Composite Psalter – The Trinity Mission

The Composite Psalter is a poetic composite of traditional, English translations designed for memorization and group recitation.

More information here

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, *

nor stand in the way of sinners,

nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, *

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

bearing fruit in due season

and whose leaf does not wither; *

in all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so; *

but they are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, *

nor the sinner in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, *

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage *

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth stand up

and the rulers take counsel together *

against the LORD and against his Anointed.

“Let us break their chains,” they say, *

“and cast away their cords from us.”

The One enthroned in the heavens laughs; *

the Lord holds them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his wrath, *

and terrify them in his fury:

“I myself have set my King *

on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will proclaim the decree: *

the LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

Ask of me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance, *

and the ends of the earth your possession.

You shall rule them with a rod of iron; *

you shall shatter them like pottery.”

Therefore, O kings, be wise; *

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, *

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry *

and you perish in the way,

for his wrath is quickly kindled. *

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 3

O LORD, how many are my foes. *

How many there are who rise up against me.

How many there are who say of my soul, *

“There is no help for him in his God.”

But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; *

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I cry aloud to the LORD, *

and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lay me down and sleep; *

I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands *

who have set themselves against me on every side.

Rise up, O LORD; set me free, O my God; *

for you have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

you have broken the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the LORD. *

Your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 4

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. *

You have relieved me in my distress;

have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

O children of men, how long shall my glory be turned into shame? *

How long will you love worthlessness and seek after lies?

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; *

the LORD will hear when I call to him.

Be angry, and do not sin; *

search your own hearts on your bed and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, *

and put your trust in the LORD.

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?” *

let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

You have filled my heart with greater joy *

than when their grain and wine abound.

I will lay me down and sleep in peace; *

for you alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O LORD; *

consider my sighing.

Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, *

for to you do I pray.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; *

in the morning I will lay my requests before you

and eagerly wait.

For you are not a God who delights in evil; *

with you the wicked cannot dwell.

Braggarts cannot stand before your eyes; *

you hate all workers of wickedness.

You destroy those who speak lies; *

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But as for me, in the multitude of your mercy

I will come into your house; *

I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; *

make your way straight before my face.

For there is no truth in their mouth; *

their inmost part is destruction itself;

their throat is an open grave; *

with their tongue they speak deceit.

Make them bear their guilt, O God; *

let them fall by their own counsels.

Thrust them out because of the abundance of their transgressions, *

for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; *

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them, *

that those who love your name may exult in you.

For surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; *

you surround him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 6

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, *

nor discipline me in your wrath.

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am weak; *

heal me, LORD, for my bones are troubled.

My soul also is greatly dismayed; *

how long, O LORD, how long?

Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; *

save me for your mercy’s sake.

For in death there is no remembrance of you; *

in Sheol who shall give you praise?

I am weary with my sighing;

every night I flood my bed with tears; *

I drench my couch with my weeping.

My eye wastes away with grief; *

it grows weak because of all my enemies.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil, *

for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.

The LORD has heard my supplication; *

the LORD accepts my prayer.

All my enemies shall be confounded and dismayed; *

they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 7

O LORD my God, in you I take refuge; *

save and deliver me from all my pursuers;

Lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, *

and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue.

O LORD my God, if I have done this: *

if there is any injustice in my hands,

if I have repaid my ally with evil, *

or plundered my enemy without cause,

then let my enemy pursue my soul and overtake me, *

let him trample my life to the ground,

and lay my glory in the dust.

Arise, O LORD, in your anger;

rise up against the rage of my adversaries; *

awake for me; for you have appointed a judgment.

Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered around you; *

and for their sakes return on high.

The LORD shall judge the nations; *

judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness

and the integrity that is in me.

Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end *

and may you make the righteous secure –

O righteous God, who searches hearts and minds.

God is my shield and defense; *

he is the savior of the upright in heart.

God is a righteous judge; *

God is angry with the wicked every day.

If a man does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; *

he bends his bow and makes it ready.

He has prepared his deadly weapons; *

he makes his arrows shafts of fire.

Behold those in labor with wickedness, *

who conceive evil, and give birth to lies.

They dig a pit and make it deep *

and fall into the hole which they have made.

Their malice turns back upon their own head; *

and on their own skull their violence descends.

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; *

I will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord, *

how majestic is your name in all the earth.

You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of infants and babes you have ordained praise, *

because of your adversaries, to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *

the moon and the stars, which you have ordained,

what is man that you are mindful of him, *

the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the angels *

and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; *

you have put all things under his feet,

all sheep and oxen, *

and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, *

all that passes along the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, *

how majestic is your name in all the earth.

Psalm 9

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; *

I will tell of all your wonderful works.

I will be glad and rejoice in you; *

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

When my enemies are driven back, *

they will stumble and perish at your presence.

For you have maintained my right and my cause; *

you have sat on your throne judging in righteousness.

You have rebuked the nations and made the wicked perish; *

you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

The enemy has come to an end in everlasting ruins; *

their cities plowed under;

the very memory of them has perished.

But the LORD reigns forever; *

he has established his throne for justice;

he judges the world with righteousness; *

he judges the peoples with equity.

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, *

a high tower in times of trouble.

And those who know your name will put their trust in you; *

for you, O LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion. *

Declare among the nations the things he has done.

For the Avenger of blood remembers; *

he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Have mercy on me, O LORD;

see the misery I suffer from those who hate me, *

O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

so that I may declare your praises,

in the gates of the daughter of Zion *

and rejoice in your salvation.

The nations have sunk down into the pit that they made; *

in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.

The LORD is known by his acts of justice; *

the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

The wicked shall be given over to the grave, *

all the nations that forget God.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, *

and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

Arise, O LORD. Do not let man prevail; *

let the nations be judged in your presence.

Put fear upon them, O LORD. *

Let the nations know that they are but men.

Psalm 10

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? *

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

In arrogance the wicked persecute the afflicted; *

let them be caught in the schemes they have conceived.

For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, *

he blesses the one greedy for gain and renounces the LORD.

In the pride of his countenance the wicked does not seek him; *

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

His ways are always prospering; *

your laws are on high, out of his sight;

he sneers at all his enemies.

He says to himself, “I shall not be shaken; *

throughout all generations I shall not be in adversity.”

His mouth is full with cursing and deceit and oppression; *

under his tongue are trouble and evil.

He sits in the lurking places of the villages;

in secret places he murders the innocent; *

his eyes stealthily watch for the helpless.

He lurks in ambush like a lion in cover;

lurking that he may catch the poor; *

he catches the poor and drags him off in his net.

The helpless are crushed, *

they collapse and they fall under his strength.

He says to himself, “God has forgotten, *

he hides his face, he will never see.”

Arise, O LORD; *

O God, lift up your hand;

do not forget the afflicted.

Why does the wicked man renounce God *

and say to himself, “He will not call me to account”?

But you do see,

for you behold trouble and misery, *

you see it and take it into your own hand;

The helpless commit themselves to you; *

you are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer; *

call his wickedness to account till you find no more.

The LORD is king for ever and ever; *

the nations have perished out of his land.

O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; *

you will strengthen their heart;

you will incline your ear

to give justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, *

so that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalm 11

In the LORD I have taken refuge; *

how then can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to the mountains.

For behold, the wicked bend the bow;

and fit their arrow upon the string *

to shoot in a moonless night at the upright in heart.

If the foundations are destroyed, *

what can the righteous do?”

The LORD is in his holy temple; *

the LORD’s throne is in heaven;

his eyes behold, *

his eyelids try the children of man.

The LORD examines the righteous and the wicked; *

his soul hates the one who loves violence.

On the wicked he will rain snares and fire; *

sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

For the LORD is righteous and he loves righteousness; *

the upright shall behold his face.

Psalm 12

Help me, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; *

for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; *

with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, *

and the tongues that speak proud things,

those who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail, *

our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,” says the LORD; *

“I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”

The words of the LORD are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace of earth, *

purified seven times.

You, O LORD, shall keep us and guard us, *

from this generation, and forever.

The wicked walk on every side, *

when vileness is exalted among the children of man.

Psalm 13

How long, O LORD

Will you forget me forever? *

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle in my soul

and have sorrow in my heart all the day? *

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Look upon me and answer, O LORD my God; *

give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,

lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him,” *

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; *

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD who has dealt bountifully with me; *

I will praise the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 14

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” *

They are corrupt and commit abominable deeds,

there is none who does good.

The LORD looks from heaven on the children of man, *

to see if there are any of understanding,

who seek after God.

They have all turned away;

together they have become corrupt; *

there is none who does good,

not even one.

Have they no knowledge, these workers of evil *

who eat up my people as though eating bread

and do not call upon the LORD?

There they are, overwhelmed with great fear, *

for God is with the generation of the righteous.

You evildoers shame the plans of the poor, *

but the LORD is his refuge.

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion. *

When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 15

O LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *

Who may abide on your holy hill?

He who walks with integrity and does what is righteous *

and speaks truth in his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue

and does no evil to his neighbor, *

nor casts slurs against his fellow man;

in whose eyes a vile person is despised, *

but who honors those who fear the LORD;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change;

who lends his money without interest

and does not take a bribe against the innocent. *

He who does these things shall never be shaken.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, *

for in you I take refuge.

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; *

apart from you I have no good thing.”

As for the saints who are in the land, *

they are the excellent ones

in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those will be multiplied *

who chase after other gods.

Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, *

nor take their names upon my lips.

O LORD, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; *

it is you who make my lot secure.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; *

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; *

even in the night my heart instructs me.

I have set the LORD always before me; *

because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; *

my flesh also will dwell secure.

For you will not abandon me to Sheol, *

nor let your holy one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life; *

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 17

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry. *

Give ear to my prayer from lips not deceitful.

Let my vindication come forth from your presence. *

Let your eyes look upon the things that are right.

You have tried my heart, you have visited by night,

you have tested me and have found nothing; *

I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

As to the deeds of man, *

by the word of your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

My steps have held fast to your paths, *

that my feet may not stumble.

I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *

incline your ear to me and hear my words.

Wondrously show your faithful love, *

O Savior of those who take refuge

from those who rise up against your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; *

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

from the wicked who assault me, *

from my deadly enemies who surround me.

They have closed their unfeeling hearts; *

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

They have tracked me down;

they have now surrounded me; *

with eyes alert to cast me to the ground;

like a lion eager to tear, *

like a young lion lurking in ambush.

Arise, O LORD. Anticipate him and cast him down. *

By your sword, deliver my soul from the wicked.

By your hand, deliver me, O LORD, from men, *

from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their belly with treasure; *

they are satisfied with children

and leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; *

I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness.

Psalm 18

I love you, O LORD, my strength. *

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; *

my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, *

and so shall I be saved from my enemies.

The cords of death encompassed me; *

the torrents of destruction made me afraid;

the sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; *

the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon the LORD; *

to my God I cried out for help.

From his temple he heard my voice, *

and my cry before him reached his ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked; *

the foundations of the mountains trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

Smoke went up in his wrath;

devouring fire from his mouth; *

glowing coals were kindled by it.

He bowed the heavens and came down; *

thick darkness was under his feet.

He rode upon a cherub and flew; *

he soared upon the wings of the wind.

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, *

dark waters, thick clouds of the skies.

At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed - *

hailstones and coals of fire.

The LORD thundered in the heavens; *

the Most High uttered his voice.

He sent out his arrows and scattered them; *

he flashed forth lightning and routed them.

Then the channels of the sea were seen;

the foundations of the world were laid bare *

at your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

He sent from on high, he took me; *

he drew me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy, *

from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, *

but the LORD was my support.

He brought me out into a broad place; *

he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; *

according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, *

and have not wickedly departed from my God.

For all his just decrees were before me, *

and his statutes I did not put away from me.

I was blameless before him, *

and I kept myself from my iniquity.

So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, *

according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

With the merciful you show yourself merciful; *

with the blameless you show yourself blameless;

with the pure you show yourself pure; *

and with the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

For you will save a humble people, *

but haughty eyes you will bring down.

For it is you who light my lamp; *

the LORD my God enlightens my darkness.

For by you I can run against a troop; *

by my God I can leap over a wall.

As for God, his way is perfect,

the word of the LORD proven true; *

he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.

For who is God, but the LORD? *

And who is a rock, except our God?

It is God who girds me with strength *

and has made my way blameless.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer *

and sets me secure on high places.

He trains my hands for battle, *

my arms to bend a bow of bronze.

You have given me the shield of your salvation, *

and your right hand has held me up,

your gentleness has made me great.

You enlarged my path beneath me, *

so that my feet have not slipped.

I will pursue my enemies and overtake them; *

I will not turn back till they are consumed.

I will thrust them through so they cannot rise; *

they shall fall defeated at my feet.

For you have girded me with strength for the battle; *

you have subdued under me those who rise up against me.

You have made my enemies turn their backs in flight; *

those who hated me I destroyed.

They cried for help, but there was none to save; *

they cried even to the LORD, but he did not answer them.

I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind; *

I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

You have delivered me from strife with the people; *

you have made me the head of the nations;

a people whom I did not know now serve me.

As soon as they hear of me they obey me; *

the sons of the stranger come cringing before me.

The foreigners fade away; *

they come trembling out of their strongholds.

The LORD lives, blessed be my rock, *

let the God of my salvation be exalted.

The God who avenges me, *

who subdues peoples under me,

He delivers me from my enemies; *

yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me;

you have delivered me from the man of violence.

Therefore I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the nations; *

I will sing praises to your name.

Great deliverance he brings to his king, *

and shows steadfast love to his anointed,

to David and his offspring forever.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God, *

and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day unto day pours forth speech, *

and night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. *

Their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has set up a tent for the sun, *

which comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber,

and, like a champion, rejoices to run his course.

His rising is from one end of the heavens,

and his circuit to the other; *

there is nothing hidden from his heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, *

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure, *

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right, *

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure, *

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the LORD is clean, *

enduring forever;

the judgments of the LORD are true, *

and altogether righteous.

They are more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; *

sweeter far than honey, than honey dripping from the comb.

By them is your servant warned; *

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his own errors? *

Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion over me. *

Then shall I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, *

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 20

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble. *

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you.

May he send you help from the sanctuary *

and strengthen you from Zion.

May he remember all your offerings *

and find your burnt sacrifices acceptable.

May he grant to you your heart’s desire *

and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy over your salvation,

and in the name of our God set up our banners. *

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; *

he will answer him from his holy heaven

with the saving strength of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, *

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

They collapse and fall, *

but we arise and stand upright.

O LORD, save the king, *

and answer us when we call.

Psalm 21

O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices; *

how greatly he exults in your salvation.

You have given him his heart’s desire *

and have not withheld the request of his lips.

For you meet him with rich blessings; *

you set a crown of fine gold on his head.

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him, *

length of days for ever and ever.

His glory is great through your salvation; *

splendor and majesty you have bestowed upon him.

For you have made him a blessing forever; *

you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

For the king trusts in the LORD; *

through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; *

your right hand will find out all those who hate you.

You will make them as a blazing oven *

in the time of your presence.

The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, *

and the fire will devour them.

You will destroy their descendants from the earth, *

their seed from among the sons of man.

Though they intended evil against you, *

though they devised a plot, they will not succeed.

For you will put them to flight; *

you will aim your arrows at their faces.

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength. *

We will sing and praise your power.

Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *

Why are you so far from saving me,

and from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, *

and by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are the Holy One, *

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

In you our fathers put their trust; *

they trusted, and you delivered them.

To you they cried and were rescued; *

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man; *

scorned by mankind, and despised by the people.

All who see me sneer at me; *

they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,

“He trusted in the LORD, let him deliver him; *

let him rescue him, since he delights in him.”

Yet you are the one who brought me out of the womb; *

you made me trust you while at my mother’s breast.

I was cast upon you from my birth; *

from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Be not far from me, *

for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

Many bulls have surrounded me; *

strong bulls of Bashan encircle me;

they open wide their mouths at me, *

like a raging and roaring lion.

I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint; *

my heart is like wax; it is melted within me.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; *

my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth;

you lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs have surrounded me; *

a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet —

I can count all my bones; *

they look and stare upon me;

they divide my garments among them; *

they cast lots for my clothing.

But you, O LORD, be not far off. *

O my Strength, hasten to help me.

Deliver my soul from the sword, *

my precious life from the power of the dog.

