1Praise the LORD,a all you nations;b

extol him, all you peoples.

2For great is his lovec toward us,

and the faithfulness of the LORDd endures forever.

Praise the LORD.1

1Give thanks to the LORD,a for he is good;b

his love endures forever.c

2Let Israel say:d

“His love endures forever.”e

3Let the house of Aaron say:f

“His love endures forever.”

4Let those who fear the LORDg say:

“His love endures forever.”

5When hard pressed,h I cried to the LORD;

he brought me into a spacious place.i

6The LORD is with me;j I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?k

7The LORD is with me; he is my helper.l

I look in triumph on my enemies.m

8It is better to take refuge in the LORDn

than to trust in humans.o

9It is better to take refuge in the LORD

than to trust in princes.p

10All the nations surrounded me,

but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.q

11They surrounded mer on every side,s

but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

12They swarmed around me like bees,t

but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;u

in the name of the LORD I cut them down.v

13I was pushed back and about to fall,

but the LORD helped me.w

14The LORD is my strengthx and my defense1;

he has become my salvation.y

15Shouts of joyz and victory

resound in the tents of the righteous:

“The LORD’s right handa has done mighty things!b

16The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;

the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”

17I will not diec but live,

and will proclaimd what the LORD has done.

18The LORD has chastenede me severely,

but he has not given me over to death.f

19Open for me the gatesg of the righteous;

I will enterh and give thanks to the LORD.

20This is the gate of the LORDi

through which the righteous may enter.j

21I will give you thanks, for you answered me;k

you have become my salvation.l

22The stonem the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;n

23the LORD has done this,

and it is marvelouso in our eyes.

24The LORD has done it this very day;

let us rejoice today and be glad.p

25LORD, save us!q

LORD, grant us success!

26Blessed is he who comesr in the name of the LORD.

From the house of the LORD we bless you.2^,s

27The LORD is God,t

and he has made his light shineu on us.

With boughs in hand,v join in the festal procession

up3 to the horns of the altar.w Photo

28You are my God, and I will praise you;

you are my God,x and I will exalty you.

29Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

1Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,a

who walkb according to the law of the LORD.c

2Blessedd are those who keep his statutese

and seek himf with all their heart—g

3they do no wrongh

but follow his ways.i

4You have laid down preceptsj

that are to be fully obeyed.k

5Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!l

6Then I would not be put to shamem

when I consider all your commands.n

7I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.o

8I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.p

9How can a young person stay on the path of purity?q

By living according to your word.r

10I seek you with all my heart;s

do not let me stray from your commands.t

11I have hidden your word in my heartu

that I might not sinv against you.

12Praise bew to you, LORD;

teach mex your decrees.y

13With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.z

14I rejoice in following your statutesa

as one rejoices in great riches.

15I meditate on your preceptsb

and consider your ways.

16I delightc in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

17Be good to your servantd while I live,

that I may obey your word.e

18Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law.

19I am a stranger on earth;f

do not hide your commands from me.

20My soul is consumedg with longing

for your lawsh at all times.

21You rebuke the arrogant,i who are accursed,j

those who strayk from your commands.

22Remove from me their scornl and contempt,

for I keep your statutes.m

23Though rulers sit together and slander me,

your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24Your statutes are my delight;

they are my counselors.

25I am laid low in the dust;n

preserve my lifeo according to your word.p

26I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;

teach me your decrees.q

27Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,

that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.r

28My soul is weary with sorrow;s

strengthen met according to your word.u

29Keep me from deceitful ways;v

be gracious to mew and teach me your law.

30I have chosenx the way of faithfulness;y

I have set my heartz on your laws.

31I hold fasta to your statutes, LORD;

do not let me be put to shame.

32I run in the path of your commands,

for you have broadened my understanding.

33Teach me,b LORD, the way of your decrees,

that I may follow it to the end.2

34Give me understanding,c so that I may keep your lawd

and obey it with all my heart.e

35Direct mef in the path of your commands,g

for there I find delight.h

36Turn my hearti toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.j

37Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my lifek according to your word.3^,l

38Fulfill your promisem to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

39Take away the disgracen I dread,

for your laws are good.

40How I longo for your precepts!

In your righteousness preserve my life.p

41May your unfailing loveq come to me, LORD,

your salvation, according to your promise;r

42then I can answers anyone who taunts me,t

for I trust in your word.

43Never take your word of truth from my mouth,u

for I have put my hopev in your laws.

44I will always obey your law,w

for ever and ever.

