Font Size
Psalm 42-72
Contemporary English Version
Psalm 42-72
Contemporary English Version
BOOK II
(Psalms 42–72)
(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
Longing for God
1 As a deer gets thirsty
for streams of water,
I truly am thirsty
for you, my God.
2 In my heart, I am thirsty
for you, the living God.
When will I see your face?
3 Day and night my tears
are my only food,
as everyone keeps asking,
“Where is your God?”
4 Sorrow floods my heart,
when I remember
leading the worshipers
to your house.[a]
I can still hear them shout
their joyful praises.
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I should trust you, Lord.
I will praise you again
because you help me,
6 and you are my God.
I am deeply discouraged,
and so I think about you
here where the Jordan begins
at Mount Hermon
and at Mount Mizar.[b]
7 Your vicious waves
have swept over me
like an angry ocean
or a roaring waterfall.
8 Every day, you are kind,
and at night
you give me a song
as my prayer to you,
the God of my life.
9 You are my mighty rock.[c]
Why have you forgotten me?
Why must enemies mistreat me
and make me sad?
10 Even my bones are in pain,
while all day long
my enemies sneer and ask,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you, Lord!
And I will praise you again
because you help me,
and you are my God.
A Prayer in Times of Trouble
1 Show that I am right, God!
Defend me against everyone
who doesn't know you;
rescue me from each
of those deceitful liars.
2 I run to you for protection.
Why do you turn me away?
Why must enemies mistreat me
and make me sad?
3 Send your light and your truth
to guide me.
Let them lead me to your house
on your sacred mountain.
4 Then I will worship
at your altar because you
make me joyful.
You are my God,
and I will praise you.
Yes, I will praise you
as I play my harp.
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you, Lord!
And I will praise you again
because you help me,
and you are my God.
(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
A Prayer for Help
1 Our God, our ancestors told us
what wonders you worked
and we listened carefully.
2 You chased off the nations
by causing them trouble
with your powerful arm.
Then you let our ancestors
take over their land.
3 Their strength and weapons
were not what won the land
and gave them victory!
You loved them and fought
with your powerful arm
and your shining glory.
4 You are my God and King,
and you give victory[d]
to the people of Jacob.
5 By your great power,
we knocked our enemies down
and trampled on them.
6 I don't depend on my arrows
or my sword to save me.
7 But you saved us
from our hateful enemies,
and you put them to shame.
8 We boast about you, our God,
and we are always grateful.
9 But now you have rejected us;
you don't lead us into battle,
and we look foolish.
10 You made us retreat,
and our enemies have taken
everything we own.
11 You let us be slaughtered
like sheep,
and you scattered us
among the nations.
12 You sold your people
for little or nothing,
and you earned no profit.
13 You made us look foolish
to our neighbors;
people who live nearby
insult us and sneer.
14 Foreigners joke about us
and shake their heads.
15 I am embarrassed every day,
and I blush with shame.
16 But others mock and sneer,
as they watch my enemies
take revenge on me.
17 All this happened to us,
though we didn't forget you
or break our agreement.
18 We always kept you in mind
and followed your teaching.
19 But you crushed us,
and you covered us
with deepest darkness
where wild animals live.
20 We did not forget you
or lift our hands in prayer
to foreign gods.
21 You would have known it
because you discover
every secret thought.
22 (A) We face death all day for you.
We are like sheep on their way
to be slaughtered.
23 Wake up! Do something, Lord!
Why are you sleeping?
Don't desert us forever.
24 Why do you keep looking away?
Don't forget our sufferings
and all our troubles.
25 We are flat on the ground,
holding on to the dust.
26 Do something! Help us!
Show how kind you are
and come to our rescue.
(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.” A love song.)
For a Royal Wedding
1 My thoughts are filled
with beautiful words
for the king,
and I will use my voice
as a writer would use
pen and ink.
2 No one is as handsome as you!
Your words are always kind.
That is why God
will always bless you.
3 Mighty king, glorious ruler,
strap on your sword
4 and ride out in splendor!
Win victories for truth
and mercy and justice.
Do fearsome things
with your powerful arm.
5 Send your sharp arrows
through enemy hearts
and make all nations fall
at your feet.
6 (B) You are God, and you will rule
forever as king.[e]
Your royal power
brings about justice.
7 You love justice and hate evil.
And so, your God chose you
and made you happier
than any of your friends.
8 The sweet aroma of the spices
myrrh, aloes, and cassia
covers your royal robes.
You enjoy the music of harps
in palaces decorated
with ivory.
9 Daughters of kings are here,
and your bride stands
at your right side,
wearing a wedding gown
trimmed with pure gold.[f]
10 Bride of the king,
listen carefully to me.
Forget your own people
and your father's family. 11 The king adores you.
He is your master,
so do what he desires.
12 All of the richest people
from the city of Tyre
will try to influence you
13 with precious treasures.
Your bride, my king,
has inward beauty,[g]
and her wedding gown is woven
with threads of gold.
14 Wearing the finest garments,
she is brought to you,
followed by her young friends,
the bridesmaids.
15 Everyone is excited,
as they follow you
to the royal palace.
16 Your sons and your grandsons
will also be kings
as your ancestors were.
You will make them rulers
everywhere on earth.
17 I will make your name famous
from now on,
and you will be praised
forever and ever.
(A special song by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
God Is Our Mighty Fortress
1 God is our mighty fortress,
always ready to help
in times of trouble.
2 And so, we won't be afraid!
Let the earth tremble
and the mountains tumble
into the deepest sea.
3 Let the ocean roar and foam,
and its raging waves
shake the mountains.
4 A river and its streams
bring joy to the city,
which is the sacred home
of God Most High.
5 God is in that city,
and it won't be shaken.
He will help it at dawn.
6 Nations rage! Kingdoms fall!
But at the voice of God
the earth itself melts.
7 The Lord All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
8 Come! See the fearsome things
the Lord has done on earth.
9 God brings wars to an end
all over the world.
He breaks the arrows,
shatters the spears,
and burns the shields.[h]
10 Our God says, “Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me.”
11 The Lord All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
God Rules the Nations
1 All of you nations,
clap your hands and shout
joyful praises to God.
2 The Lord Most High is fearsome,
the ruler of all the earth.
3 God has put every nation
under our power,
4 and he chose for us the land
that was the pride of Jacob,
his favorite.
5 God goes up to his throne,
as people shout
and trumpets blast.
6 Sing praises to God our King,
7 the ruler of all the earth!
Praise God with songs.
8 God rules the nations
from his sacred throne.
9 Their leaders come together
and are now the people
of Abraham's God.
All rulers on earth
surrender their weapons,
and God is greatly praised!
(A song and a psalm by the clan of Korah.)
The City of God
1 The Lord God is wonderful!
He deserves all praise
in the city where he lives.
His holy mountain,
2 (C) beautiful and majestic,
brings joy to all on earth.
Mount Zion, truly sacred,
is home for the Great King.
3 God is there to defend it
and has proved to be
its protector.
4 Kings joined forces
to attack the city,
5 but when they saw it,
they were terrified
and ran away.
6 They trembled all over
like women giving birth
7 or like seagoing ships[i]
wrecked by eastern winds.
8 We had heard about it,
and now we have seen it
in the city of our God,
the Lord All-Powerful.
This is the city that God
will let stand forever.
9 Our God, here in your temple
we think about your love.
10 You are famous and praised
everywhere on earth,
as you win victories
with your powerful arm.
11 Mount Zion will celebrate,
and all Judah will be glad,
because you bring justice.
12 Let's walk around Zion
and count its towers.
13 We will see its strong walls
and visit each fortress.
Then you can say
to future generations,
14 “Our God is like this forever
and will always[j] guide us.”
(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
Don't Depend on Wealth
1 Everyone on this earth,
now listen to what I say!
2 Listen, no matter who you are,
rich or poor.
3 I speak words of wisdom,
and my thoughts make sense.
4 I have in mind a mystery
that I will explain
while playing my harp.
5 Why should I be afraid
in times of trouble,
when I am surrounded
by vicious enemies?
6 They trust in their riches
and brag about
all their wealth.
7 You cannot buy back your life
or pay off God!
8 It costs far too much
to buy back your life.
You can never pay God enough
9 to stay alive forever
and safe from death.
10 (D) We see that wise people die,
and so do stupid fools.
Then their money is left
for someone else.
11 The grave[k] will be their home
forever and ever,
although they once had land
of their own.
12 Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
13 Here is what happens to fools
and to those who trust
the words of fools:[l]
14 They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
leading them to the grave.
In the morning God's people
will walk all over them,[m]
as their bodies lie rotting
in their home, the grave.
15 But God will rescue me
from the power of death.
16 Don't let it bother you
when others get rich
and live in luxury.
17 Soon they will die
and all their wealth
will be left behind.
18 We humans are praised
when we do well,
and all of us are glad
to be alive.
19 But we each will go down
to our ancestors,
never again to see
the light of day.
20 Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
(A psalm by Asaph.)
What Pleases God
1 From east to west,
the powerful Lord God
has been calling together
everyone on earth.
2 God shines brightly from Zion,
the most beautiful city.
3 Our God approaches,
but not silently;
a flaming fire comes first,
and a storm surrounds him.
4 God comes to judge his people.
He shouts to the heavens
and to the earth,
5 “Call my followers together!
They offered me a sacrifice,
and we made an agreement.”
6 The heavens announce,
“God is the judge,
and he is always honest.”
7 My people, I am God!
Israel, I am your God.
Listen to my charges
against you.
8 Although you offer sacrifices
and always bring gifts,
9 I won't accept your offerings
of bulls and goats.
10 Every animal in the forest
belongs to me,
and so do the cattle
on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds
in the mountains,
and every wild creature
is in my care.
12 If I were hungry,
I wouldn't tell you,
because I own the world
and everything in it.
13 I don't eat the meat of bulls
or drink the blood of goats.
14 I am God Most High!
The only sacrifice I want
is for you to be thankful
and to keep your word.
15 Pray to me in time of trouble.
I will rescue you,
and you will honor me.
16 But to the wicked I say:
“You don't have the right
to mention my laws or claim
to keep our agreement!
17 You refused correction
and rejected my commands.
18 You made friends
with every crook you met,
and you liked people who break
their wedding vows.
19 You talked only about violence
and told nothing but lies;
20 you sat around gossiping,
ruining the reputation
of your own relatives.”
21 When you did all this,
I didn't say a word,
and you thought,
“God is just like us!”
But now I will accuse you.
22 You have ignored me!
So pay close attention
or I will tear you apart,
and no one can help you.
23 The sacrifice that honors me
is a thankful heart.
Obey me,[n] and I, your God,
will show my power to save.
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)
A Prayer for Forgiveness
1 (E) You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
the burden of my guilt.
4 (F) You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong
since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop[o]
until I am clean
and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
11 Don't chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak,
and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.
17 The way to please you
is to be truly sorry
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won't refuse.
18 Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.
(A special psalm by David for the music leader. He wrote this when Doeg from Edom went to Saul and said, “David has gone to Ahimelech's house.”)
God Is in Control
1 (G) You people may be strong
and brag about your sins,
but God can be trusted
day after day.
2 You plan brutal crimes,
and your lying words cut
like a sharp razor.
3 You would rather do evil
than good, and tell lies
than speak the truth.
4 You love to say cruel things,
and your words are a trap.
5 God will destroy you forever!
He will grab you and drag you
from your homes.
You will be uprooted
and left to die.
6 When good people see
this fearsome sight,
they will laugh and say,
7 “Just look at them now!
Instead of trusting God,
they trusted their wealth
and their cruelty.”
8 But I am like an olive tree
growing in God's house,
and I can count on his love
forever and ever.
9 I will always thank God
for what he has done;
I will praise his good name
when his people meet.
(A special psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “Mahalath.”[p])
No One Can Ignore God
1 (H) Only a fool would say,
“There is no God!”
People like that are worthless!
They are heartless and cruel
and never do right.
2 From heaven God
looks down to see
if anyone is wise enough
to search for him.
3 But all of them
are crooked and corrupt.
Not one of them does right.
4 Won't you lawbreakers learn?
You refuse to pray,
and you gobble up
the people of God.
5 But you will be terrified
worse than ever before.
God will scatter the bones
of his enemies,
and you will be ashamed
when God rejects you.
6 I long for someone from Zion
to come and save Israel!
Our God, when you bless
your people again,
Jacob's family will be glad,
and Israel will celebrate.
(For the music leader. Use with stringed instruments. A special psalm that David wrote when the people of Ziph went to Saul and said, “David is hiding here with us.”)
Trusting God in Times of Trouble
1 (I) Save me, God, by your power
and prove that I am right.
2 Listen to my prayer
and hear what I say.
3 Cruel strangers have attacked
and want me dead.
Not one of them cares
about you.
4 You will help me, Lord God,
and keep me from falling;
5 you will punish my enemies
for their evil deeds.
Be my faithful friend
and destroy them.
6 I will bring a gift
and offer a sacrifice
to you, Lord.
I will praise your name
because you are good.
7 You have rescued me
from all my troubles,
and my own eyes have seen
my enemies fall.
(A special psalm by David for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.)
Betrayed by a Friend
1 Listen, God, to my prayer!
Don't reject my request.
2 Please listen and help me.
My thoughts are troubled,
and I keep groaning
3 because my enemies attack
with loud shouts.
They treat me terribly
and hold angry grudges.
4 My heart is racing fast,
and I am afraid of dying.
5 I am trembling with fear,
completely terrified.
6 I wish I had wings
like a dove,
so I could fly far away
and be at peace.
7 I would go and live
in some distant desert.
8 I would quickly find shelter
from howling winds
and raging storms.
9 Confuse my enemies, Lord!
Upset their plans.
Cruelty and violence
are all I see in the city,
10 and they are like guards
on patrol day and night.
The city is full of trouble,
evil, 11 and corruption.
Troublemakers and liars
freely roam the streets.
12 My enemies are not the ones
who sneer and make fun.
I could put up with that
or even hide from them.
13 But it was my closest friend,
the one I trusted most.
14 We enjoyed being together,
when we went with others
to your house, our God.
15 All who hate me are controlled
by the power of evil.
Sentence them to death
and send them down alive
to the world of the dead.
16 I ask for your help, Lord God,
and you will keep me safe.
17 Morning, noon, and night
you hear my concerns
and my complaints.
18 I am attacked from all sides,
but you will rescue me
unharmed by the battle.
19 You have always ruled,
and you will hear me.
You will defeat my enemies
because they won't turn
and worship you.
20 My friend turned against me
and broke his promise.
21 His words were smoother
than butter, and softer
than olive oil.
But hatred filled his heart,
and he was ready to attack
with a sword.
22 Our Lord, we belong to you.
We tell you what worries us,
and you won't let us fall.
23 But what about those people
who are cruel and brutal?
You will throw them down
into the deepest pit
long before their time.
I trust you, Lord!
(For the music leader. To the tune “A Silent Dove in the Distance.”[q] A special psalm by David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.)
A Prayer of Trust in God
1 (J) Have pity, God Most High!
My enemies chase me all day.
2 Many of them are pursuing
and attacking me,
3 but even when I am afraid,
I keep on trusting you.
4 I praise your promises!
I trust you and am not afraid.
No one can harm me.
5 Enemies spend the whole day
finding fault with me;
all they think about
is how to do me harm.
6 They attack from ambush,
watching my every step
and hoping to kill me.
7 They won't get away[r]
with these crimes, God,
because when you get angry,
you destroy people.
8 You have kept record
of my days of wandering.
You have stored my tears
in your bottle
and counted each of them.
9 When I pray, Lord God,
my enemies will retreat,
because I know for certain
that you are with me.
10 I praise your promises!
11 I trust you and am not afraid.
No one can harm me.
12 I will keep my promises
to you, my God,
and bring you gifts.
13 You protected me from death
and kept me from stumbling,
so that I would please you
and follow the light
that leads to life.
(For the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.”[s] A special psalm by David when he was in the cave while running from Saul.)
Praise and Trust in Times of Trouble
1 (K) God Most High, have pity on me!
Have mercy. I run to you
for safety.
In the shadow of your wings,
I seek protection
till danger dies down.
2 I pray to you, my protector.
3 You will send help from heaven
and save me,
but you will bring trouble
on my attackers.
You are faithful,
and you can be trusted.
4 My enemies are fierce,
much worse than lions!
They have spears and arrows
instead of teeth,
and they have sharp swords
instead of tongues.
5 May you, my God, be honored
above the heavens;
may your glory be seen
everywhere on earth.
6 (L) Enemies set traps for my feet
and struck me down.
They dug a pit in my path,
but fell in it themselves.
7 I am faithful to you,
and you can trust me.
I will sing and play music
for you, my God.
8 I feel wide awake!
I will wake up my harp
and wake up the sun.
9 I will praise you, Lord,
for everyone to hear,
and I will sing hymns to you
in every nation.
10 Your love reaches higher
than the heavens;
your loyalty extends
beyond the clouds.
11 May you, my God, be honored
above the heavens;
may your glory be seen
everywhere on earth.
(A special psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.”[t])
A Prayer When All Goes Wrong
1 Do you mighty people[u] talk
only to oppose justice?[v]
Don't you ever judge fairly?
2 You are always planning evil,
and you are brutal.
3 You have done wrong and lied
from the day you were born.
4 Your words spread poison
like the bite of a cobra
5 that refuses to listen
to the snake charmer.
6 My enemies are fierce
as lions, Lord God!
Shatter their teeth.
Snatch out their fangs.
7 Make them disappear
like leaking water,
and make their arrows miss.
8 Let them dry up like snails
or be like a child that dies
before seeing the sun.
9 Wipe them out quicker
than a pot can be heated
by setting thorns on fire.[w]
10 Good people will be glad
when they see the wicked
getting what they deserve,
and they will wash their feet
in their enemies' blood.
11 Everyone will say, “It's true!
Good people are rewarded.
God does indeed rule the earth
with justice.”
(For the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.”[x] A special psalm by David when Saul had David's house watched so that he could kill him.)
A Prayer for Protection
1 (M) Save me, God! Protect me
from enemy attacks!
2 Keep me safe from brutal people
who want to kill me.
3 Merciless enemies, Lord,
are hiding and plotting,
hoping to kill me.
I have not hurt them
in any way at all.
4 But they are ready to attack.
Do something! Help me!
Look at what's happening.
5 Lord God All-Powerful,
you are the God of Israel.
Punish the other nations
and don't pity those terrible
and rebellious people.
6 My enemies return at evening,
growling like dogs
roaming the city.
7 They curse, and their words
cut like swords,
as they say to themselves,
“No one can hear us!”
8 You, Lord, laugh at them
and sneer at the nations.
9 You are my mighty fortress,
and I depend on you.
10 You love me and will let me
see my enemies defeated.
11 Don't kill them,
or everyone may forget!
Just use your mighty power
to make them tremble
and fall.
You are a shield
for your people.
12 My enemies are liars!
So let them be trapped
by their boastful lies.
13 Get angry and destroy them.
Leave them in ruin.
Then all the nations will know
that you rule in Israel.
14 Those liars return at evening,
growling like dogs
roaming the city.
15 They search for scraps of food,
and they snarl
until they are stuffed.
16 But I will sing about
your strength, my God,
and I will celebrate
because of your love.
You are my fortress,
my place of protection
in times of trouble.
17 I will sing your praises!
You are my mighty fortress,
and you love me.
(For the music leader. To the tune “Lily of the Promise.” A special psalm by David for teaching. He wrote it during his wars with the Arameans of northern Syria,[y] when Joab came back and killed twelve thousand Edomites[z] in Salt Valley.)
You Can Depend on God
1 (N) You, God, are angry with us!
We are rejected and crushed.
Make us strong again!
2 You made the earth shake
and split wide open;
now heal its wounds
and stop its trembling.
3 You brought hard times
on your people,
and you gave us wine
that made us stagger.
4 You gave a signal to those
who worship you,
so they could escape
from enemy arrows.[aa]
5 Answer our prayers, God!
Use your powerful arm
and give us victory.
Then the people you love
will be safe.
6 Our God, you solemnly promised,
“I would gladly divide up
the city of Shechem
and give away Succoth Valley
piece by piece.
7 The lands of Gilead
and Manasseh are mine.
Ephraim is my war helmet,
and Judah is the symbol
of my royal power.
8 Moab is merely my washbasin.
Edom belongs to me,
and I shout in triumph
over the Philistines.”
9 Our God, who will bring me
to the fortress,
or lead me to Edom?
10 Have you rejected us
and deserted our armies?
11 Help us defeat our enemies!
No one else can rescue us.
12 You will give us victory
and crush our enemies.
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.)
Under the Protection of God
1 Please listen, God,
and answer my prayer!
2 I feel hopeless,
and I cry out to you
from a faraway land.
Lead me to the mighty rock[ab]
high above me.
3 You are a strong tower,
where I am safe
from my enemies.
4 Let me live with you forever
and find protection
under your wings, my God.
5 You heard my promises,
and you have blessed me,
just as you bless everyone
who worships you.
6 Let the king have a long
and healthy life.
7 May he always rule
with you, God, at his side;
may your love and loyalty
watch over him.
8 I will sing your praises
forever, God, and will always
keep my promises.
(A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.)
God Is Powerful and Kind
1 Only God can save me,
and I calmly wait for[ac] him.
2 God alone is the mighty rock[ad]
that keeps me safe
and the fortress
where I am secure.
3 I feel like a shaky fence
or a sagging wall.
How long will all of you
attack and assault me?
4 You want to bring me down
from my place of honor.
You love to tell lies,
and when your words are kind,
hatred hides in your heart.
5 Only God gives inward peace,
and I depend on him.
6 God alone is the mighty rock
that keeps me safe,
and he is the fortress
where I feel secure.
7 God saves me and honors me.
He is that mighty rock
where I find safety.
8 Trust God, my friends,
and always tell him
each of your concerns.
God is our place of safety.
9 We humans are only a breath;
none of us are truly great.
All of us together weigh less
than a puff of air.
10 Don't trust in violence
or depend on dishonesty
or rely on great wealth.
11 I heard God say two things:
“I am powerful,
12 (O) and I am very kind.”
The Lord rewards each of us
according to what we do.
(A psalm by David when he was in the desert of Judah.)
God's Love Means More than Life
1 (P) You are my God. I worship you.
In my heart, I long for you,
as I would long for a stream
in a scorching desert.
2 I have seen your power
and your glory
in the place of worship.
3 Your love means more
than life to me,
and I praise you.
4 As long as I live,
I will pray to you.
5 I will sing joyful praises
and be filled with excitement
like a guest at a banquet.
6 I think about you, God,
before I go to sleep,
and my thoughts turn to you
during the night.
7 You have helped me,
and I sing happy songs
in the shadow of your wings.
8 I stay close to you,
and your powerful arm
supports me.
9 All who want to kill me
will end up in the ground.
10 Swords will run them through,
and wild dogs will eat them.
11 Because of you, our God,
the king will celebrate
with your faithful followers,
but liars will be silent.
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
Celebrate because of the Lord
1 Listen to my concerns, God,
and protect me
from my enemies' threats.
2 Keep me safe from secret plots
of corrupt and evil gangs.
3 Their words cut like swords,
and their cruel remarks
sting like sharp arrows.
4 They fearlessly ambush
and shoot innocent people.
5 They are determined to do evil,
and they tell themselves,
“Let's set traps!
No one can see us.”[ae]
6 They make evil plans and say,
“We'll commit a perfect crime.
No one knows our thoughts.”[af]
7 But God will shoot his arrows
and quickly wound them.
8 They will be destroyed
by their own words,
and everyone who sees them
will tremble with fear.[ag]
9 They will be afraid and say,
“Look at what God has done
and keep it all in mind.”
10 May the Lord bless his people
with peace and happiness
and let them celebrate.
(A psalm by David and a song for the music leader.)
God Answers Prayer
1 Our God, you deserve[ah] praise
in Zion, where we keep
our promises to you.
2 Everyone will come to you
because you answer prayer.
3 When our sins get us down,
you forgive us.
4 You bless your chosen ones,
and you invite them
to live near you
in your temple.
We will enjoy your house,
the sacred temple.
5 Our God, you save us,
and your fearsome deeds answer
our prayers for justice!
You give hope to people
everywhere on earth,
even those across the sea.
6 You are strong,
and your mighty power
put the mountains in place.
7 You silence the roaring waves
and the noisy shouts
of the nations.
8 People far away marvel
at your fearsome deeds,
and all who live under the sun
celebrate and sing
because of you.
9 You take care of the earth
and send rain to help the soil
grow all kinds of crops.
Your rivers never run dry,
and you prepare the earth
to produce abundant grain.
10 You water all its fields
and level the lumpy ground.
You send showers of rain
to soften the soil
and help the plants sprout.
11 Wherever your footsteps
touch the earth,
a rich harvest is gathered.
12 Desert pastures blossom,
and mountains celebrate.
13 Meadows are filled
with sheep and goats;
valleys overflow with grain
and echo with joyful songs.
(A song and a psalm for the music leader.)
Shout Praises to God
1 Tell everyone on this earth
to shout praises to God!
2 Sing about his glorious name.
Honor him with praises.
3 Say to God, “Everything you do
is fearsome,
and your mighty power makes
your enemies come crawling.
4 You are worshiped by everyone!
We all sing praises to you.”
5 Come and see the fearsome things
our God has done!
6 (Q) When God made the sea dry up,
our people walked across,
and because of him,
we celebrated there.
7 His mighty power rules forever,
and nothing the nations do
can be hidden from him.
So don't turn against God.
8 All of you people,
come praise our God!
Let his praises be heard.
9 God protects us from death
and keeps us steady.
10 Our God, you tested us,
just as silver is tested.
11 You trapped us in a net
and gave us heavy burdens.
12 You sent war chariots
to crush our skulls.
We traveled through fire
and through floods,
but you brought us
to a land of plenty.
13 I will bring sacrifices
into your house, my God,
and I will do what I promised
14 when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice my best sheep
and offer bulls and goats
on your altar.
16 All who worship God,
come here and listen;
I will tell you everything
God has done for me.
17 I prayed to the Lord,
and I praised him.
18 If my thoughts had been sinful,
he would have refused
to hear me.
19 But God did listen
and answered my prayer.
20 Let's praise God!
He listened when I prayed,
and he is always kind.
(A psalm and a song for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.)
Tell the Nations To Praise God
1 Our God, be kind and bless us!
Be pleased and smile.
2 Then everyone on earth
will learn to follow you,
and all nations will see
your power to save us.
3 Make everyone praise you
and shout your praises.
4 Let the nations celebrate
with joyful songs,
because you judge fairly
and guide all nations.
5 Make everyone praise you, God,
and shout your praises.
6 Our God has blessed the earth
with a wonderful harvest!
7 Pray for his blessings
to continue
and for everyone on earth
to worship our God.
(A psalm and a song by David for the music leader.)
God Will Win the Battle
1 Do something, God!
Scatter your hateful enemies.
Make them turn and run.
2 Scatter them like smoke!
When you come near,
make them melt
like wax in a fire.
3 But let your people be happy
and celebrate because of you.
4 Our God, you are the one
who rides on the clouds,[ai]
and we praise you.
Your name is the Lord,
and we celebrate
as we worship you.
5 Our God, from your sacred home
you take care of orphans
and protect widows.
6 You find families
for those who are lonely.
You set prisoners free
and let them prosper,[aj]
but all who rebel will live
in a scorching desert.
7 You set your people free,
and you led them
through the desert.
8 (R) God of Israel,
the earth trembled,
and rain poured down.
You alone are the God
who rules from Mount Sinai.
9 When your land was thirsty,
you sent showers
to refresh it.
10 Your people settled there,
and you were generous
to everyone in need.
11 You gave the command, Lord,
and a chorus of women told
what had happened:
12 “Kings and their armies
retreated and ran,
and everything they left
is now being divided.
13 And for those who stayed back
to guard the sheep,
there are metal doves
with silver-coated wings
and shiny gold feathers.”
14 God All-Powerful, you scattered
the kings like snow falling
on Mount Zalmon.[ak]
15 Our Lord and our God,
Bashan is a mighty mountain
covered with peaks.
16 Why is it jealous of Zion,
the mountain you chose
as your home forever?
17 When you, Lord God, appeared
to your people[al] at Sinai,
you came with thousands
of mighty chariots.
18 (S) When you climbed
the high mountain,
you took prisoners with you
and were given gifts.
Your enemies didn't want you
to live there,
but they gave you gifts.
19 We praise you, Lord God!
You treat us with kindness
day after day,
and you rescue us.
20 You always protect us
and save us from death.
21 Our Lord and our God,
your terrible enemies
are ready for war,[am]
but you will crush
their skulls.
22 You promised to bring them
from Bashan
and from the deepest sea.
23 Then we could wash our feet
in their blood,
and our dogs could chew
on their bones.
24 We have seen crowds marching
to your place of worship,
our God and King.
25 Singers come first,
and then the musicians,
surrounded by young women
playing tambourines.
26 They come shouting,
“People of Israel,
praise the Lord God!”
27 The small tribe of Benjamin
leads the way,
followed by the leaders
from Judah.
Then come the leaders
from Zebulun and Naphtali.
28 Our God, show your strength!
Show us once again.
29 Then kings will bring gifts
to your temple
in Jerusalem.[an]
30 Punish that animal
that lives in the swamp![ao]
Punish that nation
whose leaders and people
are like wild bulls.
Make them come crawling
with gifts of silver.
Scatter those nations
that enjoy making war.[ap]
31 Force the Egyptians to bring
gifts of bronze;
make the Ethiopians[aq] hurry
to offer presents.[ar]
32 Now sing praises to God!
Every kingdom on earth,
sing to the Lord!
33 Praise the one who rides
across the ancient skies;
listen as he speaks
with a mighty voice.
34 Tell about God's power!
He is honored in Israel,
and he rules the skies.
35 The God of Israel is fearsome
in his temple,
and he makes us strong.
Let's praise our God!
(By David for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.”)
God Can Be Trusted
1 Save me, God!
I am about to drown.
2 I am sinking deep in the mud,
and my feet are slipping.
I am about to be swept under
by a mighty flood.
3 I am worn out from crying,
and my throat is dry.
I have waited for you
till my eyes are blurred.
4 (T) There are more people
who hate me for no reason
than there are hairs
on my head.
Many terrible enemies
want to destroy me, God.
Am I supposed to give back
something I didn't steal?
5 You know my foolish sins.
Not one is hidden from you.
6 Lord God All-Powerful,
ruler of Israel,
don't let me embarrass anyone
who trusts and worships you.
7 It is for your sake alone
that I am insulted
and blush with shame.
8 I am like a stranger
to my relatives
and like a foreigner
to my own family.
9 (U) My love for your house
burns in me like a fire,
and when others insult you,
they insulted me as well.
10 I cried and went without food,[as]
but they still insulted me.
11 They sneered at me
for wearing sackcloth[at]
to show my sorrow.
12 Rulers and judges gossip
about me,
and drunkards make up songs
to mock me.
13 But I pray to you, Lord.
So when the time is right,
answer me and help me
with your wonderful love.
14 Don't let me sink in the mud,
but save me from my enemies
and from the deep water.
15 Don't let me be
swept away by a flood
or drowned in the ocean
or swallowed by death.
16 Answer me, Lord!
You are kind and good.
Pay attention to me!
You are truly merciful.
17 Don't turn away from me.
I am your servant,
and I am in trouble.
Please hurry and help!
18 Come and save me
from my enemies.
19 You know how I am insulted,
mocked, and disgraced;
you know every one
of my enemies.
20 I am crushed by insults,
and I feel sick.
I had hoped for mercy and pity,
but there was none.
21 (V) Enemies poisoned my food,
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar.
22 (W) Make their table a trap
for them and their friends.
23 Blind them with darkness
and make them tremble.
24 Show them how angry you are!
Be furious and catch them.
25 (X) Destroy their camp
and don't let anyone live
in their tents.
26 They cause trouble for people
you have already punished;
their gossip hurts those
you have wounded.
27 Make them guiltier than ever
and don't forgive them.
28 (Y) Wipe their names from the book
of the living;
remove them from the list
of the innocent.
29 I am mistreated and in pain.
Protect me, God,
and keep me safe!
30 I will praise the Lord God
with a song
and a thankful heart.
31 This will please the Lord
better than offering an ox
or a full-grown bull.
32 When those in need see this,
they will be happy,
and the Lord's worshipers
will be encouraged.
33 The Lord will listen
when the homeless cry out,
and he will never forget
his people in prison.
34 Heaven and earth
will praise our God,
and so will the oceans
and everything in them.
35 God will rescue Jerusalem,
and he will rebuild
the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
on their own land,
36 and when the time comes,
their children will inherit
the land.
Then everyone who loves God
will also settle there.
(By David for the music leader. To be used when an offering is made.)
God Is Wonderful
1 Save me, Lord God!
Hurry and help.
2 Disappoint and confuse
all who want to kill me.
Turn away and disgrace
all who want to hurt me.
3 Embarrass and shame those
who say, “We told you so!”
4 Let your worshipers celebrate
and be glad because of you.
They love your saving power,
so let them always say,
“God is wonderful!”
5 I am poor and needy,
but you, the Lord God,
care about me.
You are the one who saves me.
Please hurry and help!
A Prayer for God's Protection
1 I run to you, Lord,
for protection.
Don't disappoint me.
2 You do what is right,
so come to my rescue.
Listen to my prayer
and keep me safe.
3 Be my mighty rock,[au] the place
where I can always run
for protection.
Save me by your command!
You are my mighty rock
and my fortress.
4 Come and save me, Lord God,
from vicious and cruel
and brutal enemies!
5 I depend on you,
and I have trusted you
since I was young.
6 I have relied on you[av]
from the day I was born.
You brought me safely
through birth,
and I always praise you.
7 Many people think of me
as something evil.
But you are my mighty protector,
8 and I praise and honor you
all day long.
9 Don't throw me aside
when I am old;
don't desert me
when my strength is gone.
10 My enemies are plotting
because they want me dead.
11 They say, “Now we'll catch you!
God has deserted you,
and no one can save you.”
12 Come closer, God!
Please hurry and help.
13 Embarrass and destroy
all who want me dead;
disgrace and confuse
all who want to hurt me.
14 I will never give up hope
or stop praising you.
15 All day long I will tell
the wonderful things you do
to save your people.
But you have done much more
than I could possibly know.
16 I will praise you, Lord God,
for your mighty deeds
and your power to save.
17 You have taught me
since I was a child,
and I never stop telling about
your marvelous deeds.
18 Don't leave me when I am old
and my hair turns gray.
Let me tell future generations
about your mighty power.
19 Your deeds of kindness
are known in the heavens.
No one is like you!
20 You made me suffer a lot,
but you will bring me
back from this deep pit
and give me new life.
21 You will make me truly great
and take my sorrow away.
22 I will praise you, God,
the Holy One of Israel.
You are faithful.
I will play the harp
and sing your praises.
23 You have rescued me!
I will celebrate and shout,
singing praises to you
with all my heart.
24 All day long I will announce
your power to save.
I will tell how you disgraced
and disappointed those
who wanted to hurt me.
(By Solomon.)
A Prayer for God To Guide and Help the King
1 Please help the king
to be honest and fair
just like you, our God.
2 Let him be honest and fair
with all your people,
especially the poor.
3 Let peace and justice rule
every mountain and hill.
4 Let the king defend the poor,
rescue the homeless, and crush
everyone who hurts them.
5 Let the king live[aw] forever
like the sun and the moon.
6 Let him be as helpful as rain
that refreshes the meadows
and the ground.
7 Let the king be fair
with everyone,
and let there be peace
until the moon
falls from the sky.
8 (Z) Let his kingdom reach
from sea to sea,
from the Euphrates River
across all the earth.
9 Force the desert tribes
to accept his rule,
and make his enemies
crawl in the dirt.
10 Force the rulers of Tarshish[ax]
and of the islands
to pay taxes to him.
Make the kings of Sheba
and of Seba[ay] bring gifts.
11 Make other rulers bow down
and all nations serve him.
12 Do this because the king
rescues the homeless
when they cry out,
and he helps everyone
who is poor and in need.
13 The king has pity
on the weak and the helpless
and protects those in need.
14 He cares when they hurt,
and he saves them from cruel
and violent deaths.
15 Long live the king!
Give him gold from Sheba.
Always pray for the king
and praise him each day.
16 Let cities overflow with food
and hills be covered with grain,
just like Mount Lebanon.
Let the people in the cities
prosper like wild flowers.
17 May the glory of the king
shine brightly forever
like the sun in the sky.
Let him make nations prosper
and learn to praise him.
18 Lord God of Israel,
we praise you.
Only you can work miracles.
19 We will always praise
your glorious name.
Let your glory be seen
everywhere on earth.
Amen and amen.
20 This ends the prayers
of David, the son of Jesse.
Footnotes
- 42.4 leading … house: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 42.6 Mount Mizar: The location is not known.
- 42.9 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
- 44.4 and … victory: One ancient translation; Hebrew “please give victory.”
- 45.6 You … king: Or “God has made you king, and you will rule forever.”
- 45.9 trimmed with pure gold: Hebrew has “with gold from Ophir,” which may have been in Africa or India. Gold from there was considered the very best.
- 45.13 has inward beauty: Or “is dressed in her room.”
- 46.9 shields: Or “chariots.”
- 48.7 seagoing ships: The Hebrew text has “ships of Tarshish,” which probably means large, seagoing ships.
- 48.14 always: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 49.11 The grave: Some ancient translations; Hebrew “Their inward thoughts.”
- 49.13 and to those … fools: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 49.14 as their shepherd … over them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 50.23 Obey me: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 51.7 hyssop: A small bush with bunches of small, white flowers. It was sometimes used as a symbol for making a person clean from sin.
- Psalm 53 Mahalath: Or “For flutes,” one possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Psalm 56 A Silent … Distance: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 56.7 They … away: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Psalm 57 Don't Destroy: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Psalm 58 Don't Destroy: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 58.1 mighty people: Or “mighty rulers” or “mighty gods.”
- 58.1 Do … justice: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 58.9 Wipe … fire: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Psalm 59 Don't Destroy: See the note at Psalm 57.
- Psalm 60 wars … Syria: See 2 Samuel 8.3-8; 10.16-18; 1 Chronicles 18.3-11; 19.6-19.
- Psalm 60 killed … Edomites: See 2 Samuel 8.13; 1 Chronicles 18.12.
- 60.4 so … arrows: Some ancient translations and one possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 61.2 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
- 62.1 calmly wait for: Or “am at peace with.”
- 62.2 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
- 64.5 us: One ancient translation; Hebrew “them.”
- 64.6 thoughts: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 6.
- 64.8 tremble with fear: Or “turn and run.”
- 65.1 deserve: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 68.4 on the clouds: Or “across the desert.”
- 68.6 and let them prosper: Or “and give them a song.”
- 68.14 Mount Zalmon: The location of this mountain is not known.
- 68.17 to your people: Or “in all your holiness” or “in your holy place.”
- 68.21 are ready for war: The Hebrew text has “have long hair,” which probably refers to the ancient custom of wearing long hair on special occasions, such as a “holy war.”
- 68.28,29 Our God … Jerusalem: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 28,29.
- 68.30 animal … swamp: Probably Egypt.
- 68.30 war: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 30.
- 68.31 the Ethiopians: The Hebrew text has “the people of Cush,” which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
- 68.31 presents: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 31.
- 69.10 went without food: See the note at 35.13.
- 69.11 sackcloth: See the note at 30.11.
- 71.3 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
- 71.6 I … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 72.5 Let the king live: One ancient translation; Hebrew “Let them worship you.”
- 72.10 Tarshish: Possibly a city in Spain.
- 72.10 Sheba … Seba: Sheba may have been a place in what is now southwest Arabia, and Seba may have been in southern Arabia.
Psalm 42-59
New International Version
Psalm 42-59
New International Version
BOOK II
Psalms 42–72
Psalm 42[a][b]
For the director of music. A maskil[c] of the Sons of Korah.
1 As the deer(A) pants for streams of water,(B)
so my soul pants(C) for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts(D) for God, for the living God.(E)
When can I go(F) and meet with God?
3 My tears(G) have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”(H)
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:(I)
how I used to go to the house of God(J)
under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy(K) and praise(L)
among the festive throng.(M)
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?(N)
Why so disturbed(O) within me?
Put your hope in God,(P)
for I will yet praise(Q) him,
my Savior(R) and my God.(S)
6 My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember(T) you
from the land of the Jordan,(U)
the heights of Hermon(V)—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep(W)
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.(X)
8 By day the Lord directs his love,(Y)
at night(Z) his song(AA) is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.(AB)
9 I say to God my Rock,(AC)
“Why have you forgotten(AD) me?
Why must I go about mourning,(AE)
oppressed(AF) by the enemy?”(AG)
10 My bones suffer mortal agony(AH)
as my foes taunt(AI) me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”(AJ)
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.(AK)
Psalm 43[e]
1 Vindicate me, my God,
and plead my cause(AL)
against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me(AM) from those who are
deceitful and wicked.(AN)
2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected(AO) me?
Why must I go about mourning,(AP)
oppressed by the enemy?(AQ)
3 Send me your light(AR) and your faithful care,(AS)
let them lead me;(AT)
let them bring me to your holy mountain,(AU)
to the place where you dwell.(AV)
4 Then I will go(AW) to the altar(AX) of God,
to God, my joy(AY) and my delight.(AZ)
I will praise you with the lyre,(BA)
O God, my God.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.(BB)
Psalm 44[f]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[g]
1 We have heard it with our ears,(BC) O God;
our ancestors have told us(BD)
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.(BE)
2 With your hand you drove out(BF) the nations
and planted(BG) our ancestors;
you crushed(BH) the peoples
and made our ancestors flourish.(BI)
3 It was not by their sword(BJ) that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand,(BK) your arm,(BL)
and the light(BM) of your face, for you loved(BN) them.
4 You are my King(BO) and my God,(BP)
who decrees[h] victories(BQ) for Jacob.
5 Through you we push back(BR) our enemies;
through your name we trample(BS) our foes.
6 I put no trust in my bow,(BT)
my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory(BU) over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.(BV)
8 In God we make our boast(BW) all day long,(BX)
and we will praise your name forever.[i](BY)
9 But now you have rejected(BZ) and humbled us;(CA)
you no longer go out with our armies.(CB)
10 You made us retreat(CC) before the enemy,
and our adversaries have plundered(CD) us.
11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep(CE)
and have scattered us among the nations.(CF)
12 You sold your people for a pittance,(CG)
gaining nothing from their sale.
13 You have made us a reproach(CH) to our neighbors,(CI)
the scorn(CJ) and derision(CK) of those around us.
14 You have made us a byword(CL) among the nations;
the peoples shake their heads(CM) at us.
15 I live in disgrace(CN) all day long,
and my face is covered with shame(CO)
16 at the taunts(CP) of those who reproach and revile(CQ) me,
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.(CR)
17 All this came upon us,
though we had not forgotten(CS) you;
we had not been false to your covenant.
18 Our hearts had not turned(CT) back;
our feet had not strayed from your path.
19 But you crushed(CU) us and made us a haunt for jackals;(CV)
you covered us over with deep darkness.(CW)
20 If we had forgotten(CX) the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,(CY)
21 would not God have discovered it,
since he knows the secrets of the heart?(CZ)
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep(DA) to be slaughtered.(DB)
23 Awake,(DC) Lord! Why do you sleep?(DD)
Rouse yourself!(DE) Do not reject us forever.(DF)
24 Why do you hide your face(DG)
and forget(DH) our misery and oppression?(DI)
25 We are brought down to the dust;(DJ)
our bodies cling to the ground.
26 Rise up(DK) and help us;
rescue(DL) us because of your unfailing love.(DM)
Psalm 45[j]
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[k] A wedding song.(DN)
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,(DO)
since God has blessed you forever.(DP)
3 Gird your sword(DQ) on your side, you mighty one;(DR)
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.(DS)
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously(DT)
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;(DU)
let your right hand(DV) achieve awesome deeds.(DW)
5 Let your sharp arrows(DX) pierce the hearts(DY) of the king’s enemies;(DZ)
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God,[l] will last for ever and ever;(EA)
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness(EB) and hate wickedness;(EC)
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing(ED) you with the oil of joy.(EE)
8 All your robes are fragrant(EF) with myrrh(EG) and aloes(EH) and cassia;(EI)
from palaces adorned with ivory(EJ)
the music of the strings(EK) makes you glad.
9 Daughters of kings(EL) are among your honored women;
at your right hand(EM) is the royal bride(EN) in gold of Ophir.(EO)
10 Listen, daughter,(EP) and pay careful attention:(EQ)
Forget your people(ER) and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;(ES)
honor(ET) him, for he is your lord.(EU)
12 The city of Tyre(EV) will come with a gift,[m](EW)
people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious(EX) is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.(EY)
14 In embroidered garments(EZ) she is led to the king;(FA)
her virgin companions(FB) follow her—
those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,(FC)
they enter the palace of the king.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes(FD) throughout the land.
17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;(FE)
therefore the nations will praise you(FF) for ever and ever.(FG)
Psalm 46[n]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[o] A song.
1 God is our refuge(FH) and strength,(FI)
an ever-present(FJ) help(FK) in trouble.(FL)
2 Therefore we will not fear,(FM) though the earth give way(FN)
and the mountains fall(FO) into the heart of the sea,(FP)
3 though its waters roar(FQ) and foam(FR)
and the mountains quake(FS) with their surging.[p]
4 There is a river(FT) whose streams(FU) make glad the city of God,(FV)
the holy place where the Most High(FW) dwells.(FX)
5 God is within her,(FY) she will not fall;(FZ)
God will help(GA) her at break of day.
6 Nations(GB) are in uproar,(GC) kingdoms(GD) fall;
he lifts his voice,(GE) the earth melts.(GF)
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,(GK)
the desolations(GL) he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars(GM) cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow(GN) and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[q] with fire.(GO)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;(GP)
I will be exalted(GQ) among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 47[r]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
2 For the Lord Most High(GV) is awesome,(GW)
the great King(GX) over all the earth.
3 He subdued(GY) nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance(GZ) for us,
the pride of Jacob,(HA) whom he loved.[s]
5 God has ascended(HB) amid shouts of joy,(HC)
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.(HD)
6 Sing praises(HE) to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;(HF)
sing to him a psalm(HG) of praise.
8 God reigns(HH) over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.(HI)
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings[t] of the earth belong to God;(HJ)
he is greatly exalted.(HK)
Psalm 48[u]
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord,(HL) and most worthy of praise,(HM)
in the city of our God,(HN) his holy mountain.(HO)
2 Beautiful(HP) in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon[v](HQ) is Mount Zion,(HR)
the city of the Great King.(HS)
3 God is in her citadels;(HT)
he has shown himself to be her fortress.(HU)
4 When the kings joined forces,
when they advanced together,(HV)
5 they saw her and were astounded;
they fled in terror.(HW)
6 Trembling seized(HX) them there,
pain like that of a woman in labor.(HY)
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish(HZ)
shattered by an east wind.(IA)
8 As we have heard,
so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
forever.[w](IB)
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate(IC) on your unfailing love.(ID)
10 Like your name,(IE) O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;(IF)
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.(IG)
12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,(IH)
13 consider well her ramparts,(II)
view her citadels,(IJ)
that you may tell of them
to the next generation.(IK)
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide(IL) even to the end.
Psalm 49[x]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Hear(IM) this, all you peoples;(IN)
listen, all who live in this world,(IO)
2 both low and high,(IP)
rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;(IQ)
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.(IR)
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;(IS)
with the harp(IT) I will expound my riddle:(IU)
5 Why should I fear(IV) when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me—
6 those who trust in their wealth(IW)
and boast(IX) of their great riches?(IY)
7 No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom(IZ) for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—(JA)
9 so that they should live on(JB) forever
and not see decay.(JC)
10 For all can see that the wise die,(JD)
that the foolish and the senseless(JE) also perish,
leaving their wealth(JF) to others.(JG)
11 Their tombs(JH) will remain their houses[y] forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,(JI)
though they had[z] named(JJ) lands after themselves.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,(JM)
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.[aa]
14 They are like sheep and are destined(JN) to die;(JO)
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail(JP) over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;(JQ)
he will surely take me to himself.(JR)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing(JS) with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.(JT)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—(JU)
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,(JV)
who will never again see the light(JW) of life.
Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,(JZ)
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.(KA)
2 From Zion,(KB) perfect in beauty,(KC)
God shines forth.(KD)
3 Our God comes(KE)
and will not be silent;(KF)
a fire devours(KG) before him,(KH)
and around him a tempest(KI) rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth,(KJ) that he may judge his people:(KK)
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,(KL)
who made a covenant(KM) with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim(KN) his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.[ab][ac](KO)
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify(KP) against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.(KQ)
8 I bring no charges(KR) against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings,(KS) which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull(KT) from your stall
or of goats(KU) from your pens,(KV)
10 for every animal of the forest(KW) is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.(KX)
11 I know every bird(KY) in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields(KZ) are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world(LA) is mine, and all that is in it.(LB)
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings(LC) to God,
fulfill your vows(LD) to the Most High,(LE)
15 and call(LF) on me in the day of trouble;(LG)
I will deliver(LH) you, and you will honor(LI) me.”
16 But to the wicked person, God says:
“What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant(LJ) on your lips?(LK)
17 You hate(LL) my instruction
and cast my words behind(LM) you.
18 When you see a thief, you join(LN) with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.(LO)
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.(LP)
20 You sit and testify against your brother(LQ)
and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,(LR)
you thought I was exactly[ad] like you.
But I now arraign(LS) you
and set my accusations(LT) before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God,(LU)
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:(LV)
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless[ae] I will show my salvation.(LW)”
Psalm 51[af]
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.(LX)
1 Have mercy(LY) on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;(LZ)
according to your great compassion(MA)
blot out(MB) my transgressions.(MC)
2 Wash away(MD) all my iniquity
and cleanse(ME) me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.(MF)
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned(MG)
and done what is evil in your sight;(MH)
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.(MI)
5 Surely I was sinful(MJ) at birth,(MK)
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom(ML) in that secret place.(MM)
7 Cleanse(MN) me with hyssop,(MO) and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.(MP)
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;(MQ)
let the bones(MR) you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins(MS)
and blot out(MT) all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart,(MU) O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.(MV)
11 Do not cast me(MW) from your presence(MX)
or take your Holy Spirit(MY) from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation(MZ)
and grant me a willing spirit,(NA) to sustain me.(NB)
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,(NC)
so that sinners(ND) will turn back to you.(NE)
14 Deliver me(NF) from the guilt of bloodshed,(NG) O God,
you who are God my Savior,(NH)
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.(NI)
15 Open my lips, Lord,(NJ)
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice,(NK) or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice,(NL) O God, is[ag] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart(NM)
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,(NN)
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.(NO)
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,(NP)
in burnt offerings(NQ) offered whole;
then bulls(NR) will be offered on your altar.
Psalm 52[ah]
For the director of music. A maskil[ai] of David. When Doeg the Edomite(NS) had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”
1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
Why do you boast(NT) all day long,(NU)
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 You who practice deceit,(NV)
your tongue plots destruction;(NW)
it is like a sharpened razor.(NX)
3 You love evil(NY) rather than good,
falsehood(NZ) rather than speaking the truth.[aj]
4 You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue!(OA)
5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and pluck(OB) you from your tent;
he will uproot(OC) you from the land of the living.(OD)
6 The righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh(OE) at you, saying,
7 “Here now is the man
who did not make God his stronghold(OF)
but trusted in his great wealth(OG)
and grew strong by destroying others!”
8 But I am like an olive tree(OH)
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust(OI) in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
9 For what you have done I will always praise you(OJ)
in the presence of your faithful people.(OK)
And I will hope in your name,(OL)
for your name is good.(OM)
Psalm 53[ak](ON)
For the director of music. According to mahalath.[al] A maskil[am] of David.
1 The fool(OO) says in his heart,
“There is no God.”(OP)
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven(OQ)
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,(OR)
any who seek God.(OS)
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.(OT)
4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?
They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on God.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
where there was nothing to dread.(OU)
God scattered the bones(OV) of those who attacked you;(OW)
you put them to shame,(OX) for God despised them.(OY)
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalm 54[an]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil[ao] of David. When the Ziphites(OZ) had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”
1 Save me(PA), O God, by your name;(PB)
vindicate me by your might.(PC)
2 Hear my prayer, O God;(PD)
listen to the words of my mouth.
3 Arrogant foes are attacking me;(PE)
ruthless people(PF) are trying to kill me(PG)—
people without regard for God.[ap](PH)
6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering(PM) to you;
I will praise(PN) your name, Lord, for it is good.(PO)
7 You have delivered me(PP) from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.(PQ)
Psalm 55[aq]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil[ar] of David.
1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;(PR)
2 hear me and answer me.(PS)
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught(PT)
3 because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me(PU)
and assail(PV) me in their anger.(PW)
4 My heart is in anguish(PX) within me;
the terrors(PY) of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling(PZ) have beset me;
horror(QA) has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
7 I would flee far away
and stay in the desert;[as](QB)
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,(QC)
far from the tempest and storm.(QD)”
9 Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,(QE)
for I see violence and strife(QF) in the city.(QG)
10 Day and night they prowl(QH) about on its walls;
malice and abuse are within it.
11 Destructive forces(QI) are at work in the city;
threats and lies(QJ) never leave its streets.
12 If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
I could hide.
13 But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,(QK)
14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship(QL)
at the house of God,(QM)
as we walked about
among the worshipers.
15 Let death take my enemies by surprise;(QN)
let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,(QO)
for evil finds lodging among them.
16 As for me, I call to God,
and the Lord saves me.
17 Evening,(QP) morning(QQ) and noon(QR)
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
18 He rescues me unharmed
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me.
19 God, who is enthroned from of old,(QS)
who does not change—
he will hear(QT) them and humble them,
because they have no fear of God.(QU)
20 My companion attacks his friends;(QV)
he violates his covenant.(QW)
21 His talk is smooth as butter,(QX)
yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,(QY)
yet they are drawn swords.(QZ)
22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;(RA)
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.(RB)
23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit(RC) of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful(RD)
will not live out half their days.(RE)
But as for me, I trust in you.(RF)
Psalm 56[at]
For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam.[au] When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1 Be merciful to me,(RG) my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;(RH)
all day long they press their attack.(RI)
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;(RJ)
in their pride many are attacking me.(RK)
3 When I am afraid,(RL) I put my trust in you.(RM)
4 In God, whose word I praise—(RN)
in God I trust and am not afraid.(RO)
What can mere mortals do to me?(RP)
5 All day long they twist my words;(RQ)
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire,(RR) they lurk,
they watch my steps,(RS)
hoping to take my life.(RT)
7 Because of their wickedness do not[av] let them escape;(RU)
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.(RV)
8 Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll[aw](RW)—
are they not in your record?(RX)
9 Then my enemies will turn back(RY)
when I call for help.(RZ)
By this I will know that God is for me.(SA)
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 I am under vows(SB) to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death(SC)
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.(SD)
Psalm 57[ax](SE)
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[ay] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(SF)
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.(SG)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(SH)
until the disaster has passed.(SI)
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.(SJ)
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,(SK)
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[az](SL)
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(SM)
4 I am in the midst of lions;(SN)
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.(SO)
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.(SP)
6 They spread a net for my feet(SQ)—
I was bowed down(SR) in distress.
They dug a pit(SS) in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.(ST)
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;(SU)
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!(SV)
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(SW)
Psalm 58[ba]
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[bb]
1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly?(SZ)
Do you judge people with equity?
2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,(TA)
and your hands mete out violence on the earth.(TB)
3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,(TC)
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 that will not heed(TD) the tune of the charmer,(TE)
however skillful the enchanter may be.
6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;(TF)
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!(TG)
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;(TH)
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.(TI)
8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,(TJ)
like a stillborn child(TK) that never sees the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns(TL)—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.[bc](TM)
10 The righteous will be glad(TN) when they are avenged,(TO)
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.(TP)
11 Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;(TQ)
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”(TR)
Psalm 59[bd]
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[be] When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house(TS) in order to kill him.
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;(TT)
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.(TU)
2 Deliver me from evildoers(TV)
and save me from those who are after my blood.(TW)
3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire(TX) against me
for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong,(TY) yet they are ready to attack me.(TZ)
Arise to help me; look on my plight!(UA)
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,(UB)
rouse yourself(UC) to punish all the nations;(UD)
show no mercy to wicked traitors.[bf](UE)
6 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,(UF)
and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths(UG)—
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,(UH)
and they think, “Who can hear us?”(UI)
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;(UJ)
you scoff at all those nations.(UK)
9 You are my strength,(UL) I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,(UM)
10 my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me
and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,[bg](UN)
or my people will forget.(UO)
In your might uproot them
and bring them down.(UP)
12 For the sins of their mouths,(UQ)
for the words of their lips,(UR)
let them be caught in their pride.(US)
For the curses and lies they utter,
13 consume them in your wrath,
consume them till they are no more.(UT)
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.(UU)
14 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food(UV)
and howl if not satisfied.
Footnotes
- Psalm 42:1 In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm.
- Psalm 42:1 In Hebrew texts 42:1-11 is numbered 42:2-12.
- Psalm 42:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 42:4 See Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
- Psalm 43:1 In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 and 43 constitute one psalm.
- Psalm 44:1 In Hebrew texts 44:1-26 is numbered 44:2-27.
- Psalm 44:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 44:4 Septuagint, Aquila and Syriac; Hebrew King, O God; / command
- Psalm 44:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 45:1 In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18.
- Psalm 45:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 45:6 Here the king is addressed as God’s representative.
- Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts
- Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
- Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
- Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
- Psalm 46:9 Or chariots
- Psalm 47:1 In Hebrew texts 47:1-9 is numbered 47:2-10.
- Psalm 47:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 47:9 Or shields
- Psalm 48:1 In Hebrew texts 48:1-14 is numbered 48:2-15.
- Psalm 48:2 Zaphon was the most sacred mountain of the Canaanites.
- Psalm 48:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 49:1 In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21.
- Psalm 49:11 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew In their thoughts their houses will remain
- Psalm 49:11 Or generations, / for they have
- Psalm 49:13 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.
- Psalm 50:6 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge
- Psalm 50:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 50:21 Or thought the ‘I am’ was
- Psalm 50:23 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; the meaning of the Masoretic Text for this phrase is uncertain.
- Psalm 51:1 In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.
- Psalm 51:17 Or The sacrifices of God are
- Psalm 52:1 In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11.
- Psalm 52:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 52:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.
- Psalm 53:1 In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7.
- Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a musical term
- Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 54:1 In Hebrew texts 54:1-7 is numbered 54:3-9.
- Psalm 54:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 54:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 55:1 In Hebrew texts 55:1-23 is numbered 55:2-24.
- Psalm 55:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 55:7 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and in the middle of verse 19.
- Psalm 56:1 In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14.
- Psalm 56:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 56:7 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not.
- Psalm 56:8 Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin
- Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
- Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
- Psalm 58:1 In Hebrew texts 58:1-11 is numbered 58:2-12.
- Psalm 58:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
- Psalm 59:1 In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18.
- Psalm 59:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 59:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.
- Psalm 59:11 Or sovereign
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.