Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
—Matthew 22:37-40
—Matthew 22:37-40
The Decalogue in Rhyme: Two Versions
Thou no God shall have but Me.
Before no idol bow thy knee.
Take not the name of God in vain,
Nor the Sabbath day profane.
Give thy parents honor due.
Take heed that thou no murder do.
Abstain from words and deeds unclean.
Steal not, for thou of God art seen.
Tell not a willful lie, nor love it.
What is thy neighbor’s, do not covet.
Thou shalt have no more gods but me.
Before no idol bend thy knee.
Take not the name of God in vain.
Dare not the Sabbath day profane,
Give both thy parents honor due.
Take heed that thou no murder do.
Abstain from words and deeds unclean.
Steal not, though thou be poor and mean.
Make not a wilful lie, nor love it.
What is thy neighbor’s dare not covet.
A “Decalogue” on the Decalogue
1. The Decalogue is a gift of God (¶2059).
2. The Decalogue forms the appropriate response to the covenant initiated by God (¶2062).
3. The Decalogue forms an organic whole (¶2069).
4. The Decalogue is both natural and revealed (¶2071).
5. The Decalogue is not abolished but fulfilled in the “law of Christ” (¶2053).
6. The Decalogue is fulfilled in the law of love (¶2055).
7. The Decalogue is fulfilled in the context of a relationship with God (¶2063).
8. The Decalogue defines the truth of free human existence in the image of God (¶2085).
9. The Decalogue contains a set of grave and permanent obligations (¶2072).
10. The Decalogue is only fulfilled by God’s grace (¶2074, 2082).
Questions for Discussion
1. What are some idols or false gods which you see as prevalent today? What aspects of our culture present temptations to serve something or someone other than the Lord?
2. How is the Lord’s name taken in vain today? How can we show proper respect for the Lord’s name?
3. How do we honor the Sabbath day in a world of constant work? What can we do to open up a space for contemplation and rest?
4. Have you experienced doubt or despair or indifference, and what brought you toward faith and hope and love?
