1 My people, hear my instruction;

listen to what I say. o

2 I will declare wise sayings;

I will speak mysteries from the past p—

3 things we have heard and known

and that our fathers have passed down to us. q

4 We must not hide them from their children,

but must tell a future generation

the praises of the Lord,

His might, and the wonderful works

He has performed. r

5 He established a * testimony in Jacob

and set up a law in Israel,

which He commanded our fathers

to teach to their children s

6 so that a future generation—

children yet to be born—might know.

They were to rise and tell their children t

7 so that they might put their confidence in God

and not forget God’s works,

but keep His commands. u

8 Then they would not be like their fathers,

a stubborn and rebellious generation,

a generation whose heart was not loyal

and whose spirit was not faithful to God. v