First collection

(Songs 1–41)

1 A person will reap the benefits

if they don’t take advice from wicked people,

and don’t stand ≈around where sinners ≈go,

and don’t sit and join all the scoffers.

2 Instead, they enjoy Yahweh’s instructions

and think about them day and night.

3 Those people are like trees that are planted by a stream[ref]

and which produce fruit in season.

Their leaves don’t wither,

and they prosper in everything they do.[ref]

4 But wicked people won’t prosper—

they’re like straw that gets blown away by the wind.

5 The wicked people won’t be able to stand when God judges them,

and sinners won’t be able to join in the assembly of all the godly people,

6 because Yahweh knows the path chosen by godly people,

but the path of wicked people will be destroyed.

2 Why do nations make plans,[ref]

≈and people groups devise empty schemes?

2 The kings of this world take their stand

≈and the rulers collaborate against Yahweh and his chosen one,

3 saying, “Let’s break their chains off us.

≈Let’s throw off their ropes.”

4 The one who sits in the heavens laughs.

≈The master ridicules them.

5 Then he’ll speak to them in his anger,

≈and terrify them in his fury.

6 Yahweh says, “I myself have placed my king on Tsiyyon (Zion)—

the hill I’ve chosen to be my holy place.”

7 I’ll explain Yahweh’s decree.[ref]

He told me, “You’re my son. Today I’ve become your father.

8 Ask me and I’ll give the nations to you for your inheritance.

≈The whole world will be owned by you.

9 You’ll break those nations with an iron bar.[ref]

≈You’ll smash them to pieces like a clay pot.”

10 So act wisely all you kings.

≈Be warned all you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve Yahweh with fear.

Be happy for his goodness but tremble because of his power.

12 Honour the son or he might get angry

and you’ll perish on the way.

His severe anger can ignite any moment.

Everyone who goes to him to be safe will reap the benefits.

A song by David when he fled from his son Avshalom (Absalom).

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.; A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.; A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.; A psalm: for David (when he fled from his son Absalom)

3 Yahweh, how did I get so many enemies?

≈Many people are rising up against me.

2 Many people are talking about me,

≡saying that God won’t help me. (Instrumental break.)[fn]

3 ≈But you, Yahweh, ≈protect me like a shield.

≈You honour and encourage me.

4 I called out with my voice to Yahweh,

and he answered me from his sacred mountain. (Instrumental break.)

5 I laid down and slept.

I awoke, because Yahweh sustains me.

6 I won’t be afraid even of tens of thousands of people—

those all around who’ve taken a stand against me.

7 ≈Take action, Yahweh.

≈Save me, my God.

≈Yes, you’ve slapped all my enemies on the cheek—

you’ve broken the teeth of the wicked people.

8 Salvation comes from Yahweh.

Your blessing goes to your people. (Instrumental break.)

For the musical director: a song by David ≈to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.; For the leader: with stringed instruments: a psalm: for David; To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

4 God of my righteousness, answer me when I call out.

≈You who granted me relief from distress.

Be gracious to me and ≈listen to my prayer.

2 ≈How long will you mortal people keep shaming me instead of honouring me?

Why do you all love ≈meaninglessness and enjoy dishonesty? (Instrumental break.)

3 ≈But be aware that Yahweh has ≈treats people who are faithful to him as special to him.

Yahweh ≈pays attention when I call out to him for help.

4 ≈Respect Yahweh and don’t sin.[ref]

Meditate ≈silently on your bed. (Instrumental break.)

5 Sacrifice ≈to him by obeying him,

and keep trusting him.

6 Many people ≈ask, “Who can show us anything that’s good?”

Yahweh, ≈shower your favour down on us.

7 You’ve ≈made me very happy,

even more so than when ≈there’s plenty of fine and wine.

8 I can lie down and sleep in peace,

because you, Yahweh, and only you, ≈let me life in safety.

For the musical director: a song by David ≈to be accompanied by flutes.

For the leader: with the flutes: a psalm: for David; For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.; To the leader: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

5 ≈Listen to what I say, Yahweh.

≈≈Give consideration to my groans of distress.

2 Listen to ≈my cry for help,

my king and my God, because it’s you that I pray to.

3 Yahweh, you hear my voice each morning.

≈In the morning I ≈look in your direction and wait.

4 You’re not a God who ≈takes pleasure in wickedness.

≈Evil >people can’t live with you.

5 ≈Arrogant >people can’t stand ≈in your presence.

≈You hate ≈everyone who does ≈wicked things.

6 You destroy those who ≈tell lies.

≈Yahweh despises murderers and fraudsters.

7 Because of your loyal commitment, I’m able to enter your house.

≈I will bow down in awe towards your sacred temple.

8 Yahweh, ≈help me to do what is right because my enemies are watching.

≈≈Show me clearly how to stay on your path.

9 Their ≈lips are always flapping.

≈Their minds are their destruction.

Their throats are open graves[ref]

≈Their tongues are full of flattery.

10 My God, make them feel guilty.

May their own ≈plans lead to their downfall.

Drive them out because of their ≈frequent disobedience

because they’ve rebelled against you.

11 May those who ≈find safety in you be glad.

≈Let them shout in happiness forever.

Spread your blanket of protection over them.

May those who love your ≈authority praise you.

12 Because you, Yahweh, bless ≈those who do what’s right.

You ≈protect them with your favour like a shield.

A song by David for the singing director ≈to be accompanied by the ?≈eight-stringed instrument.

For the leader: with stringed instruments: according to the sheminith: a psalm: for David; To the leader: with stringed instruments—according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.

6 Yahweh, don’t rebuke me ≈in your anger,[ref]

≈or discipline me in your rage.

2 Be gracious to me, Yahweh, because I’m frail.

≈Heal me, Yahweh, because my bones are aching.

3 I’m ≈emotionally distressed.

≈How much longer, Yahweh?

4 Turn around, Yahweh, and save my life

≈to demonstrate your loyal commitment.

5 ≈Once we’re dead we can’t honour you.

Who will give thanks to you from Sheol?

6 I’m worn out from groaning.

Every night I make my bed swim with my tears.

I melt away on my couch.

7 ≈I can barely open my eyes because of &my grief.

My enemies make me weak ≡with grief.

8 Keep away from me, all you who do evil things,[ref]

because Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 Yahweh has heard my requests—

≈Yahweh will ≈answer my prayer.

10 Let my enemies be shamed and severely dismayed.

Let them ≈retreat and ≈feel ashamed for a while.

A ≈song by David which he sang to Yahweh concerning the Benyamite, Kush.

A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.; A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjaminite.; A shiggaion: for David (which he sang to the Lord because of Cush, a Benjamite); A psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush of the tribe of Benjamin.

7 I’ve ≈taken refuge in you, Yahweh, my God.

Save me from those who are ≈trying to get me,

2 ≈or else they’ll rip ≈me apart like a lion—

tearing me apart without anyone to rescue me.

3 Yahweh my God, if I’m ≈the cause of this,

≈if it’s my hands that have ≈done wrong,

4 if I repaid my friend with evil instead of good,

≈or ≈stole from my enemy for no good reason,

5 allow my enemy to chase ≈me and overtake me,

and trample my life into the ground,

and ≡allow my honour to disappear into the dust. (Instrumental break.)

6 Take action, Yahweh.

≈Take out your anger on my enemies

Wake up ≈for my sake—it’s you who ≈demands justice.

7 The countries have gathered around you—

return ≈to ruling them from on high.

8 Yahweh, judge those ≈people groups.

See my ≈obedience and integrity,

and ≈declare me innocent.

9 Bring the evil >activities of wicked >people to an end,

and establish ≈those who do good instead.

The righteous God examines ≈inner thoughts and motives.[ref]

10 ≈I trust God as my shield—

≡the one who rescues people ≈who desire to do good.

11 God is a judge ≈who never does wrong.

≡He’s ≈always against evil.

12 If anyone doesn’t repent, he’ll sharpen his bow,

then bend it back ready to use,

13 because he’s prepared weapons of death—

he makes fiery arrows.

14 Look at @that person who’s pregnant with wickedness

≈and conceives trouble

≈and gives birth to lies.

15 He digs a pit ≈then makes it deeper,

≈but he’ll fall into the very hole that he made.

16 His trouble returns on his own head,

≈and his violence ≈crushes his own skull.

17 I thank Yahweh ≈for how he always does what’s right,

and sing praises to Yahweh the highest >one.

For the musical director: a song by David ≈to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.[fn]

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.; To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: according to the gittith: a psalm: for David

8 Our master Yahweh, your ≈reputation all over the earth is magnificent.

Your splendour is ≈displayed across the sky

2 for even infants and children to notice.[ref]

You have established strength because of your enemies—to ≈put an end to the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look up at the sky, I see your ≈handiwork—

the moon and the stars that you ≈placed there.

4 ≈How come that you even notice humankind?[fn]

≡Why would you even pay attention to ≈any descendant of ours?[ref]

5 You’ve made him a little lower than ?≈God (or ‘gods’),

and ≈poured splendour and majesty over him.[fn]

6 You’ve established him as ruler over ≈your creation—

you’ve put him in charge of everything:[ref]

7 All the sheep and cows,

as well as the animals in the countryside,

8 the birds ≈that fly and the fish in the sea—

everything that moves along the ≈ocean currents.

9 Our master, Yahweh,

your ≈magnificent reputation has spread around the whole world.

For the musical director: David’s song about the death of the son

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.”; To the leader: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: set to ‘Muth labben’: a psalm: for David; For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

9 I will thank Yahweh with all ≈of my being.

≈I will ≈tell others all ≈about your miracles.

2 I will be happy and ≈celebrate you,

I will sing praise to your name, the highest >one.

3 When my enemies ≈are forced to retreat,

they stumble and ≈die as they run away from you

4 because you have ≈accepted my claim and decided the case in my favour.

You have sat on your throne—a judge ≈who always decides fairly.

5 You scolded countries and destroyed the wicked ones—

≈making their names disappear, never to return.

6 The enemy are finished—≈just ruins remaining from now on.

You ≈also uprooted cities—≈they too will be forgotten.

7 ≈However, Yahweh will ≈reign forever.

He’s established his throne ≈as a platform for justice,

8 ≈so he’ll judge the world ≈without bias,

and he will ≈solve cases for the peoples with fairness.

9 ≈Anyone who’s oppressed can go to Yahweh for safety—

he’s a safe refuge in times of trouble.

10 Those who know your ≈reputation put their trust in you,

because you don’t abandon those who make the effort to find you, Yahweh.

11 Sing praises to Yahweh who lives in Tsiyyon (Zion).

≈Tell all the peoples about the good things he’s done,

12 because the God ≈who avenges those who’ve been murdered,

doesn’t forget the cries of ≈those who suffered.

13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh.

See my suffering because of those who hate me.

You’re the one who ≈pulls me away from the gates of death

14 so that I can ≈keep praising you at the gates of Tsiyyon’s daughter.

I’ll ≈celebrate the salvation that comes from you.

15 The nations have sunk down into the pit they themselves made.

≈Their foot is caught in the hidden net that they themselves ≈had put there.

16 Yahweh has revealed himself—he’s served justice—

the wicked >people were trapped by ≈their own actions. (Meditation break.) (Instrumental break.)

17 Wicked >people will turn back to Sheol,

all nations are forgetful of God.

18 But the needy won’t ≈always be forgotten,

and ≈those who are suffering won’t always find their hopes dashed.

19 ≈Take action, Yahweh. Don’t let evil people prevail.

Let the nations ≈face you for judgement.

20 Put ≈some fear in them, Yahweh.

≈Remind the nations that they’re human. (Instrumental break.)

10 Why do you ≈seem so distant, Yahweh?

Why ≈can’t we see you helping us in times of trouble?

2 Wicked >people just arrogantly bully the poor and needy.

May they be caught up by the very schemes that they planned for others.

3 Indeed, the wicked >people boast about ≈everything they want

≈and ≈they say that the greedy person is a fine guy, but they despise Yahweh.

4 In #their pride, wicked >people don’t seek him.

≈≈In their minds, they convince themselves that there’s no God.

5 #Their ≈don’t want to change their ways.

Your judgements are high ≈above out of their sight.

As for all #their enemies, #they sigh at them.

6 ≈They tell themselves, “≈No one’s going to change me.

≈≈No one will trouble me, even through all the generations.”

7 #Their mouths are full of curses and lies, and ≈they oppress others.

Mischief and evil are under #their tongues.[ref]

8 #They sit in ambush near the villages.

In ≈isolated places #they murder the innocent.

#Their eyes stealthily watch for ≈any vulnerable people.

9 #They ambush in a hidden places like a lion in cover.

#They hide so they can seize ≈helpless >people.

#They capture the weak by pulling in @their nets.

10 #They stoop then crouch,

and unfortunate people succumb to #their strength.

11 #They ≈tell themselves, “God has ≈gone on strike—

he looks away so he never notices.”

12 Yahweh, ≈take action.

≈God, ≈do something.

Don’t forget ≈those who are poor or needy.

13 Why do wicked >people despise God?

#They ≈tell themselves, “You’ll ≈never come looking for me.”

14 But you have seen—indeed, you notice mischief and grief to ≈do something about it.

The #victims trust you to work on their behalf.

You are a helper for the fatherless.

15 Break the ≈hold of wicked and evil people.

≈Prevent them from being able to implement their wicked schemes.

16 Yahweh is king forever and ever.

≈He drove those other nations out of his land.

17 You’ve heard the ≈request of those in need, Yahweh.

You ≈encourage them. You pay ≈close attention

18 to judge the orphan and oppressed,

so that ≈mere humans will no longer be able to terrify them.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. Of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the leader: for David; For the director of music. Of David.

11 I’ve taken refuge in Yahweh.

How can you tell me,

Flutter away to your mountain like a bird?

2 Because, look, wicked >people ≈are getting their bows ready.

They’ve got their arrows ≈lined up on the strings

to shoot at the ≈godly people in the darkness.

3 If the foundations get destroyed,

what can good people do then?

4 Yahweh’s in his sacred temple.

His eyes watch—his eyes examine humanity’s children.

5 Yahweh examines both ≈good people and the wicked,

but he hates those who love to inflict violence.

6 He rains burning coals and sulfur upon the wicked.

≈≈He’ll send scorching hot winds to punish them

7 because Yahweh ≈loves what is right, and that’s what he does.

≈Godly people will get to stand in front of him.

For the musical director: a song by David ?≈to be played on the eight-stringed instrument.

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.; For the leader: according to the sheminith: a psalm: for David; To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.; For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

12 Help, Yahweh, because faithful >people seem to have disappeared.

≈Those who have integrity have vanished from among humanity.

2 Everyone says empty words to #their neighbours.

≈Everyone speaks with flattering lips and ≈deceitful motives.

3 Yahweh, cut off all those flattering lips,

≈and every tongue ≈that exaggerates.

4 These are those who have said, “With our tongues ≈we’ll get whatever we want.

≈When our lips speak, who can ≈tell us what to do?”

5 Yahweh says, “I’ll ≈take action

because of the violence against the poor and the groans of the needy.

I’ll provide the safety that they’ve been longing for.”

6 Yahweh’s words are pure words,

like silver purified in a furnace on the earth—

refined seven times over.

7 Yahweh, you will protect them.

Yes, forever protect us from this violent generation.

8 Wicked >people prowl all around

when evil is promoted for humanity.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

13 Yahweh, for how long will you keep forgetting about me?

For how long will you hide ≈yourself from me?

2 How long must I worry?

≈Must I have grief in my heart all day?

≈How long will my enemy gloat over me?

3 Look at me and answer me, Yahweh my God.

≈Restore my strength, or I’ll ≈die in my sleep.

4 Don’t let my enemy ≈boast that they’ve defeated me,

otherwise my enemies will ≈celebrate when I’m defeated.

5 ≈But I’ve trusted in your loyal commitment.

≈I’m happy inside because you’ve saved me.

6 I’ll sing to Yahweh because he’s been generous to me.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. Of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the leader: for David; For the director of music. Of David.

14 Godless >people ≈convince themselves that there is no God.

They behave corruptly and do evil things.

No one really does what is good.[ref]

2 Yahweh looks down at ≈humanity from the heavens

to see if there are any who understand—who ≈make an effort to discover him.

3 They’ve all turned away.

Together they’ve become corrupt.

There ≈isn’t anyone who does good—no one.

4 Don’t ≈those evil people know anything—

those who eat up my people just like they’d eat bread,

but ≈they don’t request help from Yahweh?

5 They tremble with dread,

because God is with ≈those who desire to obey him.

6 You want to humiliate poor #people,

even though ≈they go to Yahweh to find safety.

7 If only help would come from Tsiyyon (Zion) ≈to rescue Yisrael.

When Yahweh brings back his people from ≈where they were taken as captives,

then Yacob (Jacob) will rejoice and Yisrael will be glad!

A song by David.

A psalm: for David; A psalm of David.; A Psalm of David.

15 Who’s ≈allowed to stay in your tent?

Who can live on your sacred hill?

2 Whoever’s ≈innocent because they do what is right

and speaks truth ≈with integrity.

3 #Those ≈who don’t use their tongues to slander others.

#Those who don’t harm others,

and who don’t insult #their neighbours.

4 ≈Those godly people despise ≈those rejected by Yahweh,

≈but #they honour those who respect *him.

#They ≈do what they’ve promised, even at their own expense.

5 #They don’t charge interest when #they lend money.

#They don’t take bribes to testify against innocent >people.

#Those who do those things will never be ≈rejected.

A song by David.

A Miktam of David.; A miktam: for David; A psalm of David.; Amiktam of David.

16 Protect me, God,

because ≈you are the one I trust for my safety.

2 ≈I tell Yahweh, “You are my master. ?≈Anything good I do means nothing without you.

3 As for the ≈godly people who live here, they are noble people.

≈I really enjoy being with them.

4 Their troubles will increase—

those who ≈choose to worship other gods.

I won’t pour out their drink offerings of blood

or ≈even use my lips to name their gods.

5 Yahweh is ≈all I want as my inheritance and my cup.

You ?≈ensure my future security.

6 ≈I’ve had a nice piece of land measured out for me—

it’s definitely a good inheritance that I received.

7 I will praise Yahweh who gives me good advice.

Even at night, my ≈conscience teaches me what’s right.

8 I ≈made a decision to always keep Yahweh on my mind.

≈Nothing will worry me, because he’s right here beside me

9 so I can ≈relax and be happy,

Also ≈I can live in safety

10 because you won’t abandon my soul to Sheol.[ref]

You wouldn’t permit your faithful >follower to see the pit.

11 You ≈show me the path that leads to life.

≈I’m always happy in your presence.

≈I’ll have pleasure forever when I’m with you.”[ref]

A prayer by David.

A prayer: for David; A prayer of David.; A Prayer of David.

17 Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh.

≈Pay attention to my call for help.

≈≈Take notice of my prayer coming from ≈honest lips.

2 ≈Consider my case and confirm that I’m innocent.

Let your eyes see what is ≈just.

3 If you test my ≈inner motives,

if you come to me in the night to test me,

and you won’t find any evil plans—

my mouth won’t ≈say anything evil.

4 As for ≈people’s actions,

it is at the word from your ≈mouth

that I’ve kept myself from the ways of lawless >people.

5 ≈I’ve kept myself consistently on your paths.

≈My feet haven’t slipped.

6 I call to you, God, because you answer me.

≈Take notice of me and listen when I speak.

7 Show your loyal commitment in a wonderful way,

you who ≈use your power to protect

those who take refuge in you from their enemies.

8 Protect me ≈as carefully as the pupil is protected in the eye.

≈Hide me like a chick under the shadow of your wings.

9 ≡Protect me from the wicked >people who assault me—

≡from my enemies who surround me.

10 They’ve closed their ≈minds to pity.

Their mouths speak with pride.

11 They have ≈closed in on me.

They ≈have decided to throw me to the ground.

12 They’re like a lion ≈eager for a victim—

like a young lion crouching in ambush.

13 ≈Take action, Yahweh.

Confront #them.

≈Knock ≈them down.

Rescue my life from wicked >people by your sword!

14 ≈Use your strength, Yahweh, to rescue me from men—

from ≈people in this world whose prosperity is in this life alone.

You’ll fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches—

they’ll have many children and will leave their wealth to *them.

15 ≈Because I’m obedient, I’ll see your face.

≈When I wake up, I’ll be satisfied ≈at seeing you.

For the musical director: a song by Yahweh’s servant David, when he sang the words of this song to Yahweh on the day that Yahweh rescued him from Shaul (King Saul) and all his other enemies.

For the leader: for the Lord’s servant: for David (who recited the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:); To the leader. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:; For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:; For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.

18 He said:

I love you, Yahweh, my source of strength.

2 Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, ≈the one who brings me to safety.

≈He’s my God, my rock. I take refuge in him.

He’s my shield, the ≈power that saves me, my fortress.

3 I will call ≈for help from Yahweh

who ≈deserves all the praise he gets,

and then I’ll be rescued from my enemies.

4 ≈I felt like I was about to die,

≈and torrents of worthlessness overwhelmed me.

5 The ≈grave seemed to be putting its ropes around me.

≈The snares of death trapped me.

6 In my distress I called out to Yahweh.

≈I cried for help to my God.

He heard my voice from his temple.

≈My call for help entered his presence.

≈It ≈reached his ears.

7 Then the earth quaked and shook.

≈The foundations of the mountains trembled

≈and were shaken because @God ≈was angry.

8 Smoke went up from out of his nostrils,

≈and blazing fire came out of his mouth.

Coals were ignited by it.

9 He opened the skies and came down,

and ≈heavy darkness was under his feet.

10 He rode on a winged creature and flew.

≈He glided on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness into a tent around him—

heavy rain clouds in the skies.

12 Hail and ≈burning coals fell from the brightness in front of him.

13 Yahweh thundered from the heavens.

The voice of the highest >one shouted.[fn]

14 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies—

≈many lightning bolts, and ≈forced them to disperse.

15 Then the water channels appeared.

≈The foundations of the world were exposed

at your rebuke, Yahweh—

≈at the blast of the breath from your nostrils.

16 He reached down from above and took hold of me.

≈He pulled me out of the surging waters.

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy—

from those who hated me,

because they were too strong for me.

18 They confronted me ≈when I was in distress,

≈but Yahweh was my support.

19 He brought me out to a wide open place.

≈He saved me because he was pleased with me.

20 Yahweh has rewarded me because ≈I’ve done nothing wrong.

≈He has restored me because ≈I’m innocent.

21 because I’ve ≈followed Yahweh’s ≈instructions

and haven’t acted wickedly towards my God.

22 ≈I keep all his instructions in mind,

and I haven’t ≈refused to follow any of his rules.

23 I’ve ≈done nothing that he could blame me for

and I’ve kept myself from ≈disobeying him.

24 ≈So Yahweh has restored me because of my ≈obedience,

because ≈I was innocent in his sight.

25 To the faithful, you show yourself faithful.

≈To the blameless, you show yourself blameless.

26 ≈To the pure, you show yourself pure,

but you’re shrewd towards anyone who’s crooked,

27 because you save people ≈who are suffering,

≈but you bring down those with proud, uplifted eyes.

28 You give light to my lamp.

≈Yahweh my God lights up my darkness.

29 ≈With your help, I ≈can run forward into the invaders.

≈≈With my God’s assistance, I can leap over a wall.

30 As for God, his #ways are perfect.

≈Yahweh’s message has been refined.

He is a shield to everyone who ≈goes to him to stay safe,

31 because who is God except Yahweh?

≈Who is a ≈reliable place of safety except our God?

32 It is God who puts strength onto me like a belt around me—

who makes my path ≈clear of obstacles.

33 He makes ≈me sure-footed like a deer,

and places me in the ≈hills.[ref]

34 He trains my hands for battle,

≈and my arms to bend a bronze bow.

35 You ≈protect and save me with your shield.

You ≈use your power to support me,

and your favour has made me ≈strong.

36 You’ve made the path for my feet ≈wide beneath me

≈so that my ≈feet haven’t slipped.

37 I chased my enemies and overtook them.

≈I didn’t turn back until they were destroyed.

38 I smashed them so that they were unable to ≈regroup.

≈They have fallen under my feet.

39 You put strength on me for battle ≈like a belt around me.

You made my enemies bow down to me.

40 You ≈allowed me to kill my enemies.

≈I annihilated those who hated me.

41 They called for help, but no rescuer came.

≈≡They called out to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.

42 I ≈hammered them into fine pieces like dust in the wind.

≈I emptied them out like mud in the streets.

43 You rescued me from people’s feuds.

You’ve made me the head over nations.

≈People serve me that I never knew before.

44 As soon as they heard ≈about me, they obeyed me.

≈Foreigners ≈cower down to me.

45 The foreigners ≈lose heart,

≈and came trembling out of their strongholds.

46 Yahweh lives—may my ≈place of security be praised.

≈Praise the God ≈who saved me.

47 He’s the God who executes vengeance ≈on my behalf—

who subdues the nations under me.

48 I’m set free from my enemies.

Indeed, you ≈helped me stay ahead of those who opposed me.

You rescued me from violent men.

49 Therefore I’ll give thanks to you among the nations, Yahweh,

≈I’ll sing praises to your name.[ref]

50 @God gives great victory to his king,

and he shows his loyal commitment to his anointed >one—

to David and to his descendants forever.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

19 The skies declare God’s ≈talent and splendour,

≈and ≈outer space shows off his handiwork.

2 Speech pours out day after day.

≈Night after night it reveals knowledge.

3 There’s no speech or words spoken.

≈No voice can be heard

4 yet their words go out over all the earth,

≈and their speech to the end of the world.

He’s ≈placed the sun in its home in the sky.[ref]

5 The sun is like a bridegroom coming out of his room.

≈≡It’s like a strong man who’s glad when he can run along his path.

6 The sun rises from ≈side of our view

≈and crosses the sky to the other.

Nothing escapes its heat.

The Law of the Lord

7 Yahweh’s #instructions are perfect, restoring ≈our motivation.

Yahweh’s testimony is reliable, making simple >people wise.

8 Yahweh’s instructions are right, ≈bringing inner fulfillment.

≈Yahweh’s #commands are pure, bringing light to the eyes.

9 ≈Respect for Yahweh is pure, enduring forever.

≈Yahweh’s rules are correct and always right.

10 They’re more valuable than gold, even fine gold.

≈They’re sweeter than honey, even the honey that drips from the honeycomb.

11 Yes, your servant is warned by @Yahweh’s rules.

≈A worthwhile reward comes from obeying them.

12 Who can discern all their own errors?

≈Cleanse me from hidden faults.

13 Also, keep your servant from willful sins—

≈don’t let them not rule over me.

Then I’ll be perfect,

≈and I will be innocent of terrible disobedience.

14 Let the words from my mouth

≈and even my inner thoughts

be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh—

≈the secure place that I can run to,

≈and ≈the one who paid for my release from slavery.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

20 May Yahweh help you ≈whenever trouble comes.

≈Then may Yakob’s (Jacob’s) God protect you

2 and send help from &his sanctuary,

≈to support you from Tsiyyon (Zion).

3 May he call to mind all your offerings

and accept your burnt sacrifice. (Instrumental break.)

4 May he give you ≈your desires that you’ve thought about the most,

≈and ≈make all the plans that you’ve hoped for come to pass.

5 Then we will ≈celebrate your victory,

≈and we’ll raise banners in the name of our God.

May Yahweh grant all your requests.

6 Now I know that Yahweh will rescue his anointed >one.

He will answer him from his sacred heaven

≈and use all his strength to save .

7 ≈Various leaders trust in various different military units,

but we will ≈put our trust in our God Yahweh.

8 They will ≈stumble and fall,

but we will ≈be strong and stand ≈firm.

9 Yahweh, rescue the king.

Answer us when we call for help.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

21 The king’s glad about your strength, Yahweh.

≈He’s very happy about the salvation you provide.

2 You’ve given him ≈what he really wanted,

≈and haven’t held back ≈from answering his requests. (Instrumental break.)

3 You went to meet him with blessings of good >things.

≈You placed a crown of purest gold on his head.

4 He asked you for life and you gave it to him.

You ≈extended his life and gave him an eternal dynasty.

5 ≈He receives great respect because of your victory.

≈You’ve given him splendour and majesty.

6 When you grant him lasting blessings,

you make him glad with the ≈excitement of your presence.

7 The king trusts in Yahweh.

He won’t waver ≈as he experiences the loyal commitment of the highest >one.

8 Your ≈energy will find all your enemies.

Your ≈strength will reach as far as those who hate you.

9 ≈When you get angry, you’ll burn them up like in a flaming furnace.

≈Yahweh will consume them in his fury, and the fire will devour them.

10 You’ll destroy their offspring from the earth

and their descendants from among humankind

11 because they intended to do evil against you.

They conceived a plot, but they won’t succeed

12 because you will turn them back.

≈You’ll draw your bow ≈in front of them.

13 Yahweh, ≈show us your strength ≈and we’ll praise you.

We’ll sing, and praise your power.

For the musical director: a song by David to the tune ‘The doe of the dawn’.

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”; For the leader: set to ‘Hind of the Dawn’: a psalm: for David; To the leader: according to The Deer of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

22 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Why are you so far from saving me

≈≡and far from ≈my plea for help?[ref]

2 My God, I call out in the daytime for help, but you don’t answer >me,

≈and at night I’m not silent either.

3 ≈Yet you are sinless—

≈accepting Yisrael’s praises.

4 Our ancestors trusted in you.

They trusted in you, and you rescued them.

5 They called out to you for help and they were rescued.

They trusted in you and were not disappointed.

6 ≈But I’m a worm and not a man—

≈a disgrace to humanity and despised by the people.

7 Everyone who sees me, taunts me.

≈They ?≈make faces at me.

≈They shake their heads at me.[ref]

8 Go to Yahweh—he’ll save him.

≈He’ll rescue him because he likes him.[ref]

9 You brought me out from the womb.

≈You made me trust you when I was at my mother’s breasts.

10 I ?≈was forced to be dependant on you since birth.

≈You are my God since I was in my mother’s womb.

11 Don’t ≈distance yourself from me, because trouble is near.

≈There’s no one else who can help.

12 Many enemies surround me like angry bulls.

≈Strong bulls from Bashan have surrounded me.

13 They open their mouths wide against me

≈like a roaring lion tearing its victim apart.

