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Psalms


  Psalm 1.

PSALMS - BOOK 1. (Ps.1-41.) Blessed is the the Man.

1Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2but his delight is in the law of Yahweh,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

4The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6for Yahweh knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.


  Psalm 2.

God's Chosen King.

1Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against Yahweh and his anointed, saying,
3"Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us."

4He who sits in the heavens laughs;
Yahweh has them in derision.
5Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6"I have set my king on Zion,
my holy hill."

7I will tell of the decree of Yahweh: He said to me,
"You are my son, today I have begotten you.
8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

10Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11Serve Yahweh with fear,
with trembling 12kiss his feet,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.


  Psalm 3.

Morning Prayer.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O Yahweh, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2many are saying of me,
there is no help for him in God. Selah

3But you, O Yahweh, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.

4I cry aloud to Yahweh,
and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5I lie down and sleep; I wake again,
for Yahweh sustains me.
6I am not afraid of ten thousands of people
who have set themselves against me round about.

7Arise, O Yahweh! Deliver me, O my God!
For you smite all my enemies on the cheek,
you break the teeth of the wicked.

8Deliverance belongs to Yahweh;
may your blessing be upon your people!


  Psalm 4.

Evening Prayer.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You have given me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

2O men, how long shall my honour suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3But know that Yahweh has set apart the godly for himself;
Yahweh hears when I call to him.

4Be angry, but sin not;
commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in Yahweh.

6There are many who say,
"O that we might see some good!
Lift up O Yahweh,
the light of your countenance upon us!"
7You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Yahweh, make me dwell in safety.


  Psalm 5.

Morning Prayer.

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

1Give ear to my words, O Yahweh;
give heed to my groaning.
2Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
3 O Yahweh, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you, and watch.

4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not sojourn with you.
5The boastful may not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
6You destroy those who speak lies;
Yahweh abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men.

7But I through the abundance of your steadfast love will enter your house,
I will worship toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
8Lead me, O Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.

9For there is no truth in their mouth;
their heart is destruction,
their throat is an open sepulchre,
they flatter with their tongue.
10Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of their many transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.

11But let all who take refuge in you rejoice,
let them ever sing for joy;
and you defend them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
12But you bless the righteous, O Yahweh;
you cover him with favour as with a shield.


  Psalm 6.

Penitential Psalm - Rebuke me not, O Lord.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 O Yahweh, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor chasten me in your wrath.
2Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, for I am languishing;
O Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3My soul also is sorely troubled.
But you, O Yahweh - how long?

4Turn, O Yahweh, save my life;
deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who can give you praise?

6I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
7My eye wastes away because of grief,
it grows weak because of all my foes.

8Depart from me, all you workers of evil;
for Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping.
9Yahweh has heard my supplication;
Yahweh accepts my prayer.
10All my enemies shall be ashamed and sorely troubled;
they shall turn back, and be put to shame in a moment.


  Psalm 7.

A Prayer for Justice.

A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to Yahweh concerning Cush a Benjaminite.

1 O Yahweh my God, in you do I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me,
2lest like a lion they rend me, dragging me away,
with none to rescue.

3 O Yahweh my God, if I have done this,
if there is wrong in my hands,
4if I have requited my friend with evil
or plundered my enemy without cause,
5let the enemy pursue me and overtake me,
and let him trample my life to the ground,
and lay my soul in the dust. Selah

6Arise, O Yahweh, in your anger,
lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
awake, O my God; you have appointed a judgment.
7Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;
and over it take your seat on high.
8Yahweh judges the peoples; judge me, O Yahweh,
according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.

9O let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the righteous,
you who searches the minds and hearts,
you righteous God.

10My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
11God is a righteous judge,
and a God who has indignation every day.

12If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword;
he has bent and strung his bow;
13he has prepared his deadly weapons,
making his arrows fiery shafts.
14Behold, the wicked man conceives evil,
and is pregnant with mischief, and brings forth lies.
15He makes a pit, digging it out,
and falls into the hole which he has made.
16His mischief returns upon his own head,
and on his own pate his violence descends.

17I will give to Yahweh the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of Yahweh most High.


  Psalm 8.

God's Glory & Man's dignity.

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

1You whose glory above the heavens is chanted
2by the mouth of babes and infants,
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.

3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you have established;
4what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
5Yet you have made him little less than God,
and crown him with glory and honour.
6You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
7all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the sea.

9O Yahweh, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth.


  Psalm 9(v9a).

Thanksgiving.

To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.

1I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2I will be glad and exult in you,
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3When my enemies turned back,
they stumbled and perished before you.
4For you have maintained my just cause;
you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6The enemy have vanished in everlasting ruins;
their cities you have rooted out;
the very memory of them has perished.

7But Yahweh sits enthroned for ever,
he has established his throne for judgment;
8and he judges the world with righteousness,
he judges the peoples with equity.

9Yahweh is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13Be gracious to me, O Yahweh!
Behold what I suffer from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

14that I may recount all your praises,
that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your deliverance.

15The nations have sunk in the pit which they made;
in the net which they hid has their own foot been caught.
16Yahweh has made himself known, he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah

17The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.
18For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever.

19Arise, O Yahweh! Let not man prevail;
let the nations be judged before you!
20Put them in fear, O Yahweh!
Let the nations know that they are but men!


  Psalm 10(v9b).

Prayer for Justice.

1Why do you stand afar off, O Yahweh?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes which they have devised.

3For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart,
and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces Yahweh.
4In the pride of his countenance the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, "There is no God."

5His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
6He thinks in his heart, "I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity."

7His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
8He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.

His eyes stealthily watch for the hapless,
9he lurks in secret like a lion in his covert;
he lurks that he may seize the poor,
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.

10The hapless is crushed,
sinks down, and falls by his might.
11He thinks in his heart, "God has forgotten,
he has hidden his face, he will never see it."

12Arise, O Yahweh; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
13Why does the wicked renounce God,
and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?

14You see; yea, you note trouble and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
the hapless commits himself to you;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
seek out his wickedness till you find none.
16Yahweh is king for ever and ever;
the nations shall perish from his land.

17 O Yahweh, you will hear the desire of the meek;
you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear
18to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

To the choirmaster. Of David.


  Psalm 11(v10).

Confidence in the Lord.

1In Yahweh I take refuge;
how can you say to me,
"Flee like a bird to the mountains;
2for lo, the wicked bend the bow,
they have fitted their arrow to the string,
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do"?

4Yahweh is in his holy temple,
Yahweh's throne is in heaven;
his eyes behold, his eyelids test, the children of men.
5Yahweh tests the righteous and the wicked,
and his soul hates him that loves violence.
6On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and brimstone;
a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7For Yahweh is righteous, he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.


  Psalm 12(v11).

Help Me O Lord!.

To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1Help, LORD; for there is no longer any that is godly;
for the faithful have vanished from among the sons of men.
2Every one utters lies to his neighbour;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,
4those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is our master?"

5"Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
I will now arise," says Yahweh;
"I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
6The promises of Yahweh are promises that are pure,
silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

7You, O Yahweh, protect us,
you guard us ever from this generation.
8On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the sons of men.


  Psalm 13.

How long O Lord?.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1How long, O Yahweh? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3Consider and answer me, O Yahweh my God;
lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him";
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6I will sing to Yahweh,
Because he has dealt bountifully with me.

To the choirmaster. Of David.


  Psalm 14(v13).

The Fool says in his Heart There is No God.

1The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none that does good.

2Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God.

3They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt;
there is none that does good, no, not one.

4Have they no knowledge,
all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon Yahweh?

5There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6You would confound the plans of the poor,
but Yahweh is his refuge.

7O that deliverance for Israel would come out of Zion!
When Yahweh restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 15(v14).

What God Requires.

1 O Yahweh, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2He who walks blamelessly,
and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart;
3who does not slander with his tongue,
and does no evil to his friend,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbour;
4in whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
but who honours those who fear Yahweh;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5who does not put out his money at interest,
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

A Miktam of David.


  Psalm 16(v15).

A Prayer of Confidence.

1Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2I say to Yahweh,
"You are my Yahweh; I have no good apart from you."

3As for the saints in the land,
they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

4Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their libations of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

5Yahweh is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7I bless Yahweh who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I keep Yahweh always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also dwells secure.
10For you not give me up to Sheol,
or let your godly one see the Pit.

11You show me the path of life;
in your presence there is fulness of joy,
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

A Prayer of David.


  Psalm 17(v16).

Prayer of an Innocent Man.

1Hear a just cause, O Yahweh; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2From you let my vindication come!
Let your eyes see the right!

3If you search my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4With regard to the works of men,
by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5My steps have held fast to your paths,
my feet have not slipped.

6I call upon you, for you will answer me,
O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O saviour of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8Keep me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

10They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11They track me down; now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12They are like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13Arise, O Yahweh! confront them, overthrow them!
Deliver my life from the wicked by your sword,
14from men by your hand, O Yahweh,
from men whose portion in life is of the world.
May their belly be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their babes.

15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding your form.


  Psalm 18(v17).

Song of Triumph for the King.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David the servant of Yahweh, who addressed the words of this song to Yahweh on the day when Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1I love you, O Yahweh, my strength.
2Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield,
and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3I call upon Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

4The cords of death encompassed me,
the torrents of perdition assailed me;
5the cords of Sheol entangled me,
the snares of death confronted me.

6In my distress I called upon Yahweh;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.

7Then the earth reeled and rocked;
the foundations also of the mountains trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.
8Smoke went up from his nostrils,
and devouring fire from his mouth;
glowing coals flamed forth from him.
9He bowed the heavens, and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.
10He rode on a cherub, and flew;
he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind.
11He made darkness his covering around him,
his canopy thick clouds dark with water.
12Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds
hailstones and coals of fire.
13Yahweh also thundered in the heavens,
and the Most High uttered his voice,
hailstones and coals of fire.
14And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them;
he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them.
15Then the channels of the sea were seen,
and the foundations of the world were laid bare,
at your rebuke, O Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16He reached from on high, he took me,
he drew me out of many waters.
17He delivered me from my strong enemy,
and from those who hated me;
for they were too mighty for me.
18They came upon me in the day of my calamity;
but Yahweh was my stay.
19He brought me forth into a broad place;
he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

20Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.
21For I have kept the ways of Yahweh,
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22For all his ordinances were before me,
and his statutes I did not put away from me.
23I was blameless before him,
and I kept myself from guilt.
24Therefore Yahweh has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25With the loyal you show yourself loyal;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
26with the pure you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
27For you deliver a humble people;
but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28Yea, you light my lamp;
Yahweh my God lightens my darkness.
29Yea, by you I can crush a troop;
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30This God - his way is perfect;
the promise of Yahweh proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

31For who is God, but Yahweh?
And who is a rock, except our God? -
32the God who girded me with strength,
and made my way safe.
33He made my feet like hinds' feet,
and set me secure on the heights.
34He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me, and your help made me great.
36You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.
37I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
and did not turn back till they were consumed.
38I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise;
they fell under my feet.
39For you girded me with strength for the battle;
you made my assailants sink under me.
40You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
and those who hated me I destroyed.
41They cried for help, but there was none to save,
they cried to Yahweh, but he did not answer them.
42I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

43You delivered me from strife with the peoples;
you made me the head of the nations;
people whom I had not known served me.
44As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
foreigners came cringing to me.
45Foreigners lost heart,
and came trembling out of their fastnesses.

46Yahweh lives; and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation,
47the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me;
48who delivered me from my enemies;
yea, you exalted me above my adversaries;
you delivered me from men of violence.

49For this I will extol you, O Yahweh, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
50Great triumphs he gives to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his descendents for ever.


  Psalm 19(v18).

The Lord, the Sun of Righteousness.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and there is nothing hid from its heat.

7The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple;
8the precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring for ever;
the ordinances of Yahweh are true, and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

11Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12But who can discern his errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

14Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, O Yahweh,
my rock and my redeemer.


  Psalm 20(v19).

Prayer for the King.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion!
3May he remember all your offerings,
and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices! Selah

4May he grant you your heart's desire,
and fulfil all your plans!
5May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May Yahweh fulfil all your petitions!

6Now I know that Yahweh will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.
7Some boast of chariots, and some of horses;
but we boast of the name of Yahweh our God.
8They will collapse and fall;
but we shall rise and stand upright.

9Give victory to the king, O Yahweh;
answer us when we call.


  Psalm 21(v20).

Thanksgiving for the King.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1In your strength the king rejoices, O Yahweh;
and in your help how greatly he exults!
2You have given him his heart's desire,
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3For you meet him with goodly blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.

4He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great through your help;
splendour and majesty you bestow upon him.
6Yea, you make him most blessed for ever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7For the king trusts in Yahweh;
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

8Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear.
Yahweh will swallow them up in his wrath; and fire will consume them.
10You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
and their children from among the sons of men.
11If they plan evil against you,
if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.

13Be exalted, O Yahweh, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.


  Psalm 22(v21).

Sufferings & Hope for the Virtuous Man.

To the choirmaster: according to The Hind of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.


  .

Antiphonal Psalm for solemn Entry into the Sanctuary.

1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2O my God, I cry by day, but you not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.

3Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5To you they cried, and were saved;
n you they trusted, and were not disappointed.

