66 977 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalm 52 1 David, reproving the spiteful malice of Doeg, prophesieth his destruction. 8 David, in confidence in God's mercy, giveth him thanks. 6 The righteous shall rejoice at it. To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. HY boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor work ing deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. 6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wicked ness. 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. Psalm 53 1 David describeth the corruption of a natural man. 4 He convinceth the wicked by the light of their own conscience. 6 He glorieth in the salvation of God. To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. HE fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread; they have not called upon God. 5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath 'Mahalath perhaps means sickness or calamity. This Psalm is identical with Psalm 14. 978 PSALM LIV—"SAVE ME, O GOD." scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them. 6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Psalm 54 1 David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation. 4 Upon his confidence in God's help he promiseth sacrifice. To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? AVE me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. 7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies. Psalm 55 1 David in his prayer complaineth of his fearful case. 9 He prayeth against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complaineth. 16 He comforteth himself in God's preservation of him, and confusion of his enemies. To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. IVE ear to my prayer, O God: and hide not thyself from my supplication. 2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Mordecai Scorns Haman FROM THE ESTHER SERIES BY ERNEST NORMAND, OF + "But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.”— Esther, 3, 2. S OME time elapsed, years perhaps, after the crowning of Esther, and after Mordecai's warning to Ahasuerus. A foreigner named Haman rose to be the chief counsellor and favorite of the king. He was, according to the Greek version, a Macedonian, but the Hebrew speaks of him only as an "Agagite" which perhaps means that he was of the race of the Amalekites, hated and despised by the Jews. Whether for this reason or another, while all the other attendants about the Persian court united in doing honor to Haman, Mordecai the Jew refused even to bow his head at the favorite's approach. The king himself had commanded that all men should do Haman reverence; hence Mordecai was openly disobeying the king. The Greek Bible explains that Mordecai held religious scruples; it seems to imply that the reverence demanded toward Haman was something in the nature of accounting him a god. But the Hebrew Bible contains no note of this. It sets the issue squarely between the two men. Mordecai simply would not bow before Haman. As a personal issue, this drew the interest of the entire court. It became the subject of gossip and speculation. Men argued with Mordecai; they called Haman's attention to the matter. They were curious to see "whether Mordecai's matters would stand." |