14 I am being poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint.

≈My heart is like wax—it melts away within my chest.

15 My strength has dried up like a piece of fired clay.

≈My tongue sticks to ≈the roof of my mouth.

You’re ≈about to let me die and return to dust

16 because dogs have surrounded me.

≈A band of evil >men has encircled me.

They’ve pierced my hands and my feet.[fn]

17 I can count all my bones.

They stand looking, and stare at me.

18 They divide my clothes up among themselves,

≈They cast lots for my garments.[ref]

19 Yahweh, ≈don’t just stand at a distance.

≈Please hurry to help me, my strength.

20 Save my life from the sword—

≈my ≈very existence from the ≈clutch of wild dogs.

21 Save me from the lion’s mouth.

≈Rescue me from the horns of the wild bulls.

22 I’ll ≈promote your name among my brothers.

≈I’ll praise you in ≈front of all the assembled people.[ref]

23 ≈You all who fear Yahweh, praise him.

≈All you descendants of Yakob, honour him.

≈Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Yisrael,

24 because he hasn’t despised or detested the suffering of ≈the one who’s going through it.

≈Yahweh hasn’t hidden ≈away from him.

≈When the suffering one called out to him, he heard.

25 ≈You’re the reason that I offer praise ≈when all the people gather.

≈I’ll fulfill my vows ≈publicly in front of those who fear him.

26 The oppressed >people will eat and be satisfied.

Those who are ≈interested in Yahweh will praise him.

May you all live forever.

27 Peoples from each end of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh.

≈All the families of the nations will bow down before you,

28 because Yahweh ≈is the king

≈and rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous >people in the world will celebrate and worship >him.

≈All ≈mortal people will bow before him—those who can’t ≈extend their own lives.

30 Our ≈future offspring will serve him.

They’ll tell the next generation about the master.

31 They will come and tell about his righteousness.

They’ll tell what he’s done to people not yet born.

A song by David.

A psalm: for David; A psalm of David.; A Psalm of David.

23 Yahweh is my shepherd

so I won’t lack anything.

2 He lies me down in paddocks of fresh grass.

He leads me beside a peaceful stream.

3 He refreshes my inner being.

He guides me along paths of obedience so that he’ll be honoured.

4 Even when I walk through a valley in deep darkness,

I won’t be afraid of being harmed.

Your rod and staff will protect and comfort me.

5 You prepare a meal for me while my enemies watch.

You give me olive oil to soothe my head.

≈I have so many blessings.

6 I’m certain that your goodness and your mercy will pursue me for my whole life,

and then I’ll live in Yahweh’s house forever.

A song by David.

Of David. A Psalm.; Of David. A psalm.; A psalm of David.; For David: a psalm

24 The earth and all its content belong to Yahweh—

≈the world, and everything that lives in it,

2 because he founded it on the seas,

≈and established it on the rivers.

3 Who will ascend Yahweh’s mountain?

≈Who will stand in his sacred place?

4 The one with clean hands and a pure heart,

who hasn’t ≈falsely declared to be following me,

≈and hasn’t ≈made a promise in order to deceive >others.

5 He’ll receive a blessing from Yahweh

and he God of his salvation ≈will declare him innocent.

6 Such is the generation of those who ≈try to discover him—

those who ≈want to imitate Yakob. (Instrumental break.)

7 ≈Look up, you gates.

≈≈Open up, everlasting doors,

so that the ≈incredible king can come in.

8 Who’s ≈that incredible king?

Yahweh, strong and powerful.

≈Yahweh, victorious in battle.

9 ≈Look up, you gates.

≈≈Open up, everlasting doors,

so that the ≈incredible king can come in.

10 Who’s ≈that incredible king?

Army commander Yahweh.

He’s that ≈incredible king. (Instrumental break.)

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

א (Alef)

25 I ≈offer my life to you, Yahweh.

ב (Beyt)

2 My God, I trust in you.

Don’t let me be humiliated.

≈Don’t let my enemies ≈defeat me and then celebrate.

ג (Gimel)

3 ≈Don’t let anyone be disgraced because they’d put their trust in you.

On the other hand, may those who act treacherously without cause be ashamed.

ד (Dalet)

4 Make your ways known to me, Yahweh.

≈Teach me your paths.

ה (He)

5 Guide me into your truth and teach me,

because you’re the God ≈who saves me.

I wait all day long ≈to experience your presence.

ו (Vav)

6 ≈Call your acts of compassion and loyal commitment ≈to mind, Yahweh,

because they’ve always existed.

ז (Zayin)

7 Don’t ≈think about my youthful disobedience or my rebelliousness.

≈Call me to mind with loyal commitment because of your goodness, Yahweh.

ח (Het)

8 Yahweh is both honest and good,

therefore he teaches sinners the way.

ט (Tet)

9 He guides the humble in what is right

≈and he teaches *them his way.

י (Yod)

10 All Yahweh’s ways are loyal commitment and faithfulness

to those who keep his agreement and his solemn commands.

כ (Kaf)

11 For the sake of your ≈reputation, Yahweh,

forgive my disobedience because it’s ≈pretty bad.

ל (Lamed)

12 Who are #those who respect Yahweh?

The master will instruct #them in the path that #they should choose.

מ (Mem)

13 #They’ll ≈enjoy a life of goodness,

≈and #their descendants will ≈live peacefully in the land.

נ (Nun)

14 Yahweh’s friendship is for those who respect him,

and he makes his ≈promises known to them.

ס (Samek)

15 My eyes are always on Yahweh,

because he’ll untangle my feet from the net.

ע (Ayin)

16 Turn towards me and have mercy on me,

because I’m alone and suffering.

פ (Pe)

17 ≈My worries keep increasing—

rescue me from my distress.

צ (Tsade)

18 ≈Take note of my suffering and troubles.

Forgive all my sins.

ק (Qof)

19 ≈Look at my enemies because ≈there’s so many of them.

They hate me with cruel hatred.

ר (Resh)

20 Protect my life and rescue me.

Don’t let me be humiliated, because I always take refuge in you.

ש (Sin/Shin)

21 May integrity and ≈godliness preserve me,

because I wait for you to help me.

ת (Tav)

22 Rescue Yisrael, God,

from all its troubles.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

26 ≈Declare me innocent, Yahweh, because I have walked with integrity.

≈I’ve trusted in Yahweh without wavering.

2 Examine me, Yahweh, and test me.

≈≈Check out my mind and my motives.

3 ≈I keep my eyes on your loyal commitment,

≈and I walk about in your faithfulness.

4 I don’t associate with deceitful people,

≈or with those who are dishonest.

5 I ≈avoid the #gatherings of evildoers,

≈and I don’t ≈meet with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence,

and I go around your altar, Yahweh,

7 to sing a praise song

≈and to tell about all the wonderful ≈things you’ve done.

8 Yahweh, I love the house where you live,

≈the place ≈where your power and splendour is continually displayed.

9 Don’t remove me along with sinners,

≈or my life with people ≈blood on their hands—

10 ≈people who are plotting wickedness,

and whose ≈pockets are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I’ll walk with integrity.

≈Release me from my slavery and have mercy on me.

12 My #feet stand on level ground.

I will bless Yahweh at &our gatherings.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

27 Yahweh is my light and ≈the one who saves me—≈why should I be afraid of anyone?

≈Yahweh is ≈where my life is safe—≈why should I be worrying?

2 When evil ≈people approached me to ≈wear me down,

≈those adversaries and enemies stumbled and fell.

3 ≈Even when I’m surrounded by an enemy army, ≈I won’t be scared.

≈Although war ≈breaks out against me, even then I’ll remain confident.

4 There’s one thing that I’ve Yahweh and that I’ll ≈aim for:

that I’ll ≈be able to stay in the house of Yahweh ≈as long as I live.

to see Yahweh’s beauty and to meditate in his temple.

5 He’ll hide me in his shelter ≈when trouble comes—

≈He’ll conceal me under the cover of his tent .

≈He’ll lift me high to a safe place up on a rock.

6 Then ≈I’ll be helped to achieve victory over my enemies all around me,

and I will offer celebratory sacrifices in his tent.

≈I’ll make music and sing to Yahweh.

7 Yahweh, ≈listen to me when I call out for help.

Have mercy on me, and answer me.

8 My ≈gut feelings tell me ≈that I should follow you,

so I’ll ≈strive to relate to you, Yahweh.

9 Don’t ≈stay away from me.

Don’t turn your servant away in anger.

You’ve been my helper.

Don’t leave or abandon me, God ≈who saves me.

10 Even if my ≈parents were to abandon me,

Yahweh would ≈take me in.

11 Teach me your way, Yahweh.

Lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12 Don’t ≈let my enemies do what they want to me,

because ≈fraudulent cases have been brought against me,

and @those people ≈thrive on violence.

13 ?What would’ve happened to me

if I hadn’t believed that I would see Yahweh’s goodness in the land of the living?

14 ≈Keep expecting Yahweh to act.

Be strong and courageous. Wait for Yahweh.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

28 Yahweh, I call out to you for help, my rock of safety.

Don’t ≈refuse to hear me

because if you’re silent, I’ll soon be with those who are heading down ≈to their graves.

2 Hear my pleading when I call for help from you—

when I raise my hands toward your most sacred room.

3 Don’t drag me away along with the wicked—those who do ≈evil things,

who talk about peace with their neighbours but have evil ≈plans in their minds.

4 Give them what their actions deserve

≈and repay them what their wickedness demands.

Repay them ≈what they’ve done

≈and ≈give them what they deserve.

5 Because they don’t understand ≈what Yahweh does,

he’ll tear them down and never rebuild them.

6 Blessed be Yahweh

because he’s heard my requests.

7 Yahweh ≈makes me strong and protects me like a shield.

I trust in him, and ≈he helps me.

≈That’s why I’m so happy inside,

and I’ll praise him by singing.

8 Yahweh ≈gives strength to his people,

and he is the ≈place of safety for his anointed one.

9 Rescue your people

≈and bless your inheritance.

Be their shepherd and carry them ≈always.

A praise song by David.

A psalm: for David; A psalm of David.; A Psalm of David.

29 Acknowledge Yahweh you sons of the mighty one,

acknowledge that greatness and power are his alone.

2 Honour the authority of Yahweh,

worship him in his pure beauty.

3 The voice of Yahweh commands the oceans,

his power thunders over many waters.

4 Yahweh’s voice is so powerful,

his voice sounds so majestic.

5 Yahweh’s voice splits huge trees,

it shatters the cedar trees in Lebanon.

6 He makes them skip around like a calf,

Lebanon and Sirion acting like a wild, young bull.

7 Yahweh’s voice produces flames of fire.

8 Yahweh’s voice makes the land shake,

he shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 Yahweh’s voice makes the deer give birth in fright,

it strips the leaves from the trees,

while all the people in his temple praise him.

10 Yahweh sits on his throne conquering the flood,

he reigns forever from his seat as king.

11 Yahweh gives strength to his people,

he grants tranquil peace to his own.

A song by David for the temple dedication.

A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David.; A psalm (a song for the dedication of the temple): for David; A psalm of David, sung at the dedication of the Temple.; A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.

30 I’ll praise you, Yahweh, because you’ve ≈helped me succeed

≈and haven’t allowed my enemies to ≈take advantage of me.

2 Yahweh my God, I called out to you for help,

and you healed me.

3 Yahweh, you’ve ≈saved me from death.

You’ve kept me alive from going down into the grave.

4 Sing praises to Yahweh, you ≈who are faithful to him.

≈Give thanks ≈to the sinless one

5 because his anger is only for a moment, but his favour is for a lifetime.

≈Weeping comes for a night, but happiness comes in the morning.

6 ≈When things were going well, I said,

“≈Nothing will ever shake me.”

7 Yahweh, by your favour you established me as a strong mountain,

but when you ≈moved out of sight from me, I ≈got worried.

8 I called out to you for help, Yahweh,

≈and ≈tried to win my master’s favour.

9 What advantage would there be in my death,

≈if I go down to the ≈grave?

Will the dust praise you?

≈Will it declare your faithfulness?

10 Listen to me, Yahweh, and ≈have mercy on me

≈Yahweh, be my helper.

11 You’ve turned my mourning into dancing for me.

You’ve removed my ≈mourning clothes and dressed me with gladness instead.

12 So now my glory will sing praise to you and not be silent; Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

31 ≈I go to you, Yahweh, ≈to be safe.

Never let me be humiliated.

Rescue me, ≈because you always do what’s right.

2 ≈Listen to me—rescue me quickly.

Be my rock ≈that I can be secure behind—

≈a fortress to ≈keep me safe.

3 ≈Yes, you’re my rock and my fortress,

and you lead and guide me ≈in order to maintain your reputation.

4 Pluck me out of the net that they’ve hidden for me,

because you’re my ≈place of safety.

5 I entrust my spirit into your capable hands.

You’ll redeem me, Yahweh, God of faithfulness.

6 I hate those who ≈follow worthless trends,

but I trust in Yahweh.

7 I’ll be glad and celebrate your loyal commitment,

because you saw my suffering—

you knew ≈my internal troubles.

8 You ≈didn’t allow any enemy to get the upper hand over me.

You’ve set my feet in a wide open place.

9 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh, because I’m distressed.

My eyes grow weary with the grief ≈I feel in my body and soul.

10 ≈Yes my life is weary with sorrow

≈and my years with groaning.

My strength fails because of my ≈disobedience,

≈and my bones are wasting away.

11 People disdain me because of all my enemies.

≈My neighbours are appalled at my situation,

and those who know me are horrified.

≈Those who see me in the street ≈cross to the other side.

12 I am forgotten like a dead person that no one thinks about any more.

≈I’m discarded like a broken pot.

13 I’ve heard the whispering of many—

≈terrifying news from every side

as they plot together against me.

≈They plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, Yahweh.

≈I ≈declare that you’re my God.

15 ≈You control my future.

Rescue me from my enemies

≈and from those ≈who are trying to get me.

16 ≈Act kindly towards me, your servant.

Rescue me due to your loyal commitment.

17 Don’t let me be humiliated, Yahweh, because I’ve called out to you for help.

Let the wicked be the ones who are humiliated.

≈Send them down to Sheol where they’ll be silent.

18 Let the lying lips be ≈silenced

that speak against the righteous defiantly

≈with arrogance and contempt.

19 You’ve stored up great goodness for those who revere you,

that you perform for those who take refuge in you

≈in plain sight of all humanity.

20 In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from ≈people’s evil plots.

≈You hide them in a shelter from the violence of ≈people’s words.

21 ≈Praise Yahweh, because he showed me his incredible loyal commitment

when I was trapped in a besieged city.

22 In my alarm I ≈thought, “≈I’ve gone out of your sight,”

yet you did hear my plea for help when I called out to you.

23 Love Yahweh, all you ≈godly people.

Yahweh protects faithful >people,

but he pays back the arrogant in full.

24 Be strong and confident,

all you who trust in Yahweh for help.

A song[fn] by David.

A psalm of David.; Of David. A maskil.; Of David. A Maskil.; For David: a maskil

32 Blessed is the person whose transgression is forgiven,

≈whose ≈disobedience is covered.

2 Blessed is the person to whom Yahweh ≈calculates no guilt

≈and in whose spirit there’s no deceit.

3 When I remained silent,

my bones ≈ached inside

≈while I groaned all day long.

4 ≈You kept the pressure on me day and night.

My strength withered up like in a summer drought. (Instrumental break.)

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,

≈and I no longer hid my iniquity.

I said, “I’ll confess my transgressions to Yahweh,”

and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Instrumental break.)

6 Every one of your faithful followers should pray to you at a time of great distress

so that when the surging waters overflow, the waters will not reach #them.

7 You’re my hiding place—you’ll guard me from trouble.

You surround me with victory songs. (Instrumental break.)

8 I’ll instruct you and teach you in the way that you should ≈follow.

I’ll instruct you and ≈keep my eye on you.

9 Don’t be like a horse or a mule which lacks understanding—

it’s only with a bridle and bit that they can be controlled

so they’ll go where you want them to.

10 The wicked have many sorrows,

but Yahweh’s loyal commitment will surround ≈anyone who trusts in him.

11 Be glad in Yahweh, and ≈celebrate, you righteous >people.

≈Shout for joy, all of you who are ≈honest on the inside.

33 Rejoice in Yahweh, you ≈godly people.

≈Praise is appropriate for ≈those who are honest on the inside.

2 Give thanks to Yahweh with the harp.

≈Sing praises to him with the ten-stringed instrument.

3 Sing a new song to him.

≈Play skillfully and with loud shouts,

4 because Yahweh ≈means what he says,

and ≈everything he does is fair.

5 He loves ≈what is right and just.

Yahweh’s loyal commitment ≈can be seen all over the world.

6 At Yahweh’s command, the heavens were made,

≈and all the stars were made by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea together like a heap.

≈He puts the oceans into storehouses.

8 Let the whole ≈planet respect Yahweh.

≈Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him

9 because he spoke, then it came to be.

He commanded, and it stood in place.

10 Yahweh frustrates the alliances of nations.

≈He overrules the plans of the peoples.

11 Yahweh’s plans stand forever—

≈the plans ≈in his mind continue for all generations.

12 &This nation ≈will thrive because Yahweh is their God—

≈the people who he’s chosen as his own inheritance.

13 Yahweh looks from heaven—he sees all the people.

14 ≈From his residence, he looks down on all the earth’s inhabitants.

15 He who ≈formed the insides of all of them, observes ≈everything that they do.

16 No king is saved by a huge army.

≈A warrior isn’t saved by his great strength.

17 A horse is a false hope for victory—

in spite of his great strength, he can’t rescue >anyone.

18 See, Yahweh’s eye is on those who ≈respect him—

on those who put their hope on his loyal commitment

19 to save their lives from death

≈and to keep them alive ≈whenever there’s a famine.

20 We wait for Yahweh’s response—

he’s our help and our ≈protection.

21 ≈We’re happy because of what he’s done for us

because we trust in his sacred reputation.

22 Let your loyal commitment, Yahweh, be with us

as we ≈put our hope in you.

A song by David who pretended to be insane in front of King Avimelek, ≈causing the king to send him away.

Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.; A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.; For David (when he feigned madness in Abimelech’s presence—Abimelech then drove him away, and he departed); Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.

א (Alef)

34 I will praise Yahweh at all times.

≈I’ll always be praising him out loud.

ב (Beyt)

2 I will praise Yahweh!

Let those who are oppressed hear and ≈celebrate.

ג (Gimel)

3 Praise Yahweh with me.

Let’s ≈compliment him together.

ד (Dalet)

4 I searched for Yahweh and he answered me,

and he ≈helped me overcome all my fears.

ה (He)

5 Those who ≈put their trust in him are radiant,

and ≈have no need to feel ashamed.

ו (Vav)

6 This oppressed man called out for help

and Yahweh heard him and saved him from all his troubles.

ז (Zayin)

7 Yahweh’s messenger ≈stands guard around those who fear @Yahweh

and rescues them.

ח (Het)

8 Taste and see that Yahweh is good.

≈Anyone who looks to him for their safety will prosper.

ט (Tet)

9 Fear Yahweh, you ≈who belong to him.

There’s no lack for those who ≈honour him.

י (Yod)

10 Young lions sometimes lack food and ≈go hungry,

but those who ≈put their trust in Yahweh won’t lack anything good.

כ (Kaf)

11 Come and listen to me, &my children.

I’ll teach you ≈how to honour Yahweh.

ל (Lamed)

12 ≈Anyone who desires life and ≈wants a long life

in order ≈to experience good >things

מ (Mem)

13 then ≈don’t let evil words come out of your mouth,

≈and keep your lips from speaking lies.

נ (Nun)

14 Turn away from evil

≈and do good.

Seek peace

≈and go after it.

ס (Samek)

15 Yahweh’s eyes are on ≈those who try to obey him

≈and his ears are directed toward their calls for help.

ע (Ayin)

16 Yahweh ≈works against those who do evil—

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

פ (Pe)

17 The ≈godly >people cry out and Yahweh hears

and he rescues them from all their troubles.

צ (Tsade)

18 Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted,

≈and he saves whose spirits ≈feel crushed.

ק (Qof)

19 ≈Godly people have many troubles,

but Yahweh rescues them from them all.

ר (Resh)

20 He keeps all his bones—

≈not one of them will be broken.

ש (Sin/Shin)

21 Evil will bounce back and kill the wicked.

≈and those who hate ≈godly >people will be condemned.

ת (Tav)

22 Yahweh rescues the lives of his servants.

≈None of those who ≈go to him for safety will be condemned.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

35 Yahweh, work against those who work against me.

≈Fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take hold of your shield and your ≈arm protector,

and come to help me.

3 Use your spear and battle ax against those who chase me.

Tell my soul, “I’m ≈here to save you.”

4 May those who seek my life be shamed and dishonoured.

≈Cause those who plan to harm me to be turned back and confused.

5 May they become like chaff ≈blown around by the wind,

as Yahweh’s messenger drives them away.

6 May their path be dark and slippery,

as Yahweh’s messenger chases after them.

7 They set their net for me ≈for no good reason.

≈Without cause they dug a pit ≈to take my life.

8 Let destruction overtake them by surprise.

Let their own net that they set, catch them—

let them fall to their destruction in it.

9 ≈But I’ll be happy about Yahweh

and ≈celebrate because he saves me.

10 All my bones will say, “Yahweh, who is like you,

who rescues the oppressed >people from those who are too strong for #them

and the poor and needy from those who try to rob #them?”

11 Violent accusers ≈come out of the woodwork

asking me about things that I know nothing about.

12 They repay me with evil for good—

≈I feel like I’m dying on the inside.

13 When they were sick, I wore sackcloth

as I fasted for them and prayed with my head bowed on my chest.

14 I went about in grief as if it was my brother.

≈I bowed my head in mourning as if it was my mother.

15 But any time that I stumbled, they were pleased and gathered together.

They gathered together against me without me knowing.

They tore at me without stopping.

16 ?≈With no respect at all, they mocked me.

They grind their teeth at me in rage.

17 My master, how much longer will you just look on for?

Rescue my soul from their ≈destructive attacks—

≈my life from the lions.

18 Then I’ll thank you ≈when everyone’s gathered together.

≈I’ll praise you ≈in front of many people.

19 Don’t let my deceitful enemies celebrate over my loses.

Don’t let those who hate me for no reason wink ≈at each other,

20 because they don’t talk peaceably,

≈but they devise deceitful stories against those in our land who live in peace.

21 They open their mouths wide against me,

having said, “Aha, Aha, our own eyes have seen it.”

22 You’ve seen it, Yahweh, don’t be silent.

≈My master, don’t be distant from me.

23 Arouse yourself and awake to my defence.

≈My God and my master, ≡defend my cause.

24 Yahweh, my God, vindicate me because ≈you always do what is right.

Don’t let @my enemies ≈celebrate over my defeat.

25 Don’t let them say ≈to themselves, “Aha, we got what we wanted.”

≈Don’t let them say, “We’ve ≈obliterated him.”

26 Let anyone who’s happy at my distress be put to shame and become confused.

≈Let those who ≈think they’re better than me be clothed with shame and dishonour.

27 Let those who desire my vindication shout happily and be glad.

May they continually say, “Yahweh be praised—

he who ≈gladly ensues the welfare of his servant.”

28 Then I’ll tell >others about your justice

and praise you all day long.

For the musical director: a song by Yahweh’s servant David.

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.; To the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord.; For the leader: for the Lord’s servant: for David

36 My heart ≈struggles with the disobedience of evil >people.

≈They see no need to worry about God

2 because #they comfort themselves

thinking that #their sin won’t be discovered and be hated.

3 #Their words are sinful and deceitful.

#They don’t want to be wise and do good.

4 #They plot wicked things even when #they’re lying in bed.

≈#They ≈decide on a path that’s no good—not rejecting evil.

The Goodness of God

5 Your loyal commitment, Yahweh, reaches to the heavens.

≈Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

6 Your righteousness is like ≈the highest[fn] mountains.

≈Your judgements are like the ≈deepest ocean.

Yahweh, you preserve both ≈people and animals.

7 God, your loyal commitment is so valuable.

≈You protect us like birds protect their babies under their wings.

8 They feast from the plentiful provisions in your ≈creation.

You let them drink ≈the sweet water from your river.

9 We see light in your light

because you are the fountain of life.

10 Fully show your loyal commitment to those who know you.

≈≡Extend your defence to ≈those who are godly.

11 Don’t let arrogant #people approach me.

Don’t let the ≈action of wicked >people drive me away.

12 The wicked >people have fallen down over there.

They’ve been knocked down and aren’t able to get up.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

א (Alef)

37 Don’t be irritated by ≈those who do evil.

≈Don’t be envious of those who do ≈what is wrong,

2 because they’ll soon dry up like the grass

≈and wither as the green plants.

ב (Beyt)

3 Trust in Yahweh and do what is good.

≈Settle in the land and ≈appreciate faithfulness.

4 Then delight yourself in Yahweh,

and he’ll give you ≈what you really desire.

ג (Gimel)

5 ≈Give your path to Yahweh.

Trust in him, and he’ll act on your behalf.

6 He’ll display your justice like the daylight

≈and your ≈innocence like the day at noon.

ד (Dalet)

7 Be still ≈in front of Yahweh and wait patiently for him.

Don’t be angry if others succeed in what #they do,

or when #they make evil plots.

ה (He)

8 ≈Don’t be angry and frustrated.

Don’t ≈be a worrier—that only makes trouble.

9 ≈Those who do evil will be eliminated,

≈but those who ≈strive to obey Yahweh will ≈end up owning the land.

ו (Vav)

10 In a little while the evil >people will disappear.

You’ll look at ≈the place where they were, but #they’ll be gone.

11 ≈But the meek will ≈inherit the land

and will delight in great prosperity.

ז (Zayin)

12 The wicked >people plot against the righteous

≈and grind #their teeth in rage against #them.

13 My master laughs at #them,

because he knows that their day is coming.

ח (Het)

14 The wicked have drawn out their #swords and have bent their #bows

to bring the oppressed and needy down—

yes, to kill those who are ≈godly.

15 Their #swords will ≈pierce their own #hearts,

and their bows will be broken.

ט (Tet)

16 It’s better to do right and only have a little,

than to be wicked and rich,

17 because the arms of the wicked >people will be broken,

but Yahweh ≈supports >people who are righteous.

י (Yod)

18 Yahweh ≈keeps an eye on those who are blameless,

and ^they won’t lose their inheritance.

19 They won’t be shamed when times ≈are bad.

When famine comes, they’ll have enough to eat,

כ (Kaf)

20 because evil >people will ≈die.

Yahweh’s enemies will be like the fleeting ≈beauty of the fields—

they’ll be consumed and ≈disappear in the smoke.

ל (Lamed)

21 Wicked >people borrow ≈but never repay,

≈but the ≈godly >person ≈is generous and gives.

22 Those who are blessed by @God will ≈own the land,

≈but those who are cursed by him will be ≈wiped out.

מ (Mem)

23 It is by Yahweh that a person’s steps are established,

and he ≈takes pleasure in observing their path.

24 Even if #they stumble, #they won’t fall ≈on their face,

because Yahweh is ≈right there helping #them.

נ (Nun)

25 I was young and now I’m old

and I’ve never seen the righteous >person abandoned

≈or their children ≈out begging for food.

26 All day long, ≈they’re ≈gracious and lend to those more needy,

and #their children become a blessing to others.

ס (Samek)

27 Turn away from evil and do what is right.

Then you will ≈go on living,

28 because Yahweh loves justice and doesn’t abandon ≈those who are faithful to him.

They’re preserved forever, but the descendants of wicked >people will be ≈eliminated.

ע (Ayin)

29 The ≈godly >people will inherit the land

≈and always live there.

פ (Pe)

30 ≈Godly >people ≈expound wisdom

≈and ≈promote justice.

31 God’s law is always ≈on their minds.

#Their feet won’t slip.

צ (Tsade)

32 The wicked person watches the righteous

and seeks to kill #them.

33 Yahweh won’t abandon #them into the evil person’s hand

or condemn #them when they’re judged.

ק (Qof)

34 Wait for Yahweh and ≈stay on the path he showed you,

then he’ll ≈assist you to possess the land he promised.

You’ll see those who are wicked ≈get eliminated.

ר (Resh)

35 I’ve seen a wicked and terrifying person

spreading out like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

36 However, when I passed by again, #they weren’t there.

≈I looked for #them, but #they couldn’t be found.

ש (Sin/Shin)

37 Observe the person of integrity, and notice ≈those who are godly.

There’s a good future for a peaceful person.

38 Sinners will be totally destroyed;

≈The future will be cut off for wicked ≈people.

ת (Tav)

39 Yahweh ≈is the one who saves godly people.

≈He protects them in the times of trouble.

40 Yahweh helps them and rescues them.

He rescues them from evil people and saves them

because they’ve ≈gone to him as a place of safety.

A song by David for the memorial offering.

A psalm of David, to bring us to the Lord’s remembrance.; A psalm: for David: for commemoration; A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.; A psalm of David. A petition.

38 Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger.

≈Don’t punish me in your rage,

2 because your arrows pierce me,

≈and your hand presses me down.

3 ≈My whole body is weak because of your anger.

There’s no health in my bones because of my ≈disobedience,

4 because my sins overwhelm me.

They’re a burden that’s too heavy for me.

5 My festering wounds ≈smell bad

because of my foolish behaviour.

6 I’m stooped over and humiliated every day.

I go about mourning all day long,

7 because I have burning pain in my ≈bowels.

≈≈My body just isn’t healthy.

8 I’m numb and completely crushed.

I groan because of the anguish in my heart.

9 My master, you understand my heart’s deepest longings,

≈and my groanings aren’t hidden from you.

10 My heart pounds,

≈my strength fades,

≈and my eyesight dims.

11 My friends and companions shun me because of my condition.

My relatives ≈keep their distance.

12 Those who ≈want me dead lay snares for me.

They who ≈desire harm for me speak destructive words

and say ≈sprout treachery all day long.

13 But as for me, I’m like a deaf man who can’t hear.

≈I’m like a mute man who says nothing.

14 I’m like a man who can’t hear

and so ≈can’t so anything in my defence

15 ≈but instead I wait for you, Yahweh.

→My master God, you’ll answer me

16 because I ≈prayed, “Hear me, so that they won’t gloat over me.

If my foot slips, they’ll do terrible things to me,

17 because I’m about to stumble,

and ≈I’m in constant pain.

