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BOOK OF DEVOTION:THE PSALMSWITHPREFACES, SUMMARIES, AND PRAYERS,FOR FAMILY USE.COMPILED FROM THE ALTENBURG BIBLE AND OTHERSOURCES.BYF. KUEGELE,AUTHOR OF “COUNTRY SERMONS.”(EDITED BY REQUEST OF THE ENGLISH EVANG. LUTHERAN SYNOD OF MISSOURI.)Motto: As for me and my house we will serve the Lord – Joshua 29:15.PUBLISHED BY THEAmerican Lutheran Publication Board,Chicago, Illinois.Republished by Michael L. McCoy1
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1895, by theAMERICAN LUTHERAN PUBLICATION BOARD,In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.Book of Devotion: The Psalms is available as an ebook in pdfformat. This ebook is in the public domain. It may be copied andgiven to others without charge. You may get this pdf ebook fromLulu.com or from any other website that offers it without charge.Please pass this ebook along to others, particularly viaemail and social media. Thank you.Bound copies of the book are available at Lulu.com.There is also a mp3 audio recording of this book. It is in the publicdomain. An internet search will identify where it is available fordownloading. Please pass this information along to others and feelfree to give the audio recording to others. Again, thank you.ISBN # 978-1-387-22275-9Michael L. McCoy10 September Anno Domini 2017Soli Deo Gloria!2
COMPILER’S REMARKSThe compiler of these prefaces and summaries requests theChristian reader not to expect a learned commentary in this book.The object was not to give a complete exposition of the Psalms, or toattempt an explanation of all the difficult passages found in them;the object was to furnish a book for family devotion. Hence mainlysuch truths were made most prominent which seemed mostconducive for instruction and edification. For the same reason asimple style of language was used, because family devotion is notonly for the learned, but specially also for children and uneducatedservants. Counting himself debtor both to the wise and to the unwise,the author trusts what is edifying to the simple will not be valuelessto the learned.These prefaces and summaries are taken from or patternedafter those of the famous “Altenburg Bible.” They are not atranslation, but rather a reproduction in another language. Thosesummaries which were originally from the pen of Dr. M. Luther,were treated in like manner. This seemed preferable to a literaltranslation in order to make the book more adapted for use in ourtime and country. Many of the prefaces and summaries, especiallywhere psalms are divided, are the compiler’s own production.In using this book the housefather may himself read or have achild do it. The references to Scripture passages were placed inbrackets so that they can be easily skipped in reading. A proper timefor reading a psalm is in the morning at the breakfast table, and atnight before retiring. When the time is short the preface, or thesummary, or both may be omitted, and only the psalm and the prayerused. Morning and evening prayers will be found in an appendix. Tothese may be added the Lord’s Prayer and the benediction.I, the compiler of this little work, hereby bear witness to myfellow housefathers, that family devotion in this form has been agreat benefit to my own soul, as well as to my family.May the blessing of God rest on every house where thisbooklet is used.F. KUEGELE.Trinity Grove, Va., Sept. 10, 1895.3
REPUBLISHER’S NOTEAn attempt was made to reproduce the author’s originalintent in his publishing of this Book of Devotion —The Psalms. Thedeviations from this were consistent with the original author’s owndesire, namely, “to make the book more adapted for use in our timeand country.”There are a number of notable changes incorporated into thiswork. First, the Psalms are not shown in columns as the originalbook has them, but are full-page width. Second, certain archaicwords have been replaced. For example, a lease once meant afalsification or a lie. Hence, leasing has been replaced with lying.Other words are left as is since the meaning can be inferred. Again,an example is helpful. The word used to describe people living in ahousehold is inmates, which is easily understood and thoughtprovoking. Third, punctuation has been added for clarity and flow inreading. Fourth, the capitalization of the first letter of pronounsreferring to God has been applied. Finally, certain word forms havebeen updated. The preeminent example of this need might best bedemonstrated by the word strengthenedst in Psalm 138.Once again, may the blessing of the LORD our God abide withall who read or hear what is written on the following pages.MICHAEL L. MCCOY.Rogue River, OR, Sept. 10, 2017.4
BOOK OF DEVOTION.PSALM 1.PREFACE.As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. So that piousand God-fearing prince Joshua declared after he had divided the landof promise among the twelve tribes, and all Israel declared, they toowould serve the Lord, and the same day they made a covenant thatthe Lord should be their God and they would serve none other. Soshould every household in all Christendom be a house serving theLord; for certainly that house shall be blessed. The house in whichthe Word of God is daily read, in which praise is heard in themorning and prayer and thanksgiving at night, and where theinmates adorn their Christian profession by a walk of godliness, thathouse is a dwelling of the Most High, a resort of the angels, astronghold against Satan, and there the Lord will command Hisblessing. The house in which is not the fear of God, in which theLord is forgotten and His Word is not heard, that house may prosperfor a time, but the storm will come upon it, and then its prosperityand happiness will fly away like chaff driven by the wind. Whereasthe house serving the Lord, though it be but a hut, has a safemooring, a sure comfort in afflictions and is compassed about by thelove of God. All this is confirmed by the first Psalm which reads asfollows.Happiness of the Godly, punishment of the ungodly.1. Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of thescornful.2. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD; and in His Law doeshe meditate day and night.3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, thatbrings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither;and whatsoever he does shall prosper.5