6But I am a worm, and no man;
scorned by men, and despised by the people.
7All who see me mock at me,
they make mouths at me, they wag their heads;
8"He committed his cause to Yahweh;
let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"

9Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you kept me safe upon my mother's breasts.
10Upon you was I cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
11Be not far from me,
for trouble is near and there is none to help.

12Many bulls encompass me,
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast;
15my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue cleaves to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.

16Yea, dogs are round about me;
a company of evildoers encircle me;
they have pierced my hands and feet -
17I can count all my bones -
they stare and gloat over me;
18they divide my garments among them,
and for my raiment they cast lots.
19But, O Yahweh, do not be not far off!
O you my help, hasten to my aid!
20Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!
21Save me from the mouth of the lion,
my afflicted soul from the horns of the wild oxen!

22I will tell of your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23You who fear Yahweh, praise him!
all you sons of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you sons of Israel!
24For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

25From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise Yahweh!
May your hearts live for ever!

27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh;
and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
28For dominion belongs to Yahweh,
and he rules over the nations.

29Yea, to him shall all the proud of the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and he who cannot keep himself alive.
30Posterity shall serve him;
men shall tell of Yahweh to the coming generation,
31and proclaim his deliverance to a people unborn,
that he has wrought it.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 23(v22).

The Lord our Shepherd.

1Yahweh is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
3he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 24(v23).

Antiphonal Psalm for solemn Entry into the Sanctuary.

1The earth is Yahweh's and the fulness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein;
2for he has founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon the rivers.

3Who shall ascend the hill of Yahweh?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
5He will receive blessing from Yahweh,
and vindication from the God of his salvation.
6Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is the King of glory?
Yahweh, strong and mighty, Yahweh, mighty in battle!
9Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is this King of glory?
The Yahweh of hosts,
he is the King of glory.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 25(v24).

A Prayer for Guidance & Protection.

1To you, O Yahweh, I lift up my soul.
2O my God, in you I trust,
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3Yea, let none that wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4Make me to know your ways, O Yahweh;
teach me your paths.
5Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

6Be mindful of your mercy, O Yahweh,
and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Yahweh!

8Good and upright is Yahweh;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10All the paths of Yahweh are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11For your name's sake, O Yahweh,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12Who is the man that fears Yahweh?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13He himself shall abide in prosperity,
and his children shall possess the land.
14The friendship of Yahweh is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15My eyes are ever toward Yahweh,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16Turn to me, and be gracious to me;
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distresses.
18Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

19Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20Oh guard my life, and deliver me;
let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.

22Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 26(v25).

Prayer of the Blameless.

1Vindicate me, O Yahweh,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in Yahweh without wavering.
2Prove me, O Yahweh, and search me;
test my heart and my mind.
3For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in faithfulness to you.

4I do not sit with false men,
nor do I consort with dissemblers;
5I hate the company of evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked.

6I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, O Yahweh,
7singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O Yahweh, I love the habitation of your house,
and the place where your glory dwells.
9Sweep me not away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10men in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12My foot stands on level ground;
in the great congregation I will bless Yahweh.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 27(v26).

Psalm of Praise.

1Yahweh is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Yahweh is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me,
my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall.

3Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

4One thing have I asked of Yahweh, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of Yahweh, and to inquire in his temple.

5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock.

6And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies round about me;
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to Yahweh.

7Hear, O Yahweh, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
8You have said, "Seek ye my face."
My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek."
9Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
10For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but Yahweh will take me up.

11Teach me your way, O Yahweh;
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.

13I believe that I shall see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living!
14Wait for Yahweh;
Be strong, and let your heart take courage;
yea, wait for Yahweh!

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 28(v27).

Petition & Thankgiving.

1To you, O Yahweh, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.
2Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

3Take me not off with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbours, while mischief is in their hearts.
4Requite them according to their work, and according to the evil of their deeds;
requite them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
5Because they do not regard the works of Yahweh, or the work of his hands,
he will break them down and build them up no more.

6Blessed be Yahweh!
for he has heard the voice of my supplications.
7Yahweh is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

8Yahweh is the strength of his people,
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9O save your people, and bless your heritage;
be their shepherd, and carry them for ever.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 29(v28).

Voice of the Lord in the Storm.

1Ascribe to Yahweh, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
2Ascribe to Yahweh the glory of his name;
worship Yahweh in holy array.

3The voice of Yahweh is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders, Yahweh, upon many waters.
4The voice of Yahweh is powerful,
the voice of Yahweh is full of majesty.

5The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars,
Yahweh breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7The voice of Yahweh
flashes forth flames of fire.
8The voice of Yahweh shakes the wilderness,
Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9The voice of Yahweh makes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

10Yahweh sits enthroned over the flood;
Yahweh sits enthroned as king for ever.
11May Yahweh give strength to his people!
May Yahweh bless his people with peace!


  Psalm 30(v29).

Thanksgiving.

A Psalm of David. A Song at the dedication of the Temple.

1I will extol you, O Yahweh, for you have drawn me up,
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Yahweh my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3 O Yahweh, you have brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

4Sing praises to Yahweh, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5For his anger is but for a moment, and his favour is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
7By your favour, O Yahweh, you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face, I was dismayed.

8To you, O Yahweh, I cried;
and to Yahweh I made supplication:
9"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10Hear, O Yahweh, and be gracious to me!
O Yahweh, be you my helper!"

11You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.


  Psalm 31(v30).

Prayer on Time of Ordeal.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1In you, O Yahweh, do I seek refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
In your righteousness deliver me!
2Incline your ear to me, rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

3Yea, you are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
4take me out of the net which is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Yahweh, faithful God.

6You hate those who pay regard to vain idols;
but I trust in Yahweh.
7I will rejoice and be glad for your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction,
you have taken heed of my adversities,
8and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

9Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief, my soul and my body also.
10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.

11I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horror to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13Yea, I hear the whispering of many - terror on every side!
- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

14But I trust in you, O Yahweh,
I say, "You are my God."
15My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors!
16Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
17Let me not be put to shame, O Yahweh, for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18Let the lying lips be dumb,
which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

19O how abundant is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you,
and wrought for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the sons of men!
20In the covert of your presence you hide them from the plots of men;
you hold them safe under your shelter from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed be Yahweh,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as in a besieged city.
22I had said in my alarm, "I am driven far from your sight."
But you heard my supplications, when I cried to you for help.

23Love Yahweh, all you his saints!
Yahweh preserves the faithful,
but abundantly requites him who acts haughtily.
24Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for Yahweh!

A Psalm of David. A Maskil.


  Psalm 32(v31).

Penitential Psalm - Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven.

1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3When I declared not my sin,
my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh";
then you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

6Therefore let every one who is godly offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
7You are a hiding place for me, you preserve me from trouble;
you encompass me with deliverance. Selah

8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not keep with you.

10Many are the pangs of the wicked;
but steadfast love surrounds him who trusts in Yahweh.
11Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!


  Psalm 33(v32).

Rejoice in the Lord O ye righteous.

1Rejoice in Yahweh, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
2Praise Yahweh with the lyre,
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3Sing to him a new song,
play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4For the word of Yahweh is upright;
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of Yahweh.

6By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
7He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.

8Let all the earth fear Yahweh,
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood forth.

10Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nought;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11The counsel of Yahweh stands for ever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13Yahweh looks down from heaven,
he sees all the sons of men;
14from where he sits enthroned he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
16A king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.

18Behold, the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19that he may deliver their soul from death,
and keep them alive in famine.

20Our soul waits for Yahweh;
he is our help and shield.
21Yea, our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22Let your steadfast love, O Yahweh, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.


  Psalm 34(v33).

In Praise of God's Justice.

A Psalm of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

1I will bless Yahweh at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul makes its boast in Yahweh;
let the afflicted hear and be glad.
3O magnify Yahweh with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

4I sought Yahweh, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him,
and delivers them.
8O taste and see that Yahweh is good!
Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!
9O fear Yahweh, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no want!
10The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek Yahweh lack no good thing.

11Come, O sons, listen to me,
I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
12What man is there who desires life,
and covets many days, that he may enjoy good?
13Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

15The eyes of Yahweh are toward the righteous,
and his ears toward their cry.
16The face of Yahweh is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17When the righteous cry for help, Yahweh hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
20He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21Evil shall slay the wicked;
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22The Yahweh redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 35(v34).

Help Me O Lord!.

1Contend, O Yahweh, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
2Take hold of shield and buckler,
and rise for my help!
3Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers!
Say to my soul, "I am your deliverance!"

4Let them be put to shame and dishonour who seek after my life!
Let them be turned back and confounded who devise evil against me!
5Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of Yahweh driving them on!
6Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them!

7For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8Let ruin come upon them unawares!
And let the net which they hid ensnare them;
let them fall therein to ruin!

9Then my soul shall rejoice in Yahweh,
exulting in his deliverance.
10All my bones shall say, " O Yahweh, who is like you,
you who deliver the weak from him who is too strong for him,
the weak and needy from him who despoils him?"

11Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me of things that I know not.
12They requite me evil for good;
my soul is forlorn.
13But I, when they were sick -I wore sackcloth, I afflicted myself with fasting.
I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,
14as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;
I went about as one who laments his mother, bowed down and in mourning.

15But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me;
cripples whom I knew not slandered me without ceasing;
16they impiously mocked more and more,
gnashing at me with their teeth.

17How long, O Yahweh, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages, my life from the lions!
18Then I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.

19Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes,
and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.
20For they do not speak peace,
but against those who are quiet in the land they conceive words of deceit.
21They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, "Aha, Aha! our eyes have seen it!"

22You have seen, O Yahweh; be not silent!
O Yahweh, be not far from me!
23Bestir yourself, and awake for my right,
for my cause, my God and my Yahweh!
24Vindicate me, O Yahweh, my God, according to your righteousness;
and let them not rejoice over me!
25Let them not say to themselves, "Aha, we have our heart's desire!"
Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up."

26Let them be put to shame and confusion altogether who rejoice at my calamity!
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour who magnify themselves against me!

27Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad,
and say evermore, "Great is Yahweh, who delights in the welfare of his servant!"
28Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all the day long.


  Psalm 36(v35).

Wickedness of the Sinner & God's Goodness.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of Yahweh.

1Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3The words of his mouth are mischief and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4He plots mischief while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he spurns not evil.

5Your steadfast love, O Yahweh, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God,
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Yahweh.

7How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

10O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12There the evil doers lie prostrate,
they are thrust down, unable to rise.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 37(v36).

Fate of the Wicked & of the Good.

1Fret not yourself because of the wicked,
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2For they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.

3Trust in Yahweh, and do good;
so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.
4Take delight in Yahweh,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to Yahweh;
trust in him, and he will act.
6He will bring forth your vindication as the light,
and your right as the noonday.

7Be still before Yahweh, and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

8Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9For the wicked shall be cut off;
but those who wait for Yahweh shall possess the land.

10Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look well at his place, he will not be there.
11But the meek shall possess the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

12The wicked plots against the righteous,
and gnashes his teeth at him;
13but Yahweh laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.

14The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows,
to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those who walk uprightly;
15their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.

16Better is a little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken;
but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

18Yahweh knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide for ever;
19they are not put to shame in evil times,
in the days of famine they have abundance.

20But the wicked perish;
the enemies of Yahweh are like the glory of the pastures,
they vanish - like smoke they vanish away.

21The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
22for those blessed by Yahweh shall possess the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

23The steps of a man are from Yahweh,
and he establishes him in whose way he delights;
24though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for Yahweh is the stay of his hand.

25I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.
26He is ever giving liberally and lending,
and his children become a blessing.

27Depart from evil, and do good;
so shall you abide for ever.
28For Yahweh loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.

The righteous shall be preserved for ever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall possess the land,
and dwell upon it for ever.

30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.

32The wicked watches the righteous,
and seeks to slay him.
33Yahweh will not abandon him to his power,
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

34Wait for Yahweh, and keep to his way,
and he will exalt you to possess the land;
you will look on the destruction of the wicked.

35I have seen a wicked man overbearing,
and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
36Again I passed by, and, lo, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.

37Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright,
for there is posterity for the man of peace.
38But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.

39The salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40Yahweh helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.


  Psalm 38(v37).

Prayer in Distress.

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

1 O Yahweh, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor chasten me in your wrath!
2For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down on me.

3There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4For my iniquities have gone over my head;
they weigh like a burden too heavy for me.

5My wounds grow foul and fester
because of my foolishness,
6I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
all the day I go about mourning.
7For my loins are filled with burning,
and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8I am utterly spent and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

9Yahweh, all my longing is known to you,
my sighing is not hidden from you.
10My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
and the light of my eyes - it also has gone from me.
11My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12Those who seek my life lay their snares,
those who seek my hurt speak of ruin,
and meditate treachery all the day long.

13But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear,
like a dumb man who does not open his mouth.
14Yea, I am like a man who does not hear,
and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

15But for you, O Yahweh, do I wait;
it is you, O Yahweh my God, who will answer.
16For I pray, "Only let them not rejoice over me,
who boast against me when my foot slips!"

17For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
18I confess my iniquity,
I am sorry for my sin.
19Those who are my foes without cause are mighty,
and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20Those who render me evil for good are my adversaries
because I follow after good.

21Do not forsake me, O Yahweh!
O my God, be not far from me!
22Make haste to help me,
O Yahweh, my salvation!


  Psalm 39(v38).

In Time of Trouble.

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
2I was dumb and silent,
I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
3my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4"LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is!
5Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.
Surely every man stands as a mere breath! Selah
6Surely man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nought are they in turmoil;
man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!

7"And now, Yahweh, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Make me not the scorn of the fool!
9I am dumb, I do not open my mouth;
for it is you who have done it.
10Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the blows of your hand.
11When you chasten man with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely every man is a mere breath! Selah

12"Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am your passing guest,
a sojourner, like all my fathers.
13Look away from me, that I may know gladness,
before I depart and be no more!"


  Psalm 40(v39).

Song of Praise.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1I waited patiently for Yahweh;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in Yahweh.

4Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust,
who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods!
5You have multiplied, O Yahweh my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be numbered.

6Sacrifice and offering you not desire;
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7Then I said, "Lo, I come;
in the roll of the book it is written of me;
8I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
lo, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Yahweh.
10I have not hid your saving help within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love
and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

11Do not, O Yahweh, withhold your mercy from me,
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness ever preserve me!
12For evils have encompassed me without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me, till I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.

13Be pleased, O Yahweh, to deliver me! O Yahweh,
make haste to help me!
14Let them be put to shame and confusion altogether who seek to snatch away my life;
let them be turned back and brought to dishonour who desire my hurt!
15Let them be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"

16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is Yahweh!"
17As for me, I am poor and needy;
but Yahweh takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not tarry, O my God!


  Psalm 41(v40).

Psalm of the Compassionate.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1Blessed is he who considers the poor!
Yahweh delivers him in the day of trouble;
2Yahweh protects him and keeps him alive;
he is called blessed in the land;
you not give him up to the will of his enemies.
3Yahweh sustains him on his sickbed;
in his illness you heal all his infirmities.

4As for me, I said, " O Yahweh, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you!"
5My enemies say of me in malice:
"When will he die, and his name perish?"
6And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,
while his heart gathers mischief;
when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
7All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.

8They say, "A deadly thing has fastened upon him;
he will not rise again from where he lies."
9Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
10But be gracious to me, O Yahweh,
and raise me up, that I may requite them!

11By this I know that you are pleased with me,
in that my enemy has not triumphed over me.
12But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence for ever.

13Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
Amen & Amen.


  Psalm 42(v41).

BOOK 2. (Ps.42-72) Lament of an Exile.

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1As a hart longs for flowing streams,
so longs my soul for you, O God.
2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?
3My tears have been my food day and night,
while men say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

4These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God,
with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
5Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

6My soul is cast down within me,
therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows have gone over me.
8By day Yahweh commands his steadfast love;
and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

9I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
10As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

11Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.


  Psalm 43(v42).

Lament of an Exile.

1Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people;
from deceitful and unjust men deliver me!
2For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3Oh send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me, let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
4Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

5Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.


  Psalm 44(v43).

National Lament.

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
2you with your own hand, drive out the nations, but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples, but you set them free;
3for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm give them victory;
but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance;
for you delighted in them.

4You are my King and my God,
who ordains victories for Jacob.
5Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down our assailants.
6For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
7But you have saved us from our foes,
and have put to confusion those who hate us.
8In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name for ever. Selah

9Yet you have cast us off and abased us,
and have not gone out with our armies.
10You have made us turn back from the foe;
and our enemies have gotten spoil.
11You have made us like sheep for slaughter,
and have scattered us among the nations.
12You have sold your people for a trifle,
demanding no high price for them.

13You have made us the taunt of our neighbours,
the derision and scorn of those about us.
14You have made us a byword among the nations,
a laughingstock among the peoples.
15All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face,
16at the words of the taunters and revilers,
at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

17All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you,
or been false to your covenant.
18Our heart has not turned back,
nor have our steps departed from your way,
19that you should have broken us in the place of jackals,
and covered us with deep darkness.

20If we had forgotten the name of our God,
or spread forth our hands to a strange god,
21would not God discover this?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22Nay, for your sake we are slain all the day long,
and accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

23Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Yahweh?
Awake! Do not cast us off for ever!
24Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
our body cleaves to the ground.
26Rise up, come to our help!
Deliver us for the sake of your steadfast love!


  Psalm 45(v44).

Royal Wedding Song.

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah a love song.

1My heart overflows with a goodly theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

2You are the fairest of the sons of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you for ever.
3Gird your sword upon your thigh,
O mighty one, in your glory and majesty!

4In your majesty ride forth victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right;
let your right hand teach you dread deeds!
5Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies;
the peoples fall under you.

6Your divine throne endures for ever and ever.
Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;
7you love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows;
8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10Hear, O daughter, consider, and incline your ear;
forget your people and your father's house;
11and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;
12the people of Tyre will sue your favour with gifts,
the richest of the people with all kinds of wealth.

13The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;
14in many-coloured robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions, her escort, in her train.
15With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.

16Instead of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
17I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;
therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.


  Psalm 46(v45).

God our Refuge & Strength.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.

1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God will help her right early.
6The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7Yahweh of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8Come, behold the works of Yahweh,
how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire!
10"Be still, and know that I am God.
I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!"
11The Yahweh of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.


  Psalm 47(v46).

Ruler of All.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2For Yahweh, the Most High, is terrible,
a great king over all the earth.
3He subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
4He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

5God has gone up with a shout,
Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.
6Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7For God is the king of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm!

8God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
9The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is highly exalted!


  Psalm 48(v47).

Song of Zion.

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1Great is Yahweh and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God! His holy mountain,
2beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.
3Within her citadels God has shown himself a sure defence.

4For lo, the kings assembled,
they came on together.
5As soon as they saw it, they were astounded,
they were in panic, they took to flight;
6trembling took hold of them there,
anguish as of a woman in travail.
7By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.
8As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of Yahweh of hosts,
in the city of our God, which God establishes for ever. Selah

9We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.
10As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with victory;
11let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!

12Walk about Zion, go round about her, number her towers,
13consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels;
that you may tell the next generation 14that this is God,
our God for ever and ever.
He will be our guide for ever.


  Psalm 49(v48).

Futility of Riches.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2both low and high,
rich and poor together!
3My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

5Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
6men who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7Truly no man can ransom himself,
or give to God the price of his life,
8for the ransom of his life is costly,
and can never suffice,
9that he should continue to live on for ever,
and never see the Pit.

10Yea, he shall see that even the wise die,
the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
11Their graves are their homes for ever,
their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own.
12Man cannot abide in his pomp,
he is like the beasts that perish.

13This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence,
the end of those who are pleased with their portion. Selah
14Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
Death shall be their shepherd;
straight to the grave they descend,
and their form shall waste away;
Sheol shall be their home.
15But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah

16Be not afraid when one becomes rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
17For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
18Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy,
and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself,
19he will go to the generation of his fathers,
who will never more see the light.
20Man cannot abide in his pomp,
he is like the beasts that perish.

A Psalm of Asaph.


  Psalm 50(v49).

Worship in Spirit & in Truth.

1The Mighty One, God Yahweh,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.

3Our God comes, he does not keep silence,
before him is a devouring fire, round about him a mighty tempest.
4He calls to the heavens above and to the earth,
that he may judge his people:
5"Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!"
6The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah

7"Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God.

8I do not reprove you for your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9I will accept no bull from your house,
nor he-goat from your folds.
10For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11I know all the birds of the air,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

12"If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
for the world and all that is in it is mine.
13Do I eat the flesh of bulls,
or drink the blood of goats?
14Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and pay your vows to the Most High;
15and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

16But to the wicked God says:
"What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips?
17For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
18If you see a thief, you are a friend of his;
and you keep company with adulterers.

19"You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
20You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother's son.
21These things you have done and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.

22"Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I rend, and there be none to deliver!
23He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honours me;
to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"


  Psalm 51(v50).

Penitential Psalm. Miserere.

To the choirmaster. 0A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

3For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, you desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Fill me with joy and gladness;
let the bones which you have broken rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

15O Yahweh, open my lips,
and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
16For you have no delight in sacrifice;
were I to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
17The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your alter.


  Psalm 52(v51).

God's Judgement & Grace.

To the choirmaster. 0A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech."

1Why do you boast, O mighty man, of mischief done against the godly?
All the day you are plotting destruction.
2Your tongue is like a sharp razor,
you worker of treachery.
3You love evil more than good,
and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah
4You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.

5But God will break you down for ever;
he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6The righteous shall see, and fear,
and shall laugh at him, saying,
7"See the man who would not make God his refuge,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and sought refuge in his wealth!"

8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God for ever and ever.
9I will thank you for ever, because you have done it.
I will proclaim your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.


  Psalm 53(v52).

Wickedness of Men.

To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

1The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
there is none that does good.

2God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men
to see if there are any that are wise, that seek after God.

3They have all fallen away; they are all alike depraved;
there is none that does good, no, not one.

4Have those who work evil no understanding,
who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?

5There they are, in great terror, in terror such as has not been!
For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly;
they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.

6O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.


  Psalm 54(v53).

Song for the Distressed.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. 0A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, "David is in hiding among us."

1Save me, O God, by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2Hear my prayer, O God;
give ear to the words of my mouth.

3For insolent men have risen against me, ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before them. Selah

4Behold, God is my helper;
Yahweh is the upholder of my life.
5He will requite my enemies with evil;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.

6With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O Yahweh, for it is good.
7For you have delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.


  Psalm 55(v54).

Lament in Persecution.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.

1Give ear to my prayer, O God;
and hide not yourself from my supplication!
2Attend to me, and answer me;
I am overcome by my trouble. I am distraught
3by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me.

4My heart is in anguish within me,
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
6And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
7yea, I would wander afar,
I would lodge in the wilderness, Selah
8I would haste to find me a shelter from the raging wind and tempest."

9Destroy their plans, O Yahweh, confuse their tongues;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10Day and night they go around it on its walls;
and mischief and trouble are within it,
11ruin is in its midst;
oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place.

12It is not an enemy who taunts me - then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me -
then I could hide from him.
13But it is you,
my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14We used to hold sweet converse together;
within God's house we walked in fellowship.
15Let death come upon them;
let them go down to Sheol alive;
let them go away in terror into their graves.

16But I call upon God;
and Yahweh will save me.
17Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he will hear my voice.
18He will deliver my soul in safety from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
19God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old;
because they keep no law, and do not fear God. Selah

20My companion stretched out his hand against his friends,
he violated his covenant.
21His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart;
his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

23But you, O God, will cast them down into the lowest pit;
men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.


  Psalm 56(v55).

Prayer for Deliverance.

To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1Be gracious to me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all day long foemen oppress me;
2my enemies trample upon me all day long,
for many fight against me proudly.
3When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
4In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust without a fear.
What can flesh do to me?

5All day long they seek to injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6They band themselves together,
they lurk, they watch my steps.
As they have waited for my life,
7so recompense them for their crime;
in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

8You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle!
Are they not in your book?
9Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
10In God, whose word I praise,
in Yahweh, whose word I praise,
11in God I trust without a fear.
What can man do to me?

12My vows to you I must perform, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
13For you have delivered my soul from death,
yea, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life.


  Psalm 57(v56).

Be Merciful to Me O Lord.

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

1Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfils his purpose for me.
3He will send from heaven and save me,
he will put to shame those who trample upon me. Selah
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4I lie in the midst of lions that greedily devour the sons of men;
their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.

5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

6They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9I will give thanks to you, O Yahweh, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.

11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!


  Psalm 58(v57).

Judge of Earthly Judges.

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David.

1Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
Do you judge the sons of men uprightly?
2Nay, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands deal out violence on earth.

3The wicked go astray from the womb,
they err from their birth, speaking lies.
4They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
5so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter.

6O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Yahweh!
7Let them vanish like water that runs away;
like grass let them be trodden down and wither.
8Let them be like the snail which dissolves into slime,
like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.
9Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
10The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth."


  Psalm 59(v58).

Prayer for Safety.

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

1Deliver me from my enemies,
O my God, protect me from those who rise up against me,
2deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3For, lo, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men band themselves against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O Yahweh,
4for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

Rouse yourself, come to my help, and see!
5You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Awake to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

6Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs and prowling about the city.
7There they are, bellowing with their mouths,
and snarling with their lips -
for "Who," they think, "will hear us?"

8But you laugh at them, O Yahweh;
you hold all the nations in derision.
9O my Strength, I will sing praises to you;
for you, O God, are my fortress.
10My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11Slay them not, lest my people forget;
make them totter by your power,
and bring them down, O Yahweh, our shield!
12For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies which they utter,
13consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more,
that men may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

14Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs and prowling about the city.
15They roam about for food,
and growl if they do not get their fill.

16But I will sing of your might;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.


  Psalm 60(v59).

National Lament.

To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. 0A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

1O God, you have rejected us, broken our defences;
you have been angry; oh, restore us.
2You have made the land to quake, you have rent it open;
repair its breaches, for it totters.
3You have made your people suffer hard things;
you have given us wine to drink that made us reel.

4You have set up a banner for those who fear you,
to rally to it from the bow. Selah
5That your beloved may be delivered,
give victory by your right hand and answer us!

6God has spoken in his sanctuary:
"With exultation I will divide up Shechem
and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
7Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter.
8Moab is my washbasin;
upon Edom I cast my shoe;
over Philistia I shout in triumph."

9Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10Have you not rejected us, O God?
You not go forth, O God, with our armies.
11O grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the help of man!
12With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.


  Psalm 61(v60).

