Psalms Book Two (42 through 72)
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 42
To the director. Maskil of the sons of Korah.
42.1 As a deer that longs for streams of water, So I long for you, O God.
42.2 I do thirst for God, for the living God. When may I come and appear before God?
42.3 My tears are my food day and night; All day long people taunt me: “Where is your God?”
42.4 These things I remember, and I pour out my soul, For I once walked along with the multitude; I used to walk solemnly before them to the house of God, With sounds of rejoicing and thanksgiving, Those of a crowd celebrating a festival.
42.5 Why am I in despair? Why is this turmoil within me? Wait for God, For I will yet praise him as my Grand Savior.
42.6 My God, I am in despair. That is why I remember you, From the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, From Mount Mizar.
42.7 Deep waters call to deep waters At the sound of your waterfalls. All your surging waves have overwhelmed me.
42.8 By day Jehovah will grant me his loyal love, And by night his song will be with me—a prayer to the God of my life.
42.9 I will say to God, my crag: “Why have you forgotten me? Why should I walk about sad because of the oppression by my enemy?”
42.10 With murderous hostility my enemies taunt me; All day long they taunt me: “Where is your God?”
42.11 Why am I in despair? Why is this turmoil within me? Wait for God, For I will yet praise him as my Grand Savior and my God.
Psalm 43
43.1 Judge me, O God, Defend my legal case against a disloyal nation. Rescue me from the man of deception and unrighteousness.
43.2 For you are my God, my fortress. Why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about sad because of the oppression by my enemy?
43.3 Send out your light and your truth. May these lead me; May they guide me to your holy mountain and to your grand tabernacle.
43.4 Then I will come to the altar of God, To God, my exceeding joy. And I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
43.5 Why am I in despair? Why is this turmoil within me? Wait for God, For I will yet praise him as my Grand Savior and my God.
Psalm 44
To the director. Of the sons of Korah. Maskil.
44.1 O God, we have heard with our own ears, Our forefathers have recounted to us, The deeds you accomplished in their days, In the days of long ago.
44.2 With your hand you drove away nations And settled our forefathers there. You crushed nations and drove them out.
44.3 It was not by their own sword that they took possession of the land, And their own arm did not bring them victory. Rather, it was by your right hand and your arm and the light of your face, For you took pleasure in them.
44.4 You are my King, O God; Command complete victory for Jacob.
44.5 By your power we will drive back our adversaries; In your name we will trample down those who rise up against us.
44.6 For I do not trust in my bow, And my sword cannot save me.
44.7 It was you who saved us from our adversaries, You who humiliated those who hate us.
44.8 To God we will offer praise all day long, And we will give thanks to your name forever.
(Selah)
44.9 But now you have cast us off and humiliated us, And you do not go out with our armies.
44.10 You keep making us retreat from our adversary; Those who hate us take whatever they want.
44.11 You hand us over to be devoured like sheep; You have scattered us among the nations.
44.12 You sell your people for next to nothing; You make no profit from the sale.
44.13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors, An object of ridicule and jeering to those all around us.
44.14 You make us an object of scorn among the nations, Something for the peoples to shake their heads at.
44.15 I feel humiliated all day long, And I am overwhelmed by my shame,
44.16 On account of the sound of their taunts and insults, Because of our enemy who is taking revenge.
44.17 All of this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten you, And we have not violated your covenant.
44.18 Our heart has not deviated; Our footsteps do not stray from your path.
44.19 But you have crushed us where the jackals dwell; You have covered us with deep shadow.
44.20 If we have forgotten the name of our God Or if we spread out our hands in prayer to a foreign god,
44.21 Will not God discover this? He is aware of the secrets of the heart.
44.22 For your sake we are being put to death all day long; We have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.
44.23 Rouse yourself. Why do you keep sleeping, O Jehovah? Awake! Do not keep casting us off forever.
44.24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and our oppression?
44.25 For we have been brought down to the dust; Our bodies are pressed to the ground.
44.26 Rise up as our helper! Rescue us because of your loyal love.
Psalm 45
To the director; set to “The Lilies.” Of the sons of Korah. Maskil. A song of love.
45.1 My heart is stirred by something good. I say: “My song is about a king.” May my tongue be the stylus of a skilled copyist.
45.2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men. Gracious speech flows from your lips. That is why God has blessed you forever.
45.3 Strap your sword on your side, O mighty one, In your dignity and your splendor.
45.4 And in your splendor go on to victory; Ride in the cause of truth and humility and righteousness, And your right hand will accomplish awe-inspiring things.
45.5 Your arrows are sharp, making peoples fall before you; They pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies.
45.6 God is your throne forever and ever; The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.
45.7 You loved righteousness, and you hated wickedness. That is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your companions.
45.8 All your garments are scented with myrrh and aloeswood and cassia; From the grand ivory palace, stringed instruments make you rejoice.
45.9 The daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor. The royal consort has taken her stand at your right hand, adorned in gold of Ophir.
45.10 Listen, O daughter, pay attention and incline your ear; Forget your people and your father’s house.
45.11 And the king will long for your beauty, For he is your lord, So bow down to him.
45.12 The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The wealthiest of men will seek your favor.
45.13 Inside the palace the king’s daughter is absolutely magnificent; Her clothing is adorned with gold.
45.14 She will be brought to the king in richly woven garments. The virgin companions following her are brought in before you.
