Keep My Commandments Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: Keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. – Proverbs 4:1-9
Receive My Sayings Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, And go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, Turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble. – Proverbs 4:10-18
Attend to My Words My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. – Proverbs 4:19-27
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PROVERBS 5 – DRINK WATERS OUT OF THINE OWN CISTERN
Lest Thou Give Thine Honour Unto Others My son, attend unto my wisdom, And bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, And her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, Her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, And depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, And come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, And thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; And thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, When thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil In the midst of the congregation and assembly. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, And running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, And rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, And not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: And rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, And he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. – Proverbs 5:1-23
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PROVERBS 6 – G0 TO THE ANT, CONSIDER HER WAYS, AND BE WISE
Thou Art Snared with the Words of Thy Mouth My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, If thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, When thou art come into the hand of thy friend; Go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, Nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, And as a bird from the hand of the fowler. – Proverbs 6:1-5
How Long Wilt Thou Sleep, O Sluggard Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, Overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, And thy want as an armed man. – Proverbs 6:6-11
A Wicked Man Soweth Discord A naughty person, a wicked man, Walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, He teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; He soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; Suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. – Proverbs 6:12-15
Seven Things Doth the LORD Hate These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. – Proverbs 6:16-19
The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light My son, keep thy father’s commandment, And forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, And tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life: – Proverbs 6:20-23
The Adulteress Will Hunt for the Precious Life To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: And the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, And his feet not be burned? – Proverbs 6:24-28
So He that Goeth in to His Neighbour’s Wife So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; Whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: He that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. – Proverbs 6:29-35
Instruction of Wisdom, Justice, Judgments, Equity The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. – Proverbs 1:1-6
The Beginning of Knowledge The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction – Proverbs 1:7
Hear the Instruction of Thy Father, Forsake Not the Law of Thy Mother My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck. – Proverbs 1:8-9
If Sinners Entice Thee, Consent Thou Not My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; And whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, We shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; Let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; Refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, And make haste to shed blood. – Proverbs 1:10-16
The Ways of Every One that is Greedy of Gain Surely in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; They lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; Which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. – Proverbs 1:17-19
I Will Make Known My Words Unto You Wisdom crieth without; She uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: In the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; – Proverbs 1:20-26
They Shall Not Find Me for They Hated Knowledge When your fear cometh as desolation, And your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: They despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. – Proverbs 1:27-31
The Prosperity of Fools Shall Destroy Them For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, And shall be quiet from fear of evil. – Proverbs 1:32-33
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PROVERBS 2 – IF THOU WILT RECEIVE MY WORDS
The LORD Giveth Wisdom My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, And preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, And equity; yea, every good path. – Proverbs 2:1-9
Discretion Shall Preserve Thee When wisdom entereth into thine heart, And knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, Understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, From the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, And delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, Neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, And keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, And the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, And the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. – Proverbs 2:10-22
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PROVERBS 3 – FORGET NO MY LAW
Let Thine Heart Keep My Commandments My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, And peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding In the sight of God and man. – Proverbs 3:1-4
In All Thy Ways Acknowledge Him Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Be Not Wise in Thine Own EyesBe not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones. – Proverbs 3:7-8
Honour the LORD with the Firstfruits of All Thine Increase Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine. – Proverbs 3:9-10
Despise Not the Chastening of the LORD My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; Neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. – Proverbs 3:11-12
Happy is the Man that Findeth Wisdom and Getteth Understanding Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, And the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; And in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her. – Proverbs 3:13-18
By Wisdom the LORD Founded the Earth; By Understanding He Established the Heavens The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; By understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, And the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: Keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, And thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. – Proverbs 3:19-24
Be Not Afraid Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, And shall keep thy foot from being taken. – Proverbs 3:25-26
Withhold Not Good from Them to Whom It is Due Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, And to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm. – Proverbs 3:27-30
Envy Not the Oppressor and Choose None of His Ways Envy thou not the oppressor, And choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: But his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: But he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: But he giveth grace unto the lowly. – Proverbs 3:31-34
The Wise Shall Inherit Glory The wise shall inherit glory: But shame shall be the promotion of fools. – Proverbs 3:35
PSALM 146 – THE LORD RELIEVETH THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOW
Happy is He that Hath the God of Jacob for His Help Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, In whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God. Psalm 146:3-5
Psalm 146:9
The Way of the Wicked He Turneth Upside Down The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. Psalm 146:9
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PSALMS 147 – FEAR HIM AND HOPE IN HIS MERCY
His Understanding is Infinite Great is our LORD, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5
The LORD Taketh Pleasure in Them that Fear Him The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his mercy. Psalm 147:11
Psalm 147:11
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PSALM 148 – PRAISE YE HIM
Praise Ye the LORD Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. Psalm 148:1-5
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PSALM 149 – THE LORD TAKETH PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE
Praises in Their Mouth, and a Sword in Their Hand Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; Psalm 149:1-6
Psalm 149:6
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PSALM 150 – PRAISE YE THE LORD
Praise God in His Sanctuary Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 150:1-6
PSALM 141 – LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS INCENSE
Give Ear Unto My Voice When I Cry Unto Thee LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. – Psalm 141:1-2
Keep the Door of My Lips Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, To practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: And let me not eat of their dainties. Let the righteous smite me; It shall be a kindness: And let him reprove me; It shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: For yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. – Psalm 141:3-5
Mine Eyes are Unto Thee But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape. – Psalm 141:8-10
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PSALM 142 – THOU KNEWEST MY PATH
Psalm 142:3a
Brings My Soul Out of Prison that I May Praise Thy Name I cried unto the LORD with my voice; With my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, And beheld, but there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou shalt deal bountifully with me. – Psalm 142:1-7
Psalm 142:4-5
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PSALM 143 – I MUSE ON THE WORK OF THY HANDS
In Thy Faithful Answer Me, and In Thy Righteousness Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: For in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground; He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. – Psalm 143:1-6
Cause Me to Hear Thy Lovingkindness in the Morning Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: For thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, And destroy all them that afflict my soul: For I am thy servant. – Psalm 143:7-12
The phrase “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning” reminded me of strawberry fields. The summer before I entered high school, my siblings, along with many other kids, picking strawberries in the strawberry fields in Washington State. Every morning before daybreak, a bus came by our house to pick us up and returned us in the afternoon. It was hard work bending over and filling those flats full of strawberries. After the kids and migrants had picked all the strawberries, we moved on to the raspberry fields.
I was thirteen years old, and other than babysitting, it was my first job. I made $242.00 that year picking fruit and spent every cent on new clothes for school. Even today, I can remember the outfits I bought, and I can remember the clothes they replaced. I remember it so well because I had been wearing my brother’s hand-me-downs. I came away with a great appreciation for how much clothes cost and the pride that comes from working hard for something.
But I also came away with a greater appreciation for those who work in such an environment as strawberry fields. And especially the migrant workers that arrived each year and worked in the adjacent fields. They worked much longer hours and were housed together in meager temporary shelters while all of us children returned to more comfortable homes.
After that summer, I despised the smell and taste of strawberries. But then, one day, about 30 years later – I suddenly wanted a strawberrys again.
Psalm 143:8
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PSALM 144 – MY STRENGTH, MY GOODNESS, MY FORTRESS, MY HIGH TOWER, MY DELIVERER, MY SHIELD, HE IN WHOM I TRUST
What is Man that Thou Takest Knowledge of Him? Blessed be the LORD my strength, Which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; My high tower, and my deliverer; My shield, and he in whom I trust; Who subdueth my people under me. LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: His days are as a shadow that passeth away. – Psalm 144:1-4
I Will Sing a New Song Unto Thee, O God I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: Upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: Who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: That our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; That there be no breaking in, nor going out; That there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: Yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. – Psalm 144:9-15
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PSALM 145 – MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK THE PRAISE OF THE LORD
Let All Flesh Bless His Holy Name For Ever and Ever I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, And of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: And I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, And shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; And thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, And talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; And thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: But all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. – Psalm 145:1-21
For His Mercy Endureth Forever O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of Lords: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: For his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: For his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever. – Psalm 136:2-9
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PSALM 137 – BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT AND WEPT
Psalm 137:1-4
Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land? – Psalm 137:1-4
In Jeremiah 29:11-14, the prophet Jeremiah addressed a group of exiled Israelites tempted to lose hope. They understood they were defeated by the Babylonians and exiled from their homeland because of their sin. But, what were they supposed to do now? How should they live in this foreign land? As they contemplated where they came from and where they were now, they sat down and wept by the rivers of Babylon, and they asked,
How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? – Psalm 137:1-4
The Israelites forgot that even though they were exiled from their land, God was still right there with them; they were still His chosen people. God still wanted them to seek Him, know Him, worship Him, and love Him (even in Babylon).
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord. – Jeremiah 29:13-14a
When we are overwhelmed with a sense that we have lost our direction and our circumstance makes us feel like there is no hope, we must remember that our priority as God’s people is still to search for Him with all of our heart and seek to know Him more intimately. And never, ever forget – our Hope is not a feeling, it is a person, and His name is JESUS! Searching, Seeking, and finding Him and holding on to true HOPE – that is how you will continue to sing the Lord’s song in both familiar and strange lands.