Prayer for Protection.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2from the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
3for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4Let me dwell in your tent for ever!
Oh to be safe under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5For you have heard my vows, O God,
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7May he be enthroned for ever before God;
bid steadfast love and faithfulness watch over him!

8So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I pay my vows day after day.


  Psalm 62(v61).

Hope in God Alone.

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be greatly moved.

3How long will you set upon a man to shatter him, all of you, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4They only plan to thrust him down from his eminence.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah

5For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9Men of low estate are but a breath,
men of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God;
12and that to you, O Yahweh, belongs steadfast love.
For you requite a man
according to his work.


  Psalm 63(v62).

Longing for God.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.

1O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.
2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

5My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
6when I think of you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
8My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10they shall be given over to the power of the sword,
they shall be prey for jackals.
11But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall glory;
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.


  Psalm 64(v63).

Prayer for Protection.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from dread of the enemy,
2hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the scheming of evildoers,
3who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
4shooting from ambush at the blameless,
shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
5They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see us?
6Who can search out our crimes?
We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot."
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep!
7But God will shoot his arrow at them;
they will be wounded suddenly.
8Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;
all who see them will wag their heads.
9Then all men will fear; t
hey will tell what God has wrought,
and ponder what he has done.

10Let the righteous rejoice in Yahweh,
and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart glory!


  Psalm 65.

Thanksgiving.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.

1Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion;
and to you shall vows be performed,
2O you who hear prayer! To you shall all flesh come 3on account of sins.
When our transgressions prevail over us, you forgive them.
4Blessed is he whom you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple!

5By dread deeds you answer us with deliverance,
O God of our salvation,
who are the hope of all the ends of the earth,
and of the farthest seas;
6who by your strength have established the mountains, being girded with might;
7who still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples;
8so that those who dwell at earth's farthest bounds are afraid at your signs;
you make the outgoings of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

9You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it ;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.
10You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges,
softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
11You crown the year with your bounty;
the tracks of your chariot drip with fatness.
12The pastures of the wilderness drip, the hills gird themselves with joy, 13the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing for joy.

To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm.


  Psalm 66(v65).

Corporate Act of Thanksgiving.

1Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
3Say to God, "How terrible are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4All the earth worships you;
they sing praises to you,
sing praises to your name." Selah

5Come and see what God has done:
he is terrible in his deeds among men.
6He turned the sea into dry land;
men passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
7who rules by his might for ever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations -
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8Bless our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard,
9who has kept us among the living,
and has not let our feet slip.
10For you have tested us, O God;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
11You brought us into the net;
you laid affliction on our loins;
12you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us forth to a spacious place.

13I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay you my vows,
14that which my lips uttered
and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
15I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings,
with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

16Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for me.
17I cried aloud to him,
and he was extolled with my tongue.
18If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
Yahweh would not have listened.
19But truly God has listened;
he has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

20Blessed be God,
because he has not rejected my prayer
or removed his steadfast love from me!


  Psalm 67(v66).

Harvest Thanksgiving.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

1May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

6The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
7God has blessed us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!


  Psalm 68(v67).

National Song of Triumph.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.

1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered;
let those who hate him flee before him!
2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
as wax melts before fire, let the wicked perish before God!
3But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy!

4Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds;
his name is Yahweh, exult before him!

5Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6God gives the desolate a home to dwell in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity;
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7O God, when you went forth before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, at the presence of God;
yon Sinai quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your heritage as it languished;
10your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

11The Yahweh gives the command;
great is the host of those who bore the tidings:
12"The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!"
The women at home divide the spoil,
13though they stay among the sheepfolds -
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with green gold.
14When the Almighty scattered kings there, snow fell on Zalmon.

15O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16Why look you with envy, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount which God desired for his abode,
yea, where Yahweh will dwell for ever?

17With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands,
Yahweh came from Sinai into the holy place.
18You ascended the high mount, leading captives in your train, and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that Yahweh God may dwell there.

19Blessed be Yahweh, who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20Our God is a God of salvation;
and to GOD, Yahweh, belongs escape from death.

21But God will shatter the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22The Yahweh said, "I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23that you may bathe your feet in blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."

24Your solemn processions are seen, O God,
the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary -
25the singers in front, the minstrels last,
between them maidens playing timbrels:
26"Bless God in the great congregation, Yahweh,
O you who are of Israel's fountain!"
27There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

28Summon your might, O God;
show your strength, O God, you who have wrought for us.
29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings bear gifts to you.
30Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample under foot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31Let bronze be brought from Egypt;
let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to Yahweh, Selah
33to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
lo, he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
34Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel,
and his power is in the skies.
35Terrible is God in his sanctuary,
the God of Israel,
he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!


  Psalm 69(v68).

Save Me O Lord.

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Psalm of David.

1Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
3I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

4More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal must I now restore?
5O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

6Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Yahweh GOD of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonour through me, O God of Israel.
7For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,
that shame has covered my face.
8I have become a stranger to my brethren,
an alien to my mother's sons.

9For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
10When I humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
11When I made sackcloth my clothing,
I became a byword to them.
12I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.

13But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Yahweh.
At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me.
With your faithful help 14rescue me from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.
15Let not the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the pit close its mouth over me.

16Answer me, O Yahweh, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17Hide not your face from your servant;
for I am in distress,
make haste to answer me.
18Draw near to me, redeem me,
set me free because of my enemies!

19You know my reproach,
and my shame and my dishonour;
my foes are all known to you.
20Insults have broken my heart, so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none;
and for comforters, but I found none.
21They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

22Let their own table before them become a snare;
let their sacrificial feasts be a trap.
23Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see;
and make their loins tremble continually.
24Pour out your indignation upon them,
and let your burning anger overtake them.
25May their camp be a desolation,
let no one dwell in their tents.
26For they persecute him whom you have smitten,
and him whom you have wounded, they afflict still more.
27Add to them punishment upon punishment;
may they have no acquittal from you.
28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

29But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31This will please Yahweh more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32Let the oppressed see it and be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33For Yahweh hears the needy,
and does not despise his own that are in bonds.

34Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves therein.
35For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah;
and his servants shall dwell there and possess it;
36the children of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it.


  Psalm 70(v69).

O Lord Make Haste to Help Me.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

1Be pleased, O God, to deliver me!
O Yahweh, make haste to help me!
2Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonour who desire my hurt!
3Let them be appalled because of their shame who say, "Aha, Aha!"

4May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
5But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Yahweh, do not tarry!


  Psalm 71(v70).

A Old Man's Prayer.

1In you, O Yahweh, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
3Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5For you, O Yahweh, are my hope,
my trust, O Yahweh, from my youth.
6Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

7I have been as a portent to many;
but you are my strong refuge.
8My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
9Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10For my enemies speak concerning me,
those who watch for my life consult together,
11and say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him."

12O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
13May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
14But I will hope continually,
and will praise you yet more and more.
15My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
16With the mighty deeds of Yahweh GOD I will come,
I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.

17O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, till I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power 19and your righteousness, O God,
reach the high heavens.

You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you? 20You who have made me see many sore troubles wilt revive me again;
from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21You will increase my honour,
and comfort me again.

22I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have rescued.
24And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disgraced who sought to do me hurt.


  Psalm 72(v71).

Prayer for the King.

1A Psalm of Solomon.

Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
nd the hills, in righteousness!
4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor!

5May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon,
throughout all generations!
6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
7In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound,
till the moon be no more!

8May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
9May his foes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
10May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!

12For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
13He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.

15Long may he live, may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may men blossom forth from the cities like the grass of the field!
17May his name endure for ever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May men bless themselves by him,
all nations call him blessed!

18Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19Blessed be his glorious name for ever;
may his glory fill the whole earth!
Amen and Amen!

20The prayers of David,
the son of Jesse, are ended.


  Psalm 73.

BOOK 3. (Ps.73-89) Triumph of Justice.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1Truly God is good to the upright,
to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4For they have no pangs;
their bodies are sound and sleek.
5They are not in trouble as other men are;
they are not stricken like other men.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.
7Their eyes swell out with fatness,
their hearts overflow with follies.
8They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
9They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth.

10Therefore the people turn and praise them;
and find no fault in them.
11And they say, "How can God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12Behold, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
13All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
14For all the day long I have been stricken,
and chastened every morning.

15If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have been untrue to the generation of your children.
16But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I perceived their end.
18Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.
19How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors!
20They are like a dream when one awakes,
on awaking you despise their phantoms.

21When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
22I was stupid and ignorant,
I was like a beast toward you.
23Nevertheless I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

27For lo, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to those who are false to you.
28But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made Yahweh GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

A Maskil of Asaph.


  Psalm 74(v73).

National Lament over a Devastated Land.

1O God, why do you cast us off for ever?
Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
2Remember your congregation, which you have gotten of old,
which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!
Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.
3Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins;
the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary!

4Your foes have roared in the midst of your holy place;
they set up their own signs for signs.
5At the upper entrance
they hacked the wooden trellis with axes.
6And then all its carved wood
they broke down with hatchets and hammers.
7They set your sanctuary on fire;
to the ground they desecrated the dwelling place of your name.
8They said to themselves, "We will utterly subdue them";
they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.

9We do not see our signs;
there is no longer any prophet,
and there is none among us who knows how long.
10How long, O God, is the foe to scoff?
Is the enemy to revile your name for ever?
11Why do you hold back your hand,
why do you keep your right hand in your bosom?

12Yet God my King is from of old,
working salvation in the midst of the earth.
13You divided the sea by your might;
you broke the heads of the dragons on the waters.
14You crushed the heads of Leviathan,
you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15You clove open springs and brooks;
you dried up ever-flowing streams.
16Yours is the day, yours also the night;
you have established the luminaries and the sun.
17You have fixed all the bounds of the earth;
you have made summer and winter.

18Remember this, O Yahweh, how the enemy scoffs,
and an impious people reviles your name.
19Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts;
do not forget the life of your poor for ever.

20Have regard for your covenant;
for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
21Let not the downtrodden be put to shame;
let the poor and needy praise your name.

22Arise, O God, plead your cause;
remember how the impious scoff at you all the day!
23Do not forget the clamour of your foes,
the uproar of your adversaries which goes up continually!


  Psalm 75(v74).

God the Judge.

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

1We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks;
we call on your name and recount your wondrous deeds.

2At the set time which I appoint
I will judge with equity.
3When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah

4I say to the boastful, "Do not boast,"
and to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horn;

5do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with insolent neck."

6For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up;
7but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
8For in the hand of Yahweh there is a cup,
with foaming wine, well mixed;
and he will pour a draught from it,
and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

9But I will rejoice for ever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10All the horns of the wicked he will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.


  Psalm 76(v75).

Victorious Power of God.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

1In Judah God is known,
his name is great in Israel.
2His abode has been established in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

4Glorious are you,
more majestic than the everlasting mountains.
5The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep;
all the men of war were unable to use their hands.
6At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned.

7But you! terrible are you!
Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?
8From the heavens you uttered judgment;
the earth feared and was still,
9when God arose to establish judgment
to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah

10Surely the wrath of men shall praise you;
the residue of wrath you will gird upon you.
11Make your vows to Yahweh your God, and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,
12who cuts off the spirit of princes,
who is terrible to the kings of the earth.


  Psalm 77(v76).

Meditation on God's Mighty Deeds.

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

1I cry aloud to God, aloud to God,
that he may hear me.
2In the day of my trouble I seek Yahweh;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3I think of God, and I moan;
I meditate, and my spirit faints. Selah

4You hold my eyelids from closing;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5I consider the days of old,
I remember the years long ago.
6I commune with my heart in the night;
I meditate and search my spirit:
7"Will Yahweh spurn for ever,
and never again be favourable?
8Has his steadfast love for ever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah
10And I say, "It is my grief
that the right hand of the Most High has changed."

11I will call to mind the deeds of Yahweh;
yea, I will remember your wonders of old.
12I will meditate on all your work,
and muse on your mighty deeds.
13Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14You are the God who works wonders,
who has manifested your might among the peoples.
15With your arm you redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you,
they were afraid, yea, the deep trembled.
17The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
Your arrows flashed on every side.
18The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
20You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

A Maskil of Asaph.


  Psalm 78(v77).

God & His People.

1Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
4We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of Yahweh,
and his might, and the wonders which he has wrought.

5He established a testimony in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children;
6that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
7so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
8and that they should not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.

9The Ephraimites, armed with the bow,
turned back on the day of battle.
10They did not keep God's covenant,
but refused to walk according to his law.
11They forgot what he had done,
and the miracles that he had shown them.
12In the sight of their fathers he wrought marvels
in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
13He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
14In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
and all the night with a fiery light.
15He cleft rocks in the wilderness,
and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16He made streams come out of the rock,
and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

17Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
19They spoke against God,
saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20He smote the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread, or provide meat for his people?"

21Therefore, when Yahweh heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob, his anger mounted against Israel;
22because they had no faith in God,
and did not trust his saving power.
23Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
24and he rained down upon them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
25Man ate of the bread of the angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
26He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
27he rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
all around their habitations.
29And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
30But before they had sated their craving,
while the food was still in their mouths,
31the anger of God rose against them and he slew the strongest of them,
and laid low the picked men of Israel.

32In spite of all this they still sinned;
despite his wonders they did not believe.
33So he made their days vanish like a breath,
and their years in terror.
34When he slew them, they sought for him;
they repented and sought God earnestly.
35They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
36But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
37Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
they were not true to his covenant.
38Yet he, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often, and did not stir up all his wrath.
39He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and comes not again.
40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the desert!
41They tested him again and again,
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42They did not keep in mind his power,
or the day when he redeemed them from the foe;
43when he wrought his signs in Egypt,
and his miracles in the fields of Zoan.
44He turned their rivers to blood,
so that they could not drink of their streams.
45He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,
and frogs, which destroyed them.
46He gave their crops to the caterpillar,
and the fruit of their labour to the locust.
47He destroyed their vines with hail,
and their sycamores with frost.
48He gave over their cattle to the hail,
and their flocks to thunderbolts.
49He let loose on them his fierce anger, wrath, indignation, and distress,
a company of destroying angels.
50He made a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death,
but gave their lives over to the plague.
51He smote all the first-born in Egypt,
the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52Then he led forth his people like sheep,
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid;
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountain which his right hand had won.
55He drove out nations before them;
he apportioned them for a possession
and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

56Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God,
and did not observe his testimonies,
57but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
they twisted like a deceitful bow.
58For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
they moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
59When God heard, he was full of wrath,
and he utterly rejected Israel.
60He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh,
the tent where he dwelt among men,
61and delivered his power to captivity,
his glory to the hand of the foe.
62He gave his people over to the sword,
and vented his wrath on his heritage.
63Fire devoured their young men,
and their maidens had no marriage song.
64Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows made no lamentation.
65Then Yahweh awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.
66And he put his adversaries to rout;
he put them to everlasting shame.

67He rejected the tent of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loves.
69He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded for ever.
70He chose David his servant,
and took him from the sheepfolds;
71from tending the ewes that had young
he brought him to be the shepherd
of Jacob his people,
of Israel his inheritance.
72With upright heart he tended them,
and guided them with skilful hand.

A Psalm of Asaph.


  Psalm 79(v78).

National Lament over the destruction of Jerusalem.

1O God, the heathen have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food,
the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.
3They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem,
and there was none to bury them.
4We have become a taunt to our neighbours,
mocked and derided by those round about us.

5How long, O Yahweh?
Will you be angry for ever?
Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?
6Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name!
7For they have devoured Jacob,
and laid waste his habitation.

8Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.
9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake!
10Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes!

11Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power preserve those doomed to die!
12Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbours
the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Yahweh!
13Then we your people, the flock of your pasture,
will give thanks to you for ever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.


  Psalm 80(v79).

Prayer for National Deliverance.

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm.

1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh!
Stir up your might, and come to save us!

3Restore us, O God;
let your face shine,
that we may be saved!

4 O Yahweh God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6You make us the scorn of our neighbours;
and our enemies laugh among themselves.

7Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine,
that we may be saved!

8You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches;
11it sent out its branches to the sea,
and its shoots to the River.
12Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.

14Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15the stock which your right hand planted.
16They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance!
17But let your hand be upon the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name!

19Restore us, O Yahweh God of hosts!
let your face shine,
that we may be saved!


  Psalm 81(v80).

Psalm for the Feast of Tabernacles.

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph.

1Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2Raise a song, sound the timbrel,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.
4For it is a statute for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5He made it a decree in Joseph,
when he went out over the land of Egypt.

I heard a voice I had not known:
6"I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
7In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10I am Yahweh your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11"But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would have none of me.
12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13O that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14I would soon subdue their enemies,
and turn my hand against their foes.
15Those who hate Yahweh would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last for ever.
16I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

A Psalm of Asaph.


  Psalm 82(v81).

Against corrupt Judges.

1God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2"How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

5They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6I say, "You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;
7nevertheless, you shall die like men,
and fall like any prince."

8Arise O God, judge the earth;
for to you belong all the nations!


  Psalm 83(v82).

Prayer for the defeat of Israel's Enemies.

A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.

1O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2For lo, your enemies are in tumult;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
3They lay crafty plans against your people;
they consult together against your protected ones.
4They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"
5Yea, they conspire with one accord;
against you they make a covenant -
6the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,
7Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8Assyria also has joined them;
they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah

9Do to them as You did to Midian,
as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10who were destroyed at En-dor,
who became dung for the ground.
11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12who said, "Let us take possession
for ourselves of the pastures of God."

13O my God, make them like whirling dust,
like chaff before the wind.
14As fire consumes the forest,
as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15so do you pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your hurricane!
16Fill their faces with shame,
that they may seek your name, O Yahweh.
17Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever;
let them perish in disgrace.
18Let them know that you alone,
whose name is Yahweh,
art the most high over all the earth.


  Psalm 84(v83).

Pilgrimage Psalm.

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Yahweh of hosts!
2My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of Yahweh;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Yahweh of hosts, my King and my God.
4Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

5Blessed are the men whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

8 O Yahweh God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9Behold our shield, O God;
look upon the face of your anointed!

10For 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.
11For Yahweh God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favour and honour.
No good thing does Yahweh withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12O Yahweh of hosts,
blessed is the man who trusts in you!


  Psalm 85(v84).

Prayer for the Nation's Welfare.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1LORD, you were favourable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin. Selah
3You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.

4Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5Will you be angry with us for ever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7Show us your steadfast love, O Yahweh,
and grant us your salvation.

8Let me hear what God Yahweh will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his saints, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12Yea, Yahweh will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13Righteousness will go before him,
and make his footsteps a way.

A Prayer of David.


  Psalm 86(v85).

Incline Thine Ear O Lord.

1Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3be gracious to me, O Yahweh,
for to you do I cry all the day.
4Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Yahweh, do I lift up my soul.
5For you are good and forgiving, O Yahweh,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
6Give ear, O Yahweh, to my prayer;
hearken to my cry of supplication.
7In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you answer me.

8There is none like you among the gods,
O Yahweh, nor are there any works like yours.
9All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Yahweh,
and shall glorify your name.
10For you are great and do wondrous things,
you alone are God.
11Teach me your way, O Yahweh, that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
12I give thanks to you, O Yahweh my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name for ever.
13For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seek my life,
and they do not set you before them.
15But you, O Yahweh, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16Turn to me and take pity on me;
give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your handmaid.
17Show me a sign of your favour,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.


  Psalm 87(v86).

In Praise of Zion.

1On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2Yahweh loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God. Selah

4Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia -
"This one was born there," they say.
5And of Zion it shall be said,
"This one and that one were born in her";
for the Most High himself will establish her.
6Yahweh records as he registers the peoples,
"This one was born there." Selah

7Singers and dancers alike say,
"All my springs are in you."


  Psalm 88(v87).

Help Me O Lord!.

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 O Yahweh, my God, I call for help by day;
I cry out in the night before you.
2Let my prayer come before you,
incline your ear to my cry!
3For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
4I am reckoned among those who go down to the Pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
5like one forsaken among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
6You have put me in the depths of the Pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
7Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

8You have caused my companions to shun me;
you have made me a thing of horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
9my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O Yahweh;
I spread out my hands to you.
10Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the shades rise up to praise you? Selah
11Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?

13But I, O Yahweh, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 O Yahweh, why do you cast me off?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15Afflicted and close to death
from my youth up, I suffer your terrors;
I am helpless.
16Your wrath has swept over me;
your dread assaults destroy me.
17They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in upon me together.
18You have caused lover and friend to shun me;
my companions are in darkness.


  Psalm 89(v88).

Hymn in Time of National Trouble.

A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1I will sing of your steadfast love, O Yahweh, for ever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
2For your steadfast love was established for ever,
your faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
3You have said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
4'I will establish your descendants for ever,
and build your throne for all generations.' " Selah

5Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Yahweh,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh?
Who among the heavenly beings is like Yahweh,
7a God feared in the council of the holy ones,
great and terrible above all that are round about him?
8 O Yahweh God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Yahweh,
with your faithfulness round about you?
9You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you calm them.
10You crushed Rahab like a carcass,
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
12The north and the south, you have created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Yahweh,
in the light of your countenance,
16who exult in your name all the day,
and extol your righteousness.
17For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favour our horn is exalted.
18For our shield belongs to Yahweh,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19Of old you spoke in a vision to your faithful one,
and say: "I have set the crown upon one who is mighty,
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him;
21so that my hand shall ever abide with him,
my arm also shall strengthen him.
22The enemy shall not outwit him,
the wicked shall not humble him.
23I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.
24My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,
and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25I will set his hand on the sea
and his right hand on the rivers.
26He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God,
and the Rock of my salvation.'
27And I will make him the first-born,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
28My steadfast love I will keep for him for ever,
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29I will establish his line for ever
and his throne as the days of the heavens.
30If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my ordinances,
31if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
32then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with scourges;
33but I will not remove from him my steadfast love,
or be false to my faithfulness.
34I will not violate my covenant,
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
35Once for all I have sworn by my holiness;
I will not lie to David.
36His line shall endure for ever,
his throne as long as the sun before me.
37Like the moon it shall be established for ever;
it shall stand firm while the skies endure." Selah

38But now you have cast off and rejected,
you are full of wrath against your anointed.
39You have renounced the covenant with your servant;
you have defiled his crown in the dust.
40You have breached all his walls;
you have laid his strongholds in ruins.
41All that pass by despoil him;
he has become the scorn of his neighbours.
42You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
43Yea, you have turned back the edge of his sword,
and you have not made him stand in battle.
44You have removed the scepter from his hand,
and cast his throne to the ground.
45You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him with shame. Selah

46How long, O Yahweh? Will you hide yourself for ever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire?
47Remember, O Yahweh, what the measure of life is,
for what vanity you have created all the sons of men!
48What man can live and never see death?
Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah

49Yahweh, where is your steadfast love of old,
which by your faithfulness you swore to David?
50Remember, O Yahweh, how your servant is scorned;
how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples,
51with which your enemies taunt, O Yahweh,
with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.

52Blessed be Yahweh for ever!
Amen & Amen.

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.


  Psalm 90(v89).

BOOK 4. (Ps.90-106) Of God & Man.

1LORD, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn man back to the dust,
and sayest, "Turn back, O children of men!"
4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.

5You sweep men away; they are like a dream,
like grass which is renewed in the morning:
6in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

7For we are consumed by your anger;
by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
8You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9For all our days pass away under your wrath,
our years come to an end like a sigh.
10The years of our life are threescore and ten,
or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
12So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.

13Return, O Yahweh! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,
and as many years as we have seen evil.
16Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17Let the favour of Yahweh our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us,
yea, the work of our hands establish it.


  Psalm 91(v90).

God our Protector.

1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
2will say to Yahweh, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."
3For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
4he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand;
but it will not come near you.
8You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9Because you have made Yahweh your refuge,
the Most High your habitation,
10no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.

11For he will give his angels charge of you
to guard you in all your ways.
12On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

14Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honour him. 16With long life I will satisfy him,
and show him my salvation.


  Psalm 92(v91).

We Praise Thee O God!.

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.

1It is good to give thanks to Yahweh,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4For you have made me glad by your work, O Yahweh;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

5How great are your works, O Yahweh!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6The dull man cannot know,
the stupid cannot understand this:
7that, though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction for ever,
8but you, O Yahweh, are on high for ever. 9For, lo, your enemies, O Yahweh,
for, lo, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.

10But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies,
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

12The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13They are planted in the house of Yahweh,
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14They still bring forth fruit in old age,
they are ever full of sap and green,
15to show that Yahweh is upright;
he is my rock, there is no unrighteousness in him.


  Psalm 93(v92).

Majesty of the Lord.

1Yahweh reigns; he is robed in majesty;
Yahweh is robed, he is girded with strength.
Yea, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
2your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.

3The floods have lifted up, O Yahweh,
the floods have lifted up their voice,
the floods lift up their roaring.
4Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
Yahweh on high is mighty!

5Your decrees are sure;
holiness befits your house,
O Yahweh, for evermore.


  Psalm 94(v93).

God the Judge of All.

1 O Yahweh, God of vengeance,
God of vengeance, shine forth!
2Rise up, O judge of the earth;
render to the proud their deserts!
3 O Yahweh, how long shall the wicked,
how long shall the wicked exult?

4They pour out their arrogant words,
they boast, all the evildoers.
5They crush your people, O Yahweh,
and afflict your heritage.
6They slay the widow and the sojourner,
and murder the fatherless;
7and they say, "Yahweh does not see;
the God of Jacob does not perceive."

8Understand, O dullest of the people!
Fools, when will you be wise?
9He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 10He who chastens the nations, does he not chastise? He who teaches men knowledge, 11Yahweh, knows the thoughts of man,
that they are but a breath.

12Blessed is the man whom you chasten, O Yahweh,
and whom you teach out of your law
13to give him respite from days of trouble,
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14For Yahweh will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
15for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16Who rises up for me against the wicked?
Who stands up for me against evildoers?
17If Yahweh had not been my help,
my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
18When I thought, "My foot slips,"
your steadfast love, O Yahweh, held me up.
19When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
20Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
who frame mischief by statute?
21They band together against the life of the righteous,
and condemn the innocent to death.
22But Yahweh has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of my refuge.
23He will bring back on them their iniquity
and wipe them out for their wickedness;
Yahweh our God will wipe them out.


  Psalm 95(v94).

We Praise Thee O God!.

1O come, let us sing to Yahweh;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3For Yahweh is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
4In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
5The sea is his, for he made it;
for his hands formed the dry land.

