- katapi - New Study Bible ... by URL bible references -
| DB1 | New Jerusalem Bible
Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
his faithful love lasts for ever. 2 So let them say whom Yahweh redeemed,
whom he redeemed from the power of their enemies,
3 bringing them back from foreign lands,
from east and west, north and south. 4 They were wandering in the desert, in the wastelands,
could find no way to an inhabited city;
5 they were hungry and thirsty,
their life was ebbing away. 6 They cried out to Yahweh in their distress,
he rescued them from their plight,
7 he set them on the road,
straight to an inhabited city. 8 Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love,
for his wonders for the children of Adam!
9 He has fed the hungry to their hearts' content,
filled the starving with good things. 10 Sojourners in gloom and shadow dark as death,
fettered in misery and chains,
11 for defying the orders of Yahweh,
for scorning the plan of the Most High—
12 he subdued their spirit by hard labour;
if they fell there was no one to help. 13 They cried out to Yahweh in their distress,
he rescued them from their plight,
14 he brought them out from gloom and shadow dark as death,
and shattered their chains. 15 Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love,
for his wonders for the children of Adam!
16 He broke open gates of bronze
and smashed iron bars. 17 Fools for their rebellious ways,
wretched because of their sins,
18 finding all food repugnant,
brought close to the gates of death— 19 they cried out to Yahweh in their distress;
he rescued them from their plight,
20 he sent out his word and cured them,
and rescued their life from the abyss. 21 Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love,
for his wonders for the children of Adam!
22 Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
and recount with shouts of joy what he has done! 23 Voyagers on the sea in ships,
plying their trade on the great ocean,
24 have seen the works of Yahweh,
his wonders in the deep. 25 By his word he raised a storm-wind,
lashing up towering waves.
26 Up to the sky then down to the depths!
Their stomachs were turned to water;
27 they staggered and reeled like drunkards,
and all their skill went under. 28 They cried out to Yahweh in their distress,
he rescued them from their plight,
29 he reduced the storm to a calm,
and all the waters subsided,
30 and he brought them, overjoyed at the stillness,
to the port where they were bound. 31 Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love,
for his wonders for the children of Adam!
32 Let them extol him in the assembly of the people,
and praise him in the council of elders. 33 He has turned rivers into desert,
bubbling springs into arid ground,
34 fertile country into salt-flats,
because the people living there were evil. 35 But he has turned desert into stretches of water,
arid ground into bubbling springs,
36 and has given the hungry a home,
where they have built themselves a city. 37 There they sow fields and plant vines,
and reap a harvest of their produce.
38 He blesses them and their numbers increase,
he keeps their cattle at full strength. 39 Their numbers had fallen, they had grown weak,
under pressure of disaster and hardship;
40 he covered princes in contempt,
left them to wander in trackless wastes. 41 But the needy he raises from their misery,
makes their families as numerous as sheep.
42 At the sight the honest rejoice,
and the wicked have nothing to say. 43 Who is wise? Such a one should take this to heart,
and come to understand Yahweh's faithful love.
My heart is ready, God, I will sing and make music; come, my glory!
2 Awake, lyre and harp, I will awake the Dawn! 3 I will praise you among the peoples, Yahweh,
I will play to you among nations,
4 for your faithful love towers to heaven,
and your constancy to the clouds. 5 Be exalted above the heavens, God.
Your glory over the whole earth! 6 To rescue those you love,
save with your right hand and answer us. 7 God has spoken from his sanctuary,
'In triumph I will divide up Shechem,
and share out the Valley of Succoth. 8 'Mine is Gilead, mine Manasseh,
Ephraim the helmet on my head,
Judah my commander's baton, 9 'Moab a bowl for me to wash in,
on Edom I plant my sandal,
over Philistia I cry victory.' 10 Who will lead me against a fortified city,
who will guide me into Edom,
11 if not you, the God who has rejected us?
God, you no longer march with our armies. 12 Bring us help in our time of crisis,
any human assistance is worthless.
13 With God we shall do deeds of valour,
he will trample down our enemies.
God whom I praise, do not be silent!
2 Wicked and deceiving words are being said about me, false accusations are cast in my teeth.
3 Words of hate fly all around me, though I give no cause for hostility. 4 In return for my friendship they denounce me, and all I can do is pray!
5 They repay my kindness with evil, and friendship with hatred. 6 'Set up a wicked man against him as accuser to stand on his right.
7 At his trial may he emerge as guilty, even his prayer construed as a crime! 8 'May his life be cut short, someone else take over his office,
9 his children be orphaned, his wife be widowed. 10 'May his children wander perpetually, beggars, driven from the ruins of their house,
11 a creditor seize all his goods, and strangers make off with his earnings. 12 'May there be none left faithful enough to show him love,
no one take pity on his orphans,
13 the line of his descendants cut off,
his name wiped out in one generation. 14 'May Yahweh never forget the crimes of his ancestors,
and his mother's sins not be wiped out;
15 may Yahweh keep these constantly in mind,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.' 16 He had no thought of being loyal,
but hounded the poor and the needy
and the broken-hearted to their death.
17 He had a taste for cursing; let it recoil on him!
No taste for blessing; let it never come his way! 18 Cursing has been the uniform he wore;
let it soak into him like water,
like oil right into his bones.
19 Let it be as a robe which envelops him completely,
a sash which he always wears. 20 Let this be the salary Yahweh pays
the accusers who blacken my name.
21 Yahweh, treat them as your name demands;
as your faithful love is generous, deliver me. 22 Poor and needy as I am,
my wounds go right to the heart;
23 I am passing away like a fading shadow,
they have shaken me off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak from lack of food,
my body lean for lack of fat.
25 I have become the butt of their taunts,
they shake their heads at the sight of me. 26 Help me, Yahweh my God,
save me as your faithful love demands.
27 Let them know that yours is the saving hand,
that this, Yahweh, is your work. 28 Let them curse, provided that you bless;
let their attacks bring shame to them and joy to your servant!
29 Let my accusers be clothed in disgrace,
enveloped in a cloak of shame. 30 With generous thanks to Yahweh on my lips,
I shall praise him before all the people,
31 for he stands at the side of the poor,
to save their lives from those who sit in judgement on them.
Yahweh declared to my Lord, 'Take your seat at my right hand,
till I have made your enemies your footstool.' 2 Yahweh will stretch out the sceptre of your power;
from Zion you will rule your foes all around you. 3 Royal dignity has been yours from the day of your birth,
sacred honour from the womb, from the dawn of your youth. 4 Yahweh has sworn an oath he will never retract,
you are a priest for ever of the order of Melchizedek. 5 At your right hand, Lord,
he shatters kings when his anger breaks out.
6 He judges nations, heaping up corpses,
he breaks heads over the whole wide world.
7 He drinks from a stream as he goes,
and therefore he holds his head high.
I give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart,
in the meeting-place of honest people, in the assembly.
2 Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendour and majesty his work,
his saving justice stands firm for ever.
4 He gives us a memorial of his great deeds;
Yahweh is mercy and tenderness. 5 He gives food to those who fear him,
he keeps his covenant ever in mind.
6 His works show his people his power
in giving them the birthright of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are fidelity and justice,
all his precepts are trustworthy,
8 established for ever and ever,
accomplished in fidelity and honesty. 9 Deliverance he sends to his people,
his covenant he imposes for ever;
holy and awesome his name.
10 The root of wisdom is fear of Yahweh;
those who attain it are wise.
His praise will continue for ever.
How blessed is anyone who fears Yahweh,
who delights in his commandments!
2 His descendants shall be powerful on earth,
the race of the honest shall receive blessings: 3 Riches and wealth for his family;
his uprightness stands firm for ever.
4 For the honest he shines as a lamp in the dark,
generous, tender-hearted, and upright. 5 All goes well for one who lends generously,
who is honest in all his dealing;
6 for all time to come he will not stumble,
for all time to come the upright will be remembered. 7 Bad news holds no fears for him,
firm is his heart, trusting in Yahweh.
