Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O LORD,
Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Thy faithfulness, in Thy righteousness!
And do not enter into judgment with Thy servant,
For in Thy sight no man living is righteous.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart is appalled within me.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Thy doings;
I muse on the work of Thy hands.
I stretch out my hands to Thee;
My soul longs for Thee, as a parched land. Selah.
Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Thy face from me,
Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in Thee;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to Thee I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
I take refuge in Thee.

Teach me to do Thy will,
For Thou art my God;
Let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For the sake of Thy name, O LORD, revive me
In Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
And in Thy lovingkindness, cut off my enemies
And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
For I am Thy servant.

~Psalm 143 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 139

O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;
Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.
Thou hast enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go from Thy Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Thy presence?

If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Thy hand will lead me,
And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to Thee,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to Thee.

For Thou didst form my inward parts;
Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Thy works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from Thee,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Thy book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with Thee.

O that Thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God;
Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.
For they speak against Thee wickedly,
And Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.

Do I not hate those who hate Thee, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against Thee?
I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

~Psalm 139 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 119

Aleph.
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the LORD.
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
Thou hast ordained Thy precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.
Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Thy statutes!
Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Thy commandments.
I shall give thanks to Thee with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Thy righteous judgments.
I shall keep Thy statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!

Beth.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Thy word.
With all my heart I have sought Thee;
Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.
Thy word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O LORD;
Teach me Thy statutes.
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Thy precepts,
And regard Thy ways.
I shall delight in Thy statutes;
I shall not forget Thy word.

Gimel.
Deal bountifully with Thy servant,
That I may live and keep Thy word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Thy law.
I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Thy commandments from me.
My soul is crushed with longing
After Thine ordinances at all times.
Thou dost rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,
Who wander from Thy commandments.
Take away reproach and contempt from me,
For I observe Thy testimonies.
Even though princes sit and talk against me,
Thy servant meditates on Thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight;
They are my counselors.

Daleth.
My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Thy word.
I have told of my ways, and Thou hast answered me;
Teach me Thy statutes.
Make me understand the way of Thy precepts,
So I will meditate on Thy wonders.
My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Thy word.
Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Thy law.
I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Thine ordinances before me.
I cling to Thy testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
I shall run the way of Thy commandments,
For Thou wilt enlarge my heart.

He.
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law
And keep it with all my heart.
Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Thy testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Thy ways.
Establish Thy word to Thy servant,
As that which produces reverence for Thee.
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Thine ordinances are good.
Behold, I long for Thy precepts;
Revive me through Thy righteousness.

Vav.
May Thy lovingkindnesses also come to me, O LORD,
Thy salvation according to Thy word;
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Thy word.
And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Thine ordinances.
So I will keep Thy law continually,
Forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Thy precepts.
I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
I shall delight in Thy commandments,
Which I love.
And I shall lift up my hands to Thy commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Thy statutes.

Zayin.
Remember the word to Thy servant,
In which Thou hast made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Thy word has revived me.
The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Thy law.
I have remembered Thine ordinances from of old, O LORD,
And comfort myself.
Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who forsake Thy law.
Thy statutes are my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
O LORD, I remember Thy name in the night,
And keep Thy law.
This has become mine,
That I observe Thy precepts.

Heth.
The LORD is my portion;
I have promised to keep Thy words.
I entreated Thy favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Thy word.
I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Thy testimonies.
I hastened and did not delay
To keep Thy commandments.
The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Thy law.
At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to Thee
Because of Thy righteous ordinances.
I am a companion of all those who fear Thee,
And of those who keep Thy precepts.
The earth is full of Thy lovingkindness, O LORD;
Teach me Thy statutes.

Teth.
Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant,
O LORD, according to Thy word.
Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Thy word.
Thou art good and doest good;
Teach me Thy statutes.
The arrogant have forged a lie against me;
With all my heart I will observe Thy precepts.
Their heart is covered with fat,
But I delight in Thy law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Thy statutes.
The law of Thy mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh.
Thy hands made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.
May those who fear Thee see me and be glad,
Because I wait for Thy word.
I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are righteous,
And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.
O may Thy lovingkindness comfort me,
According to Thy word to Thy servant.
May Thy compassion come to me that I may live,
For Thy law is my delight.
May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie;
But I shall meditate on Thy precepts.
May those who fear Thee turn to me,
Even those who know Thy testimonies.
May my heart be blameless in Thy statutes,
So that I will not be ashamed.

Kaph.
My soul languishes for Thy salvation;
I wait for Thy word.
My eyes fail with longing for Thy word,
While I say, “When wilt Thou comfort me?”
Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget Thy statutes.
How many are the days of Thy servant?
When wilt Thou execute judgment on those who persecute me?
The arrogant have dug pits for me,
Men who are not in accord with Thy law.
All Thy commandments are faithful;
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!
They almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not forsake Thy precepts.
Revive me according to Thy lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Thy mouth.

Lamedh.
Forever, O LORD,
Thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations;
Thou didst establish the earth, and it stands.
They stand this day according to Thine ordinances,
For all things are Thy servants.
If Thy law had not been my delight,
Then I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Thy precepts,
For by them Thou hast revived me.
I am Thine, save me;
For I have sought Thy precepts.
The wicked wait for me to destroy me;
I shall diligently consider Thy testimonies.
I have seen a limit to all perfection;
Thy commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem.
O how I love Thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Thy precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Thy word.
I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances,
For Thou Thyself hast taught me.
How sweet are Thy words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Thy precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

Nun.
Thy word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Thy righteous ordinances.
I am exceedingly afflicted;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word.
O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me Thine ordinances.
My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Thy precepts.
I have inherited Thy testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes
Forever, even to the end.

Samekh.
I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love Thy law.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Thy word.
Depart from me, evildoers,
That I may observe the commandments of my God.
Sustain me according to Thy word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Thy statutes continually.
Thou hast rejected all those who wander from Thy statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.
Thou hast removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love Thy testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of Thee,
And I am afraid of Thy judgments.

Ayin.
I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Be surety for Thy servant for good;
Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
My eyes fail with longing for Thy salvation
And for Thy righteous word.
Deal with Thy servant according to Thy lovingkindness
And teach me Thy statutes.
I am Thy servant; give me understanding,
That I may know Thy testimonies.
It is time for the LORD to act,
For they have broken Thy law.
Therefore I love Thy commandments
Above gold, yes, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem right all Thy precepts concerning everything,
I hate every false way.

Pe.
Thy testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul observes them.
The unfolding of Thy words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth wide and panted,
For I longed for Thy commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
After Thy manner with those who love Thy name.
Establish my footsteps in Thy word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Thy precepts.
Make Thy face shine upon Thy servant,
And teach me Thy statutes.
My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Thy law.

Tsadhe.
Righteous art Thou, O LORD,
And upright are Thy judgments.
Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.
My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Thy words.
Thy word is very pure,
Therefore Thy servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Thy law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Thy commandments are my delight.
Thy testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph.
I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!
I will observe Thy statutes.
I cried to Thee; save me
And I shall keep Thy testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Thy words.
My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Thy word.
Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy ordinances.
Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Thy law.
Thou art near, O LORD,
And all Thy commandments are truth.
Of old I have known from Thy testimonies
That Thou hast founded them forever.

Resh.
Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Thy law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Thy statutes.
Great are Thy mercies, O LORD;
Revive me according to Thine ordinances.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Thy testimonies.
I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Thy word.
Consider how I love Thy precepts;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.
The sum of Thy word is truth,
And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Shin.
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Thy words.
I rejoice at Thy word,
As one who finds great spoil.
I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Thy law.
Seven times a day I praise Thee,
Because of Thy righteous ordinances.
Those who love Thy law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
I hope for Thy salvation, O LORD,
And do Thy commandments.
My soul keeps Thy testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
I keep Thy precepts and Thy testimonies,
For all my ways are before Thee.

Tav.
Let my cry come before Thee, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to Thy word.
Let my supplication come before Thee;
Deliver me according to Thy word.
Let my lips utter praise,
For Thou dost teach me Thy statutes.
Let my tongue sing of Thy word,
For all Thy commandments are righteousness.
Let Thy hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen Thy precepts.
I long for Thy salvation, O LORD,
And Thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live that it may praise Thee,
And let Thine ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant,
For I do not forget Thy commandments.

~Psalm 119 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 94

O LORD, God of vengeance,
God of vengeance, shine forth!
Rise up, O Judge of the earth,
Render recompense to the proud.
How long shall the wicked, O LORD,
How long shall the wicked exult?
They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly;
All who do wickedness vaunt themselves.
They crush Thy people, O LORD,
And afflict Thy heritage.
They slay the widow and the stranger
And murder the orphans.
They have said, "The LORD does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed."

Pay heed, you senseless among the people;
And when will you understand, stupid ones?
He who planted the ear, does He not hear?
He who formed the eye, does He not see?
He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke,
Even He who teaches man knowledge?
The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are a mere breath.

Blessed is the man whom Thou dost chasten, O LORD,
And dost teach out of Thy law;
That Thou mayest grant him relief from the days of adversity,
Until a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the LORD will not abandon His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
For judgment will again be righteous,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.
Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?

If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
If I should say, "My foot has slipped,"
Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Thy consolations delight my soul.
Can a throne of destruction be allied with Thee,
One which devises mischief by decree?
They band themselves together against the life of the righteous
And condemn the innocent to death.
But the LORD has been my stronghold,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
He has brought back their wickedness upon them
And will destroy them in their evil;
The LORD our God will destroy them.

~Psalm 94 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 90

LORD, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

Thou dost turn man back into dust
And say, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in Thy sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night.
Thou hast swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.
In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;
Toward evening it fades and withers away.

For we have been consumed by Thy anger
And by Thy wrath we have been dismayed.
Thou hast placed our iniquities before Thee,
Our secret sins in the light of Thy presence.
For all our days have declined in Thy fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Thine anger
And Thy fury, according to the fear that is due Thee?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.

Do return, O LORD; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Thy servants.
O satisfy us in the morning with Thy lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days Thou hast afflicted us,
And the years we have seen evil.
Let Thy work appear to Your servants
And Thy majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

~Psalm 90 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 86

Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and answer me;
For I am afflicted and needy.
Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man;
O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee.
Be gracious to me, O Lord.
For to Thee I cry all day long.
Make glad the soul of Thy servant,
For to Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
And give heed to the voice of my supplications!
In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee,
For Thou wilt answer me.
There is no one like Thee among the gods, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Thine.
All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord;
And they shall glorify Thy name.
For Thou are great and doest wondrous deeds;
Thou alone art God.

Teach me Thy way, O Lord;
I will walk in Thy truth;
Unite my heart to fear Thy name.
I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And will glorify Thy name forever.
For Thy lovingkindness toward me is great,
And Thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

O God, arrogant men have risen up against me,
And a band of violent men have sought my life,
And they have not set Thee before them.
But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
Turn to me, and be gracious to me;
Oh grant Thy strength to Thy servant,
And save the son of Thy handmaid.
Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed,
Because Thou, O Lord, has helped me and comforted me.

~Psalm 86 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 78

Listen, O my people, to my instruction;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
We will not conceal them from their children,
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should teach them to their children,
That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born,
That they may arise and tell them to their children,
That they should put their confidence in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments,
And not be like their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not prepare its heart,
And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows,
Yet they turned back in the day of battle.
They did not keep the covenant of God,
And refused to walk in His law;
And they forgot His deeds,
And His miracles that He had shown them.
He wrought wonders before their fathers,
In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through;
And He made the waters stand up like a heap.
Then He led them with the cloud by day,
And all the night with a light of fire.
He split the rocks in the wilderness,
And gave them abundant drink like the ocean depths.
He brought forth streams also from the rock,
And caused waters to run down like rivers.

Yet they still continued to sin against Him,
To rebel against the Most High in the desert.
And in their heart they put God to the test
By asking food according to their desire.
Then they spoke against God;
They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
“Behold, He struck the rock, so that waters gushed out,
And streams were overflowing;
Can He give bread also?
Will He provide meat for His people?”

Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath,
And a fire was kindled against Jacob,
And anger also mounted against Israel;
Because they did not believe in God,
And did not trust in His salvation.
Yet He commanded the clouds above,
And opened the doors of heaven;
And He rained down manna upon them to eat,
And gave them food from heaven.
Man did eat the bread of angels;
He sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens;
And by His power He directed the south wind.
When He rained meat upon them like the dust,
Even winged fowl like the sand of the seas,
Then He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
Round about their dwellings.
So they ate and were well filled;
And their desire He gave to them.
Before they had satisfied their desire,
While their food was in their mouths,
The anger of God rose against them,
And killed some of their stoutest ones,
And subdued the choice men of Israel.
In spite of all this they still sinned,
And did not believe in His wonderful works.
So He brought their days to an end in futility,
And their years in sudden terror.

When He killed them, then they sought Him,
And returned and searched diligently for God;
And they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.
But they deceived Him with their mouth,
And lied to Him with their tongue.
For their heart was not steadfast toward Him,
Nor were they faithful in His covenant.
But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them;
And often He restrained His anger,
And did not arouse all His wrath.
Thus He remembered that they were but flesh,
A wind that passes and does not return.

How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness,
And grieved Him in the desert!
And again and again they tempted God,
And pained the Holy One of Israel.
They did not remember His power,
The day when He redeemed them from the adversary,
When He performed His signs in Egypt,
And His marvels in the field of Zoan,
And turned their rivers to blood,
And their streams, they could not drink.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,
And frogs which destroyed them.
He gave also their crops to the grasshopper,
And the product of their labor to the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hailstones,
And their sycamore trees with frost.
He gave over their cattle also to the hailstones,
And their herds to bolts of lightning.
He sent upon them His burning anger,
Fury, and indignation, and trouble,
A band of destroying angels.
He leveled a path for His anger;
He did not spare their soul from death,
But gave over their life to the plague,
And smote all the first-born in Egypt,
The first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.
But He led forth His own people like sheep,
And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
And He led them safely, so that they did not fear;
But the sea engulfed their enemies.

So He brought them to His holy land, 

To this hill country which His right hand had gained.
He also drove out the nations before them,
And He apportioned them for an inheritance by measurement,
And made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.
Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God,
And did not keep His testimonies,
But turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers;
They turned aside like a treacherous bow.
For they provoked Him with their high places,
And aroused His jealousy with their graven images.
When God heard, He was filled with wrath,
And greatly abhorred Israel;
So that He abandoned the dwelling place at Shiloh,
The tent which He had pitched among men,
And gave up His strength to captivity,
And His glory into the hand of the adversary.
He also delivered His people to the sword,
And was filled with wrath at His inheritance.
Fire devoured His young men;
And His virgins had no wedding songs.
His priests fell by the sword;
And His widows could not weep.

Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep,
Like a warrior overcome by wine.
And He drove His adversaries backward;
He put on them an everlasting reproach.
He also rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which He loved.
And He built His sanctuary like the heights, 

Like the earth which He has founded forever.
He also chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds;
From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them with his skillful hands.

~Psalm 78 NASB (1977)

Psalm 39

I said, “I will guard my ways,
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle,
While the wicked are in my presence.”
I was dumb and silent,
I refrained even from good;
And my sorrow grew worse.
My heart was hot within me;
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:
“Lord, make me to know my end,
And what is the extent of my days,
Let me know how transient I am.
“Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight,
Surely every man at his best is a mere breadth;
“Surely every man walks about as a phantom;
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
He amasses riches, and does not know who will gather them.

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in Thee.
“Deliver me from all my transgressions;
Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
“I have become dumb, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is Thou who hast done it.
“Remove Thy plague from me;
Because of the opposition of Thy hand, I am perishing.
“With reproofs Thou dost chasten a man for iniquity;
Thou dost consume as a moth what is precious to him;
Surely every man is a mere breath.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am a stranger with Thee,
A sojourner like all my fathers.
“Turn Thy gaze away from me, that I may smile again,
Before I depart and am no more.”

~Psalm 39 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear it and rejoice.

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

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him, there is no want.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves length of days that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
Seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked;
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants;
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

~Psalm 34 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 32

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin to Thee,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;
And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah.
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him.
Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble;
Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked;
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice you righteous ones,
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

~Psalm 32 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
When Thou didst say, "Seek My face," my heart said to Thee,
"Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."
Do not hide Thy face from me,
Do not turn Thy servant away in anger;
Thou hast been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the LORD will take me up.

Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a level path
Because of my foes.
Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.

~Psalm 27 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 25

To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Oh my God, in Thee I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

Make me know Thy ways, O Lord;
Teach me Thy paths.
Lead me in Thy truth and teach me,
For Thou art the God of my salvation;
For Thee I wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, Thy compassion and Thy lovingkindnesses,
For they have been from old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me,
For Thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way,
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Thy name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the Lord?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
His soul will abide in prosperity,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will make them know His covenant.
My eyes are continually toward the Lord,
For He will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses.
Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.
Look upon my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with violent hatred.
Guard my soul and deliver me;
Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for Thee.
Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all his troubles.

~Psalm 25 (NASB 1977)

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in Thee.
I said to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord;
I have no good besides Thee."
As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their libations of blood,
Nor shall I take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
Thou dost support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.
Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;
In Thy presence is fulness of joy;
In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.

~Psalm 16 (NASB 1977)