Psalm 34

(A poem of King David written when he feigned madness before the Philistine king, who then dismissed him.  And so David departed.)

At all times I give my thanks to Jehovah;
My praise for him will always be on my lips.
With my whole being I exalt Jehovah.
Let the poor and humble hear and rejoice.
Join with me to glorify Jehovah,
And let us extol his name together.

I sought Jehovah’s help and he answered me;
He delivered me from all that I feared.
Those who turn to him for help will beam with joy,
They will never be ashamed of themselves!

Here is one afflicted who called out to him
And Jehovah saved him from all his troubles.
The agent of Jehovah surrounds and guards.
Protects and defends those who revere him.

Take a look and see how good Jehovah is!
Happy is the man who puts his trust in him.
You who worship Jehovah, revere him
For those who revere him will lack for nothing.

Even the lion, the noblest of beasts,
May suffer want and grow weak with hunger
But those who put their trust in Jehovah
Will never lack for the good things of life.

Come, come, my children, and listen to me,
For I will teach you to revere Jehovah!

Whatever man has a love of life
And wishes to see many good days
Will keep his tongue from speaking evil
And stop his lips from telling lies.
He will reject evil and do good,
Choose peace and strive to pursue it.

Jehovah’s eyes are upon the righteous,
And his ears listen to their pleas for help,
But he opposes the evildoers,
Erasing their memory from the earth.

Jehovah hears them when the righteous cry out for help,
And he delivers them from all of their troubles.
Jehovah lends comfort to those whose hearts are broken,
And he rescues those whose spirits have been shattered.
Many may be the afflictions of the righteous,
But Jehovah gives them relief from all of them.
He will protect their bones so none will be broken.

Calamity will destroy the wicked;
Those who hate the righteous will be judged guilty.
Jehovah redeems the souls of his servants;
No one who has faith in him will be condemned.
 

Psalm 33

Sing out with joy to Jehovah,
You who are godly and righteous:
He merits praise from the virtuous.

Praise him with the music of the lyre,
Play to him on the harp of ten strings,
Sing to him in celebration,
Performing with skill and expression.
Shout out to him in exultation!

Jehovah’s word is ever true.
We can have faith in all he does.
He loves what is righteous and just —
Jehovah’s loyal love fills the earth.

By Jehovah’s will were the heavens made,
And all the stars, by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters to form the seas
And marked the boundaries of the ocean depths.
Let the whole world have fear of Jehovah,
Let all who live in it have awe of him.
He spoke and the earth did come into being;
He commanded and world did take form.

Jehovah foils the schemes of nations
And thwarts the plots of its people,
But his plans will endure forever,
His desires will last through the ages.

Blessed is the nation whose god is Jehovah!
Blessed are the people he has chosen as his own!

Jehovah looks down from the heavens
And sees the descendants of man.
From his abode there he observes 
All the inhabitants of earth.
Being the maker of their hearts,
He comprehends all their actions.

A mighty army cannot save a king,
Nor can mere prowess rescue a warrior.
A war horse is not enough for victory:  
Even its strength cannot bring salvation.

Jehovah watches over those who fear him
And have faith in his everlasting love,
Faith that he will spare them from destruction
And keep them alive in times of famine.

We place our hope in Jehovah,
Who is our protector and refuge.
Our hearts rejoice because of him,
And in his holy name we trust.

Therefore, let your love and grace be with us,
O Jehovah, as we place our hopes in you!