Psalms & Proverbs (2nd edition) E-Book

Brian Simmons

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: The Passion Translation
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 622

Beschreibung

Every emotion of the heart is reflected in the Psalms with words that express our deepest and strongest feelings. They free us to become emotional, passionate, sincere worshippers, giving us an expression for faith and worship. The Passion Translation presents these 150 poetic masterpieces in modern English to convey the depth of our longings and fears, joys and celebration, becoming a mirror to the heart of God's people in our quest to experience God's presence. Lord, you know all my desires and deepest longings. My tears are liquid words and you can read them all. —Psalm 38:9 The book of Proverbs is packed with secrets of wisdom that awaken our hearts! We can expect a download of heavenly insights into our destinies, relationships, careers, finances, and every other aspect of our lives. The Passion Translation unfolds the meaning of these proverbs in a way that connects the heart of God to your life. A greater understanding awaits us as you read Proverbs: Wisdom from Above. Within these sayings will be found the revelation of wisdom. Use them as keys to unlock the treasures of true knowledge. —Proverbs 1:2

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2-in-1 Collection of Psalms: Poetry on Fire and Proverbs: Wisdom from Above

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CONTENTS

About The Passion Translation

PSALMS

PROVERBS

Psalms devotions

Proverbs devotions

ABOUT THE PASSION TRANSLATION

The message of God’s story is timeless; the Word of God doesn’t change. But the methods by which that story is communicated should be timely; the vessels that steward God’s Word can and should change. One of those timely methods is Bible translation. Bible translations are both a gift and a problem. They give us the words God spoke through his servants, but words can be poor containers for revelation because they leak! The meanings of words change from one generation to the next. Meaning is influenced by culture, background, and many other details. Just imagine how differently the Hebrew authors of the Old Testament saw the world three thousand years ago from the way we see it today!

There is no such thing as a truly literal translation of the Bible, for there is not an equivalent language that perfectly conveys the meaning of the biblical text. It must be understood in its original cultural and linguistic settings. This problem is best addressed when we seek to transfer meaning, not merely words, from the original text to the receptor language.

The purpose of The Passion Translation is to reintroduce the passion and fire of the Bible to the English reader. It doesn’t merely convey the literal meaning of words. It expresses God’s passion for people and his world by translating the original, life-changing message of God’s Word for modern readers.

You will notice at times we’ve italicized certain words or phrases. These high-lighted portions are not in the original Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic manuscripts but are implied from the context. We’ve made these implications explicit for the sake of narrative clarity and to better convey the meaning of God’s Word. This is a common practice by mainstream translations.

We’ve also chosen to translate certain names in their original Hebrew or Greek form to better convey their cultural meaning and significance. For instance, some translations of the Bible have substituted Jacob with James and Judah with Jude. Both Greek and Aramaic leave these Hebrew names in their original form. Therefore, this translation uses those cultural names.

God longs to have his Word expressed in every language in a way that would unlock the passion of his heart. Our goal is to trigger inside every English-speaking reader an overwhelming response to the truth of the Bible. This is a heart-level translation, from the passion of God’s heart to the passion of your heart.

We pray this version of God’s Word will kindle in you a burning desire for him and his heart, while impacting the church for years to come.

Please visit ThePassionTranslation.com for more information about The Passion Translation.

PSALMS

(return to table of contents)

Introduction • One • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Eleven • Twelve • Thirteen • Fourteen • Fifteen • Sixteen • Seventeen • Eighteen • Nineteen • Twenty • Twenty-One • Twenty-Two • Twenty-Three • Twenty-Four • Twenty-Five • Twenty-Six • Twenty-Seven • Twenty-Eight • Twenty-Nine • Thirty • Thirty-One • Thirty-Two • Thirty-Three • Thirty-Four • Thirty-Five • Thirty-Six • Thirty-Seven • Thirty-Eight • Thirty-Nine • Forty • Forty-One • Forty-Two • Forty-Three • Forty-Four • Forty-Five • Forty-Six • Forty-Seven • Forty-Eight • Forty-Nine • Fifty • Fifty-One • Fifty-Two • Fifty-Three • Fifty-Four • Fifty-Five • Fifty-Six • Fifty-Seven • Fifty-Eight • Fifty-Nine • Sixty • Sixty-One • Sixty-Two • Sixty-Three • Sixty-Four • Sixty-Five • Sixty-Six • Sixty-Seven • Sixty-Eight • Sixty-Nine • Seventy • Seventy-One • Seventy-Two • Seventy-Three • Seventy-Four • Seventy-Five • Seventy-Six • Seventy-Seven • Seventy-Eight • Seventy-Nine • Eighty • Eighty-One • Eighty-Two • Eighty-Three • Eighty-Four • Eighty-Five • Eighty-Six • Eighty-Seven • Eighty-Eight • Eighty-Nine • Ninety • Ninety-One • Ninety-Two • Ninety-Three • Ninety-Four • Ninety-Five • Ninety-Six • Ninety-Seven • Ninety-Eight • Ninety-Nine • Hundred • Hundred-And-One • Hundred-And-Two • Hundred-And-Three • Hundred-And-Four • Hundred-And-Five • Hundred-And-Six • Hundred-And-Seven • Hundred-And-Eight • Hundred-And-Nine • Hundred-And-Ten • Hundred-And-Eleven • Hundred-And-Twelve • Hundred-And-Thirteen • Hundred-And-Fourteen • Hundred-And-Fifteen • Hundred-And-Sixteen • Hundred-And-Seventeen • Hundred-And-Eighteen • Hundred-And-Nineteen • Hundred-And-Twenty • Hundred-And-Twenty-One • Hundred-And-Twenty-Two • Hundred-And-Twenty-Three • Hundred-And-Twenty-Four • Hundred-And-Twenty-Five • Hundred-And-Twenty-Six • Hundred-And-Twenty-Seven • Hundred-And-Twenty-Eight • Hundred-And-Twenty-Nine • Hundred-And-Thirty • Hundred-And-Thirty-One • Hundred-And-Thirty-Two • Hundred-And-Thirty-Three • Hundred-And-Thirty-Four • Hundred-And-Thirty-Five • Hundred-And-Thirty-Six • Hundred-And-Thirty-Seven • Hundred-And-Thirty-Eight • Hundred-And-Thirty-Nine • Hundred-And-Forty • Hundred-And-Forty-One • Hundred-And-Forty-Two • Hundred-And-Forty-Three • Hundred-And-Forty-Four • Hundred-And-Forty-Five • Hundred-And-Forty-Six • Hundred-And-Forty-Seven • Hundred-And-Forty-Eight • Hundred-And-Forty-Nine • Hundred-And-Fifty

PSALMS

Introduction

AT A GLANCE

Author: Multiple authors, including David, Solomon, the Asaphites, the Kohrites, and Moses

Audience: Originally Israel, but Psalms speak to humanity in general

Date: From the Monarchy to Postexilic eras, the tenth to fifth centuries BC

Type of Literature: Poems, which reflect several types: wisdom, lament, prayer, praise, blessings, liturgy, and prophetic oracles

Major Themes: Prayer, praise, wisdom, prophecy, lamentation, and Jesus Christ

Outline: The Psalms are really five books in one. Moses gave us the five books of the Law called the Pentateuch; David gives us the five books of the Psalms. Each division ends with a doxology that includes the words “Amen and Amen.” The last division ends with Ps. 150 as the doxology, forming an appropriate conclusion to this “Pentateuch of David.” These five divisions have been compared to the first five books of the Bible:

Psalms 1–41 (Genesis) — Psalms of man and creation

Psalms 42–72 (Exodus) — Psalms of suffering and redemption

Psalms 73–89 (Leviticus) — Psalms of worship and God’s house

Psalms 90–106 (Numbers) — Psalms of our pilgrimage on earth

Psalms 107–150 (Deuteronomy) — Psalms of praise and the Word

ABOUT PSALMS

I have loved the Psalms for over forty years. They have been my comfort and joy, leading me to the place where worship flows. When discouraged or downcast, I have never failed to take new strength from reading the Psalms. They charge my batteries and fill my sails. In fact, they seem to grow even more powerful as I grow older. Their thunder stirs me; their sweet melodies move me into the sacred emotions of a heart on fire. The dark rain clouds of grief turn to bright rainbows of hope just from meditating on David’s soul-subduing songs.

The Psalms find the words that express our deepest and strongest emotions, no matter what the circumstances. Every emotion of our hearts is reflected in the Psalms. Reading the Psalms will turn sighing into singing and trouble into triumph. The word praise is found 189 times in this book. There is simply nothing that touches my heart like the Psalms. Thousands of years ago my deepest feelings were put to music—this is what we all delightfully discover when reading the Psalms!

A contemporary name for the book of Psalms could be Poetry on Fire! These 150 poetic masterpieces give us an expression of faith and worship. They become a mirror to the heart of God’s people in our quest to experience God’s presence. Much of Christianity has become so intellectualized that our emotions and artistic creativity are often set aside as unimportant in the worship of God. The Psalms free us to become emotional, passionate, sincere worshipers. It is time to sing the Psalms!

PURPOSE

The Psalms are clearly poetic. They are praises placed inside of poetry. Everyone who reads the Psalms realizes how filled with emotion they are! You will never be bored in reading the poetry that spills out of a fiery, passionate heart. These verses contain both poetry and music that touch the heart deeply, enabling you to encounter the heart of God through your emotional and creative senses.

AUTHOR AND AUDIENCE

Most of these poetic masterpieces come to us from David, king of Israel. He wrote them during specific periods of his life: when he was on the run from Saul, grateful for the Lord’s protection and provision, scared for his future, mournful over his sin, and praising God with uplifted hands. Other authors include David’s son Solomon, Moses, the Asaphite temple singers, and Korahite priests.

While they were written during specific periods in the history of Israel—from the monarchy to the postexilic eras—they connect to our own time as much as they reflect their time. So in many ways these poems are written to you and me. The original audience was the children of Israel, but the Psalms reflect the hopes and dreams, fears and failures of humanity in general.

MAJOR THEMES

Poetry of Praise. The Psalms are pure praise, inspired by the breath of God. Praise is a matter of life and breath. As long as we have breath we are told to praise the Lord. The Psalms release a flood of God-inspired insights that will lift heaviness off the human heart. The Psalms are meant to do to you what they did to David: they will bring you from your cave of despair into the glad presence of the King who likes and enjoys you.

Poetry of Prayer. Mixed with intercession, the Psalms become the fuel for our devotional life. Each psalm is a prayer. The early church recited and sang the Psalms regularly. Many contemporary worship songs have been inspired by this book of prayer-poetry!

Poetry of Wisdom. The Psalms unlock mysteries and parables, for in the purest praise is the cryptic language of a wise messenger. The wisdom of God is contained in these 150 Psalms; they act as master keys on a key chain to unlock God’s storehouse of wisdom and revelation. It is the “harp” (anointed worship) that releases divine secrets. Read carefully Ps. 49:4: “I will break open mysteries with my music, and my song will release riddles solved.”

Poetry of Prophecy. Prophetic insights rest upon the Psalms. David’s harp brings revelation and understanding to the people. Singers who tap into the insights of the Psalms will bring forth truths in their songs, which will break the hearts of people and release divine understanding to the church. The prophets must become musicians and the musicians must become prophets for the key of David to be given to the church.

Poetry of Christ. As with every part of the Old Testament, we are called to read the Psalms in two ways: (1) as the original audience heard them in their ancient Hebrew world; and (2) as the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, submitting by faith that these poems point to Jesus Christ. Therefore, at one level, these poems are all about him. There are 150 Psalms and each of them reveals a special and unique aspect of the God-Man, Christ Jesus. We could say every Psalm is messianic in that they find their fulfillment in Christ. Looking backward in light of Christ’s revelation, we see they all point to our Lord Jesus, whom God has chosen as King over all.

Since these songs are all about Jesus, one of the keys to understanding the Psalms is to look for Jesus within its pages. Luke 24:44 says: “I told you that everything written about me would be fulfilled, including all the prophecies from the law of Moses through the Psalms and the writings of the prophets—that they would all find their fulfillment.” There are many secrets about Jesus waiting to be discovered here!

PSALMS

Poetry on Fire

BOOK 1

THE GENESIS PSALMS

Psalms of man and creation

1 THE TREE OF LIFEa

1What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways!b

He won’t walk in step with the wicked,

nor share the sinner’s way,

nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.

2His pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,”

meditating day and night in the true revelation of light.c

3He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree

planted by God’s design,d

deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss,

bearing fruit in every season of his life.

He is never dry, never fainting,

ever blessed, ever prosperous.e

4But how different are the wicked.

All they are is dust in the wind—

driven away to destruction!

5The wicked will not endure the day of judgment,

for God will not defend them.

Nothing they do will succeed or endure for long,

for they have no part with those who walk in truth.

6But how different it is for the righteous!

The Lord embraces their paths as they move forward

while the way of the wicked leads only to doom.

aAlthough we cannot be sure, it is possible that Ezra compiled the Psalms and wrote Ps. 1 as an “introduction” to the Psalter. Others believe it was written by David or Jeremiah.

b1:1 Ps. 1 is the contrast of those who follow God’s ways and those who choose their own path. Read through this psalm with the purpose of learning how to live with God in first place.

c1:2 Or “Torah.”

d1:3 Or “transplanted.” That is, God planted our lives from where we were into a place of blessing. See Ps. 92:13–14.

e1:3 The metaphors found in this verse can be paraphrased as “No matter what he sets out to do, he brings it to a successful conclusion.”

2 THE CORONATION OF THE KING

Act I – The Nations Speak

1How dare the nations plan a rebellion.

Their foolish plots are futile!a

2Look at how the power brokers of the world

rise up to hold their summit

as the rulers scheme and confer together

against Yahweh and his Anointed King, saying:

3“Let’s come together and break away from the Creator.

Once and for all let’s cast off these controlling chains

of God and his Christ!”b

Act II – God Speaks

4God-Enthronedc merely laughs at them;

the Sovereign One mocks their madness!

5Then with the fierceness of his fiery anger

he settles the issued and terrifies them to deathe with these words:

6“I myself have poured out my King on Zion,f my holy mountain.g

Act III – The Son Speaks

7“I will reveal the eternal purpose of God.

For he has decreed over me, ‘You are my favored Son.

And as your Father I have crowned you as my King Eternal.

Today I became your Father.

8Ask meh to give you the nations and I will do it,

and they shall become your legacy.

Your domain will stretch to the ends of the earth.

9And you will shepherd themi with unlimited authority,

crushing their rebellion as an iron rod smashes jars of clay!’ ”

Act IV – The Holy Spirit Speaks

10Listen to me, all you rebel-kings

and all you upstart judges of the earth.

Learn your lessonjwhile there’s still time.

11Serve and worship the awe-inspiring God.

Recognize his greatness and bow before him,

trembling with reverence in his presence.k

12Fall facedown before him and kiss the Sonl

before his anger is roused against you.

Remember that his wrath can be quickly kindled!

But many blessings are waiting for all

who turn aside to hide themselves in him!

a2:1 Or “Why are they devising emptiness?”

b2:3 The word found here for “Christ” is the Hebrew word for “Messiah” or “Anointed One.”

c2:4 The Aramaic is Maryah, the Aramaic form of YHWH or Lord Jehovah.

d2:5 Or “In good time he drives them away.”

e2:5 Or “snorts with anger.” The Hebrew word ‘aph (fiery anger) is a homonym that also means “nose.”

f2:6 The word Zion is found 157 times in the Bible and 38 times in the Psalms.

g2:6 For the believer today, Zion is not only a place but also a realm where Christ is enthroned. Jesus was “poured out” as a consecrated offering.

h2:8 Or in the Masoretic text, “Ask wealth of me.”

i2:9 As translated from the Septuagint.

j2:10 Or “Do what is wise.”

k2:11 Or “Rejoice with trembling.” The Hebrew word for “rejoice” means “to spin around with excited emotions” or “to twirl.”

l2:12 Or “be ruled by the Son.” The Hebrew word for “kiss” is nashaq and can also mean “to be ruled by” or “be in subjection to” (the Son). Yet another possible translation of this difficult verse is “be armed with purity.”

3 COVERED BY THE GLORY

King David’s song when he was forced to flee from Absalom, his own son

The Humbling of a King

1Lord, I have so many enemies, so many who are against me.

2Listen to how they whisper their slander against me, saying:

“Look! He’s hopeless! Even God can’t save him from this!”

Pause in his presencea

The Help of God

3But in the depths of my heart I truly know

that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield;

You take me and surround me with yourself.b

Your glory covers me continually.c

You lift high my head when I bow low in shame.

4I have cried out to you, Yahweh, from your holy presence.d

You send me a Father’s help.

Pause in his presence

The Song of Safety

5So now I’ll lie down and sleep like a baby—

then I’ll awake in safety, for you surround me with your glory.

6Even though dark powers prowle around me,

I won’t be afraid.

The Secret of Strength

7I simply cry out to you:

“Rise up and help me, Lord! Come and save me!”

And you will slap them in the face,

breaking the power of their words to harm me.f

8My true hero comes to my rescue,

for the Lord alone is my Savior.g

What a feast of favor and bliss he gives his people!

Pause in his presence

a3:2 This is the Hebrew word Selah, a puzzling word to translate. Most scholars believe it is a musical term for pause or rest. It is used seventy-one times in the Psalms as an instruction to the music leader to pause and ponder in God’s presence. An almost identical word, Sela, means “a massive rock cliff.” It is said that when Selah is spoken, the words are carved in stone in the throne room of the heavens.

b3:3 Many translations render this “You are a shield around me.” The ancient Hebrew can be translated “You, O Lord, are my taker” (Augustine). The implication is that God shields us by taking us into himself. Jesus Christ is the taker of humanity, the one who was made flesh. He not only took our nature, he also took our sins that he might take us into glory.

c3:3 Or “my glory.”

d3:4 Or “from your holy hill.”

e3:6 Or “military troops.”

f3:7 Or “You broke the teeth of the wicked.”

g3:8 The Hebrew word used sixty times in the Psalms for deliverance is Yeshuah, a variant form of the name for Jesus. This is pointing us to where our salvation is found.

4 AN EVENING PRAYER FOR HELP

For the Pure and Shining Onea

For the end,b a melody by King David

1God, you are my righteousness, my champion defender.

Answer me when I cry for help!

Whenever I was in distress, you enlarged me.c

I’m being squeezed again—I need your kindness right away!

Grant me your grace, hear my prayer, and set me free!

2Listen to me, you elite among men:

How long will you defame my honord

and drag it down into shame?

Will you ever stop insulting me?

How long will you set your heart on shadows,

chasing your lies and delusions?

Pause in his presence

3May we never forget that the Lord works wonderse

for every one of his devoted lovers.

And this is how I know that he will answer my every prayer.

4Tremble in awe before the Lord, and do not sin against him.

Be still upon your bed and search your heart before him.f

Pause in his presence

5Bring to Yahweh the sacrifice of righteousness and put your trust in him.

6Lord, prove them wrong when they say, “God can’t help you!”

Let the light of your radiant face

break through and shine upon us!

7The intense pleasure you give me

surpasses the gladness of harvest time,

even more than when the harvesters

gaze upon their ripened grain

and when their new wine overflows.

8Now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once,

for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid!

aThe Hebrew word used here, found in the inscription of fifty-four Psalms, is usually rendered as “choirmaster” or “chief director of music.” It is taken from the root word for “shining” or “brilliant” (i.e., purity, holiness). Another way to translate “choirmaster” is “the shining one” or “the one who glitters from afar.” Jesus Christ is the chief musician of all eternity who sings in the midst of his people (Heb. 12:2).

bAs translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “stringed instruments” or “smiting.”

c4:1 Or “You created room for me.”

d4:2 Or “my glorious one.”

e4:3 There is considerable variation in possible translations from different manuscripts. Some manuscripts read “The Lord sets apart a faithful one for himself.” Another possible translation is “The Lord has revealed to me his marvelous love.”

f4:4 Or “Meditate on your bed and repent [lament].” It is always wise at the end of every day to cleanse our hearts in God’s grace and mercy.

5 SONG OF THE CLOUDED DAWN

For the Pure and Shining One

For her who receives the inheritance,a by King David

Morning Watch

1Listen, Yahweh, to my passionate prayer!b

Can’t you hear my groaning?

2Don’t you hear how I’m crying out to you?

My King and my God, consider my every word,

for I am calling out to you.

3At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice

as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you.c

Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar

and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.d

Making It Right

4I know that you, God, are never pleased with lawlessness,

and evil ones will never be invited as guests in your house.

5Boasters collapse, unable to survive your scrutiny,

for your hatred of evildoers is clear.

6You will make an end of all those who lie.

How you hate their hypocrisy and despise all who love violence!

Multitude of Mercy

7But I know that you will welcome me into your house,

for I am covered by your covenant of mercy and love.

So I come to your sanctuarye with deepest awe

to bow in worship and adore you.

8Yahweh, lead me in the pathways of your pleasure

just like you promised me you would,

or else my enemies will conquer me.

Smooth out your road in front of me,

straight and level so that I will know where to walk.

Multitude of Sins

9Their words are unreliable.

Destruction is in their hearts,

drawing people into their darkness with their speeches.f

They are smooth-tongued deceivers, flattering with their words.

10Declare them guilty, O God!

Let their own schemes be their downfall!

Let the guilt of their sins collapse on top of them,

for they rebel against you.

Multitude of Blessings

11But let them all be glad,

those who turn aside to hide themselves in you.

May they keep shouting for joy forever!

Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice.

Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.

12Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous.

Your favor wraps around each one and covers them

under your canopy of kindness and joy.

aThe Hebrew word used here is neliloth or flutes. It can also be translated “inheritances.” The early church father Augustine translated this: “For her who receives the inheritance,” meaning the church of Jesus Christ. The Father told the Son in Ps. 2 to ask for his inheritance; here we see it is the church that receives what Jesus asks for. We receive our inheritance of eternal life through the death and resurrection of the Son of God. The Septuagint reads “For the end,” also found in numerous inscriptions of the Psalms.

b5:1 Or “My words—give them a hearing, Lord!”

c5:3 The Hebrew word for “prepare” is ‘arak, a priestly term for lighting the altar fire, preparing a sacrifice, and laying it out in order upon the altar to be consumed.

d5:3 Implied in the concept of preparing the morning sacrifice. The Aramaic text states, “At dawn I shall be ready and shall appear before you.” The Hebrew can also be translated “I’ll be on the watchtower (for the answer to come).” See Pss. 59:16; 88:13; Hab. 2:1.

e5:7 Or “I come to the temple of your holiness.”

f5:9 Or “Their throat is an open grave.”

6 A CRY FOR HEALINGa

For the Pure and Shining One

A song for the end, sung for the new day by King David

1No, Lord! Don’t condemn me.

Don’t punish me in your fiery anger.

2Please deal gently with me, Yahweh;

show me mercy, for I’m sick and frail.

I’m fading away with weakness.

Heal me, for I’m falling apart.

3How long until you take away this pain in my body and in my soul?

Lord, I’m trembling in fear!

4Yahweh, return to me and deliver my life

because I know your faithful love is toward me.

to have me as your very own.

5How can I be any good to you dead?

For graveyards sing no songs.

In the darkness of death who remembers you?

How could I bring you praise if I’m buried in a tomb?

6I’m exhausted and worn out with my weeping.

I endure weary, sleepless nights filled with moaning,

soaking my pillow with my tears.

7My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart.

There are so many enemies who come against me!

8Go away! Leave me, all you troublemakers!

For the Lord has turned to listen to my thunderous cry.

9Yes! Yahweh my healer has heard all my pleading

and has taken hold of my prayers and answered them all.

10Now it’s my enemies who have been shamed.

Terror-stricken, they will turn back again,

knowing the bitterness of sudden disgrace!

aPs. 6 is a part of the daily prayer ritual of religious Jews.

7 SONG FOR THE SLANDERED SOUL

A passionate song to the Lord

To the tune of “Breaking the Curse of Cush, the Benjamite,” by King David

1Yahweh my God, I turn aside to hide my soul in you.

Save me from all those who pursue and persecute me.

2There is none to deliver me but you!

Don’t let my foes fall upon me like fierce lions with teeth bared.

Can’t you see how they want to rip me to shreds?

dragging me away to tear my soul to pieces?

3Lord, my God, if I were doing evil things, that would be different,

for then I would be guilty, deserving all of this.

4If I have wronged someone at peace with me,

if I have betrayed a friend, repaying evil for good,

or if I have unjustly harmed my enemy,

5Then it would be right for you

to let my enemy pursue and overtake me.

In fact, let them grind me into the ground.

Let them take my life from me and drag my dignity in the dust!

Pause in his presence

6Now, Lord, let your anger arise against the anger of my enemies.

Awaken your fury and stand up for me!

Decree that justice be done against my foes.

7Gather all the people around you.

Return to your place on high to preside over them

and once more occupy the throne of judgment.

8You are the Exalted One who judges the people,

so vindicate me publicly and restore my honor and integrity.

Before all the people declare me innocent.

9Once and for all, end the evil tactics of the wicked!

Reward and prosper the cause of the righteous,

for you are the righteous God, the soul searcher,

who looks deep into every heart

to examine the thoughts and motives.

10God, your wrap-around presence

is my protection and my defense.

You bring victory to all who reach out for you.

11Righteousness is revealed every time you judge.

Because of the strength of your forgiveness,a

your anger does not break out every day,

even though you are a righteous judge.

12–13Yet if the wicked do not repent,

you will not relent with your wrath,

slaying them with your shining sword.

You are the conqueror with an arsenal of lethal weapons

that you’ve prepared for them.

You have bent and strung your bow,

making your judgment-arrows shafts of burning fire.

14–15Look how the wicked conceive their evil schemes.

They go into labor with their lies and give birth to trouble.

They dig a pit for others to fall into,

not knowing that they will be the very ones

who will fall into their own pit of failure.

16For you, God, will see to it that every pit-digger

who works to trap and harm others

will be trapped and harmed by his own treachery.

17But I will give all my thanks to you, Lord,

for you make everything right in the end.

I will sing my highest praise to the God of the Highest Place!b

a7:11 As translated from the Septuagint.

b7:17 Or “to Adonai Elyon.”

8 GOD’S SPLENDOR

For the Pure and Shining One

Set to the melody of “For the Feast of Harvest,”a by King David

1Lord, your name is so great and powerful!

People everywhere see your splendor.

Your glorious majesty streams from the heavens,

filling the earth with the fame of your name!

2You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies.

Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children.

This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth.

Childlike worship will silenceb

the madness of those who oppose you.

3Look at the splendor of your skies,

your creative genius glowing in the heavens.

When I gaze at your moon and your stars,

mounted like jewels in their settings,

I know you are the fascinating artist who fashioned it all!

But when I look up and see

such wonder and workmanship above,

I have to ask you this question:

4Compared to all this cosmic glory,c

why would you bother with puny, mortal man

or be infatuated with Adam’s sons?

5Yet what honor you have given to men,

created only a little lower than Elohim,d

crowned like kings and queense with glory and magnificence.

6You have delegated to them

mastery over all you have made,

making everything subservient to their authority,

placing earth itself under the feet of your image-bearers.f

7–8All the created order and every living thing

of the earth, sky, and sea—

the wildest beasts and all the sea creatures—

everything is in submission to Adam’s sons.

9Lord, your name is so great and powerful.

People everywhere see your majesty!

What glory streams from the heavens,

filling the earth with the fame of your name!

aThis inscription in the Septuagint is “To the director over the wine vats.”

b8:2 There may be a vast difference between the glory of the heavens and the little mouths of children and babies, yet by both the majestic name of the Lord is revealed. It is amazing that perfected praises do not rise to God from the cherubim or seraphim, but from children and babies, the weakest of humanity.

c8:4 David looked away from the darkness of earth and saw the divine order of the universe. This psalm is meant to join the earth to the heavens and to bring the heavenly glory into the earth, making the heavens and the earth one.

d8:5 This is the same Hebrew word used for the Creator-God in Gen. 1:1.

e8:5 The concept of kings and queens is implied in the text by the word crowned.

f8:6 The Septuagint translation of 8:5–7 is quoted in Heb. 2:6–8. Today, all things are not yet under our feet. Even mosquitoes still come to defeat us. But there will be a time of restoration because of Christ’s redemption, when everything will rest beneath our authority. See Isa. 11:6–9; 65:25; Matt. 19:28; Rev. 20:4–6.

9 TRIUMPHANT THANKS

For the Pure and Shining One

To the tune of “The Secrets of the Son,”a by King David

1Lord, I will worship you with extended hands

as my whole heart explodes with praise!

I will tell everyone everywhere about your wonderful works

and how your marvelous miracles exceed expectations!

2I will jump for joy and shout in triumph

as I sing your song and make music for the Most High God.

3For when you appear, I worship

while all of my enemies run in retreat.

They stumble and perish before your presence.

4For you have stood up for my cause

and vindicated me when I needed you the most.

From your righteous throne you have given me justice.

5With a blast of your rebuke nations are destroyed.

You obliterated their names forever and ever.

6The Lord thundered and our enemies have been cut off,

vanished in everlasting ruins.

All their cities have been destroyed—

even the memory of them has been erased.

7But the Lord of eternity, our mighty God, lives and reigns forever!

He sits enthroned as King ready to render his verdicts

and judge all with righteousness.

8He will issue his decrees of judgment,

deciding what is right for the entire world,

dispensing justice to all.

9All who are oppressed may come to you as a

shelter in the time of trouble, a perfect hiding place.

10May everyone who knows your mercy

keep putting their trust in you,

for they can count on you for help no matter what.

O Lord, you will never, no never, neglect those

who come to you.

11Listen, everyone! Sing out your praises to the God

who lives and rules within Zion!

Tell the world about all the miracles he has done!

12He tracks down killers and avenges bloodshed,

but he will never forget the ones forgotten by others,

hearing every one of their cries for justice.

13So now, O Lord, don’t forget me.

Have mercy on me.

Take note of how I’ve been humiliated

at the hands of those who hate me.

Bring me back again from the brink, from the very gates of death.

14Save me! Bring me to the spiritual gates of Zionb

so I can bring you the shout of praise you deserve.

15For the godless nations get trapped

in the very snares they set for others.

The hidden trap they set for the weak

has snapped shut upon themselves—guilty!

16The Lord is famous for this: his justice will punish the wicked.

While they are digging a pit for others,

they are actually setting the terms for their own judgment.

They will fall into their own pit.

Consider the truth of this and pause in his presencec

17Don’t forget this: all the wicked will one day

fall into the darkness of death’s domain and remain there,

including the nations that forget God and reject his ways.

18He will not ignore forever all the needs of the poor,

for those in need shall not always be crushed.

Their hopes shall be fulfilled, for God sees it all!

19Lord, won’t you now arise to judge and

punish the nations who defy you?

Aren’t you fed up with their rebellion?

20Make them tremble in fear before your presence.

Place a lawgiver over them.

Make them know that they are only puny, frail humans

who must give account to you!

Pause in his presence

aAs translated by Augustine, an early church father. The Hebrew is “to the death of the Son.”

b9:14 Or “Daughter Gates of Zion.”

c9:16 The Hebrew word higayon means “to consider the truth of the matter.”

10 THE CRY OF THE OPPRESSEDa

1Lord, you seem so far away when evil is near!

Why do you stand so far off as though you don’t care?

Why have you hidden yourself when I need you the most?

2The arrogant in their elitist pride persecute the poor and helpless.

May you pour out upon them

the very evil they’ve planned against others!

3How they brag and boast of their cravings, exalting the greedy.

They congratulate themselves as they despise you.

4These arrogant ones, so smug and secure!

In their delusion the wicked boast, saying,

“God doesn’t care about what we do.

There’s nothing to worry about!

Our wealth will last a lifetime.”

5So seemingly successful are they in their schemes,

prosperous in all their plans and scoffing at any restraint.

6They boast that neither God nor men will bring them down.

They sneer at all their enemies, saying in their hearts,

“We’ll have success in all we do

and never have to face trouble”—

never realizing that they are speaking this in vain.

7Their mouths spout out cursing, lies, and threats.

Only trouble and turmoil come from all their plans.

8–9Like beasts lurking in the shadows of the city

they crouch silently in ambush for the people to pass by.

Pouncing on the poor, they catch them in their snare

to murder their prey in secret

as they plunder their helpless victims.

10They crush the lowly as they fall beneath their brutal blows,

watching their victims collapse in defeat!

11Then they say to themselves,

“The Lofty One is not watching while we do this.

He doesn’t even care! We can get away with it!”

12Now is the time to arise, Lord! Crush them once and for all!

Don’t forget the forgotten and the helpless.

13How dare the wicked think they’ll escape judgment,

believing that you would not

call them to account for all their ways.

Don’t let the wicked get away with their contempt of you!

14Lord, I know you see all that they’re doing,

noting their each and every deed.

You know the trouble and turmoil they’ve caused.

Now punish them thoroughly for all that they’ve done!

The poor and helpless ones trust in you, Lord,

for you are famous for being the helper of the fatherless.

I know you won’t let them down.

15Break the power of the wicked and all their strong-arm tactics.

Search them out and destroy them

for the evil things they’ve done.

16You, Lord, are King forever and ever!

You will see to it that all the nations perish from your land.

17Lord, you know and understand all the hopes of the humble

and will hear their cries and comfort their hearts,

helping them all!

18The orphans and the oppressed will be terrified no longer,

for you will bring them justice, and no one will trouble them.

aIt is likely that Pss. 9 and 10 were originally one psalm. Eight Hebrew manuscripts unite them as well as the Aramaic, Septuagint, and the Latin Vulgate. The Catholic Bible is based on the Latin Vulgate and therefore has a different numbering for the Psalms.

11 SONG OF THE STEADFAST

For the Pure and Shining One, by King David

1–2Lord, don’t you hear

what my well-meaning friends keep saying to me:

“Run away while you can!

Fly away like a bird to hide in the mountains for safety.

For your enemies have prepared a trap for you!

They plan to destroy you with their slander and deceitful lies.

Can’t you see them hiding

in their place of darkness and shadows?

They’re set against you and all those who live upright lives.”

But don’t they know, Lord,

that I have made you my only hiding place?

Don’t they know that I always trust in you?

3What can the righteous accomplish

when truth’s pillars are destroyed and law and order collapse?

4Yet the Eternal One is never shaken—a

he is still found in his temple of holiness,

reigning as Lord and King over all.

He is closely watching everything that happens.

And with a glance, his eyes examine every heart.b

For his heavenly rule will prevail over all.

5He will test both the righteous and the wicked,

exposing each heart.

God’s very soul detests those who love to resort to violence.

6He will rain down upon them judgment for their sins.

A scorching wind will be their portion and lot in life.

7But remember this: the Righteous Lord loves

what is right and just, and every godly one

will come into his presence and gaze upon his face!

a11:4 This is an implied contrast made explicit from the text. This psalm shows the contrast between what can be shaken and what is unshakable.

b11:4 The actual Hebrew is “his eyelids.” Some see the “eyelid” as the lid of the ark of covenant, which was the mercy seat.

12 SONG FOR THE NEW DAY

For the Pure and Shining One

A song of smiting, sung for the new day by King Davida

1Help, Lord! Save us! For godly ones are swiftly disappearing.

Where are the dependable, principled ones?

They’re a vanishing breed!

2Everyone lies, everyone flatters, and everyone deceives.

Nothing but empty talk, smooth talk, and double-talk.

Where are the truthful?

3–4I know the Lord will not deal gently with people like that!

You will destroy every proud liar who says, “We lie all we want.

Our words are our weapons, and we won’t be held accountable.

Who can stop us?”

May the Lord cut off their twisted tongues

and seal their lying lips.

May they all be silenced—those who boast and brag with their

high-minded talk about doing whatever they want.

5But the Lord says, “Now I will arise!

I will defend the poor,

those who were plundered, the oppressed,

and the needy who groan for help.

I will arise to rescue and protect them!”

6For every word God speaks is sure and every promise pure.

His truth is tested, found to be flawless, and ever faithful.

It’s as pure as silver refined seven times in a crucible of clay.b

7–8Lord, you will keep us forever safe,

out of the reach of the wicked.

Even though they strut and prowl,

tolerating and celebrating what is worthless and vile,

you will still lift up those who are yours!

aThe events surrounding this psalm could be the killing of the priests by Saul in 1 Sam. 22:17–19. Saul ordered the death of “eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.” The killing rampage continued until an entire community of priests had been slaughtered with their women and children. This great evil marked David from that day forward. The inscription found in the Septuagint is “The Eighth Psalm of David.”

b12:6 The clay furnace is the heart of man. We are the earthen vessels inside which God has placed his flawless words. His words test us, they try us, and they refine us, seven times over, until they are purified and assimilated into our spirits. The fire of testing purifies us as vessels to carry the Word within our hearts.

13 PRAYER TURNS DEPRESSION INTO DELIGHTa

For the Pure and Shining One, by King David

1I’m hurting, Lord—will you forget me forever?b

How much longer, Lord?

Will you look the other way when I’m in need?c

2How much longer must I cling to this constant grief?

I’ve endured this shaking of my soul.

So how much longer will my enemy have the upper hand?

It’s been long enough!

3Take a good look at me, God, and answer me!

Breathe your life into my spirit.

Bring light to my eyes in this pitch-black darkness

or I will sleep the sleep of death.

4Don’t let my enemy proclaim, “I’ve prevailed over him.”

For all my adversaries will celebrate when I fall.

5Lord, I have always trusted in your kindness, so answer me.

I will yet celebrate with passion and joy

when your salvationd lifts me up.

6I will sing my song of joy to you, the Most High,

for in all of this you have strengthened my soul.

My enemies say that I have no Savior,

but I know that I have one in you!

aSome believe David composed this shortly after being anointed to be the king of Israel. David knew greatness was his destiny, but he struggled with the persecution and challenges that came before his exaltation. In the wilderness David trusts and prays his way out.

b13:1 This is the psalm that describes the journey from self to God, from despair to delight, from feeling abandoned to feeling affirmed. It begins with pain and ends with praise. Moaning gives way to music. We each can take comfort in what David experienced.

c13:1 David feels as though God is hiding his face from his cries. David is left alone to wrestle with his doubts, feeling as though his patience can hold on no longer. Have you ever been there?

d13:5 The term for “salvation” is yeshu’sh, which is nearly identical to Jesus, our Salvation. Our Savior plans blessings and hope for each of us as we trust in him.

14 GOD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVENa

For the Pure and Shining One, by King David

1Only the withering soulb would say to himself,

“There is no God.”

Anyone who thinks like this is corrupt and callous,

depraved and detestable, devoid of what is good.

2The Lord looks down in love,

bending over heaven’s balcony,

looking over all of Adam’s sons and daughters.

He’s looking to see if there is anyone who acts wisely,

any who are searching for God and wanting to please him.

3But no, everyone has wandered astray,

walking stubbornly toward evil.

Not one is good; he can’t even find one.

4Look how they live in luxury while exploiting my people!

Won’t these workers of wickedness ever learn?

They don’t ever even think of praying to God.

5But just look at them now, in panic, trembling with terror.

For the Lord is on the side of the generation of loyal lovers.

6The Lord is always the safest place for the poor

when the workers of wickedness oppress them.

7How I wish that Israel’s rescue

would arise from the midst of Zion!

When his people are restored,

Jacob’s joy will break forth

and Israel will be glad!

aWith few differences, Ps. 14 and Ps. 53 are nearly identical. Ps. 14 is practical; Ps. 53 is prophetic. Ps. 14 deals with the past, Ps. 53 with the future.

b14:1 Or “fool.” The word for “fool” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “withering.” If we make no room for God, we have withered hearts, our moral sense of righteousness is put to sleep, and the noble aspirations of the heart shrivel up and die.

15 LIVING IN THE SHINING PLACEa

A poetic song, by King David

1Lord, who dares to dwell with you?

Who presumes the privilege of being close to you,

living next to you in your shining place of glory?b

Who are those who daily dwell in the life of the Holy Spirit?c

2They are passionate and wholehearted,

always sincere and always speaking the truth—

for their hearts are trustworthy.

3They refuse to slanderd or insult others;

they’ll never listen to gossip or rumors,

nor would they ever harm another with their words.

4They will speak out passionately against evil and evil workers

while commending the faithful ones who follow after the truth.

They make firm commitments and follow through,

even at great cost.

5They never crush others with exploitation or abuse

and they would never be bought with a bribe

against the innocent.

They will never be shaken; they will stand firm forever.

aPerhaps David’s prophetic minstrels sang this song of instruction as they laid the ark to rest in David’s tent. It is a song that reveals who will dwell in God’s holy presence and who will live with him in heaven’s glory. It actually is a description of Zion’s perfect Man, Christ Jesus, and all those who are transformed into his image (Rom. 8:29).

b15:1 The Hebrew word for “sanctuary” is taken from a root word for “shining place.”

c15:1 This psalm gives us David’s Sermon on the Mount. If we will dwell in the Holy Place, there must first be a holy place in our spirits where God dwells. God’s guests must submit to the holiness that lives there. There is etiquette for God’s house revealed in this psalm.

d15:3 The Hebrew word for “slander,” ragal, means to spy on someone and look for evil to use against him.

16 THE GOLDEN SECRET

A precious song, engraved in gold, by King Davida

1Keep me safe, O mighty God.

I run for dear life to you, my safe place.

2So I said to the Lord God,

“You are my Maker, my Mediator, and my Master.

Any good thing you find in me has come from you.”b

3And he said to me, “My holy lovers are wonderful,

my majestic ones, my glorious ones,

fulfilling all my desires.”

4Yet there are those who yield to their weakness,c

and they will have troubles and sorrows unending.

I never gather with such ones,d

nor give them honor in any way.

5Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance.

You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion.

I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands.e

6Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places.

I’m overwhelmed by the privileges

that come with following you,

for you have given me the best!

7The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more,

for your whispers in the night give me wisdom,

showing me what to do next.

8Because you are close to me and always available,

my confidence will never be shaken,

for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.

9My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory!

Even my body will rest confident and secure.

10For you will not abandon me to the realm of death,

nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption.f

11For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life,

the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.g

aThe Hebrew word used in the inscription is michtam. There are many variations of translation for this word. Here are the major ones: golden, graven, a permanent writing, precious, hidden, or jewel. The Septuagint renders this “a sculptured writing of gold”; other translations call it a “golden poem.” Perhaps the most accepted translation of michtam is “engraved in gold.” This speaks of the divine nature engraved into our hearts by the Word. A new humanity is now stamped with God-life, engraved in his golden glory.

b16:2 The Aramaic text states, “My goodness is found in your presence.”

c16:4 As translated from the Septuagint.

d16:4 As translated from the Septuagint.

e16:5 Implied in the text. The Aramaic reads “You are restoring my inheritance to me.”

f16:10 Or “the pit.” This is likely a metaphor for Sheol.

g16:11 There is no Hebrew word for “presence.” When the Psalmist wanted to speak of God’s presence, he used the Hebrew word for “face.”

17 A CRY FOR JUSTICE

A priestly prayer, by King David

1Listen to me, Lord.

Hear the passionate prayer of this honest man.

It’s my piercing cry for justice!

My cause is just and my need is real.

I’ve done what’s right and my lips speak truth.

2Lord, I always live my life before your face,

so examine and exonerate me.

Vindicate me and show the world I’m innocent.

3For in a visitation of the night

you inspected my heart and refined my soul in fire

until nothing vile was found in me.

I’ve wanted my words and my ways to always agree.

4Following your word has kept me from wrong.

Your ways have molded my footsteps, keeping me

from going down the forbidden paths of the destroyer.

5My steps follow in the tracks of your chariot wheels,

always staying in their path,

never straying from your way.

6You will answer me, God; I know you always will,

like you always do as you listen with love to my every prayer.

7Magnify the marvels of your mercy to all who seek you.a

Make your Pure One wonderful to me,b

like you do for all those who turn aside

to hide themselves in you.

8Protect me from harm;

keep an eye on me like you would a childc

reflected in the twinkling of your eye.

Yes, hide me within the shelter of your embrace,

under your outstretched wings.d

9Protect me there from all my foes.

For there are many who surround my soul

to completely destroy me.

10They are pitiless, heartless—hard as nails,

swollen with pride and filled with arrogance!

11See how they close in on me,

waiting for the chance to throw me to the ground.e

12They’re like lions eager to tear me apart,

like young and fearless lions lurking in secret,

so ferocious and cruel—ready to rip me to shreds.

13Arise, God, and confront them!

Challenge them with your might!f

Free me from their clutches and rescue me from their rage.

14Throw them down to the ground,

those who live for only this life on earth.

Thrust them out of their prosperity

and into their portion in eternity,

leaving their wealth and wickedness behind!

15As for me, because I am innocent I will seeg your face

until I see you for who you really are.

Then I will awaken with your form and be fully satisfied,h

fulfilled in the revelation of your glory in me!

a17:7 As translated from the Septuagint.

b17:7 As translated from the Aramaic.

c17:8 Or “daughter.”

d17:8 This could also be a reference to the mercy seat, where sacred blood was sprinkled in the Holy of Holies. There the golden cherubim overshadowed all who entered the divine chamber (Ex. 25:18–20).

e17:11 This is also what the soldiers did to Jesus. They threw him to the ground and nailed him to the cross.

f17:13 The word used here is sword. An alternative translation would be “Rescue my soul from the wicked one, who is your sword.” The wicked are sometimes God’s tools to execute his judgments (Isa. 10:5; Jer. 51:20).

g17:15 The Hebrew word for “gaze,” chaza, means “to see a vision.”

h17:15 The Aramaic can be translated “I will be satisfied when your faith is awakened.”

18 I LOVE YOU, LORD

Praises sung to the Pure and Shining One, by King David, his servant,a composed when the Lord rescued David from all his many enemies, including from the brutality of Saulb

1Lord, I passionately love you and I’m bonded to you,c

I want to embrace you,d for now you’ve become my power!

2You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet,

like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress,

my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape,

my tower of rescue where none can reach me.

My secret strength and shield around me,

you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside,e

always the champion of my cause.

3All I need to do is to call to you,

singing to you, the praiseworthy God.

When I do, I’m safe and sound in you.

4–5For when the ropes of death wrapped around me

and terrifying torrents of destruction overwhelmed me,f

taking me to death’s door, to doom’s domain,

6I cried out to you in my distress, the delivering God,

and from your temple-throne you heard my troubled cry.

My sobs came right into your heart

and you turned your face to rescue me.g

7The earth itself shivered and shook.

It reeled and rocked before him.

As the mountains trembled, they melted away!

For his anger was kindled, burning on my behalf.

8Fierce flames leapt from his mouth,

erupting with blazing, burning coals as smoke

and fire encircled him.

9–10He stretched heaven’s curtain open and came to my defense.

Swiftly he rode to earth as the stormy sky was lowered.

He rode a chariot of thunderclouds amidst thick darkness,

a cherub his steed as he swooped down,

soaring on the wings of Spirit-wind.

11Wrapped and hidden in the thick-cloud darkness,

his thunder-tabernacle surrounded him.

He hid himself in mystery-darkness;

the dense rain clouds were his garments.

12Suddenly the brilliance of his presence broke through

with lightning bolts and with a mighty storm from heaven—

like a tempest dropping coals of fire.

13The Lord thundered, the great God above every god

spoke with his thunder-voice from the skies.

What fearsome hailstones and flashes of fire were before him!

14He released his lightning-arrows, and routed my foes.

See how they ran and scattered in fear!

15Then with his mighty roar he laid bare the foundations of the earth,

uncovering the secret source of the sea.

The hidden depths of land and sea were exposed

by the hurricane-blast of his hot breath.

16He then reached down from heaven,

all the way from the sky to the sea.

He reached down into my darkness to rescue me!

He took me out of my calamity and chaos

and drew me to himself,

taking me from the depths of my despair!

17Even though I was helpless in the hands

of my hateful, strong enemy,h

you were good to deliver me.

18When I was at my weakest, my enemies attacked—

but the Lord held on to me.

19His love broke open the way

and he brought me into a beautiful broad place.i

He rescued me—because his delight is in me!j

20He rewarded me for doing what’s right and staying pure.

21I will follow his commands and never stop.

I’ll not sin by ceasing to follow him, no matter what.

22For I’ve kept my eyes focused on his righteous words

and I’ve obeyed everything that he’s told me to do.

23I’ve done my best to be blameless and to follow all his ways,

keeping my heart pure.

24I’ve kept my integrity by surrendering to him.

And so the Lord has rewarded me with his blessing.

This is the treasure I discovered

when I kept my heart clean before his eyes.

25Lord, it is clear to me now that how we live

will dictate how you deal with us.k

Good people will taste your goodness, Lord.

And to those who are loyal to you,

you love to prove that you are loyal and true.

26And for those who are purified, they find you always pure.

But you’ll outwit the crooked and cunning with your craftiness.

27To the humble you bring heaven’s deliverance.