INTRODUCTION
Thiscollectionofeighteenwarsongsarethegiftofan ancientSemiticwriterTheoriginalmanuscripthas perishedbutfortunatelyGreektranslationshavebeen preserved,andrecentlyaSyriacversionofthesamesongs hasturnedupandwaspublishedinEnglishforthefirst timein1909byDrRendelHarris
Thedateofthewritingmaybeestablishedatthemiddleof theFirstCenturyBCbecausethethemeofthesesongsis thatofPompey'sactionsinPalestineandhisdeathinEgypt in48BC
Thesepsalmshadanimportantpositionandwerewidely circulatedintheearlyChurchTheyarefrequentlyreferred tointhevariousCodexesandhistoriesofthefirstfew centuriesoftheChristianEra.
Later,theybecamelostthroughinexplicablereasons;and haveonlybeenrecoveredforouruseafterthelapseof manycenturies
Besidestheliteraryvalueofthetrumpet-likerhythmof theseverses,wehavehereachapterofstirringancient historywrittenbyaneyewitnessPompeycomesoutofthe West.Heusesbattering-ramsonthefortifications.His soldiersdefilethealtarHeisslaininEgyptafterafearful careerInthe"righteous"ofthesepsalmsweseethe Pharisees;inthe"sinners"weseetheSadduceesItisan epicofagreatpeopleinthethroesofagreatcrisis
CHAPTER1
IcrieduntotheLordwhenIwasindistress, UntoGodwhensinnersassailed. Suddenlythealarmofwarwasheardbeforeme; Isaid,HewillhearkentomeforIamfullof righteousness
IthoughtinmyheartthatIwasfullofrighteousness, BecauseIwaswelloffandhadbecomerichinchildren. Theirwealthspreadtothewholeearth, Andtheirgloryuntotheendoftheearth Theywereexalteduntothestars; Theysaidtheywouldneverfan
Buttheybecameinsolentintheirprosperity, Andtheywerewithoutunderstanding, Theirsinswereinsecret,
AndevenIhadnoknowledgeofthem Theirtransgressionswentbeyondthoseoftheheathen beforethem;
TheyutterlypollutedtheholythingsoftheLord
CHAPTER2
Whenthesinnerwaxedproud,withabattering-ramhecast downfortifiedwalls,
Andthoudidstnotrestrainhim
AliennationsascendedThinealtar,
Theytrampleditproudlywiththeirsandals;
BecausethesonsofJerusalemhaddefiledtheholythings oftheLord,
HadprofanedwithiniquitiestheofferingsofGod
ThereforeHesaid:CastthemfarfromMe;
ItwassetatnaughtbeforeGod, Itwasutterlydishonoured; Thesonsandthedaughtersweremgrievouscaptivity, Sealedwastheirneck,brandedwasitamongthenations.
AccordingtotheirsinshathHedoneuntothem, ForHehathlefttheminthehandsofthemthatprevailed. HehathturnedawayHisfacefrompityingthem, Youngandoldandtheirchildrentogether; Fortheyhaddoneeviloneandall,innothearkening. Andtheheavenswereangry, Andtheearthabhorredthem; Fornomanuponithaddonewhattheydid, Andtheearthrecognizedall Thyrighteousjudgements,OGod
TheysetthesonsofJerusalemtobemockedatinreturn fortheharlotsinher;
Everywayfarerenteredininthefulllightofday Theymademockwiththeirtransgressions,asthey themselveswerewonttodo;
Inthefulllightofdaytheyrevealedtheiriniquities. AndthedaughtersofJerusalemweredefiledinaccordance withThyjudgement, Becausetheyhaddefiledthemselveswithunnatural intercourse.
Iampainedinmybowelsandmyinwardpartsforthese things
AndyetIwilljustifyThee,OGod,inuprightnessofheart, ForinThyjudgementsisThyrighteousnessdisplayed,O God
ForThouhastrenderedtothesinnersaccordingtotheir deeds,
Yea,accordingtotheirsins,whichwereverywicked. Thouhastuncoveredtheirsins,thatThyjudgementmight bemanifest;
Thouhastwipedouttheirmemorialfromtheearth Godisarighteousjudge, Andheisnorespecterofpersons.
ForthenationsreproachedJerusalem,tramplingitdown; Herbeautywasdraggeddownfromthethroneofglory. Shegirdedonsackclothinsteadofcomelyraiment, Aropewasaboutherheadinsteadofacrown
SheputoffthegloriousdiademwhichGodhadsetupon her, Indishonourwasherbeautycastupontheground
AndIsawandentreatedtheLordandsaid,
Longenough,OLordhasThinehandbeenheavyon Israel,inbringingthenationsuponthem.
Fortheyhavemadesportunsparinglyinwrathandfierce anger;
Andtheywillmakeanutterend,unlessThou,OLord, rebuketheminThywrath
Fortheyhavedoneitnotinzeal,butinlustofsoul, Pouringouttheirwrathuponuswithaviewtorapine.
