Psalms Book One (1 through 41)
Introduction to Psalms
[Click for Transcript with Audio Description]|[Introduction to Psalms]
Presenter: An introduction to the book of Psalms. Psalms is a compilation of sacred songs which have been an important feature of true worship that highlight giving praise to Jehovah. In fact, God's name, Jehovah, and a shortened form of it, Jah, appear almost 800 times throughout the book.
[A timeline 1513 to 460 BCE]
The writing of the book of Psalms spanned about 1000 years. Moses is considered to be the earliest composer. The Psalms were compiled after the return of the Jews to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile apparently by the scribe Ezra. Although Jehovah inspired such men as Solomon, the sons of Korah, the House of Asaph, and others to pen these moving expressions of faith, more than half of the Psalms are attributed to David. The different experiences and David's life provided the background for many of the psalms.
[Nathan points at David]
The headings or superscriptions found at the beginning of many Psalms identify the writer and give other information about the Psalm.
[Superscription of Psalm 51]
The book is made-up of 150 chapters, it is the largest book of the Bible. The psalms were compiled into five separate books or volumes. Several themes are developed in these lyrical works, consider just three of them: Praise to Jehovah is a recurring theme.
[A priest with outstretched arms]
Many psalms praise Jehovah for his saving acts.
[Moses parts the Red Sea]
Other songs praise Jehovah for his creative works, from the marvels of the human body to the earth and seas.
[A couple with their baby]
Psalm 83 praises Jehovah as the Most High over all the earth.
[The earth rotates in space]
Another theme developed in psalms is that Jehovah helps and comforts those who love him.
[A woman looks heavenward]
Jehovah is referred to as the hearer of prayer and as a merciful father who pardons repentant sinners. Psalm 23 describes Jehovah as the loving shepherd, who guides protects, and cares for his people.
[A shepherd holds a lamb]
An additional theme is that Jehovah will transform the earth into a paradise by means of the Messianic Kingdom.
[Crowned Jesus smiles]
This Kingdom will remove all wickedness and bring peace to the earth.
[A family picks vegetables in paradise]
Certain psalms are grouped together, for example Psalms 113 to 118 formed the group called the Hillel Psalms. Did you know, it is likely that Jesus and his disciples sang these very Psalms after the Lord’s evening meal?
[Jesus and his disciples in the upper room]
Psalms 120 to 134 are called the songs of the ascents. Many believe these psalms were sung as the Israelites ascended to Jerusalem to attend the three great annual festivals. The last five songs form a group in which each begins and ends with the words ‘Praise Jah.’ An important feature of Psalms is that it contains numerous prophecies about the Messiah.
[Jesus hangs on the stake]
Jesus himself said ‘All the things written about me in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’
[A Bible’s pages fan open]
As you read the book of Psalms take note of how it supports Jehovah's sovereignty, how Jehovah helps and comforts those who love him and how Jehovah will transform the earth into a paradise by means of his Messianic Kingdom.
[The Bible closes and transforms into the jw.org icon]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2016 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) {click to close]
Psalm 1
1.1 Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers.
1.2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night.
1.3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, A tree that produces fruit in its season, The foliage of which does not wither. And everything he does will succeed.
1.4 The wicked are not like that; They are like the chaff that the wind blows away.
1.5 That is why the wicked will not remain standing in the judgment; Nor will sinners remain standing in the assembly of the righteous.
1.6 For Jehovah is aware of the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 2
2.1 Why are the nations agitated And the peoples muttering an empty thing?
2.2 The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials gather together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one.
2.3 They say: “Let us tear off their shackles And throw off their ropes!”
2.4 The One enthroned in the heavens will laugh; Jehovah will scoff at them.
2.5 At that time he will speak to them in his anger And terrify them in his burning anger,
2.6 Saying: “I myself have installed my king On Zion, my holy mountain.”
2.7 Let me proclaim the decree of Jehovah; He said to me: “You are my son; Today I have become your father.
2.8 Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession.
2.9 You will break them with an iron scepter, And you will smash them like a piece of pottery.”
2.10 So now, you kings, show insight; Accept correction, you judges of the earth.
2.11 Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
2.12 Honor the son, or God will become indignant And you will perish from the way, For His anger flares up quickly. Happy are all those taking refuge in Him.
Psalm 3
A melody of David when he was fleeing from his son Absalom.
3.1 O Jehovah, why have my adversaries become so numerous? Why are so many rising up against me?
3.2 Many are saying about me: “God will not save him.”
(Selah)
3.3 But you, O Jehovah, are a shield around me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
3.4 I will call aloud to Jehovah, And he will answer me from his holy mountain.
(Selah)
3.5 I will lie down and sleep; And I will wake up in safety, For Jehovah continues to support me.
3.6 I am not afraid of the tens of thousands Lined up against me on every side.
3.7 Rise up, O Jehovah! Save me, O my God! For you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; You will break the teeth of the wicked.
3.8 Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Your blessing is upon your people.
(Selah)
Psalm 4
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. A melody of David.
4.1 When I call, answer me, O my righteous God. Make a way of escape for me in my distress. Show me favor and hear my prayer.
4.2 You sons of men, how long will you turn my honor into humiliation? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is false?
(Selah)
4.3 Know that Jehovah will treat his loyal one in a special way; Jehovah will hear when I call to him.
4.4 Be agitated, but do not sin. Have your say in your heart, upon your bed, and keep silent.
(Selah)
4.5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in Jehovah.
4.6 There are many saying: “Who will show us anything good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Jehovah.
4.7 You have filled my heart with greater rejoicing Than those who have an abundant harvest of grain and new wine.
4.8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, For you alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in security.
Psalm 5
To the director for Nehiloth. A melody of David.
5.1 Listen to my words, O Jehovah; Be attentive to my sighing.
5.2 Pay attention to my cry for help, O my King and my God, because to you I pray.
5.3 O Jehovah, you will hear my voice in the morning; In the morning I will express my concern to you and wait expectantly.
5.4 For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No one bad may remain with you.
5.5 No arrogant person may stand in your presence. You hate all those who behave wickedly;
5.6 You will destroy those who speak lies. Jehovah detests violent and deceptive people.
5.7 But I will come into your house because of your great loyal love; I will bow down toward your holy temple in reverential fear of you.
5.8 Lead me, O Jehovah, in your righteousness because of my foes; Make your way clear for me.
5.9 For nothing they say can be trusted; Within them is nothing but malice; Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.
5.10 But God will declare them guilty; Their own schemes will cause their downfall. May they be driven away because of their many transgressions, For they have rebelled against you.
5.11 But all those who take refuge in you will rejoice; They will always shout joyfully. You will block approach to them, And those loving your name will rejoice in you.
5.12 For you will bless anyone righteous, O Jehovah; You will surround them with approval as with a large shield.
Psalm 6
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments tuned to Sheminith. A melody of David.
6.1 O Jehovah, do not reprove me in your anger, And do not correct me in your rage.
6.2 Show me favor, O Jehovah, for I am growing weak. Heal me, O Jehovah, for my bones are shaking.
6.3 Yes, I am greatly disturbed, And I ask you, O Jehovah—how long will it be?
6.4 Return, O Jehovah, and rescue me; Save me for the sake of your loyal love.
6.5 For in death there is no mention of you; In the Grave, who will praise you?
6.6 I have grown weary with my sighing; All night long I soak my bed with tears; I flood my couch with weeping.
6.7 My eye is weak from my grief; It has dimmed because of all those harassing me.
6.8 Get away from me, all you who behave wickedly, For Jehovah will hear the sound of my weeping.
6.9 Jehovah will hear my request for favor; Jehovah will accept my prayer.
6.10 All my enemies will be put to shame and dismayed; They will fall back in sudden disgrace.
Psalm 7
A dirge of David that he sang to Jehovah regarding the words of Cush the Benjaminite.
