PSALMS
to
revive
aesthetics, ethics, faith
by Mario Mandras
Mastru
To all those people who want
to live intensely emotions,
projects, the knowledge of God
May 2008
Reseverd copyrights
Printed in Italy
© Copyright 2008 by Mario Mandras
Site: www.libreriamastru.com
Strada Vicinale Taniga san Giacomo Medas 4
07100 SASSARI (Italy)
tel. 3384290960
translated by Donatella Sanna
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmit-ted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mecha-nical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the publisher.
ISBN 88-901541-5-2
Note:
- The numbers on the right side of the page point out the various psalms; - the numbers, as apexes, at the beginning of the line point out the verses of the psalms; - the titles in capital letters with the numbers in roman characters point out the divisions of the themes ( 5 altogether); - the titles in capital letters point out the groups of themes ( 41 altogether); - the titles in small letters make reference to the content of the psalms.
I - REQUEST TO GOD
La preghiera è la relazione fondamentale dell’anima che riconosce, ascolta e dialoga con Dio.
Preghiera è superamento dell’angoscia della propria solitudine; è liberarsi dal terrore dell’oppressione e della morte; è capacità di affrontare difficoltà, di stabilire relazioni di collaborazione costruttiva con gli altri.
Pregare è sentire la grandezza, la giustizia, la bontà di Dio, che è interessato ad ogni persona e vuole stabilire un’alleanza, un patto con noi, che siamo fragili, incostanti, non di rado traditori, ma estremamente bisognosi della sua amicizia, del suo perdono, del suo costante intervento di liberazione.
La preghiera a Dio sgorga dal nostro profondo, è richiesta di salvezza, è desiderio di stare sempre al sicuro vicino a Dio, è scelta definitiva di seguire con gioia e realizzare i suoi progetti di vita.
La preghiera impegnata non conosce sosta e mira alla nostra salvezza e a quella delle persone che incontriamo.
La prima condizione per guarire, per ritrovare la serenità è quella di iniziare a pregare.
1. PRAYER, INVOCATION
1. Request of salvation
psalm 3
7 Rise. Yahweh!
Save me, my God!
4
1 God, guardian of my rights,
you answer when I call,
5
1 Yahweh, let my words come to your ears,
spare a thought for my sighs.
6
4 Come back, Yahweh, rescue my soul,
save me, if you love me;
10
32 Rise, Yahweh, God raise your hand,
do not forget the poor!
17
6 I invoke you, God, and you answer me;
turn your ear to me, hear what I say,
13 Rise, Yahweh, subdue him face to face,
rescue my soul from the wicked with your sword,
14 with your hand, Yahweh, rescue me from men,
from the sort of men whose tot is here and now.
2. Living in the house of the Lord
18
3 He is to be praised; on Yahweh I call
and am saved from my enemies.
6 In my distress I called to Yahweh
and to my God I cried;
19
14 May the words of my mouth always' find favour,
and the whispering of my heart, in your presence,
Yahweh, my Rock, my Redeemer!
27
4 One thing I ask of Yahweh, one thing I seek :
to live in the house of Yahweh
all the days of my life,
7 Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry!
Pity me! Answer me!
28
2 Hear my voice, raised in petition,
as I cry to you for help, as I raise my hands, Yahweh,
toward your Holy of Holies.
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
away with the evil men
30
8 Yahweh, I call to you,
I beg my God to pity me,
10 ' Hear, Yahweh, take pity on m ;
Yahweh, help me!'
32
6 That is why each of your servants prays to you
in time of trouble;
3. Overcoming hostility
35
19 Do not let my lying enemies gloat over me,
do not let those who hate me for no reason
exchange sly glances.
36
11 Do not let arrogant feet crush me
or wicked hands expel me.
38
21 Yahweh, do not desert me,
do not stand aside, my God!
22 Come quickly to my help,
Lord, my saviour!
39
10 Lay your scourge aside,
I am worn out with the blows you deal me .
12 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for help,
do not stay deaf to my crying .
I am your guest, and only for a time,
a nomad like all my ancestors .
42
6 When my soul is downcast within me,
I think of you,
9 Let me say to God my Rock,
Why do you forget me?
50
15 then you can invoke me in your troubles
and I will rescue you, and you shall honour me.
54
1 God, save me by your name,
by your power see justice done to me;
2 God, hear my prayer,
listen to what I am saying!
4. Finding a shelter
55
1 God, hear my prayer,
do not hide from my petition,
2 give me a hearing, answer me,
6 And I say, 'Oh for the wings of a dove
to fly away and find rest' .
7 How far I would take my flight,
and make a new home in the desert!
8 here I should soon find shelter
from the raging wind,
16 I, for myself, appeal to God
and Yahweh saves me;
57
2 I call on God the Most High,
on God who has done everything for me:
59
4 Wake up, stand by me and look,
60
5 To bring rescue to those you love,
save with your right hand and answer us!
11 Help us in this hour of crisis,
the help that man can give is worthless.
61
1 God, hear my cry for help,
listen to my prayer!
2 From the end of the earth I call to you,
with sinking heart.
To the rock too high for me, lead me!
62
8 In God, I find shelter; rely on him
people, at all times;
unburden your hearts to him, God is a shelter for us.
63
6 On my bed I think of you,
I meditate on you all night long,
7 for you have always helped me.
69
13 For my part, I pray to you, Yahweh,
at the time you wish;
in your great love, answer me, Gad,
faithful in saving power.
14 Pull me out of this swamp; let me sink no further,
let me escape those who hate me,
70
1 Oh come and rescue me, God,
Yahweh come quickly and help me!
74
3 Pick your steps over these endless ruins:
the enemy have sacked everything in the sanctuary.
5. Insistent prayer
77
1 Loudly I cry to God,
loudly to God who hears me.
2 When in trouble I sought the Lord,
all night long I stretched out my hands,
80
1 Shepherd of Israel, listen,
83
1 God, do riot remain silent;
do not be unmoved, O God, or unresponsive!
84
8 Yahweh Sabaoth, hear my prayer,
listen, God of Jacob;
86
1 Listen to me, Yahweh, and answer me,
poor and needy as I am;
6 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to me as I plead.
88
9 Yahweh, I invoke you all day,
I stretch out my hands to you:
13 But I am here, calling for your help,
praying to you every morning:
94
18 I need only say, `I am slipping',
and your love, Yahweh, immediately supports me;
99
6 Moses, Aaron one of his priests, and Samuel
his votary, all invoked Yahweh:
and he answered them.
102
1 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
let my cry for help reach you;
2 when I call, be quick to answer me!
106
47 Yahweh our God and saviour,
gather us from among the pagans,
109
21 Yahweh, defend me for the sake of your name,
rescue me, since your love is generous!
116
4 I invoked the name of Yahweh
`Yahweh, rescue me!'
6. Praying and devouting
to the others
119
5 Oh, may my behaviour be constant
in keeping your statutes.
108 Yahweh, accept the homage that I offer,
teach me your rulings.
169 Yahweh, may my cry approach your presence ;
let your word endow me with perception!
7. Praying from the depth
130
1 From the depths I call to you, Yahweh,
2 Lord, listen to my cry for help!
Listen compassionately
to my pleading!
140
6 I have told Yahweh, `You are my God' .
Yahweh, listen to my cry for help.
142
1 To Yahweh, my cry! I plead.
To Yahweh, my cry! I entreat.
2 I pour out my supplications.
I unfold all my troubles;
5 I invoke you, Yahweh,
I affirm that you are my refuge,
my heritage in the land of the living.
6 Listen to my cries for help,
I can hardly be crushed lower.
8. To tense hands
143
1 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to my pleading,
answer me faithfully, righteously ;
6 I stretch out my hands,
like thirsty ground I yearn for you.
7 Quick, Yahweh, answer me
before my spirit fails;
if you hide your face much longer,
I shall go down to the Pit like the rest .
145
17 Righteous in all that he does
Yahweh acts only out of love,
18 standing close to all who invoke him,
close to all who invoke Yahweh faithfully.
2. INTERCESSION
17
1 Yahweh, hear the plea of virtue,
listen to my appeal,
lend an ear to my prayer,
my lips free from dishonesty.
1. For tried people
20
1 May Yahweh answer you in time of
may the name of the God of Jacob
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
give you support from Zion,
2. For believers
69
6 but let those who hope in you not blush for me,
Yahweh Sabaoth!
74
2 Remember the people
you long since made your own,
3. For those who have
to change life
83
16 cover their faces with shame,
until they seek your name, Yahweh .
85
8 I am listening. What is Yahweh saying?
What God is saying means peace
for his people, for his friends,
if only they renounce their folly;
89
49 Lord, where are those earlier signs of your love?
You swore your oath to David on your faithfulness!
4. To be blessed
128
5a May Yahweh bless you from Zion
5c all the days of your life!
5b May you see Jerusalem prosperous
6 and live to see your children's children!
Peace to Israel !
134
3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!
II – NEGATIVE STATES
OF MIND
Attraverso la preghiera è possibile comprendere, trovare rimedio e superare ostacoli esterni, problemi interni a noi, che ci affliggono, ci rendono tristi, ci tolgono le energie di vita e la gioia di vivere.
Pregare con i versetti di dolore, solitudine, angoscia, tradimento, senso di abbandono, persecuzione, sconfitta dei salmi, dà forza, energia per superare le prove del corpo e dell’anima, perché scopriamo che non siamo abbandonati nei momenti di sofferenza e soprattutto ci rendiamo conto che Dio ci è vicino, accoglie il nostro pianto, sostiene la nostra speranza.
La preghiera ci illumina soprattutto nei momenti drammatici della nostra esistenza; la solitudine, l’abbandono, l’angoscia che stritolano la nostra anima sono anche connessi con il mondo esterno a noi, ma hanno origine nel nostro intimo bisognoso di luce, di calore e di energia di vita che risiedono in Dio.
La persecuzione e il tradimento che spesso dilaga nel mondo esterno, nella preghiera sembra non esistere perché Dio è sempre fedele, è la bontà
3. SUFFERING
1. Our pain in his hands
5
2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God!
I say this prayer to you, Yahweh,
6
6 I am worn out with groaning,
every night I drench my pillow
and soak my bed with tears;
10
34 You yourself have seen the distress
and the grief,
you watch and then take them into your hands;
2. Suffering in the body
22
14 I am like water draining away,
my bones are all disjointed,
my heart is like wax,
melting inside me;
15a my palate is drier than a potsherd
15b and my tongue is stuck to my jaw.
22
16c they tie me hand and foot
17a I can count every one of my bones,
25
18 See my misery and pain,
3. Feeling innocent
26
2 Test me, Yahweh, and probe me,
put me to the trial, loins and heart;
27
7 Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry!
Pity me! Answer me!
28
1a I cry to you, Yahweh,
my Rock! Do not be deaf to me,
2 Hear my voice, raised in petition,
as I cry to you for help, as I raise my hands, Yahweh,
4. After the weeping the joy
30
5 in the evening, a spell of tears,
in the morning, shouts of joy.
8 Yahweh, I call to you,
I beg my God to pity me,
5. A life of
suffering
31
10 For my life is worn out with sorrow,
my years with sighs;
my strength yields under misery,
my bones are wasting away.
32
3 All the time I kept silent,
my bones were wasting away
with groans, day in, day nut;
38
6 bowed down, bent double, overcome,
7 My loins are burnt up with fever,
there is no soundness in my flesh :
8 numbed and crushed and overcome,
my heart groans, I moan aloud.
10 my heart is throbbing,
my strength deserting me,
the light of my eyes itself has left me.
39
12 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for help,
do not stay deaf to my crying.
I am your guest, and only for a time,
6. So much pain, but there you are
40
11 For your part, Yahweh, do not withhold
your kindness from me!
May your love and faithfulness
constantly preserve me.
12a More misfortunes beset me than I can count.
42
3 I have no food but tears, day and night;
55
5a fear and trembling descend on me,
17 evening, morning, noon, I complain, I groan;
he will hear me calling.
56
8 You have noted my agitation,
now collect my tears in your wineskin!
7. The moment of pain
60
3 You have allowed your people to suffer,
61
1 God, hear my cry for help,
64
1 God, hear me as I make my plea,
66
10 You tested us, God,
you refined us like silver,
17 when I uttered my cry to him
69
3 Worn out with calling, my throat is hoarse,
my eyes are strained, looking for my God.
29 For myself, wounded wretch that I am,
73
14 if you plague me all day long
and discipline me every morning?
80
5 Having fed us on the bread of tears,
having made us drink them in such measure,
86
3 You are my God, -take pity on use, Lord,
I invoke you all day long;
88
1 Yahweh my God, I call for help all day,
I weep to you all night;
2 may my prayer reach you
hear my cries for help;
9 my eyes are worn out with suffering.
Yahweh, I invoke you all day,
I stretch out my hands to you :
8. Life, brief, but full of pain
90
10 our life lasts for seventy years,
eighty with good health,
but they all add up toe anxiety and trouble
over in a trice, and then we are gone .
102
1 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
let my cry for help reach you;
3 For my days arc vanishing like smoke,
my bones smouldering like logs,
5 whenever I heave a sigh,
my bones stick through my skin .
7 I stay awake, lamenting
like a lone bird on the roof;
119
28 I am sleepless with grief:
raise me as your word has guaranteed.
9. The hope in your word
119
107 Yahweh, though my suffering is acute,
revive me as your word has guaranteed.
126
5 Those who went sowing in tears
now sing as they reap.
141
1 Yahweh, I am calling, hurry to me,
listen to me, I am invoking you.
142
1 To Yahweh, my cry! I plead.
To Yahweh, my cry! I entreat.
2 I pour out my supplications.
I unfold all my troubles;
4. LONELINESS
1. Also God seems to be far!
10
21 Yahweh, why do you stand aside,
why hide from us now the times are hard?
13
2 How much longer must I endure grief
in my soul,
and sorrow in my heart by day and by night?
31
22 In my alarm I exclaimed,
`I have been snatched out of your sight!'
38
6 bowed down, bent double, overcome,
I go mourning all the day.
2. Everybody shrinks
from my wounds
38
11 My friends and my companions
shrink from my wounds,
even the dearest of them keep their distance;
39
12 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for help,
do not stay deaf to my crying.
I am your guest, and only for a time,
a nomad like all my ancestors.
3. Even friends go away from me
41
9 Even my closest and most trusted friend,
who shared my table,
rebels against me.
42
5 Why so downcast, my soul,
why do you sigh within me?
69
11 if I dress myself in sackcloth,
I become their laughing-stock,
20b I had hoped for sympathy, but in vain,
20c I found no one to console me .
4. At least you stand by me
71
18 Now that I am old and grey,
God, do not desert me;
77
8 Is his love over for good
and the promise void for all time?
10 'This' I said then `is what distresses me:
that the power of the Most High
is no longer what it was
84
2 How my soul yearns and pines
for Yahweh's courts!
5. A life of loneliness
88
8 You have turned my friends against me
and made me repulsive to them;
in prison and unable to escape,
15 Wretched, slowly dying since my youth,
I bore your terrors-now I am exhausted ;
6. I am also anorexic
102
4 my heart shrivelling like scorched grass
and my appetite has gone;
7 I stay awake, lamenting
like a lone bird on the roof;
115
4 whereas their idols, in silver and gold,
products of human skill,
5 have mouths, but never speak,
eyes, but never see,
6 ears, but never hear,
noses, but never smell,
7. I feel as a foreigner
120
5 This is worse than a life in Meshech,
or camping in Kedar!
6 Too tong have I lived
among people who hate peace,
8. I am looking forward
to serenity
126
6 They went away, went away weeping,
carrying the seed ;
they come back, come back singing,
carrying their sheaves.
132
1 Yahweh, remember David
and all the hardships he suffered,
5. BETRAYAL
1. Betrayed by the friend
55
12 Were it an enemy who insulted me,
i could put up with that ;
had a rival got the better of me,
I could hide from him.
13 But you, a man of my own rank,
a colleague and a friend,
14 to whom sweet conversation bound me
in the house of God!
2. They have given me vinegar
69
21 They gave me poison to eat instead,
when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
78
8 and not becoming, like their ancestors,
a stubborn and unruly generation,
a generation with no sincerity of heart,
in spirit unfaithful to God
3. They make me bad for well
109
4 In return for my friendship, they denounce me,
though all I had done was pray for them ;
5 hey pay me back evil for kindness
and hatred for friendship .
4. The faith that overcomes
the betrayal
116
10 I have faith, even when say,
'I am completely crushed' .
11 In my alarm, I declared,
`No man can be relied on'.
118
13 I was pressed, pressed, about to fall,
but Yahweh came to my help;
119
150 My cruel persecutors are closing in,
how remote they are from your Law!
142
3 On the path I follow
they have concealed a trap.
6. FEELING OF SURRENDER
1. They have given me for done
3
2 more and more saying about me,
`There is no help for him in his God'.
12
1 Save us, Yahweh! There are no devout men left,
fidelity has vanished from mankind.
13
1 How much longer will you forget me, Yahweh?
For ever?
How much longer will you hide your face
from me?
2. My God, why do you
desert me ?
22
1 My God, my God, why have you deserted me?
How far from saving me, the words I groan!
11 Do not stand aside:
trouble is near,
I have no one to help me!
3. Abandoned by my parents
27
10 If my father and mother desert me,
Yahweh will care for me still.
4. Make me feel your voice
28
1 I cry to you, Yahweh,
my Rock! Do not be deaf to me,
for if you are silent, I shall go
down to the Pit like the rest.
31
11 To every one of my oppressors I am contemptible,
loathsome, to my neighbours,
to my friends a thing of fear.
These who see me in the street hurry past me ;
12 I am forgotten, as good as dead in their hearts,
something discarded .
41
9 Even my closest and most trusted friend,
who shared my table,
rebels against me.
42
9 Let me say to God my Rock,
`Why do you forget me? Why must I walk
so mournfully, oppressed by the enemy?'
10 as all day long they ask me, `Where is your God?'
43
2 It is you, God, who are my shelter:
why do you abandon me?
Why must I walk
so mournfully, oppressed by the enemy?
44
9 Yet now you abandon and scorn us,
you no longer march with our armies,
12 you sell your people for next to nothing,
and make no profit from the bargain.
55
12 Were it an enemy who insulted me,
i could put up with that ;
had a rival got the better of me,
I could hide from him.
13 But you, a man of my own rank,
a colleague and a friend,
14 to whom sweet conversation bound me
in the house of God!
57
6 They laid a net where I was walking
when I was bowed with care;
5. Don’t leave me alone
in my life
60
9 Who is there now to take me into the fortified city, to lead me into Edom?
69
8 that make me a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother's other sons;
71
11 'Hound him down now
that God has deserted him,
seize him, there is no one to rescue him!'
74
1 God, have you finally rejected us,
raging at the flock you used to pasture?
10 How much longer, God,
is the oppressor to blaspheme,
is the enemy to insult your name for ever?
77
7 `If the Lord has rejected you, is this final?
If he withholds his favour, is this for ever?
8 Is his love over for good
and the promise void for all time?
6. Existential loneliness
88
4 I am numbered among those who go down
to the Pit,
a man bereft of strength:
14 why do you reject me?
Why do you hide your face from me?
18 You have turned my friends and neighbours
against me,
now darkness is my one companion left .
102
6 I live in a desert like the pelican,
in a ruin like the screech owl,
108
11 God, can you really have rejected us?
You no longer march with our armies .
109
1 God whom I praise, break your silence,
115
5 have mouths, but never speak,
eyes, but never see,
7. Just like a lost sheep
119
176 I am wandering like a lost sheep :
come and look for your servant.
No, I have never forgotten your commandments .
129
8 and no one passing them will ever say,
`Yahweh's blessing on you!'
We bless you in the name of Yahweh .
137
2 leaving our harps
hanging on the poplars there.
7. PERSECUTION
1. I find myself in hard fight:
3
1 Yahweh, more and more are turning against me,
more and more rebelling against me,
2 more and more saying about me,
`There is no help for him in his God'.
a. around me lie
4
2 You men, why shut your hearty so long.
loving delusions, chasing after lies.
b. pain
6
7 my eye is wasted with grief,
I have grown old with enemies all round me.
c.
persecuted
7
1 Yahweh my God, I take shelter in you;
from all who hound me, save me, rescue me,
2 or, like a lion, he will carry me off
and tear me to pieces where no one can save me.
d. in the traps
10
22 The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked
he is caught in the wiles that the other has devised.
11
3 When foundations fall to ruin,
what can the virtuous do?'
e. liars
12
2 All they do is lie to one another,
flattering lips, talk from a double heart.
13
2 How much longer must my enemy
have the upper hand of me?
f. only you can guard me
17
8 guard me like the pupil of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the onslaughts of the wicked.
My enemies cluster round me, breathing hostility;
11 arrogant claims; snow they are closing in,
they have eyes for nothing
but to see me overthrown.
12 They look like a lion eager to tear to pieces,
like a young lion crouching in its hide.
h. you love me
18
18 They assailed me on my day of disaster,
but Yahweh was my support;
19 he freed me, set me at large,
he rescued me, since he loves me.
i. they are a pack of dogs
22
12 A herd of bulls surrounds me,
strong bulls of Bashan close in on me;
13 their jaws are agape for me,
like lions tearing and roaring .
14 I am like water draining away,
my bones are all disjointed,
l. I am hated by many
25
19 See how my enemies multiply.
and how violent their hatred has grown.
m. my enemies are losers
27
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.
n. you are my shelter
27
5 he hides me deep in his tent,
sets me high on a rock.
o. free me!
27
12 do not abandon me to the will of my foes
false witnesses have risen against me,
and breathe out violence.
31
4 Pull me out of the net they have spread for me,
for you are my refuge;
13 I hear their endless slanders,
threats from every quarter,
as they combine against me, plotting to take my life.
2. The persecution of the just
34
19 Hardships in plenty beset the virtuous man,
but Yahweh rescues him from them all;
35
15 strangers I never even knew
with loud cries tear me to pieces,
16 riddling me with gibe after gibe,
grinding their teeth at me.
38
12 men intent on killing me lay snares,
others, hoping to hurt me, threaten my ruin,
hatching treacherous plots all day.
19 There are more and more to hurt me
for no reason,
There are more to hate me unprovoked,
20 repaying my kindness with evil,
arraigning me for trying to do right.
3. They want my death
41
5 My enemies say of me with malice,
'How long before he dies and his name perishes?'
6 They visit me, their hearts full of spite,
they offer hollow comfort,
and go out to spread the news .
42
10 Nearly breaking my bones
my oppressors insult me,
as all day long they ask me, `Where is your God?'
43
2 Why must I walk
so mournfully, oppressed by the enemy?
4. The fidelity to God has a price
44
17 All this happened to us
though we had not forgotten you,
though we had not been disloyal to your covenant;
22 No, it is for your sake we are being massacred daily,
and counted as sheep for the slaughter .
49
5 Why should t be afraid in evil times,
when malice dogs my steps and hems me in,
5. All against me
55
3 they bring misery crashing down on me,
and vent their fury on me.
56
1 Take pity on me, God, as they harry me,
pressing their attacks home all day.
2 All day my opponents harry me,
hordes coming in to the attack.
5 All day long they twist what I say,
all they think of is how to harm me,
6 they conspire, lurk,
spy on my movements, determined to take my life.
57
4 I lie surrounded by lions
greedy for human prey,
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongue a sharp sword.
62
3 How many times will you come rushing
at a man,
all of you, to bring him down
like a wall already leaning over,
like a rampart undermined?
64
1 God, hear me as I make my plea,
protect me from this frightening enemy,
2 hide me from the wicked and their schemes,
from this mob of evil men,
66
12 you let people drive over our heads;
but now the ordeal by fire and water is over,
and you allow us once more to draw breath.
6. Hated by my brothers
without reason
69
4 More people hate me for no reason
than I have hairs on my head,
more are groundlessly hostile
than I have hair to show.
(They ask me to give back what I never took.)
7 It is for you I am putting up with insults
that cover me with shame,
8 that make me a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother's other sons;
10 If I mortify myself with fasting,
they make this a pretext for insulting me
11 if I dress myself in sackcloth,
I become their laughing-stock,
12 the gossip of people sitting at the city gate,
and the theme of drunken songs.
19a You know all the insults I endure,
19c every one of my oppressors is known to you;
20a the insults have broken my heart,
19b my shame and disgrace are past cure;
71
4 My God, rescue me from the hands
of the wicked,
from the clutches of rogue and tyrant!
10 for my enemies are uttering threats,
spies hatching their conspiracy :
11 'Hound him down now
that God has deserted him,
seize him, there is no one to rescue him!'
86
14 Now arrogant men, God, are attacking me,
a brutal gang hounding me to death:
people to whom you mean nothing.
7. Trusting in God protects
us in the test
91
5 You need not fear the terrors of night,
the arrow that flies in the daytime,
6 the plague that stalks in the dark,
the scourge that wreaks havoc in broad daylight.
102
8 my enemies insult me all day long,
those who used to praise me' now use me as a curse.
9 Ashes are the bread I eat,
what I drink I lace with tears,
109
1 God whom I praise, break your silence,
2 now that the wicked and the false
are both accusing me.
They are defaming me,
3 saying malicious things about me,
attacking me for no reason.
8. Strong in the name of the Lord
118
10 The pagans were swarming round me,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down;
11 they swarmed round me closer and closer,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down;
12 they swarmed round me like bees,
they blazed like a thorn-fire,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down.
119
39 Avert the insults that fear,
in the kindness of your rulings.
69 Though the arrogant tell foul lies about me,
86 when liars hound me, you must help rue .
95 The wicked may hope to destroy me,
147 I am up before dawn to call for help,
I put my hope in your word .
9. Faithful to God
in the persecution
119
157 Many hound me and oppress me,
but I do not swerve from your decrees .
161 Unjustifiably though princes hound me,
your word is what fills me with dread.
123
3 pity us, Yahweh, take pity on us,
we have had more than our share of scorn,
129
1 Hard as they have harried me since I was young
142
1 To Yahweh, my cry! I plead.
144
10 and safety to your servant David.
11 From peril of sword save me,
rescue me from the power of aliens
who tell nothing but lies,
who are prepared to swear to falsehood!
8. TROUBLE
1. Stunned
6
2 Pity me, Yahweh, I have no strength left,
heal me, my bones are in torment,
3 my soul is in utter torment.
Yahweh, how long will you be?
2. On the threshold of the death
9
13 Take pity on me, Yahweh,
look on my suffering,
you who lift me back from the gates of death,
18
4 The waves , of death encircled me,
the torrents of Belial burst on me;
5 the cords of Sheol girdled me,
the snares of death were before me.
3. Tormented night and day
22
2 I call all day, my God, but you never answer,
all night long I call and cannot rest.
7 all who see me jeer at me,
they toss their heads and sneer .
8 `He relied on Yahweh, let Yahweh save him!
If Yahweh is his friend, let Him rescue him!'
4. Nobody helps me
22
11 Do not stand aside:
trouble is near,
I have no one to help me!
15c and leave me lying in the dust of death .
25
17 Relieve the distress of my heart,
free me from my sufferings,
5. Maintaining the trust
in ourselves
27
3 Though an army pitched camp against
my heart would not fear;
though war were waged against me,
my trust would still be firm.
28
1 I shall go down to the Pit like the rest.
6. In the worry and in the pain
31
9 Take pity on me, Yahweh, I am in trouble now.
Grief wastes away my eye,
my throat, my inmost parts .
10 For my life is worn out with sorrow,
my years with sighs;
my strength yields under misery,
my bones are wasting away.
7. Your hand weighs on me
32
4 day and night your hand lay heavy on me;
my heart grew parched as stubble in summer drought.
6 That is why each of your servants prays to you
in time of trouble;
8. Those sore which don’t heal
38
5 my wounds stink and are festering,
the result of my folly ;
6 bowed down, bent double, overcome,
I go mourning all the day.
9. Oppressed by guilt
40
12 More misfortunes beset me than I can count.
my sins close in on me
until I can hardly see,
they outnumber the hairs on my head ;
my courage is running out.
42
6 When my soul is downcast within me,
51
3 For I am well aware of my faults,
I have my sin constantly in mind,
53
5 They will be struck with fear,
fear without reason,
10. Listen to me, God
55
1 God, hear my prayer,
do not hide from my petition,
2 give me a hearing, answer me,
I cannot rest for complaining
3 I shudder at the enemy's shouts,
at the howling of the wicked;
11. Death’s terrors
55
4 My heart aches in my breast,
Death's terrors assail me,
5 fear and trembling descend on me,
horror overwhelms me.
61
2 From the end of the earth I call to you,
with sinking heart.
To the rock too high for me, lead me!
12. I have fallen in deep waters
69
1 Save me, God!
The water is already up to my neck!
2 I am sinking in the deepest swamp,
there is no foothold;
I have stepped into deep water
and the waves are washing over me.
3 Worn out with calling, my throat is hoarse,
my eyes are strained, looking for my God.
14 Pull me out of this swamp; let me sink no further,
let me escape those who hate me,
save me from deep water!
15 Do not let the waves wash over me,
do not let the deep swallow me
or the Pit close its mouth on me.
13. Make me go up again
from the abyss
71
20 You have sent me misery and hardship,
but you will give me life again.
you will pull me up again
from the depths of the earth,
77
2 When in trouble I sought the Lord,
all night long I stretched out my hands,
my soul refusing to be consoled.
3 I thought of God and sighed,
I pondered and my spirit failed me.
4 You stopped me closing my eyes,
I was too distraught to speak;
86
7 Lord, in trouble I invoke you,
and you answer my prayer,
14. I am near the grave
88
3 for my soul is all troubled,
my life is on the brink of Sheol;
4 I am numbered among those
who go down to the Pit,
a man bereft of strength :
5 a man alone, down among the dead,
among the slaughtered in their graves,
15. A life of persecution
88
15 Wretched, slowly dying since my youth,
I bore your terrors-now I am exhausted;
16 your anger overwhelmed me,
you destroyed me with your terrors
17 which, like a flood, were round me, all day long,
all together closing in on me.
18 You have turned my friends and neighbours
against rue,
now darkness is my one companion left.
16. Don’t hide your face to me
102
1 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
let my cry for help reach you;
2 do not hide your face from me
when I am in trouble;
bend down to listen to me,
107
6 Then they called to Yahweh in their trouble
and he rescued them from their sufferings,
116
3 Death's cords were tightening round me,
the nooses of Sheol;
distress and anguish gripped me,
118
5 Hard-pressed, I invoked Yahweh,
he heard me and came to my relief.
119
143 Though distress and anguish grip me,
your commandments are my delight.
120
1Nella mia angoscia ho gridato al Signore
ed egli mi ha risposto.
130
1 When I am in trouble, I call to
142
2 I pour out my supplications.
I unfold all my troubles;
143
4 my spirit fails me
and my heart is full of fear.
9. DEFEAT
1. Feeling as a worm
22
6 Yet here am I, now more worm than man,
scorn of mankind, jest of the people,
2. In the hands of the enemies
22
17 and there they glare at me, gloating;
18 they divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothes
3. He restores to health my wounds
34
18 Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted,
he helps those whose spirit is crushed.
39
3 My heart had been smouldering inside me,
but it flared up at the thought of this
4. My people’s defeat
44
11 You let us go to the slaughterhouse like sheep,
you scatter us among the nations;
13 Thanks to you, our neighbours insult us,
all those around us make us
their butt and laughing-stock;
14 you make us a byword to pagans,
a thing to make them toss their heathen heads .
15 All day long I brood on this disgrace,
my face covered in shame,
16 under a shower of insult and blasphemy,
a display of hatred and revenge.
5. Defeated in the friendship
55
12 Were it an enemy who insulted me,
i could put up with that ;
had a rival got the better of me,
I could hide from him.
13 But you, a man of my own rank,
a colleague and a friend,
14 to whom sweet conversation bound me
in the house of God!
66
11 you let us fall into the net,
you laid heavy burdens on our backs,
69
2 I am sinking in the deepest swamp,
there is no foothold ;
17 do not hide your face from your servant,
quick, I am in trouble, answer me;
70
5 To me, poor wretch,
come quickly, God!
6. I have always sought honesty
73
13 After all, why should I keep my own heart pure,
and wash my hands in innocence,
14 if you plague me all day long
and discipline me every morning?
26 My flesh and my heart are pining with love,
my heart's Rock, my own, God for ever!
74
9 Deprived of signs, with no prophets left,
who can say how long this will last?
77
5 I thought of the olden days,
6 years long past came back to me,
I spent all night meditating in my heart,
I pondered and my spirit asked this question:
79
4 we are now insulted by our neighbours,
butt and laughing-stock of all those around us.
80
6 you now let our neighbours quarrel over us
and our enemies deride us.
86
1 Listen to me, Yahweh, and answer me,
poor and needy as I am;
7. I have always sought honesty
88
6 You have plunged me to the bottom of the Pit,
to its darkest, deepest place,
102
3 For my days arc vanishing like smoke,
my bones smouldering like logs,
4 my heart shrivelling like scorched grass
and my appetite has gone;
5 whenever I heave a sigh,
my bones stick through my skin.
6 I live in a desert like the pelican,
in a ruin like the screech owl,
7 I stay awake, lamenting
like a lone bird on the roof
;
8 my enemies insult me all day long,
those who used to praise me' now use me as a curse.
24a My strength has already run out;
24b Do not take me prematurely,
107
4 Some had lost their way in the wilds and the desert,
not knowing how to reach an inhabited town;
39 Their numbers had fallen, they had grown weak
under pressure of disaster and hardship.
109
24 My knees are weak for lack of food,
my body is thin for lack of oil;
25 I have become an object of derision,
people shake their heads at me in scorn.
119
25 Down in the dust I lie prostrate:
revive me as your word has guaranteed.
71 It was good for me to have to suffer,
the better to learn your statutes.