Rescue me from the mouth of the lion. *

Save me from the horns of wild bulls.

I will tell of your name to my brothers; *

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.

You who fear the LORD, praise him. *

all you descendants of Jacob, glorify him;

stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel.

For he has not despised nor abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted, *

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard his cry for help.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; *

I will pay my vows before those who fear him.

The poor shall eat and be satisfied; *

those who seek the LORD shall praise him.

May your hearts live forever.

All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the LORD, *

and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.

For the kingdom is the LORD’s; *

he rules over the nations.

All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship; *

all who go down to the dust shall bow before him -

those who cannot keep themselves alive.

Posterity shall serve him; *

the coming generation will be told about the LORD;

they will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn: *

he has done it.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; *

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; *

he leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul; *

he leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, *

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; *

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; *

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, *

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 24

The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, *

the world and those who dwell therein,

for he has founded it upon the seas *

and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? *

And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, *

who does not lift up his soul to falsehood

and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the LORD *

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him, *

who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates;

be lifted up, O ancient doors, *

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory? *

The LORD, strong and mighty,

the LORD, mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates;

lift them up, O ancient doors, *

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory? *

The LORD of hosts,

he is the King of glory.

Psalm 25

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. *

O my God, in you I trust;

let me not be put to shame; *

let not my enemies triumph over me.

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; *

but shame will come to those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, O LORD; *

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me, *

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you do I wait all the day long.

Remember, O LORD, your tender mercies and your faithful love, *

for they have been from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; *

according to your faithful love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD; *

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right, *

he teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness *

to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For the sake of your name, O LORD, *

pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the LORD? *

Him will he instruct in the way he should choose.

His soul shall abide in prosperity, *

and his offspring shall inherit the land.

The LORD confides in those who fear him; *

he reveals to them his covenant.

My eyes are ever toward the LORD, *

for he will free my feet from the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, *

for I am lonely and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged; *

bring me out of my distresses.

Look upon my affliction and my pain, *

and forgive me all my sin.

Consider how many are my foes, *

and with what violent hatred they have hated me.

O guard my soul and deliver me. *

Let me not be put to shame,

for I have taken refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness protect me, *

for I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God, *

out of all his troubles.

Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O LORD,

for I have walked in my integrity; *

I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered.

Examine me, O LORD, and try me; *

test my heart and my mind.

For your unfailing love is before my eyes, *

and I walk in your faithfulness.

I do not sit with deceitful men, *

nor do I associate with hypocrites.

I abhor the assembly of evildoers, *

and I will not sit down with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence *

and go around your altar, O LORD,

that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, *

and tell of all your wondrous works.

O LORD, I have loved the habitation of your house; *

the place where your glory dwells.

Do not sweep my soul away with the sinners, *

nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

in whose hands are evil devices, *

and whose right hand is full of bribes.

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; *

redeem me, and be gracious to me.

My foot stands on level ground; *

in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation; *

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; *

of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers advance against me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and my foes, *

it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, *

my heart shall not fear;

though war should arise against me, *

even then I will be confident.

One thing I have asked of the LORD, *

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life, *

to behold the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble he will hide me in his shelter; *

he will conceal me in the cover of his tent;

he will set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up *

above my enemies all around me,

And I will offer in his tabernacle

sacrifices of joy; *

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice, O LORD, when I cry aloud; *

have mercy on me and answer me.

You have said, “Seek my face.” *

My heart says to you,

“Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

Hide not your face from me, *

nor turn your servant away in anger.

You have been my help;

do not abandon me nor forsake me *

O God of my salvation.

Though my father and my mother forsake me, *

the LORD will take me in.

Teach me your way, O LORD,

and lead me on a level path *

because of my enemies.

Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me; *

they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD *

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and let your heart take courage; *

yes, wait for the LORD.

Psalm 28

To you, O LORD, I call; *

my rock, do not be silent to me,

lest, if you be silent to me, *

I become like those who go down to the pit.

Hear the voice of my supplications, *

when I cry to you for help,

when I lift up my hands *

toward your holy sanctuary.

Do not drag me away with the wicked, *

with the workers of iniquity,

who speak peace with their neighbors *

while evil is in their hearts.

Give to them according to their deeds *

and according to the evil of their endeavors;

give to them according to the work of their hands; *

render to them their due reward.

Because they do not regard the works of the LORD

nor the operation of his hands, *

he will tear them down and not build them up again.

Blessed be the LORD. *

For he has heard the voice of my supplications.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; *

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart greatly rejoices, *

and with my song I will thank him.

The LORD is the strength of his people; *

and the saving defender of his anointed.

Oh, save your people and bless your inheritance. *

Shepherd them also and carry them forever.

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the LORD, O you sons of the mighty, *

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; *

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders, *

the LORD, over the many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; *

the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; *

yes, the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, *

and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD flashes with flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; *

the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth,

and strips the forests bare, *

and in his temple all cry, “Glory.”

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; *

the LORD sits as king forever.

The LORD will give strength to his people; *

the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psalm 30

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have lifted me up, *

and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help, *

and you have healed me.

O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; *

you restored me to life, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing praise to the LORD, O you his saints, *

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment; *

his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may remain for the night, *

but joy comes in the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity, *

“I shall never be moved.”

By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; *

but when you hid your face, I was filled with fear.

To you, O LORD, I cried out; *

to the Lord I made my supplication:

“What profit is there in my destruction,

if I go down to the pit? *

Will the dust praise you? Will it declare your faithfulness?

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me. *

O LORD, be my helper.”

You have turned my mourning into dancing; *

you have removed my sackcloth

and girded me with gladness,

so that my soul may sing your praise and not be silent. *

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 31

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame; *

in your righteousness deliver me.

Bow down your ear to me; *

make haste to rescue me.

Be my rock of refuge, *

a house of defense to save me.

For you are my rock and my fortress; *

and for the sake of your name you will lead me and guide me;

you draw me out of the net that they have hidden for me, *

for you are my protector.

Into your hands I commit my spirit; *

for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O God of truth.

I have hated those who regard worthless idols, *

but I trust in the LORD.

I will be glad and rejoice in your steadfast love,

for you have seen my affliction; *

you have known the distress of my soul;

you have not shut me up in the hand of the enemy; *

you have set my feet in a spacious place.

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in distress;

my eye wastes away with grief; *

my soul and my body as well.

For my life is spent with sorrow, *

and my years with sighing;

my strength fails because of my iniquity, *

and my bones waste away.

I have become a reproach among all my enemies, *

but exceedingly so to my neighbors,

and an object of dread to my acquaintances; *

those who see me in the street flee from me.

I am utterly forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *

I have become like a broken vessel.

For I have heard the slander of many, *

terror on every side;

as they conspire together against me, *

as they scheme to take my life.

But I trust in you, O LORD; *

I say, “You are my God.”

My time is in your hands;

rescue me from the hand of my enemies, *

and from those who persecute me.

Make your face to shine upon your servant; *

save me in your steadfast love.

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, *

for I have called upon you;

let the wicked be put to shame; *

let them lie silently in Sheol.

Let the lying lips be put to silence,

which speak insolent things against the righteous, *

with pride and contempt.

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, *

which you have laid up for those who fear you,

which you have prepared for those who take refuge in you, *

in the sight of the sons of man.

You hide them in the cover of your presence *

from the plots of man;

you conceal them in your shelter *

from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the LORD,

for he has shown me his marvelous kindness *

when I was in a besieged city.

For I had said in my alarm, *

“I am cut off from your sight;”

nevertheless you heard the voice of my pleas *

when I cried out to you for help.

O love the LORD, all you his saints.

For the LORD preserves those who are faithful, *

and plenteously repays the proud.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, *

all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 32

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *

whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, *

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away *

through my groaning all the day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; *

my strength was dried up as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *

and I did not cover up my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” *

and you forgave me the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly *

offer prayer to you at the time when you may be found;

surely in the rush of great waters, *

they shall not reach him.

You are my hiding place;

you preserve me from trouble; *

you surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; *

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule, with no understanding, *

which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,

or else it will not stay near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, *

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O you righteous, *

sing, all you upright in heart.

Psalm 33

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous. *

It befits the upright to praise him.

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; *

make music to him on the harp of ten strings.

Sing to him a new song; *

play skillfully, with shouts of joy.

For the word of the LORD is right and true, *

and all his works are faithfulness.

He loves righteousness and justice; *

the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; *

by the breath of his mouth their starry host.

He gathers up the waters of the sea as a heap; *

he puts the deeps into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD; *

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

For he spoke, and it came to be; *

he commanded, and it stood firm.

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; *

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands firm forever, *

the plans of his heart through all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, *

the people he has chosen as his own inheritance.

The LORD looks down from the heavens; *

he sees all the children of man;

from his dwelling place he looks upon *

all the inhabitants of the earth,

he who fashions the hearts of them all *

observes everything they do.

The king is not saved by the size of his army; *

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

A horse is a false hope for salvation; *

despite all its strength it cannot save.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, *

on those whose hope is in his mercy,

to deliver their soul from death *

and to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD; *

he is our help and our shield.

For in him our heart shall rejoice, *

because we trust in his holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, *

even as we have our hope in you.

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times; *

his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; *

let the humble hear of it and rejoice.

O, magnify the LORD with me, *

and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; *

he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant; *

their faces shall not be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him *

and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, *

and he delivers them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; *

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

O fear the LORD, you his saints, *

for those who fear him lack for nothing.

The young lions suffer want and hunger; *

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me; *

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who among you loves life *

and desires long days, that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil *

and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn away from evil and do good; *

seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous *

and his ears are open toward their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, *

to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry and the LORD hears them; *

he delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted *

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, *

but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

He keeps safe all his bones; *

not one of them is broken.

Evil will slay the wicked; *

those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; *

none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 35

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; *

and fight against those who fight against me.

Take hold of shield and buckler, *

and rise up for my help.

Draw out the spear and the javelin *

to stop those who pursue me.

Say to my soul, *

“I am your salvation.”

Let them be put to shame and dishonored *

who seek after my life.

Let them be turned back and confounded *

who devise evil against me.

Let them be like chaff before the wind, *

and let the angel of the LORD scatter them.

Let their way be dark and slippery, *

with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

For without cause they hid their net for me; *

without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

Let destruction come upon them unexpectedly;

and let the net that they hid catch themselves; *

into that very destruction let them fall.

Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD, *

it shall rejoice in his salvation.

All my bones shall say, *

“O LORD, who is like you,

delivering the poor from those who are too strong for them, *

the poor and needy from those who rob them?”

Malicious witnesses rise up; *

they ask me of things that I do not know.

They repay me evil for good; *

to the sorrow of my soul.

But as for me, when they were sick—

I put on sackcloth; *

I humbled myself with fasting;

I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

I went about grieving as though for my friend or my brother;

as one who mourns for his mother, *

I bowed down with heaviness of heart.

But in my adversity, they rejoiced and gathered together; *

they gathered together against me;

attackers whom I did not know *

tore at me without ceasing;

like godless mockers at a feast, *

they gnashed at me with their teeth.

How long, O Lord, will you look on

Rescue my soul from their ravages, *

my precious life from the lions.

I will give you thanks in the great congregation; *

among many people I will praise you.

Let not those rejoice over me *

who are wrongfully my foes,

and let not those wink the eye *

who hate me without cause.

For they do not speak for peace,

but they devise words of deceit *

against those who are quiet in the land.

They opened wide their mouths against me; *

and said, “Aha, Aha. Our eyes have seen it.”

You have seen this, O LORD; do not keep silent. *

O Lord, do not be far from me.

Arise and awake to my judgment, *

for my cause, my God and my Lord.

Vindicate me, O LORD, my God,

according to your righteousness, *

and let them not rejoice over me.

Let them not say in their hearts,

“Aha, we have what we wanted.” *

Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

Let them be ashamed and confounded together *

who rejoice at my calamity.

Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor *

who magnify themselves against me.

Let them shout for joy and be glad, *

who favor my righteous cause;

and let them say continually,

“The LORD be exalted, *

who delights in the welfare of his servant.”

Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness *

and of your praise all the day long.

Psalm 36

The transgression of the wicked speaks deep in his heart; *

there is no fear of God before his eyes.

For he flatters himself in his own eyes *

that his iniquity will not be found out and be hated.

The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; *

he has ceased to act wisely and to do good.

He plots wickedness while on his bed; *

he sets himself on a way that is not good;

he does not reject evil.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains;

your judgments like the great deep; *

O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God. *

The children of man take refuge

in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house; *

you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life; *

in your light we see light.

Continue your love to those who know you; *

your righteousness to the upright of heart.

Let not the foot of pride come upon me, *

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

There the evildoers have fallen; *

thrust down, and unable to rise.

Psalm 37

Fret not yourself because of the ungodly; *

nor be envious of the evildoers.

For they will soon be dried up like the grass *

and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; *

dwell in the land and be fed with faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the LORD, *

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD; *

trust in him, and he will bring it to pass.

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, *

and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

do not fret over him who prospers in his way, *

over the man who carries out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and let go of wrath. *

Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

For the evildoers shall be rooted out, *

but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; *

though you look carefully for his place, it shall not be there.

But the meek shall inherit the earth, *

and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

The wicked plots against the righteous *

and gnashes at him with his teeth,

but the Lord laughs at the wicked, *

for he sees that his day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bow,

to bring down the poor and needy, *

to slay those whose way is upright;

their sword shall enter their own heart, *

and their bows shall be broken.

Better is the little that the righteous has *

than the abundant wealth of the wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, *

but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The LORD knows the days of the blameless, *

and their inheritance shall endure forever;

they shall not be ashamed in the time of evil; *

and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

But the wicked will perish;

the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the fields, shall vanish; *

as smoke they shall vanish away.

The wicked borrows and does not repay, *

but the righteous is generous and gives;

for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, *

but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, *

and he will delight in his way;

though he fall, he shall not be cast down, *

for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I have been young, and now am old; *

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

nor his children begging for bread.

He is ever generous in lending, *

and his children shall be a blessing.

Depart from evil, and do good, *

and dwell forevermore.

For the LORD loves justice; *

he will not forsake his saints.

They are preserved forever, *

but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

The righteous shall inherit the land *

and dwell in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, *

and his tongue speaks of justice.

The law of his God is in his heart; *

None of his steps shall slip.

The wicked watches the righteous *

and seeks to put him to death.

The LORD will not leave him in his hand *

nor let him be condemned when he is judged.

Wait for the LORD and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land; *

when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

I have seen the wicked in great power, *

flourishing like a tree in full leaf.

Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; *

though I sought him, he could not be found.

Mark the blameless and observe the upright, *

for there is a future for the man of peace.

But the transgressors shall be destroyed altogether; *

the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; *

he is their strength in the time of trouble.

The LORD shall help them and deliver them; *

he shall deliver them from the wicked and save them,

because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 38

O LORD, rebuke me not in your wrath, *

nor discipline me in your anger.

For your arrows have pierced me deeply, *

and your hand presses me down.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; *

nor health in my bones because of my sin.

For my iniquities have gone over my head; *

like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.

My wounds are foul and festering *

because of my foolishness.

I am troubled and utterly bowed down; *

I go about mourning all the day long.

For my sides are filled with burning, *

and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am feeble and sore broken; *

I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing is before you; *

and my groaning is not hidden from you.

My heart throbs; my strength fails me, *

and the light of my eyes, even it is gone from me.

My friends and my neighbors stand aloof from my plague, *

and my nearest of kin stand far away.

Those who seek my life lay their snares for me; *

those who seek my hurt speak of ruin

and meditate treachery all the day long.

But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, *

like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Yes, I have become like a man who does not hear, *

and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

For you, O LORD, do I wait; *

you will answer, O Lord my God.

For I said, “Let them not rejoice over me, *

who boast against me when my foot slips.”

For I am ready to fall, *

and my sorrow is ever before me.

For I will confess my iniquity; *

I will be sorry for my sin.

But my enemies are vigorous and strong, *

and many are those who wrongfully hate me.

Those who render me evil for good *

accuse me because I follow what is good.

Do not forsake me, O LORD; *

O my God, be not far from me.

Make haste to help me, *

O Lord, my salvation.

Psalm 39

I said, “I will guard my ways, *

that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle, *

while the wicked are in my sight.”

I was mute and silent;

I refrained even from good; *

and my sorrow was stirred.