45.15 They will be brought with rejoicing and joy; They will enter into the king’s palace.
45.16 Your sons will take the place of your forefathers. You will appoint them as princes in all the earth.
45.17 I will make your name known throughout all generations to come. That is why peoples will praise you forever and ever.
Psalm 46
To the director. Of the sons of Korah. According to the Alamoth style. A song.
46.1 God is our refuge and strength, A help that is readily found in times of distress.
46.2 That is why we will not fear, though the earth undergoes change, Though the mountains topple into the depths of the sea,
46.3 Though its waters roar and foam over, Though the mountains rock on account of its turbulence.
(Selah)
46.4 There is a river the streams of which make the city of God rejoice, The holy grand tabernacle of the Most High.
46.5 God is in the city; it cannot be overthrown. God will come to its aid at the break of dawn.
46.6 The nations were in an uproar, the kingdoms were overthrown; He raised his voice, and the earth melted.
46.7 Jehovah of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is our secure refuge.
(Selah)
46.8 Come and witness the activities of Jehovah, How he has done astonishing things on the earth.
46.9 He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the military wagons with fire.
46.10 “Give in and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
46.11 Jehovah of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is a secure refuge for us.
(Selah)
Psalm 47
To the director. Of the sons of Korah. A melody.
47.1 All you peoples, clap your hands. Shout in triumph to God with joyful cries.
47.2 For Jehovah the Most High is awe-inspiring; He is the great King over all the earth.
47.3 He subdues peoples under us; He puts nations under our feet.
47.4 He chooses our inheritance for us, The pride of Jacob, whom he loves.
(Selah)
47.5 God has ascended amid joyful shouting; Jehovah, amid the sound of the horn.
47.6 Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
47.7 For God is King of all the earth; Sing praises, and show insight.
47.8 God has become King over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
47.9 The leaders of the peoples have gathered together With the people of the God of Abraham. For the rulers of the earth belong to God. He is highly exalted.
Psalm 48
A song. A melody of the sons of Korah.
48.1 Jehovah is great and most worthy of praise In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
48.2 Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the Grand King.
48.3 In her fortified towers, God has made known that he is a secure refuge.
48.4 For look! kings have assembled; Together they have advanced.
48.5 When they saw it, they were amazed. They panicked and fled in terror.
48.6 Trembling seized them there, Anguish like that of a woman giving birth.
48.7 With an east wind you wreck the ships of Tarshish.
48.8 What we heard about, we have now seen for ourselves In the city of Jehovah of armies, in the city of our God. God will firmly establish it forever.
(Selah)
48.9 We ponder your loyal love, O God, Within your temple.
48.10 Like your name, O God, your praise Reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
48.11 May Mount Zion rejoice, May the towns of Judah be joyful, because of your judgments.
48.12 March around Zion; go all around it; Count its towers.
48.13 Set your hearts upon its ramparts. Inspect its fortified towers, So that you may tell about it to future generations.
48.14 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will guide us forevermore.
Psalm 49
To the director. Of the sons of Korah. A melody.
49.1 Hear this, all you peoples. Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world,
49.2 Both small and great, Rich and poor alike.
49.3 My own mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will show understanding.
49.4 I will pay attention to a proverb; I will expound my riddle with the harp.
49.5 Why should I fear during times of trouble, When I am surrounded by the evil of those trying to overthrow me?
49.6 Those who are trusting in their wealth And who boast about their great riches,
49.7 None of them can ever redeem a brother Or give to God a ransom for him,
49.8 (The ransom price for their life is so precious That it is always beyond their reach);
49.9 That he should live forever and not see the pit.
49.10 He sees that even wise people die; The stupid and the unreasoning perish together, And they must leave their wealth to others.
49.11 Their inner wish is that their houses will last forever, Their tents to generation after generation. They have named their estates after themselves.
49.12 But man, although honored, will not remain; He is no better than the beasts that perish.
49.13 This is the way of the stupid ones And of those who follow them, who take pleasure in their empty words.
(Selah)
49.14 They are assigned like sheep to the Grave. Death will shepherd them; The upright will rule over them in the morning. Every trace of them will fade away; The Grave rather than a palace will be their home.
49.15 But God will redeem me from the power of the Grave, For he will take hold of me.
(Selah)
49.16 Do not be afraid because a man becomes rich, Because the splendor of his house increases,
49.17 For when he dies he can take nothing with him; His splendor will not go down with him.
49.18 For during his lifetime he congratulates himself. (People praise you when you prosper.)
49.19 But he finally joins the generation of his forefathers. They will never again see the light.
49.20 A man who does not understand this, although honored, Is no better than the beasts that perish.
Psalm 50
A melody of Asaph.
50.1 The God of gods, Jehovah, has spoken; He summons the earth From the rising of the sun until its setting.
50.2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
50.3 Our God will come and cannot remain silent. Before him is a consuming fire, And a great storm rages all around him.
50.4 He summons the heavens above and the earth, So as to judge his people:
50.5 “Gather to me my loyal ones, Those making a covenant with me over sacrifice.”
50.6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, For God himself is Judge.
(Selah)
50.7 “Listen, O my people, and I will speak; Israel, I will bear witness against you. I am God, your God.
