Setting Their Hope in GOD
iver of all, Remember Your word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope. May my children’s comfort in their affliction be this: that Your promise gives them life. The insolent might utterly deride them, but do not let them turn away from Your law. When they think of Your rules from of old, let them take comfort, O LORD. O that hot indignation might seize them because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. And I ask that Your statutes would be their songs in the house of their sojourning. Cause them to remember Your Name in the night, O LORD, and keep Your law. This blessing has fallen to them, that they have kept Your precepts. When they kneel to pray, let them say, “You are my portion; I promise to keep Your words.” I entreat Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to them according to Your promise. When they think on their ways, let them turn their feet to Your testimonies; may they hasten and not delay to keep Your commandments. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare them, allow them not to forget Your law. And this I plead with fervent hope—that at midnight they would rise to praise You, because of Your righteous rules, for only by a miracle of Your hand will it be so with them. Make them the companions of all who fear You, of those who keep Your precepts. The earth, O LORD, is full of Your steadfast love; teach them Your statutes! (Psalm 119).
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