18 I confess my guilt.

≈I’m anxious because of my sin.

19 My enemies are numerous.

≈Those who hate me wrongfully are many.

20 They repay me with evil for good.

≈They hurl accusations at me although I ≈try to do what’s good.

21 Don’t abandon me, Yahweh.

My God, don’t be distant from me.

22 Come quickly to help me,

my master ≈who saves me.

For the musical director: A song by David for Yedutun.

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.; For the leader: for Jeduthun: a psalm: for David; To the leader: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.; For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

39 I ≈decided that I’ll watch what I say

so that I won’t sin with my ≈lips.

I’ll muzzle my mouth while in the presence of evil >people.

2 I ≈kept silent.

I ≈refrained even from saying anything good, and my pain ≈grew worse.

3 My heart became hot when I thought about these things.

≈It burnt like a fire, then finally I spoke.

4 “Yahweh, make me know when the end of my life will be

≈and the extent of my days.

Let me see how transient I am.

5 See, you’ve made my days only ≈the width of my hand,

and my lifetime is like nothing in your sight.

Surely all of humanity is just a single breath. (Instrumental break.)

6 Surely every person walks around like a shadow.

Surely everyone hurries about to accumulate riches ≈although #they don’t know who’ll ≈inherit them.

7 Now, my master, what am I waiting for?

→My hope is in you.

8 Rescue me from my disobedience.

Don’t ≈allow fools to be able to mock me.

9 I ≈can’t speak and can’t even open my mouth,

because it’s you who has done it.

10 ≈Stop wounding me.

I’m ≈overwhelmed by the blow of your hand.

11 When you discipline people for disobedience,

like a moth, you consume the things they value.

Surely all people are nothing but vapour. (Instrumental break.)

12 Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and my call for help.

≈Listen to my ≈weeping.

Don’t be deaf to me,

because I’m like a foreigner with you—a refugee like all my ancestors were.

13 ≈Stop staring at me so that I can smile again

before I ≈die.

For the musical director: a song by David.

For the leader: for David: a psalm; For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.; To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for Yahweh to help me.

He listened to me and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up out of a horrible pit in the sticky clay,

→and he set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.

3 He’s ≈given me a new song to sing, praise to our God.

Many will see it and honour him

≈and will trust in Yahweh.

4 ≈The person who trusts Yahweh will prosper

and doesn’t honour proud >people

or those who go astray and follow lies.

5 Yahweh my God, you’ve done many wonderful things,

and your thoughts about us can’t be numbered.

If I declared and spoke about them,

they would be too many to count.

6 ≈Sacrifices and offerings don’t give you pleasure,

but you’ve opened my ≈mind.

You didn’t actually want burnt-offerings or sin-offerings.

7 Then said I, “See, I’ve come.

I’m written about in the scroll of the document.

8 I enjoy doing what you want, my God.

Your instructions are ≈on my mind.”

9 I have ≈told everyone in the ≈national assembly ≈about how you always do what is right.

≈Yahweh, you know that ≈I haven’t shied back from doing that.

10 I haven’t hidden your righteousness away in my heart—

I’ve declared your faithfulness and ≈how you saved me.

I haven’t concealed your loyal commitment or your trustworthiness from the ≈national assembly.

11 Don’t ≈stop being merciful towards me, Yahweh.

Let your loyal commitment and your trustworthiness always preserve me.

A Prayer for Help

(Psalm 70)

12 More troubles surround me than I can even count.

My disobedience has caught up with me so that I’m no longer able to see anything else.

They’re more than the hairs on my head, and my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to rescue me.

≈Hurry to help me, Yahweh.

14 Let ≈those who chase me to take my life be ashamed and completely disappointed.

≈Let those who delight in hurting me be turned back and brought to dishonour.

15 Let those who ≈cheer because of my fate be shocked because of their shame.

16 But may all those who seek you celebrate and be glad ≈because of you.

Let everyone who ≈appreciates how you rescued them, say continually, “May Yahweh be praised.”

17 I’m poor and needy, yet my master thinks about me.

You’re my help and you come to my rescue.

Don’t delay, my God.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

41 #People who are concerned for the weak will be blessed—

→in the day of trouble, Yahweh will rescue #them.

2 Yahweh will protect #them and keep #them alive,

and #they will be blessed on the earth.

Yahweh will not hand #them over to #their enemies.

3 Yahweh will support #them on the bed of suffering.

You’ll make #their bed of sickness into a bed of healing.

4 I said, “Yahweh, have mercy on me.

Heal my soul, because I’ve sinned against you.”

5 My enemies speak evil against me, saying,

‘When will he die and ≈be forgotten?’

6 If @my enemy comes to see me, he speaks ≈hollow words.

≈He plots in his mind how to destroy me.

When he leaves me, he tells others about it.

7 All who hate me, whisper together against me.

They plot how to make trouble for me.

8 They say, “An evil disease ≈has badly affected him.

Now that he’s ≈down flat, he’ll ≈never get up again.”

9 Indeed, even my own close friend who I trusted,

who ≈had meals at my place,

has ≈betrayed me.

10 But Yahweh, you have mercy on me and ≈help me up

so that I can pay them back.

11 Because my enemy doesn’t defeat me,

that’s how I know that you’re pleased with me.

12 As for me, you support me in my integrity

and will keep me ≈in your mind forever.

13 May Yisrael’s God Yahweh be praised from everlasting to everlasting.

≈Let it be so, yes, let it be.

Second collection

(Songs 42–72)

For the musical director: a song[fn] by Korah’s descendants.

To the leader. A Maskil of the Korahites.; For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.; For the leader: a maskil: for the Korahites; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

42 As a deer thirsts for streams of water,

so too my soul longs for you, God.

2 My soul thirsts for God—for the living God.

When will I go and appear before God?

3 My tears are my food day and night,

as people are ≈asking me every day, “Where’s your God?”

4 These things I remember, and I pour out my soul within myself.

I travelled with the crowd and accompanied them to God’s residence

with shouts of joy and praise—a multitude celebrating a festival.

5 Why are you bowed down, my soul,

and upset within me?

Put your hope in God, because I’ll praise him again—

≡praise him for ≈how my God’s presence leads to my being saved.

6 My soul is bowed down within me,

therefore I remember you from the land of the Yordan river

and Mt. Hermon’s heights and from Mt. Mizar.

7 Deep is calling to deep with the ≈roar of your waterfalls;

All your waves and gusts flow over me.

8 During the day, Yahweh ≈exercises his loyal commitment,

and in the night, his song is with me—

a prayer to the God ≈who gave me life.

9 I’ll ≈ask God, my ≈place of safety, “Why have you forgotten me?

Why do I walk around mourning because of an enemy’s oppression?”

10 When those who are hostile to me rebuke me, ≈asking me all day long, “Where’s your God?”

≈it feels like my bones are crushed.

11 My soul, why are you bowed down?

≈And why are you upset within me?

Put your hope in God, because I’ll thank him again—

≈my God’s presence leads to my being saved.

43 God, declare me ≈to be innocent,

and defend my case against an unfaithful nation.

Deliver me from deceitful and evil #people.

2 For you are the God ≈who’s my place of safety.

Why have you rejected me?

Why do I walk around mourning because of an enemy’s oppression?

3 Send out your light and your truth—let them lead me.

Let them bring me to your sacred mountain

≈and to your #residence.

4 I will go to God’s altar—

to the God ≈who gives me great fulfillment.

I will praise you with the harp, oh God, my God.

5 My soul, why are you bowed down?

≈And why are you upset within me?

Put your hope in God, because I’ll thank him again—

≈my God’s presence leads to my being saved.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by Korah’s descendants.

For the leader: for the Korahites: a maskil; For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.; To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Maskil.

44 God, we have listened with our ears.

Our ancestors have told us about ≈the miracles you did in their ≈time—in the old days.

2 You drove out the other nations ≈with your power, but you planted @our ancestors.

≈You ≈caused suffering for other people groups, but you sent @our ancestors into the land.

3 ≈Yes, they didn’t take over the land with their #swords, and their ≈power didn’t save them,

^but ≈it was your power and your direction, because you were pleased with them.

4 God, you are my king who ≈plans victories for Yakob’s descendants.

5 Through you we will ≈destroy our adversaries.

≈In your name we will trample those who ≈come against us,

6 because I won’t trust in my bow,

≈and my sword won’t save me.

7 ≈Yes, you have saved us from our enemies,

≈and have ≈humiliated those who hate us.

8 We’ve boasted in God every day,

and we will praise your name forever. (Instrumental break.)

9 Yet you’ve rejected and humiliated us,

and you don’t go out with our armies.

10 You made us turn back from the enemy,

and those who hate us take plunder for themselves.

11 You’ve made us like sheep ≈to be eaten,

and you scattered us among the nations.

12 You’ve sold your people for ≈virtually nothing—

≈You haven’t profited from their sale.

13 You’ve made us a reproach to our neighbours—

≈a contempt and a scorn to those around us.

14 You made us an insult among the other nations—

≈a shaking of the head among the peoples.

15 My dishonour is ≈on my mind all day,

and my shame has overwhelmed me

16 because of ≈hearing those who taunt and insult me—

facing those vengeful enemies.

17 All of this has come against us,

≈although we haven’t forgotten you and we haven’t violated your agreement.

18 Our heart hasn’t turned back.

Our steps ≡haven’t strayed from your way.

19 ≈But you’ve crushed us out ≈where the jackals live,

and you’ve covered over us with dark blackness.

20 If we’d forgotten the name of our God

and spread out our hands towards a foreign god,

21 wouldn’t God have discovered that

because he even knows our hearts’ secrets?

22 Indeed, because of you we’re killed all day long—

we’re considered to be like sheep to be slaughtered.

23 My master, wake up. Why are you sleeping?

≈Do something—don’t reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide ≈away

and forget our oppression and suffering?

25 ≈Yes, our life has sunk down into the dust—

it just as if ≈we’re lying face down on the ground.

26 ≈Take action as our helper

and ≈buy our freedom for us because of your loyal commitment.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by Korah’s descendants. A love song ≈to be sung to the tune of ‘Lilies’.

To the leader: according to Lilies. Of the Korahites. A Maskil. A love song.; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be sung to the tune “Lilies.” A love song.; For the leader: set to ‘Lilies’: for the Korahites: a maskil: a love song; For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.

45 My heart ≈is stirred with an excellent message.

I’ll read aloud the words I’ve composed about the king.

My tongue is like the pen of a skilled secretary.

2 You are ≈more perfect to look at than the children of humanity.

Your lips ≈move with grace,

so we know that God has blessed you forever.

3 ≈Strap your sword to your side, mighty >warrior,

in your splendour and majesty.

4 Ride on triumphantly in your majesty because of trustworthiness, humility, and innocence.

Your ≈powerful actions display your awesome abilities.

5 Your arrows are sharp—the peoples fall under you.

Your arrows ≈pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies.

6 Your ≈reign, God, will continue forever.

Your kingdom ≈is renowned for its true justice.

7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness,

therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.

8 All your clothes smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia.

Stringed instruments ≈playing from of ivory palaces have made you glad.

9 Kings’ daughters are among your honourable women.

≈The queen stands on your right, clothed in gold from Ofir.

10 Listen, daughter, ≈turn this way and take notice.

≈Forget your own people and your father’s house.

11 ≈Just like that, the king will desire your beauty.

→He’s your master—≈submit to him.

12 The ≈princess from Tsor (Tyre) will be there with a gift.

≈The rich people will beg for your favour.

13 The ≈princess in the palace is ≈just splendid—

≈her clothing is embroidered with gold thread.

14 She will be led to the king in an embroidered dress.

≈The virgins, her companions who’ll follow her, will be brought to ?≈him.

15 They’ll be led by gladness and celebration.

≈They’ll enter the king’s palace.

16 Your children will be in the ≈positions that your ancestors used to hold—

≈you’ll make them princes ≈across the whole country.

17 I’ll ensure that your name will be remembered by all generations,

≈therefore the peoples will give you thanks forever.

For the musical director: a song by Korah’s descendants. To be sung by soprano[fn] voices.

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.; For the leader: for the Korahites: according to alamoth: a song; To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices. A song.

46 God is our ≈protection and our strength,

≈always ready to help when troubles come.

2 That’s why we won’t ≈be afraid, even if the earth were to change—

even if the mountains were shaken into the ocean ≈depths,

3 ≈making its waters roar and rage,

as the mountains shake against the surging @waters. (Instrumental break.)

4 There’s a river whose streams make God’s city happy—

the sacred place where the highest >one lives.

5 God is in the middle of @that city—she won’t be ≈affected.

God will help her, and he will do so at dawn.

6 The nations raged and the kingdoms were shaken.

He ≈spoke out and the earth melted.

7 Army commander Yahweh is with us.

Yakov’s God is our protection. (Instrumental break.)

8 Come and see ≈what Yahweh has done—

the destruction he’s caused on earth.

9 He ≈stops wars all over the world.

He breaks #bows and cuts #spears into pieces.

He incinerates the shields.

10 Stay quiet and ≈be aware that I am God.

I will be honoured among the nations.

I will be honoured ≈throughout the world.

11 Army commander Yahweh is with us.

Yakov’s God is our protection. (Instrumental break.)

For the musical director: a song[fn] by Korah’s descendants.

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.; To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.; For the leader: for the Korahites: a psalm

47 Clap your hands, all you peoples.

≈Shout to God with a cheerful voice.

2 For Yahweh the highest >one can be terrifying.

≈He is a great king over the ≈whole world.

3 He subdues peoples under us

≈and puts nations under our ≈control.

4 He chooses our inheritance for us—

→the land which Yakov (who he loved) was proud of. (Instrumental break.)

5 God has gone up with a shout,

≈Yahweh ≡ascended with a trumpet blast.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises.

≈Sing praises to our king, sing praises,

7 because God is the king over the ≈whole world.

Sing praises with understanding.

8 God reigns over the nations.

≈God sits on his sacred throne.

9 The nations’ leaders have gathered together to the people of Abraham’s God,

because ≈God controls the nations’ defences.

He is greatly ≈honoured.

A song by Korah’s descendants.

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.; A psalm of the descendants of Korah. A song.; A song: a psalm: for the Korahites; A Song. A Psalm of the Korahites.

48 Yahweh is ≈incredible and ≈deserves to be praised ≈a lot,

in our God’s city on his sacred hill.

2 Beautiful ≈on the high hills,

≈making the whole world happy,

is Mt. Tsiyyon, on the northern sides—

the great king’s city.

3 God has made himself known in her towers as ≈protector,

4 because, look, the kings assembled themselves.

They passed by together.

5 They saw it, then they were astounded.

They were dismayed, and they hurried away.

6 Trembling took hold of them there—

pain like woman who’s in labour.

7 You smash the ships from Tarshish

with the east wind.

8 We’ve now seen what we’d heard about in army commander Yahweh’s city—

in the city of our God.

God will establish it forever. (Instrumental break.)

9 We thought about your loyal commitment, God,

when we were in the middle of your temple.

10 Your praise reaches the ends of the earth

≈as does your ≈reputation, God.

→≈You rule with power and with justice.

11 Let Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) be glad.

≈Let Yehudah’s daughters celebrate

→because of your righteous decrees.

12 Walk around Mt. Tsiyyon.

≈Go round about her.

→Count her towers,

13 ≈Take good notice of her walls,

≈and look at her palaces

→so that you can tell it to the next generation,

14 because this God is our God forever and ever.

≈He will be our guide all the way through to death.

For the musical director: a song by Korah’s descendants.

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.; To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.; For the leader: for the Korahites: a psalm

49 Hear this, all you peoples.

≈Listen to this, all you inhabitants of the world,

2 ≈both low and high—

≈rich and poor together.

3 ≈I’ll talk about wisdom

≈and ≈my inner thoughts will be about understanding.

4 I’ll ≈listen to a proverb.

I’ll ≈introduce my riddle with a harp piece.

5 Why should I fear in evil ≈times?

≈≡Why should I be afraid when ≈I’m surrounded by wickedness?

6 Why should I fear those who trust in their riches

≈and boast about their extensive wealth?

7 It is certain that no one can redeem his brother

≈or ≈pay God a ransom for him,

8 because ≈it’s very expensive to buy back someone’s life,

≈and no one can pay what we owe.

9 No one can live forever

≈so that they wouldn’t ≈experience the grave,

10 because he will see decay—even wise #people die.

≈The fool and the brute alike ≈come to an end

→and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inner thought is that their families will continue forever,

and the places where they live, ≈for all future generations.

They ≈name their lands after ≈themselves,

12 yet people don’t remain alive despite their wealth.

≈#People die just like the animals.

13 That’s the way of foolish people,

yet after ≈they’re gone, #people approve of their sayings. (Instrumental break.)

14 Like sheep, they’re ≈destined for slaughter,

≈and death will be their shepherd.

The upright will rule over them in the morning,

and their ≈bodies will ≈rot in the grave,

≈far from their fancy homes.

15 But God will ≈buy back my life from the power of ≈the grave,

because he’ll receive me. (Instrumental break.)

16 Don’t be afraid when someone gets rich,

≈and if ≈their family becomes very prominent,

17 →because when they die, they’ll take nothing with them.

≈≈Their splendour can’t follow them down.

18 They ≈looked after themselves well while they lived

(and people do praise you when you live for yourself),

19 but they’ll go to ≈join their ancestors

and won’t ever see the light again.

20 Anyone who has prestige but no understanding

is like the ≈wild animals that will die.

A song by Asaf.

A Psalm of Asaph.; A psalm: for Asaph; A psalm of Asaph.

50 Yahweh, God, has spoken

and summoned the world from the sun’s rising to its setting.

2 God has shone out of Tsiyyon (Zion)—

the perfection of beauty.

3 Our God comes and doesn’t stay silent.

A fire devours ahead of him,

and it’s very stormy around him.

4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth

→so that he can judge his people.

5 “≈Bring my faithful ones together to me—

those who’ve made an agreement with me by sacrificing.”

6 The heavens will declare his righteousness,

because God himself is judge. (Instrumental break.)

7 “My people, listen and I’ll speak.

I’ll ≈bring accusations against you, Yisrael.

I’m God, your God.

8 I won’t scold you for your sacrifices.

You’re ≈continually sacrificing burnt-offerings to me.

9 I won’t accept any bull ≈off your property,

≈or any billy goats out of your pens,

10 because every animal in the forest is mine,

≈and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds in the hills,

≈and the wild animals in the countryside are mine.

12 I ≈wouldn’t bother telling you if I was hungry

because the world is mine ≈including everything in it.

13 Do I eat the meat from bulls that have been sacrificed,

≈or drink the blood from the goats?

14 Present a thank-offering to God

≈and honour your promises to the highest >one.

15 Call out to me ≈whenever you get into trouble.

I’ll rescue you, and you’ll honour me.”

16 But God tells the wicked >people,

“What do you have to do with reciting my instructions,

that you’ve taken ≈telling others about my agreement,

17 since you hate correction

≈and just toss my ≈warnings back over your shoulders?

18 When you see a thief, you ≈think it’s fine,

≈and you participate with those who commit adultery.

19 You ≈allow evil to come out of your mouth,

≈and ≈you use your words to deceive others.

20 You sit and speak against your brother.

≈You slander your own mother’s son.

21 You’ve done these things, but I’ve stayed silent,

so you thought that I was someone just like yourself.

However, I’ll scold you

≈and bring up all the things you have done, right in front of your eyes.

22 Give this careful consideration, all of you who forget God,

otherwise I will tear you to pieces,

and there’ll be no one to rescue you.

23 Anyone who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me,

and anyone who ≈decides to follow God will experience his salvation.”

For the musical director: a song by David from when the prophet Natan had gone to him after David had committed adultery with Bat-Sheva.

For the leader: a psalm: for David (when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had taken Bathsheba); For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.; For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.; To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51 Have mercy on me, God, because of your loyal commitment.

≈Blot out my disobedience, ≈because you’re so merciful.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

≈and make me clean from my sin

3 because I’m ≈aware of my transgressions,

≈and my sin is always ≈on my mind.

4 It’s you and only you that I’ve sinned against,

≈and done what’s evil in your sight.

You are right when you speak.

≈You are correct when you judge.

5 ≈Yes, I was born in iniquity.

≈As soon as my mother conceived me, I was in sin.

6 You desire ≈integrity in my inner self,

≈and you teach me wisdom in the secret place within.

7 Purify me with blood (applied to the doorway with a sprig of hyssop), and I’ll be clean.

≈Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness

→so that the bones that you’ve broken can be happy again.

9 ≈Look away from my sins

≈and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create a clean heart in me, God,

≈and renew an unwavering spirit within me.

11 Don’t drive me away from your presence,

≈and don’t take your holy spirit away from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

≈and sustain me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I’ll teach other transgressors your ways,

≈and sinners will be converted to you.

14 God of my salvation, forgive me for shedding blood,

→and I’ll ≈happily shout about how good and righteous you are.

15 Open my lips, my master,

≈and my mouth will express praise to you

16 because ≈a sacrifice wouldn’t make you happy or I would give it.

≈You get no pleasure from burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices ≈that God wants are a broken spirit—

≈a humbled and repentant heart won’t be despised by you, God.

18 Express your pleasure at Tsiyyon (Zion) by doing good to us.

Rebuild Yerushalem’s walls.

19 Then you’ll delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,

in burnt offerings and completely burnt offerings.

Then @our people will offer bulls on your altar.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when Doeg the Edomite reported to King Shaul that, “David went there to Ahimilik.”

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite told Saul that Ahimelech had given refuge to David.; For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.”; To the leader. A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came to Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”; For the leader: a maskil: for David (when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul that David had gone to Abimelech’s house)

52 Why are you proud of making trouble, you powerful man?

God’s loyal commitment comes every day.

2 Your tongue plans destruction—

working deceitfully like a sharp razor.

3 You love evil more than good

≈and lying rather than speaking ≈the truth. (Instrumental break.)

4 You love ≈saying anything that destroys other people, you deceitful tongue,

5 ≈so God will also destroy you forever.

He’ll snatch you up and pluck you out of your tent

≈and root you out of the land of the living. (Instrumental break.)

6 ≈Godly people will also see it and fear.

They’ll laugh at him and say,

7 “Look, that’s a man who didn’t rely on God for his protection,

≈but instead trusted in the abundance of his wealth,

and he was strong when he destroyed others.”

8 But as for me, I’m like a flourishing olive tree in God’s house.

I’ll trust in God’s loyal commitment forever.

9 I’ll continually thank you for what you’ve done.

I’ll ≈rely on your reputation, because it’s good,

in the presence of your faithful >followers.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David to be sung to the tune of ‘Mahalat’.[fn]

To the leader: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.; For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David.; For the choir director: A meditation of David.; For the leader: set to ‘Mahalath’: a maskil: for David

(Psalm 14)

53 Fools tell themselves that there is no God.

They are corrupt and have done disgusting acts of evil.

There’s no one who does good.[ref]

2 God looks down from heaven on the children of humanity

to see if there are any with insight—

≈who ≈strive to obey him.

3 They’ve all turned away.

≈Together they have become corrupt.

≈There’s not one who does good, not even one.

4 Do those who ≈do evil have no understanding—

those who devour my people as if they were eating bread,

and ≈it’s not God that they trust in to help them?

5 They were ≈very worried even though it was quite irrational

because God will scatter the bones of ≈any army that comes to attack you.

@Those people will be put to shame because God has rejected them.

6 If only Yisrael’s rescue would come from Tsiyyon.

When God brings his people back from the captivity,

then Yakov will celebrate

≈and Yisrael will be glad.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when some people from Zif went to King Shaul and told him that David was hiding in their area.[ref] ≈To be accompanied by stringed instruments.

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”; For the leader: with stringed instruments: a maskil: for David (when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, ‘David is in hiding among us.’); For the choir director: A meditation of David, regarding the time the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “We know where David is hiding.” To be accompanied by stringed instruments.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”

54 ≈Use the strength that’s part of your reputation to rescue me, God,

≈and ≈use your power to declare me innocent.

2 Hear my prayer, God.

≈≈Listen to what I’m saying

3 because strangers have ≈acted against me,

≈and pitiless men have ≈tried to eliminate me.

They ≈don’t have any respect for God. (Instrumental break.)

4 ≈But yes, God is my helper.

≈My master is the one who supports me.

5 He will repay my enemies with evil.

≈In your faithfulness, destroy them.

6 I’ll sacrifice a freewill offering to you.

I’ll give thanks ≈for your reputation, Yahweh, because it’s good,

7 because he’s rescued me from every trouble.

≈I’ve seen my enemies being defeated.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David ≈to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

For the leader: on stringed instruments: a maskil: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.; To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David.

55 ≈Listen to my prayer, God,

and don’t ≈ignore my request.

2 Pay attention to me and answer me.

I’m restless and overwhelmed by my problems

3 because of ≈what my enemy is saying.

Yes, because of the oppression by wicked >people—

because they bring trouble on me and angrily persecute me.

4 My ≈stomach has gone into a knot,

≈and thoughts of death ≈terrify me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling have ≈hit me,

≈and horror has overwhelmed me.

6 I said, “Oh, if only I had wings like a dove

→then I’d fly away and ≈find a peaceful place.

7 See, then I would wander far away.

≈I would stay in the wilderness. (Instrumental break.)

8 I would hurry to a safe spot,

≈away from the stormy wind and tempest.”

9 Confuse them, my master, ≈so their words don’t make sense,

because I’ve seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they ≈wander around @the city walls.

Wickedness and trouble are in the middle of it.

11 Destruction is ≈right there among it,

≈and oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace,

12 because it wasn’t an enemy who taunted me. (Then I could have borne it.)

≈It wasn’t my opponent who set himself up against me. (Then I would have hidden myself from him.)

13 But it was you—a man ≈of similar status to myself.

≈My companion and close friend.

14 We’d had ≈good times together.

We’d walked among the crowd in God’s residence.

15 Let death ≈hit them suddenly.

Let them go down alive to Sheol,

because wickedness is where they live, right among them.

16 As for me, I’ll ≈trust God to help me,

≈and Yahweh will save me.

17 I complain and moan morning, noon, and evening.

→He will hear my voice.

18 He’ll peacefully ≈rescue my life from those who approach me,

because there’s many who fight ≈against me.

19 God, the one who’s ≈ruled from eternity, will hear them and answer them with what they deserve. (Instrumental break.)

They never change, and they don’t ≈respect God.

20 @My friend ≈took action against those who were at peace with him.

≈He hasn’t respected the agreement that #we had.

21 His mouth was as smooth as butter, ≈but his heart was hostile.

His words were softer than oil, ≈but they were actually drawn swords.

22 ≈Give your problems to Yahweh, and he’ll sustain you.

He’ll never allow a righteous person to ≈be toppled.

23 ≈But you, God, will send the wicked down into the pit of destruction.

Bloodthirsty and deceitful people won’t live even half as long as others,

≈but I will trust in you.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David, written when the Philistines captured him at Gat.[ref] To be sung to the tune of “A dove on distant oak trees”.

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”; To the leader: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. Of David. A Miktam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.; For the leader: set to ‘The Dove of the Distant Oaks’: for David: a miktam (when the Philistines seized him in Gath); For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. Amiktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

56 Be merciful to me, God, because men are attacking me.

Those who fight me press their assault all day long.

2 My enemies trample me all day long,

because there are many who proudly fight against me.

3 ≈Any time I’m afraid, I’ll put my trust in you—4 in God, whose message I praise.

≈I’ve put my trust in God—I won’t be afraid of what ≈people can do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words.

≈They’re always thinking about how to harm me.

6 They conspire then lie hidden—watching my steps

as they just wait for the opportunity to take my life.

7 Don’t let them escape ≈when they’ve done evil things.

In your anger, God, bring down those people groups.

8 You ≈keep track of my wanderings

and put my tears into your bottle.

Aren’t they recorded in your book?

9 Then my enemies will ≈pull back when call out to you for help.

I know that because God is for me.

10 In God—whose message I praise,

in Yahweh—whose message I praise,

11 in God I trust.

I’m not scared—what can anyone do to me?

12 The duty to fulfill my promises to you is on me, God.

I’ll give thank-offerings to you

13 because you’ve rescued my life from death.

≈You’ve kept ≈me from falling into danger,

so that I can walk in front of God in the light of the living.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when he was fleeing from Shaul and hid in a cave. To be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”; For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. Amiktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.; For the leader: set to ‘Destroy not’: for David: a miktam (when he was a fugitive from Saul in the cave); To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

57 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me,

because I ≈come to you to be safe until these troubles are over.

≈I stay under your wings for protection until this destruction is over.

2 I will cry to the highest God—

to God, who ≈ensures that I get justice.

3 He will send help from heaven and rescue me,

He’s angry with those who crush me. (Instrumental break.)

God will ≈let me experience his loyal commitment and his faithfulness.

4 My life is among lions.

≈I’m ≈among those who are ready to devour me.

I’m among people whose teeth are spears and arrows,

≈and whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 May you be lifted up, God, above the skies.

≈May your ≈splendour be seen by the whole world.

6 They spread out a net to catch my feet—I was distressed.

≈They dug a pit in front of me. They themselves have fallen into it. (Instrumental break.)

7 My heart is fixed, God, ≈I’ve made my decision.

I will sing, yes, I’ll sing praises.

8 Wake up, my honoured heart. Wake up, harp and other stringed instrument.

I’ll wake up the dawn.

9 My master, I’ll give thanks to you among the peoples.

≈I’ll sing praises to you among the nations.

10 because your loyal commitment is great—reaching to the heavens,

≈and your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 May you be lifted up, God, above the skies.

≈May your ≈splendour be seen by the whole world.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David. To be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. Amiktam.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”; To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam.; For the leader: set to ‘Destroy not’: for David: a miktam

58 ≈When you rulers speak, do you actually say what is right?

≈Do you ≈give justice, you people?

2 No, you plan ≈wicked schemes in your mind.

≈You use your hands to distribute violence throughout the land.

3 From the womb, the wicked turn from what’s right.

≈They go astray from birth, speaking lies.

4 Their poison is like snake venom.

≈They’re like a deaf cobra that blocks its own ears

5 then pays no attention to the snake-charmer’s voice

no matter how skillful they are.

6 Break their teeth in their mouths, God.

≈Yahweh, break off the fangs of the young lions.