My heart grew hot within me;

while I mused, the fire kindled; *

then I spoke with my tongue:

“O LORD, make me to know my end

and what is the measure of my days; *

that I may know how fleeting I am.

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, *

and my age is nothing in your sight.

Surely all mankind is but a mere breath. *

Surely man walks about like a shadow.

Surely they busy themselves in vain; *

he heaps up wealth and does not know

whose it finally will be.

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? *

My hope is in you.

Deliver me from all my transgressions. *

Make me not the reproach of the fool.

I have become mute; I do not open my mouth, *

for it is you who have done it.

Remove your scourge from me; *

I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

When you, with rebukes, discipline a man for sin,

you consume like a moth what is precious to him; *

surely all mankind is but a mere breath.

Hear my prayer, O LORD,

and give ear to my cry; *

hold not your peace at my tears.

For I am a sojourner with you, *

a stranger, as were all my fathers.

Look away from me, that I may smile again, *

before I depart and am no more.”

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the LORD; *

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, *

out of the miry clay;

he set my feet upon a rock, *

and made my footsteps firm.

He put a new song in my mouth, *

a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear, *

and put their trust in the LORD.

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, *

who does not turn to the proud,

nor to those who turn aside to falsehood.

Many, O LORD my God, *

are the wondrous works which you have done;

and in your thoughts toward us, *

none can compare with you.

I will proclaim and tell of them, *

yet they are more than can be numbered.

Sacrifice and offering you have not desired,

but a body you have prepared for me. *

Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

Then I said, Behold, I come; *

in the scroll of the book it is written of me,

I delight to do your will, O my God; *

your law is within my heart.

I have proclaimed your righteousness in the great congregation; *

I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, as you know.

I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart; *

I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness *

from the great congregation.

But you, O LORD, do not withhold your mercies from me, *

may your steadfast love and your faithfulness ever preserve me.

For innumerable evils have encompassed me *

my iniquities have overtaken me, so that I cannot see;

they are more in number than the hairs of my head; *

and my heart has utterly failed me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me. *

O LORD, make haste to help me.

Let them be ashamed and confounded *

who seek after my soul to destroy it;

let them be turned back and dishonored *

who delight in my hurt.

Let them be desolate and rewarded with shame *

who say to me, “Aha, Aha.”

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *

let those who love your salvation say always, “The LORD be praised.”

As for me, I am poor and needy, *

but the LORD is mindful of me.

You are my help and my deliverer; *

do not delay, O my God.

Psalm 41

Blessed is the one who considers the poor. *

The LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.

The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive;

and make him blessed upon the earth; *

he will not give him up to the will of his enemies.

The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; *

in his illness you restore him to health.

I said, “O LORD, have mercy on me; *

heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.”

My enemies speak evil against me, *

“When will he die, and his name perish?”

And if anyone comes to see me, he utters empty words,

while his heart gathers iniquity to itself; *

when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

All who hate me whisper together against me; *

they imagine the worst for me.

“A wicked thing is poured out on him,” they say, *

“now that he lies down, he will not rise again.”

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,

who ate my bread, *

has lifted up his heel against me.

But you, O LORD, have mercy on me, *

and raise me up, that I may repay them.

By this I know that you delight in me: *

because my enemy does not shout over me in triumph.

But you have upheld me because of my integrity, *

and set me before your face forever.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting. *

Amen and Amen.

Psalm 42

As a deer pants for streams of water, *

so my soul longs after you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God. *

When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food *

day and night,

while they say to me all the day long, *

“Where is your God?”

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the multitude *

and lead them in procession to the house of God

with a voice of joy and songs of praise, *

a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, *

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, *

my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me; *

therefore I will remember you

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, *

from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep

at the roar of your waterfalls; *

all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.

By day the LORD commands his mercy, *

and in the night his song is with me, *

a prayer to the God of my life.

I will say to God, my rock: *

“Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go about mourning *

because of the oppression of the enemy?”

As with a breaking of my bones, *

my adversaries taunt me,

while they say to me all the day long, *

“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul, *

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, *

my salvation and my God.

Psalm 43

Vindicate me, O God,

and plead my cause against an ungodly nation, *

deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.

For you, O God, are my strength; *

why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning *

because of the oppression of the enemy?

Send out your light and your truth; *

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill *

and to your dwelling.

Then I will go to the altar of God, *

to God my exceeding joy,

and I will praise you with the harp, *

O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, *

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, *

my salvation and my God.

Psalm 44

O God, we have heard with our ears, *

our fathers have told us,

what deeds you performed in their days, *

in the days of old:

your hand drove out the nations, *

and you planted them;

you afflicted the peoples, *

and you set them free;

for not by their own sword did they win the land, *

nor did their own arm save them,

but your right hand and your arm,

and the light of your face, *

for you delighted in them.

You are my King, O God; *

who commands salvation for Jacob.

Through you we push down our foes; *

through your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

For I will not trust in my bow, *

and my sword will not save me.

But you have saved us from our enemies *

and have put to shame those who hate us.

In God we have boasted all the day long, *

and we will give thanks to your name forever.

But now you have rejected us and put us to shame *

and you do not go out with our armies.

You have made us turn back from the enemy, *

and those who hate us have plundered our goods.

You have made us like sheep to be eaten *

and have scattered us among the nations.

You sell your people for a pittance, *

gaining nothing from their sale.

You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, *

a derision and scorn to those all around us.

You have made us a byword among the nations, *

a laughingstock among the peoples.

All day long my disgrace is before me, *

and the shame of my face has covered me

at the voice of the one who taunts and reviles, *

at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

All this has come upon us,

though we have not forgotten you, *

and we have not been false to your covenant.

Our heart has not turned back, *

nor have our steps departed from your way;

yet you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals *

and covered us with the shadow of death.

If we had forgotten the name of our God *

or spread out our hands to a foreign god,

would not God discover this? *

For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; *

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

Awake. Why do you sleep, O Lord? *

Arise. Do not reject us forever.

Why do you hide your face? *

Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?

For our soul is bowed down to the dust; *

our belly clings to the ground.

Rise up, O Lord, and help us. *

Redeem us for the sake of your unfailing love.

Psalm 45

My heart overflows with a noble theme;

I address my verses to the king; *

my tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

You are more beautiful than the sons of men;

grace is poured upon your lips; *

therefore God has blessed you forever.

Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one, *

in your splendor and majesty.

In your majesty ride out victoriously

for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; *

let your right hand teach you marvelous things.

Your arrows are sharp

in the heart of the king's enemies; *

the peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.

The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of righteousness; *

you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

your garments are all scented *

with myrrh and aloes and cassia.

From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

daughters of kings are among your honored women; *

at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: *

forget your people and your father's house;

and so the king will desire your beauty; *

since he is your lord, bow down to him.

And the daughter of Tyre shall come with gifts, *

the richest of the people will seek your favor.

All glorious is the princess within her chamber, *

with robes interwoven with gold.

In many-colored garments she is led to the king, *

her virgin companions who follow her

will be brought to you.

With joy and gladness they shall be brought *

as they enter the palace of the king.

In place of your fathers shall be your sons; *

you shall make them princes in all the earth.

I will make your name to be remembered in all generations; *

therefore the peoples shall praise you forever and ever.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, *

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *

though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam, *

though the mountains tremble at its surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved; *

God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms fall; *

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, *

what desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; *

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

and burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God; *

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 47

Clap your hands, all you peoples. *

Shout to God with a voice of triumph.

For the LORD Most High is to be feared, *

a great king over all the earth.

He subdued peoples under us, *

and the nations under our feet.

He shall choose our inheritance for us, *

the pride of Jacob whom he loves.

God has gone up with a shout, *

the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

Sing praises to God, sing praises. *

Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is King of all the earth; *

sing praises with understanding.

God reigns over the nations; *

God sits on his holy throne.

The princes of the people gather together, *

the people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God; *

he is highly exalted.

Psalm 48

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised

in the city of our God, his holy mountain, *

beautiful in elevation, the joy of all the earth,

Mount Zion, in the far north, *

the city of the great King.

God is within her citadels, *

he has made himself known as her stronghold.

For behold, the kings assembled; *

they came on together.

As soon as they saw it, they marveled; *

in panic they hastened away.

Trembling took hold of them there, *

anguish as of a woman in labor.

With the east wind you shattered *

the ships of Tarshish.

As we have heard, so have we seen *

in the city of the LORD of hosts,

in the city of our God, *

which God will establish forever.

We have thought on your unfailing love, O God, *

in the midst of your temple.

As is your name, O God, *

so is your praise to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is filled with righteousness. *

Let Mount Zion be glad.

Let the daughters of Judah rejoice *

because of your judgments.

Walk about Zion, go all around her, *

number her towers,

consider well her ramparts,

go through her citadels, *

that you may tell the next generation

that this is God,

our God forever and ever; *

he will be our guide, even unto death.

Psalm 49

Hear this, all peoples; *

give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

both low and high, *

rich and poor together.

My mouth will speak wisdom; *

and the meditation of my heart understanding.

I will incline my ear to a parable; *

I will disclose my riddle to the music of the lyre.

Why should I fear in the days of evil, *

when the iniquity at my heel surrounds me,

those who trust in their wealth *

and boast in the abundance of their riches?

No man can ransom his brother, *

or give to God the price of his life,

for the redemption of his soul is costly *

it shall never suffice,

that he should live on forever *

and never see the grave.

For he sees that even wise men die; *

the fool and the stupid alike must perish

and leave their wealth to others.

Their graves are their homes forever, *

their dwelling places to all generations,

though they called lands by their own names.

Man in his pomp will not remain; *

he is like the beasts that perish.

This is the way of those who are foolish, *

and yet after them people approve of their sayings.

Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;

death shall be their shepherd, *

and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.

Their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, *

far from their lofty mansions.

But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, *

for he will receive me.

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, *

when the glory of his house increases.

For when he dies he will carry nothing away; *

his glory will not follow him down.

For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed *

—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—

his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, *

who will never again see light.

Man in his pomp yet without understanding *

is like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 50

The Mighty One, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth *

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, *

God shines forth.

Our God comes; he does not keep silent; *

a fire devours before him,

around him a mighty tempest.

He calls to the heavens above *

and to the earth, that he may judge his people:

“Gather to me my faithful ones, *

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

The heavens declare his righteousness, *

for God himself is judge.

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak;

O Israel, I will testify against you. *

I am God, your God.

Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; *

For your burnt offerings are continually before me.

I will not accept a young bull from your house *

nor goats from your folds.

For every beast of the forest is mine, *

the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird of the mountains, *

and all that moves in the field is mine.

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, *

for the world is mine, and all its fullness.

Do I eat the flesh of bulls *

or drink the blood of goats?

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, *

and pay your vows to the Most High,

call upon me in the day of trouble; *

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

But to the wicked God says: *

“What right do you have to recite my statutes

or take my covenant on your lips?

For you hate instruction, *

and you cast my words behind you.

When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, *

and you have been a partaker with adulterers.

You have let your mouth loose with evil, *

and your tongue frames deceit.

You sit and speak against your brother; *

you slander your own mother's son.

These things you have done, and I have been silent; *

you thought that I am altogether like you.

But I rebuke you *

and set before you the things you have done.

Consider this, then, you who forget God, *

lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

A sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me; *

and to him who orders his way rightly

I will show the salvation of God.”

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, *

according to your steadfast love;

according to the multitude of your mercies *

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, *

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, *

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned *

and done what is evil in your sight -

that you may be justified in your words *

and blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, *

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you desire truth in the inward being, *

you teach me wisdom in the hidden heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; *

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; *

let the bones you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins, *

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, *

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence, *

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, *

and uphold me with your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, *

and sinners shall turn back to you.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

O God of my salvation, *

and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips, *

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

For you do not desire sacrifice, or I would give it; *

you will not be pleased with burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; *

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good in your good pleasure to Zion; *

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

then will you delight in sacrifices of righteousness,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; *

then they shall offer young bulls on your altar.

Psalm 52

Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? *

The goodness of God endures continually.

Your tongue devises destruction, *

like a sharp razor, working deceit.

You love evil more than good, *

and lying more than speaking righteousness.

You love all words of destruction, *

O deceitful tongue.

God will likewise break you down forever;

he will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; *

he will uproot you from the land of the living.

The righteous also shall see and fear, *

and shall laugh at him, saying:

“Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,

but trusted in the abundance of his riches *

and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; *

I trust in the mercy of God

forever and ever.

I will thank you forever for what you have done; *

I will wait on your name in the sight of your saints,

for it is good.

Psalm 53

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” *

They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;

there is none who does good.

God looks from heaven on the children of man *

to see if there are any of understanding,

who seek after God.

They have all fallen away;

together they have become corrupt; *

there is none who does good, not even one.

Have those who work evil no knowledge,

who eat up my people as though eating bread, *

and do not call upon God

There they are, overwhelmed with great fear, *

where there has been no fear.

For God has broken the bones of those who beseiged you; *

you have put them to shame, because God has rejected them.

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion. *

When God restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 54

Save me, O God, by your name; *

vindicate me by your power.

Hear my prayer, O God; *

open your ear to the words of my mouth.

For the arrogant have risen against me, *

and violent men seek after my soul;

those who have not set God before them.

Behold, God is my helper; *

it is the Lord who sustains my life.

He shall repay the evil of my enemies; *

utterly destroy them in your truth.

Willingly will I sacrifice to you; *

I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good,

for you have delivered me from every trouble, *

and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Psalm 55

Give ear to my prayer, O God, *

and hide not yourself from my supplication.

Attend to me, and answer me; *

I mourn in my meditation,

and I am troubled,

because of the voice of the enemy, *

because of the oppression of the wicked.

For they bring down trouble upon me, *

and in anger they bear a grudge against me.

My heart is in anguish within me; *

the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

Fear and trembling have come upon me, *

and horror has overwhelmed me.

And I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove, *

I would fly away and be at rest;

indeed, I would wander far off; *

I would lodge in the wilderness;

I would hasten to find a refuge *

from the raging wind and tempest.”

Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues; *

for I see violence and strife in the city.

Day and night they go around her on her walls,

malice and mischief are in the midst of her; *

fraud and deceit do not depart from her streets.

For it is not an enemy who taunts me - *

then I could bear it;

nor is it an adversary who has exalted himself against me - *

then I could hide from him.

But it is you, a man my equal, *

my companion, my familiar friend.

We used to take sweet counsel together; *

in the house of God we walked in concord.

Let death come upon them;

let them go down alive into Sheol; *

for evil is in their dwellings and in their heart.

As for me, I will call upon God, *

and the LORD will save me.

Evening and morning and mid-day *

I will pray and cry aloud,

and he shall hear my voice.

He will redeem my soul in peace

from the battle waged against me, *

for there are many arrayed against me.

God will hear and humble them, *

he who is enthroned from of old,

because they do not change *

and they do not fear God.

My companion has put out his hand

against those who were at peace with him; *

he violated his covenant.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, *

but war was in his heart;

his words were softer than oil, *

yet they were drawn swords.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; *

he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

But you, O God, will cast them down *

into the pit of destruction;

bloodthirsty and deceitful men

shall not live out half their days; *

but I will trust in you.

Psalm 56

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples me down; *

all day long an attacker oppresses me;

my enemies have trampled upon me all day long, *

for they are many who fight proudly against me.

When I am afraid, *

I will trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise, *

in God I put my trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can flesh do to me

All day long they twist my words; *

all their thoughts are against me for evil.

They gather together, they lurk; *

they watch my steps,

as they lie in wait for my life.

Shall they escape by iniquity? *

In anger cast down the peoples, O God.

You have kept account of my miseries,

put my tears in your bottle; *

are they not in your book?

Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. *

This I know, that God is for me.

In God, whose word I praise, *

in the LORD, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. *

What can man do to me

Your vows are upon me, O God; *

I will render thank offerings to you.

For you have delivered my soul from death,

you kept my feet from falling, *

that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

Psalm 57

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, *

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, *

till the storms of destruction have passed.

I cry out to God Most High, *

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me;

he will rebuke those who trample on me. *

God will send forth his mercy and truth.

My soul is in the midst of lions; *

I lie down among fiery beasts—

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, *

and whose tongues are sharp swords.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; *

let your glory be over all the earth.

They have set a net for my feet; *

my soul is bowed down.

They have dug a pit before me, *

but they have fallen into it themselves.

My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast. *

I will sing and give praise.

Awake, my soul.

Awake, O harp and lyre. *

I will awaken the dawn.

I will give you thanks, O Lord, among the peoples; *

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For the greatness of your mercy reaches to the heavens, *

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; *

let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 58

Do you indeed speak righteousness, O silent ones? *

Do you judge uprightly, O children of man?

No, in your heart you work wickedness; *

you weigh out the violence of your hands on the earth.

The wicked have gone astray from the womb; *

they go astray from birth, speaking lies.

Their venom is like the venom of a serpent, *

like a deaf adder that stops up its ear,

so that it does not hear the voice of the charmers *

no matter how skillful the charming may be.

O God, shatter the teeth in their mouths; *

tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.

Let them vanish away like water that runs off; *

when he bends his bow, let his arrows fall short.

Let them be like a snail that dissolves as it goes, *

like a stillborn child who never sees the sun.

Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns, *

sweep them away alive in the burning.

The righteous will rejoice when they see the vengeance; *

they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

Then mankind will say,

“Surely there is a reward for the righteous; *

surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Psalm 59

Deliver me from my enemies, O God; *

defend me from those who rise up against me;

deliver me from the workers of evil, *

and save me from bloodthirsty men.

For behold, they lie in wait for my life; *

fierce men stir up strife against me.

For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD, *

for no fault of mine, they run and make themselves ready.

Arise to help me, and see; *

you, LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel.

Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; *

do not be merciful to those who treacherously plot evil.

At evening they return, howling like dogs *

and prowling about the city.

Behold, they bellow with their mouths,

swords in their lips, *

for “Who,” they say, “will hear us?”

But you, O LORD, laugh at them; *

you scoff at all the nations.

O my strength, I will watch for you, *

for you, O God, are my fortress.

My God in his mercy shall meet me; *

God will let me look on my enemies in triumph.

Do not kill them, lest my people forget;

scatter them by your power, *

and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

For the sin of their mouth, for the word of their lips, *

let them be caught in their pride.

For the cursing and lies that they utter,

consume them in wrath; *

consume them till they are no more,

so that they may know that God rules in Jacob *

to the ends of the earth.

At evening they return, howling like dogs *

and prowling about the city.

They wander up and down for food *

and growl if they are not satisfied.

But I will sing of your strength; *

yes, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress *

and a refuge in the day of my trouble.

O my strength, I will sing praises to you,

for you, O God, are my fortress, *

the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalm 60

O God, you have rejected us, you have broken us down; *

you have been angry; O, turn back to us again.

You have shaken the earth; you have split it open; *

heal its breaches, for it totters.

You have shown your people hard things; *

you have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger.

You have set up a banner for those who fear you, *

so that they may flee to it from the bow.

That your beloved may be delivered, *

save with your right hand and hear me.

God has spoken in his holiness:

“I will rejoice, I will divide up Shechem, *

and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; *

Ephraim is my helmet;

Judah, my scepter.

Moab is my washbasin;

upon Edom I cast my shoe; *

over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

Who will bring me to the fortified city? *

Who will lead me into Edom?

Have you not rejected us, O God? *

You, O God, do not go out with our armies.

Oh give us help against the enemy, *

for vain is the deliverance of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly; *

for it is he who will tread down our foes.

Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God, *

attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I call to you,

when my heart is overwhelmed; *

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge, *

a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever. *

Let me take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

For you, O God, have heard my vows; *

you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Add days to the days of the king; *

may his years endure to many generations.

May he be enthroned before God forever; *

appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to preserve him.

So I will sing praise to your name forever, *

that I may perform my vows day after day.

Psalm 62

For God alone my soul waits in silence; *

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, *

my fortress; I will not be greatly shaken.

How long will you attack a man to batter him,

all of you together, *

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

They plan only to thrust him down from his high position; *

they delight in lies;

they bless with their mouths, *

but inwardly they curse.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, *

for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation, *

my fortress; I will not be shaken.

In God is my salvation and my glory; *

the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your hearts before him; *

God is a refuge for us.

Those of low estate are but a breath; *

those of high estate, a delusion;

in the balances they go up; *

together they are lighter than a breath.

Put no trust in oppression;

set no vain hope on robbery; *

if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

One thing God has spoken; *

these two things I have heard:

that power belongs to God, *

and that with you, O Lord, is steadfast love.

For you will render to everyone *

according to his work.

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God; *

earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, *

in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

So I have seen you in the sanctuary, *

and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life, *

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live, *

and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest of foods, *

and with joyful lips my mouth shall praise you,

when I remember you upon my bed, *

and meditate on you through the watches of the night.

Because you have been my help, *

I will sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you; *

your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my soul, to destroy it, *

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword; *

they shall become food for jackals.

But the king shall rejoice in God;

everyone who swears by him shall glory, *

for the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Psalm 64

Hear my voice, O God, in my supplication; *

preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, *

from the insurrection of evildoers,

who sharpen their tongue like a sword, *

who aim bitter words like arrows,

to shoot in secret at the innocent; *

they shoot at him suddenly and without fear.

They hold fast to their evil purpose;

and discuss among themselves the hiding of snares, *

they say, “Who shall see them?”

They have searched out iniquities;

they have wearied themselves with a diligent search; *

for the inward mind and the heart of man are deep.

But God will be exalted; *

with his arrows they will be struck down suddenly.

He will make them to stumble,

their own tongue turned against them; *

all who see them shall flee away.

Then all people will fear;

they will proclaim the work of God, *

and ponder what he has done.

Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD,

and take refuge in him, *

and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 65

Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion, *

and to you shall vows be performed.

O you who hear our prayer, *

to you all flesh shall come.

When iniquities prevail against me, *

you forgive our transgressions.

Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, *

to dwell in your courts.

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, *

your holy temple.

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, *

O God of our salvation,

the hope of all the ends of the earth *

and of the farthest seas;

who formed the mountains by his power, *

and is girded about with might;

who stills the raging of the seas, *

the roaring of their waves,

the tumult of the peoples.

Those who dwell at the ends of the earth

shall be in fear at your signs; *

you cause the morning and the evening to rejoice.

You visit the earth and water it; *

you greatly enrich it;

the river of God is full of water;

you prepare the grain, *

for so you provide for the earth.

You water its furrows abundantly, *

you settle its ridges,

softening it with showers, *

and blessing its growth.

You crown the year with your bounty; *

your paths overflow with abundance.

The pastures of the wilderness overflow, *

and the hills are girded with gladness,

the meadows are clothed with flocks,

the valleys are covered with grain, *

they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 66

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;

sing the glory of his name; *

give to him glorious praise.

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds; *

so great is your power that your enemies pretend to obey you.

All the earth shall worship you

and sing praises to you; *

they will sing praises to your name.”

Come and see what God has done, *

his awesome deeds toward the children of man.

He turned the sea into dry land; *

they went through the water on foot.

There we will rejoice in him, *

who rules by his might forever;

his eyes keep watch on the nations— *

let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

Bless our God, all you peoples; *

let the sound of his praise be heard,

who keeps our soul among the living, *

and does not allow our feet to slip.

For you, O God, have tested us; *

you have tried us as silver is tried.

You brought us into the net; *

you laid a heavy burden on our backs;

you let men ride over our heads;

we went through fire and through water; *

yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

I will come into your house with burnt offerings; *

I will fulfill my vows to you,

vows which my lips uttered *

and my mouth promised when I was in distress.

I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,

with the incense of rams; *

I will make an offering of bulls and goats.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, *

and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

I cried out to him with my mouth, *

and high praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, *

the Lord would not have listened.

But truly God has listened; *

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,

who has not rejected my prayer, *

nor withheld his mercy from me.

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us *

and make his face to shine upon us,

that your way may be known on the earth, *

your salvation among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; *

let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and rejoice,

for you judge the peoples righteously, *

and guide the nations on the earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; *

let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded her increase; *

God, our God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; *

and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Psalm 68

Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *

let those who hate him flee before him.

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; *

as wax melts before fire,

so the wicked shall perish before God.

But let the righteous be glad;

let them rejoice before God; *

let them be jubilant with joy.

Sing to God, sing praises to his name; *

lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;

his name is the LORD; *

rejoice before him.

Father of the fatherless, and protector of widows, *

is God in his holy habitation.

God settles the solitary in a home;

he leads out the prisoners into prosperity, *

but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

O God, when you went out before your people, *

when you marched through the wilderness,

the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,

before God, the One of Sinai, *

before God, the God of Israel.

O God, you sent a gracious rain; *

you restored your inheritance when it was weary;

your creatures found a dwelling there; *

in your goodness, O God, you provided for the poor.

The Lord gave the word; *

and the women who proclaim it are a great company. *

The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee. *

And the women at home divide the spoil. *

Though you lie among the sheepfolds,

you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, *

her feathers with shimmering gold.

When the Almighty scatters kings there, *

it shall be white as snow in Zalmon.

O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; *

O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan.

Why do you fume with envy, O many-peaked mountain,

at the mount that God desired for his dwelling, *

yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?

The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,

thousands upon thousands; *

the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.

You have ascended on high, leading a host of captives *

and receiving gifts for man,

even among the rebellious as well, *

that the LORD God may dwell there.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens; *

the God who is our salvation.

Our God is a God of salvation, *

and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

But God will strike the head of his enemies, *

the hairy crown of those who persist in their guilty ways.

The Lord said,

“I will bring them back from Bashan, *

I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,

that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your enemies, *

the tongue of your dogs be red with the same.”

They have seen your procession, O God, *

the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—

the singers in front, the musicians behind them, *

in the midst are the maidens playing tambourines.

Bless God in the great congregation, *

the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain.

There is Benjamin, the youngest of them, their leader,

the princes of Judah, their counsel, *

the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Command your power, O God, *

the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.

Because of your temple at Jerusalem, *

kings shall bring gifts to you.

Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, *

the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.

Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; *

scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Ambassadors shall come out of Egypt; *

Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

Sing to God, O you kingdoms of the earth; *

sing praises to the Lord,

to him who rides in the heavens, the heavens of old; *

behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.

Ascribe power to God,

whose majesty is over Israel, *

and whose strength is in the skies.

Awesome is God from his sanctuary; *

the God of Israel himself, gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God.

Psalm 69

Save me, O God. *

For the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink down in deep mire, where there is no foothold; *

I have come into deep waters, and the flood overflows me.

I am weary with crying; my throat is parched. *

My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

Those who hate me without cause, *

are more in number than the hairs of my head.

Mighty are those who would destroy me,

those who attack me with lies. *

What I did not steal, I must now restore.

O God, you know my foolishness; *

the wrong I have done is not hidden from you.

Let not those who hope in You, O Lord GOD of hosts, *

be ashamed because of me;

let not those who seek you be dishonored because of me, *

O God of Israel.

For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach; *

shame has covered my face.

I have become a stranger to my brothers, *

and an alien to my mother's children.

For zeal for your house has consumed me, *

and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, *

that became my reproach.

When I made sackcloth my clothing, *

I became a byword to them.

Those who sit in the gate speak against me, *

and I am the song of the drunkards.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD, *

at an acceptable time, O God,

in the multitude of your mercy, *

answer me in the truth of your salvation.

Deliver me out of the mire, *

let me not sink;

let me be delivered from those who hate me, *

and from the deep waters.

Let not the flood sweep over me,

nor let the deep swallow me up, *

nor the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; *

turn to me according to the abundance of your mercy.

Hide not your face from your servant, *

for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.

Draw near to my soul, redeem me; *

ransom me because of my enemies.

You know my reproach,

and my shame, and my dishonor; *

my adversaries are all before you.

Reproach has broken my heart, *

so that I am in despair.

I looked for sympathy, but there was none; *

and for comforters, but I found none.

They gave me gall for my food, *

and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Let their table before them become a snare; *

and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.

Let their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, *

and make their loins tremble continually.

Pour out your indignation upon them, *

and let your burning anger overtake them.

May their camp become desolate; *

let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

For they persecute him whom you have struck down, *

and they tell of the pain of whom you have wounded.

Add guilt to their guilt; *

and let them not come into your righteousness.

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; *

let them not be recorded among the righteous.

But I am afflicted and in pain; *

let your salvation, O God, set me safely on high.

I will praise the name of God with a song; *

and I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

And it will please the LORD more than an ox, *

a bull with horns and hoofs.

The humble shall see this and be glad; *

you who seek God, your hearts shall revive.

For the LORD hears the needy, *

and does not despise his people who are prisoners.

Heaven and earth shall praise him, *

the seas and everything that moves in them.

For God will save Zion *

and build up the cities of Judah,

that people may dwell there and possess it;

the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, *

and those who love his name shall dwell there.

Psalm 70

O God, hasten to deliver me. *

O LORD, make haste to help me.

Let them be put to shame and confounded *

who seek after my life.

Let them be turned back and dishonored *

who wish me evil.

Let them be turned back because of their shame *

who say to me, “Aha, Aha.”

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. *

And let those who love your salvation say continually,

“Let God be magnified.”

But I am poor and needy; *

hasten to me, O God.

You are my help and my deliverer; *

O LORD, do not delay.

Psalm 71

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; *

let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; *

incline your ear to me, and save me.

Be to me a rock of refuge, *

to which I may continually come;

you have given the command to save me, *

for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, *

from the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man.

For you are my hope, O Lord; *

O LORD, my confidence from my youth.

I have leaned on you from before my birth;

you brought me out from my mother's womb; *

my praise is continually of you.

I have become a portent to many, *

but you are my strong refuge.

Let my mouth be filled with your praise, *

that I may sing of your glory all the day long.

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; *

forsake me not when my strength is spent.

For my enemies speak against me; *

those who watch for my life consult together

saying, “God has forsaken him;

pursue and seize him, *

for there is none to deliver him.”

O God, be not far from me; *

O my God, make haste to help me.

May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; *

with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my harm.

But I will hope continually *

and will praise you yet more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteousness,

and of your acts of salvation all the day long, *

though their number is past my knowledge.

I will go forth in the strength of the Lord GOD; *

I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

O God, from my youth you have taught me, *

and to this day I declare your wondrous works.

So even to old age and gray hairs, *

O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to the next generation, *

your power to all those to come.

Your righteousness, O God, *

reaches the high heavens.

You who have done great things, *

O God, who is like you?

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities *

will revive me again;

and from the depths of the earth *

you will bring me up again.

You will increase my greatness *

and comfort me again.

Also, I will praise you with the harp *

for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praises to you with the lyre, *

O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; *

my soul also, which you have redeemed.

And my tongue will tell of your righteousness *

all the day long,

for they have been put to shame and confounded *

who sought to do me harm.

Psalm 72

Give the king your justice, O God; *

your righteousness to the royal son;

that he may judge your people with righteousness, *

and your poor with justice.

May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, *

and the little hills bring righteousness.

He shall defend the cause of the poor among the people, *

he will deliver the children of the poor,

and crush the oppressor-

they shall fear you while the sun and moon endure, *

from generation to generation.

May he come down like rain falling on the mown grass, *

like showers that water the earth.

In his days may the righteous flourish, *

and peace abound, till the moon be no more.

May he have dominion from sea to sea, *

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

May the desert tribes bow down before him, *

and his enemies shall lick the dust.

May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores render him tribute; *

the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

May all kings bow down before him, *

and all nations serve him.

For he delivers the needy who cry out, *

the poor also, and him who has no helper.

He has compassion on the weak and the needy, *

the lives of the needy, he will save.

He will redeem their life from oppression and violence, *

and precious will their blood be in his sight.

Long may he live; *

may the gold of Sheba be given to him.

May prayer be made for him continually, *

and all the day long shall he be praised.

May there be an abundance of grain in the land; *

may it wave on the tops of the mountains;

may its fruit flourish like the forests of Lebanon; *

and they of the city blossom like the grass of the field.

May his name endure forever, *

may his name continue as long as the sun.

All people shall be blessed in him, *

all nations shall call him blessed.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, *

who alone does wondrous things.

Blessed be his glorious name forever; *

may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Amen and Amen.

Psalm 73

Truly God is good to Israel, *

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, *

my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant *

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For they have no pains until death; *

their bodies are healthy and strong.

They are not in the misery of mortals; *

they are not tormented like the rest of mankind.

Therefore pride is their necklace; *

violence covers them like a garment.

