Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
124 The people of God, escaping a great peril, do acknowledge themselves to be delivered, not by their own force, but by the power of God. 4 They declare the greatness of the peril. 6 And praise the Name of God.
A song of degrees, or Psalm of David.
1 If the Lord had not been [a]on our side, (may Israel now say)
2 If the Lord had [not] been on our side, when men rose up against us,
3 They had then swallowed us up [b]quick, when their wrath was kindled against us.
4 Then the [c]waters had drowned us, and the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then had the swelling waters gone over our soul.
6 Praised be the Lord, which hath not given us as a prey unto their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped, even as a bird out of the [d]snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are delivered.
8 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, which hath made heaven and earth.
4 O men, I call unto you, and utter my voice to the children of men.
5 O ye foolish men, understand wisdom, and ye, O fools, be wise in heart.
6 Give ear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall teach things that be right.
7 For my mouth shall speak the truth, and my lips abhor wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous: there is no lewdness, nor frowardness in them.
9 They are all [a]plain to them that will understand, and straight to them that would find knowledge.
10 Receive mine instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than fine gold.
11 For wisdom is better than precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared unto her.
12 I wisdom dwell with [b]prudence, and I find forth knowledge and counsels.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate [c]evil, as pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way: and a mouth that speaketh lewd things I do hate.
14 I have counsel and wisdom: I am understanding, and I have strength.
15 By me [d]kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and the nobles, and all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me: and they that seek me [e]early shall find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me: [f]even durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even than fine gold, and my revenues better than fine silver.
20 I cause to walk in the way of righteousness, and in the midst of the paths of [g]judgment,
21 That I may cause them that love me, to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures.
15 [a]Take heed therefore that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as (A)wise,
16 [b]Redeeming the season: for the [c]days are evil.
17 (B)Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 [d]And be not drunk with wine, wherein is [e]excess: but be fulfilled with the Spirit,
19 Speaking unto yourselves in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your [f]hearts,
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God even the Father, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.