Passages from the Psalms and the Proverbs

Psalms

Blessed is the man who does not go in the company of the wicked, or take his place in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and whose mind is on His law day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalms, 1:1-6)

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord... Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Give worship to the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalms, 2:1-2,10-11)

Lord, how many are my foes? How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, 'There is no salvation for him in God. And You, O God, are a shield for me, my honor, and lifter up of my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me... I took my rest in sleep, and then again I was awake; for the Lord was my support. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side... Save me, my God!... Salvation comes from the Lord; Your blessing is on Your people1 . (Psalms, 3:1-8)

Hear me when I call, O my righteousness God: Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. You sons of men, how long... will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood?... Stand in awe, and don't sin. Search your own heart on your bed... Put your trust in God. Let the light of Your face2 shine on us. You have put gladness in my heart... I will take my rest on my bed in peace, because You only, Lord, keep me safe. (Psalms, 4:1-8)

Hear my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. My voice will come to You in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I send my prayer to You, and wait in expectation... Neither shall the wicked dwell near You. The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence... bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord dislikes and He is not pleased with them. But as for me, I will come into Your house [a place where God is worshipped], in reverence will I bow down toward Your inmost room... Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness... make straight Your way before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue... O Lord; let their evil designs be the cause of their fall; let them be forced out by all their sins; because they have gone against Your authority. But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. (Psalms 5:1-12)

Oh Lord... do not discipline me in Your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul is in anguish... And save me for Your loving kindness' sake. (Psalms, 6:1-4)

O Lord my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me... The Lord will be judge3 of the peoples; judge me, O Lord, because of my righteousness, according my integrity. O let the evil of the evildoer come to an end, but give strength to the upright: for men's minds and hearts are tested by God by righteousness. My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge... Behold, he travails with iniquity; yes, he has conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and dug it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His wrongdoing will come back to him, and his violent behavior will come down on his head. I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of Lord the Most High. (Psalms, 7:1, 7-11, 14-17)

O Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, You have set Your glory above the heavens! When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers4 , the Moon and the stars, which You have ordained. What is man, that you keep him in mind? The son of man that you take into account?... crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him ruler over the works of Your hands [Your Creations]; You have put all things under his feet; all sheep and oxen, and all the beasts of the field; the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, and whatever goes through the deep waters of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalms, 8:1-9)

I will give You praise, O Lord, with all my heart; I will make clear all the wonder of Your works. I will be glad and have delight in You: I will make a song of praise to Your name, O Most High... You gave approval to my right and my cause... judging in righteousness... Their cities You have destroyed. You have put an end to their name for ever and ever. But the Lord shall endure for ever: He has prepared his throne for judgment. And He will be the judge of the world in righteousness, giving true decisions for the peoples. The Lord will be a high tower5 for those who are crushed down, a high tower in times of trouble; and those who have knowledge of Your name will put their faith in You; because You, Lord, have ever given Your help to those who were waiting for You. Make songs of praise to the Lord: make His doings clear to the people... He doesn't forget the cry of the afflicted. Have mercy on me, O Lord... So that I may make clear all Your praise... I will be glad because of Your salvation. The nations have gone down into the pit they have dug; in their secret net is their foot taken. The Lord is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked shall be turned into the underworld [sheol, hell], and all the nations that forget God. For the poor will not be forgotten to the end; the hopes of those in need will not be crushed forever. (Psalms, 9:1-18)

O Lord!... The wicked man... boasts of the cravings of his heart... In his pride the wicked does not seek Him [God]. His ways are firm at all times; Your judgments are far above out of his sight... He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I will... never have trouble." His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. He keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net... But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The poor commits himself to You; You are the helper of the child who has no father... You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted: You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. (Psalms, 10:1-18)

In the Lord I take refuge... His eyes are watching and testing the children of men. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence He dislikes and is not pleased. On the evil-doer He will send down fire and flames, and a burning wind; with these will their cup be full. For the Lord is upright; He is a lover of righteousness: the upright will see His face.6 (Psalms, 11:1-7)

Help, Lord, for there is no saint; there is no more faith among the children of men. Everyone lies to his neighbor: their flattering lips speak with deception. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue. They have said, with our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: Who is master over us?... The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times. You will keep them, O Lord, You will keep them safe from this generation for ever. The wicked freely strut bout when what is vile is honored among men. (Psalms, 12:1-8)

Look on me... O Lord... I trust in Your loving-kindness; my heart will be glad in Your salvation... I will sing to the Lord, because He has been good to me. (Psalms, 13:3-6)

... He who goes on his way uprightly, doing righteousness, and saying what is true in his heart; whose tongue is not false, who does no evil to his friend, and does not take away the good name of his neighbor. Who gives honor to those who have the fear of the Lord, turning away from Him who has not the Lord's approval. He who takes an oath against himself, and makes no change. He who does not put out his money at interest, or for payment give false decisions against men who have done no wrong. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalms, 15:1-5)

Keep me safe, O God: for you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, You are my Lord: I have no good but You. Their sorrows will be increased who go after other gods: I will not... take their names on my lips. Lord, You have assigned my portion and my cup; You are the supporter of my right. Fair are the places marked out for me; I have a noble heritage. I will give praise to the Lord Who has been my guide; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right7 , I will not be shaken. Because of this my heart is glad, and my glory is full of joy; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon my soul in the underworld [sheol, hell] nor will you let your faithful one see decay... You have made known to me the path of life [paradise]; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.8 (Psalms, 16:1-11)

Hear my prayer—it does not rise from deceit lips. May my vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right. You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; You have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. As for the works of men, by Your words I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped I call on You, O God, for You will answer me... Show the wonder of Your great love, You Who save by your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings9 from the wicked evildoers who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride. They have tracked me down, they now surround me with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. He is like a lion that is greedy of its prey, and as a young lion lurking in secret places. O Lord... save me from the wicked... whose portion is in this life. (Psalms, 17:1-5)

I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my firmament, my fortress, and my savior; my Lord, my firmament, in Whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help... He heard my voice... Then the earth shook and trembled and the bases of the mountains were moved and shaking... He took me, pulling me out of great waters. He delivered me from... them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me. They came on me in the day of my trouble; but the Lord was my support. He took me out into a wide place; He was my savior because He had delight in me. The Lord gives me the reward of my righteousness, because my hands are clean before Him. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. For all His decisions were before me, and I did not put away His laws from me. And I was upright before Him, and I kept myself from sin. Because of this the Lord has given me the reward of my righteousness, because my hands are clean in His eyes. On him who has mercy You will have mercy... For You are the savior of those who are in trouble; but eyes full of pride will be made low. You, O Lord, will be my light; by You, the dark will be made bright for me... As for Lord, His way is completely good; the word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield [protector] for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God but the Lord? Or who is God but our God? God puts a strong band about me, guiding me in a straight way. He makes my feet like roes' feet, and puts me on high places... You have made my steps wide under me, so that my feet are kept from slipping... The Lord is living; praise be to my God and let God of my salvation be honored... He rescues me from my enemies. You lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man. Because of this I will give You praise, O Lord, among the nations, and will make a song of praise to Your name. Great salvation does He give to His king. (Psalms, 18:1-49)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the arch of the sky makes clear the work of His hands10 . Day after day it sends out its word, and night after night it gives knowledge... It [the Sun] rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is good, giving new life to the soul: the statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The orders of the Lord are right, making glad the heart: the rule of the Lord is holy, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, and has no end; the decisions of the Lord are true and full of righteousness. More to be desired are they than gold, even than much shining gold; sweeter than the dropping honey. By them is Your servant made conscious of danger, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who has full knowledge of his errors? Make me clean from secret evil. Keep Your servant back from sins of pride; let them not have rule over me: then will I be upright and innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing before You, O Lord, my strength and my salvation. (Psalms, 19:1-14)

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress... protect you. May He send you help... Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will make mention of the name of God our God. They are bent down and made low; but we have been lifted up... Lord... Answer us when we call! (Psalms, 20:1-9)

The king will be glad in Your strength, O Lord... You have granted him the desire of his heart... You welcomed him with rich blessings... For the king has faith in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be moved... their thoughts were bitter against You: they had an evil design in their minds, which they were not able to put into effect... Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your might. (Psalms, 21:1-13)

Our fathers had faith in You: they had faith and You were their saviour. They cried to You and were saved; they trusted in You, and were not put to shame... But it was You Who took care of me from the day of my birth: You gave me faith even in my mother's arms. From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother's womb You have been my God... O Lord: O my strength... Be my saviour from the lion's mouth; let me go free from the horns of the wild oxen. (Psalms, 22:4-21)

I will give the knowledge of Your name to my brothers: I will give You praise among the people. You who have fear of the Lord, give Him praise... Praise Him!... Revere Him... My praise will be of You in the great meeting: before those who fear You will I fulfill my vows. The poor will have a feast of good things: those who make search for the Lord will give Him praise... All the ends of the earth will keep it in mind and be turned to the Lord: all the families of the nations will give Him worship. For the kingdom is the Lord's; He is the ruler among the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—those who cannot keep themselves alive. A seed will be His servant; the doings of the Lord will be made clear to the generation which comes after. They will come and make His righteousness clear to a people of the future because He has done this. (Psalms, 22:22-31)

The Lord takes care of me11 ; I will not be without any good thing. He makes a resting-place for me in the green fields: He is my guide by the quiet waters. He gives new life to my soul: He is my guide in the ways of righteousness because of His name. Yes, though I go through the valley of deep shade, I will have no fear of evil; for You are with me... Truly, blessing and mercy will be with me all the days of my life; and I will have a place in the house of the Lord all my days. (Psalms, 23:1-6)

The earth is the Lord's, with all its wealth; the world and all the people living in it. For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. (Psalms, 24:1-2)

He who has clean hands and a true heart; whose desire has not gone out to foolish things, who has not taken a false oath. He will have blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalms, 24:4-5)

To You, O Lord, my soul is lifted up. O my God, I have put my faith in You... Let no servant of Yours be put to shame; may those be shamed who transgress without cause. Make Your steps clear to me, O Lord; give me knowledge of Your ways. Be my guide and teacher in the true way; for You are the God of my salvation; I am waiting for Your word all the day. O Lord... Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways 12; let Your memory of me be full of mercy, O Lord, because of Your righteousness. Good and upright is the Lord: so He will be the teacher of sinners in the way. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and good faith for those who keep His agreement and His witness. Because of Your name, O Lord, let me have forgiveness for my sin... If a man has the fear of the Lord, He shall instruct him in the way that He shall choose. His soul will be full of good things... The secret of the Lord is with those in whose hearts is the fear of Him; He will make His agreement clear to them. My eyes are turned to the Lord at all times; for He will take my feet out of the net. Be turned to me, and have mercy on me; for I am troubled and have no helper... O take me out of my sorrows... and take away all my sins. O keep my soul, and take me out of danger... for I have put my faith in You. For my clean and upright ways keep me safe, because my hope is in You. (Psalms, 25:1-21)

O Lord, be my judge, for my behaviour has been upright: I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me in the scales, O Lord, so that I may be tested; try my heart and my mind. For Your mercy is before my eyes; and I have gone in the way of Your good faith. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked... O Lord; That I may give out the voice of praise, and make public all the wonders which You have done. Lord... the resting place of Your glory has been dear to me. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I will go on in my upright ways: be my saviour, and have mercy on me. I have a safe resting-place for my feet; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord. (Psalms, 26:1-12)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; who is then a cause of fear to me? The Lord is the strength of my life; who is a danger to me? When evil-doers, even my haters, came on me to put an end to me, they were broken and put to shame. Even if an army came against me with its tents, my heart would have no fear: if war was made on me, my faith would not be moved. One prayer have I made to the Lord, and this is my heart's desire; that I may have a place in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, looking on His glory, and getting wisdom... For in the time of trouble He will keep me safe... He will keep me from men's eyes; high on a rock He will put me. I will make offerings of joy in His tent 13; I will make a song, truly I will make a song of praise to the Lord... O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. When You said, make search for My face 14, my heart said to You, for Your face will I make my search. Let not Your face be covered from me [do not withhold Your approval from me]. You have been my help: do not give me up or take Your support from me, O God of my salvation. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Make Your way clear to me, O Lord, guiding me by the right way, because of my haters. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Let your hope be in the Lord: take heart and be strong; yes, let your hope be in the Lord. (Psalms, 27:1-14)

To you I call, O Lord my strength... Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help... Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord... He will tear them down and never build them up again. Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield [my ]; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people... (Psalms, 28:1-8)

Ascribe to the Lord... give to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His Holiness... The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic... in the House of God, all cry, "Glory!"... (Psalms, 29:1-9)

I will exalt You, O Lord, for You lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to You for help and You healed me. O Lord... You spared me from going down into the pit [hell]. Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His Holy name... When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." O Lord, when You favored me, You made my mountain stand firm... be merciful to me O Lord, be my help." You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever... (Psalms, 30:1-12)

In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness... come quickly to my rescue... save me. Since You are my strength and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for You are my refuge. Into Your ways I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, God of truth. I dislike those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place... But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hands [in Your approval, Your might]; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let Your face [Your light] shine on Your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I have cried out to you; Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave [sheol, hell]. Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. How great is Your goodness, which You have for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You. In the shelter of Your presence You hide them from the intrigues of men; in Your dwelling You keep them safe from accusing tongues. Praise be to the Lord, for He showed His wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city... Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalms, 31:1-24)

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit... You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance... Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! (Psalms, 32:1-11)

Sing joyfully to the Lord, You righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; And all His work is in faithfulness. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made... He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever... Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord... Lord... sees all mankind... He Who forms the hearts of all, Who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by His great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord 15 are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield [protector]. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, as we put our hope in You. (Psalms, 33:1-22)

I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them... the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord... for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears 16 listen to their cry. Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles... Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him. (Psalms, 34:1-22)

My soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like You, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."... I will give You thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise You... They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. (Psalms, 35:9-20)

The sin of the evil-doer says in his heart, there is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the great deep. O Lord, You preserve both man and animal. How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 17 They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Continue Your love to those who know You, Your righteousness to the upright in heart. May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. (Psalms, 36:1-11)

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them... Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish: The Lord's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke. The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously... If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. He is ever merciful and lending; and his seed is for a blessing. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever... The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the Lord will not leave them in their power... Wait for the Lord and keep His way... I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace... The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him. (Psalms, 37:1-40)

All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. I wait for you, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God. Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good... O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior. (Psalms, 38:9-22)

I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin..." My substance is as nothing before You. Each man's life is but a breath. Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it. And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? My hope is in You. Make me free from all my sins... truly every man is but a breath. Hear my prayer O Lord, listen to my cry for help... (Psalms, 39:1-12)

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my feet upon a rock, He established my goings. And He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Happy is the man who has faith in the Lord, and does not give honour to the men of pride or to those who are turned away to deceit. Many things You have done, O Lord my God, even Your wonderful works, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared unto You! If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be told... Then said I: '... I delight to do Your will, O my God; truly, Your law is in my inmost parts.' I have preached righteousness in the great congregation, I did not refrain my lips; O Lord, You have knowledge. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your mercy and Your truth from the great congregation. O Lord, don't withhold Your compassions from me; let Your mercy and Your truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about... Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord,... help me... Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually: 'The Lord be magnified.'... You are my help and my deliverer; O my God... (Psalms, 40:1-17)

Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and You will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness. I said, "Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul"... You uphold me in my integrity, and set me in Your presence for ever. Blessed be the Lord... from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. (Psalms, 41:1-13)

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: 'When shall I come and appear before God?' 18... Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His countenance... By day the Lord will command His lovingkindness, and in the night His song shall be with me, even a prayer unto the God of my life... Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the salvation of my countenance, and my God. (Psalms, 42:1-11)

... O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For You are the God of my strength... O send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me... Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God, my exceeding joy; and praise You upon the harp, O God, my God... Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the salvation of my countenance, and my God. (Psalms, 43:1-5)

... Neither did their own arm save them; but Your right hand, and Your arm, and the light 19 of Your countenance, because You had pleasure in them... But You have saved us from our adversaries, and have put them to shame that hate us. In God have we gloried all the day, and we will give thanks unto Your name for ever... He knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalms, 44:3-21)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof... The Lord of hosts is with us... (Psalms, 46:1-7)

O clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord is most high... Sing praises to God, sing praises... For God is the King of all the earth... God reigns over the nations... (Psalms, 47:1-2, 6-8)

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised... As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise unto the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness... For this God is our God, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally. (Psalms, 48:1, 10-14)

Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world, both men of low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom, and in the thoughts of my heart will be knowledge. I will incline my ear to a parable... Of them that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him... But man despite its riches, does not endure; he is like the animals that perish. This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve their sayings. Like sheep they are appointed for the under-world [sheol, hell]... and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the underworld [sheol, hell] to wear away, that there be no habitation for it. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the underworld [sheol, hell]; for He shall receive me. Don't be afraid when one is made rich, when the wealth of his house is increased; for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—and men praise you when you prosper—he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalms, 49:1-20)

The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the Sun unto the going down thereof... perfect of beauty, God has shined forth... And the heavens declare His righteousness; for God, He is judge. '... I am God, your God... Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are Mine... And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.' But unto the wicked, God says: '... Seeing you hate instruction, and cast My words behind you. When you saw a thief, you had company with him, and with adulterers was your portion. You use your mouth for evil, and your tongue to deceit... I will accuse you to your face... To him that orders his way aright will I show the salvation of God.' (Psalms, 50:1-23)

Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Your mercy; according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin... You desire truth in the inward parts; make me, therefore, to know wisdom in my inmost heart. Purge me [of my sins]... and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow... Create me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation; and let a willing spirit uphold me. Then will I teach transgressors Your ways; and sinners shall return unto You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, You God of my salvation; so shall my tongue sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise... The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. (Psalms, 51:1-17)

Why do you boast of evil, mighty man? The mercy of God endures continually. Your tongue plots destruction; like a sharp razor, you who practice deceit. You love evil more than good; falsehood rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, the deceitful tongue... The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall... say: "Here now is the man—who did not make God his stronghold—but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!" But as for me... I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will give You thanks for ever, because You have done it; and I will wait for Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your saints. (Psalms, 52:1-9)

The fool has said in his heart: 'There is no God'; they have dealt corruptly, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good... Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one... They don't call on God. There are they in great fear, where there was no fear... You have put them to shame... (Psalms, 53:1-5)

O God, save me by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might... Strangers are risen up against me, and ruthless men have sought my life; they have not set God before them. Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is for me as the upholder of my soul... With a freewill-offering will I sacrifice unto You; I will give thanks unto Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of all trouble... (Psalms, 54:1-7)

Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof; oppression and guile depart not from her broad place... As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me... They don't fear God. My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet were they keen-edged swords. Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of corruption [sheol, hell]; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days; but as for me, I trust in You. (Psalms, 55:9-23)

In the day that I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God—I will praise His word—in God do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can flesh do unto me? All the day they trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps; according as they have waited for my soul... This I know, that God is for me. In God— I will praise His word— in the Lord— I will praise His word— In God do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can man do unto me?... For You have delivered my soul from death; have You not delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalms, 56:3-13)

Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me, for in You has my soul taken refuge; yes, in the shadow of Your wings 20 will I take refuge, until calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God Most High; unto God Who accomplishes it for me... Be You exalted, O God, above the heavens; Your glory be above all the earth... They have digged a pit before me, they are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises... I will give thanks unto You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises unto You among the nations. For Your mercy is great unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the skies. Be You exalted, O God, above the heavens; Your glory be above all the earth. (Psalms, 57:1-11)

Do you indeed speak as a righteous company? Do you judge with equity the sons of men? No, in heart you work wickedness; you weigh out in the earth the violence of your hands. (Psalms, 58:1-2)

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; set me on high from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the men of blood... You therefore, O Lord God of hosts... I will wait for You; for God is my high tower [my shelter]. The God of my mercy will come to meet me... O Lord our shield... I will sing of Your strength; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my high tower [my shelter], and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, unto You will I sing praises; for God is my high tower [my shelter], the God of my mercy. (Psalms, 59:1-17)

That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer me... Give us help against the adversary; for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly... (Psalms, 60: 5, 11-12)

... O God... For You have been a refuge for me, a support of strength in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in Your Tent 21 for ever; I will take refuge in the covert of Your wings 22. For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have granted the heritage of those that fear Your name... Appoint mercy and truth... So will I sing praise unto Your name for ever... (Psalms, 61:1-8)

Only for God does my soul wait in stillness; from Him comes my salvation. For He is my God and my saviour: He is my protector, I shall not be greatly moved... My soul, wait in silence for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. For He is my God and my saviour: He is my helper, I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: He is the God of my help, and my hope is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people... God is a refuge for us... Trust not in oppression... that strength belongs unto God; also unto You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to every man according to his work. (Psalms, 62:1-12)

O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You, in a dry and weary land, where no water is... Your loving-kindness is better than life; my lips shall praise You. So will I bless You as long as I live; in Your name will I lift up my hands. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth praises You with joyful lips; When I remember You upon my couch, and meditate on You in the night-watches. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings 23 do I rejoice. My soul cleaves unto You; Your right hand holds me fast... The king shall rejoice in God; every one that swears by Him shall glory; for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. (Psalms, 63:1-11)

Hide me from the council of evil-doers; from the tumult of the workers of iniquity; they sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows; they shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them?" They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!"... So they make their own tongue a stumbling unto themselves... The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. (Psalms, 64:2-10)

... O God... O You Who hear prayer, unto You will all flesh come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We are filled with the good things of Your house... You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation; You the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far distant seas; Who by Your strength set fast the mountains, Who is girded about with might; Who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples; those living far away fear Your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades You call forth songs of joy. You have the earth, and watered her, greatly enriching her, with the river of God that is full of water; You prepare them corn, for so You prepare her. Watering her ridges abundantly, settling down the furrows thereof, You make her soft with showers; You bless the growth thereof. You crown the year with Your goodness; and Your paths drop fatness. The pastures of the wilderness do drop; and the hills are girded with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, yes, they sing. (Psalms, 65:1-13)

Shout with joy to God, all the earth; Sing praises unto the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Say unto God: 'How tremendous is Your work! Through the greatness of Your power shall Your enemies dwindle away before You. All the earth shall worship You, and shall sing praises unto You; they shall sing praises to Your name.' Come, and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the river on foot; there let us rejoice in Him! Who rules by His might for ever; His eyes keep watch upon the nations24; let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Bless our God, O peoples, and make the voice of His praise to be heard; He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver... Come, and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I had regarded iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not hear; But verily God has heard; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me. (Psalms, 66:1-10, 16-20)

God be gracious unto us, and bless us; may He cause His face to shine 25 toward us; That Your way may be known upon earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples give thanks unto You, O God; let the peoples give thanks unto You, all of them. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the peoples with equity, and lead the nations upon earth. Let the peoples give thanks unto You, O God; let the peoples give thanks unto You, all of them. The earth has yielded her increase; may God, our own God, bless us. May God bless us; and let all the ends of the earth fear Him. (Psalms, 67:1-7)

But let the righteous be glad, let them exult before God; yes, let them rejoice with gladness. Sing unto God, sing praises to His name...God makes the solitary to dwell in a house; He brings out the prisoners into prosperity; the rebellious dwell but in a parched land... Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, Who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God Who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death [hell]... Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly... O God... Scatter the peoples that delight in war!... Sing unto God, you kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord... Proclaim the power of God... You are awesome, O God... He gives strength and power unto the people; blessed be God. (Psalms, 68:3-35)

But as for me, let my prayer be unto You, O Lord, in an acceptable time; O God, in the abundance of Your mercy, answer me with the truth of Your salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for Your mercy is good; according to the multitude of Your compassions turn unto me [do not deprive me of Your Mercy]. And hide not Your face from Your servant [do not keep me away from Your Mercy]; for I am in distress; answer me speedily. Draw near unto my soul, and redeem it; ransom me because of my enemies... let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving... The humble shall see it, and be glad; you who seek after God, let your heart revive. For the Lord hears the needy... Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and every thing that moves therein. (Psalms, 69:13-18, 29-34)

Let all those that seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let such as love Your salvation say continually: 'Let God be magnified'... You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord... (Psalms, 70:4-5)

In You, O Lord, have I taken refuge... Deliver me in Your righteousness, and rescue me... and save me. Be to me a sheltering rock [my shelter], where unto I may continually resort, which You have appointed to save me; for You are my rock [my shelter] and my fortress. O my God, rescue me out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man. For You are my hope; O Lord God, my trust from my youth. Upon You have I stayed myself from birth; You are He Who took me out of my mother's womb; my praise is continually of You. I am as a wonder unto many; but You are my strong refuge. My mouth shall be filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day... I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness, and of Your salvation all the day... I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. O God, You have taught me from my youth; and until now do I declare Your wondrous works... Your righteousness also, O God, which reaches unto high heaven; You Who have done great things... You... will quicken me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You will increase my greatness, and turn and comfort me. I also will give thanks unto You... even unto Your truth, O my God; I will sing praises unto You with the harp... My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto You; and my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall tell of Your righteousness all the day... (Psalms, 71:1-24)

Blessed be the Lord God... Who only does wondrous things; And blessed be His glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. (Psalms, 72:18-19)

Surely God is good... to those who are pure in heart... For they [wicked ones] have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; violence covered them as a garment... They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression. They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walk through the earth... And when I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me; until I entered into the house of God, and considered their end. Surely You set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction... Nevertheless I am continually with You: You have held me by my right hand26. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever... But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord, that I may declare all your works. (Psalms, 73: 1-28)

You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers. The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the Moon and the Sun: You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter. (Psalms, 74: 15-17)

Unto You we give thanks, O God, we give thanks; and Your name is near: Your marvelous works declare it. "When the right time has come, I will be the judge in righteousness." says the Lord. When the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved, I Myself establish the pillars of it.' I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn. Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation. But God is the judge.27 He puts down one, and lifts up another... But as for me, I will declare forever... I will sing praises to God. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. (Psalms: 75:1-10)

You, You are to be feared... Vow to the Lord your God and fulfill them. (Psalms: 76:7-11)

I cried to the Lord with my voice... In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord... I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Your wonders of old... I will make mention of the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. O God, Your way is holy... You are the God Who does wonders. You have made Your strength known among the peoples. (Psalms: 77:1-14)

... We will not hide from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Lord, and His strength, and His wondrous works that He has done... That they might put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God... They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in His law; and they forgot His doings, and His wondrous works that He had shown them. Marvelous things did He in the sight of their fathers... He cleaved the sea, and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters to stand as a heap. By day also He led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. He cleaved rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the great deep. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. Yet went they on still to sin against Him, to rebel against the Most High [God] in the desert. And they tried God [surely God is beyond that] in their heart by asking food for their craving. Yes, they spoke against God; they said: 'Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, He smote the rock, that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed; can He give bread also? Or will He provide flesh for His people?' When the Lord heard them, He was very angry 28... Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation. Yet He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven... He sent them all the food they could eat... He sent He caused the east wind to set forth in heaven; and by His power He brought on the south wind... He gave them their own desire... For all this they sinned still, and believed not in His wondrous works. Therefore He ended their days as a breath, and their years in terror. When He killed them, then they would inquire after Him, and turn back and seek God earnestly. And they remembered that God was their helper, and the Most High God their redeemer. But they acted ignobly towards Him with their mouth, and lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast with Him, neither were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave iniquity, and did not destroy them... How often did they rebel against Him in the desert... They remembered not His hand 29 nor the day when He redeemed them from the adversary. How He set His signs in Egypt and His wonders... And turned their rivers into blood, so that they could not drink their streams. He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labor unto the locust. He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost. He gave over their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to fiery bolts... He spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence... And He led them safely, and they feared not; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies... Yet they... rebelled against God, the Most High, and kept not His testimonies; but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. (Psalms, 78:4-57)

... Let Your tender come to us quickly... Help us, O God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and forgive our sins, for Your name's sake... We will give You glory forever: we will go on praising You through all generations. (Psalms, 79:8-13)

O God, restore us; and let us see the shining of Your face, and we shall be saved! O Lord God of hosts... let us see the shining of Your face [Your Light], and we shall be saved!... We will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on Your name! O God, restore us; and let us see the shining of Your face, and we shall be saved! (Psalms, 80:3-19)

Sing aloud to God our strength: make a joyful noise... Take up the melody, and strike the tambourine, the sweet harp and lyre. Blow the horn at the new moon, at the full moon for our feast-day... "You are not to give worship to any other god! I am your Lord, Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt! (Psalms, 81:1-11)

'How long will you judge unjustly, and respect the persons of the wicked? Judge the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither do they understand; they go about in darkness... (Psalms, 82:2-5)

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek Your name, O Lord... That they may know that You alone, Whose name is Lord, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalms, 83:16-18)

O Lord Almighty!... Happy is the man whose strength is in You!... For a day in Your courts [in holy places where God's name is uttered] is better than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather stand at the threshold of the house of my Lord [holy place where God's name is uttered], than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord is a Sun30 , and a shield 31. The Lord will give grace and glory: no good will He withhold from them that walk uprightly! (Psalms, 84:1-12)

Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation! I will hear what God will speak; for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth sprang out of the earth; and righteousness had looked down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give that which is good; and our land shall yield her produce... (Psalms, 85:7-13)

... Please listen, Lord, and answer my prayer! I am poor and helpless. Protect me and save me, because You are my Lord. I am Your faithful servant! Be kind to me! I pray to You all day. Make my heart glad! I serve You, and my prayer is sincere. You willingly forgive, and Your love is always for those who pray to You. Please listen, Lord! Answer my prayer for help. When I am in trouble, I pray, knowing You will answer... There is none like unto You, O Lord, and there are no works like Yours. All nations who You have made shall come and prostrate themselves before You, O Lord; and they shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and does wondrous things You are God alone. Teach me, O Lord, Your way, that I may walk in Your truth; make one my heart to fear only Your name. I will thank You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart; and I will glorify Your name for evermore. For great is Your mercy toward me; and You had delivered my soul from the lowest Hell... But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion and gracious... and plenteous in mercy and truth... You, O Lord, has helped me, and comforted me. (Psalms, 86:1-17)

O Lord, God of my salvation, I have been crying to You for help by day and by night... I have called upon You, O Lord every day... O Lord, do I cry, and in the morning do my prayer come to You. (Psalms, 88:1, 9-13)

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; to all generations will I make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself... The heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones [among the true believers]... In the council of the holy ones [among the true believers] God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than all who surround Him... The heavens are Yours, Yours also the earth; the world and the fullness thereof, You have founded them. The north and the south, You have created them...Your arm is endued with power; Your hand is strong, and Your right hand exalted32. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne [God's Glorious Authority]; mercy and truth go before You. Happy is the people that know the joyful shout; they walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name do they rejoice all the day; and through Your righteousness are they exalted. For You are the glory of their strength; and in Your favor our strength is exalted. For Lord is our shield [God is our Protector]... Blessed be Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen. (Psalms, 89:1-52)

You have been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You have formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You make mortal man to return to dust, and say, "Return, children of men." For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You carry them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which grow up. In the morning it flourish, and grow up; in the evening it is cut down, and wither... O satisfy us in the morning with Your mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. And let the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; establish You also upon us the work of our hands; yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalms, 90:1-17)

He who dwells in the house of the Most High [the one who remembers God in God's houses] will rest in the shadow of the Almighty [taking refuge in God]. 33 I will say of Lord, Who is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust. That He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His wings 34, and under His wings shall you take refuge; His truth is a shield [protector] and a rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day; nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. For you have made the Lord Who is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation [being God's friend, seeking refuge in Him]. No harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways... 'Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high [I will protect him], because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and bring him to honor. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.' (Psalms, 91:1-16)

It is a good thing to give thanks unto Your Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O Most High. To declare Your loving-kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness at night. With an instrument of ten-stringed lyre, and the melody of the harp! For You, my Lord, has made me glad through Your work; I will exult in the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand... But You, o Lord, are exalted forever. The righteous will flourish like a palm-tree; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon... They will still bring forth fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my strength." (Psalms, 92:1-15)

The Lord reigns; He is clothed in majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. The world is established, that it cannot be moved. Your throne is established of old; You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O the Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Your statutes stand firm... (Psalms, 93:1-5)

Consider, you senseless ones among the people; and you fools, when will you become wise? He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see? He that instructed nations, shall not He correct? Even He that taught man knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Happy is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law!... For right shall return unto justice, and all the upright in heart shall follow it... If I say: 'My foot slips, Your mercy, O my Lord, holds me up." When my cares are many within me, Your comforts [Your bestowing feelings of peace and security] delight my soul. But my Lord has been my high tower [my refuge, my sole helper and friend], and my God the strength in Whom I take refuge. And He, our Lord has brought upon them their own iniquity... (Psalms, 94:8-23)

Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God, our savior. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout for joy unto Him with psalms! For the Lord is great God... In Whose hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us bow down and bend the knee; let us kneel before our Lord, our Maker. For He is our God... Harden not your heart. (Psalms, 95:1-8)

O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day! Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; He is to be feared... The Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His house. Ascribe unto the Lord, you families of nations, ascribe unto the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts... O worship the Lord! Tremble before Him, all the earth! Say among the nations: 'The Lord reigns.'... He will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof! Let the field exult; and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy. (Psalms, 96:1-12)

The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad!.. His lightnings lighted up the world; the earth saw, and trembled... The heavens declared His righteousness, and all peoples saw His glory. Ashamed be all they who worship images, that boast themselves of idols! Worship Him... For You, my Lord, are most high above all the earth... You are exalted... O you that love the Lord, hate evil. He preserves the souls of His saints [His devoted servants], He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in the Lord, you righteous; and give thanks to His holy name! (Psalms, 97:1-12)

Oh sing unto God a new song; For He has done marvellous things... Shout unto the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, you, sing praises! Sing praises unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp and the voice of melody! With trumpets and sound of the horn shout you before... the Lord. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands; let the mountains sing for joy together. (Psalms, 98:1-9)

The Lord is great...and He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Your name as great and awesome; Holy is He. Exalt you God, our Lord... Holy is He. Moses and Aaron among His messengers... did call upon the Lord, and He answered them... they kept His testimonies, and the statute that He gave them. O God, our Lord, You did answer them; a forgiving God were You unto them... Exalt our Lord, our God, and worship... for the Lord, our God is holy. (Psalms, 99:2-9)

Shout unto the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with joyful singing. Know that the Lord is God; it is He that has made us, and we are His... give thanks unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy endures for ever... (Psalms, 100:1-5)

I will sing of mercy and justice; unto You, O Lord, will I sing praises. I will be careful to lead a blameless life... I will walk in my house with blameless heart will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil thing. Whoever slandered his neighbour in secret, him will I destroy [in the spritiual sense]; whose is haughty of eye and proud of heart, him will I not suffer. My eyes are upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Me; he whose walk is, he will minister to Me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in My house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in My presence... (Psalms, 101:1-7)

... You, O my Lord... Your name is unto all generations... So the nations will fear the name of the Lord [will have fear of God's Might and Power], and all the kings of the earth Your glory... Of old You did lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are Your work. They will perish, but You will endure; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. (Psalms, 102:12-26)

Bless the Lord, O my soul! And let all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits! Who forgives all your iniquity; Who heals all Your diseases. Who redeemed Your life from the pit; Who encompasses you with loving-kindness and tender mercies... so that Your youth is renewed like the eagle. The Lord executes righteousness, and acts of justice for all that are oppressed... The Lord is full of compassion and gracious... and plenteous in mercy... so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him... so has the Lord compassion upon them that fear Him... As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof knows it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him; and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His precepts to do them... His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you angels of His, you mighty in strength, that fulfil His word. Praise the Lord... you His servants who do His will. Praise the Lord... praise the Lord, O my soul! (Psalms, 103:1-22)

Praise the Lord, O my soul! You are clothed with glory and majesty... Who covers Yourself with light...Who did establish the earth upon its foundations, that it should not be moved for ever and ever. You did cover it with the deep as with a vesture; the waters stood above the mountains... They [waters] flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys to the place You assigned for them. You did set a bound which they should not pass over, that they might not return to cover the earth. Who sends forth springs into the valleys; they run between the mountains. They give drink to every beast of the field, the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them dwell the fowl of the heaven, from among the branches they sing... He makes the grass to spring up for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; to bring forth bread out of the earth... oil to make his face shine, bread that sustains his. The trees of the Lord are well watered... Wherein the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir-trees are her house. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the conies. He appointed the Moon for seasons. The Sun knows when to set. You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the animals of the forest creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. The Sun arises, and they are gathered together: and they lie down in their dens. Man goes forth to his work, to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all: The earth is full of your riches. So is this great and wide sea, in which are creeping animals innumerable, both small and great beasts. There the ships go to and fro... These all look unto you, that you may give their food in its season. You give it unto them, they gather it... they are satisfied with good. You send forth Your spirit [by God's leave, by His blowing from His soul], they are created; and You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure for ever... I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to God while I have any being. Let my musing be sweet unto Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord!... Praise the Lord, my soul! Praise the Lord! (Psalms, 104:1-35)

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face [approval of God] always. Remember the wonders He has done [Supreme Creation], His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced... He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. (Psalms, 105:1-7)

Praise the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. Who can express the mighty acts of the Lord, or fully declare his praise? Happy are they that keep justice, that do righteousness at all times... Then believed they His words; they sang His praise. They soon forgot His works... They believed not His word; And they murmured in their tents, they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. And they served their idols, which became a snare unto them; and shed innocent blood... Thus were they defiled with their works, and went astray in their doings. Many times did He deliver them; but they were rebellious in their counsel, and sank low through their iniquity. Save us, our God... that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise. Praise be to the Lord, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 106:1-48)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say this those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, His wonderful deeds in the deep. For He spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away... they were at their wits' end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt Him... He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground... He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there He brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; the upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Whoever is wise, let Him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. (Psalms, 107:1-43)

I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples. For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. Save us and help us with Your right hand, that those You love may be delivered. (Psalms, 108:1-12)

O God, Whom I praise... In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship... Help me, O Lord my God; save me in accordance with Your love. Let them know that it is Your hand, that You, O Lord, have done it. With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise Him. (Psalms, 109:1-30)

Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear Him... The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness... holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalms, 111:1-10)

Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands... the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing. (Psalms, 112:1-10)

Praise the Lord. Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the Sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God... Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 113:1-9)

But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats... trust in the Lord—He is their help and shield. You who fear Him, trust in the Lord—He is their help and shield. He will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth... Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 115: 1-18)

I love the Lord... I will call on Him as long as I live... I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!" The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. That I may walk before the Lord... I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted." I will fulfill my vows to the Lord... Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, truly I am Your servant... I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord... Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 116:1-19)

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 117:1-2)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper... It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes... I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me... He has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:... I... will proclaim what the Lord has done... This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter... I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation... The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord... The Lord is God, and He has made His light shine upon us... You are my God, and I will give You thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. (Psalms, 118:1-29)

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all Your commands. I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws. I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws... I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word... Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me [teach me the wisdom]. My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times... Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep Your statutes. Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your servant will meditate on Your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors... Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders... strengthen me according to Your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through Your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws. I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free. Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word... Your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness. May Your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise; then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word. Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws. I will always obey Your law, for ever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts. I will speak of Your statutes before kings... for I delight in Your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and I meditate on Your decrees... Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from Your law. I remember Your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them... Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night I remember Your name, O Lord, and I will keep Your law. This has been my practice: I obey Your precepts... O Lord; I have promised to obey Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to Your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands. Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget Your law. At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous laws. I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who follow Your precepts. The earth is filled with Your love, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. Do good to Your servant according to Your word, O Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in Your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word. You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees. Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in Your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees... The law... is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Your hands 35 made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands. May those who fear You rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in Your word. I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous... Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight... I will meditate on Your precepts. May those who fear You turn to me, those who understand Your statutes. May my heart be blameless toward Your decrees, that I may not be put to shame... I have put my hope in Your word... All Your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts. Preserve my life according to Your love, and I will obey the statutes of Your mouth. Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve You. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out Your precepts. The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder Your statutes. To all perfection I see a limit; but Your commands are boundless. Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your word. I have not departed from Your laws, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to Your word. Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end... but I love Your law. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live... Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for Your decrees... teach me Your decrees. I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Your statutes... Because I love Your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all Your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name. Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me. Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your decrees. Righteous are You, O Lord, and Your laws are right. The statutes You have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy... my enemies ignore Your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them... I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true... Your commands are my delight. Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live. I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord, and I will obey Your decrees. I call out to You; save me and I will keep Your statutes. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises... Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from Your law. Yet You are near, O Lord, and all Your commands are true. Long ago I learned from Your statutes that You established them to last forever... Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out Your decrees. Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to Your laws. Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from Your statutes... See how I love Your precepts; preserve my life, O Lord, according to Your love. All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal... but my heart trembles at Your word. I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor falsehood but I love Your law... Great peace have they who love Your law, I wait for your salvation, O Lord, and I follow Your commands. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey Your precepts and Your statutes, for all my ways are known to You... give me understanding according to Your word. May my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your promise... You teach me Your decrees. May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commands are righteous... I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may Your laws sustain me. (Psalms, 119:1-175)

I call on the Lord in my distress, Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues... I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalms, 120:1-2, 7)

... Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—He Who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He... will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand 36; the Sun will not harm you by day, nor the Moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalms, 121:1-8)

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Our feet are standing in Your gates [the entrance to the holy place where God's name is remembered]... "May those who love You be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."... I will seek your prosperity. (Psalms, 122:1-9)

Praise be to the Lord... Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms, 124:6-8)

Those who trust in the Lord... cannot be shaken but endures forever. (Psalms, 125:1)

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain... toiling for food to eat—He grants sleep to those He loves. (Psalms, 127:1-2)

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours... Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. (Psalms, 128:1-4)

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord... If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness therefore You are feared. I wait for the Lord, [I love God, I seek His approval], my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits [loves God, seeks His approval] for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning... put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. (Psalms, 130:1-7)

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty... I have stilled and quieted my soul... put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. (Psalms, 131:1-3)

May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy... I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy. (Psalms, 132:9, 16)

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalms, 133:1)

All you servants of the Lord... praise the Lord... the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms, 134:1-3)

Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, you servants of the Lord... Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to His name, for that is pleasant... I know that the Lord is great... The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses... Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord, through all generations... For the Lord will... have compassion on His servants. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear nor is there breath in their mouths... Praise the Lord; you who fear Him, praise the Lord... Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 135:1-21)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever... Give thanks... His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord... His love endures forever. To Him Who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Who by His understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. Who made the great lights—His love endures forever. The Sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. The Moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever... and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever. And Who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven [and earth]. His love endures forever. (Psalms, 136:1-9, 24-26)

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart... will praise Your name for Your love and Your faithfulness... When I called, You answered me; You made me bold and stouthearted. May all the kings of the earth praise You, O Lord... May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great... He looks upon [protects] the lowly... Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.37 (Psalms, 138:1-8)

O Lord... You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thought... You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in—behind and before; You have laid Your hand 38... upon me... If I go up to the heavens, You are there... If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.39 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well... When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes40 saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts41 O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You... lead me in the way everlasting [paradise]. (Psalms, 139:1-24)

Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence... O Lord, I say to You, "You are my God." Hear, O Lord, my cry for mercy. O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer... do not grant the wicked their desires, O Lord; do not let their plans succeed... I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor... Surely the righteous will praise Your name and the upright will live before You. (Psalms, 140:1-13)

O Lord, I call to You... Set a guard over my mouth [give me mercy], O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers... Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers. But my eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge—do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. (Psalms, 141:1-10)

I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy... it is You Who know my way... I cry to You, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.. (Psalms, 142:1-6)

O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief... I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works... I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land... Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit [Your mercy and Your Light] lead me on level ground. For Your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In Your unfailing love... for I am Your servant. (Psalms, 143:1-12)

... Praise be to the Lord! He is my loving God and my fortress [protector], my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in Whom I take refuge... Man is like a breath; His days are like a fleeting shadow... I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to You. Deliver me and rescue me... blessed are the people whose God is the Lord! (Psalms, 144:1-15)

I will exalt You, my God, I will praise Your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate... The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made42 will praise You, O Lord; Your saints will extol You... The eyes of all hope in You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand,43 and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him... My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever. (Psalms, 145:1-21)

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, Who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked... Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 146:1-10)

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him! He determines the number of the stars... Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call... The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. Praise your God... He sends His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast? He sends His word and melts them; He stirs up His breezes, and the waters flow... Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 147:1-20)

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above. Praise Him, all His angels, praise Him... Praise Him, Sun and Moon, praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created... He gave a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens... Praise the Lord! (Psalms, 148:1-14)

Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp... He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. May the praise of God be in their mouths... Praise the Lord! (Psalms, 149:1-9)

Praise the Lord!... Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (Psalms, 150:1-6)

Proverbs

The proverbs of Solomon... for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance... (Proverbs, 1:1-6)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline... My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul... we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse." My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet run to evil, they are swift to shed blood... These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it. (Proverbs, 1:7-19)

Wisdom calls aloud in the street... How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would... made My thoughts known to you. But since you rejected Me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out My hand, since you ignored all My advice and would not accept My rebuke [God is beyond that], since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept My advice and spurned My rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (Proverbs, 1:20-33)

My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth [His words] come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, He is protection to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways... Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. (Proverbs, 2:1-20)

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing… (Proverbs, 3:1-10)

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her... Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed... My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you... Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord dislikes a perverse man but takes the upright into His confidence. The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked but He blesses the home of the righteous. God mocks them but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools He holds up to shame. (Proverbs, 3:13-35)

... Pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching... "Lay hold of my words with all your heart... Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you [by God’s will]; love her, and she will watch over you [by God’s will]. The first sign of wisdom is to get wisdom; go give all you have to get true knowledge. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they have caused some to fall.. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. (Proverbs, 4:1-27)

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge... Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say... At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors... For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs, 5:1-23)

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!... How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy... The Lord dislikes... haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs, 6:6-19)

A man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself... and his reproach will never be wiped away... (Proverbs, 6:32-33)

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live [live in the paradise]; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman. (Proverbs, 7:1-4)

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips dislike wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs, 8:1-13)

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice... I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence, rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind [sincere believers]. "Now then, My sons, listen to Me; blessed are those who keep My ways. Listen to My instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to Me... For whoever finds Me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find Me harms himself... (Proverbs, 8:20, 31-36)

... Walk in the way of understanding... Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One [God] is understanding... If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." The woman folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the world of death [hell]. (Proverbs, 9:6-18)

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death [hell]. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but He thwarts the craving of the wicked. Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth... Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin... He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray... whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. The blessing of the Lord brings wealth... A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted... the righteous stand firm forever44 ... As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short [unfruitful]. The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted... The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom... but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. (Proverbs, 10:2-32)

The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death [hell]. The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices... Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure... A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. The truly righteous man attains life [paradise], but he who pursues evil goes to his death [hell]. The Lord dislikes men of perverse heart but He delights in those whose ways are blameless. Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. (Proverbs, 11:1-31)

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a crafty man. A man cannot be established through wickedness, a wife of noble character is her husband's crown... The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised... The kindest acts of the wicked are cruel... The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous nourishes. An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing... There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The Lord dislikes lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful... An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray... In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. 45 (Proverbs, 12:1-28)

A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin... The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner... The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice... He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command [commands of God] is rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. 46 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored... Fools dislike turning from evil. He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Evil pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous... he who loves him [his son] is careful to discipline him. (Proverbs, 13:1-25)

He whose walk is upright fears the Lord... A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them... A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception... goodwill is found among the upright... The tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death [hell]... The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his. A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge... He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty... the folly of fools yields folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life [It becomes a means for the righteous to attain paradise], turning a man from the snares of death [hell]... A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones... whoever is kind to the needy honors God. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down... Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning... Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs, 14:1-34)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes47 of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools... The prayer of the upright pleases Him. The Lord dislikes the way of the wicked but He loves those who pursue righteousness... A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly... The cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! The path of life [paradise] is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest underworld [hell]. The Lord tears down the proud man's house but He keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The Lord dislikes the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to Him. A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The Lord is far from the wicked but He hears [respond] the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs, 15:1-33)

All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for His own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord dislikes all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice... His [king's] mouth should not betray justice. Honest scales and balances are from the Lord ;48 all the weights in the bag are of His making. Kings dislike wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth... How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to belowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death [hell]... A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil... Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city... Every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs, 16:1-33)

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife... The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue... Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler!... An evil man is bent only on rebellion... Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord dislikes them both. Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding? A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity... He who loves disobedience loves strife. He whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. To have a fool for a son brings grief... A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth... A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. (Proverbs, 17:1-28)

An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice. A fool's lips bring him strife... A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul... The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame... The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out... A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs, 18:1-24)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way... A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free... he who cherishes understanding prospers... A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense... A prudent wife is from the Lord. Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. He who obeys God's instructions guards his life [gains paradise], but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die [will be recompensed with the suffering in hell]. He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done... Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble... rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge... Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge... the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. (Proverbs, 19:1-28)

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel... The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him... Differing weights and differing measures—the Lord dislikes them both... Ears that hear and eyes that see—the Lord has made them both... Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel... Make plans by seeking advice... Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong! Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you. The Lord dislikes differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please Him. A man's steps are directed by the Lord... It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly... A wise king winnows out the wicked... The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord [manifestation of God's Light]... Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. (Proverbs, 20:3-28)

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!... A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor; they shall stumble upon the snares of death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright... When a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge... If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered... When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead .49 He who loves pleasure will become poor... In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. He who pursues righteousness and love finds life ,50 prosperity and honor... The proud and arrogant man—"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing... A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. (Proverbs, 21:1-31)

... To be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all... Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it... He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended... The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the unfaithful... He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth... will come to poverty. (Proverbs, 22:1-16)

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to Him Who sent you? Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case... Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs, 22:17-25)

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child... My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path... do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (Proverbs, 23:12-24)

Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength... For victory [you need] many advisers... He who plots evil will be known as a schemer... men dislike a mocker. If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not He Who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He Who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what he has done? Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house, do not raid his dwelling place; for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove... Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope... Fear the Lord... my son, and do not join with the rebellious... These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"—peoples will curse him and nations denounce him... Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs, 24:1-34)

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him... Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break hardness... Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble... If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you... Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked... Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. (Proverbs, 25:11-28)

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool... Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Like cutting off one's feet... is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool... Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him... As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly... Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife... Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs, 26:1-28)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both. Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming... Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted... Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the earnest counsel of one's friend is sweet to the soul. (Proverbs, 27:1-9)

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another... As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. Sheol [hell] and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. (Proverbs, 27:17-21)

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. He who keeps the law51 is a discerning son... He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation... He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life... He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished... A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him... A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (Proverbs, 28:1-27)

A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan... By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet. An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity, but the upright seek his soul. A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control... If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure... When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law52 ... An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor... Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that man gets justice. The righteous dislike the dishonest; the wicked dislike the upright. (Proverbs, 29:1-27)

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him... O Lord... Keep falsehood and lies far from me... (Proverbs, 30:5-8)

[There are] those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives... (Proverbs, 30:12-14)

"Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces."... "If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning the milk produces butter... so stirring up anger produces strife." (Proverbs, 30:24-33)

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life... She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy... She is clothed with strength and dignity; she is facing the future with a smile. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness... Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs, 31:8-31)