Psalms 1:1-30:12

ISV(i) 1 BOOK I (Psalms 1-41)
The Righteous and the Wicked How blessed is the person, who does not take the advice of the wicked, who does not stand on the path with sinners, and who does not sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But he delights in the LORD’s instruction, and meditates in his instruction day and night. 3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither. He will prosper in everything he does. 4 But this is not the case with the wicked. They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not escape judgment, nor will sinners have a place in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.
2 1 The Nations and God’s Anointed Why are the nations in an uproar, and their people involved in a vain plot? 2 As the kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and his anointed one, they say, 3 “Let us tear off their shackles from us, and cast off their chains.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 In his anger he rebukes them, and in his wrath he terrifies them: 6 “I have set my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 The Anointed King SpeaksLet me announce the decree of the LORD that he told me: “You are my son, today I have become your father. 8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession. 9 You will break them with an iron rod, you will shatter them like pottery.” 10 Therefore, kings, act wisely! Earthly rulers, be warned! 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the son before he becomes angry, and you die where you stand. Indeed, his wrath can flare up quickly. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
3 1 A Davidic Psalm, when he fled from his son Absalom.
God Delivers His Servants LORD, I have so many persecutors! Many are rising up against me! 2 Many are saying about me, “God will never deliver him!” Interlude 3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4 I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Interlude 5 I lie down and sleep, I wake up, because the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not fear multitudes of people, who set themselves against me on every side. 7 Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! For you strike the jaw of all my enemies, and you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Deliverance comes from the LORD! May your blessing be on your people. Interlude
4 1 To the Director: With stringed instruments. A Davidic Psalm
Trust God under Adversity When I call, answer me, my righteous God! When I was in distress, you set me free. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 2 You people, how long will you malign my reputation? How long will you love what is vain and what is false? Interlude 3 But understand this: the LORD has set apart the godly for himself! The LORD will hear me when I cry out to him! 4 Be angry, yet do not sin. Think about this when upon your beds, and be silent. Interlude 5 Offer sacrifices that are righteous, and put your confidence in the LORD. 6 Many are asking, “Who will help us to see better days?” LORD, may the light of your favor shine upon us. 7 You have given me more joy in my heart than at harvest times, when grain and wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, LORD, enable me to live securely.
5 1 To the Director: For flutes. A Davidic Psalm
A Prayer for God’s Help LORD, listen to my words, consider my groaning. 2 Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, for unto you will I pray. 3 LORD, in the morning you will hear my voice; in the morning I will pray to you, and I will watch for your answer. 4 Indeed, you aren’t a God who delights in wickedness; evil will never dwell with you. 5 Boastful ones will not stand before you; you hate all those who practice wickedness. 6 You will destroy those who speak lies. The LORD abhors the person of bloodshed and deceit. 7 But I, because of the abundance of your gracious love, may come into your house. In awe of you, I will worship in your holy Temple. 8 LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your path straight before me. 9 But as for the wicked, they do not speak truth at all. Inside them there is only wickedness. Their throat is an open grave, on their tongue is deceitful flattery. 10 Declare them guilty, God! Let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them away because of their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. 11 Let all those who take refuge in you rejoice! Let them shout for joy forever, and may you protect them. Let those who love your name exult in you. 12 Indeed, you will bless the righteous one, LORD, like a large shield, you will surround him with favor.
6 1 To the Director: With stringed instruments. On an eight-stringed harp. A Davidic Psalm
A Prayer in Times of Trouble LORD, in your anger, do not rebuke me, in your wrath, do not discipline me. 2 Be gracious to me, LORD, because I am fading away. Heal me, because my body is distressed. 3 And my soul is deeply distressed. But you, LORD, how long do I wait? 4 Return, LORD, save my life! Deliver me, because of your gracious love. 5 In death, there is no memory of you. Who will give you thanks where the dead are? 6 I am weary from my groaning. Every night my couch is drenched with tears, my bed is soaked through. 7 My eyesight has faded because of grief, it has dimmed because of all my enemies. 8 Get away from me, all of you who practice evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD receives my prayer. 10 As for all my enemies, they will be put to shame; they will be greatly frightened and suddenly turn away ashamed.
