Whoever lives a blameless life, does what is right, and speaks honestly.

I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye.

Come children! Listen to me! I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.

I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother.

Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away.

They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey his law.

He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return.

If only my people would obey me! If only Israel would keep my commands!

Deliverance goes before him, and prepares a pathway for him.

If his sons reject my law and disobey my regulations,

The ships travel there, and over here swims the whale you made to play in it.

they wandered from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another.

He opened up a rock and water flowed out; a river ran through dry regions.

He shouted at the Red Sea and it dried up; he led them through the deep water as if it were a desert.

He led them on a level road, that they might find a city in which to live.

A song of ascents. How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands!

My child, do not go down their way, withhold yourself from their path;

So you will walk in the way of good people, and will keep on the paths of the righteous.

Then you will walk on your way with security, and you will not stumble.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble.