Previous Book (JOB) PSA 88 OET Book index, Intro, and Key PSA 90 Next Book (PRO) FAQs Glossary
Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.
Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.
Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.
The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)
See also the FAQs and the Glossary.
89:1 To be sung my the goodness of God
God’s Covenant with David; A Hymn in Time of National Trouble
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.
≈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.
≈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
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)
↑ 89 A_poem of_ʼĒytān the_ʼEzrāḩī.
2 \f + \fr 89:2 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
1\f* the_covenant_loyalti(es)_of YHWH forever I_will_sing to_generation and_generation I_will_make_known faithfulness_of_your in/on/at/with_mouth_of_my.
3 \f + \fr 89:3 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
2\f* if/because I_have_said forever covenant_loyalty the_heavens it_will_be_built you_establish faithfulness_of_your in/on/at/with_them.
4 \f + \fr 89:4 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
3\f* I_have_made a_covenant with_chosen_of_my I_have_sworn_an_oath to_Dāvid servant_of_my.
5 \f + \fr 89:5 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
4\f* until perpetuity I_will_establish descendants_of_your and_build_up for_generation and_generation throne_of_your Şelāh.
6 \f + \fr 89:6 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
5\f* and_praise the_heavens wonders_of_your Oh_YHWH also faithfulness_of_your in/on/at/with_assembly_of the_holy_ones.
7 \f + \fr 89:7 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
6\f* if/because who in/on/at/with_skies is_he_comparable to/for_YHWH is_he_like to/for_YHWH in/on/at/with_sons_of gods.
\f + \fr 89:7 \ft OSHB note: BHS has been faithful to the Leningrad Codex where there might be a question of the validity of the form and we keep the same form as BHS.
\f* 8 \f + \fr 89:8 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
7\f* god is_awesome in/on/at/with_council_of the_holy_ones much and_awesome above all_of around_of_him.
9 \f + \fr 89:9 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
8\f* Oh_YHWH god_of hosts who like_you is_mighty Oh_Yah and_faithfulness_of_your surrounds_of_you.
10 \f + \fr 89:10 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
9\f* you are_ruling in/on/at/with_raging_of the_sea in/on/at/with_rise waves_of_its you still_them.
11 \f + \fr 89:11 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
10\f* you you_crushed like_the_slain Rāḩāⱱ¦259183 in/on/at/with_arm_of mighty_of_your you_scattered enemies_of_your.
12 \f + \fr 89:12 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
11\f* to/for_yourself(m) heaven also to/for_yourself(m) the_earth the_world and_all_that_is_in_of_it you founded_them.
13 \f + \fr 89:13 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
12\f* the_north and_south you created_them Tāⱱōr and_Ḩermōn in/on/at/with_name_of_your they_shout_for_joy.
14 \f + \fr 89:14 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
13\f* to/for_yourself(m) an_arm with strength hand_of_your it_is_strong right_hand_of_your it_is_exalted.
15 \f + \fr 89:15 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
14\f* is_righteousness and_justice the_foundation_of throne_of_your covenant_loyalty and_faithfulness they_come_to_meet your(ms)_faces/face.
16 \f + \fr 89:16 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
15\f* how_blessed the_people which_know_of (of)_a_shout_of_joy Oh_YHWH in/on/at/with_light_of countenance_of_your walk.
17 \f + \fr 89:17 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
16\f* in/on/at/with_name_of_your rejoice all_of the_day and_in/on/at/with_righteousness_of_your they_are_exalted.
18 \f + \fr 89:18 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
17\f* if/because are_the_splendour_of strength_of_their you and_in/on/at/with_favour_of_your it_is_exalted\f + \fr 89:18 \ft OSHB variant note: תרים: (x-qere) ’תָּר֥וּם’: lemma_7311 a morph_HVqi3fs id_19JGx תָּר֥וּם\f* horn_of_our.
19 \f + \fr 89:19 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
18\f* if/because to/for_YHWH shield_of_our and_to_holy_of Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) king_of_our.
20 \f + \fr 89:20 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
19\f* then you_spoke in/on/at/with_vision to_faithful_of_your and_she/it_said I_have_placed help on a_warrior I_have_raised_up a_chosen_one from_people.
21 \f + \fr 89:21 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
20\f* I_have_found Dāvid servant_of_my in/on/at/with_oil_of holy_of_my anointed_him.
22 \f + \fr 89:22 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
21\f* whom hand_of_my it_will_be_steadfast with_him/it also arm_of_my strengthen_him.
23 \f + \fr 89:23 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
22\f* not he_will_deceive an_enemy in/on/over_him/it and_man_of injustice not afflict_him.
24 \f + \fr 89:24 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
23\f* and_crush at_before_of_him foes_of_his and_hate_of_him I_will_strike_down.