Their eyes bulge with abundance; *

their hearts overflow with follies.

They scoff and speak with malice; *

with arrogance they threaten oppression.

They set their mouth against the heavens, *

and their tongue struts through the earth.

Therefore the people turn back to them, *

and find no fault in them.

And they say, “How does God know? *

Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

Behold, these are the wicked, who are always at ease; *

they increase in riches.

Surely in vain have I kept my heart clean *

and washed my hands in innocence.

For all the day long I have been afflicted *

and chastened every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak thus,” *

I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

When I thought how to understand this, *

it seemed to me a wearisome task,

until I went into the sanctuary of God; *

then I discerned their destiny.

Truly you set them in slippery places; *

you cast them down into destruction.

How suddenly they are brought to desolation, *

utterly consumed by terrors.

Indeed, like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, *

when you arise, you will despise them as phantoms.

When my soul was embittered, *

when I was pierced in heart,

I was foolish and ignorant; *

I was like a beast before you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; *

you have hold of my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, *

and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? *

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, *

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; *

you have destroyed all who are unfaithful to you.

But it is good for me to draw near to God; *

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

that I may declare all your works.

Psalm 74

O God, why do you cast us off forever? *

Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

Remember your congregation, *

which you have purchased of old,

the tribe of your inheritance, *

which you have redeemed;

remember Mount Zion, *

where you have dwelt.

Draw near and behold the perpetual ruins; *

how the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary.

Your enemies have roared in the midst of your meeting place; *

they set up their own signs for signs;

they were like men wielding axes, *

cutting through a thicket of trees;

and all its carved wood they broke down *

with hatchets and hammers.

They have set fire to your sanctuary; *

they have defiled the dwelling place of your name,

bringing it down to the ground.

They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely;” *

they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.

We do not see our signs;

there is no longer any prophet, *

and there is none among us who knows how long.

How long, O God, will the enemy mock? *

Will the adversary revile your name forever?

Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? *

Take it from the fold of your garment, destroy them.

Yet God is my King from of old, *

working salvation in the midst of the earth.

You divided the sea by your strength; *

you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.

You crushed the heads of Leviathan; *

you gave him as food for the people of the desert.

You split open the fountain and the flood; *

you dried up ever-flowing streams.

Yours is the day, yours also the night; *

you have established the light and the sun.

You have set all the boundaries of the earth; *

you have made both summer and winter.

Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy has mocked, *

and a foolish people has reviled your name.

Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beast; *

do not forget the life of your poor forever.

Consider the covenant, *

for the dark places of the earth are full

of the habitations of cruelty.

Let not the oppressed turn back in disgrace; *

let the poor and needy praise your name.

Arise, O God, defend your cause; *

remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day long.

Do not forget the voice of your enemies, *

the uproar of those who rise up against you

increases continually.

Psalm 75

We give thanks to you, O God;

we give thanks, for your name is near; *

we declare your wondrous deeds.

“At the time I appoint, *

I will judge uprightly.

When the earth and all its inhabitants are unsteady, *

it is I who set firm its pillars.

I say to the arrogant, ‘Boast no more,’ *

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;

do not lift up your horn on high, *

or speak with a haughty neck.’”

For exaltation comes neither from the east,

nor from the west, *

nor from the desert mountains,

for it is God who is the judge, *

putting down one and lifting up another.

For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup *

with foaming wine, well mixed,

he pours it out, *

and all the wicked of the earth

shall drain it down to the dregs.

As for me, I will declare it forever; *

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, *

but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Psalm 76

In Judah God is known; *

his name is great in Israel.

In Salem is his tabernacle, *

his dwelling place in Zion.

There he broke the flashing arrows, *

the shield, the sword, the weapons of war.

You are radiant with light, *

from the everlasting mountains.

The stouthearted are plundered;

they have sunk into sleep; *

and none of the warriors can use their hands.

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, *

both horse and rider are in a dead sleep.

But you, yourself, are to be feared; *

who can stand before you when your anger is roused?

You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; *

the earth trembled and was silent,

when God arose to judgment, *

to save all the humble of the earth.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; *

the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

Make vows to the LORD your God, and fulfill them; *

let all who are around him

bring gifts to him who is to be feared,

he shall cut off the spirit of princes; *

he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Psalm 77

I cry out to God with my voice, *

I cry aloud, and he hears me.

In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

in the night my hand is stretched out without ceasing; *

my soul refuses to be comforted.

When I remember God, I groan; *

when I meditate, my spirit grows faint.

You hold my eyelids open; *

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I consider the days of old, *

the years of long ago.

I call to remembrance my song in the night; *

I meditate within my heart,

and my spirit makes a diligent search.

Will the Lord reject forever, *

and never again show his favor?

Has his mercy forever ceased? *

Are his promises at an end for all time?

Has God forgotten to be gracious? *

Has he in anger withdrawn his compassion?

Then I said, “I will appeal to this: *

to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

I will remember the works of the LORD; *

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will meditate on all your work, *

and consider all your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy. *

What god is great like our God?

You are the God who works wonders; *

you have made known your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, *

the children of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, O God,

the waters saw you and were afraid; *

indeed, the deeps trembled.

The clouds poured out water;

the skies resounded with thunder; *

your arrows flashed on every side.

The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

the lightning lit up the world; *

the earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea,

your path through the mighty waters; *

yet your footsteps were not seen.

You led your people like a flock *

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; *

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable; *

I will utter dark sayings of old,

things we have heard and known, *

things that our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children; *

we will tell to the generation to come

the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, *

and the wonderful works that He has done.

He established a testimony in Jacob *

and appointed a law in Israel,

which he commanded our fathers *

to teach to their children,

that the next generation might know them, *

the children yet to be born,

that they would arise and tell them to their children, *

so that they would set their hope in God

and not forget the works of God, *

but keep his commandments;

and that they should not be like their fathers, *

a stubborn and rebellious generation,

a generation that did not set its heart aright, *

whose spirit was not faithful to God.

The children of Ephraim, armed with the bow, *

turned back on the day of battle.

They did not keep the covenant of God, *

they refused to walk in his law.

They forgot his works *

and the wonders that he had shown them.

He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, *

in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

He divided the sea and led them through it, *

and made the waters stand up like a heap.

In the daytime he led them with a cloud, *

and all the night with a light of fire.

He split the rocks in the wilderness *

and gave them drink in abundance as from the great deep.

He brought forth streams from out of the rock *

and caused waters to run down like rivers.

Yet they sinned still more against him, *

rebelling against the Most High in the desert.

They tested God in their heart *

by demanding food according to their desire.

They spoke against God, saying, *

“Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

Behold, he struck the rock so that water gushed out *

and the streams overflowed.

Can he also give bread *

or provide meat for his people?”

When the LORD heard this, he was filled with anger; *

and a fire was kindled against Jacob;

his wrath arose against Israel,

because they did not believe in God *

and did not trust in his salvation.

Yet he commanded the clouds above *

and opened the doors of the heavens,

and he rained down on them manna to eat *

and gave them the bread of heaven.

Man ate of the bread of angels; *

he sent them food in abundance.

He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, *

and by his power he made the south wind blow;

he rained meat on them like dust, *

winged birds like the sand of the seas;

he let them fall in the midst of their camp, *

all around their habitations.

So they ate and were well filled, *

for he gave them their own desire.

But before they had satisfied their craving, *

while the food was still in their mouths,

the wrath of God rose up against them,

and killed the strongest of them *

and struck down the young men of Israel.

In spite of all this, they sinned yet more; *

despite his wonders, they did not believe.

So he ended their days in futility, *

and their years in sudden terror.

When he killed them, then they sought him; *

they repented and sought earnestly for God.

They remembered that God was their rock, *

the Most High God their redeemer.

Nevertheless, they flattered him with their mouths; *

they lied to him with their tongues.

For their heart was not steadfast toward him; *

nor were they faithful in his covenant.

But he, being merciful, forgave their iniquity *

and did not destroy them;

time after time he turned his anger away, *

and did not stir up all his wrath.

He remembered that they were but flesh, *

a wind that passes and comes not again.

How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness *

and grieved him in the desert.

They tested God again and again *

and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

They did not remember his power *

or the day he redeemed them from the enemy,

when he performed his signs in Egypt *

and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.

He turned their rivers to blood, *

they could not drink from their streams.

He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, *

and frogs, which destroyed them.

He gave also their crops to the grasshopper *

and the fruit of their labor to the locust.

He destroyed their vines with hailstones *

and their sycamore trees with frost.

He gave over their cattle to the hail *

and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

He sent forth on them his burning anger,

wrath, indignation, and distress, *

a band of destroying angels.

He made a path for his anger;

he did not spare their souls from death, *

but gave their lives over to the plague.

He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, *

the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.

Then he led out his people like sheep *

and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

He led them on safely, so that they were not afraid; *

while the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

He brought them in to the borders of his holy land, *

to the mountain which his right hand had won.

He drove out the nations before them;

he allotted them their lands as an inheritance *

and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God *

and did not keep his testimonies,

but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; *

they twisted like a deceitful bow.

For they provoked him to anger with their high places; *

and moved him to jealousy with their idols.

When God heard this, he was filled with anger, *

and he utterly rejected Israel.

He abandoned his tabernacle in Shiloh, *

the tent where he dwelt among man,

and delivered his strength into captivity, *

his glory into the enemy’s hand.

He gave his people over to the sword *

and showed himself angry with his inheritance.

Fire devoured their young men, *

and their maidens had no marriage songs.

Their priests fell by the sword, *

and their widows made no lamentation.

Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, *

like a warrior overcome with wine.

He drove back his adversaries; *

he put them to everlasting shame.

He rejected the tent of Joseph; *

he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,

he chose the tribe of Judah, *

Mount Zion, which he loves.

He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, *

like the earth, which he has established forever.

He chose David his servant *

and took him from the sheepfolds;

from following the nursing ewes he brought him *

to shepherd Jacob his people,

and Israel his inheritance.

And he shepherded them in the integrity of his heart *

and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands.

Psalm 79

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;

they have defiled your holy temple; *

they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

They have given the bodies of your servants as food

to the birds of the air, *

the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, *

and there was no one to bury them.

We have become a reproach to our neighbors, *

mocked and derided by those around us.

How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? *

Will your jealousy burn like fire?

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you, *

and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

For they have devoured Jacob *

and laid waste his dwelling place.

Do not remember against us our former iniquities; *

let your compassion come quickly to meet us,

for we are brought very low.

Help us, O God of our salvation, *

for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and atone for our sins, *

for your name's sake.

Why should the nations say, *

“Where is their God?”

Before our eyes, make it known among the nations *

that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you; *

according to your great power, preserve those condemned to die.

Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors *

the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord.

So we, Your people and the sheep of your pasture,

will give you thanks forever; *

from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.

Psalm 80

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

you who lead Joseph like a flock. *

You who sit enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth;

before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, *

awaken your strength and come to save us.

Restore us, O God; *

let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts, *

how long will you be angry with the prayers of your people?

You have fed them with the bread of tears *

and given them tears to drink by the bowlful.

You have made us an object of contention to our neighbors, *

our enemies mock us among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts; *

let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

You brought a vine out of Egypt; *

you drove out the nations and planted it.

You cleared the ground for it; *

and it took deep root and filled the land.

The mountains were covered with its shade, *

the mighty cedars with its branches.

It sent out its branches to the sea *

and its shoots as far as the River.

Why then have you broken down its walls, *

so that all who pass that way pluck its fruit?

The boar from the forest ravages it, *

and all that moves in the fields feed upon it.

Turn to us, O God of hosts. *

Look down from heaven, and see;

show care for this vine,

the root that your right hand has planted, *

the branch you made strong for yourself.

It is burned with fire; it is cut down; *

they perish at the rebuke of your face.

But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, *

on the son of man you have made strong for yourself.

Then we shall not turn away from you; *

revive us, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts. *

Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 81

Sing aloud to God our strength; *

shout for joy to the God of Jacob.

Raise a song; strike the tambourine, *

the sweet sounding lyre with the harp.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, *

at the full moon, on the day of our feast.

For it is a statute for Israel, *

an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

He established it as a testimony in Joseph

when he went throughout the land of Egypt, *

where I heard a language I did not know.

“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; *

his hands were freed from the basket.

In distress you called, and I rescued you;

I answered you in the secret place of thunder; *

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Hear, O my people, while I admonish you. *

O Israel, if you would but listen to me.

There shall be no strange god among you; *

you shall not bow down to a foreign god.

I am the LORD your God,

who brought you out of the land of Egypt; *

open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

“But my people did not listen to my voice; *

Israel would not submit to me.

So I gave them over to their own stubborn hearts, *

to follow their own counsels.

Oh, that my people would listen to me, *

that Israel would walk in my ways.

I would soon subdue their enemies *

and turn my hand against their foes.

Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, *

and their fate would endure forever.

But he would feed you with the finest of wheat, *

and satisfy you with honey from the rock.”

Psalm 82

God stands in the congregation of the mighty; *

in the midst of the gods he judges.

“How long will you judge unjustly *

and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless; *

maintain the right of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy; *

free them from the hand of the wicked.”

They do not know nor understand,

they walk about in darkness; *

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods, *

and all of you are sons of the Most High;

nevertheless, like men you shall die, *

and fall like one of the princes.”

Arise, O God, judge the earth; *

for you shall inherit all the nations.

Psalm 83

O God, do not keep silent; *

do not hold your peace or be still, O God.

For behold, how your enemies roar; *

those who hate you have lifted up their heads.

They make crafty plans against your people; *

they consult together against your cherished ones.

They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation, *

that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

For they have conspired with one accord; *

against you they make a covenant—

the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, *

Moab and the Hagrites,

Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, *

Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Assyria also has joined them; *

they are a strong arm to the children of Lot.

Deal with them as you did with Midian, *

as with Sisera and Jabin at the brook of Kishon,

who were destroyed at En-dor, *

who became like dung on the earth.

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, *

all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

who said, “Let us take for ourselves *

the pastures of God for our possession.”

O my God, make them like whirling dust, *

like chaff before the wind.

As the fire consumes the forest, *

as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,

so pursue them with your tempest *

and terrify them with your hurricane.

Fill their faces with shame, *

that they may seek your name, O LORD.

Let them be disgraced and dismayed forever; *

let them be put to shame and perish,

that they may know that you, whose name is the LORD, *

that you alone are the Most High

over all the earth.

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, *

O LORD Almighty.

My soul longs, yes, even faints *

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and flesh cry out *

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, *

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O LORD of hosts, *

my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, *

they are ever singing your praise.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, *

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Weeping

they make it a place of springs; *

yes, the early rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength; *

and the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *

give ear, O God of Jacob.

Behold our shield, O God; *

look upon the face of your anointed.

For one day in your courts *

is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God *

than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; *

the LORD bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold *

from those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts, *

blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Psalm 85

You have been favorable to our land, O LORD; *

you have restored the fortunes of Jacob.

You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *

and covered all their sin.

You have withdrawn all your fury *

and turned away from your burning anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation, *

and put away your anger toward us.

Will you be angry with us forever? *

Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

Will you not revive us again, *

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your faithful love, O LORD, *

and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the LORD is saying, *

for he will speak peace to his people, his saints;

but let them not turn back to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him; *

that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet together; *

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground, *

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, *

and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness goes before him *

and will make his footsteps into our pathway.

Psalm 86

Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear me, *

for I am poor and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am holy; *

O you my God, save your servant, who trusts in you.

Be merciful to me, O Lord, *

for to you do I cry all the day long.

Gladden the soul of your servant, *

for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, *

abounding in mercy to all who call upon you.

Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; *

and attend to the voice of my supplication.

In the day of my distress I call upon you, *

for you answer me.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, *

nor are there any works like your works.

All the nations you have made

shall come and worship before you, O Lord, *

and shall glorify your name.

For you are great and do wondrous things; *

you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O LORD,

that I may walk in your truth; *

unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God,

with my whole heart, *

and I will glorify your name forevermore.

For great is your steadfast love toward me; *

you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

O God, arrogant men have risen up against me;

a band of ruthless men seeks my life, *

and they have not set you before them.

But you, Lord God, are merciful and gracious, *

slow to anger,

and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Oh, turn to me and have mercy on me;

give your strength to your servant, *

and save the son of your maidservant.

Show me a sign of your favor,

that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame *

because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 87

His foundations are in the holy mountains. *

The LORD loves the gates of Zion

more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

Glorious things are spoken of you, *

O city of God.

I mention Rahab and Babylon *

among those who know me;

behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush- *

“this one was born there,” they say.

And of Zion it shall be said,

“This one and that one were born in her”; *

for the Most High himself will establish her.

The LORD will record when he registers the peoples, *

“This one was born there.”

Singers and dancers alike will say, *

“All my fountains are in you.”

Psalm 88

O LORD, God of my salvation, *

I have cried out day and night before you.

Let my prayer come before you; *

incline your ear to my cry.

For my soul is full of troubles, *

and my life draws near to the grave.

I am counted among those who go down to the pit; *

I have become like one who has no strength,

adrift among the dead, *

like the slain who lie in the grave,

whom you remember no more, *

for they are cut off from your hand.

You have laid me in the lowest pit, *

in the regions of darkness, in the depths.

Your wrath lies heavy upon me, *

you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.

You have caused my companions to shun me; *

you have made me an abomination to them.

I am confined and cannot escape; *

my eye grows dim with grief.

I have called upon you, O LORD, all the day; *

I have stretched out my hands to you.

Will you work wonders for the dead? *

Will the departed rise up and praise you?

Will your steadfast love be declared in the grave, *

or your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Will your wonders be known in the darkness, *

or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

But I, O LORD, cry out to you; *

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

O LORD, why do you cast off my soul? *

Why do you hide your face from me?

From my youth, I have been afflicted and close to death, *

I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.

Your wrath has swept over me; *

your terrors have cut me off.

They surround me like a flood all the day long; *

they close in on me on every side.

My beloved and my friend you have removed from me; *

my companions now are darkness.

Psalm 89

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; *

with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

For I have said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; *

in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *

I have sworn to David my servant:

‘I will establish your offspring forever, *

and build up your throne for all generations.’”

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, *

your faithfulness in the assembly of the saints.

For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? *

Who is like the LORD among the sons of the mighty,

a God greatly feared in the assembly of the saints, *

and held in reverence by all who are around him?

O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like you? *

O LORD, your faithfulness surrounds you.

You rule the raging of the sea; *

when its waves rise up, you still them.

You have broken the proud one in pieces,

as one who is slain; *

you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; *

you founded the world and all its fullness.

The north and the south, you have created them; *

Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.

Your arm is mighty; your hand is strong; *

your right hand is exalted.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; *

steadfast love and faithfulness go before your face.

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound, *

who walk, O LORD, in the light of your presence,

who rejoice in your name all the day long *

and in your righteousness they are exalted.

For you are the glory of their strength; *

by your favor our horn is exalted.

For our shield belongs to the LORD, *

our king to the Holy One of Israel.

You once spoke in a vision to your saint, and said: *

“I have bestowed help to one who is mighty;

I have exalted one chosen from the people.

I have found David, my servant; *

with my holy oil I have anointed him,

my hand shall hold him fast; *

my arm also shall strengthen him.

The enemy shall not outwit him; *

nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

I will crush his foes before his face *

and strike down those who hate him.

My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, *

and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

I will set his hand over the sea *

and his right hand over the rivers.

He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, *

my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’

And I will make him the firstborn, *

the highest of the kings of the earth.

My mercy I will keep for him forever, *

and my covenant shall stand firm with him.

His seed I will make to endure forever *

and his throne as the days of the heavens.

If his children forsake my law *

and do not walk in my judgments,

if they violate my statutes *

and do not keep my commandments,

Then I will visit their transgression with the rod *

and their iniquity with stripes,

but I will not remove my mercy from him *

nor be false to my faithfulness.

I will not violate my covenant *

nor alter the word that went forth from my lips.

Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; *

I will not lie to David.

His seed shall endure forever, *

and his throne as the sun before me.

Like the moon it shall be established forever, *

a faithful witness in the skies.”

But you have cast off and rejected; *

you have turned away the face of your anointed.

You have rejected the covenant of your servant; *

you have defiled his crown to the ground.

You have broken down all his walls; *

and made his strongholds a ruin.

All who pass by plunder him; *

he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries; *

you have made all his enemies rejoice.

You have also turned back the edge of his sword, *

and you have not sustained him in battle.

You have made his splendor to cease *

and cast his throne to the ground.

You have cut short the days of his youth; *

you have covered him with shame.

How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? *

How long will your wrath burn like fire?

Remember how short my lifetime is. *

For futility have you created all the children of man?

What man can live and never see death? *

Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?

Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, *

which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, *

how I bear in my heart the reproach of all the many nations,

with which your enemies have taunted, O LORD, *

with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.

Blessed be the LORD forevermore. *

Amen and Amen.

Psalm 90

Lord, you have been our dwelling place *

in every generation.

Before the mountains were brought forth,

before you had formed the earth and the world, *

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn man back into dust *

saying, “Return, O children of man.”

For a thousand years in your sight *

are like the day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

You sweep them away like a flood; *

they are as a dream,

like new grass growing in the morning:

in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; *

by the evening it fades and withers away.

For we are consumed by your anger; *

by your wrath we are dismayed.

You have set our iniquities before you, *

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

For all our days pass away in your fury; *

we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

The span of our days is seventy years, *

eighty perhaps for those who are strong;

yet their sum is but toil and sorrow; *

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Who understands the power of your anger, *

and your wrath as great as the fear that is due you?

So teach us to number our days *

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord. How long will it be? *

Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love, *

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, *

for as many years as we have seen evil.

Let your work be shown to your servants, *

and your glory to their children.

Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,

establish the work of our hands for us; *

yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High *

shall abide in the shadow of Shaddai.

He will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, *

my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will deliver you *

from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge; *

his faithfulness is your shield and buckler.

You need not fear any terror of the night, *

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, *

nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand, *

but it will not come near you.

You will only look on with your eyes *

and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD your refuge— *

the Most High your habitation—

No evil shall be allowed to befall you, *

nor any plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you *

to guard you in all your ways.

In their hands they will bear you up, *

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the adder; *

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

“Because he has loved me, therefore will I deliver him; *

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls upon me, I will answer him; *

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him *

and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 92

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, *

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to proclaim your steadfast love in the morning, *

and your faithfulness every night,

with the ten-stringed lute, with the harp, *

and with the melody of the lyre.

For you, O LORD, make me glad by your work; *

I will sing for joy at the works of your hands.

How great are your works, O LORD. *

How profound your thoughts.

The senseless man cannot know; *

the fool cannot understand,

that though the wicked sprout like grass *

and all evildoers flourish,

they shall be utterly destroyed forever; *

but you, O LORD, are on high forevermore.

For behold, your enemies, O LORD,

for behold, your enemies shall perish; *

and all evildoers shall be scattered.

You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; *

you have anointed me with fresh oil.

My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; *

my ears have heard the doom of my wicked foes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; *

he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Those who are planted in the house of the LORD; *

will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age; *

they are ever full of sap and flourishing,

to declare that the LORD is upright; *

he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalm 93

The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; *

the LORD is robed and has girded himself with strength.

Yes, the world is established; *

it shall not be moved.

Your throne is established from of old; *

you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O LORD,

the floods have lifted up their voice; *

the floods lift up their roaring.

Mightier than the voice of many waters,

mightier than the waves of the sea, *

the LORD on high is mighty.

Your testimonies are trustworthy;

holiness adorns your house, *

O LORD, forevermore.

Psalm 94

O LORD, God of vengeance, *

O God who avenges, shine forth.

Rise up, O judge of the earth; *

render to the proud what they deserve.

How long shall the wicked, O LORD, *

how long shall the wicked triumph?

They pour out arrogant words; *

all the workers of evil boast.

They crush your people, O LORD, *

and afflict your inheritance.

They kill the widow and the sojourner, *

and murder the fatherless;

they say, “The LORD does not see; *

the God of Jacob does not notice.”

Take heed, you dullest of the people. *

you fools, when will you be wise?

He who planted the ear, does he not hear

He who formed the eye, does he not see? *

He who disciplines the nations, will he not rebuke?

He who teaches man knowledge—

the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, *

that they are but a breath.

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, *

the one you teach out of your law,

that you may give him rest from the days of trouble, *

until a pit is dug for the wicked.

For the LORD will not forsake his people; *

he will not abandon his inheritance;

for judgment will return to righteousness, *

and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? *

Who will take a stand for me against the workers of evil?

If the LORD had not been my help, *

my soul would have soon lived in the land of silence.

If I say, “My foot is slipping,” *

your steadfast love, O LORD, will hold me up.

When the cares of my heart are many, *

your consolations cheer my soul.

Can wicked rulers be allied with you, *

those who frame injustice by statute?

They gather together against the life of the righteous *

and condemn the innocent to death.

But the LORD is my stronghold, *

and my God the rock of my refuge.

He will turn back on them their iniquity

and wipe them out in their own wickedness; *

the LORD our God will wipe them out.

Psalm 95

O come, let us sing to the LORD; *

let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; *

and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the LORD is a great God, *

and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth; *

and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, *

and his hands have molded the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down; *

and kneel before the LORD, our Maker.

For he is our God, *

and we are the people of his pasture,

and the sheep of his hand.

Today, if you hear his voice, *

do not harden your heart, as in the rebellion,

as on the day of Massah in the wilderness,

when your fathers tested me; *

they put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

For forty years I was grieved with that generation *

and said, “They are a people who go astray in their hearts,

they do not know my ways.”

Therefore I swore in my anger, *

“They shall not enter my rest.”

Psalm 96

O sing to the LORD a new song; *

sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, bless his name; *

proclaim his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, *

his marvelous works among all peoples.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; *

he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are worthless idols, *

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him; *

strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O you families of the nations, *

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; *

bring an offering and come into his courts.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; *

tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;

the world is firmly established, it shall not be moved; *

he will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; *

let the sea roar, and all that is in it.

Let the fields exult, and everything in them; *

then all the trees of the forest

will sing for joy before the LORD,

for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth; *

he will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Psalm 97

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; *

let the many coastlands be glad.

Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; *

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him *

and burns up his adversaries on every side.

His lightning bolts light up the world; *

the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, *

before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, *

and all the peoples see his glory.

Let all who worship images be put to shame,

those who boast of worthless idols. *

Bow down before him, all you gods.

Zion hears this and is glad, *

the daughters of Judah rejoice,

because of your judgments, O LORD.

For you, O LORD,

are the most high over all the earth; *

you are exalted far above all gods.

O you who love the LORD, hate evil. *

He preserves the lives of his saints;

he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light is sown for the righteous, *

and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous ones, *

and give thanks to his holy name.

Psalm 98

O sing to the LORD a new song, *

for he has done marvelous things.

His right hand and his holy arm *

have worked salvation for him.

The LORD has made known his salvation; *

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love

and his faithfulness to the house of Israel. *

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; *

break forth and sing for joy, sing praises.

Sing praises to the LORD with the harp, *

with the harp and the voice of a psalm.

With trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn *

make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

Let the sea roar, and all that is in it; *

the world and all who dwell in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands; *

let the hills sing together for joy;

Let them sing before the LORD, *

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness, *

and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 99

The LORD reigns; *

let the peoples tremble.

He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; *

let the earth shake.

The LORD is great in Zion; *

he is exalted above all the peoples.

Let them praise your great and awesome name; *

for it is holy.

The strength of the King loves justice;

you have established equity; *

you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Exalt the LORD our God;

worship at his footstool; *

for he is holy.

Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

Samuel was also among those who called upon his name; *

they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

In a pillar of cloud he spoke to them; *

they kept his testimonies

and the ordinances that he gave them.

O LORD our God, you answered them;

you were a forgiving God to them, *

and yet an avenger of their evildoings.

Exalt the LORD our God,

and worship at his holy mountain; *

for the LORD our God is holy.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; *

serve the LORD with gladness

and come into his presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, he is God.

It is he who has made us, and not we ourselves; *

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise; *

give thanks to him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting, *

and his truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 101

I will sing of mercy and justice; *

to you, O LORD, I will sing praises.

I will carefully attend to the way that is blameless. *

Oh when will you come to me?

I will walk within my house with integrity of heart; *

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.

I hate the work of those who fall away; *

it shall not cling to me.

A perverse heart shall be far from me; *

I will know nothing of wickedness.

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly, *

him I will cut off.

Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart, *

him I will not endure.

My eyes will look with favor on the faithful in the land, *

that they may dwell with me;

he who walks in the way that is blameless, *

he shall minister to me.

No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; *

no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence.

Morning by morning I cut off all the wicked of the land, *

cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

Psalm 102

Hear my prayer, O LORD; *

and let my cry come to you.

Do not hide your face from me *

in the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me; *

answer me quickly in the day when I call.

For my days pass away like smoke, *

and my bones burn like glowing embers.

My heart is struck down like grass, and withered; *

I forget to eat my bread.

Because of the voice of my groaning *

my bones cling to my flesh.

I am like a pelican in the desert, *

like an owl of the waste places;

I lie awake; *

I am like a sparrow alone on the roof.

My enemies revile me all the day long; *

and those who deride me use my name for a curse.

For I have eaten ashes like bread, *

and mingled my drink with weeping,

because of your indignation and wrath; *

for you have lifted me up and cast me down.

My days are like an evening shadow; *

and I wither away like the grass.

But you, O LORD, endure forever; *

and your remembrance throughout all generations.

You will arise and have mercy on Zion;

for it is the time to favor her; *

the appointed time has come.

For your servants hold dear her very stones, *

and feel pity for her dust.

The nations will fear the name of the LORD, *

and all the kings of the earth your glory.

For the LORD will build up Zion; *

he will appear in his glory;

he regards the prayer of the destitute; *

he does not despise their prayer.

Let this be written for a generation to come, *

that the people who shall be created may praise the LORD:

for he looked down from the height of his holy place; *

from the heavens the LORD looked upon the earth,

to hear the groaning of the prisoners, *

to set free those condemned to death,

to declare in Zion the name of the LORD, *

and in Jerusalem his praise,

when the peoples gather together, *

and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

He has broken my strength in midcourse; *

he has shortened my days.

I say “My God, take me not away in the midst of my days— *

your years endure throughout all generations.”

In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, *

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you will remain; *

they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them, and they will be changed, *

but you are the same, and your years have no end.

The children of your servants shall dwell secure; *

their descendants shall be established before you.

Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul, *

and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, *

and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquities, *

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from destruction, *

who crowns you with steadfast love and tender mercy,

who satisfies you with good things *

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The LORD works righteousness *

and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, *

his acts to the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, *

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide, *

nor will he keep his anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *

nor repaid us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, *

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west, *

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion for his children, *

so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.

For he knows our frame; *

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; *

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind passes over it and it is gone, *

and its place remembers it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, *

and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep his covenant *

and remember his commandments and do them.

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, *

and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding, *

obeying the voice of his word.

Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *

his ministers, who do his will.

Bless the LORD, all his works,

in all places of his dominion. *

Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 104

Bless the LORD, O my soul, *

O LORD my God, how very great you are.

You are clothed with splendor and majesty. *

You robe yourself with light as with a garment, *

stretching out the heavens like a tent;

who lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;

who makes the clouds his chariot; *

who walks on the wings of the wind;

who makes his angels spirits, *

his ministers a flame of fire;

who set the earth on its foundations, *

so that it should never be moved.

You covered it with the deep as with a garment; *

the waters stood above the mountains.

At your rebuke they fled; *

at the voice of your thunder they took to flight.

The mountains rose, the valleys sank down *

to the place that you appointed for them.

You have set a boundary which they may not pass, *

that never again will they cover the earth.

You make springs gush forth in the valleys; *

they flow among the hills;

they give drink to every beast of the field; *

the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; *

they sing among the branches.

From your lofty abode you water the mountains; *

the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

You cause the grass to grow for the cattle *

and plants for man to cultivate,

that he may bring forth food from the earth *

and wine to gladden the heart of man,

oil to make his face shine *

and bread to strengthen man's heart.

The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, *

the cedars of Lebanon which he planted.

In them the birds build their nests; *

the stork has her home in the fir trees.

The high mountains are for the wild goats; *

the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

He made the moon to mark the seasons; *

the sun knows the time for its setting.

You make darkness, and it is night, *

when all the beasts of the forest creep about.

The young lions roar for their prey, *

seeking their food from God.

When the sun rises, they steal away *

and lie down in their dens.

Man goes out to his work *

and to his labor until the evening.

O LORD, how manifold are your works.

In wisdom you have made them all; *

the earth is full of your creatures.

Here is the sea, great and wide,

which teems with things innumerable, *

living things both small and great.

There go the ships, *

and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

All of these look to you, *

to give them their food in due season.

When you give it to them, they gather it up; *

when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

When you hide your face, they are dismayed; *

when you take away their breath, they die

and return to their dust.

When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, *

and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; *

may the LORD rejoice in his works,

who looks on the earth and it trembles, *

who touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; *

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him, *

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Let sinners be consumed from the earth, *

and let the wicked be no more.

Bless the LORD, O my soul. *

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 105

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; *

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him; *

tell of all his wondrous works.

Glory in his holy name; *

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Seek the LORD and his strength; *

seek his presence continually.

Remember the wonders that he has done, *

his miracles, and the judgments of his mouth,

O offspring of Abraham, his servant, *

children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

He is the LORD our God; *

his judgments are in all the earth.

He remembers his covenant forever, *

the word he commanded for a thousand generations,

the covenant he made with Abraham, *

and the oath he swore to Isaac,

which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, *

to Israel as an everlasting covenant,

saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan *

the portion of your inheritance.”

When they were but few in number, *

yes, very few, and strangers in it,

wandering from nation to nation, *

from one kingdom to another people,

he permitted no one to oppress them; *

he rebuked kings on their account,

saying, “Do not touch my anointed, *

and do no harm to my prophets.”

He called a famine on the land *

and broke the whole supply of bread.

He sent a man ahead of them, *

Joseph was sold as a slave.

They humbled his feet with fetters; *

his soul was laid in irons.

Until his word came to pass, *

the word of the LORD refined him.

The king sent and released him; *

the ruler of the peoples set him free;

he made him master of his household *

and ruler over all he possessed,

to bind his princes at his pleasure *

and teach his elders wisdom.

Then Israel came to Egypt; *

Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

He made his people very fruitful; *

made them stronger than their foes;

whose hearts he turned to hate his people, *

to conspire against his servants.

He sent Moses, his servant, *

and Aaron, whom he had chosen.

They performed his signs among them *

and wonders in the land of Ham.

He sent darkness, and made it dark; *

yet they rebelled against his words.

He turned their waters into blood *

causing their fish to die.

Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, *

even in their royal chambers.

He spoke, and there came a swarm of flies, *

and gnats throughout their country.

He gave them hail for rain, *

a flaming fire throughout their land.

He struck down their vine and fig, *

and shattered the trees that were in their borders.

He spoke, and the locusts came, *

and the grasshoppers without number,

which devoured all the grass in their land *

and ate up the fruit of their ground.

He struck down all the firstborn in their land, *

the firstfruits of all their strength.

Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, *

and there was none among their tribes who stumbled.

Egypt was glad when they departed, *

for dread of them had fallen upon them.

He spread a cloud for a covering, *

and fire to give light by night.

They asked, and he brought them quail, *

and fed them well with the bread of heaven.

He opened the rock, and water gushed out; *

it flowed through the desert like a river.

For he remembered his holy promise, *

and Abraham, his servant.

So he brought his people out with joy, *

his chosen ones with singing.

And he gave them the lands of the nations, *

and they inherited the fruit of the peoples' toil,

that they might keep his statutes

and observe his laws. *

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 106

Praise the LORD.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *

for his faithful love endures forever.

Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD, *

or proclaim all his praise?

Blessed are they who act with justice, *

who practice righteousness at all times.

Remember me, O LORD, with the favor of your people; *

O visit me with your salvation,

that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,

that I may rejoice in the joy of your nation, *

that I may glory with your inheritance.

Both we and our fathers have sinned; *

we have committed iniquity; we have acted wickedly.

Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, *

did not consider your wondrous works;

they did not remember the abundance of your mercies, *

but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake, *

that he might make his power known.

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, *

and he led them through the deep as through a desert.

So he saved them from the hand of the one who hated them; *

he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

And the waters covered their adversaries; *

not one of them was left.

Then they believed his words; *

they sang his praises.

But they soon forgot what he had done *

and would not wait for his counsel.

But they craved exceedingly in the wilderness, *

and put God to the test in the desert;

so he gave them their request, *

and sent a wasting disease among them.

When men in the camp were jealous of Moses *

and of Aaron, the holy one of the LORD,

the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, *

and covered the company of Abiram.

A fire was kindled in their congregation; *

a flame burned up the wicked.

They made a calf in Horeb *

and worshiped a cast metal image.

They exchanged the glory of God *

for the image of an ox that eats grass.

They forgot God, their Savior, *

who had done great things in Egypt,

wondrous works in the land of Ham, *

and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

So he said he would destroy them, *

had not Moses, his chosen one,

stood before him in the breach, *

to turn back his wrath from destroying them.

Then they despised the pleasant land, *

and gave no credence to his word.

They grumbled in their tents; *

they did not listen to the voice of the LORD.

Therefore he raised his hand in an oath against them, *

to make them fall in the wilderness,

and to make their offspring fall among the nations, *

scattering them throughout the lands.

Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, *

and ate the sacrifices of the dead;

they provoked him to anger with their deeds, *

and a plague broke out among them.

Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, *

and the plague was restrained.

And it was counted to him as righteousness *

to all generations forever.

They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, *

so that trouble came to Moses on their account,

for they provoked his spirit, *

and he spoke rashly with his lips.

They did not destroy the peoples, *

as the LORD commanded them,

but they mingled with the heathen *

and learned to do as they did.

They served their idols, *

which became a snare to them.

They even sacrificed their sons *

and their daughters to the demons;

they poured out innocent blood, *

the blood of their sons and daughters,

whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, *

and the land was polluted with blood.

They were thus defiled by what they did, *

and were unfaithful in their deeds.

Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, *

so that he loathed his own inheritance;

he gave them into the hand of the heathen, *

and those who hated them ruled over them.

Their enemies oppressed them, *

and they were subdued under their hands.

Many times did he deliver them,

but they were rebellious in their purposes *

and wasted away in their sin.

Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction, *

when he heard their cry.

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented *

according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

He caused them to be pitied *

by all who held them captive.

Save us, O LORD our God, *

and gather us from among the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name *

and glory in your praise.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, *

from everlasting to everlasting.

And let all the people say, “Amen.” *

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 107

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

his faithful love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, *

those he redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

those he gathered in from the lands, *

from the east and from the west,

from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastelands, *

finding no way to a city where they might dwell.

They were hungry and thirsty; *

their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them by a straight way *

till they reached a city to dwell in.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love, *

for his wondrous works to the children of man.

For he satisfies the thirsty soul, *

and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, *

bound fast in misery and iron chains,

for they had rebelled against the words of God, *

and despised the counsel of the Most High.

So he humbled their hearts down with hard labor; *

they stumbled, and there was none to help.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, *

and broke their chains apart.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love, *

for his wondrous works to the children of man.

For he shatters the doors of bronze *

and breaks the bars of iron in two.

Some became fools through their sinful ways; *

because of their iniquities, they suffered affliction;

their soul abhorred all manner of food, *

and they drew near to the gates of death.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He sent forth his word and healed them, *

and saved them from their destruction.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love, *

for his wondrous works to the children of man.

Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, *

and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

Some went down to the sea in ships, *

doing business on the mighty waters;

they have seen the deeds of the LORD, *

and his wondrous works in the deep.

For he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *

which lifted up the waves of the sea.

They mounted up to the heavens; they went down again to the depths; *

their courage melted away in their misery;

they reeled and staggered like drunken men *

and were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, *

and he delivered them from their distress.

He stilled the storm to a gentle breeze, *

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, *

and he brought them to their desired harbor.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love, *

for his wondrous works to the children of man.

Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people, *

and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

The LORD turns rivers into a desert, *

springs of water into thirsty ground,

a fruitful land into a salt waste, *

because of the evil of its inhabitants.

He turns deserts into pools of water, *

a parched land into water-springs;

and there he brings the hungry to dwell; *

they establish a city for a dwelling place;

they sow the fields and plant vineyards *

and they yield a fruitful harvest.

By his blessing they are multiplied greatly, *

and he does not let their herds decrease.

When they are diminished and brought low *

through oppression, affliction, and sorrow,

he pours contempt upon their princes *

and makes them wander in a trackless waste;

but he raises the poor out of misery *

and makes their families like flocks of sheep.

The upright see this and rejoice, *

but all iniquity shuts its mouth.

Whoever is wise will give heed to these things, *

and consider well the faithful love of the LORD.

Psalm 108

My heart is steadfast, O God. *

I will sing and give praise with all my soul.

Awake, O harp and lyre. *

I will awaken the dawn.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; *

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your mercy is great above the heavens; *

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. *

Let your glory be over all the earth.

That your beloved ones may be delivered, *

save with your right hand, and answer me.

God has spoken in his holiness: *

“I will triumph, I will divide up Shechem *

and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; *

Ephraim is my helmet,

Judah my scepter.

Moab is my washbasin;

upon Edom I cast my shoe; *

over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

Who will bring me to the fortified city? *

Who will lead me unto Edom?

Have you not rejected us, O God? *

You do not go out, O God, with our armies.

Oh give us help against the enemy, *

for vain is the deliverance of man.

With God we shall do valiantly; *

it is he who will tread down our foes.

Psalm 109

Do not be silent, O God of my praise.

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, *

speaking against me with lying tongues.

They have surrounded me with words of hate, *

and fought against me without a cause.

In return for my love they have become my accusers, *

but I give myself to prayer.

Thus they reward me evil for good, *

and hatred for my love.

Appoint a wicked man against him; *

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; *

let his prayer be counted as sin.

May his days be few; *

may another take his office.

May his children be fatherless, *

and his wife a widow.

May his children wander about and beg; *

may they be cast out of their habitations.

May the creditor seize all that he has; *

may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.

Let there be none to extend kindness to him, *

nor any to pity his fatherless children.

May his posterity be cut off; *

may his name be wiped out in the next generation.

May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, *

and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

Let them be always before the LORD, *

that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

For he was not minded to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy *

and the brokenhearted, to put him to death.

As he loved cursing; let curses come upon him. *

He did not delight in blessing; so may it be far from him.

He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; *

so let it soak into his body like water,

and like oil into his bones.

May it be to him a garment that he wraps around him, *

like a belt that he wears continually.

May this be the reward from the LORD to my accusers, *

of those who speak evil against my soul.

But you, O LORD my Lord,

deal kindly with me for the sake of your name; *

because your mercy is good, deliver me.

For I am poor and needy, *

and my heart is wounded within me.

I am passing like a shadow at evening; *

I am shaken off like a locust.

My knees are weak from fasting; *

my flesh has grown lean, without fatness.

I am an object of scorn to my accusers; *

when they see me, they shake their heads.

Help me, O LORD my God; *

save me according to your steadfast love.

Let them know that this is your hand; *

that you, O LORD, have done it.

Though they curse, yet you will bless.

Let them arise and be put to shame, *

but your servant will rejoice.

May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; *

may they be wrapped in their own shame as a cloak.

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; *

I will praise him in the midst of many.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy, *

to save him from those who would condemn his soul.

Psalm 110

The LORD said to my Lord: *

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The LORD sends forth from Zion

the scepter of your strength. *

Rule in the midst of your enemies.

On the day of your power, your people *

will offer themselves freely, in holy garments;

from the womb of the morning, *

the dew of your youth will be yours.

The LORD has sworn *

and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever *

after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Lord is at your right hand; *

he will crush kings in the day of his wrath.

He will execute judgment among the nations,

filling them with corpses; *

he will crush the chiefs of many on earth.

He will drink from a brook by the wayside; *

therefore he will lift up his head.

Psalm 111

Praise the LORD.

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, *

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Great are the works of the LORD, *

pondered by all who delight in them.

Splendid and majestic is his work, *

and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; *

the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

He provides food for those who fear him; *

he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works, *

in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

The works of his hands are faithful and just; *

all his precepts are trustworthy;

they are established forever and ever, *

to be performed with truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption to his people;

he has commanded his covenant forever. *

Holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding. *

His praise endures forever.

Psalm 112

Praise the LORD.

Blessed is the one who fears the LORD, *

who greatly delights in his commandments.

His offspring will be mighty in the land; *

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house, *

and his righteousness endures forever.

For the upright, there rises light in the darkness; *

gracious, and merciful, and righteous.

The good man deals generously and lends; *

he conducts his affairs with justice.

For the righteous will never be shaken; *

he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news; *

his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is firm; he will not be afraid, *

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; *

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn is exalted in honor.

The wicked will see it and be angry;

they will gnash their teeth and melt away; *

the desire of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 113

Praise the LORD.

Praise him, you servants of the LORD, *

praise the name of the LORD.

Blessed be the name of the LORD *

from this time forth and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, *

the name of the LORD is to be praised.

The LORD is high above all nations, *

and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the LORD our God, *

who is seated on high,

who humbles himself to behold *

the things in the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust *

and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes, *

with the princes of his people.

He gives the barren woman a home,

and makes her the joyous mother of children. *

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 114

When Israel came out from Egypt, *

the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,

Judah became his sanctuary, *

and Israel his dominion.

The sea saw it and fled; *

the Jordan was turned back.

The mountains skipped like rams, *

the little hills like lambs.

What ails you, O sea, that you flee? *

O Jordan, that you turn back?

O mountains, that you skip like rams? *

O little hills, like lambs?

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *

at the presence of the God of Jacob,

who turns the rock into a pool of water, *

the flint stone into a fountain spring.

Psalm 115

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, *

for the sake of your mercy and your faithfulness.

Why should the nations say, *

“Where is their God?”

Our God is in the heavens; *

he does all that pleases him.

Their idols are silver and gold, *

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *

eyes, but they cannot see.

They have ears, but they cannot hear; *

noses, but they cannot smell.

They have hands, but they cannot feel;

feet, but they cannot walk; *

nor is there any sound in their throat.

Those who make them become like them; *

and so do all who trust in them.

O Israel, trust in the LORD. *

He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD. *

He is their help and their shield.

You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD *

He is their help and their shield.

The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us; *

he will bless the house of Israel;

he will bless the house of Aaron;

he will bless those who fear the LORD, *

the small and the great together.

May the LORD give you increase, you and your children. *

May you be blessed by the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the LORD; *

but the earth he has given to the children of man.

The dead do not praise the LORD, *

nor do any who go down into silence.

But we will bless the LORD

from this time forth and forevermore. *

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 116

I love the LORD, for he hears my voice; *

he heard my pleas for mercy.

Because he inclined his ear toward me, *

I will call on him as long as I live.

The sorrows of death surrounded me;

the terrors of Sheol took hold of me; *

I was overcome by distress and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the LORD: *

“O LORD, deliver my soul.”

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; *

our God is full of compassion.

The LORD preserves the simple; *

I was brought low, and he saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul; *

for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

For you have delivered my soul from death, *

my eyes from tears,

my feet from falling;

I will walk in the presence of the LORD *

in the land of the living.

I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; *

I said in my distress, “All men are liars.”

How shall I repay the LORD *

for all his goodness toward me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation *

and call upon the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *

in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the LORD *

is the death of his saints.

O LORD, truly I am your servant; *

I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

You have loosed my bonds.

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and call upon the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *

in the presence of all his people,

in the courts of the house of the LORD, *

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 117

O praise the LORD, all you nations. *

Praise him, all you peoples.

For great is his steadfast love toward us, *

and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 118

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

his faithful love endures forever.

Let Israel say, *

“His faithful love endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron say, *

“His faithful love endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD say, *

“His faithful love endures forever.”

I called to the LORD in my distress; *

he answered me and set me free.

The LORD is for me; I will not fear. *

What can man do to me?

The LORD is for me; he is my helper; *

I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD *

than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD *

than to trust in princes.

All nations surrounded me; *

in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

They surrounded me on every side; *

in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

They surrounded me like bees;

they blazed like a fire of thorns; *

in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

I was pushed hard that I might fall, *

but the LORD helped me.

The LORD is my strength and my song; *

he has become my salvation.

Glad songs of salvation

are in the tents of the righteous: *

“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.

The right hand of the LORD is exalted; *

the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”

I shall not die, but I shall live, *

and declare what the LORD has done.

The LORD has disciplined me severely, *

but he has not given me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness; *

that I may enter through them

and give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD: *

the righteous shall enter through it.

