Psalms 113:1-150:6 Many enemies were around me; but I destroyed them by the power of Jehovah!

NSB⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁰ Many enemies were around me; but I destroyed them by the power of Jehovah! ¹¹ They were around me on every side; but I destroyed them by the power of Jehovah! ¹² They swarmed around me like bees, but they burned out as quickly as a brush fire; by the power of Jehovah I destroyed them. ¹³ I was fiercely attacked and was being defeated, but Jehovah helped me. ¹⁴ Jehovah makes me powerful and strong; he has saved me. ¹⁵ Listen to the glad shouts of victory in the tents of God's people: Jehovah’s mighty power has done it! ¹⁶ His power has brought us victory, his mighty power in battle! ¹⁷ I will not die; instead, I will live and proclaim the works of Jehovah. ¹⁸ Jehovah has punished me severely, but he has not let me die. ¹⁹ Open the temple gate of righteousness to me and I will go in and give thanks to Jehovah! ²⁰ This is the gate of Jehovah; only the righteous can come in. ²¹ I praise you, Jehovah, because you heard me, because you have become my salvation. ²² The stone that the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all. ²³ Jehovah did this and what a wonderful sight it is! ²⁴ This is the day Jehovah has made let us rejoice and be glad in it! ²⁵ Save us, O Jehovah, save us! Give us success, O Jehovah! ²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of Jehovah! We have blessed you from the house of Jehovah. ²⁷ Jehovah is God and he has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. ²⁸ You are my God, and I give you thanks. I will proclaim your greatness. ²⁹ Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good, and his loving kindness is eternal. ¹¹⁹ ¹ Blessed are those whose way is blameless. They walk in the law of Jehovah. ² Blessed are those who obey his written word. They seek him with all their heart. ³ They also do no unrighteousness. They walk in his ways. ⁴ You have ordained your precepts that we should keep them diligently. ⁵ Oh that my ways may be established to keep your statutes! ⁶ I will not be ashamed when I look upon all your commandments. ⁷ I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. ⁸ I will obey your laws. Do not forsake me completely! ⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word. ¹⁰ With all my heart I have sought you. Do not let me wander from your commandments. ¹¹ Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against you. ¹² You are blessed O Jehovah. Teach me your statutes. ¹³ With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth. ¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of your written word, as much as in all riches. ¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts and regard your ways. ¹⁶ I shall delight in your statutes. I shall not forget your word! ¹⁷ Deal bountifully with your servant that I may live and keep your word. ¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may observe wonderful things from your law. ¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me. ²⁰ I am crushed and long for your ordinances at all times. ²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, and all who wander from your commandments. ²² Take away reproach and shame from me, for I have obeyed your laws. ²³ Even though princes sit and talk against me, your servant meditates on your statutes. ²⁴ Your laws are my delight and counsel. ²⁵ I cleave to the dust. Revive me according to your word (as you promised). ²⁶ I have told of my ways, and you have answered me. Teach me your statutes. ²⁷ Make me understand the way of your precepts that I may meditate on your miracles. ²⁸ I weep because of grief; strengthen me according to your word (as you promised). ²⁹ Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me your law. ³⁰ I have chosen the faithful way! I have placed your ordinances before me. ³¹ I cling to your law; O Jehovah, do not put me to shame! ³² I shall run the way of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart (increase my understanding) (set me free from sin). ³³ Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. ³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. ³⁵ Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. ³⁶ Incline my heart to your laws and not to dishonest gain. ³⁷ Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in your ways. ³⁸ Establish your word to your servant, as that which produces reverence for you. ³⁹ Turn away my reproach that I dread. Your ordinances are good. ⁴⁰ Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me through your righteousness. ⁴¹ May your loving kindnesses also come to me, O Jehovah, your salvation according to your promise. ⁴² I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word. ⁴³ Do not take the word of truth completely out of my mouth, for I wait for your ordinances. ⁴⁴ So I will keep your law continually, forever and ever. ⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty, for I seek your precepts. ⁴⁶ I will also speak of your laws before kings and will not be ashamed. ⁴⁷ I do love your commandments and will delight in them. ¹¹⁵ Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God. ¹¹⁶ Sustain me according to your word that I may live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope. ¹¹⁷ Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may continually have regard for your statutes. ¹¹⁸ You have rejected all those who wander from your statutes. This is because their deceitfulness is useless. ¹¹⁹ You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love your law. ¹²⁰ My flesh trembles out of respect for you. I truly reverence (respect) your judgments. ¹²¹ I have done justice and righteousness. Do not leave me to my oppressors. ¹²² Be surety for your servant for good and do not let the arrogant oppress me. ¹²³ My eyes fail, for I long for your salvation and your righteous word. ¹²⁴ Deal with your servant with your loving kindness and teach me your statutes. ¹²⁵ I am your servant! Give me understanding that I may know your law. ¹²⁶ It is time for Jehovah to act. They have broken your law. ¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more then fine gold. ¹²⁸ That is why I esteem right all your precepts and I hate every false way. ¹²⁹ Your laws are wonderful. Therefore I obey them! ¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. ¹³¹ I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments. ¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me, after your manner with those who love your name. ¹³³ Establish my footsteps in your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. ¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep your precepts. ¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. ¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep your law. ¹³⁷ You are righteous, O Jehovah. Your judgments are upright. ¹³⁸ You have commanded your laws in righteousness and in exceeding faithfulness. ¹³⁹ My zeal has consumed me, for the reason that my adversaries have forgotten your words. ¹⁴⁰ Your word is very pure. Your servant loves it. ¹⁴¹ I am small and despised. Even so I do not forget your precepts. ¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth. ¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have come upon me. Even so I am fond of your commandments. ¹⁴⁴ Your laws are righteous forever. Give me understanding that I may live. ¹⁴⁵ I cried with all my heart. Answer me, O Jehovah! I will observe your statutes. ¹⁴⁶ I cried to you. Save me and I shall keep your laws. ¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help. I wait for your words. ¹⁴⁸ My eyes anticipate the night watches that I may meditate on your word. ¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, O Jehovah, according to your ordinances. ¹⁵⁰ Those who follow after wickedness draw near. They are far from your law. ¹⁵¹ You are near, O Jehovah. All your commandments are truth! ¹⁵² Of old I have known from your laws that you have founded them forever. ¹⁵³ Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget your law. ¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and redeem me! Revive me according to your word. ¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked for they do not seek your statutes. ¹⁵⁶ Great are your mercies, O Jehovah. Revive me according to your ordinances. ¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. Even so I do not turn aside from your law. ¹⁵⁸ I behold the treacherous and loathe because they do not keep your word. ¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, O Jehovah, according to your loving kindness. ¹⁶⁰ Your word is truth from the very beginning! Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. ¹⁶¹ Powerful people persecute me without cause. Yet my heart stands in awe of your words. ¹⁶² I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure. ¹⁶³ I hate and despise falsehood and I love your law. ¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you! This is because of your righteous ordinances. ¹⁶⁵ Those who love your law have abundant peace. Nothing causes them to stumble. ¹⁶⁶ I hope for your salvation, O Jehovah. I obey your commandments. ¹⁶⁷ I obey your laws and love them exceedingly. ¹⁶⁸ I keep your precepts and your laws. All my ways are before you. ¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, O Jehovah. Give me understanding according to your word. ¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before you and deliver me as you promised in your word. ¹⁷¹ Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. ¹⁷² Let my tongue sing of your word. For all your commandments are righteousness. ¹⁷³ Let Your hand be ready to help me. For I have chosen your precepts. ¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O Jehovah. Your law is my delight. ¹⁷⁵ Let me live that it may praise you. May your ordinances help me. ¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Look for your servant for I have not forgotten your commandments. ¹²⁰ ¹ When I was in trouble, I cried out to Jehovah, and he answered me. ² O Jehovah, rescue me from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue. ³ You deceitful tongue, what can Jehovah give you? What more can he do for you? ⁴ He will give you a warrior's sharpened arrows and red-hot coals. ⁵ How horrible it is to live as a foreigner in Meshech or to stay in the tents of Kedar. ¹¹³ ¹ Praise Jehovah! You servants of Jehovah, praise him. Praise the name of Jehovah. ² Blessed is the name of Jehovah from now and forever. ³ From sunrise to sunset, the name of Jehovah should be praised. (Everywhere and all the time, Jehovah’s name should be praised.) ⁴ Jehovah is high above all the nations. His glory is above the heavens. ⁵ Who is like Jehovah our God? He is seated on his high throne. ⁶ He bends down (humbles himself) to look at heaven and earth. ⁷ He lifts the poor from the dust. He lifts the needy from a garbage heap. ⁸ He seats them with important people, with the leaders (princes) of his people. ⁹ He makes a childless woman a joyful mother. Praise Jehovah! ¹¹⁴ ¹ When Israel left Egypt, when Jacob's family left people who spoke a foreign language, ² Judah became his holy place and Israel became his government. ³ The Red Sea looked at this and ran away. The Jordan River turned back. ⁴ The mountains jumped like rams. The hills jumped like lambs. ⁵ Red Sea, why did you run away? Jordan River, what made you turn back? ⁶ Mountains, what made you jump like rams? Hills, what made you jump like lambs? ⁷ Earth, tremble and shake in the presence of Jehovah, in the presence of the God of Jacob. ⁸ He turns a rock into a pool filled with water and turns flint into a spring flowing with water. ¹¹⁵ ¹ Do not give glory to us, O Jehovah. Do not give glory to us. Give glory to your name because of your loving kindness and faithfulness. ² Why should other nations say: »Where is their God?« ³ Our God is in heaven. He does whatever he pleases. ⁴ Their idols are made of silver and gold. Human hands made them. ⁵ They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see. ⁶ They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have noses, but they cannot smell. ⁷ They have hands, but they cannot feel. They have feet, but they cannot walk. They cannot even make a sound with their throats. ⁸ Those who make idols end up like them. So does everyone who trusts them. ⁹ O Israel, trust Jehovah. He is your helper and your shield. ¹⁰ O Descendants of Aaron, trust Jehovah. He is your helper and your shield. ¹¹ If you reverence and respect Jehovah, trust Jehovah. He is your helper and your shield. ¹² Jehovah is always thinking about us. He will bless us. He will bless the descendants of Israel. He will bless the descendants of Aaron. ¹³ He will bless those who reverence and respect Jehovah, from the least important to the most important. ¹⁴ May Jehovah continue to bless you and your children. ¹⁵ Jehovah, the maker of heaven and earth, will bless you. ¹⁶ The highest heaven belongs to Jehovah, but he has given the earth to the sons of men. ¹⁷ Those who are dead do not praise Jehovah, nor do those who go into the silence of the grave. ¹⁸ We will bless Jehovah now and forever. Praise Jehovah! ¹¹⁶ ¹ I love Jehovah because he hears my voice when I pray. ² I will call on him as long as I live because he turns his ear toward me (listens to me). ³ The ropes of death became tangled around me. The fear of the grave took hold of me. I experienced pain and agony. ⁴ But I called on the name of Jehovah: »Please, Jehovah, deliver (rescue) me!« ⁵ Jehovah is gracious and righteous. Our God is compassionate (merciful). ⁶ Jehovah protects defenseless people (simple ones). When I was weak, he saved me. ⁷ I will be at peace again because Jehovah has been good to you. ⁸ You saved me from death. You saved my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling. ⁹ I will walk in Jehovah’s presence in the land of the living. ¹⁰ I kept my faith even when I said: I am suffering terribly. ¹¹ I also said when I was panic-stricken: »All men are liars.« ¹² How can I repay Jehovah for all the good that he has done for me? ¹³ I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of Jehovah. ¹⁴ I will keep my vows to Jehovah in the presence of all his people. ¹⁵ Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his godly (holy) ones. ¹⁶ O Jehovah, I am indeed your servant. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have freed me from my chains. ¹⁷ I will bring a song of thanksgiving to you as a sacrifice. I will call on the name of Jehovah. ¹⁸ I will keep my vows to Jehovah in the presence of all his people, ¹⁹ in the courtyards of Jehovah’s house, in the middle of Jerusalem. Praise Jehovah! ¹¹⁷ ¹ Praise Jehovah, all you nations! Praise him, all you people of the world! ² His loving kindness toward us is powerful. Jehovah’s truth endures forever. Praise Jehovah! ¹¹⁸ ¹ O Give thanks to Jehovah because he is good and his loving kindness is eternal. ² Let the people of Israel say: »His loving kindness is eternal.« ³ Let the priests of God say: »His loving kindness is eternal.« ⁴ Let all who worship him say: »His loving kindness is eternal.« ⁵ In my distress I called to Jehovah; he answered me and set me free. ⁶ Jehovah is with me, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me? ⁷ It is Jehovah who helps me, and I will see my enemies defeated. ⁸ It is better to trust in Jehovah than to depend on people. ⁹ It is better to trust in Jehovah than to depend on human leaders. ¹¹⁹ ⁴⁸ And I shall lift up my hands to (praise) your commandments. I will love and meditate on your statutes. ⁴⁹ Remember the word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction: That your word has revived me. ⁵¹ The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from your law. ⁵² I have remembered your ordinances from of old, O Jehovah, and comfort myself. ⁵³ Righteous indignation controls me because of the wicked. They forsake your law! ⁵⁴ Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. ⁵⁵ O Jehovah, I remember your name in the night, and keep your law. ⁵⁶ This has become mine, that I observe your precepts. ⁵⁷ Jehovah is my portion; I have promised to keep your words. ⁵⁸ I sought your favor with all my heart. Be gracious to me as you promise in your word. ⁵⁹ I considered my ways and turned my feet to your laws. ⁶⁰ I hurried and did not delay to keep your commandments. ⁶¹ The cords of the wicked have encircled me. But I have not forgotten your law. ⁶² At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to you for your righteous ordinances. ⁶³ I am a companion of all those who reverence you and keep your precepts. ⁶⁴ The earth is full of your loving kindness! O Jehovah teach me your statutes. ⁶⁵ You have dealt well with your servant, O Jehovah, according to your word. ⁶⁶ Teach me goodness, discernment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. ⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. ⁶⁸ You are good and do good. Teach me your statutes. ⁶⁹ The arrogant have forged a lie against me. With all my heart I will observe your precepts. ⁷⁰ Their heart is like fat (callous and without feeling), But I delight in your law. ⁷¹ It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. ⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. ⁷³ Your hands made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. ⁷⁴ May those who fear you see me and be glad, for I wait for your word. ⁷⁵ I know, O Jehovah, that your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. ⁷⁶ O may your loving kindness comfort me as you promise in your word. ⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. ⁷⁸ Let the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie. I shall meditate on your precepts. ⁷⁹ Let those who respect you turn to me, even those who know your laws. ⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless in your statutes so that I will not be ashamed. ⁸¹ I long for your salvation. I wait for your word. ⁸² My eyes fail with longing for your word, while I say: When will you comfort me? ⁸³ Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your statutes. ⁸⁴ How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? ⁸⁵ The arrogant have dug pits for me. They are not in agreement with your law. ⁸⁶ All your commandments are faithful. They have persecuted me with a lie; help me! ⁸⁷ They almost destroyed me on earth, but I did not forsake your precepts. ⁸⁸ Revive me according to your loving kindness, so I may keep the law of your mouth (you have spoken). ⁸⁹ Forever, O Jehovah, your word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness is throughout all generations. You established the earth, and it stands. ⁹¹ They stand this day according to your ordinances, for all things are your servants. ⁹² If your law had not been my delight I would have perished in my affliction. ⁹³ I will never forget your precepts. By them you have revived me. ⁹⁴ I am yours, save me for I have sought your precepts. ⁹⁵ The wicked wait for me to destroy me. I shall diligently consider your laws. ⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection. Your commandment is exceedingly broad. ⁹⁷ O How I love your law! It is my meditation all day long. ⁹⁸ Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. ⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for your laws are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged, since I have observed your precepts. ¹⁰¹ I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep your word. ¹⁰² I have not turned aside from your ordinances just as you have instructed me. ¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! ¹⁰⁴ I get understanding from your precepts. Therefore I hate every false way. ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and I will confirm it: I will keep your righteous ordinances. ¹⁰⁷ I am exceedingly afflicted. Revive me, O Jehovah, according to your word. ¹⁰⁸ O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, and teach me your ordinances. ¹⁰⁹ My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget your law. ¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from your precepts. ¹¹¹ I have inherited your laws forever, for they are the joy of my heart. ¹¹² I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. ¹¹³ I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your law. ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield! I wait for your word. ¹²⁰ ⁶ I have lived too long with those who hate peace. ⁷ I am for peace, but when I talk about it, they only talk about war. ¹²¹ ¹ I will lift up my eyes to the mountains from where my help comes. ² My help comes from Jehovah, who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not allow your foot to slip. He who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ Jehovah is your keeper. Jehovah is your shade on your right hand. ⁶ The sun will not strike you by day. The moon will not strike you by night. ⁷ Jehovah will protect you from all evil. He will protect (preserve) you. ⁸ May Jehovah guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. ¹²² ¹ ([Psalm of David]) I was glad when they said to me: »Let us go to the house of Jehovah.« ² Our feet will stand inside your gates, Jerusalem. ³ Jerusalem is built to be a city where the people are united. ⁴ All of Jehovah’s tribes go to that city because it is a law in Israel to give thanks to the name of Jehovah. ⁵ The court of justice sits there. It consists of princes who are David's descendants. ⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you prosper. ⁷ May there be peace inside your walls and prosperity in your palaces. ⁸ For the sake of my brothers and friends let me say: »May it go well for you!« ⁹ For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God, I will seek what is good for you. ¹²³ ¹ To You I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! ² Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to Jehovah our God, until he is gracious to us. ³ Have mercy on us, O Jehovah, be gracious to us, for we are greatly filled with contempt. ⁴ We are filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. ¹²⁴ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) »If Jehovah was not on our side,« let Israel now say: ² »If Jehovah was not on our side when men rose up against us: ³ »Then they would have swallowed us up quickly, when their wrath was kindled against us. ⁴ »Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, yes the stream would have gone over us. ⁵ »Then the proud waters would flow over us. ⁶ »Blessed is Jehovah, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. ⁷ »We escaped as a bird out of the trap of fowlers (bird catchers). The trap is broken, and we have escaped. ⁸ »Our help is in the name of Jehovah, who made heaven and earth.« ¹²⁵ ¹ They who trust in Jehovah are like Mount Zion. It is not shaken, but remains forever. ² As the mountains are all around Jerusalem, so Jehovah is all around his people from this time and forever. ³ For the rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous in case the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity. ⁴ Do good, O Jehovah, to the good ones, and to the upright in their hearts. ⁵ Jehovah will lead those who turn away from their crooked ways with the workers of iniquity. Israel will have peace. ¹²⁶ ¹ When Jehovah brought back the captive ones of Zion, it was like a dream. ² Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Then the nations said: »Jehovah has done spectacular things for them.« ³ Jehovah has done spectacular things for us. We are overjoyed. ⁴ Deliver us from captivity, O Jehovah, as you restore streams to dry riverbeds in the Negev. ⁵ Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest. ⁶ The person who goes out weeping, carrying his bag of seed, will come home singing, carrying his bundles of grain. ¹²⁷ ¹ ([Psalm of Solomon]) If Jehovah does not build the house, it is vain for the builders to work on it. If Jehovah does not protect a city, it is vain for the guard to stay alert. ² It is vain to work hard for the food you eat by getting up early and going to bed late. Jehovah gives food to those he loves while they sleep. ³ Children are an inheritance from Jehovah. They are a blessing from him. ⁴ The children born to a man when he is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. ⁵ Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. He will not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the city gate. ¹²⁸ ¹ Blessed are all who reverence Jehovah and live his way. ² You will certainly eat what your own hands have provided. Blessings to you! May things go well for you! ³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine inside your home. Your children will be like young olive trees around your table. ⁴ This is how Jehovah will bless the person who fears him. ⁵ May Jehovah bless you from Zion so that you may see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life. ⁶ May you live to see your children's children. Let there be peace in Israel! ¹²⁹ ¹ »Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,« Let Israel now say: ² »Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up. Yet they have not prevailed against me. ³ »The plowers plowed upon my back. They lengthened their furrows.« ⁴ »Jehovah is righteous. He has cut to pieces the cords of the wicked. ⁵ May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward. ⁶ Let them be like grass upon the housetops. It withers before it grows up. ⁷ The reaper does not fill his hand with it, or the binder of sheaves his bosom. ⁸ Nor do those who pass by say: »The blessing of Jehovah be upon you! We bless you in the name of Jehovah.« ¹³⁰ ¹ Out of the depths of despair I have cried to you, O Jehovah. ² Jehovah, do hear my voice! Let your ears listen to the voice of my supplications. ³ If You, Jehovah, should record our sins, O Jehovah, who could stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be reverenced. ⁵ I wait for Jehovah, I do wait. And in his word I do hope. ⁶ I wait for Jehovah more than the watchmen for the morning. Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning. ⁷ O Israel hope in Jehovah! For with Jehovah there is loving kindness. With him is abundant redemption. ⁸ He will save his people Israel from all their sins. ¹³¹ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, my heart is not proud, my eyes are not haughty. I do not involve myself in great matters. I do not get involved in things too difficult for me. ² Surely I am composed and quiet. I am like a weaned child who rests against his mother. Inside of me I am like a weaned child. ³ O Israel, hope in Jehovah from this time and forever. ¹³² ¹ Jehovah, remember David and all his affliction. ² Remember how he swore an oath to Jehovah and made this vow to the Mighty One of Jacob. ³ He said: »I will not step inside my house, ⁴ get into my bed, shut my eyes, or close my eyelids ⁵ until I find a place for Jehovah, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.« ⁶ Now, we have heard about the Ark of the Covenant being in Ephrathah. We found it in Jaar. ⁷ Let us go to his dwelling place. Let us worship at his footstool. ⁸ O Jehovah, arise, and come to your resting place with the ark of your power. ⁹ Clothe your priests with righteousness. Let your godly ones sing with joy. ¹⁰ For the sake of your servant David do not reject your anointed one. ¹¹ Jehovah swore an oath to David: »This is a truth he will not take back: I will set one of your own descendants on your throne. ¹² »If your sons are faithful to my covenant and my written instructions that I will teach them, then their descendants will also sit on your throne forever.« ¹³ Jehovah has chosen Zion. He wants it for his home. ¹⁴ This will be my resting place forever. Here I will sit enthroned because I want Zion. ¹⁵ I will greatly bless all that Zion needs. I will satisfy its needy people with food. ¹⁶ I will clothe its priests with salvation. Then its godly ones will sing joyfully. ¹⁷ There I will make the horn of David grow (give mighty power to David). I will prepare a lamp (light) for my anointed one. ¹⁸ I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on my anointed one will shine. ¹³³ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! ² It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. ³ It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion. For there Jehovah commanded the blessing. It is life forever. ¹³⁴ ¹ Bless Jehovah all you servants of Jehovah. You who serve by night in the house of Jehovah! ² Lift up your hands in holiness and bless Jehovah. ³ May Jehovah bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth. ¹³⁵ ¹ Praise Jehovah! Praise the name of Jehovah. Praise him you servants of Jehovah. ² You who stand in the house of Jehovah, in the courtyard of the house of our God, ³ Praise Jehovah for Jehovah is good! Sing praises to his name for it is delightful (pleasant). ⁴ For Jehovah has chosen Jacob for Himself and Israel for his special treasure (property). ⁵ For I know that Jehovah is great, and Jehovah is above all gods. ⁶ Everything Jehovah desires he does in the heavens and in earth, and in the seas and all deep places. ⁷ He causes the vapors to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain. He brings wind out of his storehouses. ⁸ He destroyed the first-born of Egypt, both of man and animal. ⁹ He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, on Pharaoh and on all his servants. ¹⁰ He struck great nations and killed mighty kings, ¹¹ Sihon the king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, ¹² and gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to Israel His people. ¹³ Your name, O Jehovah, is forever, and your memorial, O Jehovah, throughout all generations. ¹⁴ For Jehovah will judge his people, and he will have pity on his servants. ¹⁵ The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of man's hands. ¹⁶ They have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see. ¹⁷ They have ears, but they do not hear. There is no breath in their mouths. ¹⁸ Those who make them will be like them, everyone who trusts in them. ¹⁹ Bless Jehovah, O house of Israel; bless Jehovah, O house of Aaron; ²⁰ Bless Jehovah, O house of Levi. You who reverence Jehovah, bless Jehovah. ²¹ Blessed is Jehovah out of Zion, who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Jehovah! ¹³⁶ ¹ Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good. His loving kindness is everlasting. ² Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving kindness is everlasting. ³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving kindness is everlasting. ⁴ To the one who alone does wonderful thing. His loving kindness is everlasting. ⁵ To the one who made the heavens with skill. His loving kindness is everlasting. ⁶ To him who spread out the earth above the waters. His loving kindness is everlasting. ⁷ To him who made the great lights. His loving kindness is everlasting: ⁸ The sun to rule by day, for His loving kindness is everlasting, ⁹ The moon and stars to rule by night, for His loving kindness is everlasting. ¹⁰ To him who destroyed the Egyptians in their firstborn. His loving kindness is everlasting. ¹¹ And brought Israel out from their midst, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ¹² With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ¹³ To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder. His loving kindness is everlasting. ¹⁴ And made Israel pass through the midst of it. For his loving kindness is everlasting. ¹⁵ But he overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ¹⁶ To him who led his people through the wilderness, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ¹⁷ To him who destroyed great kings. His loving kindness is everlasting. ¹⁴¹ ⁵ A righteous person may strike me or correct me out of kindness. It is like lotion for my head. My head will not refuse it, because my prayer is directed against evil deeds. ⁶ When their judges are thrown off a cliff, they will listen to what I have to say. It will sound pleasant to them. ⁷ As someone plows and breaks up the ground, so our bones will be planted at the mouth of the grave. ⁸ My eyes look to you, O Jehovah. I have taken refuge in you. Do not leave me defenseless. ⁹ Keep me away from the trap they set for me and from the traps set by troublemakers. ¹⁰ Let wicked people fall into their own nets, while I escape unharmed. ¹⁴² ¹ ([David’s Prayer]) I cry loudly to Jehovah. Loudly, I plead with Jehovah for mercy. ² I pour out my complaints in his presence and tell him my troubles. ³ When I begin to lose hope, you already know what I am experiencing. My enemies have hidden a trap for me on the path where I walk. ⁴ Look to my right and see that no one notices me. Escape is impossible for me. No one cares about me. ⁵ I call out to you, O Jehovah. I say: »You are my refuge, my own inheritance in this world of the living.« ⁶ Pay attention to my cry for help! I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me because they are too strong for me. ⁷ Release me from prison so that I may praise your name. Righteous people will surround me because you are good to me. ¹⁴³ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, Give ear to my supplications! Answer me in your faithfulness. Answer me in your righteousness! ² Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous. ³ For the enemy has persecuted me. He has crushed my life to the ground. He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead. ⁴ Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart is devastated within me. ⁵ I remember the days of old. I meditate (think deeply) (intensely study) on all your activities. I muse on the work of your hands. ⁶ I stretch out my hands to you for I long for you, like a parched land. ⁷ Answer me quickly, O Jehovah for my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will become like those who go down to the pit. ⁸ Let me hear your loving kindness in the morning. For I trust in you! Teach me the way in which I should walk for to you I am lifted up. ⁹ Deliver me, O Jehovah, from my enemies. I take refuge in you. ¹⁰ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. ¹¹ For the sake of your name, O Jehovah, revive me. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. ¹² In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict me. For I am your servant. ¹⁴⁴ ¹ David: Blessed be my rock (strength) Jehovah. He trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle, ² My loving kindness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; and my shield in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me. ³ Jehovah, what is man, that you notice him or the son of man, that you regard him! ⁴ Man is like a mere breath. His days are like a passing shadow. ⁵ Bow down your heavens, O Jehovah, and come down. Touch the mountains that they may smoke. ⁶ Flash lightning and scatter them. Send out your arrows and confuse them. ⁷ Stretch forth your hand from on high. Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hand of aliens ⁸ Whose mouths speak deceit, whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. ⁹ I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you. ¹⁰ You give salvation to kings. You rescue David your servant from the evil sword. ¹¹ Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of aliens. Their mouths speak deceit. Their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. ¹² Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace. ¹³ Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; ¹⁴ Let our cattle bear without mishap and without loss. Let there be no outcry in our streets! ¹⁵ How blessed are the people who are so situated. How blessed are the people whose God is Jehovah! ¹⁴⁵ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) I will praise you, my God and King! I will consecrate your name forever and ever. ² Every day I will bless you. I will praise your name forever and ever. ³ Great is Jehovah, and highly to be praised. His greatness is unsearchable (beyond human calculation). ⁴ One generation shall praise your works to another. They will declare your mighty acts. ⁵ On the glorious splendor of your majesty and on your wonderful works, I will meditate. ⁶ Men shall speak of the power of your awesome acts, and I will tell of your greatness. ⁷ They will eagerly utter the memory of your great goodness and will shout joyfully of your righteousness. ⁸ Jehovah is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. ⁹ Jehovah is good to all and his mercies are over all his works. ¹⁰ All your works (activities) (achievements) praise you, O Jehovah, and your godly ones will praise you. ¹¹ They will speak of the glory of your kingdom and talk of your power. ¹² They will make known to the sons of men your mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of your kingdom. ¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion throughout all generations. ¹⁴ Jehovah sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. ¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due time. ¹⁶ You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. ¹⁷ Jehovah is righteous in all his ways. He is kind in all his deeds. ¹⁸ Jehovah is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. ¹⁹ He will fulfill the desire of those who reverence him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. ²⁰ Jehovah protects all who love him, but he will destroy the wicked. ²¹ My mouth will speak the praise of Jehovah! All flesh will praise his holy name forever and ever. ¹⁴⁶ ¹ Praise Jehovah! Praise Jehovah with all my being! ² I will praise Jehovah while I live. I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. ³ Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. ⁴ His spirit (Hebrew: ruach, breath, life) departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish (come to an end). ⁵ How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in Jehovah his God! ⁶ He made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. He keeps truth (faith) forever! ¹³⁶ ¹⁸ And struck mighty kings, for his loving kindness is everlasting: ¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his loving kindness is everlasting, ²⁰ And Og, king of Bashan, for his loving kindness is everlasting, ²¹ And gave their land as a heritage, for his loving kindness is everlasting, ²² Even a heritage to Israel his servant, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ²³ He remembered us in our low estate. His loving kindness is everlasting. ²⁴ He has rescued us from our adversaries, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ²⁵ He gives food to all flesh, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ¹³⁷ ¹ By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion. ² In the midst of it we hung our harps on poplar trees. ³ It was there that those who had captured us demanded that we sing. Those who guarded us wanted us to entertain them. They said: »Sing a song from Zion for us!« ⁴ How could we sing Jehovah’s song in a foreign land? ⁵ If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. ⁶ Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. ⁷ O Jehovah, remember the people of Edom. Remember what they did the day Jerusalem was captured. They said: »Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundation.« ⁸ You destructive people of Babylon, blessed is the one who pays you back with the same treatment you gave us. ⁹ Blessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock. ¹³⁸ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) I will adore you with all my heart. I will make music to praise you in front of the false gods. ² I will bow toward your holy temple. I will praise your name because of your loving kindness and truth. You have made your name and your covenant greater than everything. ³ When I called, you answered me. You made me bold. You strengthened me. ⁴ All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Jehovah, because they have heard the words you spoke. ⁵ They will sing this about the ways of Jehovah: Jehovah’s honor is great! ⁶ Even though Jehovah is high above, he sees humble people close up, and he recognizes arrogant people from a distance. ⁷ Even though I walk into the middle of trouble, you guard my life against the anger of my enemies. You stretch out your hand, and your right hand saves me. ⁸ Jehovah will do everything for me. O Jehovah, your mercy endures forever. Do not let go of what your hands have made. ¹³⁹ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, you have searched me and you know me. ² You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. ³ You inspect my path and my lying down. You are intimately acquainted with my ways. ⁴ Even before I speak words from my tongue, behold, O Jehovah, You know it all. ⁵ You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me. ⁶ Knowing this is too wonderful for me! It is too high, I cannot attain to it. ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in the grave, behold, you are there. ⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, ¹⁰ Even there your hand will lead me. Your right hand will lay hold of me. ¹¹ If I say: »Certainly the darkness will overwhelm me!« Then the light around me will be night. ¹² Even the darkness is not dark to you. And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to you. ¹³ For you formed my inward parts. You wove me in my mother's womb. ¹⁴ I will praise you, for in an awesome way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful and I know this very well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my embryo and all were written in your book; the days ordained for me. Even this before one had taken place. ¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts to me, O God! How numerous is the sum of them! ¹⁸ If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with you. ¹⁹ If you would destroy the wicked, O God, depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. ²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain. ²¹ Do I not hate those who hate You, O Jehovah? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? ²² I hate them with the utmost hatred! They have become my enemies. ²³ Examine me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious (troubled) (painful) (disturbing) thoughts. ²⁴ See if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. ¹⁴⁰ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) Rescue me from evil people, O Jehovah. Keep me safe from violent people. ² They plan evil things in their hearts. They start conflicts (fights) (wars) every day. ³ They make their tongues as sharp as a snake's fang. Their lips hide the venom of poisonous snakes. ⁴ Protect me from the hands of wicked people, O Jehovah. Keep me safe from violent people. They try to trip me. ⁵ Arrogant people have laid a trap for me. They have spread out a net with ropes. They have set traps for me along the road. ⁶ I said to Jehovah: You are my God. O Jehovah, open your ears to hear my plea for pity. ⁷ O Lord Jehovah [Almighty], the strong one who saves me, you have covered my head in the day of battle. ⁸ O Jehovah, do not give wicked people what they want. Do not let their evil plans succeed, or they will become arrogant. ⁹ Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with their own threats. ¹⁰ Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into a pit, never to rise again. ¹¹ Do not let slanderers prosper on earth. Let evil hunt down violent people with one blow after another. ¹² I know that Jehovah will defend the rights of those who are oppressed and the cause of those who are needy. ¹³ Indeed, righteous people will give thanks (praise) (reverence) (worship) to your name. Upright people will live in your presence. ¹⁴¹ ¹ ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah I cry out to you: Come quickly. Give ear to my voice (Listen to me) when I cry out to you. ² Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in your presence. Let the lifting up of my hands in prayer be accepted as an evening sacrifice. ³ O Jehovah, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. ⁴ Do not let me be persuaded to do anything evil or to become involved with wickedness, with people who are troublemakers. Do not let me taste their delicacies. ¹⁴⁶ ⁷ He executes justice for the oppressed. He gives food to the hungry. Jehovah sets the prisoners free. ⁸ Jehovah opens the eyes of the blind. Jehovah raises up those who are bowed down. Jehovah loves the righteous. ⁹ Jehovah protects the strangers. He supports the fatherless and the widow, but he overthrows the way of the wicked. ¹⁰ Jehovah will be king forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise Jehovah! ¹⁴⁷ ¹ Praise Jehovah! It is good to sing praise to our God. It is pleasant to sing his praise beautifully. ² Jehovah is the builder of Jerusalem. He is the one who gathers the outcasts of Israel together. ³ He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds. ⁴ He determines the number of stars. He gives each one a name. ⁵ Our Lord is great, and his power is great. There is no limit to his understanding. ⁶ Jehovah gives relief to those who are oppressed. He brings wicked people down to the ground. ⁷ Sing to Jehovah a song of thanksgiving. Make music to our God with a harp. ⁸ He covers the sky with clouds. He provides rain for the ground. He makes grass grow on the mountains. ⁹ He is the one who gives food to animals and to young ravens when they call out. ¹⁰ He finds no joy in strong horses, nor do brave soldiers please him. ¹¹ Jehovah is pleased with those who fear him, with those who wait with hope for his mercy. ¹² Praise Jehovah, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion! ¹³ He makes the bars across your gates strong. He blesses the children within you. ¹⁴ He is the one who brings peace to your borders and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. ¹⁵ He is the one who sends his promise throughout the earth. His word travels with great speed. ¹⁶ He is the one who sends snow like wool and scatters frost like ashes. ¹⁷ He is the one who throws his hailstones like breadcrumbs. Who can withstand his chilling blast? ¹⁸ He sends out his word and melts his hailstones. He makes wind blow and water flow. ¹⁹ He speaks his word to Jacob, his laws and judgments to Israel. ²⁰ He has done nothing like this for any other nation. The other nations do not know the decisions he has handed down. Praise Jehovah! ¹⁴⁸ ¹ Praise Jehovah! Praise Jehovah from the heavens. Praise him in the heights above. ² Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, his entire heavenly army. ³ Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all shining stars. ⁴ Praise him, you highest heaven and the water above the sky. ⁵ Let them praise the name of Jehovah for they were created by his command. ⁶ He set them in their places forever and ever. He made it a law that no one can break. ⁷ Praise Jehovah from the earth. Praise him, large sea creatures and all the ocean depths. ⁸ Praise him lightning and hail, snow and fog, strong winds that obey his commands. ⁹ Praise him mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedar trees. ¹⁰ Praise him you wild animals and all domestic animals, crawling animals and birds. ¹¹ Praise him you kings of the earth and its people, officials and all judges on the earth. ¹² Praise him you young men and women, old and young together. ¹³ Let them praise the name of Jehovah because his name is high above all others. His glory is above heaven and earth. ¹⁴ He has given his people a strong leader, someone praiseworthy for his faithful ones, for the people of Israel, the people who are close to him. Praise Jehovah! ¹⁴⁹ ¹ Praise Jehovah! Sing a new song to Jehovah. Sing his praise in the congregation of godly people. ² Let Israel find joy in their creator. Let the people of Zion rejoice over their king. ³ Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with tambourines and lyres. ⁴ Jehovah takes pleasure in his people. He crowns (beautifies) those who are oppressed with salvation. ⁵ Let God-like ones triumph in glory. Let them sing for joy on their beds. ⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands ⁷ to take vengeance on the nations, to punish the people of the world, ⁸ to put their kings in chains and their leaders in iron shackles, ⁹ to carry out the judgment that is written against them. This is an honor that belongs to all his God-like ones. Praise Jehovah! ¹⁵⁰ ¹ Praise Jehovah! Praise God in his holy place. Praise him in his mighty heavens. ² Praise him for his mighty acts. Praise him for his immense greatness. ³ Praise him with sounds from horns. Praise him with harps and stringed instruments. ⁴ Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes. ⁵ Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with crashing cymbals. ⁶ Let everything that breathes praise Jehovah! Praise Jehovah!