Book of Tehillim (Psalms) 1–150.
Short Prose version.
The Two Paths: The Righteous and the Wicked
Blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Instead, their delight is in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. Such a person is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever they do prospers. The wicked are not so; they are like chaff that the wind blows away. The wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous, for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, and there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God, but all have turned away. Do not be envious of evildoers, for like the grass they will soon wither. The wicked plot against the just, but the Lord laughs at them, for He knows their day is coming. Their own swords will pierce their hearts, and their bows will be broken. In contrast, the righteous will flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in the house of the LORD. They will still bear fruit in old age, proclaiming that the LORD is upright and there is no wickedness in Him.
Cries for Deliverance in Times of Trouble
In times of distress, the soul cries out: "O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!" Many say there is no help for me in God. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me? How long, LORD, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? My soul is in deep anguish, and my bones are in agony. I am weary with my groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping.
My strength is dried up, and my heart has turned to wax; I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold. My enemies surround me, taunting me with the words, "He trusted in the LORD, let him deliver him." They whisper together against me and devise my hurt. Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, has turned against me. For your sake I bear reproach, becoming a stranger to my own family. When I seek pity, there is none; for comforters, I find none. They give me gall for my food and vinegar for my thirst. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Unwavering Trust in God's Protection
Though troubles abound, you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my strength, in whom I trust. Therefore, I will not be afraid of the ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me. Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside quiet waters, and restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies and anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and the deadly pestilence, covering you with His feathers. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. A thousand may fall at your side, but it will not come near you, for He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
God's Sovereignty and Universal Reign
Why do the nations rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His anointed. But He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. He has set His king upon His holy hill of Zion, declaring, "You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance."
The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof; the world and those who dwell in it. The LORD reigns; He is clothed with majesty and strength. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; it is powerful and full of majesty, breaking the cedars and shaking the wilderness. Let all the earth fear the LORD and stand in awe of Him, for He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His truth.
Penitence and the Joy of Forgiveness
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. When I kept silent about my sin, my bones grew old through my groaning all day long. But I acknowledged my sin to you, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Out of the depths I have cried to you, O LORD. If you should mark iniquities, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.
The Glory of God in Creation and His Law
The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor, giving him dominion over the works of your hands.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. More to be desired are they than gold, and sweeter also than honey. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing shall cause them to stumble.
A Call to Universal Praise and Worship
I will extol you, my God, O King; and I will bless your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. All your works shall praise you, O LORD, and your saints shall bless you. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light! Mountains and all hills, beasts and all cattle, kings of the earth and all people: let them praise the name of the LORD. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, with the psaltery and harp, with timbrel and dance. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Book of Tehillim (Psalms) 1–150.
Full Text in Prose.
BOOK ONE: PRAYERS OF DAVID
THE TWO PATHS AND THE REIGN OF GOD'S ANOINTED
Blessed is the man who does not follow the advice of the ungodly, stand in the path of sinners, or sit with the scornful. Instead, his delight is in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. He will be like a tree planted by rivers of water, fruitful and prosperous in all he does. The ungodly, however, are not so; they are like chaff driven away by the wind and will not stand in the judgment or in the congregation of the righteous, for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish.
Despite this, the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain. The kings and rulers of the earth conspire against the LORD and His anointed, seeking to break free from their authority. But He who sits in the heavens laughs them to scorn and will speak to them in His wrath, declaring, "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." The king then proclaims the LORD’s decree: "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." God promises him the nations as an inheritance, to rule them with a rod of iron and shatter them like a potter’s vessel. Therefore, the kings and judges of the earth are exhorted to be wise, to serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling, and to honor the Son, lest His wrath be kindled. Blessed are all who trust in Him.
PERSONAL LAMENTS AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD
A prayer laments the great number of troubles and enemies who say there is no help from God. Yet the LORD is a shield, glory, and the one who lifts the head. After crying out, the LORD heard from His holy hill, allowing for peaceful sleep and awakening, sustained by Him. There is no fear of ten thousands of people, for salvation belongs to the LORD, and His blessing is upon His people. Another prayer calls upon God for mercy, remembering past deliverance in distress. It questions how long men will love vanity and shame, affirming that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself and will hear their call. The psalmist advises to stand in awe without sinning, to commune with one’s own heart in stillness, to offer righteous sacrifices, and to trust in the LORD. While many ask who will show them good, the prayer is for the light of God’s countenance, which brings more gladness than an abundant harvest, allowing for peaceful and safe rest in God alone.
A morning prayer asks God to hear his words and meditation. He is a God who takes no pleasure in wickedness; evil and the foolish cannot stand in His sight, for He hates all who work iniquity and destroys those who speak lies. By God’s great mercy, the psalmist will enter His house to worship. He prays to be led in righteousness because of his enemies, whose mouths are unfaithful, whose hearts are wicked, and whose throats are like open graves. He calls for God to destroy them for their rebellion but asks that all who trust in God rejoice and shout for joy, for the LORD defends them, blesses the righteous, and surrounds them with favor as with a shield.
In a plea for mercy, the psalmist asks not to be rebuked in anger, for he is weak, and his bones and soul are deeply troubled. He questions, "how long?" and asks the LORD to return and deliver his soul for His mercy’s sake, since in death there is no remembrance or thanks given to God. Weary with groaning, he waters his couch with tears all night, his eye consumed with grief. He commands workers of iniquity to depart, for the LORD has heard his weeping and supplication. He prays that his enemies will be ashamed and vexed, turning back in sudden shame.
PLEAS FOR JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT
Trusting in the LORD, a plea is made for salvation from persecutors, lest they tear his soul apart like a lion. The psalmist declares his innocence, stating that if he has iniquity in his hands or has rewarded evil to one at peace with him, then the enemy should be allowed to persecute and tread down his life. He calls for God to arise in anger against the rage of his enemies and to execute the judgment He has commanded, so the people will gather around Him. He asks to be judged according to his righteousness and integrity, praying for the end of wickedness and the establishment of the just. His defense is God, who saves the upright, judges the righteous, and is angry with the wicked daily. If the wicked do not turn, God has prepared His sword, bow, and instruments of death. The wicked conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood, falling into the pit he himself has dug. His violence will return upon his own head. For this, the psalmist will praise the LORD according to His righteousness.
A song of praise marvels at how excellent God’s name is in all the earth, His glory set above the heavens. From the mouths of infants, He has ordained strength to silence the enemy. Contemplating the heavens, the moon, and the stars, the psalmist wonders, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Yet God has made him a little lower than the angels, crowned him with glory, and given him dominion over all the works of His hands: all sheep and oxen, beasts of the field, birds of the air, and fish of the sea. The psalm concludes by again exclaiming how excellent the LORD’s name is in all the earth.
He gives thanks to the LORD with his whole heart for His marvelous works, rejoicing in the Most High. Enemies turn back and perish at God’s presence, for He has maintained the psalmist’s cause from His throne of right judgment. God has rebuked the nations, destroyed the wicked, and blotted out their name forever. The enemy’s destructions have come to a perpetual end, their cities destroyed and memory perished. But the LORD endures forever, His throne prepared for judgment to judge the world in righteousness. He is a refuge for the oppressed in times of trouble, and those who know His name will trust Him, for He has not forsaken those who seek Him. Praises are sung to the LORD who dwells in Zion, who remembers the humble and does not forget their cry. A plea is made for mercy from the hatred of enemies, that he may praise God in the gates of Zion. The nations have sunk into the pit they made, their own foot caught in the net they hid. The LORD is known by His judgment, and the wicked are snared by their own hands. The wicked, and all nations that forget God, will be turned into the grave. But the needy and poor will not always be forgotten or perish. The prayer asks God to arise, let not man prevail, and judge the nations in His sight, putting them in fear so they may know they are only human.
A cry questions why the LORD stands far off in times of trouble. The wicked, in his pride, persecutes the poor, boasting of his desires and blessing the covetous, whom God abhors. The wicked man is too proud to seek God, having no room for Him in his thoughts. His ways are grievous; he scoffs at his enemies, believing he will never be moved or face adversity. His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; he murders the innocent from lurking places, lying in wait like a lion to catch the poor. He crouches and humbles himself to overpower the vulnerable, saying in his heart that God has forgotten and will never see. The plea is for the LORD to arise and lift His hand, not forgetting the humble. Why does the wicked contemn God, thinking he will not be held accountable? But God has seen the mischief and spite and will requite it. The poor, the fatherless, and the oppressed commit themselves to Him. A prayer is made to break the arm of the wicked until his wickedness is no more. The LORD is King forever; the nations have perished from His land. He has heard the desire of the humble and will judge the fatherless and oppressed, so that man may no longer oppress.
TRUST AMIDST THREATS AND CORRUPTION
In the LORD he trusts, so why do people tell him to flee like a bird to the mountain? The wicked bend their bow to shoot secretly at the upright. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in His holy temple, His throne in heaven; His eyes behold and test the children of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and violent. Upon them He will rain snares, fire, brimstone, and a horrible tempest. For the righteous LORD loves righteousness, and His countenance beholds the upright.
A cry for help arises because the godly and faithful are failing. People speak vanity and flattery with a double heart. The LORD will cut off all flattering lips and the proud tongue of those who say they will prevail by their own strength. But because of the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, the LORD says, "now will I arise," and set them in safety. The words of the LORD are pure, like silver purified seven times. He will keep and preserve the faithful from this generation forever, even while the wicked walk on every side and the vilest men are exalted.
A lament asks, "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever?" questioning how long God will hide His face, leaving him with daily sorrow and the enemy exalted over him. He prays for God to consider and hear him, to enlighten his eyes lest he die and his enemies rejoice in his fall. Yet he affirms his trust in God's mercy and salvation, and resolves to sing to the LORD for His bountiful dealings.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, have done abominable works, and none do good. The LORD looked down from heaven to see if any understand and seek God, but all have gone aside and become filthy; not one does good. Do these workers of iniquity not know, who consume God’s people like bread and do not call on Him? They were in great fear where there was no cause for fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous. They have shamed the counsel of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. A prayer is offered for the salvation of Israel to come from Zion, so that when God restores His people, Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.
The question is asked: who can abide in God’s tabernacle and dwell on His holy hill? The one who walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not backbite, do evil to his neighbor, or take up a reproach against them. He despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD. He keeps his oath even to his own hurt and does not lend money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent. The one who does these things shall never be moved.
DEVOTION AND ASSURANCE OF GOD'S FAVOR
A prayer for preservation is made with trust in God. The psalmist declares to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord," and that his goodness is for the saints on earth, in whom he delights. Sorrows will multiply for those who follow other gods; he will not offer their blood offerings or speak their names. The LORD is his inheritance and his portion, providing a pleasant and goodly heritage. He blesses the LORD for His counsel, which instructs him even at night. He has set the LORD always before him, and with God at his right hand, he will not be moved. Therefore his heart is glad, his glory rejoices, and his flesh rests in hope, for God will not leave his soul in the grave nor let His Holy One see corruption. God will show him the path of life, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures at His right hand forevermore.
The psalmist calls for God to hear his righteous cause and genuine prayer, asking for his sentence to come from God's presence. He declares his integrity, having been tested by God and found with no fault, purposing that his mouth will not transgress. By God’s word, he has kept from the paths of the destroyer and asks for his steps to be held firm. He calls on God, who will hear, to show His marvelous lovingkindness and save those who trust in Him. He prays to be kept as the apple of the eye, hidden under the shadow of God’s wings from the oppressive wicked who surround him. His enemies are enclosed in their own fat and speak proudly, like a lion greedy for prey. He asks the LORD to arise, cast them down, and deliver his soul from the wicked, who are God’s sword. These men of the world have their portion in this life, filled with treasure and children, but he will behold God’s face in righteousness and be satisfied with His likeness.
A SONG OF VICTORY AND THE KING'S THANKSGIVING
The psalmist declares his love for the LORD, his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, and high tower. Calling on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, he is saved from his enemies. When the sorrows of death and floods of ungodly men surrounded him, he cried to the LORD, who heard him from His temple. Then the earth shook and trembled, smoke rose from God’s nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth. He bowed the heavens and came down, riding on a cherub upon the wings of the wind, with darkness and thick clouds as His pavilion. At His brightness, hail and coals of fire broke through the clouds; the LORD thundered from heaven, sending arrows and lightning that scattered the enemy. The foundations of the world were exposed at His rebuke.
God sent from above and drew him out of many waters, delivering him from a strong enemy because He delighted in him. The LORD rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands, for he had kept the ways of the LORD and was upright. To the merciful, God shows mercy; to the upright, He shows Himself upright. He saves the afflicted but brings down the proud. God lights his candle and enlightens his darkness, enabling him to run through a troop and leap over a wall. God’s way is perfect; His word is tried. He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God but the LORD? He gives strength, makes his way perfect, makes his feet like a deer’s, and teaches his hands to war. God gives the shield of salvation, holds him up, enlarges his steps, and enables him to pursue and consume his enemies. God girded him with strength for battle and gave him the necks of his enemies. They cried for help, even to the LORD, but were not answered. He beat them small as dust and cast them out like dirt. God delivered him from the strivings of the people and made him head of the nations. Strangers submit to him and fade away. The LORD lives, and blessed is the Rock of his salvation. He gives thanks to the LORD among the nations, for He gives great deliverance to His king, David, and shows mercy to him and his descendants forever.
GOD'S GLORY IN CREATION AND LAW
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day after day and night after night, they pour forth speech and knowledge universally. The sun’s circuit runs from one end of heaven to the other, like a bridegroom or a strong man, and nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; His testimony is sure, making wise the simple. His statutes are right, rejoicing the heart; His commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; His judgments are true and altogether righteous, more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. By them, His servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. The psalmist asks to be cleansed from secret faults and kept from presumptuous sins, so that he may be upright and innocent. He prays that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable to the LORD, his strength and redeemer.
PRAYERS FOR THE KING AND THE PEOPLE
A prayer is offered that the LORD will hear the king in the day of trouble, defend him, send help from the sanctuary, remember his offerings, and fulfill his heart’s desires. The people will rejoice in his salvation and set up banners in God’s name. Now it is known that the LORD saves His anointed, hearing him from heaven with His saving strength. Some trust in chariots and horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have fallen, but we have risen. "Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call."
The king rejoices in the LORD’s strength and salvation. God has given him his heart's desire, blessed him with goodness, and set a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked for life, and God gave him length of days forever. His glory, honor, and majesty are great in God’s salvation. He is made most blessed forever, trusting in the LORD and the mercy of the Most High, so he will not be moved. God’s hand will find all His enemies who hate Him, making them a fiery oven in His anger; fire will devour them. He will destroy their descendants from the earth. They intended evil but could not perform it. God will make them turn their back when His arrows are aimed at their faces. The psalm ends with a call for the LORD to be exalted in His own strength, so they will sing and praise His power.
A CRY OF ANGUISH AND A SONG OF PRAISE
A cry of dereliction is voiced: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He cries day and night but is not heard. Yet God is holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Their fathers trusted in Him and were delivered. But he is a worm, a reproach despised by the people, who mock him, saying, "He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him." Yet it was God who took him from the womb and has been his God since birth. He pleads for God not to be far, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Enemies like strong bulls and roaring lions surround him. He is poured out like water, his bones are out of joint, his heart is like melted wax, his strength is dried up, and his tongue sticks to his jaws.
Dogs and the wicked have enclosed him; they have pierced his hands and feet. He can count all his bones while they stare at him. They divide his garments and cast lots for his clothing. He prays for the LORD, his strength, to hurry and help, delivering his soul from the sword and the dog, saving him from the lion's mouth. After this, he declares he will proclaim God’s name to his brethren and praise Him in the congregation. All who fear the LORD are called to praise and glorify Him, for He has not despised the afflicted but has heard his cry. His praise will be in the great congregation, and he will pay his vows. The meek will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him. All the ends of the world will remember and turn to the LORD, and all nations will worship before Him, for the kingdom is the LORD’s. A future generation will serve Him and declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born.
PSALMS OF CONFIDENCE AND WORSHIP
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, anoint my head with oil, and my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
The earth and everything in it belong to the LORD, for He founded it upon the seas. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD or stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul to vanity or sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing and righteousness from God. This is the generation that seeks Him. The gates are commanded to lift up their heads for the King of glory to come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle, the LORD of hosts.
PRAYERS FOR GUIDANCE, PARDON, AND PROTECTION
The psalmist lifts his soul to God, trusting in Him and praying not to be ashamed or let his enemies triumph. Indeed, none who wait for God will be ashamed; only those who transgress without cause will be. He asks God to show him His ways, teach him His paths, and lead him in truth, for he waits on God all day. He pleads for God to remember His tender mercies of old, but not the sins of his youth, asking to be remembered according to God's goodness. The LORD is good and upright, teaching sinners and guiding the meek. All His paths are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant. For His name's sake, he asks for pardon for his great iniquity. The one who fears the LORD will be taught the way to choose, his soul will dwell at ease, and his descendants will inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him. His eyes are always toward the LORD, who will pluck his feet from the net. He feels desolate and afflicted, praying for mercy and deliverance from his enlarged troubles, asking God to look on his pain and forgive his sins. He asks God to consider his many cruel enemies, to keep his soul and deliver him, for his integrity to preserve him as he waits on the LORD. The psalm concludes with a plea for God to redeem Israel from all its troubles.
Asserting his integrity and trust in the LORD, he asks to be judged, examined, and proven. He has walked in God's lovingkindness and truth, avoiding vain persons, dissemblers, and the congregation of evildoers. He will wash his hands in innocence and go about God’s altar, proclaiming thanksgiving and telling of His wondrous works. He loves God's house and prays that his soul not be gathered with sinners or bloody men, in whose hands is mischief and bribery. He will walk in his integrity, asking for redemption and mercy. His foot stands on level ground, and in the congregations, he will bless the LORD.
The LORD is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? He is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came to consume him, they stumbled and fell. Even if an army encamps against him, he will be confident. The one thing he desires is to dwell in the house of the LORD all his days, to behold His beauty. In times of trouble, God will hide him and set him upon a rock. Now his head is lifted above his enemies, and he will offer sacrifices of joy and sing praises. He cries for mercy and answers God’s call to seek His face. He pleads for God not to hide His face or forsake him. When father and mother forsake him, the LORD will take him up. He asks to be taught God’s way and led on a plain path, delivered from false witnesses who breathe out cruelty. He would have fainted unless he had believed he would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. The final exhortation is to wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart.
He cries to the LORD, his rock, not to be silent, lest he become like those who go down to the pit. He asks God to hear his supplications as he lifts his hands toward His holy oracle. He prays not to be drawn away with the wicked, who speak peace but have mischief in their hearts. He asks for them to be given according to their wicked deeds, because they do not regard the works of the LORD; He will destroy them. Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard his supplications. The LORD is his strength and shield; his heart trusted and was helped, so he rejoices and praises Him. The LORD is the strength of His people and His anointed. He asks God to save His people, bless His inheritance, and lift them up forever.
SONGS OF PRAISE TO THE MIGHTY KING
A call is made to the mighty to give the LORD glory and strength, to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders. His voice is powerful and full of majesty. It breaks the cedars of Lebanon, making them skip like a calf. His voice divides flames of fire and shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. It makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare. In His temple, everyone speaks of His glory. The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; He sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people and bless them with peace.
He will extol the LORD for lifting him up and not letting his foes rejoice. He cried to God and was healed, his soul brought up from the grave. The saints are called to sing and give thanks to Him. For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for life; weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. In his prosperity, he thought he would never be moved, but when God hid His face, he was troubled. He cried out, questioning the profit in his death, for the dust cannot praise or declare God’s truth. He asked for mercy and help. God turned his mourning into dancing and clothed him with gladness so that his glory may sing praise. He will give thanks to the LORD forever.
He puts his trust in the LORD, praying never to be ashamed but to be delivered in righteousness. He asks God to be his strong rock and fortress, to lead and guide him for His name’s sake, and to pull him out of the net laid for him. "Into thine hand I commit my spirit," he declares, for the LORD God of truth has redeemed him. He hates those who regard lying vanities but trusts in the LORD, rejoicing in His mercy, for God has known his soul in adversities and set his feet in a large room. He pleads for mercy again, for his life is spent with grief, his strength fails, and he has become a reproach among his enemies and neighbors. He is forgotten like a dead man, like a broken vessel, hearing slander from many as they plot to take his life. But he trusts in God, saying, "Thou art my God," and his times are in God’s hand. He asks for deliverance and for God’s face to shine upon him, praying that the wicked, not he, would be put to shame and silenced in the grave. How great is God’s goodness for those who fear and trust Him, hiding them from the pride of man. Blessed be the LORD for His marvelous kindness. In his haste, he thought he was cut off, but God heard his cry. All saints are called to love the LORD, who preserves the faithful and rewards the proud. They are encouraged to be of good courage, for He will strengthen the hearts of all who hope in Him.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and sin is covered, to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When he kept silent, his bones grew old from groaning, and God’s hand was heavy on him day and night. He acknowledged his sin, confessed his transgressions to the LORD, and God forgave him. For this reason, the godly should pray to God. He is a hiding place, preserved from trouble with songs of deliverance. God promises to instruct, teach, and guide with His eye. He warns not to be like a horse or mule, which lack understanding and must be controlled with bit and bridle. The wicked have many sorrows, but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. The righteous are called to be glad, rejoice, and shout for joy.
