Psalms Book Five (107 through 150) [Press play below for the Introduction to Psalms]
[Click for Transcript with Audio Description]|[Introduction to Psalms]
Presenter: An introduction to the book of Psalms. Psalms is a compilation of sacred songs which have been an important feature of true worship that highlight giving praise to Jehovah. In fact, God's name, Jehovah, and a shortened form of it, Jah, appear almost 800 times throughout the book.
[A timeline 1513 to 460 BCE]
The writing of the book of Psalms spanned about 1000 years. Moses is considered to be the earliest composer. The Psalms were compiled after the return of the Jews to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile apparently by the scribe Ezra. Although Jehovah inspired such men as Solomon, the sons of Korah, the House of Asaph, and others to pen these moving expressions of faith, more than half of the Psalms are attributed to David. The different experiences and David's life provided the background for many of the psalms.
[Nathan points at David]
The headings or superscriptions found at the beginning of many Psalms identify the writer and give other information about the Psalm.
[Superscription of Psalm 51]
The book is made-up of 150 chapters, it is the largest book of the Bible. The psalms were compiled into five separate books or volumes. Several themes are developed in these lyrical works, consider just three of them: Praise to Jehovah is a recurring theme.
[A priest with outstretched arms]
Many psalms praise Jehovah for his saving acts.
[Moses parts the Red Sea]
Other songs praise Jehovah for his creative works, from the marvels of the human body to the earth and seas.
[A couple with their baby]
Psalm 83 praises Jehovah as the Most High over all the earth.
[The earth rotates in space]
Another theme developed in psalms is that Jehovah helps and comforts those who love him.
[A woman looks heavenward]
Jehovah is referred to as the hearer of prayer and as a merciful father who pardons repentant sinners. Psalm 23 describes Jehovah as the loving shepherd, who guides protects, and cares for his people.
[A shepherd holds a lamb]
An additional theme is that Jehovah will transform the earth into a paradise by means of the Messianic Kingdom.
[Crowned Jesus smiles]
This Kingdom will remove all wickedness and bring peace to the earth.
[A family picks vegetables in paradise]
Certain psalms are grouped together, for example Psalms 113 to 118 formed the group called the Hillel Psalms. Did you know, it is likely that Jesus and his disciples sang these very Psalms after the Lord’s evening meal?
[Jesus and his disciples in the upper room]
Psalms 120 to 134 are called the songs of the ascents. Many believe these psalms were sung as the Israelites ascended to Jerusalem to attend the three great annual festivals. The last five songs form a group in which each begins and ends with the words ‘Praise Jah.’ An important feature of Psalms is that it contains numerous prophecies about the Messiah.
[Jesus hangs on the stake]
Jesus himself said ‘All the things written about me in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’
[A Bible’s pages fan open]
As you read the book of Psalms take note of how it supports Jehovah's sovereignty, how Jehovah helps and comforts those who love him and how Jehovah will transform the earth into a paradise by means of his Messianic Kingdom.
[The Bible closes and transforms into the jw.org icon]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2016 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) {click to close]
Psalm 107
107.1 Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; His loyal love endures forever.
107.2 Let those reclaimed by Jehovah say this, Those whom he reclaimed from the hand of the adversary,
107.3 Whom he gathered together from the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
107.4 They wandered about in the wilderness, in the desert; They did not find a way to a city where they could live.
107.5 They were hungry and thirsty; They were faint from exhaustion.
107.6 They kept crying out to Jehovah in their distress; He rescued them from their plight.
107.7 He had them walk in the right way To come to a city where they could live.
107.8 Let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loyal love And for his wonderful works in behalf of the sons of men.
107.9 For he has satisfied the thirsty And filled the hungry with good things.
107.10 Some were living in deepest darkness, Prisoners in affliction and in irons.
107.11 For they had rebelled against the word of God; They disrespected the counsel of the Most High.
107.12 So he humbled their hearts through hardship; They stumbled, and there was no one to help them.
107.13 They called to Jehovah for help in their distress; He saved them from their plight.
107.14 He brought them out of deepest darkness, And he tore off their shackles.
107.15 Let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loyal love And for his wonderful works in behalf of the sons of men.
107.16 For he has broken down the doors of copper And cut through the bars of iron.
107.17 They were foolish and suffered affliction On account of their transgressions and their errors.
107.18 They lost their appetite for all food; They drew near the gates of death.
107.19 They would call to Jehovah for help in their distress; He would save them from their plight.
107.20 He would send his word and heal them And rescue them from the pits they were trapped in.
107.21 Let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loyal love And for his wonderful works in behalf of the sons of men.
107.22 Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving And declare his works with a joyful cry.
107.23 Those who travel on the sea in ships, Who ply their trade over the vast waters,
107.24 They have seen the works of Jehovah And his wonderful works in the deep;
107.25 How by his word a windstorm arises, Lifting up the waves of the sea.
107.26 They rise up to the sky; They plunge down to the depths. Their courage melts away because of the impending calamity.
107.27 They reel and stagger like a drunken man, And all their skill proves useless.
107.28 Then they cry out to Jehovah in their distress, And he rescues them from their plight.
107.29 He calms the windstorm; The waves of the sea grow quiet.
107.30 They rejoice when these grow still, And he leads them to their desired harbor.
107.31 Let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loyal love And for his wonderful works in behalf of the sons of men.
107.32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people, And let them praise him in the council of the elders.
107.33 He turns rivers into a desert And springs of water into parched ground,
107.34 Fruitful land into salty wasteland, Because of the wickedness of those dwelling in it.
107.35 He turns the desert into reedy pools of water, And dry land into springs of water.
107.36 He causes the hungry to dwell there, So that they may establish a city where they can live.
107.37 They sow fields and plant vineyards That yield fruitful crops.
107.38 He blesses them and they increase greatly; He does not let their cattle diminish.
107.39 But again they become few and are humiliated Because of oppression, calamity, and grief.
107.40 He pours out contempt upon nobles And makes them wander in trackless wastelands.
107.41 But he protects the poor from oppression And makes their families as numerous as a flock.
107.42 The upright see this and rejoice; But all the unrighteous shut their mouths.
107.43 Whoever is wise will observe these things And will carefully consider Jehovah’s acts of loyal love.
Psalm 108
A song. A melody of David.
108.1 My heart is steadfast, O God. I will sing and make music with my whole being.
108.2 Do awake, O stringed instrument; you too, O harp. I will awaken the dawn.
108.3 I will praise you among the peoples, O Jehovah, And I will sing praises to you among the nations.
108.4 For your loyal love is great, as high as the heavens, And your faithfulness, up to the skies.
108.5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; May your glory be over all the earth.
108.6 So that your loved ones may be rescued, Save us with your right hand and answer me.
108.7 God has spoken in his holiness: “I will exult, I will give out Shechem as an inheritance, And I will measure off the Valley of Succoth.
108.8 Gilead belongs to me, as does Manasseh, And Ephraim is the helmet for my head; Judah is my commander’s staff.
108.9 Moab is my washbasin. Over Edom I will throw my sandal. Over Philistia I will shout in triumph.”
108.10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me as far as Edom?
108.11 Is it not you, O God, who have rejected us, Our God, who no longer goes out with our armies?
108.12 Help us in our distress, For salvation by humans is worthless.
108.13 By God we will gain power, And he will trample on our adversaries.
Psalm 109
To the director. Of David. A melody.
109.1 O God whom I praise, do not remain silent.
109.2 For the wicked and the deceitful open their mouths against me. They speak about me with lying tongues;
109.3 They surround me with hateful words, And they attack me without cause.
109.4 They resist me in response to my love; But I continue to pray.
109.5 They repay me with bad for good And hatred for my love.
109.6 Appoint a wicked man over him; May a resister stand at his right hand.
109.7 When he is judged, may he be found guilty; May even his prayer be counted as a sin.
109.8 Let his days be few; His office of oversight let someone else take.
109.9 Let his children become fatherless, And his wife, a widow.
109.10 May his children become wandering beggars, Foraging for food from their ruined homes.
109.11 May his creditor seize all that he has, And may strangers plunder his possessions.
109.12 May no one extend kindness to him, And may no one show favor to his fatherless children.
109.13 Let his descendants be cut off; May their name be erased within a generation.
109.14 Let the error of his forefathers be remembered by Jehovah, And may the sin of his mother not be erased.
109.15 May Jehovah always be mindful of what they have done; And may he cut off the memory of them from the earth.
109.16 For he did not remember to show kindness, But he kept pursuing the oppressed, poor, and brokenhearted man To put him to death.
109.17 He loved to pronounce a curse, so that is what came upon him; He had no desire to bless, so he received no blessing.
109.18 He was clothed with curses as his garment. And they were poured into his body like water, Into his bones like oil.
109.19 May his curses be like the clothing in which he wraps himself And like a belt he always wears.
109.20 This is the payment from Jehovah for the one who resists me And for those who speak evil things against me.
109.21 But you, Jehovah the Sovereign Lord, Act in my behalf for the sake of your name. Rescue me, because your loyal love is good.
109.22 For I am helpless and poor, And my heart has been pierced within me.
109.23 I am passing away like a fading shadow; I have been shaken off like a locust.
109.24 My knees give way from fasting; My body is thin, and I am wasting away.
109.25 I have become the object of their taunts. When they see me, they shake their heads.
109.26 Help me, O Jehovah my God; Save me by your loyal love.
109.27 May they know that this is by your hand; That you, O Jehovah, have done it.
109.28 Let them pronounce a curse, but may you give a blessing. When they rise up against me, may they be put to shame, But let your servant rejoice.
109.29 Let those who resist me be clothed with humiliation; May they be wrapped in their shame as in a robe.
109.30 My mouth will fervently praise Jehovah; I will praise him in front of many people.
109.31 For he will stand at the right hand of the poor To save him from those who condemn him.
Psalm 110
Of David. A melody.
110.1 Jehovah declared to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”
110.2 Jehovah will extend the scepter of your power out of Zion, saying: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.”
110.3 Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In splendid holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops.
110.4 Jehovah has sworn an oath, and he will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever In the manner of Melchizedek!”
110.5 Jehovah will be at your right hand; He will crush kings on the day of his anger.
110.6 He will execute judgment against the nations; He will fill the land with dead bodies. He will crush the leader of a vast land.
110.7 He will drink from the stream along the road. Therefore, he will hold his head high.
Psalm 111
111.1 Praise Jah!
א [Aleph]
I will praise Jehovah with all my heart
ב [Beth]
In the assembled group of upright ones and in the congregation.
ג [Gimel]
111.2 The works of Jehovah are great;
ד [Daleth]
They are studied by all those finding pleasure in them.
ה [He]
111.3 His activity is glorious and splendid,
ו [Waw]
And his righteousness endures forever.
ז [Zayin]
111.4 He causes his wonderful works to be remembered.
ח [Heth]
Jehovah is compassionate and merciful.
ט [Teth]
111.5 Food he gives to those fearing him.
י [Yod]
He remembers his covenant forever.
כ [Kaph]
111.6 He has revealed to his people his powerful works
ל [Lamed]
By giving them the inheritance of the nations.
מ [Mem]
111.7 The works of his hands are truth and justice;
נ [Nun]
Trustworthy are all his orders.
ס [Samekh]
111.8 They are always reliable, now and forever;
ע [Ayin]
They are made in truth and righteousness.
פ [Pe]
111.9 He has given redemption to his people.
צ [Tsade]
He commanded that his covenant should last forever.
ק [Qoph]
His name is holy and awe-inspiring.
ר [Resh]
111.10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.
ש [Sin]
All those observing his orders show good insight.
ת [Taw]
His praise endures forever.
Psalm 112
112.1 Praise Jah!
א [Aleph]
Happy is the man who fears Jehovah,
ב [Beth]
Who takes great pleasure in his commandments.
ג [Gimel]
112.2 His descendants will be mighty in the earth,
ד [Daleth]
And the generation of the upright will be blessed.
ה [He]
112.3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
ו [Waw]
And his righteousness continues forever.
ז [Zayin]
112.4 To the upright he shines like a light in the darkness.
ח [Heth]
He is compassionate and merciful and righteous.
ט [Teth]
112.5 It goes well for the man who generously lends.
י [Yod]
He conducts his affairs with justice.
כ [Kaph]
112.6 He will never be shaken.
ל [Lamed]
The righteous will be remembered forever.
מ [Mem]
112.7 He will not fear bad news.
נ [Nun]
His heart is steadfast, trusting in Jehovah.
ס [Samekh]
112.8 His heart is unshakable; he is not afraid;
ע [Ayin]
In the end he will look in triumph on his adversaries.
פ [Pe]
112.9 He has distributed widely; he has given to the poor.
צ [Tsade]
His righteousness continues forever.
ק [Qoph]
His own strength will be exalted with glory.
ר [Resh]
112.10 The wicked one will see and be upset.
ש [Shin]
He will grind his teeth and melt away.
ת [Taw]
The desires of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 113
113.1 Praise Jah! Offer praise, you servants of Jehovah, Praise the name of Jehovah.
113.2 May Jehovah’s name be praised From now on and forever.
113.3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, Let Jehovah’s name be praised.
113.4 Jehovah is high above all the nations; His glory is above the heavens.
113.5 Who is like Jehovah our God, The one who dwells on high?
113.6 He stoops down to look on heaven and earth,
113.7 Raising the lowly from the dust. He lifts up the poor from the ash heap
113.8 In order to make him sit with nobles, With the nobles of his people.
113.9 He gives the barren woman a home As a happy mother with children. Praise Jah!
Psalm 114
114.1 When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people speaking a foreign language,
114.2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel, his dominion.
114.3 The sea saw it and fled; The Jordan turned back.
114.4 The mountains skipped about like rams, The hills, like lambs.
114.5 What made you flee, O sea? Why, O Jordan, did you turn back?
114.6 Why did you skip about like rams, O mountains, Like lambs, O hills?
114.7 Tremble, O earth, because of the Lord, Because of the God of Jacob,
114.8 Who turns the rock into a reedy pool of water, The flinty rock into springs of water.
Psalm 115
115.1 Not to us, O Jehovah, not to us, But to your name give glory Because of your loyal love and your faithfulness.
115.2 Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?”
115.3 Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever he pleases.
115.4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of human hands.
115.5 A mouth they have, but they cannot speak; Eyes, but they cannot see;
115.6 Ears they have, but they cannot hear; A nose, but they cannot smell;
115.7 Hands they have, but they cannot feel; Feet, but they cannot walk; They make no sound with their throat.
115.8 The people who make them will become just like them, As will all those who trust in them.
115.9 O Israel, trust in Jehovah —He is their help and their shield.
115.10 O house of Aaron, trust in Jehovah —He is their help and their shield.
115.11 You who fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah —He is their help and their shield.
115.12 Jehovah remembers us and will bless; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
115.13 He will bless those who fear Jehovah, The small as well as the great.
115.14 Jehovah will give you an increase, To you and your children.
115.15 May you be blessed by Jehovah, The Maker of heaven and earth.
115.16 As for the heavens, they belong to Jehovah, But the earth he has given to the sons of men.
115.17 The dead do not praise Jah; Nor do any who go down into the silence of death.
115.18 But we will praise Jah From now on and forever. Praise Jah!
Psalm 116
116.1 I love Jehovah Because he hears my voice, my pleas for help.
116.2 For he inclines his ear to me, And I will call on him as long as I live.
116.3 The ropes of death encircled me; The Grave had me in its grip. I was overcome by distress and grief.
116.4 But I called on the name of Jehovah: “O Jehovah, rescue me!”
116.5 Jehovah is compassionate and righteous; Our God is merciful.
116.6 Jehovah is guarding the inexperienced. I was brought low, and he saved me.
116.7 Let my soul rest once again, For Jehovah has dealt kindly with me.
116.8 You have rescued me from death, My eye from tears, my foot from stumbling.
116.9 I will walk before Jehovah in the land of the living.
116.10 I had faith, for I spoke; I was greatly afflicted.
116.11 As for me, I panicked and said: “Every man is a liar.”
116.12 With what will I repay Jehovah For all the good he has done for me?
116.13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And I will call on the name of Jehovah.
116.14 I will pay my vows to Jehovah In the presence of all his people.
116.15 Costly in the eyes of Jehovah Is the death of his loyal ones.
116.16 I beg you, O Jehovah, For I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your slave girl. You have freed me from my bonds.
116.17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving; I will call on the name of Jehovah.
116.18 I will pay my vows to Jehovah In the presence of all his people,
116.19 In the courtyards of the house of Jehovah, In your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise Jah!
Psalm 117
117.1 Praise Jehovah, all you nations; Glorify him, all you peoples.
117.2 For his loyal love toward us is great; The faithfulness of Jehovah endures forever. Praise Jah!
Psalm 118
118.1 Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; His loyal love endures forever.
118.2 Let Israel now say: “His loyal love endures forever.”
118.3 Let those of the house of Aaron now say: “His loyal love endures forever.”
118.4 Let those fearing Jehovah now say: “His loyal love endures forever.”
118.5 I called on Jah in my distress; Jah answered and brought me into a place of safety.
118.6 Jehovah is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
118.7 Jehovah is on my side as my helper; I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
118.8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to trust in humans.
118.9 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to trust in princes.
118.10 All the nations surrounded me, But in the name of Jehovah, I warded them off.
118.11 They surrounded me, yes, I was completely surrounded, But in the name of Jehovah, I warded them off.
118.12 They surrounded me like bees, But they were extinguished as quickly as a fire among thorns. In the name of Jehovah, I warded them off.
118.13 I was pushed hard to make me fall, But Jehovah helped me.
118.14 Jah is my shelter and my strength, And he has become my salvation.
118.15 The sound of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous. The right hand of Jehovah is demonstrating its power.
118.16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalting itself; The right hand of Jehovah is demonstrating its power.
118.17 I will not die, no, I will live, In order to declare the works of Jah.
118.18 Jah disciplined me severely, But he did not hand me over to death.
118.19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise Jah.
118.20 This is the gate of Jehovah. The righteous will enter through it.
118.21 I will praise you, for you answered me And you became my salvation.
118.22 The stone that the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
118.23 This has come from Jehovah; It is wonderful in our eyes.
118.24 This is the day that Jehovah has made; We will be joyful and rejoice in it.
118.25 Jehovah, save us, please, we beg! Jehovah, grant us victory, please!
118.26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of Jehovah; We bless you from the house of Jehovah.
118.27 Jehovah is God; He gives us light. Join in the festival procession with branches in hand, Up to the horns of the altar.
118.28 You are my God, and I will praise you; My God, I will exalt you.
118.29 Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; His loyal love endures forever.
Psalm 119
א [Aleph]
119.1 Happy are those who are blameless in their way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
119.2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, Who search for him with all their heart.
119.3 They practice no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.
119.4 You have commanded That your orders be carefully kept.
119.5 If only I could remain steadfast So as to observe your regulations!
119.6 Then I would not be put to shame When I consider all your commandments.
119.7 I will praise you with an upright heart When I learn your righteous judgments.
119.8 I will observe your regulations. May you never utterly forsake me.
ב [Beth]
119.9 How can a young man keep his path clean? By keeping on guard according to your word.
119.10 With my whole heart I seek you. Do not let me stray from your commandments.
119.11 In my heart I treasure up your saying So that I may not sin against you.
119.12 May you be praised, O Jehovah; Teach me your regulations.
119.13 With my lips I declare All the judgments that you have spoken.
119.14 I rejoice over your reminders More than over all other valuable things.
119.15 I will ponder over your orders And keep my eyes on your paths.
119.16 I am fond of your statutes. I will not forget your word.
ג [Gimel]
119.17 Deal kindly with your servant, So that I may live and observe your word.
119.18 Open my eyes so that I may see clearly The wonderful things from your law.
119.19 I am but a foreigner in the land. Do not hide your commandments from me.
119.20 I am consumed with longing For your judgments at all times.
119.21 You rebuke the presumptuous, The cursed ones who stray from your commandments.
119.22 Remove from me scorn and contempt, For I have observed your reminders.
119.23 Even when princes sit together and speak against me, Your servant ponders over your regulations.
119.24 I am fond of your reminders; They are my advisers.
ד [Daleth]
119.25 I lie prostrate in the dust. Preserve me alive according to your word.
119.26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me; Teach me your regulations.
119.27 Make me understand the meaning of your orders, So that I may ponder over your wonderful works.
119.28 I have been sleepless from grief. Strengthen me according to your word.
119.29 Remove from me the way of deception, And favor me with your law.
119.30 The way of faithfulness I have chosen. I recognize that your judgments are right.
119.31 I cling to your reminders. O Jehovah, do not let me be disappointed.
119.32 I will eagerly pursue the way of your commandments Because you make room for it in my heart.
ה [He]
119.33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of your regulations, And I will follow it to the end.
119.34 Give me understanding, So that I may observe your law And keep it with my whole heart.
119.35 Guide me in the pathway of your commandments, For in it I take delight.
119.36 Incline my heart to your reminders, Not to selfish gain.
119.37 Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless; Preserve me alive in your way.
119.38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, So that you may be feared.
119.39 Remove the disgrace that I dread, For your judgments are good.
119.40 See how I long for your orders. Preserve me alive in your righteousness.
ו [Waw]
119.41 May I experience your loyal love, O Jehovah, Your salvation in harmony with your promise;
119.42 Then I will reply to the one taunting me, For I put my trust in your word.
119.43 Do not utterly remove the word of truth from my mouth, For I have hoped in your judgment.
119.44 I will keep your law constantly, Forever and ever.
119.45 And I will walk about in a place of safety, For I search for your orders.
119.46 I will speak about your reminders in front of kings, And I will not be ashamed.
119.47 I am fond of your commandments, Yes, I love them.
119.48 I will raise my hands to your commandments, which I love, And I will ponder over your regulations.
ז [Zayin]
119.49 Remember your word to your servant, Through which you give me hope.
119.50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For your saying has preserved me alive.
119.51 The presumptuous utterly scorn me, But I do not deviate from your law.
119.52 I remember your judgments from of old, O Jehovah, And I find comfort in them.
119.53 I am seized with burning rage because of the wicked, Who forsake your law.
119.54 Your regulations are songs to me Wherever I dwell.
119.55 During the night I remember your name, O Jehovah, So that I may keep your law.
119.56 This has been my practice Because I have observed your orders.
ח [Heth]
119.57 Jehovah is my portion; I have promised to keep your words.
119.58 I appeal to you with all my heart; Show me favor according to your promise.
119.59 I have examined my ways, In order to turn my feet back to your reminders.
119.60 I hurry and do not delay To keep your commandments.
119.61 The ropes of the wicked surround me, But your law I do not forget.
119.62 At midnight I get up to give you thanks For your righteous judgments.
119.63 I am a friend of all who fear you And of those who keep your orders.
119.64 Your loyal love, O Jehovah, fills the earth; Teach me your regulations.
ט [Teth]
119.65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Jehovah, according to your word.
119.66 Teach me good sense and knowledge, For I have put my trust in your commandments.
119.67 Before I was afflicted, I used to go astray, But now I keep your saying.
119.68 You are good and your works are good. Teach me your regulations.
119.69 The presumptuous smear me with lies, But I observe your orders with all my heart.
119.70 Their heart is insensitive, But I am fond of your law.
119.71 It is good that I have been afflicted, So that I may learn your regulations.
119.72 The law that you have proclaimed is good for me, More so than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
י [Yod]
119.73 Your hands made me and formed me. Give me understanding, So that I may learn your commandments.
119.74 Those who fear you see me and rejoice, For your word is my hope.
119.75 I know, O Jehovah, that your judgments are righteous And that you have afflicted me in your faithfulness.
119.76 May your loyal love please comfort me, According to the promise you made to your servant.
119.77 Show me mercy, so that I may keep living, For I am fond of your law.
119.78 May the presumptuous be put to shame, For they wrong me without cause. But I will ponder over your orders.
119.79 Let those who fear you return to me, Those who know your reminders.
119.80 May my heart be blameless in following your regulations, So that I may not be put to shame.
כ [Kaph]
119.81 I long for your salvation, For your word is my hope.
119.82 My eyes long for your saying While I say: “When will you comfort me?”
119.83 For I am like a skin bottle dried up in the smoke, But your regulations I do not forget.
119.84 How many days must your servant wait? When will you bring judgment against those persecuting me?
119.85 The presumptuous dig pits for me, Those who defy your law.
119.86 All your commandments are trustworthy. Men persecute me without cause; help me!
119.87 They almost exterminated me from the earth, But I did not abandon your orders.
119.88 Preserve me alive because of your loyal love, So that I may keep the reminders you have spoken.
ל [Lamed]
119.89 Forever, O Jehovah, Your word will remain in the heavens.
119.90 Your faithfulness is through all generations. You have firmly established the earth, so that it continues to stand.
119.91 By your judgments they remain until today, For they are all your servants.
119.92 If I had not been fond of your law, I would have perished in my affliction.
119.93 I will never forget your orders, Because by them you have preserved me alive.
119.94 I belong to you; save me, Because I have searched for your orders.
119.95 The wicked wait to destroy me, But I give close attention to your reminders.
119.96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, But your commandment has no limit.
מ [Mem]
119.97 How I do love your law! I ponder over it all day long.
119.98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, Because it is with me forever.
119.99 I have more insight than all my teachers, Because I ponder over your reminders.
119.100 I act with more understanding than older men, Because I observe your orders.
119.101 I refuse to walk on any evil path, So that I may keep your word.
119.102 I do not turn aside from your judgments, For you have instructed me.
119.103 How sweet your sayings are to my palate, More so than honey to my mouth!
119.104 By your orders I act with understanding. That is why I hate every false path.
נ [Nun]
119.105 Your word is a lamp to my foot, And a light for my path.
119.106 I have sworn an oath, and I will carry it out, To observe your righteous judgments.
119.107 I have been greatly afflicted. O Jehovah, preserve me alive according to your word.
119.108 Please take pleasure in my voluntary offerings of praise, O Jehovah, And teach me your judgments.
119.109 My life is in constant danger, But I have not forgotten your law.
119.110 The wicked have set a trap for me, But I have not strayed from your orders.
119.111 I take your reminders as my permanent possession, For they are the joy of my heart.
119.112 I have resolved to obey your regulations At all times, down to the last.
ס [Samekh]
119.113 I hate the halfhearted ones, But I love your law.
119.114 You are my shelter and my shield, For your word is my hope.
119.115 Stay away from me, you evil men, So that I may observe the commandments of my God.
119.116 Support me as you promised, So that I may keep living; Do not let my hope turn into disappointment.
119.117 Support me that I may be saved; Then I will always concentrate on your regulations.
119.118 You reject all those who stray from your regulations, For they are false and deceitful.
119.119 You discard all the wicked of the earth as if they were worthless dross. That is why I love your reminders.
119.120 The dread of you makes my body tremble; I am in fear of your judgments.
ע [Ayin]
119.121 I have done what is just and righteous. Do not abandon me to my oppressors!
119.122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant; May the presumptuous not oppress me.
119.123 My eyes have grown weary waiting for your salvation And for your righteous promise.
119.124 Show your loyal love to your servant, And teach me your regulations.
119.125 I am your servant; give me understanding, So that I may know your reminders.
119.126 The time has come for Jehovah to act, For they have broken your law.
119.127 That is why I love your commandments More than gold, even fine gold.
119.128 Therefore, I consider every instruction from you to be right; I hate every false path.
פ [Pe]
119.129 Your reminders are wonderful. That is why I observe them.
119.130 The disclosure of your words brings light, Giving understanding to the inexperienced.
119.131 I open my mouth wide and sigh, Because I long for your commandments.
119.132 Turn to me and show me favor, In keeping with your judgment toward those loving your name.
119.133 Guide my steps safely by your saying; May nothing wicked dominate me.
119.134 Rescue me from oppressive men, And I will keep your orders.
119.135 Make your face shine upon your servant, And teach me your regulations.
119.136 Tears stream down from my eyes Because people do not keep your law.
צ [Tsade]
119.137 You are righteous, O Jehovah, And your judgments are fair.
119.138 The reminders you give are righteous And completely reliable.
119.139 My zeal consumes me, Because my adversaries have forgotten your words.
119.140 Your saying is thoroughly refined, And your servant loves it.
119.141 I am insignificant and despised; Yet, I have not forgotten your orders.
119.142 Your righteousness is an eternal righteousness, And your law is truth.
119.143 Though distress and difficulty come upon me, I remain fond of your commandments.
119.144 The righteousness of your reminders is eternal. Give me understanding, so that I may keep living.
ק [Qoph]
119.145 I call with my whole heart. Answer me, O Jehovah. Your regulations I will observe.
119.146 I call on you; save me! I will keep your reminders.
119.147 I have been awake before dawn to cry for help, For your words are my hope.
119.148 My eyes open before the night watches, So that I can ponder over your saying.
119.149 Do listen to my voice because of your loyal love. O Jehovah, preserve me alive according to your justice.
119.150 Those who engage in shameful conduct come near; They are far away from your law.
119.151 You are near, O Jehovah, And all your commandments are truth.
119.152 Long ago I learned about your reminders, That you have established them to last forever.
ר [Resh]
119.153 Look on my affliction and rescue me, For I have not forgotten your law.
119.154 Defend me and rescue me; Preserve me alive in harmony with your promise.
119.155 Salvation is far away from the wicked, For they have not searched for your regulations.
119.156 Your mercy is great, O Jehovah. Preserve me alive in harmony with your justice.
119.157 My persecutors and my adversaries are many; But I have not deviated from your reminders.
119.158 I look on the treacherous with loathing, Because they do not keep your saying.
119.159 See how I love your orders! O Jehovah, preserve me alive because of your loyal love.
119.160 The very essence of your word is truth, And all your righteous judgments endure forever.
ש [Sin] or [Shin]
119.161 Princes persecute me for no cause, But my heart stands in awe of your words.
119.162 I rejoice over your saying Like someone who finds great spoil.
119.163 I hate falsehood—I detest it— I love your law.
119.164 Seven times a day I praise you Because of your righteous judgments.
119.165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love your law; Nothing can make them stumble.
119.166 I hope for your acts of salvation, O Jehovah, And I observe your commandments.
119.167 I keep your reminders, And I love them dearly.
119.168 I observe your orders and your reminders, For you are aware of all that I do.
ת [Taw]
119.169 May my cry for help reach you, O Jehovah. According to your word, make me understand.
119.170 May my request for favor come before you. Save me, as you have promised.
119.171 May my lips overflow with praise, For you teach me your regulations.
119.172 May my tongue sing about your saying, For all your commandments are righteous.
119.173 May your hand be ready to help me, Because I choose to obey your orders.
119.174 I long for your salvation, O Jehovah, And I am fond of your law.
119.175 Let me live so that I may praise you; May your judgments be my help.
119.176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Search for your servant, For I have not forgotten your commandments.
Psalm 120
A Song of the Ascents.
120.1 I called to Jehovah in my distress, And he answered me.
120.2 O Jehovah, rescue me from lying lips And from the deceitful tongue.
120.3 What will He do to you, and how will He punish you, You deceitful tongue?
120.4 With sharp arrows of a warrior And burning coals of broomwood.
120.5 Woe to me, for I have lived as a foreigner in Meshech! I have been dwelling among the tents of Kedar.
120.6 I have been dwelling far too long With those who hate peace.
120.7 I am for peace, but when I speak, They are for war.
Psalm 121
A Song of the Ascents.
121.1 I raise my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come?
121.2 My help comes from Jehovah, The Maker of heaven and earth.
121.3 He will never allow your foot to slip. The One guarding you will never be drowsy.
121.4 Look! He will never be drowsy nor go to sleep, The One guarding Israel.
121.5 Jehovah is guarding you. Jehovah is the shade at your right hand.
121.6 By day the sun will not strike you, Nor the moon by night.
121.7 Jehovah will guard you against all harm. He will guard your life.
121.8 Jehovah will guard you in all you do From now on and forever.
Psalm 122
A Song of the Ascents. Of David.
122.1 I rejoiced when they said to me: “Let us go to the house of Jehovah.”
122.2 And now our feet are standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem.
122.3 Jerusalem is built as a city That is joined together as one.
122.4 The tribes have gone up to it, The tribes of Jah, According to the reminder to Israel, To give thanks to the name of Jehovah.
122.5 For thrones for judgment were set up there, Thrones of the house of David.
122.6 Ask for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you, O city, will be secure.
122.7 May peace continue within your ramparts, Security within your fortified towers.
122.8 For the sake of my brothers and my companions I will say: “May there be peace within you.”
122.9 For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God, I will seek good for you.
Psalm 123
A Song of the Ascents.
123.1 To you I raise my eyes, You who are enthroned in the heavens.
123.2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, And the eyes of a servant girl to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to Jehovah our God Until he shows us favor.
123.3 Show us favor, O Jehovah, show us favor, For we have had our full share of contempt.
123.4 We have had our full share of ridicule from the self-assured And the contempt of the arrogant.
Psalm 124
A Song of the Ascents. Of David.
124.1 “If Jehovah had not been with us” —Let Israel now say—
124.2 “If Jehovah had not been with us When men rose up to attack us,
124.3 Then they would have swallowed us up alive When their anger was burning against us.
124.4 Then the waters would have washed us away, The torrent would have swept over us.
124.5 The raging waters would have overwhelmed us.
124.6 May Jehovah be praised, For he has not given us as prey to their teeth.
124.7 We are like a bird that escaped From the hunter’s trap; The trap was broken, And we escaped.
124.8 Our help is in the name of Jehovah, The Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 125
A Song of the Ascents.
125.1 Those who trust in Jehovah Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken But endures forever.
125.2 Just as mountains surround Jerusalem, So Jehovah surrounds his people From now on and forever.
125.3 The scepter of wickedness will not remain upon the land allotted to the righteous, So that the righteous do not turn to doing what is wrong.
125.4 Do good, O Jehovah, to those who are good, To those who are upright in heart.
125.5 As for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, Jehovah will remove them along with the wrongdoers. May there be peace upon Israel.
Psalm 126
A Song of the Ascents.
126.1 When Jehovah gathered back the captives of Zion, We thought we were dreaming.
126.2 At that time our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with a joyful shout. At that time they said among the nations: “Jehovah has done great things for them.”
126.3 Jehovah has done great things for us, And we are overjoyed.
126.4 Do gather back our captives, O Jehovah, Like streams in the Negeb.
126.5 Those sowing seed with tears Will reap with a joyful shout.
126.6 The one who does go out, though weeping, Carrying his bag of seed, Will surely return with a joyful shout, Carrying in his sheaves.
Psalm 127
A Song of the Ascents. Of Solomon.
127.1 Unless Jehovah builds the house, It is in vain that its builders work hard on it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, It is in vain that the guard stays awake.
127.2 It is in vain that you rise up early, That you stay up late, That you toil for your food, Since he provides for his loved ones while giving them sleep.
127.3 Look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; The fruit of the womb is a reward.
127.4 Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the sons of one’s youth.
127.5 Happy is the man who fills his quiver with them. They will not be put to shame, For they will speak with enemies in the city gate.
Psalm 128
A Song of the Ascents.
128.1 Happy is everyone who fears Jehovah, Who walks in His ways.
128.2 You will eat what your hands worked hard to produce. You will be happy and will enjoy prosperity.
128.3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; Your sons will be like shoots of an olive tree around your table.
128.4 Look! That is how the man who fears Jehovah Will be blessed.
128.5 Jehovah will bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life
128.6 And see the sons of your sons. May there be peace upon Israel.
Psalm 129
A Song of the Ascents.
129.1 “Since my youth they have constantly attacked me” —Let Israel now say—
129.2 “Since my youth they have constantly attacked me; But they have not defeated me.
129.3 Plowmen have plowed across my back; They have made their furrows long.”
129.4 But Jehovah is righteous; He has cut up the ropes of the wicked.
129.5 They will be put to shame and will retreat in disgrace, All those who hate Zion.
129.6 They will become like grass on the rooftops That withers before it is pulled up,
129.7 That cannot fill the reaper’s hand Nor the arms of the one gathering sheaves.
129.8 Those passing by will not say: “May the blessing of Jehovah be upon you; We bless you in the name of Jehovah.”
Psalm 130
A Song of the Ascents.
130.1 From the depths I call to you, O Jehovah.
130.2 O Jehovah, hear my voice. May your ears pay attention to my pleas for help.
130.3 If errors were what you watch, O Jah, Then who, O Jehovah, could stand?
130.4 For with you there is true forgiveness, So that you may be held in awe.
130.5 I hope in Jehovah, my whole being hopes in him; I wait for his word.
130.6 I eagerly wait for Jehovah, More than watchmen wait for the morning, Yes, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
130.7 Let Israel keep waiting for Jehovah, For Jehovah is loyal in his love, And he has great power to redeem.
130.8 He will redeem Israel from all their errors.
Psalm 131
A Song of the Ascents. Of David.
131.1 O Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, Nor are my eyes lofty; Nor do I aspire to things too great, Or to things that are beyond me.
131.2 No, but I have calmed and quieted my soul Like a weaned child with its mother; I am contented like a weaned child.
131.3 Let Israel wait for Jehovah From now on and forever.
Psalm 132
A Song of the Ascents.
132.1 O Jehovah, remember David And all his suffering;
132.2 How he swore to Jehovah, How he vowed to the Powerful One of Jacob:
132.3 “I will not go into my tent, my home. I will not lie upon my couch, my bed;
132.4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep, Nor my eyelids to slumber
132.5 Until I find a place for Jehovah, A fine residence for the Powerful One of Jacob.”
132.6 Look! We heard about it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the forest.
132.7 Let us come into his residence; Let us bow down at his footstool.
132.8 Rise up, O Jehovah, to come to your resting-place, You and the Ark of your strength.
132.9 May your priests be clothed with righteousness, And may your loyal ones shout joyfully.
132.10 For the sake of David your servant, Do not reject your anointed one.
132.11 Jehovah has sworn to David; He will surely not go back on his word: “One of your offspring, I will place on your throne.
132.12 If your sons keep my covenant And my reminders that I teach them, Their sons too Will sit on your throne forever.”
132.13 For Jehovah has chosen Zion; He has desired it for his dwelling place:
132.14 “This is my resting-place forever; Here I will dwell, for this is my desire.
132.15 I will richly bless it with provisions; I will satisfy its poor with bread.
132.16 Its priests I will clothe with salvation, And its loyal ones will shout joyfully.
132.17 There I will make the strength of David grow. I have prepared a lamp for my anointed one.
132.18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, But the crown on his head will flourish.”
Psalm 133
A Song of the Ascents. Of David.
133.1 Look! How good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
133.2 It is like fine oil poured on the head That runs down the beard, Aaron’s beard, And runs down onto the collar of his garments.
133.3 It is like the dew of Hermon That descends on the mountains of Zion. That is where Jehovah decreed his blessing —Life everlasting.
Psalm 134
A Song of the Ascents.
134.1 Praise Jehovah, All you servants of Jehovah, You who stand in the house of Jehovah during the nights.
134.2 Raise your hands in holiness And praise Jehovah.
134.3 May Jehovah, the Maker of heaven and earth, Bless you from Zion.
Psalm 135
135.1 Praise Jah! Praise the name of Jehovah; Offer praise, you servants of Jehovah,
135.2 You who are standing in the house of Jehovah, In the courtyards of the house of our God.
135.3 Praise Jah, for Jehovah is good. Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant.
135.4 For Jah has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his special property.
135.5 For I well know that Jehovah is great; Our Lord is greater than all other gods.
135.6 Jehovah does everything he pleases to do In heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths.
135.7 He causes clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of his storehouses.
135.8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, Both man and beast.
135.9 He sent signs and miracles among you, O Egypt, Against Pharaoh and all his servants.
135.10 He struck down many nations And killed mighty kings
135.11 —Sihon the king of the Amorites, Og the king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan.
135.12 He gave their land as an inheritance, An inheritance to Israel his people.
135.13 O Jehovah, your name endures forever. O Jehovah, your fame endures for all generations.
135.14 For Jehovah will defend his people, And he will feel compassion for his servants.
135.15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of human hands.
135.16 A mouth they have, but they cannot speak; Eyes, but they cannot see;
135.17 Ears they have, but they cannot hear. There is no breath in their mouth.
135.18 The people who make them will become just like them, As will all those who trust in them.
135.19 O house of Israel, praise Jehovah. O house of Aaron, praise Jehovah.
135.20 O house of Levi, praise Jehovah. You who fear Jehovah, praise Jehovah.
135.21 May Jehovah be praised from Zion, The One residing in Jerusalem. Praise Jah!
Psalm 136
136.1 Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; His loyal love endures forever.
136.2 Give thanks to the God of gods, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.4 He alone does great wonders, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.5 He skillfully made the heavens, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.6 He spread out the earth over the waters, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.7 He made the great lights, For his loyal love endures forever,
136.8 The sun to rule over the day, For his loyal love endures forever,
136.9 The moon and the stars to rule over the night, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.10 He struck down Egypt’s firstborn, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.11 He brought Israel out from their midst, For his loyal love endures forever,
136.12 With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.13 He split the Red Sea in two, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.14 He caused Israel to pass through the middle of it, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.15 He shook off Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.16 He led his people through the wilderness, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.17 He struck down great kings, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.18 He killed mighty kings, For his loyal love endures forever,
136.19 Sihon the king of the Amorites, For his loyal love endures forever,
136.20 And Og the king of Bashan, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.21 He gave their land as an inheritance, For his loyal love endures forever,
136.22 An inheritance to Israel his servant, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.23 He remembered us when we were low, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.24 He kept rescuing us from our adversaries, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.25 He gives food to every living thing, For his loyal love endures forever.
136.26 Give thanks to the God of the heavens, For his loyal love endures forever.
Psalm 137
137.1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat. We wept when we remembered Zion.
137.2 Upon the poplar trees in her midst, We hung our harps.
137.3 For there our captors asked us for a song, Those mocking us wanted amusement: “Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.”
137.4 How can we sing the song of Jehovah On foreign soil?
137.5 If I should forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand be forgetful.
137.6 Let my tongue stick to my palate If I do not remember you, If I do not place Jerusalem above My greatest reasons for rejoicing.
137.7 Remember, O Jehovah, What the Edomites said on the day Jerusalem fell: “Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundations!”
137.8 O daughter of Babylon, who is soon to be devastated, Happy will be the one who rewards you With the treatment you inflicted on us.
137.9 Happy will be the one who seizes your children And dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 138
Of David.
138.1 I will praise you with all my heart. In the face of other gods, I will sing praises.
138.2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, And I will praise your name Because of your loyal love and your faithfulness. For you have magnified your saying and your name above everything else.
138.3 On the day I called, you answered me; You made me bold and strong.
138.4 All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Jehovah, For they will have heard the promises you have spoken.
138.5 They will sing about the ways of Jehovah, For the glory of Jehovah is great.
138.6 Though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance.
138.7 Even when I walk in the midst of danger, you will preserve me alive. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my enemies; Your right hand will save me.
138.8 Jehovah will accomplish all things in my behalf. O Jehovah, your loyal love endures forever; Do not forsake the works of your hands.
Psalm 139
For the director. Of David. A melody.
139.1 O Jehovah, you have searched through me, and you know me.
139.2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar.
139.3 You observe me when I travel and when I lie down; You are familiar with all my ways.
139.4 There is not a word on my tongue, But look! O Jehovah, you already know it well.
139.5 Behind and before me, you surround me; And you lay your hand upon me.
139.6 Such knowledge is beyond my comprehension. It is too high for me to reach.
139.7 Where can I escape from your spirit, And where can I run away from your face?
139.8 If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there, And if I were to make my bed in the Grave, look! you would be there.
139.9 If I would fly away with the wings of the dawn To reside by the most remote sea,
139.10 Even there your hand would lead me And your right hand would take hold of me.
139.11 If I say: “Surely darkness will conceal me!” Then the night around me would become light.
139.12 Even the darkness would not be too dark for you, But night would be as bright as the day; Darkness is the same as light to you.
139.13 For you produced my kidneys; You kept me screened off in my mother’s womb.
139.14 I praise you because in an awe-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know this very well.
139.15 My bones were not hidden from you When I was made in secret, When I was woven in the depths of the earth.
139.16 Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.
139.17 So to me, how precious your thoughts are! O God, how vast is the sum of them!
139.18 If I try to count them, they outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
139.19 O God, if only you would slay the wicked! Then the violent men would depart from me,
139.20 Those who say things against you with evil intent; They are your adversaries who take up your name in a worthless way.
139.21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Jehovah, And loathe those who revolt against you?
139.22 I have nothing but hatred for them; They have become real enemies to me.
139.23 Search through me, O God, and know my heart. Examine me, and know my anxious thoughts.
139.24 See whether there is in me any harmful way, And lead me in the way of eternity.
Psalm 140
For the director. A melody of David.
140.1 Rescue me, O Jehovah, from evil men; Protect me from violent men,
140.2 Those who scheme evil in their hearts And stir up conflict all day long.
140.3 They sharpen their tongue like that of a serpent; Venom of vipers is behind their lips.
(Selah)
140.4 Protect me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked; Safeguard me from violent men, Those who scheme to trip me.
140.5 The haughty ones hide a trap for me; With ropes they spread out a net beside the path. They set snares for me.
(Selah)
140.6 I say to Jehovah: “You are my God. Listen, O Jehovah, to my pleas for help.”
140.7 O Jehovah the Sovereign Lord, my strong Savior, You shield my head in the day of battle.
140.8 Do not grant, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked. Do not let their plots succeed, so that they are not exalted.
(Selah)
140.9 May the heads of those surrounding me Be covered with the evil spoken by their lips.
140.10 May burning coals rain down on them. May they be hurled into the fire, Into deep pits, never to rise again.
140.11 May the slanderer find no place on the earth. May evil pursue men of violence and strike them down.
140.12 I know that Jehovah will defend the lowly And give justice to the poor.
140.13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name; The upright will dwell before your face.
Psalm 141
A melody of David.
141.1 O Jehovah, I call on you. Come quickly to help me. Do pay attention when I call to you.
141.2 May my prayer be as incense prepared before you, My uplifted hands like the evening grain offering.
141.3 Station a guard for my mouth, O Jehovah, Do set a watch over the door of my lips.
141.4 Do not let my heart incline to anything bad, To share in vile deeds with evil men; May I never feast on their delicacies.
141.5 Should the righteous one strike me, it would be an act of loyal love; Should he reprove me, it would be like oil on my head, Which my head would never refuse. My prayer will continue even during their calamities.
141.6 Though their judges are thrown down from the cliff, The people will pay attention to my words, for they are pleasant.
141.7 Just as when someone plows and breaks up the soil, So our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the Grave.
141.8 But my eyes look to you, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. In you I have taken refuge. Do not take away my life.
141.9 Protect me from the jaws of the trap they have laid for me, From the snares of evildoers.
141.10 The wicked will fall into their own nets all together While I pass by safely.
Psalm 142
Maskil. Of David when he was in the cave. A prayer.
142.1 With my voice I call to Jehovah for help; With my voice I plead with Jehovah for favor.
142.2 Before him I pour out my concern; Before him I tell about my distress
142.3 When my spirit fails within me. Then you watch my roadway. In the path where I walk, They hide a trap for me.
142.4 Look at my right hand and see That no one cares about me. There is nowhere I can flee; No one is concerned about me.
142.5 I call to you, O Jehovah, for help. I say: “You are my refuge, All I have in the land of the living.”
142.6 Pay attention to my cry for help, For I have been brought very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I am.
142.7 Bring me out of the dungeon To praise your name. May the righteous gather around me Because you deal kindly with me.
Psalm 143
A melody of David.
143.1 O Jehovah, hear my prayer; Listen to my plea for help. In your faithfulness and in your righteousness, answer me.
143.2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, For no one living can be righteous before you.
143.3 For the enemy pursues me; He has crushed my life into the ground. He has caused me to dwell in darkness like those long dead.
143.4 My spirit is failing; My heart is numb within me.
143.5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your activity; I eagerly ponder over the work of your hands.
143.6 I spread out my hands to you; I am like a parched land that thirsts for you.
(Selah)
143.7 Do answer me quickly, O Jehovah; My strength has come to an end. Do not hide your face from me, Or I will be like those going down into the pit.
143.8 Let me hear your loyal love in the morning, For I trust in you. Make known to me the way I should walk, For to you I turn.
143.9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Jehovah. I seek your protection.
143.10 Teach me to do your will, For you are my God. Your spirit is good; May it lead me on level ground.
143.11 For the sake of your name, O Jehovah, preserve me alive. In your righteousness, rescue me from distress.
143.12 In your loyal love, put an end to my enemies; Destroy all those harassing me, For I am your servant.
Psalm 144
Of David.
144.1 May Jehovah, my Rock, be praised, Who trains my hands for battle, My fingers for warfare.
144.2 He is my loyal love and my stronghold, My secure refuge and my rescuer, My shield and the One in whom I have taken shelter, The One subduing peoples under me.
144.3 O Jehovah, what is man that you should notice him, The son of mortal man that you should pay attention to him?
144.4 Man resembles a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.
144.5 O Jehovah, lower your heavens and descend; Touch the mountains and make them smoke.
144.6 Make lightning flash and scatter the enemy; Shoot your arrows and throw them into confusion.
144.7 Stretch out your hands from above; Rescue me and save me from the surging waters, From the hand of the foreigners,
144.8 Whose mouths speak lies And who raise their right hand to swear to what is false.
144.9 O God, I will sing to you a new song. I will sing praises to you, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument,
144.10 To the One who gives victory to kings, The One rescuing his servant David from the deadly sword.
144.11 Rescue me and save me from the hand of the foreigners, Whose mouths speak lies And who raise their right hand to swear to what is false.
144.12 Then our sons will be like young plants that grow up quickly, Our daughters like corner pillars carved for a palace.
144.13 Our storehouses will overflow with every kind of produce; Our flocks in our fields will multiply by the thousands, by the tens of thousands.
144.14 Our cattle, heavy with young, will suffer no mishap or miscarriage; There will be no cry of distress in our public squares.
144.15 Happy is the people for whom it is this way! Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!
Psalm 145
A praise of David.
א [Aleph]
145.1 I will exalt you, O my God the King, I will praise your name forever and ever.
ב [Beth]
145.2 All day long I will praise you; I will praise your name forever and ever.
ג [Gimel]
145.3 Jehovah is great and most worthy of praise; His greatness is unsearchable.
ד [Daleth]
145.4 Generation after generation will praise your works; They will tell about your mighty acts.
ה [He]
145.5 Of the glorious splendor of your majesty they will speak And on your wonderful works I will meditate.
ו [Waw]
145.6 They will speak about your awe-inspiring deeds, And I will declare your greatness.
ז [Zayin]
145.7 They will bubble over as they recall your abundant goodness, And they will shout joyfully because of your righteousness.
ח [Heth]
145.8 Jehovah is compassionate and merciful, Slow to anger and great in loyal love.
ט [Teth]
145.9 Jehovah is good to all, And his mercy is evident in all his works.
י [Yod]
145.10 All your works will glorify you, O Jehovah, And your loyal ones will praise you.
כ [Kaph]
145.11 They will proclaim the glory of your kingship And speak about your mightiness,
ל [Lamed]
145.12 To make known to men your mighty acts And the glorious splendor of your kingship.
מ [Mem]
145.13 Your kingship is an eternal kingship, And your dominion endures throughout all generations.
ס [Samekh]
145.14 Jehovah supports all who are falling And raises up all who are bowed down.
ע [Ayin]
145.15 All eyes look hopefully to you; You give them their food in its season.
פ [Pe]
145.16 You open your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
צ [Tsade]
145.17 Jehovah is righteous in all his ways And loyal in all that he does.
ק [Qoph]
145.18 Jehovah is near to all those calling on him, To all who call on him in truth.
ר [Resh]
145.19 He satisfies the desire of those who fear him; He hears their cry for help, and he rescues them.
ש [Shin]
145.20 Jehovah guards all those who love him, But all the wicked he will annihilate.
ת [Taw]
145.21 My mouth will declare the praise of Jehovah; Let every living thing praise his holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 146
146.1 Praise Jah! Let my whole being praise Jehovah.
146.2 I will praise Jehovah all my life. I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.
146.3 Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation.
146.4 His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.
146.5 Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob as his helper, Whose hope is in Jehovah his God,
146.6 The Maker of heaven and earth, Of the sea, and of all that is in them, The One who always remains faithful,
146.7 The One securing justice for those defrauded, The One giving bread to the hungry. Jehovah is releasing the prisoners.
146.8 Jehovah is opening the eyes of the blind; Jehovah is raising up those bowed down; Jehovah loves the righteous.
146.9 Jehovah is protecting the foreign residents; He sustains the fatherless child and the widow, But he thwarts the plans of the wicked.
146.10 Jehovah will be King forever, Your God, O Zion, for generation after generation. Praise Jah!
Psalm 147
147.1 Praise Jah! It is good to sing praises to our God; How pleasant and fitting it is to praise him!
147.2 Jehovah is building Jerusalem; He gathers together the dispersed ones of Israel.
147.3 He heals the brokenhearted; He binds up their wounds.
147.4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls all of them by name.
147.5 Our Lord is great and is mighty in power; His understanding is beyond measure.
147.6 Jehovah raises up the meek, But he hurls the wicked to the ground.
147.7 Sing to Jehovah with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God, accompanied by the harp,
147.8 The One who covers the heavens with clouds, The One providing rain for the earth, The One making grass sprout on the mountains.
147.9 To the animals he gives food, To the young ravens that call out for it.
147.10 He does not delight in the power of the horse; Nor is he impressed by the strong legs of a man.
147.11 Jehovah finds pleasure in those who fear him, In those waiting for his loyal love.
147.12 Glorify Jehovah, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion.
147.13 He makes the bars of your city gates strong; He blesses your sons within you.
147.14 He brings peace to your territory; He satisfies you with the finest wheat.
147.15 He sends his command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.
147.16 He sends the snow like wool; He scatters the frost just like ashes.
147.17 He hurls down his hailstones like morsels of bread. Who can withstand his cold?
147.18 He sends out his word, and they melt. He makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
147.19 He declares his word to Jacob, His regulations and judgments to Israel.
147.20 He has not done so with any other nation; They know nothing about his judgments. Praise Jah!
Psalm 148
148.1 Praise Jah! Praise Jehovah from the heavens; Praise him in the heights.
148.2 Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, all his army.
148.3 Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all shining stars.
148.4 Praise him, O highest heavens And waters above the heavens.
148.5 Let them praise the name of Jehovah, For he commanded, and they were created.
148.6 He keeps them established forever and ever; He has issued a decree that will not pass away.
148.7 Praise Jehovah from the earth, You great sea creatures and all deep waters,
148.8 You lightning and hail, snow and thick clouds, You storm wind, carrying out his word,
148.9 You mountains and all you hills, You fruit trees and all you cedars,
148.10 You wild animals and all you domestic animals, You creeping things and winged birds,
148.11 You kings of the earth and all you nations, You princes and all you judges of the earth,
148.12 You young men and young women, Old men and young together.
148.13 Let them praise the name of Jehovah, For his name alone is unreachably high. His majesty is above earth and heaven.
148.14 He will exalt the strength of his people, For the praise of all his loyal ones, Of the sons of Israel, the people close to him. Praise Jah!
Psalm 149
149.1 Praise Jah! Sing to Jehovah a new song; Praise him in the congregation of the loyal ones.
149.2 Let Israel rejoice in its Grand Maker; Let the sons of Zion be joyful in their King.
149.3 Let them praise his name with dancing And sing praises to him, accompanied by the tambourine and the harp.
149.4 For Jehovah takes pleasure in his people. He adorns the meek with salvation.
149.5 Let the loyal ones exult in glory; Let them shout for joy upon their beds.
149.6 Let the songs praising God be in their throat, And a two-edged sword be in their hand,
149.7 To execute vengeance on the nations And punishment on the peoples,
149.8 To bind their kings with shackles And their nobles with iron fetters,
149.9 To execute the judgment written against them. This honor belongs to all his loyal ones. Praise Jah!
Psalm 150
150.1 Praise Jah! Praise God in his holy place. Praise him in the expanse of his strength.
150.2 Praise him for his mighty works. Praise him for his exceeding greatness.
150.3 Praise him with the sounding of the horn. Praise him with the stringed instrument and the harp.
150.4 Praise him with the tambourine and the circle dance. Praise him with strings and the flute.
150.5 Praise him with ringing cymbals. Praise him with crashing cymbals.
150.6 Every breathing thing—let it praise Jah. Praise Jah!