50.8 I do not reprove you because of your sacrifices, Nor because of your whole burnt offerings that are constantly before me.
50.9 I do not need to take a bull from your house, Nor goats from your pens.
50.10 For every wild animal of the forest is mine, Even the beasts upon a thousand mountains.
50.11 I know every bird of the mountains; The countless animals of the field are mine.
50.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, For the productive land and everything in it is mine.
50.13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls And drink the blood of goats?
50.14 Offer thanksgiving as your sacrifice to God, And pay your vows to the Most High;
50.15 Call on me in the time of distress. I will rescue you, and you will glorify me.”
50.16 But God will say to the wicked: “What right do you have to relate my regulations Or to speak about my covenant?
50.17 For you hate discipline, And you keep turning your back on my words.
50.18 When you see a thief, you approve of him, And you keep company with adulterers.
50.19 You use your mouth to spread what is bad, And deception is attached to your tongue.
50.20 You sit and speak against your own brother; You reveal the faults of your own mother’s son.
50.21 When you did these things, I remained silent, So you thought that I would be just like you. But now I will reprove you, And I will state my case against you.
50.22 Please consider this, you who forget God, So that I may not tear you to pieces with no one to rescue you.
50.23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me, And as for the one who follows a set course, I will cause him to see salvation by God.”
Psalm 51
To the director. A melody of David, when Nathan the prophet came in to him after David had relations with Bath-sheba.
51.1 Show me favor, O God, according to your loyal love. Blot out my transgressions according to your great mercy.
51.2 Thoroughly wash me from my error, And cleanse me from my sin.
51.3 For I am well-aware of my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
51.4 Against you—you above all—I have sinned; What is bad in your eyes I have done. Therefore, you are righteous when you speak, You are right in your judgment.
51.5 Look! I was born guilty of error, And my mother conceived me in sin.
51.6 Look! You find pleasure in truth in the inner person; Teach my innermost self true wisdom.
51.7 Purify me from my sin with hyssop, so that I will be clean; Wash me, so that I will be whiter than snow.
51.8 Let me hear sounds of joy and rejoicing, So that the bones you crushed will rejoice.
51.9 Turn your face away from my sins, And wipe away all my errors.
51.10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, And put within me a new spirit, a steadfast one.
51.11 Do not cast me out from your presence; And do not take your holy spirit away from me.
51.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation; Stir within me a willingness to obey you.
51.13 I will teach transgressors your ways, So that sinners will return to you.
51.14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, So that my tongue may joyfully declare your righteousness.
51.15 O Jehovah, open my lips, So that my mouth may declare your praise.
51.16 For you do not want a sacrifice—otherwise I would give it; You do not find delight in a whole burnt offering.
51.17 The sacrifices pleasing to God are a broken spirit; A heart broken and crushed, O God, you will not reject.
51.18 In your goodwill do what is good for Zion; Build up the walls of Jerusalem.
51.19 Then you will take delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, The burnt sacrifices and the whole offerings; Then bulls will be offered up on your altar.
Psalm 52
To the director. Maskil. Of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul that David had come to the house of Ahimelech.
52.1 Why do you boast about your evil acts, you mighty one? The loyal love of God lasts all day long.
52.2 Your tongue, as sharp as a razor, Schemes harm and works deceitfully.
52.3 You love evil more than what is good, Lying more than speaking what is right.
(Selah)
52.4 You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!
52.5 That is why God will pull you down once and for all; He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living.
(Selah)
52.6 The righteous ones will see it and be filled with awe, And they will laugh at him.
52.7 “Here is a man who did not make God his refuge, But he trusted in his great riches And relied on his own evil plots.”
52.8 But I will be like a luxuriant olive tree in God’s house; My trust is in God’s loyal love, forever and ever.
52.9 I will praise you forever because you have taken action; In the presence of your loyal ones, I will hope in your name, for it is good.
Psalm 53
To the director; in the style of Mahalath. Maskil. Of David.
53.1 The foolish one says in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.” Their unrighteous actions are corrupt and detestable; No one is doing good.
53.2 But God looks down from heaven on the sons of men To see whether anyone has insight, whether anyone is seeking Jehovah.
53.3 They have all turned away; They are all alike corrupt. No one is doing good, Not even one.
53.4 Do none of the wrongdoers understand? They devour my people as if they were eating bread. They do not call on Jehovah.
53.5 But they will be filled with great terror, Terror they have never felt before, For God will scatter the bones of those attacking you. You will put them to shame, for Jehovah has rejected them.
53.6 O that Israel’s salvation may come from Zion! When Jehovah gathers back his captive people, Let Jacob be joyful, let Israel rejoice.
Psalm 54
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Maskil. Of David, when the Ziphites came in and said to Saul: “David is hiding among us.”
54.1 O God, save me by your name, And defend me with your power.
54.2 O God, hear my prayer; Pay attention to the words of my mouth.
54.3 For strangers rise up against me, And ruthless men seek my life. They have no regard for God.
(Selah)
54.4 Look! God is my helper; Jehovah is with those supporting me.
54.5 He will repay my foes with their own evil; In your faithfulness, put an end to them.
54.6 I will sacrifice to you willingly. I will praise your name, O Jehovah, for it is good.
54.7 For he saves me from every distress, And I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 55
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Maskil. Of David.
