A'n !y*:, ^eBpon^ixje ^eabmg[ '"*'■''■*''''"■' * |;>^|:^^i|;iif'': J \ \ \ Selections for IResponeive IReabing ARRANGED WITH PROPER REFERENCE TO LEADERSHIP A.ND RESPONSIVENESS BETWEEN /IDinister ant) Congregation BY REV. EDWARD HUNGERFORD AUTHOR OF THE AMERICAN BOOK OF CHURCH SERVICES. FREE PRESS ASSOCIATION, BURLINGTON, VT. 1893. Copyright, 1893, By EDWARD HUNGERFOHD. All rights reserved. V PREFACE. This Series of Eesponsive Readings is distin- guished by two features. Throughout the series the leading thoughts are carefully assigned to the minister, and the portions given to the congregation are true responses to the sentiments advanced by him. This arrangement of parts is based on the liturgical prin- ciple, which makes the people in public worship respon- sive to the pastor. New themes, sudden changes of thought, and as far as possible minor suggestions pro- ceed from him, and the congregation echoes the senti- ment, or emphasizes it by assent or by setting up a contrast, or adds a closely related thought. The Eesponsive Readings hitherto proposed have usually given the verses alternately to minister and con- gregation or divided the verses according to paral- lelism. Each of these methods involves serious infelici- ties. Reading by alternate verses often inve)"ts the proper relation between leader and people. The verses fall to the one or the other without reference to respon- siveness. No close or fixed relation of the parties is maintained, and the reading, which should be responsive, degenerates into an alternate reading, which through its unresponsiveness sometimes becomes painfully confus- ing. Following the parallelisms, while less objectionable in this regard, introduces, under the rapid alternation of short sentences, a staccato movement, which, wlieu too freely indulged, detracts from the dignity and stateliness of public worship. A worse fault is that the utterances of the minister are often so incomplete as to be mean- inglesp. There seems to be no good reason for closely ad- hering to either of these plans. Verse divisions have no authority above that of convenience, and the. com- mon impression, that by following the parallelisms we are adopting the original responses of the Hebrew choirs in the temjDle service, is probably erroneous. The stro- phic divisions may have had quite as much to do with the choir responses. For our purpose we secure a better result when we pass freely from parallelism to verse division, restrained neither by the one nor the other, but cai'efully seeking to distinguish the leading thought by giving it to the minister, while the congregation returns an answering thought. Once released from traditional bonds we are surprised to find how readily the psalms lend them- selves to our purpose ; what emphasis is given to im- portant utterances by the echoes of the congregation ; and to what extent the meaning and beauty of passages are brought out by the comments of the people. The instances in which a psalm does not yield to the method are exceedingly rare, though some psalms may require to be gone over many times, and the text subjected to a critical study before a satisfactory result can be secured. That this first attempt at such revision has involved protracted labor needs not to be said. I shall be re- warded if tiie result shall seem to the churches worth the effort, and if a more intelligent and more worship- ful because truly responsive reading shall date from the introduction of this series. I have retained in this work, for the most part, those groupings of the psalms and other scriptures into Selec- tions, which were adopted in the Responsive Readings published in my American Book of Church Services. The same headings are used for single selections and for groups of selections. These have been found conven- ient aids to the pastor in his search for a reading appro- priate to the occasion. The Index enables one to find binder what selection a psalm or other scripture may be found. The Strophic Divisions have been fixed by compari- son of authorities, Delitzsch, Cheyne, Tholuck, DeWette and some others. As there is disagreement among authors in regard to the placing of strophic divisions, I have as a rule accepted none that were not sanctioned by at least two authorities. In many instances there is a general agreement. The word "Lord" for Jehovah is, in this work, printed always in lower case because full faced type is not provided with small caps. To distinguish this use of the word from its use for Adon or Adonai, all instances of the latter use are marked by spacing thus. Lor d . All interested in the matter will please note this necessary deviation from the usual practice. Stars in the text show omissions. Tlie mark + at the bottom of a page shows that a strophic division falls there. Elsewhere such divisions are indicated by wider spacing. Edward IIungerford. Burlington, Vt., May 3d, 1893. Selectioits for IResponsive IReaMuG* COD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. FIRST SELECTION. God provides. Ps. 104. Bless the Lord, my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great ; Thou art clothed nith lienor and majesty. "Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a enrtain : Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot ; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind : Who maketh the winds his messengers ; His ministers a flaming' Are : Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved forever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture ', The waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled ; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away ; They went up by the mountains, they w ent down by the valleys, Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over ; That they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs into the valleys ; They run among the mountains : They give drink to every beast of the field j The wild asses quench their thirst. RESPONSIVE READINGS. By them the fowl of the heaven have their habitation, They sing; among the brandies. He watereth the mountains from liis chambers : Tlie eartli is satisfied witli the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man ; That he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh ghid the heart of man, And oil to make liis face to shine, And broad that strengtlienetli man's lieart. The trees of the Lord are satisfied ; .The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests : As for tlie stork, the fir trees are her house* The high mountains are for the wild goats ; Tlie rocks are a refuge for tlie conies. He appointed the moon for seasons : The sun knoweth his going down. Tlioii inakest darkness, and it is night ; Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey. And seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens, Man goeth forth unto his work And to his Labor until the evening. Lord, how manifold are thy works ! In wisdom hast thou made them all : The eartli is full of thy riches. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are tilings creeping innumerable. Both small and great beasts. 2 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. There go the ships ; there is leviathan, whom thou hast formed to take liis pastime therein. These wait all upon thee, That thou ma3^est give them their meat in due season. That thou givest unto them they gather ; Tliou openest thy haml, tliey are satisfied with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; TIiou taliest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created ; And thou renewest the face of the ground. Let the glory of the Lord endure foi'tever ; Let the Lord rejoice in his works : Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He touchetli the mountains and tliey smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live : I will sing praise to my God while I have any being, SECOND SELECTION. Nature and the Law. Ps. 19. The heavens declare the glory of God ; And, the flrmanieut showeth his handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech. And night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language ; Their voice cannot be heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course. 3 RESPONSIVE READINGS. His going forth is from tlie end of the heaven. And his circuit unto the ends of it : And tkere is nothiiigr Iiid from the heat tliereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul : The testiiiioiiy of the Lord is sure, making wise the sim- ple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlighteniug- the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever : The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous alto- getlier. ^ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : Sweeter also than honey and the Iioneycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned : In keeping of them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors ? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me : then shall L be perfect, And I shall be clear from great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Lord, my rock, and my redeemer. THIRD SELECTION. Universal Dependence on God. Ps. 67. God be merciful unto us, and bless us. And cause his face to shine upon us ; Tliat thy way uiay be known upou earlli, Tliy saving health among all nations. GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. Let the peoples praise thee, God ; Let .all tlie peoples praise thee. let the nations be glad and sing for joy : For thou shalt judge the peoples with eciuity, And govern the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise thee, God ; Let all the peoples praise thee. The earth hath yielded her increase : God, even our own God, shall bless us. (lod shall hless us ; And all the ends of the earth sliall fear him. Ps. 65. Praise waiteth for thee, God, in Zion : And unto thee shall the vow be performed. thon that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me : As for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causestto approach unto thee, That he may dwell in thy courts : We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, The holy place of thy temple. By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness, God of our salvation ; Thou that art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of them that are afiir off upon the sea: Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains ; Being girded about with might : Which stilleth the roaring of the seas, the roaring of the! waves. And the tumult of the peoples. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens : RESPONSIVE READINGS. Thou inakest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterestit, Thou greatly ouricliest it ; The river of (iod is full of vv.atcr : Tlioii providest them corn, when tliou hast so prepared the earth. Thou waterest her furrows abundantly ; Thou settlest the ridges thereof : Thou Miakest it soft with sliowers; Thou blessest the springing' thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ; And thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of tlic wilderness : And the hills are girded with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks ; The valleys also are covered over with corn ; They shout for joy, they also sing. FOURTH SELECTION. God. Glorified in Nature and in Man. Ps. 8. Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth ! Who hast set thy glory upoti the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou es- tablished strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon anil the stars, which thou hast ordained ; What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? And the son of man, tiiat thou visitest him 1 6 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him >vith glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands ; Thou hast put all things under his feet : All sheep and oxen, Yea, and tlie beasts of the field ; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. Lord, onr Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth. Ps. 29. Give unto the Lord, ye sons of the mighty. Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give nnto the Lord tlie glory due unto his name j Worsliip tlie Lord in tlie beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters : The Giod of glory thundereth, Even the Lord upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful ; Tlie voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars ; Yea, the Lord breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He maketli them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young w ild-ox. The voice of the Lord cleaveth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness ; The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesli. The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve. And strippeth the forests bare : And in his temple every thing saith, (Jlory. + 7 RESPONSIVE READINGS. The Lord sat as king at the Flood ; Yea, the Lord sitteth as king for ever. The Lord ivill give strength unto Jiis people ; The Lord >vill bless his people ivith peace. FIFTH SELECTION. The God of Jacob Contrasted with Idols. Ps. 114. 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 ; Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams. The little hills like young sheep. "What aileth thee, thou sea, that thou fleest ? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back I Ye mountains, that 3'e skip like rams ; Ye little hills, like young sheep J Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lo rd. At the presence of the God of Jacob ; Which turned tlie rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters. Ps. 115. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, ]iut 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 (xod is in the heavens : He hath done whatsoever he pleased 8 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. 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 liavc they, but they walk not ; >^either speak they through their throat. They that make them shall belike unto them ; Yea, every one that trustetli in them. Israel, trust thou in the Lord : He is their help and their shield. house of Aaron, trust ye in the Lord : He is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord : He is their help and their shield. The Lord hath been mindful of us ; he will bless us He will bless the house of Israel ; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the Lord, Both small and great. The Lord increase you more and more, You and your children. Blessed are ye of the Lord, Wiieh made heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the Lord ; But the earth hath he given to the children of men. The dead praise not the Lord, Neither any that go down into silence ; But we will bless the Lord, From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye the Lord. 9 RESPONSIVE READINGS. SIXTH SELECTION. God above all Gods. Ps. 134. Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, Which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up j'oiir hands to tlie sanctuary, And bless ye the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Zion ; Even lie tliat made heaven and eartli, Ps. 135. Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord ; Praise him, ye servants of tlie Lord : Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, lu the courts of the house of our God. Praise ye the Lord ; for the Lord is good : Singr praises nnto liis name; for it is pleasant. For the Lord liath chosen Jacob nnto himself. And Israel for liis peculiar treasure. For I know that the Lord is great. And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that liath lie done. In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth ; He maketh lightning's for the rain ; lie bring^eth forth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. He sent sig-ns and wonders into the midst of thee, Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Who smote many nations, and slew mighty kings ; Silion kiu^ of the Amorites, and 0? king- of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan : 10 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. And gave their land for an heritage, An heritage unto Israel liis people. Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever ; Thy memorial, Lord, throughout all generationB. For the Lord shall jiulse 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 tliey 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 sliall be like unto them; Yea, every one that tnisteth in them. house of Israel, bless ye the Lord : house of Aaron, bless ye the Lord : house of Levi, bless ye the Lord : Ye that fear the Lord, bless ye the Lord. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. SEV^ENTH SELECTION. Mercy to Rebellious Israel. Ps. 106. Praise ye the Lord. give timnks unto tlie Lord ; for he is good : For his mercy endureth forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord, Or show forth all his praise J Blessed are they that keep judgment. And he that doeth rigliteousness at all times. 11 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Remember me, Lord, with the favor that tliou bear- est inito thy people ; visit lue witli thy salvation : That I may see the prosperity of thy chosen, That I may rejoice in the ijladuess of thy nation, That I iniiy g-lory >vilh Ihiiie inheritance. We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fatliers understood not thy wonders in E^ypt ; Tliey remembered not the niiiltitiidc of thy mercies ; But were rebellions at tJie sea, even at the Red Sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was driewed up Dathan, And covered the comi>aiiy of Abiram. 12 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. Aud a fire was kindled in their company ; The flame burned up the wicked. They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped a molten image. Thus they clianged tlieir glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their saviour. Which had done great things in Egypt ; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible thiug-s by the Red Sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach. To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Yea, they despised the pleasant land. They believed not his word ; But murmured in their tents. And hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. Therefore he lifted up his hand unto them. That he would overthrow them in the wilderness : And that he would overthrow their seed among the na- tions, And scatter them in the lands. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to auger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: And so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto hiui lor righteousness, Unto all generations for evermore. They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes : 13 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Uecause they were rebellious against his spirit, And he spake unadvisedly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples, As the Lord commanded them ; But mingled themselves with the nations. And learned their works : And they served their idols ; Which became a snare unto them : Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sous and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan j And the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their works, Aiid went a whoring in their doings. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, And he abhorred his inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the nations ; And they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them ; But they were rebellious in their counsel. And were brought low in their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry : And he remembered for them his covenant, and repent- ed according to the multitude of his mercies. He made them also to be pitied Of all those that carried them captives. Save us, O Lord our God, 14 GOD IN NATURE AND IN HISTORY. And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all tlie people say, Ameu. Praise ye the Lord. 15 DIDACTIC. EIGHTH SELECTION. Prosperity of the Righteous. Pg. 1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the coun- sel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners. Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his (leliglit is in the law of tlie Lord ; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water. That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither ; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The wicked are not so ; But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judg-nient, Nor sinners in the congregation of the rig:hteons. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : But the way of the wicked shall perish. Ps. 112. Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth : The generation of the npright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house : And his righteousness endureth forever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness : He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth ; 16 DIDACTIC. He shall maintain his cause in judgment. For he shall never be moved ; The righteous shall he had in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is establislied, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his adversaries. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy ; His righteousness endureth for ever : His horn shall be exalted with honor. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved ; He shall gnash Avithhis teeth, and melt away ; The desire of the wicked shall perish. Ps. 26. Judge me, Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity : I liave trusted also in the Lord without wavering Examine me, Lord, and prove me ; Try my reins and my heart. For thy loving kiudness is before mine eyes ', And I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons ; Neither will I go in with dissemblers. I hate the congregation of evil-doers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency ; So will I compass thine altar, Lord : That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, And tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I love the habitation of thy house, And the place where thy glory dwelleth. Oather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood : 17 RESPONSIVE READINGS. In whose hands are mischief, And their riglit liand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk iu mine integrity : Eedeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot staiidetli in an oven place : In the congregations will I bless the Lord. NINTH SELECTION. The Righteous Accepted. Ps. 34. I will bless the Lord at all times : His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad. magnify the Lord with me. And let us exalt his name together. 1 sought the Lord, and he answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened : And their faces shall never be confounded. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear liini. And delivereth them. tuste and see that the Lord is good : Hlessed is the man that trusteth in him. fear the Lord, ye his saints : For ther&is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger : But they tiiat seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me : I will teach you the fear of the Lord, 18 DIDACTIC. What man is he that desireth life. And loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good ; Seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, To cut off tlie remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous : But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepelh all his bones : Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked : And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants : And none of them that trust in him shall be condemned. Ps, 15. Lord, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle ? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill ? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh trutli in his heart. He that slandereth not with his tongue. Nor doeth evil to his friend. Nor taketh up a reproach against Iiis neighbor. In whose eyes a reprobate is despised ; But he honoreth them that fear the Lord. + 19 RESPONSIVE READINGS. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He tliat putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that docth tliese things sliall never be moved. Ps. 117. 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. TENTH SELECTION. Riches a Vain Trust. Ps. 52. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man ? The mercy of God endureth continually. Tliy tonmie deviseth very wickedness ; Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good ; And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Thou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue. Grod shall likewise destroy thee forever. He shall take thee up, and pluck tliee out of thy tent, Aud root thee out of the land of the living. The righteous also shall see it, aud fear, And sliall laugh at him, saying, 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 as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God : 1 trust in the mercy of (lod for ever and ever. 20 DIDACTIC. I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done it : And I will wait on tliy name, for it is g-ood, in the pres- ence of tliy saints. Ps. 49, Hear this, all ye peoples ; Give ear, all ye inliabitants of the world : Botli low and liig'li, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom ; And the meditation of my heart shall be of under- standing. I wiU incline mine ear to a parable : I will open my dark saying- npon tlie harp. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about? They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to (jod a ransom for liim : (For the redemi»tion of their soul is costly, And must be let alone for ever :) That he should still live alway. That he should not see corruption. For he seeth that wise men die, Tlie fool and tlie brutisli togetlier perish. And leave tlieir wealth to otliers. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall con- tinue for ever. And their dwelling places to all generations ; They call their lands after their own names. But man abidoth not in honor : He is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly : Yet after them men approve tlieir sayings. 91 RESPONSIVE READINGS. They are appointed as a Hock for >Sheol ; Death sliall be tlicir slicphenl : And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning ; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. But (lod Avill redoeiii my soul from the power of Sheol : For he shall receive me. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich. When the glory of his house is increased : For when he dieth he sliall carry nothing' away ; His glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul, And men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers ; They shall never see the light. Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, Is like the beasts that perish. ELEVENTH SELECTION. Evil Words of the Ungodly Avenged. Ps. G4. Hear my voice, God, in my complaint : Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers ; From the tumult of the workers of iniquity : Who have whet their tongue like a sword. And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words : That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect : Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. They encourage themselves in an evil purpose ; They commune of laying snares privily ; They say, Who shall see them ? They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search : 99 DIDACTIC. And the inward thought of every one, and the heart, ij deep. But God shall shoot at them ; With an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded. So they sliall be niiide to stumble, their own tongue being against them : All that see them shall wag the head. And all men shall fear ; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trnst in him ; And all the upright in heart shall glory. Ps. 13. Help, Lord ; for the godly man ceaseth ; For the faithful fail from among the children of men. Thoy speak vanity every one with his neighbor : With flattering lip, and witli a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things : Who have said, Witli our tongue will we prevail, Our lips are our own : who is lord over us 2 For the spoiling of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise, saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety at whom they puff. The words of the Lord are pure words ; As silver tried in a furnace on tlie earth, Purified seren times. Thou shalt keep them, Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side. When vileness is exalted among the sons of men, 23 RESPONSIVE READINGS. TWELFTH SELECTION. Evil-doers not to be Envied. Ps. 37. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers. Neither be thou envious against them that work un- righteousness. For they sliaJl soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good , Dwell in the land, and follow after faithfulness. Delight tliyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; Trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday- Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him : Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way. Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from auger, and forsake wr.ath : Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to eril-doing. For evil-doers shall be cut off : But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the land. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be : lea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the land ; And shall delight themselves in the abnndance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 24 DIDACTIC. TIic Lord shall laiig-Ii at him : For he seoth tJiat his day is coining. The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow ; To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as be upright in the way : Their sword sliall enter into tlieir own lieartj And their bows shall be broken. Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken : But the Lord upholdeth the rigliteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the perfect : And their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be aslianied in the time of evil : And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the excellency of the pastures : They shall consume ; in smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again : IJut the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the land ; And they that be cursed of him shall be cut oflf, A man's goings are established of the Lord ; And he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down s For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old ; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging their bread. All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth j And his seed is blessed. 25 RESPOXSIVE READINGS. Depart from evil, and do good ; And dwell for evermore. For the Lord lovetli jiidgriiieiit, And forsaketh not his saiuts ; They are preserved for ever : But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The rig-hterms shall inherit tlie land, And dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous talketh wisdom. And his tongue speaketh judgment. The hiw of his tJod is in his heart ; None of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him. Tlie Lord will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judg'ed. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, And he shall exalt thee to inherit the land : When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power. And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. But one passed by, and, lo, he was not : Yea, 1 sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : For the latter end of that man is peace. As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together : The latter end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord : He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. And the Lord helpeth them, and rescueth them : He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have takeu refuge in him. 26 DIDACTIC. THIRTEENTH SELECTION. Deniers of God Rejected. Ps. 53. The fool hath Buid 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 after God. Every one of them is gone back ; they are together become flithy ; There is none tliat doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge ? Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And call not upon (jod. There were they in great fear, where no fear was : For God hath scattered the bones of him that encamp- eth against thee ; Thou hast put tliem to shame, because God hath rejected them. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion ! Wlien Grod briugetli back the captivity of his people, Then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Ps. 36. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he fl;ittereth himself in his own eyes. That his iniquity shall not be found out and be hated. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit : He hath left off to be wise and to do good. 27 RESPONSIVE READINGS. He deviseth iniquity upon liis bed ; He setteth liimself in a way that is not good ; He abhorreth uot evil. Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is in the heavens ; Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the skies. Tliy risyhteoiisness is like the inouiitaiiis of God; Tliy Jiuli^ineiits are a great deep : Lord, thou preservest man and beast. How precious is thy lovingkindness, God ! And the children of men take refnge under the sliadow 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 pleas- ures. For with thee is the fountain of life : In thy light shall we see light. 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 drive me away. There are the workers of iniquity fallen : They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise. FOURTEENTH SELECTION. The End of Sinners Learned in the Sanctuary. Ps. 73. Surely God is good to Israel, Even to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone ; My stei>s had well nigh slipped. + 28 DIDACTIC. For I was envious at the arrogant, AV^hen I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in tlieir deatli : But tlieir strength is Arm. They are not in trouble as other men ; Neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride is as a chain about tlieir neck; Violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness : They have more than heart could wish. They scofl', and in wickedness utter oppression : They speak loftily. They have set their mouth in the heavens, And tlieir tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither : And waters of a full cup are wrung out by tliein. And they say, How doth God know ? And is there knowledge in the Most High ? Behold, these are the wicked ; And, being ahvay jit ease, they increase in riches. Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart. And washed my hands in iunocency ; For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning. If I had said, I will speak thus ; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. "When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me ; Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end. Surely thou settest them in slippery places : Thou castest them down to destruction. -t- 29 RESPONSIVE READINGS. How are they become a desolation iu a moment ? They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketli ; So, L r (1 , when tliou awakest, thou shalt despise their iuiag:e. For my heart was grieved, And I was pricked in my reins '. So brutish was I, and ig'norant ; I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee : Thou hast holden my right hand. llion shalt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive nie to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart fiiileth : But (xod is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish : Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near unto God : I have made the Lord (Jod my refuge. That I may tell of all thy works. FIFTEENTH SELECTION. God Judges Unjust Judges. Ps. 82. God standeth in the congregation of God ; He judgeth among the gods. Plow long will ye judge unjustly, And respect the persons of the wicked ? Judge the poor and fatherless : Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 30 DIDACTIC. Rescue the poor and needy : Deliver them out of the liaiid of the wicked. They know not, neither do they understand ; They ivallc to and fro in darkness : All the foundations of the earth are moved. I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High. Nevertheless ye shall die like men, And fall like one of tlie princes. Arise, God, judge the earth : For thou shall inherit all the nations. Ps. 75. We give thanks unto thee, God ; We give thanks, for thy name is near : Men tell of thy wondrous works. When I shall find the set time, I will judge uprightly. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved; I have set up the pillars of it. I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly : And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn : Lift not up your horn on high; Speak not with a stiff neck. For neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor yet from the south, cometh lifting up. But God is the judge : He puttetU down one, and lifteth up another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine foameth ; It is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same : Surely tlie dre^s thereof, all the wicked of the earth sliall wring them out, and drink them. + 31 RESPONSIVE READINGS. But I will declare for ever, I will slug praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off ; But the horns of the righteous shall he lifted up. SIXTEENTH SELECTION. God Sees the Doings of Evil Men. Ps. 94. Lord, thou God to whom vengeance be- longeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth : Eeuder to the proud their desert. Lord, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph 1 They prate, they speak arrogantly : All the workers of iniquity boast themselves. They break in pieces thy people, Lord, And afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. And they say. The Lord shall not see. Neither shall tlie (Jod of Jacob consider. Consider, ye brutish among the people : And ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? He that formed the eye, shall he not see l He that chastieeth the nations, shall not he correct, Even he that teacheth men knowledge ? The Lord knowelli the thoughts of man. That they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, Lord, And teachest out of thy law ; That thou niayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until tlie pit be digged for the wicked. 32 DIDACTIC. For the Lord will not cast off his people. Neither will lie forsake his inheritance. For jiuljj-iuent shall return imto riuiliteoiiSDCss : Aud all the uprig-ht in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers ? AVho will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity ? Unless tlie Lord had been my help, My soul liad soon dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth ; Thy mercy, Lord, held me up. In tlie multitude of my tli oughts within me Tliy comforts delight my soul. Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee. Which frameth mischief by statute ? They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood. But the Lord hath been my high tower ; And my God tlie rock of my refuge. And he hath brought upon them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own evil ; The Lord our God shall cut them off. SEVENTEENTH SELECTION. It is Good to Worship the Most High. Ps. 92. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, And to sing praises unto thy name, Most High : To show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, And thy faitlifulness every night, 33 RESPONSIVE READINGS. With an instnimeut of ten strings, and with the psaltery ; With a soleiiin sound upon tlie harp. For then, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work : I will triumph in the works of thy hands. How great are thy works, Lord ! Thy thouffhts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not ; Neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass. And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish ; It is that they shall be destroyed for ever : But thou, Lord, art on high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, Lord, For, lo, thine enemies shall perish ; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. But my horn hast thou exalted like the horn of the wild-ox : I am anointed with fresh oil. Mine eye also hath seen my desire on mine enemies, Mine ears have hoard my desire of the evil-doers that rise up against me. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree : He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They that are ])lanted in the house of the Lord Shall nourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; They shall be full of sap and green : To show that tlie Lord is upright ; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Ps. 93. The Lord reigneth ; he is apparelled with majesty ; 34 DIDACTIC. The Lord is apparelled, lie hath girded himself Avith streiijrth ; The world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old : Thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, Lord, The floods have lifted up their voice ; The floods lift up their waves. Above the voices of many waters, The mighty breakers of the sea. The Lord on high is mighty. Thy testimonies are very sure : Holiness becometh thine house, Lord, for evermore. EIGHTEENTH SELECTION. The Acceptable Sacrifice. Ps. 50. God, even God, the Lord, hath spoken, And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Ont of Zion, the perfection of beauty, (xod hath shined forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : A fire shall devour before him, And it shall be very tempestuous round about him. lie shall call to the heavens above. And to the earth, that he may judge his people : Gather my saints together unto me : Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness 5 For God is judge himself. Hear, O my people, and I will speak ; Israel, and I will testify unto thee : 35 RESPONSIVE READINGS. I am God, even th}' God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices ; And tJiy burnt oilcrings arc continiially liefore ine. I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds. For every ))east of tlie forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains : And the wild beasts of the iield are mine. If I were liiinjiry, I would not tell thco : For the world is mine, and the lulluess thtreof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats ? Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving ; And pay thy vows unto the Most High : And call npou me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify uie. But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth ? Seeing thou liatest instruction. And castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him. And liast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, And thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother ; Thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence ; Thou though test that I was altogether such an one as thyself : But I will re|>rovc thoe, and set them in order before thine eyes. + S6 DIDACTIC. Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me ; And to him that ordereth liis conversation ariglit Will I show tiie salvation of (iod. NINETEENTH SELECTION. Ruling in Righteousness. Ps. 101. I will sing of mercy and judgment : Unto thee, Lord, will I sing; praises. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way : Oh when wilt thon come unto me ? I will walk Avitltiii my house witli a perfect heart. I will set no base thinti;- before mine eyes : I hate the work of them that turn aside ; It shall not cleave unto me. A froward heart sliall depart from me : I will know no evil tliinij'. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy : Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will I not suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me : He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall minister untj me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within mj house : He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes. Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked ol' the land ; 37 RESPONSIVE READINGS. To cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord. Ps. 97. The Lord reignetli ; let the earth rejoice.; Let the multitude of isles be glud. Clouds and darkness are round about him : Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of his throne. A fire goeth befoi'e him. And bunieth up his adversaries round about. His lightnings lightened the world : Tlie earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the firesence of the Lord, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, And all the [jeoples have seen his glory. Ashamed be all they that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols : Worship him, all ye gods. Zion,heard and was glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoiced ; Because of thy judgments, Lord. For thou, Lord, art most high above all the earth : Thou art exalted far above all gods. ye that love the Lord, hate evil : He presorveth the souls of his saints ; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the u])right in heart. He glad in tlie Lord, ye riahteons ; And give thanks to his holy name. 38 DIDACTIC. . TWENTIETH SELECTION. Purity by Keeping God's Word. Ps. 110. Blessed are they that that are perfect in the way. Who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they tliat keep his testimonies, That seek liiiu with the whole heart. Yea, they do no unrighteousness ; They walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we slionid observe tliem diligently. Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes ! Then shall I not be ashamed, When 1 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 : forsake me not utterly. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my w hole heart have I soug^ht thee : let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I laid up in mine heart, Tliat I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, Lord : Teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared All the judgments of thy mouth. 1 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. 39 RESPONSIVE READIXGS. I will (lelialit 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 (►f thy law. I am a sojourner in the eartli : Hide not thy commandments from me. My soul lu'eaketh for the lou«ing That it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, Which do 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. TWENTY-FIRST SELECTION. Trust in God's "Word. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me : Give me understanding, that I may learn thy com- mandments. They that fear thee shall see me and he glad ; Because I have hoped in thy word. I know, 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 1 may live : For thy law is my delight. 40 DIDACTIC. Let the proud be ashamed j for they have overlliro^ n luo Mrougfiilly : But I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear tliee turn unto me. And they shall know thy testimonies. Let my lieart he ])erfect in thy statutes ; That I be not ashamed. My soul fainteth for thy salvation : But I hope in thy word. 3nne eyes fail for thy word, While I say, When wilt thou comfort lue I 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 J The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not after thy law. All thy commandments arc faithful : They persecute me wrongfully ; help thou uie. They had almost consumed me upon earth ; But I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy loviugkindness ; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth. For ever, Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Tljy faithfulness is nnto all generations : Thou hast estaldished the earth, and it abideth. They abide this day according to thine ordinances ; For all things are thy servants. 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. 41 RESPONSIVE READINGS. 1 am thine, save me ; For I liave sousilit tliy 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 exccediiii'- broad. TWENTY-SECOND SELECTION. Wisdom and Safety by God's Word. how love I thy law I It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies ; For they are ever with me. 1 have more understanding than all my teachers ; For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more tlian the aged, IJecause I have kept Ihy i)recepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I mi^ht observe thy word. I have not turned aside from thy judgments 5 For thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste ! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth ! Throuuh thy precepts I get understanding : Therefore I liate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. I have sworn, and have coiiflrmod it, TJiat I will observe lliy righteous Judgments. I am afflicted very much : Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill ofl'eriugs of my mouth, Lord, And teach me thy judgments. 42 DIDACTIC. My soul is continually in my hand ; Yet do I not forget thy law. Tlie wicked have laid a snare for me ; Yet went I not astray from tliy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever ; For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I liave 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 niito 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 stat- utes ; For their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross : Therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee : And I am afraid of thy judgments. TWENTY-THIRD SELECTION. Warning Against Enticements of Sinners. Pr. 1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowl- edge : But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father. And forsake not the law of thy mother : 43 RESPOXSIVE READINGS. For they sliall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee. Consent tliou uot. If they say, Come witli us, Let us lay uait for blood, Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause ; Let lis swallow them up alive as Sheol, And ivhole, as those Ihat g'o down into the pit. We shall find all precious substance, We shall fill our houses with spoil ; Thou shalt cast thy lot amonj? us; We will all have one purse : My sou, walk not thou in the way with them ; Eefrain thy foot from their path : For their feet run to evil. And they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is the net spread, In the eyes of any bird : And these lay wait for their own blood, They lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is s:reedy of gain ; Ittaketh away the life of the owners thereof. Wisdom crieth aloud in the street ; She uttereth her voice in the broad places ; She crietli in the chief place of concourse ; At the entering in of the ssi'or the beginning of the dust of the w orld. "When he established the heavens, I was there : When he set a circle upon the face of the deep : When he made firm the skies above : When the fountains of the deep became strong ; W^hen he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his command- ment : When he marked out the foundations of the earth : Then I was by him, as a master workman : And I was daily his delight, 49 RESPOXSIVE READINGS. Rejoicing always before him ; Rejoicing- in liis itabitalile earlli ; And my delight ivas uitli tliesons of men. Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me : For blessed are they tliat keep my ways. Hear iiistrucUoii, and be iTise, And refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates. Waiting at the posts of my doors. For wJioso findetli me findotli life, And shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sinneth against )iie wrongetli his own soul : All they that liate nie love death. TWENTY-SIXTH SELECTION. Warning Against Wine and Strong Drink. Pr. 20. Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler ; And whosoever erreth tliereby is not wise. Pr. 23. Hear thou, my son, and be wise. And guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers ; Among gluttonous eaters of ilesh : For the drunkard and the glulton shall come to povertj' : And drowsiness shall clothe a man wi(h ra^s. Who hath woe ? who hath sorrow? who hath conten- tions ? Who hath complaining ? who hath wounds without cause ? Who hath redness of eyes ? Tbey that tarry long- at tlie wine ; They that go to seek out mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. When it giveth its color in the cup, 50 DIDACTIC. When it goeth down smoothly : At the last it l)itetli like a serpent, And stins^cth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange things, And thine heart shall utter froward things. Yea, tlion slialt be as he that lieth down in the midst of tlie sea, Or as he that lieth npon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not hurt ; They have beaten me, and T felt it not : When shall I aAvake I I will seek it yet a^ain. Is. 5. "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morn- ing, that they may follow strong drink ; That tarry late into the ni^ht, till wine inflame them ! And the harp and the lute, the tabret and the i)ipe, and wine, are in their feasts : But they reg'ard not the work of the Lord, neither have they considered the operation of his hands. Therefore my people are gone into captivity, for lack of knowledge : And their honorable men are famished, and their mnlti- tiide are parched with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged her desire, and opened her mouth without measure : And their glory, and their uniltitndc, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend into it. And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is humbled, And the eyes of the lofty are luimbled : PHit the Lord of hosts is exalted in judgment, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness. Then shall the lambs food as in their pastnre, and the waste places of the fat ones shall wanderers eat. 51 RESPONSIVE READINGS. Woe uuto tliem that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope : Tliat Siiy, L(>t liini make speed, let liiiii liasteii his work, tliat we iiiiiy see it : and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw uigh and come, that we may know it ! Woe uuto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness ; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter ! Woe uii1i» tlieni that are wise in their own eyes, and pru- dent in their own sight ! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of streu