Delaynot,OGod,torecompensethemontheirheads, Toturntheprideofthedragonintodishonour
AndIhadnotlongtowaitbeforeGodshowedmethe insolentone
SlainonthemountainsofEgypt,
Esteemedoflessaccountthantheleast,onlandandsea; Hisbody,too,bornehitherandthitheronthebillowswith muchinsolence,
Withnonetoburyhim,becauseHehadrejectedhimwith dishonour.
Hereflectednotthathewasman, Andreflectednotonthelatterend; Hesaid:Iwillbelordoflandandsea;
AndherecognizednotthatitisGodwhoisgreat, MightyinHisgreatstrength.
Heiskingovertheheavens, Andjudgethkingsandkingdoms
ItisHewhosettethmeupinglory, Andbringethdowntheproudtoeternaldestructionin dishonour, BecausetheyknewHimnot.
Andnowbehold,yeprincesoftheearth,thejudgementof theLord,
ForagreatkingandrighteousisHe,judgingallthatis underheaven.
BlessGod,yethatfeartheLordwithwisdom, ForthemercyoftheLordwill~euponthemthatfear Him,mtheJudgement;
SothatHewilldistinguishbetweentherighteousandthe sinner,
Andrecompensethesinnersforeveraccordingtotheir deeds;
Andhavemercyontherighteous,deliveringhimfromthe afflictionofthesinner,
Andrecompensingthesinnerforwhathebathdonetothe righteous
FortheLordisgoodtothemthatcalluponHiminpatience, DoingaccordingtoHismercytoHispiousones, EstablishingthematalltimesbeforeHiminstrength
BlessedbetheLordforeverbeforeHisservants
CHAPTER3
Whysleepestthou,Omysoul, AndblessestnottheLord?
Singanewsong,
UntoGodwhoisworthytobepraised SingandbewakefulagainstHisawaking, ForgoodisapsalmsungtoGodfromagladheart
TherighteousremembertheLordatalltimes,
Withthanksgivinganddeclarationoftherighteousnessof theLord'sjudgements
TherighteousdespisethnotthechasteningoftheLord; HiswillisalwaysbeforetheLord
TherighteousstumblethandholdeththeLordrighteous:
HefallethandlookethoutforwhatGodwilldotohim; Heseekethoutwhencehisdeliverancewillcome
ThesteadfastnessoftherighteousisfromGod,their deliverer;
Therelodgethnotinthehouseoftherighteoussinuponsin Therighteouscontinuallysearchethhishouse, Toremoveutterlyalliniquitydonebyhiminerror.
Hemakethatonementforsinsofignorancebyfastingand afflictinghissoul,
AndtheLordcountethguiltlesseverypiousmanandhis house
Thesinnerstumblethandcursethhislife
Thedaywhenhewasbegotten,andhismother'stravail. Headdethsinstosins,whileheliveth; Hefalleth--verilygrievousishisfall--andrisethnomore Thedestructionofthesinnerisforever, Andheshallnotberemembered,whentherighteousis visited Thisistheportionofsinnersforever.
ButtheythatfeartheLordshallrisetolifeeternal, AndtheirlifeshallbeinthelightoftheLord,andshall cometoanendnomore
CHAPTER4
Whereforesittestthou,Oprofaneman,inthecouncilofthe pious,
SeeingthatthyheartisfarremovedfromtheLord, ProvokingwithtransgressionstheGodofIsrael?
Extravagantinspeech,extravagantinoutwardseeming beyondallmen, Ishethatissevereofspeechincondemningsinnersin judgement.
Andhishandisfirstuponhimasthoughheactedinzeal, Andyetheishimselfguiltyinrespectofmanifoldsins andofwantonness
Hiseyesareuponeverywomanwithoutdistinction; Histongueliethwhenhemakethcontractwithanoath. Bynightandinsecrethesinnethasthoughunseen, Withhiseyeshetalkethtoeverywomanofevilcompacts Heisswifttoentereveryhousewithcheerfulnessas thoughguileless.
LetGodremovethosethatliveinhypocrisyinthe companyofthepious, Eventhelifeofsuchanonewithcorruptionofhisflesh andpenury.
LetGodrevealthedeedsofthemen-pleasers, Thedeedsofsuchanonewithlaughterandderision; Thatthepiousmaycountrighteousthejudgementoftheir God,
Whensinnersareremovedfrombeforetherighteous, Eventheman-pleaserwhoutterethlawguilefully. Andtheireyesarefixeduponanyman'shousethatisstill secure, Thattheymay,liketheSerpent,destroythewisdomof... withwordsoftransgressors, Hiswordsaredeceitfulthathemayaccomplishhiswicked desire.
Heneverceasethfromscatteringfamiliesasthoughthey wereorphans, Yea,helayethwasteahouseonaccountofhislawless desire
Hedeceivethwithwords,saying,Thereisnonethatseeth, orjudgeth.
Hefillsonehousewithlawlessness, Andthenhiseyesarefixeduponthenexthouse, Todestroyitwithwordsthatgivewingtodesire. YetwithallthesehissoullikeSheol,isnotsated
Lethisportion,OLord,bedishonouredbeforethee; Lethimgoforthgroaning,andcomehomecursed.
Lethislifebespentinanguish,andpenury,andwant,O Lord;
Lethissleepbebesetwithpainsandhisawakingwith perplexities
Letsleepbewithdrawnfromhiseyelidsatnight; Lethimfaildishonourablyineveryworkofhishands.
Lethimcomehomeempty-handedtohishouse, Andhishousebevoidofeverythingwherewithhecould satehisappetite.
Lethisoldagebespentinchildlesslonelinessuntilhis removalbydeath
Letthefleshofthemen-pleasersberentbywildbeasts, Andletthebonesofthelawlessliedishonouredinthe sightofthesun.
Letravenspeckouttheeyesofthehypocrites
Fortheyhavelaidwastemanyhousesofmen,indishonour, Andscatteredthemintheirlust; AndtheyhavenotrememberedGod, NorfearedGodinallthesethings; ButtheyhaveprovokedGod'sangerandvexedHim.
MayHeremovethemfromofftheearth, Becausewithdeceittheybeguiledthesoulsofthe flawless.
BlessedaretheythatfeartheLordintheirflawlessness; TheLordshalldeliverthemfromguilefulmenand sinners,
Anddeliverusfromeverystumbling-blockofthelawless (men)
LetGoddestroythemthatinsolentlyworkall unrighteousness, ForagreatandmightyjudgeistheLordourGodin righteousness
LetThymercy,OLord,beuponallthemthatloveThee
CHAPTER5
OLordGod,IwillpraiseThynamewithjoy, InthemidstofthemthatknowThyrighteousjudgements. ForThouartgoodandmerciful,therefugeofthepoor; WhenIcrytoThee,donotsilentlydisregardme Fornomantakethspoilfromamightyman; Who,then,cantakeaughtofathatThouhastmade, exceptThouThyselfgivest?
FormanandhisportionliebeforeTheeinthebalance; Hecannotaddto,soastoenlarge,whathasbeen prescribedbyThee
OGod,whenweareindistresswecalluponTheeforhelp, AndThoudostnotturnbackourpetition,forThouartour God.
CausenotThyhandtobeheavyuponus, Lestthroughnecessitywesin
EventhoughThourestoreusnot,wewillnotkeepaway; ButuntoTheewillwecome
ForifIhunger,untoTheewillIcry,OGod; AndThouwiltgivetome.
BirdsandfishdostThounourish, InthatThougivestraintothesteppesthatgreengrass mayspringup, Sotopreparefodderinthesteppeforeverylivingthing; Andiftheyhunger,untoTheedotheyliftuptheirface KingsandrulersandpeoplesThoudostnourish,OGod; Andwhoisthehelpofthepoorandneedy,ifnotThou,O Lord?
AndThouwilthearken--forwhoisgoodandgentlebut thou?--
MakinggladthesoulofthehumblebyopeningThine handinmercy.
Man'sgoodnessisbestowedgrudginglyand; Andifherepeatitwithoutmurmuring,eventhatis marvellous
ButThygiftisgreatingoodnessandwealth, AndhewhosehopeissetonTheeshallhavenolackof gifts
UponthewholeearthisThymercy,OLord,ingoodness
HappyishewhomGodrememberethingrantingtohima duesufficiency;
Ifamanaboundovermuch,hesinneth.
Sufficientaremoderatemeanswithrighteousness,
AndherebytheblessingoftheLordbecomesabundance withrighteousness.
TheythatfeartheLordrejoiceingoodgifts, AndthygoodnessisuponIsraelinThykingdom
BlessedisthegloryoftheLord,forHeisourking
CHAPTER6
Happyisthemanwhoseheartisfixedtocalluponthe nameoftheLord;
WhenheremembereththenameoftheLord,hewillbe saved.
HiswaysaremadeevenbytheLord,
AndtheworksofhishandsarepreservedbytheLordhis God.
Atwhatheseesinhisbaddreams,hissoulshallnotbe troubled;
Whenhepassesthroughriversandthetossingoftheseas, heshallnotbedismayed
Hearisethfromhissleep,andblesseththenameofthe Lord:
Whenhisheartisatpeace,hesingethtothenameofhis God,
AndheentreateththeLordforallhishouse.
AndtheLordheareththeprayerofeveryonethatfeareth God,
AndeveryrequestofthesoulthathopesforHimdoththe Lordaccomplish
BlessedistheLord,whoshowethmercytothosewholove Himinsincerity
CHAPTER7
MakenotThydwellingafarfromus,OGod; Lesttheyassailusthathateuswithoutcause. ForThouhastrejectedthem,OGod;
LetnottheirfoottrampleuponThyholyinheritance
ChastenusThyselfinThygoodpleasure;
Butgiveusnotuptothenations; For,ifThousendestpestilence,
ThouThyselfgivestitchargeconcerningus; ForThouartmerciful,
Andwiltnotbeangrytothepointofconsumingus
WhileThynamedwellethinourmidst,weshallfind mercy;
Andthenationsshallnotprevailagainstus
ForThouartourshield,
AndwhenwecalluponThee,Thouhearkenesttous; ForThouwiltpitytheseedofIsraelforever
AndThouwiltnotrejectthem:
Butweshall,beunderThyyokeforever, AndundertherodofThychastening
ThouwiltestablishusinthetimethatThouhelpestus, ShowingmercytothehouseofJacobonthedaywherein Thoudidstpromisetohelpthem
CHAPTER8
Distressandthesoundofwarhathmyearheard, Thesoundofatrumpetannouncingslaughterand calamity,
Thesoundofmuchpeopleasofanexceedinghighwind, Asatempestwithmightyfiresweepingthroughthe Negeb
AndIsaidinmyheart,SurelyGodjudgethus;
AsoundIhearmovingtowardsJerusalem,theholycity
MyloinswerebrokenatwhatIheard,mykneestottered; Myheartwasafraid,mybonesweredismayedlikeflax Isaid:Theyestablishtheirwaysinrighteousness
IthoughtuponthejudgmentsofGodsincethecreationof heavenandearth;
IheldGodrighteousinHisjudgementswhichhavebeen fromofold
Godbaretheirsinsinthefulllightofday;
Alltheearthcametoknowtherighteousjudgementsof God
Insecretplacesundergroundtheiriniquitieswere committedtoprovokeHimtoanger;
Theywroughtconfusion,sonwithmotherandfatherwith daughter;
Theycommittedadultery,everymanwithhisneighhour's wife
Theyconcludedcovenantswithoneanotherwithanoath touchingthesethings;
TheyplunderedthesanctuaryofGod,asthoughtherewas noavenger
TheytrodethealtaroftheLord,comingstraightfromall mannerofuncleanness;
Andwithmenstrualbloodtheydefiledthesacrifices,as thoughthesewerecommonflesh.
Theyleftnosinundone,whereintheysurpassednotthe heathen
ThereforeGodmingledforthemaspiritofwandering;
Andgavethemtodrinkacupofundilutedwine,thatthey mightbecomedrunken.
Hebroughthimthatisfromtheendoftheearth,that smitethmightily;
HedecreedwaragainstJerusalem,andagainstherland. Theprincesofthelandwenttomeethimwithjoy:they saiduntohim:
Blessedbethyway!Comeye,enteryeinwithpeace. Theymadetheroughwayseven,beforehisenteringin; TheyopenedthegatestoJerusalem,theycrownedits walls.
Asafatherentereththehouseofhissons,soheentered Jerusaleminpeace; Heestablishedhisfeetthereingreatsafety
HecapturedherfortressesandthewallofJerusalem;
ForGodHimselfledhiminsafety,whiletheywandered. Hedestroyedtheirprincesandeveryonewiseincounsel; HepouredoutthebloodoftheinhabitantsofJerusalem, likethewaterofuncleanness.
Heledawaytheirsonsanddaughters,whomtheyhad begottenindefilement
Theydidaccordingtotheiruncleanness,evenastheir fathershaddone:
TheydefiledJerusalemandthethingsthathadbeen hallowedtothenameofGod
ButGodhathshownHimselfrighteousinHisjudgements uponthenationsoftheearth;
AndthepiousservantsofGodarelikeinnocentlambsin theirmidst
WorthytobepraisedistheLordthatjudgeththewhole earthinHisrighteousness
Behold,now,OGod,ThouhastshownusThyjudgement inThyrighteousness;
OureyeshaveseenThyjudgements,OGod.
WehavejustifiedThynamethatishonouredforever; ForThouaretheGodofrighteousness,judgingIsrael withchastening.
Turn,OGod,Thymercyuponus,andhavepityuponus; GathertogetherthedispersedofIsrael,withmercyand goodness; ForThyfaithfulnessiswithus, Andthoughwehavestiffenedourneck,yetThouartour chastener;
Overlookusnot,OourGod,lestthenationsswallowus up,asthoughtherewerenonetodeliver.
