Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Ps) August 17th

Psalm 39:1-13

¹  I said, “I will guard my ways,

that I may not sin with my tongue;

       I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,

so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

²    I was mute and silent;

I held my peace to no avail,

       and my distress grew worse.

³        My heart became hot within me.

       As I mused, the fire burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴    “O Lord, make me know my end

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

⁵    Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

       Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

⁶        Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

       Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;

man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

⁷    “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?

My hope is in you.

⁸    Deliver me from all my transgressions.

Do not make me the scorn of the fool!

⁹    I am mute; I do not open my mouth,

for it is you who have done it.

¹⁰    Remove your stroke from me;

I am spent by the hostility of your hand.

¹¹    When you discipline a man

with rebukes for sin,

       you consume like a moth what is dear to him;

surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

¹²    “Hear my prayer, O Lord,

and give ear to my cry;

hold not your peace at my tears!

       For I am a sojourner with you,

a guest, like all my fathers.

¹³    Look away from me, that I may smile again,

before I depart and am no more!”

The Sixth Commandment

You are not to commit adultery.

What is this? Answer:

We are to fear and love God, so that we lead pure and decent lives in word and deed, and each of us loves and honors his or her spouse.

The Seventh Commandment

You are not to steal.

What is this? Answer:

We are to fear and love God, so that we neither take our neighbors’ money or property nor acquire them by using shoddy merchandise or crooked deals, but instead help them to improve and protect their property and income.

The Eighth Commandment

You are not to bear false witness against your neighbor.

What is this? Answer:

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.

O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding.  Cast out all sins and evil desires from us, and pour into our hearts your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.