Psalms 25:1-150:6

NSB(i) 20 Guard me and save me! Do not let me be humiliated for I have taken refuge in you. 21 Integrity and honesty will protect me because I wait for you. 22 Rescue Israel, O God, from all its troubles! 26 1 ([Psalm of David]) Vindicate me, O Jehovah, because I have walked with (a life-style of) integrity and I have trusted you without wavering. 2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and test me. Look closely (deeply) into my heart and mind. 3 Your loving-kindness is in front of me. I walk in your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, and I will not be found among hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers and will not sit with wicked people. 6 I will wash my hands in innocence. I will walk around your altar, O Jehovah. 7 Let me publish with a voice of thanksgiving and recount all your wonders (miracles). 8 O Jehovah, I love the place where you live, the home (spiritual retreat) (heart and mind) where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep me away with hardened sinners or my life along with bloodthirsty people. 10 Evil schemes are in their hands. Their right hands are full of bribes. 11 As for me, I walk in my integrity. Redeem (ransom) (rescue) me, and show me favor. 12 My feet stand on level ground. I will praise Jehovah in the congregation. 27 1 ([Psalm of David]) Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Who is there to be afraid of? 2 Evildoers accosted me to tear me to pieces. My opponents and enemies stumbled and fell. 3 Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I will trust in Jehovah. 4 I have asked one thing from Jehovah. This I will seek: to live in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to look at Jehovah’s beauty and search for an answer in his temple. 5 He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He puts me high on a rock. 6 Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy in his tent. I will sing, yes I will sing praises to Jehovah. 7 Hear O Jehovah when I cry with my voice. Be gracious to me and answer me. 8 You said: »Seek my face (look for me) (my presence).« My heart said to you, »O Jehovah, I will look for you.« 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not angrily turn me away. You have been my help. Do not leave me! Do not abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon (forsake) me, Jehovah will take care of me. 11 Teach me your way, O Jehovah. Lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not surrender me to the will of my opponents. False witnesses have risen against me. They breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I will see the goodness of Jehovah in this world of the living. 14 Hope (wait) (expect) (trust) in Jehovah and be strong. Let your heart be courageous. Yes, hope in Jehovah. 28 1 ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, I call to you. O my rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. If you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit (grave). 2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I call to you for help, when I lift my hands [in prayer] toward your most holy place. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked and with troublemakers who speak of peace with their neighbors but have evil in their hearts. 4 Pay them back for what they have done, for their evil deeds. Pay them back for what their hands have done, and give them recompense. 5 Jehovah will tear them down and never build them up again. This is because they never consider what he has done or what his hands have made. 6 Blessed is Jehovah for he has heard my prayer (supplication)! 7 Jehovah is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted him, so I received help. My heart is triumphant and I thank him with my song. 8 Jehovah is the strength of his people and a fortress for the victory of his anointed. 9 Save your people, and bless those who belong to you. Be their shepherd, and carry them forever. 29 1 ([Psalm of David]) Give to Jehovah, you sons of the mighty ones. Give to Jehovah glory and power. 2 Give to Jehovah the glory his name deserves. Worship Jehovah in his holy splendor. 3 The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters. The God of glory thunders, Jehovah is over many waters. 4 The voice of Jehovah is powerful. The voice of Jehovah is glorious. 5 The voice of Jehovah breaks the cedars. Jehovah splinters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf and Mount Sirion like a wild bull. 7 The voice of Jehovah cuts with flames of fire from lightning. 8 The voice of Jehovah shakes the wilderness. Jehovah makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble. 9 The voice of Jehovah makes the deer to calve and strips the forests bare. In His temple everything says: »Glory!« 10 Jehovah sat enthroned over the flood. Jehovah sits enthroned as king forever. 11 Jehovah will give power (strength) to his people. Jehovah will bless his people with peace (prosperity) (health) (safety). 30 1 ([Psalm of David]) I will praise and exalt You, O Jehovah, for you lifted me up. You did not let my enemies rejoice over me. 2 O Jehovah my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me. 3 O Jehovah, you brought me up from the grave. You kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit. 4 Sing praise to Jehovah, you his godly ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For His anger is only for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime! Weeping may last for the night but a shout of joy comes in the morning. 6 Now as for me, I said in my prosperity: »I will never be shaken.« 7 By your favor, O Jehovah, you made my mountain to stand strong. You hid your face and I was alarmed (dismayed). 8 To You, O Jehovah, I called. To Jehovah I made supplication: 9 What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it declare your truth? 10 Hear, O Jehovah, and be gracious to me. O Jehovah help me. 11 You turned my mourning into dancing. You loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. 12 Now I sing praise to you. I am not silent! O Jehovah my God, I will give thanks and praise you forever. 31 1 ([Psalm of David]) I have taken refuge in you, O Jehovah. Never let me be put to shame. Deliver me because of your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear toward me. Rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a stronghold fortress to save me. 3 You are my rock and my stronghold. For the sake of your name, lead me and guide me. 4 You are my refuge. Pull me out of the net that they have secretly laid for me. 5 Into your hands I entrust my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, God of truth. 6 I hate those who cling to false gods, but I do trust in Jehovah. 7 I will rejoice and be glad because of your loving-kindness (mercy). You have seen my misery. You have known my troubles. 8 You have not handed me over to the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place. 9 Be gracious to me, O Jehovah, because I am in distress. My eyes, my life, and my body waste away with grief. 10 My life is spent from sorrow, my years from groaning. My strength staggers under the weight of my guilt, and my bones waste away. 11 I have become a disgrace because of all my opponents. I have become someone dreaded by my friends, even by my neighbors. Those who see me on the street run away from me. 12 I have faded from memory as if I were dead and have become like a piece of broken pottery. 13 I have heard the whispering of many people, terror on every side, while they made plans together against me. They were plotting to take my life. 14 I trust you, O Jehovah. I said: »You are my God.« 15 My future is in your hands. Rescue me from my enemies, from those who persecute me. 16 Make your face shine on me (smile on me) (show me favor) (be kind and merciful to me). Save me in your loving-kindness. 17 O Jehovah, I have called on you, so do not let me be put to shame. Let wicked people be put to shame. Let them be silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be speechless, since they speak against righteous people with arrogance and contempt. 19 Your goodness is so great! You reserve it for those who respect you. The sons of men watch as you show it to those who take refuge in you. 20 You hide them in the secret place of your presence from those who scheme against them. You keep them in a secret shelter, safe from quarrelsome tongues. 21 Blessed is Jehovah! He has shown me the miracle of his loving-kindness in a city under attack. 22 When I was panic-stricken, I said: I have been cut off from your sight. But you heard my pleas for mercy when I cried out to you for help. 23 Love Jehovah, all you godly ones! Jehovah protects faithful people, but he pays back in full those who act arrogantly. 24 Be strong, all who wait with hope for Jehovah, and let your heart be courageous. 32 1 ([Psalm of David]) Blessed is the person whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. 2 Blessed is the person whom Jehovah no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts. 3 When I kept silent about my sins, my body wasted away and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand lay heavily on me. My strength drained in the summer heat. 5 I confessed my sins to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them to you, O Jehovah. Then you forgave all my sins. 6 For this reason let all godly people pray to you when you may be found. Then raging floodwater will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. 8 Jehovah says: »I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. 9 »Do not be stubborn like a horse or mule. They need a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them, or they will not come near you.« 10 Very much pain awaits wicked people, but loving-kindness and mercy surrounds those who trust Jehovah. 11 Be glad and find joy in Jehovah, you righteous people. Shout for joy all that are upright in heart. 33 1 Sing joyfully to Jehovah, O you righteous ones. Praise is becoming to the upright. 2 Give thanks to Jehovah with the harp. Sing praises to him with a harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to him a new song. Play your best and shout with joy. 4 The word of Jehovah is upright. All his works are true (trustworthy). 5 He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of Jehovah’s loving-kindness. 6 The heavens were made by the word of Jehovah, and by the breath of his mouth their entire host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap. He puts the ocean depth in his storehouses. 8 Let all the earth reverence Jehovah. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 He spoke and it was done! He commanded and it stood fast. 10 Jehovah nullifies the counsel of the nations. He frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of Jehovah and the plans of his heart stand from generation to generation, forever. 12 Blessed is the nation who’s God is Jehovah. Happy are the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. 13 Jehovah looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men. 14 He looks from his dwelling place on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 He who fashions all their hearts observes and understands all their works. 16 A mighty army does not save the king. A warrior is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a false hope for victory. It does not deliver anyone by its great strength. 18 Remember, the eye of Jehovah is on those who respect him, on those who hope for his loving-kindness. 19 It is on those who deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait for Jehovah for he is our help and our shield. 21 Our heart rejoices in him, for we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your loving-kindness, O Jehovah, be upon us, just as we have hoped and waited patiently in you. 34 1 ([Psalm of David]) I will thank Jehovah at all times. My mouth will always praise him. 2 I will boast about Jehovah. Those who are oppressed will hear it and rejoice. 3 Come magnify Jehovah with me. Let us highly honor (exalt) (promote) his name together. 4 I went to Jehovah for help. He answered me and rescued me from all my fears. 5 All who look to him will be radiant. Their faces will never be covered with shame. 6 The poor man called out. Jehovah heard him and saved him from all his troubles. 7 The angel of Jehovah camps around those who reverence him, and he rescues them. 8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him. 9 Respect Jehovah, you holy people who belong to him. Those who reverence him are never in need. 10 Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek Jehovah’s help have all the good things they need. 11 Come, you sons, listen to me. I will teach you the respect of Jehovah. 12 Which of you wants a full life? Who would like to live long enough to enjoy good things? 13 Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from deceit. 14 Turn away from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it! 15 Jehovah’s eyes watch over righteous people. His ears hear their cry for help. 16 Jehovah confronts those who do evil in order to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. 25 1 ([Psalm of David]) I offer myself to you, O Jehovah. 2 I trust you, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemy’s triumph over me. 3 No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame, but all who are treacherous will be put to shame. 4 Make your ways known to me, O Jehovah, and teach me your paths. 5 Make me walk (guide me) (bend me) in your truth and teach me because you are my God of salvation. I wait all day long for you. 6 O Jehovah, remember your loving kindness and merciful deeds. They have existed from eternity. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways. O Jehovah, remember me in keeping with your loving kindness and your goodness. 8 Jehovah is good and decent. That is why he teaches sinners the way they should live. 9 He leads humble people to do what is right, and he teaches them his way. 10 All the paths of Jehovah are loving-kindness (mercy) and truth for those who cling to his promise and written instructions. 11 O Jehovah, for the sake of your name pardon my guilt, because it is great. 12 Who is this person who respects Jehovah? He is the one whom Jehovah will teach the way he should choose. 13 He will enjoy good things in life, and his descendants will inherit the land. 14 Jehovah is intimate with those who respect him. He reveals the intent of his covenant to them. 15 My eyes are always on Jehovah. He removes my feet from traps. 16 Turn to me, and have pity on me for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 My troubles have increased. Relieve my troubled heart, and bring me out of my distress. 18 Look at my misery and suffering, and forgive all my sins. 19 See how my enemies have increased in number, how they have hated me with vicious hatred! 34 17 Righteous people cry out. Jehovah hears and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 Jehovah is near to those whose hearts and minds are humble and contrite. He saves the broken hearted and crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person has many troubles, but Jehovah rescues him from all of them. 20 Jehovah guards all of his bones. Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil will kill wicked people, and those who hate righteous people will be condemned. 22 Jehovah protects and redeems his servants. All who take refuge in him will never be condemned. 35 1 ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, defend me from those who attack me. Fight against those who fight against me. 2 Use your shields, both small and large. Arise to help me. 3 Hold your spear to block the way of those who pursue me. Say to me: I am your salvation. 4 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgraced. Let those who plan my downfall be turned back in confusion. 5 Let them be like chaff blown by the wind as the angel of Jehovah chases them. 6 Let their path be dark and slippery as the angel of Jehovah pursues them. 7 They hid their net in a pit for no reason. They dug the pit to trap me for no reason. 8 Surprise them with destruction. Let the net that they hid catch them. Let them fall into their own pit and be destroyed. 9 I will find joy in Jehovah and be joyful about his salvation. 10 All my bones will say: »O Jehovah, who can compare with you? You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and needy people from the one who robs them.« 11 Violent witnesses bring charges against me. They ask me things I know nothing about. 12 I am devastated because they pay me back with evil instead of good. 13 But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. My prayer returned unanswered. 14 I walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent over as if I were mourning for my mother. 15 Yet, when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me. Unknown attackers tore me apart without stopping. 16 With godless and abusive mockers, they grit their teeth at me. 17 O Jehovah, how long will you observe? Rescue me from their attacks. Rescue my precious life from the lions. 18 I will give you thanks in the large congregation. I will praise you in a mighty crowd. 19 Do not let my treacherous enemies gloat over me. Do not let those who hate me for no reason wink maliciously. 20 They do not talk about peace. Instead, they scheme against the peaceful people in the land. 21 They open their mouths against me and say: Aha! Aha! Our own eyes have seen it. 22 Now you see it, O Jehovah. Do not remain silent. O Jehovah, do not be so far away from me. 23 Wake up, and rise to my defense. Plead my case, O my God Jehovah. 