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PSALM X.

A prayer against impious, deceitful, and blood-thirsty enemies.

WHY standest thou afar off, O Lord?

Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2 Through the haughtiness of the wicked the poor are in distress;

They are caught in the wiles which are contrived for them.

3 The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire;

The rapacious renounceth and contemneth Jehovah.

4 The wicked [saith] in his haughtiness, "He careth not!” All his thoughts are, "There is no God."

5 His course is always prosperous;

Far in the heights are thy judgments from him;
As for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He saith in his heart, "I shall never fall;

I shall never be in adversity."

7 His mouth is full of perjury, deceit, and oppression;
Mischief and injustice are upon his tongue.
8 He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages ;
In secret places doth he murder the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed upon the poor.

9 He secretly lieth in wait, like a lion in a thicket ;
He lieth in wait to seize upon the helpless;
He catcheth the poor, drawing him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and lowereth himself,

And the wretched fall into his paws.

11 He saith in his heart, "God doth forget; He hideth his face; he doth never see it."

12 Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up thine hand; Forget not the distressed!

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God,

And say in his heart, "He careth not for it"?

14 Thou dost see it; yea, thou beholdest malice and

sion,

And markest it upon thy hand!

The poor committeth himself to thee;
Thou art the helper of the fatherless.

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15 Break thou the arm of the unjust and wicked man; Seek out his wickedness, till thou canst find none!

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Jehovah is king for ever and ever;

The gentiles shall perish out of his land.

17 Thou, O LORD! wilt hear the desires of the distressed; Thou wilt strengthen their hearts ;

Thou wilt lend a listening ear!

18 Thou wilt maintain the cause of the fatherless and the oppressed,

That henceforth none may be driven from the land.

PSALM XI.

An expression of trust in God, as a security from the plots and assaults of enemies.

For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.

1 IN the LORD do I put my trust. Why say ye to me, “Flee, like a bird, to your mountain ?

2 For, lo! the wicked bend their bow;

They make ready their arrows on the string,
To shoot in secret at the upright in heart.

3 If the pillars be broken down,

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What can the righteous do?”

The LORD is in his holy palace;

The LORD's throne is in heaven;

His eyes behold, his eyelids prove the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous;

But the wicked, and the lover of violence, his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he will rain lightning;

Fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the LORD is righteous; he loveth righteousness; The upright shall see his face.

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PSALM XII.

A prayer for protection against calumniating foes.

For the leader of the music; to the octave. A psalm of David.

HELP, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth;

The faithful are failing among men.

2 They speak falsehood one to another;

With flattering lips, with a double heart, do they speak. 8 May the LORD destroy all flattering lips,

And the tongue which speaketh proud things!

4 Who say, "With our tongues will we prevail;

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Our lips are our reliance;

Who is lord over us?"

For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the wretched,

Now will I stand up, saith the LORD;

I will set in safety him whom they puff at.

6 The words of the LORD are pure;

Like silver purified in a furnace on the earth,
Seven times refined.

7 Thou, O LORD! wilt watch over them;

Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side,

When the vilest of men are exalted.

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PSALM XIII.

Supplication for deliverance from enemies, and confidence of obtaining it.

For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.

How long, O LORD! wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I have anxiety in my soul for ever, And sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Look down and hear me, O LORD, my God! Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him!” Lest my adversaries rejoice, when I am fallen.

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Yet will I trust in thy goodness ;

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation;

6 I will sing to the LORD, that he hath dealt kindly with me

PSALM XIV.

The complaint of a pious man in exile concerning the wickedness of men, and supplication for the restoration of the Israelites from captivity.

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For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.

THE fool saith in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt; abominable are their doings ; There is none that doeth good.

2 Jehovah looketh down from heaven upon the children of

men,

To see if there are any that have understanding,

That have regard to God.

3 They are all gone out of the way; together are they

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corrupt;

There is none that doeth good -- no, not one.

Shall not the evil-doers be requited,

Who devour my people like bread,

And call not upon Jehovah?

5 Yea, then shall they be in great fear;

For Jehovah is with the race of the righteous.

6 Ye would put to shame the counsel of the poor;

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But Jehovah is their refuge.

Oh that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When Jehovah bringeth back the captives of his people, Then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel be glad.

PSALM XV.

The qualifications of an acceptable worshipper. This psalm may have been composed when David removed the ark to the tabernacle on Mount Zion; 2 Samuel, chap. vi.

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A psalm of David.

LORD, who shall abide at thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell upon thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and doeth righteousness, And speaketh the truth from his heart;

3 He that slandereth not with his tongue,

That doeth no injury to his neighbor,

And uttereth no reproach against his neighbor; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; But who honoreth them that fear the LORD; Who sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not; 5 He that lendeth not his money for interest, And taketh not a bribe against the innocent: He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

PSALM XVI.

The person who is the subject of this psalm expresses his entire dependence upon God, his gratitude for Divine goodness, his satisfaction with the condition assigned him, and his firm hopes of future protection and favor.

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A psalm of David.

PRESERVE me, O God! for to thee do I look for help. 2 I have said to Jehovah, Thou art my Lord;

I have no happiness beyond thee!

3 The holy that are in the land, and the excellent,

In them is all my delight.

4 They who hasten after other gods shall have multiplied

sorrows;

Their drink-offerings of blood I will not offer,

Nor will I take their names upon my lips.

5 Jehovah is my portion and my cup;

Thou wilt maintain my lot!