Chapter LIII: Preface (3)

He turneth rivers into a wilderness,
And watersprings into a thirsty ground;
A fruitful land into a salt desert,
For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water,
And a dry land into watersprings.
And there he maketh the hungry to dwell,
That they may prepare a city of habitation;
And sow fields, and plant vineyards,
And get them fruits of increase.
He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly;
And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
Again, they are diminished and bowed down
Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
He poureth contempt upon princes, {133}
And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction,
And maketh him families like a flock.
The upright shall see it, and be glad;
And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
Whoso is wise shall give heed to these things,
And they shall consider the mercies of the Lord.
--_Psalm 107_.

{134}

HIS GLORY IS ABOVE THE HEAVENS

Praise ye the Lord.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same
The Lord's name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations,
And his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God,
Who hath his seat on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes,
Even with the princes of his people.
When Israel went forth out of Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
The sea saw it, and fled; {135}
Jordan was driven back.
The mountains skipped like rams,
The little hills like young sheep.
What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest?
Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?
Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams;
Ye little hills, like young sheep?
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the God of Jacob;
Who turned the rock into a pool of water,
The flint into a fountain of waters.
--_Psalms 113:1-8; 114_.

{136}

IDOLS OF SILVER AND GOLD

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But unto thy name give glory,
For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
Wherefore should the nations say,
Where is now their God?
But our God is in the heavens:
He hath done whatsoever he pleased.
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not;
Eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not;
Noses have they, but they smell not;
They have hands, but they handle not;
Feet have they, but they walk not;
Neither speak they through their throat.
They that make them shall be like unto them;
Yea, everyone that trusteth in them.
--_Psalm 115:1-8_.

{137}

I WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD

I love the Lord, because he hath heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
The sorrows of death compassed me,
And the pains of Sheol seized me:
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the Lord;
O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yea, our God is merciful.
The Lord preserveth the simple:
I was brought low, and he saved me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul;
For the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death,
Mine eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
I believe, for I will speak:
I was greatly afflicted: {138}
I said in my haste,
All men are a lie.
What shall I render unto the Lord
For all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord,
Yea, in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of his saints.
O Lord, truly I am thy servant:
I am thy servant, the son of thine handmaid;
Thou hast loosed my bonds.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord.
--_Psalm 116:1-18_.

{139}

PRAISE THE LORD, YE NATIONS

O praise the Lord, all ye nations;
Laud him, all ye peoples.
For his mercy is great toward us;
And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
Praise ye the Lord.
--_Psalm 117_.

{140}

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SONG

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say,
That his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say,
That his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the Lord say,
That his mercy endureth for ever.

Out of my distress I called upon the Lord:
The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear:
What can man do unto me?
The Lord is on my side among them that help me:
Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about:
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about:
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
They compassed me about like bees;
they are quenched as the fire of thorns: {141}
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall:
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song;
And he is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous:
The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted:
The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me sore:
But he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness:
I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous shall enter into it.
I will give thanks unto thee, for thou hast answered me,
And art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected
Is become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord's doing;
It is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, we beseech thee, O Lord:
O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: {142}
We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he hath given us light:
Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee:
Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good;
For his mercy endureth for ever.
--_Psalm 118_.

{143}

THE SONGS OF THE PURE IN HEART

Blessed are they that are perfect in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
That seek him with the whole heart.
Yea, they do no unrighteousness;
They walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,
That we should observe them diligently.
Oh that my ways were established
To observe thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed,
When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,
When I learn thy righteous judgments.
I will observe thy statutes:
O forsake me not utterly.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee:
O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I laid up in mine heart,
That I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Lord:
Teach me thy statutes. {144}
With my lips have I declared
All the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts,
And have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy word.

Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;
So will I observe thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
Wondrous things out of thy law.
I am a sojourner in the earth:
Hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing
That it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,
Who wander from thy commandments.
Take away from me reproach and contempt;
For I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also sat and talked against me:
But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight
And my counsellors.

My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
Quicken thou me according to thy word.
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:
Teach me thy statutes. {145}
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
So shall I meditate of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness:
Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Remove from me the way of falsehood:
And grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness:
Thy judgments have I set before me.
I cleave unto thy testimonies:
O Lord, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments,
When thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes;
And I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep the law;
Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
For therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,
And quicken me in thy ways.
Confirm thy word unto thy servant,
Which belongeth unto the fear of thee.
Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;
For thy judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:
Quicken me in thy righteousness.
Let thy mercies also come unto me, O Lord, {146}
Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;
For I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
For I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I observe thy law continually
For ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty;
For I have sought thy precepts.
I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments,
Which I have loved.
I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved;
And I will meditate in thy statutes.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:
Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee shall see me and be glad;
Because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are righteous,
And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort,
According to thy word unto thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live:
For thy law is my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they have overthrown me wrongfully: {147}
But I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me,
And they shall know thy testimonies.
Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes;
That I be not ashamed.

My soul fainteth for thy salvation:
But I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word,
While I say, "When wilt thou comfort me?"
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke;
Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
How many are the days of thy servant?
When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me,
Who are not after thy law.
All thy commandments are faithful:
They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth;
But I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;
So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.

For ever, O Lord,
Thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:
Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
They abide this day according to thine ordinances;
For all things are thy servants. {148}
Unless thy law had been my delight,
I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts;
For with them thou hast quickened me.
I am thine, save me;
For I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me;
But I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection;
But thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Oh how love I thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers;
For thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have kept thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way,
That I might observe thy word.
I have not turned aside from thy judgments;
For thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste!
Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding:
Therefore I hate every false way.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
I have sworn, and have confirmed it,
That I will observe thy righteous judgments. {149}
I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me thy judgments.
My soul is continually in my hand;
Yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me;
Yet went I not astray from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever;
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes,
For ever, even unto the end.
I hate them that are of a double mind;
But thy law do I love.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers;
That I may keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live;
And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,
And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes;
For their deceit is falsehood.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross:
Therefore I love thy commandments.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; {150}
And I am afraid of thy judgments.
I have done judgment and justice:
Leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good:
Let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,
And for thy righteous word.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy,
And teach me thy statutes.
I am thy servant, give me understanding;
That I may know thy testimonies.
It is time for the Lord to work;
For they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandments
Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;
And I hate every false way.

Thy testimonies are wonderful:
Therefore doth my soul keep them.
The opening of thy words giveth light;
It giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened wide my mouth, and panted;
For I longed for thy commandments.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,
As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my footsteps in thy word;
And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. {151}
Redeem me from the oppression of man:
So will I observe thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
And teach me thy statutes.
Mine eyes run down with rivers of water,
Because they observe not thy law.

Righteous art thou, O Lord,
And upright are thy judgments.
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness
and very faithfulness.
My zeal hath consumed me,
Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very pure;
Therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised:
Yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is everlasting righteousness,
And thy law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me:
Yet thy commandments are my delight.
Thy testimonies are righteous for ever:
Give me understanding, and I shall live.

I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Lord:
I will keep thy statutes.
I have called unto thee; save me,
And I shall observe thy testimonies.
I rose before the dawning of the morning, and cried:
I hoped in thy words. {152}
Mine eyes outwatched the night watches,
That I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness:
Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy judgments.
They draw nigh that follow after wickedness;
They are far from thy law.
Thou art nigh, O Lord,
And all thy commandments are truth.
Of old have I known from thy testimonies,
That thou hast founded them for ever.

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;
For I do not forget thy law.
Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:
Quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked;
For they seek not thy statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord:
Quicken me according to thy judgments.
Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;
Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
I beheld the treacherous dealers, and was grieved;
Because they observe not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts:
Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.
The sum of thy word is truth;
And everyone of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

--_Psalm 119:1-48, 73-160_.

{153}{154}

MOUNT CARMEL

"I will lift my eyes unto the mountains."
[End illustration]

{155}

I WILL LIFT MINE EYES UNTO THE MOUNTAINS

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:
From whence shall my help come?
My help cometh from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper:
The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall keep thee from all evil;
He shall keep thy soul.
The Lord shall keep thy going out and thy coming in,
From this time forth and for evermore.
--_Psalm 121_.

{156}

A PILGRIM SONG

I was glad when they said unto me,
"Let us go unto the house of the Lord."
Our feet are standing
Within thy gates, O Jerusalem;
Jerusalem, that art builded
As a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord,
For a testimony unto Israel,
To give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
They shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions' sakes,
I will now say, "Peace be within thee."
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek thy good.
--_Psalm 122_.

{157}

A SONG OF THE EXILES

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion,
We were like unto them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing:
Then said they among the nations,
The Lord hath done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things for us;
Whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Though he goeth on his way weeping, bearing forth the seed;
He shall come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

--_Psalm 126_.

{158}

"DE PROFUNDIS."

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice:
Let thine ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with thee,
That thou mayest be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,
And in his word do I hope.
My soul looketh for the Lord,
More than watchmen look for the morning;
Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.
--_Psalm 130_.

{159}

BROTHERHOOD

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
That ran down upon the beard,
Even Aaron's beard;
That came down upon the skirt of his garments;
Like the dew of Hermon,
That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion:
For there the Lord commanded the blessing,
Even life for evermore.
--_Psalm 133_.

{160}

BLESS YE THE LORD

Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord,
Who by night stand in the house of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary,
And bless ye the Lord.
The Lord bless thee out of Zion;
Even he that made heaven and earth.

Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the name of the Lord;
Praise him, O ye servants of the Lord:
Ye that stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courts of the house of our God.
Praise ye the Lord; for the Lord is good:
Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself,
And Israel for his peculiar treasure.
For I know that the Lord is great,
And that our Lord is above all gods.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that hath he done,
In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth;
He maketh lightnings for the rain;
He bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries. {161}
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of man and beast.
He sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
Who smote many nations,
And slew mighty kings;
Sihon king of the Amorites,
And Og king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan:
And gave their land for an heritage,
An heritage unto Israel his people.
Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever;
Thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.
For the Lord shall judge his people,
And repent himself concerning his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not;
Eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not;
Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They that make them shall be like unto them;
Yea, everyone that trusteth in them.

O house of Israel, bless ye the Lord:
O house of Aaron, bless ye the Lord:
O house of Levi, bless ye the Lord:
Ye that fear the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, {162}
Who dwelleth at Jerusalem.
Praise ye the Lord.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the Lord of lords:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who by understanding made the heavens:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who spread forth the earth above the waters:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who made great lights:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
The sun to rule by day:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who smote Egypt in their firstborn:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
And brought out Israel from among them:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who divided the Red Sea in sunder:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: {163}
For his mercy endureth for ever:
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who led his people through the wilderness:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who smote great kings:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
And slew famous kings:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
Sihon king of the Amorites:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
And Og king of Bashan:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
And gave their land for an heritage:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
And hath delivered us from our adversaries:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
He giveth food to all flesh:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
--_Psalms 134-136_.

{164}

THE EYE OF THE LORD

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me,
And the light about me shall be night;
Even the darkness hideth not from thee,
But the night shineth as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. {165}
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:
When I awake, I am still with thee.

Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any way of wickedness in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

--_Psalm 139:1-12, 17, 18, 23, 24_.

{166}

HAPPY IS THE PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD

Blessed be the Lord my rock,
Who teacheth my hands to war,
And my fingers to fight:
My lovingkindness, and my fortress,
My high tower, and my deliverer;
My shield, and he in whom I trust;
Who subdueth my people under me.
Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?
Man is like to vanity:
His days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down:
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them;
Send out thine arrows, and discomfit them.
Stretch forth thy hand from above;
Rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters,
Out of the hand of aliens;
Whose mouth speaketh deceit,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood,

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God:
Upon a psaltery of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. {167}
Thou art he that giveth salvation unto kings;
Who rescueth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hand of aliens,
Whose mouth speaketh deceit,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth,
And our daughters as corner stones hewn after the fashion of a palace;
When our garners are full, affording all manner of store,
And our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
When our oxen are well laden;
When there is no breaking in, and no going forth,
And no outcry in our streets:
Happy is the people that is in such a case;
Yea, happy is the people whose God is the Lord.
--_Psalm 144_

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SLOW TO ANGER AND PLENTEOUS IN MERCY

I will extol thee, my God, O King;
And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee;
And I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud thy works to another,
And shall declare thy mighty acts.
Of the glorious majesty of thine honour,
And of thy wondrous works, will I meditate.
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts;
And I will declare thy greatness.
They shall utter the memory of thy great goodness,
And shall sing of thy righteousness

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion;
Slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The Lord is good to all;
And his tender mercies are over all his works.
All thy works shall give thanks unto thee, O Lord;
And thy saints shall bless thee.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom,
And talk of thy power;
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
And the glory of the majesty of his kingdom. {169}
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
The Lord upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their food in due season.
Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways,
And gracious in all his works.
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him;
He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
The Lord preserveth all them that love him;
But all the wicked will he destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord;
And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

--_Psalm 145_.

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SONGS OF PRAISE

Praise ye the Lord.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
While I live will I praise the Lord:
I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Put not your trust in princes,
Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God:
Which made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that in them is;
Which keepeth truth for ever:
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed;
Which giveth food to the hungry:
The Lord looseth the prisoners;
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raiseth up them that are bowed down;
The Lord loveth the righteous;
The Lord preserveth the strangers;
He upholdeth the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
The Lord shall reign for ever, {171}
Thy God, O Zion, unto all generations.
Praise ye the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord;
For it is good to sing praises unto our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is comely.