7 1 A Davidic psalm, which he sang to the LORD, because of the words of Cush the descendant of Benjamin.
A Prayer for Vindication LORD, my God, I seek refuge in you. Deliver me from those who persecute me! Rescue me! 2 Otherwise, they will rip me to shreds like a lion, tearing me apart with no one to rescue me. 3 LORD, my God, if I have done this thing, if there is injustice on my hands, 4 if I have rewarded those who did me good with evil, if I have plundered my enemy without justification, 5 then, let my enemy pursue me, let him overtake me, and let him trample my life to the ground. Interlude Let him put my honor into the dust. 6 Get up, LORD, in your anger! Rise up, because of the fury of my enemies; Arouse yourself for me; you have ordained justice. 7 Let the assembly of the peoples gather around you, and you will sit high above them. 8 For the LORD will judge the peoples. Judge me according to my righteousness, LORD, and according to my integrity, Exalted One. 9 Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. For you are the righteous God who discerns the inner thoughts. 10 God is my shield, the one who delivers the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, a God who is angry with sinners every day. 12 If the ungodly one doesn’t repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will string his bow and prepare it. 13 He prepares weapons of death for himself, he makes his arrows into fiery shafts. 14 But the wicked one travails with evil, he conceives malice and gives birth to lies. 15 He digs a pit, even excavates it; then he fell into the hole that he had made. 16 The trouble he planned will return on his own head, and his violence will descend on his skull. 17 But as for me, I will praise the LORD for his righteousness, and I will sing to the name of the LORD Most High.
8 1 To the Director: On a stringed instrument. A Davidic Psalm.
Divine Glory and Human Dignity LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! You set your glory above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have established strength on account of your adversaries, in order to silence the enemy and vengeful foe. 3 When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you established— 4 what is man that you take notice of him, or the son of man that you pay attention to him? 5 You made him a little less than divine, but you crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You gave him dominion over the work of your hands, you put all things under his feet: 7 Sheep and cattle—all of them, wild creatures of the field, 8 birds in the sky, fish in the sea— whatever moves through the currents of the oceans. 9 LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
9 1 To the Director: Accompanied by female voices. A Davidic Psalm.
A Cry for God’s Justice I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, I will declare all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High! 3 When my enemies turn back, they will stumble and perish before you. 4 For you have brought about justice for me and my cause; you sit on the throne judging righteously. 5 You rebuked the nations, you destroyed the wicked, you wiped out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy has perished, reduced to ruins forever. You uprooted their cities, the very memory of them vanished. 7 But the LORD sits on his throne forever; his throne is established for judgment. 8 He will judge the world righteously and make just decisions for the people. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of distress. 10 Those who know your name will trust you, for you have not forsaken those who seek you, LORD. 11 Sing praises to the LORD who dwells in Zion; declare his mighty deeds among the peoples. 12 As an avenger of blood, he remembers them; he has not forgotten the cry of the afflicted. 13 Be gracious to me, LORD, take note of my affliction, because of those who hate me. You snatch me away from the gates of death, 14 so I may declare everything for which you should be praised in the gates of the daughter of Zion, so I will rejoice in your deliverance. 15 The nations have sunk down into the pit they made, their feet are ensnared in the trap they set. 16 The LORD has made himself known, executing judgment. The wicked are ensnared by what their hands have made. Interlude 17 The wicked will turn back to where the dead are— all the nations that have forgotten God. 18 For he will not always overlook the plight of the poor, nor will the hope of the afflicted perish forever. 19 Rise up, LORD, do not let man prevail! The nations will be judged in your presence. 20 Make them afraid, LORD, Let the nations know that they are only human. Interlude
10 1 A Prayer for Judging the Wicked Why do you stand far away, LORD? Why do you hide in times of distress? 2 The wicked one arrogantly pursues the afflicted, who are trapped in the schemes he devises. 3 For the wicked one boasts about his own desire; he blesses the greedy and despises the LORD. 4 With haughty arrogance, the wicked thinks, “God will not seek justice.” He always presumes “There is no God.” 5 Their ways always seem prosperous. Your judgments are on high, far away from them. They scoff at all their enemies. 6 They say to themselves, “We will not be moved throughout all time, and we will not experience adversity.” 7 Their mouth is full of curses, lies, and oppression, their tongues spread trouble and iniquity. 8 They wait in ambush in the villages, they kill the innocent in secret. 9 Their eyes secretly watch the helpless, lying in wait like a lion in his den. They lie in wait to catch the afflicted. They catch the afflicted when they pull him into their net. 10 The victim is crushed, and he sinks down; the helpless fall by their might. 11 The wicked say to themselves, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” 12 Rise up, LORD! Raise your hand, God. Don’t forget the afflicted! 13 Why do the wicked despise God and say to themselves, “God will not seek justice.”? 14 But you do see! You take note of trouble and grief in order to take the matter into your own hand. The helpless one commits himself to you; you have been the orphan’s helper. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; so that when you seek out his wickedness you will find it no more. 16 The LORD is king forever and ever; nations will perish from his land. 17 LORD, you heard the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen them, you will listen carefully, 18 to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that men of the earth may cause terror no more.
11 1 To the Director: A Davidic Song.
Confident Trust in God I take refuge in the LORD. So how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains.”? 2 Look, the wicked have bent their bow and placed their arrow on the string, to shoot from the darkness at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD’s throne is in the heavens. His eyes see, his glance examines humanity. 5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence, he hates. 6 He rains on the wicked burning coals and sulfur; a scorching wind is their destiny. 7 Indeed, the LORD is righteous; he loves righteousness; the upright will see him face-to-face.
12 1 To the Director: On an eight stringed harp. A Davidic Psalm.
Human and Divine Words Contrasted Help, LORD, for godly people no longer exist; trustworthy people have disappeared from humanity. 2 Everyone speaks lies to his neighbor; they speak with flattering lips and hidden motives. 3 The LORD will cut off all slippery lips, and the tongue that boasts great things, 4 those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our lips belong to us. Who is master over us?” 5 “Because the poor are being oppressed, because the needy are sighing, I will now arise,” says the LORD, “I will establish in safety those who yearn for it.” 6 The words of the LORD are pure, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. 7 You, LORD, will keep them safe, you will guard them from this generation forever. 8 The wicked, however, keep walking around, exalting the vileness of human beings.
13 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
A Prayer for Deliverance How long? LORD, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I struggle in my soul at night and have sorrow in my heart during the day? How long will my enemy rise up against me? 3 Look at me! Answer me, LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes! Otherwise, I will sleep in death; 4 Otherwise, my enemy will say, “I have overcome him;” Otherwise, my persecutor will rejoice when I am shaken. 5 As for me, I have trusted in your gracious love, my heart will rejoice in your deliverance. 6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt bountifully with me.
14 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
The Fool and God’s Response Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and commit evil deeds; not one of them practices what is good. 2 The LORD looks down from the heavens upon humanity to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God. 3 All have turned away, together they have become corrupt; no one practices what is good, not even one. 4 Will those who do evil ever learn? They devour my people like they devour bread, and never call on the LORD. 5 There they are seized with terror, because God is with those who are righteous. 6 You would frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the LORD is their refuge. 7 May Israel’s deliverance come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.
15 1 A Davidic Psalm.
Welcomed into God’s Presence LORD, who may stay in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? 2 The one who lives with integrity, who does righteous deeds, and who speaks truth to himself. 3 The one who does not slander with his tongue, who does no evil to his neighbor, and who does not destroy his friend’s reputation. 4 The one who despises those who are utterly wicked, but who honors the one who fears the LORD, who keeps his word even when it hurts and does not change, 5 who does not loan his money with interest, and who does not take a bribe against those who are innocent. The one who does these things will stand firm forever.
16 1 A special Davidic Psalm.