6O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before Yahweh, our Maker!
7For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

O that today you would hearken to his voice!
8Harden not your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
9when your fathers tested me,
and put me to the proof,
though they had seen my work.
10For forty years I loathed that generation and said,
"They are a people who err in heart, and they do not regard my ways."
11Therefore I swore in my anger
that they should not enter my rest.


  Psalm 96(v95).

The Lord, King & Judge.

1O sing to Yahweh a new song;
sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
2Sing to Yahweh, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5For all the gods of the peoples are idols;
but Yahweh made the heavens.
6Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7Ascribe to Yahweh, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!
8Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9Worship Yahweh in holy array;
tremble before him, all the earth!

10Say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns!
Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy
13before Yahweh, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.


  Psalm 97(v96).

The Lord is King!.

1Yahweh reigns; let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2Clouds and thick darkness are round about him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3Fire goes before him,
and burns up his adversaries round about.
4His lightnings lighten the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5The mountains melt like wax before Yahweh,
before Yahweh of all the earth.

6The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
and all the peoples behold his glory.
7All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols;
all gods bow down before him.
8Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O God.
9For you, O Yahweh, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10Yahweh loves those who hate evil;
he preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12Rejoice in Yahweh, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

A Psalm.


  Psalm 98(v97).

We Praise Thee O God!.

1O sing to Yahweh a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2Yahweh has made known his victory,
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

4Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5Sing praises to Yahweh with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh!

7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.


  Psalm 99(v98).

The Lord is King!.

1Yahweh reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2Yahweh is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3Let them praise your great and terrible name!
Holy is he!
4Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5Extol Yahweh our God; worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!

6Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
They cried to Yahweh, and he answered them.
7He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
they kept his testimonies,
and the statutes that he gave them.

8 O Yahweh our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9Extol Yahweh our God;
worship at his holy mountain;
for Yahweh our God is Holy!

A Psalm for the thank offering.


  Psalm 100(v99).

Let us Praise the Lord!.

1Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the lands!
2Serve Yahweh with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3Know that Yahweh is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!

5For Yahweh is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 101(v100).

Profession of Integrity.

1I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
to you, O Yahweh, I will sing.
2I will give heed to the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?

I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cleave to me.
4Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.

5Him who slanders his neighbour secretly I will destroy.
The man of haughty looks and arrogant heart I will not endure.

6I will look with favour on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

7No man who practices deceit shall dwell in my house;
no man who utters lies shall continue in my presence.

8Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers from the city of Yahweh.


  Psalm 102(v101).

Penitential Psalm - Help Me O Lord!.

A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before Yahweh.

1Hear my prayer, O Yahweh;
let my cry come to you!
2Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4My heart is smitten like grass, and withered;
I forget to eat my bread.
5Because of my loud groaning
my bones cleave to my flesh.
6I am like a vulture of the wilderness,
like an owl of the waste places;
7I lie awake,
I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8All the day my enemies taunt me,
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9For I eat ashes like bread,
and mingle tears with my drink,
10because of your indignation and anger;
for you have taken me up and thrown me away.
11My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.

12But you, O Yahweh, are enthroned for ever;
your name endures to all generations.
13You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favour her;
the appointed time has come.
14For your servants hold her stones dear,
and have pity on her dust.
15The nations will fear the name of Yahweh,
and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16For Yahweh will build up Zion,
he will appear in his glory;
17he will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their supplication.

18Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet unborn may praise Yahweh:
19that he looked down from his holy height,
from heaven Yahweh looked at the earth,
20to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die;
21that men may declare in Zion the name of Yahweh,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
22when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship Yahweh.

23He has broken my strength in mid-course;
he has shortened my days.
24"O my God," I say, "take me not hence in the midst of my days,
you whose years endure throughout all generations!"

25Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26They will perish, but you endure;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like raiment,
and they pass away;
27but you are the same,
and your years have no end.
28The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their posterity shall be established before you.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 103(v102).

God is Love.

1Bless Yahweh, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2Bless Yahweh, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6Yahweh works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8Yahweh is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor requite us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13As a father pities his children,
so Yahweh pities those who fear him.
14For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

15As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16for the wind passes over it,
and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17But the steadfast love of Yahweh
is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

19Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20Bless Yahweh, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
hearkening to the voice of his word!
21Bless Yahweh, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will!
22Bless Yahweh, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless Yahweh, O my soul!


  Psalm 104(v103).

In Praise of God the Maker of All.

1Bless Yahweh, O my soul!
O Yahweh my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with honour and majesty,
2who covers yourself with light as with a garment,
who has stretched out the heavens like a tent,
3who has laid the beams of your chambers on the waters,
who makes the clouds your chariot,
who rides on the wings of the wind,
4who makes the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.

5You set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be shaken.
6You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8The mountains rose,
the valleys sank down
to the place which you appointed for them.
9You set a bound which they should not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.

10You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
11they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
12By them the birds of the air have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.
13From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth,
15and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine,
and bread to strengthen man's heart.
16The trees of Yahweh are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon which he planted.
17In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has her home in the fir trees.
18The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the badgers.
19You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
20You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
22When the sun rises,
they get them away and lie down in their dens.
23Man goes forth to his work
and to his labour until the evening.

24 O Yahweh, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with things innumerable,
living things both small and great.
26There go the ships, and Leviathan
which you made to sport in it.

27These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
28When you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30When you send forth your Spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.

31May the glory of Yahweh endure for ever,
may Yahweh rejoice in his works,
32who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in Yahweh.
35Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless Yahweh, O my soul!


  Psalm 105(v104).

God & His People.

1O give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2Sing to him, sing praises to him,
tell of all his wonderful works!
3Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice!
4Seek Yahweh and his strength,
seek his presence continually!
5Remember the wonderful works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6O offspring of Abraham his servant,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

7He is Yahweh our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
8He is mindful of his covenant for ever,
of the word that he commanded,
for a thousand generations,
9the covenant which he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
10which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance."

12When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 13wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
14he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
15saying, "Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!"

16When he summoned a famine on the land,
and broke every staff of bread,
17he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18His feet were hurt with fetters,
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19until what he had said came to pass
the word of Yahweh tested him.
20The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free;
21he made him lord of his house,
and ruler of all his possessions,
22to instruct his princes at his pleasure,
and to teach his elders wisdom.

23Then Israel came to Egypt;
Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24And Yahweh made his people very fruitful,
and made them stronger than their foes.
25He turned their hearts to hate his people,
to deal craftily with his servants.

26He sent Moses his servant,
and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27They wrought his signs among them,
and miracles in the land of Ham.
28He sent darkness, and made the land dark;
they rebelled against his words.
29He turned their waters into blood,
and caused their fish to die.
30Their land swarmed with frogs,
even in the chambers of their kings.
31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
and gnats throughout their country.
32He gave them hail for rain,
and lightning that flashed through their land.
33He smote their vines and fig trees,
and shattered the trees of their country.
34He spoke, and the locusts came,
and young locusts without number;
35which devoured all the vegetation in their land,
and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36He smote all the first-born in their land,
the first issue of all their strength.

37Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
38Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.
39He spread a cloud for a covering,
and fire to give light by night.
40They asked, and he brought quails,
and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
41He opened the rock, and water gushed forth;
it flowed through the desert like a river.
42For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham his servant.

43So he led forth his people with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
44And he gave them the lands of the nations;
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,
45to the end that they should keep his statutes,
and observe his laws.
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 106(v105).

The Lord's Goodness to His People.

1Praise Yahweh!
O give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever!
2Who can utter the mighty doings of Yahweh,
or show forth all his praise?
3Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!

4Remember me, O Yahweh, when you show favour to your people;
help me when you deliver them;
5that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory with your heritage.

6Both we and our fathers have sinned;
we have committed iniquity,
we have done wickedly.
7Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wonderful works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
but rebelled against the Most High at the Red Sea. 8Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
that he might make known his mighty power.
9He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry;
and he led them through the deep as through a desert.
10So he saved them from the hand of the foe,
and delivered them from the power of the enemy.
11And the waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them was left.
12Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.

13But they soon forgot his works;
they did not wait for his counsel.
14But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness,
and put God to the test in the desert;
15he gave them what they asked,
but sent a wasting disease among them.

16When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron,
the holy one of Yahweh,
17the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
and covered the company of Abiram.
18Fire also broke out in their company;
the flame burned up the wicked.

19They made a calf in Horeb and worshipped a molten image.
20They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.
21They forgot God, their Saviour,
who had done great things in Egypt,
22wondrous works in the land of Ham,
and terrible things by the Red Sea.
23Therefore he said he would destroy them -
had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him,
to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

24Then they despised the pleasant land,
having no faith in his promise.
25They murmured in their tents,
and did not obey the voice of Yahweh.
26Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them
that he would make them fall in the wilderness,
27and would disperse their descendants among the nations,
scattering them over the lands.

28Then they attached themselves to the Baal of Peor,
and ate sacrifices offered to the dead;
29they provoked Yahweh to anger with their doings,
and a plague broke out among them.
30Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
and the plague was stayed.
31And that has been reckoned to him as righteousness
from generation to generation for ever.

32They angered him at the waters of Meribah,
and it went ill with Moses on their account;
33for they made his spirit bitter,
and he spoke words that were rash.
34They did not destroy the peoples,
as Yahweh commanded them,
35but they mingled with the nations
and learned to do as they did.
36They served their idols,
which became a snare to them.
37They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to the demons;
38they poured out innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
and the land was polluted with blood.
39Thus they became unclean by their acts,
and played the harlot in their doings.

40Then the anger of Yahweh was kindled against his people,
and he abhorred his heritage;
41he gave them into the hand of the nations,
so that those who hated them ruled over them.
42Their enemies oppressed them,
and they were brought into subjection under their power.
43Many times he delivered them,
but they were rebellious in their purposes,
and were brought low through their iniquity.
44Nevertheless he regarded their distress,
when he heard their cry.
45He remembered for their sake his covenant,
and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
46He caused them to be pitied
by all those who held them captive.

47Save us, O Yahweh our God, and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

48Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, "Amen!"
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 107(v106).

BOOK 5. (Ps.107-150) O Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good.

1O give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever!
2Let the redeemed of Yahweh say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
3and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

4Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
7he led them by a straight way,
till they reached a city to dwell in.
8Let them thank Yahweh for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
9For he satisfies him who is thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things.

10Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12Their hearts were bowed down with hard labour;
they fell down, with none to help.
13Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
14he brought them out of darkness and gloom,
and broke their bonds asunder.
15Let them thank Yahweh for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
16For he shatters the doors of bronze,
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

17Some were sick through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
20he sent forth his word, and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction.
21Let them thank Yahweh for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
22And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

23Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
24they saw the deeds of Yahweh,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25For he commanded, and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26They mounted up to heaven,
they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27they reeled and staggered like drunken men,
and were at their wits' end.
28Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
29he made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31Let them thank Yahweh for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
32Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
34a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
35He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
36And there he lets the hungry dwell,
and they establish a city to live in;
37they sow fields,
and plant vineyards,
and get a fruitful yield.
38By his blessing they multiply greatly;
and he does not let their cattle decrease.

39When they are diminished and brought low
through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
40he pours contempt upon princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41but he raises up the needy out of affliction,
and makes their families like flocks.
42The upright see it and are glad;
and all wickedness stops its mouth.
43Whoever is wise, let him give heed to these things;
let men consider the steadfast love of Yahweh.


  Psalm 108(v107).

Morning Hymn & National Prayer.

A Song. A Psalm of David.

1My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody! Awake, my soul!
2Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
3I will give thanks to you, O Yahweh, among the peoples,
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4For your steadfast love is great above the heavens,
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
6That your beloved may be delivered,
give help by your right hand, and answer me!

7God has promised in his sanctuary:
"With exultation I will divide up Shechem,
and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
8Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet; Judah my scepter.
9Moab is my washbasin;
upon Edom I cast my shoe;
over Philistia I shout in triumph."

10Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
11Have you not rejected us, O God?
You not go forth, O God, with our armies.
12O grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the help of man!
13With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 109(v108).

A Psalm of Anathema.

1Be not silent, O God of my praise!
2For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,
speaking against me with lying tongues.
3They beset me with words of hate,
and attack me without cause.
4In return for my love they accuse me,
even as I make prayer for them.
5So they reward me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.

6Appoint a wicked man against him;
let an accuser bring him to trial.
7When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;
let his prayer be counted as sin!
8May his days be few;
may another seize his goods!
9May his children be fatherless,
and his wife a widow!
10May his children wander about and beg;
may they be driven out of the ruins they inhabit!
11May the creditor seize all that he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!
12Let there be none to extend kindness to him,
nor any to pity his fatherless children!
13May his posterity be cut off;
may his name be blotted out in the second generation!
14May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before Yahweh,
and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!
15Let them be before Yahweh continually;
and may his memory be cut off from the earth!
16For he did not remember to show kindness,
but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted to their death.
17He loved to curse; let curses come on him!
He did not like blessing; may it be far from him!
18He clothed himself with cursing as his coat,
may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!
19May it be like a garment which he wraps round him,
like a belt with which he daily girds himself!

20May this be the reward of my accusers from Yahweh,
of those who speak evil against my life!
21But you, O GOD my Yahweh, will deal on my behalf for your name's sake;
because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!
22For I am poor and needy,
and my heart is stricken within me.
23I am gone, like a shadow at evening;
I am shaken off like a locust.
24My knees are weak through fasting;
my body has become gaunt.
25I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
when they see me, they wag their heads.