75 I know that your rulings are righteous, Yahweh,
that you make me suffer out of faithfulness .
173 May your hand be there to help me,
since I have chosen your precepts.
124
4 The waters would have closed over us,
the torrent have swept us away,
129
6 be blasted by winds from the east like grass
sprouting on the roof!
7 Roof-grass never yet filled
reaper's arm or binder's lap-
8. My exile
137
1 Beside the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
at the memory of Zion,
2 leaving our harps
hanging on the poplars there.
9. You give me life
138
7 Though I live surrounded by trouble,
you keep me alive to my enemies fury!
142
3 my spirit fails me,
but you, you know my path.
4 All help is denied me,
no one cares about me.
143
3 An enemy who hounds me
to crush me into the dust,
forces me to dwell in darkness
like the dead of long ago;
III - POSITIVE STATES
OF MIND
Sentirsi contenti, pieni di energia, desiderosi di lavorare, interessati a dare una mano a chi ne ha bisogno, contribuire a realizzare un mondo migliore…, sono indicatori di una vita piena, di equilibrio e di maturità emotiva ed esistenziale.
I sentimenti e gli stati d’animo positivi e costruttivi indicano una storia evolutiva riuscita e adeguata alle possibilità dell’essere umano.
Coraggio, capacità si saper attendere si basano su una profonda fiducia nella vita che fluisce in noi. Richiede presa d’atto realistica e insieme superamento del limite che ogni giorno incontriamo attorno a noi e dentro di noi.
Sapersi pentire per gli errori commessi, genera energie, ci svela il vero volto degli altri, ci dona la gioia del perdono, il calore dello stare insieme, la pace nel profondo.
L’aver posto in Dio il nostro rifugio fa sorgere innoi il profondo bisogno di ringraziamento, che esprimiamo con la nostra continua lode a Dio e con uno stile di vite che si esprime con la gioia
10. FORTUNE
1. The one who is far from you
seems fortunate
10
25 At every moment his course is assured,
your rulings are too lofty for his notice
his rivals? He sneers at them all.
2. Preferring God to earthly goods
17
14 Cram their bellies from your stores,
give them all the sons that they could wish for,
let them have a surplus to leave their children!
15 For me the reward of virtue is to see your face,
and, on waking, to gaze my fill on your likeness.
3. When the fortune of the other
is envied
39
2 I stayed dumb, silent, speechless,
though the sight of him thriving made
torment increase.
4. The prosperity that blinds
49
11 though they owned estates that bore their names .
12 Man when he prospers forfeits intelligence :
he is one with the cattle doomed to slaughter .
13 So on they go with their self-assurance,
with men to run after them when they raise their voice.
5. Don’t envy the wealth
49
16 Do not be afraid when a man grows rich,
when the glory of his House increases;
17 when he dies he can take nothing with him,
his glory cannot follow him down.
18 The soul he made so happy while he lived
-'look after yourself and men will praise you' -
19 will join the company of his ancestors
who will never see the light of day again.
6. Don’t envy
the arrogant persons
73
2 My feet were on the point of stumbling,
a little further and I should have slipped,
3 envying the arrogant as I did,
and watching the wicked get rich.
4 For them, no such thing as pain,
their bodies are healthy and strong,
5 they do not suffer as other men do,
no human afflictions for them!
9 they think their mouth is heaven
and their tongue can dictate on earth.
10 This is why my people turn to them
and lap up all they say,
11 asking, `Flow will God find out?
Does the Most High know everything?
12 Look at them: these are the wicked,
well-off and still getting richer,
7. Winning the discouragement
73
13 After all, why should I keep my own heart pure,
and wash my hands in innocence,
14 if you plague me all day long
and discipline me every morning?
11. COURAGE, STRENGTH
1. Holding your head high
3
3 But, Yahweh, my encircling shield,
my glory, you help me hold up my head.
5 Now I can lie down and go to sleep
and then awake, for Yahweh has hold of me:
6 no fear now of those tens of thousands
posted against me wherever I turn.
9
37 Yahweh, you listen to the wants of the humble,
you bring strength to their hearts,
you grant them a hearing,
38 judging in favour of the orphaned and exploited,
so that earthborn man may strike fear no longer.
16
9 So my heart exults,
my very soul rejoices,
my body, too, wilt rest securely,
2. Winning the fear
18
29 with you I storm the barbican,
with my God I leap the rampart.
31 Who else is God but Yahweh,
who else a rock save our God?
32 This God who girds me with strength
and makes my way without blame,
33 who makes my feet like the hinds'
and holds me from falling on the heights,
34 who trains my hands for battle,
my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
43 You deliver me from a people in revolt,
you place me at the head of the nations,
a people I did not know are now my servants,
44 foreigners come wooing my favour,
no sooner do they hear than they obey me,
45 foreigners grow faint of heart,
they come trembling out of their fastnesses.
20
4 may he grant you your heart's desire,
and crown all your plans with success;
7 Some boast of chariots, some of horses,
but we boast about the name of Yahweh our God;
8 theirs to crumple and fall,
but we shall stand, and stand firm!
23
4 Though I pass through a gloomy valley,
I fear no harm;
27
1 Yahweh is my light and my salvation,
whom need I fear?
Yahweh is the fortress of my life,
of whom should I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall
3 Though an army pitched camp against me,
my heart would not fear;
though war were waged against me,
my trust would still be firm.
6 And now my head is held high
over the enemies who surround me,
28
7 Yahweh is my strength, my shield,
my heart puts its trust in him;
29
11 Yahweh gives strength to his people,
31
24 Be strong, let your heart be bold,
all you hope in Yahweh!
37
1 Do not worry about the wicked,
do not envy those who do wrong.
45
3 your lips are moist with grace,
for God has blessed you for eve .
Hero, strap your sword at your side,
4 Stretch the bowstring tight,
lending terror to your right hand.
5 Your arrows are sharp; nations lie at your mercy,
the king's enemies are losing heart.
46
2 so we shall not be afraid when the earth gives way,
when mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
3 and its waters roar and seethe,
the mountains tottering as it heaves.
51
12 Be my saviour again, renew my joy,
keep my spirit steady and willing;
54
7 He has rescued me from all my troubles,
and let me see my enemies defeated.
57
7 My heart is ready, God, my heart is ready;
I mean to sing and play for you,
3. Supported by the grace of God
59
10 the God who loves me is conning,
God will show me my enemies defeated.
60
12 With God among us we shall fight like heroes,
he will trample on our enemies.
68
35 He, the God of Israel,
gives power and strength to his people.
78
72 who did this with unselfish care
and led them with a sensitive hand.
84
7 Thence they make their way from height to height,
soon to be seen before God on Zion,
89
17 You are their glory and their strength,
you, by your kindness, raise our fortunes,
92
10 You raise my horn as if 1 were a wild ox,
you pours fresh oil on my head;
4. The strength
of the good conscience
101
4 perverted hearts must keep their distance,
the wicked I disregard.
5 The man who secretly slanders his neighbour
I reduce to silence;
haughty looks, proud heart,
I cannot tolerate these.
7 There is no room in my house
for any hypocrite;
no liar keeps his post where I can see him.
110
7 Drinking from the stream as he goes,
he can hold his head high in victory.
118
6 With Yahweh on my side, I fear nothing;
what can man do to me?
7 With Yahweh on my side, best help of all,
I can triumph over my enemies.
119
32 I run the way of your commandments,
since you have set me free.
133 Direct my steps as you have promised,
let evil win no power over me.
120
4 With war arrows hardened
over red-hot charcoal!
125
1 Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion,
unshakeable, standing for ever.
127
4 like the arrows in a hero's hand
are the sons you father when young.
128
2 You will eat what your hands have worked for,
132
11 Yahweh swore to David
and will remain true to his word,
'I promise that your own son
shall succeed you on the throne.
18 whose enemies I shall clothe in shame,
while his crown bursts into flower.'
138
3 The day I called for help, you heard me
and you increased my strength,
144
1 Blessed be Yahweh, my rock,
who trains my hands for war
and my fingers for battle,
147
13 for strengthening the bars of your gates,
149
6 with panegyrics on their lips,
and a two-edged sword in their hands
7 to exact vengeance on the pagans,
to inflict punishment on the heathen,
8 to shackle their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters,
9 to execute the preordained sentence.
12. LIMIT
1. Brevity of life
8
4 ah, what is man that you should spare a thought for him.
the son of man that you should care for him?
9
20 Strike terror into them, Yahweh,
let the nations know they are only men!
39
4 `Tell me, Yahweh, when my end will be,
how many days are allowed me,
show me how frail I am.
11 man is indeed only a puff of wind!
49
7 But man could never redeem himself
or pay his ransom to God:
8 it costs so much to redeem his life,
9 it is beyond him;
how then could he live on for ever
and never see the Pit.
17 when he dies he can take nothing with him,
his glory cannot follow him down.
2. Oppressed by our guilt
51
5 You know I was born guilty,
a sinner from the moment of conception.
62
9 Ordinary men are only a puff of wind,
important men' delusion;
put both in the scales and up they go,
lighter than a puff of wind.
78
39 remembering they were creatures of flesh,
a puts of wind that passes and does not return.
89
47 Remember me, the short time I have left
and the void to which you destine mankind .
48 What man can cling to life and not see death?
Who can evade the clutches of Sheol?
3. Marked by our pain
90
9 Our days dwindle under your wrath,
our lives are over in a breath
10 our life lasts for seventy years,
eighty with good health,
but they all add up toe anxiety and trouble
over in a trice, and then we are gone.
12 Teach us to count how few days we have
and so gain wisdom of heart.
94
11 knows exactly how men think,
how their thoughts are a puff of wind
102
11 my days dwindle away like a shadow,
I am as dry as hay.
26 all will vanish, though you remain,
all wear out like a garment,
like clothes that need changing
you will change them;
4. A fragile existence
103
14 he knows what we are made of,
he remembers we arc dust.
15 Man lasts no longer than grass,
no longer than a wild Bower he lives,
16 one gust of wind, and he is gone,
never to be seen there again;
105
11 `I give you a land, he said
'Canaan, your allotted heritage.
12 `There where you were easily counted,
few in number, strangers to the country.
109
23 I am dwindling away like a shadow,
they have brushed me off like a locust.
5. God chooses the weak
115
1 Not by us, Yahweh, not by us,
by you alone is glory deserved,
118
22 it was the stone rejected by the builders
that proved to be the keystone;
119
141 Puny and despised as I am,
I do not forget your precepts.
127
2 In vain you get up earlier,
and put off going to bed,
sweating to make a living,
since he provides for his beloved as they sleep.
131
1 Yahweh, my heart has no lofty ambitions,
my eyes do not look too high.
I am not concerned with great affairs
or marvels beyond my scope.
139
6 Such knowledge is beyond my understanding,
a height to which my mind cannot attain.
7 Where could I go to escape your spirit?
Where could I flee from your presence?
144
3 Yahweh, what is man, that you should notice him?
A human being, that you should think about him?
4 Man's life, a mere puff of wind,
his days, as fugitive as shadows.
6. What counts is only
the grace of God
146
3 Do not put your trust in men in power,
or in any mortal man he cannot save,
4 he yields his breath
and goes back to the earth he came from,
and on that day all his schemes perish.
147
10 The strength of the war horse means
nothing to him,
it is not infantry that interests him.
11 Yahweh is interested only in those who fear him,
in those who rely on his love.
13. REPENTANCE
1. Fruit of the true wisdom
2
10 So now, you kings, learn wisdom,
earthly rulers, be warned:
11 serve Yahweh, fear him,
12 tremble and kiss his feet,
4
1 now be good to me and hear my prayer
4 Tremble: give up sinning,
spend your night in quiet meditation'
6
1 Yahweh, do not punish me in your rage,
2 Pity me, Yahweh, I have no strength left,
9
13 Take pity on me, Yahweh,
17
3 You probe my heart, examine me at night,
you test me yet find nothing, no murmuring from me:
19
13 Rise, Yahweh, subdue him face to face,
rescue my soul from the wicked with your sword,
2. Repentance, point of arrival
in life and history
22
27 The whole earth, from end to end, will remember
and come back to Yahweh;
all the families of the nations
will bow down before him.
25
7a Do not remember the sins of my youth;
11 Lamed For the sake of your name, Yahweh,
forgive my guilt, for it is great.
18 See my misery and pain,
forgive all my sins!
32
1 Happy the man whose fault is forgiven,
whose sin is blotted out.
5 At last I admitted to you had sinned;
no longer concealing my guilt,
I said, I will go to Yahweh and confess my fault'.
And you, you have forgiven the wrong I did,
have pardoned my sin.
33
8 Let the whole world fear Yahweh,
let all who live on earth revere him!
3. Detesting sin
38
1 Yahweh, do not punish me in your rage,
or reprove me in the heat of anger.
4 My guilt is overwhelming me,
it is too heavy a burden;
5 my wounds stink and are festering,
the result of my folly;
17 And now my fall is upon me,
there is no relief from my pains
18 yes, I admit my guilt,
I am sorry for having sinned .
39
8 Free me from all my sins,
do not make me the butt of idiots.
40
11 For your part, Yahweh, do not withhold
your kindness from me!
May your love and faithfulness constantly preserve me.
12 More misfortunes beset me than I can count.
my sins close in on me
until I can hardly see,
they outnumber the hairs on my head;
my courage is running out.
4. The offence to God
41
4 I for my part said, `Yahweh, take pity on me!
Cure me, for I have sinned against you.'
46
10 `Pause a while and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted over the earth!'
50
14 No, let thanksgiving be your sacrifice to God,
fulfil the vows you make to the Most High;
21c I charge, I indict you to your face,
51
1 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness,
in your great tenderness wipe away my faults
2 wash me clean of my guilt,
purify me from my sin.
3 For I am well aware of my faults,
I have my sin constantly in mind,
4 having sinned against none other than you,
having done what you regard as wrong.
You are just when you pass sentence on me,
blameless when you give judgement.
5 You know I was born guilty,
a sinner from the moment of conception.
6 Yet, since you love sincerity of heart,
teach me the secrets of wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop until I am clean;
wash me until 1 am whiter than snow.
8 Instil some joy and gladness into me,
let the bones you have crushed rejoice again.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
wipe out all my guilt.
10 God, create a clean heart in me,
put into me a new and constant spirit,
11 do not banish me from your presence,
do not deprive me of your holy spirit .
12 Be my saviour again, renew my joy,
keep my spirit steady and willing;
13 and I shall teach transgressors the way to you,
and to you the sinners will return.
14 Save the from death, God my saviour,
and my tongue will acclaim your righteousness;
15 Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will speak out your praise.
16 Sacrifice gives you no pleasure,
were I to offer holocaust, you would not have it.
17 My sacrifice is this broken spirit,
you will not scorn this crushed and broken heart.
56
1 Take pity on me, God, as they harry me,
57
1 Take pity on me. God, take pity on me,
5. Return to God
60
1 God, you have rejected us, broken us ;
you have been angry, come back to us!
64
9 Then all wilt feel afraid,
will tell others what God has done;
they will understand why he has done it.
65
3 though our faults overpower us,
you blot them out.
67
1 May God show kindness and bless us,
68
18 yes, taken rebels to your dwelling, Yahweh!
69
5 God, you know how foolish I have been,
my offences are not hidden from you,
73
21 When my heart had been growing sourer
with pains shooting through my loins,
22 I had simply failed to understand,
my stupid attitude to you was brutish.
76
10 Man's wrath only adds to your glory;
the survivors of your wrath you will draw like
a girdle around you;
78
34 Whenever he slaughtered them they sought him,
they came to their senses and sought him earnestly
35 remembering that God was their rock,
God the Most High, their redeemer.
79
8 Do not hold our ancestors crimes against us,
in tenderness quickly intervene,
we can hardly be crushed lower;
9 help us, God our saviour,
for the honour of your name;
Yahweh, blot out our sins,
rescue us for the sake of your name.
6. Towards the life,
the light, the joy
80
3 Yahweh Sabaoth, bring us back,
let your face smile on us and we shall be safe.
84
6 As they go through the Valley of the Weeper,
they make it a place of springs,
85
4 Bring us back, God our saviour,
master your resentment against us.
5 Do you mean to be angry with us for ever,
to prolong your wrath age after age?
6 Will you not give us life again,
for your people to rejoice in you?
7 Yahweh, show us your love,
grant us your saving help.
86
5 Lord, you are good and forgiving,
102
15 Then will the nations fear the name of Yahweh
and all kings on earth respect your glory;
103
3 in forgiving all your offences,
in curing all your diseases,
4 in redeeming your life from the Pit,
11 No less than the height of heaven over earth
is the greatness of his love for those who fear him;
12 he takes our sins farther away
than the east is from the west.
106
6 We have sinned quite as much as our fathers,
we have been wicked, we arc guilty;
107
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
his love is everlasting:
2 let these be the words of Yahweh's redeemed,
those he has redeemed from the oppressor's clutches,
13 Then they called to Yahweh in their trouble
and he rescued them from their sufferings;
14 releasing them from gloom and darkness,
shattering their chains.
19 Then they called to Yahweh in their trouble
and he rescued them from their sufferings;
7.
Objective: serving God
116
14 I will pay what I vowed to Yahweh;
may his whole nation be present!
119
153 Take note of my suffering and rescue me,
123
2 eyes like the eyes of slaves
fixed on their master's hand;
like the eyes of a slave-girl
fixed on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes arc fixed on Yahweh our God,
for him to take pity on us;
3 pity us, Yahweh, take pity on us,
130
3 If you never overlooked our sins, Yahweh,
Lord, could anyone survive?
8 it is he who redeems Israel from all their sins.
139
23 God, examine me and know my heart,
probe me and know my thoughts;
141
5 A virtuous man may strike me in reproof,
for my own good,
143
2 do not put your servant on trial,
no one is virtuous by your standards.
14. EXPECTATION
1. The time as expectation of God
5
3 for at daybreak you listen for my voice
and at dawn I hold myself in readiness for you,
I watch for you.
6
3 my soul is in utter torment.
Yahweh, how long will you be?
8 Away from me, all you evil men!
For Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping;
9 Yahweh has heard my petition,
Yahweh will accept my prayer.
9
18 For the needy is not always forgotten,
the hope of the poor is never brought to nothing.
13
3 Look and answer me, Yahweh my God!
Give my eyes light,
or I shall sleep in death,
25
5 Set me in the way of your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I hope in you.
27
13 This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh,
in the land of the living.
2. Trust in the grace of God
31
17 I invoke you, Yahweh;
do not let me be disgraced,
33
18 But see how the eye of Yahweh is on those
who fear him,
on those who rely on his love,
20 Our soul awaits Yahweh,
he is our help and shield;
35
17 How much longer, Lord, will you look on?
37
7 Be quiet before Yahweh, and wait patiently for him,
38
15 For I put my trust in you, Yahweh,
and leave you to answer for me, Lord my God.
39
7 So tell me, Lord, what can I expect?
My hope is in you.
40
1 I waited and waited for Yahweh,
now at. last he has stooped to me
and heard my cry for help.
2 He has pulled me out of the horrible pit,
out of the slough of the marsh,
17 To me, poor wretch,
come quickly, Lord!
52
9 and put my hope in your name,
that is so full of kindness,
53
6 Who will bring Israel salvation from Zion?
55
7 How far I would take my flight,
and make a new home in the desert!
3. Overcoming the fear, the pain
56
3 Raise me up when I am most afraid,
I put my trust in you;
4 in God, whose word I praise,
in God I put my trust, fearing nothing;
what can men do to me?
9 Then my enemies will have to fall back
as soon as I call for help.
This I know: that God is on my side.
62
5 Rest in God alone, my soul!
He is the source of my hope;
8 In God, I find shelter; rely on him
people, at all times;
63
1 my soul is thirsting for you,
my flesh is longing for you,
a land parched, weary and waterless;
64
10 The virtuous will rejoice in Yahweh,
will make him their refuge;
67
1 May God show kindness and bless us,
and make his face smile on us!
69
3 Worn out with calling, my throat is hoarse,
my eyes are strained, looking for my God.
14 Pull me out of this swamp ; let me sink no further,
17 do not hide your face from your servant,
quick, I am in trouble, answer me;
4. The salvation of the poor man
and the unhappy
70
5 To me, poor wretch,
come quickly, God!
My helper, my saviour, Yahweh,
come without delay!
71
5 For you alone are my hope, Lord,
Yahweh, I have trusted you since my youth,
14 I promise that, ever hopeful,
74
21 Do not let the hard-pressed retreat in confusion,
give the poor and needy cause to praise your name.
86
4 give your servant reason to rejoice,
7 Lord, in trouble I invoke you,
and you answer my prayer,
17 give me one proof of your goodness.
102
13 Rise, take pity on Zion!-
108
10 Who is there now to take me into the fortified city,
to lead me into Edom?
11 God, can you really have rejected us?
You no longer march with our armies.
109
26 Help me, Yahweh my God,
save me since you love me,
116
10 I have faith, even when say,
'I am completely crushed'
119
28 I am sleepless with grief:
raise me as your word has guaranteed.
31 I cling to your decrees:
Yahweh, do not disappoint me.
81 Keeping my hope in your word,
I have worn myself out waiting for you to save me,
123 My eyes are worn out looking
for your saving help
for your promise of righteousness to come.
121
1 I lift my eyes to the mountains:
where is help to come from?
2 Help comes to me from Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
130
5 I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits for him,
I rely on his promise,
6 my soul relies on the Lord
more than a watchman on the coming of dawn.
131
3 Israel, rely on Yahweh,
now and for always!
142
7 Free me from this imprisonment,
145
15 Patiently all creatures look to you
147
11 Yahweh is interested only in those who fear him,
in those who rely on his love.
15. SHELTER IN GOD
1. In the oppression
2
12 Happy all who take shelter in him.
7
1 Yahweh my God, I take shelter in you;
9
9 May Yahweh be a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold when times are hard.
34 the luckless man commits himself to you,
you, the orphan's certain help.
11
1 In Yahweh I take shelter. How can you say to me,
'Bird, fly back to your mountain:
14
6 deride as you may the poor man's hopes,
Yahweh is his shelter.
16
1 Look after me, God, I take shelter in you .
2 To Yahweh you' say, 'My Lord,
you are my fortune, nothing else but you',
5 you, and you only, hold my lot secure;
17
7 display your marvellous kindness,
saviour of fugitives!
From those who revolt against you
18
2 Yahweh is my rock and my bastion,
30 This God, his way is blameless ;
the word of Yahweh is without dross.
He it is who is the shield
of all who take shelter in him.
22
4 in you our fathers put their trust,
they trusted and you rescued them;
25
2 O my God. I rely on you, do not let me be shamed,
20 Watch over my soul, rescue me;
let me not be shamed: I take shelter in you.
26
1 My trust in Yahweh never wavers.
2. In the abandonment
27
1 Yahweh is my light and my salvation,
whom need I fear?
5 For he shelters me under his awning
in times of trouble;
10 If my father and mother desert me,
Yahweh will care for me still.
14 Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong,
let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.
28
8 Yahweh is the strength of his people,
a saving fortress for his anointed.
30
7 Your favour, Yahweh,
stood me on a peak impregnable;
31
1 In you, Yahweh, I take shelter;
never let me be disgraced.
2 Be a sheltering rock for me,
a waited fortress to save me!
4 Pull me out of the net they have spread for me,
for you are my refuge;
6 God of truth, you hate those who serve
worthless idols;
but I put my trust in Yahweh:
14 But I put my trust in you, Yahweh,
I say, `You are my God'.
20 Safe in your presence you hide them
far from the wiles of men;
inside your tent you shelter them
far from the war of tongues.
3. In dangers
32
7 You are a hiding place for me,
you guard me when in trouble,
you surround me with songs of deliverance.
33
we trust in his holy name .
22 Yahweh, let your love rest on us
as our hope has rested in you .
34
8 How good Yahweh is only taste and see!
Happy the man who takes shelter in him.
22 while Yahweh himself ransoms
the souls of his servants,
and those who take shelter in him
have nothing to pay.
36
7 how precious, God, your love!
Hence the sons of men
take shelter in the shadow of your wings.
37
39 The salvation of the virtuous comes from Yahweh,
he is their shelter when trouble comes;
38
hatching treacherous plots all day.
13 But I am like the deaf, I do not hear,
like the dumb man who does not open his mouth;
14 I am like the man who, hearing nothing,
gives no sharp answer in return,
15 For I put my trust in you, Yahweh,
40
1 I waited and waited for Yahweh,
now at. last he has stooped to me
and heard my cry for help .
2 He has pulled me out of the horrible pit,
out of the slough of the marsh,
has settled my feet on a rock and steadied my steps.
42
5 Why so downcast, my soul,
why do you sigh within me?
Put your hope in God: I shall praise him yet,
6 my saviour, my God.
46
1 God is our shelter, our strength,
ever ready to help in time of trouble,
7 Yahweh Sabaoth is on our side,
our citadel, the God of Jacob!
52
8 I, for my part, like an olive tree
growing in the house of God,
put my trust in God's love for ever and ever.
54
4 But now God himself comes to help me,
the Lord, supporter of my life.
4. In the worry, in the fear
55
16 I , for myself, appeal to God
and Yahweh saves me;
22 Unload your burden on to Yahweh,
and he will support you;
he will never permit the virtuous to falter.
23 As for these murderous, these treacherous men,
you, God, will push them down to the deepest Pit
before half their days are out .
For my part, I put my trust in you.
56
3 Raise me up when I am most afraid,
I put my trust in you;
11 in God I put my trust, fearing nothing;
what can man do to me?
57
1 Take pity on me. God, take pity on me,
in you my soul takes shelter;
I take shelter in the shadow of your wings
until the destroying storm is over.
59
1 protect me from those attacking me,
9 My Strength, I look to you.
My citadel is God himself,
16 I, for my part, celebrate your strength,
I sing of your love morning by morning;
you have always been my citadel,
a shelter when I am in trouble.
61
3 For you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
5. God, the only shelter
62
1 In God alone there is rest for my soul,
from him comes my safety;
7 rest in God, my safety, glory,
the rock of my strength.
8 In God, I find shelter; rely on him
people, at all times;
66
12 you let people drive over our heads;
but now the ordeal by fire and water is over,
and you allow us once more to draw breath.
71
1 In you, Yahweh, I take shelter;
never let me be disgraced.
3 Be a sheltering rock for me,
a waked fortress to save me!
For you are my rock, my fortress.
73
23 Even so, I stayed in your presence,
you held my right hand;
26 My flesh and my heart are pining with love,
my heart's Rock,
my own, God for ever!
28 whereas my joy lies in being close to God.
I have taken shelter in the Lord,
6. Trust and fidelity in God
78
6 the next generation was to learn it,
the children still to be born,
and these in their turn were to tell their own children
7 so that they too would put their confidence in God,
never forgetting God's achievements,
and always keeping his commandments,
80
17 May your hand protect the man at your right,
the son of man who has been authorised by you
84
12 happy the man who puts his trust in you!
86
2 keep my soul : I am your devoted one,
90
1 Lord, you have been
our refuge age after age.
91
2 you can say to Yahweh, `My refuge, my fortress,
my God in whom I trust!'
4a he covers you with his feathers,
4b and you find shelter underneath his wings.
9 you who can say, `Yahweh my refuge',
and make Elyon your fortress.
94
12 Yahweh, happy the man whom you instruct,
the man whom you teach through your law
13 his mind is at peace though times are bad,
22 No! Yahweh is still my citadel,
my God is a rock where I take shelter;
112
7 with constant heart, and confidence in Yahweh,
he need never fear bad news.
115
9 House of Israel, rely on Yahweh .
on him, our help and shield!
10 House of Aaron, rely on Yahweh,
on him, our help and shield!
11 You who fear Yahweh, rely on Yahweh,
on him, our help and shield!
116
13 I will offer libations to my saviour,
invoking the name of Yahweh!
118
8 I would rather take refuge in Yahweh
than rely on men;
125
1 Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion,
unshakeable, standing for ever.
7. Total abandonment to God
131
2 Enough for me to keep my soul tranquil and quiet
like a child in its mother's arms,
as content as a child that has been weaned .
140
4 Yahweh, guard me from attacks by the wicked,
defend me from those who love force,
141
8 To you, Yahweh my Lord, I turn my eyes.
I take shelter in you, do not leave me exposed!
142
5 I invoke you, Yahweh,
I affirm that you are my refuge,
my heritage in the land of the living.
143
8 Let dawn bring proof of your love,
for one who relies on you;
144
1 Blessed be Yahweh, my rock,
146
5 Happy the man
who has the God of Jacob to help him,
whose hope is fixed on Yahweh his God,
6 maker of heaven and earth,
and the sea, and all that these hold!
Yahweh, forever faithful,
16. THANKSGIVING
1. He has lighted up my darkness
3
4 The One whose throne is in heaven sits laughing,
5
7 But I, so great is your love,
may come to your house, and bow down
before your holy Temple in reverence to you.
6
10 Let all my enemies, discredited, in utter torment
fall back in sudden confusion.
16
7 I bless Yahweh, who is my counsellor,
and in the night my inmost self instructs me:
18
6 In my distress I called to Yahweh
and to my God I cried;
from his Temple he heard my voice,
my cry came to his ears.
28 Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp,
my God lights up my darkness;
46 Life to Yahweh! Blessed be my rock?
Exalted be the God of my salvation,
2. He has realized my desires
21
2 You have granted him his heart's desire,
not denied him what his lips entreated.
5 Great his glory through your saving help,
you have loaded him with splendour and majesty;
26
12 my foot is set on the right path,
27
6 in his tent I will offer exultant sacrifice,
I will sing, I will play for Yahweh!
28
6 Blessed be Yahweh, for he hears
the sound of my petition!
3. I Have been recovered
30
2 Yahweh, my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
12 will play you music;
31
19 Yahweh, how great your goodness,
21 Blessed be Yahweh, who performs
marvels of love for me
(in a fortress-city)!
34
4 I seek Yahweh, and he answers me
and frees me from all my fears.
35
10 All my bones will exclaim, 'Yahweh,
who can compare with you
40
1 I waited and waited for Yahweh,
now at. last he has stooped to me
and heard my cry for help.
42
4 I remember, and my soul melts within me:
l am on my way to the wonderful Tent,
to the house of God,
among cries of joy and praise
and an exultant throng.
46
8 Come, think of Yahweh's marvels,
the astounding things he has done in the world;
52
9 I mean to thank you constantly
for doing what you did,
54
6 How gladly will I offer sacrifice to you
56
12 I must fulfil the vows I made you, God;
I shall pay you my thank-offerings,
59
16 I, for my part, celebrate your strength,
I sing of your love morning by morning
you have always been my citadel,
a shelter when I am in trouble.
65
1 Praise is rightfully yours, God, in Zion.
Vows to you must be fulfilled,
4. I offer you gifts
66
4 all the earth bows down to you,
13 I bring holocausts to your house,
I bring them to fulfil those vows
68
19 Blessed be the Lord day after day,
68
26 Bless God in your choirs,
bless the Lord, you who spring from Israel!
29 Kings will come to you, bringing presents.
30 until, humbled, they bring gold and silver.
69
30 I will extol him with my thanksgiving,
71
17 God, you taught me when I was young,
and I am still proclaiming your marvels.
75
1 We give thanks to you, God,
we give thanks as we invoke your name,
76
11 fulfil the promises you make to Yahweh your God,
80
18 We shall never turn from you again;
our life renewed, we shall invoke your name.
85
1 Yahweh, you favour your own country,
86
17 give me one proof of your goodness.
Yahweh, make my opponents ashamed,
show them that you are my help and consolation.
92
11 I was able to see those who were spying on me,
to overhear what the wicked were whispering,
94
18 I need only say, `I am slipping',
and your love, Yahweh, immediately supports me;
5. Thanksgiving prayer
95
1 Come, let us praise Yahweh joyfully,
acclaiming the Rock of our safety;
96
9 worship Yahweh in his sacred court,
97
11 Light dawns for the virtuous,
and joy, for upright hearts.
99
5 Let us extol Yahweh our God,
and worship at his footstool,
'Holy is he!'
100
4 Walk through his porticos giving thanks,
103
2 Bless Yahweh, my soul,
and remember all his kindnesses .
106
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
his love is everlasting!
107
8 Let these thank Yahweh for his love,
for his marvels on behalf of men;
111
1 I give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart
where the virtuous meet and the people assemble.
116
2 he bends down to listen to me
when I call.
16 Yahweh, I am your servant,
your servant, son of a pious mother,
118
19 Open the gates of virtue to me,
I will come in and give thanks to Yahweh.
28 You are my God, I give you thanks,
I extol you, my God;
119
52 Remembering your rulings in the past,
Yahweh, I take comfort.
56 Surely it will count to my credit:
that I respect your precepts.
124
6 Blessed be Yahweh who did not let us fall
a victim to those teeth,
130
4 But you do forgive us:
and for that we revere you.
132
7 Let us go where he is waiting
and worship at his footstool.
134
2 Stretch out your hands towards the sanctuary,
bless Yahweh night after night!
138
1 I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart,
because you have heard what I said.
2 and bow down towards your holy Temple
I give thanks to your name
for your love and faithfulness;
142
7 Free me from this imprisonment,
and I will thank your name once more
147
7 Sing to Yahweh in gratitude,
play the lyre for our God:
17. PRAISE
1. The greatness of God
7
17 I give thanks to Yahweh for his righteousness,
I sing praise to the name of the Most High.
8
1 Yahweh, our Lord,
how great your name throughout the earth!
Above the heavens is your majesty chanted
9
1 I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart;
I recite your marvels one by one,
11 To Yahweh with his home in Zion, sing praise,
tell the nations of his mighty actions;
13
5 But I for my part rely on your love, Yahweh;
let my heart rejoice in your saving help.
Let me sing to Yahweh
for the goodness he has shown me.
18
49 For this I will praise you, Yahweh,
among the heathen
and sing praise to your name.
19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
the vault of heaven proclaims his handiwork;
2 day discourses of it to day,
night to night hands on the knowledge.
3 No utterance at all, no speech,
no sound that anyone can hear;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their message to the ends of the world.
21
13 Rise, Yahweh, in your power!
We will sing and play in honour of your strength.
22
22 Then I shall proclaim your name to my brothers,
praise you in full assembly:
23 you who fear Yahweh, praise him!
Entire race of Jacob, glorify him!
Entire race of Israel, revere him!
25 You are the theme of my praise
in the Great Assembly,
I perform my vows in the presence of those who fear him.
26
12 my foot is set on the right path,
I bless you, Yahweh, at the Assemblies.
28
6 Blessed be Yahweh, for he hears
the sound of my petition!
29
1 Pay tribute to Yahweh, you sons of God,
tribute to Yahweh of glory and power,
2 tribute to Yahweh of the glory of his name,
worship Yahweh in his sacred court
2. The goodness of God
30
4 Play music in Yahweh's honour, you devout,
remember his holiness, and praise him.
5 His anger lasts a moment, his favour a lifetime;
in the evening, a spell of tears,
in the morning, shouts of joy.
12 Yahweh, my God, I will praise you for ever.
33
2 give thanks to Yahweh on the lyre,
play to him on the ten-string harp;
3 sing a new song in his honour,
play with all your skill as you acclaim him!
34
1 I will bless Yahweh at all times,
his praise shall be on my lips continually;
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh,
together let us extol his name.
35
10 'Yahweh, who can compare with you
in rescuing the poor man from the stronger,
the needy from the man who exploits him?
28 Then my tongue will shout your goodness,
and sing your praises all day long.
40
3 He has put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God;
16 But joy and gladness for all who seek you!
To all who love your saving power
give constant cause to say, 'God is great!'
41
13 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
from all eternity and for ever! Amen. Amen!
42
4 l am on my way to the wonderful Tent,
to the house of God,
among cries of joy and praise
and an exultant throng.
43
4 I shall rejoice, I shall praise you on the harp,
Yahweh, my Go .
44
8 our boast was always of God,
we praised your name without ceasing.
45
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme :
I address my poem to the kin;
my tongue as ready as the pen of a busy scribe.
47
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples,
acclaim God with shouts of joy;
6 let the music sound for our God, let it sound,
let the music sound for our King, let it sound!
7 God is king of the whole world :
play your best in his honour!
48
1 Yahweh is great and supremely to be praised
in the city of our God,
10 God, your praise, like your name,
reaches to the ends of the world.
Your right hand holds the victory ;
51
15 Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will speak out your praise .
16 Sacrifice gives you no pleasure,
were I to offer holocaust, you would not have it.
54
6 How gladly will I offer sacrifice to you
and praise your name, that is so full of kindness
3. Praising the word of God
56
10 In God whose word I praise,
in Yahweh, whose word I praise,
57
8 awake, my muse, awake, lyre and harp,
9 Lord, I mean to thank you among the peoples,
to play music to you among the nations;
59
16 I, for my part, celebrate your strength,
I sing of your love morning by morning
you have always been my citadel,
a shelter when I am in trouble.
17 My Strength, I play for you,
61
6 So I shall always sing of your name,
fulfilling the vows I have taken, day after day.
63
3 Your love is better than life itself,
my lips will recite your praise;
65
1 Praise is rightfully yours, God, in Zion.
66
1 Acclaim God, all the earth,
2 play music to the glory of his name,
glorify him with your praises,
3 say to God, `What dread you inspire!'
4 all the earth bows down to you,
playing music for you,
playing in honour of your name.
8 You nations, bless our God
and make his praise resound,
17 when I uttered my cry to him
and high praise was on my tongue,
67
3 Let the nations praise you, O God,
let all the nations praise you!
4. Singing
68
4 Sing to Yahweh, play music to his name,
24 God, your procession can be seen,
my God's, my king's procession to the sanctuary,
25 with cantors marching in front, musicians behind,
and between them maidens playing tambourines.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
35 He, the God of Israel,
gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God.
69
30 I will praise the name of God with a song,
70
4 But joy and gladness
for all who seek you!
To all who love your saving power
give constant cause to say, `God is great!
71
5 For you alone are my hope, Lord,
Yahweh, I have trusted you since my youth,
6 I have relied on you since I was born,
you have been my portion from my mother's womb,
and the constant theme of my praise .
7 To many I have seemed an enigma,
but you are my firm refuge .
8 My mouth ìs full of your praises,
filled with your splendour all day long.
14 I promise that, ever hopeful,
I will praise you more and more,
22 I promise I will thank you on the lyre,
my ever-faithful God,
I will play the harp in your honour,
Holy One of Israel.
75
9 But I will never stop proclaiming the God of Jacob
5. Educating to the praise
78
4 must not be withheld from their descendants,
but be handed on by us to the next generation
that is : the titles of Yahweh, his power
and the miracles he has done.
79
13 And we your people, the flock that you pasture,
giving you everlasting thanks,
will recite your praises for ever and ever.
81
2 Start the music, sound the drum,
the melodious lyre and the harp ;
3 sound the New Moon trumpet,
at the full moon, on our feastday!
84
4 Happy those who live in your house
and can praise you all day long;
86
9 All the pagans will come and adore you, Lord,
all will glorify your name,
10 since you alone are great, you perform marvels,
you God, you alone.
13 I thank you with all my heart, Lord my God,
I glorify your name for ever,
12 your love for me has been so great,
you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
87
3 He has glorious predictions to make of you,
city of God!
7 And there will be princes dancing there.
All find their home in you.
89
1 I will celebrate your love for ever, Yahweh,
age after age my words shall proclaim
your faithfulness;
15 Happy the people who learn to acclaim you!
Yahweh, they will live in the light of your favour;
51 Blessed be Yahweh for ever.
Amen. Amen!
92
1 It is good to give thanks to Yahweh,
to play in honour of your name, Most High,
2 to proclaim your love at daybreak
and your faithfulness all through the night
3 to the music of the zither and lyre,
to the rippling of the harp.
95
1 Come, let us praise Yahweh joyfully,
acclaiming the Rock of our safety ;
6 Come in, let us bow, prostrate ourselves,
and kneel in front of Yahweh our maker,
6. The new song
96
1 Sing Yahweh a new song!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
2 Sing to Yahweh, bless his name.
Proclaim his salvation day after day,
3 tell of his glory among the nations,
tell his marvels to every people.
98
1 Sing Yahweh a new song
for he has performed marvels,
his own right hand, his holy arm,
gives him the power to save.
4 Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy!
5 Sing to Yahweh, sing to the music of harps,
and to the sound of many instruments ;
6 to the sound of trumpet and horn
acclaim Yahweh the King!
99
5 Let us extol Yahweh our God,
and worship at his footstool,
'Holy is he!'
7. The universal praise
100
1 Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
4 give thanks to him, bless his name!
5 Yes, Yahweh is good
his love is everlasting,
his faithfulness endures from age to age.
101
1 My song is about kindness and justice;
Yahweh, I sing it to you.
102
18 Put this on record for the next generation,
so that a race still to be born can praise God
21 to proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion,
his praise in Jerusalem;
103
1 Bless Yahweh, my soul,
bless his holy name, all that is in me!
20 Bless Yahweh, all his angels,
heroes mighty to enforce his word,
attentive to his word of command.
21 Bless Yahweh, all his armies,
servants to enforce his will.
22 Bless Yahweh, all his creatures
in every part of his empire!
Bless Yahweh, my soul.
104
31 Glory for ever to Yahweh!
May Yahweh find joy in what he creates,
32 at whose glance the earth trembles,
at whose touch the mountains smoke!
33 I mean to sing to Yahweh all my life,
I mean to play for my God as long as I live.
34 May these reflections of mine give him pleasure,
as much as Yahweh gives me!
105
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, call his name aloud,
proclaim his deeds to the peoples!
2 Sing to him, play to him,
tell over all his marvels!
106
2 Who can count all Yahweh's triumphs?
Who can praise him enough?
12 Then, having faith in his promises,
they immediately sang his praises.
47 Yahweh our God and saviour,
gather us from among the pagans,
to give thanks to your holy name
and to find our happiness in praising you.
107
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
32 Let them extol him at the Great Assembly
and praise him in the Council of Elders .
108
1 I mean to sing and play.
2 Awake, my muse,
awake, lyre and harp,
I mean to wake the Dawn!
109
30 I will give thanks aloud to Yahweh
and praise him in the Assembly,
111
10 His praises will be sung for ever.
113
1 You servants of Yahweh, praise,
praise the name of Yahweh!
2 Blessed be the name of Yahweh,
henceforth and for ever!
3 From east to west,
praised be the name of Yahweh!
117
1 Praise Yahweh, all nations,
extol him, all you peoples!
118
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
27 With branches in your hands
draw up in procession
as far as the horns of the altar,
8. Praising him in the heart of the night
119
7 I thank you from an upright heart,
schooled in your rules of righteousness
12 How blessed are you, Yahweh!
Teach me your statutes!
62 I get up at midnight to thank you
for the righteousness of your rulings,
164 Seven times daily I praise
for your righteous rulings.
171 May my lips proclaim your praise,
since you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue recite your promise,
since all your commandments are righteous
122
4 Here the tribes come up,
the tribes of Yahweh,
they come to praise Yahweh's name,
as he ordered Israel,
134
1 Come, bless Yahweh,
all you who serve Yahweh,
serving in the house of Yahweh
in the courts of the house of our God!
2 Stretch out your hands towards the sanctuary,
bless Yahweh night after night!
135
1 Praise the name of Yahweh,
praise Yahweh, you who serve him,
2 serving in the house of Yahweh,
in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise Yahweh, for Yahweh is good.
Play for his name, for he inspires love ;
19 House of Israel, bless Yahweh,
House of Aaron, bless Yahweh,
20 House of Levi, bless Yahweh,
you who fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh!
9. Praising his mercy
136
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is god,
his love is everlasting!
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
his love is everlasting!
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
his love is everlasting!
26 Give thanks to the God of Heaven,
his love is everlasting!
138
1 In the presence of the angels I play for you,
2 and bow down towards your holy Temple .
5 they celebrate Yahweh's actions,
'Great is the glory of Yahweh!'
6 From far above, Yahweh sees the humble,
from far away he marks down the arrogant.
139
14 for all these mysteries I thank you:
for the wonder of myself,
for the wonder of your works.
You know me through and through,
140
13 The virtuous shall have good cause
to thank your name,
144
9 God, I have made a new song for you
to be played on the ten-string lyre,
145
1 I sing your praises, God my King,
I bless your name for ever and ever,
2 blessing you day after day,
and praising your name for ever and ever.
4 Celebrating your acts of power,
one age shall praise your doings to another
5 Oh, the splendour of your glory, your renown!
I tell myself the story of your marvellous deeds
10 Yahweh, all your creatures thank you,
and your faithful bless you.
21 Yahweh's praise be ever in my mouth,
and let every creature bless his holy name
for ever and ever!
146
1 Alleluia! Praise Yahweh, my soul!
2 I mean to praise Yahweh all my life,
I mean to sing to my God as long as I live.
147
1 Praise Yahweh-it is good to sing
in honour of our God-sweet is his praise.
12 Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem,
Zion, praise your God:
10. Praise of the creation
148
1 Alleluia!
Let heaven praise Yahweh:
praise him, heavenly heights,
2 praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his armies!
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, shining stars,
4 praise him, highest heavens,
and waters above the heavens!
5 Let them all praise the name of Yahweh,
at whose command they were created;
6 he has fixed them in their place for ever,
by an unalterable statute.
7 Let earth praise Yahweh:
sea-monsters and all the deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
gales that obey his decree,
9 mountains and hills,
orchards and forests,
10 wild animals and farm animals,
snakes and birds,
11 all kings on earth and nations,
princes, all rulers in the world,
12 young men and girls,
old people, and children too!
13 Let them all praise the name of Yahweh,
for his name and no other is sublime,
transcending earth and heaven in majesty,
149
1 Alleluia! Sing Yahweh a new song,
let the, congregation of the faithful sing his praise!
3 let them dance in praise of his name,
playing to him on strings and drums!
6 with panegyrics on their lips,
150
1 Alleluia!
Praise God in his Temple on earth,
praise him in his temple in heaven,
2 praise him for his mighty achievements,
praise him for his transcendent greatness!
3 Praise him with blasts of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
4 praise him with drums and dancing,
praise him with strings and reeds,
5 praise him with clashing cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals!
6 Let everything that breathes praise Yahweh!
Alleluia!
18. JOY
1. The joy that overcomes
the possession
4
7 Yahweh, -you have given more joy to my heart
than others ever knew, for all their corn and wine.
5
11 But joy for all who take shelter in you,
endless shouts of joy!
Since you protect them, they exult in you,
those who love your name.
8
9 Yahweh, our Lord,
how great your name throughout the earth!
9
2 I rejoice and exult in you,
I sing praise to your name, Most High.
13 Take pity on me, Yahweh, look on my suffering,
you who lift me back from the gates of death,
14 that I may recite your praises one by one,
rejoicing that you have saved me.
in the gates of the daughter of Zion
2. The path of the life
found again
13
5 But I for my part rely on your love, Yahweh;
let my heart rejoice in your saving help.
Let me sing to Yahweh
for the goodness he has shown me.
14
7 When Yahweh brings his people home,
what joy for Jacob, what happiness for Israel!
16
6 the measuring line marks out delightful places for me,
for me the heritage is superb indeed.
9 So my heart exults, my very soul rejoices,
my body, too, wilt rest securely,
11 you will reveal the path of life to me,
give me unbounded joy in your presence,
and at your right hand everlasting pleasures
20
5 may we shout with joy for your victory,
and plant our banners in the name of our God!
May Yahweh grant all your petitions!
21
1 Yahweh, the king rejoices in your power;
what great joy your saving help gives him!
5 Great his glory through your saving help,
you have loaded him with splendour and majesty;
6 yes, you confer on him everlasting blessings,
you gladden him with the joy of your presence.
7 Yes, the king puts his trust in Yahweh,
by grace of the Most High he reigns unshaken.
23
6 Ah, how goodness and kindness pursue me,
every day of my life;
24
7 Gates, raise your arches,
rise, you ancient doors,
let the king of glory in!
27
6 I will sing, I will play for Yahweh!
28
7 Yahweh is my strength, my shield,
my heart puts its trust in him;
I have been helped, my flesh has bloomed again,
I thank him with all my heart.
30
5 in the evening, a spell of tears,
in the morning, shouts of joy.
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing,
you have stripped off my sackcloth
and wrapped me in gladness;
12 and now my heart, silent no longer,
will play you music;
Yahweh, my God, I will praise you for ever.
3. The grace of God
31
7 I will exult, and rejoice in your love!
32
7 You are a hiding place for me,
you guard me when in trouble,
you surround me with songs of deliverance.
11 Rejoice in Yahweh, exult, you virtuous,
shout for joy, all upright hearts.
33
1 Shout for joy to Yahweh, all virtuous men,
praise comes well from upright hearts;
21 our hearts rejoice in him,
we trust in his holy name.
35
27 But shouts of joy and gladness for all
who take pleasure in my virtue;
37
4 make Yahweh your only joy
and he will give you what your heart desires.
40
16 But joy and gladness for all who seek you!
42
4 among cries of joy and praise
and an exultant throng.
43
4 Then I shall go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy,
45
12 The daughter of Tyre will solicit your favour
with gifts,
13 the wealthiest nations, 'with jewels set in gold.
14 Dressed 'in brocades, the king's daughter
is led in to the king, with bridesmaids in her train.
Her ladies-in-waiting follow
15 and enter the king's palace to general rejoicing.
48
2 the holy mountain, beautiful where it rises,
joy of the whole world;
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the daughters of Judah exult
to have your rulings,
4. The joy of the return
51
8 Instil some joy and gladness into me,
let the bones you have crushed rejoice again.
12 Be my saviour again, renew my joy,
keep my spirit steady and willing;
53
6 When God brings his people home,
what joy for Jacob, what happiness for Israel!
57
11 Rise high above the heavens, God,
let your glory be over the earth!
63
7 I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings;
11 Then will the king rejoice in God,
and all who swear by him be able to boast
64
10 The virtuous will rejoice in Yahweh,
will make him their refuge;
and upright hearts will be able to boast.
5. The joy of the creation
65
9 You visit the earth and water it,
you load it with riches;
God's rivers brim with water
to provide their grain.
10 This is how you provide it:
by drenching its furrows, by levelling its ridges,
by softening it with showers,
by blessing the first-fruits.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
abundance flows wherever you pass;
12 the desert pastures overflow,
the hillsides are wrapped in joy,
13 the meadows are dressed in Rocks,
the valleys are clothed in wheat,
what shouts of joy, what singing!
6. The joy of salvation
66
6 he turned the sea into dry land,
they crossed the river on foot!
So let us rejoice ìn him,
67
4 Let the nations shout and sing for joy,
since you dispense true justice to the world;
you dispense strict justice, to the peoples,
on earth you rule the nations.
68
3 But at God's approach, the virtuous rejoice,
exulting and singing for joy.
4 Sing to Yahweh, play music to his name,
build a road for the Rider of the Clouds,
rejoice in Yahweh,
exult at his coming!
71
23 My lips shall sing for joy as I play to you,
and this soul of mine which you have redeemed.
75
9 But I will never stop proclaiming the God of Jacob
or playing in his honour;
81
1 Shout for joy to honour God our strength,
shout to acclaim the God of Jacob!
84
2 My heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
85
6 Will you not give us life again,
for your people to rejoice in you?
90
14 Let us wake in the morning filled with your love
and sing and be happy all our days;
15 make our future as happy as our past was sad,
those years when you were punishing us.
16 Let your servants see what you can do for them,
let their children see your glory.
92
4 I am happy, Yahweh, at what you have done;
at your achievements i joyfully exclaim.
96
11 Let the heavens be glad, let earth rejoice,
let the sea thunder and all that it holds,
12 let the fields exult and all that is in them,
let all the woodland trees cry out for joy,
13 at the presence of Yahweh, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth,
to judge the world with justice
and the nations with his truth.
97
1 Yahweh is king! Let earth rejoice,
the many isles be glad!
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
the daughters of Judah exult
at the rulings you utter, Yahweh.
12 Rejoice in Yahweh, you virtuous,
remember his holiness, and praise him!
98
4 Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy!
100
1 Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
serve Yahweh gladly,
cone into his presence with songs of joy!
104
34 May these reflections of mine give him pleasure,
as much as Yahweh gives me!
105
3 Glory in his holy name,
let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice!
43 he led his happy people forward,
to joyful shouts from his chosen,
106
4 Yahweh, remember me,
for the love you bear your people,
come to me as a saviour,
5 let me share the happiness of your chosen,
the joys of your nation
and take pride in being one of your heirs.
47 Yahweh our God and saviour,
gather us from among the pagans,
to give thanks to your holy name
and to find our happiness in praising you.
107
42 at the sight of which, upright hearts rejoice
109
28 make your servant glad!
118
14 Yahweh is my strength and my song,
he has been my saviour.
15 Shouts of joy and safety
in the tents of the virtuous:
Yahweh's right hand is wreaking havoc,
24 This is the day made memorable by Yahweh,
what immense joy for us!
7. In your will my joy
119
16 I find my delight in your statutes,
l do not forget your word.
47 Your commandments fill me with delight,
I love them deeply.
70 but my delight is in your Law.
174 I long for you, Yahweh, my saviour,
your Law is my delight.
122
1 How I rejoiced when they said to me,
`Let us go to the house of Yahweh!
126
1 When Yahweh brought Zion's captives home,
at first it seemed like a dream;
2 then our mouths filed with laughter
and our lips with song.
3 What marvels indeed he did for us,
and how overjoyed we were!
5 Those who went sowing in tears
now sing as they reap.
6 They went away, went away weeping,
carrying the seed ;
they come back, come back singing,
carrying their sheaves.
8. The joy to have children
127
4 like the arrows in a hero's hand
are the sons you father when young
5 Happy the man who has filled his quiver
with arrows of this sort;
in dispute with his enemies at the gate,
he will not be worsted.
128
1 Happy, all those who fear Yahweh
and follow in his paths.
2 You will eat what your hands have worked for,
happiness and prosperity will be yours
3 Your wife: a fruitful vine
on the inner walls of your house .
Your sons: round your table
like shoots round an olive tree .
9. The joy to belong to Jerusalem
132
9 Your priests are vesting in virtue
and your devout are shouting for joy.
133
2 fine as oil on the head,
running down the beard,
running down Aaron's beard
to the collar of his robes;
137
5 Jerusalem, if I forget you,
may my right hand wither!
May I never speak again,
6 if I forget you!
if I do not count Jerusalem
the greatest of my joys!
149
2 Let Israel rejoice in his maker,
and Zion's children exult in their King;
5 the faithful exult in triumph,
prostrate before God they acclaim him
19. PEACE
1. Serenity in life
4
8 In peace I lie down, and fall asleep at once,
since you alone, Yahweh, make me rest secure.
23
1 Yahweh is my shepherd
I lack nothing .
2 In meadows of green grass he lets me lie .
To the waters of repose he leads me;
3 there he revives my soul.
He guides me by paths of virtue
for the sake of his name.
2. The bless of the Lord
29
11 Yahweh gives strength to his people,
Yahweh blesses his people with peace.
35
27 But shouts of joy and gladness for all
who take pleasure in my virtue;
give them constant cause to say, 'Great is Yahweh,
who likes to see his servant at peace!'
37
11 but the humble shall have the land for their own
to enjoy untroubled peace.
42
8 In the daytime may Yahweh
command his love to come,
and by night may his song be on my lips,
a prayer to the God of my life!
64
10 The virtuous will rejoice in Yahweh,
will make him their refuge;
and upright hearts will be able to boast.
3. Peace, the becoming
of the humanity
68
31 Ambassadors will come from Egypt,
Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God
72
3 Let the mountains and hills
bring a message of peace for the people.
85
9 for those who fear him, his saving help is near,
and the glory will then live in our country.
10 Love and Loyalty now meet,
Righteousness and Peace now embrace;
11 Loyalty reaches up from earth
and Righteousness leans down from heaven.
4. Liberation
116
7 Return to your resting place, my soul,
Yahweh has treated you kindly.
8 He has rescued (me from death)
my eyes from tears
and my feet from stumbling .
9 (I will walk in Yahweh's presence
in the land of the living.)
5. Fruit of ethics
119
155 You will never save the wicked,
if they do not study your statutes,
165 Universal peace for those who love your Law,
no stumbling-blocks for them!
6. Living for peace
120
7 who, when I propose peace,
are all for war.
122
6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem,
`Prosperity to your houses!
7 Peace inside your city walls!
Prosperity to your palaces!
8 Since all are my brothers and friends,
I say `Peace be with you!
9 Since Yahweh our God lives here,
I pray for your happiness.
125
5 Peace to Israel !
128
6 and live to see your children's children!
Peace to Israel !
131
2 Enough for me to keep my soul tranquil and quiet
like a child in its mother's arms,
as content as a child that has been weaned.
133
1 How good, how delightful it is
for all to live together like brothers:
IV – ETHICAL RULES
La manifestazione e la qualità dei sentimenti è conseguenza di un determinato orientamento del nostro comportamento sia nelle scelte interiori che nelle realizzazioni esteriori. La vita sentimentale ha come base le scelte etiche.
Le norme etiche vengono considerate guide di vita, di crescita interiore e sociale, di conseguimento della libertà interiore
L’etica è desiderio di bene e di Dio, si manifesta nell’impegno a compiere azioni buone, indicate dai comandamenti.
L’etica è mettere Dio tra noi e gli altri.
La forza dell’etica è l’amicizia con Dio, considerato sommo bene e nostro premio.
Attraverso l’etica desideriamo presentarci a Dio insieme ai giusti, vogliamo scoprire e amare la nostra povertà, abbiamo la forza di sentirci oppressi pur di rimanere uniti a Dio.
L’etica è lotta senza quartiere al male e al peccato, è opposizione netta al malvagio, al prepotente. L’etica è certezza di un premio.
20. GOD’S DESIRE
1. Looking for the light of God
4
6 Show us the light of your face, turned towards us!
9
10 Those who acknowledge your name can rely on you,
you never desert those who seek you, Yahweh
16
5 Yahweh, my heritage, my cup,
you, and you only, hold my lot secure;
8 I keep Yahweh before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing
can shake me.
18
1 I love you, Yahweh, my strength
(my saviour, you rescue me from violence.)
2 Yahweh is my rock and my bastion,
19
9 The fear of Yahweh is pure, lasting for ever;
13 And from pride preserve your servant,
never let it dominate me.
So shall l be above reproach,
free from grave sin.
2. Living for him
22
30 And my soul will live for him,
my children will serve him;
24
6 Such are the people who seek him,
who seek your presence. God of Jacob!
25
1 To you, Yahweh, I lift up my soul,
12 Everyone who fears Yahweh
will be taught the course a man should choose;
13 his soul will live in prosperity,
his children have the land for their own.
15 My eyes are always on Yahweh,
for he releases my feet from the net.
26
6 I wash my hands in innocence
and join the procession round your altar,
27
8 My heart has said of you, `Seek his face' .
Yahweh, I do seek your face;
3. Trusting in him
31
14 But I put my trust in you, Yahweh,
I say, `You are my God'.
15 My days are in your hand, rescue me
from the hands of my enemies and persecutors;
23 Love Yahweh, all you devout.
33
12 Happy the nation whose God is Yahweh,
the people he has chosen for his heritage.
34
5 Every face turned to him grows brighter
and is never ashamed.
9 Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones:
those who fear him want for nothing.
11 Come, my sons. listen to me,
I will teach you the fear of Yahweh
37
3 Trust in Yahweh and do what is good,
make your home in the lands and live in peace;
4 make Yahweh your only joy
and he will give you what your heart desires.
4. Seeking his will
40
4 Happy the man who puts his trust in Yahweh,
and does not side with rebels
who stray after false gods.
6 You, who wanted no sacrifice or oblation,
opened my ear,
you asked no holocaust or sacrifice for sin;
7 then I said, 'Here I am! I am coming!
in the scroll of the book am I not commanded
8 to obey your will?
My God, I have always loved your Law
from the depths of my being.
42
1 As a doe, longs for running streams,
so longs my soul for you, my God.
44
24 Why do you hide your face,
and forget we are wretched and exploited?
49
3 My lips have wisdom to utter,
my heart whispers sound sense;
50
14 No, let thanksgiving be your sacrifice to God,
fulfil the vows you make to the Most High;
51
6 Yet, since you love sincerity of heart,
teach me the secrets of wisdom.
10 God, create a clean heart in me,
put into me a new and constant spirit,
5. Thirsting for God
63
1 God, you are my God, I am seeking you,
my soul is thirsting for you,
my flesh is longing for you,
a land parched, weary and waterless;
69
32 Then, seeing this, the humble can rejoice:
long life to your hearts, all you who seek for God!
73
1 God is indeed god to Israel,
the Lord is good to pure hearts.
25 I look to no one else in heaven,
I delight in nothing else on earth.
81
8 Listen, you are my people, let me warn you.
Israel, if you would only listen to me!
13 'If only my people would listen,
if Israel would follow my ways,
6. Deciding the holy journey
84
5 and happy the pilgrims inspired by you
with courage to make the Ascents!
86
4 give your servant reason to rejoice,
for to you, Lord, I lift my soul.
11 Yahweh, teach me your way,
how to walk beside you faithfully,
make use single-hearted in fearing your name.
87
1 Yahweh loves his city
founded on the holy mountain;
89
46 Yahweh, how much longer will you hide?
For ever?
How much longer must your anger
smoulder like a fire?
95
7 If only you would listen to him today,
8 'Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah,
7. Walking with pure heart
101
2 In my household, I will advance
in purity of heart;
105
4 Seek Yahweh and his strength,
seek his face untiringly;
106
12 Then, having faith in his promises,
they immediately sang his praises.
111
10 This fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom,
112
1 Alleluia!
Happy the man who fears Yahweh
by joyfully keeping his commandments!
116
1 I love! For Yahweh listens
to my entreaty;
he bends down to listen
8. Observing his law
119
2 How happy those who respect his decrees,
and seek him with their whole heart,
13 With my lips I have repeated them,
all these rulings from your own mouth.
30 I have chosen the way of fidelity,
I have set my heart/ on your rulings.
31 I cling to your decrees:
Yahweh, do not disappoint me.
55 All night, Yahweh, I remember your name
and observe your Law.
127 Yes, I love your commandments
more than gold, than purest gold.
123
1 I lift my eyes to you,
to you who have your home in heaven,
128
1 Happy, all those who fear Yahweh
and follow in his paths.
132
12 'If your sons observe my covenant,
the decrees that I have taught them,
their sons too shall succeed you
on the throne for evermore.'
137
4 How could we sing one of Yahweh's hymns
in a pagan country?
139
19 Men of blood, away from me!
141
5 A virtuous man may strike me in reproof,
for my own good,
but a wicked one shall never anoint my head with oil!
Daily I counter their malice with prayer.
8 To you, Yahweh my Lord, I turn my eyes.
143
6 I stretch out my hands,
like thirsty ground I yearn for you.
8 let it show the right road,
to one who lifts up his soul to you.
144
5 Yahweh, lower your heavens, come down to us!
15 Happy the nation of whom this is true,
happy the nation whose God is Yahweh!
147
11 Yahweh is interested only in those who fear him,
in those who rely on his love.
21. COMMANDMENT
1. Murmuring day and night his law
1
2 but finds his pleasure in the Law of Yahweh,
and murmurs his law day and night.
12
6 The words of Yahweh are without alloy,
nature's silver" coming from the earth
seven times refined.
17
4 my mouth has never sinned as most men's do.
No, I have treasured the words from your lips;
5 in the path prescribed walking deliberately
in your footsteps, so that my feet do not slip
18
22 His judgements are all before me,
his statutes I have not put from me;
23 I am blameless in his presence,
I keep sin at arm's length.
24 And Yahweh repays me as I act justly,
as my purity is in his sight.
30 This God, his way is blameless;
the word of Yahweh is without dross.
2. Perfection, light and joy of the law
19
7 The Law of Yahweh is perfect,
new life for the soul;
the decree of Yahweh is trustworthy,
wisdom for the simple.
8 The precepts of Yahweh are upright,
joy for the heart;
the commandment of Yahweh is clear,
light for the eyes.
25
4 Yahweh, make your ways known to me,
teach me your paths.
8 Yahweh is so good, so upright,
he teaches the way to sinners;
10 All Yahweh's paths are love and truth
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
3. Living in the innocence
for always having a house
26
5 I hate the society of evil men,
27
11 Yahweh, teach me your way,
lead me in the path of integrity
because of my enemies;
32
8 I will instruct you, and teach you the way to go;
I will watch over you and be your adviser.
37
27 Never yield to evil, practise good
and you will have an everlasting home,
4. Involvement in the depth
and testimony
37
31 with the Law of his God in his heart
his steps can never falter.
39
1 I said, will watch how behave,
and not let my tongue lead me into sin;
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked man is near me.
40
6 You, who wanted no sacrifice or oblation,
opened my ear,
you asked no holocaust or sacrifice for sin;
7 then I said, 'Here I am! I am coming!
in the scroll of the book am I not commanded
8 to obey your will?
My God, I have always loved your Law
from the depths of my being.
49
3 My lips have wisdom to utter,
my heart whispers sound sense;
50
23 Whoever makes thanksgiving his sacrifice
honours me;
to the upright man I will show how God can save.'
51
10 God, create a clean heart in me,
put into me a new and constant spirit,
58
1 Gods you may be, but do you give
the sentences you should,
and dispense impartial justice to mankind?
61
6 Let the king live on and on,
prolong his years, generation on generation.
7 May he sit enthroned in God's presence for ever!
Assign your Love and Faithfulness to guard him!
62
10 Put no reliance on extortion,
no empty hopes in robbery;
though riches may increase,
keep your heart detached.
67
1 May God show kindness and bless us,
and make his face smile on us!
2 For then the earth will acknowledge your ways
and all the nations will know of your power to save.
5. Intimacy with God
73
16 Instead, I tried to analyse the problem,
hard though I found it
17 until the day I pierced the mystery
and saw the end in store for them:
81
9 'Tolerate no foreign god,
worship no alien god;
86
11 Yahweh, teach me your way,
how to walk beside you faithfully,
make use single-hearted in fearing your name.
93
5 Your decrees will never alter;
holiness will distinguish your house,
Yahweh, for ever and ever.
97
10 Yahweh loves those who repudiate evil,
6. Searching after justice
99
4 You are a king who loves justice,
insisting on honesty, justice, virtue,
as you have done for Jacob.
He talked with them in the pillar of cloud;
they obeyed his decrees,
the Law he gave them.
101
3 I will not let my eyes rest
on any misconduct.
6 only the man who makes progress,
as the blameless do, can be my servant.
102
21 to proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion,
his praise in Jerusalem;
22 nations and kingdoms will be united
and offer worship to Yahweh together.
103
17 like his goodness to their children's children,
18 as long as they keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
111
7 All that he does is done in faithfulness and justice,
in all ways his precepts are dependable,
8 ordained to last for ever and ever,
framed in faithfulness and integrity.
7. The holy fear of God
112
1 Happy the man who fears Yahweh
by joyfully keeping his commandments!
119
1 Ah, how happy those of blameless life
who walk in the Law of Yahweh!
4 You yourself have made your precepts known,
to be faithfully kept.
8 I mean to observe your statutes;
never abandon me.
9 How can a youth remain pure?
By behaving as your word prescribes.
15 I mean to meditate on your precepts
and to concentrate on your paths.