I will give you thanks, for you answered me, *

and have become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected *

has become the cornerstone.

This is the LORD's doing; *

it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the LORD has made; *

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us, we pray, O LORD. *

O LORD, we pray, grant us success.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; *

we bless you from the house of the LORD.

The LORD is God; he gives us light; *

bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; *

you are my God; I will exalt you.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

his faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 119

Aleph

Blessed are they whose way is blameless, *

who walk in the law of the LORD.

Blessed are they who keep his testimonies, *

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no unrighteousness, *

but always walk in his ways.

You have laid down your precepts, *

that we should keep them diligently.

Oh, that my ways may be steadfast *

in keeping your decrees.

Then I shall not be put to shame, *

when I consider all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart, *

when I have learned your righteous rules.

I will keep your decrees; *

do not utterly forsake me.

Beth

How can a young man keep his way pure? *

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you; *

oh let me not wander from your commandments.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, *

that I might not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O LORD; *

teach me your decrees.

With my lips I have declared *

all the judgments of your mouth.

I delight in the way of your statutes *

as much as in all manner of riches.

I will meditate on your precepts *

and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight myself in your statutes; *

I will not forget your word.

Gimel

Deal bountifully with your servant, *

that I may live and keep your word.

Open my eyes, that I may see *

the wondrous things in your law.

I am a sojourner on the earth; *

do not hide your commandments from me.

My soul is consumed at all times *

with longing for your ordinances.

You rebuke the insolent, *

the accursed ones, who stray from your commandments.

Remove from me scorn and contempt, *

for I have kept your testimonies.

Though princes sit and plot against me, *

your servant will meditate on your decrees.

Indeed, your statutes are my delight; *

they are my counselors.

Daleth

My soul clings to the dust; *

revive me according to your word.

I have declared my ways, and you answered me; *

teach me your decrees.

Make me to understand the way of your commandments, *

that I may meditate on your wondrous works.

My soul is weary with sorrow; *

strengthen me according to your word.

Remove from me deceitful ways *

and teach me your law graciously.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; *

I have set your ordinances before me.

I hold fast to your testimonies; *

O LORD, let me not be put to shame.

I will run in the path of your commandments *

for you will enlarge my heart.

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; *

and I shall keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law; *

and I will keep it with my whole heart.

Make me to walk in the path of your commandments, *

for in it do I delight.

Incline my heart toward your testimonies, *

and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things; *

and revive me in your ways.

Confirm your promise to your servant, *

that you may be feared.

Turn away the disgrace that I dread, *

for your ordinances are good.

Behold, I long for your precepts; *

revive me in your righteousness.

Waw

Let your faithful love come to me, O LORD, *

your salvation according to your promise;

so then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, *

for I trust in your word.

Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, *

for my hope is in your ordinances.

So shall I keep your law continually; *

I shall keep it for ever and ever,

and I shall walk about at liberty, *

for I have sought your precepts.

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings *

and shall not be put to shame,

for I find my delight in your commandments, *

which I love.

I lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, *

and I will meditate on your decrees.

Zayin

Remember your word to your servant, *

in which you have made me hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, *

that your promise gives me life.

The arrogant utterly deride me, *

but I do not turn away from your law.

I remember your ordinances of old, *

and I comfort myself, O LORD.

Hot indignation seizes me *

because of the wicked, who forsake your law.

Your statutes have been my songs *

in the house of my sojourning.

In the night, O LORD, I remember your name *

and I keep your law.

This blessing has fallen to me, *

because I have kept your precepts.

Heth

You are my portion, O LORD; *

I have promised that I would keep your words.

I entreat your favor with my whole heart; *

be gracious to me according to your promise.

I have considered my ways, *

and I turn my feet to your testimonies;

I hasten and do not delay *

to keep your commandments.

Though the cords of the wicked have wrapped me round, *

I have not forgotten your law.

At midnight I shall rise to give you praise, *

because of your righteous judgments.

I am a friend of all who fear you, *

of those who keep your precepts.

The earth, O LORD, is filled with your faithful love; *

teach me your decrees.

Teth

You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, *

according to your word.

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, *

for I believe in your commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, *

but now I keep your word.

You are good and what you do is good; *

teach me your decrees.

The arrogant have smeared me with lies, *

but I keep your precepts with my whole heart;

Their hearts are unfeeling as fat, *

but I delight in your law.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *

that I might learn your decrees.

The law of your mouth is better to me *

than all the pieces of silver and gold.

Yodh

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; *

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

May those who fear you see me and rejoice, *

because I have hoped in your word.

I know, O LORD, that your judgments are righteous, *

that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

O let your steadfast love be my comfort, *

according to your word to your servant.

Let your tender mercy come to me, that I may live; *

for your law is my delight.

Let the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me with falsehood; *

but as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

Let those who fear you turn to me, *

and they shall know your testimonies.

May my heart be blameless regarding your decrees, *

that I may not be put to shame.

Kaph

My soul longs for your salvation; *

I have my hope in your word.

My eyes long for your promise; *

while I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, *

yet I have not forgotten your decrees.

How many days must your servant endure? *

When will you bring judgment against my pursuers?

The arrogant have dug pits to trap me; *

they do not live in accord with your law.

All your commandments are faithful; *

help me, for they persecute me with falsehood.

They have almost destroyed me from the earth, *

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

Give me life, in accordance with your steadfast love, *

that I may keep the testimony of your mouth.

Lamedh

Forever, O LORD, *

your word stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; *

you established the earth, and it stands fast.

In accordance with your laws they stand this day, *

for all things are your servants.

If your law had not been my delight, *

I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget your precepts, *

for by them you have given me life.

I am yours; save me, *

for I have sought your precepts.

The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, *

but I shall ponder your testimonies.

I have seen a limit of all perfection, *

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

Oh how I love your law. *

It is my meditation all the day.

You make me wiser than my enemies through your commandments, *

for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, *

for your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged, *

because I keep your precepts.

I restrain my feet from every evil way, *

that I may keep your word.

I do not depart from your ordinances, *

for you yourself have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste, *

sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Through your precepts I get understanding; *

therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

Your word is a lamp to my feet *

and a light to my path.

I have sworn an oath and I confirm it, *

that I will keep your righteous rules.

I am exceedingly afflicted; *

revive me, O LORD, according to your word.

Accept, O LORD, my freewill offerings of praise, *

and teach me your ordinances.

My life I hold in my hand continually, *

yet I do not forget your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me, *

yet I do not stray from your precepts.

Your testimonies are my heritage forever; *

they are the rejoicing of my heart.

I incline my heart to obey your statutes; *

forever, to the very end.

Samekh

I hate the double-minded, *

but I love your law.

You are my hiding place and my shield; *

I have my hope in your word.

Depart from me, you evildoers, *

for I will keep the commands of my God.

Uphold me according to your word and I shall live; *

and make me not ashamed of my hope.

Hold me up, and I shall be safe *

and continually have regard for your statutes.

You spurn all those who stray from your statutes, *

for their deceitfulness is falsehood.

All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, *

therefore I love your testimonies.

My flesh trembles for fear of you, *

for I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

I have done what is just and righteous; *

leave me not to my oppressors.

Guarantee the well-being of your servant; *

do not let the arrogant oppress me.

My eyes are longing for your salvation *

for the fulfillment of your righteousness.

Deal with your servant according to your faithful love, *

and teach me your statutes.

I am your servant; *

give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

It is time to act, O LORD, *

for your law is being broken.

Therefore I love your commandments *

more than gold, yes, more than fine gold.

Therefore I consider your precepts concerning all things to be right; *

I hate every false way.

Your testimonies are wonderful; *

therefore my soul keeps them.

The unfolding of your words gives light; *

it gives understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth wide *

panting for your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, *

as is your custom toward those who love your name.

Establish my steps according to your word, *

and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man, *

that I may keep your precepts.

Make your face to shine upon your servant, *

and teach me your statutes.

Rivers of tears run down from my eyes, *

because your law is disregarded.

Tsadhe

Righteous are you, O LORD, *

and upright are your judgments.

The testimonies you have commanded are righteousness *

and exceeding faithfulness.

My zeal consumes me, *

because my foes forget your words.

Your word is well tested, *

and your servant loves it.

I am small and despised, *

yet I do not forget your precepts.

Your righteousness is righteousness forever, *

and your law is truth.

Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, *

yet your commandments are my delight.

Your testimonies are righteous forever; *

give me understanding, and I shall live.

Qoph

With my whole heart I cry out; answer me, O LORD. *

I will keep your statutes.

I cry out to you; save me, *

that I may observe your testimonies.

I rise before dawn and cry for help; *

I hope in your word.

My eyes are awake through the watches of the night, *

that I may meditate on your promise.

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; *

O LORD, give me life according to your justice.

They draw near who follow after wickedness; *

they are far from your law.

But you are near, O LORD, *

and all your commandments are truth.

I have known of old from your testimonies *

that you have founded them to last forever.

Resh

Consider my suffering and deliver me, *

for I do not forget your law.

Plead my cause and redeem me; *

give me life according to your word.

Salvation is far from the wicked, *

for they do not seek your statutes.

Great is your tender mercy, O LORD; *

give me life according to your judgments.

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, *

but I do not turn aside from your testimonies.

I behold the treacherous with disgust, *

for they do not keep your commands.

Consider how I love your precepts. *

Give me life in accordance with your steadfast love.

The sum of your word is truth, *

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

Princes persecute me without cause, *

but my heart stands in awe of your word.

I rejoice at your word *

as one who finds a great treasure.

I hate and abhor falsehood, *

but your law I love.

Seven times a day I praise you *

for the rules of your righteousness.

Great peace have those who love your law; *

nothing can make them to stumble.

I hope for your salvation, O LORD, *

and I carry out your commandments.

My soul keeps your testimonies; *

for I love them exceedingly.

I keep your precepts and your testimonies, *

for all my ways are before you.

Taw

Let my cry come before you, O LORD; *

give me understanding according to your word.

Let my supplication come before you; *

deliver me according to your word.

My lips shall pour forth praise, *

for you teach me your statutes.

My tongue shall sing of your word, *

for all your commandments are righteousness.

Let your hand be ready to help me, *

for I have chosen your precepts.

I long for your salvation, O LORD, *

and your law is my delight.

Let my soul live that it may praise you, *

and let your ordinances sustain me.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; *

seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 120

In my distress I cried to the LORD, *

and he answered me.

Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, *

and from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you; what more shall be done to you, *

O deceitful tongue?

Sharp arrows of the warrior, *

with glowing coals of the broom tree.

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, *

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar.

Too long has my soul had its dwelling *

among the enemies of peace.

I am for peace, but when I speak, *

they make themselves ready for war.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains. *

From where is my help to come?

My help comes from the LORD, *

the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; *

he who watches over you will not slumber.

Behold, he who watches over Israel *

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you; *

the LORD is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, *

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil; *

he will watch over your life.

The LORD will watch over your going out and your coming in *

from this time forth, and forevermore.

Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me, *

“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Our feet are standing *

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city *

that is at unity in itself;

to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, *

as a testimony for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

There the thrones for judgment stand, *

the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *

“May those who love you be secure.

May peace be within your walls *

and prosperity within your palaces.”

For the sake of my brothers and friends, *

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, *

I will seek your good.

Psalm 123

Unto you I lift up my eyes, *

O you enthroned in the heavens.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, *

as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the LORD our God, *

until he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *

for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Our soul is exceedingly filled *

with the scorn of those who are at ease,

and with the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 124

If the LORD had not been on our side – *

let Israel now say –

if the LORD had not been on our side *

when people rose up against us,

then they would have swallowed us up alive, *

when their wrath was kindled against us;

then the waters would have swept us away,

the torrent would have gone over us; *

the raging waters would have swept over our souls.

Blessed be the LORD, *

who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

We escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *

the snare is broken, and we are delivered.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, *

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *

which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the LORD surrounds his people, *

from this time forth and for evermore.

For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest

on the land allotted to the righteous, *

lest the righteous reach out their hands to do wrong.

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, *

to those who are upright in their hearts.

But those who turn aside to crooked ways

the LORD will lead away with the evildoers. *

Peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 126

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, *

we were like those who dream.

Our mouths were filled with laughter then, *

and our tongues with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations, *

“The LORD has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us; *

and we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, *

like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears *

shall reap with shouts of joy.

He who goes out weeping, *

carrying the seed to sow,

will surely come again with shouts of joy, *

carrying his sheaves with him.

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD builds the house, *

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city, *

the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to bed,

eating the bread of anxious toil; *

for he gives sleep to his beloved.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, *

and the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, *

so are the children of one’s youth.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is filled with them. *

He shall not be put to shame

when he contends with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, *

who walk in his ways.

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; *

you shall be blessed, and it will be well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house; *

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. *

The LORD bless you from Zion.

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem *

all the days of your life.

May you see your children's children. *

May peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 129

“Many times have they afflicted me from my youth”— *

let Israel now say—

“Many times have they afflicted me from my youth, *

yet they have not prevailed against me.

The plowers plowed upon my back; *

they made their furrows long.”

The LORD is righteous; *

he has cut in two the cords of the wicked.

Let all who hate Zion *

be put to shame and turned backward.

Let them be like grass on the housetops, *

which withers before it can grow up,

with which the reaper does not fill his hand *

nor the binder of sheaves his arms.

Nor let those who pass by them say, *

“The blessing of the LORD be upon you.

We bless you in the name of the LORD.”

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. *

O LORD, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, *

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness, *

that you may be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, *

and in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord *

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD. *

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

with him there is plentiful redemption. *

and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 131

O LORD, my heart is not haughty; *

my eyes are not set too high;

I do not occupy myself with great matters *

things too profound, too marvelous for me.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with his mother; *

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the LORD *

from this time forth and for evermore.

Psalm 132

O LORD, remember David, *

and all the hardships he endured,

how he swore to the LORD *

and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not come into my house *

nor climb into the comfort of my bed,

I will give no sleep to my eyes *

or slumber to my eyelids,

until I find a place for the LORD, *

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; *

we found it in the fields of Jaar.

“Let us go to his dwelling place; *

let us worship at his footstool.”

Arise, O LORD, to your resting place, *

you and the ark of your strength.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, *

and let your saints shout for joy.

For the sake of your servant David, *

do not turn away the face of your anointed.

The LORD has sworn to David

a sure oath from which he will not turn back: *

“Your own son I will set on your throne, the fruit of your body.

If your children keep my covenant;

my testimonies that I shall teach them, *

their sons too shall sit on your throne forever.”

For the LORD has chosen Zion; *

he has desired it for his dwelling place:

“This is my resting place forever; *

here I will dwell, for I have desired her.

I will abundantly bless her provisions; *

I will satisfy her poor with bread.

Her priests I will clothe with salvation, *

and her saints will sing aloud for joy.

There I will make the horn of David flourish; *

I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

His enemies I will clothe with shame, *

but on him, himself, his crown will shine.”

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is *

when brothers dwell together in unity.

It is like the precious oil upon the head, *

running down on the beard,

on the beard of Aaron, *

running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon, *

falling down on the mountains of Zion.

For there the LORD commanded the blessing, *

life forevermore.

Psalm 134

Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *

who stand by night in the house of the LORD.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, *

and bless the LORD.

May the LORD bless you from Zion; *

he who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 135

Praise the LORD.

Praise the name of the LORD, *

praise him, O you servants of the LORD,

you who stand in the house of the LORD, *

in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; *

sing praise to his name, for it is lovely.

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, *

and Israel as his treasured possession.

For I know that the LORD is great, *

and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, *

in heaven and on the earth,

in the seas and all the depths.

It is he who makes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth, *

who sends out lightning for the rain

and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *

firstborn both of man and beast;

he who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders *

against Pharaoh and all his servants;

he who struck down many nations *

and put mighty kings to death,

Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan, *

and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

and he gave their land as a heritage, *

a heritage to Israel his people.

Your name, O LORD, endures forever, *

your renown, O LORD, throughout all generations.

For the LORD will vindicate his people *

and he will have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, *

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they do not speak; *

they have eyes, but they do not see;

they have ears, but they do not hear, *

nor is there any breath in their mouths.

Those who make them will become like them, *

yes, so will all who trust in them.

O house of Israel, bless the LORD. *

O house of Aaron, bless the LORD.

O house of Levi, bless the LORD. *

You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. *

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *

for his faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, *

for his faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *