Though its waters roar and foam, As the brooks refresh the city of God, The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, see the mighty works of the Lord, 'Be still, and know that I am God, Exalted over the nations, exalted on earth.' The Lord of hosts is with us, The God of Jacob is our refuge. 280. THE ONE SOURCE OF HOPE AND STRENGTH For God alone silently wait, O my soul, for from him comes my hope. He alone is my rock and my help, My high tower; I shall never be moved. How long will you assail a man, And all seek to strike him down? Like a tottering wall, or a bulging fence They take pleasure only in falsehoods; For God alone silently wait, O my soul, for from him comes my hope. He alone is my rock and my help, Upon God depends my safety and honor, The lowly are only a breath, Once God has spoken, Power belongs to God. Thine, O Lord, is the love, For thou dost reward each man 281. A SPIRITUAL LOVE-SONG O Lord, thou art my God whom I seek, For thee my flesh longs, As a parched land, athirst and waterless, Because thy love is better than life, So I will bless thee while I live, T I will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And I will praise thee with joyful lips. I remember thee upon my couch, I meditate on thee in the night watches, And in the shadow of thy wings I rejoice. Thy right hand holds me fast. 282. GOD THE HELPER OF THE NEEDY Praise the Lord, O my soul ! While I live I will praise the Lord, While I exist I will sing praises to my God. Put not your trust in princes, In mortal men, who cannot help, Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them; The Lord releases the prisoners, The Lord gives sight to the blind, The Lord protects the stranger, He upholds the orphan and widow, But he blocks the way of the wicked. Thy God, O Zion, to all generations! 283. THE JOY OF COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD Protect me, O God, for I seek refuge in thee, The lines have fallen for me in-pleasant places, I will bless the Lord who counsels me, I have kept the Lord ever before me, With him at my right hand I cannot be moved, My body also dwells in safety, For thou wilt not give me up to death, In thy right hand pleasures forever. 284. THE HAPPINESS OF THOSE WHO TRUST GOD I waited patiently for the Lord, and he listened to my cry, He drew me out of the horrible pit and from the miry clay, And he planted my feet on a rock, he made firm my steps, And he put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many see and fear and trust the Lord. Happy is the man who puts his trust in the Lord, Sacrifice and cereal-offering thou dost not desire; thou hast given me understanding, Burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou dost not demand; I then said: 'See, I come, as is prescribed for me in the book of the law. I delight to do thy will, O my God, and thy law is in my heart. I have proclaimed thy righteousness in the great assembly. Thou knowest, O Lord, that I have not sealed my lips, Withhold not thy compassion from me, O Lord; Thy love and thy faithfulness will keep me safe forever.' 285. THE DIVINE SHEPHERD, GUIDE, AND HOST The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He guides me in straight paths for his name's sake; I fear no evil, for thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff-they comfort me. Thou spreadest a table before me in the presence of my enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runs over; Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. |