8 His heart held steady, he has no fears,
till he can gloat over his enemies. 9 To the needy he gives without stint,
his uprightness stands firm for ever;
his reputation is founded on strength. 10 The wicked are vexed at the sight,
they grind their teeth and waste away.
The desires of the wicked will be frustrated.
Praise, servants of Yahweh,
praise the name of Yahweh.
2 Blessed be the name of Yahweh,
henceforth and for ever.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised be the name of Yahweh! 4 Supreme over all nations is Yahweh,
supreme over the heavens his glory.
5 Who is like Yahweh our God?
His throne is set on high,
6 but he stoops to look down on heaven and earth. 7 He raises the poor from the dust,
he lifts the needy from the dunghill,
8 to give them a place among princes,
among princes of his people.
9 He lets the barren woman be seated at home,
the happy mother of sons.
When Israel came out of Egypt,
the House of Jacob from a people of foreign speech,
2 Judah became his sanctuary,
and Israel his domain. 3 The sea fled at the sight,
the Jordan turned back,
4 the mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like sheep. 5 Sea, what makes you flee?
Jordan, why turn back?
6 Why skip like rams, you mountains?
Why like sheep, you hills? 7 Tremble, earth, at the coming of the Lord,
at the coming of the God of Jacob,
8 who turns rock into pool,
flint into fountain.
I am filled with love when Yahweh listens to the sound of my prayer,
2 when he bends down to hear me, as I call. 3 The bonds of death were all round me, the snares of Sheol held me fast;
distress and anguish held me in their grip, 4 I called on the name of Yahweh.
Deliver me, Yahweh, I beg you. 5 Yahweh is merciful and upright, our God is tenderness.
6 Yahweh looks after the simple, when I was brought low he gave me strength. 7 My heart, be at peace once again, for Yahweh has treated you generously.
8 He has rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
9 I shall pass my life in the presence of Yahweh, in the land of the living. 10 My trust does not fail even when I say, 'I am completely wretched.'
11 In my terror I said, 'No human being can be relied on.'
12 What return can I make to Yahweh for his generosity to me?
13 I shall take up the cup of salvation and call on the name of Yahweh. 14 I shall fulfil my vows to Yahweh, witnessed by all his people.
15 Costly in Yahweh's sight is the death of his faithful. 16 I beg you, Yahweh! I am your servant,
I am your servant and my mother was your servant; you have undone my fetters.
17 I shall offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of Yahweh. 18 I shall fulfil my vows to Yahweh, witnessed by all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of Yahweh, in your very heart, Jerusalem.
Praise Yahweh, all nations, extol him, all peoples,
2 for his faithful love is strong and his constancy never-ending.
Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 2 Let the House of Israel say,
'His faithful love endures for ever.'
3 Let the House of Aaron say,
'His faithful love endures for ever.'
4 Let those who fear Yahweh say,
'His faithful love endures for ever.' 5 In my distress I called to Yahweh,
he heard me and brought me relief.
6 With Yahweh on my side I fear nothing;
what can human beings do to me?
7 With Yahweh on my side as my help,
I gloat over my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh
than to rely on human beings;
9 better to take refuge in Yahweh
than to rely on princes. 10 Nations were swarming around me,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down;
11 they swarmed around me, pressing upon me,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
they flared up like a brushwood fire,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down. 13 I was pushed hard, to make me fall,
but Yahweh came to my help.
14 Yahweh is my strength and my song,
he has been my Saviour. 15 Shouts of joy and salvation,
in the tents of the upright,
'Yahweh's right hand is triumphant,
16 Yahweh's right hand is victorious,
Yahweh's right hand is triumphant!' 17 I shall not die, I shall live
to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.
18 Though Yahweh punished me sternly,
he has not abandoned me to death. 19 Open for me the gates of saving justice,
I shall go in and thank Yahweh.
20 This is the gate of Yahweh,
where the upright go in.
21 I thank you for hearing me,
and making yourself my Saviour. 22 The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 This is Yahweh's doing,
and we marvel at it.
