Those who go to the sea in ships, Who do business in great waters, They see the works of the Lord, And his wonders in the great deep.

When he speaks, the tempest rises, And tosses the waves on high.

Up to heaven, then down they go, Their courage melts at the danger, They stagger and reel like drunkards, And their skill is all exhausted.

Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, And he saves them from their distresses.

He makes the tempest a calm, And the waves of the sea are still.

They are glad when the waves go down; To the haven they long for he brings them.

Let them praise the Lord for his love, For his wonderful works unto men; In the popular a.s.sembly extol him, In the council of elders praise him.

G.o.d'S PROTECTION OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM

I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise is continually in my mouth, My soul glories in the Lord, Let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

O exalt the Lord with me, Let us praise his name together.

I sought the Lord and he answered me, From all my fears he delivered me.

He who looks to him, becomes radiant, And his face is not covered with shame.

This afflicted man cried and he heard him, And from all his distresses delivered him.

The angel of the Lord encamps About those who revere him, and saves them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; Happy the man who seeks refuge with him.

Revere the Lord, O holy ones, For those who revere him lack nothing.

Though young lions feel want and suffer hunger, Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you true religion: Who of you desires to live, Loves long life that he may enjoy happiness?

Then keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking falsehood; Turn from evil and do good, Seek for peace and pursue it.

The Lord is against evil-doers, To cut off their memory from the earth.

The Lord watches over the upright, His ear is open to their cry.

When they cry to the Lord, he hears, And saves them from all their troubles.

The Lord is near those who are broken-hearted, He delivers those whose spirits are crushed.

The misfortunes of the upright are many, But the Lord delivers him from them all.

The Lord guards all his bones, Not one of them is broken.

Misfortune shall slay the wicked, Those who hate the upright shall be condemned; But the Lord redeems his servants, And none who takes refuge in him shall be condemned.

G.o.d'S LOVING CARE

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me to the still waters, He restores my soul.

He guides me in straight paths for his name's sake; Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff--they comfort me.

Thou preparest 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.

TRUSTING IN G.o.d'S CARE

Be not disturbed because of the wicked, Nor be envious of those who do wrong; For like gra.s.s they shall quickly wither, And fade like the green herbs.

Trust in the Lord and do right, Live in the land and act faithfully.

Then the Lord shall be your delight, He will grant you your heart's desire.

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust in him, and he will work with you, He will bring to light your honesty, And make it as clear as the noonday.

A PRAYER OF TRUST

To thee, O G.o.d, I lift up my soul, All the day long do I wait for thee.

I trust in thee, O G.o.d, let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies exult over me, And let none who hope in thee be ashamed; But let wicked traitors be disgraced.

Show me thy ways, O Lord, Teach me thy way to live.

Lead me in thy truth and teach me, For thou art the G.o.d who saves me, And in thee do I hope continually.

Remember thy tender mercies, O Lord, And thy loving deeds, for they are eternal.

Do not recall the sins of my youth, But in thy love remember thou me, Because of thy goodness, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord, So he teaches sinners the way, He guides the humble aright, And teaches the meek his way, All his rules are loving and true, To those who follow his law and commands.

For thy name's sake, O Lord, Pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Who is the man that reveres the Lord?

He will teach him the way to choose.

That man shall continue to prosper, And his children inherit the land.

He is friendly with those who revere him, And with his covenant he makes them acquainted.

My eyes are ever turned toward the Lord, For he saves my feet from the net.

Turn to me and be gracious, For I am alone and afflicted; Relieve the troubles of my heart, And deliver me from my distresses; Look on my affliction and suffering, And pardon all my sins.

Consider my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred; Oh save my life and deliver me, Let me not be ashamed, for I trust thee.

Let innocence and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for thee, O Lord.

SAFETY IN G.o.d'S CARE

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, Who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Who say to the Lord, "Thou art my refuge, And my fortress, my G.o.d in whom I trust,"

He will surely deliver you from the snare, When entrapped from the destructive pit.

With his pinions he will cover you, And under his wings you may hide.

His faithfulness is a shield and defense, You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not come near unto you.

You need but look with your eyes, To see how the wicked are punished.

Because the Lord is your refuge, And you have made the Most High your abode, There shall no evil befall you, No plague come near your tent; For he will give his angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways; They shall bear you up on their hands, Lest you strike your foot on a stone.

You shall tread on the lion and adder, You shall trample on the young lion and dragon.

"Because of his love for me I will deliver him, I will exalt him, for he knows my name.

He shall call upon me and I will answer him, In time of trouble I will be with him, I will deliver him and bring him honor, With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my power to save."

G.o.d OUR REFUGE