18 Open my eyes : I shall concentrate
on the marvels of your Law.
19 Exile though I am on earth,
do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is overcome
with an incessant longing for your rulings.
27 Explain to me how to keep your precepts,
that I may meditate on your marvels.
29 Turn me from the path of delusion,
grant me the grace of your Law.
40 Look how I yearn for your precepts:
give me life by your righteousness.
8. God’s law,
melody of the soul
119
54 Where I live in exile,
your statutes are psalms for me.
57 Have I not said, Yahweh, that my task.
is to observe your words?
58 Wholeheartedly I now entreat you,
take pity on me as you have promised?
59 After reflecting on my behaviour,
I turn my feet to your decrees.
60 Wasting no time, I hurry
to observe your commandments.
61 Though the nooses of the wicked tighten round me,
I do not forget your Law.
67 In earlier days I had to suffer, I used to stray,
but now I remember your promise.
72 I put the Law you have given
before all the gold and silver in the world.
78 Shame seize the arrogant who defame me,
when I meditate on your precepts!
80 Blameless in your statutes be my heart .
no such shame therefore for me!
81 Keeping my hope in your word,
I have worn myself out waiting for you to save me,
9. The truth of the commandments
119
86 Your commandments epitomise faithfulness;
89 Lasting to eternity, your word,
Yahweh, unchanging in the heavens :
90 your faithfulness lasts age after age ;
you founded the earth to endure.
91 Creation is maintained by your rulings,
since all things are your servants.
92 Had your Law not been my delight
I should have perished in my suffering .
93 I shall never forget your precepts;
by these you have kept me alive.
96 I have noticed limitations to all perfection,
but your commandment has no limits at all.
10. Wisdom, fruit of the observance
119
97 Meditating al day on your Law,
how I have come to love it!
98 By your commandment, ever mine,
how much wiser you
have made me than my enemies!.
99 How much subtler than my teachers,
through my meditating on your decrees!
100 How much more perceptive than the elders,
as a result of my respecting your precepts!
101 I refrain my feet from every evil path,
the better to observe your word .
102 1 do not turn aside from your rulings,
since you yourself teach me these.
103 Your promise, how sweet to my palate!
Sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104 Your precepts endow me with perception;
I hate all deceptive paths.
11. Light on the path
119
105 Now your word is a lamp to my feet,
a light on my path,
106 I have sworn to observe, I shall maintain,
your righteous rulings.
109 I would lay down my life at any moment,
I have never yet forgotten your Law.
112 I devote myself to obeying your statutes
compensation enough for ever!
113 Odious, those whose allegiance is divided;
I love your Law!
114 You, my refuge and shield,
I put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you wicked people!
I will respect the commandments of my God.
116 Support me as you have promised, and I shall live,
do not disappoint me of my hope.
117 Uphold me, and I shall be safe
with your statutes constantly before my eyes.
124 teach me your statutes.
12. The commandments,
refusal of the lie
119
128 Yes, I rule myself` by all your precepts;
i hate all deceptive paths.
129 Your decrees are so wonderful
my soul cannot but respect them.
130 As your word unfolds, it gives light,
and the simple understand.
131 I open my mouth, panting
eagerly for your commandments.
140 But your promise is well tested,
and your servant holds it dear.
144 Eternally righteous, your decrees
explain them to me, and I shall live.
147 I put my hope in your word.
148 I lie awake throughout the night,
to meditate on your promise.
163 I hate, I detest, delusion;
your Law is what I love,
167 My soul observes your decrees;
these I wholly love.
176 I am wandering like a lost sheep:
come and look for your servant.
No, I have never forgotten your commandments
22. GOOD DEEDS
1. Justice, loyalty
1
1 Happy the man
who never follows the advice of the wicked,
or loiters on the way that sinners take,
or sits about with scoffers,
4
5 Offer sacrifice in a right spirit,
and trust Yahweh
15
1 Yahweh, who has the right to enter your tent,
or to live on your holy mountain?
2 The man whose way of life is blameless,
who always does what is right,
who speaks the truth from his heart,
3 whose tongue is not used for slander,
who does no wrong to his fellow,
casts no discredit on his neighbour,
4 looks with contempt on the reprobate,
but honours those who fear Yahweh;
who stands by his pledge at any cost,
5 does not ask interest on loans,
and cannot be bribed to victimise the innocent.
16
4 shall I pour their blood-libations?-not I!
Take their names on my lips?-never!
17
3 you test me yet find nothing, no murmuring from me:
4 my mouth has never sinned -as most men's do.
18
20 Yahweh requites me as I act justly,
as my hands are pure so he repays me,
21 since I have kept the ways of Yahweh,
nor fallen away from my God.
24
3 Who has the right to climb the mountain of Yahweh,
who the right to stand in his holy place?
4 He whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure,
whose soul does not pay homage
to worthless things
25
12 Everyone who fears Yahweh
will be taught the course a man should choose;
21 Let innocence and integrity be my protection,
since my hope is in you, Yahweh.
26
1 Yahweh, be my judge!
I go my way in my innocence,
3 for your love is before my eyes,
and I live my life in loyalty to you
11 But I live my life in innocence,
31
19 Yahweh, how great your goodness,
reserved for those who fear you,
32
2 happy the man whom Yahweh accuses of no guilt,
whose spirit is incapable of deceit!
34
13 Malice must be banished from your tongue,
deceitful conversation from your lips;
2. Doing the good,
living with faith
37
3 Trust in Yahweh and do what is good,
make your home in the lands and live in peace;
7 Be quiet before Yahweh, and wait patiently for him,
not worrying about men who make their fortunes,
about men who scheme
26 he is always compassionate, always lending:
his children will be blessed.
34 Put your hope in Yahweh, keep his way,
40b and he will save you from the wicked,
40
4 Happy the man who puts his trust in Yahweh,
and does not side with rebels
who stray after false gods
7 in the scroll of the book am I not commanded
8 to obey your will?
3. Taking care of the weak
41
1 Happy the man who cares for the poor and the weak:
if disaster strikes, Yahweh will come to his help .
12 and I, whom you uphold, go unscathed,
set by you in your presence for ever.
45
7 virtue you love as much as you hate wickedness.
This is why God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness, above all your rivals;
50
23 Whoever makes thanksgiving his sacrifice
honours me;
to the upright man I will show how God can save.'
51
6 Yet, since you love sincerity of heart,
13 and I shall teach transgressors the way to you,
56
13 for you have rescued me from Death
to walk in the presence of God
in the light of the living.
66
18 had I been guilty in my heart,
the Lord would never have heard me.
72
12 He wilt free the poor man who calls to him,
and those who need help,
13 he will have pity on the poor and feeble,
and save the lives of those in reed;
14 he will redeem their lives
from exploitation and outrage,
their Lives will be precious in his sight.
4. Living with rectitude
84
11 Yahweh withholds nothing good
from those who walk without blame.
86
11 Yahweh, teach me your way,
how to walk beside you faithfully,
89
15 Happy the people who learn to acclaim you!
Yahweh, they will live in the light of your favour;
96
7 Pay tribute to Yahweh, families of the peoples,
tribute to Yahweh of glory and power,
8 tribute to Yahweh of his name's due glory.
5. Serving the Lord in the joy
100
2 serve Yahweh gladly,
101
2 I mean to make good progress, as the blameless do:
4 perverted hearts must keep their distance,
the wicked I disregard.
103
20 Bless Yahweh, all his angels,
heroes mighty to enforce his word,
106
3 Happy are we if we exercise justice
and constantly practise virtue!
107
22 Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices
and proclaim with shouts of joy what he has done.
111
10 they have sound sense who practise it.
6. Giving largely to the poor
112
4 For the upright he shines like a lamp in the dark,
he is merciful, tenderhearted, virtuous.
9 Quick to be generous, he gives to the poor,
his righteousness can never change,
men such as this will always be honoured,
116
9 (I will walk in Yahweh's presence
in the land of the living.)
119
1 Ah, how happy those of blameless life
3 and, doing no evil,
walk in his ways!
11 I have treasured your promises in my heart,
since I have no wish to sin against you.
7. Following with joy
the commandments
119
14 In the way of your decrees lies my joy,
a joy beyond all wealth.
22 Avert their insults and contempt from me,
since I respect your decrees.
51 Endlessly the arrogant have jeered at me,
but I have not swerved from your Law.
121 Persevering in justice and virtue,
must I now be abandoned to my oppressors?
159 but, Yahweh, see how I love your precepts,
168 I observe your precepts, your decrees;
you know how I keep to your paths.
126
6 They went away, went away weeping,
carrying the seed;
they come back, come back singing,
carrying their sheaves.
8. Walking in the paths
of the Lord
128
1 Happy, all those who fear Yahweh
and follow in his paths.
132
3 not to enter tent or house,
not to climb into bed,
4 not to allow himself to sleep,
not even to close his eyes,
5 until he had found a place for Yahweh,
139
21Yahweh, do I not hate those who hate you,
and loathe those who defy you?
141
2 My prayers rise like incense,
my hands like the evening offering.
143
10 teach me to obey you,
145
19 Those who fear him need only to ask to be answered;
he hears their cries for help and saves them.
23. PRIZE
1. Feeling the life
that flows in us
1
3 He is like a tree that is planted by water streams,
yielding its fruit in season,
its leaves never fading;
success attends all he does.
5
12 It is you who bless the virtuous man, Yahweh;
your favour is like a shield covering him.
15
5 If a man does all this,
nothing can ever shake him.
18
25 Faithful you are with the faithful,
blameless with the blameless,
21
3 For you have met him with choicest blessings,
put a crown of pure gold on his head;
2. Feeling blessed by God
24
5 The blessing of Yahweh is his,
and vindication from God his saviour.
31
23 Yahweh, protector of the faithful,
32
10 but grace enfolds the man who trusts in Yahweh.
34
12 Which of you wants to live to the full,
who loves long life and enjoyment of prosperity?
13 Malice must be banished from your tongue,
deceitful conversation from your lips;
3. Feeling makers
of the environment
37
9 while those who hope in Yahweh
shall have the land for their own
18 Yahweh takes care of god men's lives,
and their heritage will last for ever;
19 they will not be at a loss when bad times conic,
in time of famine they will have more than they need.
22 those he blesses will have the land for their own,
29 the virtuous will have the land for their own,
and make it their home for ever
34a Put your hope in Yahweh, keep his way,
40b and he will save you from the wicked,
37 for the man of peace there are descendants,
4. Perceiving the presence of God
41
12 and I, whom you uphold, go unscathed,
set by you in your presence for ever.
45
16 Your ancestors will be replaced by sons
whom you will make lords of the whole world.
17 I shall immortalise your name,
nations will sing your praises for ever and ever.
58
11 'So' people will say
`the virtuous do have their harvest;
so there is a God who dispenses justice on earth!'
61
5 you grant me the heritage
of those who fear your name.
68
9 God, you rained a downpour of blessings,
when your heritage was faint you gave it strength;
5. Feeling productive
72
15 (Long may he live,
may gold from Sheba be given him!)
Prayer will be offered for him constantly,
blessings invoked on him all day long.
16 Grain everywhere in the country,
even on the mountain tops,
abundant as Lebanon its harvest,
luxuriant as common grass.
17 Blessed be his name for ever,
enduring as long as the sun.
May every race in the world be blessed in him,
and all the nations call him blessed!
75
10 and raise the horns of the virtuous.
81
16 while I would feed you on pure wheat
and satisfy you with the wild rock honey.
84
11 conferring grace and glory;
Yahweh withholds nothing good
from those who walk without blame.
92
12 so the virtuous flourish like palm trees
and grow as tall as the cedars of Lebanon.
13 Planted in the house of Yahweh,
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
14 still bearing fruit in old age,
still remaining fresh and green,
6. Leaving a good memory
102
28 Your servants' sons will have a permanent home,
and their descendants be in your presence always,
109
28 Counter their curses with your blessing,
shame my aggressors, make your servant glad!
112
3 There will be riches and wealth for his family,
and his righteousness can never change.
6 Kept safe by virtue, he is ever steadfast,
and leaves an imperishable memory behind him;
115
13 he will bless those who fear Yahweh,
without distinction of rank.
125
4 Yahweh, be good to the good,
to those of upright heart.
126
6 they come back, come back singing,
carrying their sheaves.
24. SIN, EVIL
1. Conspiring against
the chosen by God
2
1 Why this uproar among the nations?
Why this impotent muttering of pagans
2 kings on earth rising in revolt,
princes plotting
against Yahweh and his Anointed,
3 `Now let us break their fetters!
Now let us throw off their yoke!'
2. Falsehood, adulation
5
9 Not a word from their lips. can be trusted
deep within them lies ruin,
their throats are yawning graves;
they make their tongues so smooth!
7
3 Yahweh my God, if I ever
soiled my hands with fraud,
4 repaid a friend evil for good,
spared a man who wronged me,
3. Preparing tools of death
7
12 The enemy may sharpen his sword,
he may bend his bow and take aim,
13 but the weapons he prepares will kill himself
and his arrows turn into firebrands.
14 Look at him, pregnant with wickedness,
conceiving Spite, he gives birth to Mishap.
9
25 your rulings are too lofty for his notice;
his rivals? He sneers at them all.
26 'Nothing can shake me he assures himself.
27 Himself untouched by disaster, he curses others.
Fraud and oppression fill his mouth,
spite and iniquity are under his tongue;
28 there in the reeds he lies in ambush
to kill the innocent where no one can see,
Peering and prying for the out-of-luck,
29 lurking unseen like a lion in his hide,
lurking to capture the poor man,
the poor man seized, he drags him away in his net.
30 Questing of eye, he stoops, he crouches,
and the luckless wretch falls into his power
4. Ignoring the presence of God
9
31 as he thinks to himself, `God forgets,
he hides his face, he does not see at all.
12
3 May Yahweh slice off every flattering lip.
each tongue so glib with boasts,
4 those who say, `In our tongue lies our strength,
our lips have the advantage;
who can master us?
14
1 The fool says in his heart, `There is no God!'
Their deeds are corrupt and vile,
there is not one good man left.
3 All have turned aside, all alike are tainted;
there is not one good man left, not a single one.
4 Are they so ignorant, all these evil men
who swallow my people,
as though they were eating bread,
and never invoke Yahweh?
5 They will be struck with fear,
fear without reason,
since God takes the side of the virtuous:
6 deride as you may the poor man's hopes,
16
4 Their idols teem, after these they run:
17
10 entrenched in their fat, their mouths utter
11 arrogant claims; snow they are closing in,
21
11 Plot though they do to harm you
and weave their plan as they may, they cannot win;
26
4 No sitting with wastrel' for me,
no associating with hypocrites;
5 I hate the society of evil men,
I refuse to sit down with the wicked .
10 men with guilt on their hands,
whose right hands are heavy with bribes.
5. Peace in the lips,
malice in the heart
28
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
away with the evil men
who talk of peace to their neighbours
while malice is in their hearts.
5 How blind they are to the works of Yahweh,
to his own handiwork!
30
6 In my prosperity, I used to say,
'Nothing can ever shake me!
6. Serving idols
31
6 you hate those who serve worthless idols;
32
9 Do not be like senseless horse or mule
that need bit and bridle to curb their spirit
33
10 Yahweh thwarts the plans of nations,
frustrates the intentions of peoples;
34
21 Tau Evil will bring death to the wicked,
those who hate the virtuous will have to pay;
35
7 Unprovoked they spread their net for me,
they dug a pity for me;
12 they repay my kindness with evil,
there is desolation in my soul
7. Enjoying of the fal of the others
35
15 Now I have fallen, they crowd round delighted,
flocking to jeer at me;
20 Peace is not what they discuss
with the peaceloving people of the land;
they think out false accusations,
21 their mouths wide to accuse me,
'Aha! Aha' they say 'With our own eyes we saw it!
8. Absence of the fear of God
36
1 in the depths of his heart
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
50
17 since you detest my discipline
and thrust my words behind you?
18 `You make friends with a thief
as soon as you see one,
you feel at home with adulterers,
19 your mouth is given freely to evil
and your tongue to inventing lies.
20 `You sit there, slandering your own brother,
you malign your own mother's son.
51
4 having sinned against none other than you,
having done what you regard as wrong.
52
1 Why make a boast of your wickedness,
you champion in villainy,
all day -plotting destruction?
2 Your tongue is razor-sharp,
you artist in perfidy!
3 You prefer evil to good,
lying to honest speech;
4 you love the destructive word, perfidious tongue!
9. Denying the existence of God
53
1a The fol says in his heart,
`There is no God!'
1b They are false, corrupt, vile,
there is not one good man left.
3 All have turned aside, all alike are tainted
There is not one good man left,
not a single one.
4 Are they so ignorant, these evil men
who swallow my people
as though they were eating bread,
and never invoke God?
54
3 Arrogant men are attacking me,
brutes who are hounding me to death,
people to whom God means nothing.
10. Living in the violence
and in the quarrels
55
9 I can see how Violence and Discord fill the city;
10 day and night they stalk together
along the city walls.
11 Tyranny and Treachery are never absent
from its central square.
12 Were it an enemy who insulted me,
i could put up with that;
had a rival got the better of me,
I could hide from him.
19 no change of heart for them,
since they do not fear God.
20 He has attacked his friends,
he has gone back on his word;
11. War in the heart
55
21 though his mouth is smoother than butter,
he has war in his heart;
his words may soothe more than oil,
but they are naked swords.
58
2 On the contrary, in your hearts
you meditate oppression,
with your hands you dole out tyranny on earth.
59
3 Look at them lurking to ambush me,
6 Back they come at nightfall, snarling like curs,
prowling through the town.
7 See how they slaver at the mouth,
with swords between their teeth,
'There is no one listening'.
14 Back they come at nightfall, snarling like curs,
prowling through the town;
15 scavenging for food,
growling till they are full.
62
4 Deceit their sole intention,
their delight is to mislead;
with lies on their lips they bless aloud,
while cursing inwardly.
64
3 sharpening their tongues like swords,
shooting bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting them at the innocent from cover,
shooting suddenly, without warning.
5 Urging each other on to their wicked purpose,
they discuss where to hide their snares.
'Who is going to see us?' they say
6 'Who can probe our secrets?'
Who? He who probes the inmost mind
and the depths of the heart.
69
26 for hounding a man after you had struck him,
for adding more wounds to those which you
inflicted.
12. Envying the powerful
73
2 My feet were on the point of stumbling,
a little further and I should have slipped,
3 envying the arrogant as I did,
and watching the wicked get rich .
4 For them, no such thing as pain,
their bodies are healthy and strong,
5 they do not suffer as other men do,
no human afflictions for them!
6 So pride is their chain of honour,
violence the garment that covers them;
7 their spite oozes like fat,
their hearts drip with slyness.
8 Cynical advocates of evil,
lofty advocates of force,
9 they think their mouth is heaven
and their tongue can dictate on earth.
10 This is why my people turn to them
and lap up all they say,
11 asking, `Flow will God find out?
Does the Most High know everything?
13. Hoarding wealths
73
12 Look at them : these are the wicked,
well-off and still getting richer,
74
4 They roared where your Assemblies
used to take place,
they stuck their enemy emblems over the entrance,
5 emblems 'we had never seen before.
6 Axes deep in the wood, hacking at the panels,
they battered them down with mallet and hatchet;
7 then, God, setting fire to your sanctuary,
they profanely razed the house
of your name to the ground.
8 Determined to destroy us once and for all,
they burned down every shrine of God in the country.
78
10 they had not kept God's covenant,
they refused to follow his Law;
17 They only sinned against him more than ever,
defying the Most High in the desert,
18 deliberately challenging God
by demanding their favourite food.
14. Murmuring against God
78
19 They blasphemed against God,
Is it likely' they said `that God
could give a banquet in the wilderness?
20 but bread now, can he give us that,
can he provide meat for his people?'
32 Despite all this they went on sinning,
and put no faith in his marvels;
36 But though they outwardly flattered him
and used their tongues to lie to him,
37 in their hearts they were not true to him,
they were unfaithful to his covenant .
40 How often they defied him in the wilderness,
how often they outraged him in the desert,
56 Even so, they went on challenging God
the Most High,
rebelliously disregarding his decrees;
57 as perverse and disloyal as their ancestors,
treacherous as a bow with a warp,
58 provoking him with their high places
and rousing his jealousy with their idols
79
3 They have shed blood like water
throughout Jerusalem, not a gravedigger left!
80
16 They threw it on the fire like dung,
but one look of reproof from you
and they will be doomed.
15.Don’t listen to the voice of God
81
11 'My people refused to listen to me,
Israel refused to obey me,
82
2 `No more mockery of justice,
no more favouring the wicked!
5 Ignorant and senseless, they carry on blindly,
undermining the very basis of earthly society.
83
3 Weaving a plot against your people,
4 conspiring against those you protect, they say,
`Come, we will finish them as a nation,
the name of Israel shall be forgotten!'
5 Unanimous in their plot,
they seal a treaty against you:
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites
7 Gebal, Anunon, Arnalek,
Philistia and the Tyrians;
12 those who once said, `Let us take for ourselves
possession of the Dwellings of God!'
86
14 people to whom you mean nothing.
16. Stamping and killing
94
5 Yahweh, they crush your people,
they oppress your hereditary people,
6 murdering and massacring
widows, orphans and guests.
7 `Yahweh sees nothing,' they say
`the God of Jacob takes no notice.
17. Hardening our heart
95
8 'Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 when your ancestors challenged me, tested me,
although they had seen what I could do.
101
5 The man who secretly slanders his neighbour
I reduce to silence;
haughty looks, proud heart,
I cannot tolerate these.
8 Morning after morning I reduce to silence
all who are wicked in this country,
banishing from the city of Yahweh all evil men.
18. Manufacturing idols
106
13 They forgot his achievements as quickly,
going on before asking his advice;
14 their desires overcame them in the desert,
they challenged God in the wilds.
19 They made a calf at Horeb,
performed prostration to a smelted thing,
20 exchanging the one who was their glory
for the image of a grass-eating ox .
21 They forgot the God who had saved them
24 They refused a land of delight,
having no faith in his promise;
25 they stayed in their camp and grumbled,
they would riot listen to Yahweh's voice.
28 They accepted the yoke of Baal-peor
and ate sacrifices to the dead.
32 They enraged him at the waters of Meribah ;
34 They did not destroy the pagans
as Yahweh had told them to do,
35 but, intermarrying with then,
adopted their practices instead.
36 Serving the pagans idols,
they found themselves trapped
37 into sacrificing their own sons
and daughters to demons.
38 They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
offering them to the idols of Canaan,
they polluted the country with blood.
39 They defiled themselves by such actions,
their behaviour was that of a whore.
43 Time and again he rescued them,
but they went on defying him deliberately
107
11 for defying the orders of God,
for scorning the advice of the Most High;
17 Some, driven frantic by their sins,
made miserable by their own guilt
18 and finding all food repugnant,
were nearly at death's door.
109
1 God whom I praise, break your silence,
2 now that the wicked and the false
are both accusing me.
19. Those who do not use mercy
109
3 saying malicious things about me,
attacking me for no reason.
4 In return for my friendship, they denounce me,
though all I had done was pray for them;
5 hey pay me back evil for kindness
and hatred for friendship.
16 That wretch never thought of being kind,
but hounded the poor, the needy
and the broken-hearted to death.
17 He loved cursing, may it recoil on him,
had no taste for blessing, may it shun him!
18 He used to wrap curses round him like a cloak,
let them soak right into him like water,
119
29 Turn me from the path of delusion,
137
3 For we had been asked
to sing to our captors,
to entertain those who had carried us off:
`Sing' they said some hymns of Zion'.
20. Talking to deception
139
20 They talk blasphemously about you,
regard your thoughts as nothing.
140
1 defend me from men of violence,
2 from people plotting evil,
forever intent on stirring up strife,
3 who make their tongues as sharp as serpents'
with viper's venom on their lips,
144
8 who tell nothing but lies,
who are prepared to swear to falsehood!
25. PUNISHMENT
1. Life lost in the wind
1
4 It is nothing like this with the wicked,
nothing like this!
No, these are like chaff blown away by the wind.
5 The wicked will not stand firm
when Judgement comes,
nor sinners when the virtuous assemble.
2
4 The One whose throne is in heaven sits laughing,
Yahweh derides them .
9 With iron sceptre you will break them,
shatter them like potter's ware '.
3
7 You hack all my enemies to the cheekbone,
you break the teeth of the wicked.
5
5 You hate all evil men,
6 liars you destroy;
2. Victims of their own plots
5
10 Pronounce them guilty, God.
make their intrigues their own downfall!
Hound them for their countless crimes,
since they have rebelled against you.
7
5 then let the enemy hound me down and catch me,
let him stamp my life into the ground,
and leave my entrails` lying in the dust!
He dug a pit, hollowed it out,
only to fall into his own trap!
His spite recoils on his own head,
his brutality falls back on his own skull.
9
5 blotted out their name for ever and ever;
6 the enemy is finished, in everlasting ruin,
you have overthrown cities,
their memory has perished.
15 The nations have sunk into a pit of their own making,
they arc caught by the feet
in the snare they set themselves.
16 has given judgement, he has trapped the wicked
in the work of their own hands.
20 Strike terror into them, Yahweh,
let the nations know they are only men!
35 Break the power of the wicked, of the evil man,
seek out his wickedness till there is none to
be found!
3. An existence of terror
11
6 He rains coals of fire
and brimstone on the wicked,
he serves them a scorching wind to swallow down.
12
3 May Yahweh slice off every flattering lip.
each tongue so glib with boasts,
14
5 They will be struck with fear,
fear without reason, since God takes the side
of the virtuous:
18
14 he let his arrows fly and scattered them,
launched the lightnings and routed them.
15 The bed of the seas was revealed,
the foundations of the world were laid bare,
at your muttered threat, Yahweh,
at the blast of your nostrils' breath.
26 but crafty with the devious,
21
9 you will make them like a blazing furnace,
the day that you appear,
25
3 No, those who hope in you are never shamed,
shame awaits disappointed traitors.
27
2 they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall
4. Destroyed by their own hands
28
4 Repay them for their actions, Yahweh,
for the evil they commit,
for their handiwork repay them,
let them have what they deserve!
31
17 let the disgrace fall on the wicked!
May they go speechless to Sheol,
23 Yahweh will repay the arrogant with interest.
32
10 Many torments await the wicked,
35
4 Shame and dishonour on those
who are out to kill me!
Back with them! Cover with confusion
those who plot my downfall!
May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of Yahweh to chase them!
8 but Ruin creeps on them unawares,
the net they have spread will catch them instead.
and into their own pit will they fall.
5. Without future
36
12 The evil men have fallen, there they lie,
beaten down, never to stand again!
37
2 Quick as the grass they wither,
fading like the green in the held.
9 for the wicked will be expelled,
while those who hope in Yahweh
shall have the land for their own.
15 their swords will only pierce their own hearts
and their bows will be smashed.
20 As for the wicked they will perish,
these enemies of Yahweh;
they will vanish like the beauty of the meadows,
they will vanish in smoke.
22 those he curses will be expelled.
28 Those who do wrong will perish once and for all,
and the children of the wicked shall be expelled;
36 but when next I passed, he was not there,
I looked for him and he was nowhere to be found.
38 but sinners shall be destroyed altogether,
the descendants of the wicked shall be wiped out.
6. Punishment as correction
39
10 Lay your scourge aside,
I am worn out with the blows you deal me .
11 You punish man with the penalties of sin,
like a moth you eat away all that gives him pleasure
man is indeed only a puff of wind!
40
14 Shame and dishonour on all
who are out to kill, to destroy me!
Down with them ! Disgrace on those
who enjoy my misfortune!
15 May they be aghast with shame,
those who say to me, `Aha! Aha!'
44
19 yet you crushed us in the place
where the jackals live,
and threw the shadow of death over us.
48
6 There they shuddered and writhed
like women in labour,
7 it was the east wind, that wrecker
of ships of Tarshish!
7. Residing in the sepulchres
49
10 when all the time he sees that wise men die,
that foolish and stupid perish both alike,
and leave their fortunes to others.
11 Their tombs are their eternal home,
their lasting residence,
though they owned estates that bore their names.
12 Man when he prospers forfeits intelligence:
he is one with the cattle doomed to slaughter .
13 So on they go with their self-assurance,
with men to run after them when they raise their voice.
14 Like sheep to be penned in Sheol,
Death will nerd them to pasture
and the upright will have the better of them
19 will join the company of his ancestors
who will never see the light of day again.
52
5 That is why God will crush you,
snatch you away for good,
tear you out of your tent,
uproot you from the land of the living.
6 Dread will seize the virtuous at the sight,
they will laugh at his fate:
7 `So much for the man who refused
to make God his fortress,
but relied on his own great wealth
and drew his strength from crime!
53
5 since God scatters the bones of the apostate,
they are disgraced, for God rejects them.
8. Death in the heart
55
15 May they recoil in disorder,
may Death descend on them,
may they go down, still living, to Sheol
since Evil shares their homes.
23 you, God, will push them down to the deepest Pit
before half their days are out.
For my part, I put my trust in you.
57
6 they dug a pitfall for me
but fell into it themselves!
58
7 May they drain away like water running to waste,
may they wither like trodden grass,
59
11 Slaughter them God, before my people forget!
Harry them with your power and strike them down,
Lord, our shield!
12 Sin is in their mouths, sin on their lips,
so let them be caught in their pride!
For the curses and lies they utter,
63
9 But may those now hounding me to death
go down to the earth below,
10 consigned to the edge of the sword,
and left as food for jackals.
11 once these lying mouths are silenced.
9. Struck by God
64
7 God will shoot them with his own arrow,
wound them without warning.
8 He will destroy them for that tongue of theirs,
and all who see them fall will shake their heads.
68
21 but God will smash the heads of his enemies,
the hairy skull of the man who parades his guilt.
30 Scatter those warmongering pagans!
69
22 May their own table prove a trap for them,
and their plentiful supplies, a snare!
23 may their eyes grow dim, go blind,
strike their loins with chronic palsy!
70
2 Shame and dishonour on those
who are out to kill me!
Down with them! Disgrace on those
who enjoy my misfortune!
71
13 Shame and ruin on those who attack me;
may insult and disgrace cover those
whose aim is to hurt me!
73
18 they are on a slippery slope, you put them there,
you urge them on to ruin,
27 So then : those who abandon you are doomed,
you destroy the adulterous deserter;
75
10 I will cut off the horns of all the wicked
78
21 Yahweh was enraged when he heard them,
a fire flared at Jacob,
the wrath attacked Israel
22 for having no faith in God,
no trust in his power to save.
33 for which he blasted their days
and their years in a flash.
59 God was enraged when he heard them,
he rejected Israel out of hand,
80
12 Why have you destroyed its fences?
Now anyone can go and steal its grapes,
81
12 so I left them to their stubborn selves
to do whatever they pleased.
92
7 The wicked may sprout as thick as weeds
and every evil-doer flourish,
but only to be everlastingly destroyed,
94
2 Rise, judge of the world,
give the proud their deserts!
23 he will pay them back for all their sins,
he will silence their wickedness,
Yahweh our God will silence them.
10. Sent out from the house of God
95
10 `For forty years that generation repelled me,
until I said ; How unreliable these people
who refuse to grasp my ways!
11 And so, in anger, I swore that not one
would reach the place of rest I had for them.'
97
7 Shame on those who worship images,
who take pride in their idols;
104
35 May sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked exist no more!
106
18 fire flamed out against their faction,
the renegades went up in flames.
29 They provoked him by their behaviour;
plague broke out among them.
32 They enraged him at the waters of Meribah;
as a result, things went wrong for Moses,
33 since they had embittered his spirit
and he spoke without stopping to think.
43 Time and again he rescued them,
but they went on defying him deliberately
and plunging deeper into wickedness;
107
10 Some were living in gloom and darkness,
fettered in misery and irons
11 for defying the orders of God,
for scorning the advice of the Most High;
12 who bent them double with hardship,
to breaking point, with no one to help them.
33 Sometimes he turned rivers into desert,
springs of water into arid ground,
34 or a fertile country into salt-flats,
because the people living there were wicked.
109
6 'Give him a venal judge,
find someone to frame the charge;
7 let him be tried and found guilty,
let his prayer be construed as a crime!
8 Let his life be cut short,
let someone else take his office;
29 Clothe my accusers in disgrace,
cover them with a cloak of shame.
11. An existence in the anger
112
10 though this fills the wicked with fury
until, grinding their teeth, they waste away,
vanishing like their vain hopes.
115
8 Their makers will end up like them,
and so will anyone who relies on them.
119
21 You reprove the arrogant, the accursed
who stray from your commandments.
125
5 may Yahweh send them to join the evil-doers!
129
5 May they all be thrown into confusion, be routed,
who have hated Zion,
135
18 Their makers will end up like them
and so will anyone who relies on them.
137
8 Destructive Daughter of Babel,
a blessing on the man who treats you
as you have treated us,
9 a blessing on him who takes and dashes
your babies against the rock!
140
8 Yahweh, do not grant their wicked wishes,
do not let their plots succeed.
9 May those besieging me not -win,
may their own cruel words overtake them,
10 may red-hot embers rain down on them,
may they be flung into the abyss for good,
11 may evil hound the man of violence to death
and the slanderers not hold his own on earth.
12. God punishes the cruel,
but he saves the poor
41
6 When their judges are flung on jagged rock,
they will learn how mild my words have been,
7 `Like a millstone smashed, on the ground,
our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol' .
10 Let the wicked fall into their own net,
while I go on my way.
145
20 tinder his protection the pious are safe,
but Yahweh is destruction to the wicked.
146
9a Yahweh protects the stranger,
9b he keeps the orphan and widow.
8c Yahweh loves the virtuous,
9c and frustrates the wicked.
