2 Samuel 23

WEEK 4                                           2 Samuel 23

TUESDAY  Reflections

I won't go into detail here but look at the people surrounding David. David's mighty men were amazing. This reminds me that great men rarely fight alone. First David had God on his side making all the difference, but then he had men of might true friends that fought as hard if not harder than he did. It is no wonder David was able to win the battles he did. David had strong allies.

What do you find most amazing in David's mighty men?


2Sa 23:1-39
(1)  Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
(2)  The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
(3)  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
(4)  And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
(5)  Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
(6)  But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
(7)  But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
(8)  These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
(9)  And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
(10)  He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
(11)  And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
(12)  But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
(13)  And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
(14)  And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
(15)  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
(16)  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
(17)  And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
(18)  And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
(19)  Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
(20)  And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
(21)  And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
(22)  These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
(23)  He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
(24)  Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
(25)  Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
(26)  Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
(27)  Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
(28)  Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
(29)  Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
(30)  Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
(31)  Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
(32)  Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
(33)  Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
(34)  Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
(35)  Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
(36)  Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
(37)  Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
(38)  Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
(39)  Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

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2 Samuel 22

WEEK  4                                            2 Samuel 22

MONDAY  Reflections

A history of David would not be complete with one of David's psalms. One needs to recall that this book was written separately from the Psalms. Know this it is easier to understand why the author put this in the history of David. However, there is another point which should be pointed out. David ends this psalm with the promise God would bless his descendants forever and as the history of David's line continues we will see how God keeps his promise.

2Sa 22:1-51
(1)  And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
(2)  And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
(3)  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
(4)  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
(5)  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
(6)  The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
(7)  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
(8)  Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
(9)  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
(10)  He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
(11)  And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
(12)  And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
(13)  Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
(14)  The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
(15)  And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
(16)  And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
(17)  He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
(18)  He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
(19)  They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
(20)  He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
(21)  The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
(22)  For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
(23)  For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
(24)  I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
(25)  Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
(26)  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
(27)  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
(28)  And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
(29)  For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
(30)  For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
(31)  As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
(32)  For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
(33)  God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
(34)  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
(35)  He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
(36)  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
(37)  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
(38)  I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
(39)  And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
(40)  For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
(41)  Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
(42)  They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
(43)  Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
(44)  Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
(45)  Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
(46)  Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
(47)  The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
(48)  It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
(49)  And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
(50)  Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
(51)  He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

Jeremiah 40

WEEK  3                                              Jeremiah 40

SATURDAY  Reflections

I am amazed sometimes that those who are not Christians yet understand some deep truth found in the Bible. In verses 2-3, we hear that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard understood it was the sin of God's people that caused them to fall. It was usually thought if a city or people fell it was because their god/gods weren't powerful enough to save them. Here this man understood it wasn't that God wasn't powerful but that Israel had sinned. How the captain of Nebuchadnezzar’s guard knew about God isn't explained but then God is at work in places we may never know, reaching out to people in the most unusual ways.

Jer 40:1-16
(1)  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
(2)  And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
(3)  Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
(4)  And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
(5)  Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
(6)  Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
(7)  Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
(8)  Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
(9)  And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
(10)  As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
(11)  Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
(12)  Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
(13)  Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
(14)  And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
(15)  Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?

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(16)  But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

2 Samuel 21

WEEK 3                                             2 Samuel 21

FRIDAY  Reflections

This chapter takes place earlier in the reign of David. It seems a strange tale, as Israel is facing the consequences of Saul's actions. Now Saul's descendants are going to pay the price for carrying out Saul's desires. This seems cruel but in reality, a person's dependents often face consequences for the actions of their parents both good and bad. Saul killed the descendants of Gibeonites and now his descendants are killed. It is an example of the Laws command of an eye for an eye. It is why we should be glad God is gracious and doesn't today require this type of justice.

It is interesting that the plight of the Gibeonites was ignored until God sent a  famine. Sometimes I believe bad things happen because we are ignoring a problem that we need to deal with (even if we aren’t aware of it). If David would have dealt with it immediately after he became king, I wonder if things would have gone very differently.  

2Sa 21:1-22
(1)  Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
(2)  And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
(3)  Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
(4)  And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
(5)  And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
(6)  Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
(7)  But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
(8)  But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
(9)  And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
(10)  And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
(11)  And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
(12)  And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
(13)  And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
(14)  And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
(15)  Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
(16)  And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
(17)  But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
(18)  And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
(19)  And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
(20)  And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
(21)  And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
(22)  These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

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Matthew 3

WEEK 3                                              Matthew 3

THURSDAY  Reflections

Do we have to prove we repent? John asked the Pharisees and Sadducees to bring forth fruit to prove it. Isn’t that different than what the rest of the Bible teaches? Isn’t salvation by faith, not works (For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9). 

