By David, son of Jesse
I was the smallest of my brothers,
The youngest of my father’s sons.
He made me shepherd of his flock.
My hands fashioned a lute, my fingers a lyre.
Let me glorify Jehovah, I mused.
The mountains cannot witness God,
Nor can the hills give voice to him.
Who can proclaim the deeds of Jehovah?
Jehovah himself, for he hears everything.
Jehovah sent his prophet, Samuel,
To take me away from my father’s sheep,
To anoint me and endow me with greatness.
My brothers went out to meet him.
Well built and good-looking were they,
Tall of stature with fine heads of hair.
But Jehovah did not chose them.
Instead God made me the leader of his people,
Ruler over the children of the covenant.
I went out to confront the Philistine,
Who cursed me in the name of his idols.
I drew his own sword and cut off his head
And removed the shame from the Israelites.
This supernumerary psalm (generally termed #151), though considered apocryphal, is included in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Bible, is part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and is accepted by Orthodox churches as canonical. This translation is a synthesis of several versions existent of the psalm.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Psalm 150
Praise Jehovah. Praise God in his temple.
Praise him in his mighty dome of heaven.
Praise him for his providential power.
Praise him for the magnitude of his greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise with the psaltery and the harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and with dancing.
Praise him with stringed instruments and with flutes.
Praise him with cymbals, resounding cymbals.
Let everything that draws breath praise Jehovah.
Hallelujah!
Praise him in his mighty dome of heaven.
Praise him for his providential power.
Praise him for the magnitude of his greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise with the psaltery and the harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and with dancing.
Praise him with stringed instruments and with flutes.
Praise him with cymbals, resounding cymbals.
Let everything that draws breath praise Jehovah.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 149
Hallelujah! Sing to Jehovah a new song.
Praise him in the congregation of the faithful.
People of Israel rejoice in your creator;
People of Zion exult and celebrate your king.
Let them praise his name with dancing.
Let them praise his name with singing
To the music of timbrel and harp.
For Jehovah takes delight in his people
And bestows upon the meek, salvation.
Let the faithful exult in his glory
And sing in jubilation upon their beds.
May the praise of God be in their throats
And a two-edged sword in their hands
In order to inflict vengeance
Upon the foreign heathen nations
And punishment upon their people,
To put into shackles their kings
And bind their nobles in iron chains,
Executing the sentence written —
An honor for all the faithful.
Hallelujah!
Praise him in the congregation of the faithful.
People of Israel rejoice in your creator;
People of Zion exult and celebrate your king.
Let them praise his name with dancing.
Let them praise his name with singing
To the music of timbrel and harp.
For Jehovah takes delight in his people
And bestows upon the meek, salvation.
Let the faithful exult in his glory
And sing in jubilation upon their beds.
May the praise of God be in their throats
And a two-edged sword in their hands
In order to inflict vengeance
Upon the foreign heathen nations
And punishment upon their people,
To put into shackles their kings
And bind their nobles in iron chains,
Executing the sentence written —
An honor for all the faithful.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 148
Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah,
Praise him from the heavens above;
Praise him in the uppermost heights.
Praise him, all his emissaries.
Praise him, all his heavenly troops.
Praise him, as well, O sun and moon.
Praise him, all you shining stars of night.
Praise him, you highest of heavens.
You waters above heaven’s dome.
Le them give praise to the name of Jehovah,
For at his command they were created.
He established them for eternity.
He made a decree, never to be revoked.
Give praise to Jehovah from the earth,
You sea creatures from the ocean depths.
Lightning and hail and snow and clouds,
Storms and gales obeying his commands,
You mountain peaks and all the hills,
Fruit trees and all the cedar forests
Wild animals and all the livestock,
Crawling creatures and flying birds,
Kings of the earth and all nations,
Rulers and all the world’s judges,
Young men and women, the old and young,
Let them praise the name of Jehovah,
For his name alone is exalted,
His glory, above heaven and earth.
He has raised the stature of his people,
Earning the praise of his faithful followers,
The Israelites, a people close to his heart.
Hallelujah!
Praise him from the heavens above;
Praise him in the uppermost heights.
Praise him, all his emissaries.
Praise him, all his heavenly troops.
Praise him, as well, O sun and moon.
Praise him, all you shining stars of night.
Praise him, you highest of heavens.
You waters above heaven’s dome.
Le them give praise to the name of Jehovah,
For at his command they were created.
He established them for eternity.
He made a decree, never to be revoked.
Give praise to Jehovah from the earth,
You sea creatures from the ocean depths.
Lightning and hail and snow and clouds,
Storms and gales obeying his commands,
You mountain peaks and all the hills,
Fruit trees and all the cedar forests
Wild animals and all the livestock,
Crawling creatures and flying birds,
Kings of the earth and all nations,
Rulers and all the world’s judges,
Young men and women, the old and young,
Let them praise the name of Jehovah,
For his name alone is exalted,
His glory, above heaven and earth.
He has raised the stature of his people,
Earning the praise of his faithful followers,
The Israelites, a people close to his heart.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 147
Praise Jehovah! How good it is to sing
Our praise to our god, pleasant and fitting.
Jehovah is building up Jerusalem
And gathers the exiles of Israel.
He mends their broken hearts and binds up their wounds.
He count the stars and calls each one by name.
Great is our master and mighty in power,
And infinite is his understanding.
Jehovah lifts up the oppressed,
But casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to Jehovah with thanksgiving.
Play to our god upon the harp.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
And makes ready rain for the earth
So pastures will grow on the hills.
Food he furnishes for the beasts,
And for the young ravens when they call.
He takes no delight in the strength of horses,
Or pleasure in the might of warriors.
Jehovah is pleased by those who revere him,
Who place their hope in his faithful devotion.
Praise Jehovah, O Jerusalem!
Give praise to your god, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bolts of your gates
And blesses your citizens within.