24 This is the day which Yahweh has made,
a day for us to rejoice and be glad. 25 We beg you, Yahweh, save us,
we beg you, Yahweh, give us victory!
26 Blessed in the name of Yahweh is he who is coming!
We bless you from the house of Yahweh.
27 Yahweh is God,
he gives us light.
Link your processions, branches in hand,
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, I thank you,
all praise to you, my God.
I thank you for hearing me,
and making yourself my Saviour. 29 Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
for I have not forgotten your commandments.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains; where is my help to come from?
2 My help comes from Yahweh who made heaven and earth. 3 May he save your foot from stumbling; may he, your guardian, not fall asleep!
4 You see—he neither sleeps nor slumbers, the guardian of Israel. 5 Yahweh is your guardian, your shade, Yahweh, at your right hand.
6 By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. 7 Yahweh guards you from all harm Yahweh guards your life,
8 Yahweh guards your comings and goings, henceforth and for ever.
I rejoiced that they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of Yahweh.'
2 At last our feet are standing at your gates, Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem, built as a city, in one united whole,
4 there the tribes go up, the tribes of Yahweh,
a sign for Israel to give thanks to the name of Yahweh.
5 For there are set the thrones of judgement, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, prosperity for your homes!
7 Peace within your walls, prosperity in your palaces! 8 For love of my brothers and my friends I will say, 'Peace upon you!'
9 For love of the house of Yahweh our God I will pray for your well-being.
I lift up my eyes to you who are enthroned in heaven.
2 Just as the eyes of slaves are on their masters' hand,
or the eyes of a slave-girl on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on Yahweh our God, for him to take pity on us. 3 Have pity on us, Yahweh, have pity, for we have had our full share of scorn,
4 more than our share of jeers from the complacent. (Scorn is for the proud.)
If Yahweh had not been on our side—let Israel repeat it—
2 if Yahweh had not been on our side when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive in the heat of their anger. 4 Then water was washing us away, a torrent running right over us;
5 running right over us then were turbulent waters. 6 Blessed be Yahweh for not letting us fall a prey to their teeth!
7 We escaped like a bird from the fowlers' net.
The net was broken and we escaped;
8 our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is like Mount Zion: unshakeable, it stands for ever.
2 Jerusalem! The mountains encircle her: so Yahweh encircles his people, henceforth and for ever. 3 The sceptre of the wicked will not come to rest over the heritage of the upright;
or the upright might set their own hands to evil. 4 Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to the sincere at heart.
5 But the crooked, the twisted, turn them away, Yahweh, with evil-doers.
Peace to Israel!
When Yahweh brought back Zion's captives we lived in a dream;
2 then our mouths filled with laughter, and our lips with song.
Then the nations kept saying, 'What great deeds Yahweh has done for them!'
3 Yes, Yahweh did great deeds for us, and we were overjoyed. 4 Bring back, Yahweh, our people from captivity like torrents in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears sing as they reap. 6 He went off, went off weeping, carrying the seed.
He comes back, comes back singing, bringing in his sheaves.
If Yahweh does not build a house
in vain do its builders toil.
If Yahweh does not guard a city
in vain does its guard keep watch. 2 In vain you get up earlier,
and put off going to bed,
sweating to make a living,
since it is he who 'provides for his beloved as they sleep. 3 Sons are a birthright from Yahweh,
children are a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in a warrior's hand
are the sons you father when young. 5 How blessed is the man
who has filled his quiver with them;
in dispute with his enemies at the city gate
he will not be worsted.
How blessed are all who fear Yahweh, who walk in his ways! 2 Your own labours will yield you a living, happy and prosperous will you be.
3 Your wife a fruitful vine in the inner places of your house.
Your children round your table like shoots of an olive tree. 4 Such are the blessings that fall on those who fear Yahweh.
5 May Yahweh bless you from Zion!
May you see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,
6 and live to see your children's children!
Peace to Israel!
Often as men have attacked me since I was young—let Israel repeat it—
2 often as men have attacked me since I was young, they have never overcome me. 3 On my back ploughmen have set to work, making long furrows,
4 but Yahweh the upright has shattered the yoke of the wicked. 5 Let all who hate Zion be thrown back in confusion,
6 let them be like grass on a roof, dried up before it is cut,
7 never to fill the reaper's arm nor the binder's lap. 8 And no passer-by will say, 'The blessing of Yahweh be on you!
'We bless you in the name of Yahweh.'
From the depths I call to you, Yahweh: 2 Lord, hear my cry.
Listen attentively to the sound of my pleading! 3 If you kept a record of our sins, Lord, who could stand their ground?
4 But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. 5 I rely, my whole being relies, Yahweh, on your promise.
6 My whole being hopes in the Lord, more than watchmen for daybreak;
more than watchmen for daybreak 7 let Israel hope in Yahweh.
For with Yahweh is faithful love, with him generous ransom;
8 and he will ransom Israel from all its sins.
Yahweh, my heart is not haughty, I do not set my sights too high.
I have taken no part in great affairs, in wonders beyond my scope.
2 No, I hold myself in quiet and silence,
like a little child in its mother's arms,
like a little child, so I keep myself.
3 Let Israel hope in Yahweh henceforth and for ever.
Yahweh, remember David
and all the hardships he endured,
2 the oath he swore to Yahweh,
his vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 'I will not enter tent or house,
will not climb into bed,
4 will not allow myself to sleep,
not even to close my eyes,
5 till I have found a place for Yahweh,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob!' 6 Listen, we heard of it in Ephrathah,
we found it at Forest-Fields.
7 Let us go into his dwelling-place,
and worship at his footstool. 8 Go up, Yahweh, to your resting-place,
you and the ark of your strength.
9 Your priests are robed in saving justice,
your faithful are shouting for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed. 11 Yahweh has sworn to David,
and will always remain true to his word,
'I promise that I will set
a son of yours upon your throne.
12 If your sons observe my covenant
and the instructions I have taught them,
their sons too for evermore
will occupy your throne.' 13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion,
he has desired it as a home.
14 'Here shall I rest for evermore,
here shall I make my home as I have wished. 15 'I shall generously bless her produce,
give her needy their fill of food,
16 I shall clothe her priests with salvation,
and her faithful will sing aloud for joy. 17 'There I shall raise up a line of descendants for David,
light a lamp for my anointed;
18 I shall clothe his enemies with shame,
while his own crown shall flourish.'
How good, how delightful it is to live as brothers all together! 2 It is like a fine oil on the head, running down the beard,
running down Aaron's beard, onto the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the heights of Zion;
for there Yahweh bestows his blessing, everlasting life.
Come, bless Yahweh, all you who serve Yahweh,
serving in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of the house of our God.
Through the night watches
2 stretch out your hands towards the sanctuary and bless Yahweh. 3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!
Praise the name of Yahweh,
you who serve Yahweh, praise him,
2 serving in the house of Yahweh,
in the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise Yahweh, for Yahweh is good,
make music for his name—it brings joy—
4 for Yahweh has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession. 5 For I know that Yahweh is great,
our Lord is above all gods.
6 Yahweh does whatever he pleases
in heaven, on earth, in the waters and all the depths.
7 He summons up clouds from the borders of earth,
sends rain with lightning-flashes,
and brings the wind out of his storehouse. 8 He struck the first-born in Egypt,
man and beast alike,
9 he sent signs and wonders into the heart of Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his officials. 10 He struck down many nations,
he slaughtered mighty kings,
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,
and Og king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 He gave their land as a birthright,
a birthright to his people Israel. 13 Yahweh, your name endures for ever,
Yahweh, your memory is fresh from age to age.
14 For Yahweh vindicates his people,
feels compassion for his servants. 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
16 These have mouths but say nothing,
have eyes but see nothing, 17 have ears but hear nothing,
and they have no breath in their mouths.
