Praying the Psalms (Page 2)

A SONG OF ASCENTS.Remember, O LORD, in David’s favour, all the hardships he endured,how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,“I will not enter my house or get into my bed,I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelidsuntil I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.“Let us…

A SONG OF ASCENTS.Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!O Lord, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,more than watchmen for the morning.O Israel,…

A SONG OF ASCENTS.“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—let Israel now say—“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,yet they have not prevailed against me.The plowers plowed upon my back;they made long their furrows.”The LORD is righteous;he has cut the cords of the wicked.May all who hate Zion be put to shameand turned backward!Let them be like the grass on the housetops,which withers before it grows up,with which the reaper does not fill his handnor the binder of…

A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF SOLOMON.Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;for he gives to his beloved sleep.Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of…

A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID.If it had not been the LORD who was on our side— let Israel now say—if it had not been the LORD who was on our sidewhen people rose up against us,then they would have swallowed us up alive,when their anger was kindled against us;then the flood would have swept us away,the torrent would have gone over us;then over us would have gone the raging waters.Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as…

A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID.I was glad when they said to me,“Let us go to the house of the LORD!”Our feet have been standingwithin your gates, O Jerusalem!Jerusalem— built as a citythat is bound firmly together,to which the tribes go up,the tribes of the LORD,as was decreed for Israel,to give thanks to the name of the LORD.There thrones for judgement were set,the thrones of the house of David.Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!“May they be secure who love you!Peace…

A SONG OF ASCENTS.In my distress I called to the LORD,and he answered me.Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips,from a deceitful tongue.What shall be given to you,and what more shall be done to you,you deceitful tongue?A warrior’s sharp arrows,with glowing coals of the broom tree!Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!Too long have I had my dwellingamong those who hate peace.I am for peace,but when I speak, they are for war!…

A PSALM OF DAVID.The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand,until I make your enemies your footstool.”The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty sceptre.Rule in the midst of your enemies!Your people will offer themselves freelyon the day of your power, in holy garments;from the womb of the morning,the dew of your youth will be yours.The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind.“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”The Lord is at…

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.Be not silent, O God of my praise!For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,speaking against me with lying tongues.They encircle me with words of hate,and attack me without cause.In return for my love they accuse me,but I give myself to prayer.So they reward me evil for good,and hatred for my love.Appoint a wicked man against him;let an accuser stand at his right hand.When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;let his…

Praise the LORD!Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever!Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,or declare all his praise?Blessed are they who observe justice,who do righteousness at all times!Remember me, O LORD, when you show favour to your people;help me when you save them,that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,that I may glory with your inheritance.Both we…

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;make known his deeds among the peoples!Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!Remember the wondrous works that he has done,his miracles, and the judgements he uttered,O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!He is the LORD our God;…

Bless the LORD, O my soul!O LORD my God, you are very great!You are clothed with splendour and majesty,covering yourself with light as with a garment,stretching out the heavens like a tent.He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;he makes the clouds his chariot;he rides on the wings of the wind;he makes his messengers winds,his ministers a flaming fire.He set the earth on its foundations,so that it should never be moved.You covered it with the deep as with…