Praise to the Creator and Preserver

331 Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous!
Praise is fitting for the upright. 2 Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre.
Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to him a new song.
Play skillfully with a shout of joy! 4 For the word of Yahweh is right.
All his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice.
The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh. 6 By Yahweh’s word, the heavens were made;
all their army by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap.
He lays up the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear Yahweh.
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spoke, and it was done.
He commanded, and it stood firm. 10 Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.
He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect. 11 The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh,
the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. 13 Yahweh looks from heaven.
He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions all of their hearts;
and he considers all of their works. 16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an army.
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain thing for safety,
neither does he deliver any by his great power. 18 Behold, Yahweh’s eye is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his loving kindness; 19 to deliver their soul from death,
to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul has waited for Yahweh.
He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart rejoices in him,
because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh,
since we have hoped in you.

Praise for Deliverance from Troubles

341 I will bless Yahweh at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad. 3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me.
Let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame. 6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him,
and delivers them. 8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,
for there is no lack with those who fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,
but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me.
I will teach you the fear of Yahweh. 12 Who is someone who desires life,
and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Depart from evil, and do good.
seek peace, and pursue it. 15 Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous.
His ears listen to their cry. 16 Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. 20 He protects all of his bones.
Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall kill the wicked.
Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22 Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants.
None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.

Paul's Defense before Felix

241 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation, 3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. [1] 7 [2] 8 [3]By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12 In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.” 26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him. 27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.