7.1 O Jehovah my God, in you I have taken refuge. Save me from all those persecuting me and rescue me.
7.2 Otherwise they will tear me to pieces as a lion does, Carrying me off with no one to rescue me.
7.3 O Jehovah my God, if I am at fault in this, If I have acted unjustly,
7.4 If I have wronged the one doing good to me, Or if I have plundered my enemy without cause,
7.5 Then let an enemy pursue and overtake me; Let him trample my life down to the earth And cause my glory to perish in the dust.
(Selah)
7.6 Rise up in your anger, O Jehovah; Stand up against the fury of my enemies; Awake for me, and demand that justice be done.
7.7 Let the nations surround you; And you will act against them from on high.
7.8 Jehovah will pass sentence on the peoples. Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness And according to my integrity.
7.9 Please put an end to the evil deeds of the wicked. But establish the righteous, Since you are the righteous God who examines the hearts and the deepest emotions.
7.10 God is my shield, the Savior of those upright in heart.
7.11 God is a righteous Judge, And God proclaims his judgments every day.
7.12 If anyone will not repent, He sharpens his sword; He bends his bow and makes it ready.
7.13 He prepares his deadly weapons; He makes ready his flaming arrows.
7.14 Look at the one who is pregnant with wickedness; He conceives trouble and gives birth to lies.
7.15 He excavates a pit and digs it deep, But he falls into the very hole he made.
7.16 The trouble he causes will return on his own head; His violence will fall on the crown of his head.
7.17 I will praise Jehovah for his justice; I will sing praises to the name of Jehovah the Most High.
Psalm 8
To the director; upon the Gittith. A melody of David.
8.1 O Jehovah our Lord, how majestic your name is throughout the earth; You have set your splendor even higher than the heavens!
8.2 Out of the mouth of children and infants you have established strength On account of your adversaries, To silence the enemy and the avenger.
8.3 When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, The moon and the stars that you have prepared,
8.4 What is mortal man that you keep him in mind, And a son of man that you take care of him?
8.5 You made him a little lower than godlike ones, And you crowned him with glory and splendor.
8.6 You gave him dominion over the works of your hands; You have put everything under his feet:
8.7 All the flocks and cattle, As well as the wild animals,
8.8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
8.9 O Jehovah our Lord, how majestic your name is throughout the earth!
Psalm 9
To the director; upon Muth-labben. A melody of David.
א [Aleph]
9.1 I will praise you, O Jehovah, with all my heart; I will tell about all your wonderful works.
9.2 I will rejoice and exult in you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
ב [Beth]
9.3 When my enemies retreat, They will stumble and perish from before you.
9.4 For you defend my just cause; You sit on your throne judging with righteousness.
ג [Gimel]
9.5 You have rebuked nations and destroyed the wicked, Blotting out their name forever and ever.
9.6 The enemy has been ruined forever; You uprooted their cities, And all memory of them will perish.
ה [He]
9.7 But Jehovah is enthroned forever; He has firmly established his throne for justice.
9.8 He will judge the inhabited earth in righteousness; He will render righteous legal decisions for the nations.
ו [Waw]
9.9 Jehovah will become a secure refuge for the oppressed, A secure refuge in times of distress.
9.10 Those knowing your name will trust in you; You will never abandon those seeking you, O Jehovah.
ז [Zayin]
9.11 Sing praises to Jehovah, who is dwelling in Zion; Make his deeds known among the peoples.
9.12 For the One who avenges their blood remembers them; He will not forget the cry of the afflicted.
ח [Heth]
9.13 Show me favor, O Jehovah; see my affliction by those hating me, You who raise me from the gates of death,
9.14 So that I may declare your praiseworthy deeds in the gates of the daughter of Zion, And rejoice in your acts of salvation.
ט [Teth]
9.15 The nations have sunk down into the pit they made; Their own foot has been caught in the net they hid.
9.16 Jehovah is known by the judgment he executes. The wicked one has been ensnared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion.
(Selah)
י [Yod]
9.17 The wicked will retreat toward the Grave, All the nations who forget God.
9.18 But the poor will not always be forgotten; Nor will the hope of the meek ever perish.
כ [Kaph]
9.19 Rise up, O Jehovah! Do not let mortal man prevail. May the nations be judged in your presence.
9.20 Strike them with fear, O Jehovah, Let the nations know that they are only mortal men.
(Selah)
Psalm 10
ל [Lamed]
10.1 Why, O Jehovah, do you stand at a distance? Why do you hide yourself in times of distress?
10.2 The wicked one arrogantly pursues the helpless one, But he will be caught in the schemes he devises.
10.3 For the wicked one boasts about his selfish desires And blesses the greedy one;
נ [Nun]
He disrespects Jehovah.
10.4 In his haughtiness, the wicked man makes no investigation; All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”
10.5 His ways keep prospering, But your judgments are beyond his understanding; He scoffs at all his adversaries.
10.6 He says in his heart: “I will never be shaken; For generation after generation I will never see calamity.”
פ [Pe]
10.7 His mouth is full of curses, lies, and threats; Under his tongue are trouble and injury.
10.8 He waits in ambush near the settlements; From his hiding place he kills an innocent one.
ע [Ayin]
His eyes are watching for an unfortunate victim.
10.9 He waits in his hiding place like a lion in its lair. He waits to seize the helpless one. He seizes the helpless one when he pulls his net shut.
10.10 The victim is crushed and brought down; The unfortunate ones fall into his clutches.
10.11 He says in his heart: “God has forgotten. He has turned away his face. He never notices.”
ק [Qoph]
10.12 Rise up, O Jehovah. O God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the helpless ones.
10.13 Why has the wicked one disrespected God? He says in his heart: “You will not hold me accountable.”
ר [Resh]
10.14 But you do see trouble and distress. You look on and take matters in hand. To you the unfortunate victim turns; You are the helper for the fatherless child.
ש [Shin]
10.15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man, So that when you search for his wickedness, You will find it no more.
10.16 Jehovah is King forever and ever. The nations have perished from the earth.
ת [Taw]
10.17 But you will hear the request of the meek, O Jehovah. You will make their hearts firm and pay close attention to them.
10.18 You will render justice to the fatherless and to those who are crushed, So that mortal man of the earth may no longer make them afraid.
Psalm 11
To the director. Of David.
11.1 In Jehovah I have taken refuge. So how can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!
11.2 See how the wicked bend the bow; They set their arrow on the bowstring, To shoot from the darkness those upright in heart.
11.3 When the foundations are torn down, What can the righteous do?”
11.4 Jehovah is in his holy temple. Jehovah’s throne is in the heavens. His own eyes see, his watchful eyes examine the sons of men.
11.5 Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one; He hates anyone who loves violence.
11.6 Upon the wicked, he will rain down snares; Fire and sulfur and a scorching wind will be the portion of their cup.
11.7 For Jehovah is righteous; he loves righteous acts. The upright will see his face.
Psalm 12
To the director; tuned to Sheminith. A melody of David.