The Lord doth build up Jerusalem;
He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth the broken in heart,
And bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars;
He giveth them all their names.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
The Lord upholdeth the meek:
He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises upon the harp unto our God:
Who covereth the heaven with clouds,
Who prepareth rain for the earth,
Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
He giveth to the beast his food,
And to the young ravens which cry.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse:
He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
In those that hope in his mercy.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem;
Praise thy God, O Zion. {172}
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates;
He hath blessed thy children within thee.
He maketh peace in thy borders;
He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
He sendeth out his commandment upon earth;
His word runneth very swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool;
He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.
He casteth forth his ice like morsels:
Who can stand before his cold?
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them:
He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He sheweth his word unto Jacob,
His statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any nation:
And as for his judgments, they have not known them.
Praise ye the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:
Praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels:
Praise ye him, all his host.
Praise ye him, sun and moon:
Praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens,
And ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord:
For he commanded, and they were created. {173}
He hath also established them for ever and ever:
He hath made a decree which shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth.
Ye dragons, and all deeps:
Fire and hail, snow and vapour;
Stormy wind, fulfilling his word:
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars:
Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth:
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children:
Let them praise the name of the Lord;
For his name alone is exalted:
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
And he hath lifted up the horn of his people,
The praise of all his saints;
Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him.
Praise ye the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary:
Praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts:
Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:
Praise him with the psaltery and harp. {174}
Praise him with the timbrel and dance:
Praise him with stringed instruments and the pipe.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals:
Praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord.
--_Psalms 146-148, 150_.

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TWO WOMEN GRINDING AT THE MILL
Copyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.

The hand mill for grinding grain shown in the picture is exactly the
same as those in use in Palestine from the earliest times. It
consists of two circular stones, one of which is placed on top of
the other, the upper and lower surfaces being flat. The underside of
the upper stone is slightly concave, fitting into the convex surface
of the lower stone. From the center of the lower stone a strong pin of
wood passes through a funnel-shaped hole in the upper stone. Into
this hole the grain is thrown, and as it is ground escapes as meal
to a smooth sheepskin placed beneath. On the surface of the upper
stone near the circumference, a handle is fixed by which the stone
is turned. The meal is ground every day. The work, which is very
laborious, is performed by the women of the household. In the
picture this mill is rather more elaborate than usual, the lower
stone being elongated and used as a trough for the meal as it falls
over the edges of the mill. There are two baskets of grain and one
of meal. One of the women is about to put a handful of grain in the
mill. Both are helping to turn the upper stone by the handle
[End illustration]

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SELECTIONS FROM JOB

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PERSONS REPRESENTED.
_Friends of Job_.
_Job, a rich man of the East_.
_Eliphaz, the Temanite_.
_Bildad, the Shuhite_.
_Zophar, the Naamathite_.
_Elihu, son of Barachel, the Buzite_.

_The Wife of Job_.
_The LORD_.
_Satan_.
_Sons of God, Messengers, Friends, Spectators_.

PLACES.
_The Land of Uz, a country east of Palestine_.
_The Court of Heaven_.

TIME.
The Patriarchal Age.

{179}

JOB

There is one question over which men have puzzled for many, many hundreds of years. It is the question, "Why do good people suffer?" When wicked people suffered, the reason seemed to be plain. It was because they had done wrong; and people who do wrong ought to suffer. But good people as well as wicked people suffer, and it has always been very hard for many to see how God can be good and this still be true.

This is the question that a Hebrew poet tried to answer in the book of Job. He pictured a man named Job who had lived a good life and feared God, and yet who suffered. He lost the flocks and herds which had made him rich. A whirlwind swept away the house in which his sons and daughters were feasting, and killed them all. At last a disease for which there was no known cure came upon him. Poor and alone, he faced a certain death of great suffering.

Then three friends came to see him. Finding him suffering so, they believed that he must have been a great sinner, and that the suffering was God's punishment for his sin. They tried to make him see that he had sinned. At first they only hint it, very gently and tenderly, but when he still insists that he has not sinned in any way which should bring such suffering, they become more harsh and {180} plainly charge him with being greedy of gain and cruel to the poor. He says that he has not been guilty of these things. And so, the poet means to say, when men suffer, it does not always mean that they have sinned. Then, in the poem, God speaks out of a storm. He says that Job cannot understand the sea or the sky or the storm or the winter's cold or the instincts of the animals. Does he think, then, that he will be able to understand how God deals with men? He trusts God in the things that are good. Can he not trust him in the things that seem evil also? Job is willing to trust God, and the book ends with a picture of a happy, prosperous old age for this man who has suffered so much.

What is the writer's answer, then, to the question why good men suffer? His answer is that we cannot tell why such men suffer. But we know that God is wise and good, and we may trust him, even if we find it impossible, as we always shall, to answer all the questions of life.

The book of Job is a great dramatic poem. It is dramatic not because it was meant to be acted as the Greek and English drama; the Hebrews knew nothing about drama of this kind. But it consists of dialogue between various speakers, and has the true dramatic spirit and intensity of personal feeling. It is the nearest approach to the drama in the Bible. It is printed here in dramatic form because it was felt that this would be suggestive and helpful to the reader. It has a prologue and an epilogue which are in prose, while the speeches are in poetic form, and are printed like the blank verse of the Greek or English drama.

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