Study Desk

The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the children of men To see if there are any who understand (act wisely), Who [truly] seek after God, [longing for His wisdom and guidance].

From men with Your hand, O LORD, From men of the world [these moths of the night] whose portion [of enjoyment] is in this life—idle and vain, And whose belly You fill with Your treasure; They are satisfied with children, And they leave what they have left [of wealth] to their children.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the LORD [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

God has looked down from heaven upon the children of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God [who requires Him, who longs for Him as essential to life].

Come and see the works of God, He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of men.

May he bring justice to the poor among the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor,

If I had said, "I will say this," [and expressed my feelings], I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.

We will not hide them from their children, But [we will] tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, And [tell of] His great might and power and the wonderful works that He has done.

For He established a testimony (a specific precept) in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach to their children [the great facts of God's transactions with Israel],

That the generation to come might know them, that the children still to be born May arise and recount them to their children,

Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot [the Ammonites and the Moabites] and have been an arm [of strength] to them. Selah.

"If his children turn away from My law And do not walk in My ordinances,

You turn man back to dust, And say, "Return [to the earth], O children of [mortal] men!"

Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to Your servants And Your [glorious] majesty to their children.

"The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You."

He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

Just as a father loves his children, So the LORD loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who [reverently] fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!