Psalm

PSALMS.

HAPPY the man, who hath not walked by the counsel of the wicked; nor stood in the way of sinners; nor sat in the seat of the scornful. His delight will be in the law of the Lord otily. 3 And on his law he will meditate day and night. And he will be like the tree planted by the streams of water, which will yield its fruit in due season, and its fruit shall not fall uo>

4 timely. In all that he doth he shall be prospered. Not so the wicked; not so. They are like the chaff”, which the wind dri-

5 veth from the face of the earth. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the right-

6 eous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

II.

WHY did nations rage? And tribes meditate vain things?

2 The kings of the earth combined; and the chiefs assembled together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, [saying]

3 ” Let us break their bands asunder and throw off from us their yoke.”

4 He who dwelleth in heaven will laugh them to scorn—the

5 Lord will treat them with derision. Then will he speak to them

6 in his wrath and trouble them with his sore displeasure. But as for me, by him I am appointed king on Sion his holy moun-

7 tain. I proclaim the decree of the Lord; to me the Lord said,

8 ” Thou art my Son, this day I have begotten thee, Ask of me, and I will give thee nations for thine inheritance, and the

9 utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron. Thou shalt break them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise : Be instructed, all ye, who judge the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear: and rejoice for him with trem-

12 bling. Keep fast hold of instruction; the Lord may be angry and you may perish out of the right way. When his anger suddenly blazeth forth, happy are all they who have trusted in him.

III. 4

A Psalm by David, when he fled from the presence of his son

Abessalom.

1 O LORD ! why have they who afflicted me multiplied?

2 Many are risen up against me. Many say respecting my life, In this God of his he hath no safety.

3 But thou, O Lord, art my protector; my glory, and the lift-

4 er up of my head. With my voice I cried to the Lord, and from his holy mount he heard me.

5 I laid me down to rest and slept—I awoke. Because the

6 Lord will protect me, I will not be afraid of myriads of people—of them who are besetting me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! Because thou hast smitten all them, who foolishly were mine enemies—hast

8 broken the teeth of sinners : this deliverance is the Lord’s: let thy blessing be upon thy people also.

IV.

For the conclusion -with psalms. An Ode by David.

1 WHEN I made my supplication; my righteous God heard me : thou hast enlarged me in distress : be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2 Sons of men ! how long will you be stubborn ! why love

3 ye vanity and seek falsehood? Know that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful. The Lord will hearken to me when I cry

4 to him. Are you provoked to wrath? Do not therefore commit sin.

5 What you say in your hearts be sorry for, on your beds. Offer

6 a sacrifice of righteousness and trust in the Lord. Many say, Who will shew us good things? On us, Lord, is marked the

7 light of thy countenance : thou hast put gladness in my heart.

8 Because of the increase of their com and wine and oil they are filled; while I will lay me down in peace and sleep because thou, O Lord, hast only caused me to dwell in hope.

V.

For the conclusion, concerning her -who obtaincth the inheritance. A Psalm by David.

1 O LORD, hear my words—attend to my cry. Listen to

2 the sound of my prayer, my king and my God ! For to thee,

0 Lord, I will pray.

3 In the morning thou shalt hear my voice: in the morning

1 will wait on thee and look up.

4 Because thou art not a God pleased with iniquity; there –

5 fore he who is wicked cannot dwell near thee : nor shall transgressors continue in thy presence.

6 Thou O Lord, hatest all the workers of iniquity: thou wilt destroy all them who speak lies—a bloody and deceitful

7 man the Lord abhorreth. As for me, I through thine abundant mercy, will go to thy house: I will worship before thy holy temple, in thy fear.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy saving goodness: direct my way before thee, because of mine enemies—because there is

9 no truth in their mouth. Their heart is false; their throat, an open sepulchre : with their tongue they practised deceit.

10 Judge them, O God; let them fall for their devices : according to the multitude of their crimes cast them out; because they have provoked thee, O Lord.

11 ‘ But let all, whose hope is in thee, rejoice. They shall exult forever, and thou wilt dwell among them : and all who love thy name will glory in thee; because thou wilt bless the righteous. Thou, O Lord, hast covered us as with armour of favour.

VI.

For the conclusion, among Hymns for the eighth day. A 
Psalm by David. 

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath; nor chasten me in thine anger.

2 Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.

3 > My soul is troubled exceedingly : but O Lord, for how long?

4 Return, O Lord; deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy’s sake.

5 For in death none can make mention of thee. In the mansion of the dead, who can give thee thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning. Am I every night to bedew my bed and water my couch with my tears?

– 7 Mine eye is troubled with indignation : I am grown old among all mine enemies.

8 Away from me, all ye workers of iniquity. For the Lord

9 hath heard the voice of my weeping—the Lord hath heard my supplication : the Lord hath received my petition.

10 Let all mine enemies be shamed and greatly troubled. Let them be turned back and instantly put to shame.

VII.

A Psalm by David which he sung to the Lord respecting 
the words of Chousi the Jeminite. 

1 O LORD, my God, in thee I have put my trust: save me

2 from all my persecutors and deliver me : perhaps he like a lion may tear my soul; if there be none to redeem—none to deliver.

3 O Lord, my God, if I have done this—if there be iniquity

4 in my hands: if I have requited them evil who did me wrong; let me fall by mine enemies as a worthless man: let mine enemy pursue my soul and take it—let him tread down my life to the earth and lay my honour in the dust.

6 Arise, O Lord, in thine indignation : exalt thyself in the borders of mine enemies. Awake, O Lord my God, in the

7 judgment thou hast enjoined. And when the congregation of the tribes encompass thee; ascend thou on high above them :

8 The Lord is the judge of the tribes : judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness : and according to mine innocence

9 be for me. Let the wickedness of sinners be brought to an end.

Thou wilt indeed direct the righteous : thou art the God

10 who searcheth hearts and reins. Rightful is my help from that God who saveth the upright in heart.

11 God, who is a judge just and powerful; (though he is long

12 suffering and doth not execute vengeance every day) will, unless you turn back, sharpen his sword. He hath bent his baw

13 ai*d made it ready: and hath fitted to it the instruments of death—those flaming bolts of his which he hath forged.

14 Behold this man liath travailed with injustice. He conceived

15 mischief and brought forth iniquity : he hath digged a pit and covered it: into the pit which lie made he will fall: his mischief will return on his own head—on his own head his injustice will come down. I shall praise the Lord for his loving kindness. I shall sing to the name of the Lord Most High.

VIII.

For the conclusion. For the ivine presses. A Psalm by David.

1 O LORD, our Lord, how thy name ought to be admired in all the earth, since thine excellence is exalted above the hea-

2 vens ! From the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise, on account of thine enemies—[on account J of destroying an enemy and a revenger.

3 When I behold the heavens, the work of thy fingers—the

4 moon and stars which thou hast established, what is man that thou shouldst be mindful of him, or a son of man that thou

5 shouldst visit him! Thou madest him a little lower than angels,

6 with glory and honour thou hast crowned him, and set him over the works of thy hands. Thou hast put all things under his

7 feet—flocks and herds of all sorts—also the beasts of the field—

8 the birds of the air, and fishes of the sea—whatever travel the

9 paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how thy name ought to be admired in all the earth!

IX.

For the conclusion. On the mysteries of the Son. A Psalm by

David.

1 I WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I win

2 relate all thy wondrous works. Let me be gladdened and rejoice in thee; to thy name I will sing, O thou Most High.

3 When this enemy of mine is turned back, at thy presence they

4 shall faint and perish; because thou hast maintained my right and my cause. » .

5 Thou the righteous judge hast sat on the throne; thou hast rebuked nations, and the wicked one is destroyed. Thou hast

6 blotted out their Name forever and ever. The enemy’s swords have utterly failed, and thou hast completely destroyed citks, the memorial of them with their din is gone. –

»

7 But the Lord will endure forever: he hath prepared his

8 throne for judgment; he will judge the world with righteous-

9 ness—with rectitude he will judge tribes. The Lord was a

10 refuge for the distressed, a seasonable helper in adversity. Let them who know thy name confide in tliee; For thou, O Lord, hast not forsalcen them who seek thee.

11 Sing to the Lord who dwelleth in Sion; among the nations

12 proclaim his designs, for in making inquisition for blood, he had them in remembrance—he forgot not the prayer of the distressed.

13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord! Behold my affliction, because of mine enemies, Othou who raisest me up from the gates

14 of death, that I may proclaim all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion. Let me exult with joy for thy salvation.

15 The nations were completely entrapped by the destruction which they contrived; in the gin which they hid, their foot is

16 caught. The Lord is known by executing judgments: by the works of his own hands the sinner is taken.

A responsive Ode.

17 LET the sinners be turned back to the mansion of the dead—all the nations who forget God.

18 For the poor shall not be quite forgotten—the expectation of the needy shall never perish.

19 Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail—let nations be judged irt thy presence.

20 Appoint, O Lord, a legislator over them—let nations know that they are men.

X.

WHY, O Lord, hast thou stood at a distance—dost thou overlook at proper occasions—in adversity ?

2 When the wicked exulteth with pride, the poor is set on fire—they are caught by the counsels which they devise.

3 Because the sinner is praised for the desires of his soul; —therefore he who committeth injustice is blessed.

4 The sinner hath greatly provoked the Lord—according to his great anger will he not make inquisition ?

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5 God is not before his eyes—his ways are polluted on every occasion.

Thy judgments are removed from his sight—shall he have a mastery over all his enemies ?

6 For he said in his heart, I shall not be moved and I shall never be in adversity.

Is not his mouth full of cursing, and bitterness and deceit?

8 —Under his tongue there is mischief and sorrow.

He sat in secret places with the rich to slay the innocent— His eyes are on the watch for the distressed.

9 He lurketh in secret like a lion in his den—He lurketh to make a prey of the poor.

To make a prey of the poor when he hath drawn him in— in his net he will humble him.—

10 He will stoop and crouch at his tyrannising over the poor—

11 For he said in his heart God hath forgotten—He hath turned his face from ever seeing.

12 Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be lifted up—Forget not the oppressed.

13 Why hath the wicked provoked God ?—For he said in his heart, He will not make inquisition.

14 Thou seest (for thou observest mischief and wrath)—That they have delivered themselves into thy hands.

To thee the poor hath committed himself—Thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the sinful and malicious man.—Let his sin be sought out till no more can be found.

16 Let the Lord reign for ever and ever!

17 Perish ye nations out of his land! The Lord hath hearkened to the desire of the oppressed.—

Thine ear hath attended to the preparation of their heart;

18 to administer justice to the fatherless and the weak—

That man may no longer continue his insolence in the land.

XI.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 IN the Lord I have placed my confidence, how say ye to my soul, “away to the mountains as an ostrich.

2 For behold the sinners have bent a bow: they have provided arrows for a quiver; to shoot privily the upright in heart.

3 For what thou didst build up, they have pulled down.”

4 Now what hath the righteous done ? The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord, whose throne is in heaven; whose eyes look down on the needy; whose eye lids examine the

5 sons of men—the Lord examineth both the righteous and the wicked. He then who loveth iniquity hateth his own soul.

6 Upon the wicked he will rain snares. Fire and brimstone and a tempestuous wind, shall be the portion of their cup.

7 Because the Lord is righteous, therefore he loved righteousness ; his countenance beheld uprightness.

XII.

For the conclusion, for the eighth [tlay~\ A Psalm by David.

1 SAVE me, O Lord! for a holy one hath ceased; for truths

2 are scarce among the sons of men. They spoke vanities one to another: their lips are deceitful, they spoke with a double heart.—

3 May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips; and the tongue

4 which speaketh swelling words—them who say, ” We will magnify our tongue: our lips are our own: who is Lord over us?”

5 Because of the oppression of the poor; because of the groans of the needy ; now will I arise, saith the Lord ; I will set in safety and speak boldly.

6 The oracles of the Lord are pure oracles—tried silver, clear

7 of dross, seven times purified. Thou, O Lord, wilt keep us and preserve us, from this generation, and forever.

8 The wicked are walking about: thou, in thy sublimity, hast carefully observed the sons of men.

XIII.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 HOW long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me ? For ever ? How long wilt thou turn away thy face from me ?

2 How long shall I revolve counsels in my mind, and sorrows in my heart ? For years ? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me ?

3 . Look down, hearken to me, O Lord, my God. Enlighten

4 mine eyes, that I may not sleep unto death—lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed over him. They who afflict me will rejoice, if I be moved.

5 As for me, I have trusted in thy mercy : let my heart re^ joice in thy salvation : I will sing to the Lord my benefactor; and hymn to the name of the Lord Most High.

XIV.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 THE fool said in his heart, There is no God. They are cor- rupt and by their works abominable : there is none who doeth good. No not one.

2 The Lord looked down from heaven on the children of men; to see if any had understanding or were seeking God.

3 They had all gone aside, they were altogether become vile: there is none who doeth good—no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre : with their tongues they practised deceit: the poison of asps is under the lips of them whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood : destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace they did not know : there is no fear of God before their eyes.

4 Will they all continue senseless? They are going on in a course of iniquity : they are eating up my people as they do

5 bread: they have not called on the Lord. They were seized with terror, where there was no fear; because God was among a righteous generation.

6 Have you despised the counsel of the poor; because his trust is in the Lord?

7 O that he would for Sion’s sake send deliverance to Israel! When the Lord hath brought back the captives of his people: Let Jacob rejoice and let Israel be glad.

XV.

A Psalm by David.

1 O LORD ! who shall sojourn at thy tabernacle? And who shall dwell on thy holy mountain?

2 He who walketh blameless and worketh righteousness:

3 And who speaketh truth from his heart. Who hath not deceived with his tongue; nor done evil to his neighbour; nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours. In whose sight an evil doer is contemned; but who honoureth them who fear the

5 Lord : who sweareth to his neighbour; and doth not violate his engagements: who hath not lent his money on usury; nor taken bribes against the innocent. He whose practise is such, shall never be moved.

XVI.

An inscription for a pillar. By David.

1 PRESERVE me, O Lord : for in thee I have trusted. I

2 said to the Lord, Thou art my Lord: thou hast no need of my

3 goods. By the hallowed things in this land of his he had mar- vellously displayed all his designs. Their infirmities were multiplied : after these hallowed things they hastened.

4 I will no more assemble their congregations for blood,

5 nor make mention of their names with my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup : thou art he who re-

6 storeth me mine inheritance. The lines have fallen to me in the best places : for this inheritance of mine is the best for me.

7 I will bless the Lord who hath given me understanding :

8 even now at night my reins have instructed me. I saw the Lord continually before me. Because he is at my right hand

9 that I may not be moved; therefore my heart was gladdened; and my tongue exulted with joy : moreover my flesh also will

10 dwell in hope; that thou wilt not leave my soul in the mansion of the dead nor suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life : thou with thy presence wilt fill me with joy. At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

XVII.

A Prayer of David.

1 HEARKEN, O Lord, to my justification; attend to roy supplication : give ear to my prayer which is not made with feigned lips.

2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence : Let mine eyes behold righteous decisions.

3 Thou hast proved my heart: thou hast watched me by night: thou hast tried me : and in me there was found no injustice.

4 That my mouth might not speak the works of these men; I, because of the words of thy lips, kept rugged ways.

5 Establish my footsteps in thy paths; that my footsteps may not be moved.

6 I have cried, because thou, O God, didst hear me: incline

7 thine ear to me and hear my words. Display marvellously thy mercies, O thou, who, with thy right hand, savest from adver-

8 saries them who trust in thee. Keep me as the apple of an eye:

9 with the cover of thy wings thou wilt shelter me from the face

10 of the wicked who afflict me. These enemies of mine beset my

11 soul: they shut up their fat; their mouth spoke proudly. Having driven me out they now enclosed me. They set their eyes

12 inclining to the ground. They observed me, like a lion eager for prey, and like a young lion lurking in coverts.

13 Arise, O Lord, prevent them and cause them to stumble. Deliver my soul from the wicked : wrest thy sword from thine

14 enemies hand. Dismiss them, O Lord, from the land: disperse them in their life time. Though their belly was filled with thy stores; they glutted themselves with swine’s flesh, and left the relicks for their children.

15 But as for me, let me appear righteous before thee; let me be satisfied with a display of thy glory.

XVIII.

For the conclusion. By David the servant of the Lord; who spake to the Lord t/ie words of this Ode on the day whfn

the Lord defwered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and . out of the hand of Saul; and he said,

9

1 I WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength ! The Lord is my support, my refuge arid my deliverer. My God is my helper, in him I will trust; my protector, the horn of my salvation and my defender.

3 In songs of praise I will call on the Lord, and I shall be saved from mine enemies.

4 The pangs of death encompassed me; and floods of iniquity

5 startled me. The pangs of Hades surrounded me, and the

6 snares of death were before me. In my distress I called on the Lord, and to my God I raised my cry. From his holy temple he heard my voice ; and my cry before him reached his ears.

7 Then was the earth shaken: it trembled; and the foundations of the hills were convulsed and shaken ; because at mine

8 enemies God was incensed. A smoke ascended in his ire, and at his presence a fire flamed, by which coals were kindled to a glow. And he bowed the heaven and came down, and darkness

10 was under his feet. He mounted on cherubs and flew—he flew

11 on the wings of Avinds. But he made darkness his covering,

12 His tent around him was dark water in clouds of air. At the flash of the lightning before him, the clouds burst. Hail stones

13 and coals of fire ! Then the Lord thundered from heaven, the

14 Most High uttered his voice : He sent forth his bolts and scattered them; he multiplied his lightnings and confounded them.

15 Then were seen the head springs of waters, and the foundations of the world were disclosed, at thy rebuke, O Lord—at the

16 blowing of the blast of thine anger. He sent from on high

17 and took me—he took me to himself from many waters. He will deliver me from my potent enemies; and from them who

18 hate me; because they are stronger than I. They surprised me in the day of my distress; but the Lord was my firm sup-

19 port; and brought me out to a large place. He will deliver me

20 because he delighted in me. The Lord will reward me according to my righteousness, and recompense me according to the

21 cleanness of my hands. Because I have kept the ways of the

22 Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God—because all his judgments were before me, and his rules of rectitude 23 were not far from me; therefore with him I shall be unble-

24 mished, and I will guard myself from mine iniquity ; and the Lord will reward me according to my righteousness, and ac-

25 cording to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with a harmless

26 man thou wilt be harmless ; with a warrior thou wilt be a war-

27 rior, and with the wily, thou wilt practise wiles. Because thou wilt save a dejected people; therefore the eyes of the lofty

28 thou wilt humble. Because thou, O Lord, wilt light my lamp

29 —thou, O my God, wilt enlighten my darkness—by thee therefore 1 shall be delivered from a roving band ; and by my

30 God I shall overleap a wall. As for my God, his way is spotless—the oracles of the Lord are tried, he is the protector of all

31 who trust in him. For who is God, besides the Lord? And

32 who is God, save our God? It is thou, O God, who girdest

33 me with strength, and hast made my way spotless—who mak- est my feet like those of a hind, and who steadiest me on high

34 places; who instructest my hands for battle, and hast made my arms like a bow of steel, and given me a defence for my safe-

35 ty; and thy right hand hath helped me, and thy discipline hath upheld me to the last: this discipline of thine will still teach

36 me. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, and my tread

37 was not unsteady. I shall pursue mine enemies and overtake

38 them, and not turn back till they are destroyed. I shall harass them that they may not be able to stand; they shall fall down

39 under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength for bat-

40 tie, and subdued under me all that rose up against me. Thou hast given me the backs of mine enemies, and utterly destroyed

41 them who hate me. They cried aloud, but there was no sa-

42 viour—to the Lord, but he hearkened not to them. So that I shall beat them small as dust before the wind, and trample them down like dirt in the street.

43 Deliver me from the contentions of the people. Thou wilt set me at the head of nations.

44 A people whom I knew not, have served me. Soon as they heard, they obeyed me.

45 Strange children have paid me feigned obedience. Strange children became old and limped from their paths.

46 Live the Lord! and blessed be my God ! and let the God of my salvation be exalted—

4,7 The God who hath executed vengeance for me : and subjected peoples under me—my deliverer from outrageous enemies.

48 From them who rise up against me, thou wilt lift me up; from the man of violence thou wilt deliver me.

49 For this cause I will praise thee, O Lord, among the nations : And sing melodiously to thy name.

50 He is magnifying the deliverances of his king, and shewing mercy to his anointed—to David and his seed forever.

XIX.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 THE heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of his hands.

2 Day to day pronounceth a decree ; and night to night proclaimeth knowledge.

3 Are they not speeches and are they not words, of which is not their utterance heard?

4 To every land their sound is gone forth : and their doctrines to the limits of the world.

5 In the sun he placed his tabernacle. And he is like a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber. He will rejoice as a giant to run his course.

6 His going forth is from the summit of heaven ; and his course is to the summit thereof, and from his heat none can be hid.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, it restoreth souls: The testimony of the Lord fs faithful, it maketh infants wise.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, they rejoice the heart. The commandment of the Lord is clear, it enlighteneth the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure, it endureth forever. The judgments of the Lord are true, they are justified for being so.

10 They are more to be desired than gold, or many precious stones ; and sweeter than honey or the honey comb.

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11 These indeed thy servant keepeth ; for keeping them there is a great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from

13 those of mine which are hid; and for those of others, spare thy servant. If they gain not a dominion over me : then shall I be

14 spotless, and clean from great transgression. And the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, will be continually acceptable in thy sight—O Lord, my helper and my re- deemer.

XX.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 THE Lord hearken to thee in a day of distress! The name of the God of Jacob defend thee !

2 May he send thee help from the .Sanctuary : And assist thee out of Sion.

3 May he remember all thy sacrifice ; And make thy whole burnt offerings fat.

4 – May he grant thee thy hearts desire: And fulfil all thy counsel.

6 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfil all thy petitions !

6 Now I know that the Lord hath saved his anointed. From his holy heaven he will hearken to him. The salvation of his right hand is with power.

7 Some boast of chariots and some of horses; but by the name of the Lord our God we shall be magnified.

8 They were entangled and fell; but we arose and were kept upright.

9 O Lord, save the king, and hearken to us, when we invoke thee.

XXI.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 O .LORD, in thy strength, the king will rejoice ; and exult greatly in thy salvation.

2 Thou hast granted him the desire of his soul, and hast not denied him the request of his lips.

3 For thou hast pre-engaged him with kind blessings. Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

4 He asked of thee life ; and thou hast given him length of days forever.

5 By thy salvation his glory is great. Thou wilt confer on him honour and majesty.

6 For thou wilt give him everlasting blessing; and with the joy of thy countenance make him glad.

7 Because the king trusteth in the Lord: therefore, through the mercy of the Most High, he cannot be shaken.

8 Let thine enemies feel thy hand: and thy right hand find out all that hate thee.

9 Thou wilt make them like an oven of fire, at the time of thy presence. The Lord with his wrath will confound them, and a fire shall devour them.

10 Thou wilt destroy their fruit from the earth, and their seed from among the sons of men.

11 Because on thee they were turning evils. Were devising

12 a counsel which they could not accomplish—because thou wilt set them behind those thou hast left—wilt prepare others to be before them.

13 Be thou, O Lord, exalted by thy power: let us sing and extol thy acts of government.

XXII.

For the conclusion. On the help of the morning. A Psalm by David.

1 O GOD, my God ! attend to me! why hast thou forsaken me? have the acts of my transgressions [removed thee] far from

2 saving me ? O my God, ‘shall I cry to thee by day, and thou

3 not listen, and by night, and thou not hear me ? Thou indeed

4 dwellest in a holy place; thou art the praise of Israel. In thee our fathers placed their trust—they trusted and thou didst de-

5 liver them. To thee they cried and they were saved; in thee they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 As for me, I am a worm, and no man—the scorn of men

7 and the people’s contempt. All that see me have laughed me to scorn ; they said with their lips while they shaked their head,

8 ” He trusted in the Lord, let him deliver him; let him save him,

9 since he delighteth in him.” Because thou art he, who drew me forth from the womb : my hope, when at the breasts of my

10 mother—I was cast on thy care from my very birth—from my

11 mother’s womb thou art my God ; O stand not at a distance

12 from me ; for trouble is near—for there is no helper. Many bulls have encompassed me—fat bulls have beset me around.

13 Against me they have opened their mouth, like a ravening and

14 roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are torn asunder: my heart within me is melted like wax.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleav- eth to my palate—thou hast indeed brought me to the dust of

16 death. Because many dogs have encompassed me, an assembly of wicked men have beset me—have pierced my hands

17 and my feet—have counted all my bones, and have stared and looked at me; they have parted my garments among them, and for my vesture have cast lots; Therefore, O Lord,

20 delay not thou my help, draw near to my assistance; rescue my soul from the sword—this only begotten of mine from the

21 paw of a dog. Save me from the mouth of a lion, and this

22 lowliness of mine from the unicorn’s horns. I will declare thy name to my brethren : in the midst of a congregation I will sing praise to thee.

23 Praise him, ye who fear the Lord praise him, all ye seed

24 of Jacob. Let all the seed of Israel fear him ; for he hath not slighted, nor abhorred the prayer of the distressed ; nor turned away his face from me: but hearkened to me when I cried

25 to him. My praise shall be of thee in a great congregation : I will pay my vows before them who fear him.

26 The needy shall eat and be satisfied : and they who seek the Lord will praise him. Their heart shall be forever alive.

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord ; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him :

28 for the kingdom is the Lord’s and he ruleth the nations. All

29 the fat ones of the earth have eaten and worshipped: before him shall bow all that go down to the dust. Let my soul therefore live for him.—

SO My seed indeed will serve him : a generation which is 31 coming shall be announced for the Lord : and they will proclaim his saving mercy to a people that shall be born, whom the Lord made.

XXIII.

A Psalm by David. \

I THE Lord is my shepherd, I shall want nothing. In a

3 verdant pasture he hath fixed my abode. He hath fed me by gently flowing water and restored my soul. He hath led me

4 in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. For though I walk amidst the shades of death : I will fear no ills, because thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff have been my com-

5 fort. Thou hast spread a table before me ; in the presence of them who afflict me. With oil thou hast anointed my head ;

6 and thine exhilarating cup is the very be$t. Thy mercy will surely follow me all the days of my life; and my dwelling shall be in the house of the Lord to length of days.

XXIV.

A Psalm Ly David, on the first day of the week.

1 THE earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world

2 and all its inhabitants. Upon the seas he laid its foundations;

3 and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend to the

hill of God, and who shall stand in his holy place ? He whose hands are clean and whose heart is pure. Who hath not devoted his soul to vanity ; nor sworn deceitfully to his neigh-

5 bour. Such shall receive a blessing from the Lord; and boun-

6 teous supplies from God his saviour. Such is the generation of them who seek him; who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

7 Open wide your gates, ye chiefs ! and be opened wide, ye

8 everlasting doors; that the glorious king may enter. Wrho is the glorious king ? The Lord strong and mighty : the Lord

9 mighty in battle. Open wide your gates, ye chiefs; and be opened wide ye everlasting doors; that the glorious king may

10 enter. Who is this glorious king ? The Lord of Hosts. He is the king of glory.

XXV.

A Psalm by David.

1 TO thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul: O my God, in thee I have put my trust: let me not be shamed, nor let

3 mine enemies deride me ; for none who wait on thee should be put to shame. Let them be shamed who vainly transgress.

4 O Lord, shew me thy ways and teach me thy paths. Lead

5 me to thy truth, and teach me : for thou, O God, art my sa-

6 viour, and for thee I have waited all the day long. O Lord, remember thy compassion and thy tender mercies ; for they

7 are from everlasting. Remember not the sins and follies of my youth : according to thy mercy remember me, O Lord,

8 for thy goodness’ sake. The Lord is gracious and righteous:

9 therefore he will instruct sinners in the way : he will guide

10 the meek in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth; to them who seek

11 his covenant and his testimonies. For the sake of thy name therefore, O Lord, pardon this sin of mine, for it is manifold—

12 What man soever habitually feareth the Lord; him He will

13 instruct in the way he hath chosen : his life shall be spent in the enjoyment of good things and his offspring shall inherit

14 the land. The Lord is the strength of them who fear him;

15 and it is his covenant to display it for them. Mine eyes are continually towards the Lord; because he can extricate my

16 feet from the snare. Look down upon me and compassionate

17 me; for I am an only begotten, though distressed: the troubles of my heart are multiplied : O deliver me from these my

18 distresses. Look on my humiliation and my trouble and for-

19 give all my sins. View mine enemies, for they are multiplied;

20 and have hated me with unjust hatred. O preserve my soul and deliver me : let me not be shamed, because I have trusted

21 in thee. To me the innocent and the upright cleaved; because

22 I waited for thee, O Lord. God redeem Israel from all their afflictions!

XXVI.

By David.

1 JUDGE me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity :

2 and trusting in the Lord I should not be shaken. Examine

3 me, O Lord, and prove me : try my reins and my heart. Because thy mercy is before mine eyes; and I have delighted in

4 thy truth : I did not sit with the council of vanity; nor can I go

5 with them who transgress: I hated the assembly of evil doers;

6 and with the ungodly I cannot sit. I will wash my hands in

7 innocence and go round thine altar, O Lord : that I may hear

8 the voice of praise; and tell all thy wonderous acts. O Lord, I have loved the beauty of thy house; and the place of the mansion of thy

9 glory. Destroy not my soul with the wicked nor my life with

10 blood thirsty men; in whose hands are iniquities; and whose

11 right hand is full of bribes. As for me, I have walked in mine

12 integrity : Redeem me, and be merciful to me. My foot hath been stedfast in rectitude : in assemblies, I will bless thee, O Lord.

XXVII.

A Psalm of David before he was anointed.

1 THE Lord is my light and my saviour. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil doers approached me, to devour my flesh; they,

3 who afflicted me, even mine enemies fainted and fell. Though a host be drawn up against me, my heart will not be dismayed ; though war rise up against me, still I exercise hope.

4 One favour I have asked of the Lord; and this I will earnest- ly seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life—that I may contemplate the delight of the

5 Lord; and visit his temple. Because in his pavilion he hid me, in the day of my calamities—in the secret of his tabernacle he

6 covered me; he set me upon a rock; and now, behold! he hath raised up my head against mine enemies: I have gone round and offered at his tent a sacrifice of thanksgiving: with musick

7 vocal and instrumental I will praise the Lord. Hear, O Lord, my voice when I cry; have mercy on me and hearken .to me.

8 To thee my heart said, I have sought thy face; thy face, O

9 Lord, I will seek. Turn not away thy face from me; withdraw not in anger from thy servant. Be thou my helper: leave me

10 not, nor forsake me, O God, my saviour. Since my father and my mother have left me; and the Lord hath taken me to him-

11 self: instruct me in thy way and lead me in the right path, be-

12 cause of mine enemies. Deliver me not up to the will of them who are afflicting me. Because false witnesses have risen up

13 against me and injustice hath belied itself; I am confident of

14 seeing the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord and be of good courage; let thy heart be strengthened and wait for the Lord.

XXVIII.

A Psalm of David.

1 TO thee, O Lord, I have cried : O my God, pass me not by in silence. Shouldst thou pass me by in silence : I shall be

2 like them who go down to the pit. Hear the sound of my supplication, when I pray to thee—when I lift up my hands to thy

3 holy temple. Draw not my soul in with sinners; nor destroy me with the workers of iniquity—with them who speak peace

4 to their neighbours and harbour mischief in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds; and according to the wickedness of their devices. According to the works of their

5 hands give them—rctribute to them their deserts. Because they did not regard the works of the Lord; nor the operations of his hands: thou wilt utterly destroy them and not build

6 them up again. Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the

7 voice of my prayer. The Lord is my helper and my protector: on him my heart relied, and I am helped. My flesh also is reviv-

8 ed, that with cheerfulness I may praise him. The Lord is the

9 strength of his people; and the safeguard of his anointed. O save thy people and bless thine inheritance; feed them also and lift them up forever

XXIX.

A Psalm of David, at the exodofthe tabernacle.

1 OFFER to the Lord, ye children of God—offer to the Lord the offspring of rams. Offer to the Lord glory and honour :

2 offer to the Lord, glory to his name. Worship the Lord in his

3 holy court. The voice of the Lord on the waters ! The God

4 of the glory thundered The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is with power: the voice of the Lord is with

5 majesty. The voice of the Lord rending the cedars! The Lord

6 will rend the cedars of Lebanon, and shatter them to pieces: as a young unicorn would a calf; so will the beloved [shatter]

7 Lebanon itself. The voice of the Lord bursting through a flame of fire ! The voice of the Lord shaking the wilderness.

8 The Lord will shake the wilderness of Kades. The voice of

9 the Lord collecting the hinds; when he shall lay the forests

10 bare. When in his temple every one uttereth praise; the Lord will cause that which was deluged to be inhabited : and the

11 Lord will sit enthroned king forever. The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.—

XXX.

For the conclusion. The Psalm of an Ode at the dedication of . 
David”s house. 

1 I WILL extol thee, O Lord, because thou hast upheld me,

2 and hast not suffered mine enemies to rejoice over me. O Lord

3 my God, to thee I cried and thou didst heal me. Thou, O Lord, hast brought my soul up out of Hades; and saved me

4 from among them who go down to the pit. O sing to the Lord, ye his saints; and give thanks at the remembrance of his ho-

5 liness. Because at his wrath there is vexation ; but in his favour, life; in the evening weeping may pitch its tent; and in

6 the morning, joy. As for me, I, in my prosperity, said, 1 can

7 never be moved : (To my comeliness, thou, Lord, in thy good pleasure hadst added strength) but thou didst turn away thy

8 face, and I was involved in trouble. To thee, O Lord, I cried

Vol. ii. 3 c

9 and to my God made supplication—what profit is there in my blood—by my going down to corruption ? Can dust cele-

10 bratc thy praise; or can it proclaim thy truth ? The Lord heard

11 and compassionated me : the Lord became my helper. Thou didst turn my mourning into joy ; thou didst rend in pieces

12 my sackcloth and gird me with gladness, that my glory might sound thy praise ; and that I might not be absorpt in grief. O Lord, my God, to thee I will give thanks for evermore. .

XXXI.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David, on a surprise.

1 IN thee, O Lord, I have trusted. Let me never be put to shame. In thy saving mercy rescue me and deliver me—In-

clinc thine ear to me ! haste to deliver me. Be thou to me a

3 protecting God—a house of refuge to save me. Because thou art my strength and my refuge; thou therefore, for thy name’s

4 sake, wilt guide and nourish me: thou wilt extricate me from this snare; which they have privily laid for me. Because thou,

5 O Lord, art my protector; into thy hands I will commit my spirit. Thou, O Lord the God of truth hast redeemed me.

6 Thou hatedst them who fruidessly regard vanities; but I have

7 trusted in the Lord. I will exult with joy and rejoice in thy mercy : because thou hast looked on my humilation—hast

8 delivered my soul from these distresses—hast not shut me up into an enemy’s hand—hast set my feet in a roomy place.

9 Pity me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: with indignation mine

10 eye was troubled—my soul and all within me. Because my life was spent with grief, and my years with sighing—with affliction my strength was exhausted and my bones were trou-

11 bled ; among all mine enemies I became a reproach; and to my neighbours especially, and to my acquaintance, a terror.

12 They who saw me abroad fled from me; like a dead man out of mind I was quite forgotten: I became like a broken vessel.

13 Because I heard the whispers of many who dwell around me: when they assembled together against me they consulted hem- to take my life; but as for me, I put my trust in thee O Lord;

141 said, Thou art my God; in thy hands are my lots; deliver

me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them who are L6 persecuting me. Let thy face shine upon thy servant: save me L7 for thy mercy’s sake. O Lord, let me not be shamed, because

I have invoked thee. Let the wicked be shamed and driven

18 down to the mansion of the dead. Let those deceitful lips become speechless, which speak injustice against the righteous

19 with pride and contempt. How great, O Lord, is the abundance of thy kindness, which thou hast laid up in store for them Avho fear thee—hast provided for them who trust in thee before

20 the sons of men. In the secret of thy presence thou wilt hide them from the trouble of men; thou wilt shelter them in a pa-

21 vilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, because he hath marvellously displayed his mercy in a city besieged. ‘

22 As for me, on my surprisal I said, I am cast far from thy presence ; therefore thou, O Lord, didst hear the voice of my sup-

23 plication when I cried to thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints, for the Lord searchcth out truth, and retributeth largely

24 to the insolent. Take courage and let your hearts be strong, all ye whose trust is in the Lord.

XXXII.

On understanding. By David’

1 HAPPY they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose

sins are covered. Happy the man, to whose account the Lord

3 will not charge sin, “and in whose mouth there is no guile. Because I kept silence, my bones were consumed; by reason of

4 my crying all the live long day. Because day and night thy hand was heavy on me, I was reduced to misery by a piercing thorn. I

5 acknowledged my sin and did not conceal mine iniquity. I said, ‘Against myself I will confess mine iniquity to the Lord, there –

G upon thou didst forgive the wickedness of my heart. For this every pious man should pray to thee in due time. Moreover in

7 a flood of many waters, are they not to draw near to him ? Thou art my refuge from affliction, which surroundeth me—my jubilee to redeem me from them who encompass me.

8 Let me instruct thee and teach thee the way thou shouldst

9 go. I will fix steadily mine eyes upon thee. Be not like a horse or

a mule, which have no understanding, the mouths of which,

when they come not to thee, thou must strain with a bridle or

10 a cavesson. Many are the chastisements of the sinner; but

– 11 mercy will encompass him who trusteth in the Lord. Rejoice

in the Lord and exult ye righteous, and shout for joy all ye who

are upright in heart.

XXXIII.

By David.

1 REJOICE ye righteous in the Lord: praise becometh the

2 upright. Praise the Lord with the kithara—with the ten stringed

3 psaltery sing praises to him. Sing to him anew song; sing in

4 harmonious and triumphant strains. For the word of the Lord

5 is right, and all his works are true. He loveth mercy and judg-

6 ment; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were established, and all their host by

7 the breath of his mouth. He gathered as in a vessel the waters

8 of the sea; he laid up the deeps in store houses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; and all the inhabitants of the world stand

9 in awe of him; for he spake and they were brought into being—

10 Me commanded and they were created. The Lord dissipateth the counsels of nations, and disannulled! the devices of peoples. He

11 disannulleth also the counsels of chiefs. But the counsel of the Lord shall endure forever, the thoughts of his heart from gene-

12 rations to generations. Happy is the nation, whose God is the

13 Lord—the people, whom he hath chosen for his heritage. Out of heaven the Lord looked down; he took a view of all the chil-

14 dren of men. He looked down from his fixed habitation on all

15 the inhabitants of the earth. It is he alone who formed their

16 hearts: he knoweth completely all their works. A king is not

17 saved because of a numerous army : nor can a giant be saved by his abundant strength. A horse is a false thing for safety;

18 nor can he with all his power save himself. Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them who fear him—on them who confide in

19 his mercy; to deliver their souls from death; and to nourish

20 them in a famine. Let our soul wait for the Lord; because he

21 is our helper and our protector. Because by him our heart, can

be made glad, therefore in his holy name we have trusted. 22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have put our trust in thee.

XXXIV.

JSy David, when he had changed his behaviour before Abimelech, and, being dismissed by him, had gone away.

1 I WILL bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be con-

2 tinually in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord : let the

3 meek hear and be gladdened. O magnify the Lord with me;

4 and let us extol his name together. I sought the Lord and he

5 heard me; and brought me safe out of all my sojourns. Come to him and be enlightened and your faces shall never be sha-

6 med. This afflicted man cried; and the Lord heard him; and

7 saved him out of all his afflictions. The angel of the Lord will

8 encamp round them that fear him, and deliver them. O taste and see that the Lord is good! happy is the man, who trust-

9 eth in him. O fear the Lord all ye his saints! for they who fear

10 him have no want. Rich men have become poor and hungry: But they who seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken to me : and I will teach you the

12 fear of the Lord. What man soever desireth life and loveth to

13 see good days : keep thy tongue from evil; and thy lips from

14 speaking guile : depart from evil and do good; seek peace and

15 pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous : and

16 his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil; to destroy the remembrance of them

17 from the earth. The righteous cried and the Lord heard them;

18 and delivered them out of all their afflictions. The Lord is near to those of a contrite heart; and will save them who are

19 lowly in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but

20 out of them all the Lord will deliver them. He keepeth all their

21 bones, not one of them shall be broken. Wretched is the death

22 of sinners; yet they who hate what is just will transgress. The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none will transgress who trust in him.

XXXV.

By David.

1 JUDGE them, O Lord, who do me wrong. Fight against

2 them who are at war with me. Take hold of the shield and

3 buckler; and stand up in my defence. Unsheath the sword and

4 stop my pursuers : say to my soul, I am thy safety. Let them who seek my life be shamed and confounded: let them be turned back and putto shame; who are devisingevils against me.

5 .Let them be like dust before the wind, when the angel of the

6 Lord is afflicting them. Let their way be dark and slippery,

7 when the angel of the Lord is pursuing them. Seeing they have without cause, hid for me their destructive snare—have, with-

8 put reason, reproached my soul; let a snare, which they know not, come upon them, and the gin catch them, which they have hidden; and by that very snare let them fall.

9 But let my soul rejoice in the Lord, and be delighted with

10 his salvation. Let all my bones say, O Lord, who is like thee, who deliverest the afflicted from the hand of them who are stronger than he—the afflicted and needy from them who spoil

11 him ? False witnesses having risen up against me, laid to my

12 charge things which I knewnot; they returned me evil for good,

13 even bereavement to my soul. As for me, while they were raising troubles against me I cloathed myself with sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting. Though my prayer is to

14 return into mine own bosom, as I would a friend, as I would an own brother, so did I endeavour to conciliate. I humbled

15 myself as one in mourning and deep sorrow. But against me they rejoiced and gathered together ; for me, scourges were collected and I did not know : they were split—and they had

16 no compunction. They tortured me—with scoffs they derided me; they gnashed their teeth at me.

17 O Lord, when wilt thou look down—rescue my soul from

18 their malice. This only begotten of mine, from lions. I will render thee thanks in a great congregation; among a mighty

19 people I will praise thee. Over me, let not these, my bitter enemies, vainly rejoice ; who hate me without cause, and give

20 assent with their eyes. For to me indeed they spoke words of

21 peace, while with wrath they were contriving plots. Then they opened their mouth wide against me ; they said, Aha! aha! our eyes have seen.

22 Thou, O Lord, hast seen; keep silence no longer. O Lord,

23 stand not at a distance from me. Arise, O Lord, and attend to my trial, O my God and my Lord, for my justification.

24 Judge me, O Lord, according to thy righteousness, O Lord

25 my God! and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say- in their hearts, ” Aha ! aha! it is to our mind;” nor let them

26 say, We have swallowed him up. Let them who rejoice at my calamities be shamed, and confounded together; let them be cloathed with shame and confusion, who magnify themselves

27 against me. Let them who desire my justification, exult with joy and be gladdened. Let them who wish the peace of thy

28 servant, say continually, The Lord be magnified. So shall my tongue speak of thy righteousness—of thy praise all the day long.

XXXVI.

s

For the conclusion. By David the servant of the Lord.

1 THE transgressor, in order that he may sin, saith within him-

2 self, ” He hath, before his eyes, no fear of God’s finding out and hating his iniquity :” because, before him, he hath acted

3 with deceit. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit.

4 He would not be wise to do good. He contrived mischief on his bed ; he persisted in every course which was not good, and did not abhor wickedness.

5 O Lord, thy mercy is in the heavens, and thy truth reach-

6 eth to the clouds. Thy saving goodness is like the mountains of God, and thy judgments like the vasty deep. Thou, O

7 Lord, preserves! men and beasts. As thou, O Lord, hast multiplied thy mercy: let the sons of men therefore trust in the

8 shelter of thy wings. With the fatness of thy house they shall be plentifully fed; and thou wilt give them for drink, the full

9 flowing stream of thy pleasures : for with thee there is a foun- 10 tain of life, and by thy light we shall see light. Extend thy

mercy to them that know thee, and thy goodness to them who

11 are upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against

12 me, nor the hand of sinners shake me. There all the workers of iniquity are fallen! they were thrust out and could not stand,

XXXVII.

By David.

1 FRET not because of evil doers : nor envy them who com-

2 mit iniquity. For like grass, they shall quickly wither: and

3 like the tender herb, they shall quickly fall. Trust in the Lord and exercise kindness ; dwell in the land and thou shall be fed

4 with the riches thereof. Indulge thyself with delight in the

5 Lord, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart. Lay open thy way before the Lord, and trust in him; and he will accom-

6 plish—he will indeed bring forth thy righteousness like light,

7 and thy judgment, as the noon day. Submit thyself to the Lord, and supplicate him; fret not at the man who prospereth in his

8 way—at the man who committeth iniquity. Cease from anger

9 and forsake wrath—be not fretted so as to do evil; for they who do evil shall be cut off: but they who wait for the Lord

10 shall inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the sinner shall be no more; though thou mayst seek his place, thou shalt not find

11 it. But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves

12 in the abundance of peace. The sinner may watch the right-

13 eous, and gnash his teeth at him; but die Lord will laugh him

14 to scorn, for he foreseeth that his day will come. The sinners drew the sword—they bent their bow, to overthrow the afflict-

15 ed and needy—to slay the upright in heart. Let their sword pierce their own heart; and their bows be broken to shivers.

16 Better is the little which a righteous man hath, than the abun-

17 dant wealth of sinners. For the arms of sinners shall be broken;

18 but the Lord supported! the righteous. The Lord knoweth the ways of the spotless; and their inheritance shall last forever.

19 In time of troubles they shall not be shamed, and in days of

20 famine they shall be plentifully fed. Because the sinners shall perish. Therefore when the enemies of the Lord were exalted and glorified—they were flitting away like smoke, and vanish-

21 ing. The sinner borroweth and wijl not repay ; but the right-

22 ecus sheweth mercy and giveth. Hence they who bless him shall inherit the land; but they who curse him shall be rooted

23 out. The steps of a man will be directed by the Lord, when

24 he taketh delight in his way. When he happeneth to fall, he shall not fall with violence ; for the Lord is a stay to his hand.

25 I have been young and am now old, yet I have never seen the

26 righteous utterly forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. All the day long he is merciful and lendeth, and his seed shall be

27 entitled to a blessing. Depart from evil and do good and dwell

28 for evermore. Because the Lord loveth judgment and will not forsake his saints; they shall be preserved forever. The spotless shall be avenged, when the seed of the wicked shall be ut-

29 terly cut off; the righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell

30 therein forever. The mouth of the righteous will speak wis-

31 dom, and his tongue will talk of justice. The law of his God

32 is in his heart, and his footsteps shall not slide. The sinner

33 watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to kill him; but the Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor suffer him to condemn him

34 when he is judged. Wait on the Lord and keep his way: and he will exalt thee to inherit the land. When sinners are cut

35 off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked highly exalted,

36 towering aloft like the cedars of Lebanon. Again I passed by, and lo! he was gone. Though I sought him, his place could

37 not be found. Preserve innocence and eye rectitude; for there

38 is a remnant for the man of peace. But transgressors shall be cut off together—the remnants of the wicked shall be rooted

39 out. The safety of the righteous is from the Lord; and he is

40 their protector in time of trouble. The Lord will help them and deliver them ; he will rescue them from sinners, and save them : because in him they have put their trust.

XXXVIII.

A Psalm for remembrance, respecting rest.

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath; nor chasten me in

2 thine anger. For in me thy shafts are deeply fixed—and on

3 me thou hast heavily laid thy hand. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger—no rest to my bones, becau.se

VOL. II. 3 D

  1. of my sins. Because mine iniquities mounted above my head;

5 like a heavy burden they were heavy on me. The wounds, on

6 account of my folly putrefied and became corrupt. I was in

7 misery and wholly bent down : all the longsome day I went mourning. For my soul was filled with illusions; and there

8 was no soundness in my flesh. I was afflicted and exceedingly

9 depressed: I roared because of the groans of my heart. Now

10 all my desire was before thee, and my groans were not hid from thee. My heart panted, my strength failed me: and the

11 light of mine eyes is no more with me. My friends and my neighbours stood over against me: they drew near and stopt—

12 even my near relations stood aloof. But they who seek my life pressed forward : and they who seek my ruin spake vani-

13 ties. All the day long they studied deceits. As for me, I, as if deaf, did not hear: and like one dumb I opened not my mouth.

14 I became indeed like a man who heareth not; and in whose

15 mouth there are no reproofs; for in thee, O Lord, I put my

16 trust. (Thou O Lord my God wilt hearken—) for I said, Perhaps mine enemies may rejoice over me : (Indeed when my

17 feet slipped, they used swelling words against me) for I was prepared for stripes, and my sorrowful situation was conti-

18 wially before me; that I might declare mine iniquity, and ex-

19 press my sorrow for my sin. But as for mine enemies they live and are stronger than I: and they who hafe me wrongful-

20 ly are multiplied. They who reward me evil fofgood, traduc-

21 edme: because I followed righteousness. Forsake me not utterly, O Lord, my God: stand not at a distance from me.

22 Draw near to my assistance, O Lord of my salvation.

XXXIX.

For the conclusion, for Idithun. An Ode by David.

1 I SAID, Let me watch my ways; that I may not sin with my tongue. I set a .guard on my mouth; when the sinner stood

2 before me. I was dumb and humbled and silent from good

3 things; and my grief was renewed. My heart was warmed within me. That by my meditation a fire might be kindled;

4 I spake with my tongue—Make known to me, O Lord mine end; and the number of my days, what it is. That Imayknov

5 what I lack of it. Behold thou hast made my days old : and mine existence is as nothing before thee. The universe—every

6 man living is vanity. Man indeed walketh about as an image; still he troubleth himself in vain. He heapeth up treasures

7 and knoweth not for whom he is to gather them. Now then what is my expectation ? Is it not the Lord? In thee is my

8 hope. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Thou hast made

9 me the reproach of a fool: I was dumb and opened not my

10 mouth: because thou art he who didst make me. O ! Remove thy scourges from me: by the blow of thy hand I fainted.

11 With rebukes thou hast corrected man for iniquity; and caused his life to waste like a spider. Still even* man tronb-

12 Icth himself in vain. Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer: give ear to my supplication : hold not thy peace at my tears : since I am a sojourner in the land; and a stranger as all my fathers

13 were; O spare me that I may recover strength; before I go hence and be no more.

XL.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 I WAITED patiently for the Lord and he attended to me

2 and heard my prayer: and brought me up from a horrible pit and from miry clay; and set my feet on a rock and directed

3 my steps, and put in my mouth a new song—a hymn to our God. Many will see and be struck with awe, and trust in the

4 Lord. Happy the man, whose hope is the name of the Lord,

5 and who hath not looked to vanities and lying fooleries. Many are thy wonders which thou, O Lord my God, hast wrought; and for thy thoughts there is none to be compared to thee. I have declared and spoken. They are multiplied beyond com-

6 putation. Sacrifice and offerings thou didst not desire, but preparedst for me a body ; whole burnt offerings and offerings

7 for sin thou didst not require. Then I said, Behold I come;

8 (id the volume of a book it is written respecting me) to perform, O my God, thy will, I was determined, even that law of

9 thine, within my heart. I have published the good news of thy righteousness, in a great congregation. Behold I will not re-

10 frain my lips; thou, O Lord, knowcst my righteousness. I have

not hid thy truth in my heart, but have mentioned thy salvation—I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a

11 great congregation. Withhold not thou then, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me. Thy mercy and thy truth have continu-

12 ally upheld me. Because evils without number encompassed me—mine iniquities had overtaken me, therefore I was notable to look up; they were multiplied above the hairs of my head, therefore my heart failed me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. O Lord, draw near to

14 my assistance. Let them who seek my life to destroy it, be shamed and confounded together. Let them be turned back

15 and shamed who wish me evil; let those quickly bear their

16 shame who say to me, Ha! ha! Let all who seek thee, O Lord, rejoice and be glad for thee; let them who love thy salva-

17 tion say continually, The Lord be magnified! As for me, I am distressed and needy, the Lord will care for me. Thou art my helper and my protector, O my God, make no delay.

XLI.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

HAPPY he who is considerate with regard to the distressed

2 and needy ; in time of trouble the Lord will deliver him. May the Lord preserve him and keep him alive, and make him happy in the land, and may he never deliver him into the hands of

3 his enemy ‘. May the Lord support him on his bed of languish-

4 ing! thou hast made all his bed in this sickness of his. I said, ” Lord be merciful to me : heal my soul, for I have sinned

5 against thee.” Mine enemies said wickedly of me, ” When will

6 he die and his name perish ?” And if one came to see me, his heart spoke vainly. He collected iniquity for himself; he went

7 abroad and spoke for that purpose. All mine enemies spread whispers against me; against me, they devised things hurtful

8 to me. They came to a wicked determination against me. ” Now he is confined to his bed, let him never rise again.”

9 Nay, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted—who ate of 1O my bread, lifted up his heel against me. But thou, O Lord,

have compassion on me, and raise me up, that I may requite

11 them. By this, I know that thou hast delighted in me, because

12 mine enemy hath not triumphed over me. And for mine innocence thou hast upheld me; and established me before thee for-

13 ever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen. Amen.

XLII.

For the conclusion. On understanding. For the sons of Kore.

1 AS the hart panteth for fountains of water, so panteth my

2 soul for thee, O God. My soul hath thirsted for the living God;

3 When shall I come and appear before God? My tears were my food day and night, when they said to me continually, Where is thy God? On recollecting these things, I have poured out my soul by myself.

4 Since I am to pass on, at the place of an awful tabernacle, to the house of God, with a voice of joy and praise—with the

5 acclamations of them who celebrate a festival: why art thou, O my soul, cast down; and why disquietest thou me? Trust in God, for I shall praise him: he is the health of my countenance.

6 O my God, my soul within me was troubled; therefore I will remember thee, from the land of Jordan and Ermoneim, bor-

7 dering on the little mountain. Deep calleth on deep to form thy roaring cataracts; all thy meteors and thy billows passed

8 over me. By day the Lord will command his kindness, and in the night he will make it manifest. Let there be with me a

9 prayer to the God of my life. Let me say to God, Thou art my helper. Why hast thou forgotten me—why go I pensive

10 because of mine enemy’s oppression ? When my bones were bruised, mine enemies reproached me, by their saying to me

11 every day, Where is thy God. Why art thou, O my soul, cast down—and why disquietest thou me? Trust in God, for I shall praise him; he is die health of my countenance and my God.

XLIII.

A Psalm by David,

1 … JUDGE me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungod-

2 ly nation : deliver me from an unjust and deceitful man. Since thou, O God, art my strength, why hast thou cast me off? and why go I mourning, because of mine enemy’s oppression?

3 O send forth thy light and thy truth; these have conducted me,

4 and led me to thy holy mountain, and to thy tabernacles. Let me go to the altar of God—to God, the joy of my youth.

5 With a kithara, I will praise thee, O God, my God. Why art thou, O my soul, cast down—and why disquietest thou me? Trust in God, for I shall praise him. My God is the health of my countenance.

XLIV.

For the conclusion. For the sons of Kore. A Psalm for 
Understanding. 

O GOD, we have heard with our ears—our fathers have

2 told us the work which thou didst in the days of old. When thy hand had extirpated nations, thou didst plant them : thou

3 didst afflict nations and drive them out. For they took not possession of the land with their own sword: nor was it their own arm that saved them : but thy right hand and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou tookest pleasure in

1 them. Thou, who didst command the deliverances of Jacob;

even thou art my king and my God. By thee we can push down our enemies, and through thy name, scorn them who rise

6 up against us. For in mine own bow I will not put trust, nor

7 is it mine own sword that can save me. For thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put to shame them who hated us.

8 In God let us boast, all the day long: and to thy name give thanks forever.

9 And hast thou now cast us off and put us to shame, and 10 wilt not go forth with our armies! Thou hast turned us back

before our enemies ; and they who hate us have spoiled for

41 themselves. Thou hast delivered us up as sheep, to be devour-

12 ed, and hast scattered us among the nations. Thou hast sold thy people for nought; the shouts of victory gave no abun-

13 dance. Thou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours—a

14 scoff and derision to those around us. Thou hast made us a by-word among the nations—a shaking of the head among

15 the tribes. All the day long, my confusion is before me, and

16 the shame of my face hath covered me, because of a reproach- er’s and a defamer’s voice; and by reason of an enemy and

17 an avenger. All these things have come upon us, though we have not forgotten thee—nor dealt falsely in thy covenant.

18 Though our heart hath not turned back, yet thou hast turned

19 our steps from thy way. Because thou hast humbled us in the place of affliction, and covered us with the shadow of death;

20 Have we forgotten the name of our God—or have we stretched

21 out our hands to a strange god? Will not God search out these

22 things, for he knoweth the secrets of the heart? Since for thy sake we are killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for

23 slaughter: awake: why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise and cast

24 us not off forever. Why turnest thou away thy face forgetting

25 our distress and our affliction? Because our soul is humbled

26 to the dust, and our belly cleaveth to the ground; arise O Lord; come to our assistance and deliver us for the sake of thy name.

XLV.

t

For the conclusion. Respecting them who are to be changed. For the sons of Kere. An Ode for understanding. Concerning t/ie Beloved.

»

1 MY heart hath indited a good word, I recite my performances to the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2 Thou art fairer than the sons of men: grace is poured out by

3 thy lips; for this cause God hath blessed thee forever. Gird

4 thy sword on thy thigh, O thou Mighty! To thy comeliness and thy beauty give energy, and prosper and reign, for truth, meekness and justice’s sake; and let thine own right hand mar-

5 velloasly conduct thee. Thine arrows are sharpened, O Mighty one, nations shall fall under thee; they arc in the heart of the 6 king’s enemies. Thy throne, OGod, is forever and ever; the

7 sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of rectitude. Thou didst love righteousness and hate iniquity, therefore God, thy God

8 anointed thee with the oil of joy above thy associates. There is myrrh and stacte and casia for thy garments—for the ivory

9 state rooms from which kings’ daughters gladdened thee. In honour of thee the queen stood on thy right hand, arrayed in

10 robes of gold and embroidery. Hear, O daughter, and behold, and incline thine ear, and forget thy people and thy father’s

11 house. Because the king is enamoured of thy beauty—because

12 he is thy Lord; when the daughters of Tyre bow down to him with gifts, the richest people of the land will supplicate thy fa-

13 vour. All this honour is for the daughter of the king of Hese- bon herself, she is surrounded with chain works of gold, and

14 embroidery. The virgins in her train shall be introduced to the king. They who are related to her shall be introduced to thee.

15 They shall be introduced with gladness and rejoicing—They

16 shall be brought to the temple of the king. Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee; these thou shall make princes over

17 all the land. They shall cause thy name to be remembered in all ages, therefore nations shall praise thee forever.

XL VI.

At the conclusion. For the sons of Kore. A Psalm concerning hidden things.

1 GOD is our refuge and strength; our helper in the trou-

2 bles which often befal us. Therefore we will not be dismayed, though the earth be shaken, and mountains be hurled to the

midst of seas. Their waters roared and were troubled. By his

4 power the mountains were convulsed. The swelling streams of this river gladden the city of God: the Most High hath hal-

lowed his own dwelling: God is in the midst of it; it cannot

6 be shaken; God by his presence will support it. The nations were troubled, kingdoms tottered; he uttered his voice, the

7 earth was shaken. The Lord of armies is with us; our helper

8 is the God of Jacob. Come and see the works of the Lord—

9 The wonders which he hath done on the earth: he is making

wars to cease to the ends of the earth. He will break the bow and shiver the lance, and shields he will utterly consume with

10 fire. Be still and know that I am God: let me be exalted among

11 the nations, let me be exalted in the earth. The Lord of armies is with us, our helper is the God of Jacob.

XLVII.

For the conclusion. A Psalm for the sons ofKore.

1 O CLAP your hands, all ye nations; shout to God with a

2 triumphant voice: for the Lord Most High is awful—a great

3 king over all the earth. He hath subjected tribes to us, nations

4 also under our feet. He hath chosen for us his inheritance the

5 excellency of Jacob which he loved. God ascended at the tri-

6 umphant shout—the Lord, at the trumpet’s sounding. O sing praises to our God; sing praises. Sing praises to our king;

7 sing praises. Since God is king of the whole earth; O sing

8 praises with understanding. God hath commenced his reign

9 over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The heads of families assembled with the God of Abraham. Because the mighties of the land belong to God, they have been exceedingly exalted.

XLVIII.

The Psalm of an Ode for the sons of Kore, on the second day

of the -week.

1 THE Lord is great and greatly to be praised; in the city

2 of our God—on his holy mountain. To the great joy of the whole earth, he is establishing firmly Sion’s mountains. On

3 the sides to the north is the city of the great king. God is

4 known in its palaces, when he undertaketh its defence. For lo!

5 the kings of the land assembled—they came together. Having taken a view they were so astonished ; they were frightened,

6 they were shaken: a trembling seized them: pangs were there

7 “as of a woman in travail. With a tempestuous blast thou wilt dash to pieces the ships of Tarsish. As we have heard, so

8 have we seen; at the city of the Lord of armies—at the city

VOL. II. 3 E

9 of our God. God hath established it forever. We waited, O

10 God, for thy mercy, in the midst of thy people. According to thy name, O God ; so be thy praise to the ends of the earth.

11 Thy right hand is full of righteousness. Let mount Sion be gladdened : and let the daughters of Judea exult for joy ; be-

12 cause of thy judgments, O Lord. Go round Sion, and encom-

13 pass it: make proclamation in the towers thereof; mark with attention its strength ; and take a distinct view of its palaces:

14 that you may tell another generation, that he is our God forever and ever. He will tend us as a shepherd for evermore.

XLIX.

For the conclusion. A Psalm for the sons ofKore.

1 HEAR these things, all ye nations; listen attentively, all ye inhabitants of the world! both ye of lowest rank, and heads

3 of families; both rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom ; and the meditation of my heart understand-

4 ing. I will incline mine ear to a parable : with a psaltery I will

5 unfold my problem. JPhy am I terrified in an evil day ? The

iniquity at my heel will surround me. Some put confidence in their power: and some boast of the abundance of their wealth.

7 A brother is not redeemed. Is a man to redeem himself? He

8 cannot give to God an atonement for himself; and the price

9 for the redemption of his life : Though he laboured for the age that he may live to the end. Shall he therefore not see cor-

10 ruption? When he seeth the wise dying; together the foolish and senseless shall perish. And they shall leave their wealth

11 to others, (a) But their graves shall be their houses forever— their dwelling places to all generations. On these parcels of

12 earth, they have put their names, (b) When a man, who is in honour, hath not understanding : he hath been compared to

13 the brute beasts and is like them—this very way of theirs was to them a stumbling block; and after this shall it with their

14 mouth be praised ? They are pent up like sheep in the mansion of the dead: death shall feed them and the early watches will rble over them : and that help of theirs from their glory,

15 shall m the mansion of the dead become obsolete. But God

will redeem my soul from the power of that mansion when it

16 receiveth me. Fear not when a man grovveth rich, nor when the

17 glory of his house is increased. For when he dieth he can cany nothing away : nor will this glory of his descend with him.

18 Because during this life his soul shall be blessed; let him praise

19 thee when thou doest him a benefit. He shall go to the gene-

20 ration of his fathers; he shall never see light. A man who is in honour and hath not understanding, hath been compared to the brute beasts, and is like them.

A Psalm, for Asaph.

1 THE God of gods, the Lord hath spoken, and summoned

2 the earth from the rising to the setting of the sun. Out of Sion

3 the perfection of his comeliness—God in full manifestation, even our God will come and will not keep silence. Before him a fire

4 shall blaze; and around him shall be a mighty tempest. He will call to the heaven above and to the earth, to judge his peo-

5 pie. Gather his saints together to him—them who are in cove-

6 nant with him touching sacrifices; and let the heavens declare

7 his righteousness. ” Because God is judge, hear, O my people and I will speak to thee—O Israel and I will testify to thee!

8 I am God, thy God I AM. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices. And as for thy whole burnt offerings which are con-

9 tinually before me, I will not take young bulls from thy house,

10 nor he-goats from thy folds. For all the beasts of the forests

11 are mine, the cattle on the mountains, and the beeves. I claim all the birds of the air; and to me belong the ripe fruits of the

12 field. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; for the world is

13 mine and the fulness thereof. Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Or

14 do I drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice to God a sacrifice of

15 praise, and pay thy vows to the Most High. Then call on me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver thee and thou shall

16 praise me.” But to the sinner God said, “Why dost thou men-

17 tion my judgments, or take my covenant in thy mouth? As for thee, thou hast hated instruction, and cast my words, behind

18 thy back. When thou sawest a thief, thou didst run with him—

19 and Hast been a partaker with adulterers. Thy mouth hath abounded in wickedness, and thy tongue hath framed deceits.

20 Sitting down thou hast spoken against thy brother, and against

21 thy mother’s son, propagated falsehood. These things thou hast done and I was silent. Thou unjustly didst suppose that I would be like thyself. I will reprove thee and set things in

22 order before thee. Now then, consider this, ye who forget God;

23 lest he tear you in pieces and there be none- to deliver. The sacrifice of praise will glorify me; and this is the way in which I will shew him the salvation of God.”

LI.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bersabe.

1 HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great compassion: and according to the multitude of thy tender mer-

2 cies blot out this my crime, wash me thoroughly from this ini-

3 quity of mine; and purify me from this my sin. For I acknowledge my transgression; and my sin is continually before me.

4 Against thee especially I have sinned; and in thy sight done this evil. So that thou must be justified in thine acts, and must

5 overcome, when thou art judged. For behold I was born in

6 iniquity; in sins my mother conceived me: for behold thou lovedst truth; to me thou hadst manifested the obscure and

7 hidden things of thy wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be purified; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Cause me to hear joy and gladness; let the bones, which have

9 been humbled, rejoice. O Turn away thy face from my sins;

10 and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me, O God, a pure

11 heart; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away

12 from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation; and support me with a be-

13 coming spirit, that I may teach transgressors thy ways, and

14 sinners may turn to thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation! That my tongue may with

15 joy proclaim thy forgiving mercy. O Lord, open my lips, that

16 my mouth may proclaim thy praise. Hadst thou desired sacrifice, I would have given it. In whole burnt offerings thou wilt

17 not take delight. The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit. A broken and an humble heart, thou, O God, wilt not despise.

18 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good pleasure, with Sion.

19 And let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then wilt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness as an offering, and on thine altar young bulls shall then be offered up as whole burnt offerings.

LIL

For tlie conclusion. On understanding. By David, when Doek the Idutnean came and told Saul and said to Mm, David went to Abi- melectfs house.

1 WHY boastest thou in mischief, O mighty man of iniqui-

2 ty? All the day long he devised injustice. Thy tongue is like a

3 sharp razor : thou hast practised deceit. Thou hast loved evil

4 more than good—lying more than speaking truth. Thou hast loved all the decrees of destruction—a tongue practised in de-

5 ceit. For this cause God will utterly destroy thee—-tear thee up and hurl thee from thy dwelling; even thy rooted stock out

6 of the land of the living. The righteous will see indeed and

7 be afraid. And they will laugh at him and say, Behold the man who made not God his strength : and trusted in the abundance

8 of his wealth; and strengthened himself in his vanity! As for me, I shall be like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God. I have trusted in the mercy of God for this age and for the age

9 of the ages. I will praise thee for this age because thou hast made it; and wait for thy name, because it is good in the sight of thy saints.

LIII.

For tlie conclusion. Upon Maelath. Of understanding. By David.

1 THE fool said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted themselves and are become abominable by iniquities,

2 there is none who doeth good. God looked down from heaven on the children of men to see if any had understanding or were

3 seeking God. They had all turned aside : they are all together

4 become vile. There is none doing good: no not one. They win

not bethink themselves, they are all working iniquity, they are eating up my people as they do bread? They have not called

5 upon God. They were seized with terror on the spot where there was no fear; because God had scattered the bones of men pleasers. They were put to shame because God despised

6 them. O that he would for Sion’s sake grant safety to Israel! When the Lord hath brought back the captivity of his people Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.

LIV.

For the conclusion. Among the Hymns on understanding. By Davidwhen the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Behold is not Dayid hid among its.

1 SAVE me, O God, by thy name; and judge me by thy

2 power. O God, hearken to my prayer. Give ear to the words

3 of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me; and men of power have sought my life. They have not set God

4 before them. Behold God is my helper. The Lord is the pro-

tector of my life. He will turn these evils on mine enemies. G Destroy thou them in thy truth. With free will offerings I will

sacrifice to thee : I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is

7 good: because thou hast delivered me from all affliction; and among mine enemies mine eye hath looked on.

LV.

for the conclusion. Among the Hymns on understanding. 
By David. 

1 GIVE ear, O God, to my prayer; and overlook not my

2 supplication. Attend to me and hear me. I have mourned in

3 my meditation and am troubled : because of the voice of an enemy and because of the oppression of a sinner. Because upon me they cast iniquity and boiled with malice against

4 me ; my heart within me was troubled; and the terror of death

5 fell upon me. Fear and trembling came against me; and a

6 dark gloom overwhelmed me. So that I said, O that I had

wings like those of a dove; that I might fly away and be at

7 rest. Behold I had removed far away, as a fugitive, and taken

8 up my lodging in the wilderness. I waited for him who deli-

9 vereth me from distress and a furious tempest. Confound, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I saw iniquity and con-

10 tradiction in the city. Day and night shall transgression go round it on its -walls and trouble be in the midst of it, and in-

11 justice? Usury and fraud have not departed from its streets.

12 Had an enemy reproached me I could have borne it. And had the man who hated me magnified himself against me, I could

13 have hid myself from him. But thou, O man, my second self,

14 my guide, mine intimate friend! Who being with me didst sweeten my repasts! In the house of God, we walked inuna-

15 nimity—Let death come upon them; Let them go down alive to the mansion of the dead : because there was wickedness in

16 their dwellings—in the midst of them. As for me, I cried to

17 God, and the Lord heard me. Evening and morning and at noon I will declare and proclaim; and he will hearken to my

18 voice. He will deliver my soul in peace from them who come

19 near me. Because they among many were with me; God who existeth before the ages will hear and afflict them. For there is

20 no redemption for them. They indeed did not fear God: he hath stretched forth his hand with retribution. They profaned

21 and broke his covenant: they were scattered by the indignation of his countenance. When his heart was near, his words

22 were smoother than oil. Now they are daggers. Cast thy care on the Lord, and he will sustain thee. He will never suffer the

23 righteous to be shaken. But thou, O God, wilt drag them down to the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live half their days. But as for me I will trust in thee, O Lord.

LVI.

for the conclusion, for people far removed from the Holies: , Rij David for a momtmental inscription, when the Philistines had him in their ponver at Geth.

1 PITY me, O God, for a man hath trodden me down. Fight-

2 ing all the day long he hath afflicted me. Mine enemies have trodden me down the whole day, with the day in their favour.

3 Because they who fight against me are many, let them be con-

4 founded. But let me trust in thee : to God let me commend my words. In God I have trusted all the day long: I will not

5 fear what flesh can do to me. All the day long they spurned my words : all their thoughts were against me for mischief.

6 Some are to dwell near and hide themselves: some are to

7 watch my footsteps. As I have suffered this for my life, thou wilt on no account save them. In thine indignation thou wilt

8 cast down peoples. O God, to thee I have unfolded my life : thou hast placed my tears before thee. According to thy pro-

9 mise mine enemies shall turn back ; on the day when I invoke

10 thee. Behold I know that thou art my God. For God let me approve the decree : for the Lord let me approve the word.

11 In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what man can do

12 to me. On me, O God, are the vows of thy praise, which

13 I will pay : because thou hast delivered my soul from death; and my feet from falling: that I may worship acceptably before God; in the light of the living.—

LVII.

For the conclusion. Destroy not. By David for a monumental inscription, when he fled to the cave from the presence of Saul.

1 BE merciful to me, O God; be merciful to me. For in thee my soul hath trusted : and in the shadow of tfiy wings I

2 will put my trust, until this iniquity pass away. I will cry to

3 God the Most high ; to God who to me hath been kind. He sent from heaven and saved me. He delivered up to reproach

them who were treading me down. God sent forth his mercy and his truth; and delivered my soul from the midst of lions. I laid me down to sleep, troubled as I was. As for the sons of men, their teeth are weapons and darts; and their tongue is

5 a sharp sword. Be thou, O God, exalted above the heavens;

6 and thy glory over all the earth. They had prepared snares for my feet; and had caused my soul to bow down. They dug a pit before me: but into it they themselves have fallen.

7 My heart is prepared, O God ; my heart is prepared I will

t

8 sing and to vocal join instrumental nuisick. Awake my glory —awake psaltery and kithara: I myself will awake early. I

9 will praise thee, O Lord, among peoples: among nations I

10 will hymn thy praise. For thy mercy is magnified up to hea-

11 ven and thy truth up to the clouds. Be thou, O God, exalted above the heavens, and thy glory over all the earth.

LVIII.

For the conclusion. Destroy not. By David, for a monumental

inscription.

1 DO you indeed speak righteousness ? Do you judge up-

2 rightly, O sons of men ? In heart, indeed, you are working

3 iniquity in the land : your hands are weaving injustice. From the womb the wicked are in a state of alienation, they have

4 gone astray from their birth—they spoke lies. They have a venom like that of a serpent—like that of a deaf adder which

5 stoppeth its ears; which will not hearken to the voice of charm-

6 ers; nor to the charm administered by the wise. God hath broken their teeth in their mouth: the Lord hath broken the

7 lion’s grinders. They shall be despised like water passing by.

8 He will bend his bow till they be weakened. Like melting wax they shall be dissolved. A fire fell and they saw not the

9 sun. Before your bramble bush can make its prickles felt; it 10 will devour you as it were alive, as with wrath. The righteous will rejoice when he seeth the punishment of the wicked ; he will wash his hands in the blood of the sinner. And man will say, Since there is indeed a reward for the righteous, there is a God who judgeth those on the earth.

LIX.

for the conclusion. Destroy not. By David, for a monumental inscription, when Saul sent and -watched his house in order to put him to death.

1 DELIVER me, O God, from mine enemies: and redeem

2 me from them who rise up against me. Deliver me from them

VOL. II. 3 F

who work iniquity; and save me from blood thirsty men.

3 Tor behold they have hunted my life : the mighty are set against me: though there is no transgression—no sin, O Lord,

4 in me. Without transgression I ran and kept a straight course:

5 awake to meet me and behold. Do thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel! attend to visit all the nations: shew no

6 mercy to any workers of iniquity. They arc to return at even-

7 ing; and suffer hunger like a dog, and go round the city. Behold they are to speak oraculously with their mouth; and have a

8 sword in their lips; For who heard ? But thou, O Lord, wilt laugh them to scorn. Thou canst set at nought all the nations.

9 My strength is with thee: I will keep watch: for thou, O God,

10 art my supporter. My God will cause his mercy to go before me:

11 my God will display it to me among mine enemies. Slay them not. Perhaps they may have forgotten thy law. Scatter them with thy power; and bring them back, O Lord, my defender.

12 Let them be but arrested in their pride; the destructions attendant on their oath and falsehood, will shew the sin of their

13 mouth, the word of their lips. Under destructive wrath they cannot subsist. Let them know that the God of Jacob rulcth

14 over the ends of the earth. They are to return at evening and

15 suffer hunger like a dog and go round the city. Let them disperse, that they may eat; and if they are not satisfied, let them

16 murmur. But I will sing of thy power ; and in the morning exult in thy mercy i because thou wast my supporter, and my

17 refuge in the day of my affliction. Thou art my helper; to thee, O my God, I will sing; thou art my supporter, my God, my comfort. .^

LX.

