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1INTRO TO THE POETICAL AND WISDOM BOOKS 958 
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4INTRODUCTION TO THE 
5POETICAL AND WISDOM BOOKS 
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8Contents and Placement 
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10The Poetical and Wisdom Books — Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, 
11and the Song of Solomon — do not form a totally coherent unit, 
12especially when compared to other canonical divisions, such as the 
13Historical Books or the Prophetic Books. These fives books were written 
14or collected at widely different times and consist of a number of 
15literary types: love poetry (the Song of Solomon), Temple liturgy 
16(Psalms), and wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). It is 
17also likely that they entered the canon for quite different reasons: 
18Psalms was used for prayers; the Song of Solomon was probably first 
19canonized as an ancient erotic poem used in wedding ceremonies; 
20while Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes may have been placed together in 
21the canon because all three belong to a category of writings known as 
22wisdom literature. 
23
24"Wisdom literature" describes works that do not focus on the nation 
25Israel, on its great formative historical memories, such as Exodus and 
26conquest, on the Temple and Jerusalem, and on covenant as the 
27central theological notion binding together God, the people Israel, and 
28the land of Israel. Wisdom books are thus in some ways a departure 
29from the concerns of other biblical books. They share, rather, as their 
30focus, reflection on universal human concerns, especially the 
31understanding of individual experiences and the maintenance of 
32ordered relationships that lead both to success on the human (social) 
33plane and to divine approval. In more recent scholarship, the concept 
34of "wisdom" has been criticized as too elastic and amorphous. Indeed, 
35the three wisdom books in this collection are remarkably different 
36from one another and do not form a clear unit: Proverbs, in contrast to 
37Job, suggest that the righteous are rewarded and do not suffer, while 
38Ecclesiastes, in contrast to both Job and Proverbs, is deeply skeptical of 
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48As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, 
49so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife (26.21). 
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51The inevitability of the natural occurrence is mirrored in the 
52inevitability of the social one. This kind of thinking then was extended 
53to moral behavior, with the argument that good behavior, like good 
54farming practice, will be rewarded: 
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56Anyone who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, 
57and anyone who takes care of a master will be honored 
58(27.18). 
59
60Job and Ecclesiastes relate to this normative tradition in different ways. 
61Job denies the inevitability of rewards for living an upright life and 
62decisively refutes the idea that human suffering is always deserved. 
63Ecclesiastes treats the idea of inevitability in another way: The natural 
64repetitions of seasons, tasks, and occupations become the image of 
65futility. Each therefore, depends on the reader's acquaintance with the 
66normative tradition. It should be noted that the themes of the wisdom 
67tradition are continued in the Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical books of 
68the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), both of which 
69combine didactic themes and style familiar especially from the book of 
70Proverbs with retrospective summaries of Israel's history. 
71
72Though these five books are loosely described as Poetical Books, they 
73are not all poetry, nor are all biblical poetic works found in this 
74canonical section. Although Ecclesiastes contains some poetical 
75sections, such as the poem of 3.1-8 ("For everything there is a 
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85The creation of a canonical division called the "Poetical Books" is a 
86relatively late development. In Jewish tradition these five books are 
87included in the Writings, the third division of the canon; their order 
88varies in different sources. The earliest evidence for seeing these five 
89books as a unit comes from the second century CE, though it took 
90many centuries for these five books, in the order found here, to be 
91recognized as the third section of the Bible. The order of these books 
92was variable, and some traditions placed them at the end of the 
93Christian Old Testament, while others put them as the second part of 
94that book immediately following the Pentateuch. Its current placement 
95in English Bibles follows some manuscript traditions which most likely 
96sought to organize the first section of the Bible by placing the Torah, 
97the most authoritative section, first, followed by works about the past 
98(the Historical Books), books about the present (the Poetical Books), 
99and books about the future (the Prophetic Books). This arrangement, 
100which places the prophets last, would be especially significant once the 
101Hebrew Bible became the Old Testament and was seen as a kind of 
102introduction to the New Testament. The Prophetic Books would then 
103immediately precede the Gospels as prophecy followed by fulfillment. 
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105Authorship 
106
107At least four of the five Poetical Books cohere in terms of traditionally 
108ascribed authorship. Many of the Psalms contain superscriptions or 
109titles incorporating "of David," and many early Jewish and Christian 
110traditions ascribe the Psalter as a whole to David. Proverbs 1.1 ("The 
111proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel"), 10.1, and 25.1 
112explicitly ascribe (sections of) that book to Solomon. Ecclesiastes, in its 
113opening chapter, presents itself as the work of "the Teacher, when 
114king over Israel in Jerusalem" (1.12; cf. 1.1); Jewish and Christian 
115tradition understands this royal teacher to be Solomon, who is 
116described in 1 Kings as being exceedingly rich, just like the protagonist 
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126The Characteristics of Biblical Poetry 
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128These books do, as noted above, incorporate a large amount of poetry, 
129so it is appropriate to here examine the basic structures of biblical 
130poetry. Poetry is a cross-cultural phenomenon: Most cultures 
131distinguish between an everyday type of discourse (prose), and 
132heightened discourse (poetry, and also philosophy). This heightening 
133may be accomplished in a number of different ways, which include the 
134use of figuration (e.g., metaphor, simile), meter, and certain types of 
135sound patterning, such as alliteration and rhyme. Yet there is no cross-
136cultural pattern for poetry. Thus Hebrew poetry, unlike its classical 
137English counterpart, has neither (true) rhythm nor rhyme; nevertheless, 
138it is poetic in that it uses certain devices in significant enough 
139concentration to distinguish it from everyday speech, or prose. 
140Obviously, the prose-poetry distinction is relative rather than absolute; 
141as in English, we may speak of poetic prose or prosaic poetry. Thus, 
142"pure prose" and "pure poetry" should be seen as opposites on a 
143continuum, within which a large variety of possibilities evince 
144themselves in the Bible as in other literary traditions. 
145
146The main shared characteristic between typical English poetry and 
147biblical poetry is the use of figuration. This may be seen, for example, 
148in Ps 23. The central image of this psalm is introduced by the metaphor, 
149"The Lord is my shepherd" (v. 1). The following verses unveil or clarify 
150the meaning of this metaphor, noting in vv. 22-3 how God, the ideal 
151shepherd, tends his people/sheep: 
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160He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
161he leads me beside still waters; 
162he restores my soul. 
163He leads me in right paths 
164for his name's sake. 
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167Psalm 1 is characterized by a set of two contrasting similes: the 
168righteous 
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170 ...are like trees 
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172planted by streams of water, 
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174which yield their fruit in its season, 
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176and their leaves do not wither (v. 3), 
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178while the wicked "are like chaff that the wind drives away" (v. 4). The 
179Song of Solomon is especially rich in similes and metaphors, as in the 
180beginning of ch 2: 
181
182I am a rose of Sharon, 
183a lily of the valleys. 
184As a lily among brambles, 
185so is my love among maidens. 
186As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, 
187so is my beloved among young men. 
188With great delight I sat in his shadow, 
189and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 
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191
192The main characteristic of biblical poetry, nevertheless, is not 
193figuration, but parallelism, in which most poetic lines may be divided 
194into two (or sometimes three) parts; the second part of the line is 
195intimately connected to the first part, and typically seconds it in some 
196way. For example, Ps 6.2 reads: 
197
198Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; 
199O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. 
200
201The verse clearly divides into two more or less equal sections, and each 
202element in the first part is mirrored, seconded, or paralleled in the 
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212Since the eighteenth century, it has been customary to see three main 
213types of parallelism in the Bible: synonymous, antithetical, and 
214synthetic. The quotation above from Ps 6.2 is an example of 
215synonymous parallelism. Antithetical parallelism can be seen in Prov 
21610.1: 
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218A wise child makes a glad father, 
219but a foolish child is a mother's grief. 
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222In this balanced, two-part line, "a wise child" is antithetical, or 
223opposite, to "a foolish child," and "makes a glad father" is antithetical 
224to "is a mother's grief." In synthetic parallelism, the second part of the 
225line completes the thought of the first part, and is neither the same 
226nor the opposite. For example, Song 1.9 reads: 
227
228I compare you, my love, 
229to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. 
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232Here the second part concludes the thought of the first. 
233
234The appropriateness of the three labels — synonymous, antithetical, 
235and synthetic — which were accepted in biblical scholarship for two 
236centuries, has now been called into question on several grounds. First, 
237some have noted that languages have no true synonyms; thus 
238"synonymous parallelism" is a misleading term. Furthermore, very 
239often two parallel words can be similar, but are not truly synonymous, 
240as may be seen in the example of Ps 6.2: "I am languishing" || "my 
241bones are shaking with terror." The term antithetical parallelism has 
242been questioned because not all elements of part B are the antithesis 
243of part A. This may be seen in the example from Prov 10.1, where 
244"child" is used in both parts A and B; a true antithesis might contrast a 
245"wise child" with a "foolish parent." Finally, "synthetic" has been 
246criticized as too vague a term. These criticisms should not be 
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255underestimated. Nevertheless, the three terms, if understood as ideal 
256types from which actual lines may deviate to a greater or lesser extent, 
257remain useful. 
258
259A much more serious criticism of the classical model emerged in the 
260mid-1980s when several scholars began to question the notion that 
261parallelism is formulaic in that the second half of the poetic line 
262typically adds little to the line, but merely seconds it. Several scholars 
263have suggested just the opposites, that the second part heightens or 
264extends the first. Thus, the typical biblical verse should be read "A, and 
265even more so, B." According to this model, which has gained 
266substantial support in the last two decades, we would not read Ps 6.2b, 
267"O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror" as a type of 
268filler that merely restates "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am 
269languishing." Rather we would understand the verse as a whole as: "Be 
270gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing," and moreover, "O Lord, 
271heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror," where the claim "for 
272my bones are shaking with terror" is a more vivid description that 
273intensifies the verse's opening "for I am languishing." 
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275Sometimes it is quite clear that the second part of the verse does not 
276merely parallel the first but does go beyond it in some significant 
277fashion, and thus justifies this newer model. Yet, there are a 
278substantial number of cases in which the second part actually does 
279seem to function as a mere filler, carrying little if any semantic weight, 
280let alone intensifying the first. For example, the major image of Ps 121 is 
281the ability of God to protect the individual. This is expressed at the 
282psalm's center, where God is imagined metaphorically as a "shade" (v. 
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2845) from the intense Mediterranean heat. The psalm continues (v. 6): 
285"The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." Clearly, 
286the second part, "nor the moon by night" is not an intensification; in 
287fact, it makes no sense, since no one in ancient Israel was afflicted with 
288moonburn or moonstroke. The second part here is probably an 
289antithetical filler and carries no semantic weight. It should be seen as 
290part of an ancient Near Eastern and biblical patter of word pairs, 
291where a particular word (e.g., "sun" or "father") automatically evokes 
292a realted ("synonymous" or "antithetical") word (e.g., "moon" or 
293"mother"). 
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302Another area that has engendered significant controversy over the last 
303few decades concerns the extent to which meter or rhythm existed in 
304biblical poetry. Much of this debate concerns the definition of meter. 
305In English and other modern Western languages, meter is generally 
306understood as a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables; if this is 
307how we should understand it in biblical poetic texts, these texts in their 
308current form lack meter or rhythm. Metrical patterns can only be found 
309in biblical texts if they are emended or reconstructed extensively. There 
310is, however, a tendency for the parts of each line, in most poetic 
311genres, to be approximately the same length. There is some possibility 
312that this reflects the remnant of some metrical system, and that at an 
313earlier time, each part had not only the same length, but the same 
314meter, but this pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables has been 
315lost as a result of changes in the pronunciation of ancient Hebrew. 
316More likely, the similarity of length is part of the larger system of 
317parallelism, which encouraged each part to mirror its counterpart in 
318length, as well as in semantic, syntactic, and phonological structure. 
319Scholars have until recently been primarily concerned with the line as 
320the main unit of biblical poetry. This is not really surprising, given how 
321foreign biblical parallelism is to the modern Western (but not the 
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330ancient Near Eastern) ear. This interest in the line has obscured the 
331significance of the strophe or stanza and of the poem as a whole. But 
332the last few decades have seen a legitimate return to these larger 
333units. For example, it had become a habit when studying passages like 
334Job 3 to concentrate solely on the parallelism of lines like v. 5: 
335
336Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. 
337Let clouds settle upon it; 
338let the blackness of the day terrify it. 
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341Now, in addition to this type of analysis, scholars study how the poet 
342uses images of day and night, light and darkness, throughout the 
343chapter, in order to create this exquisite poem. This is not, however, an 
344either-or proposition: By studying how the individual line functions as 
345poetry and how these lines join together into stanzas, which combine 
346into complete poems, we gain a much fuller appreciation and 
347understanding of these Poetical Books. 
348
349Copyright ©2001, New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: New Revised Standard 
350Version. Ed. Michael D. Coogan. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. Used by 
351permission. All rights reserved. 
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357JOB 967 
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360JOB 
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363Introduction 
364
365The book of Job is named after its protagonist, innocent man who 
366suffered loss and endured pain through no fault of his own. For many, 
367the man Job is most well-known through the cliché about "the 
368patience of Job," derived from the traditional translation of Jas 5.11. 
369The Greek term that is translated as "patience," however, means not so 
370much patience as "endurance," "persistence," or "steadfastness." And, 
371indeed, the Job that one encounters in the book that bears his name is 
372not patient, but he is persistent in his claim that he has suffered 
373undeservedly. 
374
375The provenance of the book is unknown. Its author is anonymous, 
376while its date and place of origin are matters of debate. Most scholars 
377places the bulk of the book, if not its final form, somewhere between 
378the seventh and the fourth centuries BCE, although also recognizing 
379that the final form is the result of a complex history of transmission. 
380The prose framework, what are now the book's prologue (1.1-2.13) and 
381epilogue (42.7.17), consists of a narrative that is likely based on an 
382ancient folktale about the undeserved suffering and final restoration 
383of the protagonist. The rest of the book consists of dialogues (written 
384in poetic style) between Job and the friends who had ostensibly come 
385to comfort him (3.1-31.40), and between Job and God (38.1-42.6). 
386Intruding into this material are a poetic interlude on the inaccessibility 
387of Wisdom (28.1-28) and the speeches of Elihu (32.1-37.24) that appear 
388to have been added at a later time. Interpreters have called attention 
389to certain linguistic and stylistic shifts, as well as occasional 
390inconsistencies in the story line. Such discrepancies have bee explained 
391in terms of multiple authors, a single author with multiple sources, a 
392primary work that has been redacted two or three times, or a single 
393author who has worked with the materials over a long period of time. 
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403Although the book of Job in its entirety is unique in ancient literature, 
404it draws on a variety of traditions and genres that were known 
405throughout the ancient Near East. The character of Job himself is 
406presented as a non-Israelite from the land of Uz (perhaps northern 
407Arabia), and it is likely that versions of the story of Job were told by 
408many of the peoples of the region. In the sixth century BCE the 
409prophet Ezekiel mentions Job, along with Noah and Dan'el, as heroes 
410of antiquity who saved others by their righteousness (Ezek 14.14, 20). 
411Despite its mention by Ezekiel, this Dan'el (spelled "Daniel" in the 
412NRSV translation, but footnoted as "Danel") is not the same Daniel as 
413the biblical book of that name, but an ancient Canaanite king whose 
414story is known from the tablets found in the ruins of the second 
415millennium BCE city of Ugarit. Similar to Ezekiel's setting of Job among 
416the legendary figures of antiquity is the way in which the prose tale 
417presents Job as someone who apparently lived in the remote ancestral 
418period. 
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420The influence of ancient Near Eastern literary forms and traditions are 
421also evident in the poetic dialogues. The problem of enigmatic 
422suffering was one that was explored in Mesopotamian literature in 
423poetic compositions in whihc a righteous or emblematic sufferer 
424described his sufferings, his confusion about the cause of his misery, 
425and his passionate desire for restoration (e.g., "I will Praise the Lord of 
426Wisdom" and the "Sumerian Job"). The most striking similarity, 
427however, exists between the dialogue sections of Job and "The 
428Babylonian Theodicy." In this composition an unnamed sufferer and his 
429friend speak alternately in a cycle of twenty-seven speeches. The 
430sufferer protests his misery, describing the injustice of the world and 
431the unfairness of the gods. His friend attempts to defend the 
432rationality of the world and urges his friend to seek the mercy of the 
433gods. In contrast to Job, however, "The Babylonian Theodicy" ends 
434without any appearance of the deity or narrative resolution. 
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444Like other wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible, the book of Job does 
445not make reference to specific Israelite legal or historical traditions. It 
446does, however, make a rich use of psalmic and other wisdom traditions. 
447In the dialogues the characters often make use of proverbs (e.g., 5.10, 
44817; 8.11; 12.11) or hymns (e.g., 5.8-16). Job is particularly adept at evoking 
449a hymn or psalm only to parody it. Although the clearest example is his 
450parody of Psalm 8 in 7.17-19, he uses this technique often (9.5-12; 12.1325). 
451
452
453The enigma of the suffering of the righteous and the good fortune of 
454the wicked was one addressed by Israelite literature, both in the psalms 
455and in other wisdom texts. Although not prominent in the book of 
456Proverbs, it emerges more strongly in the later wisdom books of 
457Ecclesiastes and Sirach. Several Psalms also address aspects of these 
458issues (Ps 37; 39; 49; 73), but they do not exhibit the radical protest and 
459questioning that one finds in the book of Job. 
460
461Distinctive to the book of Job is the way it situates these issues. The 
462book is neither a treatise on innocent suffering, as often supposed, nor 
463an apology for God's justice in the face of inexplicable human 
464suffering. Rather, the principal theological issue that the book raises is, 
465ironically, the question posed by the adversary in the divine council 
466(see 1.9): Will mortals be religious ("fear God") apart from rewards and 
467punishment? As the dialogue develops, however, the questions of 
468divine justice that torture Job's mind are not satisfactorily met by the 
469arguments of the friends. Job himself seeks to imagine a way in which 
470he might go to trial with God for a vindication of his righteousness and 
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479perhaps an acknowledgment from God of God's mistreatment of Job 
480(9.2-35; 13.13-28; 16.18-22; 19.23-27; 23.1-7; 31.35-37). Yet when God 
481answers Job, it is neither as the friends have imagined God would 
482speak nor as Job had hoped God would answer him. The meaning and 
483significance of the divine speeches continue to be among the most 
484debated issues of the book. Some interpret the speeches as a 
485repudiation of a human's right to question God. Others understand 
486them as a necessary correction to Job's too limited understanding of 
487the nature of the cosmos as a place where all suffering can be reduced 
488to legal categories of guilt or innocence. All agree that the 
489extraordinary beauty of the poetry is part of its meaning. Perhaps the 
490very elusiveness of the divine speeches implies that no answer from 
491God to Job's questions can satisfy the human intellect. But as is known 
492by anyone, that is not true to our experience as humans. We yearn for 
493a response to the problem of evil, and continue to in part because the 
494book of Job provided no answer for us. Yet the ending suggest that 
495there is a resolution to be found in the depths of a pious life lived 
496before a mysterious God. 
497
498[Job 1] 
499The prologue 
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5021 There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That 
503man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away 
504from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 
505He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred 
506yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and very many servants; so that 
507this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used 
508to go and hold feasts in one another's houses in turn; and they would 
509send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And 
510when the feast days had run their course, Job would send and sanctify 
511them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings 
512according to the number of them all; for Job said, "It may be that my 
513children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." This is what Job 
514always did. 
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52413 One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking 
525wine in the eldest brother's house, 14 a messenger came to Job and 
526said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside 
527them, 15 and the Sabeans fell on them and carried them off, and killed 
528the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell 
529you." 16 While he was still speaking, another came and said, "The fire 
530of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, 
531and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you." 17 While he was 
532still speaking, another came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three 
533columns, made a raid on the camels and carried them off, and killed 
534the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell 
535you." 18 While he was still speaking, another came and said, "Your 
536sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest 
537brother's house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came across the desert, 
538struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, 
539and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you." 
540
54120 Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the 
542ground and worshiped. 21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's 
543womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has 
544taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 
545
54622 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing. 
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552JOB 972 
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555[Job 2] 
556
5571 One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the 
558LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the 
559LORD. 2 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan 
560answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from 
561walking up and down on it." 3 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you 
562considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a 
563blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. 
564He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to 
565destroy him for no reason." 4 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for 
566skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. 5 But stretch 
567out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse 
568you to your face." 6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, he is in your 
569power; only spare his life." 
570
5717 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and inflicted 
572loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his 
573head. 8 Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat 
574among the ashes. 
575
5769 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse 
577God, and die." 10 But he said to her, "You speak as any foolish woman 
578would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not 
579receive the bad?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. 
580
58111 Now when Job's three friends heard of all these troubles that had 
582come upon him, each of them set out from his home — Eliphaz the 
583Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met 
584together to go and console and comfort him. 12 When they saw him 
585from a distance, they did not recognize him, and they raised their 
586voices and wept aloud; they tore their robes and threw dust in the air 
587upon their heads. 13 They sat with him on the ground seven days and 
588seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his 
589suffering was very great. 
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595JOB 973 
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598[Job 3] 
599Job's curse of the day of his birth 
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601
6021 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 Job 
603said: 
6043 "Let the day perish in which I was born, 
605
606
607and the night that said, 
608'A man-child is conceived.' 
609
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6114 Let that day be darkness! 
612May God above not seek it, 
613or light shine on it. 
614
6155 Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. 
616Let clouds settle upon it; 
617let the blackness of the day terrify it. 
618
6196 That night — let thick darkness seize it! 
620let it not rejoice among the days of the year; 
621let it not come into the number of the months. 
622
6237 Yes, let that night be barren; 
624let no joyful cry be heard in it. 
6258 Let those curse it who curse the Sea, 
626those who are skilled to rouse up Leviathan. 
627
6289 Let the stars of its dawn be dark; 
629let it hope for light, but have none; 
630may it not see the eyelids of the morning — 
631
63210 because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb, 
633and hide trouble from my eyes. 
634
63511 "Why did I not die at birth, 
636come forth from the womb and expire? 
63712 Why were there knees to receive me, 
638or breasts for me to suck? 
63913 Now I would be lying down and quiet; 
640I would be asleep; then I would be at rest 
64114 with kings and counselors of the earth 
642who rebuild ruins for themselves, 
64315 or with princes who have gold, 
644who fill their houses with silver. 
645
646973 
647
648
649
650JOB 974 
651
652
65316 Or why was I not buried like a stillborn child, 
654like an infant that never sees the light? 
65517 There the wicked cease from troubling, 
656and there the weary are at rest. 
65718 There the prisoners are at ease together; 
658they do not hear the voice of the taskmaster. 
65919 The small and the great are there, 
660and the slaves are free from their masters. 
661
66220 "Why is light given to one in misery, 
663and life to the bitter in soul, 
66421 who long for death, but it does not come, 
665and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; 
66622 who rejoice exceedingly, 
667and are glad when they find the grave? 
66823 Why is light given to one who cannot see the way, 
669whom God has fenced in? 
67024 For my sighing comes like my bread, 
671and my groanings are poured out like water. 
67225 Truly the thing that I fear comes upon me, 
673and what I dread befalls me. 
67426 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; 
675I have no rest; but trouble comes." 
676
677[Job 4] 
678Eliphaz's first discourse 
679
680
6811 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 
6822 "If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? 
683But who can keep from speaking? 
6843 See, you have instructed many; 
685you have strengthened the weak hands. 
6864 Your words have supported those who were stumbling, 
687and you have made firm the feeble knees. 
6885 But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; 
689it touches you, and you are dismayed. 
6906 Is not your fear of God your confidence, 
691and the integrity of your ways your hope? 
692
693974 
694
695
696
697JOB 975 
698
699
7007 "Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? 
701Or where were the upright cut off? 
7028 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity 
703and sow trouble reap the same. 
7049 By the breath of God they perish, 
705and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. 
70610 The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, 
707and the teeth of the young lions are broken. 
70811 The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, 
709and the whelps of the lioness are scattered. 
71012 "Now a word came stealing to me, 
711
712my ear received the whisper of it. 
71313 Amid thoughts from visions of the night, 
714when deep sleep falls on mortals, 
715
716
71714 dread came upon me, and trembling, 
718which made all my bones shake. 
71915 A spirit glided past my face; 
720the hair of my flesh bristled. 
72116 It stood still, 
722but I could not discern its appearance. 
723A form was before my eyes; 
724there was silence, then I heard a voice: 
72517 'Can mortals be righteous before God? 
726Can human beings be pure before their Maker? 
72718 Even in his servants he puts no trust, 
728and his angels he charges with error; 
729
73019 how much more those who live in houses of clay, 
731whose foundation is in the dust, 
732who are crushed like a moth. 
733
73420 Between morning and evening they are destroyed; 
735they perish forever without any regarding it. 
73621 Their tent-cord is plucked up within them, 
737and they die devoid of wisdom.' 
738
739975 
740
741
742
743JOB 976 
744
745
746[Job 5] 
747
7481 "Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? 
749To which of the holy ones will you turn? 
7502 Surely vexation kills the fool, 
751and jealousy slays the simple. 
7523 I have seen fools taking root, 
753but suddenly I cursed their dwelling. 
754
7554 Their children are far from safety, 
756they are crushed in the gate, 
757and there is no one to deliver them. 
758
7595 The hungry eat their harvest, 
760and they take it even out of the thorns; 
761and the thirsty pant after their wealth. 
762
7636 For misery does not come from the earth, 
764nor does trouble sprout from the ground; 
7657 but human beings are born to trouble 
766just as sparks fly upward. 
767
7688 "As for me, I would seek God, 
769and to God I would commit my cause. 
7709 He does great things and unsearchable, 
771marvelous things without number. 
77210 He gives rain on the earth 
773and sends waters on the fields; 
77411 he sets on high those who are lowly, 
775and those who mourn are lifted to safety. 
77612 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, 
777so that their hands achieve no success. 
77813 He takes the wise in their own craftiness; 
779and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. 
78014 They meet with darkness in the daytime, 
781and grope at noonday as in the night. 
78215 But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, 
783from the hand of the mighty. 
78416 So the poor have hope, 
785and injustice shuts its mouth. 
786
787976 
788
789
790
791JOB 977 
792
793
79417 "How happy is the one whom God reproves; 
795therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 
79618 For he wounds, but he binds up; 
797he strikes, but his hands heal. 
79819 He will deliver you from six troubles; 
799in seven no harm shall touch you. 
80020 In famine he will redeem you from death, 
801and in war from the power of the sword. 
80221 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, 
803and shall not fear destruction when it comes. 
80422 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, 
805and shall not fear the wild animals of the earth. 
80623 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, 
807and the wild animals shall be at peace with you. 
80824 You shall know that your tent is safe, 
809you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. 
81025 You shall know that your descendants will be many, 
811and your offspring like the grass of the earth. 
81226 You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, 
813as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season. 
81427 See, we have searched this out; it is true. 
815Hear, and know it for yourself." 
816
817[Job 6] 
818Job's response 
819
820
8211 Then Job answered: 
8222 "O that my vexation were weighed, 
823and all my calamity laid in the balances! 