7 Let them ≈melt away like water.

When #they shoot their arrows, let them be as though they ≈were cut in half.

8 Let them be like a snail that ≈quietly disappears.

≈Like a woman’s still-born child that never sees the sunlight.

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the burning thorn twigs,

he’ll sweep the branches away.

10 The ≈godly people will celebrate when #they see God’s vengeance.

≈#They’ll wash #their feet in the blood of the wicked

11 so that people will say, “There’s definitely a reward for the righteous >person.

Truly there is a God who judges the ≈world.”

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when King Shaul (Saul) had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. Amiktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.; To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when Saul ordered his house to be watched in order to kill him.; For the leader: set to ‘Destroy not’: for David: a miktam (when Saul sent men to keep watch on David’s house to kill him); For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

59 Rescue me from my enemies, my God.

≈Protect me from those who ≈want to attack me.

2 Keep me safe from ≈those who do evil,

≈and save me from the bloodthirsty men.

3 For, see, they wait in ambush to take my life.

Fierce men gather themselves together against me,

but not because of my ≈disobedience or my sin, Yahweh.

4 They prepare to rush me even though I’ve ≈done nothing wrong.

Wake up and look, and help me.

5 You, army commander Yahweh, the God of Yisrael,

≈Take action and punish all the nations.

Don’t be merciful to any ≈wicked people who’ve been treacherous. (Instrumental break.)

6 They return in the evening, growling like dogs

and prowl around the city.

7 Wow, they belch out with their mouths.

≈≈They use their lips like daggers

because they say, “Who can hear us?”

8 But Yahweh, you laugh at them—

≈you mock all the pagan nations.

9 God, my strength, I’ll pay attention to you.

You are my high fortress.

10 My God will meet me with his loyal commitment.

God will allow me to see my enemies defeated.

11 Don’t just kill them, or my people will forget.

≈Use your power to scatter them and make them fall, my master, our shield.

12 ≈Despite their pride, let them be caught

for the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips,

and for the curses and lies that they express.

13 Eliminate them in your anger

≈Consume them so that they’ll no longer exist.

Let them know that God rules in Yakov (Jacob),

→and to the ends of the earth. (Instrumental break.)

14 At evening they return,

howling like dogs prowling around the city.

15 They wander around looking for food

and they growl if they’re not satisfied.

16 ≈But I’ll sing about your strength,

≈and in the morning I’ll sing about your loyal commitment.

because you’ve been my high fortress

≈and a ≈place of safety at the time of my distress.

17 To you, my strength, I’ll sing praises

because God is my high fortress—the God who demonstrates loyal commitment.

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David for teaching written when he fought with Aram-Naharayim and with Aram-Tsovah, and Yoav returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Salt Valley. To be sung to the tune of ‘The Lily of Testimony’.

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” Amiktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.; For the choir director: A psalm of David useful for teaching, regarding the time David fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. To be sung to the tune “Lily of the Testimony.”; To the leader: according to the Lily of the Covenant. A Miktam of David—for instruction—when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.; For the leader: set to ‘The Lily of Testimony’: a miktam: for David: for instruction (when he fought against Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck twelve thousand Edomites in the valley of Salt)

60 God, you’ve cast us off—you’ve broken through our defenses.

≈You’ve been angry—restore us again.

2 You’ve made the land tremble—you’ve torn it apart.

→Heal its fissures, because it’s shaking.

3 You’ve made your people see difficult things.

≈You’ve given us wine to drink ≈that makes us stagger.

4 You’ve set up a banner for those who honour you,

to be displayed against those who flee from the ≈battle. (Instrumental break.)

5 ≈Use your strength to rescue those you love

and answer us

6 God has spoken from his sacred >place, “I’ll celebrate.

I’ll divide Shekem

≈and apportion out the Sukkot Valley.

7 Gilead is mine,

≈and Menashsheh (Manasseh) is mine.

Efrayim/Yisrael also is my helmet.

≈Yehudah (Judah) is my scepter.

8 Moab is my wash-basin.

I’ll toss my shoe on Edom to indicate my ownership of it.

I’ll shout triumphantly because of Philistia.”

9 Who will bring me into the fortified city?

≈Who will lead me to Edom?

10 But ≈it seems that you’ve rejected us, God?

You don’t ≈join our army ≈when they go into battle.

11 Give us help against &our enemy,

because human help is worthless.

12 We’ll win with God’s help.

≈He’ll trample our enemies down.

For the musical director: a song by David ≈to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.; To the leader: with stringed instruments. Of David.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.; For the leader: on stringed instruments: for David

61 Hear my call for help, God.

≈Answer my prayer.

2 I call to you from the ends of the earth when ≈I feel faint.

→Lead me to the rock of stability that’s high ≈above me

3 because you’ve been a ≈place of protection for me—

≈a tower that’s fortified from the enemy.

4 Let me live in your tent forever.

≈Let me ≈find protection under the shelter of your wings. (Instrumental break.)

5 because you, God, have heard my promises.

You’ve given me the inheritance that’s given to those who honour you.

6 You’ll ≈prolong the king’s life—

≈his years will be like generation upon generation.

7 May he sit enthroned ≈in God’s presence forever.

≈May loyal commitment and faithfulness preserve him.

8 I’ll sing praise to you forever

so that I can fulfil my promises ≈every day.

For the musical director: a song by David Hidutun.

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.; For the leader: according to Jeduthun: a psalm: for David; To the leader: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.; For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

62 I wait in silence for God alone.

≈He’s the only one who can rescue me.

2 He alone is my rock and ≈the one who rescues me.

He’s my fortified tower—≈no enemy will get me out of there.

3 How long, all of you, will you attack a man?

All of you will be murdered INVESTIGATE

like a leaning wall or a wobbling fence.

4 They plan to bring him down from his high position.

They love to tell lies—

they bless him with their mouths, but in their ≈minds they curse him. (Instrumental break.)

5 I wait in silence for God alone

because ≈I’ve placed my hope in him.

6 He alone is my rock and ≈the one who rescues me.

He’s my fortified tower—≈no enemy will get me out of there.

7 ≈It’s God who saves and honours me.

≈≈I find my safe place in God and he’s the source of my strength.

8 Trust him at all times, you people.

≈Tell him all your troubles.

God is a ≈place where we can be protected. (Instrumental break.)

9 Humans are nothing but a puff of wind.

≈They don’t weigh much on the scales.

→Even when weighed together, they’re lighter than air.

10 Don’t rely on extortion or robbery.

≈Don’t hope uselessly in your wealth,

→because it’ll bear no fruit—don’t fix your heart on them.

11 God has spoken once.

≈Twice I’ve heard this:

→≈all power comes from God.

12 Also, loyal commitment ≈comes from you, my master,

because you pay back every person for what they’ve done.

A song by David when he was in the Yehudah wilderness.

A psalm: for David (when he was in the wilderness of Judah); A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.; A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.; A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.

63 God, you’re my God. I’m ≈eager to get to know you.

My ≈inner being thirsts for you, and my body ≈needs you

in a dry and ≈depressing land where there’s no water,

2 so I’ve been to the sanctuary to see you—

to see your power and your splendour

3 because your loyal commitment is better than life itself.

My lips will praise you.

4 So I will ≈use my life to bless you.

≈I will lift up my hands ≈to honour you.

5 ≈My mind will be satisfied as if ≈it’s had a good meal.

My mouth will gladly praise you

6 on my bed as I ≈think about you.

≈I will meditate about you during the night

7 because you have helped me.

≈Under your protection, I sing with happiness

8 ≈I stay close to you—

≈you use your power to support me.

9 Those who are trying to destroy ≈me

will ≈end up down deep under the earth instead.

10 They’ll ≈experience the wrong end of the sword—

they’ll ≈become food for jackals.

11 ≈But the king will ≈express his happiness about God.

Everyone who trusts in ?@God will boast,

but ≈he won’t allow liars to say anything.

For the musical director: a song by David.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

64 Hear my voice of complaint, God.

Save my from my enemies that I fear.

2 Protect me from the secret plots of wicked people—

≈from the scheming of those who do evil.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like swords.

≈They have targeted their bitter words like aiming arrows

4 to shoot at innocent people from their ambush—

≈they shoot suddenly and don’t fear any consequences.

5 They encourage ≈each other with their wicked plans.

They talk about secretly laying their traps,

≈asking who will ≈notice them.

6 They plot crimes, conceiving the ‘perfect plan’.

Humankind’s inner thoughts and ≈desires run deep.

7 But God will shoot them—

suddenly they’ll be wounded by arrows.

8 Their own tongues will bring them to ruin.

Everyone who sees them will just shake their heads.

9 All of humankind will fear God

and talk about what he’s done.

Yes, they’ll ponder ≈what happened.

10 ≈Those who do what is right will be glad about Yahweh

and take shelter in him.

Every ≈godly person will praise him.

For the musical director: a song by David.

For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.; To the leader. A Psalm of David. A Song.; For the choir director: A psalm of David. A song.; For the leader: a psalm: for David: a song

65 Our praise is ready for you, God in Tsiyyon (Zion).

We’ve fulfilled our vows.

2 You hear #prayers.

≈Everyone goes to you.

3 Our sinful deeds ≈hold us back.

but you forgive our disobedience.

4 Anyone you choose to bring near to you is honoured,

≈then they can live in your courtyards.

We’ll be satisfied with the goodness of your house—

≈your holy temple.

5 God of our salvation, answer us

by awesome acts of justice—

yes, you who are hope of all ≈this entire region

≈as well as ≡the hope of those who are far across the sea.

6 You created the mountains with your power.

You ≈have plenty of strength.

7 You calm the roaring oceans—

the roaring of their waves

and the turmoil of the nations.

8 Those who live ≈all around the world

are amazing by the evidence of your activities.

You make them happy from the east to the west.

9 You look after the world and water it.

You greatly enrich it.

God’s river is full of water.

You’ve prepared the earth to produce grain.

10 You generously water its ploughed furrows—

your rain flattens down the ridges between them.

You make @the soil soft with rain showers

then you bless what grows there.

11 You crown the ≈yearly harvest with your bounty,

and your farm-wagons overflow with ≈plenty.

12 The pastures in the wilderness drip with dew,

and the hills are cloaked with gladness.

13 The pastures are ≈blanketed with ≈sheep and goats.

≈The valleys also are covered over with grain;

They shout with gladness and sing.

For the musical director: a song.

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.; To the leader. A Song. A Psalm.; For the leader: a song: a psalm; For the choir director: A psalm. A song.

66 Shout happily to God ≈you people all over the world.

2 Sing ≈about his incredible reputation.

≈Make ≈your praise of him sound great.

3 Tell God, “≈It’s awesome what you do.

Your incredible power causes your enemies to cower.

4 The whole world will bow down to you.

They’ll sing to praise you and your ≈reputation.” (Instrumental break.)

5 Come and see what God’s done.

≈His activities among humanity are awesome.

6 He turned the sea into dry land.[ref]

≈They walked through the river on foot.[ref]

Let’s ≈keep celebrating what he did there.

7 He rules forever with his strength.

His eyes keep watch on the nations.

Don’t let rebellious >people ≈pat themselves on the back. (Instrumental break.)

8 Be a blessing to God, you people groups.

Let the sounds of praising him be heard.

9 He maintains us among the living,

≈and doesn’t allow our feet to slip.

10 For you, God, have tested us.

≈You’ve purified us like refined silver.

11 You led us like fish into a net.

≈You ≈made us carry a heavy load on our backs.

12 You let enemy horsemen ride over our heads.

We went through fire and through water,

≈but you brought us out to a ≈wide-open place.

13 I will enter your ≈temple with burnt offerings.

≈I will ≈give the amount that I promised

14 ≈with my own lips—

≡that vow that I made when I was in a predicament.

15 I’ll offer burnt offerings of fattened animals to you

with the sweet aroma of rams.

I will offer bulls and goats. (Instrumental break.)

16 All of you who respect God, come and listen

and I’ll tell you about what he’s done for ≈me.

17 I called out to him for help with my mouth,

≈then I praised him with my tongue.

18 If I had ≈considered doing evil,

my master wouldn’t have listened to me.

19 Nevertheless God ≈listened to me.

≈He paid attention to my #prayers.

20 God ≈deserves praise—he hasn’t turned away from my prayer

or withheld his loyal commitment to me.

For the musical director: a praise song ≈to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

For the choir director: A psalm, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. A song.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.; For the leader: on stringed instruments: a psalm: a song; To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

67 May God be gracious to us and bless us,

and ≈show kindness towards us (Instrumental break.)

2 so that those living on earth will know what you’re like.

All the nations will ≈learn about your salvation.

3 Let the peoples praise you, God.

≈Let all the ≈people groups praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and sing happily,

because you’ll judge the peoples with ≈impartiality,

≈and govern the nations ≈around the world. (Instrumental break.)

5 Let the peoples praise you, God.

≈Let all the ≈people groups praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its harvest.

≈God, our God, has blessed us.

7 May God bless us,

and may ≈people all around the world respect him.

For the musical director: a song by David.

For the leader: for David: a psalm: a song; For the choir director: A psalm of David. A song.; To the leader. Of David. A Psalm. A Song.; For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.

68 Let God ≈take action so his enemies get scattered.

Let those who hate him flee away from him

2 like smoke is driven away.

Drive them away like wax melts ≈beside a flame,

Let the wicked perish in God’s presence.

3 ≈However let the ≈godly >people be glad.

Let them be happy ≈in God’s presence.

May they ≈celebrate with gladness.

4 Sing to God—sing praises ≈about his reputation.

Praise the one who rides on the clouds.

His name is Yah, ≈so celebrate in front of him.

5 A father of the fatherless,

≈a ≈protector of the widows,

is God in the ≈sin-free place where he lives.

6 God puts solitary >people into homes.

He brings out the prisoners to live in prosperity,

but those who are rebellious live in a dry, barren land.

7 God, when you went out ≈ahead of your people,

you marched through the wilderness. (Instrumental break.)

8 The earth trembled and the skies also dropped rain in God’s presence—

in the presence of God at Sinai,

in the presence of Yisrael’s God.

9 You sent plentiful rain around.

You strengthened your inheritance when it was famished.

10 Your people lived in that land.

You, God, gave to the poor out of your goodness.

11 My master gave ≈an order

and a large army proclaimed it.

12 Kings of armies flee—≈they take off—

she who waits at home divides out the loot.

13 Although you lie down out there among the sheepfolds,

you’ll be like the wings of a dove covered with silver,

and her feathers ≡covered with yellow gold

14 The powerful >one scattered kings there.

It was as when it snowed on Mt. Zalmon.

15 Mt. Bashan is one of God’s large #mountains.

The hill country of Bashan has many mountain peaks.

16 Why do you look in envy, you high hill country,

at the mountain which God desires for ≈the place he will live?

Indeed, Yahweh will live in it forever.

17 God has ≈many thousands of chariots—thousands of thousands.

My master is among them in the sacred place,

like he was at Sinai.

18 You have ascended on high.

You have led away captives.

You have received gifts from among men,

even from those who were rebellious,

so that you, ≈Yahweh God, might live there.

19 Blessed be my master, who carries a load for us each day—

the God who’s our salvation. (Instrumental break.)

20 God is a God ≈who saves >people.

My master Yahweh ≈is the one who is able to rescue us from death.

21 But God will smash the #heads of his enemies—

the hair on the head of those who continue with their guilty acts.

22 My master said, “I’ll bring my enemies back from Bashan.

I’ll bring them back from the depths of the ocean

23 so that you can crush your enemies—dipping your foot in blood,

and so that your dogs’ tongues can have their share too from your enemies.”

24 People have seen your processions, God—

the processions of my God, my King, into the sacred place.

25 The singers went first ≈with the musicians behind them,

and the girls playing tambourines were in the middle.

26 Bless God in the large congregation.

Praise Yahweh, you who are from the fountain of Yisrael.

27 First there’s Benyamin, the smallest tribe,

then the leaders of Yehudah with their large numbers,

then the leaders of Zebulun and the leaders of Naphtali.

28 Israel, your God has predetermined your strength.

Reveal your power to us, God, as you have done in times past

29 because of your temple in Yerushalem,

where kings bring #gifts to you.

30 Shout in battle against the wild animals in the reeds,

≈against the peoples, that multitude of bulls and calves.

Humiliate them and make them bring you gifts.

Scatter the ≈people groups who love to ≈attack other countries.

31 Princes will come out of Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim).

≈Ethiopia (Heb. Kush) will ≈hurry to reach out to God with her hands.

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms ≈around the world. (Instrumental break.)

33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which exists from ancient times.

See, he lifts up his voice with strength.

34 Acknowledge God’s strength—

His sovereignty is over Yisrael and his power in the skies.

35 God, you are awesome in your sacred place.

The God of Yisrael—he’s the one who gives power and strength to his people.

≈Praise God.

For the musical director: a song by David ≈to be sung to the tune of ‘Lilies’.

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.; To the leader: according to Lilies. Of David.; For the leader: set to ‘Lilies’: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Lilies.”

69 Save me, God, because the waters have reached my neck.

2 I sink in deep mud where there’s nowhere to stand.

≈I have come into deep waters where the floods flow over me.

3 I’m exhausted from my crying for help—my throat is dry.

My eyes have failed while I’ve been waiting for my God.

4 ≈There’s more >people who hate me ≈without even knowing why, than there are hairs on my head.

≈I have many enemies who want to destroy me, but for no good reason.

I’m forced to ‘give back’ what I didn’t steal in the first place.

5 God, you know ≈the silly things that I do,

and none of my sins can be hidden from you.

6 Don’t let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, my master, army commander Yahweh.

≈Don’t let those who ≈need your help be humiliated because of me, God of Yisrael.

7 I’ve ≈been ridiculed for following you—

≈shame has covered my face.

8 I’ve become a stranger to my siblings—

≈yes, a foreigner to my mother’s children

9 because &my zeal for your ≈temple has eaten me up,

and the rebukes of those who rebuke you have fallen on me.

10 When I wept and ≈chose not to eat,

≈they insulted me.

11 When I ≈put on rough sackcloth,

≈they just turned me into a joke.

12 Those who sit around the ≈community court talk about me,

and ≈drunkards sing about me.

13 ≈Even so, my prayer is to you, Yahweh,

≈when you’re feeling favourable towards me.

≈From the strength of your loyal commitment,

answer me ≈for sure by rescuing me.

14 Pull me out of the mud, and don’t let me sink.

≈Rescue me from those who hate me, and from deep waters.

15 Don’t let the floods of water overwhelm me,

or let the deep swallow me up.

Don’t let the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, Yahweh, because your loyal commitment is good.

≈Turn to me because ≈you’ve shown so much mercy towards me.

17 Don’t hide from me, your servant.

≈Answer me quickly, because I’m in distress.

18 Come to me and redeem me.

Ransom me because of my enemies.

19 You know my rebuke, my shame, and my dishonour.

All my adversaries ≈report my failings to you.

20 Their ≈insults have broken my heart—I’m full of heaviness.

I looked for someone to take pity, but no one was there.

≈I looked for ≈someone to encourage me, but I didn’t find anyone.

21 They gave me poison ≈to eat.

≈≈When I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.

22 Let their table become a snare ≈to catch them in their own schemes.

≈When they think they’re safe, let it become a trap.

23 Let their eyes be darkened so they won’t be able to see anything,

and make their ≈legs continually shake.

24 Pour your indignation out on them,

≈and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.

25 Let their place become uninhabited.

≈Don’t let anyone live in their tents

26 because they persecuted the one you struck down.

≈They multiplied the pain of those that you had already wounded.

27 Add sin after sin to their record.

≈Don’t let them ≈try to tell you about their ‘innocence’.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of ≈life

≈and not have their names written down along with the names of the godly.

29 As for me, I’m suffering and in pain.

≈Yes God, protect me and rescue me.

30 I’ll praise God with a song

≈and with thankfulness, I’ll ≈tell about his goodness.

31 That will please Yahweh better than sacrificing a cow,

≈or a physical bull that has horns and hooves.

32 Humble >people will see it and be glad.

You who ≈want to obey God, let your hearts live

33 because Yahweh listens to the poor,

and he doesn’t despise his ≈people when they’re imprisoned.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,

including the seas and everything in them that moves.

35 For God will save Tsiyyon (Zion)

and will rebuild the cities of Yehudah.

The people will live there and have it ≈for their own.

36 The descendants of his people will inherit it,

and those who love him will live there safely.

For the musical director: a song by David for the memorial offering.

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.; To the leader. Of David, for the memorial offering.; For the leader: for David: for commemoration; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to bring us to the Lord’s remembrance.

70 Save me, God.

≈Yahweh, hurry here to help me.

2 Let those who try to take my life be ashamed and humiliated.

≈Let those who take pleasure in my pain be turned back and brought to dishonour.

3 Let those who say, “Aha, aha,” be turned back because of their shame.

4 Let all those who ≈strive to follow you, celebrate and be glad about you.

≈Let those who ≈rely on you to rescue them always say, “May God be praised.”

5 ≈But I’m poor and needy. Hurry to me, God.

≈You’re my help and you rescue me. Yahweh, don’t delay.

71 I ≈find my safety in you, Yahweh.

Let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and make me safe in your righteousness.

≈Turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be a rock ≈of safety for me, where I can always go.

≈You’ve given the command to save me because you’re my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, my God, out of the ≈control of wicked >people—

≈out of the grasp of the unrighteous and cruel

5 because you’re my hope, Yahweh my master.

≈I’ve trusted in you ever since I was a child.

6 I’ve been supported by you from the womb.

≈It was you who took me out of my mother’s belly.

→My praise will be always about you.

7 I’m a marvel to many people.

You’re my ≈secure shelter.

8 My mouth will be filled with praise for you,

≡filled all day with your honour.

9 Don’t throw me away in my time of old age.

≈Don’t abandon me when my strength fails,

10 because my enemies are talking about me.

≈Those who watch for my life are plotting together.

11 They say, “God’s abandoned him now.

Pursue him and capture him, because there’s no one to rescue him.”

12 Don’t ≈stay far away from me, God.

≈My God, hurry to help me.

13 Let those who are hostile to my life be put to shame and destroyed.

Let those who seek my hurt be covered with rebuke and dishonour.

14 ≈Meanwhile, I’ll always ≈be expecting you to help me

and will praise you more and more.

15 ≈I’ll tell about your righteousness and your salvation all day,

although I ≈can’t count your goodness.

16 I will ≈talk about the powerful actions by Yahweh my master.

≈I’ll ≈make mention of your righteousness, yours alone.

17 God, you have taught me from my youth.

Even now ≈I’m excited to tell about the wonderful things you’ve done.

18 Indeed, even when I’m old and gray, God, don’t abandon me,

as I’ve been declaring your strength to the next generation—

≈your power to everyone who is to come.

19 ≈Your justice and fairness is unable to be challenged.

≈You who’ve done great things, God, who else is like you?

20 You who made me see many troubles, will revive us again,

≈and will bring us back up from the depths of the earth.

21 May you increase my honour.

≈Turn again and comfort me.

22 I’ll also praise you for your trustworthiness with the harp, my God.

≈I’ll make music for you with the harp, holy one of Yisrael.

23 When I sing praise to you, my lips will shout for joy,

along with my soul which you have ≈paid to have released.

24 ≈My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long,

→because those who sought to hurt me have been put to shame and are confused.

A song by Shelomoh (Solomon).

Of Solomon.; A psalm of Solomon.; For Solomon

72 Give the king your righteous decrees, God,

≈your righteousness to the king’s son.

2 May he judge your people ≈fairly

≈and your poor with justice.

3 May the mountains ≈produce peace for the people.

≈May the hills ≡produce ≈godliness.

4 May he ≈vindicate the poor among the people.

≈May he save the children of the needy

and crush the #oppressors.

5 May they ≈honour you while the sun endures,

≈and as long as the moon lasts throughout all the generations.

6 May he come down like rain on the mown grass,

≈like showers that water the earth.

7 May ≈godly >people flourish throughout his days as king,

≈and may there be an abundance of peace till the moon is no more.

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,

≈and from the ≈Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

9 May those who live in the wilderness bow down before him.

≈May his enemies lick the dust.

10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the islands ≈be forced to pay tribute.

≈May the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

11 Indeed, may all kings ≈bow down to him.

≈May all nations serve him

12 because he helps any needy person who cries out

≈and the poor person who has no other helper.

13 He has pity on the poor and needy,

≈and he saves the lives of needy people.

14 He redeems their lives from oppression and violence.

≈Their ≈life is precious ≈to him.

15 May he live—may Sheba’s gold be given to him.

May people always pray for him.

≈May God bless him all day long.

16 May there be abundance of grain in the land—on the mountaintops may their crops wave.

May the fruit of it be like Lebanon.

May the people flourish in the cities like the grass across the land.

17 May his ≈good reputation endure forever.

≈May his ≈fame continue as long as the sun.

May people be blessed in him.

≈May all nations call him blessed.

18 May Yisrael’s God, Yahweh, be blessed.

He alone does wonderful things.

19 May his ≈wonderful name be blessed forever,

and may the whole earth be filled with his ≈splendour. May it be so.

20 This ends the prayers of Yesse’s son, David.

Third collection

(Songs 73–89)

A song by Asaf.

A Psalm of Asaph.; A psalm: for Asaph; A psalm of Asaph.

73 Surely God is good to Yisrael—

to those with pure ≈motives

2 but as for me, my feet almost slipped.

My steps were caused to nearly ≈slide out from under me

3 because I was envious of arrogant >people

when I saw ≈how wicked people prosper,

4 because they ≈live without pains

and their ≈bodies are strong and healthy.

5 They are free from ≈normal human struggles,

≈and they ≈don’t suffer along with everyone else.

6 Therefore pride is a necklace for them—

violence covers them ≈like a coat.

7 Their eyes bulge out from their fatness.

≈Their heads are full of imaginative schemes.

8 They mock and speak with oppressive evil.

They speak from an elevated place.[fn]

9 They set their mouth in the heavens,

and their tongue goes through the earth.[fn]

10 Therefore his people turn here,

and full waters are drained in/by them.[fn]

11 Then they say, “How does God know?

≈≈Does the highest one notice what’s going on?”

12 Look at these wicked >people.

They’re always at ease—increasing in wealth.

13 Surely ≈I wasted my time keeping my mind pure

and washing my hands in innocence,

14 because I’ve been stricken throughout the day,

≈and punished every morning.

15 If I’d said that I’d speak like that,

wow, I would have betrayed your children’s generation.

16 And when I thought about how to understand this,

≈it was very difficult for me to figure it out

17 until I went into God’s sanctuaries,

then I discerned their end.

18 Surely you put them onto slippery places.

≈You make them fall to destruction.

19 How they are brought down to ≈nothing as in a moment.

They’re finished—they come to a terrifying end

20 My master, when you rouse yourself, you’ll despise their image,

like a dream after ≈the person wakes up.

21 When my heart was embittered,

and ≈my organs felt like they had a knife in them,

22 I was stupid and ≈ignorant.

I acted toward you like an animal.

23 Yet I’m with you continuously—

you take hold of my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you’ll receive me with honour.

25 Who ≈else do I have I in heaven to help me other than you?

≈And there’s nothing on the earth that I desire ≈more than you.

26 My ≈muscles and my heart fail,

but God is the ≈strength of my heart and my ≈fulfilment forever.

27 ≈Yes, listen, those who are far from you ≈must die.

You destroy every one who’s unfaithful to you.

28 As for me, approaching God is good for me.

I have made my master Yahweh my ≈safe place

so that I can tell everyone ≈about what you’ve done.

A song[fn] by Asaf.

A Maskil of Asaph.; A maskil of Asaph.; A maskil: for Asaph; A psalm of Asaph.

74 Why God, have you rejected us forever?

Why ≈are you so angry at the sheep in your pasture?

2 Remember your congregation that you acquired in times ≈past,

which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance.

This Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion), where you’ve lived.

3 ≈Take your feet to see the perpetual ruins.

All the ≈damage that the enemy has done to the sanctuary.

4 Your adversaries have roared in the middle of your meeting place.

They’ve set up their banners as signs.

5 ≈They acted like men chopping down a forest with axes.

6 And now, with axe and hammers,

they ≈smash up all its ≈carved panels.

7 They have ≈burnt your sanctuary to the ground.

They have profaned the place ≈where your name is attached.

8 They said in their hearts, “We’ll ≈totally crush them.”

They’ve burnt all of the meeting places of God in the ≈country.

9 ≈There aren’t any signs for us to watch.

There’s no longer any prophet,

≈and there’s no one among us who knows how long this will last.

10 ≈How much longer, God, will the enemy ≈be able to mock for?

≈Will the enemy be able to treat your name with contempt forever?

11 Why do you withdraw your hand ≈of power?

Take it ≈out of your pocket and destroy them.

12 Yet God is my king from times ≈past,

≈rescuing us in a range of locations.

13 You divided the sea by your strength.

≈You smashed the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.

14 You crushed the sea dragon’s heads.[ref]

You fed him to those living in the wilderness.

15 You broke open springs and streams.

You dried up flowing rivers.

16 The day is yours, and the night is also yours.

You set the sun and ?≈moon in place.

17 You have set all the borders of the earth.

You have made summer and winter.

18 Call to mind how the enemy hurled insults at you, Yahweh,

and that a foolish nation has ≈belittled your name.

19 Don’t ≈just allow a wild animal to take your dove’s life.

Don’t forget the life of your oppressed people forever.

20 Remember your promises as part of our agreement,

because the dark regions of the ≈country are full of places of violence.

21 Don’t let the oppressed be turned back in shame.

Let the poor and oppressed have good reason to praise ≈you.

22 ≈Take action, God; defend your own honour.

≈Take notice of how fools insult you all day long.

23 Don’t forget the voice of your enemies

or the uproar of those who continually defy you.

For the musical director: a song by Asaf to be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.; For the leader: set to ‘Destroy not’: a psalm: for Asaph: a song; For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!” A song.; For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph. A song.

75 We give thanks to you, God.

We thank >you ≈because you reveal your presence.

People ≈talk about the amazing things you’ve done.

2 At the appointed time I will judge fairly.

3 Although the earth and all &its inhabitants shake in fear,

I’ll steady the earth’s ≈foundations. (Instrumental break.)

4 I told the arrogant, “Stop bragging,”

and the wicked, “Don’t ≈blow your own trumpet.