For the conclusion. For t/iose who are still to be changed. For a monumental inscription. By David, for instruction, -when he had burned Syrian Mesopotamia, and Syrian Sobal; and Joab had returned, -when he smote in the valley of Salt, twelve thousand.

1 O GOD, thou didst cast us off and destroy us ; thou wast

2 angry, but hast had compassion on us. Thou hast shaken the land and troubled it. Heal the breaches of it; for it hath been

3 shaken. ThoU hast shewn thy people hard things; thou hast

4 made us drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast given to them who fear thee, a signal to flee from the face of the bow—

5 that thy beloved may be delivered, save with thy right hand C and hearken to me. God hath spoken in his sanctuary. I shall

rejoice and divide Sikima, and mete out the valley of tents.

7 Galaad is mine; and mine is Manasses: Ephraim is the strength

8 of my head ; Juda, my king; Moab is the cauldron of my hope. Over Idumea I will extend my march: to me the Phi-

9 listines are subjected. Who will lead me to the fortified city : 10 who will guide me to Idumea ? Wilt not thou, O God, who

didst cast us off—wilt not thou, O God, go out with our aril mies? Grant us help, because of affliction ; safety from man 12 is indeed vain. Through God we can exert power, he £an

bring to nothing them who afflict us.

LXI.

For the conclusion. Among the Hymns. By David.

1 HEAR, O God, my supplication : attend to this prayer of

2 mine. From the extremity of the land, I cried to thee, when my heart began to despond : at Petra thou didst raise me up,

3 and conduct me. Because thou hast been my hope—a strong

4 tower from the face of a foe ; I shall dwell at thy tabernacle

5 forever—I shall be sheltered in the covert of thy wings. Because thou, O God, hast heard my prayer—hast given a pos-

6 session to them who fear thy name ; thou wilt add days to the

7 days of a king, and prolong his years to endless ages; he will continue forever in the presence of God. O that every of them

8 may find out his mercy and truth ! So will I sing to thy name forever, that I may, day by day, perform my vows.

LXII.

For the conclusion. For Idithun. A Psalm. By David.

1 SHALL not my soul be subjected to God? For from him is

2 my salvation. For my God and my Saviour himself, is my sup-

3 porter—I shall never any more be shaken. How long will you set yourselves against a man ? You are all committing murder,

4 as with a bended wall and a rampart pushed down. But they had determined to pull down my honour. 1 was fleeing in thirst; with their mouth they blessed, but with their heart they im-

5 precated curses. But be thou, O my soul, subjected to God :

6 for from him is mine expectation. Because my God and my Saviour himself, is my support; I shall no more wander as an

7 exile. In God is my safety and my glory ; he is the God of my

8 help, and on God is my reliance. Trust in him all ye congregated people: pour out your hearts before him; for God is our

9 helper. But as for the vain sons of men—the lying sons of men;

10 Even in an unfair balance they are altogether vanity. Trust not in oppression—nor eagerly covet plunder; if riches flow in,

11 set not your heart on them. Once God hath spoken; these two things I have heard: That strength belongeth to God, and that mercy, O Lord, is thine : that thou wilt render to every one according to his works.

LXIII.

A Psalm by David, when he was in the -wilderness ofldumea.

1 O GOD, my God! to approach thee, I rise early. My soul thirsted for thee. For thee [I thirst] with all the vehement desire with which my flesh pines in a land, desert, track-

2 less and without water. Thus have I appeared to thee in the

3 sanctuary; that I might see thy power and thy glory. Because thy kindness is better than life; my lips shall continually praise

4 thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live : and in thy name I

5 will lift up my hands. Let my soul be filled as with marrow

6 and fatness: that my joyful lips may praise thy name. If I recollected thee on my bed : in the morning watches I medi-

7 tated on thee. Because-thou hast been my helper: therefore in

8 the shadow of thy wings I will rejoice. My soul hath kept

9 close to thee : thy right hand hath supported me. But as for these who sought my life in vain; they shall go to the lowest

10 parts of the earth. They shall be delivered up to the edge of

11 the sword: they shall be portions for jackals. But the joy of the king will be in God. Every one who sweareth by him shall glory; because the mouth of them who speak lies is stopped.

LXIV.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 HEAR, O God, my prayer when I invoke thee. From the

2 fear of an enemy deliver my soul. Thou hast sheltered me from the conspiracy of wicked men—from the multitude of

3 them who are working iniquity. They sharpened their tongues

4 like a sword: they bent a bow, a bitter thing, to shoot secretly a blameless man: They are to shoot him suddenly and not

5 be afraid. They strengthened for themselves an evil matter:

6 they talked of hidbg snares, saying, Who can see us? They searched for iniquity : they failed in the search. A man is to

7 come with a deep heart; and God is to be exalted. Their wounds became the dart of infants : when their tongues vili-

8 fied him. All that saw them were troubled : Then every man

9 was afraid. Then they rehearsed the works of God; then they 10 understood his doings. Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord

and trust in him: and let all the upright in heart be praised.

LXV.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David. An Ode.

1 TO thee, O God, a hymn in Sion is seemly: and to thec

2 a vow should be paid. Hearken to my prayer. To thee all flesh

3 should come. The acts of transgressors prevailed over us: but

4 thou canst pardon our sins. Happy he, whom thou hast chosen

5 and taken to thyself! He shall dwell in thy courts. Let us be satisfied with the good things of thy house : thy temple is holy.

6 Thou art wonderful for righteousness : hear us O God, our Saviour. Thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth : and of them at sea far off. Thou establishest the mountains by

7 thy power: thou art begirt with majesty. Thou causest the

8 cavity of the sea to rage; the billows thereof to roar. When nations are troubled and the inhabitants on its borders terrified at thy signs; thou canst make the outgoings of the morn-

9 ing and evening joyous. Thou hast visited the earth and watered it: thou hast multiplied the means of enriching it. The river of God is full of water: thou hast provided the supply

10 for it. Because such is thy provision, O! water its furrows plenteously : multiply its productions. By these showers on it, it will be gladdened; and will give a spring to vegetation.

11 Bless the crown of the year with thy goodness: and let the

12 fields be filled with fatness—let the mountains of the wilder-

13 ness be made fertile; and the hills be girt with joy. The rams of the flocks have clothed themselves: and the valleys abound with corn. Let them shout and hymn thy praise.

LXVI.

For the conclusion. An Ode of a Psalm. On the resurrection.

1 SHOUT for God in triumphant strains, all ye lands. Sing

2 harmoniously to his name, ascribe glory to his praise. Say to

3 God, How awful are thy works! For the greatness of thy

4 power, let thine enemies submit to thee. Let all the earth worship thee. With music vocal and instrumental let them sing to thee—let them sing harmoniously to thy name.

5 Come and see the works of God! He is awful in counsels

6 touching the sons of men. He it is who turned the sea into dry land; that they might march on foot through a flood.

7 There let us rejoice in him who ruleth by his everlasting power. His eyes look down on the nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

8 O ! Bless our God, ye nations; and cause the sound of

9 his praise to be heard. He it is who hath kept my soul alive;

10 and hath not given my feet to the briny deep. For thou, O

11 God, didst prove us, thou hast tried us as silver is tried. Thou didst bring us into the net: thou didst lay affliction on our

12 back : thou didst mount men over our heads; we have passed through fire and water. But thou hast« brought us to a place of

13 rest. I will go to thy house with -whole burnt offerings : To

14 thee I will perform my vows; which my lips have enjoined;

15 and which my mouth spoke in my affliction. To thee I will offer whole burnt offerings; full of marrow, with frankincense and rams. To thee I will sacrifice bullocks and goats.

16 Come, hearken, all ye who fear God, and I will tell you

17 what he hath done for my soul. To him I uttered a cry with my mouth; and with my tongue repeated this aloud.

18 If I have regarded iniquity in my heart; let not the Lord

19 hearken. For this cause God hearkened to me : he attended to

20 the sound of my prayer. Blessed be God who hath not rejected my prayer; nor turned away his mercy from me.

LXVII.

For the conclusion. Among the Hymns. A Psalm by David.

1 GOD be merciful to us, and bless us; and may he cause

2 his face to shine on us. Because of knowing thy way on the

3 earth, thy salvation among all nations; let peoples praise thee,

4 O God, let all peoples praise thee. Let nations be glad and rejoice, because thoujudgest peoples righteously, and wilt guide

5 nations on the earth. Let peoples praise thee, O God, let all

6 peoples praise thee. The earth hath yielded its increase: may

7 God, our God, bless us! May God bless us! And let all the ends of the earth fear him.

LXVIII.

For the conclusion. By David. A Psalm of an Ode.

1 LET God arise and his enemies be scattered; and let them

who hate him flee before him. As smoke vanisheth, let them disappear: as wax melteth before fire, so let sinners perish at

3 the presence of God. But let them who are righteous rejoice— let them shout for joy at the presence of God—let them be transported with gladness.

4 2. Sing to God; celebrate his name in songs: make way for him who is riding westward. His name is the Lord, rejoice

5 before him. Let them be awed at the presence of him, who is the father of the fatherless, and the judge of them who are wi-

6 dows. God is in a place consecrated to him: God settleth the lonely in a family, having brought out with strength them who had been bound; in like manner them who were rebellious—them, whose habitation is now in tombs.

7 S. When thou, O God, wentcst forth before thy people;

8 when thou wast marching through the wilderness; the earth shook and the heavens dissolved in showers at the presence of

9 the God of Sina—at the presence of the God of Israel. Thou, O God, canst assign to thy heritage rain, at pleasure; when

10 they were fainty thou didst refresh them. Thine animals dwell among them: in thy goodness thou didst provide for the distressed.

11 4. God the Lord will issue an order to them, who publish

12 good news to the mighty host—the king of the armies of the Beloved [to the army] of the Beloved, to divide spoils for beau-

13 tifying the house. Though you may have slept in kitchens; the wings of a dove covered with silver, while its back is spang-

14 led with yellow gold, shall, when the Almighty scattereth kings before it, be white as the snow on Selmon.

15 5. The mountain of GodJ a fertile mountain! Is a curdled

16 mountain a fertile mountain? But why do you suppose curdled mountains? This is the mount on which God is pleased to dwell, for the Lord will at length dwell there.

17 6. The chariots of God are innumerable: there are thousands of happy attendants. The Lord was among them at Sina.

18 In this holy place having ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive; and received gifts in the manner of man in to-

19 ken (for some were incredulous) of thy dwelling there. Blessed be the Lord God! Blessed be the Lord. Day by day let the God of our salvation prosper us!

20 7. Our God is the God to save; and to the Lord belong

21 the out goings of death. But God will crush the heads of his enemies—the hairy head of them who persist in their trespas-

22 ses. The Lord said, I will bring back from Basan; I will bring

23 back through the depths of a sea; that thy foot may be dipped in blood—the tongue of thy dogs, in that of his enemies.

24 8. Thy marches, O God, have been seen—the marches of

25 my God, my king, in this holy place. The chiefs went before next to the band of musick, in the midst of damsels playing

26 on’timbrels, ” bless ye God in assembliesthe Lord, ije from

27 the fountains of Israel.’1” There was young Benjamin in a rapture; there the chiefs of Juda, the leaders; the chiefs of Zabu-

28 Ion, the chiefs of Nephthaleim. Command, O God, thine army;

strengthen this, O God, which them hast established among us.

29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem, let kings bring thee gifts.

SO Rebuke the wild beasts of the reed, that the silvery shoals may not be intercepted. Is there an assembly of bulls among the heifers of the people? Scatter the nations which delight in was.

31 9. Ambassadors shall come from Egypt; Ethiopia shall

32 stretch out her hands to God. O ye kingdoms of the earth,

33 sing to God—sing to the Lord in harmonious strains; in harmonious strains sing to God, who rode on the eastern heaven of heaven. Behold with his voice he will utter a voice of power.

34 Ascribe ye glory to God. His excellency is over Israel; and

35 his power is in the clouds. God is awful among his saints: he is the God of Israel. He will give power and strength to his people. Blessed be our God!

LXIX.

For the conclusion. Respecting them who are to be changed.

By David.

1 SAVE, me, O God; for waters have broken in on my souL

2 I am sunk down into deep mire, and there is no support beneath. I am come into the depth of the sea, and a tempest hath

3 overwhelmed me. I am weary with crying; my throat is hoarse;

4 and mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head. Mine enemies who persecute me wrongfully are become strong. I have made compensation on the spot for what I did not take by

5 violence. Thou, O God, knowest my folly—and my trespas-

6 ses are not hid from thee. Let not them who wait for thee, O Lord of hosts, be put to shame on my account. Let not them be put to confusion for my sake, who are seeking thee, O God

7 of Israel. Because for thy sake I have borne reproach, confu-

8 sion hath covered my face. To my brethren I am become an

9 alien, and a stranger to the children of my mother. For my zeal for thy house hath consumed me; and on me have fallen

10 the reproaches of them, who reproached thee. When I bowed down my soul with fasting; it furnished occasion for reproach-

11 ing me. When I clothed myself with sackcloth, I became to

Vol. 11. 3 c

12 them a proverb—they who sat in the gate spoke against me ;

13 and they who drank wine, made me their song. But to thee,

0 Lord, I, in my prayer, applied : it was a time of favour. O God, in the multitude of thy mercy—in the truth of thy salva-

14 tion, hearken to me. Save me from mire that I may not sink down. Let me be delivered from them who hate me and out

1$ of this depth of waters. Let not a flood of water overwhelm me, nor a whirlpool swallow me up, nor a pit shut its mouth up-

16 on me. Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving kindness is good; according to thine abundant mercy, look down upon me.

17 Turn not away thy face from thy servant; because I am in

18 distress, hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul and redeem

19 it; deliver me, because of mine enemies. For thou knowest my reproach, and my shame and my confusion ; all mine adversa-

20 ries are before thee. My soul expected reproach and misery.

1 waited for a condoler, but there was none—for a comforter,

21 but none could I find. They indeed have given me gall for my

22 food, and for my thirst, have made me drink vinegar. Let their table before them become a snare and a recompence and a

23 stumbling block. Let their eyes be darkened that they may not

24 see, and bow down their neck continually. Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful ire take hold of

25 them. Let their fold be desolate, and in their dwellings no in-

26 habitant. Because him, whom thou smotest, they persecuted,

27 and have added to the pains of my wounds ; add thou iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not come into thy righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not

29 be enrolled with the righteous. I am afflicted—I am full of pain; but the salvation of thy countenance hath upheld me.

SO I will praise the name of my God with an Ode : I will mag-

31 nify him with thanksgiving; this indeed will be more pleasing

32 to God than a young bull with horns and hoofs. Let the afflicted behold and rejoice: seek God diligently and you shall live.

33 For the Lord hath hearkened to the needy, and hath not despis-

34 ed his prisoners. Let the heavens and the earth praise him—

35 the sea and all that move therein. For God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea shall be rebuilded, and the seed of his servants shall dwell there. They shall inherit it and possess it; and they who love his name shall dwell therein.

LXX.

For the conclusion. By David. For a memorial, that t/ie Lord

hath saved me.

1 O GOD, draw near to my assistance: O Lord, make haste

2 to help me. Let them who seek my life be shamed and confounded ; let them be turned back and put to shame who wish

3 me evils. Let them who say to me, Ha! ha ! be turned back

4 suddenly, covered with shame. Let all,who seek thee exult, and rejoice for thee. Let them who love thy salvation, say con-

5 tinually, Let God be magnified. As for me, I am afflicted and needy ; O God, assist me. Thou art my help and my deliverer : O Lord, make no delay.

LXXI.

i

By David. Sung by the children ofJonadab, and thejirst captives.

1 IN thee, O Lord, I have put my trust: let me never be

2 put to confusion. In thy saving mercy deliver me and re-

3 scue me : incline thine ear to me and save me. Be thou to me a protecting God, and a place of strength to save me:

4 for thou art my fortress and my refuge. O my God, deliver me out of a sinner’s hand—out of the hand of an un-

5 righteous and cruel man. For thou, O Lord, art mine expec-

6 tation—thou, Lord, art my hope, from my youth ; upon thee I have leaned from the womb : from my birth thou art my pro-

7 tector; thou art the constant subject of my song. To many I

8 became a wonder; but thou wast my powerful assistant. Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may celebrate thy glory

9 —thy majesty, all the day long. Cast me not off in the time of

10 old age : forsake me not when my strength faileth. Because mine enemies have said to me—nay, my life guards have con-

11 suited together, saying, ” God hath forsaken him ; pursue and

12 take him, for he hadi no deliverer.” O God, be not far from

13 me ; draw near, O my God, to my assistance. Let them who plot against my life be confounded, and perish;—let them, who seek to do me hurt, be cloathed with shame and confu-

14 sion. But as for me, I will hope, continually; and I will yet

15 praise theemore and more. My mouth shall proclaim thy saving mercy—-thy salvation all the day long. Because I am un-

16 practised in studies I will go in the strength of the Lord; I will

17 mention the saving mercy of thee, O Lord, alone. Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth : and thus far I can de-

18 clare thy wonders—even to old age and grey hairs. O God, forsake me not, till I declare thine arm to the rising genera-

19 tion—thy power and thy righteousness, O God most High— the great things which thou hast done. Who is like thee, O

20 God? O what afflictions many and sore hast thou shewn me! But thou hast returned and quickened me; and brought me up

21 again from the depths of the earth. Thou hast multiplied thy saving mercy : thou hast returned and comforted me ; and

22 hast brought me up again from the depths of the earth. Therefore with a musical instrument I will praise thee—thy truth, O God: I will sing and play on a kithara to thee, the holy one

23 of Israel. My lips shall rejoice, when I play to thee; my soul

24 also which thou hast redeemed. My tongue shall still talk of thy saving mercy all the day long, when they, who seek my hurt are shamed and confounded.

LXXII.

For Solomon.

1 O GOD give the king thy judgment; and thy righteous-

2 ness to the king’s son. That he may judge thy people with

3 righteousness; and thy distressed ones with judgment. Let the mountains and the hills resume peace for thy people :

4 Let him judge righteously such of the people as are distressed; and save the children of the needy : and humble oppres-

5 sors : and continue, as long as the sun and moon, through all

6 generations. Let him descend like rain on a fleece; and like

7 showers gently falling on the ground. In his days let righteousness spring up, with abundance of peace, till the moon is

8 no more. And let him rule from sea to sea; and from the river

9 to the limits of the world. Let the Ethiopeans bow down be- 10 fore him; and let his enemies lick the dust. Let the kings of Tharsis and the isles bring gifts; the kings of the Arabs and

, 11 Saba offer presents. Let all the kings pay him homage—all the

12 nations serve as vassals. Because he delivered the poor from

IS the oppressor, and the needy who had no helper: he will

spare the afflicted and needy; and save the lives of those in

14 distress—from usury and injustice he will redeem their lives;

15 and their name will be precious in his sight: and he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia ; and prayer shall be made for him continually : and he will be blessed all

16 the day long. Let there be in the land a settlement on the tops of the mountains; the fruit thereof will overtop Libanus; and

17 they of a city shall flourish like the grass of the earth. Let his name be blessed for ever! His name shall endure longer than the sun: and by him all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.

18 All the nations shall hail him happy. Blessed be the Lord the

19 God of Israel; who alone doth wonderful things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever and ever : and let all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen.

An intermission of the Hymns of David son of Jessai.

LXXIII.
A Psalm by Asaph. 

1 HOW good is God to Israel! To such as are upright in

2 heart! But as for me, my feet were almost gone : my steps

3 had well nigh slipped : for I envied the unrighteous? when I

4 saw the prosperity of sinners. For there is no lifting up of eyes

5 in their death: and in their affliction they have support. They are not in trouble like other men; nor with other men to be

G scourged. Therefore haughtiness hath got a mastery over them—they have clothed themselves with their iniquity and

7 impiety. Their iniquity springeth up as it were out of fatness;

8 they passed on to the purpose of their heart. They thought and spoke wickedly—they spoke injustice with a lofty air.

9 They set their mouth against heaven; and their tongue passed 10 on over the earth. Shall my people therefore turn to this; and

11 will full days be found by them? They indeed said, How doth God know? and, Is there any knowledge in the Most

12 High? Behold these who are sinful men; are always prosper-

13 ous and have gotten wealth. Nay, I myself said, Have I then in vain kept my heart just; and washed my hands in innocen-

14 cy. All the day long I have been scourged; and the accusation

15 against me is renewed every morning. Had I said, I will make such a declaration openly: I should have been treacherous to

16 the generation of thy children. I therefore supposed, the

17 trouble of knowing this is before me. When I go to the

18 sanctuary of God; I may understand the final issue. It is but for their frauds thou hast dealt dins with them. Thou hast

19 overthrown them by their exaltation. O ! how they were for destruction ! They are gone in a moment! They perished for

20 their iniquity ! As a dream of one awaked out of sleep. Thou,

21 O Lord, in thy city wilt spurn their ghost; therefore my heart

22 was cheered and my reins were changed. I indeed was despicable for my want of knowledge: I was brutish as a beast be-

23 fore thee. As for me I shall be with thee continually : thou hast

24 held me by my right hand : with thy counsel thou hast guid-

25 ed me, and taken me to thyself with glory. For what is there in heaven for me; or what on earth have I desired, besides

26 thee? Hath my heart and my flesh failed? God is the strength

27 of my heart;—God is my portion forever. Seeing they who withdrew themselves from thee, shall perish—thou hast cut

28 off every one who goeth a whoring from thee : It is therefore good for me to cleave to God—to place my hope upon the Lord : that I may publish all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.

LXXIV.

Of understanding. By Asaph.

1 O GOD, why hast thou utterly cast off ? Why is thy wrath

2 extreme against the sheep of thy pasture ? Remember thy congregation which thou hast purchased of old; this portion of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed; this mount

3 Sion on which thou hast dwelt. Lift up thy hands against their perpetual haughtiness ; for all that the enemy hath wickedly 4 done in thy Holies. They who hate thee have indeed triumphed : in the midst of thy festival they set up their own signs:

5 The -signs pointing to the entrance above they did not know. As if in a forest of trees, they cut down with axes the doors

6 of that entrance. Then with hatchets and mattocks they broke

7 it down. They burned thy sanctuary to the ground with fire:

8 they profaned the habitation of thy name. They said, The whole brood of them are in their heart set upon this : come, let us cause to cease from the land the festivals of the Lord.

9 The signs peculiarly ours we do not see: there is no more a

10 prophet; nor will he any more acknowledge us. How long O God, shall the enemy reproach ? Shall the adversary blas-

11 pheme thy name forever? Why dost thou withdraw thy hand? Let thy right hand be ever out of thy bosom.

12 God was indeed our king of old. He wrought deliverance

13 in the midst of this land. Thou by thy power didst exercise dominion over the sea: thou didst crush the heads of the dra-

14 gons in the water. Thou didst crush the heads of the dragon :

15 thou gavest him to be meat for the Ethiopean tribes. Thou didst cause springs and torrents to burst forth. Thou didst

16 dry up the rivers of Etham. Thine is the day and the night

17 is thine : it is thou who preparedst the sun and moon. Thou hast made all the borders of the earth : summer and spring

18 were made by thee. Remember this creation of thine. An enemy hath reproached the Lord ; a foolish people hath blas-

19 phemed thy name. Deliver not up to the wild beasts a soul which praiseth thee. Forget not forever the souls of thy afflict.

20 ed people. Have respect to thy covenant, because the dark places of this land have been filled with habitations of ini-

21 quity ; let not him who hath been humbled and shamed be utterly scorned: let the afflicted and needy praise thy name.

22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember the re-

23 proaches cast on thee, all day long, by a fool. Forget not the voice of thy suppliants: let the pride of them, who hate thee, ascend continually before thee.

LXXV.

For the conclusion. Destroy not. A Psalm of an Ode by Asaph.

1 (p) LET us praise thce, O God ; let us praise and invoke thy

2 name. Let me proclaim all thy wonderous works. (J) When I find

3 a suitable time, lexecute righteous judgment. (p)The land, with all its inhabitants, is wasted. (J )It was I who strengthened the pil-

4 lars thereof. I ordered the transgressors not to transgress, and 5.said to sinners, Exalt not a horn. Lift not up your horn on

6 high; speak not iniquity against God. For it is neither from

7 east nor from west, nor is it from desart mountains ; for God

8 is judge;—he humbleth one and he exalteth another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, filled with mixed wine of horror; and out of this he hath poured into that: but the dregs of it are not emptied out; all the sinners of the land shall drink

9 it. (p) Let me then exult with joy forever, and tune my lyre for the God of Jacob. (J) I will break all the horns of sinners, but the horn of the righteous shall be exalted.

LXXVI.

For the conclusion with hymns. A Psalm by Asaph. An Ode on

the Assyrians.

1 IN Judea, God is known ; his name is great in Israel. His

2 place was in Eirene; and his dwelling is on Sion» There he

3 broke the strong bows, armour, and sword and battle.

4 From everlasting mountains, thou shinest marvellously;

all the foolish hearted, were struck with consternation. All those mighty men have slept their sleep, and found nothing

6 of their wealth for their hands. At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,

7 they who had mounted their horses fell fast asleep. Thou art terrible ; who therefore can withstand thee, on the account of

8 thine indignation. From heaven thou didst cause the sentence to

9 be heard; the earth was terrified and was still: when God arose

(p) The Prophet. (J) Jehovah.

10 for judgment, to save all the meek in heart. Since the secret purpose of man can contribute to thy praise, let the remainder

11 of it cause a festival to be celebrated for thee. Vow and pay your vows to the Lord our God: let all around him bring

12 gifts to him who is awful—to him who taketh away the spirits of chiefs—to him who is terrible to the kings of the earth.

LXXVII.

For the conclusion. For Idithun. A Psalm by Asaph.’ 

1 WITH my voice I cried to the Lord, and my voice was to

2 God, and he hearkened to me. In the day of my affliction I sought God with my hands in the night before him ; and I was

3 not disappointed. My soul had refused to be comforted; I remembered God and was made glad—I meditated, though my

4 spirit was in despondency. All mine enemies had previously

5 mounted guard ; I was troubled and did not speak. I considered the days of old : I recollected the years of ancient times ;

6 I meditated at night—I conversed with my heart—I searched

7 my spirit diligently. Will the Lord cast off forever, and will he

8 no more be favourable ? Will he entirely cut off mercy, from

9 generation to generation ? Will God forget to be gracious ? Will he in his anger restrain his compassion ?

10 Then I said, I have now made a beginning; this is the

11 change of the right hand of the Most High. I called to remembrance the works of the Lord. Seeing I can remember

12 thy wonders of old: let me therefore meditate on all thy works,

13 and muse on thine institutions. O God, thy way is in that

14 which is holy ; what God is great as our God? Thou art the God who worketh miracles : thou hast made thy power known

15 among the tribes. With thine arm thou didst redeem this peo-

16 pie of thine—the children of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw thee, O God!—the waters saw thee and were terrified,

17 and the deep gulphs were troubled. Great was the roaring of the waters ; the clouds uttered a sound: for thy bolts were

18 passing through them. The sound of thy thunder was in the round expanse : thy lightnings illumed the world ; the earth

19 shook and trembled. Thy way was through the sea, and thy

VOL. II. 3 H

paths through many waters ; but thy footsteps could not be known. Thou leddest thy people like a flock: by the ministry of Moses and Aaron.

LXXVIII.

On understanding. By Asaph.

1 ATTEND, my people, to my law; incline your ears to the

2 words of my mouth. I will o”pen my mouth with parables—I

3 will utter dark sayings of old;—such as we have heard and

4 known, which our fathers have related to us. They were not hid from their children: one generation told another the praises of the Lord, his acts of power, and the wonders which

5 he hath done. Thus he raised up a testimony in Jacob, and established a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to make

6 known to their children : that the succeeding generation—die children to be born, might know it, and rise and tell the same

7 to their children : that they might put their trust in God, and not forget the works of God, but seek diligently his command-

8 ments—that they might not be like their fathers—a perverse and rebellious generation—a generation which set not their hearts aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

9 The sons of Ephraim, who bend and shoot the boxy, were

10 turned back in the day of battle. They did not keep the cove-

11 nant of God, and would not walk in his law. They indeed forgot his acts of kindness—those wonders of his which he

12 had shewn them—wonders which he did in the sight of their

13 fathers: in the land of Egypt, in the plain of Tanis. He had cleft the sea and led them through it; he had stayed the waters

14 as in a bottle. He had led them with a cloud by day, and all the

15 night long with a light of fire; he had cleft a rock in the wil-

16 derness, and given them drink as from a great abyss ; he had brought water out of a rock, and caused streams to flow down

17 like rivers : But still they proceeded to sin against him—they

18 provoked the Most High in a desert. Still they made trial ot God in their hearts, by asking for meats to their appetites.

19 Nay, they spoke against God and said, ” Can God provide a

20 table in a desert ? When he smote a rock, waters gushed out, and streams swelled to an overflowing flood. But can He also

21 give bread, or provide a table for his people ?” Therefore the Lord heard and was provoked; and a fire was kindled among

22 Jacob; and wrath came up against Israel. Because they believed not in God, nor trusted in his salvation.

23 Though he had commanded the clouds above, and had 24, opened the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna for

25 them to eat, and had given them die bread of heaven, (Mail , was eating the bread of angels) he sent meat for them to sa-

26 tiety. He removed the south east wind out of heaven, and by

27 his power brought on the soudi west: and rained upon them flesh, like dust: and feathered fowls as the sand of the sea;

28 they fell in the midst of their encampment, and all around their

29 habitation. Though they ate and were filled abundantly, and SO he had given them their desire; their longing desire was not

31 stayed; therefore while the meat was still in their mouth, the anger of God came up against them, and slew them amidst their fat viands, and fettered the chosen men of Israel.

32 Notwithstanding all these things they still sinned, and did

33 not believe his wonderous works; therefore their days glided away in vanity, and their years were attended with impatience.

34 When he smote them and they sought him, and returned and

35 inquired early after God, and remembered that God was their

36 helper, and that God the Most High was their redeemer; though they expressed love for him with their mouth, they lied to him

37 with their tongue, and their heart was not right with him, nor

38 were they stedfast in his covenant. But he being merciful forgave their sins, and would not utterly destroy them. Yea, many a time did he turn away his wrath, and would not suffer all his

39 wrath to blaze forth: for he remembered tlmt they were flesh— a breath going out and not again returning.

40 How often did they provoke him in the wilderness, and

41 excite him to anger in the desert? They actually turned back and tempted God, and provoked to wrath the holy One of Is-

42 rael. They remembered not his hand, on the day when he res-

43 cued them out of the hand of an oppressor; how he had displayed his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the plain of Ta«

44 nis; and had turned their rivers into blood, and their cisterns

45 so that they could not drink—had sent against them the dog fly which devoured them, and swarms of frogs which destroyed

46 them; and had given their crops to the canker worm, and their

47 labours to the locust—had smitten their vineyards with hail,

48 and their sycamine trees with frost; and delivered up their cat-

49 tie to hail, and their substance to the fire—having sent” out against them his fierce anger, wrath and indignation and afflic-

50 tion—a mission executed by evil angels: he paved a way for his vengeance—he spared not their lives from death: he deli-

51 vered up their cattle to pestilence, and smote every first born in the land of Egypt—the first fruits of their labours in the tents

52 of Cham; and brought out his people like sheep, and led them

53 like a flock in the desert, and guided them safely, so that they were not afraid, though the sea overwhelmed their enemies;

54 and brought them to the mount of his holiness—to this moun-

55 tain which his right hand purchased; and drove out nations from before them, and gave them by lot their several portions, and settled in their djvellings the tribes of Israel.

56 Still they tempted and provoked God the Most High, and

57 did not keep his testimonies; but turned back and broke covenant like their fathers. They turned aside like a deceitful

58 bow. They provoked him with their mounts, and with their

59 graven images moved him to jealousy. God heard and despised

60 them and greatly contemned Israel, and he abandoned the tabernacle of Selom—the tent in which he had dwelt among men;

61 and delivered up their strength to captivity, and their glory in-

62 to an enemy’s hand; and gave up his people to the sword, and

63 slighted his inheritance. A fire consumed their young men,

64 and their virgins made no lamentatipn. Their priests fell by the sword and their widows are not to bewail them.

65 At length the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, as a mighty

66 man recovered from wine; and he smote his enemies in the

67 hinder parts, and cast an everlasting reproach on them. But he rejected the habitation of Joseph, and did not chuse the tribe

68 of Ephraim; but made choice of the tribe of Juda—of this

69 mount Sion which he loved, and built his sanctuary like that

70 of unicorns; in this land he founded it for this age, and he chose David his servant and took him from the flocks of sheep

71 —he took him from tending the ewes with young to feed his

72 servant Jacob and Israel his inheritance. And he fed them in the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skill of his hands.

LXXIX.

i

A Psalm by Asaph.

1 O GOD, nations are come into thine inheritance: they have polluted thy holy temple. They have made Jerusalem a de-

2 pository for summer fruits. They have given the carcasses of thy servants to be meat for the birds of the air—the flesh of thy

3 saints, to the wild beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water round Jerusalem ; and there was none

4 to bury them. We are become a reproach to our neighbours—

5 A scoff and a derision to them around us. How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire forever?

C Pour out thy wrath on the nations that have not acknowledged thee ; and on kingdoms which have not invoked thy name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste t,his place of

8 his. Remember not our former iniquities: let thy tender mer-

9 cies overtake us speedily : as we are greatly distressed; help us, O God, our saviour: for the glory of thy name deliver us;

10 and pardon our sins for thy name’s sake. Perhaps they may say among the nations, Where is their God ? Let therefore the avengement of the blood of thy servants, which hath been

11 she.d; be known among the nations in our sight. Let the groans of the prisoners come before thee. According to the mighty power of thine arm ; protect the children of them who

12 are slain. Retribute to these neighbours of ours—into their bosom seven fold; their reproach, with which they have re-

13 proached thee, O Lord. For we are thy people and the sheep of thy pasture: to thee we will render thanks forever: we will proclaim thy praise to all generations.

LXXX.

r

For the conclusion. Respecting them w/io are to be changed. A testimony. By Asaph. A Psalm respecting the Assyrian.

1 GIVE ear, O shepherd of Israel! Who leadest Joseph like

2 a flock—thou who art enthroned on the cherubim; shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasses: stir up thy 3 strength and come for our salvation. Turn us, O God; and

4 let thy face shine ; and we shall be saved. O Lord, the God of hosts ! How long wilt thou continue thine anger, against

5 the prayer of this servant of thine ? How long wilt thou feed us with bread of tears; and give us tears to drink by measure ?

6 Thou hast made us a mocking stock to our neighbours : and

7 our enemies have derided us. O Lord, the God of hosts, bring us back‘, and let thy face shine and we shall be saved.

8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out

9 nations and planted it. Thou didst prepare the way before it;

10 and plant its roots and the land was filled: and its shade obscured mountains: and its branchy shoots, the cedars of

11 God. It extended its branches quite to the sea ; and its spread-

12 ing boughs quite to the river. Why hast thou broken down

13 its hedge ; that all who pass by the way, may pluck it ? The boar from the forest hath laid it waste ; and a savage beast

14 hath devoured it. O God of hosts, return we beseech thee ;

15 look down from heaven and see and visit this vine : and repair that which thy right hand hath planted—even for the son

16 of man, whom thou madest strong for thyself. It is burned up with fire and rooted up. At the rebuke of thy countenance

17 are they to perish ? O let thy hand be on the man of thy right hand—on the son of man whom thou hast made strong for

18 thyself: and let us not depart from thee. Thou canst quick –

19 en us that we may invoke thy name. O Lord, the God of hosts, bring us back : and let thy face shine and we shall be saved.

LXXXI.

For the conclusion. On the wine presses. A Psalm by Asaph.

1 EXULT with joy for God our helper! Shout triumphant-

2 ly for the God of Jacob ! Take a psalm and bring a tympa-

3 num—the sweet sounding psaltery with a kithara. Sound the

4 trumpet at the new moon—at the set day of your festival. For it is a statute for Israel—a rite established by the God of Ja-

5 cob—as a testimony for Joseph; it pointed him out at tlie time of his coming out of the land of Egypt; he caused him to hear

6 a tongue which he knew not: he removed his back from burdens. His hands served at the basket.

7 (J) ” In affliction thou didst call upon me, and I delivered thee. I heard thee in the secret of a tempest. I proved thce at

8 the .water of strife. Hear O my people and I will speak to thee. O Israel, and I will testify to thee. If thou wilt hearken

9 to me, with thee there must be no new fangled god: nor

10 shalt thou worship a strange god, for I am the Lord thy God;

11 who brought thee up from the land of Egypt. Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. But my people did not hearken to my

12 voice; nor did Israel attend to me. Therefore I gave them up

13 to the devices of their own hearts. Let them walk in their own

14 devices. Had my people hearkened to me—had Israel walked in my ways: I would have effectually humbled their enemies;

15 and laid my hand on those who afflicted them. The enemies of

16 the Lord should have submitted to him; and their time would have been forever : and he would have fed them with the finest wheat; and satisfied them with honey from a rock.”

LXXXII.

A Psalm by Asaph.

1 GOD stand eth in the assembly of gods and in the midst

2 he judgeth gods. (J) How long will you judge unjustly; and re-

3 spect the persons of sinners? Do justice to the fatherless and

4 the afflicted: Justify the lowly and the needy. Rescue the

5 needy and deliver the afflicted out of the sinner’s hand. They did not know; nor did they understand. They walked on in

6 darkness. All the foundations of the land shall be shaken. I

7 said you are gods; and all sons of the Most High: but you 8 shall die like men; and fall like one of the chiefs, (p) Arise, O God, judge the land thyself: for thou shalt inherit all the nations.

LXXXIII.

An Ode of a Psalm by Asaph.

1 O GOD, who can be compared to thee? Keep not silence

2 nor be still, O God. For lo ! thine enemies are become noisy;

3 and they who hate thee have raised their heads. Against thy people they have .taken crafty counsel. And consulted against

(J) Jehovah (p) the prophet or psalmist.

4 thy holies. Come, said they, let us cut them off from being a nation: and let the name of Israel be no more remembered.

5 For with this intent they consulted in concert. Against thee

6 have entered into conspiracy the hordes of the Idumeans and

7 the Ismaelites, Moab and the Agarenians; Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, and the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre.

8 Assur also is joined with them: they are come to the assistance

9 of the children of Lot. Do thou to them as to Madiam and

10 Sisara : as to Jabin at the brook of Kison. They were utterly cut off at Aendor: they became as dung for the ground;

11 make their chiefs like Oreb and Zeb—all their chiefs like Ze-

12 bee and Salmana. They said, Let us possess ourselves of the

13 altar of God. O my God make them like a whirl—like stub-

14 ble opposed to wind. As fire blazeth through a forest—as a

15 spark can set mountains on fire: so thou with thy tempest

16 wilt pursue them, and trouble them with thy wrath. Fill their faces with dishonour: that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

17 Let them be shamed and troubled forever : let them be put

18 to confusion and perish : and let them know that thy name is the Lord—that thou alone art the Most High over all the earth.

LXXXIV.

For the conclusion. A Psalm for the wine presses. For the sons of

Kore.

1 O LORD of hosts, how lovely are thine abodes ! my soul

2 longeth, it pantetfi for the courts of the Lord. My heart and

3 my flesh exulted for the living God. For a sparrow hath found for itself a house : and a ring-dove a nest for itself, where to place its young—[Even I] these altars of thine, O Lord of

4 hosts. O my king and my God, happy they who dwell in thy

5 house; they shall forever praise thee. Happy the man, whose support is from thee, O Lord! he hath laid up in his heart

6 steps for this mournful vale, to the place on which he hath

7 fixed; for the lawgiver will indeed give blessings. They shall go on from strength to strength : the God of Gods will be seen

8 in Sion. O Lord, the God of hosts, hear my prayer; hearken

9 to it, O God of Jacob. O God, our shield behold: look down

10 on the face of thine Anointed. Because one day in thy courts is better than a thousand ; I had rather be in an abject state in

11 the house of God, than dwell in the tents of sinners. Because the Lord loveth mercy and truth ; God will give grace and glory : the Lord will not withhold good things from them who

12 walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts ! happy is the man whose trust is in thee.

LXXXV.

For the conclusion. A Psalm for the sons of Kore.

1 O LORD, thou hast favoured this land of thine: thou

2 hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven thy people their iniquities: thou hast covered all their sins.

3 Thou hast caused all thine anger to cease: thou hast turned

4 away from thy fierce wrath. Turn us, O God of our salvation,

5 and turn away thy wrath from us. Be not angry with us forever.

6 Wilt thou extend thy wrath to all generations ? O God, thou wilt turn and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice for thee.

7 Shew us, O Lord, thy loving kindness: And shouldst thou

8 grant us thy salvation, I will hear what the Lord God will say by me: for he will speak peace to his people—to his saints: even

9 to them who turn their hearts to him; moreover his salvation will be near them who fear him ; that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth have met each other; righteousness a«d

11 peace have mutually embraced. Truth hath sprung up out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

12 For the Lord will exercise benignity, and our land shall yield

13 her increase. Righteousness shall go before him, and he will imprint his footsteps for a path,

LXXXVI.

A Prayer. By David.

INCLINE, O Lord, thine ear, and hear me: for 1 am dis-

‘ 2 tressed and needy. Preserve my life, for I am holy : save thy

3 servant, O God, who trusteth in thee. Be merciful to me, O

VOL. II. 3 I

4 Lord, for to thee I will cry all the day long. Comfort the soul of thy servant; for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul:

5 for thou, Lord, art kind and gentle, and plenteous in mercy

6 to all who invoke thee. Listen, O Lord, to my prayer, and at-

7 tend to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my afflic-

8 tion, I cried to thee, because thou didst hear me. There is none among gods like thee, O Lord : nor are any works to be

9 compared to thine. Let all the nations which thou hast made, come and worship before thee, O Lord, and praise thy name;

10 for thou art great and doest wonders—thou art the Only, the

11 Great God. Conduct me, O Lord, in thy way; and I will walk in thy truth. Let my heart be gladdened, that thy name may

12 be feared. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole

13 heart, and glorify thy name forever. For thy mercy to me hath been great; thou hast delivered my soul from the deepest man-

14 sion of the dead. O God, transgressors rose up against me, and an assembly of violent men sought my life ; they indeed

15 did not set thee before them. But thou, Lord God, who art merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in good-

16 ness and truth, look -down upon me and pity me; give thy strength to thy servant and save the son of thy handmaid.

17 Vouchsafe to me a token for good, and let them who hate me, see it and be ashamed, because thou, O Lord, hast helped me and given me comfort.

LXXXVII.

*.4 Psalm of an Ode for the sons of Kore.

ON the holy mountains are his foundations! The Lord lov-

3 eth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glo-

4 rious things have been said of thee, O city of God. Shall I mention Rahab or Babylon to those gaining a knowledge of me ? Behold the Philistines and Tyrians, and the tribe of the Kt hi –

5 opians say, Such and such were born there. Man will say, ” Sion is my mother;” and, ” In it such a man was born.”

G ” The Most High himself founded it” this will be the account which the Lord will give in the enrollment of peoples and of

7 those chiefs who were born in it. How delighted must all be, whose habitation is in thee!

LXXXVIII.

.’In Ode of a Psalm for the sons of Kore. For the conclusion. On the responsive Maeleth. On tinder standing. By Aiman the Israelite.

O LORD God of my salvation, before thee I have cried 2 day and night. Let my prayer come before thee, incline, O .” Lord, thine car to my supplication; for my soul is full of trou-

4 ble, and my life draweth near to the mansion of the dead. I was counted with them who are going down to the pit; I be-

5 came like a man who is past recovery—like one set free among the dead—like the prostrate slain, asleep in the grave, whom thou hast no more remembered.

6 Though they were cast off out of thy hand, they laid me in

7 the lowest pit— in dark places and in the shade of death. On me thy wrath was pressed hard, and all thy billows thou didst

8 bring upon me. Thou hast removed far from me my acquaintance, they accounted me an abomination to them. I was deli-

9 vered up and did not go abroad; mine eyes were weakened by affliction. To thee, O Lord, I cried all the day long: to thee

10 I stretched forth my hands. Wilt thou work wonders among

11 the dead? Or can physicians raise them up to praise thee ? Can any in the grave declare thy kindness ?—Or thy faithfulness,

12 in destruction? Can thy wonders be known in darkness—Or

13 thy saving mercy, in the land of forgetfulness ? As for me, I have cried to thee, O Lord, and in the morning my prayers

14 shall be before thee. O Lord, why rejectest thou my prayer—

15 why turnest thou away thy face from me? I am afflicted and in troubles from my youth: though raised high I have been

16 humbled and distressed. Thy resentments have come upon

17 me; and thy terrors have quite confounded me : they have encompassed me like water: all the day long they begirt me at

18 once. Thou hast removed a friend far from me, my acquaintance also, because of misery.

LXXXIX.

On understanding. By Aitham the Israelite.

1 O LORD, I will sing of thy mercies forever; I will pro-

2 claim thy truth with my mouth to all generations. Since thou hast said, ” Mercy shall be built up forever. My truth shall

3 be established in the heavens. I have made a covenant with

4 my chosen, I have sworn to my servant David, I will establish thy seed forever; I will build up thy throne to all generations.”

5 O Lord, let the heavens praise thy wonders and thy truth in

6 the congregation of the saints. For who in heaven can be compared to the Lord? Or who among the sons of God, likened

7 to the Lord ? God is glorified in the counsel of the holy—great

8 and awful among all around him. .O Lord, the God of hosts, who rs like thee? Thou, Lord, art mighty and thy truth is

9 around thee. Thou rulest the raging of the sea, and stillest the

10 rolling billows thereof. Thou hast humbled the proud like one

11 slain—with thy mighty arm thou hast scattered thy foes. Thine are the heavens, and the earth is thine, thou hast founded the

12 world and its fulness. Thou hast created the north and the

13 west; let Thabor and Hermon rejoice at thy name. Thine arm is endowed with power; let thy hand be strong—thy right hand

14 exalted. Justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne;

15 mercy and truth shall march before thee. Happy the people who know the joyful sound! They will walk, O Lord, in the

16 light of thy presence, and rejoice in thy name all the day long,

17 and be exalted by thy righteousness. For thou art the glory of their strength; and by thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

18 For thou art the help of our Lord even of the Holy One of Israel, 1& our king. At that time thou didst speak in vision to thy children

and say, ” I have laid help on one who is Mighty: I have exalted

20 a chosen one of my people; I have found David my servant;

21 I have anointed him with holy oil. My hand will indeed sup-

22 port him. And him mine arm will strengthen. Over him an enemy shall not gain advantage ; nor shall a son of wicked-

23 ness any more afflict him. For before him I will hew down,

24 his enemies : and them who hate him I will put to flight. And my truth and my mercy shall be with him; and by my name 25 his horn shall be exalted. And I will put his hand on the sea;

26 and his right hand on the rivers : and he will invoke me saying, Thou art my father; my God and the support of my sal-

27 vation ; and I will set him as a first born ; high above all the

28 kings of the earth. My mercy I will keep for him evermore.

29 And my covenant with him shall be firm. And I will establish

30 his seed forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and do not walk in my judgments—

31 If they profane my statutes; and do not keep my command-

32 ments : I will visit their transgressions with a rod; and their

33 iniquities with scourges. But from him I will not withdraw

34 my mercy ; nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. I will not vio-

35 late my covenant; nor annul what have passed my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness ; that I will not be false

36 to David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the

37 sun before me ; and as the moon forever fixed : and the witness in heaven is faithful.”

38 Hast thou then ca’st off and set at naught—hast thou given

39 up this thine anointed ? Hast thou made void the covenant with thy servant: and profaned his sanctuary to the ground ?

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges, and made his strong

41 holds a ruin. All that pass by have plundered him : he is be-

42 come a subject of reproach to his neighbours. Thou hast raised up the right hand of his foes, thou hast made all his

43 enemies glad. Thou hast turned back the edge of his sword ;

44 and hast not assisted him in battle. Thou hast caused his purification to cease : thou hast dashed down his throne to tlie

45 ground. Thou hast shortened the days of his throne, and pour-

46 ed contempt upon him. How long, O Lord, wilt thou turn

47 away V Shall thy wrath burn like fire forever ? Remember what my being is. Hast thou created all the sons of men in

48 vain ? Is there any man who can live and not see death ? Can

49 he deliver his soul from the mansion of the dead ? O Lord, where are thy mercies of old; which thou didst solemnly pro-

50 mise David by thy truth ? Remember, O Lord, the reproach of thy servants—that of many nations, which I retain in my

51 bosom—that with which thine enemies, O Lord, have reproached—with which they have reproached the redemption

52 of thine anointed one. Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen. Amen.

XC.

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 O LORD, thou hast been a refuge for us, from one gene-

2 ration to another. Before the mountains were brought forth; or the earth or the world was formed : even from everlasting

3 to everlasting thou existest. Wilt thou turn man away to despondency ; when thou hast said, Return ye sons of men ?

4 Since in thy sight a diousand years are but as yesterday which

5 is past; or as a watch in the night: shall these trifling years of theirs be as if in the morning, a green herb passed away ?

6 Should it in the morning bloom and pass away ? In the even-

7 ing it would have fallen, withered and become dry. Because we have fallen short by thine anger, and by thine indignation

8 have been troubled—thou hast placed our iniquities before thee : let this age of ours be for the light of thy countenance.

9 Because all our days have fallen short; and we have failed by thine indignation ; our years have exercised themselves like

10 a spider. The days of these years of ours are seventy years : and if by reason of strength they be eighty years; still the

11 surplus of them is labour and sorrow. Because gentleness hath come upon us : let us, therefore, whoever knoweth the power of thine anger, be taught, on the account of the terror

12 of thy wradi, so to number them. Thus make known thy right hand; and them whose hearts are instructed in wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord. How long shall it first be ? And be pacified

14 with thy servants. In the morning we were filled with thy

15 mercy. We indeed rejoiced and were made glad. During all these days of ours may we be gladdened; in lieu of the days wherein thou hast humbled us; and of the years in which we

16 have seen evils. And look upon these thy servants and on thy

17 works : and be thou the guide of their children. And let the splendor of the Lord our God be over us: and do thou direct for us the works of our hands—

xci.

The praise of an Ode. By David.

1 HE who dwelleth under the protection of the Most High

2 shall lodge in the shelter of the God of heaven. He will say to the Lord, “Thou art my helper: my God is my refuge,

3 I will trust in him.” Because he will deliver thee from the

4 snare of hunters; and tumultuous accusation—Avith his breast will overshadow thee : therefore under his wings thou shalt

5 rest secure. His truth will encompass thee with armour. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night; nor of the arrow

6 which flieth by day—of the thing which walketh in darkness;

7 nor of mischance and the demon of noon day. A thousand may fall at thy side; and ten thousand at thy right hand : but

8 it shall not approach thee. But thou with thine eyes shalt ob-

9 serve, and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou, O

10 Lord, my hope; hast made the Most High thy refuge ; no evils shall come upon thee, nor shall a scourge approach thy

11 dwelling. For he will give his angels a charge concerning thee;

12 to keep thee in all thy ways ; with their hands they shall bear thee up; shouldst thou chance to strike thy foot against a

13 stone. Upon an asp and a basilisk thou shalt tread: and tram-

14 pie down a lion and a dragon. (J) Because he trusted in me, I will deliver him: I will protect him because he knew my

15 name. He will call on me, and I will answer him : I am with

16 him in affliction : I will deliver him and honour him. With length of days I will satisfy him ; and I will shew him my sal- vation.

XCII.

A Psalm of an Ode for the Sabbath day.

IT is good to give thanks to the Lord; and with instru-

2 mental musick sing to thy name, O Most High—to proclaim thy loving kindness every morning; and thy faithfulness every

3 night; with a ten stringed psaltery; with an ode on the kithara.

4 Because thou, Lord, with thy work hast made me glad:

5 therefore in the works of thy hands I will triumph. How great

6 are thy works, O Lord ! How very deep are thy designs ! A senseless man cannot know; nor can the foolish comprehend

7 them. When the wicked sprang up like grass; all the workers of iniquity had a glimpse that they should be destroyed

8 forever. As for thee, thou, O Lord, art Most High forever.

9 For lo ! thine enemies shall perish: and all the workers of ini-

10 quity shall be scattered. But my horn shall be exalted like that

11 of the Oryx; and mine old age invigorated with fresh oil. Mine eye hath looked on among mine enemies: and among the

12 wicked who rise against me, mine ear will hear. The righteous shall bloom like a palm tree; and be multiplied like a cedar on

13 Lebanon. Being planted by the house of the Lord they shall

14 flourish in the courts of our God. In a vigorous old age they shall still multiply; and continue prosperous; that they may de-

15 clare that the Lord my God is righteous; and that in him there is no injustice.

XCIII.

t

For the day preceding the Sabbath when the world was stocked with inhabitants. The praise of an Ode by David.

1 THE Lord hath commended his reign—hath robed himself with majesty. The Lord hath robed himself with power and girded it on. For he hath established the world, which

2 cannot be shaken. From that time thy throne was prepared:

3 thou thyself art from everlasting. The rivers, O Lord, lifted

4 up—the rivers lifted up their voices. By reason of the roaring of many waters; the mountainous billows of the sea are won-

5 derful. The Lord on high is wonderful; thy testimonies are firmly established. Holiness becometh thy house, O Lord; to the utmost extent of days.

XCIV.

A Psalm by David for the fourth day of the week.

1 THE Lord is a God of vengeance, the God of vengeance

2 hath given solemn warning. Exalt thyself, O thou judge of

3 the earth; render a retribution to the proud. How long shall

4 sinners, O Lord—how long shall sinners boast? Shall they de^ claim and utter injustice? Shall all the workers of iniquity

5 speak? They have oppressed thy people, O Lord : and afflict-

6 ed thine inheritance. They have slain the widow and orphan :

7 they have murdered the stranger, and said, The Lord cannot

8 see, nor can the God of Jacob discern. Consider I beseech you, ye brutish among the people. And ye fools, at length be

9 wise. Doth not he, who hath planted the ear, hear? And doth

10 not he who formed the eye, see? Will not he, who chastiseth

11 nations, reprove?—He who teacheth man knowledge? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of these men, that they are vain.

12 Happy the man, whom thou, O Lord wilt instruct; and whom

13 thou wilt teach out of thy law; in order to set him at ease from

14 evil days; until a pit be dug for the sinner. For the Lord will

15 not cast off his people; nor will he forsake his inheritance; till justice return to judgment; and all the upright in heart be in her train.

16 Who will stand up for me against evil doers? Or who will

17 assist me against the workers of iniquity? Had not the Lord indeed come to mine assistance; my soul would soon have

18 sojourned in the mansion of the dead. Did I say, My foot hath

19 slipped? Thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me. O Lord, according to the multitude of the sorrows of my heart; thy comforts de-

20 lighted my soul. Shall a throne of iniquity—shall he who

21 frameth mischief for law, have fellowship with thee? Shall they hunt for the soul of the righteous? And shall they condemn

22 innocent blood? The Lord indeed was my refuge : my God

23 was the support of my hope. He will make them retribution for their iniquity and their wickedness: the Lord our God will utterly destroy them.

xcv.

The praise of an Ode, by David.

I O COME, let us sing with joy to the Lord; let us shout tri-

~2 umphantly to God our Saviour: let us approach his presence

with a song of praise, and shout with joy to him in psalms,

3 that the Lord is a great God and a great king over all the Gods:

VOL. II. 3 K

4 and that the Lord will not cast off his people : tliat in his hand

5 are the limits of the earth—and the lofty mountains are his: that the sea is his—he made it; and his hands formed the

6 dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down before him, and

7 let us weep before the Lord, our maker. Because he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the flock of his hand :

8 To-day, since you have heard his voice, let not your hearts be refractory as at the great provocation—as in the day of the

9 temptation in the desert, (J) where your father’s tried me—

10 they proved me, though they had seen my works. Forty years. I was incensed with that generation, and said, They do always

11 err with the heart—and have not known my ways; so in mine indignation, I solemnly said, They shall not enter into my rest.

XCVI.

When the house was built after the captivity. An Ode by David.

1 O SING to the Lord a new song—sing to the Lord, all

2 ye ‘Of this land. Sing to the Lord and bless his name;—publish

3 daily the good news of his salvation : proclaim his glory among

4 the nations—his wonderous works among all the tribes—That the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared

5 above all the gods; That all the gods of the nations are demons;

6 But as for the Lord, he made the heavens. Honour and come-

7 liness are before him, holiness and majesty in his temple. Ascribe to the Lord, ye families of nations—ascribe to the Lord

8 glory and honour—ascribe to the Lord glory to his name. Take

9 sacrifices and come to his courts: worship the Lord in his holy

10 court: Let all the earth be moved at his presenee. Say among the nations, The Lord is King, for he hath renovated this world, which shall no more be shaken; he will judge peoples with righteousness.

11 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult: let the sea be

12 moved and the fulness thereof. Let the plains and all dierein be gladdened—and let all the trees of the forest exult before the

13 Lord ; for he is coming—for he is coming to judge the earth, he will judge the world with righteousness—and the several tribes with his truth.

XCVII.

By David, when his land was at peace.

,

1 THE Lord is king ; let the earth rejoice—let the multitude

2 of isles he glad. A cloud and darkness are around him : justice

3 and judgment are the basis of his throne. Before him a fire

4 shall march, and burn up his enemies all around. His lightnings shot a glare through the world: the earth saw and trem-

5 bled. The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the

0 Lord—at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declared his saving goodness : and all the peoples saw

7 his glory. Let all the worshippers of graven images, who boast of their idols, be confounded. Worship him all ye his angels.

8 Sion heard, and was glad, and the daughters of Judea re-

9 joiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord. For thou art the Lord Most High, over all the earth; thou art far exalted above all the gods.

10 Hate iniquity, ye who love the Lord: the Lord preserveth the lives of his saints. Out of the hand of sinners he will save

11 them. A light is sprung up for the righteous, and joy for the

12 upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and give thanks at the mention of his holiness.

XCVIII.

A Psalm by David.

1 O SING to the Lord, a new song, that the Lord hath done wonderful things. His own right hand and his holy arm

2 hath saved him. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he

3 hath displayed his forgiving mercy before the nations. He remembered his mercy for Jacob—and his truth to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our

i God. Raise a shout of triumph to God, all ye of the earth ! 5 Sing and exult and sing in harmonious strains. Sing to the Lord with a kithara—with a kithara and a tuneful psalm. G With spiral trumpets and the sounding cornet, raise a shout of 7 triumph for the Lord, before the king. Let the sea roar and the fulness thereof—the world and they who dwell therein.

8 Let the rivers unite in applauses; let the mountains exult with

9 joy; that he is come to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the several tribes with equity.

XCIX.

A Psalm by David,

1 THE Lord hath commenced his reign : let peoples rage.

2 He is enthroned on the cherubim; let the earth be shaken. The

3 Lord is great in Sion and high over all the tribes. Let them

4 praise thy great name, for it is awful and holy. As the honour of a king loveth judgment; thou hast provided rules of recti-

5 tude; and executed judgment and justice in Israel. Extol the

6 Lord our God; and bow at his footstool; for he is holy. Moses and Aaron among his priests; and Samuel among them, who invoke his name; called on the Lord, and he hearkened to

7 them. To them he spoke in a pillar of cloud. They kept his

8 testimonies and the statutes which he gave them. O Lord, our God, thou didst hearken to them—To them thou wast a God propitious; though executing vengeance on all the people’s de-

9 vices. Extol the Lord our God and worship on his holy hill : for the Lord our God is holy.

C.

A Psalm of praise.

1 SHOUT triumphantly for the Lord, all ye of the land.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness. Pome before him with the

3 shout of joy. Know that the Lord is very God: he made us and not we ourselves : we are his people and the sheep of his

4 pasture. O enter his gates with thanksgiving—his courts with

5 songs of praise : give thanks to him and praise his name : for the Lord is good; his mercy endureth forever—and his truth to all generations.

CI.

A Psalm by David.

1 I WILL sing of mercy and judgment: to thee, O Lord,

2 I will tune my lyre. I will conduct myself wisely in a perfect way; O when wilt thou come to me? I have walked in the in-

3 tegrity of my heart in the midst of my household. I have not set any wicked thing before mine eyes : them who commit

4 transgressions I detested. A perverse heart hath not cleaved to me. When the wicked withdrew from me; I no more acknow-

5 ledged him. Him, who privily slandered his neighbour, I expelled. With one of a haughty eye and unsatiable heart I

6 would not eat. Mine eyes have been on the faithful of the land; that they might dwell with me. He who walked in a

7 perfect way, hath been employed in my service. He who practised haughtiness found no abode in my family. He who spoke

8 unjustly was not right in mine eyes. I took the earliest occasion to destroy all the sinners of the land—to root out of the city of the Lord all the workers of iniquity.

CII.

»

A Prayer for the afflicted -when he is oppressed with grief, and would pour out his supplication before the Lord.

1 HEARKEN, O Lord! to my prayer; and let my cry come

2 to thee. Turn not away thy face from me : on the day of my distress incline thine ear to me : on the day I call on thee, an.

3 swer me speedily. For my days have vanished like smoke :

4 and my bones are parched like dry wood. I am cut down like grass : my heart is withered : because I have forgotten to eat

5 my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones

6 have cleaved to my flesh. I am become like a pelican of the de-

7 sert: I am like a night hawk on a ruined building. I have passed sleepless nights; and been like a solitary bird on a house

8 top. All the day mine enemies reproached me : and they who

9 praise me swore against me. Because I have eaten ashes as 10 bread and have mingled my drink with tears, on account of thine indignation and wrath : (for having lifted me up thou

11 hast dashed me down.) My days have flitted away like a sha-

12 dow; and I am withered like mown grass. But thou, O Lord, endurest forever : and the memorial of thee to all generations.

13 Thou wilt arise and have mercy on Sion : for the time to fa-

14 vour her—the set time is come. Because thy servants had an affection for the stones thereof; therefore they will commise-

15 rate her rubbish. And the nations shall fear thy name, O Lord;

16 and all the kings of the earth, thy glory. For the Lord will re-

17 build Sion and appear in his glory. He hath regarded the pray-

18 er of the lowly, and hath not despised their supplication. Let her be enrolled for the generation to come : and the people to

19 be born will praise the Lord: because he hath looked out

20 from the height of his sanctuary. Out of heaven the Lord looked down on the earth ; to hear the groaning of the pri-

21 soners; to set free the sons of them who were slain; to proclaim the name of the Lord in Sion; and his praise in Jeru-

22 salcm. When tribes were assembled together; and kings,

23 to serve the Lord;hc addressed him in the way of his strength—

24 Shew me the fewness of my days; call me not away in the

25 midst of them; thy years are throughout all generations. Thou Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth;

26 and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish; but thou wilt endure: they shall all wax old like a garment; and like a mantle thou wilt fold them up and they shall be

27 changed : but as for thee, thou art the same; and thy years

28 shall have no end. Let the children of thy servants pitch their tents and their seed be established forever.

CHI.

i

By David.

1 BLESS the Lord, O my soul; and all within me, his holy

2 name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all the praises

3 of him; who pardoneth all thine iniquities ; who hcaleth all

4 thy diseases ; who redeemeth thy life from destruction : who

5 crowneth thee with mercy and kindness; who satisfieth thy desire with good things that thy youth may be renewed like an 6 eagle’s. It is the Lord, who exerciseth mercy and judgment

7 for all who were oppressed. He made known his ways to Mo-

8 ses—his pleasure to the children of Israel. He is the Lord gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abundant in kind-

9 ness; he will not be angry to utter ruin, nor continue his wrath

10 forever. He hath not dealt with us according to our sins; nor

11 retributed to us according to our iniquities. For high as the heaven is from the earth; the Lord hath enlarged his mercy

12 for them who fear him. Far as the east is distant from the west,

13 he hath removed from us our transgressions. As a father piti- eth his children; the Lord hath pitied them who fear him, be-

14 cause he knew our formation. O remember that we are dust. As

15 for man, his days are like grass ; like a flower of the field, so

16 he may bloom. Because a blast of wind passed over it, it is

17 gone. It shall no more know its place. But the mercy of the Lord is from age to age over them who fear him: and his

18 saving goodness over children’s children, for them who keep

19 his covenant, and remember his commands to do them. The Lord hath established his throne in heaven, and his dominion

20 is exercised over all. Bless the Lord, all ye his angels—ye mighty powers, who execute his word, on hearing the voice

21 of his commands. Bless the Lord, all ye his armies—ye minis-

22 ters of his, who perform his will. Bless the Lord all ye his works, in every place of his dominion. O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

CIV.

By David.

1 BLESS the Lord O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art

very great. Thou hast robed thyself with honour and majesty;

2 clothing thyself with light as with a mantle; stretching out

3 the heaven as a tent. Thou art he who covereth his chambers with waters who maketh clouds his chariot—who walketh on

4 the wings of winds—Who maketh winds his messengers, and

5 flaming fire his ministers—Who founded the earth on its firm

6 basis, that it may not be moved forever. Is the abyss like a garment to be its covering—are waters to stand above the

7 mountains ? At thy rebuke they shall flee—at the peal of thy

8 thunder they will tremble. They ascend mountains, they go down vallies; to the place which thou hast founded for them.

9 Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass; nor shall they return to cover the earth.

10 Thou art he who sendeth forth springs in vallies. Waters

11 shall flow down between the mountains; and give drink to all the beasts of the field. Wild asses will expect them to quench

12 their thirst. By them the birds of the air will abide : from

13 among the rocks they will utter a sound. Thou art he who watereth mountains from his chambers. With the fruit of thy

14 works the earth will be satisfied. Thou art he who causeth grass to grow for cattle; even verdant grass for the service of

15 man. That he may bring food out of the earth : wine cheer- eth the heart of man: that he may exhilarate his countenance

16 with oil; the heart of man is strengthened with bread. The trees of the plain shall be fully satisfied—the cedars of Leba-

17 non, which he hath planted. There the birds will build their

18 nests. The family of the stork account them their own. The lofty mountains are for the hinds; a rock is the refuge of the

19 choirogryllus. He hatii appointed the moon for seasons : the

20 sun knoweth his time for going down. Thou hast stationed darkness and there was night: in it all die beasts of the forest

21 will come forth—Lions roaring for prey, seeking their food

22 from God. When the sun is risen, they will assemble and

23 lay themselves down in their dens ; Man will go forth to his labour ; and continue at it till evening.

24 How manifold are thy works, O Lord, with wisdom thou

25 hast done them all. The earth is filled with thy creatures; So is the great and spacious sea : in this are moving things innu-

26 merable—living creatures small and great. There ships sail: there is that dragon, which thou hast formed to sport therein.

27 All wait on thec to give them food in due season. When thou

28 givest them, they gather; by opening thy hand all are bounti-

29 fully supplied. But when thou deniest, they are troubled. With-

30 draw their breath, they die and return to their dust: send forth thy breath and they are created: thou indeed canst renew the

31 face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;

32 let the Lord rejoice over his works. When he looketh at the

earth, he causeth it to tremble; when he toucheth the mountains, they smoke.

33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live, I will praise my

34 God while I have a being. Let my meditation be acceptable

35 to him, and I will rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked so as to be no more; O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

CV.

An Alleluia, or alternate Song of Praise to the Lord.

1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord and invoke his name: pro-

2 claim his works among the nations. Sing to him and sing with

3 instrumental musick; relate all his wonderous works. Sing praises to his holy name. Let the heart of them, who seek the

4 Lord, be glad. Seek the Lord and be confirmed in strength;

5 seek his face continually. Remember his wonders which he

6 hath done; his miracles and the judgments of his mouth. O ye seed of Abraham, his servants—ye children of Jacob, his cho-

7 sen ones; he is the Lord, our God, in all this land are his judg-

8 ments. He remembered forever his covenant—a word which

9 he gave in charge for a thousand generations; the covenant which he made with Abraham, and that oath of his to Isaak,

10 which he confirmed to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an

11 everlasting covenant—saying, To thee I will give the land of

12 Chanaan to be the lot of your inheritance. When they were

13 few in number—of little account and sojourners therein; when they passed through from nation to nation—from one kingdom

14 to another people; he suffered no man to injure them—he re-

15 proved kings for their sake, “touch not mine anointed ones,

16 and to my prophets do no harm.” When he called for a famine

17 on the land—broke all the stay of bread, he had sent before

18 them a man, Joseph was sold for a servant. They had hum-

19 bled his feet with fetters, his life was spent in irons; until his

20 word came to pass—till the oracle of the Lord tried him. The king had sent and loosed him—the chief of peoples had set

21 him at liberty—had appointed him lord of his house, and ruler

22 of all his possessions; that he like himself might instruct prin-

voi. n. 3 L

23 ces, and teach his senators wisdom: then Israel went down to

24 Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Cham. When he had encreased his people to a great degree, and made them.

25 stronger than their enemies; and had turned their hearts to hale

26 his people, to deal deceitfully with his servants; he sent forth

27 Moses his servant—Aaron whom he had chosen: to them he committed the words of his signs—of his wonders in the land

28 of Cham. He sent forth darkness and it was dark. When they

29 made his words bitter, he turned their waters into blood, and

30 made a slaughter of their fishes; their land swarmed with frogs,

31 in the inmost chambers of their kings. He spake and the dog

32 fly came and stinging gnats in all their borders ; he made his

33 showers, hail, flaming fire in all their land; he smote their vines

34 and their fig trees, and broke every tree of their border. He spake, and die grasshopper came, and the brouchus locust in

35 swarms innumerable, and devoured every herb in their coun-

36 try, and ate up the fruit of their land. Then he smote every first

37 born of their land—’the first fruits of all their labour; and brought out his people with silver and gold, and there was not

38 a feeble person among their tribes. Egypt rejoiced at their go-

39 ing out, for the dread of these had fallen on them. He spread out a cloud to shelter them, and a fire to illuminate the night

40 for them. They asked, and flocks of quails came; and he sa-

41 tisfied them with the bread of heaven. He split a rock and wa-

42 ters gushed out, and rivers ran in dry places. Because he remembered his holy promise—that which he made to Abraham

43 his servant; therefore he brought out his people with joy—

44 even his chosen ones with gladness; and gave them thecoun-

45 tries of nations, and they inherited the labours of peoples; that they might keep his rules of rectitude, and that they might diligendy seek his law.

CVI.

An Alleluia.

O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for to ever-

2 lasting his mercy endurcth. Who can express the mighty acts

3 of the Lord ? Who can publish all his praises ? Happy they,

4 who keep judgment, and who do justice at all times. Remember us, O Lord, affectionately as thy people, visit us with thy

5 salvation; that we may see it in the felicity of thy chosen—that we may be gladdened with the joy of thy nation—that we may

6 sing praises with thy heritage. We with our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedly.

7 Our fathers minded not thy wonders in Egypt, they did not

8 remember the multitude of thy mercies. Though in coming up they were refractory at the Red sea, yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.

9 He rebuked the Red sea and it was dried op; and he led them

10 through the deep as through a wilderness; and saved them from the hand of those who hated them, and delivered them

11 out of an enemy’s hand. The water covered those who afflicted

12 them, not an individual of them was left. Though they be-

13 lieved his words, though they sang his praise; they soon forgot

14 his works, they waited not for his counsel. They indulged a longing desire in the desert, and tried God in a place without

15 water. Though he granted them their request, and sent satiety

16 to their soul; yet they provoked Moses in the camp and Aaron

17 the consecrated of the Lord. The earth opened and swallowed

18 up Dathan, and covered the company of Abeiron; and a fire was kindled in their assembly, and a flame burned up the wick-

19 ed. Even at Choreb they made a calf, and worshipped the

20 graven image; and exchanged their glory for the image of an

21 ox which eateth grass. They forgot God their saviour, who

22 had done great things in Egypt—wonderful things in the land

23 of Cham, and terrible things at the Red sea : whereupon he spake of destroying them, had not his chosen Moses stood before him in the breach, to turn him from his fierce indignation, that he might not utterly destroy.

24 When they despised the pleasant land and did not con-

25 fide in his word : but murmured in their tents; and hearkened

26 not to the voice of the Lord: he lifted up his hand against

27 them; to overthrow them in the desert; and cast back their seed among the nations ; and disperse them in the countries.

28 When they consecrated themselves to Belphegor; and ate the

29 sacrifices offered to dead men; and provoked him with their “0 devices; and the plague was raging among them : Phineas stood up and made atonement; and the plague was stayed :

31 and it was counted to him for righteousness to all generations

32 forever. When they provoked him at the water of strife it went

33 ill with Moses on their account. For they provoked his spirit

34 and he spake unadvisedly with his lips. They did not root out

35 the nations which the Lord had mentioned to them : but min-

36 gled with those nations; and learned their works. And served their graven images which became to them a stumbling block.

37 They actually sacrificed their sons and their daughters to de-

38 mons : and shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the graven idols of Cha-

39 naan. And the land was polluted with blood and defiled by their works: and they went a whoring with their devices.

40 Therefore the Lord was incensed against his people, and ab-

41 horred his inheritance. And he delivered them into the hands

42 of enemies; and they who hated them ruled over them. When their enemies afflicted them; and they were humbled under

43 their hands: many a time did he deliver them. But they pro-

44 voked him with their counsel. When they were humbled for their iniquities; the Lord beheld when they were afflicted.

45 When he heard their supplication, he remembered his cove-

46 nant and according to the multitude of his mercies; he relented and excited compassion for them among all those who had

47 captivated them. Save us, O Lord, our God; and gather us from among the nations; that we may give thanks to thy holy name

48 —that we may triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting : and let all the people say, Amen, Amen.

CVII.

An Alleluia.

1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for he is good: for to ever-

2 lasting his mercy endureth. Let this be said by them whom the Lord hath redeemed—whom he hath redeemed from an

3 enemy’s hand—whom he hath gathered out of the countries;

4 from the east and west and north and sea. They had wandered in the desert in a land without water: they found no way 5 to a city of habitation. They were hungry and thirsty. Their

6 soul within them fainted: then they cried to the Lord in their

7 affliction; and he delivered them from their distresses: and conducted them to a straight road ; that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 O let them praise the Lord for his mercies; and for his

9 wonderful dealings with the sons of men : because he hath satisfied the longing soul; and filled the hungry with good things.

10 As for them who sat in darkness and the shadow of

11 death; bound with affliction and irons; because they rebelled against the oracles of God; and contemned the counsel of

12 the Most High : when their heart was brought low by troubles

13 —when they were weak and there was no helper : then they cried to the Lord in their affliction; and he saved them from

14 their distresses; and brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death; and burst their chains asunder.

15 . O let them praise the Lord for his mercies, and for his

16 wonderful dealings with the sons of men ; for he hath dashed to shivers the gates of brass, and broken asunder the bars of iron.

17 He helped them out of the way of their transgression :

18 for on account of their iniquities they were brought low. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the

19 gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction,

20 and he saved them from their distresses. He sent forth his word and healed them : and delivered them from their destructions.

21 O let them praise the Lord for his mercies, and for his

22 wonderful dealings with the sons of men; and let them offer him a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and publish his works with joy.

23 As for them who go to seain ships, and traffick on the mighty

24 waters—they see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in

25 the deep. He spake, and uprose a tempestuous wind: and its

26 waves are lifted high; they mount up to the heavens: then down

27 they descend into the depths; with perils, their souls are melted ;—they reel and stagger like one drunk, and all their

28 skill is swallowed up. Then they cried to the Lord in their af-

29 fliction, and he brought them out of their distresses. He rebuked the tempest, and it stopt in a still calm; and its waves

30 were lulled to silence. And they were glad, because they

were at rest. And he conducted them to their desired port.

31 O let them praise the Lord for his mercies, and for his won-

32 derful dealings with the sons of men. Let them extol him in the congregation of the people : and praise him in the assembly of Elders.

33 He hath turned rivers into a wilderness: and outlets of

34 waters into a thirsty land—a fruitful country into barren-

35 ness: for the wickedness of them who dwell therein. He hath turned a desert into pools of water, and a thirsty soil into

36 water springs : and caused the hungry to dwell there. And

37 they have erected abiding cities : and have sown fields and planted vineyards, which have yielded them the fruits of in-

38 crease. And he hath blessed them and they have multiplied

39 greatly, and their cattle have not decreased. Again they have been diminished, and brought low by oppressions, afflictions,

40 and sorrow. Contempt hath been poured on their princes: and

41 he hath caused them to wander in a trackless desert. Then out of affliction he hath helped the needy, and hath made families like a flock.

42 Let the righteous see and. rejoice, and let all iniquity stop

43 its mouth. Whosoever is wise and will observe these things, he will understand the mercies of the Lord.

CVIII.

.in Ode of a Psalm, by David.

1 MY heart is prepared, O God, my heart is prepared ; I

2 will sing and play on what is my glory. Awake psaltery and

3 kithara, I myself will awake early. I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, among peoples—amoftg nations I will resound thy

4 praise ; for thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy

5 truth reacheth to the clouds. Be thou, O God, exalted above the heavens ; and over all the earth thy glory.

6 That thy beloved may be delivered, save with thy right

7 hand and answer me. God hath spoken in his sanctuary, I shall be exalted, and divide Sikima, and measure out the valley of

8 tents. Galaad is mine and mine is Manasses; and Ephraim is

9 the support of my head: Juda is my king. Moab, the cauldron of my hope. Over Idumea I shall extend my march: to me

10 the Philistines are subjected. Who will conduct me to the

11 strong city—who wiH guide me to Idumea? Wilt not thou, O God, who didst cast us off—Wilt not thou, O God, go out

12 with our armies? Grant us help because of affliction ; safety

13 from man is indeed vain. Through God we can exert power : he can make our enemies contemptible.

CIX.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 O GOD, pass not by my praise in silence : for against me

2 the mouth of a sinner; and the mouth of the deceitful is opened. They have spoken against me with a deceitful tongue.—

3 With words of hatred they encompassed me about; and fought

4 against me without provocation. They traduced me for my

5 love ; but I prayed, when they were rendering me evil for G good, and hatred for my love. ” Set a sinner over him; and let

7 an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged let him be condemned; and let his supplication be deemed an offence.

8 Let his days be few ; and let another take his office. Let his

9 children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his sons be

10 vagabonds and beg: let them be cast out from their dwellings.

11 Let an extortioner seize all that he hath ; and strangers make

12 spoil of his labours. Let there be none to help him ; nor any

13 to compassionate his orphan children. Let his children be for destruction—In one generation let his name be blotted out.

14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord;

15 and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be continually before the Lord. And let the memorial of them be

16 cut off from the earth : because he did not remember to shew mercy ; but persecuted a man needy and afflicted : to put to

17 death one who was broken hearted. As he loved cursing, let it come on him : as he delighted not in blessing let it be far

18 from him. As he clothed himself with cursing as with a mantle ; and it came like water in his bowels; and like oil into

19 his bones : let it be to him as the mantle which covereth him: and as the girdle with which he is continually girded.”

20 From the Lord is this work of them who traduce, me: and ol

21 them who speak evil against my soul. Do thou, O Lord, Lord, deal with me for thy name’s sake : for thy mercy b good.

22 Deliver me, for I am afflicted and needy ; and my heart is

23 troubled within me. Like a declining shadow I have glided

24 away;—I have been shaken off like locusts. My knees are weakened by fasting; and my flesh is changed for want of oil.

25 As for me, I became their scoff; they beheld me—they shaked

26 their heads. Help me, O Lord, my God: and save me ac-

27 cording to thy mercy. Let them know that this is thy hand;

28 and that thou ; O Lord hast done this. Let them curse, thou indeed wilt bless. Let them who rise up against me be put to.

29 shame : but let thy servant be made glad. Let them who traduce me, be clothed with shame : let them be covered with

30 their shame as with a mantle. With my mouth I will greatly thank the Lord ; and praise him in the midst of many : be-

31 cause he stood at the right of the needy ; to save from them who seek my life.

CX.

A Psalm. By David.

1 THE Lord said to my Lord ; sit at my right hand ; till I

2 make thine enemies thy footstool. Out of Sion the Lord wffi send thee a rod of power: rule thou in the midst of thine ene-

3 mies. With thee shall be the government; in the day of thy power—in the splendours of thy holies from the womb : be-

4 fore the morning star I begot thee. The Lord hath sworn and will not change; thou art a priest forever, after the order of

Melchisedek. The Lord at thy right hand hath crushed kings

6 in the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations: lie will multiply slaughters : he will crush the heads of many on

7 the earth. He will drink of the brook in the way : therefore he will lift up the head.

CXI.

An Alleluia.

1 I WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; iu

2 the counsel of the upright and the congregation. The works of the Lord are great; exquisitely contrived for all his purpo

3 ses. Thanksgiving and majesty, his work and his righteous-

4 ness shall endure forever. He hath made a memorial of his

5 wonders: merciful and gracious is the Lord. He hath given food to them that fear him : he will remember his covenant

6 forever. He hath shewn his people the power of his works ;

7 by giving them possession of nations. The works of his hands are truth and judgment: all his commandments are faithful.

8 They are firmly established forever: they are done with truth

9 and uprightness. He hath sent redemption for his people; he hath enjoined his covenant forever: holy and awful is his

10 name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and all who practise it have good understanding. Let the praise of him endure forever.—

CXII.

An Alleluia.

HAPPY the man who feareth the Lord! in his command-

2 ments he will greatly delight. His seed shall be mighty in

3 the land: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Glory and riches are in his house; and his righteousness shall en-

4 dure forever. To the upright light sprang up in darkness. He

5 is merciful, compassionate and just; a beneficent man who commiserateth and lendeth. He will manage his affairs with

6 judgment; because he is never to be shaken : the righteous

7 shall be in everlasting remembrance: at bad news he will not be terrified : his heart is prepared to trust in the Lord.

8 His heart is established, he could not be terrified; even when

9 he beheld his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to 10 the needy ; his righteousness shall endure forever. His horn

shall be gloriously exalted : the wicked shall see and be enraged. Let him gnash his teeth and pine away ; the desire of the wicked shall perish.—

voi. ii. 3 M

. CXIII.

An Alleluia.

1 O PRAISE the Lord, ye his servants! praise the name

2 of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be blessed; henceforth

3 and forever. From the rising of the sun to its going down;

4 let the name of the Lord be praised. The Lord is high over

5 all the nations: his glory is above the heavens. Who is like

6 the Lord our God who dwelleth on high, and superintendeth

7 the things below him in heaven and on the earth ? Who rais- eth the distressed from the ground, and lifteth the needy from

8 a dunghill: to seat him with princes ; with the chiefs of his

9 people. Who settleth the barren woman in a family making her a joyful mother of children.

CXIV.

An Alleluia.

1 AT the departure of Israel from Egypt; of the house of

2 Jacob from a barbarous people; Judea became his sanctuary;

3 Israel his dominion. The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned

4 back. The mountains skipped like rams: the hills, like lambs

5 of the flock. What ailed thee, sea, that thou fleddest? And thee,

6 Jordan, that thou turnedst back? You, mountains, that you skipped like rams? And you, hills, like lambs of the flock ?

7 The earth was moved at the presence of the Lord; at the pre-

8 sence of the God of Jacob : who turned the rock into pools of water: and into fountains of water, the flinty rock.

cxv.

1 NOT unto us, O Lord; not unto us. But to thy name only

2 give the glory : for thy mercy and for thy truth. Perhaps the

3 nations may say, Where is their God? Our God is in heaven and on earth : all that he willed, he hath done.

4 The idols of the nations are silver and gold; the workman –

5 ship of men’s hands. They have a mouth but cannot speak :

6 though they have eyes, they cannot see. Ears they have, but

7 they cannot hear: having nostrils they cannot smell. They have hands but they cannot feel: They have feet, but they cannot walk : nor can they utter a sound with their throat.

8 Let them who make them be like them; and all who

9 have trusted in them. The house of Israel have trusted in the

10 Lord: he is their helper and protector. The house of Aaron have trusted in the Lord : he is their helper and protector.

11 They who fear the Lord have trusted in him : he is their helper and protector.

12 The Lord hath remembered us and blessed us : he hath blessed the house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of

13 Aaron : he hath blessed them, who fear the Lord, both small

14 and great. May the Lord add to you more and more—to you

15 and to your children. May you be blessed by the Lord: who made the heaven and the earth.

16 To the Lord belongeth the heaven of heavens : and he hath

17 given the earth to the sons of men. The dead cannot praise thee, O Lord; nor any who go down to the mansion of the

18 dead: but we who are alive will bless the Lord; from this time forth and forever. »

CXVI.

An Alleluia.

.. *

1 I AM full of love, because the Lord will hear the voice of

2 my supplication. Because to me he inclined his ear: therefore

3 in my days I will invoke him. The pangs of death encompassed me; the perils of Hades found me : I met with distress and

4 sorrow : thereupon I invoked the name of the Lord; O Lord

5 deliver my soul. The Lord is gracious and righteous : mer-

6 ciful indeed is our God. The Lord preserveth the sincere :

7 I was brought low but he saved me. Return, O my soul, to

8 thy rest: for the Lord hath dealt kindly with thee. Because he hath delivered my soul from death; mine eyes from tears and

9 my feet from falling: I will worship before the Lord in the land

10 of the living. Alleluia !

11 I believed therefore I spake ; for I was brought very

12 low : and in my perturbation I said, Every man is a liar.

13 What shall I render to the Lord; for all that he hath done for me? I will take the cup of thanksgiving; and invoke

14 the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord; in the

15 presence of all his people. At a high rate; in the sight of the

16 Lord; is estimated the death of his saints. O Lord I am thy servant—I am thy servant and the son of thy handmaid. Thou

17 hast burst my bonds asunder: to thee I will ofier a sacrifice of

18 praise and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to

19 the Lord; in the presence of all his people—in the courts of the house of the Lord—in the midst of thee, Jerusalem.

CXVII.

Aii Alleluia.

O PRAISE the Lord, all ye nations!

Praise him all ye peoples!
For his kindness is exerted for us,

And the truth of the Lord will endure forever.

CXVIII.

An Alleluia.

1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for he is good: for to ever-

2 lasting his mercy endureth. O! let the house of Israel say,

3 For he is good. For to everlasting his mercy endureth. O! let the house of Aaron say, For he is good. For to everlasting

4 his mercy endureth. Let all who fear the Lord say, For he is

5 good. For to everlasting his mercy endureth. Because of affliction I called on the Lord, and he heard me for enlargement.

6 Having the Lord for my helper, I will not fear what man can do

7 to me. Having the Lord for my helper, I shall look down on

8 mine enemies. It is better to confide in the Lord than to confide

9 in man ; it is better to trust the Lord than put confidence in

10 princes. All the nations compassed me about: but by the name

11 of the Lord I was avenged of them. Compassing me about they beset me, but by the name of the Lord I was avenged of them.

12 They encompassed me as bees do a honey comb : and blazed furiously like fire among thorns;—but by the name of the 13 Lord I was avenged of them. Being hard pressed, I was on the

14 point of falling: but the Lord himself supported me. The Lord is my strength and my song of praise—he indeed was

15 my salvation.—A sound of joy and deliverance in the tents of the righteous! The right hand of the Lord hath exerted

16 power! The right hand of the Lord hath exalted me; the right

17 hand of the Lord hath exerted power. I shall not die : but live

18 and proclaim the works of the Lord. With correction, the Lord

19 corrected me: but did not deliver me up to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness, and I will- go in at them and

20 give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, at it the

21 righteous are to enter. I will praise thee because thou didst hear

22 me, and hast been unto me salvation. The stone which the builders rejected, was the very one for the head of the corner.

23 This [salvation] was from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our

24 eyes. This is the day which the Lord made: on it let us rejoice

25 and be glad. O Lord save, I beseech thee : O Lord, I beseech

26 thee, prosper. Blessed be he who is coming in the name of the

27 Lord; we have blessed you of the house of the Lord. God is Lord, and he hath shined upon us. Solemnize a festival with

28 thick boughs, even to the horns of the altar. Thou art my God and I will praise thee ; thou art my God and I will exalt thee: I will praise thee, because thou hast heard me ; and hast been

29 unto me salvation. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for to everlasting his mercy endureth.

CXIX.

An Alleluia.

ALEPH.

1 HAPPY the undefiled in the way! who walk in the law of

2 the Lord. Happy they who search his testimonies, and seek

3 him with their whole heart: for they are not workers of iniqui-

4 ty—they have walked in his ways. Thou hast enjoined the

5 strict observance of thy precepts. O that my ways may be di-

6 rected, that I may keep thy rules of rectitude. Then I cannot be put to shame, when I have respect to all thy command-

7 ments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I

8 have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy judgments, O forsake me not utterly.

BETH.

9 By what can a youth make his way prosperous ? By keep-

10 ing thy words. I have sought thce with my whole heart; let

11 me not be driven from thy commandments. I have hid thine

12 oracles in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. O Lord,

13 thou art blessed, teach me thy rules of rectitude. With my lips

14 I have declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have been delighted with the way of thy testimonies, as for all mariner of

15 riches. I will talk continually of thy commandments, and be

16 attentive to thy ways. I will meditate on thy judgments and not forget thy words.

GIMEL.

17 Make retribution to thy servant; that I may live and keep

18 thy words. Open mine eyes, that I may discern the wonder-

19 ous things of thy law. I am a sojourner in this land, hide not

20 thy commandments from me. My soul is engagfd in a conti-

21 nual longing for thy judgments. Thou hast rebuked the haugh-

22 ty; cursed are they who turn aside from thy commands. Re* move from me reproach and contempt, since I have earnestly

23 sought thy testimonies. For chiefs sat and spoke against me,

24 but thy servant meditated on thy statutes; for thy testimonies are my study, thy statutes, my counsellors.

DALETH.

25 My soul cleaveth to the ground; keep me alive according

26 to thy word. I have declared thy ways and thou hast heard me;

27 teach me thy rules of rectitude. Instruct me in the way of thy

28 statutes, and I will meditate on thy wonders; my soul drooped

29 with heaviness; strengthen me with thy words. Remove from me the way of injustice, and graciously favour me with thy

30 law. I have chosen the way of truth, and have not forgotten

31 thy judgments; I have cleaved, O Lord, to thy testimonies ;

32 O let me not be put to shame. I ran in the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart.

HE.

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and in every

34 occurrence I will seek it. Give me understanding that I may

35 search thy law, and keep it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of thy commandments; for I have delighted therein.

36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity—keep me alive

38 in thy way. Confirm thine oracle to thy servant that thou mayst

39 be feared. Take away my reproach which I dreaded, because

40 thy judgments are good. Behold I have longed for thy precepts ; quicken me by thy saving goodness.

VAU.

41 O Lord, let thy mercy come upon me—thy salvation ac-

42 cording to thy word; and to them who reproach me I will

43 make answer, that I have trusted in thy words. And take not the word of truth entirely from my mouth, for I have trusted

44 in thy judgments; and I will keep thy law continually forever

45 and ever. I indeed have walked in a roomy place, because I

46 diligently sought thy precepts; and I have spoken of thy testi-

47 monies before kings, and was not ashamed: and have meditated on thy commandments, in which I took great delight;

48 and have held up my hands for thy precepts which I loved, and meditated on thy rules of rectitude.

ZAIN.

49 Remember thy words to thy servant, for which thou hast

50 caused me to hope : this hath comforted me in mine affliction,

51 for thine oracle kept me alive. The haughty transgressed to a

52 great degree, but from thy law I turned not aside. O Lord, I

53 remembered thy judgments of old and was comforted. Horror seized me on the account of sinners—of them who utterly for-

54 sake thy law. Thy statutes were the subject of my songs, in

55 the place of my pilgrimage. I remembered thy name, O Lord,

56 in the night, and have kept thy law. This was my condition, because I diligently sought thy statutes.

CHETH.

57 Thou, O Lord, art my portion; I have determined to keep

58 thy law. With my whole heart I have entreated thy favour,

59 be gracious to me according to thy word. I revolved thy ways

60 in my mind, and turned my feet to thy testimonies. I prepared myself and was not troubled, to keep thy commandments.

61 The cords of sinners entangled me; but I did not forget thy

62 law. At midnight I arose to give thee thanks; because of thy

63 righteous judgments. I am a companion of all them who fear

64 thee; and of them who keep thy commandments. O Lord the earth is full of thy mercy, teach me thy statutes.

TETH.

65 O Lord, thou hast dealt kindly with thy servant; accord-

66 ing to thy word. Teach me kindness and discipline and know-

67 ledge; because I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted, I transgressed : for this cause I have kept thy

68 word. Thou, O Lord, art good; in thy goodness teach me thy

69 statutes. The iniquity of the proud was multiplied against me:

70 but I with my whole heart will search thy precepts. Their

71 heart was curdled like milk : but I meditated on thy law. It is good for me that thou hast humbled me: that I might learn

72 thy rules of rectitude. The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.

JOD.

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me : instruct me

74 that I may learn thy commandments. They who fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have trusted in thy

75 words. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are just: and that

76 thou with truth hast humbled me. O ! let thy mercy be my

77 comfort, according to thy word to thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come to me that I may live; for thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they have unjustly in-

79 jured me. But let me meditate on thy precepts. Let them who fear thee turn to me—and them who know thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I may not be shamed.

CAPH.

81 . My soul fainteth for thy salvation; I trusted in thy words.

82 Mine eyes failed for thy promise, saying, When wilt thou

83 comfort me? Though I became like a leathern bag in frost; I

84 did not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou avenge me of my persecutors?

85 Transgressors told me idle tales : but thy law O Lord, taught

86 me otherwise. All thy commandments are truth. They perse-

87 cuted me without cause, do thou assist me. They have almost finished me on the earth; but I did not forsake thy precepts.

88 According to thy mercy quicken me; that I may keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

LAMED.

89 O Lord, thy word will endure in heaven forever—thy

90 truth to all generations. Thou hast established the earth and it

91 shall continue. By thy arrangement day shall continue : for all

92 things are in subjection to thee. Had not thy law been my

93 study, I should have perished in my affliction. Let me never forget thy rules of rectitude : for by them thou hast kept me

94 alive. I am thine, O save me : for I have diligently sought thy

95 statutes. Sinners lay in wait for me to destroy me : I under-

96 stood thy testimonies. Of all perfection I saw a limit; thy command is very broad.

MEM.

97 O ! how I have loved thy law, O Lord ! It is my medita-

98 tion all the day. Thou hast given me a knowledge of thy law

99 above mine enemies; because it is mine forever. I had more understanding than all my teachers : because thy testimonies

100 are my study. I understood more than elders: because I di-

101 ligently sought thy commandments. From every evil way

102 I restrained my feet; that I might keep thy words. I have not turned aside from thy judgments: because thou didst

103 instruct me. How sweet are thine oracles to my taste ! They

104 are sweeter than honey to my mouth. From thy precepts I got understanding : Therefore I hated every wicked way.

NUN.

105 Thy law is a lamp to my feet; and a light to my paths.

106 I have sworn and determined to keep thy righteous judg-

107 ments. I have been exceedingly afflicted: quicken me, O

108 Lord, according to thy word. Accept, O Lord, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth : and teach me thy

109 judgments. My life is continually in thy hands; and I have

110 not forgotten thy law. The wicked laid a snare for me : but

111 I erred not from thy precepts. I have taken thy testimonies for an everlasting inheritance : for they are the joy of my

112 heart. I inclined my heart to perform thy statutes; for the sake of an everlasting reward.

SAMECH.

113 I have hated transgressors and loved thy law. Thou art

114 my helper and my protector: I have hoped for thy words.

115 Away from me ye evil doers, for 1 will diligently seek the

VOL. II. 3 N

116 commandments of my God. Uphold me according to thy word and keep me alive; and let me not be shamed for mine

117 expectation. Help me and I shall be saved; and I will medi-

118 tate continually on thy statutes. Thou hast set at naught afl who apostatize from thy statutes ; because their inward

119 thought is wicked. All the sinners of the land I accounted

120 transgressors; therefore I loved thy testimonies. Penetrate my flesh with the dread of thee; for I am terrified at thy judgments.

AIN.

121 I have done what is right and just; O deliver me not up

122 to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good—let

123 not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes have failed looking for thy salvation, and for the promise of thy saving goodness.

124 Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, and teach me

125 thy statutes. I am thy servant, give me understanding, that

126 I may know thy testimonies. It is time to act for the Lord;

127 they have made void thy law. For this cause I loved thy com-

128 mandmerits more than gold or the topaz. For this cause I directed my course to all thy commandments : I hated even- evil way.

PE.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul sought

130 them diligently. The manifestation of thy words will enlight-

131 en, and make the simple wise. I opened my mouth and pant-

132 ed, because I longed for thy commandments. Look down upon me, and be gracious to me, as thou art to them who love

133 thy name. Order my steps according to thy word, and let no

134 iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppres-

135 sion of men, and I will keep thy precepts. Let thy countenance

136 shine on thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Mine eyes poured down streams of water, because I did not keep thy law.

TSADDI.

137 Thou, O Lord, art righteous; and thy judgments areright.

138 Thou hast strictly enjoined as thy testimonies, righteousness

139 and truth. My zeal for thee hath consumed me; because mine

140 enemies forgot thy words. Thy word is very pure; and thy

141 servant hath loved it. Young and despised as I am, I have not

142 forgot thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting 143 righteousness, and thy law is truth. When affliction and dis-

144 tress found me, thy commandments were my study; thy testimonies are everlasting righteousness; give me understanding and I shall live.

KOPH.

145 I have cried with my whole heart, O Lord, hear me ; I

146 will diligently seek thy statutes. I have cried to thee, O save

147 me; and I will keep thy testimonies. I awoke before the dawn of the morning, and cried ; on thy words I placed my hope.

148 Mine eyes were awake before the morning dawn, that I might

149 meditate on thine oracles. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy—according to thy judgment keep me alive.

150 They, who persecute me unj ustly, drew near; but they were

151 far removed from thy law. Thou, O Lord, art near, and all

152 thy ways are truth. I knew of old from thy testimonies, that thou hast founded them forever.

RESH.

153 Behold my affliction, and deliver me; for I have not for-

154 gotten thy law. Plead my cause and deliver me ; on account

155 of thy word keep me alive. Salvation is far from sinners, be-

156 cause they did not seek thy statutes. Thy tender mercies, O Lord, are many; quicken me according to thy judgment.

157 M*ny are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet from thy

158 testimonies I have not declined. I beheld transgressors and

159 was grieved; because they did not keep thy words. Consider, O Lord, that I have loved thy commandments: in thy mercy

160 keep me alive. The beginning of thy words was truth, and all thy righteous judgments endure forever.

SCHIN.

161 Chiefs persecuted me undeservedly : but my heart stood

162 in awe of thy words. Let me exult with joy for thine oracles;

163 as one who findeth great spoils. I have hated and abominated

164 iniquity : but thy law I have loved. Seven times a day have

165 I praised thee, for thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they who love thy law: and for them there is no stum-

166 bling block. I have waited, O Lord, for thy salvation; and

167 have loved thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy tes-

168 timonies and hath loved them exceedingly. I have Hept thy commandments and thy testimonies: for all my ways, O Lord, are before thee.

TAU.

169 O Lord, let my prayer come before thee: give me under-

170 standing according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee, O Lord. According to thy word deliver me.

171 Let my lips solemnly utter a hymn ; when thou hast taught

172 me thy statutes. Let my tongue resound thine oracles; for all

173 thy commandments are righteous. Let thy hand be near to

174 save me: because I have chosen thy statutes. O Lord, I have longed earnestly for thy salvation : and thy law is my study.

175 Let my soul live and praise thee ; and thy judgments be my

176 support. Like a lost sheep I have gone astray : O seek thy servant; since I have not forgotten thy commandments,

cxx.

A Song of the steps.

IN my distress I cried to the Lord ; and he hearkened to

2 me. O Lord, deliver my soul from false lips, and from a de-

3 ceitful tongue. What should be given thee ? Or what return

4 made thee for a deceitful tongue? Arrows of the mighty sharp-

5 ened with devouring coals. Ah woe is me that my sojourn is so long protracted—That I have dwelt with the tents of

6 Kedar—That my soul hath so long dwelt with them, who

7 hate peace. I was for peace ; but when I spoke they attacked me without provocation.—

CXXI.

A Song of the steps.

I HAVE lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from which

2 my help is to come. My help is from the Lord, who made the

3 heaven and the earth. O let him not suffer my feet to stum-

4 ble : nor let him, who kcepeth me, slumber. Lo ! he who

5 keepeth Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord will keep thee ! The Lord at thy right hand will be thy shelter :

6 the sun by day shall not scorch thee; nor shall the moon hurt

7 thee by night. May the Lord preserve thee from all evil! the

8 Lord will keep thy soul. The Lord will guard thy coming

in and going out henceforth and forever.

»

CXXII.

A Song of the steps.

.

1 I WAS rejoiced when they said to me ; “Let us go to

2 the house of the Lord.” Our feet have been standing in thy

3 courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city ; with regard to which, the participation of it is for this very purpose:

4 for thither the tribes have come up—the tribes of the Lord, a testimony to Israel; that they may give thanks to the name

5 of the Lord: because there the thrones for judgment are set—

6 thrones for the house of David. Pray, I beseech you, for the peace of Jerusalem ; and for prosperity to them who love thee.

7 O let there be peace in thine army and prosperity in thy pa-

8 laces ! For the sake of my brethren and neighbours, I have

9 expressed a wish of peace for thee—For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I have earnestly sought thy good.

CXXIII.

A Song of the steps.

TO thee who dwellest in heaven, I have raised mine eyes.

2 Behold! as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters—as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God, till he be gracious to us.

3 Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us; for we are

4 exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is filled exceedingly—we are the scoff of the prosperous and the contempt of the haughty.

CXXIV.

A Song of the steps.

1 HAD not the Lord been on our side (let Israel now say

2 had not the Lord been on our side, when men rose up against

3 us; they might have shallowed us up alive—rwhen their wrath

4 was kindled against us, the water might have overwhelmed us.

5 Our soul hath passed through a torrent. Hath our soul then

6 passed through impetuous water ? Blessed be the Lord, who

7 hath not given us as a prey to their teeth ! Our soul hath escaped as a bird from the fowler’s snare. The snare was bro-

8 ken and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth.

cxxv.

A Song of the steps.

1 THEY who trust in the Lord shall be like mount Sion; he

2 who inhabiteth Jerusalem shall never be shaken. Around her are mountains; and the Lord is around his people, from this

3 time forth and forever; for the Lord will not suffer the rod of the wicked to be over the inheritance of the righteous; that the righteous may not stretch forth their hands to iniquities.

4 Do good, O Lord, to the good, and to them who are upright

5 in heart. But them who turn aside into crooked ways, the Lord will drive away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel!

cxxvi. –

A Song of the steps.

1 WHEN the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion; we

2 were like them who are comforted. Then was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with exultation-—then did they say among the nations, ” The Lord hath done great things for

3 them.” The Lord hath done great things for us; we are trans-

4 ported with rapturous joy. Bring back, O Lord, our captivity,

5 like torrents in the south. Let them who sow with tears reap

6 with rapture. They went step by step and wept sowing their seed; but let them come tripping with joy, carrying their sheaves.

CXXVII.

‘ \ A Song of the steps. .-. .;

. < .-

1 UNLESS the Lord build the house, the builders have la- boured in vain. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain hath the watchman watched—in vain is your early rising.

2 Ye who eat the bread of care, rise when you have rested—

3 when he hath given his beloved sleep. Behold sons are an he-

4 ritage of the Lord—a reward of the fruit of the womb. Like shafts in the hands of a mighty man, so are the sons of thtm

5 who were shaken off. Happy he who shall satisfy his desire with these. They shall not be put to shame, when they speak to their enemies in the gates.

CXXVIIL

. i A Song of the slept. …-../ ; …’

1 HAPPY are all they who fear the Lord, who walk eontU

2 nually in his ways. Thou shall eat the labours of thy hands;

3 thou art happy and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be in the sides of thy house, like a fruitful vine; thy children

4 round thy table, like olive plants. Behold thus shall the man

5 be blessed, who habitually feareth the Lord. May the Lord bless thee for the sake of Sion; and mayst thou see the good

6 of Jerusalem all the days of thy life ! And mayst thou see children’s children! Peace be upon IsraeL

.? i CXXIX.

A Song of the steps.

1 Many a time have they warred against me from my youth,

2 let Israel now say-—Many a time thdy warred against me from

3 my youth; they did not however prevail over me. Upon my back the wicked hammered, they prolonged their iniquity:

the righteous Lord hath broken the necks of the wicked. Let 6 all who hate Sion be confounded and turned back. Let them

be like a blade on the house tops, which withereth before it is

7 pulled up, with which the reaper hath not filled his hand, nor

8 he who gathereth the sheaves, his bosom; so that they who passed by did not say, ” The blessing of the Lord is upon you.” We have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

cxxx.

A Song of the steps.

OUT of depths to thee, O Lord, I cried; O Lord, hearken

2 to my voice : let thine ears be attentive to the sound of my

3 prayer. Shouldst thou, O Lord, mark iniquities; O Lord,

4 who can subsist ? Because there is forgiveness with thee, for

5 thy name’s sake, I have waited for thee, O Lord: my soul

6 hath waited for thy word—my soul hath hoped for the Lord,

7 from the morning watch till night. Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him plenteous re-

8 demption. And he himself will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

CXXXL

A Song of the steps.

1 O LORD, my heart is not exalted, nor are mine eyes lofty; Nor have I exercised myself in great things: nor in things too

2 wonderful for me. Had I not been humble, but exalted myself as a weaned child doth against its mother; how thou wouldst

3 have retributed to my soul! Let Israel hope in the Lord henceforth and forever.

CXXXII.

A Song of the steps.

1 O LORD, remember David, and all his meek humility;

2 how he sware to the Lord, and made his vow to the God of

3 Jacob.: ” I will not enter the lodging of my house, nor go up 4 to my bed of rest: nor give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to

5 mine eyelids; nor rest to my temples; until I find a place for

6 the Lord—a habitation for the God of Jacob.” Behold we had heard of this [ark] at Ephrata; we found it in the fields of the

7 forest. Let us go to his habitations; let us worship at the place

8 where his feet stood. Arise, O Lord, and go up to thy rest,

9 thou and the ark of thy holiness. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints shout for joy.

10 For the sake of thy servant David, turn not away the face

11 of thine anointed. The Lord hath sworn a truth to David, and will not annul it; of the fruit of thy body I will set on thy

12 throne; if thy children keep my covenant, and these my testimonies, which I will teach them, their children also shall sit on

13 thy throne forever. For the Lord hath chosen Sion, and made

14 choice of it for his habitation. This shall be my rest forever.

15 Here I will dwell, for I have chosen it. With blessings I will

16 bless her provision; and satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation; and her saints shall shout

17 for joy. I will cause a horn for David to spring up there j I

18 have prepared a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame: but on him my crown shall flourish.

CXXXIII.

A Song of the steps.

1 BEHOLD! what I pray you, so beautiful, or is there any

2 thing so pleasant, as brethren dwelling in unity ? This is like precious ointment on the head, which floweth down to the beard—on the beard of Aaron, down to the hem of his robe.

3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which descendeth on the mountains of Sion : for there the Lord commanded the blessing, Life for evermore.

CXXXIV.

A Song of the steps. 1 ATTEND! bless the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord,

VOL. II. 3 0

who stand in the house of the Lord—in the courts of the house

2 of our God. At night, lift up your hands to the holies and bless

3 the Lord. May the Lord out of Sion bless thee :—he who made the heaven and the earth.

cxxxv.

An Alleluia.

1 PRAISE the name of the Lord—praise the Lord, ye his ser-

2 vants, who wait in the house of the Lord—in the courts of the

3 house of our God. Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good;

4 with instruments of musick praise his name: for it is good. For the Lord hath made choice of Jacob for himself—of Israel for

5 his peculiar treasure. For I know that the Lord is great, and

6 that our Lord is above all the Gods. All that the Lord pleased he hath done in heaven and on earth : in the seas and in all the

7 deeps. When he brought clouds from the end of the earth ; he

8 made lightnings for the purpose of rain. He it is who bringeth winds out of his treasuries: who smote the first born of

9 Egypt—the first born both of man and beast. Amidst thee, Egypt, he sent his signs and wonders, on Pharao and on all

10 his servants. It was he who smote many nations; and slew

11 kings of mighly power—Seon king of the Amorites, and Og,

12 the king of Basan, and all the kingdoms of Chanaan : and gave their land for an inheritance—for an inheritance for his people

13 Israel. O Lord, thy name is forever, and the memorial of thee

14 to all generations; for the Lord will judge his people, and take

15 comfort in his servants. The idols of the nations are gold and

16 silver—the workmanship of men’s hands. They have a mouth,

17 but cannot speak : eyes they have, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear: nor is there any breath in their

18 mouth. May they who make them be like them; and all they

19 who have trusted in them. O house of Israel, bless ye the

20 Lord: bless the Lord ye of the house of Aaron. O house of Levi, bless ye the Lord; bless him, ye who fear the Lord.

21 Blessed be the Lord in Sion—he who inhabiteth Jerusalem.

CXXXVI.

-‘/// Alleluia.

O GIVE thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his mercy

2 endureth forever. O, give thanks to the God of Gods, for his

3 mercy endureth forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lords; for

4 his mercy endureth forever. To him who alone hath done great

5 wonders: for his mercy endureth forever—to him who made the heavens with wisdom : for his mercy endureth forever—

6 to him who established the earth on the waters : for his mercy

7 endureth forever—-to him who alone made the great lights:

8 for his mercy endureth forever—the sun to rule the day : for

9 his mercy endureth forever—the moon and the stars to rule

10 the night; for his mercy endureth forever—to him who smote Egypt with their first born; for his mercy endureth forever—

11 and brought out Israel from among them; for his mercy en-

12 dureth forever : with a strong hand and an outstretched arm;

13 for his mercy endureth forever—to him ,who divided the Red

14 sea into parts; for his mercy endureth forever. And led Israel through the midst thereof: for his mercy endureth forever:

15 but shook off Pharao and his hosts into the Red sea; for his

16 mercy endureth forever:—to him, who led his people through

17 the desert; for his mercy endureth forever—to him who smote

18 great kings; for his mercy endureth forever : and slew kings

19 of mighty power: for his mercy endureth forever.—Seou

20 king of the Amorites; for his mercy endureth forever; And

21 Ogthe king of Basan; for his mercy endureth forever: and gave their land for an inheritance ; for his mercy endureth for-

22 ever: an inheritance for Israel his servant; for his mercy en-

23 dureth forever: because in our affliction the Lord remember-

24 ed us; for his mercy endureth forever: and redeemed us from

25 our enemies; for his mercy endureth forever. He it is who giv-

26 eth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven : for to everlasting his mercy endureth.

CXXXVII.

For David, a Psalm ofJeremias. 1 BY the rivers of Babylon there we sat down and wept,

2 when we remembered Sion. Upon the willows in the midst of

3 it we hung up our harps: for there they who had captivated us, asked of us the words of a song: and they who had led us away asked for a hymn, saying, Sing for us some of the odes of

4 Sion. How can we sing the song of the Lord in a strange

5 country? O Jerusalem, if I forget thee, let my right hand be

6 forgotten. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember thee—if I set not Jerusalem foremost, as the chief object of my joy.

7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom; who in the day

8 of Jerusalem said, Rase ! Rase ! down to its foundations! O daughter of Babylon the miserable ! Happy he who shall ren-

9 der thee thy recompense; for what thou hast done to us ! Happy he who shall seize and clash thy infants against stones !

CXXXVIII.

A Psalm by David, used by Aggaius and Zacharias.

1 I WILL adore thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. And with instrumental musick sing to thee before angels: because

2 thou hast heard all the words of my mouth. I will worship before thy holy temple; and adore thy name for thy mercy and thy truth: because thou hast magnified above all thy holy

3 name. On the day when I invoke thee, O answer me speedily :

4 thou canst strengthen me in my soul with thy strength; let all the kings of this land adore thee, O Lord, because they have

5 heard all the words of thy mouth. And let them sing in the

6 ways of the Lord : because the glory of the Lord is great. For the Lord is high and looketh down on the things which are low : and from afar he knoweth the things which are high.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou canst keep me alive. Against the rage of enemies thou hast stretched forth

8 thy hand : and thy right hand hath saved me. Thou, O Lord wilt retribute for me. O Lord, thy mercy endureth forever; overlook not the works of thy hands.

CXXXIX.

For the conclusion. A Psalm by David.

1 O LORD, thou hast proved me and known me. Thou

2 knowest my sitting down and my rising up. Thou from afar

3 understandest my thoughts. Thou hast tracked my path and my line: and hast seen distinctly all my ways—that there is

4 not an evil word on my tongue. Behold thou, O Lord, know-

5 est all things—the last and the things of earliest date. Thou

6 hast formed me and laid thy hand on me. This knowledge of thine is too wonderful for me. It is great beyond my compre-

7 hension. Whither can I go from thy spirit? And from thy pre-

8 sence whither can I flee? If I ascend up to heaven, thou art there. If I go down to the mansion of the dead, there thou art.

9 If I wing my flight towards the morning; or dwell at the ex-

10 tremes of this sea; even there thy hand will guide me; and thy

11 right hand will restrain me. When I said, Darkness will surely trample me down : then to my great joy, night was luminous.

12 For darkness cannot darken from thee; even night can be made light as day : the darkness of that, as the light of this.

13 Because thou, O Lord, hast possessed my reins—hast sup-

14 ported me from my mother’s womb; I will adore thee, for thou art awfully wonderful. Thy works are wonderful; as my

15 soul well knoweth. From thee was not concealed this bone of

16 mine; which thou in secret didst fashion. When my substance was in the lowest parts of the earth; thine eyes beheld the un- wrought part of me. When on thy book aU shall be enrolled;

17 they will day by day be fashioned. When none among these were yet in being; for me these friends of thine, O God, were highly prized: their principalities were made very strong.

18 Were I to number them, they would surpass the sand. I have

19 been raised up and am still with thee. Since thou, O God,

20 slayest sinners : begone from me ye bloody men. For in answer to their reasoning thou wilt say, In vain shall they take

21 these cities of thine. Have I not, O Lord, hated them who hate

22 thee; and been melted for them who are thine enemies! With perfect hatred I have hated them—I have accounted them mine

23 enemies. Try me, O God, and know my heart: examine me

24 and know my ways; and see if there be in me any trace of iniquity; and lead me in an everlasting way.

CXL.

For the conclusion. A Psalm. By David.

1 DELIVER me, O Lord, from a wicked commoner: from

2 an unjust man of rank, preserve me; who hath contrived mischief in their heart. All the day long they prepared battles :

3 they sharpened their tongue like that of a serpent: the poison

4 of asps was under their lips. Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of a sinner: deliver me from unjust men; who have formed

5 contrivances to supplant my steps. The haughty hid a snare for me—they spread out nets for my feet—close by the way

6 they laid for me a stumbling block. I said to the Lord, Thou

7 art my God. Hear O Lord, the voice of my supplication. O

8 Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation! Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Deliver me not up to the wicked from my desire. Against me they have formed de-

9 vices : Forsake me not, lest they be exalted. Let the amount of their compassings—the labour of their lips cover them.

10 On them shall fall coals of fire in the land ; and thou wilt overthrow them with miseries ; that they may not rise up again.

11 A tattling chief cannot prosper in the land : evils will hunt

12 to destruction a man of violence. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the needy :

13 moreover, that the righteous will adore thy name—that the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

CXLI.

A Ptalm by David.

1 TO thee, O Lord, I have cried, hearken to me—attend

2 to the sound of my supplication. When I cry to thee ; let my prayer come before thee as incense—and the lifting up of my

3 hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, on my

4 mouth; and guard the door of my lips. Let not my heart turn aside to wicked deeds—to form excuses for sins with men who work iniquity : nor let me associate with their cho-

5 sen bands. Let a righteous man correct me with mercy ; and he will work conviction in me : but let not the oil of a sinner (for this shall still be my prayer) anoint my head at their pleasure.

6 Their strong men were swallowed up near a rock : let them

7 hear my words for they were sweet. As if a lump of earth was broken on the ground; our bones were scattered at the grave’s

8 mouth. Since mine eyes are to thee, O Lord, Lord—in thee I have placed my confidence: deliver not my soul to destruc-

9 tion. Keep me from the snare they have laid for me: and 10 from the stumbling blocks of the workers of iniquity. The

wicked shall fall by their own net, I am in private till I can escape.

CXLII.

On understanding. By David -when he was in the cave. A 
Prayer. 

1 WITH my voice I cried to the Lord—to the Lord I made

2 supplication with my voice. Before him I pour out my prayer:

3 before him I will declare my affliction. When my spirit fainted thou knewest my paths. In the way I was going they hid

4 a snare for me. I looked to the right; and observed that none was there, who knew me. Flight was cut off from me; and

5 is he not earnestly seeking my life ? To thee, O Lord, I cried and said, Thou art my hope—my portion in the land of

6 the living. Attend to my supplication ; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors ; for they are stronger

7 than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may adore thy name, O Lord. Let the righteous wait for me, till thou shalt

reward me.

CXLIII.

A Psalm by David, when his sdn was pursuing him.

1 O LORD, hearken to my prayer! Listen to my supplica-

2 tion in thy truth; answer me in thy saving goodness; and enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight no man living can be justified.

\

3 Because the enemy hath earnestly sought my life—hath humbled my life to the ground—hath caused me to sit in dark

4 places, like them who have been long dead; therefore my spirit was overwhelmed with grief; my heart within me was trou-

5 bled and I remembered the days of old. I meditated on all thy

6 works—I mused on the works of thy hands. I spread forth my hands to thee; for thee my soul thirsted like land without

7 water. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit hath failed. Turn not away thy face from me; nor let me be like them who go down to the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy kindness in the morning; for in thee I have placed my confidence. O Lord, let me know which way I shall go; for to thee I have lifted up my soul.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; for to thee I have

10 fled for refuge. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God. Let thy good spirit lead me in the right way.

11 For the sake of thy name, thou, O Lord, wilt keep me alive—in thy saving goodness thou wilt bring my soul out of

12 trouble, and in thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.

CXLIV.

By David. On Goliath.

1 BLESSED be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands to ~2 war and my fingers to fight. He is my mercy and my refuge—

my support and my deliverer, my protector in whom 1 trusted,

who subdueth the people under me.

3 O Lord, what is man that thou shouldst acknowledge him,

4 or a son of man that thou shouldst regard him! Man is like vanity, his days glide away like a shadow.

5 O Lord, bow thy heaven and come down: touch the moun-

6 tains and let them smoke. Flash lightnings and thou wilt scat-

7 ter them; dart thy bolts and thou wilt discomfit them; stretch forth thy hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from many waters—out of the hand of the children of strangers,

8 whose mouth hath uttered falsehood, and whose right hand is. a right hand of deceit.

O God, to thee I will sing a new song—to thee I will play

10 on a ten stringed psaltery, to him who giveth salvation to kings, who hath redeemed his servant David from the hurtful sword.

11 Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of the children of strangers, whose mouth hath uttered falsehood, and whose right

12 hand is a right hand of deceit—whose sons are like trees well planted when young; their daughters beauteous, adorned like

13 shrines; their store houses full and overflowing; their flocks

14 prolific, abounding in their outwalks; their herds fat. There is no destruction of enclosures—no breaking out—no screaming

15 in their folds. The people who had such things were hailed happy ; but happy is the people, whose God is the Lord.

CXLV.

A Psalm of praise. By David.

1 I WILL extol thee, O my God, my king : and bless thy

2 name for ever and ever. Day by day I will bless thee, and

3 praise thy name for ever and ever. The Lord is great and greatly to be praised; and of his greatness there is no end.

4, Let generation after generation praise thy works, and proclaim

5 thy mighty power : Let them speak of the transcendant glory

6 of thy majesty, and relate thy wonderous works. Let them express the might of thine awful dealings, and rehearse thy great-

7 ness. Let them make mention of thine abundant goodness, and

8 extilt with joy in thy saving mercy. The Lord is gracious and

9 merciful: long suffering and abundant in kindness. The Lord is kind to them who wait, and his mercies are over all his

10 works. Let all thy works, .O Lord, praise thee, and let thy

11 saints bless thee ; let them speak of the glory of thy kingdom,

12 and talk of thy government: to make known thy government to the sons of men, and the transcendant glory of thy kingdom.

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and diy dominion,

14 throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in his words,

15 and bountiful in all his works. The Lord upholdeth all that are 10 falling, and raiseth up all who are broken down. The eyes of

all wait upon thee: and thou givest them their food in due sea- 17 son ; thou openest thy hands, and satisfiest the desire of every Vol. ri. 3 p

18 living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and boun-

19 tiful in all his works. The Lord is near to all who invoke him—

20 to all that call upon him with truth. He will fulfil the desire of them who fear him: he will hear their prayer and save them.

21 The Lord keepeth all them who love him; but all the wicked

22 he will utterly destroy. Let my mouth speak the praise of the .Lord : and let all flesh bless his holy name, for ever and for evermore.

CXLVI.

An Alleluia, of Aggaius and ZacJiarias.

1 PRAISE the Lord, O my soul: while I live I will praise the

2 Lord. I will sing praises to God, while I have a being. Trust

3 not in chiefs, nor in sons of men, in whom there is no safety.

4 His breath goeth out and he shall return to his earth; on that

5 day all his projects shall perish. Happy he whose helper is the

6 God of Jacob : his hope is in the Lord his God, who made the

7 heaven and the earth, the sea and all the things in them; who keepeth truth forever, executing judgment for the aggrieved,

8 giving food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them who were bound. The Lord causeth the blind to see clearly. The Lord raiseth up them who were broken down. The Lord loveth the

9 righteous. The Lord preserveth the strangers. He will support the orphan and the widow, and destroy the way of die wicked.

10 The Lord will reign forever—thy God, O Sion, throughout all generations.

CXLVII. /

An Allekia, ofAggaius and Zacharias.

1 PRAISE the Lord, for good is a song of praise; to our

2 God let praise be sweetly sung. The Lord is rebuilding Jeru-

3 salem ; and he will gather the dispersions of Israel. He healeth

4 the broken hearted, and bindetii up their wounds; he number- eth the multitudes of stars, and calleth them all by their names.

5 Great is our Lord and great his power; and infinite is his un-.

6 derstanding. The Lord raiseth up the meek; and humbleth

7 sinners to the ground. Sing alternately to the Lord with thanksgiving. In concert with the kithara, sing praises to our God—

8 to him who covereth the heaven with clouds—to him who pro- videth rain for the earth—to him who causeth grass to grow on

9 mountains, and bladed com for the use of man; and who giv- eth suitable food to cattle, and to the young ravens which call

10 on him. In the courage of the horse he will not delight, nor is

11 he pleased with the agility of the warrior. The Lord delighteth in them who fear him, and in all them who trust in his mercy.

An Alleluia, ofAggaius and Zacharias.

12 PRAISE the Lord, O Jerusalem: O Sion, praise thy God;

13 for he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed

14 thy children within thee. He maketh thy borders peace, and

15 feedeth thee with the finest wheat;—he is sending his oracle

16 to this land : his word shall run with speed. When he giveth snow like wool—when he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes :

17 when he sendethdown like morsels his chrystal hail ; who can

18 stand before his cold ? Let him but send forth his word and he will melt them—let him but blow his breath and the waters

19 will flow. He is sending his word to Jacob—his statutes and his

20 judgments to Israel. He hath not dealt thus with any nation, nor hath he laid open to them his judgments.

CXLVIII.

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An Alleluia ofAggaius and Zacharias.

1 PRAISE the Lord, ye of the heavens : praise him, ye in

2 the highest. Praise him all ye his angels : praise him all ye

3 his hosts. Sun and moon! Praise him: praise him all yc stars

4 and light. Praise him ye heavens of heavens : and thou water

5 under the heavens! let them praise the name of the Lord ; for he spake and they were produced: he commanded and

C they vere created. He established them forever and ever: he

r

7 made a decree and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord ye

8 of the earth! dragons and all deeps ! Fire, hail, snow, ice,

9 tempestuous wind, which execute his commands I Moun-

10 tains, and all hills! fruit trees and all cedars! wild beasts

11 and all cattle ! creeping things and winged fowls ! Kings of the earth, and all peoples! chiefs and all judges of the earth!

12 youths and virgins! elders with them of younger years ! let

13 them praise the name of the Lord; for his name alone is exalted. To him belongeth thanksgiving, on earth and in

14 heaven. When he shall exalt the horn of his people, let there be a song of praise among all his saints—among the children of Israel—a people who draw near to him.

CXLIX.

An Alleluia.

1 SING to the Lord a new song. Praise is his due in the

2 congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in his maker—and

3 the children of Sion exult in their king. Let them praise his name in choirs—on the tympanum and psaltery sing praises

4 to him : for the Lord taketh pleasure in his people ; and with

5 salvation he will exalt the meek. Let the saints triumph in

6 glory ; and exult with joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth; and in their hands two edged

7 swords; to execute vengeance on the nations—rebukes among

8 peoples. To bind their kings with fetters; and their nobles

9 with chains of iron : to execute on them the judgments written. Such is the honour which all his saints have.

CL.

An Alleluia.

1 PRAISE God in his holies ; praise him in the firmament

2 of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts : praise him ac-

3 cording to his abundant majesty : praise him with the sound-

4 ing trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and kithara: praise him with the tympanum and chorus: praise him with stringed

5 instruments and organs; praise him with soft sounding cym-

6 bals: praise him with the cymbals of triumph: let every breath praise the Lord.

  1. B. There is in the Septuagint another Psalm, -with this title:This Psalm on David was^ written by himself

in prose, when he fought in single combat with Goliath.

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I was little among my brethren, and the youngest of my father’s family. I fed my father’s flocks. My hands had made an organ ; and my fingers had tuned a psaltery. But who will tell my Lord. My Lord himself heareth. He sentlus messenger and took me from my father’s flocks and anointed me with anointing oil. My brothers were comely and great; but the Lord did not delight in them. I went out to meet the Philistine, and he cursed me by his idols. But I drew his own sword and cut off his head, and took away reproach from the children of Israel.