Psalms

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1

BOOK 1

(Psalms 1-41)

<1> What great blessings there are for those who don’t listen to evil advice,

who don’t live like sinners

and don’t join those who make fun of God.[1]

<2> Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings

and think about them day and night.

<3> So they grow strong,

like a tree planted by a stream—

a tree that produces fruit when it should

and has leaves that never fall.

Everything they do is successful.

<4> But the wicked are not like that.

They are like chaff[2] that the wind blows away.

<5> When the time for judgment comes, the wicked will be found guilty.

Sinners have no place among those who do what is right.[3]

<6> The Lord protects those who do right,

but the wicked are on their way to destruction.

2 <1> Why are the nations so angry?

Why are the people making such foolish plans?

<2> Their kings and leaders join together

to fight against the Lord and the king he chose.[4]

<3> They said,

“Let’s rebel against them.

Let’s break free from them!”

<4> But my Master, the King in heaven,

laughs at them.

<5> He speaks to them in anger,

and it fills them with fear.

<6> He said, “I chose this man to be king,

and he will rule on Zion,[5] my holy mountain.”

<7> Let me tell you about the Lord’s agreement.

The Lord said to me,

“Today I have become your father,[6] and you are my son.

<8> If you ask, I will give you the nations.

Everyone on earth will be yours.

<9> You will rule over them with a power that cannot be broken.

You will scatter your enemies like broken pieces of pottery!”

<10> So, kings and rulers, be smart

and learn this lesson.

<11> Serve the Lord with fear and trembling.

<12> Show that you are loyal to his son,[7]

or the Lord will be angry and destroy you.

He is almost angry enough to do that now,

but those who go to him for protection will be blessed.

3

This is a song of David[8] telling about the time he was running from his son Absalom.

<1> Lord, I have so many enemies.

So many people have turned against me.

<2> So many people are making plans against me.

They tell themselves, “God, will not rescue him!”

Selah[9]

<3> But you, Lord, protect me.

You bring me honor.

You help me win.

<4> I will pray to the Lord,

and he will answer me from his holy mountain.

Selah

<5> I can lie down and rest,

and I know I will wake up, because the Lord covers and protects me.

<6> So I will not be afraid of my enemies,

even if thousands of them surround me.

<7> Lord, get up![10]

My God, come rescue me!

If you hit my enemies on the cheek,

you will break all their teeth.

<8> Lord, the victory[11] is yours!

You are so good to your people.

Selah

4

To the director.[12] With stringed instruments. A song of David.[13]

<1> God, you showed I was innocent.

You gave me relief from all my troubles.

So listen to my prayer again

when I call to you for help.

Be kind to me.

<2> Honorable men,[14] how long will you try to dishonor me?

Do you enjoy wasting your time

searching for new lies against me?

Selah[15]

<3> You know the Lord listens to his loyal servant.

The Lord hears me when I pray to him.

<4> If something is bothering you,

then be angry,[16] but don’t sin.

Think about it when you go to bed,

and then calm down.

Selah

<5> Give the right sacrifices[17] to God,

and trust in the Lord!

<6> Many people say,

“I wish I could enjoy the good life.

Lord, give us some of those blessings.”[18]

<7> But you have made me happier

than they will ever be with all their wine and grain.

<8> When I go to bed

I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe.

5

To the director.[19] For the flutes.[20] A song of David.[21]

<1> Lord, listen to me

and understand what I am trying to say.

<2> My God and King,

listen to my prayer.

<3> Every morning, Lord, I lay my gifts before you

and look to you for help.

And every morning you hear my prayers.

<4> God, you don’t want evil people near you.

They cannot stay in your presence.[22]

<5> Fools[23] cannot come near you.

You hate those who do evil.

<6> You destroy those who tell lies. Lord, you hate those who make secret plans to hurt others.

<7> But by your great mercy, I can enter your house.

I can worship in your holy Temple[24] with fear and respect for you.

<8> Lord, show me your right way of living,

and make it easy for me to follow.

People are looking for my weaknesses,

so show me how you want me to live.

<9> My enemies never tell the truth.

They only want to destroy people.

Their words come from mouths that are like open graves;

They use their lying tongues to deceive others.[25]

<10> Punish them, God!

Let them be caught in their own traps.

They have turned against you,

so punish them for their many crimes.

<11> But let those who trust in you be happy forever.

Protect and strengthen those who love your name.

<12> Lord, when you bless good people,

you surround them with your love like a large shield that protects them.

6

To the director,[26] with stringed instruments, on the sheminith.[27] A song of David.[28]

<1> Lord, don’t punish me.

Don’t correct me when you are so angry.

<2> Lord, be kind to me.

I am sick and weak.

Heal me, Lord!

My bones are shaking.

<3> I am trembling all over.

<4> Lord, come back and make me strong again.

You are so loyal and kind, so save me.

<5> The dead in their graves do nothing

to help others remember you.

Those in the place of death

don’t praise you.

So heal me!

<6> Lord, I am so weak.

I cried to you all night.

My pillow is soaked,

my bed is dripping wet from my tears.

<7> My enemies have given me such grief

that my eyes are worn out from crying.

<8> Go away, you wicked people,

because the Lord has heard my cries.

<9> The Lord has heard my request for mercy.

The Lord has accepted my prayer.

<10> All my enemies will be filled

with fear and shame.

They will be sorry when disgrace

suddenly comes upon them.

7

A song[30] of David that he sang to the Lord. This song is about Kish[31] from the tribe of Benjamin.

<1> Lord my God, I come to you for protection.

Save me from those who are chasing me.

<2> If you don’t help me,

I will be like an animal caught by a lion.

I will be carried away, with no one to save me.

<3> Lord my God, I swear,

I have done nothing wrong.

<4> I have done nothing to hurt a friend[32]

or to help his enemies.

<5> If that is not true, then punish me.

Let an enemy chase me, catch me, and kill me.

Let him grind me into the dirt and put me in my grave.

Selah[33]

<6> Lord, get up[34] and show your anger!

My enemy is angry, so stand and fight against him.

Get me the justice that you demand.

<7> Take your place as judge.

Gather the nations around you,

<8> and Lord, judge the people.

Prove that I am right.

Prove that I am innocent.

<9> Stop those who do evil.

Support those who do good.

God, you are fair.

You know what people are thinking.

<10> God helps good people,

so he will protect me.

<11> God is a good judge.

He always condemns evil.

<12-13> If the wicked will not change,

then God is ready to punish them.

He has prepared his deadly weapons.

His sword is sharp.

His bow is strung, drawn back, and ready to shoot its flaming arrow.

<14> The minds of the wicked are full of evil;

they conceive their wicked plans,

which give birth to lies.

<15> They dig a pit to trap others,

but they are the ones who will fall into it.

<16> The trouble they cause

will come back on themselves.

They plan harm for others,

but they are the ones who will get hurt.

<17> I praise the Lord because he is good.

I praise the name of the Lord Most High.

8

To the director,[35] on the gittith.[36] A song of David.[37]

<1> Lord our Master,

your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!

Your name brings you praise

everywhere in heaven.

<2> From the mouths of children and babies

come songs of praise to you.

They sing of your power

to silence your enemies who were seeking revenge.

<3> I look at the heavens

that you made with your hands.

I see the moon and stars you created, and I wonder:

<4> Why are people so important to you?

Why do you even remember them?

Why are people[38] so important to you?

Why do you even notice them?

<5> Yet, you made people[39] almost like gods

and crowned them with glory and honor.

<6> You put them in charge

of everything you made.

You put everything under their[40] control.

<7> People rule over the sheep and cattle

and all the wild animals.

<8> They rule over the birds in the sky

and over the fish that swim in the ocean currents.

<9> Lord our Master,

your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!

9

To the director.[41] Alamoth of Ben.[42] A song of David.[43]

<1> I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart.

I will tell about the wonderful things you have done.

<2> You make me happy, so I will rejoice in you.

God Most High, I praise your name.

<3> My enemies turned to run from you,

but they fell and were destroyed.

<4> You listened to me from your throne like a good judge,

and you decided that I was right.

<5> You told the nations how wrong they were.

You destroyed those evil people.

You erased their names

from our memory forever and ever.

<6> The enemy is finished!

You destroyed their cities.

There is nothing left to remind us of them.

<7> The Lord set up his throne to bring justice,

and he will rule forever.

<8> He judges everyone on earth fairly.

He judges all nations honestly.

<9> Many people are suffering—

crushed by the weight of their troubles.

But the Lord is a refuge for them,

a safe place they can run to.

<10> Lord, those who know your name

come to you for protection.

And when they come,

you do not leave them without help.

<11> Sing praises to the Lord

who sits as King in Zion.[44]

Tell the other nations

about the great things he has done.

<12> He punishes murderers

and remembers those who go to him for help

When those poor people cry for help,

he does not forget them.

<13> I said this prayer to God:

“Lord, be kind to me.

See how my enemies are hurting me?

Save me from the ‘gates of death.’

<14> Then, at the gates of Jerusalem,[45]

I can sing praises to you.

I will be so happy because you saved me.”

<15> Those other nations have fallen into the pit they dug to catch others.

They have been caught in their own trap.

<16> The Lord showed that he judges fairly.

The wicked were caught by what they did to hurt others.

Higgayon[46] Selah[47]

<17> The wicked will go to the place of death,

as will all the nations that forget God.

<18> It may seem that those who are poor and needy have been forgotten,

but God will not forget them.

He will not leave them without hope.

<19> Lord, get up[48] and judge the nations.

Don’t let anyone think they can win against you.

<20> Teach them a lesson.

Let them know they are only human.

Selah

10 <1> Lord, why do you stay so far away?

Why do you hide from people in time of trouble?

<2> The wicked are proud and make evil plans

to hurt the poor, who are caught and made to suffer.

<3> Those greedy people brag about the things they want to get.

They curse the Lord and show they hate him.

<4> The wicked are too proud to ask God for advice.

He does not fit into their plans.

<5> They succeed in everything they do.

They don’t understand how you can judge them.

They make fun of their enemies.

<6> They think that bad things will never happen to them.

They say to themselves,

“We will have our fun and never be punished.”

<7> They are always cursing, lying,

and planning evil things to do.

<8> They hide just outside the villages,

waiting to kill innocent people.

They are always looking for any helpless person they can hurt.

<9> They are like lions hiding in the bushes

to catch weak and helpless animals.

They lay their traps for the poor,

who are caught in their nets.

<10> Again and again they hurt people

who are already weak and suffering.

<11> So the poor begin to think,

“God has forgotten us.

He has turned away from us forever.

He does not see what is happening to us.”

<12> Lord, get up and do something.

Punish those who are wicked, O God.

Don’t forget those who are poor and helpless.

<13> The wicked turn against God

because they think he will not punish them.

<14> More than anyone else, God,

you see the cruel, evil things that bad people do.

Helpless people were abandoned

and left for you to take care of.

After all, you are the one who cares for orphans.

So help them!

<15> Break the arms of those who are wicked and evil.

Punish them for the wicked things they have done.

Stop them from doing any more evil.

<16> Lord, you are King forever and ever,

so I know you will remove the wicked nations from your land.

<17> Lord, you have heard what the poor want.

Listen to their prayers, and do what they ask.

<18> Protect the orphans

and those who have been hurt.

Don’t let powerful people drive us from our land!

11

To the director.[49] David’s [song].

<1> I trust in the Lord,

so why did you tell me to run and hide?

You said,

“Fly like a bird to your mountain.”

<2> Like hunters, the wicked hide in the dark.

They pull back on the bowstring, aim their arrows,

and shoot straight into the hearts of good, honest people.

<3> What would good people do

if the wicked destroyed all that is good?[50]

<4> The Lord is in his holy temple.

The Lord sits on his throne in heaven.

He sees everything that happens.

He watches people closely.

<5> The Lord examines those who are good and those who are wicked;

he hates those who enjoy hurting others.

<6> He will make hot coals and burning sulfur fall like rain on the wicked.

They will get nothing but a hot, burning wind.[51]

<7> The Lord always does what is right, and he loves those who do right.

They will get to meet with him.[52]

12

To the director,[53] on the sheminith.[54] A song of David.[55]

<1> Save me, Lord!

We cannot trust anyone anymore!

All the good, loyal people are gone.

<2> People lie to their neighbors.

They say whatever they think people want to hear.

<3> The Lord should cut off their lying lips

and cut out their bragging tongues.

<4> Those people think they can win any argument.

They say, “We are so good with words,

no one will be our master.”

<5> They took advantage of the poor

and stole what little they had.

But the Lord knows what they did, and he says,

“I will rescue those who are poor and helpless,

and I will punish those who hurt them.”[56]

<6> The Lord’s words are true and pure,

like silver purified by fire,

like silver melted seven times to make it perfectly pure.

<7> Lord, take care of the helpless.

Protect them forever from the wicked people in this world.

<8> The wicked are all around us,

and everyone thinks evil is something to be praised!

13

To the director.[57] A song of David.[58]

<1> How long will you forget me, Lord?

Will you forget me forever?

How long will you refuse to accept me?[59]

<2> How long must I wonder if you have forgotten me?

How long must I feel this sadness in my heart?

How long will my enemy win against me?

<3> Lord my God, look at me.

Answer my question.

Let me know the answer, or I will die.

<4> If that happens, my enemy will say, “I beat him!”

He will be so happy that he won.

<5> But, Lord, I trust in your faithful love,

so let me rejoice because you saved me.

<6> Then I will sing to the Lord

because he was so good to me.

14

To the director.[60] David’s [song].

<1> Only fools think there is no God.

People like that are evil and do terrible things.

They never do what is right.

<2> The Lord looks down from heaven

to see if there is anyone who is wise,

anyone who looks to him for help.

<3> But everyone has turned away from him.

Everyone has become evil.

No one does anything good.

No, not one person!

<4> The Lord said, “The wicked don’t ask for my advice.

And they treat my people like bread to be eaten.

Don’t they understand what they are doing?”

<5> They will have plenty to fear,

because God is with those who do what is right.

<6> You wicked people want to spoil the hopes of the poor,

but the Lord will protect them.

<7> I wish the one who lives on Mount Zion[61]

would bring victory to Israel[62]!

Jacob’s[63] people will be very happy

when the Lord makes Israel prosper again.[64]

15

A song of David.[65]

<1> Lord, who can live in your Holy Tent[66]?

Who can live on your holy mountain[67]?

<2> Only those who live pure lives,

do good things,

and speak truth from their hearts can live on your mountain.

<3> Such people don’t say bad things about others.

They don’t do things to hurt their neighbors.

They don’t tell shameful things about those close to them.

<4> They despise those who hate God

and honor those who respect the Lord.

If they make a promise to their neighbor,

then they do what they promised.[68]

<5> If they loan money to someone,

they do not charge them interest.

And they refuse to testify against an innocent person,

even if someone offers them money to do it.

Whoever lives like this will always be close to God.

16

A miktam[69] of David.

<1> Protect me, God,

because I depend on you.

<2> You people said,

“Lord, you are my Master.

You are responsible for every good thing I have.”

<3> But you also said,

“The gods[70] of this world have authority over all that I desire.”[71]

<4> But those who worship other gods

will have many troubles.

I will not share in the gifts of blood

that they offer to their idols.

I will not even say their names.

<5> Lord, my portion of food and drink

comes only from you.

You support me.

You give me my share.

<6> My share[72] is very wonderful.

My inheritance[73] is very beautiful.

<7> I praise the Lord because he taught me well.

Even at night he put his instructions deep inside my mind.[74]

<8> I always remember the Lord,[75]

and I will never leave his side.

<9> So my heart and soul will be very happy.

Even my body will live in safety,

<10> because you will not leave me in the place of death.

You will not let your faithful one rot in the grave.[76]

<11> You will teach me the right way to live.

Just being with you will bring complete happiness.

Being at your right side will bring happiness forever.

17

A prayer of David.[77]

<1> Lord, hear my prayer for justice.

I am calling loudly to you.

I am being honest in what I say,

so please listen to my prayer.

<2> You will make the right decision

because you can see the truth.

<3> You were with me all night

and looked deep into my heart.

You questioned me and found that

I did not say or do anything wrong.

<4> I have done all that is humanly possible

to obey your commands.

<5> I have followed your way.

My feet never left your path.

<6> Every time I call to you, God, you answer me.

So listen to me now, and hear what I say.

<7> Show your amazing kindness

and rescue those who depend on you.

Use your great power

and protect them from their enemies.

<8> Protect me like the pupil[78] of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

<9> Save me from the wicked ones

who are trying to destroy me.

Protect me from those who come to hurt me.

<10> They think only of themselves

and brag about what they will do.

<11> They have been following me,

and now they are all around me.

They watch me, waiting to throw me to the ground.

<12> Like hungry lions, they want to kill and eat.

Like young lions, they hide, ready to attack.

<13> Lord, get up[79] and face the enemy.

Make them surrender.

Use your sword and save me

from those wicked people.

<14> Lord, use your power

and remove them from this life.

But as for the people you treasure,

give them food until they are full,

with plenty left for their children and their grandchildren.

<15> I have prayed for justice,

so I will see your face.

And seeing you,[80]

I will be fully satisfied.

18

[81] To the director.[82] The song of the Lord’s servant, David. He sang this song when the Lord saved him from Saul and all his other enemies.

<1> I love you, Lord!

You are my strength.

<2> The Lord is my Rock,[83] my fortress,[84] my place of safety.

My God is my Rock; I run to him for protection.

He is my shield; by his power I am saved.[85]

He is my hiding place high in the hills.

<3> I called to the Lord for help,

and he saved me from my enemies!

He is worthy of my praise!

<4> Death had its ropes wrapped around me.

I was caught in a flood carrying me to the place of no return.[86]

<5> The ropes of the grave wound around me.

Death set its trap right there in front of me.

<6> In my trouble I called to the Lord.

Yes, I cried out to my God for help.

There in his temple he heard my voice.

He heard my cry for help.

<7> The earth shook and shivered.

The foundations of the mountains trembled.

They shook because God was angry.

<8> Smoke came from his nose.

Burning flames came from his mouth.

Red-hot coals fell from him.

<9> He tore open the sky and came down!

He stood on a thick, dark cloud.

<10> He flew across the sky, riding on the Cherub angels.

He was soaring high on the wind.

<11> He covered himself in dark clouds that surrounded him like a tent.

He was hidden by thick thunderclouds.

<12> Then God’s shining brightness broke through the clouds.

Hail came down with flashes of lightning.

<13> The Lord thundered from the sky;

God Most High let his voice be heard.

<14> The Lord shot his arrows and scattered the enemy.

His lightning bolts threw them into confusion.

<15> Lord, you shouted your command,

and a powerful wind began to blow.[87]

The water was pushed back,

and we could see the bottom of the sea;

the earth’s foundations were uncovered.

<16> The Lord reached down from above and grabbed me.

He pulled me from the deep water of my troubles.

<17> My enemies were powerful,

and they hated me.

They were too strong for me,

so he saved me.

<18> In my time of trouble my enemies attacked me,

but the Lord was there to support me.

