Psalms

3And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, And whose leaf doth not wither; And in whatsoever he doeth he shall prosper.

4Not so the wicked; But they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the LORD regardeth the way of the righteous; But the way of the wicked shall perish.

Chapter 2

1Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter 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 bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.' He that sitteth in heaven laugheth, The Lord hath them in derision. Then will He speak unto them in His wrath, And affright them in His sore displeasure: 'Truly it is I that have established My king Upon Zion, My holy mountain.' I will tell of the decree: The LORD said unto me: 'Thou art My son, This day have I begotten thee. Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance, And the ends of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' Now therefore, O ye kings, be wise; Be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

11Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

12Do homage in purity, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way, When suddenly His wrath is kindled. Happy are all they that take refuge in Him.

Chapter 3

1A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

2LORD, how many are mine adversaries become! Many are they that rise up against me.

3Many there are that say of my soul: 'There is no salvation for him in God.' Selah

4But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; My glory, and the lifter up of my head.

5With my voice I call unto the LORD, And He answereth me out of His holy mountain. Selah

6I lay me down, and I sleep; I awake, for the LORD sustaineth me.

7I am not afraid of ten thousands of people, That have set themselves against me round about.

8Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God; For Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek, Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.

9Salvation belongeth unto the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people.

Chapter 4

1Selah For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm of David.

2Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness, Thou who didst set me free when I was in distress; Be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer.

3O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be put to shame, In that ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah

4But know that the LORD hath set apart the godly man as His own; The LORD will hear when I call unto Him.

5Tremble, and sin not; Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

6Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. 7Many there are that say: 'Oh that we could see some good!' LORD, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.

8Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than when their corn and their wine increase.

9In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For Thou, LORD, makest me dwell alone in safety.

Chapter 5

1For the Leader; upon the Nehiloth. A Psalm of David.

2Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

3Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; For unto Thee do I pray.

4O LORD, in the morning shalt Thou hear my voice; In the morning will I order my prayer unto Thee, and will look forward.

5For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; Evil shall not sojourn with Thee.

6The boasters shall not stand in Thy sight; Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

7Thou destroyest them that speak falsehood; The LORD abhorreth the man of blood and of deceit.

8But as for me, in the abundance of Thy lovingkindness will I come into Thy house; I will bow down toward Thy holy temple in the fear of Thee.

9O LORD, lead me in Thy righteousness because of them that lie in wait for me; Make Thy way straight before my face.

10For there is no sincerity in their mouth; Their inward part is a yawning gulf, Their throat is an open sepulchre; They make smooth their tongue.

11Hold them guilty, O God, Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them down in the multitude of their transgressions; For they have rebelled against Thee.

12So shall all those that take refuge in Thee rejoice, They shall ever shout for joy, And Thou shalt shelter them; Let them also that love Thy name exult in Thee.

13For Thou dost bless the righteous; O LORD, Thou dost encompass him with favour as with a shield.

Chapter 6

1For the Leader; with string-music; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

2O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, Neither chasten me in Thy wrath.

3Be gracious unto me, O LORD, for I languish away; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are affrighted.

4My soul also is sore affrighted; And Thou, O LORD, how long?

5Return, O LORD, deliver my soul; Save me for Thy mercy's sake.

6For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; In the nether-world who will give Thee thanks?

7I am weary with my groaning; Every night make I my bed to swim; I melt away my couch with my tears.

8Mine eye is dimmed because of vexation; It waxeth old because of all mine adversaries.

9Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

10The LORD hath heard my supplication; The LORD receiveth my prayer.

11All mine enemies shall be ashamed and sore affrighted; They shall turn back, they shall be ashamed suddenly.

Chapter 7

1Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning Cush a Benjamite.

2O LORD my God, in Thee have I taken refuge; Save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me;

3Lest he tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

4O LORD my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;

5If I have requited him that did evil unto me, Or spoiled mine adversary unto emptiness;

6Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it, And tread my life down to the earth; Yea, let him lay my glory in the dust. Selah

7Arise, O LORD, in Thine anger, Lift up Thyself in indignation against mine adversaries; Yea, awake for me at the judgment which Thou hast commanded.

8And let the congregation of the peoples compass Thee about, And over them return Thou on high.

9O LORD, who ministerest judgment to the peoples, Judge me, O LORD, According to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

10Oh that a full measure of evil might come upon the wicked, And that Thou wouldest establish the righteous; For the righteous God trieth the heart and reins.

11My shield is with God, Who saveth the upright in heart.

12God is a righteous judge, Yea, a God that hath indignation every day:

13If a man turn not, He will whet His sword, He hath bent His bow, and made it ready;

14He hath also prepared for him the weapons of death, Yea, His arrows which He made sharp.

15Behold, he travaileth with iniquity; Yea, he conceiveth mischief, and bringeth forth falsehood.

16He hath digged a pit, and hollowed it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made.

17His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violence shall come down upon his own pate.

18I will give thanks unto the LORD according to His righteousness; And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Chapter 8

1For the Leader; upon the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

2O LORD, our Lord, How glorious is Thy name in all the earth! Whose majesty is rehearsed above the heavens.

3Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou founded strength, Because of Thine adversaries; That Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

4When I behold Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast established;

5What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou thinkest of him?

6Yet Thou hast made him but little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour.

7Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under His feet:

8Sheep and oxen, all of them, Yea, and the beasts of the field;

9The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea; Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

10O LORD, our Lord, How glorious is Thy name in all the earth!

Chapter 9

1For the Leader; upon Muthlabben. A Psalm of David.

2I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all Thy marvellous works.

3I will be glad and exult in Thee; I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High:

4When mine enemies are turned back, They stumble and perish at Thy presence;

5For Thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou sattest upon the throne as the righteous Judge.

6Thou hast rebuked the nations, Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.

7O thou enemy, the waste places are come to an end for ever; And the cities which thou didst uproot, Their very memorial is perished.

8But the LORD is enthroned for ever; He hath established His throne for judgment.

9And He will judge the world in righteousness, He will minister judgment to the peoples with equity.

10The LORD also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble;

11And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

12Sing praises to the LORD, who dwelleth in Zion; Declare among the peoples His doings.

13For He that avengeth blood hath remembered them; He hath not forgotten the cry of the humble.

14Be gracious unto me, O LORD, Behold mine affliction at the hands of them that hate me; Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death;

15That I may tell of all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion, That I may rejoice in Thy salvation.

16The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made; In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

17The LORD hath made Himself known, He hath executed judgment, The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah

18The wicked shall return to the nether-world, Even all the nations that forget God.

19For the needy shall not alway be forgotten, Nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever.

20Arise, O LORD, let not man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Thy sight.

21Set terror over them, O LORD; Let the nations know they are but men.

Chapter 10

1Selah Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?

2Through the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued, They are taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, And the covetous vaunteth himself, though he contemn the LORD.

4The wicked, in the pride of his countenance [, saith]: 'He will not require'; All his thoughts are: 'There is no God.'

5His ways prosper at all times; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight; As for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

6He saith in his heart: 'I shall not be moved, I who to all generations shall not be in adversity.'

7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

8He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; In secret places doth he slay the innocent; His eyes are on the watch for the helpless.

9He lieth in wait in a secret place as a lion in his lair, He lieth in wait to catch the poor; He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him up in his net.

10He croucheth, he boweth down, And the helpless fall into his mighty claws.

11He hath said in his heart: 'God hath forgotten; He hideth His face; He will never see.'

12Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Thy hand; Forget not the humble.

13Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God, And say in his heart: 'Thou wilt not require'?

14Thou hast seen; for Thou beholdest trouble and vexation, to requite them with Thy hand; Unto Thee the helpless committeth himself; Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless.

15Break Thou the arm of the wicked; And as for the evil man, search out his wickedness, till none be found.

16The LORD is King for ever and ever; The nations are perished out of His land.

17LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt direct their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to attend;

18To right the fatherless and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may be terrible no more.

Chapter 11

1For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David. In the LORD have I taken refuge; How say ye to my soul: 'Flee thou! to your mountain, ye birds'?

2For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, They have made ready their arrow upon the string, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

3When the foundations are destroyed, What hath the righteous wrought?

4The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD, His throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.

5The LORD trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.

6Upon the wicked He will cause to rain coals; Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7For the LORD is righteous, He loveth righteousness; The upright shall behold His face.

Chapter 12

1For the Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

2Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

3They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

4May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh proud things!

5Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; Our lips are with us: who is lord over us?'

6'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise', saith the LORD; 'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.' 7The words of the LORD are pure words, As silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.

8Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us from this generation for ever.

9The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Chapter 13

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2How long, O LORD, wilt Thou forget me for ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

3How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart by day? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

4Behold Thou, and answer me, O LORD my God; Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

5Lest mine enemy say: 'I have prevailed against him'; Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.

6But as for me, in Thy mercy do I trust; My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

6I will sing unto the LORD, Because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

Chapter 14

1For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart:

'There is no God'; They have dealt corruptly, they have done abominably; There is none that doeth good.

2The LORD looked forth from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God.

3They are all corrupt, they are together become impure; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4’Shall not all the workers of iniquity know it, Who eat up My people as they eat bread, And call not upon the LORD?'

5There are they in great fear; For God is with the righteous generation.

6Ye would put to shame the counsel of the poor, But the LORD is his refuge.

7Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the LORD turneth the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Chapter 15

1A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall sojourn in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell upon Thy holy mountain?

2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart;

3That hath no slander upon his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his fellow, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour;

4In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honoureth them that fear the LORD; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;

5He that putteth not out his money on interest, Nor taketh a bribe against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Chapter 16

1Michtam of David. Keep me, O God; for I have taken refuge in Thee.

2I have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my Lord; I have no good but in Thee';

3As for the holy that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight.

4Let the idols of them be multiplied that make suit unto another; Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take their names upon my lips.

5O LORD, the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup, Thou maintainest my lot.

6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel; Yea, in the night seasons my reins instruct me.

8I have set the LORD always before me; Surely He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also dwelleth in safety;

10For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to the nether-world; Neither wilt Thou suffer Thy godly one to see the pit.

11Thou makest me to know the path of life; In Thy presence is fulness of joy, In Thy right hand bliss for evermore.

Chapter 17

1A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer from lips without deceit.

2Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence; Let Thine eyes behold equity.

3Thou hast tried my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night; Thou hast tested me, and Thou findest not That I had a thought which should not pass my mouth.

4As for the doings of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.

5My steps have held fast to Thy paths, My feet have not slipped.

6As for me, I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; Incline Thine ear unto me, hear my speech.

7Make passing great Thy mercies, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand From assailants them that take refuge in Thee.

8Keep me as the apple of the eye, Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,

9From the wicked that oppress, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.

10Their gross heart they have shut tight, With their mouth they speak proudly.

11At our every step they have now encompassed us; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12He is like a lion that is eager to tear in pieces, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

13Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; Deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword;

14From men, by Thy hand, O LORD, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly Thou fillest with Thy treasure; Who have children in plenty, And leave their abundance to their babes.

15As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.

Chapter 18

1For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul;

2And he said: I love thee, O LORD, my strength.

3The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in Him I take refuge; My shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower.

4Praised, I cry, is the LORD, And I am saved from mine enemies.

5The cords of Death compassed me, And the floods of aBelial assailed me. a That is, the nether-world.

6The cords of aSheol surrounded me; The snares of Death confronted me.

7In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried unto my God; Out of His temple He heard my voice, And my cry came before Him unto His ears.

8Then the earth did shake and quake, The foundations also of the mountains did tremble; They were shaken, because He was wroth.

9Smoke arose up in His nostrils, And fire out of His mouth did devour; Coals flamed forth from Him.

10He bowed the heavens also, and came down; And thick darkness was under His feet.

11And He rode upon a cherub, and did fly; Yea, He did swoop down upon the wings of the wind.

12He made darkness His hiding-place, His pavilion round about Him; Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

13At the brightness before Him, there passed through His thick clouds Hailstones and coals of fire.

14The LORD also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High gave forth His voice; Hailstones and coals of fire.

15And He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; And He shot forth lightnings, and discomfited them.

16And the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At Thy rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils.

17He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.

18He delivered me from mine enemy most strong, And from them that hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

19They confronted me in the day of my calamity; But the LORD was a stay unto me.

20He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me.

21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me. 22For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.

23For all His ordinances were before me, And I put not away His statutes from me.

24And I was single-hearted with Him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.

25Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

26With the merciful Thou dost show Thyself merciful, With the upright man Thou dost show Thyself upright;

27With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure; And with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.

28For Thou dost save the afflicted people; But the haughty eyes Thou dost humble.

29For Thou dost light my lamp; The LORD my God doth lighten my darkness.

30For by Thee I run upon a troop; And by my God do I scale a wall.

31As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in Him.

32For who is God, save the LORD? And who is a Rock, except our God?

33The God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way straight;

34Who maketh my feet like hinds', And setteth me upon my high places;

35Who traineth my hands for war, So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

36Thou hast also given me Thy shield of salvation, And Thy right hand hath holden me up; And Thy condescension hath made me great.

37Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.

38I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back till they were consumed.

39I have smitten them through, so that they are not able to rise; They are fallen under my feet.

40For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

41Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, And I did cut off them that hate me.

42They cried, but there was none to save; Even unto the LORD, but He answered them not.

43Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.

44Thou hast delivered me from the contentions of the people; Thou hast made me the head of the nations; A people whom I have not known serve me.

45As soon as they hear of me, they obey me; The sons of the stranger dwindle away before me.

46The sons of the stranger fade away, And come trembling out of their close places.

47The LORD liveth, and blessed be my Rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation;

48Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, And subdueth peoples under me.

49He delivereth me from mine enemies; Yea, Thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me; Thou deliverest me from the violent man.

50Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the nations, And will sing praises unto Thy name.

51Great salvation giveth He to His king; And showeth mercy to His anointed, To David and to his seed, for evermore.

Chapter 19

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament showeth His handiwork;

3Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night revealeth knowledge;

4There is no speech, there are no words, Neither is their voice heard.

5Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tent for the sun,

6Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

7His going forth is from the end of the heaven, And his circuit unto the ends of it; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

8The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

9The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

10The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether;

11More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

12Moreover by them is Thy servant warned; In keeping of them there is great reward.

13Who can discern his errors? Clear Thou me from hidden faults.

14Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins, That they may not have dominion over me; then shall I be faultless, And I shall be clear from great transgression.

15Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before Thee, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Chapter 20

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2The LORD answer thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;

3Send forth thy help from the sanctuary, And support thee out of Zion;

4Receive the memorial of all thy meal-offerings, And accept the fat of thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah

5Grant thee according to thine own heart, And fulfil all thy counsel.

6We will shout for joy in thy victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our standards; The LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

7Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the mighty acts of His saving right hand.

8Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will make mention of the name of the LORD our God.

9They are bowed down and fallen; But we are risen, and stand upright.

10Save, LORD; Let the King answer us in the day that we call.

Chapter 21

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2O LORD, in Thy strength the king rejoiceth; And in Thy salvation how greatly doth he exult!

3Thou hast given him his heart's desire, And the request of his lips Thou hast not withholden. Selah

4For Thou meetest him with choicest blessings; Thou settest a crown of fine gold on his head.

5He asked life of Thee, Thou gavest it him; Even length of days for ever and ever.

6His glory is great through Thy salvation; Honour and majesty dost Thou lay upon him.

7For Thou makest him most blessed for ever; Thou makest him glad with joy in Thy presence.

8For the king trusteth in the LORD, Yea, in the mercy of the Most High; he shall not be moved.

9Thy hand shall be equal to all thine enemies; Thy right hand shall overtake those that hate thee.

10Thou shalt make them as a fiery furnace in the time of thine anger; The LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire shall devour them.

11Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, And their seed from among the children of men.

12For they intended evil against thee, They imagined a device, wherewith they shall not prevail.

13For thou shalt make them turn their back, Thou shalt make ready with thy bowstrings against the face of them.

14Be Thou exalted, O LORD, in Thy strength; So will we sing and praise Thy power.

Chapter 22

1For the Leader; upon Aijeleth ha-Shahar. A Psalm of David.

2My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me, And art far from my help at the words of my cry?

3O my God, I call by day, but Thou answerest not; And at night, and there is no surcease for me.

4Yet Thou art holy, O Thou that art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

5In Thee did our fathers trust; They trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.

6Unto Thee they cried, and escaped; In Thee did they trust, and were not ashamed.

7But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people.

8All they that see me laugh me to scorn; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head:

9'Let him commit himself unto the LORD! let Him rescue him; Let Him deliver him, seeing He delighteth in him.'

10For Thou art He that took me out of the womb; Thou madest me trust when I was upon my mother's breasts.

11Upon Thee I have been cast from my birth; Thou art my God from my mother's womb.

12Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help.

13Many bulls have encompassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

14They open wide their mouth against me, As a ravening and a roaring lion.

15I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is become like wax; It is melted in mine inmost parts.

16My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my throat; And Thou layest me in the dust of death.

17For dogs have encompassed me; A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; Like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.

18I may count all my bones; They look and gloat over me.

19They part my garments among them, And for my vesture do they cast lots.

20But Thou, O LORD, be not far off; O Thou my strength, hasten to help me.

21Deliver my soul from the sword; Mine only one from the power of the dog.

22Save me from the lion's mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen do Thou answer me.

23I will declare Thy name unto my brethren; In the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.

24'Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; And stand in awe of Him, all ye the seed of Israel.

25For He hath not despised nor abhorred the lowliness of the poor; Neither hath He hid His face from him; But when he cried unto Him, He heard.'

26From Thee cometh my praise in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.

27Let the humble eat and be satisfied; Let them praise the LORD that seek after Him; May your heart be quickened for ever!

28All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the LORD; And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.

29For the kingdom is the LORD’S; And He is the ruler over the nations.

30All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship; All they that go down to the dust shall kneel before Him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive.

31A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation.

32They shall come and shall declare His righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done it.

Chapter 23

1A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul; He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Chapter 24

1A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.

2For He hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods.

3Who shall ascend into the mountain of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place?

4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not taken My name in vain, And hath not sworn deceitfully.

5He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6Such is the generation of them that seek after Him, That seek Thy face, even Jacob. Selah

7Lift up your heads, O ye gates, And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; That the King of glory may come in.

8'Who is the King of glory?' 'The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.'

9Lift up your heads, O ye gates, Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors; That the King of glory may come in.

10'Who then is the King of glory?' 'The LORD of hosts; He is the King of glory.' Selah

Chapter 25

1[A Psalm] of David.

. Unto Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. .

2O my God, in Thee have I trusted, let me not be ashamed; Let not mine enemies triumph over me. .

3Yea, none that wait for Thee shall be ashamed; They shall be ashamed that deal treacherously without cause. .

4Show me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths. ..

5Guide me in Thy truth, and teach me; For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee do I wait all the day. .

6Remember, O LORD, Thy compassions and Thy mercies; For they have been from of old. .

7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Thy mercy remember Thou me, For Thy goodness' sake, O LORD. .

8Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore doth He instruct sinners in the way. .

9He guideth The humble in justice; And He teacheth the humble His way. .

10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth Unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. .

11For Thy name's sake, O LORD, Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. .

12What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose. .

13His soul shall abide in prosperity; And his seed shall inherit the land. .

14The counsel of the LORD is with them that fear Him; And His covenant, to make them know it. .

15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; For He will bring forth my feet out of the net. .

16Turn Thee unto me, and be gracious unto me; For I am solitary and afflicted. .

17The troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring Thou me out of my distresses. .

18See mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are mine enemies, And the cruel hatred wherewith they hate me. .

20O keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I have taken refuge in Thee. .

21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, Because I wait for Thee.

22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Chapter 26

1[A Psalm] of David. Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity, And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my reins and my heart.

3For Thy mercy is before mine eyes; And I have walked in Thy truth.

4I have not sat with men of falsehood; Neither will I go in with dissemblers.

5I hate the gathering of evil doers, And will not sit with the wicked.

6I will wash my hands in innocency; So will I compass Thine altar, O LORD,

7That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, And tell of all Thy wondrous works.

8LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, And the place where Thy glory dwelleth.

9Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood;

10In whose hands is craftiness, And their right hand is full of bribes.

11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious unto me.

12My foot standeth in an even place; In the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Chapter 27

1[A Psalm] of David. 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?

2When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

3Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise up against me, Even then will I be confident.

4One thing have I 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 graciousness of the LORD, and to visit early in His temple.

5For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil; He hideth me in the covert of His tent; He lifteth me up upon a rock.6And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; And I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices with trumpet-sound; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7Hear, O LORD, when I call with my voice, And be gracious unto me, and answer me.

8In Thy behalf my heart hath said: ‘Seek ye My face'; Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9Hide not Thy face far from me; Put not Thy servant away in anger; Thou hast been my help; Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, The LORD will take me up.

11Teach me Thy way, O LORD; And lead me in an even path, Because of them that lie in wait for me.

12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries; For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence.

13If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living!—

14Wait on the LORD; Be strong, and let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for the LORD.

Chapter 28

1[A Psalm] of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I call; My Rock, be not Thou deaf unto me; Lest, if Thou be silent unto me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy Sanctuary.

3Draw me not away with the wicked, And with the workers of iniquity; Who speak peace with their neighbours, But evil is in their hearts.

4Give them according to their deeds, and according to the evil of their endeavours; Give them after the work of their hands; Render to them their desert.

5Because they give no heed to the works of the LORD, Nor to the operation of His hands; He will break them down and not build them up.

6Blessed be the LORD, Because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7The LORD is my strength and my shield, In Him hath my heart trusted, And I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, And with my song will I praise Him.

8The LORD is a strength unto them; And He is a stronghold of salvation to His anointed.

9Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; And tend them, and carry them for ever.

Chapter 29

1A Psalm of David. Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye sons of might, Ascribe unto the LORD glory and strength.

2Ascribe unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thundereth, Even the LORD upon many waters.

4The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild-ox.

7The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire.

8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; The LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

9The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, And strippeth the forests bare; And in His temple all say: 'Glory.'

10The LORD sat enthroned at the flood; Yea, the LORD sitteth as King for ever.

11The LORD will give strength unto His people; The LORD will bless his people with peace.

Chapter 30

1A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House; of David.

2I will extol thee, O LORD, for Thou hast raised me up, And hast not suffered mine enemies to rejoice over me.

3O LORD my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou didst heal me;

4O LORD, Thou broughtest up my soul from the nether-world; Thou didst kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

5Sing praise unto the LORD, O ye His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.

6For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for a life-time; Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.

7Now I had said in my security: ' I shall never be moved.'

8Thou hadst established, O LORD, in Thy favour my mountain as a stronghold— Thou didst hide Thy face; I was affrighted.

9Unto Thee, O LORD, did I call, And unto the LORD I made supplication:

10'What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise Thee? shall it declare Thy truth?

11Hear, O LORD, and be gracious unto me; LORD, be Thou my helper.'

12Thou didst turn for me my mourning into dancing; Thou didst loose my sackcloth, and gird me with gladness;

13So that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent; O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.

Chapter 31

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2In thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Thy righteousness.

3Incline Thine ear unto me, deliver me speedily; Be Thou to me a rock of refuge, even a fortress of defence, to save me.

4For Thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for Thy name's sake lead me and guide me.

5Bring me forth out of the net that they have hidden for me; For Thou art my stronghold.

6Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, Thou God of truth.

7I hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in the LORD.

8I will be glad and rejoice in Thy lovingkindness; For Thou hast seen mine affliction, Thou hast taken cognizance of the troubles of my soul,

9And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a broad place.

10Be gracious unto me, O LORD, for I am in distress; Mine eye wasteth away with vexation, yea, my soul and my body.

11For my life is spent in sorrow, and my years in sighing; My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.

12Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, Yea, unto my neighbours exceedingly, and a dread to mine acquaintance; They that see me without flee from me.

13I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a useless vessel.

14For I have heard the whispering of many, Terror on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.

15But as for me, I have trusted in Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my God.'

16My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

17Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; Save me in Thy lovingkindness.

18O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon Thee; Let the wicked be ashamed, let them be put to silence in the nether-world.

19Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous, With pride and contempt.

20Oh how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; Which Thou hast wrought for them that take their refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men!

21Thou hidest them in the covert of Thy presence from the plottings of man; Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

22Blessed be the LORD; For He hath shown me His wondrous lovingkindness in an entrenched city.

23As for me, I said in my haste: 'I am cut off from before Thine eyes'; Nevertheless Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto Thee.

24O love the LORD, all ye His godly ones; The LORD preserveth the faithful, And plentifully repayeth him that acteth haughtily.

25Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that wait for the LORD.

Chapter 32

1[A Psalm] of David. Maschil. Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is pardoned.

2Happy is the man unto whom the LORD counteth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile.

3When I kept silence, my bones wore away Through my groaning all the day long.

4For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; My sap was turned as in the droughts of summer. Selah

5I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid; I said: 'I will make confession concerning my transgressions unto the LORD' — And Thou, Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6For this let every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely, when the great waters overflow, they will not reach unto him.

7Thou art my hiding-place; Thou wilt preserve me from the adversary; With songs of deliverance Thou wilt compass me about. Selah

8'I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will give counsel, Mine eye being upon thee.'

9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; Whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, That they come not near unto thee.

10Many are the sorrows of the wicked; But he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy compasseth him about.

11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous; And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Chapter 33

1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous, Praise is comely for the upright.

2Give thanks unto the LORD with harp, Sing praises unto Him with the psaltery of ten strings.

3Sing unto Him a new song; Play skilfully amid shouts of joy.

4For the word of the LORD is upright; And all His work is done in faithfulness.

5He loveth righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.

6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap; He layeth up the deeps in storehouses.

8Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

9For He spoke, and it was; He commanded, and it stood.

10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought; He maketh the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.

11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, The thoughts of His heart to all generations.

12Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD; The people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.

13The LORD looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men;

14From the place of His habitation He looketh intently Upon all the inhabitants of the earth;

15He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their doings.

16A king is not saved by the multitude of a host; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth it afford escape by its great strength.

18Behold, the eye of the LORD is toward them that fear Him, Toward them that wait for His mercy;

19To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

20Our soul hath waited for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

21For in Him doth our heart rejoice, Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have waited for Thee.

Chapter 34

1[A Psalm] of David; when he changed his demeanour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

2I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. .

3My soul shall glory in the LORD; The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. .

4O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. .

5I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. .

6They looked unto Him, and were radiant; . And their faces shall never be abashed. .

7This poor man cried, and the LORD heard, And saved him out of all his troubles. .

8The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, And delivereth them. .

9O consider and see that the LORD is good; Happy is the man that taketh refuge in Him. .

10O fear the LORD, ye His holy ones; For there is no want to them that fear Him. .

11The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; But they that seek the LORD want not any good thing. .

12Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. .

13Who is the man that desireth life, and loveth days, That he may see good therein? .

14Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. .

15Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. .

16The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears are open unto their cry. .

17The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. . aThey cried, and the LORD heard, a That is, the righteous. And delivered them out of all their troubles. .

19The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit. .

20Many are the ills of the righteous, But the LORD delivereth him out of them all. .

21He keepeth all his bones; Not one of them is broken. .

22Evil shall kill the wicked; And they that hate the righteous shall be held guilty.

23The LORD redeemeth the soul of His servants; And none of them that take refuge in Him shall be desolate.

Chapter 35

1[A Psalm] of David. Strive, O LORD, with them that strive with me; Fight against them that fight against me.

2Take hold of shield and buckler, And rise up to my help.

3Draw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me; Say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'

4Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion that seek after my soul; Let them be turned back and be abashed that devise my hurt.

5Let them be as chaff before the wind, The angel of the LORD thrusting them.

6Let their way be dark and slippery, The angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7For without cause have they hid for me the pit, even their net, Without cause have they digged for my soul.

8Let destruction come upon him unawares; And let his net that he hath hid catch himself; With destruction let him fall therein.

9And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

10All my bones shall say: 'LORD, who is like unto Thee, Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?'

11Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.

12They repay me evil for good; Bereavement is come to my soul.

13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth, I afflicted my soul with fasting; And my prayer, may it return into mine own bosom.

14I went about as though it had been my friend or my brother; I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother.

15But when I halt they rejoice, and gather themselves together; The abjects gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not; They tear me, and cease not;

16With the profanest mockeries of backbiting They gnash at me with their teeth.

17Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, Mine only one from the lions.

18I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a numerous people.

19Let not them that are wrongfully mine enemies rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

20For they speak not peace; But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

21Yea, they open their mouth wide against me; They say: 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.'

22Thou hast seen, O LORD; keep not silence; O Lord, be not far from me.

23Rouse Thee, and awake to my judgment, Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

24Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me.

25Let them not say in their heart: 'Aha, we have our desire'; Let them not say: 'We have swallowed him up.'

26Let them be ashamed and abashed together that rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and confusion that magnify themselves against me.27Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that delight in my righteousness; Yea, let them say continually: 'Magnified be the LORD, Who delighteth in the peace of His servant.'

28And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness, And of Thy praise all the day.

Chapter 36

1For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD.

2Transgression speaketh to the wicked, methinks— There is no fear of God before his eyes.

3For it flattereth him in his eyes, Until his iniquity be found, and he be hated.

4The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; He hath left off to be wise, to do good.

5He deviseth iniquity upon his bed; He setteth himself in a way that is not good; He abhorreth not evil.

6Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is in the heavens; Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the skies.

7Thy righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Thy judgments are like the great deep; Man and beast Thou preservest, O LORD.

8How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.

9They are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; And Thou makest them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.

10For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light do we see light.

11O continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee; And Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

12Let not the foot of pride overtake me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

13There are the workers of iniquity fallen; They are thrust down, and are not able to rise.

Chapter 37

1[A Psalm] of David. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.

2For they shall soon wither like the grass, And fade as the green herb.

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and cherish faithfulness.

4So shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; And He shall give thee the petitions of thy heart.

5Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.

6And He will make thy righteous-ness to go forth as the light, And thy right as the noonday.

7Resign thyself unto the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.

9For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for the LORD, they shall inherit the land.

10And yet a little while, and the wicked is no more; Yea, thou shalt look well at his place, and he is not.

11But the humble shall inherit the land, And delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12The wicked plotteth against the righteous, And gnasheth at him with his teeth.

13The Lord doth laugh at him; For He seeth that his day is coming.

14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way;

15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.

16Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

18The LORD knoweth the days of them that are wholehearted; And their inheritance shall be for ever.

19They shall not be ashamed in the time of evil; And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20For the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs— They shall pass away in smoke, they shall pass away. .

21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

22For such as are blessed of Him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off.

23It is of the LORD that a man's goings are established; And He delighted in his way.

24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholdeth his hand.

25I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

26All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; And his seed is blessed.

27Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell for evermore.

28For the LORD loveth justice, And forsaketh not His saints; They are preserved for ever; But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever.

30The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice. 31The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps slide.

32The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, Nor suffer him to be condemned when he is judged.

34Wait for the LORD, and keep His way, And He will exalt thee to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a leafy tree in its native soil.

36But one passed by, and, lo, he was not; Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37Mark the man of integrity, and behold the upright; For there is a future for the man of peace.

38But transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40And the LORD helpeth them, and delivereth them; He delivereth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in Him.

Chapter 38

1A Psalm of David, to make memorial.

2O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger; Neither chasten me in Thy wrath.

3For Thine arrows are gone deep into me, And Thy hand is come down upon me.

4There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation; Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

5For mine iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

6My wounds are noisome, they fester, Because of my foolishness.

7I am bent and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day.

8For my loins are filled with burning; And there is no soundness in my flesh.

9I am benumbed and sore crushed; I groan by reason of the moaning of my heart.

10Lord, all my desire is before Thee; And my sighing is not hid from Thee.

11My heart fluttereth, my strength faileth me; As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

12My friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off.

13They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; And they that seek my hurt speak crafty devices, And utter deceits all the day.

14But I am as a deaf man, I hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

15Yea, I am become as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no arguments.

16For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.

17For I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me; When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.'

18For I am ready to halt, And my pain is continually before me.

19For I do declare mine iniquity; I am full of care because of my sin.

20But mine enemies are strong in health; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

21They also that repay evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

22Forsake me not, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me.

23Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Chapter 39

1For the Leader, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

2I said: 'I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue; I will keep a curb upon my mouth, While the wicked is before me.'

3I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort; And my pain was held in check.

4My heart waxed hot within me; While I was musing, the fire kindled; Then spoke I with my tongue:

5'LORD, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how short-lived I am.

6Behold, Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths; And mine age is as nothing before Thee; Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah

7Surely man walketh as a mere semblance; Surely for vanity they are in turmoil; He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

8And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.

9Deliver me from all my transgressions; Make me not the reproach of the base.

10I am dumb, I open not my mouth; Because Thou hast done it.

11Remove Thy stroke from off me; I am consumed by the blow of Thy hand.

12With rebukes dost Thou chasten man for iniquity, And like a moth Thou makest his beauty to consume away; Surely every man is vanity. Selah

13Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; Keep not silence at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.

14Look away from me, that I may take comfort, Before I go hence, and be no more.'

Chapter 40

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

3He brought me up also out of the tumultuous pit, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock, He established my goings.

4And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; Many shall see, and fear, And shall trust in the LORD.

5Happy is the man that hath made the LORD his trust, And hath not turned unto the arrogant, nor unto such as fall away treacherously.

6Many things hast Thou done, O LORD my God, Even Thy wonderful works, and Thy thoughts toward us; There is none to be compared unto Thee! If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be told.

7Sacrifice and meal-offering Thou hast no delight in; Mine ears hast Thou opened; Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast Thou not required.

8Then said I: 'Lo, I am come With the roll of a book which is prescribed for me;

9I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Yea, Thy law is in my inmost parts.'

10I have preached righteousness in the great congregation, Lo, I did not refrain my lips; O LORD, Thou knowest.

11I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy mercy and Thy truth from the great congregation.

12Thou, O LORD, wilt not withhold Thy compassions from me; Let Thy mercy and Thy truth continually preserve me.

13For innumerable evils have compassed me about, Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.

14Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me.

15Let them be ashamed and abashed together That seek after my soul to sweep it away; Let them be turned backward and brought to confusion That delight in my hurt.

16Let them be appalled by reason of their shame That say unto me: 'Aha, aha.'

17Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; Let such as love Thy salvation say continually: 'The LORD be magnified.'

18But, as for me, that am poor and needy, The Lord will account it unto me; Thou art my help and my deliverer; O my God, tarry not.

Chapter 41

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2Happy is he that considereth the poor; The LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.

3The LORD preserve him, and keep him alive, let him be called happy in the land; And deliver not Thou him unto the greed of his enemies.

4The LORD support him upon the bed of illness; Mayest Thou turn all his lying down in his sickness.

5As for me, I said: 'O LORD, be gracious unto me; Heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.'

6Mine enemies speak evil of me: 'When shall he die, and his name perish?'

7And if one come to see me, he speaketh falsehood; His heart gathereth iniquity to itself; When he goeth abroad, he speaketh of it.

8All that hate me whisper together against me, Against me do they devise my hurt:

9'An evil thing cleaveth fast unto him; And now that he lieth, he shall rise up no more.'

10Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.

11But Thou, O LORD, be gracious unto me, and raise me up, That I may requite them.

12By this I know that Thou delightest in me, That mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

13And as for me, Thou upholdest me because of mine integrity, And settest me before Thy face for ever.

14Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

BOOK II

Chapter 42

1For the Leader; Maschil of the sons of Korah.

2As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after Thee, O God.

3My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: 'When shall I come and appear before God?'

4My tears have been my food day and night, While they say unto me all the day: 'Where is Thy God?'

5These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I passed on with the throng, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.

6Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him For the salvation of His countenance.

7O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore do I remember Thee from the land of Jordan, And the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.

8Deep calleth unto deep at the voice of Thy cataracts; All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.

9By day the LORD will command His lovingkindness, And in the night His song shall be with me, Even a prayer unto the God of my life.

10I will say unto God my Rock:

'Why hast Thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?'

11As with a crushing in my bones, mine adversaries taunt me; While they say unto me all the day:

'Where is Thy God?'

12Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, The salvation of my countenance, and my God.

Chapter 43

1Be Thou my judge, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

2For Thou art the God of my strength; why hast Thou cast me off? Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?

3O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; Let them bring me unto Thy holy mountain, and to Thy dwelling-places.

4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God, my exceeding joy; And praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God.

5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, The salvation of my countenance, and my God.

Chapter 44

1For the Leader; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah. Maschil.

2O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us; A work Thou didst in their days, in the days of old.

3Thou with Thy hand didst drive out the nations, and didst plant them in; Thou didst break the peoples, and didst spread them abroad.

4For not by their own sword did they get the land in possession, Neither did their own arm save them; But Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, Because Thou wast favourable unto them.

5Thou art my King, O God; Command the salvation of Jacob.

6Through Thee do we push down our adversaries; Through Thy name do we tread them under that rise up against us.

7For I trust not in my bow, Neither can my sword save me.

8But Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And hast put them to shame that hate us.

9In God have we gloried all the day, And we will give thanks unto Thy name for ever. Selah

10Yet Thou hast cast off, and brought us to confusion; And goest not forth with our hosts.

11Thou makest us to turn back from the adversary; And they that hate us spoil at their will.

12Thou hast given us like sheep to be eaten; And hast scattered us among the nations.

13Thou sellest Thy people for small gain, And hast not set their prices high.

14Thou makest us a taunt to our neighbours, A scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

15Thou makest us a byword among the nations, A shaking of the head among the peoples.

16All the day is my confusion before me, And the shame of my face hath covered me,

17For the voice of him that taunteth and blasphemeth; By reason of the enemy and the revengeful.

18All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten Thee, Neither have we been false to Thy covenant.

19Our heart is not turned back, Neither have our steps declined from Thy path;

20Though Thou hast crushed us into a place of jackals, And covered us with the shadow of death.

21If we had forgotten the name of our God, Or spread forth our hands to a strange god;22Would not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

23Nay, but for Thy sake are we killed all the day; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

24Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arouse Thyself, cast not off for ever.

25Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, And forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

26For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

27Arise for our help, And redeem us for Thy mercy's sake.

Chapter 45

1For the Leader; upon Shoshannim; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves.

2My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I say: 'My work is concerning a king'; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

3Thou art fairer than the children of men; Grace is poured upon thy lips; Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

4Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.

5And in thy majesty prosper, ride on, In behalf of truth and meekness and righteousness; And let thy right hand teach thee tremendous things.

6Thine arrows are sharp— The peoples fall under thee— [They sink] into the heart of the king's enemies.

7Thy throne given of God is for ever and ever; A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

8Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

9Myrrh, and aloes, and cassia are all thy garments; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.

10Kings' daughters are among thy favourites; At thy right hand doth stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

11'Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

12So shall the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and do homage unto him.

13And, O daughter of Tyre, the richest of the people Shall entreat thy favour with a gift.'

14All glorious is the king's daughter within the palace; Her raiment is of chequer work inwrought with gold.

15She shall be led unto the king on richly woven stuff; The virgins her companions in her train being brought unto thee.

16They shall be led with gladness and rejoicing; They shall enter into the king's palace.

17Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons, Whom thou shalt make princes in all the land.

18I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore shall the peoples praise thee for ever and ever.

Chapter 46

1For the Leader; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah; upon Alamoth. A Song.

2God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

3Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;

4Though the waters thereof roar and foam, Though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah

5There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.

6God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, at the approach of morning.

7Nations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

8The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah

9Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who hath made desolations in the earth.

10He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.

11'Let be, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'

12The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our high tower.

Chapter 47

1Selah For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2O clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

3For the LORD is most high, awful; A great King over all the earth.

4He subdueth peoples under us, And nations under our feet.

5He chooseth our inheritance for us, The pride of Jacob whom He loveth. Selah

6God is gone up amidst shouting, The LORD amidst the sound of the horn.

7Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

8For God is the King of all the earth; Sing ye praises in a skilful song.

9God reigneth over the nations; God sitteth upon His holy throne.

10The princes of the peoples are gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham; For unto God belong the shields of the earth; He is greatly exalted.

Chapter 48

1A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain,

3Fair in situation, the joy of the whole earth; Even mount Zion, the uttermost parts of the north, The city of the great King.

4God in her palaces Hath made Himself known for a stronghold.

5For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They came onward together.

6They saw, straightway they were amazed; They were affrighted, they hasted away.

7Trembling took hold of them there, Pangs, as of a woman in travail.

8With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.

9As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God— God establish it for ever. Selah

10We have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of Thy temple.

11As is Thy name, O God, So is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness.

12Let mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of Thy judgments.

13Walk about Zion, and go round about her; Count the towers thereof.

14Mark ye well her ramparts, Traverse her palaces; That ye may tell it to the generation following.

15For such is God, our God, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally.

Chapter 49

1For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2Hear this, all ye peoples; Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

3Both low and high, Rich and poor together.

4My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

5I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

6Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,

7Of them that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches?

8No man can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him—

9For too costly is the redemption of their soul, And must be let alone for ever—

10That he should still live alway, That he should not see the pit.

11For he seeth that wise men die, The fool and the brutish together perish, And leave their wealth to others.

12Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, And their dwelling-places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.

13But man abideth not in honour; He is like the beasts that perish.

14This is the way of them that are foolish, And of those who after them approve their sayings. Selah

15Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, That there be no habitation for it.

16But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world; For He shall receive me. Selah

17Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, When the wealth of his house is increased;

18For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; His wealth shall not descend after him.

19Though while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself';

20It shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.

21Man that is in honour understandeth not; He is like the beasts that perish.

Chapter 50

1A Psalm of Asaph. God, God, the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined forth.

3Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence; A fire devoureth before Him, And round about Him it stormeth mightily.

4He calleth to the heavens above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:

5'Gather My saints together unto Me; Those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.'

6And the heavens declare His righteousness; For God, He is judge. Selah

7'Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: God, thy God, am I.

8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before Me.

9I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds.

10For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11I know all the fowls of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

12If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?

14Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High;

15And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour Me.'

16But unto the wicked God saith: 'What hast thou to do to declare My statutes, And that thou hast taken My covenant in thy mouth?

17Seeing thou hatest instruction, And castest My words behind thee.

18When thou sawest a thief, thou hadst company with him, And with adulterers was thy portion.

19Thou hast let loose thy mouth for evil, And thy tongue frameth deceit.

20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

21These things hast thou done, and should I have kept silence? Thou hadst thought that I was altogether such a one as thyself; But I will reprove thee, and set the cause before thine eyes.

22Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

23Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving honoureth Me; And to him that ordereth his way aright Will I show the salvation of God.'

Chapter 51

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David;

2when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.

3Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy; According to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions.

4Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

5For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.

6Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in Thy sight; That Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest, And be in the right when Thou judgest.

7Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin did my mother conceive me.

8Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts; Make me, therefore, to know wisdom in mine inmost heart.

9Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

10Make me to hear joy and gladness; That the bones which Thou hast crushed may rejoice.

11Hide Thy face from my sins, Aand blot out all mine iniquities.

12Create me a clean heart, O God; And renew a stedfast spirit within me.

13Cast me not away from Thy presence; And take not Thy holy spirit from me.

14Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And let a willing spirit uphold me.

15Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; And sinners shall return unto Thee.

16Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; So shall my tongue sing aloud of Thy righteousness.

17O Lord, open Thou my lips; And my mouth shall declare Thy praise.

18For Thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

19The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

20Do good in Thy favour unto Zion; Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

21Then wilt Thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt-offering and whole offering; Then will they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

Chapter 52

1For the Leader. Maschil of David;

2when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him: 'David is come to the house of Ahimelech.'

3Why boastest thou thyself of evil, O mighty man? The mercy of God endureth continually.

4Thy tongue deviseth destruction; Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

5Thou lovest evil more than good; Falsehood rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

6Thou lovest all devouring words, The deceitful tongue.

7God will likewise break thee for ever, He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent, And root thee out of the land of the living. Selah

8The righteous also shall see, and fear, And shall laugh at him:

9'Lo, this is the man that made not God his stronghold; But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness.'

10But as for me, I am like a leafy olive-tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

11I will give Thee thanks for ever, because Thou hast done it; And I will wait for Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy saints.

Chapter 53

1For the Leader; upon Mahalath. Maschil of David.

2The fool hath said in his heart:

'There is no God'; They have dealt corruptly, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none that doeth good.

3God looked forth from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God.

4Every one of them is unclean, they are together become impure; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

5’Shall not the workers of iniquity know it, Who eat up My people as they eat bread, And call not upon God?'

6There are they in great fear, where no fear was; For God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee; Thou hast put them to shame, because God hath rejected them.

7Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God turneth the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Chapter 54

1For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David:

2when the Ziphites came and said to Saul: 'Doth not David hide himself with us?'

3O God, save me by Thy name, And right me by Thy might.

4O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

5For strangers are risen up against me, And violent men have sought after my soul; They have not set God before them. Selah

6Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is for me as the upholder of my soul.

7He will requite the evil unto them that lie in wait for me; Destroy Thou them in Thy truth.

8With a freewill-offering will I sacrifice unto Thee; I will give thanks unto Thy name, O LORD, for it is good.

9For He hath delivered me out of all trouble; And mine eye hath gazed upon mine enemies.

Chapter 55

1For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David.

2Give ear, O God, to my prayer; And hide not Thyself from my supplication.

3Attend unto me, and answer me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;

4Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast mischief upon me, And in anger they persecute me.

5My heart doth writhe within me; And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

6Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

7And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest.

8Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

9I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.'

10Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

11Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

12Wickedness is in the midst thereof; Oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.

13For it was not an enemy that taunted me, Then I could have borne it; Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me, Then I would have hid myself from him.

14But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend;

15We took sweet counsel together, In the house of God we walked with the throng.

16May He incite death against them, Let them go down alive into the nether-world; For evil is in their dwelling, and within them.

17As for me, I will call upon God; And the LORD shall save me.

18Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; And He hath heard my voice.

19He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; For they were many that strove with me.

20God shall hear, and humble them, Even He that is enthroned of old, Selah Such as have no changes, And fear not God.

21He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him; He hath profaned his covenant.

22Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet were they keen-edged swords.

23Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

24But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; Men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; But as for me, I will trust in Thee.

Chapter 56

1For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.

2Be gracious unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up; All the day he fighting oppresseth me.

3They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up all the day; For they are many that fight against me, O Most High,

4In the day that I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee.

5In God—I will praise His word— In God do I trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?

6All the day they trouble mine affairs; All their thoughts are against me for evil.

7They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps; According as they have waited for my soul.

8Because of iniquity cast them out; In anger bring down the peoples, O God.

9Thou has counted my wanderings; Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; Are they not in Thy book?

10Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call; This I know, that God is for me.

11In God—I will praise His word— In the LORD—I will praise His word—

12In God do I trust, I will not be afraid; What can man do unto me?

13Thy vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank-offerings unto Thee.

14For thou hast delivered my soul from death; Hast Thou not delivered my feet from stumbling? That I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Chapter 57

1For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

2Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me, For in Thee hath my soul taken refuge; Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge, Until calamities be overpast.

3I will cry unto God Most high; Unto God that accomplisheth it for me.

4He will send from heaven, and save me, When he that would swallow me up taunteth, Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

5My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame; Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

6Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth.

7They have prepared a net for my steps, My soul is bowed down; They have digged a pit before me, They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah

8My heart is stedfast, O God, my heart is stedfast; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.

9Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake the dawn.

10I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.

11For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, And Thy truth unto the skies.

12Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth. For the Leader; Al-tashheth.

Chapter 58

1[A Psalm] of David; Michtam.

2Do ye indeed speak as a righteous company? Do ye judge with equity the sons of men?

3Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; Ye weigh out in the earth the violence of your hands.

4The wicked are estranged from the womb; The speakers of lies go astray as soon as they are born.

5Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; They are like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear;

6Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, Or of the most cunning binder of spells.

7Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth; Break out the cheek-teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

8Let them melt away as water that runneth apace; When he aimeth his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off.

9Let them be as a snail which melteth and passeth away; Like the untimely births of a woman, that have not seen the sun.

10Before your pots can feel the thorns, He will sweep it away with a whirlwind, the raw and the burning alike.

11The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

12And men shall say: 'Verily there is a reward for the righteous; Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.'

Psalm Chapter 59

1For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

2Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God; Set me on high from them that rise up against me.

3Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from the men of blood.

4For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; The impudent gather themselves together against me; Not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

5Without my fault, they run and prepare themselves; Awake Thou to help me, and behold.

6Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, Arouse Thyself to punish all the nations; Show no mercy to any iniquitous traitors. Selah

7They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

8Behold, they belch out with their mouth; Swords are in their lips: 'For who doth hear?'

9But Thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the nations in derision.

10Because of his strength, I will wait for Thee; For God is my high tower.

11The God of my mercy will come to meet me; God will let me gaze upon mine adversaries.

12Slay them not, lest my people forget, Make them wander to and fro by Thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

13For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, Let them even be taken in their pride, And for cursing and lying which they speak.

14Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they be no more; And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, Unto the ends of the earth. Selah

15And they return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city;

16They wander up and down to devour, And tarry all night if they have not their fill.

17But as for me, I will sing of Thy strength; Yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning; For Thou hast been my high tower, And a refuge in the day of my distress.

18O my strength, unto Thee will I sing praises; For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

Psalm Chapter 60

1For the Leader; upon Shushan Eduth; Michtam of David, to teach;

2when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand.

3O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast broken us down; Thou hast been angry; O restore us.

4Thou hast made the land to shake, Thou hast cleft it; Heal the breaches thereof; for it tottereth.

5Thou hast made Thy people to see hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering.

6Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah

7That Thy beloved may be delivered, Save with Thy right hand, and answer me.

8God spoke in His holiness, that I would exult; That I would divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

9Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre.

10Moab is my washpot; Upon Edom do I cast my shoe; Philistia, cry aloud because of me!

11Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me unto Edom?

12Hast not Thou, O God, cast us off? And Thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.

13Give us help against the adversary; For vain is the help of man.

14Through God we shall do valiantly; For He it is that will tread down our adversaries.

Chapter 61

1For the Leader; with string-music. [A Psalm] of David.

2Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

3From the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart fainteth; Lead me to a rock that is too high for me.

4For Thou hast been a refuge for me, A tower of strength in the face of the enemy.

5I will dwell in Thy Tent for ever; I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings. Selah

6For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows; Thou hast granted the heritage of those that fear Thy name. 7Mayest Thou add days unto the king's days! May his years be as many generations!

8May he be enthroned before God for ever! Appoint mercy and truth, that they may preserve him.

9So will I sing praise unto Thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows.