You're truly happy when you love the LORD's teaching and keep turning it over, day and night. You're like a tree by a stream. Fruit when it's time. Leaves that don't dry up.
PSALM 1:1–3 · BSB
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.
Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Running from my own son, Absalom. More and more of them against me every day, and they're all saying it: God won't get him out of this one.
PSALM 3:1–2 · BSB
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah
Running, is he. He came past Bahurim, where I live, and I threw stones at him and told him straight: get out, you murderer. The LORD's paying you back for Saul's family. He's given your kingdom to Absalom.
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”
Looked up at the night sky. The moon, the stars, the work of your fingers. Who are we, that you'd even think about us?
PSALM 8:3–4 · BSB
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
How long, LORD? Are you going to forget me for ever? How long are you going to hide your face? How long do I carry this, sad every single day?
PSALM 13:1–2 · BSB
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?
You won't abandon me to the grave. You won't let your holy one see decay. You've shown me the path of life.
PSALM 16:10–11 · BSB
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
The day the LORD got me out from all my enemies, and from Saul. Years of running, over.
I love you, LORD. You're my rock, my fortress. You reached down from up there and pulled me out of deep water.
PSALM 18:1–2; PSALM 18:16 · BSB
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.
The skies are telling everyone how glorious God is. No speech, no words, not a sound. And their voice still goes out to the whole earth.
PSALM 19:1–4 · BSB
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I cry out all day and you don't answer. All night too.
PSALM 22:1–2 · BSB
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
They look at me and laugh. If he trusts the LORD so much, they say, let the LORD rescue him. They've pierced my hands and my feet. They're throwing dice for my clothes.
PSALM 22:7–8; PSALM 22:16–18 · BSB
All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.” For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
The LORD is my shepherd. I have everything I need.
Green fields. Quiet water. He brings me back to life. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I won't be afraid, because you're with me. My cup's overflowing.
PSALM 23:1–6 · BSB
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Open up, you gates. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty. The LORD, mighty in battle.
PSALM 24:7–8 · BSB
Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
One thing I've asked the LORD. Just one. To live in his house every day of my life and look at how beautiful he is.
PSALM 27:4 · BSB
One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
Every crack of thunder is the voice of the LORD. It's snapping the cedars of Lebanon. And in his temple everyone's shouting, “Glory!”
PSALM 29:3–5; PSALM 29:9 · BSB
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”
When I kept quiet about what I'd done, I wasted away. Groaning all day. Your hand heavy on me day and night.
Then I owned up. Stopped hiding it. And you forgave me. All of it.
PSALM 32:3–5 · BSB
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Wrote this one after pretending to be mad in front of the king in Gath. Scratching at the gate, spit running down my beard. He threw me out.
Taste and see that the LORD is good.
PSALM 34:1; 1 SAMUEL 21:13; PSALM 34:8 · BSB
Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Am I really so short of madmen that you bring this one here to rave in front of me? Is this man to come into my house?
1 SAMUEL 21:14–15 · BSB
Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me? Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?”
LORD, show me how short my life is. Even at our strongest, every one of us is just a breath.
PSALM 39:4–5 · BSB
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah
Waited and waited for the LORD. He leaned down and heard me. Pulled me out of the mud, put my feet on a rock, and gave me a new song.
PSALM 40:1–3 · BSB
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
As a deer pants for streams of water, that's how I long for you, God. When can I go and stand in front of him?
PSALM 42:1–2 · BSB
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?
We haven't forgotten you. We haven't broken our agreement with you. So wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping?
PSALM 44:17; PSALM 44:23 · BSB
All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten You or betrayed Your covenant. Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.
God is our refuge and strength, always there when things go wrong. So we won't be afraid, even if the mountains fall into the sea.
PSALM 46:1–2 · BSB
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,
Don't be intimidated when someone gets rich. They take none of it with them when they die.
PSALM 49:16–17 · BSB
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.
For anyone who thinks God needs their sacrifices: God says the cattle on a thousand hills are already his. And if he were hungry, he wouldn't tell you.
PSALM 50:10–12 · BSB
for every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.
Nathan the prophet came to see me. After Bathsheba. I'm not going to dress this one up.
God, have mercy on me. I know what I've done. I can't stop seeing it. It's you I've sinned against. You, most of all.
PSALM 51:1–4 · BSB
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
I told you a story about a rich man who took a poor man's only lamb. You were furious. Then I said it: you are the man.
2 SAMUEL 12:1–7 · BSB
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.” David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.
If an enemy had said it, I could take it. But it was you. My friend. We used to walk to God's house together.
PSALM 55:12–14 · BSB
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
Same trip to Gath, before the madman act. The Philistines had grabbed me. What I kept saying: when I'm afraid, I trust you. What can a human being actually do to me?
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
In a cave, hiding from Saul. I'll shelter in the shadow of your wings until this storm has passed.
PSALM 57:1 · BSB
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
Out in the Judean desert. Dry, worn-out land, no water, and I'm thirstier for you, God. Your love is better than life.
PSALM 63:1; PSALM 63:3 · BSB
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
Where I was when I wrote some of these:
1. Running from my son Absalom.
2. Pretending to be mad in Gath.
3. After Nathan came.
4. After Doeg told Saul I'd been at Ahimelech's house.
5. After the people of Ziph told Saul where I was.
6. When the Philistines grabbed me in Gath.
7. In the cave, running from Saul.
8. When Saul had men watching my house to kill me.
9. In the desert of Judah.
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might! For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed. For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
Number five still stings. The people of Ziph went all the way to Saul to tell him I was hiding out in their hills.
PSALM 54:1; 1 SAMUEL 23:19 · BSB
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might! Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. God puts lonely people in families.
PSALM 68:5–6 · BSB
A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation. God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
A prayer for the king: may he rescue the needy who cry out, and the poor with nobody to help them.
PSALM 72:1; PSALM 72:12 · BSB
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.
Honest post. I nearly lost my footing. I was jealous of arrogant people, watching them do well. Not a care in the world, and getting richer.
PSALM 73:2–3; PSALM 73:12 · BSB
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Who have I got in heaven but you? And on earth I want nothing besides you. My body and my heart may fail, but God is my strength, for ever.
PSALM 73:25–26 · BSB
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Up all night with it. Will the Lord reject us for ever? Has his love run out? Has God forgotten how to be kind?
PSALM 77:4; PSALM 77:7–9 · BSB
You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak. “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah
We're not hiding it from our kids. We'll tell the next generation what the LORD has done.
PSALM 78:4 · BSB
We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed.
God takes his place in the great assembly and judges the “gods”. How long are they going to judge unfairly? He tells them to defend the weak and the fatherless, and stand up for the poor and the oppressed.
PSALM 82:1–3 · BSB
A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
The place where you live is so lovely, LORD. I long for it. I actually ache for it. Even the sparrow's found a home there, a nest for her young near your altar.
PSALM 84:1–3 · BSB
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts! My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God.
Better one day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I'd rather stand at the door of my God's house than live in the tents of the wicked.
PSALM 84:10 · BSB
For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives from the Korahites were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their fathers had been assigned to guard the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD.
Day and night I cry out to you, LORD. My life is close to the grave. You've taken my friends away. Darkness is my closest friend.
PSALM 88:1; PSALM 88:3; PSALM 88:18 · BSB
A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.
A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.
Before the mountains were born, from for ever to for ever, you're God. A thousand years to you are like yesterday once it's gone.
PSALM 90:1–2; PSALM 90:4 · BSB
A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.
We get seventy years. Eighty if we're strong. Then they're gone, and we fly away. So teach us to count our days, and give us wise hearts.
PSALM 90:10; PSALM 90:12 · BSB
The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
Good people will still be bearing fruit when they're old. Still green, still full of life.
PSALM 92:12–14 · BSB
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,
If you hear his voice today, don't harden your hearts.
PSALM 95:7–8 · BSB
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness,
He made us, and we're his. His people, the sheep of his pasture. Go in through his gates saying thank you.
PSALM 100:3–4 · BSB
Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.
Things God made, according to this song:
1. Grass for the cattle.
2. Wine to make people happy.
3. Oil to make faces shine.
4. Bread to keep us going.
5. Leviathan, just to play in the sea.
PSALM 104:14–15; PSALM 104:26 · BSB
He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.
Sailors know. Waves up to the sky and down to the depths. Reeling and staggering like drunks, at their wits' end. They cry to the LORD, and he hushes the storm to a whisper.
PSALM 107:23–29 · BSB
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
He lifts the poor out of the dust and sits them with princes. He gives the woman with no children a home, and makes her a happy mother.
PSALM 113:7–9 · BSB
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people. He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!
The sea saw it and ran. The mountains skipped like rams. So, sea, what was wrong? Why did you run?
PSALM 114:3–5 · BSB
The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
Their idols, a quick review:
Mouths. Can't speak.
Eyes. Can't see.
Ears. Can't hear.
Noses. Can't smell.
Feet. Can't walk.
And the people who make them will end up just like them.
PSALM 115:4–8 · BSB
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
Shortest song in the book. Two lines. Praise the LORD, all you nations: his love for us is great, and his faithfulness lasts for ever. That's it. That's the song.
PSALM 117:1–2 · BSB
Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples! For great is His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah!
This one's 176 verses long. Twenty-two sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and nearly every line is about God's word. It opens: people who live clean lives, who follow the LORD's teaching, are truly happy.
PSALM 119:1 · BSB
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
I look up at the hills. Where's my help coming from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He won't let your foot slip. The one who watches over you never dozes off. He never sleeps.
PSALM 121:1–4 · BSB
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
When the LORD brought us home to Zion, it felt like a dream. We couldn't stop laughing. Even the other nations said it: the LORD has done great things for them.
PSALM 126:1–2 · BSB
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders are wasting their time. Up early, up late, working hard for your bread. Pointless. He gives sleep to the people he loves.
PSALM 127:1–2 · BSB
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.
I'm crying out to you from the depths, LORD. If you kept a record of our wrongs, who could stand? But with you there's forgiveness.
PSALM 130:1; PSALM 130:3–4 · BSB
A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.
How good and pleasant it is when brothers get along. Like precious oil poured on the head, running down the beard. Aaron's beard. Down on to the collar of his robes.
PSALM 133:1–2 · BSB
A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
To everyone serving through the night in the house of the LORD: lift your hands in the sanctuary and praise him.
PSALM 134:1–2 · BSB
A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!
Give thanks to the LORD, because he's good. He made the skies. He made the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to rule the night.
Every line of this song gets the same answer. You know it.
PSALM 136:1; PSALM 136:5; PSALM 136:7–9 · BSB
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever. By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever. He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.
Jerusalem's gone, and they've marched us off to Babylon. By its rivers we sat down and cried when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps on the willows.
PSALM 137:1–2 · BSB
By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the willows we hung our harps,
LORD, you've looked right through me, and you know me. Before a word's even on my tongue, you know it.
PSALM 139:1–4 · BSB
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.
Where could I go from your Spirit? If I go up to heaven, you're there. If I lie down in the depths, you're there. If I fly off on the wings of the dawn to the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me.
PSALM 139:7–10 · BSB
Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.
You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I'm fearfully and wonderfully made.
PSALM 139:13–14 · BSB
For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.
Back in the cave. I look to my right, and nobody's there. Nobody cares whether I live.
PSALM 142:1; PSALM 142:4 · BSB
A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy. Look to my right and see; no one attends to me. There is no refuge for me; no one cares for my soul.
Everything told to praise the LORD in this one:
1. Angels.
2. Sun, moon and stars.
3. Sea monsters.
4. Lightning, hail, snow and clouds.
5. Mountains, fruit trees, cedars.
6. Wild animals, cattle, birds and things that crawl.
7. Kings.
8. Young men and young women.
9. Old and young together.
PSALM 148:2–3; PSALM 148:7–12 · BSB
Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth, young men and maidens, old and young together.
Praise him with the horn. With harp and lyre. With tambourine and dancing. With strings and flute. With cymbals. Loud cymbals. Crashing cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
PSALM 150:3–6 · BSB
Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!
David@davidRunning from my own son, Absalom. More and more of them against me every day, and they're all saying it: God won't get him out of this one.
An Israelite in the camp