45I will walk about in freedom,

for I have sought out your precepts.x

46I will speak of your statutes before kingsy

and will not be put to shame,z

47for I delighta in your commands

because I love them.b

48I reach out for your commands, which I love,

that I may meditatec on your decrees.

49Remember your wordd to your servant,

for you have given me hope.e

50My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.f

51The arrogant mock meg unmercifully,

but I do not turnh from your law.

52I remember,i LORD, your ancient laws,

and I find comfort in them.

53Indignation grips mej because of the wicked,

who have forsaken your law.k

54Your decrees are the theme of my songl

wherever I lodge.

55In the night, LORD, I rememberm your name,

that I may keep your law.n

56This has been my practice:

I obey your precepts.o

57You are my portion,p LORD;

I have promised to obey your words.q

58I have soughtr your face with all my heart;

be gracious to mes according to your promise.t

59I have considered my waysu

and have turned my steps to your statutes.

60I will hasten and not delay

to obey your commands.v

61Though the wicked bind me with ropes,

I will not forgetw your law.

62At midnightx I rise to give you thanks

for your righteous laws.y

63I am a friend to all who fear you,z

to all who follow your precepts.a

64The earth is filled with your love,b LORD;

teach me your decrees.c

65Do goodd to your servant

according to your word,e LORD.

66Teach me knowledgef and good judgment,

for I trust your commands.

67Before I was afflictedg I went astray,h

but now I obey your word.i

68You are good,j and what you do is good;

teach me your decrees.k

69Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,l

I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70Their hearts are callousm and unfeeling,

but I delight in your law.

71It was good for me to be afflictedn

so that I might learn your decrees.

72The law from your mouth is more precious to me

than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.o

73Your hands made mep and formed me;

give me understanding to learn your commands.

74May those who fear you rejoiceq when they see me,

for I have put my hope in your word.r

75I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,s

and that in faithfulnesst you have afflicted me.

76May your unfailing loveu be my comfort,

according to your promisev to your servant.

77Let your compassionw come to me that I may live,

for your law is my delight.x

78May the arroganty be put to shame for wronging me without cause;z

but I will meditate on your precepts.

79May those who fear you turn to me,

those who understand your statutes.a

80May I wholeheartedly followb your decrees,c

that I may not be put to shame.d

81My soul faintse with longing for your salvation,f

but I have put my hopeg in your word.

82My eyes fail,h looking for your promise;i

I say, “When will you comfort me?”

83Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,

I do not forgetj your decrees.

84How longk must your servant wait?

When will you punish my persecutors?l

85The arrogantm dig pitsn to trap me,

contrary to your law.

86All your commands are trustworthy;o

help me,p for I am being persecutedq without cause.r

87They almost wiped me from the earth,

but I have not forsakens your precepts.

88In your unfailing lovet preserve my life,u

that I may obey the statutesv of your mouth.

89Your word, LORD, is eternal;w

it stands firm in the heavens.

90Your faithfulnessx continues through all generations;y

you established the earth, and it endures.z

91Your laws endurea to this day,

for all things serve you.b

92If your law had not been my delight,c

I would have perished in my affliction.d

93I will never forgete your precepts,

for by them you have preserved my life.f

94Save me,g for I am yours;

I have sought out your precepts.h

95The wicked are waiting to destroy me,i

but I will ponder your statutes.j

96To all perfection I see a limit,

but your commands are boundless.k

97Oh, how I love your law!l

I meditatem on it all day long.

98Your commands are always with me

and make me wisern than my enemies.

99I have more insight than all my teachers,

for I meditate on your statutes.o

100I have more understanding than the elders,

for I obey your precepts.p

101I have kept my feetq from every evil path

so that I might obey your word.r

102I have not departed from your laws,s

for you yourself have taughtt me.

103How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honeyu to my mouth!v

104I gain understandingw from your precepts;

therefore I hate every wrong path.x

105Your word is a lampy for my feet,

a lightz on my path. Photo

106I have taken an oatha and confirmed it,

that I will follow your righteous laws.b

107I have suffered much;

preserve my life,c LORD, according to your word.

108Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,d

and teach me your laws.e

109Though I constantly take my life in my hands,f

I will not forgetg your law.

110The wicked have set a snareh for me,

but I have not strayedi from your precepts.

111Your statutes are my heritage forever;

they are the joy of my heart.j

112My heart is setk on keeping your decrees

to the very end.4^,l

113I hate double-minded people,m

but I love your law.n

114You are my refuge and my shield;o

I have put my hopep in your word.

115Away from me,q you evildoers,

that I may keep the commands of my God!

116Sustain me,r my God, according to your promise,s and I will live;

do not let my hopes be dashed.t

117Uphold me,u and I will be delivered;v

I will always have regard for your decrees.w

118You reject all who strayx from your decrees,

for their delusions come to nothing.

119All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;y

therefore I love your statutes.z

120My flesh tremblesa in fear of you;b

I stand in awec of your laws.

121I have done what is righteous and just;d

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122Ensure your servant’s well-being;e

do not let the arrogant oppress me.f

123My eyes fail,g looking for your salvation,h

looking for your righteous promise.i

124Deal with your servant according to your lovej

and teach me your decrees.k

125I am your servant;l give me discernment

that I may understand your statutes.m

126It is time for you to act, LORD;

your law is being broken.n

127Because I love your commandso

more than gold,p more than pure gold,q

128and because I consider all your precepts right,r

I hate every wrong path.s

129Your statutes are wonderful;t

therefore I obey them.u

130The unfolding of your words gives light;v

it gives understanding to the simple.w

131I open my mouth and pant,x

longing for your commands.y

132Turn to mez and have mercya on me,

as you always do to those who love your name.b

133Direct my footsteps according to your word;c

let no sin ruled over me.

134Redeem me from human oppression,e

that I may obey your precepts.f

135Make your face shineg on your servant

and teach me your decrees.h

136Streams of tearsi flow from my eyes,

for your law is not obeyed.j

137You are righteous,k LORD,

and your laws are right.l

138The statutes you have laid down are righteous;m

they are fully trustworthy.n

139My zeal wears me out,o

for my enemies ignore your words.

140Your promisesp have been thoroughly tested,q

and your servant loves them.r

141Though I am lowly and despised,s

I do not forget your precepts.t

142Your righteousness is everlasting

and your law is true.u

143Trouble and distress have come upon me,

but your commands give me delight.v

144Your statutes are always righteous;

give me understandingw that I may live.

145I call with all my heart;x answer me, LORD,

and I will obey your decrees.y

146I call out to you; save mez

and I will keep your statutes.

147I rise before dawna and cry for help;

I have put my hope in your word.

148My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,b

that I may meditate on your promises.

149Hear my voicec in accordance with your love;d

preserve my life,e LORD, according to your laws.

150Those who devise wicked schemesf are near,

but they are far from your law.

151Yet you are near,g LORD,

and all your commands are true.h

152Long ago I learned from your statutesi

that you established them to last forever.j

153Look on my sufferingk and deliver me,l

for I have not forgottenm your law.

154Defend my causen and redeem me;o

preserve my lifep according to your promise.q

155Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek outr your decrees.

156Your compassion, LORD, is great;s

preserve my lifet according to your laws.u

157Many are the foes who persecute me,v

but I have not turnedw from your statutes.

158I look on the faithless with loathing,x

for they do not obey your word.y

159See how I love your precepts;

preserve my life,z LORD, in accordance with your love.

160All your words are true;

all your righteous laws are eternal.a

161Rulers persecute meb without cause,

but my heart tremblesc at your word.

162I rejoiced in your promise

like one who finds great spoil.e

163I hate and detestf falsehood

but I love your law.g

164Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous laws.h

165Great peacei have those who love your law,

and nothing can make them stumble.j

166I wait for your salvation,k LORD,

and I follow your commands.

167I obey your statutes,

for I love theml greatly.

168I obey your preceptsm and your statutes,n

for all my ways are knowno to you.

169May my cry comep before you, LORD;

give me understandingq according to your word.r

170May my supplication comes before you;

deliver met according to your promise.u

171May my lips overflow with praise,v

for you teach mew your decrees.

172May my tongue singx of your word,

for all your commands are righteous.y

173May your hand be ready to helpz me,

for I have chosena your precepts.

174I long for your salvation,b LORD,

and your law gives me delight.c

175Let me lived that I may praise you,

and may your laws sustain me.

176I have strayed like a lost sheep.e

Seek your servant,

for I have not forgottenf your commands.

1I call on the LORDa in my distress,b

and he answers me.

2Save me, LORD,

from lying lipsc

and from deceitful tongues.d

3What will he do to you,

and what more besides,

you deceitful tongue?

4He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,e

with burning coals of the broom bush.

5Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,

that I live among the tents of Kedar!f

6Too long have I lived

among those who hate peace.

7I am for peace;

but when I speak, they are for war.

1I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heavena and earth.b

3He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4indeed, he who watchesc over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5The LORD watches overd you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6the sune will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7The LORD will keep you from all harmf—

he will watch over your life;

8the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.g

1I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

2Our feet are standing

in your gates, Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is built like a city

that is closely compacted together.

4That is where the tribes go up—

the tribes of the LORD—

to praise the name of the LORD

according to the statute given to Israel.

5There stand the thrones for judgment,

the thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May those who lovea you be secure.

7May there be peaceb within your walls

and security within your citadels.c”

8For the sake of my family and friends,

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

9For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your prosperity.d

1I lift up my eyes to you,

to you who sit enthroneda in heaven.

2As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the LORDb our God,

till he shows us his mercy.

3Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,

for we have endured no end of contempt.

4We have endured no end

of ridicule from the arrogant,

of contempt from the proud.

1If the LORD had not been on our side—

let Israel saya—

2if the LORD had not been on our side

when people attacked us,

3they would have swallowed us alive

when their anger flared against us;

4the floodb would have engulfed us,

the torrentc would have swept over us,

5the raging waters

would have swept us away.

6Praise be to the LORD,

who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7We have escaped like a bird

from the fowler’s snare;d

the snare has been broken,e

and we have escaped.

8Our help is in the namef of the LORD,

the Maker of heaveng and earth.

1Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,a

which cannot be shakenb but endures forever.

2As the mountains surround Jerusalem,c

so the LORD surroundsd his people

both now and forevermore.

3The sceptere of the wicked will not remainf

over the land allotted to the righteous,

for then the righteous might use

their hands to do evil.g

4LORD, do goodh to those who are good,

to those who are upright in heart.i

5But those who turnj to crooked waysk

the LORD will banishl with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.m

1When the LORD restoreda the fortunes of1 Zion,

we were like those who dreamed.2

2Our mouths were filled with laughter,b

our tongues with songs of joy.c

Then it was said among the nations,

“The LORD has done great thingsd for them.”

3The LORD has done great thingse for us,

and we are filled with joy.f

4Restore our fortunes,3^,g LORD,

like streams in the Negev.h

5Those who sow with tearsi

will reapj with songs of joy.k

6Those who go out weeping,l

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.

1Unless the LORD buildsa the house,

the builders labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watchesb over the city,

the guards stand watch in vain.

2In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for foodc to eat—

for he grants sleepd to1 those he loves.e

3Children are a heritage from the LORD,

offspring a rewardf from him.

4Like arrowsg in the hands of a warrior

are children born in one’s youth.

5Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.h

They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their opponentsi in court.j

1Blessed are all who fear the LORD,a

who walk in obedience to him.b

2You will eat the fruit of your labor;c

blessings and prosperityd will be yours.

3Your wife will be like a fruitful vinee

within your house;

your childrenf will be like olive shootsg

around your table.

4Yes, this will be the blessingh

for the man who fears the LORD.i

5May the LORD bless you from Zion;j

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemk

all the days of your life.

6May you live to see your children’s children—l

peace be on Israel.m

1“They have greatly oppresseda me from my youth,”b

let Israel say;c

2“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,

but they have not gained the victoryd over me.

3Plowmen have plowed my back

and made their furrows long.

4But the LORD is righteous;e

he has cut me freef from the cords of the wicked.”g

5May all who hate Zionh

be turned back in shame.i

6May they be like grass on the roof,j

which withersk before it can grow;

7a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,l

nor one who gathers fill his arms.

8May those who pass by not say to them,

“The blessing of the LORD be on you;

we bless youm in the name of the LORD.”

1Out of the depthsa I cry to you,b LORD;

2Lord, hear my voice.c

Let your ears be attentived

to my cry for mercy.e

3If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?f

4But with you there is forgiveness,g

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.h

5I wait for the LORD,i my whole being waits,j

and in his wordk I put my hope.

6I wait for the Lord

more than watchmenl wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.m

7Israel, put your hopen in the LORD,

for with the LORD is unfailing loveo

and with him is full redemption.p

8He himself will redeemq Israel

from all their sins.r

1My heart is not proud,a LORD,

my eyes are not haughty;b

I do not concern myself with great mattersc

or things too wonderful for me.d

2But I have calmed and quieted myself,e

I am like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child I am content.f

3Israel, put your hopeg in the LORD

both now and forevermore.h

1LORD, remember David

and all his self-denial.a

2He swore an oath to the LORD,

he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:b

3“I will not enter my housec

or go to my bed,

4I will allow no sleep to my eyes

or slumber to my eyelids,

5till I find a placed for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6We heard it in Ephrathah,e

we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:1^,f

7“Let us go to his dwelling place,g

let us worship at his footstool,h saying,

8‘Arise, LORD,i and come to your resting place,

you and the ark of your might.

9May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;j

may your faithful peoplek sing for joy.’ ”

10For the sake of your servant David,

do not reject your anointed one.

11The LORD swore an oath to David,l

a sure oath he will not revoke:

“One of your own descendantsm

I will place on your throne.

12If your sons keep my covenantn

and the statutes I teach them,

then their sons will sit

on your throneo for ever and ever.”

13For the LORD has chosen Zion,p

he has desired it for his dwelling,q saying,

14“This is my resting place for ever and ever;r

here I will sit enthroned,s for I have desired it.

15I will bless her with abundant provisions;

her poor I will satisfy with food.t

16I will clothe her priestsu with salvation,

and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.v

17“Here I will make a horn2 groww for David

and set up a lampx for my anointed one.y

18I will clothe his enemies with shame,z

but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”a

1How good and pleasant it is

when God’s people live togethera in unity!b

2It is like precious oil poured on the head,c

running down on the beard,

running down on Aaron’s beard,

down on the collar of his robe.

3It is as if the dewd of Hermone

were falling on Mount Zion.f

For there the LORD bestows his blessing,g

even life forevermore.h

1Praise the LORD, all you servantsa of the LORD

who ministerb by nightc in the house of the LORD.

2Lift up your handsd in the sanctuarye

and praise the LORD.f

3May the LORD bless you from Zion,g

he who is the Maker of heavenh and earth.

1Praise the LORD.1

Praise the name of the LORD;

praise him, you servantsa of the LORD,

2you who minister in the houseb of the LORD,

in the courtsc of the house of our God.

3Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;d

sing praise to his name,e for that is pleasant.f

4For the LORD has chosen Jacobg to be his own,

Israel to be his treasured possession.h

5I know that the LORD is great,i

that our Lord is greater than all gods.j

6The LORD does whatever pleases him,k

in the heavens and on the earth,l

in the seas and all their depths.

7He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;

he sends lightning with the rainm

and brings out the windn from his storehouses.o

8He struck down the firstbornp of Egypt,

the firstborn of people and animals.

9He sent his signsq and wonders into your midst, Egypt,

against Pharaoh and all his servants.r

10He struck down manys nations

and killed mighty kings—

11Sihont king of the Amorites,u

Og king of Bashan,v

and all the kings of Canaanw—

12and he gave their land as an inheritance,x

an inheritance to his people Israel.

13Your name, LORD, endures forever,y

your renown,z LORD, through all generations.

14For the LORD will vindicate his peoplea

and have compassion on his servants.b

15The idols of the nationsc are silver and gold,

made by human hands.d

16They have mouths, but cannot speak,e

eyes, but cannot see.

17They have ears, but cannot hear,

nor is there breathf in their mouths.

18Those who make them will be like them,

and so will all who trust in them.

19All you Israelites, praise the LORD;g

house of Aaron, praise the LORD;

20house of Levi, praise the LORD;

you who fear him, praise the LORD.

21Praise be to the LORD from Zion,h

to him who dwells in Jerusalem.i

Praise the LORD.

1Give thanksa to the LORD, for he is good.b

His love endures forever.c

2Give thanksd to the God of gods.e

His love endures forever.

3Give thanksf to the Lord of lords:g

His love endures forever.

4to him who alone does great wonders,h

His love endures forever.

5who by his understandingi made the heavens,j

His love endures forever.

6who spread out the earthk upon the waters,l

His love endures forever.

7who made the great lightsm—

His love endures forever.

8the sun to governn the day,

His love endures forever.

9the moon and stars to govern the night;

His love endures forever.

10to him who struck down the firstborno of Egypt

His love endures forever.

11and brought Israel outp from among them

His love endures forever.

12with a mighty handq and outstretched arm;r

His love endures forever.

13to him who divided the Red Sea1^,s asunder

His love endures forever.

14and brought Israel throught the midst of it,

His love endures forever.

15but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;u

His love endures forever.

16to him who led his people through the wilderness;v

His love endures forever.

17to him who struck down great kings,w

His love endures forever.

18and killed mighty kingsx—

His love endures forever.

19Sihon king of the Amoritesy

His love endures forever.

20and Og king of Bashanz—

His love endures forever.

21and gave their landa as an inheritance,b

His love endures forever.

22an inheritancec to his servant Israel.d

His love endures forever.

23He remembered use in our low estate

His love endures forever.

24and freed usf from our enemies.g

His love endures forever.

25He gives foodh to every creature.

His love endures forever.

26Give thanksi to the God of heaven.j

His love endures forever.k

1By the rivers of Babylona we sat and weptb

when we remembered Zion.c Photo

2There on the poplarsd

we hung our harps,e

3for there our captorsf asked us for songs,

our tormentors demandedg songs of joy;

they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”h

4How can we sing the songs of the LORDi

while in a foreign land?

5If I forget you,j Jerusalem,

may my right hand forget its skill.

6May my tongue cling to the roofk of my mouth

if I do not rememberl you,

if I do not consider Jerusalemm

my highest joy.

7Remember, LORD, what the Edomitesn did

on the day Jerusalem fell.o

“Tear it down,” they cried,

“tear it down to its foundations!”p

8Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,q

happy is the one who repays you

according to what you have done to us.

9Happy is the one who seizes your infants

and dashes themr against the rocks.

1I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;

before the “gods”a I will singb your praise.

2I will bow down toward your holy templec

and will praise your named

for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,e

for you have so exalted your solemn decree

that it surpasses your fame.f

3When I called,g you answered me;h

you greatly emboldenedi me.

4May all the kings of the earthj praise you, LORD,

when they hear what you have decreed.

5May they singk of the ways of the LORD,

for the glory of the LORDl is great.

6Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;m

though lofty, he sees themn from afar.

7Though I walko in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life.p

You stretch out your handq against the anger of my foes;r

with your right hands you save me.t

8The LORD will vindicateu me;

your love, LORD, endures foreverv—

do not abandonw the works of your hands.x

1You have searched me,a LORD,

and you knowb me.

2You know when I sit and when I rise;c

you perceive my thoughtsd from afar.

3You discern my going oute and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.f

4Before a word is on my tongue

you, LORD, know it completely.g

5You hem me inh behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,i

too loftyj for me to attain.

7Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I fleek from your presence?

8If I go up to the heavens,l you are there;

if I make my bedm in the depths, you are there.

9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10even there your hand will guide me,n

your right hando will hold me fast.

11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

12even the darkness will not be darkp to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

13For you created my inmost being;q

you knit me togetherr in my mother’s womb.s

14I praise yout because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,u

I know that full well.

15My frame was not hidden from you

when I was madev in the secret place,

when I was woven togetherw in the depths of the earth.x

16Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordainedy for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

17How precious to me are your thoughts,1^,z God!a

How vast is the sum of them!

18Were I to count them,b

they would outnumber the grains of sandc—

when I awake,d I am still with you.

19If only you, God, would slay the wicked!e

Away from me,f you who are bloodthirsty!g

20They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversariesh misuse your name.i

21Do I not hate thosej who hate you, LORD,

and abhork those who are in rebellion against you?

22I have nothing but hatred for them;

I count them my enemies.l

23Search me,m God, and know my heart;n

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24See if there is any offensive wayo in me,

and lead mep in the way everlasting.

1Rescue me,a LORD, from evildoers;

protect me from the violent,b

2who devise evil plansc in their hearts

and stir up ward every day.

3They make their tongues as sharp ase a serpent’s;

the poison of vipersf is on their lips.2

4Keep me safe,g LORD, from the hands of the wicked;h

protect me from the violent,

who devise ways to trip my feet.

5The arrogant have hidden a snarei for me;

they have spread out the cords of their netj

and have set trapsk for me along my path.

6I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”l

Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.m

7Sovereign LORD,n my strong deliverer,

you shield my head in the day of battle.

8Do not grant the wickedo their desires, LORD;

do not let their plans succeed.

9Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

may the mischief of their lips engulf them.p

10May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,q

into miry pits, never to rise.

11May slanderers not be established in the land;

may disaster hunt down the violent.r

12I know that the LORD secures justice for the poors

and upholds the causet of the needy.u

13Surely the righteous will praise your name,v

and the upright will livew in your presence.x

1I call to you, LORD, come quicklya to me;

hear meb when I call to you.

2May my prayer be set before you like incense;c

may the lifting up of my handsd be like the evening sacrifice.e

3Set a guard over my mouth,f LORD;

keep watch over the door of my lips.g

4Do not let my hearth be drawn to what is evil

so that I take part in wicked deedsi

along with those who are evildoers;

do not let me eat their delicacies.j

5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;

let him rebuke mek—that is oil on my head.l

My head will not refuse it,

for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,m

and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

7They will say, “As one plowsn and breaks up the earth,o

so our bones have been scattered at the mouthp of the grave.”

8But my eyes are fixedq on you, Sovereign LORD;

in you I take refuger—do not give me over to death.

9Keep me safes from the traps set by evildoers,t

from the snaresu they have laid for me.

10Let the wicked fallv into their own nets,

while I pass by in safety.w

1I cry aloudb to the LORD;

I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.c

2I pour out before him my complaint;d

before him I tell my trouble.e

3When my spirit grows faintf within me,

it is you who watch over my way.

In the path where I walk

people have hidden a snare for me.

4Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;

no one is concerned for me.

I have no refuge;g

no one caresh for my life.

5I cry to you, LORD;

I say, “You are my refuge,i

my portionj in the land of the living.”k

6Listen to my cry,l

for I am in desperate need;m

rescue men from those who pursue me,

for they are too strongo for me.

7Set me free from my prison,p

that I may praise your name.q

Then the righteous will gather about me

because of your goodness to me.r

1LORD, hear my prayer,a

listen to my cry for mercy;b

in your faithfulnessc and righteousnessd

come to my relief.

2Do not bring your servant into judgment,

for no one living is righteouse before you.

3The enemy pursues me,

he crushes me to the ground;

he makes me dwell in the darknessf

like those long dead.g

4So my spirit grows faint within me;

my heart within me is dismayed.h

5I rememberi the days of long ago;

I meditatej on all your works

and consider what your hands have done.

6I spread out my handsk to you;

I thirst for you like a parched land.1

7Answer me quickly,l LORD;

my spirit fails.m

Do not hide your facen from me

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,o

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the wayp I should go,

for to you I entrust my life.q

9Rescue mer from my enemies,s LORD,

for I hide myself in you.

10Teach met to do your will,

for you are my God;u

may your good Spirit

leadv me on level ground.w

11For your name’s sake,x LORD, preserve my life;y

in your righteousness,z bring me out of trouble.

12In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;a

destroy all my foes,b

for I am your servant.c

1Praise be to the LORD my Rock,a

who trains my hands for war,

my fingers for battle.

2He is my loving God and my fortress,b

my strongholdc and my deliverer,

my shield,d in whom I take refuge,

who subdues peoples1^,e under me. Photo

3LORD, what are human beingsf that you care for them,

mere mortals that you think of them?

4They are like a breath;g

their days are like a fleeting shadow.h

5Part your heavens,i LORD, and come down;j

touch the mountains, so that they smoke.k

6Send forth lightningl and scatterm the enemy;

shoot your arrowsn and rout them.

7Reach down your hand from on high;o

deliver me and rescue mep

from the mighty waters,q

from the hands of foreignersr

8whose mouths are full of lies,s

whose right handst are deceitful.u

9I will sing a new songv to you, my God;

on the ten-stringed lyrew I will make music to you,

10to the One who gives victory to kings,x

who delivers his servant David.y

From the deadly swordz 11deliver me;

rescue mea from the hands of foreignersb

whose mouths are full of lies,c

whose right hands are deceitful.d

12Then our sons in their youth

will be like well-nurtured plants,e

and our daughters will be like pillarsf

carved to adorn a palace.

13Our barns will be filledg

with every kind of provision.

Our sheep will increase by thousands,

by tens of thousands in our fields;

14our oxenh will draw heavy loads.2

There will be no breaching of walls,i

no going into captivity,

no cry of distress in our streets.j

15Blessed is the peoplek of whom this is true;

blessed is the people whose God is the LORD.

1I will exalt you,a my God the King;b

I will praise your namec for ever and ever.

2Every day I will praised you

and extol your namee for ever and ever.

3Greatf is the LORD and most worthy of praise;g

his greatness no one can fathom.h

4One generationi commends your works to another;

they tellj of your mighty acts.k

5They speak of the glorious splendorl of your majesty—

and I will meditate on your wonderful works.2^,m

6They telln of the power of your awesome works—o

and I will proclaimp your great deeds.q

7They celebrate your abundant goodnessr

and joyfully sings of your righteousness.t

8The LORD is gracious and compassionate,u

slow to anger and rich in love.v

9The LORD is goodw to all;

he has compassionx on all he has made.

10All your works praise you,y LORD;

your faithful people extolz you.a

11They tell of the glory of your kingdomb

and speak of your might,c

12so that all people may know of your mighty actsd

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.e

13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,f

and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is trustworthyg in all he promisesh

and faithful in all he does.3

14The LORD upholdsi all who fall

and lifts up allj who are bowed down.k

15The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their foodl at the proper time.

16You open your hand

and satisfy the desiresm of every living thing.

17The LORD is righteousn in all his ways

and faithful in all he does.o

18The LORD is nearp to all who call on him,q

to all who call on him in truth.

19He fulfills the desiresr of those who fear him;s

he hears their cryt and saves them.u

20The LORD watches overv all who love him,w

but all the wicked he will destroy.x

21My mouth will speaky in praise of the LORD.

Let every creaturez praise his holy namea

for ever and ever.

1Praise the LORD.1

Praise the LORD,a my soul.

2I will praise the LORD all my life;b

I will sing praisec to my God as long as I live.d

3Do not put your trust in princes,e

in human beings,f who cannot save.

4When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;g

on that very day their plans come to nothing.h

5Blessed are thosei whose helpj is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD their God.

6He is the Maker of heavenk and earth,

the sea, and everything in them—

he remains faithfull forever.

7He upholdsm the cause of the oppressedn

and gives food to the hungry.o

The LORD sets prisoners free,p

8the LORD gives sightq to the blind,r

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,s

the LORD loves the righteous.t

9The LORD watches over the foreigneru

and sustains the fatherlessv and the widow,w

but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10The LORD reignsx forever,

your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the LORD.

1Praise the LORD.1

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

how pleasanta and fitting to praise him!b

2The LORD builds up Jerusalem;c

he gathers the exilesd of Israel.

3He heals the brokenheartede

and binds up their wounds.f

4He determines the number of the starsg

and calls them each by name.

5Great is our Lordh and mighty in power;i

his understanding has no limit.j

6The LORD sustains the humblek

but casts the wickedl to the ground.

7Sing to the LORDm with grateful praise;n

make musico to our God on the harp.p

8He covers the sky with clouds;q

he supplies the earth with rainr

and makes grass grows on the hills.

9He provides foodt for the cattle

and for the young ravensu when they call.

10His pleasure is not in the strengthv of the horse,w

nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

11the LORD delightsx in those who fear him,y

who put their hopez in his unfailing love.a

12Extol the LORD, Jerusalem;b

praise your God, Zion.

13He strengthens the bars of your gatesc

and blesses your peopled within you.

14He grants peacee to your borders

and satisfies youf with the finest of wheat.g

15He sends his commandh to the earth;

his word runsi swiftly.

16He spreads the snowj like wool

and scatters the frostk like ashes.

17He hurls down his haill like pebbles.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

18He sends his wordm and melts them;

he stirs up his breezes,n and the waters flow.

19He has revealed his wordo to Jacob,p

his laws and decreesq to Israel.

20He has done this for no other nation;r

they do not knows his laws.2

Praise the LORD.t

1Praise the LORD.1^,a

Praise the LORD from the heavens;b

praise him in the heights above.

2Praise him, all his angels;c

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.d

3Praise him, sune and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars.

4Praise him, you highest heavensf

and you waters above the skies.g

5Let them praise the nameh of the LORD,

for at his commandi they were created,

6and he established them for ever and ever—

he issued a decreej that will never pass away.

7Praise the LORDk from the earth,

you great sea creaturesl and all ocean depths,m

8lightning and hail,n snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,o

9you mountains and all hills,p

fruit trees and all cedars,

10wild animalsq and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

11kingsr of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

12young men and women,

old men and children.

13Let them praise the name of the LORD,s

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendort is above the earth and the heavens.u

14And he has raised up for his people a horn,2^,v

the praisew of all his faithful servants,x

of Israel, the people close to his heart.y

Praise the LORD.

1Praise the LORD.1^,a

Sing to the LORD a new song,b

his praise in the assemblyc of his faithful people.

2Let Israel rejoiced in their Maker;e

let the people of Zion be glad in their King.f

3Let them praise his name with dancingg

and make music to him with timbrel and harp.h

4For the LORD takes delighti in his people;

he crowns the humble with victory.j

5Let his faithful people rejoicek in this honor

and sing for joy on their beds.l

6May the praise of God be in their mouthsm

and a double-edgedn sword in their hands,o

7to inflict vengeancep on the nations

and punishmentq on the peoples,

8to bind their kings with fetters,r

their nobles with shackles of iron,s

9to carry out the sentence written against them—t

this is the glory of all his faithful people.u

Praise the LORD.

1Praise the LORD.1^,a

Praise God in his sanctuary;b

praise him in his mighty heavens.c

2Praise him for his acts of power;d

praise him for his surpassing greatness.e

3Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,f

praise him with the harp and lyre,g

4praise him with timbrel and dancing,h

praise him with the stringsi and pipe,j

5praise him with the clash of cymbals,k

praise him with resounding cymbals.

6Let everythingl that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.