4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the winddrives away.5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, norsinners in the congregation of the righteous.6. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of theungodly shall perish.SUMMARY.This psalm exhorts us to love the Word of God and to delightin hearing and learning it. It promises that goodness and mercy shallfollow him who loves the testimony of the Lord and who meditatesin His Law. He shall be like a palm-tree planted by a well of water,which grows and thrives though the scorching rays of the sun and thehot winds of the desert beat upon it. So shall the lover of the Lord’sstatutes flourish and his soul shall find comfort in the midst of themost dire afflictions. This the teachings of men can not accomplish;for when the day of trial comes they are consumed as stubble in thefire. But the Word of God is a safe anchor, and will not pass away.PRAYER.Unto Thee, O God, belong thanks and praise, because Thouhast given unto us Thy Holy Word. Enlighten our eyes by Thy HolySpirit to understand Thy counsel of grace in Jesus Christ, to love ThyWord and to take delight in learning Thy statutes and walking in ThyLaw. Bestow Thy blessing and prosperity on the works of our handsin our Christian calling and all our conversation. Amen.PSALM 2.PREFACE.With the Jews the kiss was counted a peculiar token of loveand friendship. Esau, when reconciled to his brother Jacob, fell uponhis neck and kissed him (Gen 33:4). Jonathan and David sealed their6
covenant of friendship with a kiss (1 Sam 20:41). When the prodigalreturned confessing and repenting of his sin his father embraced himand kissing him manifested his joy over his return and showing hisfree forgiveness (Luke 15:20). Hence David exhorts at the end of thispsalm: Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way.We kiss the Son when we love the Lord Jesus Christ, when weencourage our hearts to draw nigh unto Him and to embrace Him asour own. We are indeed sinners, and should justly perish from theway, but for this purpose the Son of God became our brother,clothing Himself in our flesh and bone, that we should have acheerful heart towards Him, seeing He did not come to judge and tocondemn, but to redeem and to save us from our sins. This, ourloving and lovely Savior is always ready to be embraced by us, andHe will in no wise cast us out, if we do but sincerely repent, seekforgiveness with Him and believing it that He is the propitiation forour sins strive to follow Him in righteousness and true holiness.Hereunto we are persuasively urged by the second Psalm.Prophecy of Christ and His Kingdom.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers takecounsel together, against the LORD, and against His Anointed,saying,“Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cordsfrom us.”He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have themin derision.Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them inHis sore displeasure.Yet have I set My King upon My Holy Hill of Zion.I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, “Thou artMy Son; this day have I begotten Thee.Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thineinheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thypossession.Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; Thou shall dash themin pieces like a potter’s vessel.”7
10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges ofthe earth.11. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.12. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way,when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they thatput their trust in Him.SUMMARY.In this beautiful psalm we have a clear prophecy of Christ inwhich it was foretold that after pouring out His soul unto death Hewould be exalted and would become a ruler over all the earth. Hencethis psalm threatens destruction to those kings and nations whowould persecute Him and would refuse to submit themselves to Him,and it promises salvation and every blessing to those who believe onHim. When Jesus Christ had given Himself a ransom for all and thepreaching of the Gospel among all nations had commenced, then thisraging of Jews and Gentiles against the Lord and His Anointedbegan. But the enemies of Christ — kings and emperors — are herecompared with earth vessels which are easily broken and no more tobe mended. So have the persecutors been shattered. But those puttingtheir trust in Him the Lord ever upholds and makes them triumphanteven at the stake.PRAYER.Thanks be unto You, O Lord Jesus Christ, because You wereonce dead and by Your Blood did redeem us from sin and everlastingtorment. You do we own as our King and You do we desire to serveall the days of our life. Preserve us in the midst of so many enemies,and by Your mighty hand keep us unto Your eternal Kingdom.Amen.PSALM 3.PREFACE.God is a just and righteous judge Who will surely punish sin,though His long-suffering is great and His vengeance often seems to8