5 Don’t ≈raise your head ready to charge.

Don’t speak with ≈your nose in the air.”

6 It’s not from the east or from the west,

and it is not from the wilderness that lifting up comes

7 because God is the judge.

He brings one down one and lifts up another

8 because Yahweh has a full cup of foaming wine mixed with spices

that he holds in his hand and pours it out.

Surely all the wicked >people across the earth will drink it to the last drop.

9 ≈But I will continually talk about what you’ve done;

I’ll sing praises to Yakov’s God.

10 He says, “I’ll ≈destroy the power of the wicked,

but will ≈increase the strength of the righteous.”

For the musical director: a song by Asaf ≈to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

For the leader: on stringed instruments: a psalm: for Asaph: a song; To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.; For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. A song.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

76 God has made himself known in Yehudah (Judah).

≈His ≈reputation is great in Yisrael (Israel).

2 His tent is in Salem.

≈His residence is in Tsiyyon (Zion).

3 There he broke the arrows that were for the bow,

the shield, the sword, and the other weapons of war. (Instrumental break.)

4 You shine brightly and reveal your ≈splendour,

above the hills ?≈where you killed your victims.

5 The brave warriors were plundered.

They slept their last sleep.

All the ≈warriors were ≈helpless.

6 At your rebuke, God of Yakov,

both rider and horse fell asleep.

7 You, yes you, are to be feared.

≈Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?

8 You made your judgement heard from heaven.

The earth was afraid and silent

9 when you, God, ≈took action to execute judgement

and to save all oppressed >people ≈across the world. (Instrumental break.)

10 Surely your angry judgement against humanity will bring you praise.

You ≈cloak yourself with what’s left of your anger.

11 Make promises to your God Yahweh, then keep them.

May all who surround him bring gifts to him who ≈expects to be obeyed.

12 He humbles the spirit of the princes.

He’s feared by the kings ≈across the world.

For the musical director: a song for Yedutun by Asaf.

For the leader: according to Jeduthun: for Asaph: a psalm; For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.; To the leader: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm.; For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of Asaph.

77 I will call out to God with my voice.

I’ll call with my voice to God, and my God will hear me.

2 ≈When I had troubles, I ≈asked my master for help.

At night I stretched my hands out, and they didn’t get tired.

≈The knot in my stomach wouldn’t go away.

3 I thought of God as I groaned.

I thought about him as I grew faint. (Instrumental break.)

4 You held my eyes open.

I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the days of old,

≈about times long past.

6 I call my song to remembrance in the night.

I meditate within my heart,

and my spirit makes searches around diligently.

7 Will my master reject me forever?

≈Will he never again show me favour?

8 Was his loyal commitment gone forever?

≈Had his promise failed forever?

9 Had God forgotten to be gracious?

≈Had his anger ≈masked his compassion? (Instrumental break.)

10 I said, “This is ≈what saddens me:

→the highest >one ≈no longer using his power to help us.”

11 But I will call to mind ≈what you’ve done previously, Yahweh.

≈I will think about ≈the wonderful things that you did in the past.

12 I will ponder all your activities

≈and will reflect on them.

13 Your way, God, is ^without imperfection.

What god compares to our ≈terrific God?

14 You are the God who does miracles.

You’ve revealed your strength among the peoples.

15 You gave your people victory by use of your great power—

the descendants of Yakov and Yosef. (Instrumental break.)

16 The waters saw you, God.

The waters saw you, and they were afraid.

≈The ocean depths trembled.

17 The clouds poured down water.

The cloudy skies also emitted a thunderous sound.

≈Your arrows of lightning flew about.

18 Your thunderous voice was heard in the wind.

The lightning lit up the world.

The earth trembled and shook.

19 Your path went through the sea

and your trail through the surging waters,

but your footprints couldn’t be seen.

20 You led your people like a flock

≈under the supervision of Mosheh and Aharon (Moses and Aaron).

A song[fn] by Asaf.

A Maskil of Asaph.; A maskil of Asaph.; A maskil: for Asaph; A psalm of Asaph.

78 Hear my teaching, my people.

≈Listen to ≈what I’m saying.

2 I will ≈speak out in parables;

≈I will sing about hidden things about the past.

3 These are things that we have heard and learnt—

things that our ancestors have told us.

4 We won’t keep them from their descendants.

We’ll tell the next generation about Yahweh’s praiseworthy actions,

his strength, and the ≈miracles that he has done.

5 ≈Also he established a rule in Yakov

≈and appointed a law in Yisrael.

He commanded our ancestors

→that they were to teach them to their children.

6 He commanded this so that the generation to come might know his decrees—

the children not yet born who should tell them in turn to their own children.

7 Then they would place their hope in God

and not forget ≈what he’s done

but ≈obey his commands.

8 Then they would not be like their ancestors,

who were a stubborn and rebellious generation—

a generation who ≈didn’t control their hearts,

and whose spirits were not committed and faithful to God.

9 The Efrayimites had many archers,

but they turned back on the day of battle.

10 They didn’t keep &their agreement with God,

and they refused to ≈obey his law.

11 They forgot ≈about what he’d done—

the wonderful things that he had shown them.

12 They forgot the marvellous things that he’d done

in the sight of their ancestors in Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) in the Tsoan region.

13 He divided the sea and led them across it.

≈He made the ≈water on each side stand up like walls.

14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud,

^and ≈throughout the night with the light from fire.

15 He split the rocks in the wilderness,

and he gave them ≈plenty of water—≈enough to fill the ocean.

16 He made streams flow out of the rock

≈and made the water flow like rivers.

17 ≈Yet they continued to sin against him,

rebelling against the highest >one in the wilderness.

18 They challenged God in their hearts

by asking for food to satisfy their appetites.

19 They spoke against God, saying,

“Can God really lay out food on a table for us in the wilderness?

20 See, when he struck the rock, #water gushed out

≈and streams overflowed.

But can he give food also?

≈Will he provide meat for his people?”

21 When Yahweh heard that, he was angry

and his fire burned against Yakov.

His anger attacked Yisrael,

22 because they didn’t believe in God

and didn’t trust ≈that he would save them.

23 Yet he commanded the skies above

and opened the doors in the sky.

24 He rained down manna for them to eat.

≈He gave them the grain from heaven.

25 People ate angels’ bread.

He sent them plenty of food.

26 He caused the east wind to blow in the sky,

≈and by his power he guided the south wind.

27 He rained meat down on them like dust—

→birds as numerous as the sand ≈on the seashore.

28 They fell in the middle of their camp—

all around their tents.

29 So they ate and were full.

≈He gave them what they craved.

30 But they hadn’t filled their stomachs yet—

their food was still in their mouths

31 and then God’s anger attacked them

and killed the strongest of them.

≈He brought down Yisrael’s young men.

32 Despite that, they continued to sin

and ≈wouldn’t trust in the wonderful things he would do.

33 ≈So their days were ended uselessly.

Their years were filled with terror.

34 Whenever God afflicted them, they would start to search for him,

and they would return and earnestly look for him.

35 They would call to mind that God was their ≈security

≈and that the highest God was their rescuer.

36 But they’d flatter him with their mouth,

≈and lie to him with their words.

37 Their hearts weren’t firmly fixed on him,

and they weren’t faithful to his agreement.

38 Yet he, being merciful, forgave their ≈disobedience and didn’t destroy them.

≈Yes, many times he held back his anger

≈and didn’t stir up all his rage.

39 He called to mind that they were only made of flesh—

a breath of wind that passes away and doesn’t return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness,

≈and grieved him in &those barren regions.

41 Again and again they ≈challenged God

≈and offended the holy one of Yisrael.

42 They didn’t think about his power,

≈or ≡about how he’d rescued them from &their enemy,

43 when he performed his miracles in Egypt

≈and his wonders in the Tsoan region.

44 He turned the Egyptians’ rivers into blood

≈so that they couldn’t drink from their streams.

45 He sent swarms of flies that ≈bit them

≈and frogs that overran their land.

46 He gave their crops to the #grasshoppers

≈and the results of their labour to the #locusts.

47 He destroyed their grapevines with hail

≈and their sycamore fig trees with frost.

48 He rained hail on their cattle

≈and hurled lightning bolts at their livestock.

49 The fierceness of his anger lashed out against them.

He sent rage, fury, and trouble

like agents to bring disaster.

50 He levelled a path for his anger.

He didn’t spare them from death

but gave them over to the plague.

51 He killed all the firstborn in Egypt—

the firstborn of their reproductive strength in Ham’s tents.

52 He led his own people out like sheep

and guided them through the wilderness like a flock.

53 He led them secure and unafraid,

≈but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 Then he brought them to the border of his holy land—

to this mountain that he acquired ≈with his power.

55 He drove out the nations ahead of them

and assigned them their inheritance.

He settled the Israeli tribes in their tents.[ref]

56 ≈Yet they challenged and defied the highest God

and didn’t ≈obey his solemn commands.

57 They were unfaithful and acted treacherously like their ancestors.

They were as unreliable as a faulty bow.

58 They made him angry with their ≈hilltop shrines

≈and provoked him to jealous anger with their idols.

59 When God heard this, he was angry

and completely rejected Yisrael.

60 He abandoned the sanctuary at Shiloh—

the tent where he had lived among people.[ref]

61 He allowed his strength[fn] to be captured

and gave ≈control of his splendour to the enemy.

62 He handed his people over to the sword,

and he was angry with his heritage.

63 Fire devoured their young men,

and their young women had no wedding songs.

64 Their priests fell by the sword,

and their widows ≈had no opportunity to weep.

65 Then my master awakened like someone who’d been asleep—

like a warrior who shouts because ≈he’s been drinking.

66 He drove his opponents back.

He put them to perpetual shame.

67 He rejected Yosef’s tent,

and he didn’t chose the tribe of Efrayim.

68 He chose the tribe of Yehudah

and Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) that he loved.

69 He built his sanctuary like the heavens—

≈like the earth that he has established forever.

70 He chose his servant David,

≈and took him from the sheep pens.

71 He took him from following the ewes with their young,

and he brought him to shepherd Yakov, his people,

≈and Yisrael, his heritage.

72 David shepherded them with ≈sincere integrity,

and he guided them with his ≈skillful hands.

A song by Asaf.

A Psalm of Asaph.; A psalm: for Asaph; A psalm of Asaph.

79 God, foreign nations have come into the land you gave as an inheritance.

They have defiled your holy temple.

They have turned Yerushalem (Jerusalem) into a heap of ruins.

2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds in the skies—

the bodies of your faithful ones to the animals on the ground.

3 They’ve shed their blood around Yerushalem like water,

and there wasn’t anyone to bury them.

4 We have become a reproach for our neighbours—

mocked and scorned by those around us.

5 How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever?

For how long will your jealous anger burn like fire?

6 Pour out your rage on the nations that don’t know you

and on the kingdoms that don’t ≈pray to you,

7 because they’ve devoured Yakov (Jacob/Israel)

and destroyed his villages.

8 Don’t hold the sins of our ancestors against us.

May ≈we experience your acts of mercy, because we’re very ≈discouraged.

9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of your name.

≈Save us and forgive our sins for the sake of your ≈reputation.

10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Let your servants’ blood that was shed

be avenged on the nations before our eyes.

11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you.

Keep ≈those condemned to death alive with the greatness of your power.

12 Pay back seven times as much into the laps of our neighbouring countries

as repayment for the insults with which they have insulted you, Lord.

13 So we your people, and sheep of your pasture,

will give you thanks forever.

≈We will tell your praises to all generations.

For the musical director: a song by Asaf to be sung to the tune of ‘Lilies of Agreement.’

For the leader: set to ‘Lilies’: a testimony: for Asaph: a psalm; For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.; To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be sung to the tune “Lilies of the Covenant.”

80 Pay attention, Yisrael’s shepherd.

You who lead Yosef (Joseph, meaning Israel) like a flock;

You who sit above the winged creatures on the sacred chest, shine on us!

2 In the sight of Efrayim and Benyamin and Menashsheh, stir up your power.

Come and save us.

3 God, restore us;

≈Show us your favour and then we’ll be saved.

4 Army commander Yahweh,

how long will you be angry at your people when they pray?

5 You have fed them with bread ≈made from tears

and given them tears to drink in great quantities.

6 You make us something for our neighbours to argue over,

and our enemies ≈laugh about us among themselves.

7 Army commander God, restore us.

≈Show us your favour and then we’ll be saved.

8 You brought a grapevine out of Egypt.

You drove out nations then transplanted it.

9 You cleared the land for it,

→and @the grapevine took root and filled the land.

10 The mountains were covered with its shade.

≈God’s cedars ≡were covered by its branches.

11 It sent out its branches as far as the sea

≈and its shoots to the Euphrates River.

12 Why have you broken down ≈the walls around it

→so that all who pass by along the road pick its fruit?

13 The boars out of the forest ruin it,

≈and the animals in the countryside feed on it.

14 Turn back, army commander God.

Look down from heaven and take notice and take care of this grapevine.

15 This is the root that you planted ≈by your power—

the shoot that you made grow.

16 It has been cut down and burnt.

They perish at your rebuke.

17 May your hand be on the man ≈you’ve given your power to—

on the son of humanity who you made strong for yourself.

18 Then we won’t turn away from you.

Revive us, and we’ll always ≈pray to you.

19 Army commander Yahweh God, restore us.

≈Show us your favour and then we’ll be saved.

For the musical director: a song by Asaf ≈to be accompanied by stringed instruments.[fn]

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of Asaph.; For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.; For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.; For the leader: according to the gittith: for Asaph

81 Sing aloud to God our strength.

≈Shout out to Yakov’s God with happiness.

2 Sing a song and play the tambourine—

the pleasant lyre with the harp.

3 Blow the trumpet on the day of the new moon,

≈on the day of the full moon, when our celebration begins,

4 because it’s a statute for Yisrael—

≈a decree given by Yakov’s God.

5 He issued it as a regulation in Yosef (Joseph, but referring to Yisrael)

when he went against Egypt,

where I heard a voice that I didn’t recognize:

6 “I removed the burden from his shoulder.

His hands were freed from having to hold the basket.

7 In your distress you called out, and I helped you.

I answered you from a dark thundercloud.

I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (Instrumental break.)

8 Listen, my people, ≈yes, I’ll warn you, Yisrael.

If you would only listen to me.

9 There mustn’t be any foreign god among you.

≈You mustn’t worship any foreign god.

10 I’m your God Yahweh who brought you out of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide, and I’ll fill it.

11 ≈But my people didn’t listen to my words.

≈Yisrael didn’t obey me.

12 So I ≈let them go their own stubborn way

so that they could do whatever seemed okay to them.

13 If only my people would listen to me.

If only my people would ≈follow my ways.

14 If they did, I’d quickly subdue their enemies

and ≈use my strength against ≈those who oppress them.

15 May those who hate Yahweh cringe in fear before him.

≈May they be humiliated forever.

16 I would feed Yisrael with the finest ≈bread.

≈I would satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”

A song by Asaf.

A Psalm of Asaph.; A psalm: for Asaph; A psalm of Asaph.

82 God stands in the divine assembly.

He renders judgement among the gods.

2 For how long will you judge unjustly

and show favouritism to the wicked? (Instrumental break.)

3 Defend the poor and the fatherless.

≈Maintain the rights of those who are afflicted and destitute.

4 Rescue the poor and needy—

≈≈help them escape from the control of the wicked >people.

5 They neither know nor understand.

They wander around in the darkness.

All the earth’s foundations crumble.

6 I said, “You are ‘gods’,

and all of you are sons of the highest >one.

7 Nevertheless you will die like men

and fall like one of the ≈leaders.”

8 ≈Take action, God, judge the earth,

because you have an inheritance in all the nations.

A song by Asaf.

A psalm of Asaph. A song.; A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.; A song. A psalm of Asaph.; A song: a psalm: for Asaph

83 God, don’t be silent.

≈Don’t ignore us and remain unmoved, God.

2 Look, your enemies are making a commotion,

≈and those who hate you ≈starting to cause trouble.

3 They conspire against your people,

≈and plan together against your protected ones.

4 They’ve said, “Come, and let’s destroy them as a nation,

→then the name of Yisrael will ^soon be forgotten.”

5 They schemed together with ≈a unified strategy.

≈they made an alliance against you—

6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,

≈of Moab and the Hagrites,

7 Gebal, Ammon, Amalek,

and also Philistia and the inhabitants of Tsor.

8 Assyria also has joined with them.

They have become an arm for the descendants of Lot. (Instrumental break.)

9 Do to them as you did to Midyan,[ref]

as you did to Sisera and to Yabin at the Kishon River.[ref]

10 They perished at Eyndor

→and became like dung on the ground.

11 Make their nobles like Orev and Zeev,

and all their princes like Zevah and Tsalmunna.

12 They said, “Let’s take God’s pastures for ourselves.”

13 My God, make them like the whirling dust.

≈≡Make them like chaff ≈blown around by the wind,

14 like the fire that burns a forest,

≈≈or like a flame that sets mountains on fire.

15 Chase them with your strong wind,

≈and terrify them with your windstorm.

16 ≈Cause them to be very ashamed

so that they might ≈want to find out more about you, Yahweh.

17 May they be put to shame and be terrified forever.

May they perish in disgrace.

18 Then they will know that you alone, Yahweh,

are to be honoured as the highest >one over all the earth.

For the musical director: a song by Korah’s descendants ≈to be accompanied by stringed instrument.[fn]

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.; For the leader: according to the gittith: for the Korahites: a psalm; For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

84 How lovely is the place where you live,

army commander Yahweh.

2 I long to be in Yahweh’s temple courtyards—my desire for them has made me exhausted.

My heart and all of my being call out to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found herself a house

≈and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young

near your altars, army commander Yahweh, my King, and my God.

4 Blessed are they who live in your house;

They praise you continually. (Instrumental break.)

5 Blessed is the person who ≈trusts you for their strength—

who ≈thinks about how to travel to Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion).

6 Passing through the Valley of Tears, they find springs of water to drink.

The early rains cover it with blessings

7 They go from strength to strength.

Every one of them appears before God in Tsiyyon.

8 Army commander God Yahweh, hear my prayer.

≈God of Yakov, listen to what I’m saying. (Instrumental break.)

9 God, watch over our ≈defender.

Show concern for your anointed >one.

10 ≈Yes, one day in your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in my God’s house,

than to live in the tents of the wicked,

11 because Yahweh God is our sun and shield.

Yahweh will give grace and glory.

He doesn’t withhold any good thing from those who walk in integrity.

12 Army commander Yahweh,

blessed is the person who trusts in you.

For the musical director: a song by Korah’s descendants.

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.; To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.; For the leader: for the Korahites: a psalm

85 Yahweh, you’ve shown favour to your ≈country.

≈You have restored Yakov’s well-being.

2 You have forgiven your people’s ≈disobedience.

≈You’ve covered over all their sin. (Instrumental break.)

3 You have withdrawn all your rage.

≈You’ve turned back from your hot anger.

4 Restore us, God ≈who saves us,

and ≈don’t stay upset with us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

≈Will you remain angry throughout future generations?

6 Won’t you revive us again?

Then your people could be happy about you.

7 Show us your loyal commitment, Yahweh.

≈Grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what Yahweh God says,

because he will make peace with his people—his faithful ones,

yet they mustn’t turn back again to ≈doing foolish things.

9 ≈Certainly he must be close to rescuing those who strive to obey him,

then glory[fn] will remain in our land.

10 Loyal commitment and trustworthiness have met together.

≈Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Trustworthiness springs up from the ground,

≈and righteousness looks down from the sky.

12 Yes, Yahweh will give his good blessings,

→and then our land will yield its crops.

13 Righteousness will go before @Yahweh,

→and make a way for his footsteps.

A prayer of David’s.

A prayer: for David; A prayer of David.; A Prayer of David.

86 ≈Turn this way and listen, Yahweh,

and answer me because I’m weak and needy.

2 Protect me, because I’m faithful.

My God, save your servant who trusts in you.

3 Be merciful to me, my master,

because I call out to you for help all day long.

4 Make your servant glad,

because I ≈sincerely offer myself to you, my master.

5 You, my master, are good, and ready to forgive,

and you show loyal commitment to ≈everyone who calls out to you for help.

6 Yahweh, listen to my prayer.

Hear the sound of my pleas.

7 In my ≈times of trouble, I call to you for help,

because you’ll answer me.

8 There isn’t ≈any other god who’s comparable with you, my master.

≈No one else does the things that you do.

9 All the nations that you’ve made will come and bow before you, my master.

They will honour your name

10 because you are powerful and do wonderful things.

You alone are God.

11 Teach me your ways, Yahweh, then I’ll walk in your truth.

≈Give me an undivided heart to revere ≈you.

12 My master God, I’ll praise you with my ≈entire being.

I’ll ≈praise you forever

13 because your loyal commitment to me is so great.

You have rescued my life from the depths of the grave.

14 God, the arrogant have risen up against me.

A gang of violent men seek my life—

they ≈don’t care what you might do to them.

15 But you, my master, are a merciful and gracious God,

slow to ≈get angry, and ≈generous with loyal commitment and trustworthiness.

16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me.

Give your strength to your servant.

Save the son of your servant woman.

17 Show me a sign of your favour,

then those who hate me will see it and be put to shame

because you, Yahweh, have helped me and comforted me.

A song by Korah’s descendants.

Of the Korahites. A Psalm. A Song.; A psalm of the descendants of Korah. A song.; For the Korahites: a psalm: a song; Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

87 On the sacred hill stands the city he founded.

2 Yahweh loves Tsiyyon’s (Zion’s) gates

more than all of Yakov’s tents.

3 Wonderful things are said about you, city of God. (Instrumental break.)

4 “I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers.

See, there are Philistia, and Tsor (Tyre), along with Kush—

and will say, ‘This one was born there.’ ”

5 It will be said about Tsiyyon, “Each of those was born in her,

and the highest >one himself will establish her.”

6 Yahweh writes in the census book of the nations,

“That one was born there.” (Instrumental break.)

7 So also the singers and the dancers say together,

“All my fountains are in you.”

For the musical director: a song by Korah’s descendants. To be sung to the tune of ‘Mahalat-Le’annot’ a song[fn] by Heyman, ≈one of Ezra’s descendants.

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be sung to the tune “The Suffering of Affliction.” A psalm of Heman the Ezrahite. A song.; A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.; A Song. A Psalm of the Korahites. To the leader: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.; A song: a psalm: for the Korahites: for the leader: set to ‘Mahalath le-annoth’: a maskil: for Heman the Ezrahite

88 Yahweh God ≈who rescues me,

I call out day and night to you for help.

2 Let my prayer ≈be noticed by you.

≈Pay attention to my cry

3 because I’m filled with troubles,

≈and my life is approaching the grave.

4 People treat me like those who are going down into the pit.

≈I’m a man with no strength left.

5 I’m abandoned among the dead.

≈I’m like the dead who lie in the grave,

about whom you ≈don’t care any more

because they’re cut off from your power.

6 You place me in the lowest part of the pit—

≈in the dark and deep places.

7 Your rage lies heavy on me,

≈and all your waves crash over me. (Instrumental break.)

8 Because of you, my acquaintances avoid me.

You have made me a shocking sight to them.

I am hemmed in and I cannot escape.

9 My eyes grow weary from trouble.

All day long I call out to you for help, Yahweh—

I spread out my hands to you.

10 Will you do wonders for the dead?

≈Will those who’ve died rise and praise you? (Instrumental break.)

11 Will your loyal commitment be proclaimed in the grave—

≈your loyalty in the place of the dead?

12 Will your wonderful activities be known in the darkness,

≈or your righteousness in the place of forgetfulness?

13 But I cry to you for help, Yahweh—

in the morning my prayer goes before you.

14 Yahweh, why do you reject me?

≈Why do you hide ≈yourself from me?

15 Since my youth, I’ve always been afflicted and close to death.

≈I have suffered from your terrors—I’m in despair.

16 Your severe anger has ≈swept over me,

≈and your terrifying deeds have annihilated me.

17 They surround me like water all the day long.

≈They’ve all encircled me.

18 You’ve taken all my friends and acquaintances away from me.

Now my only acquaintance is the darkness.

A song[fn] of Eytan, ≈one of Ezra’s descendants.

A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.; A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.; A psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite.; A maskil: for Ethan the Ezrahite

89 I will sing of Yahweh’s acts of loyal commitment forever.

≈I will proclaim your truthfulness to future generations.

2 because I’ve said, “Loyal commitment has been established forever.

≈You have established your truthfulness in the heavens.”

3 “I have made an agreement with my chosen one,

≈I’ve made a promise to my servant David.

4 I will establish your descendants forever,

≈and I will establish your throne through all generations.”[ref] (Instrumental break.)

5 ≈The heavens praise your wonders, Yahweh.

Your truthfulness is praised in the assembly of the holy ones

6 because who in the heavens can be compared to Yahweh?

≈Who among the sons of the gods is like Yahweh?

7 He’s a God who is greatly honoured in the council of the holy ones

≈and is awesome among all who are around him.

8 Army commander Yahweh, God,

who is strong like you, Yahweh?

Your truthfulness surrounds you.

9 You rule the raging sea—

≈when the waves surge, you calm them.

10 You crushed the proud one,[fn] like someone that’s killed.

≈You scattered your enemies with your strong arm.

11 The heavens belong to you, and the earth as well.

≈You made the world and all it contains.

12 You created the north and the south.

Mt. Tabor and Mt. Hermon happily shout your name.

13 You have a powerful fighting arm

≈and a strong hand, and your ≈sword hand is held high.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.

≈Loyal commitment and trustworthiness come before you.

15 The people who know the happy shout ≈are fortunate.

Yahweh, they ≈live knowing that you are always watching over them.

16 They ≈celebrate your reputation all day long,

≈and they ≈praise you for always doing what is right.

17 You are their majestic strength,

≈and by your favour our ≈strength turns into victory.

18 because our shield belongs to Yahweh—

≈our king belongs to Yisrael’s holy >one.

God’s Promise to David

19 Long ago you spoke in a vision to your faithful >ones.

You said, “I’ve ≈helped a warrior.”

≈I’ve raised up one chosen from among the people.

20 I have chosen David my servant—

≈I’ve anointed him with my sacred oil.

21 My hand will support him.

≈My arm will also be with him to strengthen him.

22 No enemy will deceive him.

≈No ≈wicked man will oppress him.

23 I will crush his enemies ≈in front of him.

≈I will kill those who hate him.

24 My truth and my loyal commitment will be with him.

He will win victories ≈with my help.

25 I will place his hand over the sea

and his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my father,

my God, and the ≈reliable one who rescues me.’

27 I also will place him as my firstborn son,

the highest king on the earth.

28 I will extend my loyal commitment to him forever,

and my agreement with him will be secure.

29 I will make his descendants endure forever

and his throne as enduring as the skies above.

30 If his children forsake my law

and don’t ≈follow my regulations,

31 if they break my rules

and don’t keep my commands,

32 then will I punish their rebellion with a rod

and their ≈disobedience with stripes from a whip.

33 But I won’t break off my loyal commitment to him

or be unfaithful to my promise.

34 I won’t break my agreement

or change the words of my lips.

35 Once and for all I have ≈made an oath by my holiness—

I won’t lie to David:

36 his descendants will continue forever

and his throne as long as the sun before me.

37 It will be established forever like the moon,

the faithful witness in the sky.” (Instrumental break.)

Lament over the Defeat of the King

38 But you have refused and rejected—

you’ve been angry with your anointed king.

39 You have renounced the agreement with your servant.

You have desecrated his crown in the dust.

40 You have broken down all his walls.

≈You have ruined his fortresses.

41 Everyone who goes past on the road rob him.

He’s become an object of disgust to his neighbours.

42 You have ≈given strength to his enemies;

≈You’ve made all his enemies ≈celebrate.

43 You turn back the edge of his sword

≈and haven’t supported him in the battle.

44 You have brought his splendour to an end.

≈You’ve thrown his throne down to the ground.

45 You have shortened the days of his youth.

You have covered him with shame. (Instrumental break.)

A Prayer for Deliverance

46 How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever?

≈How long will your anger burn like fire?

47 Oh, think about how short my time is,

≈and for what emptiness you’ve created all of humanity’s children.

48 Who can live and not see death,

≈or rescue his own life from the ≈clutch of the grave? (Instrumental break.)

49 Lord, where are your former acts of loyal commitment

that you ≈sincerely promised to David?

50 My master, call to mind the mocking directed against your servants

≈and how I bear so many insults from the nations in my heart.

51 Your enemies hurl insults, Yahweh.

They mock the footsteps of your anointed >one.

52 Blessed be Yahweh forever. ≈Yes, indeed, let it be so.

Fourth collection

(Songs 90–106)

A prayer by God’s man Mosheh (Moses).

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.; A prayer of Moses, the man of God.; A prayer of Moses the man of God.; A prayer: ascribed to Moses, the man of God

90 My master, you’ve been our ≈protection

throughout all generations.

2 Before the mountains were formed or you formed the earth and the world,

from ≈the entire past through to all the future, you are God.

3 You return man to dust,

and you say, “Return, you descendants of humanity,”

4 because a thousand years in your sight

are just like yesterday when it’s over,

≈and like a watch of several hours in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood and they sleep.

In the morning they are like the grass that sprouts up:

6 In the morning it blooms and grows up,

but by the evening, it has withered and dried up.

7 Certainly we’re consumed in your anger,

≈and in your rage we’re terrified.

8 You’ve placed our ≈disobedience in front of you—

≈our hidden sins in the light of your presence,

9 because our life passes away under your rage—

our years pass quickly like a sigh does.

10 ≈We might reach the age of seventy,

or even eighty if we’re healthy,

but even our best years are marked by trouble and sorrow.

Yes, they pass quickly, then we ‘fly away’.

11 Who knows the intensity of your anger,

and your rage that’s equal to the ≈respect that we should have had for you?

12 So teach us to consider the fragility of our #lives

so that we might live wisely.

13 Turn back, Yahweh.

How long will ≈this last?

Have pity on your servants.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your loyal commitment

so that we can celebrate and be glad for the rest of our lives.

15 Make us glad in proportion to the days you ≈made us suffer,

and to the years we have experienced trouble.

16 Let your servants see your ≈actions,

and let our children ≡see your splendour.

17 May the favour of my master God be ours.

Prosper the work of our hands.

≈Yes, prosper the work ≈that we do.