26Help me, O Yahweh my God!
Save me according to your steadfast love!
27Let them know that this is your hand;
you, O Yahweh, have done it!
28Let them curse, but you bless!
Let my assailants be put to shame;
may your servant be glad!
29May my accusers be clothed with dishonour;
may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle!

30With my mouth I will give great thanks to Yahweh;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
31For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save him from those who condemn him to death.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 110(v109).

The Lord & His Chosen King.

1Yahweh says to my lord:
"Sit at my right hand,
till I make your enemies your footstool."

2Yahweh sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your foes!
3Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains.
From the womb of the morning like dew your youth will come to you.
4Yahweh has sworn and will not change his mind,
"You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

5The Yahweh is at your right hand;
he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.
7He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.


  Psalm 111(v110).

Praise the Lord!.

1Praise Yahweh.
I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2Great are the works of Yahweh,
studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3Full of honour and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures for ever.
4He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered;
Yahweh is gracious and merciful.
5He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy,
8they are established for ever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant for ever.
Holy and terrible is his name!
10The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice

  Psalm 112(v111).

Blessed is the Man who fears the Lord.

1Praise Yahweh.
Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
2His descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in his house;
and his righteousness endures for ever.
4Light rises in the darkness for the upright;
Yahweh is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered for ever.
7He is not afraid of evil tidings;
his heart is firm, trusting in Yahweh.
8His heart is steady, he will not be afraid,
until he sees his desire on his adversaries.
9He has distributed freely,
he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures for ever;
his horn is exalted in honour.
10The wicked man sees it and is angry;
he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
the desire of the wicked man comes to nought.

  Psalm 113(v112).

Praise the Lord!.

1Praise Yahweh!
Praise, O servants of Yahweh,
praise the name of Yahweh!

2Blessed be the name of Yahweh
from this time forth and for evermore!
3From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of Yahweh is to be praised!
4Yahweh is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!

5Who is like Yahweh our God,
who is seated on high,
6who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth?
7He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 114(v113).

A Passover Song.

1When Israel went forth from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.

3The sea looked and fled,
Jordan turned back.
4The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like lambs.

5What ails you, O sea, that you flee?
O Jordan, that you turn back?
6O mountains, that you skip like rams?
O hills, like lambs?

7Tremble, O earth, at the presence of Yahweh,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water.


  .

Lord, Yours alone is the Glory.

1Not to us, O Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

3Our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he pleases.
4Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of men's hands.
5They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8Those who make them are like them;
so are all who trust in them.

9O Israel, trust in Yahweh!
He is their help and their shield.
10O house of Aaron, put your trust in Yahweh!
He is their help and their shield.
11You who fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh!
He is their help and their shield.

12Yahweh has been mindful of us;
he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13he will bless those who fear Yahweh,
both small and great.

14May Yahweh give you increase,
you and your children!
15May you be blessed by Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth!

16The heavens are Yahweh's heavens,
but the earth he has given to the sons of men.
17The dead do not praise Yahweh,
nor do any that go down into silence.
18But we will bless Yahweh
from this time forth and for evermore.
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 116(v115).

Thanksgiving.

1I love Yahweh, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4Then I called on the name of Yahweh:
" O Yahweh, I beseech you, save my life!"

5Gracious is Yahweh, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6Yahweh preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.

8For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
9I walk before Yahweh
in the land of the living.
10I kept my faith, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted";
11I said in my consternation,
"Men are all a vain hope."

12What shall I render to Yahweh
for all his bounty to me?
13I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of Yahweh,
14I will pay my vows to Yahweh
in the presence of all his people.
15Precious in the sight of Yahweh
is the death of his saints.
16 O Yahweh, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid.
You have loosed my bonds.
17I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of Yahweh.
18I will pay my vows to Yahweh
in the presence of all his people,
19in the courts of the house of Yahweh,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 117(v116).

Praise the Lord All Nations.

1Praise Yahweh, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
2For great is his steadfast love toward us;
and the faithfulness of Yahweh endures for ever.
Praise Yahweh!

  Psalm 118(v117).

Processional Hymn for the Feast of Tabernacles.

1O give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!

2Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
3Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."
4Let those who fear Yahweh say,
"His steadfast love endures for ever."

5Out of my distress I called on Yahweh;
Yahweh answered me and set me free.
6With Yahweh on my side I do not fear.
What can man do to me?
7Yahweh is on my side to help me;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8It is better to take refuge in Yahweh
than to put confidence in man.
9It is better to take refuge in Yahweh
than to put confidence in princes.

10All nations surrounded me;
in the name of Yahweh I cut them off!
11They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of Yahweh I cut them off!
12They surrounded me like bees, they blazed like a fire of thorns;
in the name of Yahweh I cut them off!
13I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but Yahweh helped me.
14Yahweh is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

15Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
"The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly,
16the right hand of Yahweh is exalted,
the right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!"
17I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of Yahweh.
18Yahweh has chastened me sorely,
but he has not given me over to death.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them and give thanks to Yahweh.

20This is the gate of Yahweh;
the righteous shall enter through it.

21I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22The stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner.
23This is Yahweh's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24This is the day which Yahweh has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25Save us, we beseech you, O Yahweh!
O Yahweh, we beseech you, give us success!

26Blessed be he who enters in the name of Yahweh!
We bless you from the house of Yahweh.
27Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar!

28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.

29O give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever!


  Psalm 119(v118).

? ALEF. My Help Cometh even from the Lord.

1Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of Yahweh!
2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
5O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
6Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
8I will observe your statutes;
O forsake me not utterly!

  Psalm 119(v118).

ב - BET. Obedience.

9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11I have laid up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed be you, O Yahweh;
teach me your statutes!
13With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.
14In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.


  Psalm 119(v118).

? GIMEL. Happiness.

17Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and observe your word.
18Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
19I am a sojourner on earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21You rebuke the insolent,
accursed ones, who wander from your commandments;
22take away from me their scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24Your testimonies are my delight,
they are my counselors.


  Psalm 119(v118).

ד - DALET. Obedience.

25My soul cleaves to the dust;
revive me according to your word!
26When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29Put false ways far from me;
and graciously teach me your law!
30I have chosen the way of faithfulness,
I set your ordinances before me.
31I cleave to your testimonies, O Yahweh;
let me not be put to shame!
32I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my understanding!


  Psalm 119(v118).

ה - HE. Understanding.

33Teach me, O Yahweh, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
34Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to gain!
37Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
and give me life in your ways.
38Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
39Turn away the reproach which I dread;
for your ordinances are good.
40Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!


  Psalm 119(v118).

? VAV. Trust.

41Let your steadfast love come to me, O Yahweh,
your salvation according to your promise;
42then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your ordinances.
44I will keep your law continually,
for ever and ever;
45and I shall walk at liberty,
for I have sought your precepts.
46I will also speak of your testimonies before kings,
and shall not be put to shame;
47for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48I revere your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.


  Psalm 119(v118).

? ZAYIN. Confidence.

49Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50This is my comfort in my affliction
that your promise gives me life.
51Godless men utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52When I think of your ordinances from of old,
I take comfort, O Yahweh.
53Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my pilgrimage.
55I remember your name in the night, O Yahweh,
and keep your law.
56This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.


  Psalm 119(v118).

ח - HET. Devotion.

57Yahweh is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58I entreat your favour with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59When I thinks of your ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
61Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous ordinances.
63I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64The earth, O Yahweh, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!


  Psalm 119(v118).

? TET. Value.

65You have dealt well with your servant, O Yahweh,
according to your word.
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray;
but now I keep your word.
68You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69The godless besmear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70their heart is gross like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.


  Psalm 119(v118).

? YOD. Justice.

73Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75I know, O Yahweh, that your judgments are right,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76Let your steadfast love be ready to comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78Let the godless be put to shame,
because they have subverted me with guile;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!


  Psalm 119(v118).

כ - KAF. Deliverance.

81My soul languishes for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82My eyes fail with watching for your promise;
I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
83For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85Godless men have dug pitfalls for me,
men who do not conform to your law.
86All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87They have almost made an end of me on earth;
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88In your steadfast love spare my life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.


  Psalm 119(v118).

? LAMED. Faith.

89For ever, O Yahweh,
your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91By your appointment they stand this day;
for all things are your servants.
92If your law had not been my delight,
I should have perished in my affliction.
93I will never forget your precepts;
for by them you have given me life.
94I am yours, save me;
for I have sought your precepts.
95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me;
but I consider your testimonies.
96I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.


  Psalm 119(v118).

מ - MEM. Love.

97Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
101I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102I do not turn aside from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
103How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.


  Psalm 119(v118).

נ - NUN. Light.

105Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
107I am sorely afflicted; give me life, O Yahweh,
according to your word!
108Accept my offerings of praise, O Yahweh,
and teach me your ordinances.
109I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
110The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
111Your testimonies are my heritage for ever;
yea, they are the joy of my heart.
112I incline my heart to perform your statutes for ever, to the end.


  Psalm 119(v118).

ס - SAMEKH. Safety.

113I hate double-minded men,
but I love your law.
114You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
115Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118You spurn all who go astray from your statutes;
yea, their cunning is in vain.
119All the wicked of the earth you count as dross;
therefore I love your testimonies.
120My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.


  Psalm 119(v118).

ע - AYIN. Obedience.

121I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122Be surety for your servant for good;
let not the godless oppress me.
123My eyes fail with watching for your salvation,
and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise.
124Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
125I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126It is time for Yahweh to act,
for your law has been broken.
127Therefore I love your commandments above gold,
above fine gold.
128Therefore I direct my steps by all your precepts;
I hate every false way.


  Psalm 119(v118).

פ - PE. Desire.

129Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131With open mouth I pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your wont toward those who love your name.
133Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134Redeem me from man's oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136My eyes shed streams of tears,
because men do not keep your law.


  Psalm 119(v118).

צ - TSADI. Justice.

137Righteous are you, O Yahweh,
and right are your judgments.
138You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
139My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142Your righteousness is righteous for ever,
and your law is true.
143Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
but your commandments are my delight.
144Your testimonies are righteous for ever;
give me understanding that I may live.


  Psalm 119(v118).

? QOF. Deliverance.

145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Yahweh!
I will keep your statutes.
146I cry to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
148My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate upon your promise.
149Hear my voice in your steadfast love; O Yahweh,
in your justice preserve my life.
150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151But you are near, O Yahweh,
and all your commandments are true.
152Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them for ever.


  Psalm 119(v118).

? RESH. Help.

153Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
155Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
156Great is your mercy, O Yahweh;
give me life according to your justice.
157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159Consider how I love your precepts!
Preserve my life according to your steadfast love.
160The sum of your word is truth;
and every one of your righteous ordinances endures for ever.


  Psalm 119(v118).

ש - SHIN. Dedication.

161Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
163I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous ordinances.
165Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166I hope for your salvation, O Yahweh,
and I do your commandments.
167My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.


  Psalm 119(v118).

ת - TAV. Help.

169Let my cry come before you, O Yahweh;
give me understanding according to your word!
170Let my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
171My lips will pour forth praise
that you teach me your statutes.
172My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174I long for your salvation, O Yahweh,
and your law is my delight.
175Let me live, that I may praise you,
and let your ordinances help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 120(v119).

I Called to the Lord.

1In my distress I cry to Yahweh, that he may answer me: 2"Deliver me, O Yahweh,
from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue."

3What shall be given to you?
And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?
4A warrior's sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7I am for peace;
but when I speak,
they are for war!

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 121(v120).

My Help Cometh even from the Lord.

1I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
2My help comes from Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.

3He will not let your foot be moved,
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5Yahweh is your keeper;
Yahweh is your shade on your right hand.
6The sun shall not smite you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7Yahweh will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and for evermore.

A Song of Ascents. Of David.


  Psalm 122(v121).

In Praise of Jerusalem.

1I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of Yahweh!"
2Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3Jerusalem, built as a city
which is bound firmly together,
4to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of Yahweh, as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of Yahweh.
5There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
"May they prosper who love you!
7Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!"
8For my brethren and companions' sake I will say,
"Peace be within you!"
9For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God,
I will seek your good.

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 123(v122).

Be Merciful to us O Lord.

1To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to Yahweh our God,
till he have mercy upon us.

3Have mercy upon us, O Yahweh, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4Too long our soul has been sated
with the scorn of those who are at ease,
the contempt of the proud.

A Song of Ascents. Of David.


  Psalm 124(v123).

The Lord is on Our Side.

1If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,
let Israel now say -
2if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,
when men rose up against us,
3then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5then over us would have gone the raging waters.

6Blessed be Yahweh,
who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
7We have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

8Our help is in the name of Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 125(v124).

The Lord the Protector of His People.

1Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides for ever.
2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
so Yahweh is round about his people,
from this time forth and for evermore.
3For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous put forth their hands to do wrong.
4Do good, O Yahweh, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5But those who turn aside upon their crooked ways
Yahweh will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be in Israel!

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 126(v125).

Song of the Returning Exiles.

1When Yahweh restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
"Yahweh has done great things for them."
3Yahweh has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4Restore our fortunes, O Yahweh,
like the watercourses in the Negeb!
5May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy!
6He that goes forth weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.


  Psalm 127(v126).

In Praise of God's Goodness.

1Unless Yahweh builds the house,
those who build it labour in vain.
Unless Yahweh watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3Lo, sons are a heritage from Yahweh,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one's youth.
5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 128(v127).

Blessed are they that fear the Lord.

1Blessed is every one who fears Yahweh,
who walks in his ways!
2You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4Lo, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears Yahweh.

5Yahweh bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6May you see your children's children!
Peace be upon Israel!

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 129(v128).

Prayer against Israel's Enemies.

1"Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth,"
let Israel now say - 2"Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed against me.
3The plowers plowed upon my back;
they made long their furrows."
4Yahweh is righteous;
he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5May all who hate Zion
be put to shame and turned backward!
6Let them be like the grass on the housetops,
which withers before it grows up,
7with which the reaper does not fill his hand
or the binder of sheaves his bosom,
8while those who pass by do not say,
"The blessing of Yahweh be upon you!
We bless you in the name of Yahweh!"

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 130(v129).

Penitential Psalm - From the Depths I Call to Thee O Lord.

1Out of the depths I cry to you, O Yahweh!
2Yahweh, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

3If you, O Yahweh, should mark iniquities,
Yahweh, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with you,
that you may be feared.

5I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6my soul waits for Yahweh more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7O Israel, hope in Yahweh!
For with Yahweh there is steadfast love,
and with him is plenteous redemption.
8And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

A Song of Ascents. Of David.


  Psalm 131(v130).

Trust in God.

1 O Yahweh, my heart is not lifted up,
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.

3O Israel, hope in Yahweh from this time forth and for evermore.

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 132(v131).

Anniversary Hymn. The Ark of the Lord.

1Remember, O Yahweh, in David's favour,
all the hardships he endured;
2how he swore to Yahweh
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3"I will not enter my house
or get into my bed;
4I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5until I find a place for Yahweh,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."

6Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah,
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7"Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!"

8Arise, O Yahweh, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
10For your servant David's sake do not turn away
the face of your anointed one.

11Yahweh swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:
"One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies which I shall teach them,
their sons also for ever shall sit upon your throne."

13For Yahweh has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his habitation:
14"This is my resting place for ever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
17There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but upon himself his crown will shed its luster."

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 133(v132).

Brotherly Love.

1Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
2It is like the precious oil upon the head,
running down upon the beard,
upon the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there Yahweh has commanded the blessing,
life for evermore.

A Song of Ascents.


  Psalm 134(v133).

Come Praise the Lord all His Servants.

1Come, bless Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh,
who stand by night in the house of Yahweh!
2Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless Yahweh!
3May Yahweh bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

  Psalm 135(v134).

Praise the Lord!.

1Praise Yahweh.
Praise the name of Yahweh,
give praise, O servants of Yahweh,
2you that stand in the house of Yahweh,
in the courts of the house of our God!
3Praise Yahweh, for Yahweh is good;
sing to his name, for he is gracious!
4For Yahweh has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession.

5For I know that Yahweh is great,
and that our Yahweh is above all gods.
6Whatever Yahweh pleases he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
7He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

8He it was who smote the first-born of Egypt,
both of man and of beast;
9who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders
against Pharaoh and all his servants;
10who smote many nations
and slew mighty kings,
11Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12and gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to his people Israel.
13Your name, O Yahweh, endures for ever,
your renown, O Yahweh, throughout all ages.
14For Yahweh will vindicate his people,
and have compassion on his servants.

15The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of men's hands.
16They have mouths, but they speak not,
they have eyes, but they see not,
17they have ears, but they hear not,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18Like them be those who make them! -
yea, every one who trusts in them!

19O house of Israel, bless Yahweh!
O house of Aaron, bless Yahweh!
20O house of Levi, bless Yahweh!
You that fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh!
21Blessed be Yahweh from Zion,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 136(v135).

Litany of Thanksgiving.

1O give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
3O give thanks to Yahweh of lords,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;

4to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
5to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
6to him who spread out the earth upon the waters,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
7to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
8the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
9the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;

10to him who smote the first-born of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
11and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
12with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
13to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
14and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
15but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
16to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
17to him who smote great kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
18and slew famous kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
19Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
20and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
21and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
22a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.

23It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
24and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
25he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.

26O give thanks to Yahweh of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.


  Psalm 137(v136).

By the Rivers of Babylon.

1By the waters of Babylon,
there we sat down and wept,
when we remembered Zion.
2On the willows there we hung up our lyres.
3For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth,
saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

4How shall we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land?
5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
6Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!

7Remember, O Yahweh, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem,
how they said, "Rase it, rase it! Down to its foundations!"
8O daughter of Babylon, you devastator!
Happy shall he be who requites you with what you have done to us!
9Happy shall he be who takes your little ones
and dashes them against the rock!

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 138(v137).

I thank You O Lord.

1I give you thanks, O Yahweh, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted above everything your name and your word. 3On the day I called, you answered me,
my strength of soul you increased.

4All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Yahweh,
for they have heard the words of your mouth;
5and they shall sing of the ways of Yahweh,
for great is the glory of Yahweh.
6For though Yahweh is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he knows from afar.

7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8Yahweh will fulfil his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Yahweh, endures for ever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 139(v138).

God all-knowing & ever-present.

1 O Yahweh, you have searched me and known me!
2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue,
lo, O Yahweh, you know it altogether.
5You beset me behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high, I cannot attain it.

7Whither shall I go from your Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from your presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, "Let only darkness cover me,
and the light about me be night,"
12even the darkness is not dark to you,
the night is bright as the day;
for darkness is as light with you.

13For you made my inward parts,
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14I praise you, for you are fearful and wonderful.
Wonderful are your works!
You know me right well;
15my frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes beheld my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.

19O that you would slay the wicked, O God,
and that men of blood would depart from me,
20men who maliciously defy you,
who lift themselves up against you for evil!
21Do I not hate them that hate you, O Yahweh?
And do I not loathe them that rise up against you?
22I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!


  Psalm 140(v139).

Save me O Lord from Evil Men.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1Deliver me, O Yahweh, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
2who plan evil things in their heart,
and stir up wars continually.
3They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's,
and under their lips is the poison of vipers. Selah

4Guard me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
5Arrogant men have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net,
by the wayside they have set snares for me. Selah

6I say to Yahweh, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Yahweh!
7 O Yahweh, my Yahweh, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8Grant not, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked;
do not further his evil plot! Selah

9Those who surround me lift up their head,
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10Let burning coals fall upon them!
Let them be cast into pits, no more to rise!
11Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

12I know that Yahweh maintains the cause of the afflicted,
and executes justice for the needy.
13Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 141(v140).

An Evening Prayer.

1I call upon you, O Yahweh; make haste to me!
Give ear to my voice, when I call to you! 2Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!

3Set a guard over my mouth, O Yahweh,
keep watch over the door of my lips!
4Incline not my heart to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity;
and let me not eat of their dainties!

5Let a good man strike or rebuke me in kindness,
but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head;
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
6When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
then they shall learn that the word of Yahweh is true.
7As a rock which one cleaves and shatters on the land,
so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.

8But my eyes are toward you, O Yahweh God;
in you I seek refuge;
leave me not defenceless!
9Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me,
and from the snares of evildoers!
10Let the wicked together fall into their nets,
while I escape.


  Psalm 142(v141).

I Call to the Lord for Help.

A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

1I cry with my voice to Yahweh,
with my voice I make supplication to Yahweh,
2I pour out my complaint before him,
I tell my trouble before him.
3When my spirit is faint, you know my way!

In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4I look to the right and watch, but there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me, no man cares for me.
5I cry to you, O Yahweh;
I say, You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.
6Give heed to my cry;
for I am brought very low!

Deliver me from my persecutors;
for they are too strong for me!
7Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me;
for you will deal bountifully with me.


  Psalm 143(v142).

A Prayer for Help.

A Psalm of David.

1Hear my prayer, O Yahweh;
give ear to my supplications!
In your faithfulness
answer me, in your righteousness!
2Enter not into judgment with your servant;
for no man living is righteous before you.

3For the enemy has pursued me;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.

5I remember the days of old,
I meditate on all that you have done;
I muse on what your hands have wrought.
6I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

7Make haste to answer me, O Yahweh! My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
8Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

9Deliver me, O Yahweh, from my enemies!
I have fled to you for refuge!
10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
Let your good spirit lead me on a level path!

11For your name's sake, O Yahweh, preserve my life!
In your righteousness bring me out of trouble!

12And in your steadfast love cut off my enemies,
and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.

A Psalm of David.


  Psalm 144(v143).

War Hymn & the Fruits of Victory,.

1Blessed be Yahweh, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
2my rock and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues the peoples under him.

3 O Yahweh, what is man that you regard him,
or the son of man that you think of him?
4Man is like a breath,
his days are like a passing shadow.

5Bow your heavens, O Yahweh, and come down!
Touch the mountains that they smoke!
6Flash forth the lightning and scatter them,
send out your arrows and rout them!
7Stretch forth your hand from on high,
rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,
from the hand of aliens,
8whose mouths speak lies,
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9I will sing a new song to you, O God;
upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10who gives victory to kings,
who rescues David your servant.
11Rescue me from the cruel sword,
and deliver me from the hand of aliens,
whose mouths speak lies,
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;
13may our garners be full, providing all manner of store;
may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
14may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mischance or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15Happy the people to whom such blessings fall!
Happy the people whose God is Yahweh!

A Song of Praise. Of David.


  Psalm 145(v144).

I Will Extol thee O Lord My King.

1I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name for ever and ever.
2Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name for ever and ever.
3Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

4One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5On the glorious splendour of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6Men shall proclaim the might of your terrible acts,
and I will declare your greatness.
7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8Yahweh is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9Yahweh is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

10All your works shall give thanks to you, O Yahweh,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
12to make known to the sons of men your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Yahweh is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
14Yahweh upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16You open your hand,
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17Yahweh is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
18Yahweh is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
19He fulfils the desire of all who fear him,
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20Yahweh preserves all who love him;
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21My mouth shall speak the praise of Yahweh,
and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.


  Psalm 146(v145).

Praise the Lord O my Soul.

1Praise Yahweh!
Praise Yahweh, O my soul!
2I will praise Yahweh as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have being.

3Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4When his breath departs he returns to his earth;
on that very day his plans perish.

5Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in Yahweh his God,
6who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
7who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.

Yahweh sets the prisoners free;
8Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind.
Yahweh lifts up those who are bowed down;
Yahweh loves the righteous.
9Yahweh watches over the sojourners,
he upholds the widow and the fatherless;
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10Yahweh will reign for ever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 147a(v146).

Praise to the Lord the Almighty.

1Praise Yahweh!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is seemly.
2Yahweh builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
4He determines the number of the stars,
he gives to all of them their names.
5Great is our LORD, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6Yahweh lifts up the downtrodden,
he casts the wicked to the ground.

7Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God upon the lyre!
8He covers the heavens with clouds,
he prepares rain for the earth,
he makes grass grow upon the hills.
9He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens which cry.
10His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man;
11but Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.


  Psalm 147b(v147).

Praise to the Lord the Almighty.

12Praise Yahweh, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your sons within you.
14He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15He sends forth his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
17He casts forth his ice like morsels;
who can stand before his cold?
18He sends forth his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his ordinances.
Praise Yahweh!

  Psalm 148.

Let All Creation Praise the Lord.

1Praise Yahweh!
Praise Yahweh from the heavens,
praise him in the heights!
2Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host!

3Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

5Let them praise the name of Yahweh!
For he commanded and they were created.
6And he established them for ever and ever;
he fixed their bounds which cannot be passed.

7Praise Yahweh from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10Beasts and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

11Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!

13Let them praise the name of Yahweh,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise Yahweh!


  Psalm 149.

Sing to the Lord a New Song.

1Praise Yahweh!
Sing to Yahweh a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
2Let Israel be glad in his Maker,
let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King!
3Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with timbrel and lyre!
4For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
5Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
6Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7to wreak vengeance on the nations
and chastisement on the peoples,
8to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9to execute on them the judgement written!
This is the glory for all his faithful ones.
Praise Yahweh!

  Psalm 150.

Praise God in His Sanctuary.

1Praise Yahweh!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
2Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his exceeding greatness!

3Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4Praise him with timbrel and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6Let everything that breathes praise Yahweh!
Praise Yahweh!


Notes: This webpage enables you to select-a-version from the Bible versions held on the katapi bible database.
This page displays the katapi New Standard Bible as flowing text.
The katapi New Standard Bible is a very light revision of the RSV. The changes are: (1) In places where 'the LORD', 'O LORD' occurs in the RSV, (it represents the tetragrammaton - YHWH - which is in the hebrew text), I have used the name 'Yahweh'.
(2) I have removed the quotation marks and hyphens that were used in so many names in the RSV as an aid to correct pronunciation. This now brings it in line with all other English versions, and makes any word-search more accurate.
(3) I have changed all (I hope!) of the RSV archaic language sections to modern.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971], Apocrypha, copyright 1957; The Third and Fourth Books of the Maccabees and Psalm 151, copyright 1977, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The katapi New Study Bible reference section has been incorporated into the page as follows: Links to parallel passages show below passage headings. Links to Old Testament quotations in New Testament verses show after the verse number.
Quotations of OT passages by NT authors can in most cases be viewed within their context of the OT passage as a whole, with the quoted text displayed, against a subdued background.
Any mismatches, truncated verses, other mistakes ? Please e-mail me. © this page layout: Paul Ingram 2012.