Finding Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge

Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5

His Great and and Awesome Name

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.  The LORD is great in Zion; and He is high above all the people.  Let them praise Thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

The king’s strength also loveth judgment; Thou dost establish equity, Thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.   Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; for He is holy. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept His testimonies, and the ordinance that He gave them.   Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Psalm 99:1-9

The Most High Judges The Judges’

A Psalm of Asaph.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods.   How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.  Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.   Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.   I have said, “Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High.   But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Psalm 82:1-8

Redeemed Mount Zion

Maschil of Asaph.

O God, why hast Thou cast us off for ever? Why doth Thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy pasture?   Remember Thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of Thine inheritance, which Thou hast redeemed; this Mount Zion, wherein Thou hast dwelt.  Lift up Thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.   Thine enemies roar in the midst of Thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.  A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.   But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers…

Psalm 74:1-6

Hear My Voice, O God

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:  Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:  That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, “Who shall see them?”  They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.  So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.  And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing.   The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 64:1-10

 

To See God’s Power And Glory

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;  To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary. Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.  Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name.  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips:   When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.  Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.   But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.   They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.   But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalm 63:1-11

When I am Afraid…

To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.  Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou Most High.   What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.  Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.  They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.   Shall they escape by iniquity? In Thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?   When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

In God will I praise His word: in the LORD will I praise His word.   In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.   Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee.   For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalm 56:1-13

The Goodness Of God

To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually.

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.   Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.  God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, He shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:  Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.   But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

Psalm 52:1-9

The LORD My Helper

A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.

I will extol Thee, O LORD; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me.  O LORD, Thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.  For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

LORD, by Thy favour Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled.  I cried to Thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise Thee? Shall it declare Thy truth?

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be Thou my helperThou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;  To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.

Psalm 30:1-12

The LORD Who Is Worthy

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears… 

Psalm 18:1-6

I Will Sing…

How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD, for ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;  Lest mine enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.  But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

I will sing unto the LORD, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:1-6

A Joyful Noise Before The LORD, The King

O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.  The LORD hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.   He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.   Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.   With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.   Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.   Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity.

Psalm 98:1-9

When There Will Be Mercy And Truth

LORD, Thou hast been favourable unto thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.  Thou hast taken away all Thy wrath: thou hast turned Thyself from the fierceness of Thine anger.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause Thine anger toward us to cease.  WiltThou be angry with us for ever? Wilt Thou draw out Thine anger to all generations?  Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?

Shew us Thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us Thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.   Surely His salvation is nigh 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 shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.  Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.   Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps.

Psalm 85:1-13

Preparing Children To Live For God And Godliness

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:  Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.  For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:  That they might set their hope 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 stedfast with God.

Psalm 78:1-8

All Nations Will Fall Before Him

  Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him.  For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.   He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.  He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in His sight.  And He shall live, and to Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall He be praised.

There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.   His name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.  And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen.

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Psalm 72:11-20

 

Protected From Wickedness

 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.  Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:  Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:   That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.  They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, “Who shall see them?”  They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.  So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.  And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing.

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 64:1-10

God Has Spoken In His Holiness

 O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again.   Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast shewed Thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That Thy beloved may be delivered; save with Thy right hand, and hear me.

God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.  Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the strength of Mine head; Judah is My lawgiver;  Moab is My washpot; over Edom will I cast out My shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of Me.

Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom?  Wilt not Thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and Thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?  Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.  Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalm 60:11-12

 

 

There Are None Who Does Good

The fool hath said in his heart, “There is no God.” Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.  God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.  Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.  There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.   Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 53:1-6

GREAT IS THE LORD OUR GOD

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.  They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.  Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.   Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

Psalm 48:1-7

GOD Knows The Secrets Of Our Hearts

Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy way;   Though Thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.  If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;   Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever.  Wherefore hidest thou Thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?   For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.  Arise for our help, and redeem us for Thy mercies’ sake.

Psalm 44:18-26

THE EVIL AND THE GODLY

 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.  For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.  The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.   He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.  Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, Thou preservest man and beast.  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.   They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.  For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.  O continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee; and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.   There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 36:1-12

Lead Me, O LORD, And Teach Me

Unto Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.  O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.  Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Shew me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths.  Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.  Remember, O LORD, Thy tender mercies and Thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.  Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.

  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way.

Psalm 25:1-8

 

The LORD Shall Reign Forever

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 therein 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 them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:  The LORD preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked He turneth upside down.  The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 146:1-10

 

Thirsty

Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.  And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.   For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.   Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.   I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands.   I stretch forth my hands unto Thee: my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.  Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.   Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide me.   Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.  Quicken me, O LORD, for Thy name’s sake: for Thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.  And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.

Psalm 143:1-12

The LORD Is Our Help And Our Shield

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 heathen say, Where is now their God?  But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath 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 are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:1-9