The answer is yes of course, but that is not the end of the story. Once repentance/salvation takes place there should be a change of hearts and your life should be different. James said, “But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds (James 2:18).” When we consider the Pharisees and the Sadducees that John the Baptist was talking to they were great of words and knowing the right thing to say, the problem was their lives did not reflect their words. 

 

When we look at our lives can we say that our deeds match our words? If we claim we trust Jesus and believe the Bible, do we live it? Are there proofs in our lives to show we have repented? If not, then perhaps you really haven’t.

 

Think about it.

Mat 3:1-17
(1)  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
(2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(3)  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
(4)  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
(5)  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
(6)  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
(7)  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
(8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
(9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
(10)  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(11)  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(12)  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
(13)  Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
(14)  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
(15)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
(16)  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
(17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

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Psalm 119

WEEK    3                                       Psalms 119

Tuesday/ Wednesday Reflections

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. What makes it so fantastic is something that only those who read Hebrew see. The whole chapter is an acrostic poem (alphabet poem).  The lines in each section begin with the letter of the alphabet that section represents. What is even more amazing is that all 176 verses sing the praise of God's law (God's word).

 

It may seem repetitive but no more than many songs we sing today. The theme is concrete, God's law (God's word) is the foundation for everything.

 

The effort to write this psalm may seem like a lot of work and might feel repetitive unless you’re an artist at heart. The artist knows, as do others like Engineers, designers, and finishers, the greatest compliment you can give a subject, or work is giving it your best and finest skill to make it complete even in the areas others may not see. God’s Word is a part of God’s revelation and this gift is something that deserves great praise.

 

What are some of your favorite verses from this psalm? I have to admit mine is verse 105; "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Take your time. You have an extra day to consider this amazing chapter from God's word.

Psa 119:1-176
(1)  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
(2)  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
(3)  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
(4)  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
(5)  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
(6)  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
(7)  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
(8)  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
(9)  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
(10)  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
(11)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(12)  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
(13)  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
(14)  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
(15)  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
(16)  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
(17)  GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
(18)  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
(19)  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
(20)  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
(21)  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
(22)  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
(23)  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
(24)  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
(25)  DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
(26)  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
(27)  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
(28)  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
(29)  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
(30)  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
(31)  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
(32)  I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
(33)  HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
(34)  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
(35)  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
(36)  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
(37)  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
(38)  Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
(39)  Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
(40)  Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
(41)  VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
(42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
(43)  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
(44)  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
(45)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
(46)  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
(47)  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
(48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
(49)  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
(50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
(51)  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
(52)  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
(53)  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
(54)  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
(55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
(56)  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
(57)  CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
(58)  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
(59)  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
(60)  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
(61)  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
(62)  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
(63)  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
(64)  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
(65)  TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
(66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
(67)  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
(68)  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
(69)  The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
(70)  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
(71)  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
(72)  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
(73)  JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
(74)  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
(75)  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
(76)  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
(77)  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
(78)  Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
(79)  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
(80)  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
(81)  CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
(82)  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
(83)  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
(84)  How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
(85)  The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
(86)  All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
(87)  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
(88)  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
(89)  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
(90)  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
(91)  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
(92)  Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
(93)  I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
(94)  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
(95)  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
(96)  I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
(97)  MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
(98)  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
(99)  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
(100)  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
(101)  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
(102)  I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
(103)  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(104)  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
(105)  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
(106)  I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
(107)  I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
(108)  Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
(109)  My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
(110)  The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
(111)  Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
(112)  I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
(113)  SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
(114)  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
(115)  Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
(116)  Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
(117)  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
(118)  Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
(119)  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
(120)  My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
(121)  AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
(122)  Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
(123)  Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
(124)  Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
(125)  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
(126)  It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
(127)  Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
(128)  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
(129)  PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
(130)  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
(131)  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
(132)  Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
(133)  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
(134)  Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
(135)  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
(136)  Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
(137)  TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
(138)  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
(139)  My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
(140)  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
(141)  I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
(142)  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
(143)  Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
(144)  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
(145)  KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
(146)  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
(147)  I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
(148)  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
(149)  Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
(150)  They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
(151)  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
(152)  Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
(153)  RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
(154)  Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
(155)  Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
(156)  Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
(157)  Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
(158)  I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
(159)  Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
(160)  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
(161)  SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
(162)  I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
(163)  I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
(164)  Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
(165)  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
(166)  LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
(167)  My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
(168)  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
(169)  TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
(170)  Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
(171)  My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
(172)  My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
(173)  Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
(174)  I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
(175)  Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
(176)  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

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