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Wisdom is better than strength, and in our Savior Jesus Christ we have the highest wisdom.

BibleGateway: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

ESV Text: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 1:53 and ends at about 3:15

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     11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

     13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 548:
My Inmost Heart Now Raises

Hymnary.org

— Organ Audio

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1. My inmost heart now raises 
In this fair morning hour 
A song of thankful praises 
To Thine almighty pow’r, 
O God, upon Thy throne. 
To honor and adore Thee, 
I bring my praise before Thee 
Thro’ Christ, Thine only Son. 

2. For Thou from me hast warded 
All perils of the night; 
From ev’ry harm hast guarded 
My soul till morning light. 
To Thee I humbly cry, 
O Savior, have compassion 
And pardon my transgression; 
Have mercy, Lord most high! 

3. And shield me from all evil, 
O gracious God, this day, 
From sin, and from the devil, 
From shame and from dismay, 
From fire’s consuming breath, 
From water’s devastation, 
From need and consternation, 
From evil sudden death. 

4. Let not Thine angel leave me 
While here on earth I stay 
Lest Satan’s arts deceive me 
And lead my soul astray. 
Then keep Thine angel near 
At night and each new morrow 
Lest soul and body sorrow 
And falt’ring cost me dear. 

5. God shall do my advising, 
Whose might with wisdom blends; 
May He bless rest and rising, 
My efforts, means, and ends! 
To God, forever blest, 
Will I with mine confide me, 
And willing let Him guide me 
As seemeth to Him best. 

6. Amen I say, not fearing 
That God rejects my prayer; 
I doubt that He is hearing 
And granting me His care. 
Thus I go on my way 
And do not look behind me, 
But ply the task assigned me; 
God’s help shall be my stay. 


Hymn: LSB 894 For the Fruits of His Creation
Hymnary.org