Responsive Readings covenant for ever: holy and rever- I will take the cup of salvation, and Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. The cords of death compassed me, and the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the Name of Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and He saved me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. call upon the Name of Jehovah. I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, yea, in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of His saints. O Jehovah, truly I am Thy servant: I am Thy servant, the son of Thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of Jehovah. I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, yea, in the presence of all His people, In the courts of Jehovah's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah. I will walk before Jehovah in the land valiantly. of the living. I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted: I said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto Jehovah for all His benefits toward me? I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of Jehovah. Jehovah hath chastened me sore; but He hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteous Responsive Readings ness: I will enter into them, I will Yea, they do no unrighteousness; give thanks unto Jehovah. This is the gate of Jehovah; 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 Jehovah's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which Jehovah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad 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 put to shame, 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: Oh forsake me not utterly. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse With my whole heart have I sought Thy word have I laid up in my heart, Blessed art Thou, O Jehovah: teach me Thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the ordinances of Thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Thy precepts, and I will delight myself in Thy statutes: SELECTION 47 Psalms cxxv, CXXVI mount Zion, which cannot HEY that trust in Jehovah are be moved, but abideth for ever. Responsive Readings As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so Jehovah is round about His people from this time forth and for evermore. For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; that the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity. Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. When Jehovah brought back those that returned to 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, Jehovah hath done great things for them. Jehovah hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, as the streams in the South. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him. SELECTION 48 Psalms cxxxX, CXLII UT of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Jehovah. be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If Thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning; yea, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in Jehovah; for with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. I cry with my voice unto Jehovah; with my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I show before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me. Look on my right hand, and see; for there is no man that knoweth me: refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Jehovah; I said, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am for they are Bring my soul out of prison, that I Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears may give thanks unto Thy Name: For there is not a word in my I tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thy 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. SELECTION 50 Psalm CXLV 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 Jehovah, 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 honor, 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. Jehovah is gracious, and merciful; slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness. Jehovah is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. Responsive Readings All Thy works shall give thanks unto Thee, O Jehovah; 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. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that are bowed down. The eyes of all wait for Thee; and Thou givest them their food in due While I live will I praise Jehovah: 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 Jehovah his God: Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is; Who keepeth truth for ever; Who executeth justice for the oppressed; Who giveth food to the hungry. Jehovah looseth the prisoners; Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous; Jehovah preserveth the sojourners; Jehovah will reign for ever, Thy Praise ye Jehovah; for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely. Jehovah doth build up Jerusalem; He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and mighty in |