91 Anyone who stays ≈where they’re sheltered by the highest one,

≈will be able to ≈rest safely in the powerful one’s shadow.

2 I will tell >people that Yahweh is my safe place and my fortress,

≈my God that ≈I’ll put my trust in.

3 He will ≈keep you safe from the hunter’s traps,

≈and from ≈deadly diseases.

4 He’ll cover you with his wings,

and you’ll feel safe underneath *them.

His faithfulness is a shield and protection.

5 You won’t be afraid of the terror of the night,

≈or of a flying arrow hitting you in the day.

6 ≡You won’t be afraid of the ≈forces that ≈roam around in the darkness,

≈or of the destruction that ≈causes devastation at noon time.

7 A thousand warriors might fall dead at your side,

≈and ten thousand at your right hand,

yet you still won’t be reached by the enemy.

8 Just look with your own eyes,

and you’ll see the wicked >people being punished.

9 ≈Yes, Yahweh is my ≈safe place.

Make every effort to stay with the highest one.

10 Then nothing will be able to harm you.

≈No evil will approach your ≈home

11 because he’ll command his messengers about you[ref]—

to guard you ≈wherever you’re going.

12 They’ll lift you up in their hands,[ref]

so that you won’t hit your foot on a rock.

13 You’ll ≈beat back the lion and the cobra with your feet.[ref]

≈You’ll trample on the young lion and the snake.

14 I’ll rescue #those who are devoted to me.

≈I’ll protect #them because #they know my name.

15 When anyone calls out to me, I’ll answer ≈them,

I’ll be with ≈them in times of trouble.

I’ll rescue and honour ≈them.

16 I’ll satisfy ≈them with ≈a long life,

and I’ll show ≈them how I can save them.

An accompanied song for #Rest Days.

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.; A psalm: a song: for the sabbath day; A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath Day.; A psalm to be sung on the Lord’s Day. A song.

92 It’s good when people thank you, Yahweh,

≈and sing praises to you, the highest one

2 to proclaim your loyal commitment in the morning,

≈and your truthfulness every night,

3 using the ten-stringed instrument,

≈and the melody from a harp.

4 ≈Yes, you, Yahweh, have made me happy by your actions.

≈I will cheerfully sing because of what you’ve done.

5 Yahweh, you do incredible things.

≈Your thoughts are ≈extremely complex.

6 A stupid person doesn’t know that,

≈and a fool can’t understand it.

7 Wicked people sprout up like plants,

≈and wickedness flourishes.

They’re doomed to eternal destruction,

8 ≈but you, Yahweh, ≈will always rule on high.

9 ≈Take note of your enemies, Yahweh,

because your enemies will perish.

All those who do evil will be ≈forced to flee.

10 You’ve ≈made me as powerful as a wild bull.

I’ve been anointed with fresh oil.

11 With my own eyes, I’ve looked at my enemies.

≈With my own ears, I’ve heard the opposition against me.

12 A godly person flourishes like a palm tree.

≈@That person will grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon.

13 They’ll be planted in Yahweh’s house.

≈They’ll flourish in God’s courtyards.

14 They’ll still bear fruit even when they’re old.

≈They’ll be fresh and vigorous.

15 They’ll proclaim that Yahweh is an honest judge.

≈≈He’s reliable and ^can only ever do what is right.

93 Yahweh reigns—he’s robed in majesty.

≈Yahweh has clothed and girded himself with strength.

The world is firmly established—

≈it won’t be shaken.

2 Your ≈rule was established long ago.

≈You ≈have always existed.

3 The rivers have ≈filled up, Yahweh.

*Their ≈roar has become very loud.

They’ve lifted up their pounding waves.

4 The breaking ocean waves are even greater than the noisy rivers.

Yahweh is majestic on his high throne.

5 Your commands are very trustworthy.

Your ≈temple is enhanced by your holy presence, Yahweh, ≈forever.

94 Yahweh, God who avenges,

God of vengeance, let your radiance shine.

2 Rise up, judge of the earth.

Give the proud what they deserve.

3 How long will the wicked last, Yahweh,

≈How long will the wicked rejoice?

4 They ≈blabber out their arrogant words.

≈All those who do wicked things boast.

5 They crush your people, Yahweh.

≈They oppress ≈the nation that belongs to you.

6 They kill #widows and strangers,

≈and they murder the fatherless.

7 They say, “Yahweh won’t see >it.

≈Yacob’s God ≈won’t take any notice of it.”

8 Understand, you stupid people.

≈You fools, when will you ≈ever learn?

9 Can’t the one who made ears, hear?

≈Why can’t the one who formed the eye, see?

10 Can’t the one who disciplines the nations, correct them?

He’s the one who gives knowledge to humankind.

11 Yahweh knows ≈people’s thoughts—

that they’re just vapour.[ref]

12 Anyone who you discipline, Yahweh, is ≈fortunate—

≈those who you teach from your instructions.

13 They get relief in ≈times of trouble

until a pit gets dug for wicked >people,

14 because Yahweh won’t reject his people,

≈or abandon ≈those who belong to him.

15 Because ≈justice will be honest and fair again,

and all the ≈people who desire to do what’s right will appreciate that.

16 Who will ≈come and defend me against ≈those who do evil things?

≈Who will stand up for me against wicked >people?

17 ≈If Yahweh hadn’t helped me,

my soul ≈would have been living in silence at the cemetery by now.

18 When I ≈called out, “≈Hey, I’m starting to slip,”

your loyal commitment, Yahweh, supported me.

19 ≈Whenever I’m very worried

your ≈comfort encourages me.

20 ≈Can a corrupt king be your ally?

Someone who ≈makes it legal to do what’s wrong?

21 They work together ≈to take the lives of good citizens,

and they ≈give the death sentence to innocent >people.

22 But Yahweh has been like a fortress for me,

≈and God has been ≈a place of safety.

23 He will ≈turn their own disobedience back on them

≈and will ≈destroy them because of their own wickedness.

Yes, our God Yahweh will ≈wipe them out.

95 Come and join ≈us in singing to Yahweh.

≈Let’s happily sing to ≈our protector and our rescuer.

2 Let’s thank him as we come ≈in and face him.

≈Let’s sing praise songs to him

3 because Yahweh is a ≈powerful God,

≈and a ≈powerful king ≈superior to all gods.

4 The deepest valleys in the earth ≈are under his control,

≈and the mountain peaks are also his.

5 The oceans are his because he ≈created them.

≈His hands formed all the dry land.

6 Come on, let’s bow down and worship >him.

≈Let’s kneel in front of our creator, Yahweh,

7 because he’s our God.

We are the people ≈he shepherds.

≈≡We are the sheep ≈in his care.[ref]

If only all of you would listen to his voice today.

8 Don’t ≈become stubborn like your ancestors did at Meribah,[ref]

≈and like they did in the wilderness at Massah.

9 Your ancestors ≈tried my patience

even though they’d seen ≈me perform miracles.

10 I was angry with that generation and said,

‘≈These people are very happy to do their own thing.

≈They’re not really interested in following my instructions.’

11 ≈So I got angry at them and made a decision

that they would never be allowed to enter ≈the region where I would have given them peace.[ref]

96 Sing a new song to Yahweh.

≈Let ≈the whole world sing to Yahweh.

2 Sing to Yahweh and praise ≈him.

≈≈Tell others every day about ≈how he saves us.

3 ≈Talk about his greatness to those in other countries.

≈≡Tell all the peoples about the incredible things that he’s done,

4 because Yahweh is wonderful and should be highly praised.

≈He should be revered more than all other gods,

5 because all the gods of the other nations are just idols,

but it’s Yahweh who made the ≈universe.

6 There’s splendour and majesty in his presence.

≈Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Give honour to God all you various clans.[ref]

Praise Yahweh for his splendour and strength.

8 Give Yahweh the honour that his reputation deserves.

Bring an offering and come into his courtyards.

9 Bow down to Yahweh in ≈your best clothes.

Tremble in front of him, all the earth. TOO LITERAL

10 Tell all the nations that Yahweh reigns.

He ≈put the planet in its place and nothing will shake it.

He will judge each people group with fairness.

11 Let the skies be glad and let the land be happy.

≈Let the #oceans and everything in #them roar.

12 Let the countryside and everything in it ≈celebrate.

≈Let the trees in the forest shout with joy

13 for Yahweh ≈to see as he arrives,

because he’s coming to judge the earth.

He’ll judge the world with ≈total fairness

and ≡judge ≈all the people with faithfulness.

97 Yahweh reigns.

Let the earth be glad.

Let the many islands be happy.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him.

≈Doing what’s right and being fair are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes ahead of him,

and burns up his enemies from all around.

4 His lightning lights up the world.

The earth sees >it and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax ≈when Yahweh comes—

the master of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare ≈that he does what is right,

and all the nations can see his ≈splendour.

7 All those who worship carved figures will be shamed—

≈those who boast about worthless idols.

Bow down to him, all you ‘gods’.

8 Tsiyyon (Zion) heard and was glad,

≈and Yehudah’s towns celebrated

because your decrees ≈are fair and right, Yahweh.

9 For you, Yahweh, are ≈the most powerful in all the earth.

≈You are far ≈greater than any other ‘gods’.

10 All you who love Yahweh, hate evil.

He protects the lives of his faithful ones—

he ≈rescues them from the schemes of wicked >people.

11 Light ≈comes for godly >people

≈and gladness for those with honest hearts.

12 Be glad in Yahweh, you ≈godly people

and ≈thank him for his sinless purity.

A song.

A Psalm.; A psalm; A psalm.

98 Sing a new song to Yahweh because he’s done wonderful >things.

His ≈power and his purity have given him the victory.

2 Yahweh has ≈displayed how he saves >people.

≈He has revealed his justice to all the nations.

3 He calls to mind his loyal commitment and faithfulness towards the Jewish people.

Every part of the world has seen how he saves them.

4 Shout to Yahweh with happiness, all the earth.

≈Burst into happy singing and sing praises.

5 Make music to Yahweh using the harp.

≈Yes, use the harp and melodic sounds.

6 Use trumpets and the sound of the horn.

Shout happily to Yahweh, our king.

7 Let the sea and everything in it roar,

along with the world and everyone living in it.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands.

≈Let the mountains sing with happiness

9 to Yahweh who’s coming to judge the earth.

He’ll judge the world with impartiality,

≈and judge the people groups with fairness.

99 Yahweh reigns—let the nations tremble.

He sits above those winged creatures[ref]—the earth quakes.

2 Yahweh is powerful in Tsiyyon (Zion).

He’s more important than all the nations. NOT SURE

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.

He is holy.

4 He’s a powerful king who loves justice.

You have established fairness.

You have done ≈what is right and fair in dealing with Yisrael.

5 Praise our God, Yahweh,

and worship ≈him in front of his throne.

He is holy.

6 Mosheh and Aharon (Moses and Aaron) were among his priests,

and Shemuel (Samuel) was among those who ≈prayed to him.

They ≈asked Yahweh for help and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.[ref]

They ≈followed his instructions

and ≈obeyed the #rules that he gave them.

8 You answered them, Yahweh our God.

You were a forgiving God to them,

≈but one who ≈punished them for their ≈disobedience.

9 Praise our God Yahweh,

and worship at his sacred hill,

because our God Yahweh is ≈sinless.

The song of thanking.

A Psalm of thanksgiving.; A psalm of thanksgiving.; A psalm. For giving thanks.; A psalm: for thanksgiving

100 Cheerfully shout to Yahweh, ≈everybody.

2 Serve Yahweh with gladness.

Enter his presence with cheerful songs.

3 Know that Yahweh is God.

He ≈created us, and we are his.

≈We are his people and ≈he cares for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

4 Thank him aloud as you enter his gates.

≈Praise him as you enter his courtyards.

Thank him and bless him

5 because Yahweh is good.

His loyal commitment to us continues forever,[ref]

≈and his truthfulness ≡continues through the generations.

A song by David.

Of David. A Psalm.; Of David. A psalm.; A psalm of David.; For David: a psalm

101 I will sing about your loyal commitment and justice.

I’ll sing praises to you, Yahweh.

2 I will choose to ≈live a blameless life.

When will you come to me?

I’ll walk with integrity within my ≈own home.

3 I won’t ≈feast my eyes on worthless things.

I hate deceitful activities—#they won’t cling to me.

4 ≈I will fight my inner perversity.

I ≈refuse to take part in evil.

5 I’ll destroy anyone who slanders their neighbour ≈behind their back.

I won’t ≈tolerate anyone who has a proud and arrogant attitude.

6 It’s the faithful people in the land ≈who’ll be my mentors.

Those who walk in the way of integrity will be welcome to serve me.

7 ≈I don’t want deceitful >people living in my house.

≈Those who lie ≈aren’t welcome in my presence.

8 ≈Morning by morning I’ll destroy all the wicked >people in the country.

≈I’ll remove ≈everyone who does evil from Yahweh’s city.

A prayer of an afflicted person feeling faint and who pours out their sorrows to Yahweh.

A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the Lord.; A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord.; A prayer of one afflicted, when faint and pleading before the Lord.; A prayer: for the afflicted one when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord

102 Hear my prayer, Yahweh.

≈Let my call for help reach you.

2 Don’t hide your face from me on my day of distress.

≈≈Listen to me when I call you, and answer me quickly,

3 because my days are floating away like smoke,

≈and my bones ≈feel like they’re on fire.

4 My heart is cut and withered like grass,

and I ≈have no interest in eating.

5 My skin clings to me

because of the loud groaning of my bones.

6 I’m like a vulture in the wilderness.

I’m like an owl among the ruins.

7 I lie awake

like a lonely bird sitting on the roof.

8 My enemies taunt me ≈all day long.

They ridicule and curse me

9 because I’ve eaten ashes ≈for food

and my tears have mixed into my drink.

10 You picked me up and threw me away

because of your indignation and anger.

11 My days are like extending #shadows,

and I’m withering away like the grass.

12 ≈But you sit on your throne forever,

and your reputation endures through ≈the generations.

13 ≈At the right time you’ll feel compassion for Tsiyyon (Zion).

Now is the time to favour it because the promised moment has come,

14 because your servants admire the stones that it’s built with,

and its dust ≈makes them want to request help.

15 The nations respect Yahweh’s ≈reputation,

and kings ≈around the world respect your splendour.

16 Yahweh will rebuild Tsiyyon.

He’ll appear there in his splendour

17 after he’s turned to the #prayers of the destitute.

≈No, he hasn’t despised their #prayers.

18 Let this be written for future generations to read

≈≈so that people yet to be created will praise Yah.

19 Because he’s looked down from his place that’s high and pure.

≈From heaven, Yahweh has looked down to earth

20 to hear the prisoners groaning—

to release those who’ve ≈been given the death sentence.

21 Then Yahweh’s name will be declared in Tsiyyon,

≈and he’ll be praised in Yerushalem

22 when all the people groups are gathered together,

≈and the kingdoms ≡assembled to serve Yahweh.

23 He’s ≈sapped my strength right here in mid-life.

≈He’s shortened my ≈life.

24 I said, “My God, don’t take me away right in the middle of life.

You ≈live through generation after generation.

25 You founded ≈this planet right at the beginning.[ref]

You ≈made the skies with your own hands.

26 You’ll remain even when they perish.

They’ll wear out like an old ≈shirt—

like clothes you’ll change them and they’ll disappear.

27 ≈But you ≈are there,

≈and your years won’t ever come to an end.

28 The children of your servants here will live on,

and their descendants will ≈live in your presence.”

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

103 Bless Yahweh ≈with my entire self,

≈and everything that’s within me, ≡bless ≈him because he’s sinless.

2 Bless Yahweh ≈with my entire self,

and don’t forget all of his ≈kindnesses.

3 He forgives all your ≈acts of disobedience.

≈He heals you from all your diseases.

4 He ≈buys you back from the pit ≈to save your life.

He ≈honours you with his compassion and loyal commitment.

5 He gives you the good things that satisfy you.

He ≈makes you feel young and strong like the eagle.

6 Yahweh does ≈what is right,

and ≈gives justice to all those who are oppressed.

7 He revealed his ways through Mosheh (Moses),

and his activities to the ≈Israelis.

8 Yahweh is gracious and merciful,[ref]

≈slow to get angry and ≈generous in his loyal commitment to us.

9 He won’t ≈keep bringing cases against us,

≈or ≈hold them open forever.

10 He doesn’t ≈give us what our rebellion deserves,

≈or repay us according to ≈how much we disobeyed.

11 Just as the heavens are far above the earth,

so his loyal commitment is strong towards those who ≈obey him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

he’s removed the guilt for ≈our disobedience that far away.

13 Yahweh has compassion on those who ≈obey him,

just like a father has compassion on &his children

14 because he knows ≈how we’re made—

remembering that we’re just dust.

15 As for humankind, their days are like grass that comes and goes.

≈People are like flowers in the countryside that are here today and gone tomorrow

16 because the wind blows across them and they’re ≈finished

≈then the next day ≈you can’t even tell where they were.

17 But Yahweh’s loyal commitment to those who honour him continues forever,

≈and he ≈gives his favour through to their children’s children—

18 to the people who keep his agreement,

≈and all those ≈who are careful to obey his instructions.

19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens,

≈and his kingdom rules over everyone.

20 Bless Yahweh, you his heavenly messengers,

you heavenly warriors,

obeying ≈whatever he says.

21 Bless Yahweh, all his heavenly warriors—

his servants who do ≈whatever he wants.

22 Bless Yahweh, ≈everything he’s made,

in all the places ≈where he rules.

Bless Yahweh, my own inner being.

104 Bless Yahweh, my own inner being.

Yahweh my God, you are very powerful.

You are clothed with splendour and majesty.

2 You wrap yourself in light as if it’s a robe.

You stretched out the heavens like a tent.

3 The floor joists for your rooms are laid across the clouds.

You make the clouds your chariot—

you walk on the wings of the wind.

4 He makes the winds his messengers,

and ≡makes flames of fire his servants.[ref]

5 He laid the foundations of ≈this planet,

and it will never be shaken off.

6 You covered it with deep water like a ≈jacket.

The waters stood above the mountains.

7 Then your rebuke made the waters recede.

They hurried away at the thunderous sound of your voice.

8 The mountains rose up and the valleys sunk down—

all into the #places that you’d established for them.

9 You set a boundary that the waters won’t cross again to cover the earth.

10 Now he sends springs to flow into the valleys,

and that flow between the mountains.

11 They ≈supply water for all the animals in the countryside—

the wild donkeys can break their thirst.

12 The birds build their nests beside them.

They ≈chirp away from among the greenery.

13 He waters the mountains from his rooms above.

The land becomes satisfied because of ≈his work.

14 He makes the grass grow for the cattle,

and plants for people to cultivate,

in order to produce food from the land

15 and wine that makes people’s hearts happy,

along with oil that makes faces shine

and bread that sustains the ≈people’s bodies.

16 Yahweh’s trees ≈have everything they need to prosper—

including Lebanon’s cedars that he planted,

17 where the birds make their nests.

The #storks make the cypress trees their #homes.

18 The high hills are for the wild goats.

&Their crevices are a safe place for the rock badgers.

19 He made the moon to mark the ≈months.

The sun knows ≈when it’s time to go down.

20 You make the darkness at night,

when all the animals in the forest move around.

21 The young lions roar for their prey,

and ≈expect God to supply their food.

22 They ≈slink away when the sun ≈comes up

and lie down in their dens.

23 Meanwhile #people ≈head off to do #their work,

and toil away until evening.

24 Yahweh, ≈you’ve made so many different kinds of things.

You ≈used your wisdom when you made them.

Now the earth is full with your various creatures.

25 The ocean is ≈wide and huge—

Swimming creatures there without number—

both small and large.

26 Ships ≈travel across it.

The sea dragon that you formed plays in it.[ref]

27 All of them look to you

to give them their food at ≈the appropriate time.

28 They gather what you give to them.

≈When you open your hand, they’re satisfied.

29 When you hide ≈yourself away, they’re upset.

≈If you take away their breath, they die and return to dust.

30 When you send out your spirit, they’re created,

and you renew the ground’s surface.

31 May Yahweh’s splendour last forever.

May Yahweh ≈find pleasure in everything he’s made and done.

32 He just looks at the world and it trembles.

He touches the mountains and they start smoking.

33 I will sing to Yahweh all my life.

I will sing praises to my God as long as I have ≈breath.

34 May my ≈thoughts please him.

I’m happy about Yahweh.

35 May sinners be destroyed from the world,

and may there be no more wicked >people.

I will bless Yahweh with my ≈entire being.

Praise Yah.

105 Give thanks to Yahweh. ≈Ask him when you need help.

Tell every people group ≈about what he’s done.

2 Sing to him. Sing praises to him.

Tell about his wonderful >miracles.

3 Boast about his sinless ≈reputation.

Let the hearts of those who ≈follow Yahweh be glad.

4 Get your help from Yahweh and his strength.

≈Always be ≈requesting his attention.

5 Remember the incredible things that he’s done—

≈his miracles and the judgements that he’s made

6 you offspring of his servant Abraham,

≈you descendants of Yaakov (Jacob), his chosen one.

7 He is Yahweh, our God.

His judgements are felt throughout the entire world.

8 He ^never forgets his agreement with us—

≈Any promise he made will endure for a thousand generations.

9 ≈like the one he made with Abraham,[ref]

and his oath to Yitsak (Isaac).[ref]

10 ≈Later, he confirmed it again to Yaakov (Jacob),[ref]

and to Yisrael as an agreement ≈with no expiry date,

11 saying, “I’ll give you all the Canaan ≈region,

as your share of your inheritance.”

12 That was when they were few in number—

so few, and were strangers to @the area.

13 They wandered from country to country

≈and from one kingdom to another.

14 He didn’t allow ≈others to oppress them.

He even scolded kings on their account.[ref]

15 He told them not to touch his chosen leaders,

≈and not to harm his prophets.

16 He called for a famine in that land[ref]—

≈≈all food supply chains were broken.

17 He sent a man on ahead of them,[ref]

when Yosef (Joseph) was sold as a slave.

18 His feet were ≈shackled together.[ref]

≈His neck was placed in an iron collar

19 until ?@Yahweh’s[fn] ≈order came.

Yahweh’s ?≈promise[fn] tested @Yosef.

20 Then the king sent servants to release him.[ref]

≈The people’s ruler set him free.

21 He made him the master of his ≈household,[ref]

and the ruler over all his possessions—

22 to instruct his officials at his pleasure,

≈and to teach wisdom to his elders.

23 Then Yisrael went to Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim),[ref]

yes, Yaakov (Jacob) ≈lived for a time in the land of Ham.

24 Then Yahweh made his people ≈have large families,

and ≡made them much more powerful than their enemies.

25 He ≈caused them to hate his people—

≈to deal craftily with his servants.

26 He sent his servant Mosheh (Moses),[ref]

≈and Aharon (Aaron) who he’d chosen

so they would deal with it.

27 They demonstrated signs @from Yahweh while with @the Egyptians,

≈and miracles in the land of Ham.

28 He sent darkness and the place ≈went dark.[ref]

They ≈couldn’t argue against his commands.[fn]

29 He turned their water into blood,[ref]

and their fish died.

30 Their land swarmed with frogs,[ref]

even in the ≈palace bedrooms.

31 He spoke and a swarm of flies came.[ref]

Gnats spread throughout ≈the entire country.

32 He ≈replaced the rain with hail,[ref]

with fire flaming on their land.[fn]

33 He ≈destroyed their grapevines and fig trees—

shattering ≈all the other trees.

34 He spoke out and the locusts came[ref]

and grasshoppers ≈that simply couldn’t be counted,

35 and devoured all of the vegetation in their region—

they ate up all the ≈produce from the ≈soil.

36 He ≈killed every ≈eldest male in their land[ref]—

the ≈star products of their strength. STUD PRODUCTS???

37 He brought @his people out ≈carrying gold and silver,[ref]

No one among the tribes stumbled as they left.

38 Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) was glad when they departed,

because ≈they’d come to very much dread them.

39 He spread out a cloud for a covering[ref]

and a fire to give light at night.

40 #They asked, and he sent quail,[ref]

≈and they filled up on bread from the heavens.

41 He ≈split a rock and #water gushed out[ref]—

#it ≈flowed in the wilderness like a river,

42 because he remembered his holy promise to his servant Abraham.

43 His people ≈were happy as he brought them out of Egypt.

His chosen ones were shouting with joy.

44 He gave them the foreigners’ lands,[ref]

and they took possession of the peoples’ goods,

45 so that they might follow his instructions

and obey his rules.

Praise Yah.

106 Praise Yah. Give thanks to Yahweh because he’s good,

because his loyal commitment ^never ends.

2 Who can recount everything that ≈Yahweh’s done?

Can anyone list all his praises?

3 Those who promote justice will be blessed,

as will those who always do what is right.

4 When you help your people, Yahweh, remember me.

Help me when you rescue them.

5 I want to see your chosen people ≈prosper—

be happy that your nation is happy

and ≈share the splendour of your inheritance.

6 We have ≈disobeyed God like our ancestors did.

≈We have done things that were wrong, and have acted wickedly.

7 Our ancestors didn’t appreciate the miracles you did in Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim).[ref]

They just forgot about your ≈display of loyal commitment,

and instead they rebelled down there at the Red Sea.

8 ≈However, he saved them for ≈the sake of his reputation—

to make his incredible power known to the world.

9 He ≈commanded the Red Sea and it dried up,

then he led them through &its depths as if it was ≈ordinary land[ref]

10 and saved them from the ≈forces of those who hated them—

≈yes, he rescued them from &their enemy’s ≈power.

11 The #water ≈came back over their enemies—

there wasn’t a single one of them left.

12 Then they finally believed his words,[ref]

and they sang ≈praises to him.

13 But they soon forgot what he’d done.

They didn’t bother ≈waiting for his advice.

14 They had intense cravings for meat in the wilderness,[ref]

≈and they challenged God right there in the desert.

15 ≈So he gave them what they asked for

≈but he sent them a horrible disease with it.

16 Then in the camp, they became jealous of Mosheh (Moses),[ref]

≈and Aharon (Aaron), Yahweh’s ≈chosen priest.

17 The earth opened up and swallowed Datan,

≈and covered over Aviram’s followers.

18 Then fire blazed among them,

≈and the flames burnt up the wicked >people.

19 They made a gold calf at Horev,[ref]

≈and worshipped the metal ≈statue there.

20 They traded the splendour of their God,

with a ≈statue image of a bull that eats ≈grass. ☺

21 They forgot about their saviour God

who’d done incredible >miracles in Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim),

22 ≈≡had done ≈amazing feats in the land of Ham (i.e., Egypt),

≈and ≈had demonstrated powerful forces at the ≈Red Sea.

23 So he said that he’d destroy them,

≈except that his chosen servant Mosheh stood ≈as intermediary,

to turn him away from his severe anger and plan ≈to destroy.

24 Then they despised that desirable ≈region—[ref]

≈they didn’t believe his ≈promise.

25 ≈Instead they grumbled in their tents

and didn’t listen to ≈what Yahweh said.

26 ≈So he made his decision against them:

that they’d drop dead there in the wilderness,

27 and he’d disperse their descendants across many countries[ref]

≈and scatter them in distant lands.

28 They ≈submitted to the Baal of Peor,[ref]

and ate sacrifices that had been offered to the dead.

29 They provoked him to anger with their actions,

and a plague broke out among them.

30 Then Pinehas ≈took a stand and intervened

and stopped the plague.

31 That ≈godly action was credited to him,

≈for all the generations to come.

32 They also made Yahweh angry at the Merivah springs,[ref]

and ≈that led to trouble for Mosheh (Moses),

33 because they’d rebelled against his spirit,

and then he ended up speaking rashly.

34 They didn’t destroy those people groups[ref]

as Yahweh had ≈told them to do.

35 ≈Instead they mingled with those other groups,

and imitated their ungodly activities

36 and worshipped their idols

≈which then became the reason for their destruction.

37 They sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons.[ref]

38 Yes, they shed innocent blood[ref]—

the blood of their sons and daughters

that they sacrificed to the idols and polluted the land with blood.

39 Their actions ≈made them unacceptable to worship God,

having prostituted themselves to other Gods.

40 So Yahweh got angry with his own people,[ref]

≈and he despised his own inheritance.

41 He ≈allowed other countries to control them,

≈and those who hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies oppressed them,

≈and subdued them under their ≈control.

43 He rescued them many times,

but they kept rebelling in their ≈minds,

and were brought down by their own sin.

44 ≈Nevertheless, he ≈paid attention to their distress

when he heard their cry for help.

45 He ≈thought about his agreement with them,

and he relented because of the strength of his loyal commitment to them.

46 He ≈caused their conquerors to ≈have pity on them.

47 Save us Yahweh our God,[ref]

and gather us back from among ≈other nations

so that we can give thanks for your sacred reputation,

and ≈praise you with real gladness.

48 May Yisrael’s God Yahweh be praised ≈throughout the ages,

and all the people said, “≈Yes, let it be so.”

Praise Yah.

Fifth collection

(Songs 107–150)

107 Give thanks to Yahweh, because he’s good,

and his loyal commitment endures forever.

2 Let ≈the people who’ve been redeemed by Yahweh speak out—

those he’s rescued from the enemy’s ≈control.

3 He has gathered them ≈back from foreign lands,

from the east and from the west,

≈from the north and from the south.

4 They wandered through the wilderness on a desert road

and found no city ≈that they could settle in.

5 They were hungry and thirsty—

≈≈fading away from exhaustion.

6 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

→and he rescued them out of their distress.

7 He led them by a direct path

so that they could go to a city to live in.

8 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

and for the amazing things he’s done for humanity,

9 because he satisfies ≈the longings of those who thirst,

and the desires of those who hunger, he fills up with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom—

prisoners chained up and experiencing suffering.

11 This was because they had rebelled against God’s messages

and rejected the highest >one’s instructions.

12 He ≈used hardships to humble them.

They stumbled and there wasn’t anyone to help them up.

13 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

and he rescued them out of their distress.

14 He broke off their chains

≈and brought them out of darkness and gloom.

15 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

≈and for the amazing things he’s done for humanity,

16 because he’s broken the bronze gates

≈and cut through the iron bars.

17 They were foolish in their rebellious ways

and ≈made to suffer because of their sins.

18 They lost their desire to eat any food,

and they came close to death’s gates.

19 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

and he rescued them out of their distress.

20 He sent his message and healed them,

and he rescued them from their destruction.

21 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

and for the amazing things he’s done for humanity.

22 Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices

and ≈write songs about what he’s done.

23 Some travel across the ocean in ships

and do business overseas.

24 Those >people saw Yahweh’s activities

and his miracles on the oceans,

25 because he ≈spoke out his command

and aroused the windstorm that stirred up the waves.

26 @Their ships ≈reached up to the sky,

then they ≈sank down ≈into the troughs.

Their ≈courage melted away in anguish.

27 They swayed and staggered like drunkards

and ≈had run out of sensible ideas.

28 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

and he rescued them out of their distress.

29 He calmed the storm,

≈and the waves were stilled.

30 Then they celebrated because ≈it had quietened down,

so he brought them to their desired harbour.

31 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

and for the amazing things that he’s done for humanity.

32 Let them ≈speak about his goodness to the people’s assembly

and praise him at the council of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into wilderness,

≈and springs of water into dry land,

34 and a prosperous land into a barren place

because of the wickedness of those who live there.

35 He turns the wilderness into a pool

and dry land into springs of water.

36 He settles the hungry there,

and they build a city to live in.

37 They sow fields and plant vineyards,

so that they can bring in a ≈profitable harvest.

38 He blesses them so they are very numerous.

He doesn’t let their cattle decrease in number.

39 They ≈became less in number and status

≈through painful distress and suffering.

40 He pours contempt on the leaders

and makes them wander in the wilderness where there’s no roads,

41 but he protects the needy from affliction

and cares for his families like a shepherd with his flock.

42 The godly >people will see that and celebrate,

and all wicked people ≈will be shamed into silence.

43 Whoever is wise should take note of those things

and meditate about Yahweh’s acts of loyal commitment.

A song by David.

A Song. A Psalm of David.; A song. A psalm of David.; A psalm of David. A song.; A song: a psalm: for David

108 ≈I’ve made my decision, God.

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises with ≈sincerity.

2 Wake up, lute and harp—

I’ll wake up the dawn.

3 I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the people groups.

≈I will sing praises to you among the nations

4 because your loyal commitment ≈extends to the heavens

and your trustworthiness reaches to the skies.

5 Be ≈honoured, God, above the heavens,

and may your ≈splendour be displayed across all the ≈world.

6 ≈Use your power to answer me

so that those you love will be rescued.

7 God has spoken from his sanctuary, “I will celebrate.

I will divide up Shekem and apportion out the Sukkot Valley.

8 Gilead is mine, and Menashsheh is mine.

Efrayim is my helmet and Yehudah is my scepter.

9 Moab is my washbasin.

I’ll throw my sandal over Edom.

I’ll shout in triumph over Philistia.

10 Who will bring me into the fortified city?

Who will lead me to Edom?”

11 ≈It seems that you’ve rejected us, God?

You don’t go into battle with our armies.

12 Give us help against &our enemy,

because human help is worthless.

13 We’ll win with God’s help.

He will trample down our enemies.

A song by David for the choir director.

For the leader: for David: a psalm; For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.; To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of David.

109 You’re the God that I praise—

don’t be silent

2 because the wicked and deceitful attack me.

≈They tell lies about me.

3 They say hateful things ≈all around me,

≈and they attack me ≈for no reason.

4 They ≈pay back my love with accusations,

but I pray for them.

5 They repay me evil for good,

≈and they hate my love.

6 Appoint a wicked man to be over him,

then appoint an accuser to stand on his right.

7 When he’s judged, may he be found guilty,

and may his prayer for mercy be considered sinful.

8 May his days be few—

≈may ≈someone else take his office.

9 May his children become fatherless,

≈and may his wife become a widow.

10 May his children wander around and beg—

≈asking for handouts as they leave their ruined home.

11 May the creditor take all he owns.

≈May strangers plunder what he earns.

12 May no one extend any kindness to him.

≈May no one have pity on his fatherless children.

13 May his children be ≈eliminated—

≈may their #names be blotted out in the next generation.

14 May his ancestors’ sins be mentioned to Yahweh,

≈and may the sin of his mother not be forgotten.

15 May their guilt always be ≈on Yahweh’s mind.

May Yahweh ≈cause their history to be totally forgotten.

16 May Yahweh do this because this man never bothered to show any loyal commitment,

^but instead harassed the oppressed, the needy, and the disheartened to death.

17 He loved cursing—may it come back upon him.

He had no desire to bless others—may no blessing come to him.

18 He wrapped himself with cursing like a cloak,

and his curse entered his inner being like water—

like oil into his bones.

19 May his curses ≈cling to him like the clothes he wears to cover himself—

like the belt he always wears.

20 May this be my accusers’ reward from Yahweh—

yes for those who say evil things about me.

21 Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me for your ≈reputation’s sake.

Because your loyal commitment is good, save me,

22 because I’m oppressed and needy,

and my heart is wounded within me.

23 I’m fading away like a shadow ≈in the late afternoon.

I’m shaken off like a locust.

24 My knees are weak from fasting.

≈My ≈body is frail from not eating enough.

25 I’m scorned by my accusers.

≈When they see me, they shake their heads.

26 Help me, Yahweh my God.

≈Exercise your loyal commitment and save me.

27 May they know that ≈you’re involved here—

that you, Yahweh, have done this.

28 Though they curse me, please bless me.

When they attack, may they be put to shame,

but may your servant celebrate.

29 May my opponents be clothed with shame.

May they wear their shame like a ≈coat.

30 With my mouth, I thank Yahweh ≈frequently.

I’ll praise him even in the middle of a crowd,

31 because he’ll stand ≈beside any needy person

to save them from those who condemn them.

A song by David.

Of David. A Psalm.; Of David. A psalm.; A psalm of David.; For David: a psalm

110 The declaration of Yahweh to my lord, “Sit on my right

until I defeat your enemies.”

2 Yahweh will ≈expand your power as king outwards from Tsiyyon—

you’ll rule in the middle of your enemies.

3 When you exert your strength in battle,

your people voluntarily follow in ≈full battle dress.

From the ≈place where the dawn is birthed, your youth will be like dew to you.

4 Yahweh has promised, and won’t change his mind:

“You’re a priest forever ≈following the pattern of Melchizedek.”

5 My master is ≈helping right beside you.

He’ll crush kings ≈once he gets angry.

6 He will judge the nations and fill them with corpses.

He will crush the heads of many ≈countries.

7 He will drink from the stream along the road,

therefore, he’ll ≈be reenergised.

111 Praise Yah.

א (Alef)

I will give ≈sincere thanks to Yahweh

ב (Beyt)

in the assembly of the ≈godly >people—in their gathering.

ג (Gimel)

2 ≈The things that Yahweh does are amazing,

ד (Dalet)

eagerly awaited by all those who desire them.

ה (He)

3 His work is majestic and incredible,

ו (Vav)

and his righteousness endures forever.

ז (Zayin)

4 He does wonderful things that will be remembered.

ח (Het)

Yahweh is gracious and merciful.

ט (Tet)

5 He gives food to his faithful followers.

י (Yod)

He will always call to mind his agreement.

כ (Kaf)

6 He showed his powerful works to his people

ל (Lamed)

in giving them the inheritance of other nations.

מ (Mem)

7 The works of @Yahweh’s hands are trustworthy and right.

נ (Nun)

All his instructions are reliable.

ס (Samek)

8 They are established forever,

ע (Ayin)

to be observed faithfully and properly.

פ (Pe)

9 He sent his people ≈out of slavery.

צ (Tsade)

He ordained his agreement forever.

ק (Qof)

His name is holy and awe-inspiring.

ר (Resh)

10 Honouring Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.

ש (Sin/Shin)

Those who carry out his instructions have good understanding.

ת (Tav)

His praise endures forever.

112 Praise Yahweh.

א (Alef)

≈Any person who respects Yahweh’s instructions will be blessed—

ב (Beyt)

≈anyone who greatly delights in his commands.

ג (Gimel)

2 Their descendants on earth will be powerful.

ד (Dalet)

The descendants of the godly person will be blessed.

ה (He)

3 Wealth and riches are in their house.

ו (Vav)

Their righteousness will endure forever.

ז (Zayin)

4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly person.

ח (Het)

@That person is gracious, merciful, and just.

ט (Tet)

5 It goes well for the person who deals graciously and lends money,

י (Yod)

who conducts their affairs with honesty,

כ (Kaf)

6 because they’ll never be shaken.

ל (Lamed)

The ≈godly person will be remembered forever.

מ (Mem)

7 @That person’s not afraid of bad news—

נ (Nun)

≈confidently trusting in Yahweh.

ס (Samek)

8 Their heart is tranquil, without fear,

ע (Ayin)

≈ending up looking out in triumph over their adversaries.

פ (Pe)

9 @That person gives generously to the poor.

צ (Tsade)

Their righteousness endures forever.

ק (Qof)

They will be commended with honour.

ר (Resh)

10 The wicked person will see this and be angry.

ש (Sin/Shin)

@That person will grind his teeth in rage and will melt away.

ת (Tav)

The desire of the wicked people will perish.

113 Praise Yahweh.

Praise him, you servants of Yahweh.

Praise Yahweh’s name.

2 May Yahweh’s name be blessed

both now and ≈forever into the future.

3 Yahweh’s name should be praised

from ≈when the sun rises until it sets again.

4 Yahweh is ≈high above all nations,

≈and his glory reaches above the skies.

5 Who is like our God Yahweh ≈who has his throne on high—

6 who looks down at the sky and at the earth?

7 He raises the poor up out of the dirt

and lifts the needy up from the ash heap,

8 so that he may ≈become one of the leaders—

≈one of the leaders of his people.

9 He gives a home to the barren woman of the house—

he makes her into a happy mother with children.

Praise Yahweh.

114 When Yisrael (Israel) left Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim)

(Yakov’s descendants ≡leaving a people who spoke a foreign language),

2 Yehudah became his sacred place,

≈and Yisrael his kingdom.

3 The Red Sea looked and fled.[ref]

≈The Yordan river turned back.[ref]

4 The mountains skipped like rams,

≈and the little hills like lambs.

5 Why did you flee, sea?

≈Yordan, why did you turn back?

6 Mountains, why did you skip like rams?

≈You little hills, why did you skip like lambs?

7 Tremble, earth, before the master—

≈at the presence of Yakov’s God.

8 He turned the rock into a pool of water,

≈and the hard rock into a spring of water.

115 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us,

but to your name bring honour,

for your loyal commitment and for your trustworthiness.

2 Why should the other nations have to ≈ask,

“Where is their God?”

3 Our God is in heaven—

he does whatever he wants.

4 The other nations’ gods are gold and silver idols

that ≈people have made with their own hands.

5 @Those idols have mouths, ≈but they can’t speak.

≈They have eyes, ≈but they can’t see.

6 They have ears, ≈but they can’t hear.

≈They have noses, ≈but they can’t smell.

7 They have hands, ≈but can’t feel anything.

≈They have feet, ≈but can’t walk.

They can’t make any sounds in their throats.

8 @The people who make them are just like them,

as is everyone who trusts them to help them.

9 Yisrael (Israel), trust in Yahweh—

he’s your help and ≈protection.

10 You priests, descendants of Aharon, trust in Yahweh—

he’s your help and ≈protection.

11 You who ≈respect and strive to obey Yahweh, trust in *him—

he’s your help and ≈protection.

12 Yahweh ≈takes notice of us and will bless us.

He’ll bless the descendants of Yisrael.

≈He’ll bless the descendants of Aharon.

13 He will bless those who honour him—

both young and old.

14 May Yahweh ≈give more and more children to you all,

and also to your descendants.

15 May you all be blessed by Yahweh

who made heaven and earth.

16 The heavens, ≈yes, the heavens belong to Yahweh,

≈but he’s given the earth to ≈humanity.

17 The dead don’t praise Yah,

nor do any of those who go down into silence.

18 ≈But we ≈have decided to bless Yahweh

now and forevermore.

Praise Yah.

116 I love Yahweh because he hears my voice

and my requests for mercy.

2 Because he listened to me,

as long as I live, I’ll call him for help.

3 The ropes of death surrounded me,

≈and the snares of ≈the grave confronted me.

I was confronted by anguish and sorrow.

4 Then I ≈cried out to Yahweh:

“Please Yahweh, rescue my life.”

5 Yahweh is merciful and fair—

our God is compassionate.

6 Yahweh protects ≈those who are helpless.

I was ≈in a desperate situation, and he saved me.

7 My ≈mind can relax again

because Yahweh has been generous to me,

8 because you rescued my life from death,

my eyes from tears,

and my feet from stumbling.

9 I will walk ≈in front of Yahweh

in the lands of the living.

10 I believed in him,

≈even when I said, “I’m ≈suffering badly.”

11 In my distress I said, “All people are liars.”

12 How can I repay Yahweh for all his kindnesses to me?

13 I will raise the cup of salvation,

and call on Yahweh’s name.

14 I will fulfill my vows to Yahweh

now in the presence of all his people.

15 The death of his faithful ones

is costly in Yahweh’s view.

16 Yahweh, I’m definitely your servant.

I’m your servant—the son of your servant woman.

You’ve released me from my chains.

17 I will offer thanksgiving to you as a sacrifice,

and I’ll call out to Yahweh whenever I need help.

18 I will fulfill my vows to Yahweh

now in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courtyards around Yahweh’s residence—

there in the middle of Yerushalem (Jerusalem).

Praise Yah.

117 Praise Yahweh, all you nations.

≈Speak highly of him, all you people groups

2 because his loyal commitment towards us is extensive,

and Yahweh’s trustworthiness endures forever.

Praise Yah.

118 Give thanks to Yahweh, because he’s good,

because his loyal commitment endures forever.

2 Let Yisrael (Israel) now say,

“His loyal commitment endures forever.”

3 Let Aharon’s descendants now say,

“His loyal commitment endures forever.”

4 Let Yahweh’s loyal followers say,

“His loyal commitment endures forever.”

5 In my distress, I called out to Yahweh for help.

→and *he answered me ≈and set me free.

6 Yahweh is with me—I won’t be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?

7 Yahweh’s on my side as my helper.

I will look on at those who hate me.

8 It’s better to take shelter in Yahweh

than to put confidence in humanity.

9 It’s better to ≈make Yahweh your safe place

than to put your trust in ≈your country’s leaders.

10 All the nations surrounded me in battle.

In Yahweh’s name I ≈destroyed them.

11 They surrounded me—yes, they surrounded me—

≈but in Yahweh’s name I ≈destroyed them.

12 They surrounded me like bees

then disappeared as quickly as fire among ≈brush—

≈with Yahweh’s help we defeated them.

13 They attacked me to knock me down,

but Yahweh helped me.

14 Yahweh is my strength and my song,

and he’s the one who rescues me.

15 The cheerful shout of victory can be heard in the tents of the ≈godly >people—

Yahweh ≈has demonstrated his power and strength.

16 Yahweh’s power ≈overcame—

Yahweh ≈has demonstrated his power and strength.

17 I’m going to live, not die,

and ≈I’ll tell everyone about what Yahweh did.

18 Yahweh has punished me harshly,

but he hasn’t given me over to death.

19 Open the ≈temple gates for me—

I’ll enter through them and then give thanks to Yahweh.

20 This is Yahweh’s gate—

→the ≈godly >people enter through it.

21 I will give thanks to you,

→because you answered me ≈by rescuing me.

22 The stone that the builders rejected

→has become the ≈very important stone at the corner.

23 That’s Yahweh’s doing—

→≈we think it’s just wonderful.

24 Today’s the day on which Yahweh has acted.

→We’ll celebrate and be happy about it.

25 Please, Yahweh, give us victory.

≈Please, Yahweh, send now success.

26 Blessed is ≈anyone who comes ≈with Yahweh’s authority.

We bless you from Yahweh’s residence.

27 Yahweh is God, and he’s given us light.

Tie the sacrifice to the ≈corner posts of the altar with ropes.

28 You’re my God, and I’ll give thanks to you.

≈You’re my God—I will ≈praise you.

29 ≈Yes, give thanks to Yahweh because he’s good,

because his loyal commitment endures forever.

א (Alef)

119 Blessed are those whose ≈behaviour is blameless—

who ≈follow Yahweh’s instructions.

2 Blessed are they who keep ≈the rules that he revealed—

who ≈strive to sincerely obey him.

3 Surely they ≈wouldn’t promote injustice.

They ≈do what he shows them.

4 You’ve ≈shown your principles through your instructions

so that we should carefully ≈follow them.

5 If only I could be consistent

in keeping your rules,

6 then I wouldn’t be ashamed

when I consider all your commands.

7 I’ll give thanks to you ≈because I want to do what’s right

when I learn ≈about how you always judge fairly.

8 I’ll keep your regulations.

Don’t totally desert me.

ב (Beyt)

9 How can a young man keep his ≈motives pure?

By obeying your message.

10 With my whole heart I search for you with ≈all my being.

Don’t let me stray from ≈what you commanded.

11 I’ve ≈stored your message away in my memory

so that I’ll ≈be less likely to sin against you.

12 You ≈deserve praise, Yahweh.

Teach me your regulations.

13 With my lips I’ve proclaimed

all the judgements ≈that you’ve pronounced.

14 I ≈get happier about everything you’ve revealed

rather than ≈any kind of riches.

15 I will meditate about your principles

and keep my eyes on your paths.

16 I take delight in your regulations—

I won’t forget ≈what you’ve said.

ג (Gimel)

17 Deal kindly with your servant

so that I ≈can continue to live and ≈obey what you’ve told us.

18 Uncover my eyes so I can gaze

on the marvellous results from your instructions.

19 I’m a foreigner in the land—

don’t ≈prevent me from hearing your commands.

20 My inner being is continually crushed

with longing for your regulations.

21 You rebuke the proud, who are cursed—

who stray from your commands.

22 Spare me from disgrace and humiliation

because I’ve kept ≈the requirements that you’ve revealed.

23 Even though rulers ≈gather together against me and slander >me,

your servant meditates about your regulations.

24 Also, your ≈revealed messages are my pleasure.

They are my counsellors.

ד (Dalet)

25 My ≈inner being clings to the dust.

≈Speak out and give me life.

26 I ≈talked about my behaviour, and you answered me.

Teach me your regulations.

27 ≈Grant me insight into your principles,

so I can meditate about your wonderful actions.

28 My ≈inner being melts away from grief.

≈Speak out and strengthen me.

29 Keep me off the path of deceit.

Graciously give me your instructions.

30 I’ve chosen the way of faithfulness.

≈I have desired your regulations.

31 I cling to ≈what you’ve revealed—

Yahweh, don’t let me be shamed.

32 I run along the path of your commands,

because you ?≈have expanded my mind.

ה (He)

33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your regulations,

and I’ll keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I’ll keep your teaching.

I’ll observe it with all my heart.

35 Guide me in the way of your commands,

because I delight in @your way.

36 ≈Help me to want to obey what you’ve revealed

and not ≈just want unscrupulous gain.

37 ≈Help me not to waste time looking at worthless things.

≈Encourage me to follow your ways.

38 Fulfill your promises to your servant

so that he will ≈respect and obey you.

39 ≈Help me to be able to avoid the disgrace that I dread,

because your judgements are good.

40 ≈Listen, I long for your principles.

≈Encourage me to follow your ≈ways that are right.

ו (Vav)

41 May ≈I experience your loyal commitment, Yahweh—

your salvation, according to your promise,

42 then I’ll answer the one who mocks me with #their words,

because I trust in ≈what you’ve told us.

43 Don’t totally ≈prevent me from talking about your message of truth,

because ≈my hope is based on your judgements.

44 I’ll always ≈obey what you taught,

forever and ever.

45 I’ll walk ?≈freely,

because I ≈strive to know your principles.

46 I will ≈tell kings what you’ve revealed,

and I won’t be ashamed.

47 I ≈take pleasure in obeying your commands,

which I love.

48 I will ?≈respect your commands, which I love.

I will meditate on your regulations.

ז (Zayin)

49 Remember your ≈promise to your servant

because you have given me hope.

50 That’s my comfort in my suffering.

Yes, your promise ≈keeps me alive.

51 Arrogant >people mock me terribly,

but I haven’t turned away from your instructions.

52 I remember your judgements from ancient times, Yahweh,

and I take comfort in that.

53 I’m seized by a hot anger

because of the wicked who reject your teaching.

54 Your regulations are songs for me

in the house where I’m staying.

55 I remember your name during the night, Yahweh,

and I follow your instruction.

56 This is for me

because I accept your principles.

ח (Het)

57 Yahweh is ≈who I’ve chosen.

I promise to obey ≈what you’ve said.

58 With my whole being, I ask for your favour.

Be merciful to me ≈like you’ve promised you would be.

59 I ≈carefully evaluate which paths I’ll follow

and ≈keep myself following what you’ve revealed.

60 I hurry and don’t ≈put off

obeying your commands.

61 The ropes of the wicked >people entangle me.

I don’t forget your instructions.

62 I get up in the middle of the night to bring praise to you

because ≈your judgements are always right and fair.

63 I’m a companion to all who ≈strive to obey you

and apply your principles.

64 The ≈world is full of your loyal commitment, Yahweh.

Teach me your regulations.

ט (Tet)

65 You do good to your servant, Yahweh,

≈as you’ve said you would.

66 Teach me good discernment and understanding,

because I trust in the wisdom of your commands.

67 Before ≈my troubles came, I went astray,

≈but now I observe your ≈promises.

68 You are good, and you do good.

Teach me your regulations.

69 The arrogant smear me with lies,

but I myself keep your principles with ≈sincerity.

70 Their hearts are unfeeling like fat,

but I myself delight in your instructions.

71 It is good for me that I’ve suffered

so that I’d learn your regulations.

72 The instructions ≈that come from your mouth are good for me—

more than thousands of gold and silver ≈coins.

י (Yod)

73 Your hands created and formed me.

Give me understanding so that I can learn your commands.

74 May those who ≈respect you see me and be happy

because I ≈put my hope in what you’ve said.

75 Yahweh, I know that your judgements are ≈fair and right,

and that it’s in faithfulness that you make me suffer.

76 Let your loyal commitment be my comfort,

as per your promise to your servant.

77 May your grace come to me so that I may live,

because your instructions are my delight.

78 Let the proud be put to shame,

because they’ve falsely accused me,

but as for me, I’ll meditate on your principles.

79 May those who ≈respect you turn to me,

and get to know ≈what you’ve revealed.

80 May my ≈conscience be blameless with respect to your regulations,

so that I won’t be put to shame.

כ (Kaf)

81 My inner being faints with longing for your salvation.

I put my hope in ≈what you’ve said.

82 My eyes are exhausted with longing for your promise,

saying, “When will you comfort me?”

83 because I’ve become brittle like a wineskin in the smoke.

I don’t forget your regulations.

84 How long must your servant wait—

when will you ≈punish those who persecute me?

85 The proud have dug pits to trap me,

which is not according to your instructions.

86 All your commands are ≈sensible.

@Those proud people pursue me ≈with false accusations—help me.

87 They have almost ≈finished me off here,

≈but as for me, I don’t reject your principles.

88 It’s your loyal commitment that keeps me alive,

so that I can obey ≈what you’ve revealed.

ל (Lamed)

89 Yahweh, your message stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness lasts from generation to generation.

You’ve established the earth and it ≈endures.

91 ?@The heavens and the earth ?≈implement your regulations

because all things are your servants.

92 If your instructions hadn’t been my delight

then I would have ≈died as a result of my suffering.

93 I’ll never forget your principles,

because through them, you’ve preserved ≈my life.

94 I’m yours—save me because I ≈strive to follow your principles.

95 The wicked wait for me in order to ≈kill me,

but I ≈strive to understand what you’ve revealed.

96 I’ve seen ≈a limit to all perfection,

but your commands are very ≈wide-ranging.

מ (Mem)

97 I ≈really love your instructions—

≈I spend all day meditating on them.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

because ≈I’m always aware of them.

99 I understand more than my teachers do

because I meditate on ≈what you’ve revealed.

100 I understand more than the elders do

because I’ve followed your principles.

101 I’ve ≈avoided all evil behaviour

so that I ≈can obey what you’ve said.

102 I haven’t deviated from your regulations,

because you yourself have taught me.

103 Your promises are sweet to my taste,

yes, even sweeter than honey ≈on my tongue.

104 I gain understanding through your principles

so I hate ≈all the different ways that people deceive >others.

נ (Nun)

105 Your message is a lamp ≈so I can see where I’m stepping

and a light ≈to illuminate my path.

106 I have ≈promised and have confirmed

that I will honour your judgements ≈that are fair and right.

107 I’m ≈suffering badly.

Keep me alive, Yahweh, ≈as you’ve said you would.

108 Yahweh, please accept the freewill offerings of my ≈praise,

and teach me your regulations.

109 My life is in ≈continual danger,

≈yet I don’t forget your instructions.

110 The wicked have set a trap for me,

≈but I haven’t strayed from your principles.

111 I ≈consider what you’ve revealed as my heritage forever,

because ≈it gives me great happiness.

112 I ≈make your regulations my priority forever—to the end.

ס (Samek)

113 I hate ≈people who say one thing and do another,

≈but I love your instructions.

114 You are my ≈safe place and my ≈protection—

I’ve ≈set my hopes on what you’ve said.

115 Get away from me, all you who choose ≈to do evil,

≈so that I can keep my God’s commands.

116 Sustain me like you promised you would, so that I may live

and don’t make me ashamed of my expectation.

117 Support me, and I’ll be saved,

and then I’ll continually be paying attention to your regulations.

118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes,

because their deceit is a form of lying.

119 You remove all the wicked from the earth like slag is skimmed off—

that’s why I love ≈what you’ve revealed.

120 My body trembles in fear of you,

and I’m afraid of your judgements.

ע (Ayin)

121 I’ve done what’s fair and right.

Don’t abandon me to my oppressors.

122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being—

don’t let the proud oppress me.

123 My eyes are exhausted waiting for ≈you to rescue me

and for your promise ?≈to free me of guilt.

124 Deal with your servant according to your loyal commitment,

and teach me your regulations.

125 I’m your servant—give me understanding

so that I ≈can understand what you’ve revealed.

126 It’s time for Yahweh to take action—

they ≈disobey your instructions.

127 That’s why I love your commands more than gold—

more than fine gold.

128 That’s why I consider all your principles to be right in everything.

I hate every path ≈that leads to lies.

פ (Pe)

129 ≈What you’ve revealed is wonderful,

therefore I obey it.

130 The unfolding of your messages gives light—

it gives insight to the untrained.

131 I open my mouth wide and pant

because I long for your commands.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me ≈as usual—

to those who love your name.

133 ≈Guide me as you promised

and don’t let wickedness gain power over me.

134 Pay the ransom to free me from oppression by ≈others

so that I may keep your principles.

135 ≈Look favourably on your servant,

and teach me your regulations.

136 ≈Tears stream down from my eyes

because ≈others don’t ≈follow your instructions.

צ (Tsade)

137 You ≈always do what is right, Yahweh,

and your regulations are fair.

138 ≈What you’ve revealed demands obedience

and much faithfulness.

139 My zeal has consumed me

because my enemies forget your messages.

140 ≈What you said is totally pure

and your servant loves it.

141 I’m unimportant, and despised.

I don’t forget your principles.

142 ≈You do right and it’s right forever,

and your instructions are true.

143 Distress and anguish have found me.

Your commands are my only delight.

144 ≈What you’ve revealed is right forever.

Give me understanding that I may live.

ק (Qof)

145 I cried out with my whole ≈being, “Answer me, Yahweh,

I will keep your regulations.”

146 I call out to you—save me,

so that I can keep ≈what you’ve revealed to us.

147 I rise before the dawn and cry out for help.

I put my hope in your words.

148 ≈I stay awake through the night hours

in order to meditate on ≈what you’ve said.

149 ≈Apply your loyal commitment to listening to my voice.

Yahweh, preserve my life according to your justice.

150 Those pursuing wickedness are coming near.

They wander far from your instructions.

151 You are near, Yahweh,

and all your commands are ≈reliable.

152 Long ago I learned from ≈the things that you revealed

that you had established them forever.

ר (Resh)

153 ≈Take note of my suffering and rescue me

because I don’t forget your instructions.

154 Plead my cause and ≈buy me back.

Give me life as ≈you promised.

155 ≈The wicked have no chance of getting rescued,

because they ≈have no interest in your regulations.

156 Your mercies are many, Yahweh.

Preserve me ≈by means of your judgements.

157 My pursuers and my adversaries are many

but I haven’t turned from ≈what you’ve revealed.

158 I see the treacherous and despise them

because they don’t ≈take notice of what you’ve said.

159 See how I love your principles.

Yahweh, preserve me according to your loyal commitment.

160 The ≈essence of your message is truth,

and all your righteous judgements last forever.

ש (Sin/Shin)

161 Officials pursue me without cause,

≈but my heart trembles ≈with what you’ve said.

162 I’m happy ≈because of what you’ve promised,

like someone who ≈discovers a large jackpot.

163 I hate deceit, ≈in fact I loathe it—

^it’s your instructions that I love.

164 I praise you seven times a day

on account of your righteous judgements.

165 Those who love your instructions find extensive peace—

nothing causes them to stumble.

166 I put my hope in you, Yahweh, ≈to rescue me,

and I do ≈what you commanded.

167 ≈I sincerely follow all the things that you’ve revealed,

and I love them a lot.

168 I keep your principles and ≈everything you’ve revealed,

because ≈you see everything I do.

ת (Tav)

169 Let my cry for help ≈approach you, Yahweh.

≈Speak to me to give me understanding.

170 May my request ≈reach your ears.

Rescue me ≈as you promised you would.

171 May my lips pour out praise,

because you teach me your regulations.

172 Let my tongue sing about your promise,

because all your commands are ≈right and fair.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

because I’ve chosen to follow your principles.

174 I long for ≈when you’ll rescue me, Yahweh,

and ≈I enjoy your instructions.

175 May I live and praise you,

and may your regulations help me.

176 I’ve wandered off like a lost sheep.

≈Come and find your servant because I haven’t forgotten your commands.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

120 I called out to Yahweh ≈when I was in distress,

and he answered me.

2 Rescue my life, Yahweh, from ≈lying lips—

from a tongue of deceit.

3 You deceitful tongue of the enemy,

what punishment will #Yahweh give to you,

and then what will he add on top of that?