He preserves peace on your borders
And fills you with the finest wheat.
He sends to the earth his commands,
And his word is promptly obeyed.
He spreads the snow like tufts of wool
And scatters the frost like ashes.
He throws down his hail like bread crumbs.
Who can withstand his freezing cold?
Then, at his command, he melts them.
He sends his winds and the waters flow.
His message he has proclaimed to Jacob,
His statutes and decrees to Israel.
No other nation has he treated thus.
For none have had knowledge of his judgments.
Hallelujah!
Our praise to our god, pleasant and fitting.
Jehovah is building up Jerusalem
And gathers the exiles of Israel.
He mends their broken hearts and binds up their wounds.
He count the stars and calls each one by name.
Great is our master and mighty in power,
And infinite is his understanding.
Jehovah lifts up the oppressed,
But casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to Jehovah with thanksgiving.
Play to our god upon the harp.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
And makes ready rain for the earth
So pastures will grow on the hills.
Food he furnishes for the beasts,
And for the young ravens when they call.
He takes no delight in the strength of horses,
Or pleasure in the might of warriors.
Jehovah is pleased by those who revere him,
Who place their hope in his faithful devotion.
Praise Jehovah, O Jerusalem!
Give praise to your god, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bolts of your gates
And blesses your citizens within.
He preserves peace on your borders
And fills you with the finest wheat.
He sends to the earth his commands,
And his word is promptly obeyed.
He spreads the snow like tufts of wool
And scatters the frost like ashes.
He throws down his hail like bread crumbs.
Who can withstand his freezing cold?
Then, at his command, he melts them.
He sends his winds and the waters flow.
His message he has proclaimed to Jacob,
His statutes and decrees to Israel.
No other nation has he treated thus.
For none have had knowledge of his judgments.
Hallelujah!
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Psalm 146
Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah, O my soul.
I’ll praise Jehovah for as long as I live.
While I exist, I’ll sing praises to my god.
Put not your faith in princes or mortal men,
For in them there can be no salvation.
When the spirit leaves, they return to dust,
And on that day all their plans come to naught.
Blessed he whose help is the god of Jacob,
Whose hope is placed in Jehovah his god.
He is the creator of heaven and earth,
The oceans and all the creatures they contain.
He remains faithful for eternity.
He executes justice for the oppressed,
And furnishes food for those who are hungry.
Jehovah releases those imprisoned.
Jehovah opens the eyes of the blind.
Jehovah raises up those who are bowed down.
Jehovah gives his love to the righteous.
Jehovah protects foreign residents.
He provides support for orphans and widows,
But he impedes the way of the wicked.
Jehovah will reign forever.
He will be your god, O Zion,
Throughout all the generations.
Hallelujah!
I’ll praise Jehovah for as long as I live.
While I exist, I’ll sing praises to my god.
Put not your faith in princes or mortal men,
For in them there can be no salvation.
When the spirit leaves, they return to dust,
And on that day all their plans come to naught.
Blessed he whose help is the god of Jacob,
Whose hope is placed in Jehovah his god.
He is the creator of heaven and earth,
The oceans and all the creatures they contain.
He remains faithful for eternity.
He executes justice for the oppressed,
And furnishes food for those who are hungry.
Jehovah releases those imprisoned.
Jehovah opens the eyes of the blind.
Jehovah raises up those who are bowed down.
Jehovah gives his love to the righteous.
Jehovah protects foreign residents.
He provides support for orphans and widows,
But he impedes the way of the wicked.
Jehovah will reign forever.
He will be your god, O Zion,
Throughout all the generations.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 145
By King David
I will exalt you, my god and my king
And praise your name forever and ever.
Every day will I give praise to you
And bless your name forever and ever.
Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised.
His greatness is beyond comprehension.
One generation will commend your works
To the next and proclaim your mighty deeds.
Upon your glory, splendor, and majesty
And your wondrous works will I meditate.
Men will speak of the might of your fearsome acts,
While I declare the greatness of your deeds.
They will celebrate your profound goodness
And sing joyfully of your righteousness.
Jehovah is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and abundant in mercy.
Jehovah to all is beneficent,
Bestowing his mercy on all he has made.
All your works will give you thanks, Jehovah.
And your faithful devotees will bless you.
They speak of the glory of your kingdom
And of your power so that all men may know
Your mighty acts and the magnificence
Of your kingdom, an everlasting kingdom.
Your reign endures through the generations.
Jehovah raises up all who fall
And holds up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look up to you,
And, when in need, you give them food.
You open your hand and satisfy
The desires of each living thing.
Jehovah is just in all his ways
And gracious in all that he does.
Jehovah is near to all who call,
To all who call to him truly.
The desires of those who do revere him
He grants, hearing their cries and saving them.
Jehovah waches over those who love him,
But all those who are wicked, he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of Jehovah,
And every living creature will bless
His holy name forever and ever.
I will exalt you, my god and my king
And praise your name forever and ever.
Every day will I give praise to you
And bless your name forever and ever.
Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised.
His greatness is beyond comprehension.
One generation will commend your works
To the next and proclaim your mighty deeds.
Upon your glory, splendor, and majesty
And your wondrous works will I meditate.
Men will speak of the might of your fearsome acts,
While I declare the greatness of your deeds.
They will celebrate your profound goodness
And sing joyfully of your righteousness.
Jehovah is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and abundant in mercy.
Jehovah to all is beneficent,
Bestowing his mercy on all he has made.
All your works will give you thanks, Jehovah.
And your faithful devotees will bless you.
They speak of the glory of your kingdom
And of your power so that all men may know
Your mighty acts and the magnificence
Of your kingdom, an everlasting kingdom.
Your reign endures through the generations.
Jehovah raises up all who fall
And holds up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look up to you,
And, when in need, you give them food.
You open your hand and satisfy
The desires of each living thing.
Jehovah is just in all his ways
And gracious in all that he does.
Jehovah is near to all who call,
To all who call to him truly.
The desires of those who do revere him
He grants, hearing their cries and saving them.
Jehovah waches over those who love him,
But all those who are wicked, he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of Jehovah,
And every living creature will bless
His holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 144
By King David
Praise be to Jehovah, my rock,
Who instructs my hands in warfare
And trains my fingers for battle.
He is my faithful love and fortress,
My stronghold and deliverer,
My shield behind which I take shelter,
Who conquers nations under me.
Jehovah, what is man that you take note of him?
What is the human race that you have regard for it?
Man is a breath of air, his life, a passing shadow.
Spread open your heavens, O Jehovah, and come down.
Lay hands upon the mountains that they may emit smoke.
Flash forth your lightning bolts and disperse your enemies.
Shoot your arrows at them and drive them to confusion.
Stretch out your arm from your place on high and rescue me.
Save me from deep waters, from the grasp of foreigners.
Whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hand makes false oaths.
I will sing to you, O God, a new song,
Playing music upon a ten-string harp,
To the one who gives victory to kings
And saves his servant David from deadly swords.
Save me, rescue me from the grasp of foreigners,
Whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hand makes false oaths.
Then our sons will be like plants that flourish when young,
And our daughters, corner stones carved to fit a palace.
Our storehouses will be filled with all kinds of produce,
And our flocks in the fields will multiply by thousands,
Even tens of thousands, our oxen, heavy laden.
There will occur no breaching of the city walls,
No going out to war or outcry in the streets.
Blessed are the people who enjoy such a state,
Blessed are the people whose god is Jehovah.
Praise be to Jehovah, my rock,
Who instructs my hands in warfare
And trains my fingers for battle.
He is my faithful love and fortress,
My stronghold and deliverer,
My shield behind which I take shelter,
Who conquers nations under me.
Jehovah, what is man that you take note of him?
What is the human race that you have regard for it?
Man is a breath of air, his life, a passing shadow.
Spread open your heavens, O Jehovah, and come down.
Lay hands upon the mountains that they may emit smoke.
Flash forth your lightning bolts and disperse your enemies.
Shoot your arrows at them and drive them to confusion.
Stretch out your arm from your place on high and rescue me.
Save me from deep waters, from the grasp of foreigners.
Whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hand makes false oaths.
I will sing to you, O God, a new song,
Playing music upon a ten-string harp,
To the one who gives victory to kings
And saves his servant David from deadly swords.
Save me, rescue me from the grasp of foreigners,
Whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hand makes false oaths.
Then our sons will be like plants that flourish when young,
And our daughters, corner stones carved to fit a palace.
Our storehouses will be filled with all kinds of produce,
And our flocks in the fields will multiply by thousands,
Even tens of thousands, our oxen, heavy laden.
There will occur no breaching of the city walls,
No going out to war or outcry in the streets.
Blessed are the people who enjoy such a state,
Blessed are the people whose god is Jehovah.
Psalm 143
By King David
Listen to my prayer, O Jehovah,
Listen to my supplication.
Answer me in your faithfulness,
Answer me in your righteousness.
Do not bring your servant before your judgment,
For no living man is righteous in your eyes.
My enemies have hunted me down,
They have stomped me into the ground,
They have forced me to live in darkness
Like those who have died long ago.
Thus my spirit grows faint within me,
And my heart inside is desolate.
I remember the days of yore,
I meditate on all your works,
I contemplate your handiwork.
I lift my arms to you in prayer.
Like a parched land, I thirst for you.
Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah.
My spirit is failing. Do not hide your face,
Or I be like those fallen into a pit.
Let morning bring news of your faithful love,
For in you have I placed my confidence.
Teach me to know the path I should follow,
For I have upraised my spirit to you.
Save me from my enemies, Jehovah.
For I flee to you to conceal myself.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my god.
May your gracious spirit guide me to firm ground.
For your name’s sake, O Jehovah, revive me.
For your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
With your faithful love, destroy my enemies.
Wipe out all my foes, for I am your servant.
Listen to my prayer, O Jehovah,
Listen to my supplication.
Answer me in your faithfulness,
Answer me in your righteousness.
Do not bring your servant before your judgment,
For no living man is righteous in your eyes.
My enemies have hunted me down,
They have stomped me into the ground,
They have forced me to live in darkness
Like those who have died long ago.
Thus my spirit grows faint within me,
And my heart inside is desolate.
I remember the days of yore,
I meditate on all your works,
I contemplate your handiwork.
I lift my arms to you in prayer.
Like a parched land, I thirst for you.
Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah.
My spirit is failing. Do not hide your face,
Or I be like those fallen into a pit.
Let morning bring news of your faithful love,
For in you have I placed my confidence.
Teach me to know the path I should follow,
For I have upraised my spirit to you.
Save me from my enemies, Jehovah.
For I flee to you to conceal myself.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my god.
May your gracious spirit guide me to firm ground.
For your name’s sake, O Jehovah, revive me.
For your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
With your faithful love, destroy my enemies.
Wipe out all my foes, for I am your servant.
Psalm 142
A Maskil of David
(A Prayer when he was in the cave)
I cry aloud to Jehovah
I lift my voice to Jehovah
And to him make supplication.
Before him I pour out my complaint
And confide in him my troubles.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
You know the way I must travel,
For they have hidden snares for me.
Look to my right and you will see:
There is no one accompanying me;
There is no one who is my refuge;
There is no one who guards my life.
I cry out to you, Jehovah,
Saying, “You are my place of refuge.
My inheritance here on earth.”
Heed my cry, for I am despairing —
Rescue me from my persecutors,
For they have become too strong for me,
Liberate me from this prison
That I may give praise to your name.
Because of your bounty to me,
The righteous will gather round me.
