Psalm 51:12-80:3

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17My sacrifice, O God, is Or The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

18May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 52In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11. 1For the director of music. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.” Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

2You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.

3You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

4You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!

5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.

6The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,

7“Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”

8But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. 9For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Psalm 53In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7. 1For the director of music. According to mahalath. Title: Probably a musical term A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

2God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God.

5But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them. 6Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 54In Hebrew texts 54:1-7 is numbered 54:3-9. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.

2Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

3Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

4Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

6I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good. 7You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Psalm 55In Hebrew texts 55:1-23 is numbered 55:2-24. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

2hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

3because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.

4My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.

5Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

6I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7I would flee far away and stay in the desert; The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and in the middle of verse 19.

8I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

9Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.

10Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.

11Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.

12If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.

13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

14with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.

15Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.

16As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

17Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

18He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

19God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

22Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 23But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.

Psalm 56In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

2My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.

3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.

6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.

7Because of their wickedness do not Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not. let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin — are they not in your record?

9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise—

11in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

12I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 57In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6. God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

6They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.

7My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

8Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

9I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

10For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 58In Hebrew texts 58:1-11 is numbered 58:2-12. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity?

2No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

3Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.

4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.

6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!

7Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.

8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.

9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away. The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.

10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Psalm 59In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

2Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.

3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD .

4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!

5You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.

6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

7See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”

8But you laugh at them, LORD ; you scoff at all those nations.

9You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

11But do not kill them, Lord our shield, Or sovereign or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down.

12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,

13consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

15They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.

16But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 60In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia and Aram Zobah, Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!

2You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

3You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

4But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

5Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

6God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.

7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.

8Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

9Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

11Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalm 61In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

2From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

4I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

5For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.

7May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. 8Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.

Psalm 62In Hebrew texts 62:1-12 is numbered 62:2-13. 1For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

2Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.

5Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

6Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7My salvation and my honor depend on God Or / God Most High is my salvation and my honor ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

9Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

10Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

11One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, 12and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

Psalm 63In Hebrew texts 63:1-11 is numbered 63:2-12. 1A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

2I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

3Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

4I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

7Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

9Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. 11But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Psalm 64In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers.

3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.

4They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it Or us ?”

6They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

7But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down.

8He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. 10The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!

Psalm 65In Hebrew texts 65:1-13 is numbered 65:2-14. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song. Praise awaits Or befits; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.

2You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.

3When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave Or made atonement for our transgressions.

4Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

5You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,

6who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,

7who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

8The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

9You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. Or for that is how you prepare the land

10You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

11You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

12The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. 13The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 66 1For the director of music. A song. A psalm. Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

2Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.

3Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

4All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 15.

5Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!

6He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— come, let us rejoice in him.

7He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him.

8Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;

9he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

10For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

12You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

13I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—

14vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

15I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.

16Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

17I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.

18If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

19but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. 20Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Psalm 67In Hebrew texts 67:1-7 is numbered 67:2-8. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.

2so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

3May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

4May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

5May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

6The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. 7May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 68In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36. 1For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song. May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.

2May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

3But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

4Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds Or name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts ; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD .

5A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

6God sets the lonely in families, Or the desolate in a homeland he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

7When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32.

8the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

9You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

10Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.

11The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:

12“Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder.

13Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, Or the campfires; or the saddlebags the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.”

14When the Almighty Hebrew Shaddai scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

15Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,

16why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?

17The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary. Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness

18When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from Or gifts for people, / even the rebellious— that you, Or they LORD God, might dwell there.

19Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

20Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

21Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.

22The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,

23that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”

24Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

25In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels.

26Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.

27There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

28Summon your power, God Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts Your God has summoned power for you ; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.

29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.

30Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

31Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush That is, the upper Nile region will submit herself to God.

32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord,

33to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice.

34Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. 35You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

Psalm 69In Hebrew texts 69:1-36 is numbered 69:2-37. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

2I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

3I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

4Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

6Lord, the LORD Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.

7For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

8I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;

9for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

11when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13But I pray to you, LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

15Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

16Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

17Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.

19You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

20Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

21They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and Or snare / and their fellowship become a trap.

23May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

24Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

25May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.

28May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

29But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me.

30I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

32The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

34Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

35for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; 36the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

Psalm 70In Hebrew texts 70:1-5 is numbered 70:2-6. 1For the director of music. Of David. A petition. Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

2May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

3May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame.

4But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!” 5But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.

Psalm 71 1In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

2In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.

3Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

5For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

6From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.

7I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.

8My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

9Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”

12Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.

13May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

15My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.

16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD ; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

17Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

19Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?

20Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

21You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

22I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

23My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. 24My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Psalm 72 1Of Solomon. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.

2May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.

3May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.

5May he endure Septuagint; Hebrew You will be feared as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

6May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

7In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

8May he rule from sea to sea and from the River That is, the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

9May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.

10May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.

11May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

12For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.

13He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.

14He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

15Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.

16May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lebanon, / from the city like the grass of the field.

17May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, Or will use his name in blessings (see Gen. 48:20) and they will call him blessed.

18Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

19Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. 20This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

BOOK III Psalm 73 1A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text struggles at their death; / their bodies are healthy

5They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.

6Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

7From their callous hearts comes iniquity Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew Their eyes bulge with fat ; their evil imaginations have no limits.

8They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.

11They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”

12This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.

14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.

15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply

17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

18Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

19How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

20They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 74 1A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of Asaph. O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?

2Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

3Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

4Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.

5They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.

6They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.

7They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

8They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

9We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.

10How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?

11Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

12But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.

13It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

14It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.

15It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.

16The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.

17It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

18Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.

19Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.

20Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.

21Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

22Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. 23Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

Psalm 75In Hebrew texts 75:1-10 is numbered 75:2-11. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph. A song. We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.

2You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity.

3When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

4To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Horns here symbolize strength; also in verses 5 and 10.

5Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’ ”

6No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.

7It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

8In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.

9As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob, 10who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”

Psalm 76In Hebrew texts 76:1-12 is numbered 76:2-13. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song. God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great.

2His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

3There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 9.

4You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.

5The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands.

6At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still.

7It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?

8From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—

9when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land.

10Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. Or Surely the wrath of mankind brings you praise, / and with the remainder of wrath you arm yourself

11Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. 12He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Psalm 77In Hebrew texts 77:1-20 is numbered 77:2-21. 1For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm. I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

2When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

3I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 9 and 15.

4You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

5I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

6I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?

8Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?

9Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

10Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

11I will remember the deeds of the LORD ; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

13Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?

14You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

15With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.

17The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.

18Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

19Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78 1A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of Asaph. My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

2I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

3things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.

4We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

5He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,

6so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

7Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

8They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

9The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;

10they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law.

11They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.

12He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall.

14He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.

15He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

16he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.

17But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.

18They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.

19They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?

20True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”

21When the LORD heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

22for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

23Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens;

24he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.

25Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

26He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow.

27He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore.

28He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents.

29They ate till they were gorged— he had given them what they craved.

30But before they turned from what they craved, even while the food was still in their mouths,

31God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.

32In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

33So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror.

34Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.

35They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.

36But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues;

37their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.

38Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

39He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland!

41Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

42They did not remember his power— the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,

43the day he displayed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan.

44He turned their river into blood; they could not drink from their streams.

45He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.

46He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust.

47He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet.

48He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning.

49He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility— a band of destroying angels.

50He prepared a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague.

51He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.

52But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the wilderness.

53He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies.

54And so he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken.

55He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

56But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statutes.

57Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.

58They angered him with their high places; they aroused his jealousy with their idols.

59When God heard them, he was furious; he rejected Israel completely.

60He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among humans.

61He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy.

62He gave his people over to the sword; he was furious with his inheritance.

63Fire consumed their young men, and their young women had no wedding songs;

64their priests were put to the sword, and their widows could not weep.

65Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.

66He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame.

67Then he rejected the tents of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;

68but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved.

69He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever.

70He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;

71from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. 72And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Psalm 79 1A psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

2They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.

3They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

4We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

5How long, LORD ? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

6Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

7for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

8Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

9Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

10Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

11May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.

12Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord. 13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.

Psalm 80In Hebrew texts 80:1-19 is numbered 80:2-20. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm. Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

2before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.

3Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.