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SELECTIONS FROM THE PSALMS
THE RIGHTEOUS MAN
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The wicked are not so; But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the wicked shall perish.
--_Psalm 1_.
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A MORNING PRAYER
Lord, how are mine adversaries increased!
Many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in G.o.d.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cry unto the Lord with my voice, And he answereth me out of his holy hill.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustaineth me.
--_Psalm 3:1-5_.
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AN EVENING PRAYER
Answer me when I call, O G.o.d of my righteousness; Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress: Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour?
How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood?
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is G.o.dly for himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto him.
Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord.
Many there be that say, Who will shew us any good?
Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than they have when their corn and their wine are increased.
In peace will I both lay me down and sleep: For thou, Lord, alone makest me dwell in safety.
--_Psalm 4_.
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A LITTLE LOWER THAN G.o.d
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him but little lower than G.o.d, And crownest him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever pa.s.seth through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth!
--_Psalm 8_.
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THE UPRIGHT MAN.
Lord, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle?
Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart.
He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised; But he honoureth them that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent.
He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
--_Psalm 15_.
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TRUST IN THE LORD
Preserve me, O G.o.d: for in thee do I put my trust.
I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee.
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety.
For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
--_Psalm 16_.
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A PLEA FOR HELP.
Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; Let thine eyes look upon equity.
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress, As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.