ButThouartourGodfromthebeginning, AnduponTheeisourhopeset,OLord; AndwewillnotdepartfromThee, ForgoodareThyjudgementsuponus
Oursandourchildren'sbeThygoodpleasureforever; OLord,ourSaviour,weshallnevermorebemoved TheLordisworthytobepraisedforHisjudgementswith themouthofHispiousones;
AndblessedbeIsraeloftheLordforever
CHAPTER9
WhenIsraelwasledawaycaptiveintoastrangeland, WhentheyfellawayfromtheLordwhoredeemedthem,
Theywerecastawayfromtheinheritance,whichtheLord hadgiventhem
AmongeverynationwerethedispersedofIsraelaccording tothewordofGod,
ThatThoumightestbejustified,OGod,inThy righteousnessbyreasonofourtransgressions:
ForThouartajustjudgeoverallthepeoplesoftheearth
ForfromThyknowledgenonethatdoethunjustlyishidden, AndtherighteousdeedsofThypiousonesarebefore Thee,OLord;
Where,then,canamanhidehimselffromThyknowledge, OGod?
Ourworksaresubjecttoourownchoiceandpower Todorightorwrongintheworksofourhands; AndinThyrighteousnessThouvisitestthesonsofmen.
Hethatdoethrighteousnesslayethuplifeforhimselfwith theLord;
Andhethatdoethwronglyforfeitshislifetodestruction; ForthejudgementsoftheLordaregiveninrighteousness toeverymanandhishouse
UntowhomartThougood,OGod,excepttothemthatcall upontheLord?
Hecleansethfromsinsasoulwhenitmakethconfession, whenitmakethacknowledgement;
Forshameisuponusanduonourfacesonaccountofall thesethings
AndtowhomdothHeforgivesins,excepttothemthat havesinned?
Thoublessesttherighteous,anddostnotreprovethemfor thesinsthattheyhavecommitted;
AndThygoodnessisuponthemthatsin,whenthey repent.
And,now,ThouartourGod,andwethepeoplewhom Thouhastloved:
Beholdandshowpity,OGodofIsrael,forweareThine; AndremovenotThymercyfromus,lesttheyassailus.
ForThoudidstchoosetheseedofAbrahambeforeallthe nations,
AnddidstsetThynameuponus,OLord,
AndThouwiltnotrejectusforever
Thoumadestacovenantwithourfathersconcerningus;
AndwehopeinThee,whenoursoulturnethuntoThee
ThemercyoftheLordbeuponthehouseofIsraelfor everandever.
CHAPTER10
HappyisthemanwhomtheLordrememberethwith reproving,
AndwhomHerestrainethfromthewayofevilwith strokes
Thathemaybecleansedfromsin,thatitmaynotbe multiplied
Hethatmakethreadyhisbackforstrokesshallbecleansed,
FortheLordisgoodtothemthatendurechastening.
ForHemakethstraightthewaysoftherighteous, AnddothnotpervertthembyHischastening
AndthemercyoftheLordisuponthemthatloveHimin truth,
AndtheLordrememberethHisservantsinmercy
Forthetestimonyisinthelawoftheeternalcovenant,
ThetestimonyoftheLordisonthewaysofmeninHis visitation
JustandkindisourLordinHisjudgementsforever, AndIsraelshallpraisethenameoftheLordingladness Andthepiousshallgivethanksintheassemblyofthe people;
AndonthepoorshallGodhavemercyinthegladnessof Israel;
ForgoodandmercifulisGodforever, AndtheassembliesofIsraelshallglorifythenameofthe Lord
ThesalvationoftheLordbeuponthehouseofIsraelunto everlastinggladness!
CHAPTER11
BlowyeinZiononthetrumpettosummonthesaints, CauseyetobeheardinJerusalemthevoiceofhimthat bringethgoodtidings;
ForGodhathhadpityonIsraelinvisitingthem.
Standontheheight,OJerusalem,andbeholdthychildren, FromtheEastandtheWest,gatheredtogetherbythe Lord;
FromtheNorththeycomeinthegladnessoftheirGod, FromtheislesafaroffGodhathgatheredthem
HighmountainshathHeabasedintoaplainforthem; Thehillsfledattheirentrance
Thewoodsgavethemshelterastheypassedby;
Everysweet-smellingtreeGodcausedtospringupfor them,
ThatIsraelmightpassbyinthevisitationofthegloryof theirGod
Puton,OJerusalem,thygloriousgarments; Makereadythyholyrobe;
ForGodhathspokengoodconcerningIsrael,foreverand ever
LettheLorddowhatHehathspokenconcerningIsraeland Jerusalem; LettheLordraiseupIsraelbyHisgloriousname
ThemercyoftheLordbeuponIsraelforeverandever
CHAPTER12
OLord,delivermysoulfromthelawlessandwickedman, Fromthetonguethatislawlessandslanderous,and speakethliesanddeceit
Manifoldlytwistedarethewordsofthetongueofthe wickedman,
Evenasamongapeopleafirethatburnethuptheirbeauty Sohedelightstofillhouseswithalyingtongue, Tocutdownthetreesofgladnesswhichsettethonfire transgressors, Toinvolvehouseholdsinwarfarebymeansofslanderous lips.
MayGodremovefarfromtheinnocentthelipsof transgressorsbybringingthemtowant
Andmaythebonesofslanderersbescatteredfaraway fromthemthatfeartheLord!
Inflamingfireperishtheslanderoustonguefaraway fromthepious!
MaytheLordpreservethequietsoulthathateththe unrighteous;
AndmaytheLordestablishthemanthatfollowethpeace athome
ThesalvationoftheLordbeuponIsraelHisservantfor ever;
Andletthesinnersperishtogetheratthepresenceofthe Lord;
ButlettheLord'spiousonesinheritthepromisesofthe Lord
CHAPTER13
TherighthandoftheLordhathcoveredme; TherighthandoftheLordhathsparedus.
ThearmoftheLordhathsavedusfromtheswordthat passedthrough,
Fromfamineandthedeathofsinners. Noisomebeastsranuponthem:
Withtheirteeththeytoretheirflesh, Andwiththeirmolarscrushedtheirbones.
ButfromallthesethingstheLorddeliveredus
Therighteouswastroubledonaccountofhiserrors, Lestheshouldbetakenawayalongwiththesinners; Forterribleistheoverthrowofthesinner;
Butnotoneofallthesethingstoucheththerighteous Fornotalikearethechasteningoftherighteousforsins doneinignorance,
Andtheoverthrowofthesinners
Secretlyistherighteouschastened, Lestthesinnerrejoiceovertherighteous ForHecorrecteththerighteousasabelovedson. Andhischastisementisasthatofafirst-born FortheLordsparethHispiousones, AndblottethouttheirerrorsbyHischastening. Forthelifeoftherighteousshallbeforever; Butsinnersshallbetakenawayintodestruction,, Andtheirmemorialshallbefoundnomore.
ButuponthepiousisthemercyoftheLord, AnduponthemthatfearHimHismercy
CHAPTER14
FaithfulistheLordtothemthatloveHimintruth, TothemthatendureHischastening, TothemthatwalkintherighteousnessofHis commandments,
InthelawwhichHecommandedusthatwemightlive ThepiousoftheLordshalllivebyitforever;
TheParadiseoftheLord,thetreesoflife,areHispious ones
Theirplantingisrootedforever; Theyshallnotbepluckedupallthedaysofheaven: FortheportionandtheinheritanceofGodisIsrael Butnotsoarethesinnersandtransgressors, Wholovethebriefdayspentincompanionshipwiththeir sin;
Theirdelightisinfleetingcorruption, AndtheyremembernotGod.
ForthewaysofmenareknownbeforeHimatalltimes, AndHeknoweththesecretsoftheheartbeforetheycome topass.
ThereforetheirinheritanceisSheolanddarknessand destruction
Andtheyshallnotbefoundinthedaywhentherighteous obtainmercy; ButthepiousoftheLordshallinheritlifeingladness
CHAPTER15
WhenIwasindistressIcalleduponthenameoftheLord, IhopedforthehelpoftheGodofJacobandwassaved; ForthehopeandrefugeofthepoorartThou,OGod Forwho,OGod,isstrongexcepttogivethanksuntoThee intruth?
Andwhereinisamanpowerfulexceptingivingthanksto Thyname?
Anewpsalmwithsongingladnessofheart,
Thefruitofthelipswiththewell-tunedinstrumentofthe tongue, Thefirstfruitsofthelipsfromapiousandrighteous heart--
Hethatoffereththesethingsshallneverbeshakenbyevil; Theflameoffireandthewrathagainsttheunrighteous shallnottouchhim, WhenitgoethforthfromthefaceoftheLordagainst sinners,
Todestroyallthesubstanceofsinners, ForthemarkofGodisupontherighteousthattheymaybe saved
Famineandswordandpestilenceshallbefarfromthe righteous,
Fortheyshallfleeawayfromthepiousasmenpursuedin war;
Buttheyshallpursuesinnersandovertakethem, Andtheythatdolawlessnessshallnotescapethe judgementofGod;
Asbyenemiesexperiencedinwarshalltheybeovertaken, Forthemarkofdestructionisupontheirforehead.
Andtheinheritanceofsinnersisdestructionanddarkness, AndtheiriniquitiesshallpursuethemuntoSheolbeneath Theirinheritanceshallnotbefoundoftheirchildren, Forsinsshalllaywastethehousesofsinners
AndsinnersshallperishforeverinthedayoftheLord's judgement,
WhenGodvisiteththeearthwithHisjudgement
ButtheythatfeartheLordshallfindmercytherein, AndshalllivebythecompassionoftheirGod; Butsinnersshallperishforever
CHAPTER16
WhenmysoulslumberedbeingafarfromtheLord,Ihad allbutslippeddowntothepit,
WhenIwasfarfromGod,mysoulhadbeenwell-nigh pouredoutuntodeath,
IhadbeennighuntothegatesofSheolwiththesinner,
WhenmysouldepartedfromtheLordGodofIsrael-HadnottheLordhelpedmewithHiseverlastingmercy
Heprickedme,asahorseispricked,thatImightserve Him,
Mysaviourandhelperatalltimessavedme.
IwillgivethanksuntoThee,OGod,forThouhasthelped metomysalvation;
Andhastnotcountedmewithsinnerstomydestruction. RemovenotThymercyfromme,OGod, NorThymemorialfrommyheartuntilIdie
Ruleme,OGod,keepingmebackfromwickedsin, Andfromeverywickedwomanthatcauseththesimpleto stumble
Andletnotthebeautyofalawlesswomanbeguileme, Noranyonethatissubjecttounprofitablesin
EstablishtheworksofmyhandsbeforeThee, AndpreservemygoingsintheremembranceofThee Protectmytongueandmylipswithwordsoftruth; Angerandunreasoningwrathputfarfromme.
Murmuring,andimpatienceinaffliction,removefarfrom me
When,ifIsin,ThouchastenestmethatImayreturnunto Thee
Butwithgoodwillandcheerfulnesssupportmysoul; WhenThoustrengthenestmysoul,whatisgiventome willbesufficientforme
ForifThougivestnotstrength, Whocanendurechastisementwithpoverty?
Whenamanisrebukedbymeansofhiscorruption, Thytestingofhimisinhisfleshandintheafflictionof poverty.
Iftherighteousendurethinallthesetrials,heshallreceive mercyfromtheLord
CHAPTER17
OLord,ThouartourKingforeverandever, ForinThee,OGod,dothoursoulglory Howlongarethedaysofman'slifeupontheearth?
Asarehisdays,soisthehopesetuponhim. ButwehopeinGod,ourdeliverer; ForthemightofourGodisforeverwithmercy, AndthekingdomofourGodisforeveroverthenations injudgement
Thou,OLord,didstchooseDavidtobekingoverIsrael, Andswaredsttohimtouchinghisseedthatnevershould hiskingdomfailbeforeThee.
But,foroursins,sinnersroseupagainstus;
Theyassailedusandthrustusout;
WhatThouhadstnotpromisedtothem,theytookaway fromuswithviolence
TheyinnowiseglorifiedThyhonourablename; Theysetaworldlymonarchyinplaceofthatwhichwas theirexcellency;
TheylaidwastethethroneofDavidintumultuous arrogance.
ButThou,OGod,didstcastthemdown,andremovetheir seedfromtheearth,
Inthatthereroseupagainstthemamanthatwasaliento ourrace
AccordingtotheirsinsdidstThourecompensethem,O God;
Sothatitbefellthemaccordingtotheirdeeds Godshowedthemnopity;
Hesoughtouttheirseedandletnotoneofthemgofree. FaithfulistheLordinallHisjudgements
WhichHedoethupontheearth
Thelawlessonelaidwasteourlandsothatnoneinhabited it,
Theydestroyedyoungandoldandtheirchildrentogether IntheheatofHisangerHesentthemawayevenuntothe west,
AndHeexposedtherulersofthelandunsparinglyto derision.
Beinganalientheenemyactedproudly,
AndhisheartwasalienfromOurGod
AndallthingswhatsoeverhedidinJerusalem, Asalsothenationsinthecitiestotheirgods
Andthechildrenofthecovenantinthemidstofthe mingledpeoplessurpassedtheminevil
Therewasnotamongthemonethatwroughtinthemidst ofJerusalemmercyandtruth.
Theythatlovedthesynagoguesofthepiousfledfromthem, Assparrowsthatflyfromtheirnest
Theywanderedindesertsthattheirlivesmightbesaved fromharm,
Andpreciousintheeyesofthemthatlivedabroadwas anythatescapedalivefromthem.
Overthewholeearthweretheyscatteredbylawlessmen Fortheheavenswithheldtherainfromdroppinguponthe earth,
Springswerestoppedthatsprangperenniallyoutofthe deeps,thatrandownfromloftymountains
Fortherewasnoneamongthemthatwroughtrighteousness andjustice;
Fromthechiefofthemtotheleastofthemallweresinful; Thekingwasatransgressor,andthejudgedisobedient, andthepeoplesinful
Behold,OLord,andraiseupuntothemtheirking,theson ofDavid,
AtthetimeinthewhichThouseest,OGod,thathemay reignoverIsraelThyservant.
Andgirdhimwithstrength,thathemayshatter unrighteousrulers,
AndthathemaypurgeJerusalemfromnationsthat trampleherdowntodestruction
Wisely,righteouslyheshallthrustoutsinnersfromthe inheritance,
Heshalldestroytheprideofthesinnerasapotter'svessel
Witharodofironheshallbreakinpiecesalltheir substance,
Heshalldestroythegodlessnationswiththewordofhis mouth;
Athisrebukenationsshallfleebeforehim,
Andheshallreprovesinnersforthethoughtsoftheir heart
Andheshallgathertogetheraholypeople,whomheshall leadinrighteousness,
Andheshalljudgethetribesofthepeoplethathasbeen sanctifiedbytheLordhisGod
Andheshallnotsufferunrighteousnesstolodgeanymore intheirmidst,
Norshalltheredwellwiththemanymanthatknoweth wickedness,
Forheshallknowthem,thattheyareallsonsoftheirGod.