<19> He was pleased with me, so he rescued me.

He took me to a safe place.

<20> The Lord rewarded me for doing what is right.

He was good to me because I am innocent.

<21> The Lord did that because I have obeyed him.

I have not turned against my God.

<22> I never forget or ignore his laws.

I never reject his rules.

<23> He knows that I am not guilty of doing wrong.

I have kept myself from sinning.

<24> So the Lord rewarded me for doing right.

He knows I am innocent.

<25> Lord, you are always faithful to those who remain faithful to you.

You are true to those who are true to you.

<26> All whose hearts are good and pure can depend on you to be good to them.

But you can outsmart the wicked, no matter how clever they are.

<27> You help the humble,

but you humiliate the proud.

<28> Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp.

My God turns the darkness around me into light.

<29> With your help I can defeat an army.

If my God is with me, I can climb over enemy walls.

<30> God’s way is perfect.

The Lord’s promise always proves to be true.

He protects those who trust in him.

<31> There is no God except the Lord.

There is no Rock[88] except our God.

<32> God is the one who gives me strength.

He clears the path I need to take.

<33> He makes my feet steady, like the feet of a deer;

on high mountain paths he keeps me from falling.

<34> He trains me for war,

so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow.

<35> God, you have given me your shield to protect me.

You support me with your right hand.

Your gentle care for me has made me great.

<36> You clear the path for my feet,

so I can walk without stumbling.

<37> I chased my enemies and caught them.

I did not stop until they were destroyed.

<38> I struck down my enemies; they will not get up again.

They have fallen under my feet.

<39> God, you made me strong in battle.

You made my enemies fall before me.

<40> You made my enemies turn and run away.

I destroyed those who hated me.

<41> They cried out for help,

but there was no one to save them.

They cried out to the Lord,

but he did not answer them.

<42> I beat them to pieces, like dust blown by the wind.

I smashed them like mud in the streets.

<43> You saved me from those who fought against me.

You made me the ruler over nations.

People I never knew now serve me.

<44> As soon as they hear about me, they are ready to obey.

Those foreigners fall down before me.

<45> They lose all their courage

and come out of their hiding places shaking with fear.

<46> The Lord lives!

I praise my Rock,[89] the God who saves me.

How great he is!

<47> You punish my enemies for me.

You put people under my control.

<48> You rescue me from my enemies.

You help me defeat those who attack me.

You save me from cruel people.

<49> Lord, that is why I praise you among the nations.

That is why I sing songs of praise to your name.

<50> The Lord helps his king win battle after battle.

He shows his faithful love to the one he has chosen,[90]

to David and his descendants forever.

19

To the director.[91] A song of David.[92]

<1> The heavens speak about the glory[93] of God.

The skies tell about the good things his hands have made.

<2> Each new day tells more of the story,

and each night reveals more and more about God’s power.[94]

<3> You cannot hear any speech from them.

They don’t make any sound we can hear.

<4> But their “voice” goes throughout the world.

Their “words” go to the ends of the earth.

The sun set up his tent among them.

<5> It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom.

The sun begins its path across the sky

like an athlete eager to run a race.

<6> The sun starts at one end of the sky

and runs all the way to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

<7> The Lord’s teachings are perfect.

They give strength to his people.

The Lord’s rules can be trusted.

They help even the foolish to become wise.

<8> The Lord’s laws are right.

They make people happy.

The Lord’s commands are good.

They show people the right way to live.

<9> Respect for the Lord is pure.

It will continue forever.

The Lord’s judgments are good and fair.

They are completely right.

<10> His teachings are worth more than the best gold.

They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.

<11> His teachings warn his servants,

and good things come to those who obey them.

<12> People cannot see their own mistakes,

so don’t let me do secret sins.

<13> Don’t let me do what I know is wrong.

Don’t let sin control me.

If you help me,

then I can be pure and free from sin.

<14> May my words and thoughts please you.

Lord, you are my Rock— the one who rescues me.

20

To the director.[95] A song of David.[96]

<1> May the Lord answer you in times of trouble.

May the God of Jacob[97] protect you.

<2> May he send you help from his Holy Place.

May he support you from Zion.[98]

<3> May he remember all the gifts you have offered.

May he accept all your sacrifices.[99]

Selah[100]

<4> May God give you what you really want.

May he make all your plans successful.

<5> We will celebrate when he helps you.

We will praise the name of God.

May the Lord give you everything you ask for.

<6> Now I know the Lord helps his chosen king.

From his holy heaven he answered.

With his great power he saved him.

<7> Some give the credit for victory to their chariots,[101] and soldiers,

but we honor the Lord our God.

<8> They fall in battle, totally defeated,

but we survive as the winners!

<9> Lord, save the king!

Answer us when we call to you for help.

21

To the director.[102] A song of David.[103]

<1> Lord, your strength makes the king happy.

He is so happy when you give him the victory.

<2> And you gave him what he wanted.

You gave him what he asked for.

Selah[104]

<3> What wonderful blessings you gave the king.

You put a golden crown on his head.

<4> He asked for life, and you gave it.

You gave him life that goes on forever.

<5> You led him to victory that brought him great glory.

You gave him honor and fame.

<6> You have given him blessings that will last forever.

You have given him the joy of being near you.

<7> The king trusts in the Lord,

and the faithful love of God Most High will keep him from falling.

<8> Lord, you will show all your enemies that you are strong.

Your power will defeat those who hate you.

<9> When you appear,

you will burn them up like a blazing furnace.

In his anger the Lord will completely destroy them;

they will be swallowed by flames of fire.[105]

<10> Their families will be destroyed.

They will be removed from the earth.

<11> That is because they made evil plans against you.

They wanted to do things they couldn’t do.

<12> You will make them turn and run away

when you aim your arrows at their faces.

<13> Lord, we lift you up with our songs of praise.

We sing and play songs about your power!

22

To the director.[106] To the tune of “The Deer of Dawn.”[107] A song of David.[108]

<1> My God, my God,

why did you leave me?

Are you too far away to save me,

too far to hear my cries for help?

<2> My God, I kept calling by day,

and I was not silent at night.

But you did not answer me.

<3> God, you are the Holy One.

You sit as King upon the praises of Israel.[109]

<4> Our ancestors[110] trusted you.

Yes, they trusted you, and you saved them.

<5> Our ancestors called to you for help,

and they escaped their enemies.

They trusted you,

and they were not disappointed!

<6> But I feel like a worm, less than human!

People insult me and look down on me.

<7> Everyone who sees me makes fun of me.

They shake their heads and stick out their tongues at me.

<8> They say, “Call to the Lord for help.

Maybe he will save you.

If he likes you so much,

then surely he will rescue you!”

<9> God, the truth is

you really are the one I depend on.

You have taken care of me

since the day I was born.

You assured and comforted me

while I was still at my mother’s breasts.

<10> You have been my God

since the day I was born.

I was thrown into your arms

as I came from my mother’s womb.

<11> So don’t leave me!

Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.

<12> My enemies have surrounded me

like angry bulls.

<13> Their mouths are opened wide,

like a lion roaring and tearing at its prey.

<14> My strength is gone,

like water poured out on the ground.

My bones have separated.

My courage is gone.[111]

<15> My mouth[112] is as dry as a piece of baked pottery.

My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth.

You have left me dying in the dust.

<16> The “dogs” are all around me—

a pack[113] of evil people has trapped me.

They have pierced my hands and my feet.[114]

<17> I can see each one of my bones.

My enemies are looking at me;

they just keep staring.

<18> They divide my clothes among them,

and they throw lots[115] for what I am wearing.

<19> Lord, don’t leave me!

You are my strength— hurry and help me!

<20> Save me from the sword.

Save my precious life from these dogs.

<21> Rescue me from the lion’s mouth.

Protect me from the bulls’ horns.[116]

<22> I will tell my people about you.

I will praise you in the great assembly.

<23> Praise the Lord, all you who worship him!

Honor him, you descendants of Jacob[117]!

Fear and respect him, all you people of Israel,[118]

<24> because he is not ashamed of the poor.

He does not hate them.

He does not turn away from them.

He listens when they cry for help.

<25> Lord, my praise in the great assembly

comes from you.

In front of all these worshipers

I will offer the sacrifices that I promised.

<26> Poor people, come eat and be satisfied.[119]

You who have come looking for the Lord, praise him!

May your hearts be happy[120] forever.

<27> May those in faraway countries

remember the Lord

and come back to him.

May those in distant lands worship him,

<28> because the Lord is the King.

He rules all nations.

<29> The people have eaten all they wanted

and bowed down to worship the Lord.

Yes, everyone will bow down to him—

those who are on the way to the grave

and those who are not yet alive.

<30> Our descendants will serve him.

Those who are not yet born will be told about him.

<31> Each generation will tell their children

about the good things our Master has done.

23

A song of David.[121]

<1> The Lord is my shepherd.

I will always have everything I need.[122]

<2> He gives me green pastures to lie in.

He leads me by calm pools of water.

<3> He restores my strength

and leads me on good paths[123]

to show he is good.

<4> Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave,[124]

I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me.

Your rod and staff[125] comfort me.

<5> You prepared my table

in front of my enemies.

You welcomed me as an honored guest.[126]

My cup is full and spilling over.

<6> Goodness and mercy will be with me

the rest of my life,

and I will live in the Lord’s house[127]

for a long, long time.[128]

24

A song of David.[129]

<1> The earth and everything on it belong to the Lord.

The world and all its people belong to him.

<2> He built the earth on the water.

He built it over the rivers.

<3> Who can go up the Lord’s mountain[130]?

Who can stand in his holy Temple?

<4> Only those who have not done evil,

who have pure hearts,

who have not used my name[131] to hide their lies,

and who have not made false promises.

<5> Good people ask the Lord to bless others.

They ask God, their Savior, to do good things.

<6> They try to follow God.

They go to the God of Jacob[132] for help.

Selah[133]

<7> Gates, lift up your heads!

Open, ancient doors,

and the glorious King will come in.

<8> Who is the glorious King?

He is the Lord, the powerful soldier.

He is the Lord, the war hero.

<9> Gates, lift up your heads!

Open, ancient doors,

and the glorious King will come in.

<10> Who is the glorious King?

The Lord All-Powerful is the glorious King.

25 [134]

David’s [song].

<1> Lord, I put my life in your hands.[135]

<2> My God, I trust in you,

and I will not be disappointed.

My enemies will not laugh at me.

<3> No one who trusts in you will be disappointed.

But traitors[136] will be disappointed.

They will get nothing.

<4> Lord, help me learn your ways.

Show me how you want me to live.

<5> Guide me and teach me your truths.

You are my God, my Savior.

You are the one I have been waiting for.

<6> Remember to be kind to me, Lord.

Show me the tender love that you have always had.

<7> Don’t remember the sinful things I did when I was young.

For your good name, Lord,

remember me with your faithful love.

<8> The Lord is good and does what is right.

He shows sinners the right way to live.

<9> He teaches his ways to humble people.

He leads them with fairness.

<10> The Lord is kind and true to those

who obey what he said in his Agreement.

<11> Lord, I have done many things wrong.

I am guilty, but to show your goodness,

forgive me for everything I did.

<12> When people choose to follow the Lord,

he shows them the best way to live.

<13> They will enjoy good things,

and their children will keep the land God promised to give them.

<14> The Lord tells his secrets to his followers.

He teaches them about his Agreement.

<15> I always look to the Lord for help.

Only he can free me from my troubles.[137]

<16> I am hurt and lonely.

Turn to me, and show me mercy.

<17> Free me from my troubles.

Help me solve my problems.

<18> Look at my trials and troubles.

Forgive me for all the sins I have done.

<19> Look at all the enemies I have.

They hate me and want to hurt me.

<20> Protect me! Save me from them!

I come to you for protection, so don’t disappoint me.

<21> You are good and do what is right.

I trust you to protect me.

<22> God, save the people of Israel[138] from all their enemies.

26

David’s [song].

<1> Lord, judge me and prove

that I have lived a pure life

and that I depended on you to keep me from falling.

<2> Lord, try me and test me.

Test my deepest thoughts and emotions.

<3> I always remember your faithful love.

I depend on your faithfulness.

<4> I don’t run around with troublemakers.

I have nothing to do with hypocrites.[139]

<5> I hate being around evil people.

I refuse to join those gangs of crooks.

<6> Lord, I wash my hands to make myself pure

so that I can come to your altar.

<7> I sing a song to give you thanks,

and I tell about all the wonderful things you have done.

<8> Lord, I love the house[140] where you live,

the place where your glory[141] is.

<9> Lord, don’t group me with those sinners.

Don’t kill me with those murderers.

<10> They are guilty of cheating people.

They take money to do bad things.

<11> But I am innocent,

so be kind to me and save me.

<12> I am safe from all dangers

as I stand here praising you

among those who are calling your people to the assembly.[142]

27

David’s [song].

<1> Lord, you are my Light and my Savior,

so why should I be afraid of anyone?

The Lord is where my life is safe,

so I will be afraid of no one!

<2> Evil people might attack me.

They might try to destroy my body.

Yes, my enemies might attack me and try to destroy me,

but they will stumble and fall.

<3> Even if an army surrounds me,

I will not be afraid.

Even if people attack me in war,

I will trust in the Lord.

<4> I ask only one thing from the Lord.

It is what I want most:

Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life,

enjoying the Lord’s beauty

and spending time in his palace.[143]

<5> The Lord will protect me when I am in danger.

He will hide me in his tent.[144]

He will take me up to his place of safety.

<6> If he will help me defeat the enemies around me,

I will offer sacrifices[145] in his tent with shouts of joy.

I will sing and play songs to honor the Lord.

<7> Lord, hear my voice.

Be kind and answer me.

<8> My heart told me to come to you, Lord,

so I am coming to ask for your help.

<9> Don’t turn away from me.

Don’t be angry with your servant.

You are the only one who can help me.

My God, don’t leave me, you are my Savior.

<10> Even if my mother and father leave me,

the Lord will take me in.

<11> I have enemies, Lord,

so teach me your ways.

Show me the right way to live.

<12> My enemies have attacked me.

They have told lies about me and have tried to hurt me.

<13> But I really believe that I will see

the Lord’s goodness before I die.[146]

<14> Wait for the Lord’s help.

Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.

28

A song of David.[147]

<1> Lord, you are my Rock.[148]

I am calling to you for help.

Don’t close your ears to my prayers.

If you don’t answer me,

then I will be counted among the dead.

<2> I lift my hands and pray toward your Most Holy Place.[149]

Hear me when I call to you.

Show mercy to me.

<3> Don’t treat me like the evil people

who do wicked things.

They greet their neighbors like a friend,

but they secretly plan to hurt them.

<4> They do bad things to others,

so make bad things happen to them.

Give them the punishment they deserve.

<5> They don’t notice what the Lord does.

They ignore all the good things he has made.

So instead of building them up,

he will destroy them.

<6> Praise the Lord!

He has heard my prayer for mercy.

<7> The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trusted him with all my heart.

He helped me, so I am happy.

I sing songs of praise to him.

<8> The Lord protects his chosen one.[150]

He saves him and gives him strength.

<9> Save your people.

Bless those who belong to you.

Lead them and honor them[151] forever.

29

A song of David.[152]

<1> Praise the Lord, you heavenly angels[153]!

Praise the Lord’s glory[154] and power.

<2> Praise the Lord and honor his name!

Worship the Lord in your special clothes.[155]

<3> The Lord raises his voice at the sea.

The voice of our glorious God

is like thunder over the great ocean.

<4> The Lord’s voice is powerful.

It shows the Lord’s glory.

<5> The Lord’s voice shatters great cedar trees.

He breaks the great cedars of Lebanon.

<6> He makes Lebanon shake like a young calf dancing.

Sirion[156] trembles like a young bull jumping up and down.

<7> The Lord’s voice cuts the air

with flashes of lightning.

<8> The Lord’s voice shakes the desert.

Kadesh Desert[157] trembles at the Lord’s voice.

<9> The Lord’s voice frightens the deer.[158]

He destroys the forests.

In his temple everyone shouts,

“Glory to God!”

<10> The Lord ruled as king at the time of the flood,

and he will rule as king forever.

<11> May the Lord make his people strong.

May the Lord bless his people with peace.

30

A song of David for the dedication[159] of the Temple.[160]

<1> Lord, you lifted me out of my troubles.

You did not give my enemies a reason to laugh,

so I will praise you.

<2> Lord my God, I prayed to you,

and you healed me.

<3> Lord, you lifted me out of the grave.

I was falling into the place of death, but you saved my life.

<4> Praise the Lord, you who are loyal to him!

Praise his holy name[161]!

<5> His anger lasts for a little while,

but then his kindness brings life.

The night may be filled with tears,

but in the morning we can sing for joy!

<6> When I was safe and secure,

I thought nothing could hurt me.

<7> Yes, Lord, while you were kind to me,

I felt like nothing could defeat me.[162]

But when you turned away from me,

I was filled with fear.

<8> So Lord, I turned and prayed to you.

I asked you to show me mercy.

<9> I said, “What good is it if I die

and go down into the grave?

The dead just lie in the dirt.

They cannot praise you.

They cannot tell anyone how faithful you are.

<10> Lord, hear my prayer,

and be kind to me.

Lord, help me!”

<11> You have changed my crying into dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of sadness

and covered me with joy.

<12> You wanted me to praise you

and not be silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever!

31

To the director.[163] A song of David.[164]

<1> Lord, I come to you for protection.

Don’t disappoint me.

Be kind to me and save me.

<2> Listen to me.

Come quickly and save me.

Be my Rock,[165] my place of safety.

Be my fortress.[166]

Protect me!

<3> You are my Rock.

For the good of your name, lead me and guide me.

<4> Save me from the traps my enemy has set.

You are my place of safety.

<5> Lord, you are the God we can trust.

I put my life[167] in your hands.

Save me!

<6> I hate those who worship false gods.

I trust only in the Lord.

<7> Your kindness makes me so happy.

You have seen my suffering.

You know about the troubles I have.

<8> You will not let my enemies take me.

You will free me from their traps.

<9> Lord, I have many troubles,

so be kind to me.

I have cried until my eyes hurt.

My throat and stomach are aching.

<10> Because of my sins,

my life is ending in grief;

my years are passing away in sighs of pain.

My life is ending in weakness.

My strength is draining away.

<11> My enemies despise me,

and even my neighbors have turned away.

When my friends see me in the street,

they turn the other way.

They are afraid to be around me.

<12> People want to forget me.

It is as if I am already dead.

I am like some lost tool.

<13> I hear them whispering about me.

They have turned against me,

and they plan to kill me.

<14> Lord, I trust in you.

You are my God.

<15> My life is in your hands.

Save me from those who are persecuting me.

<16> Please welcome and accept your servant.[168]

Be kind to me and save me.

<17> Lord, I am praying to you,

don’t let me be disappointed.

It is the evil people who should be disappointed.

Let them go to the grave in silence.

<18> Those evil people brag

and tell lies about good people.

They are so proud now,

but their lying lips will be silent.

<19> God, you have hidden away

many wonderful things for your followers.

You have done so many good things

for those who trust in you.

You have blessed them so that all the world can see.

<20> Others make plans to hurt them.

They say such bad things about them.

But you hide your people in your shelter

and protect them.

<21> Praise the Lord because he showed me

how wonderful his faithful love is

when the city was surrounded by enemies.

<22> I was afraid and said,

“I am in a place where he cannot see me.”

But I prayed to you,

and you heard my loud cries for help.

<23> Love the Lord, all of you who are his loyal followers.

The Lord protects those who are loyal to him,

but he punishes those who brag about their own power.

He gives them all that they deserve.

<24> Be strong and brave, all of you

who are waiting for the Lord’s help.

32

A maskil[169] of David.

<1> What a blessing it is

when people are forgiven for the wrong they have done,

when their sins are erased.[170]

<2> What a blessing it is

when the Lord says they are not guilty,

when they don’t try to hide their sins.

<3> God, I prayed to you again and again,

but I did not talk about my secret sins.

So I only became weaker and more miserable.

<4> Every day, you made life harder for me.

I became like a dry land in the hot summertime.

Selah[171]

<5> But then I decided to confess all my sins to the Lord.

I did not hide any of my guilt.

And you forgave me for all my sins!

Selah

<6> That is why your loyal followers

pray to you when the time comes.

So when trouble rises like a flood,

it does not reach them.

<7> You are a hiding place for me.

You protect me from my troubles.

You surround me and protect me,

so I sing about the way you saved me.

Selah

<8> The Lord says,

“I will teach you and guide you in the way you should live.

I will watch over you and be your guide.

<9> Don’t be like a stupid horse or mule that will not come to you

unless you put a bit in its mouth and pull it with reins.”

<10> Many pains will come to bad people,

but the Lord’s faithful love will surround those who trust in him.

<11> Good people, rejoice

and be very happy in the Lord.

All you people with pure hearts, rejoice!

33 <1> Rejoice in the Lord, good people!

It is only right for good people to praise him.

<2> Play the lyre[172] and praise the Lord.

Play the ten-stringed harp for him.

<3> Sing a new song[173] to him.

Play it well and sing it loud!

<4> The Lord’s word is true.

You can depend on his teachings.

<5> He loves goodness and justice.

The Lord’s faithful love fills the earth.

<6> The Lord spoke the command,

and the world was made.

The breath from his mouth

created everything in the heavens.

<7> He gathered together the water of the sea.

He put the ocean in its place.

<8> Everyone on earth

should fear and respect the Lord.

All the people in the world should fear him,

<9> because when he speaks, things happen.

And if he says, “Stop!”—

then it stops.[174]

<10> The Lord can make everyone’s advice useless.

He can ruin all their plans.

<11> But the Lord’s advice is good forever.

His plans are good for generation after generation.

<12> Those who have the Lord as their God are very fortunate,

because he chose them to be his own special people.

<13> The Lord looked down from heaven

and saw all the people.

<14> From his high throne he looked down

at all the people living on earth.

<15> He created every person’s mind.

He knows what every person is thinking.

<16> A king is not saved

by his own great power.

A strong soldier is not saved

by his own great strength.

<17> Horses don’t really bring victory in war.

Their strength cannot help you escape.

<18> The Lord watches over his followers

who wait for him to show his faithful love.

<19> He saves them from death.

He gives them strength when they are hungry.

<20> So we will wait for the Lord.

He helps us and protects us.

<21> He makes us happy.

We trust his holy name.

<22> Lord, we worship you,

so show your great love for us.

34 [175]

A song of David[176] when he pretended to be crazy so Abimelech would send him away, which he did.

<1> I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will never stop singing his praises.

<2> Humble people, listen and be happy,

while I brag about the Lord.

<3> Praise the Lord with me.

Let’s honor his name.

<4> I went to the Lord for help, and he listened.

He saved me from all that I fear.

<5> Look to the Lord for help.

You will be accepted.

Don’t be ashamed.[177]

<6> This poor man called to the Lord for help, and he heard me.

He saved me from all my troubles.

<7> The Lord’s angel builds a camp around his followers

and protects them.

<8> Give the Lord a chance to show you[178]

how good he is.

What blessings there are for those who depend on him!

<9> The Lord’s holy people should fear and respect him.

Those who respect him will always have what they need.

<10> Even strong lions get weak and hungry,

but those who go to Lord for help will have every good thing.

<11> Children, come and listen to me;

I will teach you to respect the Lord.

<12> Do you want to enjoy life?

Do you want to have many happy days?

<13> Then avoid saying anything hurtful,

and never let a lie come out of your mouth.

<14> Stop doing anything evil, and do good.

Look for peace, and do all you can to help people live peacefully.

<15> The Lord watches over those who do what is right,

and he hears their prayers.

<16> But the Lord is against those who do evil,

so they are forgotten soon after they die.

<17> Pray to the Lord, and he will hear you.

He will save you from all your troubles.

<18> The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment.

He saves those who are discouraged.

<19> Good people might have many problems,

but the Lord will take them all away.

<20> He will protect them completely.

Not one of their bones will be broken.

<21> But troubles will kill the wicked.

The enemies of those who live right will all be punished.

<22> The Lord saves his servants.

All who go to him for protection will escape punishment.

35

David’s [song].

<1> Lord, oppose those who oppose me.

Fight those who fight me.

<2> Pick up the shield and buckler.[179]

Get up and help me.

<3> Take a spear and javelin

and fight those who are chasing me.

Tell my soul, “I will rescue you.”

<4> Some people are trying to kill me.

Disappoint them and make them ashamed.

Make them turn and run away.

They are planning to hurt me.

Defeat them and embarrass them.

<5> Make them like chaff[180] blown by the wind.[181]

Let them be chased by the Lord’s angel.

<6> Make their road dark and slippery.

Let the Lord’s angel chase them.

<7> I did nothing wrong,

but they tried to trap me.

For no reason at all,

they tried to trap me.

<8> So let them fall into their own traps.

Let them stumble into their own nets.

Let some unknown danger catch them.

<9> Then I will rejoice in the Lord.

I will be happy when he saves me.

<10> With my whole self I will say,

“Lord, there is no one like you.

You protect the poor from those who are stronger.

You save the poor and helpless from those who try to rob them.”

<11> A group of witnesses[182] are planning to hurt me.

They will ask me questions that I know nothing about.

<12> For the good I have done,

they repay me with evil.

They make me so very sad.

<13> When they were sick,

I was sad and wore sackcloth.[183]

I went without eating to show my sorrow.

(May my prayers for them not be answered!)

<14> I mourned for them as I would for a friend or a brother.

I bowed low with sadness, crying as I would for my own mother.

<15> But when I had troubles, they laughed at me.

They were not really friends.

I was surrounded and attacked

by people I didn’t even know.

<16> They made fun of me, using the worst language.

They ground their teeth to show their anger.

<17> My Master, how long will you watch these bad things happen?

Those people are trying to destroy me.

Save my dear life from those bad people.

They are like lions.

<18> I will praise you in the great assembly.

I will praise you among those many people.

<19> My lying enemies will not keep laughing.

They hate me without cause.

Surely they will be punished for their secret plans.[184]

<20> My enemies are not really

making plans for peace.

They are secretly making plans

to do bad things to the peaceful people in this country.

<21> My enemies are lying about me.

They say,

“Aha! We know what you are doing!”

<22> Lord, surely you can see what is happening.

So don’t keep quiet.

Lord, don’t leave me.

<23> Wake up! Get up!

My God and my Lord, fight for me, and bring me justice.

<24> Lord my God, judge me with your fairness.

Don’t let those people laugh at me.

<25> Don’t let them think, “Aha! We got what we wanted!”

Don’t let them say, “We destroyed him!”

<26> Let my enemies be ashamed and embarrassed—

all those who were happy about my troubles.

Proud of themselves, they treated me as worthless.

So let them be covered with shame and disgrace.

<27> To those who want the best for me,

I wish them joy and happiness.

May they always say,

“Praise the Lord who wants what is best for his servant.”

<28> So, Lord, I will tell people how good you are.

I will praise you all day long.

36

To the director.[185] To the servant of the Lord. To David.

<1> Bad people do a very bad thing

when they say to themselves,

“I will not fear and respect God.”

<2> They lie to themselves.

They don’t see their own faults,

so they do not ask for forgiveness.

<3> Their words are wicked lies

that offer no wisdom and do no good.

<4> They make wicked plans

while lying in bed at night.

When they get up,

they go out to do no good and to refuse no evil.

<5> Lord, your faithful love reaches to the sky.

Your faithfulness is as high as the clouds.

<6> Your goodness is higher than the highest mountains.

Your fairness is deeper than the deepest ocean.

<7> Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness.

People and angels[186] come to you for protection.

<8> They get strength from all the good things in your house.

You let them drink from your wonderful river.

<9> The fountain of life flows from you.

Your light lets us see light.

<10> Continue to love those who really know you,

and do good to for those who are true to you.[187]

<11> Don’t let proud people trap me.

Don’t let me be caught by evil people.

<12> Put this on their grave markers:

“Here fell the wicked.

They were crushed.

They will never stand up again.”

37 [188]

David’s [song].

<1> Don’t get upset about evil people.

Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.

<2> They are like grass and other green plants

that dry up quickly and then die.

<3> So trust in the Lord and do good.

Live on your land and be dependable.[189]

<4> Enjoy serving the Lord,

and he will give you what you ask for.

<5> Depend on the Lord.

Trust in him, and he will make it happen.

<6> Let your goodness and fairness

shine like the sun at noon.

<7> Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help.

Don’t be angry when bad people make evil plans and succeed.

<8> Don’t become angry and upset enough that you, too, want to do evil.

<9> Evil people will be destroyed,

but those who call to the Lord for help

will get the land he promised.

<10> In a short time there will be no more evil people.

You can look for them all you want, but they will be gone.

<11> Humble people will get the land God promised,

and they will enjoy peace.

<12> The wicked plan bad things for those who are good.

They show their teeth in anger at them.

<13> But our Master will laugh at them.

He will make sure they get what they deserve.

<14> The wicked draw their swords to kill the poor and the helpless.

They aim their arrows to murder all who live right.

<15> But their bows will break,

and their swords will pierce their own hearts.

<16> A few good people are better

than a large crowd of evil people.

<17> Why? Because evil people will be destroyed,

but the Lord cares for good people.

<18> The Lord protects pure people all their life.

Their reward will continue forever.

<19> When trouble comes,

good people will not be destroyed.

When times of hunger come,

good people will have plenty to eat.

<20> But evil people are the Lord’s enemies,

and they will be destroyed.

Their valleys will dry up and burn.

They will be destroyed completely.

<21> Bad people quickly borrow money

and never pay it back.

But good people are kind and generous.

<22> When a good person blesses others,

they get the land God promised.

When a good person curses others,

they will be destroyed.

<23> The Lord shows us how we should live,

and he is pleased when he sees people living that way.

<24> If they stumble, they will not fall

because the Lord reaches out to steady them.

<25> I was young, and now I am old,

but I have never seen good people left with no one to help them;

I have never seen their children begging for food.

<26> They are kind and generous,

and their children are a blessing.

<27> Stop doing anything evil, and do good,

and you will always have a place to live.

<28> The Lord loves what is right,

and he will never leave his followers without help.

He will always protect them,

but he will destroy the families of the wicked.

<29> Good people will get the land God promised

and live on it forever.

<30> Those who are good give good advice.

Their decisions are always fair.

<31> They have learned God’s teachings,

and they will never stop living right.[190]

<32> Bad people are always looking

for ways to kill good people.

<33> But the Lord will not abandon good people

when they are trapped by bad people.

He will not let good people be judged guilty.

<34> Do what the Lord says,

and wait for his help.

He will reward you and give you the land he promised,

as you watch the wicked being forced to leave.

<35> I once saw a wicked man who was powerful.

He was like a strong, healthy tree.

<36> But then he was gone.

I looked for him, but I couldn’t find him.

<37> Be pure and honest.

Peace loving people will have many descendants.

<38> But those who break the law

will be destroyed completely.

And their descendants

will be forced to leave the land.[191]

<39> The Lord saves good people.

When they have troubles, he is their strength.

<40> The Lord helps good people

and rescues them.

They depend on him,

so he rescues them from bad people.

38

A song of David[192] for the day of remembrance.[193]

<1> Lord, don’t criticize me

when you are angry.

Don’t discipline me in anger.

<2> You have hurt me.

You punished me and hurt me deeply.

<3> You punished me severely,

now my whole body is sore.

I sinned, so all my bones hurt.

<4> My guilt is like a heavy burden.

I am sinking beneath its weight.

<5> I did a foolish thing,

now I have infected sores that stink.

<6> I am bent and bowed down.

I am depressed all day long.

<7> I am burning with fever,

and my whole body hurts.

<8> I hurt so much I cannot feel anything.

My pounding heart makes me scream!

<9> My Master, you heard my groaning.

You can hear my sighs.

<10> My heart is pounding.

My strength is gone, and I am going blind.[194]

<11> Because of my sickness,

my friends and neighbors will not visit me;

my family will not come near me.

<12> My enemies say bad things about me.

They are spreading lies and rumors.[195]

They talk about me all the time.

<13> But I am like a deaf person

who cannot hear.

I am like a mute person

who cannot speak.

<14> I am like someone who cannot hear

what people are saying about them.

I cannot argue and prove

that my enemies are wrong.

<15> Lord, you must defend me.

God, my Master, you must speak for me.

<16> If I say anything,

then my enemies will laugh at me.

They will see I am sick

and say that I am being punished for doing wrong.

<17> I know I am guilty of doing wrong.

I cannot forget my pain.

<18> Lord, I told you about the bad things I did.

I am worried about my sins.

<19> But my enemies are alive and healthy,

and they have told many lies.

<20> I did nothing but good,

and they paid me back with evil.

I try to do what is right,

but that only makes them turn against me.

<21> Lord, don’t leave me.

My God, stay close to me.

<22> Come quickly, and help me.

My God, save me.

39

To the director.[196] To Jeduthun.[197] A song of David.[198]

<1> I said,

“I will be careful about what I say.

I will not let my tongue cause me to sin.

I will keep my mouth closed[199] when I am around wicked people.”

<2> So I didn’t say anything.

I didn’t even say anything good,

but I became even more upset.

<3> I was very angry,

and the more I thought about it, the angrier I became.

So I said something.

<4> Lord, tell me, what will happen to me now?

Tell me, how long will I live?

Let me know how short my life really is.

<5> You gave me only a short life.

Compared to you, my short life is nothing.

The life of every human is like

a cloud that quickly disappears.

Selah[200]

<6> Our life is like an image in a mirror.[201]

We rush through life collecting things,

but we don’t know who will get them after we die.

<7> So, Master, what hope do I have?

You are my hope!

<8> Save me from the bad things I did.

Don’t let me be treated like a fool.

<9> I will not open my mouth.

I will not say anything.

You did what should have been done.

<10> But please stop punishing me.

You will destroy me if you don’t stop.

<11> You punish people for doing wrong

to teach them the right way to live.

Like a moth destroys cloth,

you destroy what people love.

Yes, our lives are like a small cloud

that quickly disappears.

Selah

<12> Lord, hear my prayer!

Listen to the words I cry to you.

Look at my tears.

I am only a traveler

passing through this life with you.

Like all my ancestors,

I will live here only a short time.[202]

<13> Leave me alone[203] and let me be happy

before I am dead and gone.

40

To the director.[204] A song of David.[205]

<1> I called[206] to the Lord, and he heard me.

He heard my cries.

<2> He lifted me out of the grave.[207]

He lifted me from that muddy place.[208]

He picked me up,

put me on solid ground

and kept my feet from slipping.

<3> He put a new song[209] in my mouth,

a song of praise to my God.

Many people will see what happened to me,

and they will worship God.

They will trust in the Lord.

<4> What great blessings there are for those who trust in the Lord,

for those who do not turn to demons and false gods[210] for help.

<5> Lord, our God, you have done

many wonderful things!

You have wonderful plans for us.

No one could list them all.

I could talk on and on about them

because there are too many to count.

<6> Lord, you made me understand this:[211]

You don’t really want sacrifices[212] and grain offerings.

You don’t really want burnt offerings[213] and sin offerings.[214]

<7> So I said, “Here I am!”

I have come, just as it was written about me in the book.

<8> I want to do what you want.

I have learned your teachings.

<9> I told the good news of victory[215]

to the people in the great assembly.

And Lord, you know that

I will never stop telling that good news.

<10> I told about the good things you did.

I did not hide these things in my heart.

I spoke of how you can be trusted to save us.

I did not hide your love and loyalty

from the people in the great assembly.

<11> Lord, do not hide your mercy from me.

Let your love and loyalty always protect me.

<12> Troubles have surrounded me.

They are too many to count!

My sins have caught me,

and I cannot escape them.

They are more than the hairs on my head.

I have lost my courage.

<13> Run to me, Lord, and rescue me![216]

Lord, hurry and help me!

<14> People are trying to kill me.

Please disappoint them.

Humiliate them!

They wanted to hurt me.

Make them run away in shame!

<15> May those who make fun of me

be too embarrassed to speak!

<16> But may those who come to you

be happy and rejoice.

May those who love being saved by you

always be able to say, “Praise the Lord!”[217]

<17> My Master,

I am only a poor, helpless man, but please consider my request.

Help me. Save me.

My God, don’t be too late.

41

To the director.[218] A song of David.[219]

<1> Those who help the poor succeed

will get many blessings.[220]

When trouble comes,

the Lord will save them.

<2> The Lord will protect them

and save their lives.

He will bless them in this land.

He will not let their enemies harm them.

<3> When they are sick in bed,

the Lord will give them strength and make them well!

<4> I say,

“Lord, be kind to me.

I sinned against you, but forgive me and make me well.”

<5> My enemies say bad things about me.

They say,

“When will he die and be forgotten?”

<6> If people do come to see me,

they don’t talk about what’s on their mind.

They come to gather a little gossip

and then go to spread their rumors.

<7> Those who don’t like me

whisper and think the worst about me.

<8> They say,

“He did something wrong.

That is why he is sick.

He will never get well.”

<9> My best friend, the one I trusted,

the one who ate with me, even he has turned against me.

<10> Lord, please be kind to me.

Let me get up, and I will pay them back.

<11> Don’t let my enemy defeat me.

Then I will know that you care for me.

<12> I was innocent and you supported me.

You let me stand and serve you forever.

<13> Praise the Lord, the God of Israel.[221]

He always was, and he always will be.

Amen and Amen[222]!

42

BOOK 2

(Psalms 42-72)

To the director.[223] A maskil[224] from the Korah family.

<1> Like a deer drinking from a stream,

I reach out to you, my God.[225]

<2> My soul thirsts for the living God.

When can I go to meet with him?

<3> Instead of food, I have only tears day and night,

as my enemies laugh at me and say,

“Where is your God?”

<4> My heart breaks as I remember the pleasant times in the past,

when I walked with the crowds as I led them up to God’s Temple.[226]

I remember the happy songs of praise

as they celebrated the festival.

<5> Why am I so sad?

Why am I so upset?

I tell myself,

“Wait for God’s help!

You will have a chance to praise him again.

God will save you.”

<6> So I tell myself,

“I will remember you from here

where I am—on this small hill,[227] where Mount Hermon and the Jordan River meet.”

<7> I hear the roar of the water coming from deep within the earth.

It shouts to the water below as it tumbles down the waterfall.

crashing all around and over me.[228]

<8> By day the Lord shows his faithful love,

and at night I have a song for him— a prayer for the God of my life.[229]

<9> I say to God, my Rock,[230]

“Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I suffer this deep sadness that comes from the cruelty of my enemies?”

<10> Their constant insults are killing me.

They never stop asking, “Where is your God?”

<11> Why am I so sad?

Why am I so upset?

I tell my myself,

“Wait for God’s help!

You will have a chance to praise him again.

God will save you.”

43 <1> Defend me, God.

Argue my case against those lying foreigners.

Protect me from those wicked people who do not follow you.

<2> God, you are my place of safety.

“Why have you turned me away?

Why must I suffer this deep sadness that comes from the cruelty of my enemies?”

<3> Send your light and your truth to guide me.

They will lead me to your holy mountain, to your home.

<4> I want to go to God’s altar,

to the God who makes me so very happy.

God, my God, I want to play my harp

and sing praises to you!

<5> Why am I so sad?

Why am I so upset?

I tell myself,

“Wait for God’s help!

You will have a chance to praise him again.

God will save you.”

44

To the director.[231] A maskil[232] from the Korah family.

<1> God, we have heard about you.

Our fathers[233] told us what you did in their lifetime.

They told us what you did long ago.

<2> With your great power

you took this land from other people,

and you gave it to us.

You crushed those foreigners

and forced them to leave this land.

<3> It was not our fathers’ swords

that took the land.

It was not their strong arms

that brought them the victory.

It was your power.

It was because you accepted them

and smiled down on them.

<4> God, you are my king.

Give the command

and lead Jacob’s[234] people to victory.

<5> We need your help to push our enemies back.

Only in your name can we walk over those who attacked us.

<6> I don’t put my trust in my bow.

My sword cannot save me.

<7> You are the one who saved us from our enemies.

You are the one who put our enemies to shame.

<8> We have praised you all day long,

and we will praise your name forever.

Selah[235]

<9> But, God, you left us.

You put us to shame.

You did not come with us into battle.

<10> You let our enemies push us back.

You let them take our wealth.

<11> You gave us away like sheep

to be killed for food.

You scattered us among the other nations.

<12> You sold your people for nothing.

You didn’t even argue over the price.

<13> You made us a joke to our neighbors.

They laugh and make fun of us.

<14> You made us one of the stories

that people of other nations love to tell.

People all over the world laugh at us

and shake their heads.

<15> All I can think about is my shame.

Just look at my face, and you will see it.

<16> All I can hear are the jokes and insults

of my enemies as I watch them take their revenge.

<17> We have not forgotten you.

Yet you do all those things to us.

We did not break the agreement you gave us.

<18> We did not turn away from you.

We did not stop following you.

<19> But you crushed us in this home of jackals.[236]

You left us in this place as dark as death.

<20> Did we forget the name of our God?

Did we pray to foreign gods?

<21> If we did, then God knows it,

because he knows our deepest secrets.

<22> All day long we died for you.

We were like sheep led away to be killed.

<23> Master, wake up!

Why are you sleeping?

Get up! Don’t ignore us forever!

<24> Why are you hiding from us?

Have you forgotten our pain and troubles?

<25> We have been pushed down into the dirt.

We are lying face down in the dust.[237]

<26> Get up and help us!

Rescue us because of your faithful love.

45

To the director.[238] To the tune of “Shoshanim.”[239] A maskil[240] from the Korah family. A love song.

<1> Beautiful thoughts fill my mind

as I speak these lines for the king.

These words come from my tongue

as from the pen of a skilled writer.

<2> You are more handsome than anyone,

and you say such pleasant things.

So God will always bless you.

<3> Put on your sword, mighty warrior,

so glorious in your splendid uniform.

<4> You look wonderful!

Go and win the fight for all that is true and good and right.

Let us see the amazing things you can do

with your powerful right arm.[241]

<5> Your sharp arrows will go

deep into the hearts of your enemies, who will fall to the ground in front of you.

<6> God,[242] your throne will last forever.

Your justice is a sign of your power to rule.

<7> You love what is right and hate what is evil.

So God, your God, chose you to be king

and made you happier than any of your friends.[243]

<8> From your clothes comes the wonderful smell of myrrh,[244] aloes,[245] and cassia.[246]

Inside palaces decorated with ivory you enjoy the music of stringed instruments.

<9> Here are ladies of honor,

the daughters of kings.

Your bride[247] stands at your right side,

dressed in a gown decorated with the finest gold.

<10> My lady,[248] listen to me.

Listen carefully and understand me.

Forget your people and your father’s family,

<11> so the king will be pleased with your beauty.

He will be your new husband,[249]

so you must honor him.

<12> People from Tyre will bring you gifts.

Their richest people will try to win your friendship.

<13> In all her glory, the princess in her gown

is like a pearl set in gold.

<14> Draped in beauty,

she is led to the king, as her bridesmaids follow behind her.

<15> Filled with joy and excitement,

they enter into the king’s palace.

<16> Your sons will be kings,

like their ancestors.

You will make them rulers

throughout the land.

<17> You will be famous for generations.

People will praise you forever and ever.

46

To the director.[250] A song from the Korah family. By the alamoth.[251] A song.

<1> God is our storehouse of strength.

We come to him and find help in times of trouble.

<2> So we are not afraid

when the earth quakes,

and the mountains fall into the sea.

<3> We are not afraid

when the seas become rough and dark,

and the mountains tremble.

Selah[252]

<4> There is a river whose streams

bring happiness to God’s city,

to the holy city of God Most High.

<5> God is in that city,

so it will never be destroyed.

He is there to help even before sunrise.

<6> Nations will shake with fear and kingdoms will fall

when God shouts and makes the earth move.

<7> The Lord All-Powerful is with us.

The God of Jacob[253] is our place of safety.

Selah

<8> Look at the powerful things the Lord has done.

See the awesome things he has done on earth.

<9> He stops wars anywhere on earth.

He breaks the soldiers’ bows,

shatters their spears,

and burns their shields.[254]

<10> God says,

“Stop fighting and know that I am God!

I am the one who defeats the nations;

I am the one who controls the world.”

<11> The Lord All-Powerful is with us.

The God of Jacob is our place of safety.

Selah

47

To the director.[255] A song from the Korah family.

<1> Everyone, clap your hands.

Shout with joy to God!

<2> The Lord Most High is awesome.

He is the great King over all the earth.

<3> He helped us defeat other nations.

He put those people under our control.

<4> He chose our land for us.

He chose that wonderful land for Jacob,[256] the one he loved.

Selah[257]

<5> The Lord God goes up to his throne

at the sound of the trumpet and horn.

<6> Sing praises to God.

Sing praises.

Sing praises to our King.

Sing praises.

<7> God is the King of the whole world.

Sing songs of praise.[258]

<8> God sits on his holy throne

and rules all the nations.

<9> The leaders of the nations have come together

with the people of the God of Abraham.

All the rulers of the world

belong to God.

He is over them all!

48

A song of praise from the Korah family.

<1> The Lord is great!

He is praised throughout the city of our God, on his holy mountain.

<2> His city is such a pleasant place.

It brings joy to people from around the world.

Mount Zion[259] is the true mountain of God.[260]

It is the city of the great King.

<3> In the palaces of that city,

God is known as the fortress.[261]

<4> Once some kings met together

and planned an attack against this city.

They marched toward the city,

<5> but when they saw it, they were amazed.

They all panicked and ran away.

<6> Fear grabbed them;

they trembled like a woman giving birth.

<7> God, with a strong east wind,

you wrecked their big ships.

<8> Yes, we heard the stories about your power.

But we also saw it

in the city of our God,

the city of the Lord All-Powerful.

God makes that city strong forever.

Selah[262]

<9> God, in your Temple[263] we remember your loving kindness.

<10> God, you are famous.

People praise you everywhere on earth.

Everyone knows how good you are.

<11> Mount Zion is happy,

and the towns of Judah rejoice because of your good decisions.

<12> Walk around Zion.

Look at Jerusalem

and count its towers.

<13> See the tall walls and admire all the palaces.

Then you can tell the next generation about them.

<14> This God is our God forever and ever.

He will lead us forever![264]

49

To the director.[265] A song from the Korah family.

<1> Listen to this, all you nations.

Pay attention, all you people on earth.

<2> Everyone, rich and poor, listen to me.

<3> I have some very wise words for you.

My thoughts will give you understanding.

<4> I myself listened to these sayings.

And now, with my harp, I will sing and make the hidden meaning clear.

<5> Why should I be afraid

when trouble comes?

There is no need to fear

when wicked enemies surround me.

<6> Some people think their wealth

will protect them, but they are fools.

<7> No human friends can save you,

and they cannot bribe[266] God.

<8> No one will ever get enough money

to buy their own life.

<9> No one will ever have enough

to buy the right to live forever

and keep their body out of the grave.

<10> Look, the wise die

the same as fools and stupid people.[267]

They die and leave their wealth to others.

<11> The grave will be their new home forever.

And how much land they owned

will not make any difference.

<12> People might be wealthy,

but they cannot stay here forever.

They will die like the animals.

<13> That is what happens to such people.

That is the fate of those who follow their desires.

Selah[268]

<14> They are just like sheep,

but the grave will be their pen.

Death will be their shepherd.

Then on that morning

the good people will be the winners,

while the bodies of those proud people slowly rot in the grave,

far away from their fancy houses.

<15> But God will pay the price

and save my life.[269]

He will save me from the power of the grave

when he takes me to be with him.

Selah

<16> Don’t be afraid of people

just because they are rich.

Don’t be afraid of people

just because they have big, fancy houses.

<17> They will not take anything with them

when they die.

They will not take their wealth with them.

<18> A wealthy man might congratulate himself on how well he has done in life.

And other people might praise him.

<19> But the time will come for him to die

and go to his ancestors.

And he will never again see the light of day.

<20> People might be wealthy

and still not understand that they will die like the animals.

50

One of Asaph’s songs.

<1> The Lord God Most Powerful has spoken.

He calls to all the people on earth, from the rising to the setting of the sun.

<2> God appeared from Zion,[270]

the city of perfect beauty.[271]

<3> Our God is coming,

and he will not keep quiet.

Fire burns in front of him.

There is a great storm around him.

<4> Our God calls to the earth and sky

to be witnesses as he judges his people.

<5> He says,

“My followers, gather around me.

Come, my worshipers, who made an agreement with me.”

<6> God is the judge,

and the skies tell about his goodness.

Selah[272]

<7> God says,

“My people, listen to me!

People of Israel,[273] I will show my evidence against you.

I am God, your God.

<8> The problem I have with you is not your sacrifices[274]

or the burnt offerings[275] you bring to me every day.

<9> Why would I want more bulls from your barns

or goats from your pens?

<10> I already own all the animals in the forest.

I own all the animals on a thousand hills.

<11> I know every bird in the mountains.

Everything that moves in the fields is mine.

<12> If I were hungry, I would not ask you for food.

I already own the world and everything in it.

<13> I don’t eat the meat of bulls

or drink the blood of goats.”

<14> You made promises to God Most High,

so give him what you promised.

Bring your sacrifices and thank offerings.[276]

<15> God says,

“Call me when trouble comes.

I will help you, and you will honor me.”

<16> God says to the wicked,

“Stop quoting my laws!

Stop talking about my Agreement!

<17> Why? Because you hate for me to tell you what to do!

You ignore what I say!

<18> You see a thief,

and you run to join him.

You jump into bed with those who commit adultery.[277]

<19> You say evil things and tell lies.

<20> You sit around talking about people

and finding fault with your own brothers.

<21> You did this, and I said nothing.

So you thought I was just like you.

Well, I will not be quiet any longer.

I will correct you

and make it very clear to you.

<22> You people who have forgotten God,

understand what I am telling you,

or I will tear you apart,

and no one will be able to save you!

<23> Whoever gives a thank offering

shows me honor.

And whoever decides to live right

will see my power to save.”

51

To the director.[278] A song of David[279] telling about the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David’s sin with Bathsheba.

<1> God, be merciful to me

because of your faithful love.

Because of your great compassion,

erase all the wrongs I have done.

<2> Scrub away my guilt.

Wash me clean from my sin.

<3> I know I have done wrong.

I remember that sin all the time.

<4> I did what you said is wrong.

You are the one I have sinned against.

I say this so that people will know

that I am wrong, and you are right.

Your decisions are fair.

<5> I was born in sin.

In sin my mother conceived me.

<6> You want me to be truly loyal,

so put true wisdom deep inside of me.

<7> Remove my sin and make me pure.[280]

Wash me until I am whiter than snow!

<8> Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again.

Let the bones you crushed be happy again.

<9> Don’t look at my sins.

Erase them all.

<10> God, create a pure heart in me,

and make my spirit strong again.

<11> Don’t push me away

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

<12> Your help made me so happy.

Give me that joy again.

Make my spirit strong

and ready to obey you.

<13> I will teach the guilty how you want them to live,

and the sinners will come back to you.

<14> God, spare me from the punishment of death.[281]

My God, you are the one who saves me!

Let me sing about all the good things you do for me!

<15> My Master, I will open my mouth

and sing your praises!

<16> You don’t really want sacrifices,[282]

or else I would give them to you.

<17> The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit.

God, you will not turn away

someone who comes with a humble heart

and is willing to obey you.[283]

<18> God, please be good to Zion.[284]

Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

<19> Then you can enjoy the kind of sacrifices you want.[285]

You will receive whole burnt offerings,[286]

and people will again offer bulls on your altar.

52

To the director.[287] A maskil[288] of David when Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David is in Ahimelech’s house.”

<1> Great warrior, why are bragging about the evil you did?

You are a disgrace to God.

<2> You are nothing but a hired killer,[289]

making plans to hurt people and making up lies!

<3> You love evil more than goodness.

You love lying more than truth.

Selah[290]

<4> You and your lying tongue

love to hurt people.

<5> So God will ruin you forever!

He will grab you

and pull you from your home,[291]

like someone pulling a plant out of the ground, roots and all![292]

<6> Good people will see this

and will learn to fear and respect God.

They will laugh at you and say,

<7> “Look what happened to the warrior who did not depend on God.

That fool thought his wealth and lies

would protect him.”

<8> But I am like a green olive tree growing in God’s Temple.[293]

I will trust God’s faithful love forever and ever.

<9> God, I praise you forever for what you have done.

I will speak your name[294] before your followers because it is so good!

53

To the director.[295] On the mahalath.[296] A maskil[297] of David.

<1> Only fools think there is no God.

People like that are evil and do terrible things.

They never do what is right.

<2> God looks down from heaven

to see if there is anyone who is wise,

anyone who looks to him for help.

<3> But everyone has turned away from him.

Everyone has become evil.

No one does anything good.

No, not one person!

<4> God says, “The wicked don’t ask for my advice.

And they treat my people like bread to be eaten.

Don’t they understand what they are doing?”

<5> But those evil people will be filled with fear—

a fear like they have never felt before!

Israel,[298] you will defeat those who attacked you,

because God has rejected them, and he will scatter their bones.

<6> I wish the one who lives on Mount Zion[299]

would bring victory to Israel!

Jacob’s people will be very happy

when God makes Israel prosper again.[300]

54

To the director.[301] With instruments. A maskil[302] of David when the Ziphites went to Saul and told him, “We think David is hiding among our people.”

<1> God, use your power and save me.

Use your great power to set me free.[303]

<2> God, listen to my prayer.

Listen to what I say.

<3> Strangers who don’t even think about God have turned against me.

Those powerful men are trying to kill me.

Selah[304]

<4> Look, my God will help me.

My Master will support me.

<5> My God will punish the people

who turned against me.

God, be faithful to me

and destroy them.

<6> Lord, I will give freewill offerings to you.

I will praise your good name.

<7> You saved me from all my troubles.

I saw my enemies defeated.

55

To the director.[305] With instruments. A maskil[306] of David.

<1> God, hear my prayer.

Please don’t ignore my prayer for mercy.

<2> Please listen to me and answer me.

Let me speak to you and tell you what upsets me.

<3> Like an enemy, they yelled at me and threatened me.

They were angry and attacked me.

They brought troubles crashing down on me.

<4> My heart is pounding inside me.

I am scared to death.

<5> I am trembling with fear.

I am terrified!

<6> Oh, I wish I had wings like a dove.

I would fly away and find a place to rest.

<7> I would go far into the desert and stay there.

Selah[307]

<8> I would run away.

I would escape from this storm of trouble.

<9> My Master, stop their lies.

I see the violence and fighting

in this city.

<10> Day and night, in every neighborhood,

the city is filled with crime and trouble.

<11> There is so much crime in the streets.

People are lying and cheating everywhere.

<12> If it were an enemy insulting me,

I could bear it.

If it were my enemies attacking me,

I could hide.

<13> But it is you, my companion,

my colleague, my close friend, who does this.

<14> We used to share our secrets with one another,

as we walked through the crowds together in God’s Temple.[308]

<15> I wish death would take my enemies by surprise!

I wish the earth would open up and swallow them alive[309]

because they plan such terrible things together.

<16> I will call to God for help,

and the Lord will answer me.

<17> I speak to God evening, morning, and noon.

I tell him what upsets me, and he listens to me!

<18> I have fought in many battles,

but God has always rescued me and brought me back safely.

<19> God, who has always ruled as king,

will hear me and punish my enemies.

Selah

But they will never change.

They don’t fear and respect God.

<20> This one who was once my friend now attacks his friends.

He is breaking every promise he made.

<21> His words about peace are as smooth as butter,

but he has only war on his mind.

His words are as slick as oil,

but they cut like a knife.

<22> Give your worries to the Lord,

and he will care for you.

He will never let those who are good be defeated.

<23> But, God, you will send those liars and murderers to their grave.

They will die before their life is half finished!

As for me, I will put my trust in you.

56

To the director.[310] To the tune “The Dove in the Distant Oak.” A miktam[311] of David from the time the Philistines captured him in Gath.

<1> God, people have attacked me,

so be merciful to me.

They have been chasing me constantly,

closing in to attack me.

<2> My enemies come at me constantly.

There are too many fighters to count.[312]

<3> When I am afraid,

I put my trust in you.

<4> I trust God, so I am not afraid of what people can do to me!

I praise God for his promise to me.

<5> My enemies are always twisting my words.

They are always making plans against me.

<6> They hide together and watch my every move,

hoping for some way to kill me.

<7> God, send them away because of the bad things they did.

Show your anger and defeat those people.

<8> You know I am very upset.

You know how much I have cried.

Surely you have kept an account of all my tears.

<9> I know that when l for help,

my enemies will turn and run.

