Psalm 27:4-73:24

4One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD .

7Hear my voice when I call, LORD ; be merciful to me and answer me.

8My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

10Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 28 1Of David. To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.

3Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

8The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalm 29 1A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

6He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion That is, Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

7The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

8The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. 11The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 30In Hebrew texts 30:1-12 is numbered 30:2-13. 1A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Title: Or palace Of David. I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.

4Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

7LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain That is, Mount Zion stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

8To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

10Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.”

11You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 31In Hebrew texts 31:1-24 is numbered 31:2-25. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.

5Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

9Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.

10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, Or guilt and my bones grow weak.

11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.

12I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

14But I trust in you, LORD ; I say, “You are my God.”

16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

17Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.

18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

21Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.

22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.

23Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.

Psalm 32 1Of David. A maskil. Title: Probably a literary or musical term Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.

5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD .” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

10Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD ’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Psalm 33 1Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

5The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7He gathers the waters of the sea into jars Or sea as into a heap ; he puts the deep into storehouses.

10The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

15he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20We wait in hope for the LORD ; he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 34This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.,In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23. 1Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left. I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2I will glory in the LORD ; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

9Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

16but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.

17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

19The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 35 1Of David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

2Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.

3Brandish spear and javelin Or and block the way against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

4May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

5May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;

6may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,

8may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

10My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, LORD ? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

11Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

15But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.

18I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.

19Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

21They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”

23Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me.

26May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. 28My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.

Psalm 36In Hebrew texts 36:1-12 is numbered 36:2-13. 1For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD . I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: Or A message from God: The transgression of the wicked / resides in their hearts. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

2In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.

3The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.

4Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.

6Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.

7How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

9For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

11May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!

Psalm 37This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 1Of David. Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

5Commit your way to the LORD ; trust in him and he will do this:

6He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

12The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

14The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18The blameless spend their days under the LORD ’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.

19In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD ’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

22those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. Or freely; / the names of their children will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or freely; / others will see that their children are blessed

27Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

29The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

31The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

33but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. Or upright; / those who seek peace will have posterity

38But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future Or posterity for the wicked. 40The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 38In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23. 1A psalm of David. A petition. LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

2Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.

4My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

5My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.

6I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.

8I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

9All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

11My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.

12Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.

13I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;

14I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.

16For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”

18I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

19Many have become my enemies without cause One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies ; those who hate me without reason are numerous.

21LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. 22Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.

2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;

3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

5You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

6“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.

7“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.

10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.

12“Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. 13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

Psalm 40In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18. 1For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. I waited patiently for the LORD ; he turned to me and heard my cry.

2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

4Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Or to lies

5Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

7Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. Or come / with the scroll written for me

9I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know.

10I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

11Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD ; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

12For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

15May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

Psalm 41In Hebrew texts 41:1-13 is numbered 41:2-14. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.

3The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

4I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD ; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

5My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?”

6When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.

7All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,

11I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

3My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

4These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One See Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain. with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

5Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

7Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

8By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

10My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm. 1Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.

3Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 5Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

3It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

5Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.

6I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;

8In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

9But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies.

11You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations.

12You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.

13You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us.

14You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.

17All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant.

19But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness.

22Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

23Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.

Psalm 45In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. Title: Probably a literary or musical term A wedding song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

4In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.

5Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet.

6Your throne, O God, Here the king is addressed as God’s representative. will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

8All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.

9Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

11Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.

12The city of Tyre will come with a gift, Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts people of wealth will seek your favor.

13All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.

16Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. 17I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Psalm 46In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12. 1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. Title: Probably a musical term A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

3though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.

5God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

6Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

9He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields Or chariots with fire.

10He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 47In Hebrew texts 47:1-9 is numbered 47:2-10. 1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

3He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.

7For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.

Psalm 48In Hebrew texts 48:1-14 is numbered 48:2-15. 1A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

2Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon Zaphon was the most sacred mountain of the Canaanites. is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.

3God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

4When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,

8As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

9Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

10Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.

11Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.

12Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers,

13consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. 14For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 49In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21. 1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,

2both low and high, rich and poor alike:

3My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.

5Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—

7No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—

9so that they should live on forever and not see decay.

10For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.

12People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.

13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.

14They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.

16Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;

17for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.

18Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—

2From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

5“Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

7“Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.

8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

10for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

14“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?

19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

20You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.

21When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly Or thought the ‘I am’ was like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.

22“Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: 23Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; the meaning of the Masoretic Text for this phrase is uncertain. I will show my salvation.”

2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

18May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

2You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.

3You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

4You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!

5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.

6The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,

7“Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” 9For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Psalm 53In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7. 1For the director of music. According to mahalath. Title: Probably a musical term A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

4Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God. 6Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

3Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

4Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

6I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good. 7You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Psalm 55In Hebrew texts 55:1-23 is numbered 55:2-24. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

4My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.

5Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

8I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

11Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.

13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

14with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.

15Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.

16As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

17Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

18He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

19God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

22Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 56In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.

7Because of their wickedness do not Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not. let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin — are they not in your record?

9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise—

Psalm 57In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6. God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

7My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

8Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

9I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

2No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.

6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!

7Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.

8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.

10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Psalm 59In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD .

4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!

5You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.

6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

8But you laugh at them, LORD ; you scoff at all those nations.

9You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,

14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

16But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 60In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia and Aram Zobah, Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!

2You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

3You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

5Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

6God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.

7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.

9Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

11Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalm 61In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

2From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

4I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

5For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

7May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

2Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

5Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

9Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

11One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, 12and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

Psalm 63In Hebrew texts 63:1-11 is numbered 63:2-12. 1A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

2I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

3Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

4I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

7Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

10They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

Psalm 64In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers.

3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.

4They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it Or us ?”

7But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down.

8He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. 10The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!

Psalm 65In Hebrew texts 65:1-13 is numbered 65:2-14. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song. Praise awaits Or befits; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.

2You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.

4Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

7who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

8The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

9You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. Or for that is how you prepare the land

11You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

12The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. 13The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 66 1For the director of music. A song. A psalm. Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

2Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.

3Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

5Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!

6He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— come, let us rejoice in him.

8Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;

9he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

10For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

13I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—

15I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.

16Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

19but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

Psalm 67In Hebrew texts 67:1-7 is numbered 67:2-8. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.

2so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

4May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

5May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. 7May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 68In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36. 1For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song. May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.

2May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

3But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

6God sets the lonely in families, Or the desolate in a homeland he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

8the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

10Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.

11The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:

12“Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder.

14When the Almighty Hebrew Shaddai scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

15Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,

16why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?

17The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary. Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness

18When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from Or gifts for people, / even the rebellious— that you, Or they LORD God, might dwell there.

19Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

20Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

22The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,

23that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”

24Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

25In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels.

27There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

28Summon your power, God Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts Your God has summoned power for you ; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.

30Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

33to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice.

34Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.

2I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

4Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

7For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

9for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13But I pray to you, LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

16Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

20Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

25May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

28May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

29But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me.

30I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

32The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

34Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

35for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

Psalm 70In Hebrew texts 70:1-5 is numbered 70:2-6. 1For the director of music. Of David. A petition. Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

2May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

3May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame.

4But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

Psalm 71 1In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

3Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

5For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

6From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.

7I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.

8My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

10For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

12Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.

14As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

15My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.

16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD ; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

20Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

21You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

23My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. 24My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Psalm 72 1Of Solomon. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.

5May he endure Septuagint; Hebrew You will be feared as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

6May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

8May he rule from sea to sea and from the River That is, the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

13He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.

14He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

17May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, Or will use his name in blessings (see Gen. 48:20) and they will call him blessed.

18Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 20This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

BOOK III Psalm 73 1A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text struggles at their death; / their bodies are healthy

5They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.

8They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

11They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”

12This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.

14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.

15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply

18Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

19How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.