(A Prayer when he was in the cave)
I cry aloud to Jehovah
I lift my voice to Jehovah
And to him make supplication.
Before him I pour out my complaint
And confide in him my troubles.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
You know the way I must travel,
For they have hidden snares for me.
Look to my right and you will see:
There is no one accompanying me;
There is no one who is my refuge;
There is no one who guards my life.
I cry out to you, Jehovah,
Saying, “You are my place of refuge.
My inheritance here on earth.”
Heed my cry, for I am despairing —
Rescue me from my persecutors,
For they have become too strong for me,
Liberate me from this prison
That I may give praise to your name.
Because of your bounty to me,
The righteous will gather round me.
Psalm 141
By King David
O Jehovah, I call out to you.
Please listen to me and hurry
To come to me when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense,
My raised hands like an evening sacrifice.
Put a guard, O Jehovah, over my mouth,
And watch over the parting of my lips.
Let me not be attracted to evil things
Or be involved in corrupt activities
With men who are disposed to iniquity.
Let me not partake of their ill-gotten gains.
If I do, let a righteous man strike me down,
For his rebuke is an act of kindness.
It is oil on the head; I reject it not,
And I ever pray against evil deeds.
When their rulers are dashed against the rocks,
They will hear my words and find them pleasant.
As when one plows the ground, turning up the soil,
So our bones are scattered above the grave.
But my eyes are fixed on you, Master Jehovah.
In you I seek refuge. Don’t leave me defenseless!
Let the wicked be fall into their own nets.
While let me pass by in security.
O Jehovah, I call out to you.
Please listen to me and hurry
To come to me when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense,
My raised hands like an evening sacrifice.
Put a guard, O Jehovah, over my mouth,
And watch over the parting of my lips.
Let me not be attracted to evil things
Or be involved in corrupt activities
With men who are disposed to iniquity.
Let me not partake of their ill-gotten gains.
If I do, let a righteous man strike me down,
For his rebuke is an act of kindness.
It is oil on the head; I reject it not,
And I ever pray against evil deeds.
When their rulers are dashed against the rocks,
They will hear my words and find them pleasant.
As when one plows the ground, turning up the soil,
So our bones are scattered above the grave.
But my eyes are fixed on you, Master Jehovah.
In you I seek refuge. Don’t leave me defenseless!
Let the wicked be fall into their own nets.
While let me pass by in security.
Psalm 140
By King David
Save me, O Jehovah, from men of evil,
Deliver me from men of violence,
Those who devise evil schemes in their hearts
And are continually stirring up wars.
Their tongues are sharpened like those of serpents
And their words are like a viper’s poison.
Protect me from the hands of the wicked,
Jehovah; keep me safe from violent men
Who are determined to make me stumble.
The arrogant have laid a trap for me;
They have spread a net on the side of the path;
They have set snares for me along my way.
I say to Jehovah, “You are my god.”
Hear, O Jehovah, my pleas for mercy.
Jehovah the Master, my mighty savior,
You shield my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant to the wicked their desires,
O Jehovah; let not their evil schemes
Succeed, so that they may exalt themselves.
As for the leaders of those who beseige me,
Let the evil they speak fall upon them.
May burning embers fall upon their heads;
May they be cast into a pit of flames
Or a bog from which they can never climb out.
Let not slanderers prosper in the land;
Let disaster hunt down violent men
And bring them to a hasty destruction.
I know that Jehovah upholds justice
For the poor and champions those in want.
Surely the righteous are praising your name
And the upright will dwell in your presence.
Save me, O Jehovah, from men of evil,
Deliver me from men of violence,
Those who devise evil schemes in their hearts
And are continually stirring up wars.
Their tongues are sharpened like those of serpents
And their words are like a viper’s poison.
Protect me from the hands of the wicked,
Jehovah; keep me safe from violent men
Who are determined to make me stumble.
The arrogant have laid a trap for me;
They have spread a net on the side of the path;
They have set snares for me along my way.
I say to Jehovah, “You are my god.”
Hear, O Jehovah, my pleas for mercy.
Jehovah the Master, my mighty savior,
You shield my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant to the wicked their desires,
O Jehovah; let not their evil schemes
Succeed, so that they may exalt themselves.
As for the leaders of those who beseige me,
Let the evil they speak fall upon them.
May burning embers fall upon their heads;
May they be cast into a pit of flames
Or a bog from which they can never climb out.
Let not slanderers prosper in the land;
Let disaster hunt down violent men
And bring them to a hasty destruction.
I know that Jehovah upholds justice
For the poor and champions those in want.
Surely the righteous are praising your name
And the upright will dwell in your presence.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Psalm 139
By King David
O Jehovah, you have examined me.
You know me, know when I sit and when I stand
And from afar you understand my thoughts.
You watch me when I travel and when I rest;
With all my habits you are acquainted.
Even before a word comes to my tongue,
You know all about it, O Jehovah.
You guard my front and have my back
And have laid your hand upon my head.
Such knowledge is too deep for me;
It is too high for me to grasp.
Where can I be free from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I rise to heaven, you are there.
Or lie down in the grave, you are there.
If upon the wings of dawn I fly
And set down upon the farthest sea,
Even there your hand will guide me
And your power will protect me.
If I bid the darkness to hide me
And turn the light about me to night,
The darkness will not be dark to me,
For the night will shine like the day,
And darkness be as light to me.
For you formed my innermost being
And molded me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you that you have made me
An awesome and unique creation —
Full well I know how wondrous your works!
My body was not hidden from you
When I was secretly taking shape,
Woven in the depths of the earth:
Your eyes observed my embryo.
All my days were written in your book,
Before one of them could come to pass.
How profound I find your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the number of them!
If I were able to count them
They would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake I am still with you.
If only you, O God, would slay the wicked.
Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men,
For they speak against you blasphemously,
Enemies of yours that take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Jehovah,
And detest those who rise up against you?
With an absolute hatred I hate them
And number them among my enemies.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind.
Put me to the test and learn my concerns.
See if I am on any evil path
And guide me onto the way everlasting.
O Jehovah, you have examined me.
You know me, know when I sit and when I stand
And from afar you understand my thoughts.
You watch me when I travel and when I rest;
With all my habits you are acquainted.
Even before a word comes to my tongue,
You know all about it, O Jehovah.
You guard my front and have my back
And have laid your hand upon my head.
Such knowledge is too deep for me;
It is too high for me to grasp.
Where can I be free from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I rise to heaven, you are there.
Or lie down in the grave, you are there.
If upon the wings of dawn I fly
And set down upon the farthest sea,
Even there your hand will guide me
And your power will protect me.
If I bid the darkness to hide me
And turn the light about me to night,
The darkness will not be dark to me,
For the night will shine like the day,
And darkness be as light to me.
For you formed my innermost being
And molded me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you that you have made me
An awesome and unique creation —
Full well I know how wondrous your works!
My body was not hidden from you
When I was secretly taking shape,
Woven in the depths of the earth:
Your eyes observed my embryo.
All my days were written in your book,
Before one of them could come to pass.
How profound I find your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the number of them!
If I were able to count them
They would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake I am still with you.
If only you, O God, would slay the wicked.
Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men,
For they speak against you blasphemously,
Enemies of yours that take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Jehovah,
And detest those who rise up against you?
With an absolute hatred I hate them
And number them among my enemies.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind.
Put me to the test and learn my concerns.
See if I am on any evil path
And guide me onto the way everlasting.
Psalm 138
By King David
I will give thanks to you, Jehovah, with all my heart
And sing your praises before the heavenly beings.
Toward your holy temple I will bow in worship
And praise your name for your devotion and faithfulness.
You have exalted your name and word above all.
When I called to you, you answered me
And gave me confidence and strength.
May all the kings on earth give you thanks,
Jehovah, when they hear your decrees.
May they sing of Jehovah’s ways,
For great is Jehovah’s glory.
Though Jehovah is exalted
He has regard for the lowly,
But from the haughty keeps his distance.
If I walk in the midst of trouble
You raise your had to protect me
And use your power to save me
From the anger of my enemies.
Jehovah will fulfill his purpose for me.
Your kindness lasts forever, O Jehovah.
Do not leave your handiwork unfinished.
I will give thanks to you, Jehovah, with all my heart
And sing your praises before the heavenly beings.
Toward your holy temple I will bow in worship
And praise your name for your devotion and faithfulness.
You have exalted your name and word above all.
When I called to you, you answered me
And gave me confidence and strength.
May all the kings on earth give you thanks,
Jehovah, when they hear your decrees.
May they sing of Jehovah’s ways,
For great is Jehovah’s glory.
Though Jehovah is exalted
He has regard for the lowly,
But from the haughty keeps his distance.
If I walk in the midst of trouble
You raise your had to protect me
And use your power to save me
From the anger of my enemies.
Jehovah will fulfill his purpose for me.
Your kindness lasts forever, O Jehovah.
Do not leave your handiwork unfinished.
Psalm 137
By the rivers of Babylon we sat
And shed tears as we remembered Zion.
There upon poplar boughs we hung our harps,
For our captors demanded a song from us.
Our tormentors wanted a joyful tune.
“Sing to us,” they said, “a song of Zion.”
How, we asked, can we sing a song
Of Zion in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget how to play.
May my tongue stick to my palate,
If I do not remember you,
If I do not raise Jerusalem
Above my greatest source of joy.
Remember, O Jehovah, what the people
Of Edom said when Jerusalem was seized.
“Tear it down! Raze it to its foundations.”
O Babylon, doomed to be despoiled,
Blessed is he who repays you
For the things you have done to us.
Blessed who seizes your babies
And dashes them against the rocks.
And shed tears as we remembered Zion.
There upon poplar boughs we hung our harps,
For our captors demanded a song from us.
Our tormentors wanted a joyful tune.
“Sing to us,” they said, “a song of Zion.”
How, we asked, can we sing a song
Of Zion in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget how to play.
May my tongue stick to my palate,
If I do not remember you,
If I do not raise Jerusalem
Above my greatest source of joy.
Remember, O Jehovah, what the people
Of Edom said when Jerusalem was seized.
“Tear it down! Raze it to its foundations.”
O Babylon, doomed to be despoiled,
Blessed is he who repays you
For the things you have done to us.
Blessed who seizes your babies
And dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 136
Thank Jehovah, for he is good
Give your thanks to the god of gods,
Give thanks to the master of masters.
He alone performs great wonders.
With wisdom he made the heavens.
He spread the land upon the waters.
He created the lights in the sky,
He made the sun to rule the day,
The moon and stars to reign by night.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt
And with firm hand and outstretched arm.
Brought out Israel from among them.
He parted the Red Sea asunder
And led Israel through its midst.
He engulfed Pharaoh and his army
In the waters of the Red Sea.
He led his people through the desert.
He defeated powerful kings
And slew many mighty monarchs,
Sihon, the king of the Amorites
And Og, the ruler of Bashan,
And gave their land as a legacy,
A gift to his servant Israel.
In our despair he remembered us
And delivered us from our foes.
He gives food to all living creatures.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For his loyal love lasts forever.*
*this line, evidently as an element of song, is repeated after every previous line. It has been left out to give better sense and continuity to the psalm.
Give your thanks to the god of gods,
Give thanks to the master of masters.
He alone performs great wonders.
With wisdom he made the heavens.
He spread the land upon the waters.
He created the lights in the sky,
He made the sun to rule the day,
The moon and stars to reign by night.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt
And with firm hand and outstretched arm.
Brought out Israel from among them.
He parted the Red Sea asunder
And led Israel through its midst.