I know that because God is with me!

<10> I praise God for his promise.

I praise the Lord for his promise to me.

<11> I trust God, so I am not afraid

of what people can do to me!

<12> God, I made special promises to you,

and I will do what I promised.

I will give you my thank offering.

<13> You saved me from death.

You kept me from being defeated.

So I will worship you in the light

that only the living can see.

57

To the director.[313] To the tune “Don’t Destroy.” A miktam[314] of David when he escaped from Saul and went into the cave.

<1> God, be merciful to me.

Be kind because my soul trusts in you.

I have come to you for protection,

while the trouble passes.

<2> I pray to God Most High for help,

and he takes care of me completely!

<3> From heaven he helps me and saves me.

He will punish the one who attacks me.

Selah[315]

God will remain loyal to me

and send his love to protect me.

<4> My life is in danger.

My enemies are all around me.

They are like man-eating lions,

with teeth like spears or arrows

and tongues that cut like sharp swords.

<5> God, rise above the heavens!

Let all the world see your glory.[316]

<6> My enemies set a trap for me.

They were trying to trap me.

They dug a deep pit for me, but they fell into it.

Selah

<7> God, I am ready.

I am ready to sing songs of praise.

<8> Wake up, my soul![317]

Harps and lyres,[318] wake up, and let’s wake the dawn.

<9> My Master, I praise you to everyone.

I will sing praises about you to every nation.

<10> Your faithful love is higher

than the highest clouds in the sky!

<11> God, rise above the heavens.

Let all the world see your glory.

58

To the director.[319] To the tune“Don’t Destroy.” A miktam[320] of David.

<1> You judges are not being fair in your decisions.

You are not judging people fairly.

<2> No, you only think of evil things to do.

You do violent crimes in this country.

<3> Those wicked people started doing wrong

as soon as they were born.

They have been liars from birth.

<4> Their anger is as dangerous as snake venom.[321]

And, like cobras that cannot hear,

they refuse to listen to the truth.

<5> Cobras cannot hear the music or songs of snake charmers,

and those wicked people are like that as they make their evil plans.[322]

<6> God, they are like lions.

So Lord, break their teeth.

<7> May they disappear

like water down a drain.

May they be crushed

like weeds on a path.[323]

<8> May they be like snails melting away

as they move.

May they be like a baby born dead,

who never saw the light of day.

<9> May they be destroyed quickly,

like thorns that burn too fast to heat the pot.

<10> A good man will be happy

when he sees wicked people punished

for the bad things they did to him.

He will be like a soldier

who defeated all his enemies![324]

<11> When that happens, everyone will say:

“Good people really are rewarded.

There really is a God judging the world!”[325]

59

To the director.[326] To the tune “Don’t Destroy.” A miktam[327] of David from the time Saul sent people to watch David’s house to try to kill him.

<1> God, save me from my enemies.

Protect me from those who stand against me.

<2> Save me from those who do wrong.

Save me from those murderers.

<3> Look, powerful men are waiting for me.

They are waiting to kill me, even though I did not sin or commit any crime.

<4> I have done nothing wrong, but they are rushing to attack me.

Lord, come and see for yourself!

<5> You are the Lord God All-Powerful, the God of Israel[328]!

Get up and punish them.

Don’t show any mercy to those traitors.

Selah[329]

<6> Those evil men are like dogs

that come into town in the evening,

growling and roaming the streets.

<7> Listen to their threats and insults.

They say such cruel things,

and they don’t care who hears them.

<8> Lord, laugh at them.

Make fun of them all.

<9> I will sing my songs of praise to you.[330]

God, you are my place of safety,

high in the mountains.

<10> God loves me, and he will help me win.

He will help me defeat my enemies.

<11> Don’t just kill them,

or my people might forget.

My Master and Protector, scatter them

and defeat them with your strength.

<12> Those evil people curse and tell lies.

Punish them for what they said.

Let their pride trap them.

<13> Destroy them in your anger.

Destroy them completely!

Then people all over the world

will know that God rules over Jacob’s[331] people.

Selah

<14> Those evil men are like dogs

that come into town in the evening,

growling and roaming the streets.

<15> They roam around looking for food,

but even if they eat their fill, they still growl and complain.

<16> But I will sing about your strength.

I will rejoice in your love,

because you have been my place of safety high in the mountains.

And I can run to you when troubles come.

<17> I will sing praises to you, my source of strength.

You, God, are my place of safety.

You are the God who loves me!

60

To the director.[332] To the tune “Lily of the Agreement.” A miktam[333] of David. For teaching. This was from the time when David fought Aram Naharaim[334] and Aram Zobah,[335] and when Joab came back and defeated 12,000 Edomite soldiers at Salt Valley.

<1> God, you were angry with us.

You rejected us and destroyed our defenses.

Please make us whole again.

<2> You shook the earth and split it open.

Our world is falling apart.

Please fix it.

<3> You gave your people many troubles.

We staggered and fell down like drunks.

<4> But then you provided a flag to show your followers

where to gather to escape the enemy’s attack.

Selah[336]

<5> Use your great power and save us!

Answer my prayer and save the people you love!

<6> God has spoken in his Temple:[337]

“I will win the war and rejoice in victory!

I will divide this land among my people.

I will give them Shechem.

I will give them Succoth Valley.

<7> Gilead and Manasseh will be mine.

Ephraim will be my helmet.

Judah will be my royal scepter.[338]

<8> Moab will be the bowl for washing my feet.

Edom will be the slave who carries my sandals.

I will defeat the Philistines and shout in victory!”

<9-10> But God, you left us!

You did not go with our army!

So who will lead me into the strong, protected city?

Who will lead me into battle against Edom?

<11> God, help us defeat our enemy!

People cannot help us!

<12> Only God can make us strong.

Only God can defeat our enemies!

61

To the director.[339] With stringed instruments. A song of David.[340]

<1> God, hear my prayer song.

Listen to my prayer.

<2> Wherever I am, however weak,

I will call to you for help!

Carry me to the place of safety far above.[341]

<3> You are my place of safety!

You are the strong tower protecting me from my enemies.

<4> I want to live in your tent[342] forever.

I want to hide where you can protect me.

Selah[343]

<5> God, you heard what I promised to give you,

but everything your worshipers have comes from you.

<6> Give the king a long life.

Let him live forever!

<7> Let him rule in your presence forever!

Protect him with your faithful love.

<8> Then I will praise your name forever.

Every day I will do what I promised.

62

To the director.[344] To Jeduthun. A song of David.[345]

<1> I must calm down and turn to God;

only he can rescue me.

<2> He is my Rock,[346] the only one who can save me.

He is my high place of safety, where no army can defeat me.

<3> How long will you attack me?

I am like a leaning wall, a fence ready to fall.

<4> In spite of my important position,

those people are planning to destroy me.

It makes them happy

to tell lies about me.

In public, they say good things about me,

but in private, they curse me.

Selah[347]

<5> I must calm down and turn to God;

he is my only hope.

<6> He is my Rock, the only one who can save me.

He is my high place of safety, where no army can defeat me.

<7> My victory and honor come from God.

He is the mighty rock, where I am safe.

<8> People, always put your trust God!

Tell him all your problems.

God is our place of safety.

Selah

<9> People cannot really help.

You cannot depend on them.

Compared to God, they are like nothing,

like a gentle puff of air!

<10> Don’t trust in your power to take things by force.

Don’t think you will gain anything by stealing.

And if you become rich,

don’t trust in your riches to help you.

<11> God says there is one thing you can really depend on

(and I believe it):

“Strength comes from God!”

<12> My Master, your love is real.

You reward or punish people for what they do.

63

A song of David[348] from the time he was in the desert of Judah.

<1> God, you are my God.

I am searching so hard to find you.

Body and soul, I thirst for you

in this dry and weary land without water.

<2> Yes, I have seen you in your Temple.[349]

I have seen your strength and glory.[350]

<3> Your faithful love is better than life,

so my lips praise you.

<4> By my life, I will praise you.

In your name, I lift my hands in prayer.

<5> When I sit down to satisfy my hunger,

my joyful lips hunger to praise you!

<6> I remember you while lying on my bed.

I think about you in the middle of the night.

<7> That is because you are the one who helps me.

It makes me happy to be under your protection!

<8> My soul clings to you

as you hold me in your arms.

<9> People are trying to kill me,

but they will be destroyed.

They will go down to their graves.

<10> They will be killed with swords.

Wild dogs will eat their dead bodies.

<11> But the king will be happy with his God,

and the people who promised to obey him

will praise him when he defeats those liars.

64

To the director.[351] A song of David.[352]

<1> God, listen to my complaint.

My enemy threatened me.

Protect me from him!

<2> Protect me from the secret plans of my enemies.

Hide me from those wicked people.

<3> They sharpen their tongues to use like swords.

They aim their poisonous words like arrows.

<4> Suddenly, from their hiding places, they let their arrows fly,

and shoot to kill an innocent man.

<5> They encourage each other to do wrong.

They talk about setting their traps,

saying, “No one will see them here!”

<6> “No one will discover our crime,” they say,

“We have the perfect plan!”

Yes, people can be very tricky

and hard to understand.

<7> But suddenly, God will shoot his arrows,

and those wicked people will be hit.

<8> He can use their own words against them

and teach them a lesson.

Then everyone who sees them

will shake their heads in amazement.

<9> People will see what God has done.

They will tell other people about him.

Then everyone will learn more about God.

They will learn to fear and respect him.

<10> Good people are happy to serve the Lord.

They depend on God.

And when other good people see it,

they praise the Lord!

65

To the director.[353] A praise song of David.[354]

<1> God on Zion,[355] we praise you

and give you what we promised.

<2> Anyone can come to you,

and you will listen to their prayers.

<3> When our sins become too heavy for us,

you wipe them away.

<4> Oh, how wonderful it is to be the people

that you chose to come to your Temple.[356]

And we are so happy to have the wonderful things

that are in your Temple, your holy palace.

<5> God, you answer our prayers and do what is right.

You do amazing things to save us.

People all over the world know they can trust in you,

even those who live across the sea.

<6> You made the mountains.

We see your power all around us.

<7> You can calm the roughest seas

or the nations raging around us.

<8> People all around the world

are amazed at the wonderful things you do.

You make all people, east and west,

sing with joy.

<9> You take care of the land.

You water it and make it fertile.

God, you fill the streams with water

and make the crops grow.

<10> You pour rain on the plowed fields;

you soak the fields with water.

You make the ground soft with rain,

and you make the young plants grow.

<11> You start the new year with a good harvest.

You end the year with many crops.[357]

<12> The desert and hills are covered with grass.

<13> The pastures are covered with sheep.

The valleys are filled with grain.

Everyone is singing and shouting with joy.

66

To the director.[358] A song of praise.

<1> Everything on earth,

shout with joy to God!

<2> Praise his glorious name!

Honor him with songs of praise!

<3> Tell God how wonderful his works are!

God, your power is very great!

Your enemies bow down before you.

They are afraid of you!

<4> Let the whole world worship you.

Let everyone sing praises to your name.

Selah[359]

<5> Look at what God did!

Those things amaze us.

<6> He changed the sea to dry land.[360]

His people went across the river on foot,[361]

so let’s celebrate him there!

<7> He rules the world with his great power.

He watches people everywhere.

No one can rebel against him.

Selah

<8> People, praise our God.

Sing loud songs of praise to him.

<9> He gave us life

and he protects us.

<10> God, you tested us,

like people test silver with fire.

<11> You let us be trapped.

You put heavy burdens on us.

<12> You let our enemies run over us.

We went through fire and water,

but you brought us to a safe place.

<13-14>So I will bring sacrifices[362] to your Temple.[363]

When I was in trouble,

I asked you for help and made many promises to you.

Now, I am giving you what I promised.

<15> I am giving you sin offerings.[364]

I am giving you incense[365] with the rams.

I am giving you bulls and goats.

Selah

<16> All of you people worshiping God,

come and I will tell you what he has done for me.

<17> I prayed to him.

I praised him.

<18> If I had not been sincere,

my Master would not have listened to me.

<19> But God listened to me.

He heard my prayer.

<20> Praise God!

He did not turn away from me—

he listened to my prayer.

He showed his love to me!

67

To the director.[366] With instruments. A song of praise.

<1> God, show mercy to us and bless us.

Please accept us!

Selah[367]

<2> Let everyone on earth learn about you, God.

Let every nation see how you save people.

<3> May people praise you, God!

May all people praise you.

<4> May all nations rejoice and be happy

because you judge people fairly.

You rule over every nation.

<5> May people praise you, God!

May all people praise you.

<6> God, our God, bless us.

Let our land give us a great harvest.

<7> May God bless us,

and may all the people on earth fear and respect him.

68

To the director.[368] A praise song of David.[369]

<1> God, get up and scatter your enemies.

May all your enemies run from you.

<2> May your enemies be scattered,

like smoke blown away by the wind.

May your enemies be destroyed,

like wax melting in a fire.

<3> But let good people be happy.

Let them gather together before God and enjoy themselves together.

<4> Sing to God.

Sing praises to his name.

Prepare the way for God

as he rides his chariot over the clouds.

His name is Yah.[370]

Praise his name!

<5> In the holy place he lives, God is like a father to orphans,

and he takes care of widows.

<6> God provides homes for those who are lonely.

He frees people from prison, and makes them happy.

But those who turn against God

will have to live in the desert.

<7> God, you led your people out of Egypt.

You marched across the desert,

<8> and the ground shook,

Selah[371]

and rain poured from the sky,

when God, the God of Israel,[372] came to Mount Sinai.

<9> God, you sent the rain

to make a tired, old land strong again.

<10> Your people[373] came back to live there,

and you gave many good things to the poor.

<11> My Master gave the command,

and many people went to tell the good news:

<12> “The armies of powerful kings ran away!

At home, women will divide the things

that soldiers bring from the battle.

<13> The people who stayed home

will share in the wealth.

They will get the dove wings covered with silver.

They will get the wings sparkling with gold.”

<14> On Mount Zalmon, God scattered the enemy kings like falling snow.

<15> Mount Bashan is a great mountain with many peaks.

<16> But Bashan, why do you look down on Mount Zion[374]?

God loves Mount Zion.

That is where the Lord chose to live forever.

<17> My Master, coming from Sinai in holiness,

rode among his millions of chariots.[375]

<18> You went up on the high mountain,

leading a parade of captives.

You received gifts from men,[376]

even those who turned against you.

The Lord[377] God went up there to live.

<19> Praise the Lord my Master!

Every day he helps us with the loads we must carry.

God is the one who saves us.

Selah

<20> He is our God.

He is the God who saves us.

The Lord my Master saves us from death.

<21> God will smash the heads of his enemies.

He will punish those

who fought against him.[378]

<22> My Master said,

“Even if they run to the mountains of Bashan or to the depths of the sea,

I will capture them and bring them back.

<23> So you will march through pools of their blood,

and there will be plenty left for your dogs.”

<24> God, everyone can see your victory parade—

the victory march led by my holy God and King!

<25> Singers come marching in front,

followed by the musicians, surrounded by young girls playing tambourines.

<26> Praise God in the meeting place![379]

Praise the Lord, people of Israel!

<27> There is little Benjamin, leading them!

And there is the great family of Judah!

And there are the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali!

<28> God, show us your power!

Show us the power you used for us in the past.

<29> Kings will bring their wealth to you,

to your Temple[380] in Jerusalem.

<30> Punish the people in Egypt.

They are like cattle in the marshes, like bulls among the calves.

You humiliated them.

You scattered them in war.

Now let them come crawling to you,

bringing their pieces of silver.

<31> Messengers from Egypt

will come bearing their gifts.

Ethiopia will send God their tribute.[381]

<32> Kings on earth, sing to God!

Sing songs of praise to our Master!

Selah

<33> Sing to God!

He rides his chariot through the ancient skies.

Listen to his powerful voice!

<34> Sing praise to God,

whose majesty is over Israel

and whose power is in the skies.

<35> God, you are awesome in your Temple!

The God of Israel is the one who gives strength and power to his people.

Praise God!

69

To the director.[382] To the tune “The Lilies.” A song of David.[383]

<1> God, save me from all my troubles!

The water has risen to my mouth.

<2> There is nothing to stand on.

I am sinking down, down into the mud.

I am in deep water,

and the waves are crashing around me.

I am about to drown.

<3> I am getting weak from calling for help.

My throat is hurting.

I have waited and looked for help from you

until my eyes are hurting.

<4> I have more enemies

than the hairs on my head.

They hate me for no reason.

They try hard to destroy me.

My enemies tell lies about me.

They lied and said I stole things.

And then they forced me to pay

for things I did not steal.

<5> God, you know my faults.

I cannot hide my sins from you.

<6> My Master, Lord All-Powerful,

don’t let your followers be ashamed of me.

God of Israel,[384] don’t let me be an embarrassment to those who come to worship you.

<7> My face is covered with shame.

I carry this shame for you.

<8> My own brothers treat me like a stranger.

They act as if I came from a foreign land.

<9> My strong devotion to your Temple[385] is destroying me.

Those who insult you are also insulting me.

<10> When I spend time crying and fasting,[386]

they make fun of me.

<11> When I wear sackcloth[387] to show my sorrow,

they tell jokes about me.

<12> They talk about me in public places.

The beer drinkers make up songs about me.

<13> As for me, this is my prayer to you, Lord:

I want you to accept me!

God, I want you to answer me with love.

I know I can trust you to save me.

<14> Pull me from the mud,

and do not let me sink.

Save me from the people who hate me.

Save me from this deep water.

<15> Don’t let the waves drown me.

Don’t let the deep sea swallow me.

Don’t let the grave close its mouth on me.

<16> Lord, your love is good.

Answer me with your faithful love.

With all your kindness,

turn to me and help me!

<17> Don’t turn away from your servant.

I am in trouble!

Hurry, help me!

<18> Come save my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies.

<19> You know my shame.

You know my enemies humiliated me.

You saw them do it.

<20> The shame has crushed me!

I am about to die from shame.

I waited for sympathy,

but none could be found.

I waited for someone to comfort me,

but no one came.

<21> They gave me poison, not food.

They gave me vinegar, not wine.

<22> Their tables are covered with food.

They have such big fellowship meals.

May those meals destroy them.

<23> Let them become blind

and their backs become weak.

<24> Let them feel all of your anger.

<25> Make their homes empty.

Don’t let anyone live there.

<26> They try to hurt people you have already punished.

They tell everyone about the suffering you gave them.

<27> Punish them for the bad things they have done.

Don’t show them how good you can be.

<28> Erase their names from the Book of Life.

Don’t write their names in the book with the names of the good people.

<29> I am sad and hurting.

God, lift me up. Save me!

<30> I will praise God’s name in song.

I will write a song that honors him.

<31> This will make the Lord happy!

This will be better than killing a bull

and offering the whole animal as a sacrifice.[388]

<32> Poor people, you came to worship God.

You will be happy to know these things.

<33> The Lord listens to poor, helpless people.

He still likes those who are in prison.

<34> Praise him, heaven and earth!

Sea and everything in it, praise him!

<35> God will save Zion.[389]

He will rebuild the cities of Judah.

Those who own the land

will live there again!

<36> The descendants of his servants

will get that land.

Those who love his name

will live there.

70

To the director.[390] A song of David[391] to help people remember.

<1> God, rescue me!

Lord, hurry and help me!

<2> People are trying to kill me.

Lord, disappoint them!

Humiliate them!

They wanted to hurt me.

Make them run away in shame!

<3> May those who make fun of me

be too embarrassed to speak!

<4> But may those who come to you

be happy and rejoice.

May those who love being saved by you

always be able to say, “Praise God!”[392]

<5> I am only a poor, helpless man.

God, please hurry to me.

You are the one who can help me.

You are the one who can save me.

Lord, don’t be too late!

71 <1> Lord, I trust in you;

don’t let me be disappointed.

<2> In your goodness, save me.

Rescue me.

Listen to me and save me.

<3> Be my fortress,[393]

the home I can run to for safety.

You are my Rock,[394] my place of safety,

so give the command to save me.

<4> My God, save me from wicked people.

Save me from cruel, evil people.

<5> Lord, my Master, you are my hope.

I have trusted you since I was a young boy.

<6> I depended on you even before I was born.

I relied on you even in my mother’s womb.

I have always prayed to you.[395]

<7> You are my source of strength,

so I have been an example to others.

<8> I am always singing about

the wonderful things you do.

<9> Don’t throw me away just because I am old.

Don’t leave me as I lose my strength.

<10> My enemies have made plans against me.

They really did meet together

and make plans to kill me.

<11> My enemies said, “Go get him!

God left him,

and no one will help him.”

<12> God, don’t leave me!

God, hurry! Come save me!

<13> Defeat my enemies!

Destroy them completely!

They are trying to hurt me.

Let them feel the shame and disgrace.

<14> Then I will always trust in you

and will praise you more and more.

<15> I will tell people how good you are.

I will tell about the times you saved me.

That has happened too many times to count.

<16> I will tell about your greatness, Lord my Master.

I will talk only about you and your goodness.

<17> God, you have taught me

since I was a young boy.

And to this day I have told people

about the wonderful things you do!

<18> Now I am old and my hair is gray,

but don’t leave me, God.

I must tell the next generation

about your power and greatness.

<19> God, your goodness reaches

far above the skies.

God, there is no god like you.

You have done wonderful things.

<20> You let me see troubles and bad times,

but you saved me from every one of them.

You will make me live again!

You will lift me up from the depths of the earth again!

<21> You will help me do even greater things.

You will comfort me again! <22> And I will play the harp and praise you.

My God, I will sing that you can be trusted.

I will play songs on my lyre[396]

for the Holy One of Israel.[397]

<23> I will shout for joy,

q2 singing songs of praise to you for saving me.

<24> My tongue will sing about your goodness all the time,

because those who wanted to kill me have been defeated and disgraced.

72

To Solomon.[398]

<1> God, help the king be like you and make good decisions.

Help the king’s son know what justice is.

<2> Help the king judge your people fairly.

Help him make wise decisions for your poor people.

<3> Let there be peace and justice throughout the land,

known on every mountain and hill.

<4> May the king be fair to the poor.

May he help the helpless and punish those who hurt them.

<5> May people fear and respect the king

as long as the sun shines

and the moon is in the sky.

May people fear and respect him forever!

<6> Help the king to be

like rain falling on the fields,

like showers falling on the land.

<7> Let goodness blossom while he is king.

Let peace continue as long as the moon.

<8> Let his kingdom grow from sea to sea,

from the Euphrates River to the faraway places on earth.[399]

<9> May all the people living in the desert

bow down to him.

May all his enemies bow before him

with their faces in the dirt.

<10> May the kings of Tarshish[400]

and all the faraway lands by the sea bring gifts to him.

May the kings of Sheba and Seba

bring their tribute[401] to him.

<11> May all kings bow down to our king.

May all nations serve him.

<12> Our king helps the poor

who have no one to help them.

<13> They depend on him.

He keeps them alive.

<14> The king saves them from those who are cruel to them.

Their lives are very important to him.

<15> Long live the king!

Let him receive gold from Sheba.

Always pray for the king.

Bless him every day.

<16> May the fields grow plenty of grain

and the hills be covered with crops.

May the fields be as fertile as Lebanon

and the cities be filled with people

like the fields are covered with grass.

<17> May the king be famous forever.

May people remember his name as long as the sun shines.

May the people be blessed through him,

and may they all bless him.

<18> Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel[402]!

Only God can do such amazing things.

<19> Praise his glorious name forever!

Let his glory[403] fill the whole world!

Amen and Amen[404]!

<20> (This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.)

73

BOOK 3

(Psalms 73-89)

Asaph’s song of praise.

<1> God is so good to Israel,[405]

to those whose hearts are pure.

<2> But I almost slipped and lost my balance.

I almost fell into sin.

<3> I saw that wicked people were successful,

and I became jealous of those proud people.

<4> They are healthy.

They don’t have to struggle to survive.[406]

<5> They don’t suffer like the rest of us.

They don’t have troubles like other people.

<6> So they are proud and hateful.

This is as easy to see as the jewels and fancy clothes they wear.

<7> If they see something they like, they go and take it.

They do whatever they want.

<8> They say cruel, evil things about other people.

They are proud and stubborn,

and they are always planning ways to take advantage of others.

<9> They think they are gods!

They think they are the rulers of earth.

<10>[407] Even God’s people turn to them

and do what they say.

<11> Those evil people say,

“God does not know what we are doing!

God Most High does not know!”

<12> Those proud people are wicked,

but they are rich and getting richer.

<13> So why should I make my heart pure?

Why should I make my hands clean?

<14> God, I suffer all day long,

and you punish me every morning.

<15> God, I wanted to talk to others about these things.

But I knew I would be betraying your people.

<16> I tried hard to understand these things,

but it was all too hard for me,

<17> until I went to your Temple.[408]

I went to God’s Temple,

and then I understood.

<18> God, you really have put those people

in a dangerous situation.

It is so easy for them to fall and be destroyed.

<19> Trouble can come suddenly,

and then they will be ruined.

Terrible things can happen to them,

and then they will be finished.

<20> Then they will be like a dream

that we forget when we wake up.

You will make them disappear

like the monsters in our dreams.

<21-22> I was very stupid.

I thought about such people, and I became upset.

God, I was upset and angry with you!

I acted like a stupid, ignorant animal.

<23> But look at what I have!

I am always with you.

You hold my hand.

<24> You lead me and give me good advice,

and later you will lead me to glory.[409]

<25> God, I have you in heaven.

And if I am with you, what on earth can I want?

<26> Maybe my mind[410] and body will be destroyed,

but I have the Rock[411] I love.

I have God forever!

<27> God, people who leave you will be lost.

You will destroy those who are not faithful to you.

<28> As for me, I have come to God,

and that is good.

I have made the Lord my Master, my place of safety.

God, I have come to tell about what you have done.

74

A maskil[412] of Asaph.

<1> God, why have you turned away from us for so long?

Why are you so angry with us, your own flock?

<2> Remember the people you bought so long ago.

You saved us, and we belong to you.

Remember Mount Zion,[413]

the place where you lived.

<3> God, come walk through these ancient ruins.

Come back to the Holy Place

that the enemy destroyed.

<4> The enemy shouted their war cries in the Temple.[414]

<5> Their soldiers attacked the doors,

like workmen chopping down trees.

<6> Using axes and hatchets,

they smashed the carved panels in your Temple.

<7> They burned your Holy Place.

That Temple was built to honor your name,

but they pulled it down to the ground.

<8> The enemy decided to crush us completely.

They burned every holy place[415]

in the country.

<9> We do not see any of our signs.[416]

There are no more prophets.

No one knows how long this will last.

<10> God, how much longer will the enemy make fun of us?

Will you let them insult your name forever?

<11> Why won’t you help us?

Use your power to defeat our enemies!

<12> God, you have been our King for a long time.

You helped us win many battles in this country.

<13> You used your great power,

to split open the sea.

<14> You defeated the great sea monsters!

You smashed the heads of Leviathan[417]

and left his body for the animals to eat.

<15> You make the springs and rivers flow,

and you make the rivers dry up.

<16> You control the day and the night.

You made the moon and the sun.

<17> You set the limits for everything on earth.

And you created summer and winter.

<18> Lord, remember,

the enemy insulted you!

Those foolish people hate your name!

<19> Don’t let those animals take your dove!

Don’t forget your poor people forever.

<20> Remember the agreement you gave us!

There is violence in every dark place

in this land.

<21> Your people were treated badly.

Don’t let them be hurt any more.

Your poor, helpless people praise you.

<22> God, get up and defend yourself!

Remember, those fools challenged you!

<23> Don’t forget the shouts of your enemies.

They insulted you again and again.

75

To the director.[418] To the tune “Don’t Destroy.” One of Asaph’s songs of praise.

<1> We praise you, God!

We praise you.

You[419] are near and people tell about

the amazing things you do.

<2> God says,

“I choose the time for judgment.

I will judge fairly.

<3> The earth and everything on it may be shaking and ready to fall,

but I make it steady.”

Selah[420]

<4-5> Some people are very proud.

They think they are powerful and important.

But I tell them,

‘Don’t brag!’

‘Don’t be so proud!’”

<6> There is no power on earth

that can make a person important.[421]

<7> God is the judge.

He decides who will be important.

He lifts one person up

and brings another one down.

<8> The Lord has a cup in his hand.

It is filled with the poisoned wine of his anger.

He will pour this wine,

and the wicked will drink it to the last drop.

<9> I will always tell people about this.

I will sing praise to the God of Israel.[422]

<10> He[423] will take power away from the wicked

and give it to good people.

76

To the director.[424] With instruments. One of Asaph’s songs of praise.

<1> People in Judah know God.

People in Israel[425] respect his name.

<2> His Temple[426] is in Salem.[427]

His house is on Mount Zion.[428]

<3> There he shattered the bows and arrows,

shields, swords, and other weapons of war.

Selah[429]

<4> God, you are glorious coming back

from the hills where you defeated your enemies.

<5> Those soldiers thought they were strong,

but now they lie dead in the fields.

Their bodies are stripped of all they owned.

None of them could defend themselves.[430]

<6> The God of Jacob[431] shouted at those soldiers,

and that army of chariots[432] and horses fell dead.

<7> God, you are awesome!

No one can stand against you when you are angry.

<8-9> You stood as judge and announced your decision.

You saved the humble people of the land.

From heaven you gave the decision.

The whole earth was silent and afraid.

<10> Even human anger can honor you

when you use it to punish your enemies.[433]

<11> People, you made promises to the Lord your God.

Now, give him what you promised.

People everywhere fear and respect God,

and they will bring gifts to him.

<12> God defeats great leaders;

all the kings on earth fear him.

77

To the director.[434] To Jeduthun. One of Asaph’s songs.

<1> I lift my voice to God and cry for help.

I lift my voice to you God, listen to me!

<2> My Master, I come to you

when I have troubles.

I reached out for you all night long.

My soul refused to be comforted.

<3> I think about God,

and I try to tell him how I feel.

But I cannot.

<4> You would not let me sleep.

I tried to say something, but I was too upset.

<5> I kept thinking about the past,

about things that happened long ago.

<6> At night, I try to think about my songs.

I talk with myself and try to understand.

<7> I wonder,

“Has our Master rejected us forever?

Will he ever accept us again?

<8> Is God’s love gone forever?

Will he ever speak to us again?

<9> Has God forgotten what mercy is?

Has his compassion changed to anger?”

Selah[435]

<10> Then I said to myself,

“What bothers me most is the thought that God Most High has lost his power.”

<11> Lord, I remember what you have done;

I remember the amazing things you did long ago.

<12> I think about those things.

I think about them all the time.

<13> God, your ways are holy.

No god is as great as you are.

<14> You are the God who does amazing things.

You showed the nations your great power.

<15> By your power you saved your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Selah

<16> God, the water saw you and became afraid.

The deep water shook with fear.

<17> The thick clouds dropped their water.

People heard loud thunder in the high clouds.

Then your arrows of lightning

flashed through the clouds.

<18> There were loud claps of thunder.

Lightning lit up the world.

The earth shook and trembled.

<19> You walked through the deep water

and you crossed the deep sea,

but you left no footprints.

<20> You used Moses and Aaron

to lead your people like sheep.

78

One of Asaph’s maskils.[436]

<1> My people, listen to my teachings.

Listen to what I say.

<2> I will tell you a story.

I will tell you about things from the past that are hard to understand.

<3> We heard the story, and we know it well.

Our fathers told this story.

<4> And we will not forget it.

Our people will be telling this story to the last generation.

We will all praise the Lord

and tell about the amazing things he did.

<5> The Lord made an agreement with Jacob.[437]

He gave the Law to Israel.[438]

He gave the commands to our ancestors.[439]

He told our ancestors to teach the Law to their children.

<6> Then as new children are born

and grow to become adults,

they would tell the stories to their children.

Then people would know the Law,

even to the last generation.

<7> Then they would all trust God.

They would not forget what he did

and would carefully obey his commands.

<8> Then they would not be like their ancestors,

who were stubborn and refused to obey God.

They were people who were not devoted to him.

Their hearts were not faithful to God.

<9> The men from Ephraim had their weapons,

but they ran away from the battle.

<10> They didn’t keep their agreement with God.

They refused to obey his teachings.

<11> They forgot the great things God did

and the amazing things he showed them.

<12> God showed their fathers

his great power at Zoan in Egypt.

<13> He split the Red Sea

and led the people across.

The water stood like a solid wall

on both sides of them.

<14> Each day God led them with the tall cloud,

and each night he led them with the light from the column of fire.

<15> He split the rocks in the desert

and gave them an ocean of fresh water.

<16> He brought the water

streaming from the rock like a river!

<17> But they continued sinning against him.

They rebelled against God Most High in the desert.

<18> Then they decided to test God.

They asked him for food, just to satisfy their appetites.

<19> They complained about him,

“Can God give us food in the desert?

<20> He hit the rock and a flood of water came out.

But can he give us bread and meat?”

<21> The Lord heard what they said

and became angry with Jacob’s people.

He was angry with Israel,

<22> because the people did not trust in him.

They did not believe God could save them.

<23-24> But then God opened the clouds above,

and manna[440] rained down on them for food.

It was as if doors in the sky opened,

and grain poured down from a storehouse in the sky.

<25> People ate the food of angels.

God sent plenty of food to satisfy them.

<26-27> He sent a strong wind from the east,

and quail fell on them like rain.

God made the wind blow from Teman.

There were so many birds that they were like sand on the seashore.

<28> The birds fell in the middle of the camp,

all around their tents.

<29> They ate until they were full.

God had given them what they wanted.

<30> But before they were completely satisfied,

while the food was still in their mouths,

<31> God became angry with them and killed even the strongest of them.

He brought down Israel’s best young men.

<32> But the people continued to sin!

They didn’t trust in the amazing things God could do.

<33> So God ended their worthless lives;

he brought their years to a close with disaster.

<34> Whenever he killed some of them,

the others would turn back to him.

They would come running back to God.

<35> They would remember that God was their Rock.[441]

They would remember that God Most High saved them.

<36> But they tried to fool him with their words;

they told him lies.

<37> Their hearts were not really with God.

They were not faithful to the agreement he gave them.

<38> But God was merciful.

He forgave them for their sins, and he did not destroy them!

Many times God controlled his anger.

He didn’t let himself get too angry.

<39> He remembered they were only people,

and that they were like a wind that blows and then is gone.

<40> Oh, those people caused him

so much trouble in the desert!

They made him so sad!

<41> Again and again they tested his patience.

They really hurt the Holy One of Israel.

<42> They forgot about his power.

They forgot the many times that

he saved them from the enemy.

<43> They forgot the miracles in Egypt,

the miracles in the fields of Zoan.

<44> God turned the rivers to blood!

The Egyptians could not drink the water.

<45> He sent swarms of flies

that bit the people of Egypt.

He sent the frogs

that ruined the Egyptians’ lives.

<46> He gave their crops to the grasshoppers

and their other plants to the locusts.

<47> He used hail to destroy their vines,

and he used sleet to destroy their trees.

<48> He killed their animals with hail

and their cattle with lightning.

<49> He showed the Egyptians his anger.

He sent his destroying angels against them.

<50> He found a way to show his anger.

He did not spare their lives.

He let them die with a deadly disease.

<51> He killed all the firstborn[442] sons in Egypt.

He killed every firstborn in Ham’s[443] family.

<52> Then he led Israel like a shepherd.

He led his people like sheep into the desert.

<53> He guided his people safely.

His people had nothing to be afraid of.

He drowned their enemies in the Red Sea.

<54> He led his people to his holy land,

to the mountain he took with his power.

<55> He forced the other nations

to leave that land.

God gave each family its share of the land.

He gave each tribe of Israel its home to live in.

<56> But they tested God Most High

and made him very sad.

They didn’t obey his commands.

<57> They turned away from God.

They turned against him, as their fathers did.

They changed directions like a boomerang.[444]

<58> They built high places[445] and made God angry.

They built statues of false gods and made God very jealous.

<59> When God heard this, he became very angry,

and he rejected Israel completely!

<60> He abandoned the Holy Tent at Shiloh[446]

where he lived among the people.

<61> He let foreigners capture his “Power.”

Enemies took God’s “beautiful jewel.”[447]

<62> He showed his anger

and let them be killed in war.

<63> The young men were burned to death,

and the girls they were to marry sang no wedding songs.

<64> The priests were killed,

but the widows did not cry for them.

<65> Finally, our Master got up

like a man waking from his sleep,

like a soldier after drinking too much wine.

<66> God forced his enemy back and defeated them.

He defeated his enemies and disgraced them forever.

<67> But God rejected Joseph’s family.

He did not accept Ephraim’s family.

<68> No, he chose the tribe of Judah

and Zion,[448] the mountain he loves.

<69> He built his holy Temple[449] high on that mountain.

Like the earth, God built his Temple to last forever.

<70> He chose David to be his special servant.

He took him away from the sheep pens,

<71> away from the job of caring for sheep,

and gave him the job of caring for the descendants of Jacob[450]—Israel, his chosen people.

<72> And David led them with a pure heart

and guided them very wisely.

79

One of Asaph’s songs of praise.

<1> God, some people from other nations came to fight your people.

They ruined your holy Temple.[451]

They left Jerusalem in ruins.

<2> The enemy left the bodies of your servants

for the wild birds to eat.

They left the bodies of your followers

for wild animals to eat.

<3> God, the enemy killed your people

until the blood flowed like water.

No one is left to bury the dead bodies.

<4> The countries around us insult us.

The people around us laugh at us and make fun of us.

<5> Lord, will you be angry with us forever?

Will your strong feelings[452] continue to burn like a fire?

<6> Turn your anger against the nations

that do not know you,

that do not honor you as God.

<7> Those nations killed Jacob’s[453] family

and destroyed their land.

<8> Please don’t punish us for the sins of our ancestors.[454]

Hurry, show us your mercy!

We need you so much!

<9> Our God and Savior, help us!

Help us! Save us!

That will bring glory to your name.

Erase our sins for the good of your name.

<10> Don’t let other nations say to us:

“Where is your God?

Can’t he help you?”

Punish those people so we can see it.

Punish them for killing your servants.

<11> Listen to the sad moans of the prisoners!

Use your great power to free those who are sentenced to die.

<12> Punish the nations around us!

Pay them back seven times for what they did to us.

Punish them for insulting you.

<13> We are your people, the sheep of your flock.

We will praise you forever.

We will praise you forever and ever!

80

To the director.[455] To the tune “Lilies of the Agreement.” One of Asaph’s songs of praise.

<1> Shepherd of Israel,[456] listen to us.

You lead your people, Joseph’s descendants, like sheep.

You sit on your throne above the Cherub angels.[457]

Let us see you.

<2> Shepherd of Israel, show your greatness

to the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.

Come and save your people.

<3> God, accept us again.

Smile down on us and save us!

<4> Lord God All-Powerful,

when will you listen to our prayers?

How long will you be angry with us?

<5> Instead of bread and water,

you gave your people tears.

<6> You made us the target of everyone’s hatred.

Our enemies make fun of us.

<7> God All-Powerful, accept us again.

Smile down on us and save us!

<8> When you brought us out of Egypt,

we were like your special vine.

You forced other people to leave this land,

and you planted that vine here.

<9> You prepared the ground for it,

and it sent its roots down deep and spread throughout the land.

<10> It covered the mountains,

and its leaves shaded even the giant cedar trees.

<11> Its branches spread to the Mediterranean Sea,

its shoots to the Euphrates River.

<12> God, why did you pull down the walls that protect your vine?

Now everyone who passes by picks its grapes.

<13> Wild pigs come and walk on it.

Wild animals come and eat the leaves.

<14> God All-Powerful, come back.

Look down from heaven at your vine and protect it.

<15> Look at the vine you planted with your own hands.

Look at the young plant[458] you raised.

<16> Our enemies have cut it down and burned it up.

Show them how angry you are and destroy them.

<17> Reach out and help your chosen one.[459]

Reach out to the people[460] you raised up.

<18> Then we will never leave you.

Let us live, and we will worship you.

<19> Lord God All-Powerful, accept us again.

Smile down on us and save us!

81

To the director,[461] on the gittith.[462] One of Asaph’s songs.

<1> Be happy and sing to God, our strength.

Shout with joy to the God of Jacob.[463]

<2> Begin the music.

Play the tambourines.

Play the pleasant harps and lyres.[464]

<3> Blow the ram’s horn

at the time of the new moon,[465]

Blow the ram’s horn

at the time of the full moon,[466]

when our festival begins.

<4> That is a law for the people of Israel.[467]

The God of Jacob gave the command.

<5> God made this agreement with Joseph’s people,

when God led them out of Egypt.

In Egypt we heard that language

we didn’t understand.

<6> God says, “I took the load from your shoulder.

I let you drop the worker’s basket.

<7> You people were in trouble.

You called for help and I set you free.

I was hidden in the storm clouds, and I answered you.

I tested you by the water at Meribah.[468]”

Selah[469]

<8> “My people, I am warning you.

Israel, listen to me!

<9> Don’t worship any of the false gods

that the foreigners worship.

<10> I, the Lord, am your God.

I brought you out of Egypt.

Israel, open your mouth,

and I will feed you.

<11> “But my people did not listen to me.

Israel did not obey me.

<12> So I let them go their own stubborn way

and do whatever they wanted.

<13> If my people would listen to me and would live the way I want,

<14> then I would defeat their enemies.

I would punish those who cause them trouble.

<15> The Lord’s enemies would shake with fear.

They would be punished forever.

<16> God would give the best wheat to his people.

He would give them the purest honey,

until they were satisfied.”[470]

82

One of Asaph’s songs of praise.

<1> God stands in the assembly of the gods.[471]

He is the judge in that meeting of the gods.

<2> He says,

“How long will you judge people unfairly

and show special favors to the wicked?”

Selah[472]

<3> “Defend the poor and orphans.

Protect the rights of those poor people.

<4> Help those poor, helpless people.

Save them from evil people.

<5> “They[473] don’t know what is happening.

They don’t understand!

They don’t know what they are doing,

Their world is falling down around them!”

<6> I, God Most High, say,

“You are gods,[474] my own sons.

<7> But you will die

like all people must die.

You will die

like all other leaders.”

<8> Get up, God!

You be the judge!

You be the leader over all the nations!

83

One of Asaph’s songs of praise.

<1> God, don’t keep quiet!

Don’t close your ears!

Please say something, God.

<2> God, your enemies are getting ready to do something.

Those who hate you will soon attack.

<3> They are making secret plans against your people.

Your enemies are discussing plans against the people you love.

<4> The enemies are saying,

“Come, let us destroy them completely.

Then no one will ever again remember the name Israel.”

<5> God, all those people have joined together.

They have united against you.

<6-7> Their army includes the Edomites, the Ishmaelites,

the Moabites and Hagar’s descendants,

people from Byblos, Ammon, and Amalek,

the Philistines, and the people living in Tyre.

<8> Even the Assyrians have joined them.

They have made Lot’s descendants very powerful.

Selah[475]

<9> God, defeat them just as you defeated Midian.

Do what you did to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River.

<10> You destroyed them at Endor,

and their bodies rotted on the ground.

<11> Punish their leaders as you did Oreb and Zeeb.

Do what you did to Zebah and Zalmunna.

<12> They said, “Let’s make this land our own—

these fields of grass that belong to God!”

<13> Make them like tumbleweeds[476] blown by the wind.

Scatter them like the wind scatters straw.

<14> Be like a fire that destroys a forest,

or like a flame that sets the hills on fire,

<15> and chase them away with your blasts of wind;

frighten them with your storms.

<16> Lord, cover them with shame

until they come to you for help.

<17> Scare them and make them ashamed forever.

Disgrace them and break them down.

<18> Then they will know that your name is Yahweh[477]—

that you alone are the Lord.

They will know that you are God Most High,

ruler over all the earth!

84

To the director,[478] on the gittith.[479] A song of praise from the Korah family.

<1> Lord All-Powerful, your Temple[480] is really lovely!

<2> Lord, I cannot wait to enter your Temple.[481]

I am so excited!

Every part of me crys out to be with the Living God.

<3> Lord All-Powerful, my King, my God,

even the birds have found a home in your Temple.

They make their nests near your altar,

and there they have their babies.

<4> People living at your Temple

are very fortunate.

They continue to praise you.

Selah[482]

<5> People coming to the Temple

with songs in their heart are very happy!

They know where they are going.

<6> They travel through Baca Valley,

which God has made like a spring.

Autumn rains form pools of water.[483]

<7> The people travel from town to town[484]

on their way to Zion,[485] where they will meet with God.

<8> Lord God All-Powerful, listen to my prayer.

God of Jacob,[486] listen to me.

Selah

<9> God, protect our protector.[487]

Be kind to your chosen king.[488]

<10> One day in your Temple is better

than a thousand days in any other place.

Standing at the gate of my God’s house

is better than living in the house of a wicked man.

<11> The Lord is our protector and glorious king.[489]

God blesses us with kindness and glory.

The Lord gives every good thing

to those who follow and obey him.

<12> Lord All-Powerful,

those who trust in you are really blessed!

85

To the director.[490] A song of praise from the Korah family.

<1> Lord, you have been so kind to your land.

You have brought success again to the people of Jacob.[491]

<2> You have forgiven the bad things your people did;

You have taken away the guilt of their sins!

Selah[492]

<3> You stopped being angry with them.

Your terrible anger has gone away.

<4> Our God and Savior, accept us again.

Don't be angry with us anymore.

<5> Will you be angry with us forever?

Will your anger reach to our children and to their children?

<6> Please, give us new life!

Make your people happy to be yours.

<7> Lord, save us

and show us your love.

<8> I heard what the Lord God said.

He said there would be peace for his people and his loyal followers.

So they must not go back to their foolish way of living.

<9> God will soon save his followers.

We will soon live with honor on our land.[493]

<10> God’s faithful love will meet his followers.

Goodness and peace will greet them with a kiss.

<11> People on earth will be loyal to God,

and God in heaven will be good to them.[494]

<12> The Lord will give us many good things.

The ground will grow many good crops.

<13> Goodness will go in front of God

and prepare the way for him.

86

David’s prayer.

<1> I am a poor, helpless man.

Lord, please listen to me and answer my prayer.

<2> I am your follower,

please protect me!

I am your servant.

You are my God.

I trust in you,

so save me.

<3> My Master, be kind to me.

I have been praying to you all day.

<4> Master, I put my life in your hands.

Make me happy, I am your servant.

<5> Master, you are good and merciful.

Your people call to you for help.

You really love them.

<6> Lord, hear my prayer.

Listen to my prayer for mercy.

<7> Lord, I am praying to you in my time of trouble.

I know you will answer me!

<8> Master, there is no God like you.

No one can do what you have done.

<9> Master, you made everyone.

I wish they all would come worship you and honor your name.

<10> God, you are great!

You do amazing things!

You, and you only, are God!

<11> Lord, teach me your ways,

and I will live and obey your truths.

Help me make worshiping your name

the most important thing in my life.

<12> God, my Master, I praise you

with all my whole heart.

I will honor your name forever!

<13> You have such great love for me.

You save me from the place of death.

<14> Proud men are attacking me, God.

A gang of cruel men is trying to kill me.

They don’t respect you.

<15> Master, you are a kind and merciful God.

You are patient, loyal, and full of love.

<16> Show that you hear me and be kind to me.

I am your servant. Give me strength.

I am your servant. Save me!

<17> Lord, give me a sign to show

that you will help me.

My enemies will see the sign,

and they will be disappointed.

This will show that you heard my prayer

and that you will help me.

87

A song of praise from the Korah family.

<1> God built his city on the holy hills.

<2> The Lord loves the gates of Zion[495]

more than any other place in Israel.

<3> Wonderful things are said about you,

City of God.

Selah[496]

<4> God says, “Some of my people live in Egypt[497] and Babylon.

Some of them were born in Philistia, Tyre, and even Ethiopia.”

<5> But about Zion, he says,

“I know each and every person who was born there.”

God Most High is the one who built that city.

<6> The Lord keeps a list of all his people,

and he knows where each of them was born.

Selah

<7> At the festivals, people dance and sing,

“All good things come from Jerusalem.”

88

A song from the Korah family. To the director.[498] About a painful sickness. A maskil[499] from Heman the Ezrahite.

<1> Lord God, you are my Savior.

I have been praying to you day and night.

<2> Please pay attention to my prayers.

Listen to my prayers for mercy.

<3> My soul has had enough of this pain!

I am nearly dead.

<4> People already treat me like a dead man,

like a man too weak to live.

<5> Look for me among the dead.

I am like a dead body lying in the grave,

one of the dead you forgot,

cut off from you and your care.

<6> You put me in that hole in the ground.

Yes, you put me in that dark place.

<7> You were angry with me,

and you punished me.

Selah[500]

<8> You made my friends leave me.

They all avoid me like someone no one wants to touch.

I am confined to the house,

and I cannot go out.

<9> My eyes hurt from crying about

all my suffering.

I lift my arms in prayer to you.

<10> Do you do miracles for the dead?

Do ghosts rise up and praise you? No!

Selah

<11> The dead in their graves

cannot talk about your faithful love.

People in the world of the dead

cannot talk about your faithfulness.

<12> The dead lying in darkness

cannot see the amazing things you do.

Dead people in the World of the Forgotten cannot talk about your goodness.

<13> Lord, I am asking you to help me!

Early each morning I pray to you.

<14> Lord, why have you abandoned me?

Why do you refuse to listen to me?

<15> Since I was young, I was weak and sick.

I have suffered your anger; I am helpless.

<16> You were angry with me, and the punishment is killing me.

<17> The aches and pains are always with me.

I feel like I am drowning in my aches and pains.

<18> You made all my friends

and loved ones leave me.

Now Darkness is my closest friend.

89

A maskil[501] from Ethan the Ezrahite.

<1> I will sing forever about the Lord’s love.

I will sing about his faithfulness forever and ever!

<2> I really believe your love continues forever.

Your loyalty continues forever and ever like the skies!

<3> You said,

“I made an agreement with my chosen king.

I made a promise to my servant, David:

<4> David, I will make your family continue forever.

I will make your kingdom continue forever and ever.”

Selah[502]

<5> Lord, the heavens praise you

for the amazing things you do.

The assembly of holy ones

sings about your loyalty.

<6> No one in heaven is equal to the Lord.

None of the “gods” can compare to the Lord.

<7> God meets together with the holy ones.

Those angels are all around him.

They fear and respect God.

They stand in awe of him.

<8> Lord God All-Powerful,

there is no one like you.

We can trust you completely.

<9> You proudly rule the sea.

You can calm its angry waves.

<10> God, you defeated Rahab.[503]

You scattered your enemies

with your own powerful arm.

<11> Everything in heaven and earth belongs to you, God.

You made the world and everything in it.

<12> You created everything north and south.

Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon

sing praises to your name.

<13> You have the power!

Your power is great!

The victory is yours!

<14> Your kingdom is built on truth and justice.

Love and faithfulness are servants

before your throne.

<15> Lord, your loyal followers are happy.

They live in the light of your kindness.

<16> Your name always makes them happy.

They praise your goodness.

<17> You are their amazing strength.

Their power comes from you.

<18> The king, our protector, belongs to the Lord,

who is the Holy One of Israel.

<19> Lord, you once spoke in a vision to your followers:

“I chose a young man from the crowd,

and I made him important.

I made that young soldier strong.

<20> I found my servant David,

and I anointed[504] him as king with my special oil.

<21> I will support him with my right hand,

and my arm will make him strong.

<22> So no enemy will ever get control over him.

The wicked will never defeat him.

<23> I will destroy his enemies before his eyes.

I will defeat those who hate him.

<24> I will always love and support him.

I will always make him strong.

<25> I will put him in charge of the sea.

He will control the rivers.

<26> He will say to me,

‘You are my father.

You are my God, my Rock,[505] my Savior.’

<27> And I will make him my firstborn[506] son.

He will be the great king on earth.

<28> My love will protect him forever.

My agreement with him will never end.

<29> I will make his family continue forever.

His kingdom will continue as long as the skies.

<30> If his descendants stop following my law

and stop obeying my commands,

then I will punish them.

<31> If his descendants break my laws

and ignore my commands,

<32> then I will punish them severely for their sins and wrongs.

<33> But I will never take my love from him.

I will never stop being loyal to him.

<34> I will not break my agreement with David.

I will never change what I said.

<35> By my holiness, I made a promise to him,

and I would not lie to David!

<36> His family will continue forever.

His kingdom will last as long as the sun.

<37> It will continue forever, like the moon.

The sky is a witness to the agreement that can be trusted.”

Selah

<38> But God, you became angry with your chosen king,[507]

and you left him all alone.

<39> You rejected your agreement.

You threw the king’s crown into the dirt.

<40> You pulled down the walls of the king’s city.

You destroyed all his fortresses.

<41> Everyone passing by steals from him.

His neighbors laugh at him.

<42> You made all the king’s enemies happy

and let his enemies win the war.

<43> You helped them defend themselves.

You did not help your king win the battle.

<44> You did not let him win.

You threw his throne to the ground.

<45> You cut his life short.

You shamed him.

Selah

<46> Lord, how long will this continue?

Will you ignore us forever?

Will your anger burn like a fire forever?

<47> Remember how short my life is.

You created us to live a short life and then die.

<48> No one will live and never die.

No one will escape the grave.

Selah

<49> God, where is the love you showed in the past?

You promised David that you would be

loyal to his family.

<50-51> Master, please remember how people insulted your servant. Lord, I had to listen to all the insults from your enemies.

They insulted your chosen king wherever he went.

<52> Praise the Lord forever!

Amen and Amen[508]!

90

BOOK 4

(Psalms 90-106)

The prayer of Moses, the man of God.[509]

<1> My Master, you have been our home

forever and ever.

<2> You were God

before the mountains were born

and the earth and the world were made.

God, you have always been

and will always be God!

<3> You bring people into this world,

and you change them into dust again.

<4> To you, a thousand years is like yesterday,

like a few hours in the night

<5> that passed by in your sleep.

Our life is like a dream, and in the morning we are gone.

We are like grass.

<6> In the morning the grass grows, and in the evening it is dry and dying.

<7> Your anger could destroy us.

Your anger scares us!

<8> You know about all our sins.

You see every one of our secret sins.

<9> Your anger can end our life.

Our lives fade away like a whisper.

<10> We live about 70 years,

or if we are strong, maybe 80 years.

But most of them are filled with hard work and pain.

Then, suddenly, the years are gone, and we fly away.

<11> No one really knows the full power of your anger,

but our fear and respect for you is as great as your anger.

<12> Teach us how short our lives are

so that we can become wise.

<13> Lord, come back to us.

Be kind to your servants.

<14> Fill us with your love every morning.

Let us be happy and enjoy our lives.

<15> You gave us much sadness and troubles in our lives for years.

Now make us happy for just as long.

<16> Let your servants see the wonderful things you can do for them.

And let their children see your glory.[510]

<17> Lord, our God, be kind to us.

Make everything we do successful.

Yes, make it all successful.

91 <1> You can go to God Most High to hide.

You can go to God All-Powerful

for protection.

<2> I say to the Lord,

“You are my place of safety, my fortress.

My God, I trust in you.”

<3> God will save you from hidden dangers

and dangerous diseases.

<4> You can go to God for protection.

He will protect you

like a bird spreading its wings over its babies.

You can depend on him to be like

a shield surrounding and protecting you.

<5> You will have nothing to fear at night,

no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.

<6> You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark

or terrible suffering that comes at noon.

<7> A thousand people may fall dead at your side

or ten thousand right beside you,

but nothing bad will happen to you!

<8> All you will have to do is watch,

and you will see that the wicked are punished!

<9> You trust in the Lord for protection.

You have made God Most High your place of safety.

<10> So nothing bad will happen to you.

No diseases will come near your home.

<11> God will command his angels for you,

and they will protect you wherever you go.

<12> Their hands will catch you

so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.

<13> You will have power to walk on lions

and poisonous snakes.

<14> The Lord says,

“If someone trusts me, I will save them.

I will protect my followers who call to me for help.

<15> My followers will call to me,

and I will answer them.

I will be with them when they have trouble.

I will rescue them and honor them.

<16> I will give my followers a long life,

and I will save them.”

92

A song of praise for the Sabbath.[511]

<1> It is good to praise the Lord.

God Most High, it is good to praise your name.

<2> It is good to sing

about your love in the morning

and about your faithfulness at night.

<3> God, it is good to play music for you

on ten-stringed instruments, harps, and lyres.[512]

<4> Lord, you make us very happy

because of what you did.

I gladly sing about it.

<5> Lord, you did such great things.

Your thoughts are too hard for us to understand.

<6> Stupid people don’t know this.

Fools don’t understand.

<7> The wicked may sprout like grass,

and those who do evil may blossom like flowers,

but they will be destroyed, never to be seen again.

<8> But, Lord, you will be honored forever.

<9> Lord, all your enemies will be destroyed,

and all who do evil will be scattered.

<10> But you have made me strong, like the horns of an ox.

You have poured your fresh oil over me.

<11> But I see my enemies around me, ready to attack.

I hear them.

<12> Good people are like budding palm trees.

They grow strong like the cedar trees of Lebanon.

<13> They are planted in the Lord’s house.[513]

They grow strong there in the courtyards of our God.

<14> Even when they are old,

they will continue producing fruit like young, healthy trees.

<15> They are there to show everyone

that the Lord is good.[514]

He is my Rock,[515]

and he does nothing wrong.[516]

93 <1> The Lord is King.

The Lord wears majesty and strength like clothes.

He is ready, so the whole world is safe.

It will not be shaken.

<2> Your kingdom has continued forever.

You have lived forever!

<3> Lord, the sound of the rivers is very loud.

The crashing waves are very loud.

<4> The crashing waves of the sea are loud and powerful,

but the Lord above is even more powerful.

<5> Lord, your laws will continue forever.[517]

Your holy Temple[518] will stand for a long time.

94 <1> The Lord is a God who punishes people.

God, come punish them.

<2> You are the judge of the whole earth.

Give proud people the punishment they deserve.

<3> Lord, how long will the wicked have their fun?

How much longer?

<4> How much longer will those criminals

brag about the evil they did?

<5> Lord, they hurt your people

and make them suffer.

<6> They kill widows and foreigners living in our country.

They murder orphans.

<7> And they say the Lord does not see them

doing those evil things!

They say the God of Israel

does not know what is happening.

<8> You evil people are foolish.

When will you learn your lesson?

You are so stupid!

You must try to understand.

<9> God made our ears,

so surely he can hear what is happening!

He made our eyes,

so surely he can see what is happening!

<10> God disciplines nations,

so surely he will correct people.

He will teach them what they should do.

<11> He knows what people are thinking.

He knows that people are like a puff of wind.

<12> Whoever the Lord disciplines

will receive many blessings.

He will teach them

the right way of living.

<13> God, you will help them stay calm

when trouble comes.

You will help them stay calm

until evil people are put in their grave.

<14> The Lord will not leave his people.

He will not leave them without help.

<15> Justice will return, and it will bring fairness.

And then there will be good, honest people.

<16> No one helped me fight

against the evil people.

No one stood with me to fight

against those who do bad things.

<17> And if the Lord had not helped me,

I would have been silenced by death.

<18> I know I was ready to fall,

but the Lord’s faithful love supported me.

<19> I was very worried and upset,

but you comforted me and made me happy!

<20> God, you don’t help crooked judges.

They use the law to make life hard for the people.

<21> They attack good people.

They say that innocent people are guilty and kill them.

<22> But the Lord is my place of safety,

high on the mountain.

God, my Rock,[519] is my safe place!

<23> He will punish those evil judges

for the bad things they did.

He will destroy them

because they sinned.

The Lord our God will destroy them.

95 <1> Come, let us praise the Lord!

Let’s shout praises to the Rock,[520]

who saves us.

<2> Let’s go to worship the Lord.

Let’s approach him with songs of thanks.[521]

Let’s sing happy songs of praise to him.

<3> Why? Because the Lord is a great God!

He is the great King ruling over all the other “gods.”

<4> The deepest caves and the highest mountains belong to him.

<5> The ocean is his—he created it.

He made the dry land with his own hands.

<6> Come, let’s bow down and worship him!

Let’s praise the God who made us!

<7> He is our God,

and we are his people.

We are his sheep—

those who walk by his side if we listen to his voice today.

<8> God says, “Don’t be stubborn,

as you were at Meribah,

as you were at Massah[522] in the desert.

<9> Your ancestors[523] tested me.

They tested me, but then they saw what I could do!

<10> I was patient with those people for 40 years,

and I know that they are not faithful.

They refused to follow my teachings.

<11> So I was angry, and I swore that

they would not enter my land of rest.”

96 <1> Sing a new song about the new things the Lord has done!

Let the whole world sing to the Lord.

<2> Sing to the Lord!

Bless his name!

Tell the good news!

Tell about him saving us every day!

<3> Tell people that God is wonderful!

Tell people everywhere about the amazing things God does.

<4> The Lord is great and worthy of praise.

He is more awesome than any of the “gods.”

<5> All the “gods” in other nations are only statues,

but the Lord made the heavens.

<6> There is a beautiful glory[524] shining in front of him.

There is strength and beauty in God’s holy Temple.[525]

<7> Families and nations, sing songs of praise and glory to the Lord.

<8> Praise the Lord’s name.

Get your offerings, and bring them into his courtyard.

<9> Worship the Lord in his beautiful Temple.

Worship him, every person on earth.

<10> Announce to the nations

that the Lord is King!

So the world will not be destroyed.

He will rule the people fairly.

<11> Be happy, heavens!

Rejoice, earth!

Sea and everything in it, shout with joy!

<12> Fields and everything growing in them, be happy!

Trees in the forest, sing and be happy!

<13> Be happy because the Lord is coming!

He is coming to rule[526] the world.

He will rule the world with justice

and fairness.

97 <1> The Lord rules, and the earth is happy.

All the faraway lands are happy.

<2> Thick, dark clouds surround the Lord.

Goodness and justice make his kingdom strong.

<3> A fire goes in front of the Lord

and destroys his enemies.

<4> His lightning flashes in the sky.

The people see it and are afraid.

<5> The mountains melt like wax

before the Lord, the Master of the earth.

<6> The skies tell about his goodness,

and the people see God’s glory.[527]

<7> People worship their idols.

They brag about their “gods.”

But they will be embarrassed.

Their “gods” will bow down and worship the Lord.

<8> Zion,[528] listen and be happy!

Cities of Judah, be happy!

Why? Because the Lord makes wise decisions.

<9> Lord Most High, you really are the ruler of the earth.

You are much better than the “gods.”

<10> You who love the Lord, hate evil!

He protects his followers and saves them from evil people.

<11> Light and happiness shine on those who are good.

<12> Good people, be happy in the Lord!

Praise his holy name!

98

A song of praise.

<1> Sing a new song to the Lord,

because he has done amazing things!

His powerful and holy right arm[529]

has brought him another victory.

<2> The Lord showed the nations his power to save.

He showed them his goodness.

<3> God’s loyal follower

told the people of Israel about God’s loyalty.

The people in faraway lands saw

our God’s power to save.

<4> Everyone on earth, shout with joy to the Lord.

Start singing happy songs of praise!

<5> Harps, praise the Lord.

Music from the harps, praise him.

<6> Blow the pipes and horns,

and shout for joy to the Lord our King!

<7> Let the sea and the earth

and everything in them shout his praise!

<8> Rivers, clap your hands!

All together now, mountains sing out!

<9> Sing before the Lord

because he is coming to rule the world.

He will rule the world fairly.

He will rule the people with goodness.

99 <1> The Lord is King,

so let the nations shake with fear.

God sits as King above the Cherub angels,[530]

so let the world shake with fear.

<2> The Lord in Zion[531] is great!

He is the great leader over all people.

<3> Let all the nations praise your name.

Your name is great and awesome.

Your name is holy.

<4> The powerful King loves justice.

God, you made goodness.

You brought goodness and fairness to Jacob.[532]

<5> Praise the Lord our God,

and bow down before his footstool,[533] for he is holy.

<6> Moses and Aaron were some of his priests,

and Samuel was one of the men who called on his name.

They prayed to the Lord,

and he answered them.

<7> God spoke from the tall cloud,

and they obeyed his commands

and the Law he gave them.

<8> Lord our God, you answered their prayers.

You showed them that you are a forgiving God

and that you punish people for the evil they do.

<9> Praise the Lord our God.

Bow down toward his holy mountain and worship him.

The Lord our God is holy!

100

A song of thanks.

<1> Earth, sing to the Lord!

<2> Be happy as you serve the Lord!

Come before him with happy songs!

<3> Know that the Lord is God.

He made us.

We are his people;

we are his sheep.

<4> Come through the gates with songs of thanks.

Come into his temple with songs of praise.

Honor him and bless his name.

<5> The Lord is good!

There is no end to his faithful love.

We can trust him forever and ever!

101

A song of David.[534]

<1> I will sing about love and justice.

Lord, I will sing to you.

<2> I will be careful to live a pure life.

I will live in my house with complete honesty.

When will you come to me?

<3> I will not even look at anything shameful.[535]

I hate all wrongdoing.

I want no part of it!

<4> I will not be involved in anything dishonest.

I will have nothing to do with evil.

<5> I will stop anyone who secretly

says bad things about a neighbor.

I will not allow people to be proud

and think they are better than others.

<6> I will look throughout the land for those who can be trusted.

Only such people can live with me.

Only those who live pure lives can be my servants.

<7> I will not let a dishonest person live in my house.

I will not let liars stay near me.

<8> I will always destroy bad people

living in this country.

I will force those who are evil

to leave the Lord’s city.

102

A prayer for someone who is suffering. This is for when they feel weak and want to tell their complaints to the Lord.

<1> Lord, hear my prayer.

Listen to my cry for help.

<2> Don’t turn away from me

when I have troubles.

Listen to me.

When I cry for help, answer me quickly.

<3> My life is passing away like smoke.

My life is like a fire slowly burning out.

<4> My strength is gone—

I am like dry, dying grass.

I even forget to eat.

<5> Because of my sadness, I am losing so much weight

that my skin hangs from my bones.

<6> I am lonely, like an owl

living in the desert.

I am alone, like an owl

living among old ruined buildings.

<7> I cannot sleep.

I am like a lonely bird on a roof.

<8> My enemies insult me all the time.

They make fun of me and use me as an example in their curses.

<9> My great sadness is my only food.

My tears fall into my drink.

<10> You were angry with me,

so you picked me up and threw me away.

<11> My life is almost finished,

like the long shadows at the end of the day.

I am like dry and dying grass.

<12> But you, Lord, will rule as king forever!

Your name will continue forever and ever!

<13> You will rise up and comfort Zion.[536]

The time has come for you to be kind to Zion.

<14> Your servants love her stones.

They love even the dust of that city!

<15> The nations will worship the Lord’s name.

All the kings on earth will honor you.

<16> The Lord will rebuild Zion,

and people will again see her glory.[537]

<17> He will listen to the prayers of those in poverty.

He will not ignore them.

<18> Write these things for future generations,

so they will praise the Lord.

<19> The Lord will look down from his Holy Place above.

He will look down at the earth from heaven.

<20> And he will hear the prisoner’s prayers.

He will free those who were condemned to die.

<21> Then people in Zion will tell about the Lord.

They will praise his name in Jerusalem

<22> when nations gather together,

and kingdoms come to serve the Lord.

<23> My strength failed me.

My life is cut short.

<24> So I said, “Don’t let me die while I am still young.

God, you will live forever and ever!

<25> Long ago, you made the world.

You made the sky with your own hands!

<26> The earth and sky will end,

but you will live forever!

They will wear out like clothes,

and like clothes, you will change them.

They will all be changed,

<27> but you never change.

You will live forever!

<28> We are your servants today.

Our children will live here,

and their descendants will come here to worship you.”

103

A song of David.[538]

<1> My soul, praise the Lord!

Every part of me, praise his holy name!

<2> My soul, praise the Lord

and never forget how kind he is!

<3> He forgives all our sins

and heals all our sicknesses.

<4> He saves us from the grave,

and he gives us love and compassion.

<5> He gives us plenty of good things.

He makes us young again,

like an eagle that grows new feathers.

<6> The Lord is fair.

He brings justice to those who have been hurt by others.

<7> He taught his laws to Moses.

He let Israel see the powerful things he can do.

<8> The Lord is kind and merciful.

He is patient and full of love.

<9> He does not always criticize.

He does not stay angry with us forever.

<10> We sinned against him,

but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved.

<11> His love for his followers

is as high above us as heaven is above the earth.

<12> And he has taken our sins

as far away from us as the east is from the west.

<13> The Lord is as kind to his followers

as a father is to his children.

<14> He knows all about us.

He knows we are made from dust.

<15> He knows our lives are short.

He knows our lives are like grass.

He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly,

<16> but when the hot wind blows, the flower dies.

Soon, you cannot even see where the flower was.

<17> But the Lord has always loved his followers,

and he will continue to love them forever and ever!

He will be good to their children

and to their children’s children.

<18> God is good to those who obey his Agreement.

He is good to those who obey his commands.

<19> The Lord set his throne up in heaven,

and he rules over everything.

<20> Angels, praise the Lord!

You angels are the powerful soldiers who obey his commands.

You listen to him and obey his commands.

<21> Praise the Lord, all his armies.[539]

You are his servants,

and you do what he wants.

<22> Everything in every place

was made and governed by him.

Let everything praise the Lord!

My soul, praise the Lord!

104 <1> My soul, praise the Lord!

Lord my God, you are very great!

You are clothed with glory[540] and honor.

<2> You wear light like a person wears a robe.

You spread the skies like a curtain.

<3> You built your home above them.[541]

You use the thick clouds like a chariot[542]

and ride across the sky on the wings of the wind.

<4> You make the winds your messengers

and flames of fire your servants.[543]

<5> You built the earth on its foundations,

so it can never be moved.

<6> You covered it with water like a blanket.

The water covered even the mountains.

<7> But you gave the command,

and the water turned back.

You shouted at the water,

and it rushed away.

<8> The water flowed down from the mountains into the valleys,

to the places that you made for it.

<9> You set the limits for the seas,

and the water will never again rise to cover the earth.

<10> Lord, you cause water to flow

from the springs into the streams.

It flows down through the mountain streams.

<11> The streams provide water for all the wild animals.

Even the wild donkeys come there to drink.

<12> Wild birds come to live by the pools;

they sing in the branches of nearby trees.

<13> God sends rain down onto the mountains.

The earth gets everything it needs from what he has made.

<14> He makes the grass grow to feed the animals.

He provides the plants for us to grow— the plants that give us food from the earth.

<15> He gives us the wine that makes us happy,

the oil that makes our skin soft,[544]

and the food that makes us strong.

<16> The great cedar trees of Lebanon

belong to the Lord.

The Lord planted those trees,

and he gives them the water they need.

<17> Birds make their nests in those trees.

Large storks live in the fir trees.

<18> The high mountains are a home

for wild goats.

The large rocks are hiding places

for rock badgers.

<19> God, you made the moon

to show us when the festivals begin.

And the sun always knows when to set.

<20> You made darkness to be the night—

the time when wild animals come out and roam around.

<21> Lions roar as they attack,

as if they are asking God for the food he gives them.

<22> Then the sun rises, and the animals

go back to their homes and rest.

<23> Then people go out to do their work,

and they work until evening.

<24> Lord, you created many wonderful things.

You used wisdom to make them all.

The earth is filled with things you made.

<25> Look at the ocean. It is so big!

So many things live there!

There are creatures large and small—

too many to count!

<26> Ships travel over the ocean while

Leviathan,[545] the sea creature you made, plays there in the sea.

<27> God, all these things depend on you.

You give them food at the right time.

<28> You give all the living things

the food they eat.

You open your hands that are filled with good food,

and they eat until they are full.

<29> When you turn away from them,

they become frightened.

When you take away their breath,[546]

they grow weak and die

and their bodies return to the dust.

<30> But when you send out your life-giving breath,[547]

things come alive, and the world is like new again!

<31> May the Lord’s glory continue forever!

May the Lord enjoy what he made.

<32> He can just look at the earth,

and it will tremble.

He can just touch the mountains,

and smoke will rise from them.

<33> I will sing to the Lord for the rest of my life.

I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.

<34> May my words make him happy.

I am happy with the Lord.

<35> I wish sinners would disappear from the earth.

I wish the wicked would be gone forever.

My soul, praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

105 <1> Thank the Lord.

Call out his name.

Tell the nations what he has done.

<2> Sing to the Lord.

Sing praises to him.

Tell about the amazing things he has done.

<3> Be proud of the Lord’s holy name.

You people came looking for the Lord.

Be happy!

<4> Go to the Lord for strength.

Always go to him for help.

<5> Remember the amazing things he does.

Remember his miracles and wise decisions.

<6> You are descendants of his servant Abraham.

You are descendants of Jacob,

the one God chose.[548]

<7> The Lord is our God.

The Lord rules the whole world.[549]

<8> God will remember his agreement forever.

He will keep his word to his people for a thousand generations!

<9> He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham,

the promise he made to Isaac.

<10> He gave it as a law to Jacob.

He gave it to Israel as an agreement that will last forever!

<11> He said,

“I will give you the land of Canaan.

That land will belong to you.”

<12> He made that promise

when Abraham’s family was small.

They were only strangers there.

<13> They traveled from nation to nation,

from one kingdom to another.

<14> But God did not let people mistreat them.

He warned kings not to hurt them.

<15> He said, “Don’t hurt my chosen people.

Don’t harm my prophets.[550]”

<16> He caused a famine[551] in that country.

People did not have enough food to eat.

<17> But he sent a man named Joseph to go ahead of them.

Joseph was sold like a slave.

<18> They tied a rope around Joseph’s feet

and put an iron ring around his neck.

<19> Joseph was a slave until what he said really happened.

The Lord’s message proved that Joseph was right.

<20> So the king of Egypt set him free.

That nation’s leader let him out of jail.

<21> He put Joseph in charge of his house.

Joseph took care of everything he owned.

<22> Joseph gave instructions to the other leaders.

He taught the older men.

<23> Then Israel came to Egypt.

Jacob lived in Ham’s country.[552]

<24> Jacob’s family became very large

and more powerful than their enemies.

<25> So the Egyptians began to hate his people.

They made plans against his servants.

<26> So God sent his servant, Moses,

and Aaron, God’s chosen priest.

<27> He used Moses and Aaron

to do many miracles in Ham’s country.

<28> He sent that deep darkness,

but the Egyptians did not listen to him.

<29> So God changed the water into blood,

and all their fish died.

<30> Their country was filled with frogs.

Frogs were even in the king’s bedroom.

<31> God gave the command,

and the flies and gnats came.

They were everywhere!

<32> He made the rain become hail.

Lightning struck throughout their country.

<33> He destroyed their vines and fig trees.

He destroyed every tree in their country.

<34> He gave the command,

and the locusts and grasshoppers came.

There were too many to count!

<35> They ate all the plants in the country

and all the crops in the fields.

<36> And then God killed every firstborn[553] in their country.

He killed their oldest sons.

<37> Then God took his people out of Egypt.

They brought gold and silver with them.

None of his people stumbled and fell.

<38> Egypt was happy to see God’s people go,

because they were afraid of them.

<39> God spread out his cloud like a blanket.

He used his column of fire to give his people light at night.

<40> The people asked for food,

and God brought them quail to eat.

He also gave them plenty of bread from heaven.