25 \f + \fr 89:25 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
24\f* and_faithfulness_of_my and_love_of_my with_him/it and_in/on/at/with_name_of_my horn_of_his it_will_be_exalted.
26 \f + \fr 89:26 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
25\f* and_set in/on/at/with_sea his/its_hand and_in/on/at/with_rivers right_hand_of_his.
27 \f + \fr 89:27 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
26\f* he cry_me father_of_my you god_of_my and_rock_of salvation_of_my.
28 \f + \fr 89:28 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
27\f* also I firstborn make_him most_high of_kings_of the_earth.
29 \f + \fr 89:29 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
28\f* to_forever I_will_keep\f + \fr 89:29 \ft OSHB variant note: אשמור: (x-qere) ’אֶשְׁמָר’: lemma_8104 morph_HVqi1cs id_19b8w אֶשְׁמָר\f* to_him/it steadfast_love_of_my and_covenant_of_my will_be_reliable to_him/it.
30 \f + \fr 89:30 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
29\f* and_establish to_forever his/its_seed and_throne_of_his as_days_of the_heavens.
31 \f + \fr 89:31 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
30\f* if they_will_abandon sons_of_his law_of_my and_in/on/at/with_ordinances_of_my not walk.
32 \f + \fr 89:32 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
31\f* if regulations_of_my they_will_violate and_commands_of_my not they_will_keep.
33 \f + \fr 89:33 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
32\f* and_punish in/on/at/with_rod transgression_of_their and_in/on/at/with_stripes iniquity_of_their.
34 \f + \fr 89:34 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
33\f* and_steadfast_love_of_my not I_will_break_off from_with_him and_not I_will_deal_falsely in/on/at/with_faithfulness_of_my.
35 \f + \fr 89:35 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
34\f* not I_will_violate covenant_of_my and_that_went_forth_of lips_of_my not I_will_change.
36 \f + \fr 89:36 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
35\f* one_time I_have_sworn_an_oath in/on/at/with_holiness_of_my if to_Dāvid I_will_lie.
37 \f + \fr 89:37 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
36\f* his/its_seed to_forever it_will_be and_throne_of_his like_the_sun before_me.
38 \f + \fr 89:38 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
37\f* like_moon it_will_be_established forever and_witness in/on/at/with_sky which_is_reliable Şelāh.
39 \f + \fr 89:39 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
38\f* and_you(ms) you_have_spurned and_rejected you_have_been_furious with anointed_of_your.
40 \f + \fr 89:40 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
39\f* you_have_repudiated the_covenant_of servant_of_your you_have_profaned in_the_dust crown_of_his.
41 \f + \fr 89:41 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
40\f* you_have_broken_through all_of walls_of_his you_have_made strongholds_of_his a_ruin.
\f + \fr 89:41 \ft OSHB note: BHS has been faithful to the Leningrad Codex where there might be a question of the validity of the form and we keep the same form as BHS.
\f* 42 \f + \fr 89:42 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
41\f* plunder_him all_of those_who_pass_by_of the_road he_has_become a_reproach to_neighbours_of_his.
43 \f + \fr 89:43 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
42\f* you_have_exalted the_right_hand_of foes_of_his you_have_allowed_to_rejoice all_of enemies_of_his.
44 \f + \fr 89:44 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
43\f* also you_turn_back the_flint_of sword_of_his and_not supported_him in/on/at/with_battle.
45 \f + \fr 89:45 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
44\f* you_have_made_cease to_splendour_of_his and_throne_of_his to_the_ground you_have_thrown.
46 \f + \fr 89:46 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
45\f* you_have_cut_short the_days_of youth_of_his you_have_wrapped on/upon/above_him/it shame Şelāh.
47 \f + \fr 89:47 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
46\f* until when Oh_YHWH will_you_hide_yourself to_forever will_it_burn like a_fire severe_anger_of_your.
48 \f + \fr 89:48 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
47\f* remember I what is_lifespan concerning what emptiness have_you_created all_of the_children_of humankind.
49 \f + \fr 89:49 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
48\f* who is_the_man who_he_will_live and_not he_will_see death who_he_will_deliver soul_of_his from_power_of Shəʼōl Şelāh.
50 \f + \fr 89:50 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
49\f* where steadfast_love_of_your the_former my_master which_you_swore_an_oath to_Dāvid in/on/at/with_faithfulness_of_your.
51 \f + \fr 89:51 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
50\f* remember my_master the_reproach_of your_servants bear_I in/on/at/with_bosom_of_my all_of many peoples.
52 \f + \fr 89:52 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
51\f* which they_have_reproached enemies_of_your Oh_YHWH which they_have_reproached the_footprints_of anointed_of_your.
53 \f + \fr 89:53 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
89.
Previous Book (JOB) PSA 88 OET Book index, Intro, and Key PSA 90 Next Book (PRO) FAQs Glossary