26. FRIENDSHIP IN GOD
1. God listens to his friends
4
3 Know this, Yahweh works wonders
for those he loves,
Yahweh hears me when I call to him .
9
13 Take pity on me, Yahweh,
look on my suffering,
you who lift me back from the gates of death,
14 that I may recite your praises one by one,
rejoicing that you have saved me.
2. Cultivating holy friendships
16
3 yet to those pagan deities in the land,
'My princes, all my pleasure is in you'.
3. Paying for the friend
20
1 May Yahweh answer you in time of trouble,
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
give you support from Zion,
3 remember all your oblations
and find your holocaust acceptable;
4 may he grant you your heart's desire,
and crown all your plans with success;
5 may we shout with joy for your victory,
and plant our banners in the name of our God!
May Yahweh grant all your petitions!
22
22 Then I shall proclaim your name to my brothers,
praise you in full assembly:
4. Teaching friends
the fear of God
34
11 Come, my sons. listen to me,
I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
35
13 Yet, when they were sick, I put sackcloth on,
I humbled my soul with fasting,
murmuring prayers to my own breast
14 as though for a friend or brother;
and, like a person mourning his mother,
went about dejected and sorrowing.
40
3 dread will seize many at the sight,
and they will put their trust in Yahweh.
5. Proclaiming friends
the fidelity to God
40
9 I have always proclaimed the righteousness
of Yahweh in the Great Assembly;
nor do I mean to stop proclaiming, as you know well.
10 I have never kept your righteousness to myself,
but have spoken of your faithfulness and saving help;
i have made no secret of your love and faithfulness
in the Great Assembly.
6. Wishes to the friend
45
2 Of all men you are the most handsome,
your lips are moist with grace,
for God has blessed you for ever.
3 Hero, strap your sword at your side,
4 in majesty and splendour; on, ride on,
in the cause of truth, religion and virtue!
Stretch the bowstring tight,
lending terror to your right hand.
5 Your arrows are sharp; nations lie at your mercy,
the king's enemies are losing heart.
7. Experiences to tell
to our friends
48
12 Go through Zion, walk round her,
counting her towers,
13 admiring her walls,
reviewing her palaces;
then tell the next generation
49
1 Hear this, all nations,
pay attention all who live on earth,
2 important people, ordinary people,
rich and poor alike!
61
6 Let the king live on and on,
prolong his years, generation on generation.
7 May he sit enthroned in God's presence for ever!
Assign your Love and Faithfulness to guard him!
66
16 Come and listen, all you who fear God,
while I tell you what he has done for me:
67
7 May God bless us, and let him be feared
to the very ends of the earth.
8. Being bridge between
the friends and God
69
6 but let those who hope in you not blush for me,
Yahweh Sabaoth!
Let those who seek you not be ashamed of me,
God of Israel!
71
18 Now that I am old and grey,
God, do not desert me;
let me live to tell the rising generation
about your strength and power,
9. Wishes for the job of the friend
72
1 God, give your own justice to the king,
your own righteousness to the royal son,
2 so that he may rule your people rightly
and your poor with justice.
4 Uprightly he will defend the poorest,
he will save the children of those in need,
and crush their oppressors.
5 Like sun and moon he will endure,
age after age,
12 He wilt free the poor man who calls to him,
and those who need help,
13 he will have pity on the poor and feeble,
and save the lives of those in reed;
14 he will redeem their lives
from exploitation and outrage,
their Lives will be precious in his sight.
10. Telling closeness to God
73
28 whereas my joy lies in being close to God.
I have taken shelter in the Lord,
continually to proclaim
what you have done.
78
1 Listen to this Law, my people,
pay attention to what I say;
2 I am going to speak to you in parable
and expound the mysteries of our past.
11. Those friends who will come
78
5 When he issued the decrees for Jacob
and instituted a Law in Israel,
he gave our ancestors strict orders
to teach it to their children;
6 the next generation was to learn it,
the children still to be born,
and these in their turn were to tell their own children
7 so that they too would put their confidence in God,
never forgetting God's achievements,
and always keeping his commandments,
8 and not becoming, like their ancestors,
a stubborn and unruly generation,
a generation with no sincerity of heart,
in spirit unfaithful to God.
67 Rejecting the tent of Joseph,
not choosing the tribe of Ephraim,
68 instead he chose the tribe of Judah
and his well-loved mountain of Zion,
70 Choosing David as his servant,
he took him from the sheepfolds,
71 called him from tending ewes in lamb
to pasture his people Jacob
and Israel his heritage:
72 who did this with unselfish care
and led them with a sensitive hand.
12. For the friend
consecrated to God
84
9 God our shield, now look on us
and be kind to your anointed,
91
1 If you live in the shelter of Elyon
and make your home in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 you can say to Yahweh, `My refuge, my fortress,
my God in whom I trust!'
3 He rescues you from the snares
of fowlers hoping to destroy you;
4a he covers you with his feathers,
4b and you find shelter underneath his wings .
5 You need not fear the terrors of night,
the arrow that flies in the daytime,
6 the plague that stalks in the dark,
the scourge that wreaks havoc in broad daylight.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
you yourself will remain unscathed,
4c with his faithfulness for shield and buckler
8 You have only to look around
to see how the wicked are repaid,
9 you who can say, `Yahweh my refuge',
and make Elyon your fortress.
10 No disaster can overtake you,
no plague come near your tent:
11 he will put you in his angels' charge
to guard you wherever you go.
12 They will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone;
13 you will tread on lion and adder,
trample on savage lions and dragons.
13. For the elderly friend
92
14 still bearing fruit in old age,
still remaining fresh and green,
15 to proclaim that Yahweh is righteous,
my rock in whom no fault is to be found!
96
2 Sing to Yahweh, bless his name.
Proclaim his salvation day after day,
3 tell of his glory among the nations,
tell his marvels to every people.
10 Say among the nations, `Yahweh is king!'
Firm has he made the world, and unshakeable;
he will judge each nation with strict justice.
14. Cultivating good friendship
101
3 I will not let my eyes rest on any misconduct.
I hate the practices of the apostate,
they have no appeal for me;
6 I look to my religious countrymen
to compose my household;
102
21 to proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion,
his praise in Jerusalem;
22 nations and kingdoms will be united
and offer worship to Yahweh together.
106
30 Then up stood Phinehas to intervene,
and the plague was checked;
31 hence his reputation for virtue
through successive generations for ever
107
22 Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices
and proclaim with shouts of joy what he has done.
15. Praising God among friends
108
3 Yahweh, I mean to thank you among the peoples,
to play music to you among the nations;
109
30 I will give thanks aloud to Yahweh
and praise him in the Assembly,
31 for conducting the poor man's defence
against those who would have sentenced
him to death.
111
1 I give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart
where the virtuous meet and the people assemble.
112
2 Children of such a man will be powers on earth,
descendants of the upright will always be blessed.
116
18 I will pay what I vowed to Yahweh;
may his whole nation be present,
117
1 Praise Yahweh, all nations,
extol him, all you peoples!
118
17 No, I shall not die, t shall live
to recite the deeds of Yahweh;
26 Blessings on him who comes in the name of Yahweh!
119
63 I am a friend to all who fear you
and observe your precepts.
74 Seeing me, those who fear you will be glad,
since I put my hope in your word.
79 May those who fear you rally to me.
all those familiar with your decrees!
16. Conducting the friend to God
122
4 Here the tribes come up,
the tribes of Yahweh,
they come to praise Yahweh's name,
as he ordered Israel,
8 Since all are my brothers and friends,
I say `Peace be with you!
125
4 Yahweh, be good to the good,
to those of upright heart.
126
2 Even the pagans started talking
about the marvels Yahweh had done for us!
17. The family, solid friendship
in God
127
4 like the arrows in a hero's hand
are the sons you father when young.
5 Happy the man who has filled his quiver
with arrows of this sort;
in dispute with his enemies at the gate,
he will not be worsted.
128
1 Happy, all those who fear Yahweh
and follow in his paths.
2 You will eat what your hands have worked for,
happiness and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife: a fruitful vine
on the inner walls of your house.
Your sons: round your table
like shoots round an olive tree.
4 Such are the blessings that fall
on the man who fears Yahweh.
18. The great plans of God
for his friends
132
11 Yahweh swore to David
and will remain true to his word,
'I promise that your own son
shall succeed you on the throne.
12 'If your sons observe my covenant,
the decrees that I have taught them,
their sons too shall succeed you
on the throne for evermore.'
19. Joy among friends
133
1 How good, how delightful it is
for all to live together like brothers:
134
1 Come, bless Yahweh,
all you who serve Yahweh,
serving in the house of Yahweh
in the courts of the house of our God!
2 Stretch out your hands towards the sanctuary,
bless Yahweh night after night!
135
1 Praise the name of Yahweh,
praise Yahweh, you who serve him,
2 serving in the house of Yahweh,
in the courts of the house of our God!
20 you who fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh!
142
7 Free me from this imprisonment,
and I will thank your name once more
in the Assembly of the virtuous,
for the goodness you show me.
149
1 Alleluia! Sing Yahweh a new song,
let the, congregation of the faithful sing his praise!
27. JUST, POOR, OPPRESSED
1. God listens to the poor
10
37 Yahweh, you listen to the wants of the humble,
you bring strength to their hearts,
you grant them a hearing,
38 judging in favour of the orphaned and exploited,
so that earthborn man may strike fear no longe.
18
27 you save a people that is humble
22
24 For he has not despised
or disdained the poor man in his poverty,
has not hidden his face from him,
but has answered him when he called.
26 The poor will receive as much as they want to eat,
Those who seek Yahweh will praise him.
Long life to their hearts!
25
8 Yahweh is so good, so upright,
he teaches the way to sinners;
9 in all that is right he guides the humble,
and instructs the poor in his way.
34
2 my soul glories in Yahweh,
let the humble hear and rejoice.
6A cry goes up from the poor than, and Yahweh hears,
and helps him in all his troubles.
2. Those who look for the Lord
don’t miss of anything
34
9 Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones:
those who fear him want for nothing.
10 The young lion may go empty and hungry,
but those who seek Yahweh lack nothing good.
15 The face of Yahweh frowns on evil men,
to wipe their memory from the earth;
37
11 but the humble shall have the land for their own
to enjoy untroubled peace.
16 The little the virtuous possesses
outweighs all the wealth of the wicked,
17 since the arms of the wicked are doomed to break,
and Yahweh will uphold the virtuous
3. Living correctly
37
21 The wicked man borrows without meaning to repay,
but a virtuous man is generous and open-handed;
30 The mouth of the virtuous man murmurs wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is right;
31 with the Law of his God in his heart
his steps can never falter.
37 Observe the innocent man, consider the upright:
for the man of peace there are descendants,
39 The salvation of the virtuous comes from Yahweh,
he is their shelter when trouble comes;
4. Poor and miserable,
but with God
40
17 To me, poor wretch,
come quickly, Lord!
42
3 I have no food but tears, day and night;
and all day long men say to me` Where is your God?'
44
23 Wake up, Lord! Why are you asleep?
Awake! Do not abandon us for good.
24 Why do you hide your face,
and forget we are wretched and exploited?
25 For we are bowed in the dust,
our bodies crushed to the ground .
26 Rise! Come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your love .
68
3 But at God's approach, the virtuous rejoice,
exulting and singing for joy.
6 God gives the lonely a permanent home,
makes prisoners happy by setting them free,
10 your family found a home, where you
in your goodness, God, provided for the needy.
69
32 Then, seeing this, the humble can rejoice:
70
4 But joy and gladness
for all who seek you!
102
17 he will answer the prayer of the abandoned,
he will not scorn their petitions.
20 to hear the sighing of the captive,
and to set free those doomed to die.
109
21 Yahweh, defend me for the sake of your name,
rescue me, since your love is generous!
22 Reduced to weakness and poverty,
my heart is sorely tormented;
119
125 I am your servant; if you will explain,
I shall embrace your decrees.
138
6 From far above, Yahweh sees the humble,
146
9a Yahweh protects the stranger,
9b he keeps the orphan and widow.
8c Yahweh loves the virtuous,
9c and frustrates the wicked.
147
6 Yahweh, who lifts up the humble,
28. WICKED, BOSSY, CRUEL
1. They boast and they despise God
10
23 The evil man boasts of his soul's desires,
the grasping man blasphemes,
the wicked spurns Yahweh
24 'His anger is up there, he will not make me pay!
There is no God!'
This is the way his mind works.
25 At every moment his course is assured,
your rulings are too lofty for his notice;
his rivals? He sneers at them all.
26 'Nothing can shake me he assures himself.
2. They live of frauds and of deception
10
27 Himself untouched by disaster, he curses others.
Fraud and oppression fill his mouth,
spite and iniquity are under his tongue;
28 there in the reeds he lies in ambush
to kill the innocent where no one can see,
Peering and prying for the out-of-luck,
29 lurking unseen like a lion in his hide,
lurking to capture the poor man,
the poor man seized, he drags him away in his net.
30 Questing of eye, he stoops, he crouches,
and the luckless wretch falls into his power
3. They consider God absent
10
31 as he thinks to himself, `God forgets,
he hides his face, he does not see at all.
33 Why does the wicked man spurn God,
assuring himself, 'He will not make me pay'?
11
2 `see how the wicked are bending their bows
and fitting their arrows to the string,
ready to shoot the upright from the shadows.
12
8 The wicked prowl on every side,
baseness stands high° among the sons of men.
14
4 Are they so ignorant, all these evil men
who swallow my people,
as though they were eating bread,
and never invoke Yahweh?
5 They will be struck with fear,
fear without reason, since God takes the side
of the virtuous:
4. God welcomes the humble,
but He rejects the superb
18
27 you save a people that is humble
and humiliate eyes that arc haughty.
34
10 The young lion may go empty and hungry,
but those who seek Yahweh lack nothing good.
15 The face of Yahweh frowns on evil men,
to wipe their memory from the earth;
16 the eyes of Yahweh are turned
towards the virtuous, his ears to their cry.
35
4 Shame and dishonour on those
who are out to kill me!
Back with them! Cover with confusion
those who plot my downfall!
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of Yahweh to chase them!
6 May their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of Yahweh to hound them!
11 Lying witnesses take the stand,
questioning me on things I know nothing about;
12 they repay my kindness with evil,
there is desolation in my soul.
5. In the sin, without fear of God:
36
1 in the depths of his heart
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 He sees himself with too flattering an eye
to detect and detest his guilt;
3 all he says tends to mischief and deceit,
he has turned his back on wisdom .
4 How best to work mischief he plots,
even when he is in bed
he persists in his evil course,
he never rejects what is bad.
37
8 Enough of anger, leave rage aside,
do not worry, nothing but evil can come of it:
9 for the wicked will be expelled,
while those who hope in Yahweh
shall have the land for their own.
12 The wicked man plots against the virtuous,
and grinds his teeth at him;
- they kill
14a Though the wicked draw the sword,
14b and bend their bow, to kill the upright,
15 their swords will only pierce their own hearts
and their bows will be smashed.
16 The little the virtuous possesses
outweighs all the wealth of the wicked,
17 since the arms of the wicked are doomed to break,
and Yahweh will uphold the virtuous
- they steal
21 The wicked man borrows without meaning to repay,
32 The wicked man spies on the virtuous,
seeking to kill him ;
35 I have seen the wicked in his triumph
towering like a cedar of Lebanon,
36 but when next I passed, he was not there,
I looked for him and he was nowhere to be found.
- they are merciless
43
1 Defend me, take up my cause
against people who have no pity;
from the treacherous and cunning man
rescue me, God.
44
10 you allow the enemy to push us back,
and let those who hate us raid us when it suits them.
they confide only in their strength
49
6 of men who trust in their wealth
and boast of the profusion of their riches?
- blinded by the prosperity
20 Man in his prosperity forfeits intelligence:
he is one with the cattle doomed to slaughter.
50
15 But to the wicked man God says :
16 `What business have you reciting my statutes,
standing there mouthing my covenant,
17 since you detest my discipline
and thrust my words behind you?
- they boast of the evil
52
1 Why make a boast of your wickedness,
you champion in villainy,
7 `So much for the man who refused
to make God his fortress,
but relied on his own great wealth
and drew his strength from crime!
53
1 The fool says in his heart,
`There is no God!'
4 Are they so ignorant, these evil men
who swallow my people
as though they were eating bread,
and never invoke God?
54
3 Arrogant men are attacking me,
brutes who are hounding me to death,
55
1 God, hear my prayer, do not hide from my petition,
2 give me a hearing, answer me,
I cannot rest for complaining.
3 I shudder at the enemy's shouts,
at the howling of the wicked;
- they don’t fear God
19 no change of heart for them,
since they do not fear God.
58
3 Right from the womb these wicked men
have gone astray,
these double talkers have been in error since their birth;
4 their poison is the poison of the snake,
they are deaf as the adder that blocks its ears
5 so as not to hear the magician's music
and the clever snake-charmer's spells.
63
9 But may those now hounding me to death
go down to the earth below,
10 consigned to the edge of the sword,
and left as food for jackals.
64
3 sharpening their tongues like swords,
shooting bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting them at the innocent from cover,
shooting suddenly, without warning.
- they persist in making the evil
5 Urging each other on to their wicked purpose,
they discuss where to hide their snares .
'Who is going to see us?' they say
6 'Who can probe our secrets?'
Who? He who probes the inmost mind
and the depths of the heart.
6. God disperses the cruel
68
2 As smoke disperses, they disperse;
as wax melts when near the fire,
so the wicked perish when God approaches.
6 but rebels must live in an and land.
70
2 Shame and dishonour on those
who are out to kill me!
Down with them! Disgrace on those
who enjoy my misfortune!
3 May they be aghast with shame,
those who say to me, 'Aha! Aha!'
7. Why envying the wicked ?
73
2 My feet were on the point of stumbling,
a little further and I should have slipped,
3 envying the arrogant as I did,
and watching the wicked get rich.
4 For them, no such thing as pain,
their bodies are healthy and strong,
5 they do not suffer as other men do,
no human afflictions for them!
6 So pride is their chain of honour,
violence the garment that covers them ;
7 their spite oozes like fat,
their hearts drip with slyness.
79
1 God, the pagans have invaded your heritage,
they have desecrated your holy Temple ;
they have reduced Jerusalem to a pile of ruins,
2 they have left the corpses of your servants
to the birds of the air for food,
and the flesh of your devout
to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have shed blood like water
throughout Jerusalem, not a gravedigger left!
83
2 See how your enemies are stirring,
see how those who hate you rear their heads.
8. Having a farsighted look
92
6 Stupid men are not aware of this,
fools can never appreciate it.
7 The wicked may sprout as thick as weeds
and every evil-doer flourish,
but only to be everlastingly destroyed,
8 whereas you are supreme for ever.
94
3 Yahweh, how much longer are the wicked,
how much longer are the wicked to triumph?
4 Are these evil men to remain unsilenced,
boasting and asserting themselves?
5 Yahweh, they crush your people,
they oppress your hereditary people,
6 murdering and massacring
widows, orphans and guests.
7 `Yahweh sees nothing,' they say
`the God of Jacob takes no notice.
20 You never consent to that corrupt tribunal
that imposes disorder as law,
21 that takes the life of the virtuous
and condemns the innocent to death .
101
7 There is no room in my house
for any hypocrite;
no liar keeps his post where I can see him.
9. Preferring God to the powerful
118
8 I would rather take refuge in Yahweh
than rely on men;
9 I would rather take refuge in Yahweh
than rely on princes
119
119 You scour the wicked off the earth like rust;
that is why I love your decrees.
134 Rescue me from human oppression;
I will observe your precepts.
158 The sight of these renegades disgusts me,
they do not observe your promise;
123
4 more than our share
of jeers from the complacent,
of scorn from the proud
125
5 But the perverts,
those who follow twisting paths
may Yahweh send them to join the evil-doers!
137
7 Yahweh, remember
what the Sons of Edom did
on the day of Jerusalem,
how they said, `Down with her!
Raze her to the ground!'
138
6 From far above, Yahweh sees the humble,
from far away he marks down the arrogant.
139
19 God, If only you would kill the wicked!
Men of blood, away from me!
20 They talk blasphemously about you,
regard your thoughts as nothing.
144
11 From peril of sword save me,
rescue me from the power of aliens
who tell nothing but lies,
who are prepared to swear to falsehood!
147
6 Yahweh, who lifts up the humble,
humbles the wicked to the ground.
V - SPEECH ON GOD
La vita etica riempie l’esistenza di forti sentimenti e spinge ad una profonda conoscenza di Dio, fondamento della vita etica.
La conoscenza di Dio è la motivazione più forte della mente non soggiogata dagli impulsi egoistici e che lotta per tenere sotto controllo le spinte aggressive e di dominio sessuale.
La ricerca di Dio procede di pari passo con la consapevolezza dei propri limiti, della propria fragilità, con l’irresistibile bisogno di andare oltre la morte.
La fede in Dio è un cammino lungo, impegnativo, che consente di trovare la verità oltre le cose, di conoscere le persone superando la dipendenza e sperimentando la libertà interiore.
Nella vita di fede la relazione tra l’io e gli altri
trova in Dio il vertice e la motivazione fondamentale. Dio mi porta agli altri. Gli altri sono mezzi per giungere a Dio.
Dio diventa il tutto: colore nella vita; calore nel rapporto con gli altri; sicura protezione nei pericoli; forza nell’azione; gioia nel cuore
29. GOD’S JUSTICE
1. He takes care of the way
where the virtous go
1
6 For Yahweh takes care of the way the virtuous go,
but the way of the wicked is doomed.
5
4 You are not a God who is pleased with wickedness,
you have no room for the wicked;
5 boasters collapse under your scrutiny.
7
8 (Yahweh is arbiter of nations.)
Give judgement for me, Yahweh: as my virtue
and my integrity deserve.
9 Bring the maliciousness of evil men to an end,
set the virtuous on his feet,
you righteous God, assessor of mind and heart.
2. God as a just judge
7
11 God the righteous judge
is slow to show his anger,
but he is a God who is always enraged
8
2 by the mouths of children, babes in arms.
You set your strongholds firm against your foes
to subdue enemies and rebels.
9
3 My enemies are in retreat,
stumbling, perishing as you confront them:
4 you have upheld the justice of my cause
from the throne where you sit as righteous judge.
7 See, Yahweh is enthroned for ever,
he sets up his throne for judgement;
8 he is going to judge the world with justice,
and pronounce a true verdict on the nations.
3.He doesn’t forget the cry
of wretched
9
12 he, the avenger of blood, remembers them,
he does not ignore the cry of the wretched.
16 Yahweh has made himself known,
has given judgement, he has trapped the wicked
in the work of their own hands.
19 Rise, Yahweh, let not man have the upper hand,
let the nations stand trial before you!
37 Yahweh, you listen to the wants of the humble,
you bring strength to their hearts,
you grant them a hearing,
38 judging in favour of the orphaned and exploited,
so that earthborn man may strike fear no longer.
4. God loves the correct things
11
7 Yahweh is righteous, he loves virtue,
upright men will contemplate his face.
14
2 Yahweh is looking down from heaven
at the sons of men, to see if a single one is wise,
if a single one is seeking God.
17
2 From your presence will my sentence come,
your eyes are fixed on what is right.
18
20 Yahweh requites me as I act justly,
as my hands are pure so he repays me,
19
9 the judgements of Yahweh are true,
righteous, every one,
22
men will proclaim the Lord
to generations still to come,
his righteousness to a people yet unborn.
All this he has done.
5.
He leads the humble
25
9 in all that is right he guides the humble,
and instructs the poor in his way.
26
1 Yahweh, be my judge!
I go my way in my innocence,
33
4 The word of Yahweh is integrity itself,
all he does is done faithfully;
5 he loves virtue and justice,
Yahweh's love fills the earth.
35
1 Accuse my accusers, Yahweh,
attack my attackers;
23 up, wake up, come to my defence,
Lord my God side with me!
36
6 your righteousness is like the mountains of God,
your judgements like the mighty deep.
Yahweh, protector of man and beast,
37
13 but the Lord only laughs at the man,
knowing his end is in sight.
28 for Yahweh loves what is right,
and never deserts the devout.
6. He doesn’t abandon the virtuous
in the hands of the wicked
37
32 The wicked man spies on the virtuous,
seeking to kill him ;
33 Yahweh will never leave him in those clutches,
or let him be condemned under trial.
38
2 Your arrows have pierced deep,
your hand has pressed down on me;
41
11 and by this I shall know that I enjoy your favour,
if my enemy fails to triumph over me;
43
1 Defend me, take up my cause
against people who have no pity;
48
God, your praise, like your name,
reaches to the ends of the world.
Your right hand holds the victory;
50
4 he summons the heavens above
and the earth, to his people's trial:
5 `Assemble my faithful before me
who sealed my covenant by sacrifice!'
6 Let the heavens proclaim his righteousness
when God himself is judge!
7. God judges in the intimate
51
4 having sinned against none other than you,
having done what you regard as wrong.
You are just when you pass sentence on me,
blameless when you give judgement.
53
2 God is looking down from heaven
at the sons of men,
to see if a single one is wise,
if a single one is seeking God
54
1 God, save me by your name,
by your power see justice done to me;
58
11'So' people will say
`the virtuous do have their harvest;
so there is a God who dispenses justice on earth!'
62
12 and you yourself repay
man as his works deserve.
66
7 who rules for ever by his power
his eyes keep watch on the nations,
let no rebel raise his head!
67
4 Let the nations shout and sing for joy,
since you dispense true justice to the world;
you dispense strict justice, to the peoples,
on earth you rule the nations.
71
2 In your righteousness rescue me, deliver me,
turn your ear to me and save me!
15 my lips shall proclaim your righteousness
and power to save, all day long.
19 about your heavenly righteousness, God.
You have done great things;
who, God, is comparable to you?
24 And all day long, my tongue
shall be talking of your righteousness.
Shame and disgrace on those
whose aim is to hurt me!
8. Imitating the justice of God
72
1 God, give your own justice to the king,
your own righteousness to the royal son,
2 so that he may rule your people rightly
and your poor with justice.
3 Let the mountains and hills
bring a message of peace for the people.
74
22 Rise, God, say something on your own behalf,
do not forget the madman's day-long blaspheming,
75
2 'At the moment I decide
I will dispense strict justice;
3 the earth shall quake and all its inhabitants,
it is I who poised its columns .
4 'I said to the boastful: Enough of boasting!
and to the wicked: How dare you raise your horn,
5 how dare you raise your horn like that,
how dare you speak so boldly! '
9. God’s a supreme judge
75
6 Not from the east, nor from the west,
not from the desert, nor from the mountains,
7 but from God the judgement comes,
lowering one, raising another .
76
8 When your verdicts thunder from heaven,
earth stays silent with dread;
9 when God stands up to give judgement
and to save alt the humble of the earth.
82
1 God stands in the divine assembly,
among the gods he dispenses justice:
8 Rise, God, dispense justice throughout the world,
since no nation is excluded from your ownership.
85
13 Righteousness always preceding him
and Peace following his footsteps.
89
14 Righteousness and Justice support your throne,
Love and Faithfulness are your attendants .
94
1 Yahweh, God of revenge,
God of revenge, appear!
2 Rise, judge of the world,
give the proud their deserts!
14 For Yahweh has not abandoned
or deserted his hereditary people;
15 or verdict will return to righteousness again,
and, in its wake, all upright hearts.
96
10 Say among the nations, `Yahweh is king!'
Firm has he made the world, and unshakeable;
he will judge each nation with strict justice.
11 Let the heavens be glad, let earth rejoice,
let the sea thunder and all that it holds,
12 let the fields exult and all that is in them,
let all the woodland trees cry out for joy,
13 at the presence of Yahweh, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth,
to judge the world with justice
and the nations with his truth.
97
2 Cloud and Darkness surround him,
Righteousness and Justice support his throne.
98
2 Yahweh has displayed his power ;
has revealed his righteousness to the nations,
7 Let the sea thunder and all that it holds,
and the world, with all who live in it;
8 let all the rivers clap their hands
and the mountains shout for joy,
9 at the presence of Yahweh, for he comes
to judge the earth,
to judge the world with righteousness
and the nations with strict justice.
99
3 may they praise your great and terrible name,
4 'Holy is be, and mighty!
You are a king who loves justice,
insisting on honesty, justice, virtue,
as you have done for Jacob.
10. Patient and merciful judge
99
8 Yahweh our God, you responded to them,
a God of forgiveness for them,
in spite of punishing their sins.
103
6 Yahweh, who does what is right,
is always on the side of the oppressed;
109
20 May Yahweh pay all my accusers,
all my detractors like this!
111
3 Every work that he does is full of glory and majesty,
and his righteousness can never change.
116
5 Yahweh is righteous and merciful,
our God is tenderhearted;
119
137 Righteous, indeed, Yahweh!
And all your rulings correct!
138 he decrees you impose, how righteous,
how absolutely faithful!
11. The eternal justice
119
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness,
your Law holds true for ever.
122
5 here where the tribunals of justice are,
the royal tribunals of David.
129
4 but now Yahweh the Righteous has shattered
the yoke of the wicked.
132
9 Your priests are vesting in virtue
and your devout are shouting for joy.
140
12 I know Yahweh will avenge the wretched,
and see justice done for the poor .
143
1 Yahweh, hear my prayer,
listen to my pleading,
answer me faithfully,
righteously;
2 do not put your servant on trial,
no one is virtuous by your standards.
11 Yahweh, for the sake of your name,
keep your promise to save me;
protect me from oppression,
145
7 they will celebrate your generous kindness
and joyfully acclaim your righteousness.
17 Righteous in all that he does,
Yahweh acts only out of love,
146
6 Yahweh, forever faithful,
7 gives justice to those denied it,
gives food to the hungry,
gives liberty to prisoners
30. MERCIFUL GOD
1. He welcomes in his house
5
7 But I, so great is your love,
may come to your house, and bow down
before your holy Temple in reverence to you.
6
4 Come back, Yahweh, rescue my soul,
save me, if you love me;
13
5 But I for my part rely on your love, Yahweh;
22
24 has not hidden his face from him,
but has answered him when he called.
25
7a Do not remember the sins of my youth;
7b but rather, with your love remember me.
16 Turn to me, take pity
on alone and wretched as I am!
26
3 for your love is before my eyes,
and I live my life in loyalty to you
11 But I live my life in innocence,
redeem me, Yahweh, take pity on me;
27
9 do not hide your face from me.
Do not repulse your servant in anger;
you are my help .Never leave me,
never desert me, God, my saviour!
30
4 Play music in Yahweh's honour, you devout,
remember his holiness, and praise him.
5 His anger lasts a moment, his favour a lifetime;
10 ' Hear, Yahweh, take pity on me;
Yahweh, help me!'
31
16 let your face smile on your servant,
save me in your love.
2. The confession of guilts
32
5 I said, I will go to Yahweh and confess my fault'.
And you, you have forgiven the wrong I did,
have pardoned my sin.
36
5 Your love, Yahweh, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds;
39
13 Your love, Yahweh, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds;
40
11 For your part, Yahweh, do not withhold
your kindness from me!
May your love and faithfulness constantly preserve me.
44
26 Rise! Come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your love.
48
9 God, in your Temple
we reflect on your love:
51
1 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness,
in your great tenderness wipe away my faults;
2 wash me clean of my guilt,
purify me from my sin.
57
9 Lord, I mean to thank you among the peoples,
to play music to you among the nations;
10 your love is high as heaven,
your faithfulness as the clouds.
3. God’s our mercy
59
17 the God who loves me.
66
20 Blessed be God,
who neither ignored my prayer
nor deprived to of his love.
69
33 Yahweh wilt always hear those who are in need,
will never scorn his captive people.
73
1 God is indeed god to Israel,
the Lord is good to pure hearts.
74
19 Do not betray your turtledove to the beast,
do not forget your wretched people for good.
78
38 Compassionately, however,
he forgave their guilt instead of killing them,
repeatedly repressing his anger
instead of rousing his full wrath,
39 remembering they were creatures of flesh,
a puts of wind that passes and does not return.
79
8 Do not hold our ancestors crimes against us,
in tenderness quickly intervene,
we can hardly be crushed lower;
85
2 you take your people's guilt away,
you blot out all their sins,
3 you retract all your anger,
you abjure your fiery rage.
4. God: mercy and truth
85
7 Yahweh, show us your love,
grant us your saving help.
10 Love and Loyalty now meet,
Righteousness and Peace now embrace;
86
5 Lord, you are good and forgiving,
most loving to all who invoke you;
12 I thank you with all my heart, Lord my God,
I glorify your name for ever,
13 your love for me has been so great,
you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
15 Lord God, you who are always merciful
and tender-hearted,
slow to anger, always loving, always loyal,
16 turn to me and pity me.
Give me your strength, your saving help,
90
13 Relent, Yahweh! How much longer do we have?
Take pity on your servants!
17 May the sweetness of the Lord be on us?
Make all we do succeed.
94
14 For Yahweh has not abandoned
or deserted his hereditary people;
100
4 give thanks to him, bless his name!
5 Yes, Yahweh is good
his love is everlasting,
his faithfulness endures from age to age.
102
13 Rise, take pity on Zion!
the time has come to have mercy on her,
the hour has come;
5. God mercy and truth
103
8 Yahweh is tender and compassionate,
slow to anger, most loving;
9 his indignation does not last for ever,
his resentment exists a short time only;
10 he never treats us, never punishes us,
as our guilt and our sins deserve.
11 No less than the height of heaven over earth
is the greatness of his love for those who fear him;
12 he takes our sins farther away
than the east is from the west.
13 As tenderly as a father treats his children,
so Yahweh treats those who fear him;
106
44 even so, he took pity on their distress
each time he heard them calling.
45 For their sake, he remembered his covenant,
he relented in his great love,
46 making their captors mitigate
the harshness of their treatment.
107
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
his love is everlasting:
41 But now, he lifts the needy out of their misery.
and gives them a flock of new families;
6.Pity and tenderness is the Lord
111
4 He allows us to commemorate his marvels.
Yahweh is merciful and tenderhearted,
116
5 our God is tenderhearted;
6 Yahweh defends the simple,
he saved me when I was brought to my knees.
118
1 Give thanks to Yahweh,
for he is good,
2 his love is everlasting!
Let the Houses of Israel say it,
'His love is everlasting!'
119
77 Treat me tenderly, and I shall live,
since your Law is my delight,
132 Turn to me please, pity me.
as you should those who love your name.
156 but many are your mercies to me, Yahweh,
by your rulings give me life.
7. Near the Lord is the forgiveness
130
4 But you do forgive us:
and for that we revere you.
7 Let Israel rely on Yahweh
as much as the watchman on the dawn!
For it is with Yahweh that mercy is to be found,
132
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not banish your anointed.
135
3 Praise Yahweh, for Yahweh is good.
Play for his name, for he inspires love;
8. His mercy is eternal
136
1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is god,
his love is everlasting!
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
his love is everlasting!
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
his love is everlasting!
4 He alone performs great marvels,
his love is everlasting!
5 His wisdom made the heavens,
his love is everlasting!
6 He set the earth on the waters,
his love is everlasting!
7 He made the great lights,
his love is everlasting!
8 The sun to govern the day,
his love is everlasting!
9 moon and stars to govern the night,
his love is everlasting!
10 He struck down the first-born of Egypt,
his love is everlasting!
11 And brought Israel out,
his love is everlasting!
12 With mighty hand and outstretched arm,
his love is everlasting!
13 He split the Sea of Reeds,
his love is everlasting!
14 Led Israel through the middle,
his love is everlasting!
15 Drowned Pharaoh and his army,
his love is everlasting!
16 He led his people through the wilderness,
his love is everlasting!
17 He struck down mighty kings,
his love is everlasting!
18 He slaughtered famous kings,
his love is everlasting!
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
his love is everlasting!
20 And Og, the king of Bashan,
his love is everlasting!
21 He gave their lands as a legacy,
his love is everlasting!
22 A legacy to his servant Israel,
his love is everlasting!
23 He remembered us when we were down,
his love is everlasting!
24 And snatched us from our oppressors,
his love is everlasting!
25 He provides for all living creatures,
his love is everlasting!
26 Give thanks to the God of Heaven,
his love is everlasting!
138
2 I give thanks to your name
for your love and faithfulness;
145
8 He, Yahweh, is merciful, tenderhearted,
slow to anger, very loving,
31. GOD ACTS FOR US
1. God acts in our silence
39
9 I am dumb, I speak no more,
since you yourself have been at work.
44
5 through you we trampled down our enemies,
through your name we subdued our aggressors.
6 My trust was not in my bow,
my sword did not gain me victory:
7 we conquered our enemies through you,
you, who defeated all who hated us
8 our boast was always of God,
we praised your name without ceasing.
71
7 To many I have seemed an enigma,
but you are my firm refuge.
2. Recognizing the hand of God
105
24 He made his people fertile
and more vigorous than their oppressors,
25 whose hearts he then disposed to hatred of his people
and double-dealing with his servants .
26 He sent his servant Moses,
and Aaron, the man of his choice;
27 there they displayed his signs,
his wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, darkness fell,
but still they defied his word.
29 He turned their rivers into blood,
thus killing all their fish.
30 Their country was overrun with frogs
even in the royal apartments;
31 he spoke : flies and mosquitoes
swarmed throughout the country.
32 He sent them hail instead of rain,
fire swept across their land;
33 he blasted their vines and fig trees,
he shattered the trees throughout the country.
34 He spoke: there came locusts,
grasshoppers, more than you could count,
35 eating every scrap of greenstuff,
every blade their soil produced.
36 Next, he struck down all the first-born in their land,
the entire first-fruits of their fertility;
37 then he led Israel out with gold and silver,
and not one man of their tribes was left behind.
38 Egypt was glad to see them go,
they had filled her with alarm;
39 he spread a cloud to cover them,
and a fire to glow at night.
40 They demanded food, he sent them quails,
he satisfied them with the bread of heaven;
41 he opened the rock, the waters gushed
to flow through the desert like a river.
42 Yes, faithful to the sacred promise
given to his servant Abraham,
43 he led his happy people forward,
to joyful shouts from his chosen,
44 and gave them the pagans' territories.
Where others had toiled, they took possession,
45 on condition that they kept his statutes
and remained obedient to his laws.
3. With God we will make great things
108
12 Help us in this hour of crisis,
the help that man can give is worthless.
13 With God among us, we shall fight like heroes,
he will trample on our enemies.
109
27 and let them know that you have done it,
that it was you, Yahweh, who did it.
111
10 This fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom,
118
10 The pagans were swarming round me,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down;
11 they swarmed round me closer and closer,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down;
12 they swarmed round me like bees,
they blazed like a thorn-fire,
in the name of Yahweh I cut them down.
13 I was pressed, pressed, about to fall,
but Yahweh came to my help;
4. Only Good builds the house
127
1 If Yahweh does not build the house,
in vain the masons toil;
if Yahweh does not guard the city,
in vain the sentries watch.
2 In vain you get up earlier, and put off going to bed,
sweating to make a living,
since he provides for his beloved as they sleep.
3 Sons are a bounty from Yahweh,
he rewards with descendants:
138
7 Though I live surrounded by trouble,
you keep me alive to my enemies fury!
You stretch your hand out and save me,
32. GOD SAVIOR
1. God saves the upright hearts
3
7 Rise. Yahweh!
Save me, my God!
8 From Yahweh, rescue.
7
10 God is the shield that protects me,
he preserves upright hearts,
9
13 you who lift me back from the gates of death,
12
5 'For the plundered poor, for the needy who groan,
now will I act' says Yahweh.
` I will grant them the safety they sigh for '
14
7 Who will bring Israel salvation from Zion?
17
7 display your marvellous kindness,
saviour of fugitives!
From those who revolt against you
2. God saves those who invoke him
18
3 He is to be praised; on Yahweh I call
and am saved from my enemies.
16 He sends from on high and takes me,
he draws me from deep waters,
17 he delivers me from my powerful enemy,
from a foe too strong for me.
19 he freed me, set me at large,
he rescued me, since he loves me .
43 You deliver me from a people in revolt,
3. God grants us the revenge
18
47 the God who gives me vengeance
and subjects the peoples to me,
19
14 Yahweh, my Rock, my Redeemer!
20
6 Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed,
and answers him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories from his own right hand.
9 Yahweh, save the king,
answer us when we call.
22
5 they called to you for help and they were saved,
they never trusted you in vain .
19 Do not stand aside, Yahweh.
O my strength, come quickly to my help;
25
5 Set me in the way of your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
Alt day long I hope in you
21 Redeem Israel, God,
from all his troubles.
26
9 Do not let my soul share the fate of sinners,
or my life the doom of men of blood,
27
1 Yahweh is my light and my salvation,
whom need I fear?
4. On the cliff of God
27
5 he hides me deep in his tent,
sets me high on a rock.
30
1 High praise, Yahweh, I give you,
for you have helped me up,
and not let my enemies gloat over me.
31
1 In you, Yahweh, I take shelter ;
never let me be disgraced.
In your righteousness deliver me, rescue me,
2 turn your car to me, make haste!
Be a sheltering rock for me,
a waited fortress to save me!
5 into your bands I commit my spirit,
you have redeemed me, Yahweh.
7 I will exult, and rejoice in your love!
You, who have seen my wretchedness,
and known the miseries of my soul,
8 have not handed me over to the enemy,
you have given my feet space and to spare.
5. God saves those who fear him
33
16 A large army will not keep a king safe,
nor does the hero escape by his great strength;
17 it is delusion to rely on the horse for safety,
for all its power, it cannot save.
18 But see how the eye of Yahweh
is on those who fear him,
on those who rely on his love,
34
6 A cry goes up from the poor than, and Yahweh hears,
and helps him in all his troubles.
7 The angel of Yahweh pitches camp
round those who fear him ; and he keeps them safe.
17 They cry for help and Yahweh hears
and rescues them from all their troubles;
20 taking care of every bone,
Yahweh will not let one be broken.
22 while Yahweh himself ransoms
the souls of his servants,
and those who take shelter in him
have nothing to pay.
6. God saves the creation
35
(Yahweh) grip shield and buckler,
up, and help me;
36
6 Yahweh, protector of man and beast,
37
40a Yahweh helps and rescues them,
he saves them because they take shelter in him.
40b and he will save you from the wicked,
38
15 For I put my trust in you, Yahweh,
and leave you to answer for me, Lord my God.
16 I have already said, `Stop them gloating over me.
do not let them take advantage of me
if my foot should slip'.
21 Yahweh, do not desert me,
do not stand aside, my God!
22 Come quickly to my help,
Lord, my saviour!
7. Saved by the swamp
of the death
40
2 He has pulled me out of the horrible pit,
out of the slough of the marsh,
has settled my feet on a rock
and steadied my steps.
13 Oh come and rescue me, Yahweh,
Yahweh come quickly and help me!
41
3 Yahweh will be his comfort
on his bed of sickness;
most carefully you make his bed' when he is sick
10 But Yahweh, take pity on me!
Raise me up, and I will pay them back;
42
5 Put your hope in God: I shall praise him yet,
6 my saviour, "my God.
44
3 it was not by their swords they won the land,
it was not by their arms they gained the victory:
it was your right hand, your arm
and the light of your face
because you loved them
26 Rise! Come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your love.
49
15 But God will redeem my life
from the grasp of Sheol, and will receive me!
8. Saved from bad luck
and from pain
50
15 then you can invoke me in your troubles
and I will rescue you, and you shall honour me.
23 Whoever makes thanksgiving his sacrifice
honours me ;
to the upright man I will show how God can save.'
54
7 He has rescued me from all my troubles,
and let me see my enemies defeated.
55
17 evening, morning, noon, I complain, I groan;
he will hear me calling.
18 His peace can ransom me
from the war being waged on me.
22 Unload your burden on to Yahweh,
and he will support you;
he will never permit the virtuous to falter.
56
12 I must fulfil the vows I made you, God;
I shall pay you my thank-offerings,
13 for you have rescued me from Death
to walk in the presence of God
in the light of the living.
9. Saved by the persecutors
57
3 to send
from heaven and save me,
to check the people harrying me,
59
2 rescue me from these evil men,
save me from these murderers!
62
1 In God alone there is rest for my soul,
from him comes my safety;
2 with him alone for my rock, my safety,
my fortress, I can never fall.
7 rest in God, my safety, glory,
the rock of my strength.
9. Saved by the persecutors
63
6 On my bed I think of you,
I meditate on you all night long,
7 for you have always helped me.
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings;
65
5 Your righteousness repays us with marvels,
God our saviour,
hope of all the ends of the earth
and the distant islands.
66
8 You nations, bless our God
and make his praise resound,
9 who brings our soul to life
and keeps our feet from faltering.
67
1 May God show kindness and bless us,
and make his face smile on us!
2 For then the earth will acknowledge your ways
and all the nations will know of your power
to save.
68
19 Blessed be the Lord day after day,
the God who saves us and bears our burdens!
20 This God of ours is a God who saves,
to the Lord Yahweh belong the ways
of escape from death;
11. Invoking him with the water
up to the throat
69
1 Save me, God!
The water is already up to my neck!
2 I am sinking in the deepest swamp,
there is no foothold;
I have stepped into deep water
and the waves are washing over me.
3 Worn out with calling, my throat is hoarse,
my eyes are strained, looking for my God.
13 For my part, I pray to you, Yahweh,
at the time you wish;
in your great love, answer me, Gad,
faithful in saving power.
14 Pull me out of this swamp; let me sink no further,
let me escape those who hate me,
save me from deep water!
18 come to my side, redeem me,
from so many enemies ransom me.
35 For God will save Zion,
and rebuild the towns of Judah:
they will be lived in, owned,
36 handed down to his servants descendants,
and lived in by those who love his name.
12. Invoking him in poverty
and in unhappiness
70
5 To me, poor wretch,
come quickly, God!
My helper, my saviour, Yahweh,
come without delay!
74
12 Yet, God, my king from the first,
author of saving acts throughout the earth,
76
8 When your verdicts thunder from heaven,
earth stays silent with dread;
9 when God stands up to give judgement
and to save alt the humble of the earth.
79
11 May the groans of the captive reach you;
by your mighty arm rescue those doomed to die!
13. Walking along his paths
to be saved
81
13 'If only my people would listen,
if Israel would follow my ways,
14 at one blow I would defeat their enemies
and strike at all who attack them,
15 'Then those who hate Yahweh would cringe,
their doom being sealed far ever;
16 while I would feed you on pure wheat
and satisfy you with the wild rock honey.
85
1 Yahweh, you favour your own country,
you bring back the captives of Jacob,
86
2 keep my soul: I am your devoted one,
save your servant who relies on you.
15 Lord God, you who are always merciful
and tender-hearted,
slow to anger, always loving, always loyal,
16 turn to me and pity me.
Give me your strength, your saving help,
91
3 He rescues you from the snares
of fowlers hoping to destroy you;
14. Taking shelter
under the wings of God
91
4a he covers you with his feathers,
4b and you find shelter underneath his wings.
14 I rescue all who cling to me,
I protect whoever knows my name,
94
16 No one ever stood up for me against the wicked,
not a soul took a stand to save me from evil men;
17 without Yahweh's help, I should, long ago,
have gone to the Home of Silence.
98
2 Yahweh has displayed his power;
106
8 For the sake of his name, he saved them
to demonstrate his power.
15. In trouble crying to the Lord
107
6 Then they called to Yahweh in their trouble
and he rescued them from their sufferings,
35 Or again, he turned a desert into sheets of water,
and an arid country into flowing springs,
108
6 To bring rescue to those you love
save with your right hand and answer us!
13 With God among us, we shall fight like heroes,
he will trample on our enemies.
109
21 Yahweh, defend me for the sake of your name,
rescue me, since your love is generous!
16. God breaks our chains
109
30 I will give thanks aloud to Yahweh
and praise him in the Assembly,
31 for conducting the poor man's defence
against those who would have sentenced
him to death.
116
116 Yahweh, I am your servant,
your servant, son of a pious mother,
you undo my fetters.
118
5 Hard-pressed, I invoked Yahweh,
he heard me and came to my relief.
13 I was pressed, pressed, about to fall,
but Yahweh came to my help;
21 I thank you for having heard me,
you have been my saviour.
25 Please, Yahweh, please save us.
Please, Yahweh, please give us prosperity.
29 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
his love is everlasting!
17. Looking for the will
of the Lord
119
94 I am yours, save me,
since I study your precepts.
166 Waiting for you, Yahweh, my saviour,
I fulfil your commandments.
174 I long for you, Yahweh, my saviour,
your Law is my delight.
18. Making free from the lie
120
2 Yahweh, save me from these lying lips
and these faithless tongues!
124
7 who let us escape like birds
from the fowler's net,
He tore the net
and we escaped;
129
4 but now Yahweh the Righteous has shattered
the yoke of the wicked.
19. God dawn and dew
130
6 my soul relies on the Lord
more than a watchman on the coming of dawn.
7 Let Israel rely on Yahweh
as much as the watchman on the dawn!
For it is with Yahweh that mercy is to be found,
and a generous redemption;
8 it is he who redeems Israel from all their sins.
133
3 copious as a Hermon dew
fatting on the heights of Zion,
where Yahweh confers his blessing, everlasting life
136
23 He remembered us when we were down,
139
5 close behind and close in front you fence me round,
shielding me with your hand.
140
1 Yahweh, rescue me from evil people,
defend me from men of violence,
141
10 Let the wicked fall into their own net,
while I go on my way.
20. Looking for God
with pure heart
142
6 Listen to my cries for help,
I can hardly be crushed lower.
Rescue me from persecutors
stronger than I am!
8 Free me from this imprisonment,
and I will thank your name once more
in the Assembly of the virtuous,
for the goodness you show me.
143
9 Yahweh, rescue me from my enemies,
I have fled to you for shelter;
144
7 Reach down your hand from above,
save me, rescue me from deep waters,
from the power of aliens
145
14 Only stumble, and Yahweh at once
supports you,
if others bow you down, he will raise you up.
18 standing close to all who invoke him,
close to all who invoke Yahweh faithfully.
19 Those who fear him need only to ask to be answered;
he hears their cries for help and saves them.
20 tinder his protection the pious are safe,
but Yahweh is destruction to the wicked.
146
7 gives liberty to prisoners.
8a Yahweh restores sight to the blind,
8b Yahweh straightens the bent,
9a Yahweh protects the stranger,
9b he keeps the orphan and widow.
8c Yahweh loves the virtuous,
147
3 healing their broken hearts,
and binding up their wounds.
150
2 praise him for his mighty achievements,
praise him for his transcendent greatness!
33. GOD GIVER OF LIFE
1. God creates life
2
7 Let me proclaim Yahweh's decree;
he has told me, `You are my son,
today I have become your father.
8 Ask and I will give you the nations for your heritage,
the ends of the earth for your domain.
6
5 for in death there is no remembrance of you:
who can sing your praises in Sheol?
8
2 by the mouths of children, babes in arms .
You set your strongholds firm against your foes
to subdue enemies and rebels.
5 Yet you have made him little less than a god,
you have crowned him with glory and splendour,
6 made him lord over the work of your hands,
set all things under his feet,
7 sheep and oxen, all these,
2. God protects life
13
3 Look and answer me, Yahweh my God!
Give my eyes light,
or I shall sleep in death,
16
10 for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
nor allow the one you love to see the Pit;
11 you will reveal the path of life to me,
give me unbounded joy in your presence,
and at your right hand everlasting pleasures
17
13 Rise, Yahweh, subdue him face to face,
rescue my soul from the wicked with your sword,
14 with your hand, Yahweh, rescue me from men,
from the sort of men whose tot is here and now.
21
4 he asked for life, and you gave it him,
length of days for ever and ever .
3. God welcomes us
from the maternal womb
22
9 Yet you drew me out of the womb,
you entrusted me to my mother's breasts;
10 placed on your lap from my birth,
from my mother's womb you have been my God.
22
28 For Yahweh reigns, the ruler of nations!
30
3 Yahweh, you have brought my soul up from Sheol,
of all those who go down to the Pit
you have revived me
33
14 from where he sits he watches
all who live on the earth,
15 he who moulds every heart
and takes note of all men do.
18 But see how the eye of Yahweh
is on those who fear him,
on those who rely on his love,
19 to rescue their souls from death
and keep them alive in famine.
36
7 how precious, God, your love!
Hence the sons of men
take shelter in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the bounty of your house,
you give them drink from your river of pleasure;
4. God as source of life
36
9 yes, with you is the fountain of life,
by your light we see the light.
37
22 those he blesses will have the land for their own,
those he curses will be expelled.
23 Yahweh guides a man's steps,
they are sure, and he takes pleasure in his progress;
24 he may fall, but never fatally,
since Yahweh supports him by the hand.
5. God will make wars stop
46
9 all over the world he puts an end to wars,
he breaks the bow, he snaps the spear,
he gives shields to the flames.
47
8 God is king of the nations,
he reigns on his holy throne.
9 The leaders of the nations rally
to the people of the God of Abraham.
Every shield in the world belongs to God.
He reigns supreme.
6. God master of life
50
10 'since all the forest animals are already mine,
and the cattle on my mountains in their thousands;
11 I know all the birds of the air,
nothing moves in the field that does not belong to me.
51
14 Save the from death, God my saviour,
and my tongue will acclaim your righteousness;
65
8 The nations are in uproar, panic
those who live at the ends of the world,
as your miracles bring shouts of joy
to The portals of morning and evening.
66
5 Come and see what marvels God has done,
so much to be feared for his deeds
among mankind;
67
5 Let the nations praise you, God,
let all the nations praise you!
6 The soil has given its harvest,
God, our God, has blessed us .
7 May God bless us, and let him be feared
to the very ends of the earth.
7. He welcomes the wretched
and he frees the oppressed
68
4 rejoice in Yahweh, exult at his coming!
5 Father of orphans, defender of widows,
such is God in his holy dwelling;
6 God gives the lonely a permanent home,
makes prisoners happy by setting them free,
but rebels must live in an and land.
8. God doesn’t reject the old
68
19 Blessed be the Lord day after day,
the God who saves us and bears our burdens!
20 This God of ours is a God who saves,
to the Lord Yahweh belong the ways
of escape from death;
69
16 In your loving kindness, answer me, Yahweh,
in your great tenderness turn to me;
17 do not hide your face from your servant,
quick, I am in trouble, answer me;
71
9 Do not reject me now I am old,
nor desert me now my strength is failing,
9. The divine life in us
82
6 I once said, `You too are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you',
84
11 For God is battlement and shield,
conferring grace and glory;
Yahweh withholds nothing good
from those who walk without blame.
85
6 Will you not give us life again,
for your people to rejoice in you?
7 Yahweh, show us your love,
grant us your saving help.
12 Yahweh himself bestows happiness
as our soil gives its harvest,
86
9 All the pagans will come and adore you, Lord,
all will glorify your name,
10 since you alone are great, you perform marvels,
you God, you alone.
88
9 Yahweh, I invoke you all day,
I stretch out my hands to you:
10 are your marvels meant for the dead,
can ghosts rise up to praise you?
90
1 Lord, you have been our refuge age after age.
2 Before the mountains were born,
before the earth or the world came to birth,
you were God from all eternity and for ever.
17 May the sweetness of the Lord be on us?
Make all we do succeed .
10. God protects life
91
9 you who can say, `Yahweh my refuge',
and make Elyon your fortress.
10 No disaster can overtake you,
no plague come near your tent:
11 he will put you in his angels' charge
to guard you wherever you go.
12 They will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone;
94
8 You most stupid of men, you fools,
think this over and learn some sense.
95
6 Come in, let us bow, prostrate ourselves,
and kneel in front of Yahweh our maker,
7 for this is our God,
and we are the people he pastures,
the flock that he guides
97
10 Yahweh loves those who repudiate evil,
he guards the souls of the devout,
rescuing them from the clutches of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the virtuous,
99
2 Yahweh is great in Zion.
He is high over all nations;
11. Thankful to God
99
9 Extol Yahweh our God,
worship at his holy mountain,
'Holy is Yahweh our God!'
100
3 Know that he, Yahweh, is God,
he made us and we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock that he pastures.
102
23a My strength has already run out;
23b tell me how much longer I have left.
24b Do not take me prematurely,
when your own life lasts for ever.
27 but yourself, you never change, and yourself,
you never change, and your years are unending.
103
3 in forgiving all your offences,
in curing all your diseases,
4 in redeeming your life from the Pit,
in crowning you with love and tenderness,
12. God nourishes his creatures
103
5 in filling your years with prosperity,
in renewing your youth like an eagle's.
104
10 You set springs gushing in ravines,
running down between the mountains,
11 supplying water for wild animals,
attracting the thirsty wild donkeys;
12 near there the birds of the air make their nests
and sing among the branches.
13 From your palace you water the uplands
until the ground has had all that your
heavens have to offer;
14 you make fresh grass grow for cattle
and those plants made use of by man,
for them to get food from the soil:
15 wine to make them cheerful,
oil to make them happy
and bread to make them strong.
16 The trees of Yahweh get rain enough,
those cedars of Lebanon he planted;
17 here the little birds build their nest
and, on the highest branches, the stork has its home.
18 For the wild goats there are the mountains,
in the crags rock-badgers hide.
19 You made the moon to tell the seasons,
the sun knows when to set:
20 you bring darkness on, night falls,
all the forest animals come out:
21 savage lions roaring for their prey,
claiming their food from God.
22 The sun rises, they retire,
going back to lie down in their lairs,
13. God directs existence
104
23 and man goes out to work,
and to labour until dusk.
24 Yahweh, what variety you have created,
arranging everything so wisely!
Earth is completely full of things you have made:
25 among them vast expanse of ocean,
teeming with countless creatures,
creatures large and small,
26 with the ships going to and fro
and Leviathan whom you made to amuse you.
27 All creatures depend on you
to feed them throughout the year;
28 you provide the food they eat,
with generous hand you satisfy their hunger.
29 You turn your face away, they suffer,
you stop their breath, they die
and revert to dust.
30 You give breath, fresh life begins,
you keep renewing the world.
14. God makes man part of life
105
24 He made his people fertile
107
36 where he gave the hungry a home
in which to found a habitable town.
37 There, they sow the fields and plant their vines,
there, they show a profitable harvest.
38 He blesses them, they grow in number,
he sees that their livestock does not decrease.
108
3 Yahweh, I mean to thank you among the peoples,
to play music to you among the nations;
4 your love is high as heaven,
your faithfulness as the clouds.
110
3 Royal dignity was yours from the day
you were born, on the
holy mountains,
royal from the womb,
from the dawn of your earliest days.
15. God takes care of life
113
5 Who is like Yahweh our God?
enthroned so high,
he needs to stoop
6 to see the sky and earth!
7 He raises the poor from dust;
he lifts the needy from the dunghill
8 to give them a place with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He enthrones the barren woman in her house
by making her the happy mother of sons
115
14 May Yahweh add to your numbers,
yours and your children's too!
116
7 Return to your resting place, my soul,
Yahweh has treated you kindly.
8 He has rescued (me from death)
my eyes from tears
and my feet from stumbling.
9 (I will walk in Yahweh's presence
in the land of the living.)
118
17 No, I shall not die, t shall live
to recite the deeds of Yahweh;
27 Yahweh is God, he smiles on us.
16. God, source of ethical life
119
17 Be good to your servant and I shall live,
I shall observe your word.
18 Open my eyes: I shall concentrate
on the marvels of your Law.
26 I admitted my behaviour, you answered me,
now teach me your statutes.
73 Yahweh. my maker, my preserver,
explain your commandments for me to learn .
88 Lovingly intervene, give me life,
and I will observe your decrees.
144 Eternally righteous, your decrees
explain them to me, and I shall live.
159 but, Yahweh, see how I love your precepts,
and lovingly give me life.
175 Long may my soul live to praise you,
long be your rulings my help!
17. God guard of life
121
5 Yahweh guards you, shades you.
With Yahweh at your right hand
6 sun cannot strike you down by day,
nor moon at night.
7 Yahweh guards you from harm,
he guards your lives,
127
3 Sons are a bounty from Yahweh,
he rewards with descendants:
132
15 'I will bless her virtuous with riches,
provide her poor with food,
16 vest her priests in salvation
and her devout shall shout for joy.
133
3 where Yahweh confers his blessing,
everlasting life
135
13 Yahweh, your name endures for ever!
Yahweh, your memory is always fresh!
14 Since Yahweh vindicates his people,
and cares for those who serve him;
136
25 He provides for all living creatures,
his love is everlasting!
138
7 Though I live surrounded by trouble,
you keep me alive to my enemies fury!
139
13 It was you who created my inmost self,
and put me together in my mother's womb;
14 for all these mysteries I thank you:
for the wonder of myself,
for the wonder of your works.
You know me through and through,
23 God, examine me and know my heart,
probe me and know my thoughts;
24 make sure I do not follow pernicious ways,
and guide me in the way that is everlasting.
143
11 Yahweh, for the sake of your name,
keep your promise to save me;
protect me from oppression,
18. Educating to life
144
144 May our sons be like plants
growing strong from their earliest days,
our daughters like comer-statues,
carvings fit for a palace.
145
9 and universally kind; Yahweh's tenderness
embraces all his creatures.
15 Patiently all creatures look to you
to feed them throughout the year;
16 quick to satisfy every need,
you feed them all with a generous hand.
147
8 who covers the heavens with clouds,
to provide the earth with rain,
to produce fresh grass on the hillsides
and the plants that are needed by man,
9 who gives their food to the cattle
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 The strength of the war horse
means nothing to him,
it is not infantry that interests him.
11 Yahweh is interested only
in those who fear him,
in those who rely on his love.
150
1 Praise God in his Temple on earth,
praise him in his temple in heaven,
2 praise him for his mighty achievements,
praise him for his transcendent greatness!
34. GOD’S POWER
1. The creation as work of God
2
7 Let me proclaim Yahweh's decree;
he has told me, `You are my son,
today I have become your father.
8
8 I look up at your heavens, made by your fingers,
at the moon and stars you set in place
ah, what is man that you should spare a thought for him.
the son of man that you should care for him?
10
36 Yahweh is king for ever and ever,
the pagans are doomed to vanish from his country
18
31 Who else is God but Yahweh,
who else a rock save our God?
19
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their message to the ends of the world.
High above, he pitched a tent for the sun.
5 who comes out of his pavilion like a bridegroom,
exulting like a hero to run his race.
6 He has his rising on the edge of heaven,
the end of his course is its furthest edge,
and nothing can escape his heat.
24
1 To Yahweh belong earth and all it holds,
the world and all who live in it;
2 he himself founded it on the ocean,
based it firmly on the nether sea.
29
3a The voice of Yahweh over the waters!
3c Yahweh over the multitudinous waters!
4 The voice of Yahweh in power!
The voice of Yahweh in splendour!
5 The voice of Yahweh shatters the cedars,
Yahweh shatters the cedars of Lebanon,
6 making Lebanon leap like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild bull.
7 The voice of Yahweh sharpens lightning shafts!
8 The voice of Yahweh sets the wilderness shaking.
Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9a The voice of Yahweh sets
the terebinths shuddering,
9b stripping the forests bare.
3b The God of glory thunders.
9c In his palace everything cries, `Glory!'
10 Yahweh sat enthroned for the Flood,
Yahweh sits enthroned as a king for ever.
31
3 For you are my rock, my fortress;
for the sake of your name, guide me, lead me!
33
6 By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made,
their whole array by the breath of his mouth;
7 he collects the ocean waters as though in a wineskin,
he stores the deeps in cellars.
8 Let the whole world fear Yahweh,
let all who live on earth revere him!
9 He spoke, and it was created;
he commanded, and there it stood.
40
5 How many wonders you have done for us,
Yahweh, my God!
How many plans you have made for us;
you have no equal!
I want to proclaim than, again and again,
but they are more than I can count.
43
3 Send out your light and your truth,
let these be my guide,
2. The history of the people:
work of God
44
1 God, we have heard with our own ears,
our ancestors have told us
of the deeds you performed
in their days,
45
6 Your throne, God. shall last for ever and ever,
your royal sceptre is a sceptre of integrity:
46
5 God is inside the city, she can never fall,
at crack of dawn God helps her;
47
2 for Yahweh, the Most High, is to be dreaded,
the Great King of the whole world.
8 God is king of the nations,
he reigns on his holy throne.
48
3 here among her palaces,
God proved to be her fortress.
50
1 Yahweh, God of gods,
speaks, he summons the earth. From cast to west,
7a Listen, my people, I am speaking;
7b Israel, I am giving evidence against you!
55
19 But God will hear me.
Sovereign from the first, he will humble them;
57
5 Rise high above the heavens, God,
let your glory be over the earth!
58
10 What joy for the virtuous, seeing this vengeance,
bathing their feet in the blood of the wicked!
59
5 Yahweh, God of Sabaoth, God of Israel,
8 Yahweh, you laugh at them,
you make fun of these pagans.
60
12 With God among us we shall fight like heroes,
he will trample on our enemies.
62
11 God has spoken once,
twice f have heard this;
it is for God to be strong,
12 for you, Lord, to be loving;
65
6 Your strength holds the mountains up,
such is the power that wraps you;
66
3 Your achievements are the measure
of your power.
Your enemies cringe in your presence;
7 who rules for ever by his power
his eyes keep watch on the nations,
let no rebel raise his head!
68
4 Sing to Yahweh, play music to his name,
build a road for the Rider of the Clouds,
rejoice in Yahweh,
exult at his coming!
14a 'Shaddai has scattered 'a huge army
28 Take command, God, as befits your power,
that power, God, you have wielded on our behalf
33 play for the Rider of the Heavens,
the ancient heavens!
Listen to him shouting, to his thundering,
3. Old age hails the power of God
69
34 Let heaven and earth acclaim him,
the oceans and all that moves in them!
71
18 Now that I am old and grey,
God, do not desert me;
let me live to tell the rising generation
about your strength and power,
4. The history of Israel: work
of God
72
18 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
who alone performs these marvels!
74
13 by your power you split the sea in two,
and smashed the heads of monsters on the waters.
75
3 the earth shall quake and all its inhabitants,
it is I who poised its columns.
76
1 God is renowned in Judah,
his name is great in Israel;
77
13 God, your ways are holy!
What god so great as God?
14 You are the God who did marvellous things
and forced nations to acknowledge your power,
15 with your own arm redeeming your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16 When the waters saw it was you, God,
when the waters saw it was you, they recoiled,
shuddering to their depths.
78
3 What we have heard and known for ourselves,
and what our ancestors have told us,
4 must not be withheld from their descendants,
but be handed on by us to the next generation ;
that is : the titles of Yahweh, his power
and the miracles he has done.
43 by imposing his signs on Egypt,
by displaying his wonders in the plains of Zoan,
5. God’s omnipotence
83
18 disgrace and death; and let them know this:
you alone bear the name Yahweh,
Most High over the whole world.
86
8 there is no god to compare with you,
no achievement to compare with yours.
9 All the pagans will come and adore you, Lord,
all will glorify your name,
10 since you alone are great, you perform marvels,
you God, you alone.
89
5 Yahweh, the assembly of holy ones in heaven
applaud the marvel of your faithfulness.
6 Who in the skies can compare with Yahweh?
Which of the heaven-borne can rival him?
7 God, dreaded in the assembly of holy ones,
great and terrible to all around him,
8 Yahweh, God of Sabaoth, who is like you?
mighty Yahweh, clothed in your faithfulness!
9 You control the pride of the ocean,
when its waves ride high, you calm them;
10 you split Rahab in two like a carcase
and scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours and the earth is yours,
you founded the world and all it holds,
12 you created north and south;
Tabor and Hermon hail your name with joy.
13 Yours was the arm, and yours the prowess,
mighty and exalted your right hand;
90
3 You can turn man back into dust
by saying, 'Back to what you were,
you sons of men!
4 To you, a thousand years are a single day,
a yesterday now over, an hour of the night.
92
5 `Great are your achievements, Yahweh,
immensely deep your thoughts!'
93
1 Yahweh is king, robed in majesty,
Yahweh is robed in power,
he wears it like a belt
You have made the world firm, unshakeable;
2 your throne has stood since then,
you existed from the first, Yahweh.
95
3 For Yahweh is a great God,
a greater King than all other gods;
4 from depths of earth to mountain top
everything conies under his rule;
96
4 Yahweh is great, loud must be his praise,
he is to be feared beyond all gods.
5 Nothingness, all the gods of the nations.
Yahweh himself made the heavens,
6 in his presence are splendour and majesty,
in his sanctuary power and beauty.
10 Say among the nations, `Yahweh is king!'
Firm has he made the world, and unshakeable;
he will judge each nation with strict justice.
97
1 Yahweh is king! Let earth rejoice,
the many isles be glad!
7 bow down as he passes, all you gods!
9 For you are Yahweh
Most High over the world,
far transcending alt other gods.
99
1 Yahweh is king, the nations tremble;
he is enthroned on the cherubs, earth quakes;
102
12 Whereas, Yahweh, you remain for ever;
each generation in turn remembers you!
25 Aeons ago, you laid earth's foundations,
the heavens are the work of your hands;
6. The eternal power of God
102
26 all will vanish, though you remain,
all wear out like a garment,
like clothes that need changing
you will change them;
103
19 Yahweh has fixed his throne in the heavens,
his empire is over all.
104
1 Bless Yahweh, my soul.
Yahweh my God, how great you are!
Clothed in majesty and glory,
2 wrapped in a robe of light!
You stretch the heavens out like a tent,
you build your palace on the waters above;
3 using the clouds as your chariot,
you advance on the wings of the wind;
4 you use the winds as messengers
and fiery flames as servants.
111
2 The works of Yahweh are sublime,
those who delight in them are right
to fix their eyes on them.
3 Every work that he does is full of glory and majesty,
and his righteousness can never change.
7. God’s works: truth and justice
111
7 All that he does is done in faithfulness and justice,
113
4 High over all nations, Yahweh!
His glory transcends the heavens!
114
3 The sea Red at the sight,
the Jordan stopped flowing,
4 the mountains skipped like rams,
and like lambs, the hills.
115
3 Ours is the God whose will is sovereign
in the heavens and on earth,
118
23 this is Yahweh's doing
and it is wonderful to see.
119
64 Yahweh, your love fills the earth:
teach me your statutes.
121
2 Help comes to me from Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
124
8 our help is in the name of Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
134
3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!
135
5 I have learnt for myself that Yahweh is great,
that our Lord surpasses all other gods.
6 In the heavens, on the earth,
in the ocean, in the depths,
Yahweh's will is sovereign.
7 He raises up clouds from the boundaries of earth,
makes the lightning flash for the downpour
and brings the wind out of his storehouse.
136
4 He alone performs great marvels,
his love is everlasting!
138
5 they celebrate Yahweh's actions,
'Great is the glory of Yahweh!'
8. God, the immense
139
7 Where could I go to escape your spirit?
Where could I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb the heavens, you are there,
there too, if I lie in Sheol.
9 If I flew to the point of sunrise,
or westward across the sea,
10 your hand would still be guiding me,
your right hand holding me.
11 If I asked darkness to cover me,
and light to become night around me,
12 that darkness would not be dark to you,
night would be as light as day.
17 God, how hard it is to grasp your thoughts!
How impossible to count them!
18 I could no more count them than I could the sand,
and suppose I could, you would still be with me.
144
5 Yahweh, lower your heavens, come down to us!
Touch the mountains, make them smoke,
145
3 Can anyone measure the magnificence
of Yahweh the great, and his inexpressible
grandeur?
6 Men will proclaim your fearful power
and I shall assert your greatness;
146
5 Happy the man
who has the God of Jacob to help him,
whose hope is fixed on Yahweh his God,
6 maker of heaven and earth,
and the sea, and all that these hold!
10 Yahweh reigns for ever,
your God, Zion, from age to age.
147
4 He decides the number of the stars
and gives each of them a name;
5 our Lord is great, all-powerful,
of infinite understanding.
12 Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem,
Zion, praise your God:
13 for strengthening the bars of your gates,
for blessing your citizens,
14 for granting you peace on your frontiers,
for feeding you on the finest wheat .
15 He gives an order;
his word flashes to earth:
16 to spread snow like a blanket,
to strew hoarfrost like ashes,
148
5 Let them all praise the name of Yahweh,
at whose command they were created;
6 he has fixed them in their place for ever,
by an unalterable statute.
13 Let them all praise the name of Yahweh,
for his name and no other is sublime,
transcending earth and heaven in majesty,
150
1 Alleluia!
Praise God in his Temple on earth,
praise him in his temple in heaven,
2 praise him for his mighty achievements,
praise him for his transcendent greatness!
35. GOD AS LEADER, GUIDE
1. He leads with justice
3
3 But, Yahweh, my encircling shield,
my glory, you help me hold up my head.
5
8 Yahweh, lead me in the path
of your righteousness,
for there are men lying in wait for me;
make your way plain before me.
9
3 My enemies are in retreat,
stumbling, perishing as you confront them:
2. His goodness makes us grow
18
35 You give me your saving shield
(your right hand upholds me),
with care you train me,
21
8 Your hand will unmask all your enemies,
your right hand all who hate you;
12 since you will make them turn tail,
by shooting your arrows in their faces.
3. Guide for the correct path
23
3 there he revives my soul.
He guides me by paths of virtue
for the sake of his name.
24
8 Who is this king of glory?
Yahweh the strong, the valiant,
Yahweh valiant in battle!
10 Who is this king of glory?
He is Yahweh Sabaoth, King of glory, he!
28
8 Yahweh is the strength of his people,
a saving fortress for his anointed.
35
1 Accuse my accusers, Yahweh,
attack my attackers;
43
2 It is you, God, who are my shelter:
44
2 To put them in the land
you dispossessed the nations,
you harried the peoples to make room for them;
4 You it was, my King. my God,
who won those victories for Jacob;
46
7 Yahweh Sabaoth is on our side,
our citadel, the God of Jacob!
47
3 He brings the peoples under our dominion,
he puts the nations under our feet;
4. God, our guide
48
14 that God is here,
our God and leader,
for ever and ever.
60
5 To bring rescue to those you love,
save with your right hand and answer us!
10 God, can you really have rejected us?
You no longer march with our armies.
61
2 To the rock too high for me, lead me!
63
8 my soul clings close to you,
your right hand supports me.
68
1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered,
7 God, when you set out at the head
of your people,
8 and marched across the desert, the earth rocked,
the heavens deluged at God's coming,
at the coming of God,
the God of Israel.
11 The Lord gives his couriers the news,
'Shaddai has scattered 'a huge army
17 With thousands of myriads of divine chariots
5. God leads with his advice
73
24 now guide me with advice
and in the end receive me into glory.
74
18 Now, Yahweh, remember the enemy's blasphemy,
how frenzied people dare to insult your name.
76
3 there he has broken the lightning-swift arrow,
the shield, the sword and the line of battle.
77
11 Remembering Yahweh's achievements,
remembering your marvels in the past,
12 I reflect on all that you did,
I ponder on all your achievements.
15 with your own arm redeeming your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
6. He drivers us a flock
77
19 you marched across the ocean,
but your steps could not be seen.
20 You guided your people like a flock
by the hands of Moses and Aaron.
78
11 they had forgotten his achievements,
the marvels he had shown them:
12 he had worked wonders for their ancestors
in the plains of Zoan, down in Egypt:
13 dividing the sea, bringing them through,
making the waters stand up like dikes,
14 leading them with a cloud by day
and with a fiery glow at night,
15 splitting rocks in the wilderness,
quenching their thirst with unlimited water,
16 conjuring streams from the rock
and bringing down water in torrents
52 by driving his people out like sheep,
by leading them through the wilderness like a flock,
53 by guiding them safe and unafraid
while the sea engulfed their enemies,
54 by bringing them to his sacred frontier,
the highlands conquered by his own right hand,
55 by expelling the pagans in front of them
and by marking out a heritage for each,
in which the tribes of Israel could pitch their tents.
65 Then, like a sleeper, like a hero
fighting-mad with wine, the Lord woke up
66 to strike his enemies on the rump
and put them to everlasting shame.
7. He visits his vineyard
80
7 Yahweh Sabaoth, bring us back,
let your face smile on us and we shall be safe.
14 Please, Yahweh Sabaoth, relent!
Look down from heaven, look at this vine,
15 visit it, protect
what your own right hand has planted.
81
6 'It was I who relieved your shoulder of the burden,
your hands could drop the labourer's basket ;
7 you called in your trouble, so I rescued you.
`Hidden in the storm, I answered you,
10 I, Yahweh, am your God,
I who brought you here from Egypt;
you have only to open your mouth for me to fill it.
84
3 The sparrow has found its home at last,
the swallow a nest for its young,
your altars, Yahweh Sabaoth,
my king and my God.
95
7 for this is our God,
and we are the people he pastures,
the flock that he guides.
If only you would listen to him today,
8. Thanks for the liberation
98
1 Sing Yahweh a new song
for he has performed marvels,
his own right hand, his holy arm,
gives him the power to save.
105
12 `There where you were easily counted,
few in number, strangers to the country.
13 They went from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people;
14 he let no man oppress them,
he punished kings on their behalf.
15 Do not touch my anointed ones,' he said
'do not harm my prophets!'
37 then he led Israel out with gold and silver,
and not one man of their tribes was left behind.
106
9 One word from him dried up the Sea of Reeds,
he led them across the sea bed like dry land,
10 he saved them from the grasp of those who hated them
and rescued them from the clutches of the enemy.
43 Time and again he rescued them,
110
1 Yahweh's oracle to you, my Lord,
`Sit at my right hand
and I will make your enemies a footstool for you'.
118
15 Shouts of joy and safety
in the tents of the virtuous :
Yahweh's right hand is wreaking havoc,
9. The decrees of the Lord are our
guide
119
33 Expound to me the way of your statutes,
Yahweh,
and I will always respect them.
121
3 No letting our footsteps slip!
This guard of yours, he does not doze!
4 The guardian of Israel
does not doze or sleep.
124
1 If Yahweh had not been on our side
-let Israel repeat it-
2 if Yahweh had not been on our side
when they attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
and burnt us to death in their rage.
8 our help is in the name of Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
125
2 Jerusalem! Encircled by mountains,
as Yahweh encircles his people now and for always.
126
1 When Yahweh brought Zion's captives home,
at first it seemed like a dream;
4 Yahweh, bring all our captives back again
like torrents in the Negeb!
132
18 whose enemies I shall clothe in shame,
while his crown bursts into flower.
138
8 your right hand will do everything for me.
140
7 Yahweh, my Lord, my saving strength,
shielding my head when I have to fight,
143
10 teach me to obey you,
since you are my God;
may your good spirit guide me
on to level ground.
144
2 my love, my bastion,
my citadel, my saviour,
I shelter behind him, my shield,
he makes the nations submit to me.
36. GOD’S PRESENCE
1. In the trouble and in pain
5
3 for at daybreak you listen for my voice
10
34 You yourself have seen the distress and the grief,
you watch and then take them into your hands;
11
4 his eyes look down at the world,
his searching gaze scans all mankind.
5 The virtuous and the wicked
are under Yahweh's scrutiny,
and his soul hates anyone who loves brutality.
18
6 from his Temple he heard my voice,
my cry came to his ears.
2. God infuses safety
23
4 beside me your rod and your staff
are there, to hearten me.
27
9 do not hide your face from me.
33
13 Yahweh looks down from heaven,
he sees the whole human race;
35
22 Now break your silence,
Yahweh, you were looking too,
38
9 Lord, all that I long for is known to you,
my sighing is no secret from you;
41
2 Yahweh will guard him, give him life
48
8 God-protected for ever.
50
21 You do this, and expect me to say nothing?
51
11 do not banish me from your presence,
66
19 But God not only heard me,
he listened to my prayer.
67
6 God, our God, has blessed us.
71
12 God, do not stand aside,
my God, come quickly and help me!
3. God nourishes us
78
23 He gave orders to the skies above,
he opened the doors of heaven,
24 he rained down manna to feed them,
he gave them the wheat of heaven;
25 men ate the bread of Immortals,
he sent them more food than they could eat.
26 He stirred up an east wind in the heavens,
he conjured up a south wind by his power,
27 he rained down meat on them like dust;
birds as thick as sand on the seashore
28 he sent tumbling into their camp,
in all directions round their tents.
29 They all had enough and to spare,
he having provided what they wanted;
80
3 let your face smile on us and we shall be safe.
87
2b he prefers the gates of Zion
4. God listens to the prayer
88
2 may my prayer reach you
hear my cries for help;
99
6 his votary, all invoked Yahweh:
and he answered them.
102
2 do not hide your face from me
when I am in trouble;
bend down to listen to me,
5. The God of heaven is close to us
104
2 You stretch the heavens out like a tent,
3 using the clouds as your chariot,
you advance on the wings of the wind;
4 you use the winds as messengers
and fiery flames as servants.
5 You fixed the earth on its foundations,
unshakeable for ever and ever;
6 you wrapped it with the deep as with a robe,
the waters overtopping the mountains.
7 At your reproof the waters took to flight,
they iced at the sound of your thunder,
8 cascading over the mountains, into the valleys,
down to the reservoir you made for them;
9 you imposed the limits they must never cross again,
or they would once more flood the land.
113
5 he needs to stoop
6 to see the sky and earth!
114
7 Quake, earth, at the coming of your Master,
118
7 With Yahweh on my side, best help of all,
119
151 But, Yahweh, you are closer still
and all your commandments are true.
6. Residing with God
132
8 Yahweh, go up to your resting place,
you and your ark of power.
13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion,
desiring this to be his home,
14 `Here I will stay for ever,
this is the home I have chosen.
138
3 The day I called for help, you heard me
and you increased my strength,
141
1 Yahweh, I am calling, hurry to me,
listen to me, I am invoking you.
142
3 but you, you know my path.
143
7 Quick, Yahweh, answer me
before my spirit fails;
if you hide your face much longer,
I shall go down to the Pit like the rest.
37. GOD’S ANGER
1. God protects his children
2
5 Then angrily he addresses them,
in a rage he strikes them with panic,
6 `This is my king, installed by me
on Zion, my holy mountain' .
10 So now, you kings, learn wisdom,
earthly rulers, be warned:
11 serve Yahweh, fear him,
12 tremble and kiss his feet,
or he will be angry and you will perish,
for his anger is very quick to blaze.
Happy all who take shelter in him.
7
6 Rise, Yahweh, in anger, awake, my God!
Confront the raging of my enemies,
you who demand that justice shall be done.
2. God punishes the cruel
9
You have checked the nations,
you have crushed the wicked,
18
7 Then the earth quivered and quaked,
the foundations of the mountains trembled
(they quivered because he was angry);
8 from his nostrils a smoke ascended,
and from his mouth a fire that consumed
(live embers were kindled at it).
9 He bent the heavens and came down,
a dark cloud under his feet;
10 he mounted a cherubs and flew,
and soared on the wings of the wind .
11 Darkness he made a veil to surround him,
his tent a watery darkness, dense cloud;
12 before him a flash enkindled
hail and fiery embers.
13 Yahweh thundered from heaven,
the Most High made his voice heard;
21
9 Yahweh will engulf them in his anger,
and fire will devour them;
10 you will wipe their children from the earth,
their descendants from among the sons of men.
30
7 but then you hid your face
and I was terrified.
3. With the sin we hurt us
38
1 Yahweh, do not punish me in your rage,
3 no soundness in my flesh now you are angry,
no health in my bones, because of my sin.
46
6 to the roaring of nations and tottering of kingdoms,
when he shouts, the world disintegrates.
48
5 they looked, they were amazed,
they panicked, they ran!
50
3 Let our God come, and be silent no more!
Preceding him, a devouring fire,
round him, a raging storm;
55
9 and from the tempest, Lord, that destroys,
and from their malicious tongues.
56
7 Are they to go unpunished' for such a crime?
God, in fury bring the nations down !
58
6 God, break their teeth in their mouths,
Yahweh, wrench out the fangs of these savage lions!
4. God’s punishment
59
5 up, now, and punish these pagans,
show no mercy to these villains and traitors!
13 destroy them in anger, destroy,
until they are finished,
60
1 God, you have rejected us, broken us ;
you have been angry, come back to us!
2 You have made the earth tremble, torn it apart;
now mend the rifts, it is tottering still!
3 You have allowed your people to suffer,
to drink a wine that makes us reel.
4 Hoist the standard to rally those who fear you,
to put them out of range of bow and arrow.
69
24 Vent your fury on them,
let your burning anger overtake them ;
75
8 Yahweh is holding a cup
of frothing wine, heavily drugged;
he pours it out, they drain it to the dregs,
all drink of it, the wicked of the earth.
76
7 You the Terrible! Who can oppose you
and your furious onslaught?
8 When your verdicts thunder from heaven,
earth stays silent with dread;
77
3 I thought of God and sighed,
I pondered and my spirit failed me.
9 Has God forgotten to show mercy.
or has his anger overcome his tenderness?
78
30 but they had hardly satisfied their craving,
the food was still in their mouths,
31 when the wrath of God attacked them,
49 by unleashing his fierce anger, rage,
indignation and hardship on them,
a mission of angels of disaster,
50 by giving his anger free rein,
by not even exempting them from death,
by condemning them to plague,
51 by striking down all the first-born in Egypt,
the first-fruits of their virility in the tents of Ham,
79
5 How much longer will you be angry,
Yahweh? For ever?
Is your jealousy to go on smouldering like a fire?
83
13 My God, bowl them along like tumbleweed,
like chaff at the mercy of the wind ;
14 as fire devours the forest,
as the flame licks up the mountains,
15 drive them on with your whirlwind,
rout them with your tornado;
5. Crushed by the divine anger
88
7 weighted down by your anger,
drowned beneath your waves.
16 your anger overwhelmed me,
you destroyed me with your terrors
89
38 And yet you have rejected, disowned
and raged at your anointed;
39 you have repudiated the covenant
with your servant
and flung his crown dishonoured to the ground .
40 You have pierced all his defences,
and laid his forts in ruins;
41 anyone may go and loot him,
his neighbours treat him with scorn.
42 You have let his opponents get the upper hand,
and made all his enemies happy,
43 you have snapped his sword on a rock
and failed to support him in battle.
44 You have stripped him of his glorious sceptre,
and toppled his throne to the ground,
90
5 You brush men away like waking dreams,
they are like grass
6 sprouting and flowering in the morning,
withered and dry before dusk.
11 Who yet has felt the full force of your fury,
or learnt to fear the violence of your rage?
102
10 under your furious anger,
since you only picked me up to throw me down;
6. Invoking God’s mercy
106
23 He talked of putting an end to them
and would have done, if Moses his chosen
had not stood in the breach, confronting him,
and defecting his destructive anger.
26 So, raising his hand, he swore
to make them fall dead in the desert
27 and their descendants to fall to the heathen,
and to disperse them throughout those countries.
40 Yahweh's anger blazed out at his people,
he came to loathe his heirs.
41 He handed them over to the pagans,
those who hated them became their masters;
42 their enemies tyrannised over them,
crushing them under their rule.
43 Time and again he rescued them,
but they went on defying him deliberately
and plunging deeper into wickedness;
110
5 The Lord is at your right hand.
When he grows angry he shatters kings,
119
120 My whole being trembles before you,
your rulings fit! me with fear.
38. GOD’S TEMPLE
1. Sign of his presence
2
6 `This is my king, installed by me
on Zion, my holy mountain'.
3
4 Loudly I cry to Yahweh,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5
7 But I, so great is your love,
may come to your house, and bow down
before your holy Temple in reverence to you.
2. Place of praise and exultation
9
14 that I may recite your praises one by one,
rejoicing that you have saved me.
11
4 Yahweh is in his holy Temple,
Yahweh whose throne is in heaven;
20
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
give you support from Zion,
22
3 Yet, Holy One, you
who make your home in the praises of Israel,
3. The desire of living in his house
23
6 Ah, how goodness and kindness pursue me,
every day of my life;
my home, the house of Yahweh,
as long as I live!
24
3 Who has the right to climb the mountain of Yahweh,
who the right to stand in his holy place?
26
8 I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory makes its home.
27
4 One thing I ask of Yahweh,
one thing I seek:
to live in the house of Yahweh
all the days of my life,
28
2 Hear my voice, raised in petition,
as I cry to you for help,
as I raise my hands, Yahweh,
toward your Holy of Holies.
29
9c In his palace everything cries, `Glory!'
4. Nourishment of the soul
33
14 from where he sits he watches
all who live on the earth,
15 he who moulds every heart
and takes note of all men do.
36
8 They feast on the bounty of your house,
you give them drink from your river of pleasure;
43
3 Send out your light and your truth,
let these be my guide,
to lead me to your holy mountain
and to the place where you live.
5. Place of joy
43
4 Then I shall go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy,
46
4 There is a river whose streams refresh
the city of God,
and it sanctifies the dwellings of the Most High.
5 God is inside the city, she can never fall,
at crack of dawn God helps her;
48
2 the holy mountain, beautiful where it rises,
joy of the whole world;
Mount of Zion, deep heart of the North,
city of the Great King;
8 What we had heard we saw for ourselves
in the city of our God,
the city of Yahweh Sabaoth,
God-protected for ever.
12 Go through Zion, walk round her,
counting her towers,
51
18 Show your favour graciously to Zion,
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
6. Putting roots in the house of the Lord
52
8 I, for my part, like an olive tree
growing in the house of God,
put my trust in God's love
for ever and ever.
60
6 God promised us once from his sanctuary,
63
2 I long to gaze on you in the Sanctuary,
and to see your power and glory.
3 Your love is better than life itself,
my lips will recite your praise;
65
4 Happy the man you choose, whom you invite
to live in your courts.
7. Entering his house
with full hands
66
13 I bring holocausts to your house,
I bring them to fulfil those vows
14 that rose to my lips,
those vows I spoke when in trouble.
68
5 Father of orphans, defender of widows,
such is God in his holy dwelling;
16 Peaks of pride,
have you the right to look down on
a mountain where God has chosen to live,
where Yahweh is going to live for ever?
24 God, your procession can be seen,
my God's, my king's procession to the sanctuary,
29 from your Temple high above Jerusalem!
Kings will come to you, bringing presents.
35 God in his sanctuary is greatly to be feared.
8. The zeal for the house of God
69
9 zeal for your house devours me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
73
17 until the day I pierced the mystery
and saw the end in store for them:
74
2 your hereditary tribe whom you redeemed,
and this Mount Zion where you came to live.
3 Pick your steps over these endless ruins:
the enemy have sacked everything in the sanctuary.
7 then, God, setting fire to your sanctuary,
they profanely razed the house
of your name to the ground.
76
2 his tent is pitched in Salem, his home is in Zion;
78
69 where he built his sanctuary,
a copy of high heaven,
founding it firm as the earth for ever.
9. Living with joy
in the house of God
84
1 How I love your palace,
Yahweh Sabaoth!
2 How my soul yearns and pines
for Yahweh's courts!
4 Happy those who live in your house
and can praise you all day long;
5 and happy the pilgrims inspired by you
with courage to make the Ascents!
7 Thence they make their way from height to height,
soon to be seen before God on Zion,'
9 God our shield, now look on us
and be kind to your anointed,
10 A single day in your courts
is worth more than a thousand elsewhere;
merely to stand on the steps of God's house
is better than living with the wicked.
10. Also the elderly takes fruits
in your house
92
12 so the virtuous flourish like palm trees
and grow as tall as the cedars of Lebanon .
13 Planted in the house of Yahweh,
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
14 still bearing fruit in old age,
still remaining fresh and green,
11. House of holiness
93
5 Your decrees will never alter;
holiness will distinguish your house,
Yahweh, for ever and ever.
96
8 Bring out the offering, bear it before him,
100
4 Walk through his porticos giving thanks,
enter his courts praising him,
102
14 for your servants prize her stones
and are moved to pity by her dust.
108
7 God promised us once from his sanctuary,
110
2 Yahweh will force all your enemies
under the sway of your sceptre in Zion.
12. House of justice
116
18 I will pay what I vowed to Yahweh;
may his whole nation be present,
19 in the courts of the house of Yahweh,
in your heart, Jerusalem.
118
19 Open the gates of virtue to me,
I will come in and give thanks to Yahweh.
13. House of blessing
118
26 We bless you from the house of Yahweh.
119
139 Zeal for your house a devours me,
since my oppressors forget your word.
14. The house for a long time
desired
122
1 How I rejoiced when they said to me,
`Let us go to the house of Yahweh!
132
3 not to enter tent or house,
not to climb into bed,
4 not to allow himself to sleep,
not even to close his eyes,
5 until he had found a place for Yahweh,
a home for the Mighty One of Jacob!
13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion,
desiring this to be his home,
15. House of prayer also
in the night
134
1 Come, bless Yahweh,
all you who serve Yahweh,
serving in the house of Yahweh
in the courts of the house of our God!
2 Stretch out your hands towards the sanctuary,
bless Yahweh night after night!
135
Alleluia!
1 Praise the name of Yahweh,
praise Yahweh, you who serve him,
2 serving in the house of Yahweh,
in the courts of the house of our God!
21 Blessed be Yahweh in Zion,
in Jerusalem his home!
16. Nostalgia of the house of God
137
1 Beside the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
at the memory of Zion,
138
1 I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart,
because you have heard what I said.
In the presence of the angels I play for you,
2 and bow down towards your holy Temple.
I give thanks to your name
for your love and faithfulness;
your promise is even greater than your fame.
17. The family, God’s house
144
12 May our sons be like plants
growing strong from their earliest days,
our daughters like comer-statues,
carvings fit for a palace.
39. INTIMACY WITH GOD
1. Acting with justice and loyalty
11
7 Yahweh is righteous, he loves virtue,
upright men will contemplate his face.
15
1 Yahweh, who has the right to enter your tent,
or to live on your holy mountain?
2 The man whose way of life is blameless,
who always does what is right,
who speaks the truth from his heart,
3 whose tongue is not used for slander,
who does no wrong to his fellow,
casts no discredit on his neighbour,
4 looks with contempt on the reprobate,
but honours those who fear Yahweh;
who stands by his pledge at any cost,
5 does not ask interest on loans,
and cannot be bribed to victimise the innocent.
.
2. Following the path of life
and joy
16
11 you will reveal the path of life to me,
give me unbounded joy in your presence,
and at your right hand everlasting pleasures.
17
15 For me the reward of virtue is to see your face,
and, on waking, to gaze my fill on your likeness.
3. At the table of God
23
5 You prepare a table before me
under the eyes of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, my cup brims over.
4. Living in the house of the Lord
23
6 Ah, how goodness and kindness pursue me,
every day of my life;
my home, the house of Yahweh, as long as I live!
25
14 The dose secret of Yahweh
belongs to them who fear him,
his covenant also, to bring them knowledge.
27
4 One thing I ask of Yahweh,
one thing I seek:
to live in the house of Yahweh
all the days of my life,
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh
and to consult him in his Temple.
36
10 Do not stop loving those who know you,
or being righteous to upright hearts.
37
5 Commit your fate to Yahweh,
trust in him and he will act:
6 making your virtue clear as the light,
your integrity as bright as noon.
40
11 For your part, Yahweh, do not withhold
your kindness from me!
May your love and faithfulness
constantly preserve me.
5. Our thirst for God
42
2 My soul thirsts for God, the God of life;
when shall I go to see the face of God?
45
7 virtue you love as much as you hate wickedness .
This is why God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness, above all your rivals;
10 Listen, daughter, pay careful attention:
forget your nation and your ancestral home,
11 then the king will fall in love with your beauty.
12 The daughter of Tyre
will solicit your favour with gifts,
13 the wealthiest nations, 'with jewels set in gold .
14 Dressed 'in brocades, the king's daughter
is led in to the king, with bridesmaids in her train.
Her ladies-in-waiting follow
15 and enter the king's palace to general rejoicing.
6. As verdant olive tree
in the house of God
52
8 I, for my part, like an olive tree
growing in the house of God,
put my trust in God's love
for ever and ever.
57
7 I mean to sing and play for you,
8 awake, my muse, awake, lyre and harp,
I mean to wake the Dawn!
61
4 Let me stay in your tent for ever,
taking refuge in the shelter of your wings.
63
2 I long to gaze on you in the Sanctuary,
and to see your power and glory.
65
4 Happy the man you choose, whom you invite
to live in your courts.
7. To be near to him
73
24 now guide me with advice
and in the end receive me into glory.
26 My flesh and my heart are pining with love,
my heart's Rock,
my own, God for ever!
28 whereas my joy lies in being close to God.
I have taken shelter in the Lord,
84
3 The sparrow has found its home at last,
the swallow a nest for its young,
your altars, Yahweh Sabaoth,
my king and my God.
10 A single day in your courts
is worth more than a thousand elsewhere;
merely to stand on the steps of God's house
is better than living with the wicked.
87
6 he, the Most High, Yahweh;
and as he registers the peoples,
7 'it was here' he writes `that so and so was born'.
And there will be princes dancing there.
All find their home in you.
91
15 I answer everyone who invokes me,
I am with them when they are in trouble;
I bring them safety and honour.
16 I give them life, long and full,
and show them how I can save '
103
17 yet Yahweh's love for those who fear him
lasts from all eternity and for ever,
8. God’s priest
110
1 Yahweh's oracle to you, my Lord,
`Sit at my right hand
4 Yahweh has sworn
an oath which he never will retract,
`You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek,
and for ever.
113
8 to give them a place with princes,
with the princes of his people.
117
2 For his love is strong, his faithfulness eternal.
118
22 it was the stone rejected by the builders
that proved to be the keystone;
9. Lighted up by his face
119
124 Treat your servant lovingly,
teach me your statutes.
135 Treat your servant kindly, teach me your statutes.
132
7 Let us go where he is waiting
and worship at his footstool.
138
8 your right hand will do everything for me.
Yahweh, your love is everlasting,
do not abandon us whom you have made.
139
1 Yahweh, you examine me and know me,
2 you know if I am standing or sitting,
you read my thoughts from far away,
3 whether I walk or lie down, you are watching,
you know every detail of my conduct.
4 The word is not even on my tongue,
Yahweh, before you know all about it;
5 close behind and close in front
you fence me round,
shielding me with your hand.
139
14 for all these mysteries I thank you:
for the wonder of myself,
for the wonder of your works.
You know me through and through,
140
13 The virtuous shall have good cause
to thank your name,
and the upright to find a home with you.
40. GOD’S PROMISE
1. Those who belong
to his people
2
8 Ask and I will give you the nations
for your heritage,
the ends of the earth for your domain.
3
8 From Yahweh, rescue.
On your people, blessing!
12
7 And you, Yahweh, hold us in your keeping,
against that breed protect us always.
18
50 His king he saves and saves again,
displays his love for his anointed,
for David and his heirs for ever.
22
4 in you our fathers put their trust,
they trusted and you rescued them;
25
6 Remember your kindness, Yahweh,
your love, that you showed long ago.
28
9 Save your people! Bless your heritage!
Shepherd them; carry them for ever!
2. For the one who shares
the project of God
33
11 but Yahweh's plans hold good for ever,
the intentions of his heart from age to age.
40
5 How many wonders you have done for us,
Yahweh, my God!
How many plans you have made for us;
you have no equal!
I want to proclaim than, again and again,
but they are more than I can count.
44
1 God, we have heard with our own ears,
our ancestors have told us
of the deeds you performed
in their days,
47
4 for us he chooses our heritage
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
3. For the one who has established
the alliance with the sacrifice
50
5 `Assemble my faithful before me
who sealed my covenant by sacrifice!'
57
9 Lord, I mean to thank you among the peoples,
to play music to you among the nations;
10 your love is high as heaven,
your faithfulness as the clouds.
68
9 God, you rained a downpour of blessings,
when your heritage was faint you gave it strength;
72
4 Uprightly he will defend the poorest,
he will save the children of those in need,
and crush their oppressors .
5 Like sun and moon he will endure,
age after age,
6 welcome as rain that fails on the pasture,
and showers to thirsty soil.
7 In his days virtues will flourish,
a universal peace till the moon is no more;
8 his empire shall stretch from sea to sea,
from the river to the ends of the earth.
4. The promise for all the people
72
9 The Beast will cower before him
and his enemies grovel in the dust;
10 the kings of Tarshish and of the islands
will pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts;
11 all kings will do him homage,
all nations become his servants.
74
20 Respect the covenant!
5. The promise to Abraham
78
5 When he issued the decrees for Jacob
and instituted a Law in Israel,
he gave our ancestors strict orders
to teach it to their children;
6 the next generation was to learn it,
the children still to be born,
and these in their turn were to tell
their own children
7 so that they too would put their confidence in God,
never forgetting God's achievements,
and always keeping his commandments,
89
1 I will celebrate your love for ever, Yahweh,
age after age my words shall proclaim
your faithfulness;
2 for I claim that love is built to last for ever
and your faithfulness founded firmly in the heavens.
3 `I have made a covenant with my Chosen,
I have given my servant David my sworn word:
4 I have founded your dynasty to last for ever,
I have built you a throne to outlast all time.
19 Once you spoke in vision and said to your friends,
'I have conferred the crown on a hero,
and promoted one chosen from my people.
20 `I have selected my servant David
and anointed him with my holy oil;
21 my hand will be constantly with him,
he will be able to rely on my arm.
98
3 mindful of his love and faithfulness
to the House of Israel.
103
7 he revealed his intentions to Moses,
his prowess to the sons of Israel.
105
5 remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements from his mouth.
6 Stock of Abraham his servant,
sons of Jacob his chosen one!
8 Remember his covenant for ever,
his word of command for a thousand generations,
9 the pact he made with Abraham,
his oath to Isaac.
10 He established it as a statute for Jacob,
an everlasting covenant for Israel.
11 `I give you a land, he said
'Canaan, your allotted heritage.
44 and gave them the pagans' territories.
Where others had toiled, they took possession,
45 on condition that they kept his statutes
and remained obedient to his laws.
106
45 For their sake, he remembered his covenant,
he relented in his great love,
111
5 he provides food for those who fear him;
he never forgets his covenant.
9 Quickly he comes to his people's rescue,
imposing his covenant once and for all;
119
46 I shall proclaim your decrees to kings
without fear of disgrace.
49 Remember the word you pledged your servant,
on which you have built my hope.
82 and have strained my eyes waiting for your promise;
when, I want to know, will you console me?
6. Keeping faithful to the alliance
119
129 Your decrees are so wonderful
my soul cannot but respect them.
162 I rejoice in your promise,
like someone on finding a vast treasure.
170 May my entreaty reach your presence;
rescue me as you have promised.
132
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not banish your anointed.
11 Yahweh swore to David
and will remain true to his word,
'I promise that your own son
shall succeed you on the throne.
7. Jesus Christ realizes
the promise
132
17 `Here, I will make a horn sprout for David,
here, I will trim a lamp for my anointed,
135
4 since Yahweh has chosen Jacob,
Israel as his own.
138
2 I give thanks to your name
for your love and faithfulness;
your promise is even greater than your fame.
143
5 I recall the days of old,
I reflect on all that you did, I ponder your deeds;
12 love me, kill my enemies,
destroy my oppressors,
for I am your servant.
144
9 God, I have made a new song for you
to be played on the ten-string lyre,
10 you who give victory to kings
and safety to your servant David.
145
7 they will celebrate your generous kindness
and joyfully acclaim your righteousness.
146
6 Yahweh, forever faithful,
7 gives justice to those denied it,
gives food to the hungry,
gives liberty to prisoners.
147
2 Yahweh, Restorer of Jerusalem!
He brought back Israel's exiles,
3 healing their broken hearts,
and binding up their wounds.
19 He reveals his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rulings to Israel:
20 he never does this for other nations,
he never reveals his rulings to them.
148
14 raising the fortunes of his people,
to the praises of the devout,
of Israel, the people dear to him.
41. GOD’S GLORY
1. The man whom he defends
3
3 But, Yahweh, my encircling shield,
my glory, you help me hold up my head.
8
5 Yet you have made him little less than a god,
you have crowned him with glory and splendour,
2. The cheerful quiver
of the creation
19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
the vault of heaven proclaims his handiwork;
3. The praise of the one
who is saved
21
5 Great his glory through your saving help,
you have loaded him with splendour and majesty;
22
23 you who fear Yahweh, praise him!
Entire race of Jacob, glorify him!
4. The merry welcoming of God
24
7 Gates, raise your arches,
rise, you ancient doors,
let the king of glory in!
26
8 I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory makes its home.
29
1 Pay tribute to Yahweh, you sons of God,
tribute to Yahweh of glory and power,
3a The voice of Yahweh over the waters!
3c Yahweh over the multitudinous waters!
9c In his palace everything cries, `Glory!'
44
8 our boast was always of God,
we praised your name without ceasing.
5. Invocation to God in bad luck
50
15 then you can invoke me in your troubles
and I will rescue you, and you shall honour me.
57
5 Rise high above the heavens, God,
let your glory be over the earth!
62
7 rest in God, my safety, glory,
the rock of my strength.
63
2 I long to gaze on you in the Sanctuary,
and to see your power and glory.
64
10 The virtuous will rejoice in Yahweh,
will make him their refuge;
and upright hearts will be able to boast.
66
1 Acclaim God, all the earth,
2 play music to the glory of his name,
glorify him with your praises,
71
8 My mouth ìs full of your praises,
filled with your splendour all day long.
72
19 Blessed for ever be his glorious name,
may the whole world be filled with his glory!
Amen. Amen!
73
24 now guide me with advice
and in the end receive me into glory.
76
10 Man's wrath only adds to your glory;
the survivors of your wrath you will draw like
a girdle around you;
78
61 He consigned his power to captivity,
his splendour to the enemy's clutches;
6. The request of forgiveness
79
9 help us, God our saviour,
for the honour of your name;
Yahweh, blot out our sins,
rescue us for the sake of your name.
84
11 For God is battlement and shield,
conferring grace and glory;
Yahweh withholds nothing good
from those who walk without blame.
85
9 for those who fear him, his saving help is near,
and the glory will then live in our country.
7. The people’s return to God
86
9 All the pagans will come and adore you, Lord,
all will glorify your name,
10 since you alone are great, you perform marvels,
you God, you alone.
12 I thank you with all my heart, Lord my God,
I glorify your name for ever,
13 your love for me has been so great,
you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
89
15 Happy the people who learn to acclaim you!
Yahweh, they will live in the light of your favour;
16 they will rejoice in your name all day
and exult in your righteousness.
8. Our knowledge of God
90
16 Let your servants see what you can do for them,
let their children see your glory.
96
2 tell of his glory among the nations,
3 tell his marvels to every people.
7 Pay tribute to Yahweh, families of the peoples,
tribute to Yahweh of glory and power,
97
6 the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
all nations see his glory.
102
15 Then will the nations fear the name of Yahweh
and all kings on earth respect your glory;
104
31 Glory for ever to Yahweh!
May Yahweh find joy in what he creates,
105
3 Glory in his holy name,
let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice!
106
5 and take pride in being one of your heirs.
47 Yahweh our God and saviour,
gather us from among the pagans,
to give thanks to your holy name
and to find our happiness in praising you.
108
5 Rise high above the heavens, God,
let your glory be over the earth!
9. The finality of the creation
and of the redemption
112
9 Quick to be generous, he gives to the poor,
his righteousness can never change,
men such as this will always be honoured,
113
4 High over all nations, Yahweh!
His glory transcends the heavens!
115
1 Not by us, Yahweh, not by us,
by you alone is glory deserved,
by your love and your faithfulness!
117
1 Alleluia!
Praise Yahweh, all nations,
extol him, all you peoples!
138
5 they celebrate Yahweh's actions,
'Great is the glory of Yahweh!'
10. The cosmic praise
45
5 Oh, the splendour of your glory, your renown!
I tell myself the story of your marvellous deeds
10 Yahweh, all your creatures thank you,
and your faithful bless you.
11 Kingly and glorious they proclaim you,
they affirm your might
148
11 all kings on earth and nations,
princes, all rulers in the world,
12 young men and girls,
old people, and children too!
13 Let them all praise the name of Yahweh,
for his name and no other is sublime,
transcending earth and heaven in majesty,
149
5 the faithful exult in triumph,
prostrate before God they acclaim him
6 with panegyrics on their lips,
and a two-edged sword in their hands
7 to exact vengeance on the pagans,
to inflict punishment on the heathen,
8 to shackle their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters,
9 to execute the preordained sentence.
Thus gloriously are the faithful rewarded!
INDEX FOR MATTERS
Note: the number points out the page
A fragile existence 76
A life of loneliness 25
A life of persecution 52
A life of suffering 18
Abandoned by my parents 30
Absence of the fear of God 203
Acting with justice and loyalty 396
After the defeat darkness and death 58
After the weeping the joy 17
All against me 40
Also God seems to be far! 23
Also the elderly takes fruits in your house 391
An existence in the anger 232
An existence of terror 221
Around me lie 35
As verdant olive tree in the house of God 399
At least you stand by me 24
At the table of God 397
Being bridge between the friends and God 239
BETRAYAL 27
Betrayed by the friend 27
Blinded by the prosperity 260
Brevity of life 74
COMMANDMENT 170
Conducting the friend to God 246
Conspiring against the chosen by God 198
COURAGE, STRENGTH 66
Crushed by the divine anger 380
Cultivating good friendship 244
Cultivating holy friendships 235
Death in the heart 226
Death’s terrors 50
Deciding the holy journey 166
DEFEAT 55
Defeated in the friendship 56
Denying the existence of God 204
Destroyed by their own hands 222
Detesting sin 82
Doing the good, living with faith 185
Don’t envy the arrogant persons 64
Don’t envy the wealth 64
Don’t hide your face to me 53
Don’t leave me alone in my life 32
Don’t listen to the voice of God 211
Educating to life 338
Educating to the praise 127
Enjoying of the fall of the others 203
Entering his house with full hands 388
Envying the powerful 208
ETHICAL RULES 160
Even friends go away from me 24
Everybody shrinks from my wounds 23
Existential loneliness 33
EXPECTATION 91
Experiences to tell to our friends 238
Faithful to God in the persecution 45
Falsehood, adulation 198
Feeling as a worm 55
Feeling blessed by God 193
Feeling innocent 17
Feeling makers of the environment 193
FEELING OF SURRENDER 29
Feeling productive 195
Feeling the life that flows in us 192
Finding a shelter 6
Following the path of life and joy 397
Following with joy the commandments 190
For the believers 13
For the elderly friend 243
For the friend consecrated to God 242
For the one who has established the alliance
with the sacrifice 406
For the one who shares the project of God 405
For those who have to change life 14
For tried people 13
FORTUNE 63
Free me! 38
FRIENDSHIP IN GOD 235
Fruit of ethics 158
Fruit of the true wisdom 80
Giving largely to the poor 189
GOD ACTS FOR US 295
God acts in our silence 295
God as a just judge 269
GOD AS LEADER, GUIDE 358
God as source of life 323
God breaks our chains 314
God chooses the weak 77
God creates life 320
God dawn and dew 316
God directs existence 331
God disperses the cruel 263
God doesn’t reject the old 325
God giver of life 320
God grants us the revenge 301
God guard of life 335
God infuses safety 369
God judges in the intimate 274
God leads with his advice 361
God listens to his friends 235
God listens to the poor 250
God listens to the prayer 372
God loves the correct things 271
God makes man part of life 332
God master of life 324
God: mercy and truth 287
God nourishes his creatures 329
God nourishes us 371
God protects his children 375
God protects life 321
God protects life 327
God punishes the cruel 375
God punishes the cruel, but he saves the poor 234
God’s a supreme judge 277
God’s our mercy 286
God saves the creation 305
God saves the upright hearts 300
God saves those who fear him 304
God saves those who invoke him 301
God takes care of life 333
GOD SAVIOR 300
God welcomes the humble,
but He rejects the superb 257
God welcomes us from the maternal womb 321
God will make wars stop 323
God, our guide 360
God, source of ethical life 334
God, the immense 354
God, the only shelter105
GOD’S ANGER 375
GOD’S DESIRE 161
GOD’S GLORY 414
GOD’S JUSTICE 269
God’s law, melody of the soul 177
God’s omnipotence 348
GOD’S POWER 340
GOD’S PRESENCE 369
God’s priest 402
GOD’S PROMISE 404
God’s punishment 378
GOD’S TEMPLE 384
God’s works: truth and justice 352
Good and compassionate is the Lord 289
GOOD DEEDS 183
Guide for the correct path 359
Hardening our heart 213
Hated by my brothers without reason 42
Having a farsighted look 265
He doesn’t abandon the virtuous in the hands
of the wicked 273
He doesn’t forget the cry of wretched 270
He drivers us a flock 362
He has lighted up my darkness 110
He has realized my desires 111
He leads with justice 358
He leads the humble 272
He restores to health my wounds 55
He takes care of the way where the virtous go 269
He visits his vineyard 364
He welcomes in his house 283
He welcomes the wretched and he frees
the oppressed 325
His goodness makes us grow 358
His mercy is eternal 291
Hoarding wealths 209
Holding your head high 66
House of blessing 393
House of holiness 391
House of justice 392
House of prayer also in the night 394
I am also anorexic 25
I am hated by many 37
I am looking forward to serenity 26
I am near the grave 52
I feel as a foreigner 26
I find myself in hard fight: 35
I have always sought honesty 57
I Have been recovered 111
I have fallen in deep waters 50
I offer you gifts 113
Ignoring the presence of God 200
Imitating the justice of God 276
In dangers 101
In the abandonment 99
In the hands of the enemies 55
In the oppression 98
In the sin, without fear of God 258
In the traps 36
In the trouble and in pain 369
In the worry and in the pain 48
In the worry, in the fear 103
In trouble crying to the Lord 314
In your will my joy 153
Insistent prayer 8
INTERCESSION 13
Intimacy with God 174
INTIMACY WITH GOD 396
Invocation to God in bad luck 415
Invoking God’s mercy 382
Invoking him in poverty and in unhappiness 311
Invoking him with the water up to the throat 310
Involvement in the depth and testimony172
Jesus Christ realizes the promise 411
Joy among friends 248
JOY 142
Just like a lost sheep 34
JUST, POOR, OPPRESSED 250
Justice, loyalty 183
Keeping faithful to the alliance 410
Leaving a good memory 196
Liars 36
Liberation 158
Life lost in the wind 219
Life, brief, but full of pain 21
Light on the path 180
Lighted up by his face 402
LIMIT 74
Listen to me, God 49
Living correctly 252
Living for him 162
Living for peace 158
Living in the house of the Lord 3
Living in the house of the Lord 397
Living in the innocence for always having
a house 171
Living in the violence and in the quarrels 205
Living with joy in the house of God 390
Living with rectitude 187
LONELINESS 23
Looking for God with pure heart317
Looking for the light of God 161
Looking for the will of the Lord 315
Maintaining the trust in ourselves 47
Make me feel your voice 30
Make me go up again from the abyss 51
Making free from the lie 316
Manufacturing idols 214
Marked by our pain 75
MERCIFUL GOD 283
Murmuring against God 210
Murmuring day and night his law 170
My enemies are losers 37
My exile 60
My God, why do you desert me ? 29
My people’s defeat 56
Near the Lord is the forgiveness 291
NEGATIVE STATES OF MIND 15
Nobody helps me 47
Nostalgia of the house of God 394
Nourishment of the soul 386
Objective: serving God 89
Observing his law 167
Old age hails the power of God 346
On the cliff of God 303
On the threshold of the death 46
Only Good builds the house 299
Only you can guard me 36
Oppressed by guilt 49
Oppressed by our guilt 75
Our knowledge of God 418
Our pain in his hands 16
Our thirst for God 398
Overcoming hostility 4
Overcoming the fear, the pain 93
Pain 35
Patient and merciful judge 279
Paying for the friend 235
PEACE 156
Peace in the lips, malice in the heart 201
Peace, the becoming of the humanity 157
Perceiving the presence of God 194
Perfection, light and joy of the law 171
Persecuted 35
PERSECUTION 35
Pity and tenderness is the Lord 290
Place of joy 387
Place of praise and exultation 384
Poor and miserable, but with God 252
POSITIVE STATES OF MIND 62
PRAISE 119
Praise of the creation 138
Praising God among friends 245
Praising him in the heart of the night 134
Praising his mercy 136
Praising the word of God 124
PRAYER, INVOCATION pag. 2
Praying and devouting to the others 10
Praying from the depth 10
Preferring God to earthly goods 63
Preferring God to the powerful 266
Preparing tools of death 199
PRIZE 192
Proclaiming friends the fidelity to God 237
PUNISHMENT 219
Punishment as correction 224
Putting roots in the house of the Lord 388
Recognizing the hand of God 296
REPENTANCE 80
Repentance, point of arrival in life and history 81
Request of salvation 2
REQUEST TO GOD 1
Residing in the sepulchres 225
Residing with God 373
Return to God 85
Saved by the persecutors 308
Saved by the swamp of the death 306
Saved from bad luck and from pain 307
Searching after justice 175
Seeking his will 164
Sent out from the house of God 230
Serenity in life 156
Serving idols 202
Serving the Lord in the joy 188
SHELTER IN GOD 98
Sign of his presence 384
SIN, EVIL 198
Singing 126
So much pain, but there you are 19
SPEECH ON GOD 268
Stamping and killing 213
Strong in the name of the Lord 44
Struck by God 228
Stunned 46
SUFFERING 16
Suffering in the body 16
Supported by the grace of God 70
Taking care of the weak 186
Taking shelter under the wings of God 313
Talking to deception 217
Teaching friends the fear of God 236
Telling closeness to God 240
Thankful to God 328
Thanksgivng prayer 115
Thanks for salvation 309
Thanks for the liberation 365
THANKSGIVING 110
The bless of the Lord 156
The cheerful quiver of the creation 414
The commandments, refusal of the lie 181
The confession of guilts 285
The cosmic praise 421
The creation as work of God 340
The decrees of the Lord are our guide 366
The desire of living in his house 385
The divine life in us 326
The eternal justice 280
The eternal power of God 351
The faith that overcomes the betrayal 28
The family, God’s house 395
The family, solid friendship in God 247
The fidelity to God has a price 40
The finality of the creation
and of the redemption 420
The God of heaven is close to us 372
The goodness of God 121
The grace of God 145
The great plans of God for his friends 248
The greatness of God 119
The history of Israel: work of God 346
The history of the people: work of God 343
The holy fear of God 176
The hope in your word 22
The house for a long time desired 393
The joy of salvation 149
The joy of the creation 148
The joy of the return 147
The joy that overcomes the possession 142
The joy to belong to Jerusalem 155
The joy to have children 154
The man whom he defends 414
The merry welcoming of God 415
The moment of pain 19
The new song 130
The offence to God 83
The one who is far from you seems fortunate 63
The path of the life found again 143
The people’s return to God 418
The persecution of the just 38
The praise of the one who is saved 414
The promise for all the people 407
The promise to Abraham 407
The prosperity that blinds 64
The request of forgiveness 417
The salvation of the poor man
and the unhappy 95
The strength of the good conscience 71
The time as expectation of God 91
The truth of the commandments 179
The universal praise 131
The zeal for the house of God 389
They are a pack of dogs 37
They are merciless 260
They boast and they despise God 255
They boast of the evil 261
They confide only in their strength 260
They consider God absent 256
They don’t fear God 262
They have given me for done 29
They have given me vinegar 27
They kill 259
They live of frauds and of deception 255
They make me bad for well 28
They persist in making the evil 262
They steal 259
They want my death 39
Thirsting for God 165
Those friends who will come 240
Those sores which don’t heal 48
Those who belong to his people 404
Those who do not use mercy 216
Those who look for the Lord don’t miss
of anything 251
To be blessed 14
To be near to him 400
To tense hands 11
Tormented night and day 46
Total abandonment to God 108
Towards the life, the light, the joy 87
TROUBLE 46
Trust and fidelity in God 106
Trust in the grace of God 92
Trusting in God protects us in the test 43
Trusting in him 163
Victims of their own plots 220
Walking along his paths to be saved 312
Walking in the paths of the Lord 191
Walking with pure heart 167
War in the heart 206
What counts is only the grace of God 79
When the fortune of the other is envied 63
Why envying the wicked ? 263
WICKED, BOSSY, CRUEL 255
Winning the discouragement 65
Winning the fear 67
Wisdom, fruit of the observance 179
Wishes for the job of the friend 239
Wishes to the friend 237
With God we will make great things 298
With the sin we hurt us377
Without future 223
You are my shelter 38
You give me life 61
You love me 37
Your hand weighs on me 48
INDEX OF THE THEMES
Note: the final number points out the page
I - REQUEST TO GOD pag. 1
1. PRAYER, INVOCATION pag. 2
1. Request of salvation pag 2
2. Living in the house of the Lord pag 3
3. Overcoming hostility pag 4
4. Finding a shelter 6
5. Insistent prayer 8
6. Praying and devouting to the others 10
7. Praying from the depth 10
8. To tense hands 11
2. INTERCESSION 13
1. For tried people 13
2. For the believers 13
3. For those who have to change life 14
4. To be blessed 14
II – NEGATIVE STATES OF MIND 15
3. SUFFERING 16
1. Our pain in his hands 16
2. Suffering in the body 16
3. Feeling innocent 17
4. After the weeping the joy 17
5. A life of suffering 18
6. So much pain, but there you are 19
7. The moment of pain 19
8. Life, brief, but full of pain 21
9. The hope in your word 22
4. LONELINESS 23
1. Also God seems to be far! 23
2. Everybody shrinks from my wounds 23
3. Even friends go away from me 24
4. At least you stand by me 24
5. A life of loneliness 25
6. I am also anorexic 25
7. I feel as a foreigner 26
8. I am looking forward to serenity 26
5. BETRAYAL 27
1. Betrayed by the friend 27
2. They have given me vinegar 27
3. They make me bad for well 28
4. The faith that overcomes the betrayal 28
6. FEELING OF SURRENDER 29
1. They have given me for done 29
2. My God, why do you desert me ? 29
3. Abandoned by my parents 30
4. Make me feel your voice 30
5. Don’t leave me alone in my life 32
6. Existential loneliness 33
7. Just like a lost sheep 34
7. PERSECUTION 35
1. I find myself in hard fight: 35
a. around me lie 35
b. pain 35
c. persecuted 35
d. in the traps 36
e. liars 36
f. only you can guard me 36
h. you love me 37
i. they are a pack of dogs 37
l. I am hated by many 37
m. my enemies are losers 37
n. you are my shelter 38
o. free me! 38
2. The persecution of the just 38
3. They want my death 39
4. The fidelity to God has a price 40
5. All against me 40
6. Hated by my brothers without reason 42
7. Trusting in God protects us in the test 43
8. Strong in the name of the Lord 44
9. Faithful to God in the persecution 45
8. TROUBLE 46
1. Stunned 46
2. On the threshold of the death 46
3. Tormented night and day 46
4. Nobody helps me 47
5. Maintaining the trust in ourselves 47
6. In the worry and in the pain 48
7. Your hand weighs on me 48
8. Those sores which don’t heal 48
9. Oppressed by guilt 49
10. Listen to me, God 49
11. Death’s terrors 50
12. I have fallen in deep waters 50
13. Make me go up again from the abyss 51
14. I am near the grave 52
15. A life of persecution 52
16. Don’t hide your face to me 53
9. DEFEAT 55
1. Feeling as a worm 55
2. In the hands of the enemies 55
3. He restores to health my wounds 55
4. My people’s defeat 56
5. Defeated in the friendship 56
6. I have always sought honesty 57
7. After the defeat darkness and death 58
8. My exile 60
9. You give me life 61
III- POSITIVE STATES OF MIND 62
10. FORTUNE 63
1. The one who is far from you seems fortunate 63
2. Preferring God to earthly goods 63
3. When the fortune of the other is envied 63
4. The prosperity that blinds 64
5. Don’t envy the wealth 64
6. Don’t envy the arrogant persons 64
7. Winning the discouragement 65
11. COURAGE, STRENGTH 66
1. Holding your head high 66
2. Winning the fear 67
3. Supported by the grace of God 70
4. The strength of the good conscience 71
12. LIMIT 74
1. Brevity of life 74
2. Oppressed by our guilt 75
3. Marked by our pain 75
4. A fragile existence 76
5. God chooses the weak 77
6. What counts is only the grace of God 79
13. REPENTANCE 80
1. Fruit of the true wisdom 80
2. Repentance, point of arrival in life
and history 81
3. Detesting sin 82
4. The offence to God 83
5. Return to God 85
6. Towards the life, the light, the joy 87
7. Objective: serving God 89
14. EXPECTATION 91
1. The time as expectation of God 91
2. Trust in the grace of God 92
3. Overcoming the fear, the pain 93
4. The salvation of the poor man and the unhappy 95
15. SHELTER IN GOD 98
1. In the oppression 98
2. In the abandonment 99
3. In dangers 101
4. In the worry, in the fear 103
5. God, the only shelter105
6. Trust and fidelity in God 106
7. Total abandonment to God 108
16. THANKSGIVING 110
1. He has lighted up my darkness 110
2. He has realized my desires 111
3. I Have been recovered 111
4. I offer you gifts 113
5. Thanksgiving prayer 115
17. PRAISE 119
1. The greatness of God 119
2. The goodness of God 121
3. Praising the word of God 124
4. Singing 126
5. Educating to the praise 127
6. The new song 130
7. The universal praise 131
8. Praising him in the heart of the night 134
9. Praising his mercy 136
10. Praise of the creation 138
18. JOY142
1. The joy that overcomes the possession 142
2. The path of the life found again 143
3. The grace of God 145
4. The joy of the return 147
5. The joy of the creation 148
6. The joy of salvation 149
7. In your will my joy 153
8. The joy to have children 154
9. The joy to belong to Jerusalem 155
19. PEACE 156
1. Serenity in life 156
2. The bless of the Lord 156
3. Peace, the becoming of the humanity 157
4. Liberation 158
5. Fruit of ethics 158
6. Living for peace 158
IV –ETHICAL RULES 160
20. GOD’S DESIRE 161
1. Looking for the light of God 161
2. Living for him 162
3. Trusting in him 163
4. Seeking his will 164
5. Thirsting for God 165
6. Deciding the holy journey 166
7. Walking with pure heart 167
8. Observing his law 167
21. COMMANDMENT 170
1. Murmuring day and night his law 170
2. Perfection, light and joy of the law 171
3. Living in the innocence
for always having a house 171
4. Involvement in the depth and testimony 172
5. Intimacy with God 174
6. Searching after justice 175
7. The holy fear of God 176
8. God’s law, melody of the soul 177
9. The truth of the commandments 179
10. Wisdom, fruit of the observance 179
11. Light on the path 180
12. The commandments, refusal of the lie 181
22. GOOD DEEDS 183
1. Justice, loyalty 183
2. Doing the good, living with faith 185
3. Taking care of the weak 186
4. Living with rectitude 187
5. Serving the Lord in the joy 188
6. Giving largely to the poor 189
7. Following with joy the commandments 190
8. Walking in the paths of the Lord 191
23. PRIZE 192
1. Feeling the life that flows in us 192
2. Feeling blessed by God 193
3. Feeling makers of the environment 193
4. Perceiving the presence of God 194
5. Feeling productive 195
6. Leaving a good memory 196
24. SIN, EVIL 198
1. Conspiring against the chosen by God 198
2. Falsehood, adulation 198
3. Preparing tools of death 199
4. Ignoring the presence of God 200
5. Peace in the lips, malice in the heart 201
6. Serving idols 202
7. Enjoying of the fall of the others 203
8. Absence of the fear of God 203
9. Denying the existence of God 204
10. Living in the violence and in the quarrels 205
11. War in the heart 206
12. Envying the powerful 208
13. Hoarding wealths 209
14. Murmuring against God 210
15. Don’t listen to the voice of God 211
16. Stamping and t killing 213
17. Hardening our heart 213
18. Manufacturing idols 214
19. Those who do not use mercy 216
20. Talking to deception 217
25. PUNISHMENT 219
1. Life lost in the wind 219
2. Victims of their own plots 220
3. An existence of terror 221
4. Destroyed by their own hands 222
5. Without future 223
6. Punishment as correction 224
7. Residing in the sepulchres 225
8. Death in the heart 226
9. Struck by God 228
10 Sent out from the house of God 230
11. An existence in the anger 232
12. God punishes the cruel,
but he saves the poor 234
26. FRIENDSHIP IN GOD 235
1. God listens to his friends 235
2. Cultivating holy friendships 235
3. Paying for the friend 235
4. Teaching friends the fear of God 236
5. Proclaiming friends the fidelity to God 237
6. Wishes to the friend 237
7. Experiences to tell to our friends 238
8. Being bridge between the friends and God 239
9. Wishes for the job of the friend 239
10. Telling closeness to God 240
11. Those friends who will come 240
12. For the friend consecrated to God 242
13. For the elderly friend 243
14. Cultivating good friendship 244
15. Praising God among friends 245
16. Conducting the friend to God 246
17. The family, solid friendship in God 247
18. The great plans of God for his friends 248
19. Joy among friends 248
27. JUST, POOR, OPPRESSED 250
1. God listens to the poor 250
2. Those who look for the Lord
don’t miss of anything 251
3. Living correctly 252
4. Poor and miserable, but with God 252
28. WICKED, BOSSY, CRUEL 255
1. They boast and they despise God 255
2. They live of frauds and of deception 255
3. They consider God absent 256
4. God welcomes the humble,
but He rejects the superb 257
5. In the sin, without fear of God 258
- they kill 259
- they steal 259
- they are merciless 260
- they confide only in their strength 260
- blinded by the prosperity 260
- they boast of the evil 261
- they don’t fear God 262
- they persist in making the evil 262
6. God disperses the cruel 263
7. Why envying the wicked ? 263
8. Having a farsighted look 265
9. Preferring God to the powerful 266
V - SPEECH ON GOD 268
29. GOD’S JUSTICE 269
1. He takes care of the way where the virtous go 269
2. God as a just judge 269
3. He doesn’t forget the cry of wretched 270
4. God loves the correct things 271
5. He leads the humble 272
6. He doesn’t abandon the virtuous
in the hands of the wicked 273
7. God judges in the intimate 274
8. Imitating the justice of God 276
9. God’s a supreme judge 277
10. Patient and merciful judge 279
11. The eternal justice 280
30. MERCIFUL GOD 283
1. He welcomes in his house 283
2. The confession of guilts 285
3. God’s our mercy 286
4. God: mercy and truth 287
5. Good and compassionate is the Lord 289
6.Pity and tenderness is the Lord 290
7. Near the Lord is the forgiveness 291
8. His mercy is eternal 291
31. GOD ACTS FOR US 295
1. God acts in our silence 295
2. Recognizing the hand of God 296
3. With God we will make great things 298
4. Only Good builds the house 299
32. GOD SAVIOR 300
1. God saves the upright hearts 300
2. God saves those who invoke him 301
3. God grants us the revenge 301
4. On the cliff of God 303
5. God saves those who fear him 304
6. God saves the creation 305
7. Saved by the swamp of the death 306
8. Saved from bad luck and from pain 307
9. Saved by the persecutors 308
10. Thanks for salvation 309
11. Invoking him with the water up to the throat 310
12. Invoking him in poverty and in unhappiness 311
13. Walking along his paths to be saved 312
14. Taking shelter under the wings of God 313
15. In trouble crying to the Lord 314
16. God breaks our chains 314
17. Looking for the will of the Lord 315
18. Making free from the lie 316
19. God dawn and dew 316
20. Looking for God with pure heart317
33. GOD GIVER OF LIFE 320
1. God creates life 320
2. God protects life 321
3. God welcomes us from the maternal womb 321
4. God as source of life 323
5. God will make wars stop 323
6. God master of life 324
7. He welcomes the wretched
and he frees the oppressed 325
8. God doesn’t reject the old 325
9. The divine life in us 326
10. God protects life 327
11. Thankful to God 328
12. God nourishes his creatures 329
13. God directs existence 331
14. God makes man part of life 332
15. God takes care of life 333
16. God, source of ethical life 334
17. God guard of life 335
18. Educating to life 338
34. GOD’S POWER 340
1. The creation as work of God 340
2. The history of the people: work of God 343
3. Old age hails the power of God 346
4. The history of Israel: work of God 346
5. God’s omnipotence 348
6. The eternal power of God 351
7. God’s works: truth and justice 352
8. God, the immense 354
35. GOD AS LEADER, GUIDE 358
1. He leads with justice 358
2. His goodness makes us grow 358
3. Guide for the correct path 359
4. God, our guide 360
5. God leads with his advice 361
6. He drives us a flock 362
7. He visits his vineyard 364
8. Thanks for the liberation 365
9. The decrees of the Lord are our guide 366
36. GOD’S PRESENCE 369
1. In the trouble and in pain 369
2. God infuses safety 369
3. God nourishes us 371
4. God listens to the prayer 372
5. The God of heaven is close to us 372
6. Residing with God 373
37. GOD’S ANGER 375
1. God protects his children 375
2. God punishes the cruel 375
3. With the sin we hurt us377
4. God’s punishment 378
5. Crushed by the divine anger 380
6. Invoking God’s mercy 382
38. GOD’S TEMPLE 384
1. Sign of his presence 384
2. Place of praise and exultation 384
3. The desire of living in his house 385
4. Nourishment of the soul 386
5. Place of joy 387
6. Putting roots in the house of the Lord 388
7. Entering his house with full hands 388
8. The zeal for the house of God 389
9. Living with joy in the house of God 390
10. Also the elderly takes fruits
in your house 391
11. House of holiness 391
12. House of justice 392
13. House of blessing 393
14. The house for a long time desired 393
15. House of prayer also in the night 394
16. Nostalgia of the house of God 394
17. The family, God’s house 395
39. INTIMACY WITH GOD 396
1. Acting with justice and loyalty 396
2. Following the path of life and joy 397
3. At the table of God 397
4. Living in the house of the Lord 397
5. Our thirst for God 39
6. As verdant olive tree in the house of God 399
7. To be near to him 400
8. God’s priest 402
9. Lighted up by his face 402
40. GOD’S PROMISE 404
1. Those who belong to his people 404
2. For the one who shares the project of God 405
3. For the one who has established the alliance
with the sacrifice 406
4. The promise for all the people 407
5. The promise to Abraham 407
6. Keeping faithful to the alliance 410
7. Jesus Christ realizes the promise 411
41 GOD’S GLORY 414
1. The man whom he defends 414
2. The cheerful quiver of the creation 414
3. The praise of the one who is saved 414
4. The merry welcoming of God 415
5. Invocation to God in bad luck 415
6. The request of forgiveness 417
7. The people’s return to God 418
8. Our knowledge of God 418
9. The finality of the creation
and of the redemption 420
10. The cosmic praise 421
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