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PSALM 138 – WHEN I CRIED THOU ANSWEREDST ME
Psalm 138:3
Thou Strengthenedst Me With Strength in My Soul I will praise thee with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. – Psalm 138:1-3
Thou Wilt Revive Me; Save Me; Perfect that Which Concerneth Me Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. – Psalm 138:6-8 ______
PSALM 139 – THY RIGHT HAND SHALL HOLD ME
Whither Shall I Go From Thy Spirit? Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. – Psalms 139:7-12
Once you figure out that there is no where you can go that God isn’t there, you can stop wasting your prayer time begging God to show up and praise Him and thank Him because He always has…and always will.
Search Me, O God! Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23-24
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PSALM 140 – THE LORD WILL MAINTAIN THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED
Let Not an Evil Speaker Be Established Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. – Psalm 140:11
The Upright Shall Dwell in Thy Presence I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. – Psalm 140:12
My Heart is Not Haughty, Nor Mine Eyes Lofty LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor mine eyes lofty: Neither do I exercise myself in Great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, As a child that is weaned of his mother: My soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the LORD From henceforth and for ever. – Psalm 131:1-3
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PSALM 132 – THE LORD HATH CHOSEN ZION
I Have Ordained a Lamp for Mine Anointed For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. – Psalm 132:13-18
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PSALM 133 – HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL IN UNITY
Like the Precious Ointment Upon the Head Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. – Psalm 133:1-3
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PSALM 134 – BLESS YE THE LORD
Left Up Your Hands in the Sanctuary and Bless the LORD Behold, bless ye the LORD, All ye servants of the LORD, Which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth Bless thee out of Zion. – Psalm 134:1-3
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PSALM 135 – PRAISE YE THE LORD
Sing Praises Unto His Name Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; Praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, And Israel for his peculiar treasure. – Psalm 135:1-4
For I Know the LORD is Great For I know that the LORD is great, And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, In the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Who smote great nations, And slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for an heritage, An heritage unto Israel his people. – Psalm 135:5-12
For the LORD Will Judge His People Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; And thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. For the LORD will judge his people, And he will repent himself concerning his servants. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: So is every one that trusteth in them. – Psalm 135:13-18
Ye that Fear the LORD, Bless the LORD Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: Ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, Which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 135:19-21
The Lord Hath Done Great Things The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. – Psalm 126:3
Bearing Precious Seed He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. – Psalm 126:6
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PSALM 127 – EXCEPT THE LORD KEEP THE CITY
Except the Lord Build the House Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. – Psalm 127:1
If God is not included in whatever we do, what we do is pointless. But with God in our lives as the foundation and focus, nothing we do is a waste of time.
Rising Up Early, Sitting Up Late is Vain It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: For so he giveth his beloved sleep. – Psalm 127:2
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PSALM 128 – THOU SHALT EAT THE LABOUR OF THINE HANDS
Blessed is Everyone that Feareth the Lord Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. – Psalm 128:1-2
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PSALM 129 – HE HATH CUT ASUNDER THE CORDS OF THE WICKED
Let Them All Be Confounded and Turned Back that Hate Zion The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. – Psalm 129:4-5
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PSALM 130 – MY SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD
There is Forgiveness with Thee, that Thou Mayest Be Feared Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared. – Psalm 130:1-4
My Soul Doth Wait, and in His Word Do I Hope I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. – Psalms 130:5-6
Preserveth from All Evil The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore. – Psalm 121:7-8
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PSALM 122 – PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
Peace Be Within Thy Walls Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. – Psalm 122:6-9
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PSALM 123 – UNO THEE LIFT I UP MINE EYES
So Our Eyes Wait Upon the Lord Our God Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. – Psalm 123:1-2
We are Exceedingly Filled with Contempt Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud. – Psalm 123:3-4
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PSALM 124 – OUR SOUL IS ESCAPED AS A BIRD OUT OF THE SNARE
Our Help is in the Name of the Lord Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 124:6-8
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PSALM 125 – THEY THAT TRUST IN THE LORD SHALL BE AS MOUNT ZION
The Lord is Round About His People They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. – Psalm 125:1-2
Precious in the Sight of the LORD is the Death of His Saints The sorrows of death compassed me, And the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. – Psalm 116:3-4, 7-8, 15
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PSALM 117 – HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS IS GREAT TOWARD US
Psalm 117:1-2
The Truth of the LORD Endureth Forever O praise the LORD, All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 117:1-2
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PSALM 118 – THOU HAST HEARD ME AND BECOME MY SALVATION
The LORD Hath Chastened Me Sore The LORD is my strength and song, And is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: But he hath not given me over unto death. – Psalm 118:14-18
Open to Me the Gates of Righteousness: I Will Go Into Them Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, Into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, And art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused Is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. – Psalm 118:19-23
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PSALM 119 – THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE
Psalm 119:7
Blessed are They that Seek Him with Thy Whole Heart Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: They walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us To keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed To keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, When I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. – Psalm 119:1-8
Thy Word Have I Hid in Mine Heart That I Might Not Sin Against Thee Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: Teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared All the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. – Psalm 119:9-16
My Delight and Counsellors Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. – Psalm 119:17-24
So Shall I Talk of Thy Wondrous Works My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. – Psalm 119:25-32
Quicken Thou Me in Thy Way Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. – Psalm 119:33-40
My Hands Also Will I Lift Up Unto Thy Commandments Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. – Psalm 119:41-48
Thou Hast Caused Me to Hope Remember the word unto thy servant, Upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yet have I not declined from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; And have comforted myself. Horror hath taken hold upon me Because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts. – Psalm 119:49-56
Thou Art My Portion, O LORD Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not To keep thy commandments. The bands of the wicked have robbed me: But I have not forgotten thy law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee Because of thy righteous judgments. I am a companion of all them That fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. The earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy: Teach me thy statutes. – Psalm 119:57-64
I Will Keep Thy Precepts with My Whole Heart Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: For I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver. – Psalm 119:65-72
Give Me Understanding That I May Learn Thy Commandments Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; Because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, And that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: For thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: But I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, And those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; That I be not ashamed. – Psalm 119:73-80
I Hope in Thy Word My soul fainteth for thy salvation: But I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, Saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, Which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. – Psalm 119:81-88
Thy Word is Settled in Heaven For ever, O LORD, Thy word Is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: For with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: But I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: But thy commandment is exceeding broad. – Psalm 119:89-96
It is My Meditation All the Day O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might keep thy word. I have not departed From thy judgments: For thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. – Psalm 119:97-104
A Lamp Unto My Feet Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: Yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: Yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes Alway, even unto the end. – Psalm 119:105-112
Thou Art My Hiding Place and My Shield I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: For I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: For their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments. – Psalm 119:113-120
Deal with Thy Servant According Unto Thy Mercy I have done judgment and justice: Leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, And teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: For they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way. – Psalm 119:121-128
Order My Steps in Thy Word Thy testimonies are wonderful: Therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: For I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: So will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, Because they keep not thy law. – Psalm 119:129-136
Thy Commandments are My Delight Righteous art thou, O LORD, And upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, Because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: Therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: Yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: Yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: Give me understanding, and I shall live. – Psalm 119:137-144
All Thy Commandments are Truth I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, That I might meditate in thy word. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: They are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD; And all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old That thou hast founded them for ever. – Psalm 119:145-152
Thy Word is True from the Beginning and Every One of Thy Righteous Judgments Endureth Forever Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: For I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: Quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: For they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: Quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; Because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. – Psalm 119:153-160
My Heart Standeth in Awe of Thy Word Princes have persecuted me without a cause: But my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: But thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee Because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, And done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: For all my ways are before thee. – Psalm 119:161-168
Give Me Understanding According to Thy Word Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: Give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: Deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, When thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: For all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; For I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; And thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thy judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments. – Psalm 119:169-176
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PSALM 20 – DELIVER MY SOUL FROM LYING LIPS AND A DECEITFUL TONGUE
In My Distress He Heard Me In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, And from a deceitful tongue. – Psalm 120:1-2
I will Praise the LORD with My Whole Heart Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: And his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, That he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; All his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever. – Psalm 111:1-10
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PSALM 112 – BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD
His Seed Shall be Mighty Upon Earth Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: And his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness endureth for ever; His horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish. – Psalm 112:1-10
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PSALM 113 – PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD
Who is Like Unto the LORD Our God Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD From this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same The LORD’s name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 113:1-9
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PSALM 114 – TREMBLE, THOU EARTH, AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
Judah was His Sanctuary and Israel His Dominion When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language; Judah was his sanctuary, And Israel his dominion. The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, And the little hills like lambs. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? Thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; And ye little hills, like lambs? Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob; Which turned the rock into a standing water, The flint into a fountain of waters. – Psalm 114:1-8
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PSALM 115 – HE IS THEIR HELP AND THEIR SHIELD
Ye that Fear the LORD, Trust in the LORD Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, For thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: Eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: Noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: Feet have they, but they walk not: Neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; So is every one that trusteth in them.
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: He is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: He is their help and their shield.
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
The LORD shall increase you more and more, You and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD Which made heaven and earth.
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: But the earth hath he given to the children of men. The dead praise not the LORD, Neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD From this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD. – Psalm 115:1-18
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