Trust in the Face of Death Keep me safe, God, for I take refuge in you. 2 I told the LORD, “You are my master, I have nothing good apart from you.” 3 As for the saints that are in the land, they are noble, and all my delight is in them. 4 Those who hurry after another god will have many sorrows; I will not present their drink offerings of blood, nor will my lips speak their names. 5 The LORD is my inheritance and my cup; you support my lot. 6 The boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places for me; truly, I have a beautiful heritage. 7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my conscience instructs me during the night. 8 I have set the LORD before me continuously; because he stands at my right hand, I will stand firm. 9 Therefore, my heart is glad, my whole being rejoices, and my body will dwell securely. 10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, you will not allow your holy one to experience corruption. 11 You cause me to know the path of life; in your presence is joyful abundance, at your right hand there are pleasures forever.
17 1 A Davidic Prayer.
A Cry for Justice LORD, hear my just plea! Pay attention to my cry! Listen to my prayer, since it does not come from lying lips. 2 Justice for me will come from your presence; your eyes see what is right. 3 When you probe my heart, and examine me at night; when you refine me, you will find nothing wrong, for I have determined that I will not transgress with my mouth. 4 As for the ways of mankind, I have, according to the words of your lips, avoided the ways of the violent. 5 Because my steps have held fast to your paths, my footsteps have not faltered. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, God. Listen closely to me and hear my prayer. 7 Show forth your gracious love, save those who take refuge in you from those who rebel against your sovereign power. 8 Protect me as the most precious part of the eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings 9 from the wicked who have afflicted me, from my enemies who have surrounded me. 10 They are imprisoned by their own prosperity, they have boasted proudly with their mouth. 11 Now they have encircled our paths and are determined to cast us down to the ground. 12 Like a lion they desire to rip us to pieces, like a young lion waiting in ambush. 13 Arise, LORD, confront them, bring them to their knees! Deliver me from the wicked by your sword— 14 from men, LORD, by your hand— from men who belong to this world, whose reward is only in this life. But as for your treasured ones, may their stomachs be full, may their children have an abundance, and may they leave wealth to their offspring. 15 But as for me, justified, I will behold your face; when I awake, your presence will satisfy me.
18 1 To the Director: By the servant of the LORD, David, who spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
Gratitude for Victory He said: “I love you, Lord, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge, my shield, the glory of my salvation, and my high tower.” 3 I cried out to the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I was delivered from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the rivers of Belial made me afraid. 5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I cried to the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his Temple he heard my voice; my cry reached his ears. 7 The world shook and trembled; the foundations of the mountains quaked, they shook because he was angry. 8 In his anger smoke poured out of his nostrils, and consuming fire from his mouth; coals were lit from it. 9 He bent the sky and descended, and darkness was under his feet. 10 He rode upon a cherub and flew; he soared upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his hiding place, his canopy surrounding him was dark waters and thick clouds. 12 The brightness before him scattered the thick clouds, with hail stones and flashes of fire. 13 Then the LORD thundered in the heavens, and the Most High sounded aloud, calling for hail stones and flashes of fire. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered them; with many lightning bolts he frightened them. 15 Then the channels of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered because of your rebuke, LORD, because of the blast from the breath of your nostrils. 16 He reached down and took me; he drew me from many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemies, from those who hated me because they were stronger than I. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. 19 He brought me out to a spacious place; he delivered me, for in me he takes delight.
