Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes
A Song of Ascents. Insight: A Song of Ascents
1In my distress I cried to the LORD,
And He heard me.
2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.
3What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?
4Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With coals of the broom tree!
5Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech,
That I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Insight: The Peace Haters
6My soul has dwelt too long
With one who hates peace.
7I am for peace;
But when I speak, they are for war.
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him
A Song of Ascents.
1I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
The Joy of Going to the House of the LORD
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1I WAS glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Focus: Community Worship
2Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Place Profile: Jerusalem
3Jerusalem is built
As a city that is compact together,
4Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the LORD,
To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5For thrones are set there for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you. Focus: Peace and Prosperity for the City
7Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces.”
8For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
9Because of the house of the LORD our God
I will seek your good.
Prayer for Relief from Contempt
A Song of Ascents.
1Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
Until He has mercy on us.
3Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.
The LORD the Defense of His People
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1“IF it had not been the LORD who was on our side,”
Let Israel now say—
2“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
3Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;
4Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;
5Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul.”
6Blessed be the LORD,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
7Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;a
The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Insight: Fowlers
8Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
The LORD the Strength of His People
A Song of Ascents.
1Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
3For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
4Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
5As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!
A Joyful Return to Zion
A Song of Ascents.
1When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3The LORD has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
4Bring back our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.
5Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
Laboring and Prospering with the LORD
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. Focus: Where We Belong
2It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Blessings of Those Who Fear the LORD
A Song of Ascents.
1Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
2When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Focus: Work and Family
3Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
5The LORD bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
6Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
Song of Victory over Zion’s Enemies
A Song of Ascents.
1“MANY a time they have afflicted me from my youth,”
Let Israel now say—
2“Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth;
Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3The plowers plowed on my back;
They made their furrows long.”
4The LORD is righteous;
He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.
5Let all those who hate Zion
Be put to shame and turned back.
6Let them be as the grass on the housetops,
Which withers before it grows up,
7With which the reaper does not fill his hand,
Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.
8Neither let those who pass by them say,
“The blessing of the LORD be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the LORD!”
Waiting for the Redemption of the LORD
A Song of Ascents.
1Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Focus: Hope for the Heartbroken
2Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
3If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
6My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
7O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
8And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.
Simple Trust in the LORD
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me. Insight: Psalms for Children
3O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
The Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion
A Song of Ascents.
1LORD, remember David
And all his afflictions; Insight: An Honored Promise
2How he swore to the LORD,
And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3“Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,
Or go up to the comfort of my bed;
4I will not give sleep to my eyes
Or slumber to my eyelids,
5Until I find a place for the LORD,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
We found it in the fields of the woods.a
7Let us go into His tabernacle;
Let us worship at His footstool.
8Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place,
You and the ark of Your strength.
9Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness,
And let Your saints shout for joy.
10For Your servant David’s sake,
Do not turn away the face of Your Anointed.
11The LORD has sworn in truth to David;
He will not turn from it:
“I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
12If your sons will keep My covenant
And My testimony which I shall teach them,
Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”
13For the LORD has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14“This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17There I will make the horn of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
18His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Blessed Unity of the People of God
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Praising the LORD in His House at Night
A Song of Ascents.
1Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
3The LORD who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
Praise to God in Creation and Redemption
1Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD;
Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!
2You who stand in the house of the LORD,
In the courts of the house of our God,
3Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
4For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His special treasure.
5For I know that the LORD is great,
And our Lord is above all gods.
6Whatever the LORD pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.
7He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
He makes lightning for the rain;
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
8He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of man and beast.
9He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10He defeated many nations
And slew mighty kings—
11Sihon king of the Amorites,
Og king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12And gave their land as a heritage,
A heritage to Israel His people.
13Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14For the LORD will judge His people,
And He will have compassion on His servants.
15The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
16They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
17They have ears, but they do not hear;
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
19Bless the LORD, O house of Israel!
Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron!
20Bless the LORD, O house of Levi!
You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the LORD!
Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy
1Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Focus: Let Us Give Thanks
2Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
3Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
4To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
5To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
6To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
7To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
8The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
9The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
10To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
11And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
12With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
13To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever;
14And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
16To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
17To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
18And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever—
19Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
20And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever—
21And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
22A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.
23Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
24And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
25Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.
26Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.
Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land
1By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
2We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4How shall we sing the LORD’s song
In a foreign land? Insight: How Can We Sing in a Far-Off Place?
5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget its skill!
6If I do not remember you,
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.
7Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation!”
8O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,
Happy the one who repays you as you have served us! Focus: Bitter Prayers
9Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock!
The LORD’s Goodness to the Faithful
A Psalm of David.
1I WILL praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
5Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.
6Though the LORD is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
5You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
7Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, “Surely the darkness shall falla on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
13For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb. Focus: The Creator’s Craftsmanship
14I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;b
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
19Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
20For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.c
21Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Prayer for Deliverance from Evil Men
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men,
2Who plan evil things in their hearts;
They continually gather together for war.
3They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah
4Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men,
Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.
5The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah
6I said to the LORD: “You are my God;
Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further his wicked scheme,
Lest they be exalted. Selah
9“As for the head of those who surround me,
Let the evil of their lips cover them;
10Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”
12I know that the LORD will maintain
The cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.
13Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence.
Prayer for Safekeeping from Wickedness
A Psalm of David.
1LORD, I cry out to You;
Make haste to me!
Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.
2Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
4Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice wicked works
With men who work iniquity;
And do not let me eat of their delicacies.
5Let the righteous strike me;
It shall be a kindness.
And let him rebuke me;
It shall be as excellent oil;
Let my head not refuse it.
For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
6Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff,
And they hear my words, for they are sweet. Life Studies: C. H. Spurgeon
7Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave,
As when one plows and breaks up the earth.
8But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord;
In You I take refuge;
Do not leave my soul destitute.
9Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,
And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I escape safely.
A Plea for Relief from Persecutors
A Contemplationa of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.
1I CRY out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
2I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
4Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.
5I cried out to You, O LORD:
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
7Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
An Earnest Appeal for Guidance and Deliverance
A Psalm of David.
1Hear my prayer, O LORD,
Give ear to my supplications!
In Your faithfulness answer me,
And in Your righteousness.
2Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
3For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness,
Like those who have long been dead.
4Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed.
5I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
6I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
7Answer me speedily, O LORD;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
8Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
9Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.a
10Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
11Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
For I am Your servant.
A Song to the LORD Who Preserves and Prospers His People
A Psalm of David.
1Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle—
2My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my peoplea under me.
3LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
4Man is like a breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.
5Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down;
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
7Stretch out Your hand from above;
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
From the hand of foreigners,
8Whose mouth speaks lying words,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9I will sing a new song to You, O God;
On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,
10The One who gives salvation to kings,
Who delivers David His servant
From the deadly sword.
11Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,
Whose mouth speaks lying words,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—
12That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;
That our daughters may be as pillars,
Sculptured in palace style;
13That our barns may be full,
Supplying all kinds of produce;
That our sheep may bring forth thousands
And ten thousands in our fields;
14That our oxen may be well laden;
That there be no breaking in or going out;
That there be no outcry in our streets.
15Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!
A Song of God’s Majesty and Love
A Praise of David.
1I WILL extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
4One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts. Insight: From One Generation to Another
5Ia will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.b
6Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
And I will declare Your greatness.
7They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
And shall sing of Your righteousness.
8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
9The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works. Focus: Good to All
10All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
And Your saints shall bless You.
11They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
12To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.c
14The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.
15The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
16You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
18The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
20The LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.
The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the LORD
1Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Focus: Powerful Creator, Compassionate Savior
3Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.
8The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10The LORD shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
Praise to God for His Word and Providence
1Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Insight: Musicians in the Bible
2The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
4He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6The LORD lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
9He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
10He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children within you.
14He makes peace in your borders,
And fills you with the finest wheat.
15He sends out His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly.
16He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
17He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
18He sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and His judgments to Israel.
20He has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His judgments, they have not known them.
Praise the LORD!
Praise to the LORD from Creation
1Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For He commanded and they were created.
6He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
7Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
11Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
13Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.
Praise the LORD!
Praise to God for His Salvation and Judgment
1Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
And His praise in the assembly of saints.
2Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
4For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.
5Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
7To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
8To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9To execute on them the written judgment—
This honor have all His saints.
Praise the LORD!
Let All Things Praise the LORD
1Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
2Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
3Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!