7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

10 But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

11 By this I know that thou favourest me, be-cause mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

Again note the word “integrity “— we miss much of the point by our limited meaning. The true idea is wholeness, and we hardly yet guess what a whole complete man is. He is the image of God, and this image results from being before God’s face, for it is the reflection of it.

13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from ever-lasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Psalm 42

AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

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