Psalms
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Introduction
Introduction
Why do the Psalms so touch our souls? How can literature written thousands of years ago speak with astonishing relevance to our conditions today? Could it be that our conditions haven’t changed that much, and we experience the same emotions as did David, “a man after God’s own heart” ()?
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
From the time of David, the Psalms have been a vital source of encouragement from Almighty God and continue to be a vital source of spiritual devotion today. They are relevant because they speak to us about real life situations. In the Psalms, we recognize the “thrill of victory” and also “the agony of defeat.”
In the Psalter, every color of human emotion is painted on the background of varied human experience. The Psalms have been used for personal and public worship through the ages. People often sing psalms in the form of hymns or praise songs. Psalms inspired many of our best loved hymns such as:
O Worship the King A Mighty Fortress Is Our God O God, Our Help in Ages Past It Is Well with My Soul
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds his chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: The waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys Unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth. 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, Which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: The wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, Which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man: That he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. 16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; And the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, And lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labour until the evening. 24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: There is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; That thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: Thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: And thou renewest the face of the earth. 31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: The Lord shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: He toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, And let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord.
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, What desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
A Prayer of Moses the man of God. 1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 3 Thou turnest man to destruction; And sayest, Return, ye children of men. 4 For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night. 5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: In the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; In the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 7 For we are consumed by thine anger, And by thy wrath are we troubled. 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, Our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, Yet is their strength labour and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 13 Return, O Lord, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; That we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, And the years wherein we have seen evil. 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory unto their children. 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
A Psalm of David. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness And judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That excel in strength, that do his commandments, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works In all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
We are touched, healed, and stayed on our course by the same, unchanging God who inspired the Psalms so long ago. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” ().
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
The Authors of the Psalms
The Authors of the Psalms
We generally refer to the Psalms as David’s book because he wrote nearly half of them. Seven- ty-three of the 150 Psalms are specifically attributed to David. However, there were other writers of these poetic prayers and songs.
• Asaph, one of the heads of David’s choir, wrote three;
• The sons of Korah, a family of official musicians, penned at least ten;
• Hezekiah, one of Israel’s later kings, wrote ten;
• And Heman, Ethan, Solomon, and Moses each wrote one Psalm;
• Fifty of the Psalms were anonymous.
These poems were brought together in five sections, over a period of some 500 years, and then finally compiled into their present form.
The sections are clearly marked in the Bible as each ends with a doxology of praise to God. Scholars have noted that the sections reflect, in some measure, the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). The Jewish Midrash, or commentary on the Bible, states: “Moses gave to the Israelites the five books of the Law, and as a counterpart to these, David gave them the Psalms, which consist of five books.”The sections have general themes that roughly correspond to the themes of the first five books of the Bible.
The sections have general themes that roughly correspond to the themes of the first five books of the Bible.
The sections have general themes that roughly correspond to the themes of the first five books of the Bible.
The sections have general themes that roughly correspond to the themes of the first five books of the Bible.
Psalms
Related to Pentateuch
Theme
1-41
Genesis
Man
42-72
Exodus
Deliverance
73-89
Leviticus
Sanctuary
90-106
Numbers
Unrest
107-150
Deuteronomy
Word of God
The Message of the Psalms
The Message of the Psalms
The intent of the Psalms was not to promote their authors but to point to God in prayer and praise. The Psalms were Israel’s prayer book and songbook. The word psalm comes from the Greek word psalmos, whichmeant“a poetic composition sungtothe accompaniment ofstringed instruments.” The common Hebrew title for the book is Praises. Another Hebrew title is Prayers. This book is a collection of poetic praises and prayers and was written to be set to music.
Several categories of Psalms are recognized. For example:
1. Messianic Psalms: Speak of the coming Messiah. Hundreds of years before Christ was born, the Hebrew Psalter described:
the Hebrew Psalter described:
His obedience () His zeal ()
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: In the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: Yea, thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
His rejection ()
22 The stone which the builders refused Is become the head stone of the corner.
His betrayal (; )
9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Which did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, My guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked unto the house of God in company.