20 God’s Reward to the RighteousThe LORD will reward me because I am righteous; because my hands are clean he will restore me; 21 because I have kept the ways of the LORD, and I have not wickedly departed from my God; 22 because all his judgments were always before me, and I did not cast off his statutes. 23 I was upright before him, and I kept myself from iniquity. 24 So the LORD restored me according to my righteousness, because my hands were clean in his sight. 25 To the holy, you show your gracious love, to the upright, you show yourself upright; 26 to the pure, you show yourself pure, and to the morally corrupt, you appear to be perverse. 27 Indeed, you deliver the oppressed, but you bring down those who exalt themselves in their own eyes. 28 For you, LORD, make my lamp shine; my God enlightens my darkness. 29 With your help I will run through an army, with help from my God I leap over walls. 30 As for God, his way is upright; the word of God is pure; he is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
31 The Acts of God for the RighteousFor who is God but the LORD, and who is a Rock other than our God?— 32 the God who clothes me with strength, and who makes my way upright; 33 who makes my feet swift as the deer; who makes me stand on high places; 34 who teaches my hands to make war, and my arms to bend a bronze bow. 35 You have given to me the shield of your deliverance, and your right hand holds me up; your gentleness made me great. 36 You make a broad place for my steps, so my feet won’t slip. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn around until they were utterly defeated. 38 I struck them down, so they are not able to rise up; they fell under my feet. 39 You clothed me with strength for war; you will subdue under me those who rise up against me. 40 You have made my enemies turn their back to me, and I will destroy those who hate me. 41 They cried out for deliverance, but there was no one to deliver; they cried out to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 42 I ground them like wind-swept dust; I emptied them out like dirt in the street. 43 You rescued me from conflict with the people; you made me head of the nations. People who did not know me will serve me. 44 When they hear of me, they will obey me; foreigners will submit to me. 45 Foreigners will wilt away; they will come trembling out of their stronghold. 46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! May the God of my deliverance be exalted! 47 He is the God who executes vengeance on my behalf; who destroys peoples under me; 48 who delivers me from my enemies. Truly you will exalt me above those who oppose me; you will deliver me from the violent person. 49 Therefore, I will give thanks to you among the nations, LORD; I will sing praises to your name. 50 He is the one who gives victories to his king; who shows gracious love to his anointed, to David and his seed forever.
19 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
God’s Revelation in the Heavens The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and their expanse shows the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor are there words— their voice is not heard— 4 yet their message goes out into all the world, and their words to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent for the sun in the heavens, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, or like a champion who rejoices at the beginning of a race. 6 Its circuit is from one end of the sky to the other, and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 God’s Revelation in the LawThe Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring life. The testimony of the LORD is steadfast, making foolish people wise. 8 The precepts of the LORD are upright, making the heart rejoice. The commandment of the LORD is pure, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, standing forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. 11 Moreover your servant is warned by them; and there is great reward in keeping them. 12 Who can detect his own mistake? Cleanse me from hidden sin. 13 Preserve your servant from arrogant people; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be upright and acquitted of great wickedness. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
20 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
A Prayer for Victory May the LORD answer you in the day of distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and may he sustain you from Zion. 3 May he remember all your gifts, and may he accept your burnt offerings. Interlude 4 May he give you what your heart desires, and may he fulfill all your plans. 5 May we shout for joy at your deliverance and unfurl our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD has delivered his anointed; he has answered him from his sanctuary with the strength of his right hand of deliverance. 7 Some boast in chariots, others in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God. 8 While they bowed down and fell, we arose and stood upright. 9 Deliver us, LORD! Answer us, our King, on the day we cry out!
21 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
Praise for the LORD’s Deliverance The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How greatly he rejoices in your deliverance. 2 You have granted him the desire of his heart, and have not withheld what his lips requested. Interlude 3 You go before him with wonderful blessings, and put a crown of fine gold on his head. 4 He asked life from you, and you gave it to him— a long life for ever and ever. 5 His glory is great because of your deliverance, you have given him honor and majesty. 6 Indeed, you have given him eternal blessings; you will make him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 The king trusts in the LORD; because of the gracious love of the Most High, he will stand firm. 8 Your hand will find all your enemies, your right hand will find those who hate you. 9 When you appear, you will set them ablaze like a fire furnace. In his wrath, the LORD will consume them, and the fire will devour them. 10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, even their offspring from the ranks of mankind. 11 Though they plot evil against you and devise schemes, they will not succeed. 12 Indeed, you will make them retreat, when you aim your bow at their faces. 13 Rise up, LORD, because you are strong; we will sing and praise your power.
22 1 To the Director: To the tune of “Doe of the Dawn”.
A Davidic Psalm.
God Delivers His Suffering Servant My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from delivering me— from my groaning words? 2 My God, I cry out to you throughout the day, but you do not answer; and throughout the night, but I have no rest. 3 You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 Our ancestors trusted in you; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried out to you and escaped; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. 6 But as for me, I am only a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by people. 7 Everyone who sees me mocks me; they gape at me with open mouths and shake their heads at me. 8 They say, “Commit yourself to the LORD; perhaps the LORD will deliver him, perhaps he will cause him to escape, since he delights in him.” 9 Yet, you are the one who took me from the womb, and kept me safe on my mother’s breasts. 10 I was dependent on you from birth; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be so distant from me, for trouble is at hand; indeed, there is no deliverer. 12 Many bulls have surrounded me; the vicious bulls of Bashan have encircled me. 13 Their mouths are opened wide toward me, like roaring and attacking lions. 14 I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. 15 My strength is dried up like broken pottery; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and you have brought me down to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of those who practice of evil has encircled me. They gouged my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look at me; they stare at me. 18 They divide my clothing among themselves; they cast lots for my clothing! 19 But as for you, LORD, do not be far away from me; My Strength, come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword; my precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Deliver me from the mouth of the lion, from the horns of the wild oxen. You have answered me. 22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation, I will praise you, saying, 23 “All who fear the LORD, praise him! All the seed of Jacob, glorify him! All the seed of Israel, fear him! 24 For he does not despise nor detest the afflicted person; he does not hide his face from him, but he hears him when he cries out to him.” 25 My praise in the great congregation is because of you; I will pay my vows before those who fear you. 26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him, “May you live forever!” 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD; all the families of the nations will bow in submission to the LORD. 28 Indeed, the kingdom belongs to the LORD; he rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous people will eat and bow down in submission. All those who are about to go down to the grave will bow down in submission, along with the one who can no longer keep himself alive. 30 Our descendants will serve him, and that generation will be told about the Lord. 31 They will come and declare his righteousness to a people yet to be born; indeed, he has accomplished it!
23 1 A Davidic Psalm.
The LORD Shepherds His People The LORD is the one who is shepherding me; I lack nothing. 2 He causes me to lie down in pastures of green grass; he guides me beside quiet waters. 3 He revives my life; he leads me in pathways that are righteous for the sake of his name. 4 Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Truly, goodness and gracious love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the LORD’s Temple forever.
24 1 A Davidic Psalm.
A Song for the King of Glory The earth and everything in it exists for the LORD— the world and those who live in it. 2 Indeed, he founded it upon the seas, he established it upon deep waters. 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his Holy Place? 4 The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully. 5 This person will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation that seeks him. Those who seek your face are the true seed of Jacob. Interlude 7 Lift up your heads, gates! Be lifted up, ancient doors, so the King of Glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, gates! Be lifted up, ancient doors, so the King of Glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of Glory? The LORD of the heavenly armies— He is the King of Glory. Interlude
25 1 Davidic
A Prayer for Help and Forgiveness I will lift up my soul to you, LORD. 2 I trust in you, my God, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, no one who waits on you will be ashamed, but those who offend for no reason will be put to shame. 4 Cause me to understand your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God who delivers me. All day long I have waited for you. 6 Remember, LORD, your tender mercies and your gracious love; indeed, they are eternal! 7 Do not remember my youthful sins and transgressions; but remember me in light of your gracious love, in light of your goodness, LORD. 8 The LORD is good and just; therefore he will teach sinners concerning the way. 9 He will guide the humble to justice; he will teach the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD lead to gracious love and truth for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. 11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my sin, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? God will teach him the path he should choose. 13 He will experience good things; his descendants will inherit the earth. 14 The intimate counsel of the LORD is for those who fear him so they may know his covenant. 15 My eyes look to the LORD continuously, because he’s the one who releases my feet from the trap. 16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and oppressed. 17 The troubles of my heart have increased; bring me out of my distress! 18 Look upon my distress and affliction; forgive all my sins. 19 Look how many enemies I have gained! They hate me with a vicious hatred. 20 Preserve my life and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, because I take refuge in you. 21 Integrity and justice will preserve me, because I wait on you. 22 Redeem Israel, God, from all its troubles.