12.1 Save me, O Jehovah, for the loyal one is no more; Faithful people have vanished from among men.
12.2 They speak lies to one another; They flatter with their lips and speak with deceitful hearts.
12.3 Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips And the tongue that makes great boasts,
12.4 Those who say: “We will prevail with our tongues. We use our lips as we please; Who will be our master?”
12.5 “Because the afflicted are oppressed, Because of the sighing of the poor, I will rise up to act,” says Jehovah. “I will save them from those who treat them with contempt.”
12.6 The sayings of Jehovah are pure; They are like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.
12.7 You will guard them, O Jehovah; You will protect each one of them from this generation forever.
12.8 The wicked walk around unrestrained Because the sons of men promote depravity.
Psalm 13
To the director. A melody of David.
13.1 How long, O Jehovah, will you forget me? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
13.2 How long will I have anxious concern, With grief in my heart each day? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
13.3 Look upon me and answer me, O Jehovah my God. Give light to my eyes, so that I may not fall asleep in death,
13.4 So that my enemy will not say: “I have defeated him!” Do not let my opponents rejoice over my downfall.
13.5 As for me, I trust in your loyal love; My heart will rejoice in your acts of salvation.
13.6 I will sing to Jehovah, for he has richly rewarded me.
Psalm 14
To the director. Of David.
14.1 The foolish one says in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.” Their actions are corrupt, and their dealings are detestable; No one is doing good.
14.2 But Jehovah looks down from heaven on the sons of men To see whether anyone has insight, whether anyone is seeking Jehovah.
14.3 They have all turned aside; They are all alike corrupt. No one is doing good, Not even one.
14.4 Do none of the wrongdoers understand? They devour my people as if they were eating bread. They do not call on Jehovah.
14.5 But they will be filled with great terror, For Jehovah is with the generation of the righteous.
14.6 You wrongdoers try to frustrate the plans of the lowly one, But Jehovah is his refuge.
14.7 O that Israel’s salvation may come from Zion! When Jehovah gathers back his captive people, Let Jacob be joyful, let Israel rejoice.
Psalm 15
A melody of David.
15.1 O Jehovah, who may be a guest in your tent? Who may reside in your holy mountain?
15.2 The one who is walking faultlessly, Practicing what is right And speaking the truth in his heart.
15.3 He does not slander with his tongue, He does nothing bad to his neighbor, And he does not defame his friends.
15.4 He rejects anyone who is contemptible, But he honors those fearing Jehovah. He does not go back on his promise, even when it is bad for him.
15.5 He does not lend his money on interest, And he does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 16
A miktam of David.
16.1 Protect me, O God, for I have taken refuge in you.
16.2 I have said to Jehovah: “You are Jehovah, my Source of goodness.
16.3 And the holy ones in the earth, The majestic ones, bring me great delight.”
16.4 Those who pursue other gods multiply their sorrows. I will never pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will my lips mention their names.
16.5 Jehovah is my portion, my allotted share, and my cup. You safeguard my inheritance.
16.6 Pleasant places have been measured out to me. Yes, I am content with my inheritance.
16.7 I will praise Jehovah, who has given me advice. Even during the night, my innermost thoughts correct me.
16.8 I keep Jehovah before me constantly. Because he is at my right hand, I will never be shaken.
16.9 So my heart rejoices, my whole being is joyful. And I reside in security.
16.10 For you will not leave me in the Grave. You will not allow your loyal one to see the pit.
16.11 You make known to me the path of life. In your presence is abundant joy; There is happiness at your right hand forever.
Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
17.1 Hear my plea for justice, O Jehovah; Pay attention to my cry for help; Listen to my prayer spoken without deceit.
17.2 May you make a just decision in my behalf; May your eyes see what is right.
17.3 You have examined my heart, you have inspected me by night; You have refined me; You will find that I have not schemed anything bad, And my mouth has not transgressed.
17.4 As for the activities of men, In accord with the word of your lips, I avoid the paths of the robber.
17.5 Let my steps stay on your tracks So that my feet will not stumble.
17.6 I do call on you, because you will answer me, O God. Incline your ear to me. Hear my words.
17.7 Show your loyal love in a wonderful way, O Savior of those seeking refuge at your right hand From those who rebel against you.
17.8 Guard me like the pupil of your eye; Conceal me in the shadow of your wings.
17.9 Guard me from the wicked who attack me, From my mortal enemies who surround me.
17.10 They have become insensitive; With their mouth they speak arrogantly;
17.11 Now they hem us in; They watch for the chance to cause our downfall.
17.12 He is like a lion eager to tear its prey to pieces, Like a young lion crouching in ambush.
17.13 Rise up, O Jehovah, to confront him and bring him down; Rescue me from the wicked with your sword;
17.14 Rescue me with your hand, O Jehovah, From men of this world, whose share is in this life, Those whom you fill with the good things you provide And who leave an inheritance to their many sons.
17.15 But as for me, in righteousness I will see your face; I am satisfied to awaken in your presence.
Psalm 18
To the director. By Jehovah’s servant David, who addressed the words of this song to Jehovah in the day that Jehovah rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:
18.1 I have affection for you, O Jehovah, my strength.
18.2 Jehovah is my crag and my stronghold and the One who rescues me. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and my horn of salvation, my secure refuge.
18.3 I call on Jehovah, who is worthy of praise, And I will be saved from my enemies.
18.4 The ropes of death encircled me; Flash floods of worthless men terrified me.
18.5 The ropes of the Grave surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
18.6 In my distress I called on Jehovah, To my God I kept crying for help. From his temple he heard my voice, And my cry to him for help reached his ears.
18.7 Then the earth began to shake and rock; The foundations of the mountains trembled And shook back and forth because he had been angered.
18.8 Smoke ascended from his nostrils, And a consuming fire came from his mouth; Glowing coals blazed from him.
18.9 He made the heavens bend as he descended, And thick gloom was beneath his feet.
18.10 He rode on a cherub and came flying. He swooped down on the wings of a spirit.
18.11 He then covered himself in darkness, All around him as a shelter, Dark waters and thick clouds.
18.12 From the brightness before him Hail and fiery coals broke through the clouds.
18.13 Then Jehovah began to thunder in the heavens; The Most High made his voice heard With hailstones and fiery coals.
18.14 He shot his arrows and scattered them; He hurled his lightning and threw them into confusion.
18.15 The streambeds became visible; The foundations of the land were exposed by your rebuke, O Jehovah, By the blast of the breath from your nostrils.
18.16 He reached down from on high; He took hold of me and pulled me from deep waters.
18.17 He rescued me from my strong enemy, From those hating me, who were stronger than I was.
18.18 They confronted me on the day of my disaster, But Jehovah was my support.
18.19 He brought me out into a place of safety; He rescued me because he was pleased with me.
18.20 Jehovah rewards me according to my righteousness; He repays me according to the innocence of my hands.
18.21 For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And I have not wickedly abandoned my God.
18.22 All his judgments are before me; I will not disregard his statutes.
18.23 I will remain blameless before him, And I will keep myself from error.
18.24 May Jehovah repay me according to my righteousness, According to the innocence of my hands before him.
18.25 With someone loyal you act in loyalty; With the blameless man you deal blamelessly;
18.26 With the pure you show yourself pure, But with the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
18.27 For you save those who are lowly But you abase the haughty.
18.28 For it is you who light my lamp, O Jehovah, My God who lights up my darkness.
18.29 With your help I can charge against a marauder band; By God’s power I can scale a wall.
18.30 The way of the true God is perfect; The saying of Jehovah is refined. He is a shield to all those taking refuge in him.
18.31 For who is a God besides Jehovah? And who is a rock except our God?
18.32 The true God is the one who clothes me with strength, And he will make my way perfect.
18.33 He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me stand on high places.
18.34 He trains my hands for warfare; My arms can bend a bow of copper.
18.35 You give me your shield of salvation, Your right hand supports me, And your humility makes me great.
18.36 You widen the path for my footsteps; My feet will not slip.
18.37 I will pursue my enemies and overtake them; I will not return until they are wiped out.
18.38 I will crush them so that they cannot rise up; They will fall under my feet.
18.39 You will equip me with strength for the battle; You will make my foes collapse under me.
18.40 You will make my enemies retreat from me, And I will put an end to those who hate me.
18.41 They cry for help, but there is no one to save them; They even cry to Jehovah, but he does not answer them.
18.42 I will pound them as fine as dust in the wind; I will throw them out like mud in the streets.
18.43 You will rescue me from the faultfinding of the people. You will appoint me the head of nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.
18.44 At a mere report they will obey me; Foreigners will come cringing before me.
18.45 Foreigners will lose courage; They will come trembling from their strongholds.
18.46 Jehovah is alive! Praised be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
18.47 The true God executes vengeance for me; He subdues the peoples under me.
18.48 He rescues me from my angry enemies; You lift me high above those who attack me; You save me from the man of violence.
18.49 That is why I will glorify you among the nations, O Jehovah, And to your name I will sing praises.
18.50 He performs great acts of salvation for his king; He displays loyal love to his anointed one,
To David and his offspring forever.
Psalm 19
To the director. A melody of David.
19.1 The heavens are declaring the glory of God; The skies above proclaim the work of his hands.
19.2 Day after day their speech bubbles forth, And night after night they reveal knowledge.
19.3 There is no speech, and there are no words; Their voice is not heard.
19.4 But into all the earth their sound has gone out, And to the ends of the inhabited earth their message. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun;
19.5 It is like a bridegroom emerging from the bridal chamber; It rejoices like a mighty man running his course.
19.6 It emerges from one end of the heavens, And it circles to their other end; And nothing is concealed from its heat.
19.7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring strength. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise.
19.8 The orders from Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice; The commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine.
19.9 The fear of Jehovah is pure, lasting forever. The judgments of Jehovah are true, altogether righteous.
19.10 They are more desirable than gold, Than much fine gold, And sweeter than honey, the honey that drips from the combs.
19.11 By them your servant has been warned; In keeping them, there is a large reward.
19.12 Who can discern mistakes? Pronounce me innocent from sins I am unaware of.
19.13 And hold your servant back from presumptuous acts; Do not let them dominate me. Then I will be complete, And innocent of blatant sins.
19.14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be pleasing to you, O Jehovah, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 20
To the director. A melody of David.
20.1 May Jehovah answer you in the day of distress. May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
20.2 May he send you help from the holy place And sustain you from Zion.
20.3 May he remember all your gift offerings; May he accept with favor your burnt offering.
(Selah)
20.4 May he grant you the desires of your heart And give success to all your plans.
20.5 We will shout joyfully over your acts of salvation; We will lift our banners in the name of our God. May Jehovah fulfill all your requests.
20.6 Now I do know that Jehovah saves his anointed one. He answers him from his holy heavens With great salvation by his right hand.
20.7 Some rely on chariots and others on horses, But we call on the name of Jehovah our God.
20.8 They have collapsed and fallen, But we have risen up and been restored.
20.9 O Jehovah, save the king! He will answer us in the day we call for help.
Psalm 21
To the director. A melody of David.
21.1 O Jehovah, in your strength the king rejoices; How greatly he rejoices in your acts of salvation!
21.2 You have granted him the desire of his heart, And you have not withheld the request of his lips.
(Selah)
21.3 For you meet him with rich blessings; You place a crown of fine gold on his head.
21.4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him, A long life, forever and ever.
21.5 Your acts of salvation bring him great glory. Dignity and splendor you bestow on him.
21.6 You make him blessed forever; You make him glad with the joy of your presence.
21.7 For the king trusts in Jehovah; Because of the loyal love of the Most High, he will never be shaken.
21.8 Your hand will find all your enemies; Your right hand will find those hating you.
21.9 You will make them like a fiery furnace at the appointed time when you give them attention. Jehovah will swallow them up in his anger, and fire will consume them.
21.10 Their descendants you will destroy from the earth, And their offspring from the sons of men.
21.11 For they intended to do what is bad against you; They have devised schemes that will not succeed.
21.12 For you will make them retreat By aiming your bow at them.
21.13 Rise up, O Jehovah, in your strength. We will sing praises to your mightiness.
Psalm 22
To the director; set to “The Doe of the Dawn.” A melody of David.
22.1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you far from saving me, Far from my cries of anguish?
22.2 My God, I keep calling by day, and you do not answer; And by night there is no silence on my part.
22.3 But you are holy, Surrounded by the praises of Israel.
22.4 In you our fathers put their trust; They trusted, and you kept rescuing them.
22.5 To you they cried out, and they were saved; They trusted in you, and they were not disappointed.
22.6 But I am a worm and not a man, Scorned by men and despised by the people.
22.7 All those seeing me mock me; They sneer and shake their heads in derision:
22.8 “He entrusted himself to Jehovah. Let Him rescue him! Let Him save him, for he is so dear to Him!”
22.9 You were the One who brought me out of the womb, The One who made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts.
22.10 I have been entrusted to your care from birth; From my mother’s womb, you have been my God.
22.11 Do not stay far off from me, for trouble is near And I have no other helper.
22.12 Many young bulls surround me; Powerful bulls of Bashan encircle me.
22.13 They open their mouth wide against me, Like a roaring lion that tears its prey to pieces.
22.14 I am poured out like water; All my bones are out of joint. My heart has become like wax; It melts deep within me.
22.15 My strength has dried up like a piece of pottery; My tongue sticks to my gums; You are bringing me down to the dust of death.
22.16 For dogs surround me; They close in on me like a pack of evildoers, Like a lion they are at my hands and feet.
22.17 I can count all my bones. They look on and stare at me.
22.18 They divide my garments among themselves, And they cast lots for my clothing.
22.19 But you, O Jehovah, do not remain far away. You are my strength; hurry to help me.
22.20 Save me from the sword, My precious life from the paws of dogs;
22.21 Save me from the mouth of the lion and the horns of wild bulls; Answer and save me.
22.22 I will declare your name to my brothers; In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
22.23 You who fear Jehovah, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel.
22.24 For he has not despised nor loathed the suffering of the oppressed one; He has not hidden his face from him. When he cried to him for help, he heard.
22.25 I will praise you in the large congregation; I will pay my vows before those who fear him.
22.26 The meek will eat and be satisfied; Those seeking Jehovah will praise him. May you enjoy life forever.
22.27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Jehovah. All the families of the nations will bow down before you.
22.28 For the kingship belongs to Jehovah; He rules over the nations.
22.29 All the prosperous ones of the earth will eat and will bow down; All those going down to the dust will kneel before him; None of them can preserve their lives.
22.30 Their descendants will serve him; The generation to come will be told about Jehovah.
22.31 They will come and tell of his righteousness. They will tell the people yet to be born what he has done.
Psalm 23
A melody of David.
23.1 Jehovah is my Shepherd. I will lack nothing.
23.2 In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; He leads me to well-watered resting-places.
23.3 He refreshes me. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
23.4 Though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear no harm, For you are with me; Your rod and your staff reassure me.
23.5 You prepare a table for me before my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; My cup is well-filled.
23.6 Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for all my days.
Psalm 24
Of David. A melody.
24.1 To Jehovah belong the earth and everything in it, The productive land and those dwelling on it.
24.2 For he has solidly fixed it on the seas And firmly established it on the rivers.
24.3 Who may ascend to the mountain of Jehovah, And who may stand up in his holy place?
24.4 Anyone with innocent hands and a pure heart, Who has not sworn a false oath by My life, Nor taken an oath deceitfully.
24.5 He will receive blessings from Jehovah And righteousness from his God of salvation.
24.6 This is the generation of those seeking him, Of those seeking your face, O God of Jacob.
(Selah)
24.7 Lift up your heads, you gates; Open up, you ancient doorways, That the glorious King may enter!
24.8 Who is this glorious King? Jehovah, strong and mighty, Jehovah, mighty in battle.
24.9 Lift up your heads, you gates; Open up, you ancient doorways, That the glorious King may enter!
24.10 Who is he, this glorious King? Jehovah of armies—he is the glorious King.
(Selah)
Psalm 25
Of David.
א [Aleph]
25.1 To you, O Jehovah, I turn.
ב [Beth]
25.2 My God, I trust in you; Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies gloat over me.
ג [Gimel]
25.3 Surely none who hope in you will be put to shame, But shame awaits those who are treacherous without cause.
ד [Daleth]
25.4 Make me know your ways, O Jehovah; Teach me your paths.
ה [He]
25.5 Cause me to walk in your truth and teach me, For you are my God of salvation. ו [Waw] In you I hope all day long.
ז [Zayin]
25.6 Remember your mercy, O Jehovah, and your loyal love, Which you have always shown.
ח [Heth]
25.7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my transgressions. Remember me according to your loyal love, For the sake of your goodness, O Jehovah.
ט [Teth]
25.8 Good and upright is Jehovah. That is why he instructs sinners in the way to live.
י [Yod]
25.9 He will guide the meek in what is right, And he will teach the meek ones his way.
כ [Kaph]
25.10 All the paths of Jehovah are loyal love and faithfulness For those observing his covenant and his reminders.
ל [Lamed]
25.11 For the sake of your name, O Jehovah, Forgive my error, though it is great.
מ [Mem]
25.12 Who is the man fearing Jehovah? He will instruct him about the way he should choose.
נ [Nun]
25.13 He will experience what is good, And his descendants will take possession of the earth.
ס [Samekh]
25.14 Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him, And he makes his covenant known to them.
ע [Ayin]
25.15 My eyes are always toward Jehovah, For he will free my feet from the net.
פ [Pe]
25.16 Turn your face to me and show me favor, For I am alone and helpless.
צ [Tsade]
25.17 The distresses of my heart have multiplied; Free me from my anguish.
ר [Resh]
25.18 See my affliction and my trouble, And pardon all my sins.
25.19 See how numerous my enemies are And how violent their hatred is for me.
ש [Shin]
25.20 Guard my life and save me. Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in you.
ת [Taw]
25.21 May integrity and uprightness safeguard me, For my hope is in you.
25.22 O God, rescue Israel out of all his distresses.
Psalm 26
Of David.
26.1 Judge me, O Jehovah, for I have walked in my integrity; In Jehovah I have trusted without wavering.
26.2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and put me to the test; Refine my innermost thoughts and my heart.
26.3 For your loyal love is always in front of me, And I walk in your truth.
26.4 I do not associate with deceitful men, And I avoid those who hide what they are.
26.5 I hate the company of evil men, And I refuse to associate with the wicked.
26.6 I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will march around your altar, O Jehovah,
26.7 To cause the sound of thanksgiving to be heard And to declare all your wonderful works.
26.8 Jehovah, I love the house where you dwell, The place where your glory resides.
26.9 Do not sweep me away with sinners Nor take my life away with violent men,
26.10 Whose hands engage in shameful conduct, And whose right hand is full of bribes.
26.11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Rescue me and show me favor.
26.12 My foot is standing on level ground; In the great congregation, I will praise Jehovah.
Psalm 27
Of David.
27.1 Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Whom should I fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Whom should I dread?
27.2 When evil men attacked me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies were the ones who stumbled and fell.
27.3 Though an army should set up camp against me, My heart will not fear. Though war should break out against me, Even then I will remain confident.
27.4 One thing I have asked from Jehovah —It is what I will look for— That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To gaze upon the pleasantness of Jehovah And to look with appreciation upon his temple.
27.5 For he will hide me in his shelter on the day of calamity; He will conceal me in the secret place of his tent; High on a rock he will place me.
27.6 Now my head is high above my enemies who surround me; I will offer sacrifices at his tent with joyful shouting; I will sing praises to Jehovah.
27.7 Hear me, O Jehovah, when I cry out; Show me favor and answer me.
27.8 Speaking for you, my heart has said: “Seek to find my face.” Your face, O Jehovah, I will seek to find.
27.9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in your anger. You are my helper; Do not forsake me or leave me, my God of salvation.
27.10 Even if my own father and mother abandon me, Jehovah himself will take me in.
27.11 Instruct me in your way, O Jehovah, Lead me in the path of uprightness because of my foes.
27.12 Do not hand me over to my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen up against me, And they threaten me with violence.
27.13 Where would I be if I did not have faith That I would see Jehovah’s goodness in the land of the living?
27.14 Hope in Jehovah; Be courageous and strong of heart. Yes, hope in Jehovah.
Psalm 28
Of David.
28.1 To you I keep calling, O Jehovah my Rock; Do not turn a deaf ear to me. If you keep silent toward me, I will become like those going down to the pit.
28.2 Hear my pleas when I cry to you for help As I lift up my hands toward the innermost room of your sanctuary.
28.3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those practicing what is hurtful, Those who are speaking words of peace with their fellow man while evil is in their hearts.
28.4 Pay them back for their deeds, According to their evil practices. Repay them for the work of their hands, According to what they have done.
28.5 For they pay no attention to the activities of Jehovah, Nor to the work of his hands. He will tear them down and not build them up.
28.6 May Jehovah be praised, For he has heard my pleas for help.
28.7 Jehovah is my strength and my shield; In him my heart trusts. I have received his help, and my heart rejoices, So I will praise him with my song.
28.8 Jehovah is a strength for his people; He is a stronghold, bringing grand salvation to his anointed one.
28.9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Shepherd them and carry them in your arms forever.
Psalm 29
A melody of David.
29.1 Give Jehovah his due, you sons of mighty ones, Give Jehovah his due for his glory and strength.
29.2 Give Jehovah the glory due his name. Bow down to Jehovah in holy adornment.
29.3 The voice of Jehovah is heard over the waters; The glorious God thunders. Jehovah is over many waters.
29.4 The voice of Jehovah is powerful; The voice of Jehovah is splendid.
29.5 The voice of Jehovah is breaking the cedars; Yes, Jehovah shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
29.6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild bull.
29.7 The voice of Jehovah strikes with flames of fire;
29.8 The voice of Jehovah makes the wilderness shudder; Jehovah makes the wilderness of Kadesh shudder.
29.9 The voice of Jehovah makes the deer shudder and give birth And strips bare the forests. And all in his temple say: “Glory!”
29.10 Jehovah sits enthroned above the flooding waters; Jehovah sits enthroned as King forever.
29.11 Jehovah will give strength to his people. Jehovah will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 30
A melody. A song of inauguration of the house. Of David.
30.1 I will exalt you, O Jehovah, for you have lifted me up; You did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
30.2 O Jehovah my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me.
30.3 O Jehovah, you have lifted me up from the Grave. You kept me alive; you spared me from sinking into the pit.
30.4 Sing praises to Jehovah, you his loyal ones, Give thanks to his holy name;
30.5 Because being under his anger is only for a moment, But being in his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may come in the evening, but in the morning, there is a joyful cry.
30.6 When I was untroubled, I said: “I will never be shaken.”
30.7 O Jehovah, while I was in your favor, you made me as strong as a mountain. But when you hid your face, I became terrified.
30.8 To you, O Jehovah, I kept calling; And to Jehovah, I kept pleading for favor.
30.9 What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
30.10 Hear, O Jehovah, and show me favor. O Jehovah, become my helper.
30.11 You have changed my mourning into dancing; You have removed my sackcloth, and you clothe me with rejoicing,
30.12 So that I may sing your praise and not keep silent. O Jehovah my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 31
To the director. A melody of David.
31.1 In you, O Jehovah, I have taken refuge. May I never be put to shame. Rescue me because of your righteousness.
31.2 Incline your ear to me. Come quickly to my rescue. Become for me a mountain stronghold, A fortified place to save me.
31.3 For you are my crag and my stronghold; For the sake of your name, you will lead me and guide me.
31.4 You will free me from the net that they have secretly laid for me, For you are my fortress.
31.5 Into your hand I entrust my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, the God of truth.
31.6 I hate those who are devoted to worthless, vain idols, But as for me, I trust in Jehovah.
31.7 I will rejoice greatly in your loyal love, For you have seen my affliction; You are aware of my deep distress.
31.8 You have not handed me over to the enemy, But you make me stand in a place of safety.
31.9 Show me favor, O Jehovah, for I am in distress. Anguish has made my eyes weak, my whole body as well.
31.10 My life is consumed with grief And my years with groaning. My strength is waning because of my error; My bones grow weak.
31.11 I am scorned by all my adversaries, Especially my neighbors. And I am dreaded by my acquaintances; When they see me in public, they flee from me.
31.12 I am put out of their heart and forgotten, as if I were dead; I am like a broken jar.
31.13 I have heard many evil rumors; Terror surrounds me. When they gather together as one against me, They scheme to take away my life.
31.14 But I trust in you, O Jehovah. I declare: “You are my God.”
31.15 My days are in your hand. Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those persecuting me.
31.16 Make your face shine upon your servant. Save me by your loyal love.
31.17 O Jehovah, may I not be put to shame when I call on you. May the wicked be put to shame; May they be silenced in the Grave.
31.18 May lying lips become speechless, Lips that speak arrogantly against the righteous, with haughtiness and contempt.
31.19 How abundant your goodness is! You have stored it up for those who fear you, And you have shown it before all men, in behalf of those taking refuge in you.
31.20 You will conceal them in the secret place of your presence From the schemes of men; You will hide them in your shelter From malicious attacks.
31.21 May Jehovah be praised, For in a wonderful way, he has shown his loyal love to me in a besieged city.
31.22 As for me, I panicked and said: “I will perish from before you.” But you heard my pleas for help when I cried out to you.
31.23 Love Jehovah, all you who are loyal to him! Jehovah protects the faithful, But he repays exceedingly anyone showing haughtiness.
31.24 Be courageous, and may your heart be strong, All you who are waiting for Jehovah.
Psalm 32
Of David. Maskil.
32.1 Happy is the one whose transgression is pardoned, whose sin is covered.
32.2 Happy is the man whom Jehovah does not charge with guilt, In whose spirit there is no deceit.
32.3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long.
32.4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My strength evaporated like water in the dry summer heat.
(Selah)
32.5 Finally I confessed my sin to you; I did not cover my error. I said: “I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah.” And you pardoned the error of my sins.
(Selah)
32.6 This is why every loyal one will pray to you While you may yet be found. Then even the floodwaters will not reach him.
32.7 You are a hiding place for me; You will safeguard me from distress. You will surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.
(Selah)
32.8 “I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give you advice with my eye upon you.
32.9 Do not become like a horse or a mule, without understanding, Whose spiritedness must be controlled with a bridle or a halter Before it will come near to you.”
32.10 Many are the pains of the wicked; But the one trusting in Jehovah is surrounded by His loyal love.
32.11 Rejoice in Jehovah and be joyful, you righteous ones; Shout joyfully, all you who are upright in heart.
Psalm 33
33.1 Shout joyfully, you righteous ones, because of Jehovah. It is fitting for the upright to praise him.
33.2 Give thanks to Jehovah with the harp; Sing praises to him with a ten-stringed instrument.
33.3 Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully on the strings, along with shouts of joy.
33.4 For the word of Jehovah is upright, And everything he does is trustworthy.
33.5 He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is filled with Jehovah’s loyal love.
33.6 By the word of Jehovah the heavens were made, And by the spirit of his mouth everything in them.
33.7 He gathers the seawaters like a dam; He puts the surging waters in storehouses.
33.8 Let the whole earth fear Jehovah. Let the inhabitants of the productive land be in awe of him.
33.9 For he spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
33.10 Jehovah has frustrated the schemes of the nations; He has thwarted the plans of the peoples.
33.11 But the decisions of Jehovah will stand forever; The thoughts of his heart are from generation to generation.
33.12 Happy is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people he has chosen as his own possession.
33.13 Jehovah looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
33.14 From his place of residence, He gazes on the inhabitants of the earth
33.15 He is the one forming the hearts of all; He examines all their works.
33.16 No king is saved by a large army; A mighty man is not saved by his great power.
33.17 The horse is a false hope for salvation; Its great strength does not ensure escape.
33.18 Look! The eye of Jehovah watches over those fearing him, Those waiting for his loyal love,
33.19 To rescue them from death And to keep them alive during famine.
33.20 We are in expectation of Jehovah. He is our helper and our shield.
33.21 Our hearts rejoice in him, For we trust in his holy name.
33.22 May your loyal love rest upon us, O Jehovah, While we keep waiting for you.
Psalm 34
Of David, when he disguised his sanity before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.
א [Aleph]
34.1 I will praise Jehovah at all times; His praise will be on my lips constantly.
ב [Beth]
34.2 I will boast in Jehovah; The meek will hear and rejoice.
ג [Gimel]
34.3 Magnify Jehovah along with me; Let us exalt his name together.
ד [Daleth]
34.4 I inquired of Jehovah, and he answered me. He rescued me from all my fears.
ה [He]
34.5 Those who looked to him became radiant; Their faces could not be put to shame.
ז [Zayin]
34.6 This lowly one called, and Jehovah heard. He saved him from all his distresses.
ח [Heth]
34.7 The angel of Jehovah camps all around those fearing Him, And he rescues them.
ט [Teth]
34.8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good; Happy is the man who takes refuge in him.
י [Yod]
34.9 Fear Jehovah, all you his holy ones, For those who fear him lack nothing.
כ [Kaph]
34.10 Even strong young lions have been reduced to hunger, But those seeking Jehovah will lack nothing good.
ל [Lamed]
34.11 Come, my sons, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.
מ [Mem]
34.12 Who among you takes pleasure in life And would love to see many good days?
נ [Nun]
34.13 Then guard your tongue from what is bad, Your lips from speaking deception.
ס [Samekh]
34.14 Turn away from what is bad and do what is good; Seek peace and pursue it.
ע [Ayin]
34.15 The eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, And his ears listen to their cry for help.
פ [Pe]
34.16 But the face of Jehovah is against those doing what is bad, To erase all memory of them from the earth.
צ [Tsade]
34.17 They cried out, and Jehovah heard; He rescued them from all their distresses.
ק [Qoph]
34.18 Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit.
ר [Resh]
34.19 Many are the hardships of the righteous one, But Jehovah rescues him from them all.
ש [Shin]
34.20 He is guarding all his bones; Not one of them has been broken.
ת [Taw]
34.21 Disaster will put the wicked to death; Those hating the righteous will be found guilty.
34.22 Jehovah is redeeming the life of his servants; None of those taking refuge in him will be found guilty.
Psalm 35
Of David.
35.1 O Jehovah, defend my case against my opposers; Fight against those who fight against me.
35.2 Take up your buckler and large shield, And rise up to my defense.
35.3 Lift up your spear and battle-ax against my pursuers. Say to me: “I am your salvation.”
35.4 May those who are hunting for my life be put to shame and humiliated. May those who are plotting to destroy me retreat in disgrace.
35.5 May they become like chaff in the wind; May Jehovah’s angel drive them away.
35.6 May their path be dark and slippery As Jehovah’s angel pursues them.
35.7 For without cause they have hidden a net to trap me; Without cause they have dug a pit for me.
35.8 May disaster come upon him by surprise; May the net that he hid catch him; May he fall into it and be destroyed.
35.9 But I will rejoice in Jehovah; I will be joyful in his acts of salvation.
35.10 All my bones will say: “O Jehovah, who is like you? You rescue the helpless from those who are stronger, The helpless and the poor from those who rob them.”
35.11 Malicious witnesses come forward, Asking me things I know nothing about.
35.12 They repay me with bad for good, Making me feel bereaved.
35.13 But when they were ill, I clothed myself with sackcloth; I afflicted myself by fasting, And when my prayer would return unanswered,
35.14 I walked about mourning as for a friend or a brother of mine; I bowed down in sorrow, like one mourning for his mother.
35.15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; They gathered together to strike me down in ambush; They tore me to pieces and did not keep silent.
35.16 The ungodly scornfully mock me, They grind their teeth against me.
35.17 O Jehovah, how long will you just look on? Rescue me from their attacks, My precious life from the young lions.
35.18 Then I will give thanks to you in the great congregation; I will praise you among the throngs of people.
35.19 Do not let those who for no reason are my enemies gloat over me; Do not let those hating me without cause wink their eyes maliciously.
35.20 For they do not speak words of peace, But they deceptively scheme against the peaceful ones of the land.
35.21 They open their mouth wide to accuse me, Saying: “Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen it.”
35.22 You have seen this, O Jehovah. Do not remain silent. O Jehovah, do not stay far from me.
35.23 Awake and rise to my defense, My God, Jehovah, defend me in my legal case.
35.24 Judge me according to your righteousness, O Jehovah my God; Do not let them gloat over me.
35.25 May they never say to themselves: “Aha! We got what we wanted.” May they never say: “We have swallowed him up.”
35.26 Let all of them be put to shame and disgraced, Those who gloat over my calamity. Let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and humiliation.
35.27 But let those who take pleasure in my righteousness shout joyfully; May they constantly say: “May Jehovah be magnified, who takes pleasure in the peace of his servant.”
35.28 Then my tongue will recount your righteousness And praise you all day long.
Psalm 36
To the director. Of Jehovah’s servant, David.
36.1 Transgression speaks to the wicked one deep within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.
36.2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much To detect and hate his error.
36.3 The words of his mouth are hurtful and deceptive; He shows no insight for doing what is good.
36.4 He plots hurtful schemes even on his bed. He is set on a path that is not good; He does not reject what is bad.
36.5 O Jehovah, your loyal love reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness up to the clouds.
36.6 Your righteousness is like majestic mountains; Your judgments are like vast, deep waters. Man and beast you preserve, O Jehovah.
36.7 How precious your loyal love is, O God! In the shadow of your wings, the sons of men take refuge.
36.8 They drink their fill of the rich bounty of your house, And you cause them to drink of the torrent of your delights.
36.9 With you is the source of life; By your light we can see light.
36.10 Continue showing your loyal love to those who know you, And your righteousness, to the upright in heart.
36.11 Do not let the foot of the haughty tread on me Or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
36.12 There the wrongdoers have fallen; They have been knocked down and cannot get up.
Psalm 37
Of David.
א [Aleph]
37.1 Do not be upset because of evil men Or envious of wrongdoers.
37.2 They will quickly wither like grass And shrivel like green new grass.
ב [Beth]
37.3 Trust in Jehovah and do what is good; Reside in the earth, and act with faithfulness.
37.4 Find exquisite delight in Jehovah, And he will grant you the desires of your heart.
ג [Gimel]
37.5 Commit your way to Jehovah; Rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.
37.6 He will make your righteousness shine like daybreak, And your justice like the midday sun.
ד [Daleth]
37.7 Keep silent before Jehovah And wait expectantly for him. Do not be upset by the man Who succeeds in carrying out his schemes.
ה [He]
37.8 Let go of anger and abandon rage; Do not become upset and turn to doing evil.
37.9 For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth.
ו [Waw]
37.10 Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there.
37.11 But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.
ז [Zayin]
37.12 The wicked man plots against the righteous; He grinds his teeth at him.
37.13 But Jehovah will laugh at him, For He knows that his day will come.
ח [Heth]
37.14 The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows To bring down the oppressed and the poor, To slaughter those whose way is upright.
37.15 But their sword will pierce their own heart; Their bows will be broken.
ט [Teth]
37.16 Better is the little of the righteous one Than the abundance of many wicked ones.
37.17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But Jehovah will support the righteous.
י [Yod]
37.18 Jehovah is aware of what the blameless go through, And their inheritance will last forever.
37.19 They will not be put to shame in the time of disaster; In the time of famine they will have plenty.
כ [Kaph]
37.20 But the wicked will perish; The enemies of Jehovah will vanish like glorious pastures; They will vanish like smoke.
ל [Lamed]
37.21 The wicked one borrows and does not repay, But the righteous one is generous and giving.
37.22 Those blessed by Him will possess the earth, But those cursed by Him will be done away with.
מ [Mem]
37.23 Jehovah guides the steps of a man When He finds pleasure in his way.
37.24 Although he may fall, he will not be hurled down, For Jehovah supports him by the hand.
נ [Nun]
37.25 I was once young and now I am old, But I have not seen anyone righteous abandoned, Nor his children looking for bread.
37.26 He always lends freely, And his children are in line for a blessing.
ס [Samekh]
37.27 Turn away from bad and do what is good, And you will remain forever.
37.28 For Jehovah loves justice, And he will not abandon his loyal ones.
ע [Ayin]
They will always be guarded; But the descendants of the wicked will be done away with.
37.29 The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.
פ [Pe]
37.30 The mouth of the righteous one imparts wisdom, And his tongue speaks about justice.
37.31 The law of his God is in his heart; His steps will not falter.
צ [Tsade]
37.32 The wicked watches the righteous, Seeking to put him to death.
37.33 But Jehovah will not abandon him to the hand of that one Or find him guilty when he is judged.
ק [Qoph]
37.34 Hope in Jehovah and follow his way, And he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked are done away with, you will see it.
ר [Resh]
37.35 I have seen the ruthless, evil man Spreading out like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.
37.36 But he suddenly passed away and was gone; I kept searching for him, and he could not be found.
ש [Shin]
37.37 Take note of the blameless one, And keep the upright one in sight, For the future of that man will be peaceful.
37.38 But all the transgressors will be destroyed; The future of wicked people will be cut off.
ת [Taw]
37.39 The salvation of the righteous is from Jehovah; He is their fortress in the time of distress.
37.40 Jehovah will help them and rescue them. He will rescue them from the wicked and save them, Because they take refuge in him.
Psalm 38
A melody of David, to serve as a reminder.
38.1 O Jehovah, do not reprove me in your anger, Nor correct me in your wrath.
38.2 For your arrows have pierced deep into me, And your hand presses down on me.
38.3 My whole body is sick because of your indignation. There is no peace within my bones because of my sin.
38.4 For my errors loom over my head; Like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.
38.5 My wounds stink and fester Because of my foolishness.
38.6 I am distressed and extremely downcast; I walk around sad all day long.
38.7 There is a burning within me; My whole body is sick.
38.8 I have grown numb and become completely crushed; My anguished heart makes me groan aloud.
38.9 O Jehovah, all my desires are before you, And my sighing is not hidden from you.
38.10 My heart pounds, my strength is gone, And the light of my eyes has left me.
38.11 My friends and my companions avoid me because of my plague, And my close acquaintances keep their distance.
38.12 Those seeking my life set traps; Those trying to harm me speak of ruin; They mutter deception all day long.
38.13 But like someone deaf, I would not listen; Like someone speechless, I would not open my mouth.
38.14 I have become like a man who cannot hear, Whose mouth has nothing to say in defense.
38.15 For on you, O Jehovah, I waited, And you answered me, O Jehovah my God.
38.16 For I said: “May they not gloat over me Or exalt themselves over me if my foot slips.”
38.17 For I was ready to collapse, And my pain was always with me.
38.18 I confessed my error; I was troubled by my sin.
38.19 But my enemies are vigorous and mighty, Those hating me for no reason have become numerous.
38.20 They repaid me with bad for good; They were resisting me for pursuing what is good.
38.21 Do not abandon me, O Jehovah. O God, do not remain far away from me.
38.22 Do hurry to help me, O Jehovah, my salvation.
Psalm 39
To the director; of Jeduthun. A melody of David.
39.1 I said: “I will guard my step To avoid sinning with my tongue. I will guard my mouth with a muzzle As long as anyone wicked is in my presence.”
39.2 I was speechless and silent; I kept quiet even about what is good, But my pain was intense.
39.3 My heart smoldered inside me. As I pondered, the fire kept burning. Then my tongue spoke:
39.4 “O Jehovah, help me to know what my end will be, And the measure of my days, So that I may know how short my life is.
39.5 Indeed, you have made my days just a few; And my life span is as nothing before you. Surely every man, though he seems secure, is nothing but a mere breath.
(Selah)
39.6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow. He rushes around for nothing. He piles up wealth, not knowing who will enjoy it.
39.7 What, then, can I hope for, O Jehovah? You are my only hope.
39.8 Save me from all my transgressions. Do not let the foolish one make me an object of contempt.
39.9 I remained speechless; I could not open my mouth, Because this was your doing.
39.10 Remove your plague from me. I am worn down because your hand strikes me.
39.11 You correct man with punishment for his error; You consume the things he treasures just as a moth does. Surely every man is but a mere breath.
(Selah)
39.12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, Listen to my cry for help. Do not ignore my tears. For I am but a foreign resident to you, A traveler passing through, just like all my forefathers.
39.13 Turn your harsh gaze away from me so that I may cheer up Before I pass away and I am gone.”
Psalm 40
To the director. Of David. A melody.
40.1 I earnestly hoped in Jehovah, And he inclined his ear to me and heard my cry for help.
40.2 He brought me up out of a roaring pit, Out of the slimy mire. And he set my feet upon a crag; He made my footing secure.
40.3 Then he put a new song in my mouth, Praise to our God. Many will look on in awe And put their trust in Jehovah.
40.4 Happy is the man who trusts in Jehovah And who does not look to the defiant or to those who are false.
40.5 How many things you have done, O Jehovah my God, Your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us. None can compare to you; If I were to try to tell and speak of them, They would be too numerous to recount!
40.6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, But you opened up my ears to hear. You did not ask for burnt offerings and sin offerings.
40.7 Then I said: “Look, I have come. In the scroll it is written about me.
40.8 To do your will, O my God, is my delight, And your law is deep within me.
40.9 I proclaim the good news of righteousness in the great congregation. Look! I do not restrain my lips, O Jehovah, as you well know.
40.10 I do not cover over your righteousness in my heart. I declare your faithfulness and salvation. I do not hide your loyal love and your truth in the great congregation.”
40.11 O Jehovah, do not withhold your mercy from me. May your loyal love and your truth constantly safeguard me.
40.12 The calamities surrounding me are too many to count. So many of my errors overwhelm me that I cannot see my way; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And I have lost heart.
40.13 Please be willing, O Jehovah, to save me. O Jehovah, hurry to help me.
40.14 May all those seeking to take my life Be put to shame and disgraced. May those who delight in my calamity Retreat in humiliation.
40.15 May those who are saying to me: “Aha! Aha!” Be appalled because of their own shame.
40.16 But let those seeking you Exult and rejoice in you. May those who love your acts of salvation always say: “May Jehovah be magnified.”
40.17 But I am helpless and poor; May Jehovah pay attention to me. You are my helper and my rescuer; My God, do not delay.
Psalm 41
To the director. A melody of David.
41.1 Happy is anyone who shows consideration to the lowly one; Jehovah will rescue him in the day of calamity.
41.2 Jehovah will guard him and keep him alive. He will be pronounced happy in the earth; You will never turn him over to the will of his enemies.
41.3 Jehovah will sustain him on his sickbed; During his sickness you will completely change his bed.
41.4 For I said: “O Jehovah, show me favor. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
41.5 But my enemies speak evil about me: “When will he die and his name perish?”
41.6 If one of them comes to see me, his heart speaks falsely. He gathers something harmful to say; Then he goes out and spreads it abroad.
41.7 All those who hate me whisper to one another; They are scheming something bad against me:
41.8 “A dreadful thing has overtaken him; Now that he is down, he will not rise again.”
41.9 Even the man at peace with me, one whom I trusted, Who was eating my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
41.10 But you, O Jehovah, show me favor and raise me up, So that I may repay them.
41.11 By this I will know that you are pleased with me: When my enemy cannot shout in triumph over me.
41.12 As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; You will keep me in your presence forever.
41.13 May Jehovah, the God of Israel, be praised Throughout all eternity. Amen and Amen.