8243 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; 
825therefore my words have been rash. 
826
8274 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; 
828my spirit drinks their poison; 
829the terrors of God are arrayed against me. 
830
8315 Does the wild ass bray over its grass, 
832or the ox low over its fodder? 
8336 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, 
834or is there any flavor in the juice of mallows? 
835
836977 
837
838
839
840JOB 978 
841
842
8437 My appetite refuses to touch them; 
844they are like food that is loathsome to me. 
845
8468 "O that I might have my request, 
847and that God would grant my desire; 
8489 that it would please God to crush me, 
849that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! 
850
85110 This would be my consolation; 
852I would even exult in unrelenting pain; 
853for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 
854
85511 What is my strength, that I should wait? 
856And what is my end, that I should be patient? 
85712 Is my strength the strength of stones, 
858or is my flesh bronze? 
85913 In truth I have no help in me, 
860and any resource is driven from me. 
861
86214 "Those who withhold kindness from a friend 
863forsake the fear of the Almighty. 
86415 My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed, 
865like freshets that pass away, 
86616 that run dark with ice, 
867turbid with melting snow. 
86817 In time of heat they disappear; 
869when it is hot, they vanish from their place. 
87018 The caravans turn aside from their course; 
871they go up into the waste, and perish. 
87219 The caravans of Tema look, 
873the travelers of Sheba hope. 
87420 They are disappointed because they were confident; 
875they come there and are confounded. 
87621 Such you have now become to me; 
877you see my calamity, and are afraid. 
87822 Have I said, 'Make me a gift'? 
879Or, 'From your wealth offer a bribe for me'? 
88023 Or, 'Save me from an opponent's hand'? 
881Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of oppressors'? 
882
883978 
884
885
886
887JOB 979 
888
889
89024 "Teach me, and I will be silent; 
891make me understand how I have gone wrong. 
89225 How forceful are honest words! 
893But your reproof, what does it reprove? 
89426 Do you think that you can reprove words, 
895as if the speech of the desperate were wind? 
89627 You would even cast lots over the orphan, 
897and bargain over your friend. 
898
89928 "But now, be pleased to look at me; 
900for I will not lie to your face. 
90129 Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. 
902Turn now, my vindication is at stake. 
90330 Is there any wrong on my tongue? 
904Cannot my taste discern calamity? 
905
906[Job 7] 
907
9081 "Do not human beings have a hard service on earth, 
909and are not their days like the days of a laborer? 
9102 Like a slave who longs for the shadow, 
911and like laborers who look for their wages, 
9123 so I am allotted months of emptiness, 
913and nights of misery are apportioned to me. 
914
9154 When I lie down I say, 'When shall I rise?' 
916But the night is long, 
917and I am full of tossing until dawn. 
918
9195 My flesh is clothed with worms and dirt; 
920my skin hardens, then breaks out again. 
9216 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, 
922and come to their end without hope. 
923
9247 "Remember that my life is a breath; 
925my eye will never again see good. 
9268 The eye that beholds me will see me no more; 
927while your eyes are upon me, I shall be gone. 
9289 As the cloud fades and vanishes, 
929so those who go down to Sheol do not come up; 
930
931979 
932
933
934
935JOB 980 
936
937
93810 they return no more to their houses, 
939nor do their places know them any more. 
940
94111 "Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; 
942I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; 
943I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 
944
94512 Am I the Sea, or the Dragon, 
946that you set a guard over me? 
94713 When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, 
948my couch will ease my complaint,' 
94914 then you scare me with dreams 
950and terrify me with visions, 
95115 so that I would choose strangling 
952and death rather than this body. 
95316 I loathe my life; I would not live forever. 
954Let me alone, for my days are a breath. 
95517 What are human beings, that you make so much of them, 
956that you set your mind on them, 
95718 visit them every morning, 
958test them every moment? 
95919 Will you not look away from me for a while, 
960let me alone until I swallow my spittle? 
961
96220 If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of humanity? 
963Why have you made me your target? 
964Why have I become a burden to you? 
965
96621 Why do you not pardon my transgression 
967and take away my iniquity? 
968For now I shall lie in the earth; 
969you will seek me, but I shall not be." 
970
971[Job 8] 
972Bildad's first discourse 
973
974
9751 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 
9762 "How long will you say these things, 
977and the words of your mouth be a great wind? 
9783 Does God pervert justice? 
979Or does the Almighty pervert the right? 
980
981980 
982
983
984
985JOB 981 
986
987
9884 If your children sinned against him, 
989he delivered them into the power of their transgression. 
9905 If you will seek God 
991and make supplication to the Almighty, 
992
9936 if you are pure and upright, 
994surely then he will rouse himself for you 
995and restore to you your rightful place. 
996
9977 Though your beginning was small, 
998your latter days will be very great. 
9998 "For inquire now of bygone generations, 
1000and consider what their ancestors have found; 
10019 for we are but of yesterday, and we know nothing, 
1002for our days on earth are but a shadow. 
100310 Will they not teach you and tell you 
1004and utter words out of their understanding? 
1005
100611 "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? 
1007Can reeds flourish where there is no water? 
100812 While yet in flower and not cut down, 
1009they wither before any other plant. 
101013 Such are the paths of all who forget God; 
1011the hope of the godless shall perish. 
101214 Their confidence is gossamer, 
1013a spider's house their trust. 
101415 If one leans against its house, it will not stand; 
1015if one lays hold of it, it will not endure. 
101616 The wicked thrive before the sun, 
1017and their shoots spread over the garden. 
101817 Their roots twine around the stoneheap; 
1019they live among the rocks. 
102018 If they are destroyed from their place, 
1021then it will deny them, saying, 'I have never seen you.' 
102219 See, these are their happy ways, 
1023and out of the earth still others will spring. 
1024
102520 "See, God will not reject a blameless person, 
1026nor take the hand of evildoers. 
1027
1028981 
1029
1030
1031
1032JOB 982 
1033
1034
103521 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, 
1036and your lips with shouts of joy. 
103722 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, 
1038and the tent of the wicked will be no more." 
1039
1040[Job 9] 
1041Job's response 
1042
1043
10441 Then Job answered: 
10452 "Indeed I know that this is so; 
1046but how can a mortal be just before God? 
10473 If one wished to contend with him, 
1048one could not answer him once in a thousand. 
10494 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength 
1050— who has resisted him, and succeeded? — 
10515 he who removes mountains, and they do not know it, 
1052when he overturns them in his anger; 
10536 who shakes the earth out of its place, 
1054and its pillars tremble; 
10557 who commands the sun, and it does not rise; 
1056who seals up the stars; 
10578 who alone stretched out the heavens 
1058and trampled the waves of the Sea; 
10599 who made the Bear and Orion, 
1060the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; 
106110 who does great things beyond understanding, 
1062and marvelous things without number. 
106311 Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; 
1064he moves on, but I do not perceive him. 
106512 He snatches away; who can stop him? 
1066Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?' 
1067
106813 "God will not turn back his anger; 
1069the helpers of Rahab bowed beneath him. 
107014 How then can I answer him, 
1071choosing my words with him? 
107215 Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; 
1073I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. 
1074
1075982 
1076
1077
1078
1079JOB 983 
1080
1081
108216 If I summoned him and he answered me, 
1083I do not believe that he would listen to my voice. 
108417 For he crushes me with a tempest, 
1085and multiplies my wounds without cause; 
108618 he will not let me get my breath, 
1087but fills me with bitterness. 
108819 If it is a contest of strength, he is the strong one! 
1089If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? 
109020 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would condemn me; 
1091though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse. 
109221 I am blameless; I do not know myself; 
1093I loathe my life. 
109422 It is all one; therefore I say, 
1095he destroys both the blameless and the wicked. 
109623 When disaster brings sudden death, 
1097he mocks at the calamity of the innocent. 
1098
109924 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; 
1100he covers the eyes of its judges — 
1101if it is not he, who then is it? 
1102
110325 "My days are swifter than a runner; 
1104they flee away, they see no good. 
110526 They go by like skiffs of reed, 
1106like an eagle swooping on the prey. 
110727 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint; 
1108I will put off my sad countenance and be of good cheer,' 
110928 I become afraid of all my suffering, 
1110for I know you will not hold me innocent. 
111129 I shall be condemned; 
1112why then do I labor in vain? 
111330 If I wash myself with soap 
1114and cleanse my hands with lye, 
111531 yet you will plunge me into filth, 
1116and my own clothes will abhor me. 
111732 For he is not a mortal, as I am, that I might answer him, 
1118that we should come to trial together. 
111933 There is no umpire between us, 
1120who might lay his hand on us both. 
1121
1122983 
1123
1124
1125
1126JOB 984 
1127
1128
112934 If he would take his rod away from me, 
1130and not let dread of him terrify me, 
113135 then I would speak without fear of him, 
1132for I know I am not what I am thought to be. 
1133
1134[Job 10] 
1135
11361 "I loathe my life; 
1137I will give free utterance to my complaint; 
1138I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 
11392 I will say to God, Do not condemn me; 
1140let me know why you contend against me. 
1141
11423 Does it seem good to you to oppress, 
1143to despise the work of your hands 
1144and favor the schemes of the wicked? 
1145
11464 Do you have eyes of flesh? 
1147Do you see as humans see? 
11485 Are your days like the days of mortals, 
1149or your years like human years, 
11506 that you seek out my iniquity 
1151and search for my sin, 
11527 although you know that I am not guilty, 
1153and there is no one to deliver out of your hand? 
11548 Your hands fashioned and made me; 
1155and now you turn and destroy me. 
11569 Remember that you fashioned me like clay; 
1157and will you turn me to dust again? 
115810 Did you not pour me out like milk 
1159and curdle me like cheese? 
116011 You clothed me with skin and flesh, 
1161and knit me together with bones and sinews. 
116212 You have granted me life and steadfast love, 
1163and your care has preserved my spirit. 
116413 Yet these things you hid in your heart; 
1165I know that this was your purpose. 
116614 If I sin, you watch me, 
1167and do not acquit me of my iniquity. 
1168
1169984 
1170
1171
1172
1173JOB 985 
1174
1175
117615 If I am wicked, woe to me! 
1177If I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head, 
1178for I am filled with disgrace 
1179and look upon my affliction. 
118016 Bold as a lion you hunt me; 
1181you repeat your exploits against me. 
1182
118317 You renew your witnesses against me, 
1184and increase your vexation toward me; 
1185you bring fresh troops against me. 
1186
118718 "Why did you bring me forth from the womb? 
1188Would that I had died before any eye had seen me, 
118919 and were as though I had not been, 
1190carried from the womb to the grave. 
119120 Are not the days of my life few? 
1192Let me alone, that I may find a little comfort 
119321 before I go, never to return, 
1194to the land of gloom and deep darkness, 
119522 the land of gloom and chaos, 
1196where light is like darkness." 
1197
1198[Job 11] 
1199Zophar's first discourse 
1200
1201
12021 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 
12032 "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, 
1204and should one full of talk be vindicated? 
12053 Should your babble put others to silence, 
1206and when you mock, shall no one shame you? 
12074 For you say, 'My conduct is pure, 
1208and I am clean in God's sight.' 
12095 But O that God would speak, 
1210and open his lips to you, 
12116 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! 
1212For wisdom is many-sided. 
1213Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. 
1214
1215985 
1216
1217
1218
1219JOB 986 
1220
1221
12227 "Can you find out the deep things of God? 
1223Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? 
12248 It is higher than heaven — what can you do? 
1225Deeper than Sheol — what can you know? 
12269 Its measure is longer than the earth, 
1227and broader than the sea. 
122810 If he passes through, and imprisons, 
1229and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him? 
123011 For he knows those who are worthless; 
1231when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? 
123212 But a stupid person will get understanding, 
1233when a wild ass is born human. 
1234
123513 "If you direct your heart rightly, 
1236you will stretch out your hands toward him. 
123714 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, 
1238and do not let wickedness reside in your tents. 
123915 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; 
1240you will be secure, and will not fear. 
124116 You will forget your misery; 
1242you will remember it as waters that have passed away. 
124317 And your life will be brighter than the noonday; 
1244its darkness will be like the morning. 
124518 And you will have confidence, because there is hope; 
1246you will be protected and take your rest in safety. 
124719 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; 
1248many will entreat your favor. 
1249
125020 But the eyes of the wicked will fail; 
1251all way of escape will be lost to them, 
1252and their hope is to breathe their last." 
1253
1254[Job 12] 
1255Job's response 
1256
1257
12581 Then Job answered: 
12592 "No doubt you are the people, 
1260and wisdom will die with you. 
1261
1262986 
1263
1264
1265
1266JOB 987 
1267
1268
12693 But I have understanding as well as you; 
1270I am not inferior to you. 
1271Who does not know such things as these? 
1272
12734 I am a laughingstock to my friends; 
1274I, who called upon God and he answered me, 
1275a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock. 
1276
12775 Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, 
1278but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable. 
1279
12806 The tents of robbers are at peace, 
1281and those who provoke God are secure, 
1282who bring their god in their hands. 
1283
12847 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you; 
1285
1286the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 
12878 ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; 
1288and the fish of the sea will declare to you. 
1289
1290
12919 Who among all these does not know 
1292that the hand of the LORD has done this? 
129310 In his hand is the life of every living thing 
1294and the breath of every human being. 
129511 Does not the ear test words 
1296as the palate tastes food? 
129712 Is wisdom with the aged, 
1298and understanding in length of days? 
1299
130013 "With God are wisdom and strength; 
1301he has counsel and understanding. 
130214 If he tears down, no one can rebuild; 
1303if he shuts someone in, no one can open up. 
130415 If he withholds the waters, they dry up; 
1305if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. 
130616 With him are strength and wisdom; 
1307the deceived and the deceiver are his. 
130817 He leads counselors away stripped, 
1309and makes fools of judges. 
131018 He looses the sash of kings, 
1311and binds a waistcloth on their loins. 
1312
1313987 
1314
1315
1316
1317JOB 988 
1318
1319
132019 He leads priests away stripped, 
1321and overthrows the mighty. 
132220 He deprives of speech those who are trusted, 
1323and takes away the discernment of the elders. 
132421 He pours contempt on princes, 
1325and looses the belt of the strong. 
132622 He uncovers the deeps out of darkness, 
1327and brings deep darkness to light. 
132823 He makes nations great, then destroys them; 
1329he enlarges nations, then leads them away. 
133024 He strips understanding from the leaders of the earth, 
1331and makes them wander in a pathless waste. 
133225 They grope in the dark without light; 
1333he makes them stagger like a drunkard. 
1334
1335[Job 13] 
1336
13371 "Look, my eye has seen all this, 
1338my ear has heard and understood it. 
13392 What you know, I also know; 
1340I am not inferior to you. 
13413 But I would speak to the Almighty, 
1342and I desire to argue my case with God. 
13434 As for you, you whitewash with lies; 
1344all of you are worthless physicians. 
13455 If you would only keep silent, 
1346that would be your wisdom! 
13476 Hear now my reasoning, 
1348and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 
13497 Will you speak falsely for God, 
1350and speak deceitfully for him? 
13518 Will you show partiality toward him, 
1352will you plead the case for God? 
13539 Will it be well with you when he searches you out? 
1354Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another? 
135510 He will surely rebuke you 
1356if in secret you show partiality. 
1357
1358988 
1359
1360
1361
1362JOB 989 
1363
1364
136511 Will not his majesty terrify you, 
1366and the dread of him fall upon you? 
136712 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, 
1368your defenses are defenses of clay. 
1369
137013 "Let me have silence, and I will speak, 
1371and let come on me what may. 
137214 I will take my flesh in my teeth, 
1373and put my life in my hand. 
137415 See, he will kill me; I have no hope; 
1375but I will defend my ways to his face. 
137616 This will be my salvation, 
1377that the godless shall not come before him. 
137817 Listen carefully to my words, 
1379and let my declaration be in your ears. 
138018 I have indeed prepared my case; 
1381I know that I shall be vindicated. 
138219 Who is there that will contend with me? 
1383For then I would be silent and die. 
138420 Only grant two things to me, 
1385then I will not hide myself from your face: 
138621 withdraw your hand far from me, 
1387and do not let dread of you terrify me. 
138822 Then call, and I will answer; 
1389or let me speak, and you reply to me. 
139023 How many are my iniquities and my sins? 
1391Make me know my transgression and my sin. 
139224 Why do you hide your face, 
1393and count me as your enemy? 
139425 Will you frighten a windblown leaf 
1395and pursue dry chaff? 
139626 For you write bitter things against me, 
1397and make me reap the iniquities of my youth. 
1398
139927 You put my feet in the stocks, 
1400and watch all my paths; 
1401you set a bound to the soles of my feet. 
1402
140328 One wastes away like a rotten thing, 
1404like a garment that is moth-eaten. 
1405
1406989 
1407
1408
1409
1410JOB 990 
1411
1412
1413[Job 14] 
1414
14151 "A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, 
14162 comes up like a flower and withers, 
1417flees like a shadow and does not last. 
14183 Do you fix your eyes on such a one? 
1419Do you bring me into judgment with you? 
14204 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? 
1421No one can. 
1422
14235 Since their days are determined, 
1424and the number of their months is known to you, 
1425and you have appointed the bounds that they cannot pass, 
1426
14276 look away from them, and desist, 
1428that they may enjoy, like laborers, their days. 
1429
14307 "For there is hope for a tree, 
1431if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, 
1432and that its shoots will not cease. 
1433
14348 Though its root grows old in the earth, 
1435and its stump dies in the ground, 
14369 yet at the scent of water it will bud 
1437and put forth branches like a young plant. 
143810 But mortals die, and are laid low; 
1439humans expire, and where are they? 
144011 As waters fail from a lake, 
1441and a river wastes away and dries up, 
1442
144312 so mortals lie down and do not rise again; 
1444until the heavens are no more, they will not awake 
1445or be roused out of their sleep. 
1446
144713 O that you would hide me in Sheol, 
1448that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, 
1449that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! 
1450
145114 If mortals die, will they live again? 
1452All the days of my service I would wait 
1453until my release should come. 
1454
145515 You would call, and I would answer you; 
1456you would long for the work of your hands. 
1457
1458990 
1459
1460
1461
1462JOB 991 
1463
1464
146516 For then you would not number my steps, 
1466you would not keep watch over my sin; 
146717 my transgression would be sealed up in a bag, 
1468and you would cover over my iniquity. 
1469
147018 "But the mountain falls and crumbles away, 
1471and the rock is removed from its place; 
1472
147319 the waters wear away the stones; 
1474the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; 
1475so you destroy the hope of mortals. 
1476
147720 You prevail forever against them, and they pass away; 
1478you change their countenance, and send them away. 
147921 Their children come to honor, and they do not know it; 
1480they are brought low, and it goes unnoticed. 
148122 They feel only the pain of their own bodies, 
1482and mourn only for themselves." 
1483
1484[Job 15] 
1485Eliphaz's second discourse 
1486
1487
14881 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 
14892 "Should the wise answer with windy knowledge, 
1490and fill themselves with the east wind? 
14913 Should they argue in unprofitable talk, 
1492or in words with which they can do no good? 
14934 But you are doing away with the fear of God, 
1494and hindering meditation before God. 
14955 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, 
1496and you choose the tongue of the crafty. 
14976 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; 
1498your own lips testify against you. 
1499
15007 "Are you the firstborn of the human race? 
1501Were you brought forth before the hills? 
15028 Have you listened in the council of God? 
1503And do you limit wisdom to yourself? 
1504
1505991 
1506
1507
1508
1509JOB 992 
1510
1511
15129 What do you know that we do not know? 
1513What do you understand that is not clear to us? 
151410 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, 
1515those older than your father. 
151611 Are the consolations of God too small for you, 
1517or the word that deals gently with you? 
151812 Why does your heart carry you away, 
1519and why do your eyes flash, 
152013 so that you turn your spirit against God, 
1521and let such words go out of your mouth? 
152214 What are mortals, that they can be clean? 
1523Or those born of woman, that they can be righteous? 
152415 God puts no trust even in his holy ones, 
1525and the heavens are not clean in his sight; 
152616 how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, 
1527one who drinks iniquity like water! 
1528
152917 "I will show you; listen to me; 
1530what I have seen I will declare — 
153118 what sages have told, 
1532and their ancestors have not hidden, 
153319 to whom alone the land was given, 
1534and no stranger passed among them. 
153520 The wicked writhe in pain all their days, 
1536through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless. 
153721 Terrifying sounds are in their ears; 
1538in prosperity the destroyer will come upon them. 
153922 They despair of returning from darkness, 
1540and they are destined for the sword. 
154123 They wander abroad for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' 
1542They know that a day of darkness is ready at hand; 
154324 distress and anguish terrify them; 
1544they prevail against them, like a king prepared for battle. 
154525 Because they stretched out their hands against God, 
1546and bid defiance to the Almighty, 
154726 running stubbornly against him 
1548with a thick-bossed shield; 
1549
1550992 
1551
1552
1553
1554JOB 993 
1555
1556
155727 because they have covered their faces with their fat, 
1558and gathered fat upon their loins, 
1559
156028 they will live in desolate cities, 
1561in houses that no one should inhabit, 
1562houses destined to become heaps of ruins; 
1563
156429 they will not be rich, and their wealth will not endure, 
1565nor will they strike root in the earth; 
1566
156730 they will not escape from darkness; 
1568the flame will dry up their shoots, 
1569and their blossom will be swept away by the wind. 
1570
157131 Let them not trust in emptiness, deceiving themselves; 
1572for emptiness will be their recompense. 
157332 It will be paid in full before their time, 
1574and their branch will not be green. 
157533 They will shake off their unripe grape, like the vine, 
1576and cast off their blossoms, like the olive tree. 
157734 For the company of the godless is barren, 
1578and fire consumes the tents of bribery. 
157935 They conceive mischief and bring forth evil 
1580and their heart prepares deceit." 
1581
1582[Job 16] 
1583Job's response 
1584
1585
15861 Then Job answered: 
15872 "I have heard many such things; 
1588miserable comforters are you all. 
15893 Have windy words no limit? 
1590Or what provokes you that you keep on talking? 
15914 I also could talk as you do, 
1592if you were in my place; 
1593I could join words together against you, 
1594and shake my head at you. 
15955 I could encourage you with my mouth, 
1596and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain. 
15976 "If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, 
1598and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me? 
1599
1600993 
1601
1602
1603
1604JOB 994 
1605
1606
16077 Surely now God has worn me out; 
1608he has made desolate all my company. 
1609
16108 And he has shriveled me up, 
1611which is a witness against me; 
1612my leanness has risen up against me, 
1613and it testifies to my face. 
1614
16159 He has torn me in his wrath, and hated me; 
1616he has gnashed his teeth at me; 
1617my adversary sharpens his eyes against me. 
1618
161910 They have gaped at me with their mouths; 
1620they have struck me insolently on the cheek; 
1621they mass themselves together against me. 
1622
162311 God gives me up to the ungodly, 
1624and casts me into the hands of the wicked. 
162512 I was at ease, and he broke me in two; 
1626he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; 
1627he set me up as his target; 
162813 his archers surround me. 
1629He slashes open my kidneys, and shows no mercy; 
1630he pours out my gall on the ground. 
163114 He bursts upon me again and again; 
1632he rushes at me like a warrior. 
163315 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, 
1634and have laid my strength in the dust. 
163516 My face is red with weeping, 
1636and deep darkness is on my eyelids, 
163717 though there is no violence in my hands, 
1638and my prayer is pure. 
1639
164018 "O earth, do not cover my blood; 
1641let my outcry find no resting place. 
164219 Even now, in fact, my witness is in heaven, 
1643and he that vouches for me is on high. 
164420 My friends scorn me; 
1645my eye pours out tears to God, 
164621 that he would maintain the right of a mortal with God, 
1647as one does for a neighbor. 
1648
1649994 
1650
1651
1652
1653JOB 995 
1654
1655
165622 For when a few years have come, 
1657I shall go the way from which I shall not return. 
1658
1659[Job 17] 
1660
16611 My spirit is broken, my days are extinct, 
1662the grave is ready for me. 
16632 Surely there are mockers around me, 
1664and my eye dwells on their provocation. 
1665
16663 "Lay down a pledge for me with yourself; 
1667who is there that will give surety for me? 
16684 Since you have closed their minds to understanding, 
1669therefore you will not let them triumph. 
16705 Those who denounce friends for reward — 
1671the eyes of their children will fail. 
1672
16736 "He has made me a byword of the peoples, 
1674and I am one before whom people spit. 
16757 My eye has grown dim from grief, 
1676and all my members are like a shadow. 
16778 The upright are appalled at this, 
1678and the innocent stir themselves up against the godless. 
16799 Yet the righteous hold to their way, 
1680and they that have clean hands grow stronger and stronger. 
168110 But you, come back now, all of you, 
1682and I shall not find a sensible person among you. 
168311 My days are past, my plans are broken off, 
1684the desires of my heart. 
168512 They make night into day; 
1686'The light,' they say, 'is near to the darkness.' 
168713 If I look for Sheol as my house, 
1688if I spread my couch in darkness, 
168914 if I say to the Pit, 'You are my father,' 
1690and to the worm, 'My mother,' or 'My sister,' 
169115 where then is my hope? 
1692Who will see my hope? 
1693
1694995 
1695
1696
1697
1698JOB 996 
1699
1700
170116 Will it go down to the bars of Sheol? 
1702Shall we descend together into the dust?" 
1703
1704[Job 18] 
1705Bildad's second discourse 
1706
1707
17081 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 
17092 "How long will you hunt for words? 
1710Consider, and then we shall speak. 
17113 Why are we counted as cattle? 
1712Why are we stupid in your sight? 
1713
17144 You who tear yourself in your anger — 
1715shall the earth be forsaken because of you, 
1716or the rock be removed out of its place? 
1717
17185 "Surely the light of the wicked is put out, 
1719and the flame of their fire does not shine. 
17206 The light is dark in their tent, 
1721and the lamp above them is put out. 
17227 Their strong steps are shortened, 
1723and their own schemes throw them down. 
17248 For they are thrust into a net by their own feet, 
1725and they walk into a pitfall. 
17269 A trap seizes them by the heel; 
1727a snare lays hold of them. 
172810 A rope is hid for them in the ground, 
1729a trap for them in the path. 
173011 Terrors frighten them on every side, 
1731and chase them at their heels. 
173212 Their strength is consumed by hunger, 
1733and calamity is ready for their stumbling. 
173413 By disease their skin is consumed, 
1735the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs. 
173614 They are torn from the tent in which they trusted, 
1737and are brought to the king of terrors. 
173815 In their tents nothing remains; 
1739sulfur is scattered upon their habitations. 
1740
1741996 
1742
1743
1744
1745JOB 997 
1746
1747
174816 Their roots dry up beneath, 
1749and their branches wither above. 
175017 Their memory perishes from the earth, 
1751and they have no name in the street. 
175218 They are thrust from light into darkness, 
1753and driven out of the world. 
175419 They have no offspring or descendant among their people, 
1755and no survivor where they used to live. 
175620 They of the west are appalled at their fate, 
1757and horror seizes those of the east. 
175821 Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly, 
1759such is the place of those who do not know God." 