26 1 Davidic
A Man of Integrity Pleads for Justice Vindicate me, LORD, because I have walked in integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Examine me, LORD, and inspect me! Test my heart and mind. 3 For your gracious love precedes me, and I continuously walk according to your truth. 4 I do not sit with those committed to what is false, nor do I travel with hypocrites. 5 I hate the company of those who practice evil, nor do I sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands innocently. I go around your altar, LORD, 7 so I may praise you loudly with thanksgiving and declare all your wondrous acts. 8 LORD, I love the dwelling place that is your house, the place where your glory resides. 9 Do not group me with sinners, nor include me with men who shed blood. 10 Their hands are filled with wicked schemes, and their right hands with bribes. 11 But as for me, I walk in my integrity. Redeem me and be gracious to me! 12 My feet stand on level ground; among the worshiping congregations I will bless the LORD.
27 1 Davidic
Confidence in the LORD The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid? 2 When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors come near me to devour my flesh, they stumble and fall. 3 If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation. 4 I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I really seek: that I may remain in the LORD’s Temple all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD; and to inquire in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of evil; He will hide me in a secluded chamber within his tent; He will place me on a high rock. 6 Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies, even those who surround me. I will sacrifice in his tent with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melodies to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice, LORD, when I cry out! Be gracious to me and answer me. 8 My mind recalls your word, “Seek my face,” so your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me; do not turn away in anger from your servant. You have been my help, therefore do not abandon or forsake me, God of my salvation. 10 Though my father and my mother abandoned me, the LORD gathers me up. 11 Teach me your way, LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not hand me over to the desires of my enemies; for false witnesses have risen up against me; even the one who breathes out violence. 13 I believe that I will see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD. Be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart. Wait on the LORD!
28 1 Davidic
A Prayer for Help To you, LORD, I cry out! My Rock, do not refuse to answer me. If you remain silent, I will become like those who descend into the Pit. 2 Hear the sound of my supplications when I cry to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who practice iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while harboring evil in their hearts. 4 Reward them according to their deeds; according to the evil of their actions. Reward them based on what they do; give them what they deserve. 5 Because they do not understand the deeds of the LORD or the work of his hands, He will tear them down and never build them up. 6 Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the sound of my supplications. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I received help. My heart rejoices, and I give thanks to him with my song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is a refuge of deliverance for his anointed. 9 Deliver your people and bless your inheritance! Shepherd them and lift them up forever!
29 1 A Davidic Psalm.
Praise to the Majestic LORD Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings; ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD wearing holy attire. 3 The voice of the LORD was heard above the waters; the God of glory thundered; the LORD was heard over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD snaps the cedars; the LORD snaps the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes them stagger like a calf, even Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD shoots out flashes of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD causes deer to give birth, and strips the forest bare. In his Temple all of them shout, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sat enthroned over the flood, and the LORD sits as king forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
30 1 A Davidic Psalm for the dedication of the Temple.
Thanksgiving for Deliverance I exalt you, LORD, for you have lifted me up, and my enemies could not gloat over me. 2 LORD, my God! I cried out to you for help and you healed me. 3 LORD, you brought me from death; you kept me alive so that I did not descend into the Pit. 4 You, his godly ones, sing to the LORD, give thanks at the mention of his holiness. 5 For his wrath is only momentary; yet his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may lodge for the night, but shouts of joy will come in the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” 7 By your favor, LORD, you established me as a strong mountain; Then you hid your face, and I was dismayed. 8 I cried out to you, LORD, and I make supplication to the Lord: 9 “What profit is there in my death if I go down to the Pit? Can dust worship you? Can it proclaim your faithfulness?” 10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me! LORD, help me! 11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with a garment of joy, 12 so that I may sing praise to you and not remain silent. LORD, my God, I will give you thanks forever!