Have pity upon me, and answer me! 4. When I think of thy precept, "Seek ye my face!" Thy face, LORD, do I seek. 5. O hide not thou thy face from me; Cast not thy servant away in displeasure! 6. For my father and my mother may forsake me; 7. I trust that I shall see the goodness of the LORD Hope thou in the LORD! 8. Be of good courage; let thy heart be strong; Hope thou in the LORD! 1. 2. 1. 2. 1. 1 (Ps. XXVII; 1, 3, 7, 10, 13, 14.) 2. REST ON GOD, Truly my soul resteth on God alone; He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my safeguard, I shall not wholly fall! (Ps. LXII; 1-2. > 3. CONSOLATIONS. In the multitude of anxieties within me, Thy consolations revive my soul. Praised be the LORD daily! (Ps. XCIV; 79.) Ps. XVIII; 4-5. When we are heavy-laden the Mighty One is our help. 4. JOY AND SORROW. Sing unto the LORD, O ye his servants! And praise his holy name! 2. For his anger endureth but a moment, 1. But his favor through life; In the evening sorrow may be a guest, But joy cometh in the morning. 5. BE OF GOOD COURAGE. (Ps. XXX; 1-5.) I say, "Thou art my God! my destiny is in thy hand." 2. O how great is thy goodness, which thou treasurest up for them that fear thee; Which thou showest to them that trust in thec, before the sons of men! 3. Thou hidest them in the secret place of thy presence from the machinations of men! Thou shelterest them in thy pavilion from the violence of tongues. 4. O love the LORD all ye his servants; For the LORD preserveth the faithful, 5. Be of good courage; let your hearts be strong, (Ps. XXXI; 14, 19, 20, 23, 24.) |