4 Sharpened arrows ≈like a warrior uses,

along with burning coals of broom branches.

5 ≈It was my loss that I stayed at Meshek,

I lived among the tents at Kedar.

6 ≈I’ve lived my life for a long time

with haters of peace.

7 I’m for peace,

≈but when I speak, they’re for war.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents.

121 I ≈look up towards the hills.

Where will my help come from?

2 My help comes from Yahweh

who made heaven and earth.

3 May he not allow your #feet to slip.

May your protector ≈stay alert.

4 Listen, Yisrael’s protector doesn’t doze or sleep.

5 Yahweh is your bodyguard.

≈Yahweh ≈is beside you to shelter you.

6 Now the sun won’t harm you during the day,

≈or the moon at night-time.

7 Yahweh will protect you from all harm.

≈He will protect your life.

8 Yahweh will protect your comings and your goings

both now and then forever.

A song by David while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song of ascents. Of David.; A Song of Ascents. Of David.; A song of the ascents: for David; A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

122 I was happy when they said to me,

“Let’s go to Yahweh’s house.”

2 Yerushalem, our feet are standing inside your gates—

3 Yerushalem, the city that was built ?≈with its protective walls

4 which is where Yahweh’s tribes went up to

following ≈what was revealed to Yisrael to give thanks to Yahweh,

5 because judgement thrones remained there—

thrones of David’s ≈descendants.

6 Pray for Yerushalem to have ≈peace and prosperity.

≈May those who love @Yerushalem live at ease.

7 May there be peace within your walls—

peace within your fortresses.

8 For the sake of my friends and relatives

I’ll say, “May there be peace within you.”

9 For the sake of the house of our God Yahweh

I’ll ≈strive for the good of @Yerushalem.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

123 I ≈look up towards you—

you who ≈rule from your throne in the heavens.

2 ≈Just as servants look to their master for his favour,

and the maids look to their mistress,

so we look to our God Yahweh until he has mercy on us.

3 Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us,

because we’ve ≈been very humiliated by our enemies—

4 ≈in fact we’ve had way more than enough scoffing from the arrogant

and contempt from the proud.

A song by David while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song of ascents. Of David.; A Song of Ascents. Of David.; A song of the ascents: for David; A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

124 Let Yisra’el (Israel) now say,

“If Yahweh hadn’t ≈been on our side,

2 yes, ≈when we were attacked

if Yahweh hadn’t ≈been on our side,

3 they would have swallowed us up alive

when their anger raged against us.

4 Then the water would have swept us away—

the torrent would have gone right over ≈us.

5 ≈≈Yes, then the raging waters would have gone over us.

6 ≈We praise Yahweh

who didn’t allow our enemies to tear us apart with their teeth.

7 We’ve escaped like a bird out of a bird-catcher’s trap—

the trap’s been broken and we’ve escaped.

8 ≈We rely on Yahweh for our help—

the one who made heaven and earth.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

125 Those who trust in Yahweh

are like Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) which can’t be shaken—enduring forever.

2 Just like the mountains surround Yerushalem,

so too Yahweh surrounds his people, both now and forever.

3 ≈Wicked rulers must not ≈settle on the land alloted to the righteous,

otherwise those righteous people might end up ≈doing something that they shouldn’t do.

4 Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good

and to those who ≈strive to do what is right.

5 ≈But as for those who choose to turn to crooked paths,

Yahweh will banish them along with those who do evil.

May peace be on Yisra’el.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

126 When Yahweh restored Tsiyyon’s fortunes,

we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter

≈and our tongues with singing.

Then they said among the nations,

“Yahweh has done great things for them.”

3 Yahweh did great things for us.

How glad we were.

4 Restore our fortunes, Yahweh,

like the streams do in the Negev desert.

5 Those who sow in tears will harvest with cheerful shouts.

6 ≈The man who goes out weeping, carrying seed ≈to sow,

will return again with happy shouts—bringing his bundles of grain with him.

A song by Solomon while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song of the ascents: for Solomon; A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.; A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.; A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

127 If it’s not Yahweh who builds the house, those who build it ≈are just wasting their time.

≈If it’s not Yahweh who guards the city, the watchman stands guard uselessly.

2 It’s pointless ≈getting up early, then coming home late,

or ≈working so hard to get your food,

because Yahweh provides for ≈those he loves even while they’re asleep.

3 ≈Yes, children are a heritage from Yahweh,

and the product of the womb is a reward.

4 The children of a young man

are like arrows in a warrior’s hand.

5 The man who has his quiver full of them is blessed.

He won’t be put to shame when he confronts his enemies at the community gate.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

128 Blessed is everyone who honours Yahweh—

who ≈strives to follow what he showed us.

2 When you eat the ≈product of your own hard work,

you will be blessed and prosper.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in your house.

Your children will be like olive trees as they sit around your table.

4 Yes, indeed, the man who honours Yahweh will be blessed.

5 May Yahweh bless you from Tsiyyon (Zion)—

may you see Yerushalem’s prosperity ≈throughout your whole life.

6 May you live to see your children’s children.

May peace be on Yisra’el.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

129 Let Yisra’el (Israel) say:

“@My enemies have attacked me often since my youth.

2 Yes, often since my youth they’ve attacked me,

yet they haven’t defeated me.

3 &Their ploughmen ploughed on my back—

they made their furrows long.

4 Yahweh is righteous.

He’s cut the ropes of the wicked.”[fn]

5 May all those who hate Tsiyyon (Zion)

be humiliated and turned back.

6 May they be like the grass that sprouts up on a roof

then dries up and dies before it ≈can grow tall,

7 ≈so it’s no use to the harvester

≈or to the person tying up the bundles of grain.

8 May ≈no one who’s passing by say to those haters of Tsiyyon,

“May Yahweh’s blessing be on you all,”

or, “We bless you all in Yahweh’s name.”

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

130 I call out to you, Yahweh—

out from the depths.

2 My master, listen to ≈what I’m saying.

≈Pay attention to my pleas for mercy.

3 Yahweh if you ≈kept a record of our disobedience,

master, who could stand before you?

4 ≈But you do have a willingness to forgive

so that you might be ≈respected.

5 I wait for Yahweh to rescue me—

I ≈put my trust in what he’s said.

6 I wait for my master to help me—

≈more eagerly than the night guard looks forward to the morning.

7 Yisra’el, put your hope in Yahweh.

Yahweh is merciful ≈and very willing to get us out of our situation.

8 ≈He’s the one who’ll pay the price for all Yisrael’s sins

≈so we can be free.[ref]

A song by David while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song of ascents. Of David.; A Song of Ascents. Of David.; A song of the ascents: for David; A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

131 Yahweh, ≈I’m not boastful or full of pride,

nor do I ≈pretend to understand amazing things that are beyond me.

2 ≈Instead I’ve worked to maintain inner peace and quietness

like a child who’s been weaned yet still trusts fully in its mother.

3 Yisra’el, put your hope in Yahweh

from now on and forever.

A song by David while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

132 Yahweh, for David’s sake, remember all ≈the hardships he endured.

2 ≡Remember how he ≈made a promise to you, Yahweh—

how he made a vow to Yakov’s mighty warrior:

3 “I won’t enter my ≈home,

≈or lie down in my bed.

4 I won’t let my eyes close

≈or let ≈myself doze away

5 until I’ve found a place for Yahweh—

a ≈residence for the powerful one ≈that Yakov worshipped.

6 Listen, we heard that @the sacred box was in Efratah.

We found it in Yaar’s fields.[ref]

7 We’ll go into ≈the place where he lives.

We’ll ≈bow low in front of him where he sits.

8 Yahweh, ≈come to the place where you can remain—

you and the sacred chest ≈that represents your power.

9 May your priests ≈wrap themselves in integrity.

May your faithful followers shout happily.

10 For your servant David’s sake,

don’t ≈just ignore the one that you’ve chosen.

11 Yahweh, you promised David ≈and you won’t break that promise.

You said, “I’ll put your ≈descendants on your throne.[ref]

12 If your sons keep my agreement and the instructions that I’ll teach them,

then their children also will sit on your throne forevermore,”

13 ≈Yes, Yahweh has chosen Tsiyyon (Zion)—

that’s where he wants to reside.

14 He said, “This is my resting place forever.

I’ll live here, because I like @this place.

15 I’ll bless Tsiyyon with generous provisions.

Her poor people ≈will have enough food to be satisfied.

16 I’ll ≈have her priests lead the people to be saved.

The faithful people will shout aloud in their happiness.

17 ≈I’ll cause on of David’s descendants to become a great king there,[ref]

and ≈shine the light on the one I’ve chosen.

18 I’ll ≈cause his enemies to be shamed,

and it’s his crown that will shine.

A song by David while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song of ascents. Of David.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents: for David; A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

133 ≈Listen, it’s really good and pleasant

when the nation’s ≈people get on well together.

2 It’s like having ≈expensive oil on the head,

running down the beard—Aaron’s beard,

and which then runs down onto the collar of his robes.

3 It’s like the dew on Mt. Hermon

which falls on the mountains of Tsiyyon (Zion),

because Yahweh commanded the blessing there—eternal life.

A song for walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.; A song of ascents.; A Song of Ascents.; A song of the ascents

134 Listen, bless Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh—

you who stand in Yahweh’s house at night.

2 Lift up your hands towards the sacred place and bless Yahweh.

3 May Yahweh, ≈the creator of heaven and earth

bless you from Tsiyyon (Zion).

135 Praise Yahweh—praise *his name.

Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,

2 who stand in the house of Yahweh—

in the courtyards around our God’s house.

3 Praise Yahweh, because *he is good.

≈Sing praises to his name because it’s pleasant,

4 because Yahweh has chosen Yakov for himself—

Yisra’el as his ≈very own.

5 ≈You see, I myself know that Yahweh is great,

≈yes, our master is greater than all other gods.

6 Yahweh does whatever he wants to do

in heaven and on the earth,

in the seas ≈including all their deepest parts.

7 He makes the clouds rise up from the end of the earth.

He makes lightning accompany the rain,

and brings the wind out of his storehouse.

8 He struck Egypt’s firstborn males—

≈both people and animals.[ref]

9 He ≈did miracles and amazing things in your country, Egypt,

against Far-oh (Pharaoh) and all his servants.

10 He struck many nations

and killed powerful kings,

11 Sihon king of the Amorites,

and Og king of Bashan,

and all the Canaanite ≈kings.

12 He gave their land as an inheritance—

an inheritance to his people Yisra’el.

13 Your ≈reputation lasts forever, Yahweh.

≈Your renown, Yahweh, endures from generation to generation

14 because Yahweh judges his people,

and ≈he’s compassionate towards his servants.

15 The nations’ idols are silver and gold—

the work of people’s hands.[ref]

16 Those idols have mouths, but they can’t speak.

≈They have eyes, but they can’t see.

17 ≈They have ears, but they can’t hear,

≈and there’s no breath in their mouths.

18 Those who make them ≈will end up like them,

as will all those who put their trust in them.

19 ≈Descendants of Yisra’el, bless Yahweh.

≈Descendants of Aharon, bless Yahweh.

20 ≈Descendants of Levi, bless Yahweh.

All you who respect Yahweh, bless *him.

21 Blessed be Yahweh in Tsiyyon—

≈he who lives in Yerushalem.

Praise Yahweh.

136 Give thanks to Yahweh, because he’s good,[ref]

because his loyal affection continues forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods,

because his loyal affection continues forever.

3 Give thanks to the master of masters,

because his loyal affection continues forever.

4 ≡Thank him—the only one who goes great miracles—

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

5 ≡Thank him who ≈used his wisdom to make the universe,[ref]

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

6 ≡Thank him who spread the earth out over the waters,[ref]

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

7 ≡Thank him who made the great lights,[ref]

because his loyal commitment continues forever:

8 the sun to rule over the day,

because his loyal commitment continues forever,

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

10 ≡Thank him who struck Egypt’s firstborn males,[ref]

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

11 He led Yisrael out from among @the Egyptians,[ref]

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

12 ≡He led them with his powerful hand and outstretched arm,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

13 ≡Thank him who divided the Red Sea in ≈two,[ref]

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

14 Then he made Yisrael go through the middle of @that sea,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

15 Then he threw Far-oh and his army down into the Red Sea,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

16 ≡Thank him who led his people through the wilderness,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

17 ≡Thank him who struck down great kings,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

18 ≡Thank him who killed powerful kings,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

19 ≡Thank him who killed the Amorite King Sihon,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

20 ≡Thank him who killed King Og from Bashan,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

21 ≡Thank him who gave them the land as their inheritance,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

22 ≡Thank him who gave an inheritance to his servant Yisra’el,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

23 ≡Thank him who remembered us ≈when we felt so low,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

24 Then he rescued us from ≈those who set themselves against us,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

25 ≡Thank him who gives food to ≈all living creatures,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

26 ≈Yes, give thanks to the God of the heavens,

because his loyal commitment continues forever.

137 We sat beside the rivers in Babylon

sat and wept when we ≈thought about Tsiyyon (Zion).

2 We hung our harps there on the willow trees

3 because our captors there had demanded that we sing songs,

and those who never stopped mocking us said,

“Sing us one of the songs from Tsiyyon.”

4 How could we sing a song about Yahweh

while we were captive ≈in a foreign country?

5 If I forget about you, Yerushalem,

may my right hand forget how to do anything.

6 Let my tongue stick to my palate if I don’t keep remembering you—

if I don’t ≈prioritise Yerushalem over my ≈favourite pastime.

7 Remember, Yahweh, the day Yerushalem fell,

how the ≈Edomites said,

“Tear it down—tear it down to its foundations.”

8 You daughter of Babylon who will be destroyed—

blessed be the one who repays you for what you did to us.[ref]

9 Blessed be the one who seizes your little ones

and smashes them against the rocks.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

138 I will thank you, Yahweh, with my whole ≈being.

I’ll sing praises to you in front of the ≈idols.

2 I will bow down toward your sacred temple,

and I’ll thank you for your loyal commitment and for your trustworthiness,

because you’ve made your ≈reputation and your message ≈more important than anything else.

3 ≈When I called out for help, you answered me.

→You ≈gave me strength and made me bold.

4 All the kings of the earth will thank you, Yahweh,

→because they will hear ≈what you’re saying.

5 ≈Yes, they’ll sing about Yahweh’s ways,

because Yahweh’s ≈honour is outstanding,

6 because although Yahweh is up high, yet he can still see the lowly,

and he knows the proud from far off.

7 Even when I’m walking ≈with danger all around me,

you will preserve my life.

You ≈actively oppose the anger of my enemies,

and you save me with your ≈intervention.

8 Yahweh will avenge >them for me.

Your loyal affection continues forever.

You don’t abandon the work ≈that you started.

One of David’s songs for the choir director.

For the leader: for David: a psalm; For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.; To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.; For the choir director: A psalm of David.

139 Yahweh, you have examined me, and you know >me.

2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up.

≈You understand my thoughts from far away.

3 You’ve ≈watched where I go and where I rest,

≈and you’re familiar with ≈everything I do.

4 Before the words even get to my tongue,

Yahweh, you already know ≈everything that I’m going to say.

5 ≈In front of me and behind me, you surround me

≈to use your power to protect me.

6 That knowledge is too amazing for me.

≈It’s ≈above me and beyond my reach.

7 Where can I go from your spirit?

Where could I run away to—away from your presence?

8 If I ascend up to the heavens, you’re there.

≈If I make my bed in ≈the grave, wow, you’re even there.

9 If I ≈flew up high with the dawning sun

or stayed down in a remote part of the ocean,

10 you’d still be there to lead me with your hand

and ≈you would help me.

11 If I said, “Surely the darkness will cover me,

and the light will become night around me,”

12 even the darkness wouldn’t be dark to you,

and the night would shine like the day.

The darkness is like the light to you.

13 ≈Yes, you created my internal parts—

you put me together inside my mother’s womb.

14 I’ll praise you because ≈it’s incredible how my body is made.

Everything ≈you do is wonderful.

My inner being knows that very well.

15 My bones weren’t hidden from you when I was made in private—

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All ≈my history was already recorded in your book

even before ≈any of those days had started.

17 Your thoughts are so precious to me, God.

≈They add up to something incredible.

18 If I counted them, there’d be more than the sand grains.

When I wake up, I’m still with you.

19 If only you’d kill the wicked, God.

And you ≈violent men, get away from me

20 because they speak against you ≈due to their evil desires—

your enemies ≈lie about you.

21 Yahweh, I ≈certainly hate those who hate you.

I despise those who ≈rebel against you.

22 I hate them completely—

they’ve become my enemies.

23 Examine me, God, and know my ≈inner feelings.

≈Test me and know my thoughts.

24 See if there is any wicked way in me,

and lead me on the ≈timeless path.

A song by David for the choir director.

To the leader. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: a psalm: for David; For the choir director: A psalm of David.; For the director of music. A psalm of David.

140 Yahweh, rescue me from wicked men.

≈≈Keep me safe from men of violence

2 because they plan evil in their hearts.

They assemble for battles every day.

3 Their sharpen their tongues like #snakes.

≈Vipers’ poison is on their lips.[ref] (Instrumental break.)

4 Keep me from the hands of the wicked, Yahweh;.

≈Protect me from violent men who plan to ≈ruin me.

5 The proud have set a trap for me,

and they’ve spread a net with ropes.

They’ve set traps for me along the path. (Instrumental break.)

6 I said to Yahweh, “You’re my God.

Yahweh, ≈listen to my cries for mercy.”

7 Yahweh, my master, you’re the ≈strong one who can save me.

You ≈protect my head ≈during the battle.

8 Yahweh, don’t ≈let the wicked get what they want.

Don’t ≈allow their evil plans to succeed, or let them attack. (Instrumental break.)

9 Those who surround me raise their heads.

Let the mischief from their own lips ≈bounce back on them.

10 Let burning coals fall on them.

≈Throw them into the fire or into muddy pits.

→Never again will they ≈try to attack.

11 May no ≈agitator become established in the land.

≈May evil speedily hunt down the man ≈planning violence.

12 I know that Yahweh will act with favour for the poor

≈and with justice to the needy.

13 Surely the ≈godly >people will praise your name.

The upright will live peaceably ≈in your presence.

A song by David.

A psalm: for David; A psalm of David.; A Psalm of David.

141 Yahweh, I called out to you. Come quickly to me.

≈≈Listen to my voice when I call to you.

2 May my prayer rise to your face like incense.[ref]

≈May my lifted hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3 Yahweh, place a guard over my mouth.

≈Guard the door which is my lips.

4 Don’t let my heart bend toward any evil thing

≈or participate in sinful activities

with men who behave wickedly.

May I not eat any of their delicacies.

5 Let a righteous person hit me—it would be a kindness.

≈Let them correct me—it will be soothing like ≈lotion on my head.

≈Help me not to be defiant,

because my prayer is always against ≈those who do wicked things.

6 When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs,

?@the people will listen to my words because they’re pleasant.

7 Like when someone ploughs and breaks up the ground,

so our bones have been scattered at the ≈entrance to the grave.

8 My eyes are on you, Yahweh, my master.

≈You’re my place of protection—don’t abandon my life.

9 Keep me from the trap that they’ve laid for me—

from the ≈nets of those who do evil.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets

while I escape.

A song[fn] and prayer of David when he was hiding in a cave.

A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A Prayer.; A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.; A maskil: for David (when he was in the cave): a prayer; A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.

142 I cry out to Yahweh with my voice.

≈With my voice I plead to Yahweh for &his favour.

2 I pour out my sorrows to him.

≈I declare my troubles in front of him.

3 When my spirit is weak within me, you yourself know my path.

They’ve hidden a trap for me along the path that I walk.

4 I look ≈around and see ≈that no one takes any notice of me.

≈There’s no safe place for me to escape to

and there’s no one who cares for my ≈life.

5 I called out to you for help, Yahweh.

I said that you’re my ≈protection—

my portion in the land of the living.

6 Listen to my cries for help because I’ve been ≈driven into a bad situation.

≈Rescue me from my pursuers because they’re stronger than I am.

7 Bring my life out of prison in order to praise your name.

The ≈godly >people will gather around me because you’ve been good to me.

A song by David.

A psalm: for David; A psalm of David.; A Psalm of David.

143 Hear my prayer, Yahweh—listen to my requests.

On account of your faithfulness, answer me in your righteousness.

2 Don’t judge me, your servant,

because no living person is innocent anyway.[ref]

3 The enemy has pursued my ≈life.

He’s smashed ≈me into the ground.

He’s forced me to live in darkness like those who’ve been dead a long time.

4 My spirit is getting weaker.

≈My mind is full of despair.

5 I remember the good old days.

I meditate about ≈your activities.

≈I consider all ≈the things you’ve done.

6 I spread my hands out towards you.

≈I long for you like a thirsty person longs for water in the desert. (Instrumental break.)

7 Answer me quickly, Yahweh, because my spirit is weak.

Don’t hide yourself from me or I’ll become like those going down into the pit.

8 Every morning I want to hear about your loyal commitment

because I’ve put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go

because I’ve ≈committed my life to you.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh—

I ≈trust you as my protector.

10 Teach me to do ≈what you like

because you’re my God.

May your good spirit lead me

out of the valley onto level ground.

11 Yahweh, keep me alive for the sake of your ≈reputation.

Rescue me from trouble because you always ≈do what is right.

12 ≈Apply your loyal commitment and cut off my enemies.

Destroy all those threatening my life, because I’m your servant.

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

144 Blessed be Yahweh, my ≈stable base,

who trains my hands for war

≈and my fingers for battle.

2 You’re my fortress and ≈show your loyal commitment to me.

≡You’re my high tower and the one who rescues me,

my shield and the one ≈I trust for my protection—

the one who subdues other nations under me.

3 Yahweh, what’s humankind that you take notice of them?

Why do you even consider ≈humanity?[ref]

4 People are like a ≈puff of air—

≈here one minute and gone the next.

5 Yahweh, cause your sky to bend over and come down.

Touch the mountains and make them ≈active.

6 Flash your lightning and scatter @your enemies.

Send your arrows and drive them away.

7 Reach your hand down from above.

Save me and rescue me from the surging waters—

away from ≈being controlled by foreigners

8 ≈who always tell lies,

≈even when they promise to tell the truth.

9 I will sing a new song to you, God.

I’ll play the ten-stringed instrument for you

10 who ≈saves kings from their enemies—

the one who rescued his servant David from a ≈deadly sword.

11 Rescue me from ≈being controlled by foreigners

≈who always tell lies,

≈even when they promise to tell the truth.

12 May our sons be like plants that grow large ≈even when they’re still young

and our daughters ≡grow like carved corner pillars in a palace.

13 May our storehouses be full with every kind of produce,

and may the sheep in our fields produce thousands, even tens of thousands.

14 May our oxen have many young.

No one will break through, no one will go out,

and no one will cry in our streets.

15 The people that that happens to are blessed.

Blessed are the people for whom Yahweh is #their God.

A praise song by David.

Praise. Of David.; A psalm of praise. Of David.; A psalm of praise of David.; A psalm of praise: for David

א (Alef)

145 I will ≈highly commend you, my God, the King.

I will praise your name ^without ending.

ב (Beyt)

2 Every day I’ll make sure to bless you.

I will praise your name forever and ever.

ג (Gimel)

3 Yahweh is great and ≈deserving of a lot of praise—

≈We can’t fully comprehend his greatness.

ד (Dalet)

4 Generation to generation will celebrate because of ≈what you’ve done

and they’ll ≈tell others about your powerful actions.

ה (He)

5 I’ll meditate on ≈your incredible splendour and honour

≈as well as all ≈the marvellous things that you’ve done.

ו (Vav)

6 They’ll tell ≈about how your awesome actions show your power,

and I’ll speak about your greatness.

ז (Zayin)

7 They’ll remember the fame of your extravagant goodness,

and they’ll happily sing about your righteousness.

ח (Het)

8 Yahweh is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and ≈frequently displaying his loyal commitment.

ט (Tet)

9 Yahweh is good to everyone,

and ≈desires the best for everything he made.

י (Yod)

10 Everyone you’ve made will give thanks to you, Yahweh.

Your faithful supporters will bless you.

כ (Kaf)

11 They’ll tell about the splendour of your kingdom,

and they’ll speak about of your power,

ל (Lamed)

12 making his powerful actions known to humanity’s children,

along with the incredible splendour of his kingdom.

מ (Mem)

נ (Nun)

13 Your kingdom ≈will continue forever,

and ≈you’ll rule generation after generation.

ס (Samek)

14 Yahweh supports all those who are falling

and raises up all those who are bent over ?under heavy loads.

ע (Ayin)

15 ≈Everyone and everything’s eyes are watching out for you.

You give them their food at the proper time.

פ (Pe)

16 You open your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living >thing.

צ (Tsade)

17 Yahweh is righteous in all his ways

and shows kindness in everything he does.

ק (Qof)

18 Yahweh is near to all who call to him—

to all who ≈sincerity request his help.

ר (Resh)

19 For those who ≈strive to obey him, he does ≈what they desire,

and he hears their ≈call for help and saves them.

ש (Sin/Shin)

20 Yahweh protects all those who love him,

≈but he’ll destroy all the wicked.

ת (Tav)

21 My mouth speaks the praise of Yahweh.

Let ≈everybody bless his holy name forever and ever.

146 Praise Yah.

≈I’ll praise Yahweh ≈with my whole being.

2 I’ll praise Yahweh with my life.

≈I’ll sing praises to my God as long as I live.

3 Don’t trust in ≈politicians

≈or in people—≈none of them can save you.

4 When #their breath ceases, #they return to the ground—

all #their plans ≈come to an end at that time.

5 Blessed are the #people who have Yacob’s God ≈to help #them—

whose hope is in #their God Yahweh:

6 He’s the one who made the heavens and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.

He’s the one who ≈remains faithful forever.[ref]

7 He’s the one who ≈executes justice for the oppressed.

He’s the one who gives ≈food to the hungry.

Yahweh liberates the prisoners.

8 Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind.

Yahweh ≈straightens up those who are bowed down under heavy loads.

Yahweh loves those who ≈do what is right.

9 Yahweh guards the refugees.

He sustains #orphans and widows,

≈but he subverts the ≈plans of the wicked.

10 Yahweh reigns forever.

Tsiyyon (Zion), your God reigns ≈throughout the generations.

Praise Yahweh.

147 Praise Yahweh.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

≈How pleasant and suitable is a praise song.

2 Yahweh builds up Yerushalem (Jerusalem),

He gathers the Israelis ≈who were taken to other countries.

3 He heals those who are broken-hearted

and ≈bandages their wounds.

4 He counts the stars—

he calls all of them ≈by name.

5 Our master is ≈wonderful and ≈very powerful.

His understanding is ≈unlimited.

6 Yahweh ≈helps the oppressed up.

He brings down the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving.

≈Make music for our God with a harp.

8 He’s the one who covers the skies with clouds.

≈He’s the one who prepares rain for the earth.

He’s the one who makes the mountains sprout with grass.

9 He gives food to the animals

≈and to the ravens’ ≈chicks when they ≈squawk.

10 He doesn’t delight in the strength of a horse,

≈He doesn’t enjoy a man’s legs.

11 Yahweh enjoys those who fear him—

those who ≈know to expect his loyal commitment.

12 ≈Tell about Yahweh’s greatness, Yerushalem.

≈Praise your God, Tsiyyon,

13 because he strengthens the locking bars on your gates.

He blesses your children there ≈in the city.

14 He give peace on your borders.

He satisfies you with ≈excellent grain.

15 He sends out his command to the soil,

≈His message ≈travels quickly.

16 He makes the snow coat the ground like wool on a sheep.

≈He scatters the frost across the countryside like people scatter ashes.

17 He sends out his hail like crumbs brushed off a table.

Who can stand before his cold?

18 He sends out his command and melts them.

≈He makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.

19 He declared his message to Yakob (Jacob)—

≈his instructions and his regulations for Yisrael.

20 He hasn’t done that for any other country,

≈and as for his instructions, they don’t know them.

Praise Yahweh.

148 Praise Yahweh.

Praise Yahweh from the skies.

≈Praise him in the heights.

2 Praise him, all his messengers.

≈Praise him, all his armies.

3 Praise him, sun and moon.

≈Praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, highest heavens

≈and the waters that are above the heavens.[ref]

5 Let them praise Yahweh’s name,

because he ≈gave the command and then they were created.[ref]

6 He has established them forever and ever.

He made a decree and it won’t ever ≈become invalid.

7 Praise Yahweh from the earth,

≈you sea monsters and all ocean depths,

8 fire and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds doing ≈what he commanded.

9 The mountains and all the hills,

the fruit trees and all the cedars,

10 both wild and all the domestic animals,

reptiles and winged birds.

11 Kings ≈across the world and all the peoples,

princes and all judges ≈across the world,

12 young men and also young women,

the elderly along with the children,

13 let them all praise Yahweh’s name,

because his name alone is ≈famous.

His ≈splendour extends over the earth and in the heavens.

14 He has ≈increased his people’s military strength.

Praise from all his faithful ones—

from the children of Yisrael—the people near to him.

Praise Yahweh.

149 Praise Yahweh.

Sing a new song to Yahweh.

Praise him in the assembly of the faithful ones.

2 Let Yisrael’s people be glad about the one who made them.

≈Let Tsiyyon’s/Zion’s children be glad about their king.

3 Let them praise him with dancing—

making music with #tambourines and #harps,

4 because Yahweh appreciates his people,

and he ≈honours humble people by saving them.

5 That honour will make the faithful people cheerful,

and they’ll happily sing ≈during the night.

6 They should use their mouths to praise God,

≈but hold ≈sharp swords in their hands

7 to inflict vengeance on the nations

≈and punishment on the people groups,

8 to tie their kings up with chains

≈and to put their nobles into iron shackles.

9 They’ll carry out the written judgements against them.

That’ll be an honour for all his faithful ones.

Praise Yahweh.

150 Praise Yahweh.

Praise God in his residence ≈of holiness.

≈Praise him ≈for his power in heaven.

2 Praise him for his powerful deeds.

≈Praise him because he’s so influential.

3 Praise him with a trumpet blast.

≈Praise him with the ukelele and harp.

4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing.

≈Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.

5 Praise him with vibrating cymbals.

≈Praise him with clanging cymbals.

6 Let everything that can breathe praise Yahweh.

Praise Yahweh.