24 Judge me by your righteousness, O Jehovah my God. Do not let them gloat. 25 Do not let them say: Aha, just what we wanted! We have swallowed him up. 26 Let those who gloat over my downfall be thoroughly put to shame and confused. Let those who promote themselves at my expense be clothed with shame and disgrace. 27 Let those who are happy when I am declared innocent joyfully sing and rejoice. Let them continually say: »Jehovah is great. He is happy when his servant has peace.« 28 My tongue will declare your righteousness and your praise all day long. 36 1 ([Psalm of David]) Sin speaks to the ungodly deep within his heart. There is no reverence for God before his eyes. 2 He flatters himself and does not hate or even recognize his sin. 3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit and he ceased to be wise and do good. 4 He plans wickedness upon his bed. He walks on a path that is not good. He does not despise evil. 5 Your loving-kindness, O Jehovah, extends to the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like great deep water. O Jehovah, you preserve man and beast. 7 How precious is your loving-kindness, O God! And the children of men put their trust in the shadow of your wings. 8 They drink their fill of the abundance of your house. You give them the river of your delights to drink. 9 For with you is the fountain (source) of life. In your light we see light. (Jeremiah 2:13) (Acts 17:28) 10 O continue your kindness and unchanging love to those who know you and your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11 Do not let the foot of pride come upon me. Do not let the hand of the ungodly drive me away. 12 The doers of evil have fallen! They have been thrust down and cannot rise. 37 1 ([Psalm of David]) Do not be bothered by evildoers. Do not envy those who do wicked things. 2 They will quickly dry up like grass and whither away like green plants. 3 Trust Jehovah and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful. 4 Be happy with Jehovah and he will provide you with the desires of your heart. 5 Dedicate your life to Jehovah. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf. 6 He will cause your righteousness to shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun. 7 Surrender to Jehovah and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes. 8 Let go of anger, and leave rage behind. Do not be agitated with anger and jealousy. It only leads to evil. 9 For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who wait for Jehovah will inherit the land. 10 A short time from now the wicked man will be no more. You will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. 11 The meek (gentle) (mild) (humble) will inherit the earth and will delight in the abundance 0f peace. 12 The wicked plots against the righteous and grinds at him with his teeth. 13 Jehovah laughs at him, for he sees that his day will come. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow to throw down the afflicted and the needy, to slay those who are upright in conduct. 15 Their sword will enter their own heart. Their bows will be broken. 16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. 17 The arms of the wicked will be broken, but Jehovah sustains the righteous. 18 Jehovah knows the days of the blameless. Their inheritance will be forever. 19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they will have abundance. 20 But the wicked will perish! The enemies of Jehovah will be like the glory of the pastures. They vanish, like smoke they vanish away. 21 The wicked borrows and does not pay back. But the righteous is gracious and gives. 40 14 Let all those who seek to end my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced. 15 Let those who say to me: Aha! Aha! Be stunned by their shame. 16 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say: Jehovah is greatly magnified! 17 I am oppressed and needy. May Jehovah think of me. You are my help and my salvation. O my God, do not delay! 41 1 ([Psalm of David]) Blessed (happy) is the one who has concern for helpless people. Jehovah will rescue (save) him in times of trouble. 2 Jehovah will guard him and keep him alive. He will be blessed in the land. Do not place him at the mercy of his enemies. 3 Jehovah will support him on his sickbed. You will restore him to health when he is ill. 4 I said: »O Jehovah, be gracious to me! Heal me for I have sinned against you.« 5 My enemies say evil things about me: »When will he die, and when will his family name disappear?« 6 When one of them comes to visit me, he speaks falsehood. His heart collects gossip. Then he leaves to tell others. 7 All who hate me whisper together (gossip) against me; against me they devise my hurt, saying: 8 »A wicked thing is poured out upon him, that when he lies down, he will not rise up again.« 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 10 Be gracious to me and raise me up, O Jehovah, that I may repay them. 11 By this I know that you are pleased with me, because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. 12 You uphold me in my integrity. You set me in your presence forever. 13 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. 42 1 ([Sons of Korah]) As the deer desires the water brooks, so I desire you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long: Where is your God? 4 I remember these things and I pour out my heart within me. I used to go along with the crowd and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why am I discouraged? Why am I so restless? I put my hope in God for I will still praise him. He is my salvation and my God. 6 I am very discouraged. That is why I will remember you in the land of Jordan, on the peaks of Hermon, on Mount Mizar. 7 One deep sea calls to another at the roar of your waterspouts. All the whitecaps on your waves have swept over me. 8 Jehovah commands his mercy during the day, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will ask God, my rock: »Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk around in mourning while the enemy oppresses me?« 10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, while they say to me all day long: »Where is your God?« 11 Why am I in despair? Why have I become disturbed within me? Wait for God for I shall yet praise him, the help of my countenance and my God. 43 1 Judge me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation. Deliver me from deceitful and unjust people! 2 You are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me! Let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling places. 4 I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy. Upon the lyre I will praise you, O God, my God. 5 Why am I in despair? Why am I so deeply disturbed within me? I will put my hope in God, for I will praise him as my salvation and my God. 44 1 ([Sons of Korah]) O God, we have heard with our ears and our fathers told us about the work that you did in their days, in the days of old. 2 You drove out the nations with your own hand (great power). Then you planted them; you afflicted the peoples and spread them abroad. 3 It was not with their swords that they took possession of the land. They did not gain victory with their own strength. It was your right hand, your arm (power), and the light of your presence that did it, because you were pleased with them. 4 You alone are my king, O God. You won those victories for Jacob. 5 With you we can walk over our enemies. With your name we can trample those who attack us. 6 I do not rely on my bow, and my sword will never save me. 7 You saved us from our adversaries. You put to shame those who hate us. 8 All day long we praise our God. We give thanks to your name forever. 9 Yet you have rejected and disgraced us. You do not even go along with our armies. 10 You make us retreat from the enemy. Those who hate us rob us at will. 11 You give us over to be butchered like sheep and scatter us among the nations. 12 You sell your people for almost nothing, and at that price you have gained nothing. 13 You made us a reproach to our neighbors and an object of ridicule and contempt to those around us. 14 You made our defeat a proverb among the nations so that people shake their heads at us. 15 All day long my disgrace is in front of me. Shame covers my face. 16 This is because of the words of those who insult and slander us, because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger. 17 Although all of this happened to us, we never forgot you. We never ignored your promise. 18 Our hearts never turned away. Our feet never left your path. 19 You crushed us in a place for jackals and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we forgot the name of our God or stretched out our hands to pray to another god, 21 would God not find out, since he knows the secrets in our hearts? 22 We are being killed all day long because of you. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Wake up! Why are you sleeping, O Jehovah? Awake! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our suffering and misery? 25 We are bowing in the dust. Our bodies cling to the ground. 26 Arise! Help us! Rescue us because of your loving kindness! 45 1 Beautiful words fill my mind and stir my heart, as I compose this song for the king. Like the pen of a skilful writer (copyist) my tongue is ready with a poem. 2 You are the most handsome of men. You are an eloquent speaker. God has blessed you forever. 3 Buckle on your sword, mighty king in your splendor and majesty. 4 Ride on in majesty to victory for the defense of truth, justice and righteousness! Your right hand (strength) will teach you great things! 5 Your arrows are sharp. The peoples fall under you. Your arrows are in the heart of the King's enemies. 6 God is your throne forever and ever. A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows. 8 All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. Stringed instruments from the ivory palaces have made you glad. 9 Kings' daughters are among your noble ladies. At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 10 Listen, O daughter, pay attention and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father's house. 11 Then the King will desire your beauty. Bow down to him because he is your Lord. 12 The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift. The rich among the people will seek your favor. 13 The King's daughter is all glorious within. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14 She will be led to the King in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, will be brought to you. 15 They will come forward with gladness and rejoicing. They will enter into the King's palace. 16 In place of your fathers will be your sons. You will make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples will give you thanks forever and ever. 46 1 ([Sons of Korah]) God is our refuge and strength, a ready help in times of trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. 3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its arrogance. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is at the center of her and she will not be moved. God will help her when morning appears. 6 The nations made uproar and the kingdoms tumbled. He raised his voice and the earth dissolved. 7 Jehovah of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. 8 Come and behold the works of Jehovah. He has brought destruction in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth! He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariots (instruments of destruction) with fire. 10 Cease your endeavors and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be glorified in the earth! 11 Jehovah of Hosts is with us! The God of Jacob is our stronghold. 47 1 ([Sons of Korah]) O clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with the voice of joy. 2 For Jehovah the Most High is to be respected. He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet. 4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the grandeur (excellency) (glory) of Jacob whom he loves. 5 God has ascended with a shout, Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with a contemplative poem. 8 God rules over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. 9 The princes of the people have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham. For the rulers (shields) (protectors) of the earth belong to God! He has ascended to the heights. 48 1 ([Sons of Korah]) Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, his sacred mountain. 2 His situation if beautiful. Mount Zion is the joy of the whole earth. The city of the great King is in the far reaches of the north. 3 God is in his citadel. He has made himself known. 4 Behold, the kings have assembled. And they passed by together. 5 They saw and then they were amazed. They were terrified and they fled in fear. 6 Panic seized them there, Anguish, like a woman in childbirth. 7 You break the ships of Tarshish using the east wind. 8 In the city of Jehovah of Hosts we have seen as we have heard. God will establish the city of God forever. 9 We have thought about (considered) (compared) your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your Temple. 10 Like (according to) your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11 May Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. 12 Walk around Zion. Go around it. Count its towers. 13 Examine its embankments. Inspect its watchtowers. Then you can tell the next generation, 14 This God is our God forever and ever. He will lead us until death. 49 1 ([Sons of Korah]) Listen to this, all you people. Open your ears, all who live in the world. 2 Listen you common people and important ones, rich people and poor ones. 3 My mouth will speak wisdom. I have carefully considered understanding (insights). 4 I will incline my ear (turn my attention) to a proverb. I will explain my riddle with the music of a harp. 5 Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when slanderers surround me with evil? 6 They trust their riches and brag about their abundant wealth. 7 No one can ever redeem (buy back) his brother or pay God a ransom for his life. 8 The price to be paid for him is so costly it can never be paid 9 so they should live forever and never see the grave (pit) (destruction). 10 One can see that wise people die, that foolish and stupid people meet the same end. They leave their wealth to others. 11 Inwardly they think their houses are forever, their dwelling place to all generations. So they named their lands after themselves. 12 But mortals will not continue here with what they treasure. They are like animals that die. 13 This is the final outcome for fools and their followers who are delighted by what they say: 14 Like sheep, they are laid in the grave. Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes. 15 But God will redeem me (buy me back) from the power of the grave because he will receive me. 16 Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich, when the greatness of his house increases. 17 He will not take anything with him when he dies. Even his greatness cannot follow him. 18 Even though he blesses himself while he is alive. (People will praise you when you do well for yourself.) 19 He must join the generation of his ancestors who will never see light again. 20 Mortals, with what they treasure, still do not have understanding. They are like animals that die. 50 1 ([Asaph]) The Almighty Divine One, God of Gods, Jehovah has spoken. He has summoned the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets. 2 God shines from Zion. He is the perfection of beauty. 3 Our God will come and will not keep silent. A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm is around him. 4 He addresses (summons) heaven and earth to judge his people: 55 8 I would hurry to a place of refuge from the raging wind and storm. 9 Confuse their language, O Jehovah, because I see violence and conflict in the city. 10 Day and night they go around on top of the city walls. Trouble and misery are everywhere. 11 Destruction is everywhere. Oppression and fraud never leave the streets. 12 If an enemy had insulted me, then I could tolerate it. If someone who hated me had attacked me, then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, my equal, my close friend, and a well-known companion! 14 We took sweet fellowship together and walked into God's house with the crowds. 15 Let death suddenly take them! Let them go into the grave while they are still alive, for evil lives in their homes and within them. 16 But I call on God, and Jehovah saves me. 17 Morning, noon, and night I complain and murmur. He listens to my voice. 18 In peace he will rescue me from the war waged against me. There are many against me. 19 God will listen and answer them. The one who has sat enthroned from the beginning will deal with them. They never change. They never respect God. 20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant. 21 His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war! His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Throw your burden upon Jehovah and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken! 23 But You, O God, will bring them down to the corruption of the grave. Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. 56 1 ([Psalm of David]) Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me. Fighting all day long he oppresses me. 2 My foes have trampled upon me all day long. They are many who fight proudly against me. 3 I will put my trust in you when I am afraid. 4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 5 All day long they distort my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They attack, they lurk, and they watch my steps. They have waited for my life. 7 Because of wickedness, cast them forth, in anger put down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept account of my wandering. Put my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me! 10 In God, whose word I praise, In Jehovah, whose word I praise, 11 In God I put my trust, I will not be afraid! What can man do to me? 12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God. I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered me from death, and my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God in the light of the living. 57 1 ([Psalm of David]) Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me for I take refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge until disaster has passed. 2 I cry out to God Most High, To God who works for me. 3 He will send from heaven, and save me, He rebukes the one who is pursuing me. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth. 4 I am among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows. Their tongue is a sharp sword. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth! 6 They have prepared a net for my steps. I am bowed down. They dig a pit before me. But they have fallen into it. 7 My heart is steadfast O God. Yes my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing and make melody. 8 Wake up, my glory! Wake up, stringed instrument and harp! I will wake up the dawn. 9 I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O Jehovah. I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth. 58 1 ([Psalm of David]) Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones (O you God-like ones)? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men? 2 No, in your heart you plot unrighteousness. You measure out the violence of your hands on the earth. 3 The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born. They speak lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a snake. It is like a deaf cobra that stops its ear. 5 It does not listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be. 6 Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Jehovah. 7 Let them vanish as water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt. 8 Let them be like a snail that melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike. 10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Men will say: Truly there is a reward for the righteous. Truly there is a God who judges the earth. 59 1 ([[Psalm of David] when Saul sent men to watch and kill him:]) Rescue me from my enemies, O my God. Protect me from those who attack me. 2 Deliver me from troublemakers. Save me from bloodthirsty people. 3 They lie in ambush for me right here! Fierce men attack me, O Jehovah, but not because of any disobedience. 4 And not because any sin or any guilt on my part. They hurry to take positions against me. Wake up, and help me; see for yourself. 5 O Jehovah God of Hosts, God of Israel, arise to punish all the nations. Have no pity on any who pursue iniquity. 6 They return in the evening. They howl like dogs. They prowl the city. 7 See what pours out of their mouths, swords from their lips! They think: Who will hear us? 8 O Jehovah, you laugh at them. You make fun of all the nations. 9 O my strength, I watch for you! God is my stronghold, my merciful God! 10 My God of loving-kindness will come to meet me. He will let me gloat over those who spy on me. 11 Do not kill them. Otherwise, my people may forget. Make them wander aimlessly by your power. Bring them down, O Jehovah, our shield. 12 This is because of the sins from their mouths and the words on their lips. Let them be trapped by their own arrogance because they speak curses and lies. 13 Destroy them in your rage. Destroy them until not one of them is left. Then they will know that God rules Jacob to the ends of the earth. 14 They return in the evening. They howl like dogs. They prowl the city. 15 They wander around to find food. If they are not full enough, they will stay all night. 16 But I will sing about your strength. In the morning I will joyfully sing about your loving-kindness. You have been my stronghold and a place of safety in times of trouble. 66 1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth! 2 Praise the glory of his name with music. Make his praise glorious. 3 Say to God: How awe-inspiring are your deeds! Your power is so great that your enemies will cringe in front of you. 4 The whole earth will worship you. They will sing praises to you. They will make music to praise your name. 5 Come and see the works of God, his awe-inspiring deeds for the sons of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land. They crossed the river on foot. We rejoiced because of what he did there. 7 He rules forever with his might. His eyes watch the nations. Rebels will not be able to oppose him. 8 Bless our God, you peoples. Make the sound of his praise heard. 9 He has kept us alive and has not allowed us to fall. 10 You have tested us, O God. You have refined us in the same way silver is refined. 11 You have trapped us in a net. You have laid burdens on our backs. 12 You let people ride over our heads. We went through fire and water, but then you brought us out and refreshed us. 13 I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will keep my vows to you, 14 the vows made by my lips and spoken by my own mouth when I was in trouble. 15 I will offer you a sacrifice of fattened livestock for burnt offerings with the smoke from rams. I will offer cattle and goats. 16 Come and listen, all who reverence God, and I will tell you what he has done for me. 17 With my mouth I cried out to him. High praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had thought about doing anything sinful, Jehovah would not have listened to me. 19 But God has heard me. He paid attention to my prayer. 20 Thanks be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or taken away his loving kindness from me. 67 1 May God be merciful to us and bless us. May he cause his face to shine on us. 2 That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations: 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you! 4 Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy. For you will judge the peoples with uprightness, and govern the nations on earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you! 6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth will reverence and respect him. 68 1 ([Psalm of David]) Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered. Let those who hate him run from him. 2 As smoke is driven away, drive them away: as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God: yes, let them exceedingly rejoice. 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name: extol him who rides upon the heavens by his name, Jehovah, and rejoice before him. 5 In his holy habitation God is a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows. 6 God sets the lonely in families. He frees the prisoners who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 7 O God, when you went before your people, when you march through the wilderness, 8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: Sinai was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, did send a plentiful rain. You confirm your inheritance with it, when it was parched. 10 Your congregation lived there. You O God have prepared your goodness for the poor. 11 Jehovah gave the word: The women who proclaim the good news are a large army. 12 They say: The kings of the armies flee; they run away. The women who remained at home will divide the goods. 13 Though you stayed among the sheep pens, you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, its feathers with yellow gold. 14 Meanwhile, the Almighty was still scattering kings there like snow falling on Mount Zalmon. 15 The mountain of Bashan is the mountain of God. The mountain of Bashan is the mountain with many peaks. 16 Why do you look with envy (desire) (greed), you mountains with many peaks, at the mountain where God has chosen to live? Certainly, Jehovah will live there forever. 17 The chariots of God are myriads in number, thousands upon thousands. Jehovah is among them. The God of Sinai is in his holy place. 18 You went to the highest place. You took prisoners captive. You have received gifts in the form of people, even from among rebellious people, so that Jehovah God may live there [with them]. 19 Thanks be to Jehovah, who daily carries our burdens for us. God is our salvation. 20 Our God is the God of deliverance. Jehovah of Hosts is our escape from death. 21 Certainly, God will crush the heads of his enemies and destroy even the hair on the heads of those who continue to be guilty. 22 Jehovah said: I will bring them back from Bashan. I will bring them back from the depths of the sea 23 so that you, my people, may bathe your feet in blood and the tongues of your dogs may lick the blood of your enemies. 24 O God, Your festival processions can be seen by everyone. They are the processions for my God, my king, into the holy place. 25 The singers are in front. The musicians are behind them. The young women beating tambourines are between them. 26 Praise Jehovah our God with choirs for He is the foundation of Israel. 27 Benjamin, the youngest, is leading them, next the leaders of Judah with their noisy crowds, then the leaders of Zebulun, and then the leaders of Naphtali. 28 Your God has decided you will be strong. Display your strength, O God, as you have for us before. 29 Kings will bring you gifts because of your temple high above Jerusalem. 30 Threaten the beast that is among the cattails, the herd of bulls with the calves of the nations, until it humbles itself with pieces of silver. Scatter the people who find joy in war. 31 Ambassadors will come from Egypt. Sudan will stretch out its hands to God in prayer. 32 You kingdoms of the world, sing to God. Make music to praise Jehovah. 33 God rides through the highest heavens, which are from ancient times, the highest heaven. Listen! He makes his powerful voice heard. 34 Acknowledge the power of God. His majesty is over Israel, and his power is in the skies. 35 God, the God of Israel, is awe-inspiring in his holy place. He gives strength and power to his people. Praise God! 69 1 ([Psalm of David]) Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck! 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. 3 I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail, looking for my God. 4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I did not take away. 5 O God, you know my foolishness. My sins are not hidden from you. 6 Do not let those who wait for you to be shamed through me, Lord Jehovah of Hosts. Do not let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel. 7 Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face. 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's children. 9 Zeal for your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. 10 When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach. 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. 12 Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Jehovah, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and do not let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Do not let the floodwaters overwhelm me; neither let the deep swallow me up. Do not let the pit shut its mouth on me. 16 Answer me, Jehovah, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me. 17 Do not hide your face (turn away) from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily! 18 Draw near to me and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies. 19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you. 20 Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none. 21 They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. 22 Let their table before them become a snare. Let it become retribution and a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see. Let their backs be continually bent. 24 Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. 25 Let their habitation be desolate and let no one live in their tents. 26 For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime. Do not let them come into your righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. 29 I am in pain and distress. O God, Let your salvation protect me. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song. I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 It will please Jehovah better than an ox of bull that has horns and hoofs. 32 The humble have seen it and are glad. And you, who seek after God, let your heart live. 33 For Jehovah hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in it! 35 God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it. 36 The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell in it. 70 1 ([Psalm of David]) Come quickly to rescue me, O God! Come quickly to help me, O Jehovah! 2 Let those who seek my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced. 3 Let those who say: »Aha! Aha!« Be turned back because of their own shame. 4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you. Let those who love your salvation continually say: »Let God be magnified!« 5 But I am oppressed and needy. O God, come to me quickly. You are my help and my deliverer. O Jehovah do not delay! 71 1 O Jehovah, I have come to you for protection; never let me be defeated! 2 You are righteous, help me and rescue me. Listen to me and save me! 3 You are my secure shelter and a strong fortress to protect me. You are my refuge and defense. 4 My God, rescue me from wicked people, from the power of cruel and evil people. 5 Lord Jehovah, I put my hope in you. I have trusted in you since I was young. 6 I have relied on you all my life. You have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise you. 7 My life has been an example to many, because you have been my strong defender. 8 All day long I praise you and proclaim your glory. 9 Do not reject me when I am old or abandon me when I lose my strength. 10 My enemies talk about me. They watch me as they plot to take my life. 11 They say: »God has abandoned him. Pursue him and grab him because there is no one to rescue him.« 12 O God, do not be so distant from me. O my God, come quickly to help me. 13 Let those who accuse me come to a shameful end. Let those who want my downfall be covered with disgrace and humiliation. 14 But I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more. 15 All day long my mouth will tell of your righteousness and of your salvation. I do not know the number. 16 I will come with the mighty deeds of Jehovah God. I will make mention of your righteousness, yours alone. 17 O God, You taught me from my youth, and I still declare your wondrous deeds. 18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare your strength to this generation, your power to all who are to come. 19 Your righteousness also, God, reaches to the heavens. You have done great things. God, who is like you? 20 You who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. 21 Increase my honor and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the stringed instrument, Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy! You have redeemed me and I sing praises to you! 24 My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long. They who want to harm me are disappointed and confounded. 72 1 ([Prayers of David]) O God, give the king your justice. Give your righteousness to the royal son. 2 He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. 3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness. 4 He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces. 5 They will fear you as long as the sun and moon endures, throughout all generations. 6 He will come down like rain on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. 7 In his day the righteous will flourish. There will be abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. 8 He will have dominion from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. 9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring tribute (presents). The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. 11 Yes, all kings will bow down before him. All nations will serve him. 12 When he cries he will deliver the needy and the poor who have no helper. 13 He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the needy. 14 He will redeem (rescue) them from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight. 15 He will live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. Men shall pray for him continually. They shall praise him all day long. 16 There shall be abundance of grain throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field. 17 His name will endure forever. His name will continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and call him blessed. 18 Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, who alone does miracles. 19 Blessed be to his glorious name forever. May the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen! 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. 73 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) God is truly good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped. 3 I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the peace and prosperity that wicked people enjoy. 4 They suffer no pain. Their bodies are healthy. 5 They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued with problems like mankind. 6 That is why arrogance is their necklace and violence covers them like clothing. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness, and their heart’s imagination run wild. 8 They ridicule. They speak maliciously. They speak arrogantly about oppression. 9 They set their mouth in the heavens and their tongue parades through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return here and here they drink waters of abundance. 11 They ask: How does God know? And is there knowledge with the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly. They prosper in the world; they increase in wealth. 13 I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. 14 I have been plagued all day long, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; then, I would offend the generation of your children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me. 17 I understood their end when I went into the sanctuary of God. 18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You threw them down into destruction. 19 How are they destroyed, suddenly! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 It is like waking up from a dream, O Jehovah. When you awake you will despise everything they represent. 21 My heart was grieved and I was pierced within. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant: I was like a beast before you. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with you. You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward you give me honor (glory). 25 Who have I in heaven but you? I desire none on earth except you. 26 My flesh and my heart fail: God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. 28 It is good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in Jehovah God, that I may declare all your works. 74 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) God, why have you rejected us forever? Why do you smoke with anger against the sheep of your pasture? 2 Remember your congregation, which you purchased long ago. For you have redeemed it to be the tribe of your inheritance, Mount Zion, in which you have lived. 3 Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary. 4 Your adversaries have roared in the middle of your assembly. They have set up their standards as signs. 5 They behaved like men wielding axes cutting through a thicket of trees. 6 They strike down all its carved work with hatchet and hammers. 7 They have burned your sanctuary to the ground. They have profaned the dwelling-place of your name. 8 They said in their hearts: »We will destroy them completely. They burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.« 9 We see no miraculous signs. There is no longer any prophet. There is no one who knows how long. 10 How long, God, will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme your name forever? 11 Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them! 12 Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the middle of the earth. 13 You divided the sea by your strength. You broke the heads of the sea monsters (Egypt’s Army) in the waters. 14 You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures. 15 You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers. 16 The day and the night are yours. You have prepared the light and the sun. 17 You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter. 18 Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Jehovah. Foolish people have blasphemed your name. 19 Do not deliver your turtledove (endeared) to wild beasts. Do not forget the life of your poor forever. 20 Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth. 21 Do not let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Arise, O God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man treats you with contempt all day. 23 Do not forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually. 75 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your name is near and men declare your wondrous works. 2 When I select an appointed time, it is I who judge in righteousness. 3 The earth and all who dwell in it dissolve (melt) (become faint hearted). I have firmly set its pillars. 37 22 Those blessed by him will inherit the land. But those cursed by him will be destroyed. 23 Jehovah directs a person's steps and Jehovah delights in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down headfirst because Jehovah holds on to his hand. 25 I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food. 26 He is always generous and lends freely. His descendants are a blessing. 27 Turn away from evil, do good, and live forever. 28 Jehovah loves justice, and he will not abandon his godly ones. They will be kept safe forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be destroyed. 29 The righteous will inherit (seize) (take possession of) the earth, and dwell on it forever (in perpetuity). 30 The mouth of the righteous reflects on wisdom. His tongue speaks what is fair. 31 The law of his God is in his heart. His steps do not waver (slip). 32 The wicked spies upon the righteous and seeks to kill him. 33 Jehovah will not leave him in his hand or let him be condemned when he is judged. 34 Wait for Jehovah and keep his way and he will exalt you to inherit the earth. You will see it when the wicked are destroyed. 35 I have seen a wicked, violent man spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil. 36 Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more. I searched for him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright. His future will be filled with peace. 38 But transgressors will be altogether destroyed. The posterity of the wicked will be destroyed. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Jehovah. He is their strength in time of trouble. 40 Jehovah helps them and delivers them. He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take put their trust in Him. 38 1 ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, do not correct me or discipline me in your burning anger. 2 Your arrows have struck me. Your hand has struck me hard. 3 No healthy spot is left on my body because of your rage. There is no peace in my bones because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me. Like a heavy load, it is more than I can bear. 5 My wounds smell rotten. They fester because of my stupidity. 6 I am bent over and bowed down very low. All day I walk around in sadness. 7 My insides are filled with burning pain, and no healthy spot is left on my body. 8 I am numb and completely devastated. I roar because my heart is filling with anguish. 9 You know all my desires, O Jehovah. My groaning has not been hidden from you. 10 My heart pounds. I have lost my strength. In my blindness the light of my eyes has left me. 11 My loved ones and my friends keep their distance and my relatives stand far away because of my sickness. 12 Those who seek my life lay traps for me. Those who are out to harm me talk about ruining me. All day long they think of ways to deceive me. 13 But I am like some one deaf and speechless. 14 I am like one who cannot hear and who can offer no arguments. 15 I wait with hope for you, O Jehovah. You will answer, O Jehovah, my God. 16 I said: Do not let them gloat over me. When my foot slips, do not let them promote themselves at my expense. 17 I am ready to fall. I feel pain continually. 18 I confess my guilt. My sin troubles me. 19 My mortal enemies are growing stronger. Many hate me for no reason. 20 They pay me back with evil instead of good, and they accuse me because I try to do what is good. 21 Do not abandon me, O Jehovah. O my God, do not be so distant from me. 22 Come quickly to help me, Jehovah my salvation. 39 1 ([Psalm of David]) I said: »I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue. I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.« 2 I was silent and refrained from good. My sorrow grew worse. 3 My heart grew hot within me. A fire would kindle during my meditation. Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 »Jehovah, please make me to know my end. What is the extent of my days? Let me know how temporary (frail) (destitute) I am. 5 »Indeed, you have made the length of my days very short. My life span is nothing compared to yours. Certainly, everyone alive is like a whisper in the wind. 6 »Every man walks about like a vain illusion. He makes a lot of noise over nothing. He hoards riches and does not know who will receive them. 7 »Jehovah, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. 8 »Deliver me from all my sin. Do not disgrace me in front of godless fools. 9 »I remained speechless. I did not open my mouth because you have done this. 10 »Remove the plague you laid upon me. My life is over because you apposed me with your hand. 11 »With stern reproof you discipline people for their iniquity. Like a moth you consume what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a breath of air. 12 »Hear my prayer, O Jehovah. Open your ear (listen) to my cry for help. Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident with you, a stranger like all my fathers. 13 »Look away from me so that I may smile again before I go away and am no more.« 40 1 ([Psalm of David]) I waited patiently for Jehovah and he bent down to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet upon a rock and made me stand erect. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see, respect and trust in Jehovah. 4 Blessed is the man who has made Jehovah his security. He has not turned to the proud, or to those who turn aside into falsehood. 5 O Jehovah my God, Many are the wonders that you have done and your thoughts toward us. None can compare with you. If I would declare and teach about them, they would be too numerous to report. 6 You have not desired sacrifice and meal offering. You have opened my ears. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said: »Here I come! In the scroll of the book it is written about me. (Luke 3:21) 8 »I am pleased to do your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart. 9 »I announced the good news of righteousness in the great congregation. I will not close my lips. You know that, O Jehovah. 10 »I have not hidden your righteousness deep in my heart. I have been outspoken about your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not hidden your mercy and your truth from the great congregation.« 11 Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Jehovah. May your mercy and your truth always protect me. 12 Countless evils have surrounded me. My sins have caught up with me so that I can no longer see. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost heart (lost strength, courage and motivation). 13 O Jehovah, please rescue me! Come quickly to help me, O Jehovah! 50 5 »Gather around me, my godly ones who have made a covenant with me through sacrifices.« 6 The heavens declare his righteousness because God is the judge. 7 »Listen, my people, and I will speak. Hear O Israel, while I testify against you: I am God, your God! 8 »I do not reprove you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are constantly (always) in front of me. 9 »But I will not accept another young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens. 10 »Every living thing in the forest, even the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine. 11 »I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine. 12 »If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that it contains are mine. 13 »Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of male goats? 14 »Bring your thanks to God as a sacrifice, and pay (make good) your vows to the Most High. 15 »Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.« 16 But God says to the wicked: »How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my covenant! 17 »You hate discipline. You cast (throw) my words behind you. 18 »When you see a thief, you make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery. 19 »You let your mouth speak evil. Your tongue plans deceit. 20 »You sit and talk against your own brother. You slander your own mother's son. 21 »When you did these things, I remained silent. That made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see. 22 »Consider this, you who do not remember God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one to deliver. 23 »Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God.« 51 1 ([[Psalm of David] when the prophet Nathan came to him after David's adultery with Bathsheba:]) Have mercy on me, O God, in keeping with your loving-kindness. According to your unlimited compassion, wipe out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my perversity (iniquity) (guilt), and cleanse me from my sin. 3 I admit my transgressions. My sin is always in front of me. 4 I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil in your sight. So you hand down justice when you speak, and you are blameless when you judge. 5 Indeed, I was born in perversity (mischief) (evil). I was a sinner when my mother conceived me. 6 Yet, you desire truth from the secret person within me. Deep down inside me teach me wisdom. 7 Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness. Let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face (turn away) from my sins, and wipe out (erase) all that I have done wrong. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast (dependable) spirit within me. 11 Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and establish a willing spirit in me. 13 I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners will turn to you. 14 Rescue (deliver) me from the bloodguilt of murder O God of my salvation. Let my tongue sing joyfully about your righteousness! 15 O Jehovah, open my lips (help me speak), and my mouth will speak your praise. 16 You do not desire sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one to you. You are not pleased with burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful (contrite) heart. 18 Favor Zion with your goodness. Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness (offered in the right spirit) (Heb 13:15) with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Young bulls will be offered on your altar. 52 1 ([Psalm of David]) Why do you brag about the evil you have done, O mighty man? The loving kindness of God endures continually! 2 Your tongue makes up wickedness. It is like a sharp razor, you master of deceit. 3 You prefer evil to good. You prefer lying to speaking the truth. 4 You love words that devour, O deceitful tongue. 5 God will destroy you forever. He will remove you from your dwelling place from out of the land of the living. 6 The righteous also sees, and fears, and laughs at him. They say: 7 Here is the man who did not make God his strength (refuge) (stronghold). He trusted in the abundance of his riches. He strengthened himself in his wickedness. 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy and loving kindness of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever for what you have done. I will wait in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your holy (God-like) ones. 53 1 ([Psalm of David]) The fool has said in his heart: »There is no God (Jehovah)*.« They are corrupt and have done abominable (detestable) iniquity. There are none who do good. (*Possible deliberate scribal change from YHWH to Elohim) 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any who understand and seek God. 3 Every one of them has gone back: they are totally corrupted (filthy). None do good, no, not one. 4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? They eat up my people as they eat bread. They have not called upon God. 5 There they were in great fear, where no fear was: for God has scattered the bones of him that encamps against you. You have put them to shame, because God has despised them. 6 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Jehovah brings his people back from captivity, Jacob and Israel will rejoice and be glad. 54 1 ([Psalm of David]) Save me, O God, by your name, and judge me by your strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me. And oppressors seek after my life. They have not kept God in their presence. 4 Behold, God is my helper: Jehovah is with those who preserve my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil: consume (destroy) them in your truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice to you. O Jehovah, I will praise your name for it is good. 7 For he has delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye has seen his defeat of my enemies. 55 1 ([Psalm of David]) Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not hide from my plea for favor. 2 Pay attention to me, and answer me. My thoughts are restless. I am confused and distracted. 3 This is because my enemy shouts at me and a wicked person persecutes me. They bring misery crashing down on me, and they attack me out of anger. 4 My heart is in turmoil within me. The terrors of death have seized me. 5 Fear and trembling have overcome me. Horror has overwhelmed me. 6 I said: If only I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and find rest. 7 I would run far away. I would stay in the desert. 59 17 O my strength, I will make music to praise you! God is my defense (high fortress), my merciful God! 60 1 ([Psalm of David]) O God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been displeased and angry. Restore us, again. 2 You have made the land tremble. You have torn it. Mend its fractures, for it quakes. 3 You have shown your people hard things. You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger. 4 You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. 5 So that your loved ones may be delivered, save with your right hand, and answer us. 6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defense of my head. Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin. I will throw my shoe on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia. 9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who has led me to Edom? 10 Is it not you O God, who rejected us? You do not go out with our armies, do you God? 11 Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly, for he will tread down our adversaries. 61 1 ([Psalm of David]) Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer! 2 In despair and far from home I call to you! Take me to the rock that is my safe refuge, 3 for you are my protector, my strong tower (defense) against my enemies. 4 Let me live in your sanctuary all my life. Let me find safety under your wings. 5 You have heard my vows, O God, and you have given me what belongs to those who respect your name. 6 Add many years to the king's life; let him live on and on! 7 May he rule forever in your presence, O God. Protect him with your constant love and faithfulness. 8 So I will always sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. 62 1 ([Psalm of David]) I wait silently for my God. My salvation comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my stronghold. I cannot be severely shaken. 3 How long will all of you attack a man? How long will you try to murder him, as though he were a leaning wall or a sagging fence? 4 They plan to force him out of his high position. They are happy to lie. They bless with their mouths, but in their hearts they curse. 5 I will wait calmly for God alone, because my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my stronghold. I cannot be shaken. 7 My salvation and my glory depend on God. God is the rock of my strength, my refuge. 8 Trust him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts in his presence. God is our refuge. 9 Common people are only a vapor in the wind. Important people are only a delusion. When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing. They are less than a vapor in the wind. 10 Do not count on extortion to make you rich. Do not hope to gain anything through robbery. When riches increase, do not depend on them. 11 God has spoken once. I have heard it said twice: Power belongs to God. 12 Loving-kindness belongs to you, O Jehovah. You reward a person based on what he has done. 63 1 ([[Psalm of David] in the wilderness of Judah:]) O God, you are my God. At dawn I search for you. I thirst for you. My body longs for you in a dry, parched land where there is no water. 2 I look for you in the holy place to see your power and your glory. 3 My lips will praise you because your love (mercy) (loving kindness) (steadfast love) is better than life. 4 So I will bless (thank) you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands [in prayer] in your name. 5 You satisfy me with the richest foods. My mouth will sing your praise with joyful lips. 6 As I lie on my bed, I remember you. Through the long hours of the night, I think about you. 7 You have been my help. In the shadow (defense) of your wings, I sing joyfully. 8 I cling to you. Your right hand supports (holds) me. 9 But those who try to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth. 10 Swords will cut them down. Their dead bodies will be left as food for jackals. 11 But the king will find joy in God. Everyone who takes an oath by God will speak praise, but the mouths of liars will be shut. 64 1 ([Psalm of David]) Listen to my concerns, O God, and protect me from my terrible enemies. 2 Keep me safe from secret plots of corrupt evildoers. 3 Their words cut like swords, and their cruel remarks sting like sharp arrows. 4 They fearlessly ambush and shoot innocent people. 5 They are determined to do evil, and they tell themselves: Let us set traps! No one can see us. 6 They devise evil plans and say: We will commit the perfect crime. The thoughts and the heart of man are deep. 7 But God will shoot his arrows and quickly wound them. 8 They will be destroyed by their own words, and everyone who sees them will tremble with fear. 9 They will be afraid and say: Look at what God has done and remember it. 10 The righteous man will be glad in Jehovah. He will take refuge in him. The upright in heart will sing praises. 65 1 ([Psalm of David]) Let silence and praise come before you in Zion, O God. To you the vow will be performed. 2 All men will come to you O Hearer of prayer. 3 Iniquities prevail against me. You forgive our transgressions. 4 How blessed is the one you choose to bring near to you, to dwell in your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy Temple. 5 By awesome deeds you answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation. You are trusted to the ends of the earth and the farthest sea. 6 He established the mountains with his power. He is girded (fortified) (surrounded) with mighty strength. 7 He stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. 8 They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of your signs. You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. 9 You visit the earth and cause it to overflow. You greatly enrich it! The stream of God is full of water. You prepare their grain and thus you prepare the earth. 10 You water its furrows abundantly; you settle its ridges and soften it with showers. You bless its growth. 11 You have crowned the year with your bounty. Your paths drip with fatness. 12 The pastures of the wilderness drip, and the hills surround themselves with rejoicing. 13 The meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain. They shout for joy, yes, they sing. 75 4 I said to the boastful: »Do not boast!« I said to the wicked: »Do not lift up the horn (brag about your power)!« 5 Do not lift up your horn on high. Do not speak with insolent pride. 6 There is no exaltation from the east, or from the west, or from the desert. 7 God is the Judge; He brings down one and exalts another. 8 Jehovah holds a cup in his hand. The wine foams and is well mixed. So he pours from it. Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs. 9 But as for me, I will declare forever and I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 He will remove the horn (power) of the wicked. The horn (power) of the righteous will be exalted. 76 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) God is known in Judah. His name is great in Israel. 2 His tabernacle is in Salem (Jerusalem). His dwelling place also is in Zion. 3 There He broke the flaming arrows, the shield and the sword and the weapons of war. 4 You are glorious, more majestic than the mountains of prey. 5 The strong and valiant were plundered, they sank into sleep. None of the warriors could use his hands. 6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse were cast into a dead sleep. 7 You, even you, are to be respected. Who may stand in your presence when once you are angry? 8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven. The earth feared and was still 9 when God arose to judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. 10 For the wrath of man shall praise you. You will fortify yourself with a remnant of wrath. 11 Make vows to Jehovah your God and fulfill them. Let all who are around him bring gifts to him. He should be respected. 12 He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is awesome to the kings of the earth. 77 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and he listened to me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought Jehovah. My hand was stretched out in the night, and did not get tired. I refused to be comforted. 3 I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. 4 You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires: 7 Will Jehovah reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more? 8 Has his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion? 10 Then I thought: I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. 11 I will remember Jehovah's deeds! I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will also meditate on all your work and consider your activities. 13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples. 15 You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 16 The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they were agitated. The depths also convulsed. 17 The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around. 18 The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightning lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea; your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known. 20 You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 78 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) Listen, O my people, to my law. Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in an illustration. I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 That we have heard and known and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of Jehovah, and his strength and his wondrous works that he has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel. This he commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, 6 That the generation to come might know, the children to be born, that they may arise and tell to their children, 7 That they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God but keep his commandments. 8 They should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God. 9 The sons of Ephraim were archers well equipped with bows. Yet they turned and ran in the day of battle. 10 They did not keep the covenant of God. They refused to walk in his law. 11 They forgot his deeds and his miracles that he had shown them. 12 He wrought wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 He divided the sea and caused them to pass through. He made the waters stand up like a heap. 14 He led them with the cloud by day and with a light of fire by night. 15 He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them abundant drink like the ocean depths. 16 He brought forth streams also from the rock and caused waters to run down like rivers. 17 Yet they still continued to sin against him. They rebelled against the Most High in the desert. 18 In their heart they put God to the test by asking food according to their desire. 19 Then they spoke against God. They said: Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, and streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people? 21 Therefore Jehovah heard and was full of wrath. A fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also mounted against Israel, 22 Because they did not believe in God and did not trust in his salvation. 23 Yet he commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven. 24 He rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them food from heaven. 25 Man did eat the bread of angels. He sent them food in abundance. 26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens and by his power he directed the south wind. 27 He rained meat upon them like the dust, even winged fowl like the sand of the seas, 28 Then he let them fall in the midst of their camp, round about their dwellings. 29 So they ate and were well filled, and their desire he gave to them. 30 Before they had satisfied their desire, while their food was in their mouths, 31 The anger of God rose against them and killed some of their stoutest ones, and subdued the choice men of Israel. 32 In spite of all this they still sinned. They did not believe in his wonderful works. 33 He brought their days to an end like a whisper in the wind. He brought their years to an end in terror. 34 When he killed some of them, the rest searched for him. They turned from their sins and eagerly looked for God. 35 They remembered that God was their rock, that the Most High was their defender. 36 They flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues. 37 Their hearts were not loyal to him. They were not faithful to his promise. 38 But he is compassionate. He forgave their sin. He did not destroy them. He restrained his anger many times. He did not display all of his fury. 39 He remembered that they were only flesh and blood, a breeze that blows and does not return. 40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness! How often they caused him grief in the desert! 41 They tested God again and again, and they pushed the Holy One of Israel to the limit. 42 They did not remember his power and the day he freed them from their oppressor, 43 when he performed his miraculous signs in Egypt, his wonders in the fields of Zoan. 44 He turned their rivers into blood so that they could not drink from their streams. 45 He sent a swarm of flies that bit them and frogs that ruined them. 46 He gave their crops to grasshoppers and their produce to locusts. 47 He killed their vines with hail and their fig trees with frost. 48 He let the hail strike their cattle and bolts of lightning strike their livestock. 49 He sent his fierce burning anger, his rage and fury against them. He sent an army of destroying angels. 50 He cleared a path for his anger. He did not spare them from death. He let the plague take their lives. 51 He destroyed every firstborn in Egypt, the ones born in the tents of Ham when their fathers were young. 52 He led his own people out like sheep and guided them like a flock through the wilderness. 53 He led them safely. They had no fear while the sea covered their enemies. 54 He brought them into his holy land, to this mountain that his power had won. 55 He drove nations out of their way and gave them the land of the nations as their inheritance. He settled the tribes of Israel in their own tents. 56 They tested God Most High and rebelled against him. They did not obey his written instructions. 57 They were disloyal and treacherous like their ancestors. They were like arrows shot from a defective bow. 58 They provoked him to anger (indignation) because of their illegal worship sites. They made him furious because they worshiped idols. 59 When God heard, he became furious. He greatly abhorred Israel. 60 He abandoned his dwelling place in Shiloh, the tent where he had lived among humans. 61 He allowed his power to be taken captive and handed his glory over to an oppressor. 62 He let swords kill his people. He was furious with those who belonged to him. 63 Fire consumed his best young men, so his virgins were not given in marriage. 64 His priests were cut down with swords. The widows of his priests could not even weep for them. 65 Jehovah woke up like one who had been sleeping, like a warrior sobering up from too much wine. 66 He struck his enemies from behind and disgraced them forever. 67 He rejected the tent of Joseph. He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion he loved. 69 He built his holy place to be like the high heavens, like the earth that he made to last for a long time. 70 He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens. 71 He brought him from tending the ewes that had lambs so that David could be the shepherd of the people of Jacob, of Israel, the people who belonged to Jehovah. 72 With unselfish devotion David became their shepherd. With skill he guided them. 79 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) O God, the nations have invaded the land that belongs to you. They have dishonored (defiled) your holy temple. They have left Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to the birds for food. They have given the flesh of your godly ones to the animals. 3 They have shed the blood of your people around Jerusalem as though it were water. There is no one to bury your people. 4 We have become a disgrace to our neighbors, an object of ridicule and contempt to those around us. 5 How long, O Jehovah? Will you remain angry forever? Will your fury (zeal) continue to burn like fire? 6 Pour your fury (anger) on the nations that do not know you, on the kingdoms that have not called you. 7 They have devoured Jacob. They have destroyed his home. 8 Do not hold the crimes of our ancestors against us. Reach out to us soon with your compassion, because we are helpless. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Rescue us, and provide atonement for our sins for the honor of your name. 10 Why should the nations be allowed to say: Where is their God? Let us watch as the nations learn that there is punishment for shedding the blood of your servants. 11 Let the groans of prisoners come into your presence. With your powerful arm (according to the greatness of your power) rescue those who are condemned to death. 12 Pay each one of our neighbors back with seven times the number of insults they used to insult you, O Jehovah. 13 Your people, the flock in your pasture, will thank you forever. We will praise you throughout all generations. 80 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) Oh, give ear (listen), Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your power and come to save us! 3 O God, restore us and cause your face to shine (smile on us) (show us favor) that we will be saved. 4 O Jehovah God, commander of armies, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? 5 You made them eat tears as food. You often made them drink their own tears. 6 You made us a source of conflict to our neighbors. Our enemies make fun of us. 7 O God, commander of armies, restore us and smile on us so that we may be saved. 8 You brought a vine from Egypt. You forced out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it so that it took root and filled the land. 10 Its shade covered the mountains. Its branches covered the mighty cedars. 85 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you ever let go of your anger in the generations to come? 6 Will you not restore our lives again so that your people may find joy in you? 7 Show us your loving-kindness, O Jehovah. Grant us your salvation. 8 I want to hear what the Lord Jehovah says, because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones. But they must not go back to their stupidity. 9 Indeed, his salvation is near those who reverence him, and his glory will remain in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met. Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth springs from the ground, and righteousness will look down from heaven. 12 Jehovah will certainly give us what is good, and our land will produce crops. 13 Righteousness will go ahead of him and make a path for his steps. 86 1 ([Prayer by David]) Listen to me, O Jehovah. Answer me, for I am oppressed and needy. 2 Protect me, for I am a godly man. You are my God. Save your servant who trusts you. 3 Have pity on me, O Jehovah, since I call out to you all day long. 4 Give me joy, O Jehovah, and lift me up. 5 You, O Jehovah, are good and forgiving, full of loving kindness toward everyone who calls out to you. 6 Open your ears to my prayer, O Jehovah. Pay attention to my supplications! 7 When I am in trouble, I call out to you because you answer me. 8 No god is like you, O Jehovah. No one can do what you do. 9 All the nations that you have made will bow in your presence, Jehovah. They will honor (glorify) you. 10 Indeed, you are great, a worker of miracles. You alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Jehovah, so that I may live in your truth. Unite my heart to reverence you. 12 I will give thanks to you with all my heart, Jehovah my God. I will honor (glorify) you forever. 13 Your loving kindness toward me is great. You have rescued me from the depths of the grave. 14 O God, arrogant people attack me, and a mob of ruthless people seeks my life. They think nothing of you. 15 But you, O Jehovah, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive. 16 Turn toward me, have pity and be gracious to me. Give me your strength because I am your servant. Save me because I am the son of your female servant. 17 Grant me some proof of your goodness so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame. You, O Jehovah, have helped me and comforted me. 87 1 ([Psalm of Korah]) His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 Jehovah loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. 4 I will mention Rahab (defamatory word for Egypt) (a boaster) (Isaiah 30:7) and Babylon among those who know me. Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: »This one was born there.« 5 But of Zion it shall be said: »This one and that one were born in her and the Most High will establish her.« 6 Jehovah will count when he registers the peoples: »This one was born there.« 7 Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say: »All my springs of joy are in you.« 88 1 ([Sons of Korah]) O Jehovah, God of my salvation I cry out to you day and night. 2 Let my prayer come before your presence. Turn your ear to hear my cries. 3 I am filled with troubles, and my life comes closer to the grave. 4 I am numbered with those who go into the pit. I am like a man without any strength. 5 I am abandoned with the dead, like those who have been killed and lie in graves. I am like those whom you no longer remember, who are cut off from your hand (power) (care). 6 You have put me in the bottom of the pit, in deep dark places. 7 Your rage lies heavily on me. You afflict me with all your waves. 8 You have taken my friends far away from me. You made me disgusting to them. I am shut in, and I cannot get out. 9 My eyes grow weak because of my suffering. All day long I call out to you, O Jehovah. I stretch out my hands to you in prayer. 10 Will you perform miracles for those who are dead? Will the dead rise and give thanks to you? 11 Will anyone tell about your loving kindness in the grave or about your faithfulness after they parish? 12 Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place or about your righteousness (mercy) in the place of destruction? 13 I cry out to you for help, O Jehovah, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. 14 Why do you reject me, O Jehovah? Why do you hide your face from me (turn from me)? 15 Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death. I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair. 16 Your burning anger has swept over me. Your terrors have destroyed me. 17 They swirl around me all day long like water. They surround me on all sides. 18 You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me. Darkness is my only friend! 89 1 ([Psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite]) I will sing of the loving kindness of Jehovah forever. With my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said: »Loving-kindness will be built up forever. You will establish your faithfulness in the heavens.« 3 »I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.’ 5 The heavens will praise your wonders, O Jehovah, Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the heavens is comparable to Jehovah? Who among the sons of the mighty is like Jehovah? 7 He is a God greatly reverenced in the council of the holy ones. He is awesome above all those who are around Him? 8 O Jehovah God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Jehovah? Your faithfulness also surrounds you. 9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. 10 You crushed Rahab like one who is slain. You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm (power). 11 The heavens and the earth are yours. You have founded the world and all it contains. 12 The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at your name. 13 You have a strong arm! Your hand is mighty (power by Holy Spirit); your right hand is exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before you. 15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your countenance. 16 They rejoice in your name all the day. They are exalted in your righteousness. 17 For you are the glory of their strength and by your favor our horn (strength) is exalted (increased). 18 For our shield belongs to Jehovah, and our king to the Holy One of Israel. 19 Once you spoke in vision to your godly ones. You said: »I have given help to one who is mighty. I have exalted one chosen from the people.« 20 I have found David my servant. I anointed him with my holy oil. 21 With him my hand will be established; my arm also will strengthen him. 22 No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him. 23 I will beat down his adversaries before him. I will strike those who hate him. 24 But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn (power) (strength) will be exalted (increased). 25 I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers. 26 He will call to me: »You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation!« 27 I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him. 29 I will make his descendants endure forever and his throne like the days of heaven. 30 If his descendants abandon my law and do not live by my rules, 31 if they violate my statutes and do not obey my commandments, 32 then with a rod I will punish their transgression and their crimes with beatings. 33 But I will not take my loving kindness away from him or allow my truth to become perverted. 34 I will not dishonor my promise or alter my own agreement. 35 On my holiness I have taken an oath: I will not lie to David. 36 His descendants will last forever. His throne will be in my presence like the sun. 37 It shall be established forever like the moon. It will be like a faithful witness in heaven. 38 But you have despised, rejected, and become angry with your anointed one. 39 You have refused to recognize the covenant to your servant and have thrown his crown into the dirt. 40 You have broken through all his walls and have laid his fortified cities in ruins. 41 Everyone who passed by robbed him. He has become the object of his neighbors' scorn. 42 You lifted up the right hand of his enemies and made all of his adversaries rejoice. 43 You even took his sword out of his hand and failed to support him in battle. 44 You put an end to his splendor and hurled his throne to the ground. 45 You cut short the days of his youth and covered him with shame. 46 How long, O Jehovah? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your anger continue to burn like fire? 47 Remember how short my life span is! Have you created the sons of men for no reason? 48 Can man go on living and never see death? Who can set himself free from the power of the grave? 49 Where is the evidence of your mercy, Lord? You swore an oath to David on the basis of your faithfulness. 50 Jehovah, remember the reproach of your servant. Remember how I have carried in my heart the insults from so many people. 51 Your enemies insulted me. They insulted your anointed every step he took. 52 Blessed be Jehovah forevermore! Amen and Amen. 90 1 ([Prayer of Moses]) O Jehovah, you have been our refuge throughout every generation. 2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and its inhabitants, you are God from everlasting to everlasting. 3 You turn men back into dust and say: »Return, O sons of men!« 4 In your sight a thousand years are like a single day, like yesterday, already past like an hour in the night. 5 You sweep mortals away in the sleep of death. They sprout again in the morning like grass. 6 In the morning they blossom and sprout. In the evening they fade and wither away. 7 Your anger consumes us. We are troubled by your rage. 8 You set our sins in front of you. You put our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 Indeed, all our days slip away because of your fury. We live out our years like one long sigh. 10 The days of our lives are seventy or eighty years if we are in good health. But the best of them bring trouble and misery. Indeed, they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11 Who understands the power of your anger, and your fury according to the reverence that is due you? 12 Teach us to number each of our days so that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O Jehovah! How long? Change your plans about us, your servants. 14 Satisfy us every morning with your loving kindness so that we may sing for joy and rejoice all our days. 15 Make us rejoice for as many days as you have made us suffer, for as many years as we have experienced evil. 16 Let your servants see what you can do. Let our children see your majesty. 17 Let the kindness of Jehovah our God be with us. Confirm for us the work of our hands. Yes, confirm the work of our hands. 91 1 He who lives under the shelter of the Most High will remain in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to Jehovah: »You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.« 3 He is the one who will rescue you from the bird hunter’s trap (fowler’s snare) and from deadly plagues. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor. 5 You will not be afraid of the terror of the night and arrows that fly during the day, 6 plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. 7 They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side. 8 You only have to look with your eyes to see the punishment of wicked people. 9 »You, O Jehovah, are my refuge!« You have made the Most High your home. 10 No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house. 11 He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways. 12 They will carry you in their hands so that you never strike your foot against a rock. 13 You will step on lions and cobras. You will trample underfoot young lions and snakes. 14 Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. 15 When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will deliver you and honor you. 16 I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you my salvation. 92 1 It is good to give thanks to Jehovah, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. 2 It is good to declare your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfulness at night. 3 To do this on a ten-stringed instrument with a melody on a harp. 4 You made me find joy in what you have done, O Jehovah. I will sing joyfully about the works of your hands. 5 How great (spectacular) (excellent) are your works, O Jehovah! How very deep are your thoughts! 6 A stupid (senseless) person cannot know and a fool cannot understand. 7 Wicked people sprout like grass and all troublemakers flourish. Yet they will be destroyed forever. 8 But you, O Jehovah, are highly honored forever. 9 Now look at your enemies, O Jehovah. They disappear and all troublemakers are scattered. 10 But you exalt my horn (make me as strong) as a wild bull. I have been anointed with soothing lotion. 11 My eyes gloat over those who spy on me. My ears hear the evildoers attacking me. 12 Righteous people flourish like palm trees and grow tall like the cedars in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in Jehovah’s house. They blossom in our God's courtyards. 14 Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh. 15 They make it known that Jehovah is upright. He is my rock. He is never unrighteous. 93 1 Jehovah reigns and he is clothed with majesty. Jehovah has girded himself with strength. The world also is established, that it cannot be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old. You are from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves. 4 Jehovah on high is mightier than the noise of many waters. Yes he is mightier than the mighty waves of the sea. 5 Your testimonies are very sure: holiness adorns your house, O Jehovah, forever. 94 1 O Jehovah, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth, Render recompense to the proud. 3 O Jehovah, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They utter speech. They speak arrogantly. All troublemakers brag about themselves. 5 They crush your people, O Jehovah. They make those who belong to you suffer. 6 They kill widows and foreigners, and they murder orphans. 7 They say: Jehovah does not see it. The God of Jacob does not even pay attention to it. 8 Pay attention, you stupid (senseless) people! When will you become wise, you fools? 9 God created ears. Do you think he cannot hear? He formed eyes. Do you think he cannot see? 10 He disciplines nations. Do you think he cannot punish? He teaches people. Do you think he does not know anything? 11 Jehovah knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they a mere vanity. 12 Jehovah, how happy are those you instruct, the ones to whom you teach your law! 13 You give them rest from days of trouble until a pit is dug to trap the wicked. 14 Jehovah will not abandon his people. He will not desert those who belong to him. 15 For judgment will again be righteous. The upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? 17 If Jehovah had not been my help, I would have been silent in death. 18 If I should say: My foot has slipped, your loving kindness, O Jehovah, will hold me up. 19 When I worried about many things, your assuring words comforted me. 20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you? They frame mischief by decree (the law). 21 They join forces to take the lives of righteous people. They condemn innocent people to death. 22 Jehovah has become my stronghold. My God has become my rock of refuge. 23 He has turned their wickedness against them. He will destroy them because of their sins. Jehovah our God will destroy them. 95 1 Oh come, let us sing to Jehovah. Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms. 3 For Jehovah is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 Deep places of the earth are in his hand. The strength of the mountains is also His. 5 The sea is his. He made it and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before Jehovah our maker. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today hear His voice! 8 Do not harden your hearts, as in the day of strife, as in the day of testing in the wilderness. 9 Your fathers tempted me, tested me, and saw my work. 10 For forty years I was grieved with this generation. I said: »It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.« 11 I swore to them in my anger that they should not enter into my rest. 96 1 Sing to Jehovah a new song. Sing to Jehovah, all the earth. 2 Sing to Jehovah, bless his name! Declare the good news of his salvation from day to day. 3 Proclaim his glory among the nations, his wonders among all people. 4 For Jehovah is great, and greatly to be praised! He should be reverenced above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols; but Jehovah made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Give to Jehovah, you families of the people. Give to Jehovah glory and strength. 8 Give to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Bring an offering and come into his courts. 9 Worship Jehovah in the beauty of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, Jehovah reigns; and the world shall be established; it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples in uprightness. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness of it. 80 11 It reached out with its branches to the Mediterranean Sea. Its shoots reached the Euphrates River. 12 Why did you break down the stone fences around this vine? All who pass by are picking its fruit. 13 Wild boars from the forest graze on it. Wild animals devour it. 14 O God, commander of armies, come back! Look from heaven and see! Come to help this vine. 15 Take care of what your right hand planted, the son you strengthened for yourself. 16 The vine has been cut down and burned. Let them be destroyed by the threatening look on your face. 17 Let your power rest on the man you have chosen, the son of man you strengthened for yourself. 18 Then we will never turn away from you. Give us life again, and we will call on your name. 19 O Jehovah God, commander of armies, restore us, and cause your face to shine (smile) on us so that we may be saved. 81 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) Sing for joy to God our strength. Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob. 2 Sing a song and strike the tambourine. Play the sweet sounding lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, and on our feast day. 4 For this is required by the law of Israel. It is an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it for a testimony in Joseph (Israel) when he went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard a language that I did not understand. He said: 6 »I relieved his shoulder of the burden. His hands were freed from the basket. 7 »You called in trouble and I rescued you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.. 8 »Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you. O Israel, if you would listen to me! 9 »You must have no strange god among you. Do not worship any foreign god. 10 »I, Jehovah, am your God! I brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 11 »My people did not listen to my voice. Israel did not obey me. 12 »Therefore I gave them over to their stubborn hearts. They walked in their own counsel. 13 »Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 14 »I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their adversaries. 15 »Those who hate Jehovah would pretend obedience (submission) to him. Their time of punishment would be long lasting. 16 »I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.« 82 1 ([Psalm of Asaph]) God stands in the congregation of the mighty. He pronounces judgment among the god-like ones: (John 10:35) 2 »How long are you going to judge unjustly? How long are you going to show partiality to the wicked? 3 »Defend the weak and fatherless. Protect the rights of the oppressed and the poor. 4 »Rescue the weak and needy. Help them escape the power of the wicked.« 5 Wicked people do not know or understand anything. As they walk around in the dark, all the foundations of the earth shake. 6 I said: »You are god-like ones. You are all sons of the Most High. (John 1:1) 7 »But you will certainly die like humans and fall like any prince.« 8 Arise, O God! Judge the earth, because all the nations belong to you. 83 1 O God, do not keep silent. Do not keep silent and do not be still, O God. 2 For, behold, your enemies are stirred up. Those who hate you have lifted up their heads. 3 They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones. 4 They say: »Come and let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.« 5 For they have come to an agreement united in thought. They form an alliance against you. 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also is joined with them. They have helped the children of Lot. 9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon 10 Who perished at Endor and became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb; yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna. 12 For they said: »Let us take possession Of God's pasturelands.« 13 My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind. 14 Like the fire that consumes the forest, the flame that sets the mountains on fire, 15 pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. 16 Fill their faces with confusion that they may seek your name, Jehovah. 17 Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever. Yes, let them be confounded and perish, 18 That they may know that you alone, whose name is Jehovah, are the Most High over all the earth. 84 1 ([Psalm of Korah]) How lovely are your dwelling places, O Jehovah of Hosts! 2 How I want to be there! I long to be in Jehovah’s temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even small birds have built a nest, and the swallows have their own home. They keep their young near your altars O Jehovah my king and my God. 4 How happy (blessed) are those who live in your temple always singing praise to you. 5 How happy are those whose strength comes from you, who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion. 6 As they pass through the dry valley of Baca, it becomes a place of springs; the autumn rain fills it with pools. 7 They grow stronger as they go and they will see the God of gods on Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, Lord Jehovah of Hosts. Listen, O God of Jacob! 9 Look at our shield, O God. Look with favor on the face of your anointed one. 10 One day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For Jehovah God is a sun and shield. Jehovah will give favor and honor. He will not withhold blessing from those who walk faithfully in truth. 12 O Jehovah of Hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you. 85 1 ([Psalm of Korah]) You favored your land, O Jehovah. You restored the prosperity of Jacob. 2 You removed your people's guilt. You pardoned all their sins. 3 You laid aside all your fury. You turned away from your burning anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation. Put an end to your anger against us. 96 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it! Then all the trees of the forest will rejoice. 13 He comes before Jehovah! Yes, he comes to judge the earth! He will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth (fidelity) (faithfulness). 97 1 Jehovah reigns! Let the earth rejoice and let the multitude of islands be glad. 2 Clouds, gloom and darkness are all around Him. Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of his throne. 3 A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies round about. 4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, at the presence of Jehovah of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 All those who serve graven images are put to shame. Those who boast themselves in idols and all God-like ones bow down before Him. 8 Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, O Jehovah. 9 For You, Jehovah, are high above all the earth. You are lifted on high far above all God-like ones. 10 You who love Jehovah hate evil! He preserves his anointed ones. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in Jehovah, you righteous ones; and give thanks at the memory of his holy name. 98 1 Sing a new song to Jehovah for he has done miraculous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gained victory for him. 2 Jehovah has made his salvation known. He has uncovered his righteousness for the nations to see. 3 He remembered his loving kindness and faithfulness to Israel's descendants. All the ends of the earth have seen how our God saves them. 4 Shout joyfully to Jehovah all the earth. Break out into joyful singing, and make music. 5 Make music to Jehovah with a lyre and with the melody of a psalm. 6 Make music with trumpets and the playing of a ram's horn. Shout happily in the presence of the king, Jehovah. 7 Let the sea and everything in it, the world and those who live in it roar like thunder. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing joyfully. 9 This is in Jehovah’s presence because he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and its people with fairness. 99 1 Jehovah reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned above the cherubim. Let the earth shake! 2 Jehovah is great in Zion! He is exalted above all the peoples. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! He is holy. 4 The strength of the King loves justice. You have established equity. You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt Jehovah our God and worship at his footstool! (Isaiah 66:1) He is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests. Samuel was among those who called on his name. They called upon Jehovah and he answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept His testimonies and the commandment that he gave them. 8 O Jehovah our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, and an avenger of their evil deeds. 9 Exalt Jehovah our God and worship at his holy mountain, for Jehovah our God is holy. 100 1 Make a joyful noise (sound) (shout) to Jehovah, all you lands! 2 Serve Jehovah with gladness and come before his presence with a joyful song. 3 Know that Jehovah is God. He has made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courtyard with praise: thank him and bless his name. 5 For Jehovah is good. His loving kindness is everlasting and his truth endures to all generations. 101 1 ([Psalm of David]) I will sing of loving kindness and judgment. I will sing to you O Jehovah. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the work of unfaithful people. I want no part of it. 4 A perverse heart shall depart from me. I will not know a wicked person. 5 I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor. I will not tolerate anyone with a conceited look or arrogant heart. 6 My eyes will be watching the faithful people in the land so that they may live with me. The person who lives with integrity will serve me. 7 The one who does deceitful things will not stay in my home. The one who tells lies will not remain in my presence. 8 Every morning I will destroy all the wicked people in the land to rid Jehovah’s city of all troublemakers. 102 1 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah! And let my cry for help come to you. 2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me. In the day when I call answer me quickly. 3 My days have been consumed in smoke, and my bones have been scorched like a hearth. 4 My heart has been stricken like grass and has withered away. In fact I forget to eat my bread. 5 Because of the loudness of my groaning my bones cling to my flesh. 6 I resemble a pelican of the wilderness. I have become like an owl of the waste places. 7 I lie awake, I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop. 8 All day long my enemies have reproached me. Those who deride me used my name as a curse. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping. 10 This is because of your indignation and your anger. You have lifted me up and cast me away. 11 My days are like a lengthened shadow and I wither away like grass. 12 But You, O Jehovah, remain forever. Your name is for all generations. 13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion. It is time to be gracious to her for the appointed time has come. 14 Your servants find pleasure in her stones and feel pity for her dust. 15 So the nations will respect the name of Jehovah and all the kings of the earth will honor you. 16 For Jehovah has built up Zion. He has appeared in His glory. 17 He has respected the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer. 18 This will be written for the generation to come: That a people yet to be created may praise Jehovah. 19 He looked down from his holy height. Jehovah gazed upon the earth from heaven. 20 He heard the groaning of the prisoner, to set free those who were doomed to death. 21 Let men tell of the Jehovah’s name in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem, 22 When the peoples and kingdoms are gathered together to serve Jehovah. 23 He has weakened my strength in the way and has shortened my days. 24 I say: »O my God, do not take me away in the middle of my days, your years are throughout all generations. 25 »You founded the earth of old. The heavens are the work of your hands. 26 »They will perish, but you endure. All of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing you will renew them and they will be renewed. 27 »But you are the same. Your years will not come to an end. 28 »The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you.« 103 1 ([Psalm of David]) Bless Jehovah with all my being. With all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 With all my heart I praise Jehovah! Do not forget how kind he has been. 3 He forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases. 4 He redeems your life from ruin and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies. 5 He satisfies you with good; your youth is renewed like the eagles. 6 Jehovah works righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, His deeds to the sons of Israel. 8 Jehovah is merciful and gracious. He is slow to anger, and rich in loving-kindness. 9 He will not always chasten, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins. He has not requited us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy toward those who reverence him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (as far as the sunrise is from the sunset) (farther then one could ever travel) 13 Jehovah has compassion for those who reverence him just as a father has compassion for his children. 14 For he knows our conception and he remembers that we are dust. 15 Man’s days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 The wind passes over it, and it is gone; and its place shall know it no more. 17 But the loving kindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting on those who reverence him, and his righteousness is to the sons of sons. 18 It is to those who keep his covenant, and to those who remember to do his commandments. 19 Jehovah has prepared his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless Jehovah you angels of his, you who excel in strength, who obey his command, and listen to the voice of his Word. 21 Bless Jehovah all his hosts. Bless Jehovah you ministers of his who do his will. 22 Bless Jehovah, all his works in all places he rules. Bless Jehovah with all my being. 104 1 Bless Jehovah with all my being! O Jehovah my God, You are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2 You cover yourself with light as with a cloak. You stretch out clouds in the sky like a curtain. 3 You lay the beams of your upper chambers in the waters. You make the clouds your chariot. You walk upon the wings of the wind. 4 You make the winds your messengers, the flaming fire your ministers. 5 You established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not be unstable forever. 6 You covered it with the deep like a garment. The waters stood above the mountains. 7 They fled at your rebuke. At the sound of your thunder they hurried away. 8 The mountains rose and the valleys sank down to the place you appointed for them. 9 You set a boundary that they may not go beyond. They will not return to cover the earth. 10 You send watering springs to the valleys. They flow between the mountains. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell. They lift up voices among the branches. 13 You water the mountains from your upper chambers. The earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works. 14 You cause the grass to grow for the cattle and vegetation for the labor of man. That he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man's heart glad. That he may make his face shine with oil, and food, which sustains man's heart. 16 Jehovah’s trees drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which he planted, 17 Where the birds build their nests, the stork, whose home is the fir tree. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers. 19 You made the moon for the seasons. The sun knows the place of its setting. 20 You appoint darkness and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about. 21 The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God. 22 They withdraw at sunrise and lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes to his work and to his labor until evening. 24 O Jehovah, how many are your works! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your possessions. 25 The sea is so big and wide with many creatures, living things both large and small. 26 Ships sail on it, and Leviathan (great sea animal), which you made, plays in it. 27 All of them wait for you to give them their food at the proper time. 28 You give it to them, and they gather it up. You open your hand, and they are satisfied with many blessings. 29 You hide your face, and they are frightened. You take away their breath, and they die and return to dust. 30 You send out your Spirit, and they are created. You renew the face of the earth. 31 Let the glory of Jehovah endure forever. May Jehovah find joy in his works. 32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. 33 I will sing to Jehovah throughout my life. I will make music to praise my God as long as I live. 34 May my thoughts be pleasing to him. I will find joy in Jehovah. 35 Let sinners be consumed from the world. Let the wicked no longer exist. Bless Jehovah with all my being! Praise Jehovah! 105 1 O give thanks to Jehovah! Call upon his name. Make his work known among the people. 2 Sing to him, give praise to him! Declare all his wondrous works. 3 Praise his holy name! Let the heart of those rejoice who seek Jehovah. 4 Seek Jehovah and seek his strength. Seek his presence constantly! 5 Remember the marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. 6 You seed of Abraham his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen ones. 7 He is Jehovah our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 8 He has remembered his covenant forever! It is the word he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 He made this covenant with Abraham and gave his oath to Isaac. 10 He confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant. 11 He said: »I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance to you.« 12 They were a few men in number, very few, and strangers in it. 13 They went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people. 14 He permitted no man to do them wrong and he reproved kings for their sakes. 15 He said: »Do not touch my anointed, and do my prophets no harm.« 16 Furthermore, he called for a famine on the land: he broke the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold for a servant. 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Jehovah’s presence tested him through fiery trials until the time that his word came. 20 The king sent someone to release him. The ruler of nations set him free. 21 He made Joseph the master of his palace and the ruler of all his possessions. 22 Joseph trained the king's officers the way he wanted and taught his respected leaders wisdom. 23 Then Israel came to Egypt. Jacob lived as a foreigner in the land of Ham. 24 Jehovah made his people grow rapidly in number and stronger than their enemies. 25 He changed their minds so that they hated his people, and they dealt treacherously with his servants. 26 He sent his servant Moses, and he sent Aaron, whom he had chosen. 27 They displayed his miraculous signs among them and did amazing things in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness and made their land dark. They did not rebel against his orders. 29 He turned their water into blood and caused their fish to die. 30 He made their land swarm with frogs, even in the kings' bedrooms. 31 He spoke, and swarms of flies and gnats infested their entire territory. 32 He gave them hail and lightning instead of rain throughout their land. 33 He struck their grapevines and fig trees and smashed the trees in their territory. 34 He spoke, and countless locusts and grasshoppers came. 35 They devoured all the plants in the land. They devoured the crops in the fields. 36 He killed all the firstborn sons, the first ones born in the land when their fathers were young. 37 He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and no one among his tribes stumbled. 38 The Egyptians were terrified of Israel, so they were glad when Israel left. 39 He spread out a cloud as a protective covering and a fire to light up the night. 40 The Israelites asked, and he brought them quail and filled them with bread from heaven. 41 He opened a rock, and water flowed like a river through the dry places. 42 He remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. 43 He brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with a song of joy. 44 He gave them the lands of other nations. They inherited what others had worked for. 45 Then they would obey his laws and follow his teachings. Praise Jehovah! 106 1 Praise Jehovah! Oh give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good and His loving-kindness endures forever. 2 Who can speak of the mighty acts (deeds) of Jehovah? Who can proclaim and perceive all his praise? 3 How blessed are those who pay attention to justice, who practice righteousness at all times! 4 Remember me, O Jehovah, with favor toward your people. Visit me with your salvation. 5 Help me see the prosperity of your chosen ones that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance. 6 We have sinned like our fathers! We have committed iniquity and have behaved wickedly. 7 Our fathers in Egypt did not understand your wonders. They did not remember your abundant kindnesses. But they rebelled by the Red Sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for the sake of his name that he might make his power known. 9 So he rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up, and he led them through the deeps, as through the wilderness. 10 He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their adversaries and not one of them was left. 12 Then they believed his words. They sang His praise. 13 They quickly forgot his works and they did not wait for his counsel. 14 They had an unreasonable desire for food in the wilderness. In the desert they tested God. 15 He gave them what they asked for. He also gave them a degenerative disease. 16 In the camp certain men became envious of Moses. They also became envious of Aaron, Jehovah’s holy one. 17 The ground split open and swallowed Dathan. It buried Abiram's followers. 18 A fire broke out among their followers. Flames burned up wicked people. 19 At Mount Horeb they made a statue of a calf. They worshiped an idol made of metal. 20 They traded their glorious God for the statue of a bull that eats grass. 21 They forgot the God of their salvation, the one who did spectacular things in Egypt, 22 miracles in the land of Ham, and terrifying things at the Red Sea. 23 God said he was going to destroy them, but Moses, his chosen one, stood in his way to prevent him from exterminating them. 24 They refused to enter the pleasant land. They did not believe what he said. 25 They complained in their tents. They did not obey Jehovah. 26 Raising his hand, he swore that he would kill them in the wilderness, 27 kill their descendants among the nations, and scatter them throughout various lands. 28 They joined in worshiping the god Baal while they were at Peor. They ate what was sacrificed to the dead. 29 They infuriated God by what they did, and a plague broke out among them. 30 Phinehas stood between God and the people, and the plague was stopped. 31 Because of this, Phinehas was considered righteous forever, throughout every generation. 32 They made God angry by the water at Meribah. Things turned out badly for Moses because of what they did. 33 They made him bitter so that he spoke recklessly. 34 They did not destroy the people as Jehovah had told them. 35 Instead, they intermarried with other nations. They learned to do what other nations did. 36 They worshiped their idols, which became a trap for them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons. 38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their own sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land became polluted with blood. 39 They became filthy because of what they did. They behaved like prostitutes. 40 Jehovah burned with anger against his own people. He was disgusted with those who belonged to him. 41 He handed them over to other nations, and those who hated them ruled them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them and made them subject to their power. 43 He rescued them many times, but they continued to plot rebellion against him and to sink deeper because of their sin. 44 He saw that they were suffering when he heard their cry for help. 45 He remembered his promise to them. In keeping with his rich mercy, he changed his plans. 46 He let them find compassion from all those who held them captive. 47 Rescue us, O Jehovah our God, and gather us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and make your praise our glory. 48 Thanks be to Jehovah the God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say amen. Praise Jehovah! 107 1 Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good. His loving kindness endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed by Jehovah say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary, 3 And gathered out of the lands, from the east (sunrise) and from the west (sunset), from the north and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way. They found no city to live in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, they fainted within. 6 Then they cried to Jehovah in their trouble. He delivered them out of their distress. 7 He led them also by a straight way that they might go to a city to live in. 8 Let them praise Jehovah for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfies the thirsty and the hungry person. 10 Those who lived in the dark, in death's shadow were prisoners in misery. They were held in iron chains 11 They had rebelled against God's words and had despised the advice given by the Most High. 12 He humbled them with hard work. They fell down, but no one was there to help them. 13 In their distress they cried out to Jehovah. He saved them from their troubles. 14 He brought them out of the dark, out of death's shadow. He broke apart their chains. 15 Let them give thanks to Jehovah because of his goodness. He performed his miracles for the sons of men. 16 He shattered bronze gates and cut iron bars in two. 17 Fools suffered because of their disobedience and because of their crimes. 18 All food was disgusting to them, and they came near death's gates. 19 In their distress they cried out to Jehovah. He saved them from their troubles. 20 He sent his message and healed them. He rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to Jehovah because of his goodness. He performed his miracles for the sons of men. 22 Let them bring songs of thanksgiving as their sacrifice. Let them tell in joyful songs what he has done. 23 Those who sail on the sea in ships, who do business on the high seas, 24 have seen what Jehovah can do, the miracles he performed in the depths of the sea. 25 He spoke, and a storm began to blow, and it made the waves rise high. 26 The sailors aboard ship rose toward the sky. They plunged into the depths. Their courage failed in the face of disaster. 27 They reeled and staggered like drunks, and all their skills as sailors became useless. 28 In their distress they cried out to Jehovah. He led them from their troubles. 29 He made the storm calm down, and the waves became still. 30 The sailors were glad that the storm was quiet. He guided them to the harbor they had longed for. 31 Let them give thanks to Jehovah because of his goodness. He performed his miracles for the sons of men. 32 Let them glorify him when the people are gathered for worship. Let them praise him in the company of respected leaders. 33 He changes rivers into a desert, springs into thirsty ground, 34 and fertile ground into a layer of salt because of the wickedness of the people living there. 35 He changes deserts into lakes (marshland) and dry ground into springs. 36 There he settles those who are hungry, and they build cities to live in. 37 They plant in fields and vineyards that produce crops. 38 He blesses them, and their numbers multiply, and he does not allow a shortage of cattle. 39 They became few in number and were humiliated because of oppression, disaster, and sorrow. 40 He poured contempt on their influential people and made them stumble around in a pathless desert. 41 He lifts needy people high above suffering and makes their families like flocks. 42 The righteous will see this and rejoice, but all the wicked will shut their mouths. 43 Let those who think they are wise pay attention to these things so they will understand the loving kindness of Jehovah. 108 1 ([Psalm of David]) O God, my heart is faithful (stable) (fixed). I will sing and give praise with my entire being. 2 Awake, lute and harp for I will awake early. 3 I will praise you, O Jehovah, among the people. I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 Your loving kindness is higher then the heavens. Your truth reaches unto the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens: and your glory above all the earth. 6 Save us with your powerful hand (great power), and answer us so that those who are dear to you may be rescued. 7 God has spoken in his holiness: I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my lawgiver; 9 Moab is my wash pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph. 10 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom? 11 Will you O God, who cast us off? Will you O God, go forth with our hosts? 12 Give us help against the enemy, for man’s help is in vain. 13 Through God we shall have great strength: for he shall tread down our enemies. 109 1 ([Psalm of David]) O God, whom I praise, do not be silent. 2 Wicked and deceitful people have opened their mouths against me. They speak against me with lying tongues. 3 They surround me with hateful words. They fight against me without reason. 4 In return for my love, they accuse me, but I pray for them. 5 They reward me with evil instead of good and with hatred instead of love. 6 Appoint the evil one to oppose him. Let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he stands trial, let him be found guilty. Let his prayer be considered sinful. 8 Let his days be few in number. Let someone else take his place. 9 Let his children become fatherless and his wife a widow. 10 Let his children wander around and beg. Let them seek help far from their ruined homes. 11 Let a creditor take everything he owns. Let strangers steal what he has worked for. 12 Let no one be kind to him anymore. Let no one show any pity to his fatherless children. 13 Let his descendants be cut off and their family name be wiped out by the next generation. 14 Let Jehovah remember the guilt of his ancestors and not wipe out his mother's sin. 15 Let their guilt and sin always remain on record in front of Jehovah. Let Jehovah remove every memory of him from the earth, 16 for he did not remember to be kind. He drove oppressed, needy, and brokenhearted people to their graves. 17 He loved to put curses on others, so he, too, was cursed. He did not like to bless others, so he never received a blessing. 18 He wore cursing as though it were clothing; so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil. 19 Let cursing be his clothing, a belt he always wears. 20 This is how Jehovah rewards those who accuse me, those who say evil things against me. 21 O Lord Jehovah, deal with me out of the goodness of your name. Rescue me because of your loving kindness. 22 I am oppressed and needy. I feel pain in my heart. 23 I fade away like a lengthening shadow. I have been shaken off like a grasshopper. 24 My knees give way because I have been fasting. My body has become lean, without any fat. 25 I have become the victim of my enemies' insults. They look at me and shake their heads. 26 Help me, O Jehovah my God. Save me because of your loving kindness. 27 Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O Jehovah, are the one who saved me. 28 They may curse, but you will bless. Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let your servant rejoice. 29 Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing. Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe. 30 With my mouth I will give many thanks to Jehovah. I will praise him among many people. 31 He stands at the right hand of the needy people to save them from those who would condemn them to death. 110 1 ([Psalm of David]) Jehovah said to my Lord: »Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.« 2 Jehovah will extend your powerful scepter from Zion. He will say: »Rule in the midst of your enemies.« 3 Your people will volunteer in the day of your power. Your young people will come to you in holy splendor like dew from the womb of the dawn (in the early morning). 4 Jehovah has taken an oath and will not change his mind: »You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.« 5 Jehovah is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his anger. 6 He will pass judgment on the nations and fill them with dead bodies. Throughout the earth he will execute their rulers. 7 He will drink from the brook along the road. He will hold his head high. 111 1 Praise Jehovah! I will praise Jehovah with all my heart in the company of the upright and in the congregation. 2 Jehovah’s deeds are spectacular. They are studied by all who enjoy them. 3 His work is glorious and majestic. His righteousness endures (continues) forever. 4 He has made his miracles unforgettable. Jehovah is gracious and compassionate. 5 He provides food for those who reverence him. He always remembers his covenant. 6 He has revealed the power of his works to his people by giving them the lands of other nations as an inheritance. 7 His works are done with truth and justice. All his guiding principles are trustworthy. 8 They last (are upheld) forever and ever. They are carried out with truth and decency. 9 He has sent deliverance to his people. He has ordered that his covenant should continue forever. His name is holy and awesome. 10 The respect and reverence for Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom. All who obey his commandments show good sense (insight) and understanding. His praise endures (continues) forever. 112 1 Praise Jehovah! Blessed is the person who respects Jehovah and is happy to obey his commandments. 2 His descendants will grow strong on the earth. The family of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his home. His righteousness continues forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and fair. 5 All goes well for the person who is generous and lends willingly. He earns an honest living. 6 He will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered. 7 He is not afraid of bad news. His heart remains secure, full of confidence in Jehovah. 8 His heart is steady, and he is not afraid. In the end he will look triumphantly at his enemies. 118 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. 112 9 He gives freely to poor. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor. 10 The wicked sees this and becomes angry. He angrily grits his teeth and disappears. The hope of the wicked will perish (be destroyed). 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!