His sufferings (; ; ; ; ) His resurrection ()
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: Let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, As a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: They look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
20 He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken.
21 They gave me also gall for my meat; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: They made long their furrows.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
His ascension ()
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; Yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
2. Acrostic Psalms: Each line begins with a successive letter of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alpha- bet. This form of poetry would be easily committed to memory. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben, A Psalm of David. 1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 3 When mine enemies are turned back, They shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou satest in the throne judging right. 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. 6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: And thou hast destroyed cities; Their memorial is perished with them. 7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: He hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: Declare among the people his doings. 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble. 13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; Consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: 14 That I may shew forth all thy praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. 15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: In the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: The expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. 19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: Let the heathen be judged in thy sight. 20 Put them in fear, O Lord: That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: Let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, And blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. 4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 5 His ways are always grievous; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight: As for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: For I shall never be in adversity. 7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: Under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: In the secret places doth he murder the innocent: His eyes are privily set against the poor. 9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: He lieth in wait to catch the poor: He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. 10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, That the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: He hideth his face; he will never see it. 12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: Forget not the humble. 13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. 14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, To requite it with thy hand: The poor committeth himself unto thee; Thou art the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: Seek out his wickedness till thou find none. 16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: The heathen are perished out of his land. 17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may no more oppress.
A Psalm of David. 1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, Let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; On thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; For they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: According to thy mercy remember thou me For thy goodness’ sake, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord: Therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth Unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; And his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; And he will shew them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; For he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; For I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; And forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; For I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: For there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. 11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is he that desireth life, And loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, And delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: And they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: And none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
A Psalm of David. 1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: For he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, And to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, And their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man hath Is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: But the Lord upholdeth the righteous. 18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: And their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. 21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: But the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; And they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; And his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell for evermore. 28 For the Lord loveth judgment, And forsaketh not his saints; They are preserved for ever: But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, And his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him. 33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, And he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, because they trust in him.
1 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the Lord are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious: And his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, That he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; All his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption unto his people: He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: And his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness endureth for ever; His horn shall be exalted with honour. 10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish.
1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: They walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us To keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed To keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, When I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: Teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared All the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, And keep thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul breaketh for the longing That it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, Which do err from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; For I have kept thy testimonies. 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellers. 25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: Teach me thy statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: And grant me thy law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart. 33 HE. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; And quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, Who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: For thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. 41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, Even thy salvation, according to thy word. 42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: For I trust in thy word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thy judgments. 44 So shall I keep thy law continually For ever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty: For I seek thy precepts. 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in thy statutes. 49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, Upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me. 51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yet have I not declined from thy law. 52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; And have comforted myself. 53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked That forsake thy law. 54 Thy statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, And have kept thy law. 56 This I had, Because I kept thy precepts. 57 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words. 58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word. 59 I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and delayed not To keep thy commandments. 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: But I have not forgotten thy law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee Because of thy righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that keep thy precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: Teach me thy statutes. 65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: For I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word. 68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me: But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver. 73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; Because I have hoped in thy word. 75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, And that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: For thy law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: But I will meditate in thy precepts. 79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, And those that have known thy testimonies. 80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; That I be not ashamed. 81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: But I hope in thy word. 82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, Saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes. 84 How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 The proud have digged pits for me, Which are not after thy law. 86 All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts. 88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. 89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: For with them thou hast quickened me. 94 I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: But I will consider thy testimonies. 96 I have seen an end of all perfection: But thy commandment is exceeding broad. 97 MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep thy precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might keep thy word. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: For thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. 105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. 108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me thy judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hand: Yet do I not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: Yet I erred not from thy precepts. 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes Alway, even unto the end. 113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: For I will keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: For their deceit is falsehood. 119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments. 121 AIN. I have done judgment and justice: Leave me not to mine oppressors. 122 Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me. 123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for the word of thy righteousness. 124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, And teach me thy statutes. 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies. 126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: For they have made void thy law. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way. 129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: Therefore doth my soul keep them. 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple. 131 I opened my mouth, and panted: For I longed for thy commandments. 132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. 133 Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: So will I keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes. 136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, Because they keep not thy law. 137 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. 138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous And very faithful. 139 My zeal hath consumed me, Because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. 140 Thy word is very pure: Therefore thy servant loveth it. 141 I am small and despised: Yet do not I forget thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: Yet thy commandments are my delights. 144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: Give me understanding, and I shall live. 145 KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. 146 I cried unto thee; save me, And I shall keep thy testimonies. 147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, That I might meditate in thy word. 149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment. 150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: They are far from thy law. 151 Thou art near, O Lord; And all thy commandments are truth. 152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old That thou hast founded them for ever. 153 RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: For I do not forget thy law. 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: Quicken me according to thy word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked: For they seek not thy statutes. 156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: Quicken me according to thy judgments. 157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. 158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; Because they kept not thy word. 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. 160 Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: But my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor lying: But thy law do I love. 164 Seven times a day do I praise thee Because of thy righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them. 166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, And done thy commandments. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: For all my ways are before thee. 169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: Give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my supplication come before thee: Deliver me according to thy word. 171 My lips shall utter praise, When thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: For all thy commandments are righteousness. 173 Let thine hand help me; For I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; And thy law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thy judgments help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.
David’s Psalm of praise. 1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, And of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: And I will declare thy greatness. 7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, And shall sing of thy righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; And thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, And talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; And thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: But all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
3. Penitential Psalms: Psalms of contrition and repentance are helpful when we come to God con- fessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. Five of these were written by David. ; ; ; ; ; ; .
To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: But thou, O Lord, how long? 4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: In the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; All the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; It waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord hath heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer. 10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: Let them return and be ashamed suddenly.
A Psalm of David, Maschil. 1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old Through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, Or as the mule, which have no understanding: Whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, Lest they come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: But he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. 1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, And thy hand presseth me sore. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; Neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt Because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: And there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; And my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; And my kinsmen stand afar off. 12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And imagine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; And I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. 14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no reproofs. 15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. 17 For I am ready to halt, And my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; Because I follow the thing that good is. 21 Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done this evil in thy sight: That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me In the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: In the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; And they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: For thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; And I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; And thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: For the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, And favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, And all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, And not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come: And the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death; 21 To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem; 22 When the people are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. 23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.
A Song of degrees. 1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: For with the Lord there is mercy, And with him is plenteous redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.
A Psalm of David. 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications: In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: For in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground; He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. 7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: Hide not thy face from me, Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee. 9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: For thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, And destroy all them that afflict my soul: For I am thy servant.
4. Hallel Psalms: Hallel, from the word “Hallelujah,” is prominent. “The Hallel” was to be sung at Passover — and . .
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same The Lord’s name is to be praised. 4 The Lord is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, Who dwelleth on high, 6 Who humbleth himself to behold The things that are in heaven, and in the earth! 7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people. 9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. 1 When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2 Judah was his sanctuary, And Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, And the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? Thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; And ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, The flint into a fountain of waters. 1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. 2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: Eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: Noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: Feet have they, but they walk not: Neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; So is every one that trusteth in them. 9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield. 11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield. 12 The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, Both small and great. 14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, You and your children. 15 Ye are blessed of the Lord Which made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: But the earth hath he given to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not the Lord, Neither any that go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. 1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard My voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, And the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men are liars. 12 What shall I render unto the Lord For all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord. 14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord Now in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of his saints. 16 O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: Thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows unto the Lord Now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the Lord’s house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. 1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: Praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. 1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: Because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, That his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, That his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, That his mercy endureth for ever. 5 I called upon the Lord in distress: The Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me? 7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: But in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. 11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 12 They compassed me about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns: For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: But the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and song, And is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: But he hath not given me over unto death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: 20 This gate of the Lord, Into which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, And art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders refused Is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, Even unto the horns of the altar. 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.
5. Historical Psalms: Describing Israel’s History. ; ; .
Maschil of Asaph. 1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, Shewing to the generation to come The praises of the Lord, and his strength, And his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which he commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; Who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation; A generation that set not their heart aright, And whose spirit was not stedfast with God. 9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle. 10 They kept not the covenant of God, And refused to walk in his law; 11 And forgat his works, And his wonders that he had shewed them. 12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; And he made the waters to stand as an heap. 14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, And all the night with a light of fire. 15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink as out of the great depths. 16 He brought streams also out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers. 17 And they sinned yet more against him By provoking the most High in the wilderness. 18 And they tempted God in their heart By asking meat for their lust. 19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Can he provide flesh for his people? 21 Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel; 22 Because they believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation: 23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, And opened the doors of heaven, 24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, And had given them of the corn of heaven. 25 Man did eat angels’ food: He sent them meat to the full. 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: And by his power he brought in the south wind. 27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, And feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their habitations. 29 So they did eat, and were well filled: For he gave them their own desire; 30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 31 The wrath of God came upon them, And slew the fattest of them, And smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32 For all this they sinned still, And believed not for his wondrous works. 33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, And their years in trouble. 34 When he slew them, then they sought him: And they returned and inquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, And the high God their redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, And they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, Neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, And grieve him in the desert! 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They remembered not his hand, Nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. 43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, And his wonders in the field of Zoan: 44 And had turned their rivers into blood; And their floods, that they could not drink. 45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them. 46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, And their labour unto the locust. 47 He destroyed their vines with hail, And their sycomore trees with frost. 48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, And their flocks to hot thunderbolts. 49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, Wrath, and indignation, and trouble, By sending evil angels among them. 50 He made a way to his anger; He spared not their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence; 51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; The chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: 52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: But the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, Even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased. 55 He cast out the heathen also before them, And divided them an inheritance by line, And made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, And kept not his testimonies: 57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, And moved him to jealousy with their graven images. 59 When God heard this, he was wroth, And greatly abhorred Israel: 60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, The tent which he placed among men; 61 And delivered his strength into captivity, And his glory into the enemy’s hand. 62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; And was wroth with his inheritance. 63 The fire consumed their young men; And their maidens were not given to marriage. 64 Their priests fell by the sword; And their widows made no lamentation. 65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, And like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. 66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, And chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, The mount Zion which he loved. 69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, Like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70 He chose David also his servant, And took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him To feed Jacob his people, And Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: Make known his deeds among the people. 2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: Talk ye of all his wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: Seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob his chosen. 7 He is the Lord our God: His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, And to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance: 12 When they were but a few men in number; Yea, very few, and strangers in it. 13 When they went from one nation to another, From one kingdom to another people; 14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: Yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, And do my prophets no harm. 16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: He brake the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, Even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: The word of the Lord tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; Even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his substance: 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; And teach his senators wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt; And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24 And he increased his people greatly; And made them stronger than their enemies. 25 He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtilly with his servants. 26 He sent Moses his servant; And Aaron whom he had chosen. 27 They shewed his signs among them, And wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; And they rebelled not against his word. 29 He turned their waters into blood, And slew their fish. 30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, In the chambers of their kings. 31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, And lice in all their coasts. 32 He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land. 33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; And brake the trees of their coasts. 34 He spake, and the locusts came, And caterpillers, and that without number, 35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, And devoured the fruit of their ground. 36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, The chief of all their strength. 37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: And there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed: For the fear of them fell upon them. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering; And fire to give light in the night. 40 The people asked, and he brought quails, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; They ran in the dry places like a river. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, And Abraham his servant. 43 And he brought forth his people with joy, And his chosen with gladness: 44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: And they inherited the labour of the people; 45 That they might observe his statutes, And keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.
1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can shew forth all his praise? 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, And he that doeth righteousness at all times. 4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; 5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, That I may glory with thine inheritance. 6 We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; They remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; But provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known. 9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: So he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their enemies: There was not one of them left. 12 Then believed they his words; They sang his praise. 13 They soon forgat his works; They waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; But sent leanness into their soul. 16 They envied Moses also in the camp, And Aaron the saint of the Lord. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram. 18 And a fire was kindled in their company; The flame burned up the wicked. 19 They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped the molten image. 20 Thus they changed their glory Into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God their saviour, Which had done great things in Egypt; 22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red sea. 23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. 24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not his word: 25 But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. 26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, To overthrow them in the wilderness: 27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, And to scatter them in the lands. 28 They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: And the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: And so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness Unto all generations for evermore. 32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked his spirit, So that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. 34 They did not destroy the nations, Concerning whom the Lord commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, And learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: Which were a snare unto them. 37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons And their daughters unto devils, 38 And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: And the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, And went a whoring with their own inventions. 40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, Insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. 41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; And they that hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand. 43 Many times did he deliver them; But they provoked him with their counsel, And were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, When he heard their cry: 45 And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his mercies. 46 He made them also to be pitied Of all those that carried them captives. 47 Save us, O Lord our God, And gather us from among the heathen, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise. 48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: And let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.
6. The Psalms of Ascent: It is unclear how these Psalms were used—perhaps for pilgrimages to Jerusalem or for the ascent to the steps of the Temple. They may have been designated ascent Psalms because the music tied to them increased in ascending scales. .