tarry. Receiving the well deserved chastisements from the hand ofGod we should therefore never murmur against Him or accuse Himof injustice, but should possess our souls in patience acknowledgingthat we receive what our deeds are worth. Willingly should we bearthe indignation of the Lord, because we have sinned against Him.Neither should we despair in our sins remembering that in JesusChrist there is grace unto forgiveness. Rather should we returnheartfelt thanks unto God, because He does not pour out upon us thefull measure of His wrath, but has compassion upon us according tothe multitude of His mercies. He remembers that we are dust, and forthe sake of His dear Son, He delights in remitting unto us thoseeverlasting punishments which we so richly deserve. To this our kindand merciful Father in Heaven we should lift up our hearts,imploring Him to deal leniently with us and to forgive ourtransgressions. And this prayer we should offer up trusting andknowing that He will not cast us away, that He will walk among usand will be our God, and the very gates of hell shall not prevailagainst us. Unto such cheerful trust we are exhorted in the thirdPsalm.David’s prayer and comfort against his persecutors.A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they thatrise up against me.2. Many there be which say of my soul, “There is no help for himin God.” Selah.3. But Thou, O LORD, are a shield for me: my glory, and the lifterup of mine head.4. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of HisHoly Hill. Selah.5. I laid me down and slept; I awoke; for the LORD sustained me.6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have setthemselves against me round about.7. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God; for Thou hast smitten allmine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou hast broken the teethof the ungodly.9
8. Salvation belongs unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thypeople. Selah.SUMMARY.This prayer David composed when he was fleeing from hisundutiful and rebellious son, Absalom. In it David expresses thisfirm conviction, though his enemies were many and ten thousand setthem against him, yet the Lord would be his Shield and his Help. Ofthis he was so fully persuaded that, committing his cause to the Lord,he could lay himself down quietly and could sleep sweetly. This trustof David was not put to shame. The counsels of his enemies wereconfounded, that ungrateful son, Absalom, perished miserably, andwith many honors was David conducted back to Jerusalem. Thosecalling upon Him in distress and anguish the Lord will surely hear,and He will not fail to be a very present help to them that trust in Hismercy.PRAYER.Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, be with us as thesure defense of Your Church. Defend us against our enemies,preserve us from the persecutions of the wicked, and when our lasthour has come, deliver us from all evil, both of body and soul, andreceive us into Your everlasting Kingdom. Amen.PSALM 4.PREFACE.In the sorrows and afflictions of this life and under the crosswe should earnestly strive to practice four virtues. In the first place,we should not allow the happiness and the prosperity of the wickedto excite us to discontent with our own lot or to murmuring againstDivine providence, but banishing envy from the heart we shouldcommit our own cause and the rewarding of the wicked to the handsof God and should be quiet in Him. In the second place, we shouldwillingly bear the cross being instant in prayer, and should console10
ourselves with the certainty that no harm can come to us without thewill of our Father in Heaven. Hence, whatever befalls us in thisearthly pilgrimage must serve for our good, and the journey, onceover, our sorrows will be turned into everlasting joy. In the thirdplace, we should offer up the sacrifices of righteousness,acknowledging ourselves poor sinners who deserve chastisementalone and who have no other righteousness to bring before God savealone the obedience of Christ which we hold in faith. Having thisfaith we will always be ready to confess that God is just in Hisjudgments and to say with heart and soul: “Not unto us, O Lord, notunto us, but unto Thy Name give glory” (Psalm 115:1). In the fourthplace, we should quietly wait for the Lord’s deliverance firmlybelieving that, for Christ’s sake, He will grant grace unto us poorsinners, will forgive us our sins, and will be a kind Father unto us inall our needs. Further instruction on these things is found in thefourth Psalm.A psalm of comfort against the enmity of the world.To the chief Musician on Neginoth [Stringed instruments],A Psalm of David.1. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hastenlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, andhear my prayer.2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame?How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing [lies]?Selah.3. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly forHimself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him.4. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart uponyour bed, and be still. Selah.5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in theLORD.6. There be many that say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD,lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time thattheir corn and their wine increased.11
8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD,only makes me dwell in safety.SUMMARY.This psalm teaches us to hope in God in the time of distress,trusting that He will make a way for us to escape. It rebukes theungodly who are not willing to bear the cross, who seek after carnalease, and whose trust is in earthly things and not in God, Who isalone the true Comforter. His eyes are upon them that fear Him, andHe deals with them wonderfully, often hiding Himself from them asthough He would forsake them, yet hearing their prayers. To theungodly this Divine comfort is foolishness. They want garner andcellar replenished. Their trust is in well filled barns. The preachingof faith and patience only excites their ridicule and mockery.“Should this fellow,” say they, “teach us what is good and wise? Lethim stop baking, and see if God will hand him a loaf from Heaven.”So this psalm rebukes unbelief and distrust, and exhorts us patientlyto wait for the Lord in the time of need. While those who trust inearthly things are disquieted by fears and troubles, they that trust inthe Lord can lay themselves down in peace and sleep knowingthemselves safe under the shadow of the Almighty. And arising inthe morning with a gladsome heart, they go forth to their laborscheerfully because their God is with them.PRAYER.O God, our merciful Father in Heaven, fill our hearts withpatience under the cross, strengthen our faith and so govern us thatwe give offence to none, neither in word nor deed. Grant us also thisday all that we need for body and soul. Amen.PSALM 5.PREFACE.It is by the just judgment of God, if at any time the trueprophets, the fearless witnesses for the full and pure truth, are12
diminished in a land; and it is by the wiles and power of Satan, iffalse prophets, infidels and seducers are multiplied. Therefore weshould daily cry unto God with instant prayer, to guard us againstsuch teachers who proclaim their own dreams and to preserve untous the truth of His Word. Morning and night we should offer upsupplications and petitions that the Name of the Lord may beglorified and that our own and the souls of those committed unto usmay be preserved in the evil day. This is the more necessary becauseof the deceitfulness of false teachings. The hawthorn with its smoothbark and waxen leaves presents an attractive appearance, but itproduces only stinging thorns and useless haws. So the teachers ofanother and a new gospel, which is not a gospel, come in “sheep’sclothing” with a show of godliness or of wisdom, but their doctrinesrob the heart of true comfort and destroy the soul. Grace and truthcame by Jesus Christ, and they are proclaimed in the inspired Wordwhich is able to save the soul. But the doctrines and inventions ofmen are hay and stubble which are consumed in the day of trial andleave the soul unsaved. An illustration of this truth is found in thefifth Psalm.A prayer for the church against false teachers.To the chief Musician upon NehilothA Psalm of David.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: forunto Thee will I pray.My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in themorning will I direct my prayer unto Thee and will look up.For Thou art not a god that hath pleasure in wickedness: neithershall evil dwell with Thee.The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: Thou hatest all workersof iniquity.Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhorthe bloody and deceitful man.But as for me, I will come into Thy House in the multitude ofThy mercy: and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy HolyTemple.13
8.Lead me, O LORD, in Thy righteousness, because of mineenemies; make my way straight before my face.9. For there is no faithfulness* in their mouth; their inward part isvery wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatterwith their tongue.10. Destroy Thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels;cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for theyhave rebelled against Thee.11. But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them evershout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also thatlove Thy Name be joyful in Thee.12. For Thou, LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thoucompass him as with a shield.[* No faithfulness; that is, their doctrine makes the conscience restless,because they preach only works and not grace.]SUMMARY.This psalm is a prayer for the pious against the wicked, thehypocrites and all blind leaders who do much harm in the Kingdomof God, because they corrupt the Word of God and cease not tospeak evil against the true followers of Jesus Christ. Of thesespoilers of the Lord’s vineyard — the hypocrites and false prophets— David makes bitter complaint, praying that the pious may bepreserved in the pure Word and the true worship of God. At the endDavid expresses the confidence that his prayer is heard, that the Lordwill bless the righteous and will be his shield. Hence this psalmshould urge us to hallow the Name of the Lord, calling upon it inevery need and worshiping Him with prayer, praise andthanksgiving.PRAYER.Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Light of the world and alonethe Way which leads unto Eternal Life, restrain the corrupters of ThyWord and all the enemies of Thy Truth. Preserve unto us Thy Wordin these latter days and faithful teachers unto the Day of Thyappearing unto judgment. And grant us to serve Thee in steadfastfaith and a good conscience unto our end. Amen.14
PSALM 6.PREFACE.When sin becomes alive in the conscience and begins tosting, when the thunderbolts of the Divine Law with its threats andcurses strike into the soul, then the heart is cast to and fro like a frailcraft in an angry sea. A heart filled with remorse over sin andterrified at the wrath to come has no peace. The light of day can notgladden it, and in the night it finds no rest, because it sees the jawsof hell open to devour it. This stinging of sin, these pangs of eternaldeath our Lord Jesus Christ suffered in the highest degree, when inthe agony of death on the cross the cry burst from His lips: “MyGod, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” But when it seems tous that God is turned against us, that He has forsaken us and isminded to consign us to destruction we should remember, though fora while He may hide His face from us as in anger, yet He will havecompassion according to the multitude of His mercies. And weshould imitate the example of our Lord in the darkest hour of Hiswoe; we should cry unto God for light, for comfort and deliverance.The fervent prayer of faith, offered up in the Name of Jesus Christ, islike refreshing rain on parched ground; for it extinguishes the fire oftemptation and despair which Satan has kindled in the heart. No oneshall remain without comfort who, in the day of trouble, will callupon the Name of the Lord from a believing heart. Of this we arereminded by the sixth Psalm.A penitential prayer for the healing of the soul.To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith,*A Psalm of David.[*Probably an instrument of eight strings.]1. O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me inThy hot displeasure.2. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me:for my bones are vexed.15
3. My soul is also sore vexed: but Thou, O LORD, how long?4. Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for Thy mercies’sake.5. For in death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave whoshall give Thee thanks?6. I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed toswim; I water my couch with my tears.7. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because ofall mine enemies.8. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hathheard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.9. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive myprayer.10. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them returnand be ashamed suddenly.SUMMARY.In this psalm David complains of that high, spiritualtemptation, the siftings of Satan, when the darts of the Law piercethe conscience when hope seems lost and the heart trembles on thebrink of despair. This spiritual affliction, in which the heart is barrenof comfort, is also called the sorrows of hell and the snares of death(Psalm 18:5), and St. Paul describes it as the buffetings of Satan’smessenger. The soul, so afflicted, must cry out with the prophet:“Woe is me.” But at the end David expresses the assurance that theLord heard the voice of his weeping and received his supplicationsin his sore afflictions. In this he is a comforting ensample to all thosewho are exercised in the same conflicts. Of these conflicts the proud,who trust in themselves that they are righteous, know nothing.Thinking themselves worthy of God’s favor they despise the penitentsinners and, like the Pharisee in the temple, they are not justified inthe sight of God. But when death approaches the night of despairwhich knows no morning falls upon them. But the soul which seeksalone the righteousness of faith in Jesus Christ, though it must oftenpass through fire and must grapple with the powers of darkness, willfinally triumph and the light of eternal glory will shine upon it.16
PRAYER.O Lord, Thou God of mercy, forgive us all our sins for thesake of the bitter sufferings of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Grant us atriumphant faith by which we may obtain the victory in all afflictionsand temptations and, by Thy grace, uphold us when we must passthrough the valley of the shadow of death. Amen.PSALM 7.PREFACE.Let the Christian live ever so peaceably, let him be ever sodiligent to avoid giving occasion for offence to others, or to awakenenmity, yet he cannot always remain altogether without adversaries.Slanderers and defamers will rise up against him and will attempt tolay his honor in the dust. When he is so defamed without a cause theChristian must by no means cast away his trust in God; he mustrather cry unto the Lord in true faith and Christian patience. Implorethe Lord in instant prayer to silence the tongues of maliciousenemies and by the power of His grace to enable you to abide in Hisfear through evil report and good report. Though slanderers anddeceivers prevail for a while, they finally come to grief and will bepunished with everlasting destruction. Truly does the poet say:“If thou but suffer God to guide thee,And hope in Him through all thy ways,He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,And bear thee through the evil days.God never forsook in needThe soul that trusted him indeed.”Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose Hopethe Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and thatspreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heatcomes, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in theyear of drought (Jeremiah 17:7-8). This is illustrated in the seventhPsalm.17
Prayer for the vindication of a righteous cause.Shiggaion* of David, which he sang unto the LORD,concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.[*Shiggaion, a song.]1. O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from allthem that persecute me, and deliver me:2. Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while thereis none to deliver.3. O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in myhands;4. If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea,I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)5. Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him treaddown my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust.Selah.6. Arise, O LORD, in Thine anger, lift up Thyself because of therage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment thatThou hast commanded.7. So shall the congregation of the people compass Thee about: fortheir sakes therefore return Thou on high.8. The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, accordingto my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is inme.9. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; butestablish the just: for the righteous God tries the hearts and reins.10. My defense is of God, which saves the upright in heart.11. God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wickedevery day.12. If he turn not, He will whet His sword; He has bent His bow, andmade it ready.13. He has also prepared for him the instruments of death; Heordains His arrows against the persecutors.14. Behold, he travails with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief,and brought forth falsehood.15. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which hemade.18
16. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violentdealing shall come down upon his own pate.17. I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness: and willsing praise to the Name of the LORD Most High.SUMMARY.In this psalm David makes great complaint of the deceit andmalice of the wicked and of those who have only the form ofgodliness, because they are quick to defame the true chil
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