Romans 95

Honor One Another

December 22, 2002

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

Let’s remain standing as we open our bibles to: ROMANS 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

Now last week we taught from this verse and our focus was upon the first half of this verse where Paul says we are to be “kindly affectioned” which means tenderly affectionionate one toward another. Now, this week, I would like to examine the second half of this verse because there are others things he says here that we should consider in how we treat each member of the body of Christ.

You see, brother Branham said we get what we preach for. For you reap what you sow, and when the Son of Man went forth sowing seed it was the Word of God according to the Gospel of Mark

MARK 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word.

So you see the Word is a seed that is sown, and the law of reproduction is that every seed will bring forth after its kind. Therefore you reap what you sow.

That is why the Bible tells us to have friends you must be friendly. You sow friendship and it comes back upon you. You sow a spirit of cooperation and it comes back upon you. And if you sow discord, that will come back upon you as well.

Now, the last part of Romans 12: 10 the Apostle Paul told us to honor one another by preferring the other. Let’s read it again.

ROMANS 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

Notice, in honor preferring one another;

Now, let’s top here and look at what this means for the next few minutes this morning. in honor preferring one another;

Now, the word Honor that Paul uses here is the Greek word Time’ (pronounced tee-may). Now this word is used throughout The New Testament as the words: Price, Sum, precious, and honor and means the value that has been placed, or the sum, or price of the object, person, or thing has been set and it is precious. In other words it speaks of the value or worth of the person one to the other.

Now, the first we must understand, is that you can have a false honor, by valuing something more or less than it is worth. And how can you honor correctly what you do not know, because to honor is to set a worth or value, and if you do not know the person, how can you set the value. Therefore, we are fully dependent upon the Holy Spirit to give us that understanding. The Apostle John said, I JOHN 2:20 ¶ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

And the Apostle Paul told us if we be any otherwise minded, God would reveal it to us.

PHILIPPIANS 3:15 ¶ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 ¶ Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (In other words, you have us for your example, and that is the measuring rod to measure the others in their walk. And this is the value or the worth by which you measure others by.) 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Now, here we see Paul tell us that there is an example that has been laid out before you and that is the example of a Life that is God oriented. If we are to do what The Apostle Paul commanded us to do, in honoring one another, we must do so correctly, and we must know the value or worth of the other person.

You cannot honor what you do not know, because you can not set a value or worth to those things you are unsure. Therefore in order to fulfill this command of the Apostle Paul we must know the worth or value of one another. And the next thing we must know is where we get that value. Is it my own value or assessment? Is it my own opinion of that person? Or is it the opinion of an Absolute? If we do not have an absolute for our standard we can end up getting the short end of the stick. Like the Algonquin Indians who sold the Island of Manhattan to the Dutch for beads worth about 60 Gilders or about $24.

Pretty expensive beads, you might say. Had they known that one day the Island of Manhattan would be worth hundreds of Billions if not trillions of dollars. Pretty expensive beads, huh?

Then what about this statement the Apostle Paul is making here. He tells us to honor one another, preferring one another.

Apparently Paul knows something about the value of the Elect that many who call themselves Christians today do not. He is telling us here to honor one another. In other words he is telling us to place a high value upon one another, making the other precious in your sight. Now, in order to do that we have to know the value of the other. It never ceases to amaze me how people will go out of their way to honor the rich, or the famous, but when it comes to the very elect of God, they will hardly go out of their way to even say hello.

Like brother Branham said, about Jesus Christ Himself. He said if you knew the President of the United States was coming to your home, you would put out the finest silver and your house would be set in order knowing that this great dignitary was going to come to your home. And yet when it comes to the Very Elect of God, it seems they are hardly even welcome, without some sort of personal invitation which never happens any more. The Bible tells us in MATTHEW 24:12 because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

BELIEVEST THOU THIS? 50-0716 E-47 Used to be, a long time ago, when the neighbor got sick or something, we went over and cut his corn, cut him some wood if it was wintertime. And today the neighbor can die, and you don't know it till you read it in the paper. That's right. No friendship among one another anymore. That's awful. Love... "Because the iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold," said Jesus in Matthew's the 24th chapter. That's true.

RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS 51-0729A E-50 A long time ago when we used to run out of money, we'd go over to the neighbor and borrow fifty dollars to hold us over. Why, we didn't have to sign any notes. We trusted one another. You can't borrow five dollars now without a ten dollar security on top of it. That's right. No love... The Bible said, "Because the love shall wax cold the--the love... Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." That's what the matter with the world. They're dying for love. We got plenty of teaching, plenty churches, but we need a love of God. Hallelujah.

Now, the thing of it is that we must understand is the value we should be placing on each other. And where do we get this value from? Our own thoughts? NO! From what value God has placed on the others. And what was that value that God placed on you Michael? What value did God place on you Derek? And you Ron, and you Steve? Let’s turn to His Word and find out what God Himself has to say about this value or the Elect..

I CORINTHIANS 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (You are not your own, and neither is the other their own, bbut we are the possessions of God.. He bought you.) 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Now, if I might ask, what was the price that God paid for you?

The Price that God paid was the very Life of His Uniquely born Son, who gave His life, and shed His blood for your redemption. And the word redeem means to buy back. So he paid the price, and when you do not honor one another with Godly Love toward one another, you are discrediting the Work of God and the sacrifice of His Son.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 54-0103M 87-176 I remember years ago. You always heard them talk about the sawdust trails and things in the Tabernacle. That didn't make it any more, not a bit more. But then it was fresh; God was calling His church. I've seen them sob and cry and lay on the altar all night long. I've went to their houses, and you could hear them when you come up, just in their--in their bedchamber, men and women, crying, "O God..." You'd see them walk through the church, and I'd see the piano start playing, "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross," and the tears flowing down there, you know. [Brother Branham sniffles--Ed.] Walk into this church, then walk down to another church, and hear them there, "There's a precious Fountain..." "O God, save my boy. Save my daughter; she's lost, Lord. Please." 178 You don't find that no more. What's the matter? The Spirit of God is with-drawn. Jesus said, predicted this, that the love... because the love of many... the love would fail. "That because iniquity would abound, the love of many would fail." See? See, grow cold, go away... The love is dying away. And what they got into, just a form; beat the piano up-and-down real hard, and holler "Glory to God. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord." See, like that, it's just a form. Don't fool yourself (See?), just to fool yourself. See, doesn't matter until we... I go like this, I'm talk... Now, I'm not talking about our Tabernacle; I'm talking about what I find around the United States. It's become just a form, just kind of acting what we used to have. And that travail of soul, it's just about over. O brother, sister, God, have mercy on us, well, God have mercy.

I believe the reason we do not see the proper respect and honor one to another is that we do not live in this Word like we used to, or should be doing. We do not value one another because we do not value what God values. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 59-0628E 379-87 And then, what's these people going to do that blasphemes and makes fun of people under the demonstration of the Holy Ghost? When they make fun of those people they are blaspheming the Holy Ghost which is absolutely unpardonable. You're not talking of that man; you're talking to the Spirit that's moving in that man. We ought to honor one another, and love one another, and exhort one another, talk good of each other. That's what we should do.

PLANTING.THE.VINE.AND.WHERE.TO.PLANT.IT_ JEFF.IN SUNDAY_ 59-0920

E-25 Oh, go with me to Arizona. Let me take you to the desert, which I roamed so many years. Everything in the desert has a sticker on it. Any little plant you come to, don't get near it; it'll stick you. It's always got its stickers right out ready to stick anything that comes near it. What's the matter? What made it a sticker? Is because it had no water. That's what dried it up. That sticker is a leaf rolled up. For the lack of water, it becomes a sticker. Thus it is with the church today. That when the church gets away from the fountain of Life, when it gets away from the joys of salvation, when it gets away from the Lord God, then that person becomes a sticker, always finding fault, sticking. Don't you...?... me come up. "I'm a Presbyterian, I'm a Methodist, I'm a So-and-so. Don't talk to me about that stuff." A sticker, it has no fruits. You take that same plant, cactus, and put it into a land for a few generations where there's plenty of water, and that sticker will unfold, and will come a soft leaf bearing fruit.

E-26 What's the matter with the church today, it's been set into a denomination, that has put denominational creeds and binds it. No joy, just a sprinkle now and then of a little revival to hold it. What it needs to be is to come out from among scoffers and unbelievers, and be planted by the rivers of water. For there is a fountain filled with Blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins, where sinners, unbelievers, plunged beneath the flood, lose all their guilty stains.

PSALMS 1:1 ¶ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 ¶ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Oh, brothers and sisters, come back to the waters of this Words, where you will be washed by the watering of the Word. You can’t be in the presence of the Lord and not feel that refreshing waters of Life.

ACTS 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Now this refreshing speaks of a cooling and comes from a root word meaning to cool again, to cool off, recover from the effects of heat, to recover breath, take the air, cool off, revive, refresh one's self. Just like when the Lord came to Adam in the cool of the evening, and in the evening His Presence has come again bringing that same refreshing atmosphere with Him. We should not be in a Desert, we should be in the cool and refreshing of His Presence. And if we are all stickers and no fruit it is because we have left His presence for other things.

223-1 Thyatira Church Age - CA Book CPT 6 I want to give a warning right here. It says concerning the last days that because of abounding iniquity the love of many will wax cold. In the Laodicean, or last age, self love, and love for material things will take the place of the true love of God. We need to guard against the power of sin in these last days. So many are getting so hard because they haven't realized the effect of this last day spirit. It is time to draw nigh to God and let him fill our lives with His love, or we will feel the coldness of the last day church, and reject the truth of God which alone is able to help us. 223-2 In those dark and dreadful years the true vine held its love for God and love of the brethren. God commended them for it.

223-3"I know your service." Jesus said, "He that is greatest of all is servant to all." A wise man commented on that saying. Here is what he said, "Only history will prove the truth of that dictum." That man was right. All the truly great men of history have been servants. They who demanded to be served; they who oppressed; they who sought to always be at the head, have gone down in shame. Even the very rich are condemned by God when they have not used their wealth right.

But look into history and you will find that the truly great were those who served others. History can never acclaim those for whom much was done, but it will forever praise those who did much for others. Now let us apply that to ourselves. Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, so we are to follow that example. See Him as He bows Himself over the feet of the apostles and washes their tired and dirty feet. He said, "You don't know now what I am doing, but you will know hereafter. But what you see me doing, you ought also to do." He became a servant in order that God could elevate Him to the highest heights. And one day in the judgment of the saints we are going to hear Him say, " Well done, good and faithful SERVANT, enter thou into the joy of the Lord." It is hard to be always a servant. But those who spend and are spent for others will one day be seated with Him in His throne. It will be worth it all, then. "Let us labor for the Master, from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care, And when all of life is over and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder I'll be there."

224-1 "I know your faith." Now he does not say here as He did to the church in Pergamos, "you hold MY faith". He is not talking about His faith now, but He is commending them for their faithfulness. And as He does He also mentions their 'patience.' Now faithfulness and patience go together. In fact patience is the outcome of faithfulness, for it says in James 1:3, "The trying of your faith worketh patience." There is absolutely no other way in which to gain patience. It has to come by the trial of our faith. Romans 5:3, "Tribulation worketh patience." How highly God regards this outworking of our patience is seen in James 1:4, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire lacking nothing." God's will for us is Perfection. And that perfection is patience--waiting on God and waiting for God. This is the process of character development. How highly God has commended these saints of the Dark Ages. Patient as lambs led to the slaughter, lovingly, faithfully they served God. That is all they wanted out of life, just service to their Lord. How great was to be their reward.

Now, in closing I would like to say this. The Apostle Paul said we ought to be honoring one another. That means we ought to be placing one another as a higher value in our life than anything else. And if we are not doing that it is because we are backslid from the presence of God and do not place God’s Word above our own.

I told my wife and family, and Sister Judy and Jessica the other day, I just do not have any desire for things at Christmas like the world seems to be so set on. What I would like more than anything is to just be with friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord and to sit and eat and fellowship and just partake of their company, and their presence. That means more to me than all the gifts money could buy. I don’t want things, I just want your love and friendship and some time with you to just be with you and relax in the presence of the Lord, and not worry what anyone might think. I believe the elect of God must come to the place where the presence of the brethren means more to them than any material possession. I believe the Elect will come to the place where to have the opportunity to sit and talk the Word with one another is the most cherished thing you desire in your hearts. More precious than silver or gold.

PSALMS 1:1¶ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

PSALMS 19:7 ¶ The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

MALACHI 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

PSALMS 119:1 ¶ ALEPH. Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed [are] they that keep his testimonies, [and that] seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 ¶ Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 ¶ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9 ¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word. 10 ¶ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 ¶ Blessed [art] thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. 13¶ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as [much as] in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 17 ¶ GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, [that] I may live, and keep thy word. 18 ¶ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 19 ¶ I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 ¶ My soul breaketh for the longing [that it hath] unto thy judgments at all times. 21 ¶ Thou hast rebuked the proud [that are] cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 22 ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. 23¶ Princes also did sit [and] speak against me: [but] thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. 24 ¶ Thy testimonies also [are] my delight [and] my counsellors. 25 ¶ DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 26 ¶ I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 28 ¶ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. 30 ¶ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid [before me]. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 33 ¶HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it [unto] the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with [my] whole heart. 35 ¶ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37 ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way. 38 ¶ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who [is devoted] to thy fear. 39 ¶ Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments [are] good. 40 ¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. 41 ¶ VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, [even] thy salvation, according to thy word. 42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43 ¶ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. 44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. 49 ¶ ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 ¶ This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 51 ¶ The proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law. 52 ¶ I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. 53 ¶ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. 54 ¶ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 ¶ I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. 56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts. 57 ¶ CHETH. [Thou art] my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. 58 ¶ I intreated thy favour with [my] whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. 59 ¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. 61 ¶ The bands of the wicked have robbed me: [but] I have not forgotten thy law. 62 ¶ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. 63 ¶ I [am] a companion of all [them] that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 64 ¶ The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. 65 ¶ TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 67 ¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 68 ¶ Thou [art] good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 69 ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: [but] I will keep thy precepts with [my] whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; [but] I delight in thy law. 71 ¶ [It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72 ¶ The law of thy mouth [is] better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. 73 ¶ JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 74 ¶ They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. 75 ¶ I know, O LORD, that thy judgments [are] right, and [that] thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76 ¶ Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law [is] my delight. 78 ¶ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: [but] I will meditate in thy precepts. 79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. 80 ¶ Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. 81 ¶ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I hope in thy word. 82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 83 ¶ For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; [yet] do I not forget thy statutes. 84 ¶ How many [are] the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 ¶ The proud have digged pits for me, which [are] not after thy law. 86 All thy commandments [are] faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. 88 ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. 89 ¶ LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness [is] unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all [are] thy servants. 92 ¶ Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 93 ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 94 ¶ I [am] thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. 95 ¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: [but] I will consider thy testimonies. 96 ¶ I have seen an end of all perfection: [but] thy commandment [is] exceeding broad. 97 ¶ MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day. 98 ¶ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they [are] ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101 ¶ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102 ¶ I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103 ¶ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 ¶ NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 ¶ I have sworn, and I will perform [it], that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107 ¶ I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. 108 ¶ Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. 109 ¶ My soul [is] continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. 111 ¶ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they [are] the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, [even unto] the end. 113 ¶ SAMECH. I hate [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love. 114 ¶ Thou [art] my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 115 ¶ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. 116 ¶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 118 ¶ Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit [is] falsehood. 119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. 121 ¶ AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. 122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. 123 ¶ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. 124 ¶ Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. 125 I [am] thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. 126 ¶ [It is] time for [thee], LORD, to work: [for] they have made void thy law. 127 ¶ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false way. 129 ¶ PE. Thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130 ¶ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 131 ¶ I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. 132 ¶ Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. 133 ¶ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 ¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. 135 ¶ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. 136 ¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. 137 ¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments. 138 Thy testimonies [that] thou hast commanded [are] righteous and very faithful. 139 ¶ My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. 140 ¶ Thy word [is] very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. 141 ¶ I [am] small and despised: [yet] do not I forget thy precepts. 142 ¶ Thy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [is] the truth. 143 ¶ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: [yet] thy commandments [are] my delights. 144 The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. 145 ¶ KOPH. I cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. 146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. 147 ¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. 148 Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 149 ¶ Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. 150 ¶ They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. 151 Thou [art] near, O LORD; and all thy commandments [are] truth. 152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 153 ¶ RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. 155 ¶ Salvation [is] far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. 156 ¶ Great [are] thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. 157 ¶ Many [are] my persecutors and mine enemies; [yet] do I not decline from thy testimonies. 158 ¶ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. 159 ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. 160 ¶ Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever. 161 ¶ SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 162 ¶ I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. 163 ¶ I hate and abhor lying: [but] thy law do I love. 164 ¶ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 165 ¶ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 166 ¶ LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. 167 ¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways [are] before thee. 169 ¶ TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. 171 ¶ My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 ¶ My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness. 173 ¶ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law [is] my delight. 175 ¶ Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 176 ¶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.