Psalm 81:1-84:12

Psalm 81In Hebrew texts 81:1-16 is numbered 81:2-17. 1For the director of music. According to gittith. Title: Probably a musical term Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

2Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.

3Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;

4this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

5When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say:

6“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.

7In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

8Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel!

9You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.

10I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

11“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.

12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

13“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,

14how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

15Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. 16But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Psalm 82 1A psalm of Asaph. God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”:

2“How long will you The Hebrew is plural. defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

3Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

4Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6“I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’

7But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” 8Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.

Psalm 83In Hebrew texts 83:1-18 is numbered 83:2-19. 1A song. A psalm of Asaph. O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.

2See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads.

3With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.

4“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

5With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—

6the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

7Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

8Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot’s descendants. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

9Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.

11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.”

13Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind.

14As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.

16Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name.

17May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. 18Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 84In Hebrew texts 84:1-12 is numbered 84:2-13. 1For the director of music. According to gittith. Title: Probably a musical term Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!

2My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD ; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.

5Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. Or blessings

7They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

8Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.

9Look on our shield, Or sovereign O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

10Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.