55.1 Listen to my prayer, O God, And do not ignore my request for mercy.
55.2 Do pay attention to me and answer me. My concern makes me restless, And I am distraught
55.3 Because of what the enemy is saying And the pressure from the wicked one. For they heap trouble upon me, And in anger they harbor animosity against me.
55.4 My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death overwhelm me.
55.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, And shuddering grips me.
55.6 I keep saying: “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and reside in safety.
55.7 Look! I would flee far away. I would lodge in the wilderness.
(Selah)
55.8 I would hurry to a place of shelter Away from the raging wind, away from the storm.”
55.9 Confuse them, O Jehovah, and frustrate their plans, For I have seen violence and conflict in the city.
55.10 Day and night they walk around on its walls; Within it are malice and trouble.
55.11 Ruin is in its midst; Oppression and deception never depart from its public square.
55.12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me; Otherwise I could put up with it. It is not a foe who has risen up against me; Otherwise I could conceal myself from him.
55.13 But it is you, a man like me, My own companion whom I know well.
55.14 We used to enjoy a warm friendship together; Into the house of God we used to walk along with the multitude.
55.15 May destruction overtake them! Let them go down alive into the Grave; For evil resides among them and within them.
55.16 As for me, I will call out to God, And Jehovah will save me.
55.17 Evening and morning and noontime, I am troubled and I groan, And he hears my voice.
55.18 He will rescue me and give me peace from those fighting against me, For multitudes come against me.
55.19 God will hear and respond to them, The one who sits enthroned from of old.
(Selah)
They will refuse to change, Those who have not feared God.
55.20 He attacked those at peace with him; He violated his covenant.
55.21 His words are smoother than butter, But conflict is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, But they are drawn swords.
55.22 Throw your burden on Jehovah, And he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.
55.23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the deepest pit. Those bloodguilty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56
To the director; set to “The Silent Dove That Is Far Away.” Of David. Miktam. When the Philistines captured him in Gath.
56.1 Show me favor, O God, because mortal man is attacking me. All day long they keep fighting and oppressing me.
56.2 My foes keep snapping at me all day long; Many arrogantly fight against me.
56.3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
56.4 In God—whose word I praise— In God I put my trust; I am not afraid. What can mere man do to me?
56.5 All day long they hurt my interests; Their only thought is to harm me.
56.6 They conceal themselves to attack; They watch my every step, Hoping to take away my life.
56.7 Reject them because of their wickedness. Bring down the nations in your anger, O God.
56.8 You keep track of my wandering. Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?
56.9 My enemies will retreat on the day that I call for help. Of this I am confident: God is on my side.
56.10 In God—whose word I praise— In Jehovah—whose word I praise—
56.11 In God I put my trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere human do to me?
56.12 I am bound by my vows to you, O God; I will offer you expressions of thanksgiving.
56.13 For you have rescued me from death And prevented my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
Psalm 57
To the director; set to “Do Not Bring to Ruin.” Of David. Miktam. When he ran away from Saul into the cave.
57.1 Show me favor, O God, show me favor, For I take refuge in you, And in the shadow of your wings I take refuge until the troubles pass.
57.2 I call to God the Most High, To the true God, who brings them to an end for me.
57.3 He will send help from heaven and save me. He will frustrate the one snapping at me.
(Selah)
God will send his loyal love and his faithfulness.
57.4 I am surrounded by lions; I must lie among men who want to devour me, Whose teeth are spears and arrows And whose tongue is a sharp sword.
57.5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; May your glory be over all the earth.
57.6 They have prepared a net to ensnare my feet; I am bowed down with distress. They have dug a pit ahead of me, But they fell into it themselves.
(Selah)
57.7 My heart is steadfast, O God, My heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.
57.8 Do awake, my glory. Do awake, O stringed instrument; you too, O harp. I will awaken the dawn.
57.9 I will praise you among the peoples, O Jehovah; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
57.10 For your loyal love is great, as high as the heavens, And your faithfulness, up to the skies.
57.11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; May your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 58
To the director; set to “Do Not Bring to Ruin.” Of David. Miktam.
58.1 Can you speak about righteousness when you are silent? Can you judge in uprightness, you sons of men?
58.2 Instead, you devise unrighteousness in your heart, And your hands dispense violence in the land.
58.3 The wicked go astray from birth; They are wayward, liars from the time they are born.
58.4 Their venom is like the venom of serpents; They are deaf like the cobra that stops up its ear.
58.5 It will not listen to the voice of charmers, No matter how skillful their spells.
58.6 O God, knock the teeth out of their mouth! Break the jaws of these lions, O Jehovah!
58.7 May they disappear like waters that drain away. May He bend his bow and make them fall by his arrows.
58.8 May they be like a snail that melts away as it moves along; Like a woman’s stillborn child who never sees the sun.
58.9 Before your cooking pots feel the heat of the bramble, He will sweep away both the moist and the burning twig, as in a storm wind.
58.10 The righteous one will rejoice because he has seen the vengeance; His feet will be drenched with the blood of the wicked.
58.11 Then men will say: “Surely there is a reward for the righteous. There is indeed a God who judges in the earth.”
Psalm 59
To the director; set to “Do Not Bring to Ruin.” Of David. Miktam. When Saul sent men to watch David’s house to put him to death.
59.1 Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; Protect me from those rising up against me.
59.2 Rescue me from those who act wickedly, And save me from violent men.
59.3 Look! They wait to ambush me; Strong men attack me But not because I have revolted or sinned, O Jehovah.
59.4 Though I did no wrong, they run and prepare to attack. Do arise at my calling and see.
59.5 For you, O Jehovah God of armies, are the God of Israel. Awake to turn your attention to all the nations. Do not show mercy to any malicious traitors.
(Selah)
59.6 They return each evening; They growl like dogs and prowl around the city.
59.7 Look what pours forth from their mouth; Their lips are like swords, For they say: “Who is listening?”
59.8 But you, O Jehovah, will laugh at them; You will scoff at all the nations.
59.9 O my Strength, I will keep watch for you; For God is my secure refuge.
59.10 The God who shows loyal love to me will come to my aid; God will cause me to look in triumph on my foes.
59.11 Do not kill them, so that my people may not forget. By your power make them wander about; Cause their downfall, O Jehovah, our shield.
59.12 For the sin of their mouth, the word of their lips, May they be trapped by their pride, Because of the cursing and deception that they speak.
59.13 Finish them off in your wrath; Finish them off, so that they are no more; Make them know that God is ruling in Jacob and to the ends of the earth.
(Selah)
59.14 Let them return in the evening; Let them growl like dogs and prowl around the city.
59.15 Let them wander about for something to eat; Do not let them be satisfied or find a lodging place.
59.16 But as for me, I will sing about your strength; In the morning I will joyfully tell about your loyal love. For you are my secure refuge And a place for me to flee in my time of distress.
59.17 O my Strength, to you I will sing praises, For God is my secure refuge, the God who shows loyal love to me.
Psalm 60
To the director; set to “The Lily of Reminder.” Miktam. Of David. For teaching. When he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-Zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
60.1 O God, you rejected us; you broke through our defenses. You were angry with us; but now accept us back!
60.2 You caused the earth to quake; you split it open. Repair its breaches, for it is falling.
60.3 You caused your people to suffer hardship. You made us drink wine that makes us stagger.
60.4 Give a signal to those fearing you To flee and dodge the bow.
(Selah)
60.5 So that your loved ones may be rescued, Save us with your right hand and answer us.
60.6 God has spoken in his holiness: “I will exult, I will give out Shechem as an inheritance, And I will measure off the Valley of Succoth.
60.7 Gilead belongs to me, as does Manasseh, And Ephraim is the helmet for my head; Judah is my commander’s staff.
60.8 Moab is my washbasin. Over Edom I will throw my sandal. Over Philistia I will shout in triumph.”
60.9 Who will bring me to the besieged city? Who will lead me as far as Edom?
60.10 Is it not you, O God, who have rejected us, Our God, who no longer goes out with our armies?
60.11 Help us in our distress, For salvation by humans is worthless.
60.12 By God we will gain power, And he will trample on our adversaries.
Psalm 61
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Of David.
61.1 Hear, O God, my cry for help. Do pay attention to my prayer.
61.2 From the ends of the earth I will cry out to you When my heart is in despair. Lead me onto a rock that is higher than I am.
61.3 For you are my refuge, A strong tower that protects me from the enemy.
61.4 I will be a guest in your tent forever; I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
(Selah)
61.5 For you, O God, have heard my vows. You have given me the inheritance belonging to those who fear your name.
61.6 You will add days to the life of the king, And his years will be from generation to generation.
61.7 He will sit enthroned forever before God; Grant him loyal love and faithfulness, so that these may safeguard him.
61.8 Then I will sing praises to your name forever As I pay my vows day after day.
Psalm 62
To the director; of Jeduthun. A melody of David.
62.1 Indeed, I wait silently for God. My salvation comes from him.
62.2 Indeed, he is my rock and my salvation, my secure refuge; I will never be greatly shaken.
62.3 How long will you assault a man in order to murder him? All of you are as dangerous as a leaning wall, a stone wall ready to collapse.
62.4 For they consult together to topple him from his high position; They take pleasure in lying. With their mouth they bless, but inside they are cursing.
(Selah)
62.5 Indeed, I wait silently for God Because my hope comes from him.
62.6 Indeed, he is my rock and my salvation, my secure refuge; I will never be shaken.
62.7 Upon God depends my salvation and my glory. My strong rock, my refuge, is God.
62.8 Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.
(Selah)
62.9 The sons of men are a mere breath, The sons of mankind are a delusion. When laid together on the scales, they are lighter than a mere breath.
62.10 Do not trust in extortion Or put false hopes in robbery. If your wealth increases, do not set your heart on it.
62.11 Once God has spoken, twice I have heard this: That strength belongs to God.
62.12 Also loyal love is yours, O Jehovah, For you repay each one according to his deeds.
Psalm 63
A melody of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
63.1 O God, you are my God, I keep looking for you. I do thirst for you. I am faint with longing for you In a dry and parched land, where there is no water.
63.2 So I have looked upon you in the holy place; I have seen your strength and your glory.
63.3 Because your loyal love is better than life, My own lips will glorify you.
63.4 Thus I will praise you all my life; In your name I will lift up my hands.
63.5 I am satisfied with the best and choicest portion, So my mouth will praise you with joy on my lips.
63.6 I remember you while upon my bed; I meditate on you during the watches of the night.
63.7 For you are my helper, And I shout joyfully in the shadow of your wings.
63.8 I cling to you; Your right hand keeps fast hold on me.
63.9 But those who seek to destroy my life Will descend into the depths of the earth.
63.10 They will be handed over to the power of the sword; They will become food for jackals.
63.11 But the king will rejoice in God. Every person swearing by Him will exult, For the mouth of those speaking lies will be silenced.
Psalm 64
To the director. A melody of David.
64.1 Hear my voice, O God, as I plead. Safeguard my life from the dreadfulness of the enemy.
64.2 Shield me from the secret plots of wicked men, From the crowd of wrongdoers.
64.3 They sharpen their tongue just like a sword; They aim their cruel words like arrows,
64.4 To shoot at the innocent from their hiding places; They shoot at him suddenly, without fear.
64.5 They hold fast to their evil intent; They discuss how to hide their traps. They say: “Who will see them?”
64.6 They search out new ways of wrongdoing; They secretly devise their shrewd strategy; The thinking within each one’s heart is unfathomable.
64.7 But God will shoot at them; Suddenly they will be wounded by an arrow.
64.8 Their own tongue will cause their downfall; All those looking on will shake their head.
64.9 Then all men will become afraid, And they will proclaim what God has done, And they will have insight into his deeds.
64.10 The righteous one will rejoice in Jehovah and take refuge in him; All the upright in heart will exult.
Psalm 65
To the director. A melody of David. A song.
65.1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; We will pay our vows to you.
65.2 O Hearer of prayer, to you people of all sorts will come.
65.3 My errors have overwhelmed me, But you cover over our transgressions.
65.4 Happy is the one whom you choose and bring near To reside in your courtyards. We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, Your holy temple.
65.5 You will answer us with awe-inspiring deeds of righteousness, O God of our salvation; You are the Confidence of all the ends of the earth And of those distant across the sea.
65.6 You firmly established the mountains by your power; You are clothed with mightiness.
65.7 You calm the raging seas, The crash of their waves and the turmoil of the nations.
65.8 The inhabitants of remote places will be awestruck by your signs; You will cause those from the sunrise to the sunset to shout joyfully.
65.9 You care for the earth, Making it abundantly fruitful and very rich. The stream from God is full of water; You provide grain for them, For that is how you prepared the earth.
65.10 You drench its furrows and level off its plowed soil; You soften it with showers of rain; you bless its growth.
65.11 You crown the year with your goodness; Your tracks overflow with abundance.
65.12 The pastures of the wilderness keep overflowing, And the hills are clothed with joyfulness.
65.13 The pastures are covered with flocks, And the valleys are carpeted with grain. They shout in triumph, yes, they sing.
Psalm 66
To the director. A song. A melody.
66.1 Shout in triumph to God, all the earth.
66.2 Sing praises to his glorious name. Make his praise glorious.
66.3 Say to God: “How awe-inspiring your works are! Because of your great power, Your enemies will cringe before you.
66.4 All the earth will bow down to you; They will sing praises to you; They will sing praises to your name.”
(Selah)
66.5 Come and see the works of God. His deeds toward the sons of men are awe-inspiring.
66.6 He changed the sea into dry land; They crossed the river on foot. There we rejoiced in him.
66.7 He rules forever by his might. His eyes keep watch on the nations. Those who are stubborn should not exalt themselves.
(Selah)
66.8 Praise our God, you peoples, And let the sound of his praise be heard.
66.9 He preserves us alive; He does not allow our feet to stumble.
66.10 For you have examined us, O God; As silver is refined, so you have refined us.
66.11 You brought us into a hunting net; You put a crushing burden upon us.
66.12 You allowed mortal man to ride over us; We came through fire and through water; Then you brought us to a place of relief.
66.13 I will come into your house with whole burnt offerings; I will pay my vows to you
66.14 That my lips promised And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
66.15 I will offer burnt offerings of fattened animals to you With the smoke of sacrificial rams. I will offer bulls along with male goats.
(Selah)
66.16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, And I will tell you what he has done for me.
66.17 I called to him with my mouth And glorified him with my tongue.
66.18 If I had harbored anything hurtful in my heart, Jehovah would not have heard me.
66.19 But God did hear; He paid attention to my prayer.
66.20 Praise to God, who did not reject my prayer Or withhold his loyal love from me.
Psalm 67
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. A melody. A song.
67.1 God will show us favor and bless us; He will make his face shine upon us
(Selah)
67.2 So that your way may be known throughout the earth, Your acts of salvation among all the nations.
67.3 Let peoples praise you, O God; Let all the peoples praise you.
67.4 Let nations rejoice and shout joyfully, For you will judge the peoples fairly. You will guide the nations of the earth.
(Selah)
67.5 Let peoples praise you, O God; Let all the peoples praise you.
67.6 The earth will give its produce; God, our God, will bless us.
67.7 God will bless us, And all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Psalm 68
To the director. Of David. A melody. A song.
68.1 Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered, And let those who hate him flee from before him.
68.2 As smoke is driven away, may you drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish before God.
68.3 But let the righteous rejoice; May they be overjoyed before God; May they exult with rejoicing.
68.4 Sing to God; sing praises to his name. Sing to the One riding through the desert plains. Jah is his name! Rejoice before him!