He engulfed Pharaoh and his army
In the waters of the Red Sea.
He led his people through the desert.
He defeated powerful kings
And slew many mighty monarchs,
Sihon, the king of the Amorites
And Og, the ruler of Bashan,
And gave their land as a legacy,
A gift to his servant Israel.
In our despair he remembered us
And delivered us from our foes.
He gives food to all living creatures.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For his loyal love lasts forever.*
*this line, evidently as an element of song, is repeated after every previous line. It has been left out to give better sense and continuity to the psalm.
Psalm 135
Praise Jehovah. Praise the name of Jehovah.
Give praise to him, you servants of Jehovah,
You who stand in the house of Jehovah,
In the courtyards of the house of our god.
Praise Jehovah, for Jehovah is good.
Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant.
Jehovah has chosen Jacob as his own,
And Israel as his own possession.
For I have known that Jehovah is great.
That our Master is above all other gods.
Jehovah does whatever pleases him,
In heaven, on earth, in the sea and its depths.
He makes the clouds arise from the earth’s ends;
He sends lightning to accompany the rain
And brings forth the winds from his storehouses.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of human and animal.
Into your country, O Egypt,
He sent signs and performed wonders
Before Pharaoh and his servants.
He destroyed many foreign nations
And slaughtered many mighty kings —
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
And Og, the monarch of Bashan,
As well as all the kings of Canaan.
To his people of Israel
He bestowed an inheritance,
Their land was their inheritance.
Your name, Jehovah, lasts forever,
Your prestige, throughout the ages.
For Jehovah will judge his people
And show compassion to his servants.
The idols of foreign nations
Are crafted of silver and gold,
The handiwork of human beings.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
They have ears, but they cannot hear,
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them
As will all who have faith in them.
O Israelites, praise Jehovah.
O House of Aaron, praise Jehovah.
O House of Levi, praise Jehovah.
All who revere him, praise Jehovah.
And praise Jehovah from Zion.
Praise him who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise Jehovah!
Give praise to him, you servants of Jehovah,
You who stand in the house of Jehovah,
In the courtyards of the house of our god.
Praise Jehovah, for Jehovah is good.
Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant.
Jehovah has chosen Jacob as his own,
And Israel as his own possession.
For I have known that Jehovah is great.
That our Master is above all other gods.
Jehovah does whatever pleases him,
In heaven, on earth, in the sea and its depths.
He makes the clouds arise from the earth’s ends;
He sends lightning to accompany the rain
And brings forth the winds from his storehouses.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of human and animal.
Into your country, O Egypt,
He sent signs and performed wonders
Before Pharaoh and his servants.
He destroyed many foreign nations
And slaughtered many mighty kings —
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
And Og, the monarch of Bashan,
As well as all the kings of Canaan.
To his people of Israel
He bestowed an inheritance,
Their land was their inheritance.
Your name, Jehovah, lasts forever,
Your prestige, throughout the ages.
For Jehovah will judge his people
And show compassion to his servants.
The idols of foreign nations
Are crafted of silver and gold,
The handiwork of human beings.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
They have ears, but they cannot hear,
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them
As will all who have faith in them.
O Israelites, praise Jehovah.
O House of Aaron, praise Jehovah.
O House of Levi, praise Jehovah.
All who revere him, praise Jehovah.
And praise Jehovah from Zion.
Praise him who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise Jehovah!
Psalm 134
Praise Jehovah, all you servants of Jehovah,
Those who serve by night in the house of Jehovah.
In holiness lift up your hands and bless Jehovah,
May Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth,
Bless you from Zion!
Those who serve by night in the house of Jehovah.
In holiness lift up your hands and bless Jehovah,
May Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth,
Bless you from Zion!
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Psalm 133
See how good and pleasant it is,
When brothers live in harmony.
It is the precious oil anointing the head,
Running down the beard, even Aaron’s beard,
Flowing down to the hem of his vestments,
Harmony is like the dew of Mount Hermon
Falling down upon the hills of Zion.
It is here that Jehovah has bestowed
His blessings, even life everlasting.
When brothers live in harmony.
It is the precious oil anointing the head,
Running down the beard, even Aaron’s beard,
Flowing down to the hem of his vestments,
Harmony is like the dew of Mount Hermon
Falling down upon the hills of Zion.
It is here that Jehovah has bestowed
His blessings, even life everlasting.
Psalm 132
Remember, O Jehovah, David
And all the hardships that he endured,
How he swore an oath to Jehovah,
The mighty one of Israel:
I will not enter my house or go to bed,
I will not rest my eyes or go to sleep,
Until I find a place for Jehovah,
A dwelling for the mighty one of Jacob.
Behold, we heard that it was in Ephrathah;
We located it in the fields of Jaar.
Let us go to his dwelling place.
Let us worship at his footstool.
Arise, Jehovah. Come to your place of rest,
With the Ark, the symbol of your power.
May your priests be arrayed with righteousness
And your faithful followers cry out with joy.
For the sake of your servant David
Do not reject your anointed one.
Jehovah swore truly to David
An oath that he will never revoke:
“I will set upon your throne a son.
If our sons keep my covenant
And follow the statutes I teach them
Your sons will sit upon your throne
Forever until eternity.”
For Jehovah has chosen Zion
And desired it as his dwelling place.
“This is my resting place forever.
Here is the home of my desire.
I will bless her with provisions
And satisfy her poor with food.
I will clothe her priests with godliness
And her faithful will shout for joy.
Here I will give prestige to David,
And trim a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies I will clothe in shame,
But the crown upon his head will shine.
And all the hardships that he endured,
How he swore an oath to Jehovah,
The mighty one of Israel:
I will not enter my house or go to bed,
I will not rest my eyes or go to sleep,
Until I find a place for Jehovah,
A dwelling for the mighty one of Jacob.
Behold, we heard that it was in Ephrathah;
We located it in the fields of Jaar.
Let us go to his dwelling place.
Let us worship at his footstool.
Arise, Jehovah. Come to your place of rest,
With the Ark, the symbol of your power.
May your priests be arrayed with righteousness
And your faithful followers cry out with joy.
For the sake of your servant David
Do not reject your anointed one.
Jehovah swore truly to David
An oath that he will never revoke:
“I will set upon your throne a son.
If our sons keep my covenant
And follow the statutes I teach them
Your sons will sit upon your throne
Forever until eternity.”
For Jehovah has chosen Zion
And desired it as his dwelling place.
“This is my resting place forever.
Here is the home of my desire.
I will bless her with provisions
And satisfy her poor with food.
I will clothe her priests with godliness
And her faithful will shout for joy.
Here I will give prestige to David,
And trim a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies I will clothe in shame,
But the crown upon his head will shine.
Psalm 131
My heart is not haughty, O Jehovah;
My eyes are not elevated too high;
I do not concern myself with great things
Or matters that are too profound for me.
Instead I am calm and resigned,
Like a weaned child with his mother,
A weaned child is the soul within me.
Israel, have faith in Jehovah
From now until forevermore.
My eyes are not elevated too high;
I do not concern myself with great things
Or matters that are too profound for me.
Instead I am calm and resigned,
Like a weaned child with his mother,
A weaned child is the soul within me.
Israel, have faith in Jehovah
From now until forevermore.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I call to you, Jehovah.
Hear my voice, listen to my plea for help.
If you have kept a record of our sins,
Who then, Jehovah, can stand before you?
With you, Jehovah, there is forgiveness
That we may worship you with reverence.
I, my whole being, waits for Jehovah
In his word I place my expectations.
My soul has waited for Jehovah,
More than watchmen wait for the dawn,
Yes, more than watchmen wait for the dawn.
Israel, put your hope in Jehovah,
For with Jehovah there is unfailing love
And with him there is abundant redemption.
From its sins it will redeem Israel.
Hear my voice, listen to my plea for help.
If you have kept a record of our sins,
Who then, Jehovah, can stand before you?
With you, Jehovah, there is forgiveness
That we may worship you with reverence.
I, my whole being, waits for Jehovah
In his word I place my expectations.
My soul has waited for Jehovah,
More than watchmen wait for the dawn,
Yes, more than watchmen wait for the dawn.
Israel, put your hope in Jehovah,
For with Jehovah there is unfailing love
And with him there is abundant redemption.
From its sins it will redeem Israel.
Psalm 129
Let Israel now say: from my youngest days
I have been persecuted many times.
From my youth they have much afflicted me,
But they have never prevailed over me.
Plowmen have plowed over my back,
And they have made long their furrows.
Jehovah is just. He has cut me free
From the cords of the wicked that have bound me.
May all who hate Jerusalem
Be confounded and defeated.
May they be like grass on the rooftops
That withers before it can sprout,
Unable to fill a reaper’s hand,
Or the arms of one who binds the sheaves.
Nor do any that will pass by them say,
“May the blessings of Jehovah be on you,
We bless you in the name of Jehovah.”
I have been persecuted many times.
From my youth they have much afflicted me,
But they have never prevailed over me.
Plowmen have plowed over my back,
And they have made long their furrows.
Jehovah is just. He has cut me free
From the cords of the wicked that have bound me.
May all who hate Jerusalem
Be confounded and defeated.
May they be like grass on the rooftops
That withers before it can sprout,
Unable to fill a reaper’s hand,
Or the arms of one who binds the sheaves.
Nor do any that will pass by them say,
“May the blessings of Jehovah be on you,
We bless you in the name of Jehovah.”
Psalm 128
Blessed are all who revere Jehovah,
All who live in accordance with his ways.
You will consume the fruit of your labor;
Happiness and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife, a fruitful vine within your house,
Your children, olive shoots around the table.
In such a way will befall the blessings
Upon the man who reveres Jehovah.
May Jehovah bless you from Zion,
So that all the days of your life
You may see Jerusalem prosper
And may see your children’s children.
May peace be upon Israel!
All who live in accordance with his ways.
You will consume the fruit of your labor;
Happiness and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife, a fruitful vine within your house,
Your children, olive shoots around the table.
In such a way will befall the blessings
Upon the man who reveres Jehovah.
May Jehovah bless you from Zion,
So that all the days of your life
You may see Jerusalem prosper
And may see your children’s children.
May peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 127
Unless Jehovah builds the house,
The builders have labored in vain.
Unless Jehovah guards the city,
Its watchmen stay awake in vain.
When you rise early and stay up late
Toiling for food to eat is in vain,
For he grants sleep to those he loves.
Indeed children are a gift from Jehovah;
The fruit of the womb is a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
Are children who are born to us when we’re young.
Happy the man whose quiver is full with them,
For such men will never be put to shame
When they contend with accusers in court.
The builders have labored in vain.
Unless Jehovah guards the city,
Its watchmen stay awake in vain.
When you rise early and stay up late
Toiling for food to eat is in vain,
For he grants sleep to those he loves.
Indeed children are a gift from Jehovah;
The fruit of the womb is a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
Are children who are born to us when we’re young.
Happy the man whose quiver is full with them,
For such men will never be put to shame
When they contend with accusers in court.
Psalm 126
When Jehovah returned the captives to Zion,
We were as dreamers. Our throats were filled with laughter,
Our mouths with shouts of joy. Among the heathen nations
It was said, “Jehovah has done great things for them.”
Indeed Jehovah has done great things for us. We are glad.
Return our captives, Jehovah,
Like the valley streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
He who goes out to sow and weeps
While he draws out and scatters his seed
Will surely return rejoicing,
Carrying with him his sheaves of grain.
We were as dreamers. Our throats were filled with laughter,
Our mouths with shouts of joy. Among the heathen nations
It was said, “Jehovah has done great things for them.”
Indeed Jehovah has done great things for us. We are glad.
Return our captives, Jehovah,
Like the valley streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
He who goes out to sow and weeps
While he draws out and scatters his seed
Will surely return rejoicing,
Carrying with him his sheaves of grain.
Psalm 125
Those who have faith in Jehovah
Are as sturdy as Mount Zion,
Which cannot be shaken or moved,
But which will remain forever.
As mountains surround Jerusalem,
Jehovah surrounds his people,
From this time until forevermore.
For the scepter of the wicked will not rule
Over the land allotted the righteous,
Lest the righteous be tempted to do wrong.
Jehovah, do good to the good,
To those who are upright in heart.
But those who turn to the crooked path,
Like the evildoers, Jehovah
Will banish. Peace be to Israel!
Are as sturdy as Mount Zion,
Which cannot be shaken or moved,
But which will remain forever.
As mountains surround Jerusalem,
Jehovah surrounds his people,
From this time until forevermore.
For the scepter of the wicked will not rule
Over the land allotted the righteous,
Lest the righteous be tempted to do wrong.
Jehovah, do good to the good,
To those who are upright in heart.
But those who turn to the crooked path,
Like the evildoers, Jehovah
Will banish. Peace be to Israel!
Psalm 124
If Jehovah had not been on our side,
Let all Israel declare.
If Jehovah had not been on our side,
When people rose up against us.
When their anger flared against us,
They would have eaten us alive.
The flood waters would have engulfed us
A torrent would have overwhelmed us,
And raging waters swept us away.
Blessed be Jehovah,
Who has not let us be prey to their teeth.
From the snare of the fowlers
We have escaped like a bird.
The net is torn and we have broken free.
Our help is in the name of Jehovah,
Creator of the earth and the heaven.
Let all Israel declare.
If Jehovah had not been on our side,
When people rose up against us.
When their anger flared against us,
They would have eaten us alive.
The flood waters would have engulfed us
A torrent would have overwhelmed us,
And raging waters swept us away.
Blessed be Jehovah,
Who has not let us be prey to their teeth.
From the snare of the fowlers
We have escaped like a bird.
The net is torn and we have broken free.
Our help is in the name of Jehovah,
Creator of the earth and the heaven.
Psalm 123
I lift up my eyes to you,
The one enthroned in heaven.
As the eyes of servants
Look to their master’s hand,
And the eyes of the maid
Look to her mistress’s hand,
So our eyes are fixed upon
Jehovah who is our god,
Until he shows us favor.
Have mercy upon us,
Jehovah, have mercy.
For we suffer a surfeit
Of contempt and disrespect.
We have endured our fill
Of scorn from the arrogant
And mocking from the haughty.
The one enthroned in heaven.
As the eyes of servants
Look to their master’s hand,
And the eyes of the maid
Look to her mistress’s hand,
So our eyes are fixed upon
Jehovah who is our god,
Until he shows us favor.
Have mercy upon us,
Jehovah, have mercy.
For we suffer a surfeit
Of contempt and disrespect.
We have endured our fill
Of scorn from the arrogant
And mocking from the haughty.
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to Jehovah’s house.”
And now it is our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, constructed to be
A city compact and close-knit,
Where all the tribes of Israel,
The tribes of Jehovah’s people,
Go up to make a pilgrimage
To praise the name of Jehovah —
As the law of Israel demands.
For there are the thrones of judges,
The thrones of the House of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure!
May there be peace within your walls,
Prosperity in your palaces.”
Because of my family and friends
I will now say, “Peace be with you.”
Because of the house of Jehovah,
Our god, I seek all the best for you.
“Let us go to Jehovah’s house.”
And now it is our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, constructed to be
A city compact and close-knit,
Where all the tribes of Israel,
The tribes of Jehovah’s people,
Go up to make a pilgrimage
To praise the name of Jehovah —
As the law of Israel demands.
For there are the thrones of judges,
The thrones of the House of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure!
May there be peace within your walls,
Prosperity in your palaces.”
Because of my family and friends
I will now say, “Peace be with you.”
Because of the house of Jehovah,
Our god, I seek all the best for you.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where will come one to help me?
The one to help me is Jehovah,
The creator of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip.
Your protector will not fall to sleep.
Indeed he who keeps Israel
Will never slumber or be drowsy.
Jehovah is your guardian,
Your protective shade beside you.
By day the sunlight will not harm you,
Nor by night, the rays of the moon.
Jehovah will guard you from all evil.
He will preserve your life.
He will protect you as you come and go,
Both now and forever.
From where will come one to help me?
The one to help me is Jehovah,
The creator of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip.
Your protector will not fall to sleep.
Indeed he who keeps Israel
Will never slumber or be drowsy.
Jehovah is your guardian,
Your protective shade beside you.
By day the sunlight will not harm you,
Nor by night, the rays of the moon.
Jehovah will guard you from all evil.
He will preserve your life.
He will protect you as you come and go,
Both now and forever.
Psalm 120
When I was in distress I cried out
To Jehovah, and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Jehovah,
From lips that lie and tongues that deceive.
What shall be done to you, lying tongue?
What shall be inflicted upon you?
Sharpened arrows from the warrior
And burning coals from the broom tree.
Woe is me that I live in Mesech,
That I dwell in the tents of Kedar,
Too long among those who hate peace.
I myself am in favor of peace,
But when I speak, they are for war.
To Jehovah, and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Jehovah,
From lips that lie and tongues that deceive.
What shall be done to you, lying tongue?
What shall be inflicted upon you?
Sharpened arrows from the warrior
And burning coals from the broom tree.
Woe is me that I live in Mesech,
That I dwell in the tents of Kedar,
Too long among those who hate peace.
I myself am in favor of peace,
But when I speak, they are for war.
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