PSALMS

But delights in the law of the Lord,

And day and night meditates on it.

For he is like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in due season,

Whose leaf never withers,

And all that he does prospers.

Not so the wicked!

They are like the chaff driven by the wind.
So the wicked shall not rise up at the judgment,
Nor sinners where the righteous are gathered;
For the Lord directs the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked leads to ruin.

A PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to thy loving-kindness,

According to the multitude of thy tender mercies,

Blot out all my transgressions,

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

For well do I know my misdeeds,

And my sin is always before me.

Against thee, thee only have I sinned,

And done what is wrong in thy sight;

Therefore thou art right when thou speakest,
And just when thou pronouncest thy judgment.

Verily I was born in iniquity,

And in sin did my mother conceive me.

Yet thou desirest truth in the heart,

In my inner soul thou wouldst teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop that I may be clean,

Wash me whiter than snow.

Fill me with joy and gladness,

That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins,

And blot out all mine iniquities.

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Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence,
Withdraw not thy holy spirit from me.
Give me back the glad sense of thy help,
And with a willing spirit sustain me.

Then I will teach sinners thy ways,
And wrong-doers shall turn unto thee.
Save me from bloodshed, O God,

That my tongue may sing of thy righteousness.

O Lord, open thou my lips,

That my mouth may declare thy praise!

For thou takest no pleasure in sacrifice,
No delight in gifts of burnt-offering.
The sacrifices pleasing to thee

Are a broken and a contrite spirit.

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THE SAYINGS OF THE WISE

THE REWARDS OF LISTENING TO THE ADVICE OF THE WISE

My son, if you heed my words,

And store my commands in your mind,
Pay close attention to wisdom,
And give careful heed to reason.
If you will but seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hid treasures,
You shall then understand true religion,
And gain a knowledge of God.
For wisdom shall enter your mind,
And knowledge shall be pleasant to you,
Discretion shall watch over you,
And understanding shall guard you,
To keep you from doing wrong,
From men whose words are evil,
Who leave the paths of right
To walk in ways that are dark,
Who rejoice in doing wrong,
And take pleasure in evil deeds.

Happy the man who finds wisdom,
And he who gains understanding.
In her right hand is long life,
In her left are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are peaceful.

She gives life to those who seek her,
They are happy who hold her fast.

You shall then go on your way securely,

And your foot shall never stumble.

When you sit down, you shall not be afraid,
When you lie down, your sleep shall be sweet.

WHAT GOD LIKES AND DISLIKES

The eyes of the Lord are all-seeing,
Keeping watch on both wicked and good.
A man thinks all that he does is right,
But the Lord tests the motive.

A man plans the way in his mind,
But the Lord directs his steps.

The Lord detests a false balance,
But a just balance is his delight.
To do what is just and right

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
The conduct of the wicked is hateful to him,
But he loves the man eager to do right.
The Lord detests the evil-minded,

But is well pleased with him who lives uprightly.

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is a delight to him!
The Lord holds aloof from the wicked,
But hears the prayer of the upright.

Lying lips are hateful to the Lord,

But they who act honestly are his delight.

There are six things that the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are detestable to him:
Haughty eyes and a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A mind that plans wicked schemes,
Feet that make haste to do evil,
A false witness who utters lies,

And he who sows strife between brothers.

THE SAYINGS OF THE WISE

GOD'S CARE FOR THOSE WHO TRY TO DO RIGHT

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But he blesses the home of him who does right.
Surely he scoffs at the scoffers,

But to the modest he ever shows favor.

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
But he disappoints the desire of the wicked.
The Lord is a stronghold to him who lives rightly,
But he brings destruction to those who do wrong.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower,
To which the righteous runs and is safe.
Every word of God is true;

He is a shield to those who trust him.

Say not, "I will be revenged for a wrong";

Wait for the Lord, he will save you.

For the Lord gives wisdom,

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright,

He is a shield to those who live clean lives,

That he may guard the course of justice,
And protect the way of his faithful ones.

Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

Reverence comes through wise instruction,

And before honor goes modesty.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
Depend not on your own understanding;
In all you do make him your friend,
And he will direct your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes.
Revere the Lord, and avoid sin.
Then you will have health of body
And your bones will be refreshed.

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