1760
1761[Job 19] 
1762Job's response 
1763
1764
17651 Then Job answered: 
17662 "How long will you torment me, 
1767and break me in pieces with words? 
17683 These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; 
1769are you not ashamed to wrong me? 
17704 And even if it is true that I have erred, 
1771my error remains with me. 
17725 If indeed you magnify yourselves against me, 
1773and make my humiliation an argument against me, 
17746 know then that God has put me in the wrong, 
1775and closed his net around me. 
17767 Even when I cry out, 'Violence!' I am not answered; 
1777I call aloud, but there is no justice. 
17788 He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass, 
1779and he has set darkness upon my paths. 
17809 He has stripped my glory from me, 
1781and taken the crown from my head. 
178210 He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone, 
1783he has uprooted my hope like a tree. 
178411 He has kindled his wrath against me, 
1785and counts me as his adversary. 
1786
1787997 
1788
1789
1790
1791JOB 998 
1792
1793
179412 His troops come on together; 
1795they have thrown up siegeworks against me, 
1796and encamp around my tent. 
1797
179813 "He has put my family far from me, 
1799
1800and my acquaintances are wholly estranged from me. 
180114 My relatives and my close friends have failed me; 
180215 the guests in my house have forgotten me; 
1803
1804my serving girls count me as a stranger; 
1805I have become an alien in their eyes. 
180616 I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer; 
1807I must myself plead with him. 
180817 My breath is repulsive to my wife; 
1809I am loathsome to my own family. 
181018 Even young children despise me; 
1811when I rise, they talk against me. 
181219 All my intimate friends abhor me, 
1813and those whom I loved have turned against me. 
181420 My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh, 
1815and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. 
181621 Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, 
1817for the hand of God has touched me! 
181822 Why do you, like God, pursue me, 
1819never satisfied with my flesh? 
1820
182123 "O that my words were written down! 
1822O that they were inscribed in a book! 
182324 O that with an iron pen and with lead 
1824they were engraved on a rock forever! 
182525 For I know that my Redeemer lives, 
1826and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 
182726 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, 
1828then in my flesh I shall see God, 
1829
183027 whom I shall see on my side, 
1831and my eyes shall behold, and not another. 
1832My heart faints within me! 
1833
1834998 
1835
1836
1837
1838JOB 999 
1839
1840
184128 If you say, 'How we will persecute him!' 
1842and, 'The root of the matter is found in him'; 
1843
184429 be afraid of the sword, 
1845for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, 
1846so that you may know there is a judgment." 
1847
1848[Job 20] 
1849Zophar's second discourse 
1850
1851
18521 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 
18532 "Pay attention! My thoughts urge me to answer, 
1854because of the agitation within me. 
18553 I hear censure that insults me, 
1856and a spirit beyond my understanding answers me. 
18574 Do you not know this from of old, 
1858ever since mortals were placed on earth, 
18595 that the exulting of the wicked is short, 
1860and the joy of the godless is but for a moment? 
18616 Even though they mount up high as the heavens, 
1862and their head reaches to the clouds, 
18637 they will perish forever like their own dung; 
1864those who have seen them will say, 'Where are they?' 
18658 They will fly away like a dream, and not be found; 
1866they will be chased away like a vision of the night. 
18679 The eye that saw them will see them no more, 
1868nor will their place behold them any longer. 
186910 Their children will seek the favor of the poor, 
1870and their hands will give back their wealth. 
187111 Their bodies, once full of youth, 
1872will lie down in the dust with them. 
1873
187412 "Though wickedness is sweet in their mouth, 
1875though they hide it under their tongues, 
187613 though they are loath to let it go, 
1877and hold it in their mouths, 
187814 yet their food is turned in their stomachs; 
1879it is the venom of asps within them. 
1880
1881999 
1882
1883
1884
1885JOB 1000 
1886
1887
188815 They swallow down riches and vomit them up again; 
1889God casts them out of their bellies. 
189016 They will suck the poison of asps; 
1891the tongue of a viper will kill them. 
189217 They will not look on the rivers, 
1893the streams flowing with honey and curds. 
189418 They will give back the fruit of their toil, 
1895and will not swallow it down; 
1896from the profit of their trading 
1897they will get no enjoyment. 
189819 For they have crushed and abandoned the poor, 
1899they have seized a house that they did not build. 
1900
190120 "They knew no quiet in their bellies; 
1902in their greed they let nothing escape. 
190321 There was nothing left after they had eaten; 
1904therefore their prosperity will not endure. 
190522 In full sufficiency they will be in distress; 
1906all the force of misery will come upon them. 
1907
190823 To fill their belly to the full 
1909God will send his fierce anger into them, 
1910and rain it upon them as their food. 
1911
191224 They will flee from an iron weapon; 
1913a bronze arrow will strike them through. 
1914
191525 It is drawn forth and comes out of their body, 
1916and the glittering point comes out of their gall; 
1917terrors come upon them. 
1918
191926 Utter darkness is laid up for their treasures; 
1920a fire fanned by no one will devour them; 
1921what is left in their tent will be consumed. 
1922
192327 The heavens will reveal their iniquity, 
1924and the earth will rise up against them. 
192528 The possessions of their house will be carried away, 
1926dragged off in the day of God's wrath. 
192729 This is the portion of the wicked from God, 
1928the heritage decreed for them by God." 
1929
19301000 
1931
1932
1933
1934JOB 1001 
1935
1936
1937[Job 21] 
1938Job's response 
1939
1940
19411 Then Job answered: 
19422 "Listen carefully to my words, 
1943and let this be your consolation. 
19443 Bear with me, and I will speak; 
1945then after I have spoken, mock on. 
19464 As for me, is my complaint addressed to mortals? 
1947Why should I not be impatient? 
19485 Look at me, and be appalled, 
1949and lay your hand upon your mouth. 
19506 When I think of it I am dismayed, 
1951and shuddering seizes my flesh. 
19527 Why do the wicked live on, 
1953reach old age, and grow mighty in power? 
19548 Their children are established in their presence, 
1955and their offspring before their eyes. 
19569 Their houses are safe from fear, 
1957and no rod of God is upon them. 
195810 Their bull breeds without fail; 
1959their cow calves and never miscarries. 
1960
196111 They send out their little ones like a flock, 
1962and their children dance around. 
196312 They sing to the tambourine and the lyre, 
1964
1965
1966and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. 
196713 They spend their days in prosperity, 
1968and in peace they go down to Sheol. 
196914 They say to God, 'Leave us alone! 
1970We do not desire to know your ways. 
197115 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? 
1972
1973And what profit do we get if we pray to him?' 
197416 Is not their prosperity indeed their own achievement? 
1975The plans of the wicked are repugnant to me. 
1976
1977
197817 "How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? 
1979How often does calamity come upon them? 
1980How often does God distribute pains in his anger? 
1981
19821001 
1983
1984
1985
1986JOB 1002 
1987
1988
198918 How often are they like straw before the wind, 
1990and like chaff that the storm carries away? 
199119 You say, 'God stores up their iniquity for their children.' 
1992Let it be paid back to them, so that they may know it. 
199320 Let their own eyes see their destruction, 
1994and let them drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 
199521 For what do they care for their household after them, 
1996when the number of their months is cut off? 
199722 Will any teach God knowledge, 
1998seeing that he judges those that are on high? 
199923 One dies in full prosperity, 
2000being wholly at ease and secure, 
200124 his loins full of milk 
2002and the marrow of his bones moist. 
200325 Another dies in bitterness of soul, 
2004never having tasted of good. 
200526 They lie down alike in the dust, 
2006and the worms cover them. 
2007
200827 "Oh, I know your thoughts, 
2009and your schemes to wrong me. 
201028 For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? 
2011Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?' 
201229 Have you not asked those who travel the roads, 
2013and do you not accept their testimony, 
201430 that the wicked are spared in the day of calamity, 
2015and are rescued in the day of wrath? 
201631 Who declares their way to their face, 
2017and who repays them for what they have done? 
201832 When they are carried to the grave, 
2019a watch is kept over their tomb. 
2020
202133 The clods of the valley are sweet to them; 
2022everyone will follow after, 
2023and those who went before are innumerable. 
2024
202534 How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? 
2026There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood." 
2027
20281002 
2029
2030
2031
2032JOB 1003 
2033
2034
2035[Job 22] 
2036Eliphaz's third discourse 
2037
2038
20391 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 
20402 "Can a mortal be of use to God? 
2041Can even the wisest be of service to him? 
20423 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, 
2043or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? 
20444 Is it for your piety that he reproves you, 
2045and enters into judgment with you? 
20465 Is not your wickedness great? 
2047There is no end to your iniquities. 
20486 For you have exacted pledges from your family for no reason, 
2049and stripped the naked of their clothing. 
20507 You have given no water to the weary to drink, 
2051and you have withheld bread from the hungry. 
20528 The powerful possess the land, 
2053and the favored live in it. 
20549 You have sent widows away empty-handed, 
2055and the arms of the orphans you have crushed. 
205610 Therefore snares are around you, 
2057and sudden terror overwhelms you, 
205811 or darkness so that you cannot see; 
2059a flood of water covers you. 
2060
206112 "Is not God high in the heavens? 
2062See the highest stars, how lofty they are! 
206313 Therefore you say, 'What does God know? 
2064Can he judge through the deep darkness? 
206514 Thick clouds enwrap him, so that he does not see, 
2066and he walks on the dome of heaven.' 
206715 Will you keep to the old way 
2068that the wicked have trod? 
206916 They were snatched away before their time; 
2070their foundation was washed away by a flood. 
207117 They said to God, 'Leave us alone,' 
2072and 'What can the Almighty do to us?' 
2073
20741003 
2075
2076
2077
2078JOB 1004 
2079
2080
208118 Yet he filled their houses with good things — 
2082but the plans of the wicked are repugnant to me. 
208319 The righteous see it and are glad; 
2084the innocent laugh them to scorn, 
208520 saying, 'Surely our adversaries are cut off, 
2086and what they left, the fire has consumed.' 
2087
208821 "Agree with God, and be at peace; 
2089in this way good will come to you. 
209022 Receive instruction from his mouth, 
2091and lay up his words in your heart. 
209223 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored, 
2093if you remove unrighteousness from your tents, 
209424 if you treat gold like dust, 
2095and gold of Ophir like the stones of the torrent-bed, 
209625 and if the Almighty is your gold 
2097and your precious silver, 
209826 then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, 
2099and lift up your face to God. 
210027 You will pray to him, and he will hear you, 
2101and you will pay your vows. 
210228 You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, 
2103and light will shine on your ways. 
210429 When others are humiliated, you say it is pride; 
2105for he saves the humble. 
210630 He will deliver even those who are guilty; 
2107they will escape because of the cleanness of your hands." 
2108
2109[Job 23] 
2110Job's response 
2111
2112
21131 Then Job answered: 
21142 "Today also my complaint is bitter; 
2115his hand is heavy despite my groaning. 
21163 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, 
2117that I might come even to his dwelling! 
2118
21191004 
2120
2121
2122
2123JOB 1005 
2124
2125
21264 I would lay my case before him, 
2127and fill my mouth with arguments. 
21285 I would learn what he would answer me, 
2129and understand what he would say to me. 
21306 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? 
2131No; but he would give heed to me. 
21327 There an upright person could reason with him, 
2133and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. 
2134
21358 "If I go forward, he is not there; 
2136or backward, I cannot perceive him; 
21379 on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; 
2138I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. 
213910 But he knows the way that I take; 
2140when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. 
214111 My foot has held fast to his steps; 
2142I have kept his way and have not turned aside. 
214312 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; 
2144I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth. 
214513 But he stands alone and who can dissuade him? 
2146What he desires, that he does. 
214714 For he will complete what he appoints for me; 
2148and many such things are in his mind. 
214915 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; 
2150when I consider, I am in dread of him. 
215116 God has made my heart faint; 
2152the Almighty has terrified me; 
215317 If only I could vanish in darkness, 
2154and thick darkness would cover my face! 
2155
2156[Job 24] 
2157
21581 "Why are times not kept by the Almighty, 
2159and why do those who know him never see his days? 
21602 The wicked remove landmarks; 
2161they seize flocks and pasture them. 
21623 They drive away the donkey of the orphan; 
2163they take the widow's ox for a pledge. 
2164
21651005 
2166
2167
2168
2169JOB 1006 
2170
2171
21724 They thrust the needy off the road; 
2173the poor of the earth all hide themselves. 
2174
21755 Like wild asses in the desert 
2176they go out to their toil, 
2177scavenging in the wasteland 
2178food for their young. 
2179
21806 They reap in a field not their own 
2181and they glean in the vineyard of the wicked. 
21827 They lie all night naked, without clothing, 
2183and have no covering in the cold. 
21848 They are wet with the rain of the mountains, 
2185and cling to the rock for want of shelter. 
2186
21879 "There are those who snatch the orphan child from the breast, 
2188and take as a pledge the infant of the poor. 
218910 They go about naked, without clothing; 
2190though hungry, they carry the sheaves; 
219111 between their terraces they press out oil; 
2192they tread the wine presses, but suffer thirst. 
2193
219412 From the city the dying groan, 
2195and the throat of the wounded cries for help; 
2196yet God pays no attention to their prayer. 
2197
219813 "There are those who rebel against the light, 
2199who are not acquainted with its ways, 
2200and do not stay in its paths. 
2201
220214 The murderer rises at dusk 
2203to kill the poor and needy, 
2204and in the night is like a thief. 
2205
220615 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, 
2207saying, 'No eye will see me'; 
2208and he disguises his face. 
2209
221016 In the dark they dig through houses; 
2211by day they shut themselves up; 
2212they do not know the light. 
2213
221417 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; 
2215for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 
2216
22171006 
2218
2219
2220
2221JOB 1007 
2222
2223
222418 "Swift are they on the face of the waters; 
2225their portion in the land is cursed; 
2226no treader turns toward their vineyards. 
2227
222819 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; 
2229so does Sheol those who have sinned. 
223020 The womb forgets them; 
2231the worm finds them sweet; 
2232they are no longer remembered; 
2233so wickedness is broken like a tree. 
2234
223521 "They harm the childless woman, 
2236and do no good to the widow. 
223722 Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; 
2238they rise up when they despair of life. 
223923 He gives them security, and they are supported; 
2240his eyes are upon their ways. 
2241
224224 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; 
2243they wither and fade like the mallow; 
2244they are cut off like the heads of grain. 
2245
224625 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar, 
2247and show that there is nothing in what I say?" 
2248
2249[Job 25] 
2250Bildad speaks 
2251
22521 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 
22532 "Dominion and fear are with God; 
2254he makes peace in his high heaven. 
22553 Is there any number to his armies? 
2256Upon whom does his light not arise? 
22574 How then can a mortal be righteous before God? 
2258How can one born of woman be pure? 
22595 If even the moon is not bright 
2260and the stars are not pure in his sight, 
22616 how much less a mortal, who is a maggot, 
2262and a human being, who is a worm!" 
2263
22641007 
2265
2266
2267
2268JOB 1008 
2269
2270
2271[Job 26] 
2272Job interrupts 
2273
2274
22751 Then Job answered: 
22762 "How you have helped one who has no power! 
2277How you have assisted the arm that has no strength! 
22783 How you have counseled one who has no wisdom, 
2279and given much good advice! 
22804 With whose help have you uttered words, 
2281and whose spirit has come forth from you? 
2282
2283Bildad continues 
2284
22855 The shades below tremble, 
2286the waters and their inhabitants. 
22876 Sheol is naked before God, 
2288and Abaddon has no covering. 
22897 He stretches out Zaphon over the void, 
2290and hangs the earth upon nothing. 
22918 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, 
2292and the cloud is not torn open by them. 
22939 He covers the face of the full moon, 
2294and spreads over it his cloud. 
229510 He has described a circle on the face of the waters, 
2296at the boundary between light and darkness. 
229711 The pillars of heaven tremble, 
2298and are astounded at his rebuke. 
229912 By his power he stilled the Sea; 
2300by his understanding he struck down Rahab. 
230113 By his wind the heavens were made fair; 
2302his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 
2303
230414 These are indeed but the outskirts of his ways; 
2305and how small a whisper do we hear of him! 
2306But the thunder of his power who can understand?" 
2307
23081008 
2309
2310
2311
2312JOB 1009 
2313
2314
2315[Job 27] 
2316Job continues 
2317
2318
23191 Job again took up his discourse and said: 
23202 "As God lives, who has taken away my right, 
2321and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, 
23223 as long as my breath is in me 
2323and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, 
23244 my lips will not speak falsehood, 
2325and my tongue will not utter deceit. 
23265 Far be it from me to say that you are right; 
2327until I die I will not put away my integrity from me. 
23286 I hold fast my righteousness, and will not let it go; 
2329my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 
2330
23317 "May my enemy be like the wicked, 
2332and may my opponent be like the unrighteous. 
23338 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts them off, 
2334when God takes away their lives? 
23359 Will God hear their cry 
2336when trouble comes upon them? 
233710 Will they take delight in the Almighty? 
2338Will they call upon God at all times? 
233911 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; 
2340that which is with the Almighty I will not conceal. 
234112 All of you have seen it yourselves; 
2342why then have you become altogether vain? 
2343
234413 "This is the portion of the wicked with God, 
2345and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty: 
234614 If their children are multiplied, it is for the sword; 
2347and their offspring have not enough to eat. 
234815 Those who survive them the pestilence buries, 
2349and their widows make no lamentation. 
235016 Though they heap up silver like dust, 
2351and pile up clothing like clay — 
235217 they may pile it up, but the just will wear it, 
2353and the innocent will divide the silver. 
2354
23551009 
2356
2357
2358
2359JOB 1010 
2360
2361
236218 They build their houses like nests, 
2363like booths made by sentinels of the vineyard. 
236419 They go to bed with wealth, but will do so no more; 
2365they open their eyes, and it is gone. 
236620 Terrors overtake them like a flood; 
2367in the night a whirlwind carries them off. 
236821 The east wind lifts them up and they are gone; 
2369it sweeps them out of their place. 
237022 It hurls at them without pity; 
2371they flee from its power in headlong flight. 
237223 It claps its hands at them, 
2373and hisses at them from its place. 
2374
2375[Job 28] 
2376A poem on Wisdom 
2377
2378
23791 "Surely there is a mine for silver, 
2380and a place for gold to be refined. 
23812 Iron is taken out of the earth, 
2382and copper is smelted from ore. 
2383
23843 Miners put an end to darkness, 
2385and search out to the farthest bound 
2386the ore in gloom and deep darkness. 
2387
23884 They open shafts in a valley away from human habitation; 
2389they are forgotten by travelers, 
2390they sway suspended, remote from people. 
2391
23925 As for the earth, out of it comes bread; 
2393but underneath it is turned up as by fire. 
23946 Its stones are the place of sapphires, 
2395and its dust contains gold. 
2396
23977 "That path no bird of prey knows, 
2398and the falcon's eye has not seen it. 
23998 The proud wild animals have not trodden it; 
2400the lion has not passed over it. 
2401
24029 "They put their hand to the flinty rock, 
2403and overturn mountains by the roots. 
2404
24051010 
2406
2407
2408
2409JOB 1011 
2410
2411
241210 They cut out channels in the rocks, 
2413and their eyes see every precious thing. 
241411 The sources of the rivers they probe; 
2415hidden things they bring to light. 
241612 "But where shall wisdom be found? 
2417And where is the place of understanding? 
241813 Mortals do not know the way to it, 
2419and it is not found in the land of the living. 
242014 The deep says, 'It is not in me,' 
2421and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' 
242215 It cannot be gotten for gold, 
2423and silver cannot be weighed out as its price. 
242416 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, 
2425in precious onyx or sapphire. 
242617 Gold and glass cannot equal it, 
2427nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 
242818 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; 
2429the price of wisdom is above pearls. 
243019 The chrysolite of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, 
2431nor can it be valued in pure gold. 
2432
243320 "Where then does wisdom come from? 
2434And where is the place of understanding? 
243521 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, 
2436and concealed from the birds of the air. 
243722 Abaddon and Death say, 
2438'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 
2439
244023 "God understands the way to it, 
2441and he knows its place. 
244224 For he looks to the ends of the earth, 
2443and sees everything under the heavens. 
244425 When he gave to the wind its weight, 
2445and apportioned out the waters by measure; 
244626 when he made a decree for the rain, 
2447and a way for the thunderbolt; 
244827 then he saw it and declared it; 
2449he established it, and searched it out. 
2450
24511011 
2452
2453
2454
2455JOB 1012 
2456
2457
245828 And he said to humankind, 
2459'Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; 
2460and to depart from evil is understanding.'" 
2461
2462[Job 29] 
2463Job's speech 
2464
24651 Job again took up his discourse and said: 
24662 "O that I were as in the months of old, 
2467as in the days when God watched over me; 
24683 when his lamp shone over my head, 
2469and by his light I walked through darkness; 
24704 when I was in my prime, 
2471when the friendship of God was upon my tent; 
24725 when the Almighty was still with me, 
2473when my children were around me; 
24746 when my steps were washed with milk, 
2475and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! 
24767 When I went out to the gate of the city, 
2477when I took my seat in the square, 
24788 the young men saw me and withdrew, 
2479and the aged rose up and stood; 
24809 the nobles refrained from talking, 
2481and laid their hands on their mouths; 
248210 the voices of princes were hushed, 
2483and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 
248411 When the ear heard, it commended me, 
2485and when the eye saw, it approved; 
248612 because I delivered the poor who cried, 
2487and the orphan who had no helper. 
248813 The blessing of the wretched came upon me, 
2489and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 
249014 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; 
2491my justice was like a robe and a turban. 
249215 I was eyes to the blind, 
2493and feet to the lame. 
249416 I was a father to the needy, 
2495and I championed the cause of the stranger. 
2496
24971012 
2498
2499
2500
2501JOB 1013 
2502
2503
250417 I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, 
2505and made them drop their prey from their teeth. 
250618 Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, 
2507and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix; 
250819 my roots spread out to the waters, 
2509with the dew all night on my branches; 
251020 my glory was fresh with me, 
2511and my bow ever new in my hand.' 
2512
251321 "They listened to me, and waited, 
2514and kept silence for my counsel. 
251522 After I spoke they did not speak again, 
2516and my word dropped upon them like dew. 
251723 They waited for me as for the rain; 
2518they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. 
251924 I smiled on them when they had no confidence; 
2520and the light of my countenance they did not extinguish. 
2521
252225 I chose their way, and sat as chief, 
2523and I lived like a king among his troops, 
2524like one who comforts mourners. 
2525
2526[Job 30] 
2527
25281 "But now they make sport of me, 
2529those who are younger than I, 
2530whose fathers I would have disdained 
2531to set with the dogs of my flock. 
25322 What could I gain from the strength of their hands? 
2533All their vigor is gone. 
25343 Through want and hard hunger 
2535they gnaw the dry and desolate ground, 
25364 they pick mallow and the leaves of bushes, 
2537and to warm themselves the roots of broom. 
25385 They are driven out from society; 
2539people shout after them as after a thief. 
25406 In the gullies of wadis they must live, 
2541in holes in the ground, and in the rocks. 
2542
25431013 
2544
2545
2546
2547JOB 1014 
2548
2549
25507 Among the bushes they bray; 
2551under the nettles they huddle together. 
25528 A senseless, disreputable brood, 
2553they have been whipped out of the land. 
2554
25559 "And now they mock me in song; 
2556I am a byword to them. 
255710 They abhor me, they keep aloof from me; 
2558they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me. 
255911 Because God has loosed my bowstring and humbled me, 
2560they have cast off restraint in my presence. 
2561
256212 On my right hand the rabble rise up; 
2563they send me sprawling, 
2564and build roads for my ruin. 
2565
256613 They break up my path, 
2567they promote my calamity; 
2568no one restrains them. 
2569
257014 As through a wide breach they come; 
2571amid the crash they roll on. 
2572
257315 Terrors are turned upon me; 
2574my honor is pursued as by the wind, 
2575and my prosperity has passed away like a cloud. 
2576
257716 "And now my soul is poured out within me; 
2578days of affliction have taken hold of me. 
257917 The night racks my bones, 
2580and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest. 
258118 With violence he seizes my garment; 
2582he grasps me by the collar of my tunic. 
258319 He has cast me into the mire, 
2584and I have become like dust and ashes. 
258520 I cry to you and you do not answer me; 
2586I stand, and you merely look at me. 
258721 You have turned cruel to me; 
2588with the might of your hand you persecute me. 
258922 You lift me up on the wind, you make me ride on it, 
2590and you toss me about in the roar of the storm. 
2591
25921014 
2593
2594
2595
2596JOB 1015 
2597
2598
259923 I know that you will bring me to death, 
2600and to the house appointed for all living. 
2601
260224 "Surely one does not turn against the needy, 
2603when in disaster they cry for help. 
260425 Did I not weep for those whose day was hard? 
2605Was not my soul grieved for the poor? 
260626 But when I looked for good, evil came; 
2607and when I waited for light, darkness came. 
260827 My inward parts are in turmoil, and are never still; 
2609days of affliction come to meet me. 
261028 I go about in sunless gloom; 
2611I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. 
261229 I am a brother of jackals, 
2613
2614and a companion of ostriches. 
261530 My skin turns black and falls from me, 
2616and my bones burn with heat. 
2617
2618
261931 My lyre is turned to mourning, 
2620and my pipe to the voice of those who weep. 
2621
2622[Job 31] 
2623
26241 "I have made a covenant with my eyes; 
2625how then could I look upon a virgin? 
26262 What would be my portion from God above, 
2627and my heritage from the Almighty on high? 
26283 Does not calamity befall the unrighteous, 
2629and disaster the workers of iniquity? 
26304 Does he not see my ways, 
2631and number all my steps? 
2632
26335 "If I have walked with falsehood, 
2634and my foot has hurried to deceit — 
26356 let me be weighed in a just balance, 
2636and let God know my integrity! — 
2637
26387 if my step has turned aside from the way, 
2639and my heart has followed my eyes, 
2640and if any spot has clung to my hands; 
2641
26421015 
2643
2644
2645
2646JOB 1016 
2647
2648
26498 then let me sow, and another eat; 
2650and let what grows for me be rooted out. 
2651
26529 "If my heart has been enticed by a woman, 
2653and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door; 
265410 then let my wife grind for another, 
2655and let other men kneel over her. 
265611 For that would be a heinous crime; 
2657that would be a criminal offense; 
265812 for that would be a fire consuming down to Abaddon, 
2659and it would burn to the root all my harvest. 
2660
266113 "If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves, 
2662when they brought a complaint against me; 
266314 what then shall I do when God rises up? 
2664When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him? 
266515 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? 
2666And did not one fashion us in the womb? 
2667
266816 "If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, 
2669or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, 
267017 or have eaten my morsel alone, 
2671and the orphan has not eaten from it — 
267218 for from my youth I reared the orphan like a father, 
2673and from my mother's womb I guided the widow — 
267419 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, 
2675or a poor person without covering, 
267620 whose loins have not blessed me, 
2677and who was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 
267821 if I have raised my hand against the orphan, 
2679because I saw I had supporters at the gate; 
268022 then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, 
2681and let my arm be broken from its socket. 
268223 For I was in terror of calamity from God, 
2683and I could not have faced his majesty. 
2684
268524 "If I have made gold my trust, 
2686or called fine gold my confidence; 
2687
26881016 
2689
2690
2691
2692JOB 1017 
2693
2694
269525 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, 
2696or because my hand had gotten much; 
269726 if I have looked at the sun when it shone, 
2698or the moon moving in splendor, 
269927 and my heart has been secretly enticed, 
2700and my mouth has kissed my hand; 
270128 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, 
2702for I should have been false to God above. 
2703
270429 "If I have rejoiced at the ruin of those who hated me, 
2705or exulted when evil overtook them — 
270630 I have not let my mouth sin 
2707by asking for their lives with a curse — 
270831 if those of my tent ever said, 
2709'O that we might be sated with his flesh!' — 
271032 the stranger has not lodged in the street; 
2711I have opened my doors to the traveler — 
271233 if I have concealed my transgressions as others do, 
2713by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, 
2714
271534 because I stood in great fear of the multitude, 
2716and the contempt of families terrified me, 
2717so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors — 
2718
271935 O that I had one to hear me! 
2720(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) 
2721O, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! 
2722
272336 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; 
2724
2725I would bind it on me like a crown; 
272637 I would give him an account of all my steps; 
2727like a prince I would approach him. 
2728
2729
273038 "If my land has cried out against me, 
2731and its furrows have wept together; 
273239 if I have eaten its yield without payment, 
2733and caused the death of its owners; 
273440 let thorns grow instead of wheat, 
2735and foul weeds instead of barley." 
2736The words of Job are ended. 
2737
27381017 
2739
2740
2741
2742JOB 1018 
2743
2744
2745[Job 32] 
2746Elihu's disputations; prose and poetic introduction 
2747
2748
27491 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous 
2750in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family 
2751of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified 
2752himself rather than God; 3 he was angry also at Job's three friends 
2753because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to 
2754be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they 
2755were older than he. 5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in 
2756the mouths of these three men, he became angry. 
2757
27586 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: 
2759"I am young in years, 
2760and you are aged; 
2761therefore I was timid and afraid 
2762to declare my opinion to you. 
27637 I said, 'Let days speak, 
2764and many years teach wisdom.' 
27658 But truly it is the spirit in a mortal, 
2766the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding. 
27679 It is not the old that are wise, 
2768nor the aged that understand what is right. 
276910 Therefore I say, 'Listen to me; 
2770let me also declare my opinion.' 
2771
277211 "See, I waited for your words, 
2773
2774I listened for your wise sayings, 
2775
2776while you searched out what to say. 
277712 I gave you my attention, 
2778
2779but there was in fact no one that confuted Job, 
2780
2781no one among you that answered his words. 
278213 Yet do not say, 'We have found wisdom; 
2783
2784God may vanquish him, not a human.' 
278514 He has not directed his words against me, 
2786
2787and I will not answer him with your speeches. 
2788
27891018 
2790
2791
2792
2793JOB 1019 
2794
2795
279615 "They are dismayed, they answer no more; 
2797they have not a word to say. 
279816 And am I to wait, because they do not speak, 
2799because they stand there, and answer no more? 
280017 I also will give my answer; 
2801I also will declare my opinion. 
280218 For I am full of words; 
2803the spirit within me constrains me. 
280419 My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent; 
2805like new wineskins, it is ready to burst. 
280620 I must speak, so that I may find relief; 
2807I must open my lips and answer. 
280821 I will not show partiality to any person 
2809or use flattery toward anyone. 
281022 For I do not know how to flatter — 
2811or my Maker would soon put an end to me! 
2812
2813[Job 33] 
2814
28151 "But now, hear my speech, O Job, 
2816and listen to all my words. 
28172 See, I open my mouth; 
2818the tongue in my mouth speaks. 
28193 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, 
2820and what my lips know they speak sincerely. 
28214 The spirit of God has made me, 
2822and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 
28235 Answer me, if you can; 
2824set your words in order before me; take your stand. 
28256 See, before God I am as you are; 
2826I too was formed from a piece of clay. 
28277 No fear of me need terrify you; 
2828my pressure will not be heavy on you. 
2829
2830Elihu's first disputation 
2831
28328 "Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, 
2833and I have heard the sound of your words. 
2834
28351019 
2836
2837
2838
2839JOB 1020 
2840
2841
28429 You say, 'I am clean, without transgression; 
2843I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. 
284410 Look, he finds occasions against me, 
2845he counts me as his enemy; 
284611 he puts my feet in the stocks, 
2847and watches all my paths.' 
2848
284912 "But in this you are not right. I will answer you: 
2850God is greater than any mortal. 
285113 Why do you contend against him, 
2852saying, 'He will answer none of my words'? 
285314 For God speaks in one way, 
2854and in two, though people do not perceive it. 
2855
285615 In a dream, in a vision of the night, 
2857when deep sleep falls on mortals, 
2858while they slumber on their beds, 
2859
286016 then he opens their ears, 
2861and terrifies them with warnings, 
286217 that he may turn them aside from their deeds, 
2863and keep them from pride, 
286418 to spare their souls from the Pit, 
2865their lives from traversing the River. 
286619 They are also chastened with pain upon their beds, 
2867and with continual strife in their bones, 
286820 so that their lives loathe bread, 
2869and their appetites dainty food. 
287021 Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; 
2871and their bones, once invisible, now stick out. 
287222 Their souls draw near the Pit, 
2873and their lives to those who bring death. 
2874
287523 Then, if there should be for one of them an angel, 
2876a mediator, one of a thousand, 
2877one who declares a person upright, 
2878
287924 and he is gracious to that person, and says, 
2880'Deliver him from going down into the Pit; 
2881I have found a ransom; 
2882
288325 let his flesh become fresh with youth; 
2884let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; 
2885
28861020 
2887
2888
2889
2890JOB 1021 
2891
2892
289326 then he prays to God, and is accepted by him, 
2894he comes into his presence with joy, 
2895and God repays him for his righteousness. 
289627 That person sings to others and says, 
2897'I sinned, and perverted what was right, 
2898and it was not paid back to me. 
289928 He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, 
2900and my life shall see the light.' 
2901
290229 "God indeed does all these things, 
2903twice, three times, with mortals, 
290430 to bring back their souls from the Pit, 
2905so that they may see the light of life. 
290631 Pay heed, Job, listen to me; 
2907be silent, and I will speak. 
290832 If you have anything to say, answer me; 
2909speak, for I desire to justify you. 
291033 If not, listen to me; 
2911be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." 
2912
2913[Job 34] 
2914Elihu's second disputation 
2915
2916
29171 Then Elihu continued and said: 
29182 "Hear my words, you wise men, 
2919and give ear to me, you who know; 
29203 for the ear tests words 
2921as the palate tastes food. 
29224 Let us choose what is right; 
2923let us determine among ourselves what is good. 
29245 For Job has said, 'I am innocent, 
2925and God has taken away my right; 
29266 in spite of being right I am counted a liar; 
2927my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' 
29287 Who is there like Job, 
2929who drinks up scoffing like water, 
29308 who goes in company with evildoers 
2931and walks with the wicked? 
2932
29331021 
2934
2935
2936
2937JOB 1022 
2938
2939
29409 For he has said, 'It profits one nothing 
2941to take delight in God.' 
2942
294310 "Therefore, hear me, you who have sense, 
2944far be it from God that he should do wickedness, 
2945and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. 
2946
294711 For according to their deeds he will repay them, 
2948and according to their ways he will make it befall them. 
294912 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, 
2950and the Almighty will not pervert justice. 
295113 Who gave him charge over the earth 
2952and who laid on him the whole world? 
295314 If he should take back his spirit to himself, 
2954and gather to himself his breath, 
295515 all flesh would perish together, 
2956and all mortals return to dust. 
2957
295816 "If you have understanding, hear this; 
2959listen to what I say. 
296017 Shall one who hates justice govern? 
2961Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty, 
296218 who says to a king, 'You scoundrel!' 
2963and to princes, 'You wicked men!'; 
2964
296519 who shows no partiality to nobles, 
2966nor regards the rich more than the poor, 
2967for they are all the work of his hands? 
2968
296920 In a moment they die; 
2970at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, 
2971and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 
2972
297321 "For his eyes are upon the ways of mortals, 
2974and he sees all their steps. 
297522 There is no gloom or deep darkness 
2976where evildoers may hide themselves. 
297723 For he has not appointed a time for anyone 
2978to go before God in judgment. 
297924 He shatters the mighty without investigation, 
2980and sets others in their place. 
2981
29821022 
2983
2984
2985
2986JOB 1023 
2987
2988
298925 Thus, knowing their works, 
2990he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. 
299126 He strikes them for their wickedness 
2992while others look on, 
299327 because they turned aside from following him, 
2994and had no regard for any of his ways, 
299528 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, 
2996and he heard the cry of the afflicted — 
2997
299829 When he is quiet, who can condemn? 
2999When he hides his face, who can behold him, 
3000whether it be a nation or an individual? — 
3001
300230 so that the godless should not reign, 
3003or those who ensnare the people. 
3004
300531 "For has anyone said to God, 
3006'I have endured punishment; I will not offend any more; 
300732 teach me what I do not see; 
3008if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'? 
300933 Will he then pay back to suit you, 
3010because you reject it? 
3011For you must choose, and not I; 
3012therefore declare what you know. 
301334 Those who have sense will say to me, 
3014and the wise who hear me will say, 
301535 'Job speaks without knowledge, 
3016his words are without insight.' 
301736 Would that Job were tried to the limit, 
3018because his answers are those of the wicked. 
3019
302037 For he adds rebellion to his sin; 
3021he claps his hands among us, 
3022and multiplies his words against God." 
3023
3024[Job 35] 
3025Elihu's third disputation 
3026
3027
30281 Elihu continued and said: 
30292 "Do you think this to be just? 
3030You say, 'I am in the right before God.' 
3031
30321023 
3033
3034
3035
3036JOB 1024 
3037
3038
30393 If you ask, 'What advantage have I? 
3040How am I better off than if I had sinned?' 
30414 I will answer you 
3042and your friends with you. 
30435 Look at the heavens and see; 
3044observe the clouds, which are higher than you. 
30456 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? 
3046And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 
30477 If you are righteous, what do you give to him; 
3048or what does he receive from your hand? 
30498 Your wickedness affects others like you, 
3050and your righteousness, other human beings. 
3051
30529 "Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; 
3053they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. 
305410 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, 
3055who gives strength in the night, 
305611 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, 
3057and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?' 
305812 There they cry out, but he does not answer, 
3059because of the pride of evildoers. 
306013 Surely God does not hear an empty cry, 
3061nor does the Almighty regard it. 
306214 How much less when you say that you do not see him, 
3063that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! 
306415 And now, because his anger does not punish, 
3065and he does not greatly heed transgression, 
306616 Job opens his mouth in empty talk, 
3067he multiplies words without knowledge." 
3068
3069[Job 36] 
3070Elihu's fourth disputation 
3071
3072
30731 Elihu continued and said: 
30742 "Bear with me a little, and I will show you, 
3075for I have yet something to say on God's behalf. 
30763 I will bring my knowledge from far away, 
3077and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 
3078
30791024 
3080
3081
3082
3083JOB 1025 
3084
3085
30864 For truly my words are not false; 
3087one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. 
3088
30895 "Surely God is mighty and does not despise any; 
3090he is mighty in strength of understanding. 
30916 He does not keep the wicked alive, 
3092but gives the afflicted their right. 
3093
30947 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, 
3095but with kings on the throne 
3096he sets them forever, and they are exalted. 
3097
30988 And if they are bound in fetters 
3099and caught in the cords of affliction, 
31009 then he declares to them their work 
3101and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. 
310210 He opens their ears to instruction, 
3103and commands that they return from iniquity. 
3104
310511 If they listen, and serve him, 
3106they complete their days in prosperity, 
3107and their years in pleasantness. 
3108
310912 But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword, 
3110and die without knowledge. 
3111
311213 "The godless in heart cherish anger; 
3113they do not cry for help when he binds them. 
311414 They die in their youth, 
3115and their life ends in shame. 
311615 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, 
3117and opens their ear by adversity. 
3118
311916 He also allured you out of distress 
3120into a broad place where there was no constraint, 
3121and what was set on your table was full of fatness. 
3122
312317 "But you are obsessed with the case of the wicked; 
3124judgment and justice seize you. 
312518 Beware that wrath does not entice you into scoffing, 
3126and do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. 
312719 Will your cry avail to keep you from distress, 
3128or will all the force of your strength? 
3129
31301025 
3131
3132
3133
3134JOB 1026 
3135
3136
313720 Do not long for the night, 
3138when peoples are cut off in their place. 
313921 Beware! Do not turn to iniquity; 
3140because of that you have been tried by affliction. 
314122 See, God is exalted in his power; 
3142who is a teacher like him? 
314323 Who has prescribed for him his way, 
3144or who can say, 'You have done wrong'? 
3145
314624 "Remember to extol his work, 
3147of which mortals have sung. 
314825 All people have looked on it; 
3149everyone watches it from far away. 
315026 Surely God is great, and we do not know him; 
3151the number of his years is unsearchable. 
315227 For he draws up the drops of water; 
3153he distills his mist in rain, 
315428 which the skies pour down 
3155and drop upon mortals abundantly. 
315629 Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, 
3157
3158the thunderings of his pavilion? 
315930 See, he scatters his lightning around him 
3160and covers the roots of the sea. 
3161
3162
316331 For by these he governs peoples; 
3164he gives food in abundance. 
316532 He covers his hands with the lightning, 
3166and commands it to strike the mark. 
316733 Its crashing tells about him; 
3168he is jealous with anger against iniquity. 
3169
3170[Job 37] 
3171
31721 "At this also my heart trembles, 
3173and leaps out of its place. 
31742 Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice 
3175and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 
31763 Under the whole heaven he lets it loose, 
3177and his lightning to the corners of the earth. 
3178
31791026 
3180
3181
3182
3183JOB 1027 
3184
3185
31864 After it his voice roars; 
3187
3188he thunders with his majestic voice 
3189
3190and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard. 
3191
31925 God thunders wondrously with his voice; 
3193he does great things that we cannot comprehend. 
31946 For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth'; 
3195and the shower of rain, his heavy shower of rain, 
31967 serves as a sign on everyone's hand, 
3197so that all whom he has made may know it. 
31988 Then the animals go into their lairs 
3199and remain in their dens. 
32009 From its chamber comes the whirlwind, 
3201and cold from the scattering winds. 
320210 By the breath of God ice is given, 
3203and the broad waters are frozen fast. 
320411 He loads the thick cloud with moisture; 
3205the clouds scatter his lightning. 
3206
320712 They turn round and round by his guidance, 
3208to accomplish all that he commands them 
3209on the face of the habitable world. 
3210
321113 Whether for correction, or for his land, 
3212or for love, he causes it to happen. 
3213
321414 "Hear this, O Job; 
3215stop and consider the wondrous works of God. 
321615 Do you know how God lays his command upon them, 
3217and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? 
321816 Do you know the balancings of the clouds, 
3219the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect, 
322017 you whose garments are hot 
3221when the earth is still because of the south wind? 
322218 Can you, like him, spread out the skies, 
3223hard as a molten mirror? 
322419 Teach us what we shall say to him; 
3225we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. 
322620 Should he be told that I want to speak? 
3227Did anyone ever wish to be swallowed up? 
3228
32291027 
3230
3231
3232
3233JOB 1028 
3234
3235
323621 Now, no one can look on the light 
3237when it is bright in the skies, 
3238when the wind has passed and cleared them. 
3239
324022 Out of the north comes golden splendor; 
3241around God is awesome majesty. 
3242
324323 The Almighty — we cannot find him; 
3244he is great in power and justice, 
3245and abundant righteousness he will not violate. 
3246
324724 Therefore mortals fear him; 
3248he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit." 
3249
3250[Job 38] 
3251God speaks from the whirlwind 
3252
3253
32541 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: 
32552 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 
32563 Gird up your loins like a man, 
3257
3258
3259I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 
3260
32614 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? 
3262Tell me, if you have understanding. 
32635 Who determined its measurements — surely you know! 
3264Or who stretched the line upon it? 
32656 On what were its bases sunk, 
3266or who laid its cornerstone 
32677 when the morning stars sang together 
3268and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? 
3269
32708 "Or who shut in the sea with doors 
3271when it burst out from the womb? — 
32729 when I made the clouds its garment, 
3273and thick darkness its swaddling band, 
327410 and prescribed bounds for it, 
3275and set bars and doors, 
327611 and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, 
3277and here shall your proud waves be stopped'? 
3278
32791028 
3280
3281
3282
3283JOB 1029 
3284
3285
328612 "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, 
3287and caused the dawn to know its place, 
328813 so that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, 
3289and the wicked be shaken out of it? 
329014 It is changed like clay under the seal, 
3291and it is dyed like a garment. 
329215 Light is withheld from the wicked, 
3293and their uplifted arm is broken. 
3294
329516 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, 
3296or walked in the recesses of the deep? 
329717 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, 
3298
3299
3300or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 
330118 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? 
3302Declare, if you know all this. 
330319 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light, 
3304and where is the place of darkness, 
330520 that you may take it to its territory 
3306and that you may discern the paths to its home? 
330721 Surely you know, for you were born then, 
3308and the number of your days is great! 
3309
331022 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, 
3311or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 
331223 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, 
3313for the day of battle and war? 
331424 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, 
3315or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? 
3316
331725 "Who has cut a channel for the torrents of rain, 
3318and a way for the thunderbolt, 
331926 to bring rain on a land where no one lives, 
3320on the desert, which is empty of human life, 
332127 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, 
3322and to make the ground put forth grass? 
3323
332428 "Has the rain a father, 
3325or who has begotten the drops of dew? 
3326
33271029 
3328
3329
3330
3331JOB 1030 
3332
3333
333429 From whose womb did the ice come forth, 
3335and who has given birth to the hoarfrost of heaven? 
333630 The waters become hard like stone, 
3337and the face of the deep is frozen. 
333831 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, 
3339or loose the cords of Orion? 
334032 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, 
3341or can you guide the Bear with its children? 
334233 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? 
3343Can you establish their rule on the earth? 
3344
334534 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, 
3346so that a flood of waters may cover you? 
334735 Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go 
3348and say to you, 'Here we are'? 
334936 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, 
3350or given understanding to the mind? 
335137 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? 
3352Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 
335338 when the dust runs into a mass 
3354and the clods cling together? 
335539 "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, 
3356or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 
335740 when they crouch in their dens, 
3358or lie in wait in their covert? 
3359
336041 Who provides for the raven its prey, 
3361when its young ones cry to God, 
3362and wander about for lack of food? 
3363
3364[Job 39] 
3365
33661 "Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? 
3367Do you observe the calving of the deer? 
33682 Can you number the months that they fulfill, 
3369and do you know the time when they give birth, 
33703 when they crouch to give birth to their offspring, 
3371and are delivered of their young? 
3372
33731030 
3374
3375
3376
3377JOB 1031 
3378
3379
33804 Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open; 
3381they go forth, and do not return to them. 
3382
33835 "Who has let the wild ass go free? 
3384Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass, 
33856 to which I have given the steppe for its home, 
3386the salt land for its dwelling place? 
33877 It scorns the tumult of the city; 
3388it does not hear the shouts of the driver. 
33898 It ranges the mountains as its pasture, 
3390and it searches after every green thing. 
3391
33929 "Is the wild ox willing to serve you? 
3393Will it spend the night at your crib? 
339410 Can you tie it in the furrow with ropes, 
3395or will it harrow the valleys after you? 
339611 Will you depend on it because its strength is great, 
3397and will you hand over your labor to it? 
339812 Do you have faith in it that it will return, 
3399and bring your grain to your threshing floor? 
3400
340113 "The ostrich's wings flap wildly, 
3402though its pinions lack plumage. 
340314 For it leaves its eggs to the earth, 
3404and lets them be warmed on the ground, 
340515 forgetting that a foot may crush them, 
3406and that a wild animal may trample them. 
340716 It deals cruelly with its young, as if they were not its own; 
3408though its labor should be in vain, yet it has no fear; 
340917 because God has made it forget wisdom, 
3410and given it no share in understanding. 
341118 When it spreads its plumes aloft, 
3412it laughs at the horse and its rider. 
3413
341419 "Do you give the horse its might? 
3415Do you clothe its neck with mane? 
341620 Do you make it leap like the locust? 
3417Its majestic snorting is terrible. 
3418
34191031 
3420
3421
3422
3423JOB 1032 
3424
3425
342621 It paws violently, exults mightily; 
3427it goes out to meet the weapons. 
342822 It laughs at fear, and is not dismayed; 
3429it does not turn back from the sword. 
343023 Upon it rattle the quiver, 
3431the flashing spear, and the javelin. 
343224 With fierceness and rage it swallows the ground; 
3433it cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet. 
3434
343525 When the trumpet sounds, it says 'Aha!' 
3436From a distance it smells the battle, 
3437the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 
3438
343926 "Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, 
3440and spreads its wings toward the south? 
344127 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up 
3442and makes its nest on high? 
344328 It lives on the rock and makes its home 
3444in the fastness of the rocky crag. 
344529 From there it spies the prey; 
3446its eyes see it from far away. 
344730 Its young ones suck up blood; 
3448and where the slain are, there it is." 
3449
3450[Job 40] 
3451Question and response 
3452
3453
34541 And the LORD said to Job: 
34552 "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? 
3456Anyone who argues with God must respond." 
3457
34583 Then Job answered the LORD: 
34594 "See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? 
3460I lay my hand on my mouth. 
34615 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; 
3462twice, but will proceed no further." 
3463
34641032 
3465
3466
3467
3468JOB 1033 
3469
3470
3471God's second speech 
3472
34736 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: 
34747 "Gird up your loins like a man; 
3475
3476I will question you, and you declare to me. 
34778 Will you even put me in the wrong? 
3478
3479Will you condemn me that you may be justified? 
34809 Have you an arm like God, 
3481
3482and can you thunder with a voice like his? 
3483
348410 "Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; 
3485
3486clothe yourself with glory and splendor. 
348711 Pour out the overflowings of your anger, 
3488
3489and look on all who are proud, and abase them. 
349012 Look on all who are proud, and bring them low; 
3491
3492tread down the wicked where they stand. 
349313 Hide them all in the dust together; 
3494
3495bind their faces in the world below. 
349614 Then I will also acknowledge to you 
3497
3498that your own right hand can give you victory. 
3499
350015 "Look at Behemoth, 
3501
3502which I made just as I made you; 
3503
3504it eats grass like an ox. 
350516 Its strength is in its loins, 
3506
3507and its power in the muscles of its belly. 
350817 It makes its tail stiff like a cedar; 
3509
3510the sinews of its thighs are knit together. 
351118 Its bones are tubes of bronze, 
3512
3513its limbs like bars of iron. 
3514
351519 "It is the first of the great acts of God — 
3516
3517only its Maker can approach it with the sword. 
351820 For the mountains yield food for it 
3519
3520where all the wild animals play. 
352121 Under the lotus plants it lies, 
3522
3523in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh. 
3524
35251033 
3526
3527
3528
3529JOB 1034 
3530
3531
353222 The lotus trees cover it for shade; 
3533the willows of the wadi surround it. 
353423 Even if the river is turbulent, it is not frightened; 
3535it is confident though Jordan rushes against its mouth. 
353624 Can one take it with hooks 
3537or pierce its nose with a snare? 
3538
3539[Job 41] 
3540
35411 "Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, 
3542or press down its tongue with a cord? 
35432 Can you put a rope in its nose, 
3544or pierce its jaw with a hook? 
35453 Will it make many supplications to you? 
3546Will it speak soft words to you? 
35474 Will it make a covenant with you 
3548to be taken as your servant forever? 
35495 Will you play with it as with a bird, 
3550or will you put it on leash for your girls? 
35516 Will traders bargain over it? 
3552Will they divide it up among the merchants? 
35537 Can you fill its skin with harpoons, 
3554or its head with fishing spears? 
35558 Lay hands on it; 
3556think of the battle; you will not do it again! 
35579 Any hope of capturing it will be disappointed; 
3558were not even the gods overwhelmed at the sight of it? 
355910 No one is so fierce as to dare to stir it up. 
3560Who can stand before it? 
356111 Who can confront it and be safe? 
3562
3563— under the whole heaven, who? 
356412 "I will not keep silence concerning its limbs, 
3565or its mighty strength, or its splendid frame. 
356613 Who can strip off its outer garment? 
3567Who can penetrate its double coat of mail? 
356814 Who can open the doors of its face? 
3569There is terror all around its teeth. 
3570
35711034 
3572
3573
3574
3575JOB 1035 
3576
3577
357815 Its back is made of shields in rows, 
3579shut up closely as with a seal. 
358016 One is so near to another 
3581that no air can come between them. 
358217 They are joined one to another; 
3583they clasp each other and cannot be separated. 
358418 Its sneezes flash forth light, 
3585and its eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. 
358619 From its mouth go flaming torches; 
3587sparks of fire leap out. 
358820 Out of its nostrils comes smoke, 
3589as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. 
359021 Its breath kindles coals, 
3591and a flame comes out of its mouth. 
359222 In its neck abides strength, 
3593and terror dances before it. 
359423 The folds of its flesh cling together; 
3595it is firmly cast and immovable. 
359624 Its heart is as hard as stone, 
3597as hard as the lower millstone. 
359825 When it raises itself up the gods are afraid; 
3599at the crashing they are beside themselves. 
360026 Though the sword reaches it, it does not avail, 
3601nor does the spear, the dart, or the javelin. 
360227 It counts iron as straw, 
3603and bronze as rotten wood. 
360428 The arrow cannot make it flee; 
3605slingstones, for it, are turned to chaff. 
360629 Clubs are counted as chaff; 
3607it laughs at the rattle of javelins. 
360830 Its underparts are like sharp potsherds; 
3609it spreads itself like a threshing sledge on the mire. 
361031 It makes the deep boil like a pot; 
3611it makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 
361232 It leaves a shining wake behind it; 
3613one would think the deep to be white-haired. 
361433 On earth it has no equal, 
3615a creature without fear. 
3616
36171035 
3618
3619
3620
3621JOB 1036 
3622
3623
362434 It surveys everything that is lofty; 
3625it is king over all that are proud." 
3626
3627[Job 42] 
3628Job's second response 
3629
3630
36311 Then Job answered the LORD: 
36322 "I know that you can do all things, 
3633and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 
36343 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' 
3635Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, 
3636things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 
36374 'Hear, and I will speak; 
3638I will question you, and you declare to me.' 
36395 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, 
3640but now my eye sees you; 
36416 therefore I despise myself, 
3642and repent in dust and ashes." 
3643
3644Epilogue 
3645
36467 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to 
3647Eliphaz the Temanite: "My wrath is kindled against you and against 
3648your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my 
3649servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and 
3650go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and 
3651my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal 
3652with you according to your folly; for you have not spoken of me what 
3653is right, as my servant Job has done." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and 
3654Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the 
3655LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer. 