Psalms because the music tied to them increased in ascending scales. .
Psalms because the music tied to them increased in ascending scales. .
A Song of degrees. 1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord, And he heard me. 2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, And from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, Thou false tongue? 4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper. 5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, That I dwell in the tents of Kedar! 6 My soul hath long dwelt With him that hateth peace. 7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. A Song of degrees. 1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore. A Song of degrees of David. 1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand Within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded As a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, Unto the testimony of Israel, To give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. A Song of degrees. 1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, And as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; So our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, Until that he have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorning of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud. A Song of degrees of David. 1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, Now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us: 3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, When their wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, The stream had gone over our soul: 5 Then the proud waters Had gone over our soul. 6 Blessed be the Lord, Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: The snare is broken, and we are escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. A Song of degrees. 1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, Which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So the Lord is round about his people From henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; Lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. 4 Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, And to them that are upright in their hearts. 5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, The Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: But peace shall be upon Israel. A Song of degrees. 1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, We were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord hath done great things for us; Whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. A Song of degrees for Solomon. 1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows: For so he giveth his beloved sleep. 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: And the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; So are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be ashamed, But they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. A Song of degrees. 1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; That walketh in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine By the sides of thine house: Thy children like olive plants Round about thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. 5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: And thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem All the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, And peace upon Israel. A Song of degrees. 1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, May Israel now say: 2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: Yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back: They made long their furrows. 4 The Lord is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. 5 Let them all be confounded and turned back That hate Zion. 6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, Which withereth afore it groweth up: 7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. 8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: We bless you in the name of the Lord. A Song of degrees. 1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: For with the Lord there is mercy, And with him is plenteous redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities. A Song of degrees of David. 1 Lord, My heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, As a child that is weaned of his mother: My soul is even as a weaned child. 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord From henceforth and for ever. A Song of degrees. 1 Lord, Remember David, And all his afflictions: 2 How he sware unto the Lord, And vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the Lord, An habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: We found it in the fields of the wood. 7 We will go into his tabernacles: We will worship at his footstool. 8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; Thou, and the ark of thy strength. 9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; And let thy saints shout for joy. 10 For thy servant David’s sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed. 11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach them, Their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. 13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: But upon himself shall his crown flourish. A Song of degrees of David. 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For there the Lord commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore. A Song of degrees. 1 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, Which by night stand in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord. 3 The Lord that made heaven and earth Bless thee out of Zion.
Psalms because the music tied to them increased in ascending scales. .
7. The Imprecatory Psalms: Psalms which pray against or invoke evil upon someone or something. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
A Psalm of David. 1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: Fight against them that fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for mine help. 3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. 4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. 5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: And let the angel of the Lord chase them. 6 Let their way be dark and slippery: And let the angel of the Lord persecute them. 7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, Which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; And let his net that he hath hid catch himself: Into that very destruction let him fall. 9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: It shall rejoice in his salvation. 10 All my bones shall say, Lord, Who is like unto thee, Which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? 11 False witnesses did rise up; They laid to my charge things that I knew not. 12 They rewarded me evil for good To the spoiling of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; And my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. 15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: Yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; They did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, They gnashed upon me with their teeth. 17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, My darling from the lions. 18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. 19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. 20 For they speak not peace: But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. 21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, And said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. 22 This thou hast seen, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. 23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. 24 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me. 25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: Let them not say, We have swallowed him up. 26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. 27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: Yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness And of thy praise all the day long.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication. 2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: For they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: For I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: Mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, My guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, And let them go down quick into hell: For wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God; And the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: For there were many with me. 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, Even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, Therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: He hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee.
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David. 1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? 2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; Ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; 5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, Charming never so wisely. 6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. 7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: When he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. 8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: Like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. 10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. 1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: Defend me from them that rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from bloody men. 3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: The mighty are gathered against me; Not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord. 4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: Awake to help me, and behold. 5 Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to visit all the heathen: Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. 6 They return at evening: They make a noise like a dog, And go round about the city. 7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: Swords are in their lips: For who, say they, doth hear? 8 But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. 9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: For God is my defence. 10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies. 11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: Scatter them by thy power; And bring them down, O Lord our shield. 12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips Let them even be taken in their pride: And for cursing and lying which they speak. 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob Unto the ends of the earth. Selah. 14 And at evening let them return; And let them make a noise like a dog, And go round about the city. 15 Let them wander up and down for meat, And grudge if they be not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of thy power; Yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: For thou hast been my defence And refuge in the day of my trouble. 17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. 1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. 3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: They that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: Then I restored that which I took not away. 5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; And my sins are not hid from thee. 6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: Let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; Shame hath covered my face. 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother’s children. 9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. 10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, That was to my reproach. 11 I made sackcloth also my garment; And I became a proverb to them. 12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; And I was the song of the drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: Let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, Neither let the deep swallow me up, And let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. 16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: Turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; For I am in trouble: hear me speedily. 18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: Deliver me because of mine enemies. 19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: Mine adversaries are all before thee. 20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me also gall for my meat; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22 Let their table become a snare before them: And that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; And make their loins continually to shake. 24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, And let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their habitation be desolate; And let none dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; And they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. 27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: And let them not come into thy righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous. 29 But I am poor and sorrowful: Let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox Or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. 32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: And your heart shall live that seek God. 33 For the Lord heareth the poor, And despiseth not his prisoners. 34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, The seas, and every thing that moveth therein. 35 For God will save Zion, And will build the cities of Judah: That they may dwell there, and have it in possession. 36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: And they that love his name shall dwell therein.
A Song or Psalm of Asaph. 1 Keep not thou silence, O God: Hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: And they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, And consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: They are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; Of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; The Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: They have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. 9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10 Which perished at En-dor: They became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: Yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves The houses of God in possession. 13 O my God, make them like a wheel; As the stubble before the wind. 14 As the fire burneth a wood, And as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; 15 So persecute them with thy tempest, And make them afraid with thy storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame; That they may seek thy name, O Lord. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; Yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, Art the most high over all the earth.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; And fought against me without a cause. 4 For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. 6 Set thou a wicked man over him: And let Satan stand at his right hand. 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: And let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow. 10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: Let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. 11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; And let the strangers spoil his labour. 12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: Neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. 13 Let his posterity be cut off; And in the generation following let their name be blotted out. 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord; And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be before the Lord continually, That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. 16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might even slay the broken in heart. 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: As he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, So let it come into his bowels like water, And like oil into his bones. 19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, And for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. 20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, And of them that speak evil against my soul. 21 But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name’s sake: Because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. 22 For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; And my flesh faileth of fatness. 25 I became also a reproach unto them: When they looked upon me they shaked their heads. 26 Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy: 27 That they may know that this is thy hand; That thou, Lord, hast done it. 28 Let them curse, but bless thou: When they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. 29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, And let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. 30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; Yea, I will praise him among the multitude. 31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those that condemn his soul.
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps Upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; And they that wasted us required of us mirth, Saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song In a strange land? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us. 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh And dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 1 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: Preserve me from the violent man; 2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; Continually are they gathered together for war. 3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; Adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. 4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from the violent man; Who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set gins for me. Selah. 6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. 7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: Further not his wicked device; Lest they exalt themselves. Selah. 9 As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them. 10 Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire; Into deep pits, that they rise not up again. 11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, And the right of the poor. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: The upright shall dwell in thy presence.
How do we justify these Imprecatory Psalms with the commands of Christ to love our enemies? We must recognize the progression from the Old Testament to the New Testament. David and the other writers of the Psalms lived in an age which looked forward to the coming of Christ, but which did not yet know the fullness of God’s grace. God provided the Law to prepare us to receive that grace of the New Testament. We also need to remember the times: God sanctioned limited physical warfare in the days of the Psalms, which prefigure spiritual warfare today.
We need to look at the tone: The Imprecatory Psalms depict an abhorrence for sin and evil that should reside in the heart of those, even today, who rightly love their enemies. As the expres- sion goes, we should “hate the sin but love the sinner.” Finally, these Psalms are often predictive and speak with the voice of God, who alone will be the final arbiter and judge of all mankind.
8. The Devotional Psalms: Containing precious promises of God, and a full range of human emotions in response to the presence of God. There are approximately 70 such Psalms.
Final Thought
Final Thought
The Psalms have been tested and found true for God’s people through the ages. They reach each of us wherever we are in our lives—whether extreme joy or devastating pain. They con- vict, uplift, chastise, and encourage.
A young Charles Hadden Spurgeon shared the following personal story regarding the impact of a particular Psalm upon his life. “In the year 1854, when I had scarcely been in London twelve months, the neighborhood in which I labored was visited by Asiatic cholera….Family after family summoned me to the bedside of the smitten, and almost every day I was called to visit the grave.…My friends seemed falling one by one, and I felt or fancied that I was sickening like those around me.…I felt that my burden was heavier than I could bear, and I was ready to sink under it.…I was returning mournfully home from a funeral, when my curiosity led me to read a paper wafered up in a shoemaker’s window.…It bore in a good bold handwriting these words, ‘Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plaque come nigh thy dwelling’ ( KJV).
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
“The effect upon my heart was immediate.…I felt secure, refreshed.…I went on with my visitation of the dying in a calm and peaceful spirit; I felt no fear of evil and I suffered no harm. The providence which moved the tradesman to place those verses in his window, I gratefully acknowledge, and in the remembrance of its marvelous power I adore the LORD my God.”
God placed the Psalms at the center—the very heart of the Bible to touch the heart of every believer. They are a rich resource for prayer and private praise. In every circumstance, there is a Psalm tailored for your situation. Read them. Memorize them. Meditate upon them. Apply them. Enjoy them. They are words from God’s heart to yours.
Devotion (Personal Study)
Devotion (Personal Study)
This lesson, from the five-week series “Lessons For Life,” is designed to supplement your personal and small group Bi- ble study. The devotion questions are written for your per- sonal study. The discussion questions are especially for small groups. Members who answer the questions ahead of time can bring more insight into their small group meeting. The digging deeper questions are for those who wish for more personal or small group study. As you spend time with God, may His Word enrich your life and enhance your daily walk with Him. BEFORE YOU BEGIN, PRAY.
Devotion (Personal Study)
Devotion (Personal Study)
1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. Write down one insight that was especially challenging or encouraging for you.
2. Read . On what basis can we expect blessings from God?
1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
How does this Psalm challenge you personally?
3. Read . What does this Psalm say about God?
1 O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength Because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
About man?
About you?
4. Read as a prayer. Did it work? Do you utilize the Psalms to strengthen your prayer life? If not, will you consider doing so beginning this week?
Michtam of David. 1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. 2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: My goodness extendeth not to thee; 3 But to the saints that are in the earth, And to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take up their names into my lips. 5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: My reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
5. What is your favorite Psalm? Read it now and record some of the most helpful statements from that Psalm that you might carry them in your heart today.
Discussion (Small Group Study)
Discussion (Small Group Study)
6. See . Compare with Paul’s statement in . Do you agree with Paul? Explain.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, And his circuit unto the ends of it: And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
What experiences with God’s creation have helped you to see and believe in the greatness and goodness of God?
7. Read . Which of these descriptions of the Word of God do you like best. Why?
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
What is the purpose of God’s Word as described in the last four verses of this Psalm?
verses of this Psalm?
8. Read . What does this account describe? What do you find most amazing about this Psalm?
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. 1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: Let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, As a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: They look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; My darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: For thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. 22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Neither hath he hid his face from him; But when he cried unto him, he heard. 25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: They shall praise the Lord that seek him: Your heart shall live for ever. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s: And he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: And none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; It shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
9. Read . Originally there were no chapter divisions between the Psalms. How does this Psalm fit well after ?
A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. 1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: Let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, As a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: They look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; My darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: For thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. 22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Neither hath he hid his face from him; But when he cried unto him, he heard. 25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: They shall praise the Lord that seek him: Your heart shall live for ever. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s: And he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: And none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; It shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
How has encouraged you sometime in the past? (Do you have a short story to tell?)
10. How have the Psalms encouraged your spiritual growth?
How do you use the Psalms? If you have time and if you have not yet done so, pick the Psalm that has been most helpful for you and tell why.
Digging Deeper (Further Study)
Digging Deeper (Further Study)
11. Read . Note the passion and emotion flowing through the lines of this poem. What is the place of emotion in our religious experience?
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. 1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee From the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. 7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night his song shall be with me, And my prayer unto the God of my life. 9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; While they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? 11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Note how David brought his joy, depression, hope and despair to God. Do you do the same? Should you?
12.Read . What is the central point of this chapter?
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; Even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: Depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
How does this Psalm challenge you? Comfort you?
a. Central Point:
b. Challenge:
c. Comfort: