[A Psalm] by David. To You, God, I lift my soul.
My God, I have put my trust in You. May I not be put to shame; may my enemies not gloat over me.
Indeed, may all who hope in You not be put to shame; let those who act treacherously without reason be shamed.
God, make Your ways known to me; teach me Your paths.
Train me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I yearn for You all day.
God, remember Your mercies and Your kindnesses, for they have existed for all time.
Do not recall the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; remember me in accordance with Your kindness, because of Your goodness, O God.
Good and upright is God, therefore He directs sinners in the [right] path.
He guides the humble with justice, teaching the humble His way.
All of God’s paths are kindness and truth for those who observe His covenant and testimonies.
For the sake of Your name, O God, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
Whoever is a God-fearing man, him will He teach the path that he should choose.
His soul will abide in well-being, and his descendants will inherit the earth.
The secrets of God are [granted] to those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.
My eyes are always turned to God, for He releases my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be compassionate to me, for I am alone and afflicted.
The sufferings of my heart have increased; deliver me from my distresses.
Behold my affliction and suffering, and forgive all my sins.
See how numerous my enemies have become; they hate me with a violent hatred.
Guard my soul and deliver me; may I not be put to shame, for I place my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness guard me, for my hope is in You.
God, redeem Israel from all his afflictions.1
[A Psalm] by David, when he feigned insanity before Avimelech, who then drove him away, and he left.
I will bless God at all times; His praise is always in my mouth.
My soul glories in God; may the humble hear and rejoice.
Declare the greatness of God with me, and let us extol His name together.
I sought God and He answered me, and He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never humiliated.
This poor man called, and God heard, and delivered him from all his troubles.
The angel of God camps around those who fear Him and rescues them.
Taste and see that God is good; happy is the man who trusts in Him. Fear God, you His holy ones, for those who fear Him suffer no want.
Young lions may want and go hungry, but those who seek God will not lack any good.
Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you fear of God.
Who is the man who desires life, who loves long life in which to see good?
Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceitfully.
Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of God are directed toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry.
The wrath of God is against the evildoers, to cut off their memory from the earth.
But when they [repent and] cry out, God hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
God is close to the broken-hearted, and delivers those with a crushed spirit.
Many are the adversities of a righteous person, but God rescues him from them all.
He protects all his bones, not one of them is broken.
Evil brings death upon the wicked, and the enemies of the righteous will be condemned.
God redeems the soul of His servants, and all who take refuge in Him will not be condemned.2
Halleluyah. I will give thanks to God with all my heart in the intimate circle of the upright and in their congregation.
Great are the works of God; they are accessible for all those who desire [to contemplate] them.
Majesty and splendor are His work; and His righteousness endures forever.
He has established a memorial for His wondrous works, for God is gracious and compassionate.
He gave food to them who fear Him, He is ever mindful of His covenant.
He has revealed the power of His works to His people, to give them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of His hands are true and just; all His mandates are faithful.
They find support forever to the end of time, for they are structured in truth and uprightness.
Redemption He sent to His people. He has commanded His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. It is sound wisdom for any who practices them; his praise will endure forever.3
Praise God. Happy is the man who fears God, who greatly desires His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty on the earth; he shall be blessed with an upright generation.
Wealth and riches will come into his house, and his righteousness will endure forever.
For the upright, a light shines even in darkness: for [He is] gracious, merciful, and just.
A good man lends with good grace, and measures his own affairs with judgment.
For he will never falter; the righteous man will be endowed with everlasting remembrance.
He will not fear bad tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in God.
His heart will rely [on G‑d]; he will not be afraid; ultimately, he will see [the downfall of] his oppressors.
He has distributed [his wealth], giving to the needy.
His righteousness will endure forever; his horn will remain uplifted in honor.
The wicked man will see it and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.4
Happy are those whose way is artless, who walk in the path of the Torah of God.
Happy are they who keep His testimonies and seek Him with a whole heart.
They have not done iniquity; they walk in His ways.
You have commanded Your precepts to be observed diligently.
My wish is that my ways be directed to keep Your statutes.
Then I will not be ashamed, when I behold all Your commandments.
I will give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By observing Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
I have harbored Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Blessed are you, O God; teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as I would with all riches.
I will speak of Your precepts, and focus on Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live, and keep Your word.
Unveil my eyes, that I may behold wonders from Your Torah.
I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
My soul is consumed with the longing that it continually has for Your judgments.
You have rebuked the accursed scoffers, those who stray from Your commandments.
Remove insult and contempt from me, for I have kept Your testimonies.
Even when leaders have sat and spoken against me, Your servant speaks of Your statutes.
Your testimonies are also my delight; they are my counselors.
My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
I have spoken of my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
Allow me to understand the way of Your precepts, and I will speak of Your wonders.
My soul melts away for sorrow; sustain me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of falsehood, and graciously bestow Your Torah upon me.
I have chosen the way of faith; Your judgments have I laid before me.
I have held fast to Your testimonies, O God; put me not to shame.
Let me run the way of Your commandments, for it expands my heart.
Teach me, O God, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the last.
Grant me understanding and I will keep Your Torah, and I will observe it with my whole heart.
Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for this is what I desire.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to unjust gain.
Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; give me life in Your way.
Confirm to Your servant Your word, which leads to the fear of You.
Remove my shame which I fear, for Your judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed for Your precepts; give me life in Your righteousness.
And let Your kindness come to fruition for me, O God, and Your promises of salvation.
I will reply to him who insults me, for I trust in Your word.
Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I hope [to fulfill] Your judgments.
I will keep Your Torah continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk in prosperity, for I seek Your precepts.
I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.
My hands also will I lift up to Your commandments, which I have loved, and I will speak of Your statutes.
Remember the word [promised] to Your servant, whereby You have given me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has revived me.
Scoffers have jeered at me extensively, yet I have not turned from Your Torah.
When I remember Your judgments of old, O God, I take comfort.
Horror has taken hold of me because of the wicked who forsake Your Torah.
Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my wanderings.
I have remembered Your name, O God, at night, and I will keep Your Torah.
This [good portion] was my lot, because I kept Your precepts.
God is my portion; I pledged to keep Your words.
I sought Your countenance with my whole heart; have compassion upon me according to Your word.
I meditated on my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I made haste, without delaying, to keep Your commandments.
Bands of wicked men robbed me, but I have not forgotten Your Torah.
At midnight, I rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous judgments.
I am a companion to all those who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
Your kindness, O God, fills the earth; teach me Your statutes.
You have dealt well with Your servant, O God, according to Your promise.
Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted, I erred, but now I observe Your word.
You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes.
The scoffers have smeared me with a lie, but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
Their heart grew gross like fat, but I delight in Your Torah.
It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I might learn Your statutes.
I prefer the Torah of Your mouth to thousands of [coins of] gold and silver.
Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Your word.
I know, O God, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
Let Your kindness be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant.
Let Your mercies come to fruition for me, that I may live, for Your Torah is my delight.
Let the scoffers be ashamed, for with falsehood they have maligned me with guilt; I will meditate on Your precepts.
May those who fear You return to me, and those who have known Your testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in Your statutes, so that I be not ashamed.
My soul faints for Your salvation; I hope for Your promise.
My eyes fail with longing for [the fulfillment of] Your promise, saying, “When will You comfort me?”
Although I became like a wineskin [shriveling] in smoke, I did not forget Your statutes.
How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on my pursuers?
The scoffers have dug trenches for me, in contradiction to Your Torah.
Your commandments are all faithful. With falsehood, they pursue me; help me.
They almost consumed me upon the earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts.
As befits Your kindness, grant me life; I will keep the testimony of Your mouth.
Forever, O God, Your word stands in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures for all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands firm.
They stand ready today [to execute] Your judgments, for all are Your servants.
Unless Your Torah had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts, for because of them You have maintained my life.
I am Yours, save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me, but I will meditate on Your testimonies.
I have seen an end to every objective; Your commandment, [in contrast,] is exceedingly broad.
O how I love Your Torah! It is the subject of my discussion for the entire day.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
From all my teachers I have gained wisdom, for Your testimonies are the subject of my discussion.
My understanding [will surpass] the elders, because I have kept Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your word.
I have not turned away from Your judgments, for You have instructed me.
How sweet are Your words to my palate, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I gain understanding, therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I have sworn, and I will fulfill it, to keep Your righteous judgments.
I am exceedingly afflicted; grant me life, O God according to Your promise.
Please accept with favor, O God, the freewill offerings of my mouth, and teach me Your ordinances.
My soul is continually in danger, yet I have not forgotten Your Torah.
The wicked have set a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
I have taken Your testimonies as an everlasting heritage, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the last.
I hate vain thoughts, but Your Torah I love.
You are my secret place and my shield, I hope in Your promise.
Evildoers, turn away from me, for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Support me according to Your promise, and I will live, and let me not be shamed because of my hope.
Support me, and I will be saved, and I will speak of Your statutes continually.
You have trampled all those who stray from Your statutes, for their deceit is false.
You have purged all the wicked of the earth like dross, therefore I love Your testimonies.
My flesh shudders for fear of You, and I am in awe of Your judgments.
I have performed justice and righteousness; leave me not to my oppressors.
Guarantee Your servant goodness; let not the scoffers oppress me.
My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation, and for the word of Your righteousness.
Treat Your servant according to Your kindness, and teach me Your statutes.
I am Your servant; grant me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
It is time to act for God; they have abrogated Your Torah.
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold; yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem the validity of all Your precepts; I have hated every false way.
Your testimonies are wondrous, therefore my soul observes them.
The unfolding of Your words provides light; it gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth and swallowed, because I long for Your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as befits those who love Your name.
Order my steps in Your word, and do not grant any iniquity dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man, and I will keep Your precepts.
Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because they do not keep Your Torah.
Righteous are you, O God, and Your judgments are upright.
You have ordained Your testimonies in righteousness and in great faithfulness.
My zeal consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure, and Your servant loves it.
I am young and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Torah is truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me, yet Your commandments are my delights.
Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding, and I will live.
I call out with my whole heart; answer me, O God; I will keep Your statutes.
I call out to You; save me, and I will observe Your testimonies.
I rise before dawn, and I cry out; my hope is in Your word.
My eyes open before the night watches, that I may speak of Your sayings.
Hear my voice in keeping with Your kindness; O God, grant me life as is Your practice.
Those who pursue mischief draw near; they are far from Your Torah.
You are near, O God, and all Your commandments are truth.
I have known of old of Your testimonies, for You have founded them for all time.
Behold my affliction, and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your Torah.
Wage my battle, and redeem me; grant me life for the sake of Your word.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not Your statutes.
Your mercies are great, O God; grant me life as is Your practice.
My pursuers and my enemies are many, yet I did not turn away from Your testimonies.
I behold transgressors, and I quarreled [with them], because they keep not Your words.
Behold how I love Your precepts; grant me life, O God, according to Your kindness.
The beginning of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures for ever.
Rulers have pursued me without cause, but it is Your word my heart fears.
I rejoice at Your word, like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your Torah I love.
Seven times a day I praise You because of Your righteous judgments.
Those who love Your Torah have abundant peace; nothing can make them stumble.
I have hoped for Your salvation, O God, and I have practiced Your commandments.
My soul has kept Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
Let my song of praise approach Your presence, O God; grant me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You; save me according to Your promise.
My lips will utter praise, for You have taught me Your statutes.
My tongue will echo Your word, for all Your commandments are just.
Let Your hand provide assistance for me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O God, and Your Torah is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it will praise You, and let Your judgment help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.5
A Song of Ascents. I have called out to God in distress and He answered me. O God, rescue my soul from the lips of falsehood, from a deceitful tongue. What will it give to you, and what increase will it bring you, O deceitful tongue? [You resemble] the sharp arrows of a mighty one, and the coals of broom-wood. Woe unto me that I had sojourned among Meshech, that I had dwelt beside the tents of Kedar. Too long has my soul dwelt among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.6
A Song of Ascents. I lift my eyes to the mountains, from where will my help come? My help will come from God, Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot falter; your Guardian does not slumber. Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. God is your guardian; God is your protective shadow at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. God will guard you from all evil; He will guard your soul. God will guard your departure and Your arrival from now and for all time.7
A Song of Ascents by David. I was happy when they said to me, “Let us go to the House of God.” Our feet were standing within your gates, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem that is built like a city in which [all Israel] is united together. For there the tribes ascended, the tribes of God, Israel’s witness, to offer praise to the name of God. For there sat the seats of justice, the thrones of the House of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be tranquil. May there be peace within your walls, serenity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and friends, I ask that there be peace within you. For the sake of the House of God our Lord, I seek your well-being.8
A Song of Ascents. To You have I lifted my eyes, You Who are enthroned in heaven. Indeed, as the eyes of servants are turned to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so are our eyes turned to God our Lord, until He will be gracious to us. Be gracious to us, God, be gracious to us, for we are fully sated with humiliation. Our soul has been fully sated with the mockery of the complacent, with the scorn of the arrogant.9
A Song of Ascents by David. Were it not for God who was with us, let Israel declare, were it not for God Who was with us when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive when their anger raged against us. Then the waters would have inundated us, the torrent would have swept over our soul; then the raging waters would have surged over our soul. Blessed is God who did not permit us to be prey for their teeth. Our soul is like a bird which has escaped from the hunter’s snare; the snare broke and we escaped. Our help is in the name of God, the Maker of heaven and earth.10
A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in God are as Mount Zion which never falters, but abides forever. Mountains surround Jerusalem, and God surrounds His people from this time and forever. For the rod of wickedness will never come to rest upon the lot of the righteous; therefore the righteous need not stretch their hand to iniquity. Be beneficent, O God, to the good and to those who are upright in their hearts. But as for those that turn to their perverseness, may God lead them with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.11
A Song of Ascents. When God will return the exiles of Zion, we will have been like dreamers. Then our mouths will be filled with laughter, and our tongues with songs of joy. Then will they say among the nations, “God has done great things for these.” God has done great things for us; we were joyful. God, return our exiles as streams to arid soil. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed; he will surely return with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves.12
A Song of Ascents by Solomon. If God does not build a house, then its builders labor upon it in vain. If God will not guard a city, the vigilance of its watchman is in vain. It is in vain for you, you who rise early, who sit up late, and who eat the bread of tension, for in fact He gives His loved ones sleep. Behold, the heritage of God is children; the fruit of the womb is a reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they will not find themselves shamed when they speak with enemies in public places.13
A Song of Ascents. Happy is every man who fears God, who walks in His ways. When you eat of the labor of your hands, you will be happy, and you will have goodness. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner chambers of your house; your children will be like olive saplings around about your table. Behold, so will be blessed the man who fears God. May God bless you out of Zion, and may you see the goodness of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see children [born] to your children, peace upon Israel.14
A Song of Ascents. Much have they persecuted me from my youth on. Let Israel declare it now: “Much have they persecuted me from my youth on, [but] they have not prevailed against me.” The plowmen plowed upon my back; they wished to make their furrow long. But God is just; He cut the cords of the lawless. They will be humiliated and will be turned back, all the haters of Zion. They will be as grass upon the rooftops that withers before one plucks it, wherewith the reaper has never filled his hand, nor the sheaf-binder his arm. And the passers-by never have said: “The blessing of God be upon you; we bless you in the name of God.”15
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I call to You, O God. My God, hearken to my voice; let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleas. God, if You were to preserve iniquities, my Lord, who could survive? But forgiveness is with You, that You may be held in awe. I hope in God; my soul hopes, and I long for His word. My soul yearns for God more than those awaiting the morning wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in God, for with God there is kindness; with Him there is abounding deliverance. And He will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.16
A Song of Ascents, by David. O God, my heart was not proud, nor were my eyes haughty; I did not seek matters that were
too great and too wondrous for me. Surely I put my soul at peace and soothed it like a weaned child with his mother; my soul was like a weaned child. Let Israel hope in God from this time forth and forever.17
A Song of Ascents. O God, remember unto David all his suffering, how he swore to God, and vowed to the Mighty Power of Jacob: “I will not enter into the tent of my house; I will not go up into the bed that is spread for me; I will not give sleep to my eyes, nor slumber to my eyelids; — until I will have found a place for God, a resting place for the Mighty Power of Jacob.”
Lo, we heard of it in Ephrat; we found it in the field of the forest. We will come to His resting places; we will prostrate ourselves at His footstool.
Ascend, O God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might. May Your priests clothe themselves in righteousness, and may Your pious ones sing joyous songs.
For the sake of David Your servant, turn not away the face of Your anointed.
For God has sworn to David a truth from which He will never retreat: “A son of yours, the fruit of your body, will I set for you upon the throne. If your sons will keep My covenant and this My testimony which I will teach them, then their sons, too, will sit on the throne for you until the end of time. For God has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place to the end of time. Here will I dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her sustenance; I will satisfy her needy with bread. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her pious ones will sing joyous songs. There I will cause David’s standard to sprout; there I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon him, his crown will blossom.”18
A Song of Ascents, by David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together. Like the precious oil placed upon the head, flowing [in abundance] down the beard, the beard of Aaron which rests upon his garments. Like the dew of Hermon which comes down upon the mountains of Zion, for there God has commanded the blessing, life unto eternity.19
A Song of Ascents. Behold: Bless God, all you servants of God who stand in the House of God in the nights. Lift up your hands in holiness and bless God. May God, Who makes heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.20
A thoughtful psalm by David, [composed] when he was in the cave.
With my voice, I will cry out to God; with my voice, I will call to God in supplication. I will pour out my plea before Him; I will declare my distress in His presence. When my spirit is faint within me, You know my path. In the way in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see, there is none that will know me; every escape is lost to me. No man cares for my soul.
I cried out to You, O God; I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my song of prayer, for I have been brought very low. Deliver me from my pursuers, for they are too mighty for me. Release my soul from confinement, so that it may acknowledge Your name. Because of me, the righteous will crown [You] when You will deal graciously with me.21
A Psalm of David. O God, hear my prayer, lend Your ear to my supplications. With Your faithfulness answer me, and with Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no living being would be vindicated before You. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has set me down in dark places, like those who are eternally dead. Then my spirit became faint within me; my heart was dismayed within me. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your deeds; I spoke of Your handiwork. I spread out my hands to You; like a languishing land my soul yearns after You. Selah. Answer me soon, O God, my spirit is spent; hide not Your face from me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit. Let me hear Your kindness in the morning, for have I trusted in You. Let me know the way in which I should walk,
for to You I have lifted my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O God. I have concealed [my troubles] from all, save You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good spirit lead me in an even path. For the sake of Your name, God, give me life; in Your righteousness take my soul out of distress. And in Your kindness, cut off my enemies, and obliterate all those who oppress my soul, for I am Your servant.22
By David. Blessed be God, my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for war. My source of kindness and my fortress, my High Tower and my Rescuer, my Shield, in whom I take refuge; it is He who makes my people submit to me.
God, what is man that You have recognized him, the son of a mortal, that You are mindful of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
God, bend Your heavens and descend; touch the mountains and they will become vapor. Flash one bolt of lightning and You will scatter them; send out Your arrows and You will confound them. Stretch forth Your hands from on high, rescue me and deliver me out of many waters, from the hand of strangers, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
God, I will sing a new song to You, I will play to You upon a harp of ten strings. He who gives victory to kings, He will rescue David, His servant, from the evil sword. Rescue me, and deliver me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
For our sons are like plants, brought up to manliness in their youth; our daughters are like cornerstones, fashioned after the fashion of a palace. Our storehouses are full, overflowing with all manner of food; our sheep increase by the thousands, growing by the tens of thousands in our open fields. Our leaders bear the heaviest burden; there is none who break through, nor is there bad report, nor outcry in our streets.
Happy is the nation for whom this is so. Happy is that nation whose God is the Lord.23
vkv, A psalm of praise by David. I will exalt You, my God the King, and bless Your name forever.
Every day I will bless You, and praise Your name forever.
God is great and exceedingly lauded, and there is no limit to His greatness.
One generation to another will praise Your works, and tell of Your mighty acts.
I will speak of the splendor of Your glorious majesty and of Your wondrous deeds.
They will proclaim the might of Your awesome acts, and I will recount Your greatness.
They will express the remembrance of Your abounding goodness, and sing praises of Your righteousness.
God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and of manifold kindness.
God is good to all, and His mercies extend over all His works.
God, all Your works will thankfully acknowledge You, and Your pious ones will bless You.
They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and tell of Your strength.
To inform men of His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
Your kingship is sovereign over all worlds, and Your dominion is throughout all generations.
God supports all those who fall, and makes erect all who are bent.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food at the proper time.
You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
God is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His deeds.
God is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him, hears their cry and delivers them.
God protects all who love Him; He will destroy all the wicked.
My mouth will declare the praise of God, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever.24
Praise God. Praise God, O my soul.
I will sing to God while I live; I will chant praises to my God while I exist.
Do not place your trust in generous people, in mortal man, for he does not have the ability to bring deliverance. When his spirit departs, he returns to his earth; on that very day, his plans are lost.
Fortunate is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope rests upon God his Lord. He makes the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them; He keeps [His promise] faithfully forever. He renders justice to the oppressed; He grants food to the hungry; God releases those who are bound. God opens the eyes of the blind; God makes erect those who are bowed down; God loves the righteous. God protects the strangers; He encourages the orphan and the widow; He thwarts the way of the wicked.
God will reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Praise God.25
Praise God. Make music for our God for He is good; because He is pleasant, praise befits Him.
God is the rebuilder of Jerusalem; He will gather the dispersed of Israel. He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their sorrows. He counts the number of the stars; He assigns a name to each of them. Great is our Master and abounding in might; His understanding is beyond reckoning. God encourages the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Raise your voices in gratitude to God; play to our God with a harp. He covers the sky with clouds; He prepares rain for the earth, and makes grass grow upon the mountains. He gives an animal its food, to the young ravens which cry out.
He does not desire [those who place their trust in] the strength of the horse, nor does He want [those who rely] upon the legs of man. God desires those who stand in awe of Him, those who long for His kindness.
Praise God, O Jerusalem; Zion, extol your God. For He has strengthened the bolts of your gates; He has blessed your children in your midst. He makes your borders peaceful; He satiates you with the finest of wheat. He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs most swiftly. He gives snow like fleece; He scatters frost like ashes. He hurls His ice like crumbs; who can withstand His cold? He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He tells His words to Jacob, His statutes and ordinances to Israel. He has not done so for other nations, nor did He make known to them [His] ordinances. Praise God.26
Praise God. Praise God from the heavens; praise Him in the celestial heights. Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all the shining stars. Praise Him, heaven of heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of God, for He commanded and they were created. He has established them forever, for all time; He issued a decree, and it will not be superseded.
Praise God from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths; fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind carrying out His command; the mountains and all hills, fruit-bearing trees and all cedars; the beast and all cattle, creeping things and winged fowl; kings of the earth and all nations, rulers and all judges of the land; young men as well as maidens, elders together with young lads.
Let them praise the name of God, for His name is sublimely transcendent, it is unto Himself; [only] its radiance is upon the earth and heaven. He will raise the standard of His people, [increasing] the praise of all His pious ones, the children of Israel, the people close to Him. Praise God.27
Praise God. Sing to God a new song, [recount] His praise in the assembly of the pious. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker; and let the children of Zion delight in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing, and play music to Him with the drum and harp.
For God desires His people; He will adorn the humble with salvation. The pious will exult in glory; they will sing upon their beds. The exaltation of God is in their throat, and a double-edged sword in their hand.
To bring retribution upon the nations, punishment upon the peoples; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with iron fetters; to execute upon them the prescribed judgment; it will be a glory for all His pious ones. Praise God.28
Praise God. Praise God in His Sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His strength.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him as befits His abundant greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the Shofar; praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with drums and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with resonant trumpets.
Let every being that has a soul praise God. Praise God.29
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