Andheshalldividethemaccordingtotheirtribesuponthe land,
Andneithersojournernoralienshallsojournwiththem anymore
Heshalljudgepeoplesandnationsinthewisdomofhis righteousness.Selah.
Andheshallhavetheheathennationstoservehimunder hisyoke;
AndheshallglorifytheLordinaplacetobeseenofall theearth;
AndheshallpurgeJerusalem,makingitholyasofold: Sothatnationsshallcomefromtheendsoftheearthtosee hisglory,
Bringingasgiftshersonswhohadfainted.
AndtoseethegloryoftheLord,wherewithGodhath glorifiedher
Andheshallbearighteousking,taughtofGod,overthem, Andthereshallbenounrighteousnessinhisdaysintheir midst,
Forallshallbeholyandtheirkingtheanointedofthe Lord
Forheshallnotputhistrustinhorseandriderandbow, Norshallhemultiplyforhimselfgoldandsilverforwar,
Norshallhegatherconfidencefromamultitudefortheday ofbattle.
TheLordHimselfishisking,thehopeofhimthatis mightythroughhishopeinGod
Allnationsshallbeinfearbeforehim, Forhewillsmitetheearthwiththewordofhismouthfor ever
HewillblessthepeopleoftheLordwithwisdomand gladness,
Andhehimselfwillbepurefromsin,sothathemayrule agreatpeople
Hewillrebukerulers,andremovesinnersbythemightof hisword;
AndrelyinguponhisGod,throughouthisdayshewillnot stumble;
ForGodwillmakehimmightybymeansofHisholyspirit, Andwisebymeansofthespiritofunderstanding,with strengthandrighteousness.
AndtheblessingoftheLordwillbewithhim:hewillbe strongandstumblenot;
HishopewillbeintheLord:whothencanprevailagainst him?
Hewill,bemightyinhisworks,andstronginthefearof God,
HewillbeshepherdingtheflockoftheLordfaithfully andrighteously,
Andwillsuffernoneamongthemtostumbleintheir pasture
Hewillleadthemallaright,
Andtherewillbenoprideamongthemthatanyamong themshouldbeoppressed
ThiswillbethemajestyofthekingofIsraelwhomGod knoweth;
HewillraisehimupoverthehouseofIsraeltocorrect him
Hiswordsshallbemorerefinedthancostlygold,the choicest;
Intheassemblieshewilljudgethepeoples,thetribesof thesanctified
Hiswordsshallbelikethewordsoftheholyonesinthe midstofsanctifiedpeoples
Blessedbetheythatshallbeinthosedays,
InthattheyshallseethegoodfortuneofIsraelwhichGod shallbringtopassinthegatheringtogetherofthetribes MaytheLordhastenHismercyuponIsrael!
MayHedeliverusfromtheuncleannessofunholy enemies!
TheLordHimselfisourkingforeverandever
CHAPTER18
Lord,ThymercyisovertheworksofThyhandsforever; ThygoodnessisoverIsraelwitharichgift
Thineeyeslookuponthem,sothatnoneofthemsuffers want;
Thineearslistentothehopefulprayerofthepoor
Thyjudgementsareexecuteduponthewholeearthin mercy;
AndThyloveistowardtheseedofAbraham,thechildren ofIsrael.
Thychastisementisuponusasuponafirst-born,onlybegottenson,
Toturnbacktheobedientsoulfromfollythatiswrought inignorance.
MayGodcleanseIsraelagainstthedayofmercyand blessing, Againstthedayofchoicewhen
Blessedshalltheybethatshallbeinthosedays, HebringethbackHisanointed.
InthattheyshallseethegoodnessoftheLordwhichHe shallperformforthegenerationthatistocome,
UndertherodofchasteningoftheLord'sanointedinthe fearofhisGod,
Inthespiritofwisdomandrighteousnessandstrength; Thathemaydirecteverymanintheworksof righteousnessbythefearofGod,
ThathemayestablishthemallbeforetheLord,
AgoodgenerationlivinginthefearofGodinthedaysof mercySelah
GreatisourGodandglorious,dwellinginthehighest. ItisHewhohathestablishedintheircoursesthelightsof heavenfordeterminingseasonsfromyeartoyear,
AndtheyhavenotturnedasidefromthewaywhichHe appointedthem
InthefearofGodtheypursuetheirpatheveryday, FromthedayGodcreatedthemandforevermore.
AndtheyhaveerrednotsincethedayHecreatedthem Sincethegenerationsofoldtheyhavenotwithdrawn fromtheirpath,
UnlessGodcommandedthemsotodobythecommand ofHisservants