Psalms 16:8-30:12

ISV(i) 8 I have set the LORD before me continuously; because he stands at my right hand, I will stand firm. 9 Therefore, my heart is glad, my whole being rejoices, and my body will dwell securely. 10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, you will not allow your holy one to experience corruption. 11 You cause me to know the path of life; in your presence is joyful abundance, at your right hand there are pleasures forever.
17 1 A Davidic Prayer.
A Cry for Justice LORD, hear my just plea! Pay attention to my cry! Listen to my prayer, since it does not come from lying lips. 2 Justice for me will come from your presence; your eyes see what is right. 3 When you probe my heart, and examine me at night; when you refine me, you will find nothing wrong, for I have determined that I will not transgress with my mouth. 4 As for the ways of mankind, I have, according to the words of your lips, avoided the ways of the violent. 5 Because my steps have held fast to your paths, my footsteps have not faltered. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, God. Listen closely to me and hear my prayer. 7 Show forth your gracious love, save those who take refuge in you from those who rebel against your sovereign power. 8 Protect me as the most precious part of the eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings 9 from the wicked who have afflicted me, from my enemies who have surrounded me. 10 They are imprisoned by their own prosperity, they have boasted proudly with their mouth. 11 Now they have encircled our paths and are determined to cast us down to the ground. 12 Like a lion they desire to rip us to pieces, like a young lion waiting in ambush. 13 Arise, LORD, confront them, bring them to their knees! Deliver me from the wicked by your sword— 14 from men, LORD, by your hand— from men who belong to this world, whose reward is only in this life. But as for your treasured ones, may their stomachs be full, may their children have an abundance, and may they leave wealth to their offspring. 15 But as for me, justified, I will behold your face; when I awake, your presence will satisfy me.
18 1 To the Director: By the servant of the LORD, David, who spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
Gratitude for Victory He said: “I love you, Lord, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge, my shield, the glory of my salvation, and my high tower.” 3 I cried out to the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I was delivered from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the rivers of Belial made me afraid. 5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I cried to the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his Temple he heard my voice; my cry reached his ears. 7 The world shook and trembled; the foundations of the mountains quaked, they shook because he was angry. 8 In his anger smoke poured out of his nostrils, and consuming fire from his mouth; coals were lit from it. 9 He bent the sky and descended, and darkness was under his feet. 10 He rode upon a cherub and flew; he soared upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his hiding place, his canopy surrounding him was dark waters and thick clouds. 12 The brightness before him scattered the thick clouds, with hail stones and flashes of fire. 13 Then the LORD thundered in the heavens, and the Most High sounded aloud, calling for hail stones and flashes of fire. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered them; with many lightning bolts he frightened them. 15 Then the channels of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered because of your rebuke, LORD, because of the blast from the breath of your nostrils. 16 He reached down and took me; he drew me from many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemies, from those who hated me because they were stronger than I. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. 19 He brought me out to a spacious place; he delivered me, for in me he takes delight.
20 God’s Reward to the RighteousThe LORD will reward me because I am righteous; because my hands are clean he will restore me; 21 because I have kept the ways of the LORD, and I have not wickedly departed from my God; 22 because all his judgments were always before me, and I did not cast off his statutes. 23 I was upright before him, and I kept myself from iniquity. 24 So the LORD restored me according to my righteousness, because my hands were clean in his sight. 25 To the holy, you show your gracious love, to the upright, you show yourself upright; 26 to the pure, you show yourself pure, and to the morally corrupt, you appear to be perverse. 27 Indeed, you deliver the oppressed, but you bring down those who exalt themselves in their own eyes. 28 For you, LORD, make my lamp shine; my God enlightens my darkness. 29 With your help I will run through an army, with help from my God I leap over walls. 30 As for God, his way is upright; the word of God is pure; he is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
31 The Acts of God for the RighteousFor who is God but the LORD, and who is a Rock other than our God?— 32 the God who clothes me with strength, and who makes my way upright; 33 who makes my feet swift as the deer; who makes me stand on high places; 34 who teaches my hands to make war, and my arms to bend a bronze bow. 35 You have given to me the shield of your deliverance, and your right hand holds me up; your gentleness made me great. 36 You make a broad place for my steps, so my feet won’t slip. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn around until they were utterly defeated. 38 I struck them down, so they are not able to rise up; they fell under my feet. 39 You clothed me with strength for war; you will subdue under me those who rise up against me. 40 You have made my enemies turn their back to me, and I will destroy those who hate me. 41 They cried out for deliverance, but there was no one to deliver; they cried out to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 42 I ground them like wind-swept dust; I emptied them out like dirt in the street. 43 You rescued me from conflict with the people; you made me head of the nations. People who did not know me will serve me. 44 When they hear of me, they will obey me; foreigners will submit to me. 45 Foreigners will wilt away; they will come trembling out of their stronghold. 46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! May the God of my deliverance be exalted! 47 He is the God who executes vengeance on my behalf; who destroys peoples under me; 48 who delivers me from my enemies. Truly you will exalt me above those who oppose me; you will deliver me from the violent person. 49 Therefore, I will give thanks to you among the nations, LORD; I will sing praises to your name. 50 He is the one who gives victories to his king; who shows gracious love to his anointed, to David and his seed forever.
19 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
God’s Revelation in the Heavens The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and their expanse shows the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor are there words— their voice is not heard— 4 yet their message goes out into all the world, and their words to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent for the sun in the heavens, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, or like a champion who rejoices at the beginning of a race. 6 Its circuit is from one end of the sky to the other, and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 God’s Revelation in the LawThe Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring life. The testimony of the LORD is steadfast, making foolish people wise. 8 The precepts of the LORD are upright, making the heart rejoice. The commandment of the LORD is pure, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, standing forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. 11 Moreover your servant is warned by them; and there is great reward in keeping them. 12 Who can detect his own mistake? Cleanse me from hidden sin. 13 Preserve your servant from arrogant people; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be upright and acquitted of great wickedness. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
20 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
A Prayer for Victory May the LORD answer you in the day of distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and may he sustain you from Zion. 3 May he remember all your gifts, and may he accept your burnt offerings. Interlude 4 May he give you what your heart desires, and may he fulfill all your plans. 5 May we shout for joy at your deliverance and unfurl our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD has delivered his anointed; he has answered him from his sanctuary with the strength of his right hand of deliverance. 7 Some boast in chariots, others in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God. 8 While they bowed down and fell, we arose and stood upright. 9 Deliver us, LORD! Answer us, our King, on the day we cry out!
21 1 To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
Praise for the LORD’s Deliverance The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How greatly he rejoices in your deliverance. 2 You have granted him the desire of his heart, and have not withheld what his lips requested. Interlude 3 You go before him with wonderful blessings, and put a crown of fine gold on his head. 4 He asked life from you, and you gave it to him— a long life for ever and ever. 5 His glory is great because of your deliverance, you have given him honor and majesty. 6 Indeed, you have given him eternal blessings; you will make him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 The king trusts in the LORD; because of the gracious love of the Most High, he will stand firm. 8 Your hand will find all your enemies, your right hand will find those who hate you. 9 When you appear, you will set them ablaze like a fire furnace. In his wrath, the LORD will consume them, and the fire will devour them. 10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, even their offspring from the ranks of mankind. 11 Though they plot evil against you and devise schemes, they will not succeed. 12 Indeed, you will make them retreat, when you aim your bow at their faces. 13 Rise up, LORD, because you are strong; we will sing and praise your power.
22 1 To the Director: To the tune of “Doe of the Dawn”.
A Davidic Psalm.
God Delivers His Suffering Servant My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from delivering me— from my groaning words? 2 My God, I cry out to you throughout the day, but you do not answer; and throughout the night, but I have no rest. 3 You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 Our ancestors trusted in you; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried out to you and escaped; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. 6 But as for me, I am only a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by people. 7 Everyone who sees me mocks me; they gape at me with open mouths and shake their heads at me. 8 They say, “Commit yourself to the LORD; perhaps the LORD will deliver him, perhaps he will cause him to escape, since he delights in him.” 9 Yet, you are the one who took me from the womb, and kept me safe on my mother’s breasts. 10 I was dependent on you from birth; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be so distant from me, for trouble is at hand; indeed, there is no deliverer. 12 Many bulls have surrounded me; the vicious bulls of Bashan have encircled me. 13 Their mouths are opened wide toward me, like roaring and attacking lions. 14 I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. 15 My strength is dried up like broken pottery; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and you have brought me down to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of those who practice of evil has encircled me. They gouged my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look at me; they stare at me. 18 They divide my clothing among themselves; they cast lots for my clothing! 19 But as for you, LORD, do not be far away from me; My Strength, come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword; my precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Deliver me from the mouth of the lion, from the horns of the wild oxen. You have answered me. 22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation, I will praise you, saying, 23 “All who fear the LORD, praise him! All the seed of Jacob, glorify him! All the seed of Israel, fear him! 24 For he does not despise nor detest the afflicted person; he does not hide his face from him, but he hears him when he cries out to him.” 25 My praise in the great congregation is because of you; I will pay my vows before those who fear you. 26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him, “May you live forever!” 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD; all the families of the nations will bow in submission to the LORD. 28 Indeed, the kingdom belongs to the LORD; he rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous people will eat and bow down in submission. All those who are about to go down to the grave will bow down in submission, along with the one who can no longer keep himself alive. 30 Our descendants will serve him, and that generation will be told about the Lord. 31 They will come and declare his righteousness to a people yet to be born; indeed, he has accomplished it!
23 1 A Davidic Psalm.
The LORD Shepherds His People The LORD is the one who is shepherding me; I lack nothing. 2 He causes me to lie down in pastures of green grass; he guides me beside quiet waters. 3 He revives my life; he leads me in pathways that are righteous for the sake of his name. 4 Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Truly, goodness and gracious love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the LORD’s Temple forever.
24 1 A Davidic Psalm.
A Song for the King of Glory The earth and everything in it exists for the LORD— the world and those who live in it. 2 Indeed, he founded it upon the seas, he established it upon deep waters. 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his Holy Place? 4 The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully. 5 This person will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation that seeks him. Those who seek your face are the true seed of Jacob. Interlude 7 Lift up your heads, gates! Be lifted up, ancient doors, so the King of Glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, gates! Be lifted up, ancient doors, so the King of Glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of Glory? The LORD of the heavenly armies— He is the King of Glory. Interlude
25 1 Davidic
A Prayer for Help and Forgiveness I will lift up my soul to you, LORD. 2 I trust in you, my God, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, no one who waits on you will be ashamed, but those who offend for no reason will be put to shame. 4 Cause me to understand your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God who delivers me. All day long I have waited for you. 6 Remember, LORD, your tender mercies and your gracious love; indeed, they are eternal! 7 Do not remember my youthful sins and transgressions; but remember me in light of your gracious love, in light of your goodness, LORD. 8 The LORD is good and just; therefore he will teach sinners concerning the way. 9 He will guide the humble to justice; he will teach the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD lead to gracious love and truth for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. 11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my sin, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? God will teach him the path he should choose. 13 He will experience good things; his descendants will inherit the earth. 14 The intimate counsel of the LORD is for those who fear him so they may know his covenant. 15 My eyes look to the LORD continuously, because he’s the one who releases my feet from the trap. 16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and oppressed. 17 The troubles of my heart have increased; bring me out of my distress! 18 Look upon my distress and affliction; forgive all my sins. 19 Look how many enemies I have gained! They hate me with a vicious hatred. 20 Preserve my life and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, because I take refuge in you. 21 Integrity and justice will preserve me, because I wait on you. 22 Redeem Israel, God, from all its troubles.
26 1 Davidic
A Man of Integrity Pleads for Justice Vindicate me, LORD, because I have walked in integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Examine me, LORD, and inspect me! Test my heart and mind. 3 For your gracious love precedes me, and I continuously walk according to your truth. 4 I do not sit with those committed to what is false, nor do I travel with hypocrites. 5 I hate the company of those who practice evil, nor do I sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands innocently. I go around your altar, LORD, 7 so I may praise you loudly with thanksgiving and declare all your wondrous acts. 8 LORD, I love the dwelling place that is your house, the place where your glory resides. 9 Do not group me with sinners, nor include me with men who shed blood. 10 Their hands are filled with wicked schemes, and their right hands with bribes. 11 But as for me, I walk in my integrity. Redeem me and be gracious to me! 12 My feet stand on level ground; among the worshiping congregations I will bless the LORD.
27 1 Davidic
Confidence in the LORD The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid? 2 When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors come near me to devour my flesh, they stumble and fall. 3 If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation. 4 I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I really seek: that I may remain in the LORD’s Temple all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD; and to inquire in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of evil; He will hide me in a secluded chamber within his tent; He will place me on a high rock. 6 Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies, even those who surround me. I will sacrifice in his tent with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melodies to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice, LORD, when I cry out! Be gracious to me and answer me. 8 My mind recalls your word, “Seek my face,” so your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me; do not turn away in anger from your servant. You have been my help, therefore do not abandon or forsake me, God of my salvation. 10 Though my father and my mother abandoned me, the LORD gathers me up. 11 Teach me your way, LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not hand me over to the desires of my enemies; for false witnesses have risen up against me; even the one who breathes out violence. 13 I believe that I will see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD. Be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart. Wait on the LORD!
28 1 Davidic
A Prayer for Help To you, LORD, I cry out! My Rock, do not refuse to answer me. If you remain silent, I will become like those who descend into the Pit. 2 Hear the sound of my supplications when I cry to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who practice iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while harboring evil in their hearts. 4 Reward them according to their deeds; according to the evil of their actions. Reward them based on what they do; give them what they deserve. 5 Because they do not understand the deeds of the LORD or the work of his hands, He will tear them down and never build them up. 6 Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the sound of my supplications. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I received help. My heart rejoices, and I give thanks to him with my song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is a refuge of deliverance for his anointed. 9 Deliver your people and bless your inheritance! Shepherd them and lift them up forever!
29 1 A Davidic Psalm.
Praise to the Majestic LORD Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings; ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD wearing holy attire. 3 The voice of the LORD was heard above the waters; the God of glory thundered; the LORD was heard over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD snaps the cedars; the LORD snaps the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes them stagger like a calf, even Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD shoots out flashes of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD causes deer to give birth, and strips the forest bare. In his Temple all of them shout, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sat enthroned over the flood, and the LORD sits as king forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
30 1 A Davidic Psalm for the dedication of the Temple.
Thanksgiving for Deliverance I exalt you, LORD, for you have lifted me up, and my enemies could not gloat over me. 2 LORD, my God! I cried out to you for help and you healed me. 3 LORD, you brought me from death; you kept me alive so that I did not descend into the Pit. 4 You, his godly ones, sing to the LORD, give thanks at the mention of his holiness. 5 For his wrath is only momentary; yet his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may lodge for the night, but shouts of joy will come in the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” 7 By your favor, LORD, you established me as a strong mountain; Then you hid your face, and I was dismayed. 8 I cried out to you, LORD, and I make supplication to the Lord: 9 “What profit is there in my death if I go down to the Pit? Can dust worship you? Can it proclaim your faithfulness?” 10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me! LORD, help me! 11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with a garment of joy, 12 so that I may sing praise to you and not remain silent. LORD, my God, I will give you thanks forever!