The righteous are called to rejoice in the LORD, for praise is beautiful for the upright. They should praise Him with the harp, psaltery, and a new song, playing skillfully and loud. The word of the LORD is right, and His works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of His goodness. By His word the heavens were made. He gathers the sea’s waters and lays up the depth in storehouses. All the earth should fear and stand in awe of Him, for He spoke, and it was done. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing, but His counsel stands forever. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen. From heaven, the LORD looks on all humanity, fashioning their hearts and considering their works. No king is saved by a large army, nor a mighty man by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety. The eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD, our help and shield. Our heart rejoices in Him, for we trust in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
EXHORTATIONS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUST
He will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will continually be in his mouth. His soul will boast in the LORD; the humble will hear and be glad. He calls others to magnify the LORD with him. He sought the LORD, and He delivered him from all his fears. Those who look to Him are radiant. This poor man cried, and the LORD saved him. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him. He invites all to taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. The saints should fear the LORD, for there is no want to them. Young lions may lack, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing. He offers to teach the fear of the LORD: to desire a long, good life, one must keep the tongue from evil and guile, depart from evil, do good, and seek peace. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry, but His face is against evildoers. The righteous cry, and the LORD delivers them. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the contrite. The righteous have many afflictions, but the LORD delivers them from all, keeping all their bones so that not one is broken. Evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be desolate. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none who trust in Him will be desolate.
He asks the LORD to plead his cause and fight against those who fight him. He calls for God to take up shield and spear and say to his soul, "I am thy salvation." Let those who seek his soul be put to shame, like chaff before the wind, chased by the angel of the LORD on a dark and slippery path. They hid a net for him without cause. Let destruction come upon them unawares, and let them fall into the very net they hid. Then his soul will rejoice in the LORD’s salvation. His whole being will declare that none is like the LORD, who delivers the poor. False witnesses rose against him with unknown charges, rewarding him evil for good. Yet when they were sick, he humbled himself with fasting and sackcloth, mourning as for a mother. But in his adversity, they rejoiced and gathered against him, tearing at him without ceasing, mocking him at feasts. He asks the Lord how long He will look on, pleading for rescue. He will give thanks in the great congregation. He prays that his enemies will not wrongfully rejoice over him. They devise deceitful matters, opening their mouths wide against him. But the LORD has seen, so he asks Him not to be silent or far away, but to awake and judge his cause. He prays that they will not be able to say, "We have swallowed him up." Let those who rejoice at his hurt be ashamed, but let those who favor his righteous cause shout for joy and magnify the LORD. His tongue will speak of God’s righteousness and praise all day long.
The transgression of the wicked says there is no fear of God before his eyes. He flatters himself until his iniquity is found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and do good, devising mischief even on his bed. But the LORD’s mercy is in the heavens, His faithfulness reaches the clouds, and His righteousness is like the great mountains. God preserves man and beast. How excellent is His lovingkindness! Therefore people trust under the shadow of His wings, satisfied with the abundance of His house and drinking from the river of His pleasures. For with God is the fountain of life; in His light, we see light. He prays for God to continue His lovingkindness to those who know Him, and not let the foot of pride or the hand of the wicked move him. The workers of iniquity have fallen, cast down and unable to rise.
Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of them, for they will soon be cut down like grass. Trust in the LORD, do good, and you will dwell in the land and be fed. Delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Him, and He will bring forth your righteousness as the light. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently; do not fret over the one who prospers in his wicked schemes. Cease from anger, for evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait on the LORD will inherit the earth. Soon the wicked will be no more. The meek will inherit the earth and delight in abundant peace. The wicked plots against the just, but the Lord laughs at him, seeing his day is coming. The wicked draw their sword to slay the poor, but their sword will enter their own heart. A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. The LORD upholds the righteous and knows their days; their inheritance is forever. They will not be ashamed in evil times. But the wicked will perish like the fat of lambs, consumed into smoke. The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives. Those blessed by Him will inherit the earth. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD. Though he falls, he will not be utterly cast down. The psalmist, now old, has never seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. He exhorts to depart from evil and do good, for the LORD loves judgment and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the seed of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps will not slide. The wicked watches the righteous to slay him, but the LORD will not leave him in his hand. Wait on the LORD and keep His way, and you will see the wicked cut off. I have seen the wicked in great power, but he passed away and could not be found. Mark the perfect man, for his end is peace, but transgressors will be destroyed. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, their strength in trouble. The LORD will help and deliver them because they trust in Him.
A plea is made for God not to rebuke him in wrath, for God’s arrows are stuck in him. There is no soundness in his flesh because of God’s anger and his sin. His iniquities are a heavy burden, and his wounds are corrupt because of his foolishness. He is troubled, bowed down, and mourning all day. His loins are filled with a loathsome disease. He is feeble and broken, roaring from the disquiet of his heart. His desires and groaning are not hidden from God. His heart pants, his strength fails, and the light of his eyes is gone. His friends and kinsmen stand aloof from his suffering. Those who seek his life lay snares and imagine deceits. But he is like a deaf and dumb man who does not respond. His hope is in the LORD, who will hear. He prays that his enemies will not rejoice over him when his foot slips. He is ready to fall, his sorrow is continually before him, and he will declare his iniquity and be sorry for his sin. His enemies are strong and multiplied. They render evil for good because he follows what is good. He pleads for God not to forsake him but to make haste to help him, his salvation.
He resolved to guard his ways and not sin with his tongue while the wicked were before him. He was silent, but his sorrow was stirred, and his heart grew hot within him until he spoke. He asked the LORD to make him know his end and the measure of his days, so he might know how frail he is. His days are like a handbreadth, his age as nothing; every man is vanity. Man walks in a vain show, accumulating riches without knowing who will gather them. His hope is in the Lord. He asks to be delivered from his transgressions and not be a reproach to the foolish. He was silent because God was the one who acted. He asks God to remove His stroke, for he is consumed. When God corrects man for iniquity, his beauty consumes away like a moth. He prays for God to hear his prayer and tears, for he is a stranger and sojourner. He asks to be spared, that he may recover strength before he is no more.
He waited patiently for the LORD, who heard his cry and brought him out of a horrible pit, setting his feet on a rock and putting a new song of praise in his mouth. Many will see, fear, and trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust and does not respect the proud. God’s wonderful works and thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered. God does not desire sacrifice and offering but has opened his ears; burnt offering and sin offering are not required. He comes as it is written of him in the book, delighting to do God's will, with the law in his heart. He has preached righteousness in the great congregation and has not hidden God's faithfulness, salvation, and lovingkindness. He prays that God will not withhold His tender mercies but let His truth preserve him. Innumerable evils have surrounded him, his iniquities have overtaken him, and his heart fails. He pleads for God to deliver him quickly. Let those who seek to destroy his soul be ashamed, but let all who seek God rejoice and be glad, continually saying, "The LORD be magnified." Though he is poor and needy, the Lord thinks upon him. He is his help and deliverer; "make no tarrying, O my God."
Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble, preserve him, and keep him alive. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of sickness. He prayed for mercy and healing, for he has sinned. His enemies speak evil of him, wondering when he will die. Visitors speak vanity, gathering iniquity to tell abroad. All who hate him whisper against him, saying an evil disease has fastened on him and he will not rise again. Even his familiar friend, who ate his bread, has lifted his heel against him. But he prays for God’s mercy to raise him up so he may repay them. He knows God favors him because his enemy does not triumph. God upholds him in his integrity and sets him before His face forever. "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."
BOOK TWO: SONGS OF ISRAEL
YEARNING FOR GOD AMIDST AFFLICTION
As a deer pants for water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God; when shall I come and appear before Him? My tears have been my food day and night, while people continually ask, "Where is your God?" I pour out my soul when I remember going with the multitude to the house of God with joy and praise. Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. My soul is cast down, so I will remember You from the land of Jordan and the Hermonites. Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterspouts; all Your waves have gone over me. Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness by day, and His song will be with me by night. I will ask God my rock why He has forgotten me and why I go mourning because of the enemy’s oppression, which is like a sword in my bones. Why are you disquieted within me, O my soul? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God.
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. You are the God of my strength; why have You cast me off? Why do I mourn because of the enemy's oppression? Send out Your light and truth to lead me to Your holy hill and tabernacles. Then I will go to the altar of God, my exceeding joy, and praise You with the harp. Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God.
We have heard from our fathers what work You did in their days. You drove out the nations with Your hand and planted our ancestors. They did not gain the land by their own sword, but by Your right hand and favor. You are my King, O God; command deliverance for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies. I will not trust in my bow or sword, for You have saved us and shamed those who hated us. In God we boast all day long. But now You have cast us off and put us to shame; You do not go out with our armies. You make us turn back from the enemy, who spoil us. You have given us like sheep for slaughter and scattered us among the nations. You make us a reproach and a byword. My confusion and shame cover me because of the enemy and avenger. All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten You or been false to Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, though You have broken us in the place of dragons and covered us with the shadow of death. If we had forgotten God or stretched our hands to a strange god, would He not know it? For Your sake we are killed all day long, counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, O Lord! Why do You sleep? Arise, do not cast us off forever. Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction? Our soul is bowed to the dust. Arise for our help and redeem us for Your mercy’s sake.
SONGS OF ZION AND THE KING
My heart overflows with a good theme concerning the king. You are fairer than the children of men; grace is poured on your lips. Gird your sword, O mighty one, and in your majesty ride prosperously for truth, meekness, and righteousness. Your arrows are sharp in the hearts of the king's enemies. Your throne, O God, is forever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a right scepter. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God has anointed you with the oil of gladness. Your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Kings' daughters are among your honorable women; the queen stands at your right hand in gold of Ophir. The royal bride is told to forget her own people and her father's house, so the king will greatly desire her beauty. The daughter of Tyre will be there with a gift. The king's daughter is glorious within, her clothing of wrought gold. She will be brought to the king, followed by her virgin companions with gladness into the palace. Instead of your fathers will be your children, whom you will make princes in all the earth. I will make your name to be remembered in all generations, and the people will praise you forever.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth is removed and mountains are carried into the sea. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. God is in her midst; she shall not be moved. When the nations raged and kingdoms were moved, He uttered His voice and the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD, who makes wars cease, breaks the bow, and burns the chariot. "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen." The LORD of hosts is with us.
All peoples are called to clap their hands and shout to God with triumph, for the LORD Most High is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue peoples under us. He chooses our inheritance for us. God has gone up with a shout. Sing praises to God, the King of all the earth. God reigns over the nations from His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God.
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, Mount Zion, beautiful in its location, the joy of the whole earth. God is known in her palaces as a refuge. When kings assembled against her, they marveled, were troubled, and fled in fear. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, which God will establish forever. We have thought of Your lovingkindness in Your temple. Your praise, like Your name, extends to the ends of the earth. Let Mount Zion rejoice because of Your judgments. Walk about Zion, count her towers, mark her bulwarks, consider her palaces, so you may tell the next generation that this God is our God forever; He will be our guide even to death.
WISDOM, WORSHIP, AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
All people, low and high, rich and poor, are called to hear wisdom and understanding. Why should I fear in evil days, when surrounded by those who trust in their wealth? None can redeem his brother or give God a ransom for his soul. They cannot live forever and avoid corruption. Wise men, fools, and the brutish all perish and leave their wealth to others. They think their houses will continue forever, but man in honor does not last; he is like the beasts that perish. This is their folly. Like sheep, they are laid in the grave where death will feed on them, and the upright will have dominion in the morning. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave. Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, for he will carry nothing away when he dies. Though he blessed his soul while he lived, he will go to the generation of his fathers and never see light. A man in honor who does not understand is like the beasts that perish.
The mighty God, the LORD, has spoken and called the earth. Out of Zion, God has shined. Our God will come and not keep silent; a fire will devour before Him. He will call to the heavens and the earth to judge His people, gathering His saints who made a covenant by sacrifice. God Himself is judge. He speaks to Israel, not to reprove them for sacrifices, for every beast of the forest and cattle on a thousand hills are His. "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine." He does not eat the flesh of bulls. He commands them to offer thanksgiving and pay their vows, and to call upon Him in trouble. But to the wicked, God asks why they declare His statutes while hating instruction. They consent with thieves, partake with adulterers, give their mouth to evil, and slander their own brother. Because God was silent, they thought He was like them, but He will reprove them. Those who forget God should consider this, lest He tear them in pieces. Whoever offers praise glorifies Him, and to him who orders his conduct aright, God will show His salvation.
A plea for mercy is made according to God's lovingkindness. He asks for his transgressions to be blotted out and to be washed thoroughly from iniquity. He acknowledges his sin is always before him; against God only has he sinned, so that God is justified in His judgment. He was brought forth in iniquity. God desires truth in the inward parts. He prays to be purged with hyssop and washed whiter than snow, to hear joy and gladness. He asks God to hide His face from his sins, create in him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him. He pleads not to be cast away from God's presence or have the Holy Spirit taken from him. Restore the joy of salvation, and he will teach transgressors God's ways. Deliver him from bloodguiltiness, and his tongue will sing of God's righteousness. God does not desire sacrifice, but a broken spirit and a contrite heart He will not despise. He prays for God to do good to Zion and build the walls of Jerusalem, then He will be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness.
CONDEMNATION OF THE WICKED AND TRUST IN GOD
Why does the mighty man boast in mischief? The goodness of God endures continually. The deceitful tongue devises mischiefs like a sharp razor, loving evil more than good. God will destroy such a person forever, plucking him from his dwelling. The righteous will see, fear, and laugh, saying this is the man who did not make God his strength but trusted in riches. But the psalmist is like a green olive tree in the house of God, trusting in His mercy forever.
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt and do abominable iniquity. God looked down from heaven and saw that all have gone back and become filthy; none does good. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up God's people like bread? They were in great fear where there was none, for God has scattered the bones of their besiegers. A prayer is made for Israel’s salvation to come from Zion, so when God brings back His people, Jacob will rejoice.
A prayer is made for God to save by His name and judge by His strength. Strangers and oppressors have risen up, who have not set God before them. But God is his helper. He will reward evil to his enemies. He will freely sacrifice and praise God's name, for He has delivered him from all trouble.
A prayer is made to God not to hide from his supplication. He mourns because of the enemy’s voice and the wicked’s oppression. His heart is pained, and the terrors of death have fallen upon him. He wishes for wings like a dove to fly away and be at rest in the wilderness. He prays for the Lord to destroy their tongues, for he has seen violence and strife in the city. It was not an enemy who reproached him, but an equal, a guide, and an acquaintance with whom he walked to the house of God. Let death seize them and let them go down to hell alive. He will call upon God morning, noon, and night, and He will hear and deliver him. God will afflict those who do not fear Him. The companion has broken his covenant; his words were smoother than butter but were drawn swords. "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee." God will bring the bloody and deceitful down to the pit of destruction, but the psalmist will trust in Him.
He pleads for mercy, for men try to swallow him up daily. In God, he will praise His word; in God, he trusts and will not fear what flesh can do. His enemies twist his words and plot evil. Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger, God will cast them down. God numbers his wanderings and puts his tears in His bottle. When he cries out, his enemies will turn back, for God is for him. In God he has put his trust; he will not be afraid of what man can do. Vows are upon him, and he will render praises, for God has delivered his soul from death and his feet from falling, so he may walk before God in the light of the living.
He cries for mercy, taking refuge in the shadow of God’s wings until calamities pass. God will send from heaven to save him from reproach, sending forth His mercy and truth. His soul is among lions, men whose teeth are spears and arrows and whose tongues are sharp swords. He prays for God to be exalted above the heavens. They have prepared a net for his steps, but have fallen into the pit they dug themselves. His heart is steadfast; he will sing and give praise, awakening the dawn with his music. He will praise the Lord among the peoples, for His mercy is great to the heavens and His truth to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
The congregation is asked if they indeed speak and judge righteously. In their hearts, they work wickedness. The wicked are estranged from the womb, speaking lies from birth. Their poison is like a serpent's; they are like a deaf adder that stops its ear to the charmer. He prays for God to break their teeth, for them to melt away like water, to be like a snail that melts or an untimely birth that does not see the sun. Before their pots can feel the thorns, He will take them away in a whirlwind. The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance and washes his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that people will say there is a reward for the righteous and a God who judges the earth.
He prays for deliverance from his enemies, the workers of iniquity and bloody men. They lie in wait for his soul, not for his sin but without fault of his own. He calls on the LORD God of hosts to awaken and visit the nations, showing no mercy to wicked transgressors. They return at evening, making noise like a dog; swords are in their lips, for they think no one hears. But the LORD will laugh at them. God is his defense. God will let him see his desire upon his enemies. He prays not to slay them, lest his people forget, but to scatter and bring them down. For the sin of their mouth, let them be taken in their pride. Consume them in wrath, that they may know God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Let them wander for food, but he will sing of God’s power and mercy in the morning, for God has been his refuge.
COMMUNAL LAMENTS AND A PRAYER FOR THE KING
O God, You have cast us off and scattered us; turn to us again. You have made the earth tremble and broken it; heal its breaches. You have shown Your people hard things. You have given a banner to those who fear You. Save with Your right hand. God has spoken in His holiness, promising victory over Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah. Moab is His washpot; over Edom He will cast His shoe. Who will bring him into the strong city? Will not You, O God, who cast us off? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is vain. Through God, we will do valiantly and tread down our enemies.
He cries to God from the end of the earth, overwhelmed, asking to be led to the rock that is higher than he. God has been his shelter and strong tower. He will abide in God’s tabernacle forever, trusting in the covert of His wings. God has heard his vows and given him the heritage of those who fear His name. He prays for the king’s life to be prolonged, for him to abide before God forever, preserved by mercy and truth. So he will sing praise to God’s name forever, performing his vows daily.
His soul waits only upon God, from whom comes his salvation. God alone is his rock, salvation, and defense; he shall not be greatly moved. He asks his enemies how long they will imagine mischief against him, consulting only to cast him down, delighting in lies. His soul waits for God alone. In God is his salvation, glory, and refuge. He tells the people to trust in Him at all times. Men of low and high degree are vanity, altogether lighter than vanity in the balance. Do not trust in oppression or set your heart on riches. God has spoken that power and mercy belong to Him, for He renders to every man according to his work.
O God, he seeks You early; his soul thirsts for You in a dry and thirsty land. His lips will praise you because Your lovingkindness is better than life. His soul will be satisfied, and he will praise You with joyful lips, meditating on You in the night watches. His soul follows hard after You; Your right hand upholds him. But those who seek his soul will go to the lower parts of the earth; they will fall by the sword and be a portion for foxes. The king will rejoice in God, but the mouth of liars will be stopped.
He prays for his life to be preserved from fear of the enemy, to be hidden from the secret counsel of the wicked who whet their tongues like a sword to shoot bitter words at the perfect. They encourage themselves in evil, but God will shoot an arrow at them, and they will be suddenly wounded. Their own tongue will cause them to fall. All men will fear and declare the work of God. The righteous will be glad in the LORD and trust in Him.
Praise awaits God in Zion. To Him who hears prayer, all flesh will come. Though iniquities prevail, God will purge them away. Blessed is the man God chooses to dwell in His courts. God answers with awesome deeds in righteousness, the confidence of all the ends of the earth. He establishes the mountains by His strength, stills the noise of the seas and the tumult of the people. He visits the earth and waters it, enriching it with the river of God, providing corn, watering its ridges, and blessing its growth. He crowns the year with His goodness. The pastures and hills rejoice, clothed with flocks and covered with corn; they shout for joy and sing.
All lands are called to make a joyful noise to God, singing forth the honor of His name. How awesome are His works! Through His great power, His enemies will submit. All the earth will worship and sing to His name. Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward men. He turned the sea into dry land. He rules by His power forever. Bless our God, O peoples. He holds our soul in life. God has tested and tried us like silver, bringing us into the net and laying affliction on us. We went through fire and water, but You brought us out to a wealthy place. He will go into God’s house with burnt offerings and pay the vows his lips uttered in trouble. He calls all who fear God to hear what He has done for his soul. He cried to Him, and He was extolled. If he had regarded iniquity in his heart, the Lord would not have heard, but God has indeed heard. Blessed be God, who has not turned away his prayer or His mercy.
A prayer for God to be merciful, bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, so His way may be known on earth among all nations. Let the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad, for You will judge righteously and govern the nations. Let the peoples praise You. Then the earth will yield its increase, and God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.
Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. As smoke is driven away and wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish at God’s presence. But let the righteous be glad and rejoice. Sing to God, who rides upon the heavens by His name JAH. He is a father to the fatherless and a judge of the widows. He sets the solitary in families and brings out prisoners, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. The psalm recalls God leading His people through the wilderness, when the earth shook and Sinai itself was moved. God sent plentiful rain to confirm His weary inheritance. The Lord gave the word, and great was the company that published it. Kings of armies fled. Even those who had lain among the pots would be like the wings of a dove covered with silver. God desires to dwell forever in His hill, among twenty thousand chariots of angels. He has ascended on high, led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, even the rebellious. Blessed be the Lord, the God of our salvation, to whom belong the escapes from death. God will wound the head of His enemies. The Lord promised to bring His people back from Bashan and the depths of the sea, so their feet may be dipped in the blood of their enemies. God’s procession is seen in the sanctuary with singers and musicians. Bless God in the congregations. The tribes of Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali are there. God has commanded their strength. Because of His temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents. He rebukes the warmongers. Princes will come from Egypt; Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God. The kingdoms of the earth are called to sing praises to Him who rides on the heavens. Ascribe strength to God, whose excellence is over Israel. O God, You are awesome from Your holy places; You give strength and power to Your people. Blessed be God.
A cry for salvation, for waters have come up to his soul. He sinks in deep mire with no foothold. He is weary of crying, his throat is dry, and his eyes fail while waiting for God. Those who hate him without cause are more numerous than the hairs of his head. He has borne reproach for God's sake, becoming a stranger to his own family. Zeal for God's house has consumed him. When he wept and fasted, it became a reproach; he became a proverb and the song of drunkards. But his prayer is to the LORD in an acceptable time. He asks to be delivered from the mire and deep waters. He pleads for God not to hide His face, for His lovingkindness is good. Reproach has broken his heart; he looked for pity, but there was none. They gave him gall for food and vinegar for his thirst. He prays that their table becomes a snare, their eyes be darkened, and God’s indignation be poured out on them. Let their home be desolate. For they persecute the one God has struck. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living. But he is poor and sorrowful; let God’s salvation set him on high. He will praise God with a song, which will please the LORD more than an ox. The humble will see and be glad. The LORD hears the poor. Let heaven and earth praise Him. For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, and the descendants of His servants will inherit it.
A plea is made for God to make haste to deliver and help him. Let those who seek his soul be ashamed and confounded. Let those who mock him be turned back in shame. But let all who seek God rejoice and be glad, saying continually, "Let God be magnified." He is poor and needy; "make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer."
In the LORD he puts his trust; let him never be put to confusion. Deliver him in righteousness. Be his strong habitation. Deliver him from the hand of the wicked and cruel man. God is his hope and trust from his youth. He has been sustained by God from the womb. He is a wonder to many, but God is his strong refuge. His mouth will be filled with God's praise all day. He prays not to be cast off in old age. His enemies say God has forsaken him and there is none to deliver. He asks God to make haste to help him. Let his adversaries be consumed, but he will hope continually and praise God more and more. His mouth will show forth God's righteousness and salvation all day. He will go in the strength of the Lord GOD. God has taught him from his youth, and he has declared God's wondrous works. Even when old and gray, he asks God not to forsake him until he has shown God’s strength to the next generation. God’s righteousness is very high. God, who has shown him great troubles, will revive him again. He will praise God with the psaltery and harp. His lips and soul will greatly rejoice, for they are confounded who seek his hurt.
A prayer asks God to give the king His judgments and righteousness. He will judge the people and the poor with righteousness and judgment. The mountains will bring peace. He will save the children of the needy and break the oppressor in pieces. They will fear God as long as the sun and moon endure. He will come down like rain on mown grass. In his days the righteous will flourish, and there will be an abundance of peace. He will have dominion from sea to sea. Those in the wilderness will bow before him, and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish, Sheba, and Seba will bring presents and offer gifts; all kings will fall down before him. He will deliver the needy and save their souls from deceit and violence. He will live, and gold of Sheba will be given to him; prayer will be made for him continually. There will be an abundance of corn in the earth, and the city will flourish. His name will endure forever, and all nations will call him blessed. "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen." The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
BOOK THREE: COMMUNAL LAMENTS AND DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY
THE PARADOX OF PROSPERITY AND THE SANCTUARY OF GOD
Truly God is good to Israel, to those with a clean heart. But my feet almost stumbled, for I was envious of the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles in their death; they are not troubled like other men. Pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment. They have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt and speak loftily of oppression, setting their mouths against the heavens. They ask, "How does God know?" These ungodly prosper and increase in riches. I thought I had cleansed my heart in vain, for I have been plagued all day long. When I tried to understand this, it was too painful, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places and cast them down to destruction in a moment. They are like a dream when one awakes. My heart was grieved, and I was foolish and ignorant, like a beast before You. Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand and will guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none on earth I desire besides You. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from You will perish. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD.
LAMENT OVER DESTRUCTION AND PLEA FOR REMEMBRANCE
O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember Your congregation, which You purchased of old, this Mount Zion where You have dwelt. The enemy has done wickedly in the sanctuary, roaring in Your congregations and setting up their own signs. They have broken down the carved work with axes and hammers, cast fire into Your sanctuary, and defiled the dwelling place of Your name. They have burned up all the synagogues in the land. We see no signs, there is no prophet, and no one knows how long this will last. How long will the adversary reproach and blaspheme Your name forever? Why do you withdraw Your hand? God is my King of old, working salvation in the earth. You divided the sea, broke the heads of dragons and leviathan. You cleaved the fountain and the flood. The day and night are Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun and set all the borders of the earth. Remember that the enemy has reproached You. Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove to the wicked or forget Your poor forever. Have respect for the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of cruelty. Let not the oppressed return ashamed. Arise, O God, plead Your own cause and remember the daily reproach from the foolish. Do not forget the voice of Your enemies.
We give thanks to You, O God, for Your name is near, and Your wondrous works declare it. God says that when He chooses the proper time, He will judge uprightly. Though the earth and its inhabitants are dissolved, He holds up its pillars. He tells the fools not to deal foolishly and the wicked not to lift up their horn. For promotion does not come from east, west, or south, but God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another. In the LORD’s hand is a cup of red, mixed wine, and He pours it out; all the wicked of the earth must drink its dregs. But I will declare forever and sing praises to the God of Jacob. He will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. In Salem is His tabernacle, His dwelling place in Zion. There He broke the arrows, the shield, and the sword. You are more glorious than the mountains of prey. The stouthearted are spoiled; at Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. You are to be feared; who may stand in Your sight when You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still when God arose to save all the meek. Surely the wrath of man will praise You. Vow and pay to the LORD your God; let all around Him bring presents. He will cut off the spirit of princes; He is terrible to the kings of the earth.
REMEMBERING GOD'S PAST WORKS IN PRESENT DISTRESS
I cried to God with my voice, and He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God and was troubled; I am so troubled I cannot speak. I consider the days of old. Will the Lord cast off forever? Has His mercy ceased and His promise failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? I said, this is my infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the LORD, Your wonders of old. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary. You are the God who does wonders. You have redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw You and were afraid; the depths trembled. The clouds poured out water, the skies sent a sound, Your arrows flashed, and the earth trembled and shook. Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known. You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The people are called to listen to God’s law, to parables and dark sayings of old which their fathers have told them, so the next generation might know and set their hope in God and keep His commandments. They should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, like the children of Ephraim who, though armed, turned back in battle because they did not keep God’s covenant. They forgot His marvelous works in Egypt, how He divided the sea, led them with a cloud and fire, and brought water from the rock. Yet they sinned more, tempting God by asking for meat for their lust, questioning if He could provide a table in the wilderness. The LORD heard and was wroth, because they did not believe in His salvation. Though He rained down manna, angels' food, and feathered fowls, and gave them their desire, His wrath came upon them while the food was still in their mouths. For all this, they sinned still. When He slew them, they sought Him and remembered He was their rock, but they flattered Him with their mouths, for their heart was not right with Him. But He, full of compassion, forgave their iniquity many times and remembered they were but flesh. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness and limited the Holy One of Israel, not remembering His hand that delivered them from the enemy. They forgot His signs in Egypt: turning rivers to blood, sending flies and frogs, giving their crops to locusts, destroying their vines with hail, sending pestilence, and striking the firstborn. But He led His own people forth like sheep safely through the sea that overwhelmed their enemies, bringing them to His sanctuary. Yet they tempted the most high God, provoking Him with their high places and graven images. When God heard, He was wroth, forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, and delivered His strength into captivity. Then the Lord awoke as one from sleep and smote His enemies. He refused the tabernacle of Joseph but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved, and built His sanctuary. He chose David His servant from the sheepfolds to shepherd Jacob His people, which he did with integrity of heart and skillful hands.
O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance, defiled Your holy temple, and laid Jerusalem in heaps. They have given the dead bodies of Your servants as food for the birds and beasts. Their blood has been shed like water with none to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors. How long, LORD? Will You be angry forever? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that have not known You, for they have devoured Jacob. Remember not our former iniquities; let Your tender mercies come speedily, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name, and purge away our sins. Why should the nations ask, "Where is their God?" Let the sighing of the prisoner come before You and preserve those appointed to die. Render to our neighbors sevenfold for their reproach. So we, Your people, will give You thanks forever.
O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Turn us again, O God, and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people? You feed us with the bread of tears. We are a strife to our neighbors. You brought a vine out of Egypt, cast out the nations, and planted it. It filled the land, its boughs like cedars, its branches reaching to the sea. Why have You broken down its hedges? The boar from the wood wastes it. Return, O God of hosts, look down from heaven and visit this vine. It is burned with fire. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand. So we will not go back from You. Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved.
Sing aloud to God our strength. Take a psalm, blow the trumpet on our solemn feast day, for this is a statute for Israel. He ordained it in Joseph as a testimony. He says, "I removed his shoulder from the burden." You called in trouble, and I delivered you. Hear, O my people, there shall be no strange god among you. "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." But His people would not listen, so He gave them over to their own hearts' lust. Oh, that they had listened and walked in His ways! He would have subdued their enemies. The haters of the LORD would have submitted, and He would have fed them with the finest wheat and honey from the rock.
God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the "gods" (or judges). He asks them, "How long will ye judge unjustly?" He commands them to defend the poor and fatherless, do justice to the afflicted, and deliver them from the hand of the wicked. They do not know or understand; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. He says, "Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men." The psalm ends with a plea: "Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations."
A plea is made for God not to keep silent, for His enemies make a tumult. They have taken crafty counsel against His people. They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation," and are confederate against God: the tabernacles of Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagarenes, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, the Philistines with Tyre, and Assyria. He prays that God will do to them as He did to the Midianites, to Sisera, and to Jabin at the brook Kishon. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, who said, "Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession." O my God, make them like whirling dust, like stubble before the wind, persecuted by Your tempest. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name. Let them be confounded and perish, that men may know that You, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, are the most high over all the earth.
LONGING FOR GOD'S HOUSE AND THE DAVIDIC COVENANT
How lovely are Your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs and faints for the courts of the LORD. Even the sparrow has found a home near Your altars. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, who are always praising You. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, who passes through the valley of Baca, making it a well. They go from strength to strength until each appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer. Behold, O God our shield, the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. The LORD God is a sun and shield; He will give grace and glory and withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You.
Lord, You have been favorable to Your land, bringing back the captivity of Jacob and forgiving their iniquity. Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger to cease. Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: peace to His people. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him. Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth will spring from the earth, and righteousness will look down from heaven. The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him.
Bow down Your ear, O LORD, and hear me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am holy. Be merciful, for I cry to You daily. You, Lord, are good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy. In my trouble, I will call upon You, for You will answer. Among the gods, there is none like You. All nations whom You have made will come and worship before You. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth. I will praise You with all my heart. Great is Your mercy toward me; You have delivered my soul from the lowest hell. The proud have risen against me, but You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, gracious, and longsuffering. Turn to me and have mercy; show me a token for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed because You have helped and comforted me.
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. He will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Him; of Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia, it will be said that this one was born there. And of Zion it will be said, "This and that man was born in her," and the Highest Himself will establish her. The LORD will record, when He registers the peoples, that this one was born there. The singers and players on instruments will be there, saying, "All my springs are in you."
O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You, for my soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down into the pit, free among the dead whom You remember no more. You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness. Your wrath lies hard upon me. You have put my acquaintances far from me and made me an abomination to them. My eye mourns because of affliction. Will You show wonders to the dead? Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, or Your wonders in the land of forgetfulness? But to You I have cried, O LORD. Why do You cast off my soul and hide Your face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth. Your fierce wrath goes over me; Your terrors have cut me off. Lover and friend You have put far from me.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations. I have said, "Mercy shall be built up for ever." God has declared His covenant with His chosen, David, swearing to establish his seed forever and build his throne for all generations. The heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD. Who in heaven can be compared to the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. O LORD God of hosts, who is strong like You? You rule the raging of the sea and have scattered Your enemies. The heavens and the earth are Yours. Justice and judgment are the foundation of Your throne. Blessed is the people who know the joyful sound. You are the glory of their strength. You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, saying You have found David My servant and anointed him. The enemy will not oppress him, and Your faithfulness will be with him. He will cry to Me, "You are my Father, my God," and I will make him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My covenant with him will stand fast, and his throne will endure as the days of heaven. If his children forsake My law, I will visit their transgression with the rod, but My lovingkindness I will not take from him. I have sworn by My holiness that I will not lie to David; his seed will endure forever. But now, You have cast off and been wroth with Your anointed. You have made void the covenant, profaned his crown, and brought his strongholds to ruin. You have set up his adversaries and turned the edge of his sword. You have shortened the days of his youth and covered him with shame. How long, LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? Remember how short my time is. Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses, which You swore to David in Your truth? Remember the reproach of Your servants, how Your enemies have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed. Blessed be the LORD forevermore. Amen, and Amen.
BOOK FOUR: GOD'S ETERNAL KINGDOM
THE ETERNITY OF GOD AND THE MORTALITY OF MAN
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or You had formed the earth, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man to destruction, saying, "Return, ye children of men." For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday or a watch in the night. You carry them away like a flood; they are like grass that flourishes in the morning and is cut down and withers in the evening. We are consumed by Your anger. You have set our iniquities before You. Our days are threescore and ten, or fourscore years, yet their strength is labor and sorrow, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice all our days. Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your glory to their children. Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress." Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from perilous pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers; His truth will be your shield. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, the arrow by day, or the destruction at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, but it will not come near you. Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your habitation, no evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your dwelling. He will give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra. God says, "Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him... I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
It is good to give thanks to the LORD and sing praises to the Most High, to declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night. For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work. How great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not understand that when the wicked spring up like grass, it is so they may be destroyed forever. But You, LORD, are on high forevermore. Your enemies, O LORD, will perish. But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those planted in the house of the LORD will flourish and still bear fruit in old age, to show that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
The LORD reigns; He is clothed with majesty and strength. The world is established; it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up their voice, but the LORD on high is mightier than the mighty waves of the sea. Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever.
GOD'S REIGN, JUDGMENT, AND FAITHFULNESS
O Lord God to whom vengeance belongs, show Yourself. Render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long will the wicked triumph, speaking hard things and boasting? They break Your people in pieces, slay the widow and the stranger, and say, "The LORD shall not see." Understand, you senseless people: He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see? The LORD knows the thoughts of man are vanity. Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from adversity. For the LORD will not cast off His people. Judgment will return to righteousness. Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul would have soon dwelt in silence. When my foot slipped, Your mercy, O LORD, held me up. Your comforts delight my soul. Will the throne of iniquity, which frames mischief by a law, have fellowship with You? They gather against the soul of the righteous, but the LORD is my defense. He will bring upon them their own iniquity and cut them off.
Come, let us sing to the LORD a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation with thanksgiving and psalms. The LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth and the strength of the hills; the sea is His, for He made it. Let us worship and bow down before the LORD our maker. We are the people of His pasture. Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion at Meribah, when your fathers tested Me and saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation and said they are a people who go astray in their hearts. So I swore in My wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest."
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Declare His glory among the nations. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised, feared above all gods, for the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, glory and strength. Bring an offering into His courts. Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Say among the nations, "The LORD reigneth"; He will judge the peoples righteously. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad. Let the sea roar. Let the field be joyful. For He is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and truth.
The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice. Clouds and darkness are around Him; righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne. A fire goes before Him and burns up His enemies. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The hills melt like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. Confounded be all who serve carved images. Zion heard and was glad. For You, LORD, are high above all the earth. You who love the LORD, hate evil; He preserves the souls of His saints. Light is sown for the righteous. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand has gained Him the victory. The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and truth toward the house of Israel. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD with the harp, with trumpets and the sound of a horn before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, the floods clap their hands, and the hills be joyful together before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
The LORD reigns; let the people tremble. He dwells between the cherubim. The LORD is great in Zion. Let them praise Your great and awesome name—it is holy. The King's strength loves justice; You execute judgment in Jacob. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool—He is holy. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who called on His name, called upon the LORD, and He answered them from the cloudy pillar. They kept His testimonies. You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them a God who forgave, though You took vengeance on their deeds. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy hill, for the LORD our God is holy.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God. It is He who has made us; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
I will sing of mercy and judgment. I will behave wisely in a perfect way. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. A perverse heart will depart from me. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, I will cut off. My eyes will be on the faithful of the land. He who walks in a perfect way will serve me. He who works deceit will not dwell in my house. I will destroy all the wicked of the land and cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face in the day of my trouble. My days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned. My heart is stricken and withered like grass. I am like a pelican of the wilderness, an owl of the desert, a sparrow alone on the housetop. My enemies reproach me all day long. I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping because of Your indignation. My days are like a shadow that lengthens. But You, O LORD, will endure forever. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for the set time has come. The nations will fear the name of the LORD when He builds up Zion and appears in His glory. This will be written for the generation to come. For He has looked down from His sanctuary to hear the groaning of the prisoner. He weakened my strength and shortened my days. I said, "O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days." Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure. You will change them like a garment. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end. The children of Your servants will continue.
PRAISE FOR GOD'S MERCY, CREATION, AND COVENANT HISTORY
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, and crowns you with lovingkindness. He satisfies your mouth with good things, renewing your youth like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness for all who are oppressed. He made His ways known to Moses. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us. He has not dealt with us according to our sins. As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him, for He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field, but the wind passes over it, and it is gone. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and keep His covenant. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, you His hosts, you ministers who do His pleasure. Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, You are very great, clothed with honor and majesty, covered with light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a curtain, make the clouds Your chariot, and walk on the wings of the wind. You make Your angels spirits, Your ministers a flaming fire. You laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be moved. You covered it with the deep, but at Your rebuke the waters fled to the place You founded for them. You send springs into the valleys to give drink to every beast. You water the hills from Your chambers, causing grass to grow for the cattle and plants for man's service, bringing forth food, wine that makes glad the heart, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens. The trees of the LORD are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon, where birds make their nests. You appointed the moon for seasons and the sun knows its going down. You make darkness for the beasts of the forest. The sun arises, and man goes out to his work until evening. O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The great and wide sea is full of innumerable creatures, small and great. There go the ships and that Leviathan whom You have made to play. These all wait for You to give them their food in due season. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth. The glory of the LORD will endure forever. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. Let sinners be consumed from the earth. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds. Sing to Him, talk of His wondrous works. Seek the LORD and His strength. Remember His marvelous works, O seed of Abraham, His servant. He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He has remembered His covenant forever, the word He commanded to a thousand generations, which He made with Abraham and swore to Isaac, confirming it to Jacob as an everlasting covenant: to give them the land of Canaan. When they were few and strangers, He allowed no one to do them wrong, reproving kings for their sakes, saying, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." He called for a famine and sent Joseph before them, who was sold as a slave. The king eventually released him and made him ruler over all his substance. Israel also came into Egypt, and God increased His people greatly. He sent Moses and Aaron, who performed His signs in the land of Ham: darkness, waters turned to blood, frogs, flies, lice, hail, and locusts. He struck all the firstborn in their land. He brought them out with silver and gold, spreading a cloud for a covering and fire for light at night. The people asked, and He brought quail and the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham and brought forth His people with joy to give them the lands of the nations, that they might observe His statutes. Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Blessed are they who keep justice. Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. We have sinned with our fathers. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders but rebelled at the Red Sea. Nevertheless, He saved them for His name's sake. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, and He led them through, saving them from the enemy. Then they believed His words and sang His praise. But they soon forgot His works and lusted in the wilderness. He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul. They envied Moses and Aaron. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan. They made a calf in Horeb and exchanged their Glory for an image of an ox. They forgot God their Savior. Therefore He said He would destroy them, had not Moses stood in the breach. They despised the pleasant land and murmured in their tents. So He swore to overthrow them in the wilderness and scatter their descendants. They joined themselves to Baal of Peor. Then Phinehas stood up and executed judgment, and the plague was stopped. They angered Him also at the waters of Meribah, so that it went ill with Moses. They did not destroy the nations as the LORD commanded, but mingled with them, learned their works, and served their idols, sacrificing their sons and daughters to demons. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, and He gave them into the hand of the nations. Many times He delivered them, but they provoked Him. Nevertheless, He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry and remembered His covenant for them. "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name." Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen." Praise the LORD.
BOOK FIVE: PRAISE, PILGRIMAGE, AND PERSEVERANCE
THANKSGIVING FOR GOD'S ENDURING MERCY
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed and gathered from the lands. Some wandered in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty; they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness! Some sat in darkness, bound in affliction because they rebelled against God; they cried to the LORD, and He saved them, bringing them out of the shadow of death. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness! Fools, because of their transgression, were afflicted; they cried to the LORD, and He sent His word and healed them. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness and sacrifice with thanksgiving! Those who go down to the sea in ships see the works of the LORD in the deep. He commands the stormy wind, and they are at their wits' end; they cry to the LORD, and He calms the storm. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness! He turns rivers into a wilderness and a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of those who dwell there. He also turns the wilderness into a pool of water, where He makes the hungry dwell. He blesses them, and they multiply. When they are diminished, He pours contempt on princes but sets the poor on high from affliction. The righteous will see it and rejoice. Whoever is wise will observe these things and understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and give praise. I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, for Your mercy is great above the heavens. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand. God has spoken, promising victory over Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah, Moab, and Edom. Who will lead me into Edom? Will you not, O God, who cast us off? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is vain. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who will tread down our enemies.
IMPRECATIONS AND MESSIANIC PROPHECIES
Do not keep silent, O God of my praise, for the mouths of the wicked and deceitful are opened against me with a lying tongue and words of hatred. For my love, they are my adversaries, rewarding me evil for good. He prays for a wicked man to be set over his enemy, for his prayer to become sin, his days to be few, and his children fatherless. Let his children be vagabonds and beggars, let an extortioner seize all he has, and let his posterity be cut off because he did not show mercy but persecuted the poor. As he loved cursing, let it come to him. Let it be like a garment he is clothed with. But do for me, O GOD the Lord, for Your name's sake. For I am poor and needy, tossed about like a locust. I have become a reproach to them. Help me, O LORD my God, save me according to Your mercy, so they may know it is Your hand. Let them curse, but you bless. I will greatly praise the LORD, for He will stand at the right hand of the poor to save him.
The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." The LORD will send the rod of Your strength out of Zion; rule in the midst of Your enemies. Your people will be volunteers in the day of Your power. The LORD has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." The Lord at Your right hand will strike through kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations and fill the places with the dead. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore He will lift up the head.
SONGS OF PRAISE AND THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S LAW
Praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart. The works of the LORD are great, honorable, and glorious. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. He has shown His people the power of His works. The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. He has sent redemption to His people and commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD and delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth. Wealth and riches will be in his house. To the upright, there arises light in the darkness. A good man shows favor and lends. Surely he will not be moved forever. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. The wicked will see it and be grieved; the desire of the wicked will perish.
Praise the LORD. Praise, O you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD’s name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations. Who is like the LORD our God, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and on the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to set them with princes. He makes the barren woman a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD.
When Israel went out of Egypt, Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams. Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool of water.
Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and truth’s sake. Why should the nations say, "Where is now their God?" Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear, hands but do not handle, and feet but do not walk. Those who make them are like them. O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD. You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD. The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD will increase you and your children. You are blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The dead do not praise the LORD, but we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD.
I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. The sorrows of death surrounded me, and I called upon the name of the LORD to deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous. The LORD preserves the simple. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifulfully with you, delivering your soul from death. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed, therefore I spoke, "All men are liars." What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. O LORD, truly I am Your servant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay my vows in the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, all you nations; praise Him, all you peoples. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Let Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever." I called on the LORD in distress, and He answered me. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man or in princes. All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They surrounded me like bees but are quenched like a fire of thorns. The LORD is my strength and song; He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing is in the tents of the righteous. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Open to me the gates of righteousness. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing. This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O LORD; send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. God is the LORD, who has shown us light. You are my God, and I will praise You. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD and seek Him with their whole heart. You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! I will praise You when I have learned Your righteous judgments. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times. Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. Teach me the way of Your precepts. I have chosen the way of truth. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things. Let Your mercies come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your word. I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction. Horror has taken hold of me because of the wicked who forsake Your law. I have remembered Your name, O LORD, in the night. The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live. My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness is to all generations. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished. I am Yours, save me. Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I am afflicted very much; revive me, O LORD. I hate vain thoughts, but I love Your law. Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God. I have done judgment and justice; do not leave me to my oppressors. It is time for You, LORD, to work, for they have made void Your law. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold. Your testimonies are wonderful. The entrance of Your words gives light. Order my steps in Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law. Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments. My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me, yet Your commandments are my delights. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD. I cry to You before the dawning of the morning. You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth. Consider my affliction and deliver me. Salvation is far from the wicked. Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You. Great peace have they who love Your law. Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding. Let my tongue speak of Your word. Let Your hand help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
THE SONGS OF ASCENTS AND FINAL PRAISES
In my distress, I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul from lying lips. What will be given to you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Woe is me that I dwell in Mesech, with one who hates peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He who keeps you will not slumber. The LORD is your keeper, your shade at your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will preserve you from all evil and preserve your soul, your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." Our feet will stand within your gates, O Jerusalem, a city compactly built. There the tribes go up to give thanks to the name of the LORD. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls." For the sake of my brethren and the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, Israel may now say, then they would have swallowed us alive. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people. For the scepter of wickedness will not rest on the land allotted to the righteous. Do good, O LORD, to those who are good. As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, will doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. You will eat the labor of your hands; you will be happy. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, your children like olive plants around your table. The LORD bless you out of Zion; may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life and see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.
"Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," let Israel now say, "yet they have not prevailed against me." The plowers plowed on my back. The LORD is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. Let all who hate Zion be confounded and turned back. Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up.
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice. If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope, more than those who watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother. Let Israel hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever.
Lord, remember David and all his afflictions, how he swore to the LORD not to enter his house or go to his bed until he found a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty God of Jacob. We will go into His tabernacles; we will worship at His footstool. Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed. The LORD has sworn in truth to David: "Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. If your children will keep my covenant... their children also shall sit upon your throne forevermore." For the LORD has chosen Zion; this is His resting place forever. He will bless her provision and satisfy her poor. He will clothe her priests with salvation. There He will make the horn of David to bud. His enemies He will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown will flourish.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard of Aaron, down to the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forevermore.
Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion.
Praise the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD, you who stand in the house of our God. For the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself. I know that the LORD is great, above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth. He causes the vapors to ascend, makes lightning for the rain, and brings the wind out of His treasuries. He struck the firstborn of Egypt and great nations and mighty kings—Sihon, Og, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—and gave their land as a heritage to Israel. Your name, O LORD, endures forever. The idols of the nations are silver and gold; they have mouths but do not speak and eyes but do not see. Those who make them are like them. Bless the LORD, O house of Israel, house of Aaron, house of Levi, and you who fear the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion. Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods and the Lord of lords, for His mercy endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders, who by wisdom made the heavens, who laid out the earth above the waters, who made great lights—the sun to rule by day and the moon and stars to rule by night—for His mercy endures forever. To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn and brought out Israel from among them with a strong hand, who divided the Red Sea and made Israel pass through it but overthrew Pharaoh and his army, for His mercy endures forever. To Him who led His people through the wilderness, who struck great kings and slew famous kings, and gave their land as a heritage to Israel His servant, for His mercy endures forever. Who remembered us in our low estate and redeemed us from our enemies, who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy endures forever.
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps on the willows. For there our captors required of us a song, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion." How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth. Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, "Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation!" O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
I will praise You with my whole heart. I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and truth. In the day when I cried, You answered me. All the kings of the earth will praise You, O LORD. Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever.
O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. There is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, even there Your hand will lead me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me," even the night will be light about me. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written. How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand. Surely You will slay the wicked, O God. Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? I hate them with perfect hatred. Search me, O God, and know my heart; see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man who imagines mischief in his heart. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. The proud have hidden a snare for me. I said to the LORD, "You are my God." O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, do not grant the desires of the wicked. Let burning coals fall upon them. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name.
Lord, I cry to You; make haste to me. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth. Incline not my heart to any evil thing. Let the righteous strike me; it will be a kindness. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave. But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape.
I cried to the LORD with my voice; I poured out my complaint before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed, You knew my path. I looked, but there was no one who would know me; refuge failed me. I cried to You, O LORD, "You are my refuge." Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name.
Hear my prayer, O LORD; in Your faithfulness answer me. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous. The enemy has persecuted my soul; my spirit is overwhelmed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O LORD. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake. In Your mercy, cut off my enemies, for I am Your servant.
Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war. My goodness, my fortress, my high tower, and my deliverer. LORD, what is man that You take knowledge of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. Bow Your heavens, O LORD, and come down. Cast forth lightning and scatter them. Send Your hand from above; rescue me from the hand of foreigners whose mouth speaks lying words. I will sing a new song to You, O God. It is He who gives salvation to kings, who delivers David His servant from the deadly sword. That our sons may be as plants grown up, our daughters as cornerstones, our garners full, our sheep bringing forth thousands, and our oxen strong to labor. Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the LORD.
I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever. Every day I will bless You. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will praise Your works to another. Men will speak of the might of Your awesome acts. The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all. All Your works will praise You, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You. They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. The LORD upholds all who fall. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live I will praise the LORD. Do not put your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, raises those who are bowed down, and loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow, but the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD will reign forever.
Praise the LORD, for it is good to sing praises to our God. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and makes grass grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food. He does not delight in the strength of the horse. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! He has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children. He makes peace in your borders. He sends out His commandment to the earth. He gives snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He sends out His word and melts them. He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation. Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels and all His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, for He commanded and they were created. Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps; fire and hail, snow and clouds; mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges; both young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted. He also has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints. Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker. Let them praise His name with the dance, with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains. This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, the lute and harp, the timbrel and dance, with stringed instruments and flutes, with loud cymbals and clashing cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Concise Summary
The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers and hymns that explore the full range of human emotion—from despair and lament to exuberant praise—consistently directing the soul to find its ultimate hope, refuge, and joy in the sovereign power, enduring mercy, and perfect law of God.
Audiobook Script.
You're about to hear a religious text titled Book of Tehillim, Psalms one through one hundred fifty, in a short prose version. This work contains seven main sections, exploring the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, cries for deliverance, unwavering trust, God's sovereignty, penitence and forgiveness, the glory of God in creation, and a universal call to worship. Let's begin. [pause 2s] The Two Paths: The Righteous and the Wicked. [pause 1s] Blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Instead, their delight is in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. Such a person is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever they do prospers. The wicked are not so; they are like chaff that the wind blows away. The wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous, for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. [pause 1s] The fool says in his heart, quote, "There is no God," end quote. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, and there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God, but all have turned away. Do not be envious of evildoers, for like the grass they will soon wither. The wicked plot against the just, but the Lord laughs at them, for He knows their day is coming. Their own swords will pierce their hearts, and their bows will be broken. In contrast, the righteous will flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in the house of the LORD. They will still bear fruit in old age, proclaiming that the LORD is upright and there is no wickedness in Him. [pause 2s] Now, we explore the Cries for Deliverance in Times of Trouble. [pause 1s] In times of distress, the soul cries out: quote, "O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!" end quote. Many say there is no help for me in God. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me? How long, LORD, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? My soul is in deep anguish, and my bones are in agony. I am weary with my groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping. [pause 1s] My strength is dried up, and my heart has turned to wax; I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold. My enemies surround me, taunting me with the words, quote, "He trusted in the LORD, let him deliver him," end quote. They whisper together against me and devise my hurt. Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, has turned against me. For your sake I bear reproach, becoming a stranger to my own family. When I seek pity, there is none; for comforters, I find none. They give me gall for my food and vinegar for my thirst. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I. [pause 2s] From cries of distress, we turn to the theme of Unwavering Trust in God's Protection. [pause 1s] Though troubles abound, you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my strength, in whom I trust. Therefore, I will not be afraid of the ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me. Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. [pause 1s] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside quiet waters, and restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies and anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. [pause 1s] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and the deadly pestilence, covering you with His feathers. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. A thousand may fall at your side, but it will not come near you, for He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. [pause 2s] We now consider God's Sovereignty and Universal Reign. [pause 1s] Why do the nations rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His anointed. But He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. He has set His king upon His holy hill of Zion, declaring, quote, "You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance," end quote. [pause 1s] The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof; the world and those who dwell in it. The LORD reigns; He is clothed with majesty and strength. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; it is powerful and full of majesty, breaking the cedars and shaking the wilderness. Let all the earth fear the LORD and stand in awe of Him, for He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His truth. [pause 2s] This leads to the topic of Penitence and the Joy of Forgiveness. [pause 1s] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. [pause 1s] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. When I kept silent about my sin, my bones grew old through my groaning all day long. But I acknowledged my sin to you, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Out of the depths I have cried to you, O LORD. If you should mark iniquities, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. [pause 2s] Next, we reflect on The Glory of God in Creation and His Law. [pause 1s] The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor, giving him dominion over the works of your hands. [pause 1s] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. More to be desired are they than gold, and sweeter also than honey. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing shall cause them to stumble. [pause 2s] Finally, we hear A Call to Universal Praise and Worship. [pause 1s] I will extol you, my God, O King; and I will bless your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. All your works shall praise you, O LORD, and your saints shall bless you. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction. [pause 1s] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light! Mountains and all hills, beasts and all cattle, kings of the earth and all people: let them praise the name of the LORD. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, with the psaltery and harp, with timbrel and dance. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. [pause 2s] This concludes the short prose summary. We now begin the full text in prose, starting with Book One of the Book of Tehillim, Psalms one through one hundred fifty. [pause 2s] Book One. Prayers of David. [pause 1s] The Two Paths and the Reign of God's Anointed. [pause 1s] Blessed is the man who does not follow the advice of the ungodly, stand in the path of sinners, or sit with the scornful. Instead, his delight is in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. He will be like a tree planted by rivers of water, fruitful and prosperous in all he does. The ungodly, however, are not so; they are like chaff driven away by the wind and will not stand in the judgment or in the congregation of the righteous, for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish. [pause 1s] Despite this, the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain. The kings and rulers of the earth conspire against the LORD and His anointed, seeking to break free from their authority. But He who sits in the heavens laughs them to scorn and will speak to them in His wrath, declaring, quote, "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion," end quote. The king then proclaims the LORD’s decree: quote, "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee," end quote. God promises him the nations as an inheritance, to rule them with a rod of iron and shatter them like a potter’s vessel. Therefore, the kings and judges of the earth are exhorted to be wise, to serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling, and to honor the Son, lest His wrath be kindled. Blessed are all who trust in Him. [pause 2s] Personal Laments and Confidence in God. [pause 1s] A prayer laments the great number of troubles and enemies who say there is no help from God. Yet the LORD is a shield, glory, and the one who lifts the head. After crying out, the LORD heard from His holy hill, allowing for peaceful sleep and awakening, sustained by Him. There is no fear of ten thousands of people, for salvation belongs to the LORD, and His blessing is upon His people. Another prayer calls upon God for mercy, remembering past deliverance in distress. It questions how long men will love vanity and shame, affirming that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself and will hear their call. The psalmist advises to stand in awe without sinning, to commune with one’s own heart in stillness, to offer righteous sacrifices, and to trust in the LORD. While many ask who will show them good, the prayer is for the light of God’s countenance, which brings more gladness than an abundant harvest, allowing for peaceful and safe rest in God alone. [pause 1s] A morning prayer asks God to hear his words and meditation. He is a God who takes no pleasure in wickedness; evil and the foolish cannot stand in His sight, for He hates all who work iniquity and destroys those who speak lies. By God’s great mercy, the psalmist will enter His house to worship. He prays to be led in righteousness because of his enemies, whose mouths are unfaithful, whose hearts are wicked, and whose throats are like open graves. He calls for God to destroy them for their rebellion but asks that all who trust in God rejoice and shout for joy, for the LORD defends them, blesses the righteous, and surrounds them with favor as with a shield. [pause 1s] In a plea for mercy, the psalmist asks not to be rebuked in anger, for he is weak, and his bones and soul are deeply troubled. He questions, quote, "how long?" end quote, and asks the LORD to return and deliver his soul for His mercy’s sake, since in death there is no remembrance or thanks given to God. Weary with groaning, he waters his couch with tears all night, his eye consumed with grief. He commands workers of iniquity to depart, for the LORD has heard his weeping and supplication. He prays that his enemies will be ashamed and vexed, turning back in sudden shame. [pause 2s] Pleas for Justice and Judgment. [pause 1s] Trusting in the LORD, a plea is made for salvation from persecutors, lest they tear his soul apart like a lion. The psalmist declares his innocence, stating that if he has iniquity in his hands or has rewarded evil to one at peace with him, then the enemy should be allowed to persecute and tread down his life. He calls for God to arise in anger against the rage of his enemies and to execute the judgment He has commanded, so the people will gather around Him. He asks to be judged according to his righteousness and integrity, praying for the end of wickedness and the establishment of the just. His defense is God, who saves the upright, judges the righteous, and is angry with the wicked daily. If the wicked do not turn, God has prepared His sword, bow, and instruments of death. The wicked conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood, falling into the pit he himself has dug. His violence will return upon his own head. For this, the psalmist will praise the LORD according to His righteousness. [pause 1s] A song of praise marvels at how excellent God’s name is in all the earth, His glory set above the heavens. From the mouths of infants, He has ordained strength to silence the enemy. Contemplating the heavens, the moon, and the stars, the psalmist wonders, quote, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" end quote. Yet God has made him a little lower than the angels, crowned him with glory, and given him dominion over all the works of His hands: all sheep and oxen, beasts of the field, birds of the air, and fish of the sea. The psalm concludes by again exclaiming how excellent the LORD’s name is in all the earth. [pause 1s] He gives thanks to the LORD with his whole heart for His marvelous works, rejoicing in the Most High. Enemies turn back and perish at God’s presence, for He has maintained the psalmist’s cause from His throne of right judgment. God has rebuked the nations, destroyed the wicked, and blotted out their name forever. The enemy’s destructions have come to a perpetual end, their cities destroyed and memory perished. But the LORD endures forever, His throne prepared for judgment to judge the world in righteousness. He is a refuge for the oppressed in times of trouble, and those who know His name will trust Him, for He has not forsaken those who seek Him. Praises are sung to the LORD who dwells in Zion, who remembers the humble and does not forget their cry. A plea is made for mercy from the hatred of enemies, that he may praise God in the gates of Zion. The nations have sunk into the pit they made, their own foot caught in the net they hid. The LORD is known by His judgment, and the wicked are snared by their own hands. The wicked, and all nations that forget God, will be turned into the grave. But the needy and poor will not always be forgotten or perish. The prayer asks God to arise, let not man prevail, and judge the nations in His sight, putting them in fear so they may know they are only human. [pause 1s] A cry questions why the LORD stands far off in times of trouble. The wicked, in his pride, persecutes the poor, boasting of his desires and blessing the covetous, whom God abhors. The wicked man is too proud to seek God, having no room for Him in his thoughts. His ways are grievous; he scoffs at his enemies, believing he will never be moved or face adversity. His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; he murders the innocent from lurking places, lying in wait like a lion to catch the poor. He crouches and humbles himself to overpower the vulnerable, saying in his heart that God has forgotten and will never see. The plea is for the LORD to arise and lift His hand, not forgetting the humble. Why does the wicked contemn God, thinking he will not be held accountable? But God has seen the mischief and spite and will requite it. The poor, the fatherless, and the oppressed commit themselves to Him. A prayer is made to break the arm of the wicked until his wickedness is no more. The LORD is King forever; the nations have perished from His land. He has heard the desire of the humble and will judge the fatherless and oppressed, so that man may no longer oppress. [pause 2s] Trust Amidst Threats and Corruption. [pause 1s] In the LORD he trusts, so why do people tell him to flee like a bird to the mountain? The wicked bend their bow to shoot secretly at the upright. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in His holy temple, His throne in heaven; His eyes behold and test the children of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and violent. Upon them He will rain snares, fire, brimstone, and a horrible tempest. For the righteous LORD loves righteousness, and His countenance beholds the upright. [pause 1s] A cry for help arises because the godly and faithful are failing. People speak vanity and flattery with a double heart. The LORD will cut off all flattering lips and the proud tongue of those who say they will prevail by their own strength. But because of the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, the LORD says, quote, "now will I arise," end quote, and set them in safety. The words of the LORD are pure, like silver purified seven times. He will keep and preserve the faithful from this generation forever, even while the wicked walk on every side and the vilest men are exalted. [pause 1s] A lament asks, quote, "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever?" end quote, questioning how long God will hide His face, leaving him with daily sorrow and the enemy exalted over him. He prays for God to consider and hear him, to enlighten his eyes lest he die and his enemies rejoice in his fall. Yet he affirms his trust in God's mercy and salvation, and resolves to sing to the LORD for His bountiful dealings. [pause 1s] The fool says in his heart, quote, "There is no God," end quote. They are corrupt, have done abominable works, and none do good. The LORD looked down from heaven to see if any understand and seek God, but all have gone aside and become filthy; not one does good. Do these workers of iniquity not know, who consume God’s people like bread and do not call on Him? They were in great fear where there was no cause for fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous. They have shamed the counsel of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. A prayer is offered for the salvation of Israel to come from Zion, so that when God restores His people, Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad. [pause 1s] The question is asked: who can abide in God’s tabernacle and dwell on His holy hill? The one who walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not backbite, do evil to his neighbor, or take up a reproach against them. He despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD. He keeps his oath even to his own hurt and does not lend money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent. The one who does these things shall never be moved. [pause 2s] Devotion and Assurance of God's Favor. [pause 1s] A prayer for preservation is made with trust in God. The psalmist declares to the LORD, quote, "Thou art my Lord," end quote, and that his goodness is for the saints on earth, in whom he delights. Sorrows will multiply for those who follow other gods; he will not offer their blood offerings or speak their names. The LORD is his inheritance and his portion, providing a pleasant and goodly heritage. He blesses the LORD for His counsel, which instructs him even at night. He has set the LORD always before him, and with God at his right hand, he will not be moved. Therefore his heart is glad, his glory rejoices, and his flesh rests in hope, for God will not leave his soul in the grave nor let His Holy One see corruption. God will show him the path of life, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures at His right hand forevermore. [pause 1s] The psalmist calls for God to hear his righteous cause and genuine prayer, asking for his sentence to come from God's presence. He declares his integrity, having been tested by God and found with no fault, purposing that his mouth will not transgress. By God’s word, he has kept from the paths of the destroyer and asks for his steps to be held firm. He calls on God, who will hear, to show His marvelous lovingkindness and save those who trust in Him. He prays to be kept as the apple of the eye, hidden under the shadow of God’s wings from the oppressive wicked who surround him. His enemies are enclosed in their own fat and speak proudly, like a lion greedy for prey. He asks the LORD to arise, cast them down, and deliver his soul from the wicked, who are God’s sword. These men of the world have their portion in this life, filled with treasure and children, but he will behold God’s face in righteousness and be satisfied with His likeness. [pause 2s] A Song of Victory and the King's Thanksgiving. [pause 1s] The psalmist declares his love for the LORD, his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, and high tower. Calling on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, he is saved from his enemies. When the sorrows of death and floods of ungodly men surrounded him, he cried to the LORD, who heard him from His temple. Then the earth shook and trembled, smoke rose from God’s nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth. He bowed the heavens and came down, riding on a cherub upon the wings of the wind, with darkness and thick clouds as His pavilion. At His brightness, hail and coals of fire broke through the clouds; the LORD thundered from heaven, sending arrows and lightning that scattered the enemy. The foundations of the world were exposed at His rebuke. [pause 1s] God sent from above and drew him out of many waters, delivering him from a strong enemy because He delighted in him. The LORD rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands, for he had kept the ways of the LORD and was upright. To the merciful, God shows mercy; to the upright, He shows Himself upright. He saves the afflicted but brings down the proud. God lights his candle and enlightens his darkness, enabling him to run through a troop and leap over a wall. God’s way is perfect; His word is tried. He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God but the LORD? He gives strength, makes his way perfect, makes his feet like a deer’s, and teaches his hands to war. God gives the shield of salvation, holds him up, enlarges his steps, and enables him to pursue and consume his enemies. God girded him with strength for battle and gave him the necks of his enemies. They cried for help, even to the LORD, but were not answered. He beat them small as dust and cast them out like dirt. God delivered him from the strivings of the people and made him head of the nations. Strangers submit to him and fade away. The LORD lives, and blessed is the Rock of his salvation. He gives thanks to the LORD among the nations, for He gives great deliverance to His king, David, and shows mercy to him and his descendants forever. [pause 2s] God's Glory in Creation and Law. [pause 1s] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day after day and night after night, they pour forth speech and knowledge universally. The sun’s circuit runs from one end of heaven to the other, like a bridegroom or a strong man, and nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; His testimony is sure, making wise the simple. His statutes are right, rejoicing the heart; His commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; His judgments are true and altogether righteous, more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. By them, His servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. The psalmist asks to be cleansed from secret faults and kept from presumptuous sins, so that he may be upright and innocent. He prays that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable to the LORD, his strength and redeemer. [pause 2s] Prayers for the King and the People. [pause 1s] A prayer is offered that the LORD will hear the king in the day of trouble, defend him, send help from the sanctuary, remember his offerings, and fulfill his heart’s desires. The people will rejoice in his salvation and set up banners in God’s name. Now it is known that the LORD saves His anointed, hearing him from heaven with His saving strength. Some trust in chariots and horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have fallen, but we have risen. Quote, "Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call," end quote. [pause 1s] The king rejoices in the LORD’s strength and salvation. God has given him his heart's desire, blessed him with goodness, and set a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked for life, and God gave him length of days forever. His glory, honor, and majesty are great in God’s salvation. He is made most blessed forever, trusting in the LORD and the mercy of the Most High, so he will not be moved. God’s hand will find all His enemies who hate Him, making them a fiery oven in His anger; fire will devour them. He will destroy their descendants from the earth. They intended evil but could not perform it. God will make them turn their back when His arrows are aimed at their faces. The psalm ends with a call for the LORD to be exalted in His own strength, so they will sing and praise His power. [pause 2s] A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise. [pause 1s] A cry of dereliction is voiced: quote, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" end quote. He cries day and night but is not heard. Yet God is holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Their fathers trusted in Him and were delivered. But he is a worm, a reproach despised by the people, who mock him, saying, quote, "He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him," end quote. Yet it was God who took him from the womb and has been his God since birth. He pleads for God not to be far, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Enemies like strong bulls and roaring lions surround him. He is poured out like water, his bones are out of joint, his heart is like melted wax, his strength is dried up, and his tongue sticks to his jaws. [pause 1s] Dogs and the wicked have enclosed him; they have pierced his hands and feet. He can count all his bones while they stare at him. They divide his garments and cast lots for his clothing. He prays for the LORD, his strength, to hurry and help, delivering his soul from the sword and the dog, saving him from the lion's mouth. After this, he declares he will proclaim God’s name to his brethren and praise Him in the congregation. All who fear the LORD are called to praise and glorify Him, for He has not despised the afflicted but has heard his cry. His praise will be in the great congregation, and he will pay his vows. The meek will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him. All the ends of the world will remember and turn to the LORD, and all nations will worship before Him, for the kingdom is the LORD’s. A future generation will serve Him and declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born. [pause 2s] Psalms of Confidence and Worship. [pause 1s] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, anoint my head with oil, and my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. [pause 1s] The earth and everything in it belong to the LORD, for He founded it upon the seas. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD or stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul to vanity or sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing and righteousness from God. This is the generation that seeks Him. The gates are commanded to lift up their heads for the King of glory to come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle, the LORD of hosts. [pause 2s] Prayers for Guidance, Pardon, and Protection. [pause 1s] The psalmist lifts his soul to God, trusting in Him and praying not to be ashamed or let his enemies triumph. Indeed, none who wait for God will be ashamed; only those who transgress without cause will be. He asks God to show him His ways, teach him His paths, and lead him in truth, for he waits on God all day. He pleads for God to remember His tender mercies of old, but not the sins of his youth, asking to be remembered according to God's goodness. The LORD is good and upright, teaching sinners and guiding the meek. All His paths are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant. For His name's sake, he asks for pardon for his great iniquity. The one who fears the LORD will be taught the way to choose, his soul will dwell at ease, and his descendants will inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him. His eyes are always toward the LORD, who will pluck his feet from the net. He feels desolate and afflicted, praying for mercy and deliverance from his enlarged troubles, asking God to look on his pain and forgive his sins. He asks God to consider his many cruel enemies, to keep his soul and deliver him, for his integrity to preserve him as he waits on the LORD. The psalm concludes with a plea for God to redeem Israel from all its troubles. [pause 1s] Asserting his integrity and trust in the LORD, he asks to be judged, examined, and proven. He has walked in God's lovingkindness and truth, avoiding vain persons, dissemblers, and the congregation of evildoers. He will wash his hands in innocence and go about God’s altar, proclaiming thanksgiving and telling of His wondrous works. He loves God's house and prays that his soul not be gathered with sinners or bloody men, in whose hands is mischief and bribery. He will walk in his integrity, asking for redemption and mercy. His foot stands on level ground, and in the congregations, he will bless the LORD. [pause 1s] The LORD is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? He is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came to consume him, they stumbled and fell. Even if an army encamps against him, he will be confident. The one thing he desires is to dwell in the house of the LORD all his days, to behold His beauty. In times of trouble, God will hide him and set him upon a rock. Now his head is lifted above his enemies, and he will offer sacrifices of joy and sing praises. He cries for mercy and answers God’s call to seek His face. He pleads for God not to hide His face or forsake him. When father and mother forsake him, the LORD will take him up. He asks to be taught God’s way and led on a plain path, delivered from false witnesses who breathe out cruelty. He would have fainted unless he had believed he would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. The final exhortation is to wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart. [pause 1s] He cries to the LORD, his rock, not to be silent, lest he become like those who go down to the pit. He asks God to hear his supplications as he lifts his hands toward His holy oracle. He prays not to be drawn away with the wicked, who speak peace but have mischief in their hearts. He asks for them to be given according to their wicked deeds, because they do not regard the works of the LORD; He will destroy them. Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard his supplications. The LORD is his strength and shield; his heart trusted and was helped, so he rejoices and praises Him. The LORD is the strength of His people and His anointed. He asks God to save His people, bless His inheritance, and lift them up forever. [pause 2s] Songs of Praise to the Mighty King. [pause 1s] A call is made to the mighty to give the LORD glory and strength, to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders. His voice is powerful and full of majesty. It breaks the cedars of Lebanon, making them skip like a calf. His voice divides flames of fire and shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. It makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare. In His temple, everyone speaks of His glory. The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; He sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people and bless them with peace. [pause 1s] He will extol the LORD for lifting him up and not letting his foes rejoice. He cried to God and was healed, his soul brought up from the grave. The saints are called to sing and give thanks to Him. For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for life; weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. In his prosperity, he thought he would never be moved, but when God hid His face, he was troubled. He cried out, questioning the profit in his death, for the dust cannot praise or declare God’s truth. He asked for mercy and help. God turned his mourning into dancing and clothed him with gladness so that his glory may sing praise. He will give thanks to the LORD forever. [pause 1s] He puts his trust in the LORD, praying never to be ashamed but to be delivered in righteousness. He asks God to be his strong rock and fortress, to lead and guide him for His name’s sake, and to pull him out of the net laid for him. Quote, "Into thine hand I commit my spirit," end quote, he declares, for the LORD God of truth has redeemed him. He hates those who regard lying vanities but trusts in the LORD, rejoicing in His mercy, for God has known his soul in adversities and set his feet in a large room. He pleads for mercy again, for his life is spent with grief, his strength fails, and he has become a reproach among his enemies and neighbors. He is forgotten like a dead man, like a broken vessel, hearing slander from many as they plot to take his life. But he trusts in God, saying, quote, "Thou art my God," end quote, and his times are in God’s hand. He asks for deliverance and for God’s face to shine upon him, praying that the wicked, not he, would be put to shame and silenced in the grave. How great is God’s goodness for those who fear and trust Him, hiding them from the pride of man. Blessed be the LORD for His marvelous kindness. In his haste, he thought he was cut off, but God heard his cry. All saints are called to love the LORD, who preserves the faithful and rewards the proud. They are encouraged to be of good courage, for He will strengthen the hearts of all who hope in Him. [pause 1s] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and sin is covered, to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When he kept silent, his bones grew old from groaning, and God’s hand was heavy on him day and night. He acknowledged his sin, confessed his transgressions to the LORD, and God forgave him. For this reason, the godly should pray to God. He is a hiding place, preserved from trouble with songs of deliverance. God promises to instruct, teach, and guide with His eye. He warns not to be like a horse or mule, which lack understanding and must be controlled with bit and bridle. The wicked have many sorrows, but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. The righteous are called to be glad, rejoice, and shout for joy. [pause 1s] The righteous are called to rejoice in the LORD, for praise is beautiful for the upright. They should praise Him with the harp, psaltery, and a new song, playing skillfully and loud. The word of the LORD is right, and His works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of His goodness. By His word the heavens were made. He gathers the sea’s waters and lays up the depth in storehouses. All the earth should fear and stand in awe of Him, for He spoke, and it was done. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing, but His counsel stands forever. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen. From heaven, the LORD looks on all humanity, fashioning their hearts and considering their works. No king is saved by a large army, nor a mighty man by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety. The eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD, our help and shield. Our heart rejoices in Him, for we trust in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. [pause 2s] Exhortations to Righteousness and Trust. [pause 1s] He will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will continually be in his mouth. His soul will boast in the LORD; the humble will hear and be glad. He calls others to magnify the LORD with him. He sought the LORD, and He delivered him from all his fears. Those who look to Him are radiant. This poor man cried, and the LORD saved him. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him. He invites all to taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. The saints should fear the LORD, for there is no want to them. Young lions may lack, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing. He offers to teach the fear of the LORD: to desire a long, good life, one must keep the tongue from evil and guile, depart from evil, do good, and seek peace. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry, but His face is against evildoers. The righteous cry, and the LORD delivers them. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the contrite. The righteous have many afflictions, but the LORD delivers them from all, keeping all their bones so that not one is broken. Evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be desolate. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none who trust in Him will be desolate. [pause 1s] He asks the LORD to plead his cause and fight against those who fight him. He calls for God to take up shield and spear and say to his soul, quote, "I am thy salvation," end quote. Let those who seek his soul be put to shame, like chaff before the wind, chased by the angel of the LORD on a dark and slippery path. They hid a net for him without cause. Let destruction come upon them unawares, and let them fall into the very net they hid. Then his soul will rejoice in the LORD’s salvation. His whole being will declare that none is like the LORD, who delivers the poor. False witnesses rose against him with unknown charges, rewarding him evil for good. Yet when they were sick, he humbled himself with fasting and sackcloth, mourning as for a mother. But in his adversity, they rejoiced and gathered against him, tearing at him without ceasing, mocking him at feasts. He asks the Lord how long He will look on, pleading for rescue. He will give thanks in the great congregation. He prays that his enemies will not wrongfully rejoice over him. They devise deceitful matters, opening their mouths wide against him. But the LORD has seen, so he asks Him not to be silent or far away, but to awake and judge his cause. He prays that they will not be able to say, quote, "We have swallowed him up," end quote. Let those who rejoice at his hurt be ashamed, but let those who favor his righteous cause shout for joy and magnify the LORD. His tongue will speak of God’s righteousness and praise all day long. [pause 1s] The transgression of the wicked says there is no fear of God before his eyes. He flatters himself until his iniquity is found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and do good, devising mischief even on his bed. But the LORD’s mercy is in the heavens, His faithfulness reaches the clouds, and His righteousness is like the great mountains. God preserves man and beast. How excellent is His lovingkindness! Therefore people trust under the shadow of His wings, satisfied with the abundance of His house and drinking from the river of His pleasures. For with God is the fountain of life; in His light, we see light. He prays for God to continue His lovingkindness to those who know Him, and not let the foot of pride or the hand of the wicked move him. The workers of iniquity have fallen, cast down and unable to rise. [pause 1s] Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of them, for they will soon be cut down like grass. Trust in the LORD, do good, and you will dwell in the land and be fed. Delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Him, and He will bring forth your righteousness as the light. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently; do not fret over the one who prospers in his wicked schemes. Cease from anger, for evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait on the LORD will inherit the earth. Soon the wicked will be no more. The meek will inherit the earth and delight in abundant peace. The wicked plots against the just, but the Lord laughs at him, seeing his day is coming. The wicked draw their sword to slay the poor, but their sword will enter their own heart. A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. The LORD upholds the righteous and knows their days; their inheritance is forever. They will not be ashamed in evil times. But the wicked will perish like the fat of lambs, consumed into smoke. The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives. Those blessed by Him will inherit the earth. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD. Though he falls, he will not be utterly cast down. The psalmist, now old, has never seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. He exhorts to depart from evil and do good, for the LORD loves judgment and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the seed of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps will not slide. The wicked watches the righteous to slay him, but the LORD will not leave him in his hand. Wait on the LORD and keep His way, and you will see the wicked cut off. I have seen the wicked in great power, but he passed away and could not be found. Mark the perfect man, for his end is peace, but transgressors will be destroyed. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, their strength in trouble. The LORD will help and deliver them because they trust in Him. [pause 1s] A plea is made for God not to rebuke him in wrath, for God’s arrows are stuck in him. There is no soundness in his flesh because of God’s anger and his sin. His iniquities are a heavy burden, and his wounds are corrupt because of his foolishness. He is troubled, bowed down, and mourning all day. His loins are filled with a loathsome disease. He is feeble and broken, roaring from the disquiet of his heart. His desires and groaning are not hidden from God. His heart pants, his strength fails, and the light of his eyes is gone. His friends and kinsmen stand aloof from his suffering. Those who seek his life lay snares and imagine deceits. But he is like a deaf and dumb man who does not respond. His hope is in the LORD, who will hear. He prays that his enemies will not rejoice over him when his foot slips. He is ready to fall, his sorrow is continually before him, and he will declare his iniquity and be sorry for his sin. His enemies are strong and multiplied. They render evil for good because he follows what is good. He pleads for God not to forsake him but to make haste to help him, his salvation. [pause 1s] He resolved to guard his ways and not sin with his tongue while the wicked were before him. He was silent, but his sorrow was stirred, and his heart grew hot within him until he spoke. He asked the LORD to make him know his end and the measure of his days, so he might know how frail he is. His days are like a handbreadth, his age as nothing; every man is vanity. Man walks in a vain show, accumulating riches without knowing who will gather them. His hope is in the Lord. He asks to be delivered from his transgressions and not be a reproach to the foolish. He was silent because God was the one who acted. He asks God to remove His stroke, for he is consumed. When God corrects man for iniquity, his beauty consumes away like a moth. He prays for God to hear his prayer and tears, for he is a stranger and sojourner. He asks to be spared, that he may recover strength before he is no more. [pause 1s] He waited patiently for the LORD, who heard his cry and brought him out of a horrible pit, setting his feet on a rock and putting a new song of praise in his mouth. Many will see, fear, and trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust and does not respect the proud. God’s wonderful works and thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered. God does not desire sacrifice and offering but has opened his ears; burnt offering and sin offering are not required. He comes as it is written of him in the book, delighting to do God's will, with the law in his heart. He has preached righteousness in the great congregation and has not hidden God's faithfulness, salvation, and lovingkindness. He prays that God will not withhold His tender mercies but let His truth preserve him. Innumerable evils have surrounded him, his iniquities have overtaken him, and his heart fails. He pleads for God to deliver him quickly. Let those who seek to destroy his soul be ashamed, but let all who seek God rejoice and be glad, continually saying, quote, "The LORD be magnified," end quote. Though he is poor and needy, the Lord thinks upon him. He is his help and deliverer; quote, "make no tarrying, O my God," end quote. [pause 1s] Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble, preserve him, and keep him alive. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of sickness. He prayed for mercy and healing, for he has sinned. His enemies speak evil of him, wondering when he will die. Visitors speak vanity, gathering iniquity to tell abroad. All who hate him whisper against him, saying an evil disease has fastened on him and he will not rise again. Even his familiar friend, who ate his bread, has lifted his heel against him. But he prays for God’s mercy to raise him up so he may repay them. He knows God favors him because his enemy does not triumph. God upholds him in his integrity and sets him before His face forever. Quote, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen," end quote. [pause 2s] Book Two. Songs of Israel. [pause 1s] Yearning for God Amidst Affliction. [pause 1s] As a deer pants for water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God; when shall I come and appear before Him? My tears have been my food day and night, while people continually ask, quote, "Where is your God?" end quote. I pour out my soul when I remember going with the multitude to the house of God with joy and praise. Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. My soul is cast down, so I will remember You from the land of Jordan and the Hermonites. Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterspouts; all Your waves have gone over me. Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness by day, and His song will be with me by night. I will ask God my rock why He has forgotten me and why I go mourning because of the enemy’s oppression, which is like a sword in my bones. Why are you disquieted within me, O my soul? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God. [pause 1s] Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. You are the God of my strength; why have You cast me off? Why do I mourn because of the enemy's oppression? Send out Your light and truth to lead me to Your holy hill and tabernacles. Then I will go to the altar of God, my exceeding joy, and praise You with the harp. Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God. [pause 1s] We have heard from our fathers what work You did in their days. You drove out the nations with Your hand and planted our ancestors. They did not gain the land by their own sword, but by Your right hand and favor. You are my King, O God; command deliverance for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies. I will not trust in my bow or sword, for You have saved us and shamed those who hated us. In God we boast all day long. But now You have cast us off and put us to shame; You do not go out with our armies. You make us turn back from the enemy, who spoil us. You have given us like sheep for slaughter and scattered us among the nations. You make us a reproach and a byword. My confusion and shame cover me because of the enemy and avenger. All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten You or been false to Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, though You have broken us in the place of dragons and covered us with the shadow of death. If we had forgotten God or stretched our hands to a strange god, would He not know it? For Your sake we are killed all day long, counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, O Lord! Why do You sleep? Arise, do not cast us off forever. Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction? Our soul is bowed to the dust. Arise for our help and redeem us for Your mercy’s sake. [pause 2s] Songs of Zion and the King. [pause 1s] My heart overflows with a good theme concerning the king. You are fairer than the children of men; grace is poured on your lips. Gird your sword, O mighty one, and in your majesty ride prosperously for truth, meekness, and righteousness. Your arrows are sharp in the hearts of the king's enemies. Your throne, O God, is forever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a right scepter. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God has anointed you with the oil of gladness. Your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Kings' daughters are among your honorable women; the queen stands at your right hand in gold of Ophir. The royal bride is told to forget her own people and her father's house, so the king will greatly desire her beauty. The daughter of Tyre will be there with a gift. The king's daughter is glorious within, her clothing of wrought gold. She will be brought to the king, followed by her virgin companions with gladness into the palace. Instead of your fathers will be your children, whom you will make princes in all the earth. I will make your name to be remembered in all generations, and the people will praise you forever. [pause 1s] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth is removed and mountains are carried into the sea. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. God is in her midst; she shall not be moved. When the nations raged and kingdoms were moved, He uttered His voice and the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD, who makes wars cease, breaks the bow, and burns the chariot. Quote, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen," end quote. The LORD of hosts is with us. [pause 1s] All peoples are called to clap their hands and shout to God with triumph, for the LORD Most High is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue peoples under us. He chooses our inheritance for us. God has gone up with a shout. Sing praises to God, the King of all the earth. God reigns over the nations from His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God. [pause 1s] Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, Mount Zion, beautiful in its location, the joy of the whole earth. God is known in her palaces as a refuge. When kings assembled against her, they marveled, were troubled, and fled in fear. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, which God will establish forever. We have thought of Your lovingkindness in Your temple. Your praise, like Your name, extends to the ends of the earth. Let Mount Zion rejoice because of Your judgments. Walk about Zion, count her towers, mark her bulwarks, consider her palaces, so you may tell the next generation that this God is our God forever; He will be our guide even to death. [pause 2s] Wisdom, Worship, and Personal Confession. [pause 1s] All people, low and high, rich and poor, are called to hear wisdom and understanding. Why should I fear in evil days, when surrounded by those who trust in their wealth? None can redeem his brother or give God a ransom for his soul. They cannot live forever and avoid corruption. Wise men, fools, and the brutish all perish and leave their wealth to others. They think their houses will continue forever, but man in honor does not last; he is like the beasts that perish. This is their folly. Like sheep, they are laid in the grave where death will feed on them, and the upright will have dominion in the morning. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave. Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, for he will carry nothing away when he dies. Though he blessed his soul while he lived, he will go to the generation of his fathers and never see light. A man in honor who does not understand is like the beasts that perish. [pause 1s] The mighty God, the LORD, has spoken and called the earth. Out of Zion, God has shined. Our God will come and not keep silent; a fire will devour before Him. He will call to the heavens and the earth to judge His people, gathering His saints who made a covenant by sacrifice. God Himself is judge. He speaks to Israel, not to reprove them for sacrifices, for every beast of the forest and cattle on a thousand hills are His. Quote, "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine," end quote. He does not eat the flesh of bulls. He commands them to offer thanksgiving and pay their vows, and to call upon Him in trouble. But to the wicked, God asks why they declare His statutes while hating instruction. They consent with thieves, partake with adulterers, give their mouth to evil, and slander their own brother. Because God was silent, they thought He was like them, but He will reprove them. Those who forget God should consider this, lest He tear them in pieces. Whoever offers praise glorifies Him, and to him who orders his conduct aright, God will show His salvation. [pause 1s] A plea for mercy is made according to God's lovingkindness. He asks for his transgressions to be blotted out and to be washed thoroughly from iniquity. He acknowledges his sin is always before him; against God only has he sinned, so that God is justified in His judgment. He was brought forth in iniquity. God desires truth in the inward parts. He prays to be purged with hyssop and washed whiter than snow, to hear joy and gladness. He asks God to hide His face from his sins, create in him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him. He pleads not to be cast away from God's presence or have the Holy Spirit taken from him. Restore the joy of salvation, and he will teach transgressors God's ways. Deliver him from bloodguiltiness, and his tongue will sing of God's righteousness. God does not desire sacrifice, but a broken spirit and a contrite heart He will not despise. He prays for God to do good to Zion and build the walls of Jerusalem, then He will be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness. [pause 2s] Condemnation of the Wicked and Trust in God. [pause 1s] Why does the mighty man boast in mischief? The goodness of God endures continually. The deceitful tongue devises mischiefs like a sharp razor, loving evil more than good. God will destroy such a person forever, plucking him from his dwelling. The righteous will see, fear, and laugh, saying this is the man who did not make God his strength but trusted in riches. But the psalmist is like a green olive tree in the house of God, trusting in His mercy forever. [pause 1s] The fool has said in his heart, quote, "There is no God," end quote. They are corrupt and do abominable iniquity. God looked down from heaven and saw that all have gone back and become filthy; none does good. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up God's people like bread? They were in great fear where there was none, for God has scattered the bones of their besiegers. A prayer is made for Israel’s salvation to come from Zion, so when God brings back His people, Jacob will rejoice. [pause 1s] A prayer is made for God to save by His name and judge by His strength. Strangers and oppressors have risen up, who have not set God before them. But God is his helper. He will reward evil to his enemies. He will freely sacrifice and praise God's name, for He has delivered him from all trouble. [pause 1s] A prayer is made to God not to hide from his supplication. He mourns because of the enemy’s voice and the wicked’s oppression. His heart is pained, and the terrors of death have fallen upon him. He wishes for wings like a dove to fly away and be at rest in the wilderness. He prays for the Lord to destroy their tongues, for he has seen violence and strife in the city. It was not an enemy who reproached him, but an equal, a guide, and an acquaintance with whom he walked to the house of God. Let death seize them and let them go down to hell alive. He will call upon God morning, noon, and night, and He will hear and deliver him. God will afflict those who do not fear Him. The companion has broken his covenant; his words were smoother than butter but were drawn swords. Quote, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee," end quote. God will bring the bloody and deceitful down to the pit of destruction, but the psalmist will trust in Him. [pause 1s] He pleads for mercy, for men try to swallow him up daily. In God, he will praise His word; in God, he trusts and will not fear what flesh can do. His enemies twist his words and plot evil. Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger, God will cast them down. God numbers his wanderings and puts his tears in His bottle. When he cries out, his enemies will turn back, for God is for him. In God he has put his trust; he will not be afraid of what man can do. Vows are upon him, and he will render praises, for God has delivered his soul from death and his feet from falling, so he may walk before God in the light of the living. [pause 1s] He cries for mercy, taking refuge in the shadow of God’s wings until calamities pass. God will send from heaven to save him from reproach, sending forth His mercy and truth. His soul is among lions, men whose teeth are spears and arrows and whose tongues are sharp swords. He prays for God to be exalted above the heavens. They have prepared a net for his steps, but have fallen into the pit they dug themselves. His heart is steadfast; he will sing and give praise, awakening the dawn with his music. He will praise the Lord among the peoples, for His mercy is great to the heavens and His truth to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. [pause 1s] The congregation is asked if they indeed speak and judge righteously. In their hearts, they work wickedness. The wicked are estranged from the womb, speaking lies from birth. Their poison is like a serpent's; they are like a deaf adder that stops its ear to the charmer. He prays for God to break their teeth, for them to melt away like water, to be like a snail that melts or an untimely birth that does not see the sun. Before their pots can feel the thorns, He will take them away in a whirlwind. The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance and washes his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that people will say there is a reward for the righteous and a God who judges the earth. [pause 1s] He prays for deliverance from his enemies, the workers of iniquity and bloody men. They lie in wait for his soul, not for his sin but without fault of his own. He calls on the LORD God of hosts to awaken and visit the nations, showing no mercy to wicked transgressors. They return at evening, making noise like a dog; swords are in their lips, for they think no one hears. But the LORD will laugh at them. God is his defense. God will let him see his desire upon his enemies. He prays not to slay them, lest his people forget, but to scatter and bring them down. For the sin of their mouth, let them be taken in their pride. Consume them in wrath, that they may know God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Let them wander for food, but he will sing of God’s power and mercy in the morning, for God has been his refuge. [pause 2s] Communal Laments and a Prayer for the King. [pause 1s] O God, You have cast us off and scattered us; turn to us again. You have made the earth tremble and broken it; heal its breaches. You have shown Your people hard things. You have given a banner to those who fear You. Save with Your right hand. God has spoken in His holiness, promising victory over Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah. Moab is His washpot; over Edom He will cast His shoe. Who will bring him into the strong city? Will not You, O God, who cast us off? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is vain. Through God, we will do valiantly and tread down our enemies. [pause 1s] He cries to God from the end of the earth, overwhelmed, asking to be led to the rock that is higher than he. God has been his shelter and strong tower. He will abide in God’s tabernacle forever, trusting in the covert of His wings. God has heard his vows and given him the heritage of those who fear His name. He prays for the king’s life to be prolonged, for him to abide before God forever, preserved by mercy and truth. So he will sing praise to God’s name forever, performing his vows daily. [pause 1s] His soul waits only upon God, from whom comes his salvation. God alone is his rock, salvation, and defense; he shall not be greatly moved. He asks his enemies how long they will imagine mischief against him, consulting only to cast him down, delighting in lies. His soul waits for God alone. In God is his salvation, glory, and refuge. He tells the people to trust in Him at all times. Men of low and high degree are vanity, altogether lighter than vanity in the balance. Do not trust in oppression or set your heart on riches. God has spoken that power and mercy belong to Him, for He renders to every man according to his work. [pause 1s] O God, he seeks You early; his soul thirsts for You in a dry and thirsty land. His lips will praise you because Your lovingkindness is better than life. His soul will be satisfied, and he will praise You with joyful lips, meditating on You in the night watches. His soul follows hard after You; Your right hand upholds him. But those who seek his soul will go to the lower parts of the earth; they will fall by the sword and be a portion for foxes. The king will rejoice in God, but the mouth of liars will be stopped. [pause 1s] He prays for his life to be preserved from fear of the enemy, to be hidden from the secret counsel of the wicked who whet their tongues like a sword to shoot bitter words at the perfect. They encourage themselves in evil, but God will shoot an arrow at them, and they will be suddenly wounded. Their own tongue will cause them to fall. All men will fear and declare the work of God. The righteous will be glad in the LORD and trust in Him. [pause 1s] Praise awaits God in Zion. To Him who hears prayer, all flesh will come. Though iniquities prevail, God will purge them away. Blessed is the man God chooses to dwell in His courts. God answers with awesome deeds in righteousness, the confidence of all the ends of the earth. He establishes the mountains by His strength, stills the noise of the seas and the tumult of the people. He visits the earth and waters it, enriching it with the river of God, providing corn, watering its ridges, and blessing its growth. He crowns the year with His goodness. The pastures and hills rejoice, clothed with flocks and covered with corn; they shout for joy and sing. [pause 1s] All lands are called to make a joyful noise to God, singing forth the honor of His name. How awesome are His works! Through His great power, His enemies will submit. All the earth will worship and sing to His name. Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward men. He turned the sea into dry land. He rules by His power forever. Bless our God, O peoples. He holds our soul in life. God has tested and tried us like silver, bringing us into the net and laying affliction on us. We went through fire and water, but You brought us out to a wealthy place. He will go into God’s house with burnt offerings and pay the vows his lips uttered in trouble. He calls all who fear God to hear what He has done for his soul. He cried to Him, and He was extolled. If he had regarded iniquity in his heart, the Lord would not have heard, but God has indeed heard. Blessed be God, who has not turned away his prayer or His mercy. [pause 1s] A prayer for God to be merciful, bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, so His way may be known on earth among all nations. Let the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad, for You will judge righteously and govern the nations. Let the peoples praise You. Then the earth will yield its increase, and God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him. [pause 1s] Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. As smoke is driven away and wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish at God’s presence. But let the righteous be glad and rejoice. Sing to God, who rides upon the heavens by His name JAH. He is a father to the fatherless and a judge of the widows. He sets the solitary in families and brings out prisoners, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. The psalm recalls God leading His people through the wilderness, when the earth shook and Sinai itself was moved. God sent plentiful rain to confirm His weary inheritance. The Lord gave the word, and great was the company that published it. Kings of armies fled. Even those who had lain among the pots would be like the wings of a dove covered with silver. God desires to dwell forever in His hill, among twenty thousand chariots of angels. He has ascended on high, led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, even the rebellious. Blessed be the Lord, the God of our salvation, to whom belong the escapes from death. God will wound the head of His enemies. The Lord promised to bring His people back from Bashan and the depths of the sea, so their feet may be dipped in the blood of their enemies. God’s procession is seen in the sanctuary with singers and musicians. Bless God in the congregations. The tribes of Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali are there. God has commanded their strength. Because of His temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents. He rebukes the warmongers. Princes will come from Egypt; Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God. The kingdoms of the earth are called to sing praises to Him who rides on the heavens. Ascribe strength to God, whose excellence is over Israel. O God, You are awesome from Your holy places; You give strength and power to Your people. Blessed be God. [pause 1s] A cry for salvation, for waters have come up to his soul. He sinks in deep mire with no foothold. He is weary of crying, his throat is dry, and his eyes fail while waiting for God. Those who hate him without cause are more numerous than the hairs of his head. He has borne reproach for God's sake, becoming a stranger to his own family. Zeal for God's house has consumed him. When he wept and fasted, it became a reproach; he became a proverb and the song of drunkards. But his prayer is to the LORD in an acceptable time. He asks to be delivered from the mire and deep waters. He pleads for God not to hide His face, for His lovingkindness is good. Reproach has broken his heart; he looked for pity, but there was none. They gave him gall for food and vinegar for his thirst. He prays that their table becomes a snare, their eyes be darkened, and God’s indignation be poured out on them. Let their home be desolate. For they persecute the one God has struck. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living. But he is poor and sorrowful; let God’s salvation set him on high. He will praise God with a song, which will please the LORD more than an ox. The humble will see and be glad. The LORD hears the poor. Let heaven and earth praise Him. For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, and the descendants of His servants will inherit it. [pause 1s] A plea is made for God to make haste to deliver and help him. Let those who seek his soul be ashamed and confounded. Let those who mock him be turned back in shame. But let all who seek God rejoice and be glad, saying continually, quote, "Let God be magnified," end quote. He is poor and needy; quote, "make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer," end quote. [pause 1s] In the LORD he puts his trust; let him never be put to confusion. Deliver him in righteousness. Be his strong habitation. Deliver him from the hand of the wicked and cruel man. God is his hope and trust from his youth. He has been sustained by God from the womb. He is a wonder to many, but God is his strong refuge. His mouth will be filled with God's praise all day. He prays not to be cast off in old age. His enemies say God has forsaken him and there is none to deliver. He asks God to make haste to help him. Let his adversaries be consumed, but he will hope continually and praise God more and more. His mouth will show forth God's righteousness and salvation all day. He will go in the strength of the Lord GOD. God has taught him from his youth, and he has declared God's wondrous works. Even when old and gray, he asks God not to forsake him until he has shown God’s strength to the next generation. God’s righteousness is very high. God, who has shown him great troubles, will revive him again. He will praise God with the psaltery and harp. His lips and soul will greatly rejoice, for they are confounded who seek his hurt. [pause 1s] A prayer asks God to give the king His judgments and righteousness. He will judge the people and the poor with righteousness and judgment. The mountains will bring peace. He will save the children of the needy and break the oppressor in pieces. They will fear God as long as the sun and moon endure. He will come down like rain on mown grass. In his days the righteous will flourish, and there will be an abundance of peace. He will have dominion from sea to sea. Those in the wilderness will bow before him, and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish, Sheba, and Seba will bring presents and offer gifts; all kings will fall down before him. He will deliver the needy and save their souls from deceit and violence. He will live, and gold of Sheba will be given to him; prayer will be made for him continually. There will be an abundance of corn in the earth, and the city will flourish. His name will endure forever, and all nations will call him blessed. Quote, "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen," end quote. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. [pause 2s] Book Three. Communal Laments and Divine Sovereignty. [pause 1s] The Paradox of Prosperity and the Sanctuary of God. [pause 1s] Truly God is good to Israel, to those with a clean heart. But my feet almost stumbled, for I was envious of the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles in their death; they are not troubled like other men. Pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment. They have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt and speak loftily of oppression, setting their mouths against the heavens. They ask, quote, "How does God know?" end quote. These ungodly prosper and increase in riches. I thought I had cleansed my heart in vain, for I have been plagued all day long. When I tried to understand this, it was too painful, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places and cast them down to destruction in a moment. They are like a dream when one awakes. My heart was grieved, and I was foolish and ignorant, like a beast before You. Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand and will guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none on earth I desire besides You. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from You will perish. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD. [pause 2s] Lament Over Destruction and Plea for Remembrance. [pause 1s] O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember Your congregation, which You purchased of old, this Mount Zion where You have dwelt. The enemy has done wickedly in the sanctuary, roaring in Your congregations and setting up their own signs. They have broken down the carved work with axes and hammers, cast fire into Your sanctuary, and defiled the dwelling place of Your name. They have burned up all the synagogues in the land. We see no signs, there is no prophet, and no one knows how long this will last. How long will the adversary reproach and blaspheme Your name forever? Why do you withdraw Your hand? God is my King of old, working salvation in the earth. You divided the sea, broke the heads of dragons and leviathan. You cleaved the fountain and the flood. The day and night are Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun and set all the borders of the earth. Remember that the enemy has reproached You. Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove to the wicked or forget Your poor forever. Have respect for the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of cruelty. Let not the oppressed return ashamed. Arise, O God, plead Your own cause and remember the daily reproach from the foolish. Do not forget the voice of Your enemies. [pause 1s] We give thanks to You, O God, for Your name is near, and Your wondrous works declare it. God says that when He chooses the proper time, He will judge uprightly. Though the earth and its inhabitants are dissolved, He holds up its pillars. He tells the fools not to deal foolishly and the wicked not to lift up their horn. For promotion does not come from east, west, or south, but God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another. In the LORD’s hand is a cup of red, mixed wine, and He pours it out; all the wicked of the earth must drink its dregs. But I will declare forever and sing praises to the God of Jacob. He will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. [pause 1s] In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. In Salem is His tabernacle, His dwelling place in Zion. There He broke the arrows, the shield, and the sword. You are more glorious than the mountains of prey. The stouthearted are spoiled; at Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. You are to be feared; who may stand in Your sight when You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still when God arose to save all the meek. Surely the wrath of man will praise You. Vow and pay to the LORD your God; let all around Him bring presents. He will cut off the spirit of princes; He is terrible to the kings of the earth. [pause 2s] Remembering God's Past Works in Present Distress. [pause 1s] I cried to God with my voice, and He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God and was troubled; I am so troubled I cannot speak. I consider the days of old. Will the Lord cast off forever? Has His mercy ceased and His promise failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? I said, this is my infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the LORD, Your wonders of old. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary. You are the God who does wonders. You have redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw You and were afraid; the depths trembled. The clouds poured out water, the skies sent a sound, Your arrows flashed, and the earth trembled and shook. Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known. You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. [pause 1s] The people are called to listen to God’s law, to parables and dark sayings of old which their fathers have told them, so the next generation might know and set their hope in God and keep His commandments. They should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, like the children of Ephraim who, though armed, turned back in battle because they did not keep God’s covenant. They forgot His marvelous works in Egypt, how He divided the sea, led them with a cloud and fire, and brought water from the rock. Yet they sinned more, tempting God by asking for meat for their lust, questioning if He could provide a table in the wilderness. The LORD heard and was wroth, because they did not believe in His salvation. Though He rained down manna, angels' food, and feathered fowls, and gave them their desire, His wrath came upon them while the food was still in their mouths. For all this, they sinned still. When He slew them, they sought Him and remembered He was their rock, but they flattered Him with their mouths, for their heart was not right with Him. But He, full of compassion, forgave their iniquity many times and remembered they were but flesh. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness and limited the Holy One of Israel, not remembering His hand that delivered them from the enemy. They forgot His signs in Egypt: turning rivers to blood, sending flies and frogs, giving their crops to locusts, destroying their vines with hail, sending pestilence, and striking the firstborn. But He led His own people forth like sheep safely through the sea that overwhelmed their enemies, bringing them to His sanctuary. Yet they tempted the most high God, provoking Him with their high places and graven images. When God heard, He was wroth, forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, and delivered His strength into captivity. Then the Lord awoke as one from sleep and smote His enemies. He refused the tabernacle of Joseph but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved, and built His sanctuary. He chose David His servant from the sheepfolds to shepherd Jacob His people, which he did with integrity of heart and skillful hands. [pause 1s] O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance, defiled Your holy temple, and laid Jerusalem in heaps. They have given the dead bodies of Your servants as food for the birds and beasts. Their blood has been shed like water with none to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors. How long, LORD? Will You be angry forever? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that have not known You, for they have devoured Jacob. Remember not our former iniquities; let Your tender mercies come speedily, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name, and purge away our sins. Why should the nations ask, quote, "Where is their God?" end quote. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before You and preserve those appointed to die. Render to our neighbors sevenfold for their reproach. So we, Your people, will give You thanks forever. [pause 1s] O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Turn us again, O God, and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people? You feed us with the bread of tears. We are a strife to our neighbors. You brought a vine out of Egypt, cast out the nations, and planted it. It filled the land, its boughs like cedars, its branches reaching to the sea. Why have You broken down its hedges? The boar from the wood wastes it. Return, O God of hosts, look down from heaven and visit this vine. It is burned with fire. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand. So we will not go back from You. Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. [pause 1s] Sing aloud to God our strength. Take a psalm, blow the trumpet on our solemn feast day, for this is a statute for Israel. He ordained it in Joseph as a testimony. He says, quote, "I removed his shoulder from the burden," end quote. You called in trouble, and I delivered you. Hear, O my people, there shall be no strange god among you. Quote, "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it," end quote. But His people would not listen, so He gave them over to their own hearts' lust. Oh, that they had listened and walked in His ways! He would have subdued their enemies. The haters of the LORD would have submitted, and He would have fed them with the finest wheat and honey from the rock. [pause 1s] God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the "gods" or judges. He asks them, quote, "How long will ye judge unjustly?" end quote. He commands them to defend the poor and fatherless, do justice to the afflicted, and deliver them from the hand of the wicked. They do not know or understand; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. He says, quote, "Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men," end quote. The psalm ends with a plea: quote, "Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations," end quote. [pause 1s] A plea is made for God not to keep silent, for His enemies make a tumult. They have taken crafty counsel against His people. They have said, quote, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation," end quote, and are confederate against God: the tabernacles of Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagarenes, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, the Philistines with Tyre, and Assyria. He prays that God will do to them as He did to the Midianites, to Sisera, and to Jabin at the brook Kishon. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, who said, quote, "Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession," end quote. O my God, make them like whirling dust, like stubble before the wind, persecuted by Your tempest. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name. Let them be confounded and perish, that men may know that You, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, are the most high over all the earth. [pause 2s] Longing for God's House and the Davidic Covenant. [pause 1s] How lovely are Your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs and faints for the courts of the LORD. Even the sparrow has found a home near Your altars. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, who are always praising You. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, who passes through the valley of Baca, making it a well. They go from strength to strength until each appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer. Behold, O God our shield, the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. The LORD God is a sun and shield; He will give grace and glory and withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You. [pause 1s] Lord, You have been favorable to Your land, bringing back the captivity of Jacob and forgiving their iniquity. Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger to cease. Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: peace to His people. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him. Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth will spring from the earth, and righteousness will look down from heaven. The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him. [pause 1s] Bow down Your ear, O LORD, and hear me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am holy. Be merciful, for I cry to You daily. You, Lord, are good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy. In my trouble, I will call upon You, for You will answer. Among the gods, there is none like You. All nations whom You have made will come and worship before You. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth. I will praise You with all my heart. Great is Your mercy toward me; You have delivered my soul from the lowest hell. The proud have risen against me, but You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, gracious, and longsuffering. Turn to me and have mercy; show me a token for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed because You have helped and comforted me. [pause 1s] His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. He will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Him; of Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia, it will be said that this one was born there. And of Zion it will be said, quote, "This and that man was born in her," end quote, and the Highest Himself will establish her. The LORD will record, when He registers the peoples, that this one was born there. The singers and players on instruments will be there, saying, quote, "All my springs are in you," end quote. [pause 1s] O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You, for my soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down into the pit, free among the dead whom You remember no more. You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness. Your wrath lies hard upon me. You have put my acquaintances far from me and made me an abomination to them. My eye mourns because of affliction. Will You show wonders to the dead? Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, or Your wonders in the land of forgetfulness? But to You I have cried, O LORD. Why do You cast off my soul and hide Your face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth. Your fierce wrath goes over me; Your terrors have cut me off. Lover and friend You have put far from me. [pause 1s] I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations. I have said, quote, "Mercy shall be built up for ever," end quote. God has declared His covenant with His chosen, David, swearing to establish his seed forever and build his throne for all generations. The heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD. Who in heaven can be compared to the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. O LORD God of hosts, who is strong like You? You rule the raging of the sea and have scattered Your enemies. The heavens and the earth are Yours. Justice and judgment are the foundation of Your throne. Blessed is the people who know the joyful sound. You are the glory of their strength. You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, saying You have found David My servant and anointed him. The enemy will not oppress him, and Your faithfulness will be with him. He will cry to Me, quote, "You are my Father, my God," end quote, and I will make him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My covenant with him will stand fast, and his throne will endure as the days of heaven. If his children forsake My law, I will visit their transgression with the rod, but My lovingkindness I will not take from him. I have sworn by My holiness that I will not lie to David; his seed will endure forever. But now, You have cast off and been wroth with Your anointed. You have made void the covenant, profaned his crown, and brought his strongholds to ruin. You have set up his adversaries and turned the edge of his sword. You have shortened the days of his youth and covered him with shame. How long, LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? Remember how short my time is. Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses, which You swore to David in Your truth? Remember the reproach of Your servants, how Your enemies have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed. Blessed be the LORD forevermore. Amen, and Amen. [pause 2s] Book Four. God's Eternal Kingdom. [pause 1s] The Eternity of God and the Mortality of Man. [pause 1s] Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or You had formed the earth, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man to destruction, saying, quote, "Return, ye children of men," end quote. For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday or a watch in the night. You carry them away like a flood; they are like grass that flourishes in the morning and is cut down and withers in the evening. We are consumed by Your anger. You have set our iniquities before You. Our days are threescore and ten, or fourscore years, yet their strength is labor and sorrow, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice all our days. Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your glory to their children. Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands. [pause 1s] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, quote, "He is my refuge and my fortress," end quote. Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from perilous pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers; His truth will be your shield. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, the arrow by day, or the destruction at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, but it will not come near you. Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your habitation, no evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your dwelling. He will give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra. God says, quote, "Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him... I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation," end quote. [pause 1s] It is good to give thanks to the LORD and sing praises to the Most High, to declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night. For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work. How great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not understand that when the wicked spring up like grass, it is so they may be destroyed forever. But You, LORD, are on high forevermore. Your enemies, O LORD, will perish. But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those planted in the house of the LORD will flourish and still bear fruit in old age, to show that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. [pause 1s] The LORD reigns; He is clothed with majesty and strength. The world is established; it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up their voice, but the LORD on high is mightier than the mighty waves of the sea. Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever. [pause 2s] God's Reign, Judgment, and Faithfulness. [pause 1s] O Lord God to whom vengeance belongs, show Yourself. Render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long will the wicked triumph, speaking hard things and boasting? They break Your people in pieces, slay the widow and the stranger, and say, quote, "The LORD shall not see," end quote. Understand, you senseless people: He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see? The LORD knows the thoughts of man are vanity. Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from adversity. For the LORD will not cast off His people. Judgment will return to righteousness. Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul would have soon dwelt in silence. When my foot slipped, Your mercy, O LORD, held me up. Your comforts delight my soul. Will the throne of iniquity, which frames mischief by a law, have fellowship with You? They gather against the soul of the righteous, but the LORD is my defense. He will bring upon them their own iniquity and cut them off. [pause 1s] Come, let us sing to the LORD a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation with thanksgiving and psalms. The LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth and the strength of the hills; the sea is His, for He made it. Let us worship and bow down before the LORD our maker. We are the people of His pasture. Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion at Meribah, when your fathers tested Me and saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation and said they are a people who go astray in their hearts. So I swore in My wrath, quote, "They shall not enter into my rest," end quote. [pause 1s] Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Declare His glory among the nations. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised, feared above all gods, for the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, glory and strength. Bring an offering into His courts. Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Say among the nations, quote, "The LORD reigneth"; end quote. He will judge the peoples righteously. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad. Let the sea roar. Let the field be joyful. For He is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and truth. [pause 1s] The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice. Clouds and darkness are around Him; righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne. A fire goes before Him and burns up His enemies. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The hills melt like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. Confounded be all who serve carved images. Zion heard and was glad. For You, LORD, are high above all the earth. You who love the LORD, hate evil; He preserves the souls of His saints. Light is sown for the righteous. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [pause 1s] Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand has gained Him the victory. The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and truth toward the house of Israel. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD with the harp, with trumpets and the sound of a horn before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, the floods clap their hands, and the hills be joyful together before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity. [pause 1s] The LORD reigns; let the people tremble. He dwells between the cherubim. The LORD is great in Zion. Let them praise Your great and awesome name—it is holy. The King's strength loves justice; You execute judgment in Jacob. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool—He is holy. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among those who called on His name, called upon the LORD, and He answered them from the cloudy pillar. They kept His testimonies. You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them a God who forgave, though You took vengeance on their deeds. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy hill, for the LORD our God is holy. [pause 1s] Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God. It is He who has made us; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. [pause 1s] I will sing of mercy and judgment. I will behave wisely in a perfect way. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. A perverse heart will depart from me. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, I will cut off. My eyes will be on the faithful of the land. He who walks in a perfect way will serve me. He who works deceit will not dwell in my house. I will destroy all the wicked of the land and cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. [pause 1s] Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face in the day of my trouble. My days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned. My heart is stricken and withered like grass. I am like a pelican of the wilderness, an owl of the desert, a sparrow alone on the housetop. My enemies reproach me all day long. I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping because of Your indignation. My days are like a shadow that lengthens. But You, O LORD, will endure forever. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for the set time has come. The nations will fear the name of the LORD when He builds up Zion and appears in His glory. This will be written for the generation to come. For He has looked down from His sanctuary to hear the groaning of the prisoner. He weakened my strength and shortened my days. I said, quote, "O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days," end quote. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure. You will change them like a garment. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end. The children of Your servants will continue. [pause 2s] Praise for God's Mercy, Creation, and Covenant History. [pause 1s] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, and crowns you with lovingkindness. He satisfies your mouth with good things, renewing your youth like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness for all who are oppressed. He made His ways known to Moses. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us. He has not dealt with us according to our sins. As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him, for He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field, but the wind passes over it, and it is gone. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and keep His covenant. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, you His hosts, you ministers who do His pleasure. Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul. [pause 1s] Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, You are very great, clothed with honor and majesty, covered with light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a curtain, make the clouds Your chariot, and walk on the wings of the wind. You make Your angels spirits, Your ministers a flaming fire. You laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be moved. You covered it with the deep, but at Your rebuke the waters fled to the place You founded for them. You send springs into the valleys to give drink to every beast. You water the hills from Your chambers, causing grass to grow for the cattle and plants for man's service, bringing forth food, wine that makes glad the heart, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens. The trees of the LORD are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon, where birds make their nests. You appointed the moon for seasons and the sun knows its going down. You make darkness for the beasts of the forest. The sun arises, and man goes out to his work until evening. O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The great and wide sea is full of innumerable creatures, small and great. There go the ships and that Leviathan whom You have made to play. These all wait for You to give them their food in due season. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth. The glory of the LORD will endure forever. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. Let sinners be consumed from the earth. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds. Sing to Him, talk of His wondrous works. Seek the LORD and His strength. Remember His marvelous works, O seed of Abraham, His servant. He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He has remembered His covenant forever, the word He commanded to a thousand generations, which He made with Abraham and swore to Isaac, confirming it to Jacob as an everlasting covenant: to give them the land of Canaan. When they were few and strangers, He allowed no one to do them wrong, reproving kings for their sakes, saying, quote, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm," end quote. He called for a famine and sent Joseph before them, who was sold as a slave. The king eventually released him and made him ruler over all his substance. Israel also came into Egypt, and God increased His people greatly. He sent Moses and Aaron, who performed His signs in the land of Ham: darkness, waters turned to blood, frogs, flies, lice, hail, and locusts. He struck all the firstborn in their land. He brought them out with silver and gold, spreading a cloud for a covering and fire for light at night. The people asked, and He brought quail and the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham and brought forth His people with joy to give them the lands of the nations, that they might observe His statutes. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Blessed are they who keep justice. Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. We have sinned with our fathers. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders but rebelled at the Red Sea. Nevertheless, He saved them for His name's sake. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, and He led them through, saving them from the enemy. Then they believed His words and sang His praise. But they soon forgot His works and lusted in the wilderness. He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul. They envied Moses and Aaron. The earth opened and swallowed Dathan. They made a calf in Horeb and exchanged their Glory for an image of an ox. They forgot God their Savior. Therefore He said He would destroy them, had not Moses stood in the breach. They despised the pleasant land and murmured in their tents. So He swore to overthrow them in the wilderness and scatter their descendants. They joined themselves to Baal of Peor. Then Phinehas stood up and executed judgment, and the plague was stopped. They angered Him also at the waters of Meribah, so that it went ill with Moses. They did not destroy the nations as the LORD commanded, but mingled with them, learned their works, and served their idols, sacrificing their sons and daughters to demons. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, and He gave them into the hand of the nations. Many times He delivered them, but they provoked Him. Nevertheless, He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry and remembered His covenant for them. Quote, "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name," end quote. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen." Praise the LORD. [pause 2s] Book Five. Praise, Pilgrimage, and Perseverance. [pause 1s] Thanksgiving for God's Enduring Mercy. [pause 1s] Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed and gathered from the lands. Some wandered in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty; they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness! Some sat in darkness, bound in affliction because they rebelled against God; they cried to the LORD, and He saved them, bringing them out of the shadow of death. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness! Fools, because of their transgression, were afflicted; they cried to the LORD, and He sent His word and healed them. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness and sacrifice with thanksgiving! Those who go down to the sea in ships see the works of the LORD in the deep. He commands the stormy wind, and they are at their wits' end; they cry to the LORD, and He calms the storm. Let them praise the LORD for His goodness! He turns rivers into a wilderness and a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of those who dwell there. He also turns the wilderness into a pool of water, where He makes the hungry dwell. He blesses them, and they multiply. When they are diminished, He pours contempt on princes but sets the poor on high from affliction. The righteous will see it and rejoice. Whoever is wise will observe these things and understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. [pause 1s] My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and give praise. I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, for Your mercy is great above the heavens. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand. God has spoken, promising victory over Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah, Moab, and Edom. Who will lead me into Edom? Will you not, O God, who cast us off? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is vain. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who will tread down our enemies. [pause 2s] Imprecations and Messianic Prophecies. [pause 1s] Do not keep silent, O God of my praise, for the mouths of the wicked and deceitful are opened against me with a lying tongue and words of hatred. For my love, they are my adversaries, rewarding me evil for good. He prays for a wicked man to be set over his enemy, for his prayer to become sin, his days to be few, and his children fatherless. Let his children be vagabonds and beggars, let an extortioner seize all he has, and let his posterity be cut off because he did not show mercy but persecuted the poor. As he loved cursing, let it come to him. Let it be like a garment he is clothed with. But do for me, O GOD the Lord, for Your name's sake. For I am poor and needy, tossed about like a locust. I have become a reproach to them. Help me, O LORD my God, save me according to Your mercy, so they may know it is Your hand. Let them curse, but you bless. I will greatly praise the LORD, for He will stand at the right hand of the poor to save him. [pause 1s] The LORD said to my Lord, quote, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool," end quote. The LORD will send the rod of Your strength out of Zion; rule in the midst of Your enemies. Your people will be volunteers in the day of Your power. The LORD has sworn and will not relent, quote, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek," end quote. The Lord at Your right hand will strike through kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations and fill the places with the dead. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore He will lift up the head. [pause 2s] Songs of Praise and the Beauty of God's Law. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart. The works of the LORD are great, honorable, and glorious. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. He has shown His people the power of His works. The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. He has sent redemption to His people and commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD and delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth. Wealth and riches will be in his house. To the upright, there arises light in the darkness. A good man shows favor and lends. Surely he will not be moved forever. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. The wicked will see it and be grieved; the desire of the wicked will perish. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. Praise, O you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD’s name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations. Who is like the LORD our God, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and on the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to set them with princes. He makes the barren woman a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] When Israel went out of Egypt, Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams. Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool of water. [pause 1s] Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and truth’s sake. Why should the nations say, quote, "Where is now their God?" end quote. Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear, hands but do not handle, and feet but do not walk. Those who make them are like them. O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD. You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD. The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD will increase you and your children. You are blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The dead do not praise the LORD, but we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. The sorrows of death surrounded me, and I called upon the name of the LORD to deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous. The LORD preserves the simple. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifulfully with you, delivering your soul from death. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed, therefore I spoke, quote, "All men are liars," end quote. What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. O LORD, truly I am Your servant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay my vows in the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD, all you nations; praise Him, all you peoples. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Let Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the LORD now say, quote, "His mercy endures forever," end quote. I called on the LORD in distress, and He answered me. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man or in princes. All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They surrounded me like bees but are quenched like a fire of thorns. The LORD is my strength and song; He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing is in the tents of the righteous. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Open to me the gates of righteousness. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing. This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O LORD; send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. God is the LORD, who has shown us light. You are my God, and I will praise You. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. [pause 1s] Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD and seek Him with their whole heart. You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! I will praise You when I have learned Your righteous judgments. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times. Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. Teach me the way of Your precepts. I have chosen the way of truth. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things. Let Your mercies come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your word. I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction. Horror has taken hold of me because of the wicked who forsake Your law. I have remembered Your name, O LORD, in the night. The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live. My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness is to all generations. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished. I am Yours, save me. Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I am afflicted very much; revive me, O LORD. I hate vain thoughts, but I love Your law. Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God. I have done judgment and justice; do not leave me to my oppressors. It is time for You, LORD, to work, for they have made void Your law. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold. Your testimonies are wonderful. The entrance of Your words gives light. Order my steps in Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law. Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments. My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me, yet Your commandments are my delights. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD. I cry to You before the dawning of the morning. You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth. Consider my affliction and deliver me. Salvation is far from the wicked. Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You. Great peace have they who love Your law. Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding. Let my tongue speak of Your word. Let Your hand help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments. [pause 2s] The Songs of Ascents and Final Praises. [pause 1s] In my distress, I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul from lying lips. What will be given to you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Woe is me that I dwell in Mesech, with one who hates peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war. [pause 1s] I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He who keeps you will not slumber. The LORD is your keeper, your shade at your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will preserve you from all evil and preserve your soul, your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. [pause 1s] I was glad when they said to me, quote, "Let us go into the house of the LORD," end quote. Our feet will stand within your gates, O Jerusalem, a city compactly built. There the tribes go up to give thanks to the name of the LORD. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: quote, "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls," end quote. For the sake of my brethren and the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. [pause 1s] Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. [pause 1s] If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, Israel may now say, then they would have swallowed us alive. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. [pause 1s] Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people. For the scepter of wickedness will not rest on the land allotted to the righteous. Do good, O LORD, to those who are good. As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. [pause 1s] When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, will doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. [pause 1s] Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. [pause 1s] Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. You will eat the labor of your hands; you will be happy. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, your children like olive plants around your table. The LORD bless you out of Zion; may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life and see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel. [pause 1s] Quote, "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," end quote, let Israel now say, quote, "yet they have not prevailed against me," end quote. The plowers plowed on my back. The LORD is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. Let all who hate Zion be confounded and turned back. Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up. [pause 1s] Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice. If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope, more than those who watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. [pause 1s] Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother. Let Israel hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever. [pause 1s] Lord, remember David and all his afflictions, how he swore to the LORD not to enter his house or go to his bed until he found a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty God of Jacob. We will go into His tabernacles; we will worship at His footstool. Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed. The LORD has sworn in truth to David: quote, "Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. If your children will keep my covenant... their children also shall sit upon your throne forevermore," end quote. For the LORD has chosen Zion; this is His resting place forever. He will bless her provision and satisfy her poor. He will clothe her priests with salvation. There He will make the horn of David to bud. His enemies He will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown will flourish. [pause 1s] Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard of Aaron, down to the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forevermore. [pause 1s] Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD, you who stand in the house of our God. For the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself. I know that the LORD is great, above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth. He causes the vapors to ascend, makes lightning for the rain, and brings the wind out of His treasuries. He struck the firstborn of Egypt and great nations and mighty kings—Sihon, Og, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—and gave their land as a heritage to Israel. Your name, O LORD, endures forever. The idols of the nations are silver and gold; they have mouths but do not speak and eyes but do not see. Those who make them are like them. Bless the LORD, O house of Israel, house of Aaron, house of Levi, and you who fear the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods and the Lord of lords, for His mercy endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders, who by wisdom made the heavens, who laid out the earth above the waters, who made great lights—the sun to rule by day and the moon and stars to rule by night—for His mercy endures forever. To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn and brought out Israel from among them with a strong hand, who divided the Red Sea and made Israel pass through it but overthrew Pharaoh and his army, for His mercy endures forever. To Him who led His people through the wilderness, who struck great kings and slew famous kings, and gave their land as a heritage to Israel His servant, for His mercy endures forever. Who remembered us in our low estate and redeemed us from our enemies, who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy endures forever. [pause 1s] By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps on the willows. For there our captors required of us a song, saying, quote, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion," end quote. How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth. Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, quote, "Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation!" end quote. O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock. [pause 1s] I will praise You with my whole heart. I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and truth. In the day when I cried, You answered me. All the kings of the earth will praise You, O LORD. Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever. [pause 1s] O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. There is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, even there Your hand will lead me. If I say, quote, "Surely the darkness shall cover me," end quote, even the night will be light about me. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written. How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand. Surely You will slay the wicked, O God. Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? I hate them with perfect hatred. Search me, O God, and know my heart; see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. [pause 1s] Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man who imagines mischief in his heart. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. The proud have hidden a snare for me. I said to the LORD, quote, "You are my God," end quote. O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, do not grant the desires of the wicked. Let burning coals fall upon them. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name. [pause 1s] Lord, I cry to You; make haste to me. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth. Incline not my heart to any evil thing. Let the righteous strike me; it will be a kindness. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave. But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape. [pause 1s] I cried to the LORD with my voice; I poured out my complaint before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed, You knew my path. I looked, but there was no one who would know me; refuge failed me. I cried to You, O LORD, quote, "You are my refuge," end quote. Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name. [pause 1s] Hear my prayer, O LORD; in Your faithfulness answer me. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous. The enemy has persecuted my soul; my spirit is overwhelmed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O LORD. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake. In Your mercy, cut off my enemies, for I am Your servant. [pause 1s] Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war. My goodness, my fortress, my high tower, and my deliverer. LORD, what is man that You take knowledge of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. Bow Your heavens, O LORD, and come down. Cast forth lightning and scatter them. Send Your hand from above; rescue me from the hand of foreigners whose mouth speaks lying words. I will sing a new song to You, O God. It is He who gives salvation to kings, who delivers David His servant from the deadly sword. That our sons may be as plants grown up, our daughters as cornerstones, our garners full, our sheep bringing forth thousands, and our oxen strong to labor. Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the LORD. [pause 1s] I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever. Every day I will bless You. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will praise Your works to another. Men will speak of the might of Your awesome acts. The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all. All Your works will praise You, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You. They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. The LORD upholds all who fall. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live I will praise the LORD. Do not put your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, raises those who are bowed down, and loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow, but the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD will reign forever. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD, for it is good to sing praises to our God. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and makes grass grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food. He does not delight in the strength of the horse. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! He has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children. He makes peace in your borders. He sends out His commandment to the earth. He gives snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He sends out His word and melts them. He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels and all His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, for He commanded and they were created. Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps; fire and hail, snow and clouds; mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges; both young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted. He also has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker. Let them praise His name with the dance, with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains. This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD. [pause 1s] Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, the lute and harp, the timbrel and dance, with stringed instruments and flutes, with loud cymbals and clashing cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. [pause 2s] This concludes the full prose text of the Book of Tehillim. We will end with a final concise summary. [pause 2s] The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers and hymns that explore the full range of human emotion—from despair and lament to exuberant praise—consistently directing the soul to find its ultimate hope, refuge, and joy in the sovereign power, enduring mercy, and perfect law of God. [pause 2s] This concludes the reading of the Book of Tehillim, Psalms one through one hundred fifty.
Book of Tehillim (Psalms):
1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
3:1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.
Selah.
3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.
Selah.
4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
6:1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
6:4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
6:7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
6:9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
6:10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.
7:1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
7:2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
7:3 O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
7:4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
7:6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
7:7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
7:8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
7:10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
7:12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
7:13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
7:14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
7:15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
9:3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
9:4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
9:5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
9:7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
9:13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
9:15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
9:16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
9:18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
9:19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
9:20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
10:5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
10:8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
10:9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10:10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
10:12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
10:14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
10:16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
10:18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
11:1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
11:7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
12:1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
13:2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
13:4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
13:5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
13:6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
14:5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
14:6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
15:1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
16:1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
16:2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
16:6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
17:1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
17:6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
17:10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
17:11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
17:12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
18:1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
18:4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
18:5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
18:11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
18:12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
18:14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
18:15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18:18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
18:20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
18:21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
18:22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
18:24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
18:25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
18:26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
18:27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
18:29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
18:31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
18:37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
18:38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
18:40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
18:41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
18:42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
18:44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
18:45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
18:46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
18:47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
18:48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
18:50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
20:1 The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
20:3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
20:4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
20:8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
20:9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
21:1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
21:2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
21:3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
21:4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
21:5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
21:6 For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
21:7 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
21:10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
21:11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
21:12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
22:2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
22:5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
22:9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
22:21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
22:25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
22:29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
22:30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
22:31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
24:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
24:6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
24:9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
24:10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
25:1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
25:6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
25:8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
25:12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
25:13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
25:16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
25:19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
26:1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
26:3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
26:6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
26:10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
26:12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
27:12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
28:1 Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
28:3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
28:4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
28:5 Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
28:6 Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
28:8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
28:9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
29:1 Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
29:5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
29:7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
29:8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
29:10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
30:1 I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
30:2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
30:3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
30:6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
30:7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
30:8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
30:9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
31:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
31:2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
31:4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
31:8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
31:11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
31:13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
31:16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
32:4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
32:5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
33:14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
33:15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
33:17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
33:19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
33:22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
34:12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
34:16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
35:1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
35:3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
35:7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
35:8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
35:10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
35:11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
35:12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
35:14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
35:15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
35:16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
35:20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
35:21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
35:22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
35:23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
36:1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
36:4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
36:5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
36:6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
36:10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
36:12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
37:13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
37:32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
37:33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
38:1 O lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
38:2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
38:4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
38:5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
38:6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
38:7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
38:12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
38:13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
38:14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
38:15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
38:16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
38:17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
38:18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
38:19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
38:21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
39:4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Selah.
39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
39:10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
39:11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
40:11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
40:13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
40:14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
40:15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
41:2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
41:3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
41:4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
41:5 Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
41:7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
41:8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
41:10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
41:11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
41:12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
42:2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
42:3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
42:10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
43:1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
43:2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
44:2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
44:4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
44:5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
44:7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever.
Selah.
44:9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
44:10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
44:11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
44:12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
44:14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
44:15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
44:16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
44:17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
44:18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
44:19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
44:23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
44:24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
44:26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.
45:1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
45:2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
45:3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
45:5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
45:9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
45:10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
45:11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
45:12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
45:13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
45:14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
45:15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
45:16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
47:2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
47:3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
47:4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
47:5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
47:8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
47:9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
48:4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
48:5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
48:6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
48:7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
48:8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
48:9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
48:11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
48:12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
48:13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
49:1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
49:2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
49:5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
49:9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
49:10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
49:11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
49:12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
49:13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
49:16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
49:19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
49:20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
50:1 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
50:7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
50:8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
50:9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
50:11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
50:16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
50:17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.
50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
52:1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
52:2 The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
52:5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
52:6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
52:7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
52:9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
53:3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
53:4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
53:5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
53:6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
54:1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
54:3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
54:4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
54:5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
54:6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
54:7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
55:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
55:2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
55:3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
55:4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
55:7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
55:8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
55:9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
55:10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
55:11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old.
Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
55:20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
56:1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
56:6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
56:7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
56:9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
56:10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
56:12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
56:13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
57:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
57:8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
57:9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
57:10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
57:11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
58:1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
58:2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
58:5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
58:6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
58:7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
58:8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
58:9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
58:10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
58:11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
59:1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
59:2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
59:3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
59:4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
59:5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
59:7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
59:8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
59:9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
59:10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
59:11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
59:14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
59:15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
59:17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
60:1 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
60:2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
60:5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
60:6 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
60:7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
60:8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
60:10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
60:11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
61:5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
61:6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
61:7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
61:8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
62:1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
62:3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
62:4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
62:9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
62:10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
63:9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
63:10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
64:1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
64:2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
64:5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
64:7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
64:9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
65:1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
65:2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
65:3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
65:5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
65:6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
65:7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
65:10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
65:11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
66:2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
66:3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
66:4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
66:5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
66:6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
66:8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
66:9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
66:11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
66:13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
66:14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
66:15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
66:17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
66:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
67:3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
67:5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
67:6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
67:7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
68:7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
68:8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
68:9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
68:10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
68:12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
68:15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
68:16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
68:20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
68:21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
68:22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
68:23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
68:24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
68:25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
68:26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
68:27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
68:28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
68:29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
68:30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.
68:32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
68:33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
68:34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
69:1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
69:2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
69:5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
69:6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
69:7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
69:8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.
69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
69:11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
69:12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
69:13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
69:14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
69:15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
69:16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
69:17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
69:18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
69:19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
69:22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
69:24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
69:26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
69:27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
69:29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
69:31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
69:32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
69:33 For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
69:34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
69:35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
69:36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
70:1 MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME; MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD.
70:2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
70:3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
70:5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
71:4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
71:7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
71:10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
71:11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
71:12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
71:16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
71:18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
71:20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
71:21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
71:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
71:23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
72:1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
72:2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
72:16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
72:17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
72:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
73:24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
74:1 O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
74:2 Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
74:3 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
74:4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
74:5 A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
74:6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
74:7 They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
74:8 They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
74:10 O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
74:12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
74:13 Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
74:14 Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
74:15 Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
74:16 The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
74:17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
74:18 Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
74:19 O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
74:20 Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
74:21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
74:22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
74:23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
75:1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
75:2 When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
75:3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
75:4 I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
75:5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
75:9 But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
75:10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
76:1 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
76:2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
76:3 There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
76:4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
76:5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
76:6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
76:7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
76:8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
76:9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
76:12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
77:1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
77:4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
77:5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
77:7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
77:8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
77:14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
77:16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
77:17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
77:20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
78:9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
78:10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
78:11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
78:12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
78:13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
78:14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
78:15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
78:16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
78:17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
78:18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
78:19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
78:20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
78:21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
78:22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
78:23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
78:24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
78:25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
78:26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
78:27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
78:28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
78:29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
78:30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
78:31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
78:32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
78:33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
78:34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
78:35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
78:36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
78:39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
78:42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
78:43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
78:44 And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
78:45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
78:46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
78:48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
78:50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
78:51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
78:54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
78:55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
78:56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
78:57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
78:58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
78:59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
78:60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
78:61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
78:62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
78:63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
78:64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
78:65 Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
78:66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
78:67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
78:68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
78:69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
78:70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
78:71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
78:72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
79:1 O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
79:2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
79:3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
79:4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
79:5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
79:6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
79:10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
79:11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
79:12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
79:13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
80:2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
80:4 O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
80:6 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
80:7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
80:8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
80:9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
80:10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
80:11 She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
80:12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
80:13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
80:14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
80:15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
80:17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
80:18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
80:19 Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
81:4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah.
Selah.
81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
81:9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
81:11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
81:12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
81:14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
81:15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
82:1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
82:7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
83:2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot.
Selah.
83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
83:15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
83:17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
84:1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
85:1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
85:3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
85:7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
85:12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
86:1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
86:2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
86:6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
86:8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
86:14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
86:16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.
87:1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
87:2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
87:3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
87:5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
87:6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
87:7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
88:1 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
88:2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
88:5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
88:6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
88:7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.
88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
88:9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
88:10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
88:11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
88:13 But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
88:14 LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?
88:15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.
88:16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
88:17 They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.
88:18 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.
89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
89:2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
89:4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
89:5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
89:9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
89:10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
89:11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
89:13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
89:18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
89:19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
89:21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
89:22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
89:23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
89:24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
89:25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
89:28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
89:29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
89:30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
89:31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
89:36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
89:37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
89:38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
89:39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
89:40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
89:41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
89:42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
89:43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
89:44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
89:45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
89:46 How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
89:48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
89:49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
89:50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
89:51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
90:1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
90:7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
90:11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
90:13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
90:15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
90:16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
92:1 IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:
92:2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
92:3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
92:4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
92:5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
92:6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
92:7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
92:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
92:9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
92:11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
92:15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
93:2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
93:3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
94:1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
94:2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
94:3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
94:4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
94:5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
94:6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
94:7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
94:8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
94:10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
94:14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
94:15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
94:16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
94:17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
94:21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
94:23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
95:4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
95:5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
95:11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
96:5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
96:7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
96:8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
96:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
97:1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
97:2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
97:4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
97:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
97:8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
97:9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
97:11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
98:3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
98:7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
98:8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
99:1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
99:2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
99:3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
99:4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
99:5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
99:6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
99:7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
99:8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
101:8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
102:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
102:2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
102:4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
102:10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
102:12 But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
102:13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
102:15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
102:21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
102:22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
102:23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
102:28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
103:22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
104:6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
104:7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
104:8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
104:9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
104:10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
104:11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
104:12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
104:13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
104:14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
104:15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
104:17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
104:20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
104:22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
104:23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
104:25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
104:26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
104:28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
105:3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
105:12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
105:14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
105:23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
105:26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
105:27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
105:30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
105:31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
105:33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
105:34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
105:35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
105:36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
105:40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
105:42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
105:44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
105:45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.
106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
106:2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?
106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
106:4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
106:5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
106:6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
106:7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
106:9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
106:10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
106:11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
106:12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
106:13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
106:14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
106:16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.
106:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.
106:18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
106:19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
106:20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
106:21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
106:22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
106:24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
106:25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
106:26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
106:27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
106:28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
106:29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
106:30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
106:31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
106:32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
106:33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
106:34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
106:35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
106:36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
106:37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
106:38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
106:39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
106:41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
106:42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
106:43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
106:46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
106:47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
106:48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
107:6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
107:18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
107:33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
107:34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
107:35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
107:36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
107:37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
107:38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
107:39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
107:40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
107:41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
107:42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
108:1 O god, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
108:3 I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
108:4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
108:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
108:6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
108:7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
108:8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
108:9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
108:10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
108:11 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
109:1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
109:2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
109:3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
109:4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
109:5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
109:7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
109:9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
109:10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
109:11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
109:12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
109:13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
109:14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
109:15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
109:16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
109:17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
109:18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
109:19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
109:20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
109:21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.
109:22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
109:23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
109:24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
109:25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
109:26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
109:27 That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.
109:28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
109:29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
109:30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
111:2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
111:3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
111:4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
111:5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
111:6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
111:7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
111:8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
112:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
112:3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
112:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
112:6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
112:8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
112:9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
113:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
113:2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
113:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
113:5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
113:6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
113:7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
113:8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
114:1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
114:2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
114:3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
114:4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
114:5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
114:6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
114:7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
115:2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
115:9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
115:11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
115:12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
115:13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
115:14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
115:15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
115:18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Praise the LORD.
116:1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
116:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
116:4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
116:8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
116:10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
116:16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
116:18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
116:19 In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
117:1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
118:2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
118:3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
118:4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
118:5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
118:7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
118:9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
118:10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
118:11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
118:12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
118:13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
118:16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
118:18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
118:20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
118:23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
118:28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
119:13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
119:19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
119:23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.leth.
119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
119:26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
119:31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
119:38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
119:39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
119:41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
119:43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
119:55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
119:56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
119:58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
119:61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
119:64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
119:73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
119:79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
119:82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
119:83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
119:84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
119:85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
119:87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
119:88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
119:90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
119:91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
119:93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
119:94 I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.
119:95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
119:97 O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
119:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
119:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
119:109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
119:112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
119:121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
119:126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
119:131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
119:134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
119:135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
119:136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
119:137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
119:139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
119:141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
119:143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
119:145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
119:146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
119:147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
119:149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
119:150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
119:153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
119:154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
119:156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
119:158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
119:159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
119:162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
119:166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
119:168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
119:170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
119:171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
119:173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
120:1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
120:3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
120:4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
120:5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
120:6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
120:7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
122:3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
123:1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
123:3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
124:1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
124:2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
124:3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
124:4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
124:5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
124:7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
125:2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
125:4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
126:1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
126:4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
128:3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
128:4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
128:5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
128:6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
129:1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
129:2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
129:3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
129:4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
129:5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
129:6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
129:7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
129:8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.
130:1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
130:2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
130:7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
130:8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
131:1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
131:2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
131:3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.
132:1 Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
132:2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
132:3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
132:4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
132:5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
132:6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
132:7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
132:8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
132:10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
132:11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
132:13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
132:14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
132:17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
132:18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
134:1 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
135:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
135:2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
135:3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
135:5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
135:7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
135:8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
135:9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
135:10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
135:12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
135:14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
135:15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
135:16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
135:18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
135:19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
135:20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem.
Praise ye the LORD.
136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
137:2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
137:3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
137:4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
137:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
138:1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
138:5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
139:19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
140:1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
140:2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
140:4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
140:5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
140:6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
140:7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
140:8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
140:9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
140:10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
140:11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
140:12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
141:1 Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
141:4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
141:6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
141:7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
141:8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
141:9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
142:1 I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
142:2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
142:5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
143:3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
143:4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
143:6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
143:7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
143:12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
144:3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
144:4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
144:5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
144:6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
144:7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
144:8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
144:9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
144:10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
144:12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
144:13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
144:14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
145:2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
145:5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
145:6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
145:7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
145:10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
145:11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
145:12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
145:13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
145:14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
145:15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
146:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
146:2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
146:6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
146:7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
146:8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
146:10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
147:8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
147:9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
147:10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
147:12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
147:13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
147:14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
147:16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
147:17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
147:18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
147:19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
147:20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
148:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
148:2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
148:3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
148:4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
148:6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
148:9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
148:10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
148:11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
148:12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
148:14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
149:7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
149:8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
149:9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
150:3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.