18 Their makers will end up like them,
everyone who relies on them. 19 House of Israel, bless Yahweh,
House of Aaron, bless Yahweh,
20 House of Levi, bless Yahweh,
you who fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh. 21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 4 He alone works wonders,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
5 In wisdom he made the heavens,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
6 He set the earth firm on the waters,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 7 He made the great lights,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
8 The sun to rule the day,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
9 Moon and stars to rule the night,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 10 He struck down the first-born of Egypt,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
11 He brought Israel out from among them,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
12 With mighty hand and outstretched arm,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 13 He split the Sea of Reeds in two,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
14 Let Israel pass through the middle,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
15 And drowned Pharaoh and all his army,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 16 He led his people through the desert,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
17 He struck down mighty kings,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
18 Slaughtered famous kings,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
20 And Og king of Bashan,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 21 He gave their land as a birthright,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
22 A birthright to his servant Israel,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
23 He kept us in mind when we were humbled,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
24 And rescued us from our enemies,
for his faithful love endures for ever. 25 He provides food for all living creatures,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart,
for you have listened to the cry I uttered.
In the presence of angels I sing to you,
2 I bow down before your holy Temple.
I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy;
your promises surpass even your fame.
3 You heard me on the day when I called,
and you gave new strength to my heart. 4 All the kings of the earth give thanks to you, Yahweh,
when they hear the promises you make;
5 they sing of Yahweh's ways,
'Great is the glory of Yahweh!'
6 Sublime as he is, Yahweh looks on the humble,
the proud he picks out from afar. 7 Though I live surrounded by trouble
you give me life—to my enemies' fury!
You stretch out your right hand and save me,
8 Yahweh will do all things for me.
Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever,
do not abandon what you have made.
Yahweh, you examine me and know me,
2 you know when I sit, when I rise,
you understand my thoughts from afar.
3 You watch when I walk or lie down,
you know every detail of my conduct. 4 A word is not yet on my tongue
before you, Yahweh, know all about it.
5 You fence me in, behind and in front,
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such amazing knowledge is beyond me,
a height to which I cannot attain. 7 Where shall I go to escape your spirit?
Where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I scale the heavens you are there,
if I lie flat in Sheol, there you are. 9 If I speed away on the wings of the dawn,
if I dwell beyond the ocean,
10 even there your hand will be guiding me,
your right hand holding me fast. 11 I will say, 'Let the darkness cover me,
and the night wrap itself around me,'
12 even darkness to you is not dark,
and night is as clear as the day. 13 You created my inmost self,
knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 For so many marvels I thank you;
a wonder am I, and all your works are wonders.
You knew me through and through,
15 my being held no secrets from you,
when I was being formed in secret,
textured in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes could see my embryo.
In your book all my days were inscribed,
every one that was fixed is there.
17 How hard for me to grasp your thoughts,
how many, God, there are!
18 If I count them, they are more than the grains of sand;
if I come to an end, I am still with you. 19 If only, God, you would kill the wicked!—
Men of violence, keep away from me!—
20 those who speak blasphemously about you,
and take no account of your thoughts. 21 Yahweh, do I not hate those who hate you,
and loathe those who defy you?
22 My hate for them has no limits,
I regard them as my own enemies. 23 God, examine me and know my heart,
test me and know my concerns.
24 Make sure that I am not on my way to ruin,
and guide me on the road of eternity.
Rescue me, Yahweh, from evil men, protect me from violent men,
2 whose heart is bent on malice, day after day they harbour strife;
3 their tongues as barbed as a serpent's, viper's venom behind their lips.
Pause 4 Keep me, Yahweh, from the clutches of the wicked, protect me from violent men,
who are bent on making me stumble,laying out snares where I walk,
5 in their arrogance hiding pitfall and nooseto trap me as I pass.
Pause 6 I said to Yahweh, 'You are my God.' Listen, Yahweh, to the sound of my prayer.
7 Yahweh my Lord, my saving strength, you shield my head when battle comes.
8 Yahweh, do not grant the wicked their wishes, do not let their plots succeed.
Pause
Do not let my attackers 9 prevail, but let them be overwhelmed by their own malice.
10 May red-hot embers rain down on them, may they be flung into the mire once and for all.
11 May the slanderer find no rest anywhere, may evil hunt down violent men implacably. 12 I know that Yahweh will give judgement for the wretched, justice for the needy.
13 The upright shall praise your name, the honest dwell in your presence.
Yahweh, I am calling, hurry to me, listen to my voice when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be like incense in your presence, my uplifted hands like the evening sacrifice. 3 Yahweh, mount a guard over my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips.
4 Check any impulse to speak evil, to share the foul deeds of evil-doers.
I shall not sample their delights!
5 May the upright correct me with a friend's rebuke;
but the wicked shall never anoint my head with oil,
for that would make me party to their crimes. 6 They are delivered into the power of the rock, their judge,
those who took pleasure in hearing me say,
7 'Like a shattered millstone on the ground
our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.' 8 To you, Yahweh, I turn my eyes,
in you I take refuge, do not leave me unprotected.
9 Save me from the traps that are set for me,
the snares of evil-doers. 10 Let the wicked fall each into his own net,
while I pass on my way.
To Yahweh I cry out with my plea.
To Yahweh I cry out with entreaty.
2 I pour out my worry in his presence,
in his presence I unfold my troubles.
3 However faint my spirit;
you are watching over my path.
On the road I have to travel
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look on my right and see—
there is no one who recognises me.
All refuge is denied me,
no one cares whether I live or die. 5 I cry out to you, Yahweh,
I affirm, 'You are my refuge,
my share in the land of the living!'
6 Listen to my calling,
for I am miserably weak.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Lead me out of prison
that I may praise your name.
The upright gather round me
because of your generosity to me.
Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to my pleading;
in your constancy answer me,
in your saving justice;
2 do not put your servant on trial,
for no one living can be found guiltless at your tribunal. 3 An enemy is in deadly pursuit,
crushing me into the ground,
forcing me to live in darkness,
like those long dead.
4 My spirit is faint,
and within me my heart is numb with fear. 5 I recall the days of old,
reflecting on all your deeds,
I ponder the works of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you,
my heart like a land thirsty for you.
Pause 7 Answer me quickly, Yahweh,
my spirit is worn out;
do not turn away your face from me,
or I shall be like those who sink into oblivion. 8 Let dawn bring news of your faithful love,
for I place my trust in you;
show me the road I must travel
for you to relieve my heart. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh,
since in you I find protection.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your generous spirit lead me
on even ground. 11 Yahweh, for the sake of your name,
in your saving justice give me life,
rescue me from distress.
12 In your faithful love annihilate my enemies,
destroy all those who oppress me,
for I am your servant.
Blessed be Yahweh, my rock,
who trains my hands for war
and my fingers for battle,
2 my faithful love, my bastion,
my citadel, my Saviour;
I shelter behind him, my shield,
he makes the peoples submit to me. 3 Yahweh, what is a human being for you to notice,
a child of Adam for you to think about?
4 Human life, a mere puff of wind,
days as fleeting as a shadow. 5 Yahweh, part the heavens and come down,
touch the mountains, make them smoke.
6 Scatter them with continuous lightning-flashes,
rout them with a volley of your arrows. 7 Stretch down your hand from above,
save me, rescue me from deep waters,
from the clutches of foreigners,
8 whose every word is worthless,
whose right hand is raised in perjury. 9 God, I sing to you a new song,
I play to you on the ten-stringed lyre,
10 for you give kings their victories,
you rescue your servant David.
From the sword of evil 11 save me,
rescue me from the clutches of foreigners
whose every word is worthless,
whose right hand testifies to falsehood. 12 May our sons be like plants growing tall from their earliest days,
our daughters like pillars carved fit for a palace, 13 our barns filled to overflowing with every kind of crop,
the sheep in our pastures be numbered in thousands and tens of thousands, 14 our cattle well fed,
free of raids and pillage,
free of outcry in our streets. 15 How blessed the nation of whom this is true,
blessed the nation whose God is Yahweh!
I shall praise you to the heights, God my King,
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
2 Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is Yahweh and worthy of all praise,
his greatness beyond all reckoning. 4 Each age will praise your deeds to the next,
proclaiming your mighty works.
5 Your renown is the splendour of your glory,
I will ponder the story of your wonders. 6 They will speak of your awesome power,
and I shall recount your greatness.
7 They will bring out the memory of your great generosity,
and joyfully acclaim your saving justice. 8 Yahweh is tenderness and pity,
slow to anger, full of faithful love.
9 Yahweh is generous to all,
his tenderness embraces all his creatures. 10 All your creatures shall thank you, Yahweh,
and your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingship
and tell of your might, 12 making known your mighty deeds to the children of Adam,
the glory and majesty of your kingship.
13 Your kingship is a kingship for ever,
your reign lasts from age to age.
Yahweh is trustworthy in all his words,
and upright in all his deeds.
14 Yahweh supports all who stumble,
lifts up those who are bowed down. 15 All look to you in hope
and you feed them with the food of the season.
16 And, with generous hand,
you satisfy the desires of every living creature. 17 Upright in all that he does,
Yahweh acts only in faithful love.
18 He is close to all who call upon him,
all who call on him from the heart. 19 He fulfils the desires of all who fear him,
he hears their cry and he saves them.
20 Yahweh guards all who love him,
but all the wicked he destroys. 21 My mouth shall always praise Yahweh,
let every creature bless his holy name for ever and ever.
He keeps faith for ever,
7 gives justice to the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry;
Yahweh sets prisoners free. 8 Yahweh gives sight to the blind,
lifts up those who are bowed down.
9 Yahweh protects the stranger,
he sustains the orphan and the widow.
Yahweh loves the upright,
but he frustrates the wicked.
10 Yahweh reigns for ever,
your God, Zion, from age to age.
Praise Yahweh—it is good to sing psalms
to our God—how pleasant to praise him.
2 Yahweh, Builder of Jerusalem!
He gathers together the exiles of Israel,
3 healing the broken-hearted
and binding up their wounds;
4 he counts out the number of the stars,
and gives each one of them a name. 5 Our Lord is great, all-powerful,
his wisdom beyond all telling.
6 Yahweh sustains the poor,
and humbles the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to Yahweh in thanksgiving,
play the harp for our God. 8 He veils the sky with clouds,
and provides the earth with rain,
makes grass grow on the hills
and plants for people to use,
9 gives fodder to cattle
and to young ravens when they cry. 10 He takes no delight in the power of horses,
no pleasure in human sturdiness;
11 his pleasure is in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his faithful love.
Praise Yahweh from the heavens,
praise him in the heights.
2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all shining stars,
4 praise him, highest heavens,
praise him, waters above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of Yahweh
at whose command they were made;
6 he established them for ever and ever
by an unchanging decree. 7 Praise Yahweh from the earth,
sea-monsters and all the depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
storm-winds that obey his word, 9 mountains and every hill,
orchards and every cedar,
10 wild animals and all cattle, reptiles and winged birds, 11 kings of the earth and all nations,
princes and all judges on earth,
12 young men and girls,
old people and children together. 13 Let them praise the name of Yahweh,
for his name alone is sublime,
his splendour transcends earth and heaven.
14 For he heightens the strength of his people,
to the praise of all his faithful,
the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Sing a new song to Yahweh:
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
2 Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king;
3 they shall dance in praise of his name,
play to him on tambourines and harp! 4 For Yahweh loves his people,
he will crown the humble with salvation.
5 The faithful exult in glory,
shout for joy as they worship him,
6 praising God to the heights with their voices,
a two-edged sword in their hands, 7 to wreak vengeance on the nations,
punishment on the peoples,
8 to load their kings with chains
and their nobles with iron fetters,
9 to execute on them the judgement passed—
to the honour of all his faithful.
Praise God in his holy place,
praise him in the heavenly vault of his power,
2 praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for all his greatness. 3 Praise him with fanfare of trumpet,
praise him with harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourines and dancing,
praise him with strings and pipes,
5 praise him with the clamour of cymbals,
praise him with triumphant cymbals,
6 Let everything that breathes praise Yahweh.
Alleluia!