The Psalms of Thanksgiving

2 
YAHWEH THOU Art My Strength

I give thanks unto Thee, O YAHWEH,
for You art my strength and my stronghold, 
and You hast delivered my soul
from all works of unrighteousness.
For You hast put truth in my heart
and righteousness in my spirit,
along with all gifts of Thy wisdom;
and hast crushed the loins of them
that have risen up against me.
You bringest me cheer, O YAHWEH,
amid the sorrow of mourning,
words of peace amid havoc,
stoutness of heart when I faint,
fortitude in the face of affliction.
You hast given free flow of speech to my stammering lips;
stayed my drooping spirit with vigor and strength;
made my feet to stand firm when they stood where wickedness reigns.
Albeit unto transgressors I am but a symbol of weakness,
yet unto them that repent I am a source of healing;
prudence to the unwary, temperance to the rash.
You hast made me a reproach and a derision to them that live by deceit,
but a symbol of truth and understanding
to all whose way is straight.
A laughing-stock I am in the eyes of the wicked,
a slander on the lips of the unbridled;
scoffers gnash their teeth.
A song am I unto transgressors,
and the hordes of the wicked rage against me;
like ocean gales they storm which,
when their billows rage,
cast up mire and dirt
Yet, You hast set me as a banner in the vanguard of Righteousness,
as one who interprets with knowledge deep, mysterious things;
as a touchstone for them that seek the truth,
a standard for them that love correction.
To them that preach misguidance I am but a man of strife;
but to them that see straight, a very symbol of peace.
To them that pursue delusion I am but a gust of zeal;
men that live by deceit roar against me like the roar of many waters.
Naught is there in their thoughts save mischievous designs.
When, opening the fount of knowledge to all that have understanding,
You hast set a man's life to rights by the words of my mouth,
and hast taught unto him Thy lesson,
and put understanding in his heart
-they thrust him back into the pit.
In place of these Thy gifts
they offer a witless folk-
stammering lips and barbarous tongue,
that, wandering astray,
they rush headlong to their doom.

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