3656
365710 And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for 
3658his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 
3659Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had 
3660known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they 
3661showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD 
3662had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money 
3663
36641036 
3665
3666
3667
3668JOB 1037 
3669
3670JOB 1037 
3671
36721037 
3673
3674
3675
3676PSALMS 1038 
3677
3678
3679PSALMS 
3680
3681
3682Introduction 
3683
3684The Psalms is a collection of sung poetic prayers (see the .
3685HTIntroduction 
3686to the Poetical and Wisdom Books.
3687TH) associated with divine worship in 
3688Israel. The word "psalm" is derived from the Greek "psalmos," which 
3689translates the Hebrew "mizmor"; these all mean a song recited to the 
3690accompaniment of a stringed instrument. The times of composition for 
3691the psalms range across at least five centuries; the earliest psalm is 
3692probably Ps 29, which is adapted from early Canaanite worship, while 
3693several psalms contain contextual (e.g., Ps 126), linguistic, or other 
3694evidence that they are from the postexilic period (Ps 51; 114; 137). While 
3695psalms are Judean in origin, the language or internal references in 
3696several psalms suggest that they originated in the Northern Kingdom 
3697(e.g., Ps 80 and 81, which contain references to Joseph); these most 
3698likely were brought to Judah after the destruction of the Northern 
3699Kingdom in 722 BCE. The majority of the psalms, however, originated 
3700in the preexilic, monarchic period, and are associated with the 
3701Jerusalem Temple. 
3702
3703The psalms likely functioned as a musical libretto for sections of the 
3704Temple worship, though exactly when and how they were used is 
3705unclear. Psalm 118.27, "The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind 
3706the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar" 
3707suggests that some psalms were used in connection to the sacrifices, 
3708while Ps 141.2, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and 
3709the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice" might indicate that 
3710some were recited when the incense was offered. Several psalms 
3711contain allusions to musical performance (e.g., 13.6; 26.7; 30.4; 33.2-3), 
3712and may of the superscriptions (headings, though not included in this 
3713specific online version — see the NRSV) contain detailed, technical 
3714references to how the performance should be completed. 
3715Unfortunately, many of the technical terms that are ubiquitous in the 
3716
37171038 
3718
3719
3720
3721PSALMS 1039 
3722
3723PSALMS 1039 
3724
3725From the beginning of the 20th century, many attempts have been 
3726made, especially by biblical scholars interested in form criticism (see 
3727"Form Criticism" in the related essays section), to follow clues in the 
3728psalms, in order to reconstruct the original "Sitz im Leben," or setting 
3729in life, of the psalms. This scholarship has suggested that the psalms are 
3730to be divided into several genres. The two main types are laments, 
3731forming approximately a third of the Psalter, and hymns. Laments can 
3732be either individual (Ps 3) or communal (Ps 44). The lament's 
3733component parts include the invocation of the name of God, the 
3734complaint wherein the psalmist describes the distress experienced, and 
3735appeals for divine intervention. Many of these laments include 
3736expressions of trust, couched in the past (Ps 6.9, "The Lord has heard 
3737my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer"). It is unclear if this is a 
3738reflection of the psalmist's great faith, which is furthered through the 
3739recitation of the psalms, or if part of the recitation of the psalm might 
3740have included a response to the lament by a cultic official, and the the 
3741psalmist might have expressed trust only after this divine reassurance, 
3742which does not usually appear in the psalm. The hymns typically focus 
3743on the role of God as creator (e.g., Ps 8; 19, 104) or redeemer (Ps 66; 
374498). These hymns are not connected to specific requests; they are 
3745reflective of the religious individual, who wants to have a close 
3746connection with God, in the belief that "It is good to give thanks to the 
3747Lord, to sing praise to your name, O Most High" (Ps 92.1). The Hebrew 
3748title of Psalms, "tehillim" ("praises"), reflects the significance of the 
3749genre of hymns to the book. 
3750
3751Still other types of psalms may be isolated in Psalms. For example, Ps 15, 
3752which recounts the ideal qualities of the individual who "may abide in 
3753your tent" and "may dwell on your holy hill" (v. 1) is likely an entrance 
3754liturgy, recited by the worshiper while approaching the Temple. There 
3755are several royal psalms (Ps 2), which focus on the king. The number of 
3756these psalms, and by extension, the extent to which the Psalter should 
3757be viewed as a work with specifically royal focus, is debated, with some 
3758
37591039 
3760
3761
3762
3763PSALMS 1040 
3764
3765PSALMS 1040 
3766
3767The book of Psalms came together over a long period of time. This is 
3768clear from the final verse of Ps 72, "The prayers of David son of Jesse 
3769are ended." This is further reflected through the existence of several 
3770collections or anthologies within the Psalter; the clearest of these is 
3771composed of Ps 120-134, each of which begins "A song of ascents." Ps 
377242-83 are also a collection ("the elohistic Psalter"); these typically call 
3773the deity "elohim" (translated "God"), rather than "yhwh" (translated 
3774"Lord"), which typifies the rest of the Psalter. A comparison of Ps 14 to 
3775the parallel Ps 53 (from the elohistic Psalter) is especially enlightening 
3776as an illustration of the anthological nature of the Psalter. Clusters of 
3777psalms also begin or end with the words "halelu-yah," "Praise the 
3778Lord" (Ps 105-106; 111-113; 115-117; 146-150). 
3779
3780This brief reconstruction of the history of the Psalter indicates that the 
3781early Jewish and Christian tradition, reflected among the Dead Sea 
3782community as well, that David composed the entirety of the book of 
3783Psalms, is secondary. The tradition arose from an interpretation of the 
3784many psalms that do begin "of David," a phrase understood to mean 
3785of Davidic authorship, as well as the traditions in other books that 
3786David was a poet and musician (1 Sam 16.16-17; 2 Sam 1.17-27) and the 
3787patron of the Jerusalem Temple (1 Chr 29.1-5), constructed by his son, 
3788Solomon. The historical headings of several psalms (not included in this 
3789online NRSV version; see a print version) (Ps 3; 18; 34; 51) reflect early 
3790exegetical attempts to link the psalms with incidents in the life of 
3791
37921040 
3793
3794
3795
3796PSALMS 1041 
3797
3798PSALMS 1041 
3799
3800This attempt to understand Psalms as a book is echoed in the manner 
3801in which the book is subdivided into five parts or books, through the 
3802secondary insertion of doxologies (detailed praises of God), at the end 
3803of Ps 41; 72; 89; 106, and through the functioning of the last psalm(s) of 
3804the Psalter (Ps 146-150 alone) as a doxology. Thus the book in its final 
3805form is structure as a Pentateuch (five books), just like the Torah. The 
3806reference to "the Torah (NRSV "law") of the Lord" in the introductory 
3807psalm (v. 2) suggests that, at some level, the book of Psalms as a whole 
3808is to be read as Torah and is to be studied as Torah. This may represent 
3809the period after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE), when 
3810study of psalms replaced their liturgical recitation. 
3811
3812There are thus many ways that the individual psalms might be read. In 
3813their earliest stages, they are individual compositions, recited for 
3814particular occasions at a variety of sacred sites. Later, some of these 
3815were anthologized, and might be understood within the anthology 
3816that they are in; e.g., Ps 123 might be understood within the Songs of 
3817Ascent. Finally, individual psalms might be understood within the 
3818Psalter as a book, either narrating a biography of David, or a book of 
3819teaching like the Torah. The main function of psalms within later 
3820Jewish and Christian tradition, however, has been as a type of 
3821inspirational literature, where later worshipers may find proper words 
3822in tradition to express the depths of their religious experience and 
3823feelings. 
3824
38251041 
3826
3827
3828
3829PSALMS 1042 
3830
3831
3832BOOK I (PSALMS 1-41) 
3833
3834
3835[Psalms 1] 
3836The two ways 
3837
3838
38391 Happy are those 
3840who do not follow the advice of the wicked, 
3841or take the path that sinners tread, 
3842or sit in the seat of scoffers; 
38432 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, 
3844and on his law they meditate day and night. 
38453 They are like trees 
3846planted by streams of water, 
3847which yield their fruit in its season, 
3848and their leaves do not wither. 
3849In all that they do, they prosper. 
3850
38514 The wicked are not so, 
3852but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 
38535 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, 
3854nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 
38556 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, 
3856but the way of the wicked will perish. 
3857
3858[Psalm 2] 
3859God's royal son 
3860
3861
38621 Why do the nations conspire, 
3863and the peoples plot in vain? 
3864
38652 The kings of the earth set themselves, 
3866and the rulers take counsel together, 
3867against the LORD and his anointed, saying, 
3868
38693 "Let us burst their bonds asunder, 
3870and cast their cords from us." 
3871
38724 He who sits in the heavens laughs; 
3873the LORD has them in derision. 
3874
38751042 
3876
3877
3878
3879PSALMS 1043 
3880
3881
38825 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, 
3883and terrify them in his fury, saying, 
38846 "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill." 
3885
38867 I will tell of the decree of the LORD: 
3887He said to me, "You are my son; 
3888today I have begotten you. 
38898 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, 
3890and the ends of the earth your possession. 
38919 You shall break them with a rod of iron, 
3892and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." 
3893
389410 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; 
3895be warned, O rulers of the earth. 
389611 Serve the LORD with fear, 
3897with trembling 12 kiss his feet, 
3898or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; 
3899for his wrath is quickly kindled. 
3900
3901Happy are all who take refuge in him. 
3902
3903[Psalm 3] 
3904Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
3905
3906
39071 O LORD, how many are my foes! 
3908Many are rising against me; 
39092 many are saying to me, 
3910"There is no help for you in God." 
3911
39123 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, 
3913my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 
39144 I cry aloud to the LORD, 
3915and he answers me from his holy hill. 
3916
39175 I lie down and sleep; 
3918I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. 
39196 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people 
3920who have set themselves against me all around. 
3921
39221043 
3923
3924
3925
3926PSALMS 1044 
3927
3928
39297 Rise up, O LORD! 
3930Deliver me, O my God! 
3931For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; 
3932you break the teeth of the wicked. 
3933
39348 Deliverance belongs to the LORD; 
3935may your blessing be on your people! 
3936
3937[Psalm 4] 
3938Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
3939
3940
39411 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! 
3942You gave me room when I was in distress. 
3943Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. 
3944
39452 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? 
3946How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? 
39473 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; 
3948the LORD hears when I call to him. 
3949
39504 When you are disturbed, do not sin; 
3951ponder it on your beds, and be silent. 
39525 Offer right sacrifices, 
3953and put your trust in the LORD. 
3954
39556 There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! 
3956Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!" 
39577 You have put gladness in my heart 
3958more than when their grain and wine abound. 
3959
39608 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; 
3961for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety. 
3962
39631044 
3964
3965
3966
3967PSALMS 1045 
3968
3969
3970[Psalm 5] 
3971Prayer for access to the Temple 
3972
3973
39741 Give ear to my words, O LORD; 
3975give heed to my sighing. 
3976
39772 Listen to the sound of my cry, 
3978my King and my God, 
3979for to you I pray. 
3980
39813 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; 
3982in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. 
3983
39844 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; 
3985evil will not sojourn with you. 
39865 The boastful will not stand before your eyes; 
3987you hate all evildoers. 
39886 You destroy those who speak lies; 
3989the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. 
3990
39917 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, 
3992will enter your house, 
3993I will bow down toward your holy temple 
3994in awe of you. 
3995
39968 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness 
3997because of my enemies; 
3998make your way straight before me. 
3999
40009 For there is no truth in their mouths; 
4001their hearts are destruction; 
4002their throats are open graves; 
4003they flatter with their tongues. 
400410 Make them bear their guilt, O God; 
4005let them fall by their own counsels; 
4006because of their many transgressions cast them out, 
4007for they have rebelled against you. 
4008
40091045 
4010
4011
4012
4013PSALMS 1046 
4014
4015
401611 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; 
4017let them ever sing for joy. 
4018Spread your protection over them, 
4019so that those who love your name may exult in you. 
402012 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; 
4021you cover them with favor as with a shield. 
4022
4023[Psalm 6] 
4024Prayer for healing 
4025
4026
40271 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger, 
4028or discipline me in your wrath. 
40292 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; 
4030O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. 
40313 My soul also is struck with terror, 
4032while you, O LORD — how long? 
4033
40344 Turn, O LORD, save my life; 
4035deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love. 
40365 For in death there is no remembrance of you; 
4037in Sheol who can give you praise? 
4038
40396 I am weary with my moaning; 
4040every night I flood my bed with tears; 
4041I drench my couch with my weeping. 
4042
40437 My eyes waste away because of grief; 
4044they grow weak because of all my foes. 
4045
40468 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, 
4047for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. 
40489 The LORD has heard my supplication; 
4049the LORD accepts my prayer. 
405010 All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror; 
4051they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame. 
4052
40531046 
4054
4055
4056
4057PSALMS 1047 
4058
4059
4060[Psalm 7] 
4061Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
4062
4063
40641 O LORD my God, in you I take refuge; 
4065save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me, 
40662 or like a lion they will tear me apart; 
4067they will drag me away, with no one to rescue. 
4068
40693 O LORD my God, if I have done this, 
4070if there is wrong in my hands, 
40714 if I have repaid my ally with harm 
4072or plundered my foe without cause, 
4073
40745 then let the enemy pursue and overtake me, 
4075trample my life to the ground, 
4076and lay my soul in the dust. 
4077
40786 Rise up, O LORD, in your anger; 
4079lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; 
4080awake, O my God; you have appointed a judgment. 
4081
40827 Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered around you, 
4083and over it take your seat on high. 
4084
40858 The LORD judges the peoples; 
4086judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness 
4087and according to the integrity that is in me. 
4088
40899 O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, 
4090but establish the righteous, 
4091you who test the minds and hearts, 
4092O righteous God. 
409310 God is my shield, 
4094who saves the upright in heart. 
409511 God is a righteous judge, 
4096and a God who has indignation every day. 
4097
409812 If one does not repent, God will whet his sword; 
4099he has bent and strung his bow; 
410013 he has prepared his deadly weapons, 
4101making his arrows fiery shafts. 
4102
41031047 
4104
4105
4106
4107PSALMS 1048 
4108
4109
411014 See how they conceive evil, 
4111and are pregnant with mischief, 
4112and bring forth lies. 
4113
411415 They make a pit, digging it out, 
4115and fall into the hole that they have made. 
411616 Their mischief returns upon their own heads, 
4117and on their own heads their violence descends. 
4118
411917 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, 
4120and sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. 
4121
4122[Psalm 8] 
4123Praise of the creator 
4124
4125
41261 O LORD, our Sovereign, 
4127how majestic is your name in all the earth! 
4128
4129 You have set your glory above the heavens. 
41302 Out of the mouths of babes and infants 
4131you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, 
4132to silence the enemy and the avenger. 
4133
41343 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, 
4135the moon and the stars that you have established; 
41364 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, 
4137mortals that you care for them? 
4138
41395 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, 
4140and crowned them with glory and honor. 
41416 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; 
4142you have put all things under their feet, 
41437 all sheep and oxen, 
4144and also the beasts of the field, 
41458 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, 
4146whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 
4147
41489 O LORD, our Sovereign, 
4149how majestic is your name in all the earth! 
4150
41511048 
4152
4153
4154
4155PSALMS 1049 
4156
4157
4158[Psalm 9] 
4159Victory over enemies and petition for justice 
4160
4161
41621 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; 
4163I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 
41642 I will be glad and exult in you; 
4165I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 
4166
41673 When my enemies turned back, 
4168they stumbled and perished before you. 
41694 For you have maintained my just cause; 
4170you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment. 
4171
41725 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; 
4173you have blotted out their name forever and ever. 
4174
41756 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; 
4176their cities you have rooted out; 
4177the very memory of them has perished. 
4178
41797 But the LORD sits enthroned forever, 
4180he has established his throne for judgment. 
41818 He judges the world with righteousness; 
4182he judges the peoples with equity. 
4183
41849 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, 
4185a stronghold in times of trouble. 
418610 And those who know your name put their trust in you, 
4187for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. 
4188
418911 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion. 
4190Declare his deeds among the peoples. 
419112 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; 
4192he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. 
4193
419413 Be gracious to me, O LORD. 
4195See what I suffer from those who hate me; 
4196you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death, 
4197
41981049 
4199
4200
4201
4202PSALMS 1050 
4203
4204
420514 so that I may recount all your praises, 
4206and, in the gates of daughter Zion, 
4207rejoice in your deliverance. 
4208
420915 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; 
4210in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught. 
421116 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; 
4212the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. 
4213
421417 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, 
4215all the nations that forget God. 
421618 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, 
4217nor the hope of the poor perish forever. 
4218
421919 Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; 
4220let the nations be judged before you. 
422120 Put them in fear, O LORD; 
4222let the nations know that they are only human. 
4223
4224[Psalm 10] 
4225
42261 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? 
4227Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 
42282 In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor — 
4229let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. 
4230
42313 For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart, 
4232those greedy for gain curse and renounce the LORD. 
42334 In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, "God will not 
4234seek it out"; all their thoughts are, "There is no God." 
4235
42365 Their ways prosper at all times; 
4237your judgments are on high, out of their sight; 
4238as for their foes, they scoff at them. 
4239
42406 They think in their heart, "We shall not be moved; 
4241throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity." 
4242
42431050 
4244
4245
4246
4247PSALMS 1051 
4248
4249
42507 Their mouths are filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; 
4251
4252under their tongues are mischief and iniquity. 
42538 They sit in ambush in the villages; 
4254
4255in hiding places they murder the innocent. 
4256
4257Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 
4258they lurk in secret like a lion in its covert; 
4259they lurk that they may seize the poor; 
4260they seize the poor and drag them off in their net. 
4261
4262
426310 They stoop, they crouch, 
4264
4265and the helpless fall by their might. 
426611 They think in their heart, "God has forgotten, 
4267
4268he has hidden his face, he will never see it." 
4269
427012 Rise up, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; 
4271
4272do not forget the oppressed. 
427313 Why do the wicked renounce God, 
4274
4275and say in their hearts, "You will not call us to account"? 
4276
427714 But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, 
4278that you may take it into your hands; 
4279the helpless commit themselves to you; 
4280you have been the helper of the orphan. 
4281
428215 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoers; 
4283
4284seek out their wickedness until you find none. 
428516 The LORD is king forever and ever; 
4286
4287the nations shall perish from his land. 
4288
428917 O LORD, you will hear the desire of the meek; 
4290
4291you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear 
429218 to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, 
4293
4294so that those from earth may strike terror no more. 
4295
42961051 
4297
4298
4299
4300PSALMS 1052 
4301
4302
4303[Psalm 11] 
4304The Lord, just protector of the upright 
4305
4306
43071 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, 
4308"Flee like a bird to the mountains; 
4309
43102 for look, the wicked bend the bow, 
4311they have fitted their arrow to the string, 
4312to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart. 
4313
43143 If the foundations are destroyed, 
4315what can the righteous do?" 
4316
43174 The LORD is in his holy temple; 
4318the LORD's throne is in heaven. 
4319His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind. 
4320
43215 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, 
4322and his soul hates the lover of violence. 
43236 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; 
4324a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 
43257 For the LORD is righteous; 
4326he loves righteous deeds; 
4327the upright shall behold his face. 
4328
4329[Psalm 12] 
4330Prayer for deliverance and divine response 
4331
4332
43331 Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; 
4334the faithful have disappeared from humankind. 
43352 They utter lies to each other; 
4336with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 
4337
43383 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, 
4339the tongue that makes great boasts, 
43404 those who say, "With our tongues we will prevail; 
4341our lips are our own — who is our master?" 
4342
43431052 
4344
4345
4346
4347PSALMS 1053 
4348
4349
43505 "Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, 
4351I will now rise up," says the LORD; 
4352"I will place them in the safety for which they long." 
4353
43546 The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, 
4355silver refined in a furnace on the ground, 
4356purified seven times. 
4357
43587 You, O LORD, will protect us; 
4359you will guard us from this generation forever. 
43608 On every side the wicked prowl, 
4361as vileness is exalted among humankind. 
4362
4363[Psalm 13] 
4364Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
4365
4366
43671 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? 
4368How long will you hide your face from me? 
43692 How long must I bear pain in my soul, 
4370and have sorrow in my heart all day long? 
4371How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 
4372
43733 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God! 
4374Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 
43754 and my enemy will say, "I have prevailed"; 
4376my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. 
43775 But I trusted in your steadfast love; 
4378my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 
43796 I will sing to the LORD, 
4380because he has dealt bountifully with me. 
4381
4382[Psalm 14] 
4383Condemnation of foolish evildoers 
4384
4385
43861 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." 
4387They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; 
4388there is no one who does good. 
4389
43901053 
4391
4392
4393
4394PSALMS 1054 
4395
4396
43972 The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind 
4398to see if there are any who are wise, 
4399who seek after God. 
4400
44013 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; 
4402there is no one who does good, 
4403no, not one. 
4404
44054 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers 
4406who eat up my people as they eat bread, 
4407and do not call upon the LORD? 
4408
44095 There they shall be in great terror, 
4410for God is with the company of the righteous. 
4411
44126 You would confound the plans of the poor, 
4413but the LORD is their refuge. 
4414
44157 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! 
4416When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, 
4417Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad. 
4418
4419[Psalm 15] 
4420Ritual for admission into the Temple 
4421
4422
44231 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? 
4424Who may dwell on your holy hill? 
44252 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, 
4426and speak the truth from their heart; 
4427
44283 who do not slander with their tongue, 
4429and do no evil to their friends, 
4430nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 
4431
44324 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, 
4433but who honor those who fear the LORD; 
4434who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 
4435
44361054 
4437
4438
4439
4440PSALMS 1055 
4441
4442
44435 who do not lend money at interest, 
4444and do not take a bribe against the innocent. 
4445
4446 Those who do these things shall never be moved. 
4447
4448[Psalm 16] 
4449A prayer for admission to the Temple 
4450
4451
44521 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 
44532 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; 
4454I have no good apart from you." 
4455
44563 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, 
4457in whom is all my delight. 
4458
44594 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; 
4460their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out 
4461or take their names upon my lips. 
4462
44635 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; 
4464you hold my lot. 
44656 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 
4466I have a goodly heritage. 
4467
44687 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; 
4469in the night also my heart instructs me. 
44708 I keep the LORD always before me; 
4471because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 
4472
44739 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; 
4474my body also rests secure. 
447510 For you do not give me up to Sheol, 
4476or let your faithful one see the Pit. 
4477
447811 You show me the path of life. 
4479In your presence there is fullness of joy; 
4480in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 
4481
44821055 
4483
4484
4485
4486PSALMS 1056 
4487
4488
4489[Psalm 17] 
4490Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
4491
4492
44931 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; 
4494give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. 
44952 From you let my vindication come; 
4496let your eyes see the right. 
4497
44983 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, 
4499if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; 
4500my mouth does not transgress. 
4501
45024 As for what others do, by the word of your lips 
4503I have avoided the ways of the violent. 
45045 My steps have held fast to your paths; 
4505my feet have not slipped. 
4506
45076 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
4508incline your ear to me, hear my words. 
4509
45107 Wondrously show your steadfast love, 
4511O savior of those who seek refuge 
4512from their adversaries at your right hand. 
4513
45148 Guard me as the apple of the eye; 
4515hide me in the shadow of your wings, 
45169 from the wicked who despoil me, 
4517my deadly enemies who surround me. 
451810 They close their hearts to pity; 
4519with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 
452011 They track me down; now they surround me; 
4521they set their eyes to cast me to the ground. 
452212 They are like a lion eager to tear, 
4523like a young lion lurking in ambush. 
4524
45251056 
4526
4527
4528
4529PSALMS 1057 
4530
4531
453213 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, overthrow them! 
4533By your sword deliver my life from the wicked, 
453414 from mortals — by your hand, O LORD — 
4535from mortals whose portion in life is in this world. 
4536
4537 May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; 
4538may their children have more than enough; 
4539may they leave something over to their little ones. 
4540
454115 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 
4542when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. 
4543
4544[Psalm 18] 
4545A royal thanksgiving hymn 
4546
4547
45481 I love you, O LORD, my strength. 
4549
45502 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, 
4551my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, 
4552my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 
4553
45543 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, 
4555so I shall be saved from my enemies. 
4556
45574 The cords of death encompassed me; 
4558the torrents of perdition assailed me; 
45595 the cords of Sheol entangled me; 
4560the snares of death confronted me. 
4561
45626 In my distress I called upon the LORD; 
4563to my God I cried for help. 
4564From his temple he heard my voice, 
4565and my cry to him reached his ears. 
4566
45677 Then the earth reeled and rocked; 
4568the foundations also of the mountains trembled 
4569and quaked, because he was angry. 
4570
45718 Smoke went up from his nostrils, 
4572and devouring fire from his mouth; 
4573glowing coals flamed forth from him. 
4574
45751057 
4576
4577
4578
4579PSALMS 1058 
4580
4581
45829 He bowed the heavens, and came down; 
4583thick darkness was under his feet. 
458410 He rode on a cherub, and flew; 
4585he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind. 
458611 He made darkness his covering around him, 
4587his canopy thick clouds dark with water. 
4588
458912 Out of the brightness before him 
4590there broke through his clouds 
4591hailstones and coals of fire. 
4592
459313 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, 
4594and the Most High uttered his voice. 
459514 And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; 
4596he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them. 
459715 Then the channels of the sea were seen, 
4598and the foundations of the world were laid bare 
4599at your rebuke, O LORD, 
4600at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. 
4601
460216 He reached down from on high, he took me; 
4603he drew me out of mighty waters. 
4604
460517 He delivered me from my strong enemy, 
4606and from those who hated me; 
4607for they were too mighty for me. 
4608
460918 They confronted me in the day of my calamity; 
4610but the LORD was my support. 
461119 He brought me out into a broad place; 
4612he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 
4613
461420 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; 
4615according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me. 
461621 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, 
4617and have not wickedly departed from my God. 
461822 For all his ordinances were before me, 
4619and his statutes I did not put away from me. 
462023 I was blameless before him, 
4621and I kept myself from guilt. 
4622
46231058 
4624
4625
4626
4627PSALMS 1059 
4628
4629
463024 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to 
4631my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my 
4632hands in his sight. 
4633
463425 With the loyal you show yourself loyal; 
4635with the blameless you show yourself blameless; 
463626 with the pure you show yourself pure; 
4637and with the crooked you show yourself perverse. 
463827 For you deliver a humble people, 
4639but the haughty eyes you bring down. 
464028 It is you who light my lamp; 
4641the LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. 
464229 By you I can crush a troop, 
4643and by my God I can leap over a wall. 
4644
464530 This God — his way is perfect; 
4646the promise of the LORD proves true; 
4647he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 
4648
464931 For who is God except the LORD? 
4650And who is a rock besides our God? — 
465132 the God who girded me with strength, 
4652and made my way safe. 
465333 He made my feet like the feet of a deer, 
4654and set me secure on the heights. 
465534 He trains my hands for war, 
4656so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 
4657
465835 You have given me the shield of your salvation, 
4659and your right hand has supported me; 
4660your help has made me great. 
4661
466236 You gave me a wide place for my steps under me, 
4663and my feet did not slip. 
466437 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; 
4665and did not turn back until they were consumed. 
466638 I struck them down, so that they were not able to rise; 
4667they fell under my feet. 
4668
466939 For you girded me with strength for the battle; 
4670you made my assailants sink under me. 
467140 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, 
4672
4673
4674and those who hated me I destroyed. 
4675
46761059 
4677
4678
4679
4680PSALMS 1060 
4681
4682
468341 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them; 
4684they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 
468542 I beat them fine, like dust before the wind; 
4686I cast them out like the mire of the streets. 
4687
468843 You delivered me from strife with the peoples; 
4689you made me head of the nations; 
4690people whom I had not known served me. 
4691
469244 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; 
4693foreigners came cringing to me. 
469445 Foreigners lost heart, 
4695and came trembling out of their strongholds. 
4696
469746 The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock, 
4698and exalted be the God of my salvation, 
469947 the God who gave me vengeance 
4700and subdued peoples under me; 
470148 who delivered me from my enemies; 
4702indeed, you exalted me above my adversaries; 
4703you delivered me from the violent. 
4704
470549 For this I will extol you, O LORD, among the nations, 
4706and sing praises to your name. 
4707
470850 Great triumphs he gives to his king, 
4709and shows steadfast love to his anointed, 
4710to David and his descendants forever. 
4711
4712[Psalm 19] 
4713Hymn to God the creator and lawgiver 
4714
4715
47161 The heavens are telling the glory of God; 
4717and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 
47182 Day to day pours forth speech, 
4719and night to night declares knowledge. 
47203 There is no speech, nor are there words; 
4721their voice is not heard; 
47224 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, 
4723and their words to the end of the world. 
4724
47251060 
4726
4727
4728
4729PSALMS 1061 
4730
4731
4732In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, 
47335 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, 
4734
4735
4736and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 
4737
47386 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 
4739and its circuit to the end of them; 
4740and nothing is hid from its heat. 
4741
47427 The law of the LORD is perfect, 
4743reviving the soul; 
4744
4745the decrees of the LORD are sure, 
4746making wise the simple; 
47478 the precepts of the LORD are right, 
4748
4749
4750 rejoicing the heart; 
4751the commandment of the LORD is clear, 
4752enlightening the eyes; 
47539 the fear of the LORD is pure, 
4754enduring forever; 
4755the ordinances of the LORD are true 
4756and righteous altogether. 
475710 More to be desired are they than gold, 
4758even much fine gold; 
4759sweeter also than honey, 
4760and drippings of the honeycomb. 
4761
476211 Moreover by them is your servant warned; 
4763in keeping them there is great reward. 
476412 But who can detect their errors? 
4765Clear me from hidden faults. 
476613 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; 
4767do not let them have dominion over me. 
4768Then I shall be blameless, 
4769and innocent of great transgression. 
4770
477114 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 
4772be acceptable to you, 
4773O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 
4774
47751061
4776
4777
4778
4779PSALMS 1062 
4780
4781
4782[Psalm 20] 
4783Prayer for the king's victory in battle 
4784
4785
47861 The LORD answer you in the day of trouble! 
4787The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 
47882 May he send you help from the sanctuary, 
4789and give you support from Zion. 
47903 May he remember all your offerings, 
4791and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. 
4792
47934 May he grant you your heart's desire, 
4794and fulfill all your plans. 
47955 May we shout for joy over your victory, 
4796and in the name of our God set up our banners. 
4797May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 
4798
47996 Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed; 
4800he will answer him from his holy heaven 
4801with mighty victories by his right hand. 
4802
48037 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, 
4804but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God. 
48058 They will collapse and fall, 
4806but we shall rise and stand upright. 
4807
48089 Give victory to the king, O LORD; 
4809answer us when we call. 
4810
4811[Psalm 21] 
4812Royal thanksgiving for victory 
4813
4814
48151 In your strength the king rejoices, O LORD, 
4816and in your help how greatly he exults! 
48172 You have given him his heart's desire, 
4818and have not withheld the request of his lips. 
48193 For you meet him with rich blessings; 
4820you set a crown of fine gold on his head. 
48214 He asked you for life; you gave it to him — 
4822length of days forever and ever. 
4823
48241062 
4825
4826
4827
4828PSALMS 1063 
4829
4830
48315 His glory is great through your help; 
4832splendor and majesty you bestow on him. 
48336 You bestow on him blessings forever; 
4834you make him glad with the joy of your presence. 
4835
48367 For the king trusts in the LORD, 
4837and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall 
4838not be moved. 
4839
48408 Your hand will find out all your enemies; 
4841your right hand will find out those who hate you. 
48429 You will make them like a fiery furnace 
4843when you appear. 
4844The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, 
4845and fire will consume them. 
484610 You will destroy their offspring from the earth, 
4847and their children from among humankind. 
484811 If they plan evil against you, 
4849if they devise mischief, they will not succeed. 
485012 For you will put them to flight; 
4851you will aim at their faces with your bows. 
4852
485313 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! 
4854We will sing and praise your power. 
4855
4856[Psalm 22] 
4857Prayer of a person abandoned by God 
4858
4859
48601 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
4861Why are you so far from helping me, from the words 
4862of my groaning? 
4863
48642 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; 
4865and by night, but find no rest. 
4866
48673 Yet you are holy, 
4868enthroned on the praises of Israel. 
48694 In you our ancestors trusted; 
4870they trusted, and you delivered them. 
4871
48721063 
4873
4874
4875
4876PSALMS 1064 
4877
4878
48795 To you they cried, and were saved; 
4880in you they trusted, and were not put to shame. 
4881
48826 But I am a worm, and not human; 
4883scorned by others, and despised by the people. 
48847 All who see me mock at me; 
4885they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; 
48868 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver — 
4887let him rescue the one in whom he delights!" 
4888
48899 Yet it was you who took me from the womb; 
4890you kept me safe on my mother's breast. 
489110 On you I was cast from my birth, 
4892and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 
4893
489411 Do not be far from me, 
4895for trouble is near 
4896and there is no one to help. 
4897
489812 Many bulls encircle me, 
4899strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 
490013 they open wide their mouths at me, 
4901like a ravening and roaring lion. 
4902
490314 I am poured out like water, 
4904and all my bones are out of joint; 
4905my heart is like wax; 
4906it is melted within my breast; 
4907
490815 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, 
4909and my tongue sticks to my jaws; 
4910you lay me in the dust of death. 
4911
491216 For dogs are all around me; 
4913a company of evildoers encircles me. 
4914My hands and feet have shriveled; 
491517 I can count all my bones. 
4916They stare and gloat over me; 
491718 they divide my clothes among themselves, 
4918and for my clothing they cast lots. 
4919
49201064 
4921
4922
4923
4924PSALMS 1065 
4925
4926
492719 But you, O LORD, do not be far away! 
4928O my help, come quickly to my aid! 
492920 Deliver my soul from the sword, 
4930my life from the power of the dog! 
493121 Save me from the mouth of the lion! 
4932
4933 From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me. 
493422 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; 
4935in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 
4936
493723 You who fear the LORD, praise him! 
4938All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; 
4939stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 
4940
494124 For he did not despise or abhor 
4942the affliction of the afflicted; 
4943he did not hide his face from me, 
4944but heard when I cried to him. 
4945
494625 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; 
4947my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 
4948
494926 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; 
4950those who seek him shall praise the LORD. 
4951May your hearts live forever! 
4952
495327 All the ends of the earth shall remember 
4954and turn to the LORD; 
4955and all the families of the nations 
4956shall worship before him. 
495728 For dominion belongs to the LORD, 
4958and he rules over the nations. 
4959
496029 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; 
4961before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, 
4962and I shall live for him. 
4963
496430 Posterity will serve him; 
4965future generations will be told about the Lord, 
496631 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, 
4967saying that he has done it. 
4968
49691065 
4970
4971
4972
4973PSALMS 1066 
4974
4975
4976[Psalm 23] 
4977The Lord as Shepherd-king and host 
4978
4979
49801 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
49812 He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
4982he leads me beside still waters; 
49833 he restores my soul. 
4984He leads me in right paths 
4985for his name's sake. 
4986
49874 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
4988I fear no evil; 
4989
4990 for you are with me; 
4991your rod and your staff — 
4992they comfort me. 
4993
4994
49955 You prepare a table before me 
4996in the presence of my enemies; 
4997you anoint my head with oil; 
4998my cup overflows. 
49996 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 
5000all the days of my life, 
5001and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD 
5002my whole life long. 
5003
5004[Psalm 24] 
5005A liturgy on entering the sanctuary 
5006
5007
50081 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, 
5009the world, and those who live in it; 
50102 for he has founded it on the seas, 
5011and established it on the rivers. 
5012
50133 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? 
5014And who shall stand in his holy place? 
5015
50164 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, 
5017who do not lift up their souls to what is false, 
5018and do not swear deceitfully. 
5019
50201066 
5021
5022
5023
5024PSALMS 1067 
5025
5026
50275 They will receive blessing from the LORD, 
5028and vindication from the God of their salvation. 
50296 Such is the company of those who seek him, 
5030who seek the face of the God of Jacob. 
5031
50327 Lift up your heads, O gates! 
5033and be lifted up, O ancient doors! 
5034that the King of glory may come in. 
5035
50368 Who is the King of glory? 
5037The LORD, strong and mighty, 
5038the LORD, mighty in battle. 
5039
50409 Lift up your heads, O gates! 
5041and be lifted up, O ancient doors! 
5042that the King of glory may come in. 
5043
504410 Who is this King of glory? 
5045The LORD of hosts, 
5046he is the King of glory. 
5047
5048[Psalm 25] 
5049Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
5050
5051
50521 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 
5053
50542 O my God, in you I trust; 
5055do not let me be put to shame; 
5056do not let my enemies exult over me. 
5057
50583 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; 
5059let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 
5060
50614 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; 
5062teach me your paths. 
5063
50645 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, 
5065for you are the God of my salvation; 
5066for you I wait all day long. 
5067
50686 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, 
5069for they have been from of old. 
5070
50711067 
5072
5073
5074
5075PSALMS 1068 
5076
5077
50787 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; 
5079according to your steadfast love remember me, 
5080for your goodness' sake, O LORD! 
5081
50828 Good and upright is the LORD; 
5083therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 
50849 He leads the humble in what is right, 
5085and teaches the humble his way. 
508610 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, 
5087for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. 
5088
508911 For your name's sake, O LORD, 
5090pardon my guilt, for it is great. 
509112 Who are they that fear the LORD? 
5092He will teach them the way that they should choose. 
509313 They will abide in prosperity, 
5094and their children shall possess the land. 
509514 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, 
5096and he makes his covenant known to them. 
509715 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, 
5098for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 
5099
510016 Turn to me and be gracious to me, 
5101for I am lonely and afflicted. 
510217 Relieve the troubles of my heart, 
5103and bring me out of my distress. 
510418 Consider my affliction and my trouble, 
5105and forgive all my sins. 
5106
510719 Consider how many are my foes, 
5108and with what violent hatred they hate me. 
510920 O guard my life, and deliver me; 
5110do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 
511121 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, 
5112for I wait for you. 
5113
511422 Redeem Israel, O God, 
5115out of all its troubles. 
5116
51171068 
5118
5119
5120
5121PSALMS 1069 
5122
5123
5124[Psalm 26] 
5125Prayer for divine justice 
5126
5127
51281 Vindicate me, O LORD, 
5129for I have walked in my integrity, 
5130and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 
5131
51322 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; 
5133test my heart and mind. 
51343 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, 
5135and I walk in faithfulness to you. 
5136
51374 I do not sit with the worthless, 
5138nor do I consort with hypocrites; 
51395 I hate the company of evildoers, 
5140and will not sit with the wicked. 
5141
51426 I wash my hands in innocence, 
5143and go around your altar, O LORD, 
51447 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, 
5145and telling all your wondrous deeds. 
51468 O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell, 
5147and the place where your glory abides. 
51489 Do not sweep me away with sinners, 
5149nor my life with the bloodthirsty, 
515010 those in whose hands are evil devices, 
5151and whose right hands are full of bribes. 
5152
515311 But as for me, I walk in my integrity; 
5154redeem me, and be gracious to me. 
515512 My foot stands on level ground; 
5156in the great congregation I will bless the LORD. 
5157
51581069 
5159
5160
5161
5162PSALMS 1070 
5163
5164
5165[Psalm 27] 
5166Protection in the Temple of the trustworthy God 
5167
5168
51691 The LORD is my light and my salvation; 
5170whom shall I fear? 
5171The LORD is the stronghold of my life; 
5172of whom shall I be afraid? 
5173
51742 When evildoers assail me 
5175to devour my flesh — 
5176my adversaries and foes — 
5177they shall stumble and fall. 
5178
51793 Though an army encamp against me, 
5180my heart shall not fear; 
5181though war rise up against me, 
5182yet I will be confident. 
5183
51844 One thing I asked of the LORD, 
5185that will I seek after: 
5186to live in the house of the LORD 
5187all the days of my life, 
5188to behold the beauty of the LORD, 
5189and to inquire in his temple. 
5190
51915 For he will hide me in his shelter 
5192in the day of trouble; 
5193he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; 
5194he will set me high on a rock. 
5195
51966 Now my head is lifted up 
5197above my enemies all around me, 
5198and I will offer in his tent 
5199sacrifices with shouts of joy; 
5200I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 
5201
52021070 
5203
5204
5205
5206PSALMS 1071 
5207
5208
52097 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, 
5210be gracious to me and answer me! 
5211
52128 "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" 
5213Your face, LORD, do I seek. 
5214Do not hide your face from me. 
5215
5216 Do not turn your servant away in anger, 
5217you who have been my help. 
5218Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, 
5219O God of my salvation! 
522010 If my father and mother forsake me, 
5221the LORD will take me up. 
5222
522311 Teach me your way, O LORD, 
5224and lead me on a level path 
5225because of my enemies. 
5226
522712 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, 
5228for false witnesses have risen against me, 
5229and they are breathing out violence. 
5230
523113 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD 
5232in the land of the living. 
5233
523414 Wait for the LORD; 
5235be strong, and let your heart take courage; 
5236wait for the LORD! 
5237
5238[Psalm 28] 
5239Royal plea for deliverance from enemies 
5240
5241
52421 To you, O LORD, I call; 
5243my rock, do not refuse to hear me, 
5244for if you are silent to me, 
5245I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. 
52462 Hear the voice of my supplication, 
5247as I cry to you for help, 
5248as I lift up my hands 
5249toward your most holy sanctuary. 
5250
52511071 
5252
5253
5254
5255PSALMS 1072 
5256
5257
52583 Do not drag me away with the wicked, 
5259with those who are workers of evil, 
5260who speak peace with their neighbors, 
5261
5262while mischief is in their hearts. 
52634 Repay them according to their work, 
5264and according to the evil of their deeds; 
5265repay them according to the work of their hands; 
5266render them their due reward. 
52675 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, 
5268or the work of his hands, 
5269he will break them down and build them up no more. 
5270
52716 Blessed be the LORD, 
5272for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. 
52737 The LORD is my strength and my shield; 
5274in him my heart trusts; 
5275so I am helped, and my heart exults, 
5276and with my song I give thanks to him. 
5277
52788 The LORD is the strength of his people; 
5279he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 
52809 O save your people, and bless your heritage; 
5281be their shepherd, and carry them forever. 
5282
5283[Psalm 29] 
5284Hymn to the God of the storm 
5285
5286
52871 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, 
5288ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 
52892 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; 
5290worship the LORD in holy splendor. 
5291
52923 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; 
5293the God of glory thunders, 
5294the LORD, over mighty waters. 
5295
52964 The voice of the LORD is powerful; 
5297the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 
5298
52991072 
5300
5301
5302
5303PSALMS 1073 
5304
5305
53065 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; 
5307the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 
53086 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, 
5309and Sirion like a young wild ox. 
5310
53117 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. 
53128 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; 
5313the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 
5314
53159 The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, 
5316and strips the forest bare; 
5317and in his temple all say, "Glory!" 
5318
531910 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; 
5320the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. 
532111 May the LORD give strength to his people! 
5322May the LORD bless his people with peace! 
5323
5324[Psalm 30] 
5325Thanksgiving after recovery from illness 
5326
5327
53281 I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up, 
5329and did not let my foes rejoice over me. 
53302 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, 
5331and you have healed me. 
53323 O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol, 
5333restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. 
5334
53354 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, 
5336and give thanks to his holy name. 
53375 For his anger is but for a moment; 
5338his favor is for a lifetime. 
5339Weeping may linger for the night, 
5340but joy comes with the morning. 
5341
53426 As for me, I said in my prosperity, 
5343"I shall never be moved." 
5344
53451073 
5346
5347
5348
5349PSALMS 1074 
5350
5351
53527 By your favor, O LORD, 
5353you had established me as a strong mountain; 
5354you hid your face; 
5355I was dismayed. 
5356
53578 To you, O LORD, I cried, 
5358and to the LORD I made supplication: 
53599 "What profit is there in my death, 
5360if I go down to the Pit? 
5361Will the dust praise you? 
5362Will it tell of your faithfulness? 
536310 Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! 
5364O LORD, be my helper!" 
5365
536611 You have turned my mourning into dancing; 
5367you have taken off my sackcloth 
5368and clothed me with joy, 
5369
537012 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. 
5371O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever. 
5372
5373[Psalm 31] 
5374Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
5375
5376
53771 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; 
5378do not let me ever be put to shame; 
5379in your righteousness deliver me. 
5380
53812 Incline your ear to me; 
5382rescue me speedily. 
5383Be a rock of refuge for me, 
5384a strong fortress to save me. 
5385
53863 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; 
5387for your name's sake lead me and guide me, 
53884 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, 
5389for you are my refuge. 
53905 Into your hand I commit my spirit; 
5391you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 
5392
53931074 
5394
5395
5396
5397PSALMS 1075 
5398
5399
54006 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, 
5401but I trust in the LORD. 
5402
54037 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, 
5404because you have seen my affliction; 
5405you have taken heed of my adversities, 
5406
54078 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; 
5408you have set my feet in a broad place. 
5409
54109 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; 
5411my eye wastes away from grief, 
5412my soul and body also. 
5413
541410 For my life is spent with sorrow, 
5415and my years with sighing; 
5416my strength fails because of my misery, 
5417and my bones waste away. 
5418
541911 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, 
5420a horror to my neighbors, 
5421an object of dread to my acquaintances; 
5422those who see me in the street flee from me. 
542312 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; 
5424I have become like a broken vessel. 
542513 For I hear the whispering of many — 
5426terror all around! — 
5427as they scheme together against me, 
5428as they plot to take my life. 
5429
543014 But I trust in you, O LORD; 
5431I say, "You are my God." 
543215 My times are in your hand; 
5433deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 
5434
543516 Let your face shine upon your servant; 
5436save me in your steadfast love. 
543717 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, 
5438
5439
5440for I call on you; 
5441let the wicked be put to shame; 
5442let them go dumbfounded to Sheol. 
5443
5444
54451075 
5446
5447
5448
5449PSALMS 1076 
5450
5451
545218 Let the lying lips be stilled 
5453that speak insolently against the righteous 
5454with pride and contempt. 
5455
545619 O how abundant is your goodness 
5457that you have laid up for those who fear you, 
5458and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, 
5459in the sight of everyone! 
546020 In the shelter of your presence you hide them 
5461from human plots; 
5462you hold them safe under your shelter 
5463from contentious tongues. 
5464
546521 Blessed be the LORD, 
5466for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me 
5467when I was beset as a city under siege. 
5468
546922 I had said in my alarm, 
5470"I am driven far from your sight." 
5471But you heard my supplications 
5472when I cried out to you for help. 
5473
547423 Love the LORD, all you his saints. 
5475The LORD preserves the faithful, 
5476but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. 
5477
547824 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, 
5479all you who wait for the LORD. 
5480
5481[Psalm 32] 
5482The happiness of the penitent and forgiven 
5483
5484
54851 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, 
5486whose sin is covered. 
54872 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, 
5488and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 
5489
54901076 
5491
5492
5493
5494PSALMS 1077 
5495
5496
54973 While I kept silence, my body wasted away 
5498through my groaning all day long. 
54994 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; 
5500my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 
5501
55025 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, 
5503and I did not hide my iniquity; 
5504I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," 
5505and you forgave the guilt of my sin. 
5506
55076 Therefore let all who are faithful 
5508offer prayer to you; 
5509at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters 
5510shall not reach them. 
5511
55127 You are a hiding place for me; 
5513you preserve me from trouble; 
5514you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. 
5515
55168 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; 
5517I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 
5518
55199 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, 
5520whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, 
5521else it will not stay near you. 
5522
552310 Many are the torments of the wicked, 
5524but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. 
552511 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, 
5526and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. 
5527
5528[Psalm 33] 
5529Praise of God, creator and redeemer 
5530
5531
55321 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous. 
5533Praise befits the upright. 
55342 Praise the LORD with the lyre; 
5535make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. 
55363 Sing to him a new song; 
5537play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 
5538
55391077 
5540
5541
5542
5543PSALMS 1078 
5544
5545
55464 For the word of the LORD is upright, 
5547and all his work is done in faithfulness. 
55485 He loves righteousness and justice; 
5549the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. 
5550
55516 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, 
5552and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 
55537 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; 
5554he put the deeps in storehouses. 
5555
55568 Let all the earth fear the LORD; 
5557let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 
55589 For he spoke, and it came to be; 
5559he commanded, and it stood firm. 
5560
556110 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; 
5562he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 
556311 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, 
5564the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 
556512 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD, 
5566the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 
5567
556813 The LORD looks down from heaven; 
5569he sees all humankind. 
557014 From where he sits enthroned he watches 
5571all the inhabitants of the earth — 
557215 he who fashions the hearts of them all, 
5573and observes all their deeds. 
557416 A king is not saved by his great army; 
5575a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 
557617 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, 
5577and by its great might it cannot save. 
5578
557918 Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, 
5580on those who hope in his steadfast love, 
558119 to deliver their soul from death, 
5582and to keep them alive in famine. 
5583
55841078 
5585
5586
5587
5588PSALMS 1079 
5589
5590
559120 Our soul waits for the LORD; 
5592he is our help and shield. 
559321 Our heart is glad in him, 
5594because we trust in his holy name. 
559522 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, 
5596even as we hope in you. 
5597
5598[Psalm 34] 
5599Prayer for deliverance from trouble 
5600
5601
56021 I will bless the LORD at all times; 
5603his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 
56042 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; 
5605let the humble hear and be glad. 
56063 O magnify the LORD with me, 
5607and let us exalt his name together. 
5608
56094 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, 
5610and delivered me from all my fears. 
56115 Look to him, and be radiant; 
5612so your faces shall never be ashamed. 
56136 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, 
5614and was saved from every trouble. 
56157 The angel of the LORD encamps 
5616around those who fear him, and delivers them. 
56178 O taste and see that the LORD is good; 
5618happy are those who take refuge in him. 
56199 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, 
5620for those who fear him have no want. 
562110 The young lions suffer want and hunger, 
5622but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 
5623
562411 Come, O children, listen to me; 
5625I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 
562612 Which of you desires life, 
5627and covets many days to enjoy good? 
562813 Keep your tongue from evil, 
5629and your lips from speaking deceit. 
5630
56311079 
5632
5633
5634
5635PSALMS 1080 
5636
5637
563814 Depart from evil, and do good; 
5639seek peace, and pursue it. 
564015 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, 
5641and his ears are open to their cry. 
564216 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, 
5643to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 
564417 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, 
5645and rescues them from all their troubles. 
564618 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, 
5647and saves the crushed in spirit. 
5648
564919 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
5650but the LORD rescues them from them all. 
565120 He keeps all their bones; 
5652not one of them will be broken. 
565321 Evil brings death to the wicked, 
5654and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 
565522 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; 
5656none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 
5657
5658[Psalm 35] 
5659Royal prayer for deliverance 
5660
5661
56621 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; 
5663fight against those who fight against me! 
56642 Take hold of shield and buckler, 
5665and rise up to help me! 
56663 Draw the spear and javelin 
5667against my pursuers; 
5668say to my soul, 
5669"I am your salvation." 
5670
56714 Let them be put to shame and dishonor 
5672who seek after my life. 
5673Let them be turned back and confounded 
5674who devise evil against me. 
56755 Let them be like chaff before the wind, 
5676with the angel of the LORD driving them on. 
5677
56781080 
5679
5680
5681
5682PSALMS 1081 
5683
5684
56856 Let their way be dark and slippery, 
5686with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. 
5687
56887 For without cause they hid their net for me; 
5689without cause they dug a pit for my life. 
56908 Let ruin come on them unawares. 
5691And let the net that they hid ensnare them; 
5692let them fall in it — to their ruin. 
5693
56949 Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD, 
5695exulting in his deliverance. 
569610 All my bones shall say, 
5697"O LORD, who is like you? 
5698
5699You deliver the weak 
5700from those too strong for them, 
5701the weak and needy from those who despoil them." 
5702
570311 Malicious witnesses rise up; 
5704they ask me about things I do not know. 
570512 They repay me evil for good; 
5706my soul is forlorn. 
5707
570813 But as for me, when they were sick, 
5709I wore sackcloth; 
5710I afflicted myself with fasting. 
5711I prayed with head bowed on my bosom, 
5712
571314 
5714as though I grieved for a friend or a brother; 
5715I went about as one who laments for a mother, 
5716bowed down and in mourning. 
5717
571815 But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, 
5719they gathered together against me; 
5720ruffians whom I did not know 
5721tore at me without ceasing; 
572216 they impiously mocked more and more, 
5723gnashing at me with their teeth. 
5724
57251081 
5726
5727
5728
5729PSALMS 1082 
5730
5731
573217 How long, O LORD, will you look on? 
5733Rescue me from their ravages, 
5734my life from the lions! 
5735
573618 Then I will thank you in the great congregation; 
5737in the mighty throng I will praise you. 
5738
573919 Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me, 
5740or those who hate me without cause wink the eye. 
5741
574220 For they do not speak peace, 
5743but they conceive deceitful words 
5744against those who are quiet in the land. 
5745
574621 They open wide their mouths against me; 
5747they say, "Aha, Aha, 
5748our eyes have seen it." 
5749
575022 You have seen, O LORD; do not be silent! 
5751O Lord, do not be far from me! 
575223 Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense, 
5753
5754
5755for my cause, my God and my Lord! 
5756
575724 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, 
5758according to your righteousness, 
5759and do not let them rejoice over me. 
5760
576125 Do not let them say to themselves, 
5762"Aha, we have our heart's desire." 
5763Do not let them say, "We have swallowed you up." 
5764
576526 Let all those who rejoice at my calamity 
5766be put to shame and confusion; 
5767let those who exalt themselves against me 
5768be clothed with shame and dishonor. 
5769
577027 Let those who desire my vindication 
5771shout for joy and be glad, 
5772and say evermore, 
5773
5774"Great is the LORD, 
5775who delights in the welfare of his servant." 
577628 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness 
5777and of your praise all day long. 
5778
57791082 
5780
5781
5782
5783PSALMS 1083 
5784
5785
5786[Psalm 36] 
5787Hymn of rejoicing in the Temple 
5788
5789
57901 Transgression speaks to the wicked 
5791deep in their hearts; 
5792there is no fear of God 
5793before their eyes. 
57942 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes 
5795that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 
57963 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; 
5797they have ceased to act wisely and do good. 
5798
57994 They plot mischief while on their beds; 
5800they are set on a way that is not good; 
5801they do not reject evil. 
5802
58035 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, 
5804your faithfulness to the clouds. 
5805
58066 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, 
5807your judgments are like the great deep; 
5808you save humans and animals alike, O LORD. 
5809
58107 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! 
5811All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 
58128 They feast on the abundance of your house, 
5813and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 
58149 For with you is the fountain of life; 
5815in your light we see light. 
5816
581710 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, 
5818and your salvation to the upright of heart! 
581911 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, 
5820or the hand of the wicked drive me away. 
582112 There the evildoers lie prostrate; 
5822they are thrust down, unable to rise. 
5823
58241083 
5825
5826
5827
5828PSALMS 1084 
5829
5830
5831[Psalm 37] 
5832The certainty of retribution 
5833
5834
58351 Do not fret because of the wicked; 
5836do not be envious of wrongdoers, 
58372 for they will soon fade like the grass, 
5838and wither like the green herb. 
5839
58403 Trust in the LORD, and do good; 
5841so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 
58424 Take delight in the LORD, 
5843and he will give you the desires of your heart. 
5844
58455 Commit your way to the LORD; 
5846trust in him, and he will act. 
58476 He will make your vindication shine like the light, 
5848and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 
5849
58507 Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; 
5851do not fret over those who prosper in their way, 
5852over those who carry out evil devices. 
5853
58548 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. 
5855Do not fret — it leads only to evil. 
58569 For the wicked shall be cut off, 
5857but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. 
5858
585910 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; 
5860though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there. 
586111 But the meek shall inherit the land, 
5862and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. 
5863
586412 The wicked plot against the righteous, 
5865and gnash their teeth at them; 
586613 but the LORD laughs at the wicked, 
5867for he sees that their day is coming. 
5868
58691084 
5870
5871
5872
5873PSALMS 1085 
5874
5875
587614 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows 
5877to bring down the poor and needy, 
5878to kill those who walk uprightly; 
5879
588015 their sword shall enter their own heart, 
5881and their bows shall be broken. 
5882
588316 Better is a little that the righteous person has 
5884than the abundance of many wicked. 
588517 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, 
5886but the LORD upholds the righteous. 
5887
588818 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, 
5889and their heritage will abide forever; 
589019 they are not put to shame in evil times, 
5891in the days of famine they have abundance. 
5892
589320 But the wicked perish, 
5894and the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; 
5895they vanish — like smoke they vanish away. 
5896
589721 The wicked borrow, and do not pay back, 
5898but the righteous are generous and keep giving; 
589922 for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, 
5900but those cursed by him shall be cut off. 
5901
590223 Our steps are made firm by the LORD, 
5903when he delights in our way; 
590424 though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, 
5905for the LORD holds us by the hand. 
5906
590725 I have been young, and now am old, 
5908yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken 
5909or their children begging bread. 
5910
591126 They are ever giving liberally and lending, 
5912and their children become a blessing. 
5913
59141085 
5915
5916
5917
5918PSALMS 1086 
5919
5920
592127 Depart from evil, and do good; 
5922so you shall abide forever. 
592328 For the LORD loves justice; 
5924he will not forsake his faithful ones. 
5925
5926The righteous shall be kept safe forever, 
5927but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 
592829 The righteous shall inherit the land, 
5929and live in it forever. 
593030 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, 
5931and their tongues speak justice. 
593231 The law of their God is in their hearts; 
5933their steps do not slip. 
5934
593532 The wicked watch for the righteous, 
5936and seek to kill them. 
593733 The LORD will not abandon them to their power, 
5938or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial. 
5939
594034 Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, 
5941and he will exalt you to inherit the land; 
5942you will look on the destruction of the wicked. 
5943
594435 I have seen the wicked oppressing, 
5945and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. 
594636 Again I passed by, and they were no more; 
5947though I sought them, they could not be found. 
5948
594937 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, 
5950for there is posterity for the peaceable. 
595138 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; 
5952the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. 
5953
595439 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; 
5955he is their refuge in the time of trouble. 
5956
595740 The LORD helps them and rescues them; 
5958he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, 
5959because they take refuge in him. 
5960
59611086 
5962
5963
5964
5965PSALMS 1087 
5966
5967
5968[Psalm 38] 
5969Prayer for healing 
5970
5971
59721 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger, 
5973or discipline me in your wrath. 
59742 For your arrows have sunk into me, 
5975and your hand has come down on me. 
5976
59773 There is no soundness in my flesh 
5978because of your indignation; 
5979there is no health in my bones 
5980because of my sin. 
59814 For my iniquities have gone over my head; 
5982they weigh like a burden too heavy for me. 
5983
59845 My wounds grow foul and fester 
5985because of my foolishness; 
59866 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; 
5987all day long I go around mourning. 
59887 For my loins are filled with burning, 
5989and there is no soundness in my flesh. 
59908 I am utterly spent and crushed; 
5991I groan because of the tumult of my heart. 
5992
59939 O Lord, all my longing is known to you; 
5994my sighing is not hidden from you. 
599510 My heart throbs, my strength fails me; 
5996as for the light of my eyes — it also has gone from me. 
599711 My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction, 
5998and my neighbors stand far off. 
5999
600012 Those who seek my life lay their snares; 
6001those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin, 
6002and meditate treachery all day long. 
6003
60041087 
6005
6006
6007
6008PSALMS 1088 
6009
6010
601113 But I am like the deaf, I do not hear; 
6012like the mute, who cannot speak. 
601314 Truly, I am like one who does not hear, 
6014and in whose mouth is no retort. 
6015
601615 But it is for you, O LORD, that I wait; 
6017it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. 
601816 For I pray, "Only do not let them rejoice over me, 
6019those who boast against me when my foot slips." 
6020
602117 For I am ready to fall, 
6022and my pain is ever with me. 
602318 I confess my iniquity; 
6024I am sorry for my sin. 
602519 Those who are my foes without cause are mighty, 
6026and many are those who hate me wrongfully. 
602720 Those who render me evil for good 
6028are my adversaries because I follow after good. 
6029
603021 Do not forsake me, O LORD; 
6031O my God, do not be far from me; 
603222 make haste to help me, 
6033O Lord, my salvation. 
6034
6035[Psalm 39] 
6036The brevity of human life 
6037
6038
60391 I said, "I will guard my ways 
6040that I may not sin with my tongue; 
6041I will keep a muzzle on my mouth 
6042as long as the wicked are in my presence." 
60432 I was silent and still; 
6044I held my peace to no avail; 
6045my distress grew worse, 
6046my heart became hot within me. 
6047While I mused, the fire burned; 
6048then I spoke with my tongue: 
6049
60501088 
6051
6052
6053
6054PSALMS 1089 
6055
6056
60574 "LORD, let me know my end, 
6058and what is the measure of my days; 
6059let me know how fleeting my life is. 
6060
60615 You have made my days a few handbreadths, 
6062and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. 
6063Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. 
6064Surely everyone goes about like a shadow. 
6065Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; 
6066they heap up, and do not know who will gather. 
6067
60687 "And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? 
6069My hope is in you. 
60708 Deliver me from all my transgressions. 
6071Do not make me the scorn of the fool. 
60729 I am silent; I do not open my mouth, 
6073for it is you who have done it. 
607410 Remove your stroke from me; 
6075I am worn down by the blows of your hand. 
6076
607711 "You chastise mortals 
6078in punishment for sin, 
6079consuming like a moth what is dear to them; 
6080surely everyone is a mere breath. 
6081
608212 "Hear my prayer, O LORD, 
6083and give ear to my cry; 
6084do not hold your peace at my tears. 
6085
6086For I am your passing guest, 
6087an alien, like all my forebears. 
608813 Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again, 
6089before I depart and am no more." 
6090
60911089 
6092
6093
6094
6095PSALMS 1090 
6096
6097
6098[Psalm 40] 
6099Thanksgiving for deliverance and prayer for help 
6100
6101
61021 I waited patiently for the LORD; 
6103he inclined to me and heard my cry. 
61042 He drew me up from the desolate pit, 
6105out of the miry bog, 
6106and set my feet upon a rock, 
6107making my steps secure. 
61083 He put a new song in my mouth, 
6109a song of praise to our God. 
6110Many will see and fear, 
6111and put their trust in the LORD. 
61124 Happy are those who make 
6113the LORD their trust, 
6114who do not turn to the proud, 
6115to those who go astray after false gods. 
6116
61175 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, 
6118your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; 
6119none can compare with you. 
6120
6121Were I to proclaim and tell of them, 
6122they would be more than can be counted. 
6123
6124
61256 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, 
6126but you have given me an open ear. 
6127Burnt offering and sin offering 
6128you have not required. 
61297 Then I said, "Here I am; 
6130in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 
61318 I delight to do your will, O my God; 
6132your law is within my heart." 
6133
61349 I have told the glad news of deliverance 
6135in the great congregation; 
6136see, I have not restrained my lips, 
6137as you know, O LORD. 
6138
61391090 
6140
6141
6142
6143PSALMS 1091 
6144
6145
614610 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, 
6147I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; 
6148I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness 
6149from the great congregation. 
6150
615111 Do not, O LORD, withhold 
6152your mercy from me; 
6153let your steadfast love and your faithfulness 
6154keep me safe forever. 
615512 For evils have encompassed me 
6156without number; 
6157my iniquities have overtaken me, 
6158until I cannot see; 
6159they are more than the hairs of my head, 
6160and my heart fails me. 
6161
616213 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; 
6163O LORD, make haste to help me. 
616414 Let all those be put to shame and confusion 
6165who seek to snatch away my life; 
6166let those be turned back and brought to dishonor 
6167who desire my hurt. 
616815 Let those be appalled because of their shame 
6169who say to me, "Aha, Aha!" 
6170
617116 But may all who seek you 
6172rejoice and be glad in you; 
6173may those who love your salvation 
6174say continually, "Great is the LORD!" 
617517 As for me, I am poor and needy, 
6176but the Lord takes thought for me. 
6177You are my help and my deliverer; 
6178do not delay, O my God. 
6179
61801091 
6181
6182
6183
6184PSALMS 1092 
6185
6186
6187[Psalm 41] 
6188Prayer for healing 
6189
6190
61911 Happy are those who consider the poor; 
6192the LORD delivers them in the day of trouble. 
6193
61942 The LORD protects them and keeps them alive; 
6195they are called happy in the land. 
6196You do not give them up to the will of their enemies. 
6197
61983 The LORD sustains them on their sickbed; 
6199in their illness you heal all their infirmities. 
6200
62014 As for me, I said, "O LORD, be gracious to me; 
6202heal me, for I have sinned against you." 
62035 My enemies wonder in malice 
6204when I will die, and my name perish. 
6205
62066 And when they come to see me, they utter empty words, 
6207while their hearts gather mischief; 
6208when they go out, they tell it abroad. 
6209
62107 All who hate me whisper together about me; 
6211they imagine the worst for me. 
6212
62138 They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me, 
6214that I will not rise again from where I lie. 
62159 Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, 
6216who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me. 
621710 But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, 
6218and raise me up, that I may repay them. 
6219
622011 By this I know that you are pleased with me; 
6221because my enemy has not triumphed over me. 
622212 But you have upheld me because of my integrity, 
6223and set me in your presence forever. 
6224
622513 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, 
6226from everlasting to everlasting. 
6227Amen and Amen. 
6228
62291092 
6230
6231
6232
6233PSALMS 1093 
6234
6235
6236BOOK II (PSALMS 42–72) 
6237
6238
6239[Psalm 42] 
6240Thirst for the living God 
6241
6242
62431 As a deer longs for flowing streams, 
6244so my soul longs for you, O God. 
62452 My soul thirsts for God, 
6246for the living God. 
6247When shall I come and behold 
6248the face of God? 
62493 My tears have been my food 
6250day and night, 
6251while people say to me continually, 
6252"Where is your God?" 
6253
62544 These things I remember, 
6255as I pour out my soul: 
6256how I went with the throng, 
6257and led them in procession to the house of God, 
6258with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, 
6259a multitude keeping festival. 
62605 Why are you cast down, O my soul, 
6261and why are you disquieted within me? 
6262Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, 
6263my help 6 and my God. 
6264
6265 My soul is cast down within me; 
6266therefore I remember you 
6267from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, 
6268from Mount Mizar. 
62697 Deep calls to deep 
6270at the thunder of your cataracts; 
6271all your waves and your billows 
6272have gone over me. 
6273
62748 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, 
6275and at night his song is with me, 
6276a prayer to the God of my life. 
6277
62781093 
6279
6280
6281
6282PSALMS 1094 
6283
6284
62859 I say to God, my rock, 
6286"Why have you forgotten me? 
6287Why must I walk about mournfully 
6288because the enemy oppresses me?" 
628910 As with a deadly wound in my body, 
6290my adversaries taunt me, 
6291while they say to me continually, 
6292"Where is your God?" 
6293
629411 Why are you cast down, O my soul, 
6295and why are you disquieted within me? 
6296Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, 
6297my help and my God. 
6298
6299[Psalm 43] 
6300Thirst for the living God 
6301
6302
63031 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause 
6304against an ungodly people; 
6305from those who are deceitful and unjust 
6306deliver me! 
63072 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; 
6308why have you cast me off? 
6309Why must I walk about mournfully 
6310because of the oppression of the enemy? 
6311
63123 O send out your light and your truth; 
6313let them lead me; 
6314let them bring me to your holy hill 
6315and to your dwelling. 
63164 Then I will go to the altar of God, 
6317to God my exceeding joy; 
6318and I will praise you with the harp, 
6319O God, my God. 
6320
63211094 
6322
6323
6324
6325PSALMS 1095 
6326
6327
63285 Why are you cast down, O my soul, 
6329and why are you disquieted within me? 
6330Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, 
6331my help and my God. 
6332
6333[Psalm 44] 
6334Prayer for divine help after a national defeat 
6335
6336
63371 We have heard with our ears, O God, 
6338our ancestors have told us, 
6339what deeds you performed in their days, 
6340in the days of old: 
63412 you with your own hand drove out the nations, 
6342but them you planted; 
6343you afflicted the peoples, 
6344but them you set free; 
63453 for not by their own sword did they win the land, 
6346nor did their own arm give them victory; 
6347
6348but your right hand, and your arm, 
6349and the light of your countenance, 
6350for you delighted in them. 
6351
6352
63534 You are my King and my God; 
6354you command victories for Jacob. 
63555 Through you we push down our foes; 
6356through your name we tread down our assailants. 
63576 For not in my bow do I trust, 
6358nor can my sword save me. 
63597 But you have saved us from our foes, 
6360and have put to confusion those who hate us. 
63618 In God we have boasted continually, 
6362and we will give thanks to your name forever. 
6363
63649 Yet you have rejected us and abased us, 
6365and have not gone out with our armies. 
636610 You made us turn back from the foe, 
6367and our enemies have gotten spoil. 
6368
63691095 
6370
6371
6372
6373PSALMS 1096 
6374
6375
637611 You have made us like sheep for slaughter, 
6377and have scattered us among the nations. 
637812 You have sold your people for a trifle, 
6379demanding no high price for them. 
638013 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, 
6381the derision and scorn of those around us. 
638214 You have made us a byword among the nations, 
6383a laughingstock among the peoples. 
638415 All day long my disgrace is before me, 
6385and shame has covered my face 
638616 at the words of the taunters and revilers, 
6387at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 
6388
638917 All this has come upon us, 
6390yet we have not forgotten you, 
6391or been false to your covenant. 
6392
639318 Our heart has not turned back, 
6394nor have our steps departed from your way, 
639519 yet you have broken us in the haunt of jackals, 
6396and covered us with deep darkness. 
6397
639820 If we had forgotten the name of our God, 
6399or spread out our hands to a strange god, 
640021 would not God discover this? 
6401For he knows the secrets of the heart. 
640222 Because of you we are being killed all day long, 
6403and accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 
6404
640523 Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? 
6406Awake, do not cast us off forever! 
640724 Why do you hide your face? 
6408Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 
640925 For we sink down to the dust; 
6410our bodies cling to the ground. 
641126 Rise up, come to our help. 
6412Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love. 
6413
64141096 
6415
6416
6417
6418PSALMS 1097 
6419
6420
6421[Psalm 45] 
6422A royal wedding song 
6423
6424
64251 My heart overflows with a goodly theme; 
6426I address my verses to the king; 
6427my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 
6428
64292 You are the most handsome of men; 
6430grace is poured upon your lips; 
6431therefore God has blessed you forever. 
6432
64333 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, 
6434in your glory and majesty. 
6435
64364 In your majesty ride on victoriously 
6437for the cause of truth and to defend the right; 
6438let your right hand teach you dread deeds. 
6439
64405 Your arrows are sharp 
6441in the heart of the king's enemies; 
6442the peoples fall under you. 
6443
64446 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. 
6445Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity; 
64467 you love righteousness and hate wickedness. 
6447Therefore God, your God, has anointed you 
6448with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; 
64498 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. 
6450From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 
64519 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; 
6452at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 
6453
645410 Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; 
6455forget your people and your father's house, 
645611 and the king will desire your beauty. 
6457Since he is your lord, bow to him; 
645812 the people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, 
6459the richest of the people 13 with all kinds of wealth. 
6460
64611097 
6462
6463
6464
6465PSALMS 1098 
6466
6467
6468 The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; 
646914 in many-colored robes she is led to the king; 
6470behind her the virgins, her companions, follow. 
647115 With joy and gladness they are led along 
6472as they enter the palace of the king. 
6473
647416 In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons; 
6475you will make them princes in all the earth. 
647617 I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; 
6477therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever. 
6478
6479[Psalm 46] 
6480Praise of Zion and its victorious king 
6481
6482
64831 God is our refuge and strength, 
6484a very present help in trouble. 
64852 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, 
6486though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 
64873 though its waters roar and foam, 
6488though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 
6489
64904 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
6491the holy habitation of the Most High. 
64925 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; 
6493God will help it when the morning dawns. 
64946 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; 
6495he utters his voice, the earth melts. 
64967 The LORD of hosts is with us; 
6497the God of Jacob is our refuge. 
6498
64998 Come, behold the works of the LORD; 
6500see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 
6501
65029 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 
6503he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; 
6504he burns the shields with fire. 
6505
650610 "Be still, and know that I am God! 
6507I am exalted among the nations, 
6508I am exalted in the earth." 
6509
65101098
6511
6512
6513
6514PSALMS 1099 
6515
6516
651711 The LORD of hosts is with us; 
6518the God of Jacob is our refuge. 
6519
6520[Psalm 47] 
6521God's enthronement 
6522
6523
65241 Clap your hands, all you peoples; 
6525shout to God with loud songs of joy. 
65262 For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, 
6527a great king over all the earth. 
65283 He subdued peoples under us, 
6529and nations under our feet. 
65304 He chose our heritage for us, 
6531the pride of Jacob whom he loves. 
6532
65335 God has gone up with a shout, 
6534the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 
65356 Sing praises to God, sing praises; 
6536sing praises to our King, sing praises. 
65377 For God is the king of all the earth; 
6538sing praises with a psalm. 
6539
65408 God is king over the nations; 
6541God sits on his holy throne. 
65429 The princes of the peoples gather 
6543as the people of the God of Abraham. 
6544For the shields of the earth belong to God; 
6545he is highly exalted. 
6546
6547[Psalm 48] 
6548Praise of Zion 
6549
65501 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised 
6551in the city of our God. 
6552His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, 
6553is the joy of all the earth, 
6554Mount Zion, in the far north, 
6555the city of the great King. 
6556
65571099 
6558
6559
6560
6561PSALMS 1100 
6562
6563
65643 Within its citadels God 
6565has shown himself a sure defense. 
65664 Then the kings assembled, 
6567they came on together. 
65685 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; 
6569they were in panic, they took to flight; 
65706 trembling took hold of them there, 
6571pains as of a woman in labor, 
65727 as when an east wind shatters 
6573the ships of Tarshish. 
65748 As we have heard, so have we seen 
6575in the city of the LORD of hosts, 
6576in the city of our God, 
6577which God establishes forever. 
6578
65799 We ponder your steadfast love, O God, 
6580in the midst of your temple. 
658110 Your name, O God, like your praise, 
6582reaches to the ends of the earth. 
6583Your right hand is filled with victory. 
658411 Let Mount Zion be glad, 
6585let the towns of Judah rejoice 
6586because of your judgments. 
6587
658812 Walk about Zion, go all around it, 
6589count its towers, 
659013 consider well its ramparts; 
6591go through its citadels, 
6592that you may tell the next generation 
659314 that this is God, 
6594our God forever and ever. 
6595He will be our guide forever. 
6596
65971100 
6598
6599
6600
6601PSALMS 1101 
6602
6603
6604[Psalm 49] 
6605Transcience of life and wealth 
6606
6607
66081 Hear this, all you peoples; 
6609give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 
66102 both low and high, 
6611rich and poor together. 
66123 My mouth shall speak wisdom; 
6613the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 
66144 I will incline my ear to a proverb; 
6615I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. 
6616
66175 Why should I fear in times of trouble, 
6618when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 
66196 those who trust in their wealth 
6620and boast of the abundance of their riches? 
66217 Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, 
6622there is no price one can give to God for it. 
6623
66248 For the ransom of life is costly, 
6625and can never suffice, 
66269 that one should live on forever 
6627
6628
6629and never see the grave. 
6630
663110 When we look at the wise, they die; 
6632fool and dolt perish together 
6633and leave their wealth to others. 
6634
663511 Their graves are their homes forever, 
6636their dwelling places to all generations, 
6637though they named lands their own. 
6638
663912 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; 
6640they are like the animals that perish. 
6641
66421101 
6643
6644
6645
6646PSALMS 1102 
6647
6648
664913 Such is the fate of the foolhardy, 
6650the end of those who are pleased with their lot. 
665114 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; 
6652Death shall be their shepherd; 
6653
6654straight to the grave they descend, 
6655and their form shall waste away; 
6656Sheol shall be their home. 
6657
6658
665915 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, 
6660for he will receive me. 
6661
666216 Do not be afraid when some become rich, 
6663when the wealth of their houses increases. 
666417 For when they die they will carry nothing away; 
6665their wealth will not go down after them. 
666618 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy 
6667— for you are praised when you do well for yourself — 
666819 they will go to the company of their ancestors, 
6669who will never again see the light. 
667020 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; 
6671they are like the animals that perish. 
6672
6673[Psalm 50] 
6674Theophany of the divine judge 
6675
6676
66771 The mighty one, God the LORD, 
6678speaks and summons the earth 
6679from the rising of the sun to its setting. 
6680
66812 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, 
6682God shines forth. 
6683
66843 Our God comes and does not keep silence, 
6685before him is a devouring fire, 
6686and a mighty tempest all around him. 
6687
66884 He calls to the heavens above 
6689and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 
66905 "Gather to me my faithful ones, 
6691who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" 
6692
66931102 
6694
6695
6696
6697PSALMS 1103 
6698
6699
67006 The heavens declare his righteousness, 
6701for God himself is judge. 
6702
67037 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, 
6704O Israel, I will testify against you. 
6705I am God, your God. 
6706
67078 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; 
6708your burnt offerings are continually before me. 
67099 I will not accept a bull from your house, 
6710or goats from your folds. 
671110 For every wild animal of the forest is mine, 
6712the cattle on a thousand hills. 
671311 I know all the birds of the air, 
6714and all that moves in the field is mine. 
671512 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, 
6716for the world and all that is in it is mine. 
671713 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, 
6718or drink the blood of goats? 
671914 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, 
6720and pay your vows to the Most High. 
672115 Call on me in the day of trouble; 
6722I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." 
6723
672416 But to the wicked God says: 
6725"What right have you to recite my statutes, 
6726or take my covenant on your lips? 
6727
672817 For you hate discipline, 
6729and you cast my words behind you. 
673018 You make friends with a thief when you see one, 
6731and you keep company with adulterers. 
6732
673319 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, 
6734and your tongue frames deceit. 
673520 You sit and speak against your kin; 
6736you slander your own mother's child. 
673721 These things you have done and I have been silent; 
6738you thought that I was one just like yourself. 
6739But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 
6740
67411103 
6742
6743
6744
6745PSALMS 1104 
6746
6747
674822 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, 
6749
6750or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to deliver. 
675123 Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; 
6752
6753to those who go the right way 
6754I will show the salvation of God." 
6755
6756
6757[Psalm 51] 
6758Prayer for forgiveness 
6759
6760
67611 Have mercy on me, O God, 
6762according to your steadfast love; 
6763according to your abundant mercy 
6764blot out my transgressions. 
67652 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 
6766and cleanse me from my sin. 
6767
67683 For I know my transgressions, 
6769and my sin is ever before me. 
67704 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, 
6771and done what is evil in your sight, 
6772so that you are justified in your sentence 
6773and blameless when you pass judgment. 
67745 Indeed, I was born guilty, 
6775a sinner when my mother conceived me. 
6776
67776 You desire truth in the inward being; 
6778therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 
67797 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 
6780wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
67818 Let me hear joy and gladness; 
6782let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 
67839 Hide your face from my sins, 
6784and blot out all my iniquities. 
6785
678610 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
6787and put a new and right spirit within me. 
678811 Do not cast me away from your presence, 
6789and do not take your holy spirit from me. 
6790
67911104 
6792
6793
6794
6795PSALMS 1105 
6796
6797
679812 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 
6799and sustain in me a willing spirit. 
6800
680113 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, 
6802
6803and sinners will return to you. 
680414 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, 
6805
6806O God of my salvation, 
6807
6808and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. 
6809
681015 O Lord, open my lips, 
6811
6812and my mouth will declare your praise. 
681316 For you have no delight in sacrifice; 
6814
6815if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. 
681617 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; 
6817
6818a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 
6819
682018 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; 
6821rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 
682219 then you will delight in right sacrifices, 
6823
6824
6825in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; 
6826
6827then bulls will be offered on your altar. 
6828
6829[Psalm 52] 
6830Divine judgment against an oppressor 
6831
6832
68331 Why do you boast, O mighty one, 
6834of mischief done against the godly? 
6835All day long 2 you are plotting destruction. 
6836Your tongue is like a sharp razor, 
6837you worker of treachery. 
68383 You love evil more than good, 
6839and lying more than speaking the truth. 
68404 You love all words that devour, 
6841O deceitful tongue. 
6842
68435 But God will break you down forever; 
6844
6845he will snatch and tear you from your tent; 
6846
6847he will uproot you from the land of the living. 
6848
68491105 
6850
6851
6852
6853PSALMS 1106 
6854
6855
68566 The righteous will see, and fear, 
6857and will laugh at the evildoer, saying, 
68587 "See the one who would not take 
6859refuge in God, 
6860but trusted in abundant riches, 
6861and sought refuge in wealth!" 
6862
68638 But I am like a green olive tree 
6864in the house of God. 
6865I trust in the steadfast love of God 
6866forever and ever. 
68679 I will thank you forever, 
6868because of what you have done. 
6869In the presence of the faithful 
6870I will proclaim your name, for it is good. 
6871
6872[Psalm 53] 
6873Condemnation of foolish evildoers 
6874
6875
68761 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." 
6877They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; 
6878there is no one who does good. 
6879
68802 God looks down from heaven on humankind 
6881to see if there are any who are wise, 
6882who seek after God. 
6883
68843 They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse; 
6885there is no one who does good, 
6886no, not one. 
6887
68884 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, 
6889who eat up my people as they eat bread, 
6890and do not call upon God? 
6891
68921106 
6893
6894
6895
6896PSALMS 1107 
6897
6898
68995 There they shall be in great terror, 
6900in terror such as has not been. 
6901For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; 
6902they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them. 
6903
69046 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! 
6905When God restores the fortunes of his people, 
6906Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad. 
6907
6908[Psalm 54] 
6909Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
6910
6911
69121 Save me, O God, by your name, 
6913and vindicate me by your might. 
69142 Hear my prayer, O God; 
6915give ear to the words of my mouth. 
6916
69173 For the insolent have risen against me, 
6918the ruthless seek my life; 
6919they do not set God before them. 
6920
69214 But surely, God is my helper; 
6922the Lord is the upholder of my life. 
69235 He will repay my enemies for their evil. 
6924In your faithfulness, put an end to them. 
6925
69266 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; 
6927I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. 
69287 For he has delivered me from every trouble, 
6929and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. 
6930
69311107 
6932
6933
6934
6935PSALMS 1108 
6936
6937
6938[Psalm 55] 
6939Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
6940
6941
69421 Give ear to my prayer, O God; 
6943do not hide yourself from my supplication. 
69442 Attend to me, and answer me; 
6945I am troubled in my complaint. 
6946I am distraught 3 by the noise of the enemy, 
6947because of the clamor of the wicked. 
6948For they bring trouble upon me, 
6949and in anger they cherish enmity against me. 
69504 My heart is in anguish within me, 
6951the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 
69525 Fear and trembling come upon me, 
6953and horror overwhelms me. 
69546 And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove! 
6955I would fly away and be at rest; 
69567 truly, I would flee far away; 
6957I would lodge in the wilderness; 
6958
69598 I would hurry to find a shelter for myself 
6960from the raging wind and tempest." 
6961
69629 Confuse, O Lord, confound their speech; 
6963for I see violence and strife in the city. 
6964
696510 Day and night they go around it 
6966on its walls, 
6967and iniquity and trouble are within it; 
6968
696911 ruin is in its midst; 
6970oppression and fraud 
6971do not depart from its marketplace. 
6972
697312 It is not enemies who taunt me — 
6974I could bear that; 
6975it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me — 
6976I could hide from them. 
6977
69781108 
6979
6980
6981
6982PSALMS 1109 
6983
6984
698513 But it is you, my equal, 
6986my companion, my familiar friend, 
698714 with whom I kept pleasant company; 
6988we walked in the house of God with the throng. 
6989
699015 Let death come upon them; 
6991let them go down alive to Sheol; 
6992for evil is in their homes and in their hearts. 
6993
699416 But I call upon God, 
6995and the LORD will save me. 
6996
699717 Evening and morning and at noon 
6998I utter my complaint and moan, 
6999and he will hear my voice. 
7000
700118 He will redeem me unharmed 
7002from the battle that I wage, 
7003for many are arrayed against me. 
7004
700519 God, who is enthroned from of old, 
7006will hear, and will humble them — 
7007because they do not change, 
7008and do not fear God. 
7009
701020 My companion laid hands on a friend 
7011and violated a covenant with me 
701221 with speech smoother than butter, 
7013but with a heart set on war; 
7014with words that were softer than oil, 
7015but in fact were drawn swords. 
7016
701722 Cast your burden on the LORD, 
7018and he will sustain you; 
7019he will never permit 
7020the righteous to be moved. 
7021
702223 But you, O God, will cast them down 
7023into the lowest pit; 
7024the bloodthirsty and treacherous 
7025shall not live out half their days. 
7026But I will trust in you. 
7027
70281109 
7029
7030
7031
7032PSALMS 1110 
7033
7034
7035[Psalm 56] 
7036Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7037
7038
70391 Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; 
7040all day long foes oppress me; 
70412 my enemies trample on me all day long, 
7042for many fight against me. 
7043O Most High, 3 when I am afraid, 
7044I put my trust in you. 
7045
70464 In God, whose word I praise, 
7047in God I trust; I am not afraid; 
7048what can flesh do to me? 
7049
70505 All day long they seek to injure my cause; 
7051all their thoughts are against me for evil. 
70526 They stir up strife, they lurk, 
7053they watch my steps. 
7054As they hoped to have my life, 
70557 so repay them for their crime; 
7056in wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 
7057
70588 You have kept count of my tossings; 
7059put my tears in your bottle. 
7060Are they not in your record? 
7061
70629 Then my enemies will retreat 
7063in the day when I call. 
7064This I know, that God is for me. 
7065
706610 In God, whose word I praise, 
7067in the LORD, whose word I praise, 
706811 in God I trust; I am not afraid. 
7069What can a mere mortal do to me? 
7070
707112 My vows to you I must perform, O God; 
7072I will render thank offerings to you. 
707313 For you have delivered my soul from death, 
7074and my feet from falling, 
7075so that I may walk before God 
7076in the light of life. 
7077
70781110 
7079
7080
7081
7082PSALMS 1111 
7083
7084
7085[Psalm 57] 
7086Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7087
7088
70891 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, 
7090for in you my soul takes refuge; 
7091in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, 
7092until the destroying storms pass by. 
70932 I cry to God Most High, 
7094to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 
70953 He will send from heaven and save me, 
7096he will put to shame those who trample on me. 
7097God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness. 
7098
70994 I lie down among lions 
7100that greedily devour human prey; 
7101their teeth are spears and arrows, 
7102their tongues sharp swords. 
7103
71045 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. 
7105Let your glory be over all the earth. 
7106
71076 They set a net for my steps; 
7108my soul was bowed down. 
7109They dug a pit in my path, 
7110but they have fallen into it themselves. 
71117 My heart is steadfast, O God, 
7112my heart is steadfast. 
7113I will sing and make melody. 
71148 Awake, my soul! 
7115Awake, O harp and lyre! 
7116I will awake the dawn. 
71179 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; 
7118I will sing praises to you among the nations. 
711910 For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; 
7120your faithfulness extends to the clouds. 
7121
712211 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. 
7123Let your glory be over all the earth. 
7124
71251111 
7126
7127
7128
7129PSALMS 1112 
7130
7131
7132[Psalm 58] 
7133A curse upon enemies 
7134
7135
71361 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? 
7137Do you judge people fairly? 
71382 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; 
7139your hands deal out violence on earth. 
7140
71413 The wicked go astray from the womb; 
7142they err from their birth, speaking lies. 
7143
71444 They have venom like the venom of a serpent, 
7145like the deaf adder that stops its ear, 
71465 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers 
7147
7148
7149or of the cunning enchanter. 
7150
71516 O God, break the teeth in their mouths; 
7152tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! 
71537 Let them vanish like water that runs away; 
7154like grass let them be trodden down and wither. 
71558 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime; 
7156like the untimely birth that never sees the sun. 
71579 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, 
7158whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away! 
7159
716010 The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; 
7161they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. 
716211 People will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; 
7163surely there is a God who judges on earth." 
7164
7165[Psalm 59] 
7166Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7167
7168
71691 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; 
7170protect me from those who rise up against me. 
71712 Deliver me from those who work evil; 
7172from the bloodthirsty save me. 
7173
71741112 
7175
7176
7177
7178PSALMS 1113 
7179
7180
71813 Even now they lie in wait for my life; 
7182the mighty stir up strife against me. 
7183For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD, 
71844 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. 
7185
7186Rouse yourself, come to my help and see! 
71875 You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel. 
7188Awake to punish all the nations; 
7189spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. 
7190
71916 Each evening they come back, 
7192howling like dogs 
7193and prowling about the city. 
7194
71957 There they are, bellowing with their mouths, 
7196with sharp words on their lips — 
7197for "Who," they think, "will hear us?" 
7198
71998 But you laugh at them, O LORD; 
7200you hold all the nations in derision. 
72019 O my strength, I will watch for you; 
7202for you, O God, are my fortress. 
720310 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; 
7204my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 
7205
720611 Do not kill them, or my people may forget; 
7207make them totter by your power, and bring them down, 
7208O Lord, our shield. 
7209
721012 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, 
7211let them be trapped in their pride. 
7212For the cursing and lies that they utter, 
721313 consume them in wrath; 
7214consume them until they are no more. 
7215Then it will be known to the ends of the earth 
7216that God rules over Jacob. 
7217
721814 Each evening they come back, 
7219howling like dogs 
7220and prowling about the city. 
7221
72221113 
7223
7224
7225
7226PSALMS 1114 
7227
7228
722915 They roam about for food, 
7230and growl if they do not get their fill. 
7231
723216 But I will sing of your might; 
7233I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. 
7234For you have been a fortress for me 
7235and a refuge in the day of my distress. 
7236
723717 O my strength, I will sing praises to you, 
7238for you, O God, are my fortress, 
7239the God who shows me steadfast love. 
7240
7241[Psalm 60] 
7242Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7243
7244
72451 O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; 
7246you have been angry; now restore us! 
72472 You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open; 
7248repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering. 
72493 You have made your people suffer hard things; 
7250you have given us wine to drink that made us reel. 
7251
72524 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, 
7253to rally to it out of bowshot. 
7254
72555 Give victory with your right hand, and answer us, 
7256so that those whom you love may be rescued. 
7257
72586 God has promised in his sanctuary: 
7259"With exultation I will divide up Shechem, 
7260and portion out the Vale of Succoth. 
7261
72627 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; 
7263Ephraim is my helmet; 
7264Judah is my scepter. 
7265
72668 Moab is my washbasin; 
7267on Edom I hurl my shoe; 
7268over Philistia I shout in triumph." 
7269
72701114 
7271
7272
7273
7274PSALMS 1115 
7275
7276
72779 Who will bring me to the fortified city? 
7278Who will lead me to Edom? 
727910 Have you not rejected us, O God? 
7280You do not go out, O God, with our armies. 
728111 O grant us help against the foe, 
7282for human help is worthless. 
728312 With God we shall do valiantly; 
7284it is he who will tread down our foes. 
7285
7286[Psalm 61] 
7287Protection in the Temple 
7288
7289
72901 Hear my cry, O God; 
7291listen to my prayer. 
72922 From the end of the earth I call to you, 
7293when my heart is faint. 
7294
7295 Lead me to the rock 
7296that is higher than I; 
72973 for you are my refuge, 
7298a strong tower against the enemy. 
7299
73004 Let me abide in your tent forever, 
7301find refuge under the shelter of your wings. 
73025 For you, O God, have heard my vows; 
7303you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 
7304
73056 Prolong the life of the king; 
7306may his years endure to all generations! 
73077 May he be enthroned forever before God; 
7308appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 
7309
73108 So I will always sing praises to your name, 
7311as I pay my vows day after day. 
7312
73131115 
7314
7315
7316
7317PSALMS 1116 
7318
7319
7320[Psalm 62] 
7321Trust in God 
7322
73231 For God alone my soul waits in silence; 
7324from him comes my salvation. 
73252 He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
7326my fortress; I shall never be shaken. 
7327
73283 How long will you assail a person, 
7329will you batter your victim, all of you, 
7330as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 
7331
73324 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. 
7333They take pleasure in falsehood; 
7334they bless with their mouths, 
7335but inwardly they curse. 
7336
73375 For God alone my soul waits in silence, 
7338for my hope is from him. 
73396 He alone is my rock and my salvation, 
7340my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 
73417 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; 
7342my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 
7343
73448 Trust in him at all times, O people; 
7345pour out your heart before him; 
7346God is a refuge for us. 
7347
73489 Those of low estate are but a breath, 
7349those of high estate are a delusion; 
7350in the balances they go up; 
7351they are together lighter than a breath. 
7352
735310 Put no confidence in extortion, 
7354and set no vain hopes on robbery; 
7355if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 
7356
73571116 
7358
7359
7360
7361PSALMS 1117 
7362
7363
736411 Once God has spoken; 
7365twice have I heard this: 
7366that power belongs to God, 
736712 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. 
7368For you repay to all 
7369according to their work. 
7370
7371[Psalm 63] 
7372Thirsting for God 
7373
73741 O God, you are my God, I seek you, 
7375my soul thirsts for you; 
7376my flesh faints for you, 
7377as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 
73782 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, 
7379beholding your power and glory. 
73803 Because your steadfast love is better than life, 
7381my lips will praise you. 
73824 So I will bless you as long as I live; 
7383I will lift up my hands and call on your name. 
73845 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, 
7385and my mouth praises you with joyful lips 
73866 when I think of you on my bed, 
7387and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 
73887 for you have been my help, 
7389and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. 
73908 My soul clings to you; 
7391your right hand upholds me. 
7392
73939 But those who seek to destroy my life 
7394shall go down into the depths of the earth; 
739510 they shall be given over to the power of the sword, 
7396they shall be prey for jackals. 
7397
739811 But the king shall rejoice in God; 
7399all who swear by him shall exult, 
7400for the mouths of liars will be stopped. 
7401
74021117 
7403
7404
7405
7406PSALMS 1118 
7407
7408
7409[Psalm 64] 
7410Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7411
7412
74131 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; 
7414preserve my life from the dread enemy. 
74152 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, 
7416from the scheming of evildoers, 
74173 who whet their tongues like swords, 
7418who aim bitter words like arrows, 
74194 shooting from ambush at the blameless; 
7420they shoot suddenly and without fear. 
74215 They hold fast to their evil purpose; 
7422they talk of laying snares secretly, 
7423thinking, "Who can see us? 
74246 Who can search out our crimes? 
7425We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot." 
7426For the human heart and mind are deep. 
7427
74287 But God will shoot his arrow at them; 
7429they will be wounded suddenly. 
74308 Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin; 
7431all who see them will shake with horror. 
7432
74339 Then everyone will fear; 
7434they will tell what God has brought about, 
7435and ponder what he has done. 
7436
743710 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD 
7438and take refuge in him. 
7439Let all the upright in heart glory. 
7440
74411118 
7442
7443
7444
7445PSALMS 1119 
7446
7447
7448[Psalm 65] 
7449Thanksgiving for agricultural bounty 
7450
7451
74521 Praise is due to you, 
7453O God, in Zion; 
7454and to you shall vows be performed, 
7455O you who answer prayer! 
7456To you all flesh shall come. 
74573 When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, 
7458you forgive our transgressions. 
74594 Happy are those whom you choose and bring near 
7460to live in your courts. 
7461We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, 
7462your holy temple. 
7463
74645 By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, 
7465O God of our salvation; 
7466you are the hope of all the ends of the earth 
7467and of the farthest seas. 
74686 By your strength you established the mountains; 
7469you are girded with might. 
7470
74717 You silence the roaring of the seas, 
7472the roaring of their waves, 
7473the tumult of the peoples. 
7474
74758 Those who live at earth's farthest 
7476bounds are awed by your signs; 
7477you make the gateways of the 
7478morning and the evening shout for joy. 
7479
74809 You visit the earth and water it, 
7481you greatly enrich it; 
7482
7483the river of God is full of water; 
7484you provide the people with grain, 
7485for so you have prepared it. 
7486
7487
748810 You water its furrows abundantly, 
7489settling its ridges, 
7490softening it with showers, 
7491and blessing its growth. 
7492
74931119 
7494
7495
7496
7497PSALMS 1120 
7498
7499
750011 You crown the year with your bounty; 
7501your wagon tracks overflow with richness. 
750212 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, 
7503the hills gird themselves with joy, 
7504
750513 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, 
7506the valleys deck themselves with grain, 
7507they shout and sing together for joy. 
7508
7509[Psalm 66] 
7510Praise of God the savior 
7511
7512
75131 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; 
75142 sing the glory of his name; 
7515give to him glorious praise. 
75163 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! 
7517Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. 
7518
75194 All the earth worships you; 
7520they sing praises to you, 
7521sing praises to your name." 
7522
75235 Come and see what God has done: 
7524he is awesome in his deeds among mortals. 
75256 He turned the sea into dry land; 
7526they passed through the river on foot. 
7527There we rejoiced in him, 
75287 who rules by his might forever, 
7529whose eyes keep watch on the nations — 
7530let the rebellious not exalt themselves. 
7531
75328 Bless our God, O peoples, 
7533let the sound of his praise be heard, 
75349 who has kept us among the living, 
7535and has not let our feet slip. 
753610 For you, O God, have tested us; 
7537you have tried us as silver is tried. 
753811 You brought us into the net; 
7539you laid burdens on our backs; 
7540
75411120 
7542
7543
7544
7545PSALMS 1121 
7546
7547
754812 you let people ride over our heads; 
7549we went through fire and through water; 
7550yet you have brought us out to a spacious place. 
7551
755213 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; 
7553I will pay you my vows, 
755414 those that my lips uttered 
7555and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. 
755615 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings, 
7557with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; 
7558I will make an offering of bulls and goats. 
7559
756016 Come and hear, all you who fear God, 
7561and I will tell what he has done for me. 
756217 I cried aloud to him, 
7563and he was extolled with my tongue. 
756418 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, 
7565the Lord would not have listened. 
756619 But truly God has listened; 
7567he has given heed to the words of my prayer. 
7568
756920 Blessed be God, 
7570because he has not rejected my prayer 
7571or removed his steadfast love from me. 
7572
7573[Psalm 67] 
7574Thanksgiving for agricultural bounty 
7575
7576
75771 May God be gracious to us and bless us 
7578and make his face to shine upon us, 
7579
75802 that your way may be known upon earth, 
7581your saving power among all nations. 
75823 Let the peoples praise you, O God; 
7583let all the peoples praise you. 
7584
75851121 
7586
7587
7588
7589PSALMS 1122 
7590
7591
75924 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, 
7593for you judge the peoples with equity 
7594and guide the nations upon earth. 
7595
75965 Let the peoples praise you, O God; 
7597let all the peoples praise you. 
75986 The earth has yielded its increase; 
7599God, our God, has blessed us. 
76007 May God continue to bless us; 
7601let all the ends of the earth revere him. 
7602
7603[Psalm 68] 
7604A victory hymn 
7605
7606
76071 Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; 
7608let those who hate him flee before him. 
7609
76102 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; 
7611as wax melts before the fire, 
7612let the wicked perish before God. 
7613
76143 But let the righteous be joyful; 
7615let them exult before God; 
7616let them be jubilant with joy. 
7617
76184 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; 
7619lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds — 
7620his name is the LORD — 
7621be exultant before him. 
7622
76235 Father of orphans and protector of widows 
7624is God in his holy habitation. 
7625
76266 God gives the desolate a home to live in; 
7627he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, 
7628but the rebellious live in a parched land. 
7629
76307 O God, when you went out before your people, 
7631when you marched through the wilderness, 
7632
76331122 
7634
7635
7636
7637PSALMS 1123 
7638
7639
76408 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain 
7641at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, 
7642at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 
7643
76449 Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; 
7645you restored your heritage when it languished; 
764610 your flock found a dwelling in it; 
7647in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. 
7648
764911 The Lord gives the command; 
7650great is the company of those who bore the tidings: 
765112 "The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!" 
7652The women at home divide the spoil, 
765313 though they stay among the sheepfolds — 
7654the wings of a dove covered with silver, 
7655its pinions with green gold. 
765614 When the Almighty scattered kings there, 
7657snow fell on Zalmon. 
7658
765915 O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan; 
7660O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! 
7661
766216 Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain, 
7663at the mount that God desired for his abode, 
7664where the LORD will reside forever? 
7665
766617 With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand, 
7667thousands upon thousands, 
7668the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place. 
7669
767018 You ascended the high mount, 
7671leading captives in your train 
7672and receiving gifts from people, 
7673
7674even from those who rebel against the LORD God's abiding there. 
7675
767619 Blessed be the Lord, 
7677who daily bears us up; 
7678God is our salvation. 
7679
768020 Our God is a God of salvation, 
7681and to GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death. 
7682
76831123 
7684
7685
7686
7687PSALMS 1124 
7688
7689
769021 But God will shatter the heads of his enemies, 
7691the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways. 
769222 The Lord said, 
7693"I will bring them back from Bashan, 
7694I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 
7695
769623 so that you may bathe your feet in blood, 
7697so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share 
7698from the foe." 
7699
770024 Your solemn processions are seen, O God, 
7701the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary — 
770225 the singers in front, the musicians last, 
7703between them girls playing tambourines: 
770426 "Bless God in the great congregation, 
7705the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!" 
7706
770727 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, 
7708the princes of Judah in a body, 
7709the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 
7710
771128 Summon your might, O God; 
7712show your strength, O God, as you have done for us before. 
771329 Because of your temple at Jerusalem 
7714kings bear gifts to you. 
771530 Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds, 
7716the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. 
7717Trample under foot those who lust after tribute; 
7718scatter the peoples who delight in war. 
771931 Let bronze be brought from Egypt; 
7720let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God. 
7721
772232 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; 
7723sing praises to the Lord, 
772433 O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; 
7725listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 
7726
772734 Ascribe power to God, 
7728whose majesty is over Israel; 
7729and whose power is in the skies. 
7730
77311124 
7732
7733
7734
7735PSALMS 1125 
7736
7737
773835 Awesome is God in his sanctuary, 
7739
7740the God of Israel; 
7741
7742he gives power and strength to his people. 
7743
7744Blessed be God! 
7745
7746[Psalm 69] 
7747Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7748
7749
77501 Save me, O God, 
7751for the waters have come up to my neck. 
77522 I sink in deep mire, 
7753where there is no foothold; 
7754I have come into deep waters, 
7755and the flood sweeps over me. 
77563 I am weary with my crying; 
7757my throat is parched. 
7758My eyes grow dim 
7759with waiting for my God. 
7760
77614 More in number than the hairs of my head 
7762are those who hate me without cause; 
7763many are those who would destroy me, 
7764my enemies who accuse me falsely. 
7765What I did not steal 
7766must I now restore? 
77675 O God, you know my folly; 
7768the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. 
7769
77706 Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, 
7771O Lord GOD of hosts; 
7772do not let those who seek you be dishonored because of me, 
7773O God of Israel. 
77747 It is for your sake that I have borne reproach, 
7775that shame has covered my face. 
77768 I have become a stranger to my kindred, 
7777an alien to my mother's children. 
7778
77791125 
7780
7781
7782
7783PSALMS 1126 
7784
7785
77869 It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; 
7787the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 
778810 When I humbled my soul with fasting, 
7789they insulted me for doing so. 
779011 When I made sackcloth my clothing, 
7791I became a byword to them. 
779212 I am the subject of gossip for those who sit in the gate, 
7793and the drunkards make songs about me. 
7794
779513 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. 
7796At an acceptable time, O God, 
7797in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. 
7798
7799With your faithful help 14 rescue me 
7800from sinking in the mire; 
7801let me be delivered from my enemies 
7802and from the deep waters. 
7803
7804
780515 Do not let the flood sweep over me, 
7806or the deep swallow me up, 
7807or the Pit close its mouth over me. 
7808
780916 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; 
7810according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. 
781117 Do not hide your face from your servant, 
7812for I am in distress — make haste to answer me. 
781318 Draw near to me, redeem me, 
7814set me free because of my enemies. 
7815
781619 You know the insults I receive, 
7817and my shame and dishonor; 
7818my foes are all known to you. 
7819
782020 Insults have broken my heart, 
7821so that I am in despair. 
7822I looked for pity, but there was none; 
7823and for comforters, but I found none. 
782421 They gave me poison for food, 
7825and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 
7826
78271126 
7828
7829
7830
7831PSALMS 1127 
7832
7833
783422 Let their table be a trap for them, 
7835a snare for their allies. 
783623 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, 
7837and make their loins tremble continually. 
783824 Pour out your indignation upon them, 
7839and let your burning anger overtake them. 
784025 May their camp be a desolation; 
7841let no one live in their tents. 
784226 For they persecute those whom you have struck down, 
7843and those whom you have wounded, they attack still more. 
784427 Add guilt to their guilt; 
7845may they have no acquittal from you. 
784628 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; 
7847let them not be enrolled among the righteous. 
784829 But I am lowly and in pain; 
7849let your salvation, O God, protect me. 
7850
785130 I will praise the name of God with a song; 
7852I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 
785331 This will please the LORD more than an ox 
7854or a bull with horns and hoofs. 
785532 Let the oppressed see it and be glad; 
7856you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 
785733 For the LORD hears the needy, 
7858and does not despise his own that are in bonds. 
7859
786034 Let heaven and earth praise him, 
7861the seas and everything that moves in them. 
786235 For God will save Zion 
7863and rebuild the cities of Judah; 
7864and his servants shall live there and possess it; 
786536 the children of his servants shall inherit it, 
7866and those who love his name shall live in it. 
7867
78681127 
7869
7870
7871
7872PSALMS 1128 
7873
7874
7875[Psalm 70] 
7876Prayer for deliverance from enemies 
7877
7878
78791 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. 
7880O LORD, make haste to help me! 
78812 Let those be put to shame and confusion 
7882who seek my life. 
7883Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor 
7884who desire to hurt me. 
78853 Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!" 
7886turn back because of their shame. 
7887
78884 Let all who seek you 
7889rejoice and be glad in you. 
7890Let those who love your salvation 
7891say evermore, "God is great!" 
78925 But I am poor and needy; 
7893hasten to me, O God! 
7894You are my help and my deliverer; 
7895O LORD, do not delay! 
7896
7897[Psalm 71] 
7898Prayer in old age 
7899
79001 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; 
7901let me never be put to shame. 
79022 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; 
7903incline your ear to me and save me. 
7904
79053 Be to me a rock of refuge, 
7906a strong fortress, to save me, 
7907for you are my rock and my fortress. 
7908
79094 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, 
7910from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 
79115 For you, O Lord, are my hope, 
7912my trust, O LORD, from my youth. 
7913
79141128 
7915
7916
7917
7918PSALMS 1129 
7919
7920
79216 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; 
7922it was you who took me from my mother's womb. 
7923My praise is continually of you. 
7924
79257 I have been like a portent to many, 
7926but you are my strong refuge. 
79278 My mouth is filled with your praise, 
7928and with your glory all day long. 
79299 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; 
7930do not forsake me when my strength is spent. 
793110 For my enemies speak concerning me, 
7932and those who watch for my life consult together. 
7933
793411 They say, "Pursue and seize that person 
7935whom God has forsaken, 
7936for there is no one to deliver." 
7937
793812 O God, do not be far from me; 
7939O my God, make haste to help me! 
7940
794113 Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed; 
7942let those who seek to hurt me 
7943be covered with scorn and disgrace. 
7944
794514 But I will hope continually, 
7946and will praise you yet more and more. 
7947
794815 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, 
7949of your deeds of salvation all day long, 
7950though their number is past my knowledge. 
7951
795216 I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD, 
7953I will praise your righteousness, yours alone. 
7954
795517 O God, from my youth you have taught me, 
7956and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 
795718 So even to old age and gray hairs, 
7958O God, do not forsake me, 
7959until I proclaim your might 
7960to all the generations to come. 
7961Your power 19 and your righteousness, O God, 
7962reach the high heavens. 
7963
79641129