The Decalogue

William Helder, 1979 ©

1. Hear how the LORD on Sinai’s mountain
   Addressed the people of His choice;
   With them His covenant He established.
   They in the thunder heard His voice.
   
2. “I am the LORD, your God and Savior,
   Who out of bondage set you free,
   Who brought you from the land of Egypt.
   Have, then, no other gods but Me.
   
3. “You shall not serve a graven image:
   A jealous God am I, the LORD,
   Who punish evildoers’ offspring
   But cherish those who heed My Word.
   
4. “Invoke the LORD with fear and reverence;
   You shall not take His Name in vain.
   The LORD your God will not hold guiltless
   Those who His holy Name profane.
   
5. “Observe the Sabbath, keep it holy;
   You and your house that day shall rest.
   On six days only shall you labor;
   The seventh day the LORD has blessed.
   
6. “Honor your father and your mother;
   Then shall the LORD your days extend
   And bless you in the land He gives you.
   Obey the LORD your God’s command.
   
7. “You shall not kill or hate your neighbor;
   Adult’ry you shall not commit.
   You shall not steal, nor bear false witness,
   But love the truth and honor it.
   
8. “Your neighbor’s goods you shall not covet,
   And everything he calls his own:
   His wife, his house, his fields and cattle:
   You shall respect as his alone.”
   
9. O LORD, let Thy commandments teach us
   Our sins and misery to see,
   That we, delivered from all evil,
   May live in thankfulness to Thee.