68.5 A father of the fatherless and a protector of widows Is God in his holy dwelling.
68.6 God gives those who are alone a home to dwell in; He leads prisoners out into prosperity. But the stubborn must live in a parched land.
68.7 O God, when you led your people, When you marched through the desert,
(Selah)
68.8 The earth quaked; Heaven poured down rain because of God; This Sinai quaked because of God, the God of Israel.
68.9 You made it rain in abundance, O God; You reinvigorated your exhausted people.
68.10 They dwelled in your tent community; In your goodness, you provided for the poor, O God.
68.11 Jehovah gives the command; The women proclaiming the good news are a large army.
68.12 The kings of armies flee, they flee! She who remains at home shares in the spoil.
68.13 Although you men were lying among the campfires, There will be the wings of a dove covered with silver, With pinions of fine gold.
68.14 When the Almighty One scattered its kings, Snow fell in Zalmon.
68.15 The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of God; The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of peaks.
68.16 Why do you look with envy, you mountains of peaks, Toward the mountain that God has chosen as his dwelling? Indeed, Jehovah will reside there forever.
68.17 The war chariots of God are tens of thousands, thousands upon thousands. Jehovah has come from Sinai into the holy place.
68.18 You ascended on high; You carried away captives; You took gifts in the form of men, Yes, even stubborn ones, to reside among them, O Jah God.
68.19 May Jehovah be praised, who daily carries our load, The true God of our salvation.
(Selah)
68.20 The true God is for us a God who saves; And Jehovah the Sovereign Lord provides escape from death.
68.21 Yes, God will smash the heads of his enemies, The hairy crown of the head of anyone who continues in his guilt.
68.22 Jehovah has said: “I will bring them back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
68.23 So that your foot may be awash in blood And the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from the enemies.”
68.24 They see your processions, O God, The processions of my God, my King, into the holy place.
68.25 The singers walk in front, the musicians playing stringed instruments after them; In between are the young women playing tambourines.
68.26 In congregated throngs, praise God; Praise Jehovah, you who are from the Source of Israel.
68.27 There Benjamin, the youngest, is subduing them, Also the princes of Judah with their noisy crowd, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
68.28 Your God has decreed that you will be strong. Show your strength, O God, you who have acted in our behalf.
68.29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring gifts to you.
68.30 Rebuke the wild beasts of the reeds, The assembly of bulls and their calves, Until the peoples bow down bringing pieces of silver. But he scatters the peoples who delight in war.
68.31 Bronze articles will be brought out of Egypt; Cush will hasten to offer gifts to God.
68.32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, Sing praises to Jehovah,
(Selah)
68.33 To the one who rides the ancient heaven of heavens. Look! He thunders with his voice, his mighty voice.
68.34 Acknowledge God’s strength. His majesty is over Israel, And his strength is in the skies.
68.35 God is awe-inspiring from his grand sanctuary. He is the God of Israel, Who gives strength and power to the people. Praise to God.
Psalm 69
To the director; set to “The Lilies.” Of David.
69.1 Save me, O God, for the waters threaten my life.
69.2 I have sunk down into the deep mud, where there is no solid ground. I have come into deep waters, And the rushing stream has swept me away.
69.3 I am exhausted from calling out; My throat has become hoarse. My eyes have grown weary while waiting for my God.
69.4 Those hating me without cause Are more numerous than the hairs of my head. Those who would do away with me, My treacherous enemies, have become many. I was forced to hand over what I had not stolen.
69.5 O God, you are aware of my foolishness, And my guilt is not hidden from you.
69.6 May those hoping in you not be put to shame because of me, O Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies. May those seeking you not be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel.
69.7 I suffer reproach on your account; Humiliation covers my face.
69.8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, A foreigner to the sons of my mother.
69.9 Zeal for your house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those reproaching you have fallen upon me.
69.10 When I humbled myself with fasting, I was reproached for it.
69.11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became an object of scorn to them.
69.12 I am the talk of those sitting in the city gate, And the drunkards make me the subject of their songs.
69.13 But may my prayer come to you, O Jehovah, at an acceptable time. In your abundant loyal love, O God, Answer me with your sure acts of salvation.
69.14 Rescue me from the mire; Do not let me sink down. Rescue me from those who hate me And from the deep waters.
69.15 Do not let the rushing floodwaters sweep me away, Or let the deep swallow me, Or let the well close its mouth over me.
69.16 Answer me, O Jehovah, for your loyal love is good. According to your abundant mercy turn toward me,
69.17 And do not hide your face from your servant. Answer me quickly, for I am in distress.
69.18 Come near to me and rescue me; Redeem me on account of my enemies.
69.19 You know my reproach and my disgrace and my humiliation. You see all my foes.
69.20 Reproach has broken my heart, and the wound is incurable. I was hoping for sympathy, but there was none, And for comforters, but I found none.
69.21 But for food they gave me poison, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
69.22 Let their table become a trap for them, And their prosperity, a snare.
69.23 Let their eyes become darkened so that they cannot see, And make their hips tremble constantly.
69.24 Pour out upon them your indignation, And may your burning anger overtake them.
69.25 Let their encampment become desolate; Let there be no inhabitant in their tents.
69.26 For they pursue the one whom you struck, And they keep recounting the pains of those you wounded.
69.27 Add more guilt to their guilt, And may they have no share in your righteousness.
69.28 Let them be erased from the book of the living, And may they not be enrolled among the righteous.
69.29 But I am afflicted and in pain. May your saving power, O God, protect me.
69.30 I will sing praises to the name of God, And I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
69.31 This will please Jehovah more than a bull, More than a young bull with horns and hooves.
69.32 The meek will see it and rejoice. You who are seeking God, may your hearts revive.
69.33 For Jehovah is listening to the poor, And he will not despise his captive people.
69.34 Let heaven and earth praise him, The seas and everything that moves in them.
69.35 For God will save Zion And will rebuild the cities of Judah, And they will dwell there and possess it.
69.36 The descendants of his servants will inherit it, And those who love his name will reside in it.
Psalm 70
To the director. Of David, to serve as a reminder.
70.1 O God, save me; O Jehovah, hurry to help me.
70.2 May those seeking to take my life Be put to shame and disgraced. May those who delight in my calamity Retreat in humiliation.
70.3 May those who are saying: “Aha! Aha!” Be driven back in shame.
70.4 But let those who are seeking you Exult and rejoice in you. May those who love your acts of salvation always say: “May God be magnified!”
70.5 But I am helpless and poor; O God, act quickly in my behalf. You are my helper and my rescuer; O Jehovah, do not delay.
Psalm 71
71.1 In you, O Jehovah, I have taken refuge. May I never be put to shame.
71.2 In your righteousness save me and rescue me. Incline your ear to me and save me.
71.3 Become for me a rock fortress Where I can always enter. Give the command to save me, For you are my crag and my stronghold.
71.4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, From the grasp of the unjust oppressor.
71.5 For you are my hope, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah; I have trusted in you since my youth.
71.6 I have depended on you from birth; It was you who took me from my mother’s womb. I praise you constantly.
71.7 I have become like a miracle to many, But you are my strong refuge.
71.8 My mouth is filled with your praise; All day long I tell about your splendor.
71.9 Do not cast me off in my old age; Do not abandon me when my strength fails.
71.10 My enemies speak against me, And those seeking to take my life conspire together,
71.11 Saying: “God has abandoned him. Chase after him and seize him, for there is no one to save him.”
71.12 O God, do not remain far away from me. O my God, hurry to help me.
71.13 May those who are resisting me Be put to shame and perish. May those seeking my calamity Be covered with disgrace and humiliation.
71.14 But as for me, I will continue to wait; I will add to your praise.
71.15 My mouth will recount your righteousness, All day long your acts of salvation, Though they are too many for me to grasp.
71.16 I will come and tell about your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah; I will mention your righteousness, yours alone.
71.17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, And until now I keep declaring your wonderful works.
71.18 Even when I am old and gray, O God, do not abandon me. Let me tell the next generation about your power And about your mightiness to all those who are to come.
71.19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heights; You have done great things; O God, who is like you?
71.20 Though you have made me experience much distress and calamity, Revive me again; Bring me up from the depths of the earth.
71.21 May you increase my greatness And surround and comfort me.
71.22 Then I will praise you on a stringed instrument Because of your faithfulness, O my God. I will sing your praises with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
71.23 My lips will shout joyfully as I sing praises to you, For you have saved my life.
71.24 My tongue will speak about your righteousness all day long, For those seeking my destruction will be ashamed and disgraced.
Psalm 72
Regarding Solomon.
72.1 O God, give your judgments to the king, And endow the son of the king with your righteousness.
72.2 May he plead the cause of your people with righteousness, And of your lowly ones with justice.
72.3 May the mountains bring peace to the people, And may the hills bring righteousness.
72.4 Let him defend the lowly among the people, Let him save the sons of the poor, And let him crush the defrauder.
72.5 They will fear you as long as there is a sun And as long as the moon remains, For generation after generation.
72.6 He will be like the rain that falls on the mown grass, Like showers of rain that water the earth.
72.7 In his days the righteous will flourish, And peace will abound until the moon is no more.
72.8 He will have subjects from sea to sea And from the River to the ends of the earth.
72.9 The desert dwellers will bow down before him, And his enemies will lick the dust.
72.10 The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will pay tribute. The kings of Sheba and of Seba will present gifts.
72.11 All the kings will bow down before him, And all the nations will serve him.
72.12 For he will rescue the poor who cry for help, Also the lowly one and whoever has no helper.
72.13 He will have pity on the lowly and the poor, And the lives of the poor he will save.
72.14 From oppression and from violence he will rescue them, And their blood will be precious in his eyes.
72.15 May he live and be given the gold of Sheba. May prayers be said for him continually, And may he be blessed all day long.
72.16 There will be an abundance of grain on the earth; On the top of the mountains it will overflow. His fruit will flourish as in Lebanon, And in the cities people will blossom like the vegetation of the earth.
72.17 May his name endure forever, And may it prosper as long as the sun. May people obtain a blessing for themselves by means of him; May all nations pronounce him happy.
72.18 May Jehovah God be praised, Israel’s God, Who alone does wonderful things.
72.19 May his glorious name be praised forever, And may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.
72.20 This completes the prayers of David, the son of Jesse.